So Ruby in a room full of rich people.



This is just comedy waiting to happen.

Chapter 5: The Dance

Weiss locked herself in her room for the rest of the day. She turned away any and all visitors, including Neptune. Citing seasickness might not have been the best of excuses as it seemed to make him worry even more until she threatened to string him to the rudder.

All she wanted was to be left alone and sulk! Was that so hard to ask for when the ship was bigger than most buildings?!

To be fair, she did have slight seasickness, but the majority of it was just how trapped she felt, literally and metaphorically. What kind of life awaited her after this? Probably the same as it was now, under the oppressive thumb of someone else.

And Ruby…

Her thoughts strayed to the girl more and more. She was so happy, so carefree. Weiss both envied and hated that. The girl might have been poor, but she didn't have to understand the suffocating gilded cage Weiss found herself in.

Dinnertime came all too soon, mostly because Weiss would have rather be anywhere but with pompous guests that thought they knew everything about refinery and culture when they might as well have had ageusia.

Perhaps…

And this was a very big perhaps, Ruby would liven things up?

…

What was she thinking betting on Ruby?!

Here she was bored out of her mind and couldn't stomach much of anything, and the dolt was so swarmed with affluent patrons that Weiss couldn't even see her.

But her jaw did drop when she saw Ruby enter the dining hall earlier. Red velvet. Red silk. Ruby wore a stunning evening gown that hugged her figure fairly well, though flared enough around her legs to avoid constricting her movements. She wobbled a bit as she walked, clearly unused to the heels she wore, but balanced like a child determined to take her own steps forward. Her eyebrows furrowed and she stuck out her tongue a few time trying to center properly. Childish, but the expression won the hearts of so many who saw her.

She didn't have any make up on, nor changed her hairstyle. Actually, Weiss was fairly certain she didn't even bother to brush her hair. And yet despite not going the full distance to beautify herself, Weiss couldn't help but think that the younger girl cleaned up quite nicely.

Of course, everyone immediately recognized a new face; especially when she walked in, arms linked with Pyrrha's. Like a demure doll, she walked alongside the Olympian, taking almost two steps for every one of the taller girl's. The contrast between them highlighted Pyrrha's grace and elegance while simultaneously accentuated Ruby's childlike charm and innocence.

Needless to say, everyone rushed to the two beautiful flowers.

Thus, Weiss was left in this predicament. Once again ignored, once again lonely.

Everyone clamored over Ruby's notebook. Aside from 'oohs' and 'ahhs' and comments, of all things Weiss actually heard some shouts for endorsements and sponsorships.

"Beautiful application of Trompe-l'œil," a mustached man complimented. "How you used the center crease of the book to create a three-dimensional piece only seeable at a particular angle is simply inspiring!"

"No, no, her lovely shading is what truly stands out," a woman with an needlessly large boa argued. "So real, so lifelike! And each portrait carries such personality!" She cozied up to Ruby and whispered, "Mind you, I could never get the noses right."

All the while, Ruby blushed deeper and deeper. As friendly as she tried to be with everyone she meets, she hated large gatherings, especially when she was in the spotlight.

She wasn't used to this kind of attention. Her drawings were mostly for fun, even if she sometimes used it to bring in a bit extra to feed her and her sister.

Awkwardness…

Weiss heard her stuttering and smirked. Oh if only she could see the face the little dolt was making right now…

Slow waltz music started playing in the background, though Weiss only drowned it out. There were too many people talking to fully enjoy the composition. Were it up to her, everyone would be shut out, the lights dimmed, and the walls remodeled to better serve the acoustics. Ahh~ even in her mind she will push everyone out.

As it were, Weiss looked glumly down at her plate of half-eaten mash potatoes. They were cold. Distasteful. Much like herself... Considering her stomach, she didn't think even something so soft would stay down.

So she kept her head down instead.

Stupid stomach. Stupid food. Stupid ship that served stupid food. Stupid family and obligations and everything else that wrong with this world.

So engrossed in her thoughts, she didn't even notice when someone stood in front of her until she received a small tap on her shoulder.

"What do you-" she started acerbically but faded when she looked into Ruby's shining eyes.

"H-hi…" Ruby stuttered shyly, her eyes glancing left and right as if trying avoid Weiss' eyes, but always straying back.

Weiss quirked her eyebrow. Everyone else behind Ruby was staring at them. She must have left in the middle of the conversation.

So what did she want?

"Uh…um…" Ruby's fidgeting got worse. Her hands were firmly clasped together and she wrung them nervously. "…w…w…" her voice couldn't find strength for anything above a whisper. So she hesitated and took a deep breath.

"W-WOULD YOU LIKE TO DANCE?!"

Weiss winced and covered her ears because Ruby practically shouted. Nearly everyone else did too. And yet the waltz behind them kept continuing. Weiss had to hand it to those musicians, they knew how to keep up professionalism.

To the matter at hand though…

"Huh?"

Ruby nearly crumpled at hearing Weiss' words, and Weiss felt a deep pang in her heart at seeing Ruby's face. Mouth slightly agape, eyes tearing up and becoming glassy. Like a little puppy begging for food and was kicked unceremoniously.

"I-I'm sorry!" Ruby quickly apologized and rushed away.

…

At least, she would have if Weiss hadn't grasped onto her wrist at the last possible second.

"What did you say?" Weiss asked, unsure if Ruby screamed the correct thing or just panicked.

"…D-do you want to dance with me?" Ruby repeated in a small voice without looking back. Her shoulders were slumped, certain that Weiss hadn't wanted to dance and that the whole idea of inviting her to dance was stupid.

Well… the idea was certainly stupid…

"Eep!" Ruby squeaked as Weiss tugged on her hand and spun her so they were face to face.

…but it had merit…

Weiss smirked as she pulled Ruby towards the dance floor, noting the faces of everyone around them.

Ruby froze up when Weiss pulled her. She hadn't thawed out yet, her face still stuck in awe and surprise.

She flinched when she felt Weiss' fingers entwine her own and Weiss' hand on her hip.

"Hey! Don't tell me you don't know how to dance," Weiss hissed. Since Ruby initiated, she thought the dolt would have known that much at least.

"I-I know!" Ruby blushed. "…jigs…" she muttered softly.

Weiss stared at her in shock. Unbelievable! The only thing this girl knew how to dance was to folk music? Nothing so refined as a good waltz?

"Are you trying to embarrass us?" Weiss gritted. The piece finished and paused to allow everyone who wanted to dance a chance to approach.

"I-it's really embarrassing! I don't know how and now everyone will know too!" Ruby nearly cried. "B-but! I saw you…" she bit down on her tongue to prevent what she was going to say next.

Weiss gave her a look.

Ruby shivered and bowed her head down so Weiss couldn't see her eyes or blushing cheeks anymore. "…but I saw you look like you weren't having any fun…"

Weiss' exasperation and anger evaporated. Ruby knew she would embarrass herself. But the reason she asked anyways was because she thought Weiss wasn't having a good time.

"Hand on my hip," Weiss sighed, drawing a confused look from Ruby.

She grabbed Ruby's hand and placed it on her hip.

Ruby's fingers twitched, not knowing how hard she should grasp or where her fingers should go, lest she accidentally grope Weiss. She looked worriedly at Weiss when her fingers brushed the silky fabric.

Warm. The realization flooded her mind. The sheer fabric was the only barrier between her hand and Weiss' soft and delicate skin. At this point, her body was blushing so much she was certain steam was coming out her ears. Steam… that would make the dress wet and cling to Weiss' figure…

Weiss smirked internally, unaware of the thought process going through Ruby's head. Were it anyone else, "accidentally" would have been putting it mildly. One of the reasons why Weiss didn't actually like to dance so much as just listen to the flow of the music. Just the once though, she'll allow it.

Weiss rolled her eyes. "Just follow my lead, okay?"

It was a simple step. Envision a box. Move accordingly to the points.

Weiss was glad that Ruby was a quick learner and that the drivel on soap operas about stepping on one's partner's toes were just an overused trope. While Ruby was not the best, nor a natural and she moved stiffly at first, she memorized the pattern quickly.

Half-way through, Weiss might even dared say that Ruby was having fun considering the brilliant smile on her face.

As the piece drew to a close, Weiss lifted her hand and pulled Ruby into a spin. Ruby naturally let her body flow long with Weiss', fully trusting her to lead and not let her spin out of control or trip.

Light applause resounded in the room. Weiss and Ruby looked at each other, faces flushed and both breathing a bit harder than when they started.

Weiss opened her mouth to speak, but Ruby took her words.

"Thanks Weiss," she beamed. "For showing me such fun!"

The same words died on Weiss' lips.

Even though Ruby was the one who was surrounded by people. Even though Ruby was the one they lavished praise on for her artworks. Even though Ruby was the one who saw how lonely and bored Weiss was and invited her to dance.

And yet she was thanking Weiss, not the other way around.

Ruby was… different. She didn't want anything from Weiss. She wasn't trying to use her or saw her as a piece to move or an advantage to further.

Despite getting a free meal, she still pushed to pay for it herself.

…. If it was Ruby… then maybe…

"Come along Ruby," Weiss looked away and tugged at her hand. "I've thought of how you can pay me back…"

Things are only going to get heated up from here on out!



Also, Ruby has a bit of a dirty mind...

Hehe~ look forward to the next chapter for that infamous scene!