Project: RWBY

Ch 21) Two Steps Forward, One Step Back

After mingling with the crowd for a bit, I make my way over to where I spot Ruby hiding out on her own. Taking a subtle swig of my flask and almost tripping a couple of times, I manage to find my way to the punch table where two outcasts reside.

"Oh, hi Neir." Ruby greets me in an uncharacteristically flat voice.

"Welcome to the socially awkward club," Jaune adds flatly.

Man, there's an entire aura of gloom surrounding these two.

"You guys need to loosen up! Go out there and dance er sumthin."

The two of them look at the crowd on the dance floor and pull the same grimace on their faces.

"Not all of us are capable of just...going out there you know." Ruby sighs.

"I guess you're right." I murmur as I lean on the punch table next to Ruby. "Wanna trade drinks?" I offer my flask to her as I look at her drink.

She stares at the drink in my hand quite seriously, leading me to believe she's either contemplating accepting my offer or just stunned. Both thoughts have me bursting out in laughter as I pull it away from her.

"I-I'm just kidding Red, I would never offer you- *Hurk*"

I quickly turn away from them and cover my mouth.

"N-Neir?" Ruby steps forward worriedly alongside Jaune.

I hold my other hand out to stop the two. "I-I'm fine, just gonna get some fresh air. I t-think there's a good balcony somewhere around here." I murmur to myself as I walk away from the socially awkward club.

I stumble forward, acting sober when passing teachers, until I find a set of promising looking stairs. It's faint, but I can feel a tiny breeze from here meaning these stairs lead outside. I manage my way up using the assistance of the railing and follow the wind flow to the outside.

"A rather large balcony," I observe to myself as I walk to the other end and lean on the railings.

I take a look around me ensuring that I'm alone before I hold out my hand and catch a new flask that drops from a door. My gaze lingers on the metal container, wondering who it is in the distorted reflection before me. With a sigh, I unscrew the top and pour its contents over the edge.

"Cheers," I murmur as I take a sip from my other flask.

I'm not alone in my thoughts for very long until a far too warm voice calls to me from the way I came.

"I thought I saw you go this way."

I know who the meddling voice belongs to, even without having to turn my back. The flasks quickly disappear into my suit as I lean over the edge.

"Getting some fresh air I see." She says, her footsteps getting closer.

I remain quiet as she leans onto the railing next to me. At the edges of my vision, I see the soft smile on her lips that usually appears when we end up alone together.

"I heard you were, as they say 'tearing up the dance floor' earlier. A shame that I missed it."

"I wasn't exactly trying to be subtle you know."

"Yes well, that's what happens when you arrive late." She says quietly.

My brows raise slightly at the news.

"...And you were late why?"

Pyrrha's smile falters momentarily as she releases a soft laugh.

"To be honest, despite attending many reward ceremonies myself, I could never get used to these sorts of events..."