Darkest Nights: a RWBY Story

Chapter 31: Preperations

"Mother, you know I don't do formal."
Jason said as he finished sliding a booth into place on one side of the ballroom.
His mother sighed.
"I know dear but remember, you're representing both the royal family and the Royal Army of Remnant tonight, so try to wear something nice."
Jason nodded as he shifted a table into position.
He didn't mind helping with the dance preparations. It gave him something to do instead of sitting around waiting for the evening to arrive.
Glancing over, he saw Talia, perched on top of a short ladder, replacing the candles and torches along the walls.
Walking over to her, he put a hand on her back to help steady her.
"Mom giving you grief about your outfit again?"
His sister asked as she slotted another torch into its sconce.
Jason chuckled.
"Yeah, something like that."
Jumping the few feet to the ground, Talia smiled.
"Just remember that you're opening the dance tonight."
Jason swore under his breath.
Talia let out a quiet laugh as Jason helped her move the ladder along to the next row of torches.
"You forgot, didn't you?"
"Yup."
It was customary for the highest ranking military official, and their respective partner, to open the dance. In years past it has been Jason's father and mother. Even though Jason had been in charge of the troops for several months now, there were certain aspects of the role he had overlooked.
Talia, from her position on the ladder above Jason, rested a hand on her brother's shoulder.
"Don't worry."
She said, smiling down at him.
"You aren't 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 bad of a dancer."
Jason chuckled as the two finished the final row of torches.
"So,"
Talia said, turning to look at her brother.
"What 𝘢𝘳𝘦 you going to wear?
Jason grinned.
"You'll see."
Just then, they were interrupted as Blake and Yang strode in, followed by Jamison and Sierra.
Sierra was a tall, deer faunus with medium length light brown hair and eyes the color of jade. She was resting her head against Jamison's shoulder.
Blake walked over to Talia and handed her a small bundle of cloth.
"Thanks for letting me borrow your bathing suit last night Talia."
Talia ginned as she handed the two piece swimsuit back to Blake.
"You can keep it. I go swimming quite a lot so I have plenty of them."
"Thank you."
Blake said.
"No problem. That reminds me, what are you wearing tonight?"
Blake blushed a little.
"I honestly don't have anything formal."
Talia grinned.
"In that case, I've got some outfits you can borrow."
Smiled as the two exited the ballroom in the direction of Talia's room.
Jason turned to Yang.
"What about you?"
Yang shrugged.
"I'm gonna go into town and see what I can find."
Jason nodded as Yang exited the room as well.
This was going to be an eventful evening.