RWBY: Legacies

The Stray

'Welcome To Vale!'

The words are almost impossible to miss, being hoisted above the wide cobbled alley to the marina, its vibrant colours successfully drawing every eye. In fact, most of Vale is now covered in balloons, ribbons, flags, and stalls, but stretches of city culture like the waterfront are where it really shines. The alley is already abuzz when RWBY and MGTA arrive, they can't help but look around, interested on different levels for the upcoming celebrations.

"The Vytal Festival. Oh, this is so wonderful, so alive." Weiss proclaims excitedly, practically skipping as she leads the group down the alley, stopping here and there when something catches her eye.

"I don't think I've ever seen you smile this much Weiss... it's kinda weirding me out." Ruby admits with a hand on her hip, her uncertain smirk turning into a cocked eyebrow. "Not that it's a bad thing for you to smile." She hurriedly adds, averting her eyes and busying herself stabilising Crescent Rose on the small of her back as Weiss turns to her.

"How could you not smile?" Weiss asks incredulously, ignoring Ruby's comment. "It's a festival dedicated to the cultures of the world; there will be dances, parades and the tournament. The food and colour and... Oh, the amount of planning and organisation that goes into this event is simply breathtaking." Her eyes sparkle as she clasps her hands to her chest, momentarily lost in her own world before twirling back and continuing down the alley.

The others follow her, all a little surprised; Eliza in particular unsure how to react to this side of Weiss. Theodore is quite enjoying her lighter side.

"Lost it at the end there. You really know how to take a good thing and make it sound boring." Yang scoffs, crossing her arms. Blake, Ruby, and Eliza smirk but Theodore and Wiess frown.

"Oh, Quiet you." Weiss scolds.

"She has a point though." Eliza says, her long hair swaying in the light breeze as they turn to look across the shipyard. "The docks are nice and everything, but why are we spending our afternoon here? Why not the central park, it's gotta have loads of Vytal stuff going on too, and it's just nicer." She removes her hoodie, tying it around her waist and sticking her hands in her trouser pockets.

"It would also be quieter." Theodore adds, smiling as Weiss gives him a small side glare. In matter of fact, he's always quite enjoyed the Vytal Festival, the idea at least, the number of people that flood to the city, not so much. Surtur rolls around the back of his neck, readjusting across his shoulders to get as much sunlight as possible.

"Ew, it smells like fish." Ruby blurts out, comically pinching her nose.

"Yeah, so why are we here, Weiss?" Yang asks as they look across the water.

"I've heard that students from Vacuo will be arriving by ship today, and as a representative of Beacon, I feel it is my solemn duty to welcome them to this fine kingdom." Weiss beams with a pretentious tone, turning back from the water before jauntily heading off down the pier.

"Translation: She wants to spy on them, so she'll have the upper hand in the tournament." Blake says, giving the others a side glance as she readjusts her bow.

"Ach, you can't prove that." Weiss retorts indignantly, whirling back around and quickly crossing her arms. This earns a small chuckle from Theodore, who silently approves of her devious plan.

Ruby rolls her eyes at Weiss, before she hears a commotion from one of the smaller alleys. She comes to a halt, peering down the alley. The others realise she has stopped and come back, following her gaze, where they all quickly spot what has caught her attention.