Underneath The Shattered Moon [RWBY X OC]

Chapter 24

The scene unfolded in a quiet corner of Beacon, bathed in the soft glow of afternoon sunlight. Ruby Rose, her usually vibrant energy dimmed, rested her head on her hand, her gaze fixed on some distant point beyond the bustling academy grounds. A melancholic air clung to her, a stark contrast to the usual lively atmosphere she exuded.

Suddenly, the tranquility was shattered. Weiss Schnee, a picture of refined composure despite the abrupt action, slammed her palms onto the table where Ruby sat, startling the melancholic huntress.

"Weiss!" Ruby exclaimed, a hint of annoyance in her voice, though it was quickly swallowed by her usual gentle demeanor.

Weiss, seemingly oblivious to the disruption she caused, offered a strained smile. "I need you to pick a tablecloth," she announced, sliding two squares of fabric towards Ruby. Both were remarkably similar shades of white, practically indistinguishable to the untrained eye.

Ruby, brow furrowed in confusion, tilted her head. "Aren't they both the same?"

A sigh of frustration escaped Weiss' lips, a rare sight for the usually collected heiress. "I don't even know why I asked! Aebelle?" she called out, her voice laced with exasperation.

Aebelle, who seemed to be observing the scene from a nearby vantage point, spoke up with a noncommittal, "Eh.... the one on the left should do."

"Thank you," Weiss replied, a hint of relief in her tone before she briskly walked away from the scene, seemingly leaving the tablecloth decision behind.

Just as Ruby attempted to return to her contemplative state, Yang burst into the room, a massive sound speaker balanced precariously on her shoulder. The weight of the speaker, coupled with her boisterous entry, sent Ruby and the table she was leaning on bouncing into the air. With a jarring thud, Yang dropped the speaker onto the floor, sending a tremor through the room.

"So," Yang began, brushing off her hands as she approached her sister, "have you picked out a dress yet?"

Ruby's mood darkened further. "What's the point?" she mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper. "Who cares about the dance if Blake isn't going?"

Yang's expression softened, a comforting warmth replacing her usual boisterous energy. "Oh, don't worry; she's going." She glanced towards the hallway, a look of exasperation washing over her face. "Weiss! I thought we agreed: No doilies!"

Weiss, appearing as if from nowhere, stopped in her tracks and confronted Yang, her finger pointed accusingly. "If I don't get doilies, you don't get fog machines!"

Before the two could escalate their argument, the sound of the doors opening interrupted them. Neptune Vasilias and Sun Wukong sauntered into the room, their contrasting personalities palpable even from a distance.

"Your dance is gonna have fog machines?" Neptune inquired, a hint of awe in his voice.

Weiss, seemingly charmed by Neptune's interest, adopted a sugary-sweet tone. "We were thinking about it..."

"That's pretty cool," Neptune replied, a genuine smile gracing his features.

Sun, ever eager to create a scene, sauntered into the center of attention, addressing the girls with his trademark swagger. "You ladies all excited for dress-up?"

Ruby scoffed, her earlier melancholy replaced by a surge of annoyance. "Pfft... Yeah, right!"

Yang, unfazed by her sister's negativity, puffed out her chest with confidence. "Laugh all you want. I'll be turning heads tomorrow night!"

Weiss, ignoring Yang's bravado, turned her attention to the two newcomers. "What are you two wearing?"

Sun, gesturing towards his shirtless torso with a casual shrug, replied, "Uuhhh... this?"