Chereads / The Strength Needed: A RWBY Tale / Chapter 25 - Chapter 25: Confession

Chapter 25 - Chapter 25: Confession

Arriving at the dance, Nova leads Scarlett over to the dance floor, ready to have a good time dancing the night away.

Ariel: "Hey Topaz, what is in the bag you are carrying?"

Topaz: "Oh this, haha, this is Jaune's dress for the night."

Ariel: "Jaune's dress?"

Topaz: "Yep, he told Pyrra that if no one asked her to the dance than he would wear a dress. I was more than happy to get him one because he will need it."

Ariel: "Yeah, he's going to need it."

Making their way over to where Jaune and Ruby are standing around, Topaz hands over the bag.

Topaz: "Hey you two."

Ariel: "Hi guys, you both look great."

Topaz: "Here you are Jaune, one dress all nice and waiting to be worn. Hi Ruby, you look lovely."

Jaune: "Hey! The deal was if no one asked Pyrra to the dance I would wear it."

Ruby: "Thanks Topaz, I wish I had my hood, and wasn't wearing lady stilts though."

Topaz: "Just enjoy yourself Ruby, please. And Jaune, you'll get your answer as soon as you speak to Pyrra."

Jaune: "Yeah, and you'll see that you're wrong."

Ariel: "I'm sorry Jaune, but I have to agree with Topaz on this one."

Topaz: "Sure thing Jaune, whatever helps you sleep at night. Have a great time tonight you two."

Ruby: "Wait! Topaz, did you and Ariel come to the dance together?"

Topaz: "Yeah, we did."

Ruby: "OhmygodsineedtotellYangbye!"

Ruby attempts to quickly make her way over to where Yang and Blake are dancing only to stumble over the heels she's wearing.

Ruby: "Yang! I have something to tell you"

Yang: "Ruby what's up?"

Ruby: "Guess who Topaz took to the dance."

Yang: "Who did he take?"

Ruby: "He and Ariel are here, together."

Yang: "He finally did it?!"

Ruby: "Yep."

Yang's eyes go wide and she rushes over to where Topaz and Ariel are dancing and laughing.

Yang: "Topaz, a little flower told me that you finally did it."

Topaz: *Sigh* "Yes, I finally asked Ariel to be my date to the dance."

Yang: "Is that it?"

Ariel: "It was the only thing he asked, but his actions said so much more Yang."

Yang: "Actions? Topaz you dirty dog you."

Topaz: "Yang, first off, not a dog. Second off, I didn't do anything that you are thinking. I only gave her a gift to show her just how much she means to me."

Ariel: "Yang, look at this."

Yang looks over to Ariel and sees the necklace she's wearing.

Yang: "Wow, it's so pretty. Ok, I can see what you mean Ariel. I'll be around, you two have a great time."

Ariel: "Thanks Yang, you too."

Topaz: "See ya Yang. Have fun but be careful please."

Yang: "Sure thing mom."

The three laugh as Yang separates herself from Topaz and Ariel and makes her way back over to Blake. Topaz and Ariel get close to each other and begin to dance. Topaz puts his hands on her waist and pulls her close. Ariel puts her arms around his neck and the two begin to sway to the music.

Topaz: "Ariel, can I be honest with you?"

Ariel: "Of course you can Topaz."

Topaz: "When we were back in Signal every time you would get close to me, my heart would start going a mile a minute. I was dumb and didn't know what it meant, that is until the day you left. Watching you walk away with tears in your eyes tore me up inside. I talked with Tai about it after everything. Turns out I liked you, and didn't even realize it. And when I saw you again in the Emerald Forest, I don't think I've ever been happier. And these past few weeks have helped me really determine how I feel."

Ariel: "Topaz, what are you saying?"

Topaz: "Ariel, I love you."

Ariel's eyes go wide at his confession, her mind still processing everything he had said. Topaz worries he may have overwhelmed her and he begins to panic internally.

Topaz: "Ariel I-"

Before he can finish his sentence, he is silenced by a pair of soft lips pressing against his own. Closing his eyes and enjoying the moment, they stay like that until Ariel backs off. The two look at each other turning nearly as red as Scarlett's hair.

Ariel: "I love you too Topaz."

Topaz takes Ariel's hand and begins to lead her away from the crowd on the dance floor, and over to the refreshments. There they see Jaune talking with Pyrra and Neptune talking with Weiss. Jaune turns around and looks at Topaz, disbelief written all over his face.

Jaune: "Well Topaz, I guess I'm going to go and change real quick. Keep Pyrra distracted for a little until I get back."

Ariel giggles at Jaune's statement and then she drags Topaz over to Pyrra.

Topaz: "Hey Pyrra how has your night been so far?"

Pyrra: "Oh, Topaz and Ariel, it's good to see you. My night has been uneventful so far to be honest with you."

Topaz: "Pyrra, why didn't you let me talk Jaune into asking you to the dance?"

Ariel: "Wait what? Topaz, you can't force feelings on anyone."

Pyrra: "Thank you Ariel. It's as she says Topaz. Yes, I like Jaune. Yes, I wanted to come to the dance with him. But I want it to be with feelings he's discovered himself, not ones that have been forced upon him."

Topaz: "I understand. I'm sorry Pyrra. I truly hope he finds those feelings quickly."

Pyrra: "Me too Topaz, me too."

Jaune: "Pyrra, a promise is a promise."

Everyone turns at Jaune's voice, and everyone finds him standing there in the white dress that Topaz had purchased for him. After the laughing was wrapped up, everyone takes to the dance floor led by Jaune and Pyrra. It was at that moment that Topaz heard an all too familiar gunshot ringing out in the distance. Separating from Ariel he tells her he needs to get some air quickly, gives her a quick peck on the cheek and rushes outside. Following Ruby's scent, he arrives at the top of an elevator and finds Ruby being questioned by General Ironwood.

Topaz: "What's going on here?"

Ruby: "Topaz! Why are you here?"

Ironwood: "Who are you?"

Topaz: "Ruby, I heard Crescent Rose's gunfire so I went outside and followed your scent here. As for who I am sir, my name is Topaz, Ruby's adopted brother."

Ironwood: "Scent? Can you detect any unfamiliar scents in this room? According to Ms. Rose here, there was a woman who came here and knocked out all of the guards. For what reason, we cannot determine."

Topaz takes his time trying to detect and scents other than Ruby, General Ironwoods, and the unconscious workers. The only other scent he can detect is an absurd perfume. It burns Topaz's nose and immediately gives him a headache.

Topaz: "I'm sorry sir, but whoever did this wore a perfume to counter such a measure. I need to get some air, it's starting to give me a headache."

Ironwood: *aggravated sigh* "Well that's just great. Someone has planned something to the point of even countering a faunus' enhanced sense of smell. *Sigh* I'm sorry, both of you return to the dance and do not talk about this to anyone."

Ruby and Topaz: "If you say so sir."

Ironwood: "Thank you both for your help. Now if you'll excuse me, I have matters to attend."

Topaz and Ruby slowly make their way back to the dance, silence hangs between them as they don't know what to say. Topaz is the first to break the silence.

Topaz: "Are you ok Ruby?"

Ruby: "Yeah, I'm fine. I just wish I could have caught her."

Topaz: "I understand that completely. But don't let it get to you. Whoever it was, is dangerous. I'm relieved that you are ok after fighting her. Especially considering you are in heels."

The two arrive back at the dance and Ariel rushes over to Topaz and gives him a hug.

Ariel: "Topaz, where have you been. I went outside to look for you and you were gone."

Topaz: "I'm so sorry for worrying you Ariel. I heard Ruby off in the distance and got worried. She's never been very good in these social situations."

Ruby: "Heyyyy. As true as it is it still isn't very nice to say."

The rest of the night continues on until the dance ends. Topaz and Ariel danced the night away alongside Nova and Scarlett. When the dance finished team SATN returned to their dorm, falling asleep as soon as they touched their pillows.