When the orchestra's set concluded, the room erupted in polite applause. As Crimson and his group exited the stage, Yang stepped up to the sound system. She adjusted the controls, switching the music to a livelier, bass-heavy tune. The atmosphere in the room shifted instantly as students flooded the dance floor, eager to let loose.
Crimson helped his group safely store their instruments before stepping away. Most of the orchestra members chose to mingle with the crowd, enjoying the festivities they had helped set the tone for. Crimson, however, slipped away to the balcony, seeking solace in the quieter atmosphere outside.
The cool night air was a welcome reprieve from the bustling energy inside. He leaned against the railing, gazing out at the illuminated courtyard below. Despite the lively celebration, he felt strangely detached from it all. Events like this had never been his scene.
Barely a few minutes later, the sound of footsteps approached. Crimson turned to see Pyrrha stepping out onto the balcony. Her gown, a bright red that matched her hair, shimmered faintly in the moonlight. She offered him a small smile as she joined him by the railing.
"I didn't expect to see you here," she said softly.
Crimson raised an eyebrow. "Skipping the party already?"
Pyrrha chuckled, though her laughter lacked its usual warmth. "I suppose I needed a break. The atmosphere inside is... a bit overwhelming."
Crimson nodded. "I get that. It's not really my thing either."
They stood in companionable silence for a moment, the distant sound of music and laughter filtering through the open doors.
"Can I ask you something?" Pyrrha said, glancing at him hesitantly.
Crimson gave a casual nod.
"Have you ever felt like you can't form meaningful connections with people because they think you're too good for them?" Pyrrha asked, her voice tinged with sadness.
Crimson raised a brow at her question, his mind reflecting briefly on his own life. He didn't have meaningful connections with most people—his social circle was limited at best. But that wasn't because others thought he was unreachable; he simply didn't care to create those bonds. His family received his attention, but beyond that, he rarely bothered.
After some deliberation, he replied, "I can't say I have."
"Oh, I see." Pyrrha's shoulders slumped slightly, disappointment evident in her voice.
They fell into silence again, the distant party noises filling the void. Pyrrha eventually broke the stillness.
"I've been blessed with incredible talents and opportunities. I'm constantly surrounded by love and praise. But when you're placed on a pedestal for so long, you become separated from the people who put you there in the first place. Everyone assumes I'm too good for them, that I'm on a level they can't reach. It's become impossible to form any meaningful relationships.
"After you beat me, I thought things might change—that people would look at me differently. But nothing changed. I don't know what to do."
[I wonder if that's how Yoriichi felt], Crimson thought to himself, recalling the look on his brother's face—someone who had also been isolated by greatness they hadn't sought.
Breaking the silence this time, Crimson spoke. "We tend to form relationships with people who are similar to us or who share our experiences. Maybe you are 'too good' for the people you've met so far, and that's not your fault. It simply means you haven't met the right ones yet.
But here at Beacon, you already have people who treat you as a friend. And as you grow older, you'll meet more—some who see you as an equal, others who think of you as superior, and maybe even some who consider you a lesser. You don't need to tear yourself down over it. You have time"
Pyrrha remained silent, digesting his words. Then she smiled faintly and said, "Thank you. I needed to hear that."
Crimson gave her a thin smile and a nod before turning his gaze back to the courtyard.
"You know, it's hard to believe you're younger than me," Pyrrha added after a pause. "You're so composed and relaxed all the time, and you speak like someone who's seen it all. Sometimes, you are like a grandfather." She chuckled softly at her own words.
With a relaxed tone, Crimson replied, "Under different circumstances, I might have considered adopting you as a daughter, a granddaughter, or maybe even taking you in as a pupil. Sadly, I don't have time left for that"
Pyrrha burst into laughter at his unexpected reply.
Inside, the music changed to a more upbeat tune, drawing Pyrrha's attention. After a moment of contemplation, she turned back to Crimson. "It would be a shame to leave without having at least one dance."
She hesitated before continuing, "Do you mind having one dance with me?"
"Sorry, you've picked the wrong person. I don't know how to dance. In fact, I've never danced before," Crimson answered quickly.
Pyrrha raised an eyebrow, her surprise evident. "You don't know how to dance? So there is something the great Crimson is not good at."
"I don't know what Ruby and Yang have been telling people, but I assure you, they've been exaggerating," Crimson replied with a small smirk, fully aware of his sisters' antics.
He turned his gaze back toward the horizon. It was then he noticed Ruby entering the communication tower, Crescent Rose in hand. His eyes narrowed.
"What's wrong?" Pyrrha asked, noticing the change in his demeanor.
"It's Ruby. She just entered the communication tower with her weapon. Something's wrong. Go back and inform the staff—I'll follow her," Crimson said firmly before vaulting over the balcony railing.
Pyrrha didn't waste a moment. She rushed back into the hall, heading straight for Professor Ozpin, who was standing near Professor Glynda and General Ironwood.
"Professor Ozpin! Crimson spotted Ruby entering the communication tower with her weapon. He followed her, but there might be a problem!" Pyrrha said urgently.
The three frowned, their expressions grim as they exchanged a glance. Without delay, they moved toward the tower, Pyrrha trailing closely behind.
Unbeknownst to them, Emerald and Mercury had been watching the interaction from a distance. Mercury spoke quietly into his communicator "Cinder, you're going to have guests soon."
________________________
The soft hum of the elevator filled the silence as Crimson stood motionless, his eyes fixed on the illuminated panel counting up to the top floor. A faint tremor shook the elevator, followed by the distant echo of an explosion. Crimson's eyes narrowed as he adjusted his stance, readying himself for whatever awaited at the top. Moments later, the elevator dinged, the doors sliding open with a metallic hiss.
The scene before him was chaotic. The pristine control room was now littered with debris. Monitors flickered erratically, and the air carried the sharp tang of burnt wiring. Amid the wreckage stood Ruby, Crescent Rose folded at her side, her wide silver eyes darting toward him.
"Ruby," Crimson called out, stepping into the room. His tone was calm but firm. "What's going on here?"
Ruby turned to face him, her voice shaky. "There was someone here—a woman. She was dressed in black and wore a mask to hide her face. She... she created an arrow that exploded and caused this damage before escaping through the window."
Crimson's gaze shifted to the shattered window behind her. The faint sound of boots crunching on gravel reached his ears. Stepping closer, he leaned over the jagged glass frame, his eyes scanning the courtyard below. Atlas soldiers patrolled in tight formations, their rifles at the ready as they swept the grounds.
He frowned. "If the soldiers are still patrolling down there, then whoever did this is probably still inside the school."
Before Ruby could respond, the elevator dinged again. Crimson turned as the doors slid open to reveal Ozpin, General Ironwood, Professor Glynda, and Pyrrha stepping out. Their expressions immediately darkened as they took in the damage.
Ruby straightened instinctively, clutching Crescent Rose tighter. "Headmaster Ozpin, General Ironwood, I saw her—a woman in black. She caused an explosion and escaped through the window."
Ozpin's brows furrowed deeply, his ever-present cane tapping softly against the floor as he approached the center of the room. Ironwood's jaw tightened, and Glynda's sharp eyes swept the scene, taking in every detail.
Crimson, standing near the broken window, interjected. "If the soldiers outside haven't reported anyone leaving the grounds, she's still here. Somewhere in the school."
Ironwood nodded grimly "I will have my soldiers comb every inch of this campus. If she's still here, we will find her."
With that, the general tapped his earpiece and issued a series of orders. Crimson watched as the soldiers below redoubled their efforts, splitting into teams and scanning the area more thoroughly. Minutes passed, but no sign of the intruder emerged.
Ironwood's frown deepened as he turned to Crimson and Pyrrha. "You two should return to the party. This is a matter for the adults to handle now. Ruby will stay here for further questioning."
Ruby stiffened at the command, her fingers tightening around her weapon. Her nervous gaze flicked to Crimson, silently pleading.
Crimson crossed his arms, his eyes narrowing slightly. "With all due respect, General, Ruby is coming with us. Whatever's happening here isn't her responsibility—it's yours. She's already told you everything she knows."
Ironwood's frown deepened further, his gaze locking with Crimson's. The room seemed to grow heavier with the weight of the unspoken challenge.
Before the tension could escalate, Ozpin's calm voice cut through the air. "Crimson makes a fair point, James."
Ironwood turned to the headmaster, his brow furrowing slightly.
"We have more pressing matters to attend to," Ozpin continued, his tone measured. "The children have done their part. Let them return to the party while we focus on resolving this situation."
Ironwood hesitated but eventually nodded, albeit reluctantly. "Fine. But I expect a full report from both of you later," he said, glancing at Crimson and Ruby.
Ruby exhaled a quiet breath of relief, her tense shoulders relaxing slightly. Crimson gave a curt nod before turning toward the elevator.
"Come on, Pyrrha, Ruby," he said over his shoulder.
Pyrrha, who had been standing silently at the back, quickly moved to follow. Ruby hesitated for a moment, her gaze lingering on the destroyed room and the adults now engrossed in discussion. With a final glance at the broken window, she hurried after her brother.
As the elevator doors closed, sealing the trio away from the tension of the control room, Ruby leaned against the wall and let out a relief breath.
"Thank you, Crimson," she said.
Crimson glanced at her, his expression softening slightly. "Don't mention it. You're not responsible for this. That's what they are here for."
Pyrrha offered Ruby a reassuring smile. "He's right. You did everything you could."
Ruby nodded, her grip on Crescent Rose finally relaxing.
"I hope they figure out who that was," Pyrrha said quietly.
After the elevator descended back to the first floor, the distant sound of party music began to filter through once again.
Crimson stepped out first "Go enjoy the rest of the night. Try not to think about it too much," he said, glancing at Ruby and Pyrrha.
Ruby hesitated but eventually nodded, a small smile returning to her face. "Okay."
As Pyrrha led Ruby back toward their friends, Crimson lingered outside, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. Whoever had infiltrated the tower wasn't just an ordinary saboteur.