บท 25: 24- The Dance
As the time for the party drew closer, Team GRAM gathered in their dorm to change into the custom suits Ron had made for them. Each member, though slightly hesitant.
[Adrian]: This looks promising... but why green?
Adrian stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his black-and-green suit. It was sleek.
[Gaster]: Why did you make this for me? I'm not some military general.
He tugged at the high-collared jacket of his formal military-style uniform, complete with a long cape that concealed his wings.
[Gaster]: And it's annoying that I must hide my wings under this cape.
[Gaster]: Why did you make this for me I'm not some military general, Also it annoys me that I have to hide my wings under the cape
His uniform had a strange mix of modern and regal flair, topped off with a hat that made him look more like a mysterious figure from a fantasy novel than someone attending a formal dance.
[Maple]: Wow! I look like a soldier!
She exclaimed, twirling around in her outfit—a feminine version of Gaster's military-inspired uniform, though hers included a sleek skirt and a ceremonial sword strapped to her waist.
[Maple]: But... why do I need a sword and a hat?
Standing back and watching them all with his arms crossed, Ron smiled proudly. He was wearing a sharp black suit with a red vest underneath.
[Ron]: Come on, guys. We've got a dance tonight! We have to look cool and respectful.
[Pictures]
The team adjusted their clothes, still a bit puzzled by Ron's choices for them.
[Ron]: So... who's your dance partner for tonight?
Adrian glanced sideways, a bit sheepish.
[Adrian]: I asked Blake, but she already had a partner, so... I'm going with Maple.
Maple gave Adrian a friendly nudge, grinning in approval.
[Gaster]: As much as I hate to admit it, my dance partner is... Weiss.
The room fell completely silent. Adrian, Ron, and Maple exchanged wide-eyed looks before they burst into laughter. The absurdity of Gaster, the serious man, being paired with Weiss, the Ice Queen herself, was too much for them.
The laughter, however, came to an abrupt halt when they heard even louder cackles coming from Team RWBY's dorm next to them.
The room fell into an awkward silence. Maple's eyes widened in disbelief, and Adrian nearly spit out the coffee he had been sipping.
[Maple]: Are you serious?
[Adrian]: Gaster, did you take some weird drugs? Adrian said, I mean, it's something else when even Maple starts questioning whether you're serious. How high are you right now?
[Ron]: Did she, like, bribe you? Or blackmail you? I mean, you and Weiss are like oil and water. No way you two are going to survive the night without arguing.
Gaster let out a long, exasperated sigh and rubbed his temples, clearly not looking forward to recounting the event.
[Gaster]: Believe me, I don't fully understand it either. But here's what happened...
[Flashback]
Gaster and Weiss were standing in the hallway, locked in one of their usual heated arguments.
[Gaster]: You're going to ruin this party, Weiss! No wonder no one wants to be your dance partner!
Weiss, clearly insulted, fired back immediately.
[Weiss]: If I'm such a problem, why don't you be my dance partner?
Without thinking, Gaster snapped back.
[Gaster]: Fine, Ice Queen, I'll be your partner!
Both Weiss and Gaster froze, staring at each other in mutual disbelief. Their argument had escalated so quickly that neither of them fully processed what they'd agreed to until now.
Students around them, who had stopped to watch the spectacle, were already whispering and laughing. Yang, ever the opportunist, was standing in the corner with her Scroll out, recording the entire scene, her signature grin plastered on her face.
[Yang]: Oh, this is going on the highlight reel.
[End Flashback]
Gaster rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, as the rest of Team GRAM tried their best to suppress laughter.
[Ron]: Well, that explains a lot.
Maple was holding her sides, still laughing softly. Adrian raised his cup of coffee, saluting Gaster with a knowing smirk.
[Adrian]: You two might actually survive the night... assuming Weiss doesn't kill you halfway through.
They all shared a laugh, though the thought of Gaster and Weiss trying to tolerate each other for an entire evening seemed almost impossible.
[Ron]: Alright, let's focus. We have a dance to attend. And Gaster... good luck, you'll need it.
The hallway buzzed with life as Teams GRAM, RWBY, and JNPR converged, all dressed to impress for the dance. Conversations filled the air, but everyone stopped in their tracks when they noticed Gaster and Weiss walking together—hand in hand.
Students gawked. Some rubbed their eyes as if trying to snap themselves out of a bizarre dream. The two of them, notorious for their constant bickering, now looked... almost peaceful. They weren't arguing, and no one had died yet, which felt like a miracle.
[Ruby]: Did Gaster and Weiss just walk hand in hand... without anyone dying? Or arguing?
She whispered to herself, her eyes wide in disbelief.
Yang, meanwhile, was standing next to Adrian. With no warning, she playfully punched him in the face, causing his head to jerk to the side. He blinked, a little startled.
[Adrian]: Ow! Why?
He groaned, rubbing his cheek, the sting lingering.
[Yang]: Just making sure this isn't a dream.
She teased, a smug grin spreading across her face. Then, in a more serious tone, she added.
[Yang]: And for rejecting me as a partner.
[Adrian]: It was you who said no!
He took a swig of his coffee, half-expecting another punch.
Yang simply laughed, brushing off his protests with a wave of her hand.
[Yang]: Details, details.
As the two continued their banter, Gaster and Weiss led the way to the party, still hand in hand. Weiss held her head high, while Gaster, though clearly uncomfortable, remained stoic. Everyone they passed whispered and gawked, but neither seemed to notice—or perhaps they just didn't care anymore.
The rest of the group followed closely, exchanging glances that ranged from amused to downright confused. Even Nora, who was usually the loudest, had gone quiet, elbowing Ren and pointing at Gaster and Weiss in disbelief.
[Jaune]: Is this real life?
He muttered to Pyrrha, who stifled a giggle, her arm linked with his.
[Pyrrha]: It appears so.
As the crowd gathered around the dance floor, all eyes were glued to the spectacle in front of them: Gaster and Weiss, dancing together in what appeared to be an elegant, almost romantic waltz. Their movements were surprisingly graceful, making them seem like lovers lost in the moment.
Adrian, standing with the others, was utterly speechless. Even Professor Ozpin, watching from a distance, had dropped his coffee mug in sheer disbelief, His normally composed expression cracked into confusion as he adjusted his glasses, trying to comprehend what he was witnessing.
[Adrian]: Is this... actually happening? He muttered, still in shock.
Just then, Ron—who had been watching with a peculiar expression on his face—couldn't help but snicker. He folded his arms, trying to hold back his laughter.
[Ron]: Wow... I know they hate each other, but this is a whole new level of hate.
The others looked at him, puzzled by his comment.
[Yang]: What do you mean? They look like they're dancing perfectly fine.
Ron pointed towards the dance floor, smirking.
[Ron]: Look closer. If you pay attention, you can see that they're trying to trap each other. It's subtle, but it's there.
Everyone squinted, focusing on the movements. As they did, it became clear that Gaster and Weiss weren't exactly dancing like lovers after all.
At that moment, Gaster spun Weiss into a full 360-degree twirl, holding her delicately by the waist. But then, Weiss tried to stomp on his foot—her heel narrowly missing its target. Unfazed, Gaster lifted her up gracefully and, in a move that seemed more calculated than romantic, tossed her into the air. She landed back in his arms in a perfect dip, but her eyes flickered with a subtle glare as they locked onto his.
[Adrian]: Oh my... he whispered,
Adrian realized what Ron meant.
[Adrian]: They're trying to outmaneuver each other.
[Ruby]: It's a battle dance!
She exclaimed, eyes wide with excitement.
The others finally saw it too—beneath the poised movements and elegant steps, Gaster and Weiss were playing an entirely different game. Every move they made seemed to carry an underlying tension, a silent challenge. It was as if they were both waiting for the other to slip up, each trying to maintain control over the dance while simultaneously attempting to outdo the other.
[Yang]: This... this is brilliant, It's like watching a fight disguised as a dance!
Weiss attempted another subtle move, trying to twist out of Gaster's hold, but he countered by twirling her again, throwing her into another extravagant dip. This time, their faces were inches apart, and though the crowd saw elegance, their friends knew it was a battle of wills.
[Blake]: Are they going to survive this dance?
[Ron]: Well, I wouldn't bet against them... but let's just say no one's going to leave this floor unscathed.
As the others remained captivated by the ongoing "battle dance" between Gaster and Weiss, Ron caught sight of Ruby quietly slipping out of the hall, and Ron's instincts kicked in. He excused himself from the group and quickly followed her.
[Chapter end]
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