Winter's Secret Support (Beacon Dance Preparations)
The week leading up to the Beacon Dance had transformed the academy into a whirlwind of preparations that made even the busiest diplomatic days seem peaceful by comparison. Between final tournament qualifications and the formal arrival of the second elven delegation—including Princess Lyra Thallion—Beacon buzzed with an energy that had students and faculty alike working around the clock.
Weiss stood before her dorm room mirror, attempting to maintain her composure while Ruby bounced excitedly behind her, Yang lounged on Blake's bed offering unsolicited fashion advice, and Blake herself sat cross-legged on the floor, quietly amused by the controlled chaos surrounding her partner's preparations.
"I still think the blue dress would be more diplomatic," Weiss murmured, holding up an elegant gown in Atlas navy. "It represents my kingdom's colors while remaining appropriately formal for meeting elven royalty."
"But the white one makes your eyes pop!" Ruby protested, gesturing wildly toward the pristine gown hanging from their closet door. "And didn't you say Lyra specifically asked about your semblance? The white dress would complement any ice displays perfectly!"
Yang snorted from her position sprawled across Blake's comforter. "Ice Queen, you're overthinking this. It's a twelve-year-old girl, not a diplomatic summit."
"A twelve-year-old elven princess," Weiss corrected, her voice tight with barely controlled anxiety. "Who will form her first impression of me tonight. Who may very well determine whether I'm truly accepted into their family or merely tolerated as a political necessity."
Blake looked up from the elven etiquette book she'd been studying—one of several Shallot had provided specifically for this occasion. "According to this, first meetings between potential family members in elven culture focus more on personal connection than formal presentation. Authenticity is valued over adherence to protocol."
"See?" Ruby said triumphantly. "Just be yourself!"
"'Being myself' is exactly what concerns me," Weiss replied with uncharacteristic vulnerability. "My 'self' has been shaped by years of Jacques Schnee's expectations. What if that's not someone a child would want as a sister?"
The room fell momentarily quiet. Even Yang's casual demeanor softened at the admission, recognizing the genuine fear beneath Weiss's carefully maintained exterior.
"Hey," Yang said gently, sitting up and meeting Weiss's eyes in the mirror. "The 'yourself' that we know? The one who stayed up all night helping Ruby rebuild Crescent Rose when she broke it during training? Who taught Blake three different dust application techniques when she was struggling with Professor Peach's assignments? Who punched a giant robot bird in the face to save my sister?" Yang's voice grew warmer. "That person is pretty amazing. Any kid would be lucky to have her as family."
Ruby nodded enthusiastically. "Plus, Odyn obviously adores you, and she's his sister! If she loves him, she'll love anyone who makes him happy."
Blake smiled up from her book. "And from what you've told us about her personality, Lyra sounds like she forms her own opinions regardless of anyone else's expectations. Including her own family's."
Weiss took a steadying breath, her reflection showing a gradual relaxation of her rigid posture. "You're right. I know you're right. It's just..." She gestured helplessly at her array of dress options, makeup supplies, and carefully prepared conversation topics. "I've never had to win over a younger sibling before. Whitley was always more interested in impressing Father than bonding with me."
"Which is exactly why this matters so much to you," Blake observed perceptively. "This isn't just about meeting Odyn's sister—it's about having the kind of family relationship you never got to experience."
The insight hit closer to home than Weiss had expected, and she found herself blinking back unexpected moisture. "When did you all become so wise?" she asked, attempting levity.
"Comes with the territory of being your friends," Yang replied with a grin. "Now, can we please make a decision about the dress situation? Because Roy is probably downstairs having his own fashion crisis, and someone needs to be ready in time to help him."
Ruby immediately perked up. "Roy's nervous about tonight too?"
"According to Jaune, he spent an hour this morning asking about human dancing customs," Yang reported. "Apparently elven formal dances are significantly different from Vale's traditions."
"Different how?" Blake asked, looking up from her etiquette research with renewed interest.
"From what Eleryc mentioned," Yang continued, a slight flush coloring her cheeks at the name, "elven formal dancing involves a lot more... trust exercises. Partners literally supporting each other's weight during complex maneuvers."
Ruby's eyes widened. "That sounds amazing! And terrifying! But mostly amazing!"
"It sounds like an excellent way to end up in the infirmary," Weiss said practically, though there was unmistakable curiosity in her voice.
A gentle knock at their door interrupted the conversation. "Come in!" Ruby called, expecting perhaps Pyrrha or one of the other girls seeking fashion advice.
Instead, Winter Schnee entered, resplendent in her Atlas military dress uniform but carrying what appeared to be a large, ornate box. Her expression held unusual warmth as she surveyed the controlled chaos of Team RWBY's preparation efforts.
"Good afternoon, girls," Winter greeted formally before her attention focused on her sister. "Weiss, I have something for you. From General Ironwood and myself."
Weiss accepted the box with curiosity, her teammates gathering around as she carefully lifted the lid. Inside, nestled in layers of silk, lay the most exquisite gown any of them had ever seen—a creation that seemed to capture starlight itself in its flowing fabric. The dress appeared white at first glance, but shifted to reveal subtle blue undertones that perfectly matched Weiss's eyes, while delicate silver embroidery traced patterns that seemed almost alive in the afternoon light.
"Winter," Weiss breathed, lifting the gown with reverent care. "This is... how did you...?"
"Lady Seraphine and I collaborated on the design," Winter explained, satisfaction evident in her voice. "The base fabric is Atlesian snow silk, but the embroidery incorporates traditional elven starlight threading. It represents both your heritage and your future."
"It's perfect," Ruby whispered, her silver eyes wide with wonder.
"The symbolism was intentional," Winter continued. "Atlas and Albanahr, ice and starlight, tradition and innovation—all woven together." Her expression softened slightly. "You'll make an excellent first impression, Weiss. Not because of the dress, but because you're exactly the person that child needs as an older sister."
Yang whistled appreciatively. "Okay, that definitely settles the dress debate."
As Weiss carefully held the gown against herself, studying her reflection, Winter's expression grew more serious. "There's something else. The second elven delegation arrived this morning, along with Princess Lyra. She's... spirited."
"Spirited how?" Blake asked cautiously.
Winter's lips twitched in what might have been suppressed amusement. "She spent her first hour at Beacon attempting to climb the central tower to 'get a proper view of the kingdom she'll be joining.' It took both Odyn and Roy to convince her that the elevator was a more practical option."
"Oh no," Weiss said faintly.
"Oh yes," Winter confirmed. "She then proceeded to the training grounds, where she challenged three different students to sparring matches before Professor Goodwitch intervened. Apparently, she wanted to 'assess the combat capabilities of her future sister's classmates.'"
Ruby's face lit up with delight. "I like her already!"
"Currently," Winter continued, "she's in the library with Blake's friends Shallot and Giblet, demanding detailed explanations of every book written about the Schnee family semblance. Elder Randolph mentioned something about 'comprehensive preparation for evening conversations.'"
"She's researching me," Weiss realized, a complex mix of terror and flattery in her voice.
"Thoroughly," Winter confirmed. "But from what I observed, her interest stems from genuine excitement rather than diplomatic obligation." Winter moved toward the door, then paused. "One final thing—Lyra specifically requested to meet you before the formal dance begins. She's waiting in the Rose Garden at sunset."
After Winter left, the room fell into contemplative silence as the magnitude of the evening ahead settled over them.
"Well," Yang said finally, "at least we know she's interested in getting to know you."
"That's what worries me," Weiss replied, though she was already moving toward the beautiful gown with renewed determination. "If she's done research, she knows about my family's reputation. About Jacques. About everything."
"Which means," Blake pointed out gently, "she's choosing to meet you anyway. That suggests her opinion is already formed, and it's positive."
Ruby bounced over to help Weiss with the dress. "Plus, she's Odyn's sister, and he's one of the most understanding people we know. She probably inherited the same ability to see past surface impressions."
As the afternoon wore on, Beacon's great hall underwent its own transformation. Teams of students worked alongside faculty and elven artisans to create something that honored both human and elven aesthetic traditions. Crystalline formations that caught and reflected light in impossible patterns intertwined with more traditional decorations, while a special dance floor had been installed to accommodate both human and elven dancing styles.
In the boys' dormitory, similar preparations were underway. Jaune stood before his own mirror, attempting to tie his formal bow tie while Ren offered patient assistance and Nora provided enthusiastic but largely unhelpful commentary.
"I still can't believe Pyrrha agreed to teach me the basics of elven partner dancing," Jaune said, his voice tight with nervous energy. "What if I drop her? What if I step on her feet? What if—"
"Jaune," Ren interrupted calmly, "you've fought Grimm, survived initiation, and helped orchestrate one of the most complex diplomatic operations in recent history. You can handle one evening of dancing."
"Besides," Nora added, "Pyrrha's been looking forward to this for weeks! She even had special shoes made that will help with the weight-shifting parts!"
Meanwhile, in another room, Roy paced nervously while Odyn made final adjustments to his formal attire—a striking combination of elven ceremonial elements and Atlas military styling that perfectly represented the cultural bridge he embodied.
"She's going to expect me to know all the traditional dances," Roy said, running his hands through his auburn hair. "What if Ruby wants to try the Moonfall Waltz? I haven't practiced that in years!"
"Ruby will be perfectly happy with whatever dances you're comfortable with," Odyn assured his brother. "Her enthusiasm isn't contingent on your technical perfection."
"Easy for you to say," Roy muttered. "You and Weiss have been preparing for formal events your entire lives. Ruby and I just... figure things out as we go."
"And that approach has served you remarkably well so far," Odyn pointed out. "Don't overthink tonight, Roy. The purpose isn't diplomatic demonstration—it's celebration."
As the sun began its descent toward the horizon, Weiss made her way to the Rose Garden with careful, measured steps. The starlight-threaded gown flowed around her like captured moonlight, her hair perfectly arranged in an elegant updo that showcased the delicate silver earrings Winter had provided to complete the ensemble.
The garden had been transformed with small crystalline lanterns that cast soft, ethereal light among the blooming roses. And there, seated on a stone bench and seemingly unbothered by the formal setting, was a small figure in an elaborate elven gown that somehow managed to look both regal and practical.
Princess Lyra Thallion was indeed small for her age, her silver hair braided with what appeared to be actual stars that caught the evening light, her amber eyes bright with unmistakable intelligence and curiosity. She looked up as Weiss approached, and her face broke into a smile of such genuine warmth that Weiss felt some of her nervous tension begin to dissolve.
"You're prettier than the portraits," Lyra announced without preamble, rising from the bench with fluid grace. "And that dress is absolutely perfect. Did you know the starlight threading was done by Grandmother Seraphine herself? She only does that for family."
The casual way Lyra spoke of being family—not potential family, not future family, but simply family—caught Weiss off guard in the best possible way.
"Princess Lyra," Weiss began formally, offering a perfect curtsy.
"Just Lyra," the girl interrupted with a wave of her hand. "We're sisters now, aren't we? Sisters don't need titles." She tilted her head, studying Weiss with unabashed curiosity. "Odyn was right—you do worry too much about protocols."
"He said that?" Weiss asked, straightening from her curtsy with surprise.
"He says lots of things about you," Lyra replied with a mischievous grin. "Most of them embarrassingly sentimental. Roy does the same thing about Ruby, though he's less poetic about it." She gestured for Weiss to sit beside her on the bench. "Tell me about your ice sculptures. Can you really create anything you can imagine?"
And just like that, the conversation began to flow as naturally as if they'd known each other for years rather than minutes. Lyra's questions were intelligent and genuinely interested, while her observations about Beacon, the festival preparations, and even Jacques Schnee's continued machinations showed a political awareness far beyond her apparent years.
"I heard he's been trying to find legal loopholes," Lyra said matter-of-factly as they discussed Weiss's father. "Father says it's actually rather sad—all that effort to control something that's already moved far beyond his influence."
"It doesn't feel like it's beyond his influence," Weiss admitted quietly. "Even here, even with all our preparations and support, I sometimes worry he'll find a way to ruin everything."
Lyra was quiet for a moment, her young face serious. "Do you know what I see when I look at you and Odyn together?"
Weiss shook her head.
"I see two people who've learned to be strong on their own choosing to be strong together instead," Lyra said simply. "That's not something anyone can break with contracts or laws or political maneuvering. That's... permanent."
The wisdom in the observation, coming from someone barely twelve years old, left Weiss momentarily speechless.
"Besides," Lyra continued, her grin returning, "if your father tries anything truly problematic, he'll have to deal with me. And I can be remarkably creative when someone threatens my family."
There was something in her tone—a hint of steel beneath the youthful enthusiasm—that reminded Weiss powerfully of Odyn's quiet determination. The Thallion family, it seemed, shared more than just amber eyes and silver hair.
As they made their way back toward the great hall, Lyra chattering excitedly about the evening's planned festivities, Weiss realized that her carefully prepared conversation topics and extensively researched elven customs had been entirely unnecessary. Lyra had wanted exactly what Blake had suggested—authenticity over protocol, connection over formality.
The great hall was magnificent in its transformed state, students and faculty mingling with elven delegates in an atmosphere of celebration that transcended cultural boundaries. Ruby immediately bounded over, resplendent in a red gown that managed to be both elegant and practical, her silver eyes bright with excitement.
"Lyra!" Ruby exclaimed, offering an enthusiastic wave. "Roy told me so much about you! Is it true you can play seventeen different instruments?"
"Eighteen, actually," Lyra corrected with obvious pride. "Though I'm still learning the crystalline chimes. They require perfect pitch control, which is surprisingly difficult to master."
As the two youngest members of their respective groups launched into animated conversation, Weiss felt Odyn's presence beside her before she saw him. He looked magnificent in his formal attire, the combination of elven and Atlesian elements creating something entirely new and perfectly suited to the evening's significance.
"She likes you," he observed quietly, watching as Lyra enthusiastically demonstrated something to Ruby that involved elaborate hand gestures.
"The feeling is mutual," Weiss replied, surprise evident in her voice. "She's remarkable, Odyn. Wise beyond her years, but with all the enthusiasm of someone who hasn't learned to be cynical yet."
"That's Lyra," Odyn agreed warmly. "She has this ability to see the best in people and situations, then somehow make that vision become reality through sheer force of personality."
Around them, the evening was beginning in earnest. Yang appeared at Eleryc's side, both of them looking slightly nervous but determined. Blake stood in conversation with Shallot and Giblet, the three of them radiating comfortable intimacy. Even Cardin Winchester looked transformed in his formal attire, offering his arm to Khanna with unmistakable pride and gentleness.
"Shall we?" Odyn asked, extending his hand to Weiss as the first dance was announced.
"We shall," Weiss replied, accepting his offered arm with genuine happiness.
As they moved onto the dance floor, surrounded by friends who had become family and family who had become friends, Weiss realized that her weeks of preparation had been aimed at the wrong target entirely. She hadn't needed to prepare to impress Lyra—she had needed to prepare to accept being accepted, completely and without reservation.
The music began, a piece that blended human and elven musical traditions, and Weiss allowed herself to simply enjoy the moment. Jacques Schnee and his schemes seemed impossibly distant, overwhelmed by the warmth of genuine connections and the promise of a future built on choice rather than obligation.
Tonight was about celebration. Tomorrow would bring its own challenges, but tonight, surrounded by love and acceptance in all its forms, was perfect exactly as it was.
The Beacon Dance - Couples on the Floor
The music swelled through the transformed great hall, and one by one, the couples took their places on the crystalline-lit dance floor. Each pair brought their own energy to the evening, creating a tapestry of relationships that spoke to the bonds forged through shared trials and newfound understanding.
Roy and Ruby
Roy had been nervous about the formal dances, but Ruby's infectious enthusiasm quickly dissolved his concerns. She practically glowed in her red gown, her silver eyes sparkling as she attempted to follow the traditional elven steps he demonstrated. When she stumbled slightly during a complex turn, instead of embarrassment, she burst into delighted laughter.
"This is so much harder than fighting Grimm!" she exclaimed, her cheeks flushed with exertion and joy.
"But significantly more enjoyable," Roy replied, steadying her with gentle hands as they moved into the next sequence. His earlier anxiety had transformed into something warmer—the simple pleasure of sharing something meaningful with someone who approached everything with such genuine wonder.
Ruby's attempts at the more intricate elven maneuvers were endearingly clumsy, but her determination was absolute. "Show me that spinning thing again," she insisted after nearly tangling them both in her gown. "I almost had it that time!"
Baron and Flare
At the edge of the dance floor, Baron and Flare moved with surprising grace for two individuals known more for their combat prowess than social finesse. Baron's formal attire couldn't quite disguise his powerful build, while Flare's elegant gown seemed to contain barely restrained energy—much like the woman herself.
Their dance was less about perfect technique and more about the comfortable partnership they'd developed. When Baron lifted Flare during one of the elven sequences, her delighted laugh rang out across the hall. They moved like sparring partners who had learned to anticipate each other's every move, turning the dance into something uniquely their own.
"Not bad for a couple of warriors," Flare murmured as Baron spun her with practiced ease.
"Speak for yourself," Baron replied with mock seriousness. "I'll have you know I've been practicing."
Jaune and Pyrrha
Jaune's nervousness had been justified—the elven partner dances were indeed complex. But Pyrrha's patient guidance and encouraging smile made every stumbled step feel like progress rather than failure. She moved with the natural grace of someone born to the dance floor, somehow making even Jaune's more awkward moments look intentional.
"You're doing wonderfully," Pyrrha assured him as they navigated a particularly challenging sequence that required perfect trust between partners.
"I'm pretty sure I just stepped on your dress," Jaune replied, his face flushed with embarrassment and exertion.
"Then we'll make it part of the choreography," Pyrrha said with gentle humor, her emerald eyes warm with affection. When the music called for her to leap and trust Jaune to catch her, she did so without hesitation—and his relief when he caught her perfectly was visible to everyone watching.
Eleryc and Yang
Yang and Eleryc created their own storm on the dance floor. The elven captain's formal precision clashed beautifully with Yang's natural exuberance, creating something entirely new. Yang's golden hair caught the crystalline lights as Eleryc spun her, and when the dance called for dramatic dips and lifts, they executed them with a passion that drew appreciative glances from other couples.
"I thought you said you didn't know human dances," Yang teased as Eleryc led her through a complex sequence that seemed to blend both traditions effortlessly.
"I may have understated my preparation," Eleryc admitted, his usual stoic demeanor cracking to reveal genuine enjoyment. When Yang responded by improvising a move that was definitely not in any traditional elven dance manual, he adapted without missing a beat, his laughter surprising them both.
Blake, Giblet, and Shallot
Perhaps the most unconventional arrangement on the dance floor was the trio of Blake, Giblet, and Shallot. Elven culture apparently had traditions for such partnerships, and the three moved together with an intimacy that spoke of deep understanding and acceptance. Blake's usual reserved nature had given way to something more open, more trusting, as she allowed herself to be supported and lifted by both her partners in turn.
The dance they performed was intricate and beautiful, requiring absolute trust and coordination. When Shallot lifted Blake while Giblet provided the counter-balance, the entire movement flowed like poetry in motion. Their quiet contentment was visible to anyone who looked closely—three people who had found in each other something they'd never expected to need.
Khanna and Cardin
The transformation in Cardin Winchester was perhaps the most striking of all. Gone was the bully who had tormented his classmates; in his place stood a young man who looked at Khanna as if she were the most precious thing in the world. His large hands were surprisingly gentle as he guided her through the steps, and her healing influence on him was evident in every careful movement.
Khanna's own transformation was equally remarkable. The quiet healer had blossomed into someone confident and radiant, her smile lighting up her face as Cardin whispered something that made her laugh. When the dance called for trust, she gave it freely, and when it called for strength, he provided it without question.
"I never thought I'd see the day," Yang murmured to Eleryc as they passed the unlikely couple.
"People can change," Eleryc replied thoughtfully. "Sometimes they just need the right motivation."
Mercury and Sarai
Mercury's partnership with Sarai was perhaps the most surprising development of the evening. The usually cocky and self-centered fighter moved with careful attention to his partner's comfort, his mechanical legs creating an interesting counterpoint to the traditional dance steps. Sarai, for her part, seemed to find genuine enjoyment in the challenge of adapting the dances to accommodate Mercury's unique situation.
Their conversation was quiet but animated, Mercury's usual smirk replaced by something more genuine as Sarai explained the cultural significance of various moves. When they executed a lift that required Mercury to trust his prosthetics completely, Sarai's encouragement gave him the confidence to attempt moves he might have avoided otherwise.
Odyn and Weiss
But it was the final couple that drew the most attention, though they seemed unaware of the eyes upon them. Odyn and Weiss moved together as if they'd been dancing together for years, their partnership so natural that it took Jaune a moment to remember that this was all still relatively new.
Weiss's starlight-threaded gown seemed to come alive under the crystalline lights as Odyn led her through the complex elven sequences. Her usual rigid perfectionism had given way to something more fluid, more joyful. When the dance called for her to create ice formations that complemented their movements, she did so without conscious thought, her semblance responding to the music and the moment.
"Would you look at that," Jaune murmured to Pyrrha during a brief pause in the music. "They're actually glowing."
It was true—there was an almost literal radiance around the pair as Weiss's ice crystals caught and reflected the light, creating an aurora effect that seemed to follow their movements. Odyn's amber eyes never left her face, and the smile that had become so rare during their recent struggles was now constant and genuine.
"They look happy," Pyrrha observed softly. "Really, truly happy."
Around them, their friends and family watched with satisfaction as the reality of what Odyn and Weiss meant to each other became undeniable. This wasn't political alliance or diplomatic necessity—this was love, pure and simple, finally given the freedom to exist without apology or explanation.
When the music swelled for the final sequence, Odyn lifted Weiss high, and she created a cascade of ice crystals that fell like snow around all the couples on the dance floor. The sight drew gasps of wonder from the watching crowd, but for Odyn and Weiss, nothing existed beyond the circle of each other's arms.
As the dance ended and the couples separated to thunderous applause, Jaune caught Odyn's eye and offered a simple nod of approval. No words were needed—the happiness radiating from his friend was answer enough to any remaining questions about the wisdom of this match.
The Observers
While the couples danced, the observers around the great hall each found their own reasons to smile at the evening's proceedings.
Lazuli's Watchful Pride
Near the refreshment tables, Lazuli stood with the quiet dignity befitting Flare's adopted elder sister. Her own formal attire was elegant but understated, allowing her to blend into the background while keeping her fox faunus sister firmly in sight. When Baron lifted Flare during a particularly challenging sequence and her delighted laughter rang out, Lazuli's normally composed expression softened into something approaching maternal pride.
"She's never looked happier," murmured a nearby Atlas officer who had noticed Lazuli's focused attention.
"She deserves happiness," Lazuli replied simply, her eyes never leaving the dancing couple. Years of watching over Flare had taught her to read every nuance of her sister's expressions, and tonight she saw something she'd feared might never emerge—complete, uninhibited joy. Baron's careful strength as he guided Flare through the steps, his obvious delight in her enthusiasm, spoke to the kind of partnership Lazuli had hoped her spirited sister would find.
Lyra's Excited Commentary
Princess Lyra had claimed a prime viewing spot near the edge of the dance floor, her amber eyes bright with excitement as she watched her family members navigate their respective partnerships. Her running commentary, delivered in stage whispers to anyone within earshot, provided both entertainment and insight.
"Look at Roy! He's actually relaxing!" she exclaimed as her middle brother successfully executed a complex lift with Ruby. "And Odyn—oh, Odyn looks like he's finally stopped worrying about diplomatic protocols for five minutes!"
When Sarai glided past with Mercury, adapting the traditional steps to accommodate his mechanical legs with graceful improvisation, Lyra's approval was immediate and vocal. "Cousin Sarai always was the most adaptable of us," she declared. "Though I never thought she'd be adapting elven dances for Atlas prosthetics!"
Her enthusiasm was infectious, drawing smiles from nearby observers who found themselves swept up in her youthful joy at seeing her family so completely themselves.
Royal Observation
At the head table, High King Berethon and High Queen Hyuuan of the dark elves maintained their regal composure while observing the proceedings with obvious satisfaction. Berethon's normally stern features had relaxed into something approaching contentment as he watched his sons navigate their respective partnerships.
"Odyn moves like his grandfather did," Hyuuan murmured to her husband, her voice carrying the weight of old memories. "Same combination of strength and gentleness."
"And Roy has found someone who matches his enthusiasm for life," Berethon replied, watching as Ruby attempted another elven sequence with determined cheerfulness. "Though I suspect she may be even more energetic than he is."
Beside them, Qrow and Lailah presented an interesting study in contrasts. Qrow's usual casual demeanor was somewhat restrained by the formal setting, but his eyes remained sharp as he watched his daughter navigate the complex partnered sequences with Cardin. Lailah, resplendent in formal attire that somehow managed to suggest both her role as Queen's sister and royal bodyguard, observed with the trained eye of someone who had spent years protecting those she loved.
"She's happy," Qrow said quietly, and there was wonder in his voice—as if he'd never quite expected to see Khanna so completely at ease with another person.
"She's chosen well," Lailah agreed, her assessment carrying the weight of someone who knew exactly what qualities to look for in a potential partner. "He protects her without diminishing her. That's... rare."
Unexpected Partnerships
Perhaps the most surprising sight was Winter Schnee, moving with practiced grace in the arms of Xander, a dark elf sentinel whose formal attire couldn't quite disguise the warrior's bearing beneath. Their waltz was proper and precise, but there was an underlying tension that suggested this partnership was more than mere diplomatic courtesy.
"I hadn't expected Winter to participate," Hyuuan observed, noting the way the Atlas specialist seemed to have found a genuine partner in the stoic sentinel.
"Nor had I expected Xander to ask," Berethon replied with what might have been amusement. "He's spent the last decade insisting he had no time for such frivolities."
Even more intriguing was the sight of Cinder, moving with deadly grace through a complex sequence with Valvaderhn, the crimson knight. Their dance was technically perfect but carried an undercurrent of something darker—two predators circling each other in a display that was equal parts partnership and assessment. Other dancers instinctively gave them space, sensing the dangerous energy that surrounded the pair.
"Keep an eye on that one," Qrow muttered to Lailah, his huntsman instincts never quite dormant even in formal settings.
"Already am," Lailah replied softly, her hand resting casually near a weapon that was hidden but undoubtedly present. "Though Valvaderhn is more than capable of handling whatever game she's playing."
A Shadow in the Light
During a brief lull in the music, as couples paused to catch their breath and the servants circulated with refreshments, Valvaderhn approached the royal table with the fluid grace that marked all his movements. The crimson knight's expression remained impassive, but those who knew him well could detect the subtle tension in his bearing.
His dance partner was notably absent—Cinder had vanished as quietly as she had appeared, leaving no trace of where she might have gone. Valvaderhn seemed unsurprised by her disappearance, as if he had expected nothing less from someone whose loyalties remained perpetually in question.
Leaning close to the High King and Queen, Valvaderhn's voice was barely above a whisper, his words meant only for royal ears. "Your Majesties, I must report that the Shadow makes its approach. Our sentries have detected signs—the devils are showing increased activity along the borderlands. They grow bold."
Berethon's expression didn't change, but his fingers tightened almost imperceptibly around his goblet. Hyuuan's gaze sharpened, though she maintained her regal composure as she surveyed the dancing couples before them.
"How long do we have?" she asked, her voice equally quiet.
"Days, perhaps a week at most," Valvaderhn replied. "They seem to be waiting for something—or someone."
Across the great hall, Odyn's enhanced hearing caught fragments of the whispered conversation. His hand, which had been resting comfortably at Weiss's waist as they stood together watching Ruby attempt to teach Lyra a Vale folk dance, tensed slightly. His amber eyes flicked toward the royal table, meeting Valvaderhn's gaze for the briefest of moments before returning to his partner.
Weiss, engaged in laughing commentary about Ruby's enthusiastic but chaotic teaching style, didn't notice the subtle shift in Odyn's demeanor. He was careful to keep his expression neutral, his posture relaxed, even as his mind raced with the implications of what he'd overheard. The devils were moving, the ancient threat was stirring, and here they all were—exposed, gathered in one place, celebrating.
But he couldn't react. Not here, not now, not without alerting Weiss and potentially causing a panic that would shatter the evening's careful joy. She deserved this moment of happiness, this night of celebration unmarred by the shadows that seemed to follow them everywhere.
Instead, Odyn simply tightened his arm around Weiss's waist almost imperceptibly, a gesture that could be read as affection but carried the weight of protection. When she glanced up at him with questioning eyes, he offered a gentle smile that gave away nothing of his inner turmoil.
"Shall we dance again?" he asked softly, extending his hand as the musicians prepared for the next set.
"Always," Weiss replied, her own smile radiant with contentment.
As they moved back onto the dance floor, Odyn caught his father's eye once more. A subtle nod passed between them—acknowledgment, understanding, and the shared burden of knowledge that would have to wait until morning's light to be fully addressed.
Collective Understanding
For now, the evening continued as if nothing had changed. The couples danced, the observers watched with loving eyes, and the great hall remained filled with laughter and music. But beneath the surface, those who needed to know were aware that their time of peace was drawing to a close.
As the evening progressed and the various couples continued their intricate dance across the crystalline-lit floor, the observers found themselves witnessing something unprecedented: a celebration that transcended political necessity to become genuine community. Lazuli's protective love for Flare, Lyra's exuberant joy in her family's happiness, the royal approval of unions built on choice rather than obligation—all of it combined to create an atmosphere where authentic connection was not just permitted but celebrated.
The evening was far from over, but already it had achieved something remarkable: it had shown everyone present that love, in all its forms, was worth celebrating. And perhaps, in the face of the darkness that approached, that celebration was more necessary than ever.
To be continued....
Next time: Chapter 17: Beacon Dance part II; Growing Suspicions