A/N: Chapter 28 of Ice Prince. Thank you Shiranai Atsune for ideas and allowing me to write this! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, there are no OCs. RWBY belongs to Monty Oum and Roosterteeth.

Special thanks to the reviewers and to the readers who Fav/Alert this story, I really appreciate it.

Chapter 28

Outside the Opera House...

To say Ruby was blown away would have been the understatement of the year. She had been so engrossed with the various songs, as well as the vocal capability of the lead singer, that she was rendered speechless until the end of the event; her fingers were clenching the edge of her seat to the point where Eis wasn't sure the seams would hold together. The Schnee heir had to basically lead her outside by the arm, and waited patiently for her to find her own tongue and voice. Currently he had his arms crossed and a smirk on his face, mentally patting himself on the back for a job well done.

"Oh. My. God. Oh my god, that was amazing!" She finally spoke up, feeling giddy and wanted to bounce all over the place; she felt as though she had had ingested at least thirty cups of coffee each filled with five packets of sugar. Since they were waiting for the limo she opted to holding her shoes in her hands, stating with complete seriousness that only the devil would make torture contraptions like lady stilts. "The way the lead singer sang, and how she hit that final note with complete ease?! Oh wow, I feel like I'm gushing!"

"You do realize that they had to be vocally trained right? Even professionals have to do warmups to make sure their vocal chords are in peak conditions." Eis chuckled.

"Well no duh! It's not like they were born talented!" Ruby huffed with indignation. Then she thought about it and asked, "I mean...unless they were in fact born with it...then they're just the special cases."

"That's like a one in a million chance you'll come across someone like that. And even with that slight chance you may still never meet someone who satisfies that requirement."

"A girl can dream, you know." responds Ruby cheekily. The drive to the bullheads nearly lulls her to sleep, her head lightly resting against the window. Eis let her doze off for awhile, keeping his own eyes to the surrounding blurring past him. He had a lot to think about, but honestly, deep down he was having a good time. Not once did he ever dreamed of breaking away from his father's control, to live like someone who focuses on the bigger picture. Once they pulled up to the terminal he gently shook her awake, watching as she consciously wiped away some drool that trickled down the corner.

"We're here." He says and steps out of the car, throwing over his shoulder an order to the driver who merely nodded his head in acknowledgment.

Already? Wow, I must have really been tired to not notice how fast we were going. She thought to herself and stepped out herself, looking back inside to make sure she never forgot anything. Closing the door, she watched as Eis rounded the back and leaned against the vehicle. The two of them stared at each other before looking away and letting out small laughs.

"Listen, I had a really amazing time tonight. Thanks for bringing me to something magical." She tells him, voicing her gratitude for an opportunity she never thought she'd have the chance to have. To attend an event that clearly panders to those of wealth and higher statuses, Ruby felt as though she had been bestowed a gift. "Perhaps we could do this again some other time? When you're available of course."

"If that is what you wish, then we can surely do it again. You know I'll always leave my schedule open for you." Eis replied without hesitation, one hand stuffed in his pocket, and one leg crossed over the other. "Of course I am open to anything else that may peak your interest. It doesn't have to be just my interest and taste."

"Well when you put it that way then it makes me seem a bit selfish." Ruby rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly.

"I don't mind spending money if it's you." Somehow when it was just the two of them, the world seemed to have come to a standstill. It was just them and only them. Eis couldn't figure out what exactly it was that he felt, but he knew deep down that Ruby was incredibly special. He didn't want her to fall into the arms of anybody else. "To me, your happiness...is worth much much more than money can ever buy. It's intangible, and only someone special is worthy of holding onto it. Of witnessing it first hand."

"May I ask why?" She asked, looking at him with an unwavering gaze. "Of all the girls, those who are more privileged than I, why is it that I have caught your attention?"

"You saved my life back when we first met. If it hadn't been you who knows what would have happened to me. Probably licking my wounds if I managed to escape my attackers. Worse scenario is I lay dead without anyone morning me. Besides I don't doubt that if it was any other girl, she would just run off to another man."

"To be honest I just did what anyone would do in that situation. Dad taught us to be mindful of others, to lend a hand when necessary."

"But that's the thing, not anyone would do what you did." He pushed himself away from the car so he could stand before her. "Ruby, understand that a majority of the higher ups would never do what you did. None. They're too self-absorbed and narcissistic. Too engrossed in their own little worlds to care about the big picture, their eyes on a much bigger prize. If someone were to be jumped, they would just figure out who it was; most of the time it would be too late for the victim, so retaliation happens a day or two after."

"Why would they wait so long? If you had the chance to save someone then you would just do it. They could potentially save a life without having to put other lives in danger."

"It's that concept of the strong winning and the weak dying." Eis told her, his mouth turning into a frown. "I must agree that it is a messed up way of thinking, but...that's just how it is. No amount of the others telling them to change their mindset will ever amount to anything."

"You never know unless you try."

"...until I take my family's company out of my father's control, there's nothing I can do. Every partnership we've established, everyone has had the same mindset. It'll take a lot of time before change becomes known, and there may be those who may never change."

"That's okay." Ruby's voice caught his attention, and he looked up to see her smiling softly. "Whether it be one or a million, even if it's only one person, it's still better than none."

To think there's someone who cannot see the difference between those of higher class and lower class faunus...someone who does not discriminate and cares about everyone as a whole. I cannot allow her to be sullied by Father. "Do you have a ride back?" He asked her quietly.

"I'll text Yin and see if he's available. He should be, it's getting late anyway." She assured him, noticing how he was a little uncomfortable for a split minute. It was almost as if he was deflecting in a way. She just assumed he was tired as well, and chose not the dwell too much on the issue.

"Then be safe."

"You too, see you later." Smiling over her shoulder, Ruby quickly approached the Bullhead and hopped on. Once the transport vehicle left, the white-haired male turned to the limo and got in, giving the driver the approval to go back home.

Back in Patch...

"I'm baaaaack!"

"Mmmm, right on the dot." Taiyang mused, his eyes on his watch the moment she walked in. He had been reclining on the couch with Zwei on his lap, enjoying the callous hand combing through his fur in a lazy manner; since both kids were out, the older blond took the time to rest and relax with the corgi keeping him company. The kids were right on the money with getting a pet. "I got to hand it to Eis, he never fails to deliver."

"What can I say, he is a very punctual individual. You should see what happens if someone is even a second late, it's quite scary."

"Did he drive you back?"

"He had to drop me off at the terminal before heading back home, I had to catch a ride back."

"Luckily for her I was at home, lounging in my room." Yin spoke as he walked through the door, throwing his jacket over a chair. Tossing the motorcycle keys on the table and kicking off his shoes, the older brother continued, "You should've seen the big huge smile she was sporting by the time I got there, it looked like it would split her face down the middle."

"If you were sitting through that slice of heaven like I had you'd be grinning like a fool too!" Ruby shot back as she waltzed into the kitchen for a glass of water, her own shoes lying on the ground haphazardly just like her brother. Coming back with her glass half-way filled, she quickly wished Taiyang goodnight and rushed upstairs.

"Maybe one day, if Eis is willing, he'll take me to an opera house too. But since he's all puppy-dog eyes over you, my priority is kinda low on his list." Yin commented, leaning against the doorway as Ruby turned on her computer. He knew his sister nighttime routine by heart: Glass of water or milk depending on her mood, finish up lingering homework if she hadn't done so during the day, boot up her computer, and finally get into an immersion of game play.

"Oh I'm sure he'll definitely bring you and possibly Blake...no I know for sure he'll let her in too! After all we're friends at this point, so there's no way he'll turn it down." Ruby gloats, her stylized headphones nestled on her head. It had been a gift Yin made with the help of Uncle Qrow for her fifth birthday, and she has loved it ever since. "How did your meeting go by the way?"

"It went well! Most of the faunus there were really chill." He smiled in response, watching his sister searching around for her hand-held controller. "Blake did have a little cat fight with someone, but they seem to have been hitting it off really well. Get this, if we're lucky then next meeting we may get free drinks at a nightclub."

"You can't be serious!" Ruby exclaimed as she twirled around in her chair, her eyes twinkling with excitement. "Free drinks?!"

"Sorry buddy, you aren't old enough to drink. If Dad knew I took you to a bar...he's gonna whoop my butt and probably take away my privileges or some other corporal punishment. I would like to keep my freedom thank you very much."

"But but but but...there can be other kinds of drinks right? As long as I don't have anything strong, then Dad doesn't have to be mad about that!" She pleaded, her lower lip jutting out in a pout she knew would be super effective and win her victory. "Besides, we could always use that 'Ruby needs to have an open mind and what's the best way to do that then by going out into the world' card. I feel like the only faunus I know are Blake, Sun, and Velvet."

"That's true, maybe it would be a good experience for you to go and immerse yourself in another environment." Yin grinned, shaking his head in mock surrender. "We both know how Dad can never say no to you...and I can never say no to you when you pull that pout."

"That's because we both know I would never get myself into trouble. I'm a good girl~"

"Yeah yeah yeah, keep boasting and inflating your ego. But I need to take you down a peg by reminding you that I've seen you break some house rules before."

"Oh yeah? Name one time I've been a bad girl."

"You stuck your hand in the cookie jar when Dad told you no. Nearly ate the entire container if he didn't rush in to stop you."

"I was super hungry! And it was his fault he left them out on the counter for the whole world to see!"

"Uh huh."

"You were supposed to be on watch and tell me when he was coming back!" Ruby puffed out both her cheeks, crossing her arms in defiance. "You're such a traitor!"

"Don't place the blame on me. It was funny seeing Dad cave in because he knows that he could never handle seeing you cry." Yin chuckled, bidding his sister good night so he could go and do his own thing. Ruby merely snorted lightheartedly and turned her attention to her screen, fingers ready to go ham on the buttons. Once she got into the game play everything seemed to trickle away. It was just her, and no one else.

However, her mind was beginning to wonder and she felt as though she couldn't focus well. Pressing the 'PAUSE' button, she leaned back and let out a long sigh. Out of the corner of her eye she spotted the invitation envelop she had received from Eis, a little bent since it had been residing within her clothes for at least two days. Had it not been for its distinctive coloring against the pure white of her desk, she may as well have forgotten it.

Setting aside the controller and some remnants of school work, she picked up the letter and held it with both hands. She promised herself she would open it the day she received it, but she had been plenty busy. Picking up a small letter opener, she opened the top with delicate care, and unfurled the items inside. Gold lettering, the characters written in extravagant penmanship was captivating to the eyes.

To whom this may concern, you've been cordially invited to the uniting of Eis Schnee and Amber at the Schnee Mansion. Time starts promptly at six-thirty sharp in the evening, any lateness will not be tolerated. Anyone who dares to disrespect and disrupt such a wondrous occasion will be shown the door.

Dinner and dancing will be the main attraction, followed by a short speech from the groom and bride.

Attire will be heavily enforced regardless of age: Men wear suits and ties, Women either dresses or skirts.

RSVP either by contacting Klein by phone or email, or Jacques Schnee personally.

Participants and attendants are allowed one guest, and will be checked at the door by security.

"Wow, such explicit instructions...and a little daunting. I may need to go shopping the weekend before the event, and probably ask Coco for advice on fashion." Ruby mused to herself. Flipping the paper over she saw something scribbled in a messy scrawl near the bottom that was meant for her eyes only.

Ruby, once you have finished reading the paper text me if you are going. I don't want my father to look into your background too much, so this was the only way I could contact you. If you are planning on bringing a plus one, let me know too. Eis.

"Hmmmm a plus one..." Ruby wheeled her way to the door and looked out. Yin's door was shut, and she didn't hear any noise and assumed he had fallen asleep. What she wasn't prepared for were voices floating from the door down the hall, Blake's bedroom. Curiosity pulled at her but she put two and two together and decided to ask her brother in the morning.