A/N: This fanfic is hereby dedicated to Mordred, and all our other four-footed feline friends.

Weiss jerked awake as the ending credits began to play. Dammit, she was going to have to rewatch that episode. Not that she wouldn't have the free time. "I have got to get a social life," she said for the umpteenth time to her empty living room. Another night by herself, binge-watching FlixNet.

Not that her life didn't have meaning, of course. She was an assistant director at the Vale Museum of Art, a remarkable achievement for someone as young as she was. Almost all of the other assistant directors were old enough to be her parents.

Weiss shut the television off, stretching and yawning as she stood up. She stepped onto the patio of her condo, looking out across the light of the city of Vale. She'd been lucky to get an apartment with this gorgeous of a view at such an amazing price. Or so she kept telling herself. Truth be told, it was a bit more than she could really afford on her salary, but it's not like she spent a lot of money on other things.

She leaned her arms on the patio wall, inhaling the cool night air. It had been ten long years since her father went to prison and her family lost everything. He hadn't been content with the massive profits the Schnee Bank had already been making, oh no. In his greed and arrogance, Jacques Schnee had dived deeply into money laundering, investment fraud, and a host of other questionable and outright illegal financial practices. Her family had managed to keep enough that her mother didn't need to work, and her and her brother's educations had been provided for, but it was a far cry from the wealth and position they'd once enjoyed.

So Weiss had chosen to go to college in Vale instead of Atlas, putting distance between herself and her onetime friends. Most of them had dropped her like a hot rock once it became evident that her father was guilty and Weiss was going to lose everything. Instant pariah, just add scandal. Weiss had never been good at making friends, and now she didn't have any left outside of a few people she had drinks with occasionally.

Okay, that was quite enough self-pity. If Weiss continued on like this, she'd be pouring herself some wine and watching some stupid romantic comedy before she knew it. It was well past time to call it a night. She left the patio and walked through the living room into the bedroom.

Weiss could feel the empty bed mocking her as she changed into her nightgown. Maybe she could try online dating again? No, the last time had been an utter disaster. Restraining orders had become involved. But the new tech director at the museum was charming and single. She slid under the duvet and nodded. Yes, definitely a possibility. Admittedly, the girl was a bit energetic, but maybe that would be a good change.

A thump-thump at the foot of the bed caught Weiss's attention. In the darkness, she could barely make out the shape of a jet-black cat padding its way up the bed towards her. "Well hello there," Weiss murmured. "How did you get in?" She reached up to stroke the cat's head and it leaned into her, butting its head against her hand. "Affectionate, aren't you? And gorgeous, too. No collar, though." A little too well-behaved and healthy to be a truly wild cat, she thought. Probably someone's pet or only recently abandoned. Weiss knew a no-kill shelter nearby that might have room. She could take the cat there in the morning. Or maybe she could take the cat in herself if no-one claimed it. Yes, a pet to come home to would at least be better than an empty apartment.

The cat curled up on the duvet next to her, purring as it closed its eyes.

Blake stirred sleepily as the morning sunlight found its way in through the window. Her leg bumped into something and she pried open one sleepy eye to see what it was. She drew a sharp breath as she found pale blue eyes staring down at her. "Good morning," a crisp Atlas accent spoke, "would you care to explain who you are, and why you're naked in my bed? Before I call the police, of course."

Blake sat half-way up, clutching the blanket to herself. Shit, this wasn't her bedroom. And yeah, she was naked. "I, uh, I must have been sleepwalking," Blake muttered, mortified. She'd been sleepwalking her whole life, but this was taking things to a whole new level.

"That is not an explanation, or at best it's an incomplete one." The other woman glanced around the room as if searching for something.

"I, uh," Blake faltered. No helping it, she would have to tell this woman the whole truth. "I'm a shifter. A cat shifter, to be specific. And yeah, I sleepwalk, so sometimes I end up going padding around in my sleep."

"A cat..." The white-haired woman stopped her search of the room to look at Blake. "That wouldn't be a black cat, would it?" Blake gave a short nod, afraid to look the other woman in the eye. "There was a black cat in here when I went to sleep. I assumed it was a stray that had gotten in somehow, but perhaps that was you?"

"Y-yeah, that was probably me." Blake finally summoned up the nerve to look up. "My name's Blake, by the way, and I'm really, really sorry about this."

"Weiss, and I believe I can forgive you." Weiss's eyes narrowed, and her voice took on a challenging tone. "Provided, of course, you can demonstrate your shifting for me."

Call her a liar would she? It's not like Blake was enjoying the awkward situation or anything. She concentrated for a moment, reaching for that special spot in her mind. In a multicolored blur, Blake disappeared, shrinking in on herself and leaving a lump under the duvet. A black-furred cat crept out, flicking its ears at Weiss. She started to reach out to stroke its fur, but stopped, her hand in midair. "I suppose it would be rude to treat you like an animal in this form." Another ear-flick was the only response she got. "Of course, you can't talk. Well, I have some sweats you can borrow. I'll set them out for you, then go start the coffee so you can get dressed."

Blake accepted the cup of coffee Weiss offered her, inhaling its aroma with gratitude. "Oh, that smells good. Better than what my roommates drink, that's for sure."

"Are they likely to be worried about you? Do you need to call them?"

Blake glanced at the clock, then shook her head. "Yang's probably still comatose, she had a late shift last night. And Ruby's probably at work already. She said something about some big exhibit being set up today."

"Ruby... that wouldn't be Ruby Rose, would it?" Weiss sat down on a stool by kitchen island, regarding her unexpected guest with an appraising eye. Blake was a bit taller than Weiss, with long black hair. "About your height, black hair with red highlights, seems really shallow and childish at first, but has hidden depths?"

"Sounds like her. You two know each other?" Blake sat on another stool, leaving an empty one between them, sipping her coffee.

"Vaguely. She's in the technical department at the museum I work at." Weiss sipped her coffee, eyes unfocused as her mind wandered away. "I'm one of the assistant directors. We help arrange exhibits, run events, that sort of thing."

"Oh, so you're Ruby's boss."

"More like I tell Ruby's supervisor what needs doing, and they tell Ruby."

"Got it." An uncomfortable silence filled the room. Well, isn't this a great big ball of awkward, Blake thought. Before she could speak, Weiss cleared her throat. "Would, ah, would you like a ride home? I know where Ruby's house is; I gave her a lift home once when her car broke down."

"That would be awesome." Blake turned to face Weiss, finally finding the courage to look her in the face. "I am really, really sorry about this. I mean, I've been sleepwalking my whole life, and this isn't the first time I've wandered out in cat form, but I have never, ever, wandered this far from home before. Or into a stranger's home, either."

"It's fine." Weiss met Blake's eyes with a sigh. "To be honest, today is my day off, and I really didn't have anything planned. So if nothing else, you have managed to liven up what would ordinarily be a very uneventful day."

"...And that brings us to the Rathbone exhibit. How is the planning for that coming along?" Goodwitch looked over her glasses at Weiss. They were sitting in Weiss's office, discussing the projects Weiss was in charge of.

"Mixed. The Rathbone estate keeps changing their minds about what they're sending for the exhibit. However, most the other major contributors have confirmed their contributions. I'm pressing the estate for a final, final list, not to be altered again, but they're waffling." Weiss picked up a folder from her desk and flipped through it, pulling out a set of stapled papers and handing it to Goodwitch. "This is the latest list from the estate. Most of the items we were hoping to see are on it, though there are some significant items missing."

Goodwitch scanned the papers, her lips set in a hard thin line. "Indeed. I see half a dozen items off the top of my head that are missing. None of the Dixie Lane costumes? Their absence will significantly diminish the exhibit."

"I'm trying to convince them to at least send some of the costumes, but they're extremely reluctant. Apparently, the costumes are frequent targets of theft attempts over the years, and they're concerned about our security."

"Mm." Goodwitch sipped her coffee in thought. "It might be better if Director Ozpin or I took over speaking with the Rathbone estate. Just to make them feel as if we're taking their concerns seriously. That is not a slight on you." She favored Weiss with one of her rare smiles. I will admit I initially had my doubts about hiring you, given your lack of experience. However, you have proven yourself an extraordinarily capable young woman, and a good administrator. I sometimes wonder if I should be worried about my job."

Weiss blushed, the color clearly visible against her pale complexion. "I hardly think so, ma'am. I'm far too young and inexperienced for that."

"Now, yes, but in ten years..." Goodwitch scanned Weiss's office, taking in the bare walls, lack of any decoration. The only sign that this was Weiss's space and not some disused office was the expensive coffee maker tucked in a corner. Goodwitch winced inside, careful not to let her concern show to the young woman. Honestly, the thing that worried her most about Weiss was her over-dedication to her work. Weiss worked even longer hours than Goodwitch did and had almost zero social life. There were prison cells with more personality than Weiss's home.

A knock at the door interrupted Goodwitch's thoughts. Standing there was one of the people from the technical department, holding a shopping bag in one hand. "Uh, sorry, is this a bad time? I can come back..."

"Not at all. Please, come in." Goodwitch's curiosity was piqued.

"I'm not staying long. Blake just asked me to return these to Weiss." Ruby handed the shopping bag to Weiss, who set it on the floor next to her desk. Ruby fidgeted for a moment, glancing at Goodwitch before she continued. "She also wanted to know if you wanted to come over and hang out tonight. We're doing a bad movie night."

"I'll...think about it. What movie is it, may I ask?" Weiss's eyes flickered between Goodwitch and Ruby, trying to gauge Goodwitch's reaction. Goodwitch wasn't giving her any clues, watching the two of them impassively.

"No idea. It's Yang's turn to pick, and she says she's archive diving for this one. Probably a double feature of something truly horrible. Starts at six, don't be late."

After Ruby had left, Goodwitch looked at Weiss, a hint of a smile turning up one corner of her mouth. "I didn't realize you knew Miss Rose socially."

"I ended up giving her roommate a ride home yesterday."

"And the shopping bag?"

"A change of clothes was also involved."

"I see." Goodwitch matched Weiss's gaze for a moment, then looked down at the papers in her hands. "I know you often work late, but I don't think there's anything you're working on that's so urgent as to require you to work tonight." She looked up at the young woman with concern.

"The Rathbone exhibit-"

"-Will wait until tomorrow, especially if Director Ozpin or myself needs to talk to the estate. In fact, let's see if he's free now. If we need to make additional security arrangements, that's something we need to discuss with him."

Weiss drew a deep breath, smoothing out her skirt. Ruby hadn't said this was a formal occasion, so she'd gone as 'un-formal' as her wardrobe allowed. A plain blue blouse and black skirt, plus her favorite pair of wedge shoes. She reached for the doorbell hesitantly. 'Hanging out' was not something she'd really done before. Weiss shook her head and pressed the button. She could hear a jaunty tune ringing through the house. There, she was committed now.

Why was she doing this? She barely knew these people. Ruby in passing from work, Blake from their rather awkward encounter yesterday, and apparently there was someone named Yang involved as well? Still, even if things went horrifically wrong, her car was here, and she had pepper spray in her purse.

The door opened, and Weiss couldn't stop herself from taking a step back. A decidedly amazonian blonde woman stood there, wearing a tank top and shorts. "H-hi, I'm Weiss. Um, Blake invited me?"

The blonde laughed. "Yeah, she said she'd asked Ruby to invite you. I'm Yang, Ruby's sister. Come on in."

Weiss followed Yang into the house. It was very different from any home she'd ever been in. There was stuff everywhere. It wasn't dirty, the house was very clean, it was just cluttered. There was a display case in the living room filled with plastic figurines, and more on shelves. One wall was covered in various movie posters. Weiss could count a dozen game consoles of varying vintages from the bleeding edge to the downright archaic on the entertainment center.

It was probably the most visually crowded space Weiss had ever been in. And yet it still managed to seem incredibly comfortable. She stood just inside the living room, just staring at everything until Blake wandered in and set down a bowl of an orange-ish substance. "Oh, hi, Weiss, glad you came. Have a seat." Blake reached up and ran her hand through her hair, tucking some loose hair behind her ear.

Yang chortled from the kitchen. "So what's your poison? We've got a variety."

"Poison? I'm sorry, I don't understand." Weiss sat down gingerly on the couch. It smelled, and she had serious doubts about its structural integrity.

"For the drinking game." Seeing the lack of comprehension on Weiss's face, Yang explained. "Ah, nobody explained that. See, we play a drinking game while we watch the movie. There's a whole bunch of things, every time they happen in the movie, you take a drink. Here," Yang shoved a drink in Weiss's hand. "That's a rum and coke, that'll get you started."

"I-" Weiss stopped, looking at the drink she'd just been handed. "I don't drink much. Usually just some wine, with friends."

"Eh, we'll learn you. Ooh, chips," Yang exclaimed, snagging a handful from the bowl Ruby was setting on the coffee table and dipping one in the orange gunk.

"What-what is that?" It looked absolutely revolting.

"Cheese dip. Have some." Yang plopped down on the couch and dipped another chip.

Weiss plucked up a chip and dipped it gingerly into the dip. Popping it in her mouth, she chewed it carefully. "It manages to simultaneously be absolutely revolting and delicious."

"Perfect bad movie night food," Ruby proclaimed, sitting in a recliner and helping herself to the chips and dip.

Blake returned carrying bottles of soda and a large glass bottle. "This time I'm mixing the drinks, not Yang."

"Awww," the blonde objected.

"One, we've got a first-timer with us. And two, it's bad movie night, not you and Ruby seeing who passes out first."

Weiss glanced at Ruby and Yang, a suspicious look on her face. "I'm assuming that betting on Yang in that instance would be what they call a 'sucker bet'?"

"Yeah." Blake dropped down on the couch, leaving Weiss sandwiched between her and Yang. "Ruby's got an iron liver and a hollow leg. I saw her drink three huge bikers under the table. And she was still game for more, but we got thrown out of the bar."

Weiss was starting to wonder exactly what she'd gotten herself into. She was a stranger to these people, and they were treating her as if they'd known her for years. "Okay, so what are we watching? Something suitably dreadful, I presume."

"Drink," Ruby said.

"Excuse me?"

"Drink. One of the rules is, never ask what the movie is. Or what it's about. We all get to be surprised and suffer together."

Weiss took a healthy gulp of her drink. There was no way she was backing down from this challenge. "Well, let's get started then."

Yang grinned as she started the movie. "We've got a double feature tonight, everyone. The seminal feature Werewolves from Hell and Werewolves from Hell II: The Culling! Buckle up, ladies, it's gonna be a ride!"

It didn't take long for Weiss to grasp the basics of the game. The rules consisted of pointing out cliches in the movie and guessing the terrible dialogue in advance. If you were the first to point it out, or you got the dialogue right, everyone else drank. If you got it wrong, you drank.

In the break between the movies, Blake made a fresh round of drinks for everyone. "So, Weiss, how did you meet Blake? I mean, you know Ruby from work, but it was Blake's idea to invite you, so I'm kinda curious," Yang asked, picking up her drink.

"I woke up yesterday morning with Blake naked in my bed," Weiss replied, smirking as she sipped her own drink.

The timing was perfect. Yang had just taken a swig of her drink, and she spat it out, coughing. Weiss and Ruby both started laughing, and Blake punched Weiss in the arm. "You didn't have to tell them that part!"

"Serves you right for sleepwalking, Blake!" Ruby chortled, raising her glass in salute to Weiss.

"Nothing happened," Blake growled. "I just went sleepwalking in my cat form."

Weiss glanced at Blake. "So they know, then?"

"About the sleepwalking and her being a shifter," Yang nodded. "There's cat flaps on the front and back doors. Usually, we shut them before bed, but sometimes we goof up. It's not the first time Blake's woken up somewhere in the neighborhood

"Uh, can we just start the next movie, please?" Blake looked positively mortified; Yang decided to take pity on her and started the second movie.

By the time the credits rolled, Blake and Weiss were passed out leaning up against each other. Yang pulled out her phone and started to take a picture, but Ruby held out a hand to stop her. "Sis, don't. I have a feeling Weiss seriously needed this, and I don't want her not wanting to come back."

Yang groaned. "Are we adopting another lost soul, Ruby?"

"Yeah, I think we are. Remember Jaune? How he came into our lives? Or Nora? Stop and think how unlikely Blake and Weiss' meeting was." Ruby looked down at Wess. It was remarkable how relaxed Weiss had looked towards the end of the evening as opposed to when she arrived. "I don't know her story and I'm not going to pry, but I think life's been a little rough on her. She needs friends."

Something bumped Blake's nose, and she sleepily swatted at it. It hit her nose again, stinging this time, and Blake's eyes opened. A gorgeous Siamese cat was looking her in the eye. It meowed piteously. "Well, hello there, where did you come from?" Blake stretched and yawned, looking around. She'd passed out on the couch again. Wait, where was Weiss? Weiss's clothes were piled on the couch next to her, right where the Siamese was sitting. A sneaking suspicion formed in Blake's mind. Sure enough, the cat had a scar over its left eye, matching the one Weiss had. "Weiss? Is that you?"

The cat meowed and glared at her.