Happy 2020! Let's kick this year off with a Yang, shall we? Welcome to my new Pirate AU fic! As usual, this story is based on various songs. The songs are:

Strike Back (Fairy Tail) by Amalee & Natewantstobattle

Tabi no Tochuu (Spice and Wolf) by Amalee

Lost In Thoughts All Alone (Fire Emblem) by Amalee

These songs gave me ideas as to how this fic should go. They are connected to the overall fic. This is a story that takes place back in the day. Grimm are involved and so's dust and all that shabang.

This fic was also created to spite and flex on ya'll who started a pirate AU fic and never finished! You know exactly who you are. Curse you. Can't believe I'm giving you a free ride with this one.

Let's get this started!

"Look at me. Look at me. I'm the captain now."

From hearing that lame joke for the millionth time, Yang heavily sighed as she gazed up at the blue sky. "Rubes, that's gettin' old real fast."

Ruby simply crossed her arms. "I'll stop when you stop the puns."

"Since Dad's gone, someone's gotta do it!" Yang retorted.

"Even Dad's jokes were better than yours!" Ruby countered as she pouted. "Can you believe it? Dad jokes are better than your jokes."

All Yang did was scoff. The floor beneath them swayed as a breeze danced by. It'd been a relatively calm day aside from the sisters' shouting.

Hesitantly, Blake peeked up from her book. She'd been peacefully lounging in her swimsuit and enjoying the day until her cat ears flicked wildly.

"Can you guys shut up?" the faunus quipped. "I can't even get through one paragraph when you're like this. Yang, you're supposed to distract her. That's your role today, not mine."

From the revelation, Ruby's jaw almost dropped. "You assigned her to distract me?!"

"We take turns," Blake deadpanned, going back to her book.

"How long has this been a thing?!" Ruby yelped.

"Ruby, let's play that board game you stole last night," Yang suggested.

"Oh!" Ruby chirped in excitement. "I'll get it right now!"

The second she darted off, Yang grinned. "Distracted just like a pup-"

"Back!" Ruby chirped. "I think that was a record."

Suddenly, the door opened. An older man stepped outside and acted as if the light would burn him to ash. Last night was long and it definitely showed on him.

"What's with all the yelling?"

"Uncle Qrow!" Ruby chimed as she darted up to him. "Play my new board game with me! Loser has to make dinner!"

After heavily sighing, Qrow gave her a small smile. "Fine, but if I lose, don't expect a five-star meal."

"Deal."

Together, the two went into the living room. For once, it was peaceful.

"Finally," Yang said jokingly as she took a swig of beer. "I don't know how Rubes is always so eccentric. Last night was rough. We need today to chill."

Sensing her friend wanted to carry a conversation, Blake set her book in her lap as she scooted upright.

"Ruby can be a handful, but you are sometimes, too, you know."

After gulping down the alcoholic drink, the blonde let out a satisfied sigh. The carbonation soothed her parched throat.

"It's my job to annoy my sis. When the opportunity arises, who am I to say no?"

For a moment, Yang and Blake simply leaned back on the lounge chairs. The waves soothed their souls while the enthusiastic birds chirped. The breeze was perfect to combat the warm rays. The salty ocean air wafted into their noses.

The highest point on the ship was a waving flag. An image of a rose with four multi-colored thorns was emblazoned on the black fabric.

"Hey," Yang said. "What'll we do for money next? Our run last night wasn't that good. We barely even got that board game without being caught."

Blake frowned when she recalled the failed mission. They were supposed to score several gold coins. The owners of that store had high-tech security for that part of town, which was unexpected.

"Money's hard to come by," the faunus said, monotone. "I wonder how Weiss has so much."

From the mention of her, Yang looked downcast. "I feel bad for takin' her stuff."

"She did say she has no problem with it," Blake reminded, trying to ease her guilt. "Besides, we rob people on a daily basis. Why do you feel guilty if you take a little money from her? Especially when she literally hands it to us?"

Yang simply shrugged. "It feels like we're takin' advantage of her. She's our friend, Blake. Don't you feel a little bad?"

"A bit," Blake admitted. "But that's the life we chose."

The blonde leaned back on the chair and gazed at the sky. "I guess."

After all, they are pirates.

Why is every old person here a bore?

Such thoughts invaded Weiss' mind, compelling her to drink more wine.

She thought that maybe a wise man or woman would give her words of wisdom or some interesting story. Instead, they were words of crap and blandness that almost put her to sleep where she stood.

Every time Weiss heard the old man say "I" she took a sip of alcohol. It was the only thing keeping her sane by this point.

The old people were so self-centered that she was already on her fourth glass.

Bored, she glanced outside the magnificent windows. The sky was dark and the moon's rays trickled into the massive room. She began to wonder how this rambling old man was still awake. It had to be past his bedtime.

Dozens of people gathered in this pristine, air-conditioned room. The floors were the finest marble, and the statues told stories of elegance.

Rather than complaining, Weiss sipped on her wine. It was true she was a little underage, but no one batted an eye. The display was seen as classy, and she had to play the part.

Her blue dress hugged her curves perfectly, accentuating her feminine figure. Rather than wearing her typical side ponytail, she elected to wear it down only for tonight. Dancing balls demanded that, and she didn't want to anger her Father.

When Weiss finally zoned back in, she barely caught the words.

"That's why I began selling guns. It's a growing business, really."

"Mhm, interesting," Weiss feigned interest as she sipped her drink, glancing around the room. "If you don't mind me asking, where is your wife Mrs. Roer?"

"Ah, she's conversing with your Father," Mr. Roer said, glancing behind her shoulder. "Come, let's join them."

"That's quite all right," the heiress replied, trying to bite back her anxiety of the mention of him. "Father has many other people he needs to speak to. Myself not included."

"I see," Mr. Roer said. "Let us get some food, then."

Why can't he go talk to the other guests? Weiss asked herself. This guy has been following me for fifteen minutes! Where is-

"Pardon me, but I'm going to steal her," a new voice chimed.

From his appearance, the old man exclaimed. "Mr. Merigold! Of course, by all means."

Saved, kind of, Weiss thought. Anyone is better to talk to than that old man. Maybe Henry can entertain me.

"Please, call me Henry," Henry insisted as he set a hand on her slim shoulder.

Weiss almost recoiled from the action, but she remained stoic for appearances.

"Henry," Mr. Roer repeated. "I'll leave you to it, then."

With that, the old man joined his wife and Jacques. When no one was watching, Weiss calmly slapped his hand off her.

"What took you so long?" Weiss asked in annoyance, sipping her red drink.

Henry didn't seem bothered by her irritability and sipped on his own alcoholic drink.

"I got stopped by like, five old people. You know how much they talk. I couldn't ditch the conversation. My rep is on the line, too."

"Old people tarnishing your reputation?" Weiss asked with sarcasm. "How dreadful."

"You know just as well as me how much power they have," Henry said evenly. "Say one bad thing by accident and you're cut off from an expensive company contract."

"I'm acutely aware of that," Weiss said somewhat bitterly.

Unfortunately, for the entire event, they had to put on masks for everyone to like them. To deal business with their families. Henry and Weiss were mainly there to establish a presence.

Truth was, Weiss despised this place. This room. The people. It was full of superficial people and aesthetics that were worthless. She'd much rather be practicing her fencing. Alone.

Henry was picked as one of her suitors. At least he understood where she was coming from. The two were in the same boat, so they became friends. Although, Weiss could tell Henry was genuinely interested in her. While she was genuinely not.

Subconsciously, she took another sip of her drink.

She wondered how her friends were doing. She hadn't seen them for a few weeks. She felt lonely without them. Ruby, Blake, and Yang... her very unlikely friends.

She wanted nothing more than to talk to them, to spend time with them, but she was stuck here. Entertaining people she didn't care about. Trapped in a life she didn't care for.

The heiress swallowed more alcohol and accidentally hiccuped. Henry didn't miss this and noted the glass was now empty.

"How many glasses have you had?" Henry asked, taking note of her red cheeks.

"Four," Weiss replied and noticed it was empty. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm getting another."

"Wait," Henry said in concern as he gently grasped her arm. "Isn't that a lot for you? You're pretty small, it doesn't take much."

"I guess this can be my last one," Weiss said as she set the glass on the table, then she noticed his worried expression. "I feel fine."

"Then prove it," Henry held out his hand. "Dance with me."

Subtle classical music danced in the background. Weiss almost forgot there was a string quartet due to all her bland conversations.

"I don't think so."

"Your father is looking," Henry whispered with his hand reached out. "Come on, just once?"

Hesitantly, Weiss placed her hand in his. Only because she didn't want to upset her father. In response, Henry kissed the back of her hand. It took all of Weiss' willpower not to recoil.

"Don't push it," the heiress said.

"Right, my bad."

How'd RWBY meet?! Why do they have such different lives?! WHAT'S GOING ON HELP! The next chappy will be posted in a week. The total number of chappys is on my profile.

The title of the chapter references Strike Back by Amalee. "I gotta drown this nightmare. Ain't nobody gonna stop me." Hence Weiss drinking away for an escape.

Stay dandy,

~Toto