The Encounter
Blake Belladonna sat calmly at her table. She had been set up on a blind date by her friend Weiss and according to her he was supposedly a "perfect match" for her, which she highly doubted, but agreed nonetheless. This was supposed to be a casual encounter so they decided to meet at the bar/restaurant in Vacuo for some food and a couple of drinks.
Twenty minutes into the night, her date still hadn't shown up. Her waitress, Yang, came to check on her every couple of minutes to refill her water and to talk to her. After another visit from the blonde attendant, the Faunus decided she'd waited long enough for her mystery man to show up. Bidding Yang goodbye and giving her a generous tip, she gathered her things and began to take her leave. Just as she was about to leave the bar, a man fitting Weiss' description waltzed into the room. His dark eyes scanned the room; when they landed on Blake, he looked her up and down just before smirking and sauntering over to her.
"Hey. Name's Cardin. Cardin Winchester. You must be Blake Belladonna. You don't leave much to the imagination, do you?" he gestured to her outfit. She had chosen to wear black tights, a white blouse and black boots for the night; her ebony hair hung loosely on her shoulders with her usual bow in her hair. She didn't think that her clothing choice had been a bad one, but was second guessing her decision.
"It's nice to meet you, Cardin. Could you tell me why you are over half an hour late for our meeting?" Blake asked icily.
"Not that it's any of your business but I was out with another girl named Emerald. She wasn't nearly as rude as you are, but I'll overlook that since you were such a good girl and waited for me. Now, how about I order us some drinks then we get out of here?" he said, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively. Blake, rendered speechless, nodded quietly and followed him to where she had been perched before his arrival. As he sat down, he pocketed the tip that Blake had left for Yang and waved her over.
"Hey, Blake! You're back. Glad to see your date finally showed up... Anyway, what can I get you two?" Yang asked.
"I'll have a rum and coke along with the biggest burger you've got. What do you want, babe?" Cardin inquired before sneezing.
"I'll have the same, thanks."
"Nice try. Only men can handle that much alcohol and meat." he looked at Yang, eyeing her curves. " My date will have a margarita and a salad... Don't want her getting fat, now do we?" he winks at Yang, oblivious to Blake's glare.
"Of course, sir. I'll bring the drinks right over." Yang glanced one last time before leaving to make their drinks.
Now, to amaze you with some stories about yours truly... Last week, I took down a Nevermore all on my own along with two Ursas before breakfast. Not only did I save Signal Academy without getting a scratch, I also took care od some of those pesky Faunus. Rightfully so, too. We don't need their kind here, especially those that are a part of the White Fang. Those scum-"
"Here you go, folks. Hope you enjoy!" Yang said cheerfully placing our drinks in front of us.
"Thanks, beautiful." Yang smiled tightly at Cardin's compliment before disappearing to the kitchen. "So, Belladonna, that a pornstar's name. Are you as good as she is?" he joked. "But seriously. Who is Blake Belladonna? What makes her tick?"
"Well, I do very much enjoy reading and going to rallies to support different causes-"
"A woman! Reading? That's ridiculous, you might start having ideas of your own and want to make changes..." Cardin exclaimed in disgust, causing people around the room to stare curiously. He sneezed again. "I know enough about you for the night, so how about we go back to hear of my heroics?".
For an agonizing three hours, six rum and cokes, and a monster burger, Blake had to endure this man, yet it was blatantly obvious that he was not meant for her. Yang had come and gone many times, her eyes glued to Blake to make sure she was okay throughout the horrendous 'date', if you could even call it that. Blake learned that Cardin was the youngest of 4 brothers, had an absent father, and deceased mother. He was against any equal rights for anyone that wasn't a straight, white male and he was allergic to cats. By his seventh drink that night, he had become very cozy with Blake and had sat closer to her with his arm slung around her shoulders; his voice thick with the scent of alcohol breathing into her face.
"What do you say we pay and go, babe? It's getting pretty late, and I'm sure you want to go home..." Cardin suggested with a droopy smile as he leaned on his date. Waving Yang over, his hands began to wander over Blake's waist to rest on her left ass cheek, causing her to tense at the unwanted contact.
"All down here?" she asked with a hint of hope in her tone.
"Oh yeah, baby. How about you be a doll and get us the cheque?" Cardin insisted, groping the Faunus. As Yang moved towards the counter, Cardin turned towards the woman in his company, "Could you cover this time, babe? I forgot my wallet at home. It'd be really helpful." Blake rolled her eyes but nodded in agreement.
"Alright so that'll be 80 lien. Will that be paid on card?" Yang asked, Blake nodded and was handed the machine. Cardin stood behind her, his hand still perched on her body and breathing down her neck.
"Could you take your hand off my ass and get out of my bubble please?" Blake demanded as she got out her wallet. Cardin gave her a dirty look in reply but backed off until she was finished paying. "Thank you for your amazing service tonight, Yang. Here's your tip, sorry it's not a large one, I wasn't expecting to pay for so much booze tonight..." Yang smiled tightly at the black haired girl, nodding her head.
"I hope you have a nice night." Yang said as she walked away from the couple.
"We plan to." Cardin called after her, staring lustfully. Tearing his eyes away from her, he placed his hand on her lower back to escort her outside. "I'll drop you off at your place.." he gestured over to his vehicle. As she walked towards the car, Cardin grabbed her hand and spun her around. Pressing himself onto her, she tried to push him off, but failed miserably; his drunken self was much heavier that she had anticipated. "Come on, baby. I know you couldn't keep your eyes off of me all night long. I know you want this, no need to fight this..." he leaned in for a kiss and received her cheek instead; she had turned her head at the last second.
"Leave me alone. I don't want this. You're drunk and disgusting. Get off of me!" Blake snapped, shoving him off. She began walking back into the bar when she felt him grab onto her wrist swinging her back around, tearing her shirt in the process.
"You're fiesty...I like that." A rustling sound could be heard from the side of the bar; the movement of trash bins. Footsteps could be heard.
"Go fuck yourself." she sneered, pulling away once more. "If you touch me one more time, I'll break your nose." she continued to leave him when suddenly she was jerked back by her hair, emiting a yelp of pain form the girl.
"Nobody talks to me like that and gets away with it, no matter how hot they are. You're gonna pay, you little bitch." Before Blake could react, Cardin's hand connected with her cheek with a loud smack. Tears sprung to the girl's eyes but she wasn't going down without a fight. Reaching into her boot she pulled out Gambel Shroud, her weapon, and quickly hit him with the flat end on the blade to get him to back off. Just as she went to swing her weapon into him, she closed her eyes; he blocked her attack, drew back his fist and swung. Blake heard his fist connect, but she didn't see or feel him connect with her face. Opening her eyes slowly, she saw Cardin on the ground with Yang standing between them. She backed away as Yang punched Cardin once in the face, her bow lay in a heap next to him.
"How DARE you lay a hand on her! How DARE you raise your fist to her! You are scum! Don't ever go near her again, or I will end you!" Yang yelled menacingly at Blake's attacker, her eyes burning red and hair ablaze. Walking towards Blake, her hair slowly went out and her eyes reverted to their normal violet shade, concern etched into her stunning features. "Are you okay, Blake? Did he really hurt you?"
"I'm okay, shook up but I'll be okay. Thank you for helping me, again..." she shifted from one foot to another, insecurities thoroughly exposed. "Might I use a phone inside? I need to call my room mate Weiss and tell her why I won't be home when I said I would be... Is that alright?" she asked shyly, tugging at her torn top, trying to cover herself more; her cat ears folded to be hidden behind her long hair.
"Of course. Here, take my jacket." Yang removed her biker jacket and placed it around her shaking shoulders. "You don't need to hide your ears with the bow, you know... People like Cardin are numbered few and you've got more allies than enemies. You've got me, that's for sure." she said handing her the discarded bow. "You shouldn't hide yourself, ever. People need to accept you for who you are, no matter what. Come on, I'll get you that phone then I'll give you a ride home."
"Alright..." Together they walked back into the bar, the ribbon forgotten, ears exposed. Nobody in the bar paid any notice to the two of them. Yang handed her the phone once they got to the bar. "Thank you." Blake dialed Weiss' number, and she picked up after three rings.
"Hello?" her icy voice asked.
"Weiss, it's me."
"Oh, hello Blake. How is the date going with my choice? Ism't he a suitable match for someone such as yourself?" Weiss asked with a sense of pride.
"Actually, Weiss, the date went horribly and he is a terrible person. I'd like you to stop setting me up on dates. Also, I won't be home until later because I have another date I'm going on."
"You do?" Weiss and Yang gasped.
"I do. I met a beautiful blonde waitress that works at the bar and I'd like to take her out on a date because she's helped me out so much and she's really kind, funny and she seems to be really awesome!" Blake explained, purposely avoiding Yang's wide eyed stare. "I need to talk to you later tonight. She said she'd bring me home afterwards so stay up. I'll see you when we get home. Bye, Weiss."
"Goodbye, Blake."
"So... You want to go out with me, huh?" Yang teased playfully.
"I would, yes. Would you like to grab brunch tomorrow? I'd really like to talk to you some more." Blake asked, her face a deep red.
"I'd love to, Blake. I'll grab my keys and we'll get going." Yang disappeared to the back room for a moment. Once she returned, they set out to the back of the bar where Yang had parked her vehicle. Nothing could be seen inmthe car park except for a tarp covered object.
"So where's your car?" Blake inquired.
"It's right here." Yang gestured to the tarp with a large smile. "This is Bumblebee, my pride and joy. It's a good thing I bring an extra helmet with me wherever I go. Hop on, kitty cat, we're going for a ride." Yang sang as she handed Blake a bright yellow helmet.
"Yang, I'm very nervous about motorbikes, please don't drive too fast." The faunus begged.
"Don't worry, I'll take it slow for you."
"Thank you, Yang, I really appreciate-". Before she could finish her sentence, however, Yang started the bike and peeled out of the car park; the tires screeching, leaving black skid marks behind them.