Well, today is the day. Dan was still laying in bed, the curtain that divides us from the girls was closed. I rolled my eyes at the sleeping dodo bird cowboy member of the team.

“Donald 'Dan' Crimson!” I said.

“What?” He looked at me.

“Just go to the dance, I'll be there with Yang.” I told him.

“Are you going to stage okay?” Azu asked us.

“Ideals are always high up. In front of your eyes, unreachable but the show doesn't wait.  Once the curtain is raised you have to perform all the way to the end!” Sumire sings. “Three two one! Showtime!”

“What?” Dan asked her.

“Sorry, I've been listening to Life is Showtime by Sho Kiriyun.” She apologized.

Dan sat up fully, staring at Sumire like she’d just spoken another language. "You’re quoting songs now? What’s next, a dance number in the dorm?"

Sumire grinned mischievously. "Don’t tempt me, cowboy. I’ve got the choreography ready."

I snorted, shaking my head. "You’d probably drag Dan into it too, and he’s about as graceful as a drunk Ursa."

Dan glared at me, though the corners of his mouth twitched. "Hey now, Cat, I’ll have you know I can be plenty graceful when I need to be. Just don’t ask me to waltz."

"Noted," Azu said with a chuckle. "But you’re still getting up and going to the dance, Dan. No excuses. Even if it means I have to drag you there myself."

Dan sighed dramatically, throwing his blanket off. "Alright, alright, I’ll go. But don’t expect me to dress fancy or anything."

"You’ve got a suit," I reminded him. "You might as well put it to use. Besides, it’s not like anyone’s asking you to be the center of attention."

Dan raised an eyebrow at me. "Says the guy going with Yang. If anyone’s gonna be in the spotlight tonight, it’s you."

I felt my ears twitch at that, and I quickly pulled my hood up to hide them. "Just get ready, Dan. The sooner you’re dressed, the sooner we can get this over with."

As Dan begrudgingly got out of bed and started rummaging through his things, Sumire leaned over to Azu and whispered loud enough for me to hear, "You think Cat’s actually excited for this, or is he just pretending?"

"Hard to tell," Azu whispered back. "But I’m betting Yang’s the only reason he’s even considering it."

I rolled my eyes. "I can hear you, you know."

They both laughed, and despite myself, I felt a small smile tug at my lips. Maybe tonight wouldn’t be so bad after all.

"Alright," Dan said as he finally pulled on his suit jacket, looking slightly less disheveled than usual. "Let’s get this show on the road. If I’m going to suffer, you’re all suffering with me."

Sumire clapped her hands. "Three, two, one—showtime!"

And with that, we headed out, ready to face whatever the night had in store for us.  “Seriously, it's magic!? Really!? I’m serious!!!! Show Time. Rather than being doubtful. You just have to try thinking about what you can do. After you’ve jumped right in!”  Sumire Kept singing.

I wave my hand over my belt to go along with her song. “I didn't fall into despair because of my Semblance. I was able to gain my Semblance because I didn't fall into despair.”

“If you were a Dragon Faunus, I would have laughed.” Azu smiled.

Dan adjusted his collar, glaring at Sumire as she continued to sing. "You’re going to keep this up all night, aren’t you?"

Sumire winked at him. "Only if you keep looking grumpy. Gotta keep the energy up somehow!"

I chuckled softly, waving my hand over my belt again, playing along. "She’s got a point, Dan. Energy is everything."

Dan groaned but cracked a small smile. "Fine, fine. But don’t expect me to break out into song. That’s where I draw the line."

Azu nudged me as we walked. "So, if you didn’t fall into despair for your Semblance, does that mean you’re back to your old self now?"

I thought about her question for a moment, my ears twitching beneath my hood. "Not entirely. But I’m getting there. Every step forward helps."

"If you were a Dragon Faunus, though, I’d be way more impressed," Azu teased, her grin mischievous.

I smirked, letting the playful banter lighten the mood. "What’s wrong with being a Cat Faunus? Dragons are overrated anyway."

"Overrated?" Azu gasped dramatically, placing a hand over her heart. "Blasphemy! Dragons are awesome!"

Dan tipped his hat slightly, chiming in. "I dunno, Cat. She might have a point. Dragons are kinda cool."

"Yeah, yeah," I said, rolling my eyes. "But can dragons land on their feet every time? Didn’t think so."

Sumire laughed, clapping her hands. "Okay, okay, enough with the dragon versus cat debate. Tonight’s supposed to be about fun, right?"

Yang caught up with us, throwing an arm around my shoulder. "Exactly. And fun starts with good company—and maybe a little chaos."

I raised an eyebrow at her. "Define ‘chaos.’"

She just grinned, her mischievous eyes sparkling. "You’ll see, little kitty. You’ll see."

I sighed, already preparing myself for whatever she had planned. But despite the teasing and chaos that awaited us, I couldn’t deny that, for the first time in a while, I felt like things were going to be okay.

_________________________________________________________

~The Dance~

Alright, we arrived. Azu and Sumire both run off together. Their hands are holding. Dan was about to throw up from the looks of it.

I looked for Yang in the crowd. Josh didn't come. It was strange. I don't even know who was on Josh's team. I saw two girls walking in. The one was wearing  a short, red, sleeveless dress with a thick black sash around the waist and black trim along the bottom. The bodice of the dress is split vertically to the sash and laced with black lacing. The yoke of the dress is transparent mesh with an opaque collar and hem, as well as opaque lines connecting the collar to her shoulders. She also wears black stockings and pumps. It was Ruby.

The second one was what she was wearing: a short, white, halter neck dress with a pale gray hem and white pumps.“Little Kitty!” She cried. It was Yang and Ruby. 

“Yep, it's me.” I was in a Magenta colored suit with my cat ears exposed. “Your little kitty.”

The dance was in full swing, with lights flashing and music booming. Ruby and Yang waved me over as I made my way through the crowd. Yang pulled me into a bear hug, nearly lifting me off the ground.

“You clean up nice, little kitty,” Yang teased, her usual mischievous grin on her face. She flicked one of my ears for good measure.

“Thanks, Sunshine,” I muttered, adjusting my suit as I pulled away. “You two look great, by the way.”

Ruby blushed, fidgeting with the sash on her dress. “Thanks, Corey! Yang helped me pick it out. I didn’t even want to come at first.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Really? You don’t seem like the shy type.”

Ruby shrugged, glancing at her sister. “It’s not my thing, but Yang insisted. Said I needed to ‘live a little.’”

“That’s what sisters are for,” Yang said, ruffling Ruby’s hair, much to her protest.

The three of us found a quieter corner to chat while everyone else danced. Yang grabbed some punch for us, while Ruby and I leaned against the wall.

“So,” Ruby started, looking up at me. “How are you holding up? After everything with the White Fang and… you know.”

I hesitated, my ears twitching nervously. “I’m managing. Honestly, tonight’s a good distraction.”

Ruby nodded, a soft smile on her face. “Distractions are good. But if you ever need to talk… or fight bad guys together… I’m here.”

“Appreciate it, Red.” I smiled back, feeling a little lighter.

Yang returned, handing us each a cup of punch. “So, what’s the plan, little kitty? Gonna show off some moves on the dance floor?”

I laughed, shaking my head. “I’ll leave that to you, Sunshine. I’m more of a spectator.”

Yang rolled her eyes but didn’t press. “Suit yourself. But you’re not getting out of this dance without at least one spin with me.”

Ruby giggled, nudging my arm. “You’re not getting away from her, you know.”

I sighed dramatically. “Fine, one dance. But if she steps on my toes, I’m blaming you.”

“Deal!” Ruby said, her laughter contagious.

As the night went on, I found myself relaxing more. Yang did manage to drag me onto the dance floor, spinning me around with way too much enthusiasm. Ruby cheered us on from the sidelines, her laughter filling the room.

For the first time in a while, things felt… normal. Maybe, just maybe, I could let myself enjoy it.