"Best Day Ever" is the seventeenth episode of RWBY, and the first episode of Volume 2. It was first shown during the first day of the fourth RTX on July 4th, 2014, and it premiered online on July 24th, 2014.
Summary
The episode starts off in Vale, where the owner of From Dust Till Dawn is seen reopening his store after the repairs are finished, following the events of the recent robbery in "Ruby Rose". While lowering himself down the ladder he used to put up the opening sign, he falls and is helped up by Emerald Sustrai. She shows him an address, inquiring as to where it is, stating that she is "not really from around here".
After getting the directions, she heads off only to be stopped by Mercury Black, who accuses her of being lost. Emerald tells him that she will pay him to shut him up using money from a stolen wallet, but he refuses so he can keep teasing her. Angry at his remarks, she tosses out the wallet she stole, but keeps the money while Mercury follows behind her.
The duo then moves towards their destination, while Mercury complains on how Vale is dull, but Emerald states she likes it. After a bit of teasing, Mercury states that Emerald is no fun due to her hints of anger. They soon arrive at Tukson's Book Trade, where they meet the owner, Tukson, after they ring the bell. Emerald asks him if he has certain books while Mercury continues to open and loudly close books behind her before asking if he has any comics. When Emerald asks for a book called Third Crusade and Tukson says he doesn't have it, their tone completely shifts from one of curiosity, to something more tense.
Emerald explains that she knows he is planning on leaving while Mercury begins to dim the windows of the store. She explains that his brothers in the White Fang wouldn't be happy to hear about his leaving and neither are they. When she gets him to admit that he knows who they are and why they are there, he tries to fight back by extending his claws and leaping at them from his desk. However Emerald dodges his attack and Mercury lands a kick while Tukson is helpless in mid-air. The scene then cuts to Mercury and Emerald leaving the store, with Mercury taking a comic because he likes the pictures.
Meanwhile, at Beacon Academy, Ruby Rose meets with her team in the dining hall and drops a large book full of ideas about how they can have the best day ever before the second term starts. Meanwhile, Nora Valkyrie keeps flinging food at Yang Xiao Long, who happily eats it. As Ruby continues her speech, Yang and Nora's food fight becomes more intense until Weiss Schnee ends up getting hit in the face with a pie.
Outside the hall, Sun Wukong is talking to Neptune Vasilias about keeping his cool for when he meets his new friends. He also lets slip that Blake Belladonna is a Faunus and forces Neptune to keep it a secret, stating that it is not a "tell Scarlet David when Sun's back is turned secret". However, when they enter the dining hall, all the other students run outside out of fear of being involved in a massive food fight. Sun looks around with a grin on his face, while Neptune's is one similar to shock. After the fight is over Sun shows great enjoyment at seeing the event, but Neptune is covered in grape soda and appears very unhappy. Glynda Goodwitch then bursts through the doors and uses her crop to return everything back to normal, with Yang falling back into the room soon after. Glynda is obviously frustrated at them, but Ozpin allows them to get away with it because he wants them to still enjoy their youth while it lasts.
That night, Emerald and Mercury return to Roman Torchwick's hideout at an abandoned warehouse after their mission in Vale. They are welcomed back by Roman, who teasingly hugs them and calls them kids, but uses this as an opportunity to take a slip of paper from Emerald's pocket. Having seen what was on the paper, Roman questions why they had the address to Tukson's bookstore. They explain they were taking care of Roman's problems, but he claims he had it under control, much to Mercury's disbelief. Right as Roman begins to threaten them, he is stopped by Cinder Fall, who descends from a lift. Roman stutters in response, and Cinder criticizes Roman, Mercury, and Emerald; Roman for not taking care of Tukson sooner and the other two for disobeying her order to keep their hands clean while in Vale. Emerald apologizes and says it won't happen again.
Cinder returns her attention to Roman, who in turn, explains that his hands have been full with stealing Dust. Mercury points out how Roman is just like a common thief, but Roman counters with the fact that he has the entire town scared, and that he would be able to do better if he knew what Cinder's plans were. However Cinder refuses to tell Roman of her future plans, only mentioning that they are finished stealing Dust and are moving to the second phase of her plan. She tells Roman to have the White Fang move the Dust to another location before leaving with Emerald and Mercury. As Roman goes to light his cigar, he finds that Emerald has stolen his lighter.
Transcript
A ship flies through the skies over Vale and the camera pans down to the city streets. The owner of the Dust shop "From Dust Till Dawn" is hanging a sign declaring its re-opening. As he climbs down from his ladder, he stumbles and falls. Emerald Sustrai appears next to him.
Emerald: (giggling) 'Scuse me, sorry. I'm not really from around here. (She helps him to his feet.) Would you mind pointing me in the direction of this shop?
Emerald produces a piece of paper with writing on it and the shopkeep looks it over.
Shopkeep: Hmm? Mm-hmm.
Emerald walks away from the shop owner as both wave goodbye and passes Mercury Black at a corner.
Mercury: I knew you were lost.
Emerald: Mercury, I will seriously pay you to shut up. (She produces a wallet with Lien and waves it in Mercury's face.)
Mercury: That's not your money.
Emerald: But it can be yours for 5 minutes of silence.
Mercury: Mmmm... no deal.
Emerald: Fine. (Emerald takes the Lien and tosses the wallet, turning to walk away.)
Mercury: Whatever. You want me.
More of the city is shown, including a café where two extras sit chatting. Mercury and Emerald are walking through the city.
Mercury: So, how much farther?
Emerald: A few blocks.
Mercury: Ugh... this place is so dull.
Emerald: Eh, I kinda like it. Tall buildings, diverse culture...
Mercury: And nice dopey people who are easy to pickpocket.
Emerald stops.
Emerald: That's every city.
Mercury: (Mercury play acts as a victim.) Ooh, Emerald! Master thief! Please don't take my money! I barely have enough to get by!
Emerald glares at him, groaning angrily. She then walks away from him.
Mercury: Ugh... you're no fun today.
Mercury follows behind Emerald. The scene shifts to Emerald and Mercury entering a shop full of books. The shop owner can be heard humming a tune. Mercury stops near the door to look at books while Emerald approaches the counter and rings a service bell.
Tukson: Be right there! (Emerald looks back at Mercury. The shop owner is seen through a set of double doors carrying stacks of books as he walks backwards and out toward the counter.) Welcome to "Tukson's Book Trade", home to every book under the sun! (He sets the stacks down offscreen.) How may I... (Turning around, he gasps and hesitates upon recognizing the two of them. Mercury is now holding a book.) How may I help you?
Mercury: (Although the book is open, Mercury is looking at Tukson.) Just browsing. (He shuts the book.)
Emerald: Actually, I was wondering, do you have any copies of "The Thief and The Butcher"?
Tukson: Yes we do.
Emerald: (excitedly) That's great.
Tukson: Would you... like a copy?
Emerald: No, just wondering. (Mercury closes another book.) Oh, oh! What about "Violet's Garden"? In paperback?
Mercury: He's got it. Hardback too. (Mercury produces a book.)
Emerald: Ooh, options are nice.
Mercury: Eh, no pictures. (Mercury closes the book.) Hey! Do you have any comics?
Tukson: Near the front.
Emerald: Oh, no, wait! (The music score becomes decidedly more menacing as the camera zooms in on Emerald.) What... about... "Third Crusade"?
Tukson: (Tukson hesitates, visibly unnerved.) Um... I... (Mercury and Emerald are shown to be eyeing him carefully.) ...don't believe we carry that one.
Mercury: (Mercury slams another book shut.) Oh.
Emerald: What was this place called again?
Tukson: Tukson's Book Trade.
Emerald: And you're Tukson?
Tukson: That's right.
Emerald: So then I take it that you're the one that came up with the catchphrase?
Tukson: Yes.
Mercury: And, what was it again?
Tukson: "Tukson's Book Trade, home to every book under the sun."
Mercury: Except the Third Crusade.
Tukson: It's just a catchphrase.
Mercury: It's false advertising!
Emerald: You shouldn't make a promise you can't keep, Tukson. (Mercury activates a switch near the entrance causing a front window to darken.) I hear that you're planning on leaving. Moving all the way to Vacuo. (Mercury activates another switch and the window in the front door darkens.) Your brothers in the White Fang won't be happy to hear that. (Mercury activates the third and final switch, darkening the last window as he smiles creepily at Tukson.) And neither are we... You know who we are, don't you?
Tukson: Yes.
Emerald: And you know why we're here?
Tukson: Yes.
Emerald: So... are you going to fight back?
Tukson: Yes! (Tukson produces claws from his fingers.) Yaargh!
Tukson leaps atop his counter in a threatening manner. Mercury and Emerald back up slightly and he leaps at Emerald and slashes at her, but she dodges. He looks forward and is surprised at Mercury as he raises one leg for a kick with his shotgun-greaves.
Mercury and Emerald exit "Tukson's Book Trade". Emerald stretches her arms overhead. Mercury is carrying a comic.
Emerald: What's with that?
Mercury: I like the pictures.
A series of sketches and notes mark the next scene. These include the White Fang insignia, a possible picture of Adam Taurus, and Adam's rose. In the Beacon Academy cafeteria, Team RWBY are sitting together as Blake looks over some notes. Yang then slides up next to her partner.
Yang: Whatcha doing?
Blake: Nothing. (Blake closes her book.) Just going over notes from last semester.
Yang catches a grape in her mouth.
Yang: Lame.
Nora giggles as she continues to toss grapes at Yang with her spoon. Yang catches the fruit with ease, giving Nora the thumbs up. Ruby, giving an enormous heave, slams a binder onto the table, catching everyone off guard. On the cover of the binder is written "Vytal Festival Activities, Property of Weiss Schnee". This has been hastily crossed out with a red marker pen, and with the same pen, a new title, "Best Day Ever Activities", has been written underneath.
Ruby: (clearing her throat, She gestures to everyone at the table.) Sisters... friends... Weiss.
Weiss: (offscreen) Hey!
Ruby: Four score and seven minutes ago, I had a dream.
Yang: This ought to be good. (She catches another berry in her mouth.)
Ruby: A dream that one day, the four of us will come together, as a team, and have the most fun anyone has ever had... ever!
Weiss: Did you steal my binder?
Ruby: (Ruby makes "peace" signs with both hands.) I am not a crook.
Blake: What are you talking about?
Ruby: I'm talking about kicking off the semester with a bang! (She points her finger at Blake.)
Yang: I always kick my semesters off with a Yang! Eh? Guys? Am I right?
An apple is tossed at Yang and hits her in the face. She glares at Nora.
Nora: (offscreen) Boooooooooooooooo!
Ruby: Look guys, it's been a good two weeks and between more exchange students arriving and the tournament at the end of the year, our second semester is going to be great! But, classes start back up tomorrow! Which is why I've taken the time to schedule a series of wonderful events for us today.
Weiss: I don't know whether to be proud or scared of what you have in store.
Yang, still glaring, picks up an apple and tosses it across the room. Offscreen, an unfamiliar voice shouts "Hey!" and Nora can be heard giggling.
Blake: I don't know. I think I might sit this one out.
Weiss: Sit out or not, I think that however we spend this last day, we should do it as a team!
Nora: (offscreen, shouting positively.) I got it!
Weiss: I for one think that... (Weiss is interrupted by a pie landing on her face.)
Nora is shown to be the one who threw the pie, she sits down and points at Ren who has his head in his palm. Pyrrha's hand is over her mouth and Jaune simply sits staring wide-eyed while covering his ear with his palm.
Outside the cafeteria, Sun Wukong and Neptune Vasilias are walking together as Sun relates the events which took place during "Black and White".
Neptune: Man, that's harsh.
Sun: I know, we were fighting side by side. She was super fast and I threw a banana at the guy, which sounds gross, but it was awesome.
Neptune: Nice!
Sun: Right? And the best part is, she's a Faunus. But that's a secret, okay?
Neptune: Got it.
Sun leans in close in order to stress the importance of this secret.
Sun: And not a, "I'm gonna go tell Scarlet the second Sun turns his back secret", I'm talking secret secret.
Neptune: Whoa, chill out, man, okay? I got it. (almost whispering) I got it!
Sun: You better. (The camera angle now shows the windows into the cafeteria where food splatters into the panes as students run around. At one point, Jaune is the one splattered into the window.) I just don't want to screw this up, you know? The people here are the coolest! No offense to you guys.
Neptune: None taken.
Sun: They're just in here. I'm really excited for you to meet them. So be cool, okay? You're gonna be cool, right?
Neptune: Dude.
The camera pans up from Neptune's feet to his face. Neptune's teeth gleam as he smiles.
Sun: Good point.
Sun and Neptune enter the cafeteria where students are heard screaming.
Beacon Student: (offscreen) Food fight!
Many students are shown stampeding out the door past Sun and Neptune, the latter of whom is looking quite worried.
Nora: Ahahahaha!
Team JNPR are shown to be standing atop a tower of tables stacked in a ramshackle manner.
Nora: (in sing-song) I'm queen of the castle! I'm queen of the castle!
Ruby: (Stomping her foot on a table and pointing at Team JNPR.) Justice will be swift! Justice will be painful! (Ruby crushes a carton of milk in her hand.) It will be delicious!
Team RWBY: (Raising their fists simultaneously.) Yeah!
Nora: Off with their heads!
Nora jumps down from the top of her tower, and the food fight begins.
Ruby: Yang! Turkey!
Yang rolls over to the turkeys and sticks her fists inside them, proceeding to block and punch the melons as they speed toward her. After some fighting, Nora knocks Weiss into a pillar. The impact knocks her out and Ruby holds her in her arms as the pillar collapses around them.
Ruby: (Cradling Weiss) Weiss, Weiss! Don't leave me! Nooo!
The fighting resumes, ending with JNPR slammed against a cracked wall painted with soda and food. Team JNPR slides off the wall, leaving only their outlines.
Sun: I love these guys.
The camera pans right to show that Neptune is drenched with soda and is not pleased. The doors behind them open and Glynda enters the room growling. She proceeds to use telekinesis to re-organize the room.
Glynda: Children, please. (The camera zooms in on her face as she adjusts her glasses.) Do not play with your food!
Nora burps aloud as both Team JNPR and Team RWBY try and fail to compose themselves. A screaming Yang then crashes from the ceiling into one of the tables. Glynda grumbles. Ozpin approaches and places a hand on her shoulder.
Ozpin: Let it go.
Glynda: (sighs) They're supposed to be the defenders of the world.
Ozpin: And they will be, but right now they're still children. (Team RWBY are shown laughing together.) So why not let them play the part? (Ozpin walks away from Glynda.) After all, it isn't a role they'll have forever.
In an old warehouse, the White Fang are moving crates as Emerald and Mercury enter.
Roman: Oh, look! She sent the kids again! This is turning out just like the divorce! (Roman approaches the two from behind and wraps his arms around them in a group hug.)
Emerald: (shivering in disgust) Spare us the thought of you procreating.
Emerald and Mercury pull away from Roman.
Roman: That was a joke. And this... just might tell me where you two have been all day. (Roman produces a piece of paper.)
Emerald: What!? Agh...
Roman: I'm a professional, sweetheart. Pay attention, maybe you'll learn something. (Holding up the piece of paper.) Why do you have this address?
Emerald: Wouldn't you like to know?
Roman: Yeah, I would. Now where have you been all day?
Mercury: Cleaning up your problems. One of them, at least.
Roman: I had that under control.
Mercury: Two packed bags and a ticket out of Vale said otherwise.
Roman: Listen, you little punk. If it were up to me, then I would take you and your little street rat friend here and...
Cinder: Do what, Roman?
Cinder appears on a platform above them. She steps onto an automated lift, riding it down to their level.
Roman: (laughs nervously) I'd, uh... not kill them?
Emerald: (excitedly) Cinder!
Cinder: I thought I made it clear that you would eliminate the would-be runaway.
Roman: I was going to...
Emerald: He was going to escape to Vacuo! Mercury and I decided to take it upon ourselves to kill the rat.
Mercury: I think he was some sort of cat, actually.
Emerald: What? Like a puma?
Mercury: Yeah, there ya go.
Cinder: Quiet. Did I not specifically instruct you two to keep your hands clean while in Vale?
As Cinder speaks, Roman points a finger at the pair while laughing in agreement.
Emerald: I just thought...
Roman uses his fingers to mime having a slit throat.
Cinder: Don't think... obey.
Emerald: (apologetically) Yes ma'am. It won't happen again.
Cinder: (turning to Roman) And you. Why wasn't this job done sooner?
Roman: (As he speaks, he points to his right, then to his left, then behind him.) Uh..? Eh..? Eh..? EHHHHH! Sorry if I've been busy stealing every speck of Dust in the Kingdom!
Mercury: You're an inspiration to every punk with a gun and a ski mask. (Emerald laughs at the remark.)
Roman: Look around, kid. I've got this town running scared! Police camping out at every corner, Dust prices through the roof, and we're sitting pretty on an old warehouse with more Dust crystals, vials, and rounds than we know what to do with! Speaking of which, if you guys wouldn't mind filling me in on your grand master plan, it might actually make my next string of robberies go a little smoother! (He emphasizes the last word by clenching his fist.)
Cinder: (Cinder approaches Roman.) Oh, Roman. Have a little faith. (She places her hand on his face.) You'll know what you need when you need to know it. (Roman seems entranced, but then looks away with a grunt.) Besides, we're done with Dust. (She begins to walk away.)
Roman: O-okay, then what now?
Cinder: We're moving. Have the White Fang clear out this building. I'll send you details and coordinates tonight.
Roman: Coordinates?
Cinder: (Looking back at Roman.) We're proceeding to phase two.
Cinder, Mercury and Emerald begin to walk away. Roman attempts to light a cigar, but realizes Emerald has stolen his lighter. She turns back to face him and sticks her tongue out defiantly.
After the fade-out, the Volume 2 Opening plays.
Characters
- Emerald Sustrai
- Mercury Black
- Ruby Rose
- Yang Xiao Long
- Weiss Schnee
- Blake Belladonna
- Pyrrha Nikos
- Lie Ren
- Jaune Arc
- Nora Valkyrie
- Sun Wukong
- Neptune Vasilias (First Appearance)
- Roman Torchwick
- Ozpin
- Glynda Goodwitch
- Cinder Fall
- Tukson (First Appearance)
- Shopkeep
Trivia
- Originally, the RWBY crew considered including a shot after Mercury and Emerald leave Tukson's store, wherein the audience is given a view of Tukson's blood spattered on a wall inside the store.[1]
- Ruby, when explaining her plans to have the best day ever, references famous statements made by figures in American history.
- Her speech, "Four score and seven minutes ago", starts similarly to Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, "Four score and seven years ago..".
- This line also references the movie Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure, as in the movie, Abraham Lincoln says "four score and seven minutes ago" towards the end of the film.
- When Weiss accuses Ruby of stealing her binder, Ruby says that she is not a crook; a statement made by Richard Nixon.
- She also referenced Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech.
- Her speech, "Four score and seven minutes ago", starts similarly to Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, "Four score and seven years ago..".
- Nora's boo at Yang's pun is a reference to how people respond to the puns made by Barbara Dunkelman, often getting groans and boos from others.
- Right before the food fight, Ruby points at Team JNPR the same way Phoenix Wright does from the Ace Attorney series whenever he performs an objection.
- Nora saying "Off with their heads" is a reference to the Queen from Alice in Wonderland.
Nora, throwing a People Like Grapes Soda
- During the food fight scene, several of the vending machines used in the barricade, as well as many of the cans flung about, have "People Like Grapes" printed on their front. This is a reference to a famous quote by Gavin Free, which is also used on a popular Rooster Teeth shirt.
- Other food products include "Dr. Piper" (likely a reference to Dr. Pepper, as well as a likely reference to Peter Piper), "Ol' King Cold" (a reference to Old King Cole), and a milk carton called "Udder Satisfaction".
- When Ren strikes the tables after getting tripped up by Weiss' ketchup puddle, a bowling pin sound can be heard when he makes impact. This noise was first used in the episode "Black and White" when Penny Polendina knocks down a group of White Fang members.
- The last few seconds of the score from the food fight sequence are used as the outro for several Rooster Teeth animated shows.
- This episode contains many references to Rooster Teeth's other popular show, Red vs. Blue.
- When Emerald and Mercury return to the White Fang hideout, Emerald refers to Tukson as a rat. Mercury corrects her and calls him a cat, causing Emerald to question if he was like a puma. This is a reference to the second episode of Red vs. Blue, when the Reds obtain a Warthog and Grif says it looks like a puma.
- When Mercury and Emerald walk into Tukson's Book Trade, Tukson can be heard humming Red vs. Blue's theme, Blood Gulch Blues.
- Yang's flying through the roof and falling down when the action is done is a reference to the Red vs. Blue episode "My House, From Here". Caboose steps on a landmine, causing him to fly high and not reappear until later.
- Roman's description of himself as a professional echoes a similar statement made by Locus, who is also voiced by Gray G. Haddock.
- The first book Emerald asks Tukson about is "The Thief and the Butcher", a title that coincides with the roles of Emerald and Mercury respectively.
See Also
Image Gallery
- Main article: Best Day Ever/Image Gallery
Video
RWBY Volume 2 Chapter 1 "Best Day Ever"
References
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