#Salem takes great interest in them | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

bestworstcase · 20 days

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Could you elaborate more on if Summer and gylinda (sorry if that's spelled wrong) were narrative foils? That sounds really interesting!

right so from what little we know about what glynda’s been up to since the fall of beacon is that she is, to all appearances, the ONE member of the inner circle who took a deep breath after ozpin died and kept her shit together. the others:

lionheart, already a traitor, continued to ask how high when salem said jump

ironwood exacerbated the global crisis by withdrawing his troops and closing the borders, thus inflicting deep economic pain on mantle and eroding international trust

qrow imploded and had to crawl back up from rock bottom after his faith in ozpin was destroyed

theodore refused to act until it was almost too late to prevent the crown’s coup because he was preoccupied with the more distant threat of salem

but glynda? she took point on the effort to reclaim beacon academy from the grimm and whenever she wasn’t doing that she was personally rebuilding vale. the last we see of her in v3, she’s on the brink of collapse working herself to the bone in vale. but in ‘after the fall’ she’s holding things together, even if just by her fingernails; she’s on top of it enough to have team CFVY’s academic transcripts and a letter of recommendation ready for them when they decide to apply for transfer to shade. in v4, half a year after beacon fell, port and oobleck seem optimistic about the situation at the beacon (“there is still much work to be done at the school” says busy and difficult, but the mood isn’t dire). and when we glimpse her again in v8, it’s apparent that normalcy has been restored in downtown vale; the dust shop is open for business and the streets outside are not overrun by grimm.

glynda had a hellish nightmare situation thrust into her hands as the de facto new headmistress of a fallen school and the person all of vale turned to for protection and guidance in the wake of this horrifying tragedy, and within a year she managed to pick up the pieces and restore peace and safety within the city, even if she couldn’t take back her school. that is astounding, and especially striking in context with the rest of the inner circle crumbling.

what made her different?

this is speculative. but i think that glynda, like summer rose, is a true believer in the ideals that huntsmen are supposed to uphold: compassion, mercy, cooperation, striving for peace, defending those who cannot defend themself. she trusted ozpin, but unlike the others, her loyalty was not for him but for the things he claimed to believe… so when everything fell apart and the burden of leadership landed on her shoulders, she acted in accordance with those ideals. reached out, brought people together, trusted in those who offered their help, and kept widening the circle until the great burden had been shared between many hands. and after salem razes vale? she does the same. goes to find help.

(i don’t think she told anyone about salem, but rather she put her faith in humanity’s capacity to pull together rather than try to shoulder everything herself. this is in contrast to qrow during the haven arc and ironwood, who bring new people into the loop but see the world as hopelessly divided and riven by distrust.)

if i am right about this and also on the mark with regard to summer rose, this would position them as reflections of each other: both huntresses who believe in and embody the true ideal of what they are supposed to be, both guided in their choices by this staunch moral conviction. summer discovers that she is complicit in enacting a horrific injustice and without hesitation turns around to stand with the victim against even her own family; glynda weathers a catastrophic tragedy and stands tall while every other pillar of ozpin’s circle collapses because she puts herself among the people and inspires them to keep pushing with her. both of them Do What’s Right.

which makes it very narratively compelling to juxtapose them with each other, because they are opposites—fighting on opposite sides—but they are also the same.

furthermore, summer has been holding beacon academy against glynda’s siege for the last year-and-a-half or so; either summer has been able to avoid notice during this time, in which case glynda is due to be hit by a freight train of a moment of realization, or glynda has seen her and knows that her opponent is summer rose—a woman who may once have been her student or her classmate, depending how old glynda is supposed to be, and certainly someone she knew and worked with fourteen years ago when they both believed in ozpin.

if that isn’t grounds for a very personal enmity in the vein of cinder and winter or qrow and clover, i will eat. my. hat. summer was there the night beacon fell—she’s the one who left ruby alive when she scraped cinder off the tower—fighting on the side of the grimm. she’s the one who’s been steadily drawing grimm to the school on salem’s behalf! that is glynda’s home! those were her students who died that night! and in reverse, it is almost certainly glynda who knows the secret of the vault’s location, glynda who remains steadfastly loyal to the divine cause of subjugation-or-annihilation, glynda who upholds the system summer fights to tear down. DO YOU SEE MY VISION… the disciplinarian and the revolutionary…

#mumbles in ozlem fractal also. 😐

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aspoonofsugar · 1 year

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Confessions, Secrets And Stories

This week's episode juxtaposes Bumbleby's confession with the secrets and doubts in Ruby, Weiss and Jaune's trio. Some more thoughts and feels :''')

BUMBLEBY'S BRIDGE DANCE

Bumbleby's love confession is framed as a dance with them inviting each other to keep up. This works well considering Bumbleby's romantic framing starts with the Beacon Dance:

At the same time the whole scene is a challenge for Blake and Yang to overcome the distance between each other. This all culminates with a chemical wedding (the third) as @hamliet states here.

Other than this, as others have already noticed and as Casey has confirmed, the scene calls back to the Bmblb song:

Now the flowers are in bloom And you've chased away my darkness and gloom When the wind blows through the trees And your voice is like a song in the breeze

My doubts disappear Every time that you're near The clouds seem to run from the sky The thought of your kiss Sends my soul into bliss I get high

This is literally what happens. As Yang and Blake open up, the storm goes away and the sun comes out... until finally the flowers bloom as they kiss:

The sky is both purple and gold, so there is balance, there is Yin and Yang.

Finally, this whole sequence explores one of the positive declinations of falling aka falling in love:

Yang: It's like... a cliff and if I do it, I am just going to... fall. Blake: I think we are already falling

Trying to save a city, risking your life for others and making a love confession are all risks, that may lead to your fall... and yet... they are still worth it:

Yang: You were being optimistic. Look, blind optimism isn’t great, but no optimism means we already lost. We need hope. We need to take risks.

Interesting this line is from the episode Risk, where Ren takes a risk and confesses to Nora (among other things). There is clearly a theme going on here, that juxtaposes the fear of falling with the aknowledgement you will never gain anything if you do not take a leap of faith.

Which is why it is interesting the episode offers a very specific parallel to Risk:

Ruby: What good is saving anybody if Salem just destroys the world anyway. Yang: That's how Ironwood thought. You don't mean that

Both times Ruby is giving in to cynism and Yang tries to support her.

And yet, it is obvious this dynamic can't keep going on forever:

All in all, I find Ruby's reaction to bumbleby interesting, especially when compared to Weiss:

Weiss is shown to smile subtly, clearly happy for her teammates. Ruby's reaction is instead much more neutral, after the initial surprise.

Now, I am not suggesting Ruby is unhappy about Yang and Blake ending up together... She has always been supportive of her sister and friend and has been genuinelly happy in volume 6 over their relationship being repaired. Similarly, I am not suggesting Ruby can't do anything by herself and needs Yang to be self-sufficient... (again we have her pushing forward in volume 4 without her sister)...

Still, Ruby is right now not in a happy nor stable place and it is shown in how she emotionally leans on Yang (when she even lets herself lean on someone)...

See the 2 abovementioned scenes, Ruby's frozen reaction to Yang falling, Ruby's shock over Yang choosing to follow her own plan instead of Ruby's, Neo transforming into Yang while she is falling, but also Ruby nervously asking where Yang is this episode and only later on wondering about Blake...

All of this, in a volume where this line is said:

Ruby: If you thought we wouldn’t come for you, then you must’ve forgotten who raised me.

Clearly Yang is someone Ruby strongly looks up to and a person who has tried to fill Summer's absence in Ruby's life. So, having her big sister moving on in a romantic relationship with someone else might lead to some interesting reactions for Ruby.

RUBY, JAUNE AND WEISS: THE MIRROR TRIO

Ruby, Jaune and Weiss's journey through the storm is about taking a long look in the mirror...

They are supposed to confront who they are, but they all make little progress...

Once again we have the characters dealing with:

Identity

The mirrors give Ruby and Jaune opposite reflections. A parent and a projection of an idealized future self and a younger past self.

On the one hand Ruby's mirror image is Summer. This may be because Ruby keeps repressing her trauma over losing her. Or because she has tied her own self perception to her idealized idea of Summer. Or Both. On the other hand Jaune's reflection is his younger self. Why is that so? Is it because despite looking more "mature", as Weiss puts it, he is a person who failed to grow? Is it because deep down his young idealistic self is still there waiting to be saved? To escape the mirror? Is that a sign that Jaune wishes to go back to that "self"? The young knight, who was just starting to shine in Atlas? Or is it that he is deep down scared to face him?

At the same time, Ruby and Jaune's reactions to their reflections is also different. Ruby doesn't see hers > hence she is ignoring it. Jaune keeps looking at his > hence he can't get over it.

Grief

Both Jaune and Weiss see images related to their experiences in Atlas. Jaune sees Penny, while Weiss sees her city. Two interesting details:

1 - When Jaune sees Penny he says:

It all happened. Just not the way Alyx said when she wrote it.

This is a clear nod to Jaune not telling RWBY how Penny died exactly. He is witholding information. The reason why is clear and understandable, but it may create friction later on.

2 - When Weiss is looking at the mirror, Ruby sees it. It is now 3 times that we have had this exact dynamic with our 2 girls:

In episode 2 Weiss opens up about her feelings over losing Atlas to Ruby

In episode 5 Weiss links the destruction of the market to Atlas's fall and Ruby consoles her

In episode 6 Ruby looks at Weiss grieving over Atlas

This is clearly a pattern, which can mean several things, as for now.

First of all, Ruby might clearly be projecting. She feels the same as Weiss, but while our Snowhite openly shows it, Ruby processes her feelings through her.

Secondly, Weiss should be the one noticing something is off with Ruby and comforting her, but so far she has failed. She tries to address Penny, but Ruby refuses to open up. At the market, she looks out for Ruby physically, but is unable to see her partner's psychological distress (hence being irritated when Ruby doesn't get the ingredient they need).

In general, Jaune, Ruby and Weiss are clearly all foils and I think their storylines are entangled. Specifcially, Jaune and Ruby are going through parallel and yet opposite journeys:

We see both of them fall

Both hear Penny's voice while falling

Both see someone/something while falling

Ruby sees Neo aka her own metaphorical mirror image. She is also someone she wants to run away from. Jaune sees Ruby's weapon, which represents an ideal. Jaune, like all the others has been inspired by Ruby:

Jaune: Ruby. We lost… We lost Pyrrha. You lost her, too. And Penny and your team and in a way… your sister. But you're still here, despite everything you've lost, everything you could still lose, you chose to come out here, because you felt like you could make a difference. You didn't drag us along, you gave us the courage to follow you.

So, the moment he sees Crescent Rose he immediately dives after it... to the point that years later he is still looking for it.

Ruby runs away from her fears, while Jaune runs after an ideal.

What does Weiss has to do with it?

She is probably gonna be a link between them. She was there when Penny died and is grieving her own loss. However, as previous episodes showed, she has developed a strong sense of self:

She has already broken the mirror:

I'm shattering the mirror that kept me split in pieces That stood between my mind and my heart This is where I'll start

I looked in the mirror And I gotta say It’s been a long long time Since I felt this way

Jaune and Ruby are instead clearly still trapped in the looking glass. I wonder if Weiss is meant to help with that. However, she first has to look at them earnestly. To see that even if Jaune looks adult-like he is not psychologically well. To see that even if Ruby has always supported her, she needs her support now.

JAUNE AND TIME

Penny: No… there’s not enough time to heal me…

Interesting that the reason why Jaune is forced to kill Penny is time and the first thing he does after landing in Ever After is to pick a clock-fruit and to go back in time... Suddenly he has as much time as he wants... and yet he fails to use it.

Not only that, but he ironically keeps not having enough time:

Jaune: We don't have time for this! We got to get to my village!

Jaune: I didn't have time to make it right.

No matter how much time he has, Jaune can't make things right. Not only that, but metaphorically the situation he is in is a consequence of his own actions. He is the one who takes the fruit, which means the situation he is in is really a symbol of his own inner world. Not only that, but he decides to stubbornly wait years for the others. He could have tried plenty of things, like... he could have tried another fruit to go forward to the time RWBY fall. Or he could have tried to leave the Ever After. To go back to Remnant and keep fighting there. Instead he chooses to wait passively... to sacrifice his whole life waiting for his friends without even knowing when they will fall exactly.

This confirms what @bestworstcase says in this post > Jaune is probably the Hatter. (Also to comment more deeply I should reread the books)

The Hatter "kills time" by singing badly and from then on time refuses to help the Hatter out.

The Hatter is also friends with the March Hare and the two are often seen together.

Jaune is a White Knight, like the one Alice meets in Wonderland, but also:

He rides a jackalope (the March Hare)

He kills Penny and as a result his time stops to the poing he chooses to literally kill time:

(Also he kills time as in... he waits without doing anything constructive > hence he has been "killing time" for years)

So, he probably combines both characters... Interestingly, Neo too seems to allude to the Hatter in the Opening:

GIF di watrslides

Still, she also seems to be alluding to the Jabberwalker, as well:

GIF di warriordreamer95

A creature everybody considers a monster because they are unable to communicate:

Say something real Do you only speak in riddles, chatterbox? I'm waiting for your ugly mouth to just spit it out

Interesting such a character is linked to a mute girl whose whole backstory revolves around her struggle to find her own "silent voice".

Not to count Jaune clearly wants to be the hero who saves RWBY thanks to his plan (a helper, a guide, a side character), while Neo wants to be the villain who kills them (an antagonist, a writer).

So, it is possible Neo and Jaune both allude to the Hatter and combine this allusion with another one.

Still, Neo is not the only character Jaune foils when it comes to his role in the Ever After:

JAUNE AND THE CAT

Both the Rusted Knight and the Curious Cat present themselves as Helpers and Guides, both to RWBY and Alyx/Luis. Still, they have opposite ideas of what the protagonists should do. This difference is rooted in a thematic opposition...

Jaune refuses change, so he refuses the Tree

Jaune: That Tree is death. It absorbs you, takes your memories and turns you into something else. If you go there, it is going to erase you.

The Cat is instead change, so they feed the Tree

Curious Cat: I know, I know, where you're from, things …die… but we’re just not like you at all. We… ascend. Herb will have a purpose again.

Who is right? Is forgetting yourself a form of death or just the chance to a new life?

Probably there is truth in both positions. Thematically, they should embrace change, especially because the Tree symbolizes alchemy: destroy and create, so that things can transform and evolve. That said, forgetting who you are is definately not the right answer.

At the same time, Jaune is right about the Cat's power being manipulation. To be precise it can be both empathy and manipulation.

This is why the last thing CC tells Ruby and Weiss is manipulative, but also necessary to challenge them:

CC: She tricked me. Just like all you. You only want to use me in the same way I have only seen others as a source of knowledge and entertainment.

The CC is calling out RWBY and Jaune on their lack of empathy for the creatures of the Ever After. They accuse the CC of tricking them, but they used the cat, as well. This is true for their reaction to the Ever Ater, in general. They have reguarded the people of this Kingdom as nothing more than characters in a book. So, you have them making a mess at the Auction, deciding to destroy a kid in a chess game, and so on. They fought for Atlas, but could not do the same for a market full of strange creatures, like the Teapot lady. Sure, this is also probably because of their own issues and trauma. However, it is still telling they had a civilian defend them with their life. It is supposed to be the other way around. Especially because it is not the Jabberwalker, but Neo and they know. It is not a character in a book, but their own personal enemy. (I mean, the fact they flee the moment they realize it is Neo is also telling of their current mental states). It is not their world, so why should they fight to protect it?

Ironically, the CC clearly sees people of Remnant the same way. They keeps asking ro RWBY's story and is entertained by it, despite its sheer traegedy.

Speaking of stories...

ALYX AND LUIS

Alyx's story is still a mistery, as neither the CC nor Jaune really know what happened. Still, both agree on Alyx being a so not great person and a liar. As a matter of fact the only thing both Jaune and the CC seem to share is that they were both tricked by Alyx.

And yet, there is clearly more going on, as I think it is highly probable Alyx is the one trapped in the Ever After, while Luis got to leave.

As others have highlighted:

Alyx = Alice

Luis = Lewis Carrol

Not to count the clear foiling among Alyx, Neo and Ruby...

All in all, I think the ending of Alyx's story and what they learn about them will tell us something about Salem. As for now, I think this something will simply be that Alyx, just like Salem is human:

Red Prince: Human? Human?! I knew it! You must defeat them!

Humans can be both heroes and monsters, after all. It is probable Alyx was in fact as selfish as Jaune and the Cat say (I mean, why should they have gotten it wrong? Alyx and Luis were 2 kids and not 2 masterminds, as far as we know). Still, she was also a scared child lost in an unknown world:

Oscar: I thought the idea of falling through Remnant into a new world was exciting. I never understood why she was so sad when she finally made it back home. But now it makes more sense. (Ozpin) She wasn't the same girl anymore.

A child who was clearly struggling with deep personal problems:

Jaune: Like, the Herbalist. Something changed there. Whatever he said to her, she wasn't the same anymore.

(Also... nice going the only one who could maybe tell them what ticked Alice off is now gone :P)

It is probable she failed to change in a healthy way and stayed trapped in the Ever After. If Luis is the one who actually left (and there is not an inversione where he is the "mean one", which I doubt), maybe he went back home and wrote a story to celebrate his sister by toning down her negative traits.

I don't think the point is for them to discover Alyx was indeed an angel and Luis the monster or vice versa. I think the point is for them to realize Alyx was a human, who got scared and lost and maybe even gave in to her worst instinct to survive. Only if they learn to empathize with people like Alyx, like Neo, like Mercury they can be true heroes. Only if they do it, they can save Cinder and understand Salem.

When it comes to their personal arcs, Alyx's story clearly puts them in front of a choice:

Either return to Remnant, accept their pain, but also aknowledge how it changed them (what Oscar says)

Or keep on running from themselves, forget everything and be undone (what Ozpin says)

This is true for Ruby and Jaune especially. As for now, our 2 leaders have come up with opposite answers to this problem. Both wrong.

Jaune refuses change, while Ruby sees change as destrction. Jaune wants to write the perfect story where he is the hero who saves his friends. He has been preparing for years for this moment (look at it going completely wrong). Ruby is seriously thinking about erasing herself from the narrative:

Jaune: I think Alux traded him to the tree in order to leave. And then she wrote him out of the story.

Jaune sees himself as nobody and wants to be a hero to feel like somebody. It is a pretty clear regression to his Beacon self:

Cinder to Jaune: Who are you again?

Ruby is a Hero, a Huntress, a Symbol, who wants to stop being that. She wants to become nobody:

Past Weiss: The Schnee name. Why bother, anymore? What even stands for now? Instead, you could be a nobody. Could you imagine? Not even a single bit of baggage on your shoulders. Isn’t that what you want? To be free?

(Yes, again Ruby, Jaune and Weiss are all tangled up in a strong thematic topic called "identity)

MISCELLANIA

Some miscellania thoughts

I liked Ruby being compared to Ironwood. Ruby and Ironwood's foiling is a strong one, which the fandom often dismisses to defend one or the other. Still, Ruby being right and Ironwood wrong is not the point. The point is Ruby is very very very similar to Ironwood and she risks to turn out like him, if she doesn't overcome her flaws.

When Penny tells Jaune there is no more time, Jaune remarks Weiss will give them time. I wonder if it might hint to Weiss's role in helping Jaune (and Ruby) with his predicament. Unrelated, but I wonder if we will ever get the time glyphs back.

I think CC is neithe good nor bad, they simply have a different way of thinking than humans. Meta-narratively, they are the reader, who wants more. New stories, new characters, old ones are boring and can be replaced! Thematically, they are the cycle of life and death (like the Gods) > hence The Cat rules in the Ever After.

I wonder if the CC will joing forces with Neo, now. It would be definately interesting.

The CC's reaction to Ruby and the Herbalist is still pretty strong and has definately an emotional component. I wonder if it is because Alyx changed after meeting the Herbalist and is worried something similar might happen to Ruby, as well.

All in all a great episode :)

#rwby #rwby volume 9 #rwby spoilers #rwby meta #bumbleby #blake belladonna #yang xiaolong #ruby rose #weiss schnee #jaune arc #curious cat #alyx #my meta

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rocknroll7575 · 11 months

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MK x RWBY. Ozma, pre-corruption Salem, and Rusted Knight. Past and Future but everything stays the same

OK! This is actually interesting! This one is gonna be long cause I got so many Idea's!

XXX

Ozma: *Walks on stage with Staff* Who are you?

Rusted Knight: *walks on the stage with his broken sword* A protector of the people

Ozma: You don't look like it

XXX

Rusted Knight: *Jumps off Juniper and lands on stage* Ozma the great and powerful

Ozma: *Appears on stage surrounded by a green ball* You know of me?

Rusted Knight: I know the fate that befalls you

XXX

Salem: *Walks holding Ozma Staff* Who are you?

Rusted Knight: *Jumps off Juniper and lands on stage* Someone who knows what is like to lose a loved one.

Salem: Why did the gods have to take him...?

XXX

Rusted Knight: *walks on the stage with his broken sword* Why are you here?

Salem: *Holding a sword and Ozma's Staff* The brothers... they have to pay for what they've done!

Rusted Knight: I too have a score to settle with them as well.

XXX

Salem: *Walks past Beowulfs* Ozma... is that really you?

Ozma: *Appears on stage surrounded by a green ball* Salem... by the gods what happened?

Salem: The gods happened.

XXX

Ozma: *Walks on stage with Staff* Why have you taken my wife's image!?

Salem: *Slowly rises out of black puddle* I am your dear wife, Ozma

Ozma: Lies!

XXX

Salem: *Walks holding Ozma Staff* Who are you? Why do you feel so familiar?

Ozpin: *Walks on stage with cane and mug* Salem... It is me, Ozma...

Salem: Ozma...? How is this possible?

XXX

Ozpin: *Appears on stage surrounded by a green ball* Salem.. is that really you?

Salem: *walks on the stage with his broken sword* Yes, but who are you? How do you know me?

Ozpin: I'm someone who loved you dearly...

XXX

Salem: *Holding a sword and Ozma's Staff* I become you... how?

Salem: *Walks past Beowulfs* Ozma betrays us

Salem: No! I don't believe you!

XXX

Salem: *Slowly rises out of black puddle* How was I ever so foolish?

Salem: *Walks holding Ozma Staff* How am I foolish?

Salem: Because we loved that man...

XXX

Ozpin: *Walks on stage with cane and mug* You will make many mistakes in the future

Ozma: *Walks on stage with Staff* How do you know that?

Ozpin: Because I am you

XXX

Ozma: *Appears on stage surrounded by a green ball* Salem becomes a monster?

Ozpin: *Appears on stage surrounded by a green ball* A Monster of the gods and our making...

Ozma: I won't let that happen!

#rwby #rwby meme #rwby ozma #rwby salem #rwby rusted knight #the rusted knight #rwby x mk #mk intros #headmaster ozpin #rwby ozpin

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oceansprompts · 5 months

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marvel's midnight suns | misc quotes 1

I will not be howling at the moon any time soon.

Have to say, for a haunted Transian Castle raised on the cursed grounds of Old Salem it's pretty cozy.

I really should up my homeowner's insurance.

You smell... wrong.

You know what they say. All work and no play... is how we ended up with Ultron.

We invented stealth.

I don't actually care, but they need to stop moping. So. Can they play with your dog?

Admit what? That I feel a sense of admiration and respect for a fellow teammate?

Yeah, I didn't figure someone so great and powerful would be into a book club.

You're hung up on the were-roosters... Alright, let's hear what you got.

Is this visit business or pleasure?

How’s your mental health? A good portion of this “darkness hunting” game is mental health and processing intense situations.

But, hell on Earth isn’t a garden stroll.

I’ve spent decades experimenting and putting it together. Any of ’em interest you?

I’m telling you. I don’t know what’s coming next, but I do know when the shit hits the fan with Chthon...

You’re acting like I did it for fun...

Comfortable? I’ll never be comfortable around that monster. . .

You’re turning out to be one of my favorite people. . .

Why do you think? They take vicious killers and present them as tragic and misunderstood.

It’s just... Off, somehow. I swear, the moonlight on a clear evening is too dim for this time of year...

Was your first thought about killing me?

What I’m asking is, if I lost control, would you stop me?

Let’s talk about how your mother just turned one of my best friends against us.

These people look to me for guidance, but it feels like I’m stumbling around in the dark.

Just the fact that you are willing to learn means you’re on the right track.

So how do I tell him I’m totally cool with being best pals without scaring him off...

It wouldn’t take many guards to secure the building. So the question is: What else are they doing in there?

It’s not big enough to swim laps. Its only real purpose is for lounging and soaking up the sun.

It figures she’d send you. Did she tell you I want nothing to do with it? Because I still don’t.

Every time I think I’ve got my mind wrapped around this conflict, I get thrown a curveball.

But right now? I want to let you know how proud I am to be serving alongside you and watching your leadership.

Maybe this is what we’re supposed to be doing, fighting an endless war.

What do you make of our chances to get out of this mess in one piece?

That’s an easy question with a complex answer. Tell me this–what type of leader would you follow?

I always did what I thought was right. No more, no less.

Well, not so much fish as that ginormous, invulnerable sewer monster that swallowed the Sanctum.

I’m told I can be rather persuasive when I need to be.

It’s all just starting to blur into one big giant green gamma mess…

I’m having it right now and-wait. I think… oh no. Did I feed my cat before I left?

Would you have been able to take the shot? Because I don’t think I could’ve.

I’m going to be up all night trying to make sense of it, see if it helps us find our way back into the Sanctum.

But the more I see him in action, the more I think he might be an okay dude.

I’m telling you if I have to spend one more hour scanning digital maps…

All you have to do is be ready to fight for what you care about when the time comes.

Yeah, I know. Nasty artifacts like that aren’t known for their safety features…

I have to admit, I don’t think you’d be such a formidable poker player. Yet another reason to respect you.

This is the life, licking it with the legendary Hero, and kicking said legendary Hero’s ass at a fighting game.

Believe it or not, I don’t have a lot peeps I can call friends, not close ones at least.

I feel like you get how just how heavy all that extra baggage…

Sadly, the sense of wonder eventually wears off like most things.

… Sorry if I’m ruining any romantic notions of space travel.

I’m not just my powers. Sometimes I like to take it slow…

I’ve tried blindfolds, facing away from the board, and one-finger throws. Perfect score, every time.

The forbidden nap, if you will. Mercenary work is a grab bag of awful stuff…

Because looking at it made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

I can play nice all day when we’re out there kicking bad guy booty…

Uh, haven’t you listened to anything I’ve said? Money!

I forgot. You aren’t as self-aware as I am…

Well, your friends have been avoiding me like the plague…

He waved goodbye and peaced out to live a life of solitude…

#roleplay memes #rp sentence meme #sentence meme #sentence starters #roleplay

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strqyr · 1 month

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as far as how much oz told his followers about his task and what salem has told her followers about her plan, what interests me is that there is this... technicality, there. like what they're claiming is true, but it's, potentially, leaving part of the truth out as well.

qrow says that anyone who collects all four relics has the power to change the world. assuming this is what ozpin told him, it's technically true; bringing the relics together either means that the gods return to remnant once more, or there's another extinction event happening. either way, the world is changed.

salem also speaks of a new world order, with promises that her followers will be the "top dogs" in it. this is at least what mercury, and presumably hazel and cinder (definitely about the new world, not so sure about the "top dogs" part), believe. but, there's also a catch: "in pursuit of a new world, no cost is too great." once upon a time, salem amassed an army against the gods, and when the god of darkness wiped it out with ease, she promised she'd be back with a new army before learning that there was no humanity left.

i'm assuming ozpin didn't tell his followers about what happens if the gods judge against humanity based on how qrow talks about the relics, but with salem i'm undecided; on one hand, she did tell the gods she'd tell everyone of this massacre, but on the other hand, getting people to aid you in a plan that might just end with everyone dead and knowing that's a risk your immortal boss is ready to take might not go that well either—there's a reason ozpin keeps certain things close to his chest, and that's to ensure he has followers to aid him.

there is one other source for learning about that little tidbit of information: the fairy tale. in it, the judgement of humanity is present, and if anyone is aware of the story and has been let on the little secret that some fairy tales do hold nuggets of truth in them while also knowing that the four gifts embodied by the relics were gifted by the gods to humanity, it's. it's not a huge leap of logic to make that there's a connection there.

and that probably helps to explain why characters like tyrian and raven have a different view of things. tyrian, well, he's all about mayhem, and if he knows that salem is willing to risk everything to have a world without gods, him coming to the conclusion that salem is the destruction incarnate and that is exactly her goal isn't too far-fetched. similarly, raven thinks salem won't rest until humanity crumbles beneath her feet <- exactly what happened on the first go-around, so if she knows about that... yeah, not sure what exactly would be so different this time around that the gods, at the first sight of defiance, wouldn't wipe remnant off the map completely.

it's the "change the world" / "a new world" angle leaving a lot of room for interpretation. like... hazel thinks the new world won't be having kingdoms—that's a lot of people there ya know—or huntsmen academies, and like. that's. not too far from just destroying it all. sure there are smaller towns and villages, but those come and go already as is thanks to the grimm, and the kingdoms are a safe haven for those who do not want to deal with that.

and like. vacuo is already having to deal with destruction of two kingdoms and their refugees and it's causing so many problems to them, with grimm attacks being a constant issue, now imagine the situation where all four kingdoms are gone? the negativity would be off the charts.

#rwby #shaking them in a jar please be less cryptid about your intentions i'm begging 😭

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howlingday · 1 year

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Mass-Murdering God Ruby Rose

Blake: Hm... You make a fair point. I guess I'll concede on that.

Ruby: Well, you didn't make it easy for me. You make quite a good argument, B.

Ruby: (Thinking) But not good enough to find me out! You fool, it's already too late. Jaune's already sold his soul and can already see your name and life span! All I need to do is get him alone so he can tell me your real name. Then I'll just right your full name in the Death Note Kill Log.

Ruby: It's been fun, B.

Ruby: (Yawns) It's getting late. Maybe we should call it a night. Is it okay if I said good night to Jaune alone?

Jaune: Aw, Ruby, you don't have to be so embarrassed. I can give you a good-night kiss any time you want.

Ruby: Th-Thats not what I meant!

Blake: Hm, I guess so. A girl does need her sleep. But it is about dinner time, so why don't we order some fast-food take-out? My treat, of course.

Ruby: Mm... Dinner does sound real good!

Ruby: DAMMIT! I should've known this wouldn't have been so easy! She's being cautious, even now. I can't be too suspicious. Just a few more minutes...

Jaune: Ooh, a free meal would be great!

Ruby: So what did you have in mind, B?

Blake: Hm, a fair question. How about we order Winty's? We could split a four-for-four. How does that sound?

Ruby: Hm, that does sound pretty good...

Ruby: Winty's 4-for-4?! Do you really believe I'm that dense?! Of course I know the Winty's 4-for-4 sandwich, nuggets, fries, and drink, would barely be enough for either of us!

Ruby: But you knew I'd think that, didn't you, Huntress?

Ruby: W-Wait! Wouldn't a five lien giga bag be more appropriate, since there's more of us?

Blake: Oh, how very perceptive, Ruby. Yes, I suppose that would be more fair.

Blake: (Thinking) So I was right. Even though I offered to pay, she still chose the more expensive option. I'd expect nothing less from a mass-murdering psychopath like you, Reaper. But...

Ruby: With the 4-for-4 price so close to five lien as it is, it only makes sense to spend a few cents extra. You can't pin anything on me.

Ruby: Face it, B. This pitiful Hail Mary of yours is all for nothing-

Jaune: Hey, can we get Burrito Bar instead?

RB: Burrito Bar?

Blake: How... interesting...

Ruby: JAUNE, YOU IDIOT! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU THINKING?!

Ruby: Are you trying to get us alone? B CAN SEE RIGHT THROUGH THAT!

Blake: Burrito Bar? Why in the world he suggest that? Is this part of your game, Reaper?

Jaune: (No thoughts, Head empty)

Ruby: There's something here... Something I'm not seeing... Wait! The Burrito Bar was found in the same year Nicholas Schnee died!

Blake: Nicholas Schnee had 14 letters in his name, his name making 2 words, which makes 16. His granddaughter, Weiss, became Ruby Rose's partner in the middle week of March.

RB: Beware the Ides of March!

Ruby: The first King of Vale worshipped the Brothers as gods of life and death. Vita et mors. But why them? Why? Unless...

Ruby: Unless he's referring to Crocea Mors, the Yellow Death, his own weapon! Yellow Death is also an illness that results from undercooking tortillas! Tortillas like the Burrito Bar's Golden King! I get it, Jaune! You're saying you'll kill her, right here and now! Yes! Do it, Jaune!

Ruby: Tell B you want a Golden King and secure my place as the god of the new world order!

Blake: So that's your plan? Well do your worst, Reaper! This room is bugged and being recorded like you wouldn't believe. Every single move you make will be seen everywhere! Make your move, Jaune Arc!

RB: DO IT! NOW!

Jaune: Wait...

Jaune: Can you even get a Deluxe McBurg at Burrito Bar?

Ruby: (Tackles Blake, Punches her)

Salem: (Watching from the shadows, Smirks) Heh heh heh... Hamburger...

#rwby #solid jj #blake belladonna #ruby rose #jaune arc #lancaster #salem

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dr-grayson · 23 days

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youtube

Giving you guys a few ways to improve your striking variety. This style of sparring template was taught to me by my Savate Professor Salem Assli and is one I've continued to use to great effect. It's quite interesting how taking a singular technique or concept to work in a combinatiom can lead to all sorts of new ideas. You wont love them all but you'll definitely find some that work for you. Check it out!

#martial arts #budoblr #personal #dr-grayson #me #training #savate #jeet kune do #kickboxing #mma #Youtube

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deadbeatbirdmom · 2 months

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Feel free to resort to 4 if I'm getting annoying, but I'm curious about 8, 10, 12, 17 & 22 for that ask game.

Not at all annoying! Thanks for the ask game questions. I hope you mean this one, it is the one I reblogged most recently.

I'll answer 4 as well anyway, and I certainly don't feel the need to resort to it with you.

On to the questions, under a read more cut because this is likely to get a bit long:

4. what was the last straw that made you finally block that annoying person?

It doesn't take much to make me block someone. All they need to do is hate on Yang or Bumbleby, and they're on thin ice if they hate on any of team RWBY. Or quite possibly if they hate on RWBY as a whole at the moment. To be clear, just criticism that doesn't actually come across as hate is fine. I'm well aware none of the above are perfect, and that makes them more realistic. No one is perfect.

Blocking also doesn't mean I hate someone. It just means I don't want to see the hate they say about something I love.

8. common fandom opinion that everyone is wrong about

Okay, so I'm not sure how common this is, and this is my opinion and it doesn't actually make everyone else wrong: Yang and her self sacrificial thing. I don't think she can stop trying to save her loved ones and even people she doesn't even like if she sees them in danger. It's a core part of her character. It's what she does. It also isn't like any of her team would do any differently in her shoes.

10. worst part of fanon

Jaune harem fics. They don't really affect me because of my firm belief in don't like; don't read, but even coming across their summaries on AO3 is enough to make me consider muting the author. As for here on tumblr, there's a reason I have Jaune's tag on my filtered list. And it's not because I hate him. I don't. He's not one of my favs, but I think he's a great support character, and Weiss would be dead without him. And she is one of my favs.

12. the unpopular character that you actually like and why more people should like them

I don't actually know how unpopular she is for sure, I've just come across hate for her, and the way she can be depicted in fics doesn't always tally with how she actually is in canon: Raven Branwen.

Raven is a mess. She's the deadbeat birdmom. She contributed to Yang's abandonment issues. Sure, hurting Yang should be reason enough for me to hate her, but I don't. Raven is complicated, and I'm sure we don't know exactly why she did what she did yet.

Why more people should like her: she's a complicated mess who still cares about her daughter. Yes, she did let Yang take the Relic of Knowledge and put a target on Yang's back instead of her own. But she also apologised and cried, and that isn't the sort of thing I can believe Raven would do if she didn't care. I'd be surprised if she's apologised much in her life.

Raven is also a badass and good in a fight, one of the best in the RWBY cast of characters, and that's when she isn't even using her Maiden powers.

17. there should be more of this type of fic/art

There can never be enough Yang. Granted that's with the caveat that there's some ships I have no interest in seeing, such as Dragonslayer (Jaune and Yang), but I don't mind that it exists. I just avoid it.

22. your favorite part of canon that everyone else ignores

Hm. I don't know that everyone ignores it, as I'll be amazed if there's no fics at all about it, but I guess it's that Yang punched and blew up Salem's tits without facing any real consequences. That may be because it was temporary and Salem was more annoyed with others present, and it may also be because Yang's team as yet have no idea. They might have something to say about her doing that if they knew.

#ask #gorkhandsmcschmuck #Yang Xiao Long #Raven Branwen

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cantpickonefandoms · 2 years

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I’m surprised there weren’t any sort of cameos for Max, Allison, Dani, or Thackery (unless you want to count Cobweb as Binx’s cameo) in Hocus Pocus 2, I guess on one hand that’s a good thing because that movie is teeming with nostalgia as it is. But on the other hand I was wondering about those four while I was watching the movie. Like imagine poor Thackery, his soul is finally at peace and he’s been reunited with his sister, and he finally gets to relax after guarding the candle for three hundred years, and then he has to watch from the great beyond as Gilbert undoes all of his hard work, poor guy must’ve been having a conniption when he watched Gilbert trick Becca into taking the black flame candle. And as for Max, Allison, and Dani, do they still live in Salem? Because if so, then I wonder what they were doing when the Sanderson sisters returned, do you think Max looked at the sky, saw all the familiar signs of the witches returning, then saw them flying across the sky and was instantly like ‘Nope. Not again. Whichever dumbass virgin that lit that candle can deal with this bullshit on their own.’ I can imagine adult Max just being real tired and having no interest in dealing whatever hocus pocus bullshit is going on in Salem this time.

#hocus pocus 2 #hocus pocus 2 spoilers #max dennison #allison watts #dani dennison #thackery binx #hocus pocus

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ficretus · 1 month

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Been thinking about supposed Summer Maiden and Grimmification.

While RWBY as a show has never been that great at portraying character's age, supposed Summer Maiden looks pretty young. So young that it's plausible for her to be Oscar's age. If we assume that's Summer Maiden and that she is relatively young, then that brings some questions.

While Ozpin's faction has always been shady and made some morally dubious choices, selecting a young teen to be a Maiden seems bit off. It would be very reckless to give power to someone immature and inexperienced. Headmaster Theodore has also been described as cautious in novels, so that makes even less sense. I also don't think power was given by choice since that would have been equally reckless by whoever did that (being a Maiden is basically painting a target on your back, why put your loved one at risk?)

This leads me to the conclusion that current Summer Maiden has been randomly chosen by its power upon the death of the previous user. So far we've never seen that happen in the show, so it might be the time to explore the concept. Question is, who was the previous user?

First, let me return to Grimmification. So Aura and Grimm are incompatible. It doesn't work even if user is Hybrid like Cinder (unable to use Aura on Grimm arm) or if user gives Grimm an Aura as seen with Gillian in novels. Maiden powers are connected to user's Aura and any way of interacting with Maiden powers requires an interaction with Aura (Maiden machine, Grimm arm).

So if Maiden powers are attached to Aura and Grimm are incompatible with Aura, what happens if Maiden is fully Grimmified? I'd say Maiden powers get ejected and seek a new host since there is no Aura for them to attach to.

Think about it, if one could be a full Grimm Maiden, do you think Salem would tolerate Cinder's tantrums and disobedience? She knows their interests don't allign, yet she chooses to keep Cinder only on leash instead of fully taking away her free will. As seen with Hound, she would prefer if Cinder was mindless puppet. She probably can't create Grimm puppet Maiden.

But what if she tried that before? Hound's fate as well as Salem's insistence on capturing Ruby alive implies her goal is to turn silver eyed warriors into Grimm. What if Summer Rose was previous Summer Maiden and by Grimmifying her, Salem got rid of her Maiden powers. It would explain why current user was so relatively young and would explain why Salem is relatively patient with Cinder.

#rwby #rwby spoilers #rwby beyond

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bestworstcase · 14 days

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adjacent to your “sky is falling” thoughts - one line i think about frequently that feels very indicative of oz’s whole. deal. is in response to ruby’s “so all those times you talked about having faith in humanity? that was just for everyone else” where he says“that’s not what i meant to suggest.” regardless of being focused on the relic he doesn’t even try to make a case for his interest or belief in humanity’s value

its really so funny to me. the contrast between what ozpin has to say about humanity vs what salem thinks of mankind.

“humanity is a resilient force. […] there are indeed a misguided few who have filled their hearts with malice; it doesn't take a great number of people to cause harm, but i still believe there are far more people in this world willing to prevent it.”

versus

“man, born from dust, was strong, wise, and resourceful, but he was born into an unforgiving world. an inevitable darkness […] set their sights on man and all of his creations. these forces clashed, and it seemed the darkness was intent on returning man’s brief existence to the void… however, even the smallest spark of hope is enough to ignite change, and in time, man’s passion, resourcefulness, and ingenuity led them to the tools that would help even the odds. […] nature’s wrath in hand, man lit their way through the darkness, and in the shadow’s absence came strength, civilization, and most importantly, life.”

oz looks at remnant and sees a never-ending existential struggle just to endure against a “misguided few” who act with malice and cause great harm, even though most people try to be good.

salem looks at remnant and sees a hard, unforgiving world where humankind defied fate itself—the condemnation of the gods—to survive and flourish just by refusing to give up. even the smallest spark of hope is enough…

he sees resilience, the capacity to endure hardship. she sees strength, wisdom, passion, ingenuity, resourcefulness, the capacity to overcome hardship. oz believes that fear is the one universal experience, the fundament of all life; salem holds that it’s hope.

“that’s not what i meant to suggest” but it is what he meant, and there’s nothing else he can say that won’t ring hollow.

#he is in the depths of despair someone help him

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mermaidsirennikita · 2 months

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ARC REVIEW: The Other Side of Disappearing by Kate Clayborn

4.25/5. Releases 3/26/24.

Vibes: true crime podcasts (critical), soft hero/hard heroine, complicated families, and dropping those defenses even when it's hard

Heat Index: 6/10

Ten years ago, Jess and Tegan's mother disappeared--with her con artist boyfriend Lynton Baltimore, made famous by a popular podcast. Now, the podcast's creator is on their doorstep with her protegee, Adam. They want to find Lynton; and Jess and Tegan could be their key. The last thing Jess wants to do after raising her sister on her own is go down this rabbit hole. But if Tegan is going, so is she; and as they unravel their mother's secrets, Jess finds herself more exposed than she's ever been before... and, even more horrifyingly, opening up to Adam (and his massive shoulders, perfect for crying into).

I was a little worried by the premise of this book. Don't get me wrong, it's a great idea--but was it going to be women's fiction? The answer: nope! This is a great example of how to write a book that has a big plot, and has well-developed characters beyond the two leads... while still being a romance. That's something that used to be way more of a norm, but I've noticed lately that it seems to have become all or nothing. You're either all focus on the leads, no plot and paper-thin supporting characters, or the romance gets crumpled up and it's women's fiction. (Which is fine! Women's fiction is fine! It's just generally not my thing.)

Trust Kate Clayborn to give you all the feelings about EVERYONE involved, along with a thought-provoking and twisty-turny concept, while never sacrificing the strength of the love story. I was so invested in Adam, a truly good dude who isn't without his own sore spots, slowly worming his way into Jess's heart. And Jess is simply a great heroine--wounded and tough and a bit angry but also desperately holding it together for the sister she's raised. I loved watching them fall in love. In fact, this is probably my favorite Kate Clayborn book so far.

Quick Takes:

--I am very vocal about finding a lot of good guy heroes boring, and that is because "good" often seems to translate into "perfect" or "completely toothless". Adam is a great example of how to write a good guy hero correctly. Kate Clayborn generally knows how to write about good people who aren't perfect and are compelling.

Here, Adam is essentially a gentle giant with great intentions in the long term... Who still compromises his morals initially. (Not for long! and I would say that she could've pushed him to compromise those morals for a bit longer, but I get it.) And he doesn't always handle everything perfectly, and he's not always smooth, and he's interesting and hot and kind of the boyfriend I feel is ideal without being PERFECT.

Also: his ears go pink when he's embarrassed, and he is definitely a bit embarrassed about his Bigness. Like, he's always bumping into shit because he's so Big, and that's embarrassing, you guys!!! This is. So important to me.

--I'm so into the Eldest Daughter Syndrome Stuff, as an eldest daughter. Jess and Tegan's relationship is so great, sitting in that space between parent and sibling, and at a really awkward point (as Tegan just turned eighteen). I found Jess deeply relatable, and her prickliness makes perfect sense... while still getting in her way.

Honestly, Jess's character growth is the type of thing I don't think heroines are allowed to do enough? It's introspective and difficult, and I absolutely loved where we ended up.

--There's a supporting character, original podcast creator/Adam's mentor Salem, who went in some really different directions. I kind of loved having a character who was like... not malevolent, but not wholly good, too? Who was selfish, and not an ideal parent, and a LADY?

In general, the commentary on true crime fandom stuff and podcasting is so good. I think we've definitely reached this point where true crime podcasts have really dipped heavily into exploitation. Of course there are good ones! But let us be real. I loved the way that she confronted this being both a story and Jess and Tegan's lives. And, in addition, how knowing that early on conflicts with Adam's sense of morality.

--As a random note... I've noticed recently that a lot of romance novels, even those by people I so love, have parents do some really shitty stuff, and then shove in this reconciliation with their kids at the end. I think this has to do with the need for an HEA. But like. You can have an HEA that involves acknowledging that your parent is shitty and doesn't deserve forgiveness. Trust.

All I'll say is that I really loved how Clayborn handled the parent stuff in this book.

The Sex:

Kate Clayborn always leans more towards the romantic than the explicit in her sex scenes, though they are open door. There are a few scenes in this book, and they're reeeeally sensual. I loved the way she wrote the dialogue during sex scenes, and like, the sexiness of Jess and Adam sneaking around on this road trip with her teenage sister right there. Ooh, it was hot.

Insightful, romantic, and challenging in some ways, The Other Side of Disappearing really impressed me. I already liked Kate Clayborn, and this only made me more excited about her future work.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

#romance novel blogging #romance novels #arc reviews #book reviews #book recs #book recommendations #books #netgalley

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