#i played qrow for awhile

[agayprince]

Nine People I'd Like To Get to Know Better

Tagged by: I wasn't tagged by anyone but I saw this going around, I really wanted to take part, and it's been in my drafts for a few weeks now. I figured now is as good a time as any.

Last song:

I truly do love Qveen Herby and her style. Especially for this song, it's one of the many I listen to on repeat. Herby is a phenomenal artist and her lyrics are works of art. I can't get enough of her songs, I just keep coming back and listening over and over.

Favourite Colour: Purple & Black

Last movie/TV show:

A Very Muppet Christmas Movie (it's still technically the Christmas season, up until January 6th, so my partner and I are still watching Christmas movies)

Star Trek: The Original Series (I've never seen the series before but my partner is introducing me to the series. We're on S1 and I am absolutely loving it)

Last Book (this is a personal add-on): The Book of (More) Delights: Essays by Ross Gay (A truly delightful book, perfect for starting off the year. I highly recommend it. It's not fast paced, nor slow, more medium paced. It's very hopeful and reflective. It's definitely helped me to slow down and look around me, to notice that which brings delight into my life or I find delightful. Even if it's not every day.)

Sweet/spicy/savoury? Sweet, always sweet

Relationship status: Happily Taken

Last thing I googled: "tunic game" someone mentioned being obsessed with this game and I'd never heard of it before so I had to look it up. It looks adorable and now I want to play it really really badly

Current obsession: I have a few obsessions I rotate through every once in awhile. Books, pins, stickers, certain shows/characters, the Sims, mythology, plushies, and more.

But right now it's looking at character art on Pinterest. I love saving and sharing these because they not only make great inspo but some are just beautifully well done works that are meant to be shared.

Tag Nine People: @indiana-jones-palestinian-bf , @gatorgoob , @theroundbartable , @softpastelqueer , @mybabydenkikaminari , @alinakerrin , @17rainydays , @fuckyeahsnackables @merlinsbed , @snakelung , @liebredeaconito , @thisiswhyimnotintheavengers , @thisispaladinbehavior , @qrow-deserves-better

(It is very hard to pick just nine people. There's no pressure to participate and anyone else who comes across this is welcome to!)

#nine people i'd like to get to know better #ask game #me

[ironwoodprotectionsquad]

We know from inviting Glynda that Ironwood can formal dance, and the alternate JNPR dance takes from volume 2 prove that James has rhythm, but do you think James is musical at all? Caleb has been engrained into my brain as his singing voice since the Gravity fight, but I could see James playing piano, or perhaps violin, especially on bad days as a way to reassure himself that he still has fine motor control. Self soothing with the music itself and being able to play the music

Anon you are not alone in that when I imagine James singing it is with Caleb's voice lolz. Their was another anon who I answered awhile back that made an ask about James singing with Weiss which I thought was a lot of fun.

As someone who has played both instruments (not well mind you but played) I kind of see James more being a pianist myself. I have absolutely no idea why I just do lolz. Only a few people know he can even play but he probably has a piano in his private quarters so he can play without disturbing anyone when he wants to think or as you said work on his fine motor control.

Playing also would help him relax and clear his head when he's feeling anxious. When Penny finds out he plays I like to imagine she would try to catch him when he plays and listen to the music. In an IronQrow AU I also see Qrow sometimes asking James to play because he loves listening to him play and sometimes maybe James will start to sing as he plays as well and Qrow loves the sound of his voice.

#ironqrow #james ironwood #ironwood protection squad #qrow branwen #general ironwood #pro ironwood #pro james ironwood #general dadmiral #dadmiral ironwood #penny polendina

[miss-writes-a-lot]

@ozqrowweek Day 4: The Beach Episode 🏖️

(just gonna jump straight into it because it's longer than I anticipated.)

The minute the car stopped, Ruby sped out of the backseat in a flurry of rose petals with her little red boogie board in hand and her trusty companion Zwei speeding right behind her in his little beach ball shorts. Weiss followed after her, trying (and failing) to scold her significant other on the mess she left in her speedy exit. Blake and Yang crawled out of the back with the cooler and Yang’s much longer surfboard as Taiyang went to pick up everything that Ruby had dropped.

Qrow and Ozpin pulled up soon after. They managed to catch Ruby flying up in the air, shouting “THE BEACH!!” at the top of her lungs.

Ozpin chuckled. “She seems excited.”

“Don’t see why she shouldn’t be. Been awhile since we’ve been back here all together like this,” Qrow said, turning back to his teens cramped in the back, “What about you guys? You excited to see your cousins?”

“Mmhmm!” Maylea exclaimed, chomping down on the last bit of her orange creamsicle.

Oscar was too distracted with all of his beach things and their youngest, Garnet, had her face buried in a book but by the way her shoulders scrunched in and how her knees were pressed to her chest, she didn’t seem too pleased to be there.

“Garnet? Are you okay, love?” Ozpin asked.

“Can I stay in here until we go back to the house? I can walk too if that makes it better.”

“G, we’re not leaving you in a hot car and we’re for sure not letting you walk all by yourself. That’s like basic parenting 101.”

“Please?”

“I thought you were excited to see Ruby and Yang again?” Oscar said, “Haven’t seen them since the Vytal Festival in March.”

“I was until I realized they were bringing all of their friends and junk with them,” She pulled her hood down lower on her face.

“You’re lucky it’s just JNPR. I heard Ruby wanted to invite team SSSN, team CFVY, team–”

“Not helping, May.”

“Right, sorry.”

“Why don’t you at least say hi? We’ll be right beside you the whole time.”

She sucked her teeth, “I don’t know. They’re all going to be romantic and sweet and stuff–”

“I’m sure they will have enough restraint to say hi and spend time with their cousins, '' Ozpin said, adding a small, “At least, I hope they will.”

“Mmm…okay. I’ll…I’ll go.”

“Yes!”

“Alright, family beach trip back on track! Oscar, you get the cooler, I’ll get the grill, Nettie, try and keep your sister away from the rest of the ice cream ‘til after lunch.”

“Hey!”

The Branwen-Pine family finally piled out of the car. Team Rwby had already gotten settled in their respective areas. Ruby was having a water gun fight with Weiss (who was losing miserably), Blake was under an umbrella with her favorite fantasy book, and Yang and Taiyang were busy setting up the volleyball net.

Oscar and Maylea ran ahead, dumping all of their belongings onto the sand and only grabbing the ‘important’ items before running into the water to join in the water fight.

Ozpin rolled his eyes as he collected whatever they had dropped and set up their stuff beside Taiyang’s.

“Uncle Qrow!” Yang exclaimed, “Uncle Oz! Good to see ya!”

“Took you guys long enough,” Taiyang said.

“We had a bit of trouble getting Nettie outta the car. You know, a lotta people coming and stuff.”

“Is that why she isn’t here?”

The two exchanged a puzzled glance before looking behind them. Garnet was still standing on the hill where their cars were parked. Her still state however didn’t seem to be from a place of anxiety but a place of new found serenity.

“Looks like she’s feelin’ better already.”

“The ocean air did always clear her senses. She’s been needing to go out somewhere that isn’t the school or our land.”

“YO! G! You wanna play volleyball when Nora and them get here!”

Garnet gave an unsure thumbs up before starting to make her way down to the sand.

Qrow slinked his arm around Ozpin’s waist and pulled him close, “See? She’s getting out of her shell more. Pretty soon, once the whole ‘Salem being a thing’ thing dies down, she’ll make more friends of her own.”

Ozpin hummed, “I hope. She’s a good child. Anyone would be lucky to have her around.”

“The others seem to like her a lot. Nora especially.”

“Are we so sure that’s a good thing?”

Qrow chuckled into the crook of Ozpin’s neck. “C’mon, cut the kid some slack. Yeah she blew up the dust lab a couple times–”

“12. 12 times, Qrow.”

“But, hey. She makes Nettie laugh.”

Qrow pressed kisses up and down his neck. Ozpin laughed while Tai sighed. 

“You two always find ways to rub your relationship in my face, huh?”

“Oh, you know it,” Qrow said, trying to playfully smack Ozpin’s ass but he quickly grabbed his hand.

“Not in front of the children, dear.”

“Right. Kids. We have those now.”

Tai rolled his eyes, “Now that you’re done with whatever that was, can you please help me set up the grill.”

“Of course, Tai.”

And so, the day went on. Team JNPR finally showed up – apparently when they stopped at a nearby gas station, Nora just had to grab every snack on the shelves. Tai and Ozpin got the grill started up (mainly thanks to Ozpin and his magic) as the kids began their volleyball game. Garnet was more hesitant than before but after some coaxing from Yang, she left the beach blanket with Blake and joined the others. It ended up becoming a 1v1 with Yang and Nora the entire game (they were always so competitive when it came to each other) and it continued on to lunch with a contest of who could gorge themselves on the biggest rack of ribs after the volleyball game ended in a tie (or at least that’s what they had to tell them so they wouldn’t rip each other’s heads off.) Most of them went in the water to escape Tai’s awful dad jokes. Nora got a cramp and nearly drowned. Blake, Yang, and Garnet were chilling out on land but Garnet must have sensed that they wanted to be alone so she decided to head off to the other side of the beach, much to the chagrin of her fathers.

“I’m just going to check out the other side of the beach for a few minutes. I’ll be fine.” 

“I dunno, G…”

“You let me go out on my own all the time back home.”

“Well, Garnet, that's because we have people nearby to ensure your safety.”

“And? There are people here who are trained to attack on sight if anything goes wrong. I’m trained to attack on sight if anything goes wrong.”

“I suppose that’s true…”

“So, I can go?”

They exchanged a glance before sharing a nod. “Yes, you may go. But only for 10 minutes.”

“And keep your scroll on you.”

“And yell if something happens!”

“I will!” She took off running in the other direction with an odd amount of enthusiasm that she didn’t initially have.

“She’s hiding something, isn’t she?”

Qrow nodded in agreement. “Yep. Don’t know what but hey, at least we know she can’t cap size the place even if she wanted to.”

“Should we follow her?”

“In a miinute. I wanna walk for a second.”

“Okay? Lead the way.”

Qrow took Ozpin’s hand and led him away to the opposite side until the group became just mere dots.

“It’s pretty nice out here, huh?” Qrow said.

“It is. Almost makes me want to stay for a couple months. Not go back to school for a while. Though I doubt it would sit well with Glynda and the others.”

Qrow shrugged. “She’s done better with worse.”

Ozpin chuckled. “Yes, I suppose you’re right.”

They stopped. Qrow moved in front of Ozpin, taking both of his hands.  “Hey.”

“Hi?”

“So, I uh, wanted to ask you something…kinda important.”

“Okay? And that would be?”

Qrow caressed his knuckles, “So…you know how we’ve been together for a while now, right? And we have these kids and the war’s pretty much over and–”

“Qrow,” Ozpin raised a brow, smirking, “Are you trying to ask me to marry you again?”

“Ah, pretty much? With everything that’s happened and all the shit we went through, well–I thought we could use something like this,” He dug into his short pocket and pulled out a silver wedding band engraved with intricate leaf designs. Ozpin’s smirk curled into a sweet smile as Qrow got down on one knee, “Man, I’m more nervous than when I first asked you this.”

“Take your time, dear.”

Qrow took a deep breath, “Okay; Ozpin Pine, father and occasional teacher of my children, love of my life – will you marry me? Again? Until the next threat to the world comes and tries to rip us apart both literally and metaphorically?”

Ozpin laughed, “Yes, yes! Of course I’ll marry you, my dust old Qrow!”

He lunged forward and threw his arms around him. “H-Hey! Careful! Your ring!” Ozpin didn’t listen. He instead peppered his face with kisses until he settled on his lips with a long, soft kiss. Qrow laughed, pressing his forehead to Ozpin’s. 

“So we’re really doing this again, huh?”

“I suppose we are.”

“Should we tell the kids?”

Ozpin looked behind them, seeing Maylea running towards them with Garnet and Yang following in tow. “I believe they have something to tell us.”

“DAD! PAPA! Garnet has a girlfriend!” Maylea screamed.

“DO NOT!”

“Oh, you so have a girlfriend!” Yang replied.

The two exchanged a surprised glance. 

“So…we tell them after we deal with this?”

“Sounds like a plan.”

(thank God it managed to fit. Had to cut out a bunch of stuff before posting so if it seems kinda unfinished that's why.)

#rwby #my writing #bri writes #qrow branwen #ozpin #ozqrow week 2022 #ozqrow #cloqwork family #cloqwork #ozpin pine #ruby rose #weiss schnee #rwby blake #blake belladonna #yang xiao long #taiyang xiao long #team jnpr #oscar pine #maylea pine #garnet branwen pine #garnet merlot

[ichiigotsukii]

“So it’s true. The dead do walk the earth.” 

A figure steps out of the shadows as if he were a part of them and Qrowley doesn’t need to turn to know who it is. Even if he hadn’t recognized the voice, the pureblood would know the smell. Nettle....hemlock...oleander, the figure’s namesake. The fragrance has always stuck to the fae like a cloak.

“Lyander. It’s been awhile.”

“I was told you were dead.”

“And I was told you know where I can find Kaede.”

A smirk makes a slow rise on the fae’s face and Lyander adjusts his glasses, stepping farther forward into the dim light, though Qrow was more than able to see him even in the dark.

“You think I’ll just tell you and ruin what I’ve been carefully working towards over the past few years? You have no business with him.”

“He deserves to know. He can help us.”

“But he can also hurt us. Telling him too soon, without enough proof, can get us both killed. Or rather,” Lyander’s lips turn up into a sneer and he laughs once, soft and taunting, “I suppose kill you again. I don’t think you’ll be so fortunate to avoid death a second time, Qrow. While you were playing dead, I was working. So stay out of my way and let me handle it. Don’t let your desire for revenge cloud your judgement. Although the eyepatch is a nice touch, I hear many find it rather attractive.” He almost laughs again. “We’ll be in touch.”

Qrowley watches the man move back to the shadows from which he appeared from, only a hint of light reflecting in the man’s spectacles before he’s gone, leaving the room eerily quiet.

“If you won’t tell me, I’ll find Kaede on my own. Whatever means necessary.”

#Qrowley post #berry banter #I'll just leave this here #Lyander post

[storyventure]

#STORYVENTURE  ——  an  independent  multimuse  blog  with  muses  from  various  games ,  animanga ,  webcomics ,  and  animated  movies  and  shows currently  low-activity  due  to  life.

mobile - accessible  links :

Carrd (under construction)

Rules (check “read more”

Muses (check “read more”)

Memes

Docs Page (under construction)

Interest Tracker (under construction)

CURRENTLY WATCHING

Steven Universe: 150 ep left

Invader Zim: 21 ep left

Retold by Salem

FULL MUSE LIST & RULES UNDER THE “Read More”

Muse Count: 53

PRIMARY

Adora (Shera)

Entrapta (Shera)

Hordak (Shera)

Horde Prime (Shera)

Amity Blight (The Owl House)

King Clawthorne (The Owl House)

Willow Park (The Owl House)

Vash the Stampede (Trigun Stampede)

Million Knives (Trigun Stampede)

Ciel Phantomhive (Black Butler)

Yang Xiao Long (RWBY)

Qrow Branwen (RWBY)

Weiss Schnee (RWBY)

Salem (RWBY)

Roman Torchwick (RWBY)

Adam Taurus (RWBY)

Ahsoka Tano (Star Wars Rebels)

Cal Kestis (Star Wars Fallen Order & Survivor)

Darth Maul (Star Wars Rebels)

Miguel O'Hara (Spider-Verse)

SECONDARY

Drew Anubis (Dislyte)

Triki Loki (Dislyte)

Xiao Yin (Dislyte)

Trevor Sphinx (Dislyte)

Lucifer Morningstar (Obey Me)

Leviathan (Obey Me)

Belphagor (Obey Me)

Diavolo (Obey Me)

Death the Kid (Soul Eater)

Crona (Soul Eater)

TERTIARY (On hiatus, but will write upon request only)

Alucard (Castlevania)

Dracula (Castlevania)

John Morris (Castlevania)

Maru Mori (Blue Period)

Haruka Hashida (Blue Period)

Yatora Yaguchi (Blue Period)

Luz Noceda (The Owl House)

Gus Porter (The Owl House)

Vee Noceda (The Owl House)

Hunter Wittebane (The Owl House)

TEST MUSES

Zim (Invader Zim)

Tallest Red (Invader Zim)

Dib (Invader Zim)

Amethyst (Steven Universe)

COMING SOON

COMING SOON

REQUEST ONLY

Eda Clawthorne (The Owl House)

Lilith Clawthorne (The Owl House)

Hooty (The Owl House)

Legoshi (Beastars)

Louis (Beastars)

Haru (Beastars)

Rezaren Ammosine (Dragon Age: Absolution)

Fairbanks (Dragon Age: Absolution)

Qwydion (Dragon Age: Absolution)

Sebastian Michaelis (Black Butler)

ORIGINAL CHARACTERS

COMING SOON

COMING SOON

COMING SOON

COMING SOON

COMING SOON

------------------------------------------------------------

GUILDLINES

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BASIC RP ETIQUETTE: No God-modding or power-playing allowed. Trim your replies please. Do not force ships. Just don't be a jerk.

SHIPPING: I love all kinds of ships. Romantic, Slow Burn, Unrequited Love, Familial Bonds, Platonic. I am open to developing relationships with all of my characters as long as there's chemistry. And both muses are of the same age. & as stated before. Please do not force ships on me if I'm not interested in the idea of it.

ACTIVITY: Due to life. I am very low-activity. But I try to spend my time here as much as I can. Please be patient with me.

MEMES & THREADS: Memes do not expire. So, please go ahead and send me memes from months ago or years ago. I don't mind at all. Always feel free to turn any meme response into a thread. I am a huge fan of multiple threads with my writing partners. Never hesitate to start something new with me even if we have a lot of other threads already. If sending memes isn't your thing, I would love to plot something out with you, don't hesitate to pop into my ims. If I spam you with memes please do not ever feel obligated to respond to them.

TRIGGERS & THEMES: Please note that there may be dark or sensitive themes present on this blog from time to time. If there is something i’ve neglected to tag, please kindly let me know.

FORMATTING: If you need any adjustments to the way I format my replies please do not hesitate to ask! I am using the legacy editor.

ICONS & THREADS: as a friendly reminder. Some of muses like Dislyte and Blue Period maybe iconless for awhile. Until I can commission someone for icons. If you choose to use icons in your own replies. That is fine with me. If you don't. That's also fine. I don't really have a preference on icons in threads.

#ᐞᐁ˰ ʾ pinned. #ᐞᐁ˰ ʾ out of character #please dnrb

[flightofaqrow]

9, 17

shipping q&a ** accepting

9. what do you think about crossover ships?  would you play any?  

ships follow the same rules as general! if i know the verse well enough to build that much in it and the muses have chemistry, sure! for awhile when Vicki was still around, we had some threads meant to build into an on-again-off-again ship with Sailor Moon’s (human) Luna that was gonna be filled with so much good drama. 

She swore she got together for good with Artemis in the end, but then where did Diana get them red eyes, hmmmmmm????

I’m sad it didn’t get very far before real life consumed her.

17. what’s your BROTP when it comes to your muse?

SUMMER!!!! Gib me platonic/familiar Summer and qrow for DAYS. qrow is uncle qrow because Summer was his second sister, i will die on this hill!!!!!! god the burning need i have for platonic m/f is unmatched and this is such a good, soft one. i don’t want shippy vibes, i want Summer supporting qrow through his identity crisis, standing up for him to everyone else because she GETS him after awhile, maybe knows some secrets, and her crying into his arms about stupid boys (maybe including Tai) and asking for girl advice (maybe including Raven) and them going as partners to the Vytal dance platonically and tearing up the dance floor and drinking in stairwells being silly and sleeping under the stars after climbing trees all day. Let them live!!!! 

#* he always did have a thing for investigating the occult = erudite rebel * #* behind closed doors = ooc * #* it'd be a shame to lose your job before you even started = mun *

[fourtune]

                  has the fn/dm ever considered maybe qrow just wants someone that makes him feel normal cause that was me 

#( OOC ) #( TBD ) #i played qrow for awhile #i still have his blog #not to say that makes me the end all be all voice of reason #but i've been in clover's tag and it's nothing but #how awful he makes qrow feel #when all i saw was someone who didn't #blow out of proportion his semblance #and trusted his talent in the field #(that line at the end??? anyone?) #bird man doesn't need to be fixed #he just wants someone to treat him #the same as everyone else #that's my hot take #and i'm done #i will most likely not be keeping clover #but i just wanted to state lmfao

[razorblade180]

Interdimensional Moms pt4

Part 3 here! <-

The tales had be interesting. The tales had even been emotionally gripping, yet all of them so far didn’t seem to register at the moment as Ruby’s teammates looked at her with the same excitement she used to give her own mother during story time. Ruby couldn’t help but give a little smile.

Ruby:I take it you’re ready for my turn? You do know it’s not exactly a sunshine and rainbows story, right?

Weiss:We figured as much, but....

Yang:You’re so different! From the moment you showed up I could just feel it in my gut. You have this...presence about you. Not to mention intsene confidence.

Blake:Yang is right. You said you beat your Salem when your seventeen. That’s...scary if I’m being honest. Such a drastic departure from any of our worlds.

Ruby:*red* Hehehe ummm I guess I’m just awesome? Really I don’t think it’s the most outstanding feat. At least by my worlds standards I suppose. I mean sure, I’m consider cream of the crop there too but there’s talented people and challenges all over that would put me through my paces still. I’m just...me.

Weiss:Sigh...honestly, I suppose that means our own skills must pale in comparison to our counterparts.

Ruby:Mmmm I wouldn’t say that for sure. My Yang would kill me if she heard this but there’s something about the one right here that has spark I dig.

Yang:Really?

Ruby:Uh huh. Can’t put my finger on it but I think you take her if you want it bad enough. As for Weiss....couldn’t tell ya. Haha, I know better than anybody to not underestimate the power of mother, and you pumped twins out.

Weiss:Not sure if those are pity points or real ones but thanks either way.

Blake:You don’t even have to tell me I’d lose. Just gave an entire story about me an my condition.

Ruby:Don’t feel too bad about it. I can’t imagine much reason for you two to fight for any reason. You’re both too reasonable to not reason with yourself.

Blake:Aw I’m touched.

Yang and Weiss:We aren’t....

Ruby:Hahaha I’m just saying! So, I guess I take things from the top like you all? From what I learned from all of you our Beacon experiences really are more or less the same, not counting certain interactions between a bookworm faunus and an adorkable blonde knight. Enrolled early, blew up the entrance, Weiss was rude, Yang ditched me, all the same beats.

Yang:There’s no super badass change like you beating Cinder the night of dance and making our entire lives easier?

Ruby:Ha! I wish I was that legit. No, I was very much the young girl tripping in heels that night. Vytal festival came around and was attacked, then Beacon fell. Pyrrha was lost and so was Penny. Difference being that was my last time seeing her, unlike Weiss’s story apparently.

Weiss:Yeah that...that’s a little bit of shock to be frank. Sorry.

Ruby:No worries. Not like you did anything and it was decades ago for me now. After that day is when I started to get a bit more serious I think. I had always taken being a huntress seriously and never slacked of in trying to live my dream. However, my perspective may have honed in on just how do or die life his when you’re the one choosing to walk into unknown danger. Team RNJR’s first and only mission, save the world!

Yang:Sub mission: Flirt with Jaune Arc.

Ruby:*blushing* We do not choose who we fall in love with it. But yes, that may have been a personal pseudo mission for me. He’s my first friend at Beacon for crying out loud and I you know.....thought he was cute then too.

WBY:Yeah that checks out.

Ruby:What does that mean!?

Weiss:Ruby, even my Ruby admits to finding Jaune attractive and having a crush on him back in the day.

Blake:Same.

Yang:I already went into enough detail on how my little sister feels about Jaune. Your just the reality where you pounced on the opportunity and never let go. Struck when the iron was hot and none of us were around; sly fox.

Ruby:Gee you make it sound underhanded. It isn’t like I intended to actively pursue him. Everyone was really sad and stressed traveling to Anima. There was a tension in the air. One that really strained us. I did my best to keep focus, but a leader is only as put together as team. Ren and Nora confided one another as usual and I tried being there for Jaune because seeing him emotionally shut down was rough; so I did my best to be there for him. Then...he ended up being there for me and I was the one who needed comfort. All the airing out and late nights just...led to....*red*

Blake: “Breaking the tension?”

Ruby:I guess that’s one way of putting it. We were lonely. I hid my feelings best I could under the veil of comfort in the moment. Not that needed to. He made it pretty clear that he wanted me in the same way I wanted him. I just the two of us were too scared to ask for promises we weren’t sure we could keep so we loved in the moments we could, so to speak.

Weiss:If it wasn’t under dire situations, all that sounds oddly romantic.

Ruby:Right!? Looking back at it makes the entire thing seem romantic but I definitely wouldn’t wish a similar experience on anybody! I guess it’s what I wished for when I fantasized huntress life huh? Things obviously got better along the way. Our relationship got a bit more serious right before we got to Haven. Then Tyrian and other crazy stuff happened that threw all of us into panic mode again before slowly getting better again by a lot.

Yang:We showed up?

Ruby:Bingo! You and Weiss, met Oscar, and then eventually Blake came back. Things were on the up and up.

Weiss:Uh, Haven attack?

Ruby:We lived, up and up. Yeah you got stabbed but you know...that’s not new I’m sure.

Weiss:Yeah I have the scar and I’m still little pissed.

Ruby:Valid. Anyways, so my Atlas experience was different as hell. There was no formation of Remnants armies like Weiss spoke of or even between two kingdoms like Blake. Yang, what happened yours again exactly?

Yang:Nonsense. Cinder showed up with lackeies but not Salem’s lackies. Those people showed up separately, then Adam came back from wherever the hell he- a lot! A lot of people showed up for different reasons but also the same reason and to be frank, we all almost got shot by the military for being in bases that quote unquote, “didn’t exist.”

Ruby:Man I wish we traded. That at least sounds crazy enough to be fun. Just a rollercoaster in the dark basically. My experience was probably as hectic, but also way more streamlined. We showed up, and then all hell broke loose. Specially a mass grimm invasion lead by Cinder and her annoying associates. We were there for about three weeks updating General Ironwood and getting our barrings together when it happened. I wanna call it a hit and run tactic but it was clearly planned in advanced. Mechs were hacked again, traitors in the military, grimm lying in wait before hand; it was chaos! All for the relic.

Blake:Who was the maiden?

Ruby:Never met her. By the time we got there, Ironwood was panicking because she had vanished, taken right from under his nose. It was some young girl apparently, really young. The attack on Beacon looked like child’s play to this. Mantle got attacked, grimm were on the chains, they tried dropping Atlas to the ground; all a diversion for a relic. We all should’ve died, and yet, we didn’t. Winter and Weiss weeded out traitors, huntsman and military held the line, Yang bested Hazel with Nora, Qrow and I cut down Tyrian! Ren, Blake and Jaune helped the kingdoms while Ironwood struck down Watts. Nobody was in the mood to die that day. There wasn’t gonna be another Beacon. By all means, we were pissed. Even Raven showed up of all people.

Yang:What!?

Ruby:You can’t attack a kingdom without the world knowing. Especially when traitors leak info. Honestly she came for you though, or she never left to begin with. Couldn’t tell ya. Thanks to Maria I had a bit more handling with my eyes. That helped a lot. Without them and Os-

She stopped herself, choking on the words. The zest and excitement of recalling the heroic feats of her friends dimmed slightly with her smile. Her joyful smile became bittersweet like the memory.

Ruby:Then there was Oscar, the real warrior on that flamed filled night. That battle had to have been three days at least. We were so driven, and so tired. I was tired, but Cinder, Neo, and the others with her at the time weren’t; always showing up at the worst time. I managed to push Cinder back in a fight but grimm and others still swarmed. We were at a point that grimm very well might’ve did us in and the villains didn’t have to push any harder. But Oscar changed that. Hehe, what’s it about country folk that makes people like him and I not hesitate to grit our teeth? That dork looked at me, gave me the biggest smile on the the steps to Atlas, and then he left. His hair went white as he twirled the cane and then he left, forever. Oz came out, and he left nothing to the imagination. “Limited magic” my butt. He obliterated grimm and made a barrier aroma Atlas while everyone else cleared Mantle long enough for the world to send reinforcements. Salem didn’t get the relic, but she got the maiden and thousands of casualties. Oscar being one of them. Also, Whitley....he was in critical condition for a very long time.

Weiss:What do you mean...critical condition?

Ruby:Everything happened so fast Weiss. Panic was high, buildings fell....a piece on him. I wasn’t there but when I eventually found you, you were nearly hysterical and banged up. By some miracle he lived even though we could not reach him and he did not get aid for awhile. We thought him dead. It was only after everything we learned somebody got him. Being rich never paid off more than with medical bills. Thanks to youth and medicine he can still walk, but he can only do so much before being tired. He also left Atlas. The cold hurts.

Weiss:So, I run the company because he can’t?

Ruby:I wouldn’t put it that way, but it was one of dozens of reasons that made that goal stronger for you. Relax though, both of you get plenty of time to be witty siblings like I told you earlier.

Weiss:I know. It’s just, I guess it’s hard imagining Whitley hurt like that. I don’t think I could handle it.

Ruby:You definitely teetered in the moment. Knowing that happened though probably gave you anger and grit to fight the entire battle. You were a beast. Scarier than Winter. Anyways, that hollow victory was a real wake up call for the world. They didn’t know about Salem and we never told society in earnest. Cinder and other conspirators were enough to make Remnant work together to boost defense. Relief went to places that needed it and I, became the face of hope. Haven, Argus, Atlas, even people from Vale got to chattering of a particular group of people who always seemed to answer the call for help. Then the towns in between chattered. Yours truly had been carving a name in the history books and was only gain popularity the moment I stepped into Vacou, alone.

Blake:Alone!?

Weiss:What!?

Yang:Where were we!!!!!?

Ruby looked at surprised faces around the table, smiling tenderly. She looked down her dress and pulled out the cross she wore around her neck. Her thumb traced its edges as her mind began wandering down an old path paved with emotions raw to the core.

Ruby:I’ve always felt different. Not just because of my eyes but that there was just...a certain spark that never stopped going off for as long as I remember. There are plenty of people who can’t bare to watch others suffer, but there are fewer people I believe that truly feel the agony of other people’s pain. Beacon, Haven, Atlas, Argus; there was no place I went that I didn’t see the faces of others lamenting, and I didn’t make me want to grieve. Atlas took so much out of all of you and I just felt so....driven to stop that ache. For everyone’s sake, but mine as well. I wanted the world to finally get to the happy ending. Enough trauma had be sowed for a hundred lifetimes, so I went on ahead of everyone. I never doubted you all would follow but I wanted to get ahead of the curve and take on as much of the suffering I could do others wouldn’t. If the world wouldn’t give me a miracle than I’d be it myself for everyone else.

Yang:That’s suicidal! Salem wanted you specifically!

Ruby:It’s not like I went marching up to her door and said “1v1 bitch, I’m here” no, I just chose to move forward quicker than what we were all doing. Believe me, all of you were upset when you caught up, after I had already saved Vacou. *smiles* I really like that place. I told the people it was the next target and all they did was double down on pushing back. I managed to pin down the Summer maiden before the villains and thanks with the city on alert, there wasn’t a shift in the sand that didn’t go unnoticed. I got the jump on Mercury and Emerald, personally paying them back. Can’t say I didn’t enjoy it. It didn’t take long before they realized how screwed they were with them being outed like this and Cinder having the nerve to retreat before hand. Both of them threw in the total, outing the plan against Vacou. A wipeout of a win. Not to mention they told me the location Salem’s little hiding hole.

Weiss:We missed all of that?

Ruby:That’s what happens when I leave in the dead of night and running on adrenaline. Like I said before, people were tired. As much as all of you wanted to hoof it, other’s were relying on you. Atlas almost dropped for gods sake. Eventually when you all caught up it was at a good time. Soloing was rewarding but difficult. Fortunately Sun, Neptune, Ilia, and a few other familiar faces were close by if I needed an extra set of hands. My little stunt earned the anger of everyone for awhile.

WBY:Yeah no shit...the leader left.

Ruby:Yang was the most upset, followed by Uncle Qrow, and you Weiss. I was ready for the blowback. Jaune and Nora saw me though and bursted into tears. Hehe, wasn’t ready for that. Felt terrible and cried back. To prevent that stunt again, my Yang convinced Raven to link me. A couple days of apologizing and rest smoothed things over. It also gave time for just a few close friends and colleagues to get together for an assault on Salem’s castle. A few were apprehensive about it at first but at the end of the day I was going. That attitude was infectious apparently. You guys, actually everybody, they started getting this hunger to end it all. Maybe it was the high of victory? Regardless, it sent me racing to the end with those that I loved most.

Yang:You’re a real “my way or the highway” kind of Ruby. I don’t get how that explains what made you so...elite.

Ruby:I’m not sure what to say. A fight needed to to fought so I fought it. A cry for help was heard so I ran to it. A grimm needed slaying so I slayed it. People needed me to win so I didn’t dare think of losing. Dying was never option, even when it stared me right into my eyes. I had things I wanted to do and people I wanted see for years to come. I guess...I am strong because of the fact I want things my way. A moment I’m not giving it 110% is a moment wasted. After all, a huntress is all I ever wanted to be.

A single dream she wanted since birth. The never ending desire to be the hero in stories told to her many nights ago. That’s all it ever was. That’s all it’s ever been. Even in meadow of beautiful red roses, one would be the rose that captured the eyes of many, that bloomed stronger than the rest. As simple as it was, that had to be the answer here. Weiss, Yang, and Blake were in front of that flower. The Ruby Rose that simply bloomed stronger than the rest. The one that clung to her dream as if letting go meant dying itself. The devotion was inspiring, yet also overwhelming. If this was Ruby they had lead them that day in the Emerald Forest, could they have kept up? Could she be the leader they followed? No, they couldn’t have. Something deep down inside them gave them that answer. No matter how she looked and how much she loved, this Ruby Rose was cut from a cloth they simply weren’t off. The same as others, but oh so different.

Weiss:You’re....kinda a monster, you know that right?

Yang:Seriously, I’m so...floored. It’s intimidating.

Blake:Not to mention humbling. I used to think I gave it all I had. Now I’m not so sure.

Ruby:Oh don’t be like that you three! You’re all living proof there was more than way to go about life, this war! Everything you gave was enough because you’re done with it! Nobody failed. Besides, I...am far from ideal. The assault was challenging. Getting around hoards of grimm and making it to Salem was hell made real. Neo tried taking another shot at me but Yang held her off with help. Everyone pushed the obstacles in front of me out of the way as I went to Salem herself. Cinder had been abandoned by her and stripped of a lot of her powers. Angry and desperate, she tried killing me again as a way to prove worth. I beat her. However, I let her walk away.

Yang:What!? Why would-

Ruby:Naive, I was...naive okay? She was all spent and though I hated her, I just couldn’t. Not when I looked into her eyes and saw that same hunger I had to claw and scream at my dream until it was in my hands die inside her. We both knew from this point on there was absolutely nothing she could do where this ends her way. All she worked for turned burned to ash. So I gave her the choice to not burn up with it. Cinder swallow her pride and then fled. A part of me couldn’t help but rationalize killing her didn’t solve or justify any of my beliefs or desires. It would’ve done it because I hated her like she hated me. That was the dumb logic of a seventeen year old who never quite learned to take things slow.

Blake:....I don’t think it’s dumb. Naive for sure, but maybe that’s good? Even my Ruby, she never wanted to act on hate. She didn’t. Salem lives.

Weiss:Mine sent her soul to be at piece instead of passing a cruel judgment.

Yang:As a person who’s seen what you looked like with nothing but vengeance inside, I can say it doesn’t fit you. Before that day you had a warmth inside you to even foes that were somewhat admirable. You chose to leave Cinder’s fate up to those who had that hate and Salem was undone by her own doing at the very end. That’s what really makes you special Ruby. That’s why you’re called an honest soul. Good will is your nature.

Ruby:....Hmm, you sure know how to butter me up. *scratches head* I guess that part of me is uni-I mean multiversal. Strangely, that makes me feel better, to a degree.

Weiss:Do we even have to ask what happened to Salem at this point? I doubt the story ends with you loosing and having to retreat.

Ruby:Who’s to say it doesn’t? I could’ve been beaten to death before the gods themselves descended down to revive me with awesome power.

Yang:....Did you?

Ruby:Wh-No! Haha, I made her an immortal statue.

Blake:I-It was that easy?

Ruby:Well I wouldn’t call rushing into hell’s castle easy, or Salem. I lit her up at least a dozen times. My head pounded from each use, I was tossed around a bunch, magic is annoying, and not to mention running out of ammo. I left nothing to the imagination in that fight. If it were easy then I wouldn’t be rooting my horn and my age doing it. I was so tired I blacked out afterwards. I woke days later with a sore body and the title of “Remnant’s Savior.” Apparently beating Salem had weakened the grimm everywhere and all of you made sure who was to be thanked for it. That’s the tale of how I saved the world with my friends. Love, trust, elbow grease, and a lot of bullets. Before the final battle, Ozpin had struck a deal with everyone involved. In return for saving the world, he’d cut ties with us.

Yang:Seriously? What brought that about!?

Ruby:Good or not, he lied and was a schemer. Sure I was gonna try to save the world regardless of his interference but there wasn’t a person alive that didn’t to finally take a step towards the future after all this. All of us finally had time chase dreams and help the world the way we wanted to before all of this. Blake begin mending hate, Weiss took back her company, if Yang wasn’t with Blake then she was seeking more answers to Raven on wild adventures.

Yang:You mean Raven still left after all that!?

Ruby:In her defense, both of you made everything fucking awkward when she was around. It’s like you both wanted to talk about something but knew any subject was a land mine so you all you ever did was...stare, like weirdos. Glad that’s in the past. She just lives with dad now and you two now to hold a conversation. I dare not ask for more. I’d be a granny by the time I did.

Yang:Sigh...I don’t know what I expected. Shit it the fan several times and children were born before mom and I found solidarity and understanding. What did you do afterwards? Your goal was already met.

Ruby:Like hell it was! I started busting my butt traveling around the world, visiting every place to help in anyways I could. Ren and Nora tagged along for awhile before going off to make an orphanage in Anima near Ren’s old village. That left Jaune and I to do our hero thing.

Yang:As well as other things....

Ruby:Hey, what can I say? We were young and going up in the world. By the time I was nineteen, I was now a married to my partner and best friend.

Weiss:Uhhhh-

Ruby:He’s my partner on RNJR and you’re my BFF, gosh did I really need to explain that hehe?

Weiss:I just had to make sure. Crazier twists could happen.

Blake:Wow you married young. Not that there’s a problem but I’m surprised. Then again you also dated earlier than my Ruby. Hehe, weapons were on her brain for a long time.

Weiss:No kidding. When I learned about you crushing on my brother I was shocked to find out you liked anybody in general. Especially a person who isn’t a weapon nut in the slightest.

Ruby:*shrugs* All you’re telling me is I’m clearly the most impatient or impulsive Ruby you all know. Don’t know how that happened. Maybe I was dropped as a baby or had one too many coffees growing up?

Weiss:I’m willing to bet it’s both.

Ruby:Ruuuuude. So yeah, that’s...the story of how I saved the world and married Jaune. We even built a home just outside Vacou, overlooking the kingdom and neighboring town in the distance where Maria grew up. Yeah, that’s me....more or less. All the triumphant parts anyways. Anything later on is......

.......

Blake:R...Ruby? You okay?

Ruby:Nope, not really. *clenches cross*

Yang:......You know, I never really got religion, especially after learning the truth. It just seemed completely hollow when you learn of the real gods, ya know? However, I changed my tune a bit after being a parent and then some more when uncle Qrow died. It was never really about the truth behind if those other gods were real-

Ruby:It’s the piece of mind in believing in a better place for loved ones and having people watch over you. It’s truly based on blind faith in every sense but that’s okay as long as it gives peace of mind, to stay strong. Yeah....that’s why I wear this.

Yang:If that’s the “why” then I guess the unavoidable question is what happened?

The reaper leaned back in his chair, letting out a long sigh. Ruby brushed her hair out of her face while her face went pale. Then, Ruby’s eyes, her teammates watched a pair of stunning silver eyes dim, becoming akin to a clouded mirror.

Ruby:Being a huntress was all I wanted. The plan of having a family and settling down never appealed to me much. I feel, I felt like being in the field was where I was meant to be. It’s where I was most myself in a way. So the day I learned that I was pregnant was more than a little upsetting and terrifying, until dad and time itself filled me with the most genuine joy I may have ever experienced. Dustin Arc Rose, my first born son. He opened a door to a world and life I never knew I wanted to be apart of. Then...that door was shut minutes after, when Cinder and Neo stole him right from my arms. I couldn’t do a single thing about it other than blackout. That single act of good will I showed, it did nothing but kill me inside. The same way I did to her.

WB:.....

Yang:Ru-Ruby....your eyes.

Ruby:Hmm? Are they clouded? Funny, I would’ve thought your Ruby would’ve had a similar change. Maybe that’s a world exclusive thing, or a testament to the will you Ruby has to endure. Clouded eyes on a silver eyed warrior means the person has lost the desire or rather the mindset of persevering life. Be it their own life or wanting to end another’s life out of resentment, strife. My entire world fell apart when I woke up and learned nobody was able to retrieve Dustin. I was in pieces, Jaune was broken, nobody was the same. There wasn’t a soul we didn’t know that hadn’t tried to find a lead, but we never did. He was just...gone; and I couldn’t cope at all.

Weiss:I don’t think any mother could. Ruby, I’m so sorry that happened to you.

Ruby:I’m sorry too. I lashed out in anger, and shut people out. My eyes clouded and I dove into my work for a little over a year doing nothing but searching aimlessly as I took and every job back to back. The more time went by meant the more people eventually had to go back to their own, and it drove me up a wall inside. No one could reach me. I didn’t want anybody to. Not even Jaune. I....*teary eyed* I left him alone in house. There was no part of me that could even attempt to understand his pain because I was drowning in mine. I was told he tried his best to catch them at the hospital. I never hated him for not succeeding but I...he... I just, I can’t. I don’t know what I thought. All o knew was I didn’t even want him to touch me. How cruel is that? *hugging herself* I made him drown in despair in the same way I was. I wasn’t home so often that I never realized he eventually left it abandoned to live with dad. Yang and Blake I didn’t even show up to your wedding. Jaune did that much. Hell, Raven attended. Ruby Rose as a person didn’t exist any more. I was only a wandering huntress looking for answers or the challenge that might’ve ended me.

Blake:What changed?

Ruby:Oz, he did what nobody else dared to do. He fought me. I don’t think he thought twice about it. He was prepared to accept all the anger I kept inside until I eventually broke down into tears like I’m trying not to do right now. Thinking about that time is still, extremely difficult. Oz let me lament, encouraging me afterwards to finally except the fact Dustin was gone and that I needed to process it properly. First I went to you Yang, in order to have a my big sis to lean on. Can you guess how that went?

Yang:With me holding you tighter than I ever had before.

Ruby:*smiles gently* I don’t deserve you. You and Blake then came to patch with me where everyone else waited for me and helped me face Jaune. That may have been the hardest thing I’ve done. Grieving or not, the fact that I left him in such a state. I know what that does to people firsthand and yet I left. For the first time in over a year we embraced and finally grieved together. The next two years were spent trying to heal and cope. During my time away the world had fully acknowledged me. I even got a proper nickname, but it all felt hollow. Imagine that, achieving your dream but not caring? If that’s not salt in a wound then I don’t know what is.

Weiss:What’s your title?

Ruby:I am the person people want to see when evil comes to cut their story short. I am a symbol that their tale still has more to tell. Remnant has named me The Storyteller. Curtsey of Maria, who spread the name around. Healing was slow and most nights I felt a pain in my heart, but then everything changed. One moment made me dare to try again to open that shut door in my life. *looks at Yang* I held your son in my arms. Sweet little Kovu.

Blake:*smiles* Kovu? Now I wonder who named him?

Yang:*red* Huh...how about that? Hehehe, wish I could meet him. I know he isn’t technically mine but I can’t help but feel all warm now. Also I can’t believe I named him that!

Weiss:I can. Veronica’s middle name is Nala.

Yang:Okay, maybe not marrying Blake was a win? Clearly I can’t be trusted to not name my children after other cats.

Blake:The wrong kind of cat too. I’m a panther faunus, not a lion. Even if they’re blonde that’s still false advertising of what they are.

Ruby:Well Yang was the one giving birth so you lost a majority of the option to complain.

Blake:That is fair.

Weiss:You gave birth to Vee, so I think that solves who picked her first name.

Ruby rested her head in her propped up hands that rested on the table. She felt exhausted reliving that chapter of her life mentally. Still she managed to smile, then smile bigger. Her eyes unclouded and a warm feeling filling her again. What Ruby said earlier about what made her different may have reign true, but her friends could since that there was now more to it. Ruby had spiraled into an unimaginable tragedy, yet was able to bounce back thanks to loved ones. To smile as she does, it was truly a strong sight to see. Even if she wasn’t fully aware of that.

Ruby:Carmine Arc Rose, my second born and the first child to call me mommy. Followed many years later by itty bitty Garnet. He’s my little man, five years old while is big sis is seventeen now.

Yang:Damn! That’s a gap. Oh, also congratulations. Almost forgot that part. I’m glad you got to be the super awesome mom that-

Ruby:I am easily C-teir.

Yang:Oh come on! What!?

Ruby:Listen, I know I got on you all for calling yourselves bad parents, but I will hear no debate about me understand!? I flop a lot of times.

Weiss:That doesn’t make you a C-teir. That makes you a new mom, silly.

Ruby:*grumbling* I agree to disagree but thank you. It’s just a lot okay. Too much to dive into honestly.

Blake:Summarize. Give us an abbreviated version.

Ruby:Ummm so Carmine is real special kid. The absolute love I have for her is unbreakable but gods damnit if she isn’t the most... “me” I could be! In a way similar yet different from myself, Carmine has always had this sense of urgency in her and a love for the world around her. She recognizes that it’s a fragile piece we have and just how hard I’ve worked with everyone to make it. I could tell that from her when she was five. I’d sound crazy, but the fact she used her eyes at the age proves I’m not.

Yang:She has silver eyes!? Why didn’t you bring that up?

Ruby:I thought that was obvious. All of my kids were born with then. Unlike her baby brother though, Carmine was a weird little kid. She didn’t socialize well. Still doesn’t, she’s kinda comes off rude and cold because of her bluntness. She doesn’t really express all her feelings or understand others fully. One might call her a little cold but the passion she had to protect life itself is a testament to how much she cares. Carmine is also a genius fighter. To put in perspective, people use the same nickname for her that they used for Pyrrha.

WBY:Oh....

Ruby:Yeah! It’s not hyperbolic to say ever since Carmine is far beyond any skill I was at her age since she turned thirteen. You called me a monster earlier but no, I merely gave birth to a beast. I mean she could pass the huntsman exam at fifteen if I didn’t make her wait. I can’t call her arrogant, she talks with confidence because she has that right by all means. Still, besides her face, that’s where the similarities start separating; besides terrible grades in general stuff. We’ve never been in step completely. To put simply in her own words, “What I am is a hero, while she is a huntress.” That good will and mercy I try to give everyone isn’t how she rolls. It drives a real wedge that has resulted in us not going on missions together.

Blake:Is she...killing?

Ruby:She has before, and it had valid reasons entirely, but I also know for a fact she is more than capable of bringing down people without taking that step. Not all cases are that intense thank goodness. Her overall aggressiveness is the root of the problem. You don’t have to put you back into it when handling thugs. They aren’t Hazel.

Yang:Ooo okay, yeah I’m seeing what you mean now. It’s like that one comic you always read!

Ruby:Sigh...yeah she channels a bit of Batman energy and I need her to not do that all the time. I suppose being an honest soul isn’t particularly hereditary. It always feels like we aren’t enjoying each other’s company these days. I can’t blame her though. So....you know how all of you have had one serious problem that has both destabilized yourself as well as the kids and their relationship to you? *clouded eyes*

Weiss:Wait...you loosing a child wasn’t that?

Ruby:Oh it was. It just so happened that it never ended. It grew day by day. Night by night. Jaune and I were cautious with Carmine. Going as far to give her contacts and giving birth to her off the record and not at a hospital. Just in case Cinder came back. Well, Cinder and Neo came back, with my Dustin.

Nobody said anything. What do you even say to that!? All they did was let out a stifled breath and tried to gauge Ruby’s look of guilt.

Ruby:Yet again we had gotten too comfortable. It happened when Carmine was thirteen. I don’t think Garnet was even one yet. That’s when the cruelest realization hit me. My son had been alive and hearing about how his so called mother being a person who saves everyone, yet she never came for him. She had moved on, letting his eyes become clouded with such seething hate for the world she did save; the children she had after. It’s been four years since the day he attacked Carmine and helped grimm try to invade Vacou. To this day it’s been a life of staying on gaurd, searching for them as they popped up countless places to tear Remna- to tear me down and I can’t decide what part hurts the most. The amount of anger that prevents me from killing Cinder in a blink of an eye, or looking at my daughter who has told me herself that she is going to kill her older brother because I’m too weak to do so. That I’m in no way as good as the world believes me to be. *puts hood up* Like I said, C-teir mom, at best.

Blake:That’s- you can’t- there’s no way for you to reach him? Maybe if you-

Ruby:He looks at me the same way Neo and Cinder do, Blake. They raised him to hate me. Besides, he hurt Carmine. She’s just not gonna let that slide and frankly I shouldn’t either. Carmine acts tough and for the most part is, but gets terrified like everyone else. In many ways she’s still just a young girl that I wish had never chosen to become a huntress. If I had it my way she’d just be a normal girl with normal knees; but her mother’s weakness and inexperience wrapped her up in yet another war. It’s ironic. I barely remember mom and yet I ended up putting my family in very similar situation as if she lead instruction. Happy endings, I’m not sure if I get-

Yang:You’re better than mom....

Ruby:......

Yang:Yeah I said. Look I love Summer Rose but at the end of the day she wasn’t around, not that she didn’t want to be, but it’s the truth. Several years of pleasant childhood memories and a lifetime of grief is what she left me, and all you got were tales you should’ve experienced first hand. Ruby you have spent seventeen years loving your daughter unconditionally and being there for her no matter if it’s for better or worse. Yeah you might not being doing it perfectly and I have no idea how to even fathom your predicament, but at least you are there trying. Take it from me, that’s all a daughter ever wants from their mother. It’s also what makes a pretty kick ass dad. *smiles* Chin up, hero. Your story isn’t over yet after all.

Silence filled the air and Ruby’s throat ran dry. Ruby pulled out her scroll to go to her pictures and displayed one of her favorite photos for everyone to see. It was Carmine’s fifteenth birthday. Ruby didn’t lie about the resemblance. the girl had short blonde hair that stopped halfway down her neck in the back and was longer in the front, reaching shoulders. Like her mother, the tips of her hair transitioned to red. The beautiful young woman tried to her hide her smile but her gleeful silver eyes were practically twinkling with joy as Ruby hugged her tightly from behind and a tall, more solid version of Jaune was smushing one of Carmine’s cheeks with an overly dramatic kiss to it. A tiny child no older than three at most was in his big sister’s arms. Garnet had his mother’s hair and eyes but something about the chubby face definitely showed Jaune’s features. The child had red frosting on his face and was reaching eagerly for more cake somewhere out of frame.

Yang noticed the girl took page from her father and wore some regular cargo shorts, but clearly didn’t lack flair by wearing a red crop top that showed off a fresh tattoo of the Arc crest on her toroso. Knowing her sister, that tattoo was most likely practical. The family looked happy, proud; and the mother of it currently sat across the table crying with her head face down in her hands cwhile Weiss and Blake hugged her from each side. Roses may have thorns, anyone who knew roses knew a simple truth. They’re still fragile flowers.

Yang:(Carmine Arc Rose. For you and your mother’s sake, I hope things go well)

xxxx

Though Carmine seemed cold by nature, people were quick learn the opposite. The most recent learner of this was a scared little girl that held on for dear life. It was nighttime, nothing but the sound of pouring rain and the distant glow of red and the warmth of Carmine holding the girl against her body while she sprinted through a mud ridden forest. The little payed no attention to the pain in her side, but the glow of roses, eyes, and flames through her tear filled eyes.

Beowulves chased frantically but then severed immediately by something the girl couldn’t understand, but it looked like the person carrying her. The dead beasts brought no comfort. Not when more followed close behind.

Girl:I-I’m sc...scared!

Carmine:Don’t look at them sweetie, it’ll be fine. Just keep being a brave little girl.

Girl:M...Mommy was back there.

Carmine:.....I know, she’ll be just fine. Your village, there are plenty of people there that will be just fine! Huff..... You got a name?

Mary:Mary.....

Carmine:Oh that’s a beautiful name, Mary. You know I was almost a Mary? Yeah my grandma was a really amazing person and I almost got named something similar to her. Mary is a very strong name!

Mary:You’re a liar! I’m sad, not strong. I want my mommy! Everything his dark and hurts and I want her!

The girl began painfully crying as Carmine followed her trail of roses to avoid getting lost. Things were getting worse. The storm raged and she could feel this girl burning in her arms. Not to mention the unsettling warmth the mixed with the cold rain against her body and dripped to puddles below. Any grimm near by could only be dealt with by many copies of her nearby, but that would only go so far when fear was out full force. Carmine’s boots felt like cement, but she still ran.

Carmine:Mary, you know what do when I miss my mommy? I sing! Yeah, my mom sings the best lullabies that made me feel super strong when I was little! It’s a magic song that makes everyone strong. How about I sing it you and they can sing it your mommy later okay!? But you have to close your eyes to really focus on the words!

Mary:*sniffling* Okay....

Baby deathstalkers swarmed the path made ahead as small Nevermores dove at her. Out of options, Carmine broke from the path, trying to rely on memory to go towards the safe zone while also singing lyrics to her favorite song.

Dream of anything; I'll make it all come true.

Everything you need is all I'll have for you~

Carmine never wavered. No matter how badly her lungs her or nearly slipped, she kept singing all the way to her destination where several other clones were seen racing towards with more civilians to injured or young to go themselves. An orphanage where Nora and Ren stood outside rushing people in while Jaune was keeping the grimm at bay. The sight brought a little ease.

Don't worry, I've got you; nothing will ever harm you.

I'm close by, I'll stay here; through all things, I will be near~

Carmine finally reached Nora and passed off the girl who’s grip weakened overtime. A few lyrics in and Carmine knew she was singing mainly for herself.

Carmine:Get her medical attention! I’m gonna go and find more! There’s still-

Jaune:Wait, it’s too dangerous!

Carmine:I know! That’s why I have to go! That fire is spreading and there’s stragglers pinned down! Dad.....I’m pinned down!

Jaune tensed up and looked at Carmine. No scraps on her and her clothes only soiled by others. It didn’t take long to realize. The man resisted the urge to run out to the ruined town and stood firmly.

Jaune:Carmine...end it. We’ll worry about the consequences later.

Carmine:....Okay.

Across the woods amongst the flames the real Carmine stood bleeding and bruised in front of two Beringel that charged over the vanishing corpses of their fallen with more grimm, her sword stabbed into the ground supporting her weight. Behind all living people that remained finally managed to flee. All except for a woman trapped by house debris. The woman watched this young huntsman stand proudly again. She wasn’t sure what happened next. All she heard was one sentence.

“Close your eyes...” before everything went white. Next thing she knew, Carmine was lifting debris off her as rain and wind washed away any evidence. A relief she didn’t care about in the slightest. She neither had the strength, or the time too. Much like Carmine, who began to pant and teeter. It was clear to the woman that whatever just happened didn’t come without cost as she watched the girl fall to her knees. Though she tried moving, Carmine was spent.

Carmine:Don’t worry...we’re safe....let’s-

Woman:Go...

Carmine:Huh?

Woman:I...my legs. Everything...I can’t move. Just go. I d-don’t think I’d las-

Carmine:Don’t talk like that! The hard parts over! I can-

Woman:Barely walk. *smiles* It’s okay. I don’t blame you. You fought hard.

Carmine:.....I...I’m sorry. *teary eyed*

Woman:Say, I know that face anywhere. Your Lady Rose’s kid. Funny, I thought your eyes were red? My daughter, Mary, she loves your mother. Makes me kinda jealous hehe, but hey I love her too. *crying* Do you know if Mary made it? She was wearing-

Carmine:A black dress, pink ribbons in her hair...

Woman:Yes! Is she safe? I saw you- one of you carry her off.

Carmine:...She’s just fine.

Woman:Good. That’s all....that.....

The woman never finished her sentence. Carmine’s body fell limp on the ground, facing the rain. Even with the cold downpour she could feel the warmth of her own tears, containing her emotions best she could as she looked through her clones eyes to watch Nora take Mary away from the survivors and out of sight to not stir further panic.

Carmine wasn’t sure how long she layed there, but it was long enough for Jaune to find her. The man didn’t say a word. The town was in shambles. Grimm were still fading and his daughter looked tired, but not in serious condition. Unlike the those who didn’t make it. Jaune put Carmine in his arms, carrying her away to safety.

Carmine:......Does mom ever save them all?

Jaune:No, but that never stops her from trying; or mourning.

She clenched her father’s shirt and let herself be fragile, to be a Rose.

Carmine:Next time. Mom and I, we’ll both get it right next time. A happy ending for all!

Jaune:Yeah, I know you will. Together....

#rwby #rwby au #the void #jaune arc #ruby rose #weiss schnee #yang xiao long #blake belladonna #carmine arc rose #rwby rosebud #rwby lancaster

[antman-56]

Summer (drinking tea) : Y’know, it’s nice to have a girls night.

Raven : Sum the only difference right now is those we don’t worry were the guys are.

Glynda (putting cup down on coaster) : It’s still nice. I don’t have to play team mom for awhile.

Summer : I know right.

Raven : I’m right here.

Summer : I know and I love you for it.

Glynda : What do you think the guys are doing?

Raven : if I know them probably something stupid.

****

Taiyang : Okay James all you have to do is shot that apple above Port's head.

James (blindfolded) : Are you sure this is safe?

Port : DO IT COWARD!!!

Oobleck : When did we ever say that?

Qrow : Now stop whining and start shooting!

****

Summer : Probably something stupid. Now Glynda do you think you can make me a new scope!?!?

#summer rose #raven branwen #glynda goodwitch #taiyang xiao long #james ironwood #peter port #bartholomew oobleck #qrow branwen #team strq #rwby #rwby au #when they were young

[kitkatopinions]

I’ve heard a lot that RWBY is a slow burn show, and with our main protagonist not speaking to our main antagonist until season seven and us only just getting Salem’s true motivation confirmed in volume eight, I can definitely see that. Personally, I’m not particularly fond of slow burns already, but RWBY also just... Hasn’t been consistently interesting enough to make it a good slow burn in my opinion. 

It took us eight seasons to get Cinder’s backstory. If we’d gotten this backstory in season four or even six, I might’ve not been annoyed by it. But because her character has been dry and uninteresting to me for seven other seasons, I was only frustrated by all this extra time they were spending on a character who had been annoying me for awhile that I had thought would die in season six. Glynda was barely even mentioned throughout seasons four through seven, and she had never had a significant role in the series, so when I suddenly saw her again in volume eight, I didn’t feel invested or interested. Every new character we get just feels like a character that’ll take away from the possibility of spending time developing the characters we have. Nora has been part of the RWBY cast since the first few episodes of volume one, and has yet to have an arc outside of Ren. The moment the writers have her realize maybe she isn’t her own person, she’s taken out of the story. Maria didn’t fight through seasons six and seven, despite having every opportunity. So when she does start to take on a pretty powerful person, it doesn’t feel like a satisfying moment, it just feels like a retcon instead. Some of our main characters have severely limited interactions with each other, such as Blake and Ruby, or Weiss and Ren, or Qrow and Blake, or Weiss and Nora. I’m not sure if these characters have ever interacted in any meaningful way. After eight seasons, it feels like they should have dynamics with each other, especially Blake and Ruby, who are two of our main four characters.

Salem (our main antagonist) has only just entered the fray in any active role, rather than just sending people to do things for her, and having interactions with the other villains. I will say that giving us her backstory actually did interest me even though it came in season six, but mostly because I was already invested in the character of Ozpin. Salem herself remained dry, it was only Oz’s reactions to her and his past that interested me. And because she has no real dynamic with Ruby and likely views her as insignificant, while Ruby just sees her as a threat they must stop for seven seasons, I didn’t care at all about how a conflict between them might play out. To be honest, the fact that Salem squared off with Summer at some point and may have killed her didn’t even sort of get me interested either. It just was too late, it felt like they were just desperately trying to make their fight personal.

It just makes it feel less like a slow burn, to me, and more just the creators drawing out this show because it brings them views. That might not be their intended purpose and I might be being too harsh. I just wish that if they were going to make their fans wait this long, they would be giving us something more substantial to be invested in while we wait. I know I’m primarily a criticism blog and I do find analyzing and criticizing media to be very fun, but I’m actually able to put aside a lot of flaws to enjoy movies or TV shows, especially if they have good characters that interact well with each other and if you can tell that the creators cared about and tried with their product. And Ruby just hasn’t delivered on either for awhile for me.

#rwby #rwde #rwby critical #rwby criticism #warning this is just my opinion #I know a lot of people ARE invested in this show and I'm happy for them #just expressing my opinion about why I can't #rwby spoilers #rwby spoiler tag

[spahhzy]

"Oh if your here then that must have meant...you failed, oh well I guess we can just start again"

"I can fill you in on the details I guess while we wait for the rest of the group"

"no no! sit down! We are going to be here for awhile! Look I even have it book marked! Now sit, grab a cup of coffee or whatever it is your kind drinks and relax"

.

.

.

"How are they doing?" Asked qrow as he took a swig from his flask. The question given to the eldest schnee, Winter.

"If by 'They' you mean the team of Oscar, Nora, Ren and your niece Ruby physically they are all healed...no long lasting damage after the mission but mentally..." Winter trailed off not looking up from her paperwork.

Qrow sighed before taking another sip from his flask, this was all one big fucked up headache.

"If you insist on drinking could you please do so away from here..." Winter said to him to which qrow just looked at her before capping the flask and walking out of the office without so much a rebuttal.

Once the door closed, Winter let out a frustrated sigh before slamming her fist onto her desk.

.

-WBY- Vacuo general Hospital.

The room was quiet. all three girls laid on their respective beds both thinking and reflecting on the days that had passed.

It wasn't long until Blake spoke out.

"So...now what do we do?"

Ah yes what do they do indeed.

"I...I don't know" came Weiss as she too didn't know the answer to that question.

"We can't just sit here and do nothing!" Came the frustrated voice of Yang.

"In case you forgot Yang...we got outclassed and outmatched by Salem I'm not sure their is anything we can do right now" Spoke Weiss to which Yang just grabbed her pillow in frustration.

Silence fell over them again.

"How...how is Ruby?" Weiss asked to the older sister.

Yang just looked at Weiss and Blake and just shook her head.

"She's asleep; she was taking it pretty badly"

The fall of Atlas, Ironwood's desperate actions (some would disagree), and now this...

.

Ruby's hospital room.

Ren, Nora and Oscar all looked like a mess.

All three were sitting in chairs bandaged and bruised but all staring at the sleeping form of one Ruby Rose.

"What changed for things to be like this?" Spoke Ren while voicing his thoughts the question was mainly for Ozpin.

Oscar remained silent.

"He started acting differently back at the Schnee manor when we rescued yiu from the whale" Ren said calmly eyes still on the sleeping Rose.

"Things came to a head in the desert after Cinders defeat" he stopped trying to relive that horrible memory.

"he was ready to carve her up and in his words 'slice her apart so he could expose her rotten innards so she can be judged for what she had become' that's not him, that's would never be him" Ren stated as Nora agreed.

Oscar remained quiet.

"Things blew apart more when I stopped him...I could feel his anger Ozpin, that hatred and when he told me to 'stand aside' that gaze he sent me..sent us?" Ren shivered at the memory.

"We got into a fight, as in fight-fight headmaster but he seemed to stop and freak out a bit before healing us and apologizing profusely" Nora said allowing Ren to follow up

"All that hate and anger...gone. as if it was never there and I realized we had our brother back"

"So if there is anything you need to say tell us now...please"

Oscar remained silent. Just staring at Ruby sleeping.

"Is that all you can do? Be silent!?"

Ren just clutched at the arm rest in anger.

"Ren please calm down maybe even headmaster doesn't know why she did what she did!"

Ren scoffed. A trait not usually found within the young man. He turned his head to face the boy.

"You know something... I can see the gears turning up their but you don't wanna say anything"

Oscar still remains silent.

"Damnit Ozpin tell us something, anything!" Ren all but pleaded to which Oscar said nothing.

Ren sighed before getting up and with Nora in tow left Ruby's room without another word.

Before leaving Nora turned and spoke "he was right not to trust you" and closed the door.

Leaving Oscar to just stare at the still form of Ruby as she slept before shifting his eyes to one object that was laying on her bed with her.

A broken Crocea Mors.

.

Ren punched the wall in frustration outside of the hospital leaving small cracks.

"Ren!"

" I'm fine Nora just.."

"Your mad...I know I am too, I really...really wanted to break his legs but it's Oscar legs too" Nora said before hugging him from behind.

"We'll get him back Ren" she said as Ren sighed.

"I know Nora...I just can't help-" he was interrupted by a sudden rumble in his scroll and a beep signifying a new message.

Oddly enough Nora's scroll beep as well.

With a sigh he and Nora pulled out their scrolls.

"Did you get a message as well?" Nora asked

Ren nodded.

It was a video from an unknown number.

The video being titled 'Have you heard the good news?'.

"Did you guys get a video message too?" Came the voice of Qrow as he walked towards them with his scroll out as well.

" Yes which if you got it...then I wonder if Weiss, Yang and Blake got it as well" Ren asked and Qrow rubbed his chin thinking.

"If they did then this couldn't be by random coincidence let's go to their room and find out" Qrow said to which Ren and Nora agreed.

The trio headed out to find the other three.

.

As the footsteps faded from the room Oscar, still looking at the sleeping form of Ruby, sighed.

'Why couldn't you tell Ren anything?'

'What would you want me to say?'

'Something just...something'

'Somethings are better left unsaid'

Oscar rolled his eyes, Ozpin was hiding something that much was clear.

His scroll went off.

He had received a video message from an unknown number.

Oscar opened the message and pressed play.

"Today....today is a wonderful day!" Oscar eyes widened at the voice it was...

"Yes its me Tyrian the ever faithful servant to our goddess!" He said dramatically hands spread out wide in stage like fashion.

"How is all of you by the way...and by you I mean those receiving this video hmm?" He asked tilting his head.

"Ah you must be fine physical wounds heal and such" Oscar just glared at the mad scorpion on the screen mocking him.

"How is Miss Rose? Hopefully not taking it too bad?" Again more mockery. What is the damn point of this video?

"Ahaha, enough I can guess your all pretty upset but why? Why be upset?...haven't you heard the good news?"

What good news can come from a psychopath who blindy follows the devil herself?

"Well before I can give the good news allow me to give you some bad news!" Suddenly a crude drawing of stick figures graced the right side of screen while one gracefully drawn person was on the left. The one on the left was undeniably Salem.

"My goddess has deemed you all , and by that I mean humanity and faunus alike,as disgusting bacteria; a bacteria that only infects and destroys!" Some of the stick figures Oscar noticed had some distinguishing features, 3 had capes, 1 had a yellow arm , 1 had a big gun, alot had animal traits and some had white hair and surrounded by money.

"So it with a heavy heart that I must tell you that you all will be released from this level of existence by the mercy of my mistress!" He said as he put a hand over his heart as if paying respects.

That was before a large crazed grin etched onto his face.

"Now with the bad news gone! It's time for the good news!" He all but squealed as he then held up another two pictures.

The one on the left was again a portrait of Salem her arms spread open, while the picture on the right was of four stick figures.

One figure with blonde hair in front of three others. The other three were on the ground defeated almost. One had black and a pink line in its hair, the other had a hammer and orange hair and the last the one closest to the blonde had a red cape.

"I knew their was a reason I found him so...interesting!" He said which made Oscar shudder.

"But did YOU know this Ozpin hmm?"

Did Ozpin know what?

" is that why you accepted him into Beacon and not the whole 'untapped potential' jargon you preached?" Tyrian question before long his face cam back to the screen.

" I've learned some very crucial information...information that makes me wonder who really is the good side in all of this" Tyrian said acting as if he was putting on his thinking cap before snapping his fingers.

"You really tried to keep him from her...and how far did you go to achieve that I wonder..."

Tyrian was rambling trying to rile Ozpin up, because Oscar could feel a slight tugging on his consciousness.

"But fate works in strange ways...you of all people should have learned that" he said before motioning to a big portrait of Salem.

"She dances and sings in the light, she lurks in the shadows and she always gets her way" the scene changes this time.

"I've berated you enough...I think I'd like a quick chat with those three closest to him"

Oscar looked away from the screen too the sleeping form of Ruby. Then back to the screen. If he got this video then possibly everyone did too.

"Too the Valkyrie, the Calm One, and to Miss Rose especially..." a dark grin marred his face.

"Your words mean nothing to him now!" He stated sinisterly before a series of pictures flashed on screen.

It was of a blonde haired man with striking deep blue eyes , his armour worn out and cracked and his shield discarded as he held a broken sword.

Another photo but this time it was a photo with a women banged up , bruised her cape in tatters and her eyes reflecting despair. She was in the background, on the ground arm outstretched trying to reach the blonde haired man in vain.

"Now he only hears...her truth"

Before finally one more photo appears and this time it makes Oscar's and in extension Ozpin's blood run cold.

It was a photo of the blonde man and a pale woman who had red eyes and black veins.

"No it can't be" this time it was Ozpin who spoke.

It was of Jaune Arc and Salem embracing.

"Now...he's home"

The video ended and remained on that image.

.

"This isn't right that's too far ahead! No this won't do! Stupid bookmark ugh"

"Well just have to start from the beginning my bad buddy!"

[Here we go, off to a bad start.]

#jaune arc #rwby salem #lie ren #nora valkyrie #ruby rose #oh no

[ironwoodprotectionsquad]

Any Faunus!James AU headcanons? 👀

(Honestly he gives me lynx vibes) %

Honestly all my thoughts come from this adorable Animal Crossing IronQrow Art u saw once. But in that art James was a wolf so I kind of really like that because people always use the term “lone wolf” and it’s technically incorrect, wolves like being in packs and being in large groups. Similarly people seem to think James likes being alone but we can see he actually wants to let people in and be close as evidence by how damn happy he is to see everyone in volume 7. He’s also very protective of his people and has a desire to keep loved ones safe.

Uh sorry for that tangent but anyways I got an ask awhile back about thoughts on Faunus James and they brought up likely that depending on the trait James likely lost it when he lost half off his body and I kind of played with Faunus James with a tail. I also like the idea of Qrow also being a crow Faunus with wings because reasons. In a Faunus Au James being made headmaster could have some contention if people knew he was a Faunus with him having lost his tail I think exploring both could be very interesting to do. Jacques at least knowing could make for a very interesting dynamic for the pair as Jacques would want to get close to him for his power but he is also Jacques and thinks lesser of Faunus so that internal struggle would be fun to explore.

#james ironwood #ironwood protection squad #pro james ironwood #pro ironwood #general ironwood #general dadmiral #dadmiral ironwood #Faunus James #Faunus au

[jadekitty777]

On Your Six, Chapter 7

Only one chapter left after this one! It may not get posted tomorrow though as I’m still working on it. 

Day 7: Homesick for @taiqrowweek 

Rating:  T for this chapter, M for overall

Words: 3.5k

Summary: Qrow was what most of society would call a small-town criminal. But to those oppressed, he hoped only to be a healer. In an effort to make a change in the world, he moves from kingdom to kingdom, searching for branded omegas in need. His goal? To turn the derogatory words the reformatories forced them to bear on their skin into works of art.

Then one day, his past catches up to him in the form of Taiyang, his former best friend, with a brand of his own stained onto his skin and a plea for help in his eyes. Qrow has no choice but to answer, even if it means he’d have to face his mistakes once and for all.

[An ABO-style universe in a modern-day style Remnant. No Grimm, because people are the real monsters in this one]

Ao3 Link: On Your Feet

~

When Qrow was twenty, he made the biggest mistake of his life.

“You’re leaving?”

He turned away. Couldn’t stand looking at Tai, hurt and confused, knowing he was to blame for it.

Scowled, because why should he care anymore when the other hardly spared him the time?

“’Course I am.” He finally snipped, shoving more socks into a duffel. “Have you seen my face?”

He had to resist the self-conscious urge to touch the cotton bandage on the right side of his forehead, hiding the stitches holding the three-inch gash together.

The beer bottle had shattered on impact. It was a wonder he didn’t get fractures. Small miracles. Though he was pretty sure some memories had been knocked askew because most of the night was a haze. He was only certain of the things that had become routine at that point: coming home to crack open a few with his old man while they watched prime time television and bitched about the state of things. An argument started, over what he couldn’t say, and Qrow never saw the swing coming before he was out cold on the floor.

When he woke up, it was with the hard realization it was time to get out.

Too bad his best friend didn’t get the memo. Tai perched on the edge of his bed as he had a thousand times before, pressing on, “But to the capital city? You don’t have to go so far.”

“Tch. You got any better ideas?” The hangers rattled against one another as he yanked down more shirts.

“Why not stay with me and Rae? We can make room.”

That made him pause, looking over. “Why?”

“Why not?” Was the simple counter as if it were as simple as that. Then, Tai rose his hand to his stomach, fondness smoothing his features, “Besides, then you’ll be close when the baby comes along.”

Fucking, of course. The rush of fury that flooded his system was white-hot, jealousy snapping at the end of every nerve. “So you get yourself knocked up and suddenly it’s my problem?”

“W-What?”

An alarm went off in the back of his head, trying to tell him to pull back – but the words were already leaving his mouth, spiteful and petty and mean, “I’m not sticking around to be your damn nanny. If you can’t handle it, then maybe you shoulda kept your damn legs shut.”

The reaction was instantaneous, Tai immediately on his feet, both taken aback and furious, “Qrow, what the hell?! I brought it up because I figured you’d want to be involved in your niece or nephew’s life! Not-” He threw his hands up. “Whatever the hell you’re implying.”

He knew he was way out of line, but any guilt he had was being held down by a vitriolic sludge of grief and regret that had been leaking, unchecked, out of his broken heart the day he learned Tai and Raven had bonded. An ache that had chipped away at his stability until there was nothing left but a hurricane of outrage and wrath inside him. Thing about hurricanes was, when they blew in, their only purpose was to destroy everything in their path.

That’s how Qrow felt now as he stalked towards the omega, venom spitting out of his throat, “Oh cut the virtuous bullshit already. I was in the hospital for two days. Sure didn’t bother to visit me then. But now that you need something, you come knocking?”

“I came here because I was worried about you!” Tai’s voice rose. “Raven didn’t tell me-”

“Oh-ho-ho there it is. Raven didn’t tell you. Far be it for you to check in on your own best friend once and awhile, huh?” He spat. “Or maybe I’m just the idiot here. Are we even friends anymore?”

This close, he could smell the souring in the other’s scent, his distress palpable. “Of course we are. The only one not acting like one right now is you. Look, I’m sorry about what happened and I’m sorry I didn’t come sooner. And I get that your mad but you don’t get to take it out on me, alright?”

“You don’t get it! That’s not what this is about!”

“Then what is it about?!”

Qrow opened and shut his mouth nothing coming out. A coward, even when he’d already lost his chance. He spun away with a snarl so Tai couldn’t see the well of emotion in his eyes, storming to the other the side of the room and kicking his desk hard enough the back of it hit the wall. “Fuck!”

He was so tired of this. Of being unhappy and angry all the time. Of having any and every little thing set him off because it seemed like everything nowadays just made him irritated or sad. When was the last time he’d gone out just for fun? When was the last time he’d laughed?

Qrow buried his head in his hands, disgusted with himself over how close he was to tears. “I hate this.”

“Qrow…”

He heard footfalls behind him, then Tai’s scent was all around him. It was a natural omega response, the cloying sweetness surrounding the air meant to comfort and soothe when emotions were running too high, much like a purr.

It only made him feel worse.

“I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m here for you, okay?” Tai’s hand rested onto his shoulder. “Just tell me what I can do to help.”

Qrow couldn’t take this anymore. “You want to help? Then get out.”

“But-”

He knocked the other’s hand away and whirled, his tone shifting into a growl as he pushed his own alpha influence outwards, “I said Leave!”

It was almost disturbing, seeing the way the omega stumbled back, eyes wide, a bit of a tremor in his knees. Usually, the reaction wasn’t so extreme, especially when they were already in the middle of a fight, but he’d never growled at Tai before. Around him, sure – especially if he and Raven were having one of their sibling moments, then the dominance display tended to be a given.

But never at him. It was like he’d broken some sort of unspoken rule.

Try as he might, Tai’s voice shook when he spoke, clearly rattled, “Is that really what you want?”

Some of the guilt finally started to puncture through but it was too little, too late.

“Yes. I can’t deal with this right now.” He looked away. “Just, go. Please.”

A tense, silent few moments passed. Then finally, resigned, Tai said, “Alright then.”

Yet as he headed for the door, he hesitated in the threshold. Stopped to look back, hoping to convey something more than just words.

Years later, Qrow still regretted never meeting his eyes.

“Just, remember I’m here when you need me Qrow. Call when you’re ready, okay?”

He never did.

~

They were sitting at the table, mugs in either hand. It felt like a mirror image of that very first day six months ago, except this time it was Qrow who couldn’t look up.

“That’s why you were so distant back then.” Tai finally said, an undercurrent of something in his voice that he couldn’t quite pinpoint.

Qrow swallowed hard. “Yeah.” His fingers clutched his cup harder. “I know I should have said this back then but… I’m so sorry.”

“Oh Qrow. I forgave you a long time ago.”

He head jerked up, mouth agape. “What?”

Tai’s smile was gentle. “I knew something was going on with you. You’d been weird ever since we graduated. And when I found out you were moving away, I figured it was because you’d been feeling lost. I was so frustrated because I didn’t know how to help you.” He ran a hand over the back of his neck. Now Qrow could see what he hadn’t before: regret. “I just never put the pieces together that I was the problem.”

“You weren’t-! I mean…” He grimaced. It was time to stop lying. “Yeah. Being around you was killing me. I needed to get away, from everything. It wasn’t until I was entirely alone, I started to get my head back together. Took even longer to admit to myself that it was my fault things fell apart because I was too busy wallowing in self-pity to see anyone else. By that point, it had been so long, I didn’t feel like I could go back.” He sighed. “I’m a real moron. If I had just been honest with you, maybe things wouldn’t have ended the way they had. No matter what though, it doesn’t excuse the things I said.”

“Oh yeah, you were a total dick.” His friend laughed. “But take it from a guy who’s had his heart broken twice now: sometimes when you’re hurting that much, you’ll often be left with the ugliest side of yourself.”

Qrow arched a brow. “Oh yeah? What’s ugly Tai look like?”

“I think the way my dad put it was ‘robotic’.” Tai rubbed at a sharpie mark on the table as if he was trying to erase the black marks on his own life. “If it wasn’t sorrow or anger, then I didn’t really feel anything at all. It was all just numb to me and it made everything else feel like a chore. Even the littlest things, like showering or eating, were just too much. Some days, I even struggled to get out of bed. Heh.” His shoulders slumped. “It was pathetic.”

He supposed there was something to be said about being the person watching the show instead of being the one playing the part. “Hey, if I’m allowed to skip off to an entirely different continent, then you can stay in bed for a few extra hours.”

“Okay, you got me there.” He conceded. “Still, I can’t imagine how long I would have been stuck like that if it weren’t for my girls giving me the strength to move forward.”

“Well I’m glad you have them.” Qrow said, and for the first time, he knew he was saying it with full sincerity. A sense of calm had fallen over him, one he’d never felt before.

After his rut had happened a few weeks ago, he’d thought things would have grown awkward between them. Unbearable, even, now that the truth was out in the open.

As always, Tai surprised him as Qrow had started to stumble over himself to make amends.

(“I don’t even know where to start. There’s a lot you probably want to know.”

“There is. But that doesn’t mean you have to tell me.”

“W-What? But you said…”

“I was wrong. Especially when I… accidentally forced that confession out of you.”

“…”

“Look, just because these are your feelings for me, doesn’t suddenly mean I have ownership of them. Whatever you want to tell me, you do it in your own time. And if you never want to speak of this again, then we won’t.”

“Then, we’re… okay?”

“Yeah. Absolutely.”)

True to his word, Tai never pushed after that day. Qrow waited for the tension to grow, for something to give. But it never did – and he started to think maybe those over-dramatics only happened in sitcoms and romantic dramas.

Whatever it was, the blissful return to normalcy gave Qrow the breathing space he needed to come to terms with his secret being out. Eventually, the stories came next. Not everything, of course. Some things were just too locked into his heart to give away. Still, the more he did share, the better he felt. No longer did he have to hold in his feelings, never giving them a chance to resolve and leaving turmoil in his heart. Now, he could finally look forward without a ‘what if’ hanging over him.

Maybe he’d never have the life he always dreamed about with Tai. No house with a gaggle of pups running around the yard. No coming home to the omega’s smile being his and his only. But at least he’d always have this. A friendship that had lasted through the ages and against the odds. That had weathered the worst storms and built up stronger after they’d passed. That’s foundation remained strong with the support and care they both gave to one another.

He’d always love Tai. On that, he had little doubt. But it was these past few months that really taught him what it meant to truly love someone. It wasn’t a trade-off. To give something so precious with only the expectation of an exchange for the same in return cheapened the value.

Love was a gift. An offering freely handed over with no intent beyond the desire to see the happiness it provided.

After bearing witness to one of Tai’s lowest points, he’d discovered just how integral that latter part was. He would move mountains and rearrange the stars if it meant bringing that smile back onto Tai’s face.

Even if those mountains being moved were just pictures on a phone and the stars were being moved by a needle-tipped pen that spread an aurora of color over the dark sky.

Qrow finished his tea, getting to his feet. “Alright, story time’s over. Let’s get the last one finished up.”

~

The buzzing that had permeated the space between them for months on end stopped for the final time.

Qrow set the needle aside, giving the tattoo its finally look over. Made sure every line was in place, every color perfect, every shade drawn.

It was with a heavy heart he realized there was nothing left to do, nothing left to add, nothing left to say except, “It’s done.”

“Really?” Tai turned his head, still trying to mimic an owl after all this time.

“Yep.” He snapped a shot with his scroll. “Take a look.”

The device was handed over, Tai sitting up as he gave it a critical scan. “It’s perfect.” He decided, but his smile was weak.

“You don’t look happy about it.”

“It’s not that. It really is everything I wanted.” He assured, stronger than before. He thumbed at the edge of the scroll, shoulders falling some. “I’m just sad. I’m going to miss this.”

Qrow rubbed the back of his neck, feeling the anchor in his own chest. Before things could get too gloom and doom though, he insisted, “Well hey, don’t go sobbing into my pillow yet until you see what I brought for a celebration.”

“Qrow you know you shouldn’t be buying frivolous things-” Tai cut himself off as Qrow whipped open the nightstand drawer, pulling out two perfectly round, prepackaged cupcakes. “Except those.”

He laughed, tossing Tai one and sliding from the recliner onto the bed beside him. It felt just like old times, tearing into the plastic and taking that first, overly sugary bite of chocolate and frosting. It reminded him of grand adventures on the playground and binge fests during movie marathons and sleepovers.

Qrow chanced a glance over. “So, Friday’s the day?”

“Yeah.” He replied, nibbling a ring around the cupcake like the weirdo he was, saving the vanilla crème filling for last. “I’m… pretty nervous.”

He pressed his shoulder against Tai’s. “Hey. It’s fine. You’re gonna be fine. And just think, once you pass those bastards final eval, you’re going to be getting your kids back.”

That brought his smile back in full. “Yeah. You’re right. Besides,” He nudged him back, “You’ll finally get to meet them.”

Qrow’s lungs shriveled up in his chest, leaving only enough air for a quiet, “Guess so.”

“I know the girls are just gonna love you.”

“Maybe.” He cleared his throat, snapping, “And will you finish eating already? You’re getting crumbs all over my bed!”

“Sorry!”

They finished up their treats – but any sweetness left in Qrow’s was gone.

~

It was rather remarkable, how much two men could stall against the inevitable. It was pushing nearly one in the morning by the time they were shuffling towards the door, both of them trying to hide yawns.

“Maybe I should just stay over again?” Tai suggested.

Qrow rolled his eyes. “And have you trigger another rut? No thanks.”

“Oh, it’s my fault. I see how it is.” All things considered it probably had been. Between the unintentional courting with homemade dinners and the two of them sharing the bed, it really was just a recipe for disaster.

Still, it was nice to joke about it. “Glad to see you’re taking responsibility. More seriously though, no need to risk things when you’re so close to the finish line.”

“Yeah. Guess you’re right.” He mimed a phone to his ear. “I’ll keep you in the loop. And hey, when me and the girls head back to Patch, maybe you can come with us. Start working out of there for a while.”

There it was. The conversation he’d been trying to avoid all night. He shifted on his feet, trying to remain ambivalent, “I mean, maybe. I still have a lot of clients here I’m finishing up with.”

But Tai hadn’t been his best friend for two decades not to see through his bullshit. Most of it, at least. “Qrow. Don’t you dare.”

“I-”

Before he could even try, Tai was clutching onto his forearms, tone frantic, “You were gonna disappear, just like before, weren’t you?”

“That’s not exac-”

Just as quickly, he was hopping back, holding up his hands placatingly. “Wait, it’s me again, right? Whatever it is, we can talk it out. Right now, if you want.”

“Tai-”

“I know that’s not really fair, but, look. I’ll do whatever you want in return for it. Just please. Don’t do this to me again. I can’t lose you too.”

Qrow watched as Tai struggled and lost the fight against tears, a prevalent reek of fear becoming known. It only occurred to him right then that after so many losses, maybe his friend was starting to develop a serious issue with separation anxiety. He ran a hand over his face, grumbling, “I’m such an ass.” Before walking forward and catching the other in a tight hug.

Those powerful arms hugged back so hard, it nearly broke his sternum. “I-I’m sorry.”

“No. I’m sorry.” He buried his fingers into blond hair. “I should have talked to you about this before.”

“What do you mean?”

He sighed, pulling back enough to look up at him. He reached around, thumbing away some tears. “I’m not trying to run off again, I swear. But this isn’t exactly a ‘day until I retire’ job. It’s a ‘only a matter of time’ one. If I stay close to home, then you’d probably be tagged as an accomplice.” He met his gaze, resigned and resolute. “I’m not going to put you through losing your children a second time.”

Somehow, that only seemed to make Tai cry more. “Why are you so fair to everyone but yourself?”

“Heh. Guess the privileged lifestyle never suited well.” He joked weakly. “Look, I ain’t dropping off the face of the planet. I’ll keep in touch, promise. And visit, when I can. So can you cut it with the waterworks? You know I’m awful with ‘em.”

Tai sniffed, stepping back so he could dab at his eyes with his sleeve. “Only ‘cause you don’t want to cry too.”

“Semantics.” Qrow waved off.

“And you better keep that promise, or I’ll… I don’t know what I’ll but I’ll do it!”

He crossed an X over his heart. “I will. Even if they threaten to scratch out my eyes.”

“Good.” Tai nodded, seemingly satisfied. “I… guess I better get going.”

“Probably want some sleep to handle that tromp of monsters tomorrow.”

The omega gave him a light jab. “Rude. I’ll talk to you soon, eh?”

“You’ve got my number.” Qrow replied, as the other opened the door, only to hesitate. His fingers started to nervously tap along the doorknob’s surface. “Tai?”

“Qrow I-” He spun around, another sharp spike to his scent. “I want you to know that I… I…”

Qrow breathed in a bit, confused as he recognized the hint of anxiety. Was he still that worried? “Youuu?” He urged gently.

The tapping increased, as did the scent. Then Tai shook his head, smiling brightly, “Just that I’m… really proud of you.”

“E-Eh?” Okay, now he was really lost.

“What you’re doing, you have no idea the impact you’re having. It’s changing lives.” He placed a hand on his shoulder. “It certainly changed mine.”

Qrow felt his face flame up, flustered as he tried to duck his head. “Dude, I can’t do this at one in the morning.”

“You need me to tell you again at noon?”

“No!”

Tai burst into chuckles. “I just wanted you to know that.” The hand squeezed gently. “And how glad I am you’re part of my life.”

“Okay, okay. I get the point.” He pat his wrist placatingly. “I love you too, now please stop trying to cause an aneurysm.”

That caused another puzzling spike, Tai’s second laugh more jittery. “Ah what’s the fun in that?” Nevertheless, he did pull back, stepping out. “I’ll see you ‘round.” With a final wave, he started off down the hall.

“See ya.” He called after.

As Qrow shut the door, he couldn’t shake the lingering sense that he had missed something.

#qrow branwen #taiyang xiao long #Taiqrow #taiqrowweek #rwby #fanfiction #Chase Firekitten's Tale

[helena-edge]

The Great and Powerful Ozpin (RWBY fic)

So, I usually post og content on my page, but in honor of RWBY Volume 8 coming out I thought I’d share a fic I wrote awhile ago. I have to give a shout-out to @tigerstripedmoon. After reading “three small words,” which you can find at https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12372592/1/three-small-words. I had to write a cloqwork fic of my own. Seriously, you guys, it was THAT GOOD. Please check it out. You can find mine at https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13511024/1/The-Great-and-Powerful-Ozpin. I’ll also post the whole thing here. I’m hoping that Oz gets some love in volume 8. That poor old wizard deserves it.

Okay, so here it is, “The Great and Powerful Ozpin” in which Qrow is an alcohol-soaked cinnamon role and Oz is sadder than he lets on...

The Great and Powerful Ozpin

“What kind of headmaster lets a student die on his watch?” 

The shout that cut through the amphitheater forced the man on stage to pause mid-sentence.

“I—” 

From his place in the balcony seats, Qrow watched Professor Ozpin adjust his spectacles and peer out towards the crowd.

“Pardon me?” Ozpin’s deep, calm voice echoed in the vast room, the gathering place of Beacon Academy. Regular classes had been interrupted for a special ceremony. The screen behind the speech podium was black, the color of mourning.

“You heard me, murderer! You killed my sister!”

Gasps erupted around the room. The sea of students parted aside in the wake of a giant—no, a human, the largest man Qrow had ever seen, making his way, stomp by angry stomp to the stage.

“Hazel.” Ozpin’s soft whisper of recognition sounded loud through the microphone.

“Ozpin!” the man roared in response, a sound that could have come from the mouth of an ursa.

Glynda, Oobleck and Port stood behind Oz, watching Hazel Reinhart approach. Glynda clutched her riding crop tightly, Oobleck nervously sipped coffee from a thermos, and Port gritted his teeth beneath his mustache. Unlike the other teachers, Qrow had chosen to attend the memorial service for Gretchen in the shadows of the balcony. He liked to be up high. It helped him to see better. He clenched the hilt of his sword as he watched Hazel jump onto the stage. He was only a few feet from Ozpin now, who despite, the nearing threat, remained a steadfast presence behind the podium.

“You will pay for what you did!” Hazel bellowed. He raised a beefy arm to point a finger at Ozpin’s chest.

From above, Qrow saw the tightening of Hazel’s body. He knew what he was going to do before anyone else.

None of the students understood how Qrow managed to reach the stage so quickly. There was just a blur of black—one student swore they saw a few feathers—then a clang of something heavy impacting metal. When everyone opened their eyes again, Hazel’s fist was firmly planted in the flat side of Qrow’s blade.

“Not one step closer.”

Qrow heard his own voice pulsing in his ears, low and gravelly—and dangerous. “Make a move, you son of a grim. I dare you.”

A deep, rumbling sound issued from Hazel’s mouth. Qrow couldn’t believe it; the lunatic was actually growling at him.

In response, he turned his blade ever so slightly so that the sharp edge was cutting into Hazel’s knuckles.

“Qrow.” A gentle voice spoke from behind him, and Qrow felt the pressure of a hand upon his shoulder, one with pale, delicate fingers, but with a grip stronger than Qrow had ever known. At that moment there was the sound of a cane being tapped decisively on the ground.

“Why don’t we all calm down,” Ozpin said, his manner congenial as if he, Hazel and Qrow were merely sitting down to a cup of afternoon tea.

Hazel’s eyes looked past Qrow and instantly narrowed. “You,” he hissed. “You killed her; you killed my little sister.”

“Your sister was old enough to make her own decisions.” Ozpin sighed. “Gretchen was brave—braver than most. She would have made an excellent huntress.”

Hazel continued to push harder against Qrow’s blade with his fist. Blood ran down his fingers and dripped onto the stage floor. Qrow stared. Did the man not feel anything?

“I am truly sorry for your loss,” Ozpin continued.

“What do you know about loss?” Hazel cried.

“More than any man, woman or child,” replied Ozpin in a tone that grew heavier with each uttered syllable.

Qrow saw rage grow in Hazel’s eyes. He was certainly not calming down; in fact, Ozpin’s words seemed only to have incensed his rage.

“Oz, stay back,” Qrow warned.

But Ozpin had never been one to take orders from Qrow, or anyone for that matter. 

“Hazel,” he said softly, imploringly.

The resistance against his blade intensified. Hazel was strong, too strong. Qrow wouldn’t be able to hold him back for long.

“Drop dead,” Hazel seethed at Ozpin, spittle flying out of his mouth and hitting Qrow in the face.

“Dead,” Ozpin repeated with a wry chuckle. “If only.”

With a single thrust, Qrow felt his sword give way. The barrier that he’d made between Hazel and Ozpin clattered to the floor as Hazel rushed forward, letting loose a yell of savage fury.

“Aaaah!”

“Oz—!” Qrow cried, reaching, weaponless, for the professor. 

Before he could take another step, the sight of Ozpin raising his right arm, quick as lightning, caused his shoes to skid upon the ground to a halt. He realized that Hazel couldn’t get closer than a cane-length away from Ozpin. The headmaster held him back with the tip of the walking stick. Hazel was a towering mass of muscle compared to the slim figure of Ozpin, but he couldn’t force the man back an inch. 

The student body gaped collectively, spellbound by the scene. The whole amphitheater seemed to be holding its breath, and the teachers themselves were frozen with shock. Glynda, Oobleck and Port had their weapons out, but they appeared to have forgotten that they were authorized to use them. Ozpin’s face remained coolly unaffected; his eyes never broke from Hazel’s fiery gaze.

“Go home Hazel. Your family needs you.”

“My family?” Hazel’s incredulous scream traveled all the way to the ceiling and bounced back again. “You destroyed my family!” He struggled against Ozpin’s cane, but just then the doors to the amphitheater burst open and men and women in uniform came streaming in, guns drawn. Someone with sense (Probably Glynda, Qrow thought) had called the Vale police.

“Hands up!” they shouted at Hazel.

Hazel, finally understanding that he was vastly outmatched by Ozpin and now outmanned, did as he was told, raising his massive arms above his head. With one final hostile glare at Ozpin, he let himself be led away by the police.

After the doors slammed shut behind them, every eye in the amphitheater swiveled back to the stage. His cane lowered, Ozpin walked calmly back to the podium.

“That concludes the service,” he said into the microphone. Then he left the stage without another word.

Glynda took up the mic after he was gone, using her commanding voice to usher some order back into the disoriented crowd.

“You heard the headmaster. Back to class!” she barked at the students.

Qrow picked up his sword, flicking off some of Hazel’s blood before putting it back in its hilt. He was secretly glad that he hadn’t been forced to waste the scythe mechanism on a piece of scum like Hazel. He knew Oz would sympathize with his grief, but Qrow had no patience for people who took their pain out on others.

He pulled a metal flask out of his shirt, hearing it clank against the sideways cross necklace he never took off. He took a large swig and waited for the burn of alcohol to chase away the memory of Hazel, the hatred in his eyes. He would have destroyed anything in his path just to get to Ozpin, all for the sake of his suffering.

He stood alone on the stage as the room emptied out, gazing at his reflection in the flask. He saw dark circles beneath his eyes. The bright red irises matched the tiny veins popping out against the white. All the while he denied the voice in his head that called him a hypocrite. 

Self-destruction is still destruction, the voice taunted.

Qrow took another swig. Shut up.

                                                            ***

“How long has it been since you ate something, Oz?”

The sky was dark outside the circular window of Ozpin’s office. Because the window doubled as giant clock, Qrow was able to watch the minute hand tick up and around the shattered image of the moon, which illuminated the ground below in pearl-white fractals.

“Ate something?” Ozpin said from across the room.

“Yeah.” Qrow turned away from the window to face the headmaster, who was busy shifting books around in his shelves. “You know, food? Hot cocoa doesn’t count by the way.”

A hint of a smile played over Ozpin’s lips. “That’s a shame.” 

Qrow couldn’t help but notice that, between reaching up for books, Ozpin was leaning on his cane more than usual. In fact, the slight slump of his shoulders made it seem like the stick was the only thing keeping him upright.

A softer note took hold of Qrow’s voice.

“How long has it been since you last slept?”

“Why do you ask?”

“Because it’s one a.m., and you’ve decided that now would be the best time to rearrange your bookshelves.”

Ozpin paused, running a hand over one leather-bound cover. The History of Remnant. The sound of gears churned rhythmically above them. The gears, along with the cool emerald walls of Ozpin’s office had always had a soothing effect on Qrow. Everything about the room was familiar to him. He used to spend a lot of time here during his student days. Granted, he had been in trouble most of those instances, sent to the headmaster for speaking back in class, starting a fight in the hallway, or sneaking booze into his dormitory. None of the teachers had ever been very fond of Qrow in his younger years, but Ozpin had always gone easy on him. Now as an adult, not much had changed; he continued to rub people the wrong way, but being back with Oz, looking down at the clouds from the tallest part of Beacon Academy, he felt like he was back home again.

“Time is relative,” Ozpin said at last.

“Right,” Qrow replied.

“Why are you here at this hour?” Ozpin turned the question on the huntsman.

“To give my report on the spring maiden,” Qrow lied.

“Young Spring is residing at Haven Academy. Leonardo keeping me updated for the time being…a fact which you are well aware of.” Ozpin raised a silver eyebrow in Qrow’s direction. “Why are you really here?”

Because I saw your face when Hazel called you a murderer, and there’s no way I’m leaving you alone after that.

“To help you organize your books.”

He took a step closer to the shelves. At the same time, a book wobbled and fell, and on its way down, knocked over a figurine of two intertwined dragons that had sat guard there for as long as Qrow could remember.

Ozpin caught the book in one deft swoop. Qrow rushed forward for the figurine but, his reflexes, dulled from drink (he had been outdoing himself this week), were too slow to catch the dragons. They hit the floor, shattering into tiny bits.

“That’s a bit of bad luck.” Ozpin frowned at the mess.

“Sorry,” Qrow grumbled, shoving his hands into his pockets. “You know I can’t always control it.”

“No need to apologize.” Ozpin squinted at the broken dragons, poking a shard with the tip of his cane. “It was a gift. To tell you the truth, I’ve never been fond of it.”

He started to put the fallen book back on the shelf. As he looked up, a daze came over his eyes. He blinked and staggered backwards like someone who was about to faint. Qrow made ready to catch him, watching as the weight of the book carried his arm downwards. Finally, it slipped from his fingers, which appeared to have no strength left in them, and tumbled to floor, joining the shattered dragons. 

Ozpin closed his eyes and hunched forward, resting his forehead on his cane, breathing hard. If Qrow hadn’t know any better he would have thought that he just finished fighting off fifty grim. Before him was the shell of the man who had held Hazel back with no effort one week prior.

“Oz,” Qrow said hesitantly, placing a hand on his back. At the touch, Oz straightened up.

“I’m fine; I just became a bit dizzy there for a moment.”

“That’s what happens when you starve yourself for a week,” Qrow muttered under his breath. Then louder. “Are you alright—really?”

Ozpin, either not hearing him or choosing to ignore the question, said nothing. Instead he let his cane guide him towards the center of the room.

“Is there a real reason you came here?” he asked Qrow without looking back at him.

At that moment, anger for the headmaster bubbled up in Qrow. Why couldn’t he be straight with him for once and admit that something was wrong? 

“Yeah, there is.” He struggled to keep his voice steady. “I came to ask if you think letting yourself die will bring Gretchen Reinhart back? Well, in case you didn’t already know, professor, Beacon lost a student forever—and you can’t die!”

Oz was silent for a minute before turning slowly around. One look at his face made all the anger in Qrow’s body dissipate into thin air. With his chin lowered into his green turtleneck and golden eyes raised in supplication, Qrow was instantly struck by how vulnerable, how sad he looked.

“Please…I know. You don’t have to remind me,” he said softly.

“I’m sorry,” Qrow immediately apologized again, disgusted with himself. Ozpin pinched the bridge of his nose between his fingers, a betrayal of stress that Qrow had come to recognize over the years.

“I try to eat, but—” 

“—you can’t keep it down,” Qrow finished for him. He knew the symptoms of guilt.

Ozpin nodded.

“I try to sleep, but—” 

“—let me guess: the nightmares.” 

Ozpin nodded once more, pinching his nose harder and furrowing his brows as if a bout of sharp pain had just seized him.

Qrow wasn’t surprised. Ozpin had been suffering the nightmares long before Gretchen’s accident. Another side-effect of a mind steeped in shame. Qrow had heard him cry out in the night before, screaming at someone only he could see.

 “The children! Where are the children? What have we done? What have we done?”

He knew that there were parts of Ozpin’s past that he had never shared with him, might never share with him. The man had certainly lived long enough to rack up plenty of secrets.

That doesn’t matter, not now. Qrow told himself. Let him keep his secrets for the time being. What mattered in this moment was getting Oz through the night.

“Even if this body does give out on me, death would be no release. I…I get to carry my guilt through each life,” Ozpin continued.

“Oz, you know Gretchen wasn’t your fault.”

Ozpin lowered his hand and looked Qrow squarely in the eye. Regardless of how old he became, the headmaster’s piercing gaze never failed to make Qrow feel like the scrawny first-year again.

“I’d rather not talk about this right now,” Ozpin said firmly. He moved to turn away but Qrow caught him by the shoulders.

“Then don’t talk, listen. You were right when you said Gretchen was old enough to make her own decisions; she chose her path, she met her fate.” 

All of a sudden, an image of Summer came to him. His breath caught in his throat. His team leader had left for the mission that day and never came back, leaving Qrow to somehow make a life without her, to keep Ruby, her infant daughter—his niece, safe. But in the end, he was positive that even if she had known what awaited, she still would have gone.

“That’s right,” he said, swallowing thickly. “Choice. We can’t forget that they made a choice. If we do that, then we insult their—I mean Gretchen’s memory.”

Qrow could feel Ozpin’s body shaking between his hands. He brushed the professor’s silver hair away from his eyes, letting his fingers linger against the side of his face.

“Hey. It’s okay,” he whispered.

The utterance of those three words was all it took to make Ozpin break. He crumpled to the ground, face buried in his hands, his cane clattering beside him. 

Qrow dropped to his knees after him. He waited a moment while Ozpin took deep, shuddering breaths. Gently, he removed Ozpin’s hands from his face, his chest tightening when he took in the agonized expression beneath. 

Past the black spectacles, past the gleaming gold, Qrow could glimpse a millennium of suffering in his eyes, a man whose life stretched beyond what he couldn’t begin to imagine. A man who had seen a thousand years pass by, life after life. How many mistakes had he, Qrow Branwen, already made in his short lifespan of less than thirty years? He thought of Summer again. Enough to turn to drink to numb the pain. Pain. Once he thought he understood it, but as he gazed down at Ozpin, so small and exposed once the façade of the calm, collected headmaster had come tumbling down, he realized that he only knew pain as an inkling, a small sliver of the suffering that the human soul, that Oz’s soul could and had been made to endure.

“It’s okay,” he said again, hearing how feeble his attempt at comfort was, like trying to staunch a stab wound with a band-aid.

The tears began to stream now, down Ozpin’s cheeks, dripping into tiny puddles on the floor. 

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” he gasped.

“Shh, it’s okay,” Qrow repeated, taking off the spectacles to better wipe away the tears. “It’s okay…”

He pulled Ozpin into an embrace, rocking with him as the sobs wracked his body. How long had he been holding them back? It was a while before his breathing steadied.

As Qrow pulled a way, he automatically reached into his shirt for his flask. He contemplated its contents and the weeping man before him. It wasn’t the healthiest coping mechanism, and it certainly wasn’t hot cocoa, but it was the only remedy he could think of.

“Here. This might help you sleep,” he said.

Ozpin, his face pale except for the puffy redness around his eyes, stared at the flask. A split second passed and he seemed to make a quick decision. He took the offered drink, suckling the alcohol from it like a baby with a bottle.

“Hey, hey, slow down.” Qrow took the flask away, making use of his sleeve to dry the left-over drips of liquid on Ozpin’s chin.

“I’m sorry, I—” 

“Stop. No more apologizing,” Qrow whispered.

He leaned close, using his lips to kiss away the wetness on his cheeks. Then he moved on to the mouth. Ozpin’s lips were stiff and trembling, but Qrow knew how to work them until they melted into his.

He would stay with him tonight, be there to soothe the nightmares away. With a sigh of exhaustion, Ozpin sank into Qrow’s chest. Qrow’s hand naturally fell to the task of stroking his hair. 

Yes, he would be here, always.

“I’ll make you breakfast in the morning.”

Despite everything, Ozpin managed to chuckle through his tears.

“I thought you didn’t want me to starve.”

“Right. I’ll steal some pancakes from the cafeteria then.”

#rwby #rwby fanfiction #cloqwork #rwby ozpin #ozpin x qrow #ozpin appreciation

[renabe4life]

Big Arms & Slender Legs

Fair Game ficlet for Clover's arm sash

"Shit," the huntsman swore as he felt the strike to his left calf. He continued his swing, scythe slicing through one Sabyr before pivoting and taking out the other. He was bleeding, he could feel it, but the fight wasn't over yet.

Ignoring the pain, he rounded the street corner to find Clover fending off a few more of the Grimm beasts.

Careful of the man's movements he joined the fray, spinning Harbinger expertly, his footwork like a dance. He deftly avoided Kingfisher's line as it zipped past him to hook onto the tusk of a Goliath, Clover pulling the line hard and forcing the Grimm's head to turn toward him. The scythe wielder ran up its other side, leaping onto a Sabyr and putting it down before jumping into the air to deal a spiralling blow to the Goliath's unprotected neck. As the dust cleared, he dropped to the ground, his left leg giving way on impact and forcing him to lean on Harbinger for support.

Clover quickly scanned the area, clipping Kingfisher to his belt once he was certain the danger was no more. He ran to Qrow's side, kneeling beside him and placing a hand on his shoulder, "You're hurt," he said simply before moving his hands to inspect the gash on the side of the man's leg.

"I'm fine," Qrow insisted, swatting the other's hands, "Just call us a ride back if we're done." He slowly rose to his feet, putting too much of his weight on his weapon for anyone to actually believe he was fine. But he didn’t like to be fussed over for something so minor, stubborn as always.

Clover stood as well, crossing his arms over his chest and wearing a disapproving look, although a hint of fondness shone through. Still, he deliberately took his time putting a hand to his earpiece, then efficiently requested a transport, making sure to mention a need for medical supplies. That earned him a scowl from his counterpart, and he grinned in return.

"It will take awhile for the pickup, so let's find somewhere for you to sit, hm?"

Qrow narrowed his eyes, something about the smile directed his way causing him to hesitate. It felt like Clover was giving in to his whims too easily. When nothing more was said, he reluctantly agreed, allowing Clover to help him to a nearby bench so he could stop using his scythe as a cane. He heaved a sigh, grateful to give his leg a break, leaning back and closing his eyes. Only to rip them open once more as a strong hand gripped his ankle.

"Clover, what the fu-"

"Qrow," he challenged, locking eyes with him briefly before getting back to the work at hand. He sat cross-legged on the ground, propping Qrow's foot on his thigh and proceeding to roll up the other's pant leg to his knee.

Watching intently despite himself, Qrow considered the idea of kicking him. Then again, with his luck, he'd end up kicking Clover in the face and breaking his nose. While he was prickly about accepting help, he didn't want to hurt the boy scout. Especially his face. Stupid gorgeous bastard.

Clover leaned forward to get a good look at the cut. Not too deep, nothing caught in the wound, merely bleeding. Judging by the size of the injury, he had just the thing, and without looking lifted his right hand to untie the knot of fabric on his left bicep.

Qrow scoffed, "You think that band is long enough to tie around my leg? Your arms are big, lucky charm, but they aren't that big." He wasn't really certain of that, as he'd spent a lot of time pointedly not looking at those arms to avoid being distracted in the field. When not in the field, well, there were other distractions altogether. In any case, he mostly just wanted to make a playful jab at the man. Rolled his eyes and everything.

"Dunno," Clover mused, running warm fingers down the uninjured side of Qrow's leg just so, enjoying every point of contact. He threw a heated wink up at the other, adding, "Your legs are pretty slender."

He tied the fabric around Qrow's calf with no trouble at all, making a secure knot and inspecting his work with satisfaction.

Qrow was fairly certain his brain short circuited at some point during the exchange. From the look Clover gave him to the feel of what could only be described as a caress, he completely missed the fact that he was wrong- the band was indeed long enough to wrap around his leg.

He didn't realize he was still staring until a squeeze at the underside of his knee brought him back to reality. When did Clover's hand get there? Why did it feel so hot, sending a shiver throughout his body? It was just his knee, he really needed to get a grip.

"Toned," Clover remarked as if no time had passed at all, sliding his hand down to gently grip a strong calf muscle before finishing the thought, "but slender." He released Qrow's leg and leaned back on his hands, sporting a knowing smile.

Confident bastard knew what he was doing, and that time Qrow did kick him, digging his heel into the man's thigh a little. Unfortunately, it probably hurt his injury more than it did Clover, and he winced, gritting his teeth at the pain.

Clover, while having the decency to look slightly sympathetic, just had to ask, "Want me to kiss it better?"

Tempting, but much too easy, Qrow thought to himself. A huff of a laugh escaped him as he instead countered, "No thanks, I don't know where that mouth has been." He couldn't keep the crooked grin from forming on his lips at the mock hurt Clover expressed in response. He knew the man was full of it, probably even appreciated the taunt.

Clover's eyes took a darker tint, then, as he gently placed Qrow's foot on the ground and shifted his weight. He rose to his knees, sliding a hand up both of the older man's legs to his thighs, giving a firm squeeze. He leaned in closer to whisper, "I think that's such a shame."

For just a second, Qrow faltered, feeling heat rising to his neck at the intensity of those teal orbs. He let out a shaky breath before playing along, "What, you gonna tell me where it's been?" He leaned forward, daring Clover to make a move.

"Something like that," he breathed as he closed the distance, pressing firm lips against Qrow’s forehead, drawing a snicker from him. Clover pulled back to watch as laughter overtook his counterpart, smiling in satisfaction.

“I think I still win this one,” Qrow contested, moving his hands to cover Clover’s. It was a game they played sometimes, teasing and taunting to see who would cave first and kiss the other. And a kiss on the forehead was still a kiss, he reasoned, even if it didn’t involve the usual heat.

“I’ll let you have it, since you lost so spectacularly last time.”

“Can you blame me?”

Clover just wiggled his eyebrows, remembering how he drove Qrow completely mad the last time they shared a ride in the back of a truck together. Now that was fun.

Qrow shoved a hand in his face. "Okay, enough. Our transport should be here soon, no need to give 'em a show." 

"Spoilsport."

~End

#fair game #fairgame #qrow x clover #qrow branwen #clover ebi #somehow this got silly #idk i dont make the rules

[flightofaqrow]

[ 🏆 ] is your muse multitalented? what are their hobbies, and why did they pick up these hobbies? if they don’t have hobbies, why don’t they?

headcanon prompts ** accepting!

qrow is absolutely multitalented! while Misfortune likes to make everything harder for him, he toughs things out through practice and skill. 

fighting and reading came first. both taught by the tribe, both necessary for survival. maybe that makes fighting less of a hobby and more of a skill. sparring with rivals and other trainees eventually became a hobby once qrow actually had something he was good at; it made him feel good to excel. he was taught to read and write by the tribe, and they had an open library of books they came across, as well as anything scribed from oral tradition. qrow came to enjoy this as something to entertain himself, whether voluntarily or involuntarily isolating from those who didn’t want to be around him. it gave him structure for understanding the world around him, skills to use to survive and be useful, adventures to go on and people to play with without even having to leave his tent, or den, or bush, or tree. he loves both fiction and nonfiction equally, so long as they are subjects or genres of interest. 

exploring/travel and foraging came next. once he was old enough to leave camp by himself (or with Raven), he became enthralled with the big, wide world and all its beauty, all the different places and people and all the unexplored places yet remaining, and all the things he could learn about, and how it all works together, all the little trinkets he could bring back. he loved the idea that there could be a life and a world outside the tribe. a place somewhere he might actually fit in. it didn’t hurt that his home never really felt like home. in some ways, he’s still looking. 

chanting, and a little bit of drumming. the tribe spent a lot of time around bonfires. they all found their ways of entertaining. he can’t sing with that frayed voice of his, but he sounded pretty cool with a breathy growl, and has some natural rhythm. i associate this band/song with him a lot. later, after he got older and opened up a little more, grew a little more ego, he also becomes an avid storyteller. very much a mix of these prior influences, people he now cares about enough to be a little extra with, and/or a need to gain attention/retention as a teacher. braiding/brushing hair, everyone in the tribe knew how, and lots of the ladies liked his strong hands but gentle touch. after learning to tame Raven’s wild Branwen mane, most other’s were a cakewalk. this can also be extrapolated into similar things like weaving leather (catch the braided leather grips on Harbinger’s shaft, yeah?) tying fishing lures, ribbon bracelets/chokers, etc.  he doesn’t go out of his way to practice these ones, but given the opportunity, he really gets into it. 

Grimm Reaper fanboy. you bet he has a collection and was totally obnoxious about it for awhile. this isn’t a talent but it definitely qualifies as a hobby.

ballroom dance! this is something Ozpin talked him into at beacon in an effort to crack his shell, further his self confidence/image, and to teach this feral bandit boy some discipline, grace, social skills, and body awareness. Oz figured out early on that qrow doesn’t listen to advice very well, but does exceptionally well stumbling through things on his own when given a task and a challenge to prove himself. he simply had to find the right one which would require the things he wanted qrow to learn. gymnastics was also part of the required curriculum. both of these influences carryover into qrow’s agile and dynamic fighting style.

he’s a closet math/physics/engineering nerd. he designed and crafted Harbinger mostly on his own. he’s good at this stuff, and honestly doesn’t give himself enough credit. it’s not “cool” so he doesn’t flaunt it, because he just sees it as necessary knowledge for what he wanted to achieve, part of school. but it definitely comes more intuitive to him than it did a lot of students. he’s intelligent. mechanical tinkering. paired with the braiding hobby, he likes to turn scrap metal and baubles into weapon upgrades or little gifts for people. he’s made things like resin jewelry, mechanical blooming flowers, music boxes, leather sheaths... you name it. his bird brain likes to collect shinies, but his human brain doesn’t want to lose things/be weighted down with collections. so this is the compromise. he stashes stuff away until he can combine it into a thing to give away.

reconnaissance. see all the above. qrow didn’t learn how to be a spy after Ozpin decided that’s what he wanted. Ozpin recognized the talent the Branwens already had, and amplified and directed them. so many of his prior skills and interests led to his ultimate career. tack on his emotional and situational awareness, and you have someone who’s a master at getting people to spill, then fading back into the shadows. this is more of a job than a hobby, but he also does some in his personal time for personal reasons, so i think it counts.

drinking and hanging out in bars and taverns. the old standby. 

he likes spending time with his family, too, of course. this usually takes the form of involving them in any of the above. or just cuddles and naps.

#caeloservare #* hey i got a tip for ya = meme response * #* hey don't get mad cause i'm right = headcanon * #long post tw #this was an excellent one thank you ;w;!!!!