#jaune realizing that he is the pyrrha of his own relationship: huh

[rosebelladonna]

Jaune being supportive to Purruby despite his crush on Pyrrha, only to end up with Ren

blake is living out jaune's wildest dreams dating ruby and pyrrha, but its ok bc ren and nora wanna date him

#jaune realizing that he is the pyrrha of his own relationship: huh #purruby #renora's arc #.cj #anonymous

[fishyfod]

(Slightly) more organized thoughts on the V8 finale.

tl;dr I think the finale had some issues.

I’ll start this off by emphasizing again that this is my opinion, so read something else if you can’t handle negative criticism of RWBY. I say this because too often people in this FNDM can’t handle a difference in opinion without insulting or patronizing others, and I want none of that.

Now, RWBY’s general structural issue is a lack of time to fulfill all their ambitions, and they usually tend to neglect one aspect a bit more than others. In volumes 7 and 8 this proved to be quite a problem, because they wanted to tell quite a complicated story while introducing a fairly large amount of new and returning characters. I very much like the story they told in these volumes, but it must be said that the development and focus on the regular cast, and team RWBY in particular, has suffered for it. It’s not a deal breaker for me personally, but I do think it’s an issue.

So when I saw the finale episode only had about 20 minutes, I figured the best course of choice for RWBY would be to focus on the Atlas-only plots, and leave RWBY & co’s stories for the next volume, which by all accounts seems to be focused only on their character. And credit where credit is due, this is what RWBY decided to do with this finale. This doesn’t really solve the underlying issue that the main cast has yet again been relegated to such a minor role in their own show, but I can live with it.

I still do have a problem with how RWBY’s role in this finale was handled, and forgive me because this might be the least well-explained part of this review. The best way to describe it would be that, though I know I’m watching team RWBY, they don’t feel present in the finale? I struggle to put my finger on it, if it’s more an issue of direction or execution, but something about RWBY’s fight felt off for me.

By comparison, when I think of the episode before, I don’t have this issue. While the way Yang fell isn’t RWBY’s best execution, the reactions of RWBY to that fall worked quite well. There was individual focus on Yang falling, Blake screaming and raging at it, Weiss’s heart breaking into two, Ruby falling into more despair - the tragedy works because of it. I don’t feel the same about the finale, RWB fall almost as if they’re passerby rather than the main characters.

Again, maybe this is just me, maybe I’ll change my mind later. Whatever.

I think Cinder is the one I’m most satisfied with. She seems in character, she acts a lot like she did in her confident state during Beacon, and I did get the impression Salem knows Cinder is lying to her. I admit that I did not expect this direction for Cinder, it seemed like the right spot to have her break free from Salem, but it’s too early for me to call where her arc is going to.

The only nitpick I have with Cinder is how she offed Arthur. I felt like it could have a little more focus? I get that his death is supposed to feel completely inconsequential, but I wish there was just a little bit more there. Again, only a nitpick.

Vine - I think my opinion on Vine’s death is quite unpopular. It felt too last minute, without enough setup. See, while killing Harriet here would have its own set of issues, she was well developed enough where you could actively feel for her, while also expecting a possible death. I can’t say the same about Vine; Vine is only a teensy bit more developed than Elm, which isn’t a lot. He’s making a huge sacrifice, but the lack of character makes him seem expendable by design. It feels like the writers put all their efforts into threatening Harriet’s life, realized last minute that actually they could a lot more with her character (good call), so they shoved in Vine in her place because they still needed a bomb sacrifice.

On the flip side, three of the Ace Ops surviving and proving once and for all they broke away from Ironwood too, with Harriet and Marrow still alive - that is good. I’m not sure what more they’re planning to do with their characters, but it’s preferable to far worse alternatives I can imagine. We’ll see.

Then there’s Penny. sigh

I’m not sure what I can add that P5, bell or cosmokyrin, and probably a few others haven’t already said, but I don’t think it was well written. The whole body-thing in “Creation”, sure, I can accept that was a difference of interpretation. This? This whole, let’s resurrect Penny, develop her immensely as a character, reaffirm her autonomy multiple times over, avoid multiple deaths, only to die like this?

I know the common comparison people make here is with V3, and I can see where people are coming from. After all, Pyrrha and Penny’s deaths were impactful and tragic there, and most people agree that was well written. What’s the difference here? Some differences in circumstance are worth visiting here.

Penny of the Beacon era, lovable character that she was already, was not the most developed character. At the end of the day, most of what we knew of Penny then was in relation to Ruby - we knew Ruby cared for her a lot, we knew why they bonded, so we had setup as to why her death would impact the Fall so much. It works, because it gave enough focus on her for us to care about, but not overly so where the shocking factor of the Fall wouldn’t work.

With Pyrrha, I think we all knew the signs were there at the end of the day. I’d argue that Pyrrha’s very conception as a character lead to her death, she was just slightly too perfect for us not to expect a tragedy to occur. Importantly, her major arc in V3 sets us up to her death - through her conversation with Ozpin’s gang and Jaune, the introduction of Ember and the soul transfer device, killing Penny - by the time Pyrrha dies you’re prepared for it, and it still hurts. Even if the tragic scenario presented (losing Pyrrha because of the soul transfer) wasn’t the one used, dying because she tried defending the use of those powers from Cinder made sense. It was enough of a switch you weren’t bored because you expected everything to go to plan, but it wasn’t too drastic where you felt completely unprepared for what would happen.

The trouble with how Penny’s death was handled here, is in part because they just kept pushing us to the edge, making us worry about one tragic scenario, another way for Penny to die, only to alleviate our fears - only to kill her off anyway in a completely separate way. It happened so often in these two volumes, when we were already fresh off recognizing Penny wasn’t dead in V3, that rather than feeling like an expected death that is tragic, is feels like they toyed with out perception constantly only because they could. When you raise and lower death flags over and over in such a small amount of time, the tragedy you aimed to convey is lost. Perhaps unintentionally, the point no longer seems to be telling a tragic story, it’s only playing this cruel game of perception with the audience. What’s the joke about Jean Grey in x-men, that she keeps being killed off and resurrected so often it’s hard to care about it all? Is this how I’m supposed to look at Penny, RWBY’s Jean Grey?

Granted, I’m not sure that if they committed to one consistent death threat with Penny and followed through, that necessarily would’ve been better. I’m not sure how I’d think of RWBY if she died from the virus, for example. At least, however, I’d be more confident in saying that was a difference of direction, rather than a difficult writing choice to comprehend.

It’s only fitting I’d talk about Winter now, huh? I think you all know my stance about her as a character, I’d argue that she, Ironwood and Cinder were the best handled characters in these two volumes by a fair margin, but the finale leaves me very conflicted about her.

On the one hand, it’s everything I want. Winter’s confrontation with Ironwood is like a mix of Blake facing off against Adam and Yang confronting Raven, and while not as impactful in terms of storytelling, they do deliver on the same fronts. Winter calls out Ironwood for his lies, establishing once and for all it was by her volition she broke off, her conscience that was always better, and there is something poetic about her gaining the Winter Maiden powers to fulfill her goal of protecting others.

...but I can’t separate this from Penny’s fate. And it frustrates me to no end, because I love her connection to Penny, I made comparisons of how it reminds of Bumbleby’s relationship, it drives their characters forward so much, heck, I like that Penny took a part in taking down Ironwood with Winter, in a sense. But because Penny’s death feels so contrived, its connection to Winter almost cheapens the importance of their relationship with each other. And it doesn’t seem quite needed either, since they individually as characters already broke free from Ironwood.

I can sort of see that I am supposed to interpret it as a tragedy, and I do indeed think Winter getting the Maiden powers is tragic for her character (not unlike Spring Maiden!Yang theories), and I am excited to see where this is going. I thought this was the end for Winter’s major impact on the story, but there’s a whole other arc waiting, and Penny’s a major part of it too.

To say I’m conflicted about Winter would be an understatement.

The actual silver lining, for me, is the post credit scene. Volume 9 is an opportunity for RWBY to try and change some of the problem I presented initially. My hope is that by focusing almost exclusively on team RWBY, with Jaune and Neo, and putting less emphasis on developing the settings of giant-tree-land and not over-complicating the plot. Hopefully, this would allow them to focus on developing the main cast again, in in particular addressing some of the main issues presented; notably, the Bees confessing, Ruby maybe reaching her breaking point, Yang’s issues being addressed, and hopefully something more individual for Blake and Weiss as well. Neo is an interesting curveball to throw into this equation, and I have a decent amount of hope with Jaune (although then I remember it’s probably going to be about Penny, and, ugh...).

Yeah, that’s all I have at the moment. If you want to talk about it, my inbox and DM’s are always open. If you disagree with me that’s fair, just give me the minimal amount of respect rather than being an ass about it.

#RWBY/ #RWBY Spoilers/ #RWBY Crit #RWDE #my posts

[witchfire00]

Cinder kicks open Salem’s door and proudly boast that she brought back the lamp of Knowledge, only for her jaw to drop and face blush as she’s sees Salem having fun with a chained up Jaune~

Who is in Control?

Pairing: Salem x Cinder x Jaune

Genre: Angst; kinda dark

Word Count: 2.5k

Rating: Mature (18+)

Warnings: Non-Con, Dubious consent, Manipulation,

Cinder couldn’t help but to hurry up the broken stairs and floors of Atlas military base. Salem would have surely claimed Ironwood‘s office by now. She probably shouldn’t have laid low for so long...but...she had to calm down first. Her master always knew how she felt and if she had to own up to her mistakes it was better for her to go in as in control as possible.

Reaching the imposant metal door the maiden sighed deeply, straightening her back and forcing her face to go blank.

‘This is it.‘

The hour of truth.

Gripping the handle of the relic even tighter, she pushed at the door with all the fake bravado she could muster...and immediately wished she didn’t.

’What the...?‘

Frozen at the doorstep, Cinder‘s eye widened comically at the sight in front of her.

She had expected Salem to be there in whatever outfit she saw fit for all she cared...but the blonde boy...that failure with a death wish, being tied up, with what looked like grimm matter, against the general’s chair completely naked, wasn’t something she was prepared for.

“W-why...I-...I mean...“

She stumbled over her words, as her head began to spin and a blush crept up her face.

Salem rose one eyebrow in silent amusement, beckoning her closer with a mere come hither motion of her hand. Flushing even brighter Cinder stepped into the room, trying to avoid the chained up boy’s horrified expression.

Just what was going on here?

‘A lesson!‘

No...Salem wouldn’t...right?

Not in front of...someone inferior to her.

Coming to a halt next to her master, she weakly offered the relic to her, but Salem gave no indication she would take it, instead she lazily leaned against the desk behind her.

The dark night sky still offered enough light to illuminate the room, giving it a beautiful, yet eerie hue.

“Try again, Cinder.“

‘Goddammit!‘

Taking a deep breath, she tried to stop herself from grimacing while sinking obediently to her knees, still presenting the relic to the older woman.

“Very good“, Salem said as she finally took what was offered to her, letting the other hand run over the maiden‘s hair.

It felt...possessive of sorts.

Cinder didn’t dare to raise her head or even flinch for that matter, but the heat of embarrassment from being exposed like this to someone else...this boy of all people, that had build up inside her, deepened the red on her cheeks.

“S-stop...that...“

‘Huh?‘

The hand in her hair stopped abruptly, vanishing completely after only a second later.

Out of the corner of her eye Cinder managed to spot just who had been foolish enough to order her master to stop.

The boy...of course it was him.

The boy...with a death wish.

“How rude of me.“

Salem’s voice didn’t betray any kind of emotion, her expression unfathomable and yet her tone managed to cause a small shiver to run down her spine.

Motioning for Cinder to rise, her master leaned back once more, a pleased smile on her face.

“Cinder, this is Jaune.

I heard you two have already been acquainted with each other.“

Normally the maiden probably would have growled or retorted something haughty, maybe even with dry and bitter sarcasm, but the fact that she now had to stare at this boy...Jaune, in only his birthday suit made it kind of hard for her.

Salem reached for his chains and wound them tighter, the dark matter constricting around him, as she demanded with a dangerously soft edge to her tone:

“By all means, do repeat what you just said.“

“St-ugh...stop...to-touching...her“, he managed to groan out in pain.

What?

Was he crazy?

Cinder‘s gaze switched between her master and Jaune in anticipation.

If this was supposed to be a lesson, then she needed to pay attention.

“And why should I do that?

Does it excite you?“

Now it seemed to be Jaune‘s turn to sputter, his ears flushing a deep red, as his expression became somewhat troubled.

“Answer me, boy!“, Salem all but ordered when he failed to respond.

Something on Jaune‘s body twitched to life at those words, but Cinder still refused to lower her gaze for even a fraction.

“N-no! I- she...just doesn’t seem...to like it...so you should stop.“

‘...Oh?‘

Was he implying she was forced against her will?

Salem turned to her with a mysterious smile, her voice warm and inviting.

“Do you share his concerns, Firefly?“

Firefly...

It has been quite a while since she had last heard the nickname her master had bestowed upon her.

Another hint...another pull.

She could feel Salem’s desires curse through her, as she almost skipped into the older woman’s waiting embrace. Leaning in she stood on her tiptoes and placed a gentle kiss onto her older woman‘s soft lips.

Crimson eyes lit up and immediately deepened the kiss...their connection, sweeping everything else away. Only at the edge of her mind did she register her cape being swept aside, as her bodysuit opened wide enough to reveal her partially scarred emblem on her otherwise smooth skin.

Breaking apart, Salem rested her head on Cinder‘s shoulder, her next words nothing more than a whisper, allowed for her ears only.

“What do you feel, Firefly?“

Fire.

Hunger.

Burning.

Craving.

“You!“

Her master hummed contently at her answer, letting her hands trail over the maiden’s back lovingly, while kissing her neck. Cinder couldn’t stop the purr from escaping her throat.

She felt safe and warm, wondering why exactly Jaune’s presence had bothered her so much in the beginning. This was where she belonged.

Salem made her whole.

“Now would you look at that?

It seems like it does excite you after all.“

Blinking owlishly the maiden peered at the boy to figure out what her master was talking about. She was almost frustrated about the interruption when she finally spotted it...her gaze dropping to the proud embodiment of his obvious arousal. Her face grew hot once more when she realized the state of her own dress and how it related to the situation at hand.

“T-that’s just my...body, I-“, Jaune stuttered, desperately trying to close his legs in a futile attempt to conceal himself, his eyes meeting Cinder‘s almost involuntary.

Salem chuckled at that, still running her hand over the maiden’s bareback, pushing her closer to the chair, as if to put her on display.

“There is no need to deny your obvious attraction.

Cinder is a very beautiful girl after all.“

As if to accentuate her words, her master spun her around, revealing her supple breasts to the boy, causing her to gasp in surprise.

“S-stop that! You’re...you‘re forcing this on...her.“

And yet he couldn’t seem to avert his gaze from Cinder, his eyes darkening slightly, as he watched helplessly how Salem gently fondled her round mounds.

While trying to chastise him no less.

“You can’t possibly hope to grasp the full extent, the meaning of our relationship, boy.“

This time the maiden couldn’t suppress the whimper as her nipple was teased oh so lightly.

Why...why did Salem…?

“This recklessness of yours is the same that her soulmate displayed.

Needless to say she paid the price for that.“

‘Ah…‘

So this was about her again.

Jaune‘s legs twitched nervously, as he stopped himself from thrusting his hips, Cinder being so close to him right now that he may have been able to grace her with his tip.

With obvious hesitation he managed to tear his gaze away from the maiden’s breasts, focusing on her face.

“You‘re...soulmate?“, he all but whispered.

Something inside Cinder shifted, her gaze clouding over as she assessed the situation. Throwing a quick glance back towards Salem she spotted an all too familiar smile...one that made her absolutely drunk on power.

Oh how she loved feeling like this.

Being this connected…

Leaning forward she straddled the boys lap, running circles over his shoulder blades, humming softly at each suppressed moan she earned when she rocked against him.

“Do you believe in destiny?“, she whispered against his lips, nipping playfully at his lower lip. Her right hand trailed over his toned stomach towards his erect member, giving it a nudge, as she observed Jaune’s face being split between pleasure and horror.

“Oh, don’t look so shocked. Did dear Pyrrha never reveal the truth to you?

She was mine, all along all mine and yet I killed her.

I chose my own destiny and now I‘m living it...without her.“

Her hand closed around his shaft, pumping it up and down with each sentence, earning her a soft groan from the boy beneath her, whose hips moved slowly to match the movement of her hand.

“I-I...you must have felt something for her.“ He still tried his hardest to get through to her, even while in the throes of passion.

“I know Pyrrha, if you truly are her soulmate...then...you just must have...“

Do you believe in destiny?

For only a moment Cinder could feel herself falter, lost by the memories of Pyrrha‘s last words...the acceptance...the hurt...her soulmate…

Hers!

And because of her she was gone...forever.

“I...did…“, she murmured almost absentmindedly.

All of a sudden she had the urge to hug Jaune close, to hide, to cry...but as soon as she felt a cool slender hand on her back, every trace of that weakness was immediately washed away.

Curling her lips into a mean smile, her other hand massaging the boy‘s balls, causing his eyes to roll back and his breath to hitch, as he moaned loudly.

“I felt her warmth underneath my hand when I burned her from the inside out.“

She sucked at the tender flesh of his neck hard enough to bruise as she sped up her pace, both of her hands working in tandem. Even hearing those words Jaune couldn’t seem to stop his hips from chasing after every friction he could get.

“I felt her slip away and scatter through the wind like ashes of nothingness.“

Licking the outer shell of his ear she grinded her own core against his member, feeling it hot and pulsing against her abdomen, as it tasted the softness of her skin. The way Jaune’s hips jolted almost out of the seat only made her quicken the pace even more, her breasts pressing against his naked chest, as she rode him.

“I felt how the life was drained from her entire being and her forest green eyes glossed over.“

With a painful grunt, she could feel him stiffen against her, as his seed spilled out against his heaving chest, his eyes squeezed close, a relieved expression adorning his face...until his gaze found Cinder‘s once more.

With a quiet chuckle she sat back up, adjusting her clothes, while mustering her work.

“I took something from you that was never even yours to begin with.“

She didn’t even quite know what she was referring to herself…

The high slowly began to ebb away...leaving a somewhat hollow feeling in its wake.

“...you...you‘re a monster...“

You turned yourself into a monster just for power.

His words managed to shatter any remaining peace she still had left.

Why...where those tears?

What…

She wasn’t able to sort through her turbulent thoughts before Salem invaded her personal space again, massaging the nape of her neck.

“Better.“

Arching subconsciously into the touch she chased the doubts away, while listening to Salem’s soothing voice.

...of course, it may only be soothing to her in general.

“I believe he may have understood the foolishness of his demands now.

But did you?

Did you understand what I wanted to teach you with this?“

“Never underestimate the usefulness of others?“, Cinder couldn’t help but answer playfully.

Her master sighed, but the amusement never left her crimson eyes, as she shook her head.

“My terrible, defiant girl.“

With a pout she nuzzled against Salem‘s cheek.

“How...not to kill them?“

“Try again.

You know how.“

Sighing loudly she searched herself.

The reason, the lesson, her desires, Salem...it all mingled together.

The process wasn’t painful, but it was always leaving her disoriented afterwards

Cinder felt it, the moment their hearts followed the same rhythm, the moment individuality ceased to exist.

“Break“

“Correct.“

The voice startled the Maiden out of her concentration, as she peered up at her master with a weak smile.

“And you did it so effortlessly right now.“

Did she?

‘Yes...‘

But was that truly...just her?

She knew what she agreed to back then...still...sometimes it scared her.

If you so desire, I will save you, child.

He said it’s impossible though...

Nothing is ever truly impossible.

It only depends on what you are willing to sacrifice to see your wishes fulfilled.

With a quick, but tender kiss to her forehead Salem swept through the room, excusing herself amicably from the captive still bound to the chair.

“I hope you will rethink your priorities now and decide to take my generous offer. There is nothing for you to gain by refusing.“

She laughed cruelly, as she ruffled through his blonde hair.

“Maybe young Cinder wishes to play with you further.

I will see you in the morning.“

With those words she disappeared out of their sights, leaving Cinder, as bewildered as ever.

All of Salem’s lessons had that kind of effect on her.

She had no intention of playing with him like Salem had suggested.

She felt...

‘Drained‘

The maiden had avoided talking about her soulmate in general. It had been a sore subject between her and Salem for quite some time.

If she had only stayed out of her way at Beacon, the redhead would still be alive and Cinder...

Cinder wouldn’t need to feel-

‘Enough!‘

With a frustrated huff she turned towards the door as well. There was no use to ponder over such things. The past was the past.

“When I think of destiny, I don’t think of a predetermined fate you can’t escape, but rather some sort of final goal. Something you‘ve worked for your entire life.“

Cinder’s eye flittered back to the still crying boy in the chair.

His voice nothing more than a mumble, but she managed to catch it anyways.

“That’s what she, what Pyrrha believed.“

Of course, her soulmate...

’Again...‘

Clenching her hands into fists, she tried to find the same icy fire from before to destroy the boy in front of her, but she couldn’t quite grasp it.

“Then she was wrong!“

Her voice sounded more convinced than she actually felt, yet it did nothing to quell the sudden spark that returned to Jaune‘s eyes, as he slowly shook his head.

“I trust in Pyrrha“, he croaked out, his voice cracking, “If she tried to reach you, if you truly are her soulmate I will do so as well.“

‘What?‘

After what she just did to him?

How absurd.

Utterly ridiculous.

Wh-

The audacity!

Cinder’s aura flared up on its own accord, as her thoughts and feelings once again became a muddled mess, a cruel smile spreading over her features. Leaning forward she tilted Jaune’s head upwards, her next words spilling out before she could truly think them through.

“You are wrong, too!“

#cinder fall #salem rwby #jaune ark #rwby #n/sfw #witchfire #knightfall #fanfic

[dragonotaku-justineverything]

Jaune plans fo ask out Pyrrha for Valentine's Day but he's just can't find it in him to ask. Luckily Ren and Nora have their fearless leader's back. It ends with them holding hands and giving eachother a kiss fir the first time

“Jaune, what is the problem? Pyrrha would love to go out with you if you would just ask her!” Nora was fed up with her leaders shyness. It had been

“Says you! I can’t even form the word ‘date’ in my head when she’s around! Let alone say it!” Was Jaune’s rebuttal, who was currently sulking at his desk in the corner.

“AAAARRRGH!”

Nora stomped over to her bed and threw herself on it. Ren walked over Nora and whispered, “You know, just saying that won’t fix his confidence issues…”

”Well I don’t see YOU helping! So, got any bright ideas!?!?” Nora whisper yelled back.

“Yes actually.”

Nora sat up at that. “….When and what?”

Ren sat down next to Nora, glancing at Jaune to make sure he was still in his own depressing thoughts. “While you were fruitlessly trying to work Jaune’s confidence up. Here it is, listen closely…”

Ren quietly told Nora his plan, whose face grew happier with ever detail she heard. Ren pulled back and looked at her. “You got it?”

“Renny that’s brilliant!”

“Thank you.”

“I’ll take care of my part, you make sure to be ready!”

“Wait Nora maybe we should w-” Ren was cut off as Nora ran off with a ‘WOOOOSH’ and a slammed door, “aaaaaand she’s off. Well, no time like the present I guess.”

Ren stood up and walked over to Jaune. His leader heard him approach and looked up. “What is it Ren? You gonna try to pump me up to?” It wasn’t a snap, more of a tired 

“No. I want to try something different.”

“What? A therapy session?”

“Again, no.” Ren walked into the dorms bathroom. He walked back out a minute later holding a towel. “Stand up.”

Jaune grumbled, but did so. His head was jolted back when Ren quickly wrapped the towel around his eyes and ears like a blindfold. “Ren! The heck are you doing!?”

“A test.” Ren finished the knot and made sure his eyes and ears were covered. “You always feel so confident, but lose your nerve whenever you approach Pyrrha.”

Jaune, now with no sight and muffled hearing thanks to the towel, threw his hands in the air in exasperation. “Yeah, I know. You’re stating the obvious Ren.”

“Well, why is that?“ 

“I don’t know! It just when I see her and I can’t focus on what I want to do!”

“Well how about we try not looking at her?“

Jaune realized what Ren was getting at. “Sooooo you want me to not look at Pyrrha when I’m trying to ask her out?”

“Couldn’t hurt to try. Maybe it will help you keep your nerve.”

Jaune shook his head. “That is so stupid, but fine. We’ll try it.”

“Okay. So, focus on what you want to say to Pyrrha.”

“Uh huh.”

“No….what would you say to her.”

Jaune sighed heavily, then spoke. “I’d tell her how much she’s effected my life. Training and studying with me to help me improve myself, being such great friend to me, and just how my life is a thousand times better with her in it.”

“Okaaaaay. What about her looks?”

“Hahaha her looks? Are you kidding? She the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen! I actually think it’s more likely she’s the goddess of beauty than the goddess of victory. I mean her eyes are so green they put the Emerald Forest to shame. And her hair! I just wanna run my hands through it it looks to soft.”

“Beautiful. And how about her as a person?”

“She’s the nicest person I know. True that causes her some problems for being too nice, but it is who she is and that’s what makes her so amazing.” Jaune stopped again waiting for Ren to speak, only he didn’t “….Ren?

“Oh, sorry Jaune. And what have you been wanting to ask Pyrrha for Valentines Day?”

Jaune sighed once more, feeling stupid with this little exercise of Ren’s. “I want to ask her if she’ll go out with me as my Valentines.” 

Silence answered him, until a very shaky “J-J-Jaune?” was heard in a very not Ren but still familiar voice. A very familiar voice...

Jaune stiffened, thinking ‘….Nooooooooo….’ as he reached up an yanked the towel up off his head. 

Yup, Pyrrha Nikos was there in there dorm. She looked at him, her hands clutched to her chest and a red face that blended with her hair. Jaune’s litt up in it’s own shade of red as he looked behind his partner at Ren who was holding up his scroll and fist bumping Nora. “T-the hell you two!?!? You planned this!”

Ren held up a finger. “Actually, the plan was to record you saying all that and show her when she eventually arrived, but Nora never ceases to amaze me with her ability to get things done when she wants to and got Pyrrha here faster than I thought possible.”

Jaune threw a glare that lost all heat with his blush and looked back to Pyrrha who had moved closer. “….So how much did you hear?”

“E-everything since you were talking about how nice I was.”

“I’ll show her the rest later.” Nora ‘whispered’ to Ren.

“……oh.”

“Jaune.” Pyrrha looked up into Jaune’s eyes. “Did you really me that? I heard it, but I want to make sure. Do you want a date with me?”

Jaune looked away and closed his eyes. “Y-….yes. I really do…..If that’s okay with you…”

Jaune felt a pair of hands grasp his. He opened his eyes and looked down to see Pyrrha’s hands holding his. He looked back up to see a teary smile spreading across her lips. As tears started to fall, she choked out, “Nothing would make me happier Jaune.”

Jaune didn’t, or rather couldn’t respond, because in the next second Pyrrha had kissed him. Her lips on his. Her joyful tears running down her face making her make-up run, but Jaune and Pyrrha couldn’t care less. They only focused on their kiss. Which is why they completely forgot that Ren was still recording their solidified relationship. 

Which somehow was uploaded to the Beacon website on Valentines day.

#rwby #jaune arc #pyrrha nikos #jaune x pyrrha #arkos #ask #sfw #fluff #valentines day ask #anonymous

[itsclydebitches]

How would you handle this volume if you had to get the same general plot points. Distrust of Ozpin, Ozpin backstory, Establish Maria, Establish Neo is back, Enter Atlas illegally, and have Adam show back up.

OKAY. I chucked this out off the top of my head so it’s messy as hell, but: 

I would cut out the ‘relic attracts grimm’ thing all together. It was just used as an excuse to disconnect the train/drum up anger at Ozpin, but then suddenly it doesn’t have an effect anymore. No grimm in the forest, no non-Apathy grimm at the farm, none on the drive, no problems at Argus…rather than having an object that mysteriously only has an impact when the plot needs it to, the back half of the train can legit just crash after moving the civilians up front, with RWBY-Oscar on top and Maria still inside. I’d have Blake spotting Adam (in his old outfit–no change that’s gonna confuse people), flinching backwards and closing her eyes. She’s distracted then by the cars as they’re suddenly going off the rails. We’d later realize it was Adam disconnecting it in an effort to separate Blake from a good chunk of her friends–-successfully. JNR is up front and doesn’t even realize at first that half the team is gone. Blake thinks she just imagined seeing Adam. 

We see Cinder and Neo just as before. They’re only a week behind the Argus train. 

Everyone is rattled by the crash (as opposed to mad about something they all agreed to do) and tempers are high. Same conversation about Lionheart and such. Same realization that Ozpin is keeping a secret. I’d have Ruby much more hesitant to use the relic and Yang be the one to finally grab it and ask her question. 

We still get the vision. Backstory was A+

We come out of it and now there’s already some division among the team about that choice, but for now it’s overpowered by the shock of hearing about Salem. They still drive Ozpin off, but we see more hints of regret as things start to cool off. 

That really is Adam at the farm. At the time it’s ambiguous though whether we’re actually seeing him or if Yang is having flashbacks like Blake. While looking for transportation they find another bike and Yang makes a comment about what a piece of junk it is compared to hers. Same conversation about Blake protecting her. 

We’d have another episode at the farm, drawing out the horror setup for the audience (something is nearby, watching, the gang doesn’t realize) and giving everyone time to actually start talking about all this. The emotions the Apathy are drawing to the surface would allow everyone to be far more honest than they normally would be. There’s accusations, frustrations, fears, talk about whether they should go on at all and pushback as soon as that’s voiced. Qrow can’t believe his nieces pulled their weapons on him and though Ruby and Yang haven’t been agreeing at all the last 24 hours, she comes to her sister’s defense in the name of Qrow being useless right now. Didn’t you fall asleep while on watch last night? It’s a legit fight, the likes of which we’ve never seen from them before. Everyone burns themselves out though and we’re left with how tired they all are. They head to bed on the second day, uncomfortable with one another, but not actually mad anymore. They’re just done.  

The next morning is pretty much the same as what we got except no breakfast banter. Everyone is exhausted, quiet, they gang up on Ruby to drop the relic (drawing on last night’s arguments), they encounter the Apathy and a near-death experience finally knocks some sense into everyone. Qrow is rescued from the cellar. 

On the bike we get Maria’s speech, her reveal as the Grimm Reaper, and people start giving small apologies; looking guilty about the last two days. Someone comments that they’d better settle in: it’s a long drive to Argus. Ruby hesitantly asks if Ozpin is still locked up… and yeah, he is. Guilty, fearful looks all around. We cut to someone unseen starting up the other bike in the shed. 

In Argus, JNR has spent the last week looking for RWBY. They don’t know exactly what happened, but there’s talk that of course Ruby and the others will make it to Argus. Somehow. We get to see them calling on Cordovin and asking for help from the military and we establish her as an absolute asshole because she’s not going to use her resources to look for a bunch of children who might not even be lost. JNR gets a clear sense that this woman isn’t letting them over the border. In the meantime they do what they can, splitting up and checking the surrounding woods, going as deep as they dare. We see them encountering some low-level grimm, giving the audience some battle stuff amongst all the conversation this volume. Jaune is alone making one of those rounds when Ruby’s scroll suddenly comes into range. He calls, beyond relieved. 

A week has passed when they finally re-unite. Jaune meets them halfway just outside of Argus and we see what a difference a week has done for the team. At least in terms of being a little more optimistic. Every huntsmen carries rations on them and there was plenty of water nearby. It wasn’t a fun trip, but they survived. It’s clear that the biggest issue has been Qrow: he hasn’t had a drink in a week and it shows. Badly. 

Qrow makes some awful comment that cues Jaune into the fact that something went very wrong out there. They spill the beans about Salem to him without Ren and Nora. He loses it, slams Oscar into another tree, but this time the group actually steps between them. No standing around, not when they were so quick to draw their weapons on both Ozpin and Qrow; not when they’ve had a week to cool off and spend time together. Jaune drops Oscar, looking hesitant. They split at the entrance to Argus, Jaune stomping off on his own. Some of the group actually asks if Oscar is okay while the others worry about Jaune. 

By this point Ren and Nora have noticed their scrolls as well and we get the reunion. They of course want to know where Jaune went. Someone comments that he heard something bad, attacked Oscar, and left. Nora and Ren are obviously shocked by this. Cut to everyone back at the house after explanations. Without Jaune to drum up anger–and knowing how he reacted first–Nora and Ren are a bit more level-headed about all this. They’re obviously still shocked, but they hear first hand how RWBY responded to the news and how much their views have changed since then. They’re given the chance to be better. Yang is still cold when talk of Ozpin starts, but she says something which implies that yeah… grabbing the relic may not have been the best way to go about things. She’s pissed about the secret keeping, but mature enough to know that she could have handled it better. She references how Dad was teaching her to not just plough through problems. Everyone continues talking while having dinner with the Cotta-Arcs (Qrow is in the background raiding what little booze they have). We get some legit acknowledgement of the rest of the vision, the fact that they’ve been fighting an immortal enemy all along (grimm), and it’s staggering what Ozpin has been through, huh? Hesitantly, Nora tries to address Ozpin through Oscar, asking about a new plan. There’s only silence. 

New plan? Ren and Nora explain what a dick Cordovin is and how they don’t think she’ll let them through. It’s bleak, we expect Ruby to rouse the group, but she’s been carrying them too long. Oscar steps up instead and without Jaune his speech isn’t interrupted. There’s a spark of hope; not much, but there. We establish that Oscar is really a like-minded soul to Ozpin. An optimist like Ruby, even if they all need help now and again. They decide to give Jaune more time to cool off and they all head to the gate to give asking Cordovin a legit shot. Same interactions as before–old lady feud to give us some comedy–only this time Cordovin is extra patronizing in her, ‘I’m so glad you survived… but I’m still not helping you.’ 

By now Qrow is at the end of his rope. None of the talking got through to him. He announces that he’s going to find another drink. Ruby, thoroughly done, loses it right there in front of everyone else. There’s no idiotic kids vs. adults stuff, she’s angry at Qrow. You’re really going to go get wasted when we need you the most right now? When drinking almost got you killed? Qrow tries to make an excuse about his semblance and Ruby shuts him down, screaming about how it’s never been about that. He looks guilty, but ultimately walks off. No one knows how to handle an angry Ruby, though a few (like Yang) try. 

Back at the house everyone is trying to give her space, but it’s too crowded. Too much. She heads to the garden and chucks her phone. Maria is there and their conversation starts, but this time Ruby expresses frustration with herself for thinking that the adults around her would always be the answer. They’re not perfect, she knows that, she accepts that, but then what’s she supposed to do? None of them have the answers here. Maria distracts her with SEW info and re-invigorates the idea that it’s about cooperation and protection. Everyone’s safe in the city with full bellies, right? That’s a big win, kid. How about instead of trying to come up with an answer on your own–or expecting another individual to do all the work for you–you collectively draw from the people you’ve helped keep safe? Friends are your greatest resource. 

Meanwhile, with night falling Ren and Nora are getting worried about Jaune. They head out into the city to look for him. We get conversation between them about Salem, moving forward, and some hints at their growing relationship. Ren sees someone hidden in the darkness, immediately on alert. It looks like Adam… but no. They’re exhausted and stressed. Must be imagining things. We as the audience though know it’s really him, especially since Ren would have no reason to imagine Adam like Blake and Yang do. 

We cut to Jaune despondent on a bench, feeling guilty over Oscar. He sees the leaf and follows it to Pyrrha’s statue. He has his talk with the woman. 

Ren and Nora find him there and everything is the same except they actively acknowledge that while Pyrrha’s drive was special, she never had a plan. They realize what Ruby did in volume 4: we can’t forge ahead recklessly and die needlessly. We need to be careful. Strategic. Their conversation mirrors Maria’s about the next generation being better–they’ll honor Pyrrha by learning from her mistake–and Jaune is reassured about his position as leader/friend. You’re our strategist. We need you to help us survive. Jaune spots the airship as he’s saying goodbye to Pyrrha. 

Back at the house JNR finds Qrow on the doorstep and drag him inside. Jaune apologizes to Oscar. A full apology that’s not interrupted. Oscar immediately forgives him, but makes it clear that he’s not going to be treated like that anymore. He doesn’t know what the merge is exactly, how long he might be himself… but while he’s him he expects to be treated as his own person. We see Qrow looking guilty in the background, hungover, struggling with what Ruby said earlier on top of the reminder that he told this kid he was nothing but a meat suit. 

Everyone is happy to be back together, but there’s still no Ozpin. Still no new plan. Jaune pipes up that actually…  we could steal an airship? There’s a humorous moment of WTF Jaune we JUST acknowledged that we can’t pull stupid, dangerous shit like that. Qrow rouses himself and forcefully says no way in a manner that actually gives Ruby some hope–he’s getting involved again. Jaune quickly backpedals and explains that he doesn’t mean we do this, literally. Just that he technically thought of a way across the boarder. Maybe we can all think of something else? 

There are some ideas thrown out, including discussion of using the relic somehow. JNR gets a full explanation of how it works/how to summon Jinn. Eventually Terra overhears and says that maybe they can make use of the relay tower. Didn’t Jaune mention earlier that Ironwood knows you’re coming? Maybe you can contact him and circumvent Cordovin entirely. She offers her services freely–they’re all grateful–and a plan starts to form. Something-something admittedly convenient techno fantasy where they can boost a scroll with help from Terra manipulating the Atlas tech. Blake will sneak in with Terra over the comms; Qrow will keep watch overhead in his bird form, available for when they need to speak to Ironwood; Yang will go with them as support; the rest will create a minor distraction so Cordovin and her men won’t easily pick up on the fact that something is happening at the tower. It’s not a perfect plan, but it’s something to try. They all agree to drop it the moment something goes wrong. They don’t want to piss off the military and Argus is a fortified city. They think they’ll have time to keep coming up with new plans. There’s an obvious theme that they’ve learned to pool their resources and keep trying, no matter how many times they fail. Alone, Ruby and Qrow have a tense, but also loving moment where she says she’s glad he’s on board. Things are far from perfect, but I still need my Uncle Qrow. We’ll figure out the rest as we go. 

We cut to someone listening in from the window, having heard it all. Except this time it doesn’t look like Adam’s silhouette. A small mystery for the audience.

The next day Blake, Yang, and Qrow head off. Ruby and the others are doing stupid stuff that’s meant to be stupid to keep Cordovin busy (some humor before the finale). It’s all going well until Adam shows up. He’s not ahead of Blake, he’s just been stalking her and finally made his move–a surprise for her, but not the audience. Their battle starts and everyone realizes that something is wrong. Yang rushes off to help. Qrow hasn’t realized yet that they’re in danger (giving the girls some time to face Adam alone). The rest of the group drops their silly ‘distract Cordovin’ scheme and tries to make a break towards the tower, but are unexpectedly waylaid by Neo (disguised as a guard) and Cinder. With everyone waiting in Argus/moving through the snow on a bike, they’ve had plenty of time to catch up by normal means of transportation. 

Final battle begins: Yang, Blake, and eventually Qrow vs. Adam. Ruby, Weiss, Jaune, Nora, Ren, Maria, and Oscar vs. Cinder and Neo. Blake and Yang have their emotional catharsis and Adam is killed off in some manner. They have a moment of relief before realizing that the rest of the group is having trouble of their own back in the city. Meanwhile, Cordovin sees that these two have invaded her base and gives the kids a hand. She’s an asshole, but she’s still going to protect this place. A freaking Maiden is casting magic without care and we see her realizing that okay, these kids were being truthful about how there’s something bigger at play here, setting up the possibility that she’d be more willing to listen if they all manage to survive this. Oscar gets into some serious trouble, causing Ozpin to come out of his imposed exile. He powers up and turns the tide, but there’s still a major setback–perhaps the loss of the relic. Neo betrays Cinder, snags the relic for herself, abandons her… and Cinder can’t face all of them alone, especially with Ozpin back. She retreats. We leave the group with another half-victory, but fully re-united since the start of the volume. There’s no time for big conversations between them and Ozpin, but the expressions and few words we get let everyone know that they’re all still a team. We get a few quick apologies like what Weiss gave on the drive out of the farm, enough to tide everyone over. There’s going to be real apologies and forgiveness on both sides in volume 7.   

They were willing to go to Atlas. The question now is, are they willing to hunt a relic back down? Does their loyalty to this mission extend that far? 

It does. We get a brief time skip to the next day when everyone is prepared to head out, relief that they all showed on the front steps to keep going. They say goodbye to the Cotta-Arcs, thank them, promise to keep in touch. Someone realizes though that Oscar isn’t there and after a moment of worry he appears at the last second, dressed in his new digs. He needed combat gear if they’re going on another adventure, right? Ozpin briefly takes control to comment that he insisted on some green. The joke doesn’t quite land, his tone is tired and hesitant, but everyone appreciates the effort. Things are far from perfect–they still need to talk–but a bit of the tension is easing. 

The volume ends with Neo and a summoned Jinn. She was the one at the window, disguised, hearing the super secret info the group spoke about so casually (setting up more themes about who should know what and when you should talk about it). Jinn informs her that there’s one question left and we get a shot of Neo smiling, but no verbal words. Of course not. Jinn is a magical being though and hears the question regardless. She indicates that she’s about to show Neo the answer. 

And cut, leaving us wondering what the hell Neo might have asked about, what she plans to do with that info, and whether our group is now on a fool’s mission to recover a relic that can’t be used for another 100 years. We as the audience know that Tyrian and Watts are heading to Atlas to do who knows what, that Cinder is torn about whether to re-join Salem, that Ironwood is still expecting them in Atlas, and that things are bound to get messy. Volume 7 is gonna be one hell of a ride. 

~The End (lol) 

#Anonymous #rwby #rwby spoilers #mymetas #rwbyfic #(it sorta turned into a fic?) #(fic summary?) #(close enough)

[texanredrose]

Happens So Fast

Weiss turned, tray in hand, and scanned the cafeteria with her good eye. Admittedly, the floor plan was much more open than any dining situation she’d been familiar with, students even allowed to eat outside among the trees rather than inside, but there were certain similarities. Open seats in less than ideal positions, friends grouped up together, a few teachers milling around under the pretense of fetching their own lunches while keeping an eye on their charges- typical of any high school, even one so far away from her homeland.

Aside from a surprisingly familiar face, her first day at a new school had come with remarkably few surprises.

“Oh, hey, are you the new girl?”

Up to, and including, that.

“Well, I’m certainly new. Jury’s still out on the second part,” she replied dryly, turning to see the blond boy from earlier that morning, the same one who’d quite nearly lost the fight between himself, his backpack, and the door. “And you are?”

“Jaune. Jaune Arc.” He held out a hand- nevermind the tray she carried- and smiled wide. “I’m a local.”

“Charming.” A sigh slipped past her lips, starting towards the doors; a lunch out among the pleasant air seemed novel enough for her to try it at least once. “Weiss Schnee.”

“That’s a really pretty name.” Keeping pace with her, Jaune hurried ahead to open the door. At the very least, his heart seemed in the right place. “Where are you from?”

“Atlas.” She spied an empty table, which would work well enough. As she sat down, Weiss noticed she wasn’t alone and resigned herself to entertaining company. Honestly, she’d rather enjoyed the distance everyone else had kept so far; back in her homeland, she could hardly take three steps without being surrounded by people who cared about as much for her as most people did about the grass beneath their shoes. “I’d rather not talk about it.”

“That’s okay! We can talk about other things.” He offered in a friendly matter. Before she had the chance to point out that she actually intended on eating her lunch, Jaune suddenly went stock still, shrinking down where he sat. “Oh no. It’s them.”

“Them?” Turning around, she followed his gaze to see two groups of people entering the little courtyard in front of the cafeteria, each bedecked in what would be considered uniforms for the sheer conformity of each person wearing it. 

On the one hand, bluejeans and black leather jackets, sigils stitched into the right shoulder that provided the only difference between them, calf high boots, and letters across the back- BYRP. This look she’d already dissected, having run into Blake earlier in the day, much to her own surprise, though she hadn’t been formally introduced to the other members of the ‘crew’, as some had taken to calling the four. It painted such a starkly different picture to the Blake she’d become familiar with during her brief time on the shore with the Faunus.

On the other, board shorts and tank tops with sigils on the front and the letters CFVY on the back, putting on display rather impressive muscles from the four, the whole lot also wearing sunglasses though of slightly varying designs.

The two groups seemed to regard the other with very pointed disinterest. It was almost funny.

“They’re bad news.” He puffed out his chest a bit with a little bit of bravado. “Don’t worry, I can protect you; they don’t usually give me any grief.”

“How are they bad news?” She glanced at the young man, raising a brow in askance to prove that she genuinely wanted to know.

“Well, like... they’re gangs, and they start nothing but trouble.” He seemed genuinely surprised when she waved her hand for something more concrete, begging him to continue. “Like- okay, like, BYRP-”

“Burp?”

“Yeah, that’s what they call themselves.” He jerked his chin towards Blake’s group. “Each one of them just gets up to no good. That little one? Her name’s Ruby, and she’s a total speed demon! Always talking about how fast she goes! She’s always getting tickets for speeding and she never pays ‘em!”

“... go on.”

“And, and Yang, the blonde- she’s dating a teacher! A teacher! And, yeah, we don’t know who yet, but she talks about her teacher girlfriend all the time! Probably the only reason she hasn’t been expelled.” A headache began to form and she rubbed at her temple absently. “And Pyrrha, she’s... well, I mean, she can be nice, I guess, but she can break people in half! She’s, like, a black belt, and she’s always getting into fights!”

“Here on campus?”

“No, no, at least not since that one time, but, honestly, the dude kinda deserved it.” He winced. “Cardin’s... a royal ass.”

“Wonderful. What about Blake?”

“Oh, them, well, they used to run with a really rough crowd. Called themselves White Fangs, used to cause all sorts of trouble!”

“And what have they done recently?”

“Uh... oh! They got into it with Professor Oobleck once a few weeks back, trying to correct his lesson about the Faunus Relocation.” A moment passed as he tilted his head. “I mean, Professor Oobleck admitted they were right, but they could’ve been nicer about it.”

Mentally, she summoned the deepest depth of her patience. “And the other group?”

“Oh, CFVY, they’re just as bad!” He quickly glanced around at the sudden uptick in volume his voice had taken, comforted when no one seemed to be paying their conversation any mind. Then he continued in a softer voice. “Well, take Coco. She’s always running red lights and she never followed instructions during art class.”

“Oh, the horror.”

“Look, I’m just saying, there’s a pattern of behavior.” Jaune shrugged. “Fox is always tripping people or shoulder checking them and Yatsuhashi? I mean, look at him, he’s always scowling like that, as if everyone around him is this huge inconvenience. Then there’s Velvet.” He shook his head. “No, she’s not someone to mess with; she lost her ear in a brawl when she went on vacation. Vacation! Can you believe that? People should relax on vacation.”

“Where’d she go?”

“Huh?”

“Where did she go?” Weiss raised a brow. “On vacation.”

“Oh... I dunno.” He shrugged. “Does that matter?”

“Yes, it does, because I can see from here that it’s a clean cut, but not the sort made by a surgeon.” She tilted her head, using her good eye to examine the two groups standing off facing each other. They didn’t seem aggressive, per se, but they definitely looked like they were posturing for show. The question was: who was the show for? “In some parts of Remnant, Faunus still face heavy discrimination.” A frown touched her lips. “My part of the world is most certainly one of them. That’s not the sort of wound inflicted during a bar fight and cleaned up after; it was probably made by a blade, clean enough that whatever medical profession she sought- if any- didn’t deem removing more to be necessary.” Her gaze shifted. “And Ruby hardly looks old enough to be at this school, much less to drive a car. What kind does she drive? Do you know?”

“Uh, no... I’ve... never actually seen her drive.”

“I suspect she doesn’t, especially since I saw her chaining up her bike this morning. And him, Fox you said? Have you ever waved to him and he didn’t react?”

“Oh, all the time! It’s like no one exists around him!”

“... you do realize he’s blind, right?” He pointed out the striped cane- red and dark brown, a strange color combination but it worked. “He literally can’t see, so it’s no wonder he bumps into people who aren’t paying attention themselves.” She sighed. “And the big one, Yatsuhashi. He’s not scowling; he’s quite clearly relaxed. You can tell by the slump of his shoulders. This is coming from someone with a genetic predisposition towards ‘resting bitch face’; I know that look, and it conveys nothing more than disinterest.”

“Well, what about Blake and Pyrrha? They’re still bad news. And Coco.”

“Oh, yes, imagine a student hearing an incorrect history that she has a vested personal interest in and being polite about it being taught incorrectly. See the previous mention I made about ‘heavy discrimination’.” She shrugged. “And you yourself can admit that Pyrrha’s done nothing wrong that you can remember, except beat up someone who deserved the treatment. Not sure about Coco, though.”

With every word, he seemed more confused than before, shifting uncomfortably when she shifted her gaze back to him. “Well, we can at least agree that Yang’s definitely in the wrong, right?”

“Well, let’s see. What’s Yang’s full name?”

“Uh, Yang Xiao Long, but why does that matter?”

“Because the ‘teacher’ she’s dating is my sister,” Weiss replied with a little smirk. “And I can assure you, she doesn’t work here. Or at all, actually; she’s studying at the college for her teaching degree.” She shrugged. “Although we’ve yet to meet face-to-face, Winter made sure to clear it through me before the two started dating, and given the recent development of that relationship, I think that rather effectively debunks the idea that Yang’s some sort of deviant.” A pause, and then she narrowed her eyes. “If anything, shame on the teacher for dating a student, by the by. I think that’s an important distinction to make.”

Jaune blinked, his shoulders slumping. “So... you’re saying...”

“That you should use your eyes- seeing as you have two of them- rather than putting stock in exaggerated rumors.” She stood up, grabbing her lunch tray and giving him a small smile. “And, just to be clear, you should endeavor to learn a bit about a person before judging them one way or another. As another example: I don’t want to date you. I’m a lesbian.”

“I- well- I don’t know what-”

“Look me in the eye and tell me you actually wanted to get to know me as a person before asking me out on a date.” When he remained silent, she nodded. “You’re a nice enough guy, Jaune. But... try to remember that everyone you meet is a person, first, and there’s far more to them than meets the eye.” She turned her head, ensuring he could see the damage done to her left eye that robbed her of vision. “And coming from someone who’s half blind, let me assure you: it was a difficult lesson to learn and even harder to put it into practice. Be thankful you’ve gained the knowledge much easier than I did.”

Turning away, she started towards the groups of troublemakers, who seemed to be quite content trading barbs between them.

Velvet narrowed her eyes, crossing her arms over her chest. As much as she enjoyed the daily shit talking with Blake’s crew, she did want to eat today. “Look, Belladonna, it’s been fun, but now you’re bugging me. Step off.”

“Like hell I will.” They narrowed their amber eyes. “We go through this every day, Scarletina. Just give it up already. It’s getting old.”

“It really is.” Ruby grumbled, a little furrow to her brow as she outright pouted.

No, she would not lose because of that damn pout. “Then move it. We ain’t got all day.”

“What seems to be the problem?” A new voice cut in, prompting all eight of them to turn their heads to acknowledge the fool who’d dare interrupt their daily beef.

“Oh, uh, h-hi, Weiss.” And in the blink of an eye, her calm and cool rival of years turned into a stuttering, blushing fool. “W-we were, just, well-”

“We’re determining who eats first.” Coco supplied, obviously intrigued by the newcomer’s appearance.

Snapping out of her surprise, Velvet nodded. “Yeah. We ate first yesterday. It’s their turn.”

Weiss blinked. “I’m sorry; you’re arguing for the other group to eat first.”

“Yeah.” She shrugged. “It’s only polite.” She shot a look at Blake. “But they’re being difficult, as usual.”

“Look, we both know they don’t always have enough pizzas for all of us, and it’s practically the only thing you eat!” Blake snapped out, apparently regaining their ability to properly speak. “So just go in and grab your food, you punk!”

“You’ve got the runt! You go grab food!”

“Okay, my food is getting cold, so as amusing as this is,” Weiss said, turning towards Blake. “You four come with me. You’re eating first today.”

“Finally!” Ruby threw her hands in the air and turned towards the cafeteria. “They better have some cookies left!”

Velvet watched with a smirk, taking a bit of pride in the annoyance flashing across her rival’s expression, but it died in the next moment when Weiss laid a hand on their forearm and pulled their attention away.

“Come along, now. I’d love to hear more about your friends.”

As BYRP started towards the cafeteria, Velvet watched, mood souring with every step.

“Uh oh. Someone is jealous.”

“Shut up, Coco.”

“Wait, who’s jealous?” Fox paused. “It’s Velvet, isn’t it?”

“Yup.”

“Shut up, Yatsu.”

Fox whistled low. “So what’s the score?”

“That new voice you heard was a very pretty girl turning Belladonna into a blushing mess, and our sweet little Velvs is jealous.”

“I am not jealous.” She rounded on her friends, her glare hardly effective against them. “Who would I even be jealous of, by the way? Belladonna? Ha! I could get a girl as pretty as that to go on a date with me.”

“You can’t count yourself,” Yatsu said, earning a groan and two snickers for his contribution. “But, seriously, you think you’re jealous of Belladonna?”

“I am not-”

“Excuse me.” Velvet turned around slowly, coming face-to-face with the woman who’d so effortlessly thrown her rival off guard. “Here.”

Umber eyes fell to find a pizza being held out towards her. “Uh...”

“To make sure they didn’t run out.” She shrugged nonchalantly. “Everyone wins.” With a little bit of hesitation, Velvet accepted the pizza box. “There we go. Enjoy your lunch.”

After Weiss had walked away, Velvet regarded her lunch with a furrow to her brow. “I’m stealing Belladonna’s girl.”

Yatsu sighed. “You idiot.”

“I have twenty-twenty vision compared to you,” Fox said with a groan.

Coco just put her hand on Velvet’s shoulder and pushed her glasses down so their eyes could meet. “Velvs, honey, light of my life... do you really think you’re jealous of Belladonna?”

“Of course!” She gestured with the pizza box. “Who else could I be jealous of?”

“Uh, Weiss. Obviously.”

“What?” A laugh burst from her lips. “Oh, that’s funny as hell, Coco. You really had me going there for a sec.”

“God, you’re hopeless.” Her best friend threw her hands in the air. “Fine, fuck it, let’s go help you make an idiot of yourself. What are friends for?”

Velvet watched as her rival and their crew exited the cafeteria, heading in with her friends to grab their food.

It still made her laugh a little, though. 

Her? Jealous of Weiss? For what, effortlessly getting Blake to do something?

Ha! Yeah, right!

#TRR writes #Frappuccino #Grease!Frapp AU #BECAUSE I AM BOTH ENCOURAGEABLE AND INCORRIGIBLE #Elderburn #because NO ONE CAN STOP ME but it's legit just for the joke

[palaceofpassion]

Friends?

Something that was a bit of a brain worm.  

Eventual possible white knight if I continue this.

She was nervous, though she outwardly tried not to show it, but she was in fact very nervous.  Today was going to be the day that Weiss lost her virginity, Yang and Blake’s taunts having finally gotten the best of her, her own nerves finally giving in, all of it combined together leading her asking Neptune. He was the only boy she’d ever had any form of relationship with to… to perform relations.  

However, in her nervous steps, she hadn’t realized someone else was approaching her.

To her surprise, it was Jaune, the young man still in his combat gear.  Something that hadn’t come as a surprise to her, it was the worst kept secret that he would sometimes train at night.  And… It worried all of them.  

“Why not Jaune?”

A little thought in her head asked, though she quickly pushed it aside.  She’d seen the lack of interest in her, the way his eyes didn’t even consider her an option anymore… though perhaps it wasn’t just her.  

THere was no shine in his eyes, as if he’d lost a part of himself, and for all intents and purposes he had.  When Pyrrha died, she knew that a part of him died with it.  So he wasn’t the boy she remembered, even if perhaps she tried to remember him as.  And perhaps that was the biggest reason she never considered him.  

She still remembered Jaune from then…

“Hey.”  

His voice was full of surprise, and a bit of guilt.  They hadn’t had a chance to talk since the incident, now that she thought about it. 

“Hello.”  

She turned her attention away from him, not wanting to let the dusty red rose on her cheeks show.  

“You alright Weiss?”

“Yes I’m perfectly fine.”

He wasn’t buying it.

“Uh huh… your legs fidget and your right foot taps when you’re nervous Weiss.”  

She stopped her foot, only then realizing that he was right.  

“Yes well… if you must know, I have a date.”  

Perhaps this would get him jealous?  She truly didn’t mean it to, but there was still part of her that felt venomous towards who he used to be.  Not that she was much better.

“Oooh!  Neat!”

Not what she was expecting.  

“Yes, with Neptune.”

“Wait Neptune?  Didn’t he-”  

He chose to silence himself, she knew what he was going to say.  Though he apparently had enough tact to stop himself.

“I hope you have a good time.”

His tone shifted to a softer kinder expression, something she was not used to hearing, not from him.

“Excuse me?”

“Yeah, I hope you have a good time.”  

He was smiling at her, genuinely smiling, that… he really wasn’t the same anymore huh?

“Thank you…”  Her foot continued to tap.

“That’s not all is it?”  

She bit her bottom lip, and without meaning to, spilled the beans.  “Yes well… I plan to take things a bit further, if you will.”

It took him far too long to get the meaning of her words, “Oh!  Oh!  Well I hope you have a really good time then.”  

“Yes well…”  

“You’re nervous?”

He finished for her.

“A little.”  

She didn’t have the ice cold shield to protect her anymore.

“I think that’s fine isn’t it?  Everyone has the right to be nervous about these kinds of things.  Just…”  Jaune stepped closer, taking a seat on the sofa.  “If things become too uncomfortable, just let him know.  If you don’t feel like you can go through with it.”

“I see… Jaune?”

“Yeah?”

“I don’t know, if I’m being honest.  I feel as if I’m caught between two worlds.  One where, I’ve been taught that acting like this is perhaps… unsightly… and I’m disgusting for entertaining this thought.  And the other where I’m expected to do something like this…”  

She wasn’t sure why she confessed to Jaune of all people, it wasn’t like the two of them were close or anything.  Perhaps that made this much easier to talk about, because they weren’t close.

“There is no shame in backing out Weiss.  It’s your decision, and who you want to be with.”

The sudden seriousness in his voice surprised her, “Weiss, you aren’t… you aren’t unsightly.  What you do with your body is up to you and only you.  Who cares what others think?  And you shouldn’t  feel pressured to do anything you don’t want to do.  It’s your body, and your decisions.  Don’t let others make you feel less than you are, because Weiss, you’re amazing.”  

“Haha, of course I’m not really an expert on these kinds of things, so you know, may not want to take my word for it.”

Then he smiled again, and she found herself absolutely breathless.  This had not been the response she’d expected from him.  

“Thank you Jaune.”  She fought back a tear, getting emotional wasn’t what she wanted…

A knock at the door caught her attention. “See you later Jaune.”

“See you later Weiss.  Don't forget to use protection though!” 

She rolled her eyes, and waved him goodbye.  

And so she left the young knight as he turned his attention to his scroll, a soft smile on his face.  

When Weiss got back home, the first thing she’d noticed was that Jaune was still there, in the same position she’d left him, still looking at his scroll.

"Weiss?"  He'd ask her, a bit groggy as he closed his scroll.  "You're back early."

"Yes well... as it turns out it wasn't as long as I thought.  Perhaps Yang and Blake like to over exaggerate."

Jaune's eyebrow quickly cocks, his eyes unmoving as they stare into her, "Hey Weiss?"

"Yes?"

"Why did you go out with Neptune anyways?"

"What perchance do you mean?"

"I mean, I know you went to have-"

"Relations."

"Relations.  But I thought you'd gotten over him, after you know."  He twirled a finger around.

"Ah yes, well he was the only man I could ask."

"Okay, but why such a rush?   We're still young aren't we?"

Weiss opened her mouth and shut it, "Can you keep a secret?"

"Sure."

She took a quick seat next to him, shifting a tiny smidge closer than she should have.  "Yang and Blake were going on and on about an experience they had with Sun recently and... perhaps I was feeling jealous, and a smidge lonely.  Especially with... you know."  She pointed at her abdomen, though she winced as she noticed his mood fall.

"Ah yeah... I'm sorry."

"Jaune... it's not your fault.  I was an easy target, and out of aura."

Though he said nothing more, he was obviously not appeased.

"Well... I was thinking about who I could share a moment with, and... well Yang and Blake suggested I try to have se- relations with someone."

Jaune nodded, "Okay.  But why Neptune."

"Again he was the man that came to mind."

Jaune gave a thoughtful expression, "What about Sun?  Or perhaps Re-... no Nora would kill you."  He tried to think for a moment, "Oh!  You could have gone to the local brothel, from what I heard, there are plenty of men there as well."

Weiss hummed, "Yes, but I would prefer if it was with someone I had known... though perhaps Neptune wasn't the best choice."

Jaune nodded once more as he turned back to his scroll.

It was only then, while he looked away as he gave her words thought, that she'd forgotten about him.  And it wasn't by accident either, he'd grown sure, but she was still stuck on the image of the boy who flirted with her over and over.  Yet... wasn't that better than the man who practically cheated on her?

"Ah well... sorry that your first time wasn't special.  That actually kind of sucks."

She wasn't sure why, but she felt nervous?  Perhaps anxious?  Not once did he seem to get jealous, nor did he even bother to offer himself up either.

"Yes well... Neptune has made note of wanting to do it again... however..."  She tapped her nails against her leg.

"What... uhm what happened?  If you don't mind me asking."

"I... it wasn't satisfying... I suppose.  He performed well enough, and I was shocked, it was apparently supposed to feel good and while he was endowed... at least from what i researched.  It wasn't exactly..."  Weiss wasn't sure what she was looking for?  He'd lasted about as much as she'd thought he would, from what she read online.  But there was something missing.  "It felt less like he was looking to have relations with me, and just... that he was doing it to satisfy himself." 

Jaune scratched the back of his head, "Ah... well like I said earlier, not really an expert on these things.  But..."  He paused as if choosing his words carefully, "Maybe sex really wasn't what you were looking for?"

"Whatever do you mean?"

He scratched under his chin.  "I dunno, it just sounds like you were trying to be close to someone, maybe you were overthinking it?"

Weiss thought for a moment and in a moment of clarity realized, "Oh... oh I suppose you were right."  She wasn't sure what it was, maybe the tension finally breaking, but a single tear fell down her eye.  "Perhaps i've been a bit silly then."

"What!?  No no!  Everyone wants someone to be close to Weiss, that's perfectly fine."

Weiss thought on his words, and the sudden shift of expression as he turned his attention to his scroll.  The temperature falling, and his mood falling as if he remembered something rather sorrowful.

"Jaune?"

"Yeah?"

"Would you like company?"

He opened his mouth, quickly closing it, as if he was thinking about something, "Sure, though wouldn't you prefer to rest?"

"Hah... I have quite a bit of energy left."  That wasn't a lie, "And don't worry, I took a shower, and used protection.  I shouldn't smell."

he chuckled, a good hearty one, something she hadn't realized she'd missed over these last few weeks.

"Sure."

And without realizing it, she shifted closer.

#Weiss Schnee #Jaune Arc #Whiteknight

[itsclydebitches]

Summary: A set of interconnected one-shots that surround Ruby and her favorite teachers.

Chapter One: Dr. Oobleck is very impressed by a certain team's unique study habits.

Chapter Two: After Weiss is injured in battle, Ruby seeks out extra training from Ms. Goodwitch.

Chapter Three: Unable to sleep, Ruby ends up having a late night conversation with the Headmaster.

This Chapter: After their talk by the lake, Ruby starts spending a lot more time in Ozpin's office.

Fandom: RWBY

Words: 13,875

Warnings: None

Pairings: None - gen

Where to Read it: Below the cut or on AO3 (AO3 recommended for formatting)

Headmaster Ozpin (2) 

“Back again, Ms. Rose?”

Ruby looked up from her spot on the floor, books piled in her lap and a string of licorice dangling halfway out of her mouth. It was, as always, an adorable image, even moreso when the young girl’s eyes popped comically wide, her homework flying every which way as she scrambled to her feet.

Ozpin gazed down fondly—though he’d schooled his features by the time Ruby looked back up.

“Mm wowwry,” she mumbled, licorice bobbing.

“I’m afraid I don’t speak Full Mouth.”

Ruby blushed. She bit the candy, swallowing hard, and hid the rest of it behind her back. With an embarrassed grin she tried again. “I’m sorry. I was just... uh...” She looked down at the odd nest she’d made.

It certainly was something. Ruby had shucked her cloak and used it as a pillow-blanket combo, spreading out all her work (as well as some snacks) in a half circle. There were crumbs on the floor and a scuff from her boots, none of which would have been very notable if they hadn’t been directly outside the Headmaster’s office.

Ozpin pulled his elevator keys from his pocket, dangling them briefly. “Why don’t we go inside, hmm?”

Ruby nodded and by the time he’d opened the door the blast of wind and rose petals had gathered up all Ruby’s things.

In all honesty Ozpin wasn’t nearly as surprised to see Ruby as he appeared—and it had nothing to do with sensing her all the way down from the courtyard. No, Ruby seemed to be developing a surprisingly close-knit relationship with most of her instructors. Bart was a given—you didn’t fight side by side in the battles they had without developing some sort of camaraderie, no matter the age difference—and he knew all about her extra training with Glynda. Ozpin had been quite pleased to speak with her that night by the lake, though he hadn’t expected anything to come of it. Ruby’s arrival two days later, complete with shy glances and a rambled request to just ‘hang out’... that had been the surprise.

She’d kept returning too. He honestly wasn’t sure what to make of it.

Walking out into his office Ozpin set his mug and cane on his desk, watching as Ruby threw herself into the guest chair and a couple of candies tumbled out of her pocket. He’d have guessed she was only here for the free food if she didn’t bring so much of it herself.

“Gumdrop?” she asked and Ozpin smiled, shaking his head. Ruby popped the sweet into her mouth and went back to looking at the floor.

Hmm.

“Perhaps something more substantial?”

It was almost lunch after all. Just a few minutes after Ozpin had sent a request through his scroll Sandy came in with Beacon’s generic selection for guests: a variety of sandwiches, chips, fresh fruit, and tea. He smiled his thanks and when she was gone Ozpin supplemented the meal with his own addition, a plate of cookies from his personal kitchenette, baked just that morning.

“Sweets last,” he reminded Ruby and she guiltily snatched her hand back, turning instead to pick up a sandwich.

The effect was immediate though. Just having something to do with her hands seemed to relax Ruby and Ozpin felt better seeing the tension ease out of her shoulders. He’d realized over the course of her first year here that food was quite important to Ruby. Or rather, what food tended to represent: community, family, conversation, something warm and soothing to ease one’s soul after a long day of battle. Whether Ruby realized this or not, Ozpin was quite in agreement with her.

He selected the chicken salad for himself.

“Did something happen?” Ozpin asked softly, watching Ruby nibble at a strawberry. She shook her head.

“Was there something in particular you wanted to discuss with me?”

Another shake.

With a small sigh Ozpin set down his mug. “Then you must forgive my confusion. You are young, Ruby. Popular. It’s a gorgeous Friday afternoon and the weekend is waiting...” Ozpin gestured to the large windows behind him. Sun did indeed shine through, small rainbows hitting the desk and the sound of the student body rising up, slightly muted. They could both hear laughter though. “Surely you have better things to do than spend time with your boring headmaster.”

“You’re not boring!” Ruby cried and Ozpin very nearly laughed. Ah, what a world they were living in if he needed his personality defended by a child. Still, he inclined his head briefly in thanks.

“I simply mean,” he said, “that there are others out there who would enjoy your company.”

Ruby blew out a breath.

Her first visit after that night had just been for a brief ‘thank you’ between classes, shoving a new bag of caramels into Ozpin’s hands to make up for the ones she’d eaten. Then Ruby had stopped by for more leadership advice—though he’d gotten the distinct impression that her questions were just a screen for something else. When Ruby had stepped out of the elevator earlier this week, arms overflowing with budget files of all things, brightly exclaiming that she’d told Ms. Goodwitch that she’d bring them over for her and asking if she could stay for just a little bit... well, Ozpin admitted to a bit of worry.

And he hadn’t been lying a moment before. Despite past and power, Ozpin considered himself to be a singularly boring man. He ran his school. He read. He spouted morals that he’d been told grated adults’ nerves and put the students straight to sleep. The idea that vibrant Ms. Rose would actively seek him out for companionship—especially given other options—was quite the impossibility.

Which left only one explanation. She had a problem in need of solving.

The sooner Ozpin unraveled what that problem was, the sooner Ruby could go back to living her life.

He let her think over his comment and Ozpin was surprised to see Ruby giving it considerable thought, head bent as she continued alternating between sandwich and fruit. She’d devoured a considerable amount before finally looking up, teeth now gnawing her lower lip instead.

“It’s gonna sound weird,” she said quietly.

Ozpin leaned forward. “I quite like ‘weird.’”

That got a small smile out of her—as he’d hoped it would—and Ruby set her plate aside, drawing her legs up onto the chair and crossing them. She still had her cloak off and draped in her lap. She wrung it between her hands.

“Okay.” Ruby drew in a deep breath. “Have you been to Patch? Oh wait, I bet you’ve been everywhere huh? Well, um, then you probably know that it’s quiet there. Like super quite. Especially out in the woods. And yeah I got used to lots of people at Signal and then Yang told me to make more friends which I did but sometimes everything and everyone is so loud. Which sounds stupid, right? I’m loud. But I don’t always like being loud. And I think Weiss is kinda the same so I tried working in the library with her, but she just kept pointing out all of formulas I was getting wrong on Professor Peach’s homework.”

Ruby paused here, scowling adorably, but Ozpin kept his mouth shut. She was energetic alright and sometimes the best course action was no action at all. Let her talk it all out.

After another beat of silence she continued,

“So then I tried reading with Blake, but her phone kept going off the whole time and Yang just wants to hang with her other friends, and Ren and Pyrrha are great, they’re so great, but they’re also always with Jaune and Nora... So. Um. That’s not quiet, exactly. But then,” Ruby started bouncing slightly in her seat. “Then Professor Port gave me detention for sleeping in class—I swear I didn’t mean to!—but I organized papers with him and that was good.” Ruby stopped again, seemingly puzzled. “And I really liked the missions with Dr. Oobleck. Like the downtime we have. And Ms. Goodwitch sometimes let’s me sleep after our sparring sessions. And then with you out by the lake...” Ruby finally looked up. “It’s just... a better kind of quiet. I don’t know how to explain it. You guys just... get it.” She blinked, seemingly unable to articulate further.

Ozpin understood though. It didn’t surprise him in the least that Ruby was looking for a quiet place every once in a while. Every hunter and huntress needed those moments—no matter how normally hyperactive they were. He was, however, slightly taken aback by her choice. Impressed too. After all, it normally took many more years to discover that certain groups of fighters ‘got it’ more than others. Those who’d tested their skills in the wild. Who’d fought monsters with human faces. Those few and far between who understood that there was something larger at play. Ruby ‘got it.’ She always had. Now, it seemed, she sought others who understood it too.

Ozpin nodded slowly. “Would you like to know something, Ruby?”

“Mmm?”

“That’s called ‘maturity.’”

The expression Ruby pulled was both extreme and comical. “Pfff. What? No. Nobody’s ever called me mature before!”

Ozpin smiled. “No? Then they should pay closer attention...and perhaps think about why I let you jump ahead two years.”

Ruby titled her head. That was enough philosophy for one day though. Ozpin gently pushed the plate of cookies her way. “Come as often as you’d like. My door is always open.”

And just like that Ruby was her bubbly self again, snatching up a handful of treats and spraying crumbs as she thanked him again and again.

Ruby did calm though—picking up her homework, settling in—and when she did Ozpin caught the change: the newly relaxed posture, a more thoughtful expression, silver eyes glinting in the sunlight. He watched Ruby inconspicuously over his book and in that moment Ozpin realized something too.

His company was the solution.

Oh dear.

***

The next thing Ozpin realized was that his door was not, literally, open. Figuratively perhaps, but as Ruby had already discovered there were only two ways into the elevator that led up to his office: using the set of old-fashioned keys he kept on his belt, or through the electronic scroll code that only a few like Glynda and James possessed. Were she to ever have need of that space, Ruby would once again be forced to camp outside the doors, quite unbecomingly.

Walking leisurely across his campus, Ozpin considered the possibility that he shouldn't allow a child unlimited access to his workspace. Then again, he trusted Ruby... which was more than he could say for many adults.

"You’re out early," Glynda murmured, walking beside him. Ozpin acknowledged that with a nod and continued on towards the CCT Tower, half hoping that she would just leave him to his errand. No such luck. Glynda picked up her pace to match his, casting Ozpin a rather suspicious glance. He carefully kept his gaze on the path in front of him.

"A beautiful Saturday, isn't it?" he said.

Glynda scoffed. "Don't even try it. I saw the note in your calendar. Who's the access code for then? Surely not Qrow. Please don't tell me you've gone that soft on him."

Interesting. Ozpin believed he was rather hard on Qrow, all things considered; demanding more of him than any one man should ever have to give. Glynda was of the opinion that he kept Qrow out of his office to protect both his secrets and his liquor cabinet. Quite the opposite. Qrow worked harder than any of them and were he to visit—unless he was explicitly in Ozpin's company with a job to complete—there was no reason why he should be doing more. Let the man enjoy visiting his former institution in peace.

Better yet, let him enjoy spending time with his niece. Ozpin was coming to realize that there were many benefits to enrolling Ruby early. Far more than he'd counted on.

"No," he answered simply. "It's not for Qrow."

They continued off campus together, students and civilians alike casting them curious glances. Ozpin was used to it and he smiled or waved indulgently at anyone who returned the favor, stopping briefly once or twice to exchange pleasantries. The CCT Tower remained a monumental example of humanity's accomplishments—their strive for peace too—and Ozpin laid a hand on the wall fondly as they passed inside. Together he and Glynda entered the Information Technology department and were greeted by a smiling Atlas technician. Bright-eyed with her dog's tail wagging, she was very eager to help.

"I'm glad," Ozpin said, answering her declaration, "but I fear I've nothing particularly challenging for you today. I merely need to upload an access code to another CCT scroll."

"Of course, Headmaster." The woman took his own scroll, slotting it into her computer. A highly redacted version of Ozpin's user information popped up on the mainframe. "I just need to know the location and the ID number of the individual you want to add."

"It's the elevator leading to my private office--the information should all be there—though I'm afraid I've never had a good head for numbers."

Ozpin kept a benign smile fixed in place, even as he could feel Glynda's stare and a single, traitorous bead of sweat rolling down his back.

"Her name is Ruby Rose—" he got out and then Glynda's disbelieving shriek distracted them all.

***

'Completely irresponsible.'

'Inane decision making.'

'Utterly blatant favoritism that’s likely to get you fired some day...'

These were just a few of the accusations leveled at Ozpin as he and Glynda made their way back to campus. He bought himself a bit of a reprieve by shooting an email off to Ruby (a simplified explanation that she could now access his office whenever she chose), but eventually Ozpin had to look back up, and when he did Glynda's glare was fearsome.

Silver eyes were meant to denote true warrior spirits. He wondered idly what the old tales said about green eyes.

"I'd like an explanation for this," she insisted, finally grabbing hold of Ozpin's arm to halt him. Glynda sighed then, taking off her glasses to rub briefly at her eyes. She now looked more resigned than anything else. "I'm not stupid, Oz."

"Far from it," he murmured and Glynda shot him another glare.

"I know you've taken an... extensive interest in Ms. Rose, and I'll be the first to admit that you were right to allow her in here." At his look Glynda scowled. "Yes. She's flourishing, I won't deny it, and despite my frustration with your... lenient nature, I do trust you. You know I do. I just want to be sure you've really thought this one out." Glynda spread her arms. "Why risk it?"

In truth Ozpin hadn't thought things out, not really—which was quickly becoming a nasty habit of his where Ruby was concerned—but he ignored that little detail entirely, instead tilting his head as he regarded Glynda. Ozpin took a long sip of his drink before asking, "Risk what? Do you think Ms. Rose would betray me in some manner?" Ozpin smiled. "If she should even find anything of true importance in there." His office wasn't 'bare' by any means, though it certainly appeared that way to the untrained eye.

Glynda crossed her arms. "You know that's not what I mean, but mistakes happen. Anything might. She's only a kid, Oz, and you're giving her an awful lot of free reign. And for what? A little bit of comfort? So she feels special?"

"She is special." Ozpin took another sip. "They all are."

"That's not an answer."

"Perhaps not, but I think we're in agreement about one thing: there's nothing truly little about this situation." He laid a hand on Glynda's shoulder, ignoring her puzzled look. "It will be fine. Of all the things for you to worry about, this shouldn't be one of them."

Glynda sighed. "Perhaps not... but if something does go wrong you will not come running to me to fix it."

Ozpin chuckled. "When have I ever?"

"Constantly."

"Hmm," and he set off for the library, quick enough that he wouldn't have to consider that truth too closely.

***

In the end, it shocked him how quickly he and Ruby fell into a routine.

She didn't visit constantly as she had at the start and Ozpin could only assume that those initial, jittery invasions only felt like such because of Ruby's nerves, a sinking uncertainty about where they stood—or, as she'd so aptly put it, whether he'd think her 'weird' for requesting such a thing from her headmaster. It was admittedly a little odd at first, though when had he ever catered to expectations? Ozpin certainly had no desire to start now.

So at their core things were rather simple. Once or twice a week Ruby would escape the hectic life of a would-be huntress and creep up to his office to do work, read, or sometimes just to sit and look outside. Despite her hyperactive nature, Ruby was unfailing polite about her use of his space and more than once Ozpin looked up from reports and plans to find her still curled in the guest chair, having quite forgotten that she was there. It was after one of those moments—watching growing limbs hanging awkwardly over armrests—that Ozpin had a couch moved into his office, ignoring Glynda's looks the entire while. It was green and rather comfortable. A perfectly logical purchase.

Ruby thanked him for the new seat by gifting him with a throw. It was, of course, red and clashed somewhat atrociously with the couch's coloring... but where was the fun in safe aesthetics? Ozpin kept in draped on the back for her and was known to use it himself on occasion, long after hours when the nights were cool.

Ruby still brought endless sweets in her pockets and Ozpin still supplied lunch or dinner whenever the timing was right. Sometimes Ruby would pop her head in between classes, only to find him engaged with someone else and she'd scurry out, disrupting nothing and leaving only a few petals in her wake. On a few occasions Ozpin returned to find the smell of Ms. Schnee's perfume hanging in the air, or a few long blonde strands of hair on the couch, or a rather racy book left accidentally between the cushions (that had caused quite the embarrassment for Ms. Belladonna). Never once did he find the place unkempt after such occurrences and, truth be told, he was thrilled that Ruby felt comfortable enough to bring her team here.

Wonderful, to treasure such small things. What Ozpin valued most though were their conversations.

"He's fiiiiine," Ruby insisted, referring to one Mr. Arc and his seemingly endless difficulties with Mr. Winchester. She nibbled on the edge of her pen before adding, "I mean yeah, that jello thing at lunch was kinda mean, but he and Cardin aren't really fighting anymore. I think Cardin just does it for, like..."

"For appearances sake?"

"Yeah. That."

Interesting. Of course, very little went on in his school that Ozpin didn't know about, but it was still reassuring to hear that Mr. Winchester's antagonism was waning. There were more deserving targets for that boy's creative cruelty.

"Plus," Ruby said, "if he does get really mean again Nora will break his legs. Jaune might even break his legs someday. He and Pyrrha have been training. I think they think it's some big secret... but it's not."

Ozpin chuckled. "I see. And how goes your training with Ms. Goodwitch?"

In response Ruby gasped, scrambling to her feet, papers and books flying, and Ozpin was quite taken aback when she shoved her long sleeves up to show him a series of familiar, energy-blast patterned bruises.

"She's so strong," Ruby gushed. "And fast! I mean I'm fast, but Ms. Goodwitch..." Ruby shook her head. "I couldn't dodge this one and it went right through my Aura. I still haven't been able to heal it. I'm just so tired." She said 'tired' like another kid would say 'excited.' Ruby flopped back onto the couch with an ecstatic grin, kicking her legs up and letting out a laugh.

Ozpin regarded her carefully over his glasses. He actually knew that Glynda felt bad about that particular injury—she hadn't exaggerated the severity—but Ruby seemed to be taking it well. Still—

"You're free to visit the infirmary," he said. Ozpin's hand was already resting on a small pad of paper. "I'm happy to write you a note for your next class."

Ruby kicked up her legs again. "Nah. I kinda like it. Yang says it's badass."

"...I see."

There. That right there was the joy. Ozpin hadn't realized how removed his office was from everything else he'd strived to make his school into. It was sterile, drab, and the only things that occurred there were work or meetings, a pervasive sense of dread hanging in the air from worried students and equally anxious colleagues. Ozpin loved to stand at the window and watch the students go by, though he hadn't realized just separate he'd become, literally removed from them and (arrogantly) standing above. Ruby changed all that with simple worries and calm conversation. She brought a spot of color to the room.

And yes. Ozpin enjoyed the company. Was it really awful to appreciate someone who didn't need him only for his teachings or plans?

A soft ding sounded, alerting him that someone was on their way up. Ruby turned until she was laying across the couch. She got her head situated on the armrest right as Bart walked in.

"Hi, Dr. Oobleck!" she called, waving at him upside down. Within seconds Bart was by her side, fixing his glasses to get a better look.

"Hello, Ms. Rose. Capital day, isn't it? Why, you should be outside! Unless that's my essay I see you writing? Ah, good, good, I'd never deter you in that case. Although... you don't honestly think the surrounding walls are Atlas' greatest defense, do you?"

"Um..." Ruby slowly sat up, slid the notebook into her lap, and tore the sheet out, crumpling it into her pocket. "No?"

"Hmm. Indeed."

Ozpin covered his mouth briefly with his hand.

"Did you need something, Bart?" he asked pointedly and with a surprising amount of tack Ruby began packing up her things, giving them both a quick wave before zooming for the door. Bart nodded, waiting, though Ozpin called Ruby back just before she entered the elevator.

"Ms. Rose? Airships."

"Really," Bart huffed as the doors closed. "I'd kindly ask you not to help my students cheat on their homework."

"So telling her not to pursue an essay on walls isn't cheating?" Ozpin poured them both tea. "How enlightening."

"I merely steered her towards a more useful path."

"As have I. Is that not why we're here? To guide them?"

"I do sometimes wonder."

Bart, as always, was incapable of standing still. He took the tea gratefully and flit from one end of the room to the other, talking animatedly about the upcoming festival and how pleased he was to be chosen as an announcer. It was after they'd gone through two cups each that Bart suddenly stopped, head titled curiously at the elevator. He turned back to Ozpin.

"She's become much more studious," he commented, as if Ruby had left two minutes ago and not twenty.

Ozpin smiled over the rim of his cup. "I expect she has things worth studying for now. Perhaps even excellent history professors she wishes to impress."

"Hah," Bart sent a blinding grin Ozpin's way. "Flattery will get you everywhere, my friend."

***

Small, simple moments.

They were the kind Ozpin had learned to cherish over the years—pinpricks of hope to look back on. Experiences that, he hoped, defined him more than his mistake did.

Sadly, they never lasted.

The days grew shorter, then colder, and before Ozpin knew it winter was nearly upon them. Funny, that he who was tethered to time in such a manner would so often loose track of it. It was shocking to look up one morning and find the trees dead beneath his window, the landscape an icy color and all the students huddled for warmth. There was a chill in the air... though sadly it had little to do with the changing weather. Pieces were moving, pawns and queens beginning to step out of the shadows, and Ozpin could only hope that he was prepared for their next move. He'd grown tired lately, the kind of heavy, deep-seated tiredness that wasn't alleviated by sleep. Not that he was sleeping much as it was. There was too much to do and when his body did finally revolt, Ozpin found his sleep riddled with familiar nightmares. They were like old acquaintances, and he could do nothing but play the gracious host, offering them a seat whenever they designed to visit.

Tonight was one of those nights. He could feel it.

Ozpin rubbed at his forehead, barely suppressing a sigh.

"You okay?"

Ah, but there was some warmth. Ruby was in her usual spot on the couch, her throw and cloak piled up in her lap, a book and hot cocoa in easy reach. She had kept away the last few weeks, burdened by missions and exams, and it seemed to be a random choice that brought her to his door tonight. They hadn't done anything extraordinary, just their respective reading, but Ozpin had felt some of the tension seeping out of him as the night wore on, just through having someone sitting near. He knew that the rest of team RWBY was absent for the winter holidays: Ms. Schnee visiting her sister, Ms. Xiao Long off with a group of friends in the upper-class, and Ms. Belladonna figuratively absent, holed away in her own spot in the library. Perhaps Ruby was looking for companionship tonight too.

Or perhaps he was just an old fool.

"I'm fine," Ozpin said, though Ruby didn't look convinced. "Truly. My sleep has just been... restless lately."

Ruby nodded slowly. She gnawed at her bottom lip. "I used to have trouble sleeping," she admitted then. Quick, like ripping off a bandaid.

"Used to?" Ozpin teased, trying to lighten the mood, and Ruby obligingly stuck out her tongue.

"Okay yeah, sometimes I still get them—snakes are creepy, and Ren is mean, and he keeps retelling the story of the King Tajitus he fought during initiation--but not as much anymore. Not since coming here."

Ozpin moved back to the front of his desk, closing the distance between them. This happened occasionally. Little pockets of time where the world was still and truths were shared. They were rare. Ozpin handled this one like he would a piece of spun glass.

"What changed?" he asked softly.

"People," Ruby said. "I used to sneak into Dad's room when I was really little. Then Yang's. Then I came here and I didn't need to." She smiled, a soft little thing. "Weiss isn't the only one who wanted bunk beds as a kid. Nightmares are easy when you have people sleeping next to you. Do you have someone, Professor?"

It was asked with the upmost innocence and Ozpin didn't miss her little deduction about what kept him up at night. What could he do but answer her honestly?

"No," he said.

"Then sleep here."

There was a familiar bounce in her step as Ruby leapt off the couch, quickly sweeping her things onto the side table. She pulled the throw up like you would a duvet and shook it enticingly.

Ozpin cast her an amused look. "You cannot be serious."

"Yeah, I'm never serious." Ruby grinned.

"I don't make a habit of taking naps in front of my students."

"But you'll let us nap here. And bring us cookies. And give us your jacket if we're cold. Uh huh, Velvet told me about that. You take care of us all the time. I really don't see how it's any different, Sir."

Ah. Perhaps not.

The wisdom of a simple soul.

It was slightly surreal, walking forward with silver eyes watching his every move. Ruby was a perceptive girl though and she turned to give him some semblance of privacy, skipping over to his desk and muttering just loud enough about how she could sit in the big chair now. Ozpin chuckled, feeling just a touch of that awkwardness seep out of him. He toed off his shoes and laid down, suit and all. He could only imagine what he looked like: too tall and stiff as a board.

Ruby didn't say anything though. Ozpin kept his eyes fixed firmly on the ceiling, using logic to find some kind of peace. There was hardly anyone on campus right now. There was no one he was expecting. It was late, and even Salem's pawns had to take a night off. There was, in short, nothing to disturb him—and no one to judge.

No one but Ruby. And she—like her uncle, like her mother, her father, and her sister--was someone Ozpin trusted.

He was normally a man who understood time, controlled it, and catalogued its passing. Like the changing of seasons though, sometimes time passed even Ozpin by.

The next morning, he wouldn't recall when exactly his eyes slipped shut.

"Night, professor."

#RWBY #Ozpin #Ruby Rose #Glynda Goodwitch #Oobleck #RWBYfic