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magnhild · 4 years

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Before the Dawn didn’t ‘retcon’ Sun- an explanation from an actual writing major

Since the release of Before the Dawn, the sequel to RWBY’s After the Fall, I’ve seen a lot of different takes on it, but there’s a consistent one that it completely and utterly absurd- the idea that Sun Wukong’s persnality was ‘retconned’ for the book. The idea is, quite frankly ridiculous.

Before I get into why this take is so stupid, let me first explain what a retcon actually is, seeing as this fandom has so little understanding of the word. Retroactive continuity, often shortened as ‘retcon’ is a literary device that ignores or outright contradicts something already established in a work’s canon. For example, one actual retcon in RWBY would be the DC comics, while being canon, showing Ruby talking in full scentences shortly after Summer’s death, when Yang previously stated in the show that Ruby could barely talk when it happened.

A retcon is not something being explained differently or adittional information being given towards soemthing, even if these other details hadn’t been come up with to begin with. Salem’s backstory, for example, is not a retcon of the show’s opening narration, because not only is the opening narration very simplied so that it’s easier for the auidence to understand, but it’s also done by Salem herself, who would natutally not be telling the full story.

Now, the case with Sun is not the first time I’ve heard the claim that a character was retconned in the novels. While I don’t know if it’s at all a popular idea, one Redditor ranted at me in fury about how bad After the Fall must have been if it characterized Velvet as at all sassy because we’d never seen her that way in the books, ignoring my attempts to explain that, realistically, shy people are not going to be as shy around people they know well.

The couple of times I’ve shared these screenshots on Twitter were met with the same scorn I felt upon recieveing such responses (espeiclaly since the last comment was posted around two weeks after the rest of the conversation). So, when people failed to see that the situation with Sun was the same, it surprised me.

People claim that BTD characterized Sun completely differently as he is in the show. This is...weird, but I can slightly understand why people would jump to the conclusion that the personality he has in the book is somehow different to his personality in the show.

The first thing of note is that Sun still very much exhibits the personality traits that he’s known for; the positive ones. The very prologue of the book shows that, even in a fight, he’s still cheerful, easygoing and goofy, and we see several moments of this throughout the entire book. The second thing is that 99% of his scenes in the show are with Blake, who he has (or had) a literal crush on. Of course he would act differently around her and her friends than he would around his team, or people he didn’t care as much about. Right away, this shows that his personality was not contradicted and was, thus not retconned. But, of course, I have more to say than that.

The first big complaint regarding something that was indeed added in the book- or, at least, that we didn’t see in the show (given how Sun is not at all a character of focus) is that he’s shown to be angry and on-edge at certain points. And yes, this is not soemthing we saw of him in the show, but it’s also not out-of-character, and very easily understandable. Sun returned to his team expecting everything to be fine and dandy after a quick apology for leaving them, so when they don’t instantly forgive him and are still angry with him, he doesn’t understand, and thus becomes angry with them in return. He had an idea in his mind of how things would go, and when this didn’t go to plan and he continued to be confronted on his flaws, he can’t help but be a little salty about being treated this way by the people he’s known the longest among the main cast. For him, it’s a personal issue. The only reason we never saw him this angry in the show is because nothing ever personally affected him. He had no reason to be truly angry at anything because they were Blake’s problems, not his, and while he would natually want to help her out, he didn’t have any personal feelings towards the matter. But his team are supposed to be his friends, and here they are, not forgiving him after he apologized and everything. In his mind, he was being critizied even though he thought he’d fixed the problem with a simple apology.

The second big complaints are those of how Sun’s not-great relationship with his team throughout most of the book are contradictory to the last time we saw him in the show. People thought that his acknlowedgement of his shortcomings as a leader meant that he was going to be an instantly better one after the fact. These people fail to realize two major problems with this- the first being that there’s no rushing personal improvment. It’s very weird to me that people thought that Sun could instantly become a better leader when he was such a bad one in the first place. The second problem is that Sun, despite his name, is not the brightest bulb, and I say this in the nicest way possible. It’s made clear by both the show and the book that, while he acknowledged that he shouldn’t have ditched his team for several months without explanation, he still failed to realize the seriousness of his actions, or how the team dynamic was affected when he came back and took over again from Scarlet’s temporary leadership. As mentioned in the above paragraph, Sun thought that he could fix everything with a simple apology, and that it would absolve him of all wrongdoing. But more importantly, but the end of the book, he has realzied the weight of his negligence and that he needs to work harder to gain back respect from his team. And yet, critics ignore this and seem to this he acts badly throughout the whole book with no change in behaviour, when this couldn’t be further from the truth.

The third complaint, and the most absurd to me, is that Sun’s dismissiveness of serious situations and regular insensitivity in the book are out of character. Excuse me, but...did we watch the same show??

Perhaps it’s easy to forget because we haven’t seen him in show for a while, but these are two of his core personality traits, especially earlier on in the show. It seems that the fanon depiction of Sun as a sweet and loveable himbo who can do no wrong has caused a lot of people to forget his very prominent flaws, but Sun has always been this way, from as early as Volume 1. He treats serious situations as a joke or bit of fun, and he is constantly making insensitive comments, even to Blake, who he likes. Just to show a few, with replies from Blake for context regarding the second two:

From Black and White:

From Of Runaways and Stowaways:

From Menagerie:

Even in situations where he isn’t outright insensitive, he still frequently exhibits a struggle to read the room. He fails to understand why Team RWBY don’t want him and Neptune coming with them, he fails to fully understand why so many faunus take issue with humans despite being a faunus himself, and he fails to understand why stalking Blake across a continent was a very, very bad and creepy thing to do, even if he had good intentions. In fact, he never even apologises for any of this, at least, not that we saw, so it’s enitely plausible that it’s not soemthing he’s learned from.

So the fact that he continued to demonstrate this insensivity in BTD is very much in-character. That has always been a part of his personality, even though it’s often played off as a joke.

With all that said, it really bothers me that people list what is, in objective truth, a deeper insight into Sun as a character, as a flaw of the book. This is not a flaw. I’ve been studying writing through university for over four years, and believe me, showing that people act different depending on the situation or people they are around, as well as expanding upon any flaws they might have, is good writing. Something is not a ‘retcon’ because it contradicts your headcanon, or what you wanted to happen. That would be like if Nora were (not that I think she ever would be) confirmed cis and I called it a retcon because I headcanon her as trans. That would be stupid.

After the Fall and Before the Dawn are honestly amazing books. They do have their issues, but character writing is far from one of them, and I would, in fact, consider it one of their biggest strengths. The way they flesh out both pre-existing and new characters, the way they can get us to love them within just 20-something chapters, is wonderful. They dive so deeply into even more minor characters, and make them all unique. So the idea that characters like Sun and Velvet were written badly because they were expanded upon and further characterized than they were in the show is an absolutely ridiculous concept, and one that I’ve hopefully changed people’s minds on with this.

Sun was not retconned. You guys just need to remember that the picture you paint of a character in your head is not always going to be the way a character is in canon. We’re not Adam defenders, people (at least, I hope not).

Anyway. Read the RWBY books. I don’t care if you have already. Do it again.

#rwby #blaire rambles #sun wukong #rwby after the fall #rwby before the dawn #essay?#rant?#honestly i don't know what this is #long post

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kitkatopinions · 3 years

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Okay, let’s talk about what I think is the biggest problem with Summer Rose. I don’t think it’s unrealistic for Ruby to react the way she has to Summer Rose and information about her from a character standpoint, but there wasn’t enough emphasis on her throughout the show to make me interested in her and specifically in how Ruby feels about her.

A lot of protagonists have at least one dead parent, and it doesn’t always feature prominently in the story they’re in - instead used as an excuse why the kids can do whatever they want without having to worry about parental figures, or backstory for why they’re the way that they are. But when the parents are treated as more significant, it’s better to make them consistently featured. It makes total sense for Ruby to not talk much or even think much about the mother that she lost when she was between the ages of two to four, but starts to talk about her more and be emotional about it once she gets some down time and during a time of personal crisis, especially as she’s learning new knowledge about what happened to Summer. That makes total sense from a character point of view. But as a viewer, I honestly didn’t care at all about Summer Rose past ‘why is Yang acting like Raven is her mom.’ Her grave was seen during the Red trailer, Yang talked about her in V2, and Ruby talked to her grave to start off V3 (which to me read as an ‘easy way to get exposition and remind everyone of some of the RWBY details’ scene.) And that’s it. That’s very little significance, I was given no reason to think she was going to matter to the storyline at all, I was given no reason to think she was going to matter to Ruby at all. If anything, I thought she might maybe matter to Yang, who clearly remembered her and who the story went out of their way to have talk about her, but then Yang didn’t talk about her mom until six seasons after the scene in volume 2. Which again, makes some semblance of sense from a character point of view, but made me think that Summer was unimportant and made me ambivalent to what was a non-character. We didn’t know anything about Summer past ‘good mom’ and ‘dead,’ for six seasons. We didn’t know anything about how Ruby felt about her mom past ‘talking to her grave one time’ and the knowledge that due to her age when Summer died, Ruby likely only has vague memories of her (if she has memories of her at all.)

Compare that to something like Harry Potter. (Quick disclaimer, as always, I’m not endorsing JKR, just comparing stories.) Time was taken out of the first book to establish not only Harry being an orphan, but Harry’s feelings towards it. Him looking in the Mirror of Erised and seeing not only his parents, but his family told us a lot about Harry’s longing for a family and to belong, and his attachment to the idea of his parents and family clearly connected to him (including through physical features that he’s been put down for having by the Dursley’s.) The first book also establishes connections to his parents through others. Hagrid knew his parents and got him a scrapbook of pictures of them, Snape hated his father, Dumbledore gave Harry his father’s invisibility cloak, and discussed the love spell his mother had made when she died, and told him about Snape and James’ ‘rivalry.’ I don’t remember if there was much connection to Harry’s parents in Chamber of Secrets, but in Prisoner of Azkaban, we start the story with Harry reacting defensively and using accidental magic (tied to emotional outbursts) when a relative starts insulting his parents, and then the whole book centers around the man who was framed for helping Voldemort murder Harry’s parents catching the real traitor, Harry meeting his father’s former best friends, getting yet another relic of his father’s, hearing more of the vague memory of his parents’ death when he’s encountered by the Dementors, thinking he had seen his father save him, etc. And the book tells us that Harry’s light based magical guardian Patronus takes the same form his father’s did. Then, in the fourth book, Harry resolves to face Voldemort head on whether he’ll die or not ‘like his father’ and literally sees the spirits of his parents and is able to talk to them briefly even though they’re dead through the use of a spell. In the Order of the Phoenix, Harry sees memories of his parents through Snape’s pensieve memories and his idealized versions of them (but specifically James) is challenged. He’s greatly bothered by this and seeks out advice and reassurance from his father’s friends. In the sixth book, the Half-Blood Prince, Harry gets a potions book with all kinds of recipes and useful spells written in the margins and starts thinking it might be his father’s, still desperate for a stronger connection to his parents, and at the same time, he’s interacting with a teacher who was fond of and talks about his mother. Consistently throughout the whole of the book series, people talk about James and Lily, we see the impact James and Lily had with other characters, we know how Harry feels about them, we know why Harry feels that way, we see his feelings about his parents start to adjust whenever he learns new information, we see the way their actions affect Harry’s actions.

So when Deathly Hallows rolled around and there were all these big significant moments involving Harry’s parents - visiting their graves, seeing their statue, seeing Snape’s memories, summoning their ghost forms to walk him to what he thinks will be his death - viewers might not be particularly attached to their characters, but we’re still invested, we still care about Harry’s arc with his parents, it’s pay off to a storyline that’s been a central part of the whole book series. Imagine if the only things we had heard about Harry’s parents before reading Deathly Hallows was a scene in book two about how his parents death connected to this wider issue (like the scene in Volume 2 with Yang using Summer’s death as establishing details before talking about Raven,) and a scene at the start of Prisoner of Azkaban where Harry like, talks to the pictures in his scrapbook about how he’s excited to go back to Hogwarts and how things are going with Ron and Hermione (like Ruby’s gravestone talk at the start of volume 3,) and then we still had all the significant moments centered around James and Lily in the seventh book.

It just feels like the emotional depth they’re going for with Summer was a wide swing and a miss because she never mattered to the story before. Summer was a passing plot point, and now that they’re trying to involve her more heavily, it feels boring. It feels like wasting time on something that doesn’t matter all that much when things that have been established as significant were put on the back burner (like Ruby’s relationship with Qrow, a mentor figure and parental figure, or even her relationship with Maria, who took over as a mentor figure when MKEK started to seem to want to diminish and put down Qrow’s character.) For six seasons, the audience had barely knew what Summer could possibly look like, Tai doesn’t talk about Summer, Qrow only mentions her in passing to talk about Ruby’s eyes if I remember correctly, Oz doesn’t talk about her, Yang only talks about her for one scene and that’s only to set up Raven, Ruby only talks about her for one scene and that’s to exposition at the start of a season. The only real reason to think Summer Rose would be significant to the plot at all is the Red Like Roses II song, but lots of the Ruby character songs seem a little disjointed like that. Before volume seven, I was wondering why that song even existed since Summer had so little to do with the plot of the show and specifically Ruby’s character (affected much more by Yang, her dad, her uncle, her team, Ozpin, Penny...)

It’s not a bad thing if they wanted Summer Rose to be important, I actually think it could’ve been good. Ruby feels a little stale at times compared to the friends that have bigger backstories that are gone into more, and her character could use some more interest and some more ties to Salem, so having her struggle with having a dead parent she can barely remember who was probably turned into a monster due to having the exact same power Ruby does is a good concept. But like a lot of things in RWBY, it came too little, too late, and with too little groundwork. Now it feels like they’re trying to cram extra unneeded plot into the story instead of working on what they have, now it feels out of left field, now I’m wondering why I’m suddenly being expected to care about Summer, now I’m wondering why there was so little set up for her importance. I would feel much more emotionally connected to this story plot if it had been featured more prominently. If Ruby had been set up from the start to want to be a Huntress like her mom. If Ruby had talked about Summer to Weiss or Jaune or her team, if she’d had a picture of her mom she put on her wall or something, if she’d talked about how the death affected her early on, if Tai had talked about Summer to Yang more, if maybe Ruby had asked Qrow about Summer when he told them about Oz, “Did Mom know any of this?” if maybe Maria had known Summer or something. I don’t know, I’m not a professional, I just know that they failed to write a story where Summer mattered at all until they suddenly wanted us to feel emotionally distraught over her being turned into a Grimm. Instead, I heard about the Silver Eyed Warriors getting turned into a Grimm and thought ‘maybe Mercury does have Silver Eyes and that’s what’ll happen to his character.’

The emotional depth just isn’t there with Summer in my opinion, and it’s made even worse by the fact that there’s very little we can extrapolate from her character based on her appearance. ‘Ruby, but more subdued,’ and ‘boring,’ are the only two things I can even think about her character design, which is a confusing thing for such a design heavy show that places so much emphasis on individual creativity.

#rwde #anti rwby #rwby bashing #rwby criticism #anti-rwby #anti mkek #contains RWDE content #anti summer rose #not really but better safe than sorry #I am anti JK Rowling btw #I don't support her in any way #just trying to talk about comparisons

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afoolforatook · 4 years

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Ticklish Fairgame (teaser, I guess....)

So I had a Discord convo the other day that got me on a Fairgame and tickles rant... and I want to share all of it, but a good bit is gonna be in a later chapter of Loving... but I had to share some, cause it’s so damn soft and it’s all I’ve been thinking about.

So here’s some notes from part of my rant.... (there’s also some stuff from this rant about more SPD stuff and fidgeting/stimming but I’ll find a place for that later...)

In response to “Qrow would do better in a tickle fight because of experience from Ruby and Yang tickle fights when they were little” -

Bold of you to assume it was Ruby and Yang who made him build up a tolerance....when he lived with teenage Taiyang Xiao Long.

That man has some major "I will tickle my grumpy goth roomie until he admits he likes having friends" energy. Not to mention Summer.

......

Okay but at first I didn’t know how Qrow would be with tickling.

Because, as much as I love the STRQ Beacon years tickle/pillow fights image, where Qrow and Raven first really learn how to let loose and have friends and be vulnerable. And the co-parenting/poly STRQ, however you wanna see it, of Branwen/Rose/Xiao Long family tickle piles with the kids.

There’s also a big part of me that sees him reallly not being a huge fan of tickle fights.

It might just be me projecting (a shock, I know) but I can't help but feel like Qrow is one of those people who is extremely EXTREMELY ticklish. To the point where most of the time it's not fun but exhausting.

I was totally that kid/teen who everyone thought it was adorable how ticklish I was, and would just rush me all at once, trying to be cute and fun. But it was very easily wayyyyy too much, and I'd practically hyperventilate from sensory over-stimulation. My older cousins learned very early not to tickle me when I was a toddler, because I would just immediately start crying. I did not get angry as a kid very often, and many of the few times that I did were because I had to yell in order to get people to stop, because they didn't take me seriously. I was also just extremely sensitive all the time. Any touch that I didn't see coming (and even many I did) and that wasn't solid pressure would have me jump and make my skin crawl. My parents weren’t at all surprised when I got my SPD diagnosis, cause they were like “yeah by the time you were ten we knew there were ways we should and shouldn’t touch you if you didn’t know we were there, because you would just flinch and freeze up and shake and have to have no one touch you at all until you relaxed.” (This wasn’t at all a trauma response, it was purely just a kind of sensory input that I was particularly sensitive to) One of my best friends in high school surprised me by just barely nuzzling the back of my neck with his nose and I actually screamed. Needless to say, I don’t really like tickle fights.

And I feel like touch-starved, spy, intimacy wary, Qrow would be a lot like that and just get overwhelmed pretty quickly. (especially when he was younger and leaving the tribe, where I doubt there was much gentle contact to get him used to it, or teach him not to be ready to fight at the tiniest sign of a threat...)

Like yeah, he'd be adorable for a second, but pretty quickly that would turn to actual stress and panic. He'd jump and practically squeal at tiny innocuous touches, and you'd think it was cute until you saw how genuinely startled and frazzled he was.

And at first I couldn't reconcile that with the STRQ family moments that I like the idea of so much...

But the thing is, they're both true.

With team STRQ, he probably had a lot of that aversion early on. And Tai and Summer picked up on it and didn’t want to make him uncomfortable. But they'd still want to help him relax.

I’d think that Summer at least, if not both of them, would try to ask him outright at first. “Qrow, does it bother you when we try to touch you? Do you want us to stop.” But they’d quickly have realized that he wasn’t going to just tell them that, not yet. They were still practically strangers. He’d just shrug it off and grumble about not caring either way and slump off. But she’d noticed the split second of panic before he covered it up.

So they paid attention to how he’d react to casual contact. What made him flinch and what didn’t. What got a laugh and what got a held back yelp. What made his shoulders tense and what made them relax.

(Also, I think Raven is similar, though not necessarily for sensory reasons. I think she just, didn’t expect or want that kind of open contact most of the time. The first time Tai tried to do anything even close to tickling her, his arm was immediately in a death grip and she just deadpanned ‘Again and you’ll lose it.’ I think she eventually would get in on some more play wrestling, but I think her physicality in relationships was very much always on her own terms. So the STRQ tickle fights were really only ever STQ with maybe a rare exception.)

And slowly, as Qrow got more comfortable with them, as he stopped trying to escape group hugs and cuddle piles (which they always let him have the ability to do so if he wanted/needed), they figured out what were good and bad touches.

He’d let Tai drape over his shoulders and ruffle his hair, as long as he was putting some significant but gentle weight on him. Summer wouldn’t nuzzle at the crook of his neck but just drop her head over on his shoulder while sitting on the couch. He even started to stop balking at the idea/proximity of tickle fights. Summer and Tai would get into a play argument and soon be a blur of arms and legs trying to push the other away and both calling for Qrow to help them.

And he’d finally stopped scooting further away or leaving the room when that started. He’d chuckle lightly. Eventually, he’d even make some quip about so and so starting it and having to learn to take responsibility for your choices (Not at all in a mocking tone, of course not Summer, why would you even think?!..)

So, as they got closer and understood Qrow’s sensitivities better, tickle fights were never just that. There was always enough grounding pressure of hugs or falling on top of one another or playing with his hair to balance it out.

I think the first time he actually didn’t try to get away, both Summer and Tai got a little caught up at first and, while still being conscientious of what they were doing, they didn’t actually realize “hey, he’s not running or slipping away from us.”

Whoever realized first probably stopped the other and they pulled away (though still leaving some kind of pressure contact), looking over at Qrow. One of them’d ask something along the lines of ‘Sorry, do you want us to stop?”

And he’d blush or stammer, rub his neck or no... maybe he’d just freeze for a moment before getting a big grin and diving forward to tickle Summer and say ‘What, you that scared of me winning, huh, pipsqueak?” and the fight would resume. But Tai and Summer were still aware of Qrow’s demeanor, and as soon as he’d tense or shiver one of them would tackle him playfully.

And once the girls were born, and old enough to start with the horseplay themselves, they’d have taught them those rules too, even if just subliminally.

“Yang, Ruby, don't just run up to him and poke him in the side, just so you can watch him jump and then run away. Tackle him, hang onto his legs, GET EM!”

Sometimes, especially when the girls were really little, it might have gotten too much. But he'd either be able to slip away after and unwind, or better yet, the girls would tire themselves out and want to curl up pressed to his chest and take a nap. And that pressure, their warmth and softness and trust would make his skin stop crawling.

But then Summer died and he started staying away more. He started isolating himself more again. And pair that with having to be alert on solo missions and spy work, and he quickly went back to the old jumpiness.

He became very good at not letting people sneak up on him, both in battle and on missions...and at home. On the somewhat rare occasions that he was home and awake/sober enough when the girls still wanted to play with him, he'd put on a strong face and rough house for a bit, but by then he almost always had to slip away, transform just for long enough so that he’d stop being so aware of the tiniest breeze on his skin (he might be just as sensitive, or more so, in his corvid form, but I think that would be in a much more positive and simpler way than normal... if he’d ever let people touch him in that form, that is..)

But as the girls got older, they quietly understood the subtle signs that told them what were the good and bad ways to show their uncle affection.

I'm thinking Ruby jumping onto his arm in V3. Still very touchy, affectionate. But diving for his arm instead of his waist, literally putting all her weight on him. I’d have to look back through other hugs or moments to better speak to them, but as far as I can remember off the top of my head, the softest we’ve seen her be with him is at the end of V4 when he’s still unconscious from his fight with Tyrian. There’s the hug at the farm, but to me (from what I remember) that seemed more cautious because of how vulnerable he was, and she keeps her head away from him some. And then the hug in the airship, and while she doesn’t tackle him and it’s still a pretty soft movement, she presses the sides of their heads together, not putting her chin on his shoulder/neck like you might usually. I’d have to look at her hugs with others but I think she’s tended to bury her face in WBY’s shoulders more. It’s kinda a stretch but hey...

So, then we get to V7.

And no one has actually tried to tickle famed huntsman, previously notorious drunk who is only very recently sober (and not having his senses numbed or otherwise affected, aside from withdrawal stuff) Qrow Branwen, in a

Very. Long. Time.

#fair game #my writing #tw:alcoholism mention #my fic writing #Love is being scared and loving anyway #god it will be so long till we get to this chapter and it's killing me #Han what have you done to me

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marithlizard · 4 years

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Thoughts on RBWY v7c4: Pomp and Circumstance

I've been assuming this season was meant to parallel v3, but the pacing is increasingly feeling...off. Slow. If you compare, so much more was packed into each v3 episode. Dialogue was crisper. Even with the tournament fights taking up a ton of time, we touched base briefly with each group of characters and were reminded why we care about them. Every scene laid groundwork for the approaching avalanche of plot.

Here, a lot of time is spent on long shots, watching vehicles travel and people walk and pose and stand around. That's not necessarily bad in itself, but there's a LOT of setup still needed before all hell breaks loose and I really thought more of it would have happened by chapter 4 or 5. Eight episodes left.

- Robyn has spies in place, good for her.

- Dramatic exit from the mines and fawning over the Ace Ops, case in point about slow pacing. Jaune's googly-eyed admiration seems weird to me, especially in comparison to Ruby's more mature attempt to give professional compliments. (Nora is of course Nora. And Vine doesn't think enough of her to even react.)

- The Ace Ops aren't all that nice to each other, are they. And Marrow's the designated target to pick on. Their focus on "it's just a job" and efficiency-based pairings is pretty obviously going to be shown to be inferior to our heroes' stronger bonds of affection and loyalty. I do not want Qrow on this team.

- WBY brushing off Ruby's enthusiasm is meant to show us something - is she out of sync with her team? Yang's unamused "We almost died" here is such a contrast to the similar summing-up conversation when Ruby and JNR arrived in Haven. It's got to be intentional. (Also, Weiss, YOU didn't explore a continent on foot.)

- Okay, at 4:23 and following Qrow's animation looks WEIRD. Slightly too-big head superimposed on his body. It's not just me, is it?

- James tells Clover to be subtle, that too many visible Huntsmen will make people nervous. He tells RWBYJNRQ that their Huntsman presence will reassure and help Mantle. What are Clover's orders, and why am I guessing they have nothing to do with help?

- Jaune and Ruby's innocent shock at the death of Exposition Weeb underscores their youth. Qrow doesn't bat an eye. In fact, he seems rather detachedly sardonic. I was assuming Qrow's been staying with James and that the two of them have had some chances to talk. If not, why not, after that hug?

- James looks so very tired. Too tired and self-doubting to even react much to Jaune's impudence. I'm still on the fence about his intentions, and yet I want the guy to get a hug and a massage and a solid night's sleep.

- (Seriously, Jaune, the embargo may have been a bad move but you sound like a young twit who knows nothing about PR or politics. Which you are.)

- On the other hand, you look great compared to Jacques. Who does not deserve that elegant airship. I like the reactions to his guilt trip - Ruby and Yang are shocked, but Blake knows all about this kind of tactic. And Winter has heard it so many times she just steers clear.

- I can see the reasoning, but the huge empty space full of bad memories is anything but celebratory, and the long establishing shot of their tiny figures in the center isn't helping.

- James references Haven in his speech. Has he been briefed on that, at least? Speaking of conversations I really wanted to see.

- Oh, HEY. James said "Brothers know you deserve it". The sea captain in v5 said "By the gods" once, but this here is a direct invocation of the two gods we know are real. Was James raised to worship them? Does he swear by them because Ozpin told him they were real, years ago? Does he know some of what was in Jinn's vision, and how? TELL ME I MUST KNOW.

- James says "I could certainly use more trustworthy fighters by my side." Blake and Yang exchange sidewise glances, as do Weiss and Ruby. Jaune looks oblivious. "I should be so lucky to have all of you." Pause. Pauusee. James turns to look at Ruby. "It's okay." Hello Miss Rose, is there something you would perhaps like to finally tell me? No? Fine.

- It's still an awful plan, and if you can mouth off to him about the embargo, kids, perhaps you could point out some of the gaping holes in it? With or without the massive secret you're keeping?

- The awkward end to the speech feels like a loud subtextual signal that James is a good and sincere person (villains are more polished, right?) And it's working despite my misgivings.

- Ren is low-key acting like he's kind of tired of Nora, or realizing he doesn't love her the same way she loves him. I figured he was pulling away from her for other reasons, but now I wonder...

- Ugh, Qrow's bitterness towards Oz has not softened one bit. That makes me really sad :( And while Ruby is clearly having some doubts, I don't think this conversation is taking them in a useful direction. How exactly can Ironwood prove himself to you, Ruby? If he doesn't, when are you going to tell him what Jinn said? Just before he goes on national TV to announce the existence of Salem? After? If you never sit down among yourselves and actually analyze what Jinn told you, you'll never spot the very obvious clues in the wording.

- WHERE IS OSCAR. Not a single mention of him. No reason I can think of for him to be left out of this celebration, or for the others not to care. What is he doing? Sitting in a dorm alone? Did Ironwood send him to school? I want to have faith in the writers but this makes no sense. Even if the writers consider him a side character like Maria (and I think that'd be a terrible mistake) he's in a critically important position plotwise. We should be checking in with him every episode.

- A Summer secret, huh. (Is she alive?) Qrow's affect here isn't that of a mourning lover, but someone who's come to terms with the loss of a friend.

- Still not on board with the voice. Or rather I'm not not on board with it, but...this is not the Qrow I fangirl-swooned over. I would not listen to him read a phone book.

- Isn't Penny supposed to be heavy? Did Ruby get stronger, or did they rebuild her of lighter materials?

- Oh my, they are either brothers or cousins and I'm betting brothers. Did Watts' voice actor change since v5?

- Whitley announcing a visitor? Klein is banished, and Jacques' last remaining kid is not having an easy time of it from the look of things. I hope he gets a chance to make his own life like his sisters.

#rwby #rwby spoilers #rwby v7 spoilers

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valkyrieelysia18 · 5 years

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RWBY Rewrite: Raven Branwen

Hey there everybody! You know, I was debating Raven and Adam for quite a bit until inspiration hit on the former teammate of Team STRQ and candidate for worst mother in the show. And you know how writers get when they’ve stumbled across something.

Still, Raven is definitely one of the more disappointing characters, having made a strong first impression for further appearances to take away the coolness. Most of the disappointment comes from her being set up as a third party to Oz vs Salem conflict, which could offer a unique perspective on both sides of the conflict. Unfortunately, she came off as selfish manipulate bitch that the main reason we cheered her on during the end of Volume 5 was because Cinder was much MUCH worse.

Now with these rewrites, I don’t intend to change fighting styles and weapons (mainly because I have no idea how to do that, unlike certain people I am fully capable of admitting when I am out of my depth and leave that to someone who knows what they’re talking about). As for personalities, I don’t think I’m massively rewriting them given how little some of these characters had been given, but you can correct me if I’m wrong. Raven will still be a strong bandit leader with a survival of the fittest mentality.

Now the first thing I would change is in regards to her semblance, albeit more along the lines of refining what was already established. Her portals lead to people she has bonded tp, but bonding is not so simple as it seems. The type of bonding needed for this would be someone she trusts wholeheartedly, someone she would willingly die for. These bonds of hers are both her strength and her weakness. When a bond is established, Raven is then attuned emotionally to them, always having a sense of them in the back of her mind and feeling their general mental state. Much like Qrow’s semblance, she can never truly turn it off. As such, she is fully aware of what Yang feels about her as well as being the first person to know about Summer’s death due to feeling it. Naturally, this a very emotional side effect and plays quite the role in her relationships with Yang and Summer.

The big changes would relate to her main relationships of the story: the Branwen Tribe, Team STRQ, Ozpin, and Yang.

Branwen Tribe

In the show, the Branwen Tribe was the Disposable Mook Group Number Thirteen with no real depth to them. Under this tag, I was originally going give an overview the Tribe’s history and culture, but it became too lengthy. I’ll have that as an additional separate post. Long story short, they are going to be much more dangerous and a lot more connected to the history and culture of Anima.

As to Raven’s relationship to the Tribe in general, it’s a lot more complex. Unlike Qrow who was always kind of an outcast, Raven was actually well regarded by the Tribe and was seen as a potential successor to the Chieftain of the time. While Raven knows the Tribe was brutal and unforgiving, it was her home and there were people she did care about there (though not as much Qrow). In fact, Vernal was the daughter of a late friend of hers that she took under her wing, basically her goddaughter. In addition, Raven never truly felt comfortable in the Kingdoms. Even as grew to care for her teammates and fell in to the lifestyle of a huntress, she could never conform completely to the system. At least part of the reason she did leave her teammates and Yang was because the Tribe was where she felt she belonged. Still selfish, but selfish for an understandable reason.

The one other thing to clarify in relation to the Branwen Tribe is the former Spring Maiden. For someone trying to keep a low profile, taking in one of the biggest targets on Salem’s list seems counterproductive. In this rewrite, Raven would take her in due to a sense of empathy, with the girl having discovered Leo’s treachery and was desperate to get as far away as she could. Her death by Raven’s hands would genuinely be an act of mercy, having been fatally injured during a raid and the only thing that could be done is make her death quick and less painful. As to inheriting the Maiden powers, Raven would not have known about the cutoff date for being Maiden and kind of assumed she was too old by that point (would have turned thirty in a week). This was because Ozpin wouldn’t have told her and the others every little detail about magic and his situation, though this time it was more to him viewing it as a trivial detail rather than actively trying to hide it.

Team STRQ

Her relationships with her teammates are equal parts love and care with anger and frustration. Before Beacon, Qrow was the only bondmate she had. Summer and Tai she took a while to warm up to, but grew close to them despite trying not to do so because she felt nothing could ever truly come of it. And in this Rewrite, she’s not the sole reason Team STRQ falls apart; none of them are completely blameless.

Qrow was the first bond she ever forged and is arguably the strongest bond she has. Part of the reason she wanted the position of Chieftain was so that she could make things better for her brother in the Tribe. While heading to Beacon led them to new experiences and new bonds, it also led to a distance growing between as Qrow took to the Kingdoms and everything in them. This would lead to Raven feeling somewhat lonely and jealous, in how her brother was so much happier then when it had just been them. This distance only grows as they get involved with Ozpin and the bigger conflict. The more Raven sees, the more concerned she gets and brings up her doubts about Ozpin to Qrow as well as mentioning that they should probably return to the Tribe soon. Qrow at first brushes her off, getting more irritated as she continues with it. This would culminate in an argument in which Qrow tells his sister off for being so distrusting of the man who’s trying to save humanity and that the Tribe should rot for all the things they’ve done; he’d rather die than go back. It’s at this point Raven realizes that her brother won’t listen to her anymore. These bittersweet feelings influence her relationship with her brother to this day; as much as she cares about him, she can’t save him. This will also play a part in her relationship with Ozpin.

Her relationship with Tai didn’t start off with the best first impressions (she definitely had to restrain from strangling him during the Initiation and almost did during the first week of classes), but eventual grew very strong. Unfortunately, the relationship while passionate, was between two people who are not suited for long term romantic relationships. Raven has her obvious issues and I’ll get Tai’s in his post(believe me, there will quite a bit to discuss). Not to mention they’re two people with vastly different goals and expectations out of a relationship. Tai was happy in teaching and in Vale, there was no way she could have convinced him to throw it all away for the bandit life style. Raven does still have some fond feelings for him, but she does get even more frustrated with Tai than Qrow as she feels he could have tried to talk the girls out of becoming huntresses or at least told them the whole truth of things before they went off to Beacon.

Last but not least we have Summer. Raven didn’t really like Summer at first because she really didn’t seem like leadership material, much like Weiss and Ruby at the beginning. It isn’t until Raven gets a demonstration of “Good is Not Nice” from her leader that she really began to respect her. The relationship grew and by the time Raven was leaving for the Tribe, Summer was the only positive relationship she had at that point. In fact, she actually tried to convince Summer to come with her, but Summer declined as she had reasons of her own for fighting for Ozpin along with their other teammates to watch over. Summer also shared quite a bit with Raven, including the price behind the Silver Eye powers which is a lot more costly than in the canon. Raven’s respect was so great that she asked Summer to be the mother Yang needed and explain things to the girl when she was old enough to understand. This plan is naturally torn apart by Summer’s death. Due to their bondmate connection, Raven fully felt Summer’s death and to this day, it is something she has not gotten over(whether these feelings are platonic, sisterly, or romantic, I leave that to fan speculation). Half of her blames herself for not going to her side, at the time she was helping her people in the midst of a natural disaster. The other half blames Ozpin.

Ozpin

Oh boy, Ozpin may not be her strongest relationship, but it is perhaps the one that had the most impact on her life. Raven’s first impressions of Ozpin was someone to respect, but not trust as it seemed he was keeping a close eye on her and Qrow. It would take a while for her to realize he was keeping a close eye on Team STRQ as a whole and wouldn’t fully get the answers to that until Ozpin filled them in on the greater conflict. Long story short, Tai decides not to get in any further but the other three are brought into the inner circle. Raven is driven by the need to know more, but ultimately finding the truth to be more horrible than she imagined.

It starts with the bird magic. Unlike the canon, the bird transformation does have significant issues with it. On the minor side, the two will behave a bit more like birds such as having cravings for seeds, being drawn to shiny objects, etc. On the major side though, the magic also amplifies their fight/flight instincts and it gets stronger the longer they stay in bird form to the point where if they stay transformed long enough they will slowly forget their humanity (which is why they will transform for an hour at most). Now, to Ozpin’s defense, this was not something he deliberately kept from them, these were unintended side effects. Raven, however, is pissed that he didn’t consider how the magic might have affected them and could have warned them after Qrow and her stay transform for a little too long with Summer snapping them back to themselves. And that’s not the only problem she has with Ozpin.

As mentioned earlier, she did grow concerned with what she had learned and getting the whole truth about Salem and Ozpin as well as the lengths Ozpin has gone to defeat her, Raven’s doubts come to a head and she tries to get her brother to understand her point of view and get out. By this point, Qrow is fully committed to Ozpin’s brotherhood and views her actions and mindset as being unreasonable and selfish. While their relationship wasn’t as close as they were before, this confrontation was an utter shock to Raven. From there on, she blames Ozpin for “stealing” her brother and “blinding” him to the reality of the conflict.

But what really cements her hatred of Ozpin and giving up the fight with Salem is Summer’s death. Summer died at Salem’s hands, on a mission for Ozpin, and Raven was emotionally connected to her when she died. In response, Raven would make her way to Ozpin to confront him, which is also how he and others get the news. While Ozpin is genuinely grieved by Summer’s death, his first reaction to Raven’s words is frustration and despair that not even Summer using her eyes could stop Salem. THIS is Raven’s breaking point, the realization that Ozpin will use anything and anyone for his war Salem, even people he does significantly care about. After everything that Summer had done for him.... She actually attacks him for this, only to beaten down by Ozpin. He lets her go, but warns her to never return to Beacon and he won’t be so lenient if she tries this again.

In other words, this is where Sacrifice comes from.

Yang

Out of all her relationships, Raven’s feelings for her daughter are the most complicated. For starters, I don’t think Yang was a planned pregnancy (neither was Ruby in my opinion). Tai was the over moon about it, but Raven wasn’t as thrilled. Partly because her doubt with Ozpin had had her seriously consider returning to the Tribe and the pregnancy was a delay in that, but also because Raven had absolutely no idea how to be a mom and didn’t have much in terms of maternal instinct. Contrary to popular belief, not all women have a natural inclination and understanding of children and babies (myself included). Ultimately, it wasn’t Yang’s fault she left, she had planned on going back to the Tribe from the beginning and she will tell Yang all this when she asks for answers.

She did consider taking Yang with her back to the Tribe, but realized that she couldn’t take care of a baby like that and Yang would be better off growing up inside one of the kingdoms. Like I said, she did entrust Summer to be the mother she couldn’t be and to tell Yang the truth when she was old enough. After Summer died, she really wasn’t in a state to come back even if she wanted to return. After sometime, she did resolve to pop back and check up on Yang from time to time. It does hurt her a bit that Yang has such obviously negative feelings towards her, but she accepts it and is fully okay with her daughter viewing Summer as her mother figure. She, in no way, regrets her choice.

And if there is one thing she is impressed by it’s how protective Yang is of Ruby because it reminds her how protective she got with Qrow when they were younger. Raven’s feelings on Ruby are complicated (she’s perfectly okay with Tai moving on, but the timing is rather questionable), but her respect for Summer and love for Yang does make Ruby fall under her one save rule as well as something else. On the journey to Mistral, Team RNJR and Qrow come close to perishing and are saved by Raven’s timely intervention. Tense atmosphere aside, she points them in the right direction and gives Ruby a warning both about the conflict she was walking straight into and not to use her Silver Eye powers unless she wants to follow her mother and grandfather’s path into an early grave.

Her role in the story would still be that of a third party and she will be both enemy and ally to the group during different points in the story. I do plan on her dying to help them as well as Qrow and Tai get away to safety, after finding out that there is a way to bring the conflict to an end and realizing that Summer fought not because she wanted to save the world, but because she wanted to protect those she cared about. In the end, she would die with her mind at peace and her last thoughts would be of either Yang or Ruby, passing on the Spring Maiden powers.

Oh boy, this post got long. And the next one’s going to be on Branwen Tribe history and culture. Maybe after that, I’ll get to Adam or Pyrrha. Hope you guys are up for that!

#rwde #rwby rewrite #raven branwen #taiyang xiao long #qrow branwen #Summer Rose #TEAM STRQ #yang xiao long #ruby rose #Ozpin #vernal

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imagine-loki · 5 years

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Irked

Title: Irked Author: lokilover9 Chapter: #25 Rating: Mature Warnings: Mention of violence and death Initially, Thor’s late night call regarding Iris’s father Freyr, had made Loki happy. Then it unexpectedly resurfaced daunting memories of the evil he was capable of, which hadn’t dissipated by morning. Of course Loki no longer loved Iris, she was deceased. Still, how could he look at Shandi with all these tumultuous thoughts in his head? Added guilt of a deceivingly in depth glimpse into her past through Nat, gives Shandi one into Loki’s, when a second call from Thor flares his temper. The following day after Shandis ‘coco’ shenanigans, the team were all sharing a late lunch when her phone rang. Excitedly, she hushed everyone and answered. “Hello Alice… Good, thanks and you?” Her mouth fell agape amidst listening. “He’s here. Would you like to ask him?”

She handed the phone to Loki and following the usual pleasantries, he too was surprised. “Certainly, I’d be delighted… Very well, see you at noon tomorrow.” Turned out the ladies assemblers for the fair were in a rock climbing accident. With everyone else in town accounted for, they were desperate for aid and Loki was now it. When Tony heard, he was again elated with their progress, then revealed he was about to call them. Phil found an assault charge on Tanya’s juvie record dated when she was twelve. Whilst spending the summer at a camp for gifted kids, her crush on a counselor, earned his counselor girlfriend a broken knee from a baseball bat. Based on a mental assessment administered following the attack, Tony was almost certain she murdered young Candace. “That is pretty brutal, but why?” Asked Shandi. “Your previous assumption was correct, Doll. The psychiatrist concluded Tanya’s a sociopath with a high IQ, narcissistic tendencies and is devoid of empathy. She scored a disconcerting 140.” “Fuck.” Said Nat, grasping this made Tanya more dangerous than they thought. “Is that high?” Asked Loki. “Very, amongst us Midgardians Cactus. Since then, no other record of her being treated for mental illness exists. Anyone curious of who ordered that enlightening assessment?” The answer instantly struck Shandi. “Oh my God. No one else could have, but Scott. He’s known all along what his daughter’s capable of and never gotten her help.” “Correct again, Doll. A police chief who’s undoubtedly seen murders committed at the hands of others just like her. Ain’t he a peach?” Tony couldn’t resist an opportunity to raz Loki a bit. “And leave it up to Cactus. Days into an important mission and he brings crazy into the mix.” “Apparently so, Tin Man.” “Wow. No sarcastic retort? Maybe you need more coffee.” “Perhaps.” Loki replied. Tony curiously eyed his phone. “Seriously though people, stay on alert out there. I don’t trust this bitch. Pepper has a doctors appointment, so I gotta run.” Once he was gone, Loki suggested Clint and Nat visit Judy’s bakery while he meets with Alice there. “It’s an opportunity to make them aware we’re friends before the fair. Should the ladies require more than only my help…” Everyone understood. “Perfect. Now please excuse me. As the resident groundskeeper, I’ve a cluttered and dirty shed that requires further tending.” “Need a hand?” Asked Clint. “Thank you for the offer, but I’ll be fine.” He abruptly left and Shandi proceeded to load the dishwasher. “Feel free to go for a swim if you like, Clint. Nat will help clean up.” “Well if that isn’t a hint you two want some chick time. What could you possibly talk about so much?” “Hey, don’t be buggin’ my woman.” Said Nat. “She’s trying to be nice, but if you would rather clear the table, scrape bacon grease from a pan, sweep the floor…” Clint stopped her there. “Alright, I’m going.” They stayed silent until he was outside. “Something’s off with Loki, Nat.” “He does seem a little distant, but we all have those days. I wouldn’t fret it.” “Since this morning, he’s avoided me at every turn and has barely made eye contact. Compared to last nights cuddling, that’s more than a little.” Nat sighed. “Honestly. I have never met two people more neurotic over each other.” “I am not neurotic over him.” “Are you sure?” “Yes.” “Then why did you just put dirty dishes in the fridge?” Shandi frowned. “Because, that’s why.” “Okay Beautiful, time to kick you out of the kitchen too.” “But…” “Stop worrying and go de-stress in the jacuzzi. I’ll finish up here.” Nat worked fast, sent Loki a text, removed her shorts and headed out to Clint. He was baking in the sun when they landed on his chest. “Baby Cakes, I’m horny. Why don’t we go back to our little cottage and fuck?” He looked to see her lowering her panties. “Natasha!” “Hurry or I’ll pack up the truck like this.” Shandi was boob deep in bubbles when Nat entered her ensuite. “I have never seen tits float better than yours. No wonder you consider them great buoys. We’re outta here, woman.” “Why?” “Thought you might want a chance to pick Loki’s brain.” “What am I supposed to say?” Nat winked on her way out. “You’ll think of something.” Almost two hours passed before Loki noticed Nats text. 'Our secret please Cactus? Whatever might be troubling you, Shandi thinks it’s her. We’ve left so you can change her perspective. ;)’ After killing another large spider that pounced on his person, Loki was grumbling curses when Thor rang him. Meanwhile, Shandi had started for the shed and caught the end of a heated conversation between them. “That’s fucking absurd!” Loki snapped. “Why the hell would I attack innocent Midgardians over it? You have misjudged me yet again brother, but know this. Should anything befal Leah and I were granted an opportunity, Freya will beg for a death so merciful as a slice to her scrawny throat…. Then I am forced to trust mothers word, yes? Yours remains questionable.” Loki hung up, angrily whipped a small axe at a nearby tree, then turned to see Shandi darting back towards the house. 'Fuck.’ “Shandi wait!” She stopped and immediately locked eyes with him. “Why does Thor think you wish to attack innocent Midgardians, Loki?” He calmed himself and continued. “Thor is mistaken. How much of our conversation did you overhear?” “From that onward.” “And I sounded so malicious. Shandi, contrary to popular belief my brother can often be a fool. The only reason I would ever hurt another Midgardian was if absolutely necessary. To protect the good from the bad.” “Protecting us is one thing, but you spoke of torturing someone.” “I know, but Freya is not Midgardian. If you knew the story behind our conversation, you would understand my outburst. Will you give me a chance to explain? Please?” His words seemed to put her at ease and she nodded in agreement. “Then I’ll close up the shed and be right in. Actually, would you mind if I cleaned up first? I smell like the back end of a Bilgesnipe.” Shandi smirked. “Sure, whatever that is.” When done, Loki found her in the library. “See anything of interest?” He asked. “Some. I haven’t inspected the titles until now. Only dusted in here quickly.” Atop a plush beige carpet in the room, two chesterfield chairs sat perpendicular to each other, before a fireplace. Shandi got comfortable in one and when Loki sat stiff in the other, running his palms over his thighs, it dawned on her he might be nervous. “Loki?” “Hm?” “We don’t have to talk about this if you really don’t want to.” He rubbed his brow. “Tell me, Shandi. Have you ever been grateful for the death of an enemy, then had memories of their actions unexpectedly clog your mind?” “For the sake of knowing they couldn’t hurt others anymore, yes. The sudden memories are common if the person profoundly affected you. Especially if they’ve been repressed for some time.” “They did and would nearly two centuries count?” 'What???’ “I’ll say. Have you ever spoken to anyone about them at all?” “Briefly, but not since.” “It’s no wonder then, Loki. Maybe getting it off your chest again will help.” “You may be right, although that isn’t my main concern. Before I continue, are you aware I’m adopted?” 'Dammit. Of all the times to ask me this.’ Darting her eyes towards an ottoman nearby, she leaned forward, clumsily luring it closer. “Mm hm.” Loki helped and after settling her legs onto it, sat back in his chair. “That was a rather nervous response. Please tell me what you know, Shandi?” There was no way she couldn’t with those emerald orbs boring straight into her. “I assumed you were already aware of the Allfathers advice to Tony.” “Which was?” “To inform all Avengers that you’re actually..a 'Frost Giant?’“ “I see. Do you know exactly what a Frost Giant looks like? With ruby eyes and blue skin?” “Yes. Tony showed me a drawing.” Loki did well to conceal his astonishment. All along, Shandi had known of his true heritage and it hadn’t deterred her interest. “Perhaps that makes sense. A safety precaution, should I alter into my Jotun form. I was aware Tony knew, yet not the others.” “Please don’t reveal I told you?” “I won’t.” “So, you’re from a place called ‘Jotunheim?’” She asked. Loki intently lead any further discussion on this subject, astray. “That’s correct. A dismal, icy realm, where winter reins and the sun never shines. I’m grateful I wasn’t raised there.” “Sounds depressing. I’ve never been a fan of winter either.” “Good thing as it takes you forever to make a snowman.” Shandi smiled. “Very funny. Why were you curious if I knew you were adopted?” “Then you wouldn’t find it odd I once intended to marry a cousin. Here, royal marriages between them is mostly frowned upon. Shandi, what I’m about to reveal is very personal. May I ask that you keep it between us?” “I promise, Loki.” “Good. Understand I don’t wish to gain your sympathy through it either. I want you to know me better. So if you’re privy to my anger, you will comprehend there’s a valid reason behind it and ‘never’ fear me.” The more Shandi realized how much her opinion of Loki mattered to him, the more it warmed her heart in all the right places. “I’m not afraid of you, Loki. Honest. I was just..confused is all.” He restrained an incredible urge to lay her down on that plush carpet and express how much it meant to hear her say that. Instead, he smiled in a way that unknowingly made her heart flutter. “Good to know.” 'Geez woman, stop blushing!’ “I’m still willing to listen to whatever you want to say.” “Then I’ll begin. Vanaheim is a sister realm of Asgard. Until recently, it was ruled by a King named Freyr. Thor informed me of his murder last night and neglected to mention, it’s new queen, his sister Freya, is offering a steep reward for the whereabouts of its previous queen, Leah. Our mother felt I should know, yet Thor nearly took it upon himself to decide I shouldn’t. He stupidly assumed I would lash out at Midgardians from anger over it. That’s why I was so angry with ‘him.’ The reason I’m so angry with Freya, is because she blames Leah for her brothers murder and is seeking revenge.” “But how was Leah responsible?” “She wasn’t. Freyrs favorite mistress was and believe me, the scoundrel had it coming. Leah managed to escape his wrath long ago. Unfortunately, not before it brought upon their daughters death.” “That’s terrible. This king 'Freyr’ must have been a monster.” “He was and their daughter, princess Iris, was the cousin I referenced. The one I intended to marry.” “I’m sorry, Loki.” “I appreciate that, but no sympathy remember?” He went on to explain that Freyr was Odin’s first cousin. A malicious and greedy King who ruled Vanaheim with an iron fist, showed little regard for his people, nor his family. Odin had been Allfather long before Freyr gained power. Upon doing so, he suggested combining their various powers to gain control over other realms and their resources. Odin refused and their perpetual dislike began, yet Freyr wisely kept Asgard as an Ally. This required occasional visits regarding political matters, when Iris and Leah would accompany him. Over the years, Frigga developed a friendship with Leah. As Iris and Loki became young adults, the pair began visiting more frequently, allowing him to watch her blossom into a beautiful princess. One afternoon while she read in the palace garden, he humbly approached and learned they shared numerous interests. Their relationship quickly flourished, yet from the beginning, Iris had insisted upon keeping it secret. When Loki finally demanded an explanation, she surprisingly expressed bitterness towards her father’s rule and revealed she and Leah, victims of his abusive tendencies. Knowing Frigga would convince Odin to grant them refuge, he suggested telling her everything, but Iris pleaded he didn’t. She not only feared Freyrs retaliation thinking them traitors for humiliating him, but revealing their desire to court and marry, could result in her and Leah’s visits becoming forbidden. To prevent this, Loki agreed and magic helped conceal their relationship for over a year. Then leaders of another realm called Alfheim, secretly contacted Odin. Freyr had tried insisting Vanaheim post a military station near Alfheims capital city, claiming it would aid in defending them against attacks from vital enemies. They refused, believing it a scam to overtake them and feared Freyr might seek other means. Lacking knowledge of it, Odin was outraged suspecting Freyrs true intentions. Shandi couldn’t help, but comment. “By establishing a military station there, he could infiltrate the populace, gain a stronghold over Alfheims military and render them no longer an ally to Asgard.” Loki’s brows rose. “Well, well, darling. Someone would make a wise queen.” “Pfft, me? One who stumbles backwards off counter tops, falls ‘up’ stairs, shoots onions across rooms with butcher knives and runs naked and inebriated into a pool? Not quite the epitome of regal, in my opinion.” He smirked. “You’d be surprised the shenanigans Royals indulge in behind closed doors.” “I’ll bet. Go on.” “Very well. Odin demanded Freyr appear to explain himself and when word escaped of the encounter, Iris became more adamant we keep things secret. Freyr was infuriated Alfheim had snitched and glared at their leaders so threateningly, Odin stood between them. He warned that if Freyr attempted anything similar again, brought harm to Alfheims leaders or people in retaliation, Asgard would discontinue being ‘his’ ally. It was a risk Freyr couldn’t afford with his kingdom frequently on the verge of rebellion. They returned to Vanaheim the following day and I never saw Iris again.” “Why?” “Odin and Alfheims leaders would create legal documents Freyr was to return and sign in one week. Iris wanted to ensure laws against him bullying other realms were firmly enforced and we’d intended to speak with mother that same day. Then he apologetically rescheduled, claiming Leah had fallen ill. Out of respect for her, Odin let it slide. The following week he cancelled again, claiming the same illness had befallen Iris. Another two passed without word and I grew concerned, sensing something amiss. When Odin travelled to Vanaheim and confronted Freyr, he requested forgiveness. Claimed he’d been consumed, arranging Iris’s marriage. She had wed the prior day and was off on her honeymoon. Odin politely accepted his explanation, whilst detecting several oddities. One, how our family hadn’t been informed of, or invited to the wedding. How quickly Freyr signed the documents, that Leah was visiting a sister she’d long despised, but mostly, Freyrs superficial surprise with Odin’s unplanned arrival.” “Spies.” Said Shandi. 'That’s so sad.’ “Exactly. Odin always suspected their presence and centuries prior, had planted his own in Vanaheim. Yet not until then, did he grasp how deeply infiltrated Freyrs were. I’d spent that day on my mother’s tail so consistently, it raised her suspicion. Once I revealed everything, she promised we would address it when Odin returned. By the time he did however, I knew it was too late. Divorce isn’t permitted on Vanaheim once a marriage is consummated.” ‘How backwards could a society be?’ “Are you also familiar with Asgards Gatekeeper and his gifts?” “Yes, another astounding soul.” Said Shandi. “Tony explained him too in case..well…” “In case I escaped and you were all pining to have me flogged?” “What? Loki.” “I’m teasing. It makes sense everyone was educated of Heimdall as well. Upon Odin’s return, Mother immediately requested Heimdall seek Iris’s whereabouts and both were appalled by their discovery. Iris’s 'husband’ was older than her father. Odin deduced Freyr must have sent secret military personnel to intimidate Alfheim, as our spies were unaware of his attempt. Then two months after the wedding, one of Odin’s most highly skilled, gained employment as the second chef in Freyr’s palace. He learned the truth of what happened to Iris, after seducing Leah’s head handmaiden. Days after returning to Vanaheim following the warning, Freyr had introduced Iris and Leah, to his daughter’s new betrothed. Assuming a flee attempt, he’d kept his intentions secret even from Leah. Both women were informed from that day forward, of being forbidden to leave the palace until after the ceremony. Iris would only be permitted for courting purposes, always escorted by guards and was to marry in three months time. When the betrothed left, Iris and Leah pleaded with Freyr to reconsider, but he refused. Iris then panicked, revealed our relationship and Freyr became enraged. He struck her, called her a traitor and whore, for sacrificing her purity to the son of his arch enemy and swore we would never be together. He’d lied about Leah and Iris being ill, while hastening the ceremony. Then two days prior to it, Leah was caught attempting to assist Iris in escaping. Subsequently, they were imprisoned in separate rooms within his chambers. That evening, Leah received a beating so severe, she couldn’t attend the ceremony and lost all permission to leave the palace unescorted, indefinitely. Her father was Iris’s only family member present when she married. An ancient nobleman, with a reputation for violence, blackmail and notorious womanizing. Freyr apparently owed him a political debt and he’d come to collect. Following the honeymoon, Iris was further imprisoned in his home and forbidden any visitors. Especially Leah, who cleverly began feigning approval of Freyr’s decision, with the goal of returning Iris to the palace. She convinced him with Iris’s beauty, charm and intelligence, she could easily bypass the husbands minimal security. A possibility, Freyr hadn’t considered.” “Loki, why would Leah do that if believing Iris capable of escape?” “She had learned the husband would kill Iris if she tried. Leah also suspected the husband had some heavy shit on Freyr she wasn’t aware of, to worry of his own daughter escaping. Were it bad enough to bring down their monarchy, Leah wanted Iris close, to keep her spirits up until she could help her try and escape again. With that and the husbands love for the good life, he was easily convinced to move into the palace. Upon returning however, Iris had dramatically changed. She was withdrawn, notably depressed and hardly spoke or ate. Leah spent every possible moment with her and weeks passed before Iris perked up. Then she began eating, talking, even laughing again. Leah later concluded it was all an act. Iris was found dead in her chambers, six weeks to the day of her wedding….” Shandi swallowed the rising lump in her throat. ‘Oh my god.’ ….“I couldn’t attend her funeral and refrain from attacking Freyr or the husband, but mother, Odin and Thor did. Leah was so distraught, she hardly spoke, yet discreetly slipped mother a small envelope. Inside was Iris’s suicide note. She became pregnant and couldn’t bare raising a child with an abusive spouse who regarded her as only an object, nor amidst Freyrs absurd rule. She then asked my forgiveness. Declared she would love me for all eternity and had taken that love with her to Valhalla. It’s equivalent to your heaven….” Shandi bit down on her tongue, fighting hard to keep that lump at bay. ….”Almost a year passed with Freyr so absorbed in his favorite hobbies of blaming Leah, drink and mistresses, he slacked being overly watchful of her. Odin’s spy who had come to greatly respect his Queen, aided her escape into Asgard and we willingly concealed her presence. Through her, we learned Freyr’s classified military tactics, secret weapons locations, how he infiltrated spies..she was immensely generous in her betrayal. Mother aided her in attaining cosmetic surgery and she promised Iris’s death wouldn’t remain in vain. To this day, she lives peacefully amongst our people, devoted to aiding abused women and children with beginning new lives.” Loki nodded reflectively, then concluded. “Iris would be very proud of her.” “I’m sure she would.” “I hope this has given you a better insight into my outburst and bitterness towards Freyr and Freya, Shandi.” 'And into you.’ "Very much so. I would feel exactly the same. And it’s always good when something positive comes out of something so..negative.” . “I agree. Leah is an inspiring example of that.” “She certainly is. I think I could use some coco.” Shandi suddenly announced. She rose, as did Loki. “Then allow me. After listening to my harrowing story, you’ve definitely earned it.” Shandi held a smile until he left, then walked to the window inwardly chastising herself, as tears welled in her eyes. 'Stop it. You are ‘not’ going to cry.’ She quickly wiped away two that fell and gathered her composure. Loki returned and was steps away when she unexpectedly walked right past him. “Let’s cook dinner together. Do you like stir fry?” He watched her vanish into the hall. 'A marvelous idea, darling.’ Shandi was rummaging through the freezer drawer as he placed her drink on the counter. “Do we have any chicken?” When he knelt and reached into it, she walked around the island. “It’s probably best you cut the onions. I’ll help with the rest.” Loki smirked until getting a better look at her. “Why have you mascara smeared on your cheek and droplets in your lashes?” 'Dammit. How can he see those from over there?’ She quickly tried wiping it away. “Listen Loki. You said no sympathy, but I can still be sorry for your loss. And Leah’s. You can't…. Loki began sauntering towards her. ….reveal a story like that and not expect it on some level.” “Yes I can.” He kissed her until she softened against him and ended it, stroking her hair. “Now you listen, hm? I’m grateful to you for lending an ear, but have moved beyond Iris’s passing thanks to Leah.” “Was she whom you spoke to so long ago?” “Yes. Leah convinced me if Iris knew we were incessantly unhappy, she would be the same in Valhalla. Therefore to honour her, we had to try harder at changing that. It wasn’t easy, but in time we succeeded. Come to think of it, I’d be receiving a scolding were Leah present. ‘Clever prince of impishness, saddening this lovely maiden. For shame.’” She would say. Shandi chuckled at his high pitched voice attempt. “She called you that?” “Only teasingly.” He held up her wounded hand. “You’ll need a bandage before cooking.” Magic applied one with a glove and he returned to the fridge for more ingredients. Their steamy kiss left Shandi with moist panties and she inhaled half of her drink. “This day went fast. It’s nearly dark already.” “Right, before I forget.” Loki retrieved a small remote from a drawer. “Stand near the windows?” The kitchen light went out, a blind rose and a display of multicolored lights come into view, beneath the peony bushes. They lit up half the path and a stone bench, amidst two planters with impatiens and Shandi beamed. "They’re perfect. You did an amazing job, Loki. Thank you.” “You’re welcome.” Despite having detected her scent, Loki carried on, hoping she would make a move. 'Come on, Pet. I know what that kiss did you. Unleash my burning desire.’ Shandi kept longingly watching him until he said something. "Norns darling. What has you so pensive?” 'Stop torturing yourself, Shandi. Go get what you want!’ She went to him, stood on her toes and planted a kiss on his lips, Loki was surprised she had in her. When stopping to catch a breath, he smirked at her lusty gaze. “Oh my. You keep kissing me like that and dinner will be delayed.” Shandi then stepped back, pulled off her shirt and tossed it asunder. “The hell with dinner. I can’t take this anymore.” She sprung back into his arms and gasped when Loki hoisted her onto the island. Her drink smashing to the floor, went ignored as he exposed her neck, nipped along her shoulder and sensually kissed his way to her lobe. “Neither can I Shandi and tonight, when you’re crying out my name in pleasure? I’ll be wallowing in every..fucking..second of it.”

#Loki #Lover #Angst #God of Mischief #Submitted fic #submission #Lokilover9 #chapter 25 #irked

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othernecessarythings · 4 years

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let’s go

and btw it it’s weird that i just tell my whole life story like this where no one will ever read it, and it’s kinda cringe that i’m writing in english for no one but myself, but whatever here we go

TWENTY ONE PILOTS

* implicit demand for proof: are you more of a skeptic or a believer?

skeptic, i’m no good at believing or being optimistic smh

* fall away: are you afraid of heights?

not really

* the pantaloon: describe your favourite shirt.

ooh i’m right now is it probably my big, deep blue nike hoodie? idk it just fits to everything

* addict with a pen: write a four-line poem about whatever’s on your mind.

please reopen the schools (wait four-line? i read four-worded huh)

* friend, please: what is the nicest thing a friend has ever done for you?

my friend gave me a decorated photo album, it’s one of my most priced possessions (does that expression even mean that? i mean it’s very important to me anyways)

* march to the sea: you are given one day to live, with unlimited travel capabilities in that time. where do you choose to die?

probably here in my hometown? i’d travel as much as possible, but i’d still like to die where i belong

* johnny boy: have you ever risen to an occasion in a way of which you are proud?

hm probably, but i can’t really come up with any

* oh, ms. believer: is your favourite season the same now as when you were younger?

yeah, i’ve always preferred spring/summer

* air catcher: give your most unpopular/controversial opinion about love.

that it’s no rush trying to find love? everyone’s like it’s okay if your first love is in your 40’s, but i feel kinda stressed out that i haven’t fallen in love yet

* trapdoor: when have you felt invisible?

um the whole winter of being 14? but like invisible for everybody else, painfully visible for myself while i simultaneously shut off and didn’t feel a single emotion for like half a year,, yeah aha ha good times

* a car, a torch, a death: favourite way to travel? least favourite?

favorite: train, i always have a special and exciting goal if i travel

least favorite: car i guess, it’s just so mundane and boring

* taxi cab: tell us about the most memorable journey you’ve taken.

i’ve been on lots on journeys, but they’re all like typical family trips, so allow me to get poetical here, i guess the most memorable journey has been my own? like how i have evolved and developed to where i am today? hmm

* before you start your day: name your favourite part of your morning routine.

getting to check others private snap stories and to see what has happened during the night for them

* isle of flightless birds: what do you think is the most beautiful part of nature?

ah i love love nature and the complexity of it and how everything is connected, but like one specific thing? sunsets. it may be basic, but i’m a real slut for sunsets

REGIONAL AT BEST

* slowtown: where is your sanctuary?

i live by the sea, so i’ve got a few safe places near the shore that’s my favorites,, and like my best friends house, i always feel at home there too :,)

* glowing eyes: you inherit the powers and status of one well-known superhero. which do you choose, and why?

um i’m not that much for superheroes but like shuri from black panther is really cool and super smart, so that would be awesome!

* kitchen sink: what is something that only makes sense to you?

i’ve never mentioned this to anyone before, but i kinda think in shapes? ye not gonna elaborate on that one, but i feel like that’s not really explainable to anyone but myself

* anathema: what is a word most people don’t know? give its definition.

okay the swedish word fika,, like i’m very confused by how you non swedish guys live your lives without that word?? it basically means to “sit down, eat something sweet or more of a snack, have a cup of coffee or similar, and just talk and enjoy time together” and it’s very useable and necessary in my vocabulary

another word i thought of was the swedish word dygn. the translation is a day, but like we have a word for day too. day=dag. but a dygn is more like the 24 h the day lasts, while the dag only lasts during daytime,, idk it sounds complicated but it really confuse me sometimes when someone says a day, cause idk if they mean like the whole dygn, 24 h, or only daytime,, okay rant over

* lovely: how often do you express affection?

sigh i’m really bad at it and i should show the people i love how much i appreciate them more often, but when i do is it usually in form of words and thoughts,, i’m not a touchy person, not the one to give lots of gifts either, but i like to show it in words

* ruby: has a stranger ever permanently impacted your life?

hm no not really a stranger? but i mean some celebrities (*ahem tyler joseph*) have really changed my life, and i guess i’m just a total stranger to them but it feels like i know them personally for me

* be concerned: name an issue you believe should receive more attention.

all the species doing extinct

* clear: how much of yourself do you wear on your sleeve?

um not that much, i’m usually a quite reserved person

VESSEL

* ode to sleep: describe the last dream you remember.

omfg oh the dreams i’ve had lately, they’re something complete different,, like with the quarantine have i started sleeping more, which i guess is good, but i’ve started dreaming so much more and it’s fucking scary how much and how intense i dream now? like every dream seems real, and i’ve started to struggle to remember what’s actually happened in my real life compared to what i’ve dreamt, i can’t separate them and it all mixes together to one confusing mess,, and some dreams have been quite horror like too, not that i’m bothered when i’m actually in them, but more like i wake up and think whatthefuck actually happened

* holding on to you: which part of a conflict do you believe is more important - the journey to solution or the solution itself?

solution, i’m always a solution person, just give me that damn happy ending even with real problems too

* migraine: do you have a favourite day of the week?

no not really, it really depends on what i’m doing each day

* house of gold: what is a childhood dream you had that now seems unrealistic?

hm this is about to be sad but i never dreamt of anything big or special, ive always known that i’ll just end up living a normal life like anyone else? and i haven’t got any special talents or something, so the most creative i can think of is probably a good scientist or something

* car radio: do you enjoy silence?

in the right amount, yes. i usually appreciate silence a lot, whether alone or with friends i’m comfortable with, but that awkward silence sometimes is horrible

* semi-automatic: what is your stance on gun ownership?

disgusting. there’s no fucking argument that justifies having a gun, a possibility to take someone others life. there’s NEVER a valuable reason. sweden is really good with our super controlled gun laws, but like the us desperately needs stricter gun laws

* screen: what is the lie you most regret?

uhm update i think the last time i wrote here was in like april?? so anyways it’s december let’s finish this one lol

oh um i am, as mentioned before, highly scared of conflicts so i’m always weighing pros and cons of lying - and usually am i quite close, so there’s really no big lie that i regret? i tend to stick to the truth bc i’m scared of the consequences that might come if someone discovers my lie

* the run and go: if you were a fugitive, where would you hide out? explain.

simple answer: my friends places, if i had to hide somewhere better than that then maybe like... my grandpas wife has a lovely summer house in norway, yeah i’d hide there

* fake you out: freedom or safety?

depends. right now, fucking freedom. no, but like in theory right now freedom is the only thing i wish for, but i’m actually prioritizing safety bc of obvious reasons and i hope everyone else is too so i can have my damn freedom soon

* guns for hands: what is your favourite metaphor from a book or other piece of writing?

i really wish i was more attentive about such things, right now so i not have a clue

* trees: talk about your most memorable experience with a stranger.

i’m shy and scandinavian so i don’t talk to strangers unless i really have to,, maybe the man who shouted “i want that chinese” and pointed at me when i was in the city with my friends, who made me fully realize that wow people are actually racist towards me

* truce: name an acoustic song (other than truce) that makes you emotional.

misguided ghosts. do i really need to say anything more? no.

#julias mind #self development #just for my own sake

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rwby-rants-and-theories · 7 years

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Okay this is going to be a MANY post ASK just to get that out of the way. First no they werent already doing that for the grimm they were running but AT IT not around it. They were doing hit and run tactics not circling so no that is wrong. So actually that wasnt comedy or Jaune saying something they were already doing it was him honest to god directing them from ONE fight style to a LIKE fight style which is what many dont get. As for BRNZ yes that is an issue.

Now pyrrha no it was not. First Jaune is not alone he is with Ruby Ren and Nora yet they dont say a word against it. They in fact APPROVE of it. The issue with arguing about him using the metal is we dont know what metal was used. They leave it Vague on PURPOSE it could be broken Milo or it could be repair metal Pyrrha used for her gear and not her actual stuff. Notice with Qrow he had Oz’s cane at the end despite not being shown with it? Yeah Jaune could have all the other just waiting,Next RWBY is a world where they most likely dont do burials. Summer left for a mission and never came back. Ren’s hometown was destroyed same goes for Shion. Burials with Bodies are most likely RARE. Keep in mind NOT our world. We get bodies back but from everything we see unless you live in a city you most likely dont get a burial because there isnt a body left. Jaune by placing Pyrrha’s symbol on his shield made an oath. MANY MANY people dont get that. Shield symbols are BIG things especially ones that are passed down. And Jaune just changed it and placed a symbol unique to Pyrrha without taking HER symbol. He alloyed her to his personal family item and made it so all his family are now linked to her. That is big. Like so massive it would be like changing the robes of every bishop big. Jaune by doing that is paying ULTIMATE respect to her he is literally carrying on in her name. Look at his shield his sword her symbols are all over it. As for Pyrrha coming back YES it needs to be handled carefully but I think they can do it. Plus keep in mind gravity is fickle if the author never intended there to be as much gravity as the audience places on it who is at fault the author or the audience? We need to keep that in mind there might be unintended weight given.

I didn’t say the fight with the Nuckelavee was comedy. I meant the fight with the Geist was.

Although yes, I checked again and the only one encircling the Nuckelavee prior to Jaune’s order was Ren and he got caught. So I’ll take back that specific statement.

Ruby, Pyrrha, and Ren don’t object because the writers likely overlooked the fact that Pyrrha still has a family waiting for her. It’s not outside the real of possibility they wanted Pyrrha to keep being about Jaune even after she died. Pyrrha existing solely for Jaune is there yet again.

The other members of Team RNJR don’t even get to mention Pyrrha. Ruby gets only nightmares that are then left unaddressed for the rest of the Volume.

It’s like they started off with the right foot and then forgot to tie their shoelaces and tripped all along the way. Ruby doesn’t get to react to her own grief and trauma. To Ren and Nora, it’s like Pyrrha never even existed.

I doubt it was “vague” when the ornament on Jaune’s shield was clearly Pyrrha’s circlet. (Not her emblem.) When the blacksmith asked where Jaune got the metal from, he answers “From a friend.”

It’s quite obvious that metal was from Pyrrha’s weapons. It was a not-so-subtle implication.

So yeah, Jaune made a decision that wasn’t his to make. Nor was it RNJR’s. It was a decision that should have been made by Pyrrha’s family

You know, society in Remnant has advanced enough for there to be large cities and therefore sustain people long enough for them to grow old and have to be buried and cremated. The majority of Remnant is not nomadic. And even nomads have burial rites. It wouldn’t surprise me if Remnant had several nomadic cultures in the past. The Grimm might have made it hard and therefore forced people to leave out bodies. But that’s why you’d figure out how to make efficient burials.

All cultures have burial rites and that’s a sociological fact. Practices similar to the ones in our world have to exist in fantasy worlds so that they feel relatable. Can you think of a fantasy civilization that’s not even remotely based on any real-world cultures? No, you can’t. Because fiction has strong bases on reality and the cultures that comprise it.

Besides, burial without bodies do happen. The body might not be present but the rite is performed all the same. There might not be any digging, but placing a gravestone counts as a burial.

You know, something having a much greater gravitational effect than it was meant to have is called an “unintended implication”. People can spot an idea the author did not intend but is present all the same. Writers can overlook a certain aspect their work implies.

But either way, Pyrrha’s death wasn’t meant to be weightless. It was meant to affect us. Deeply. It was one of the most significant moments in the entire series because it triggered Ruby’s Silver Eyes and signified the end of the first act and showed us the danger the main characters are facing.

I’m gonna have to keep disagreeing with you, Anon.

#rwby #rwde #anonymous #daniel answers #thanks for the ask!#i'm a little tired now #let's keep doing this later

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rwby-rants-and-theories · 7 years

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Thoughts on RWBY Volume 4 Chapter 9 - “Two Steps Forward, Two Steps Back”

I was... quite satisfied with this episode. All four of our girls, all four of our babies.

This episode just... felt great. "A Much Needed Talk" frustrated me to no end, but this episode gave me a sigh of relief at the very end. Well, sorta. "We're running into Raven." isn't very comforting even if it means saving Qrow. Does that mean we finally get to talk more about Summer? Qrow was hallucinating about telling Tai she (Summer) isn't coming back. But just imagine what Ruby could learn about her mother from two people who worked with her, specially given the atmosphere around Qrow and Raven. Imagine what it would also mean for the Branwen twins. I don't think Qrow is a snarky alcoholic with a five-o-clock shadow just for the hell of it. (I mean, he could but that would be some of the laziest writing ever known to mankind. And Faunuskind.) With a semblance like "misfortune", guy must've gone through some pretty tough stuff. Add in Summer dying and well, you get more than just "human disaster", no pun intended (a little pun intended).

About Raven, it would shed a lot of light about who she is, about her life philosophy. She left behind some of the most important people in her life (Tai, Summer, Qrow, her own friggen daughter). Is it really just ambition that drives her? Granted, Raven left Yang after she was born, and Tai mentioned their relationship was already over very thin ice (putting it lightly, maybe, have you seen Raven?). Imagine how hard it must have been. Did Raven and Tai have problems before or during her pregnancy with Yang? Maybe a little after? Those are questions whose answers we'll find out through Yang's eyes, hopefully. It's information essential to her and her character, information that will add a lot of meaning if and when Yang and Raven reunite. They have to. Homegirl <3 started off this series looking for Raven, that pivotal establishment of her character means nothing if she doesn't find Raven or if Raven doesn't find her first. Back to Summer and Raven, though. Raven's life philosophy is "The strong survive, the weak perish." She spent years with Summer, Tai, and Qrow. Those aren't the beliefs of someone who bonded so intimately for so long with what's essentially a godly Teletubby, a crass sandwich-making dork, and a dramatic bird dude who loves playing video games. A lot of people have theorized Raven's "kill or be killed" rhetoric is her coping mechanism for Summer's death. Summer was her leader. The strongest woman she knew. Summer was her friend. And she dies. No way that makes sense to Raven. She probably went from "Oh gods, it's my fault, I wasn't there for her, I let her die," to something else. It's not likely she thought "Summer was weak, that's why she died," but rather "Something was stronger than Summer, either we step up or we join her." That makes a lot more sense given how many lives Raven is responsible for as the leader of her tribe. Could you imagine how interesting it would be for Ruby, who believes in helping everybody, be told that not everybody deserves help? That they're a burden? How interesting it would be for Raven to feel like she's facing Summer again, being reminded of her old self and what she believed in? That's deep, yo. One last thing: I wish Ren and Nora would have accompanied Ruby and Jaune. Raven is the woman responsible for the deaths of people they cared about and the losses they faced as children. Figure what it would mean for them if they confronted Raven. It would provide the much-needed backstories and developments they deserve (other than Pyrrha, of course. Because Pyrrha's death is not just about Jaune, no matter how much Miles and Kerry might think. Ruby watched Pyrrha die and she also failed to save her, while Ren and Nora couldn't be there for their friend and teammate. You'd figure they would also have some say about her other than Jaune. I want Jaune to grow but it's disturbing how much the story is revolving around him). Granted, it doesn't mean that they won't run into Raven later on, but I'm just worried that the longer they go without meeting her, the more it means they never will. Also, I'm a slut for watching Jaune and Ren hug and Team RNJR show each other support and affection. Martial Arcs shippers are going nuts.

Moving on to Weiss, God, I love watching her grow. But I wish we could have seen more of her regaining her confidence and becoming stronger throughout the season. She's had too few scenes, but given RT's budget and constraints, I understand (and I'd be a little less critical if that were the only case). I'm looking forward to see her escape from the Schnee household, and the dire repercussions that would follow. Hopefully, by the time Jacques finds her, she'll be back with her smol red girlfriend Team RWBY or someone friendly. I'd hate for Weiss to feel even more on her own than she already did in Atlas. #WeissSchneeProtectionSquad2K17 I have a few words about Whitley, too. I'm a little annoyed that he's fallen into this "Annoying Younger Sibling/Bitch in Sheep's Clothing" trope. The opening showed Whitley being a pillar of support for Weiss alongside Klein. Misleading openings are nothing new, for sure, but c'mon. Honestly, I'm hoping Miles and Kerry give us a little more substance to Whitley. Why he is the way he is or why he is so dismissive of his grandfather's legacy by calling Weiss and Winter "barbaric" and "beneath" him and his father by being Huntresses? I feel Whitley's anger at Winter and Weiss stems from "They disobeyed Father and pointlessly faced the punishments when they could have just stayed quiet and lived in peace," rather than just "They disobeyed Father." It would give so much more context to their family dynamic and explain a lot. Honestly, where's Weiss's mom? It weirds me out how we've had a look into the Schnees and Nick's daughter, Jacques's entry into the family name, is nowhere to be seen or heard. You'd think she wouldn't have an opinion on Jacques or her own children, specially Weiss. Just what else is going on here that we don't know about? We have seen plenty but what do we KNOW? Again, I'm hoping Miles and Kerry clear this out soon. Although without Weiss in the Schnee household, there is no guarantee we'll have a POV to explore it.

And now, Blake. My favorite. Absolute perfection. I'm quite pleasantly surprised this spy ended up being someone Blake knows and was likely close to. It gives a much-needed dimension to the White Fang and a tie to it for Blake other than Fuckboi Supreme Adam and her parents. It makes so much sense that she'd know someone else in the White Fang other than Adam. If Blake was born into the White Fang, why not other kids? I want to know what kind of relationship Blake had to Ilia. She seems to care about Blake. She could have hurt her but she didn't. She only hurt Sun. Boy, she hurt Sun. There's a lot to say about that and y'all know. First things first, Blake and Sun's dynamic this volume has been rather cringe-worthy and borderline mutually abusive. Sun stalks Blake for what could have been six to eight months without any consideration about how paranoid, vulnerable, and anxious she might feel after what happened at Beacon. If it were absolutely necessary for Sun to be on this journey with Blake, wouldn't it have made better sense if we had opened Blake's arc this volume with Blake and Sun already travelling together with Blake stressing how much she didn't want Sun to come with her and only let him come because he'd insist in supporting her? Failing that and having the events of "Of Runaways and Stowaways" play out the same, a conversation between Blake and Sun would have been great. Sun would explain his reasons for doing what he did (keep in mind that an explanation is NOT a justification by any means) and Blake would have had a better opportunity of calling him out and have Sun understand her a little better. It would have avoided Sun rudely and frustratingly interrupting a very meaningful conversation between Blake and Ghira, a conversation that revealed substantial details about Blake's past and her life-long (and recent) trauma. It was a much needed talk (see what I did there?). It was the reassurance and the beginning of a healing process Blake desperately needs. A conversation between Blake and Sun would have avoided her abusing Sun by slapping him not once but twice across the face and throwing away his phone when he needed to show her evidence that she might be in danger. These instances of mutual abuse were writing decisions. They were questionable choices Miles and Kerry took regarding Blake and Sun. These problems weren't something necessary to have between Blake and Sun, but Miles and Kerry thought this was even remotely okay or appropriate. Guys, c'mon. I wanna believe in y'all. Don't show one instance of abuse as reprehensible (Jacques and Weiss) and then show another as comic relief (Blake and Sun). That's gross, lol. Anyway, Blake's "Please, not again," was heartbreaking but I hope that leads to the conversation Blake needs to have about her Saiyan girlfriend Yang and the one she needs to have with Sun. A lot of these issues would be easily resolved or progressed if only characters talked about them, because there are also several other that are more sensitive and immediate.

Finally, let's talk about Yang. There has been too little Yang this volume and this is a valid complaint. The last we saw of Yang, she had decided to start her training with her new arm because she didn't want to feel like a burden anymore. Now, we skip to her behaving more like her former self and holding her own in a spar. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad to see Yang feel a lot more confident, but quite frankly, it feels severely unearned. There wasn't a proper exploration of her feeling like she needs to get better otherwise she is a dead weight, and her overcoming that amount of low self-worth she's been struggling with ever since Summer died and learned that Raven, her own mother, abandoned her while her father suffered a long depressive episode. There wasn't a proper exploration of her PTSD and depression following the loss of her arm, or recovering and getting stronger for us to feel invested in her growth. She just had one panic attack and Miles and Kerry decided that's enough about Yang's trauma to show. Mental illness is a very serious and sensitive topic. It's either addressed thoroughly and sensibly or it's not addressed at all. You can't be on the fence with it due to its complexity and gravity. Skipping through Yang's growth feels sloppy and mediocre. Recovery isn't pretty. It's hard and ugly and tough to swallow. "A few weeks" isn't enough for recovery, even when you count the months that passed between now and the Fall of Beacon. What also bothered me is how Taiyang bothered to mention Yang's performance in the Vytal Festival without mentioning what happened with Mercury. Tai mentions how Yang is lacking in balance and has this great talk with her about her approach to things and still fails to talk about Adam and Mercury. I want to see more of Tai and Yang bonding over their losses and Tai be a father and make us want to feel more involved with him and the relationship he has with his daughters.Their conversation about how Yang is similar but not exactly like Raven is a great example of this. We get a sense of how Tai feels about Raven and Yang learns a little more about her. The dynamic between Raven, Yang, and Tai feels a little more grounded. If we can't see this in the show, hell, there's other mediums to ensure we are treated to cannon material not covered in the show.

So far, that's about all I have to say about this episode. I loved it but the episode wasn't without some major flaws and missed opportunities, and that goes for the entire volume as well. I'm looking forward for the rest of the season and hope to do some meta analysis for the entire volume and even the other ones in the series.

For now, let's all rejoice in the fact that we got to see ZWEI, GOOD BOY, LITTLE CUTIE, SUCH A PRECIOUS BALL OF SUNSHINE, WHO'S A GOOD BOY, YES HE IS, YES HE IS.

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