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[speakagaintheancientoaths]

This is the kind of thing that people look at and assume you’re In Denial but I need you all to know I am fully, 100% serious when I say this: Nuts & Dolts endgame.

[speakagaintheancientoaths]

RWBY/Cosmere crossover idea

RWBY season 6 spoilers ahead!

The God of Light and God of Darkness were, in fact, Preservation and Ruin. Remnant was their first attempt at creating life, and after they left, Scadrial was their second attempt. This throws an interesting wrench into things, since Ruin and Preservation are both dead. 

Only trouble I can see with this is that the GoD and GoL don’t quite fit with what we’ve seen of Ruin and Preservation, since the gods can do things that are a bit outside the shards’ range. Ruin couldn’t create things, for example. Though if you just make the Grimm basically Ruinspren, that could work. The silver eyes definitely work as an expression of Preservation, since they’re meant to protect/preserve life. Especially the “turning Grimm to stone” bit. You could argue that turning them to stone Preserves them, making them unchanging, much more in line with Preservation. (Unchanging apart from, say, being shattered with a hammer or something, but whatever) And if the Grimm Pools are, in fact, Ruin’s Perpendicularity, then the crystals growing around them could be a source of atium.

[speakagaintheancientoaths]

Nuts and Dolts Week Day 6: Glowing Eyes

‘Yes, but you helped. Too make them work I have and have to think about people I love and...” Ruby’s voice dropped to a mumbled whisper.

@nuts-and-dolts-week

Day late again and a bit shorter. Turns out upon re-watching there's really just no time gap at all between volume 6 and 7 so I had to slightly tweak my between volumes rule to make this work. Likewise obviously only one of the pair has the glowy at this point. Still, I’m happy with the basic premise.

On Ao3 here or keep reading

Panic was spreading through Mantle. Something had happened, or was happening in Argus. The seismographs had gone haywire, followed by a blinding silver flash, visible even from all the way across the ocean. With the CCT down information was scarce, but many believed this to be the first salvo in a war of retribution for Vale. A city-killing bomb, a sign the general had been right. His fear had brought the kingdom’s armies back to Atlas. Now the people’s fear, stoked by the idea he was right, had brought the Grimm.

 Penny however, was not afraid. Her eyes, lit like headlamps, scanned the streets for monsters to destroy. Of course she      was     worried for the citizens in her care. A pack of Saybers up ahead. But more than that she was excited. Mantle’s protector descended, spinning blades and bright beams making short work of the beasts. She knew what that silver light meant.

 At least, she  knew what she hoped it meant  .

 A crackly voice cut through on the Air control channel.  "Manta Five One, welcome home. please report to hanger three for debrief"  Penny very nearly flew up to intercept the incoming vessel and make sure, before a nearby scream drew her back to the task at hand.

 ---

 Her Father had called her back to his lab for a brief meeting, but she'd been called to respond to an alarm. Then there had been the whole affair with the Ace-ops and the General and the lamp. After that, the fact that Argus had not been destroyed had needed to be circulated around the twin cities, while Team RWBY and Co tried to rest.

 Finally, once things had settled down, and those who needed it had had a chance to sleep, Penny managed to corner Ruby to confirm her supposition.  "The silver light before you arrived. Did you do that? I read the reports about Beacon but they were not clear."  Ruby looked up at her and smiled "Uh, yeah…" a blush was growing on the other girl’s cheeks,"but you helped!"

 "I'm sorry Ruby,I do not understand. I was here in Mantle not in Argus. How could I have helped?"  Along with the increased blood flow to her face, Ruby’s heart rate appeared to be rising.  "So I can make my eyes glow all silver to destroy the Grimm, but to make it work I have to think about people I love and well…"  The young leader's voice fell into a mumble as the sentence ended. Penny thought she understood, but needed to be sure.

 "Are you saying that you love me?"  Now her core temperature was rising to match the other girl.  "Yes Penny. I am. I love you."

 Sensational! Much better in reality than any of her simulations. She leaned down for a kiss.  "I love you too, Ruby Rose!” A thought occurred “But you will need to hurry or you'll be late for breakfast. "

 "I'm quick, there's time. One more kiss?"

 -

 Not quick enough in the end, but the silver-eyed speedster didn't seem too upset to miss the meal.

[speakagaintheancientoaths]

Nuts and Dolts Week Day 5: AU

 As they finished off the last of the Grimm Pyrrha gave a quick remark.

 “Can you imagine if we’d had to fight in the festival without knowing each other, that could have been dreadful.”

 Penny did not need to imagine.

@nuts-and-dolts-week

This is a little late, I was too tired after work yesterday to write. Fortunately it’s the weekend now so I can catch up easily.

Not the AUiest of AUs but still in keeping with the prompt I think. I also extremely cheekily snuck in a reference to my only other NnD fic.

Ao3 here, or text below the cut

 “Hello Penny, Specialist Schnee tod me you wanted to talk. What about?”

 Getting Winter to make her an appointment with the general had been scary but this was important.

 “I do not think we should be keeping my re-creation secret Sir”

 There, she’d said it, no going back now.

 “I have been stimulating alternative courses of action during my time in Vale. In most cases sharing information about myself with others, or taking a more active role rather than passively waiting, significantly improved the outcomes. In some cases I estimate it was likely possible to prevent the Fall entirely. I'm even more combat ready now than before, I should be helping people.”

 “And why do you think that?”

 James was not one to give up secrets easily, so she was prepared.

 “Very well. Send me the files to check.”

 Oh. Ah. This could be extremely embarrassing.

 ---

 Pyrrha’s power coursed through her, strengthening her against the monster's blow then guiding her arm into the best counter.

 “I’m Sorry!”

 The taller redhead’s voice had its common tint of shame.

 “Do not be sorry, Friend Pyrrha! Your help is greatly appreciated.”

 Ever since her beloved Ruby had introduced them they had become extremely close. Bonding over by a shared sense of isolation, over a shared burden of destiny.

 Penny did not need to imagine.

 As they finished off the last of the Grimm Pyrrha gave a quick remark.

 “Can you imagine if we’d had to fight in the festival without knowing each other, that could have been dreadful.”

 ---

 Penny gazed up from her sickbed into her partner’s face. The harsh sea wind had weathered lines in Ruby’s face as surely as the salt spray was slowly rusting her from within.

 Penny did not need to imagine.

 “You know Pen, sometimes I think running away to tend a lighthouse together was a really bad plan.”

 Sometime sailors would bring parts for trade but as Remnant darkened that trickle was drying up. Ruby's tender hands were trying their best to make do with what they had, but the need was ever greater than the supply.

 “I do not think so Petal, we have had a long and happy time together here. I am not sure we could have asked for more.”

 A familiar fire lit behind silver eyes.

 “It’s just, some of the stories from the east, I can’t help but imagine what would have happened if we’d stayed at Beacon, joined the fight.”

 ---

 For now she could just enjoy the quiet moment. The little cabin on Patch felt a world away from all her fears and concerns. Tomorrow was the midwinter festival and Penny would have to deal with the awkwardness of sitting whilst everyone else ate. She had some ideas of how to fix that though and now that she was going to stay at Beacon she had all the time in the world to implement them.

 “... upon a time, there was a very wise king. And an even wiser queen. Your turn!”

 Ruby finished the tale and handed the book to Penny. The two of them were curled beneath a blanket on a sofa, enjoying a just being together. Soon Blake and Yang would return and the house would be alive with noise.

 Penny did not need to imagine.

 Taking advantage of the pause before she started reading, Ruby lent in and stole a kiss, and a question.

 “Do you ever stop and think about how things could be different if you hadn’t asked me to dance with you last term? If we hadn’t stopped Cinder at the CCT? I imagine she could have caused a lot of trouble.”

 ---

 “Very well Sir, but be aware some of them continue past the point of useful prediction. I could edit them to avoid wasting your time.”

 The tiniest smirk showed on Ironwood's lips.

 “Of course. But I think you're correct regardless. People know you existed, there's no point in keeping your return secret any longer. Ozpin was right about the symbolic power of a Guardian."

The general paused, flicking through some files on his console.

 "How does ‘Protector of Mantle’ sound? We should be able to manage a formal announcement within the week.”

[speakagaintheancientoaths]

Nuts and Dolts Week Day 4: Fireflies

 "I'm certain James. There's nothing I wouldn't do to bring back my girl."

 The flip of a switch brought agony. Pietro's eyes followed the pulsing green light, the flow of his soul through the conduit. It reminded the doctor of something. Something half remembered and yet comforting.

Bit of a weird one this one. In classic unplanned writing style my loosing connected fluffy/angsty onseshots have wound up with some kind of plot.

Ao3 Here or

 Penny wandered gently through the dim woods, lightning bugs dancing in the air around her. There were other parts to the afterlife, but so far this was the one she liked best. It reminded her of the best parts of her short life. She hoped that, when the time was right, the cause of those would meet her here as well. It seemed that for most shades being at peace with those they cared about was the greatest treasure of the beyond.

 ---

 "I'm certain James. There's nothing I wouldn't do to bring back my girl."

 "Are you sure you want to go through with this Pietro? Your aura never recovered from the last procedure and the projections suggest this would leave you critically low. We can find another donor"

 The general's eyes were cold, his voice low and stern.

 The flip of a switch brought agony. Pietro's eyes followed the pulsing green light, the flow of his soul through the conduit. It reminded the doctor of something. Something half remembered and yet comforting.

 ---

 The forest fell away into featureless pale white light.

 "Someone is trying to bring you back, little one. To steal your life from death."  A figure, bright gold, glowing and antlered stepped from nowhere into view. "At least this time it's by their own power instead of pleading with me to use mine."

 "Sal-u-tations!"

 Penny did not really know what else to say.

 "The last time this happened it led to my brother ending all human life."

 How scary. But humans still existed, odd.

 "Will that happen again?"

 It seemed important to ask.

 "It could. Maybe I should not allow it."

 Wait. She knew of this from tales.

 "You are Brother Light?"

 "I am."

 The faceless god nodded as he answered.

 "In the version of the story I was told, your brother destroyed what you had made many times. But you always created it anew. Is my father not entitled to do as you did?"

 Remembering was different here, fuzzier. She could not separate the content of the tale from the knowledge that it had been her father who had told it to her.

 "Very well. But know that your choice will come at a price. Know also that, should you find yourself here again, things will not be so easy nor shall I be so kind."

 "Perhaps. But why would you want to return, to abandon peace for suffering?"

 That question was easy to answer.

 "I was created to save the world. I never got the chance. Nice as it is here, all the things and people I care about are back there."

 One particular person came especially to mind.

 The endless white shattered into darkness, broken by a thin line of floating emerald lights. Penny climbed them, rising through shadows back towards  the world.

 ---

 In Mistral, sleeping the exhausted sleep of one too long from a proper bed, Ruby dreams. She dreams of gods and fairy tales. She dreams of long lost loves, magically reunited at the end of quests. Curled into a blanket, she dreams of soft forest floors, of green eyes and fireflies.

 ---

 In a lab deep within Atlas, Penny wakes anew. Alive once more, all knowledge gained from past her death now lost.

[speakagaintheancientoaths]

Nuts and Dolts Week Day 3: First date

“One of the last places I visited with Penny before the Fall was a weapons foundry. I guess I’m just not quite ready to spend a lot of time in one so soon.” Her answer was missing a key detail, but it was close enough.

Little bit sad/angsty today, but I suppose that was inevitable given how v3 ended and my self imposed ‘each prompt is a missing scene after the relevant volume’ thing.

Ao3 Here, or

“I’m just surprised you didn’t want to stay and overlook the work is all! I always took you for a big weapons nut?”

Jaune had finally voiced the question he’d been skirting around all morning, and Ruby still didn’t have a good answer. Team RJNR needed her to be their fearless leader.  Asking them to help her unpack everything she was feeling, whilst they were all coming to terms with the loss of Pyrrha, wouldn’t be fair. She did owe him at least part of an answer though.

“One of the last places I visited with Penny before the Fall was a weapons foundry. I guess I’m just not quite ready to spend a lot of time in one so soon.” Missing a key detail, but close enough.

“Oh”

Silent now, the Geist hunters continued their search through the woods. From the canopy A black bird watched them go.

---

“I do not normally like surprises, Ruby, but this was a wonderful one. How did you think it up?”

Penny gazed around the small workshop whilst the duo waited for the bladesmithing instructor to return. In many ways it reminded her of her father’s lab back in Atlas. The actual unfinished projects scattered around the space were different, sharper and less electrical, but their nature and disposition was very familiar.

“Well most normal date ideas involve coffee or drinks or a meal, so they wouldn’t work...” Ruby squeezed her hand reassuringly as she started speaking, before letting go and starting to gesture. “...then I thought maybe a movie, but Yang said that was a bad plan because it’s harder to chat while you're in a dark room with a loud film and anyway I’m not great at sitting still for that long…” That comment was illustrated by a spin that threatened to set her date's(!) red cape ablaze in the forge-fire. “...or a park but then I was worried that you’d be worried about being seen unless it was at night so…”

It was a little concerning how much extra effort she had forced Ruby to go through. Perhaps she should apologize? But interrupting her midway would be rude. Also it was quite marvelous to watch her animated expressions as she explained.

“...but then I remembered that Dad had bought me a ticket for a sword-making masterclass for my Birthday and I thought ‘oh wow that would be different and exciting’…”

Making a weapon, or part of one, together certainly was different. Penny approved immensely. 

“…managed to persuade Weiss to buy me another ticket by…” 

Unfortunately it probably wouldn't be possible to make something compatible with Floating Array without spilling state secrets. She had a plan though.

“...so here we are!”

A handful of petals drifted towards the workshop floor as Ruby pulled to a stop near the anvil... 

“I’m sorry that I made it difficult for you Ruby.”

...then a handful more as she darted closer for a hug.

“Don’t be! I think I’d’ve thought about it just as much no matter what. I really wanted to make sure this was special."

-

Later, they walked back through the park and watched the fireflies. Shadows guarding them from prying eyes as they clumsily shared a first kiss.

-

Later still as she trekked grimly across Anima, Ruby would find her thumb tracing the barely visible emblem etched into Crescent Rose's newest segment, or find her eyes drawn to the coppery green tint it had when it caught a certain light.

[speakagaintheancientoaths]

Nuts and Dolts Week Day 2: Geeking out

@nuts-and-dolts-week

“This is really good Penny! But uh, you know you don’t have to play a warforged right? I know I said Blake plays tabaxi but…”

Easier prompt for me today! Some gentle DnD nonsense written whilst I should have planned my game for this evening (no one tell my players!)

This is lightly in continuity with the last prompt and with the show, coming between V2 and v3  much like yesterday was between V1 and V2

Since people liked yesterday it is now on up Ao3 along with this one HERE

Or you could read under the cut

 Penny carefully extracted the newly printed character sheet from it’s folder and offered it to Ruby. Being invited to join Team RWBY’s weekly Dungeons and Dragons game was an honor. She wanted to make sure she’d got everything right. There was a lot of advice on the CCT about how to play, but lots of it was confusing or outright contradictory. Some people even said there was no right way at all. Ruby would know though.

 “This is really good Penny! But uh, you know you don’t have to play a warforged right? I know I said Blake plays tabaxi but…”

 Ruby had finished the sheet quickly and raised one of the questions that Penny had expected.

 “Oh no Friend Ruby, it’s not like that!”

 A treacherous hiccough brought with it a silver eyed glare.

 “Well it is not entirely like that. Since I wanted to play a paladin I could use the racial bonus to heavy armour, a shield and the defensive fighting style to get a very high AC. I know some people say trying to get the best stats possible is the wrong way to play but I thought it would be good since you mentioned that Blake and Weiss’s characters are squishy!”

 The explanation had softened Ruby’s look somewhat, but not entirely.

 “And?”

 “And I thought it would make it easier to keep my secret. If I get confused by or don’t understand human stuff we could pretend it was my character. It might even help get a sense of how they’d react to finding out I’m not real.”

  It was so nice that Ruby knew her secret and she could just explain these things.

 “Anyway, like I said the party’s in the middle of a big dungeon part-way between the prime material and the Feywyld. Wait, do you know what the planes are? Ok so they’re like…”

 “Oh Penny you have to stop saying that. You are real!”

 The kind words came with a kinder hug. Sensational.

 ---

 Ruby flipped back onto her bunk, letting it sway gently as she stared at the ceiling. The session had gone really well! But with the dungeon finished she needed to plan what would happen next. Maybe that fairy lord the party had released was causing mischief in town? Or since the party had lots of treasure she could bring in the thieves guild from Blake’s character’s backstory or the bandit queen from Yang’s looking for a cut?

Actually, perhaps she should do a Penny focused plot-line to help integrate the new character. Something with the army that she’d been built to serve or the artificer who had helped her escape to freedom? What if the fae had sold out her location to an evil general? Yes that could work.

 “Heya Rubes”

 Yang had slipped into the room.

 “Hey Sis. You enjoy the game?”

 It always paid to check on your players attitudes, especially when they were your big sister.

 “And how many times did you tank an attack of opportunity to set up Blake for a sneak attack?” She fired back as quickly as she could.

 “Yeah it was great fun! But you might want to cool it a little on helping out Penny. You were kinda obvious.”

 The older girl’s tone had dropped significantly over the course of the sentence. Ruby had maybe been a little too kind, but it was only because Penny was new and learning right?

 “If you really like that much, maybe just ask her on a date or something rather than showering her in magic swords?”

 “I, well. That doesn’t really matter. It's a very different thing when it comes from the GM instead of another player. Favoritism can ruin games, even for the favorite if it takes away the risk. Being able to fail is part of the fun.”

 The tiniest blush on her sister’s cheeks did little to staunch the truth of her words. Yang barely halted

It wasn’t like that!

Was it?

[speakagaintheancientoaths]

Nuts and Dolts Week Day 1: Childhood Friends

@nuts-and-dolts-week

[PathThroughTheWoods has logged in]

[StringsOnMe]: Salutations Path! 

Wasn’t entirely sure what to do with this prompt but I’m fairly happy with this even if it is only short.

If I end up writing for more of the prompts I might polish them up a bit then put them on Ao3 as a collection, but for now this is a Tumblr exclusive.

Text under the cut

Ruby needed something, anything to distract herself until the news came. Yang had already progressed from beating her at fighting games and left to go assault the equipment in the gym. Weiss was at her desk compulsively revising, page after page falling prey to the swift action of her highlighter.

Eventually Blake would be back from Ozpin's office and things would finally be settled. But until then she was trapped, listlessly flipping through her scroll. Searching without hoping to find.

Some algorithmic quirk presented her with an icon she’d not seen for weeks. Why not? She tapped in and the creativity toy started to load up. Back in the day she’d made some of her best friends through the game, meeting and working with people from across Remnant. Together they’d built some truly wondrous creations. Things had been easier in a world of textboxes and avatars and Ruby really needed that right noww.

The update finished installing and the app booted up. Ruby began scrolling down the list of possible worlds. She didn't feel like starting from scratch, but she also didn't feel up to engaging with any of the more popular options at the top of the list. Finally, at the very bottom of the list, something caught her eye.

Ruby had kept it saved more out of nostalgia than from utility. A private server, only ever shared with a handful of others. People she’d met through a long defunct forum. She’d been the last to maintain the file after the little group had fallen apart. According to the counter it had been 418 days since she'd last logged in. 

But the little green text said one friend online. That felt like all she could handle right now. Besides, she was more than a little curious to see who it could be.

[PathThroughTheWoods has logged in]

Glowing dust crystals illuminated a  head-height tunnel. Apparently Ruby had been deep underground when she'd last logged out. Time to see if she could still find her way to the surface.

[StringsOnMe]: Salutations Path! 

Of all the possible people to have been online this was definitely the most interesting.

[PathThroughTheWoods] heya Strings 

Strings had been among the best of Ruby’s online friends, private and literal, but creative and extremely enthusiastic.Despite how close they were, the other girl had once just logged out and never logged back in. Part of the nostalgia that had kept the world up had been the hope that one day she would return.

[PathThroughTheWoods] been a long time since I saw you last o_O

Her sudden disappearance had been one of the killing blows for the little group. Ruby had tried to track her down, but even with some tips from uncle Qrow she’d had no success. It had been like Strings had just fallen off the face of the planet.

[StringsOnMe]:  I don't think you’ve ever seen me Path. Unless you mean my avatar? But you haven’t seen that yet this time. I'm quite high up doing some building. What brings you here?

Ruby carefully considered her reply as she navigated a way around a ravine. No need to worry her childhood friend with her exact situation, or startle her with pressing questions about what had happened all those years ago.

[PathThroughTheWoods]: had a stressful few days and needed some way to relax basically

That was one way to describe your team almost falling apart then having to fight for your life against terrorists.

[StringsOnMe]: Oh no, that’s terrible! My weekend was very exciting. Are you having trouble at Signal again?

Of course, she wouldn't know any of Ruby’s news. Well, no harm in updating her on that at least.

[PathThroughTheWoods]: im not at signal anymore lol [PathThroughTheWoods]: got moved up 2 years to beacon by the headmaster :o

These tunnels were definitely familiar, just a few more turns and she’d reach the surface.

[StringsOnMe]: Sensational! Maybe we can meet up. I'm currently visiting Vale and I recently made a friend who is studying at Beacon.

Wait.

As Ruby’s character stepped into the light she scrolled back up through the chat to check something.

Yep.

[PathThroughTheWoods]: Penny?

[speakagaintheancientoaths]

https://archiveofourown.org/works/30619280/chapters/75537875

In a staggering display of self indulgence and 'Since this doesn't exist I'm going to have to write it' energy; please enjoy this first chapter of my Stormlight/RWBY crossover fan-fiction.

[speakagaintheancientoaths]

Throwing my hat into the Penny resurrection theories ring.

I think RWBY+ are in the underworld and I think they will meet ghostPenny there, but her ghost will be different and they'll be able to rescue her. Probably through a mix of ' still anchored to the world of the living via winter' and ' the one who killed her is here and has undergone some appropriate mythic underworld stuff'. I suspect that to involve RWBY+ Jaune to having to explicitly reject/give up any chance of rescuing Pyhrra to show that they respect and understand the importance and nature of the cycle of life and death.

I like this over purely topside Winter/aura transfer machine theories because it gives a solid narrative/structural reason for her death beyond shock value or cruelty. I do think even after her soul is rescued that might be a necessary second step to get her into a physical form again.

It keeps her in the spotlight with Ruby which I think makes sense after all the focus and development on her and on their relationship last volume. It also really builds up Ruby/Salem parallels and contrasts.

More generally I think "trust me" after "trust is a risk" is atleast a little bit CRWBY talking to us as well as Penny talking to Jaune.

[speakagaintheancientoaths]

it's the tree that Sun saw in the book!!!

[speakagaintheancientoaths]

After Ragnarok and the fall of Asgard tlas humanity survived by sheltering under the Bark of Yggdrasil

[speakagaintheancientoaths]

A Penny Song!

But at what cost...

[speakagaintheancientoaths]

Catch me coming into desktop mode because the android app is broken and gazing in wonder at the functionality like a humble country boy arriving in the big city for the first time in a Victorian novel.

[speakagaintheancientoaths]

the utter excitement that i feel when a book has a map at the front is ridiculous

[speakagaintheancientoaths]

On Jacques and Ironwood

Looking back the confrontation in Volume 4 is the first real red flag of Ironwoods descent. No longer checked by Ozpin, James shows how he will happily abuse the powers of the state and manipulate peoples fears. This is our marker that for the General the Ends Justify the Means.

Likewise in the last Episode Ironwood killing Jacques is a marker that the descent is complete. No longer checked by Winter, he is killing not in pursuit of some goal but out of spite. There is no End to Justify this means, if anything this is directly undermining his own goals, wasting time and ammo and risking alerting others just because he can.

I think that's kinda neat

[speakagaintheancientoaths]

reblog if bird

*picture of bird*