#“we believe that you are next in line to receive the fall maiden powers”

[moscnios]

                                        NOVEMBER FOURTH ━ﾞ

⁺◟   PROMPT . . .           “i know i can’t make you run away with me...”

⁺◟   CHARACTERS . . .           roronoa zoro           fem!reader           mentions of the strawhats

⁺◟   GENRE . . .           smut           fluff           oneshot

⁺◟   SYNOPSIS . . .           princess ( y/n ) has bigger dreams than           becoming a queen and trophy wife to a           man who she doesn’t love. she doesn’t           believe those dreams can come true           until she meets an unfamiliar swordsman,           who offers her an escape.

⁺◟   CONTENT WARNINGS . . .           unprotected sex ‘ light choking ‘ oral           ( female receiving ) ‘ dirty talk ‘ a bit of           over-stimulation ‘ etc.

⁺◟   WORD COUNT . . .           3.2k.

⁺◟   COMMENTARY . . .           ( k/n ) = kingdom’s name

a shallow swallow, followed by a silent gasp filled the dimly lit chamber, decorated with the finest silvers, golds, and platinums, all of which one could adore. the only light had come from the balcony on one side of the room. white silk curtains, made with the utmost care and finest silk in all of the lands, in front of the balcony had flown in with the nightly, cool wind allowing the moonlight to seep in, bathing the face of a young maiden dressed in a long sleeveless lilac satin nightgown, that touched the cold hard floor beneath her feet.

the straps of her satin gown were slipping off of her smooth shoulders. she draped her arm across her clothed breasts, chills going down her spine. she shivered in the nightly, sinful wind, as her head rested on the shoulder of a tall, well-built, green-haired gentlemen standing behind her.

he wrapped an arm tightly around her waist, pressing her smaller frame against his larger one. the green-haired man’s free hand had grazed the soft skin on the woman’s neck.

his touches were the opposite of his hands and how he usually was. usually, they were brutal, deadly, and could easily kill. with her in his arms, they were gentle, sweet, and full of love and admiration. even if the man was a little rough with her sometimes.

if only anyone had seen the roronoa zoro, pirate hunter and swordsman, had such a tender side to him.

if only anyone had seen who the woman entrapped in his arms was.

princess ( y/n ), the future queen of ( k/n ). she was a noble, one who hated her title since she was a weak child. the young princess was not interested in dresses, makeup, marriage and other formalities women around her age worried themselves with. she cared more for traveling, fighting, and fulfilling her own selfish desires and dreams, not those of the kingdom. it wasn’t much of a mystery as to why the dear princess was not married yet.

well, the fair maiden was engaged to be married. her wedding was all planned out and set to happen in only a few weeks' time. she would marry her a marine captain from the marine base on the island and her childhood friend who had loved her since he could remember.

a man whom she could barely stay in the same room with anymore without the looming guilt of indifferent feelings toward him.

no matter how many times those three words spewed out of her mouth...i love you...she never meant them. no matter how many times she would give the marine a kiss on the cheek to send him off for his duties or hugged him before the two had said their goodnights and sweet dreams to one another, she never felt the same way.

she did not wish to marry a man she did not love. she did not want to marry at all.

on one of her escapes from the castle, she had ridden through town, hiding her identity. her ( e/c ) eyes drifted to the long wall of wanted posters full of criminals. seeing the posters had always fascinated her, seeing the many crooks from all of the grand line. her favorites were the pirates.

oh, how she wished to be one, and run away from being stuck in a castle, in a dress. it was her biggest dream. being a pirate would help her achieve her dream of traveling across the world and learn about different islands and their past.

a historian is what you could say she wanted to be. but she could never do it under the roof of strict nobility parents and the man she was going to marry soon.

that day, her eyes had landed on two new posters that were added to the very end of the long wall.

monkey d. luffy

roronoa zoro

their bounties were impressive. she had wondered what the two could have possibly done to receive such high amounts.

and that was when the unthinkable happened. out of the corner of her eye, she saw a green-haired man with three katanas attached at the hip, traveling lonesome, looking around the town as if he were lost.

and he was lost.

when he had approached her for directions, she clung tightly to the wanted poster in her hands. zoro saw the poster in her hands, mumbling curses to himself.

“are you this man?”

“and if i am?”

as he sized her up, she had done the same. even as he threatened to unsheathed one of his katanas, she did not budge, rather challenging him to start a battle. before he could, an orange-haired girl complaining about him getting lost had dragged him away.

that, of course, was not the last time the pair had crossed paths. they had only continued to bump into one another, as the straw hats waited for their log pose to log the island so they could go to another one.

( y/n )’s feet carried her to the docks where she saw it, their ship. she kept her distance, unsure of what to think of her acquaintance's nakama, though they shared no ill-will toward her. the captain who was pretty accepting, even pulled her onto the ship with...stretchable...arms, which worried her. pretty quickly, she had learned of devil fruits and their powers, especially when the little reindeer began speaking to her.

the rest of them seemed nice and lovely. of course, it was only lovely, until his nakama began referring to ( y/n ) as zoro’s little girlfriend. except sanji, who was still set on referring to her as princess.

when his nakama had settled down, leaving the two of them. he had apologized for their behavior, to which she said it wasn’t a big deal. a short silence sounded the two of them before she had opened up to him. a man who would probably never understand what she was going through. a man who lived his days as a pirate swordsman with a bounty so high, her mother would probably drop dead seeing the two of them even near each other.

and he listened. he clung to every word like no one had done before. every word she spoke, was a melody to his ears. she did not expect him to say all the right things, and he didn’t. but he did make her think.

“why don’t you run away with us? don’t think we have a historian on the crew yet. do you want to fill that position? our captain does like you.”

the idea had run through her mind since he said it. it was on a night just like tonight, the moonlight beaming down, bathing them.

she just hadn’t expected to fall so deeply in love with the swordsman.

he allowed his wandering hand to gently grab her neck, his thumb and index finger lightly applying pressure to the sides of her neck, making her gasp once more, this one a bit louder than the last.

he slowly guided her head to look at him. her dark, lust-filled eyes had looked into his, breathlessly. he loosened the pressure, “i know i can’t make you run away with me, but i damn sure won’t let you marry some marine.”

“you’re doing a pretty good job at convincing me to run away with you, i must say,” she teased, with a playful smirk. zoro removed his hand, making the maiden pout a bit. with his strong arms, he spun her around in his hold, grabbing the soft plush of her clothed thighs through her satin dress.

“up,” he said lowly. she jumps, wrapping her legs around his torso, exposing her legs to him, leaving her satin gown to bunch up at her waist. she wrapped an arm around him, pulling his head in for a passionate kiss. he secured her legs around his waist, walking backward to ( y/n )’s large bed, stumbling a bit. as the back of his legs hit the mattress, he sunk onto it. he pulled away from the kiss, a trail of spit from their tongues breaking.

he pulled the straps of the satin gown down, the bodice following in suit, exposing her breasts to him. he wasted absolutely no time, alternating between rough kisses, biting, and suction. she kept a hand on the back of his neck, as she threw her head back in pleasure and a bit of pain. she knew she would be left with hickeys and bruises all across her breasts in the next few days.

“let that marine bastard see these the next time he tries something,” he muttered against her chest between wet kisses, making her giggle through a moan.

“so, that’s what this is? you marking me out of jealousy?”

“i’ll do more than just mark you,” he warned, pulling her out of his lap and onto the mattress, quickly climbing on top of her.

his eyes had darkened, filling with sweet lust as they raked over her naked torso. zoro shifted down, prying her legs open, occupying the space between them, his favorite place to be. he pushed up her bunched up satin dress to reveal her damp panties.

he took a finger, allowing it to slide up and down her clothed slit, staring deep into her eyes with a shit-eating grin. a string of impatient soft whimpers and sighs surpassed the woman’s lips, as she stared down at her lover between her thighs, just the place she had wanted him the most. but he wouldn’t give it to her that easily. she knew him better than that.

he had yet to plaster his favorite part of her in hickeys. her inner thighs. the green-haired swordsman could go on and on about his obsession with her inner thighs, though he preferred being smothered between them.

“zoro, come on,” she whined, allowing her impatient hands to roam his clothed strong chest.

“impatient, are we?” he raised an eyebrow.

“shut up and fucking do something, please,” she begged.

a low chuckle left his lips, “such a vulgar princess.” he pulled away from her, standing on his knees. the swordsman. he grabbed the sides of his white shirt, pulling it over his head, throwing it somewhere off into the darkness of the room. next, he untied his black bandana from his left bicep, as he climbed over ( y/n ). he took her wrists into one hand, tying them together tightly to one of the many rails of the bed frame above her head.

“zoro―”

the swordsman took her chin between his thumb and index finger, forcing her to look into his eyes, “impatient and vulgar princesses don’t get to touch. think of it as punishment. you’ll be a good girl for me, won’t you ( y/n )?”

the maiden nodded, as she gulped. she felt a wave of chills crawl down his spine as she squirmed beneath him, her legs threatening to close. “you like when i call you that, huh? you just want to be my little good girl, don’t you? i want words this time.”

“y-y-yes...zoro. i want to be y-your good g-girl,” she stuttered out.

he released her chin, leaving a trail of wet, open-mouthed kisses down her body, stopping at the satin gown that still resided at her hips. his large hands gripped the sides of the gown, sliding them carefully down her legs, dropping it near the side of the queen-sized bed.

he opened her legs once more, leaving a trail of kisses, each kiss becoming rougher than the one before it. as he disconnected, she could hear a loud pop. he whispered, “you are so perfect,” between every kiss desperately as if he were never going to be able to tell her those four words again.

accompanying her deep sighs of pleasure and light pain, was a dark blush of embarrassment on his lover’s face. she could never get used to the swordsman saying such compliments while face deep in her thighs, near her delicate center.

body worship was his favorite thing, both receiving and giving, though he preferred giving. he gave one last rough kiss, before turning his attention to her now soaked panties. he slid the fabric to the side, revealing her glistening folds. “fuck,” he whispered, “i did this to you?’

“s-shut up,” ( y/n ), stuttered out, “don’t get all fucking cocky.”

he shook his head at her, allowing his fingers to spread open her glistening folds, before shoving two of his digits into her hot, wet hole. “nghh...oh fuck,” she breathed out, jolting forward against the restraints.

“what happened to being my good girl? you were doing so well,” he teased, scissoring her folds roughly. he watched with a smirk, watching her begin to lose her mind, her head tossed back in pleasure, as she tried to fuck herself onto his digits trying to match his pace. a tent formed in his pants, being restrained by the fabric of his trousers. when did his pants become so fucking tight? had they always been this way?

“you’re so fucking pretty like this. so. fucking. pretty. i hope you don’t mind me having a taste,” he muttered as he inched forward, licking a long stride up her folds, making her shiver. a loud sigh left her lips, as she pulled against the restraint, only making it tighter on her wrists. zoro chuckled against her heat, the vibrations going through her body.

he pulled away slightly, making her whimper. the swordsman spit between her folds in a way to claim her and her core as his and his alone. she could feel his spit running down her slit. it was always a sign that he would not stop until he was satisfied.

zoro grips onto her thighs, tight enough to bruise as he buried his rough tongue between her folds, drinking in her essence before his lips gently suckle on her clit. ( y/n ) gripped the rails just above her head in pleasure. the swordsman’s ears drunk up every moan, every whimper, and every cry that spilled out of his lover’s lips. he slid two fingers, curling them as his tongue circles her clit.

“zoro, fuck. i’m...ah...i’m so close,” she warned between mewls and pants. he did not stop his ministrations, rather, he continued listening to her sinful voice rising in octaves. his black, lust-filled eyes fixated on the way her face displayed the pleasure she was experiencing. her back arched slightly as her thighs tried to clamp shut, though his hands on her thighs were stronger, keeping her in place as he growled against her center.

“be still.”

her toes curl as a cry that was a bit too loud passed her lips and filled the air. her body squirmed underneath him, reaching that sweet peak. the first of tonight. he placed a kiss on her hip bone before pressing the pads of his three fingertips against her clit, rubbing rapidly. the room filled with overstimulated whimpering echoes of his name. “i know you can cum again,” he spoke, the friction of his calloused fingertips against her bud, ruthless. it didn’t take long for the band to stretch again.

“oh...fuck!”

the second peak. her body wrenched, eyes squeezed shut as she squeezed onto her the rails, the whites of her knuckles beginning to show. faded, white dots danced along the darkness of her closed eyelids, chest heaving in desperation for air intake.

zoro rose from in between her thighs, retracting his fingers, earning a small gasp. ( y/n ) laid there, her chest rising and falling, looking at the swordsman above her. his tongue wrapped around them, his black eyes never leaving his lover’s as he licked them clean, “you are as tasty as you look.”

he reached down, grabbing the hem of his trousers, “if it were any other time, i wouldn’t mind filling that pretty mouth of yours. but i’m aching to be inside of you.”

“finally,” she rolled her eyes playfully. he shook his head, “bratty until the very end, huh princess?”

“you fucking love it, roronoa.”

he smirked, “you bet i fucking do.” he pulled his trousers all the way down to his ankles, allowing his hardened cock to spring free. he pulled his trousers all the way off, flinging them onto the ground.

zoro aligned his head up with her core, rubbing the tip in her arousal to lubricate his cock before slowly singing into her tightness. a light grunt fell past his lips in satisfaction. he buried himself into her ever so deeply, making sure she felt every inch.

“fuuuck...” she mewled, head thrown back in pleasure. he slowly rolled out, only leaving the tip inside of her before snapping his hips forward in a hard thrust. he reached down, grabbing her chin, and planted an open rough kiss to her lips. as he pulled away, a string of saliva had connected their mouths.

each thrust hit the edge of her g-spot, sending shivers down her spine. he knew her body so well. a mix of profanities, moans, and skin slapping against each other filled the room. zoro felt every clench of her walls tightening around his cock, reaching down to rub at her clit. his thumb rubbed messy, rapid circles that had his lover folding in on herself with pleasure.

her eyes screwed shut, focused on the inner fire within her and the sound of the swordsman’s filthy words in her ear.

“if only you could see how you look. the future queen of ( k/n ), losing her mind, getting...fucked by a lowly pirate swordsman under the same roof her parents and fiancé,” he taunted lowly in her ear as he continued to thrust into her, “you’re mine, you understand that? you are my woman. no one else’s. no other royal, no other pirate, not even that damn marine, you belong to me. say it, say you’re my woman.”

“i’m...i’m your woman, zoro! i belong to you!” she cried out, feeling a burning, no, an aching in the lower pit of her stomach. zoro felt her clench around him, tighter than before, almost sending him over the edge. “zoro...i’m going to cum.”

his thrusts turned sloppy. he was just as close to that sweet release as she was. her orgasm hit like a hundred waves, a string of curses left her lips. the swordsman pulled away, pulling out of her just in the nick of time. he took his cock into his hands, jerking himself. white liquid spilled from his tip onto her lower stomach.

the room had gone silent for a second, as the two tried to catch their breath.

“my wrists are feeling a little numb now, can i be untied?”

“oh shit, i forgot. sorry, ( y/n ).”

zoro untied her wrist, retying his bandana on his bicep. he took her wrists into his hands, rubbing them as gently as ( y/n ) sat up. she watched him closely tend to her now-bruising wrists, seeing the admiration and love in his eyes. only near minutes ago, he manhandled her. now he was as sweet as could be.

“zoro...” she trailed off, making him look up at her. she continued, “when will you and your nakama leave?”

his face somewhat fell, “we leave in the morning. but maybe i can get nami to―”

“i want to run away with you.”

⁺◟   BACK TO NAVIGATION . . .

[itsclydebitches]

Giving it some thought, the entire subplot of trust and truth started in Volume 4, when Qrow first tells RNJR about Salem and the Maidens. Paraphrasing, Ruby says that she believes Qrow because she trusts him, but then asks "Why couldn't you trust me? Why couldn't you just travel with us instead of all this... secrecy, and-". I don't know what to make of it, because even back then it felt a little... I don't know, heavy-handed? And then it's made a central theme of V7 and it's even more ???

The problem with Team RWBY/RNJR - or rather, the problem with how they’re written - is that they conflate strategy and caution with a lack of trust. Meaning, the people around them have very good reasons for not divulging certain information at certain times and/or not doing certain things at certain times because that’s dangerous. It’s not a matter of trusting someone in the way Ruby means (willing to follow someone, willing to believe that they’re striving for the right thing) but a sheer matter of practicality. Qrow says it straight out: “this has nothing to do with trust.” 

Why didn’t he travel with them? Because he has a bad luck semblance that does all sorts of awful things to the people around him, like drawing more grimm, causing beams to fall, or tires to blow on your one mode of transportation. Qrow didn’t travel with them because that was the smart, practical move in a hostile world, not because he doesn’t trust his niece. Now, we can change the question to, “Why didn’t you trust us with the knowledge of your semblance?” and that gets into the complicated can of worms, “Because this has been a traumatic thing that I’m still working through and I’m terrified that people will leave me when they find out about it.” A fear that more of this group should understand by now. Why didn’t Jaune immediately tell his team that he snuck his way into Beacon? Why did Blake hide that she was a faunus? Do we even see Ruby tell her teammates about her super secret eyes or does the narrative just assume that everyone found out at some point (I honestly don’t remember...)? Everyone has secrets and parts of themselves that are incredibly difficult to talk about. The inability to admit to them unless pressured - which is precisely what Nora does to Qrow here - is not an indication of a lack of trust. It’s an indication of the group’s lack of emotional maturity that they thought then, and still think now, that everyone around them owes them every single piece of themselves. It’s an immaturity seen most overtly in Yang who believes that Ozpin isn’t trustworthy unless he divulges every piece of information that might possibly be deemed a secret, while simultaneously keeping secrets about her Mom being the Spring Maiden, Salem’s immortality, and Robyn’s knowledge of Amity. It’s a child’s logic to honestly believe, “Well this applies to you but not me because I’m just different.” A perspective that I thought the group was being set up to grow out of. 

Because this theme of trust vs. practicality continues in the conversation when Jaune wants to know why the whole world hasn’t been told about Salem. Qrow, via Ozpin’s teachings, has very smart and proven reasons for keeping things quiet: 

“Hey,” asks the teenager who has had one year of combat training and has only been in one non-grimm battle, a good portion of which he spent arguing with his teammate and trapped in a locker. “Why haven’t we told the whole world about the woman out to kill them and the magical relics she wants?” 

“Well,” responds the elite huntsmen who has been fighting in this war at least as long as they’ve been alive, “Because history has shown us that people panic when they learn stuff like that. Murder young women for their power panic (women like Pyrrha!). Try to steal the magical relics for themselves panic. Turn on each other panic. Start a new war between kingdoms and descend the world into chaos panic. And, as they’re about to find out via Lionheart, Join the witch instead of fighting her panic. We see in that final shot of Jaune that he doesn’t like hearing this, but he seems to understand it. Grudgingly. Problem is, this understanding doesn’t last. 

With all the info out in the open Ruby asks what they’re supposed to do and Qrow responds with, 

The looks everyone exchange are terrified. 

For the record, this isn’t bad writing. They’re barely trained kids. They should be looking to their authority figures and then be blindsided with the adults don’t have one easy, magical solution to grant them. That’s a part of growing up. What Qrow offers them instead is the adult solution: we do what we can. We’ll continue on to Haven where Lionheart should have been making preparations. We’ll see what he knows and work from there. Sorry I don’t have a ‘Defeat Salem and Make Everything Perfect’ plan hidden up my sleeve, but this is what fighting a war is really like. 

What does all this have to do with trust? The fact that the group learns nothing from this conversation. When more information about Salem is revealed - her immortality - Ruby asks the same question of Ozpin that she did Qrow: So... how are you, as an individual, going to fix everything for us? When he, like Qrow, has nothing simple to offer them they turn violent (and the fact that Qrow expressed the most overt violence just goes to show how little RT bothered to think through how each person would respond to this information). The group continues to conflate information with trust. Information in terms of “Share all your secrets” and information in terms of “We expect an easy solution to our problems.” When people fail to provide them with that - such as Ironwood having a plan but it’s not a plan they like because it hurts Mantle - they’re deemed “untrustworthy.” 

Now again, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing... if the group were on a track to grow out of this behavior. It’s not a bad thing to have Ruby be pissed that (to her mind) Qrow didn’t trust her, to think that Ozpin is untrustworthy because he didn’t share everything with them... and then slam her into a situation where she has the information and she realizes, “Oh shit. I’m too scared to tell Ironwood this right out. I want to keep this information hidden until I’m sure it’s safe to share and I feel it’s the right time. Even then it’s really hard to share it... Uncle Qrow and Ozpin were right.” Instead, the writing did the exact opposite. Ruby’s perspective and  her behavior is reinforced - she’s supposedly right to equate trust with sharing ever piece of information, the ability to provide perfection, and people’s willingness to follow her orders to the letter despite her having no power next to elders, more powerful fighters, and military rank - but the story ignores the hypocrisy of her doing the same things she damns everyone else for. She doesn’t share information. She doesn’t follow orders. She has no plan and is set to get everyone killed. The show set up a moment for the group to actually start growing up and mature emotionally in the face of an ethically complicated war... and instead had Qrow randomly insist that Ruby is simply different and special. She is, intrinsically, simply Better than everyone else and you’re not supposed to ask why. By extension, so is her team. Everyone from Nora to Oscar to Jaune insists loudly that telling the council, or Mantle, or the whole world about Salem is the One Good Answer here despite the fact that the narrative - via Qrow above and in numerous key scenes since Volume 3 - has given us numerous reasons why that’s a terrible idea and zero reasons why it’s a good one. But the story is no longer interested in weighing these perspectives and having the characters learn to make informed decisions. Even when lives are on the line. 

It comes down to an incredibly biased perspective by the writers. By working under the ironclad assumption that your young protagonists are always right and your older supporting characters are inevitably wrong, you get situations wherein we’re shown a situation where Team RWBY is wrong and the adults do have a point... and then we swerve at the last second to insist otherwise. Qrow is shown as having good reasons for keeping his distance, but Ruby says he didn’t trust her. Cordovin has good reasons for not letting kids across a closed border, but Ruby says she forced them to steal. All evidence points to the Ace Ops kicking Team RWBY’s ass, but Ruby says they’re stronger. That’s what drives the show nowadays: whatever Ruby claims is the truth. If the show actually followed what it had laid out on screen, rather than what Ruby insists to be true, then this show would now be a tragedy. Here’s the story of what happens when you give traumatized teens the power to try and save the world. Being forced into this war so early and receiving the gut-punch that the adults around them are imperfect immediately after a near kidnapping is something they couldn’t handle. The nuance of a 1,000 year strategy-based war is something they couldn’t handle. When you take a girl who wants to fight monsters like in the storybooks and put her in charge years before she’s ready... she’s going to insist that life will turn out like a storybook. So she’ll bravely fight an immortal witch with an army under the assumption that everything will somehow turn out alright. Except it doesn’t and everyone dies. The End. 

RWBY should have been a story of growth. At this point it logically should be a story of tragedy. What we’ll actually get though is that happy ending based on Team RWBY’s version of “trust” and “friendship” that is inherently contradictory to everything seen on screen... but we’re expected to just run with it because they’re the title characters.

[luimnigh]

While do they later say that, unless directed by a Maiden’s dying thought, the Maiden Powers pass “randomly”...

When introducing the powers to Pyrrha, Ozpin doesn’t say “We think you have what it takes to be the next Fall Maiden” or “We think you should be the next Fall Maiden” or “We need someone to be the next Fall Maiden, and we think you’re our best hope”.

He says “We believe that you are next in line to receive the Fall Maiden’s powers”.

This implies an order, a pattern, recognizable traits. It implies the process isn’t random, that you can figure out who is going to get it.

It’s Qrow who calls the process random, and from his perspective it might as well be: the powers don’t choose the nearest person, or people from a specific place, or from a specific bloodline. 

Oz says his own curse passes him on to like-minded people. It stands to reason that the Powers, which came from him, do the same. It chooses based on personality. Which is a lot harder to search for.

So it’s not actually random, even in-universe. 

[ajoy3fanfics]

What he really wants

“So it’s true then,” I feel my body tremble as I exhale a shaky breath. “You’re dating him.” The words come measured, controlled. Ever since I lost my temper that day, my words callous and careless, I make sure every word that passes through my lips has purpose. I won’t make the same mistake twice, even if it does mean a lot of tongue biting and significantly slowing my speech rate.

I had heard the rumors, but refused to believe it until I saw it with my own eyes. Suddenly I’m cursing myself for being such a masochist. There really was no need to put myself through the singular torture of watching the woman I love, love someone else. I knew the pair had gotten close ever since our falling out- Potter had been sniffing around her for years- but I never thought she would actually reciprocate.

Yet there she was, backed against a tapestry as Potter kissed her goodbye, walking away from her with hurried steps. She stayed behind, watching him go and I feel sick.

She turns to me, surprised to have been seen, but the shock quickly fades. I’m transfixed as Lily schools her features and squares her shoulders, ready for a fight. “Not that it’s any of your business, Severus, but yes, I am.”

Not my business. Like she hasn’t been the center of my universe from the moment we met. My love for this witch is so large it has its own gravitational pull, but it's none of my business.

Control. I remind myself. I need to be in control.

“How can you be with a man like him?” I can hear the disgust in my tone and I wish I could make it stop. It sounds like my issues is with her, rather than him, and I’m only digging my hole deeper. “Potter’s a brute and a bully.” I can feel my lips curl in disgust.

She makes a face and my stomach is in knots. I realize that this is the first proper conversation we’ve had in months, and I wish we were talking about anything but her damn boyfriend.

“He’s not like that anymore.” She’s defending him, and it used to be me on her good side. The pair of us, against the world. “You don’t know James at all.” She’s crossed her arms over her chest, and knowing Lily, her fingers are probably thrumming with nervous energy.

“James now, is it?” It cuts into me, and I feel my control slipping. “Believe me Lily, I know what James is like. He-”

“I know!” She’s yelling now, but I can tell she’s trying not to. Her pretty green eyes focused on the stone floor. “Believe me, I know. But he’s not like that, not anymore. He’s trying to be better!” She flashes me a look, and it’s so painful I have to steel myself. “Not like you, and your band of thugs.”

I can see her jaw clenching, and I know from experience she's grinding her teeth. I used to take her chin between my fingers, drawing her attention to me as I rubbed small circles, silently urging her to relax. ‘If you keep doing that, you’ll lose all your teeth and you’ll look like Old Lady Wellsby.” She’d laugh at that, a private joke at our old neighbor's expense, and I’d feel like I was on top of the world. I touched her so easily then. Now I’m afraid to take even a step closer.

“I know what your group of friends are up to. Avery was attacked just the other day. I recognized it, the curse. It was yours, wasn’t it? From 4th year?”

It was mine, but I didn’t cast it. Mulciber had liked it, and wanted to test it out on Avery.

“It wasn’t me.  A bit of fun, that's all. How was that any different than what Potter and his friends did?” I can't control myself around her, every word, every phrase glides off my tongue with a mind of its own. I lose myself around Lily and I don’t know whether I hate it or I love it.

“It was cruel and dark, and I’m sorry you don’t see that Severus.” I haven't missed the way she's using my formal name, stiff and impersonal. The next time we meet, will I be Snape?

“How long until it's me then?” Her eyes are flush with tears and I dig my nails into my palm. “How long until I’m on the receiving end? Until one of you or one of your death eaters turns a wand on me?

“You know I would never hurt you! I would- I never-!” It’s pouring out of me, and I can’t stop it. Hurt her? How could I? In what world? In what universe could I purposefully inflict her pain? “I would never let-!” It's so unfathomable, I literally can’t put it into words. She has reduced to to a living cliche.

“I’m so sorry. You have to know how sorry I am.” The words rush out. I’ve said them more times than I can count, but I’ll keep saying them until she listens.

Lily purses her lips closed, holding back the words I want to hear. Her brow is furrowed, a slight tremble to it.

“I know.” She says finally, and there’s a pit in my stomach. “But not for the company you keep.”

We're back to this again. Back to the night I threatened to sleep outside of Gryffindor Tower, back to the time she drew her line in the sand. It was final, for her at least. Why can’t it be both? If I could only make her see the potential of the dark arts, she would understand. I want her to understand its power so desperately. Were quiet as we consider each other, both unwilling to rehash what we already know. Finally, she speaks.

“I heard you were petitioning to take your mother’s name.” Her voice is softer, gentlier. “You’re the last in the Prince family line, right? I’m sure the wizarding world would hate to let such an old name die out.”

I shrug, and all the energy has left my body. “I’d like… to distance myself from him.” From them. I don’t need to say it. The words are so implied they have weight. My distaste for muggles has only grown over the years, but Lily was always an exception.

She nods before tucking a stray lock behind her ear. She's gotten prettier since our spat, and from where I stand, I can see her summer freckles splashed across her nose, spreading onto her rosy cheeks. We counted them one summer, nothing better to do. I had so much time with her then, time to waste.

“You’ll really be one of them then.” Her eyes are sad and I want to crush her to my chest. It's excruciating to see someone so strong be so raw and vulnerable.

“You’ll be the half-blood Prince, and I’ll be the mudblood Evans.”

“Lily,” Her name sticks in my throat. “I didn’t mean-”

“I know.” She’s repeating herself. “You can be Prince to them,” and I know she's talking about the Death Eaters, her voice vibrating with anger. “And pretend you never ate dinner at my house, or snuck out with me at night. Or that I held your hand so tight on the platform our first year I left bruises on your palm. Be Prince, and throw away all your good parts.” She's breathing hard and I can’t believe I’ve worked her into such a state. Even when we fought that day, she had treated me with cool indifference. I watch as she swallows hard. “I’ll hold onto Snape.”

I don't know what to say, and that's the wrong move. She considers me for a moment, then adds rather sadly, “I hope this is really what you want, Sev.”

I watch as she turns on her heels and leaves, and I’m a coward. No, this isn’t what I want, to see her walk away from me. I should go after her, but I don’t. I just watch. You’re still my best friend. I want to say.  I miss you. It's on the tip of my tongue, but that’s all. What good would it do now? She was with Potter, the star quidditch player, popular and sought after. Pureblood.

Even if Lily did forgive me, what use would it be? It’s not like Potter would approve of our friendship and join us in the Library. How could I ever hope to steal her away from someone like James Potter on my own?

She's gone, and so is the light. The choice she asked me to make, she made for us both. Without her by my side, there's nothing but the dark to give me comfort.

A/N: Theres no mention of Snape ever wanting to change his last name to his mothers maiden name Prince, but I feel like it really makes sense for his character at the time. We know Snapes distaste for muggles started with his abusive father, so it would have sense he would want to distance himself from someone like that. Add to it that Prince was a wizarding family, that would have appealed to Snape as he tried to fit in with his blood purity friends. We don’t know much about the Prince line, but one must assume it died out. Even if it were an option, I think Snape would have held onto his surname, because it connects to Lily. 

[littlemisssquiggles]

After seeing the latest episode of RWBY... Could it be that Robyn will be the next Winter Maiden? I think Winter is way too obvious, since she has officially been set up. If RT goes like that, it would be very untypical for their current style of writing. So... I can see this happening in one of two ways. Either Robyn is related to Fria in some way and that is why she gets the powers. Or Winter dies and passes the powers on to Robyn. They seem to agree on some stuff. Robyn nodded at Winter.

Umm…sorry Mizu but this squiggle meister is gonna have to disagree with you on this theory of yours. Given how the show had built up her story thus far, I doubt Robyn will have anything to do with the Maidens or their magic.

Sure I can see her learning of the existence of the Maidens and their connection to the Relics once the truth about Salem comes out. I can even see Robyn potentially learning this information beforehand courtesy of Yang and Blake with their little alliance from the seventh episode. However that’s as far as I believe Robyn will go in that regard.

I think the PLOT is more setting up Robyn and her Happy Huntresses to be unlikely allies to our heroes and Ironwood especially in this current time where the story seems to be heading in the direction of the Fall of Atlas and the possibly the brink of a Second Great War of Remnant lingering the air.

However that’s as much as I can see Robyn being. An unlikely ally. I don’t think she will become a Maiden. If anything, my assumption is that Robyn will become a founding leader to the next generation of Atlesian and Mantlese citizens after working to rebuild Atlas and Mantle kingdoms and reunite them as one kingdom once.

Based on what I’ve seen thus far, especially from the sneak peek clip of CH9 that was teased today in #FRWBY, it seems like the PLOT might be leaning towards the decimation of Mantle. Possibly. And once Mantle is taken care of,the next kingdom to surely fall will be its brother kingdom in the skies: Atlas.

I think the Writers may be setting us up for both Mantle and Atlas to cease no more by the end up of V7 and V8 and once both of these kingdoms are gone, the next step would be rebuilding them from the ground up with both the People of Mantle and Atlas coming together for the first in centuries to restore what’s left of their kingdom together. And at the helm ofthis revolution and new chapter in Solitas history would be Robyn Hill.

The more I observe her development, the more I can see Robyn potentially becoming a great leader for Atlas and Mantle. One who would stand, fight and continue to look out for the sanctity of both kingdoms. I think Robyn’s destiny is to be a kingdom leader. Not a Maiden. So yeah, I don’t think she will have any connection to Fria at all. Sorry for disagreeing with you but I just don’t see this development in the cards for this character. 

I do agree with you, however, on the thought of Winter being unsuccessful inbecoming the Winter Maiden.

Given how the Writers tossed us that red herring with Vernal and the Spring Maiden back in V5, it wouldn’t surprise me if it’s done again for the Winter Maiden. However if I were to expect anyone else to become a Maiden in Winter’s place, my second choice would’ve been Penny Polendina.

In my opinion, Penny becoming the Winter Maiden would’ve been interesting. Penny is already such a unique character in terms of her story—an artificially intelligent sentient being powered by the soul of the loving father who gifted a part of himself time and time again to create his beloved daughter.

If Penny doesn’t wind up succeeding Pietro (in the event of his untimely passing)then I could’ve easily seen her becoming a Maiden somehow.

While I understand that the Maidens and the transference of their powers comes with their own set of rules, I’ve always been curious of how these rules would apply to a being like Penny. I mean technically Penny identifies as female. She’s young and she has a soul—a soul that was partially made from her father’s but…it’s still a soul. In spite of anything else, Penny is more than just a machine. She’s a person. Her own person and that makes her worthy of becoming a Maiden if it was possible. I’ve always wondered that should Penny be chosen as Maiden, would the power go to her. Would it work? That’s the curious question.

Let’s say …at some point down the line after becoming Maiden, Winter Schnee is blindsided by the enemy (Neo and Cinder) and becomes mortally wounded. And in her dying moments, she reaches out to Penny as her choice to become the next Maiden after her. After all, Penny was made to be a protector.

Apart from being the keys to the Relics, the Maidens have always more or less been young women who used their powers for the greater good of helping others when they are able to.

Well…at least they were in the past with the exception of the current generation of Maidens minus Summer. That’s another thing I don’t wish to see repeated a third time. I don’t want another example of a Maiden being murdered and having their powers forcibly transferred to their killers.

It happened with Cinder and Amber. It happened with Raven and the former Spring Maiden before her. I just don’t want to see it happen again for the Winter Maiden. I think it could be a cool twist if the PLOT sets it up that way again—perhaps Fria isn’t horribly murdered but passes away peacefully in her sleep and Winter successfully becomes the Winter Maiden as Ironwood had planned.

And this all happens by the end of V7 so that the next time Weiss sees her sister, she finds her already as a Maiden. We then spend the next season with Winter being a target for her Maiden powers by Neo and Cinder once they learn of her succession. And let’s say…for whatever reason, Winter is badly hurt trying to protect someone she loves. Like maybe that’s how she was lured out to be killed. Weiss is kidnapped by Neo and Cinder and used as bait to lure out her sister and once Winter arrives, Neo disguises herself as Weiss to force Winter to let her guard down a little bit long enough for Neo to try and kill her.

Let’s say…Winter had brought Penny along with her as backup since she feared Neo and Cinder may double-cross her as warned by Ruby. But in spite of this, Winter still gets injured protecting her little sister.

So we have this scene where Weiss is cradling her dying sister in her arms (maybe Neo and Cinder has escaped at this point)— Penny by Winter’s side to and during this moment, Winter turns to Penny informing her that she was going to give her powers to her because she trusts her to become a great protector to Atlas and Mantle or something along those lines.

Though it’s been small, we’ve received one or two decent examples of the show pushing a small friendship dynamic between Winter and Penny for this season that I honestly didn’t expect going into it. While it’s not as close as Winter’s relationship with her sister, if the Winter Maiden powers were to be stolen from her—even in her final moments, I don’t think Winter would chose Weiss.

She’ll probably think of someone who she could trust with being a better fit for Maiden than her and she would think of the only other person than herself who would make a great Maiden—Penny.

But that’s just my opinion. Honestly it’s anyone’s game at this point on who could become the Winter Maiden. Somehow my headcanons of how that storyline might end has been flip-flopping. I always had a feeling that Winter was going to be groomed to be Ironwood’s choice for Maiden. That part was as obvious as you said.

But in the event of it not being Winter, my second choice was always Penny since I liked the idea of an artificial being with a soul making for an interesting Maiden character. I saw Penny becoming a Maiden via the magic of the original Winter Maiden as symbolic as her fairy-tale counterpart of Pinocchio being turned into a real boy by the Blue Fairy.  

However I’ve recently also pondered on the possibility of Nora becoming the Winter Maiden or…at least being considered as a potential candidate against her will? 

Like it’s a scenario where we discover that Nora is the last living relative of Fria and as Fria is on her last lap, she confides in Winter that the last thing she desires before she passes away is to be reunited with her daughter who she was forced to give up years ago after she was appointed as Maiden. 

That daughter somehow wound up in Mantle and grew up to become the mother of Nora Valkyrie who eventually passed away. So it’s a case where Fria never got the chance to see her daughter again but Nora is last remnant of Fria’s daughter and as it turnt out—in true RWBY fashion—Nora is the spitting image of her mother and the closest person to her that Fria has left.  

The last person Fria wants to now see is Nora however Nora is denied the chance to see the only family member she had left since Ironwood fears that if Fria sees Nora, she might end up picking her as her candidate instead of Winter as he had been grooming her to be. So it’s this complicated thing where Winter, having grown to care for Fria wants to abide by her wishes but can’t out of her duty to the General.

Not to mention that Nora is conflicted about it too—perhaps we can have some conflict where some folks believe that Nora should be allowed to see her grandmother and become the Winter Maiden since it’s her family and birth right and not Winter’s, no matter how much Ironwood tries to control that.

The other side to that is that Nora doesn’t want to become a Maiden or have anything to do with that and after learning that a family member of hers is still alive, she becomes unsure of whether or not she wants to see them at all.Perhaps…Nora even ends up blaming Fria for her and her family’s hardships in a way because the last memories that Nora has of her mother were ones where she was always struggled to take care of her down in Mantle while dealing with the depression over the memories of the mother who abandoned her. In the past, Fria didn’t want Nora’s mother so why should Nora want to see her just because she’s dying?  

As I said, it’s a complicated scenario which I think could’ve made for an fascinating story especially for Nora’s side of things. While I figured Nora becoming a Maiden would’ve been cool for the obvious nod to the Norse God of Thunder she’s inspired by, the more I pondered on it, the more I realized I like this headcanon more for angle of what it could’ve done for Nora’s own character development and backstory.

We have yet to have a JNPR subplot that focused heavily on Nora as yet. We’ve had for Jaune (V1) Pyrhha (V3) and Ren (V4) but nothing for our veteran goddess of the thunder thighs. So I really want Fria to be related to Nora just so Nora can have her moment of focus. But that’s just me. 

And last but certainly not least, there’s Neopolitan becoming the Winter Maiden and using her newfound abilities to dupe Cinder Fall and pilfer the Relic of Creation for herself as I described more in depth in this previous answer post.

At this point, I really am torn on where the Winter Maiden subplot could go. If anything, my final hunch is that the Winter Maiden Arc could possibly revolve around Winter, Penny, Nora and possibly Neo.

Winter as the current candidate via Ironwood’s choice. Nora as Fria’s only living relative and successor to her power by blood and familial connection. Penny as Winter’s choice for candidacy in the event of her untimely passing and Neo via murdering the last Maiden and stealing her powers just like Cinder. Anythingcan go. But then again, these are all mainly my theories in that regard.

But all in all, what this mostly boils down to me saying is that I can see these young women more sharing a connection to the Winter Maiden story than Robyn Hill. Hope that answers your question Mizu.

Again, sorry if I might’ve burst your bubbles there. It’s not a bad  theory,I just have a different stance on it.

~LittleMissSquiggles (2019)

[mythriteshah]

What Could Have Been

Tresses of ebon black.  Eyes of emerald and aquamarine.  A face, aloof like his, but calm and sporting flawless features.  Twirling in garments of deep violet, and adorned in earrings of only the purest Agate, she gazed into her mirror, and beheld her transformation.  Though the lehenga she had received in the past was of considerably high quality and befitting for a queen of her stature, this robe was made for her.  A garment as rich and as powerful as the heritage she so proudly upholds from her seat of power in the Deep Sagolii.

From afar, he beheld her.  Thiji Higuri, the rising fashion mogul, witnessing the fruits of his latest project take form.  Her already grand majesty had become even grander as she donned his newest creation.  This was the Gemini Gown known as Death’s Coronation, straight from the Lucavi Assembly, and the first of such to wear and own it was none other than his old friend and former rival, Chichibi Chibi, Grand Magus of the Order of Mhach, and Merchant Queen of the Deep Sagolii.  The shining star of Thanalan, whose beauty rivals even that of Sultana Nanamo ul Namo. Brushing aside a few stray locks of her hair, she caught Thiji staring intently at her reflection, and met his gaze from the mirror.  She watched him in anxious silence, wondering what the Mythrite Sultan would say… “This robe was meant for you, Your Grace,” complimented Thiji.  “How honored I am to bear witness to your evolution after so many winters…” “Evolution…?” the Merchant Queen asked with a graceful turn of her heel.  “Into what, my old friend?” “… Into a goddess,” he replied after a short pause.  “I’ve been graced by the presence of my fair share of Lalafellin maidens in my time, but none can begin to compare to you, Queen Chichibi.  You are the quintessence of Lalafellin beauty, and when your subjects next lay their eyes on you they will know that Mhach lives and breathes through you; they will know that you are their goddess, and they will kneel before you in supplication… and those who refuse to bask in your beauty will regret it in the afterlife.” His words made her grin.  She was perhaps pleased by his monologue, and even more so by having the honor to be the first among eleven others to don clothing from his latest project.  She simply gave a curt bow of her head in response before turning back around to inspect herself in the mirror. “And you are certain payment is unneeded?” she asked. “For you, Your Grace, it is not,” he answered.  “Helping bring my dream to fruition is payment enough.” “Truly, My Sultan,” Chichibi started, “Eorzea would be lost in his drabness and dreariness without your fashion acumen.” “Indeed…” the Mythrite Sultan said softly, turning around as if to leave.  After a long moment of silence, another voice was made apparent… “My Sultan?  Are you well?” Its tone was feather-soft, almost like a whisper, and all too familiar to him.  The Mythrite Sultan opened his eyes and found himself in the basement of his Aldenard Branch Headquarters, the main center for the distribution of the Regalia’s wares.  From the corner of his eye he saw the Viera known as Isja, his Angel and official model of the Regalia.  She sat on the edge of one of the heart-shaped beds in which his Angels retire with legs crossed.  He turned over to her and nodded.

“Yes.  I was… simply reminiscing,” Thiji said. “Ever and always does your mind seem to wander, my lord,” Isja commented.  “This must only attest to the source of your genius.  But I feel… this is different.  You seem to exhibit feelings of… longing.” “Queen Chichibi,” he immediately stated.  “I was thinking of her, and… what could have been.”  The Veena tilted her head in confusion, clueless as to what he meant.  “I’m not sure how much you know of her from your past interactions with her emissary, but she rules the deepest reaches of the Sagolii Desert as Queen, spanning as far as Cape Deadwind.  She and her line have brought the numerous tribes under her banner and now hold a place of power within the ocean of sand.  A magnificent master of the Black, and a Mhachi prodigy akin to our great Shatotto…”

Isja pondered.  The amount of emotion he poured into praising her only spoke of how highly he held the Merchant Queen.  But what did he mean by “what could have been”?  Seeking more clues, she pressed the subject forward.

“She sounds very beautiful, and the dress you chose for her to model do her great justice,” spoke the Viera.  “Perhaps… and if I may be so bold… she could be your Sul-?” Isja caught herself when she saw her master’s eyes shut.  She knew just as much as her fellow Angels that such a subject was highly sensitive for the Mythrite Sultan.  After a moment of silence, she bowed her head in apology.  Thiji, however, paced toward the center of the room, his gaze fixed on the rotating diamond chandeliers which dotted the ceiling.

“Isja…” he sighed, “We went from rivals, to friends, to business associates, to confidants.  All this and so much more she has become to me.  And when I gazed upon one of Mhach’s proudest and greatest descendants in the Regalia’s finest garb, I surrendered myself to my mind… visions of what could have been if fate took different paths…”

Isja straightened her posture, giving Thiji her full, undivided attention.  “The Knight I could have been.  The Sorceress I could have served; the love that would have bloomed; the heirs we would have sired; the imbeciles we could have crushed; the ideal world we would mold together.  All of this did I see, wishing it were thus… Such beauty and refinement this piteous realm would never hope to see… A dream that would not come to pass.” She was moved by his lamentations so that she wanted to speak, but she knew he had more to say, and for her lord, Isja would gladly lend him her ears.  “I can do all I can to hide my emotions, yet the empty space beside me speaks softly, yet voluminously.  My brother after me was the fortunate one, yet I am consigned to witness every sunset in solitude, looking over my shoulder, wishing to share the moment with the Sultana for whom I dared dream…”

His gaze lowered, he turned now towards the large fountain to his left, watching the waters fall into the pool which bore the holy symbol of Llymlaen, the Navigator.  “I said to her that when she would next meet her subjects – when they would see their jewel shine once more in the Sagolii Deep, they will gaze in awe at the cold yet welcoming shadow, and kneel before her majesty – whether through their own will, or through hers.  Those who would yet defy her would find the shadow of Mhach as their last sight before they would join the hundreds of broken bodies on the battlefield, scattered before the wake of her calm yet fierce beauty.  I pray she did not look back towards the lonely sultan whose heart is as ice.  The Spinner has other fates in store for us, as is Her wont.”

Now she knew what he meant.  If he and Chichibi were together, they would be one of, if not, the greatest power couple in all of Eorzea and beyond.  With their power and wealth combined they would bring even the Syndicate low.  Isja would shed but a single tear for her lord before rising to her feet. “What if she did look back, My Sultan?” Isja questioned as she placed a hand to her heart.  “What if… she wanted you to speak your heart to her?  Why consign yourself to such a fate?”

“She is Mhach, and Mhach lives and breathes in her,” he replied.  “She must shine in the skies of Thanalan alone.  'Power in Beauty' is more than just a motto, Miss Isja.  'Tis a way of life that my family has embraced for many generations.  My father knew this.  My mother knew this.  My brother and Lady Umimi know this.  And I - as the new head of the Higuri Dynasty - must uphold it.  I cannot truly be sad so long as I know my dream lives in those who embrace high fashion.  Especially you, who has so quickly adapted to and embraced the refinement and grace our empire brings - coupled by your own unique traits as a Viera.” "Thank you, My Sultan, for your praise," Isja said with a slight bow of her head.  "But I speak for everyone when I say that I feel none in this realm is more deserving of a Sultana than yourself.  When I heard of the Regalia and of the man behind it all, I found purpose in my life, and it would be serving under you and my fellow Angels.  But after hearing your tale I cannot help but feel even more resolved to carry out your wishes.  For you, and for the Sultana I adamantly believe you will find someday, I will do all I can to show this realm true Power in Beauty.  You have my word."

Thiji bowed his head in gratitude.  Isja then turned and slowly made her way out, shutting the sliding partition behind her.  Now by himself, he went into his private chambers where he gazed upon an ornately framed portrait on the wall, showing him and Queen Chichibi in their regal splendor.  As he focused on the picture, the words slowly echoed in his mind:

"Walk with Halone..." The Mythrite Sultan shuts his eyes, thinking back to all the grand memories they had shared.  Perhaps more will be made should they meet again, as unlikely as that may seem given both are retired adventurers.  But hope has always been prevalent in the hearts and minds of the sons and daughters of man.

"Always," he quietly said to the portrait, as if the visage of the Desert Queen spoke to him directly.  "Another and another may take your place... but none will ever replace you." For now, it was time to rest, and time to plan.  The realm still needed some more enlightenment. (This short story is dedicated to the in-game character Chichibi Chibi.  Thanks for all the awesome and fun times we've had over the years, and the bonds we had formed along the way.  We have withstood the test of time not just in FFXIV, but in other games as well.  I pray that we keep bumping into each other - whether we expect it or not - and that our future adventures take us to new heights.  Eternal glory to you and your efforts!)

A Love that Could have Been - commissioned by https://artistsnclients.com/people/Charmedwheat

[fluffy-marshmallow-heart]

Drake's Diary ch.9 - Long Live the Apple Queen

Words :1682

Drake x MC (Emma)

It’s the second day of the Apple Blossom Festival. Drake was walking amongst the crowd, when he saw Emma. She looked like a maiden, wearing a colorful blue and white dress, complete with puffy sleeves. Drake couldn’t take his eyes off her.

He kept thinking about the previous night, when he had almost kissed her. The way everyone else seemed to fade into the background when he was with her. He thought about the tight hug she gave him. And when he got back to his room, he may have had a few more thoughts on those things that weren’t exactly…friendly. Nope, those definitely were not the thoughts of just a friend, and he hated himself for it.

The first activity was the pie baking contest. That was extremely boring, watching the ladies bake. But, as usual, Emma impressed everyone. Kiara had taken the pie at one point, then tripped, sending the pie up into the air. Emma, being wonderful as she is, managed to catch it. And then her team won.

Afterwards, Drake saw the Queen taking Emma aside from the others. He noticed at one point, Emma glanced at him with a sparkle in her eye.

What on earth are they talking about that she would look at me like that?

A few minutes later, Queen Regina addressed the crowd. “The Apple Blossom Festival symbolizes the growth vital to keeping our small nation thriving. Now, as is tradition, we will honor one distinguished, best dressed lady as this year’s Apple Queen. This is a ceremonial position for the people to decide. Last year, it was our very own Lady Madeleine.”

Madeleine let out her practiced smile” And I very much appreciated the honor.”

Drake rolled his eyes. When she was apple queen she just bossed everyone around and let them know how good she thought she was. There was nothing “honorable” about it.

Queen Regina continued “As for this year---citizens of Cordonia, who do you wish to honor with this title?”

The crowd erupts into wild cries, a frenzied mix of names, cheers, and boos. He heard Maxwell call out “Emma!!!”

Might as well join in. Madeleine certainly doesn’t deserve it twice.

Drake cheered “Emma!”

Soon the chants for Emma overpower any of the other names.

The Queen smiled “I think we have a clear winner. Lady Emma will be this year’s Apple Queen.”

Maxwell whistled “Woooooo! Go Emma! Party like it’s 1299! All hail the Apple Queen from the Big Apple!”

Queen Regina shot him a look before turning back “Lady Emma, please join me for you Coronation.”

Emma stands before the Queen as she hands her an apple-shaped scepter. “Lady Emma, I pronounce you Queen of the Apples. Long live the apple queen!”

Drake couldn’t believe how beautiful she looked. For a brief moment he let himself think what it would be like to be standing beside her, making sure she knew that he was her biggest supporter.

But that will never happen. Look at her. She was born to be a Queen. Hell, she’d be the best queen there ever was.

Emma smiled “Queen Regina, It’s an honor. Thank you all for electing me to represent you as the Apple Queen. I’m happy to accept this esteemed position, and I will treat it with the utmost respect…” she trailed off. “What now?”

Queen Regina spoke again “My Queen, I will serve as your acting seneschal and guide you through the ceremony. Before we proceed, we must fill out the Apple Court. These are the courtiers who will parade behind you. Who will be your cup-bearer? This person should be a close confidant you’d trust with your life.”

“Drake.” Emma announced, looking straight at him.

What?? I’m her close confidant? How did that happen? When? Oh, God, I have to go up there now, I actually do get to stand beside her and offer my support. The Queen was practically still talking when she said my name. Was it really that quick of a decision?

He cleared his throat as he walks up “You know the cup-bearer tastes drinks for poison, right?”

“You’ll be fine.” She rolled her eyes.

I can’t let her know I’m actually thrilled to be here

He scowled “I am blessed to carry out your agenda, my Queen.” He took his place at her righthand side. Glancing around, he noticed Liam staring at them, an impassive expression on his face. Fuck.

The Queen pulls out a goofy-looking fool’s cap. “My Queen, if you’ll name your court jester.”

“Maxwell”

Maxwell bounded up to them “Step aside, plebeians. Three-time jester MVP, coming through.”

Drake looked at him “You’re not supposed to enjoy this”

Maxwell just grinned “I’m sensing jealousy”

“Forget I said anything” Drake sighed. At least he was keeping up appearances. He wished he could show the real emotion he was feeling: joy. He didn’t even remember the last time he had felt that.

Maxwell plops the jester cap on his head. The bells jingle as they fall down in his face.

“My queen, with your court assembled, it is your right to issue an edict before your people.” Queen Regina told her.

Emma turned towards the crowd “My people. Love binds us together. Whether it is love of country, love of citizen, love of self. Those bonds hold us together.”

Of course, she’s talking about love. She would.

 But then as she spoke again, she was looking at Drake from the corner of her eye “Our differences are insignificant compared to the power of love that we share with one another.”

He sucked in a breath. I…I don’t…what just happened? Why did she look at me while she said that?

Queen Regina summons a horse pulling a wagon of apples. “Oh, magnanimous Apple Queen, please show your generosity and share your bountiful harvest with us”

Emma smiled “Let me show you my love. Each and everyone one of you here is the apple of my eye.”

She climbs onto the wagon with Drake and Maxwell and they started to parade past the crowd. When Drake handed her an apple, he felt a spark of electricity when she brushed his hand reaching for it, her eyes searching his. But then she turned and tossed it into the flood of clamoring hands. And just like that, the moment was over. Towards the end of the line, Drake saw Olivia sulking among the crowd. Emma’s faced slowly morphed into a smirk. She threw an apple at her. Olivia frantically attempted to catch it but was unsuccessful. The apple hits her chest with a thud.

“How do you like them apples?” Emma called out “The Apple Queen’s power is absolute!” Drake let out a laugh. The look on Olivia’s face was priceless.

At the end of their parade, stood Madeleine by a potted baby apple tree.

“Your majesty, please honor you ancestor, last year’s apple queen, and plant a tree for the next generation.” Queen Regina announced

Madeleine curtsies “My Queen. Happy wishes for you.”

Emma gave her a nod. “Her former majesty, thank you.” She hopped out of the carriage. Darn it. He should have helped her down.

He heard Madeleine sigh. “The labor of your forebears will help you build a better world.” She lowered her voice, so Drake could no longer hear her. Not until…

“It taught me to appreciate the little things and not be an utter jerk.” Emma was glaring at her.

“Good. I like complacency in a future subject.” Madeleine smirked and stepped back to reveal a hole for the sapling. “The ground is yours, my queen.”

Emma takes the baby apple tree from the pot ad places it into the hole, scooping dirt in around it. “Everyone, the work we do today will benefit future generations. They deserve something worth inheriting.”

The crowd claps and Queen Regina spoke again “Thank you, your gracious Apple Queen. As for your final honor…”

Drake watched as Liam knelt beside her “You are entitled to a kiss, my Queen.”

“Liam, I humbly accept your offer.”

“As my queen wishes.” Prince Liam rises, gently leaning in and kissing her on the cheek.

I want to kiss that cheek. I’m the cup-bearer. I’m the one she trusts. Why can’t that be me? Why must Liam get everything he always wants?

Drake frowned. No. There was no way he was feeling jealousy towards Liam right now. Jealousy was not his thing. He loved Liam, he wanted him happy. But then…when do I get be happy?

With the tree planted and the kiss received, the crowd dispersed. Drake saw the Queen approaching Emma again, so he turned and walked away. He was no longer needed. He no longer had to keep up with the charade of cup-bearer.

Who am I kidding? She trusts me because we became friends. She trusts me because Liam told her to. I don’t have anything to give her. I can’t give her a damn thing but myself. And I’m not good enough.

He was practically back at the manor, when he felt someone grab his arm. He whirled around in surprise.

“Drake! I just wanted to say, I’m sorry I made you do that.”

“Rose, what are you talking about? Do what?”

She bit her lip nervously. “I’m sorry I made you part of the court. I know you hated it, I know you hate doing that type of thing but…when Regina said to choose someone I trusted with my life, someone I felt like I could say anything to in full confidence, it had to be you. It’s only you, and I think…well, I think it always has been.” She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek.

Drake’s heart melted in his chest. She gave him a nervous smile, then turned around and walked away.

I should go after her. I should thank her. I should say I feel the same about her. I should tell her I’ll always be there for her.

He swallowed. He couldn’t. He had to let her go. And it killed him.

     @blackwidow2721 @sleepwalkingelite @flowerpowell @agent-bossypants @annekebbphotography @carabeth @imaketerriblechoices @notoriouscs

[rnjrsupportsquad]

i honestly hated Ozpin from the moment i head his name Ozpin clearly based on the wizard of Oz one of the biggest manipulators in fictional history.

the worst of it is how he’s like “ever since I saw her, I knew she would be a good guardian/maiden” so he had planned this for her since the BEGINNING, and when he first tells Pyrrha that they want her to be the Fall Maiden, he says “We believe that you are next in line to receive the fall maiden’s power.” not “will you do this for us” but “YOU ARE NEXT” like the whole scene(s) gives me the fucking creeps. and not just Oz, Glynda, Qrow and Ironwood are just as bad in this. 

if she had been a full-fledged huntress and graduated it would have been totally different and I get there was a fucking time constraint but she was a student. 

Ok im done, rant over  

[chaos-of-the-abyss]

Annie Leonhart Character Analysis

Annie's past isn't particularly dark, but it is very tragic. She was raised by her father, who forced her to train in hand-to-hand combat from before the sun rose to until the sun went down. She received no breaks, and every time she tried to rest, her father shouted at her. Annie resented her training deeply, but she was too young to fight back.

One day (presumably years after her training began), Annie was trying to catch her breath and her father yelled at her. Annie snapped and kicked her father's leg, causing him to go down. She continued to beat him into a bloody, bruised mess, and even after he recovered, he walked with a permanent limp. Instead of being pissed, her father was impressed and delighted at her strength. From that moment on, he imposed even stricter training on her, and Annie never disobeyed her father again.

It is implied that her father never showed her affection or love, and at some point during this period, he did something horrible.

Her father was training her for the purpose of inheriting the Female Titan, which is only something a select few people can do. Long story short, Annie and her father were Eldians in the Marleyan empire, and Eldians were oppressed by the Marleyans, who believed them to be "devil spawn". However, a person who inherited one of the nine Titan shifters, as well as their family, could become an "honorary Marleyan", meaning they wouldn't be treated as low-class citizens anymore. Annie eventually received the Female Titan (she didn't want to, but she did it for her father) somewhere at age nine. She, along with a few other Titan shifters, are forced to fight in a war, and using their powers, they win.

When Annie was twelve, she and a few of her fellow Titan shifters (who are also Eldians, as only Eldians can become Titan shifters) are sent on a mission across the sea to destroy the "devil spawn" living within the walls of the city beyond the ocean. Annie was not very enthusiastic about the mission, knowing that she will be forced to leave home for many years, kill people, and possibly die, never returning home again. Despite this, she knew that if she succeeded, she woul be hailed as a "hero", and her father would no longer have to suffer the cruel treatment from the Marleyans.

As Annie prepared for her mission, her father told her this. (Watch from 1:48)

Annie's sole motivation in life is to keep this promise to her father, even if she must abandon her mission to do so. Outside of this, she has no goals, and it's easy to see why; all Titan shifters die 13 years after inheriting their abilities. Annie got her powers at age nine, which means she will die at age 22. Dying that young, I understand why she simply drifts through life without any desires of her own (except seeing her father one last time).

Here is a look into what Annie was thinking in the forest when she nearly captured Eren.

"Finally...Eren is coming. I can finally go back home."

As an "appetizer", here are a few lines from Annie's character song. From them, you can already get a taste of the kind of person she is.

"What is freedom? Who does life belong to? You don't think about these complicated matters You just charge straight ahead... And I...was a bit jealous of you."

Annie's a very thoughtful person due to her cynicism. In this verse, she is basically thinking of Eren (AoT's main protagonist), who is super hotheaded and idealistic. She envies him for his simplicity and being able to convince himself that what he is doing is right.

----

"What can possibly justify One person killing another? If we view our enemies As merely demons deserving of death Do we really Feel no pain in our hearts?"

Here, Annie is wondering if there's any way to make murder righteous. It's all based on our own opinions, as well know - everyone thinks differently. Even if Annie has her own reasons for killing so many people (she has one of the highest body counts in the series, and considering this is AoT, that means a lot), she questions if it's truly justifiable.

She's also musing about the manner in which she was raised. Since childhood, Annie was, like I said, taught to believe that the people living within the walls were all demon spawn who were awful and deserved to die, but now that she's interacted with and worked with them personally, she's starting to see that that's not the case. To continue her mission, Annie keeps telling herself the words she was raised with: "They are awful people, they are demon spawn, they deserve death," but she realizes that no matter if she reminds herself of that or not, the guilt and remorse from killing them is still present.

----

"If I had a future where freedom was within my grasp What choice would I make? I still don't know... But I'm given no choice In this absurd world."

As I told you, Annie considers her mission to be her sole purpose of life (her father continuously told her this since she was young too), so she believes that she has no choice, no freedom, to control her own fate. However, she does wonder if she could break away and make her own stand, would she really do it, abandoning her father?

----

"I can dream of freedom But reality ties me down. Corpses (created by my hands) pile up like a mountain But I'm still so far from reaching the sky. I reach my fingers out And feel the sharp pain of slashing blades. Without a single thing in my grasp I descend towards Hell. Was my father's... No...my life... Full of mistakes? ...Nobody knows..."

Annie refuses to consider the possibility that she could ever be free and in control of her path in life, because she doesn't believe that she will ever be able to. The "mountain of corpses" refers to the many people she's killed, and "I'm still so far from reaching the sky" means that even after all those people she's killed to get home and see her father again before her thirteen-year timespan runs out, it still appears as if she won't make it.

The "pain of slashing blades" is Mikasa using her swords and cutting the fingers off of Annie's Titan form, preventing her from climbing the wall and escaping. Annie, who was attempting to climb the wall at that point, naturally begins to fall, and as she does so, she realizes that her best efforts weren't enough, and that it's next to certain that she can never keep her promise to her father because she's now at the mercy of her enemies.

Her "descent towards Hell" is her fall back down inside the walls. As she's defeated, Annie wonders if everything she and her father believed, everything she and her father strove to achieve, was false and not worth it. While initially declaring that she will never allow anyone to say she and her father's lives were full of mistakes (the first time she mentions her and her father's lives being full of mistakes, it's like this: "I won't let anybody say that my father's...no...my life...was full of mistakes!"), Annie concedes that in the end, it's all a matter of opinion and no one can truly be the unbiased, rightful judge of that.

----

As you can probably tell, Annie is very pessimistic about the world, which is understandable considering her upbringing.

Also, here's a monologue from Annie.

"I don't understand. I have never understood anything at all. I don't know what the purpose of this mission is. I don't know why I must kill. I don't know if I'll be able to see my father again. I don't know if I'll be allowed to live once I return. All I'm sure of is that I have to do this."

("This" is referring to when she takes on her Female Titan form and mass-slaughters soldiers of the Survey Corps on their 57th Expedition outside the Walls, in order to capture the "Rogue Titan", Eren Jaeger.)

As far as Annie is concerned, her life is merely a mix of things she does now know. The title of the spin-off manga in which she gets focus as the main protagonist is "Lost Girls", which is fitting because Annie doesn't understand her mission, doesn't understand the benefit that will come from all the blood on her hands, and sticks to the one, baseless, frail belief that she has to get back to her father. It's literally the only thing that drives her.

Another notable thing about Annie is her low opinion of herself. This is subtly implied when she calls Eren out for using his full strength against her during their sparring session, saying, "If you're a guy, shouldn't you be gentle with this delicate body of mine?"...right after kicking his ass into the dirt. She also tells him, "I doubt a brave, nearly suicidal guy like you can understand the feelings of a weak maiden like me."

Annie is a tiny thing, standing at just five feet tall. Despite this, she hands Reiner (who is slightly over six feet tall and visibly muscular) his ass within a second flat. This isn't because of monstrous strength, but rather her refined martial arts technique that is specifically tailored to deal with those stronger and larger than herself.

While her self-deprecation may seem like just a joke initially, Annie thinks of herself as being a selfish person who is too weak to go against the absurdity of the world and is easily pushed into doing things by others. In addition, she's very perceptive, able to easily sniff out the corruption of the military system (something even the very intelligent Armin apparently failed to realize) within the walls and see through Marley's brainwashing - despite being raised to believe something since she was born, she can see that everything that's been told to her is all lies. She also displays impressive intuition during her single day as a de facto detective trying to solve the disappearance of Carly Stratmann.

Additionally, Annie wears a stoic face for most of the series (seriously, the first close-up we got of her was this), but once you break down her exterior, you find a very emotional and distressed person inside. When she's accused of being the Female Titan, she breaks down laughing (at least in the anime, in the manga, she breaks into a creepy grin, but this change was requested personally by the author). According to Isayama Hajime, the author of Attack on Titan, that laugh of hers was the outlet for all the guilt, loneliness, and fear, as well as relief that her secret is out and that she no longer has to disguise her true self behind apathy and indifference. She may seem totally nonchalant and heartless, but if you ask me, Annie is one of the most emotional people in the series.

All of this (her perceptiveness, her self-deprecation, and her strong emotions) are displayed in these three quotes.

"Why is it that in this world, those who are the most capable of combating the Titans are the ones who have the privilege of getting the furthest away from them? How do you think it all came to be such a farce?"

- Annie to Eren

"Yes, I am...I'm scared. I'm not you...Not a brave, reckless guy who's in a hurry to die...There is no way someone like you can understand the feelings of a frail, weak girl like me."

- Annie to Eren

"'Honorary Marleyan?' 'Chosen Warrior'? Who gives a damn?! Marley, Eldia, they can all go to hell! They're all liars, every one of them! They only ever think about themselves! And I'm the same! I need to get back home alive!"

- Annie to Reiner

It's very notable that Annie, when on her killing spree during the Survey Corps' expedition, went out of her way to avoid killing her fellow cadets (such as Armin). The fact that she spared Armin in particular was the deciding factor in her eventual reveal and capture. Armin even points this out after Annie has been cornered as the Female Titan, noting that if she'd killed him when she had the chance, her secret would have been safe. To this, Annie responds as such:

"Yes. I think so too. Back then...why didn't I...?"

She even avoids attacking and killing Mikasa twice, who has never shown anything but disdain towards her. At least Armin showed Annie kindness, which could be why she spared him, but Mikasa never treated Annie with any semblance of warmth, yet when she and Levi are attacking Annie, Annie swings her fist at Levi (for God's sake, she'd rather attack Humanity's Strongest Soldier rather than Mikasa), completely ignoring Mikasa. Another time, in the city battle, Annie kicks Mikasa and sends her flying. Mikasa lands on the ground and doesn't get up, implying that she's either unconscious or unable to move. Stepping on and squashing Mikasa like a bug would have been easy for Annie at that point, who was in her Titan form, but she simply leaves Mikasa and continues to run. Later, it is Mikasa who cuts off her fingers, taking away her ability to climb the wall and escape.

Had Annie killed Armin, she wouldn't have been discovered. Had Annie killed Mikasa, she would have been able to escape. But Annie didn't do any of these, and this is a perfect example of how letting your feelings get the better of you could yield negative results. Annie was fully aware of the dangers of sparing Armin and Mikasa, but she did so anyway, because she didn't want to kill them.

In a less notable example, she goes out of her way to kill two Titans and save Jean and Connie (on separate occasions).

As Levi and Mikasa were retreating from rescuing Eren, Levi looks back and notices something: Annie is crying. Why?

If you ask me, it isn't just one thing selectively, but rather tears of many emotions mixed together. She got so close to capturing Eren and yet she failed in the end - tears of frustration and despair. She had to kill so many people, and yet, it all amounted to naught, because Eren was rescued, rendering all the lives she'd taken pointless - tears of remorse and guilt. She cannot return to her home and to her father because she must continue striving on to complete her mission, living among enemies and hiding her true self - tears of fear.

Annie will put her duty over her heart sometimes, as shown when Reiner orders her to remove Marco's gear and let him get eaten. However, she initially resists, calling Reiner a "piece of shit" and only complying when he accuses her of becoming sympathetic towards the "Eldian devils". Even then, Annie is shaking and sweating while taking away Marco's gear, and when he's eaten, she is visibly sobbing. Following the Battle of Trost that resulted in countless gruesome deaths, Annie is seen walking around and apologizing to each corpse with a traumatized expression on her face.

Annie is also hesitant to kill those who cannot fight back. When she's sent crashing into a church, crushing nearly everyone inside of it, her expression in looking at the mangled corpses is clearly one of horror.

Her relationship with her father is very interesting and not fully explored, but it's clear she cares about him deeply, even after the hellish training her forced her through. As she's about to be captured and recalls her last promise to return to him, in the anime, Annie cries, while in the manga, she looks stricken and desperate. It also seems, from her reaction when her father hugs her, that he's never shown her true affection before.

Something that caught my attention during the Lost Girls spin-off manga is that when Annie asks why Carly went to such lengths to make illegal drugs for her father, Carly replies, "My father lost everything...I just wanted to give it back to him." At this, Annie muses about the similarities between herself and Carly, suggesting that Annie's father had something he fiercely desired as well, and he was using Annie to get it back somehow.

Because of her own belief that she is weak and cannot stand up for herself, Annie holds a deep respect towards those with strong ideals, particularly because she herself feels to weary of life and too hopeless to ever have any herself. This respect is primarily directed towards Eren, who, despite his naivety, hotheadedness, and impulsiveness, makes an impression on Annie solely because she admires his genuine desire to help others, achieve his goals, and fight until the end. In fact, the only time she is show truly smiling (this was cut out from the anime, and I'm pissed about it) is when she offered to train him. Eren initially declines her offer, because being trained by Annie would be quite painful and consist of getting curbstomped many, many times. Annie ends up saying, "Oh, I insist", showing that despite her efforts, she genuinely likes Eren.

She also expresses the same respect for Marlow, saying this to him:

"I think you're a righteous person who says righteous things. Such people do exist, and I'm well aware of that. Going against the tide requires extraordinary courage...and I respect that. Even if it's probably nothing but foolishness. Well...what is clear...is that such people are rare. They're not common, and they're not what you call normal. People like you...are called special."

- Annie to Marlow

That said, Annie is not, by any form or fashion, an innocent little girl forced into a situation where she had no choice but to kill. Annie is very much dangerous and a lethal opponent, and I don't mean just physically. She shows hints of sadism and skillful manipulation (if you watched only the anime, much of what I say staring here will not be in your memory).

When Annie offers to train Eren, notice how he initially refused. But at this point, Annie, bored with life, decides that it would be interesting to have someone to spar against. Therefore, at Eren's decline, she states, "Come on, you won't have to hold back." Eren is a very hotblooded individual and he, to a degree, enjoys combat. Annie is the same way, as Eren noted that the only time she seemed to come alive was when she was fighting. Knowing how Eren feels, Annie appeals to his desire to let himself go by saying that by sparring with her, he won't have to restrain himself, he won't have to hold himself back, and he can go all-out. Look at the genuine way she's looking at him, making eye contact with him.

Annie appealing to Eren

The most insidious example of how deadly and terrifying Annie can be is perhaps the scene where she kills a soldier by gripping his wires and spinning him around so fast that it kills him. In the anime, she's barely looking at him and her expression is solemn. However, in the manga, Annie is wearing a sweet little smile that is present even in her Titan form. And, contrasting the anime, she pays full attention to the spectacle of her prey bursting into a mush of blood, flesh, and bone.

Annie kills the scout 1

Annie kills the scout 2

Also, I believe she is guilty of manipulating Eren's feelings toward her. Now, I'm not saying that Annie sees Eren as nothing more than a pawn because she doesn't - she truly does feel companionship towards him, her fellow Titan shifter, sparring partner (more like punching bag though, if we look at their sparring sessions), and enjoyer yes, that's not a word, I know of combat. But take a look at how utterly distressed he appears when she is overpowered and about to be pinned down. He looks absolutely horrified. Also, not how Annie makes intense eye contact with him - calling out to the fond feelings he has towards her.

Annie and Eren

All of this combined is why I like the character of Annie so much. She is not predictable, and not at all a simple character. Annie Leonhart is a vicious, manipulative, cunning, scared, desperate, lonely, lethal, and intelligent person that is very complex to grasp. She's not just one set of emotions, she can have them all. Annie is just as capable of expressing remorse and sorrow as she is of reveling in violence and the feeling of control she experiences when she kills or soundly defeats others. She enjoys fighting, and yet she was forced into learning it. She's afraid, and yet she's, in some ways, totally in control. She's lost, and yet, to her, her goal could never be clearer. She hates to kill the innocent or those that she personally knows, but she's totally merciless and even amused when slaughtering anyone else.

[itsclydebitches]

RWBY Recaps: Vol. 5 Rest and Resolutions + Alone Together

This is a re-posting from December 8th, 2017 in an effort to get all my recaps fully on tumblr. Thanks!

Hello, everyone! I apologize for the two week gap between reviews. Academia caught up with me in the worst way possible, but that is behind us now, hallelujah. There's a lot to cover in our last two episodes, so let's dive straight in.

First off, Ozpin is the Wizard theory confirmed.

We all knew it was coming, but it's still nice to finally have validation for that idea. Often times writers will deliberately askew what the viewers expect to happen in a failed attempt at originality (see Sherlock's season 3 premiere), but if you've planted the hints there's every reason to follow through with them. In true RWBY fashion though, this information leads to even more questions. I'm particularly interested in this balance between history and storytelling. That is, the version of Ozpin-as-Wizard that we hear about is explicitly a fairy tale and we all know that time has a tendency to twist events, especially when people begin to view them as just old wive's tales, rather than actual truth. All we really know is that Ozpin indeed gave much of his power to four girls, creating the original Maidens. However:

Did he really isolate himself like the story says? Honestly, if I'd been dealing with all Ozpin's shit I'd probably hide in the woods too.

How soon after receiving the curse did all this go down?

Depending on that timing, did Ozpin have reincarnations before he was the Wizard? Or is that his original form? A lot of fans still assume that he was also the King of Vale, though where that fits into the timeline is a little unclear.

Did Ozpin know at the time that his magic was finite? Or was this the event that clued him in?

Did he give the four women magic in a deliberate attempt to stop Salem? Or, like the story implies, was there a broader reason, the desire to give these women the power to continue spreading hope? That would certainly fit with the show's "honest soul" theme (and perhaps an indicator that characters like Ruby have something to teach Ozpin even as he teaches them, just as the original Maidens did).

Are the Maidens' powers connected to their original gifts? Winter is the Maiden of creation and encouraged Ozpin to meditate and reflect. Summer is destruction and, interestingly, told Ozpin to "step outside and embrace the world." Spring brought food and flowers to revitalize his garden and is the Maiden of knowledge, while Fall is choice and reminded Ozpin to be thankful for what he has. I can see some similarities among all that...

We might not ever get answers to questions like these. Unlike other fantasy series, RWBY is rather restricted by its medium--you can't spend page after page explaining nuanced world building as you would in a novel; we've only got about fifteen minutes max each episode and plenty of more important issues to tackle first. Still, it's something.

Besides that confirmation, "Rest and Resolutions" really lives up to its name. We have all the kids enjoying a happy meal together, with only Oscar noticeably absent. (I know, I know, he's housing Ozpin's soul and Ozpin needs to have Important Conversations with Qrow about the missing huntsmen, but let the kid hang out a bit with people closer to his age, yeah?) Much of this volume has been recap of one form or another, so as to make sure that each character is caught up on what everyone else has been doing and are aware of the information that others/the viewer already knows about. Ruby and co.'s conversation works similarly, only these callbacks are meant to induce a sense of nostalgia rather than act as firm plot foundation.

Jaune recounts "loosing" the map on their travels. Jaune. You literally threw it away when you realized that an entire town had been besieged by grimm. Like, I get that losing their map isn't great, but at least the guy is really invested in the welfare of others?

(cough--comforting Pyrrha instead of watching the door--cough)

(It's actually a personality "flaw" that, as we've seen twice now, can cause some serious consequences.)

The kids take turn complimenting one another (aww) and Ruby says that Ren was "out of control" during the fight against the Nuckelavee. I've seen a few autistic!Ren headcanons over the years and this perhaps can be read as evidence to support that. Ren drastically misreads the tone and intention of Ruby's comment, apologizing quite sincerely for his behavior and personal investment in that fight. It's only when Ruby clarifies that she meant it as a compliment that Ren understands... and thanks her. There's a lot of acceptance and support in this moment.

Weiss alludes to summoning her boar during the party (Ruby: "You did not!") and when Nora doesn't believe her Weiss summons the boar right next to her, startling the hell out of poor Nora. This really shows how much Weiss has improved. There's no hesitation, no need to concentrate--she just summons it up with pure ease right in the middle of a conversation.

I was actually rather surprised by Nora's reaction. Yeah, the jump scare was played for humor, but that combined with her horror at Yang detaching her arm... Nora seems a little... skittish to me?  I might be reading too much into things (I almost certainly am), but between these two moments, the joke about her eating, watching her sneak food last episode... they all read as not so subtle indicators of stress to me. And who can blame the girl.

Other nostalgic moments include our Vol. 1-3 nicknames: Ice Queen and Vomit Boy. The group has a long-overdue acknowledgement of how much they've grown since they were at school, with Ruby in particular delivering the iconic line that she tried to "1v1 a Nevermore on our second day of school." And the Death Stalker, Ruby. God bless this trigger-happy child.

There's also talk of Yang's arm. It did my heart good to see Ruby ooo-ing over the mechanics and Yang looking damn proud of it for once. The arm wrestling contest between her and Nora was, of course, fantastic. Yang's not just embracing this new part of her but actively using it to her advantage... that's exactly where we all knew she'd end up. Can't hold this girl down for long.

Yang: "It's no replacement for the real thing, but I'll make good use of it."

There's a radical tone change once dinner is over and Ozpin rejoins the conversation. Yang is clearly distrustful of him after her talk with Raven (despite the fact that Yang has no reason to trust Raven...) and in true Ozpin style he tries to console her with wisdom and compliments: "Your mother must trust you a great deal" if she told you all that.

Yeah. Sorry, Oz. You know as well as the audience that Raven told those secrets to manipulate her, not because she trusts her. That little strategy fell flat.

Ozpin confirms most of what Raven said though, including that he turned her and Qrow into birds. What Raven of course failed to mention was that they both agreed to the transformation. Whether that agreement was a strong and enthusiastic "Yes!" or the kind of consent that Pyrrha gave--a very complicated scenario with no good choices on the table--is hard to say. My own assumption is that Raven was probably thrilled to be given such a useful power, especially when she intended to turn it against the very community who gave it to her. She only regrets it now that her life hasn't turned out quite as planned. She, like others, is looking to use Ozpin as her scapegoat. 

In fact, we're given no explanation for Raven or Yang's anger here. Raven I can conceptualize--she's the type to blame others for her problems--but Yang? What exactly is so horrific about being turned into a kick-ass bird? As Ozpin describes it, this magic allows Qrow and Raven to "see more" and to be "unburdened" in ways that the normal huntsmen or huntress is not. This ability allows them to spy on Salem rather inconspicuously and, as we've seen in the case of Qrow, is useful in terms of keeping track of other people--like your wayward niece who goes off to try and take on the forces of darkness alone. As far as we've been told there's no downside to this ability beyond the fact that Ozpin's magic is finite, but that hardly effects Qrow. He transforms when he chooses, it doesn't seem to cause him any pain, it grants him an ability outside of his bad luck semblance, he already lives in a world where half the population has animal traits... seriously, where's this anger coming from? Just the fact that magic is an unknown to Yang and therefore scary? It's really unclear and frankly worrying considering how much Yang is basing her accusations and demands around that anger. 

Because the irony is that Yang demands no more secrets from Ozpin. He insists he doesn't keep secrets from them, just plays certain pieces of information close to the chest, but Yang says 'tomato tomahto’ even though, as we’ve just established, that wasn’t Ozpin’s secret to tell. And it has no repercussions that impact the rest of the group. Certainly not the girl who just showed up. I mean, maybe there is still a downside? They’ll definitely be a real backlash if the kids discover there is some horrific consequence to Qrow and Raven's ability and Ozpin didn’t say anything... but again, that’s not fair to Ozpin. Isn’t anyone going to ask Qrow why he kept this from his family? Or ask Yang why she’s suddenly on the side of the mother who abandoned her and is a known killer? Putting all this on Ozpin is, again, pretty worrying. 

Perhaps the most moving moment of the episode though is when Ozpin tells the kids that they can still leave. (Except Oscar of course. This poor kid. He got dragged into this fast and is the only one who's truly stuck with it.) He emphasizes that abstaining from battle is not the same thing as retreat and reminds us that these are just kids and they can't be expected to shoulder it all. No one stands except for Yang... but she's not leaving, just making it clear that whatever Ruby decides to do she'll follow her lead. It re-emphasizes that Ruby isn't just a strategic leader like Jaune is. She's the moral compass of the group. Once Ruby decides to keep fighting--and we know she always will--the rest of her family follows. That’s... not always a good thing though. Everyone needs a reason for fighting this kind of war and I don’t think ‘because Ruby is fighting it too’ is powerful enough to carry them through whatever new hardships they’ll face. 

Because you can’t keep the peace for long. We're left with one hell of a cliff-hanger as Emerald, Mercury, Cinder, and Watts approach Raven's camp, the whole gang demanding an audience--or more likely a Maiden. Every fan who cried over the fact that Emerald isn't in the opening finally got to see their fave prepping for a fight and I for one am looking forward to a real battle this Volume. None of the measly stuff we've seen with Blake or in training. For the first time this will, presumably, be Maiden vs. Maiden and I expect something epic.

Luckily the episode airs soon!

Before that though we have the heart-wrenching episode "Alone Together," wherein three fourths of Team RWBY finally get some downtime together. Ruby is up very early due to difficulty sleeping (who can blame her) and she soon realizes that Weiss and Yang are in the same boat. Loved Yang's sisterly "Boop" with her hair (pick that up from Nora, did you?) and Weiss knows her friends well, dumping an unholy amount of sugar into Ruby's coffee to make sure she likes it. "Nice Weiss strikes again!"

I'm quite liking Nice Weiss this Volume. What a step up from Ice Queen.

There's a bit more recapping--Ruby is called out on her priorities. That fact that they're all together at Haven Academy; that's what she can't believe?--before the conversation quickly turns to when they'll see Blake again. We've watched Yang deal rather well with the loss of her arm this past Volume and she kept a comparatively cool head around her mother. This though... this is what's really been festering.

Yang says that Blake "made her choice" and expresses very little interest in seeing her again. Weiss and Ruby are, understandably, shocked. With shaking hands and a flash of red eyes, Yang finally reveals what's truly been holding her back. Not her arm, not Raven, not any anger at Ruby, but the fact that Blake ran from them. Again.  

It's an understandable flaw on Blake's part, and it's equally understandable that this would nevertheless frustrate and upset Yang. I love that it's Weiss who helps her see Blake's perspective in all this: that after finally opening up to them, everything she'd feared actually did come to pass. The family she'd found was torn apart. Beacon fell. Adam hurt Yang in the worst possible way. She brought down the metaphorical walls around her heart and the literal walls of Beacon crumbled. As far as Blake is concerned, getting close to others really did bring nothing but misery. It's not logical, but emotions rarely are. Of course she's going to try and get as far away from them as possible after that, as well as return to her parents. It was a move born equally from a desire to protect herself as well as others.

It says a great deal about Yang's maturity that she does understand Blake's perspective rather quickly (even if, interestingly, she can’t understand Ozpin’s. A difference in who she actually cares for). Notably this is done through Weiss' own experiences, her admission that they've all experienced their own versions of loneliness. Yang says she doesn't blame Blake for the decision any longer; she's just upset that Blake hasn't realized yet (as Yang herself has) that things are easier when you stick together. That she, Ruby, and Weiss could have supported Blake through this... and that they need her support too. Yang resolves to be there for Blake just as soon as she's ready. The girl has a wealth of love within her. And yes, a lot of that stems from adopting the role of caretaker early, looking after Ruby as a big sister, but the fact that Yang can separate her current desire to protect her friends from that difficult childhood is huge. She knows how trauma has shaped her and she's prepared to make the best of it.

Ruby finally does check up on them and lets out a heartfelt sigh. Everything's okay.

Now, I'll be real interested to see if Yang's shaking lessens after she's reconciled with Blake...

Meanwhile, there's Ilia. And you all know what I'm going to discuss here.

There's a lot to say about her meeting with Blake--the well-played betrayal; our look at how Blake might end up in Mistral; the introduction of a very cool spider faunus; Ilia's speech about how there's no right or wrong, no innocents, just doing "what's best for us" that reminded me strongly of Roman's own speech--but for now, especially given how long this review already is, I want to focus in on her sexuality.

(FYI what I have below was originally written as a separate post, so apologies for the repetition.)

In the past week I've seen numerous complaints about how the fandom is “whining” about finally getting what they want. I’m one of the “whiners,” and this, to be frank, is not what I asked for.

Let’s start with the acknowledgment that yes, no matter who Rooster Teeth chose as their first LBGTQIA character, some people were going to be disappointed. Either because the choice doesn’t fit their ship or because of the dichotomy we’re seeing now: the Good vs. Evil gay character divide. It’s a simple disagreement on the surface that nevertheless houses a lot of important questions and concerns: should you make your gay character one of the Good Guys in order provide positive representation, or should you make them one of the Bad Guys in order to provide diverse representation? Do you send the message that being gay is wonderful by associating it with the heroes, or something that’s natural by associating it with the villains--making a statement that anyone can be LGBTQIA, not just the ones you’re rooting for?

The answer to this dilemma is that you do both. You provide variety in order to likewise provide true, diverse representation. However, the reality is that we haven’t reached a point in most media where you get lots and lots of gay characters to provide lots and lots of diversity… so therefore I feel rather strongly that the first character should be a positive portrayal.

Why? Because we’re not living in a positive world. Because we’re still a part of societies where LGBTQIA people are ridiculed, discriminated, and murdered. Because the idea that it’s not just okay, but fantastic to be gay is FAR from universal.

Because we have a very long, awful history of villains associated with gay stereotypes. Because there’s literally a Psycho Lesbian trope with plenty of examples to choose from. Because we don’t live in a culture where you can casually throw out ‘gay’ + ‘bad guy’ and expect your audience to separate the two critically.

Which brings me back to Ilia.

For all these reasons I was truly disappointed to see that she was our first LBGTQIA character. Out of a wealth of women in this show who love each other in healthy and nuanced ways, they were all bypassed for a character who is currently one of the Bad Guys.

Is Ilia pure evil? Of course not. I’ve mentioned previously about how much we see her struggling with her choices, but she’s currently not on a good path either. More importantly, the way her sexuality is revealed does nothing but position it badly. Let’s break that scene down just a bit. The first LGBTQIA content we’re given is:

A woman who is working for an extremist group that in turn is working for the Big Bad

Ilia reveals her sexuality after having her henchmen abuse Blake, attacking her, forcing her onto her knees, and announcing that they’re currently attempting to murder her parents

Ilia says that she wanted Blake to look at her like she once looked at Adam, intentionally or not drawing parallels between her love and Blake’s abuse

She positions her sexuality as at least partly a justification for her actions. Illia is subtly blaming Blake: if you’d paid more attention to me, maybe none of this would have happened. It actively positions all this horror as at least partly a consequence of same sex attraction

Does all of this craft a rather complex, LGBTQIA character? Absolutely, but it’s also one that left a rather sour taste in my mouth. Overt, same-sex attraction is still so rare in our media and frankly I’m sick of it. I’m sick of vague comments, queer baiting, or promises of something “coming later.” I’m equally sick of burying our gays and having same-sex attraction presented as something that only those who are otherwise sick in their morals would experience. Is it so much to ask for something reaffirming in a series that keeps growing in popularity and influence?

Will there be more LGBTQIA characters in RWBY? I assume so, I hope so, but for now all we have is Ilia. A character who, I’d also like to point out, we barely know. I’m sure she’s lots of fans’ fave, but I for one have little interest in this side character… and her position as a side character makes me nervous for her survival. Her sexuality only compounds that.

Rooster Teeth had a huge opportunity here. LGBTQIA viewers have waited five years to see someone like them in this series and it could have been a really magnificent reveal. It could have been Yang realizing her feelings as she worked through her anger at Blake. Or Weiss realizing hers for Yang as they get closer this Volume. Or Ruby for Weiss. Or Weiss for Blake. Hell, give us a throwaway line about Port and Oobleck being happy husbands, or let Ren be pan, or let Oz admit to same-sex attraction after having lived thousands of years…. I don’t care. I’ll take any ship wars that develop as a consequence. All I wanted was to see a character I know and love embracing their sexuality in a way that reaffirmed how proud I am of my own.

Instead it’s Ilia, admitting feelings for Blake while she plots to kill her parents. While she hurts her and betrays her. Sorry if I find that a little difficult to watch. Sorry if I need to “whine” about it just a bit.

So yes. Needless to say I'm disappointed. After that I couldn't really appreciate Ghira's transformation and concern for his wife, or Kali's badass, "Get out of my house!" As said, the whole scene with Ilia left a bad taste in my mouth. I know Rooster Teeth can do better.

Hopefully we do get better. Preferably soon. This is the perfect, filler kind of Volume to set up more characterization, including queer sexualities, and we've got four more episodes until the hiatus.

Tick, tock, RT.

Other Details of Note

Nora, what exactly happened with you and that punch?

I liked the gears on the wall clock. Which begs the question: where did this house come from? Is it a safe place that Ozpin had set up long before Beacon's fall?

They ate ALL that food. Everything they'd prepared while expecting who knows how many huntsmen/huntresses. Never underestimate the appetites of a group of teenagers.

James and Glynda get mentioned this volume! Everyone rejoice! Now if only we got to see them on screen...

Nora exclaiming about how Qrow and Raven are named after birds was pretty hilarious. It's not like we weren't already thinking it. Despite all the jokes on tumblr though, there's no way Ozpin chose those forms specifically because of the Branwens' names. If anything, this seems to act as evidence that a person's semblance/abilities draws on their personality, rather than the other way around.

There are a number of bird motifs throughout "Alone Together," including our opening shot of Ruby watching them fly overhead and a pair of carved ducks on display in the bedroom where Yang and Weiss chat. It's a nice nod to one of this Volume's major themes. (Or, if we buy into this headcanon that this place is a safe house purchased specifically for Qrow, then Ozpin needs to get called out on his on-the-nose decorating lol).

Yang staring at the team photo hurt in so many ways. Excellent touch there.

We have that acknowledged parallel between Weiss and Ruby, in which Yang (and the audience) expects it to be Ruby knocking on the door, trying to talk. The difference is that now, months later, Yang is actually in a position to open up to someone and that someone is Weiss, now just as much a sister to Yang as Ruby is.  

Confirmation that Weiss' mom is an alcoholic. We knew that was coming too...but still. Yikes.

Yang cries! Let all the children keep crying! It's good and natural!

There's a "nocturnal section" of Menagerie. Of course there is. God I can't believe I didn't think of that.

Ilia can completely blend in with the shadows. It's official now: all Volume 1-3's shadow people are just really, really shy chameleon faunuses. Spread the word.

That blow Blake took seemed to hit her pretty hard. Kind of like how Oscar staggered when he got hit without his aura... could Blake really trust Ilia enough to attend this meeting without proper protection? She might, which makes Ilia's betrayal all the worse. In the episode where Yang talks of letting Blake support and be supported by others, she was finally willing to do that with an old friend. Obviously having that backfire won't help Blake to open up any further.

GIF credit: http://knowyourmeme.com/photos/841077-rwby

[stevecanmakeanythingnerdy]

Battle #16

Krokus: Pay It In Metal (Side 2)

Vs.

Kiss: Animalize (Side 2)

Krokus: Pay It In Metal (Side 2)

Krokus were founded in Solothurn, Switzerland in 1975. This particular album is the band still in their early years before worldly success. They were popular in their native Switzerland, but had not yet broken through with their very A/C D/C influenced heavy metal. You might remember Krokus from a recent RRW session. Well, these Swedes are back for more rock and roll action, on this their 3rd album. The year was 1978 and most of the world was still enamored with (gross) disco (gross). This album was kind of the next link in the evolution of the band to a more pop metal sound. It also is pressed under the title Pain Killer, I believe, in Switzerland. The album didn’t produce any big hits or even have marginal radio noise, but it’s still a fairly tight and compact collection of tunes for fans to enjoy. “Rock Me, Rock You” starts with that oh so subtle A/C D/C blues bar riffage. No really, 100%, If I didn’t know better I would just swear it WAS an unreleased A/C D/C tune. I can’t really expand anymore than this. “Deadline” is really just a faster version of the above. Clearly modeled anyhow. I really can’t understand HOW these guys were not more popular at this time. No press coverage? The vocals are front and center, but production is weak on the other tracks. A short one too, at just over 2 minutes. It’s probably one of the more rocker numbers though. “Susie” is a ballad...I guess? The closest thing to one anyhow. I’m not really gettin much metal out of this. Even mid-80s glam meta was still metal. This is just...fluffy pop. Pay it in mediocrity? (#seewhatididthere). Ok, just kidding. “Pay It” is next and we are back on track. I would like to consider this the title track. This one has balls. Not the biggest balls of them all (#seewhatididthere) but big balls all the same. Even the aforementioned production gets buff on this tune. You been working out, bro? It’s A/C D/C-core but hell, if you’re good at something....right? “Bye Bye Baby” is the last song and this time Krokus explores bigger riffs and gang vocals. I like the direction here! Screaming leads that bleed, where was this shit the whole time?!? I take it back, THIS is the best tune on here, hands down! Even a wicked breakdown! Save the best for last, I guess. Overall it’s definitely not bad, but there are better, later Krokus albums. The band is like wine, they improved with age, experiencing growth and originality. Again, not terrible but by and large an A/C D/C cover band in the waiting.

Kiss: Animalize (Side 2)

Ok. Who doesn’t know this band. Seriously. And you are reading this right now and legitimately do NOT know this band, please see yourself to the nearest parking lot and proceed to kick your own lame buttocks. KISS is an American rock band formed in New York City (no, not Detroit) in January 1973 by Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Peter Criss, and Ace Frehley. Well known for its members' face paint, stage outfits, and comic like persona, the group rose to prominence in the mid-to-late 1970s with their elaborate live performances. These featured fire breathing, blood-spitting, smoking guitars, shooting rockets, levitating drum kits, and pyrotechnics. Holy $#!t who WOULDN’T want to see that?!?! The band has gone through several lineup changes, with Stanley and Simmons the only remaining original members. The original and best-known lineup consisted of Stanley (vocals and rhythm guitar), Simmons (vocals and bass), Frehley (lead guitar and vocals), and Criss (drums and vocals). In 1983, Kiss began performing without makeup and costumes, thinking that it was time to leave the makeup behind. The band accordingly experienced a minor commercial resurgence, and their music videos received regular airplay on MTV. This album falls smack in the middle of this time period. In the mid 90’s and through current times really KISS has experienced a nostalgia boost. They recently announced that their 2019 tour would be the group’s farewell tour. After much controversy and line up changes, Animalize came out. This is the first album after Vinnie Vincent left the band. He was replaced by a session guitarist and tour support Mark St. John. Animalize followed the success of Lick It Up, and due in part to consistent MTV play for the "Heaven's on Fire" video, Animalize was the band's best-selling record in America during the decade, with over two million albums sold. If you are like me then you have mistakenly always lumped this era of Kiss in the “lame” section. I identify as only a casual fan of KISS. I’m not a card carrying member of the KISS Army or anything, but rather appreciate the band for what it is. Good old fashioned rock and roll with flair. Well, let me tell you, listening to this album for the first time in quite a while has opened my ears. “Under The Gun” contains some powerful shredding riffs and gang vocals that are merely missing the makeup. The rock is still there, and maybe turned up a notch if anything! Stanley is in top notch form for his vocal prowess and the blanks are filled in with punchy timing and meaty bass. It should be noted that this particular tune was co-written by Desmond Child. Just FYI. “Thrills in the Night” are also a wall of vocals with some very Ratt-like pop metal elements. This is right around the apex of those types of bands, including Cinderella, Poison, Crew, etc. Perfectly incorporated. The production is through the roof too. “While the City Sleeps” is another deep cut, and sure you won’t find many of these songs on any greatest hits album, but these tunes are classic in their own right. KISS is playing like they have something to prove on Animalize. Welcome to the 80’s!! The last cut of meat is “Murder in High Heels”. The title leads you to believe it will be equally earth and ear drum shattering with great potential for maximum rock carnage...however, as my set has indicated, not the case. It’s a “sassy” riff and honestly kind of a clunker. More Whitesnake or LED Zeppelin here. Less Maiden. Meh. “Heaven’s On Fire” was the Big single off this one but that’s on the flip. It’s just Gene and Paul with the new crew (Eric Carr and Mark St. John) stepping up to fill in. In many ways this is similar to The Ramones catalog. Good beginning, good ending...things in the middle (Brain Drain) are for fans only, but I must admit, listening to Animalize has made me take a second look.

So today Mercury label mates duke it out. Krokus tried to pay it in metal, burning 126 calories over 5 songs and 17 minutes. That is 25.20 calories per song and 7.41 calories per minute. KISS puckered up and got Animalized, unleashing the beasts to burn (also) 126 calories over 4 songs but only 16 minutes. That is 31.50 calories burned per song and 7.88 calories burned per minute. Looks like the KISS army marches on with or without makeup!

Kiss: “Under The Gun”. They may well be the ugliest men alive. Even more so than The Ramones, but dang do they make up for it in showmanship and guitar shredding.

https://youtu.be/lm5yw3JtXRc

#Randomrecordworkoutseasonsix

#Randomrecordworkout

[readbookywooks]

AT THE GATES OF TASHBAAN

"Mr name," said the girl at once, "is Aravis Tarkheena and I am the only daughter of Kidrash Tarkaan, the son of Rishti Tarkaan, the son of Kidrash Tarkaan, the son of Ilsombreh Tisroc, the son of Ardeeb Tisroc who was descended in a right line from the god Tash. My father is the lord of the province of Calavar and is one who has the right of standing on his feet in his shoes before the face of Tisroc himself (may he live for ever). My mother (on whom be the peace of the gods) is dead and my father has married another wife. One of my brothers has fallen in battle against the rebels in the far west and the other is a child. Now it came to pass that my father's wife, my step-mother, hated me, and the sun appeared dark in her eyes as long as I lived in my father's house. And so she persuaded my father to promise me in marriage to Ahoshta Tarkaan. Now this Ahoshta is of base birth, though in these latter years he has won the favour of the Tisroc (may he live for ever) by flattery and evil counsels, and is now made a Tarkaan and the lord of many cities and is likely to be chosen as the Grand Vizier when the present Grand Vizier dies. Moreover he is at least sixty years old and has a hump on his back and his face resembles that of an ape. Nevertheless my father, because of the wealth and power of this Ahoshta, and being persuaded by his wife, sent messengers offering me in marriage, and the offer was favourably accepted and Ahoshta sent word that he would marry me this very year at the time of high summer. "When this news was brought to me the sun appeared dark in my eyes and I laid myself on my bed and wept for a day. But on the second day I rose up and washed my face and caused my mare Hwin to be saddled and took with me a sharp dagger which my brother had carried in the western wars and rode out alone. And when my father's house was out of sight and I was come to a green open place in a certain wood where there were no dwellings of men, I dismounted from Hwin my mare and took out the dagger. Then I parted my clothes where I thought the readiest way lay to my heart and I prayed to all the gods that as soon as I was dead I might find myself with my brother. After that I shut my eyes and my teeth and prepared to drive the dagger into my heart. But before I had done so, this mare spoke with the voice of one of the daughters of men and said, "O my mistress, do not by any means destroy yourself, for if you live you may yet have good fortune but all the dead are dead alike." "I didn't say it half so well as that," muttered the mare. "Hush, Ma'am, hush," said Bree, who was thoroughly enjoying the story. "She's telling it in the grand Calormene manner and no story-teller in a Tisroc's court could do it better. Pray go on, Tarkheena." "When I heard the language of men uttered by my mare," continued Aravis, "I said to myself, the fear of death has disordered my reason and subjected me to delusions. And I became full of shame for none of my lineage ought to fear death more than the biting of a gnat. Therefore I addressed myself a second time to the stabbing, but Hwin came near to me and put her head in between me and the dagger and discoursed to me most excellent reasons and rebuked me as a mother rebukes her daughter. And now my wonder was so great that I forgot about killing myself and about Ahoshta and said, 'O my mare, how have you learned to speak like one of the daughters of men?' And Hwin told me what is known to all this company, that in Narnia there are beasts that talk, and how she herself was stolen from thence when she was a little foal. She told me also of the woods and waters of Narnia and the castles and the great ships, till I said, 'In the name of Tash and Azaroth and Zardeenah Lady of the Night, I have a great wish to be in that country of Narnia.' 'O my mistress,' answered the mare, 'if you were in Narnia you would be happy, for in that land no maiden is forced to marry against her will.' "And when we had talked together for a great time hope returned to me and I rejoiced that I had not killed myself. Moreover it was agreed between Hwin and me that we should steal ourselves away together and we planned it in this fashion. We returned to my father's house and I put on my gayest clothes and sang and danced before my father and pretended to be delighted with the marriage which he had prepared for me. Also I said to him, 'O my father and O the delight of my eyes, give me your licence and permission to go with one of my maidens alone for three days into the woods to do secret sacrifices to Zardeenah, Lady of the Night and of Maidens, as is proper and customary for damsels when they must bid farewell to the service of Zardeenah and prepare themselves for marriage.' And he answered, 'O my daughter and O the delight of my eyes, so shall it be.' "But when I came out from the presence of my father I went immediately to the oldest of his slaves, his secretary, who had dandled me on his knees when I was a baby and loved me more than the air and the light. And I swore him to be secret and begged him to write a certain letter for me. And he wept and implored me to change my resolution but in the end he said, 'To hear is to obey,' and did all my will. And I sealed the letter and hid it in my bosom." "But what was in the letter?" asked Shasta. "Be quiet, youngster," said Bree. "You're spoiling the story. She'll tell us all about the letter in the right place. Go on, Tarkheena." "Then I called the maid who was to go with me to the woods and perform the rites of Zardeenah and told her to wake me very early in the morning. And I became merry with her and gave her wine to drink; but I had mixed such things in her cup that I knew she must sleep for a night and a day. As soon as the household of my father had committed themselves to sleep I arose and put on an armour of my brother's which I always kept in my chamber in his memory. I put into my girdle all the money I had and certain choice jewels and provided myself also with food, and saddled the mare with my own hands and rode away in the second watch of the night. I directed my course not to the woods where my father supposed that I would go but north and east to Tashbaan. "Now for three days and more I knew that my father would not seek me, being deceived by the words I had said to him. And on the fourth day we arrived at the city of Azim Balda. Now Azim Balda stands at the meeting of many roads and from it the posts of the Tisroc (may he live for ever) ride on swift horses to every part of the empire: and it is one of the rights and privileges of the greater Tarkaans to send messages by them. I therefore went to the Chief of the Messengers in the House of Imperial Posts in Azim Balda and said, 'O dispatcher of messages, here is a letter from my uncle Ahoshta Tarkaan to Kidrash Tarkaan lord of Calavar. Take now these five crescents and cause it to be sent to him.' And the Chief of the Messengers said, 'To hear is to obey.' "This letter was feigned to be written by Ahoshta and this was the signification of the writing: 'Ahoshta Tarkaan to Kidrash Tarkaan, salutation and peace. In the name of Tash the irresistible, the inexorable. Be it known to you that as I made my journey towards your house to perform the contract of marriage between me and your daughter Aravis Tarkheena, it pleased fortune and the gods that I fell in with her in the forest when she had ended the rites and sacrifices of Zardeenah according to the custom of maidens. And when I learned who she was, being delighted with her beauty and discretion, I became inflamed with love and it appeared to me that the sun would be dark to me if I did not marry her at once. Accordingly I prepared the necessary sacrifices and married your daughter the same hour that I met her and have returned with her to my own house. And we both pray and charge you to come hither as speedily as you may that we may be delighted with your face and speech; and also that you may bring with you the dowry of my wife, which, by reason of my great charges and expenses, I require without delay. And because thou and I are brothers I assure myself that you will not be angered by the haste of my marriage which is wholly occasioned by the great love I bear your daughter. And I commit you to the care of all the gods.' "As soon as I had done this I rode on in all haste from Azim Balda, fearing no pursuit and expecting that my father, having received such a letter, would send messages to Ahoshta or go to him himself, and that before the matter was discovered I should be beyond Tashbaan. And that is the pith of my story until this very night when I was chased by lions and met you at the swimming of the salt water." "And what happened to the girl - the one you drugged?" asked Shasta. "Doubtless she was beaten for sleeping late," said Aravis coolly. "But she was a tool and spy of my stepmother's. I am very glad they should beat her." "I say, that was hardly fair," said Shasta. "I did not do any of these things for the sake of pleasing you," said Aravis. "And there's another thing I don't understand about that story," said Shasta. "You're not grown up, I don't believe you're any older than I am. I don't believe you're as old. How could you be getting married at your age?" Aravis said nothing, but Bree at once said, "Shasta, don't display your ignorance. They're always married at that age in the great Tarkaan families." Shasta turned very red (though it was hardly light enough for the others to see this) and felt snubbed. Aravis asked Bree for his story. Bree told it, and Shasta thought that he put in a great deal more than he needed about the falls and the bad riding. Bree obviously thought it very funny, but Aravis did not laugh. When Bree had finished they all went to sleep. Next day all four of them, two horses and two humans, continued their journey together. Shasta thought it had been much pleasanter when he and Bree were on their own. For now it was Bree and Aravis who did nearly all the talking. Bree had lived a long time in Calormen and had always been among Tarkaans and Tarkaans' horses, and so of course he knew a great many of the same people and places that Aravis knew. She would always be saying things like, "But if you were at the fight of Zulindreh you would have seen my cousin Alimash," and Bree would answer, "Oh, yes, Alimash, he was only captain of the chariots, you know. I don't quite hold with chariots or the kind of horses who draw chariots. That's not real cavalry. But he is a worthy nobleman. He filled my nosebag with sugar after the taking of Teebeth." Or else Bree would say, "I was down at the lake of Mezreel that summer," and Aravis would say, "Oh, Mezreel! I had a friend there, Lasaraleen Tarkheena. What a delightful place it is. Those gardens, and the Valley of the Thousand Perfumes!" Bree was not in the least trying to leave Shasta out of things, though Shasta sometimes nearly thought he was. People who know a lot of the same things can hardly help talking about them, and if you're there you can hardly help feeling that you're out of it. Hwin the mare was rather shy before a great war-horse like Bree and said very little. And Aravis never spoke to Shasta at all if she could help it. Soon, however, they had more important things to think of. They were getting near Tashbaan. There were more, and larger, villages, and more people on the roads. They now did nearly all their travelling by night and hid as best they could during the day. And at every halt they argued and argued about what they were to do when they reached Tashbaan. Everyone had been putting off this difficulty, but now it could be put off no longer. During these discussions Aravis became a little, a very little, less unfriendly to Shasta; one usually gets on better with people when one is making plans than when one is talking about nothing in particular. Bree said the first thing now to do was to fix a place where they would all promise to meet on the far side of Tashbaan even if, by any ill luck, they got separated in passing the city. He said the best place would be the Tombs of the Ancient Kings on the very edge of the desert. "Things like great stone bee-hives," he said, "you can't possibly miss them. And the best of it is that none of the Calormenes will go near them because they think the place is haunted by ghouls and are afraid of it." Aravis asked if it wasn't really haunted by ghouls. But Bree said he was a free Narnian horse and didn't believe in these Calormene tales. And then Shasta said he wasn't a Calormene either and didn't care a straw about these old stories of ghouls. This wasn't quite true. But it rather impressed Aravis (though at the moment it annoyed her too) and of course she said she didn't mind any number of ghouls either. So it was settled that the Tombs should be their assembly place on the other side of Tashbaan, and everyone felt they were getting on very well till Hwin humbly pointed out that the real problem was not where they should go when they had got through Tashbaan but how they were to get through it. "We'll settle that tomorrow, Ma'am," said Bree. "Time for a little sleep now." But it wasn't easy to settle. Aravis's first suggestion was that they should swim across the river below the city during the night and not go into Tashbaan at all. But Bree had two reasons against this. One was that the river-mouth was very wide and it would be far too long a swim for Hwin to do, especially with a rider on her back. (He thought it would be too long for himself too, but he said much less about that). The other was that it would be full of shipping and of course anyone on the deck of a ship who saw two horses swimming past would be almost certain to be inquisitive. Shasta thought they should go up the river above Tashbaan and cross it where it was narrower. But Bree explained that there were gardens and pleasure houses on both banks of the river for miles and that there would be Tarkaans and Tarkheenas living in them and riding about the roads and having water parties on the river. In fact it would be the most likely place in the world for meeting someone who would recognize Aravis or even himself. "We'll have to have a disguise," said Shasta. Hwin said it looked to her as if the safest thing was to go right through the city itself from gate to gate because one was less likely to be noticed in the crowd. But she approved of the idea of disguise as well. She said, "Both the human will have to dress in rags and look like peasants or slaves And all Aravis's armour and our saddles and things must be made into bundles and put on our backs, and the children must pretend to drive us and people will think we're on pack-horses." "My dear Hwin!" said Aravis rather scornfully. "As anyone could mistake Bree for anything but a war-hors however you disguised him!" "I should think not, indeed," said Bree, snorting an letting his ears go ever so little back. "I know it's not a very good plan," said Hwin. "But I think it's our only chance. And we haven't been groomed for ages and we're not looking quite ourselves (at least, I'm sure I'm not). I do think if we get well plastered with mud and go along with our heads down as if we're tired and lazy - and don't lift our hooves hardly at all - we might not be noticed. And our tails ought to be cut shorter: not neatly, you know, but all ragged." "My dear Madam," said Bree. "Have you pictured to yourself how very disagreeable it would be to arrive in Narnia in that condition?" "Well," said Hwin humbly (she was a very sensible mare), "the main thing is to get there." Though nobody much liked it, it was Hwin's plan which had to be adopted in the end. It was a troublesome one and involved a certain amount of what Shasta called stealing, and Bree called "raiding". One farm lost a few sacks that evening and another lost a coil of rope the next: but some tattered old boy's clothes for Aravis to wear had to be fairly bought and paid for in a village. Shasta returned with them in triumph just as evening was closing in. The others were waiting for him among the trees at the foot of a low range of wooded hills which lay right across their path. Everyone was feeling excited because this was the last hill; when they reached the ridge at the top they would be looking down on Tashbaan. "I do wish we were safely past it," muttered Shasta to Hwin. "Oh I do, I do," said Hwin fervently. That night they wound their way through the woods up to the ridge by a wood-cutter's track. And when they came out of the woods at the top they could see thousands of lights in the valley down below them. Shasta had had no notion of what a great city would be like and it frightened him. They had their supper and the children got some sleep. But the horses woke them very early in the morning. The stars were still out and the grass was terribly cold and wet, but daybreak was just beginning, far to their right across the sea. Aravis went a few steps away into the wood and came back looking odd in her new, ragged clothes and carrying her real ones in a bundle. These, and her armour and shield and scimitar and the two saddles and the rest of the horses' fine furnishings were put into the sacks. Bree and Hwin had already got themselves as dirty and bedraggled as they could and it remained to shorten their tails. As the only tool for doing this was Aravis's scimitar, one of the packs had to be undone again in order to get it out. It was a longish job and rather hurt the horses. "My word!" said Bree, "if I wasn't a Talking Horse what a lovely kick in the face I could give you! I thought you were going to cut it, not pull it out. That's what it feels like." But in spite of semi-darkness and cold fingers all was done in the end, the big packs bound on the horses, the rope halters (which they were now wearing instead of bridles and reins) in the children's hands, and the journey began. "Remember," said Bree. "Keep together if we possibly can. If not, meet at the Tombs of the Ancient Kings, and whoever gets there first must wait for the others." "And remember," said Shasta. "Don't you two horses forget yourselves and start talking, whatever happens."

[littlemisssquiggles]

You know, I can't help but stop thinking about how Cinder's Grimm arm reminds me on Peter Pettigrew's silvery hand in Harry Potter. So... Do you think it is possible Cinder might die (that is, if she dies... Which I just assume since I see now way she can be redeemed anymore) not by Ruby's hand, not by Neo's hand, but instead by her own? Like... Literally. Sorry, I couldn't stop myself from making that pun...

Heyo Seaberry! That’s actually a cool observation. Outside of theconnection to Team STQR, Cinder is sort of like Peter Pettigrew, only minus thecowardice. If anything, LeonardoLionheart was more like Pettigrew in terms of personality and motives fortheir betrayal, at least in my opinion. In regards to your question; not tosound negative or anything like that but if I’m being completely honest withyou fam, this squiggle meister is at a bit of a loss on what the CRWBY Writersare doing with the characters and their respective stories; particularly thevillains.

I was already kind of iffy on their choice last season to bring Neo back intothe story to play pawn to Cinder andher schemes. Even now when we’re nearing the finale of V7, I still personally thinkthat Emerald Sustrai wouldhave been the better candidate to be Cinder’s accomplice while in Atlas. Itstill peeves me a little bit that the CRWBY Writers' rationale for Neo's returnin V6 was because "theythought Cinder having an accomplice to Atlas would've been cool" according to the V6 DVD Commentary.

Even though….Cinder has always had accomplices throughout her whole run in RWBY. In V1, she was Roman's formersidekick before she received a promotion within the PLOT and becameSalem's representative with Neo taking over as Roman's right hand protégée asof V2 while Emerald and Mercury became Cinder's primary two goons.

This dynamic was retained until theconclusion of V5 only for Cinder to wind up on her own after suffering ahumiliating defeat by Raven Branwen. If you’ll allow me to get nit-picky here, I’m still in awe that the Writers believed resurrecting afan favourite character for the sole purpose of slapping her with a new backstory that was never previously established in the main canon, repeatingthe same purpose that she had in prior seasons minus the emotional connectionand history was a quote, unquote, “a coolidea”.

In my opinion, it would've been more compelling towatch Cinder all alone; forced to claw her way out of her rut and find her ownway to Atlas Kingdom by her own devices and naturalcunning. It could’ve also been an appropriatetime for the story to touch base on Cinder’s past and how she became themegalomaniac we see her to be now. But nah, let's do the exact same thing we'vealways done with her character. Give her a pawn to manipulate and get to do herbidding.

But at least with Emerald, therewas the established history and relationship between her and Cinder that’s beenhighlighted since the events of V2. Cinder even once referred to Emerald as her‘apprentice’ or rather her ambition was to mouldEmerald (and by extension Mercury too maybe butthe focus was more on Em) into her perfect apprentice in a similar fashion tohow Salem moulded her.

Emerald being Cinder’s accomplice toAtlas would’ve been a great opportunity to not only flesh Cinder out more as avillain but Emerald as well.

But nah, let's side-line the characterwho was actually built up as a close accomplice and apprentice under Cinder formore than two seasons (both before and during the Mistral Trilogy) and had amuch better chance for development in favour of bringing back a belovedcharacter who had zero connection to Cinder outside of being the boss to herformer boss.

I don't care if Miles and/or Kerrypromised Neo's return from seasons before; given how V5 ended, Emerald should’vebeen Cinder’s accomplice to Atlas, exactly like she’s been for several seasons,more so than Neo. We could’ve had a Claudia from the Dragon Prince moment forEmerald where she refused to believe that Cinder’s dead and out of her loyaltyto her, ups and abandons Mercury and Hazel in favour of remaining in Mistral inorder to track Cinder down.

Imagine if…LittleMiss Malachite and her Spiders had double crossed Cinder---but instead of ratting her out to Neo, theywere going to apprehend Cinder to collect the bountiful reward for her captureas advertised all over Mantle as a result of what happened at Haven.

Imagine if…Cinder found herself cornered by theSpiders only to be saved by Emerald of all people, who instantly made waste of the Spiders. Without hesitation,Emerald kills each and every last Spider who dared try and harm Cinder; furtheremphasizing her loyalty to the Fall Maiden as a means of remaining by her side.Imagine if this move even earns Emerald great respect in Cinder’s eyes.

Instead of using Neo, imagine if …Cinderfulfilled the very desire she voiced back in V3. Back then, Cinder said thatshe desired to become someone powerful enough to be feared by others who stoodagainst her.

Instead of using Neo, picture analternative scenario in which, after Emerald had saved her, Cinder returns thefavour by protecting Emerald in a sense from an enraged Little Miss Malachitewho draws a weapon on her. Picture Cinder unleashing her fury on poor MissMalachite; overwhelming the crimeboss by pinning her down with her Grimm arm while her other hand threatened toburn her face off with her Maiden Magic.

Instead of using Neo, let’s say Cinder used her own powers to intimidate a fear stricken Little Miss Malachite into using her resources toget Cinder and Emerald to Atlas in exchange for spearing her life. Let’s say…forwhatever reason, MissMalachite had Spiders in Argus whocould’ve easy commandeered a Atlesian airship from right under the military’snose for her if needed. So that’s what happens. Cinder and Emerald receive whatthey need from Malachite and as soon as she had served her purpose, Cindereither could’ve killed her to prove her power or…chosen to spare Malachite as auseful ally to her and Salem later. That could’ve been a neat, small littlealternative to what was done in the canon.

I guess what bothered me the most aboutthe decision to suddenly bring Neo back was that you didn’t really need Neospecifically for this role of being Cinder’s accomplice for the Atlas Arc.Personally, I think the showrunners missed a golden chance to further developEmerald. Instead of Neo, I would’ve gone with Em since her connection to Cinderactually ties into her own respective story as opposed to some shared vendettaon wanting to kill Ruby. Not to mention that I believe Emerald’s Hallucinationssemblance would've worked just as well as Neo's Illusions; probably even bettersince Emerald could’ve further messed with a target’s mind similar to what shedid with Yang and Pyrhha back in V3.

Nothing against Neopolitan.I don’t dislike her as a character. I just personally feel like this shouldn’thave been the purpose the Writers brought her back into the main story for.

Youbrought her back to be Cinder’spawn. Not sidekick.Not even apprentice. But her pawn. Her tool. Her little ice-cream flavoured puppet. That’sthe best you got for her? A rehash of her last purpose within the PLOT onlythis time with a character who doesn’t share any kind of emotional bond withher and has a better chance at double crossing her once she’s done using herfor her own personal gain.

The only saving grace for this ideawould be if Neo becomes the General Jinjur of the RWBY story and actuallysomehow winds up becoming an unlikely ally to the heroes once she learns herlesson with Cinder. Either that or my “cracktheory” about Neo double-crossing Cinder firstby pilfering the Relic of Creation for herself

But then again, this is only my opinionand these are only my thoughts and ideas.

In terms of Cinder Fall, I have afeeling that they're going to give her a win this time. I'm more leaningtowards the hunch where Cindersucceeds in gaining the Winter Maiden magic with her sights set on acquiring the Relic of Creation; especiallyin the event that Neo fails to claim the Relic of Knowledge from Oscar and asCinder told her, she needs a relic to basically get back on Salem's goodside.

So if Neo fails in retrieving the lamp,the staff will be Cinder's next best option at redemption in Salem's eyes.

Not to mention that I remember hearingsomething about us learning about Cinder's backstory at some point for thisarc. I know the likelihood of her being killed off is there given the way thePLOT suddenly had her and Neo reappear for this season after the end of V6which reminded me an awful lot of how they handed Adam Taurus last season. Butneedless to say, I think it's safe to assume that Cindermay survive for another season or two.

~LittleMissSquiggles(2020)