#(OOF WE CAN DO THE WHOLE REN WANTING TO GO AND SEE HER BUT CANT THING

[universestreasures]

blasterdiablo​:

❝ You were able to hear all that, huh..? ❞ 

If Asaka could hear them from through the floors, then it surely meant Misaki could have very well heard the scolding through the walls too. But perhaps it was due to the Hare’s innate excellent sense of hearing..? Considering Asaka was the only one who showed up this time around, perhaps that assumption held true this time around. He recalls the other night when Misaki had heard the Hatter pass judgment on Ren’s work, remembers how she cried and was taken away by the Cards. And now he realizes how he… hasn’t seen her since.

–When he thinks of Misaki now, all he can picture is her tear-stained face as the door last shut him in.

His gaze falls to the floor around him. And he suddenly realizes the mess he was asking Asaka to walk into. But before he can feel embarrassed for not cleaning up before inviting her in, she steps inside and all at once Ren feels like he can properly breathe in the studio despite all the doors being shut. The graveyard of discarded hats and torn ribbons were the last thing on his mind for once.

There’s the quiet shuffling of his chain, the sound of metal against metal dampened by the shreds of fabric tangled around the links, as Ren makes a spot for himself next to Asaka on the floor. He picks up the damaged brim of one of the hats his father had torn pieces out of to make room for Asaka’s box of goodies. With a sigh he sets it aside. It was one of his experimental pieces, put together from scraps of other failed projects in an effort to not be so wasteful. It was patchwork in nature but the colors were cohesive enough he had thought… Looking at Asaka now, she would have been the perfect model for the blue and white checkered pattern. It’s too bad it was far beyond salvation at this point. Perhaps when he had more time on his hands he’d make her something in return for today.

For now, the boy almost looked disappointed at Asaka’s insistence on not sharing with him, but the moment he went to pout at her the sugary sweet scent coming from the box caught his attention entirely. Again his stomach protested despite himself. But the discomfort of hunger was short-lived, Ren’s face lighting up as he peered into the box. To Asaka, it may have felt insufficient for a meal, but to Ren it was almost too much!

❝ Oh, wow, Asaka! You helped make all this..? It looks great! ❞

He could hardly decide where to start. Ultimately reaching for the tart first and taking a decent bite out of it. Unsurprisingly, it tasted just as good as it looked! But as much as he wanted to scarf down the rest he hesitantly puts the now half-a-half-a tart back into the box. The strawberries did well cleanse his palate, the metallic taste in his mouth that had been bothering him was all but gone just like that. Seems he was cautiously approaching the rest of his meal after that initial bite. Not because he didn’t like it, no. It was because for some reason the task seemed almost daunting to him now. A couple days without food would do that to just about anyone though.

❝ You can’t… tomorrow, I mean. You can’t come here tomorrow. ❞ He says as he scoops up a bit of the pudding with a finger so he can give it a try before elaborating further. The chocolate was smooth and rich, and paired well with the strawberry tart he had taken a bite from earlier. Which gave him the brilliant idea to use the other half of the half a tart to use as a utensil for the rest of the pudding. ❝ Tomorrow’s the deadline for my assignment, so Hatter will be here all day. And if Hatter catches you he’ll– ❞

Ren shifts where he sits, the shackle encompassing his ankle scraping against the floor as if to remind them both of it’s presence. The Mad Hatter had made comments to Ren on a couple occasions now about how he’d turn his friends into hats themselves if he continued to be distracted by them. But he didn’t want to scare Asaka or Tetsu the way his father had tried to scare him. So he keeps that detail to himself. Knowing all that, and still risking Asaka’s company… It seemed Ren was truly growing desperate during these trying times. He deflects from finishing his sentence by bringing himself to finish off the tarte and pudding. All that remained in the box by then was the apple, but it seems to be put to better use busying his hands than filling his stomach. He figures he should save it for later anyway.

The moment he was finished eating would be it though. Their time was almost up. As short as it was the small moment they shared surely gave Ren the very much needed push to see this seemingly impossible assignment through to the end.

❝ Pass or fail… regardless of the results father will let me out after. So I’ll visit you instead! It’s on rather short notice, but it might even be possible to host a tea party. It’s been a while since Missy, and the rest of us all got together. ❞ -

At his question, she couldn’t help but frown. How could she not hear it? Sure, her hearing was probably one of the best around, but Hatter was yelling so loud surely everyone in Wonderland heard it. It makes her wonder why no one has ever called him out on his behavior. Maybe it’s because it fits in line with his role, or maybe because everyone is too afraid to. 

The Mad Hatter, the maddest of the mad, wasn’t exactly someone you wanted to make your enemy. There were rumors of what he would do if you got on his bad side. Some would say he would force you to an eternal tea party, while others said he’d use your blood to paint the roses in the Queen’s garden. Regardless of torture, everyone pretty much stayed out of his way. The only ones who could sway him were no doubt the Queen and King, and yet they didn’t exactly seem like they were doing anything about his cruelty towards his son despite his closeness with their daughter.

Misaki’s parents were kind, a rare trait from those in the their positions that Misaki no doubt inherited. However, they were strict with tradition. Everyone had to play their roles to the letter, even if Asaka knows that the Queen of Hearts has never once beheaded someone in her time as the ruler of the land. It was hypocritical if you asked her. Why force everyone to play the roles that have been passed down when there is clearly deviation? Guess when you make the rules of the game you can do as you please.

Did that mean that Ren was destined to become as twisted his father when he grew up, and there was nothing he could do about it? It was just...part of his role? 

The very thought of it made her tremble ever so slightly, Asaka thankful Ren seemed to be too occupied in his small yet appreciated meal to notice how her skin was looking pale. She couldn’t help but tighten her hand into a fist, it seeping with emotions. She felt sorry for Ren. She felt angry for Ren. She felt like what was happening to him was unfair. 

And yet...she was powerless to do anything. If she couldn’t change her own role, what makes her think she had any chance of free Ren of his? A March Hare was only good for cooking and attending tea parties. That was the scope of her role unfortunately. Well...it at least would allow her to stay by Ren’s side, considering the closeness the Hatters and Hares always had. That was the one glimmer of light in this dark fate they had all been cursed with, a fate that they or anyone else were powerless to change. 

“T-That’s okay. I’d rather not make your life harder than it already is. I’ll see you when you get out. Maybe I can even bake some treats for the party. I’m sure my father wouldn’t object to that. It is...what my role is, after all...�� A tea party sounded like just what everyone needed. The stress of their training to fit the roles of their predecessors was taking it’s toll on the current generation. They were all just kids, and if you know anything about kids, they need time to well...be kids! A nice little party would be just what they all needed. 

Asaka then shifts her position ever so closer to him, her hand moving without even thinking to place it on his own. She can feel the roughness of it as she gently slides her fingers over the many cuts and bruises. It pained her to no end seeing them like this. She remembers when they were free of such things, back before Ren had ever picked up a sewing needle. Back before he was forced onto this path that clearly wasn’t making him happy...

“Ren, I’ve been...meaning to ask you this.” The hare’s voice grows softer as she looks at him, a somber expression gracing her face still. “Do you...Do you even...like making hats and gowns? Do you even...want to be the Mad Hatter when you grow up? I-If given the choice, would you...would you do something else?” 

Asaka knows asking such a thing seems pointless. They didn’t exactly have a say in the matter, but... “I’ve heard rumors in the kitchen that Misaki wants when she takes the throne...to give us the choice to choose our roles. She wants us to...be who...we want to be. I just...wanted to know how you feel about that, since...”

A wave of hesitation washes over her, as if someone will off her head for even speaking such a desire. However, when she looks at Ren smiling despite the horrific nature of his situation, it gives...it gives her the strength to say what most would deem as taboo. 

“I...I don’t really want to be the March Hare...Being a cook isn’t...what I think will make me happy. It’s...It’s fine, not terrible or anything, but...a part of me wishes I could be...something else. Like...Like a stage performer in a circus.” She smiles slightly at the idea. Circus performers didn’t have a place among the Wonderland roles, despite how some might see their world as nothing more than a big circus. The thought of performing for others and being a shining star on her own stage brought Asaka nothing but joy. Oh, how she’d love to be able to do that!

But that choice is out of her hands, and remembering that causes that brief smile to fade once again. “Do you...you understand how I feel...?”

The March Hare was so focused on this moment, having just asked burning questions she just had to use some of her last moments with Ren that night to ask, that she misses the crying sounds coming from down the hall from Misaki’s room...

~

[swatato]

fat. FAT. P H A T RANT INCOMING FOR ANYONE WHO CARES TO READ THIS NONSENSE CUZ @haldidoodh ASKED

That episode literally blasted the last of my serotonin into smithereens but TBH??? WHO AM I MAD AT I should have seen this coming this whole volume has been such a headache. I cant be bothered to type up a coherent rwde essay on everything that bothered me this episode so im just gonna copy and paste my earlier yelling here instead ;A;

Team Rwby was god awful in episodes 11-12. They’re so self-righteous, entitled, hypocritical and cocky as a team and it doesnt help that they all suck as individual characters nowadays (except for weiss but even she lost best-girl points this episode also lmao blake and yang aren’t even INDIVIDUALS anymore they’re just bumbleby). It was annoying at first but now its just infuriating how rwby thinks theyre always right with their uwu energy and think they can do whatever tf they want with ZERO CONSEQUENCES.

Basically any time there is a problem in this show they have Ruby uwu at it and its solved lol.

They kept giving ironwood shit for taking on this incredible burden SO THAT NOBODY ELSE WOULD HAVE TO and rather than offer any real solution they just kept going “but mantle” like okay?? But remnant??? Like obvi letting mantle rot is bad but HE WAS OPEN TO ANY HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS CUZ HES OBVI AT HIS WITTS END AND DOESNT LIKE THE IDEA EITHER but yeah they just proceed to be the fattest hypocrites by hiding secrets of their own after being all “no more secrets uwu” and WHEN THEY GOT EXPOSED THEY JUST WENT “>:[“ (yangs self-righteous little glare here pissed me off so much oof) especially when ironwood was laying everything out in the open to them from the start. AND ESPECIALLY WHEN THE SECRET WAS FKIN “OH YEAH SALEM CANT DIE LOL” They watched ironwood make every decision he did in hopes of beating Salem while KNOWING she couldnt die??? So literallY WHERE do they get off on screeching at him with their yOu doNt hAvE to Suffer In ManTle YOu doNt kNow whAt iTs liKe bs. Wtf made ruby distrust iw at the start anyway? Because he had a bunch of ships out? They kept this CRUCIAL piece of information from him because he seemed stressed out?? Like what made ruby keep the secret from him. Someone tell me.

And the fact that rwby beat the ace-ops makes no goddamned sense. The power-scaling in this show is non-existant. We finally got to meet some pro huntsmen in this universe who aren’t teachers but are actually on the job, but because we gotta move out of the way for that 👌🏽✨ Power Of Friendship✨ and ✨rwby is always right✨ they somehow managed to beat experienced huntsmen with YEARS in the field who’ve actually graduated school??? FARM BOI OSCAR WHOS *JUST* LEARNING HOW TO FIGHT MANAGED TO LAND A PUNCH ON NEO FKIN POLITAN??? Didnt neo dance circles around yang??? Yang, who punches for a living and also beat mercury and adam??? I cant yall (and the fact that he didnt even bother to sneak up on her this boi literally screamed “no!!” as he ran down a hallway and neo didnt even have time to blink??? Pls)

Ruby’s “you were the best, until you trained us :3” -for maybe 2 days before my team went dancing ruby sis shut right tf up pls my god is this line just so. UNEARNED. Training in a room for a short while does not simply grant you the years of field experience the ace ops have and whAT IS UP WITH HER TRYING TO REASON WITH HARIETT AFTER SAYING THAT COCKY LINE AND FIGHTING HER??? WHAT and also like. The entire idea of “the ops lost cuz they weren’t good friends and were bad at teamwork uwu” is just so dumb. Ur telling me this group of high ranking hunstmen who’ve most likely been working together for at least a few years didnt have teamwork down??? Learning to work together is the most BASIC concept for a team to learn!! Its like the first thing a team has to perfect!! If the ace ops are supposed to be the best of atlas you dont think the ops would have gotten something as fundemental as teamwork down?? I dont buy it. And who gives a shit if they dont hang out after work or take selfies with eachother. Being friends doesnt necessarily mean theyre great at working together. If they succeed at relying on eachother to watch their backs, to keep each other alive (in the words of hariett herself) then Id think theyd know how to protect eachother i.e WORK TOGETHER.

And for all the ✨friendship✨ and ✨going through so much with someone✨ talk rwby like to do, the show barely displays these people acting like friends. We’re constantly TOLD how great of friends this group is, but the actual CONTENT we are shown leaves a lot to be desired. Tell me the last time ruby and blake teamed up in a fight. Or weiss and blake. Or yang and weiss. What teamwork?? Yang only interacts with blake now and weiss is only ever allowed to interact with ruby. Has blake ever said nora or ren’s name out loud? Have jaune and yang ever held a conversation between just them? Team rwby just spent a GOOD DEAL of time seperated from eachother, but when they reunite their teamwork is still somehow better than the ace ops?? Honestly its easier to believe that ruby is closer with team jnpr than she is her own team. If they showed the ops messing up during rwby vs ace ops fight due to lack of communication, then it still doesnt matter. My point is that they shouldnt have lacked teamwork in the first place.

Robyn was m e h this episode “JaMes ConTinUes to UnDeresTimAte Me” *proceeds to get knocked over in .3 seconds and is then KO for the rest of the episode* also great job for starting a fight and aiming to take clovers life in a moving airship with a terrorist on board when clover was acting PEACEFULLY and qrow was WILLING TO TALK IT OUT WITH IW and potentially work on a solution, but naw robyn is big mad and shall shoot.

Qrow made zero sense this episode too. I was with him right up until he chose TYRIAN OVER CLOVER??? THE PSYCOPATH WHO CANNOT BE REASONED WITH OVER THE RATIONAL DUDE YOU KNOW IS GOOD except clover wasnt acting rational in this fight at all and ill get to that AND IS THE ONLY FRIEND YOU HAVE WHOS NOT 19????? Qrow rly looked at tyrian- a man who is literally an enemy to all of remnant and went after ur neice- and said lets get rid of this punk together u and me bro. Like screw teaming with clover to bring down the dude you ACTUALLY have a grudge with whos also a serial killer and then trying to talk it out with clover whod be willing to do things peacefully why is this show like this

and AS FOR CLOVER. where were the braincells this episode. Qrow was trying to fight tyrian-the WAY bigger threat here, but clover??? kept knocking him away from tyrian and restraining him with his hook like??? YEAH LETS HELP OUT THE DEMON SCORPION CRACKHEAD HES CLEARLY NOT THE PRIORITY ATM nvm clover deserved to die there m8

His death scene was emotional and I feel bad for Qrow but u literally sealed his death when u ganged on him with tyrian so why are you even surprised. And on the subject of fairgame, im glad it didnt happen. Qrow was in no state for romance and I was glad he finally had a friend. He just spent the last volume thinking he wasted his life away helping oz, drowning in misery, drinking til he passed out on the street and so drunk he couldnt even be of any help during the apathy situation, when up til now hes been shown to fight just fine while drunk. I don’t see this as a “bury your gays trope” because clover was never confirmed to be gay and all their scenes added up to 40 seconds of platonic friendship. These two are grown ass men, if they had the hots for eachother then im pretty sure they could openly show it and not dance around it like theyre kids. I do feel bad for mlm viewers who were hoping for some rep with fairgame/lucky charms (cuz rt only cares if ur a cute marketable lesbian) but idc for the overly entitled fans who try to force their own headcanons on the writers and go feral when they dont get what they want. You dont just get to prance around claiming whats canon and what isnt. If rep is there then great, but if it isnt, then why not look somehwere else and let the author tell the story theyre trying to tell? Shipping fairgame cuz you think its cute is absolutely fine but not when u start getting ready to casterate crwby for not catering to you. Also, rwby sucks with lgbt+ rep anyway so what were yall expecting.

The only thing that was great this episode was the chorerography. It just sucks that the animation/choreo continues to improve while the writing doesnt. Another thing that really fell off this episode was the whole “we’re friends but we have to fight” drama. It doesnt work when its only ONE SIDE SHOWING ANY DISTRESS OVER IT. Only the ace ops (marrow, clover, the vine dude) seemed to show distress over having to fight rwby (it sucks that the only 1v1 weiss has won was because marrow was going EASY on her cuz he didnt wanna fight her fr) but rwby???? They didnt give any shits. They were so quick to turn against them and aim for their heads. They were SMILING as they ran at the ace ops, while they looked conflicted. If you oppose their UwU philosophy, you’re dead to them.

I really wanna enjoy RWBY but sometimes this show (and the fndm) really tests me. Its ironic how this episode came right after last episode, which I thought was the best chapter this volume. Anyway I rate this 10/10 cuz it gave me best character ironwood and best boi marrow and I would like to give them hugs for carrying this volume on their backs. (Also tyrian and penny and winter have been great too)