#But just look at the points gap. Oscar cannot lose any points. he has a incredible shot at P2. even P1 if Max's car doesn't better

[things-methinks]

The difference between Max and Norris is 62, whereas the difference between Norris-Charles is 24, Norris-Oscar is 44, Charles-Oscar is 20, and Oscar-Carlos is 13.

Charles and Oscar are closer to Lando than Lando is to Max. In fact, Oscar is only 20 points behind Charles. Even Sainz Jr is only 13 points behind Oscar. If Lando has one non-podium finish and one of these 4 win that GP, the gap goes down even if they don't move up. Say Charles wins Baku (we're not going to assume fastest lap, it's a wildcard), he gains 25 points, and Norris finishes at 4th gaining 12 points. Charles would go up 242 and Lando would be 253, an immense reduction.

Not even Charles, if Oscar wins, his wdc points go up 222, and Norris goes to 253, reducing the gap 31. If Sainz Jr finishes above Oscar, he could potentially move above him, even without a podium finish. We could have an even more interesting outcome if one of the Mercs finishes in the top 4, one of these 5 guys would be out of the top 5.

《Edit: I completely forgot we still have 3 sprints left. Putting that into the mix will change things as well. Oscar has done well in Sprints, even cinching his first win at a Sprint in F1. This is another element to consider.》

Charles has gotten pole for the last 3 years at Baku, but we all know the reasons he did not win. Ferrari have shown they can challenge that McLaren rocketship, they have one insane driver. We have 2 kids who are the least experienced in F1 compared to rest of the grid on a decently difficult street track. Baku might be an interesting weekend, but I am not going to say anything.

[silverwhisp-headcannons-blog]

HAPPY RWBY THOUGHTS TO HELP WITH EATING ISSUES AND INSECURITY ABOUT ONE’S BODY

RUBY ROSE - “You can’t stop eating; you need to, or else…” she trails off, lower lip not restraining a quiver. “Come with me! Let’s go get you something to eat. Anything you want, just eat for me, please.”

WEISS SCHNEE - She scoffs, abashed, “I’m not the most talented in the kitchen, but I need you to eat for me. Just this once.”

BLAKE BELLADONNA - “I don’t want you depriving yourself like that, {Name}. If there’s someone faunus and humans have in common, it’s that we cannot survive without nourishment. Don’t make the same mistakes I have.”

YANG XIAO LONG - The firecracker isn’t amused as she forces you to sit down, as your sunken sockets roll over to encounter a plate of food. “Neither of us are leaving this spot until you’re done. Now eat.” When you complete your task, she pulls you aside and holds you as though you’re a lifeline. “Thank you, {Name}. Please, don’t do this to yourself.”

ZWEI - He tags along at your feet, offering his personal dog treats and ensures you eat enough all throughout the day

PENNY POLENDINA - “I may not be a real girl, but I am aware humans must acquire sufficient nourishment! Shall I check what is on the menu that perhaps peaks your interests?”

CIEL SOLEIL - “Did you remember to eat today? You were supposed to approximately twelve minutes prior to the present moment, Miss/Mister {Name}. You must not forget to eat.”

JAUNE ARC - The revelation is staggering; proof reading the inscription has him more perplexed than before. “Hey, hey, listen to me. We all need to eat. It’s not just something you can stop doing all of sudden. No one wants to see you get sick and eventually..no, we aren’t getting to that point. Let me see if I can make you some food, okay?”

NORA VALKYRIE - Her heart thumps, incarcerated in her throat. “You…just can’t stop eating.” She tries to play it off facetiously but doesn’t triumph. The scene of her childhood self clutching a molding piece of bread, stomach rumbling, flashes in her mind. “Please. I can ask Ren to whip up something for the two of us, and I want you to eat every last bite.”

PYRRHA NIKOS - Counting her blessings, a wisp of energy squeezes between the gaps of her fingers. “You shouldn’t…no, I won’t stand for this, {Name}. I want you to be healthy,” she tenderly links your palms, ripping open her sternum and capturing you with her finely shaped ribs. “And I know just the foods you need to reach that state of health. I’m here whenever you need me.”

LIE REN - He doesn’t say a word as he prepares a top notch cuisine tailored to your taste buds, and lightly suggests new eating arrangements and ensures you aren’t growing ill. “We all need to thrive, but this isn’t how you do it. You need to eat. I don’t want you to forget that.”

SUN WUKONG - “You got to be kidding me,” he tangles his digits in his banana cream bangs. “Listen, I understand you feel insecure, but this is not how you fix things. Taking care of yourself is looking at those flaws and wanting to make them better without hurting yourself.” His tail snatches your wrist reassuringly. “Now c'mon, I heard of a great place that has these awesome ramen noodles. It’s all on me.”

SCARLET DAVID - He shakes his head, pressing his temple to yours, “My love, you mustn’t be dragged down by this. You are much stronger than this. Don’t hesitate to ask me if you need anything at all; we all need to learn how to care for ourselves.”

SAGE AYANA - He cradles your hand in his enormous on scale fist, gritting his teeth. “Babe, stop it. You shouldn’t be thinking like this. There’s a reason I care for you. And you need to find out why you need to care about yourself, too.”

NEPTUNE VASILIAS - Lovingly running his hands along your complexly structured face, he encourages you quit the nonsense. “Hey, baby, you are absolutely fine. But what you’re doing isn’t. You can’t starve yourself and expect to keep moving on. I want you to be okay, but you need to want that, too.”

COCO ADEL - “We’ve all got our insecurities, babe. Even I suffer from a few of my own every now and then. But I don’t allow them to take control of me. And I can say with certainty they don’t make me do some of the things you have. I want you to sit here and wait while I get Yatsu to make you a little something; you’re eating regardless.”

FOX ALISTAIR - “Enough of this, {Name}. I can’t stand seeing people hurt themselves over that. You deserve much, much, much, much better. I don’t care what you say. You’re eating.”

VELVET SCARLATINA - “I don’t…understand. Why would you deprive yourself like this all for the sake of being thinner? It isn’t healthy. And I don’t want to see you hurt yourself any longer. Please, let me help you.”

YATSUHASHI DAICHI - “I’m always by your side.”

QROW BRANWEN - “You know, sometimes it puzzles me when people like yourself worry about these things. But I guess everyone’s got a problem with themselves. I know I do. That isn’t the point. Stop this. You need to know you deserve better even when someone makes you feel like garbage. Obviously, if they waste the time I silting you, they aren’t really worth it. Now eat something, please. I don’t want you getting sick.”

TAIYANG XIAO LONG “I’ll be honest, I always feared Yang or Ruby would take this route, yet I never expected you would do this. But that doesn’t change a thing. I’m here for you, you know.”

SUMMER ROSE - “Stay with me, my love. I shall remain at your side through all your trial and tribulation.”

RAVEN BRANWEN - “You are strong, not among the weak. Stand tall and keep moving forward. I won’t permit this trouble to persist for another minute.”

GLYNDA GOODWITCH - “You need to take care of yourself. Please. I don’t want to lose you like I’ve lost so many students.”

OZPIN - “I have lived longer than most, and trust me when I say I’ve made more mistakes than any man, woman or child on this planet. I don’t want you to fall victim to this, dear. Thank you for confiding with me. Would you care for some coffee? It always soothes the soul. Then we can talk about how we can help you overcome this.”

OSCAR PINES - “I’m…not the best at this, but please do know I really do care about you, and want only the best to come your way.”

WINTER SCHNEE - “This behavior does not suit someone such as yourself, {Name}. We all have our demons to ward off, and it appears you are struggling. Perhaps I can teach you to rise above them, hm?”

WHITLEY SCHNEE - “Unacceptable. Klein, please fetch {Name} the finest cuisine you can prepare. They deserve only the best and are worthy of knowing the meaning they hold.”

ILIA AMITOLA - “I want you to look me in the eyes and say you deserve so much more. You’re the reason I can finally say that about myself, and now you need to know it for yourself.”

ADAM TAURUS - “My darling, I demand you cease believing this nonsense. You’re at my hand - you are strong, and I shall keep building you up. You must know of your worth.”

SALEM - “Under my watch, this will not prevail. As my beloved, you are to be treated as the divine being you have risen to.”

CINDER FALL - “Why must you allow such trivial thoughts conquer you? Don’t you understand you are powerful? It isn’t often one can tame the flames that will burn Beacon whole, now is it?”

ROMAN TORCHWICK - “Sweetheart, you look gorgeous! There isn’t a thing I’d change about ya. Let’s say we head to a fancy new restaurant and treat ourselves, free of charge! Trust me. You are fine as you are.”

MERCURY BLACK - “Quit letting these things take control over your mind. I can’t have you getting sick on me, now can I?”

EMERALD SUSTRAI - “I want you to have everything I couldn’t have. A home, food, and somebody who loved me. Now it’s my turn to five back what you gave to me.”

TYRIAN CALLOWS - “Your Grace, have I expressed how divine you are?”

[parisiangiraffe]

HAPPY RWBY THOUGHTS TO WELCOME YOU BACK AND TO HELP WITH YOUR EATING ISSUES

RUBY ROSE - “You can’t stop eating; you need to, or else…” she trails off, lower lip not restraining a quiver. “Come with me! Let’s go get you something to eat. Anything you want, just eat for me, please.”

WEISS SCHNEE - She scoffs, abashed, “I’m not the most talented in the kitchen, but I need you to eat for me. Just this once.”

BLAKE BELLADONNA - “I don’t want you depriving yourself like that, {Name}. If there’s someone faunus and humans have in common, it’s that we cannot survive without nourishment. Don’t make the same mistakes I have.”

YANG XIAO LONG - The firecracker isn’t amused as she forces you to sit down, as your sunken sockets roll over to encounter a plate of food. “Neither of us are leaving this spot until you’re done. Now eat.” When you complete your task, she pulls you aside and holds you as though you’re a lifeline. “Thank you, {Name}. Please, don’t do this to yourself." 

PENNY POLENDINA - "I may not be a real girl, but I am aware humans must acquire sufficient nourishment! Shall I check what is on the menu that perhaps peaks your interests?" 

CIEL SOLEIL - "Did you remember to eat today? You were supposed to approximately twelve minutes prior to the present moment, Miss/Mister {Name}. You must not forget to eat.”

JAUNE ARC - The revelation is staggering; proof reading the inscription has him more perplexed than before. “Hey, hey, listen to me. We all need to eat. It’s not just something you can stop doing all of sudden. No one wants to see you get sick and eventually..no, we aren’t getting to that point. Let me see if I can make you some food, okay?" 

NORA VALKYRIE - Her heart thumps, incarcerated in her throat. "You…just can’t stop eating.” She tries to play it off facetiously but doesn’t triumph. The scene of her childhood self clutching a molding piece of bread, stomach rumbling, flashes in her mind. “Please. I can ask Ren to whip up something for the two of us, and I want you to eat every last bite." 

PYRRHA NIKOS - Counting her blessings, a wisp of energy squeezes between the gaps of her fingers. "You shouldn’t…no, I won’t stand for this, {Name}. I want you to be healthy,” she tenderly links your palms, ripping open her sternum and capturing you with her finely shaped ribs. “And I know just the foods you need to reach that state of health. I’m here whenever you need me." 

LIE REN - He doesn’t say a word as he prepares a top notch cuisine tailored to your taste buds, and lightly suggests new eating arrangements and ensures you aren’t growing ill. "We all need to thrive, but this isn’t how you do it. You need to eat. I don’t want you to forget that." 

SUN WUKONG - "You got to be kidding me,” he tangles his digits in his banana cream bangs. “Listen, I understand you feel insecure, but this is not how you fix things. Taking care of yourself is looking at those flaws and wanting to make them better without hurting yourself.” His tail snatches your wrist reassuringly. “Now c'mon, I heard of a great place that has these awesome ramen noodles. It’s all on me." 

SCARLET DAVID - He shakes his head, pressing his temple to yours, "My love, you mustn’t be dragged down by this. You are much stronger than this. Don’t hesitate to ask me if you need anything at all; we all need to learn how to care for ourselves.”

SAGE AYANA - He cradles your hand in his enormous on scale fist, gritting his teeth. “Babe, stop it. You shouldn’t be thinking like this. There’s a reason I care for you. And you need to find out why you need to care about yourself, too." 

NEPTUNE VASILIAS - Lovingly running his hands along your complexly structured face, he encourages you quit the nonsense. "Hey, baby, you are absolutely fine. But what you’re doing isn’t. You can’t starve yourself and expect to keep moving on. I want you to be okay, but you need to want that, too." 

COCO ADEL - "We’ve all got our insecurities, babe. Even I suffer from a few of my own every now and then. But I don’t allow them to take control of me. And I can say with certainty they don’t make me do some of the things you have. I want you to sit here and wait while I get Yatsu to make you a little something; you’re eating regardless." 

FOX ALISTAIR - "Enough of this, {Name}. I can’t stand seeing people hurt themselves over that. You deserve much, much, much, much better. I don’t care what you say. You’re eating." 

VELVET SCARLATINA - "I don’t…understand. Why would you deprive yourself like this all for the sake of being thinner? It isn’t healthy. And I don’t want to see you hurt yourself any longer. Please, let me help you.”

YATSUHASHI DAICHI - “I’m always by your side." 

QROW BRANWEN - "You know, sometimes it puzzles me when people like yourself worry about these things. But I guess everyone’s got a problem with themselves. I know I do. That isn’t the point. Stop this. You need to know you deserve better even when someone makes you feel like garbage. Obviously, if they waste the time I silting you, they aren’t really worth it. Now eat something, please. I don’t want you getting sick." 

TAIYANG XIAO LONG "I’ll be honest, I always feared Yang or Ruby would take this route, yet I never expected you would do this. But that doesn’t change a thing. I’m here for you, you know.”

SUMMER ROSE - “Stay with me, my love. I shall remain at your side through all your trial and tribulation." 

RAVEN BRANWEN - "You are strong, not among the weak. Stand tall and keep moving forward. I won’t permit this trouble to persist for another minute.”

GLYNDA GOODWITCH - “You need to take care of yourself. Please. I don’t want to lose you like I’ve lost so many students." 

OZPIN - "I have lived longer than most, and trust me when I say I’ve made more mistakes than any man, woman or child on this planet. I don’t want you to fall victim to this, dear. Thank you for confiding with me. Would you care for some coffee? It always soothes the soul. Then we can talk about how we can help you overcome this." 

OSCAR PINES - "I’m…not the best at this, but please do know I really do care about you, and want only the best to come your way.”

WINTER SCHNEE - “This behavior does not suit someone such as yourself, {Name}. We all have our demons to ward off, and it appears you are struggling. Perhaps I can teach you to rise above them, hm?”

WHITLEY SCHNEE - “Unacceptable. Klein, please fetch {Name} the finest cuisine you can prepare. They deserve only the best and are worthy of knowing the meaning they hold.”

ILIA AMITOLA - “I want you to look me in the eyes and say you deserve so much more. You’re the reason I can finally say that about myself, and now you need to know it for yourself." 

ADAM TAURUS - "My darling, I demand you cease believing this nonsense. You’re at my hand - you are strong, and I shall keep building you up. You must know of your worth.”

SALEM - “Under my watch, this will not prevail. As my beloved, you are to be treated as the divine being you have risen to." 

CINDER FALL - "Why must you allow such trivial thoughts conquer you? Don’t you understand you are powerful? It isn’t often one can tame the flames that will burn Beacon whole, now is it?" 

ROMAN TORCHWICK - "Sweetheart, you look gorgeous! There isn’t a thing I’d change about ya. Let’s say we head to a fancy new restaurant and treat ourselves, free of charge! Trust me. You are fine as you are." 

MERCURY BLACK - "Quit letting these things take control over your mind. I can’t have you getting sick on me, now can I?" 

EMERALD SUSTRAI - "I want you to have everything I couldn’t have. A home, food, and somebody who loved me. Now it’s my turn to five back what you gave to me.”

TYRIAN CALLOWS - “Your Grace, have I expressed how divine you are?”

[lutece-mess]

HAPPY RWBY THOUGHTS TO TO HELP WITH EATING ISSUES

RUBY ROSE - “You can’t stop eating; you need to, or else…” she trails off, lower lip not restraining a quiver. “Come with me! Let’s go get you something to eat. Anything you want, just eat for me, please.”

WEISS SCHNEE - She scoffs, abashed, “I’m not the most talented in the kitchen, but I need you to eat for me. Just this once.”

BLAKE BELLADONNA - “I don’t want you depriving yourself like that, {Name}. If there’s someone faunus and humans have in common, it’s that we cannot survive without nourishment. Don’t make the same mistakes I have.”

YANG XIAO LONG - The firecracker isn’t amused as she forces you to sit down, as your sunken sockets roll over to encounter a plate of food. “Neither of us are leaving this spot until you’re done. Now eat.” When you complete your task, she pulls you aside and holds you as though you’re a lifeline. “Thank you, {Name}. Please, don’t do this to yourself.”

PENNY POLENDINA - “I may not be a real girl, but I am aware humans must acquire sufficient nourishment! Shall I check what is on the menu that perhaps peaks your interests?”

CIEL SOLEIL - “Did you remember to eat today? You were supposed to approximately twelve minutes prior to the present moment, Miss/Mister {Name}. You must not forget to eat.”

JAUNE ARC - The revelation is staggering; proof reading the inscription has him more perplexed than before. “Hey, hey, listen to me. We all need to eat. It’s not just something you can stop doing all of sudden. No one wants to see you get sick and eventually..no, we aren’t getting to that point. Let me see if I can make you some food, okay?”

NORA VALKYRIE - Her heart thumps, incarcerated in her throat. “You…just can’t stop eating.” She tries to play it off facetiously but doesn’t triumph. The scene of her childhood self clutching a molding piece of bread, stomach rumbling, flashes in her mind. “Please. I can ask Ren to whip up something for the two of us, and I want you to eat every last bite.”

PYRRHA NIKOS - Counting her blessings, a wisp of energy squeezes between the gaps of her fingers. “You shouldn’t…no, I won’t stand for this, {Name}. I want you to be healthy,” she tenderly links your palms, ripping open her sternum and capturing you with her finely shaped ribs. “And I know just the foods you need to reach that state of health. I’m here whenever you need me.”

LIE REN - He doesn’t say a word as he prepares a top notch cuisine tailored to your taste buds, and lightly suggests new eating arrangements and ensures you aren’t growing ill. “We all need to thrive, but this isn’t how you do it. You need to eat. I don’t want you to forget that.”

SUN WUKONG - “You got to be kidding me,” he tangles his digits in his banana cream bangs. “Listen, I understand you feel insecure, but this is not how you fix things. Taking care of yourself is looking at those flaws and wanting to make them better without hurting yourself.” His tail snatches your wrist reassuringly. “Now c'mon, I heard of a great place that has these awesome ramen noodles. It’s all on me.”

SCARLET DAVID - He shakes his head, pressing his temple to yours, “My love, you mustn’t be dragged down by this. You are much stronger than this. Don’t hesitate to ask me if you need anything at all; we all need to learn how to care for ourselves.”

SAGE AYANA - He cradles your hand in his enormous on scale fist, gritting his teeth. “Babe, stop it. You shouldn’t be thinking like this. There’s a reason I care for you. And you need to find out why you need to care about yourself, too.”

NEPTUNE VASILIAS - Lovingly running his hands along your complexly structured face, he encourages you quit the nonsense. “Hey, baby, you are absolutely fine. But what you’re doing isn’t. You can’t starve yourself and expect to keep moving on. I want you to be okay, but you need to want that, too.”

COCO ADEL - “We’ve all got our insecurities, babe. Even I suffer from a few of my own every now and then. But I don’t allow them to take control of me. And I can say with certainty they don’t make me do some of the things you have. I want you to sit here and wait while I get Yatsu to make you a little something; you’re eating regardless.”

FOX ALISTAIR - “Enough of this, {Name}. I can’t stand seeing people hurt themselves over that. You deserve much, much, much, much better. I don’t care what you say. You’re eating.”

VELVET SCARLATINA - “I don’t…understand. Why would you deprive yourself like this all for the sake of being thinner? It isn’t healthy. And I don’t want to see you hurt yourself any longer. Please, let me help you.”

YATSUHASHI DAICHI - “I’m always by your side.”

QROW BRANWEN - “You know, sometimes it puzzles me when people like yourself worry about these things. But I guess everyone’s got a problem with themselves. I know I do. That isn’t the point. Stop this. You need to know you deserve better even when someone makes you feel like garbage. Obviously, if they waste the time I silting you, they aren’t really worth it. Now eat something, please. I don’t want you getting sick.”

TAIYANG XIAO LONG “I’ll be honest, I always feared Yang or Ruby would take this route, yet I never expected you would do this. But that doesn’t change a thing. I’m here for you, you know.”

SUMMER ROSE - “Stay with me, my love. I shall remain at your side through all your trial and tribulation.”

RAVEN BRANWEN - “You are strong, not among the weak. Stand tall and keep moving forward. I won’t permit this trouble to persist for another minute.”

GLYNDA GOODWITCH - “You need to take care of yourself. Please. I don’t want to lose you like I’ve lost so many students.”

OZPIN - “I have lived longer than most, and trust me when I say I’ve made more mistakes than any man, woman or child on this planet. I don’t want you to fall victim to this, dear. Thank you for confiding with me. Would you care for some coffee? It always soothes the soul. Then we can talk about how we can help you overcome this.”

OSCAR PINES - “I’m…not the best at this, but please do know I really do care about you, and want only the best to come your way.”

WINTER SCHNEE - “This behavior does not suit someone such as yourself, {Name}. We all have our demons to ward off, and it appears you are struggling. Perhaps I can teach you to rise above them, hm?”

WHITLEY SCHNEE - “Unacceptable. Klein, please fetch {Name} the finest cuisine you can prepare. They deserve only the best and are worthy of knowing the meaning they hold.”

ILIA AMITOLA - “I want you to look me in the eyes and say you deserve so much more. You’re the reason I can finally say that about myself, and now you need to know it for yourself.”

ADAM TAURUS - “My darling, I demand you cease believing this nonsense. You’re at my hand - you are strong, and I shall keep building you up. You must know of your worth.”

SALEM - “Under my watch, this will not prevail. As my beloved, you are to be treated as the divine being you have risen to.”

CINDER FALL - “Why must you allow such trivial thoughts conquer you? Don’t you understand you are powerful? It isn’t often one can tame the flames that will burn Beacon whole, now is it?”

ROMAN TORCHWICK - “Sweetheart, you look gorgeous! There isn’t a thing I’d change about ya. Let’s say we head to a fancy new restaurant and treat ourselves, free of charge! Trust me. You are fine as you are.”

MERCURY BLACK - “Quit letting these things take control over your mind. I can’t have you getting sick on me, now can I?”

EMERALD SUSTRAI - “I want you to have everything I couldn’t have. A home, food, and somebody who loved me. Now it’s my turn to five back what you gave to me.”

TYRIAN CALLOWS - “Your Grace, have I expressed how divine you are?”

------------------

I'm to crying you are these are so GOOD HONEY IM PROUD OF YOU AND IM LOVIN THESE

[itsclydebitches]

RWBY Recap: “Cordially Invited”

Only a week late, folks! Can’t say I’m surprised, what with the holidays underway and my normal schedule all topsy-turvy. Still, at least now there’s a little something to fill the RWBY-less hole this Saturday. Always a silver lining.

We begin the episode with our group discussing their upcoming dinner---Oscar included! We’re off to a great start. We learn that Jacques supposedly just wants to “break bread and hash things out,” but anyone with two brain cells to function together know that’s a load of BS. What frustrates me is Ruby’s attempts to spin this as a good thing because they supposedly want Ironwood to start “opening up” to “these people.” Yeah... there’s so much wrong with that. Normally Ruby’s optimism is one of the personality traits I love most about her, but lately that optimism has been twisted into naivety at best, that pro-protagonist perspective at worst. We saw this in Volume Six where the optimistic “We’ll find some way into Atlas!” became an attack on Argus. Now, Ruby’s “Maybe this won’t be so bad!” is functionally an attack on Ironwood. The responsibility lies with him to achieve that good outcome: he needs to open up to the horrendously corrupt abuser that Weiss at least suspects might be involved with Salem. Note that Ruby doesn’t extend those same expectations to herself and her team. She doesn’t claim that they all should “open up” to Jacques in the name of crafting better relations. No, she immediately jumps to having Weiss spy on him in order to get ahead in the game. For the record, I don’t give a damn if the group commits “bad” actions against Jacques (more on that below) because again, Jacques is an evil, corrupt abuser. Rather, it’s just that continuing issue of hypocrisy. Ruby expects Ironwood to “open up” to him and make peace over dinner, but only expects herself and her friends to give him what’s for. Insert [Ozpin and Ironwood must never keep secrets or tell lies, but we’re allowed to] here. Same song, different tune. 

Oscar at least points out how idiotic that perspective is from a practical perspective. He doesn’t call Ruby out on the expectation that Ironwood make nice with the man they want to keep Weiss five billion feet away from, but he does acknowledge that such expectations can’t be fulfilled at this time in this place. Jacques has tailored this dinner to benefit him and him alone. He will control the conversation, so good luck getting around that.

Weiss: “I think my dad would do whatever it takes to win.”

Ruby: “And we should do the same.”

Granted, “whatever it takes” comes to mean spilling some food which obviously is in no way comparable to Jacques’ entire existence. The viewer doesn’t know that’s coming though. When we first hear them, these lines are another nod to the closing gap between the “heroes” and the “villains”---whether we’re defining a “villain” as someone like Jacques or someone like Ozpin. The theme is there. The group is willfully adopting the same choices as those they oppose. If Ozpin is going to lie to us then we’ll lie to Ironwood. If Jacques is going to do whatever it takes then so will we. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. As I’ve mentioned in non-recap metas, RWBY has now created a harsh world where by-the-book heroics will only hurt you in the end. If Ozpin had never kept secrets I don’t believe he would have achieved that extraordinary time of peace. If Blake and Yang hadn’t killed Adam they still would have a murderous abuser stalking them. We clearly have a story where the concept of a lesser evil exists...it’s just that we’re continually turning around to insist that the group is somehow better than everyone else for also doing what they have to to survive. 

Which brings me to the fact that if Blake and Yang told everyone else about Robyn, we get not indication of that here. The only nod to last episode’s huge decision was Robyn’s shock that Jacques doesn’t already know what the Amity tower is for, but she’s cut off before she can reveal anything in front of Ironwood. So until proven otherwise... here’s another secret. Not just from an adult in a position of authority, but from the rest of the team as well. Given that Blake hid her faunus status and time in the White Fang, Yang continues to hide her knowledge of the Spring Maiden, both of them are helping to keep at least three major secrets from Ironwood, and are now keeping the Robyn secret from everyone else... no leg to stand on. Not to be dramatic on main, but if either of them ever pulls another, “How dare you keep secrets?!” I’m gonna go absolutely feral lol.

Anyway, back to the plot.

There are no new models of the group in fancy dinner clothes. I in no way had my hopes up for that, but it was fun seeing the posts theorizing about it and I can understand others’ disappointment. That definitely would have been a nice surprise, if an insane amount of work for what amounts to ten minutes of screen time.

Instead everyone just shows up in their normal gear and we get a telling exchange between Ironwood and Winter where she informs him he’d have to pay her to smile. I’m really glad she got a lot of attention this episode, both because we expect as much with her returning to the Schnee manor and because, if she’s going to become the next Winter Maiden, we really need to develop her character some. Even just setting up that she might become a Maiden demands that Winter be more than just Ironwood’s second hand and Wiess’ big sis. Who is she on her own? We start getting a glimpse of that here.

Before her outburst though, the group arrives en masse looking like a small army knocking on Jacques’ door. They’re greeted by Whitley who comments on that, asking Ironwood how large he thinks their dining room table is. Absolutely humongous, obviously. Not really the point though. This is clearly Rooster Teeth poking fun at their own massive cast, which would be more enjoyable if the number of characters didn’t constantly hinder the story. Personally, I’d prefer that they actually tackle underdeveloped or mostly dropped characters (like Maria) rather than just joking about it, but anyone keeping up with these recaps already knows that. If we’re not going to get a better structured story I’ll take some jokes here and there. Laugh about it when you can.

Although, I will say that Rooster Teeth does a good job with a minor character here, namely Klein. Whitley makes a dig at Weiss over how he was let go. Wonder how that could have happened. Klein, to my mind at least, was always meant to be a one shot sort of deal. He was introduced to help Weiss escape and once he’d achieved that was no longer useful to the story. It makes sense that we left him behind, but it’s nevertheless wonderful to get a bit of closure. Sad closure, but closure nonetheless. Now, if Rooster Teeth wants to keep him out of the picture we technically have a complete story. We know who Klein was, what he did, and what happened to him in the aftermath. Yet by keeping him alive and away from the Schnees, there’s always the potential that we’ll run into him again someday. I’m quite satisfied with that balance. It’s much better than what I was expecting, namely for Weiss to return home and conveniently not run into him because that would complicate things. Here we’re given an in-character explanation for his absence. Of course Jacques would fire him.

Finally, in the realm of massive casts and character development, I’ve got to admit that I’m disappointing with Penny being there. Simply because it once and for all shatters the hope that this well-executed frame job will amount to anything. If she’s attending a dinner with Jacques Schnee then things are fine. I said that I wasn’t convinced of this “Penny might be deactivated!” consequence before and I’m definitely not convinced of it now. Theoretically another consequence could have been Ironwood losing his council position, but we don’t see that either. Jacques references Ironwood’s inability to catch whoever hacked them at Beacon and his inability to catch whoever attacked Robyn’s supporters as reasons for being untrustworthy, both of which stand without the frame job. It’s incidental. Tyrian could have just killed everyone as Tyrian and it would have had the exact same effect. All the framing has done is make Penny sad (which hasn’t led to any development yet) and get Pietro to spill the beans about her aura (which could have happened in a thousand other ways). I was so pleased at this setup and the ingenuity of the villains, wondering what sort of impact this framing would have, but now we see the impact is minimal at best. If you frame a character for murder but have no other major character questioning their guilt and they’re out in public two episodes later... what was the point of the framing? Penny’s presence here is disappointing. Not because I don’t love Penny, but simply because of more missed opportunities. At this point I’m wondering why they bothered to bring her back at all. We’re not going to have Ruby grapple with the resurrection of her friend. We’re not going to deal with Penny taking the heat for Tyrian’s murders... Why is she here?

Also, not to distract from these important questions but... that.

That.

Friends, I cannot quite convey how confused I was at first. This is obviously supposed to be akin to the Jaguar ornament but... that’s a raptor, right? Have we seen raptor-type grimm? Am I missing something?? Yes, yes I am. Turns out RWBY Rex is a thing I never knew about and I can now only assume this is another Easter egg. Either that or I’m still missing something. Which is always possible. Either way it made me laugh. 

The group heads inside and then splits, Ironwood, Clover, Winter, and Penny going into the dining area. Clover makes a quip about needing luck and Qrow points out that he’s already been invited. I can easily see why so many people are shipping them, but as a hardcore ozqrow shipper myself I’m already biased to view this as friendship. Maybe if we see more of Clover and he doesn’t die like everyone thinks he will I’ll find space in my heart for a dual ship. Either way it’s sweet. As much as I’d like Qrow to acknowledge the best friend he already has two feet away in the body of a kid he hasn’t treated particularly well, I’m nevertheless here for Qrow having healthy and supportive relationships.

We also get to see him refusing a glass of wine. Thank you! Again, it’s pretty late in the game to introduce this and we’re still given no insight into why Qrow is willing to battle his addiction now when he’s succumbed to it for most of his life, but at least they’re maintaining the work needed to stay sober. Qrow politely refuses the offer (from a faunus waiter. No surprise there given Jacques’ racism) and removes himself from temptation by offering to patrol the grounds. Very nicely done. The other Ace Ops join him, warning the newbie huntsmen not to wander off, not to break anything, and make sure you’re available if Ironwood needs you.

To which Yang provides the counter point that they should wander off, they should break things, and all the rest. Jaune later says, “What was that about breaking things?” Admittedly, these lines originally rankled. Because as much as Jacques deserves all the snooping and breaking our team can dish out, I maintain the position that they need to act more responsibly, especially now that they’re officially on the job. We’ve already got Blake and Yang deciding to go behind their bosses’ back. We don’t need them aggravating a situation when they’re the ones who want Ironwood to do that “opening up.” Jacques controlling the situation aside, Ironwood is even less likely to make headway if his guests are off causing trouble.

Which is why I’m so thrilled they didn’t. I’ll be blunt and say straight out that this was a fantastic way to do things. They’re allowed to get food. Nothing wrong with that. We already know Nora is a big eater and tends to be impulsive. If she just happens to pile a plate crazy high, it just happens to hit another guest, and she just happens to douse Whitley in wine? Well... who could have seen that coming? It’s a way of causing mayhem without endangering others or their mission. It achieves the one very specific thing they need: give Weiss an opening to sneak off. No one went overboard. No one else actually snuck off to break things. It was an all around smart plan. Unlike the group attacking Cordovin or Weiss dumping a racist in the trash when they’re supposed to keep a low profile, this is the kind of decision making I can get behind. Something that demonstrates the maturity the group continues to insist they have alongside keeping their playful personalities.

Also, just look at Ren’s smile. That might be the first smile we’ve gotten from him all season. That’s a blessed image, right up there with Oscar stealing hors d'oeuvres the second he walks through the door. Our farm boy is hungry and he’s going to milk Jacques’ wealth for all it’s worth.

The other thing this scene gives us---besides the joyous image of Whitley drenched in wine and Weiss’ amusement over it---is the split screen technique. On the whole I think Rooster Teeth chucks this in too often. There have been many times since the beginning of Volume Six, especially during fight scenes, where the split screen doesn’t feel necessary to me and is even at times quite distracting. Here though? I think it works. The split screen montage used to show the many people involved in, say, a heist is a pretty common technique and it adds another spot of humor to this situation. They’re plotting and executing their food spill with all the sincerity of a bank robbery. I’m here for that.

As Weiss heads upstairs we turn our attention to the meeting with Jacques. It goes about as well as anyone expects. A lot happens in that short span of time though. Robyn sarcastically points out that she should just be happy to have been “invited to the table” and though there’s another black woman across from her, it stands out to me that Robyn, a comparatively dark skinned woman to the rest of the group, says this while the shot poises her between two very white, powerful men. Even the phrase “invited to the table” has gender and racial implications for the audience watching, outside of Robyn’s in-world characterization as a Robin Hood type focused on class. Going off of these themes, we also hear Ironwood reassuring Jacques of their safety by claiming that “Penny is completely under my control.” This, hands down, is the worst thing I’ve seen Ironwood do this volume. Sure, things like the embargo and the supplies have objectively worse consequences, but the story has done a lot to demonstrate the “greater good” justifications behind those choices. We might not agree with Ironwood, but we’re supposed to understand that (until proven otherwise) he has good motivations. Here? That comment is pretty horrible. Ironwood refers to Penny as if she’s a weapon or a tool, a young woman who he believes he literally has control over. It’s a fascinating look into his perspective and a pretty logical one as well. Here’s a man who has put so much faith in his technology, from amassing an army to protect his kingdom to relying on prosthetics to get around. He asked his team to create a new security measure and they did... they just happened to create a person along with it. I’m not sure Ironwood fully understands that yet. He trusts Penny enough to bring her into his own inner circle, but he likewise thinks he can manage her like he would a gun or a vehicle, dictating whether she has friends and announcing that she is under his control. I hope that this is something the writing explores and helps Ironwood work through, rather than just letting it sit as generic evidence that he’s a bad (as opposed to flawed) person. I think Ironwood would realize his mistake and work to correct it if someone pointed out the issue, in the same way we’ve seen him considering, settling, and agreeing with the issues the group has seen fit to yell at him lately.

What interests me most about this whole interaction is (shocking) this continued debate regarding secrets and trust. Overall Rooster Teeth has actually succeeded in creating a decently complex situation here. We know that (again, until proven otherwise) Ironwood has only good intentions and we likewise know that Jacques is now connected to Salem. The information the audience has makes us biased. We know who is supposedly good and supposedly bad. At the same time though, the actual issue appears to be removed from that. Jacques’ side---notably expressed through a new character who acts as a more neutral party---points out that from where they stand there’s no reason for this embargo. We know there’s a reason. Ironwood knows there’s a reason. Because we all know about Salem. But the other council members are making entirely reasonable demands given the information they have: why are you continuing to hurt both the people and our relationship with others? What’s the justification? You can’t give us one? Then why in the world would we let you keep doing this? It puts us in the discomforting position of knowing Jacques is an evil slim ball manipulating the conversation while likewise having to admit that his side has a point. You can’t just announce Salem’s existence because that would make things exponentially worse, but keeping her secret has its definite downsides.

Where Jacques’ party doesn’t have a good position is in his insistence that because Ironwood hasn’t caught these various perpetrators he can’t be trusted, equating trust with results. There’s only so many ideas, resources, and luck that can lead you to catching someone like Tyrian. I understand that knee-jerk reaction, the idea that because someone hasn’t succeeded you should replace them with someone you assume will, but in situations like this you only have so much control over the probability of success. Claiming that Ironwood not catching criminals is indicative of an inability to lead is flimsy, but as we’ve seen, Jacques is a manipulator. He tosses these assertions out as if they’re facts. He and the others continually cut Ironwood off, refusing to let him defend himself. It’s not at all surprising that Winter, someone who suffered under his abuse, eventually explodes with, “You can’t just buy trust like everything else! You have to earn it.” Winter is someone I’m particularly interested in seeing react to the group’s secret keeping because from her perspective, she and Ironwood have earned the group’s trust a hundred times over. Again, provided the story isn’t hiding something from us and Winter is secretly in on some plot with Ironwood, we’re seeing this volume how she’s done the work her father couldn’t and it still wasn’t enough. Her peers, including her baby sister, still decided they weren’t going to trust her with secrets that are intimately tied up in their current work and choices.

  Frustrating moral questions aside, something I really loved about this scene was the character setup and the cinematography. Having Jacques with his two allies on one side, Ironwood mirroring that on the opposite end of the table, and Robyn sitting poised between the two, the audience still unsure whose side she’ll fall on. That aerial shot showing off the distance between them all? Excellent visual storytelling.

We get a quick conversation between Winter and Penny which I don’t have too much to say about. Merely that I love Penny for checking up on Winter and I love Winter for correcting her assumption: I’m not saying you wouldn’t understand because you’re a robot, I’m just saying these problems are very specific to me and being in this place. That was particularly reassuring after Ironwood’s comments. Penny ends the scene by saying she doesn’t understand why Winter wouldn’t want to follow her heart. Perhaps an odd comment coming from someone who almost blindly obeys the orders she’s given even when she doesn’t agree---such as not making more friends---but then, it may well be a ‘do as I say, not as I do’ situation. Just because Penny isn’t sure how to always follow her own heart doesn’t mean she can’t encourage others to do the same.

We return to Weiss who, after getting past a curious server, makes it to her father’s office. I feel like this is the scene people are most invested in, considering that I’ve seen a LOT of posts lately trying to demonize Willow for her comment about Whitley. Here’s what people need to remember about Willow moving forward: she’s as much a victim of abuse as Weiss is. She is, presumably, Jacques’ first victim, fully entrenched in his abuse by the time her kids started coming along. As a mother does she have a responsibility to her children? Absolutely, but that doesn’t erase the fact that she’s simultaneously a woman attempting to survive domestic abuse.

(That’s another stunning shot hell yes.) 

Initially Weiss takes the side of the posts I’ve seen, painting her mother as someone who made a conscious decision to let the abuse happen---another abuser herself, one out of passiveness. “Some of us are trying to do something about it,” Weiss says, emphasizing that she’s better because she’s doing what her mother never could: fighting back. Ignoring for a moment the highly dubious insistence that abuse victims must simply ‘do something’ about that abuse (it’s not that simple at all), Weiss quickly realizes that she was wrong. Her mother has been doing something, namely setting up hidden cameras around the house for some spying of her own. Why? “For our safety.” To make sure that if Jacques ever goes farther than he already has, Willow will know about it and can take appropriate steps. Is taking precautions against something worse better than leaving a situation that’s already horrific? Of course not, but as said, abuse isn’t just something you can fix. Even if you know it’s happening. This is a woman doing all she can and what someone is capable of in an abusive relationship is based on them and that context, not what others believe is fighting back “enough.”

Willow then reassures everyone, Weiss and the audience alike, that she doesn’t expect Weiss to be the family savior.

Willow: “You haven’t come back to stay, have you?” Weiss: “No.” Willow: “Good.”

That first line potentially reads as a plea. We might have gotten a scene where Willow is disappointed that Weiss isn’t coming back because she doesn’t want to face this family alone. While a very human and understandable desire, it’s likewise not okay to expect another abuse survivor to return to their abuser after they’ve gotten out. In that hypothetical scene the fandom would have a basis for going, “No. That’s... not okay.” But we don’t get that. Willow is thrilled that Weiss both got out and has no intention to return. She wants her daughter safe. That parental instinct outweighs any selfish, human desire to not suffer this situation alone.

Keep the above point in mind when we read the line, “No matter what happens, Weiss, please don’t forget about your brother.” Willow isn’t telling Weiss to return to the house and save him. She’s not even telling her to forgive him. Just don’t forget him. Remember that he’s not a mini Jacques. He’s another young abuse victim. He’s just like you. When we look at the family dynamic it’s clear that in some ways Weiss had a leg up from her brother that helped her get out. Namely, she had Winter. They’re the ones who are close among the siblings and thus Weiss had a role model to follow. Winter, however she managed it, got out and forged her own path. We then see throughout the series how closely Weiss emulates that, from going into combat herself and having Winter train her. The two actions---fighting and escape---are connected in Weiss’ Volume 5 short. Winter tells her that if she wants to get out she has to get better. That’s your route.

In contrast, Whitley has shown no interest in combat and thus doesn’t have that path to emulate. He’s not a girl and is thus automatically treated as the next Jacques, not the next Winter or even Willow. Most importantly, Whitley doesn’t have a close relationship with an older sibling to guide him.

That’s all Willow is asking of Weiss: be for Whitley what Winter was to you. Don’t forget about him. Don’t pretend he doesn’t exist. Don’t fall into the lie Whitley himself believes, that he’s set to be the next Jacques. He’s really an abused 14-15 year old who has suffered through everything we have. So if there ever comes a time where Whitley falters in this belief or you’re given an opening... please treat him like your brother, not your father.

I think that’s a perfectly reasonable thing for a mother to ask and we can easily see via Weiss’ expression that she’s coming to all these realizations too.

“Of course [Whitley doesn’t want anything to do with you.] You left him alone. With us.” That’s not an accusation, it’s a fact. As established, Willow is happy that Weiss got out, but like with so much in RWBY the best decision doesn’t mean it’s a consequence-free decision. In this case the consequence is that Weiss and Winter left their little brother alone with their abuser. They had to for their own mental health and their safety, but they nevertheless did it. So if there ever comes a time when they can help alleviate that consequence, please do. 

It likewise doesn’t escape my notice that, again, Whitley is a guy. Just like the fandom was unwilling to accept Ozpin as an abuse victim, people seem hesitant to accept Whitley as an abuse victim either. From what I’ve seen (and there are admittedly always exceptions) Whitley’s shitty behavior hasn’t gotten an a fraction of the sympathy Weiss’ shitty Volume 1-3 behavior got. They’re three years apart at most. If Weiss is a victim then so is her little brother. Don’t let the Jacques’ genetics and learned behavior fool you. 

Finally, we end on Watts. The man who continues to be THE most dramatic bitch in this entire series.

We watch as he shuts down the system keeping Mantle warm. Rather than rain, snow starts to fall. Whether this will be just another generic thing going wrong to make the people angry and Ironwood seem incompetent, or whether there’s a more dangerous downside here (we did hear from Weiss about the deadly temperatures...) remains to be seen.

And that’s it. You know, I think that’s the first time in nearly two volumes where I ultimately had more good things to say about an episode than bad. It’s a holiday miracle!

Until next Saturday ;)