#Cinder smiting kids

[user-without-a-cool-acronym]

Cinder breaking spines at shadow dojo

[talentforlying]

fuck, that hurts. holiness rips up his veins like poison, demon blood spitting and scalding in its casing, fingers spasming into fists under the instinct to retreat, the cowering animal urge to summon every minute extension of self back to a protective huddle, as far away from this burning sight as he can get; he can feel the ache as the muscles in his neck strain to turn his head, shield his eyes, flinch, but they've gone too far to turn back now. there's no hiding from the light, no shade or shadow absolute enough to keep it out entirely, and oh fuck, oh christ — what if he's wrong?

he'd prayed a few times, as a kid; because that was what you were supposed to do when your aunt and uncle dragged you to mass, and because it was dead boring to wait in silence if you didn't want to pray, and because you'd get in trouble if you got caught fucking around when everyone else was praying. prayed that the service would get done quicker, prayed that someone would smite his dad to cinders, prayed that his sister would come home. it had never worked, and he'd never cared enough to be disappointed by it, and then he'd found magic and was able to do everything himself anyway, so he never tried again — but if he'd known what he was praying to? known the eviscerating judgment that a mercy stripped of sentiment demands as precedent, known dust-speck smallness inside the crushing grasp of an open hand turned closed fist? maybe he wouldn't have even pretended to want to be heard. maybe he would have run.

shit, maybe that's how the whole ritual began: not praying for angels to reach down a hand at all. praying to keep the angels OUT.

the andesitic flow builds, and builds, and builds, suffocating sound and sense beneath the expectation of burning. there is lightning striking in every molecule, seas of molten rock smithing his spine into an arch, and just as he caves, as his eyes begin to roll back — cooling. extinguished. blessed fucking relief. he drags in a harsh breath through the pyroclastic cloud of pain and thinks dimly that beneath the iron tang of his bitten tongue, the bile-sour burn in his throat, it tastes of tea, of pine, of clear, fresh air and spring; like dawn after a wildfire, circulating the soft light of clarity through his blackened lungs and seeding phenocrysts of hope through the scorched earth left behind. his bet paid off. it worked. it fucking worked.

' h-ha. you saw it. ' staying on his feet is a monumental effort, but he does it, with trembling hands braced on shoulders of solid, dependable clay and a wild grin so sharp it pops the swimming black bubbles in his vision. ( for the love of LFC, don't puke on the solovairs, john. you're better than that. ) ' y-you know . . . something's wrong. you saw it. tell me i'm right. '

you should go, bollocks. it's his turn to get a grip on the front of em's shirt, stubborn and shuddering, as his eyes sift through the cinders of em's gaze, seeking answers. ' oh, no. n-not gettin' away that easy, sunshine, you tell me what's gone sideways with you, first. it took t-two of us t'get this far, yeah? could take two of us to go on. ' desperation drives home the coup de grace, head cocked to one side in a false display of confidence. ' think about it — i know something you don't. something you might need. don't ye wanna stick around and find out more? '

i'm not leaving you, mate, echoes down from miles and miles away, beyond the gates of heaven, out of a dark, hollow space that he just wasn't quick enough to find. not this time.

it burns. the dark pit that rests inside of the other is illuminated by pain and divine light that is unforgiving. the cold and dark pit so unlike the two bright blue eyes who too keep a void in their very center but the hues of blue are halos of hope and the subtle glint of faith is not unlike the sun in that sky-deep blue. the pit eats away at the angel, a bit, as he pushes forward and feels it burn him the same as it burns the other. or perhaps their pain is one and the same, made resonant by lack of barriers that the other put up. why would he let him do that? why would the snake of a man make himself so vulnerable to something as great as divine fury.

but emmanuel isn't that, is he? fury? the fire burns him same as it burns john constantine and though his eyes do not make way for tears, it feels foreign to let divinity in him flow so freely. to cause pain so freely. to bring judgement so freely. it strikes him as odd, now, compared to the kinship, the familiarity he felt coming to see a man, and now the novelty of allowing his own nature to poke through, poke around, poke at the man who would fall to his knees. look hard, he said. he didn't know what he bargained for.

the angel's head spins, still, and inadvertently his fist does grow tighter around the smidge of fabric upon the other's chest, as he grounds himself in one whose legs threaten to give out. he will not him. his hold so firm, his power so great, it feels like electricity running through him and into the ground. frying the other in the process. it's only when the other does begin to lose conscience that the overwhelming brightness ceases. as if the sun hid behind a cloud, or perhaps someone pulled a curtain in the room. it's still bright in the void of the other, but not scorchingly so, not unbearably. it's like leafing through a book. frail and old. rugged and proud.

and he lets him. john constantine lets him as the angel pushes forth, not with fiery light this time but with something softer. something he did not know he bore. it's like a sound, a soft hum underneath everything. extended and reaching towards the other, for his very heart, but pulling away before it makes contant, a few inches shy. looking around, taking it all in. no, he doesn't remember a thing. there is a wild animal-like despair at the thought. one borne from the fact that in spite of all that he knows as the universe knows it, john constantine is a good man. no matter what the angelic choir whispers. his heart knows this. his mind sees this. dark and damp as the other's chest is, the angel's faith has made home there, previously. he knows this. but he can't remember.

his hold falters, so does the light in his eyes. it burned itself out, at least for a while. his voice feels like it does not belong to him, when it comes out, husky and low. "you should go."

[iamafanofcartoons]

I have become no better

Inspired by @saintoflostmonsters who thought about Mercury and Oscar.

“Whap!” Whap!” “Whap!”

The blows striking out in Anger in Salem’s torture chamber rang out , matched only by the cries of a child.

Hazel roared at he lashed out at Ozpin’s newest vessel, a young boy.

From the hallway outside Mercury Black observed.

Thanks to Cinder’s faction, he had gained new legs and allowed him to fight on par with many huntsmen with their hyped-up semblances.

But he had no idea just far he had gotten himself into, only that trying to get out would not get him anywhere.

And yet...this boy...

Flashbacks appeared in his head...memories of his own childhood, of an abusive father who would strike him for any reason, who would blame him for any reason.

Mercury had fought back after he had enough...killed his father. But while he hadn’t gotten his semblance back, he had gotten strength. 

But at what cost?

“You...don’t have...to do this Hazel...” The boy, not Ozpin, but the boy rasped through broken bones.

Merc’s eyes widened. Even after everything, this boy was still trying to reason with Hazel?

Hazel stood, glaring angrily. “This isn’t about me, Boy...this is all for my sister.”

Mercury had enough.

“Cut the bullshit, big guy, we didn’t join Salem to be hypocrites”

Two pairs of eyes snapped towards Mercury walking plain view.

The boy coughed “You’re...you’re Mercury...I remember, you from Haven”

Mercury approached him, sneering. “Yep....nice to meet ya, Ozpin”

“Os...car!” The boy hacked up blood through a lung. “My name is Oscar Pines.”

“And you’re also an idiot” Mercury said calmly.

“I..had a choice to make” Oscar responded with a glare.

“To reveal your first and last name?” 

Oscar’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean?”

Mercury bent down to Oscar. “The fact that you came to Haven so soon would mean you’re from Mistral. And you gave us your name. Now how hard would it be if, given a slight delay, we paid a visit to Mistral and found some of your relatives to torture to force you to crack?”

Oscar’s eyes widened. “You wouldn’t!”

Mercury shook his head. “Not my call to make. Its Salem’s.”

“Mercury, that’s not...” Hazel tried to stop him.

“Not what!” Mercury turned around on the giant man.

“Look at you! You keep spouting about how everything is for your sister! That’s bullshit! You’re torturing a kid with the same passion as my alcoholic father who beat me everyday and every night! This is how you show affection to your family? The only difference between you and Dad is that you don’t drink, but you certainly act like an assassin!”

Hazel grabbed Mercury by the shoulders and lifted him up into the air.

“Gretchen was manipulated by Ozpin into dying for his cause! I tried fighting Ozpin’s cause, and found the truth, that Salem CANNOT be killed! I fought her for a whole day! 2 hours was the most I was able to stop her.”

“That’s...certainly more than me”

Both agents turned their heads back to Oscar, whose eyes now glowed.

“Ozpin...” Hazel growled.

“Did Salem tell you that my soul is forced to merge with like-minded people, but never by my choice?” Ozpin glared at the two killers.

“I am the reason for Salem, because I provoked her hate by choosing the mission of the Gods over my love for her.”

“And what mission do you have exactly?” Mercury smirked... “let me guess, a Judgement Day, maybe?” Ozpin began to open his mouth, then started gasping. The glow vanished from his eyes, replaced by Oscar’s.

“Judgement Day comes when the four relics are united”

Hazel was startled. “Gathering the four relics is supposed to allow the Gatherer to change the planet. Its the only way to ensure that there would no longer be a need for Huntsmen!”

Oscar smiled bitterly. “What Salem told you was the same that Ozpin told everyone else ...a half-lie. If Humans and faunus are divided when the four relics are gathered, the Gods will return and smite everyone...including Salem. One big suicide”

“And if humans and faunus are united, as in everyone singing Kumbaya?” Mercury demanded?

Oscar shook his head sadly. “That’s why Ozpin withheld the truth. Try as he might, he was never able to succeed...Your group saw to that. The Relic of Knowledge shared that info with Ozpin’s allies...and they lost faith in him. I suppose Raven Branwen figured out the truth that Salem couldn’t be killed. Maybe that’s why she fled...she was worried that she might end up like Gretchen...giving her life to keep Salem at bay, rather than give in and let Salem win.”

Mercury and Hazel were silent.

“Let’s say that all of this is true,” a new voice spoke up as Emerald Sustrai joined the conversation. “How can you prove to us that Salem has been lying, and seeks genocide?”

Oscar gave a pained expression. “Ozpin, please...trust me just this once.”

After a few moments, Oscar’s breathing became normal.

“Ozpin won’t give you the password to the relic, but I will”

“Why?” Hazel demanded.

“Just because share Ozpin’s values, does not mean I am Ozpin...not yet” Oscar responded fiercely.

“And I am going to put the trust in all of you that neither Salem nor Ozpin did”.

Emerald gritted her hands. “Guys?”

Mercury was silent for a moment. “Salem won’t be happy if we find out the truth”

“No,” Hazel acknowledged “But if she’s lying, just like Ozpin, then I have to make a choice of my own”

Hazel freed Oscar from his shackles and looked at the boy in the eye.

“No more Gretchen’s, Boy”

Oscar’s eyes widened. Then he nodded. “No more meaningless sacrifices. We’ve both got people to protect”

“Both” Hazel was confused.

Oscar smiled “You tried to protect them at Haven, didn’t you?”

Hazel startled, turning back to Emerald and Mercury, then reflecting with shock.

To everyone’s surprise, Hazel chuckled. “Gretchen , your big brother is such an idiot. But I’m going to do right this time”

Rising to his feet, Hazel approached the door.

“Well, let’s get some answers.”

The children smiled.

[good-rwbyaus]

Unnamed Crack Time Travel Fic. Part 3 [first] [prev]

After Salem united all four relics, the gods descended and judged Humanity to be unworthy, obliterating all. Ruby desperately activates her Semblance to avoid the blow and, as a result, becomes only one of two people remaining in Remnant. Months later, the two employ a plan to travel back through time.

Chronic!Backstabber!Syndrome!Cinder, DoneWithEverything!Ruby, transcended!Ruby, crack time travel AU. - mod lilac

p.s this thing seriously needs a name. 

Everything had been a blur after Ruby laid eyes on her Mom, her Mom that had been dead for a good part of her life suddenly here in the flesh. She was so out of it that she completely missed the part where Cinder convinced her Mom and the rest of her company to go back home - and that she’d take her to Patch for a check-up with a doctor.

How Cinder knew her Mom, Ruby didn’t know. Why her Mom trusted Cinder to any degree was also something that eluded her. Nothing was right in this universe - nothing at all.

After Ruby was absolutely sure that the rest of them were out of earshot, she turned around and hissed at Cinder, “What did you do?!” 

“What do you mean?” Cinder tilted her head, confused and appearing slightly hurt, “Are you okay, Ruby? I know it can be a bit confusing when you have amnesia, but trust me when I say that I have your best interests at heart.”

Ruby paused at the concerned expression on Cinder’s face before shaking her head, “No. Sorry. I’m fine.” She turned around to face the forest path leading to Patch - and missed the bright ecstatic grin on Cinder’s face as she manifested a glass knife into her hands. 

Cinder lifted up the knife silently. And with a single motion, she mercilessly stabbed down at her young charge’s back. Happiness lit Cinder’s eyes as the blade encountered no resistance - but she quickly paled as she noticed that she did not draw blood but a flurry of petals instead. The girl she just attacked just turned her head with a mildly annoyed look.

And then everything went topsy-turvy to Cinder as she was buffeted away by a gale of red petals.

“Best interests at heart, my cute ass!” Ruby crowed at Cinder triumphantly,  “I knew it! I knew you wouldn’t be able to resist stabbing me in the back.”

Letting out a small pout, Cinder could only dematerialize her dagger in defeat. Her best shot after two years of planning and she blew it. “I can’t help it. It’s a nice back.” 

Ruby rolled her eyes at Cinder’s reply. “Does stabbing people in the back really make you that happy? Can’t you try...to like not?”   

“Yes it does,” she affirmed before shrugging, “As for your other question....why mess with what works?”

“Ugh. There’s no reasoning with you,” Ruby clicked her tongue, “Also, not that I’m complaining, but why’s my mom alive? And why does she trust you so much?”

“Well, that’s because I saved her life,” Cinder responded smugly, theatrically shifting her weight on the balls and heels of her feet and not giving any more information past that. 

“...And how’d you do that?” Ruby had no choice but to play along.

“Oh you know. Salem bragged about how your mom was the prototype for those talking Grimm, so I asked how long ago she’d been experimenting. Put two-and-two together and knowing where Salem would be at that time, I managed to save your mom from certain death,” Cinder smugly said, tilting her nose high.

A moment of silence fell between them.

“...Thanks,” Ruby said with a soft smile, “I mean it.”  

“And then when she was all grateful and saw me having Emerald and Mercury around, I told her that I always wanted to be a godmother,” Cinder continued proudly, “And she made me your godmother. And now I’m in charge of you brats’ training.”

“Wait. Why did you want to be a godm-” Ruby paused for a moment, eyes widening in disbelief. She stared dully at Cinder. “Did you seriously save my mom just so you could stab me in the back and call it training?”

“Nooooo...” Cinder said before crumpling under Ruby’s dubious gaze, “...yeessss?”

Ruby just facepalmed at the admission and groaned in frustration. The sky reacted to her displeasure, fluffy white clouds turning into a sinister gray. The faint rumble of thunder reminded Cinder that the small twelve-year old girl in front of her was still Remnant’s goddess, even if the events that led her there hadn’t quite happened yet. 

“So...” Cinder hummed as she changed the subject, “you gonna go smite Salem right now or you gonna pretend to be a harmless 12 year old kid?”

“Well I was going to run away from home and look for Salem,” Ruby admitted, “Not that I can permanently destroy her with the power I currently have but I’d get some satisfaction beating her up after all the crap she’s put me through.” She rested her hands against the back of her head, “But you know, since you did save my mom, I would like to be a normal 12 year old kid for a while.”

“What?” Cinder said in surprise, “I thought you’d be all gung-ho about saving the world as fast as possible. You know, being the hero.”

“Eh, your perspective changes when the entire world starts hunting you and your team for a promise the Queen of All Grimm would never keep. And in the end, didn’t she destroy the world?” Ruby rolled her eyes, “I’ll save the world eventually, but it’s not them I’m doing it for. Besides with me around, no one’s gonna be able to hurt my friends and family.” 

“Do I count as friends and family?”

“...Did you murder anyone you weren’t supposed to?”

“I murdered my abusive stepmother and stepsisters again. Which was just as satisfying as before, might I add. And I definitely remembered that I didn’t have my Maiden Powers while I was at it too,” Cinder lifted three fingers as she recalled, “And I st-”

“That’s suspiciously specific,” Ruby squinted her eyes. 

“-abbed Rhodes just to say hi. And afterwards, I pi-”

“Who the heck is Rhodes?”

“-cked up the kids and hung around Solitas and Atlas. Pretended to be a researcher for a while and stole all of Watt’s future ideas and reported them as mine.”

“How’d you do that?”

“He was pretty whiny back then about how Ironwood ignored his genius. And very vocal about his ideas and why they were so genius, so I just “beat him” to his ideas.”

“So you stabbed him in the back for something he’ll do in the future?”

“Mad about it?” Cinder rose an eyebrow.

“After what he did to Penny. Not really,” Ruby laughed, “I’m just surprised you didn’t literally stab him in the back too.”

Cinder harumphed.

“I’m not stupid. Stabbing Watts in the heart of Atlas? Even with Emerald, I won’t be able to get away. Besides... I can’t get enough of that smarmy idiot being frustrated that a woman half his age is besting him in brains.”

“Because you’re stealing his ideas.”

“Well, maybe he should’ve been smart enough to prepare for the eventuality that someone would go back in time and screw him over,” Cinder said smugly.

Ruby shook her head as she was once again reminded that she was not going to beat Cinder in shamelessness. 

“Any other changes?”

“Not really. I went to Vale. Saved your mom by making Salem have the mother of all temper tantrums. And then you regained your memory by getting hit in the face by Mercury’s boot. Nothing else really.”

“Glad you didn’t change that much then,” Ruby said as she let a breath of relief, pulling out her Scroll. 

“Screwing over Watts took up a lot of my time. And then saving your mother. And then screwing over Watts,” Cinder said, “And still failing to properly stab you in the back.”

Ruby blinked as she looked over her Scroll.

“...Cinder?”

“Yeah?”

Ruby held the Scroll so that Cinder could see it. A video with the headline “The Grimm vs SDC: Theories as to why the Grimm are specifically targeting the company” is seen. 

“This counts as nothing else?!” Ruby deadpanned. 

[marithlizard]

Thoughts on RWBY v7c9: “As Above, So Below”

Okay maybe a couple thoughts on the new episode first:

- I thought James describing Mantle as "a few city blocks" was a dismissive understatement, but now it sounds like the entire population is being evacuated to Atlas in a short amount of time.  Just how many people were left in the shell of the former capital?

- I've given up on making predictions.  The writers just don't think like the fans,   it's been repeatedly demonstrated - I have a feeling v7 will look different viewed as a unit after it's all done, when we know from the start what they were going for.   But right now...it’s not anywhere close to v3 in terms of writing or pacing, not to me. - That said, those shots of Robyn and James holding hands on the giant screens to deliver the truth, contrasted with the ominous TSA announcements at the start?  Nice visual storytelling.

- James,  "I'm not hiding anything"  is right up there with  "I am not a crook" on the stupidly obvious lie scale. 

- And you are damn lucky Weiss burst in when she did.

- Watts is instantly recognizeable to the councillors.  "Died in the Paladin incident years ago", huh? Wasn't the Paladin the name of the mecha type introduced in v3?   Have they been in development that long, and what did Watts try to do with them?

-  Wouldn't this be a good time to get on the phone with your cybersecurity people instead of trying to do everything yourself?   You're a general, not a hacker.

- "The secret is safe for now."  "If he learns about Amity, she learns about Amity".  James you are saying this RIGHT in front of Robyn and two councillors. After months of extreme paranoia and refusing to work with Robyn, this seems...silly.  

- "Yep, still here everyone."  Robyn knows bad writing when she sees it.

-  "Citizens, please disperse. For your own safety, please leave the heat source and return to your homes to freeze."

- "This is what I was afraid would happen."  Haven't you been preparing for a massive Grimm attack on Mantle as the expected result of your Salem announcement?    If Amity's nearly done, shouldn't you and Clover already have forces in place and a plan?  Including the ground support, evacuation and move-the-fleet points being raised here?  Generals do not have forehead-smiting diva angst moments and give up because a timeline has accelerated. 

-   Oscar feels 100% himself to me in both attitude and mannerisms.    He's a smart, thoughtful kid (who incidentally has had nothing to do for weeks but sit in the academy studying up and thinking out the situation).  His advice, as he straight-up says, is not what Ozpin would have said.   Give him some credit.  I swear, some of y’all want the merge to have happened so you never have to see Oz again. 

- Wait, why isn't everyone here for this entire confrontation?  All of RWBY and Oscar got called in, but not JNR or Qrow.   It doesn't make sense to me. Why leave them out except for the meta-reason of emphasising which characters are most important and which are on the level of the Ace-Ops, left outside to wait for orders?

- Nothing romantic about that cute Rosegarden scene; again, I have no idea what all the hate is about.  They're just two cute dorks who work well together at this point in time.  

- Ren and Nora still don't look like they're in a good place, handhold or not.

- "A city in the sky is held to a higher standard."   That does sound like an Ozpin quote.  And that "You and me both" does have the same energy as "Understood' in v5.  Maybe Oz is quietly back and they've been talking.  But not necessarily;  the two of them had a lot of time  by themselves before, and Oz loves storytelling and platitudes.  It doesn't require anything supernatural for the student to resemble the mentor.

- Poor Vomit Boy!  Nice callback for continuity and a touch of levity.

- Qrow didn't shift for the jump - yeah, he's still keeping the bird form very secret.  I'm leaning more and more towards thinking even James never knew.

- Whitley's actually crying.  Poor kid.  When you've been raised in a toxic environment and no one will save or protect you, when you've been told from birth that all that matters is power, it makes a lot of sense to latch on to the biggest predator you know and say "I'm gonna be like THAT".   Cinder did the same thing.    But Whitley has more in common with Emerald, trying to earn love and approval that will never be given.  

- That view from the office window really is incredible. i think the visuals may be what I’m happiest with this volume. 

- Neo is just putting up with Cinder long enough to get into position for a good backstab, isn't she.  Good, because it’s definitely mutual.   Overall - I really don’t like being meta-critical, I want to stay immersed in the story. But parts of this episode just plain feel badly written and inconsistent. :( 

[rwbyconversations]

RWBY LVL Up 2019 Expo Panel Summaries

So, first one of these for the 6-7 hiatus. This took place on the weekend of April 27th-28th, and saw two panels with the four RWBY girls. Most notably, the panel actually fielded questions from the r/RWBY subreddit prior to the Q&A. 

Saturday

Twitch VOD here. Keep in mind Twitch auto-deletes VODs so this link may be dead if you’re coming back to this in a few weeks The Twitch channel mentions a user called SoraKasaiSkyFire is going to upload them on Youtube. It’s a short little interview session done on the show floor.

This was Kara’s first time in Vegas.

The host is actually an long-time fan of RWBY and opens by talking about how Monty’s legacy has carried on. He highlights Grimm Eclipse and asks if we’ll see RWBY go into other games. Lindsay hopes for an MMO and mentions Amity Arena and Blazblue Cross Tag Battle. Barbara also mentions the Combat Ready board game and Vicious Circle, an unrelated RT project.

What jobs besides being a Huntress do you think your character would have? Barbara thinks Yang would be a personal trainer. Arryn thinks Blake would be a civil lawyer. Kara thinks Weiss would become a Broadway star, and Lindsay goes for Ruby going into a bakery.

If you could bring back any dead character at the cost of a living one, who? Lindsay immediately offers Pyrrha in exchange for Salem (Kara gets ticked off because she was going to say that). Arryn jokingly says “Kill Zwei,” while Barbara mulls over Torchwick. Kara says kill Jacques and bring back Pyrrha.

What advice do you have for people who want to get into the entertainment industry? Lindsay talks about how it’s overwhelming that RWBY took off when they envisioned it as a small passion project and says to keep an eye out for more side-projects.  

Sunday

VOD link here. They’re playing some Smash during the Q&A.

Host Guy’s shirt offends me on a spiritual level. The whole “Stars of such anime like RWBY, Red Vs Blue and Camp Camp” line makes me snicker. That’s my token anime elitism moment out of the way.

Apparently it’s a semi-infrequent thing for the VAs where they’ll meet people cosplaying as RWBY characters and the cosplayers won’t recognize them.

What is the current biggest flaw your character has going into Volume 7? Kara thinks Weiss needs to learn how to get along with her family. Barb thinks Yang is a bit too caring for her friends and talks about how Yang is particularly going through some self-discovery and her abandonment issues in relation to Raven. 

What advice would you give aspiring voice actors? Barbara talks about how hard it is to get into VA work, but there’s always something out there, even if it’s just a car commercial or a friend doing some small animation project. It mostly comes down to being in the right place at the right time. Arryn quips that she could use some advice herself.  

They get interrupted a lot by the Smash play. 

What was your favorite volume to record for and why? Barb- Volume 5 because of Yang’s arc with Raven. Arryn- Volume 5 as well, since that’s when Blake heads home and has to work through the eternal problem of Daddy Issues, (”Since that’s what everyone has.”) and that Blake got to rally the troops. 

How do you deal with emotion in the studio? Barbara explains how challenging it is. Camera acting lets you act through your body language and face, but with VA work you have to carry everything through your voice. Arryn mentions how Blake is very monotonous in the early volumes and how she had to take a few tries to get that level without it falling into sounding asleep. 

If RWBY’s Aura had a scent what would it smell like? Barbara thinks Yang’s would smell like citrus. Arryn goes for a newly opened book. Lindsay and Kara were too distracted by Smash to answer so Barb and Arryn opine that Ruby’s would smell like cookies and Weiss’s Aura would smell like a waterfall or hot linen. 

What are the best and worst qualities of your characters in your eyes? Barbara thinks Yang’s best quality is how much she cares for the people in her life, but that’s also her weakness since she needs to learn when to draw the line and work on her temper. Arryn thinks Blake doesn’t talk about her feelings a lot and had a bad problem to run from her problems, but she’s unfailingly honest when she does stick around. 

Which outfits of Team RWBY do you like the most? Barbara holds a soft spot for her OG outfit but bluntly says that she’s looking forward to the new Atlas outfits (they’ve really not been trying to hide that Atlas will mark new outfits for RWBY at least). Arryn has apparently seen Blake’s new gear but thinks her favorite Blake outfit was her PJs. 

What jobs besides being Huntress would your character have chosen? This got asked the day prior. The only new addition is Barbara and Arryn joking a mechanic Yang would be sexy.

I think this was actually my question- I asked Arryn if she thought Adam was ever a good person or if he was always a psycho. Arryn firmly believes he was always a monster who “dissected animals as a kid,” like Sid from Toy Story. Arryn also mentions the people who were bitter at Adam not getting a redemption arc, while Barbara talks about how people try and find the good in villains.  

They go off topic and talk about games for a long bit. Barbara used to love Smite and played in a few tournaments in-house in RT, while Arryn loves Animal Crossing and Borderlands. Lindsay has been undefeated for the entire Q&A to this point.

What’s the hardest challenge your character’s faced. Kara thinks just going to Beacon was a big challenge for Weiss, and also her confrontation with Jacques at the fundraiser. Barbara mentions confronting Adam at the end of Volume 6. Arryn talks briefly about going home to her family in Volume 4 before getting interrupted by Lindsay’s winning streak being broken.  

The guy host decides to ask a few questions exclusively to Ruby- she agrees with how Ruby’s Aura would smell. Ruby’s greatest challenge has been trying to find herself and move out of her socially awkward/lone wolf shell through becoming a leader and finding that inner strength, which manifested in Volume 6 with her arguing with Qrow.

Final question- any common fan opinions about your characters you don’t like? Kara refuses to let White Knight die and is sure that Weiss has a small crush on Jaune. Barbara isn’t very fond of when people’s headcanons or theories are proven wrong and they criticize the show because of it. “Difference between criticism and hate.” Arryn hates that some people still ship Blake and Adam. Lindsay doesn’t enjoy some people’s takes of characters being bad and that they shouldn’t be in the show, it’s more than just black and white for some characters (someone tell whoever’s writing Cinder that -_-).

[missfinefeather]

The_Hon_B

If a bit lucky, if she'd just tried to dodge none of this would have happened.(edited)

DNGFQrow

I mean, dodging is good, but counter attacking is a way to make sure the fight stops.

Ydah The Seeker

Hm

Well its yang

SHE LOVES OFFENCE

Z.R. Stein

Also Ruby did tell her to break a leg

DNGFQrow

The boob harness is easy. Emerald is Big Gay for Cinder, and decided to flaunt the goods.

Z.R. SteinT

Remnant fashion is just weird like that

They probably sell Boob harnesses in every clothing store

DNGFQrow

I'm still not over how Emerald tried to go in for a hug during Cinder's Volume 2 introduction and she was just denied.

The_Hon_B

I've always had the impression they made their own clothing

DNGFQrow

According to the recent book Ruby apparently made her prom dress.

Z.R. Stein

Ruby is very crafty though.

SolarnT

She also made her weapon.

Z.R. Stein

I somehow doubt every Huntress/Huntsman is an accomplished weaponsmith, warrior, and seamstress

The_Hon_B

09:00 Weapon smiting, 10:00 textiles

DNGFQrow

I do wonder if that was just a design thing that the school actually made or if as part of the class the kids actually went through the whole forging/construction process.

Solarn

We know Jaune's weapon is an heirloom.

Z.R. SteinT

Apparently heirloom weapons are rare though

Weapons in RWBY are like wands in HP

Reverse bukkake?

Sbdvdvdvbabbagsgssjxckc

DNGFQrow

Also, considering the glove disintegrated and Cinder got a sweet new tattoo from it, it's kinda implied that bug is still in Cinder.

Z.R. Stein

I wonder if the burning like hunger is from having half the maidens powers or from the Grimm bug that's part of her now

Nefronis

You know, of all the ways to describe the Grimm parasite, ‘Reverse Bukake’ certainly is one

DNGFQrow

The whole "emptiness" part makes me think the former.

Z.R. Stein

No one wants you to watch Lazer Team Miss

If anything it's less of a reverse bukkake and more of an insect bukkake

Reverse bukkake would be a bunch of girls and a dude.

But maybe I shouldn't discuss this here

[homogrimoire-archive]

Exhausted Wings / Good Luck

Chapter 4: Closing Words

An epilogue of sorts. Snippets from their stay in Atlas post-attack. And a closing, set in a happy future.

The next few days were hectic, to say the least. After the high of a great victory, They all went back to dealing with Atlas and Mantle and the spoils of their victory. The council, which now rightfully included Robyn, decided that one person having so much power and responsibility was inadvisable. As a result, Robyn was offered the title of General, since she was the most qualified in the council besides Ironwood, and humbly agreed. This meant that Ironwood's sole responsibility was being the headmaster of the Academy. He had felt ashamed for his actions and accepted the punishment. He had broadcasted an apology where he also resigned from his duty as general and introduced Robyn as the newest council member and General. He even shaved for the broadcast.

Meanwhile, Tyrian was interrogated, but no new information would come out of him, save for a slip up that confirmed that Salem’s threat had been a plot to induce fear. He was then sentenced to execution after his trial. He resisted death with all his might and went on rambling on how his “goddess” would save him soon and smite them, all until his very last breath. Ironwood almost regretted killing Watts. Almost. He might have been able to get some information out of him, but he no doubt would have been a pain in Ironwood’s ass like he always was. And then there was Cinder. As much as they would have liked to question her, having her awake just introduced too many risks, so she was kept in an induced coma until the machine to transfer the maiden’s power was repaired and a new maiden could be decided upon. They all agreed that it shouldn’t be anyone from RWBY since Nora was traveling with them and having two maidens in the same place would be a poor decision if things ever went south. They were having trouble thinking of who would be the next fall maiden, until Ruby mentioned Penny. She was a good fighter, and a good friend. She said she would be honored to be a maiden, if it was alright with RNJ. They told her that they would be happy for her to be the new Fall Maiden, and Pyrrah would be happy for her too. Nora pulled them all in for a teary hug. It was just like Beacon, for they would have a new Fall Maiden. Only Neo was left unaccounted for, but she could only do so much to all them when she was alone.

With a new general in charge, the Ace Ops was disbanded since Robyn already had her Happy Huntresses. They decided to rejoin the army’s ranks, with the exception of their leader. He liked to joke that he was eloping with a prince to some faraway land. He was right, in a sense. He was joining Qrow and the kids on their way to Vacuo. With no official job, he found himself spending most of his time with Qrow, which honestly wasn’t too different from before. If anything, he was spending more time with Qrow, which Clover certainly wasn’t gonna complain about. All this time together did allow them to talk about their feelings, about what happened that fateful day, and their future together.

-

The first thing they talked about was about what exactly happened. Clover needed answers, and Qrow would have to be the one to give them. This elephant in the room would be discussed a few days after their victory, when the dust had settled, and the air had cleared. Clover had felt that the air between them was… odd, to say the least. They still had their share of jokes about luck and their lingering stares at each other, but the way Qrow looked at him was different from how he looked at him before. He saw a new sadness, a new pain, in that face, and he knew the source of it. He could have asked Qrow before if he wanted to talk about it, but he declined, to Clover’s dismay. Does he not trust me anymore? Clover couldn’t say that he wouldn’t understand why, considering who he chose that day. He still wants to be around me though. I can tell that much. maybe he just doesn’t trust me as much as before. Guess I’ll have to earn it back. So, he gave Qrow his space, despite how much he would have liked to get Qrow to open up to him.

Another day went by. He formally met Raven that day. He found her a bit terrifying at first. She was like one of those birds who just stared at you as if they were judging you. But, as she and Qrow explained the pact ritual to him, she didn’t seem so bad. It was a far cry from what Qrow told him before. She was rough around the edges, sure, but it seemed like she was trying to smooth herself out. Good for her. However, he noticed that Qrow avoided looking at him during the time, undoubtedly riddled with guilt. After explaining everything Ozpin told them, she began to discuss the differences between what they were told, and what happened. He could especially feel the air thicken when she asked if he had healed completely, or had any scars or the like, because he should have been healed completely. He told her that he did, where he was stabbed by Tyrian. He could see Qrow tense up in the corner of his eye. Dammit, don't blame yourself so much! You're not the only one who was at fault. Raven noticed it as well, but continued on as if she didn’t. Once she finished, she asked if she could speak to Clover in private. Qrow immediately got defensive, questioning her why. Clover could see the defensiveness in his posture and hear it in the slight change in his voice. See? He still does care about you. She just gave him a look, which he understood. He just scoffed as he left. Meanwhile, Clover looked on, confused over what just transpired. With Qrow gone, she spoke to him.

“If someone told me a week ago that I’d here in Atlas be doing all this,” she said as she motioned around her, “I’d tell them to shut up and to quit wasting my time. And yet, here I am.” She sighed as she sat down. “What do you see in him? He’s moody, cynical, and needy, but won't admit that. All he’s ever done was bring others down with him, and you−”

“Shut up.” Clover stood up from his seat, furious. How dare you say such things!? “Qrow is a wonderful man. He’s chosen to be a good man despite the world telling him otherwise. Despite believing that the world hates him, he still goes on. He’s helped countless people. He helped Ruby and Yang grow into wonderful women. He was there for the people you should have cared about when you weren’t. Qrow is an incredible and strong man. I won’t let him put himself down, and I’m certainly not going to let you either.”

“Hmph.” was all she said. “You're right. He is a good man, so he deserves someone good too. You’ll do fine. I just wanted to make sure.”

“Oh. I see.” He said as he sat back down. Well, I guess that's one way to find out.

“I don’t doubt you love him, and I don't doubt he loves you, but know this,” she said as she leaned in a little “ if you ever purposely hurt him, you will have to deal with more than just me.” Clover did not doubt that. The man practically had an entire army that loved and cared for him.

“If it ever comes to that, chances are, I deserve it.”

“I doubt it will, but if it does, don’t take it personally. He is my little brother after all.” She was obviously hiding the fact that she did care about him still, but he wasn’t going to bring that up.

“I understand.” His mind thought back to his dad’s sisters and the tournament. As endearing as the story was, he can't say he particularly envied his papa getting beat up.

“Well, you should be on your way. We’ve both got better things to do, and give this to Qrow.” She handed him a small box. “It’s something of his he left here a long time ago.”

“Alright.” He replied, curious as to what was in it. “I’ll be sure to give it to him.” As she slipped through a portal, he made his way back to the living space he shared with Qrow. On the way there, he was thinking about what he said. I won’t let him put himself down. Qrow was going through a rough patch, likely blaming himself a lot more than he ever should, and Clover felt that he was letting Qrow do that again. He decided that whether Qrow liked it or not, they were going to have a serious conversation, and he was gonna remind Qrow of how much he loved him, and how much of a great man he was.

By the time Clover returned to their shared living space, Qrow had already showered and was already lying down in bed. Clover guesses that their talk with Raven left him feeling drained. He certainly felt drained as well, though he imagined it wasn’t as much as Qrow. Maybe I should talk to him tomorrow. … No, I should do it today. He needs to know how good he is, no matter how tired he might be. Clover walked next to him to rouse him from his rest.

One night, Qrow had a terrible nightmare, and he couldn't bring himself to talk about it, despite Clover asking. Clover knew it was about him dying.

He dreamt about it too. Qrow had woken him up from it. He remembers making sure he was alive and with Qrow. It wasn’t so much the dying that got to him, it was leaving Qrow to suffer in life that got to him. Death is inevitable, so there’s no need to fear it, but you must still respect it, his papa would tell him, as morbid as it was. Once you no longer fear death, you can truly begin to live and grow to love life. But you must fear life. Life doesn’t let you love it because you’re alive or because you love it. It will throw so many things at you that can make you hate it. That’s why you gotta take life by the horns and make it into a life that loves you. It’s not easy, life will fight back constantly to make you hate it, but its very possible, but even then, you don’t always need life to love you. There are people who can do that, even if that person is yourself.

Clover was lucky. He always loved life, and life loved him, but he guesses he had run out of luck that time. He always accepted those words, but never really understood them as well as he did now. And of course, lucky him, there was someone who loved him when life didn't: Qrow. Clover was going to return the favor, as many times as he needed. He placed the box aside and jostled Qrow’s shoulder, calling his name to gently rouse him.

-

Qrow opened his eyes to see Clover in front of him, unsurprisingly. His face was always a nice one to see, with his soft eyes and an ever present smile, but the tip of a certain scar on his chest was showing. It was a terrible reminder to him, and one that he would never be able to forget. He’ll admit, Clover would too, they both fucked up bad. They had both apologized to each other as soon as they had the chance, but the guilt still persisted. He only stays with you because he pities you. Why else would a man like him stay with someone like you? In the past, he would have believed that about himself, but Clover had managed to help chip away at that nagging voice. Qrow was a different man now, stronger. Not strong enough to ignore those thoughts entirely, but still stronger, and he would continue to grow stronger little by little. He’s with me because he likes me for who I am. I’m not all bad.

“Hey there shamrock.” Qrow said as he moved to sit upwards on the bed. He could tell that Clover had something to say. Good, bad, or neither, he couldn’t tell. “What’s the matter?” he asked, somewhat concerned.

“Nothing. Just, could you stand up real quick?”

“Sure?” he responded. What are you planning lucky charm? Qrow found out soon enough as Clover pulled him in for a tight embrace. It had caught Qrow a bit off guard, but he reciprocated soon enough, and rested his chin on Clover’s shoulder. Somehow, Clover could always manage to make him feel at least a little better. Well, maybe a lot. “What’s the occasion love bird?”

“I love you.”

“I love you too Cloves.” Qrow replied softly. He was surprised when Clover broke away from the hug to hold him at an arm's length, looking him in his eyes.

“You’re an amazing person Qrow, the most wonderful person I’ve ever had the honor of meeting. You’re kind, smart, funny, caring, and so much more. You deserve so many good things. I just want you to know that.” Qrow pulled him back in for a hug that was tighter than the previous.

“Thanks. I needed that.”

-

During their time together, they had noticed that good and bad luck followed them both, even when on rare occasions they were seperated for a mission, or some other duty. They also had noticed how their aura levels mirrored each other. It was chalked up to coincidence at first. They were unsure if it was good luck or bad luck at play. However, they soon reached the conclusion that they shared aura, which meant that they shared semblances as well. It made sense, considering what Raven, who was visiting frequently to try to make amends slowly but surely, told them. The fact that their one of their eyes, the windows to the soul, had swapped colors with each other.

The day they realized that, Clover had noticed that Qrow was acting a bit distant, though he could tell why instantly. Qrow lived his whole life being a bringer of bad luck, and had judged his existence for most of his life based on that notion. And suddenly, that had changed. He was now a bird that brought both good and bad luck. He didn’t exactly know how to handle that.

“What’s on your mind Qrow? I can see all the little gears in your head spinning.” Clover asked that day. He just got done showering and had caught Qrow laying down on the couch and staring at the ceiling. He could see that his words snapped Qrow out of his trance.

“Noth−” he paused as he decided to change his reply. “An identity crisis.”

“Is it about our semblances?”

“Mmhm” he hummed as he moved to sit up.

“Wanna talk about it?” Clover asked as he went to sit next to him. Qrow rested his head on his love’s shoulder.

“Tell me,” Qrow asked, “how are you handling it lucky charm?” Clover gave a light chuckle. The nickname seemed a bit odd now, but he would rather that Qrow still called him it. It was endearing.

“To tell you the truth, I’m relieved.” Qrow lifted his head in surprise and looked directly at Clover. Clover could see that the man wanted a deeper explanation. “I told you before, but I’ve had a lot of my success chalked up to my good luck. Yeah, I learned to ignore those comments, but what I didn't tell you is that they still always get under my skin a little. And now? They can’t blame all my success on being lucky and I’ve got one less thing to worry about. Besides, it also means I’ll have a part of you in me.”

“Oh, I’m sure that you like having a part of me in you ” Qrow joked.

“Very much so.” He replied. They both stared at each other for a moment and laughed. Clover always did like to hear Qrow’s laugh. It was a good thing he was good at making jokes then. They both sunk into the couch, Clover resting his head on Qrow’s shoulder this time. “But in all seriousness, how do you feel about this?” He could see that Qrow was thinking again.

“I’m− I wasn’t sure what to think about it. All my life, I’ve been a beacon of bad luck, and now I’m not really that anymore. Everything bad was always my fault,” his mind instantly thinks to Clover lying dead in the snow, soaked in blood, “and I believed it. Even now, I still kind of do. And yes, I know I shouldn’t blame myself, its just… a hard habit to break But, after hearing you, I think I know what to think now. New semblance, new me, so don’t worry. I’ll make sure to tell myself that everything bad that happens isn’t my fault, ‘cause I’ve some lucky charm inside me too.” They both laughed at the horrible joke. Qrow had to admit, it was the dumb, little moments like these that made life really worth living.

“Say,” Clover said as Qrow’s laugh died down, “how exactly do you think our semblance works now?”

“Funny that you mention that. That was one of the things I was thinking about.”

“I thought you were having an identity crisis?”

“Geez, can’t a man have an identity crisis and think about how his semblance works at the same time?” They both gave a slight chuckle.

“Enlighten me o’ majestic Qrow.”

“I was thinking that our semblances increase the chances of good and bad outcomes by a percentage. That percentage is taken from neutral outcomes, so for example, if the percentage for the three outcomes is about thirty-three percent each, then−”

“Oh gods Qrow, I’m sorry, but can’t handle math, especially this late when I’m this tired.” The man could already feel his head spin. Math certainly made Clover’s life a hell but at least it never cared about his semblance, to his dismay at times.

“Says the man who came out of the shower wearing a pair of short shorts that say ‘If you’re reading this, you're getting lucky tonight’ and a tight tank top.”

“Hey.” Clover said as he blushed and pouted. He did nothing to deserve to be so viciously called out. The pout was soon dispelled by a kiss on the lips.

“Welp, I’m gonna shower. I’ll hit the hay with you after Cloves.”

“Alright, and hurry up! You don’t want to keep me waiting, do you?” He certainly didn’t spread his legs in an attempt to convince the man. It was merely to get comfortable on the couch. Internally, Qrow cursed the man and his hot voice and thick thighs. Externally, he held the poker face that he gained from years of experience.

“Hmm,” he hummed as he looked the man up and down as he pretended to be thinking of an answer, “I think you might have lucked out lucky charm.” As Qrow walked towards the shower, he laughed, and also wondered if it was meant to be a good “lucked out,” or a bad “lucked out.” They both had a long day, especially Qrow. Regardless, Clover would consider it a lucky night ‘cause he would have his boyfriend curled up against him. Any night with Qrow was always a night well spent. Besides, they had to enjoy the privacy while they still had it. With Vacuo and chaperoning eight kids on the horizon, he and the gods knew privacy would be a rarity, but just being with Qrow would always be enough. And at least they were good kids too. Wild, but certainly good. He wanted to get to know them better anyways too. The way to a man’s heart is through his kids. Briefly, he wondered if they would begin to call him uncle Clover at some point. He thinks he would cry if they did. The future was full of so many beautiful possibilities.

-

Many years after their first meeting, after settling down after Salem’s defeat, after a familial spar for Qrow’s hand that Clover won, after having their wedding, after having adopted two kids, they lived a content life.

Many times, Qrow had walked in Clover rocking the baby boy to sleep as his older sister already lay asleep. It always warmed Qrow’s heart. Sometimes, it would seem like a dream to him, to believe that he actually sobered up, settled down with someone, and started a family. He loved someone, and loved himself. And yet, there it was. What was once a dream that died had resurrected with a vengeance to make sure that Qrow would get the life he wanted, the life he deserved.

Many times, Clover would walk in on Qrow playing with their daughter, who was about five years older than her brother. They played so many different games, from tea, to grimm slaying, to reliving a kid-friendly version of his past exploits across Remnant. It was always a party whenever one of the kids showed up to visit their uncle Clover and Uncle Qrow and their children. Tai would stop by frequently, since he lived relatively close, and would gladly babysit when Clover and Qrow would go out for a date. Once in a great while, Raven would show up, always bearing a gift and an embarrassing story about Qrow to tell. To have a family, and to be actually close to people once again had seemed so unlikely ever since his parents died when he was a young adult. Now, he was no longer lonely, and he was surrounded by people he loved, and by people who loved him.

Many times, Qrow and Clover looked back on their past together. It was full of so much strife and struggle, even if they didn’t realize it. It was also filled with so much joy and hope, even if they didn’t realize it. But no matter what, they always looked at their present, and saw how beautiful the product of their sad pasts was. They were both happier than they ever could have imagined. They were no longer lonely, miserable, or without their complement. They had lived their lives in an exhausted state, flying from one problem to the next for so long. And now that they had a more peaceful world, family, love, and each other, they were free to finally let their wings rest, together.