#hey weird that jaune keeps coming u -

[unofficialadamtaurus]

"Yang's "you never gave up on people, even when they hurt you" sounding like something that would be said about Sun vs. Blake getting hurt by Adam and, in fact, giving up on him." anon..

I literally thought about this the entire time... unfortunately... like. Blake wincing at a comment Weiss made. that line just now in todays episode..

THERES SO MANY MOMENTS WHERE I THOUGHT ABOUT ADAM THIS VOLUME SO FAR... I was live blogging the last episode and I posted this few aka Weiss comment I was talking about:

" “things have to die someday, right?” Weiss says. WHY DID BLAKE WINCE AT THAT. is there something you want to share with the class "

like... girl you are thinking about something. you have to be. like clearly obviously the event in v6 is still bothering her and still hasn't left her mind.

that's clear because they've only talked about him like. once. not even directly. they don't talk about him directly ever. in the scene where they were talking about him in v7...

whole conversation:

Yang: He didn't have a lot of good options. (abt ironwood ig?) Blake: I'm not sure there are many good options left for any of us, anymore. Keeping secrets, *taking lives? It makes you wonder how far we're going to have to go to keep doing.. the right thing.. ... Yang: Blake. *We did.. what we had to do. ... Blake: *I know.. But next time, I want to make sure.. we don't have to. And I can tell you, ambushing a huntress who's just trying to help isn't an option I'm thrilled about choosing. Yang: Then maybe we shouldn't.

*highlighted parts are about Adam (NOT DIRECTLY, but they ARE talking about him) proof:

from the writers documentary. (it's an image.. should show)

Are they still hinting at how this still bothers Blake in this volume?? Since they've done it in v7 or is that out the window? Things still haven't gotten better in regards to what Blake was worried about in this original scene. in fact they've gotten worse (we know).. but she isn't talking about it. NONE of them are even talking about it..

So many people have died!! yet the last few episodes all of the characters are like "oh, another time." and "i don't wanna talk about this right now." GIRL YOU HAVE EVERY SINGLE SECOND OF THE MINUTE OF THE DAY TO TALK ABOUT THIS.

All of them are worried about the same shit.. and don't want to do their worst but ohhh that cannot be avoided because they're not even speaking about it at all.

they're all insane /lh

Tbh I haven't really gotten Adam vibes from anything this season other than the hilarious hypocrisy of Yang's line, but I also haven't been looking for them. Didn't notice Blake's wince at that line either. Maybe it's about Adam? But with how he is apparently The Character Who Shall Not Be Named now, I don't see them doing much with him and particular his relationship with Blake, so who even knows what Blake was thinking about in that moment.

Unless you count Blake's uncharacteristic shyness, meekness, and fear of everything around her as Trauma about Adam that's only resurfaced after *checks notes* an indeterminate amount of time after killing him with her own hands.

[howlingday]

Nora: Hey, Leader! Wanna try drawing me again~?

Jaune: ...No.

Nora: Aw, c'mon, Leader~! How you gonna get better at drawing girls if you don't practice? Unless, that is... YOU DON'T THINK YOU CAN.

Jaune: HUH?! NO! I-I just don't want to!

Nora: Oh? So you're saying you can totally stare at a girl's tits, ass, and thighs and draw them?

Jaune: U-Uh...

Nora: I mean, think about it; what other girl is willing to let you draw them like this? Nobody, Leader. And yet you're letting this golden opportunity slip away~. (Drums back) What kinda leader runs away at the first opportunity to achieve his goal? Huh~? (Leans on him) I mean, watching you squirm around is fun and all, but don't you want to get better~? Or do you want to keep being our hopeless, hopeless leader~? Well~?

Jaune: ...FINE! FINE, I'LL DRAW YOU! JUST STOP BREATHING IN MY EAR!

Nora: (Steps away) I knew you would come around. So to help you out, I'll bare it all for you~!

Nora: But I need to get ready, so don't turn around, okay~?

Jaune: O-Okay.

Nora: (Button pops)

Jaune: (Flinches)

Nora: (Zipper parts)

Jaune: (Twitches)

Nora: (Cloth shuffles)

Jaune: (Thinking) W-What is she doing?.

Nora: Leader, it's kinda cold. Could you turn on the heater, please~?

Jaune: S-Sure. (Walks over to the heater, Turns it on)

Nora: Okay, are you ready~?

Jaune: (Turns, Sees she's covered in a sheet) H-HUH?! WAIT! I-I'M NOT READY YET!

Nora: Too bad~! (Drops sheet) TA-DA~!

Jaune: AGH! (Covers eyes, Peeks)

Nora: Geez, Leader... You act like you've never seen a girl in a swimsuit before~. Wait. What were you picturing, Leader~?!

Nora: I asked Pyrrha to let me borrow her swimsuit, and she did. Don't tell me this is all it takes to get you worked up, Leader~. (Giggles) You are such a virgin~.

Jaune: N-N-No, I'm not! Swimsuits are a totally normal thing! Nothing weird about them!

Nora: Yeah, they are a normal thing. Pfft! Like in your creepy porn and stuff~! Hahahaha!

Jaune: SHUT UP ALREADY

Nora: Fine, fine. Now, (Sits down) get to drawing, Leader~!

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

Nora: ...

Jaune: ...

Nora: (Shaking head at near-blank canvas)

Jaune: I CAN'T HELP IT, OKAY?! I CAN'T JUST STARE AT A GIRL IN A SWIMSUIT!

Nora: (Hugs him) You are so hopeless, Leader~. You're my hopeless, hopeless, hopeless Leader~.

Jaune: (Shivering in his seat)

Nora: (Blushing, Thinking) I think I overdid it with the swimsuit.

[zerolympiustrife]

Armored/Armoured Dragon AU where Yang and Pyrrha are a Dragon Faunus and a Snake Faunus (aka a Lamia) respectively

Alright.

————————————————————

Anonymous asks: The Scalie Persuasion (RWBY)

————————————————————

*Jaune is sleeping in his bed, but then he starts to feel like he’s being squeezed*

Jaune (internally): Urp! A-Ack...what...in the world...?

*Wakes up, looks below him, and sees that a snake coil is wrapped around his waist, then he looks behind him and sees Pyrrha wrapping herself around him as she’s sleeping happily*

Jaune (struggling to slip out of Pyrrha’s grasp): Rgh...agh...just...a little...more... *Falls off the bed* Whoop!

*Thud!*

Pyrrha (waking up): Ah...huh? Wha? *Sees Jaune laying on the floor* Jaune?

Jaune (getting up): Pyrrha? What are you doing in my bed?

Pyrrha (blushing): N-Nothing...

Jaune: Surely, you must have a reason why you were in here.

Pyrrha: Alright, alright! I just...felt a little cold and wanted to sleep with somebody who would make me feel warm.

Jaune: You could’ve asked.

Pyrrha: But you didn’t wake up! I kept tapping your shoulder, tickling your face, but you still didn’t wake up. So in the end, I’ve decided to get in bed and wrap myself around you without your say-so. I’m sorry.

Jaune (sighing): ...It’s alright. I’ll let you sleep with me as long as you don’t try to suffocate me to death.

Pyrrha (nervously): Sorry!

*The next day passes as Jaune is in the cafeteria, sitting next to his team, and in front of Yang and the rest of Team RWBY. Jaune takes a bite of out a piece of meat, but the meat is so cold that his teeth start to freeze in pain*

Jaune (holding his mouth): AGH! Mah mouf! Mah meeph hurt!

Yang (confused): What?

*Jaune points to his teeth while groaning in pain*

Yang: Ah, okay. I know what to do.

Jaune: Wha-

*Yang grabs his face, kisses him on the lips, and lets out a tiny bit of fire into his mouth to cool off the pain*

Jaune (breaking the kiss, blushing): Agh...Yang, what was tha- *Realization* Hey! My teeth don’t hurt!

Pyrrha: Hm, that’s weird. My food didn’t feel cold. *Eats her food with no problem*

Yang (smiling): Lemme help you out there, vomit boy. *Blows into his meat-

*Writer’s note: Wow, did that come out wrong when I was writing this. But screw it, I’m keeping that in anyway.*

-and it warms up*

Jaune (eating his food): Hm! Thanks, Yang!

Yang (kissing his forehead, leaving a red kiss-marked bruise on the spot): No problem, ladykiller.

Jaune (sweating): Whew...did it suddenly get hot in this room or something?

*Yang giggles*

*The rest of the day passes as Jaune is walking outside in a forest, then hears a tree rustling*

Jaune (startled): Agh! Is it a Grimm?

*The tree rustles some more and Pyrrha falls out, but she wraps her coil around a branch to prevent her from hitting the ground*

Pyrrha (now upside down): Oof! H-Hi, Jaune!

Jaune (sighing): Oh, good...it’s just Pyrrha.

*Yang also appears from the tree and lands on the ground feet-first, with her wings flapping*

Jaune (startled): Ack! Yang?

Yang: Aw, I was hoping you didn’t notice us.

Jaune: Wait, you two were sneaking up on me?

Yang (innocently): Um...it was Pyrrha’s idea! *Points at the upside-down snake faunus*

Pyrrha (blushing): Wha- No, it wasn’t! You asked me if I wanted to help you follow Jaune through the forest!

Yang: Well, it doesn’t matter anymore. Alright, ladykiller~. *Pulls him towards Pyrrha* Claim your prize.

Jaune (confused): P-Prize? Shouldn’t we help get Pyrrha down first?

Yang: Nah, because I kinda wanna to this. *Walks over to Pyrrha, lovingly caresses her cheeks, then kisses her on the lips upside-down*

Pyrrha (surprised): H-Hmm!

Yang (breaking the kiss): Mmm~!

Pyrrha (blushing madly): Y-Yang! That was uncalled for!

Yang: Oh, please. You said to me five minutes ago that you’ve wanted Jaune to do this to you.

Jaune (surprised): What?

Pyrrha: Y-Yang!

*Yang grabs Jaune and guides him towards Pyrrha’s face*

Yang (giggling): Go ahead, ladykiller. It’s rude to keep a lady faunus waiting.

Jaune (blushing): U-Um...okay...

*Jaune slowly leans his head in, but Pyrrha immediately grabs his head, pulls it towards her, and kisses him passionately*

Pyrrha (internally): Hmmm~...Oh yes...

Jaune (starts jittering): Mhmhmhmhmhm!

Yang (snickering): Let me guess: Did she slip in her cute little snake tongue?

Pyrrha (breaking the kiss): Sorry, Jaune...did it feel weird?

Jaune: More like unexpected. But I didn’t hate it.

Pyrrha (smiling): Ah...well, that’s good to-

*The tree branch Pyrrha’s snake coil is hanging from suddenly breaks. Yang and Jaune quickly grab her to save her from hitting the ground, but the branch falls on top of Jaune’s head, knocking him out cold*

Pyrrha (gasping): Oh no!

*Yang puts down Pyrrha and grabs the unconcious Jaune*

Yang (shaking Jaune): Jaune? Jaune? HEY!!! Jaune?!?

*At night, in Team JNPR’s room, Jaune slowly wakes up*

Jaune (rubbing his head): Ow...that branch hurt harder than I thought it did...

Pyrrha (concerned, hugging Jaune): Jaune?! Are you alright? Do you remember what happened? You didn’t lose your memory, did you?! I’m so sorry!

Jaune (chuckling): It’s alright, Pyrrha...I’m fine. I don’t have amnesia or anything...although, I was having a nice dream while I was knocked out.

Yang (rubbing an ice pack on Jaune’s head): What was it about?

Jaune: Well, I dreamt that I was in a lovely field of flowers. I was walking around and I found a lake where out of the lake rose a rainbow that led into the sky. Then, a couple of angels appeared next to the rainbow, beckoned me to leap over to the rainbow and said “Come here, come here” and “Step into this rainbow, and you shall be given eternal peace. Into the afterlife and away from the harshness of reali-”

Pyrrha (wrapping herself around Jaune, hugging him tightly): NO!!!

Jaune (being squeezed): Ack...P-Pyrrha...I...can’t...

Pyrrha (slowly crying): That sounded like you were almost taken to the afterlife! I don’t want you to die!

Jaune (face turning blue): Y-Yang...h-help...

Yang (patting Jaune’s head): P-Money, you’re gonna pop poor vomit boy’s head like a balloon if you don’t let go of him.

*Pyrrha notices Jaune’s face turning purple, then IMMEDIATELY lets go as Jaune catches his breath*

Pyrrha (grabbing Jaune’s hand and cries into it): I’msorryI’msorryI’msorryI’msorryI’msorryI’msorryI’msorryI’msorryI’msorryI’msorryJauneI’msosorryIdidn’tmeantodothatagainI’msosorryJaune!!!

Jaune (face turning back to normal): It’s...alright...Pyrrha...I know...you didn’t...mean to... *Takes a deep breath*

Yang (hugging Jaune from behind and wraps her wings around him): Mmm...don’t die on us, ladykiller. *Kisses his head*

Pyrrha (shaking): I-I’m so sorry...

Jaune (opens the wings and pulls Pyrrha in for a hug): It’s okay... *Kisses her cheek*

Pyrrha (fawning): Hmm~... *Kisses him back*

Yang (playfully pouting): Aw, don’t I get a kiss?

*Pyrrha leans in towards Yang and the two peck each other on the lips*

Jaune (taking another deep breath): I love you both, I swear.

Yang/Pyrrha (in unison): And we love you, our knight...

*The trio embrace each other for a big hug*

[laserdog10]

New Additions to the Family

*Ruby walks through the backdoor of the house, holding a small bundle wrapped up in her cloak, she steps in slowly and quietly, doing her best to not let the door make to much noise whilst shutting it*

Ruby, to the bundle: Don't worry little buddy, I'm gonna take good of you!

*Suddenly, the lights to the kitchen turned on, temporarily blinding her, and immediately after she froze in place due to hearing two familiar voices behind her*

Qrow: Take care of whom, exactly?

Tai: Care to explain, oh dear daughter?

*Ruby squeaks loudly and hides the bundle behind her back, turning around to face her uncle and father, the former leaning against the wall, the latter in a chair at the kitchen table.*

Ruby: *eyes dart from side to side* U-uuuuhhhh, I'd love to stay and chat, but I got go-! *rushes to the side door but is cut off by her sister Yang and aunt Raven, both with unamused faces*

Raven: Not a chance runt.

Yang: Gone for three days after saying you'd be back after one? Now that's suspicious...

Ruby: I-I don't know what you're talking about Yang...??? *she said comically sweating and backing up, but is stopped by her fiancé, Jaune Arc*

Jaune: Suspicious indeed, eh, Crater Face???

Ruby: *internally, "Aw come on, not him too!" She spins around to look at him* Look, I know my "mysterious disappearance" may have some...odd implications, but I can assure you guys, this isn't as bad as it seems!

Raven: Really now?

Tai: Then go right ahead, sweetie.

Jaune: And you can start with whatever's in your cloak. *just as he says this, Zwei trots in to the commotion in the room, walks behind Ruby, tilting his head at the slightly moving lump in the reaper's cloak. He lets out a small bark.*

Ruby, whispering to the corgi and nudging him with her foot: No Zwei, bad! Go ba-! *a high pitched yelp erupts from Ruby's cloak*

Ruby: *groans*

Qrow: What in the...

Yang: Sis, what was that?

Raven: You didn't!

Jaune: Ruby? *looks behind her, the small red mass shifting a lot more now*

Ruby: *sighs* Alright, but you can't get mad at me for this... *she pulls the wriggling mass from behind her, carefully and gingerly unwrapping it to reveal...a shaky wolf pup, not even a year old, gazing at its strange, new surroundings*

Tai: Oh my goodness...

Qrow: Ruby, you know I'm okay with you doing a lot of things, but taking home a-

Yang: Sweet, little, fluffy baby from heaven! *the brawler squealed with joy, staring with eyes practically shining with joy and sheer euphoria*

Qrow: Yeah, what firecracker said, is not one of them.

Ruby: Well what else was I supposed to do?! I was out taking care of some Beowulfs near a village, and as soon as I wrapped up I heard something crying and then I-! *she was cut off from her ranting when Jaune cupped her face and brought her up to look at him, a look of sympathy on his face*

Jaune: You're cute when you ramble. *sits her down in a chair, pulls one up for himself* Now, from the beginning.

Ruby: *deep breath* After I had taken care of the village's Beowulf problem, I heard a faint crying sound far out in the woods. I go to see what it was, and there's a small Nevermore trying to grab something from under a small divot. So I freeze it with my eyes, yada yada yada, I find out it was this little guy right here making the noise. *she said nodding her head to the pup in her arms*

Tai: Was he hurt anywhere?

Ruby: Yes, but it healed. *Ruby maneuvered the young wolf, showing it left hip, ugly grooves parting the fur in a tiny spot* I stayed with him for those three days because...because...

Jaune: The mom died?

Ruby: Yeah... *her eyes got glossy* I looked everywhere, and I just... *hugged by Jaune and Yang*

Qrow: Alright alright, we understand kiddo, you've done enough. You three get some rest, it's been a long few days.

Ruby: Okay. *sniff* Oh and I don't care what any of you say, we're keeping him.

Raven: We're keeping him until we find a shelter that will take him in.

*Ruby pouts but walks with Jaune to their bedroom, mumbling to him what they're going to name the wolf*

Qrow: Think any shelter in Vale can take in a wolf?

Tai: I don't doubt, and hopefully they will.

*Raven notices movement out of the corner of her eye, "What the hell...?" she thought*

Yang: Good, because until then, I'm getting first dibs cuddles every morn-

Raven: Hey runt!

*Ruby pokes her head around the corner*

Raven: Ya' gonna let in the other ones? *pulls the blinds to the backdoor aside to reveal four more wolf cubs curiously walking around and occasionally scratching the door*

Ruby: o.o;

Yang: 8O

Qrow/Tai: Ruby...

Ruby: I maaaaaaaay have taken the other two days to help...those guys here too.

*Qrow, Tai, and Raven all collectively facepalm, while Yang is quietly letting a squeal escape from her, Zwei shaking his head and whimpering disapprovingly*

-Many Years Later-

Jaune: And that kids, is why we have five wolves!

Garnet: Dang mom, good on you for taking them in! *he says cuddling the scarred runt of the litter, now fully grown, Drei*

Blossom: This family is weird, but it's a...good kind of weird. *the laziest of the bunch, Vier, laying on her lap*

Citrus: I LOVE THIS FAMILY!!! *the most active and only girl of the pack, Funf, barks in agreement*

Ruby: I told you guys it was a good idea to keep them! *she said smugly, Sechs huffing and wagging his tail*

Jaune: Yeah yeah, Crater Face. *The eldest, Null, sitting stoically by Jaune, and old Zwei lying next to the wolf*

Raven: If you ask me it's getting too crowded around here... *she got up and went to her and Tai's room, however unaware of the tennis ball stuck in her hair. The pack's head all snapped to the lime-green toy*

Qrow, quietly from behind the couch: Go get it... *and they took off, Raven's screams echoing down the hall, everyone exploding into laughter*

Yang: Them biting means they love you!!!

Ruby: *Internally, "I make good decisions!"*

[faunusrights]

‘AFTER THE FALL’ - LIVEREAD III

The more I hear about the latter half of this book, the more depresso espresso I’m drinking. Let’s see how it goes, huh?

(Since there’s more chapters in the latter half than the first half, short chapters will probably get combined together for the sake of. I’m lazy.)

CHAPTERS EIGHT AND NINE

I love that Velvet’s the one who enlisted Weiss and Yang, expecting shit to go sideways. She saw these two gays on main and went ‘they look like they can party’. Was she wrong? No. Did she invite Cinder for the express purpose of drama? Yes. Can you make me stop shipping Sinnamon Bun? Also no.

Okay, this book has read my mine though!!! Ruby pitches a Beacon Battle Club where they play music as they fight, and no word of a fucking lie, that happens in Great Weiss Shark AU! I am not kidding! I had this whole story planned out! This is theft of the HIGHEST order.

“Doilies are absurd and elitist,” Yang said.

This is simultaneously the least Yang-like line and also the most Yang-like line I’ve ever heard. The duality of idiot, I suppose.

I like Fox! I really do, actually! He’s my son now. Although, the bad news is I dunno if I can replicate him in The Frapp Logs, so he’ll just have to keep dragging Coco to the ends of the earth. Same thing, right? R-right?

“Leaders can’t be the comic relief.” Fox raised his eyebrows. “Jaune.”

Is this the second time Jaune’s been dragged? I’m living for it. Also, sleepy Blake! And CFVY knowing she’s (they’re) a Faunus! And the second book behind a book! I love you, Blake.

Velvet correcting Yatsu’s ‘catnap’ joke! I wrote a ficlet about this exact thing once, so I TOLD you my Velvet’s NEARLY CANON. SHE JUST NEEDS TO EAT MORE PROTEIN IS ALL.

Onto chapter nine. God, these chapters get thinner by the second, huh?

BACK TO THE DESERT WE GO, and there’s... fog? Which is now gone! Wow! Is this a plot device? Foreshadowing? I sure hope so, because why on earth it would warrant a mention we’re just not too sure!

A sandstorm is incoming and hidden tracks are gonna get blasted away. I’m trying to figure out if this is all pathetic fallacy or if I’m reading too much into handy-dandy plot devices. Why not both?

Heart-to-heart with Coco and Yatsu... and we’re back to Yatsu giving Velvet all the hugs. Now that I’m sensing the Velv/Yats vibes, I’m extra suspicious. You stop that. Let Velvet have a fashionable GF at least if you won’t let her kiss Weiss!!!

‘[...] even the women were down to halter tops. Focus, Coco, she thought.’

Ah, lesbian as always. I’m soothed. Carmine enters the tent and Coco gets even gayer. I’m very soothed.

‘What was Jaune doing after losing a member of his team, a friend... someone he clearly cared about.’

I don’t care about what Jaune feels. Why the heck would Coco even care? There’s literally so many more people that impacts than just Jaune, lawd.

CHAPTER TEN AND ELEVEN

Back to Fox, who is honestly the shining star of this book by now. I love you, my blind and sassy son.

I love Ada and the battle mechanic she has! I’m really enjoying how Fox interacts with the world around him and using his Scroll and AI as an accessibility device. It’s neat! I didn’t expect them to go as ham on him as they did, but they did.

“Update,” Ada said. “Weapon has projectile capabilities.” “You mean it’s also a gun.”

Obligatory gun meme.

Combat stuff happens, Fox wins a fight against a confused Edward, and it turns out Gus is the one summoning Grimm and Fox just got jumped, so we slide into another flashback for chapter eleven. Lemme tell ya, this book ain’t afraid of moving fast.

“I guess you slightly oversold your ability to track the survivors,” Coco said.

Again, this is one of those lines that reads as very... callous? Kinda mean? I’ve always had Coco in my head as someone who very broadly puts her team (and their feelings) first, even if it’s rough, so lines like this make me go 🤔

Velvet falls, Yatsu panics, Coco gets up in everyone’s grill. There’s a lot to this dynamic I am not enjoying right now, and even then this seems inconsistent with the CFVY we’ve seen in the book itself. I know the author’s trying to communicate that Coco is tired and frustrated, that I get, but I’m pretty sure this isn’t how... it would really happen given her character? I dunno. ‘S weird.

Was that a fat joke I spotted there? From Coco? I need a nap. Also COCO LET VELVET DO THINGS JESUS CHRIST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! FUCK ME SIDEWAYS!!!!!!!!!!

Coco has claustrophobia! I wrote her as having agoraphobia, so this is a hilarious turn of events. Also Coco has two brothers, not one: Mate and Toma.

Coco is fighting Grimm in a cave with CFVY, but still finds time to criticise Velvet in combat. Hey, maybe if you let her do things, she’d prove you wrong, dingus. And then she does! See!

Aaaaaaaand the six survivors are all dead. This was a pretty traumatic event, all told, which makes it weird that they look... less affected in the show? Still, this chapter was VERY weird for the characterisations because Coco seems especially inconsistent, alas. Anyway, onto:

CHAPTERS TWELVE AND THIRTEEN

The sandstorm is approaching and catching the wagons, which I have just realised are actually vehicles that use fuel. Mostly because that’s the First I Heard Of It.

‘Velvet noticed a pistol tucked in the back before she closed the door.’

Hi, can Chekhov please pick up his gun from aisle twelve? Thanks.

GIANT SAND TURTLE. AVATAR AANG C’MERE Y’ALL GOTTA LEARN HOW TO DEFEAT THE FIRELORD.

“You said it’s big enough to ride on?” Velvet asked.

Maybe this is why Coco dismisses Velvet so often. She only pitches the craziest ideas, which is why I love her. That said, Coco finally lets Velvet do something! It’s a miracle of man! Climb that turtle, bihh!

Yatsu calls Velvet V. I’m so used to Velv that V sounds entirely too cool for this idiot.

Everyone’s pissed again, but-- IS THAT THE SAND WORM THING FROM ARRAKIS?! What A Tweest!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nobody coulda seen THAT coming!!!!!

So let’s go to chapter thirteen, where Fox has had the shit beaten out of him behind a Denny’s. Sound about right.

So what’s-his-name-- Bertilak, whomst from now on shall be called Bert because what sorta water tribe name even is that (wow the ATLA references are on fire today). Anyway, Bert is being paid by someone else to deliver people with Stronk Semblances like summoning Grimm! Gee I Wonder Who That Might Be (I don’t actually know but I’m honestly not going to be surprised either way).

“Yeah, [Bert]’s a real bastard.” “Even I can see that,” Fox sent.

I love it. Fox really has been the highlight of this book for me.

Fox is on the ground and the referee is counting him to ten, so it’s mid-chapter-flashback time! We learn how Fox’s parents died (sinkhole) and how that became his motivation for... going to Beacon? Okay, tenuous link at best, but I’m going with it.

Carmine is full of trouble and Fox is determined to take Bert with ‘em. Let him DIE.

I’m gonna keep going since we’re not four chapters from the end, so:

CHAPTERS FOURTEEN AND FIFTEEN

Flashback time! Again! Only it’s CFVY’s POV of their return to Beacon. I wouldn’t mind this if like. We hadn’t already seen this from RWBY’s perspective in the show? People know this from my tastes in fanfic, but I’m not a huge fan of retellings of canon events, it’s soooooo boooooring. So I’m just gonna grind through this asap.

(I do like that RWBY and CFVY have all these parallels being called to. As they should.)

Okay we’re past the recap and OH LAWD I HEARD OF THIS BIT. Goodwitch is here (I love u Glynda no matter what) but yeah, I’ve heard this part is Big Oof so uh, let’s see this happen go down. Velvet is being requested to see Ozpin so /buckles down.

Velvet’s being questioned alone for the Whole Thing, and team CFVY have burst into the office demanding to know why, and Velvet’s a crying wreck! I’m still very >:I for everyone being overprotective of Velvet, c’mon, but also: Oz, can you please have tact? Just once in your life? Tact? Do you has it?

Anyway, CFVY have reconciled and we turn to chapter fifteen, in which: Yatsu.

Carmine has Gus, everyone’s on the Turtmobile, and shit’s hitting the fan. Yatsu’s going after Gus and Carmine alone, and I’m still waiting on Chekov’s Gun to Chekov its way right into someone’s butt. Unless it’s Chekov’s Red Herring.

Here comes a fight scene! I never have much to say during fight scenes, so, uh, yeah. There’s some real last-minute exposition in places, though, where it really shouldn’t be.

Eey, Carmine is telekinetic! Very powerful and also OP, gotta nerf that shit right down, Edward.

Yatsu’s very nearly defeated, Bert is back, baby, and shit’s getting real. Time for chaaaaaaaaaper sixteeeeeeeeeen.

CHAPTERS SIXTEEN AND SEVENTEEN

Today’s livereading soundtrack is Simple Things by Zero 7. The whole album, I mean. This is a fun little fact to make sure you’re still awake and aware, ‘cause I sure ain’t!

Roy Stallion of BRNZ is presumed dead, along with the whole team, so big RIP to May, who was cute and deserved better. Swear to God if ABRN are dead too I will kill a man. Two men, to be specific.

Velvet admits she never wanted to come to Vacuo, Coco promises they’ll return to reclaim Beacon in future. This reads like a protagonist’s last speech on hope and strength in friendship... and it should, as Coco gets swallowed by a worm! Straight up just down the hatch! This should be a tragic beat, but this is honestly so funny. Coco, pick better ways to die.

Anyway, we’re onto chapter seventeen. I was very kindly given this message:

And I-- OH HELL YES! HELL YES IT’S A SCHOOL DAY TIMETABLE!!!!!!!!!! THE LORE! THE CLASSES! THE NAMES! THE FACTS! THIS IS THE BEST THING IN THE ENTIRE BOOK SO FAR WHICH REALLY GOES TO SHOW I HAVE NO HOBBIES!

Is this a... flashback? Flash... forward? I’m not sure, actually. Either way, CFVY are in Beacon clearing the place of Grimm. Actually, this must be a flashback to before they went to Vacuo, I suppose, which would make sense to follow Velvet’s little admittance last chapter before Coco got swallowed like a paracetamol tablet.

Velvet waited for someone to ask her what she thought, what she wanted, by no one did.

Now I’m SAD why won’t people be NICE to VELVET just ONCE!!! God, this book really just gives her the short end of the stick every time.

Off go CFVY to Vacuo. Bye.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN AND EPILOGUE

Heremst we go.

Coco’s alive! I mean, no surprise. And full of the Joques as ever:

Coco figured sacrificing your life for a teammate was one way to be remembered as a good leader, but maybe that was just cheating.

RIP Coco and her claustrophobia! Hey, now that was good foreshadowing! That gets a whole Murphy Cookie of Approval. 🍪

Coco loses her Scroll and her hat, but Velvet swoops in to save the day! Meanwhile, Bert has been convinced that Carmine double-crossed him, so they’re battling it out! Basically, Gus cast frenzy. Finally, it works in everyone’s favour.

“I can’t believe I thought you were cute,” Coco spat.

Some lines in this book haven’t been very good. This one, on the other hand, very much is.

So Carmine goes underground and starts creating sinkholes everywhere like a weird desert gremlin, and Edward manages to block her Semblance and like. Carmine flat-out nearly suffocates herself to death. Another death I would have found both gruesome and hilarious for its irony. But Velvet uses Flynt’s trumpet to quite literally doot the sand away, and-- I’m so sorry, this line has me literally laughing to myself. She fuckin’-- doots the sand. Oh my god.

Anyway they win, catch up with Slate and the Nomad Fam, and meet team SSSN! The boys are back in town!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Things are looking good.

Epilogue time. I’m still laughing about the sand-dooting.

So, we don’t know who paid Bert and Carmine, I guess? I do believe there’s maybe a sequel or something in the works, apparently, so maybe this is part of an overarching plot type thingie. Still.

Ah, yep, Coco confirms that they’re not through with this line of investigation yet, But, Velvet wraps it up with a heart-felt, if not a little bit cheesy, segment about home being wherever CFVY is, and so the book comes to a close.

WRAP-UP

So, I’m definitely gonna have a second read-through of this without having to constantly stop and do a liveblog, but the book was... okay, I guess? I feel like this plotline wasn’t the greatest one for CFVY, and that the author doesn’t have a crazy good handle on the characters -- he’s likely more suited to original content, which is valid. It’s a good romp and we do get new lore, but as expected, I feel like CFVY would be best used in the show that conceived them in the first place. A book is nice, but I’d love to see their return in RWBY itself, especially since this book wasn’t really... long enough, I don’t think? Seriously, y’all’ve met me. I do write hundreds of thousands of words in this world and I still haven’t written everything I wanna yet! I’d also like to see more Velvet as seen in RWBY Chibi, in which was she Cool and Good, and maybe less Yatsu alongside her directly. But! It’s a book! It’s decent! It’s CFVY! For most people, it’s Good Enough. And they’re valid too.

[iamconstantine]

RWBY CHAPTER 12: BLACK & WHITE (I SUCK AT COMMITMENT)

* Okay so we are leaping RIGHT into Sun and Blake talking together * Sun actually kinda-sorta sounds like Jaune with a deeper voice tbh but I’m sure it’s not the same VA * I was going to make a joke about Blake suspiciously sipping her cup while Sun smack talks the White Fang but then she actually did it * And there it is * I just noticed that Sun’s hair is yellow and his eyes are dark while Blake’s eyes are yellow and her hair is dark. Interesting contrast. * (Insert LOST flashback woosh) * YEEEESSS Different animation style! * The White Fang originally being a sort of “peace group” is actually way more compelling than just an all-out terrorist group. It’s a repeating cycle of hate of one side against the other. The things they do are way, way overkill, of course, but it’s also a reminder that things aren’t always b-- * I just realized why this episode is called “Black and White.” * ._. * Lil kitten Blake. Baby. * “And the New Leader’s first decree was that the old symbol wasn’t edgy enough, so we gave the animal fangs and claw marks and we made it red and people took us more seriously” * The image of the signs becoming weapons was very nice * The portrayal of prejudice and response and related topics are presented pretty realistically in the show, and honestly, credit to them for not doing some weird sugary stuff with it. Usually I see this kind of stuff as like “The other group had their fewings hurt so they hurt peopwe too but that’s not okay uwu” but here it’s just like “Yeah man we started being violent instead of peaceful and people started listening which was good but they were also afraid of us which is bad” * Blake’s explanation of why she left gives newer context to her fight with Weiss. It isn’t just that she has to once again experienced hatred just because she’s a Faunus, and it isn’t just that she has to keep her mouth shut about who she is out of fear. Blake left the White Fang because she hated how violent they were becoming, but after doing the right thing, she once again has to deal with discrimination just for being...Blake * No Sun she hasn’t told anyone but I think they know * Also HOW did Sun know she was a Faunus? Did I miss something? * The way Ruby hisses “Ugh...Weiss” was so acidic like she is 110% done with Weiss’ crap * Yang is trying to hard to be peacekeeper poor thing * Penny returns and everyone is scared * I’m assuming that either A) Penny actually SAW Blake’s ears, or B) Penny saw the bow and just said “yeah there some ears under there” which would kind of explain how Sun knew but not really * I didn’t hear what Ruby said at first but then I put on subtitles and “She does like tuna a lot” almost made me WHEEZE. Ruby’s VA has a really good grasp on comedic delivery * Ruby was like “fam?” but Yang and Weiss were like “peace” * Penny noting on how windy it is is funny but honestly is no one going to comment on the tumbleweeds? * Sun and Blake immediately teaming up is kind of heartwarming; I imagine Blake hasn’t met another Faunus who she could be open with in a while * That said isn’t Sun supposed to be hiding from police? Aren’t they just wandering around? * I still don’t side with Weiss but her line about how the innocent don’t run does remind me that she believes Blake is some kind of criminal. Yes, Weiss has a definite prejudice against Faunus people, but again, I think she’s been ingrained with the lie that all of them are dangerous terrorits * “Is she a MAN?” girl what * Ruby’s outlook on the situation makes a lot of sense. She’s not mad at Blake, not at all, and she’s definitely against Weiss in the argument. That said, she doesn’t know what to make of Blake just running off. I’m sure as the team leader she expects everyone to trust each other on top of being friends, so learning that Blake doesn’t trust her enough to talk to her must her. Of course, Blake has every reason in the world to keep her secret, but I get where Ruby is coming from * I admire Blake and Sun deciding to investigate but what is there plan there’s only two of them * I was fully expecting Sun to respond to Blake with some kind of cheesy pick-up line but him just clapping back with “Weren’t you in a cult or something?” honestly surprised and pleased me * Also Blake’s pout * Oh that animation isn’t...good...not bad, just...not good... * Speaking of animation I’m noticing a kind of recurring thing where characters are technically “walking” but they’re also sliding at the same time. I really, REALLY am not trying to nitpick but it is noticeable. * Speaking off the detail of Sun’s hair, his necklace, and his abs are all pretty good. Definitely a great character design * “See I told you our new logo was cool and edgy” “man u right” * I know I just commented on the whole slide-walk think but at least a few seconds ago it was kind of hidden by the ramp just now it was all up in my face * He’s baaaaaack * So is Blake implying that Torchwick might actually be a Faunus, or is something else amiss? * On the one hand I know Blake can take on countless robots and a giant bird monster but on the other hand I’m with Sun. What is she doing? * Was Torchwick about to drop the f bomb? * Blake talking to the WF as one of them is pretty clever * Torchwick’s VA is doing a good job but he still has that teeth-talk problem * I’m sorry did this guy just blast an actual star at her? * This once again brings me to my upcoming study: “RWBY: Everything is Gun” * Sun’s attack on Torchwick was animated very well, a definite step up from last episode where he seemed too restrained * Torchwick just spoke my thoughts. I do admire everyone’s bravery but come on. The bad guys WILL have backup. * Holy CRAAAAP Sun beating all the WFs with his bo staff is AWESOME and it is animated AMAZINGLY * On top of that Blake’s...I don’t know, “teleport” effect is really cool to look at * What I appreciate mostly about the fights in this show is that even though it’s all very energetic and fast-paced you can keep up with what’s happening. It’s not just trying to look “fight-ish”, it’s real and you can follow every movement * Sun’s bo staff splitting into nunchuks are really cool I wonder if it’s also a--

* There it is. * I also like that the fights make use of the environments * I felt like Torchwick laughing was a little too on the nose but the subtitles saying (evil laugh) just confirms it * Penny is not mad muffin * Let me guess Penny’s about to do a murder * Excuse me

* OH YEEEEAAAAH PENNY’S OFF THE CHAIN * SHE MOWING THESE GUYS DOWN LIKE GRASS * OH * MY GOSH * How is Ruby just mildly pleased and not losing her mind right now * Is Penny about to do a Captain America? * Ruby your question is legitimate but how is that your first one? * Bout time the police showed up * Okay. Moment of truth. How is Weiss going to handle this? * Gooooood. Good girl. * At the same time I appreciate (?) that Weiss almost slipped up on calling Sun something there. She’s going to turn over a leaf to accept Blake as a teammate but that doesn’t mean she’s cured, and she’s still super suspicious of Sun because, well, he is technically a criminal * Is Penny?? A criminal too? * “Hey Ozpin what cha doing” “Oh you know stalking students again; not getting involved or helping in any way” * Oh!! Qrow!! Ruby’s uncle!! * And so the season concludes! * Overall? Not bad. Did it blow my mind? Well, not necessarily. Am I impressed? Absolutely! * I still stand by what I said before about the pacing being a bit off for this first volume. * I do like Jaune. I like his arc and his relationship with Pyrrha and his struggle to be a leader. At the same time, the fact that he gets an arc before Yang or Blake, despite both of them being two of the titular characters, doesn’t feel right. If Weiss and Blake’s storyline had been running alongside it, I think that would have paced things better. Giving Jaune focus without stealing the spotlight from the leads. * Jaune’s arc also has the side effect of bringing things to a halt. It was an enjoyable arc, but following Ruby and Weiss dealing with their feelings on their new team, it more or less feels like a sudden roadblock than anything else. The fact that it really only includes Jaune, Pyrrha, and Cardin (who I wonder will show up again, creepy little sh*t) and not Ren or Nora is something I’ll get to in a second. * Yang herself didn’t get much attention at all, which is very disappointing to me. I don’t know very much about her other than that she’s a thrillseeker, a peacekeeper, and is just nice in general (as long as she’s not angry). I feel like she kind of got robbed here. * I also still believe that the lack of background characters, though explainable and really not that big a deal, is not a “good” thing. To me, it makes Beacon feel really, really empty, not the giant of a school it really is. Cardin’s team were shown, thankfully, but even then their designs are pretty bland and suffer from “Guess Who’s the Main Character?” syndrome * The animation has some highs and some lows, and I’m going to take a guess that most focus was given to the fights, which I will say again look absolutely fantastic. I completely admire the animation team’s work and direction, while at the same time I think other animations feel a bit rough and incomplete. It’s nothing that absolutely breaks my immersion, but there are times when it seems something is supposed to have a lot of energy and instead is too rigid or even too “smooth”, i.e. no sense of gravity or weight. * The designs of every character are always very nice to see--and I would like to once again reaffirm my opinion that character designs don’t always have to be realistically practical and “grounded”. I’d much rather Ruby be wearing see Yang wearing kerchiefs and short shorts than have her be in a completely unnotable outfit with muted colors. Each design also serves the character well. Even Jaune’s very simplistic design highlights how he doesn’t quite fit in at Beacon, and is just “average” compared to everyone else. * The VAs all did very well, even if I did feel at times that they were holding back. * Ren and Nora also did not get very much attention and more or less just feel like filler on Jaune’s team for now. Not absolutely boring, but they don’t nearly play as much of a part as everyone else. I haven’t even seen Jaune interact with either of them that much, which lessens the impact of his struggle to be their leader. * The backgrounds are a bit hit-and-miss at times. Beacon itself looks amazing and grandious, a fairytale castle mixed with a bit of a futuristic edge. Other times, the backgrounds are flat and textureless and don’t feel very real. * I really do wish the first season was able to do episodes of “average episode length” (18~ minutes), as opposed to snippets that could range from 3 to 15 minutes. Even though I felt that “The Stray” ended in a very nice place and set up the next episode well, the season finale doesn’t really feel like a season finale. It just feels like the ending of a typical episode. The only thing that tipped me off that it was a finale was the longer credits. * This is on top of the fact that a few of the episodes were very short and really only progressed one or two things. * I still don’t quite get Auras or what the point of them is. This is the first season, of course, but thus far I really can’t tell how Auras change anything about fighting. I guess it does kind of explain why everyone isn’t bleeding and bruised by the end of every fight, but still. Right now, it feels that if Pyrrha’s explanation of what an Aura is was snipped out, I wouldn’t notice a difference. * Just speaking broadly, even though I think RWBY has a lot of things going for it--design, fight animations, character writing, etc--they’re kind of like a bunch of different candies all jumbled into the same bowl. On their own, they’re good and I can appreciate them. Together, stuffed into the same season in uneven episode lengths, they don’t really work all that well together. * Anyhoodle I’ll be starting season 2 soon and I look forward to it.