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historyhermann · 2 years ago

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"RWBY": The Captivating YA Animated Series

Yang, Penny, Weiss, and Blake at the end of Volume 8

Last year, when looking for another animated series to watch, I came across RWBY, a young adult animation, and one of Rooster Teeth's flagship series. While I wasn't sure about it at first, as I watched all eight seasons, I became invested in the characters, especially the protagonists, and a fan of the show itself.

Reprinted from The Geekiary, History Hermann WordPress blog, and Wayback Machine. This was the fourth article I wrote for The Geekiary. Before this got published, they said I would be kicked off the publication if I don't start writing, if I remember right. So, I started writing this post and many others. This post was originally published on October 8, 2021.

RWBY is the brainchild of the late Monty Oum. It is known for its captivating stories and a theme song, sung by Casey Lee Williams, which begins every episode, foreshadowing what happens in the season/volume. Although the series has the classic conflict of good vs. evil, there are well-developed characters with intricate storylines, elements of horror, and good character development. Some characters are even morally grey, like General James Ironwood or the Ace Ops. Other villains, such as Cinder Fall, don't want to strictly follow their leader.

Ruby in Volume 9 preview

The anime-inspired series is named after the four main protagonists: Ruby Rose, Weiss Schnee, Blake Belladonna, and Yang Xiao Long. They stand against villains, such as Salem and her enforcers, like Cinder, Arthur Watts, Neopolitan, Tyrian Callows, Mercury Black, and the Grimm monsters. On the other hand, Ozma/Ozpin/Oscar Pine, Lie Ren, Nora Valkyrie, Qrow Branwen, Robyn Hill, and Jaune Arc, among others, help Ruby, Weiss, Blake, and Yang fight against the forces of evil.

The show is clearly mature as it features its share of blood and gore, and the death of some characters, with the antagonist, Salem, even engaging in human experimentation. On the other hand, this science fantasy/adventure/action series has a large focus on magic, and sci-fi elements like the cyborg girl, Penny Polendina, and scrolls which can receive and record messages. Each of the protagonists, like those on RWBY, have a semblance which derives from their aura, helping them battle against the Grimm and other villains, either including powers such as object manipulation, disorienting people, or super strength.

I don't want to give away too much of the plot but I will say that the show features various supporting LGBTQ characters. In Volume 6, Saphron and Terra-Arc, a lesbian couple with a son named Adrian, as confirmed by Lindsay Jones, the voice of Ruby, who the protagonists, and their friends, stay with on their journey to another kingdom. Additionally, in the Volume 5 episode "Alone Together," Ilia Amitola confessed her romantic feelings to Blake, and was later confirmed by show writer Miles Luna as a lesbian in a Reddit AMA.

Most prominently is May Marigold, a trans woman. Unlike other trans characters in animation, she is voiced by a trans female voice actress, Kdin Jenzen, and her character came out as trans in the Volume 8 episode "War," which she described as "something so wildly powerful & meaningful."

LGBTQ characters in RWBY so far

There is a lot about the series which is wonderful. There is a strong possibility of confirmed LGBTQ representation in the main cast, especially since the voice actress for Blake, Arryn Zech, confirmed her character as bisexual in May 2020, and some even have argued that the shipping between Blake and Yang, known as Bumbleby, will come become canon in the show's next volume.

Even if this doesn't happen, the show is still powerful, from its music to the characters, the voice acting to the visuals, which have improved from the earliest seasons to the present-day. Although the fandom may be toxic at times, the show is unique in its colorful ship names, especially the femslash ones, like Baked Alaska (Yang and Neopolitan), Blood Mint (Ruby and Emerald Sustrai), Freezerburn (Yang and Weiss), Ladybug (Ruby and Blake), or White Rose (Ruby and Weiss) to name a few.

So, if you haven't seen RWBY yet, whether on VRV, Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime (in some locations), YouTube Movies (for purchase/rent), or on the RoosterTeeth website, now is the perfect time during the show's hiatus, before Volume 9 begins again sometime in 2022.

#rwby #young adult animation #vrv #crunchyroll #lgbtq #femslash #bumbleby #amazon prime #youtube movies

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hadesisqueer · 4 years ago

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Okay no one asked but things I want to see the Vacuo Arc:

Sun and Team SSSN of course. I want to see more of him and as I've seen from a few spoilers of Before the down, I want to see Scarlet dissing Sun lmao. Also him being explicitely gay.

More of Sun and Blake's friendship.

The outfits: They're in the desert now, not the tundra. I wanna see ponytail Yang again, I wanna see Blake (and Qrow) realising that maybe wearing black isn't a good idea but it's already too late, I wanna see Penny stealing Ruby's cloak to put it around her head.

Weiss and Winter (assuming she survives The Befuckening of Atlas and joins the group; actually assuming anyone besides team RWBY survives vol 8 because they all have death flags and mom pick me up I'm scared) in the desert. Like, can you imagine those two in the desert? They're from Atlas. Cold, clean Atlas. They'd fucking hate it and the sand lmao. Now add Whitley to the party and it gets even funnier (he, just like Winter, probably won't go but it would be interesting if they put the three Schnee siblings together and can see them bond and making up and just being a family without military or Jackass around).

Winter and Penny (again, if they survive and join the party). Just love the friendship between those two.

“The desert” episode of ATLA but it's the entirety of vol 9. Who gets high on cactus juice? My bet's on Nora.

Giraffe Grimm. I fucking need to see those.

Nora in a place with no laws. I want to see that, and I want to see Ren trying to stop her from doing whatever she tries to do lol.

MARIA IN A PLACE WITH NO LAWS.

Renora moments (please survive); desert edition.

Bumbleby moments. A little Behaaw maybe.

The return of Team CVFY. But like, I want that scene to be: the gang is fighting some Grimm but they don't actually do anything because Coco and her minigun are faster. Or Velvet and her photographic memory. I need Caffeine playing in the background.

Coco trying to hit on Yang; Blake hates it and she stops.

Also Coco trying to convince Jaune to get another haircut.

Weiss and Velvet bonding about hating the desert and the sand.

Fox making blind jokes and Yang making arm puns. Become best friends.

“We're a year above you what do you mean you've already graduated???”

“What do you mean this fifteen year old boy is our dead headmaster?”

“Hold up. Who the fuck is that Salem you're talking about and what do you mean she's coming?”~everyone except Theodore.

“Wait Penny is alive? And she has weird powers? Awesome!”~Sun.

Oscar. Just Oscar. My boy deserves the best.

Same with Yatsu. Deserves the best.

Neptune tries to hit on Yang. “Wrong tree” scene all over again.

Neptune trying to flirt with Weiss again. Doesn't really work either.

Neptune's semblance on-screen.

No seriously I need Team RWBY, Team JNR and Team CVFY talking about Beacon. I think it would be nice (and sad) for all of them to see other teams that were classmates with them, and what the Fall of Beacon meant for them. Maybe remembering some good moments like in vol 5 ep 7?

Probably won't happen and team CVFY is in the background all the time but hey one can dream.

Seeing Shade Academy.

Meeting Theodore and Rumpole (but like on-screen I mean). Apparently Theodore wants Qrow to take his place as headmaster so it would be interesting to see those two interacting?

This is actually for vol 8 but in case it doesn't happen: Raven wake up from your two-volume-nap and do something damn it you're a maiden for fuck's sake.

That goes for you too, Taiyang, stop watering the sunflowers and go help your daughters.

More Emerald and Mercury? Redemption arc maybe?

More Neo. Same with the redemption arc thing but I doubt it. Just backstab Cinder already, my girl.

The Summer Maiden. Seriously, probably the thing I'm the most excited about. A part of me believes that Summer Rose is alive and she's the Summer Maiden but that's too obvious, just like Vernal and Winter. They will probably introduce another character. Who knows, maybe they will pull out a Penny again (loved character we haven't seen in a while returns and becomes pretty important and all of sudden holy shit she's a Maiden) and Velvet becomes the Summer Maiden because the other one dies in front of her or something (faunus maiden I support the idea). Maybe Neo becomes the Summer Maiden. Maybe Cinder (if she's alive and doesn't die in the Befuckening of Atlas) will succeed this time and she will become a Double Maiden, which will lead to Cinder vs Raven &Penny. I have no idea and that's what I like the most about it.

Either way, first of all, they need to survive the Befuckening of Atlas (some of them probably won't and I don't even want to think about that). And I need to survive it too lol.

Edit because I wrote SSSN wrong

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novankenn · 2 years ago

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"Ozpin's Fault - AU"

Combat Class Chaos (2/3) (819 Words)

"Excuse me, young man... er... lady? What do you mean, telling me No?" Glynda asked.

Mercury was at a loss as to what to do. He had been slated to face Jaune Arc, the lanky wannabe, and now he along with the rest of the first year class just found out that Jaune Arc was now not only female but also a fox faunus. Looking at the adorably pathetic figure, something twisted in Mercury's gut.

"What the hell?" he asked himself as Goodwitch and Arc continued to argue about if the spar could or should happen. The feeling was foreign to Mercury, and he wasn't sure what it was or meant. All he knew was if this spar was going to happen, he would end it as fast and as painlessly as possible. A soft yet firm push kick to her gut should cause a ring out. "That would be for the best."

"This spar is not happening, Jaune. You are in no..."

"You SAID if you haven't received medical notification stating I couldn't take part, that I would fail!" Jaune started to pout, and Glynda felt her heart being broken in twain. "I'm not going to be the reason for my team being disqualified!"

"But..." Glynda stammered, unable to fight the pure cavity inducing adorableness being used against her. "I..."

"I can do this!"

"Jaune, you don't have to!" shouted team RWBY and the remains of JNPR from their seats.

The entire class was feeling, uncomfortable, even Cardin, about this situation. I was bad enough they took a sort of perverse enjoyment out of Jaune's struggles, but now... it just felt so wrong and made them all feel dirty.

"I... can't..." Glynda whined, before with utter defeat in her voice, "Okay. Go get changed."

Jaune gave a weak smile to her Aunt, which just made Glynda feel even worse about this situation. Turning about, she made her way to the locker area. Mercury watched, and then turned his attention to the emotionally drained looking combat professor. With everything that had just come to light, he was even more determined to make this spar quick, he would just force a ring out, with minimal aura damage.

From the seats, Cinder's eyes narrowed. She could tell Mercury was conflicted, and that was not something she wanted to see in the assassin. Even though buried deep with in, a feeling of jealousy grew. How was it that... that girl could invoke such regret and guilt about her situation, when Cinder had spent so many years suffering cruelty after cruelty. It wasn't fair.

Several minutes later Jaune returned, clothed in a set of rather tightly fitting grey gym shorts, and a stretched out Beacon t-shirt. It was obvious to everyone, that Jaune wasn’t wearing a bra under her shirt. Why they didn’t know, and most of them didn’t care.

Mercury took on look at the figure approaching, struggling as she dragged what he knew was an arming sowed with mechashift sheath-shield combo behind her.

“Jaune… were is your armour?” Glynda asked.

“Doesn’t fit.” Was Jaune’s reply.

“Are you sure, you want to do this. I can make an acception.”

“Rules are rules.” Jaune replied as she finally reached the combat ring, and struggled to heft not only her sword, but, but also her shield. Inside Jaune was bemoaning the sudden lack of physical strength she had.

Mercury shook his head, feeling dirty and dirty for what he was planning to do to the pitiful figure before him. Normally he lived to beat the living shit out of people, but that instinct felt so wrong in this situation.

“Ready.” Jaune spoke up as she abandoned the sword and used both her arms to barely lift her shield. Jaune bit her lip, he knew she was even more outclassed than normal, so she formed a quick impromptu plan… she was going to win this, she had to win this.

“Begin.” Glynda instructed, her voice sounding pitiful.

The class watched in rapt attention as Mercury bum rushed Jaune who was still fighting to hold up her shield. They all agreed this spar was over before it had Ren begun, and to a person, including Cardin felt like ashamed about having that thought.

Mercury,, figured Jaune would hunker down behind her shield, which would work perfectly for his plan. Not only would it prevent much aura damage, but it would also give him a larger surface to push against, and seeing how she was struggling with the weight of the shield it oils make a ring out even easier.

What no one expected was jaune to drop the shield and suddenly grab the hem of her t-shirt. With speed that would have rivaled Ruby’s semblance, jaune lifted her shirt high.

Out of any possible action Jaune could have taken, showing Mercury the most perfect pair of breasts he ever saw was not one of those possibilities.

#ozpin's fault au #rwby #jaune arc #team jnpr #team rwby #female!jaune #foxfaunus!jaune #vixen!jaune #glynda goodwitch #glynda and jaune are related #jaune arc vs mercury black

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howlingday · 2 years ago

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Mercury: Don't shush me.

Mercury: You don't shush me!

Mercury: NOBODY SHUSHES ME!

Jaune: Sh-

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

Jaune: (Bruised) Well, that's the first time I've ever been kicked out of a library.

Mercury: (Battered) Eh. You get used to it.

#rwby #mercury black #jaune arc #dan vs

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bionic-penis · 4 years ago

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Here it is! Before we get into it I'd just like to say that I sent this all in discord and so i dont use the most academic language and i also had to cut out some bits where I was speaking/replying to friends :)

Okay so maybe Yang and Blake are just good friends, I can see that, but the storyline and all their major character events are so intertwined that it wouldnt make sense not to make them a couple

Spoilers for literally everything

But in my defense its been seven years

Anyway Yang and Blake's stories dont start getting seriously interconnected until around volume 3, but we do see them being closer to eachother than the rest of team rwby (save for Yang and Ruby but they're sisters so it doesnt count)

When Blake is stressed out over the White Fang in Volume 2, it takes Yang to snap her out of it

Also a lot of people have mentioned this but I'm gonna say it again for those who havent heard it but colours and weapons matter in rwby. They're a key element in the show

ahem

Colours play a big part in the design and storytelling aspect and rwby and its no coincidence that Yang eyes are purple and Blakes are yellow, which are eachothers like signature colours outside of Blakes black

But even more than that is weapons

As we learn from Ruby in the first Volume, a lot of students make their own weapons and, as it is constantly reiterated, weapons are an extension of the self in RWBY. They're not just a tool to be tossed around

In the show we see little instances of people interacting with and using other peoples weapons. There's that one scene where Ruby uses one of Penny's swords to defend Pyrrah, but that was out of necessity. however, over and over again we see Yang interacting with Blake's weapon, Gambol Shroud

As someones mentioned before, an entire moveset of theirs is dependent on it

So it's clear that these two characters are incredibly close

Moving on from that point, Id like to analyze the incidents thst occur in volume 3 and following events that further Yang and Blakes connection

In volume 3 after Yang "breaks" Mercurys leg due to Emeralds illusion, she sits in the dorm room surrounded by her teammates, yet the scene singles out Yang and Blake. When Yang asked if they (her team) believed her, Ruby and Weiss are ready to say yes, but Blake hesitates. Yang and Blake then share a moment where Blake explains that shes trusted people before who turned out to be cruel. She asks Yang to look her in the eyes and tell her that she (Yang) is telling the truth. Yang does so and Blake believes her this level of affirmation from one another is so unlike the rest of Team RWBY and even Team JNPR

Ofc in the dorm scene the person Blake is talking about is Adam, her abusive and possessive ex. Obviously your relationship with an abusive person effects any and all interactions/relationships, regardless of their extent, but I think it bears mentioning

Continuing on in the events of volume 3 when Beacon is being attacked and Blake is confronted by Adam, he has her pinned down and says something along the lines of "I am going to destroy everything that you love". Unfortunately this is when Yang happens to stumble into the scene. Horror is prominent on Blakes face. Yang sees Adam over Blake and yells at him before charging forward, which is when Adam cuts her arm off. It's a very emotional scene imo. Blake then uses her semblance to get her and Yang to safety

So let's analyze this

Adam specifically singled Yang out

Ofc yang was the only one there at the time but Adam didnt say "starting with your little teammates" he said "starting with her". Ofc this could just be me cherrypicking but I think that word choice has meaning

Regardless, this is an intense moment for Yang and Blake that really welds their stories together, romantic or not

In volume 4 Yang and Blake take a break from one another-- Jk but theyre separated. After the events at Beacon, and especially after what happened to Yang, Blake runs. And we get to see both women dealing with this and trying to come to terms with it. Yang is bitter. She's angry that Blake, specifically, left her. And Blake feels like she had to run away to keep everyone, specifically Yang, safe

In Volume 5 we dont get much interaction at all between Yang and Blake aside from the same feelings represented in Volume 4, but these are put on the back burner for Blakes White Fang arc

However these feelings take a forward play in Yangs mind and she even voices these feelings to Weiss and Ruby

I take a deep breath

Volume 6, Blake and Yang are together again but tensions are high. They have to learn how to be together again. When Blake and Yang finally have alone time in the shed, Blake expresses how she won't leave, which comforts Yang. However, Blake continues on to say how she will protect Yang to which Yang gets mad and the moment is ruined.

Despite this, Yang and Blake are still going strong and trying to make things work by being there and supporting each other

Yang and Blake's arc for Volume 6 reaches its peak in the fight against Adam. In this fight we see both women fighting the actual source of their trauma. One thing id like to note about this fight is that Blake starts it alone but is joined by Yang, who tells her to catch her breath. This fight is the first major fight Blake and Yang have fought together in a long time. And its amazing. During the fight, Adam screams at Yang in anger and jealousy, asking "WHAT DOES SHE SEE IN YOU?" And saying that she (Blake) cant protect Yang to which Blake replies "I'm not protecting her. And she's not protecting me." MIRRORING the conversation in the shed

the fight ends with Yang and Blake stabbing Adam through with Gambol Shroud, killing him

Now theres some little things id like to point out with this fight, aside from the amazing chemistry between Blake and Yang and the awesome choreography

Its during this fight that we learn about Adams semblance (magic power basically), which is that any hit he absorbs with his sword, he can return with greater force. This is a corruption of Yang's semblance, where any hit she takes herself she can return with greater force

Now why do I think this is significant? Because rwby is all about symbolism. I think Adam's semblance was specifically chosen to mirror Yangs. Adam doesnt have to deal with pain, he just deflects it, which is how his relationship with Blake plays out. She tries to let him off easy, she tells him to leave her alone, but he just can't take the hint, just like he can't take a hit. However, Yang does take the hits. Yang takes them all and it makes her stronger. She empathizes with Blake and works with her. Adam doesnt have to deal with the pain his actions cause because he doesnt care. This reflects Yangs extremely empathetic personality. Yang knows what consequences her actions can have. She can take the pain

Another thing id like to point out is Adam's behaviour during the fight. He lashes out as Yang for getting in between Blake and him, blaming her for his flaws. He targets her just like in Volume 3. I think this was done purposefully

Another thing is Yang runs Bumblebee off the cliff to help Blake! Her bike! I think this is important bc yang loved her bike. It was part of her brand for the longest time. Perhaps running it off the cliff in the fight vs Adam is a nod to growing by letting things go? Idk I just feel like its an important beat

In Volume 7 we see Yang and Blake working together more regularly again with even a few flustered glances (maybe). Marrow even mentions that they never pair up with anyone else to which they respond with a cool fight scene this feels like the extent of their interaction since Volume 7 focuses more on ruby

Volume 8 isnt finished but there is one line that I think is important which is when Yang asked Jaune if "she'll think bad of me if we fail?" To which Jaune responds "Ruby's your sister" and Yang says "yeah... Ruby..." LIKE EXCUSE ME?

[I take some time to riff with my friends and partner before continuing]

ANOTHER THING

Adam BREAKS Gambol Shroud during their fight, mirroring how Yang, once again, works with Blake and Gambol Shroud. This is yet another example of Adam being violent and abusive towards Blake where Yang is sympathetic and kind. Theyre set up to be narrative opposites

Even though both Adam and Yang are both hot heads, utilize a similar semblance, and both have a deep connection with Blake, they are not the same bc Yang trusts and appreciates Blake while Adam does not

Also Adam and Yang both share the same sentiment of "Blake left me" but whereas Adam lashes out at Blake, Yang is mostly frustrated. Unlike Yang, Adam never attempts to work it out with Blake, which is where the two differ greatly. Yang is willing to listen whilst Adam is not

TLDR: uh give me Bmblb content right now Roosterteeth or I will suck the marrow from ur bones

#rambles #rwby tag #rwby #bmblb #YES IM PUTTING IT IN THE MAIN TAGS I DESERVE IT #also i wrote this like a few episodes or so into v8 so 🤧

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shinobirain24 · 4 years ago

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Jupiter Vasilias Quotes

Vs. Winter Schnee

1) Jupiter: Your grandfather had made a huge mistake letting your father take over the company. He is nothing but a weak and pathetic fool.

Winter: Grandfather has regretted his mistakes. But You don't have any right to judge him.

Jupiter: I'll make sure Uranus' wishes are fulfilled when I take the whole military down.

2) Winter: Even what we did was wrong. I still believed you and your friends can be saved.

Jupiter: I ain't buying your crap. I am done with a fool of a military, Schnee.

Winter: I tried reasoning with you, but you have lost your ways as a huntsman.

3) Winter: No matter what you throw at me, you still have my respects for your pride.

Jupiter: I don't want your pity. I want vengeance on the evils your army has brought upon Mantle.

Winter: Vengeance won't solve anything.

4) Winter: You and your grandfather are nothing but kings of deception. For rebelling against the military.

Jupiter: I can say the same about you, Ice Demon. Now I can accomplish for what Grandfather Uranus has failed from the start.

Winter: If Nicholas has stopped him before, than I'll stop you as well before you can start another rebellion.

5) Jupiter: It's amazing of how your bloodline survive in this time.

Winter: Then how did my ancestors get wiped out so easily?

Jupiter: Simple, your bloodline is all snow and no ice.

Vs. Arthur Watts

1) Watts: Shame that your talents are wasted in Haven.

Jupiter: I am forever grateful for your guarantee of my accomplishments, doctor.

Watts: Then show me what you have, Jupiter.

2) Watts: Jupiter, you traitor! And to think I have erased your memories completely!

Jupiter: You are a fool to think you have us played for your mind games. I'm done being your puppet.

Watts: You'll regret this, boy.

Vs. Yang Xiao Long

1) Yang: Throwing away your own family?! To work for Salem?! That's low!

Jupiter: Trust me, having your loved ones, makes you weak.

Yang: You reminded me of the person who left me behind since birth.

2) Jupiter: So you're Raven Branwen's daughter. I could see the resemblance.

Yang: At least, I'm better off without her. She's also the reason your brother could've been killed had we not stop the traitors from blowing up Haven.

Jupiter: Trust me, I regret every moment when I threw away my past.

Vs. Neptune Vasilias

1) Neptune: First you almost drowned me. Now you betrayed us?

Jupiter: I only did it to toughen you up, little bro.

Neptune: Not an excuse for working with Salem.

2) Jupiter: Join me, Neptune. And together, we can take out any enemy that stand in our way.

Neptune: Bro, what posses you to go insane?

Jupiter: Vengeance, that's what. I did it for the good of Remnant, little bro.

3) Neptune: What did Weiss ever do to you?!

Jupiter: Her sister is part the reason I ended up in Salem's hellhole in the first place.

Neptune: Weiss has nothing to do with this. It's best if you leave her out of this. Revenge is never the answer.

4) Neptune: Jupiter, please. You don't have to do this.

Jupiter: There's nothing you can do now, little bro.

Neptune: Then as your brother. I will save you from yourself.

5) Jupiter: You and that Schnee? Really, Neptune?

Neptune: Say whatever you want. Weiss is a snow angel who I will always stood by her side.

Jupiter: This is what split our brotherhood in the first place.

6) Jupiter: You belong with the tribe.

Neptune: I belong with my team, bro.

Jupiter: Our blood goes to the tribe, not to anyone else.

Vs. Cinder Fall

1) Cinder: The son of Saturn Vasilias working under her grace. How interesting.

Jupiter: Know this, Fall. I don't take orders from you. And as a Black Viper, I bow to no one.

Cinder: You forget that I am the Fall Maiden.

2) Cinder: Why won't you stay dead!

Jupiter: Because I hope you will drop dead first. I won't be the last Vasilias alive.

Cinder: We'll just see about that, Vasilias.

3) Jupiter: Today's the day you will pay for your crimes, Fall! And this time, you will die.

Cinder: And whose going to stop me? I already killed the previous Fall Maiden. Not even Winter Schnee can defeat me.

Jupiter: Even if you're the Fall Maiden, I won't let you get away with the people you murdered. Feel the wrath of my semblance!

Vs Sun Wukong

1) Sun: I haven't forgotten the time Neptune told me you threw him into the water.

Jupiter: I did it for his own good.

Sun: How will you feel if you lost him?

2) Jupiter: I thanked you for looking after my brother, Sun.

Sun: I am more of a brother to Neptune than you'll ever be.

Jupiter: You're right. I was a terrible brother after what happened when he's 4 years old.

3) Sun: One thing I hate about traitors, is when they are deceivers.

Jupiter: Deception is one way to victory.

Sun: You Black Vipers are worst than the White Fang.

Vs. Ruby Rose

1) Jupiter: I don't have anything against you, kid. But don't get in my way.

Ruby: Stop pushing everyone away, we can take out Salem together.

Jupiter: It's like Raven said. There is no stopping Salem.

2) Ruby: What you're doing is not right. I can understand the pain you felt, but that's no excuse for hurting everyone you deemed responsible.

Jupiter: I did what should've been done years ago. Then my friends and I wouldn't be in this mess.

Ruby: Then we will stop you.

3) Jupiter: Are you in any relation to Summer Rose?

Ruby: That's my mom's name, why?

Jupiter: We have a lot to talk about, but first, a test.

Vs. Weiss Schnee

1) Jupiter: You stay away from my brother, Schnee. I won't let you manipulate him like your father has on every person.

Weiss: I would never do such a thing to him. I realized my wrongs, and at least Neptune sees me for who I am, unlike you.

Jupiter: What does my brother see in you?

2) Weiss: If anyone's to blame for what happened to the mines, it's my father.

Jupiter: Not once your sister has proven his incompetence.

Weiss: Still, be glad I put him in prison. And leave Winter out of this.

3) Weiss: You're the reason why Neptune was hurt in the first place.

Jupiter: Since when do you care? All I know is that you Schnees are heartless.

Weiss: That's because I met the people who changed my life for the better.

4) Jupiter: Don't expect me to give you a blessing for my brother.

Weiss: Would it really bother you if your future nieces and nephews are Schnee by blood?

Jupiter: Now you have gone too far.

Vs. Qrow Branwen

1) Qrow: Kid, please don't do this to your old man.

Jupiter: Dad was too soft. I got pride as a huntsmen.

Qrow: That doesn't mean you get to do whatever you want.

2) Qrow: I get where you're coming from. But I left the Branwen Tribe after seeing its true nature.

Jupiter: Raven was right. You have gotten too soft.

Qrow: I don't have to push my nieces to become huntsmen.

3) Jupiter: My tribe will reign over society.

Qrow: What has that gramps of your been doing to brainwash you?

Jupiter: Seeing me as worthy for his position as the next leader of the Vasilias Tribe.

4) Qrow: I don't even like the Ice Queen either. But this won't do any good if you keep up with this rivalry

Jupiter: Winter Schnee is my enemy, not my rival.

Qrow: Guess you're in for a rough day.

Vs. Uranus Vasilias

1) Uranus: Jupiter, welcome.

Jupiter: So you accept me as part of the tribe, Grandfather?

Uranus: Your father, my son, is too weak. But as my grandson, you never inherit his bleeding heart. You're definitely the next heir to the tribe.

2) Jupiter: I desired the position as one of your generals, Grandfather. Then we can take out the Schnees and the miliarty together and then Atlas will be yours.

Uranus: First comes first. Prove it to me.

Jupiter: I will gladly accept your challenge.

3) Uranus: Your little brother has been proven to be a weakling to embrace his lineage.

Jupiter: Geez, just take it easy old man. He's only trying his best.

Uranus: How long are you going too soft on him?

4) Uranus: Your mother was the reason your father left the tribe.

Jupiter: Hadn't been for her. I wouldn't be here to fight with you.

Uranus: How should I trust you?

Vs. Blake Belladonna

1) Blake: You Vipers are no different than the White Fang.

Jupiter: Unlike the White Fang. Us Vipers only kill criminals, not innocence.

Blake: That still counts as a crime you know.

2) Jupiter: I'll help you take out the White Fang if you join us, Belladonna.

Blake: And take unnecessary actions. No thanks.

Jupiter: If I win, you'll join us.

Vs. Mercury Black.

1) Mercury: I never killed a Vasilias before.

Jupiter: I'll make sure you this is your last day on Remnant, Assassin's Spawn.

Mercury: You're going to regret calling me that.

2) Jupiter: You just fallen into the wrong crowd, Black.

Mercury: So what? At least our queen has given me the respect I deserve. Unlike my old man.

Jupiter: Enjoy it while it last, it won't last long.

3) Mercury: I'll make sure you and the coward drown in seas together.

Jupiter: One more word about my brother, or my family, and I will send you to the same place you sent your father, Marcus.

Mercury: Don't compare me to that deadbeat!

Vs. Emerald Sustrai

1) Jupiter: Ditch Cinder and Salem, and we promise you a place with the Black Vipers.

Emerald: Then what? Use me like how Cinder did?

Jupiter: Things will be different now that she is gone.

2) Emerald: What did you do to Mercury?!

Jupiter: Giving him the punishment he deserved.

Emerald: It's his dad's fault for him being like this!

Vs. Jaune Arc

1) Jaune: What do you want from me?

Jupiter: Offering you a position in the Black Vipers to help you take your Vengeance for your friend.

Jaune: That's not what Pyrrha would do.

2) Jupiter: Vengeance will bring justice to the lost innocent souls.

Jaune: That was true once. But for Pyrrha's sake, there are other ways.

Jupiter: Then I guess you of all the students are too much of a pacifist.

3) Jupiter: So you refused to take vengeance on Cinder?

Jaune: She'll get what's coming. But I won't go insane like you are.

Jupiter: I couldn't help but feel sorry for you.

Vs. Lie Ren

1) Ren: I understand your pain and sorrow for your eldest brother, but taking matters into your own hands will not bring him back.

Jupiter: Pluto will have his justice when I'm done with Salem.

Ren: Then I guess there is no other way to stop you.

2) Jupiter: With your semblance, we can take out any corrupted soul in Remnant.

Ren: I will not use my semblance for personal gain.

Jupiter: Your loss.

Vs. Adam Taurus

1) Jupiter: You and I despise Cinder.

Adam: That doesn't make us allies, human.

Jupiter: Think of all the freedom you can obtain for your people.

2) Adam: You'll help me eliminate Cinder?

Jupiter: That woman needs to be destroyed for all the hell she put us through.

Adam: Make it soon, Jupiter.

3) Adam: You Black Vipers betrayed us!

Jupiter: And you, Adam, are next in my hit list.

Adam: I'll cut every last of you Vipers alive.

Vs. James Ironwood

1) Ironwood: Where is your pride as a huntsman?

Jupiter: That died down because of you, Ironwood.

Ironwood: I have my regret too, but what is done is done.

2) Jupiter: Look at you! The great General Ironwood, failure and the real villain of Atlas!

Ironwood: One day, I hope you can accept my apology for not realizing you were framed.

Jupiter: Your death will be enough for me to be satisfied.

3) Jupiter: You had enough brainwashing your students to play soldier for one day.

Ironwood: It was only for the benefit of my students to protect Atlas.

Jupiter: What about the rest of Remnant?

4) Jupiter: You don't deserve the ranks of General for your cowardice.

Ironwood: At least I'll die saving the kingdom I was born in.

Jupiter: In the end, people are going to see who the real traitor is.

Vs. Natalie Andromeda

1) Natalie: Come to me, you handsome criminal.

Jupiter: Sorry, not a fan of people from the Atlesian Military like you.

Natalie: Aww, you reject me, Jupiter?

2) Jupiter: When are you going to stop chasing me, Natalie?

Natalie: Not until you're mine.

Jupiter: Not a chance.

3) Natalie: Do you know what happens when handsome men like you commit a crime?

Jupiter: That I don't want to think about.

Natalie: I give them a punishment.

4) Natalie: Under Specialist Schnee's orders, you're coming with me.

Jupiter: And forever salute to that Schnee? No thanks.

Natalie: I am not going to take no for an answer.

Vs. Salem

1) Salem: So you decided to not take vengeance against the people who wronged you?

Jupiter: The only one who is going to die today, is you, you witch.

Salem: Did you forget I am immortal?

2) Jupiter: You're the reason Pluto is gone in the first place!

Salem: His semblance threatens my common vision for the end of humanity.

Jupiter: I'll struck you till you're nothing but dust and bones!

3) Jupiter: I have you and Watts played for a bunch of fools like you.

Salem: And who was it that I have taken from you, boy?

Jupiter: Pluto Vasilias, my brother!

Jupiter: Why did my ancestors disappeared from there?

4) Jupiter: You may have taken my memories, but you will never have my soul.

Salem: Hahaha, I killed your brother.

Jupiter: Prepare to take your last breathe.

Vs. Nora Valkyrie

1) Jupiter: Out of my way, kid.

Nora: Shock me all you want. Cause I am juiced!

Jupiter: You're kidding me, right?

2) Jupiter: You wouldn't apprehend a fellow huntsman, would ya?

Nora: Sorry, Lightning boy! But you're going down!

Jupiter: I can keep those up all night.

3) Nora: Get out of my way, or I'll break your legs!

Jupiter: Geez, what has gotten you worked up?

Nora: They don't call me Beast Rider Nora for nothing!

Vs. Mars Vasilias

1) Mars: Hello there, Father.

Jupiter: I never knew I had a son.

Mars: You abandoned me when I was baby!

2) Jupiter: I never thought you would stoop this low.

Mars: You will address me as Emperor of Remnant.

Jupiter: You will address me as the Azure Storm of Vengeance.

3) Mars: I freed humanity.

Jupiter: Wrong, you enslaved them all.

#rwby #rwby fanfic #neptune vasilias #jupiter vasilias #winter schnee #cinder fall #yang xiao long #arthur watts

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breadthief · 5 years ago

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So, WOW.

I did not expect to get over 1,100 responses to my “hehe what do my fellow wuhluhwuhs think of rwby” survey, but here we are! I’m honored and the statistics nerd in me is absolutely giddy, so here’s responses with 10x the scope of our last writeup, 150+ responses! And remember that we’re still plugging so if you haven’t yet take the survey here!

Demographic

As of 1,100+ votes:

44.7% of survey takers identify as Lesbian 37.8% as Bisexual 11.8% as Pansexual 16.1% as Asexual 3.4% as Aromantic

When it comes to umbrella terms, 13.1% use the umbrella term sapphic, 23.2% use WLW, and 22.1% use Queer

(Note that this is a “select all that apply” question, so one may, for example, hit “bisexual, aromantic, and wlw”; percentages do not necessarily take away from each other.)

As of 1,100+ votes,

81.3% respondents identify simply as a Woman 19.8% identify as Non-binary

When it comes to non-binary identities, 5.9% identify as genderfluid, 3.9% identify as a demigirl, and 3.3% identify as genderqueer.

Out of the people that consider themselves binary women,

79.5% responded that they are Cisgender 9% responded that they are Transgender 11.6% do not wish to disclose whether they are cis or trans

___

Characters (Opinions)

So, which characters are popular in the RWBY wlw community? Which characters aren’t?

Here’s where results start differing from our last writeup! Just like fandometics +n and -n will indicate how many spots someone moved. Bold will be used if anyone new enters a list.

(Note: Respondents were allowed to choose up to 5 favorites)

As of 1,100+ votes...

Top 10 most popular female characters

1. Yang Xiao Long (61.7%) 2. Blake Belladonna (48%) 3. Weiss Schnee (44.1%) 4. Ruby Rose (25.5%) 5. Pyrrha Nikos (17.5%) 6. Nora Valkyrie (13.2%) 7. Penny Polendina (12.8%) +1 8. Neo (11.3%) +1 9. Winter Schnee (8.7%) 10. Ilia Amitola (7.8) -4

Top 10 most popular male characters

1. Qrow Branwen (58.4%) 2. Lie Ren (39.2%) 3. Sun Wukong (29.5) +2 4. Jaune Arc (26.3%) 5. Oscar Pine (25.9%) -2 6. Ghira Belladonna (12.4%) 7. Roman Torchwick (11.5%) 8. Marrow Amin (11.3%) +2 9. Clover Ebi (11.2%) 10. James Ironwood (10.4%) -1

We also polled which characters wlw hate!

Top 5 most hated female characters

1. Cinder Fall (50.2%) 2. Salem (27.1%) 3. Raven Branwen (20.9) +1 4. Glynda Goodwitch (17%) -1 5. Neon Katt (16.1%) -1

Top 5 most hated male characters 1. Adam Taurus (71.3%) 2. Jacques Schnee (66.4%) 3. Tyrian Callows (23.6%) 4. Leonardo Lionheart (17%) 5. Arthur Watts & Jaune Arc (12.9% each) -1 but only for Jaune

We also asked which characters wlw personally relate to or project onto the most.

Top 10 most relatable female characters to wlw

1. Blake Belladonna (47.3%) +1 2. Yang Xiao Long (45.5%) -1 3. Ruby Rose (33.9%) 4. Weiss Schnee (30.4%) 5. Ilia Amitola (14.1%) 6. Pyrrha Nikos (10.3%) +1 7. Penny Polendina (10%) +1 8. Nora Valkyrie (9.6%) -2 9. Winter Schnee (7.3%) 10. Velvet Scarlatina (4.9%) -2

Top 5 most relatable male characters to wlw (Note: there was a large vote disparsity between the two!)

1. Jaune Arc (36.8%) 2. Qrow Branwen (34.6%) 3. Lie Ren (29%) +1 4. Oscar Pine (26.9%) -1 5. Sun Wukong (17.7%)

Characters (Headcanons)

Next, we asked for peoples’ sexuality headcanons. We asked people to select every character they thought of strictly as X sexuality.

I did include characters whose sexuality has been confirmed, like Ilia, mostly because I copy-pasted the character lists and I made this at midnight. Whoops - but it is fun to see her topping the “most lesbian” list.

These will be phrased as “most [sexuality] character”, because it’s fun.

Top 10 most lesbian characters, as voted by wlw

1. Ilia Amitola (87.3%) 2. Coco Adel (80.8%) 3. Robyn Hill (72.1%) +1 4. Yang Xiao Long (66.1%) -1 5. Fiona Thyme (50.5%) 6. Weiss Schnee (38.7%) 7. Velvet Scarlatina (35.2%) +1 8. Winter Schnee (34%) -1 9. Emerald Sustrai (29%) 10. May Marigold (25.7%)

Top 10 most bisexual female characters

1. Blake Belladonna (92.9%) 2. Raven Branwen (51.4%) 3. Summer Rose (41.5%) 4. Pyrrha Nikos (35%) 5. Weiss Schnee (31.4%) +2 6. Velvet Scarlatina (32.7%) -1 7. Nora Valkyrie (25.6%) -1 8. Emerald Sustrai (20.8%) +1 9. Ruby Rose (19.4%) 10. Winter Schnee and Kali Belladonna (19.3%) -2 but only for Kali

Top 10 most pansexual female characters

1. Nora Valkyrie (36.7%) 2. Neon Katt (32.3%) 3. Yang Xiao Long (25.5%) +1 4. Pyrrha Nikos (23.7%) -1 5. Penny Polendina (24.5%) +1 6. Ruby Rose (20%) -1 7. Neo (16.3%) 8. Summer Rose (16.1%) 9. May Marigold (10.8%) 10. Velvet Scarlatina (9.9%)

Top 10 most ace and/or aro female characters

1. Ruby Rose (70.2%) 2. Penny Polendina (47.3%) 3. Neo (23.2%) 4. Glynda Goodwitch (11.8%) +1 5. Maria Calavera (10.8%) -1 6. Cinder Fall (9.3%) 7. Winter Schnee (8.5%) +3 8. Sienna Khan (5.8%) -1 9. Weiss Schnee (4.3%) -1 10. Salem (4.7%)

Ships

As of 1,100+ responses:

What is your favorite ship? (You can only pick one!)

Bumbleby (Blake/Yang) - 57% Whiterose (Weiss/Ruby) - 13.8% Fair Game (Qrow/Clover) - 5.6% Nuts and Dolts (Ruby/Penny) -3.9% Freezerburn (Yang/Weiss) - 2.6% Renora (Ren/Nora) - 1.9% Ladybug (Ruby/Blake) - 1.6% Monochrome (Weiss/Blake) - 1.4% Rosegarden (Ruby/Oscar) - 1.1% Arkos (Jaune/Pyrrha) - 1%

I don’t have space to write all the ones that got less than 1%, so they won’t be in this report.

Top 10 wlw ships, as rated by wlw:

(This is another category where up to 5 answers are permissible!)

1. Bumbleby (89.6%) 2. Whiterose (60.8%) 3. Crosshares [Coco/Velvet] (58%) +1 4. Nuts and Dolts (57.2%) -1 5. Springthyme [Robyn/Fiona] (35.8%) 6. Freezerburn [Yang/Weiss] (29.8%) +1 7. Rosebird [Raven/Summer] (23.9%) +1 8. Schneewood Forest [Robyn/Winter] (18.2%) +1 9. Schneekos [Weiss/Pyrrha] (16.4%) -3 10. Arcotta [Sapphron/Terra] (16.1%)

Top 5 mlm ships

1. Fair Game [Qrow/Clover] (85.4%) 2. Seamonkeys [Sun/Neptune] (64.9%) 3. Ironqrow [Ironwood/Qrow] (40.5%) 4. Martial Arcs [Jaune/Ren] (15.2%) 5. Rich Farmers [Oscar/Whitley] (14.4%)

Top 5 m/f ships

1. Renora (87.5%) 2. Arkos (66.8%) 3. Rosegarden [Ruby/Oscar] (11.8%) +2 4. Emercury [Emerald/Mercury] (10.4%) 5. Gelato [Neo/Torchwick] (9.8%) -1

Next, we polled on likelihood vs. personal want. In this next section, up to 5 choices were permissible.

Top 10 “most likely to be canon” ships, as voted by wlw

1. Bumbleby (97.9%) 2. Renora (91%) 3. Fair Game (54.3%) 4. Rosegarden (32.8%) +2 5. Crosshares (29.5%) -1 6. Springthyme (29%) -1 7. Whiterose (18.3%) 8. Dreadnought [Salem/Ozpin], reconciled (15.6%) 9. Nuts and Dolts (13.3%) 10. Phoenix [Taiyang/Raven], reconciled (9%)

Top 10 “most wanted to be canon” ships

1. Bumbleby (88.3%) 2. Renora (70.8%) 3. Fair Game (59.6%) 4. Whiterose (42.6%) +1 5. Crosshares (31.7%) -1 6. Springthyme (34.9%) 7. Nuts and Dolts (31.2%) 8. Seamonkeys (13.7%) 9. Rosegarden (8.9%) 10. Phoenix, reconciled (7%)

And finally, beware of ship hate - the top 5 most hated ships by wlw

1. Taura/donna (83.4%) 2. Black/sun (33.1%) 3. Iceberg [Weiss/Neptune] (28.5%) +1 4. Rosegarden (28%) -1 5. White Knight [Weiss/Jaune] (27.2%)

Representation

88.3% of wlw polled think RWBY has good wlw representation in general

49.6% would praise RWBY’s lesbian representation

53.7% would praise their bisexual representation

40.8% would praise their trans representation

34.5% would praise their general mlm representation

21.4% would praise their representation of gay men specifically

21.7% would praise their ace/aro representation

Comments on what they could improve on generally include mlm representation, ace/aro rep, and more trans rep

Thank you so much for partaking in this survey! I’ll post updated results when we hit another milestone... let’s see how far we can go!

#rwby #(jeb bush voice) please clap #rwby wlw survey

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rwbyconversations · 6 years ago

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Why Emerald and Mercury’s scene in Lost is one of the best scenes in all of RWBY

Lost is a really underappreciated episode in Volume 6. It tends to get overlooked because Dead End precedes it and that’s easily the weakest episode of the season, while right afterwards we get the three-parter of the Argus Battle and Adam’s return meant focus was shifted for a hot minute. But I adore this episode, nearly every second of it barring some choices at the end (barring Oscar getting shafted for development- again- and Ruby’s oddball speech of “we didn’t need adults this far” to Qrow), but it’s honestly one of the best episodes of the season in my eyes, and that falls down to one major scene- Emerald and Mercury’s conversation in the first third of the episode, which is one of my favorite scenes in all of RWBY.

I know when people think of character arcs involving Lost they tend to go for the obvious lure of the Pyrrha statue, which, to be fair, is a really solid character moment and I loved a lot about it- especially the small reference to the Volume 1 OP of Jaune looking at the statue, it’s framed with almost the exact same camera angle. But as someone who mains my two murder kids, I cannot stress how hyped up I was going into Lost. Finally, after years of being relegated to background fodder with their one big moment since Volume 3 being their humiliating appearance at Haven where Emerald took a literal dive and Merc was left holding an arm like a numbnuts, Lost was gonna give me the content I’d been waiting for.

The fact that Merc and Em were getting the thumbnail- something neither of them had been in since Volume 3- was something that made my goddamn day when the thumbnail went up on VRV

And ultimately, I think the scene delivered, and delivered with a gusto that makes me unironically call it one of the best scenes of the Volume, one of the best of the show, in fact- and today I’d like to explain why I love Emerald and Mercury’s scene in Volume 6 Chapter 9, Lost.

1) The establishing context, or: a quick breakdown of Merc and Em in V6C4

Merc and Em had one scene earlier this volume, in Chapter 4, “So That’s How It Is.” It chronicles them and Hazel returning from Mistral several weeks after the Battle of Haven, Hazel having contacted Little Miss Malachite and gotten the heads up on where RWBY were going next. Spirits are low as they leave the ship, and an unexpected welcoming party in Tyrian doesn’t lift the mood. Emerald in particular lashes out at Tyrian when he mockingly notices Cinder’s absence, which just gives him all the motivation he needs to get up in Emerald’s personal space and mock her for her weakness.

Fun fact, in the Volume 6 trailer, Tyrian creeping on Emerald happens in Salem’s conference room, presumably to throw people off the scene on when the scene would be happening.

Tyrian proves to be as sharp as his dearly-departed stinger (now resting in Ruby’s cabinet of Maimed Body Parts), mocking Emerald in a delightfully chilling voice that “Cinder isn’t here to protect you anymore.” You know who is though?

This asshole, that’s who. Mercury fucking Black, finally showing the spine he lost after Volume 3 and getting up in Tyrian’s grill to protect Emerald. He even got his eyebrows back just for the occasion!

Never forget Volume 4 and Merc’s penciled-on eyebrows

It’s a short but sweet scene that sets up the duo’s dynamic well- they’ve really only got each other out in Evernight so even if they bicker... a lot... Merc and Em will watch each other’s backs because it’s that or deal with Tyrian, Watts and most importantly Salem alone. And that’s not a thought either of them truly want to consider.

The rest of the Evernight scene in chapter 4 has some small but important moments for them- I especially love Mercury being the first person we see realizing Salem’s about to snap because of his abusive father. If anyone’s gonna know how to read the room and know to get out of dodge before the glass starts shattering, it’ll be him. How he just stands at attention, eyes locked forward when everyone else looks at Salem is also a nice subtle bit of character- eyes forward, since he was probably told not to move without permission. Emerald’s sheer terror for much of the debriefing is just a masterclass in animation- her eyes are these narrow pinpricks that can’t focus on a single spot, she cringes in anticipation of a slap when she rats out Cinder (gee it’s almost as if Cinder is her abuser who conditioned her or something why do people still ship them), how she flinches when Salem touches her shoulder and only relaxes when Salem moves on and reveals that Cinder’s alive. It’s all just great stuff for their characters that you get from looking at their body language.

That’s all that we see of Mercury and Emerald until chapter 9, and unfortunately the last we see of them from there until the post-credits scene, but fortunately, this is a real doozy of a scene.

2) The actual scene

We open with Merc and Em alone in a room, Emerald bitterly noting how much she hates being kept in the dark about Salem’s future plans. Mercury agrees, stopping some training to note that at least Cinder kept them up to speed, before resuming his combat.

Mercury and Yang are two of the easier foils to compare and contrast to in the series, especially in the RWBY/CRME contrasts between Ruby/Cinder, Weiss/Emerald, Blake/Roman and later Adam and Yang/Mercury. Both are close range fights with firearms strapped to their limbs of choice, both have cybernetic limbs and as we learn later this episode, both had fathers with wildly differing views on their Semblances. But something else that connects them is that neither Mercury or Yang stay down for long when they get knocked out. Yang lost her arm and once she got back on her feet, she updated her fighting style to be more acrobatic and all-around, which paid off in dividends when she got to fight Adam and was able to move around his strikes. Similarly, the first time we see Mercury get some free time after Haven, he’s training... except he’s working on his fists, since he was overly reliant on his legs until now. I like this, it would have been easy to have Mercury just working on his legs or even just doing nothing but not only does it give the conversation a more lively feel, but it shows that Mercury is working on covering his weaknesses. And if there’s one thing Mercury hates, it’s leaving a weakness uncovered.

Your daily reminder that Yang vs Mercury is some of the best choreography in the show BTW

Emerald, seemingly out of boredom, decides to pry a bit and asks Mercury why he came with Cinder and Emerald in the Volume 3 flashback. I’ve seen some people criticize that Emerald is only asking this now, but given how when she tried to object to Cinder she got a slap for her troubles, I think it’s safe to say she decided it wasn’t worth Cinder’s wrath a second time for asking too many questions about Mercury.

Mercury tries deflecting with a simple answer “Just made sense,” to which Emerald calls bullshit with one of the most deadpan-laden lines she’s ever uttered. “It ‘made sense.’”

Mercury decides to keep up that path, trying to cover the question with his usual sarcasm and wit. It’s notable that his explanation gives nothing away that Emerald didn’t already know- Marcus trained Mercury to be an assassin, Mercury killed him and right afterwards, Cinder showed up. It’s almost clinical how, despite covering it with his usual wit, Mercury doesn’t let anything slip until Emerald gets under his skin by calling bullshit again, since to her that Mercury joined Cinder for as shallow a reason as “right place right time” is anathema to her- there has to be something in this for Mercury beyond just getting to fight. Mercury again deflects, giving Emerald knowledge she already knows- “Salem’s promised us everything. We win this thing, we’ll be top dogs in her new world.” Again, he’s only telling her what she already knows, and when he asks her what she gets out of this, Mercury manages to throw Emerald off the scent and tricks her into talking about herself- a topic Mercury enjoys because it means he’s not the one under the microscope.

Something I adore and hate in equal measure is how musically when Emerald talks about Cinder, the score itself changes to a more whimsical version of Cinder’s theme- as if Emerald’s using her Semblance on the soundtrack itself to paint Cinder in a better light.

Also something worth noting is the lighting symbolism for Emerald in the first part of this scene:

She starts in darkness, surrounded by light.

When Mercury gets a rise out of her, she walks out into the light to confront him, but Mercury moves into the darkness, a barrier separating them. But when Emerald begins talking about Cinder...

The camera pans to put Emerald back into darkness. This scene is loaded with this kind of symbolism on a lighting and musical level, the two dancing around the edges of light and dark, separated usually by the barriers that form from the overhead light.

Regardless, Mercury is perfectly fine to let Emerald prattle on about Cinder, right up until Emerald begins having a crisis of conscience. Not one based on how Cinder used her to stage a terrorist attack, no. Mercury butts in when Emerald’s crisis of conscience is based on how now that Cinder isn’t here, Emerald isn’t sure if they’re doing the right thing. And thus Mercury’s fandom finally got to see the scene they had been waiting years for: Mercury telling Emerald Cinder doesn’t care for them. Emerald gets angry, still caught up in the web of lies that Cinder spun around her, but Mercury doesn’t give a solitary shit about any of that and keeps saying things Emerald doesn’t want to hear- that Cinder never cared about Emerald, let alone either of them.

I absolutely adore how the ever-present smirk on Mercury’s face just melts off while he’s trying to get Emerald to realize Cinder never cared for them- either because he’s done playing nice or because he’s trying to stress to Emerald that he’s not messing around, just this once.

Mercury’s mocking line to Emerald finally sets her off, and she charges him furiously, trying to beat him into shutting up. But it doesn’t work- of course it wouldn’t, Mercury is leagues above Emerald in skill even if she uses her weapons, going in without them is tantramount to suicide. This guy danced around Coco and Yatuhashi and gave Yang and Pyrrha good fights while deliberately throwing both fights. Beating Emerald would take less than a minute if he tried. But he doesn’t. Mercury never actually hits Emerald, focusing on just blocking her blows. It’s only when Mercury finally decides to stop giving Emerald information she already knows and actually give her some honest truth that he begins trying, and immediately Emerald is forced back. But even then, Mercury throws his kicks. Compared to the ones he threw in training they’re sluggish, easily predicted. He’s not trying to hurt Emerald, he’s just stressing his point.

Literal chills went down my back when I heard that line the first time, Yuri killed it.

Mercury basically decides to throw his abuse in Emerald’s face, which I’ve seen some people deride and describe as Mercury basically playing the victim card, but I think this is perfectly in-character for him. Emerald’s locked in her cycle of abuse with Cinder, even though the bitch is on another continent and now is the perfect time for Emerald to break free, to get out before Cinder maims her like Marcus did Mercury... and she’s not. Taking. The chance. Of course Mercury would be pissed, of course he’d get heated for the first time- he’s basically watching Emerald squander one of the only chances she has to get out of this life before Cinder catches her again, and he (and the audience) know if Cinder gets her hands on Emerald again, that’ll be it; Emerald will be ride or die for Cinder all the way to the finish line due to her paternal/romantic love. If it takes Mercury being this most callous and blunt he’s ever been to finally get Emerald to see the truth or even just to make sure where she draws her battlelines, then he’ll do whatever it takes.

As we get an orchestral reprise of I’m The One, Mercury finally gives us a new hint into his backstory- one of the most fucked up of all the cast according to Kerry- for the first time in three years. Marcus didn’t just beat Mercury senseless, didn’t just excuse it as training and potentially even cut off Mercury’s legs to refine him into a perfect killer- he stole Mercury’s Semblance with his own, seeing it as a crutch that Mercury relied on and holding it over his head with the promise of its return once Mercury got strong. To quote the normally Unirkable Merc himself, “So I got strong, but I never got it back!”

Mercury forced himself to get on the level of titans like Pyrrha and Yang without having the safety net of a Semblance like they have- he got strong in spite of his father, not because of Marcus taking his power from him. But that power- that strength that lets him fight at a skill ceiling beyond what Marcus likely thought possible, destroyed this young child. It stole from Mercury, things that he can never get back- a literal piece of his soul was taken from him and the thrill of the fight is the only thing he’s ever found that can fill the hole. That confidence is earned because Mercury was defiled by his father and spat in the face of destiny, he chose to get back up and try and earn back what was rightfully his. And when he got the strength to kill his abuser and burn his house down, just to realize he couldn’t get that power back? In walked Cinder Fall, looking for another lost youth to corrupt and twist the worldview of- and here was one such youth, with all the corruption done complete with a neat little bow on top.

All of this- all of this- goes without mentioning how not two volumes prior we had a different character go through an arc involving her Semblance and a father figure teaching her how to control it and not let it control her.

I’m just saying guys if you still wanna live in denial over Yang and Merc’s foil status and how they’d be the coolest rivals in the show, door’s right there, I’m gonna be here eagerly awaiting their proper rematch (Fuck off and die Volume 5, you mountain of wasted potential).

The kicker (pun not intended) is Mercury’s line at the end of the training with Emerald- “I’m right where I’m supposed to be,” he confidently declares, absolutely sure in himself. The whole dynamic of the scene has been Mercury and Emerald calling bullshit on each other’s excuses, with Mercury dominating once he got Emerald to play the Cinder card. But he gets so caught up in his rage over how he got defiled by Marcus, that he loses sight for a second and forgets that he’s lying to himself as much as Emerald- the difference is he’s gone thought he cycle before and seen it so he can see that Emerald’s in it, but he hasn’t yet realized he’s gotten caught in a different cycle and still can’t see the trees from the forest. Denial is a recurring trait in Mercury and Emerald, and one neither of them are ever truly free from (”Salem promised us everything,” like how Marcus promised you back your Semblance, Mercury?). Emerald attacking Mercury after he mocks her “crisis of identity” can almost be taken as her subconsciously agreeing with Merc that Cinder doesn’t care, but after all she’s done for Cinder, everyone she’s hurt and helped kill, the idea that it was all for less than nothing is something she’s got to run away from- the alternative is just too nightmarish.

Mercury “I’m right where I’m supposed to be” Black, ladies and gents. He’s feeling really confident in these scenes, can’t you tell?!

And who sees this and realizes it, but none other than Tyrian fucking Callows of all people. And of all the people in Salem’s castle, who expected him to be an adept armchair psychologist? Tyrian is blunt, completely unforgiving in his assessment of Mercury and Emerald- they’re trapped in a cycle of violence, pain and misery, and they’re too afraid of what’s on the other side to ever leave it- what’s waiting for Mercury out in the world of Remnant? All he can do is kill, and now that he’s burned his bridges with Huntsmen society, all he’d wind up doing is assassination work like father like son. Granted, Tyrian being the one to break this down to them both is... ironic given how Tyrian himself is trapped in Salem’s web of devotion and has been for so long he couldn’t find his way out if he wanted to, but here he raises a valid point.

After this the scene mostly moves away from Mercury and Emerald and becomes Tyrian informing them and the audience that Watts and Tyrian are going to Atlas to intercept RWBY, but before he leaves, Tyrian leaves some parting advice.

“Do what makes you happy children, please? I’m begging you.”

Reading through the mile-wide lines, it’s obvious Tyrian wants them to run so he can hunt them down himself, even though he denies telling them they should leave earlier when Emerald asks point-blank if he’s telling them to go (of course he isn’t saying that, he wants them to come to the conclusion himself, no fun stalking prey when the hunt’s made easy for you after all). But the scene ends with a somewhat more optimistic note.

Emerald and Mercury, still unsure about a lot of things after this group therapy session, are still standing together, almost more unified than they were before now- no barriers of light and darkness separating the two now. And that should be something that terrifies anyone who crosses their paths, especially the guy who made a point to T-Bag Mercury and basically promise he’ll draw the straw on killing them if they stray out of line.

3) Conclusion

Mercury and Emerald are my favorite characters in the show, and while that’s been a bit harder to maintain in the Dark Times of Volumes 4 and 5 where they got nothing to do, 6 reminded me and a lot of other people why they’re the characters to keep an eye on in future years. They have these wonderfully dark backstories that let them serve as haunting foils for two members of team RWBY each (Emerald and Ruby and Weiss, Mercury for Blake and Yang) that show how far things could have gone if the RWBY girls had been born with a bit less luck. On top of all that, I’m The One is just a killer of a song that excites with its spiteful air, its cockiness only accentuating how horrific these two have had it.

Mercury and Emerald start the Mistral seasons separated by a barrier (the window) but after their conversation in Lost and time away from Cinder, the barrier’s gone. They’re closer than they were before. And Merc got his eyebrows back too, that’s a sign he started caring about Emerald!

Their scene in Lost I feel encapsulates a lot of what keeps them together and what makes for one of RWBY’s best dynamics- they don’t really like each other a lot of the time, but they have each other’s back come hell or high water because they need each other like a lifeline. Mercury does, at least a little, genuinely care for Emerald; he goes about it in a dickish way but trying to recognize Cinder’s abusive behavior is one of the most noble things he’s done all show. And while Emerald did try to attack him, he goaded her into it and she was indignant with rage when Tyrian pinned Merc down. Everything about the scene just works for me, from the small musical cues (alongside the return of I’m The One and Cinder’s theme, I love how right before Emerald attacks Mercury, this beeping starts and then accelerates into this droning sound like a flatline, which really captures Emerald’s temper reaching fever pitch and then snapping, to the lighting symbolism (Merc and Em both begin the scene in darkness but come together in the light at the end after Tyrian leaves, alongside everything I said above) and of course, Katie Newville and Yuri Lowenthal both knocking it out of the park with a home run of a performance, alongside Josh Grelle being his usual self when Tyrian shows up. While it was overshadowed by Jaune’s scene with the Pyrrha statue, I’d be very comfortable marking Emerald and Mercury’s spotlight scene in Lost as not just a highlight of the season, but one of the best scenes of the entire show. Everything came together for this ambrosia of a scene, and I can only hope I sold how much it means to me and how much I appreciate the work that went into it on a technical, writing, animation, acting and musical level.

Keep an eye on Merc and Em is all I’m saying, and if you’ve written them off in the past, I hope this convinced you to take another look at them and hope they get their due time to shine in future.

Thank you for reading.

#rwby #mercury black #emerald sustrai #Tyrian Callows #yang xiao long #salem #marcus black #taiyang xiao long #rwby analysis #yuri lowenthal #katie newville #rwby volume 6 chapter 4 #rwby volume 6 chapter 9 #josh grelle #rwby6 #so that's how it is #lost

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