#ruby answers asks

[archer973]

I've been really excited to read your maulsoka spite fic since you posted a snippet forever ago

is there any hope to actually see it?

Hi!

Thank you so much for your interest in the fic! It is a fic that is very near and dear to my heart, and I absolutely have not abandoned it.

Unfortunately, I have not had much time to dedicate to writing recently due to Real Life (namely, working six days a week and raising a toddler) and the burn out that comes with it.

I'm not sure when my mojo will come back (hopefully after the holidays), but I definitely haven't abandoned the Spite Fic and will absolutely post a link to it once it is finished! I tag all of my fic posts with 'ruby writes fic', so that would be the one to keep an eye on. I also post all of my fics on my AO3!

Again, thanks for your interest!

[rwby-encrusted-blog]

If Pyrrha was still alive and at Ever After when she saw Jaune as the Rusted Knight, she would also thirst for him like Weiss did, but one key difference.

Pyrrha: I thirst for him whether he is the Rusted Knight or regular Jaune.

She would also be extremely worried, but I will focus on the light hearted part.

Weiss: Mature~

Pyrrha: FUCKING SEXY~

RWBY: Huh?

Jaune: What?

Pyrrha: I mean, I thought you were handsome before but holy fuck~

Jaune: Are- Are you alright?

Pyrrha: I will be After you-

Ruby: OKAY! We are not doing or saying anything lewd-

Pyrrha: I wish we were~ And you're not gonna Stop me~

Weiss: may I join?

Pyrrha: is it just because he's a Daddy now?

Ruby: IT DOESN'T MATTER BECAUSE WE'RE NOT ON THE LWDE BLOG!

Jaune: Yeah, Let's keep things pg-13 at most over here.

Pyrrha: How do we get to the lwde blog?

Ruby: Depends on the ruler of this version of reality.

Blake: ... Are ... Are they making sense to you?

Yang: Not at all.

[novankenn]

Cinder: (Swings door open quickly ignoring the note.) My Queen! Those brats have broke into the castle we must stop!

(Pauses while looking at the scene)

Jaune: (His head on Weiss's lap as she runs her fingers though his hair) Alyx was a brat but she still was like family she didn't deserve what that cat did.

Salem: I understand life is usually cruel. Now tell me more about this Curious Cat.

Cinder: WTF?!?

Cinder stalked through the halls and corridors of EverNight Castle. Her twin obsidian blades ready to strike down the intruders... if she could find them. Normally she would have zeroed in on the sounds of conflict and combat, but there was none. The grimm she passed, when she did come across them were just wandering about aimlessly, that was if they weren't sitting or laying down.

So without the sounds of a fierce pitched battle to guide her, Cinder was forced to actually search for the interlopers... who she knew was team RWBY and their friends.

Cinder: This is RIDICULOUS! I must ask my queen for help, to locate these brats.

Cinder made a turn at the next corner and stomped her way toward the throne room. She emerged from one of the side halls into the main corridor and turned towards her destination. Five minutes later she stood there before the large double doors... in total shock.

Cinder: I...

A Beowulf, dressed in a tasteful skirt and blouse ensemble, matched with a set of sensible heels, and topped off with a pearl necklace, and a pair of wire rim glasses... stood before the doors baring her entry.

Cinder: I...

The Beowulf pointed to a sign near the door, well a set of signs in fact. It took ever ounce of her will power to draw her eyes off the figure before her, and look at the signs.

(1) If the doors are closed there is either a meeting or session in progress. Unless it is an EMERGENCY no admittance.

(2) Sessions are by appointment ONLY.

(3) This is a ZERO TOLERANCE work place. Anyone causing a disturbance, or harassing staff will be asked to leave. Failure to do so will cause the authorities to be summoned.

(4) I am the boss, but my secretary is in charge. If she says NO then it's NO. There are no exceptions.

Cinder: Secretary?

The Beowulf nodded its head and using a metal ruler tapped the desk name plate.

Cinder: Grendelsa Grimmsald, Executive Assistant to Doctor Salem Salem?

The Beowulf who Cinder now knew was named Grendelsa nodded.

Cinder: But, I...

Grendelsa: *Grunt like growl*

Cinder: I know I don't have an appointment, but this is an emergency! The castle is under attack! I must speak to Queen...

Grendelsa: *Growl like grunt*

Cinder: I mean Doctor Salem.

Grendelsa pointed to a set of rather comfy looking waiting room chairs, and Cinder knew instantly she had no choice. So she sat down, and after a few seconds wiggled her butt into the plush cushioning getting more comfortable.

Cinder dozed off, and awoke with a start at the sound of the door opening.

Salem: I understand it is quiet the commute so I will have Grendelsa arrange for some accommodations for you, as in my opinion there is a need to have a few more sessions over the next week before I feel confident that we can space them out further. Is that acceptable Ms Schnee? Mr Arc?

Weiss: More than. Thank you for your hospitality, and all your help.

Cinder shot to her feet, her eyes wide in shock. Salem, her queen. Malevolent Evil Incarnate was in a black pant suit, wearing glasses and SHAKING HANDS with the SCHNEE who was holding the hand of the blond wanna-be knight from Beacon!

Jaune: I still don't...

Salem: It's alright Mr Arc. These things take time, and we progress at the pace that you set. There is no rushing this. Your mental health is very important, and with Ms Schnee's support and my assistance we will help you find resolutions.

Weiss: Can we give it a couple more sessions Jaune? I really do think this is good for you, me and us.

Jaune: Okay. I'll try a few more times.

Salem: Excellent. Grendelsa will make all the...

Cinder: WHAT THE FUCK IT THIS!!!!

Salem: Ms Fall. Those types of outbursts are not acceptable!

Cinder: WHAT THE FUCK, SALEM? THEY'RE FROM BEACON! THEY'RE YOUR ENEMIES!

Salem: Lower your voice or you will be escorted out.

Cinder: WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?!?!? ARE YOU GIVING THEM THERAPY???

Salem: You were warned Ms Fall. Ms Grimmslad if you please...

/==/

Twenty minutes later Cinder found herself sitting outside of the main gate of EverNight Castle, right next to Ruby Rose, Yang Xiao Long, and Blake Belladonna.

Ruby: You get kicked out too?

Cinder: ...

[aliusfrater]

related to nick's post. you can't even make this stuff up

[krash-8]

thank u pfx family and friends for saving me from no idea hell yet AGAIN

ft more that I made but didnt feel like drawing out

[spahhzy]

My I request more dragon slayer angst. Maybe a bit of unrequited love

*I'm finally getting to these*

Ruby: Yang?

Ruby entered the bar looking for her sister... she heard a couple of folk saying they saw a young woman with yellow hair come to this bar.

Walking up to the bar, she spoke to one of the bar tenders.

Ruby: Hi, uhm, have you seen this person? *shows a picture of Yang*

Bartender: Yeah... she's currently hammered playing pool at table 13.

Ruby nodded and slipped the bartender some lien for the help and went on her way.

???: Again!

???: Again? Listen lady... that like the 10th game in a row I've beaten you... maybe you should lay off the alcohol and -

???: I said AGAIN.

???: Alright alright sheesh...

Ruby made it to the table to see her sister, drunk, clumsily racking the balls before backing away from the table as the gentleman she was playing against made his break.

Ruby: Yang?

Yang just turned her head and waved at her sister.

Yang: Hiya Ruubes!

Ruby: What are you doing?

The gentlemen broke, and the balls spread out amongst the table, none making a pocket, leaving the table open for her.

Yang: Ah, you know... I'm just playing some pool.

As she says this, she stroked her pool stick into the cue ball, letting it roll until it struck the yellow 1 object ball.

Ruby: You missed Jaune's party...

Yang: Yeah... just wasn't my style, you know? Hey, wanna drink?

Yang offered her a shot glass, to which Ruby declined as her sister shrugged her shoulders and downed the liquid before she leaned across the pool table and sunk another solid.

Yang: Ya know, sis, I am finally able to see why Jaune liked this game so much, such a calm but tense game.

Yang reached over and hit the cue ball again, watching as it hit another of her solids, sinking it into a low corner pocket.

Yang grabbed another shot and downed it quickly before continuing her turn as she sunk another solid.

Ruby: I think you've had enough shots, Yang.

Yang: Nonsense! The night is still young, and I'm celebrating Jaune's party in true Yang fashion.

Ruby: By playing pool and drinking yourself to death?

Yang just rolled her eyes.

Yang: Do I lecture you on how to party?

Ruby: That's because the Yang i know is always the life of said party...this isn't a party it's just you and the bottle.

Yang didn't say anything as she reached over and once again sunk another solid, leaving her just one before the 8ball.

Ruby: I know you're hurting Yang, but this-

Yang just let out a drunken mirthless laugh.

Yang: You don't know anything Ruby...you have Oscar, Weiss has Emerald, and Blake has Sun...

Ruby: Yang...

Yang: But who does Yang have!? No one! The one guy who i really liked, who I've tried flirting with, giving him signs, and who he even taught me how to play this game is getting married.

Leaning over, she hit her final solid into pocket, leaving her with her last ball, the 8ball.

Yang: What were all those times we shared together? Did it mean nothing to him? How was she just able to walk back into his life and take him from me! Why wasn't I enough!

In her anger, she hit the 8 ball too hard, causing her cue ball to go careening in a different direction, and at the same time, both the cueball and 8ball had both fell into the pocket.

She lost again.

Yang just collapsed into a seat as she stared sadly at the ceiling lights.

Yang: I just wanted to be enough for him...

And with that, Yang fell asleep, with tears running down her face.

The dragon had been defeated, finally lost after suffering a broken heart.

Ruby looked at the other gentleman.

Ruby: I think you should go.

The man nodded, not needing to be told twice as Ruby called Oscar, advising him to get the spare bedroom ready, as she wouldn't leave her sister alone when she needed someone.

-

I leave the mystery of who Jaune is marrying up to you.

[whatudowhennooneseesyou]

Who in skz and atz do you think would be willing to move to a different country for their s/o? Who wouldn’t even consider it?

Oooh okay so this an interesting one because there's a lot of placements that can influence this.

It's more difficult to do this with Stray Kids than Ateez because we don't have their rising sign and therefore I don't know their house placements (except for lee know and bang chan).

With Stray Kids-

The most obvious would be Chris and Felix because they both were raised in Australia so just on a cultural level, they are probably more willing to move to another place for their s/o.

Seungmin spent a little bit of time in the U.S as a kid so I think he'd be open to it if he could be in continuous contact with his family.

Lee Know with his Sagittarius Moon could move because his personality is humanitarian-based anyway but he would have to be ride or die with his partner for him to make that decision.

The rest of the members- I don't think they would want to leave their homeland for another person.

With Ateez:

Seonghwa is the member who will most likely move to another place because his Aquarius Venus highlights his significant other will most likely come from a different ethnic/cultural background to him.

Hongjoong with his 11th House stellium...I think he's like Lee Know where he'd only do it if he were certain the partner he's moving for is a ride or die for him. Same for Jongho.

Wooyoung and San- I reckon they both would move if their family could move with them.

The others- probably wouldn't as they're Mommy's boys and Yunho's natal chart indicates he wants that 'trad wife' kind of relationship so I don't think he'd be up to it.

[lesbianneopolitan]

'Learn how to trust again, Neo', but colored o7

[rwac96]

Ask

OG Stud. Gigolo

Jaune wants a picture of Ruby posing sexily since she is the most beautiful client. She doesn't need to know that he will post it online.

https://rule34.xxx/index.php?page=post&s=view&id=8733515

Ruby: *posing, naked* "I've never done something like this before, Jaune."

Jaune: *behind the camera* "Well, you are my most beautiful client~."

Ruby: *giggles* "Aww, you sweet talker~."

CLICK!-CLICK!!

[fangswbenefits]

Okay, folks!

Last day of the year.

I'm about to have my New Year's party delivering babies throughout a 12h night shift 🫂

Anyways!

Thank you all so much for reading my works and putting up with the mess that this blog has become LOL Some of you have been here since Miguel, and I'm grateful that you've also given Astarion a shot 🫂🩷

Thank you for keeping me company and for encouraging me to share my writing 🥺

Thank you for making this year special 🩷

Happy New Year! I'll see you all soon 😘 🎉

[archer973]

8 & 18 for fic asks?

8. What project(s) are you currently working on?

*glances guiltily at my WIP folder* Well, that I'm actively working on, there's the sequel to stories on our skin (Maulsoka smut), plus my Maulsoka Spite Fic that still hasn't seen the light of day. Then I have a Riddick/Kyra fic that I've been picking away at for an unholy amount of time, but still consider active. Plus I have been having more Revo feels lately (thanks in part to your wonderful gifsets!), so I've been poking at the next work in the Heartbound series. And there is a post-fall Hannigram fic that I haven't started writing yet, but that has been gnawing on my subconscious like a wolf on a bone, so that is probably in my future sometime, though gods only know when it would actually see the light of day

18. What’s one of your favorite lines you’ve written in a fic?

I will admit to being particularly fond of this line from the Riddick fic I mentioned: Riddick felt a sudden dread, a knowledge that came to him the same way arterial blood did from a sliced vein, sudden and drowning and thick with death.

Thank you for the ask!

[rwby-encrusted-blog]

I got a promt idea. Saffron showing photos of when Jaune was cross dressing as a kid like wearing dresses (Either willing or forced by sisters) to who ever you want. Probably best to have at least 4 people react but I'm not the writer.

Yeah Four is about as many as I'm willing to do upon request

~~~~~

Saphron: And this is my Twelfth birthday! We managed to get that dress over his head without him waking up!

Penny: He is very adorable! I want to hug him very tightly!

Yang: Heh, Ruby wouldn't wear a dress like that unless she would die without it.

Penny: He seems to be more comfortable in feminine clothing nowadays.

Saphron: Yeah, there was an abundance of 'Girly' clothes at the house, and sometimes we couldn't get him 'appropriate' attire. He did get made fun of a few times, but me and the rest of our sisters took care of it.

Ruby: What'd your dad think about it.

Saphron: He didn't ... Necessarily like when we did it, but he also made sure to tell Jaune that he was his son no matter what he wore, Which is why Jaune's as comfortable as he is in other clothing.

Saphron: Honestly Dad was more upset about the footie pajamas than the dresses.

Weiss: *Licking her lips* Do you think we could get him to wear a dress now?

Penny: He did wear a dress to the Beacon Academy Dance. Him and the rest of JNPR quote "Tore up the Dance Floor"

Saphron: Really? Is there any photos?

Ruby: No ...

Yang: *Pulling out her scroll* But there is Video!

Weiss: Oh sweet Mana from heaven~

Penny: ...

Ruby: ...

Yang: ...

Saphron: Please refrain from thirsting over my brother when I'm Right here.

[novankenn]

Is it wrong I kinda want to keep building this wholesome Salem and Jaune story? We didn't get to see Team Jnpr or Team Rwby's reactions. So can we see those?

I wonder? More cracked insanity everyone? Hmmmm?

/==/

Pyrrha stood with her back pressed against the wall next to the open window of NPR's dorm. A raven sized Nevermore sitting on the sill looking out at the armed assembly of her friends. She was biting her lip, while holding an open parchment letter to her chest.

Ren: Pyrrha... care to... explain?

Pyrrha: It's... it's not what... it looks like?

Yang: Really? Cause it looks like you're ready a letter... that was delivered by a nevermore? Or am I seeing things?

Nora: Nope. That's what it looks like.

Weiss: How could you BETRAY BEACON like this! Cavorting with the enemy... with... with the GRIMM!

Blake: I'm confused... like seriously... this makes no sense. I mean seriously? Grimm delivering letters?

Ruby: Pyrrha I know Jaune vanished, but that doesn't mean you should throw everything away and join the dark side!

Pyrrha: I'm not joining anyone! This is a misunderstanding! I swear!

Ren: How is it a... misunderstanding? There's a letter in your hand, and a grimm sitting besides you.

Ruby: YOINK!

Pyrrha: HEY!! THAT'S PRIVATE!!!

Pyrrha wanted to rush Ruby as she handed the stollen letter to Wiess, but she was hesitant to do anything that her friends would consider hostile...

Weiss: WHAT THE FUCK!!!

THUD

Blake: So that happened.

Yang: What the hell? Give me that!

Yang yanks the letter from currently fainted Weiss' hand, and opens it before her eyes.

Yang: WHAT THE FUCK!!!

THUD

Blake: Huh. That's two.

Ruby: Weiss! Yang! Stay with me! Don't go into the light!

Nora hesitantly reaches out and picks the letter from Yang's grip. As Ruby sits between the fainted forms of her sister and partner, a look of total bewilderment on her face.

Pyrrha: Please... just...

Nora looks at everyone before she as well reads the contents of then letter...

Nora: NO WAY! NOT POSSIBLE! SERIOUSLY?

Ruby/ Blake / Ren / Pyrrha: ...

Nora: I'M AN AUNTIE!!!!! WOOOHOOOOO!!!!!

Ren / Blake / Ruby: Excuse me?

Nora: So...

Nora points at Pyrrha with the letter.

Pyrrha: So?

Nora: How long have you... known where Fearless Leader was?

Pyrrha: A while...

Nora: Why... didn't... you... tell... us?

Pyrrha: I was asked by Jaune not to, until after the babies were born.

Ren / Blake / Ruby: Babies?

Nora: Likely story.

Pyrrha: It's true?

Nora: What else have been hiding from us... Pyrrha... IF that is even your real name!

Pyrrha: Yes it is my name!

Nora: Confess!!! Confess everything!!!

Pyrrha: But I...

Nora: CONFESS!!!

Pyrrha: I knew since about a month after Jaune vanished. I was approached by a woman named Cinder Fall while in Vale at a photo-op...

Nora: Anything... else?

Pyrrha: That trip to Argus four months ago?

Ren / Blake / Ruby: Babies?

Nora: Go on.

Pyrrha: I was actually at Jaune's wedding.... I was his best man, er woman...

Nora: And pray tell why did you not tell us... Jaune-Jaune's team... or more importantly...

Pyrrha: Importantly?

Nora: WHY WASN'T I INVITED!!!

Pyrrha: It was a small service with limited seating, and Jaune's family took up most of his side, he only had room to invite one more...

Nora: Okay. I accept that. It's reasonable.

Ren / Blake / Ruby: Babies?

Nora: So why didn't you tell me and Rennie? I thought we were friends?

Pyrrha: I'm sorry. Jaune asked me to keep things quiet until after the babies were born. They were worried... and... I'm sorry?

Nora: Apology Accepted. So.

Pyrrha: So?

Nora: When does Auntie Nora get to see her nieces? Oh! Oh! Oh!! Do you have pictures? Please say you have pictures!

Pyrrha: Not yet... but soon?

Pyrrha cast a glance at the nevermore and it just tilted it'd head.

Pyrrha: Maybe?

Nevermore: SQUAWK!!

Nora lashed out and grabbed the nevermore faster than anyone could have guessed she could move. In fact her motions rivaled Ruby's Semblance. She pulled the grimm avian towards her face, a maniacal gleam in her eyes.

Nora: Go... bring... pictures... understand?

Nevermore: SQUAWK!!!

Nora released the grimm and it bolted out the window and vanished into the air. Dropping the letter to the floor, Nora stepped over and past everyone, hooking her arm through Pyrrha's and leading the stunned champion out of the dorm.

Pyrrha: Nora?

Nora: I want all the details! Leave nothing out!

Ren / Blake / Ruby: Babies?

/==/

Utter & Complete Insanity Story Collection

/==/

[arty-e]

They are all beautiful, especially the Zolotos 💛 Is Mona by any chance Rubis' daughter?

Maybe…

[rearranging-deck-chairs]

clara voice: is that what i look like from the back?

[rwbyrg]

If it's alright, I'm just curious, do you have any thoughts of your own or theories about Oscar or Ruby or both of them in terms of v10? To add, do you have any theories for the merge and how it will end up for both Oscar and Ozpin? Like will it be a good or bad thing? Sorry if these questions seem vague lol

Of course it's alright to ask! I do have many thoughts and a handful of theories. I'll admit most of them are wishful thinking since there's truly no way to tell where the story will go until it actually happens. But if I were to distill it to the ones I'm most expecting and why, then I'd probably say:

Expansion on Ruby's solo arc that kicked off in V9

Acknowledging the setups (plural) between Ruby and Oscar's arcs

The merge-curse is eventually broken (blame the allusions)

I'll elaborate a bit below.

1. Expanding on Ruby's Arc

What we saw Ruby go through in V9 is very much not the end of that particular plot line, imo. We saw a bit of this in Justice League: Part 2 and the final ep of RWBY Beyond where she talks to Clark and Yang about her struggles a bit. Ruby needs to learn how to both ask for and accept help from those around her so the weight of everything she's carrying doesn't crush her. Especially now when they're down to the wire and she's come back as a resurrected martyr who's face has been used at the centre of the resistance movement she's now helping to lead. How will she live up to the expectations and pressures of that impossible pedestal when she's only a human girl with very normal knees who's barely keeping it together? Also, while I don't know exactly how they're going to address everything she experienced, and I struggle to imagine her speaking about Neo's Horror House to anyone directly... that sort of trauma doesn't just go away once it's over. So I would be very surprised if the effects of it didn't ripple throughout the remaining chapters of the show. Especially when every other member of RWBY has seemingly had the bulk of their main character arcs already. It's long overdue for Ruby to get that time in the spotlight. Which does sort of lead into my next point...

2. Acknowledging the Setups in Ruby and Oscar's Dynamic

For starters, we've got the merge and ascension parallels to address. Ruby and Oscar have always mirrored each other's issues around identity, choice, fear, responsibility, leadership, etc., and this buildup seems to be coming to a head following V9. From Oscar's "I'm just going to be another one of his lives, aren't I?" to Ruby's "What if you could be anyone?", and how the two of them will relate to each other in light of those contrasting - but similar - experiences. Especially with Ruby having just come back from the tree to find Oscar fighting against the merge harder than ever before. But we also have their attachments to each other to sort out as well. Ruby and Oscar have been watching each other's backs in different ways since V5, their reunion hug in V8 was interrupted where no other "pairing's" was, and they were the only "pairing" still to be split up between the Ever After and Remnant. Not to mention that, while they were separated, Ruby was pushed to a breaking point after being shown an illusion of losing Oscar, while Oscar was back in the real world eulogizing about how he lost Ruby. CRWBY doesn't setup relationship parallels and focuses as intensely and intentionally as this without pay off at some point.

Again, while the specifics are nearly impossible to predict, I'm expecting a bit of a Dojo Scene Reprise, heart-to-heart of sorts, and/or, something that puts those attachments to the test. My immediate thought is that this test will finally push Oscar to unlocking his semblance since getting shot, falling from Atlas, being kidnapped, and tortured were all not enough to make it happen. (Although my wishful thinking is that it unlocks in a happier moment, I think that's much less likely.)

If I were to engage in pure speculation on this, my easiest bet is that it will come at the hands of Tyrian. When our Little Prince was first introduced, it was almost as if he was waking from a nightmare of that villain laughing with glee at the opportunity to hunt down a certain rose. And with this being the Vacuo arc with Ruby and Oscar getting a lot of focus, and Tyrian already on the prowl within the kingdom, it would make a lot of sense. The little prince fated to have a confrontation with a venomous antagonist in the desert over his attachment to a rose is about as textbook as it gets. (I could also see it go to Cinder or being delayed until they follow through on the threat of Ruby being kidnapped by Salem, if that's the route they decide to take. But again we'll have to wait and see how it plays out.)

3. Oscar and the Merge

I'm not entirely sure where they're headed with this one between now and the resolution... but I do think the resolution itself will otherwise be a happy one, if not bittersweet. RWBY is a story about breaking cycles, and Oz has been part of one of the longest on Remnant since the very beginning. Pairing that with this show being, ultimately, a happy story, as well as a looking at two of Oscar and Oz's shared allusions, I can only imagine they will be separated by the end.

The first allusions to mention are from The Marvelous Land of Oz. Princess Ozma (aka Oscar) is the rightful heir to the kingdom and next in line to take over when it's time for the wizard to retire. It's very clear that - however this plays out - Oscar is the final incarnation. Typically, when one ruler leaves the throne that's it. They're gone. Oz has fiddled with Remnant's history for countless millennia now in his endless fight against Salem. When the dust settles and it's time for Remnant to rebuild, it should be up to the new generation to take charge without his influence from "the old world" in the mix.

From a Little Prince lens - for those unfamiliar with the book - the aviator (aka Oz) spends much of the story waffling about the little prince he is stranded with in the desert... only to be very sad when his new friend leaves him behind to go home to the stars. RWBY is already subverting this story a bit with Oscar being the one wanting to be rid of his pilot instead of the other way around. If I were to guess how the show will carry this further, it would be that Oz moves on, but perhaps with some lingering attachment on either (or both) sides. Maybe a bit of a "all this time I wanted it to end, but now that it's finally happening, I wish I (you) didn't have to go".

At least that's what seems to make sense to me, thematically speaking. Oscar will be irreversibly changed by these events even if he is freed from the curse, however. There is no question about it. Because that is what the Hero's Journey is all about.

The hero leaves their farm and they fall through a new world. It is both horrifying and exciting in equal measure. And throughout it all they are changed by the experiences they have and the people they meet - both good and bad, within their control and outside of it. And when the quest is finally over, there is grief. Because you are not the same person you were when you left home, and you can never truly return to what you had and who you were before it all happened.

This is also, coincidentally, just what it means to grow up. Which - while not the only one, and certainly not unique to Oscar's arc alone - has always been one of the loudest allegories hiding within the merge to me. We meet and know people, we don't always have a say in how long they can stay and how they change us... and then one day they are gone, but their influence and our memories of them stay with us. And then, as RWBY has taught us since the very beginning, we keep moving forward despite it all.

( @creatoriamari tagging you here just in case to make sure you get the notif because I don't know if it still works if I saved the ask as a draft. 🙇‍♀️)