#they even had a weiss markets there!!

[meltorights]

but we werent all that far from the major metropolis of Carbondale. . .

just discovered us news and world reports considers my highschool "distant rural" lmao

[bridgyrose]

Long time no see, Bridgy! I've kinda missed your prompts ever since you stopped taking them... how long ago was it? Anyway, I hope life has been well for you.

But now that you've started taking prompt requests again, I'd like to request a prompt that has been on my mind for... honestly, I've lost count of the time. But here it is:

Instead of one Rusted Knight, the gang encounters the Rusted Legion, made up of multiple Jaunes from across the multiverse.

Ruby could only watch as her friends rushed past her to fight the creature that came into the market. Her body refused to move even as the Curious Cat tugged at her skirt, eyes locked on the creature that she knew as the Jabberwalker. Her heart raced as she instinctively reached for the weapon she didnt have, fingers shaking as they closed to make a fist. 

And then her eyes widened. Another Jabberwalker rushed into the market along with another and another, more than there ever was in the story she was familiar with. She found herself pulling back as her legs started to shake, her breathing started to become ragged as she watched her friends struggle against the monsters that seemed to come in overwhelming power. 

“Get back!” 

Ruby looked towards the voice that called out, her heart started to calm as she watched a knight wearing rusted armor riding a jackalope race towards the Jabberwalkers. She finally pulled her hand away from her back as the knight stopped between the Jabberwalkers and her friends.

“Get out of here and head to the mountain,” the knight half ordered as he pulled his sword out of its hilt and readied his shield. “There’s a cave for you to get to. We’ll handle these.” 

Weiss looked at the knight, an eyebrow raised. “We?” 

As if to answer her question, a few more knights came racing towards the Jabberwalkers to defend the market. Each one seemed to take a Jabberwalker and started to push them back as another couple started to evacuate the remaining denizens that werent able to get out. The knight that stopped closest to Yang, Blake, and Weiss seemed to watch the others to make sure everything was under control before speaking again. “I’ll lead you to the cave.” 

“And who are you?” Yang asked as the knight walked past her. “We dont know we can trust you.” 

“I’ll explain everything once we get you to safety. But right now its not safe to stay here. There’s only supposed to be one Jabberwalker.” 

Ruby stared at the knights that were fighting the Jabberwalkers. She still couldnt manage to get her body to move, still frozen in place. Even as the first knight walked past with her team in tow, all she could do was watch as the marketplace had started to be destroyed. It was just like what had happened with Atlas. She hadnt been able to do enough then, just like she hadnt been able to do enough now. So much destruction and there wasnt anything she could do for it. 

“Ruby, are you okay?” Yang asked as she put a hand on Ruby’s shoulder. 

Ruby slowly looked away from the fighting and towards her friends. “Y-yeah, I’m fine.” 

“Are you sure?” Blake asked. “You seemed zoned out-” 

“I’m fine!” Ruby snapped. She nearly recoiled once she realized what she’d said and started to follow the knight. “I-I just want to get out of here and go home.” 

Weiss sighed and followed right behind Ruby. “We all do and we will. But until then, we’re going to need all the help that we can to find a way out.” 

Ruby nodded and quietly followed the knight out of the market and up the mountain that was just past it. Her body almost seemed to move on autopilot as she followed the Rusted Knight, her eyes unfocused as she kept them on him. Any other time she would’ve been excited about meeting the Rusted Knight, being in the Ever After and seeing the world and not just imagining how everything looked. But the longer they went, the more they followed the book and ran into each of the characters, the more if felt that getting home was going to be an impossible task.

Soon enough, they found themselves on the path to a cave near the top of a small mountain with two knights keeping watch. Once they reached the cave, they came to a stop as the knights took their helmets off. Ruby couldnt believe that she was seeing two Jaunes standing in front of her. 

“We’ve kept watch just as you asked,” the Jaune with an eye patch said. “The path back to our stronghold is still clear.” 

The Rusted Knight nodded and motioned them away. “Head back and let the others know we’ll be having guests soon. They need to rest before I bring them around.” 

“Yes Sir,” both Jaunes said as they saluted before heading off. 

“Neither one of them were our Jaune, were they?” Weiss asked quietly. 

“Not from what I could tell,” Blake answered. “They looked different.” 

Yang shrugged and walked into the cave. “But Jaune didnt fall, did he? I mean, it was only us, right?” 

“I’m sure he made it to Vacuo,” Weiss answered. She looked over at the Rusted Knight, a blush crossing her cheeks. “But we do have a knight to thank.” 

The Rusted Knight walked into the cave last and sat down to make a fire. “You dont need to thank me, I’ve been waiting for all of you, Weiss. Its so good to see all of you again.” 

“You… know us?” 

The Rusted Knight nodded and removed his helmet. “Its been too long.” 

The girls all stared at the knight… no… Jaune… it was another Jaune, the third Jaune that they’ve seen. Ruby kept quiet while Blake and Weiss seemed to be running through their own thoughts on what they had expected for the Rusted Knight. Yang, however, finally managed to speak. 

“Alright, what gives?” Yang asked. “Why are there three of you?” 

“There’s more than that,” Jaune said as he added a few more sticks to the flames in front of him. “I’ve met about thirty other Jaunes and there could be hundreds more. But I am your Jaune.” 

Weiss nodded and sighed. “Then you fell too. And Winter?” 

“Winter made it to Vacuo before the portal closed. After Cinder managed to get the staff, the bridge started to fall apart.”

“And the other Jaunes, why are there so many?” 

Jaune shrugged. “I’m not sure, but I know they’re all from different timelines. Some fell the same way we did, others ended up falling here another way. And if they fell here, then I’m sure there are other versions of you that did too. Though, I havent seen any yet.” 

Ruby slowly nodded and sat down, staring at the flames and at Jaune. If so many had fallen here too, then did that mean there was no way Atlas could’ve been saved? Was she destined to fail no matter what? It made her head spin the longer she thought about it, her heart breaking as one simple truth came to mind: she was never going to be a hero like her mother. 

[powertaco]

What are your thoughts on WR development overall and your thoughts on WR being developed/made canon in V10?

Ugh I am going to ramble about everything here I can feel it...well you asked for it. I apologize for none of it, and if you all hate me at the end well I don't mind.

Volume 6 and before are pretty much great. They go from kinda at odds to tentative friends, learning to trust, and rely on each other, best friends, pining over one and other and V6 was a loooot of WR for us to feast on.

Afterward I felt like it got sidetracked. There could be various reasons for this (in hindsight I feel like Penny being given a way bigger role so her death could hit harder is to blame for part of this because realistically how long has Ruby known Penny? A month?)

Even if you don't like the ship they're supposed to be canon best friends so I take personal issue with almost all of volume 9.

I think it was sloppy writing that didn't move the story forward, and even though I don't care about Bees I feel like they still got shafted since they basically were forced to confess to move things along, and them doing so made them miss out on the sister/supposed friend and her problems, and only showcased the worst sides of the relationship.

For example Yang let's Ruby scream at Weiss but only moves to do something when Blake gets yelled at. Blake and Ruby still have...less dialogue than Ruby does with Ren I think etc.

Jaune was too present merely because his entire deal took away from Ruby's imo.

I've said it before but frankly Nora falling and learning who she is away from Ren so when she sees him in V10 she's ready for the relationship is far more satisfying to me narratively.

Leave Jaune above ground so he has to deal with the fact that he thinks he failed his friends and they all died and let him learn from that experience instead.

This also doesn't take into account that Jaune's one interesting change in 9 (being old) is taken away via random deaging (although I guess this makes deaging canon and hey young maria this is how dwr can still win! more at 11!)

Generally when characters go through a volume you want some sort of arc for them to go and change through. Weiss gets none of that. Out of all the characters nothing really happens to her, and she doesn't change at all. She's just sad about Atlas. Neat.

There's no time for it just like there's no real time for Ruby.

In Ruby's own words 'gotta help Jaune right?' and they do. Ruby removes herself from the census, which is how its framed, and they stop to...help Jaune.

There are a few moments that are WR'ish in 9. The Nevermore summon, Weiss believing in Ruby, and calling her name first etc, but overall Weiss's main job is to backslide.

I said it before but in the market Neo, the perfect assassin is after Ruby, and they split up. Weiss goes 'gross nosehairs', and ditches her best friend who she already knows by that point is NOT doing well.

This is not Volume 1. This Weiss is not that petty, and she's literally had to manhandle corpses. The fact that she wouldn't stay near her canonical best friend, and leader is asinine, and only happens so she can be alone to meet the smith.

Even if Weiss can't help Ruby fight Neo she's an extra pair of eyes (and Neo doesn't care how crowded it is in the market), and just being there for Ruby can help.

With all that said RWBY is big into symbolism. When WR are together in almost all the side spin off material it means something. Manga Anthologies has them making heart eyes and flirting like every other page. Ice Queendom was a love letter to WhiteRose (precious?). The movies, etc.

When their weapons rest next to each other on screen like the Bees do? It means something. When their flowers break ranks to be near each other (and Weiss's flower is the lily please note)? This means something.

Ruby can stand and jump from missile to missile but has to wrap her arms around Weiss to stay seated?

If Chibi continues it's pattern of predicting things in the main plot then the fact that Weiss is the woodsman in the fairy tale means a loooot as in several versions of that fairy tale the woodsman marries little red after helping her deal with the wolf problem (which varies by the story).

They're the knight and princess for each other. Ruby comes into Weiss's live turns it upside down, and helps her change. Likes her for her genuinely and wants to be her friend at the start. Through this she changes the world for Weiss, and helps her grow, and Weiss in turn helps Ruby be the leader she can be.

But yeah I guess that's just friends things and they should date some guys they've had like a half a dozen lines with instead? I don't get it really.

She and Oscar punch each other in the face, and they talk about strategy. Oscar has a younger kid crush on her, and Ruby is awkward because that's her headmaster in this kids head. Oh right he went in for a hug she ignored. Peak romance.

Jaune and Weiss have almost no interactions, and when he saves her at Haven her response isn't to be like 'omg i love you' it's 'keep doing it i have work to do'. Are they friends now? Sure, but that's about as far as it goes.

It remains that outside of group hugs the only person that's allowed to initiate contact with Weiss almost all the time outside of battle is Ruby.

Ruby knows when she needs help and will guide her away when she needs it, but other people don't' touch Weiss unless she does it first because they know she doesn't like it...except Ruby.

I have tried to look at other relationships for them, and I honestly don't see them as realistic.

Even Penny would need a lot more development to make it work. I get that it's cute and wholesome but they've known each other for again a month, and Penny just defers to Ruby.

Ruby needs a partner and equal not a submissive enabler. That's a relationship you have with a pet, and not a person.

Now if Maria were young and hot that'd be different...

Anyway...

Ruby and Weiss are partners. If they're allowed to have the much needed conversations they never seem to get, ie haven, ever after, Ruby's mom, everything, etc.

Then is it possible? Maybe. If they do go WR I suspect it'll be more hints, and slow ramp up until the final season.

I would expect it either on the eve of the final battle, or literally during it maybe as in Weiss gets feds up with waiting, and decides to do something about it.

More likely at this point is they'll both just end up single with maybe faint hints so fans can imagine what they want for it.

Would I prefer it if it was WR so the team can truly be family? Yes, but I don't even know if we're getting a volume 10 at all to be honest. The fact that it wasn't announced at the last festival, and we get an extended eppy, and then nothing after the last movie?

Not making me feel super confident. I could be wrong though. On many things. Except Young Maria.

[marcmarcmomarc]

Ruby telling this story in front of the whole Remnant Alliance, using Robyn’s Lie Detection to prove what she’s telling them is the truth, inspired by this post:

ROBYN: So what happened on the other side of the portals?

RUBY: Well, after I fell, I met a talking mouse I named Little, then we found Weiss and Blake captured by a whole village of talking mice whom we convinced to let them go, then we found Yang fighting a Jabberwalker while missing her arm, then we realized we were in our favorite childhood fairy tale, The Girl Who Fell Through the World.

OSCAR: That fairy tale actually happened?

RUBY: Then we went to the village in the Crimson Acre to bargain with the Jinxy Peddler for Yang’s arm.

EMERALD: You met the Jinxy Peddler?

VELVET: Was he cute?

WEISS: Yeah.

RUBY: And he was older than he was in the book. Anyway, toy soldiers won the arm, and we only got it back from them because Little tried stealing another “fine treasure”, exposing Jinxy’s treasures as fakes. The soldiers escorted us to the Crimson Castle, at first to arrest us for stealing Yang’s arm, or “royal property”, before I traded Penny’s sword, with a story of her being the greatest warrior to ever live.

REMNANT ALLIANCE:

RUBY: The occasion was the birthday of who we thought was the Red King, but turned out to be the Red Prince, who was more of a spoiled brat than Weiss was at Beacon.

YANG: (nudging Weiss) Heh-heh.

RUBY: Then we challenged him to a game of chess, where he shrunk the girls to the size of chess pawns, and when we beat him, he threw a tantrum and wanted us beheaded, and the Curious Cat rescued us.

NORA: The Curious Kitty?!

REN: Were they as chatty as the book made them out to be?

RUBY: Mm-hm. Not to mention easily distracted. Anyway, they took us to look for ingredients for a Growgurt Parfait in the Garden Acre, and we met a smoking caterpillar called Herb who drugged us into seeing our past selves via leaves from the Great Tree, which we all rejected, well, which the other girls rejected, I almost gave in, before the Cat stopped me, then got Herb swallowed by a hole in the ground.

TAI: You guys did drugs?

QROW: Whoa, whoa, don’t start drinking like me, girls.

RUBY: Anyway, the Cat led us to a market to keep looking for the Parfait ingredients. Along the way, they told us about Ascension, a process that occurs when an Afteran is no longer doing the assigned role that they are supposed to be, triggered by them losing their ways, wearing out, doubting themselves, or even just finishing their assigned tasks, upon which they are taken to the Great Tree and repurposed into someone or something else with a new identity, personality, and role. Their memories are erased in the process, but the heart barely ever forgets.

REMNANT ALLIANCE: Ooh.

RUBY: And then, the market was attacked by Jabberwalkers using Neopolitan’s Semblance. We had all of the ingredients for the Parfait, and the girls grew back to normal size just as we got assistance from the Rusted Knight riding his white rabbit.

WHITLEY: You know, Weiss had a crush on the Rusted Knight when she was a kid.

BLAKE: I think everyone had a crush on the Rusted Knight at some point.

RUBY: Well, things didn’t help when he turned out to be a grown-up Jaune with longer hair and a beard, who grabbed a fruit that sent him back in time twenty years right after he landed.

REMNANT ALLIANCE:

NORA: Oh, my Gods, Jaune.

JAUNE: I was stuck there isolated from other human contact, too.

YANG: Weiss certainly loved how mature he was.

RUBY: And the white rabbit was a jackalope Jaune named Juniper.

NORA: Aw, Jaune.

RUBY: Then Jaune told us his perspective on the Tree, that he believed it was death, that Alyx backstabbed her brother Lewis, the author of the fairy tale, who wrote the story the way he wished it had happened, and that the Cat couldn’t be trusted, then we got sent to a punderstorm, which creates a physical manifestation of a mental or emotional problem. Jaune, Weiss, and I were sent to metaphorical and literal crossroads, while Yang and Blake were sent to two broken, wooden, rickety bridges connected to a giant pillar they could only advance toward if they were honest about their feelings for each other. Yeah, Yang and Blake are girlfriends now.

REMNANT ALLIANCE:

NORA: See, Ren? I told you there was more going on!

KALI: Our baby girl found love?

TAI: With my sunny little dragon?

RAVEN: She really is your daughter, then, Tai.

RUBY: Then the Cat bailed on us after mistaking us for selfishly using them to get home, and once the storm passed, Jaune let us spend the night in his house in the Origami Acre, then he introduced us the next morning to a village of paper stars called the Paper Pleasers whose purpose was finished and kept trying to go to the Tree to gain a new purpose, but Jaune had been stopping them for as long as he knew them. Then Neo’s Jabberwalkers attacked, and while we were distracted, the Paper Pleasers finally managed to commit mass suicide via destroying the koi pond dam, then when the girls asked me to help comfort Jaune, I blew up at them for caring more about everyone else’s feelings or getting home, and taking my mental health for granted and ignoring my suffering…

REMNANT ALLIANCE:

WBY+J:

RUBY: …then I ran away, came across the Abandoned Acre, and entered a random mansion, where Neo had made clone illusions of Roman Torchwick, Penny, Pyrrha, Professor Lionheart, Clover, Professor Ozpin, and General Ironwood, and used them to physically and psychologically destroy me, and when the chaos was over, I didn’t want to be me anymore, not helped by Torchwick’s question: “Do you really think you can stand to watch more of your friends fall, or are you ready to admit the truth? That the world would just be better off without you?”

REMNANT ALLIANCE (passing tissues around):

RUBY: Then Neo offered me tea made from leaves from the Tree intended to wipe me from existence, then the Cat blasted her away, but then turned out to be evil and tried to possess me, then Neo fought them off and stomped Little to death, then I drank the tea, offing myself, and got swallowed by the Tree.

YANG: (tearing up) Oh, Rubes.

RUBY: Then I met a Blacksmith, who I also found at the market, or, rather, she found me, and then she presented me with a choice to either be someone else or myself. I saw my mom’s weapon and was treated to a vision of the night she left with Raven on another one of Ozpin’s secret missions and never came back.

TAI: (turns accusingly at…) Raven?

RAVEN: (sheepishly) Uh, surprise?

HARE: (to Ruby) Wait. What did you say your mother’s name was again?

RUBY: Summer.

HARE: (muttering) So, her uncle is Qrow, her father is Taiyang, and her sister’s mother is Raven. All are members of Team STRQ. Summer, Summer, Summer… (out loud) Summer Rose, the leader of Team STRQ, was your mother?

REMNANT ALLIANCE (walla): Summer?…Summer Rose?…The previous silver-eyed Huntress?…That’s Summer Rose’s daughter?

RUBY: Yeah. And then, I finally chose to be myself and grow into a better Huntress. And I. Came. Back, and helped the girls fight the evil Cat. And we won.

REMNANT ALLIANCE:

RUBY: And then Neo killed the Cat with the Jabberwalkers, who, by the way, are the only creatures to prevent Ascension if they eat Afterans. And, according to the girls, Neo was possessed by the Cat, and she chose to accept Torchwick’s death and undergo her own Ascension. Oh, and Little ascended, too, into who we called Somewhat, and succeeded Jaune as the protector of the Ever After. And then, we had made it to the Tree, and we walked through the door back home, landed inside the plane of the Tree met the Blacksmith again at her workshop, and when we noticed two statues of the Brother Gods, she told us their backstory. That the Ever After was overfilled with plants and dangerous wildlife in its primordial years, but the Brothers were created to clear it out. Then they created the Afterans as well as the different acres for them to live in. They designed new creations that would replace them in maintaining the Ever After. This was how the Cat was created. They later created the Jabberwalker as a form of destruction. However, the two disagreed on whether it disrupted the balance or not and began to wage war.

OSCAR: (scoffs) What else is new?

RUBY: The Blacksmith told us how balance isn’t supposed to be two opposing forces locked in battle; balance is an ecosystem, an organism, and a living thing, thus balance isn’t restored with force or manipulation, it’s restored naturally, requiring love and patience to see it through to the end. The Gods got to Remnant because the Ever After created a door to a “greater beyond” for the Gods, so they can leave and experiment in creating new worlds as much as they like.

NORA: (snickering) So the Tree basically said, “You think you have life sorted out? Then get out of my house”?

RUBY: Pretty much.

TEAM RWBY, JAUNE, AND REMNANT ALLIANCE:

YANG: (wiping a tear) Oh, my Gods, that’s such a hilarious way of looking at it. Thanks, Nora.

RUBY: Anyway, the Blacksmith told us that we have impacted the Ever After significantly; just like Somewhat, Alyx, and Lewis, and that the Cat caused a bad impact, and then she made us a portal in the desert on the outskirts of the city, and now you’re all caught up.

[vecnawrites]

Patreon Reward: Be Careful What They Wish For

Yang, after finding a lamp in the flea market in Vale, brings it back to the school to see what to make of it, only to find a special surprise...

Yang hummed to herself as she took her find out of her bag, looking over the dusty and dirty surface with interested lilac eyes. She had found the lamp (at least that’s what she assumed it was) in the market area of Vale, in a flea market. It had called out to her, pretty much screaming ‘buy me!’, even though old fashioned looking stuff like this wasn’t usually her style.

Eh, if she didn’t like the look when she finished cleaning it, she could probably gift it to Weiss. She seemed the type to like old fashioned stuff like this, after all. She was all fancy like that.

Gathering a soft cloth and some soapy water, Yang hummed a soft tune as she began to wipe the lamp off, years and years of filth being cleaned away and a golden luster with teal accents being revealed underneath.

Despite herself, Yang found herself liking the look of the lamp as more and more of it was revealed, the colors catching her eye and that odd feeling that she had earlier when she saw the lamp halfway hidden in the stuffed flea market shelving.

More and more gunk was washed off, the basin water having to go through two changes before the lamp was finally in pristine condition, practically shining in the overhead light in the room.

Taking a dry cloth, she wiped it dry and smiled at how it looked after the fact. “Huh…it cleans up nicely, that’s for sure…” she murmured to herself as she buffed the metal. Maybe she would actually keep it…

Her eyes widened as she saw the blue accents light up in a bright glow, making the blonde drop the lamp onto the desk and shield her eyes to block them from the sting that radiated through them, missing the dark teal mists that rose up from the lamp, coalescing into a large, female form, golden bracelets and necklace, long dark blue hair falling down her back and covering her bare breasts.

“What is thy wish, my master?” blinking rapidly, Yang yanked her hands away, mouth dropping open and eyes roaming over the form of the large woman who had emerged from the lamp she had bought.

~

Yang, after making sure that she wasn’t hallucinating, immediately began to interrogate her about what she was and what she meant.

She learned that Jinn (the name of the genie that lived in this lamp) was made to grant three wishes to each owner she had, before finding a new owner.

Which left Yang at a quandary. She had three wishes, with certain caveats that immediately tossed out some of her wishes (Jinn couldn’t revive the dead, so no bringing back Summer, and she couldn’t make anyone fall in love with her, which only made sense, she would want someone to want her honestly, and she couldn’t wish for more wishes, which while understandable would make her wishes somewhat harder to make), and was deep in thought about what she wanted.

But then, there wasn’t much she honestly wanted outside of Summer back…though as she pondered over the idea, she remembered hearing a conversation that made her huff in anger.

She had overheard someone saying that her tits were the fourth largest in Beacon’s…that just wouldn’t do!

Yeah, that was it…if her wishes had to be for herself only and she couldn’t wish for extra wishes or for Summer back, she was going to make her body the envy of everyone!

Grinning, she looked up at Jinn. “I’m ready to make my first wish!”

~

Over the milennia that she had existed, Jinn the Genie had seen just about everything. Civilizations rise and fall. Allies and enemies made. She had seen all kinds of wishes as well, ranging from freedom from financial burdens, either through money or just forgiveness from their debts, to becoming ruler of a kingdom of their own.

This young blonde girl had been the first to summon her in over three hundred years, and she wondered what the girl would want in life, as even with her three restrictions, there was a lot that one could wish for-

“I want the biggest tits and ass in Beacon!”

…what.

Of all the…nigh infinite power she had at her command, and the girl wanted cosmetic changes? The girl wasn’t even deformed in any way!

Disgust filled her, but she was bound by the laws of the her kind. If someone wished for it, they would have to give it to them…though thankfully, loopholes existed. And with how loosely her wish was worded…

…well, she not often got to make sure people learned the meaning of the phrase ‘be careful what you wish for’, but this seemed like the perfect time for the girl to learn this lesson.

She wanted to have the biggest tits and ass in this school? She’d get them. Calling upon her powers, she allowed them to creep into the girl’s body, and begin changing it.

~

Yang watched as golden teal energy flowed out of the genie’s body and into her own, feeling it sink in and worm around, making her way towards her chest and rear end, filling them with a tingly warmth, the sudden sensation making her nipples swell up.

Yang looked down, watching with wide eyes as her breasts began to swell in her top, her nipples bulging against the front of her top as it stretched due to her bust increases more and more and more, her tube top getting tighter and tighter around her chest, her shorts doing the same around her waist until-

RRRRIIIIIIPPPPPP!!!

Yang watched in awe as her shirt and shorts exploded off of her body, her boobs becoming almost, well forget almost, outright cartoonish on her frame, looking like she had shoved beach balls underneath her skin, jiggling and bouncing with every slight movement that she made. Same with her ass, the normally taut flesh moving like it was filled with jello. Bouncing on the balls of her feet, she felt her body jiggle and shake.

Her body was outrageous. It was perfect.

Grinning up, she cried out her next wish, “I wish to have the biggest dick in Beacon!” she could see the genies face twist in some emotion, but another wave of energy was sent her way, smacking into and sinking into her crotch, making her shudder and hunch over, collapsing to her knees as her body changed.

~

Jinn felt even more disgust fill her as she watched the massive thing form on the girl’s body, a solid foot of flesh and a heavy pouch holding apple sized orbs in it. She couldn’t believe how her powers were being used. How disgusting…

~

Staring down between her legs with a grin, Yang reached down and gripped her newest limb, shuddering as she felt it getting hard in her hand, growing to an incredible monolith of flesh between her thighs.

She continued to stroke her shaft, biting her lower lip and moaning low in her chest, completely missing the outright disgusted look the genie was giving her.

“...your third wish, Mistress?”

Moaning as precum started to spurt from her tip, Yang managed to moan, “I wish Ruby, Weiss, and Blake all could feel as good as I do~!” trailing off with an ecstatic cry as she came, cum flying from the tip of her cock and through her even more disgusted genie.

“...your wish has been granted.”

~

Around the school, Ruby Rose, Weiss Schnee, and Blake Belladonna all screamed in shock as their bodies changed, their tits and asses exploding out of their clothes, cocks and balls forming, growing hard, and cum spraying all over as they tumbled into an intense orgasm.

~

Her job done, Jinn returned to her lamp, the object vanishing from the chronically masturbating girl’s bed, to travel somewhere else, to be found and used by someone else. Despite the fact that she had been found for the first time in three centuries, Jinn desperately hoped that she would either not be found for a further three centuries, or at the very least…

…the next person who found and used her powers to alter reality had some self respecting wishes that she wouldn’t feel ill granting.

[c-jay-s-head-canons-only]

Okay, so I stumbled into something a few days ago, and now I MUST make a post about it. I know some of us have already posted about it, but HEAR ME OUT.

I saw a theory on here a few months ago that states at least 150-odd years have passed since Lewis made it back to Remnant. Because Alice in Wonderland was written about that long ago as well.

But I was on the RWBY Wiki, and I saw this on Jaune's page.

29 - 39 (Volume 9)

THE RUSTY BOI HASN'T EVEN BROKEN 40 YET!!!

Now, I understand time MIGHT work differently for the EverAfter, but it's important to remember that RWBYJ fell long after Alyx and Lewis, but Jaune travelled back in time to WELL BEFORE the events of the story took place.

That HAD to be more than 40 years right there. And in the EverAfter, Jaune waits for Team RWBY to fall again. After all, he looks exactly the same as he does when they all meet up again at the market.

Which now leads us to my next point. This:

Summer is reading The Girl Who Fell Through The World to Yang and Ruby when they're still toddlers - bear in mind that Ruby had to be at least 2 years old when Summer left (Yang remembers her fondly after all. And I don't know about any of you, but I struggle to remember ANYTHING from before I turned 3).

But this story doesn't feel like it's brand new. It feels old. Like it's a story which has been told THROUGH GENERATIONS OF HUMANITY.

AND TO ADD TO THAT: Weiss and Blake know the story as well. And clearly, the Rusted Knight - who doesn't appear to have a name throughout the story - is clearly a favourite character to them both.

From Atlas to Menagerie. Patch Island, too.

Which means that enough time has passed for this story to have become a WORLD-WIDE SENSATION.

And lastly, the Blacksmith.

The Blacksmith doesn't just send them back to Remnant. They send the team back to "when they're needed most."

This likely means that a LOT of time has passed since the team fell into the EverAfter. But how much time?

How much did things progress on Rememnant that they would need to be sent back in time themselves (for a second time in Jaune's case as well).

Now, I understand that the wiki sometimes isn't to be fully trusted, but I still need to know . . .

How long was Jaune there for?

Separate thought here:

How old is Juniper??

When did Jaune find her??

[sephirthoughts]

Vincent's New Kid Just Dropped CH 14: Deepground Flashback, a big fight happens, Rosso collects a baby duck, special cameo appearance by everyone's favorite good, good boy.

RATING: mature for a non-explicit sex scene

WARNINGS: hojo, canon-typical violence, scarlet being a creep to sixteen-year-old Weiss

everyone's best friend Zack

“What did I tell you,” Hojo said smugly, to Lazard, who was looking understandably ill-at-ease.

“I don’t listen to half of the deranged shit you say,” Lazard answered irritably. He pressed the intercom button, that linked them to the training arena, where Weiss was pulling Genesis to his feet, after having thrashed him soundly, for the third time in a row. “Genesis. Report.”

Genesis tossed the camera a jaunty salute. “As you’ve certainly deduced, by now, I deem this candidate fit to participate in a sparring contest, with my fellow SOLDIER First Class, Sephiroth.”

“But how are you? Are you injured?” 

“You know what they say,” Genesis replied, with a rueful laugh. “Nothing bruised but my pride and internal organs.”

“Alright, then,” Lazard sighed. “It looks like you’ll have your fight, Hojo. I’ll give the green light to the Marketing Department, and set things rolling.”

“Stay close, when you fight him,” Genesis advised Weiss, back in the boys’ quarters. “He’s a skilled spellcaster, and you are best at close range, so don’t let him use his long-range advantage. He’s the most dangerous at mid-range, because of that huge sword, though, so hem him in tightly, if you can. Don’t give him room to use it effectively. Most importantly…keep your eyes open, little brother. I have an uneasy feeling about all of this.”

“I will,” Weiss nodded dutifully. 

“Good,” Genesis smiled, laying an affectionate hand on his cheek. “I’ll be cheering for you.”

“Will you be there, to see the fight?” Nero asked, tugging Genesis’ other hand. 

“I’m afraid not. I ship back out to the frontlines tomorrow. But I’ll be watching the live satellite feed. Unless there’s enemy activity, then I’ll have to watch the recording, later.”

“When will you come see us, again, big-brother?”

“I won’t make any promises as to when, because I can’t say what things will be like at the front, but it will be the soonest that I can. I’m going to look into our blood connection, too. Hopefully I’ll have some answers, by then.”

Nero’s crimson eyes were large and round, in his pale face, and he was still clinging to Genesis’ hand with both of his. Moved by his childlike earnestness, Genesis took the smaller boy in his arms and pressed kisses to his silky, black hair. 

“Worry not, little one. Though the morrow be barren of promises, nothing shall forestall my return.” 

Within an hour of the famous SOLDIER’s departure, personnel were sent to restore and repair all of the destroyed surveillance equipment in Weiss and Nero’s room. This mattered very little to the two boys, who were indifferent to being observed, and communicated silently, anyway.

After all that, months passed, before anything progressed regarding the planned duel with Sephiroth. During that time, rumors began to reach Deepground that something big had happened, in SOLDIER. People were even saying that some top-level people had betrayed Shinra and defected. Nero couldn’t reach Genesis through the darkness link at a distance, like he could with Weiss, so they wouldn’t be able to ask him about it, till he visited again.

Meanwhile, they continued training and living pretty much as normal. Hojo went away to do whatever he did. The girls he’d brought for Weiss were still there, but one had broken away from the main pack and begun hanging around wherever Rosso was. Rosso responded much like Weiss had, when she started following him around, which was to ignore the girl and go about her business, but make no objection to her presence. 

As per their usual, Weiss and Nero didn’t care even a little bit, and so the new girl gradually became part of the Deepground group. She was always muttering to herself and making notes and sketches in her little notebook, but otherwise, she was generally inoffensive. 

At long last, Hojo called to say that the fight with Sephiroth had been scheduled, and was to take place a week hence. There was to be a huge live audience, including the entire Shinra board of directors. He assured Weiss that Sephiroth was aware of their purpose, and wouldn’t embarrass him.

Later that evening, Nero lay splayed out in the tumble of white sheets, black marks writhing and dancing all over his slender body, while Weiss’ hot tongue coaxed and teased him open, sometimes gentle and patient, sometimes urgent and demanding, but always an act of abject worship, a zealot before his god, demonstrating his fanatic devotion on his hands and knees.

Nero bit deep into his brother’s neck, coiling his legs tightly around his waist, as he pushed himself inside. Their souls connected as their bodies moved together, slick with sweat, giving and receiving, fucking and being fucked, joined at the white-hot nexus of pleasure, merging deeper and deeper into one another.

The primary goal of their sexual unions was not orgasm, though they enjoyed that part, too, but rather the relief of the ache of emptiness, that would grow and grow, the longer they weren’t fully merged, until it became a howling void of agony and need. 

Their psychic connection provided some relief, and slowed the process, but eventually, they would have to be united again, or the pain would become maddening and unbearable, and much like the pain of a phantom limb, without any remedy, other than the re-attaching of the missing part. Fortunately, they were also a couple of hormonal teenagers, and so the necessity of merging their being accorded well with their biological drive to be constantly fucking.

“I’m sorry they won’t let you go with me,” Wiess sighed, when Nero lay in his arms, after their amorous activities. 

“We’ll be watching, here,” Nero said, nestling more securely into his brother’s broad chest. “If you need me, just use the darkness. I look forward to witnessing your victory.”

“Genesis doesn’t think I’ll win.”

“You only used half your strength to fight him. Of course he doesn’t.”

Weiss laughed and pressed a kiss to Nero’s forehead. “I couldn’t tip my hand to Lazard and Hojo. Besides, don’t you think he’ll be surprised, when he sees me kill Shinra’s big hero, on live television?”

“We don’t even know where he is. He might not be somewhere that he can watch it, live. If he doesn’t, he’ll certainly get word of what happened, before he sees it, and it’ll ruin your surprise.”

“I think he’ll still be surprised.”

On the morning of the fight, they transported Wiess like a max-security prisoner, in a fully closed capsule reminiscent of a coffin. Thus, when he stepped out into the massive stadium, from the locker-room staging area, it was the first time he had ever laid eyes upon the sky. 

What he could see of it, through the halfway open stadium roof, he found to be rather disappointing, overall. Just a dull, grey dome, not too unlike the ceiling in Deepground, only a lot bigger and higher up. 

Back in Deepground, everyone was gathered around different video screens, all watching the live broadcast. Nero was with Rosso, who was visibly anxious, and the other girl, who was doodling in her notebook. After a lot of unnecessary music and chatter from the presenters, the feed finally cut to Weiss, entering the stadium.

“He’s so beautiful,” Nero murmured, with an adoring sigh.

He did cut a rather imposing figure, both from afar, and on the huge screens, with his handsome face, wild, white hair, and tall, broad frame. The long, white jacket they’d given him billowed and blew in the wind, while he strode confidently out to his position, in the football-field sized ring. 

He wore no armor, so the sum total of his equipment, aside from the jacket, amounted to his usual white dojo pants, black boots, modeled after a samurai’s kegutsu, with a flexible, rubber shaft, and metal knee guard, and a pair of agile katanas. 

When he threw off the jacket to strap the katanas to his bare back, exposing his heavily muscled torso, there was scattered whistling and catcalling, amongst the gigantic crowd. He was a total unknown, however, here to challenge the greatest and most beloved hero in the world, so most of the positive reaction was drowned out by the voluble booing. 

“Why are they booing him?” Rosso demanded, indignantly. “He should slaughter all of them, for their impudence.”

A moment later, the crowd went absolutely roaring mad, further offending her, as Sephiroth dropped into the arena, from some concealed platform high above. He landed lightly on his feet, black coat and silver hair flowing majestically about him. His nearly seven-foot height made Weiss look less impressive, by comparison, especially bulked up as Sephiroth’s silhouette was, by those huge pauldrons.

“He is very big,” Rosso remarked, apprehensively. “Bigger even than Commander Weiss.”

“His size won’t matter,” Nero assured her. “Weiss is stronger. He’ll win.”

The presenters were making some effusive, overblown introduction of the great war hero, and gushing about his merits and achievements, but Weiss heard none of it. He was a hunting lion, that had sighted prey, and he neither heard nor saw anything but his opponent, from that moment on. 

They stepped forward and clasped hands, after the manner of warriors, then returned to their positions. There was a long and breathless moment, during which the crowd fell nearly silent, then the starting bell sounded and both men simply vanished. 

That is to say, they both moved faster than the human eye could perceive, and clashed like a burst of fireworks, sparks flying as swords collided, the ringing clangs as rapid and staccato as machinegun fire, their movements an incomprehensible blur, till they leapt apart. Gazes locked, they circled one another, like a pair of wolves. 

Weiss saw Sephiroth’s catlike pupil slits, rapidly dilating and contracting, as he reassessed his opponent, and laughed. “Hojo told you to go easy on me, right? Well, consider this a gentleman’s warning. You had better use your full strength to fight me. Because I am here to kill you.”

By way of reply, Sephiroth narrowed his eyes, and dropped into his fighting stance.

Blades sang as they clashed again, and this time, Weiss locked Masamune in a blocking hold, with his dual blades. His silver-blue eyes were alight with the joy of battle, and literally illuminated by the bright-gold rings that were beginning to glow faintly, around his pupils.

“What are you?” Sephiroth demanded, as they grappled.  

Weiss bared his teeth, in a savage grin. “I’m you, but better.”

Sephiroth gave a roar and threw him off, and they were back in the fray, flying around the arena, trading rapid bursts of blows, in blurred flashes of white and silver light, that could only be properly deciphered when they were instant-replayed in slow motion on the big screens, for the benefit of the spectators, and those watching at home.

Sephiroth’s usual expression of casual indifference had given way to a look of grim concentration, which was proof enough of how he was faring in this fight. Weiss, on the other hand, seemed to be growing more energetic and elated, his laughter rolling like thunder in the vast arena, as the two performed their bloodthirsty dance. 

Sephiroth did manage to put distance between them, a few times, and threw fire and thunder spells at Weiss, which slowed him down, as he had to block or evade them, but he always managed to close the distance again, too quickly for it to become a real issue.

“Range, he needs range. That is the sword’s major weakness,” Rosso’s little acolyte muttered to herself, as she hurriedly scribbled something in her notebook. Rosso and Nero ignored her.

The tension and excitement in the crowd was nearing its peak, as it became increasingly clear how closely matched the two opponents actually were. They collided once again, in an explosion of blows. The shriek of metal on metal rang out, where the blades met, sliding along each other, throwing off a shower of sparks, then a sudden spray of crimson, as both leapt back, landing on their feet many meters apart. 

When the cameras caught up, and their images reappeared on the big screens, the crowd gave a collective cry of dismay. Blood ran along the edge of a gleaming blade, held aloft for all to see. The blade in Weiss’ hand. 

To the horrified disbelief of the spectators, a corresponding bloody slash had appeared across Sephiroth’s chest, from which the crossed leather straps had been severed and now hung loose. Sephiroth! The greatest hero in the world! How could he be wounded? How strong must this other man be, to have wounded him? Many of them began to look at this interloper with new eyes.

“So you can bleed,” Weiss said, with a deranged smile.

In full view of the cameras, while his image was still up on the big screens, he drew his sword along his tongue, licking Sephiroth’s blood off the flat of the blade. The crowd rumbled disapprovingly and some of them booed about it, but Weiss had no interest in their opinions. He was here for one reason, and one reason, alone. 

“What’s the meaning of this, Hojo?” Heidegger demanded, from his seat behind President Shinra, in the executive box. “Have you set your boy up to be beaten?”

“I’m all for you embarrassing yourself in public,” Scarlet chimed in, “but it’s Shinra that loses face, if Sephiroth looks like a fool.”

“Is Sephiroth really hurt? Is he in danger?” asked Reeve, the only one who looked genuinely concerned for the young warrior.

“I’ve got a big bet riding on that boy, Hojo,” Palmer cut in angrily. “You’d better tell me if I’m about to take a bath!”

“I wonder, I wonder,” Hojo said, cackling gleefully to himself. 

It is important to note, however, that President Shinra neither joined the others in questioning the Director of his Science and Research Division, nor did he appear particularly perturbed by Sephiroth’s struggling in the fight.

Back in Deepground, Rosso was over the moon, and even Nero had a bloodthirsty smile on his face. It seemed that his brother’s victory and Sephiroth’s death were imminent. 

Out in the ring, Sephiroth ignored the crowd, the taunt from Weiss, and the wound on his chest, and readied Masamune again. Weiss knew that the time had come to press his advantage. If he hesitated now, he may never have another chance to kill Sephiroth. 

They locked blades again, and this time he forced Sephiroth backward, until he dug his heels in, and pushed back. Weiss pressed on, gritting his teeth, pushing Masamune closer and closer to Sephiroth’s face.

Suddenly, he felt a strange sensation of heat, at the base of his skull. At the same time, his arms went weak, like the blood had been drained out of them. His stance sagged, as he found himself having to exert many times the effort, to hold off Sephiroth’s blade. 

“What…what did you do to me! What’s happening to my body!” Weiss snarled, through his clenched teeth, his muscles shaking with the strain of resisting the now-advancing Sephiroth. 

Their blades ground together, faces so close they could have kissed. There was a look of eerie calm in Sephiroth’s brilliant green eyes, and a slight smile tugged up the corners of his lips. 

He spoke for his opponent’s ears only, far too softly for even the most sensitive microphones to pick up. “You may possess more brute strength, but all means of achieving victory are valid. Including deception and betrayal.”

Weiss lost the struggle and stumbled back, his legs heavy and clumsy, as if he was wading in wet concrete. With that, the fight became a rout, Sephiroth tossing Weiss around the arena, toying with him, as he strove desperately to fend off the relentless storm of attacks, with his suddenly lax and unresponsive body. 

He felt a surge of support come from the darkness, across the void. It comforted him, but had no effect on whatever was happening to his body. Weiss was still Weiss, however, and his mental fortitude hadn’t deserted him, with his physical strength. No matter what the odds, or how certain his death, so long as he had breath in his body, he would never give up. He would keep fighting, to the bitter end, despite knowing the contest was lost.

At long last, battered, bruised, and bleeding from the nose and mouth, as well as sword wounds all over his body, he collapsed, unable to even lift his arms, let alone get back to his feet. His swords, one broken off halfway down the blade, and one chipped and blunted, clattered to the ground, beside him.

The bell sounded, the match was called for Sephiroth, and the crowd went wild, whooping and cheering for their beloved hero, while many among them booed and taunted the arrogant upstart, who had dared think himself a worthy challenger to the great and mighty Sephiroth.

Sephiroth gave a low bow, in the direction of the Shinra executives’ box, then waved and smiled for the crowd, before he hauled Weiss to his feet, supporting him with Weiss’ arm hooked over his shoulders, as if they were friends. About a hundred camera drones swarmed them, clamoring for a statement. 

“My opponent fought well and honorably,” said the beautiful, silver-haired hero, who wasn’t sweating or disheveled, after the prolonged, energetic fight. “I believe Weiss is the most skilled fighter I have ever faced. I’ve learned a lot, from our match today, and I look forward to testing my skill against him again. But let’s not trouble him to make a statement, at the moment. I think he’s a little fatigued.”

The crowd roared with laughter, as if that were the cleverest joke they’d ever heard, and then burst into applause, moved by their hero’s generosity and humility in victory. 

Weiss couldn’t have spoken if his life depended on it. He was too stupefied to even be certain what was happening was real. His head lolled to the side, and his limbs had turned to stone. His eyes felt gritty, like they were full of sand, and his vision was blurred.

Sephiroth half-supported, half-carried him from the arena, through the heavily guarded doors, into what was essentially the backstage area. The moment the doors slid shut behind them, he let go of Weiss, who reeled to the side, staggered a few steps, then sat down hard on the floor, leaning heavily against the metal lockers.

“You fucking coward,” he sneered, struggling to focus his eyes on Sephiroth. “You have…you have no honor.”

“I am a soldier, not a dancing puppet!” Sephiroth exploded, shoving away the bottle of water someone was trying to hand him, and striding over to look down at Weiss, green cat-eyes ablaze with wrath. “I was called back from an active operation, to have this farce of a contest with you! That is enough of an insult to me, already! Was I also to lose the fight, and destroy the morale of all the hundreds of thousands of Shinra troops who look to me, for hope?”

“Fuck your false hope,” Weiss slurred out. “They all think you’re a god. They should know you’re just a f—a fucking cheater.”

“Warfare isn’t a game! Do you not understand that? On the battlefield, no one cares about honor! Honor doesn’t blunt blades or stop bullets! The only rule is do not let your opponent win, because if they win, you die! No one cares if you fought fairly, when you’re dead!”

“Sephiroth, stop!” a voice called out, as booted footsteps approached.

“Zack,” Sephiroth said, his demeanor instantly softening. “What are you doing here? I thought you’d gone, already.”

Another tall, blurry figure appeared, looming over Weiss. “Mission got delayed. Waiting on the Turks to get their shit together. Why don’t you come have lunch with me.”

“I’m not done, here,” Sephiroth said, turning back to Weiss.

“Come on, man,” Zack interposed. “You already beat the shit out of the kid, just leave it at that.” 

“Not a fucking kid,” Weiss protested, all inebriated indignation. “I’m sixt…sixteen.”

Sephiroth looked startled, then disgusted. “Hmph. I should’ve known. You may look like a grown man, but only a child would’ve fallen for a double-cross so simple. Here’s a piece of advice, that may aid you in the future: never try to beat an old snake at his own game. You’ll only wind up humiliated, or dead.”

“You’re wasting your breath,” Zack said, laying a hand on his shoulder. “Can’t you see he’s completely out of it? Come on, let’s hit the road, before the execs catch up.”

Weiss was hazily aware of the two towering figures departing. Then there was some kind of commotion, and all the other blurry background figures scattered, scurrying out of the immediate area as fast as they could. He could hear lot of footsteps approaching. Heavy boot-treads, from a large group of guards, lighter taps, from men’s formal shoes, and even some clacks from high-heels.

Two soldier-colored blobs darted ahead of the approaching group and grabbed Weiss by the arms, intending to haul him to his feet, which, as it turned out, was quite ill-advised. Even in his severely weakened and half-conscious state, he swatted them away like flies, sending them sprawling across the slick, tile floor. 

“You call that under control?” a stocky, bearded blob thundered. “You said the President would be safe!”

“Oh, he’s perfectly safe,” Hojo’s weaselly voice replied, with a chuckle. “Allow me to demonstrate.”

A weird, all-black blob stepped out of the group blob, and Weiss felt that hot tingling on the back of his neck again. Immediately, his vision cleared and the heavy, drunken feeling dissipated. But as he leapt to his feet, the black-cloaked and helmeted figure barked, “Down, dog! Do not move or speak until you’re ordered to!”

To Weiss’ shock and revulsion, his body obeyed, dropping him to his knees, where he remained, red-eyed with rage, but unable to move or make a sound. 

“Ooh, now, that is interesting,” Scarlet crooned, sauntering over to look down at him, with unconcealed lust. “What an amusing toy he is. Make him strip, I want to see the rest.”

“Scarlet, what the hell are you doing?” Reeve exclaimed. “He’s a person, not a toy!”

“Oh, please, Reeve, get off your high-horse,” she scoffed, with a dismissive wave of her hand. “He’s not a person, he’s a SOLDIER, which makes him a weapon. As Director of Advanced Weaponry, I want to inspect the product thoroughly, before I form a conclusive opinion.”

“Strip!” the black-cloaked figure barked at Weiss. 

Weiss strained against the compulsion with all his will, but that barely slowed his fingers, which were already unbuckling his knee guards and pulling off his boots. His chest was heaving with ragged breaths, from the effort he was making to resist, beads of sweat rolling down his forehead, as his body got to his feet, and his hands went to his waist, to untie his belt.

“That’s enough,” President Shinra cut in. “I’m convinced.”

“Stop,” the black-clad man commanded. “Dress yourself and await orders.”

Weiss left off fighting, which he now knew was only a waste of energy, and let his body mechanically pull his boots back on, and refasten his knee guards. The sensation was bizarre and disturbing.

“As I promised, Mr. President, the perfect SOLDIER,” Hojo announced, with a grand flourish in Weiss’ direction. “Not only is he at least as strong as the successful S-type specimen, he is perfectly compliant and controllable. I imagine—especially in light of recent, embarrassing incidents—you would appreciate never having to doubt the obedience or loyalty of your SOLDIERs. With sufficient funding, I can create a whole army just like him, in Deepground. A second, superior SOLDIER unit, to report only to yourself, through the Restrictor, who is linked directly to the control chip, via—”

“Enough ballyhoo, Hojo, I said I was convinced,” President Shinra interrupted, impatiently. “Consider your project funded, at your discretion. Whatever you need, to get this up and running. But I want full functionality in six months.”

“Hm, hm, such a tight deadline,” Hojo said, pretending to deliberate. “But…if I’m not interfered with, I believe I can make that work.”

“Good. See that you do.”

While they talked, Scarlet had come over and was tracing her crimson-nailed fingertips over the flawlessly sculpted muscles of Weiss’ bare chest and abdomen. He couldn’t move to do anything about it, so he ignored her and focused on running some calculations in his head. 

“You know, he only looks like an adult,” Hojo said aridly, to Scarlet, who had hooked her finger into Weiss’ waistband, and pulled it out, to peer down inside. “He’s sixteen years old.”

“Sixteen is an adult. Or have you already forgotten the measures we pushed into law, so you and Heidegger could get younger conscripts.” Scarlet arched her eyebrow at the impressive view she’d treated herself to, before she let the waistband snap back into place. “I think I’ll come visit Deepground sometime, soon. Just to see how things are developing down there.”

Weiss had been engrossed in his thoughts, and aware of none of what was happening around him. He had analyzed the situation, and extrapolated all the potential results, but no matter how he approached it, he kept arriving at the same solution: Deepground was fucked. And it was his fault.

“Nero. I’m sorry,” he whispered to the darkness. “I’m so sorry. I ruined everything. Please, forgive me. ”

He felt Nero’s confusion and anguished worry, and also his comforting aura, reaching out to coil around him, across the void. 

“It will be alright, my love,” came the answer. “Whatever is coming, we can face it, together.”

prev. chapter

[drewharrisonwriter]

Lifeline - Ch. 2: Yet Another Scandal

Pairings: Dieter Bravo x Female Reader, referred to as “Honey” 

Series Summary: After basically being dropped and rejected by every PR agency in Hollywood for being such a huge liability, Dieter Bravo must work on resetting his public image in the most unexpected ways.

Author's Notes: I have been working on this fic on and off for the past year, and this story is a little personal to me. Yes, I am trauma dumping in some scenes lol but I also want to say that there will be so many unrealistic things about Hollywood, actors, and PR/Marketing agencies here, to which I apologize.

Warnings: Angst, a little drama, lots of flashbacks. More warnings to come as the story progresses.

Read this on AO3 | Series Masterlist | Main Masterlist

Dieter leaned back against the kitchen island, a tumbler of whiskey clutched in his hand, the amber liquid sloshing dangerously close to the rim. His house was quiet except for the faint hum of traffic outside and the muted beeps of his phone, lighting up on the counter with messages he was actively ignoring. He could practically hear his agent’s voice screaming at him through the phone—frustrated, exasperated, and probably half a step away from quitting, too. Dieter took another sip, his eyes drifting toward the stack of newspapers that had been tossed haphazardly across the granite surface.

It was the same story, recycled across every media outlet: DIETER BRAVO’S LATEST DISASTER. The photos splashed across the front pages were damning—Dieter stumbling out of some exclusive club at three in the morning, shirt half unbuttoned, pupils blown wide, flanked by two models and a fellow actor who was known for being trouble. In one particularly bad shot, he was caught mid-yell, hands outstretched in what looked like the start of a fight, his face twisted in a mix of anger and drunken confusion. The headlines all but wrote themselves: Bravo Meltdown Caught on Camera! Drugs, Drama, and Disasters—Can Dieter Bravo Be Saved?

Dieter rubbed a hand over his face, feeling the stubble scrape against his palm. It wasn’t like this was the first time he’d screwed up publicly, but this time felt different. He was older now, and the wild, reckless behavior that once seemed charming had turned sour. Even he could see the exhaustion in his own eyes whenever he looked in the mirror. It wasn’t fun anymore.

His phone buzzed again, the screen lighting up with his agent’s name: Mitch Weiss. Dieter sighed, finally picking it up and pressing the call button. He braced himself, expecting the usual lecture, but instead, Mitch’s voice was tight, flat—angry in a way Dieter hadn’t heard before.

“We have a problem, Dieter.”

“Yeah, no shit,” Dieter muttered, taking another sip. “What’s the crisis this time? Did I break the internet again?”

“Your PR firm just dropped you.”

Dieter froze, the glass halfway to his lips. “What?”

“They don’t want to work with you anymore,” Mitch continued, his tone clipped. “They say you’re a liability, and honestly, I can’t blame them after last night. You’re a goddamn mess, Dieter. We’ve been putting out fires for months, and this latest stunt was the final straw.”

Dieter could hear the frustration crackling through the line, but all he could do was stand there, stunned. Sure, he knew he’d been pushing the boundaries, but he’d never thought it would come to this. Agencies didn’t just drop someone like him. Not after he’d won an Oscar, not when he was still headlining blockbuster movies and pulling in millions. But maybe that was the problem—he’d become more trouble than he was worth.

“What the hell am I supposed to do now?” Dieter asked, his voice edged with something close to panic.

Mitch sighed, the kind of exhale that sounded like he was rubbing his temples on the other end. “We’re working on it, but this isn’t just about getting a new agency. You’ve got to clean up your act, man. This can’t keep happening.”

Dieter leaned heavily against the counter, his eyes unfocused as he stared at the empty bottles littering the far end of the kitchen. “And how exactly do you suggest I do that? Meditation? Rehab? Please, Mitch, enlighten me.”

“I’m serious, Dieter. You need help. You need a fresh start and a team that can manage this shitstorm you’ve created. We found a new agency that’s willing to take you on, but it’s gonna take work. You need to cooperate.”

Dieter set his glass down, the ice clinking loudly against the sides. “Who is it? Another high-end firm that’ll babysit me until the next scandal?”

“There’s a lot more at stake here,” Mitch said, his voice lowering. “The studio’s losing patience. They’re threatening to pull you from your current project if you don’t turn this around. They’ve already put your contract under review, and they’re ready to cut their losses. This isn’t just about your public image anymore—your career is on the line.”

Dieter’s jaw tightened. He hadn’t realized how close he was to losing everything. The studio had always bent over backward to accommodate him, but now even they were fed up. “You’re saying if I don’t clean up, I’m done?”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying. We’ve managed to get Trace Marketing and PR on board, but this is your last chance. They’re sending over their lead consultant this afternoon for a meeting, and I need you to take this seriously.”

Dieter blinked, the name hitting him with an unsettling familiarity he couldn’t immediately place. Trace Marketing—he knew that name. His mind fumbled through memories, half-forgotten moments, trying to piece together why it tugged at him like a thread he couldn’t quite pull loose. It felt impossible, like something out of a twisted joke, and yet the suspicion gnawed at him, insistent. Dieter’s heart pounded as he tried to dismiss it, telling himself he was imagining things. But the feeling lingered, heavy and undeniable, like the name had been waiting all along to resurface, tied to the one person he thought he’d left behind.

Dieter picked up his phone, typing the name into Instagram, and there it was—@TraceMarketing. His heart stuttered, the reality of it sinking in like a punch to the gut. Honey’s business account, her name in the bio, the life she’d built while he was busy burning his down.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Dieter muttered, more to himself than to Mitch.

“You know them?”

“Yeah,” Dieter replied, his voice tight. “I know them.”

“Well, they’re the only ones willing to take a risk on you right now. They’ve got a good track record of rebranding and crisis management, and frankly, we’re out of options. You need to show up for this meeting, Dieter. No excuses.”

Dieter didn’t respond, his mind racing as he stared at the screen. Honey’s business, Honey’s name, the life she’d built while he was busy tearing his down. He tried to imagine what this meeting would be like—seeing her again, not as his ex but as the professional tasked with saving what was left of his career. The last time they’d seen each other, it had ended in tears and broken promises, and now she was the one who had to clean up his mess.

“Dieter!” Mitch’s voice snapped him back to the present. “Do you understand what I’m saying? This is it. The studio’s watching, and if you screw this up, you’re on your own.”

Dieter nodded, even though Mitch couldn’t see him. “Yeah. I got it.”

But as he hung up the phone, Dieter couldn’t help but feel like he was teetering on the edge of something he wasn’t ready to face. Honey was about to walk back into his life, not as the woman who used to cook him dinner or sing with him on his porch, but as the professional in charge of fixing his career. And suddenly, it wasn’t just his career on the line—it was every unresolved feeling he’d buried deep inside, rising back to the surface when he least expected it.

Dieter looked around his empty house, the family home he’d never quite managed to fill, and for the first time in a long while, he felt something close to fear. Because Honey wasn’t just here to save his career; she was about to see him for who he’d become—and he wasn’t sure he could stand up to the scrutiny.

Dieter couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt genuinely nervous. Not the type of nerves that came before a big audition or a live appearance—those were familiar, almost comforting in their predictability. This was different, rawer, a restless gnawing in his gut that twisted tighter with every minute that passed. He paced the length of his living room, his bare feet dragging across the cold tiles, leaving tracks between the scattered remnants of last night’s bender: empty bottles, ashtrays overflowing with half-smoked cigarettes, and the faint smell of something sweet and stale that clung to his clothes.

He should clean up, he thought, glancing at the mess. But what was the point? Honey knew him too well to be fooled by a quick tidy-up. The thought of her seeing him like this—a shadow of the man she used to love—made his throat tighten. He rubbed a hand over his face, trying to brush away the fatigue that clung to his eyes. It had been years since they’d last spoken, and Dieter had never imagined they’d cross paths like this. Certainly not with his career hanging by a thread and his reputation more tattered than the old bathrobe draped over his shoulders.

He knew she’d moved on, but seeing the evidence on her Instagram, seeing the life she’d built without him, stung in a way he wasn’t prepared for. Honey had grown, evolved, and here he was, stuck in the same cycle of self-destruction that had driven her away in the first place. The irony wasn’t lost on him.

His phone buzzed again—another text from Mitch, probably checking to make sure Dieter hadn’t bailed on the meeting. He glanced at the clock; there were only thirty minutes left until she would walk through his door. He couldn’t decide if he wanted time to speed up or stop altogether.

Dieter headed to the bathroom, turning on the faucet and splashing cold water on his face. He stared at his reflection in the mirror, the water dripping from his chin, pooling on the counter. His hair was disheveled, his eyes bloodshot, and there was a hollowness in his expression that he barely recognized. For a moment, he considered making himself more presentable—changing out of the bathrobe, maybe even shaving—but the thought felt pointless. Honey had seen him at his best and worst, and nothing he could do now would erase the last ten years.

He shuffled back to the living room, grabbing a cigarette and lighting it with shaking hands. The smoke curled around him, and he let out a slow, shaky breath, trying to steady himself. Dieter didn’t know what to expect from this meeting. Honey was a professional now, a far cry from the girl who used to sing George Harrison covers on his porch. She’d be all business, no doubt, but Dieter couldn’t help but wonder if she still felt anything at all. Would she look at him with the same warmth, or would she see him the way the tabloids did—another washed-up star on the brink of collapse?

A knock at the door jolted him from his thoughts. Dieter’s heart leapt into his throat, and for a split second, he considered not answering. But there was no escaping this. He crossed the room, his steps heavy, and paused with his hand on the doorknob, gathering the last scraps of his courage.

He pulled the door open, and there she was.

Honey stood on the doorstep, framed by the bright California sun that spilled in around her. She was dressed in a crisp, tailored blazer and jeans, her hair pulled back in a way that was both professional and effortlessly chic. But it was her eyes that hit him hardest—still the same deep, knowing gaze that had seen right through him all those years ago. Dieter tried to find his voice, but it caught in his throat, tangled up with the flood of memories that came rushing back at the sight of her.

“Dieter,” she said, her voice steady, betraying none of the emotions that roiled beneath the surface. “It’s been a long time.”

He nodded, swallowing hard. “Yeah. Too long.”

They stood there for a moment, the air between them thick with everything that had gone unsaid. Dieter stepped aside, gesturing for her to come in. She moved past him, her heels clicking softly on the floor, and he caught the faint scent of her perfume—familiar, floral, and maddeningly evocative of nights spent wrapped up in each other. Dieter’s heart squeezed painfully as he watched her walk into his home, a place she’d never seen but somehow felt like it should have been hers. He couldn’t help but notice how she didn’t look around like most people did; she wasn’t interested in the trappings of his success. Honey’s eyes swept the room with the kind of calm detachment that only came from knowing someone too well. There was no judgment, no sharp intake of breath at the mess; just quiet resignation. And that, somehow, hurt the most.

He shut the door, leaning against it for a second before following her into the living room. Honey looked around, her eyes briefly sweeping over the disarray, but she said nothing. Dieter watched her carefully, searching for any flicker of judgment, but her expression remained neutral—calm, professional, and utterly unreadable. He wanted to say something, anything, to break the tension, but his mouth felt dry, and the words died on his tongue.

“You’ve made yourself at home,” she said lightly, her eyes landing on the couch strewn with discarded clothes and empty takeout containers. There was no malice in her tone, just a quiet observation that felt like a thousand tiny cuts.

Dieter forced a smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Yeah, well, you know me. I like to keep things… casual.”

Dieter sat on the edge of his couch, feeling the weight of Honey’s gaze as she ran through her plan. Her voice was calm, steady, outlining the steps with the precision of someone who’d done this a hundred times before. Dieter nodded along, but his mind kept drifting, snagging on the way her fingers moved swiftly across the tablet screen, the same fingers that used to trace lazy patterns on his skin in the early hours of the morning.

“The first thing we need to address is your public image,” Honey said, glancing up at him. She tapped a few notes on the screen, her tone all business. “We’re going to take a step back from the spotlight—no events, no parties, and definitely no more spontaneous club appearances. I’ve already reached out to a few key contacts, and they’re willing to help us manage the narrative, but it’s going to take cooperation on your part.”

Dieter swallowed, his throat dry. The thought of disappearing from the public eye felt like suffocation. For years, he’d lived off the buzz, the constant validation that came from being seen, even if it was for all the wrong reasons. “And what am I supposed to do? Just… disappear?”

Honey looked at him, her expression unwavering. “Not disappear—rehabilitate. We need to shift the focus from your personal life to your work. You have a project in the pipeline, right? Something you care about?”

Dieter blinked, the question hitting him harder than expected. He hadn’t let himself care about much lately, and the scripts he’d been offered all felt the same—empty, loud, and soulless. But there was one that stuck with him, an indie script that reminded him of why he started acting in the first place. He hesitated, unsure whether to share. “There’s one,” he said finally, almost reluctantly. “An indie film. The script’s good, but it’s low budget. I don’t know if my team will go for it.”

Honey’s eyes flickered with something Dieter couldn’t quite place—recognition, maybe, or just a hint of the warmth that used to fill the spaces between them. “Let me see it,” she said, her voice softer but still laced with the confidence of someone who knew exactly what she was doing.

Dieter pulled out his phone, scrolling until he found the script summary, his fingers fumbling slightly. He handed it to her, his eyes lingering on her face as she read. He wanted to say something, make a joke, or ease the tension, but instead, he watched her carefully, trying to gauge her reaction. Honey’s brow furrowed slightly, her eyes scanning the text with the focus that always made Dieter feel like she was reading more than just words. She looked up, her expression thoughtful.

“This is good, Dieter. Really good,” she said, handing the phone back to him. “If you like it, then you fight for it. You stand your ground.” Her tone was firm, but there was an unmistakable glimmer of belief in her eyes. It was the kind of belief Dieter hadn’t seen directed at him in years, and for a moment, it felt like a lifeline.

Dieter’s heart tightened, caught between gratitude and the bitter sting of memories. “You really think I can still do it?” he asked, the question slipping out before he could stop himself. It was a naked, vulnerable admission, the kind he hadn’t allowed himself in a long time.

Honey’s expression didn’t soften, but there was something unmistakably real in her gaze, a quiet acknowledgment of the man she used to know. “I know you can. But you have to start acting like it.”

The words stung, and Dieter’s insecurities flared, lashing out in a way he knew was wrong but couldn’t quite control. “Act like it, huh? Is that what this is? A performance? Come on, Honey, you used to—”

Honey cut him off, her voice sharp and unyielding. “Don’t, Dieter. This isn’t about what used to be. You want my help, then you listen to me. We’re not kids anymore, and you don’t get to play the wounded artist card when things don’t go your way.” She paused, her eyes holding his with a mix of frustration and something gentler, buried beneath the surface. “This is not just about you, this is about salvaging everything you have worked and fought so hard for.” 

Dieter felt the words hit him like a slap, the truth of them stinging more than he wanted to admit. He slumped back against the couch, rubbing his temples in frustration. “Yeah. Okay. Sorry,” he muttered, feeling like a scolded child.

Honey watched him, her expression softening just a fraction as she continued. “I’m not here to drag you through the mud, Dieter. I’m here because you still have something to give, and I don’t think you’re ready to throw it all away.” Her voice lowered, a hint of the old Honey slipping through—warm, sincere, and painfully honest. “But you have to decide what you want. Not your team, not the tabloids. You.”

Dieter looked at her, really looked, and for the first time, he saw the changes in her—not just the polished exterior, but the strength that had always been there, now sharpened and honed by years of experience. She wasn’t the shy schoolteacher who used to worry about what people thought. She was a force, and she wasn’t about to let him fall apart without a fight.

Honey flipped her tablet shut, signaling that the meeting was over. “I’ll be checking in regularly,” she said, standing up and smoothing down her blazer. “And Dieter? This isn’t just about cleaning up your public image. It’s about finding some kind of peace with yourself. You can’t keep running forever.”

Dieter watched as she walked toward the door, the weight of her words lingering long after she’d gone. He knew she was right—he couldn’t keep running. But facing everything he’d buried over the years felt like an impossible task. He leaned back against the couch, staring up at the ceiling as memories began to unfurl, dragging him back to a time when life had felt simpler, sweeter, and full of promise.

Next Chapter | Series Masterlist | Main Masterlist

[starlightshadowsworld]

Characters I headcanon as Pakistani because I am Pakistani.

Jason and Thalia Grace.

Beryl was on popular Pakistani Dramas in her hay day and made sure both her kids were fluent in Urdu.

Jason ended up forgetting it when he was taken by Lupa who spoke to him in Latin. And then Camp Jupiter demanded he speak English.

But then he lost his memories and could only speak his mother tongue. And only Thalia, Annabeth and Grover could understand him. Urdu was Thalia’s first language too. She knows enough English to get by and can’t be arsed learning any more.

Annabeth because she demanded Thalia teach her and began doing her own learning. And Grover because he’s Indian in the to series and I head canon speaks Hindi, which is very similar to Urdu.

Steve Harrington.

Parents tried to assimilate and outside the home just try and hide their heritage. His grandparents spoke to him in Urdu as a child but he didn’t retain much of it. Definitely had a “wish I was white” phase (and probably had fair and lovely pushed on him as child.)

As he began to grow and accept himself, he desperately tried to reach his roots. Got in touch with his grandparents again and began to heal.

Ain’t no Farah Fawcett here we be oiling that hair. Cooks recipes his grandmother used to make him (which the kids demand more of once they get a taste.) Re-learning Urdu with his grandparents and Robin.

He’s done the kurta over jeans look.

(Probably very much watched over by Lucas’s parents after they find out because he’s one of the only other people of colour in this white ass town.)

2012 Casey Jones.

Grew up in New York with an American father and Pakistani mother. Even after her mysterious death he’s still beloved by his family and goes to all the events.

He’s the cool cousin.

He’s always had a deep love for his culture and his city. And always been unapologetically himself no matter what. He has won over Splinter with karak (desi) tea. Has also definitely worn a kurta over jeans and trainers.

Bought mithai as an apology gift after bringing a footbot to the turtles lair and became Mikey’s best friend.

Blake Belladonna

Loved her culture, her home still ran off with a white man Blake tried to leave it all behind and assimilate to life in Vale. But she never felt like she belonged, but also believed she’d changed too much to belong back home.

But as she grew to accept herself and all that made her Blake Belladonna, that feeling begin to lessen. It’s still there, but maybe she can exist in two worlds instead of one. She shares stories with her friends, practices and teaches them (particularly Weiss) her mother tongue and traditions.

And they embrace her just like they always will.

Ozma

He assimilates to each new life but he’s still him under it all. It’s under lock and key, who he was but in the quiet moments he shares those little things. He’s not a fan off tea, he drinks only coffee and yet there’s a certain pink tea that he will always accept.

He and Salem smh ran off with a white woman had a grand wedding, there were no attendants but they more than made up for it. His girls all had bangles around their wrists and there was a once a time where wrapping them in his mother’s dupatta was the most magical thing of them all.

He’d leave a plate off apple slices in their rooms and smile as they happily ate them. The old men at the market would gently pat him on the head when they meet. Some of them still do, as if they know and maybe they do.

Things from the past hurt so much now, and yet he loves them.

[cdevill]

I don't own Rwby and spoilers ahead for Volume 1. This will be a review/impression of the first volume.

The story in this volume could have been done better.

I feel like the team was trying to do too much but with very little time. In my opinion, they only should have focused on the girl's because they're the main characters and how they've been marketed to be the four leads. Sure, we could have Pyrrha, Jaune especially during the exam process. It shows we have other people that we can come back to but later when we have more resources to make episodes longer. We do have to sacrifice Jaune's arc for the moment but in exchange, we get more screen time for the girls. Ruby and Weiss could have had more time to flesh out their relationship instead of wrapping everything up in a few minutes. Yang can also get some development or even have her and Blake warm up to each other. It felt like they were trying to cover too much. When in reality, they should have been more picky.

Now, I'll give a pass to the animation because it is fairly back in the day and while it's rough. I can understand their restraints on animation.

I do like how Ruby is trying to prove herself and show off because she is two years younger than everyone else. We know it's because no one can take her seriously. Which is why she does her best to impress Weiss. Whom she already annoyed and had a bad first impression earlier in the volume. It's a nice touch that I can understand. Even if it caused more problems, it's an understandable fault.

However, I don't like what they did with Jaune nor with Cardin. I'll get into them both in another post because that's quite the explanation.

Blake does get some development with how she is so quiet and off putting because of her past. It's justified and it helps with her goal to improve Fanus stance in the world. Speaking of the Human and Faunus relationship, Blake's and Sun's past actions only further Weiss's negative stance on the Faunus. Blake being secretive and Sun evading the law. We know Weiss doesn't like the Fanus and let's use it to make her have a character flaw. She's racist, because all her life. She has heard nothing but bad things about the Fanus. It doesn't help that they stole from her Family's Business.

It could be a fault that Weiss has to acknowledge and work on, she has many reasons to not like the faunus but she needs to learn that the actions of a few does not represent the whole. Therefore working on her racism.

Weiss just going, "I don't care." Is not an adequate reasoning to openly accept Blake with such open arms. Weiss has been shown to dislike Ruby for quite a while and Blake should not be exempt from the rule.

If we had more time, Ruby and Yang would try to convince Weiss to give Blake a chance. Weiss obviously refuses because of her negative experiences with the faunus and doesnt search for Blake. Weiss is alone at school while she let's Yang and Ruby search for Blake. Weiss is questioned by Ozpin on why she is alone and Weiss speaks about Blake. She expects Ozpin to discharge Blake but he doesn't before explaining to Weiss on Blake's perspective. If all you do is say that someone is a monster and keep hurting them. They will become that monster. He tells Weiss to think it over and she begrudgingly does. Weiss, doesn't want too but she has to do it because of her own selfish reason. Thus, it's not a, "I don't care" but, "I need to be the best and that requires my team to be the best. I'll give you a chance but only because of what I want."

This helps to let Weiss have character development and motivation. She may not trust Blake or any faunus but we have seeds be planted for that eventual dynamic.

Weiss is not buddy buddy with any faunus including Blake. Indicating that Weiss still has a cold outlook about the faunus. This tells the audience. That despite working on her flaw, not everyone can be perfect. That they will still have issues in the future. It will take time for Weiss to work through this flaw.

Yet we lose something like this because of...Jaune and his arc.

Heck, we can even have Ruby and Yang have development. Yang trying to get Ruby to not only rely on her big sister is trying too hard to push Ruby away. This can further their relationship as Ruby realizes that the job she wants, will not always allow Yang to be by her side. It'll help Ruby become more independent and realize that as the leader. She can't look to other people for help or for comfort.

Yet the plot has to keep being pulled back to Jaune's unnecessary long arc.

I do like Sun, as to show that Im not all up in arms about new people. His introduction and screentime is where Blake screen time is and doesn't take away from Blake. Sun tries to get Blake to accept help and contributes to her arc. If Jaune could have been used like this more often than I wouldn't hate his character as much.

For example, when Ruby is looking for Blake. Jaune comes to Ruby's aid this time and says being a leader is tough. As everyone relies on them to fix their problems and the problems with the team. The two can mutually bond about the situation and Ruby knows that she can rely on Jaune. As a emotional pillar and they can be good friends because of their circumstances. This helps establish Jaune as a kind individual willing to help or even just hear his friends out. It didn't take four episodes to establish him but just two minutes of screen time. As someone Ruby can relate too and vice-versa.

Instead, Jaune serves to just take time away from the girls with 4 episodes dedicated to him. Who still need development and to be fleshed out a lot more.

Blake is quite enjoyable at least in my opinion. I might be in the few who do like her but I can see why others don't like her.

Ruby and Yang need more time dedicated to their sibling relationship. As it would develop both characters, two birds, one stone and mentioning of possible Weiss development is above. This would help to improve the first volume somewhat as Jaune and the side characters would be sidelined. However, since Ruby, Weiss, Blake and Yang are the main characters. It is imperative that the entire first volume be focused on those four. We can add other characters later.

Overall, I'll give this volume a 5/10. It's not the worst I have seen but the unfocused nature of the volume with its characters does drag it down. Dubbing down Jaune and Cardin to a simple bully relationship also hurts the show. However, Blake and The Fanus situation serve to add life to the world. At least in my opinion, and Ruby is a pretty nice character for this volume. However, more could have been done with her.

[bridgyrose]

Weiss sat down and wiped away a little sweat from her brow. “You both can go. Its still a bit too warm for me to go out right now. Just… dont be out too long, alright?” 

“We’ll be back soon,” Penny answered as she followed Ruby out the door. 

Weiss smiled a bit as the door shut, standing up and rushing to the kitchen. Knowing Ruby, she’d be out for a walk with Penny long enough for cookies to be baked, but she needed more than that. Today, she was ready to take a step she’d been too nervous to take before and she needed everything to be perfect. 

And to start, she needed to make sure dinner was ready by the time the two came back. Or at least ready enough for Ruby to sit down and focus on something other than her next mission or weapon maintenance. And to start: a meal she could look forward to. 

Weiss scrambled around the kitchen to look for Ruby’s cookbook, nearly causing a few glasses to fall out of the cupboard. Once she found it, she flipped to the page for the strawberry cookies that Ruby liked and searched for all the ingredients she needed. And while she wasnt too familiar with baking, she at least knew enough from watching Ruby that it was a science and that as long as she followed the instructions, she would be fine. 

She set the oven to preheat and mixed the ingredients into two bowls, separating the dry and wet ingredients as instructed. Once she was sure she hadnt been missing anything, she mixed the two together and waited for the oven to finish preheating. 

Weiss once again found herself flipping through cookbook pages, looking for anything that resembled a main course. Cookies, tarts, brownies… enough sweet recipes to fill a bakery lined each page as she continued to look through. Finally, she came across a page that was torn and crusted with some old batter along the edges. 

A smile crossed her lips as she spoke to herself. “Fried fish? I think I can handle this.” 

She started by getting a pot on the stove, filling it with a cup of oil and let it heat up to 425 degrees. Then, she looked through the fridge for the salmon that Ruby had come back with a few days previous, relaxing when she found it still wrapped up in newspaper from the market.

Weiss then placed it on the counter and paused when she read the next step. Filet fish. She quickly pulled out her scroll, not quite sure what the recipe wanted her to do. After watching several videos, she found a knife that looked like the fish knife the videos used. She placed a hand on the fish and slowly and carefully cut through it to try to mimic how the videos showed her how to filet a fish. Though, it didnt take long for her to lose control of the knife and cut the fish unevenly. She sighed and tried to salvage as much as she could, putting chunks of fish onto a cutting board and doing her best to make them as even as possible. 

Next came the batter. She added a couple cups of flour, a teaspoon of sugar, and a pinch of salt into a bowl and mixed. Next was to add twelve ounces of beer. It took her a little longer than she cared to admit with finding the beer, almost mistaking it for soda. 

Once the beer was mixed in, she took chunks of the fish and added them into the batter, making sure every piece was well covered before tossing it into the hot oil. The oven went off and she nearly dropped a piece of battered fish on the ground, not expecting the chime to be so loud. Still, she finished putting the fish into the hot oil and started to get the cookies into the oven. 

As everything started to cook, Weiss flipped through the cookbook again, slowing down as she passed through a few of the recipes. It was almost like she was catching a better glimpse into the woman she loved, who Ruby was outside of huntressing. A blush crossed her cheeks at the thought of calling Ruby someone she loved. Still, this was the step that she wanted to take. And she knew that Penny felt the same about Ruby and wanted her in their relationship just as much. 

She smiled as she started to smell the fish, turning them in the oil with a pair of chopsticks to make sure the fish cooked evenly. Then, she started some rice and vegetables to have along with the fish, wanting to make sure she had a full meal ready. 

“We’re back,” Ruby called out as she walked back into the apartment. “And the fish smells good.” 

“I hope it tastes as good as it looks,” Weiss said as she finished getting the rice cooking. “Would you like to help? Its my first time doing any of this and I’m still not quite sure what I’m doing.” 

Penny smiled and pushed Ruby forward a bit. “Go on, maybe it will give you something to talk about.” 

“S-sure,” Ruby said with a blush as she made her way to the kitchen. “What would you like me to do?” 

“Could you keep an eye on the fish?” Weiss relaxed a bit as she checked on the cookies by opening the oven door, only to stop when she felt Ruby’s hand on hers. “I’m just checking on them.” 

“Its better to check while the door’s closed. There’s a light you can turn on to see into the oven.” 

Weiss blushed a bit as she felt Ruby press up against her to turn on the oven light. “You know, I could get used to this.” 

“Used to this?” Ruby asked. 

“You helping me cook and… being here with me.” Weiss took Ruby’s hand for a moment and smiled at her. “You’ve been close to Penny and I for a while now and… we’d like for you to be with us.” 

“If you are willing to,” Penny chimed in.

Ruby slowly nodded. “I’d… I’d like it.” 

Weiss blushed and gently leaned against Ruby. “Then maybe we can make this our first dinner date.” 

“As long as you dont let me burn the food,” Ruby said as she started to spoon the fish out of the oil. “The fish are done.” 

“Right.” Weiss turned the oven light off and started to focus on the rice and veggies, taking a few glances at Ruby. “But with you here, I’m sure everything will be perfect.”

Prev

[razorblade180]

Watched RWBY x Justice League pt2

First and foremost, I actually feel like everyone should watch this. You can skip part 1 and I wouldn’t care. Part two however is actually pretty fun. Kinda wish it was longer to slow the pace a little. It’s only a little over an hour. More importantly…

I cannot figure out if I’m in disbelief or a tad livid, because this movie gave me character moments I wanted from the show and it’s post Vol9!😭

I wouldn’t have believed you if you told me this movie has high on life Ruby Rose, a very important sisterly moment with Yang, and Weiss trying to process how Atlas is gone! I’m actually a little lost for words. This movie has parallels and uses prior character arcs to help others get through current ones. Like…I’m so happy about it, but why is it in the Justice League crossover movie? I’ve been fed what I wanted in a foreign restaurant.

They mentioned Grimm Eclipse in this movie multiple times. That feels illegal because they never mention that ever! Here’s a couple things that aren’t that big of a deal but mattered to me for some reason.

I might prefer Blake’s superpower and costume here and I don’t know to feel about that.

Weiss clearly has a thing for Batman and it’s always going to be hilarious

Jessica asked for Jaune and that fucked me up.

Weiss continues to be the prettiest at all times. (I’m biased but oh well)

Ruby has “I’m her” energy

The fights were fun

Time Skip Ruby design might be her best look. It somehow balances all of her other design traits and she looks so in her element. I’m sad it’s gone

The girls had muscles.

I’ll probably think about this movie for a solid few days. It comes out in physical on Tuesday so I’ll probably buy it. Not necessarily because it’s the best thing to buy, but because it’s important now more than ever to show economic evidence that there’s still market value for RWBY as a franchise if people actually want some semblance of a chance to get a legitimate volume 10. If you do actually care about RWBY continuing, then I’d recommend maybe doing the same if it’s financially feasible of course; even if you don’t particularly like the film.

[powertaco]

Vol 9 Spoiler Rant (aka I have waited and thought on it and still dont’ like it/Ranting ahead

I hate Volume 9

I’ll start by saying that upfront so you aren’t shocked or surprised by a conclusion later down the line, and can leave if the notion of disliking it offends you.

I don’t doubt I’ll get many blocks or people who disagree with this take, which is fair since I’m putting the opinion out there and should be able to take it on the chin or stand by it. 

This will contain spoilers for V9, my thoughts on a lot of things, ships, and what not so if you want to turn back now the back button is over yonder.

If it’s disjointed I apologize but I’m not feeling my best, and the longer I think about it the more I dislike it and I’m sick of pretending and being toxically positive about it.

First off I’ll get a few things out of the way as things I approve of. 

The animation has largely grown phenomenally. There’s a few moments that are a little out of it (yo why you got a 3 foot neck Weiss?), but for the most part considering where we came from in the bass on the wall days of Volume 1. Big win here. 

The music. Good work Casey. Red Like Roses 3 is a banger, inside is great, and checkmate is…something. Overall good stuff. 

VA work. Good deal. Rob nails his ‘surprise’ villain as he always nails his roles but people seem to be putting their all into it. No hate here, and these guys clearly brought their A game. Good work!

This volume as a whole is very middling to me, bordering on bad depending on if or how V10 recontextualizes things that happened, which I will try to go into later. 

Essentially if you were a big fan of Bees this might be one of your favorites, but if you’re just kinda neutral to them like me then the volume didn’t have a lot to offer you and didn’t do much to really move the story forward.

Remember when Ambro said don’t fall in V8 like it was a big ominous thing, and remember how it ended up being almost entirely beneficial? Yeah so V9 was like that. Setting up stuff for an instant week to week payoff regardless of if it hurt the story or not cause we need that interest spiked to greenlight V10. 

For a Volume that took so long to make the entire thing is remarkably rushed. 

Why do Ruby and Weiss talk so little? Serious question. Even if you don’t ship them they’re supposed to be canon best friends, and yet they share almost as many lines together in the last few seasons as they do with Ren. In case you were wondering that’s not many. 

We had a reduced cast of characters and almost none of them can actually be bothered to interact meaningfully.

Why does Weiss and everyone keep ditching Ruby except Little? Ruby has a basically perfect assassin after her, and in the market everyone ditches her cause of nose hairs. 

But what can they do against Neo? Nothing, but they could maybe point her out, or talk and help distract her rather than leaving her to her own devices when she’s clearly not feeling well. 

Sometimes having someone there for you can help a lot, but instead we need to have Weiss backslide and the others abandon her so she can be alone to meet the smith. 

This is bad writing. I’m sorry but it is. Had this been Volume 1-3 Weiss? Sure I could buy this, but this is not that Weiss. If you need to have Ruby be alone to meet the smith, work harder. You had years for this. This would have gotten a C at best in a writing class with a see me after class/don’t keep using coincidences like this note attached to it. 

If you’re going to tell me I’m not a professional writer so I can’t critique then that’s asinine. I don’t drive trucks for a living but if I see one ramp off a cliff and into a pit I can tell you that, that guy/gal has messed up.

If Weiss wanted to help cheer on or try to get Bees together then that’s an even worse reason as the aforementioned ASSASSIN is after her partner.

“Oh but Neo wouldn’t attack in a busy market!” My guy do you know Neo “i live only to murder this woman’ AT ALL? There’s an amusing quote I can ascribe to her actions “i will kill as many people as I have to as long as you are one of them!” 

There was a reason the meme, ‘squads that would treat Ruby better’ was going around through volume 9 and even included pictures of villains. 

Blake and Ruby never talk outside of that one scene in V8, and Yang has focused way more on Blake and way less on being a sister. 

I’ve seen people defend her actions as being a target for her sister’s actions when she steps in front of Blake, but please note Yang just let her yell at Weiss and did nothing, until she starts yelling at Blake. 

Yeah, no I’m sorry she lets her have a go at Weiss and then when her girlfriend is getting her feefees hurt then she steps in. Her talking to her sister after the hound was nice (but again prob would have been a decent Weiss moment)

That’s bullshit. Had Yang stepped in or tried to when she was talking to Weiss then I could buy this, but as is it’s just another thing to hold against her. 

The bees eat a lot of screentime. If you’re a bee fan this is great. If you want story progression, this is not. 

The world bends and revolves around them very literally. We need to have a confession bridge show up so they can confess but we can’t get a ‘you have to talk about what’s bothering you’ camp you can’t leave until you talk things out for Ruby?

What are the rules of ever after? Basically w/e so the only reason Ruby can’t get that is cause well we want a breakdown. Again great writing. 

But let’s talk about it. Ruby has a breakdown. She complains there’s no time for her. It’s tragic because she’s put a lot of stuff on her own shoulders and internalized it. 

Good acting here, even from Jaune. 

Weiss puts out a hand and she flies away. 

When our heroes next see her she’s drank suicide tea. You can claim after the fact that ascension isn’t that (but i’m sorry that’s how it’s framed and the whole zooming into Yang’s eye thing is explicitly treated like it’s meant to be a big deal and get people talking)

Tragic truly, but you know what she believes in herself now, and now she’s all better. Her depression and desire to die are gone. I don’t know how it helps with Salem, as I’d be willing to bet Summer also believed in herself but it didn’t seem to help her much. If they go more into this in V10 I will retract this and accept it but I’m not in the mood to be forgiving to them atm.

Also again right after Ruby ‘kills’ herself they stop to help Jaune…just I’m sorry what?

Jaune still takes up too much time and serves a role that’s almost not needed and I don’t even hate or dislike him. His interesting development is stripped away at the end. 

By deaging Jaune now they can’t explain where they were with any real proof. A few scroll pics of a weird cat thing isn’t going to cut it. 

He has a few gray stripes and will likely go back to acting like he normally does and other than Nora ragging him about them once or twice will likely not be mentioned again. He may on occasion get to say something ‘wise’ but I’m doubting it since he went back to being the same almost right away. 

So rather than an aged, mature, and slightly damaged man going back and having to relate to his friends/people he knew he’s the same. Awesome development. 

Plus side is that now that deaging is canon DWR can still win! Anyway he takes entirely too much focus away. 

Ruby complains about how they have no time cause they have to help Jaune, and what do they do almost instantly after she ‘kills’ herself? Stop and help Jaune. It’s tonal whiplash. 

I get that JNPR are supposed to be deuteragonist but holy hell almost all the time goes to Jaune who is by far the least interesting of the bunch imo even with all the time dumped into him. 

Can we get more Ren and Nora? This could have been a good way for Nora to ‘learn’ who she is without Ren. 

If Nora had fallen(say off her hammer into the void at the start from Cinder during the scuffle with Penny in the air) and they met a wizened Nora who tried to act chipper but was clearly putting up a front it would be a great foil/combo with Ruby. 

It would also make her reuniting with Ren and being ready for a relationship in the next volume all the sweeter. 

We spend an episode on the red prince. Neat. You know what would have been better for it? Almost anything else, say perhaps after Ruby’s ‘suicide’ they spend a few frantic minutes trying to get to the tree until they see the reincarnated paper pleasers and then are like oh, ok so she’ll prob come back/be alright instead of just ‘we did what we can’. 

Girl I love you Weiss but you all did jack shit. You made one half hearted effort and stopped, and then every time Ruby might have gotten to talk they needed to help Jaune or something interrupted. 

Good work being the best partner ever by the way especially when Ruby spends a large portion of the volume helping you with all your problems and rushing to your side without a bit of hesitation and in return you muster up…about nothing. 

They did it in genlock and did it twice in this volume and arguably with Penny/Vine last volume. “Suicide is great!” Please stop doing this. 

Speaking of Penny if you like her you might want to get CRWBY to be pallbearers at your funeral so they can let you down one last time. 

If you liked Nuts’ and Dolts even more condolences. They’d have many chances to imply deeper feelings than friendship between them and take none of them. Her farewell song is called Friend where she talks about being friends with Ruby. 

During the fight with her clones, the Penny clone never once says she loves her. This is Neo, mouse killer and person with the largest hateboner for Ruby in the show. 

She is twisting the knife as much as she can so you can bet if she thought there was even an inkling there was more than friendly feelings between them she’d have had the clone say she loved her just to do that little bit more mental damage, but she didn’t. 

If there was ever a time to bring it up to put her off balance it was now. Neo is under no pressure and has no reason to not do so, so it basically sinks the ship. Well more than her being dead already does. 

I swear to god if they go to Vacuo and Pietro is in a coma or dead and there’s a new Penny I’m going to call Akira Toriyama and tell him RWBY is aping Dragon Ball because there’s no stakes in life or death anymore. 

Oh right, speaking of Neo she’s pretty ok until the end where she decides she’s cool with Ruby, gets to get the kill on the cat and then just bows out and leaves, and everyone is…strangely cool with that. 

Ascension or not I’m just struggling to think that any of them should just want her to essentially get away scot free. This woman tried to kill Ruby or get her to commit suicide and killed Little and we’re cool with letting her go because she killed the cat who was no longer a threat to them and did a hat doff? Um…yeah sure. I bet Yang is ok with people almost killing her sister, Weiss her best friend, etc. Then again maybe these versions of the characters are. 

I don’t care much about how ascension will change her; she's paid for nothing she’s done. “Get your revenge and you’ll get it and still get away scoTt free’. Ok last of us two. 

I can not overstate how pointless the suicide feels. 

It feels like they wanted her to do it, but have it not ‘take’ or have consequences because they’re in ever after and can say ‘hey the ascension thing fixes it’. 

Look, I'm glad the bees got together. Really I’m happy for you, but if you take out the Bee stuff, and the pining you’re left with a threadbare story that is only barely there since it’s all resolved in about five minutes. 

We all deserve better than that. The characters deserve better than that. 

I could keep going as this just scratches the surface level but it’s pissing me off to keep thinking about it. 

[lasudio]

VeronaHills, Round Nine: O'Mackey

Word came from the Weiss family and brought Gabe to his knees: Skye had passed away.

The seeds of romance had only just been sprinkled into the ground. Skye's sudden illness dumped bleach in the dirt and left Gabe without any hope of a garden. Did he know all along? The sheets still smelled like pine; Gabe never wanted to forget the signature fragrance of his colleague, his friend, his mentor... his lover, if only for a night.

Just a man and his school of fish and his daughter's cat. I never got to tell Jules I was seeing someone. Questions and doubts and regrets leaked from Gabe's brain to his stomach, which complained at the lack of nutritional value to be found in rumination. He pulled open the fridge and selected ham, cheese, and mustard pickle - this golden trio resting between thick slices of generously buttered sourdough would cure the hunger, at least.

Gabe conceded he might eventually pick up a coffee at the market and see other attractive people (maybe even approach them)! For now, the bachelor life was best enjoyed gazing into a cup of tea at home, feeling the warmth in his hands, and imagining the greatest story never told: what could have been.

[lyriquette]

Old RWBY AU description from the Frosen Steel server -troublemakers AU - 12/10/2020

AU of singer!Weiss having two incredibly troublesome fans, a graffiti-loving prankster/streamer and the leader of a troll army. She's tired.

----

The Nail:

lilac — 12/09/2020 11:57 PM

So let's say the nail here is that Ozma and Salem didn't get into a giant war. Somehow their kids lived, so all humanity really needed to deal with is the Grimm without any evolutions on Salem's part. They're still a pain in the arse because the Grimm's strength and numbers are always a little bit less than humanity's.

----

lilac — 12/10/2020 12:14 AM

And in that background, we have Ruby Rose, a streaming traceuse, engineer, and prankster who recently unlocked her semblance much to Atlas's dismay. The logo on her stream is a goose with the caption "i am here to cause problems"

----

lilac — 12/10/2020 12:25 AM

Weiss is a famous pop star in Atlas - still lives in the Schnee Mansion. The Schnee Dust Company no longer existed in its full form; due to the more peaceful world, Atlas put a foot down on monopolies a couple years after Jacques took control and tried making the company as inhumane as possible to increase his profit margins. So he's currently wearing an orange jumpsuit. The family overall is much happier in his absence. Willow divorced the man and rumors say the most eligible bachelorette has been meeting someone clandestinely, drinking together. Which also happens to be part of the reason why Ruby is currently at Atlas lol.

lilac — 12/10/2020 12:30 AM

------

Weiss unlocked her Glyphs but has been using it mostly as fairly expensive special effects. She's described as the fairy of atlas (or whatever name you all can come up with - I'm bad 8l ). Myrtenaster does exist as the girl is a fencer on the side.

As well known as Weiss is though, her musical career has stagnated. Too many artists and singers saturating the market, and she hasn't had any inspiration lately since she's always been insistent on making her own songs.

lilac — 12/10/2020 12:31 AM

-------

lilac — 12/10/2020 12:45 AM

Penny is still developed by Atlasian military but upon realizing Pietro has no intention on making a clearly real girl fight against the enemies of human, Ironwood was like "okay you're right." So Penny doesn't have any of the weaponry and was allowed to live like a child and go to school. She doesn't quite know what she wants to do (maybe lead a sentient robot uprising /j) after schooling, but her dads are open to her doing anything. Her hobby is music and programming, and she's been following the Angel of Atlas since her debut. She is Weiss's self-proclaimed number one fan but more importantly she's her friend. If there is bad stuff about her friend on the internet, she will drown people with a troll army. To Weiss's dismay, a lot of her fans just follow her for the flame wars Penny would cause on her behalf. Lol

Online Penny is super different from offline penny.

"When logic and reason no longer work, what do we do?!"

"Flame them to death!! "

----

lilac — 12/10/2020 1:20 AM

Ruby naturally is our walking, sometimes running, plot device. Wears a cape and a butterfly mask when she's actively streaming and has a button camera on her mask that doesn't work unless she physically wears the mask.

She learns about the Angel of Atlas and quickly falls in love with her work. Soon, super high places in Atlas are demonstrating large areas of grafiti depicting Weiss or a set of angel wings. Even the CCT tower gets the treatment.

Sooner or later, she declares herself the number one fan online which Penny takes offense to. Cue flame war between the two lol. Weiss had to log in to stop them from wrecking the local server with their war.

Essentially Ruby's chaos-loving followers versus Penny's troll army.

---

They eventually learn to not fight on Weiss's server. And instead find that holding flame wars on the sites and servers of Weiss's haters is a more productive thing to do. To the dismay of their leaders, eventually the trolls and chaos lovers become one happy family. The only thing that came out good was the chaos-lovers becoming Weiss fans…not for the music but because Weiss's name is now synonymous for troublesome.

"Thanks, guys."

"Sorry. orz."

"I'm sorry" (edited)

---------

One day, Ruby goes to Weiss online all "maybe ill meet you in the middle of the night. just pop in."

Weiss: "so you're telling me to hire more guards."

Ruby: "don't worry. They won't be able to separate us. I'll be there tonight. ^_~"

Weiss: asdsddrfffssd

Penny: !!!

So that night Penny grabs a simplified form of Floating Array and installs it. She picks up a cat mask and uses FR to move past buildings like Spiderman.

Destination: weiss's home to protect her virtue

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

lilac — 12/11/2020 12:56 AM

So back to the streamer / troll army AU:

Penny goes off to the Schnee Mansion and is spider-manning her way there while wearing a cat mask. mission? Protect her idol's virtue from the red-wearing weirdo.

She arrives. Ruby's already spray painting a set of wings on the mansion.

"I'll protect Weiss from your foul clutches!"

"Who are you again?"

"I am Weiss's number one fan!"

"No that's me! You're that troll girl! I'm going to beat you down."

"What did you say to me? I'll have you know that I graduated in top of my class in the Atlasian Military, and I've been in multiple search and destroy missions involving the Grimm, and I have 300 confirmed kills. I am trained in antipersonnel warfare, and I'm the top hand-to-hand specialist in all of Atlas. You are ju-"

Ruby interrupts her with a paint bomb.

Penny is rainbow-colored now.

Cue angry shrieking and then awkward fighting because neither girl has fought before. Meanwhile….

Whitley: hello police ? There's two crazy girls fighting on our lawn…and there's paint and glitter everywhere

Weiss wakes up from all the racket. She sees the paint and glitter all over the house and lawn, realizes who the two probably are, and angrily pulls out a training epee. She runs out yelling. (edited)

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

Before long, she's sitting on top of the two because unlike Ruby and Penny she's had formal training. Her eye is twitching from the arts and crafts disaster that's become her home. She turns on the full force of her bossiness.

"Wei-"

"Salu-"

"I've been chauffering my mom and her infuriating date all day today. Then I had to deal with my manager and why i haven't come up with more songs. And then you both come wake me up at one in the morning, turning my entire home into a preschool art project! You WILL clean up the mess you made or so help me god…"

She just screams out in anger, making the other two hug each other in fear. After she stalks off, the other two notice their position and quickly pull away from each other. They then grudgingly work together to clean the lawn and house and repair the damage they made.

The police do arrive but are turned around by Klein who tells them everything is under control.

After they're mostly done, Klein invites the two to stay at the manor, since it's late and not safe - though for him, it's an excuse to have Weiss interact with kids her age in a non-backstabby-rival-singer way. Naturally, the two excitedly accept.

----

lilac — 12/14/2020 9:36 AM

Back to troll Penny, singer Weiss, streaming prankster Ruby:

Klein invites the uninvited guests to stay the night after they clean up the mess they made of the Schnee mansion.

The next day, Ruby and Penny were unable to get any sleep, mostly cause they are all "omg I'm sleeping in my idol's home." So come morning, they're both exhausted and meet each other in the hall. Penny and Ruby share a pleased smile behind their masks before they recall they're supposed to be hostile to each other, cause both of them consider themselves as Weiss's number one fan.

Klein sees them and leads them to the dining room for breakfast, where they find a delicious spread. Whitley's already there, kinda wondering why the crazy girls he called the police on earlier are eating here, but given Klein invited them, they couldnt be that dangerous.

As all three of them eat, Weiss comes in mostly in pajamas and some bedhead, clearly dazed and drowsy. For one, she doesnt even notice the pair on the table. Whitley looks at Weiss and the two girls with an amused face. Ruby and Penny don't even know what to say as Weiss just goes about her business, mostly like a zombie with Klein helpfully putting food on her plate and most importantly an industrial-sized mug of coffee. She just eats and drinks what's on her plate before going back the way she came.

Whitley watches on with amused anticipation.

The girls are wondering if she's deliberately ignoring them when they see her collide with the wall beside the doorway. Before they could ask if she's okay, Weiss just dazedly steps back and walks through the hall instead.

Whitley's giggling, and when the girls look at him, he just says, "every morning. Like clockwork."

[texanredrose]

Ao3 unwrapped asks: 9, 12, 29

9. Favorite pairing you wrote for this year? Elderburn, though I had a lot of fun branching out into other ships/fandoms this year.

12. How many WIP’s do you have in your docs for next year? Um... well... technically... 25ish...

29. Favorite line/passage you wrote this year?

“I was confronted by one of our more… belligerent courtiers. It touched on some sore spots. Mainly, if nothing between us can change, if we can be nothing more than friends… does it make me a fool to keep seeking you out anyway? To look forward to our trips to market, to any moment I can spend with you… to let it motivate me. Is it wrong?” “My Dearest Princess, do not begrudge me that I must speak plainly, but yes. Yes, it does make you a fool, but so am I, for between us, I am even more aware of how futile this is and, yet, I miss you when you’re gone. Knowing as I do that we can never be more than this, I allow myself to yearn, to hope, to dream- so we’re a pair of fools, you and I, and all the more foolish for being in this together.” Somehow, it didn’t hurt, being called a fool. Weiss had a point. They both seemed aware of the situation and, while Blake lacked the specifics, her mother wasn’t wrong- Weiss was stubborn and true, and Blake believed that with her whole heart. She may never be able to understand the specifics without all the details but that didn’t make her less aware of the outcome. Her gaze shifted from the ocean in front of them to watch the woman as she frowned severely. “However… in my heart, I can’t call you wrong. In my head you are- how can you be so careless with your heart, Blake, to give it to someone like me? To put yourself in this position- damn your honor and your pride, to take over my shopping as an apology, because you put yourself in this awful position and I- damn me, too, for not stopping you, for not turning away from your kindness and your smile and your playful eyes. For seeing you up on that wall and being weak. Damn us both for not being able to resist what we have known to be foolishness since the beginning.” Her voice shook at the end but Weiss clung to that same pride that had fueled her since the beginning, the sharp look in blue eyes dulling ever so slightly as tears threatened to fall. Blake couldn’t help the sad curl to her lips. “I think I would rather be damned for all eternity than to live a peaceful life never knowing you, Weiss.” “And damn your romantic words and what they do to me.” She turned and curled forward, into Blake’s chest, and she didn’t hesitate in enveloping the woman in her arms, burying her nose in moonlight locks and relishing the sensation. To hold her, even for a moment…  “I’m sorry,” she said softly, placing the words gently beside Weiss’ ear. “Don’t be. Damn me, again and again, for being so thankful that I’ve gotten this much, for now that I understand how powerful love can be, I wonder how I’ve lived so long without it, and I wonder how I can stand by and watch as you one day marry someone else.”

-My Love, My Heart, Chapter 3

Getting to do a pseudo period piece and write some ridiculous Monos was very soothing. The melodrama was also fun.