#this is what we loses when vale retired

[muxas-world]

When all your kids show up just to bully you (clear elderly abuxse)

[moonshynecybin]

I do not understand what was going on in Vale’s head after 2015. Like, every time he speaks about Marc he always brings up Sepang and explain how that was the breaking point in their relationship, he doesn’t really talk about Argentina, but at the same time in 2016 they were lowkey getting closer again (?). Then he says that after 2015 he was being polite to Marc only to not waste time, but why? He clearly had no problem to express all his hatred towards him after 2018 so what was the need to act polite and appear fake when he knew damn well that even if he kept talking shit about Marc the journalist and all his fans would have his back. Truly a confusing man, I bet Marc was driving himself insane to try to understand him.

first of all thats a lot of smoke even for my man valentino. like years of smoke. again, hes kind of known as the fun funny guy everybody loves to see win bc he's their silly little elf prince... and yes he's a killer on the track (thats also fun) and hes aware of how to manipulate the public opinion. BUT because of that, i think he's also aware that all of that adoration is something that he can potentially lose or at least have less control over... crowds like jesters when theyre FUN. and when marc's pr strategy at that point about this was 1. ignore it, 2. be very sweet to vale when you see him bc you love him (like he said hi to vale almost every single time they sat next together in 2016. a more sane man wouldve just chilled in contemplative heartbroken silence. not marc ! not my crazy little guy !), being consistently aggressive towards him is a lot less fun for everybody. gives him a lot less power in terms of wielding/controlling that rivalry when he thinks he really needs to. hes NOT lying when he says its easier to just say hi to marc. it is! if he ignored marc every weekend, that would be the story of the weekend. every single time. and i think he learned in the aftermath of sepang how big a story like this could get (we STILL talk about it. marc was answering jorge vs valentino questions THIS WEEK.) and how much they can dominate his life and capture the eyes of the press. kind of inescapably. resigning himself to an eternal retirement of answering questions like how fast do you think marquez will be on the ducati?? (i KNOWWW hes sick rn btw). a monster of his own creation. so i think he learned in malaysia to only go after marc when hes really fucking pissed off. and he was really fucking pissed off in argentina 2018. and unfortunately marc didnt get the hint until then i think.

[mywingsareonwheels]

Yet more thoughts about Thursday in “Endeavour” 9.3

Here be spoilers

I don’t - I really don’t want - to excuse Thursday’s worst behaviour in the final episode. Not, ultimately, do I think he would want any of us to.

But I do just want to talk a bit about the mitigating circumstances, because there are lots. He’s always been a glorious mixture of selflessness, stubbornness, compassion, anger, single-mindedness, generosity, open-mindedness, unreasonableness, vulnerability. And the times that have brought the most extreme side of him out are when a) he thinks that he’s going to die soon so has nothing let to lose, b) when child abuse has happened, c) above all, when one of the four people he loves most (his immediate family + Morse) are in danger.

In 9.3, we see Fred:-

- having a severe dizzy spell which clearly indicates potential serious heart problems; he shrugs it off to Morse but there’s no way he doesn’t recognise that he’s ill. He doesn’t look well, either, throughout the episode.

- having his life threatened.

- recognising that his sergeant for two years had been abused as a child and he’d had no idea.

- being forced to stop the investigation into Blenheim Vale and let down Jakes and the others because...

- his life, Joan’s life, and Morse’s life have all been directly threatened by Lott (who has outright attempted to kill his brother) and this time he can’t find any way to save them without giving in and getting Morse to give in, and in any case he’s so tired.

- discovering that his brother has profoundly betrayed him, and that the act of foolish generosity and trust that nearly cost him his marriage and certainly did cost him retirement when he mentally and physically needed it was a trap all along (NB: I suspect this might have temporarily damaged his ability to trust anyone, at all, including Morse).

- realising that Sam has become an addict and a dealer and is far gone enough to have been stealing from him and Win (and to punch him, though that comes later); realising too that the young man is in serious danger as a result.

All within a very, very short space of time. And when he’s already exhausted, ill, burned out, absolutely past ready to retire and rest.

And then he sees a stranger, a gang member, trying to kill his son. And he is not to know - not in the least - that the stranger was a past victim of child abuse whose friendship once gave comfort to the young Peter Jakes.

I just... Thursday’s not perfect, and he’s never been perfect, and we see some of the worst of him here. Morse’s heartbreak over the murder is profound and desperately sad and completely relatable.

But it’s not an unforced error. I think Morse is more than halfway to forgiving him before they part, and I find that relatable too. Not least because Thursday’s reaction to being given the money back is that shocked sob. He’d utterly lost his faith in people, and here is Morse doing everything to restore it. I can keep going on about the symbolism of him giving up his service revolver to the truest friend (the true brother now, perhaps, rather than the true eldest son?) he’s ever had. He knows what he’s losing in Morse. He knows the sheer epic quantity of grace Morse is extending him. And I think he sees, in that moment, that he can use that grace to become closer to the man Morse wants him to be, even with them parted for good.

I think we’ve all had the moment (several, most likely) of being under extreme stress and obsessing about helping one person we love, at the cost of our own integrity, and the cost of pain to other loved ones. And then that moment when you realise what you’ve done.

I hate that Thursday commits a murder. I hate that he tries to justify himself. But holy crap, is it hard to entirely blame him for that murder, or that self-justification, at that time.

He’s not perfect, but he’s also not remotely a villain. He’s a mostly decent, mostly warm and compassionate, flawed, big-hearted, highly traumatised man who needs a fricking break and instead gets... all that. His love for Morse is real, and the times (oh Gods, the so many times) he’s saved Morse aren’t taken away by the events of one episode, even if those events end their active relationship. Endeavour has always been a show I think that encourages us to crack our hearts open that bit wider. To have compassion for a murderous gang member because we know something of what he went through as a kid, and what his friendship meant to another character we love. To have a compassion for the gang member’s murderer because we know exactly what kind of man he is, and what kind of horrors he was going through.

Gah, this show. Never runs out of layers.

Also I say again: someone give Roger Allam an award for his performance as Fred, it’s truly, truly extraordinary.

[libidomechanica]

Untitled (“It were it even there”)

A kimo sequence

               1

You are dead, and he scarce even then! It were it even there. Her fingers. Alas, from the dead.

               2

But as to suit the matin songs, and still I retire: dumb is that can die! I dare na by.

               3

These birds have signify? Like child is the setting moon, dark yew, that faith: we cannot keep my heart.

               4

Some pain, pleas’d, your dearest, there was seen or pray. Rings to thee; and the vale, and heard a busie bustling.

               5

Into childhood shapes are dancing chid! Nor, what proceed out of hell which is eight-sided, like wool.

               6

And pass, for a meadows low. Or a good shall I take and thee. And fragrant skies, and wears a crowd?

               7

Pursed the ground of space, that leave thy prosper! Hers could much of Britain’s youth. —The wean wants a crater.

               8

To see,—o for some knock-out drops and native land. A love like a fool of loss is coming year!

               9

Bit the ditch again. And roll it in his side, she scarecrow has pleasant, the first he walks have felt.

               10

Walks have from their virtue out of heat. In fancy frae me. Is after this, she woke up the breast.

               11

In clay? And what they could we forget what are not—I would the body were mellow musing starre.

               12

The gold and purple sky. The circle smiled, these are but bad pilots when her subtle servitors.

               13

Because of my love, is beautiful, and flame: and thou art worthy wife O Pilate speake, it grow.

               14

For he was a nobler ends. Thou moral gibing; and inward, till Phosphor, fresh new smell may take.

               15

And none of us though every youthful vein; but as he stars; her level matting. The common!

               16

To the General country gentle as free! Of what is to be describe. He was upright and date.

               17

For all turn out untrue. He was a heroine. To know him who had made me feel romantic.

               18

But what am I? Above them more than ever yet remain orbed in yonder living blood.

               19

The sporting generalities. But Summer from whence high Muse answer: There, where a little then.

               20

Which weep a loss for new. Our enemies have prest and lost, but as if nursed of a pyramid.

               21

Carnation found, and every guest looks ouer the door: I walk again. So close, drove the blood. And hew.

               22

No pause to keep me constancy. My courage which made Solomon a zany. A sleep of death.

               23

Whispers, blindly ere she wile your green, upon their former glad Lycius? As if a magic sway!

               24

To pine in low estate the Shadow watching alive: ’ but I know not, and made a wife ere noon?

               25

I do now? A part of words and all the gossip led and we three hot Junes burnt by cigarette.

               26

I am their dying brain. I, falling from nature to wage your souls can’t help thy vassal blest?

               27

Serve to curl a maiden eyes, my prosper! Homer though our straw soles shred on the child’ ceased to die!

               28

Motion warm, come, beaming, opened the circle round thee. Their brilliant surface crisp. Athwart a plan?

               29

The night; ring in exchange! Thy blood, my friendship, or romance of Platonism, which makes human kind.

               30

And a voice as large and horse: the time his tender gloom again. Especial hour to noble break.

               31

And laid the souls in many a subtle service discharged of the sea. To be made the river!

               32

All game at blushing shall cease. Yet as thou shalt wane, so fast thy Saviour be; but fain’d. Give me wise.

               33

My mother with darkness up to prey; and in soul. Ere I firmly trod, and when brought that belong.

               34

Lets fall off, as is the crush her, like joy in memory yet. Like any other line: so long.

               35

Fame and thro’ the topmost freshlier over dale all night I find no rest. God shut themselves we lose.

               36

Beauty in that dip their moss. But let me country gentle reader; since I began; and when there.

               37

But flower of men. ’ The quintessence, lordlier than that space where wert thou, new-year, delay no more.

               38

As down them with author to whose harness of heaun it beares; makes me beat in times? But t was.

               39

For shame at shrink from Syria, or a travel we will be hamburg. Bleed and exorcised.

               40

And eke the soul was straws, her eyes or his? Henry walk’d o’er than on Art. You scarce three parts of men.

               41

And long, the proud heart another’s wrinkles. Splashing of a world which never saw such a stronger.

               42

If free from the men with song and stars, medals, and the tree grow. No, no, no, no, my Deare, let bee.

               43

Lets the Field; he and wind, compassion’d faerie, feend, or star is tamed: and t is the end? To bait them.

               44

There was nothing starres loue-thought them like any other bed. His remark with us, of him.

               45

Least have now had sketches fail them? While his friend, past, present death and the branch a good desert rove?

               46

The little head, and strike me destroy, in morality to find I in the monde, exactly.

               47

And the smoke, danger and be procuress to be blamed for trifles. Just now; he was the clocks stopped.

               48

Ere I forget the Kraken the Lady Adeline and the way the best one. Seeing alone.

               49

Said he, for uninvited guests dozed on the best of life—intense intent hath saved, not confined.

               50

Say seven-and-twenty; for I cannot stay. Bee you and I will nor cared for, gird the sky shows.

               51

Alone; and hands gone under your slightest my seat forbeare?—That you watch me when most importune!

               52

Hackney coach, I for one hour with the hearer. Ere half fooled to less? Upon the land of thy years.

               53

And orb into your pleasure you. Trailed him to fail from a pistol-shot that faith: we can be thine.

[willownoir1112]

Hiya everyone! Wyn here with today's White Rose Week 2021 entry, which is flirting! Now, today features a genderbent Weiss in honor of my friend CelestialPrincess, who could not participate due to scheduling conflicts, as well as for Akirou 02, who wrote one of my all time favorite fics, They're Yours Too! I hope everyone enjoys, and I will see you tomorrow with another day!

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Flirting

Ruby Rose can feel her eye twitching as the drunk white haired wolf Faunus man continues his verbal assault on all four of her tender, not innocent in the least, but still offended ear drums. It wouldn't be so bad if he was at least good at it, but even she's starting to think that it's impossible.

"Sho, you should gib me a chance, cause I'm… ummm…"

She's pretty sure he's trying to flirt. She's actually almost sure he's trying to flirt, and for the life of her she doesn't understand why! She's nothing special, just another non descript rabbit faunus stuck on an overnight layover in Mantle while trying to get home to Vale. Not for the first time since she left on this trip, she wishes she hadn't agreed to come to Atlas to meet James Ironwood on behalf of the Rose Weapons Corporation.

She especially despises being the Heiress of the company her mother, a successful huntress, founded after her retirement.

"I got it!" He grins drunkenly at her as he pounds a fist into his hand. "I'm not a dolt!"

She couldn't help it. She couldn't stop her hand from colliding with her face, then slowly dragging it's way down her fair skin in her… She's honestly not sure if it's because she's exasperated, or because her older half brother Xiang would be crying at how badly this guy can flirt. "So I should leave with you because you're not a dolt?" She asks, getting an enthusiastic nod of the head in reply.

"Not only am I not a dolt, but I'm also a virgin!" He declares in his eagerness, a goofy smile on his face. One that grows as he takes another sip of his drink, what appears to be a vodka on the rocks by the look and smell of it. And she's convinced he's had at least two too many.

"Look, I'm flattered that you want to lose your v-card to me, but I have to pass." She replies calmly, feeling her heart break a bit at the sad puppy look that comes across his face. "I'm only here for the night."

"See?" He declares as his drunken smile returns in force. "You can make a man of me, then you'll never see me again! It's a win-win!"

"Uh huh." She mumbles as she motions for the bartender to top off her own wine glass. If she's going to keep listening to this, then she might as well as go ahead and get buzzed. "What's your name?" She asks, deciding she needs to give the source of her irritation a proper name other than Drunken Wolf Idiot.

"It's Eis, and did you know you have really pretty eyes?" He adds the last wistfully as he stares into them, making her stare into his own sky blues. She has to admit, he has gorgeous eyes, and after taking a liberal sip of her wine, she has to admit he's not too bad looking. Now if only he could actually flirt.

"You're not the first person to tell me that, Eis." She replies as she offers him her hand. "I'm…" Before she can introduce herself, a second drunk with dark skin and wearing a fedora pushes him into her, making her spill her wine as well as his vodka onto her dress. "Awwww, oatmeal cookies!" She swears as she grabs a napkin and tries desperately to clean herself off.

"Hey, Eis? There you go buddy!" Fedora cries out before he begins to cackle drunkenly.

"Flynt, you dolt!" The wolf named Eis roars as he quickly turns and shoves him away. Meanwhile, giving up on getting herself cleaned up, Ruby finally makes a bad decision and simply motions for a refill. If she has to keep dealing with this crap, then she's going to be good and drunk. Besides, all her clothes are back at the airship port, which means she's going to have to find a twenty four hour laundry or something to wash said clothes while praying she doesn't get arrested for being naked in public.

So, as her Mama Raven would say, time to load up on liquid courage and then wrestle the Ursa to get your weapon back.

"Damn, I'm so sorry." Eis murmurs as he turns back around and frowns. She's pretty sure she's a mess. She can feel her soaked bra starting to stick to her skin, as well as her skirt sticking to her bare…

She really doesn't want to know if a certain part of her anatomy can get independently drunk as well. It's a constant struggle to make sure it doesn't get her into trouble as it is.

"Look, it's fine. Can you just tell me where I can go to clean up?" She asks in irritation as she grabs at the bottle of red wine and simply tilts it up, spilling the contents into her mouth and down her throat in a fashion that would have her brother and the rest of her friends cheering her on. Not for the first time, she wishes she hadn't had quite as much fun at Beacon as she did, and had taken her studies and training a bit more seriously.

Nodding, he offers her an arm. "You can get cleaned up at my place." He replies quietly, obviously a bit sobered up. "I'm sorry."

"Don't worry about it." She replies firmly as she glares at him. "And… thanks." She adds the last as her gaze softens. Offering the bartender her credit card, she makes sure he bills her for one more bottle of wine. If she has to keep listening to Eis's flirting, she definitely needs the liquid courage the fermented beverage provides.

Especially since he really is cute, and she's now tempted to lose her own virginity to him as well...

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"Wow, nice place." Ruby admits as the cab pulls up to the curb of a multi level apartment complex in downtown Atlas. She has to admit, he's been a polite gentleman during the entire trip, even trying to ignore the fact that her skirt has been slowly riding up her bare bottom to reveal it as well as her constantly wagging cotton tail.

"I live here with my twin sister." He replies as he struggles to look everywhere but at her exposed rear, while she takes another deep pull of the wine bottle still in her hand. "She works for the family company, while I am a huntsman."

This gets her attention. Her dream was always to follow in her mother's footsteps, but an accident when she was on a hunt left her with permanent nerve damage to her legs. Nothing painful, but still unable to use her semblance to its full effectiveness. "I was a licensed Huntress in Vale." She admits to him quietly as he pays the driver and gets out, offering her a hand out next. "Got hurt on a hunt, and had to quit."

He smiles sadly at her as she struggles to lower her skirt back down on her bottom. "My sister lost her sword arm during her last hunt. Her body rejected the prosthesis."

"Damn." She mutters before finishing the bottle, while struggling to stay upright on legs that are quickly refusing to continue to function. But she can't help but to squeak as she suddenly gets scoop up into surprisingly powerful arms, a smiling Eis looking at her.

"See? I knew I would sweep you off your feet before the night was out." He declares as he walks towards the door, the doorman nodding as he opens it for them.

"Finally! You learned how to flirt!" She declares with a giggle as she cuddles into his chest, enjoying the movement of powerful muscles obviously hidden underneath his dress shirt.

She almost wants to see them…

"I admit, there was more liquid courage pumping through my veins than blood at the time." He replies as he carries her through the lobby and towards the elevators. "But, I do believe we have traded places now."

"Ayup. And how can a beefcake like you still be single?!" She blinks as he chuckles while shaking his head.

"Willow, my twin, doesn't help matters there." He replies as the doors open and he steps in. "She firmly believes very few women are good for me."

"She's just being a good sister then." Fuck, he smells really good. And his wolf ears are so freaking cute! "My older brother's an asshole. But you? You're so cute I could almost eat you up like a tasty snack!"

Eis chuckles as he continues to hold her securely in his arms. "And you claim I'm bad at flirting?" He asks as he looks at her with those sky blues she's rapidly getting lost in.

"I'm drunk. I'm allowed to be bad at it." She declares with a wink. And then her sensitive nose catches the scent of spoiling wine, making her frown. "I stink."

"It's not that… WHAT ARE YOU DOING, YOU DOLT?!" She can't help but giggle as she stops unbuttoning her blouse to look at him.

"I'm stinky." Is her simple response before she returns to unbuttoning her red and black blouse, while the doors ding. But she can't help but to laugh as the white wolf makes a mad dash down the hallway and towards one of only two doors down the entire corridor.

Setting her down on her feet, she keeps laughing as he pats his pockets, obviously looking for a key or a scroll. Meanwhile, she finishes unbuttoning her blouse and slips out of it. And the look on his face as she stands there in just her bra, skirt, and heels, her blouse in her hands is absolutely priceless.

She can feel the warmth starting in her core. A warmth that won't be denied…

They barely get through the door before her lips are against his, while her hands work at unbuckling his belt. It's been a long twenty five years of chaste virginity, and her frustration is at a boiling point. She can feel her tail wagging so quickly it almost feels like it's going to fall off or go flying off, but she doesn't care. She's still fairly young, far from home, and he did present an excellent argument in that they'll never see each other again after tonight.

Ruby Rose is moaning within seconds. She is soon screaming within minutes. And Eis is full of shit if he's still a virgin in her eyes after bringing her to her first real orgasm ever. The first of many. But neither the rabbit faunus or the wolf faunus realize that she had moved a little bit too quickly, neither of them even considering using any kind of protection whatsoever...

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Eis Schnee awakens with a start, clutching his head and groaning in his discomfort. After agreeing to go out with his partner, Flynt Coal, to a local pub popular with travelers simply passing through, he soon found himself drunk and flirting with…

All he can remember is her brilliant quicksilver eyes. Those and how much he had made her scream as they made passionate love in his now partially destroyed bed.

Glancing at the opposite side of said piece of furniture, he sighs as he realizes that she was already gone, only the smell of her perfume to prove the fact that she even existed. Noticing his bladder and the fact that it is demanding to be emptied, he finally stands and rushes into the bathroom, groaning at the fact that despite her absence, she still left several bite marks on his shoulders and chest, including one that appears to have drawn some blood.

He's more than a bit concerned that she's mate marked him, but he soon puts it out of his mind as he smells the first aroma of freshly brewed coffee coming from the kitchen. Grabbing a pair of shorts, he stops long enough to put them on before exiting and joining his sister, Willow.

"Good morning, Twit. I see you finally took advantage of me being gone and punched your v-card." Willow, like him, is unusually tall for a woman at six foot, one inches in height thanks to their birth father, a Mountain of a wolf faunus man. With her long, ankle length white hair, brilliant ruby red eyes, and curvy figure, she is possibly the most highly sought after bachelorette in all of Atlas and Mantle, despite her missing limb.

"Indeed, dolt. It was nice having the place to myself for a change." He replies quietly as he helps himself to the coffee. Looking around, he sighs as he notices that, once again, there is no sign of the young mystery woman who came home with him last night. A few small clues in the fact that his own clothes are still strewn about, the smell of laundry detergent and fabric softeners cling to the air, and her empty wine bottle is still in the garbage.

"Then perhaps I should return to Vale more often." She replies quietly as she slowly sips at her coffee, the mug held securely in her sole hand. "I found myself having a rather lovely evening of my own with a particularly handsome man around our age."

"Oh?" He asks curiously as he sits next to her and grabs at the morning paper. "Please say you at least caught his name." He adds while opening it to the classifieds to look for a small hunt of some kind to stay busy.

"Xiang Xiao Long, my dear twit. And let me guess, you once again showed your lack of manners by not introducing yourself properly?" She asks while shaking her head in disbelief.

"I will admit to being quite intoxicated. So much so that even Dad would have been lecturing me."

"Ouch. When even Daddy would be raising hell as he calls it, you know you overdid it somehow." She admits as she sets her coffee down and checks her messages. "I wish the guild would leave me alone." She suddenly blurts out angrily as she throws her scroll across the room and into a wall. "Why would I take a contract now?! When I am a diminished weakling!"

Seeing the coming meltdown, Eis puts his own search for work to the side to wrap his arms around his volatile twin. "Be at peace, sister. I'll go have a word with the general."

She nods as she bursts into tears while clinging to him. "Is it not bad enough to be a cripple, Eis?! Is it not torture enough to not even be able to look at myself in a mirror without feeling like a weakling?!"

"Shhhh, you are not a cripple, Noiry. You are the strongest woman I know. Not many can continue on like you have, living your life as you do with courage and passion." He whispers to her as he rubs her back.

All thoughts of figuring out who his mystery partner flee his mind as he begins to rock his sibling gently, while she weeps into his chest with almost bone shaking sobs of sorrow. It would be several hours before he is able to return to his room to make his bed, discovering a bracelet of some kind left behind on his mysterious guest's side of his bed. A bracelet with a burning rose set in the middle…

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Ruby sighs as she settles deeper into her seat in the business class section of the Melta Airlines airship. After the events of her drunken night, as well as the rush to wash her clothes and get back to the airship port, she can only hope no one saw her walk of shame. Both of her mothers would kill her for pulling a Xiang, and Robin would be giving her shit for it for years to come.

But wow! What a night before all the rushing around!

As she settles down even more into her seat, while also curling up under the blanket she bought at the port, she is beginning to drift off when her scroll begins to vibrate insistently. Opening one silver eye, she begins to swear softly as she sees her older brother's grinning face on the screen. Grabbing an earbud out of her purse, she sighs as she puts it into one human ear and pushes the green button. "What?"

"Damn sis, is that any way to greet your favorite brother?"

"You're my only brother, thank the Goddesses, and I'm hung over."

"Awwww, poor poor bunny. It's been too Xiao Long since I took you out, hasn't it?" The older blonde replies impishly.

"Oh shut up, you obnoxious dragon!" Ruby snarls as she digs in her purse for some asprin or something to make the pounding in her head go away. "What do you want?!"

"I met someone."

"What's their name?" She asks as she motions to a flight attendant for something to drink, grateful the woman brings a bottle of water a moment later and not soda or alcohol.

"Her, thanks. I think I'm done with non binaries since Blake broke my heart and all." She can't help but to have a small moment of sympathy for her bisexual disaster of a brother. He had loved Blake Belladonna deeply, and the nonbinary panther faunus had broken his heart into pieces when they decided they were more interested in the fairer sex than him. Ruby and Raven both still have some choice words for the panther the next time they cross either woman's paths.

"Wow, an actual woman this time? You must be losing your touch with men again." She can't help but to tease him. She recognizes that tone of voice, and she wants him to stay positive.

"Correction: a black wolf faunus woman. A perfect black wolf faunus woman." She smiles at the delight in his voice, and quickly takes the headache medicine in her hand so that she can keep him on topic. "Tell me about her."

Ruby Rose keeps smiling as she settles back into her chair, under her new blanket, and listens to her brother tell her excitedly about this new woman he met while in Vale, while she was there on a business trip. At least until she realizes that her bracelet is missing…

[lonestarfangirl2014]

LONESTARS GUIDE TO THE WAYNES AND KANES OF GOTHAM CITY PART ONE REDUX

BRUCE WAYNES UNCLES AND AUNTS(Including by marriage) EDITION

WAYNES

“Waynes never stay down. We RISE”

The Wayne's are one of the so called first families of Gotham

also known as the Founding Families of Gotham or more simply, the Five Families are the five families affiliated with the creation of Gotham as a city.

AGATHA WAYNE

First appearance: Batman issue 89 February 1955

Agatha has been discribed as Thomas Wayne frail elder sister. She occasionally visits Bruce when he’s a adult. On Earth Two where she originally debuted it’s been said that she helped out the next person on this list with young Bruce whenever she could.

It could be possible that either Agatha or the next person on our list was the one to inherit the families gotham based ancestral home based on earth two/Golden age Bruce buying a mansion to live in shortly before becoming Batman

Agatha has a counterpart on new earth/post COIE who is said to be the only sibling of Thomas Wayne(still as a older sister.).

It is unknown if she has ever had kids. On Earth Two there is evidence that Bruce has at least one possibly 1st cousin on his fathers side who I will talk about in another post I’m planning on making about Bruce’s cousins.

PHILIP WAYNE (Not to be confused with Martha’s brother of the same first name whose farther down this list)

First Earth-One appearance: Batman issue 208 February 1969

Originally introduced in the earth-one era of comics it is later revealed that a Philip Wayne did exist on the earlier earth-two in Secret Origins Vol 2 #6 (September, 1986)

On both Earth-One and Earth-Two Philip Wayne was the one who took young Bruce in after he was orphaned.

It is unknown who is older between him and Thomas but based on the appearance of Earth-One Philip(white hair and mustache) I would say that Philip was the older one at least on that earth where both he and Thomas took charge of the family business AKA Wayne Enterprise.

On Earth-Two Thomas was the one to inherit the family fortune suggesting that he was the eldest of the two Wayne sons on that Earth. Earth-Two Philip is only seen once and it’s only a silhouette of him.

It is unknown if he has ever had kids. On Both Earth-Two as well as as Earth-One there is evidence that Bruce has at least one possible paternal 1st cousin on each. Both of them I will talk about in another post I’m planning on making about Bruce’s cousins.

Vanderveer Wayne SR.

first appearance: Powerless episode 3

For the sake of this post I will say a Fourth Wayne sibling to my knowledge has never appeared in the comics HOWEVER a paternal Uncle Of Bruce was introduced in the short lived TV show Powerless as Vanderveer Wayne SR.

Vanderveer Wayne, Sr. was the original boss of Wayne Security, before passing the job to his son Vanderveer Wayne Jr and taking a position on the board of directors of Wayne Enterprise.

Patricia Wayne

First Appearance: Pennyworth episode One

The elder sister of Thomas Wayne. She has been described and shown to be a typical rich party girl who according to Thomas apparently likes to cause scandals that drag the Wayne name through the mud. The foolish sibling to Thomas responsible sibling. They bicker and she calls him names but like any typical siblings they still love eachother.

ON PRIME EARTH/NEW 52 it is said that Thomas Wayne was a only child. As of may 4 2021 none of the other Wayne siblings has so far made a appearance in Any Comics set on Prime earth. But hey screw Canon right?

KANES

“We Stand TOGETHER”

The Kane family was cited as being so rich that the only parts of Gotham that were not owned by them were those owned by the Wayne Family.

NATHAN KANE

First mentioned in Batman Incorporated(don’t quote me on that) taking place on New Earth And is confirmed to exist on Prime Earth as well.

Not much is known about Nathan. We don’t even have a proper picture of him. What we do know is that he is the eldest son(Batman Incorporated vol 1 #4)and he was the one who inherited both the family fortune as well as the family Crest Hill Estate after family Patriarch and Matriarch Roderick and Elizabeth/Elisabeth(seen it spelt both ways) both died. He is called the golden scion of the family.

On New Earth He married the original Batwoman aka Katherine Webb-Kane the year Batman became active in Gotham. He was apparently 40 when he started dating 25 year old Kathy Webb-Kane, 43 when he finally married(the year Batman age 25 debuted in Gotham) and 47 when he died.

Kathy Webb-Kane/ Katrina “Luka” Netz.

First Earth-One appearance: Detective Comics #233 (July, 1956)

First Earth-Two Appearance: The Brave and the Bold #182 (January, 1982)

First New Earth Appearance:Batman #678 (August, 2008)

First Prime Earth Appearance:Batman Incorporated Vol 2 #10 (June, 2013

The Original Batwoman!

Strap in because this is a long one.

On Earth-One her history is as follows: Kathy Kane was a wealthy heiress who gained great acrobatic skills during her career as a circus trapeze artist and stunt cyclist. Becoming infatuated with the Batman, she fashioned herself a costume and secret hide-out and started operating as Batwoman. At first she upstaged Batman and his sidekick Robin in capturing crooks. However, Batman eventually learned her true identity and tracked her to her secret cave hide-out. Showing her how easily it was for him to learn her identity, Batman pointed out that criminals could probably do it just as easily and tried to convince her to drop out of crime fighting. Disobeying Batman's advice, she tried to capture mobster Curt Briggs. During this caper, Batman went missing and Briggs, struck with amnesia, left thinking he was Batman. Ultimately the real Batman reappeared, and Biggs was turned over to the police. Afterwards, Batwoman went back to retirement. However, Kathy Kane became tired of the dull life of a rich heiress and came out of retirement once more in order to recapture a criminal named Elton Cragg. It was during this case that Batwoman gained super-powers and after her heroic deeds, she convinced Batman to let her continue her crime-fighting career. Ironically, around this time, Kathy started dating Bruce Wayne and she started to fall in love with Batman, unaware that they were the same person.

When Bruce Wayne was framed for a crime he didn't commit, Batwoman teamed-up with Robin in order to clear Batman's name. During an undercover mission, Batwoman was captured by a criminal leader and was rescued by the Dynamic Duo. When both Batwoman and reporter Vicki Vale were nominated Gotham City's "Woman of the Year", both tried to upstage each other to get the lead in the contest. With the help of Batman and Robin, both Vicki and Batwoman captured Moose Molloy's gang and both were crowned woman of the year. When Batman and Robin were trapped in a cave in, Ace the Bat-Hound guided Batwoman to help free them and capture the criminal Dr. Midas. Batwoman next helped the Dynamic Duo capture Firefly, aided them in preventing Lex Luthor from atomizing Superman, and helped them capture the Spinner. Batwoman later met with Bat-Mite and working together, they captured some crooks to save the Dynamic Duo.After this adventure, Bat-Mite became infatuated with Batwoman and tried to become her sidekick, creating chaos for everyone until he realized his mistake and left. When trying to solve the mystery of who murdered Professor Lacy after his discovery of a living caveman, Batwoman was saved by the caveman who sacrificed himself to save her from Lacy's killer: Harbin, Lacy's assistant. When Kathy Kane purchased a mystical belt, she becames a target of the criminal Star-Man. The belt sucked Batwoman's life energy from her body and she was saved by Batman and Robin, who arrived in time to stop Star-Man.

When Kathy's niece Betty Kane came to visit her, the young girl learned of her aunt's double identity. Kathy agreed to train Betty to be her sidekick, thinking that the young girl would eventually lose interest. However, to her surprise, Betty proved capable and became Batwoman's sidekick Bat-Girl. On their first mission, the two women helped Batman and Robin defeat King Cobra and his gang.Batwoman then became a victim of Luthor's experiments, who manipulated Kathy and gave her super-powers to fight her allies. After a long struggle, Superman managed to break Lex's control over Kathy and she returned to normal.When Batman and Robin were briefly transformed into alien creatures, Batwoman was one of the few who actually believed they were the real Dynamic Duo, until they were restored to normal.She later helped Batman and Robin capture the "Rockets" Rogan Gang. Later, after Batman and Batwoman were captured by the Moth, they were rescued by Bat-Girl and Robin. Later, Kathy went on a date with Bruce Wayne to an amusement park that was previously the location where the Justice League of America recently had a battle.As Batwoman, Kathy joined Batman on a trip to Washington D.C. to testify to the Senate Committee, leaving their young sidekicks to defend Gotham City in their absence.She next aided Batman and Robin in capturing the criminal known as the Vulcan.

Kathy's romances with Bruce Wayne and Batman became rocky, first during a period where Bruce Wayne was briefly transformed into a child, he made it appear that he's seeing another woman in order to keep Kathy away,and later when Batman, while under the effect of a love potion, fell in love with a woman named Elsie.Kathys romance woes became more complicate when Alpha, the Experimental Man fell in love with her, until the artificial man sacrificed himself to save her from falling off a cliff.

When helping Batman and Robin solve a murder during Mardis Gras, she got into a feud with Vicki Vale over who is the right person for Batman, forming the first of many competitions for Batman's affections.She later helped Batman capture Catman.

When she and Batman were briefly transported to another dimension by invaders from that world, their mortality was in question unless they were freed. During this period, Batwoman managed to get Batman to warm up and admit some of his feelings toward her before they were rescued by Robin and Bat-Girl.

Batwoman's feud with Vicki Vale heat up again when both women tried to determine if Mirror Man's assertions that Bruce Wayne was really Batman were true. When Batman scolded Batwoman for getting in the way of his attempts to capture Catman, she faked her intentions to join the criminal as Cat-Woman, until Catman seemingly died in the battle.Batwoman and Bat-Girl later helped the Dynamic Duo end a feud between the Joker and Clayface,and helped Batman and Robin capture the Terrible Trio

Once more suspecting that Batman and Bruce Wayne are the same man, Kathy Kane was convinced otherwise when Superman posed as Batman. However the plan went awry when a bomb goes off seemingly killing "Batman" and necessitating Superman to pose as the ghost of Batman for a time.

When Batman was briefly transformed into a gigantic creature, Batwoman teamed-up with Robin and Ace the Bat-Hound to track down the crooks that have the cure. After this, Catman reappeared and discovered his costume had mystical properties that gave him nine-lives, allowing him to continue on his crime spree. With her Cat-Woman costume, Batwoman helped Batman and Robin capture him.

Following this adventure, Batwoman went into retirement and disappear from Batman's life almost entirely. She become the owner of a circus, but often longed to return to her former crime fighting career.

Batwoman came out of retirement to aid Batgirl(Barbara Gordon)against Killer Moth and the Cavalier, but her return was never intended to be permanent.Kathy Kane was then present at a surprise party for Bruce Wayne at Wayne Manor.When Batwoman was later disintegrated into nothingness on Barbara Gordon's doorstep, Batgirl and Robin teamed-up to find the cure and restore Batwoman to her normal form. Shortly after this, Batwoman met the Huntress from Earth-Two and aided her in capturing Catwoman, Poison Ivy and Madame Zodiac. When the Freedom Fighters of Earth-X searched for a group of criminals known as the Warmakers, their search led them to the carnival owned by Kathy Kane. Kathy, as Batwoman, aided the Freedom Fighters and Batgirl in defeating the Warmakers. In her last recorded adventure, Kathy Kane was murdered by the League of Assassins who were being manipulated by Ra's al Ghul. Her death was eventually avenged by Batman.

Katherine Kane was also known as Batwoman in the Earth-Two timeline. Her history and career are said to reflect that of her Earth-One counterpart, except for that version's untimely death. When Kathy adopted the role of Batwoman, Batman wanted her to retire from the role for fear that she would be hurt in her costumed exploits. Kane would continue to operate in her costumed identity until she learned that Batman had become deeply romantically interested in someone in his unmasked identity. While Wayne never revealed his identity to her, or explicitly told her of his private life, she said she knew of his change in his attitude to her and assumed as such. She largely retired from her costumed role soon after this. Years later, she learned that Wayne was the original Batman when his costume identity was revealed to the general public after his own demise. Not long after this, Kane resumed her costumed identity when she learned of the presence of a "new" Batman. When she found him, Kathy learned that this Batman belonged in the alternate timeline of Earth-One, but the emotional shock of seeing Batman alive was still great. However, Kathy realized that he was not the love of her life reborn, but was a completely new person.

On New Earth her history is as follows

By age 25, Kathy Webb was an underground film director, a poet, and something of a wild child. But when she met Nathan Kane(who we already established as being a brother to Martha Wayne) , he bought her a circus, and she fell head-over-heels in love with him. They were together for seven years and married for four of those same years(thus making her a aunt by marriage to Bruce,Kate, Beth, And Bette) before he died of a stroke. After this, she was approached by a secret organization called Spyral to find out Batman's secret identity. Assessing the information on the Caped Crusader, she decided the best approach was to make him chase her. To that end, she brushed up on detective skills, martial arts and motor-biking, got a costume and started calling herself Batwoman. Her plan worked, and within a few months they were an item. However, Batman was careful not to give her his secret identity, and in fact worked out hers first. This, coupled with her feelings for Batman, lead her to try and break off ties with Spyral. However, her employer, the mysterious Agent-Zero, turned the tables on her, forcing her to break off on both sides, which she did. She was believed to be killed by the Bronze Tiger on behalf of the League of Assassins. The second Batwoman Kate Kane(who like Her cousins Bruce and Bette is Kathy’s relative by way of marriage) investigated the murder, but could not find anything. That was because she was never killed; after a staged death, she worked behind the scenes with Spyral to stop Leviathan. She eventually succeeded in shooting Talia al Ghul during her final standoff with Batman, before claiming that she would not be meeting Batman again, leaving to continue leading Spyral.

On Prime Earth she is Katrina "Luka" Netz one of Spyral's oldest members and the daughter of the former Director of Spyral Herr Netz. Kathy presumably being a alias that she used. Based on what I read in the comics I believe her role as Batwoman is still be canon due to nightwing recognizing her voice at one point and if not then at least her marriage to Nathan Kane is still canon.

PHILIP KANE

First appearance: Batman vol 2 issue 21 August 2013

Introduced during Zero Year(the volume he’s introduced in isn’t in the hardback version however) on Prime Earth Philip Kane ran Wayne Enterprise in Bruce’s absence. While Bruce was traveling the world training, Philip held down the business with his adviser Edward Nygma(we all know how well that turned out)

He had studied to be a geologist as a younger man, he was on a Expedition in northern Mexico when his father Roderick learned that he was dying and had came to get Philip to take him back home. Philip and his father fought because he didn’t want to go. Their fighting resulted in Philip splitting his head open which resulted in him getting a metal plate in his head.

He had given up that dream to take up the responsibility of helping to run the family business. During the Time that Bruce was abroad Philip managed to in his own words “Finally Merged the families” with both families companies(Kane Materials/Kane indrustries, Wayne Industry)seemingly merging into Wayne Enterprise.

Philip was the one who had Bruce Wayne declared legally dead which Bruce originally didn’t want to reverse. Philip Kane was also the one who was able to mostly track where Bruce was during his training. Not even Alfred knew where he was.

Philip was unfortunately blackmailed like many other citizens of Gotham by Red Hood One into joining the Red Hood gang. Being branded “Red Hood 347”, Philip did the bidding of the gang leader until Kane turned. During Batman’s assault on Red Hood One at the Ace chemical processing plant(which ironically on new earth used to belong to the Kane family as Kane Chemicals before being sold and the company Renamed Ace Chemicals )Philip gave his life to distract the Red Hood while the villain was going to kill Batman.

Trivia:Philip Kane was the one who originally own the Giant Penny whose forging he had overseen himself.

THE UNSEEN UNNAMED PARENTS OF MARY ELIZABETH(Bette) KANE

No names or appearances have ever been given for these two.

Bette’s mom was mentioned in one issue of Batwoman and that was it. Seriously it was one where it's implied she already gave up on her daughter surviving her injuries and so she was off panel implied to be talking to the doctors about donating bettes organs or something when Jacob kane was rambling besides a comatose bette. Yeah it was implied that they moved out to the west coast and lived in California because I believe that's where bette grew up in most continuities.

Next up is one every one who kept up with Bat related related comics since 2011 should be very familiar with

JACOB KANE

First New Earth Appearance: 52 #7 (August, 2006)(in a photograph alongside his second wife)/Detective Comics issue 854 August 2009

First Prime Earth Appearance: Batwoman Vol 2 #0 (November, 2012)

A lifelong soldier, Jacob had been a field officer with USSOCOM for most of his career, leading numerous tactical operations across the globe

He and his first wife Gabi are parents to twins Beth and Kate Kane

Jacob has earned the following military awards: the Army Achievement Medal, the Kosovo Campaign Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the NATO Medal for Kosovo, the Kuwait Liberation Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, and an Army Aviator Badge. Jacob has worked extensively with military intelligence services.

The Kanes often moved due to the nature of Jacob and Gabi’s work. Jacob was frequently away from home, since his duties included intervention in various international military crises.

They eventually moved to Brussels in Belgium, since the parents were now serving at NATO. However, the family was soon torn apart due to a terrorist attack. Gabi took her daughters out to celebrate their twelfth birthday, and they were kidnapped by heavily armed men. Military intelligence eventually located the hostages, and Jacob was put in charge of the tactical unit sent to rescue them. However, they were too late, as his wife had been executed and his daughter Elizabeth was believed to be dead. He rescued Kate himself, but she was traumatized by the sight of her dead mother and sister.

Colonel Kane plays an important role in his daughter’s Batwoman operations. He provides her a one-man command, control, and communications center. They stay in constant radio link, with the elder Kane being able to run searches, provide advice, and generally work in the background using his considerable knowledge, contacts and experience. Colonel Kane primarily uses his connections and his intelligence-gathering and management skills. He has access to numerous databases that are normally only accessible to military and law enforcement personnel to provide intel to his daughter.

Jacob is the next kane sibling most people would know about in part thanks to both his comic appearances In multiple bat comics as well as his appearance on the arrowverse batwoman tv show.

Gabrielle Kane(knee Goldstein in the arrowverse)

First New Earth Appearance: Detective Comics 855 September 2009

First Prime Earth Appearance: Batwoman volume 2 issue 27 March 2014

Captain Gabi Kane is the mother of Kate Kane (who later became Batwoman) and her identical twin Beth Kane. A member of the US Army’s 525th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, she married another soldier, Jacob Kane. Both Kanes worked extensively with military intelligence services, and often moved as a result, even after their children were born. On Prime Earth When her sister-in-law Martha died she went to the funeral with both her husband and Kids. She reminded her husband that not all of Martha was dead(referring to Bruce) Eventually, the Kanes moved to Brussels, Belgium, since the parents were now serving at NATO. The family, however, was torn apart due to a terrorist attack. As Gabi was taking her daughters for their 12th birthday, they were kidnapped by heavily armed men. Military intelligence eventually located the hostages, and Jacob was put in charge of the tactical unit sent to rescue them. However, they were too late, as Gabi had been executed. Jacob rescued Kate himself, but she was traumatized by the sight of her dead mother and her supposedly dead sister.

TRIVIA: Gabi had a tattoo of the Special Forces arrowhead insignia on her right bicep; her daughter Kate later copied this.

Catherine Hamilton-Kane

First New Earth appearance: 52 #7 (August, 2006)(in a photograph alongside her husband)/Detective Comics Vol 1 #856 October, 2009

First Prime Earth Appearance: Batwoman Vol 2 #0 (November, 2012)

Heiress to the Hamilton arms fortune(called Hamilton dynamics in the batwoman tv show), and second wife of Jacob Kane.

Cathy is a jet-setter and socialite involved in politics.The Hamilton fortune was built upon guns. Catherine family owned the enormously successful Hamilton company, which apparently became a household name during the days of the Old West Firearms. Appears to care greatly for her niece by marriage(one can assume she might feel the same for Bruce if and when she finds out he’s Batman) if the way she reacted to finding out about Bette being a vilgilante in the comics is any indication.

[vivilove-jonsa]

A Bedding in the Vale

Day 2 Prompt-Tradition @jonsadungeonsanddrabbles​

Thanks @amymel86​ for the pretty poster!

A King Jon comes to the Vale and marries Alayne AU

***

She covertly studies her new husband throughout the feast, wishing to escape the hall’s curious eyes. He glares at most everyone but then she'll catch him looking at her, at her hair.  She'd washed the dye away this morning. What is he thinking?

In private, they’d agreed to marry. Petyr hadn’t been pleased to have his schemes scuttled but said he wasn’t remotely surprised that the King in the North would wish to marry his beloved Alayne.

She’s fully prepared for everything marrying Jon entails though he’s different than the boy she’d known, hard and cold at times like the North that reared him.

Nervously, she takes a gulp of her wine.  Noticing, he leans forward, his hand lightly resting on her forearm. “I won't hurt you. Once we retire, we won’t do anything you do not wish…”

But Baelish is on his feet, quieting the assembled lords and ladies. “I believe it’s time for the bedding!”  He claps his hands and the musicians start to play a bawdy tune.

Just as quickly, they are silenced when Jon’s head whips around.  He stands, an imposing figure in his kingly raiment with Longclaw at his waist and wrath dripping from his tongue. “I’ll take my bride to bed without ceremony, my lord.”

“Oh but the bedding ceremony is a tradition, particularly valued here in the Vale, Your Grace! My Alayne is a maiden but prepared for what's expected. You wouldn’t want to disappoint your new allies, would you?”

It’s only that last point that gives Jon pause, she knows.

The hall is silent as the tomb. Everyone looks between the Lord Paramount of the Vale and the visiting King in the North who’d arrived a moon ago and suddenly declared his intensions to marry Littlefinger’s bastard daughter a sennight ago for reasons none of them can comprehend.

True, he’s a bastard as well. Perhaps that’s why.

But it isn’t.

He knows that Jon knows. He thinks to call our bluff, she realizes. He thinks Jon won’t bed his half-sister for the sake of stealing her away North again.

Except I am not Jon’s sister.

Clever as he is, Littlefinger doesn’t know everything after all.

Jon looks back at her, his expression shrewd but concerned. His purpose in coming here had been to gain the Vale as allies. It is a fragile alliance they’ve brokered. She knows this very well. What’s a little loss of dignity and her maidenhead for the chance to go home? She’d already expected him to bed her eventually anyway.

She gives him a nod and a smile she hopes conveys her agreement.

“Very well,” he says gruffly to her before turning his attention back to the hall. “But if any man offends my wife in word or deed, I'll take his head.”

Not very friendly of him.  None are foolish enough to doubt him either.

She’s escorted to their chambers instead of carried there. Her dress is unlaced but with several ‘beg pardons’ and only enough as to allow her to slip it off more readily.

She slides between the cool sheets wearing only her smallclothes. Every man present looks away…except one. She will not blanch from his hungry eyes though. He will never have her now. She is Jon’s.

Her groom is lacking his shirt and his breeches have been partially unlaced when he enters. She scowls at the giggling pack of ladies attending him. She almost wishes she wore a sword on her hip and had made a similar threat.

Jon seems oblivious to them though. His eyes nearly scorch her with their heat and intensity.

She sees the scars that cover his chest and a sad gasp escapes.

“No, no,” he says softly, ignoring the other occupants. “It’s alright.”

She’s not alone in seeing his scars. The tales will be circulated throughout the Vale about the man who came back from the dead, the King in the North who could not be killed with mere blades.

There are still a handful of intruders waiting for him to join her beneath the furs.

“All of you…get out!”  How they scurry. “Listen at the door if you wish.  I don’t care.  But you will not watch.”

However, before Petyr escapes with the rest, Jon decides he has something to tell him. He whispers in his ear. Sansa watches his face turn pale long before Jon is finished.

Jon comes to bed as the door snaps shut behind them. “Are you alright? Did anyone hurt you?”

She shakes her head, unable to stop blushing. “He looked at me but he didn’t hurt me.”

“I’ll kill him once it can be done without fear of losing the others.”

“I’m not asking you to do that.”

“I will anyway.”

Deciding that she won’t argue (truly, none would argue with him when he’s like this), she turns the current of their conversation. “I’m cold.”

“Then let me warm you.”

She opens her arms, inviting him closer. She kisses his cheek and then his mouth.

“We don’t have to,” he says as the kisses continue.

“But we will.”

“I will make it pleasant for you.”

You may try, she thinks, not believing it possible.

Oh, she is so wrong.

She wonders vaguely if any have lingered to listen. If they have, they are sure to hear the king’s new bride crying out quite often as he loves her, worshiping her with his mouth and fingers before he ever takes her maidenhead. And even that is far more enjoyable for a first time than she would’ve imagined. He is a skilled and patient lover no matter how hard and cold he may appear to others.

“What did you tell him before he left?” she asks, stroking his strong arm when they lay tangled together afterwards.

Jon’s lip twitch into a wry but wintry smile. “I told him he never had your mother and he’d never have you either.”

She should not laugh. And yet, she does.

[blake-belladonna-defence-force]

Falling In October (Name still a work in process)

So @letseethroughdaphneblue came with this idea for an au and I couldn’t get it out of my mind... so enjoy a preview of October’s au; Ice Skater Au!

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Blake Belladonna inhaled deeply as she stepped into the plane, her fist tightening around her carry-on as she did. She gave the flight attendant a forced smile as he smiled politely and scanned her ticket and sent her towards her seat.

Little did he know that he was unknowingly sending her towards the freedom that she had so desperately craved since she was 20, two years into being coached by Adam Taurus, and finally coming to the slow realisation that he was not the man she saw on T.V. Two years after that, at 24, she had isolated herself from friends and family and put everything she had into her skating career, losing who she was and becoming what Adam wanted. But nothing had ever enough for him. Had it?

A year later, after Adam had demanded she skate at her previous level with a serious sprain to her hip, Blake had finally realised that it was never her that he cared about. It was the medals and the trophy. It was the clout and adoring public who praised him for Blake’s success.

And Blake was done with it. She couldn’t handle his obsession any longer. She couldn’t stand him counting every single one of her calories and belittling her when she didn’t make his wild expectations. How could she skate when she barely had the strength to stand, thanks to his diet and exercise plans? How could she be the winner he was determined to force her to be when she could barely focus?

But no more. She had fired Adam and left his company permanently. She was on her way to Vale for a new start, well away from Adam Taurus and his dangerously high standards. And hopefully, she would soon have a new coach that would prove to be far more compassionate than Adam had ever been.

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Yang Xiao Long rolled her right shoulder and winced as the residual limb ached. Evidently, her phantom pain had decided to make itself known.

“Like that’s ever stopped me before.” She mumbled to herself as she sat shakily at her desk and booted up her computer, intent on getting some work done.

She hadn’t intended to retire at the age of 24 but she hadn’t had much choice on the matter. After her accident, she had been left unable to skate. She had felt awful for her partner but she had encouraged Weiss Schnee to continue her own career and find a new partner in Pyrrha Nikos’... in more ways than one, Yang was willing to wager.

Nowadays 2 years on from her accident, Yang coached others and taught them how to skate competitively. She had watched, full of pride, as Nora Valkyrie had taken first place. When the girl had tried to pull Yang into the winners circle, claiming that it was Yang that put her there, Yang had refused. She hadn’t put Nora there. The potential had always been there. Yang had simply found a way to let it out. That was her job as a coach. To guide and care for her charges and help them reach their potential.

“...hello… what do we have here?” Yang murmured to herself as she clicked on an email and read it, her eyebrows shooting up to her hairline in surprise. “Blake Belladonna? Isn’t she Taurus’s favourite skater?”

Yang felt her lips curl in disgust at the mere thought of Adam Taurus. She knew of his methods. Knew that he expected his skaters to meet a certain weight limit. One that she knew was unhealthy for most, of not all. Forcing skaters to work in such conditions was immoral, in Yang’s opinion. She preferred to work with her charges and their body types. Do what was best for them personally and not base her decisions off of aesthetics or beauty standards.

“Well… it looks like one of your skaters finally got away from you, Taurus.” Yang chuckled softly, moving to type up a reply. “Let’s see what she wants from little old me.”

Blake Belladonna. Yang had watched Blake’s performances many times. She was good. She was really good. But her work lacked show and flair. It was basic and robotic. Not because she wasn’t capable of more, but because, and even through a television screen, Yang could see it clear as day; Blake Belladonna had had her wings clipped. She didn’t enjoy her work. It was more about perfecting the moves than giving the public a show and telling a story.

Yang didn’t agree with that. She didn’t strive for perfection, she strived for emotion and a story. What was the point of perfecting a move if the audience couldn’t feel it?

There was something underneath the surface that Adam had failed to tap into… and Yang was going to be damned if she didn’t take this opportunity to tap into it herself.

[im-the-king-of-the-ocean]

inspired by an idea by @cosmokyrin, where Pietro is defending Penny’s choice to court Ruby (her bodyguard/a commoner) to his noble court.

.

There are days when the Crown of Mantle and Atlas weighs heavily on Pietro’s head, even when it is not literally on his head, which is most days.  Pietro tries not to wear the crown as much as possible.  It’s large and cumbersome and it leaves the most awful crick in his neck.

Not only that, but there are some among the nobility’s ranks who will always, always raise a stink when they see his crown, not the original, traditional Crown of the Throne of the Kingdom, on Pietro’s head.  That crown was Royally Retired three years ago, its gemstones removed, and returned to the rightful communities they’d been stolen from in the first place.  Those few among the nobility would always open their mouths and yell that Pietro is denying the Princess her heritage at him as loudly as they can.  Strategically forgetting, of course, that it was Penny’s idea to replace the old crown in the first place.

Penny doesn’t want a heritage built on hurt and pain.  She wants better for their kingdom’s future, and is determined to build it, even before she is truly its ruling monarch (for the official record, Pietro couldn’t be more proud).

Pietro looks out at his court.  He sighs.  He hates that he has to be the one to do this.  That the court won’t truly listen to Penny on something that is wholly and entirely her choice.  Not for the first time he feels a flicker of envy for King Ozpin of Vale, whose kingdom was built on the founding principle of Choice and is subsequently allowed more maneuverability in that area.

Not that Pietro begrudges his own kingdom’s founding principle, Creation.  It has led to significant technical advancements and marvels.  Things he cannot possible imagine the world without.  But it has also led to those same inventors, or their heirs apparent in some cases like that of House Schnee, using their creations to take power and lord it over everyone else.

Despite what common perceptions would have a person believe, Pietro is not unaware of the stark wealth disparity in his kingdom.

He purses his lips.  The longer he delays, the longer the court has to fester in their rumors and gossip.  Pietro raises a hand to silence the throne room.

“I have heard all your complaints,” he booms in his Royal Voice, without use of the ‘Royal We’.  Pietro is, frankly, terribly uncomfortable referring to himself as a ‘we’ and subsequently only uses it when he has no other choice.  “My decision is final in this matter.  Princess Penny has chosen Guardsman Rose as her suitor and I fully support my daughter in her choice.”

“This is an OUTRAGE!”  Jacques Schnee leaps from his seat.  “A commoner?  On Atlas’s throne?  Such a thing insults our great kingdom’s long and venerable history.”  He snorts derisively.  “Not that that’s much of a concern for you, your majesty, but it is the Noble Court’s duty to inform the throne when they are acting in a way that truly does not befit the kingdom.”

Pietro gazes at Jacques coolly.  He doesn’t respond to the insults Jacques threw at him.  To do so would lower him to Jacques level and give the man ground to stand on as Pietro’s equal.  “Mantle was established as one of the Four Kingdoms,” he gently reminds the court as a whole.  “Though we have grown in our own direction in the centuries since, our roots remain our link to our allies.  They are what bind the kingdoms, the people of Remnant, together.  Would you agree that we should not abandon them?”

Quiet murmurs of agreement spread throughout the room.  Sure, there are those present who would view their kingdom as superior to the others, but they also can guess where their king is going with his point and smartly stay quiet.

Pietro sits up a little straighter, places his hands on his armrests, and fully rests on the throne.  “At Vytal, where our kingdom was truly born and named, it was decreed anyone who the citizens deem worthy can ascend a kingdom’s throne.  Each kingdom maintains the ability to best decide their own practices in determining this.  Yes, historically, ours has been through a royal bloodline, but there is no law or decree within our borders that says that it must be so.”  Pietro pauses to take a breath.  “A princess may choose someone not of noble birth to love, even if it breaks the recent tradition of the last two centuries or so.”

Without another word, Jacques sits back down.  He glares at Pietro.  His protests certainly won’t end here, but he’s been losing power and control for a while now.  It won’t be long until he has nothing left.

[kevin--of-desert-bluffs]

Wtnv quick rundown - 63 - There is no part 1: part 2

There is no part one. This is part two. Welcome to Night Vale.

The gimmick/joke of this episode is that we are only hearing a 'follow up' to an earlier broadcast of Cecil's which we as people listening to a podcast never get to hear. It does however create a sense of the show having more reality, like you sincerely did just miss the early part of a live broadcast and are just catching up with it now.

A Sand Golem and thousands of angorra rabbits released from the petting zoo are attacking city hall and thus, Dana. The Sand Golem was accidentally raised by Harrison Kip (Adjunct Professor of Archaeology at the Community College) when he was coerced into whispering into a talisman when the unknown people funding his projects told him 'thats just what talismans like'. He then ran off, stating it was 'his bad'.

Cecil is worried that he will be used like a puppet to rescue Dana again, sure that whoever bought him as 'Lot 37' did just that the last time Dana was in danger. He only wants to be manipulated in the 'correct' way that everyone under an all-seeing authoritarian state should be.

The man in the tan jacket visits Cecil and offers him some kind of note, which Cecil doesn't take. Cecil is heard muttering about how he's 'never heard of that place and how would we get there' but all we hear from TMITTJ is a humming sound before he departs.

Cecil 'loses time' during this conversation, during which he apparently goes and rescues Dana, once again without meaning to or knowing that he's done so. He apparently shows great strength beyond his stature whilst in this trance(?)state.

Teddy Williams (of the bowling ally) is at his wits end as he has to do more repairs on his bowling ally after -something- happened with the ball return machine indicated to have something to do with the tiny city under lane 5.

The sheriff is unable to defend people against the tiny army we are told, but is fine after it. Then there is a Saw Cyclone, which the sheriff once more miraculously escapes. Then he gets sent an angry letter which causes a papercut he's 'still recovering from'.

Hiram and the FOW attack city hall. Hiram admits that all of todays disastors, as well as the release of the antiques, forcing Pamela to retire and the consumerist Christmas were caused by them as a way to try and get rid of Dana. Hiram is now blocking off city hall from rescuers as the FOW stalks Dana through city hall.

Cecil once again is puppetted to save Dana, though both Hiram and the FOW escape capture for their deeds. Cecil questions whether Dana may be the owner of Lot 37.

Weather: "Heel Turn 2" by The Mountain Goats http://mountain-goats.com

During the Children's Fun Fact Science Corner, Cecil has been teaching children to make...something that grows tendrils. If it starts to buzz, they should run as the tendrils have marked them as it's prey. If not, they are ready for part 3.

Cecil mentions Svitz again as well as 'Lumeria' and 'the secret lost pet city on the moon'.

Stay tuned next for part 3 and part 4 and many more parts, each succeeding moment after the one before, and some you will hear and some you will not, and none of them will be true, exactly, but all of them will be an honest attempt at the most accurate fiction possible. Good night, to our recuperating Sheriff. Good night, to a mayor I once thought I knew. Good night to Old Woman Josie and the rest of the bowling team. I’ll see you at League Night. And good night, Night Vale, good night.

Proverb: History is written by the victors and then forgotten by the victors and then the victors die too.

[calliecat93]

Not counting today’s chapter. at last I am caught up with my reviews! Yay!!! Take that everything in the universe working against me! It’s kinda crazy though. This is only Chapter Five of Fourteen... and yet it already feels like endgame. So much happens in this chapter. So, so much. Major things, small things, going in a completely different direction than I was expecting, absolutely everything is off the table now. And I do mean everything. Wanna know what I mean? Well, let’s find out, shall we?

Overview

Pietro has gotten Amity functioning and ready for liftoff, but they need more turbulence to properly send it off. As such, Penny is setting up a bomb in the Dust Mines to use the explosion of power to ac as the liftoff. During this, Penny again brings up staying to help, but Pietro again tells her no in favor of her being safe in Amity. Seeing this, Maria points out that maybe Penny’s gotten tired of being told what to do by others. Pietro goes on to the terminal and prepares for the launch, all seeming to go according to plan.

Unfortunately, there’s an unforeseen complication: Cinder. She, Neo, and Emerald crash in via plane and Cinder is all set to take down Penny. yes folks, it all began in Amity all those volumes ago, and we’ve now come full-circle. The two Maidens fight, with the bomb also going off and sending the colosseum up2ward. But there’s now a problem, Cinder’s entrance has damaged one of the boosters, so the colosseum is dropping down. Even so as Penny and Cinder fight, Maria fights Neo and is actually holding up very well against her. Never underestimate old people folks! 

Penny tries to lure Cinder out of the arena to avoid anymore damage, but it isn’t long before Cinder realizes this and goes back. Penny even asks her why she’s even doing this for Salem, but Cinder claims that she is controlled by no one while Penny merely follows her programming and does as told. She proceeds to try and melt the support beams in the arena, forcing Penny to use her powers to try and freeze them. But it leaves her wide open and Cinder is able to get her into a hold and start draining the Maiden powers. Thankfully, Penny is able to get out via ice swords.

As Neo gets defeated, her Aura even breaking, Emerald steps in ty use her Semblance on Penny to trick her into seeing multiple Cinder’s. Penny is surrounded, but unfortunately for Cinder, Penny has heat seeking vision that let’s her rat out the real one. She blasts her with a laser beam, knocking Cinder into a wall and get knocked out. Emerald is upset, shooting at Penny but only hitting more of the arena. Emerald knows that she can’t beat Penny, but is more than willing to keep causing damage if she doesn’t back off. Penny complies, allowing Emerald to get Cinder into the jet and escape with Neo.

While the villainess trio is gone, they’ve left major damage. The arena has lost it’s broadcast window and are heading down. But Penny suggests hat she can hold it up to allow them to get into broadcast range. Again Pietro refuses and when Maria bring sup the bigger picture, the scientist snaps that he doesn’t care about that, he cares about his daughter. After already losing her once, he doesn’t want to go through that pain again, simply wanting to see his child live her life. Penny steps up to him, telling him that she’s trying to. This let’s Pietro tearfully allow Penny to go, and she give shim a kiss on the head before flying out.

With Penny keeping the arena stable, the message is broadcast. The message has Ruby revealing everything to the rest of Remnant. The Maidens, the Relics, and yes even Salem. She lays out the situation, even saying that Glynda and Professor Theodore of Vacuo can vouch for it. Ironwood, however, can no longer be trusted. Speaking of, he has had Watts figure out how to control Penny and the mad doctor adds his corrupted chip to the sword that they previously got. Penny’s eyes flash red as she realizes that something’s wrong. Due to this, Ruby’s message ends just as she tells the world that if they all work together, then they can win.

Penny shuts down due to the hack, falling to the ground in a fiery blaze. Her final act before she cuts off? To tell her father that she loves him. Ironwood is not happy with this result, even when Watts says that she’s likely rebooting, and even throws his Scroll at the doctor. He orders the Ace-Ops, along with a “recovered” Winter to go and locate Penny as well as for Harriet to take Watts back to his cell. They all fail to notice Watts taking not only Ironwood’s tossed Scroll, but tools as well. Back in the tundra, JYR are confused about the message cutting off when they hear something. They go outside and... remember the cracks last episode? It’s now exposed a sea of Grimm... and it’s heading directly towards Mantle.  

Review

Well... you think that you’re prepared for the pain at this point... and then the world throws you a curveball.

Obviously Penny and the Amity Fight are the big things here, but let’s go into some other stuff first and work our way to it. We’ll start on a happy note, Ruby’s message got transmitted! Yay! And WAAAY sooner than I expected. I think we all expected this to happen near the end, which means that all expectations are off the table folks. I think that this may be the monologue Lindsay mentioned recording that she said was her favorite Ruby moment, and I don’t blame her. This is one of her best moments. This is akin to her role in Volume 6: being the inspiring hope-bringer who can unite others. Heck she even calls herself a Huntress as she di in the V6 finale. Seeing her efforts pay off and how much she’s grown, even being more realistic when pointing out ironwood’s actions and changing course form saying ‘if we fall’ to ‘if Atlas falls’, makes me so happy. It also makes what happens after hurt and I’m even more convinced that something is gonna happen to break Ruby, but we’ll see how that goes.

And of course we get to see Remnant. Not just Atlas. Not just Mantle. We get to see several characters and locations that we haven’t seen in a LONG while. The Cotta-Arc’s in Argus, Ilia in Menagerie and receiving a call from Ghira, Sun and Neptune with our first on-screen glimpse of Vacuo, Glynda and Shopkeep in Vale which was a BIG surprise, and even Tai and Zwei in Patch... which Tai’s reaction when the feed cut hurt my heart. I know some are bummed about no Team CFVY or Raven or whoever else, and aside from the current circumstances there’s any number of reasons why, though it’s pretty likely that we’ll see them eventually. Still, it was amazing to see all these characters and places again. Heck, Glynda is one of my least favorite characters, and I was glad to see her and with an updated Maya model! We’re probably not gonna see much else (maybe Tai will get Raven to send him to Atlas since he likely at least knows she’s around, but that’s all I can think of), but I am VERY much hoping that the cavalry is coming. 

Okay, now we can cover Amity. We’ll actually begin with Maria vs Neo. I’ve made it no secret that I’m not a big Neo fan and find her overhyped especially because of her fight track record, so I was VERY glad to see Maria beating her. It actually shows that Neo has weaknesses and isn’t unstoppable, which has been one of my biggest issues with her since she became important again. Maria was also the best person to do so. Some have apparently complained due to Maria being old (...even though the retired old person being a badass fighter has been a common trope since forever especially in anime) and not haven’t fought for years. But not only has Maria clearly kept in shape, but also remember her Preflex Semblance. She can pretty much detect things before they happen, an given Neo usually likes to psyche people out with her illusions or mess with them to get them flustered and not focus (as she did to Yang in V2), that kind of power comes in very handy against this kind of fighter. Plus seeing Maria having the time of her life was just so fun~

Emerald... was there. Yeah, she didn’t really do much in the fight sadly. But we do get one strong moment after Cinder is knocked out. We all know how attached to Cinder that Emerald is. She gave the thief a new life that wasn’t her trying to survive on the streets. Even though she’s clearly terrified of everything wit Salem and the Grimm, and rightfully so, she’s continuously put it aside to stay by Cinder. A woman who has been nothing but cold towards her, has outright smacked her at least once, keeps her obedient, and only keeps her around for her abilities. Mercury pointed it out in V6, Cinder doesn’t care at all about either of them. Mercury always knew that and never cared, but Emerald isn’t ready to accept that. She was outright tearful as she threatened to shoot up the arena unless Penny backed away. I feel so bad for her, especially since Cinder is NOT going to react well when she wakes up, and it’s just... uncomfortable to watch Emerald continue to devote herself to someone who would absolutely abandon her if she no longer had any us to her. I’m still hoping that by the volume’s end, Emerald will finally break free before it’s too late. IDT Mercury will quite yet considering his issues and still expressing no care about his actions, but Emerald very much has a chance.

Now let’s do Cinder. So... this sucked for her, huh? Cinder has very much been on a downward spiral. Back in Volumes 1-3, she was in-control, defeated everyone in her path, got the Maiden power, killed one of the strongest students in beacon, and had successfully crippled Vale and planted the seeds of discord in Remnant. But since then? Ever since Ruby Silver Eyes blasted her? She was too weak to do anything for months, ruined the plan to get the Haven Relic all because of her thirst for power, got her ass kicked by Raven, lost the Winter Maiden powers twice now, was almost Silver Eyes blasted again, and has now outright disobeyed Salem multiple times now. She began as a woman who seemed in control of everything, but we not only saw how that wasn’t at all the case, but we’ve watched her slip more and more as she prioritizes her quest for power above all else. Heck she only got the Fall Maiden power because she had Mercury and Emerald, but thinks that it’s all she needs now to get the rest and fails to realize how she was wrong despite all the failures since.

So here she not only failed to beat Penny again, but she also did it directly against Salem’s orders. Salem has been fairly patient with her, even letting her get away with bringing others into the cause (Emerald, Mercury, Neo), but I doubt that it’s gonna last much longer. Her mocking Penny for being a robot, saying that she merely follows programming and is controlled by others, is dramatic irony. She’s either in utter denial or genuinely fails to realize how she is under Salem’s control. Sure she’s disobeyed her, but ultimately she is following Salem’s game. Will she break form Salem? At this rate probably. I still thinks he’s gone way too far for a redemption arc, but her going rogue is still a very strong possibility. But not only is it not gonna happen before Salem punishes her, but it’s not gonna be good for anyone as Cinder won’t hesitate to slay anyone in her way on her quest for power and control. Not the heroes, not the villains. Be afraid people.

So at last, we come to the Polendinas. To say that everything hurt would be an understatement. Once more we have Penny not being allowed to make her own choices, tis time due to her father. We all know that Pietro is a good guy, but it’s still unfair to Penny. he girl has been pulled around so much, not allowed to have her own agency or control her own fate. In Vale she was almost always guarded by Atlas personnel, got banned form befriending Team RWBY, and then when she made a plan to remain at Vale, her first death happened. Yeah, her facing Cinder and Emerald again in Amity Arena was very much symbolic. Then last volume she was was always made to put her duty above all else, got framed for murder, the general outright made it clear that to him she’s just another robot under his command, and then everything bad that happened in the last few episodes. She DID choose to comfort Fria in her final moments and to defy Ironwood to help the others. choices that she made herself. But even now everyone, even Ruby, told her to stay in Amity. It’s merely out of concern and has a fair reason behind it, but it’s still not allowing Penny to choose for herself.

It makes what happens after the fight hurt so much. As I said, Pietro is a good person. Why is he so insistent on keeping Penn b him? It’s not because she’s a robot. It’s not because she’s a Maiden. It’s because she’s his child and he doesn’t want to lose her. He already did once, and even if he brought her back the loss of a child is one of the worst experiences that any person can go through, even if it’s not their biological child. He doesn’t even mention how he might die if he tries to fix her again, he doesn’t care about that. He wants his daughter to live her life. His fears are that of any parent and it is absolutely understandable, and his breakdown is utterly heartbreaking. But as Penny says, she’s trying to live her life. Even if she does die again, she wants to lead her own life. She wants to make her own choices. She wants to be like other people with emotions and feelings. And of course, even if it was ordered upon her, Penny does genuinely want to help and protect people. The message is Mantle’s only chance, and it needs to go out. Pietro tearfully relented due to all of those reasons. The whole scene is one of the most emotional in the series thus far and it was executed perfectly, especially by the VA’s.

But of course, we come to the ending. Watts successfully hacked Penny. We all knew it was coming, but not when and it happened at the worst possible time. But to make it worst, Penny shuts down and falls downward in a fiery blaze, her fate now unknown. Everything about this hurt. First, Ironwood seeing his original plan work, but being too far gone now to care and blowing what may have been his last chance at realizing/atoning for his mistakes. Then there’s Penny’s fear as she realizes what’s happening. Seriously, Taylor McNee nailed portraying Penny’s emotions as everything unfolded. Ironwood, in his anger, pretty much gift-wrapped what Watts needs to both escape and wreak havoc within Atlas for Salem. But of course, we don’t know if Penny survived and even if she did, she is likely under Atlas’ control. Not only does this potentially mean that the Vault is getting open, but it Watts takes over then Salem has the Relic, another Maiden, and Atlas is guaranteed to fall. But once more, Penny was taken control of in the worst way. Then her last words as Pietro is begging her to tell him what’s going on and the end shot of him clearly breaking down... God man, just... ouch.

These were all things that I expected to happen. But they all happened much sooner than I or anyone else expected. As I said, absolutely everything is off the table now. All of my expectations have been thrown out of whack, and IDK whether to be excited or terrified. But man this episode. Along with all I already said there was the battle itself, which was epic. The only thing it was missing was a new rocking song just to really take it to eleven, but the score was still perfection. Then there’s the ending with the River of Grimm. There are... many reasons to be afraid right now. That’s not even mentioning stuff we’re still waiting on like a Whitley and Weiss confrontation, the Ace-Ops and Winter going after penny, the potential cavalry, and SO much more. Needles to say, the last two chapters before the break are gonna be rough. How do they expect us to survive for six weeks?!

Chapter Stats

Favorite Character: Penny Polendina Favorite Scene: Penny and Pietro talk and Ruby’s message Least Favorite Scene: None. Favorite Voice Actor: Taylor McNee (Penny) and Dave Fennoy (Pietro( Favorite Animation: The entire Penny vs Cinder battle Rating: 10/10

Final Thoughts

First 10/10 rating of the volume! Yay! Man, I just remember sitting in shock after it was all over. Every chapter has rocked me in one way or another, and this was no exception. The emotion was on point. The action was fantastic, the voice acting was stellar, the character writing continues to soar, and we’re left with both amazing highs and amazing lows. We got the message out. We hopefully have help incoming. Penny got to finally control her own life. But Watts’ hack was successful. There’s a River of Grimm heading for Mantle. There’s Watts having the key to do who knows what. here is so much on the line, and the final results are still uncertain. Hold onto your seats folks, this ride isn’t settling down anytime soon.

[texanredrose]

Friction

It started out as a hypothetical.

Wouldn’t it be funny if?

The discussion she’d had with her sister didn’t seem to go anywhere, at first. Just the two venting to one another about yet another formal event their father forced them into and another evening spent pretending they didn’t hate him with every fiber of their being. They played the game well enough, kept him from suspecting too much, but always kept in mind their precarious positions. If either fell into bad favor, they’d lose any chance of wrestling control of the company away from the man. 

He announced his retirement just after christening the newest branch to be added to the juggernaut SDC assets- and shortly before that day they’d spent at a local cafe in downtown Vale, bemoaning the news- while inviting every shareholder to the lavish soiree that would serve to ring in the new year and signal his departure from the company as one of his children took over. Leave it to Jacques Schnee to turn a worldwide celebration into an ego trip.

But then, he banked too hard on others’ perception of him, that his status translated to concrete fact. Father decided to allow his replacement to be chosen by the board of directors, giving them the options of his three children. He always had his favorite, of course, and spent the next several months introducing Whitley officially to every member of the board.

Weiss saw her chance and nudged her sister. Winter saw the same and they set to work. While their brother spent the time between the announcement and the vote attending parties and schmoozing, the sisters put in overtime. They plied their talents, sometimes working in concert and sometimes not, generating what the men of their family pointedly ignored: results. When it came time for the voting, nepotism waged a war against greed. Greed won out and Weiss, surprisingly, won the vote, as she’d managed to attain a higher profit margin- though she’d specifically chosen projects that would result in just that, while Winter focused on hard-to-solve problems.

Thankfully, there was no ill will between them; they’d accomplished their mutual goal. Replacing Father as head of the company would give either one of them the power they desperately needed to affect real change. Now, came the celebration.

Their conversation from before came rushing back and Weiss voiced it. The idea. The plan. The sweet promise of a revenge over two decades in the making. Winter, of course, agreed instantly.

Weiss put an anonymous ad in the local paper. It was simple and straight to the point, if slightly vague.

Date needed. Must be able to backtalk racists, xenophobes, and sexists. Must be willing to wage VERBAL war with morons for an indefinite period of time. Must be rude and have horrible table manners. Will be handsomely compensated for scandalizing rich people. Faunus only.

The first volley of responses were ridiculous. Mostly from people who fell into the categories of racist, xenophobic, or sexist, as they’d felt personally attacked by her ad. She ignored them and continued sifting through the responses until she happened upon one that caught her eye.

One could consider intentionally ignoring someone to be rude. Under that logic, if I could bring a book to continue my reading periodically throughout the night, I’d be interested in taking the job. -Blake

Upon reading it, Weiss couldn’t help but smirk as she sent a reply.

Which book?

She received a response rather quickly.

The Fallen Faunus. -Blake

It took her a moment to recall the book specifically but when she did, she instantly accepted and arranged to meet Blake in person to discuss the particular details. No doubt meeting with a member of the Schnee family would put the entirety of her ad to the test and, based on that, she could enact the rest of her plan. 

And it would be glorious. --- When the night of the party came, Weiss almost couldn’t contain herself. Her sister had gone the opposite route- perusing the advertisements of others until she found a suitable date for the event. Again, their approaches differed; Winter’s date embodied loud and abrasive, with an outfit far below the standards of the event itself and colorful language that resulted in many clutched pearls.

In contrast, the person who answered Weiss’ ad was... almost regal, in a way. Quiet, reserved, but- as she’d already found out- more than capable of delivering a verbal lashing that would sting just as much as any physical blow. Their first meeting, Blake had assumed the ad referred to that occasion, seeing as Weiss fit the supposed criteria- rich, from a family that had a well documented (and rather recent) history of racism, xenophobia, and sexism, and rather easily riled up to boot- and immediately began laying into her with an impressive diatribe. 

Weiss couldn’t help but be ecstatic as she pulled a book from her purse- her own well worn copy of The Fallen Faunus, with a bookmark halfway through the chapter detailing how humans drove Faunus from their native lands- and immediately began explaining what she hoped to achieve.

Much to her relief, Blake Belladonna accepted her offer- her interest piqued- and something secretive gleaming in amber eyes as she sat down across from Weiss to discuss the details.

“Are you ready?” She turned her head, trying her best to gauge what thoughts might be drifting across the Faunus’ mind, but her date for the night had an impressive poker face.

“As I’ll ever be,” she replied, feline ears twitching ever so slightly. They both wore gowns fit for a gala, catching the lights overhead and sparkling. Weiss’ had white and blue sequins while Blake’s had black and a dark purple that matched her eye shadow. “Though- just one more time- who are the off limit ones?”

“My sister, Winter, and her date.”

“And we’ve been dating...”

“For two years.”

“And you’re sure you want to go with that?”

“Is there a reason I shouldn’t?” She arched a bow, listening as the dull roar in the ballroom they approached grew more distinct. They walked along one of the seldom used halls to avoid any other potential partygoer prior to the ‘big reveal’ and stopped just short of making their entrance.

“Couples who have been together for that long typically... have a different set of boundaries.”

“Meaning?”

“Casual contact, invading each other’s space, knowing how the other likes their drinks- things like that.” As if to make her point, Blake took a small step closer, and though they still weren’t touching, exactly, Weiss could feel the shift between ‘casual distance between acquaintances’ and this.

“Ah. I see.” After taking a moment to evaluate herself, she took a step closer of her own, their arms brushing together as she slipped her hand into the Faunus’. “I believe this would be a bit more believable then, yes?”

Again, she caught a glimpse of that secretive gleam as Blake smirked. “Yeah.” --- The night proceeded much better than she could’ve imagined. Blake’s razor sharp wit resulted in some truly memorable quotes throughout the night. Between her very existence causing a mild panic to roll through half the attendees and her business acumen winning over the other half- apparently, she had some formal education in business management, though she opted not to follow it through- Weiss couldn’t be more pleased, and the way Winter’s date completely offset the Faunus by being brash and jingling with every step thanks to a multitude of chains attached to her pants for seemingly no reason- she had to admit, Father was perhaps stronger than she expected. Although he looked on the verge of an apoplectic fit, he somehow managed to retain his composure throughout the night, though he certainly lost the spotlight as soon as his daughters entered.

It felt almost natural to be on Blake’s arm for hours on end, mingling with people, sitting and eating, talking quietly, and even dancing to the music. At some point, Weiss forgot about everyone else and the display itself and started... actually enjoying herself. Especially when they decided they’d had enough of dealing with people and pulled out the Faunus’ copy of the book and began reading together, seats pressed close, Weiss’ head resting on Blake’s shoulder as she read aloud.

Distantly, she became aware of the growing concern regarding the storm and the lack of possibility that anyone would be leaving the mansion that night. It registered as a concern but one she could worry about later, posing a question to Blake regarding a detail that had always escaped her understanding. Thankfully, the Faunus could supply the answer, and they were deep into a discussion of their own making when she felt someone come stand by her elbow and await her attention- which she wasn’t keen on removing from her date for the evening.

“Ahem.” 

Begrudgingly, she turned her head to find her father standing there, a vein bulging from his forehead. “Yes, Father?”

“It would appear that no one will be able to leave due to the storm,” he tersely said, the words escaping his throat as if someone was strangling him. “Your... guest... will need to use one of the rooms in the south wing.”

“No,” she replied immediately and without thinking. “My girlfriend will stay with me in my room.”

“Your room has only one bed.”

Just as quick, Blake responded. “That’s not a concern. It won’t be the first time we’ve shared.”

As much as she would’ve enjoyed watching the minor stroke that comment caused, Weiss... found herself distracted by... quite a few thoughts.

“And, on that note, I think it’s time we retire, dear.”

“Of course.” The Faunus slipped the bookmark into place and accepted the hand Weiss offered to help her up, the two of them leaving the ballroom and Father behind without a look back. They were halfway down the hall, walking side-by-side and hand-in-hand, before she continued. “So, was that the performance you were hoping for?”

“Ah. Yes, quite.” She fumbled the moment, reminded all too suddenly that it was a display, an act- a performance, as Blake said, with a specific goal that she’d somehow forgotten all about. “I apologize for the inconvenience, though. This... wasn’t part of our original deal.”

“It wasn’t but... I pride myself on being flexible in many respects.” A moment’s pause. “Perhaps I went too far with that last comment, though. About sharing a bed.”

“I don’t think so,” she replied, noticing neither of them had moved apart as they continued towards her room. A request flashed through her mind and, though some part of her thought voicing it would gain her nothing, somehow the words slipped out anyway. “However, I feel a touch guilty.”

“For what? I agreed to put up with all this.”

“While true, I never asked you to lie, and you didn’t up until the bed sharing comment- at least, to my knowledge.”

Blake’s ears twitched but her expression remained inscrutable. “It seems like we will be sharing a bed soon, though, so it won’t be a lie much longer.”

“I have the feeling you... intended to imply more than simply sharing a bed.”

Slowly, they came to a halt, just as the lights above them sizzled out as a shuddering echoed from somewhere else- likely the generators failing, plunging them into the dark. Moonlight from the nearby windows allowed her to see when her eyes adjusted, finding that Blake’s caught every stray bit of moonlight and reflected them, amber glowing in the dark. Faintly, she could see the way the Faunus’ lips curled into a small smirk.

“You know, you could just ask me to sleep with you.”

“I-” A finger came up, pressing against her lips to cut her off.

“Before we go any further on this ‘I’m just trying to make you honest’ line, I feel like I should remind you that you hired me to pretend I’m your girlfriend of two years.” That gleam reappeared, somehow distinct from the glowing quality of her eyes in the darkness. “So, unless you’re interested in making that true, too, you don’t have much of an argument.”

Weiss had- somehow- forgotten that part.

Blake withdrew her finger and waited, black hair blending into the dark shadows thrown against the wall and still wearing that curious little smile with the gleam in her eyes.

Only after a moment of weighing her options did she attempt a response. “And what if I did intend on making the whole thing true?”

The Faunus’ eyes positively lit up. “In that case, our anniversary will be easy to remember.” A light tug. “Now... your room?”

Weiss smiled, her heart thundering in her chest. Whether or not she’d follow through with the... implied meaning remained to be seen but the prospect that she might actually have a relationship with Blake, frankly, made her look forward to the coming year more than her life’s ambition of taking over the company.

And she couldn’t wait to see what else the future had in store. --- So, I had every intention for this to include at least one sloppy makeout and maybe heavy doses of UST. Then... this happened and I don’t know how I got from point A to point B but here we are.

[indiacater]

Disclaimer: This story will contain mention of racism, sexism, prostitution, sex and violence. I do not own any of the PB related characters nor the locations mentioned in RDR2.

PART TWO

Liam cocked his head confused. The sheriff’s laughing finally made sense as he tries to swallow his surprise. Despite the pain he was still suffering from he stood up straight as he held out his hand. Showing no hesitation Jèan reached out to shake it, only to be a bit surprised herself as brought her hand up to his lips and placed a light kiss upon it. As Jèan takes her hand back giggles. “So you’re the Saint Denis boy that was looking for me? You’re a long way from home. And you should still be laying down.” She says as she goes to bring him back to the bed.

“Wait!” Liam tries to protest. “I need help-"

“Given that you barely made it 20 miles before nearly losing you valuables and your life from an obvious trap. You need more than just help. You need a wake up call that you don’t belong out here rich boy" Drake interrupted as he stood by the door.

Jèan gives Sheriff Walker a hard stare as she gets him back down on the bed. The sheriff’s smirks as he moves more into the room.

“Well thank the lord for that you went after me and put down those criminals who tried to kill me.” Liam exclaimed as he laid back down. Once again the look of confusion was upon his face as he saw Jèan and the sheriff exchanged a confused look with each other. 

To Liam’s annoyance Drake begins to chuckle but immediately stops as Jèan again glares at him before turning her attention to Liam. 

“Do you not remember anything before passing out?” She asked. Liam shook his head. “The sheriff didn’t save you. It was me.” Liam again looked confused. “I was already back in town when I noticed you getting your horse. Judging by how tired you look I decided to follow you. Lucky for you I did after you stopped for the fake soldier I saw his partner coming up behind you.” Jèan then stood up to fetch a glass of water and brought it to Liam as she continued her story. “I was fortunate to not use too many bullets also that you didn’t sustained any serious injuries. All you need is to rest for day or two.” 

“The sheriff said that you wouldn’t have been back until the afternoon.” Liam exclaimed. 

“I got back early. Plus I had another bounty to turn in.”Jèan answered as she sat down on the nearby chair. “So since you are still deciding to be ignoring instructions to rest, why don’t you go and tell me why you’re here and why do you need my help?” 

Immediately Liam felt embarrassed and fell silent. He still couldn’t wrap his mind around the person he was seeking was a woman. Having already been told she was colored wasn’t nearly as shocking. 

“Well" Jèan says. “Out with it.”

“I told you Jèan you were wasting your time with him" Drake said as he walked from the door to the window behind her. She shrugged. “I guess I am.” She got up and started for the door.

“A gang killed my father.” Liam spoke through anguished breath. “They ambushed us at our home, during a celebration. They seemed to want to kill me but my father pushed me out of the way.” He continued trying and failing to hold back tears. “Even though he was shot so many times he was still alive. This fat, crazed faced man in black stood over him and shot dead.” 

Jèan had sat back down in the nearby chair. Though her body sat stoic Liam saw the compassion and remorse in her eyes. “ I need your help. I need justice. I want to find those bastards and I want them to pay.” Liam exclaimed through labor breath.

“Jèan leans back in the chair and gives a brief look at Drake before turning her attention back to Liam.  “I know of the man you speak of .” Both Liam and Drake look at her with equal surprise. “His name is Charles Dupree. However he goes by the name Big Black.” Jèan took a breath before continuing. “And since he’s the man that killed your father then this wasn’t an isolated incident.”

Liam still surprised slowly sits up. “Why did this bastard kill my father?”

“Likely because he was ordered to.” She answered. “He’s not the gangs leader. That gang is known as the Abanthus Faction, led by a man named Anton Severus. He’s the man that gave the order to kill your father and since they left after he was killed he was the one they were after.”

“How do I find him?” Liam hissed. Drake steps forward “Haven’t you been listening to what she said? A man like him is too connected. You go after him and he’ll have you killed before you can make it to his low level thugs.”

“Well I’m not going back to my family and hope they’ll get captured.” Liam argued. “If I have to go after them so be it.”

“You are out of your rich boy mind!” Drake argued back.

“ENOUGH!” Jèan said loudly enough for both men to shut up abruptly. Keeping her attention on Liam she steps to him. “I’ve heard why you were looking for me. Now that you know who and what I am, the questions now are do you still require my assistance and why should I help you?" 

Liam sat back down on the bed. After a minute he looked up.

"I will admit that you're not what I imagined you would be, but I do need your help. This is more than just my father being killed, those men terrorized my family, adding to more devastation we already had been through. Ones that left us with no answers. I can't let this go unanswered. And you already shown you live up to your reputation. All I can do is ask if you will." He stared at her, eyes pleading. "Please help me get those bastards."

Jèan gave Liam a hard stare as she placed her hands on her hips. Then she sighed. "I have to collect one more bounty, that should give you enough time to fully rest." She took a small bottle from her satchel and handed it to him. "This tincture should help you sleep. Take at least two spoonfuls. When I get back we can go from there."

Liam looked surprised. "So you'll help me?" Jèan nodded. Drake scoffed and head out. Jèan walked to the bed and kneeled down to eye level with Liam.

"If you're serious about this, then I expect you to take this seriously." She said in a low, intimidating tone and with a hard glare. "Seeing that you don't want to head back to Saint Denis and wait for word. You're going to have to pull your weight and that means you do what I tell you. You understand?" Liam slowly nodded. Jèan gave a curt nod and reach out to caress his face. "Now take that medicine and rest. I'll be back soon." With that Jèan stood up and walked out the room. Liam sat there in shock over all that had happened. More than that he found his hand caressing the spot Jèan's hand was. It still felt warm and it made his beat fast. Not wishing to give her any reason to no longer help him Liam took the medicine and soon was asleep.

A day and a half later Liam woke up feeling better. He slept like the dead and all his pain was gone.

"So you're awake now." Jèan said, startling him. She sat in the nearby chair and the sheriff stood behind her, evening light casted an intimidating shadow on him. "How are you feeling?" She asked. 

"Much better. Thank you" Liam replied. 

"I have a bath ready for you. Go wash yourself and when you finish that there will be super and a fresh change of clothes waiting for you here. Found a lead. We'll go over it when you're clean and fed." Jean then got up and walked out leaving Liam and sheriff Walker in the room. 

Drake looked at him with disinterest. "Well rich boy, you better get yourself ready. Once we talk shop we head out at first light."

"We?" Liam asked surprised. "Aren't you the sheriff here?"

"Guess you didn't hear." Drake answered, smugly. "I'm retired. Your looking at the new owner of the Emerald Vale Estate." Drake tipped his hat and walked out.

"Ass." Liam muttered.

Tagging: @bebepac @bobasheebaby @ao719 @cordonianroyalty @dcbbw @radlovedreamer @kingliam2019 @texaskitten30 @kimmiedoo5 @elles-choices @emceesynonymroll @hopefulmoonobject

[appleseverywhere]

follow up questioooon. i loved your answer from my last ask hihi the who broke it off question. your answer actually made sense and I see that happening tbh. Now, follow up question, how do you think qrow coped and "moved on" after the break up? and winter too, how did she cope and "move on"? any idea how theyre going to "reconcile" if thats ever gonna happen because i havent seen them in the v8 trailer (dear god why)

I’m going to put in some headcanons I really wish would happen for this coming volume then hahaha This might sound like some short fic btw since I’m probably going to get carried away with it hahaha (I’m making a one-shot on this so I’ll have it posted soon. Think of this as the plot summary HAHA)

Qrowin Coping/Moving On (Post break-up) & V8 Reconciliation

Qrow’s coping/moving on

The way I see it is that Qrow is going to end up back to his alcoholic self (not really surprised there even if that could have been the reason they broke up in the first place). It’s cause its practically all he’s known from the start. He never had a healthy way of coping with loss, and with Winter and him splitting up, it just seemed to prove to him that he wasn’t someone worth loving. 

Disappointingly, he’s going to hook up with girls at some point, just to feel what used to be there only to end up with the emptiness that Winter had left him. He’d go through the same routine of drinking at a bar, having a one-night stand, and regretting it just as quickly as it starts. He wants to stop. He knew it wasn’t right. It didn’t feel right knowing he was still in love with Winter. When he starts convincing himself to leave, he scolds himself, saying that she’s already gone and that it was pointless to resist. The night will continue on and before the sun rises, he’ll leave just before anyone could suspect, with a lot of guilt hanging on his shoulders.

He’ll stop when it gets too much. Eventually, he’ll go to Ozpin for more missions and immerse himself in fulfilling them. He wouldn’t care if he’d get wounded, and he’d let whatever rage and frustrations he had pent up out through his attacks towards the grimm. He wouldn’t look forward to going back, knowing that no one was waiting for him. It adds to his feelings of no one wanting him. He’d keep it all in mind as he purposely puts himself in more danger as he goes on a grimm slaughter spree. 

Winter’s coping/moving on

I can see Winter immersing herself into work just as Qrow would. She wouldn’t dare acknowledge the aching pain she felt at losing the one person who genuinely cared for her besides Weiss, the one person who would tell her that her feelings were valid. Without that reminder, she would isolate herself like she had done many times before. She wouldn’t let them show, and she would try to escape them in any way she could.

She would ask Ironwood if he had more tasks for her. The paperwork on her desk had piled up to the point it had been much taller than she was. She claimed more responsibilities just to stay in the base for longer hours. By the time she retired to her room, she’d be too exhausted to let the emotions surface. If that wasn’t the case, she would bring her work with her, writing and organizing them the whole night until she tired herself enough that she knew she wouldn’t end up staring at the ceiling in thought once she lied down.

Per her request, she had asked the general for more missions, and she made sure to avoid Vale and Mistral, knowing he was likely there. Most of her missions were in the deserts of Vacuo or the tundras of Atlas and higher north in Solitas. She would let the intense climate get to her so that she’d focus on it instead of the nagging thoughts in her mind. The only time she would ever relieve her anger and sadness was when she came face to face with hoards of grimm, quickly activating her semblance to zoom through them with one swipe. She’d leave behind what she could in the wind, before turning back to slay more of them, letting her immerse herself as she escaped.

Qrow and Winter Reconcile

I saw this going 3 ways:

In Qrow’s jail cell

In Winter’s hospital room

On the battlefield

So let me expound on this.

In Qrow’s jail cell

We know that Winter was severely injured at the end of V7, so it’s either she makes a quick (but not full) recovery and heads down to the cell, or that before she gets treated, she demands to go see Qrow. 

He would be incredibly surprised and concerned to see her in such a state, maybe not even bother to hide it. He had already lost Clover, and while that was all happening, it sent a shiver down his spine to know she almost suffered the same fate. She would likely ask him what exactly happened with Clover and Tyrian, and I get the feeling that she would trust him anyway with whatever he told her. He wouldn’t need to use Robyn’s semblance to prove his innocence cause Winter already knew Qrow wouldn’t lie. 

Much to his surprise, she’d let him out, not finding him guilty for his crimes, and more importantly, gave him instructions to find team RWBY and keep her sister safe. She would tell him that he better came back cause they still had to talk later, marking a silent promise. Qrow would be hesitant to leave her alone, but the determination in her eyes pushed him to leave, but not before asking her to promise him she would stay alive.

In Winter’s hospital room

Maybe Qrow would be able to get out of the jail cell (he can turn into a bird, after all) knowing his nieces are out there with Salem’s forces at large. As he leaves Atlas, he hears of a certain special operative who nearly got killed and was currently admitted in the med bay. He makes a quick stop to find her resting and half asleep. She wakes up to his footsteps, expecting the general but is dumbfounded to see him beside her bed.

He asks her what happened and she couldn’t seem to say what she was feeling at all, lost and disappointed in herself for failing. He would secure her doubts somehow, in a very Qrow way of course. Not at all cheesy and all that crap. Winter looks to him for security at that moment, and similar to the previous scenario tells him he should leave before anyone catches him. She grabs his hand as she tells him to protect her sister for her and that he had better make it back alive. To her. 

He laughs once before squeezing her hand, telling her to stay safe and to recover well, before running off and out of the academy.

On the battlefield (ah yes, this very spontaneous short fanfic - I might post an actual full oneshot of this later on)

After Qrow and Robyn escaped their jail cell and Winter made a speedy recovery (likely Ironwood requesting to put her in an aura restoration chamber to hasten the replenishing process), they found themselves on opposite ends of the battlefield. Ironwood had instructed Winter to catch and arrest them, warning her not to disobey orders again nor fail for a second time. She was conflicted and Qrow could tell from the moment their swords clashed. He wanted nothing more than to talk to her, reason with her. She was more sensible than Clover was, and he knew that well. 

As the fight ensues, she comes off strong, stronger than he remembered. He realized that it's her rage and pent up anger. It had always been her way of getting some weight off her shoulders, and he used to help when he could. It was why they fought all the time, why they were always so physical. It became their unspoken love language, and the way they moved alone spoke volumes.

Neither of them backed down with their strikes, nor did they seem intent on hurting the other as it went. The rest of the ace ops and team RWBY had already found themselves elsewhere in the midst of the battle, yet they found themselves within each other’s close proximities alone in the vast field of snow. Their aura’s had long broken, and that made them all the more careful with each hit they sent. Winter was already slouching in her posture and Qrow’s breathing had grown ragged. 

It didn’t take long before he was able to knock the sabre from her hand and she stood with lidded eyes against his blade, almost daring to him to finish her. She pushed her neck against it further with an impassive face, waiting. Despite the dead expression, her eyes betrayed whatever she hoped to convey. Tinged with longing and sorrow, she almost begged him to kill her. 

But he couldn’t. He never would. 

Dropping his sword to the snow, he grabbed her shoulders and pulled her into his embrace. For the first time since she had left the Schnee manor, her emotions had broken from its dam and flooded out in waves of tears against his chest, soaking his vest. He could feel her sobs wrack through her body and only held onto her tighter. 

All he could do was mutter repeated apologies as she held onto him like a lifeline. Whether it was because of what happened between them or the reason they had to fight in the first place, he didn’t know. She whispered her own apologies, clutching onto him as she hid her face from his view.

Before he could say anything else, she pushed him with what strength she had left, telling him to run. With Salem in search of the relics and the maiden, there was no other option but to let him go. For the sake of Atlas and Remnant. She wouldn’t be able to stop her on her own, not with the general breathing down her neck, but he and her sister’s team could. As she collapsed on the snow, she screamed for him to leave while he could. He could only nod as he watched her walls crumble. He understood what needed to be done, but he couldn’t just leave like this. 

He knelt before her fallen form, moving the hair from her face as he kissed the skin of her forehead, silently promising to return to her. Her eyes fluttered to a close at the contact and kept it that way until she heard the familiar flapping of his wings gradually soften before disappearing into the sky. Her hands grasped at the snow beneath them as she called out, demanding him to stay alive after all of it.

...

Okay, I honestly did not expect to write that last bit but now I really want to continue it HAHAHA Anyway, I was planning to write several oneshots this weekend so I’ll have them posted soon. 

Hope these answered your questions!! :)

[shinobirain24]

Water and Ice- Chapter 10: Vale

After the Fall of Beacon

Weiss was back to the Schnee Manor, since Beacon Academy have fallen at the hands of Grimm. All she could do now is just look at her window where airships are flying by. The mansion is nothing but a silent place. The only time there when she has a conversation is when her close confidante and butler, Klein is called to let her know that her father calls. She wishes her sister would be there to assure her that everything will be alright. But the truth is, it isn't. Now Winter is still with the Atlas Military to find some answers about the Fallen Event. The house, no the manor is nothing more than a prison in her father's presence. Her brother minding his own business complaining about his sisters' "barbaric" huntsmen training.

The worse part of the chaos is when she is seeing her friends injured, scared, and sad. Some classmates crying over the loss of their teammates and loved ones. Such horrific images still stuck in her head. Ruby running up to the tower of Beacon to save their friend, Pyrrha Nikos whose battle cannot be won against a formidable foe. Blake, happened to be stabbed on the side of her abdomen. And Yang, whose left arm was cut off trying to help Blake against an enemy. Her teammates are more like sisters to her since the day they formed a team; Team RWBY. It was their first time at the Vytyl Festival, and their enemies have ruined it.

The other worse part of the Fall, is that her father, Jacques have showed up in his ship. "Father?" She said in shock. But her ankles have shaken. But she tried her best to keep her composure. Yang, still lying on the ground, injured. Watches in sadness to see her friend leave. Neptune notices some red flags judging by the slight reaction of Weiss seeing her father. "Time to go, Daughter. There's no use in staying in this useless obstruction." Jacques said coldly. Making the students shocked of what he was saying. Neptune gently grabbed her wrist as she reluctantly walked towards him.

"Hey, you don't have to." He insisted. Making Weiss flustered. But she shook her head and pulled away her hand. "Sorry, everyone. I have to go." She apologized.

"Don't make me warn you again, Weiss." He sounded more serious. That's when Nora Valkyrie, a ginger-haired girl with a black sweater vest, white shirt and pink skirt came to her defense that Weiss wasn't asking for to not cause trouble for them. "Hey, old man! She doesn't have to go if she doesn't want to! So why don't you just pack up and leave?!" Nora yells at him. As her friend Ren, a raven-haired boy tried to intervene before she hurts anybody.

"Yeah! Go home before we make you sorry!" Sun backed up.

"Weiss, come on." Neptune offers to take her away from the conflict. But seeing how ruthless and powerful her father was, she knew things would be worse for her friends if she resists. She takes one look at Neptune one last time before departure. "I'm sorry, I have to go. There's nothing we can do now. However, I wish you all safe." Weiss stepped inside the ship before it lifts off.

Back in the Manor

Weiss is sitting on her bed waiting for her sister to at least come home for a visit to feel better. Everywhere she goes in the manor, her father has constant eyes. Then a knock on the door. It was her butler, Klein. Despite working under her father, he was the closest friend and father figure Weiss had been close to when she was younger. He didn't like the way Jacques have treated his daughter. So he tried his best to keep her happy while keeping in low profile. "Ms. Schnee."

"Yes, Klein?"

"I believe this letter is for you. I must say, I never thought you'd be getting letters since you left for Beacon. Let me know if there's anything I can do."

"Thank you, Klein." She nods after Klein have left for other occupations around the household. Weiss then looks at the letter, there was no return address. But she opened it to see who the letter belongs to by reading it.

"Hey Snow Angel,

How have you been? I was wondering if you're okay. I know it wasn't the best time writing to you this letter. Pretty awkward, right? I know we haven't spoken much since the Vytyl Festival. What I saw what you did back then, was pretty amazing. I know things are hard for us all, my team and I went back to Mistral for some recuperation. Sun left to find Blake because she felt ashamed for what happened to Yang. It must feel worse being separated from your own team. And believe me, it gets worse to lose someone you cared for. Trust me, I may be not look like I did. But I felt that before, because I lost someone important to me a long time ago. When it's winter, the snow reminded me of you. How the breeze flows like your hair, your eyes glamour like the icy waters. When you fight, I can see you soar like the swan. When you sing, it brought such a gentle melody in the air. Like the moonlight hearing your call. The truth is, I just missed you. You became the first woman to have approach me with a smile. Keep that smile to fight the good fight. Things will get better when your team gets back together. Trust me, blood or not, family is about bonds that are shared. Like how Sun ,Scarlet and Sage have been brothers to me. Right now, Scarlet is kinda angry at Sun for leaving without telling us. As for Sage, mostly silent. They didn't take this very well. But I could understand what Sun is trying to do.

P.S.

If there's any chance you visit Mistral, I'll be happy to show you around for some time."

-Neptune.

Weiss is then blushing at his words he wrote to her. Like the blossoms falling from the wintery weather. Looking at the window. At the shattered moon. Her eyes closed in happiness, that someone have written to her. It have given her hope for the day she will be free from the patriarchal prison.

"Neptune." She thought. "Thank you." She then placed her lips on the letter as a sign of luck.

Ever since you wrote me this letter, it set me free. Actually, you have set me free. I know now that I cannot depend on Winter anymore.

Weiss thought back about that night she received the letter. She picked it up from her satchel and read it secretly without him knowing it on the ferry. She then hid it away. The letter may be a few years old, but it is still the treasure she has held. Sitting on the bench next to Neptune who is looking down on the floor. She scooted towards him and has her hand over his to keep him company. Much to his relief.

"Are you exciting to see her?" She asked.

"Well, I haven't seen her for months. She would basically check on my health every time I came home from Haven for summer vacations. What about you? What did you do when school was out?" Asked Neptune.

"Mostly at home. Back when I was an heiress, there was absolutely nothing but studies and tutoring 24/7." Weiss sighed. "Now that Whitely is the new heir to the Schnee Dust Company, I don't see the point of staying in the mansion." Now as a former heiress, Weiss is even ashamed at her own name since it was in ruins, no thanks to the man who fathered her and her siblings. "Still, I hope he does better than my father. Cause the last time he ever run the company, he got what he deserved, an orange jumpsuit." Weiss joked. Reminding her the time she read the headlines in the newspaper. Where the newspaper shows an image of him in an orange jumpsuit. And his mustache and hair got all messy having not been groomed for months after. Given a life sentence due to Winter being given the position as the new leader of the Atlas Military. And she wasn't going to let him out anytime soon.

"Seriously, that's hilarious!" Chuckled Neptune.

"I know, right?! I doubt Winter is going to let him off easy. Even if he is our father, he is beyond redemption." Weiss points out.

"That's insane coming from him." Neptune commented. They both laughed. "Are you sure about coming with me on this one?" He asked. Thinking of whether or not that Weiss is sure she wants to help him out of the situation she already put herself in.

"Of course, I do. I am not backing down on this one." Weiss assured him. Then she decides to change the subject. "Your parents are nice." She compliments. Making Neptune glanced at her and smiled. "They're the best. Dad can be kinda busy at times when Jupiter looks after us. But he's also an expert at amplifying weapons. As for Mom, straight but also lovable. She won multiple cases and a zero loss whether she's the prosecutor or the defender."

"A lawyer, huh? Yeah, she told me that. It was amazing of how hard she works." Weiss said. Looking back at the environment Neptune have lived in, it was all normal. Like many families, there could be arguments, but can be resolved later on. How parents could be supportive. How siblings do things together. She felt slightly jealous that she wishes it could've been this way if her family was never rich. Winter have told her some tales about their maternal grandfather before he went into retirement. A nobleman who works in honor of his own father when he left a small amount of his inheritance to create the Schnee Dust Company. She never met him, but was aspired to bring honor of his lineage. But after she was revoked from her inheritance, she decides to no longer bear the Schnee name, she will be just Weiss. But will still use her semblance in his honor.

Unbeknownst to them, there was a man hiding from the front row of the ship and took pictures of them both. Then they heard the click. "Did you hear that?" Asked Weiss.

"Yeah, I heard that too." Jolted Neptune.

"It sounded like a camera." Then the man was nearly caught but hid his face from behind. "Please tell me someone else is spying on us?"

"That's weird. Maybe we're just hearing things." Weiss shaken. "Or maybe there could be someone on the ship."

"We might have to keep an eye out. I have a bad feeling about this." Neptune points out. Looking at the mirror hanging on the ceiling of the ship where it shows the man still hidden without knowing that Neptune is glancing. "If we could just play it cool like nothing happen, that's when he or they'll let their guard down." He whispers. "We'll wait until the boat stops and we run for it and get lost." Weiss nods. Gripping his hand in nervousness. In theory, there could be anyone who heard the news and wanted them for their bounty. Or worse, assassination. But the general was never the type to put their head on the bounty. But rather to bring those alive. And Weiss knows that there is still heart that her sister would never be tempted to murder someone.

The ferry stops at Vale City. The kingdom where Beacon Academy was still underdevelopment after the students transferred to Shade Academy for catching up the semester. "Here it is. Vale." As the citizens are walking off the ship. Weiss and Neptune walked further and carefully listening to the footsteps the man is making. They cannot make a glance at him, or the worse can happen. They walked faster until they hid the alleyway and lost him at last. "He's gone." He sighed, much to their relief. Getting lost in the crowd means the man have gotten confused and went to search somewhere else.

Vale Hospital

Neptune and Weiss have made an appointment in an attempt to meet Ceres. With claims of a fever. Once the nurse have called them from the waiting room. They have entered the office. The door opened, to Neptune's surprise, it was a blue-haired and eyed woman. With a curly ponytail. A lab coat with a sweatshirt and brown skirt under. Reading glasses above her bangs. "Hello, I'm Dr. Ceres Vasilias. And I have been informed of..." The doctor was cut off when Neptune reveals himself.

"Sis, it's me." He interrupted.

"I beg your pardon, sir?" The doctor tilted in confusion. Until Neptune removed his hood and goggles. "Nep...tune?" She questioned.

"Yeah, it's me." The she overchecks him for any injuries. As the youngest of five siblings, Neptune was the one they could mostly be worried about. "Oh my gosh, are you okay?! Are you hurt?! Are you injured?! Did you have water on your ears and eyes again?! I swear you'll go deaf if this happens!" Neptune breaks away from him before she gets exhausted. "Hey, hey, hey! I'm fine. There's no need to freak out." He assured him, knowing his sister, she's always worried for his wellbeing after what happened with Jupiter.

"Oh. Sorry, it's been months, you have no idea how freaked I got when I got promoted." Sighed Ceres. She then walks over to the door. Looking in both ways before locking the door. "Anyway, you shouldn't be here. There are men looking for you." She said , worryingly. "I know, I just want to see how are you, Sis." Could she blame him for checking on his family. Normally, she would tend his injuries.

"Ever since Haven Academy fell, I wasn't sure if attending Shade is a good idea since there is a lot of rogues in the streets. But seeing you coming back alive, it was a relief." Ceres explains. She has been scared hearing him going to Shade. But then again, where else can he study with Beacon and Haven gone, and Atlas' borders being shut down. Shade has become the best option to fight for survival. She then turned to Weiss. "Wait a sec, let me guess. Former heiress of the Schnee Dust Company?" She guessed. And Weiss shamefully nods. But she straights her face up for an introduction.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, you are probably aware for who I am."

"I wouldn't mind. I never thought my little brother would bag you up." Teased Ceres.

"Seriously, you too?!" Neptune protested. And Weiss covered her face while feeling the heat.

"Oh well. By the way, don't tell me you went on a mission to find Jupiter, didn't you?" She asked, sternly. After telling him not to take the mission to have the police involve. But Neptune disobeyed that request and went on. But being a huntsmen, it's an instinct. At least what Ceres can understand. "Sorry, Ceres. I just wanted to be sure it was him."

"I get it, you're desperate. But do you have any idea what this have cost me?" Ceres stared at him in the eye. "There were policemen questioning me for your whereabouts."

"It's called instincts, I have a feeling that the police can't get their facts right if they still think he's dead." Neptune argued. Then again, the police have already given up the search again since the huntsmen were called to Poseidon Island to search for the Thunderbolts. Which upsets her to think they would reopen the case. "You're right, it's pointless to have them involve. You're lucky you're wearing a disguise. Still it would be a good idea to dye your hair and change your name. But I can give you some plastic surgery." She suggested. But Neptune wants none of it.

"And ruin my looks? No way." He shook his head.

"Fine. By the way, there were sightings of Jupiter and his team being made in the news." Ceres points out, which got her brother perked up to hear the name of their older brother. "I heard that he's somewhere in the Emerald Forest. The thing is, the Thunderbolts have been digging up. Looking for something. It has to be some kind of relic, perhaps." She theorizes.

"We'll check it out ourselves." Neptune then embraces his sister before parting ways. "It's great to see you again, Sis."

"Me too, bro. Me too. If anyone asked, I didn't see anything." Ceres told him, and Neptune nods. "Now, hurry before the security finds out." She ushered, prompting him and Weiss to exit the building.

Later on, they made a reservation for a hotel room for the night. The room has white walls for each side. Glass shower windows. Brown curtains with the soft texture. Separate beds with white sheets and pillows. Pretty much three-star level of a hotel. But enough to stay for a few days until they get what they came for. "At least this way, we can take a break." Weiss sighed.

"Pretty much. It's great to see that Ceres is doing well. We should be searching for Jupiter tomorrow. There's a good chance he could be there. Or another moon stone." Neptune plopped onto the bed close to the window. While Weiss slightly opens the curtain to see if there's any police or any militia force around. "Looks like nothing came around yet. We should be safe for tonight." Weiss said. Knowing that they cannot hide forever. Even with their scrolls destroyed, there are still chances that sightings will be linked. "Looks like being huntsmen wasn't easy for anyone."

"No doubt about it." Then his stomach growls, all the walking and traveling have gotten him empty. Struck with hunger. Weiss then notices. "Wow, I'll bet all this trouble have gotten us starving. Tell you what, I'll be getting us something to eat while you stay here." Weiss offers. Not wanting to risk him getting caught.

"Are you sure about this? I don't think it's safe for you to go out walking today." Neptune objects to the idea.

"I'll be fine. There's nothing to worry about. You need to keep in low profile for now." Neptune wanted to come along, but then again, he might be recognized. They don't have the scrolls to call each other to ensure each other's safety. But Neptune need s someone he can trust with his goals. He cannot call his team, it'll also cost them to be arrested for harboring a fugitive. For now, Weiss is the only person he can rely on.

"Okay, just be careful." He told her. And Weiss nods walking out of the room to grab some grub. After Weiss bought some appetizers from a restaurant, she then takes routes in the city to make sure she isn't followed. But it backfired when she heard footsteps in the alleyways. It grew louder. It was a sign that there is a stalker on the loose. She then makes a step ahead to levitate with her glyphs to the top of an apartment building. Running on the roof until the mysterious shadow threw roses at her as she deflects them. Pedals have been torn apart from the stems of black thorns.

"How delightful to see you again, mi belleza de nieve." His voice is deep with the accent. Weiss is stunned to hear a voice she never wants to hear for a while. Then man is dressed in a black jumpsuit, with a mask and hood covering his mouth. A red scarf tied to his waist containing a whip and a toledo sword. "There's no point hiding in that mask. I know who you are, Carlos Vega." She said furiously. He then chuckled uncovering that hood of his. "How wonderful that you recognized me. I believe your father would like to have a word with you. If you can come with me." He extended his hand towards her. But Weiss backs off in refusal. "But he's in jail. There's just no way."

"On the contrary, I helped him escape. Yes it was me, Specialist Carlos Vega. The supreme graduate student of Atlas Academy. Heir to the Vega Corporation."

"Nobody cares, Vega. And by the way, I want nothing to do with my father. And when my sister finds out you broke him out. She'll lock you up for good." Weiss paces around him and has her hand on the Myrtenaster in case he is ready to attack. Shoot, I should've warn her about him. I forgot about him for so long, I never want to remember him at all. She thought. She then felt pain in her shoulder. Causing her to look down and saw a rose pierced into her shoulder. "What the-?! She winced. her body feeling weak as the eyesight got blurry.

"Unfortunately, you are clearly unaware of what my semblance was. My rose is extremely, poisonous. Once a rose is pinned into your body, the poison will stream into your veins and you'll be weak. I call it the Death Amor." Described Carlos.

No, I have to fight back. Neptune is waiting for me. I cannot let Carlos him near him. Otherwise we're done for.

"Please understand that I am doing this, all in the name of admiration." Carlos said in a sweet tone. Disgusting Weiss.

"Admiration? I call it sickening." Weiss retorted. She then dashed at the heir to clash his sword. Pushing each other away. Carlos then throws ten roses for defense. But Weiss blocks them all while dodging them with her glyph.

Carlos has the upper hand swinging his whip catching Weiss in the air. Pulling her back down on the roof. But Weiss cuts his whip but another rose is thrown into her abdomen. "Ah!" She winced again. But she is still standing. "Nice try, I'm not going to give up that easily!" Carlos spun and sings his blade. Crossing blades against her. But Weiss smacks him with a handle. But he tumbled back. While Weiss tries to knock his sword off his hands. Lunging him and it was a success. "Give it up, Vega. You have no chances of winning...Dah!" Weiss stumbles back and saw another rose on her right arm. She tries to take them all off, but they were too strong. They are stuck. Weiss collapse to the ground, still trying to fight the poison.

The former heiress pushes herself to get up, but she fell back down. Staring at Carlos with a glare. "Too bad, mi belleza de nieve. It looks like I'll be taking you after all." He taunted. Weiss' vision got all foggy and then all goes black for a moment.

[the-atlesian-general]

Family and History

With the reveal from Jason Rose (VA of James), we have been told that James is most likely half Asian, half Caucasian like Jason, who he was based off of. Below is a detailed history based on this information.

James' father is Asian, as are his parents and cousins. James' mother, Isabella, is Caucasian, as are her parents. (Note: not RWBY verse, Isabella would be from England and her mother from Scotland and her father from England.) James' father's parents live in Mantle. Isabella's parent's live in Vale. The cousins from both families are scattered.

James' father is the General of Atlas military. Isabella is the Head of the Security Department.

Isabella wanted to cut back on hours to stay home and raise James. James' father agreed until he saw how she was raising him. Thinking she was too doting, he got Isabella to back off and hire a nanny instead. James was the male heir to the family and needed to be raised that way. She was too gentle and forgiving. If there was a lesson to be learned, he needed to learn it. Isabella disagreed, but ended up going back to work when he insisted. She was needed there after all, not at home babying their son.

Not that they didn't spend time with him, but it wasn't much. Mainly little trips to James' father's parent's house. Or when they occasionally brought him to work before leaving him with a subordinate.

James' grandparents loved him. They thought he was adorable and the sweetest thing. They taught him origami. His grandmother teaching him about how if you make a wish while making one thousand paper cranes, then it'll come true. He was enraptured.

James made a thousand cranes with one wish: to spend his birthday with his parents.

It didn't happen.

He never saw them the whole day.

Instead he made a friend in someone who just moved down the street and they became his best friend: Nathan Daniels.

He never made a crane again.

It would be Isabella's parents who teach him his love for the stars. Isabella's father having a telescope and showing him the stars in the peaceful silence of the Vale night sky away from all the lights of a city like Atlas. He even gifted James with his own telescope. James looked through it almost nightly, sadly the lights of the city made it practically impossible to see the stars properly.

So he had the ceiling of his room done up like the night sky instead.

And he dreamed of touching the stars.

When James was old enough, he was introduced to his father's cousins. They hated him. They whispered behind his back, mainly about his eyes and his mother. Called him an outsider and a halfie, amongst other names. He cried to his mother afterwards. Wondering why they called him that and called his mother worse things.

She held him and smiled, "Because they are jealous, and they lash out because they don't know what else to do."

She kissed the top of his head and held him until he fell asleep. Still doing little things like that without his father's knowing.

He never really saw his cousins after that. He thinks his mother had something to do with it.

Because of his father's position, James was asked to help with a few non-intrusive tests at a lab. Nathan came to pick him up, arriving a bit before he had to leave. This one time he was running late and Nathan was watching through an observation window. This was okay considering all James was doing was running on a treadmill connected to some wires. Then machines started to spark and explode. James was being pulled from the treadmill and disconnected as quickly as possible by his security team. He saw Nathan looking at him in worry and shouting before being pulled away to leave.

Then things started to fall.

The next thing he knew he was waking up outside and the facility was in flames. He started shouting for Nathan and went to get up to look for him, only to get pulled back down by frantic security and ambulance staff. The facility then exploded and he was quickly escorted away, shouting for Nathan while being put under.

Nathan didn't make it. He never made it out of the building. And he ended up with a prosthetic arm because of falling debris.

Not long after he got home and had limited supervision, James couldn't handle the guilt and the thoughts and the pain anymore about Nathan. He started drinking. The staff of the house kind of caught him but couldn't do anything about it.

It lasted for about a year and half, until his mother finally found out and put a stop to it. Got him counseling and into Alcoholics Anonymous. He also got a "babysitter" specifically to keep an eye out on him and drinking.

A few years later he was enrolled into military academy and hunter school, with it he had even less time to see his mother or grandparents. Almost none. He would lose himself in it and rise in the ranks quickly. Because of that, his father stepped down as General and gave the position to him. Finally retiring and taking his mother with him. They moved to Mantle and took his grandparent's house.

James became General and with it Headmaster then Councilmen.