Diary of a Concerned Friend
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Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY.
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Jaune… I'm worried for you. And not just because you've been disappearing a lot lately. I'm afraid I know part of why you're not asking us for help.
If so, you're stupid Jaune.
Just because I have a semblance and combat skills doesn't make me a better person than you! It doesn't mean I'm going to be a great Huntress either- you know, the sort of person who is good and nice (like you are) and protects everyone like they're their own friends even if they're strangers (because, you know). And you better believe Signal had nothing about being a leader. I'm not better than you. I'm not worthier.
This is hard for me too. You may not have the combat skills, but I can't socialize for beans, so I think we're closer than you realize.
Reading back over that list, from before, we're actually pretty close in some of our flaws. So we really aren't so different after all. Just trade my issues with 'friends' for your training, and we're good! Or bad. Equally bad, at least.
But more than that, these flaws? They're not all who we are. They don't have to define us. That's why they're 'can be' rather than 'are'- and the one that isn't?
I'll keep growing up until I mature and understand things better. I'll practice having friends until I'm a better friend. And when I am- when I can be the sort of person who will stand up for her friends, I will be the sort of person who stands up for her friends, and I will do whatever I can to help you against Cardin. Something, anything. More than words in an empty hallway, I promise.
Just… wait for me until then. It might not be tomorrow. It might not be next week. It may be that I have a lot of catching up to do to reach you.
I'm sorry. But one day I won't be. One day your patience will pay off. I'll be the friend you deserve, and not just wishing I was the friend I could be, and once I can then I'll lead all of us to standing by your side in pride. Pride as your friends, so you can be proud of your friends. I promise you that, and this-
We can improve ourselves, Jaune.
We can become worthy even if we aren't at first. I know so. I hope so. I need so, if I'm going to be a good friend for you and fulfill my dream and do good things. We can grow together into people who will be great Hunters. This is really important- good people putting in good work can get good places. We just have to keep trying, keep moving forward in the right direction, and we'll eventually reach there. I have faith.
But I won't if you quit.
Because, Jaune, if you quit… if you quit, you failed. And if you fail- you, who's not so different from me- if you can give up, so can I. And any possibility, if given enough time, will eventually occur.
I know what you'd say on your last day in Beacon. 'You can do it, Ruby. You're not like me. All you have to do is not give up.'
You'd be wrong. I am like you- I have many of the same flaws as you- and if you can give up so can I. If I can do it, then I also can not do it.
What does it say if one of the good guys of legend gives up?
If you give up, Jaune, then one day I will too. It may not be this month, this year, or this decade. You may watch and think to yourself 'there goes a great Huntress.' But I won't be. I know, in my heart, that one day I'll give up too. There will be some obstacle too high to see over, some challenge too hard to try… and that'll be it. 'I can't do it.' And then I'll die, or worse, and live with my failure until I do.
That frightens me, Jaune. Terrifies me. And I bet it scares you too- but I'm worried Cardin is making you forget that. That he's making the 'now' so bad that you'll do something you'll regret for the rest of your life.
So let me say it here, as loud as my tiny little hands can write it.
You can not give up.
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Author note:
I love grammatical ambiguity at times. 'If I can do it, then I also can not do it' is such a wonderful turn of phrase that I am ridiculously proud of.
But- as it is- we're getting to the crux of Ruby's worries. Good times, and soon to be over.