170.1 Masterweaver
[-]
In Which People Are Thrown For Sport: Part The First
"Hello and welcome to Let's Get Sporting, the Remnant Looper television show about literally any random physical competition we want to have. I am Weiss Schnee, a regular commentator, and today I am joined by Sun Wukong as my usual co-commentator is, in fact, one of the competitors in this competition."
"Sup, everyone!"
"For today's episode, we have arranged for a small competition in the Equestria-originating sport officially known as the Significant Other Sling. Some of our watchers may be aware of its original title of Wife Tossing, but equal-rights protests across the multiverse have generally convinced most loopers to adopt the more unilateral name."
"Weiss, I have a question. This sport is clearly a paired event, but are there any regulations in regards to polyamorous relationships?"
"I... must admit I find myself surprised to not know the answer. I suppose I must seek it out on my next sojourn to Equestria. But on to our current competition: We have arranged for a quartet of local celebrities to serve as judges to the event, ruling on any potential rule violations and providing points based on style. They are known to the general population as team CFVY, and consist of Coco Adel, Fox Alistair, Velvet Scarlatina, and Yatsuhashi Daichi."
"It's interesting that you would select nonloopers for a looper competition."
"It ensures fair judgment, and provides for the opportunity of amusing bafflement."
"...They do know what they're judging, right?"
"I have been assured that they have been told the rules of the sport."
"But not the title?"
"...Excuse me for a moment."
[-]
170.2 Tetradrachm
[-]
Doc in the House
The young Huntsman, or more likely Huntsman-in-training, lay splayed out on his back, moaning and visibly resisting clutching at the nasty, long cut on his stomach. Yang unPocketed a fresh pair of latex gloves onto her hands as she carefully examined the man on her makeshift examination table. Around them, a few of the Haven Academy students and Mistralian police helped to clean up after the battle. Blake, across the wrecked hallway, worked to tend to a few more minor wounds.
Yang hummed cheerfully, pulling a tube of something flesh-colored out of the pocket of her intentionally oversized lab coat and carefully squeezed a dollop of the substance inside directly onto the wound. She rubbed it into the length of the cut, and the man blinked in surprise.
"It doesn't...hurt," he managed.
"Nope!" she said cheerfully. "And now, watch this!"
She crossed her arms and waited for a moment. Blake rolled her eyes.
"I know you just rolled your eyes!" Yang called out as she leaned forward and poked the goo, already dry. "Okay, you're all healed."
"I...what?" he asked in complete confusion.
"If you peel off the top layer of the ointment, underneath you'll see that your wound is totally healed. Might take a few hours to stop being sensitive, though," she explained.
Cautiously, the man touched his stomach and then pulled at the cut. The top layer of the now-dry substance peeled off like a sticker, and beneath his skin was unblemished and whole. He gasped.
"This is amazing! How...how did you do this?" he stammered.
"It's my, uh, Semblance, of course," she said with a smirk. "Got super healing powers."
"You have two Semblances?" he asked. "I saw you out there earlier against that girl with the green hair, shooting fire all over the place."
"Ohh, pssh, no," Yang said airily, "that was just Dust." Blake audibly snorted.
"That would take a lot of Dust," he said.
She stared down at him. "It sure does."
He laughed. "Keep your secrets, all good Huntsmen and Huntresses have a few. Thanks anyway, though. This is amazing!"
He hopped up and wandered off, and a few moments later Yang sauntered over to Blake. "I convinced him good, huh?"
"You didn't even try. With the convincing or the surgery," Blake said dryly.
"Wha—hey! That bio-nanomachine gel is literally perfectly effective. I developed it with Bones back during that long Star Trek Fused Loop we had."
"Yes, but it's hardly being a surgeon, is it?"
"As one of the best surgeons in the entire multiverse, I can say if it's being a surgeon or not, and I say it totally is."
"How do you quantify best?" Blake asked, taking a step closer.
"For one thing, I'm the hottest surgeon of all time," Yang countered, approaching her with a hint of a grin.
"We both know that," Blake said, smiling herself. "Anything besides that?"
"Well..." Yang started, and was cut off by a wall collapsing nearby and the young Huntress underneath groaning in pain. "I'll...elaborate, later."
"Half-assing your explanation too, huh?"
"Okay, now you're just being mean."
[-]
170.3 Masterweaver
[-]
It is very serious business
"You guys were incredible!" Jaune cried in astonishment. "Oh, the way took down that Geist without needing to plan your tactics out, you just... knew exactly what to do!"
Clover's smile was the professional 'I know I'm awesome but I'm talking to young hopefuls so I'll look like it was all according to plan' smile that Ruby had never really quite mastered. "Well, Ace Ops are hand-picked to perfectly complement each other, so we can focus on our assets and leave our liabilities behind."
"Some of us are all asset, zero liability!" Marrow boasted with a pose.
"Cheh!"
"Oh?" The sole faunus of the Ace Ops spun on the offending sound. "Think I've got some liabilities, Elm?"
The tall woman gave him a wry smirk. "Your brains, for one."
Ruby quirked a brow at the laughter from both Harriet and Clover, and at the deflating groan Marrow let out. Military ribbing was a thing, sure...
"You did ask," Vine pointed out, walking after Marrow as he moved on. Elm watched them go with a little smile...
...which left her surprised when she saw Nora smiling up at her-or her hammer, perhaps. "Hiiiiii! Do you need a new best friend? Our pair name can be-" The ginger whipped out her own hammer, stomping on the ground. "THUUUUUUUUNDER THIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHS!"
"Never change, Nora," Ruby chuckled to herself. She stepped up to Harriet, beaming. "Perfect, complementary teamwork. Having your friends' backs like that? Something to aspire to."
The woman quirked a bemused eyebrow at her. "Friends?" she said, in a tone so disbelieving it wiped the smile from Ruby's face in an instant.
Elm laughed for a moment or two. "This isn't the schoolyard, kids." She glanced back as Ren idly picked up the still posing Nora and walked off, rolling her eyes a little.
"But I mean..." Yang stepped up, followed by the rest of Ruby's team. "When you go through so much with someone, it kind of changes things, doesn't it?"
"We get along well enough, sure," Harriet conceded with a shrug. "I count on them to keep me alive, they do the same. But that's the job." She leveled a flat look at them. "We don't confuse the two."
"...You know," Ruby said, her tone as dry and cold as the tundra around them, "I respected you right up until you said that."
Harriet blinked for a moment, before giving her a cocky smirk. "What, you think that friendship will save your life?"
"It did," Ruby countered without hesitation. "During the Fall of Beacon. At the Brunswick estate. In the battle with the Leviathan at Argus. And that's just with magic. Even without it, it kept me alive throughout initiation, through our battles with the White Fang in Vale, through our travels across Anima..." The silver-eyed warrior stepped back, grabbing Weiss's hand in her right and Blake's in her left. "We are social creatures. We need companions just to survive, and the deeper the friendship, the more we trust each other, the greater our will to live. If you value each other only as a means to continue existing, if you are so cold as to see the mission's goals before the mission's purpose..." She shook her head. "I will pray for you, Harriet Bree, for you and your team and your souls, that when doubt finds you-and it will find you, I am sure of it-you will find somebody who you can know truly cares."
"Heh... kid," Elm managed, "aren't you taking this a little too seriously?"
"No," Ruby replied. "I don't think so. And even if I am, there's an immortal witch queen of the Grimm who invokes distrust to destroy kingdoms. Think on that, if nothing else."
Harriet huffed, rolling her eyes and turning away from the steely gaze. "She's not here yet. And if all goes as planned, she never will be."
Elm glanced from her, to Ruby, who hadn't moved a single muscle since stepping back with her team. Her eyes roved them over-the tightly clasped hands all four of them shared. "...It's not often I see that kind of passion in somebody so young," she admitted. "I hope we never have to find out which one of us is right."
Ruby smiled at her sadly. "I already have. Countless times over."
"Hmm." Elm looked at her for a moment longer, before shrugging and following Harriet off to join the rest of the Ace Ops.
Yang waited until they were out of earshot before turning to her sister. "Uh... Ruby? That... that was amazing, don't get me wrong, but it sort of came out of nowhere. Are you feeling okay?"
"...not completely," Ruby admitted, finally releasing Blake and Weiss's hands. "But I meant every word I said." She turned to her partner with a hesitant, apologetic smile. "Is this an Atlas culture thing? Where the word 'friend' has a very specific meaning because of all the politicking or something?"
"It... might be," Weiss admitted. "I mean, for a moment, I thought... well. You really... you meant all that?"
"Every word and more," Ruby assured her firmly.
Weiss glanced away for a moment, before clearing her throat and turning back. "Well. Um. Thank you."
"Yeah..." Blake lifted her other hand, still tightly wrapped in Yang's. "Thanks, Ruby, I... I think everyone needed to hear that."
Ruby's smile grew soft. "I think you all already knew, and just needed a reminder." She glanced at the handhold, and her smile grew smug. "Although, if there's something more than friendship going on, I'd also be happy for that..."
Yang blinked, looking at her own hand-and quickly pulling it back. "Uh, well, I mean, you all were, uh, the hand thing, I thought I'd just, team solidarity, yeah-"
"Alright, as a sign of team solidarity, Weiss and I will pretend we believe that," Ruby agreed politely.
"Perfectly platonic handholding with no overtones," Weiss agreed.
"And you two are definitely not blushing," Ruby added.
"No," Blake managed, hiding her face, "no we aren't, really."
"Can I get the team leaders over here?" Ironwood commanded. "You too, Qrow!"
"Weiss, make sure they don't melt," Ruby ordered offhandedly as she walked off.
[-]
170.4 Masterweaver
[-]
In Which People Are Thrown For Sport: Part The Second
"Welcome back, Weiss. How are things with our judges?"
"Well, I've confirmed that team CFVY knows what they're getting into. So that's not going to be an issue, thankfully."
"Right, so... who's going first?"
"Our first pair of competitors are, of course, the first pair of loopers to begin dating. Jaune Arc and Pyrrha Nikos."
"Now for those not in the know, these two had a rough start. Jaune was a combination of oblivious and not thinking he was good enough for Pyrrha, who herself didn't want to press the issue because... uh... why?"
"She felt her history as a warrior and gladiator did not lend itself well to casual socialization and was afraid of pushing him away."
"Right. That. Totally sensible."
"If we were sensible creatures, Sun, we wouldn't have a sport where we throw our loved ones long distances."
"Touche, Weiss. Touche."
"There seems to be a bit of a debate going on between our two competitors. If I read the motions correctly, they're arguing over which one of them should be thrown."
"I can see reasons for both. Pyrrha has far more skill with a javelin, and would certainly be able to give Jaune a good push with her semblance, but she's also the more aerodynamic one and could glide a little using said semblance."
"Ah, I see that they've resorted to roshambo. A classic tiebreaker, but not one I'd expect to see this early."
"You actually expected to see it?"
"Yes, though-ah, hmm. It would appear that Jaune has been chosen as the javelin."
"That's an interesting grip Pyrrha's taken. Hand flat against the chest and holding the knees-overhead, too."
"She appears to be gauging the distance. And letting Jaune settle into a launching form."
"Weiss, in your opinion, would face forward or face down be more aerodynamic?"
"It's not an issue in this throw, but-oh, Pyrrha's backing up a bit-"
"-a little rush forward and-there goes Jaune. Quite the distance, I see."
"Yes, a full... eighteen meters? Ah, eighteen point two seven meters, according to the replay."
"Let's go to the judges... hmmm. That's disappointing."
"Nothing higher than an eight, but the five from Coco is really going to put them behind. Good form, but not much style."
"Weiss, do you think they would have scored higher if they switched positions?"
"Perhaps, Sun, but they seem to be fairly happy with the results, nonetheless."
[-]
170.5 Masterweaver
[-]
A Silent Moment
"Weiss, I..." Ilia wrapped her arms around her shoulders as she glanced around the frozen tundra, trying to frame her words carefully. "Look. I get... this whole thing. It's important to you to make up for what Jacques did, for what the SDC did, and-and that there might be some poetic thing you're doing here, but... I'm not sure I'm comfortable going to the place my parents died."
"I know," Weiss said, striding into the cavern without looking back. "But... I don't know if I could do this anywhere else."
Ilia hesitated for a moment, taking in the mouth of the cave and the various abandoned buildings. She looked forward, where the heiress-it was still far too early for her to have lost that title-was moving forward. With a deep breath, she steeled herself and caught up to her guide.
"So... I guess you have some sort of speech prepared? An apology, or something?"
Weiss didn't reply, looking forward solemnly.
Ilia swallowed, following her gaze. In front of her was a wall of dusty boulders, the collapsed cavern of... well.
"...I... I guess I should say something, huh?"
"In all my loops across Remnant and the multiverse, I have been many things," Weiss began. "I have been a creature of ice. I have been a knight of the Jedi. I have been a witch of Slytherin. I have been a weapon of soul. I have been an angel of protection..."
She took a moment to brace herself.
"...and I have been a goddess of death."
Ilia's breath hitched, her skin going a faintly pinkish white.
"...I cannot bring them back," Weiss said softly. "Not truly. I can summon them for a visit, here, where they died, and even then... even then, they can only remain for a short time, an hour, maybe two. They are not of this world anymore, if they stay too long, they'll suffer. And it could attract the attention of the brothers, and it might upset the balance of the world, and perhaps even-"
"No, I-I understand, I get it, it's..." Ilia shook her head, fighting back tears. "Even if it's just to say goodbye, I... I never expected... a variant loop maybe, but this-Give, give me a moment, I can't..."
Weiss did her the favor of keeping her gaze averted as she tried to collect herself.
"...The others. The other loopers, I know they-they have people they've lost." Ilia cleared her throat, forcing her flesh to tan, even as her freckles went blue. "Have you ever-?"
"I've offered," Weiss replied, quietly. "I won't say whether any of them took it. It's a very personal question and... and there are limits to this power."
"Of course there are..."
"...I must warn you not to expect me to do this all the time. I... don't want this to become a mirror of Erised situation, where you are stuck pining for ghosts-"
"I won't," Ilia promised. "I've moved on... I have," she admitted, in quiet amazement. "I've actually moved on, haven't I? A new family... a, a happy place in the loops... It still hurts, but it's not... it's not as intense. Even standing here, even with what you're offering, and I want what you're offering, I... I don't need it, do I?"
Weiss let out a low breath. "No. Still..."
"...still." Ilia nodded, wiping away her tears, her eyes and freckles pink. "Still... a chance to say goodbye. To tell them where I am now... I... Thank you. Really. I... just... thank you."
Weiss inclined her head, drawing Myrtenaster. "At your call."
Ilia nodded, taking a deep breath and steadying herself. "...Okay. Okay... okay. I'm... ready, now."
The tip of the blade hit the ground.
Two pale figures shimmered into existence.
"...Hey... hey, mom and dad..." Ilia didn't even bother to blink away her tears. "I... I've got a lot to tell you."
[-]
170.6 Masterweaver
[-]
The Atlas Problem
"With the launch of this mobile communications tower and tensions down in Mantle, I think there's a lot of good your teams can do here-" Ironwood's speech was cut off by a beep, and he put a finger to his ear. "What? Already? Here? No, it's fine, let him land. I'll deal with him myself."
Qrow quirked an eyebrow. "More Mantle problems?"
"No." Ironwood looked up as a fairly unique airship approached. "This one's an Atlas problem."
Ruby's own eyes trailed the airship-so similar to Winter's, but lacking her bannerets-and sighed at the general's words. A quick glance back at her partner confirmed her suspicions, and in a flash of rosepetals she had moved back to her team.
Weiss started out of her sudden despondency as Ruby clasped a hand in both of hers. "Ruby-"
"No matter what you decide, we'll stand with you," Ruby assured her. "But you don't have to do this now if you don't want to."
Her partner looked up to the sky as the airship came in for an approach. Then she shook her head. "...Thank you, Ruby, but... This is something I have to do. For myself, if nothing else."
"...Okay." Ruby nodded, putting on a cocky grin. "But I reserve the right to heckle the hell out of him."
Weiss gave an amused huff, one that quickly died as they started toward the landing pad. "Ruby, I appreciate it, but... I don't want you in danger."
"Weiss, the immortal witch queen of the Grimm is hunting me for my eyeballs."
"Different kind of danger, Ruby..."
Ironwood took a step in front of the fancy airship as it landed, team RWBY at his back and JNR standing with Qrow further away. The ramp of the ship extended and the doors had only just begun to open when the raving began.
"So let me get this straight, James. In addition to this nonsensical embargo of yours crippling my business, you've also decided you have the authority to commandeer private property?" Jacques stormed down the ramp, jabbing an angry finger at the general. "When the Council hears about this, you will never-!"
"Actually, I've already informed them," James replied cooly. "As this is now the site of a classified military operation, it didn't even require a vote."
"Didn't require a vote?!"
"Weiss," Ruby asked in an undertone, "why does his mustache look like some sort of drunken eagle?"
Weiss managed to choke back her snort. "What?"
"Like it's spread its wings and I can see it's not keeping its feathers straight even though it's trying... maybe he has a moth glued to his lip?"
"You might want to brush up on Council law before you lose this upcoming election, Jacques. Now, I've allowed you to land here once as a courtesy," James told the man. "The next time, it won't be a friendly reception."
Jacques glowered at him. "Lately, you seem to forget who your friends really are. I'm going to get that council seat, James, and maybe then you'll-"
His eyes fell on Weiss. For a moment, they were shock still, staring at each other.
"I read somewhere dinosaurs can't see you if you don't move," Ruby whispered reassuringly to Weiss. "And he is pretty old, right?"
Whatever Weiss's reaction would have been, Jacques recovered first, stalking toward them with a brief glare at the general. "You... you roped my missing daughter into these schemes of yours, too?" He spun on Ironwood, sneering. "How long has she been back in Atlas? Did Winter know about this?!"
"It was my decision to come here!" Weiss interjected, stepping forward. "Just like it was my decision to leave." She crossed her arms with an annoyed scowl. "Or have you forgotten all about that?"
Jacques sneered down at her. "If you think I'm one to forget anything, girl, then you've misjudged the man your father is."
Weiss gave him a flat look. "Believe me, I know exactly the kind of man you are."
"Excuse me," Ruby said quickly, "I just want to clarify. Did you or did you not disown Weiss?"
Jacques glowered at her. "I don't see how it's any business of yours."
"Oh, well, it's just that if you disown her then legally speaking you are not her father anymore and therefore have no authority as such," Ruby explained politely. "Therefore any action you conduct with Weiss as a participant must be interpreted as an interaction between citizens and responded to as considered appropriate by the citizens around said interaction." She took a bullet casing from her belt and started examining it idly. "I'm certain you know about that, or rather, that you should, as you are the one who disowned her, and would not do so without a full comprehension of the consequences of your actions."
Everyone stared at Ruby for a moment or two. She simply continued to analyze her ammunition.
"I... disinherited Weiss," Jacques said finally. "I did not disown her."
"Are you certain?" Ruby asked. "Because you did seem to forget her prior decisions just now, and before you were rather confused on council regulations... are you sure you're well?" Her voice took on a worried tone. "I've heard memory is the first thing to go in old age..."
Jacques narrowed his eyes. "And who, exactly, are you?"
"My word." Ruby turned to Weiss, her face a mask of sympathy. "Weiss, he doesn't even remember me. I think he might be going senile."
The corner of Weiss's lips twitched. "It wouldn't be a surprise."
Jacques growled. "How dare you speak to me that way?! I have half a mind to-"
"Half a mind to what, Jacques?" asked Ironwood.
The man paused, glancing around for a moment, before composing himself. "You know... your mother was devastated when you left," he began with unnerving calm. "Didn't leave her room for days. You know how... she gets... when she's upset."
Ruby didn't even need to look at Weiss to know the pain that was crossing her face. She could feel in the small way her stance lost its firmness, could see it in the twisted satisfaction hidden in the crook of Jacques' mustache. The bullet she was holding went right back into its slot, and the urge to charge forward and destroy the creature in front of her was held back only by the need of her friend.
Jacques turned back toward Ironwood, allowing himself a satisfied smile. "I knew one day you would overextend your reach. I didn't come here to beg for an abandoned mine."
A brief motion of surprise, and the return of a confident poise, made Ruby glance over to Weiss curiously... and smile as she saw Blake taking her hand with a small nod, Yang stepping up next to her. This expansion might have assaulted the soul of her team, but her team stood together even now... something she was truly grateful for.
"I came here to thank you for personally handing me the noose to hang you," Jacques finished with a smirk. "You'll regret this."
"Threatening the leader of the strongest army on the planet," Ruby noted quietly. "You know, maybe he really is going senile..."
Her partner hummed thoughtfully, even as the old man turned back toward her and swept his eyes across the group.
"So these are the little friends you threw everything away for?"
Weiss shook her head. "Not friends." She shared a look with Ruby, before staring right into his face. "Family."
Jacques took them in one more time, before humming and stalking back to his ship.
"Can I get one more shot in?" Ruby murmured to Weiss.
Her partner watched the man walking up the ramp and took a moment to brace herself. "...make it count."
"Oh I will." Ruby schooled her face to be as bright, cheerful, and warmhearted as the tone of her voice. "Have a good day, mister Gele!"
Jacques whipped around, clearly about to say something, but whatever it would have been was cut off when the doors to his airship snapped shut. Weiss sagged in relief as the ship started to take off, giving Ruby an exasperated look. "You were dancing on the edge that whole time, you know."
"Was I?" Ruby asked innocently as a truck drove onto the recently vacated landing pad. "I do it so often, I sometimes don't notice."
The door to the truck opened, revealing Winter-of all people!-glaring up at the ship as it flew off.
"Oh now you show up Winter," Weiss quipped, amused. "You just missed father."
Winter rolled her eyes as she stepped out. "I wouldn't say I missed hi-"
Something slammed into the ground between them, blowing back team RWBY-though Ruby recovered quickly and jammed Crescent Rose into the ground to brace herself against...
...Penny, standing up with a holographic CONGRATULATIONS! arcing between her arms?
"Surprise!" Penny decreed brightly.
"...This isn't about us scaring off Jacques, is it," Ruby deadpanned.
"Uh..." Penny glanced at the group on the ground, then at her superiors, letting the hologram flicker out of existence. "I... did not think that was what was happening, no..."
Ruby pulled Crescent Rose out of the ground and stood up, helping her teammates out of their tangle. "See, now I'm torn. On the one hand I want to keep snarking about Jacques, on the other I don't want to put aside whatever it is that has Penny so eager."
"Why do you want to keep snarking about him?" Weiss asked as she stood.
"Well, cause he's horrible," Ruby replied simply. "I kind of hope it turns out he's working for Salem, cause then I'll have a legal reason to kill him."
"Ruby!"
"I wouldn't do it without your permission," Ruby reassured her.
Weiss gave an exasperated sigh. "Ruby..."
"I'm afraid I couldn't allow that," Winter said, straight-faced. "I believe I would have the stronger claim."
"Winter!" Weiss objected, trying to keep a smile off her face.
"I think we'd be willing to collaborate on this project," Blake suggested in a mild tone.
"I hear the cold of Solitas can kill in a matter of hours!" Yang offered with a grin.
Weiss threw up her hands. "You are all horrible people and you should be ashamed of yourselves."
"Should be, yes. Are...?" Ruby waggled a hand with a noncommittal hum.
"Excuse me," Penny interjected, "but are we seriously considering the assassination of an Atlas citizen, or is this a purely theoretical exercise? Because one of those is technically illegal."
"It's a purely theoretical exercise," Weiss explained gently. "We're not going to run off and kill the man."
"Oh. I suppose that is alright..." Penny glanced around. "...is this a social bonding exercise? Should I contribute somehow?"
"It's fine if you do or don't," Ruby assured her, putting a hand on her shoulders. "We're not going to force you to do anything you're uncomfortable with. And, actually, weren't you about to congratulate us for something?"
"Oh yes! Well-" Penny glanced back at the General. "I suppose congratulations are slightly premature. Perhaps by... five minutes?"
"Ten," Ironwood said. "We'll reconvene in Amity Arena then. I have... something I want to do."
[-]
170.7 Masterweaver
[-]
In Which People Are Thrown For Sport: Part The Third
"Our next contestants are perhaps Remnant's most famous star-crossed lovers, Blake Belladonna and Yang Xiao Long."
"Most famous?"
"You must admit, Sun, most people who have heard of our universe are at least tangentially aware of the Bumblebee shippers."
"True, true. Though calling them star-crossed is a little harsh, Weiss."
"Oh?"
"The vast majority of problems in their relationship can be traced back to one particular individual and his psychotic obsession with control and vengeance."
"I suppose that much is true. Yanderes aside, though, Blake and Yang have settled into a quite fond and deep relationship in the loops and are eagerly anticipating the moment their baseline selves make it official."
"And we're all very happy for them. Oh, it looks like they're approaching the judge's table..."
"That is certainly unusual. I do hope they aren't attempting to bribe the-no, apparently they're done."
"Maybe they just wanted to clarify something about the rules?"
"That does seem likely. Sun, how do you rate their chances?"
"Even in baseline, Yang and Blake are quite used to maneuvering each other through long distances. Granted, that's using their weapons which, if I remember correctly, was disallowed from this competition?"
"Yes, weapon-based propellant was barred on the grounds it would make things too easy."
"Which begs the question, Weiss, why is Blake pulling out Gambol Shroud?"
"I'm more interested in the boombox Yang has just-ah. They're setting up a performance."
"Is background music legal?"
"There's nothing in the rules against it. And-ah, Blake is shooting Yang in time with the music."
"Oh, yeah, powering up her semblance for the throw. I can see why they needed that clarified. Though the posing Yang is doing is kind of ridiculous."
"And Blake has set Gambol Shroud aside, and hopped into Yang's hands-an overhead jump-launch, very bold, it requires a lot of coordination."
"And for all the power, the arc kind of neutralizes the distance-"
"-unless Blake uses her semblance to retranslate the direction of her momentum. As she is now doing."
"In time with the music."
"With poses."
"They planned this."
"Indubitably."
"Well at least it's entertaining to watch."
"That it is Sun. Aaaaaand... Blake lands on a single foot just as the music ends."
"How far did she go, Weiss?"
"Checking the replay... ah, it would appear Blake managed to keep up her traversal for a full fifteen point two five meters."
"How much of that was Yang's throw and how much was her own maneuvering?"
"The world may never know. Checking in with our judges and... ah, tens across the board. Except for Fox, who gave an eight."
"To be fair, Fox is blind and is probably grading more off the semblance usage then the poses."
"Very true, Sun, very true. Still, it puts this pair in at a very difficult to beat early lead. This will certainly influence the competition going forward..."
[-]
170.8 SAXiao
[-]
Cooldown
"Is Weiss alright?" Ilia pondered as she sat on an unused SDC crate, while Weiss was doing drifts with Stardust in the icy tundra. Emerald shrugged, even as she cleaned her weapons and sharpened her blades against a whetstone.
"I'd leave her be," Blake commented. "Even the therapist needs a break."
"Stardust away~," Weiss chanted, even as she took off at a snail's pace on an ice sheet.
[-]
170.9 Masterweaver
[-]
The Weight Of Silence
"It goes without saying that this arena holds a significance to all of us," Ironwood began, walking in front of the assembled RWBY and JNR, his voice faintly echoing in the vast dark chamber of Amity Colosseum. "It's only fitting that we should be able to reconvene here. Now. When the world needs to be brought together more than ever."
Ruby's eyes were pulled away from him when Penny, standing off to one side, began bouncing in place with a gleeful smile. She had to fight back a smile as Winter, gently, put a hand on the gynoid's shoulder to moderate the motion.
"The road you traveled from our first meeting hasn't been easy. You fought for your school and your friends at Beacon. You fought for the world and the innocent at Haven Academy and beyond. You faced down terrors people can't even fathom. That's not the behavior of students." The general stopped his walk. "It's the behavior… of Huntsmen and Huntresses."
...oh.
Ruby watched Penny pace in front of them, humming happily and stopping in front of each of them to tap her clipboard scroll. Of all the things to happen in an expansion... this, here... She watched her Unawake friends look at their own scrolls every time they buzzed, their eyes widen at the screen flicker and change. So soon, too, so easily...
"Wait." Ren glanced up. "What is this?"
Winter's voice took a proud tone, matched by the faint curve of her smile. "You are being granted your Huntsman licenses... today."
Penny came to Ruby, at the end of the line, and tapped the final button with a flourish and a wide grin. Ruby already had her scroll out-the flicker of Vale's symbol being replaced by Atlas, of Vale and Beacon's names taken out for the name of the northern kingdom... the word Student becoming Huntress.
"I know this is coming a little ahead of schedule, but Brothers know you deserve it," Ironwood said. "I only regret that I couldn't do something a little more ceremonious for the occasion."
Something she had yearned for, since the beginning, something that could have helped so often, here, in her grasp... in a loop she couldn't pocket anything...
"I..." Ruby sighed. "General, we are of course honored. But we would have helped without-"
"Please. With the threat of Salem still out there and tensions rising in our kingdom, I certainly could use more trustworthy fighters by my side. I should be so lucky to have all of you."
And there it was. And the worst part was, Ironwood was being genuine. Ruby knew the guilt of secrets weighed far lighter on the others then they did on her-doubly so, since she was both their leader and a looper, since she... A glance to her right made it clear how much they felt it, how this-what should have been an accomplishment-was tainted to pale solemnity by their own... by her own decisions.
"It's okay," Ironwood said, apparently misinterpreting their silence and giving them a gentle smile. "It's a big moment. And what better way than to celebrate here? When this tower is ready and communications are back up and running, we'll tell the world about Salem and face down whatever comes at us after that, together."
Ruby shook her head quietly. "I..."
She considered, truly considered just telling him then.
She looked into his face, so alone, hope so carefully hidden.
"...We... need to get there first," she said finally. "There's... a lot that can happen."
"You're right, of course." The general nodded firmly. "One step at a time."
Ruby's eyes fell on the license again. "One... step... at a time."
Ironwood cleared his throat, adjusting his tie awkwardly. "That's… just about all the pomp I have in me. If you'll excuse me, I have to get back to running this operation. Um…" He turned to go, pausing for a moment. "Well, then. Enjoy the cake."
There was cake.
Of course there would be cake.
The one time she couldn't enjoy it, there would be cake.
"Your speech outros are improving, sir!" Penny said encouragingly after him and Winter.
Yang looked at her scroll oddly. "After everything we've been through, I almost forgot this is what I wanted in the first place."
"When Beacon fell, I didn't think this would even be possible," Blake admitted.
Weiss lowered her own new license. "It almost feels trivial now."
"Geez, guys," Qrow said with a laugh, "lighten up a little. Enjoy yourselves for a change. You've earned it."
"Have I?" Ruby murmured, too quietly for even Blake to hear.
[-]
170.10 Masterweaver
[-]
In Which People Are Thrown For Sport: Part The Fourth
"Our next contestants are in many ways the youngest couple of Remnant-and paradoxically, in some ways, the oldest."
"Because one of them is the Anchor?"
"That is one way, Sun. The others are more esoteric and, honestly, I was trying to have a dramatic line."
"Sorry, Weiss, it was too cliche to be dramatic."
"I shall grant you an annoyed harrumph and move on. Anyway, we have the pair of Ruby Rose and Penny Polendina and-oh, I see Penny's opted to use her post-Vytal frame for this competition."
"Isn't that the one with the jetboots?"
"Yes, though I don't think that factors into the decision-from Ruby's choice to wear her cloak over her pajamas, I fully suspect Penny will be the one throwing her."
"There seems to be an issue with the judges, Weiss. They're calling Ruby and Penny over."
"Hmm, yes... ah. It would appear they were not aware of Penny's post-Vytal frame."
"That makes sense, they're not looping."
"It is more pertinent than that, Sun. The debate has shifted from whether or not the frame is baseline to whether or not utilizing a frame that post-dates the Vytal tournament technically counts as using looper powers."
"That's-actually a good question. I can see both sides of the argument..."
"Indeed. Fox has just pointed out that they would need to afford the same post-Vytal allowances for individuals who could not alter their body so easily..."
"...and Ruby's going for the sadface. While wearing pajamas. And hugging Penny, who is much taller than her fifteen-year-old body in this frame."
"Psychological warfare is a potent tactic if used properly. The emphasis here is properly. Fox is clearly immune, and Coco is hiding her reaction behind her sunglasses."
"Oh, Penny's adding the comforting hair-stroking technique. You know, I don't know if I could be able to resist that."
"The only reason I could is my familiarity with the ones doing it, and the fact that my force empathy allows me to detect their emotions. They are very much doing this deliberately even if they don't expect it to work."
"Oh, Yatsu and Velvet seem to have swayed Coco to their side. Now they just have to convince Fox-"
"Ouch. Fox has just pointed out that it's only a game. That could go very interestingly-"
"-and it appears that Fox has caved. You know, that whole performance might well be the most interesting bit of this particular throw."
"Perhaps, Sun, but it's still too early to tell. Oh, that's interesting-Penny is going for an underhand grip, holding Ruby by the knees while Ruby hold onto her wrist. They definitely plan to build up momentum somehow."
"And Penny is lifting one leg-ah, she's pirouetting. Oh, and she activated the rockets on that foot. Weiss, is that legal?"
"Hmmm. Well, it's not legal for the thrown individual to use technology, but given what Blake did with Gambol Shroud it is something of a grey area. Still, Ruby is going to be very dizzy when she's launched."
"Yes she is-oh, and there she goes. And Ruby's using her semblance in short bursts to keep from hitting the ground."
"A very crafty extension of a very powerful throw, though Ruby's dizziness is making her direction somewhat erratic."
"That is definitely going to cost her points. And... oooch. That had to hurt."
"Ruby's recovered from worse tumbles... though not when she's been as dizzy. I can definitely see some scrapes."
"And from the way Penny is rushing over, she can too. Is there a need for a medic?"
"I don't think so. And Ruby seems to be reassuring Penny despite the stream of apologies. While the two are busy making sure the other is alright, why don't we look at the results of the throw?"
"Alright. Checking the replay, it looks like-oh, wow. Ruby hit the ground at twenty-one... point four nine meters. That's actually further than Blake and Yang's throw."
"Quite a bit, that should provide a boost to their score. Which they will definitely need, since none of the judges are scoring them higher than a seven. Fox's four in particular is extremely harsh."
"Ruby was quite erratic during the flight path there..."
"Never attempt sports while dizzy, everyone."
[-]
170.11 Masterweaver
[-]
Batty Old Bird
Maria huffed to herself. "Four darned expansions, and I only really played a role in the first one. What was the point of me looping if I have no real impact?"
A red-clad woman sat down at the table. "Join the club, Tai makes waffles."
"Does he?"
"Yeah. Well, third thursday of every month, anyway. Worth swinging around to Patch for."
"Well, my subspace pocket isn't quite big enough to stash a starship in yet, but I suppose I could pay for an airship to Vale and make my way from there."
The woman quirked an eyebrow. "Most loopers just ask me for a lift."
"They trust a bandit queen right off the bat, do they?"
"Well... no," the woman admitted, "but most of them have been looping longer than I have. The ones that activated with me, we... endured Cinder's Ascension attempt together, and the ones afterward have ties to people who know how to gain my respect. So..."
"Hmm." Maria looked her over. "I did notice your raids becoming less lethal."
"It's a compromise. I don't kill people, the loopers don't attack my tribe." The woman shrugged. "Being in charge is not as easy as it looks, you know."
"Oh, I'm sure."
The red-clad woman glared at the smaller lady. "I don't take guff from anyone, not even a blind old woman."
"Easy there, Branwen." Maria smirked up at her. "I might be a young looper, but I'm also a survivor, you know?"
"Ugh." The woman turned her glower away. "I can see why Ruby likes you..."
"I'm a fascinating individual," Maria agreed. "And you... well. Raven Branwen, Nevermore Queen, Spring Maiden, you've got a lot of mystery about you. But not much patience, I wager."
"Oh, no, you are not doing this."
"Oh I'm doing this."
"You're not going to do this," Raven insisted.
"You're not going to stop me," Maria countered with a grin.
"I am an adult," Raven said firmly. "I do not need some old woman waltzing into my home to teach me 'valuable life lessons.' That is not going to happen!"
"Well, actually, I was planning to troll you with bad singing whenever I'm Awake," Maria admitted. "But the life lesson thing sounds good too."
"No. Don't you dare."
"In fact, I think your whole tribe could use some education."
"Don't you dare, you old hag! Don't you even dare!"
"I'll start drawing up a curriculum right away."
"I will rip your goggles off and crush them!"
"Oh, that could lead to a number of lessons!" Maria replied with a broad grin. "I've already thought of five!"
Raven groaned, putting her head in her hands. "You're just not going to stop until you do this, are you?"
[-]
170.12 FriTik
[-]
Who Said the Cake was A Lie?
"General Ironwood." Ruby got the general's attention. "Can I speak to you?" She glanced around; most people hadn't noticed her approach the General but... "Alone? It's... important."
The cyborg looked a tad confused but gestured for her to lead. She took them to one of the entryways to the arena floor and took a deep breath. "There's something we haven't told you. It's... not exactly a good thing and I refuse to just sit here without saying anything."
The General's brow furrowed. "When you say keeping something from me... what do you mean?"
"There's a reason Ozpin hasn't been around since the train wreck." She started, "He told us that the Relic has already used up its questions but Oscar found out that we could still ask it things. And..." She took a deep breath. "I'm sorry but there is a reason I decided not to tell you in the first place and I need to tell you that what we learned is no way good news. I understand some of the reasons why Ozpin wanted to keep it secret, not the least of which is because it's stressful to know, and with everything else happening I didn't want to give you something else to worry about unless it became an issue."
General Ironwood kept silent for a moment. "Will it interfere directly with my plan to announce Salem's existence?"
Ruby blinked. "No. In fact knowing what I do now, I'd say the plan to reveal her to the world is definitely not something she would want to happen." Salem's immortality meant she had existed for at the very least millennia, if she had kept her existence a secret this long there had to be a reason for it and revealing it would definitely go against whatever her plans were. "It's a good plan and while there are some details I think still need to be discussed," like who exactly should make the announcement as well as making sure the rest of the world was prepared the initial mass of negativity, "what we learned from the Relic shouldn't interfere with it."
Ironwood sighed in... relief? "In that case keep it quiet for now at least. You said you didn't want to give me something else to worry about unless it became an issue. Then I fully expect you to tell me everything when the time is right." Ruby stared. "I said that you were trustworthy, the very fact that you're telling me all this proves that. I'm not sure what exactly you learned or why Ozpin reacted so poorly to it but I know you want to protect people as much as I do. I trust that you'll tell me when the time comes."
"I..." Ruby smiled softly. "Thank you General Ironwood, sir. I promise that the moment it even starts to look like it will cause problems I'll tell you everything we learned."
Ironwood nodded at her. "I believe you have a party to attend?" He gestured.
The cake tasted much better without so many secrets.
[-]
170.13 Masterweaver
[-]
In Which People Are Thrown For Sport: Part The Fifth
"Our next pair consists of Nora Valkyrie and Lie Ren. There will be no points for guessing who is throwing who."
"Well then I won't guess and I'll just pretend to be surprised."
"As you will, Sun. Nora and Ren are the typical childhood friend couple, who spent a long time merely being in each other's presence before actually getting together. Despite seemingly opposed personalities, the degree of trust and understanding they have in each other is extremely heartwarming to witness."
"Have they ever had a real argument Weiss? Like, not just 'Nora don't do that' or 'You don't understand Ren', but real deep arguments?"
"Doctor-patient confidentiality."
"You know, being everyone's therapist makes you terrible for gossip."
"Alas, it is the curse that I must suffer daily. Ah, and Nora has... just stuffed a miniaturized electric generator between her breasts."
"Prffffnkk..."
"Yes, Sun, how very professional."
"Come, come on, Weiss, she has that lightning to strength semblance, that's... that's actually reasonable with that."
"Yes. Oh well, at least it wasn't elsewhere... ah, she has Magnhild out. It looks like we'll be seeing a punt."
"I'm not sure that's legal, Weiss. This sport is about throwing the loved ones, and technically speaking there is no throwing going on here."
"You might be right, Sun, the judges appear to be debating and-oh, Nora has gone ahead and swung anyway."
"Well, that explosive force has sent Ren rocketing through the air. I have to say it's a stunning arc he's cutting."
"Indeed, and-ah, he has regained control of his flight. And...
"Ah, there it is, he's rolled to a stop. He landed a full... seventeen point four six meters away from the launch point."
"Let's go to the judges, and... hmm."
"Yep. The judges have disqualified Nora and Ren on the grounds that Nora did not throw Ren. Can I say I called it?"
"You may, Sun, but it would be extremely rude."
"Honestly, Weiss, given what else we've let pass, this seems rather arbitrary."
"Such is the nature of competitive sports."
[-]
170.14 SAXiao
[-]
Stress Testing
"So Ruby," Jaune asked, "what exactly are we testing again?"
"Oh, just seeing how entertaining a Petra Gigas fights against Terminator Armor," she replied, performing the final calibrations.
"And you're expecting me, an unaugmented human, to fight in this?!" Jaune gulped.
"... good point," Ruby noted, before calling up Penny on her Scroll. "Penny, can I ask for a favor?"
...
"Huh," Merrow exclaimed, as the Terminator's power fist made short work of the rock wall, and the Centinels behind it.
Definitely could use some tuning, Ruby thought to herself, even as the robotic Terminator suit continued its inexorable advance down the path, contemptuously swatting away any Grimm that made the fatal mistake of trying to get close. Behind her, Weiss was rolling her eyes, hoping to test something else out this Loop.
[-]
170.15 Masterweaver
[-]
The Loved and Lost
The party...
Well, alright, the soiree...
...okay it wasn't that fancy. Uh, gathering?
The group interaction involving celebration and a cake had been going on for about twenty minutes now. Penny had sliced the sweetmeat into pieces with her swords, Nora had gathered a whole number of slices on a single plate, balancing them with cartoonish ease. Ruby watched with amusement as Yang held out her mechanical arm for Penny to examine... and pranked her by letting it detach in her grasp.
"She's really gotten used to it now, huh?"
Ruby glanced up at Jaune. "Yep. More used to it then I am to your haircut."
"Wha-" Jaune reflexively brought a hand up. "Hey, I didn't hear you complaining before!"
"It's your hair, you can mangle it how you want."
"Hey..." Jaune frowned. "I... it's not that bad, is it?"
"It's..." Ruby hummed thoughtfully. "I don't know. It feels like Blake's bobcut is a natural evolution from her long hair, since it ties into her new outfit. You, though... I dunno, you look too pristine? We called you tall blonde and scraggly, and now you're just tall and blonde. It's not a bad look, it's just..." She shrugged. "Not exactly a Jaune look. Not yet, anyway. It'll take me a bit to get used to it."
"...Huh. Yeah. I guess it is an abrupt change." Jaune shrugged, turning back to where their teams were interacting. "I guess... what I was trying to say is that for all we've been through, what the Fall of Beacon put us through... it feels strange to say it, but I think we've all gotten over it. That's good, right?"
Ruby shook her head. "It doesn't work like that, Jaune. Even if the scars close and fade, we... we're still going to be feeling the aches all our lives. Not all the time, not as intensely as we did..." She looked at Penny, biting her lip. "I... you know, I knew about Penny before the Vytal tournament. About what she was, she... I think I was her first friend, and she trusted me with that."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. And I told her she was just as real as me-I didn't dodge around the issue, but I didn't make a big deal about it. I realized my friendship with her was important, sure-but it was because I was her first friend. Not the other thing. So, yeah, we would... sneak out to meet each other sometimes. I just thought of it as hanging out, and... I didn't think it could be anything else, until..."
She trailed off for a moment.
"...until that day," Jaune finished.
Ruby pointed. "I was in that service hallway, right there. Fighting to get past Mercury, to warn somebody, anybody. I got out the door right the second that Pyrrha-" She cut herself off for a moment. "...I don't... blame her. I know she didn't mean it, I know-well, Emerald has a hallucination semblance, and I saw the horror on Pyrrha's face, how she froze, but... I thought I'd lost her. I threw myself into the fight because we needed to but..."
She sighed. "Jaune, I... I'm sorry, really. I mean, obviously everyone's happy Penny's back-me especially so, but you-we don't want to downplay what happened with Pyrrha, I don't want to-"
"It's..." Jaune sighed. "It's fine. Like you said, the scars close and fade."
"But the aches don't go away."
"...no. They don't."
"...She'd be proud you're here," Ruby said. "I think she is, actually. I mean, with what we learned from Jinn, we know the afterlife is definitely a thing, and I can't imagine Pyrrha not wanting to check in on you from time to time."
"Heh." Jaune managed a small smile. "I guess she would, wouldn't she."
"Yeah." Ruby hummed to herself. "Well, I've got to set myself up to tease Yang soon."
"What?"
"She and Blake still aren't dating," Ruby explained with a huff. "They look at each other That Way but neither of them are willing to make a move. But trust me, Jaune, very soon, very soon they're going to do something shippy, and then BAM. I pounce." She steepled her fingers with a low, melodramatic cackle. "I will be the best auntie ever."
Jaune rolled his eyes. "You can't force these things, Ruby."
"Don't worry, Jaune, I know what I'm doing."
"I sincerely doubt it."
"Jaune. Did I, or did I not, freeze a Leviathan with laser vision?"
Jaune waggled his hand. "I mean, you encased it in stone, but it was able to break out-"
"Details!"
"And what does that have to do with your sister's-?"
"Shhhshshsh!" Ruby waved him down. "Blake has very good hearing, remember? Extra quiet around her, we want this to be a surprise!"
[-]
170.16 Masterweaver
[-]
In Which People Are Thrown For Sport: Part The Sixth
"Our next contestants have the unique benefit of being married in baseline. Which admittedly does nothing to ensure their athletic abilities, but does mean their bond was all but unbreakable even when they started looping."
"That's right everyone, straight from Kuo Kuana it's Ghira and Kali Belladonna-oh, uh, hmm."
"It would appear one of the judges has had a critical attack of shock. This is an unexpected turn of events."
"So did Velvet faint, or is she just hiding under the table?"
"I suspect both, Sun. Ah, and the rest of the judges are talking to her now..."
"This is actually not something I expected at all, Weiss. Did you expect this?"
"Certainly not. I wonder what could have triggered this reaction."
"Oh gee, I dunno, maybe it has something to do with Ghira?"
"Are you referring to his magnificent beard, his noble bearing, or his impressive musculature?"
"I was more referring to him being the chieftain of Kuo Kuana. Kind of a big deal for some faunus."
"Ah, yes. I suppose he would be an important individual as well as an enrapturing visual spectacle."
"You know I show off my rocking abs too."
"Ghira wears it better. But alas, he is happily married, and I do have quite a few morals."
"...Wow. Weiss you know this conversation is being recorded, right?"
"For the entertainment of those viewing, yes."
"I'm pretty sure Blake will watch this at some point herself."
"As will Kali, I suppose... very well, I apologize for voicing my opinions so publically."
"That... is a very specific sort of wording-"
"Sun, perhaps we should return to the competition. Seeing as the judges have returned to their position."
"Alright, sure. So... Kali is taking up a position behind Ghira."
"Ah, the overhead arc technique. Quite a bit of power, but requires precision to release for a maximized distance."
"Grip on the shoulder and opposite thigh, and I must say that is one smug smile Kali is sporting. Weiss, why do you think... you're staring at his arms."
"And reminding myself of my many, many morals, Sun."
"Right. Okay, well, and Ghira goes for the throw-and OH, that is a long one!"
"Perfect release. Kali's arc is covering quite the distance, both vertically and horizontally... and she does a handspring as she hits, spiraling into a standing position. Wonderful form, indeed."
"Checking the replay, Kali hit the ground at twenty-two point three two meters. Weiss, what do the judges say?"
"Well, it's an interesting spread. Velvet has granted a full ten, while Yatsuhashi has handed out a three. The other two seem to be more average."
"That's an interesting reaction, yeah. You think Yatsu has a reason for his choice?"
"He is a tall man himself, Sun. Perhaps he has a perspective we lack."
[-]
170.17 Masterweaver
[-]
And The Iron Watchers Wept
Vale had a botanical garden this loop. Which wasn't that uncommon, given how invested in trade and growth the kingdom was even in baseline, but with the constant threat of the Grimm beyond the walls and mountains the quality of such an establishment varied by a thousand thousand little factors. This was one of the better ones, with open paths and well-tended flowers. Simple benches lined the way every once in a while, and a small footbridge crossed a burbling stream that fed into a pond with a few floating flowers. And on this bridge stood two girls, standing close to each other and smiling as they watched the ducks.
"It's just a little awkward, is all I'm saying."
"Nobody's forcing you to change frames, Penny."
"I know, and it's not that I... entirely dislike my original frame, but... I really do like this body, and I kind of wish you would shift up to match me-at least on dates."
"I suppose the weird looks are getting kind of much," Ruby admitted. Her form dissolved briefly into a flurry of rose petals before taking the shape and cloth it had obtained after her baseline arrival on Atlas. "I don't know, I guess... I kind of like my Beacon era look. Happier times, you know?"
"Mmm." Penny nodded. "Well, you do pull off black and red very well... but the brown stockings and white sleeves do look good on you." She nudged her with a playful grin. "Really show off your sleek limb muscles."
"Hey!" Ruby protested with a laugh. "I'm not the super-powered gynoid here!"
"No, you're just an ordinary silver-eyed warrior."
"Yep, just a regular bundle of awesome. Totally normal."
"Completely normal," Penny agreed with a teasing smile.
"Absolutely normal," Ruby insisted, trying to keep her lips from twitching.
"Normal knees, normal eyes, normal two-year skip up the chain..."
"Yep, move along, nothing to see here, just a totally normal girl."
"Who happens to be the youngest huntress in history."
Ruby huffed, elbowing her half-heartedly. "Second youngest."
Penny quirked an eyebrow. "...you alright there?"
"I'm-I'm, fine," Ruby tried. "I'm fine, I... look, that duck has black feathers!"
"...is this something you don't want to talk about to anyone," Penny asked, "or just something you don't want to talk about to me?"
Ruby shut her eyes tight. "Penny, I'm not trying to shut you out, really, but we're in the middle of a date and-"
"So it's something to do with me. With... the backup, I'm guessing."
"Penny, please-"
"It's Watts, isn't it?"
Ruby kept her mouth shut but couldn't help a creening, quiet whine.
"Oh, Ruby..." Penny pulled her girlfriend in close with a sigh. "Come here... let it out..."
"I'm sorry, I-I just, Cinder got your blueprints a while ago, and he-" Ruby sniffled. "I don't want it to happen, but it could happen so easily, he could-they already use Emerald, hacking you, it-I don't know what to expect, I don't know when it will happen, but every expansion since we started, I've tried to shove it back but I can't help but worry every time that this, this will be the one, the time he, he, he-"
"Ruby," Penny murmured, "I'm scared too."
"I kind of figured... I just... I didn't want to bring you down." Ruby blinked away a few tears, not taking her head off Penny's shoulder. "I thought, if you weren't talking about it-"
"I've always found it... difficult to talk about my emotions," Penny admitted. "Chalk it up to me being a gynoid, or just... wanting to be a certain person. I... I find it easier, if somebody else starts the conversation. But yes... I am scared. I'm scared that one loop, I'll wake up and find my body moving in ways I don't want it, destroying Mantle, slaughtering people... fighting you... and I won't be able to do anything." She clung to Ruby tighter. "I'm scared I'll be made to kill my father. It's... exactly the kind of cruelty Salem's agents would use."
"Penny-I..." Ruby wrapped her in a tight embrace. "I'm sorry, I... We should have talked about this. I should have... brought it up more openly than I have."
"I know. You like my smile, and... and this isn't something we can smile about."
"It isn't. It... it really isn't." Ruby looked at her. "But... but you seem so calm, though..."
"...I... survived being dismantled once," Penny murmured. "If the worst comes to worst, if I can't fight it off and nobody can stop it, I... I trust you to be able to leave my core undamaged until I can get a new body."
Ruby stiffened.
"...I don't like it either. Not just because of what would happen to me, but... but what I'd be doing to you. To everyone... I..." Penny tried to choke back a sob. "Why... why do people like Watts exist? Tyrian is just crazy, Jacques has a goal, but Watts, he-I don't even know what he wants, he's clearly intelligent but he's working for Salem, out of what, curiosity? I... I can't..."
"I don't know," Ruby murmured. "I don't know, Penny. All I know... all I know is that I love you, and if he does anything to you I will-I'll make sure we fix it. Together."
Penny heaved a wet laugh. "I know, I know... but... I'm still scared, Ruby. I'm still so scared."
"...I am too."
[-]
170.18 Masterweaver
[-]
It's Official
"Hey Ruby! Come check this out!"
Ruby zipped past her sister, looked up, and... frowned for a moment. "Um. It's... a mission board?"
"Connected to the Atlas Network and accessed via licensed Scrolls!" Penny confirmed with a grin.
"Oh, it's an app now! That's nifty." Ruby nodded to herself... and then suddenly gasped. "Oh RIGHT! We're huntresses now, we can do this stuff legally!"
Blake snorted. "And get paid for it, even."
"Oh, that's going to be a big change," Ruby agreed unironically. "Ride a Megoliath... stop an underground crime ring? Oooo, I could go undercover!" She flipped up her hood and swathed herself in her cloak, turning to the rest of them. "Bonjour, madamz, Vi am zee laydee Scarleet Spiiqflowra. Do you know zee vay to zee blaque marque'? Vi only azqe to avoid zuch a vorrible plaze, of quorse..."
Penny covered her giggle with a hand. "Oh, I wouldn't know, miss Spikeflower! I too avoid such places!"
"Ah, tiz good to zee today'z youz vave zuch ztronq moralez!"
Weiss pinched the bridge of her nose, trying to keep her amusement out of her voice. "You really need to work on the accent."
"Hey, do you guys smell that?" Marrow asked, sniffing dramatically as he led Elm and Vine up to the party. "Smells like... fresh meat."
Ruby revealed herself with a smirk. "Yeah, uncle Qrow forgot to shower this morning."
"Hey!" came the obligatory amused protest.
"Quick on your feet and with your wits," Marrow noted with an amused grin.
Vine sniffed the air thoughtfully. "That's odd... I don't smell meat."
"Neither do I," Ren admitted.
"It's a metaphor," Ruby deadpanned. "Vine, you're in the military, you really haven't ever encountered that saying before?"
Vine shrugged quietly.
Elm shook her head, bemused. "Let me get this straight. You've only been official for an hour now and you're already looking for Huntsman work?"
"To be fair," Weiss corrected as she checked her scroll, "we've been official for a full..." Her voice trailed from confidence to disappointment. "Fifty-seven minutes."
"And it's not like we weren't huntresses before anyway," Ruby added. "I mean, we were doing proper huntressing unsupervised back at Beacon. Gathering intel, developing countermeasures, nearly capturing the woman who attacked the tower, all the license really changes is that we can actually get paid for doing what we were doing already."
Yang rolled her eyes. "It does change a little more than that, Ruby."
"Yeah, we won't get overzealous Atlas prettyboys throwing gravity bolas at us anymore either."
"Hey!" said Marrow indignantly.
"You're right," Ruby apologized, "I should be gender inclusive. Prettyfolk."
Elm bellowed a laugh. "You're never going to let that go, are you?"
"Already have," Ruby assured her. "So, how does this doohicky work anyway?"
"I'd like to remind you all that the real mission here is ensuring the launch of the communications tower," Vine admonished.
"True," Ren allowed, "but we can also keep training and improving by helping where we can."
"And what's the use of a communications tower if we don't have people who want to communicate?" Ruby asked philosophically. "So long as it gets up in the air, it doesn't matter how long it takes."
"That's... an interesting viewpoint," Vine mused.
"Alright, let me show you how this thing works." Marrow scrolled down the mission board, humming thoughtfully as he noticed an Escort mission. "Ooo, here's an important one. Who wants to volunteer?"
Ruby watched the rest of her friends raise their hands eagerly. "And three, two, one..."
"We need someone to escort children to pre-primary school down in Mantle. There's not actually any danger, but the parents fret, and that attracts Grimm-"
"Whoa, hold on, what?!" Ruby snapped to the board in an instant. "Things are bad enough in Mantle that kids going to school attracts Grimm?!" She spun around, noticing that everyone but Jaune had half-lowered their hand. "Okay, you know what, this is horrifying. Jaune, I expect you to do your best to keep those kids safe!"
"Uh-"
"I'm serious. No, you can do better than keep those kids safe, you-you can be cool big brother Huntsman," Ruby said firmly. "The rest of us all have guns and swords but you've got a shield, and armor. Those kids will probably think you're awesome just looking at you, and you can throw in stories about how you grew up with seven sisters to reassure the ones that feel like they'll never measure up that they can be somebody. You know?"
"...actually, yeah," Yang agreed. "Reassuring the kids will reassure the parents, and that'll keep negativity down. Just, uh, don't do that 'suave' thing you tried to do when you first got to Beacon, cause it was really, really dumb. Kids are young and inexperienced, not stupid."
"...Okay." Jaune nodded. "Alright, I guess... I'm the kid-friendly kid protector. Yaaaaaay."
Ruby smiled fondly. "Keep the nightmares at bay."
"Alright!" Marrow looked between Ruby and Jaune oddly, but put him down for the mission anyway. "That's settled, I guess..."
"NEXT!" Elm declared, knocking him aside and swiping the mission board down before she slapped a Search and Destroy mission. "A massive Sabyr is loose in the Mantle sewers! We need two brave warriors to flush it out!"
"I guess I could use a little busywork," Ruby replied with a casual shrug.
[-]
170.19 Masterweaver
[-]
In Which People Are Thrown For Sport: Part The Seventh
"Our penultimate competitors certainly know each other in baseline, but their relationship is one that developed rather unexpectedly in the loops. Qrow Branwen and Winter Schnee's romance is certainly one of the more antagonistic ones I have known, equal parts sniping at each other and comforting each other."
"Weiss, do you think it could happen in baseline?"
"Unlikely... but possible. The sequence of events that led to their relationship in the loops was rather... unique. I suppose with Qrow cleaning himself up a bit there's a chance, though Winter probably would not take it if not for outside emotional duress."
"Yeah, honestly, I'm surprised the two of them have stuck it out this long."
"Never underestimate the power of fire-forged friendships, Sun. And our competitors are approaching the throwing position and Qrow has just turned into a bird."
"Is that legal?"
"Well, the Equestrian ruleset does factor in wings as gliding enhancements, so as long as he doesn't flap-"
"I meant turning into a bird at all, that's technically not his semblance."
"Indeed, the judges are calling for them to stop. Well, Coco is. Yatsuhashi is pinching his brow, Velvet seems rather astonished, and Fox appears to be in the throes of laughter."
"Well, the pair are headed over to the table. I guess they learned from Nora and Ren-check before you throw, just in case you're disqualified."
"It would appear that the question over whether Qrow can be thrown in his avian form is at the center of this debate. It is baseline, but it is also technically magic."
"Huh, yeah. With Penny as precedent, I would be leaning toward the bird option..."
"True, but Winter has yet to take Qrow out on a date while he is in full avian form."
"Is that a technicality that actually applies to this situation?"
"Actually yes. The results of the fifth Significant Other Sling rule modification convention specifically states that if a shapeshifter of any type is part of the relationship, they can only take forms they have taken during explicitly romantic and/or sexual interactions with their partner."
"...I sometimes forget just how weird the ponies can get."
"Consider this a reminder, Sun. And it has been determined by the judges that Qrow is not allowed to retain the vast majority of his avian features for the throw. However, he can technically have a bird head."
"That would make him slightly more aerodynamic."
"That it would. Winter and Qrow are now approaching the starting position, getting ready for throw."
"You know, Weiss, I think I've seen Grimm with smiles just like the one Winter has on right now."
"I would not be surprised. Ah, and I see Winter is choosing to use a summon to do the throwing. A beowolf, it seems."
"We are just pushing the boundaries of the rules with this whole thing, aren't we?"
"That we are. The summon has Qrow by his cape-oh, an underhand overarc! That's incredible, I have to say."
"Qrow is leaning into the throw and-Oh. Ouch."
"Ouch indeed. Beak-first into the ground. According to the replay he... oh. Wow."
"What? Oh. Thirteen point six nine meters. That... yikes, I think that's the shortest throw yet."
"And the judges are giving them a three-to-seven point spread there. Well, that may not go over well with some people, but..."
"Yeah, this one was completely bungled."
"I suppose it was."
[-]
170.20 Solomongrndy
[-]
Cookies to the rescue
Roman had been waiting for a loop like this, one in which he Awoke right around the start of the loop, but Ruby wasn't. It wasn't anything incredibly important, just a trick he wanted to try. He had stolen Summer's secret cookie recipe several dozen loops prior when he had Awoken early enough to do so.
He saw one of his thugs get launched out the window and before Ruby could go further he unpocketed a cookie, one he had specially prepared for this, still warm from out of the oven thanks to a preservation spell. He then used his sleight of hand to shove it in Ruby's mouth.
"Here kid, have a cookie and calm down."
Ruby went still as a statue save for munching on the cookie.
"Now, I've just decided that I'm done with this kinda business, I don't like the future prospects. So, we'll leave peacefully, and be on our way. And you can have another cookie." Roman unpocketed another cookie and handed it to her while he directed his henchmen out of From Dust 'til Dawn.
Just as he was about to turn the corner and disappear, Ruby caught up with him.
"Wait! where did you get those cookies? I've never found anything like Mom's before, did you know her?"
Roman smiled. "I knew her, once upon a time."
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Ruby Awoke in what was obviously a hideout with Neo for company.
"It's good to be Awake, though I'm feeling a little Loopy, what about you, Neo?"
"..." Neo gave her a flat stare like she was crazy.
"Heh, disregard that, I guess, is Roman around?" She pinged and got one response just as Roman walked in the door.
"Well, I guess Little Red is finally Awake." Roman turned to Neo. "We need to have a little talk, if we could have some privacy, please? I'll tell you anything pertinent later, ok?"
Neo nodded and left.
"So, Ruby, did you know that you would turn to a life of crime if given cookies?"
"What?" Ruby checked her in-loop memories and saw that Roman had bribed her and made her miss her opportunity to join Beacon early and had then taken her under his wing, much to Neo's jealousy.
[-]
170.21 thesilverdreamer
[-]
Leaving Early
About halfway through the party, Ruby sidled up beside Weiss. Weiss was absently poking at her cake.
"Sup?"
"Hm? Oh...nothing."
"Jacques isn't getting to you?"
"Certainly not." Weiss frowned. "Maybe a little," she admitted. "I...I know he was almost definitely lying, and she probably didn't notice I was even there in the first place, but if she did..." She tapped her fork against the plate. Ruby was looking at her expectantly. Weiss sighed. "Cover for me?"
"You got it."
Weiss stepped behind the stands and vanished with a crack!
And reappeared in the halls of the manor. It was quiet and dark, but light came from the crack under the door to the library. Weiss reached for the doorknob and heard a gasp.
Klein looked at her wide-eyed with shock but true to form did not drop the tea tray he was carrying. "How are you here, why did you-"
Weiss cursed under her breath and gestured. "You didn't see me."
"I didn't see you..."
"You forgot something in the kitchen."
Klein blinked, and frowned. "Ah, goodness, I forgot the sugar."
As he started walking away, Weiss added, "You're doing a fantastic job."
Klein straightened. "Well, I do all I can."
It did a little to ameliorate her guilt for using mind tricks on Klein.
She turned back to the door, and slowly pushed it open. Within, a woman with white hair raised her head. Weiss' heart ached.
"Hello, mother."
[-]
170.22 Masterweaver
[-]
In Which People Are Thrown For Sport: Part The Eighth
"Our final pair of contestants have never met in baseline, but seem to have settled into an amicable relationship in the loops. Emerald Sustrai and Ilia Amitola."
"Yeah, nobody really expected it even after they started looping, you know?"
"It is something of an ironic juxtaposition. Both had troubled childhoods surrounded by uncaring peers and found solace in goal-oriented people of questionable morality, each coming with strings attached that were unseen until later. Yet Ilia had support throughout her life and eventually returned to morality, while Emerald was alone throughout her existence with not even her savior truly caring for her beyond her use as a tool."
"She does show signs of wanting to break out of her bad place, though. And that's just baseline. In the loops she's become... well, I wouldn't exactly call her a 'good person,' but she's at least somebody who's comfortable asking for help instead of taking it."
"Very true, Sun. As to their physical capabilities, they are both very much in the acrobat slash rogue sort of athletic family. I would wager, however, that Emerald would be the one throwing-her weapons require more arm strength, and Ilia is both lighter and, shall we say, more capable of adjusting in midair."
"By which you mean she's flexible."
"Yes, thank you Sun."
"Not a problem Weiss. The contestants are approaching the throwing position now, and-oh, it looks like they're going for an actual sling, Emerald is holding Ilia by her side."
"That is a very unusual grip, I must admit. All the other contestants have gone for front hold or back hold, this might impact the actual throw."
"Emerald is taking a few preparatory swings, and Ilia seems to be concentrating. Okay, I think this is-oh, OH!"
"That was clever, that was very clever. Did that get in the recording?"
"I'm checking now, Weiss-yes, yes it did. For those of you who didn't see it, the moment Emerald let her fly Ilia actually kicked one foot off her to set herself into a twirl through the air."
"Not only an elegant maneuver, but one that should increase the distance Ilia goes due to basic physics. And she decided to rapidly shift the color of her skin midflight, that will earn her style points."
"Indeed, that's a range eight to nine from the judges. Couple that with the... eighteen point seven two meters she traveled, and that's quite an impressive throw!"
"And now for final scoring, we shall average out each participant's style points and multiply by the length of their throw. And... hmm."
"In third place, which is very surprising given their early lead, are Yang Xiao Long and Blake Belladonna. They had a number of style points but their throw distance was average overall."
"In second place, by virtue of the longest throw, are Kali and Ghira Belladonna. An average spread of style points, perhaps if more thought had been given to their form..."
"And in first place, surprising everyone, Emerald Sustrai and Ilia Amitola. That spin kick did them wonders-a higher than average throw coupled with good style points."
"This has been Let's Get Sporting. We've been your hosts, Weiss Schnee and Sun Wukong. Tune in next time when, honestly, we have no plans whatsoever."
"I kind of liked this, Weiss, you think we could co-commentate on a game of Remnant Ball some time?"
"Perhaps, Sun. Perhaps."
[-]
170.23 Masterweaver
[-]
The Secrets Of The Multiverse
Maria leveled a flat look at the inverted ginger hanging before her.
"Wanna know the best part?" Nora beamed. "I can do this in baseline."
"Really."
"Well, kinda. It's a little variable, but there's the part in the V5 theme song where I'm inexplicably hanging from the ceiling, and we don't a hundred percent get everything from the theme songs when the expansions hit but it's not uncommon to get weird stuff from variants where the theme songs are more real-"
"So this isn't baseline."
Nora crossed her arms. "Yes it is."
"No it isn't, you just said."
"Yes it is!"
"No, it isn't."
"Yes! It! Is!"
"Nooooooo it isn't."
"YES IT IS!"
"Yes it is."
"NO! IT! ISN'T!"
"Glad we agree."
Nora opened her mouth, paused, rewound through the last few seconds mentally, and snapped her fingers. "Darn it. Duck season. How did you learn that trick?"
"...What does duck season have to do with anything?" Maria asked.
"You know, duck season rabbit season? Loony Tunes? Bugs Bunny?"
Maria's goggles ratcheted through a blink.
"Okay." Nora hopped off the ceiling. "We're getting you a crash course in cartoons and toon vocabulary. It'll help you understand Ruby, if nothing else."
[-]
170.24 Masterweaver
[-]
Small Details
"A Summer secret."
Ruby sat cross-legged in front of a familiar gravestone, folding her arms with a huff.
"Because of course nothing can be clear," she grumbled. "Because of course, you've got your own life, separate from the conspiracy of Ozpin. And I know, I just know, that's about as far as I'm going to ask. Because with everything going on in Atlas..."
She sighed, rubbing her forehead. "Sorry, I... I'm just, secrets, secrets, and more secrets. It's all going to blow up, Mom, I just know it. There's going to be another damned Fall of Beacon, everyone is going to fling accusations at each other, and sure we'll pull together in the end but... but why is it that every world goes through turmoil? Is it just a side effect of the multiverse being broken? Or... I don't know, it just..."
Ruby flung her hands out. "Nobody saw you die, nobody's seen your body, and now your last mission is some personal thing that not even Oz has a clue about? I know this pattern, Mom! And the stupid thing is, I'm not going to get confirmation until suddenly I do, but it's going to be stuck in the back of my head! I... okay, so this isn't really..."
For a moment, the area was silent.
"...It's all so tangled," Ruby murmured. "All so tangled and unclear. Just when I think I've got a grasp of it all, there's another thread. There's still some stuff from back when the loops began that hasn't been answered. I'm supposed to keep this stable, I'm supposed to stay stable, but... how can I? I know, I know, I've got my friends, my family, I... I know that when the bout of expansions end, I'll be relieved and things will make a sort of sense again, but I also know that some of my questions won't be answered."
She put a hand on the stone. "Look... whatever happened, I... yeah, I'll be upset when it comes out. I'll still listen, though. And I hope... I hope we'll be able to... figure things out. Together." A sigh escaped her lips. "Just... if you are dead. Really, truly dead... don't tease me like this, okay? Let me know, as soon as you can. I know you don't have any control over it. It's the tree, not you... still."
Her hand dropped to the ground. "Still."