deerington inbox
eventually there'll be a gif here
[After getting Emerald pretty fucking drunk late last month and finding a certain something out, it had still taken her the better part of a month to track him down on the network. Qrow wasn't exactly the most ... public of figures, was he? She could appreciate that.
But, one day. He'd get a text message rather out of the blue.]
So, "Tai." Needed to have a little chat.
Well, in so far as I ever have a chat with anyone.
Got a favor you could do for me, "Tai" and I'm pretty sure you'll say yes.
[By the by, Qrow, you're "Tai" now until you introduce yourself properly, because she can be a snarky one.]
But, one day. He'd get a text message rather out of the blue.]
So, "Tai." Needed to have a little chat.
Well, in so far as I ever have a chat with anyone.
Got a favor you could do for me, "Tai" and I'm pretty sure you'll say yes.
[By the by, Qrow, you're "Tai" now until you introduce yourself properly, because she can be a snarky one.]
[....well, those quotes pretty much tell him the jig is up. it's unfortunate, but his affiliation with the girls is not a particularly well-kept secret. That's fine, though; hiding his identity served its purpose while he was vulnerable. And even if it's more difficult to keep track of her if she knows, well. He hasn't been a spy for twenty years for nothing.]
that so?
maybe you can start with who you think i am, and then we'll see about favors, neopolitan
that so?
maybe you can start with who you think i am, and then we'll see about favors, neopolitan
[Varian's not always the best at reaching out to people, but as honest as he and Ruby try to be with one another, he knows this whole... month has hit her hard. He's been worried about her, and more to the point, he understands that... a whole lot of everything will have been dumped on her family in one fell swoop. He doesn't know how much Ruby's clan knows about what he's done. He's pretty sure up-front asking if they know he tried to kill her probably isn't wise. He'll just... ease into this. ]
Uh... hey. How are you guys holding up? I checked up on Ruby already, but I figured I'd better check in on you guys too. There's no way last month could have been easy for any of you.
Uh... hey. How are you guys holding up? I checked up on Ruby already, but I figured I'd better check in on you guys too. There's no way last month could have been easy for any of you.
[....ah. Admittedly, he'd somewhat lost track of this kid among all the chaos. So he appreciates the text, when he gets it. Ruby's been through enough, she doesn't need something happening to someone she cares about on top of what happened to her.]
well enough, under the circumstances
no other major injuries or anything
[He even stayed sober, despite at least one very close call. But he doesn't share that part.]
how about you?
well enough, under the circumstances
no other major injuries or anything
[He even stayed sober, despite at least one very close call. But he doesn't share that part.]
how about you?
[On the 15th, sometime after talking to Ruby, all three of them having been de-aged, there was a package left on the doorstep of Qrow and Clover's place with a big note in pink letters with smiley faces all over it. The doorbell has been run, but by the time anyone gets there, they've scampered off with a silent giggle.]
Rubes said you liked these so I got you as many as I could find!
Hope you like them. I worked really hard to get them!
-Neo
[Uh. She might have pilfered someone's stand full of purple grapes to get this many, because there are easily ten bunches of grapes in a basket here. At least. Neo ... was a very precocious crook in her youth.]
Hope you like them. I worked really hard to get them!
-Neo
[Uh. She might have pilfered someone's stand full of purple grapes to get this many, because there are easily ten bunches of grapes in a basket here. At least. Neo ... was a very precocious crook in her youth.]
[...she vaguely remembered something about leaving a basket full of stolen grapes on Qrow's doorstep the other day with a note that she wanted him to have all the grapes.
She was going to just pretend that day never happened, thank you very much. However, early into September a gift basket of her own had shown up on her counter, and... well... yeah.]
Qrow, when you have a minute I want to talk.
I have something I want for you to have.
This is actually a little important.
She was going to just pretend that day never happened, thank you very much. However, early into September a gift basket of her own had shown up on her counter, and... well... yeah.]
Qrow, when you have a minute I want to talk.
I have something I want for you to have.
This is actually a little important.
[....yeah, that grape basket definitely wasn't super awkward or anything. He definitely didn't throw any of those away out of paranoia that he was being tricked. Nope. None of that ever happened.]
appreciate the advance notice this time but i really don't need anymore fruit thanks
[okay, maybe he's willing to acknowledge it happened a little. to be a sarcastic little punk about it, anyway.]
appreciate the advance notice this time but i really don't need anymore fruit thanks
[okay, maybe he's willing to acknowledge it happened a little. to be a sarcastic little punk about it, anyway.]
voice | un: cariboy (backdated to the evening of Qrow's hike with Jon)
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
spiritwalks
2020-09-12 12:49 am (UTC)(link)
Hey, Qrow. How're you holding up?
[ His words are calm and steady...but Vyng doesn't bother hiding the quiet concern behind his question. ]
[ His words are calm and steady...but Vyng doesn't bother hiding the quiet concern behind his question. ]
Huh?
[It takes him a minute to piece together just why the man is asking; not because he's forgotten about the panic attack he'd had in front of Jon on the mountain, but because he hadn't realized Vyng had seen it. Even hypervigilance only goes so far when your field of vision tunnels to just yourself and the person who unintentionally set you off, after all.]
Oh. Yeah, I'm fine. Just a rough moment. You know how Deerington is.
[This is blatantly bullshit. That freakout had nothing to do with Deerington at all. But he doesn't expect Vyng to call him on it.]
[It takes him a minute to piece together just why the man is asking; not because he's forgotten about the panic attack he'd had in front of Jon on the mountain, but because he hadn't realized Vyng had seen it. Even hypervigilance only goes so far when your field of vision tunnels to just yourself and the person who unintentionally set you off, after all.]
Oh. Yeah, I'm fine. Just a rough moment. You know how Deerington is.
[This is blatantly bullshit. That freakout had nothing to do with Deerington at all. But he doesn't expect Vyng to call him on it.]
Uncle Qrow did you find her
Did you get Ruby out
Did you get Ruby out
they're out yeah
we found them just as they were getting out
still not sure whose luck that is
[You know it's been a rough day when he's willingly making a luck joke to someone who's decidedly Not Clover just to sound like he's calm and in control of the situation.]
we found them just as they were getting out
still not sure whose luck that is
[You know it's been a rough day when he's willingly making a luck joke to someone who's decidedly Not Clover just to sound like he's calm and in control of the situation.]
Text UN: RadRidingHood Shortly after Clovers post to the network group chat
clickclickbloom
2020-10-10 10:24 pm (UTC)(link)
Hey, Uncle Qrow.
Are you doing okay?
Just checking in.
Pretty dangerous lately.
Are you doing okay?
Just checking in.
Pretty dangerous lately.
Hey.
Welcome back.
So other than "not good", how's it going?
Welcome back.
So other than "not good", how's it going?
[The expression "feeling like death warmed over" has never been more appropriate. It takes Qrow a solid ten minutes before he can work his limbs up to reaching for his Fluid on the nightstand after it buzzes.]
ughhhh well
all three of us are alive again so as good as could be expected, i guess
[all. three. :)]
it'll be better once i don't need a trash can next to the bed anymore
how're you holding up
ughhhh well
all three of us are alive again so as good as could be expected, i guess
[all. three. :)]
it'll be better once i don't need a trash can next to the bed anymore
how're you holding up
Edited 2020-10-25 01:27 (UTC)
[ Gerry, all told, is doing much better now that October is over. He’d been in a near-constant state of panic all month, doing his best to avoid the blood and all the memories that came with it. There’s a lot he doesn’t remember from the month — he spent most of it in an exhausted haze of fear — but he does remember that someone saved his life. Gerry thinks he heard the man (who is also a bird?) call himself Crow, and the Qrow on the network seems to be a close enough match.
Gerry wasn’t up for much heartfelt thanks when Qrow met him. He wasn’t exactly present for most of the encounter. But Gerry knows now that if Qrow hadn’t found him, Gerry would most likely be dead. So it’s better to thank him later, rather than never. ]
Hey this is Gerry you saved my life last month
Just wanted to reach out and say thanks since I probably didn’t thank you properly then, sorry about that
Also wanted to make sure you survived the month alright
So thank you and I hope you’re alive
Gerry wasn’t up for much heartfelt thanks when Qrow met him. He wasn’t exactly present for most of the encounter. But Gerry knows now that if Qrow hadn’t found him, Gerry would most likely be dead. So it’s better to thank him later, rather than never. ]
Hey this is Gerry you saved my life last month
Just wanted to reach out and say thanks since I probably didn’t thank you properly then, sorry about that
Also wanted to make sure you survived the month alright
So thank you and I hope you’re alive
[It's been a long month. Honestly, Qrow doesn't really remember who all he might have assisted during that time. Killing monsters was his job as a Huntsman, after all. When he finds a notification on his Fluid from an unknown username, he almost ignores it to go back to sleep, just because he finally can without external assistance.
Still, curiosity has him sitting up in bed to read it.]
heh
survived's a strong term but i'm alive enough
can't say i'm exactly used to getting a lot of thanks for my job, either
don't worry about it
Still, curiosity has him sitting up in bed to read it.]
heh
survived's a strong term but i'm alive enough
can't say i'm exactly used to getting a lot of thanks for my job, either
don't worry about it
[ This small pocket of a moment was in stark contrest to the first half of the month. Here they were safe, warm, and everything was still. It almost made up for the fact they were both both sick as dogs.
Clover wriggled under the pile of blankets until his back was pressed up against Qrow's, needing the feeling of wiry muscle and the warmth of physical contact. The sounds of his shifting in bed was soon followed by the tap tap tap of his thumbs on the screen of his fluid. ]
imagine if you could drop your body off at the gym and pick it up when it’s done. 🤔
Clover wriggled under the pile of blankets until his back was pressed up against Qrow's, needing the feeling of wiry muscle and the warmth of physical contact. The sounds of his shifting in bed was soon followed by the tap tap tap of his thumbs on the screen of his fluid. ]
imagine if you could drop your body off at the gym and pick it up when it’s done. 🤔
[In this liminal space where they are safe and together and, miraculously, alive, the presence of each other is all that's necessary. There are issues that still linger beneath the surface, things they hadn't worked out before the Chill overtook Raven and killed them both, but right now as their bones ached and they felt the burn of fever, it didn't really matter. The waters were still for the moment, and the storms beneath could wait.
Clover's back presses up against his, and he shifts closer, picking up his own Fluid.]
how much cough syrup have you had tonight
i thought you were all about the actual exercising part
[gasp is there a secret couch potato in u clover]
Clover's back presses up against his, and he shifts closer, picking up his own Fluid.]
how much cough syrup have you had tonight
i thought you were all about the actual exercising part
[gasp is there a secret couch potato in u clover]
[He's more than aware that Qrow died. Ruby having a complete emotional meltdown clued him in pretty heavily on that one. Still, this is Ruby's family, not his. He's left them be to deal with their own wounds- work through their own stuff. But he'd be remiss if he didn't check up on Qrow- especially with Yang gone.]
Hey. Checking up on you. October was pretty awful, huh?
Hey. Checking up on you. October was pretty awful, huh?
[It's been awhile. He knows he probably should've checked in on this kid sooner, but it's been a long month and there's been an absurd amount of fires to put out. So when he gets a message from him a couple weeks after coming back from the dead, he's pretty quick to respond.]
somehow completely outdid july, which is almost impressive when you think about it
i'm doing well enough though
[death flu aside, anyway,,,,]
how'd you make out, kid?
somehow completely outdid july, which is almost impressive when you think about it
i'm doing well enough though
[death flu aside, anyway,,,,]
how'd you make out, kid?
[Left outside the house is a dark blue basket. Inside is an associate of tea, chocolates, a box of lemon drops, a bottle of wine and a copy of Charles Dickens, Christmas Carol. A blue Tardis-shaped card attached to the basket says, 'Santa' in silver marker.]
hey.
[The apology seems almost strange to receive; not because he doesn't think she means it, but because it doesn't usually happen. The people who hurt him leave, and that's the end of that. That pattern has only just begun to break in Deerington, as he's slowly reconciled with Oz.]
i know.
[There's a pause, here, an uncertainty. He hasn't talked to her since it happened, but it's hard to forget the last conversation they had before it all went to hell. How he'd said she was one of the people he didn't want to lose. If she still wants to be family....he can't bring himself to shut that door.]
how are you?
[The apology seems almost strange to receive; not because he doesn't think she means it, but because it doesn't usually happen. The people who hurt him leave, and that's the end of that. That pattern has only just begun to break in Deerington, as he's slowly reconciled with Oz.]
i know.
[There's a pause, here, an uncertainty. He hasn't talked to her since it happened, but it's hard to forget the last conversation they had before it all went to hell. How he'd said she was one of the people he didn't want to lose. If she still wants to be family....he can't bring himself to shut that door.]
how are you?
[ Gerry has felt strange all month: like his body isn't really his, like he shouldn't be here, in a deep, existential sort of way. It's a strange feeling, but not necesarily a painful one. Still, it's a little too much like being bound to the skin book, and Gerry does his best not to dwell on it.
It helps to actually use his body -- to do things that are grounded in physical reality. Or, at least, whatever passes for physical reality in Deerington. That's why, about a week into February, he followed up with Qrow about the combat training offer. Thankfully, Qrow accepted.
Now, he's standing outside Qrow's home, a bit unsure of himself. He doesn't really know what to bring to this sort of thing, so he's settled on his most sensible boots and his favorite lighter. Gerry gives the front door a polite little knock, and waits. ]
It helps to actually use his body -- to do things that are grounded in physical reality. Or, at least, whatever passes for physical reality in Deerington. That's why, about a week into February, he followed up with Qrow about the combat training offer. Thankfully, Qrow accepted.
Now, he's standing outside Qrow's home, a bit unsure of himself. He doesn't really know what to bring to this sort of thing, so he's settled on his most sensible boots and his favorite lighter. Gerry gives the front door a polite little knock, and waits. ]
Edited 2021-02-19 16:12 (UTC)
[It's been awhile since Qrow has trained anyone, honestly. He only ever took up the post for Ruby's sake, so when she got into Beacon it just hadn't really been worth the effort of keeping it up. Tai was better with the newbies, anyway; his style was more gentle and patient, less rough around the edges. Qrow was a former bandit, after all.
Still, he'd been serious about his offer, so when Gerry follows up with him, he goes about finding a couple of practice swords (one that...perhaps shouldn't have a blade just yet, but at least isn't a ridiculous gun-blade??) ahead of their planned meeting.
The knock at the door is answered readily, and he raises a hand in a wave before gesturing him to follow.]
Hey. C'mon, I'm set up out back.
Still, he'd been serious about his offer, so when Gerry follows up with him, he goes about finding a couple of practice swords (one that...perhaps shouldn't have a blade just yet, but at least isn't a ridiculous gun-blade??) ahead of their planned meeting.
The knock at the door is answered readily, and he raises a hand in a wave before gesturing him to follow.]
Hey. C'mon, I'm set up out back.
...Uncle Qrow.
Is there like a card out there that says “Sorry, I ruined our first date and didn’t tell you my school’s headmaster was in my head?” Or do you think I should I make one?
Is there like a card out there that says “Sorry, I ruined our first date and didn’t tell you my school’s headmaster was in my head?” Or do you think I should I make one?
Oh-Hey again Oz.
Just so you know. I kind of accidentally called a couple other people about the whole pogo stick thing before I got it right.
So if anyone asks you about that or James wanting your cane up his butt.
Just feel free to explain it was an awkward misunderstanding or something.
Have a good day!
Just so you know. I kind of accidentally called a couple other people about the whole pogo stick thing before I got it right.
So if anyone asks you about that or James wanting your cane up his butt.
Just feel free to explain it was an awkward misunderstanding or something.
Have a good day!
Edited 2021-03-05 02:12 (UTC)
[Qrow happens to be chilling on his couch with some tv and lemonade when he gets a notification from Ruby's username, which he just pulls up casually with one hand while some boring commercial plays in the background, sipping at the lemonade in the meantime.
Then he reaches "James wanting your cane up his butt" and promptly aspirates an entire mouthful, coughing and spluttering and wheezing and there is now lemonade and melting ice cubes all over the coffee table and dripping onto the hardwood floor and it's a minor miracle that it's not accompanied by glass shards as well. Qrow just. slowly sets the now empty glass back down and puts his face in his hands. This is it, this is the most horrifying thing Deerington has ever thrown at him. He'd rather be murdered by Raven again than talk to Ruby about things being shoved up Ozpin's butt, by anyone, but especially Ironwood.
He just makes this thin noise of quiet despair before he turns on the audio, because he might actually burst spontaneously into flames if he has to show his face while answering this. Holy shit. He has made many mistakes in his life but this is too much, surely this is more than he should deserve. Help.]
......Ruby.....this isn't Oz.
[Squirtle, he's dying. He's dying squirtle.]
What's this about...Oz's cane now...?
Then he reaches "James wanting your cane up his butt" and promptly aspirates an entire mouthful, coughing and spluttering and wheezing and there is now lemonade and melting ice cubes all over the coffee table and dripping onto the hardwood floor and it's a minor miracle that it's not accompanied by glass shards as well. Qrow just. slowly sets the now empty glass back down and puts his face in his hands. This is it, this is the most horrifying thing Deerington has ever thrown at him. He'd rather be murdered by Raven again than talk to Ruby about things being shoved up Ozpin's butt, by anyone, but especially Ironwood.
He just makes this thin noise of quiet despair before he turns on the audio, because he might actually burst spontaneously into flames if he has to show his face while answering this. Holy shit. He has made many mistakes in his life but this is too much, surely this is more than he should deserve. Help.]
......Ruby.....this isn't Oz.
[Squirtle, he's dying. He's dying squirtle.]
What's this about...Oz's cane now...?
[ INSISTENT RINGING.
In fact, if he doesn't pick up the call the first time, she's just going to keep calling. Relentlessly.
And when he picks up, whether it's after the first call or after later ones, there's no other way to describe Ange's tone other than downright panicked. ]
Where's Ruby?
In fact, if he doesn't pick up the call the first time, she's just going to keep calling. Relentlessly.
And when he picks up, whether it's after the first call or after later ones, there's no other way to describe Ange's tone other than downright panicked. ]
Where's Ruby?
[She'll be calling for a very long time, unfortunately.
He's lost in the lab when the calls are sent, and he misses them outright. It's only once he's out a couple days later, and able to view the group chat, that he realizes Ruby has gone missing in his absence. The many missed calls from Ange make sense, in that light.
He calls her back immediately.]
I...I don't know. I've been stuck in that--that place the Mayor has been sending people who go to his house. I just found out she was missing.
[There's a thread of deep terror in his own voice, but he's able to hold onto his composure for the moment--if only because he's still running on adrenaline right now, panic not having yet given way to despairing.]
Did she say she was going to investigate anything weird, last you saw her?
He's lost in the lab when the calls are sent, and he misses them outright. It's only once he's out a couple days later, and able to view the group chat, that he realizes Ruby has gone missing in his absence. The many missed calls from Ange make sense, in that light.
He calls her back immediately.]
I...I don't know. I've been stuck in that--that place the Mayor has been sending people who go to his house. I just found out she was missing.
[There's a thread of deep terror in his own voice, but he's able to hold onto his composure for the moment--if only because he's still running on adrenaline right now, panic not having yet given way to despairing.]
Did she say she was going to investigate anything weird, last you saw her?
Hey. I, um. Look, I'm sure I'm probably the last person you want to hear from, after everything. But... I just wanted to say I'm sorry. I, uh, wasn't exactly in my right head. I'm okay now - all back to myself. Thanks for trying to help stop me.
[Ah, her. It wasn't exactly the best of first impressions, no, but he's rather emotionally spent by the end of February, and no actual harm had been done. He can't really find the energy to hold a grudge about it.
When he calls back, he sounds a little weary, but not mad.]
...Yeah. That kind of thing happens, around here. [A quiet sigh.] It's...fine. Nobody got hurt, at least.
[Which is more than he can say for the last few times he's had to deal with this. It also helps that he does not in fact have a history with Willow as an enemy, which makes it easier to accept this was a random incident.]
And Oz did come back, so, uh. We can call this one water under the bridge.
When he calls back, he sounds a little weary, but not mad.]
...Yeah. That kind of thing happens, around here. [A quiet sigh.] It's...fine. Nobody got hurt, at least.
[Which is more than he can say for the last few times he's had to deal with this. It also helps that he does not in fact have a history with Willow as an enemy, which makes it easier to accept this was a random incident.]
And Oz did come back, so, uh. We can call this one water under the bridge.
gently makes this vague to avoid breaking timelines lmao
bolstafir
- 2021-04-30 10:20 (UTC) - Expand Hello,
My name is Mako. We haven’t spoken before. Ruby put your name forward as someone who might be willing to keep a cache of food stocked in your home. We can’t be sure that the dream is going to hold together, or that the usual food sources will be reliable for much longer. I have a list of the basics that you’d need to keep, if you can.
Thank you.
My name is Mako. We haven’t spoken before. Ruby put your name forward as someone who might be willing to keep a cache of food stocked in your home. We can’t be sure that the dream is going to hold together, or that the usual food sources will be reliable for much longer. I have a list of the basics that you’d need to keep, if you can.
Thank you.
hey
i'm fine with that
send it along whenever
ruby also set up a self-refilling pantry from sodder at my place
it's not exactly essentials but if things get particularly desperate, people are welcome to it
[Things like potato chips and cheese snacks may not be particularly nutritious but they will, at the very least, stave off starvation for awhile.]
i'm fine with that
send it along whenever
ruby also set up a self-refilling pantry from sodder at my place
it's not exactly essentials but if things get particularly desperate, people are welcome to it
[Things like potato chips and cheese snacks may not be particularly nutritious but they will, at the very least, stave off starvation for awhile.]
Hey. Again.
I met up with Yang the other day and she finally managed to... you know, get me out of my cave a little.
I don't know if you wanted to meet up in the real world while we still have the chance.
To talk about things.
I met up with Yang the other day and she finally managed to... you know, get me out of my cave a little.
I don't know if you wanted to meet up in the real world while we still have the chance.
To talk about things.
Hey, bird brain ;>
A couple of things!
One, we all hunkered down and waited for this inevitability. Waking up is just half of the things with dying. Especially when it was because of my own mistakes and I never deserved the second chance I had with you.
Second, please don't blame yourself.
Keep the pin. It's lucky, just like you.
Third! Okay, so this isn't a couple of things.
Tell Ruby she is more than the world(s) she wants to save. She can't keep thinking she has to be hurt to be good. Tell Glitch there's more out there, and that I'm sorry. We should have gone fishing for real. Tell Winter she never had to throw herself on the sword to wield it. And James, well, James needs time. And tell Vyng it was never his fault.
And if any of my team show up. Remind them that we're friends, and I miss them.
And lastly.
Keep going, I know you can.
I love you.
A couple of things!
One, we all hunkered down and waited for this inevitability. Waking up is just half of the things with dying. Especially when it was because of my own mistakes and I never deserved the second chance I had with you.
Second, please don't blame yourself.
Keep the pin. It's lucky, just like you.
Third! Okay, so this isn't a couple of things.
Tell Ruby she is more than the world(s) she wants to save. She can't keep thinking she has to be hurt to be good. Tell Glitch there's more out there, and that I'm sorry. We should have gone fishing for real. Tell Winter she never had to throw herself on the sword to wield it. And James, well, James needs time. And tell Vyng it was never his fault.
And if any of my team show up. Remind them that we're friends, and I miss them.
And lastly.
Keep going, I know you can.
I love you.
Edited 2021-03-27 16:16 (UTC)
voice; un; glitch | After maulmageddon post | cw; alcoholism mentions
glitchinthesystem
2021-04-24 03:10 am (UTC)(link)
[ It's not easy to type with one hand. So he settles on sending a voice because he did see this.
A few of their conversations stick out in his mind, how Qrow was trying to look after Yang and Ruby now that their dad was gone, the fact he was probably still struggling with Clover being gone. He wouldn't be surprised if the man was struggling with going back to the bottle to cope. But, he a part of him feels obligated to tell Qrow this if only to relieve whatever potential burden there is. ]
Hey. So. You don't need to keep an eye on me. I know Ruby and Yang kinda take precedent if Maul comes down on our heads because of me. So. Yeah.
Just keep them safe. I'll be fine.
A few of their conversations stick out in his mind, how Qrow was trying to look after Yang and Ruby now that their dad was gone, the fact he was probably still struggling with Clover being gone. He wouldn't be surprised if the man was struggling with going back to the bottle to cope. But, he a part of him feels obligated to tell Qrow this if only to relieve whatever potential burden there is. ]
Hey. So. You don't need to keep an eye on me. I know Ruby and Yang kinda take precedent if Maul comes down on our heads because of me. So. Yeah.
Just keep them safe. I'll be fine.
[Qrow would really like Deerington to let up for a month so he can catch his breath, honestly, but this message just draws a sigh. He can recognize, here, where the kid needs a gentle answer, that warm honey kindness that Ozpin has mastered over lifetimes. But Qrow's kindness is a rough and jagged thing, one that has only ever known how to express itself through action rather than words. He is not sure how to say what he wants in a gentle way. It takes him a little while to respond, uncertainty pushing him into the patterns he's most comfortable with -- putting the phone away and patrolling a couple miles around the house to be sure there are no oncoming threats to avoid the issue.
It's freeing in a way, to let the complications fade from his mind and lean into the bird's instincts for a few minutes. Then he takes a deep breath, turns on the video, and does what he does best--he tries.]
...Look, it's not like it's a choice between you and them.
[If there ever were, he would choose his nieces and leave Glitch to his fate without hesitation or guilt, and he thinks they both know that. He doesn't put voice to it.]
I can do both. This is what it means to be a Huntsman, kid. Someday you'll be doing the same thing for someone else who'll think you're wasting your time.
...And besides. The girls think of you as family, and you're Clover's kid, so. That's good enough for me, too.
It's freeing in a way, to let the complications fade from his mind and lean into the bird's instincts for a few minutes. Then he takes a deep breath, turns on the video, and does what he does best--he tries.]
...Look, it's not like it's a choice between you and them.
[If there ever were, he would choose his nieces and leave Glitch to his fate without hesitation or guilt, and he thinks they both know that. He doesn't put voice to it.]
I can do both. This is what it means to be a Huntsman, kid. Someday you'll be doing the same thing for someone else who'll think you're wasting your time.
...And besides. The girls think of you as family, and you're Clover's kid, so. That's good enough for me, too.
Edited 2021-04-26 10:12 (UTC)
[ It has been a long day. But at the end of it, Ozpin has a text to send. ]
James knows.
He received the information more gracefully here than on Remnant.
[ That is to say: there was a great deal of shouting, but no one was shot. ]
Still, it seems best that you be aware.
[ To keep an eye on him, he does not finish, because it is the sort of thing that has always been implied. Perhaps it is no longer a given, anymore. Perhaps Qrow is no longer his spy. In this moment, though, it feels as though that easy synergy is still between them: members of a team, allies on a battlefield, but now Qrow has all the intelligence on the board.
There is something rather freeing about being able to discuss his moves like this. Freeing or messy, but most likely both. ]
James knows.
He received the information more gracefully here than on Remnant.
[ That is to say: there was a great deal of shouting, but no one was shot. ]
Still, it seems best that you be aware.
[ To keep an eye on him, he does not finish, because it is the sort of thing that has always been implied. Perhaps it is no longer a given, anymore. Perhaps Qrow is no longer his spy. In this moment, though, it feels as though that easy synergy is still between them: members of a team, allies on a battlefield, but now Qrow has all the intelligence on the board.
There is something rather freeing about being able to discuss his moves like this. Freeing or messy, but most likely both. ]
probably because he doesn't have an entire military he can sic on us this time
but good to know we don't have to walk on eggshells with him anymore
[He says, as though he didn't literally punch James in the face on his first day. But look sometimes you gotta crack a couple of eggshells to be aware there are others not to touch okay.]
so uh
what's next
do we gotta start including him in our strategy meetings again
[He sounds....reluctant, but not as angry as he did back in the hotel in January. As much as he's loath to admit it, James has watched their backs pretty well here, having protected Ruby, then Oscar and himself...it's enough for a tiny bit of good grace, if not necessarily trust.]
but good to know we don't have to walk on eggshells with him anymore
[He says, as though he didn't literally punch James in the face on his first day. But look sometimes you gotta crack a couple of eggshells to be aware there are others not to touch okay.]
so uh
what's next
do we gotta start including him in our strategy meetings again
[He sounds....reluctant, but not as angry as he did back in the hotel in January. As much as he's loath to admit it, James has watched their backs pretty well here, having protected Ruby, then Oscar and himself...it's enough for a tiny bit of good grace, if not necessarily trust.]
[ Ozpin has spent two full months politely ignoring the blue morning glories in his study. Certain birds have made that difficult, but he tries to simply keep the plants alive and not dwell overmuch on their color or origin. Not dwelling does not really rank among Ozpin's more prominent skills, but an effort is made.
It's considerably more difficult when he comes home to find his study utterly blanketed in red flowers. There is only one person in his life who has made a fuss about morning glories, and who would take amusement from inviting himself into Ozpin's space to rearrange things as he finds more suitable. The message is received loud and clear, but he's not going to permit it that easily.
Red is not only Stanford's color, and this avenue of cruelty is simply too easy. ]
Really, Qrow. I have greatly enjoyed the pleasure of your company these past weeks, but as we have discussed at length, I am already involved in a relationship.
I am flattered, truly.
It's considerably more difficult when he comes home to find his study utterly blanketed in red flowers. There is only one person in his life who has made a fuss about morning glories, and who would take amusement from inviting himself into Ozpin's space to rearrange things as he finds more suitable. The message is received loud and clear, but he's not going to permit it that easily.
Red is not only Stanford's color, and this avenue of cruelty is simply too easy. ]
Really, Qrow. I have greatly enjoyed the pleasure of your company these past weeks, but as we have discussed at length, I am already involved in a relationship.
I am flattered, truly.
[.....He has made a Grave Error.
It's not so much that he forgot his own color, but he hadn't considered specifying a shade when he asked Vyng for the flowers. So the morning glories that blanket Ozpin's study are a deep, brilliant scarlet which certainly match Ford's wardrobe, but are ... much closer to his own Aura's color than initially intended.
Ah, the best laid plans. They made sense in his head, rip.
But just like Oz, he is certainly not going to admit to this right off the bat.]
i don't know what you're talking about
It's not so much that he forgot his own color, but he hadn't considered specifying a shade when he asked Vyng for the flowers. So the morning glories that blanket Ozpin's study are a deep, brilliant scarlet which certainly match Ford's wardrobe, but are ... much closer to his own Aura's color than initially intended.
Ah, the best laid plans. They made sense in his head, rip.
But just like Oz, he is certainly not going to admit to this right off the bat.]
i don't know what you're talking about
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