deerington inbox
eventually there'll be a gif here
[ Unseen on the other side of the call, Vyng props his chin with his hand...and gives a thoughtful hum. When he speaks next, the flat quality from before has already melted away like a thin patch of snow. ]
Okay. So maybe you're kinda like a cactus. And I lean more toward the jade-plant side of the succulent spectrum — the succ-trum, if you will. But we've got plenty in common too.
Okay. So maybe you're kinda like a cactus. And I lean more toward the jade-plant side of the succulent spectrum — the succ-trum, if you will. But we've got plenty in common too.
I can't believe you said succ-trum.
[He's being ATTACKED by this PUNNERY. It's Taiyang all over again. He's done his time and is supposed to be making thedad uncle jokes around here tyvm!!
...Meanwhile, this is the part where he's supposed to get huffy about how his temperament isn't suited toward leading or guiding people, but the pun has effectively disarmed this prickly pear, so he actually sounds almost neutral when he asks--]
How do you figure? The bird thing, or...?
[He's being ATTACKED by this PUNNERY. It's Taiyang all over again. He's done his time and is supposed to be making the
...Meanwhile, this is the part where he's supposed to get huffy about how his temperament isn't suited toward leading or guiding people, but the pun has effectively disarmed this prickly pear, so he actually sounds almost neutral when he asks--]
How do you figure? The bird thing, or...?
Edited 2020-10-04 12:52 (UTC)
I'm taking every stitch of intel I can get and working with it
But do yourself a favor and try, and I emphasize try because it's your niece, to calm the hell down
Because I'm going to let you in on a little secret, one of my nightmares
You could kill me on October 1st, and I could wake back up with no memories of why any of you give a shit about me
Turn into a monster five seconds later with nobody around
And murder the lot of you, and I'd have no god-damned way to predict that would I?
I lay awake at night next to Emerald trying to think of ways to make sure nothing happens
Varian locked himself in a cell and still got loose and hurt someone
People die and come back and do crazy shit. Did you see that Parker kid pull a 180 when he died?
The things I don't have control over right now scare the hell out of me, Qrow.
You don't need to tell me how many ten thousand reasons in this fucked up city things could go wrong, Qrow.
I'm intimately aware, and I really hope you don't have to so much as breathe my name for the next three months
My priority is staying sane next month, and I'll do whatever I can to keep it that way
And if Ruby loses it? I'll steer clear and let you lot help her.
But do yourself a favor and try, and I emphasize try because it's your niece, to calm the hell down
Because I'm going to let you in on a little secret, one of my nightmares
You could kill me on October 1st, and I could wake back up with no memories of why any of you give a shit about me
Turn into a monster five seconds later with nobody around
And murder the lot of you, and I'd have no god-damned way to predict that would I?
I lay awake at night next to Emerald trying to think of ways to make sure nothing happens
Varian locked himself in a cell and still got loose and hurt someone
People die and come back and do crazy shit. Did you see that Parker kid pull a 180 when he died?
The things I don't have control over right now scare the hell out of me, Qrow.
You don't need to tell me how many ten thousand reasons in this fucked up city things could go wrong, Qrow.
I'm intimately aware, and I really hope you don't have to so much as breathe my name for the next three months
My priority is staying sane next month, and I'll do whatever I can to keep it that way
And if Ruby loses it? I'll steer clear and let you lot help her.
[There's a few of these things he didn't know, admittedly, but if he were in person he would still roll his eyes. He's especially unimpressed with "The things I don't have control over right now scare the hell out of me, Qrow."]
yeah well join the club
i've spent my whole life being terrified of things out of my control and having to find ways to do something about them anyway
[The angriest possible way to tell someone about your Semblance without actually telling them anything of substance? Check.]
but you'll have to forgive me if i don't exactly buy that you're suddenly soooo concerned about ruby's well-being now
yeah well join the club
i've spent my whole life being terrified of things out of my control and having to find ways to do something about them anyway
[The angriest possible way to tell someone about your Semblance without actually telling them anything of substance? Check.]
but you'll have to forgive me if i don't exactly buy that you're suddenly soooo concerned about ruby's well-being now
[ Puns always take the sting out of things! That's one reason why Vyng throws them around at even the most inappropriate times.
As for their similarities, their shared ability to shapeshift is probably the most obvious one. But it's only skin deep. Transmutation magic is a separate beast from druidism — technically and philosophically — and so there's little overlap to speak of.
So, instead, Vyng tries to highlight what he's learned or observed about Qrow since first meeting him. ]
We're both family men, for one thing.
As for their similarities, their shared ability to shapeshift is probably the most obvious one. But it's only skin deep. Transmutation magic is a separate beast from druidism — technically and philosophically — and so there's little overlap to speak of.
So, instead, Vyng tries to highlight what he's learned or observed about Qrow since first meeting him. ]
We're both family men, for one thing.
Enlightened Self-Interest, Qrow.
I don't actually want to hurt Ruby right now, but I'm not interested in going out of my way for her.
We're not friends because of what's happened, just not enemies.
But the meager hope I have of being happy in my life for the first time in years depends on me getting this right.
So, no. This isn't because I suddenly care so much about her.
This is about me caring about myself and Emerald more than it is about her.
But, forgive me. I think we've chatted enough.
The bottle's on your porch.
Hopefully I don't see you around for a long time.
I don't actually want to hurt Ruby right now, but I'm not interested in going out of my way for her.
We're not friends because of what's happened, just not enemies.
But the meager hope I have of being happy in my life for the first time in years depends on me getting this right.
So, no. This isn't because I suddenly care so much about her.
This is about me caring about myself and Emerald more than it is about her.
But, forgive me. I think we've chatted enough.
The bottle's on your porch.
Hopefully I don't see you around for a long time.
Text UN: RadRidingHood Shortly after Clovers post to the network group chat
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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)
Not great.
Ruby was a mess, too. I came by the church... she was trying to set up for her birthday.
I did my best to comfort her but I don't think I did much.
I wasn't really in a good place to offer it anyway, you know?
With you and Yang gone on the same day, I didn't really have a lot to hold on to.
Still haven't talked to Neo about the stuff I told you we'd talk about.
So I'm just glad you're both back.
Ruby was a mess, too. I came by the church... she was trying to set up for her birthday.
I did my best to comfort her but I don't think I did much.
I wasn't really in a good place to offer it anyway, you know?
With you and Yang gone on the same day, I didn't really have a lot to hold on to.
Still haven't talked to Neo about the stuff I told you we'd talk about.
So I'm just glad you're both back.
[....ah. There's a lot to process in there, but he sticks on you and Yang gone on the same day. Of course Deerington couldn't give any of them a break, could they. While he and Clover were occupied dealing with the Grimm that had taken over Raven, of course something terrible was happening somewhere else in town. He sighs, frustrated knowing that he won't be well enough to go see her for awhile, and neither will she.]
glad to be back
[...mostly. He'd be more glad if he were able to be unconscious without needing to be knocked out by a weird purple ghost cloud thing. But body crimes aside, while he has no regrets for what doing what was needed to protect Ruby, he's not quite ready to go for real yet.]
i'll have to make it up to ruby
but thanks for trying anyway
i appreciate it
what happened with yang?
[And. Almost somewhat as an afterthought:]
as for neo, we've been kind of busy
pretty sure you can hold off on the deep relationship talks another couple weeks
try not to wait six months, though
[He's Not Salty at all, about anything in this life. How dare you.]
glad to be back
[...mostly. He'd be more glad if he were able to be unconscious without needing to be knocked out by a weird purple ghost cloud thing. But body crimes aside, while he has no regrets for what doing what was needed to protect Ruby, he's not quite ready to go for real yet.]
i'll have to make it up to ruby
but thanks for trying anyway
i appreciate it
what happened with yang?
[And. Almost somewhat as an afterthought:]
as for neo, we've been kind of busy
pretty sure you can hold off on the deep relationship talks another couple weeks
try not to wait six months, though
[He's Not Salty at all, about anything in this life. How dare you.]
You and Clover finally had a talk about stuff, I guess?
And I take it it didn't go great.
Well. Glad it's out there, at least.
[there's a pause, and the knot in her chest tightens as she thinks about what happened last week. it really hasn't been long enough to process everything. it never will be.]
Yang died protecting me
And I take it it didn't go great.
Well. Glad it's out there, at least.
[there's a pause, and the knot in her chest tightens as she thinks about what happened last week. it really hasn't been long enough to process everything. it never will be.]
Yang died protecting me
we talked about something, alright
[It was sure not whether they're in a relationship, though. Hahaha. Ha. Ha.
.....switching gears. It's a difficult thing to process, when he's in this state where lucidity itself comes and goes, but there's one thing he knows right off the bat, and he starts with that, because he knows what it's like to hate yourself when someone you care about gets hurt.]
she's a huntress
that's about the best any of us can hope for as a way to go
i'm not going to insult you and say something like it's not your fault
but i don't think she'll want you to hate yourself for it
and i don't either
so when you feel like you can give yourself permission not to, we're still here
[It was sure not whether they're in a relationship, though. Hahaha. Ha. Ha.
.....switching gears. It's a difficult thing to process, when he's in this state where lucidity itself comes and goes, but there's one thing he knows right off the bat, and he starts with that, because he knows what it's like to hate yourself when someone you care about gets hurt.]
she's a huntress
that's about the best any of us can hope for as a way to go
i'm not going to insult you and say something like it's not your fault
but i don't think she'll want you to hate yourself for it
and i don't either
so when you feel like you can give yourself permission not to, we're still here
I don't feel worth it
Why was it her
Bad things happen to bad people
I shouldn't have been the one who lived
[she writes out each of those in full, one after another, but deletes them all before hitting send. it takes her longer to send something she feels comfortable with.]
It might take a while
I'm not used to feeling guilty for surviving but I know a lot of people who are
And it hurts, Qrow
Why was it her
Bad things happen to bad people
I shouldn't have been the one who lived
[she writes out each of those in full, one after another, but deletes them all before hitting send. it takes her longer to send something she feels comfortable with.]
It might take a while
I'm not used to feeling guilty for surviving but I know a lot of people who are
And it hurts, Qrow
[The text draws a very sad, tired sigh from him. He hadn't sanitized things when he told her what it was like to make the choice to become a better person, but he'd rather hoped she wouldn't face this part so soon. Maybe it's just inevitable for them all, when they live their lives the way they do.]
yeah, it does
i'm sorry
[He wishes he could promise it gets better, or easier. Lord knows how hard it's been for him, getting himself cleaned up and staying away from alcohol as a crutch when things started to feel like too much.]
yeah, it does
i'm sorry
[He wishes he could promise it gets better, or easier. Lord knows how hard it's been for him, getting himself cleaned up and staying away from alcohol as a crutch when things started to feel like too much.]
I need to know this gets easier
[she isn't proud but this is the first time she's talked about it to anybody. and Qrow is the one who gets to bear the brunt of it. part of her knows he'll tell her to shut up instead of coddling her. part of her is just reaching out wherever she can.]
Lie to me if you have to
[she isn't proud but this is the first time she's talked about it to anybody. and Qrow is the one who gets to bear the brunt of it. part of her knows he'll tell her to shut up instead of coddling her. part of her is just reaching out wherever she can.]
Lie to me if you have to
[She asks him to lie to her, and for a moment, he wishes he could be more like Ozpin. He wishes he could tell her what she wants to hear in a soft, warm voice with kindness in his eyes, and think it a mercy.
He doesn't even bother to try. His own edges are too jagged and rough; it'll come off insincere at best, actively condescending at worst.]
i'm not a very good liar these days, emerald
you learn to live with the pain, though
and there's more than just pain ahead
i can promise that much, at least
He doesn't even bother to try. His own edges are too jagged and rough; it'll come off insincere at best, actively condescending at worst.]
i'm not a very good liar these days, emerald
you learn to live with the pain, though
and there's more than just pain ahead
i can promise that much, at least
Edited 2020-10-25 04:29 (UTC)
Then I guess that means I can believe your promise
[it takes her a moment to reply to that because of course she knew. of course she knew that this doesn't get easier. she's not stupid. she just wants someone else to show her what she wants to see.]
I know it's what being a Huntress is, but I also know that's the same kind of bullshit that Oz tried to feed Hazel to tell him that his dead sister should've known what to expect
So I know you're not happy about that being the answer either
But that's what it is.
And there isn't anything for anyone to do about it now.
Ride it out. Keep moving forward.
Is she a hugger
[it takes her a moment to reply to that because of course she knew. of course she knew that this doesn't get easier. she's not stupid. she just wants someone else to show her what she wants to see.]
I know it's what being a Huntress is, but I also know that's the same kind of bullshit that Oz tried to feed Hazel to tell him that his dead sister should've known what to expect
So I know you're not happy about that being the answer either
But that's what it is.
And there isn't anything for anyone to do about it now.
Ride it out. Keep moving forward.
Is she a hugger
she's absolutely a hugger
yang hugs are highly recommended
[Okay, that's the easy part. He actually sets his Fluid down briefly before getting to the rest, because his head is still pounding and he needs to close his eyes for a moment before he can push ahead. Brothers, he has never quite felt like garbage to this extent in his life and he has not been all too kind to his body over the years.]
nobody's happy with that answer, emerald
but i've been out for only my own before, too
i was just as likely to die back then and it'd have been as a scumbag bandit who took advantage of those weaker than me
fighting to protect those people feels better
when i kick it for real, i'll have at least tried to put something more into the world than just more corpses
maybe it's bullshit, sure, but i'd rather it mean that much than nothing at all
[For all he's angry with Ozpin, all his bitterness....he does not regret becoming a Huntsman. He does not regret having Summer and Taiyang and Ruby and Yang in his life because of those years.
Qrow may never be truly free of self-loathing, but he hates this version of himself less than the bandit.]
yang hugs are highly recommended
[Okay, that's the easy part. He actually sets his Fluid down briefly before getting to the rest, because his head is still pounding and he needs to close his eyes for a moment before he can push ahead. Brothers, he has never quite felt like garbage to this extent in his life and he has not been all too kind to his body over the years.]
nobody's happy with that answer, emerald
but i've been out for only my own before, too
i was just as likely to die back then and it'd have been as a scumbag bandit who took advantage of those weaker than me
fighting to protect those people feels better
when i kick it for real, i'll have at least tried to put something more into the world than just more corpses
maybe it's bullshit, sure, but i'd rather it mean that much than nothing at all
[For all he's angry with Ozpin, all his bitterness....he does not regret becoming a Huntsman. He does not regret having Summer and Taiyang and Ruby and Yang in his life because of those years.
Qrow may never be truly free of self-loathing, but he hates this version of himself less than the bandit.]
[she said something wrong at the expense of getting in a cheap shot about Oz. but it doesn't feel like getting hit in the chest like it sometimes does when she gets the reply. instead, she takes her time to answer.]
Leaving the world a better place than how you found it.
It's pretty compelling. It's a nice way to live.
And I guess it's one thing about being a Huntsman that the streets can't teach you.
I have people who would care when I die now.
I know most of them would throw down their lives for me whether I wanted them to or not.
I want to think I'd do the same for them but I can't trust myself that much yet.
But once you have people like them, it gets pretty hard to pretend like the path you took to get there wasn't worth it.
Leaving the world a better place than how you found it.
It's pretty compelling. It's a nice way to live.
And I guess it's one thing about being a Huntsman that the streets can't teach you.
I have people who would care when I die now.
I know most of them would throw down their lives for me whether I wanted them to or not.
I want to think I'd do the same for them but I can't trust myself that much yet.
But once you have people like them, it gets pretty hard to pretend like the path you took to get there wasn't worth it.
[He's not sure he's accomplished that, or ever will, especially with a Semblance like his, but he can try. And even if the scales don't balance, it is better than doing no good at all.]
it's not really something you can plan ahead for
and like you said, it's not something that'll make them happy, either
all of us huntsmen have those scars
but you're right, finding those people is worth it
if you ask me, they make the pain worth it, too
it's not really something you can plan ahead for
and like you said, it's not something that'll make them happy, either
all of us huntsmen have those scars
but you're right, finding those people is worth it
if you ask me, they make the pain worth it, too
I think I get it.
I still don't like feeling broken like this, feeling lost, feeling like a part of me was stolen
But it's
Don't fucking judge me for saying this because I know it's corny shit but
It feels better to be feeling that than indifference
Or brothers help me, happiness
I want to feel heartbroken when this happens to people I care about because it means that it all actually means something
I don't know
I haven't been sleeping and I feel stupid talking about stuff like this too much
I think I'm making sense
I still don't like feeling broken like this, feeling lost, feeling like a part of me was stolen
But it's
Don't fucking judge me for saying this because I know it's corny shit but
It feels better to be feeling that than indifference
Or brothers help me, happiness
I want to feel heartbroken when this happens to people I care about because it means that it all actually means something
I don't know
I haven't been sleeping and I feel stupid talking about stuff like this too much
I think I'm making sense
[ah. there's the punch.]
This is what love feels like?
This is what love feels like?
[.......Ah.]
yeah basically
[He intends to leave it at that. He would've, normally. But he's sick as shit and on whatever painkillers they've managed to scrounge up at this point and his mental filters are like 30% operational at best. Qrow will aggressively deny this naked sentimentality later, if he even remembers, but for now:]
it feels like losing part of you because it is
you are giving people pieces of your heart in exchange for pieces of theirs, after all
yeah basically
[He intends to leave it at that. He would've, normally. But he's sick as shit and on whatever painkillers they've managed to scrounge up at this point and his mental filters are like 30% operational at best. Qrow will aggressively deny this naked sentimentality later, if he even remembers, but for now:]
it feels like losing part of you because it is
you are giving people pieces of your heart in exchange for pieces of theirs, after all
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