Yeah, the Lonely’s one of them. That one is a real pain to deal with, mind you. Tries to make you comfortable, so you want to be its victim, but at the same time, it’s not a good source of comfort.
[ The Lonely was especially difficult for someone like Gerry, who grew up more or less isolated, to deal with. It’s tried to mark him in the past, but thankfully, it’s never succeeded. By now, Gerry is an old pro at dealing with that particular fear.
In response to Qrow’s question, Gerry holds up his hand, so that Qrow can see his knuckles. There’s a small tattoo of an eye on each. ]
Like this. It doesn’t have to be a physical mark, though. Just has to be a deliberate choice. Wouldn’t recommend it though. Only reason I marked myself was I got involved with the Fears when I was really young, and needed the protection.
[ Gerry would really like it if as many people as possible could avoid the fears!
Then Gerry asks his question, and once again, Qrow looks uncomfortable. Drat. Gerry listens anyway — this semblance stuff is fascinating. He’s about to ask if Qrow has a semblance. What’s his special power? Gerry opens his mouth, but lucky for Qrow, doesn’t get to say anything — the waitress has arrived with pancakes for the both of them. She sets them down, and is about to pour syrup on Qrow’s, when her grip slips and she spills the syrup all over the table.
Gerry, of course, is watching the whole time. It’s what he does. The waitress seems awfully disgruntled and perplexed, but Gerry doesn’t seem bothered by the syrup. He’s not looking at the syrup, or at the waitress.
Now I see why he compared it with the Apathy I told him about. Nasty type of Grimm that makes you lose the will to fight back.
[He still sees those damn things shambling toward him, set ablaze, in his nightmares sometimes. Gerry explains the concept of marking, and Qrow's very curious about the idea of these Fears being able to offer protection in addition to being a threat, but that's when the waitress shows up. He wouldn't have thought twice about it, but then the syrup spills all over the table, and he grits his teeth, hissing in frustration. He doesn't even notice Gerry staring at him as he grabs his napkin, letting the silverware clatter on the table while he starts wiping up syrup. He also waves off the waitress' distress]
It's fine, I don't need fresh pancakes. Don't worry about it. Could you bring more napkins? I can take care of cleaning it up.
[There's more to his tone than just graciousness, though. He practically sounds apologetic.]
[ Qrow’s tone is apologetic, even though the waitress was the person who spilled the syrup. Gerry registers that too. He’s getting the sense that something isn’t quite right here. Something isn’t normal.
Gerry takes his own napkin off his lap and dips it into his cup of water, then begins wiping down the syrup that’s spilled closest to him. He joins Qrow in waving off the waitress. ]
We’ve got it from here, thanks.
[ The waitress is all too happy to leave. Gerry barely notices, though — he’s still too busy looking at Qrow. Slowly, as if he’s testing something out: ]
[Qrow freezes when the accusation hits, deer-in-headlights expression seizing him before he stares down at his syrup-soggy pancakes instead. But unlike the last time with Jon on that mountain, he doesn't panic. This man had said they were affiliated to the same power, after all. It makes sense that he could guess, too. He takes a deep breath and exhales slowly, reaching over toward the silverware to cut into a pancake, just for something to do with his hands.]
[ Gerry watches Qrow cut into his pancake, not meeting Gerry’s eyes and shaking a little, as if he’s nervous. For Gerry, there’s a sense in which Qrow’s posture and his words don’t match up. Most of the people Gerry knows who cause misfortune do it intentionally. Qrow’s body language suggests that he would prefer to do anything but. That, for Gerry, speaks volumes.
Gerry, frankly, doesn’t think a person’s magic powers have much bearing on what kind of a person they are. He’s living proof of that, and so is Jon. So he’s tempted to wave off Qrow’s admission with a joke and an easygoing smile, but it seems like this is something that really upsets Qrow. Gerry doesn’t want to trivialize it. ]
Huh. Well, thanks for telling me. But it’s all good, really. I mean, no offense, but I’ve met people with way more messed-up powers than what, bad luck? [ In a lighter tone, half-joking: ] You should see the avatars who serve the eldritch manifestation of throwing people off of buildings for fun.
[ Gerry slides his syrup-free plate of pancakes over towards Qrow. ]
Besides, it seems to me that you don’t bring just misfortune. After all, you saved my life. You want fresher pancakes? This is your thanks-for-keeping-me-from-dying-again meal.
[It's said in Remnant that a Semblance reflects someone's personality, or perhaps the other way around. Either way, it's always been a difficult thing for Qrow, to know the unique ability of his soul is...merely to cause harm by existing.
Back in Atlas, Clover had brushed him off with a joke and a wink, and he'd been shocked then. This, however, feels a step even beyond that. To hear that he is a harbinger of misfortune and find it less troubling than other things you've seen before, to find it less important than his chosen actions .... it's almost a little alarming, like it's too good to be true. Qrow's head jerks back up, and there's something in his gaze that seems like it's searching Gerry's for sincerity or a lack thereof. He doesn't know what to say. With Ruby, he'd gone on a walk after telling her because he was too afraid to see her reaction in real time. With Clover, the man had wandered off to pursue the Geist further while Qrow was left to process the other's reaction on his own.
Gerry doesn't appear to be going anywhere, and there is no room for Qrow to escape. The younger man pushes his own plate of pancakes toward him, and he just sort of stares at them haplessly, struggling to reboot his brain enough for any kind of proper response. He's never .... told anyone about this and been offered reassurance about it, even in those rare experiences where its existence simply didn't matter to the other party. He certainly has never been offered pancakes.]
...Uh. I--no, it's...fine. I don't mind.
[He legitimately is enough of a human garbage disposal that syrup soggy pancakes are still edible. And to highlight this point, he just spears off a section of one and starts chewing it. It's easier than accepting Gerry's share, anyway.
There's a dreaded awkward silence for a good ten to fifteen seconds, then he sort of huffs an uncomfortable sound that's not quite a laugh.]
Launching off cliffsides is the preferred training method at Beacon, anyway.
[ As Qrow searches Gerry’s expression, he’ll find that Gerry is still carrying himself similarly to how Qrow first met him — watchful, but not judgmental. There’s no pity in his expression, either. Gerry really does mean what he said: Qrow is not nearly the most unfortunate-powered person he’s come across. Not by a long shot.
Gerry is probably prone to making snap judgments about people, a reflex developed by a life and death alone, desperate for any company. Right now, Gerry thinks Qrow is a good person. He saved Gerry’s life, he seems to care that his own powers put people in danger. He seems to dislike that. It reminds Gerry of Jon, and that’s a good thing. There’s no person Gerry trusts in the world more.
Then Qrow makes an attempt at a laugh, and Gerry’s face breaks into a wide grin. Good! A joke! That’s great! ]
Mm, you people would fit right in with the Fairchilds. I don’t think I could ever pull that off in one of my classes.
[It has yet to stop being strange to Qrow, when people simply don't really react when they hear about his Semblance. He feels almost like there is a shoe he should awaiting to drop, but it never comes. He swallows the slice of his pancake and tries not to look as rattled as he feels as he watches Gerry's expression and finds nothing has changed there. Perhaps he simply has a poker face on the level of Ozpin, but .... the thought buries itself in the far reaches of his psyche that perhaps Gerry simply does not care.
Qrow cannot imagine why; they are not family, they are too freshly acquainted to even be rightly considered friends. He grins at Qrow's awkward attempt at levity like it's actually funny. He stares at him a little longer, his expression clearly still asking the question he doesn't dare put to voice--are you really okay with this? It doesn't bother you that I'm cursed?]
...Yeah? Who're the Fairchilds? Do they go out hunting those manifestation things?
[Another piece of pancake gets speared and chewed, before he adds:]
Didn't know you were a teacher.
[All the ones he knows can fight Grimm, even ones like Oobleck, with non-combat subjects.]
[ Qrow keeps staring, shocked or distressed — Gerry isn’t sure which. Maybe both. It’s as if he’s expecting Gerry to be scared or angry, although Gerry doesn’t really see any reason to be. Gerry would like to put Qrow at ease, if he can.
He starts by keeping the conversation moving. ]
Nah, the Fairchilds are a group of avatars of the Vast. They’re the ones who get a kick out of throwing people off of buildings. And yeah, I’m an art teacher over at the high school. I’ve got some people from your world in my classes.
[ Gerry takes another bite of pancake, then circles back to addressing Qrow’s expression, his worry. Gerry thinks he understands it, at least a little. Gerry thinks he might be able to help. ]
Look, I’m not gonna bite you or get weirded out. Marking myself for the Eye — it cursed me, too. I’d be more of a monster if I wasn’t dead. But I picked the Eye because I think it’s least evil out of all those powers out there. It’s about seeing people, you know? That can be good, if it’s done right. Or if you don’t get seen enough, I guess.
[ Gerry takes another bite, chews, and swallows. ]
Sorry, I got real sentimental there. Point is, I see you, and I really don’t mind any of it.
Yikes. In our defense, we don't just go launching people who haven't gone to the prep schools already. Can't really practice a landing strategy without a defensive Aura built up first. What's the Vast?
[He was going to ask who Gerry has had in his class, but then the younger man continues talking, and Qrow straight-up chokes on his pancake at that last part. Give him a minute.
....Once he has his lungs in order again, he--well, he still doesn't know how to react. A familiar defensive instinct says he ought to pull back and retreat behind a wall, to throw out a you don't even know me to protect himself from this unexpected acceptance. But for all Qrow acts tough, projecting an irreverent, devil-may-care attitude....he's still as vulnerable to kindness as he was when he was seventeen. Perhaps more, in some ways.
After some moments of quiet:]
You know, I'd say "give it time", but a--[his voice catches there, unsure how to describe the nature of his relationship with Clover; after all, he'd been the one to resist it when it had come up, that day in the group chat] a friend said I shouldn't do that anymore.
[Does it count as a deflection if he's calling himself out for deflecting? Well, probably. But he doesn't know how to actually accept what Gerry says. To express any gratitude or appreciation for the thought, because it'd mean acknowledging the implication that this guy has some supernatural gift of knowing and sees Qrow as a worthwhile person anyway.]
I, uh. I don't know how it works with your entities and all, but if you ever wanted to....un-mark yourself, or something, maybe I could help you protect yourself without it. I--used to be a combat teacher too, at one point.
[ Gerry watches Qrow choke on his pancake, a little nervous. Is this more bad luck, or is Qrow just really upset? Is it both? Is Gerry going to have to do one of those anti-choking maneuvers? He honestly has no idea how to perform any of those. This is not ideal.
Thankfully, the pancake seems to go down eventually. Qrow can breathe again, and Gerry relaxes a little. He registers that little pause before Qrow says friend, although he doesn’t think much of it. Qrow is sick and experiencing some feelings. Gerry honestly is proud that the other man is speaking at all. ]
I mean, I can, but I doubt I’ll change my mind. [ Gerry taps his skull with his index finger. ] Spooky all-knowing powers, remember? My snap judgments are usually pretty good.
[ This is not entirely true. He’s good at recognizing when someone is supernaturally bad news, but otherwise? No such luck. Just ask Gertrude Robinson.
Then Qrow suggests that Gerry might be able to un-mark himself, and Gerry smiles sadly at that. It’s a nice thought. It’s also a deeply unrealistic one. ]
Couldn’t un-mark myself, even if I wanted to. I’m just glad the Entities aren’t as active here. [ Gerry knows it’s sad that is only chance at a normal life is in a hellish dreamscape, but he’ll take what he can get. ] I’d like to learn, though. You saw me back there — I’m not so good with regular monsters.
[He feels that pang under his ribs again, when Gerry mentions the all-knowing powers. It's -- not a bad feeling, but there's something terrifying about someone who doesn't even know him throwing the weight of some supernatural evidence to his belief. It reminds him of the time he'd met Ozpin, the way he'd been caught up in the tidal wave of affirmation and kindness, the way he'd been driven to live up to the faith placed in him.]
I guess we'll see how it goes. Or you will. Heh.
[What was that about not deflecting ..... sounds fake tbh. He goes back to his pancake, ignoring the embarrassed heat at the back of his neck.]
Anyway...teaching you to defend yourself wouldn't be too hard. I'll drop you a line when I've got the energy for spars again.
[ Gerry grins wide and laughs a little. Regardless of whether or not this is the case, he thinks Qrow has made a terrific Eye-related pun by using the word see. ]
Good one! Guess I will.
[ Gerry’s laughter mercifully stops once he takes a bite of his own pancake. After he finishes the bite: ]
Yeah, just let me know. I’m free anytime except school days. Honestly, you could come during school and I don’t think the kids would mind. I’ve got this one student who sticks to pretty much weapons schematics the entire time, I’m sure she’d be real excited about a break for weapons.
[It was, in fact, intentional. He has lived too long among the Xiao-Longs to not have been infected to some degree by the inclination for punnery.
He's going to remark that if Gerry isn't a hardass about the kids being on task the entire class period, he certainly has no objections, but then the younger man describes his one student, and Qrow's expression tips into a soft grin. For perhaps the first time in this whole conversation, there isn't a trace of discomfort in his expression.]
[ Gerry has not met any of the Xiao Longs, but if he did, he’d love their sense of humor.
Qrow knows his student! Nice! ]
Yeah, you know her? Kid’s got great enthusiasm.
[ It’s nice, to see that soft smile on Qrow’s face. Gerry doesn’t know if he gets to smile like that often. Hopefully, he does. Gerry’s just glad he was able to bring it out — this whole thing was meant to thank Qrow, after all, not make him uncomfortable. ]
[He could point out that they're technically not related by blood and any resemblance is largely because she modeled her style after him, but...it's not really necessary. She is his niece, just like Summer is Yang's mom too. Perhaps he'll tell this guy the story sometime.]
Butt of course.
[With the smuggest shit-eatingest grin possible. This is, of course, total bull. Qrow Branwen can't draw.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[ The Lonely was especially difficult for someone like Gerry, who grew up more or less isolated, to deal with. It’s tried to mark him in the past, but thankfully, it’s never succeeded. By now, Gerry is an old pro at dealing with that particular fear.
In response to Qrow’s question, Gerry holds up his hand, so that Qrow can see his knuckles. There’s a small tattoo of an eye on each. ]
Like this. It doesn’t have to be a physical mark, though. Just has to be a deliberate choice. Wouldn’t recommend it though. Only reason I marked myself was I got involved with the Fears when I was really young, and needed the protection.
[ Gerry would really like it if as many people as possible could avoid the fears!
Then Gerry asks his question, and once again, Qrow looks uncomfortable. Drat. Gerry listens anyway — this semblance stuff is fascinating. He’s about to ask if Qrow has a semblance. What’s his special power? Gerry opens his mouth, but lucky for Qrow, doesn’t get to say anything — the waitress has arrived with pancakes for the both of them. She sets them down, and is about to pour syrup on Qrow’s, when her grip slips and she spills the syrup all over the table.
Gerry, of course, is watching the whole time. It’s what he does. The waitress seems awfully disgruntled and perplexed, but Gerry doesn’t seem bothered by the syrup. He’s not looking at the syrup, or at the waitress.
He’s looking at Qrow. ]
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[He still sees those damn things shambling toward him, set ablaze, in his nightmares sometimes. Gerry explains the concept of marking, and Qrow's very curious about the idea of these Fears being able to offer protection in addition to being a threat, but that's when the waitress shows up. He wouldn't have thought twice about it, but then the syrup spills all over the table, and he grits his teeth, hissing in frustration. He doesn't even notice Gerry staring at him as he grabs his napkin, letting the silverware clatter on the table while he starts wiping up syrup. He also waves off the waitress' distress]
It's fine, I don't need fresh pancakes. Don't worry about it. Could you bring more napkins? I can take care of cleaning it up.
[There's more to his tone than just graciousness, though. He practically sounds apologetic.]
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[ Qrow’s tone is apologetic, even though the waitress was the person who spilled the syrup. Gerry registers that too. He’s getting the sense that something isn’t quite right here. Something isn’t normal.
Gerry takes his own napkin off his lap and dips it into his cup of water, then begins wiping down the syrup that’s spilled closest to him. He joins Qrow in waving off the waitress. ]
We’ve got it from here, thanks.
[ The waitress is all too happy to leave. Gerry barely notices, though — he’s still too busy looking at Qrow. Slowly, as if he’s testing something out: ]
Was that...you?
[ Gerry doesn’t sound judgmental, just puzzled. ]
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...Yeah.
[Breathe in. Breathe out.]
It's my Semblance. I bring misfortune.
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Gerry, frankly, doesn’t think a person’s magic powers have much bearing on what kind of a person they are. He’s living proof of that, and so is Jon. So he’s tempted to wave off Qrow’s admission with a joke and an easygoing smile, but it seems like this is something that really upsets Qrow. Gerry doesn’t want to trivialize it. ]
Huh. Well, thanks for telling me. But it’s all good, really. I mean, no offense, but I’ve met people with way more messed-up powers than what, bad luck? [ In a lighter tone, half-joking: ] You should see the avatars who serve the eldritch manifestation of throwing people off of buildings for fun.
[ Gerry slides his syrup-free plate of pancakes over towards Qrow. ]
Besides, it seems to me that you don’t bring just misfortune. After all, you saved my life. You want fresher pancakes? This is your thanks-for-keeping-me-from-dying-again meal.
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Back in Atlas, Clover had brushed him off with a joke and a wink, and he'd been shocked then. This, however, feels a step even beyond that. To hear that he is a harbinger of misfortune and find it less troubling than other things you've seen before, to find it less important than his chosen actions .... it's almost a little alarming, like it's too good to be true. Qrow's head jerks back up, and there's something in his gaze that seems like it's searching Gerry's for sincerity or a lack thereof. He doesn't know what to say. With Ruby, he'd gone on a walk after telling her because he was too afraid to see her reaction in real time. With Clover, the man had wandered off to pursue the Geist further while Qrow was left to process the other's reaction on his own.
Gerry doesn't appear to be going anywhere, and there is no room for Qrow to escape. The younger man pushes his own plate of pancakes toward him, and he just sort of stares at them haplessly, struggling to reboot his brain enough for any kind of proper response. He's never .... told anyone about this and been offered reassurance about it, even in those rare experiences where its existence simply didn't matter to the other party. He certainly has never been offered pancakes.]
...Uh. I--no, it's...fine. I don't mind.
[He legitimately is enough of a human garbage disposal that syrup soggy pancakes are still edible. And to highlight this point, he just spears off a section of one and starts chewing it. It's easier than accepting Gerry's share, anyway.
There's a dreaded awkward silence for a good ten to fifteen seconds, then he sort of huffs an uncomfortable sound that's not quite a laugh.]
Launching off cliffsides is the preferred training method at Beacon, anyway.
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Gerry is probably prone to making snap judgments about people, a reflex developed by a life and death alone, desperate for any company. Right now, Gerry thinks Qrow is a good person. He saved Gerry’s life, he seems to care that his own powers put people in danger. He seems to dislike that. It reminds Gerry of Jon, and that’s a good thing. There’s no person Gerry trusts in the world more.
Then Qrow makes an attempt at a laugh, and Gerry’s face breaks into a wide grin. Good! A joke! That’s great! ]
Mm, you people would fit right in with the Fairchilds. I don’t think I could ever pull that off in one of my classes.
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Qrow cannot imagine why; they are not family, they are too freshly acquainted to even be rightly considered friends. He grins at Qrow's awkward attempt at levity like it's actually funny. He stares at him a little longer, his expression clearly still asking the question he doesn't dare put to voice--are you really okay with this? It doesn't bother you that I'm cursed?]
...Yeah? Who're the Fairchilds? Do they go out hunting those manifestation things?
[Another piece of pancake gets speared and chewed, before he adds:]
Didn't know you were a teacher.
[All the ones he knows can fight Grimm, even ones like Oobleck, with non-combat subjects.]
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He starts by keeping the conversation moving. ]
Nah, the Fairchilds are a group of avatars of the Vast. They’re the ones who get a kick out of throwing people off of buildings. And yeah, I’m an art teacher over at the high school. I’ve got some people from your world in my classes.
[ Gerry takes another bite of pancake, then circles back to addressing Qrow’s expression, his worry. Gerry thinks he understands it, at least a little. Gerry thinks he might be able to help. ]
Look, I’m not gonna bite you or get weirded out. Marking myself for the Eye — it cursed me, too. I’d be more of a monster if I wasn’t dead. But I picked the Eye because I think it’s least evil out of all those powers out there. It’s about seeing people, you know? That can be good, if it’s done right. Or if you don’t get seen enough, I guess.
[ Gerry takes another bite, chews, and swallows. ]
Sorry, I got real sentimental there. Point is, I see you, and I really don’t mind any of it.
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[He was going to ask who Gerry has had in his class, but then the younger man continues talking, and Qrow straight-up chokes on his pancake at that last part. Give him a minute.
....Once he has his lungs in order again, he--well, he still doesn't know how to react. A familiar defensive instinct says he ought to pull back and retreat behind a wall, to throw out a you don't even know me to protect himself from this unexpected acceptance. But for all Qrow acts tough, projecting an irreverent, devil-may-care attitude....he's still as vulnerable to kindness as he was when he was seventeen. Perhaps more, in some ways.
After some moments of quiet:]
You know, I'd say "give it time", but a--[his voice catches there, unsure how to describe the nature of his relationship with Clover; after all, he'd been the one to resist it when it had come up, that day in the group chat] a friend said I shouldn't do that anymore.
[Does it count as a deflection if he's calling himself out for deflecting? Well, probably. But he doesn't know how to actually accept what Gerry says. To express any gratitude or appreciation for the thought, because it'd mean acknowledging the implication that this guy has some supernatural gift of knowing and sees Qrow as a worthwhile person anyway.]
I, uh. I don't know how it works with your entities and all, but if you ever wanted to....un-mark yourself, or something, maybe I could help you protect yourself without it. I--used to be a combat teacher too, at one point.
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Thankfully, the pancake seems to go down eventually. Qrow can breathe again, and Gerry relaxes a little. He registers that little pause before Qrow says friend, although he doesn’t think much of it. Qrow is sick and experiencing some feelings. Gerry honestly is proud that the other man is speaking at all. ]
I mean, I can, but I doubt I’ll change my mind. [ Gerry taps his skull with his index finger. ] Spooky all-knowing powers, remember? My snap judgments are usually pretty good.
[ This is not entirely true. He’s good at recognizing when someone is supernaturally bad news, but otherwise? No such luck. Just ask Gertrude Robinson.
Then Qrow suggests that Gerry might be able to un-mark himself, and Gerry smiles sadly at that. It’s a nice thought. It’s also a deeply unrealistic one. ]
Couldn’t un-mark myself, even if I wanted to. I’m just glad the Entities aren’t as active here. [ Gerry knows it’s sad that is only chance at a normal life is in a hellish dreamscape, but he’ll take what he can get. ] I’d like to learn, though. You saw me back there — I’m not so good with regular monsters.
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I guess we'll see how it goes. Or you will. Heh.
[What was that about not deflecting ..... sounds fake tbh. He goes back to his pancake, ignoring the embarrassed heat at the back of his neck.]
Anyway...teaching you to defend yourself wouldn't be too hard. I'll drop you a line when I've got the energy for spars again.
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Good one! Guess I will.
[ Gerry’s laughter mercifully stops once he takes a bite of his own pancake. After he finishes the bite: ]
Yeah, just let me know. I’m free anytime except school days. Honestly, you could come during school and I don’t think the kids would mind. I’ve got this one student who sticks to pretty much weapons schematics the entire time, I’m sure she’d be real excited about a break for weapons.
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He's going to remark that if Gerry isn't a hardass about the kids being on task the entire class period, he certainly has no objections, but then the younger man describes his one student, and Qrow's expression tips into a soft grin. For perhaps the first time in this whole conversation, there isn't a trace of discomfort in his expression.]
Let me guess, Ruby Rose?
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Qrow knows his student! Nice! ]
Yeah, you know her? Kid’s got great enthusiasm.
[ It’s nice, to see that soft smile on Qrow’s face. Gerry doesn’t know if he gets to smile like that often. Hopefully, he does. Gerry’s just glad he was able to bring it out — this whole thing was meant to thank Qrow, after all, not make him uncomfortable. ]
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[He holds a straight face for about three seconds, and then smirks cheekily.]
She is my niece, after all.
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[ Gerry nods slowly, still smiling. That....actually makes a ton of sense. ]
I can see the resemblance. Were you the one who taught her how to draw cartoon chicken butts in fine detail? She’s been working on that a lot, lately.
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Butt of course.
[With the smuggest shit-eatingest grin possible. This is, of course, total bull. Qrow Branwen can't draw.]