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[ This is going to be the last thread I start until June, probably... Here we go.
Pyrrha knocks on the bedroom door of every single member of Team RWBY, or she happens upon Ruby in the kitchen/great room/basement/treehouse. Either way, no matter what happens, she will be perpetually accompanied by a certain someone. An obedient sort, the second best loved blond boy in her life, he has a one bark maximum for curious things - such as Ruby herself. (Woof!) ]
Ruby?
[ Why is she doing this if she can just telepath the other girl... eh, whatever. ]
Pyrrha knocks on the bedroom door of every single member of Team RWBY, or she happens upon Ruby in the kitchen/great room/basement/treehouse. Either way, no matter what happens, she will be perpetually accompanied by a certain someone. An obedient sort, the second best loved blond boy in her life, he has a one bark maximum for curious things - such as Ruby herself. (Woof!) ]
Ruby?
[ Why is she doing this if she can just telepath the other girl... eh, whatever. ]
[ Pyrrha will find Ruby in the backyard at a workbench, which I just decided is back there. It probably came back to the house with Ruby and Jaune after they worked on Pyrrha's weapon in secret in a shipping container at the dock. Anyway. She seems to be affixing something to her boots, but when Pyrrha draws near with the unfamiliar pooch at her side, Ruby is instantly all eyes and ears.
...For the dog. Sorry, Pyrrha, but she has her priorities, and those are kneeling down at eye level with the dog and squealing at a pitch high enough that perhaps only the dog can hear it. ]
Omigosh! Pyrrha! Who's your new friend?!
...For the dog. Sorry, Pyrrha, but she has her priorities, and those are kneeling down at eye level with the dog and squealing at a pitch high enough that perhaps only the dog can hear it. ]
Omigosh! Pyrrha! Who's your new friend?!
[ Vegas receives the attention with aplomb, tail wagging happily as he gives Ruby a single woof of hello. He can absolutely hear her voice, pitched highly as it is, and for all it might irritate his big ears slightly, he's still a friendly boy! ]
This is Vegas.
[ His ears prick a little at the sound of his own name, and then he goes back to mugging for Ruby. ]
His owner has gone home for the time being, so I'm going to be looking after him until her return. [ She and Jaune. It goes without saying. ]
This is Vegas.
[ His ears prick a little at the sound of his own name, and then he goes back to mugging for Ruby. ]
His owner has gone home for the time being, so I'm going to be looking after him until her return. [ She and Jaune. It goes without saying. ]
Edited 2018-05-12 19:52 (UTC)
[ Ruby nods, though in truth, she's only half-listening to Pyrrha's explanation. She catches the salient details, which are that Pyrrha has a dog now and he will be staying here with them. Ruby remains at the pooch's eye level, scratching him beneath his fluffy chin. ]
I looooove him! [ Her behavior begs the question. Who is the actual puppy dog here? ] Zwei will be thrilled, too! He's always asking me for a sibling...
[ What a relief she'll finally have good news for him! ]
I looooove him! [ Her behavior begs the question. Who is the actual puppy dog here? ] Zwei will be thrilled, too! He's always asking me for a sibling...
[ What a relief she'll finally have good news for him! ]
I'm sure they'll get along. Vegas is used to a large household.
[ Pyrrha hadn't seen the other animals when she had ended up back there after Maya's departure, but she hopes they had all found their way to safe and loving homes of their own.
As for who is the actual puppy dog... It's absolutely Ruby. ]
Isn't that right, boy?
[ He barks agreeably. ]
[ Pyrrha hadn't seen the other animals when she had ended up back there after Maya's departure, but she hopes they had all found their way to safe and loving homes of their own.
As for who is the actual puppy dog... It's absolutely Ruby. ]
Isn't that right, boy?
[ He barks agreeably. ]
[ Nah, those other animals are probably off being devoured by beasts in the forests.
But what's important is that Vegas made it to a loving home! Ruby jumps back to her feet, spinning on her heel to jog to the back door. ]
Why wait? They should meet right now! [ And then, throwing the door open so she can yell (very loudly) into the house: ]
ZWEI! COME MEET YOUR NEW BFF!
[ The method evidently proves effective, because a moment later, Zwei trots through the back door (as Ruby holds it open for him) and over to Vegas, barking curiously. A rough translation:
Tally ho, good sir! What brings you yonder to mine estate? ]
But what's important is that Vegas made it to a loving home! Ruby jumps back to her feet, spinning on her heel to jog to the back door. ]
Why wait? They should meet right now! [ And then, throwing the door open so she can yell (very loudly) into the house: ]
ZWEI! COME MEET YOUR NEW BFF!
[ The method evidently proves effective, because a moment later, Zwei trots through the back door (as Ruby holds it open for him) and over to Vegas, barking curiously. A rough translation:
Tally ho, good sir! What brings you yonder to mine estate? ]
[ Vegas barks happily in return, eager to take the measure of is new (apparently) older sibling. A rough translation:
Woof!
This is definitely a thing that is happening. ]
I don't know if they're quite BFFs yet.
[ These things take time! Although she cannot fault Ruby for her excitement, and is glad to see that no one is offended by Vegas's sudden residence in the house (yet). Although, speaking of... ]
I actually still need to tell Blake that we have another dog now. Any advice?
Woof!
This is definitely a thing that is happening. ]
I don't know if they're quite BFFs yet.
[ These things take time! Although she cannot fault Ruby for her excitement, and is glad to see that no one is offended by Vegas's sudden residence in the house (yet). Although, speaking of... ]
I actually still need to tell Blake that we have another dog now. Any advice?
Edited 2018-06-03 19:18 (UTC)
[ Ruby leaves Zwei and Vegas to get to know one another better, as dogs do, turning her full attention back to Pyrrha. Now that she mentions it, Blake probably isn't going to be thrilled about this development, is she? Even Zwei still seems to irk her from time to time. ]
Tell her over a fresh fish dinner. [ Her tone is light and playful, but she is 100% serious. ] That, or...just let Vegas surprise her with lots of slobbery kisses! She won't like it, but at least it'll be over quickly. Like tearing off a bandaid!
[ Or throwing someone into the deep end of the pool, depending on your preferred metaphor. The first strategy is probably better, though. ]
Tell her over a fresh fish dinner. [ Her tone is light and playful, but she is 100% serious. ] That, or...just let Vegas surprise her with lots of slobbery kisses! She won't like it, but at least it'll be over quickly. Like tearing off a bandaid!
[ Or throwing someone into the deep end of the pool, depending on your preferred metaphor. The first strategy is probably better, though. ]
[ Pyrrha is silent for a moment, blinking. ]
I think I'll go with the first one.
[ The second sounds like a disaster in the making, honestly. Especially since Blake has never been anything but nice to her, but made her dislike of dogs rather clear. Hopefully she'll understand that dismissing Vegas from the household isn't an option.
She's about to say something else when Vegas nudges her hand with his nose, pushing a stick into it for her to throw. Pyrrha tosses it... and Zwei runs for it before Vegas can even move. D: ]
I think I'll go with the first one.
[ The second sounds like a disaster in the making, honestly. Especially since Blake has never been anything but nice to her, but made her dislike of dogs rather clear. Hopefully she'll understand that dismissing Vegas from the household isn't an option.
She's about to say something else when Vegas nudges her hand with his nose, pushing a stick into it for her to throw. Pyrrha tosses it... and Zwei runs for it before Vegas can even move. D: ]
[ A wise choice, Pyrrha. Ruby can get away with some hijinks with Blake, but others may not be so fortunate.
Ruby watches the stick fly and Zwei take off immediately after it, leaving poor Vegas in the dust. Given Zwei's zest for, well, everything, it's not surprising, though a little unfair. He's not used to having another dog around, and can only assume any and all sticks thrown are for him.
He is in for a rude awakening.
Zwei is mere centimeters from fetching the stick when Ruby calls out to him, hands cupped around her mouth to amplify her voice. ]
Zwei! Give Vegas a turn!
[ Dismayed, Zwei turns back to face them, his jaw agape. ]
Ruby watches the stick fly and Zwei take off immediately after it, leaving poor Vegas in the dust. Given Zwei's zest for, well, everything, it's not surprising, though a little unfair. He's not used to having another dog around, and can only assume any and all sticks thrown are for him.
He is in for a rude awakening.
Zwei is mere centimeters from fetching the stick when Ruby calls out to him, hands cupped around her mouth to amplify her voice. ]
Zwei! Give Vegas a turn!
[ Dismayed, Zwei turns back to face them, his jaw agape. ]
[ It's honestly fine. Vegas gets bored of the mere idea of the stick and wanders off to the far side of the backyard to dig a hole. Pyrrha, still a rather protective dog-mom, keeps him firmly in her peripheral vision as she continues to speak with Ruby. ]
I think it's fine.
Actually, there was another reason I wanted to speak with you.
[ Does she seem a bit nervous? Well! ]
I think it's fine.
Actually, there was another reason I wanted to speak with you.
[ Does she seem a bit nervous? Well! ]
[ In any case, Ruby and Zwei are going to have a long talk about sharing later tonight, and hopefully that will smooth out any problems before they can occur. Zwei can be reasonable...most of the time. It's just a matter of giving him the right motivation.
But Pyrrha is turning the direction of the conversation, and so Ruby looks up at her with curiosity, forgetting about the dog-related plight almost immediately. ]
Oh, yeah? What is it, Pyrrha?
[ Is she...nervous about something? Hmm.. ]
But Pyrrha is turning the direction of the conversation, and so Ruby looks up at her with curiosity, forgetting about the dog-related plight almost immediately. ]
Oh, yeah? What is it, Pyrrha?
[ Is she...nervous about something? Hmm.. ]
[ "I'd like your permission to marry Jaune."
Nah, j/k -- she's not going to ask if it's okay with anyone. :D ]
Well... Jaune told me how invaluable your assistance was in forging my weapon.
[ Her new weapon, the pride and joy of her life right now. Having it is a step toward feeling whole again, after a year of healing. She forgot she was a warrior, perhaps. This helps her remember. ]
I wanted to thank you.
[ you da bomb ♥ ]
Nah, j/k -- she's not going to ask if it's okay with anyone. :D ]
Well... Jaune told me how invaluable your assistance was in forging my weapon.
[ Her new weapon, the pride and joy of her life right now. Having it is a step toward feeling whole again, after a year of healing. She forgot she was a warrior, perhaps. This helps her remember. ]
I wanted to thank you.
[ you da bomb ♥ ]
[ The only one who really might have the authority to give away Jaune is Ren, anyway. But they're both adults. Live your best life, Arkos!
At those words of gratitude, however, Ruby's smile grows serene, almost knowing. It can't have been easy for Pyrrha to reach a point where she is comfortable fighting again, and so Ruby is privileged to have the opportunity to have helped her get there, even indirectly. The idea was all Jaune's. She just helped him make it a reality. That Pyrrha truly appreciated it means the world to her, and not just because she likes to see her weapons well-loved. ]
You're welcome. If it ever needs any maintenance, you know where to find me.
[ And that's an open invitation for any weapon-related needs, really. Maybe they could train together sometime, too. They hadn't been able to do much of it back at Beacon, and Ruby could stand to learn a lot from the great Pyrrha Nikos. ]
At those words of gratitude, however, Ruby's smile grows serene, almost knowing. It can't have been easy for Pyrrha to reach a point where she is comfortable fighting again, and so Ruby is privileged to have the opportunity to have helped her get there, even indirectly. The idea was all Jaune's. She just helped him make it a reality. That Pyrrha truly appreciated it means the world to her, and not just because she likes to see her weapons well-loved. ]
You're welcome. If it ever needs any maintenance, you know where to find me.
[ And that's an open invitation for any weapon-related needs, really. Maybe they could train together sometime, too. They hadn't been able to do much of it back at Beacon, and Ruby could stand to learn a lot from the great Pyrrha Nikos. ]
Actually.
[ Pyrrha stretches her arms behind her, and then in front. There's an impish tinge to her smile. It's something between shy and sly - the sort of knife's edge that characterises Pyrrha so well. ]
Perhaps we could spar sometime? It has been a while...
[ Since the food fight, in fact. JNPR hadn't even faced RWBY in the tournament. ]
I think I could learn a lot from you.
[ Pyrrha stretches her arms behind her, and then in front. There's an impish tinge to her smile. It's something between shy and sly - the sort of knife's edge that characterises Pyrrha so well. ]
Perhaps we could spar sometime? It has been a while...
[ Since the food fight, in fact. JNPR hadn't even faced RWBY in the tournament. ]
I think I could learn a lot from you.
[ For a moment, Ruby is caught off-guard, her eyebrows flying up into her hair. Pyrrha Nikos, the Pyrrha Nikos thinks she could learn from her? It's not that Ruby is humble about her skill, not in the least, but Pyrrha is - well, Pyrrha. There was a reason she had been so renowned. There was a reason Ozpin had chosen her. For all they have become close friends, Pyrrha still hasn't quite lost that "legend" status in Ruby's book.
Which is all the more reason for her to accept. If Pyrrha thinks there's something she can learn from her, than Ruby will agree wholeheartedly. ]
Then I'd be happy to, anytime! Just name the time and the place.
[ She'll be there. ]
Which is all the more reason for her to accept. If Pyrrha thinks there's something she can learn from her, than Ruby will agree wholeheartedly. ]
Then I'd be happy to, anytime! Just name the time and the place.
[ She'll be there. ]
[ The scene will be familiar to Ruby. It starts with the faint sound of a familiar voice coming from outside, undoubtedly Pyrrha's. It's late at night, way past midnight, and she can probably already guess that Jaune has fallen back into his old habits.
Indeed, if she chooses to go outside, Jaune will be there training on his own, while listening to the same old recording of Pyrrha on his Scroll. One key difference this time is that his swings are stronger and faster, likely due to his time spent training with Lightning and Ozpin... not to mention the person encouraging him in the video. No longer just his partner, but also his wife, short as their time was.
At some point, Jaune forgets to pace himself, ignores the video loop and starts slashing his sword relentlessly at nothing in particular. Less focus and little more rage this time. Is he imagining a certain someone in front of him?
In any case, this goes on for a while, until Ruby decides to make her presence known. If she doesn't again, then he will notice her of his own accord this time. ]
Indeed, if she chooses to go outside, Jaune will be there training on his own, while listening to the same old recording of Pyrrha on his Scroll. One key difference this time is that his swings are stronger and faster, likely due to his time spent training with Lightning and Ozpin... not to mention the person encouraging him in the video. No longer just his partner, but also his wife, short as their time was.
At some point, Jaune forgets to pace himself, ignores the video loop and starts slashing his sword relentlessly at nothing in particular. Less focus and little more rage this time. Is he imagining a certain someone in front of him?
In any case, this goes on for a while, until Ruby decides to make her presence known. If she doesn't again, then he will notice her of his own accord this time. ]
[ As with the last time Ruby witnessed this scene unfolding, she isn't sure if she would make her presence known. Loss has been felt keenly around their household lately - first her Uncle and Ren, then Blake, and then...Pyrrha. Each departure has left bruises upon her heart, but Pyrrha's disappearance is different. Ruby knows she will see the other three again, as soon as she goes home. But with Pyrrha...
This was it. There was no home to return to, no inevitable reassurance of "well see each other again someday". Ruby doesn't know that. Maybe she'll return - she hopes she'll return - but what if she...doesn't?
What if she doesn't?
Of course, her thoughts have been on Jaune since the first, though she's given him distance at first. None of them can possibly understand what he's going through right now, and he will need time to process his grief. And if he needs her, she'll know. She'll know when the time is right.
Which is why Ruby is here now. Maybe it's a subtle cry for help, but this time, she doesn't turn and go back. This time, she draws near, making her footfalls loud enough he'll be able to hear them, so as to not catch him off guard. ]
You've really improved a lot. I remember our first day at Beacon...you could barely hold your shield. [ A soft, sad chuckle. ] That was a long time ago, wasn't it?
[ For so many reasons. ]
This was it. There was no home to return to, no inevitable reassurance of "well see each other again someday". Ruby doesn't know that. Maybe she'll return - she hopes she'll return - but what if she...doesn't?
What if she doesn't?
Of course, her thoughts have been on Jaune since the first, though she's given him distance at first. None of them can possibly understand what he's going through right now, and he will need time to process his grief. And if he needs her, she'll know. She'll know when the time is right.
Which is why Ruby is here now. Maybe it's a subtle cry for help, but this time, she doesn't turn and go back. This time, she draws near, making her footfalls loud enough he'll be able to hear them, so as to not catch him off guard. ]
You've really improved a lot. I remember our first day at Beacon...you could barely hold your shield. [ A soft, sad chuckle. ] That was a long time ago, wasn't it?
[ For so many reasons. ]
[ Although he came here to be alone, Ruby's presence is far from unwelcome. He knows he's not the only one who's trying to deal with this, and sooner or later he'll need to step up and be there for Ruby and Nora.
At her nostalgia, he responds with a soft laugh, too. It's been a while since he smiled, but Ruby has always been good at making others do that. ]
Yeah. Guess we've all come a long way.
[ For many reasons. ]
Do you... think about those days a lot?
At her nostalgia, he responds with a soft laugh, too. It's been a while since he smiled, but Ruby has always been good at making others do that. ]
Yeah. Guess we've all come a long way.
[ For many reasons. ]
Do you... think about those days a lot?
I do.
[ She answers quietly, but not because she's reluctant to. Their journey has been so unexpected, but they've always done their best to learn, to adapt, and to move forward. This...will be no different, in the end, she's sure of it, no matter how tremendously difficult it may be to face.
She looks up at him with a wan smile. ]
Everything was a lot simpler back then. But when I think about it, it makes it easier to appreciate how far we've come.
[ And right now, it's important to hold onto that. ]
Jaune...do you want to talk about it?
[ She answers quietly, but not because she's reluctant to. Their journey has been so unexpected, but they've always done their best to learn, to adapt, and to move forward. This...will be no different, in the end, she's sure of it, no matter how tremendously difficult it may be to face.
She looks up at him with a wan smile. ]
Everything was a lot simpler back then. But when I think about it, it makes it easier to appreciate how far we've come.
[ And right now, it's important to hold onto that. ]
Jaune...do you want to talk about it?
[ The old recording stops looping, and this time ends at "I'll always be here for you, Jaune.". How many times has he heard it by now? How many times has he believed it...
A quick moment of silence is followed after that, as Jaune finally looks at Ruby. There's a helpless look in his eyes; he doesn't know what to do, what he wants, or if there is anything he can even say about it. Eventually, he gives her an answer. ]
About her, you mean.
[ Of course, she didn't come all the way out here for them to talk about Beacon...
He sheathes his sword and picks up the Scroll, stashing it away in his pocket. It has now become more precious to him than ever. ]
I... I told her once that our time is short... I just don't think I ever believed it until it was too late.
A quick moment of silence is followed after that, as Jaune finally looks at Ruby. There's a helpless look in his eyes; he doesn't know what to do, what he wants, or if there is anything he can even say about it. Eventually, he gives her an answer. ]
About her, you mean.
[ Of course, she didn't come all the way out here for them to talk about Beacon...
He sheathes his sword and picks up the Scroll, stashing it away in his pocket. It has now become more precious to him than ever. ]
I... I told her once that our time is short... I just don't think I ever believed it until it was too late.
[ It's Milkshake Day, the day you give a milkshake to a female friend you care about!
Ruby will find hers in her weapon workshop, with her name and a note attached to it. It's cookies and cream! ]
Dear Ruby,
A circle is round,
it has no ends,
that is how long
I want to be your friend.
Enjoy!
-J
Ruby will find hers in her weapon workshop, with her name and a note attached to it. It's cookies and cream! ]
Dear Ruby,
A circle is round,
it has no ends,
that is how long
I want to be your friend.
Enjoy!
-J
[ There's a lot she could say to that - a lot she might want to say to that, but Ruby doesn't want to place hollow words upon ears that don't need to hear them. She and Jaune are alike in so many ways, and she knows that eventually, he will be okay again, and that deep down, he knows he will be, too. Someday it will be easier to smile again, and so Ruby doesn't need to remind him of that, that they did all they could with the time they had, that he shouldn't have any regrets. There's no way to not have regrets, in a world like this, when those precious to you can vanish in the blink of an eye.
So she takes a different approach, stepping up to rest a hand on his forearm, a wan smile on her lips. ]
It...really kind of stinks, doesn't it? That we don't know when things will stay like they always have, or when they're about to change completely.
[ She's quiet a moment before leading him to sit against the fence. ]
Do you...think it was worth it? Giving things another shot?
So she takes a different approach, stepping up to rest a hand on his forearm, a wan smile on her lips. ]
It...really kind of stinks, doesn't it? That we don't know when things will stay like they always have, or when they're about to change completely.
[ She's quiet a moment before leading him to sit against the fence. ]
Do you...think it was worth it? Giving things another shot?
[ Having Ruby reach out the way she does, it's a familiar feeling for the two of them. It's how they were there for each other back in Remnant, too. When he could sense her doubting herself, a simple gesture such as a hand on her shoulder was there to remind her she's not alone.
He musters the smallest of smiles as he follows her to the fence. ]
The first time we lost her... I think she went out with a lot of regrets.
[ Pyrrha died young with many dreams gone unfulfilled. Here, she had a second chance... they both had a second chance to do things that they couldn't back in Remnant anymore. In the end, nothing was left unsaid between them, so if he had to answer Ruby's question, then yes - it was worth it. ]
If our time was gonna be short here, I wanted her to be happy. Do you... think she was?
He musters the smallest of smiles as he follows her to the fence. ]
The first time we lost her... I think she went out with a lot of regrets.
[ Pyrrha died young with many dreams gone unfulfilled. Here, she had a second chance... they both had a second chance to do things that they couldn't back in Remnant anymore. In the end, nothing was left unsaid between them, so if he had to answer Ruby's question, then yes - it was worth it. ]
If our time was gonna be short here, I wanted her to be happy. Do you... think she was?
[ Merry Christmas, Ruby!
On the 25th, if Ruby checks the Christmas tree in the Beacon house, she'll find a box with her name on it and a snowflake at the bottom of the card! Inside is a BEAUTIFUL SWEATER so that she can be warm and cozy for the Christmas season. ]
On the 25th, if Ruby checks the Christmas tree in the Beacon house, she'll find a box with her name on it and a snowflake at the bottom of the card! Inside is a BEAUTIFUL SWEATER so that she can be warm and cozy for the Christmas season. ]
Edited 2018-12-25 06:31 (UTC)
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