[A smile does cross his face. This is... nice. That she had such a positive role model in her life. Someone she could look up to no matter what. It makes him miss Eugene. ]
We got along fine. We- uh, wandered around the labyrinth, saw some memories. Talked a lot.
[And Varian realised how deeply broken Qrow is, but he's broken in a way Varian can understand only too well.]
I don't think I made the worse impression ever. He didn't threaten me to not come near you again or anything.
Perfect! Should this count as it's first card? Or are we starting fresh? If so I'm gonna have to find something else to put on there. I'm not letting you beat me to it.
[The point of this card table.
Ruby's head.
She either doesn't realize or doesn't really care how much Varian and Qrow might have in common. Or she might just have a soft spot for the type.]
Yeah. The Labrynth seems like a place he'd hang out in. I'm glad you both got along at least.
...And you know what I'd say that's pretty high praise coming from him. Good job, bud!
I- Rubes that's- that's not- You know it's metaphorical, right?
[Honey.
HONEY.]
It was probably less fun with the fog and the traumatic memories and everything, but you know, it's Deerington. You kind of have to just accept the awful stuff at this point.
...N-no. [He's just gonna... gently put his face in his hands for a moment. Real soft like, and let out a gentle heh. He loves you so much, you adorable fucking lunatic. ] It means it's not real. Like imaginary.
Your idea of fun and my idea of fun when it comes to monsters is very different.
... I'm not even sure how I would be able to deal with that. He said his Sembelence is like... bad luck, right? Literally bad luck?
I still want to put the first card on it. Whether it's imaginary or not. My points still stands!
I know, I know. That's why we're working on your cardio. I get it.
[She chews on her lip thinking that one over.]
Yeah. That's his Semblance, but I don't think dealing with it is the right way to think about it.
It's a part of him but it's not the most important part. Underneath that grumpiest grouch exterior is probably the strongest, kindest and most compassionate person I know. Or he's at least in the top five. I don't know anyone who cares more about the people around him than he does and he'll talk like it's because he's worried about his Semblance, but it's so much more than that. He's so much more than that.
You... want to put the first card on the table. Okay? I think that really matters which of us gets something we really shouldn't keep from the other first.
Pass for the entirety of August on account of the fact I want to hide in my lab and avoid humanity.
[He just wants to be sad and hate himself for a little while okay. She talks about her uncle and it brings a soft smile to his face. That's the Ruby-est way to put that. Honestly, Varian felt he understood Qrow quite a bit after their conversation. There was a mutual mess there, under the surface. ]
I'm sure he appreciates that you think that. It probably helps him to hear it once in a while.
[With a terrifying doll tea party to troll her boyfriend. That's just who she is.]
Okay. Deal. That's fair. You're going to have to deal with me coming over still, if that's okay. I'm kind of some off shoot second time around humanity. That's gotta be an exception your plan.
[Look. She will use the forbidden knowledge she picked up to her own advantage. Varian was one of the few people she could really joke around that a bit with.]
I hope so. He's family. I couldn't look at him any other way.
[She pauses awkwardly, rubbing at the back of her head. She knew he was taking what happened over July hard. It's why she pushed away her own problems to try to help. It was a mistake but she was still trying her best to help.]
And... If it helps. I kind of feel the same way about you.
[He lets out a soft hum, tilting his head as if in deep thought.]
I suppose that does mean you count as not-regular humanity. I guess I can make an exception for you.
[His smile fades- just a fraction. It doesn't go away completely, it's just a little softer. A little sadder. He's really struggling to see the good in him after the mess of July. ]
...Thank you. I- it might take me a little longer to see that again. [Not that he was all that good at seeing it before this.] I love you, too.
[It would probably sound more ominous if she wasn’t doing a ridiculous voice.]
I’d appreciate it. Saves breaking and entering all the time.
[She sees his smile soften and she tries brighten hers up. It’s a little slower than normal. There’s been a lot of sadness this month she’s been trying to cope with.]
That’s fine. It’s okay to not be okay. A wise alchemist once said that. Just take it a step at a time. I’m here for you.
He lets out a slow breath. She's right, hell, he'd said it himself and he knows he was right, too. It's what he needs, right now, the chance to just not be okay for a little while. He's tired and sad and so very scared that this town could do this again. Bring out the worst in him and have him hurt the people he cares about again. ]
Y-yeah. I think I just need that for a little while. It was a really, really awful month. Thank you, I'll- well, I'll do my best to be there for you, too.
[As much of a goddamn mess he is at the moment, anyway. ]
It's not something that's going to fix itself over night. You're allowed to hurt.
It was... Easily the worst I've seen since I got here. Still kind of reeling from it to be honest.
[She let's out a breath. ...It was just hard to see everyone at each others throats like that. She couldn't help but just feel powerless to stop things here and back at home.]
So let's just not be okay together for awhile... Or next week or something. When we can can actually get out of bed.
Yeah... yeah, I-I know. It's something that's gonna have to take time.
[Trying to force it won't do any of them any good - as much as he'd like to bury it all and try to ignore it... he knows it won't just go away. He needs to take time to process this. ]
There's nothing wrong with that. We'll just put one foot in front of the other for now.
We'll call it walking when we're ready and go from there.
[She needs the time herself. She let a lot of pressure fall on her shoulders and while she doesn't think it broke her, there was something that cracked and she needs to figure out just... how that changes things.]
If that ends up being too much. Just let me know. We can always adjust what we're doing.
That- that actually sounds really good. Just... take our time.
[He has people here who love him, and that will help him a lot, he's sure. In trying to put his broken pieces back into something functional again. And it's certainly not lost on him how much Ruby's been put through the wringer. She's always got so much faith in people, but this time it was really turned against her. Himself included. ]
Thanks. Y- you too, okay? We'll figure this out together.
[She'll figure it out. She just needs to time to figure out where's been bent and how to pull it back into place as best she can. It might not be perfect but that's not what she usually aims for.]
Of course. I wouldn't have it any other way.
I might... Try and get some sleep though. If you're feeling as crummy as I am you should think about it too.
...Do you want me to send a pizza over to your place tonight?
[That's always the trick. Finding out where the damage is and trying to lessen it. Varian's been doing that for a while now. ]
Yeah. Sleep is probably smart. Try to get as much as you can.
[Because the nightmares are SUPER fun.]
I'm okay. Fern's here, he's been getting food in for me. For once my kitchen is fully stocked. I think he said he was gonna get Kurt to cook something for me, too.
[As comforting as Doorstep Pizza might be right now. it probably wouldn't be wise. He's not quite ready to accept such generosity from her, after everything he's done to her.]
[Having just watched Neo die is just going to add to the nightmares she's already been having. It's a great time all around.]
Heh, I'm glad you've got them helping you out. Kurt seems like good people.
[There's a hint of frown but she hides it quick. As much as she was incredibly grateful there were people looking out for him she wished she could do a little bit more herself. It was silly but the doorstep pizza had just been a little way she could show she cared, even if for the longest time he hadn't known it was her.]
Good night. Or I guess good middle of the afternoon.
Kurt is good people. And... look, I know you two don't get along, but Fern's good people too. I mean... yeah, he's a lot more messy, but he was right here when I needed him.
[He wishes Fern would get the hell over his loathing towards Ruby. They have more in common than either of them realise. He catches the frown- he's terrible at people in general, but he likes to think he's got better with Ruby.]
Don't worry, I'm definitely calling in that pizza favour later. [When he's got his self-loathing back to a dull roar.] Good-some-point-in-the-day.
I don't doubt that. It's why I said I appreciate the both of them looking out for you. I wasn't trying to exclude him.
It's just awkward after everything. I don't know how to approach him or any of this. Not that I really did in the first place.
[And she really has been trying to approach it but nothing she does seems to work. That's a her and Fern problem and not something that needs to be dropped at Varian's feet unless things get dire. She can handle someone just not liking her.
Her smile brightens a touch at that. She's glad they could even talk about pizza after their talk in the confessional.]
I know, sorry. It's just been- [he heaves out a sigh, rubbing a hand over his face, he's so fucking tired] it;s just been a lot. And I know, I know you're trying, and I really appreciate that.
[Fern isn't easy when he puts those walls up, and he's not sure what can be done to make things better. Nothing ever seems to work. No amount of wishing on his part seems to do much on this.
I've been really glad for him. He dragged me back home when I first came back to life. I was uh... trying to wander the streets to help. Not the smartest thing I've ever done.
[Fern just lifted his scraggly ass back up before he could get himself killed again.]
I wish I could do more. I've... got a lot of messes to fix.
Hm. Well you're right. That does sound like something good people would do.
Yeah. That sounds more than a little dumb knowing how you must be feeling right now.
...But it says a lot about you too. We can talk about that some other time though, because I know you're not really looking to have it laid on thick right now.
[She knew even when they were fighting there was a good heart deep down in there. She was happy to see it springing back up.]
I know. I want to be out there too. Just be a little more patient. You'll get your chance.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[A smile does cross his face. This is... nice. That she had such a positive role model in her life. Someone she could look up to no matter what. It makes him miss Eugene. ]
We got along fine. We- uh, wandered around the labyrinth, saw some memories. Talked a lot.
[And Varian realised how deeply broken Qrow is, but he's broken in a way Varian can understand only too well.]
I don't think I made the worse impression ever. He didn't threaten me to not come near you again or anything.
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[The point of this card table.
Ruby's head.
She either doesn't realize or doesn't really care how much Varian and Qrow might have in common. Or she might just have a soft spot for the type.]
Yeah. The Labrynth seems like a place he'd hang out in. I'm glad you both got along at least.
...And you know what I'd say that's pretty high praise coming from him. Good job, bud!
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[Honey.
HONEY.]
It was probably less fun with the fog and the traumatic memories and everything, but you know, it's Deerington. You kind of have to just accept the awful stuff at this point.
Yeah? I guess I can take that.
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[Sweety.
SWEETY.]
Okay. Good point. But there were still monsters to fight and people to look out for? So it wasn't all awful. ...But yeah, I guess that's a good point.
Or he could just be waiting for the right moment to strike. That's always a possibility too.
But I like to think he'd tell me if he was doing something like that.
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Your idea of fun and my idea of fun when it comes to monsters is very different.
... I'm not even sure how I would be able to deal with that. He said his Sembelence is like... bad luck, right? Literally bad luck?
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I still want to put the first card on it. Whether it's imaginary or not. My points still stands!
I know, I know. That's why we're working on your cardio. I get it.
[She chews on her lip thinking that one over.]
Yeah. That's his Semblance, but I don't think dealing with it is the right way to think about it.
It's a part of him but it's not the most important part. Underneath that grumpiest grouch exterior is probably the strongest, kindest and most compassionate person I know. Or he's at least in the top five. I don't know anyone who cares more about the people around him than he does and he'll talk like it's because he's worried about his Semblance, but it's so much more than that. He's so much more than that.
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Pass for the entirety of August on account of the fact I want to hide in my lab and avoid humanity.
[He just wants to be sad and hate himself for a little while okay. She talks about her uncle and it brings a soft smile to his face. That's the Ruby-est way to put that. Honestly, Varian felt he understood Qrow quite a bit after their conversation. There was a mutual mess there, under the surface. ]
I'm sure he appreciates that you think that. It probably helps him to hear it once in a while.
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[With a terrifying doll tea party to troll her boyfriend. That's just who she is.]
Okay. Deal. That's fair. You're going to have to deal with me coming over still, if that's okay. I'm kind of some off shoot second time around humanity. That's gotta be an exception your plan.
[Look. She will use the forbidden knowledge she picked up to her own advantage. Varian was one of the few people she could really joke around that a bit with.]
I hope so. He's family. I couldn't look at him any other way.
[She pauses awkwardly, rubbing at the back of her head. She knew he was taking what happened over July hard. It's why she pushed away her own problems to try to help. It was a mistake but she was still trying her best to help.]
And... If it helps. I kind of feel the same way about you.
I still see the good you're capable of.
I love you.
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[He lets out a soft hum, tilting his head as if in deep thought.]
I suppose that does mean you count as not-regular humanity. I guess I can make an exception for you.
[His smile fades- just a fraction. It doesn't go away completely, it's just a little softer. A little sadder. He's really struggling to see the good in him after the mess of July. ]
...Thank you. I- it might take me a little longer to see that again. [Not that he was all that good at seeing it before this.] I love you, too.
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[It would probably sound more ominous if she wasn’t doing a ridiculous voice.]
I’d appreciate it. Saves breaking and entering all the time.
[She sees his smile soften and she tries brighten hers up. It’s a little slower than normal. There’s been a lot of sadness this month she’s been trying to cope with.]
That’s fine. It’s okay to not be okay. A wise alchemist once said that. Just take it a step at a time. I’m here for you.
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[He is not.
He lets out a slow breath. She's right, hell, he'd said it himself and he knows he was right, too. It's what he needs, right now, the chance to just not be okay for a little while. He's tired and sad and so very scared that this town could do this again. Bring out the worst in him and have him hurt the people he cares about again. ]
Y-yeah. I think I just need that for a little while. It was a really, really awful month. Thank you, I'll- well, I'll do my best to be there for you, too.
[As much of a goddamn mess he is at the moment, anyway. ]
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It was... Easily the worst I've seen since I got here. Still kind of reeling from it to be honest.
[She let's out a breath. ...It was just hard to see everyone at each others throats like that. She couldn't help but just feel powerless to stop things here and back at home.]
So let's just not be okay together for awhile... Or next week or something. When we can can actually get out of bed.
I know you'll do just that. I appreciate it.
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[Trying to force it won't do any of them any good - as much as he'd like to bury it all and try to ignore it... he knows it won't just go away. He needs to take time to process this. ]
Okay, fair deal. I think I can do that.
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We'll call it walking when we're ready and go from there.
[She needs the time herself. She let a lot of pressure fall on her shoulders and while she doesn't think it broke her, there was something that cracked and she needs to figure out just... how that changes things.]
If that ends up being too much. Just let me know. We can always adjust what we're doing.
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[He has people here who love him, and that will help him a lot, he's sure. In trying to put his broken pieces back into something functional again. And it's certainly not lost on him how much Ruby's been put through the wringer. She's always got so much faith in people, but this time it was really turned against her. Himself included. ]
Thanks. Y- you too, okay? We'll figure this out together.
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[She'll figure it out. She just needs to time to figure out where's been bent and how to pull it back into place as best she can. It might not be perfect but that's not what she usually aims for.]
Of course. I wouldn't have it any other way.
I might... Try and get some sleep though. If you're feeling as crummy as I am you should think about it too.
...Do you want me to send a pizza over to your place tonight?
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Yeah. Sleep is probably smart. Try to get as much as you can.
[Because the nightmares are SUPER fun.]
I'm okay. Fern's here, he's been getting food in for me. For once my kitchen is fully stocked. I think he said he was gonna get Kurt to cook something for me, too.
[As comforting as Doorstep Pizza might be right now. it probably wouldn't be wise. He's not quite ready to accept such generosity from her, after everything he's done to her.]
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[Having just watched Neo die is just going to add to the nightmares she's already been having. It's a great time all around.]
Heh, I'm glad you've got them helping you out. Kurt seems like good people.
[There's a hint of frown but she hides it quick. As much as she was incredibly grateful there were people looking out for him she wished she could do a little bit more herself. It was silly but the doorstep pizza had just been a little way she could show she cared, even if for the longest time he hadn't known it was her.]
Good night. Or I guess good middle of the afternoon.
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[He wishes Fern would get the hell over his loathing towards Ruby. They have more in common than either of them realise. He catches the frown- he's terrible at people in general, but he likes to think he's got better with Ruby.]
Don't worry, I'm definitely calling in that pizza favour later. [When he's got his self-loathing back to a dull roar.] Good-some-point-in-the-day.
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It's just awkward after everything. I don't know how to approach him or any of this. Not that I really did in the first place.
[And she really has been trying to approach it but nothing she does seems to work. That's a her and Fern problem and not something that needs to be dropped at Varian's feet unless things get dire. She can handle someone just not liking her.
Her smile brightens a touch at that. She's glad they could even talk about pizza after their talk in the confessional.]
That's fair. I'll hold you too that.
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[Fern isn't easy when he puts those walls up, and he's not sure what can be done to make things better. Nothing ever seems to work. No amount of wishing on his part seems to do much on this.
He manages a tried smile for her all the same.]
You can, it's a legit promise.
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[Look. She knows the last month has been tough. She doesn't like it but she can only imagine they might be walking on eggshells for a bit.]
You were just making sure your friend got credit for what he was doing. There's nothing wrong with that.
We're all doing what we can. That's all you can do.
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[Fern just lifted his scraggly ass back up before he could get himself killed again.]
I wish I could do more. I've... got a lot of messes to fix.
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Yeah. That sounds more than a little dumb knowing how you must be feeling right now.
...But it says a lot about you too. We can talk about that some other time though, because I know you're not really looking to have it laid on thick right now.
[She knew even when they were fighting there was a good heart deep down in there. She was happy to see it springing back up.]
I know. I want to be out there too. Just be a little more patient. You'll get your chance.
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...But yeah, we can save that for another time. I'm not quite there yet.
[He's not ready to think about the good in him, not just yet, not after all the destruction he's caused.]
I know, I know. It's waiting it out. I'll get some rest, work it out from there.
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