No One's Blessing

[trcmpe-deactivated20170724]

Loyalty wasn’t a concept Neo could understand until meeting Roman Torchwick. The man was unlike any that she’d met. He was a genius, one that she believed would keep her free until death – the ultimate freedom. However, after the fall of Beacon she realized that he must not have TRUSTED her enough to let her in on his entire plan. She refused to believe that he was simply dead, that a man of that intelligence could just VANISH from the face of the earth. As she’d built up her own criminal empire, she’d kept her ears open, her eyes always watching, and her fingers deep into the scum of the underworld searching for even a scrap of information. The only thing she’d managed to find since that night was that RUBY ROSE somehow managed to stay alive. 

There were perks to her identity as the HEAD of a criminal snake being kept secret. It meant that she could travel without having to worry about a massive bounty on her head or fooling with law enforcement. It meant that she could run her business from her scroll, as those loyal to her did all the heavy lifting. No one even knew her name.

She’d hid her unusual appear as the tailed the team of kids playing heroes. However, it seemed that she hadn’t got undetected. A hand placed itself on her shoulder and she whipped around, taking a few steps back to see just who dared to touch her. Neo’s faux-blue eyes narrowed as she saw none other than QROW starring back at her with that shitty grin of his. 

Her head tilted slightly and she put a hand on her hip, her usual smile gracing her lips. Neo wasn’t the only one following after the girl and her gang of school-children, was she? She simply waited, knowing that Qrow would eventually grow impatient and ask her what she was doing. Neo’s mind whirled as she thought through the possibilities of this new outcome, of this new variable being added into the mix. 

@imyourbaduckcharm

[jinxedqrow]

He’d kept at a distance when trailing his niece, being an eye in the sky helped quite a bit considering she had no idea to even look. He’d be sure to scold her about not being paranoid when he inevitably met up with them. He loved Ruby but she was much too optimistic, much like her mother, never checking behind her shoulder to make sure it was safe. Despite what she’d witnessed he’s sure that the teen still found the world inherently good and he wanted to protect that and her from the dangers he knew were out there.

The team was already into the woods, so the fact that anyone was wandering the area was suspicious. And the longer he watched from a distance, seeing the figure follow the same path the kids took he knew he had to find out what the person wanted. He flew down and swooped a few feet away from the unknown presence before shifting back into human form. 

When she swiveled to face him he just smirked and crossed his arms, “Well well, would you look at that. We just so happen to be walking in the same direction, hope you don’t mind some company.” He made it blatantly obvious he had been watching her and knew she was following the group. It was too coincidental that a random person just so happened to be following in their footsteps. 

“So. You gonna tell me why you’re trailing them. I’m not leaving you alone ‘til you do. And I can promise, you won’t want me sticking around.“ It was a matter of time before his semblance kicked in. But when it came to threats to his niece Qrow wasn’t going to pull punches.

[ladibugs2]

family

when everything goes to hell, the people who STAND by you without flinching –                they are your F A M I L Y. 

There wasn’t much that Bridgette could recall about her old life – the one she’d had before meeting Qrow. Flashes of memory would come to her every once in awhile, all of them sad, all of them lonely. The night he’d found her, it’d been raining. She was sure that she looked utterly ridiculous in her ballet flats and tutu, stubbornly holding a tiny bit of wire as if that was going to stop whatever attack a much larger man wanted to deal on her. However, no blow ever came. He’d chuckled and scooped her up, laughing harder as she thrashed and swore at the useless old fuck. 

Eight years later, and Bridgette was still just as fierce. 

She was only a few months away from being old enough to enter into Beacon Academy, and Qrow hadn’t stopped training her since she’d built up her weapon of choice about a year ago. Bridgette knew that he pushed her so hard so that she would be safe on her own, but ti was utterly maddening. Sure, they had fun every once in awhile, but she couldn’t help but doubt herself. Was Qrow only pushing her this hard because he thought she couldn't do this? She’d come to regard him as her father, and if he doubted her, she knew she wouldn’t be able to get into Beacon. 

The fifteen year old let out a frustrated huff, rolling her wrists to cut the wire she’d been practicing with. Qrow was there, leaning up against the side of their house and evaluating her performance with his usual critical eye. Bridgette turned on her heal to face him, her face contorted into a scowl. “Why do you keep putting me through this BULLSHIT!” Bridgette was shouting, sure to ruffle any nearby feathers. “This is stupid and dumb! I’ve been training since you found me, and you still don’t think I can make it in? That I can keep myself safe?” 

@imyourbaduckcharm

[jinxedqrow]

Qrow rolls his eyes at the talking back, briefly he wonders if it was possible to inherit snark despite them not being blood related. She certainly had his more abrasive attitude. Despite the training session, his weapon was still sheathed as it knew it’s place and would never be seeing any battlefield next to Bridgette. So he understood where her ire was coming from but that didn’t mean she understood why he had to stay on the sidelines. 

That was still a secret few knew.

The huntsmen wasn’t sure how his semblance would come into affect when raising a child. There was always that undercurrent of worry something would happen to her, more so than a parent’s usual paranoia. If something happened to her that was directly his fault... Thankfully it proved to be easily hidden however, who could say their semblance appeared when born and they were pretty much cursed their whole life. Any ‘bad luck’ that happened in their life he would fix immediately. And if needed he could drop her off at her ‘uncle’s’ place with her cousins, Taiyang’s disapproving look aside, Qrow always managed to fix it.

He had to stay resolute on his stance to stay away from her when needed. He made an art out of being able to hover without being close. “Course I think you got the skills to get in. But Grimm don’t care how long you’ve been training or how many hours of work you put in. Any slip up is life or death and you gotta learn how to fight when it seems like there’s nothin but bad luck headed your way.” 

She would always be at a disadvantage with him being so close.

In a flash he pulls out his weapon and aims at her feet, the blanks hitting the ground and sending a cloud of dust up. “A Grimm isn’t gonna wait for you to stop complaining about how hard it is. ‘m teaching you a fight is never easy, and definitely never fair. Now, again.”

[jinxedqrow]

The lights are dimmed, so Qrow can only make out a vague outline of a figure. Their legs are crossed, and their posture makes it seem like they're uninterested in the situation. "Are you ignoring me?" There was a hard, angry edge. "Why? Are you scared I'm going to spit the truth in your face? How many have you killed, Qrow? How many deserved it? How many more will you slaughter to 'help' those you love?" [CS: Chapter Four]

“Tch!” Finally someone was yelling at him for what he’d done. He’d been on edge and passive aggressive just waiting for the ticking time bomb of his actions to go off. 

The first time he heard the voice Zwei whined at his snarls, pulling him back to the present and forcing him to stay calm. That incident had him rubbing his head, feeling that the guilt was finally starting to set in. He had been questioning whether or not he’d do the same thing over again and that’s what ate at him.

He grabs the crowbar at his side ready to start swinging as if it were his beloved missing weapon.“Whatever you are, get the hell away from me.“

[jinxedqrow]

Qrow had to take a moment to get his head back on, especially after what he’d witnessed. He ended up with Zhu Li, looking over to her discovered bloodied book before he narrows his eyes. To get over this, he needs to focus on the task at hand. That being find the bastard responsible.

The first thing he notices is a pile of books in front of a shelf. The shelves behind the pile of books are missing books in several spots, all at least 5 feet-ish up or higher. The books on the floor can clearly be matched up to the spots missing books on the shelves. 

It’s then he sees a blood trail moving from the pile to the door. Nose wrinkling he follows the trail to the hallway to see an abrupt stop. Confused, he continues searching rooms before finding another blood trail in the arena. The single trail leads to the medical bay, to which he finds a cot with a small bloodstain on it and with more searching, a used first aid kit with a bloody smear on the clasp.

[jinxedqrow]

He scowled as they returned from their jungle run, him with a limp and Ivara faring far worse. In a cruel ironic turn of events he had been the one to end up with luck on his side with nothing more than a sprained ankle and a few scratches. The automaton came out far worse for wear. He may not have been an expert in robotics but he could tell a bad injury when he saw one. 

His eyes regard her seriously before he gives a sigh he moves to help her. She had no reason to go in there with him, after everything that had happened he was positive everyone would hold something against him. He didn’t blame them and he knew he had to be extra cautious now, crowbar never leaving his side. So when he began his venture and Ivara offered to keep him company, he was suspicious. Though he knew better than to turn down help in uncharted waters. 

“Here. Let’s get to your room and we can fix your arm. I know my way around some tech and injuries, just gotta tell me what to do for the other stuff.” Qrow could take care of his own ankle, he knew the wound itself wasn’t too bad. But Ivara may need an extra hand as she’s currently down one. For what it’s worth he thought it was sort of successful with what he saw in the jungle. But for now patching up Ivara came first, even if the rest of the night had him fumbling and doing what she said to the best of his abilities.

[jinxedqrow]

He didn’t flinch at the wrong name was being called. After the lies he’s spun and fabricated truth set down he held steady at the results of his labor. It had been a set up from the beginning, well unintentionally at first. When his would-be niece had come to him after the murder and investigation crying of course he accepted to help her. It was a small little lie because she was afraid to be accused. 

As the investigations went on and the suspect pool started dwindling, the icy realization in his gut stabbed him. He’d been duped. Taken for a fool because of human sentiment. Because she reminded him too much of a sweet girl with bright and happy silver eyes… Eyes he should have known would never hold that ready for battle or die trying glint that mirrored his own. He could understand that desperation to live, to survive. Maybe that was why he never verbally asked if she were the killer. The confirmation would have changed everything.  When he looked over at where Bridgette was being escorted away he snorted, speaking gruffly, “Congrats. I’ll see ya in hell. Hope the company is as good as you made it seem.”

Qrow placed his hand over the crowbar he’d brought along for this very occasion. His grip was tight as he sentenced an innocent to die. Her final words rang in his head as he forced himself to watch what he’d done. Whatever came next was no less than he deserved, but while he wouldn’t kill, they should know by now he wouldn’t go down without a fight. 

[blxckhound1]

→ @imyourbaduckcharm

When he’d first arrived in this place, Sirius had felt very alone. While he could get along with most, there wasn’t anyone in particular that he felt he really clicked with. Then Qrow wandered on in through the door, and his life in this place became far more interesting. Finally he had a drinking buddy, someone who understood the hardships of life ( of war ) and what it could do to an individual. 

Of course, good luck had never lasted long for him – he supposed that should be obvious enough, being an omen of bad luck and all. 

Now they were trapped in this sick game. Sirius had stayed in this world to get AWAY from the war – not get thrown into another sort of killing game. 

They key was heavy on his neck as he finished off another glass. He tipped his cup, grinning wildly as the Barkeep filled it up again. No reason to stay sober in times like this. He’d starved before, he could make it. When Qrow joined him at the bar his grin widened, and he turned towards the man. 

“’Bout time you showed your mug ‘round here.” There was just the slightest slur to his voice, revealing that Sirius had started drinking far earlier. 

[jinxedqrow]

The tavern was one of the only reasons he didn’t mind being trapped here. It may hurt to admit but they served some damn good drinks and have a seemingly endless supply of the hard stuff. And it is free. 

If that weren’t enough the company wasn’t too bad either. The kids that ran around here seemed okay, he’d found a kindred spirit of his nieces and the companionship he had found in Sirius might as well have been the same bond forged between he and Taiyang. But he had higher patience for Sirius. 

No one else here could hold their liquor like Qrow and Sirius could. That being said, with the whole starvation thing, their tolerance could falter on an empty stomach despite alcohol being in their blood. Smirking he nodded, “Tch, of course. Shoulda come sooner considerin’ you probably drank half the bar. Paws off and let me get in a few rounds.”

With that he finally got served and he downed a first drink. “So, how many til I get as drunk as you are. Seems like a good place to be right now.”

[jinxedqrow]

The more that went on the more the case began to annoy him. It’s clear as day that Bridgette is also worse for wear, poison, dealing with grief, her power consequences ON TOP of lack of sleep. He keeps glancing over at her just to make sure she doesn’t keel over from stress of the questions. It doesn’t take long before he finally growls out, “If all your evidence banks on bandages. Take a look at death versus the time found. A hefty amount to redo your own wounds wouldn’t you say? Even if you were hurt.”

His glare is dark and irritation clear, “All of this just because you don’t want to believe it’s her? That it’s beyond your reasoning that she could ever do this? Face the facts squirts. The only thing you guys got. Both are wounded. Both would have a motive. But only one has someone to vouch for them.” 

[jinxedqrow]

CS Trial Lyall: So... wait, what time did you leave her alone?

He didn’t like where this was going. Qrow scowled, sure it was the nature of the game but he didn’t appreciate this. “You want specifics? Fine. I went to her dorm around 11. I had left a little after 1 because A. I can’t sleep in other dorms. B. I wanted to make sure she stayed asleep.”

He looked over to Bridgette, the exhaustion and pain he could see caused him to sigh and rub the back of his neck again. “Look. It ain’t my place to say but she’s been having nightmares after Aku. I wanted to make sure she stayed asleep. So just what the hell are you trying to imply.”

[ladibugs2]

→ @imyourbaduckcharm liked for a starter [ x ]

It’d only been about a day, but Bridgette was starting to feel the effects of no food. Her head felt light, and her stomach ached. There seemed to be a light tremble in her hands that she just couldn’t seem to make end. Because of this, she’d taken to sleeping more. Bridgette, when not with Gabe, would find some place to tuck away until she woke up, wandered a bit more, and then fell asleep again. 

She was tucked away into one of these places when she felt someone nudge her. With a grunt, she sat up, rubbing at her eyes. Sleepily, she looked up towards the man who’d awoken her. “Can I help you?” She mumbled.

[jinxedqrow]

“Sleepin’ out in the open is about as safe as walking around here with a target on your back.” After the announcement of the food withdrawal and of what they had to do to get it back, Qrow was feeling less hospitable than he usually was around these new characters. There was no telling what they’d do when feeling the affects of starvation. 

But he had to curse the ingrained soft spot he had for the younger people running around here. Maybe it was nostalgia hitting him, or starvation having an affect but there was no denying she reminded him of his niece. Qrow held out his hand to help her up, “Here. Let me help you to the dorms or to the tavern. May not be time for coffee but it does curb hunger pains.” 

[jinxedqrow]

Qrow, what were you doing at the time of Aku's death?

“Things that normal people woulda been doing. Sleeping.” Qrow sighed and crossed his arms, “If you’re under the assumption I did something to her, forget it. Someone I care about, cares about her so I wouldn’t have done anything to hurt her.”

[jinxedqrow]

ladibugs:

Bridgette had been feeling very overwhelmed with all that’d been happening here. It wasn’t often that she strayed from her room unless she HAD to, and even then, she didn’t like to stay out for long. Aku had practically shut her down, and the fae had been having trouble making any other connections sense. Tonight was one of those rare nights that she broke out of her shell a bit and attempted something new. 

She was startled when she felt someone bump into her. She looked up, a light blush on her cheeks. “Oh no, you’re fine, I should have been paying more attention.” When the stranger mentions one of their lovely wardens, a look of slight disgust tugs at Bridgette’s features. “I noticed. It’s… an unpleasant similarity.” 

She sighed and offered her hand. “I’m Bridgette.” Her voice is a bit timid, and her smile uncertain. 

He gives a hum of acknowledgement before taking her hand in return, “Qrow Branwen. And didn’t mean to offend ya. I’m certain you have much better qualities in your pinky than she does in her body.”

The girl seemed timid and he knew he wasn’t the most friendly or cuddly to be around. The only ones who put up with him were partner in arms and the kids from Beacon. Even if he knew establishing sentiment was a bad thing in life and death situations, he had to make due. There was safety in numbers and he didn’t want to be picked off just yet, plus he couldn’t leave someone around Ruby’s age to fend for themselves.

“So what brings you out and about this time of night.” 

[jinxedqrow]

ayumi-yoshida:

“Hello!” Ayumi greeted the older man. “My name is Ayumi Yoshida! It’s nice to meet you too!” She said with a smile.

Looking around, she then realised she was in a place that she’s never been in before. She raised her eyebrows. The detective boys haven’t mentioned a place surrounded by wood or where it was. Turning back to Qrow, she looked up at him with curious eyes. “Qrow-san? Do you know where we are?” 

At that his smile faltered, because what was he supposed to say to that? He had no good answer for that nor did he have any clue himself. 

“I uh, I’m not sure to be honest. I came in looking for a drink and nothing seemed different until I couldn’t leave.” Qrow had his own experiences on taverns and inns to fall back on, and the fact he was in a smaller town it didn’t strike him as odd coming in. How quickly he realized that wasn’t the case.

“I guess you got stuck here same as me.” And by the dust, she was so much younger she shouldn’t even be in a place like this.

[jinxedqrow]

starter for @mxkersmxrk

Irritation colored his features as his grip tightened on the bulk of the bottle while the other had a hand on the neck. He wasn’t about to give up without a fight.

“Listen. I understand needing a drink as much as the next guy but I got to the bottle first. Though I guess I have to admit you have good taste.” No one else here seemed any bit interested in downing their stresses by the bottle. It would seem Qrow found a kindred spirit.

[jinxedqrow]

starter for @ayumi-yoshida

“Hey, nice to meet ya. Name’s Qrow.” 

It was a shock seeing people so young getting stuck in this situation. Granted, as far as he’s seen everyone seemed young in comparison to him. He hadn’t a clue what was going on but making sure the others didn’t go in a panic seemed like a good idea. Especially such impressionable ‘kids’, anyone around his nieces age or younger were kids to him. 

[jinxedqrow]

starter for @sxullesschild

He’s faced creatures stories high, things worse than anyone could have possibly imagined, yet here he was. In a tavern. Having an argument. With a kid. 

He wasn’t even sure what set the kid off, he’d just been in the middle of talking to the barkeep. His adventures, saving people, fighting monsters, usual bar talk that could be written off as a drunkard’s ramblings. Regardless of what people thought he never got drunk enough to not know what he was doing. He always needed to be battle ready. But when the battle was a kid interrupting him, he had to sober up even quicker.

“I don’t see what your problem is. And what are you even doing in here anyways.”

[jinxedqrow]

starter for @curlymcshouty

There were things Qrow was good at, fighting and drinking, and taking care of his nieces but in here that was irrelevant. Coming across someone who looked like he had a bone to pick with the world, though to be fair who didn’t in here, and was ready to act on it he internally groaned. The people here would be the death of him, figuratively, he hoped never literally.

“Hey. Before you do something stupid. Why not come with me to the store so we can get a bottle of the hard stuff. That way at least you’ll be stupid and drunk. My treat.” Though he hoped by the time he got the drink the other’s temper will be reigned in a little better.