Stricken Angel

Independent (HEAVILY HEADCANON-BASED) Raven Branwen from RWBY | Penned By Seal | Banner art by Yurax Mae on DA | Background by Abesario25 on DA | Avatar by KylinFZSX on DA 

[kygnata-blog]

shxttered-cxlors:

“Says the one that left her in the first place.” A hum, but stopped dead at the mention of Roman. She was honestly still unsure how to feel after being misguided…and improperly informed about good and evil.

“…..I only did what I was told….You try living your life without knowing the difference between good and bad….”

Raven raised a brow at Neo’s sudden attitude change, and she sighed quietly to herself, hands gripping her case a little tighter.

“...Kid, you think it’s rough dealing with that for eighteen or so years? Try almost double that. That’s the life I live with to keep these people safe--’cause they’re my family now, too. And if any moron,” she glares at Neo, “Tries to attack them, then I’ll do what I’ve been doing every day of Yang and Ruby’s lives for these people, too: I’ll protect them.”

[kygnata-blog]

aureumdraconeus:

“Raven Branwen, I don’t give a hot fuck is you think I’m hot shit. To you, I’m just that bastard of a daughter that you regret having. But with all the shit that’s happened, the Guardians, the Dragon Queen, all of this…it’s beyond my understanding and I want someone who knows about the world around her to tell me everything” Yang was stern as she clenched her fist, eyes glowing with energy

“Silence.” 

Raven’s voice dropped like a bomb, exploding out of a normally-composed woman who was very much out of patience. “You don’t know anything if you still think I don’t care about you. I’m sure you noticed that little black bird that always follows you and your sister. From that stupid bar fight of yours, all the way to when I saved you from having your arm cut off, and beyond, that little bird was always me.”

“I have always given a shit, Yang; if you knew that approaching your daughter would only dredge up the memories of the past--memories so painful, they attracted Grimm in droves when they last surfaced, then wouldn’t you try to help from afar whenever you could?”

[kygnata-blog]

shxttered-cxlors:

Hiding her annoyance from her. “…..how’s the life of being a bandit?” Just to start something off.

“...Who are you to ask me that? You attacked my daughter.” Raven’s expression is one of irritation, and she followed it up How’s Roman doing, by the way?”

[kygnata-blog]

echoesofblck:

“Oh, I like that name! I’m Bianca! Nice to meet you Raven, you’re the second person I’ve met named after a bird. I think your bird is cooler than the other one though.” Tilting her head and thinking..yes she was comparing bird just because of their names. “What? Oh, well sorry I didn’t give it back sooner. I know how it is to lose something important like that. You just get sadder and angrier and you can’t stop thinking about it and do everything you can to get it back! But lucky for you it wasn’t much a hassle.”

“The same reason most would have for not attacking something. Those things..the grimm…those things were worthless. A blight upon this world with no actual reason to exist. Easy to dispose of and hardly a challenge, getting rid of them was a temporary cure for boredom but also perhaps doing everyone a favor. I knew I could handle it. You however, hmmm that’s different…you’re not like those things at all and the same approach wouldn’t work. Besides, you’re too pretty…”

Second person named after a...? Dammit, Qrow, quit trying to stick your dick in everything...

“Well...it would be a hassle--if I didn’t also have the power of one of the most observant birds known to mankind. As for the grimm, you’re correct, but...few people destroy grimm purely for the joy of it.” 

A chuckle, “...You’re right--I’m not like those things. How much can you see about me?”

[kygnata-blog]

echoesofblck:

@kygnata from here

She couldn’t help but laugh at her annoyance. “Oooh terribly sorry! I suppose I never learned when to keep my mouth shut!” Though now she seemed content to listen to the other woman. Part of her wondered what was so special about THAT particular watch. Even if one was obsessed with the time..a watch was easy to replace. One could be bought or taken in nearly every possible town.

“Funny, you don’t much look like a huntress….ah but you DO look very much like a bandit…sad to say I’ve never heard of the Branwen tribe..or maybe I did..maybe it went in one ear and out the other as they say. We get so much information from so many sources these days..hard to really tell what’s important…” Ah, now the woman was starting to ask questions..

“Hmm? Oh I was just going for a walk, if you can believe it. I don’t really have any reason to be out here and as for those things…I was bored..they existed…I’m still bored but they don’t exist anymore. So, to whom am I speaking? Branwen seems obvious but what’s the first name?”

Raven sighed--loudly; it didn’t look like this woman was going to be doing any better anytime soon. Finally, she removed her mask, and tilted her head at the words. Gods above, did the chieftess really run into someone so crazy that she killed off Grimm for fun? 

“...Raven. Raven Branwen. This watch--it was a gift from a dear friend, and it’s important to me.  That’s why I wanted it back. As for you going after beowolves because...because they exist, that begs a question: why aren’t you attacking me here and now?” Maybe she was crazy, but Raven knew better than anyone:

Crazy doesn’t mean stupid.

[kygnata-blog]

@shxttered-cxlors, continued from here!

“...Heh.” Raven snorts, “Too much of a coward to even face me either time, huh? What do you want, then?”

[kygnata-blog]

roaming-ranger:

Venix listened to her explanation in silence, not entirely sure if he could see it her way. Training villages to survive Grimm? It sounded very much like an excuse to him. But she had brought herself down to his level, looking him in the eyes. She had to be trying this hard to convince him for a reason, right? Maybe there was something here after all.

Or maybe he just really wanted to believe her.

Venix was silent for a long time, weighing over his response before meeting her gaze. “… My master taught me to help people.” He said. “… If you’re asking for my help, I’ll give it.”

Raven stared, peering at him through the cage bars; what was he thinking? Was he thinking like all the rest, that it was just an excuse to take things from others? Just as she was about to open her mouth, he spoke again. About helping people.

“...Your master was a good man, then.” Is what she says first, but then, her eyes slide shut. Standing, she slowly unlocks the cage-door, and tells him, “...It’s good to help others, this is true; but, sometimes, to do some good...” she lets the door slide open. Transforming Garmr into a gauntlet, she tosses it to him, “...Sometimes, to do some good, you’ve got to be the bad guy.”

[kygnata-blog]

dcnar:

“Well that doesn’t seem like a good way to start conversations. How is anybody supposed to talk to you if you won’t even explain what you mean?”

@kygnata

“Because, I usually say what I mean. If I have to re-explain what I’m saying, then it might get everyone confused, and then nothing will make sense.”

“...Make sense?”

[kygnata-blog]

iryujonisu:

               Emerald stared at Raven. However it seemed to come through; all Emerald done was scold someone with the exact amounts of pain Cinder held. The guilt swallowed beneath her- causing her to sit up. 

                                   “…Fear- drives people.”

                                                                          Despite it; she might as well try to cheer the woman up. She hadn’t killed her yet- tried to nurse her & keep her safe from the others so far. Supposedly, she probably even had a fight with the others & had pressure from them constantly asking questions and such.

                                             “It– makes you do things you don’t want to do – Or you don’t know you’ve done it till it’s been done…You we’re fighting. I know Cinder like I know myself. Her plans weren’t exactly the smartest, but however- she was suggesting on taking the power herself. She took Vernal away. Cinder would have done the same to you- or atleast tried to. I don’t know what I even meant to Cinder, but I know I was close enough she let me touch her skin without flinching or scolding me.” shrugging; the girl nodded at her own words. “It might not justify what you did, but it justifies the reason you done it. You did it because you were probably scared, angry and hurting.”

               Emeralds voice trembled, “Deep down. Everyones a monster. Nobodies too pure- nobodies too evil. We’ve all got demons that sometimes get out of control by our emotions that become to great. I’m sorry for calling you a monster when I’m one myself. I’ve– done my fair share of killing. Things I’m not proud of. Failed to be there for people when they needed me most. Cinder.. Was probably just as scared of you as you were scared of her.”

Raven let a soft smile barely tug at the corners of her lips--in a way, she supposed this was reassurance, that keeping Emerald here was the right thing. At her words, Raven slowly moved to embrace her with one hand--letting her pull away if she wanted.

“...All three--I was scared, angry, and hurting. We’ve all had moments like that, just as you said, Em. But...” she trails off, “...I don’t want you to blame yourself for venting at me, before--you didn’t know--there was no way you could have.”

As she slowly pulled away, just enough to look Emerald in the eyes whilst her tears still fell, she whispered in finality, “You can’t blame yourself for something like that, when you couldn’t have known about the circumstances behind it. Okay...?” Her eyes, though usually a furious red, are a sweet pink in this light.

[kygnata-blog]

iryujonisu:

                  Remarkably; without putting up a fight; her own fingers, slowl curled around Ravens hand itself, softly letting out a weak, get so broken whimper when she softly dragged him pressing the back of her fingers against her forehead. Like- somesort of needed comfort. As expected; Ravens hand were–

                                                    satisfyingly cold. Just like Cinders, despite her powers & the way she was. Her fingers were always the coldest part of her, which made Emerald melt (in more ways than once) — However, this gesture didn’t mean she was going to forgive Raven. She needed the comfort.

                                  “I’m sorry.”

                                                    her voice whispered out at Raven. “Even though, she killed Vernal. That doesn’t justify what you did to her. She was just as afraid as you of Salem.” Trying to bring light to Cinders name she- tried to expose little & alot of the same time. “She– was afraid of loneliness. Afraid of being hurt & broken. She craved power & fear because that’s all shes ever known. You can’t blame her.”

                                                      Emeralds eyes, glistened against the lights from the window- whilst she looked up at Raven, “Even if she had killed so many. She was still human.”

“..I know.” Raven’s voice is quiet--that of a scared little girl who just escaped a fearsome battle, “...And I’ll have to live with that fact every night of my life; that she and I were almost exactly the same in many respects, and that, if we hadn’t been so violently opposed, we might have been as close as sisters.”

Raven’s hands gingerly squeezed Emerald’s--the pale woman was shaking. Not violently, but enough to be noticeable.

“...And I killed her; all over some stupid artifact, something that none of us actually know what to do with, but all of us want. You’re right--Vernal’s death doesn’t make Cinder’s death just.” She looked her in the eyes, tears flowing down Raven’s face, “...It was simply my justification for being a monster.”

[kygnata-blog]

roaming-ranger:

Venix’s eyes widened as Raven revealed herself. Maybe he hadn’t realized who’s territory he had been intruding on, maybe he wasn’t expecting her to be so beautiful. Maybe he just wasn’t used to praise like she was giving. Whatever the reason, it took him a moment to process what she was saying.

“Just trying to survive..” It had been a long time since he had traveled with anyone. Had somebody looking out for him, hell, since he had been able to sleep soundly through a full night. Not since he had lost Cobalt. That could all change with a simple yes. It was hard outside the kingdoms. He had seen that first hand, his prosthetic arm was testament to that. The lucky towns turned into fortresses, the rest were just waiting for Grimm to wipe them off the map. Everyone had to take whatever advantage they could grab. But to do that by taking from other..  Could I really add to their misery? Could I turn her down?

His indecision was evident on his face, and he looked away from her, down at the floor of his cage.

“We don’t raid the villages out here because we want to take something from them.” Raven’s now sat just before him--outside the cage, still-- and she lets her eyes fall shut.

“...How many villages come out here, and go untested--unchallenged? How many of them fall victim to grimm assaults within a few months, and get destroyed?” 

Her eyes opened, “That’s why we’re here; we know how to survive the Grimm, and we’re here to teach others: if you cannot fend our attacks off, then what hope are you possibly going to have against the Grimm? With us, they escape with their lives; the Grimm, on the other hand, hunt them down like animals. We are not the monsters--we’re here to prepare others to deal with the monsters.”

[kygnata-blog]

iryujonisu:

           “I don’t care what it’ll do to me.” Her voice trembled from the lack of hydration, rest & the strain from screaming. A weakened hand came, to slowly push herself away so she could sit against the bed. However Raven tried to give her affection. She was going to refuse it. She didn’t want it.

              Not from her.

                                      She took everything from her. She took Cinder, from her hands. Her safety, her love & her reason of living. So why; should she just bend the knee to please her. It was then her voice raised slightly to speak once more. “I’m not going to be your replacement for your dead fake-maiden. I wont stoop to that level. I’m already low enough.” letting herself fall to her side, she laid there.

                                       her hand idly tugged against the bed sheets, she wont lie. She wanted to hold hands with– anyone. If Mercury was here. He’d be give that chance to hold her hand. Over it all. She needed to leave.

                                                    “if they don’t. I will.” 

                                                                                        “ill kill ruby myself.”

“...” Raven took her gloves off, setting the things nearby, before taking Emerald’s hands into her own; not saying a word, not even looking Emerald in the eyes. Just...sitting there. Brushing over the other’s hands with calloused thumbs.

[kygnata-blog]

iryujonisu:

                   It wasn’t working.

                                               So now she was working on trying to catch a breath. Calmly controlling herself- she soon got ahold of her own breathing to a point she felt her own legs buckle. Her eyes settle against the mirror behind them. She - was a mess. She knew the dangers of doing it to herself; but she needed to see her.  No matter ho much it would hurt her; she needed it.

                      She stared for less than a minute- creating an illusion for herself. A formal Cinder standing infront of her- raising a hand to gently pet her head. Her nose began to bleed from the consequences of it. A shakey sigh was made- one of satisfication & love. She closed her tired eyes; 

                        letting that roll over on her mind- she opened it again to see a smile against the illusion as it slowly vanished. 

                                               “….” Atleast– she’d calmed down. Though, the rest of her seemed to be mostly relying on Raven to keep her standing; her arms even dandled beside her, her breathing was simple but heavy. She was coming down from both her freakout & anger. 

Raven saw her nose-bleeding; a sign of an overtaxed semblance. It was the same thing that happened to the older woman whenever she tried to use too many portals in the span of a few minutes. 

“Please, don’t do that to yourself...” she whispered quietly, one hand running through Emerald’s hair slowly, the other continuing to hold her, “It’ll only make you hurt more...”

[kygnata-blog]

iryujonisu:

             That fear strook her spin when she saw those eyes- tears instantly spiking to a hault. It was- like when Cinder was upset or mad when she pressed on something. However when she noticed her own illusion betrayed her own ability & fuzzed away like static from a TV; However Emerald only backed away - not enough, (clearly) - to have herself be locked into a grip. Her panic kicked in-

                           Trying to push the Maiden from her she dug her nails into - what of the exposed skin- even through her Yukata’s fabric. “Stop it–” She yelled; trying her hardest. It hurt all over- to even be doing this.

                                She doesn’t want this- didn’t want tthis. It was supposed to be an in and out mission- but this woman fucked everything up. “Get off me–” Screaming at the top of her voice, in situations like these…she usually stood above it all, but knowing Cinder wouldn’t be there to come save her turned on the frantic mode. 

                                                                    “They’ll come for you! They’ll go back and kill every last person in your Tribe- find the scattered & the people you’ve ever been involved with and stop at nothing till they’re all dead! No matter what you do with me– They’ll do it all over just like they did to Vernal! And it’ll be your fault for fucking Cinder over! You did this not her! You did it! You’re the one who killed everyone!”

                                                           Now, she was screaming nonsense. This- was exactly what Emerald used to do. When she was afraid for everything- anyone and anything. The exact fearful attitude that lead her to near death at most. 

Raven let her go off threatening and rambling; now that the older woman had a few moments to think where she wasn’t being forcibly presented with the murder of her adopted daughter, she was able to hold Emerald there. Her grasp was gentle-but-firm, her own attitude and aura calming.

She didn’t say a word, just soaking in the sadness and pain of this poor girl--very much like she had to do when Vernal lost her temper, in a moment of pained weakness. It hurt, that this girl was so much like Vernal...

[kygnata-blog]

iryujonisu:

                    “You? Caring?” 

                                                 Her voice hitched, glaring towards Raven, tears relentlessly pouring from her eyes; “You’re not evil- you’re just a monster! Cinder did what she had to do to survive! You haven’t seen what she’s seen, what I’ve seen!” Her voice was weakening. “We did – what we had to do…”

                                      She decided to push around the womans hands- twisting her arms- managing to shove her from the bed much enough she put her hands over her head for a moment, shriviling away; What she did was create those said people that Raven named. Vernal & Amber stood next to eachother. 

                                                      It was a harsh illusion but she was afraid. “you’re a monster.” she whispered- however, it came out of Vernals mouth with her voice rather disortedly. 

“Nngh...!” Raven looked away, feeling the image wrap itself around her mind, and all she saw was Vernal’s wide eyed terror as the li--

“ENOUGH!” she shouted, eyes flying open as jets of red flame expelled from her eyes. Her mind took Emerald’s illusion, and ground it into dust under the weight of the maiden powers.

Raven stood, eyes clearly furious, and she strode over to Emerald...

...And put her arms around Emerald again. Raven knew to shut her mouth this time, just holding the girl tightly--ensuring she wouldn’t be able to wriggle away--that she had to just stand there and be embraced.

[kygnata-blog]

“.......Yang’s Mother...I take it?” (shxttered-cxlors)

@shxttered-cxlors

“...Mhm. I’m sure you remember me--you really want to do this again? I didn’t even get a chance to show off, last time.”

[kygnata-blog]

iryujonisu:

                “If you aren’t aware, I am in decide of that- I’m in control of when I die!” she shook her head at Raven violently; she hated the fact she was so- close, after what she did to her. What she did to Cinder.

                             “Cinder hurt nobody that you cared of, I know that for sure. You don’t care about Ruby or her damn family you’re just a woman who comes and goes as she pleases because she gives less of a shit about those around her than she does herself; so don’t tell me I don’t get to decide when I die when you’ve killed more than what Cinder ever has in her lifetime.” She scowled- almost ready to probably jump out the window, duck & dive and run away. However she can’t move.

                                        Her body still ached & her motivation was depletted from top to bottom. Without Cinder, was there really a reason to even put up a fight?? Nope.   She was useless, wasn’t she?

                    “just fucking kill me.”

Raven let the nonphysical punishment wash over her, taking the hurt in and letting her vent, until, finally, she seemed to relent.

“...No.” And that was all she was going to say on Emerald’s suicide. Instead, she moved to cup Emerald’s face, and stare her in the eyes.

“Vernal. Amber. Many people within my tribe. Those are all people Cinder Fall killed, who I cared for. If I did not care for you, would I waste my time making you breakfast, as I have?”

Before Emerald could try anything, Raven’s hands were holding her wrists again, with a terrifying speed. “I am not evil.”