INVICTUS.

I HAVE NOT WINCED NOR CRIED ALOUD — MY HEAD IS BLOODY BUT UNBOWED.

[metalpetals-a]

I LIED. i am actually officially archiving this blog. but you should neither fear nor rejoice, because ruby is just in the process of being moved to a new blog for a fresh start! 

[touches this blog’s face] good night sweet prince

[metalpetals-a]

hmmm.  i’ll officially be setting this blog to low activity!  there are no other tumblr blogs to catch me on,  i just have a lot to do and not a lot of motivation to write.  such is life.  i’m going to be clearing the starter calls i owe for my own sanity,  but always feel free to reach out if you’d like to plot! 

also  —  i might overhaul my rules later, but just a small reminder to pleeease stop rbing things from me!  unless it’s impossible,  i really would like everyone to rb directly from the source,  not me!  this includes memes,  musings,  etc.  basically anything that’s not a thread.  also,  don’t rb my ooc posts please.  that’s extra annoying.  the only exception to this is other rubies can feel free to rb hc or meta posts i make should they want to,  because i love you all. 

[metalpetals-a]

hmmm.  i’ll officially be setting this blog to low activity!  there are no other tumblr blogs to catch me on,  i just have a lot to do and not a lot of motivation to write.  such is life.  i’m going to be clearing the starter calls i owe for my own sanity,  but always feel free to reach out if you’d like to plot! 

also  ---  i might overhaul my rules later, but just a small reminder to pleeease stop rbing things from me!  unless it’s impossible,  i really would like everyone to rb directly from the source,  not me!  this includes memes,  musings,  etc.  basically anything that’s not a thread.  also,  don’t rb my ooc posts please.  that’s extra annoying.  the only exception to this is other rubies can feel free to rb hc or meta posts i make should they want to,  because i love you all. 

[metalpetals-a]

wintersrapier‌:

@metalpetals​ liked for a quote starter!!                        ↳Milo Gallagher, “No Funeral.”

“You mourn the girl I was,” Weiss speaks. Her hold upon Myrtenaster’s hilt tightens. There’s no time for talking. She knows this. But they need words now. They no longer synchronize. She can’t simply follow Ruby’s lead. She can’t guess what her (former?) best friend is thinking. They fight for the same cause. (To stop Salem, and save the world.) No longer do they see eye to eye. They’ve fallen out of step. Onto separate rhythems.

After the fall, Weiss chose to bet upon Ironwood. He offered her a home, when her own father wouldn’t. At the time, it seemed to her to be her option. And though Team WHTE may not always get along, she’d do anything for them. As a friend and a leader. Since leaving Vale, Weiss has reclaimed the kingdom of Atlas and what it means to her.

“As if I killed her. As if I left her somewhere, shipwrecked in the dry glass.”

She thought she would do the same for Ruby, Blake, and Yang. When they arrived, Weiss could not have been more elated. But when they stand upon the cusp of all out war? When they were so close to unity, only to unravel at the seams. The former heiress is face to face with the choices they’ve both made. With choices that have led to this moment.

To fighting her friends that won’t accept being arrested by Ironwood. They’re out of time and options. With Salem arriving gods know when, they’re wasting energy. Even so… she’s drawn her sword. She’s taken her stand against people she loves… for others she loves as equally.

(If she can subdue Ruby here, she may still have to convince Ironwood to change his mind before Winter receives the maiden’s powers…)

She has to try. Whatever it takes.

Never,  never in a thousand years would Ruby have ever anticipated finding herself on the opposite side of a war as her best friend.  Never would she have thought that it’d occur because of their own choices to walk diverging paths.  Never would she have considered the idea that Weiss would simply...abandon them.

Crescent Rose lays as heavy in her grip as the weight of the world bearing down onto her shoulders,  her fingers pressed against the red metal of its collapsed form until they turn white.  She’s waiting for the moment Weiss sends her a sign,  a knowing glance,  a sly wink  ---  any sort of signal to let her know this is just a ploy.  

Any second now,  Weiss will turn around,  freeze her new ‘teammates’ to the ground with a glyph and that pleased smirk she always wears when she’s triumphant...  And again  ---  just one more time,  please,  Weiss,  just one more time  ---  she’ll ask Ruby what the plan is. 

It doesn’t happen.  Ruby isn’t sure it ever will again. 

There’s heartbreak clear in dulled silver eyes,  her nerves frayed and worn beyond repair it feels like,  but she still finds the strength to take a step forward.  And then another one.  She stands beside Blake and Yang,  staring their former teammate in the eye...and with a deep breath,  the heartbreak turns to resigned determination.  She spins her weapon around as it unfolds,  each mechanical clank as the scythe expands ringing out like another nail in the coffin of what was supposed to be a friendship that lasted a lifetime.  At this rate,  they’ll be lucky if it lasts the hour,  won’t they? 

How did it come to this? 

“ I don’t want to have to fight you, ”  Ruby tells her,  desperately hoping that none of her fear or her uncertainty lingers in her voice.  To her credit,  it doesn’t.  She’s unwavering,  decisive,  a pillar amidst a hurricane that refuses to crumble  --  everything she feels that she isn’t and yet everything that she tries to be.  “ But you’re not taking us,  Weiss. ”  

Her eyes narrow,  and for just a moment,  the anger and jealousy she’s been stubbornly denying this whole time begins to seep in,  fueling her in the absence of her waning strength.  “ We don’t need a fourth member to outmatch you, ”  she states with a cold chill to her tone.  Of course,  what she means is that it doesn’t matter if it’s 3 to 4.  Their team will make it through the fire and flames just like they always have,  just like the world is depending on them to do.  But as the words leave her,  she realizes a second too late that it sounds like she’s telling Weiss that they don’t need her...when the whole reason for her heart lying in pieces on the floor is that anything but that is true. 

And that’s the part that will destroy Ruby even as she gives everything she has left to save everyone else. 

[pencap]

warrior child, you carry such coldness in your veins war-torn child, you carry such loneliness in your bones war-born child, you carry such horror in your heart warrior child, you were born with legends breathing inside your name and history books waiting to trace your footsteps war-torn child, you know better than anyone how to cry in silence for things gone by and how to kill and kill without seeing their eyes war-born child, you were made to hold brawls between your knuckles and bury old friends and old memories between your ribs warrior child, I was once a warrior too I was born with bones made of gunmetal     and eyes made of muzzle flares     and a voice made of hissing bullets war-torn child, you and I are much the same I am older than you     but not by much     but not by enough you will soon be as old as I and we will both still be warrior children war-born child, you and I know too well     how this story will end     how this story always ends     how this story must forever end warrior child, do not fear it is they who should be afraid war-torn child, fear is what beats inside your heart in the place where life used to be  war-born child, there is nothing more frightening than a man who has torn his own self apart so burn your bridges, warrior child,     before someone else lights them up so freeze your heart, war-torn child,     before someone else leaves it cold so dig your grave, war-born child,     before someone else buries you

and if they ask—call it peace ( j.p. )

[metalpetals-a]

unprompted | always accepting !!

@valianse​ said  :     " beanbags are just boneless sofas. "

“ Like,  sacks of couch meat? ” 

[metalpetals-a]

unprompted | always accepting !!

@toflame​ said   :    "hey, little sis." jogging to catch up with her little sister, yang wraps an arm around the back of ruby's neck and her robotic hand musses with her hair. "you doin' okay? you've been non-stop for weeks now."

“ Yang!  Not the hair! ”  Ruby sharply groans,  batting her sister’s hand away as she wriggles out of her grasp.  A tongue is stuck out over her shoulder as she skips a few steps ahead of her,  before turning around and prancing backwards as if to keep an eye on her in case she went in for another attack on her poor,  poor spikes.  “ I’m fine,  jeez!  Don’t be such a Dad. ”  Still,  there’s a familiar shine of affection in silver eyes,  gratitude that she even has her sister here to be annoying and protective,  gratitude that she continues to ask even if Ruby can never quite answer her.  Even at their lowest,  that shine has never quite disappeared.  

[metalpetals-a]

unprompted | always accepting !!

@mosaiqk​ said  :    "hey, don't stare at me like that." weiss knew where she was staring ... to her bare wrist where her friendship bracelet was supposed to be. fingers ran over the spot. "it was too big for my wrist so i put it around my ankle." she pulled her foot gracefully out of her boot to show her. "i have dainty wrists mind you, it'd be lost if i wasn't so clever." corners of mouth upturned as pads of digits ran along the piece of jewelry with care. "i love it."

“ What?  Me?  Staring?  I wasn’t--- ”  A peal of laughter,  high - pitched and sharp,  and she waves a hand.  Another beat,  and...  Ruby’s shoulders slump.  Okay,  so she was staring.  Who could blame her when she’d noticed the so - called dainty little wrist she’d glanced at was barren of her favorite thing?  

However,  Weiss’s explanation brings a spark of relief back to silver eyes,  and she beams happily this time,  sincerely this time.  “ Pfft,  I knew where it was the whole time!  I was just...testing you! ”  It warms her chest to know that something that Weiss would’ve found so silly and childish all that time ago is now important enough for her to tuck away for safekeeping,  always on her person and yet out of reach of mishaps.  Another giggle,  and Ruby bumps her partner’s shoulder playfully with her own as she agrees cheerfully and without a hint of jest,  “ You’re the smartest,  Weiss. ”

[quietvoiced]

[metalpetals-a]

mosaiqk‌:

            being dragged into the undertow , she felt the waves lap over her. relentless , the hand of darkness kept her under the water. fingers pressed to wound , aroma of burnt flesh , her own flesh , lingered , the thought never to leave. she screamed out for help , voice abraded beyond repair that no sound escaped her. coughing , coughing , coughing would not cease. something tapped her shoulder , it , unfamiliar &. violent in dreamscape rattling her from night’s terror. rising to surface of glassy ice , she broke through.

            star - spun threads spiraled out from the loose braid , her forehead shined with fresh droplets of sweat as azurine irises void of bearings darted around the room. slender digits clenched ‘round sheets turned white.  — —— ——— where was this ? flinching away from the watcher , heart pumped like piston. who was that ?! but as the surroundings began to become familiar , beats regulated. silver eyes shone consuming lunar light , filled with worry. oh , she was here. she was with ruby. she was fine. ❛     i’m … okay ….     ❜ each syllable , hesitant left dry mouth , empty of feeling.  

She wants to believe Weiss,  to allow her the dignity of keeping her pain private,  but...  At what point does shying away from the frightening vulnerability become abandoning the friends who need her?  Where does she draw the line between respecting their strength and being their strength?  When does she stop pretending she’ll be anything they need if she won’t even be this? 

“ Okay, ”  Ruby whispers simply,  nodding her head.  It’s at this point that she’d smile,  make a goofy quip if she could think of one or an awkward joke if she couldn’t,  and she’d retreat in peace.  But tonight...  Even with her supposed acceptance,  she only climbs onto the foot of Weiss’s bunk,  settling with her back against the wall and her legs tucked underneath her.  No invite is required to tuck the end of her partner’s blanket across her lap,  her thighs just barely brushing small socks as she shifts to get comfortable.  And then through the darkness,  through the cracking thunder outside their window,  she just smiles softly at Weiss and tells her,  “ You can talk to me about it if you want.  Or...  You can go back to sleep.  I don’t mind.  It’s up to you. ”  But her presence,  one she hopes isn’t a violation of Weiss’s space that’ll make things even worse,  is her promise that no matter what,  Ruby will be there. 

[metalpetals-a]

yknow,  ruby is so interesting to write for sometimes because she’s a genuinely good,  compassionate person who holds herself responsible for a lot of things that have gone wrong.  and for some of them,  it’s so easy to attribute it to a savior complex or how she’s internalized the concept of leadership as harms that befall her friends reflecting on her own capability.  beacon,  even atlas  ---  there were so many things she’s learned from it,  but at the end of the day,  everything was truly out of her control.  

the interesting part though is you can still have this good,  compassionate person who holds herself responsible for some things...that really,  truly were her fault.  one of her biggest personality flaws is that she’s passive until she’s pushed into confrontation so much of the time.  she has no idea whatsoever how to do deal with intrateam conflict,  and standing by and doing nothing  ---  from as early as weiss and blake’s massive fight in v1 to the way they all treated in oscar in v6 and beyond  ---  is genuinely where ruby’s in the wrong.  

i wouldn’t exactly call her behavior inexcusable,  because at the end of the day,  part of the tragedy is that you can absolutely understand why she’s behaving the way she does.  she’s an incredibly young girl shouldered with enormous responsibility far too early than she was ever ready for.  

and i completely forgot where i was going with this originally.  i won’t lie.  but it’s intriguing to have a character you instinctively want to say ‘no, no, it’s not your fault!’ to,  only to think harder and tilt your head and say ‘...........well.’  just.  the concept of good people making mistakes and horrible decisions and failing their friends without inherently detracting from their goodness.  is a very human concept.  and with the current era of black and white thinking,  i enjoy writing it.  that will be all.  you’re all dismissed,  thank you for listening. 

[metalpetals-a]

@stormflowerhonor​ / i’m sorry too. ( acc. )

The door opens up and Ruby straightens up,  standing from where she’d been leaning against the wall with her arms crossed as if to pretend she hadn’t been waiting.  It’s a useless gesture,  really.  Ren no doubt knows her too well to expect she’d be anywhere else.  “ How...  How are they? ”  she asks,  brow knitting together as she resists the urge to peer past him at his teammates.  The news about Salem...  She can’t blame them for not taking it well,  even as her stomach rolls with discomfort and unease for the way they’d reacted. 

[metalpetals-a]

@thcrned​ / where to next? ( acc. )

“ Sorry,  Emerald,  the,  um...  The train cars are in groups of four.  Are you alright with bunking with Uncle Qrow for the ride over there? ”  It’s a question she hadn’t thought she’d ever be casually asking Emerald again,  not after Beacon,  but...  The last few weeks had come with plenty of surprises attached,  that’s for sure.  Not all of them were good,  but not all of them were bad either.  She wants to think Emerald is a good surprise---  no,  she does think that,  it’s just that...  Forgiveness is supposed to include actually forgiving,  right?  Why is that so hard for her to do when Emerald stands before her deserving of it?  

[metalpetals-a]

@toflame​ / could that have been real? ( acc. )

“ I’ve never seen a Grimm like that before, ”  she says,  swinging her legs quietly on the tiny cot put in the corner of Terra’s home office.  She and Weiss had already elected to share the living room together,  so the bag set next to her doesn’t belong to her,  but...  With the rest of the team scattered,  she hadn’t missed out on a chance to selfishly flutter to the shelter of her sister’s side,  no matter how else she tries to disguise it.  A debriefing?  A chat?  It doesn’t matter  ---  except possibly to her.  “ I don’t think I’ve ever heard of one with special powers...  Did...  Did Dad ever mention something like that to you? ”

[metalpetals-a]

@wintersrapier​ / please don’t watch me right now. ( acc. )

Her dreamscape is different this time,  deranged and oppressive with new shades of darkness and new sharp edges,  yet Ruby still wakes with the taste of ash in her mouth.  It’s as silent as it always is,  the way she jerks from her sleep with barely more than a strangled gasp,  fingers tangled tightly in the mess of blankets around her.  A few moments.  A few breaths.  And she slowly settles,  one hand pressed to her sweat-damp forehead and another arm crossed against her chest  ---  as if her soothing touch will work on her own trembling shoulders the same way it does for her friends’.  

She closes her eyes as she listens for the sound of footsteps,  for the halting of easy breaths,  but she can’t detect anything different about the home they’re staying in.  Good,  that’s good.  They’re all supposed to be getting some rest if tomorrow they’re going through with...  with...  Her plan or not,  her stomach churns to think of it,  of all that could go wrong,  and she rolls to her side to settle back into the blanket nest she’d made beside the couch.  She’s truly comfortable here,  exactly as she’d willfully insisted when forcing Weiss to the sofa herself,  but...  For just a single moment,  face turned towards the smoldering fireplace,  she allows herself to still wish that they were all home. 

[metalpetals-a]

@itsfarmboi​ / are you still in there? ( acc. )

“ Um,  Oscar? ”  Her voice is uncharacteristically tentative as she pokes her head around the corner into the kitchen,  one hand resting on the wooden frame.  She tries one moment for a smile,  but it falters before it can even take off.  Instead,  she just drums her fingers,  shifting uncomfortably as if the very air she takes up feels strange in the moment.  Has she felt like this since Beacon?  ( yes,  she answers herself unwillingly in the back of her mind,  every day since. )  “ I was just checking to see if you needed any help cleaning up.  The casserole was,  um...  I really liked it a lot! ”

[violentwavesofemotion-deactivat]

She cries less often now, usually in the evening. She will learn to control her tears and despair, because she doesn’t indulge her distress. She tells no one that she’s afraid to close her eyes.

Christa Wolf, tr. by Luise von Flotow, from “They Divided The Sky: A Novel,” (via violentwavesofemotion)