Bloody Evolution (RWBY / LoR)
- Thread starter Naron
- Start date
- Crossover
Watch as we allow her to be anything she wants! A baker! A rock star! A thief! A test subject! What do you mean not the last two?
Lurker183839
Question Machine Gun
You're welcome
Also, mission success on avoiding more votes for killing, so that's good
Just need to keep remembering to Binah up the proposed votes in the future...
Look as the next vote is about killing someone!
Ten internet cookies on it somehow being the case, by the way.
23. Choice
- Location
- Earth
Ask Penny what she wants you to do instead.
Binah's lips curl into another smile. An answer perfectly to her liking.
"What is it you want me to do?" she says. Her words give Penny pause, the gynoid's combat stance relaxing ever so slightly. Binah wants to pontificate, but refrains; even so much as giving her options to choose from would defeat the purpose of this exercise.
Penny is utterly stumped, it does not take proper lighting to see that. She stares at Binah, who is perfectly at ease. Her mouth moves soundlessly.
"How do you mean?" she finally asks.
"I mean it as I said it. What is it you desire I do now?"
Silence descends on them. All tension has fled the situation, much to Binah's amusement. Penny seems to try being wary, but this clear lack of any hostility confuses her greatly. Sable chirps and adjusts his position on Binah's shoulder; his head rotates between the two with something like curiousity.
"Um... to walk away and let me go home, and tell no one about me?"
A little disappointing, but to be expected. Binah sketches a mocking bow. "Very well. Have a good night." So saying, she turns around and walks away.
Penny's incredulous stare burns into her back, but she can not see the bright grin gracing Binah's features. The gynoid does not follow her. It takes a full five minutes before the erstwhile Arbiter allows herself a chuckle. "How utterly anticlimactic. Has your patrol borne fruit?"
"I found several sinners," Sable responds. A noise akin to a coo escapes him as he studies Binah from his perch on her shoulder. "But I was thinking, too."
"About what exactly?"
The bird's eyes seem to gleam under the broken moon's light. His voice is calm, but something menacing lies underneath the surface: "What are you, if not a sinner?"
Now this has Binah become attentive. She can see the flaps on Sable's stomach twitch, but the bird has yet to attack. Her head turns fully to stare into his eyes, a grin on her lips. "Oh? You would judge me?" Another twitch. "I wonder, Little Bird. What is it that you call a sin to begin with? To attack a guardian of the forest naturally is such to you, but what more? Is it to take a life? To delight in the suffering of others?"
No response. The bird stares at her silently, aware she will continue to speak even unprompted. Binah indulges him. "Is it a sin to live according to one's own morals? Is it a sin to deny oneself joy? Is it a sin only when others are affected? And what of those others, what if they themselves have committed sins? Is slaying a sinner a sin? Some would say yes, that if you become a monster to kill a monster, a monster remains regardless. Others disagree with such notions, for we are all monsters in our own way.
"Do not misunderstand: I have not been and never will be the kind of person others call good. I quite appreciate my hedonistic way of life, regardless of where it may lead. If another take offense, they may feel free to make the attempt of stopping me. I respect your prowess, Sable. But I do not fear you, and neither do I fear any other being on this planet."
Sable twitches again. Binah is faintly worried about him striking from this close, but he actually gave her a courtesy warning; had he just attacked, she may be dead. Moreover, him taking the time to confront means he is uncertain. Even now he holds back.
"Many have died by your order, even if others committed the deed." He pecks her forehead; Binah does not so much as flinch. "Yet indeed, they were all sinners themselves." Another peck and a rivulet of blood runs down Binah's nose. "But how can such slaughter not be a sin?" A final peck follows, but never connects. Sable grows still the moment Binah's fingers catch his beak.
She is grinning, lips drawn wide and teeth on display. Flecks of red drip down her face, but her words ring clear in the night: "You waver even now. Yet you must know the devastation you three birds can bring. All crumbles in your path. If the act of killing is itself a sin, regardless the amount, then how are you yourself not a sinner?"
The bird thrashes in her grasp. His belly opens and Binah lets go, ducking underneath the instinctual bite. Sable shakes himself in mid-air, stares at her for a long moment, and flutters away.
Binah shakes her head and produces a handkerchief to wipe her forehead. Then she returns to the Nirvana and has Courage see to her wound; her minor healing abilities suffice. Sable remains absent the next morning, though.
As it is a Sunday however, another visitor shows himself. Ozpin strides inside with familiarity, a nod and smile offered to the staff that crosses his way. Weiss almost shies away when her headmaster takes the seat next to her, opposing Binah. Pleasantries are exchanged as per usual, although there is a certain tension to him.
"I am afraid we will have to discuss something unrelated today," he admits. "Are you opposed to the notion of the remaining sisters attending Beacon?"
Binah's brow arches; she knows well that Weiss and Courage are listening in, but a soft motion of his hand seals off sound surrounding them. It can not carry beyond. So this is a matter best left to discretion. "I imagine this has to do with the various eyes on them of late?" She glances out a particular window, well aware that the person reading a newspaper outside is glancing in at far too regular intervals.
Ozpin sighs, but does not deny it. Weiss fidgets a little awkwardly in the meantime. "Perhaps it would be best if I left?" she suggests, though clearly pained to have to say it. Much to her surprise, the headmaster shakes his head.
"Stay, please. I understand you and Ms. Gale are close, Ms. Schnee. Even if I were to insist, it is likely you would learn of this before long. We may as well cut out the middleman." He adds a wry smile that Weiss returns, playing her insecurities masterfully. It loses him nothing and reinforces the trust she has in him.
Binah cuts through the moment with a soft chuckle. "I do not mind either way, it is them you will have to convince. Has your mind changed since Love failed to win you over?" she then asks Courage, whose expression remains blank.
"No. I see no purpose in attending Beacon and find little interest in the concept of schooling, which is what originally drew Love to enroll."
"I am not quite sure I follow," Ozpin admits in turn. His hands are folded now as he turned to Courage directly. "From where I stand, you could spend more time with a dear friend while also obtaining useful credentials. Could you elaborate on your own stance?"
Courage is still hung up on the first point made; though blindfolded, her gaze clearly rests on Weiss for a while. In the end, she still shakes her head. "While that is tempting, I have my own duties to attend. I prefer learning from books, at that. I can see Weiss whenever I want to, except in lectures where conversations can not be had to begin with. Not to mention that I earned more credentials in a single day than any students beside my sisters gained since enrolling." Courage methodically dismantles his argument, hands folded in her lap. "So I have no reason to enroll at Beacon. Why is it you ask in the first place? And why are we under observation?"
The headmaster sighs, more for effect than emotions. He does not act so much as allow his natural reactions to appear empthetic. An interesting technique. "I am afraid I currently have the Council breathing down my neck in regard to all four of you. Your prowess is an open secret by now, but you are by all accounts still loose cannons. The councillors are understandably worried about what you may do in the future, or that you will simply leave for greener pastures.
"Hence why I was, let us say 'strongly advised' to tie the four of you to Vale in one way or another. The observers are a precautionary measure to ensure none of you have nefarious plans."
"Then you were set up for failure."
Courage does not even leave a pause before delivering her verdict. Weiss is taken aback by the blunt response while Ozpin takes it in stride. Binah smirks and interjects: "Their natures as Abnormalities makes each of them latch on in one way or another. In that aspect, you already have all four tied to Vale. But they are not bound to the city or kingdom, but to the people. More than that, while the children may play house at the moment, they have not forgotten the purpose we all follow. There will come a time for us to return from whence we came."
The moment Binah says it, she can see Weiss almost collapse on herself. The younger woman is clearly dejected, which in turn makes Courage thoughtful. Binah grows contemplative at the sight. "Or perhaps," she adds, "that day will be the day of a choice. I will return to the Library without a shadow of doubt. Are you four willing to inflict your natures upon Remnant without anyone to mitigate or prevent the cataclysm that will follow a single slip?"
Courage frowns deeply at that. Her head turns until she stares into Binah's eyes. "I sometimes hate that you push our buttons so much, and so well," she states. "But I hate more that you always have a point when you do." She shudders and a growl escapes her throat, followed by a shake of the head. The Servant remains close to the surface of her mind, after all.
Weiss was massaging her forehead, but now she interjects regardless: "While I see your point considering what I saw of the Queen of Hatred and King of Greed, I did not see you actually helping with either of them."
Ozpin snorts at that, barely audible but bolstering his student's confidence. It almost crumbles in the face of Binah's amusement, though. The erstwhile Arbiter idly swirls her tea with a spoon. "Oh, I do not doubt your ability to contain one of them, especially with the other three by your side. But what if two slip or, pray tell, all four? You can promise yourself not to allow this to happen however often you wish, but reality is not so kind. Abnormalities can neither die nor age, so it will happen eventually."
Weiss frowns, but has no response. Neither does Courage, who also understands the issue at hand. Binah is quite curious how they will try to alleviate it.
Then she notices Ozpin's intrigue and realises she slipped up. His lips twitch, not quite forming a smile. "I wonder how you would avert such a calamity?" he asks cheekily. "While I do not doubt your prowess, that does seem like a tall order."
She inadvertently gave away something important, but that is okay. It can not always be Binah winning in their little exchanges. She offers a simple smirk in response to the probing question and sips tea. He does not ask of the Library, but it is doubtful that bit was missed. Well, that was her mistake; he earned himself a few more questions.
"Imagine, for a moment, a heroine the likes of which no Huntsman or Huntress could hope to match. A woman of impeccable morals, overwhelming strength, distinct skill, and indomitable will. And know that I am the one who killed her."
The reactions she earns could not be more different; where Weiss blinks in abject confusion, Ozpin seems intrigued more than anything else. He studies Binah intently, as if to discern something fundamental about her. "Yet despite the implications, you lent aid when Vale was in peril. As far as your public record is concerned, you yourself are an individual of impeccable morals."
The obvious trap likely hides another; he must know Binah will not respond to the challenge with tales of her orders regarding the White Fang or her shadier dealings. So she simply says nothing in favour of enigmatically sipping her tea.
Weiss, well aware that no proper answer will be given, sidesteps the issue by turning to Courage. "Do you know who that heroine is?"
"Yes. But the Red Mist was already dead when I was born. I only ever heard stories, which do not serve as reliable sources." Courage tilts her head in contemplation and takes a sip of her own tea, then turns to Binah. "Would Gebura still count when we speak of Kali?"
"Arguably," she indulges the thought. "Even now, Gebura no longer holds the same sheer power she possessed as Kali. At the same time, she bridges the gap through bitter experience and temperance."
Courage nods slowly, but does not comment further. Once it becomes clear that their tangent has concluded, Ozpin offers a thoughtful hum. He received another piece of the puzzle, only to learn there are two more empty spots it connects to. "Quite frankly, were it up to me, the four of you would be free to act as you wish. I already saw enough to know none of you wish harm on Vale."
He heaves a sigh next, motioning for the street outside and the city by extension. "Unfortunately, I am in no position to give such orders; I can only advise the councillors, and in this case they deem it a matter of national security. There is no need to worry about any... unfortunate incidents occuring, I can prevent at least this. Alas, I have yet to convince the Council to call back the observers."
Courage nods slowly. "I do not blame you. Their actions are understandable. I have no intention of breaking Valean law unless I must." Or she is asked to, she does not say. Binah catches the sly little lie without comment.
She decides to cut them off there, well aware of the many things yet unsaid on Ozpin's side; he would not admit so much to them if there were not a problem. "Whom is it whose reaction you fear, then? Perhaps a visitor from another kingdom?" Binah smiles; even though he gives nothing away, Weiss does react with a thoughtful frown and great consideration. He is not the only one who can exploit the presence of someone less secretive. Going by the faint flick of his eyes, he realised it too.
Binah's cheshire grin remains. "You believe a man who could reach as high as general while also being headmaster of a hunter academy would lack the wisdom? Is it true he is heartless, then? Will he see a threat and react accordingly, without listening to reason?"
She needs not say his name. James Ironwood is famous for his resolve, his discipline, and his habit of bringing down the hammer on trouble. Generally in the form of well-trained troops and overwhelming firepower. He effectively leads Atlas, possessing two seats on its Council as the head of the army and headmaster of the academy. And he is apparently coming to Vale.
Ozpin's brows are ever so slightly creased. He is not worried per se, but he clearly does not like the situation he is in. "James is certainly not heartless," he answers diplomatically. "Neither is he in lack of intelligence or wisdom. He would not be where he is otherwise." There he allows himself a fond smile, the kind one holds for a particularly aggravating child. "But once his mind is made, he is unlikely to change it again. His doctrines are deeply pragmatic but may sometimes lack in empathy, that I will admit freely. He was put in charge of security during the Vytal Festival and voiced a particular interest in you and yours before."
That explains it. A simple warning to tread carefully, no more and no less.
"We shall see," Binah answers. Her smile conveys the interest in prodding Ironwood regardless.
Meanwhile, Ozpin finishes his tea with a hint of exasperation. Then he places a Lien card on the table and stands. "While I would love to chat some more, there are exercises to prepare. Are you certain you do not wish to hold a guest lecture?"
"Quite. Until next time."
With Weiss and Courage each in contemplation, Binah leaves them be as well. She rises and retreats into the backrooms; they have grown more quiet since Ash's gaggle of children was relocated. Several slipped away on their own, likely scared by the Queen and everything involving her. The rest found a new place to dwell, though Ash's recent absence seems to strain their relationship.
Ash herself is in, though; her voice can be heard, although it is but a soft muttering. Binah's curiousity is piqued and she sneaks closer to listen in through a half-open door.
"It doesn't matter," Ash is telling someone, perhaps herself. "I'm going to find it, no matter what." A pause follows. "Like I just said, it doesn't matter."
It continues like this for a short while; Binah loses interest before whatever conversation this is concludes.
About as soon as she strolled away, a notification from an unknown number pops up on her Scroll.
Binah's lips curl into another smile. An answer perfectly to her liking.
"What is it you want me to do?" she says. Her words give Penny pause, the gynoid's combat stance relaxing ever so slightly. Binah wants to pontificate, but refrains; even so much as giving her options to choose from would defeat the purpose of this exercise.
Penny is utterly stumped, it does not take proper lighting to see that. She stares at Binah, who is perfectly at ease. Her mouth moves soundlessly.
"How do you mean?" she finally asks.
"I mean it as I said it. What is it you desire I do now?"
Silence descends on them. All tension has fled the situation, much to Binah's amusement. Penny seems to try being wary, but this clear lack of any hostility confuses her greatly. Sable chirps and adjusts his position on Binah's shoulder; his head rotates between the two with something like curiousity.
"Um... to walk away and let me go home, and tell no one about me?"
A little disappointing, but to be expected. Binah sketches a mocking bow. "Very well. Have a good night." So saying, she turns around and walks away.
Penny's incredulous stare burns into her back, but she can not see the bright grin gracing Binah's features. The gynoid does not follow her. It takes a full five minutes before the erstwhile Arbiter allows herself a chuckle. "How utterly anticlimactic. Has your patrol borne fruit?"
"I found several sinners," Sable responds. A noise akin to a coo escapes him as he studies Binah from his perch on her shoulder. "But I was thinking, too."
"About what exactly?"
The bird's eyes seem to gleam under the broken moon's light. His voice is calm, but something menacing lies underneath the surface: "What are you, if not a sinner?"
Now this has Binah become attentive. She can see the flaps on Sable's stomach twitch, but the bird has yet to attack. Her head turns fully to stare into his eyes, a grin on her lips. "Oh? You would judge me?" Another twitch. "I wonder, Little Bird. What is it that you call a sin to begin with? To attack a guardian of the forest naturally is such to you, but what more? Is it to take a life? To delight in the suffering of others?"
No response. The bird stares at her silently, aware she will continue to speak even unprompted. Binah indulges him. "Is it a sin to live according to one's own morals? Is it a sin to deny oneself joy? Is it a sin only when others are affected? And what of those others, what if they themselves have committed sins? Is slaying a sinner a sin? Some would say yes, that if you become a monster to kill a monster, a monster remains regardless. Others disagree with such notions, for we are all monsters in our own way.
"Do not misunderstand: I have not been and never will be the kind of person others call good. I quite appreciate my hedonistic way of life, regardless of where it may lead. If another take offense, they may feel free to make the attempt of stopping me. I respect your prowess, Sable. But I do not fear you, and neither do I fear any other being on this planet."
Sable twitches again. Binah is faintly worried about him striking from this close, but he actually gave her a courtesy warning; had he just attacked, she may be dead. Moreover, him taking the time to confront means he is uncertain. Even now he holds back.
"Many have died by your order, even if others committed the deed." He pecks her forehead; Binah does not so much as flinch. "Yet indeed, they were all sinners themselves." Another peck and a rivulet of blood runs down Binah's nose. "But how can such slaughter not be a sin?" A final peck follows, but never connects. Sable grows still the moment Binah's fingers catch his beak.
She is grinning, lips drawn wide and teeth on display. Flecks of red drip down her face, but her words ring clear in the night: "You waver even now. Yet you must know the devastation you three birds can bring. All crumbles in your path. If the act of killing is itself a sin, regardless the amount, then how are you yourself not a sinner?"
The bird thrashes in her grasp. His belly opens and Binah lets go, ducking underneath the instinctual bite. Sable shakes himself in mid-air, stares at her for a long moment, and flutters away.
Binah shakes her head and produces a handkerchief to wipe her forehead. Then she returns to the Nirvana and has Courage see to her wound; her minor healing abilities suffice. Sable remains absent the next morning, though.
As it is a Sunday however, another visitor shows himself. Ozpin strides inside with familiarity, a nod and smile offered to the staff that crosses his way. Weiss almost shies away when her headmaster takes the seat next to her, opposing Binah. Pleasantries are exchanged as per usual, although there is a certain tension to him.
"I am afraid we will have to discuss something unrelated today," he admits. "Are you opposed to the notion of the remaining sisters attending Beacon?"
Binah's brow arches; she knows well that Weiss and Courage are listening in, but a soft motion of his hand seals off sound surrounding them. It can not carry beyond. So this is a matter best left to discretion. "I imagine this has to do with the various eyes on them of late?" She glances out a particular window, well aware that the person reading a newspaper outside is glancing in at far too regular intervals.
Ozpin sighs, but does not deny it. Weiss fidgets a little awkwardly in the meantime. "Perhaps it would be best if I left?" she suggests, though clearly pained to have to say it. Much to her surprise, the headmaster shakes his head.
"Stay, please. I understand you and Ms. Gale are close, Ms. Schnee. Even if I were to insist, it is likely you would learn of this before long. We may as well cut out the middleman." He adds a wry smile that Weiss returns, playing her insecurities masterfully. It loses him nothing and reinforces the trust she has in him.
Binah cuts through the moment with a soft chuckle. "I do not mind either way, it is them you will have to convince. Has your mind changed since Love failed to win you over?" she then asks Courage, whose expression remains blank.
"No. I see no purpose in attending Beacon and find little interest in the concept of schooling, which is what originally drew Love to enroll."
"I am not quite sure I follow," Ozpin admits in turn. His hands are folded now as he turned to Courage directly. "From where I stand, you could spend more time with a dear friend while also obtaining useful credentials. Could you elaborate on your own stance?"
Courage is still hung up on the first point made; though blindfolded, her gaze clearly rests on Weiss for a while. In the end, she still shakes her head. "While that is tempting, I have my own duties to attend. I prefer learning from books, at that. I can see Weiss whenever I want to, except in lectures where conversations can not be had to begin with. Not to mention that I earned more credentials in a single day than any students beside my sisters gained since enrolling." Courage methodically dismantles his argument, hands folded in her lap. "So I have no reason to enroll at Beacon. Why is it you ask in the first place? And why are we under observation?"
The headmaster sighs, more for effect than emotions. He does not act so much as allow his natural reactions to appear empthetic. An interesting technique. "I am afraid I currently have the Council breathing down my neck in regard to all four of you. Your prowess is an open secret by now, but you are by all accounts still loose cannons. The councillors are understandably worried about what you may do in the future, or that you will simply leave for greener pastures.
"Hence why I was, let us say 'strongly advised' to tie the four of you to Vale in one way or another. The observers are a precautionary measure to ensure none of you have nefarious plans."
"Then you were set up for failure."
Courage does not even leave a pause before delivering her verdict. Weiss is taken aback by the blunt response while Ozpin takes it in stride. Binah smirks and interjects: "Their natures as Abnormalities makes each of them latch on in one way or another. In that aspect, you already have all four tied to Vale. But they are not bound to the city or kingdom, but to the people. More than that, while the children may play house at the moment, they have not forgotten the purpose we all follow. There will come a time for us to return from whence we came."
The moment Binah says it, she can see Weiss almost collapse on herself. The younger woman is clearly dejected, which in turn makes Courage thoughtful. Binah grows contemplative at the sight. "Or perhaps," she adds, "that day will be the day of a choice. I will return to the Library without a shadow of doubt. Are you four willing to inflict your natures upon Remnant without anyone to mitigate or prevent the cataclysm that will follow a single slip?"
Courage frowns deeply at that. Her head turns until she stares into Binah's eyes. "I sometimes hate that you push our buttons so much, and so well," she states. "But I hate more that you always have a point when you do." She shudders and a growl escapes her throat, followed by a shake of the head. The Servant remains close to the surface of her mind, after all.
Weiss was massaging her forehead, but now she interjects regardless: "While I see your point considering what I saw of the Queen of Hatred and King of Greed, I did not see you actually helping with either of them."
Ozpin snorts at that, barely audible but bolstering his student's confidence. It almost crumbles in the face of Binah's amusement, though. The erstwhile Arbiter idly swirls her tea with a spoon. "Oh, I do not doubt your ability to contain one of them, especially with the other three by your side. But what if two slip or, pray tell, all four? You can promise yourself not to allow this to happen however often you wish, but reality is not so kind. Abnormalities can neither die nor age, so it will happen eventually."
Weiss frowns, but has no response. Neither does Courage, who also understands the issue at hand. Binah is quite curious how they will try to alleviate it.
Then she notices Ozpin's intrigue and realises she slipped up. His lips twitch, not quite forming a smile. "I wonder how you would avert such a calamity?" he asks cheekily. "While I do not doubt your prowess, that does seem like a tall order."
She inadvertently gave away something important, but that is okay. It can not always be Binah winning in their little exchanges. She offers a simple smirk in response to the probing question and sips tea. He does not ask of the Library, but it is doubtful that bit was missed. Well, that was her mistake; he earned himself a few more questions.
"Imagine, for a moment, a heroine the likes of which no Huntsman or Huntress could hope to match. A woman of impeccable morals, overwhelming strength, distinct skill, and indomitable will. And know that I am the one who killed her."
The reactions she earns could not be more different; where Weiss blinks in abject confusion, Ozpin seems intrigued more than anything else. He studies Binah intently, as if to discern something fundamental about her. "Yet despite the implications, you lent aid when Vale was in peril. As far as your public record is concerned, you yourself are an individual of impeccable morals."
The obvious trap likely hides another; he must know Binah will not respond to the challenge with tales of her orders regarding the White Fang or her shadier dealings. So she simply says nothing in favour of enigmatically sipping her tea.
Weiss, well aware that no proper answer will be given, sidesteps the issue by turning to Courage. "Do you know who that heroine is?"
"Yes. But the Red Mist was already dead when I was born. I only ever heard stories, which do not serve as reliable sources." Courage tilts her head in contemplation and takes a sip of her own tea, then turns to Binah. "Would Gebura still count when we speak of Kali?"
"Arguably," she indulges the thought. "Even now, Gebura no longer holds the same sheer power she possessed as Kali. At the same time, she bridges the gap through bitter experience and temperance."
Courage nods slowly, but does not comment further. Once it becomes clear that their tangent has concluded, Ozpin offers a thoughtful hum. He received another piece of the puzzle, only to learn there are two more empty spots it connects to. "Quite frankly, were it up to me, the four of you would be free to act as you wish. I already saw enough to know none of you wish harm on Vale."
He heaves a sigh next, motioning for the street outside and the city by extension. "Unfortunately, I am in no position to give such orders; I can only advise the councillors, and in this case they deem it a matter of national security. There is no need to worry about any... unfortunate incidents occuring, I can prevent at least this. Alas, I have yet to convince the Council to call back the observers."
Courage nods slowly. "I do not blame you. Their actions are understandable. I have no intention of breaking Valean law unless I must." Or she is asked to, she does not say. Binah catches the sly little lie without comment.
She decides to cut them off there, well aware of the many things yet unsaid on Ozpin's side; he would not admit so much to them if there were not a problem. "Whom is it whose reaction you fear, then? Perhaps a visitor from another kingdom?" Binah smiles; even though he gives nothing away, Weiss does react with a thoughtful frown and great consideration. He is not the only one who can exploit the presence of someone less secretive. Going by the faint flick of his eyes, he realised it too.
Binah's cheshire grin remains. "You believe a man who could reach as high as general while also being headmaster of a hunter academy would lack the wisdom? Is it true he is heartless, then? Will he see a threat and react accordingly, without listening to reason?"
She needs not say his name. James Ironwood is famous for his resolve, his discipline, and his habit of bringing down the hammer on trouble. Generally in the form of well-trained troops and overwhelming firepower. He effectively leads Atlas, possessing two seats on its Council as the head of the army and headmaster of the academy. And he is apparently coming to Vale.
Ozpin's brows are ever so slightly creased. He is not worried per se, but he clearly does not like the situation he is in. "James is certainly not heartless," he answers diplomatically. "Neither is he in lack of intelligence or wisdom. He would not be where he is otherwise." There he allows himself a fond smile, the kind one holds for a particularly aggravating child. "But once his mind is made, he is unlikely to change it again. His doctrines are deeply pragmatic but may sometimes lack in empathy, that I will admit freely. He was put in charge of security during the Vytal Festival and voiced a particular interest in you and yours before."
That explains it. A simple warning to tread carefully, no more and no less.
"We shall see," Binah answers. Her smile conveys the interest in prodding Ironwood regardless.
Meanwhile, Ozpin finishes his tea with a hint of exasperation. Then he places a Lien card on the table and stands. "While I would love to chat some more, there are exercises to prepare. Are you certain you do not wish to hold a guest lecture?"
"Quite. Until next time."
With Weiss and Courage each in contemplation, Binah leaves them be as well. She rises and retreats into the backrooms; they have grown more quiet since Ash's gaggle of children was relocated. Several slipped away on their own, likely scared by the Queen and everything involving her. The rest found a new place to dwell, though Ash's recent absence seems to strain their relationship.
Ash herself is in, though; her voice can be heard, although it is but a soft muttering. Binah's curiousity is piqued and she sneaks closer to listen in through a half-open door.
"It doesn't matter," Ash is telling someone, perhaps herself. "I'm going to find it, no matter what." A pause follows. "Like I just said, it doesn't matter."
It continues like this for a short while; Binah loses interest before whatever conversation this is concludes.
About as soon as she strolled away, a notification from an unknown number pops up on her Scroll.
- Location
- Earth
Bold of you to assume you would get a voteLook as the next vote is about killing someone!
Ten internet cookies on it somehow being the case, by the way.
Lurker183839
Question Machine Gun
> Chapter is titled Choice
> Doesn't get any choices to make
Ok
> Doesn't get any choices to make
Ok
- Location
- Attached to a wall
- Pronouns
- She/Her
[
] Bina, wait, think about it, you could try to corrupt innocent young minds with a guest lecture on ethics.
thenew
#1 Masters of the Bazaar Fan
- Location
- My Lodgings
Binah, you forgot to mention the fact that you didn't kill her yourself. You died by her hand because you were a moron who stopped to gloat in the middle of a fight, and then she died from her wounds. But I guess that doesn't help your mysterious atmosphere. Self-serving little jerkwad you are, hm?
Of course it is, it was made for it.
Was wondering when it would happen, now, let's see how it unfolds.
Let us see if he learns from this, of how in trying to stop the beast, the birds became it.
Yes, how indeed?
Quick everyone! Vote to blow up Vale!
You're telling me the woodsman's not heartless? Man, who's the poor victim? This is a forest full of hearts but you still need to bring down a tree to get one, after all.
*Scream in Ensemble hearing Carmen's PTSD*
Bold of you to assume you would get a vote
That's one way to cut this knot… except I said next vote! So it doesn't matter if it's not in this update! I win! *point finger dramatically*
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kaillll
Judgment Upon You
Also, punishment bird is pissed. Guess we ignored him for a bit too long.
But it is to be expected. After all, he is growing, and sooner or later he will have doubts about himself.
And in this case, he directed his doubts into us or specifically, binah.
Binah:" And what about you? Writing stories for characters you will never truly connect with, in a world that you will never experience, fulfilling your own little fairytales, using those same old tricks that everybody despise, How tragic is that? *Chuckles* So, Here is a proposal I made for you, how about we both live in our own make believe world. it would be much better then to exchange insults like this, don't you say? "
*Cough*
But it is to be expected. After all, he is growing, and sooner or later he will have doubts about himself.
And in this case, he directed his doubts into us or specifically, binah.
Allow me to channel my inner binah for a bit. Sorry about this.
Binah:" And what about you? Writing stories for characters you will never truly connect with, in a world that you will never experience, fulfilling your own little fairytales, using those same old tricks that everybody despise, How tragic is that? *Chuckles* So, Here is a proposal I made for you, how about we both live in our own make believe world. it would be much better then to exchange insults like this, don't you say? "
*Cough*
Lurker183839
Question Machine Gun
Hovers finger menacingly over the backspace button
questioningmeme
Just be yourself
- Location
- River of Light
To give Binah the benefit of the doubt, in their rematch (provided this is canon to the quest) in Ruina, Binah did beat Kali.
Not full power Kali but still.
Dream Logic
An offseason swallow
- Location
- In transit
I'd argue that Binah has the least divorce from her pre Seraph self as well. Her meltdown is explicitly testing X to see if they can break the loop. Everyone else has a crisis of self but Binah is just pissed at her current situation.
Most librarians consider themselves a seperate person from who they were, I wonder if that holds true for Binah as well?
questioningmeme
Just be yourself
- Location
- River of Light
I mean. Ayin made her spend 10,000 years looking into madness itself without blinking.
I don't think anyone can call themselves the same after that.
I don't think anyone can call themselves the same after that.
Rowknan
Roar
- Location
- The Unknown
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Tbh. Binah's claims here strike me as intentionally misleading.
She required an elaborate plot involving multiple Claws and just about every then living Abnormality to successfully kill Kali. And even then she herself was a casualty.
She is probably stronger than any Hunter, but she's being misleading as to the degree that she is.
She required an elaborate plot involving multiple Claws and just about every then living Abnormality to successfully kill Kali. And even then she herself was a casualty.
She is probably stronger than any Hunter, but she's being misleading as to the degree that she is.
It could also be that Kali is so far beyond anything on this planet, that being vaguely in the same ballpark is enough for Binah to be so much stronger than anyone else.
questioningmeme
Just be yourself
- Location
- River of Light
I mean.
Binah is an Aleph level threat. I don't think anyone outside of Ozpin and Salem can even threaten the woman.
Discounting certain Grimm types.
Binah is an Aleph level threat. I don't think anyone outside of Ozpin and Salem can even threaten the woman.
Discounting certain Grimm types.
- Location
- Earth
That is the main reason I did it> Chapter is titled Choice
> Doesn't get any choices to make
Ok
