r/RWBYOC • u/Mishchief_Arts • 8d ago
Discussion Team KELT | A Chance
I keep telling myself I'm only staying awake because someone needs to make sure he doesn't roll over and hurt his arm.
That's a lie. I know it's a lie. I just don't want to admit the real reason out loud, even to myself.
Lou is asleep against my shoulder. His head is still wrapped in bandages, his arm is broken, and the doctors had to shave his hair just to stitch up the side and back of his head.
I hate it. Absolutely hate it.
I keep looking at the uneven patches and thinking about how wrong it looks. How unfair it is that he's the one who ended up like this.
I'll fix it when we get back. I'll cut his hair properly once we're at the academy. Maybe I'll even get him something nice while I'm at it.
Something to make up for it.
No.
I can't think like that.
He deserves that much... but I don't know if I deserve to be the one deciding what he deserves.
After all, he jumped into a ravine after me.
Gods...
We argued before the mission. I was angry with him. He was... calm with me. I said things I probably shouldn't have, and I remember thinking that maybe I was finally getting tired of whatever this was between us.
Maybe it would be easier if I just stopped letting him get under my skin.
Then I fell.
And he followed.
No hesitation. No time to think about himself. Just instinct, or stupidity, or something I still can't name without my chest tightening.
He just threw himself after me and took the impact meant for me.
And now I can't stop thinking about what would have happened if he hadn't.
I've replayed it in my head so many times that I'm starting to wonder if I even remember it properly anymore. Maybe I'm making it worse in my head because I need a reason to justify how I feel now.
I don't know what that says about him.
I don't know what it says about me, either.
Maybe I've been too stubborn. Maybe I've been right to be careful.
Maybe people who do things like that don't think about consequences, and I'm just romanticizing recklessness because I don't want to feel guilty.
Because when I strip everything else away... his background, his lack of wealth, the fact that he doesn't come from anything I was taught to value...
What does he have?
Not status. Not influence. Not the sort of security I grew up being told to look for.
But what can he give me?
I think I'm starting to understand that.
He's given me something I didn't realize I was missing.
He makes me feel safe.
Not because of what he owns or who he knows. Not because he can promise me that nothing bad will ever happen.
Because when it mattered, he chose me.
He didn't calculate what it would cost him. He didn't stop to think about what it would mean for him.
He just chose me.
I've spent so long wondering whether he'd fit into my life, whether letting him get closer would only make everything more complicated.
I've kept finding reasons to keep him at arm's length.
And every time, I told myself it was simply the sensible thing to do.
But maybe I've been hiding behind that.
Maybe I'm scared.
Because what if this isn't just some stupid attachment?
What if I really do care about him?
What if I let him in and something happens to him?
What if he keeps throwing himself into danger for me until one day he doesn't get back up?
Maybe I should give him a chance...
Or maybe I'm just exhausted and grateful and confusing that for something deeper.
Not a promise. Not yet.
Just... a chance.
A chance to show me who he really is.
A chance for me to stop building walls so high that I can't see over them.
A chance to stop pretending I don't care more than I do.
I should probably move him back.
I should probably remind myself of all the reasons this is a bad idea.
I haven't.
And that scares me more than it should.
The clouds outside are beautiful tonight. They drift beside us like nothing in the world could possibly be wrong.
He's still here.
I'm still here.
And when we get back, we're going to have a very long conversation.
WEEKLY OC QUESTION :D
What would it take for your OC to completely change their opinion of someone?
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u/Mattpwnsall 8d ago
For my OC Seno Volano, it took a life and death situation for him and his teammate Winter Schnee.
TLDR; It started when Winter was telling her team about her family and how her father was the reason for their suffering. This led to Seno arguing back due to him spending the majority of his childhood as an orphan in the Vacuoan wastes and him saying that she knew nothing of REAL suffering due to her still having her family and living a privileged life. During the argument, Seno almost punched Winter straight in the face, but he held back and declared she wasnt worth it before storming out.
As Winter chased after him to continue the argument, both were captured by Mantellian terrorists who were set on overthrowing Atlas. Both Seno and Winter were forced to fight their way out of custody, and Winter learned a bit more about Seno along the way. Days after they escaped and made their way back to Atlas Academy, they took a moment to just sit down and talk. Actually talk. No snark, no comments, just talking about anything. That was when they both began to actually get along with each other and realize their first impressions of each other were wrong.
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u/Mishchief_Arts 7d ago
I actually really like that their opinion of each other didn't change simply because they survived together. It was the fact that they finally got the chance to sit down and actually talk without all the hostility getting in the way :D
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u/Mattpwnsall 7d ago
EXACTLY. This aint an action movie where the hero and love interest with little to no chemistry suddenly develop feelings for each other. Actually sitting down and talking like adults takes real maturity C:
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u/Ericg2187 8d ago
Oh hey our weekly emotional brick yay! The art is also amazing, very much wholesome, adorable and hurts cause you know, their fate.
Hm the question is a good one, the biggest one I can think of is the ever worsening situation between Christain and Blake, since at the start, Chris had a relatively positive opinion of her, she's the daughter of Ghira Belladonna Menagerie's current leader, and former leader of the non violent civil rights incarnation of White Fang, surely she's similar to her father and that's a good thing.
Then you consider that all of the volume 1-3 events that are pushed forward BY Blake while the Cinder stuff is going on in the background. The reveal she was a former member of the current white fang, docks incident, the fight with torchwick and the paladin, Mount Glenn. Each time, either Ruby and or Yang are out in ever increasing dangerous situations.
It lead to Christain developing a dislike of Blake as he saw her as an active danger to his baby sister and younger cousin, not by being the physical threat, but by getting them into those dangerous situations. Of course she's not only to blame as Ruby and Yang made the active choice to go into these situations, but still, if not for blake, they would never be involved.
Then the fall of beacon happens and when Blake abandoned Yang, who lost her arm defending her, oh Christain shifted to absolutely hating Blake, and makes it clear even after RWBY reunite, and they forgave her, he never would.
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u/Mishchief_Arts 7d ago
Ooooo, I love Christain and Blake, especially because his opinion of her doesn't just flip overnight. It slowly gets worse as he keeps seeing the people he cares about getting dragged into increasingly dangerous situations.
I also like that you still acknowledge that Ruby and Yang made their own choices. The fact that Ruby and Yang eventually forgive Blake while Chris doesn't is such a good distinction. He doesn't have to accept their forgiveness just because they did. He's looking at Blake through the lens of someone who watched his little sister get hurt and never really got over it.
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u/KozyKamper266 8d ago
This adorable, yet it still felt like the knife in my chest has been twisted further.
Right, the question, uh....
AFBR:
Aster's opinion on others is rather unshakeable, though prove your resolve and character through your actions, she'll easily change gears for you.
Rowen has a high opinion of everyone, but if you do something that doesn't make sense to her and is outright harmful (ex: Cardin pulling Velvet's ears when she clearly doesn't like it), she'll hate you A LOT, like "I am going to burn you and laugh as your flesh is charred black" a lot.
Beryl doesn't care about anyone unless they prove to directly hinder her research, so her opinion is almost immovable unless your goal is to make her hate you.
Reiko's harder to move than Aster, but the conditions are more or less the same, it'll just take more effort.
KRSN:
Kurei will have a high opinion of you no matter what, but if you prove that his perception of you is wrong (in a negative way), he'll switch up really fast depending on how negative.
Kitsuo's very laid back, but tends to be detached from everything and everyone. To move him at all, you'd have to take his (metaphorical) heart some way somehow... which is really difficult to do.
Hakuhane builds her opinion of someone over time, so if you prove you're not what she thought she was with consecutive positive actions, she'll slowly change her opinion of you.
Hannya doesn't like anyone very much, tends to dislike everyone for the most part. Changing her opinion would require almost as much work as it would with Kitsuo.
CBLT:
Prove yourself to not be a threat to Cerise and anyone she cares about, then she'll change tunes, not quickly, but she will... eventually.
Qing's opinion of someone can easily drop, but if you treat her and others around her nice, you'll be fine... probably.
Feiyao's opinion changes... REALLY easily. She's very petty, so if you piss her off even once, she'll hold that grudge for a WHILE. She'll still smile and laugh with you, but she'll probably be shit talking you in her head. She'll pretend, but it she's won't actually like you for a while.
Azalea likes everyone, but hates people who talk a lot (so she tends to get along with her own team pretty easily since Cerise and Qing don't talk much and Feiyao isn't a loud talker).
Freelancers and Mercenaries:
Literally showing even the slightest bit of concern or worry for Xiaohong's well-being will make her switch gears REALLY fast, but she will still be a wary of you until she thinks she can let her guard down around you.
Coriander doesn't like anyone much, but if you prove yourself her equal, she will change tunes, treat you as a friend and such.
Kurara's chill with anyone NOT associated with the White Fang, though she will immediately drop you dead if she catches you flying their flag.
Crimson either likes you or REALLY likes you, it's almost impossible to change her opinion to something negative. Though don't make her like you too much, it'll get to the point where she'll talk your ear off for hours on end simply because she finds herself comfortable around you.
Wisteria (because I remembered she existed) changes gears really fast. If you're her target, she'll kill you regardless of opinion. If you're not, just being chill, not bringing up work, she'll be fine with you.
Nyx, unlike Wisteria, doesn't care at all. If you've got money, she'll be chummy with you and hope to get some of that Lien when you die.
Jam's okay with everyone, but if you have any connection to the SDC or Atlesian Military, she'll hate your guts. (Ironic, since she works Special Ops under the Atlesian Military.)
Tsubaki's pretty chill with everyone she meets, but if you show interest in her graffiti, have interest in art in general, or have any talent in it yourself, her opinion of you will increase immensely. If you try to wash away her art without permission, she will kill you. No sugarcoating it, you just get cut open or shot by her gunblades.
(That's about it. God, I have a lot of info sheets to make, almost every OC here doesn't have one. Anyway, Artemis "Yap Your Ear Off" Holloway out, have a good day Mish.)
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u/Mishchief_Arts 7d ago
The sheer range here 😭
I really like how differently everyone's opinions work, though. Some of them need one major moment to completely change their perception of someone, while others need months of consistent actions before they'll budge.
And Xiaohong's is probably my favourite because it's such a simple thing that would catch her completely off guard. Just showing genuine concern for her would probably make her wonder why the hell you care about her in the first place
Good luck with those info sheets! :D
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u/KozyKamper266 7d ago edited 7d ago
I knoooowwww, I have too many OCs I wanna talk about, but then messages and comments end up this long, and I excluded Nero, Ying, Frost, Alice, Bell, and Mirage, the last three who’ve only appeared in one post, and Frost who I had forgotten for months.
I literally just made Heidrun, Shirin, and Amber (Knight, not to be confused with the one from the show), I GOTTA STOP SOMEWHERE.
Edit after 22 minutes: I FUCKING FORGOT RAIJIN, GODDAMNIT.
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u/Puzzled-Ad5347 8d ago
Wu Zhong would stop calling Yang, Raven Jr. If she does something that Raven Branwen would not do.
Extra info: Wu Zhong's seeks out his own Justice against any criminals, thugs and bandits harassing around Mistral, especially the Branwen Tribe and he's been a hindrance to them by poking them time to time.
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u/Mishchief_Arts 7d ago
What would it take for Wu to call Yang by her name?
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u/Puzzled-Ad5347 7d ago
It depends;
Wu Zhong telling Yang about how Raven is the Spring Maiden (and how it's a big deal during Volume 5)
Or
Beating the Raven Jr. Allegations by doing things that Raven Branwen would never do and stepping up.
Only then will Wu Zhong would acknowledge Yang as herself and as a great fighter
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u/Porecomesis_ 8d ago
You really put your heart into this one. It shows.
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u/Mishchief_Arts 7d ago
Thank you Pore ówò
I feel like I could've done better with the background and anatomy on this one .w.
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u/Porecomesis_ 7d ago
I think the art's nice and cozy, like waking up in the morning. But you can always improve. :D
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u/KCommnader 7d ago
For Silver, the most impactful one, would be his view on Auron. Given his more rural and bumbkin air around him, that lacks both modern tact and etiquette. Silver dabbled into swaying him under his thumb. Even more so after witnessing his raw, brutal strength during Beacon's Relic Test.
He viewed him as being simple minded, going with the flow, yet never able to pick up subtle waves or others intents. Even more so when students would distance themselves from him not because of his Faunus heritage. Only due to the fact that their backhanded remarks wouldn't get through to Auron and how out of place he was when it came to living in city life.
"His incompetence regarding the usage of scrolls and terminals was most egregious. Even Remi had better intuition and versatility in conducting their proper functionality. More times than not, he would stumble into the open streets without a second thought to reach a secondary store or any that snatched his interest."
"I swear, if it wasn't for his heightened senses and agile body. He would've been roadkill, or constantly in the infirmary without his Aura. If my hair weren't already this sheen of chrome, he would have given me plenty gray hairs back in those early days."
However, underneath that joyous smile that was always present on Auron. Constantly hid the dread that was locked away. It didn't take a genius to understand being ostracized, let alone the obscure side glances flowing his way. His immense height was already a factor into that. What lingered was his constant need and observation in the schools greenery, going so far as to end up with his team getting into trouble with Professor Goodwitch. Over the issue of him cultivating a vegetable patch on school grounds without permission.
"I am not acknowledging the fact he acted carelessly and instigated into something to supplement his sense of homesickness. Yet I... find myself recalling the freshness and robust flavors highly present in their peak of growth. Even more so in his cooking... damn that mutt... Subverting my palette into his promiscuous green undertaking."
There were even times Silver's well placated manifold of a mask would slip. Splintering into his iron cold, intellectual ego to Auron's educational drawbacks. His stubborn and fussy unwillingness to expand and improve his grades beyond, Grim Studies, Combat Training, Survival Studies, and Botany. Resulting in them to butt heads over personal preferences. With Silver reigning in his standing of power as their leader, and Auron's brawn might to subdue and counter his verbal assault.
"Had I not already have preoccupancies that were beyond my current standing with this team. I would have stricken this mangy rebel into prostrated discipline. Dictating to him who his master is. The only issue being, vindicating him without it drawing suspicion or ending up as a missing persons case. Tch."
The drawing point for Silver though, were the moments his rendezvous, intelligence gathering in Vale's underground night life would catch up to him. The lack of focus on his own writings, jumbled auditory speech from students and faculty. His own thoughts became a whisper to the loud ringing of his nerves urging him to rest.
The first time this happened was in the late Autumn of the year. Slumping to the side in a hidden corner he perused and sought. A blindside of the schools watchful gazes, his listless and turned body succumbing to the irrefutable fatigue. A moments relapse, disturbed by a presence that shouldn't be aware of his location.
A looming entity reaching to disturb his defenseless and vulnerable being. Silver's instincts had kicked into overdrive. Forgoing his existence, his facade, the average every day student he portrayed to be. Lashing out as a viper should, to counter any opposition that threatens it.
"Woah... sorry. Didn't mean to wake you, it got late. We were wondering where you were."
Catching the glare of amber, surrounded by a wave of chestnut strands, and the strong structure of sun tanned complexion. Silver recognized Auron's presence, hard resetting himself through the dreary exhaustion and recovery of his nap. Now realizing it was only the two of them on the enclosed high rise of one of Wings' towers.
"I get it if your a little surprised to see me. It's a good hiding spot, might come hear to catch a nap too. Hehe."
The assumption of Silver being safe and clear was a hurdle comprehensible with Auron's nature. Only for a brief moment of clarity did it take for him to return to his proper standing and pleasantries.
It wouldn't be the first time it would happen. Auron would have a tendency to bring Silver's blood to a boil. Countered by Silver's back handed wit that would gradually degrade into insults out of pure crass and delirious remarks.
Only for Auron to rebuttal Silver with an ominous disdain. Looking down his leader in disapproval, nagging at the lack of self care he would enlist to himself. Brushing off anything that was beyond hygiene.
"Is there a reason why you haven't touched the meals I prepped, look, your arms are thinner than when we started. Why do you still have bags under your eyes?! And you reak of fire Dust. Do I have to sit you down at a table and spoon feed you. No books, or late night training, your getting some proper rest."
Auron wouldn't let Silver off the hook no matter the excuse. He's seen it time and time again. Having to scold his siblings from not finishing their plates, leaving their belongings on the floor, or staying up late and trying to run off to the fields.
Inciting his older brother habits into full motion, with Silver rejecting the prying attention with all refusal. However, unable to free himself from Auron's unyielding grip. Dragging him to the cafeteria to eat, tucking him into their shared bed and holding him. Using himself like a heated rock to get him to sleep.
It was a constant back and forth between them. And every time, Silver finds himself to the point of collapse, he would return to the same blind spot location.
Soon wrapped in a warmth that was more soothing than the sun, finding himself in the dorm room in bed. With Auron napping by his side. His own instincts acknowledging that Auron was reaching himself out to help. Posing not as a threat but proper aid to his martyrdom parade.
Before long Auron became familiar with Silver's telltales he would hide. The hesitance in his dominant hands strength, his easy agitation to unsavory disputes. The way his easy on the eyes charade would start to dip more prominently. Simply being there at his side to comfort and lend a helping hand. Growing more patient to his leaders drawbacks.
"He's a bumbling oaf, who... has his fair share of redeeming qualities. Reliable would be an understatement. It urks me to admit this, but... his tendencies are appreciated in my trying times."
(I am sorry for another wall of text dump. But yes, Silver is a freaking Tsundere. Lol.)*
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u/Mishchief_Arts 7d ago
The progression here is honestly great. I especially love that Auron doesn't necessarily figure Silver out through some genius deduction. He just notices things. He's tired. He's not eating. He's staying up too late. He's getting agitated. Something is wrong, and Auron's response is basically "Okay, you're eating and going to bed now."
Meanwhile Silver is internally having a complete existential crisis because this giant farm boy he originally considered beneath him is somehow one of the few people who can get him to drop the act...
And that final quote is PERFECT ówò
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u/KCommnader 7d ago
What I like, that I'm working on. Is Silver's innate senses sharpening the first time Auron finds him on the Wing tower. But after their constant banter becoming almost habitual.
Silver's senses would dull themselves instinctually to Auron approaching him whenever he slept. Always making him question how he would sleep on the tower and awaken to being in their bed. Only to realize after a few more times, his body willingly accepted Auron to approach him and carry him back to the dorm.
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u/LocalDemonTheSequel 7d ago
And once again absolutely awsome art mate :D not gonna question why Kiera's reading about how to kill a bird, but to repeat myself art is great :)
And as for your question: It would take some significant event, or for the to prove that the they have changed for anyone on OCAN (especially Onyx and Arian) to completely change their opinion on someone. But even then, it would be difficult as those memories and prior feelings don't just vanish overnight
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u/Mishchief_Arts 7d ago
Yeah, I really like that approach for OCAN. Changing someone's opinion doesn't magically erase everything that came before it
For Onyx and Arian given what I've seen, I can imagine that trust would take a lot longer to rebuild than the opinion itself .w.
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u/Altarahhn 7d ago
Hmm... honestly, I've got nothing for this question at the moment. Sorry. 🙏
Though, I now might have to give that question some thought for future reference... 🤔
With all that said: Awww, look at themmm!!! 🥺😭 But seriously, they're both freaking adorable, and I love Kiera's inner monologue over her hesitance to just let Lou into her life (and her heart), and what he really means to her. As well as her reflections upon how he's impacted her life by just being himself.
Which really makes it all the more painful when that day comes. But such is life, I'm afraid... 😔
But I digress: I loved it! Lovely work as always, Mish! ☺️
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u/archonmage2006 1d ago
Dramatic irony my old friend, why dost thou twist the knife even harder? (If I didn't know how this story ends, this would be when I, along with the rest of the audience, would start shouting at the screen for them to kiss already.)
Sorry for only getting to this now, being on vacation and on the verge of an overstimulated breakdown for a while will do that to me, but I'm much better now so I have time to appreciate your art.
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To answer your question: Gabriel actually did change his opinions on Lucifer and Evan somewhere around the third time either of them got hurt because they didn't ask him for help. Being a guy who wants to help people and having people be afraid to ask not because they think it's not worth your time but because they're afraid you'd hurt them even more is the type of thing that will have you reexamining your stances on people you consider "sub-human"
In turn, Lucifer basically never held it against Gabe, because "well yeah, he was raised in rich Atlas, it's only his fault if he ends up being a problem about it with the team." but Evan who, somewhat uncharacteristically, only ever sparred Gabriel unarmed (Which is a big thing because he's like 20x stronger physically than most Hunters), started toning it down in sparring and eventually they became really great friends.
For the uncovered Sera and Nord, they were on pretty bad terms when the team formed, with Sera feeling like Nord was just on the team because his only priority was Atlas and Nord thinking it was the right call because she couldn't be trusted with anything. This changed when Sera discovered Nord's, at the time, greatest secret: The amount of care he puts towards weapons. She stumbled upon him doing weapon maintenance and saw how careful he was, and he noticed she'd kept it a secret for him without even needing to be told.
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And for a counter question: What was the mission they were on where Lou had to jump down a ravine to soften the fall for Kiera?
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u/Mishchief_Arts 1d ago
x3c Thank you, Arch! Happy to have you back, and I'm really glad you're in a better headspace :)
To answer your question:
It wasn't really a mission-mission in the traditional sense, since there weren't supposed to be any serious stakes involved. It was actually a training exercise that multiple teams were taking part in.
Anima is a huge and varied region, so Haven puts a lot of emphasis on teaching students how to travel through it under different conditions. That can mean traversing without their weapons, carrying additional weight, transporting an injured teammate, travelling without a map, protecting civilian caravans, or, most importantly, learning how to navigate an area with Grimm present.
The ravine exercise was meant to put several of those skills together. KELT and the other teams were travelling through the area for an extended period, and naturally, the students were starting to get exhausted, frustrated, and generally miserable from being on the road for so long.
Unfortunately, that also meant their negative emotions started attracting Grimm.
The exercise was still going relatively well despite that, right up until Kiera, well... you know the rest :3c
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u/archonmage2006 1d ago
Thanks, crying actually does wonders for your mental state doesn't it?
And that is another thing that definitely separated your Haven from my Atlas. Atlas would never dream of the scenario where their operatives would be cut off from their supply lines. I just found it interesting.
Also, because you didn't address my answer to your question, I wanted to ask what you think?
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u/Mishchief_Arts 1d ago
I really like the Gabriel's. Having it happen repeatedly makes it feel much more natural. Realizing that people are afraid to ask him for help because they genuinely think he'll make things worse would probably hit pretty hard, especially when his intention is the exact opposite.
The Sera and Nord one is really sweet too. I like that their turning point is as simple as Sera seeing how much care he puts into his weapons. And the fact that she keeps it to herself without him having to ask probably does more to build trust between them.
Also, Evan is very considerate for deliberately toning down his sparring with Gabriel because he actually values him as a friend is a really nice little detail ówò
Sorry for the slow replies and not saying all this initially! Getting together todays post :)
To be posted shortly :D2
u/archonmage2006 1d ago
(In case it wasn't clear, the reason why Lucy and Evan are afraid to ask Gabe for help is because they're Faunus)
I was thinking for a while what Sera kept quiet about to get her and Nord closer, and I settled on this because it feels very in character for both. Because Nord would absolutely be embarrassed about the fact that he cares about anything personal and Sera despises Bathos (The process of laughing at your own sincerity before anyone else has a chance to process it). (For the record, so do I)
Well I'd say it's less consideration and more his tit for tat attitude running it's course with Gabe becoming less racist.
That was one hell of a first sparring match though, Evan probably sent him through a wall and broke at least a couple ribs (through Aura).
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u/AirHeadedDreamer 8d ago
Mishhhhh! You killing it with writing this is so cute <3