[It's a beginning. Qrow, too, had taken his time, meandered desperately before even approaching the point when circumstances cornered him into telling Ruby. Qrow doesn't immediately pounce on the scrap he's given; it is easier and more effective by far to give him a little space to get there himself. But he lingers on you must care for him a great deal, because it is not as though he does not realize the implication of that corner Oz is painting himself into. It's that realization that allows him to be able to take a step back and see through the other man's perspective -- he knows Ozpin is trying, and that isn't nothing. He has kept his promises, in the time since those fraught conversations
But being willing to try doesn't make it easier to let go of centuries upon centuries of habit. He'd put off telling Break about his semblance for months, with barely a tiny fraction of that. Despite everything, he does get it. He hopes Ozpin understands that much; it is not as though Qrow has been an open book at any point in his life -- he knows what it costs of oneself to open up to others. He realizes the weight of what he is asking for, here.]
What's a Huntsman's life without challenges, right? Pretty sure dealing with bullshit's half the job description -- well, the half that doesn't make it onto the posters, anyway.
[He huffs a laugh, in a small effort to lighten the mood.]
But you know...you don't have to be responsible for the world anymore. You don't have to be responsible for us. There's new crap to deal with here, sure, but it's--our crap, yeah? The world's going to keep on turning no matter what we deal with or don't.
[He takes a careful breath in, letting it out slowly. His fingers flex against the warmth of the mug, as though he's nervous about getting across what he means correctly.]
...So why not...why not take the chance to be "just Oz", for a while? Just a guy with friends who wanna know when he's not doing okay, so they can -- be there.
[It's still just left of a direct request. He understands this cannot be the hard line in the sand he drew before, but it is something gentler. A hand extended, and the shoulder to lean on alongside it. Victory lies in the things that require a smaller, more honest soul, after all.]
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But being willing to try doesn't make it easier to let go of centuries upon centuries of habit. He'd put off telling Break about his semblance for months, with barely a tiny fraction of that. Despite everything, he does get it. He hopes Ozpin understands that much; it is not as though Qrow has been an open book at any point in his life -- he knows what it costs of oneself to open up to others. He realizes the weight of what he is asking for, here.]
What's a Huntsman's life without challenges, right? Pretty sure dealing with bullshit's half the job description -- well, the half that doesn't make it onto the posters, anyway.
[He huffs a laugh, in a small effort to lighten the mood.]
But you know...you don't have to be responsible for the world anymore. You don't have to be responsible for us. There's new crap to deal with here, sure, but it's--our crap, yeah? The world's going to keep on turning no matter what we deal with or don't.
[He takes a careful breath in, letting it out slowly. His fingers flex against the warmth of the mug, as though he's nervous about getting across what he means correctly.]
...So why not...why not take the chance to be "just Oz", for a while? Just a guy with friends who wanna know when he's not doing okay, so they can -- be there.
[It's still just left of a direct request. He understands this cannot be the hard line in the sand he drew before, but it is something gentler. A hand extended, and the shoulder to lean on alongside it. Victory lies in the things that require a smaller, more honest soul, after all.]