o4 . january catchall

[clocktowers]

Who: clocktowers and CR.
What: A bit of drama at Clockhouse.
When: Early January
Where: Throughout Trench.

Content Warnings: Tagged in subject lines as needed.

Ozpin's Vampirism Timeline:
- [Ford] rescue from the Sleeper Farm
- [Qrow] not talking about it
- [Willow, Tara] rancid vibes
- [Zhongli] a fight
- [Willow] stalking
- [Willow] on the groupchat
- [Oscar] checking in
- [Ruby] the intervention pit
- [Ange] on the groupchat
- [Sayo] a wakeup call
- [Shannon] after the wakeup call
- [Faith, Willow] a confrontation
- [Willow] on the groupchat
- [Oz] on the groupchat
- [Qrow] after the confrontation
- [Willow, Ford] discussing options
- [Faith, Qrow] hostile stalking
- [PH house] meeting the inlaws
- [Qrow] an offer
- [Willow] reconciling
- [Ford] at the Red
- [Willow] wolf talk

Comments

[clocktowers]

[ It is kind of her to try to help, and this is the thought he holds to; otherwise he would sigh and wave her off. Ozpin resists the urge. ]

Yes, this sounds like a conversation best had over tea.

[ He steps past her to let them into the library, then moves to the kettle while she goes to sit. It provides the distance he needs to maintain this conversation and his patience, despite the lingering tension in the air.

When he goes to take his seat, he feels more prepared for whatever odd and likely humiliating trial the town has put before them. ]

[frogfear]

[It feels far more natural to sit and talk in the comfort of the library than to stand out in the foyer. She settles into her usual spot, and leans forward a little as she speaks once he joins her.]

So, um. I've actually learned kind of a lot the last little while. The vampire thing is actually tied to your blood type, which is why there's not really a permanent solution. It looks like pretty much all vampire lore here ties in with Vilebloods. Um, Ford's done some really extensive research into it because of Mabel - he shared his notes with me.

[She can't not give Ford credit for his own work, even if it feels awkward to bring it up.]

I was right about the blood drinking - I figured I was, Maul's brother said as much a couple months ago. That he heard about people actually buying blood and drinking it and becoming corrupt over it. The thing about corruption, though - it's not the same for everyone. One person might be able to drink as much as they want and be totally fine, and the next one gets so much as a little taste and next thing you know, they're not seeing anything except for their next meal. I've got some theories on why, but nothing I can really prove yet.

Anyway, it looks like a lot of the Vilebloods that have the most success with not going down that road are the ones who have a good support system, and actually use it. The lower your corruption, the less you'll... you know. Crave. You just have to be willing to talk to us and let us help you when things get hard instead of keeping it to yourself.

[clocktowers]

[ His brows jump to his hairline when she says Ford's name. Several emotions seem to fight across Ozpin's face before he settles in again to listen, drawn with wary concern and just on the edge of reproving.

It sharpens into incredulity at the advice. ]

If I understand correctly, the nearest we've found to a cure... is a support system with which to manage one's emotions.

[ He exhales slowly, drops his head in half a nod. ]

I suppose it's not so foreign a concept, after the role fear played upon Remnant. Negative emotion as a poisoning force is not new to me. But I'd not thought I was doing so poor a job of keeping that force at bay.

[frogfear]

[Willow fully expected him to not approve of Ford's help in the matter, which is entirely why she glossed over it like it was just a minor detail. A few notes from him, that's all, no big deal. It's fine.

She's quiet for a moment as Ozpin processes the details they've managed to uncover. It's a lot, she knows, and she's entirely sympathetic when he says he didn't think he had been doing a bad job.]

I'm a little suspicious it runs a little deeper here than it did at for you at home. You're really good at keeping things together, even under the worst of circumstances. No wonder why, with... you know... everything.

[She gestures vaguely. He's been through a lot, in Trench, in Deerington, and on Remnant, there's no doubt about that at all. She smiles a little.]

Ozpin, you're probably one of the most together people I know, which is why I got so worried when you weren't yourself. I think here, it just goes deeper than being able to repress those feelings and put them aside, and instead it means you have to deal with them and let them go.

[Normally, she feels disinclined to push him too hard, but this is too important to just let go of.]

I don't think there's anyone in this house who hasn't leaned on you for help or support at one point or another. I know I have, more than once. As hard as it is, maybe it's time you let us be there for you too sometimes. You know. Like family.

[clocktowers]

[ He tips his head in vague acknowledgment of the praise, not at all eager to dwell on his capacity to keep things together or where it might have been learned. They are not here to unpack the whole of his story, which would take more than one can fit into an afternoon chat, besides. He has long since come to think it can't even be fit into a lifetime. There is no one who understands, not fully; the one person who does is finally dead.

Willow says deal with them and let them go, and he rankles. He always does, at something so plainly reductive; it sounds young of her, and that only widens the gulf between them.

She takes the legs out from under his offense when she says like family. ]

I... appreciate that, Willow.

[ He settles, reluctantly and unwillingly, into a softer tone. For a moment the silence hangs between them. The library, with its grand windows, feels uncomfortably cold and empty. He does not know quite where to go from here: what she wants from him he is not eager to give. Or, quite frankly, much good at. ]

It is never easy to realize some things are beyond one's expertise... even after all these years.

[frogfear]

I know. I'm sorry.

[It's said on the breath of a sigh. She knows it's easy to say, but far harder to actually accomplish, and years of experience and developing his current coping methods will probably just make it even more difficult.]

I'll keep looking. Maybe I'll find something else that will help. This is just the best solution I have so far.

[She is not willing to give up so easily. Not on Ozpin, of all people. Especially not after tossing him out of his own home.]

I'm not going to push either, but if you decide you want to talk to one of us, we're all here for you.

[clocktowers]

[ It's the I'm not going to push that he is actually glad to hear, and it bleeds away the last of the tightness in his posture. He exhales, a long low breath. ]

I'll bear it in mind. If that is simply the nature of this place, we may have to change our approaches to suit, just as Remnant has had to make shifts to live under the threat of the Grimm.

[ The look in him isn't tense, at this. It is simply... distant. Weary. He has exited the war, but of course there is no such thing as true peace. There are no happy endings; only better ones.

He can live with that. He always has. At least this one involves those who would call him family. ]

First, though... I would be glad to simply settle in.

[frogfear]

[Knowing Ozpin is, indeed, still Ozpin, it's easy to trust him again. He's an adult, and Willow fully believes he wouldn't knowingly put any of them in harm's way. She's confident he will take the only solution they have for now, and do his best with it.]

Yeah, of course. I admit, I'm kind of tired too.

[She nods, and gets up to leave him be, but pauses and gives him a small smile.]

Welcome home, Ozpin. It really is good to have you back.