ᴏᴏ1 : ᴠɪᴅᴇᴏ
[ ozpin has collected all the information he needs to feel relatively comfortable finally introducing himself. he knows there are enemies here, and he knows there could be more enemies to come. he knows the majority of his students have experienced quite a lot of trauma in recent weeks, and he knows that he seems to be the only actual adult here to deal with any of it.
worst of all, most of this is his fault, and ozpin seems to be delightfully absent for most of it.
so, after dwelling on that for a moment, the feed turns on to show ozpin in a chair, in a corner of a bookstore that seems to be mostly empty. his cane is leaning against the table and while he still looks somewhat tired and worn down, his eyes are bright and he has a warm smile in place. ozpin has always been horrendous at playing the game, especially when such things are at stake. perhaps peace has made him lazy -- or perhaps he just genuinely believes that everything will be overcome.
at any rate, his students (and the others here) need him to be the leader that he proclaimed to be before everything went to utter hell, and so when he speaks, ozpin sounds like a conversationalist, calm and at the ready. ]
Hello.
[ it's almost like today is a normal day, with yet another inspirational monologue from professor ozpin. ]
It seems that quite the collective of my students have taken root in this city, and transformed it into their own. [ weiss. ] I wish I could say that I could bring half of what they have to this place, but I'd rather not disappoint you all.
[ probably too late for that. ]
But as for introductions -- my name is Ozpin. I am the Headmaster of Beacon Academy, for those from Remnant who may not recognize me. [ which should be no one, but you can never be too sure. ] I've already spoken with several of my students, and it seems that our world has become rather popular in terms of new arrivals... but to the students I haven't yet had the opportunity to see, and the students that I don't have the pleasure of calling my own... I would very much like to speak with you. Privately.
[ the slightest hint of his teacher voice, but it's gone in an instant, and ozpin returns to his faint smile. he's not going to waste time concerning himself with roman torchwick or emerald or anyone else who happens to show up. they will come find him if they wish to speak more. ]
As for the rest of you, if you would indulge me with suggestions on where to locate a decent cup of coffee, I would be forever in your debt. In addition, I would also like to hear some of the positives of this place -- what do you like to do? What are your hobbies? Your work? You would be surprised how effective positivity can be in curing most problems.
{ ozpin inclines his head toward his cane (and the untouched cup), with a slightly knowing look. ]
I've had something of a rough week.
worst of all, most of this is his fault, and ozpin seems to be delightfully absent for most of it.
so, after dwelling on that for a moment, the feed turns on to show ozpin in a chair, in a corner of a bookstore that seems to be mostly empty. his cane is leaning against the table and while he still looks somewhat tired and worn down, his eyes are bright and he has a warm smile in place. ozpin has always been horrendous at playing the game, especially when such things are at stake. perhaps peace has made him lazy -- or perhaps he just genuinely believes that everything will be overcome.
at any rate, his students (and the others here) need him to be the leader that he proclaimed to be before everything went to utter hell, and so when he speaks, ozpin sounds like a conversationalist, calm and at the ready. ]
Hello.
[ it's almost like today is a normal day, with yet another inspirational monologue from professor ozpin. ]
It seems that quite the collective of my students have taken root in this city, and transformed it into their own. [ weiss. ] I wish I could say that I could bring half of what they have to this place, but I'd rather not disappoint you all.
[ probably too late for that. ]
But as for introductions -- my name is Ozpin. I am the Headmaster of Beacon Academy, for those from Remnant who may not recognize me. [ which should be no one, but you can never be too sure. ] I've already spoken with several of my students, and it seems that our world has become rather popular in terms of new arrivals... but to the students I haven't yet had the opportunity to see, and the students that I don't have the pleasure of calling my own... I would very much like to speak with you. Privately.
[ the slightest hint of his teacher voice, but it's gone in an instant, and ozpin returns to his faint smile. he's not going to waste time concerning himself with roman torchwick or emerald or anyone else who happens to show up. they will come find him if they wish to speak more. ]
As for the rest of you, if you would indulge me with suggestions on where to locate a decent cup of coffee, I would be forever in your debt. In addition, I would also like to hear some of the positives of this place -- what do you like to do? What are your hobbies? Your work? You would be surprised how effective positivity can be in curing most problems.
{ ozpin inclines his head toward his cane (and the untouched cup), with a slightly knowing look. ]
I've had something of a rough week.
Action
weird.
( probably a totally irresponsible use of power, but he's tired.)
he stoops to collect up his own book, placing it neatly on top of a pile, and ozpin offers jaune a tired smile. ]
I doubt the books will mind.
Action
Where did you--?!
[how? admittedly, he's not paying as much attention as he should. maybe he had been there the entire time. the fact that ozpin looks so tired just proves he actually felt the loss too. it's kind of reassuring to jaune. it means what happened mattered to him.]
Oh. Uh...no. They're books...so they wouldn't.
Action
Oh, I don't know, books may have feelings too.
[ but he soon turns slightly, gesturing to a table in the corner. ]
I'll sit against the wall, if you don't mind.
{ that way, ozpin can watch the door, and jaune can have an easy way out if anything happens. ]
Action
No, that's fine.
[he goes to sit at the table, waiting until ozpin is seated to speak again.]
You said you're alive. Does that go beyond outside of here?
Action
he arches his eyebrows slightly at the blunt question, though his expression is still weary -- so everyone honestly does think he's dead. not good, in terms of his school, and not good, in terms of what happened to vale. ]
Cinder did not kill me.
[ it's said quietly -- gently, reassuring. ]
At least, as far as I know -- she broke my aura, and I believe I was en route to being brought somewhere before I was taken here, but I cannot tell you for certain.
[ most likely bringing him to her, to salem. but they don't need to know about her, not yet. ]
Action
[but his features twist when he hears cinder's name. he had already told weiss she would pay. it was because of her, she had ruined everything.]
I don't know what happened to her. [he chooses his words carefully, but his voice catches as he speaks. even if he avoids talking about it, that doesn't stop him from thinking about it.] Ruby, there was this bright flash of light, and the...giant Grimm, it stopped moving after that. Whatever happened, she was in a coma after that.
[pausing, he shakes his head, his words rushed and bitter.] I don't know where Cinder got to, and no one else does either. I don't understand. Why would she take you somewhere?
Action
Oh, I imagine someone somewhere thinks I'm important enough to hold hostage.
[ it's said with the dry tone of thinking that cinder is an idiot and this is really just a massive waste of her time ]
I don't believe that part of the story is very clear. Not yet.
[ ozpin has a hunch, but no more, and he won't concern his students with something that may not even be true. ]
I will be fine, though. I am tougher than I look. -- Ruby, too.
Action
[there's an accusatory edge in his voice. a tiny, horrible voice in the back of jaune's head whispers to him: why wasn't pyrrha important enough? he hates himself for even thinking that for a minute. it's wrong, it's cruel, and it's not ozpin's fault.
he's just so...empty and angry. he can't look at him, forcing it back, before he says something he doesn't mean.]
You're our headmaster. If you weren't tough, you wouldn't be able to handle students like Ruby.
Pyrrha... [he actually looks as if he's in physical pain.] She was so upset when she got here. She told me a little already, about the Fall Maiden. But she didn't tell me enough. Like why she'd go running in there, instead of fighting with her teammates, or why the school was hiding such a big secret in the first place.
Action
he also doesn't look very bothered by the anger, almost a little surprised that it's taken this long for one of them to be frustrated or furious with him -- but by the time jaune is done, ozpin still just looks tired. ]
... it is both not clear, and I cannot tell you.
[ ozpin may as well be honest. they deserve it. ]
I do not want you all to needlessly worry about my safety when I have little more than a vague idea of what awaits me. When it becomes clear to me, I will tell you. As for the secret of the Maidens...
[ ozpin pauses before looking at jaune, with a slight frown. ]
Do you not understand why it was kept secret? Why that power couldn't be announced to the public, or to the students?
[ look at what happened when someone did find out, and when someone did discover it for their own. ]
Pyrrha Nikos is mea -- [ but ozpin stops himself, drawing in a breath, exhaling slowly. control. ] -- ... Pyrrha was meant to succeed that power. I cannot answer why she ran back into the building, but I suspect she thought I was dead, and there was no one else to stop Cinder, and to take the power back.
[ which is... again, completely ozpin's fault ]
Action
So that girl in the pod...the one who--who died, she was the Fall Maiden? [it makes sense now. his frustration is quick to drain away, and he looks down at the table, defeated.
how much of it could he have prevented if he had just. watched. the door? it was his fault cinder had even received the power. if she hadn't, maybe they would have had more of a chance.]
We all thought you were dead. [his voice is quiet now, small.]
Action
[ it's said quietly, and he watches jaune for a long moment before offering him a faint smile.
it's touching, really, that all of them were so concerned. so many approached him in shock, and some burst into tears. all concerned, needlessly so -- because even if ozpin had been killed, all of them would have been such fine. because that's how they were trained.
ozpin did not raise soldiers, he raised compassionate huntsmen and huntresses. and, thusfar, he has not been disappointed. if there is one shining light in this, it is that his students haven't lashed out in hatred. they've supported one another. they've held each other up. they've loved one another.
that, at least, is something ozpin can keep close to his chest. ]
I am sorry, that I worried all of you. If I could, I would be on the front lines with all of you.
[ gently -- and, to be fair, ozpin is still in danger. for all he knew, he could be dead tomorrow. but -- ]
But I could not be more proud of the individuals now in charge of carrying forward both Beacon, and our mission of combating the Grimm. I know that we will win. There is not a single doubt in my mind that, together, we will overcome whatever is in our path. We will continue forward.
[ and pyrrha nikos is not going to die in vain ]
Action
[he repeats the name, a look of sorrow crossing over his features. he didn't know her, but it didn't matter. she hadn't deserved any of that.]
I'm sorry. [the why goes unvoiced. talking about some things, it's just too difficult right now. he's silent for a long moment. when was the last time anyone had ever actually said they were proud of him? there was only one person who came close.
and he hadn't earned it.]
It's still a long way. But it's all we can do, now. I know what we do here won't impact what happens over there, but I'll say it anyway. We'll do what we have to, so we expect the same of you. I know you can't fight with us right now, but just...do what you need to do.
[he can't stand the thought of losing more people.]
Action
but it's only more important, that ozpin succeeds here, and he finally allows himself a smile -- his eyes bright, and his tone confident. ]
I doubt I would be able to keep up with the rest of you, Mr. Arc, were I not able to do what I need to do.
[ gently ]
I will be fine. Like you, my friends will take care of me.
[ though ozpin would really rather them not, he's given up on convicing qrow, james, and glynda of anything ]
Action
Oh, uhm...right.
[he assumes he means glynda even though he mostly associates her with yelling at nora (sometimes him. ok maybe not just sometimes) and his team in class and being there to undo the damage done to beacon. which there was probably a lot of just from students alone before it fell.]
Do they know where you are?
[he actually sounds hopeful about something.]
Action
[ which is to say: no. they don't. but glynda, james, and qrow aren't stupid, and they're aware of the pieces in motion. they'll be able to figure out who has him, why she has him, and be able to stage a rescue.
ozpin would much rather they focus on protecting the school and the students and launch a counter-attack, but he's also learned not to argue. ]
I have every faith in the world that I will be able to rejoin you.
[ and he does.
whether or not that will be in the near future is yet to be determined, and whether or not ozpin will be okay is a near impossibility, but escape? conquering this evil? finishing the job he set out to do? he will absolutely do that. ]