ᴏᴏ1 : ᴠɪᴅᴇᴏ

[beacane]

[ 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.

Comments

[thankgoodness]

[The tap of her boots rings through the silence, but this time she's not alone, and she is grateful.]

I know. [She isn't even going to chide him for taking on Cinder by himself. He's learned.] Qrow will find you. That's what he's good at. [Besides drinking himself into a stupor, but honestly, she can't blame anyone for turning to alcohol after all of that.

She pauses, gathers her thoughts.]

Buildings can be remade. Alliances can be reforged, and there will always be more huntsmen and huntresses desiring training. People are not so easily replaced.

[She gently touches his elbow as they walk.]

You're coming home.

[beacane]

[ qrow. of course qrow would be looking for him -- it makes the most sense. james is surely in atlas, and glynda is surely attempting the clean-up process in vale. qrow, with his abilities, would be able to search far and wide. and glynda is right -- if there is one thing qrow is good at, it's finding people.

but that doesn't sit well in his chest, and while he offers glynda a faint smile at the touch to his arm, it doesn't reach his eyes. ozpin is just one man -- and while it's true that he's irreplaceable, so is qrow. so are ruby, and jaune. so was pyrrha. he isn't any more or less important than anyone else, and if ozpin is correct...

cinder had said it. she was right, so arrogant. there is only one person that cinder could have meant, and that one person, if she has ozpin, could not be defeated by qrow. and ozpin can't say anything about her, not yet -- not until he's sure. he doesn't want anyone to panic, or worry needlessly. but isn't everyone already worrying needlessly? isn't secrecy what got them into this mess? ]

... I do not want anyone else dead on my behalf.

[ it's said carefully -- anticipating argument, but also firmly standing his ground.

if cinder murdered a teenage girl, salem would not hesitate at beheading qrow for sport. ]

[thankgoodness]

[Her fingers freeze against his jacket, but she doesn't squeeze. She quietly withdraws back into her own personal space. It doesn't take a genius to know what he's implying, that he's a lost cause, that he isn't worth going after.]

This isn't about your personal responsibility or even mine. We've already given them-- [them, because she isn't entirely sure who else is involved]-- everything they want.

If we abandon you and you are eventually found as a casualty, think of the message that sends to the other schools. To the other nations. While it is true that no one is safe, we need to preserve what unity we have. We can't afford to lose the other kingdoms to the same discord that tore Vale apart.

[beacane]

I would never think, in a thousand years, that any of you would abandon me.

[ quietly, absently -- ozpin is lost in his own thoughts, sorting out what he wants to say as he says it. ]

I know what I represent, to the other kingdoms. I know my own importance.

[ ozpin is the beacon of peace, quite literally. compassion, light. his students aren't raised to be soldiers, but raised to make compassionate decisions, to fight the grimm in order to save humanity. to preserve kindness, and peace. to eradicate anger, and war. ]

But I also know that my entire message would be lost if the people that I care about most sacrificed themselves to save me. I am not what is important in this fight, Glynda. The... individual that --

[ but ozpin stops himself, because he is saying too much -- distracted, scattered. ]

-- I have already had to listen to my students tell me that Pyrrha Nikos is dead, due to my own decisions, four times over. I cannot, and will not, have them tell it to me again, with a new name attached.

[thankgoodness]

[He is saying too much, and she can't help the surge of annoyance inside that he won't tell her all his secrets. She's faithfully served him for how long and he still doesn't trust her? But she knows, she understands anyway, that knowing is sometimes more of a burden than it appears. Like telling Pyrrha about the Maidens. Everything was changed for her, in that moment. She could no longer see the world the same way.

Would knowing what Ozpin knows draw Glynda to the same fate? Even she isn't sure. Yet, what's important-- right here, right now-- is that they are two, not one. Something can still be done. They are not a kingdom divided, not here.]

-- I understand.

[It comes reluctantly, a soft admission. She doesn't like being told what to do even by her superior. Her colleague.]

The children have always come first. It will stay that way.

[beacane]

[ he can feel that annoyance, and it tugs at him, somewhere -- glynda, his partner, has always had his back. regardless of what he's told her, or hasn't told her, she has been absolutely resilient in trusting him, and quick to shut down others in their questioning. james, his good friend, always the skeptic -- but not glynda.

and though ozpin can hardly blame her annoyance, it tugs at him -- guilt, frustration, she should know why he can't say anything, but why should she, when he hasn't said -- ]

You are my closest, and oldest, friend.

[ it's said quietly ]

I would not be half as calm as you, should our positions be reversed.

[ and he is thankful for it, endlessly grateful, that glynda is so calm, because ozpin would be an absolute mess ]

Thank you, for your patience. I promise I will tell you, when I can.

[thankgoodness]

[Something inside her stomach twists at his words, his tone. It sounds like a phrase someone would say before going off to die, and she refuses to accept this thought. He is alive, she is certain of it, and if she has any say in it, he will stay that way.]

There is no need to thank me. [She knows he'll tell her when the time is right, when he is certain. And she knows, too, that he would absolutely flip his lid if she were the one in danger. That's why she endeavors to be as cautious as possible.] I am doing my job and you are doing yours. Thankfully, none of us were under the impression that our duties would end with the school.

... It will take some time to rebuild. I have been working on it -- [by herself] -- but the Grimm have been drawn to the wreckage. That combined with the scale of the destruction means it might be easier to rebuild in a different location. And there is still the matter of headmaster. It is my hope that you will be returned by then, but...

[She bites her bottom lip briefly, lets it go.] It's just as well. There isn't anyone else I can imagine leading in your absence, even temporarily.

[beacane]

[ he's quiet as he listens, his heart sinking with each word. wreckage. destruction. rebuild in a different location. the school is truly gone, and vale has fallen with it. his home, for as long as he can remember -- the tower, and courtyard, and the halls... the vytal tournament was supposed to be a symbol of unity, and it tore vale -- and beacon -- apart.

to know he may never be able to go back is heartbreaking, and he knows it's entirely a sentimental thing -- the school is not what is important, the building is not what is important, but it is ozpin's life's work. he has transformed beacon academy into an institution that produces the best huntsmen and huntresses in remnant. good, honorable people, who stand for what is right, and fight against evil, and protect what is just.

and now it's gone.

he's silent after glynda finishes speaking, lost in his own thoughts, but once he seems to realize glynda has finished speaking, he looks over at her with a faint smile. ]

I don't know if the students are ready for Headmistress Goodwitch.

[ in amusement, his thoughts brightening for a second at the idea. he can only imagine team rwby attempting to sneak away underneath glynda's command. ]

But I would want no one else to take over in my absence.

[thankgoodness]

[Her eyes widen. Even if he's only teasing-- gently, as he does-- the very thought is not something Glynda has considered for herself. Not seriously, anyway. Is she capable? According to others, perhaps, but she knows her own weaknesses. She knows she lacks the aura of empathy and quiet determination that has always set Ozpin apart. She could never, ever hope to replace him. She will continue his dream, as she always has, but she isn't Ozpin.]

I could never-- certainly I would make a mess of things. The students adore you and trust you. I lack that sort of charisma.

[Maybe she could take over temporarily, but how long will finding Ozpin take?]

[beacane]

The students adore and trust you, too, my friend. They simply display it in a different way.

[ gentle chiding, here -- and, really, ozpin isn't so sure the students trust him anymore. they have every reason to be suspicious. but --

it is true, though. ozpin doesn't really believe in strict discipline, and encourages dissent and argument. glynda does too, to a certain extent, but the students respect her, and everything she brings to beacon. there is absolutely no shortage of yes, ma'am, professor goodwitch when she wanders past, and while ozpin may be greeted with much more warmth, that hardly means they don't adore glynda equally. ]

They will need a leader, to look to, and to guide them. You are that person.

{ until he returns, is the silent addition. ozpin hasn't given up on himself quite yet. ]

[thankgoodness]

[She looks away, hiding what seems to be the faintest blush behind her golden curls. She wants to fight it, wants to deny the inevitable, but he is trusting her with this responsibility. She would never turn down that request, let alone shirk a responsibility in general. She's too dependable for something like that.

She sets her gaze forward with renewed determination.]

Only until you return. And you will return. Beacon belongs to all of us, but you made it what it is.

[A symbol of peace, much like Ozpin himself. A bastion of learning. A safe haven... until recently.]

[beacane]

Of course.

[ with a slight smile, returning his gaze to the road ahead of him, falling into step (and silence) beside his friend for a long moment.

it's going to be a long road, and ozpin is not going to be able to fight this by himself. he needs to rely on his friends, now more than ever -- and with glynda and james here, ozpin has support. he knows he needs to lean on them (figuratively, and perhaps literally), and heal from this trauma himself.

but the students, as always, come first. and though ozpin has broken some trust, he knows they look to him to figure out what to do. to know where to go next, here he has the opportunity to guide, but at home? he doesn't. but glynda does. and james. and qrow, wherever he is.

and, then -- ]

Are you hungry?

[ something normal. something regular. just another night, in vale, figuring out what to do about the latest thing team rwby destroyed. enjoying dinner. ]

[thankgoodness]

[Leave it to Ozpin to derail a serious conversation with the offer of dinner. She's not surprised. If anything, it's a nice distraction. They can't solve all the world's problems in one night or even two. Vale wasn't built in a day, and the builders certainly didn't do it on an empty stomach.

It's funny, though, because usually Glynda is the one to suggest he eats something. She was usually too busy to accept the offer at Beacon, but this time she has no excuses.]

I could eat, I suppose.

[beacane]

Excellent, because you were going to join me regardless.

[ mildly. his leg is really starting to hurt, and he wants to sit down and relax, and talk about literally anything but what happened to vale. for at least ten minutes. ]

I normally don't mind eating alone, but I'm afraid eating alone inspires strangers to come speak to you out of some maligned pity, and I would much rather have the company of a friend rather than someone I don't know.