genessia | 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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It's not-

[ Emerald hesitated. She was supposed to do like she and Mercury planned, but she wasn't sure if she could. She was supposed to tell him it was Mercury's- that he was the one who did all this, that she had some stupid semblance she made up and would be using her actual semblance to fake if he asked. ]

The only good its ever done was keep me alive by lying and stealing. Cinder made it so I didn't have to anymore, as long as I obey. My choice was to follow her or starve on the street. She's the only one who's been good to me, and Mercury's been through enough that he'd be villainized for saving himself too, even if he didn't come with us. You said it's hard to find someone to trust last time we talked. You're right.

[ Emerald holds her arm slightly, shaking her head. ]

I can't do this.

[ She looks up at him. She tried. That's the best she can do. She couldn't betray the closest thing to a family she has. Even Mercury made sure planning this there would be some way he wouldn't have to kill her. It was screwed up, wrong, but it was all she had. ]

You got what you wanted, can you just.. attack me and I'll run? I can't just say I walked away.

[ well, then. for the first time, emerald sustrai tells the truth, he thinks to himself, his eyes flickering over her face. watching her breathing, how she holds herself. she's nervous, skittish. almost as if he would actually attack her, even if she hadn't asked.

ozpin pauses before sighing, allowing his shoulders to relax. ]

Mercury murdered someone, and broadcast it, the last time he was in Genessia. And by our earlier conversation, he shows no remorse for what happened to Vale. I hardly need to tell you what will happen if he attempts the same stunt again.

[ it's said quietly, and he looks at emerald, with a hardened expression. ]

And I have absolutely no intention of attacking you, simply for the sake of doing so.

[ he shakes his head before taking half a step backward, turning to leave. ]

I have had enough of violence. Thank you for the information. Be safe.

[ She takes a step after him, narrowing her eyes. ]

Mercury knows I went to talk to you. It's not just for fun, attacking me is saving my life. I was supposed to come here, tell you that was his semblance, then buddy up to you and your people to feed he and Torchwick information. I chose to tell you the truth. If I don't come back with something, he's going to know something's wrong. He already asked me why you thought I was the one who would talk anyway, please.

[ there's only the slightest sigh before his semblance activates.

suddenly, everything slows down to a bare crawl, and ozpin turns around to see emerald frozen in place. he watches her for a moment, letting his eyes travel over her face. it's not being attacked, that's not what she wants -- it's information. and ozpin, who hardly fights, who is the bastion of optimistic diplomacy within the four kingdoms, rarely has need to show off what he can do.

emerald wants to know. she wants truth, in exchange for truth. and ozpin will give it to her, but only a little.

so, with a casual sweep of his cane, he knocks emerald's legs out from underneath her, and suddenly, time is restored as it should, though all emerald sees the fact that ozpin had been walking away, and suddenly -- in barely half a second -- he is casually nudging her leg with his cane while she's on the ground. ]

I have absolutely no idea who has been filling your head with the idea that I am capable of attacking someone incapable of defending themselves, but I have no intention of proving them right.

[ it's said simply, and he rests his cane on the ground again, surveying emerald critically. ]

You have more than most. Go.

[ Emerald had never been put on her ass so quickly in her life. That had to be the fastest she'd ever been put on her ass. If this had been an actual fight and she'd lost, it would've been less embarrassing than the fact that he was prodding her with his cane. Emerald jerked her leg away sharply, rolling and getting up on her feet again.

Her hands went to her weapons, ready to draw with her teeth ground together, but she ended up making a frustrated sound and turned away to leave. ]

[ he's almost ready to activate his semblance again, to protect himself against those knives -- but instead, she decides to make the (admittedly smart) decision to leave. ozpin watches her go, almost in silence, before he speaks suddenly: ]

Emerald.

[ he pauses before drawing in a breath, turning to go himself. ]

I am sorry, that Beacon did not find you before she did.

[ surely, she would have found a much better family, with them ]

[ She doesn't turn around. The implication that he would've offered something to her if he'd known, even after knowing that Cinder's horrors were carried out by her, is a little unnerving to her. ]

I was on my own for years and no one was looking. You're only sorry Cinder found people better than yours at what we do.

[ She wasn't sure she believed that, but she's definitely trying to make herself believe she's doing the right thing in going back to Cinder. Or, Mercury and Torchwick anyway. Cinder isn't here yet. ]

[ yes, he's certain that's what emerald was told. and he considers saying that, but he lets it go. in the end, it has no effect on him -- he knows, in his heart, that what he does is right. but he is upset that this girl managed to slip through the cracks. ]

I suppose she did do that, yes.

[ it's said quietly, and he resumes his walk ]

I don't create weapons, I create compassion.

[ Emerald can tell he said something, but she's no longer close enough to hear it. She breaks into a run, not particularly wanting to hear any more. She was lost enough as it was. ]

ᴏᴏ1 : ᴠɪᴅᴇᴏ

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action casually... bullshits semblance...

action shhh i won't tell anyone

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