[RWBY] The Great Temporal Step-Sibling War!

[Ardrianian]

Knowing that Nora was abandoned for Grimm bait and Ren getting over his semblance effects by Nick's dad-logic drives home how fertile the story arc between Ren and Nora and CRWBY fumbled that bag. There should have been some next level feelings after offing the Nucklevee.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Willow was looking over several documents in the rooms Beacon had given to her, Klein and Whitley. While not the most luxurious she had stayed in, this was of no concern to her as she continued her work. There was a knock at the door, and Klein headed off to answer. A moment later, Klein returned, General Ironwood in tow.

"James," Willow said with a soft smile.

"Willow," he returned gently. Klein moved to pull out a chair for him, and the general sat down opposite her.

"Would you like the usual brandy, sir?" Klein said. Ironwood shook his head.

"I'm afraid I must decline. Too much work to do," he said.

"Tea then," Klein agreed, "Much better at this hour than coffee, sir."

"Thank you," Ironwood said with a nod, as Klein headed off to the kitchen. Willow smiled softly.

"You seem a bit overwhelmed," she observed.

"No more than you, I believe," James returned without any heat. Willow reached across the table to take his right hand, and squeezed it. He squeezed it back, just as gently.

"It is good to see you sober," he said softly. Willow grimaced.

"It's not as good to be it. Klein has me taking oxy pills to keep my head clear." She sighed. "I'll probably need to see Isabel about dealing with withdrawal. I... I can't afford to drink. Not now."

She gave James a wan smile.

"It's going to be hellish the next few days," she said quietly. Ironwood slowly nodded.

"I need your help, Willow," Ironwood said, direct and to the point as always, "Ozpin is hoping to announce a new alliance between Atlas, Vale, Pandu, and Menagerie in the next few weeks. In light of our... Future revelations."

Willow bit back an incredulous laugh.

"He doesn't think small, does he?" She asked. "And you need my help?"

"I do," Ironwood said, "If we're to defeat Salem... We need as many resources as possible. What would it take to get Jacques onboard... Or out of the way?"

"A lot," Willow admitted. "My grandsons have been giving me some hints and clues, but they didn't memorize all the details of how he was brought low. I'm looking through Warden's papers and some other things. There's plenty to build from, but as much as I hate to say it... Jacques is cunning."

Willow sighed and looked down at her hands.

"It would have been nice if I'd realized how cunning he was," she said softly. "If I had been more insightful. More cautious... Less foolish..."

"That won't help," Ironwood stated, firm but not unkind. Willow looked up at him and laughed quietly.

"No. No, it won't. Old habits are hard to break," she admitted softly. Ironwood nodded in quiet understanding.

"I suppose so," he replied.

Willow gave him a nostalgic smile.

"I am glad you are taking care of my girls, James," Willow said quietly, "And glad to have you with me in all this... Insanity. I wish you had been there for Whitley, too. I'm only now beginning to realize how... How much I failed him. Failed them all..." Her head bowed again.

"Self pity won't help," Ironwood reminded her gently. He reached out to tip her chin back up. She stared in surprise. "It never has, Willow. Whatever your challenges... I will do what I can to assist. I will offer protection for you and your family. I swear it."

Willow flushed slightly. She looked to the side and let out another small laugh.

"You know... I rather like you being this way," she admitted.

Ironwood shrugged, withdrawing his hand slowly.

"I suppose, in a way, we are family now," he said quietly.

Willow nodded.

"I think we've been that for longer. Though I didn't notice."

The door to the room opened. Winter Schnee entered, with Theodore walking alongside her. They both came to attention in front of the table, and Ironwood stood in greeting.

"Sir," Winter stated, "My son has completed the preliminary report from all the future children."

"I'm still working on Moses' side of things," Theodore said, handing over a holochip, "But he's sleeping in his mom's lab while she monitors him. Granny Izzy is going to give him an examination, see if she can't help his symptoms. But this is all the relevant information I could find on the Vytal attacks and some other White Fang operations."

Ironwood nodded, his smile faint but proud.

"Thank you," he said. Theodore nodded.

"There are... A few other details I haven't mentioned," he added. Winter gave him a frown. Theodore shook his head. "I ask that I be allowed to exercise my discretion in this matter for the time being. It is... Delicate."

Ironwood raised an eyebrow. Theodore remained very stoic and serious, a rarity from the young man.

"Does this involve the children of Cinder Fall?" He asked. Theodore slowly nodded. Ironwood frowned, but slowly nodded.

"I see. I will trust your discretion in this matter for the time being," he said. Theodore nodded, smiling softly.

"Thank you, sir." He turned to his mother, who frowned. "Trust me, Mother. Please."

Winter sucked in a breath, and slowly nodded.

"I believe you have earned it," she said, "But keep us apprised?"

"I will. Promise," Theodore said with a smile. "Now! Mother?" He handed her a holochip, "Here's everything I can tell you about your relationship with Dad. May I suggest you try something nice and casual for the first date? I've included a few pictures of things Dad really likes you to wear. I've got to handle a few other things."

Winter shook her head.

"Remember to get some rest, huh?" She awkwardly reached out and squeezed his shoulder. He smiled gently back, and squeezed her hand.

"I will," he said. A Schnee Glyph appeared behind him and he stepped back, vanishing. Winter inserted the holochip into her Scroll. She projected the first image... And blushed bright red at the very abbreviated outfit her future self was wearing.

"Oh my," Willow murmured, "Well, that will definitely get his attention."

"M-Mother!" Winter cried, turning off her Scroll. Ironwood raised an eyebrow.

"Given he's an Arc, you will need to be as direct as possible. Subtlety doesn't work on them."

"Absolutely," Willow nodded, "In fact Winter? You should wear less."

"Mother!"

"Given the competition you are up against, you will need every weapon in your arsenal to keep up," Ironwood added, "In this case, an all out assault would be the best approach."

"S-Sir!"

 

[cavalal386]

"That won't help," Ironwood stated, firm but not unkind. Winter looked up at him and laughed quietly.

Click to shrink...

where did winter come from?

"You know... I rather like you being this way," she admitted.

Click to shrink...

Willow: if can't have a blonde himbo, i'll settle for a military himbo instead.

The door to the room opened. Winter Schnee entered, with Theodore walking alongside her. They both came to attention in front of the table, and Ironwood stood in greeting.

Click to shrink...

so that's where she came from. she just teleported in to laugh and went to get her son.

"Oh my," Willow murmured, "Well, that will definitely get his attention."

"M-Mother!" Winter cried, turning off her Scroll. Ironwood raised an eyebrow.

"Given he's an Arc, you will need to be as direct as possible. Subtlety doesn't work on them."

"Absolutely," Willow nodded, "In fact Winter? You should wear less."

"Mother!"

"Given the competition you are up against, you will need every weapon in your arsenal to keep up," Ironwood added, "In this case, an all out assault would be the best approach."

"S-Sir!"

Click to shrink...

look their already acting like a married couple, teasing their daughter together and giving her dating advise from their experience in dealing with Arcs.

 

[zMADLAXz]

look their already acting like a married couple, teasing their daughter together and giving her dating advise from their experience in dealing with Arcs.

Click to shrink...

They are like divorced parents who separated on good terms and love their Daughter very much.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

They are like divorced parents who separated on good terms and love their Daughter very much.

Click to shrink...

That was my intention. Glad I got it across.

 

[Bev]

They are like divorced parents who separated on good terms and love their Daughter very much.

Click to shrink...

Well, they can get married. After an... Accident in the mines for Gelee.