deerington; INBOX

[tinpotdicktator]

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text; un: fern BREAKING IN YOUR INBOX WITH THIS

[laminae]

hi uh
feel free to totally ignore this if it's too weird
but you seem like you got your stuff together and that's a pretty big deal
and uh i kind of got some junk i need to talk to someone about

text; un: Ironwood; perfect wonderful excellent

[tinpotdicktator]

I'm glad you think so.

If it's something that I can help you with, I don't mind at all.

[Delivery]

[laminae]

[A few days before Valentine's Day Ironwood will find a package at his door.

It's a box of chocolates! And it comes with a handwritten note:]

Hey,

I just learned about this rad human holiday where you give people stuff if they're important to you, so I hope you like chocolate!

And if this isn't how the holiday works, sorry. I'm trying my best here.

-Fern

2/21, after Ruby Roze message below | Text | un: beacon

[justoscar]

[In running from the house with Ozpin's Fluid in hand, Oscar recalled his own promise to Oz as the portals closed between them that he would take care of everyone. Finding a place to hide and flipping through the various notifications on the device, Oscar gathered as much intel as he could before making his next move.

He knew exactly who needed to hear from Ozpin in that moment.

Adopting his most Oz-like headspace, Oscar opened a window to start a new conversation.]

General.

I wanted to thank you for all your hard work with the portals, and for doing your utmost to protect the children and any other Sleepers who have come to call Deerington their home. I am certain Atlas would be proud of your efforts and continued hard work.

I am very proud of you as well, James.

-Ozpin

[tinpotdicktator]

[ Some time had passed since Ozpin's last message which had been... polite. Disappointing, possibly, but James could move on.

And then... this.

For a moment James is confused - back to just "General", now? The start of a brand new conversation, it seems.

After the gently shut door of the previous conversation, this is. Something. He can't tell if he appreciates it or finds it condescending, and he's not sure if this was perhaps an Ozpin whose fever had died down and realized that Ironwood had expressed a feeling (a whole feeling) and decided to reciprocate with some sort of feeling of his own, or if he was taking on the air of the leader to make sure that door stayed shut. This all on top of craving validation. James's emotions may be a little conflicted. ]

I never did this for praise. I do appreciate the sentiment, though. Thank you, Oz.

My last offer still stands, if you need it.

2/21, not here.

[clocktowers]

[ It's been a difficult morning, and this stretch of it promises to be no easier. Ozpin is distracted by the missed message notification with Ford's icon beside it, but first, he is insisting upon following up on his lieutenants. Things with Qrow will be... complicated, once the man learns of the current situation, and he is not eager to have the same conversation with Glynda. All told, reaching out to James is the least daunting way to begin, and has the most margin for error.

So he is trying to coach Ruby to compose a text. ]

General James Ironwood has never been particularly attached to sentiment, so it need only be a simple update. For example: James, I have returned. I hope the wait didn't worry you too terribly. I look forward to your situation report once I'm feeling well enough to receive it.

[ He will be feeling well enough when they discover whether there's an end to this, but the implication of death flu is certainly convenient. ]

2/21, UN: Beacon

[clickclickbloom]

[Difficult doesn't being to explain how Ruby feels about this. Her feelings about Ironwood are strained at best but she wouldn't even know where to begin explaining this to her Uncle Qrow. Glynda seemed like the best bet in her opinion but this was Oz's call and while she didn't like it, she could respect it.

Hearing Oz in the back of her head still makes the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end in a weird tension, but she manages to bark out a little laugh as he guides her through a text.]

He was trying to work on that a little. ...Before things turned out the way the did.

Okay. Okay let's try this.

[And she starts to type.]

Dear General James Ironwood,

I'm texting you today to inform you that I've returned from the dead.

I hope I didn't worry you too terribly.

I look forward to hearing what you've been up to once I'm feeling well enough to chat.

You're pal,

Professor Ozpin.

[Ruby looks behind her as if Ozpin should be there, and smiles.]

How's that?

[And then her finger slips and she hits send.]

Text UN: RadRidingHood (Sometime After Ruby Roze)

[clickclickbloom]

Hey General Ironwood,

I just wanted to say thanks and sorry about the whole fiasco during the portals thing. I kind of made a bad call by making a deal with Bill there. Sorry that you caught the brunt of that but thanks for stopping me.

I had a question for you. You've got a whole bunch of prosthetics, right? I'm uh kind of looking to get something to replace my eye. I was wondering how much you know about how they connect to you? I don't really expect you to be an expert or anything but any information you can share would be great.

Thanks.

You're Pal, RR. <3

1/2

[tinpotdicktator]

I wouldn't leave one of my allies to die. Not like that.

What deal did you make with Cipher?

[ This would probably be a good time to admit that he also made a deal with Bill and that might have consequences. If he's looking to reestablish trust, he should definitely do that.

He moves on, calculating the cost/benefits of this, but the latter far outweighs the former. The more Ruby's indebted to him, the better. ]

It would be easier if Pietro were here, but yes, I should be able to help. I'll write up a data packet and send it to soon.

I may be able to contribute in a different way as well. I happen to have some Hard-Light Dust crystals.

2/3 i lied

[tinpotdicktator]

[ Wait.

Stop. Hold everything.

You're Pal.

No, it couldn't be, could it?

Oh no. ]

3/3

[tinpotdicktator]

Ruby.

Do you always sign your messages like that?

text; username: lamplight

[hallucinogem]

Ozpin?
Really?
I knew you had terrible taste, Jimmy Jam, but this is a new low.

1/3

[tinpotdicktator]

[ James wasn't exactly expecting to hear from Emerald again, so his first reaction to finding a message from her in his inbox is a mild annoyance.

And then he actually reads it.

How the fuck?]

[tinpotdicktator]

[ No really, how did she know?

He hasn't told anyone, he hasn't been making a show of it, it's his personal, private business -

And here comes Emerald Sustrai strolling in. He didn't think her Semblance worked that way - a Deerington thing? Did Oz -

This is. The nightmare scenario. ]

3/3

[tinpotdicktator]

Where is this coming from?

[clickclickbloom]

[Ironwood will find a cake at his doorstep along with a hand written note.]

Dear General Ironwood,

I just wanted to thank you for the notes you provided for my new eye.
Prosthetic.
Thing.
It's working great so far.
10/10 Prosthetic Information, would recommend to a friend.
Please enjoy this cake.

Your Pal,
R.R.

[The cake is disgusting. The two girls who made it have no right to be in a kitchen of any sort. Ironwood will likely find gummy worms, aged chocolate chips, M&M's and a full spatula baked into the cake.]

"the number you are trying to reach is no longer in service"

[luckthis]

James.

I told you I was gone, but I held back for both our sakes. It was selfish, I think. To want my best friend and I know you can do the right thing.

Don't hate Qrow for any of this.

Let me go.

Let Qrow, Mantle go. You are not the shoulders an entire city is on.

This is not your fight.

late March | voice | un: beacon

[clocktowers]

[ The call comes out of nowhere. By now, he has made the rounds to every trusted person within his inner circle— all but one. Perhaps trusted is the key distinction, there.

He does not trust James's judgment. He does not trust his reasoning, or his temper, or the principles by which he fights. But he once did. He would like to again. Perhaps this could be the way they rebuild things, if it is not the way they bring it all crumbling down.

He has had peace, here, of a sort, and now it balances upon a knife's edge. The call picks up, and Ozpin's tone comes soft and somber. ]

James. How are your TRUST trainees progressing?

[tinpotdicktator]

[ from James' perspective, March had been rather quiet. He had avoided going to the Mayor's for the tea party, considering the last time he had met the mayor. He had thrown himself into preparations for things getting worse. Especially considering the state of the townspeople.

He assumes that this is a a rare social call. ]

For what few of them we have, well enough.

It's good to hear from you, Oz.

After Clover's departure announcement

[glitchinthesystem]

[ This is beginning to feel like the worst month of his life in Deerington. Sure. October had been bad. Lots of his friends died or got horribly maimed...okay maybe this was more of a close second.

Either way, it still doesn't change the fact he feels miserable. Salem had killed him and done something horrible to Ruby and the guilt there was never going to let up. Not being able to warn people sooner is probably going to eat at him for a long time after.

But, then the news of Clover's departure is given to him and the world feels even colder. He knew Clover was not going back home like the rest of them were. He was going back to death and that's something...he doesn't want to even fathom right now. He just feels like he's going to lie in this misery.

There's no talking to Ruby about this, he's already let her down and is probably dealing with Clover being gone too. He can't bring himself to talk to Qrow; he just lost the love of his life for a second time. Glitch thinks to just sit shut in his bedroom up until the point something does come to mind.

There's one person he knows who knew Clover even more than anybody else...and maybe that's what brings him to send the message. So Ironwood would find on his Fluid a text saying; ]

It's Glitch. This is gonna sound weird and out of nowhere but.

I need to talk to you.

Re: After Clover's departure announcement

[tinpotdicktator]

[ James never forgot the connection between glitch in Clover, it was a large part of the reason he gave Glitch the time of day and so well Glitch might think this message is out of nowhere, James as a suspicion it's about Clover. But he doesn't think he knows what it is beyond that, unsure if it's some unfinished business or getting Affairs in order. ]

Of course. I'm at your disposal.

Audio UN: RadRidingHood After The Hound/Clover's Departure

[clickclickbloom]

[The last week has been an absolute mess, technically the last two but Ruby couldn't clearly remember the first one. Not after being dunked in the Grimm pool by Salem.

She did however know that a few people had gone above and beyond the last few days. Which is why she's calling Irownwood now.]

Hey-uh General Ironwood.

I just wanted to say thank you for helping Oscar and Qrow the other day.
They didn't end up in worse shape thanks to you and that means a lot to me.
I-uh... Well I'm probably not really in the position to be asking for favors,
but I was wondering if you could help me out with something?

[tinpotdicktator]

[ it hadn't exactly been a pleasant experience, but apparently the whole business with the Hound did manage to allow him to regain him some trust. Having Ruby oh him some favours isn't a bad side effect either, for whatever that was worth. ]

I only wish I had gotten there sooner.

What do you need?

April 10 | Audio | un: pinecone

[justoscar]

[It had been over a week since the incident had happened in the woods near Lake Tomie and Trust-- where Oscar had encountered the Hound that Ruby had been forcibly transfigured into and he had to be saved by both Qrow and Ironwood. Though his memory from that incident was fuzzy yet due to the gravity of his injuries, he did recall Ironwood being involved in his ultimate rescue and survival.

He hadn't known what to expect. After their last encounter in Atlas, Oscar no longer expected those strong arms and shoulders to be so efficient yet so gentle.

Oscar recalled enough to leave a seed of doubt in his mind-- as if, perhaps, he had been keeping too distant from Ironwood... and as if he had been telegraphing his own fear.

Although he still felt unsteady and fatigued, he felt much better than he had days before, and he felt it was high time to make contact.]

General. I, uh...

Do you have a minute? I know you're busy with your TRUST project, but I feel like we should talk.

Re: April 10 | Audio | un: pinecone

[tinpotdicktator]

Oscar. [ It's a soft tone, by James standards. Hearing from Oscar is good - he's being reached out to, counted on.]

I'm not too busy for you. Is your recovery going smoothly?

text | april 1 | un: beacon

[clocktowers]

[ The message comes around midday, as the dust is still settling from the town's sudden drop. ]

It is done.

Salem is dead.

[ And Ozpin is not. He is not even injured, as it happens. This is rare, but hardly unheard-of: he has gotten the best of her nearly as many times as she has gotten the best of him.

But he has never, ever, walked away thinking it would last longer than bare hours.

It doesn't yet feel real. ]

[tinpotdicktator]

[ James is at TRUST, figuring out what damage had been done and what repairs needed to be made. He just started, as it had taken a while to actually get there.

He gets Ozpin's message and stands there in the desert heat, sand swirling around his feet, coat abandoned at home but otherwise still stubbornly wearing his Atlas military uniform. He stands there in disbelief, that the ever-present boogeywoman of his life was dead.

It is the nature of Deerington that reminds him that this is probably temporary. But still, it is surprise he first feels, not relief. ]

How?

Private End of April

[borntolove]

After some insight, what is going on as far as Maul and Glitch is psychological trauma on Maul's behalf.

[tinpotdicktator]

Insight? Something you've deduced or do you have more solid information?

Video; UN: Willow, May 19th

[frogfear]

[The video opens and Willow is grinning like the cat who got the cream.]

So, uh, I thought you might like to know... I'm not the only magic user who has had a problem with Maul. A couple of my other friends have too. So, we got together, and did a little spell. I don't think he's going to be giving any of us any trouble any more.

[tinpotdicktator]

You did what?

[ There's a part of him that's almost irritated by that, that they went ahead and solved the Maul problem without him - but that part is being irrational. The important thing is that Maul isn't a threat. And her expression makes it plain she's confident in whatever she did. ]

That's great news. What kind of spell?