#ironwood trauma

[bobauthorman]

As Before, and Yet Again

The most troubling thing about Ruby and Jaune’s breakdowns...is how they aren’t REALLY Different from how they used to be. When you think about their characters, they really aren’t.

Let’s start with Jaune. In response to his trauma, tries to deal with it by making himself to be the Paper Pleasers guardian. He learns about their daily lives, makes an intense schedule so he can keep track and help everyone, and even managed to make a map of the Ever After, however incomplete that map is. Because Jaune has always been the more tactful, analytical type. In the first chapter of Volume 4, he was the one who figured out the Geist’s weakness. The problem is, he’s become a virtual tyrant, controlling the lives of the Paper Pleasers, not even allowing them any sort of real freedom, much like how Oz and Ironwood tried to control the people around them “For their own good”, when it was more about trying to validate themselves after a lifetime of failures. 

Meanwhile, when Ruby breaks down, she is very vitriolic. She lashes out, insulting and belittling her friends. Because Ruby is a fighter, her first showing was less a display of character and more of her fighting ability. So she attacks her friends verbally, becoming the most antagonistic she’s ever been since she first met Weiss. And this sarcastic, caustic attitude was also shown to her, thrown at her, by Qrow and Ironwood, so-called “Legendary” huntsmen whose breakdowns also involved attacking people, sometimes literally (Qrow punching Oscar over Oz, Ironwood shooting everyone). And on a special note, the way she disregards the Paper Pleasers as “imaginary friends” is eerily similar to how Penny was always put down as “Ironwood’s robot”.

What I’m saying is, Ruby and Jaune have not only become the worst versions of themselves, but also the worst versions of the people who influenced them.

[majoringinsarcasm]

Thinks about how the Paper Pleasers with names are Jaune’s team. Thinks about how it was to help Pyrrha with her homework the way the real one helped him train. To stop Ren from falling in the koi pond which is both about the water but just the callback to v4. Stop Nora from getting on the pebble tower during a storm the way the real Nora has her semblance kick in. Oscar who was taken away into the air by that Grimm needs to stay away from anything that could be used as a kite string. All the fires. Stop the floods. Neptune feels like the only odd one out in terms of personal connection but we only see some of them by name on the list. But the one he called Ruby will help with the scarecrow thing. Again V4 and how it was the two of them who carried Qrow. Even now after all this time Jaune still looks to Ruby for help, because she’s the one who understood him most. And now they might never get back to that and I’m very deeply upset about that FUCK MAN THIS EPISODE

[madmanwonder]

Fandom: RWBY x Bleach

AU: Fusion AU, Crossover AU

Character(s): General James Ironwood, Yoruichi Shihouin

Summary: The origin of James cybernetic and Yoruichi reactions.

Theme: Semi-Dark, Romantic, Loss of Limbs, Love Confession

“Why did you did it?”

Yoruichi asked softly. Her yellow eyes moistened with restrained tears, but held anger as she looked at the large, physically imposing man who was laying on the bed with a calm expression on his face.

“Why Ironwood.” The Atlasian man slightly flinched at the usage of his name from the beautiful mantle-born faunus woman. “Why did you recklessly pushed me away when you knew I can dodge it!?”

She screamed hoarsely. Raw emotion filled her loud scream with a echoing boom.

James Ironwood, the General and Headmaster of Atlas Academy turned his icy blue eyes into the yellow catlike eyes to purple-haired woman. He stared at her with a grim look but his tone was gentle and soothing.

“When you see the love of your life in danger. All thoughts and logic jumped out of the window and you only act upon instinct and emotion.” He replied as he touched her face with his remaining hand, his thumb soothingly touched her soft cheek.

Yoruichi Shihouin, the Goddess of Flash, 22nd Head of the Shihouin Clan and the Supreme Commander of Atlasian Stealth Force felt her cheeks turned bright red when she heard the words from the normally reserved and stoic hunter-general as well as the soulful look in his icy blue eyes.

“I hate you…I hate you so fucking much.” She said to the General of Atlasian Military and Headmaster of Atlas Academy.

He quirked a sardonic smile at the purple-haired, yellow-eyed, dark skinned faunus.

“Hate you too…Chi…”

The two leaned forward for a soft, but powerful kiss from the bottom of their hearts.

[uselessalexis165]

she’s just absolutely enjoying this

[vixlenxe]

"We're all a little co-co for coco puffs over here captain."

"Yeeeeep."

"Real shit."

"I'll drink to that."

"Oh my god, someone finally said it."

"About fucking time."

"Huuuuu...."

*crying in a corner*

[todd-machine]

Time to soft-release original rot into the ecosystem

[rachetmath]

Robyn: So Arc-

Jaune: You can call me “Jaune”. I’ve been here for five months.

Robyn: Well okay. Jaune um… what’s your day like with Fiona.

Jaune: Normal.

Robyn: Really? Nothing’s going on with you two?

Jaune: No. I just help her out. That’s it.

Robyn: Really?

Jaune: Yes.

Somewhere else

Nora: So Fiona. How long have you and Jaune been a couple?

Fiona: We’re not couple. What makes you think that?

Nora: You see him everyday. More than me.

Fiona: He helps me with the orphanage.

Nora: Nothing else?

Fiona: No!

Jaune and Fiona were in the Orphanage.

???: Mr. Arc? Mr. Thyme?

Jaune: What is it Rex?

Rex: Are you and Ms. Thyme a couple?

Fiona: Oh my- Robyn!

Robyn appears only to have May and Nora with her.

Jaune: Nora, you too?!

Nora: Look d-

Jaune: Nora.

Nora: *forgot the kid* Oh.

Jaune: Rex go to your room.

Rex: Okay. *leaves*

Jaune: Now what the hell wrong with you two?

Fiona: Why are you so obsessed with this?

Robyn: Because you two-

May: Look Fiona I been watching you two a lot and I have to admit it’s hard not to believe you’re not dating. In fact, I wouldn’t be surpise to call you both a married couple.

Fiona: Ugh you too May. Seriously wat-

May: You and Jaune do Laundry together.

May: Spend time with kids together.

May: In fact, when Jaune’s training leads him to get hurt, you are the first to drag him to the nursery and patch him up. Even when he tells us “Don’t worry about it.”

May: In fact you two are always in the kitchen together making dinner.

May: And Jaune, boy what Nora told me about you was damn lie. I saw what you did. Slow dancing in the night.

Nora: He was that smooth?

May: Smooth as Micheal Jackson.

Nora: Oh no.

Fiona: Um.

Jaune: Damn.

Nora: Oh yes. Finally. Fuck you Pyrrha! He go get right. *pulls scroll out her pocket and makes a call*

???: Hello.

Nora: Fuck you Weiss. You lose. He found someone better. He found the princess and gone make her his queen.

Jaune: Nora, calm down.

Nora: Fuck off Jaune. This is my victory.

In the twilight.

Pyrrha: Okay bitch, what did I do?

Adam: I mean you left the guy and died a meaningless death like Summer.

Summer: I gave birth to another silver eyed warrior. That has to count.

Hazel: Does she know how to use her eyes though?

Summer: Shut up.

Ironwood: And she destroyed Atlas and got Penny, Vine, Clover and myself killed so she’s kind a misfortune upon us.

Summer: Okay ya’ll need to stop disrespecting my daughter. Ya’ll made mistake.

Ironwood: Or so you say.

Summer: We can fight. We can fight right now James.

Pyrrha: I don’t understand.

Penny: Friend Pyrrha you are the main source of his trauma and pain.

Pyrrha: B-you know what… fuck all you.

Roman: Whoa Invincible Champion, it’s not our fault your ‘boyfriend’ decided to break that little curse you placed on him.

Pyrrha: Oh come on- I’m leaving. I don’t need this.

Summer: My death had meaning. My daughter has a mystery to solve.

Adam: So finally one of your daughters is actually trying to know what happened to you. It’s too bad they have to find the same woman that took one of them many years to find.

Summer: Oh my god.

Roman: Not to mention at least Penny’s death served a purpose. Winter’s alive. She kept thousands of people alive. While your death, Pyrrha, caused more suffering than good.

Pyrrha: You know what who wants to fight first? Who? Cause I’ll show you why they written me off. Name one. Who can body me? Who?! Step up. STEP UP!

Adam: Oh I never run from no challenge. Especially no One-V-One, come on bitch.

[nightmare-foundation-2]

Hot take: Ozpin isn't even morally gray. I guess he is if you count past lives (slaughtering potentially thousands of ppl to end a war), but otherwise?? I really don't think he is.

Imo, Qrow is more morally gray, Ironwood pre-villain arc was morally gray, etc. I really don't think any of Oz's actions could count as 'morally gray', even when considering that he kept important information to keep his circle and by extension RWBY and Co hopeful, regardless of if you think it's manipulative or not (technically yes, but there was good intentions behind it so imo it's fundamentally different).

Oz really isn't the bad guy the entire fndm tries making him out to be. If he was I think the show would show him in that light, which it doesn't. It TRIED showing him as morally gray, but generally his actions aren't that bad. The FNDM loves saying Oz is an awful manipulative compulsive liar who's intentions are weird and muddy. But honestly I think if he was like that, he wouldn't be portrayed as good. Most of Salems own opinions on Oz is her projecting and being a hypocrite. I don't think the characters narration is reliable when it comes to Oz. The show itself tried making him seem like that in v6, but ultimately failed.

An example people use to say he's morally gray is pointing out that he made the Academies. Which, I won't lie, is a pretty stupid take. The Academies train older teenagers (17-21, possibly older if they allow older ppl to join) who have already been learning how to fight presumably since they were young. Ruby had presumably already had Crescent Rose for a few years by the time she was 15, and there's several combat schools to teach kids how to fight. Remnantians count as a warrior race! They HAVE to fight to survive. Even if you haven't been to an academy, it's normal to know how to fight to defend against Grimm. Controlled by Salem or not, Grimm are a constant that you NEED to fight against. The Academies just give widespread access to tools and education to learn in a safe environment filled with other hunters. They just so happen to fight off Salems Grimm forces, and unknowingly defend the Relics inside. It's a win-win-win on everyone's side. Yes, people are going to die. But they'd be MORE likely to die if a) they can't defend themselves properly b) don't have proper tools to do so or c) don't know how to fight at ALL. Thanks to the Academies, militaries don't need to be used (except Atlas). The possibility of war goes WAY down, and it's harder for the kingdoms to be actively corrupt (not impossible just less easier to be enforced). Objectively? The Academies are a GOOD thing.

Another example is people saying Oz brought RWBY and Co unwillingly into the shadow war. Which... is objectively incorrect. Qrow was the one who told Ruby about the information Cinder and Co were going to attack Haven, and Yang eventually went after her after she left. Ruby brought RNJR with her, because they all experienced trauma and reasonably wanted justice, thinking it was just Cinder behind everything. Then Qrow was the one who told RNJR roughly the truth. He didn't particularly want to, bit he relented anyways, and even then he held back information like Oz being immortal. He didn't even tell them about Salem, just that some nasty people wanted the Relics and Maiden powers and that one of them was named Salem. I guess you could count Ruby being brought into Beacon early, but even then that was the SAFEST option. If Cinder or Roman noticed her silver eyes in ep 1 and that got back to Salem, Ruby would be FUCKED. She was already involved in fighting Roman at that point, and thus would likely get targeted again, silver eyes or not. So Oz brought her in, citing her skill as the reason, while the others likely knew the truth. Qrow OR tai wouldn't have been fine with it if Oz only brought her in to put her into the circle. They would've torn him a new one. Not only that, but obviously he DIDN'T KNOW about the upcoming fall of Beacon. He genuinely thought Ruby and her team was going to be fine for the next 4 years, and when he was starting to suspect something was up, he STILL had no idea the Academy was going to be attacked during the festival. Why would he?? A direct attack isn't typical of Salem, iirc he or someone else said it themselves, especially since it had been 80 or so years since the Great War, which is implied that Salem started. Even IF he wanted to bring her in, he would've waited until after she graduated, which is what happened with STRQ and was going to happen with CVFY. Oz places an emphasis on letting them be kids for as long as possible. He only had to involve them when Qrow already told them everything. And even then, Oz repeatedly gave RWBY and JNR an out. He DID NOT WANT them involved, not yet at least. And with Pyrrha, he didn't exactly have a choice. He gave her time they didn't have, and required her to wait n think, and then needed her verbal consent WHILE BEACON WAS BEING ATTACKED. Yes telling her stressed her out, but I think if she knew the same thing could be offered to anyone else, she'd prefer to take on that burden. It wasn't fair, but it visibly pained Oz to have to give her the choice. He didn't want to, but war is never fair. He would've had to go to SOMEONE regardless.

As for Oz keeping the truth that Salem can't be killed a secret, imo, that is a very VERY hard call for anyone to make. For him it was the option of: tell them immediately and not have any allies (something he values heavily) or have them join Salem out of fear, wait first and tell them later and have them possibly freak out like Ironwood/betray him/lose hope and thus not have any allies, or never tell them so he has important allies and they possibly don't betray him or lose hope. Obviously, he chose the last option, and it's entirely possible he wanted to, eventually, tell them the truth, but we just don't know that. Of course I agree that Oz should've told his circle anyways, but for someone as traumatized and paranoid as Oz who's had to make this decision countless times, you can't exactly fault him for keeping the truth hidden. He's likely told the entire truth before and it bit him in the ass several times before he finally decided to keep it hidden. He said it himself, Leo was NOT the first nor was the last to betray him. As for not telling RWBY and Co? They're CHILDREN he's barely known for, what, a year?? And all of that he was their teacher/Headmaster who didn't often interact with them, or their mentor. He barely knew them and as far as we know, didn't get the chance to actually know and get close to them. They already knew just how dangerous Salem was from the fall of Beacon and battle of haven, plus the fact that she controls Grimm. They could've easily assumed Salem was hard to kill at LEAST since she's immortal and been around for countless thousands of years, and there's no way they thought no one tried to kill her. Oz barely knew them and they almost proved him right by nearly giving up. Plus, he was FRESHLY betrayed at that point. I'm sure yall noticed he was immediately pretty closed off due to the revelation of Leo's betrayal. He genuinely considered Leo a friend, so Oz's trauma response is to hold everyone else at arms length.

Another thing is the fact that he hid the truth from Salem as well early on in their relationship. Thing is, Jinn (a presumably reliable narrator) stated that they BOTH hid things from the other. Salem likely didn't tell him that she lied and manipulated kingdoms into turning against the gods, just that she wanted him back and the gods didn't like that bc that ABSOLUTELY would've upset Oz. Oz, knowing Salem didn't like the gods from her story, likely decided right then to keep the full truth from her, worried she wouldn't react well to it, something anyone would do. Not only that, but right after, Salem convinced, possibly manipulated, Oz into acting as a god-king with her, something he clearly didn't want to do. Jinn herself said "the hearts of men are easily swayed" as Salem convinced him to become a God-king with her. So yes, it's very possible that Salem manipulated him into doing that. "But Salem was fine with the truth later when he told her!" Yes, she was, but Oz couldn't have known that. And the whole reason he tried to leave her was because Salem was turning into a dictator tyrant, something Oz didn't want and something Salem was set on. He did overreact a little bit by bringing the kids instead of communicating with her, but it wasn't his fault that Salem immediately attacked him instead of trying to talk to him, or at least waiting until the kids were in a safe place before attacking him. Most of this wasn't Oz's fault, if any of it. Salem overreacted heavily by attacking him with the kids being react there. Had Oz and the kids lived and escaped her, they would've been TERRIFIED of Salem afterwards, traumatized by the ordeal. And it's never shown that Salem actually cared that they died, just that they "could've had freedom", blaming Oz instead. Meanwhile Oz, afterwards, spent whole LIVES drowning his sorrow and regret and trauma in alcohol, and he's clearly STILL affected by it if Salem using the silhouettes of their children is any indication, since she was likely taunting him (but also reminiscing, regardless of her feelings on the matter) and never brought up their children in any matter.

Overall I really don't think Oz is as bad as the fandom says he is. People like to think he and Salem are the same (something i might make a post on later), when they're very, very different. Oz really isn't bad, he's just traumatized and is basing current events off of past experiences. He's far from manipulative, uncaring, or really any negative adjective I've seen people describe him as. I've probably missed some things, but my point has been made I think. The fndm really likes to misinterpret Oz's character, saying he's exactly like Dumbledore, but in reality he's a subversion of characters like Dumbledore. He's a seriously good guy, and I think people miss that.

[what-the-heck-is-rwby]

JESUS

IRONWOOD CALM THE FUCK DOWN

Yes I know you've ALSO got hella trauma from the Fall, but shit dude get a fucking grip!!

Also Ozpin was never going to listen to what you had in mind, because what you had in mind was unreasonable! You wanted to try to intimidate the queen of the fucking Grimm and expected that your robots and ships would do the trick, as if she was ever planning on fighting you head on!

Take a lesson from Taiyang, hell, from Salem in the first fucking episode, and learn that brute strength isn't the key to winning!!

[anarchistauthor]

@anarchistauthor Really, a good chunk of the male characters end up being typical male archetypes, but having their typical expectations and archetypes put under a microscope and stripped of plot armor for the sake of the greater narrative:

Ozma and Oscar being different types of Chosen Ones, with the former being someone who being chosen results in him being manipulated by the deity who "chose him" into turning against his lover, and because of the fallout of that devolves into a manipulative liar who basically alienates everyone because he's too dogmatically stuck in his ways to acknowledge that he's being played for a fool by the very deity who chose him.

Oscar meanwhile gets the farm boy with a grand destiny shtick...but as basically just another pawn in a grand crusade against the initial Big Bad, doomed to have his identity subsumed against his will for the sake of a greater good that will never come because of the former's inability to get out of his situation. Oscar, instead of being the protagonist, instead finds himself in a fight for his own right to exist as a person, having to push back against his own transformation while trying to figure out who he's really supposed to be in this mess.

Ren's the typical "my village is dead because of monsters and I want revenge", but he ends up getting his revenge very early on, and it's revealed that it was ultimately a red herring for his ACTUAL issues, which involve his desire for a sense of certainty and control over his life by becoming a huntsman and destroying the destroyer of his village...which doesn't actually resolve anything. He instead ends up having to deal with the aftermath and the unearthing of his deep-seated traumas regarding authority and his own sense of powerlessness and the consequences it nearly has for his relationship with Nora, who finds herself on the opposite side of an ideological impasse as a result.

Adam is the revolutionary pushed by a desire for revenge against those who tormented him, but instead shows how much his desires twisted him until he started caring more and more about his own bloodlust, and willingly nearly destroyed everything he claimed to stand for because he couldn't face reality of how much he was making things worse for his race.

And Ironwood is the tough military man who views himself as the last thing standing against an unbeatable foe, who has to make the tough decisions that his comrades refuse to make...but it soon becomes incredibly clear that rather than that being true, he's more akin to a mall cop mixed with a politician playing soldier in a war that he doesn't really understand at all, because he's never actually FOUGHT a real war, and his bullheaded ignorance and self-importance leads to him alienating everyone and nearly ruined everything.

And all of these things end up leading to the point that the current world order that Ozpin created is deeply flawed and actively useless against the likes of Salem and the Gods, and how our heroines need to change their methods and strategy if they want to have any hope of actually fixing the true situation, instead of just ending up blindly repeating the same mistakes that their predecessors did.

At the end of the day, RWBY is the story of four girls who do everything they can to save the world. Not because they think they're better than everyone else, or more qualified, and certainly not because of "destiny" hogwash. Just because they know someone has to do it, and they've seen all the ways that everyone else who tried has fucked it up. Keeping secrets, isolating, manipulation, those tactics all failed completely. So, the Ruby Rose method is to do the opposite: Be honest and forward about the issue, ask for help, and count on others.

And it worked.

[valenshawke]

I can't say I'm terribly surprised by (some) of the reaction to this episode.

There's a contingent of fans that one (or more) of the characters and ships.

But trying to apply a dichotomy of who is right and who is wrong really fails to get a bunch of points.

Yang, Blake, and Weiss acted according to how they were brought up and socialized. An excellent post by phoenix-fells gets at what Yang is doing. And this post by bumblebyaf gets at how much Ruby has actually been through it.

Ruby likely has some in-universe PTSD at this point because... I mean... look at what she's been through? Ruby has BEEN THROUGH IT and hasn't had much in the way of support.

As a character-building moment, I am all in for it and I was happy that she finally got to be angry and vent her frustrations. Was logical? Of course not. But it was EMOTIONAL. And she's has had to mask her true feelings or just bury them because she's the leader of Team RWBY, she's the one everyone depends on, she's a huntress, she's the one everyone must count on.

If there's any group or individuals in the series that are wrong and have failed all them, especially Ruby, it's the fucking adults. From TaiYang's emotional shutdown (as someone who lost a parent before I was a teenager and saw first hand what that'll do to one's spouse, I can sympathize and understand. Still doesn't make it right, still has a ton of negative consequences), to Ozpin making her the leader despite being 15 while Weiss, Blake, and Yang are 17, to Ironwood's general misguided evil-for-the-greater-good strategy of killing anyone/letting everyone else die to save his piece of the world, to the other older Hunters and Huntresses just treating them as equals and not realizing they might be licensed but they still some maturity and guidance and support. Ruby, sometimes, got that from Qrow. Sometimes. Most of the time, she's had no one to vent to, no one to really show vulnerability to, no time to be vulnerable (even by herself).

"But Val," you say, "she had that opportunity after the fall of Beacon and immediately formed a new team with Jaune, Ren, and Nora. She's HAD the opportunity to at least take time to herself and mope." Did she? Did she really? Or did she act exactly as what was expected of her by everyone else that was still around? Did she think she probably owed it to her now scattered and broken-up team to try to salvage something? She might have had a choice at the most basic level. But given her personality type, her own beliefs on duty, I don't think she really DID have a choice. And again, she bottled up the grief and sadness, and kept going despite the fall of beacon, the death of Pyrrha, and the first death of Penny from earlier.

Ruby is going to feel guilty and horrible about what she just did. It's going to add to her breakdown. It'll be interesting to see if the writers draw from the Volume 4 (boo-hiss, I know) episode where Yang has to work through her trauma.

Ruby's ascension is going to be the most interesting. What aspects of her will change? What kind of leader will she be going forward? Yeah, I still see this being the case, the show IS called RWBY.

But yikes on the some of the reaction. For all the criticism that Ruby has developed the least by virtue of her role in the story, it was clear that the writer's have been setting up her breakdown and growth and we're finally getting it. After all, if you want to learn, you have to suffer.

[knightbeng]

RWBY and Neurodiversity

Ive been thinking about this for a while but resisted posting until Volume 9 ended. Mainly to see how Ruby’s ascension would resolve, because I knew it would impact how I felt about this. 

Also this is long. Like seriously long. Once I started it got out of hand. But I feel it is all Important. 

I will start by saying that I am autistic, and I have friends and family who are both autistic and or neurodiverse. I also understand that a lot of this maybe subtext or head cannon, and at times deeply personal. I also get that this will never be made cannon or had ever even be intended by CRWBY. But, I cannot escape some of the connections I have made or how I relate to some characters. 

Right with that out of the way

RUBY IS AUTISTIC, or at least somewhere on the spectrum.

From the first volume I could see some of the traits coming through. From the use of headphones and music separating her from the world around her. Her over exuberance when is excited or interested in something. Right up to her passion/special interest in weapons and being a huntresses. This is not to lessen the other characters interests or passions, but Ruby’s is very much all consuming. She speaks about how she went over board on Crescent Rose’s design, and about how much she likes others designs. Including Jaune’s classic Crocea Mors. I cannot help but see my own love of history. That took me to university and beyond. Like Ruby with any weapon, I love any history. 

Then there is her abilities in the classroom. Ruby is clearly a natural talent, but she is never shown to be a savant. She has issues keeping her attention in class and with the work load. Although I do understand that this can be put down to being jumped ahead and that Port n Oobleck’s class seem to have a similar effect on others. Much like me and some of my friends we had classes we loved but struggled to show it though other academic difficulties. 

The early volumes also cover her struggles to connect with people. Such as wanting to be with Yang, instead of meeting new people. Or with Weiss and hers rocky relationship, early on. Countered with the open acceptance by Jaune, who sees a fellow outsider. Although for different reasons. Her own comment of wanting “normal knees” is something I think everyone one with autism can relate too. The wish to be just like everyone else and not stand out. That, at times, can be the greatest wish living in a world you struggle with. 

Then there’s the events post Beacon. They show a defining personality trait so common in autism. Her unshakeable moral centre. It can be hard to describe but it is well documented the autistic people have a very strong sense of justice and morals. Although obliviously not all the same morals. We are all have a different in outlook, just like everybody else. Ruby’s is based around helping people and making the world a better place. 

This is shown most strongly in her mission to walk to Haven. Even if most would say she is too young and it is too dangerous, for 4 unqualified huntsmen/huntress. They went and got hurt and burnt out along the way. Yes others went with her but would they have gone without her taking the lead. It shows a lack of self awareness that can be common as autistic people. To the point that they burn themselves out pushing to achieve things, without taking time for themselves. 

The other massive tell is her reaction to Ironwood. She has no dislike for him and shares his goal. But, his actions and plans go against her moral code. So again she sticks to her morals and works to stop him, while rescuing Atlas, at the same time. Yes others agreed that he was in the wrong, but would the likes of Winter changed their allegiance, without someone like Ruby offering an alternative.

Then we get to the biggest thing for me and the reason I felt I had to put my feelings down. Volume 9. While Ruby’s mental state and issues during this volume are very much based in trauma, lose and depression. That a lot of people can relate too, not just the autistic community. I cannot help but think about what she says before she drinks the tea. “I don’t want to be me anymore.” I have never related to a character more. Or be triggered more, for that matter. When I spoke to some of my autistic friends about it, it was something all of us had felt at one moment or another, to varying degrees. See we all know we cannot separate autism from the rest of our person. Most of us don’t even know what is an autistic trait and what is just us. But, I need to make this clear, none of us want a cure or to be changed. More the reaction was things I have felt at times when at your lowest a small voice screams that would it be easier if you weren’t you. 

Then there is Ruby’s ascension. After episode 9 when it was put to her she could change to be someone else, and people where discussing how she might change, if you see Ruby though the lens I’ve described it can be harmful.

Now I don’t want it to sound like I’m accusing CRWBY of not thinking about this. Thousands of people watch RWBY and can be effected by it in ways they would not think, not having that person’s experience. They are telling a story, and that story includes these real moments. 

Back to the point. Telling someone with autism or that person thinking they have to change to achieve or be accepted is a horrible experience. And it is something almost all autistic people experience. It is the reason we learn to mask and hide who we are. The world tells you that it is what’s expected of you. So when in episode 10 Ruby chooses herself and is then reminded that her friends accept her for being herself. It is powerful. Again I understand that this can relate to a lot of things; imposter syndrome, being gay or race issues. But, as someone who is autistic this is how I saw it. I personally have only had 2 people truly accept me like this. 

PENNY is the only other character I see as on the spectrum. Obviously a lot of her character traits are put down to her being a robot. But as Ruby says to her does that make her any less a real person. In fact the relationship between Penny and Ruby is a massive indicator for me of them being on the spectrum. When they first team Ruby asks if she was just like Penny to Weiss. It is not uncommon for autistic people to spot each other quickly, whether they realise it or not. Then when they meet up at the tournament, both feel no need to hide who they are. Ruby is openly dorky in asking Penny about Ciel’s knowledge and Penny doesn’t hide her excitement to see her friend. 

This is repeated multiple times when Penny returns in Atlas. Each time they see each other they share and communicate in away that they don’t with others. Such as hugging Ruby first and asking do all hugs feel like this, before hugging others. She knows that Ruby will be honest and non-judge mental. In fact we can see how non autistic people react when Penny is her over excited, unmasked, self in front of them. Winter stopping Penny bouncing is a typical action from neurotypicals. Even if it comes from a place of care and concern, with no wish to harm, as I believe Winters was. But it is something neither Penny or Ruby would do to the other. 

Then there is Penny’s morals. She is clearly guided to help her friends, people and world. At great detriment to herself. She becomes the hero of Mantel, protecting those who can not protect themselves, and when others will not. Much like Ruby she will risk it all for her sense of justice. 

One of the most impactful parts of Penny’s story is that of virus. I didn’t even think of this, my friend pointed it out when I spoke to her about it. But her Penny is controlled by the virus, she felt it worked as a metaphor for Applied Behaviour Analysis or ABA. Which if you haven’t heard of it, is a horrible thing to experience as someone with autism. Much like conversion therapy for the LGBTQ+ community this works by trying to train you out of being autistic and make you more accepting for others. Penny is pushed towards things she doesn’t want to do and most horribly to do harm. She becomes a tool to the villains, which can also mirror how some savant autistics are treated. There skills used for a “greater good” instead of them being in control of their own destiny. 

Now I want to move on to discuss Ships. These are all Ruby related and while I’m not saying these should be cannon or that they are over other ships, cannon or otherwise, but I feel they work at different points in Ruby’s story when viewed as discussed above. 

LADYBUG is the first ship I gravitated towards in the show. For me Blake was the first character to simply accept Ruby as who she was. This does stem from Blake’s own wish to be accepted for who is she and not what she is, but it is still important to outwardly show it to others as well. I understand that a lot of people find this to be a boring ship, I think that’s because it lacks drama, but for me the idea of someone new accepting you without question or concern is powerful. That is why I like the ship. It is comforting and has little interpersonal drama between the two. More mutually assured care and concern. In fact that is why they talk so little in the show. They understand and trust each other. One of the many reasons people have Blake as a deputy team leader, during and after the events of Volume 9, is this mutual trust. 

NUTS AND DOLTS maybe the most loved ship these days. Outside of Bumblebee, that is. As I have already gone into Penny and Ruby’s relationship as being very neurodiverse. They are themselves with each other, and communicate more easily with the other. Although I would add this is the only one I see as asexual, but I think both characters can be seen as both asexual and not. Just when they are together, they are asexual. Plus after events in Volumes 8 & 9 I think we can call it as close to cannon as possible. 

WHITEROSE i find the most interesting. At the start of the series I never got it. Weiss was mean and uncaring to Ruby. Why would Ruby ever being interested romantically in Weiss. But then as the show progress I understood it. Weiss is just as bigger dork as Ruby but due to reasons outside of autism, she had to mask this. Seeing Ruby act as she wishes and not be punished for it, as she might have been, lets her drop the mask. Two big things outside of the main show solidified this for me. The first is Ice Queendom. We see inside Weiss’ mind and how she has locked away her childish side for protection. Going as far as to do the same thing to Ruby. The second is that I was recently introduced to The Owl House. Luz and Amity’s relationship has a lot of similarities to Weiss and Ruby. Both start with a cold and unforgiving person who is thawed by the loveable dolt. Bringing out there more natural playful side, originally hidden away to protect themselves. Now after the loss of Penny and Weiss being so accepting of Ruby in the ever after. She is the first to call her name when she returns and doesn’t ask any questions, after all. I can see it becoming cannon. If there is time. 

Thank you for reading this I know it is long but I felt I never saw much discussion about RWBY from this perspective. 

[nesta-is-my-queen]

Mini fanfic I wrote of Mama Archeron’s origin story. About a secret hidden deep in her bones, carried in her soul.

A price paid with her name, her blood, and her daughters.

—

Trigger warning: caesarean section, blood, and medical trauma

***

Aradia Archeron knew she was dying. Rotting away from some wretched human plague that eroded her mortal body. Typhus the healer had said, before scuttling away, a rag pressed tightly over her mouth. It was the same sickness that brought the realm to it’s knees and turned once sprawling cities into graveyards.

Her death had been foretold to her on a night as dark and grim as this one. She thought then too she would die. But a voice inside her, one gentle and kind, said, “not yet, not yet.” So she pushed and pushed, blood spilling out of her.

Nesta had slipped out of her, graceful as a dancer, Elain had been birthed gentle and quiet as a fawn. But this one, this one was undoing, the one that would break her. This one was clawing her way out of the womb as if angry at being held in captivity for nine months. Unlike the first two, this one was the daughter that would finally end everything for her.

The corners of the room darkened and she felt the room spinning. The ripping pain between her legs began to fade. “Not yet, not yet.” The voice urged. But she was so tired, and her eyes were so heavy from the weight of it all, so she succumbed to the darkness as the midwife began to cut.

“Aradia.” Who was calling her voice?

“Aradia.” They sounded so insistent. But what could be so important when she was drifting off into the embrace of her subconscious.

“Aradia! Listen to me!” The voice pressed on. Gone was the gentleness, the sweetness, replaced by a voice made of iron and shields, that pierced through the darkness like an arrow.

“Aradia it is time to pay the price.” After all these years, she had thought—no wished—that the promise wasn’t real. The bargain—no the curse—was part of some distant nightmare.

Her mother had always told her she was destined for greatness. That it was in her blood. That her ancestors hailed from a fae-human king and witch queen from another era. Another world.

At first she didn’t believe her. She refused to listen to such nonsense. She would leave such fairytales for the children of the blessed. She had always considered herself clever enough to spot lies.

But then she began to see things and hear things that had her caught between pockets of space and time. She had seen a vision of three fae females, each one more beautiful and cunning than the other. A vision of a city cloaked in starlight. A castle wreathed in roses and a pool that looked as if it were made up of the stars in the sky. She thought she was going mad. So she went to find the only people with whom she might acquire answers, the insipid wretches themselves—the children of the blessed.

The woman before her was draped in gauzy blue robes, bedecked in silver bangles that chimed as she walked. She arranged her face in a way that made her look both virtuous and pious. She was exactly the type of woman Aradia hated.

“What brings you here child?” The woman said, her voice low and shushed as if in constant prayer.

“I need to see the fae.” She demanded. She wondered if she looked insane. Her hair was a mess, she hadn’t bothered to braid it or bathe in days. Her clothes were sweaty and damp. Her family had once been wealthy and respected, but their blue blood only got them so far. They had lost their money, squandered it on trying to keep up with high society, but did not have the acumen to retain their small fortune. All that remained was the family estate, to be fought over by her siblings and uncles, and an acre of ironwood trees.

It was her mother’s wish for her to marry well, so she had introduced her to society at the young age of sixteen, hoping to ensnare a Duke or a Prince with her beauty. No such thing had happened. They had seen right through her and her out-of-season gowns, her satin—not silk—ribbons, her lack of jewels, and her hair plaited into a simple coronet, not an elaborate spiralling concoction like the ladies of the court wore. She had never felt so exposed—so lost. She promised herself she would never be humiliated like that again. And now here she was, dressed in unwashed rags, looking half crazed, begging for help from the children of the blessed. How the mighty have fallen she mused to herself.

“We do not allow just anyone to see the fae.” The priestess before her said, her voice ringing like chimes in the wind.

“I have money.” Aradia said, handing the woman a fistful of coins.

“The fae have no need for your mortal money.” She replied, imperious and graceful all at once.

“Then tell me—tell me what to do.” She pleaded.

—

Aradia didn’t know where she was. The priestess had blindfolded her and brought her to an ancient sanctuary. The building was made of carved stone, with statues of ancient gods long forgotten. Glittering whirls and markings littered the ceiling, giving the appearance of stars trapped in stone.

Rows and rows of acolytes were lying prostrate on the ground, in silent prayer. Before them stood a fae female, imperious and beautiful as the ones she had seen in her visions. She was tall and slender, her blonde hair fell in waves, framing her angular face that looked as if it too was carved of stone. Her eyes were a piercing blue that looked as if they could see her very soul.

“It has been an age since I have seen one of your kind.” The female breathed.

“Who are you?” Aradia said, meeting that females gaze. She would not allow herself to be intimidated or shamed by the likes of the children of the blessed—let alone the fae.

“I am high priestess of Vallahan, but you child—you may call me Ianthe.” She said, her voice resounding through the cave, even though she remained unnaturally still.

”Tell me child what is it your heart desires most.”

She paused for a second, reflecting on all she could ask for and all she knew of the fae and their wicked ways. Riches could come and go, beauty was fleeting. She wanted legacy—true and lasting power. Something that would carry weight, something even a fae priestess could not twist and turn against her.

”Greatness.” She whispered. “Greatness.”

—

The rest of the night was blur. She barely remembered all the sweet promises and lovely words the priestess has bestowed upon her. She had expected treachery, not kindness, from someone like Ianthe. Instead she received blessings of good fortune, healthy children, and a handsome husband. All in exchange for a drop of her blood.

Her blood.

Ianthe had slit her palm with an iron dagger and she watched her blood trickle down, filling the silver chalice Ianthe was clutching. Her blood swirled and bubbled until it turned blue.

The air around them thickened. The burnt offering and spices stung her nose. It was stifling and hot, so close to the flame lit upon the stone alter.

“The iron brings out what is carried in your blood. A bloodline so old I had long thought it lost to history.” Ianthe murmured as she dumped the contents into the fire. As soon as her blood, her life force, touched it, the flames turned silver. The high priestess’s eyes rolled back as they burned with that same sterling fire, her jaw hanging slack, her mouth agape as a voice that was not hers rang out.

“You shall have three daughters, an heir, a spare, and a sacrifice.” The voice told her.

She felt the blood rushing from her face, the thought of one of her daughters destined to be a sacrifice, like some lamb to the slaughter.

“No—not my daughter. Anything but my daughter.” She cried out.

“Child—it is already written in the stars.” The voice crooned.

“You need not worry child. The mother shall take care of her. Shall take care of all of her children.”

The silver fire seemed to grow and stretch, enveloping both of them in flame and plunging them both into an icy darkness that could only be described as a an endless void. She thought she was dying as her veins turned to ice. As a cold so bitter and a darkness so deep swallowed her. Was this death? Was this the end?

The voice made of swords and shields scraped against her mind, “we will return for what is ours. What is owed to us.”

Then everything came rushing back all at once as everything around her came into focus. And that horrible silver fire and endless void was gone.

Ianthe blinked. Her eyes now a deep shade of cerulean, radiant and cruel all at once as she gathered herself. “Come now.” She drawled as she swished past Aradia, as she placed a golden amulet in her palm. “This belongs to you.”

“Your eldest shall be queen, the spare shall be a beauty, and the youngest, a sacrifice and saviour of all.”

Then she had the children of the blessed drape her in silver jewellery and fine silk robes. “You must be given a queens farewell.” Ianthe said, in that clairvoyant voice, offering the smallest slivers of kindness. Kindness that Aradia seldom received. So she did not know that this—that this was far from kindness.

This was a curse. Her undoing.

“But what about my visions?” She asked, voice quiet.

“Let the iron mingle with your blood and they will cease to happen. The dagger is yours to keep.”

—

She had all but forgotten the prophecy and the visions. Cutting herself with the iron dagger had become a small mercy for her. It was like a drug she became addicted to. Years had passed since she had a vision and she seldom needed the blade, but there was something hypnotizing in watching her red blood bloom across her pale skin and then turn into blue rivulets. There something beautiful about the pain she felt, when she was so used to feeling nothing at all.

But now—now she could not make the pain go away. As she soaked her birthing bed in blood. Red blood. Her dagger nowhere to be seen. She was going to die. This would be her end. Just another woman dying while birthing a new life.

She screamed and screamed until she had nothing but a raw burning in her throat left. The midwife already cut her open to get the babe out of her stomach. The child came out silent and limp, she heard someone mutter, “too late.” While she lay there struggling to breathe, slipping in and out of darkness.

She felt herself being pulled, as if her very soul was being sucked out from her body. The room beneath began to wane, as if she was an observer looking down from the heavens.

“It is time to give us what is owed” a voice thundered, it was that same voice of steel and swords that she had heard all those years ago.

“What is it you want?” She whispered, barely able to get the words out.

“The girl.”

“No! Let her live!” She pleaded, desperate for a sign of life, for the kicking and punching she had felt throughout her pregnancy, for the fire that had burned through her during her labour.

“What would you give us in exchange?” The voice scraped at her mind, as if made of knives, slowly cleaving her consciousness.

“Anything.”

The half formed glittering figure seemed to balk, as if weighing her words. “Long ago, your ancestors promised us a sacrifice. A life in payment for their sins. The price was their name—their life.” The glittering figure paused. Blinking. As if assessing her target—her prey. “Will you pay the price? Give us what is owed?”

“Yes.” The words tumbled from her pale lips. Quiet and muffled, for the effort to speak was too great at this point. The stuffy room seemed to swallow her and the form of the midwife seemed to blur and stretch before everything turned completely dark.

“Yes.” She repeated. Unsure if the voice heard her.

“Say it. Say your name. To seal your fate.”

“Aradia Archeron?”

“Not your married name. But your true name. The one that runs through your blood. The one that cursed and condemned us. The one that broke its promise to us all those years ago. We have not forgotten… And in time, you too shall pay the ultimate price. And so shall those who carry it in their bones—with iron and blood. But not yet. Not yet.”

“Aradia Havalliard.” She whispered, weak and desperate, clawing to the last clutches of life, as even her breathing became rattled and heavy.

“It’sss a bargain. Daughter of no one. Heir of bastards. Mother of the sacrifice.” The voice stated. Aradia could have sworn she heard the faint sound of laughter coming from the figure, but it sounded like swords clashing against eachother.

Suddenly she was hurtling back and her pain was gone. All except for a burning feeling that spread across her right palm, as the form of a golden arrow singed itself into her skin, directly over where the iron blade had cut her all those years ago.

A wail broke through the silence as the blood soaked sheets were hastily stripped and replaced with new ones. Somehow the bleeding had stopped and the midwife muttered something about a miracle. A fat, crying babe was shoved in her arms, kicking and punching at the air.

”What is her name?”

She looked down at that perfect form held against her bosom, hoping that it was all some horrible dream, a terrible nightmare she would soon forget.

“Feyre.” Her saviour. Her sacrifice. Her undoing.

[jmmeredith]

Angraboda

I have always been drawn to the Jotuns of the Norse pantheon. I think their dark, primordial nature appeals to my trauma. There is something awe inspiring and commanding in these forces.

I worked with Angraboda a couple years before she would let me paint her. She didn’t want to reveal herself to me. I listened to a Slipknot album while painting her.

Mother of Wolves and Monsters.

Consort of Loki.

Cheiftess of the Ironwood.

When she comes near she brings fear. Fear that if I want to grow into my most authentic self then I must face the secrets of these dark spaces.

[whitleyschn33]

Actually hi, no, can we talk about how the Punderstorm is the physical manifestation of a mental or emotional problem, it singles out Blake and Yang specifically, putting them in a situation where they're far apart with a gaping chasm before them, and the only way for them to be able to truly come together is to "say things they've never said to each other before" and bridge the gap between them -

-and instead of addressing any of the actual problems that should be keeping them from reaching an understanding with each other, instead of exploring the idea that maybe these problems going unaddressed is the reason that they aren't already officially dating even though they've been acting like they are for the last two volumes, instead of finally coming back to the arguments, hurt feelings, and trauma from the Mistral arc that were never properly resolved, instead of finally talking through those problems and coming together now having a new understanding of each other and able to move forward, not with a massive chasm of misunderstanding and disconnect that drives them apart emotionally, but finally together again, instead of any of that -

They just have the two compliment each other and reassure each other about things that were never an issue in the past. Like, Yang's big line is "I like that you've never been intimidated by me. Even when you didn't like me all that much," - since when has Yang had an issue with intimidating people? And she's never brought up anything about liking Blake for not being afraid of her (which is ironic, giving how much more subdued Blake has become in later volumes). And then after Blake says that she was wary of people, she says "But you never gave up on them. Even when they hurt you. You never give up. You know what matters to you."

LIKE??

Yang, she left you, remember? That was the entire issue back in Volume 5, that you felt like she did give up on you, just abandoned you without a reason or goodbye - why are you now reassuring her that she doesn't give up on people? It's literally only Ilia that fits this idea of "you don't give up on people even when they hurt you", and she did leave Ilia initially when she left the White Fang. This doesn't feel like "something Yang never told Blake before", something Yang never actually told Blake would be "I was hurt when you left, I felt like you abandoned me, like I was nothing to you. I understand now why you did that, but it still hurt that you didn't even say goodbye" and then they can take a step forward and continue on with their heart to heart -

But nope. The things they never said to each other before, the problem that are said to be more mentally or emotionally impactful than the crossroads RWJ are in, is being able to call each other smart and brave and be all fluffy even though they've had absolutely no trouble being affectionate with each other for the past two and a half volumes.

And it kills me because there's something in here that could be so compelling, a few different somethings actually.

Having Yang and Blake act like everything is resolved between them, trying to act on those budding feelings for each other throughout V7/V8 but one or both of them awkwardly pull back each time, not quite able to cross that divide because those issues weren't ever actually resolved, and now it's time to finally be able to address the problems so they can finally have what they both want.

During V7 and 8 they try to let it go after the fight with Adam but tempers are still short, with the two awkwardly clashing and arguing with each other all the time - over Mantle, Ironwood, Salem, etc. They're both feeling hurt and unsure what to do - they don't want to fight, but they keep falling into arguments that make it difficult to work together, even having a fight during the Punderstorm, so the Ever After puts them in timeout to clear the air and stop this wound from festering any longer so they can work as a team.

Yang grappling with her love for Blake and her hurt at being left behind, trying so hard to just be friends again because Adam's gone now and Blake's here and she's happy with Sun, it's fine right? She never actually told Blake about any of the things she felt after she left, but it's over now, so no need to bring up the past, yeah? Trying to put both love and hurt behind her but still overwhelmed by both, culminating with an argument in V8 that's left unresolved until this point in v9 where Yang finally gets to talk about everything she feels towards Blake and so they can finally be on the same page again and start to actually heal.

But no. We get fluff. Instead of any resolution to any of the problems that should have been resolved years ago, we get a confession built on issues that weren't issues and was literally forced onto the characters by a plot contrivance. Okay.

[lilithfairen]

How to accuse a work of "wish fulfillment" because it isn't about telling women they need to stay in the kitchen~

I'm going to delve deeper into this pathetic screed the loser head mod of /r/RWBYcritics wrote, because it's so very telling about the way RWBY "critics" view stories that don't blame women for everything~

Let's see, just off the top of my head in instances where characters in Team RWBY were depicted as "wrong" in any way:

Ruby overburdening herself as "the leader".

Weiss not understanding her brother is the result of the same upbringing she went through.

Blake being a member of an extremist group, then abandoning her friends after the fall of Beacon.

Yang's overreliance on letting loose with her Semblance.

Just a few examples, off the top of my head, because the protagonists of this show have a thing called "character development". It's this funny thing where, when a character of a story has flaws, they often work to address or grow out of these flaws. So it's not that RWBY has never depicted Team RWBY as being wrong, it's that RWBY doesn't always depict Team RWBY as being wrong that pisses off this loser.

So it's "wish fulfillment" to have a story where...characters suffer defeat and tragedy, but rather than wallowing in their loss and suffering, they rally themselves and return to the fray, determined to fight for those they love?

I can see that sort of thing being a form of "wish fulfillment" for people who've experienced trauma and depression, in that stories that tell such people that Things Get Better can be invaluable to them. All the more so when these stories feature characters that those people can identify more closely with, perhaps because of gender or sexuality. But I can see the idea of disparagingly referring to such as "wish fulfillment" for the sort of people who don't believe anyone but strong and confident white men can handle such a burden.

Was Ruby told that she was "perfect"? Nope, the specific word was "enough". Ruby felt like she couldn't live up to the burden of leading the fight against Salem, only to be reassured that it would be as much a burden on anyone else's shoulders. This is an interesting thing, because our angry white guy writing this conflates a story saying a woman isn't a complete loser responsible for everything bad that happens with claiming the story is declaring her to be "perfect".

Remember, kids: men are the only ones allowed to protect the ones they care about. Ruby tries to help her uncle fight off a psychotic assassin, unaware of the Semblance he never told her about? What a selfish fucking bitch amirite!

Ah yes, the selfish desire of "not standing around and letting the Grimm be lured to Argus". Why didn't she just fucking walk to Atlas, huh? Or send her friend back to her abusive father? What a selfish fucking bitch amirite!

This is 100% the sort of thing that comes out of the mouth of the kind of man who takes a woman out to an expensive restaurant on a first date, then screams abuse at her because she won't have sex with him afterwards. The attitude of "this man gives her things, how fucking dare this woman not unconditionally obey him in every fucking way".

Again: What a fucking selfish bitch Ruby was to try to help her uncle fight off a psychopathic murderer, huh?

"Why isn't this selfish bitch being punished for being a bitch?"

Yep, the wish fulfillment of "sometimes doing the right thing pays off". I can see how you'd resent this when you're a drooling stan of the authoritarian who decided to leave thousands of people to die at the drop of a hat, because he wanted to be The Hero and only he was allowed to be The Hero because he was a Manly Man Who Mans.

Get out the Anti-Strawman Spray, Batman!

Yep, because we saw that Ruby's plan ultimately did unite the people of Remnant in Vacuo, that means there was literally no panic whatsoever following the announcement! That's how logic works!

The "end point" was Ironwood's original plan before he threw it out the window, because there wasn't really anything wrong with Ironwood's original plan. Get the folks in Mantle to Atlas, evacuate with Atlas. That Ruby and her teammates were forced to work in secret, infiltrate Atlas command, and then seek medical attention for their critically-wounded friend as a result of Ironwood going Full Fascism is obviously all her fault. Bitch bitch bitch etc.

Man, I can think of nothing more despair-inducing than the idea that the Man in Charge doesn't have the one and only possible solution to any problem!

Hope is leaving thousands of people to fucking die, because the white man who wrote this does not identify or sympathize with anyone in Mantle.

Hope is the Man In Charge doing whatever he fucking wants and stupid bitches like Ruby falling in line and accepting their place.

Hope is adamantly clinging to a male authority figure, despite the glaring logical flaws with his plans and the glaring moral flaws he exhibits with every passing second.

But if it's a woman who keeps fighting for the right thing, she's a selfish bitch.

You notice how this screed somehow juggles between "Team RWBY are depicted as if they can do no wrong and always succeed in everything" and "Team RWBY ruins everything and makes everything worse for everyone"? It's a common tactic of fascists, actually; the enemy is both strong and weak at the same time. But why would the white man who idolizes a male military authoritarian and vilifies women, the poor, and minorities utilize fascist rhetorical devices?

The best part about "critics" like this is that RWBY is a story that introduced a plot device and exposited specific limitations to its power in the story, and none of these idiots can wrap their heads around a single part of that.

"When Salem does not do things the Staff has never been claimed to be able to do, that will just be wish fulfillment."

Well, anyway, here's me calling you stupid (and a drooling sexist pig) (and a racist fucko) (and a fascism stan)~