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oo1 (video) | it used to feel like a fairytale.
[ locked to: remnant folks EXCEPT roman torchwick ]
[ ozpin, to those who have not seen him since his arrival, looks rested. his eyes are brighter, the weight on his shoulders seems to be a bit less . . . indeed, ozpin has rested and recharged his aura, in order to actually be mobile and upright for longer than ten mintues at a time. that being said, he is seated, his cane resting against the wall behind him, his hands folded on his lap, when this is broadcast.
this is going to be difficult. but it is necessary -- particularly because the students seem to know at least half of the story, thanks to qrow's exposition. ordinarily, ozpin would be in a panic -- but qrow, out of all of them, is weirdly the tightest-lipped of them all. if qrow felt the need to tell the students the truth, then it must be necessary, particularly if ozpin is out of the picture. and ozpin would rather them be armed with the truth, rather than half-truths, if the story is already in the open. ]
I say this with the understanding that whatever explanation or story I tell you all, it will not be enough -- and rest assured, it should not be enough. No amount of talking or explanation can rectify what happened at Beacon on that night, and I cannot turn back time and make it so. [ and even if ozpin could, he doesn't believe that he would. but they don't need to know that. ] I know many of you do not need permission to be angry or frustrated, and all of you have been hurt, in part, due to my decisions. Know that any anger or frustration you wish to direct at me is not only accepted, but welcome. I don't require you to forgive me, at the end of this story, nor do I require you to erase what happened. But what I do require of you, in this moment, is to listen.
Many of you have been told a multitude of stories, either by myself, one of my colleagues, or in your youth. I will not repeat the story of the Maidens to you all, as I feel many of you have grasped the concept well enough, but I am going to highlight my specific role in protecting the Maidens, and explain, in part, why Beacon Academy was attacked on that night.
[ he hesitates, because this story has been hidden for so long that telling the truth is a bit . . . unwieldly. but he did promise ruby that he was going to explain it all, in detail, and while ozpin generally is alright with keeping most things under lock and key, he won't break a promise to her. ]
The schools within Remnant were built with a specific purpose. You were told, on your first day at Beacon Academy, that you were there to learn -- to become Huntsmen and Huntresses, to fight the Grimm, and to protect our world from darkness. That is true -- but the creation of the academies in order to meet that goal was for another purpose, to protect four ancient items known as Artifacts, created in the very beginnings and flourishings of humanity. These Artifacts are hidden within each academy, protected knowingly by their headmasters, and unknowingly by the multiple Huntsmen and Huntresses in training. The schools were built with the belief that no one would be stupid enough to attack a building packed, to the brim, of individuals ready and willing to fight.
[ ozpin pauses, here, to allow that to sink in. ]
Each artifact can only be accessed by a specific Maiden, and each specific Maiden has a corresponding gift. Winter has the power of Creation, Spring wields the power of Knowledge, and Summer can harness the power of Destruction. At Beacon Academy, I was responsible for guarding and protecting two magical entities -- the Maiden of Fall, who was named Amber, and the Artifact of Choice. The Maiden of Fall alone could access the Artifact hidden within Beacon Academy, which is why preventing Cinder from harnessing the powers of the Maiden of Fall was of paramount importance, at the time. [ delicately put: they needed pyrrha, and they needed her immediately, because pyrrha wouldn't have seized the artifact and run like helllike some maidens ] At this time, I do not know whether Cinder accessed the Artifact, but I believe if she had, Qrow Branwen would have informed those of you who know this portion of the story.
[ or perhaps he wouldn't. either way, that isn't ozpin's problem. ]
All of that, most of you already know. And I am willing to answer questions on what I can answer, with the following caveat -- Ruby and Pyrrha are entitled to ask whatever questions they wish of their specific roles in the story, and them alone. It is up to them how much they are willing to share with the rest of you, and I have no qualms about either of them repeating whatever I tell them.
[ and after stating that, ozpin relaxes in his chair for a moment -- clearly weighing something in his mind, at the look of his expression. for a moment, he almost considers ending it there . . . but the truth is important, and the truth, at this very moment, is one of the only things keeping the students on an even keel with him. he had offered to tell the truth, and tell the truth he must -- as much of it as he can, anyway, without it being pointlessly overwhelming. ]
As for what happened to me, that night, I am afraid I have less concrete answers. I can tell you that the last thing I remember from home is fighting Cinder, in order to remove the Maiden's power from her form. [ read: ozpin was trying to kill her. ] I also remember losing that fight.
[ he pauses. ]
Many of you are familiar with the Semblances and various powers of your professors, but I have never utilized my gifts in front of my students, for a variety of reasons. For one, I have little interest in showing off for students who already have a great deal of things to consider in their day. [ and that is said with a tug of his mouth, a turning upward of his lips, into a faint smile. ] And for another, I have been fortunate to have a staff that is perfectly capable of teaching combat without having the need to step in myself. That being said, I wield a ... variety of unique abilities, but as this is not about me, I won't go into too much detail, save for one.
[ sort of, anyway. and here, ozpin's smile vanishes, and he returns to looking . . . a bit tired, really. some sort of weight has settled on his shoulders, the acceptance of the inevitable. ]
In the best case scenario, my abilities have allowed me to move on in a manner that will allow me to continue assisting in the fight against what Salem stands for. In the worst case scenario, my Aura has been eradicated, and I am dead. Either way, my time as Ozpin has likely come to an end, and you will likely not recognize me should I see you again, nor will I recognize you. -- but I will not know what happened to me, in full, until I return to Remnant, likely to my death. I trust that Qrow, among other people, is likely searching for me, in some respect, but I doubt he will be successful, given none of you have seen me for many months. In sum, the odds are against me, that I managed to survive Cinder's assault.
[ given no one has seen him, ozpin can safely assume cinder succeeded in what salem wanted -- kill him. but ozpin still has some tricks left, in his arsenal, and salem can only keep him on the run for so long. ]
. . . I wish to end all of this with the reminder that you were selected to attend Beacon Academy for a reason. It was not to guard an Artifact, nor was it to fulfill some higher purpose that I kept hidden from you all. It was because I genuinely do believe in the power of good -- hope, light, and preserverance is what is going to defeat Salem and her cohort. I have the utmost faith, and pride, in all of you -- not only because you are products of my school, but because you embody the very best in what I had hoped to pass on to the next generation of Huntsmen and Huntresses. You are our future, and our greatest hope, and your mission granted to you on your very first day at Beacon has not changed. Continue to trust in each other, maintain your faith, and I have no doubt that the darkness seeping through our world will be beaten back in time.
[ ozpin falls quiet, at that. ]
In the interim, should you require anything -- information, support, or otherwise -- know that I am here.
[ locked to: ALL remnant folks ]
[ to the rest of the students, it appears ozpin isn't addressing them at all. his expression isn't what ozpin usually carries when he speaks with his students -- it is firm, his eyes slightly narrowed, and though when he speaks, he sounds as unbothered as usual, there is definitely a hint of authority to his words, and how he speaks: ]
Roman Torchwick.
[ pleasantly enough. ]
My students have informed me that, by and large, you have elected to leave any intentions of harming innocent people at home while you have been here. I am giving you the courtesy of letting you know that I have little interest in continuing any feud here, while in the city. So long as you remain to yourself, and maintain the balance within this city, I have no reason to harm or take arms against you.
Consider this an offering of peace, from myself to you, so long as we are here. [ and ozpin tilts his head slightly ] And consider, heavily, which side you wish to be on should Cinder and her cohort arrive, in the event they elect not to choose wisely.
[ because ozpin is not going to lose twice. ]
[ open to: all ]
[ ozpin has managed to settle into verens with relatively little fuss. he has contacted most, if not all, of his students (plus one roman torchwick) and has gathered relatively the same story: life here has been peaceful, for the most part, and all of them are safe, for the time being.
it's with this in mind that ozpin has decided to seek out other people -- for one, in a need to get to know the people of this city, and for another, to see where, exactly, he falls into place. and in his experience, the quickest way to get people to talk is by offering them a relatively specific thing to speak about. that being said, ozpin has had a lot to digest, to analyze, and to cope with in the past week or so, of being in verens.
so, have one (1) ozpin -- a man with a shock of white hair, calm eyes, dressed in green. he exudes a presence -- you almost have to pay attention to what the guy says, even if you would literally rather do anything else at the moment.
it's the teacher effect (tm). ]
Pardon the intrusion, please. My name is Ozpin -- I am a new resident, here, and I am extraordinarily appreciative of those who have given me information, a kind word, and a warm welcome to this city. But I am here to ask for one more favor, if it wouldn't be too . . . indulgent.
[ he pauses. ]
I would be extraordinarily appreciative if I could hear stories of hope.
[ ozpin, to those who have not seen him since his arrival, looks rested. his eyes are brighter, the weight on his shoulders seems to be a bit less . . . indeed, ozpin has rested and recharged his aura, in order to actually be mobile and upright for longer than ten mintues at a time. that being said, he is seated, his cane resting against the wall behind him, his hands folded on his lap, when this is broadcast.
this is going to be difficult. but it is necessary -- particularly because the students seem to know at least half of the story, thanks to qrow's exposition. ordinarily, ozpin would be in a panic -- but qrow, out of all of them, is weirdly the tightest-lipped of them all. if qrow felt the need to tell the students the truth, then it must be necessary, particularly if ozpin is out of the picture. and ozpin would rather them be armed with the truth, rather than half-truths, if the story is already in the open. ]
I say this with the understanding that whatever explanation or story I tell you all, it will not be enough -- and rest assured, it should not be enough. No amount of talking or explanation can rectify what happened at Beacon on that night, and I cannot turn back time and make it so. [ and even if ozpin could, he doesn't believe that he would. but they don't need to know that. ] I know many of you do not need permission to be angry or frustrated, and all of you have been hurt, in part, due to my decisions. Know that any anger or frustration you wish to direct at me is not only accepted, but welcome. I don't require you to forgive me, at the end of this story, nor do I require you to erase what happened. But what I do require of you, in this moment, is to listen.
Many of you have been told a multitude of stories, either by myself, one of my colleagues, or in your youth. I will not repeat the story of the Maidens to you all, as I feel many of you have grasped the concept well enough, but I am going to highlight my specific role in protecting the Maidens, and explain, in part, why Beacon Academy was attacked on that night.
[ he hesitates, because this story has been hidden for so long that telling the truth is a bit . . . unwieldly. but he did promise ruby that he was going to explain it all, in detail, and while ozpin generally is alright with keeping most things under lock and key, he won't break a promise to her. ]
The schools within Remnant were built with a specific purpose. You were told, on your first day at Beacon Academy, that you were there to learn -- to become Huntsmen and Huntresses, to fight the Grimm, and to protect our world from darkness. That is true -- but the creation of the academies in order to meet that goal was for another purpose, to protect four ancient items known as Artifacts, created in the very beginnings and flourishings of humanity. These Artifacts are hidden within each academy, protected knowingly by their headmasters, and unknowingly by the multiple Huntsmen and Huntresses in training. The schools were built with the belief that no one would be stupid enough to attack a building packed, to the brim, of individuals ready and willing to fight.
[ ozpin pauses, here, to allow that to sink in. ]
Each artifact can only be accessed by a specific Maiden, and each specific Maiden has a corresponding gift. Winter has the power of Creation, Spring wields the power of Knowledge, and Summer can harness the power of Destruction. At Beacon Academy, I was responsible for guarding and protecting two magical entities -- the Maiden of Fall, who was named Amber, and the Artifact of Choice. The Maiden of Fall alone could access the Artifact hidden within Beacon Academy, which is why preventing Cinder from harnessing the powers of the Maiden of Fall was of paramount importance, at the time. [ delicately put: they needed pyrrha, and they needed her immediately, because pyrrha wouldn't have seized the artifact and run like hell
[ or perhaps he wouldn't. either way, that isn't ozpin's problem. ]
All of that, most of you already know. And I am willing to answer questions on what I can answer, with the following caveat -- Ruby and Pyrrha are entitled to ask whatever questions they wish of their specific roles in the story, and them alone. It is up to them how much they are willing to share with the rest of you, and I have no qualms about either of them repeating whatever I tell them.
[ and after stating that, ozpin relaxes in his chair for a moment -- clearly weighing something in his mind, at the look of his expression. for a moment, he almost considers ending it there . . . but the truth is important, and the truth, at this very moment, is one of the only things keeping the students on an even keel with him. he had offered to tell the truth, and tell the truth he must -- as much of it as he can, anyway, without it being pointlessly overwhelming. ]
As for what happened to me, that night, I am afraid I have less concrete answers. I can tell you that the last thing I remember from home is fighting Cinder, in order to remove the Maiden's power from her form. [ read: ozpin was trying to kill her. ] I also remember losing that fight.
[ he pauses. ]
Many of you are familiar with the Semblances and various powers of your professors, but I have never utilized my gifts in front of my students, for a variety of reasons. For one, I have little interest in showing off for students who already have a great deal of things to consider in their day. [ and that is said with a tug of his mouth, a turning upward of his lips, into a faint smile. ] And for another, I have been fortunate to have a staff that is perfectly capable of teaching combat without having the need to step in myself. That being said, I wield a ... variety of unique abilities, but as this is not about me, I won't go into too much detail, save for one.
[ sort of, anyway. and here, ozpin's smile vanishes, and he returns to looking . . . a bit tired, really. some sort of weight has settled on his shoulders, the acceptance of the inevitable. ]
In the best case scenario, my abilities have allowed me to move on in a manner that will allow me to continue assisting in the fight against what Salem stands for. In the worst case scenario, my Aura has been eradicated, and I am dead. Either way, my time as Ozpin has likely come to an end, and you will likely not recognize me should I see you again, nor will I recognize you. -- but I will not know what happened to me, in full, until I return to Remnant, likely to my death. I trust that Qrow, among other people, is likely searching for me, in some respect, but I doubt he will be successful, given none of you have seen me for many months. In sum, the odds are against me, that I managed to survive Cinder's assault.
[ given no one has seen him, ozpin can safely assume cinder succeeded in what salem wanted -- kill him. but ozpin still has some tricks left, in his arsenal, and salem can only keep him on the run for so long. ]
. . . I wish to end all of this with the reminder that you were selected to attend Beacon Academy for a reason. It was not to guard an Artifact, nor was it to fulfill some higher purpose that I kept hidden from you all. It was because I genuinely do believe in the power of good -- hope, light, and preserverance is what is going to defeat Salem and her cohort. I have the utmost faith, and pride, in all of you -- not only because you are products of my school, but because you embody the very best in what I had hoped to pass on to the next generation of Huntsmen and Huntresses. You are our future, and our greatest hope, and your mission granted to you on your very first day at Beacon has not changed. Continue to trust in each other, maintain your faith, and I have no doubt that the darkness seeping through our world will be beaten back in time.
[ ozpin falls quiet, at that. ]
In the interim, should you require anything -- information, support, or otherwise -- know that I am here.
[ locked to: ALL remnant folks ]
[ to the rest of the students, it appears ozpin isn't addressing them at all. his expression isn't what ozpin usually carries when he speaks with his students -- it is firm, his eyes slightly narrowed, and though when he speaks, he sounds as unbothered as usual, there is definitely a hint of authority to his words, and how he speaks: ]
Roman Torchwick.
[ pleasantly enough. ]
My students have informed me that, by and large, you have elected to leave any intentions of harming innocent people at home while you have been here. I am giving you the courtesy of letting you know that I have little interest in continuing any feud here, while in the city. So long as you remain to yourself, and maintain the balance within this city, I have no reason to harm or take arms against you.
Consider this an offering of peace, from myself to you, so long as we are here. [ and ozpin tilts his head slightly ] And consider, heavily, which side you wish to be on should Cinder and her cohort arrive, in the event they elect not to choose wisely.
[ because ozpin is not going to lose twice. ]
[ open to: all ]
[ ozpin has managed to settle into verens with relatively little fuss. he has contacted most, if not all, of his students (plus one roman torchwick) and has gathered relatively the same story: life here has been peaceful, for the most part, and all of them are safe, for the time being.
it's with this in mind that ozpin has decided to seek out other people -- for one, in a need to get to know the people of this city, and for another, to see where, exactly, he falls into place. and in his experience, the quickest way to get people to talk is by offering them a relatively specific thing to speak about. that being said, ozpin has had a lot to digest, to analyze, and to cope with in the past week or so, of being in verens.
so, have one (1) ozpin -- a man with a shock of white hair, calm eyes, dressed in green. he exudes a presence -- you almost have to pay attention to what the guy says, even if you would literally rather do anything else at the moment.
it's the teacher effect (tm). ]
Pardon the intrusion, please. My name is Ozpin -- I am a new resident, here, and I am extraordinarily appreciative of those who have given me information, a kind word, and a warm welcome to this city. But I am here to ask for one more favor, if it wouldn't be too . . . indulgent.
[ he pauses. ]
I would be extraordinarily appreciative if I could hear stories of hope.