Pov 3 person
Over the island of patches , remote from the main land of Vale , flew a crow . Unassuming but with exceptional intelligence in its red eyes . It flew over the forest staring with its eyes at the log cabin that was in the middle of the forest . Descending in flight , the crow flew into the treetop , but surprisingly , it never left it .
Instead , a man with black hair and a light beard fell freely from the treetop on his feet , without losing balance . And the first thing he did after landing was to take a canteen from the inside pocket of his upper clothing and drink from it . Sighing and stretching , Qrow moved to isolated house .
The boards on the porch creaked under his weight but he paid no attention to it when without knocking , he went inside .He didn't announce himself , he didn't call out , he just walked in like he was home . And there he was greeted by an energetic dog , who refuse to let him rest . He barked , wagged his tail and ran around Qrow , making taking a step a risk of stepping on him.
Qrow : " Yes , yes I see you Zwei ."
Said Crow , hoping to calm the enthusiasm of the four-legged animal . But it did not help . The only thing it did , was stop the dog for a moment . As he, after hearing Qrow's words, tilt his head, lowered one ear and stuck out his tongue . Only to then , again start barking and running around Qrow .
However, for an experienced hunter like Qrow , just a moment of dog's hesitation was enough to walk past the enthusiastic four-legged companion , who then tried to climb on his legs . But Only after sitting down on the couch , Qrow took the dog on his lap and started petting it . Making all the dog's hard work to finally pay off .
Qrow : " Tell me my little four-legged friend , what should I think about it all ? "
Qrow said in a whisper quiet enough that no one could hear him . Although the dog in his lap with his canine hearing could certainly hear him . Nevertheless , he was still just a dog . So his only response was a silly tilt of his head and a sticking out of his tongue . There was no thought behind those eyes . And Qrow knew it . He just patted the stupid poor thing and took another sip of alcohol .
Qrow : " Since Luna went missing and everyone threw everything they had into finding her . But I , I felt something was wrong in all that . Something was wrong with Ironwood's reaction to this case from the very beginning . "
Said Qrow with a dark expression on his face . With one hand he sipped his thoughts with alcohol , with the other he stroked the dog .
Qrow : " I does not blame Ozpin for what happened to Luna , but still . I know that somewhere there is a part of me that wants to blame him . There are moments when I think .... That Ozpin did not do enough . Moments when I think he knows what happened to Luna ..... But still he didn't say anything , didn't warn . "
Qrow : " Sometimes I think he is hiding something . Hiding something from me .... He has already shared so many things with me . He has let me into his inner circle . He told me the truth about all of this . "
Said Qrow in a slightly paranoid tone . Ozpin's trusted spy showed a crack in the faith , which began with the disappearance of the white-haired wolf faunus . A case too suspicious , without many answers , but with meny shortcomings .
Qrow : " Ironwood knows . I'm sure this cocksucker knows . And since I noticed it Ozpin must have too . And yet Ozpin doesn't press his for answers . From the very beginning, Ironwood obstructed the search and that's the only time Ozpin stepped in . But after that , Opzin did not push . Defending himself with politics and stability . "
Said Qrow to himself leaning back on the couch , to lay his head on the couch headboard . With one hand, he held his canteen with alcohol and with the other he squeezed the ridge of his nose . Which deprived the poor dog of his petting .
Qrow : " As if the old bastard cared about that . The one who disappeared was our trusted friend . A fellow prisoner in this war . A warrior with silver eyes ... And yet , we lost it from such . Without an answer without a body . Nothing . And without her , everything fell apart like a house of cards . "
Said Qrow no longer paying attention to the dog on his lap . And Zwej , no longer feeling Qrow's hand , only looked at him after which he wailed sadly and remained on Qrow's lap consolingly , no longer demanding anything . Perhaps he sensed Qrow's anxiety and decided not to demand too much . Qrow, however, did not even pay attention to it , too thoughtful .
Qrow : " Summer and Raven . Would Luna change your opinion . Would she have stopped you before you left . Or would she have joined you , and rescued you Summer ."
Added Qrow closing his eyes for a moment . It's hard to say what he was thinking about . However, his fatigue was obvious . But this fatigue , nor the dialogue full of doubt , were not to show his willingness to give up . No , there is still a great will to fight left in this old Qrow . And he has exactly two reasons for which he is ready to crawl out of the coffin . Two sparks of life blazing in his eyes , two beings for whom he fights and whom he must unfortunately guide through a fate so similar to their mothers , and yet provide them with a happy ending .
At that moment , Qrow opening his eyes , only to looked at the photo on the shelf . And in it , all four of them . Young Yang , young Ruby , him and Tai . That was the day they were celebrating the time when Ruby completed her primary school . Perhaps their mothers were not with them at the time , but nevertheless , all four of them smiled proudly .
Qrow : " And yet behind that smile , you was so worried , Tai . "
Said Qrow to himself . His red eyes stared at that old photo , and yet to him it seemed so recent .
Qrow : " To think that I still remember to this day when he heard from little Yang and Ruby that they want to be hunters . We already expected that Yang would want it . But as for Ruby ..... Tai hoped she would follow a different path . As for me ... Never mind . What is important is that Tai almost had a nervous breakdown and almost every day for a week he subtly persuaded them both to change their dream . "
Said Qrow and his face finally , smile slightly . But then it turned into a grimace again .
Qrow : " In the end he agreed only because we trained them ourselves . The idea which I suggested to him myself . I was the one who insured him , that they will be safe and nothing will happen to them . I said him that it would be better , when they do it under our care and training ."
Said Qrow and his gaze seemed to be looking at something farther than the photo itself , but the only thing it could be was a blank wall .
Qrow : " But why did I say that ? How did I know , that both will end up on this path ? "
Continued Qrow , sighing .
Qrow : " They are the same as their mothers . If we wouldn't let them and forbid them, they would probably do it anyway . Secretly without our permission or advice . They would find a way . Besides, would Ruby have had a choice ? Would she have a safe and peaceful life ? "
Qrow : " No , with her eyes . The queen's pawns would have eliminated her if they knew about her . Ruby would have to learn to defend herself anyway . Besides only she can somehow help us in this fight ... "
Qrow : " And if she knew that , she would certainly never remain idle . She is too nice , too sunny , she is too much like her mother . So she would not let the world , her family and friends suffer if she could make a difference . And behind Ruby , There will always be Yang . Her older and hot-blooded sister . "
Said Qrow tilting his head back again . With these words he also made it clear to himself why it all happens the way it does . Destiny of a warrior with silver eyes . And the responsibility , pride and love of an older sister . All this would lead them down this road anyway . The only thing left for the their two guardians is to prepare them and hope that there will be no more sacrifices .
Although both know that this is just a pipe dream . In this endless shadow war , they are on the defense all the time . They can't deal a direct hit , they can't defeat the threat. All they can do is slow down , what is inevitable .
? : " Uncle Qrow ? You Back?".
Asked a voice so familiar to Qrow , that he would never mistake it . But the normal joy in that voice was not audible , at this moment the voice seemed more worried and uncertain . . And Qrow after hearing this voice open his red eyes to see a curious and worried Ruby . Who was now leaning from the headboard of the couch , with her face over his face , her silver eyes stared at his face , searching for something .
On the other hand , Qrow noticed the headphones hanging around Ruby's neck . This also explained to him why she did not immediately come down when he entered . In a normal situation , Tai would have already rebuked her for her lack of caution and the possibility of letting a stranger in .
But Qrow saw it differently , a normal burglar wouldn't stand a chance with Ruby and her scythe . The girl would have been safe . Besides, her sister is at home too . With the two of them there is nothing to worry about . On the other hand , if it was someone really dangerous , they would still get into the house , whether the door would be locked or not . That's why Qrow didn't say anything .
Ruby, however, did not even have a clue about her mistake . Seeing her uncle's silence , with this strange and sadly worried expression . Ruby tilted her head and was about to say something when suddenly Qrow smiled that usual smile of his , and his expression changed instantly . Now her normal , humorous and cool-headed uncle has returned . Or at least that's how it seemed to Ruby .
Qrow : " What's going on kiddo ? "
Asked Qrow , without changing the position in which he sat . And Rubi seeing the return of her uncle's normal behavior looked less worried but still suspicious . She was not stupid enough not to notice that something was going on . However, she did not inquire . She knew that if something is wrong , her father will also notice it and he can certainly handle it better than she can .
Ruby : " I wanted to ask if you had time to train with me ? "
Ruby asked and Qrow looked at the red box attached to the back of her belt . Her weapon of which she was so proud and in the use of which he taught her . Practically always when he had time , he gave her some advice , but not today . Fatigue and melancholy got to his old bones .
Qrow : " How about tomorrow ? I'm a little busy today . I need to talk to your father about something important . "
Said Qrow , without any breakdown of the facade on his calm , smiling and untired face . And Ruby , being a smart girl already knew that something was going on and that she clearly should not ask or be there when her uncle talks to her father . Therefore, she just nodded her head .
Ruby : " Good . Then I will work more in the shed on my Crescent Rose. "
Spoke Ruby vigorously , smiling and excited , with the intention of leaving but was stopped by the voice of her uncle .
Qrow : " Before you leave , just tell me where is your father ? Shouldn't he have finished his lessons at the academy by now ? "
Asked Qrow , as he from the moment he sat on the couch , already knew of Tai's absence .
Ruby : " Dad had to get something else done after work so he may be an hour or two late . "
Said Ruby after a little bit of thought .
Qrow : " Thanks pipsqueak . You can go but be careful . "
Said Qrow raising his hand in a goodbye gesture . And Ruby obeyed , almost immediately disappeared in a storm of rose petals . Qrow only heard the slamming of the door and smiled . That was the reason for all this .
Qrow : " Don't overwork yourself too much and come back before evening or your father will go crazy . "
Shouted Qrow , staying alone in the living room . He did not receive a reply but he knew that Ruby heard him . Qrow then looked at the watch on the wall .
Qrow : " Another hour or two before he gets back . "
Said Qrow to himself , then improving his position on the couch , he turned on the TV . And the first thing he saw was the news of the death of the Atlas hunters . Qrow , however , did not let it play for long , there was no need .
He was there , he saw everything and knows the truth and so he immediately switched the channel to something else . He didn't need to know what nonsense they were talking about this situation . And unknown when , Qrow fell asleep with the TV on and alcohol in his hands . And so , the one who remained to watch TV was Zwej , who faithfully remained on the lap of the sleeping Qrow .