an android with a soul!

For the time being it was much easier to focus on the dead space between the crowds– the gaps of light where no shadows tread. If he capitalized those opportunities in order to press ahead, then he was moving forward in some respect, even if his mind and heart trailed far behind.

And yet, among all the faceless silhouettes– Penny had always been something of a beacon of light, in this moment drawing Ironwood into her path with an evident expression of shock.

“Penny.” The name arrived breathlessly on his lips as the crowd cycled around their stilled forms. In this moment the General gave the other no opening to flee in the way that her heart so intended. Rather, before she could say anything at all, he moved to take a knee– all the better to engage her eye-to-eye.

“You’re alright. I was so worried. When Winter said–”

                                                                [ 𝙸𝚝'𝚜 𝚐𝚘𝚗𝚎. ]

Where his words had at first parted from him with all sincerity– with wonder as much as relief, the memory of Winter’s final text to him before he had been spirited away returned. So, provided that recollection…he felt it– the dregs of ice threatening to creep up over his countenance, and splinter his heart with exceptionally painful slivers. However, Penny had never before disappointed him– surely nothing remiss had happened in their time apart, and surely the loss of the Winter Maiden was a setback attributed only to the sheer cunning of their enemies…

(Surely he was still assured some modicum of control.)

“Penny…” On its second use the name was lent less geniality, and instead had begun to give way to the fog of suspicion that clouded his interests often as of late. This evident shift in his mood saw to it that his next words were uttered firmly, a modicum of space permit between them that drove home the severity of the question at hand:

“ What happened? ”

If only he could be assured confirmation of her loyalty…soon this would all be behind them…

  Go back...!

  The tone shift catches her by surprise, the little dream that maybe he would not bring up the topic slips from her hands and flies off into the far distance. It was a naive thought, really; of course he would question her about the incident because she’s one of his trusted people, someone Ironwood allowed to hear information so many others wouldn’t hear until it was no longer deemed confidential.

  She’s betrayed him. That simple action of fleeing with Team RWBY and everyone else signified her cut connection. Penny’s eyes are affixed to the space past Ironwood’s shoulder, taking in every detail of the concrete as she opens her mouth and struggles to find her words to explain herself.

  The hiccups build in her throat like no other time, threatening to pour out the moment she tries to speak any lie on the matter. She’s scared, horribly so. Turning heel and running would be an option if she could boost out of here like at home, but her thrusters haven’t responded since she arrived and Penny is almost certain he can outrun her at this rate.

  “ I... C - Cinder Fall found Fria’s location. Winter and I took to battling her and we failed to capture her, ” she begins, tone shaky. “ Fria... Fria defended herself before Winter continued to fight Cinder Fall. I... I... ”

  Penny covers her face, unable to take the idea of seeing how Ironwood reacts to her next words.

  “ I held Fria in her last moments! I... S - She gave me the Winter Maiden’s power and I ran...! ”

              ❛   I know… I know you do.   ❜   FOR   a moment she wishes she weren’t wearing gloves, as if the warmth of her fingers just isn’t quite comforting enough as they press against Penny’s back. It fills her with a sense of urgency, seeing her friends get worked up like this — Penny more than most; perhaps because even as she’s been noticeably weighed down by responsibility throughout Ruby’s stay in Atlas, this was… A whole new level, compounded by all the turmoil that came before it. More than anyone, Penny was probably taking a lot of this as… Some sort of personal failure. It’s been one blow after another for her lately, huh… ?

              ❛   That’s okay, you know — to have a lotta feelings at once… That’s how I feel right now, too.   ❜   Feeling her face press harder into her shoulder makes Ruby instinctively grit her teeth, wanting to ease her turmoil — but not having the slightest idea how, or even where to start. Her grip tightens, soothing tone swooping down a bit lower in volume.   ❛   I gotcha, Penny — if you need to let it out, you should. If you can’t do that, then… That’s okay too. I’ve still got you.    ❜

  Some protector she is. Mantle’s newest wounds that have burned into the heart of the city are so clear to Penny when she closes her eyes. Her inability to stop the murders before bodies began to show in alleyways, the ones that she watched drop in real time when Tyrian Callows made his assault during the election, Cinder Fall and Fria--

  If she couldn’t perform the basic tasks of a guardian, how is she supposed to overcome the inevitable trials of becoming the Winter Maiden? How is she supposed to accomplish any of this without the overwhelming failures that tug at her ankles and pull her down and down and further down?

  Penny doesn’t realize she’s crying until it’s too late. She can feel her tears soaking Ruby’s top and how the wetness feels on her cheek, but all of her efforts to calm down are for naught. Emotions are complicated; going with your heart is even more so. Her grip loosens, now limp around Ruby’s waist as her shoulders sag and she puts her energy into getting her sobs out before holding back prolongs this.

              ❛   Penny— !   ❜

         SHE   braces herself at first, having expected her friend to launch herself at full speed; she relaxes once she remembers the powers-that-be took that away, and by the time she jogs to meet her halfway, Ruby’s arms are wide open. Her grip tightens instinctively in response to her own, one hand reaching up to stroke reassuringly at the back of her hair. It’s a move her mother used to do, one she’s already gotten into the habit of doing in this city… Penny’s hair is much fluffier than her own had ever been, though. 

              ❛   Yeah, I’m —- I’m fine. We’re all fine… You too, right ?   ❜   Her voice remains controlled, warm and gentle as they keep one another close. There hadn’t been much time at all to talk — not when Cinder had escaped, not when they’d boarded the airship… And far too much to say to even know where to begin. But this’ll do for now… 

  She succeeded in one task and failed several others. Keep the Winter Maiden’s power out of Salem’s hands, check. Ensure Winter gets the power she was intended to receive from the start, failed. Be loyal to Atlas and not turn her back on them, failed.

  Penny doesn’t know what to say in response to Ruby’s question. She buries her face further as the guilt eats further at her heart.

  Penny’s almost proud of her lack of hesitation if the words that fall from her mouth aren’t immediately distressed. She refuses to look at the other woman even as her hands hold one of Winter’s in a hard grip, head bowed and unable to make eye contact.

  “ Winter, I...! ” she begins, all of her thoughts trying to push themselves at once. “ ... Thank you for giving us the head start. You... You kept Cinder Fall at bay long enough for... for... ”

  This is hard. Penny clutches Winter’s hand harder.

  “ I’m... I’m sorry. ”

  Oh no.

  Oh no no no no.

  Desperate hopes in her heart dissipate when she spots the ever familiar figure of Ironwood. Penny feels her shoulders tense entirely and her eyes widen, unsure of whether to flee before she is forced into a confrontation before she’s ready or face her fears.

  Her body doesn’t comply with either demand.

  ( General Ironwood, I can explain, I --

  What could she explain, though? That she made a choice? The right choice? The one that made her run away from Ironwood and Winter and-- )

  ... That’s Ozpin.

  That is, with 100% certainty, the former headmaster of Beacon. Penny knows this man is no longer alive (as stated when Oscar was introduced to Ironwood in such a strange way), so to see a walking ghost is...

  Well, off-putting.

  There’s the vague realization that she hadn’t had much of a chance to speak to this boy during his time in Atlas. With all that went on so soon after arrival, Penny... feels a bit bad, honestly. Would approaching be wise? She hasn’t seen him in a bit and who knows what has gone down on his side since--

  ... No, what is she doing? Why is she questioning this so much? Penny clenches her fists and straightens her back.

  “ Ruby--! ”

  Penny’s already broken into a sprint by the time she calls for her friend. She stumbles in her footing and she almost wishes she could speed up this process instead of having to waste time to get to her destination, but...

  ( It’s a strange shift, going from new power imbued in her back to feeling so... so...? )

  She slows down as she gets closer, eventually falling into a jog before pushing her forehead into Ruby’s shoulder. Arms wrap tight around her waist and she doesn’t talk, merely keeping her friend in place so she can take a minute to calm down in the warmth and darkness of a familiar person.

“ Eh, don’t worry about it. You’re fine. ‘sides, there’s plenty of worse offenders out there. ”

  okay gang, now that i’ve collected a few more icons, updated her app to reflect the end of v. 7, and have gotten penny’s muse kicking more again...

“ Could you keep it down a little? It’s three in the morning.” A pause. “Okay so like technically you’re not wrong, but.. yeah. ”

    it was refreshing to be around penny. she always seemed to be excited about everything around her and while blake was obviously the more calm one between the two, she can appreciate the girl’s upbeat outlook.

      “ It is pretty amazing. “ a soft laughs is released as the faunus observes her, hand lowering to rest on her hip. she can see why the other got along with ruby right off the bat– the two did hold similar personality traits. taking a moment to consider penny’s idea, a quick shrug of her shoulders is given with an encouraging smile. 

  “ I don’t see why we can’t do both. “ comes her suggestion, moving closer to watch the machines work on the cookie. “ We can make the others, but with two different costumes. For example…Weiss, but in Nora’s outfit. Or we can design them all to look like Santa. What do you think? “

  Penny has officially decided that Blake is, in fact, a genius.

  Her eyes are glowing with joy at the suggestions, hands cupped around her mouth as she gasps. The possibilities are endless in terms of a cookie outfit switch, but it’s the season for Santa costumes... what a tough decision!

  “ How about... all three! We can do regular, Santa clothing, and the outfit swap! I can pay for a majority of the cost, if that is all right with you, ” Penny answers, pressing her face up against the glass. She turns enough to look at Blake, bouncing on her toes and awaiting an answer.

       on a chilly morning, there was nothing better than steaming hot food– or, in this case, soup. it warmed the body and helped awaken the mind, preparing one for the day ahead. pair it was some coffee or tea, and there simply was hardly any better ways to start the morning. 

          unless you add some company in.

  silver hues carefully watch the girl seated across from her as a sip from her drink is taken. there were very few people in this city who knew her and an even less amount that knew her relation to a certain cookie-loving, red caped girl. so when the other had approached her, mistaking her for her daughter, Summer knew she had to be one of her friends. and after assuring her that the mix-up was understandable, had invited her to join her for a little bit.

       “ You have a very pretty name, Penny. It’s nice to finally meet one of Ruby’s friends– I was beginning to think she was keeping you all hidden from me. “

  @realvived​ – winterfes s.c.

  Penny isn’t sure of what to do here. Listening to those on the streets of Atlas and Mantle alike have drawn her curiosity over her time in the cities. One specific thought strikes her as she settles in to talk with Summer Rose; the ‘how do I introduce them to my parents?’ dilemma she’s heard many times. 

  This situation is certainly different from those she’s accidentally eavesdropped on, though, so this should be fine!

  Her hands are clasped and resting on her lap, attention fully on Summer while she talks. She giggles and shakes her head because, no, Ruby would certainly not hide her friendship with anyone from... well, her mother!

@realvived​

When Red had first seen the white of winter take over Spirale, her first reaction was excitement. It wasn’t often that Cloudbank was gifted with real snow, since most people voted against having it, but she was more than happy to be experience it once the storm had stopped. Though as the woman and her sentient weapon made their way through town, admiring each display that had been set up around quite a popular shopping center, they noticed that something didn’t seem quite.. right.

Amongst the twinkling lights and tiny winter decorations, parts of the displays suddenly came alive! But only the snowflakes began to move, dancing their way through crowds of people and avoiding contact with anyone who tried to reach out and grab them. They almost looked like they were intentionally causing trouble; knocking other displays over, causing the employees to attempt to catch them– but to no avail.

Red began to follow a particular one, her blue eyes focused on it until she noticed it nearing a young girl. Though she couldn’t call out to her, the Transistor already knew what to do; attempting to get her attention as Red’s heels hurriedly clicked after the fake piece of snow.

[ Hey, kid! Catch that snowflake! ]

  Well, this is a conundrum! While Penny isn’t necessary powerless, the wooden replica of her sword isn’t going to be much help against a snowflake. Watching it come to life was a mystifying occurrence in and of itself; maybe it’s a sort of magic? Is that such a thing within this strange city?

  Penny doesn’t know, but dilly-dallying isn’t going to accomplish anything. She watches the snowflakes move, squinting at them and making an attempt to track their unpredictable movement through the air. 

  When one comes close, she makes her move at the behest of the woman calling out to her. 

  The wooden sword is straightened out with a snap of her wrist and she leaps. Penny raises the weapon, flat side facing the snowflake in hopes it’ll be blocked and stick onto it. Unfortunately, the snowflake is much smarter than she thought (or maybe it’s the wind, but she didn’t feel it in the moment), but it completely dodges her.