Look Around!

† Casually ruffles his hair

Qrow, who was also trying to hold back a snicker, started to laugh as well. That was entertaining as hell. He then put his arm down and put his hands in his pockets. He wipes a nonexistent tear from his face like in those cartoons.

“You really thought I was going to punch you that hard?” Qrow asked, still chuckling quite a bit. He went to sit down on a chair nearby.

[ ♛ ] ⚊ “Look, I wouldn’t have thought you would have.” He scoffed a bit, crossing his arms. “I’ve had enough people beating on me lately for ‘revenge’.” Roman rolled his eyes, looking to Ruby who was snickering even more.

“I don’t think you’re a devil, Torchwick. I just think you’re a victim of circumstance. Had things gone differently, I might have ended up no different than you.” 

She leaned back into her chair.

“But I’m not gonna spend time debating you. I’ll let the world around you do that for you. Maybe not having Cinder breathing down your back 24/7 will do you a world of good.” 

[ ♛ ] ⚊ “That bitch is the whole reason as to why I’m in this situation!” He tightened his grip on his cup, keeping his voice down to a low level despite being filled with rage at the sound of the woman’s name. “She gave me an offer I couldn’t refuse. If I had refused, I’d have lost everything.” Not like he had much going on for him anyway.. without Neo, he was lost. Roman drank quietly, wishing that he had some wine about now.

Ruby grinned. “Now there’s the Torchwick I know and love!” 

It was so strange seeing him all somber and introspective, she much preferred her rival to his rude and bombastic self. It certainly livened things up at least. Especially with even Nora being more quiet lately. 

She let herself fall into step beside him, hands clasp behind her back. One would think she’d be more on edge, but the encouraging talk she had with her mom before leaving really helped motivate her. She was going to get this mission done no matter what! 

“So, strange question but. Do you have any contacts in Mistral? From back when you were a criminal, that is. Cause if ya do, we might be able to figure out what’s going on there before we waltz in blindly.”

What’s this? Ruby using her brain for once? Perish the thought! She could be smart when she wanted to be. 

[ ♛ ] ⚊ “Not anymore, no. Thanks to this stupid thing...” He tapped it, pointing out the divice again. “It tracks wherever I go. If I leave Mistral without proper clearance, I get a nasty shock. Same goes for if I try to hurt someone, steal something, or lie.” Roman kept walking, tightening his grip on his cane.

Qrow raised an eyebrow as he looked at the man. With his face still being a slight frown, he went to violently swing a fist towards Roman.

Just to stop right before the fist made content and bumped the man’s shoulder lightly. He showed a playful smirk of his own

“That counted, right?” Qrow was all about reactions. He went to pay attention to the man’s body language and expression, to see how he would take the ruse.

[ ♛ ] ⚊ Oh, fu--not the face! He flinched, raising his arms to defend himself until the other bumped his shoulder. Well. That was surprising. Lowering his arms and giving a slight glare, he sputtered and grumbled to himself before giving a slight nod.

[ ♛ ] ⚊ He lit a cigar, his hand twitching at the question. “You know.. I hate when people ask for things that cannot be given.” Roman exhaled, cigar smoke going into the other’s face. “She isn’t a thing. She isn’t a prize. Neo is a PERSON. A living being.”

He stood back, holding up his cane with the barrel at the end under the other’s chin. “If you want something.. then get it. But keep your claws off my right hand man...” He paused, eyes narrowing with a devilishly cold smirk.