As It Turns Out 02
Added 2024-09-09 10:01:26 +0000 UTCHis plans of going on a date were quickly torn apart, as he and his entourage went to... register. Well, more like they went to figure out what the hell was happening.
And somehow, in ways that he could not comprehend, by the end Roy was staring at the legendary headmaster of Beacon, and his headmistress. Seriously, how had things escalated so far!?
Glynda Goodwitch was hounding them as if she was some sort of top predator. "Why is it that whenever there is trouble, somehow you four are involved!?" Ah? Were his... wives troublemakers?
Ruby flinched. "W-well..." She was probably expected to respond this type of question, since she was the team leader. He could see that she was wholly unprepared for it, however.
Thankfully Ozpin rescued her, chuckling. "Come now, Glynda. You cannot exactly blame them for... this." He pushed his glasses up. "To think all of team RWBY would bond to the same man... The chances of something like this are astronomically close to zero."
Now that he said it, Roy couldn't help, but agree. Huntsmen were typically the type of people who Soul Bonded the most, because they traveled a lot and met a lot of different people. Meanwhile, he had just lucked his way into a harem of Marked who somehow happened to be in the same team. The chances of that had to be lower than winning the lottery two consecutive times.
He continued. "Not to mention how a man who is able to Soul Bond with multiple people is already rare in the first place. I can't help, but worry if larger forces are at play here..." Like what, some super perverted grimm?
Weiss cleared her throat. "Headmaster? While I agree that this is all very strange... May I ask why we are here? I mean no offense, but this does not seem like the type of thing you would be asked to handle..."
He nodded. "Indeed. Normally I would not comment on a student of mine becoming a Marked." He looked at Blake. "And when it happened to Miss Belladona... Miss Reyne, I made no effort to intrude."
"However, this is a very special case. Mostly because... the last person who Soul Bonded with so many people became a super weapon." His gaze shifted to Roy. "Elroy Reynes, correct? I am afraid many people, powerful people now have their eyes on you."
Roy immediately paled. "What is that supposed to mean!?"
Ozpin smiled. "Not something as omnious as it sounds, I assure you. It is simply that the council has... heavily insisted that I invite you to join Beacon, or at least that I give you some form of education in being a Huntsmen."
Oh. He could see why... If he was bonded with four women, that meant he could use four Semblances, assuming they had it. Not to mention how he could call upon their aura, and would fight perfectly in synch with them. He could become a monster in the battlefield. A super weapon, much like Ozma had been in the past.
"So, I'm guessing that heavily insisted means I'm being forced into being a Huntsmen?" That sounded scary.
Elroy wasn't exactly used to fighting, his orphanage had been a pretty tranquil place, and he had only gotten punched once in his life. It had happened when he was a young kid, and he had immediately burst into tears. He had no delusions of facing down the enemies of humanity.
To his surprise, Ozpin waved him off. "I imagine that's what they intended, but I shall abuse the fact that they didn't outright confirm anything, and say that you are not forced to do anything, young man."
"However, do know that I would accept you into our ranks at anytime." He frowned. "Especially since I fear dark times are head. Such shining lights rarely appears without a counterpart, the legendary hero Ozma certainly had to face many demons." Glynda rolled her eyes for some reason.
Elroy let out a sigh of relief. "Okay then... I'll put some thought into it, but I'll pass for now." It did sound nice though...
How great would it be to look his boss in the face, and quit because he now had a harem and the government wanted him to become some super Huntsman? Just thinking about it felt awesome.
"Please do." Ozpin took a deep breath. "Now, for the next issue... I'm sure everyone has guessed by the manner which I have been talking about it, but this Soul Bonding, although unusual, has been recognized by the council of Vale."
"Ruby Rose, Yang Xiao Long, and Weiss Schnee are all legally considered to be wives of Elroy Reyne." He looked at the white haired Huntress. "Although this matter has not yet been discussed with the Atlesian council." Right, she wasn't even from Vale.
He looked down, as if expecting something. "And yes, this means Mister Reyne will be married to all four of you. Do any of you have any concerns?"
He silently raised a hand. Silently because he knew the others were about to shout.
First it was Weiss, scowling as if someone had tried to murder her, and she wanted revenge. "Sir, with all the respect, you cannot expect me to share my husband with three other women! That is just absurd, polygamy is not allowed in any country of Remnant!"
The second was Ruby. "Yeah! I mean, I'm okay with sharing with Blake and somewhat okay with Weiss, but I can't share with Yang!"
The blonde glared at her. "Huh!? Why not!?'
Ruby hugged herself, green in the face. "It's... icky. Gross."
Yang immediately relented. "I see your point." She shuddered.
Meanwhile, Blake had not said a word, merely observing them. Elroy couldn't help, but wonder if she was perhaps just trying to measure up her rivals. Preparing herself for a long battle ahead.
Ozpin cleared his throat. "All very valid concerns, and all I can say is... that it is not my place to say anything." He leaned back into his chair. "In the end, this is a relationship, and as with all relationships, you all must decide your own boundaries and barriers. See what works and doesn't, and take your own measures to live a happy life, whatever those measures may be."
Glynda coughed. "Divorce is illegal however." Oi.
"Yes, that is very illegal." He looked at Elroy's raised hand. "Now, what is your question?"
Finally he lowered his hand. "I was just wondering... should I start avoiding touching other people then? Also, you didn't answer the polygamy being illegal thing." Weiss was looking quite frustrated at it.
Ozpin immediately leaned forward, and touched Elroy. "I'm touching you Mister Reyne." And yet nothing had happened. "Glynda, may I ask you to do the same?"
The Huntress silently nodded, and stepped forward, she then gave him a light touch on his shoulder. Elroy closes his eyes in response, expecting that feeling to run through his body once again, but... nothing happened.
Glynda stepped back, and Ozpin leaned back into his chair. "As you can see, nothing has happened. You don't need to worry about falling in love with every men or women that happens to stumble onto your path, Mister Reynes. Although I cannot blame you for being afraid after today's unusual events."
He continued. "However, I would ask not to remember this as something traumatizing, but as something joyous. I cannot control your heart, but you have found the four loves of your life today. Surely another one would also be something good."
Elroy looked down. "Yeah, I guess it would." He didn't really feel this eternal love all that strongly however. Maybe there was something wrong with him...? Should he bring that up, or would they think he was a psychopath or something...?
Wait a minute, Ozpin still hadn't answered about the polygamy thing!
And it didn't seem like he had any plans of addressing it either. "Now, onto two final issues. The first one is about surnames." He sighed. "Culturally, in Vale the wife takes the husband's name. However, due to the unique position Miss Schnee is in... I have let that to be decided later."
"So for now while Miss Belladona, now Miss Reyne, is recognized as such, no other changes have been made. I ask you all that plenty of consideration is put into this matter moving forward." Right, made sense. He was now married to a billionaire foreigner from Atlas after all.
Holy shit! He was married to a billionaire foreigner from Atlas!
"And about the second issue... The council wished to make this public. In fact, they wished to throw a parade." He chuckled. "The second coming of Ozma, the legendary hero, here to drive off the Grimm." That wasn't funny, that was terrifying!
Elroy did not know how he would handle being a known figure... though he supposed he would have to get used to it eventually. He was married to the Weiss Schnee. Even if he never accomplished anything in his life, he would still be well known from now on.
"Thankfully I managed to delay it." Oh, thank fuck. "But only delay it, not stop it entirely. And I imagine once it happens, the pressure for Mister Reyne to become a Huntsmen shall increase considerably."
He continued. "And there's also the fact of your legal guardians being made aware of this marriage."
Ruby became pale. "I'm so, so dead..."
And so went Yang. "My husband is so, so dead..."
And so went Weiss. "But I haven't even had the chance to teach him etiquette yet..." He had to learn that!?
Ozpin shook his head. "Worry not, due to the... unusual nature of this Soul Bond, I have yet to inform anyone. However, much like the parade, it will have to happen eventually. The limit of it, and the parade, is about a month, I suggest you all prepare for it."
"In fact, I suggest you all inform your legal guardians before that time limit expires. They will most likely not take it well if that doesn't happen." Thankfully Elroy didn't have parents to inform! The joys of being an orphan...
He was going to get killed. Gruesomely.
Ozpin made a worried face. "I must also warn you all that rumors will define rise, seeing as Miss Reyne has already taken her husband's name and..." He looked at Yang's Mark. "Not everything can be hidden."
Yang shrugged. "I can just lie and say it's a tattoo." She grinned. "Not that I'm gonna lie about my hubby, but I could." Hubby!?
Ozpin smiled. "I see. Still, if rumors happen to make anyone uncomfortable, I shall do my best to curb them." He sighed. "However, that is all for today."
"I know everyone must be looking forward to knowing each other, but you children have school tomorrow, and I'm lead to believe Mister Reyne has work." In other words, they were finally free.
He was officially recognized as a man with four wives.
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
"Before we go to sleep, we should do something very important." Weiss took a deep breath. "Therefore, I'm calling up a team meeting!"
Ruby glared at her. "Hey, who gave you the ability to call up team meetings!? You aren't the leader!"
Surprisingly, Weiss relented immediately. "Oh, my apologies. Ruby, please call a team meeting for me." In times like this, it was just wiser not to argue with Ruby. She could be very bullheaded when she wanted to.
The team leader nodded. "Everyone, we are having a team meeting, where we shall discuss..." She stole a glance at Weiss, and whispered. "Bestie, what are we discussing?" Maybe she should start calling her sister-wife instead?
"Do not call me bestie." Sister-wife it was! "We are doing what Ozpin suggested and discussing boundaries and barriers in our relationship with Elroy."
Ruby gave her a thumps up. "Got it, sister-wife." Why did Weiss suddenly look like she wanted to kill her? "Everyone, this is a meeting to discuss boundaries and barriers in our relationship with Elroy!"
Blake, who was reading a book in bed, rolled her eyes. "How are we going to do that without him even being here?" She had his number, so they could theorically call him. However, she wouldn't let Weiss bother her husband when he had work tomorrow.
Weiss rolled her eyes. "Why would he being here even matter?"
Blake let out a groan of annoyance. "You are going to be an amazing romantic partner." Sarcasm was dripping out of her words as if they were venom.
Weiss did not detect it. Possibly out of pride. "I'm glad you acknowledge it, Blake."
Yang, who was in her bed messing with her scroll, interjected. "Nuh-uh Weisscream. Normally I would just laught at your nepobaby shenanigans, but since this concerns my hubbie, I'm jumping in and stopping you in your tracks."
She continued. "Besides, boundaries aren't something you just have a reunion about and decide on the spot. You're supposed to slowly figure them out with your partner. I think."
Weiss put her hands on her hips. "The I think part does not give me much confidence. Although I don't even know why I'm listening to you, party girl, of course you decide to jump into a relationship with no preparations."
The blonde dropped her scroll, and grit her teeth. "Well, here's an idea. Maybe we shouldn't treat marriage like war. Elroy isn't an enemy we need to beat."
Weiss pointed at her. "Love is war!"
Ruby lowered the girl's outstretched hand. "No, no, I'm with my sis in this one." She paled. "I don't want to think about it, if I think about it I'm going to panic over it." Which did not sound fun at all. So she was just going to go with the flow...
Though last time she had done that, she almost failed class, and her dad had been super mad, and her uncle had been super disappointed, and... Going with the flow... Not thinking too hard about it... Yeah...!
Blake closed her book. "This is a disaster. You three are going to ruin my marriage." She wasn't surprised about it though. Of course her happiness wasn't long lived, she didn't deserve anything less.
Ruby squinted her eyes. "Our marriage..."
In response, the Faunus sighed. "Yes Ruby, our marriage."
Weiss glared at her. "Well, excuse me, but who made you the romance expert? Last time I checked, being pursued by some monkey doesn't count for much, you pervert!"
Ruby's jaw had hit the floor. "Weiss, you can't say that!"
Weiss let out a sigh. "Fine, fine. I won't call Blake a pervert just because she enjoys some... niche literature. In fact, I apologize."
"That's not what I meant! You definitely know that's not what I meant!" Or at least she was hoping she knew what she meant.
"Forget about it, Ruby." Blake was too drained to argue over this. "But yes, when it comes to relationships, I do have much more experience than you Weiss. I used to have a boyfriend, while I'm guessing you're as pure as a special little snowflake."
Weiss flinched. "Y-you did?" She also did not deny any accusations. She was a special little snowflake, yes!
Blake nodded. "Yes, we spent... most of my life together." She wouldn't miss him though. Not now that she had gotten married. "He wasn't the greatest of people, but I did enjoy our relationship, once." Before he became insane. The white haired girl did not need to hear about her past with Adam however.
Weiss trembled. "W-well, you..." She wanted to bring up Blake's past as a terrorist and win the argument, but she just knew that would make things worse. "What if he's one of those guys who likes inexperienced girls then?"
Yang snorted. "Then Ruby is in danger." She ignored her sister's objections. "But ignoring that, Blake has seniority. I don't really care about stuff like that, but you totally do, don't you Weiss?"
Weiss whimpered. "I do..." Oh no, she was technically below Yang too! "At least I'm above Ruby..." For once she had defeated her team leader!
"Hey!"
"Anyhow, fine. I shall relent and listen to Blake." For now. Eventually she would become the queen of this little group! The cream always rose to the top!
Blake put a hand on her chin. "I don't really have much to say though, as I said, we can't discuss something like this without Roy here..." She hummed. "Well, I guess there are somethings. For example, he's nineteen, so we can all agree Ruby can't do anything... intimate with him, right?"
Ruby blushed bright red, and made an x with her arms. "Yes, we agree! We agree!" She was not ready for something like that.
Weiss smiled. "We'll that was decided quickly. But yes, since she's a child she should wait a few years." Not that she expected Elroy to care much about a kid like that anyways.
However, her comment had actually made Ruby mad. "A child? It's not like you guy's aren't ones either!"
Weiss rolled her eyes. "You are fifteen. We are seventeen. There is a big difference there."
Ruby crossed her arms. "No there isn't."
Blake, Yang, and Weiss talked in unison. "Yes, there is."
In the end Ruby had no choice, but to drop the subject. It didn't matter too much however, because while she may not be ready for something like that, when she mentally prepared herself, she could totally break the anti-Ruby rule! Team leader privileges!
Yang glared at her. "I see that cocky grin Ruby. Everyone does." Oops... "Honestly... Anyways, second topic. How are we going about this tomorrow? We announcing to the world or something?"
Ruby covered her face. "I don't really want to..." That would be embarrassing. Besides, why would they even do that?
Blake nodded. "It's better to keep attention off ourselves, and most importantly off Roy. Although... you guys decided on what you're telling your parents?" Blake herself wasn't going to tell them. Because she had long ago decided to never talk with them again.
Yang winced. "Yeah, I'm dragging this secrecy thing out as much as possible. My dad is gonna make a big deal out of it." And it was a big deal, but she just knew her old man would try something stupid like testing poor Elroy.
Ruby quickly nodded. "Yep. Yep. Yep. No arguments here." She wasn't really scared of their father in the same way Yang was. She just didn't want to have such an awkward talk.
It would make the bird and bees one look normal. She just knew it.
Weiss looked down. "I can't exactly hide it from my family for forever..." None of them could, technically. "But I'll use my time to throughly prepare before I give my father such surprising news." However, she would sent a letter to Winter as soon as possible.
Her sister would totally understand it and support this!
Blake raised an eyebrow. "You think he's going to be against it?" That would be annoying. The SDC really had the habit of making her an enemy...
Oh fuck, she was sharing a husband with a goddamned Schnee. If Adam ever learned of it he would probably start frothing at the mouth and die right there on the spot. And he would probably be right in doing so.
Weiss looked uncomfortable. "I... it won't really matter if he is." You cannot exactly separate a group of Marked. "But I'm sure he won't. This is a good thing." Maybe he would object if Elroy was a normal man, but...
He wasn't. He was doing something that only a hero of legend had done! So surely he was spectacular enough to marry a Schnee. Although her father would probably make him drop that job in the supermarket she had heard about, and force him to work in some desk job in Atlas. Something Elroy was sure to appreciate.
Weiss tilted her head. "Speaking of secrecy however, there is an elephant in the room we must address... Yang's Mark."
Yang glared at her, clearing taking offense. "What's wrong with it?"
Weiss huffed. "There's nothing wrong with it." She could not throw stones when she happened to be part of the world's weakest glass house. "But it's pretty visible, people are going to question it."
Blake groaned. "Ugh, I hadn't thought about that." Her little peaceful student life would be ruined. "Yang does wear a scar during combat though. Maybe she can start wearing that with her uniform." It should be fine, since Ruby wandered around with that cape of hers.
"Nope." The blonde's reply came almost as if by instinct. "I'm not hiding my Mark. What do I look like, one of those wives who take their ring off when they go out?" There was nothing wrong with it, technically, but she just didn't like it.
Blake really didn't want to draw attention however. "Yang, it's not the same thing. It's not like you're removing the Mark. You're just not showing it... My Mark is on my back and so people aren't exactly looking at it. That doesn't mean I'm being unfaithful or whatever."
Yang shrugged. "Yeah, but... It's different if I went out of my way to hide it, compared to you just having bad luck." Bad luck...? "Besides, you changed your name remember? I'm sure the teachers are gonna call you Miss Reyne or something, so who cares?"
Blake shuddered. "Ugh, you're right." That had been a impulsive decision. "I guess... I guess we explain it if someone asks, but ignore it otherwise." People would probably just assume Yang got a tattoo of her symbol anyways.
The blonde smiled. "Sounds good to me."
Ruby gave them a peace sign. "I'm okay with it too." Except she also wanted to ignore those who asked. Was that a bad thing?
Weiss nodded. "Then it's settled. Complete secrecy would have been bad anyways, I need to reject that buffoon Arc." Surely he would step down now that she was married!?
She looked around. "So, any other pressing things we need to discuss?" And she was met with silence. "If not, then I declare this meeting to be ov—."
Ruby cut her off. "I declare this meeting to be over! I'm the leader! I get to do that!" Right. "Now let's all go to sleep! Tomorrow is gonna be a crazy day where we all go to school, and possibly meet our husband!"
Blake quickly interject. "I don't know if he will have the time to meet us. Work can be tiring, and especially what he does."
"Ah... You're so right."
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
While team RWBY could be quite... rambunctious, they at least tended to more or less agree to shut the hell up when it was time to sleep. Maybe they were just more mindful of each other then one would expect, or maybe Beacon just tired them out far too much.
Today was different however. "It's cold... I can't sleep." Weiss sounded like a hurt puppy.
Yang snorted. "Are you of all people complaining about cold?"
Weiss clicked her tongue. "I'm speaking metaphorically, you idiot. I'm not literally cold!" Well, it was a bit chilly.
Ruby's eyes widened. "The problem is the bunk bed system right!? You feel it's imminent collapse as well!?" Her bed was shaking way too much, it could not be a good sign.
Weiss sat up. "No! It wasn't that! But now I'm worrying about it too!" She slept under Ruby, she would be the one to get hurt! But then again, she had always known the bunk beds were awful, so she chose to ignore the issue as always. For the sake of her sanity.
She couldn't ignore her other problem however. "My issue is... why am I sleeping alone in bed!? I'm a newlywed! I should be sleeping by my husband's side, not worrying over whether Ruby's bed will fall ontop of me and kill me during my sleep or not!"
Yang grinned. "Oh, do you wanna do the other things newlyweds do?"
Weiss sputtered. "I'm very aware you are trying to embarass me for a quick laugh, Xiao Long, but the answer is..." She crossed her arms. "Maybe? It's just... isn't this way too strange? Surely other people don't get separated from their Marked like this."
Yang shrugged. "Eh, it's fine. This is... He can't leave, and neither can us, it's eternal love baby. So just chill, ice queen."
Weiss grit her teeth. "I am chill. You were right, it's cold." Maybe she needed a new blanket. "And besides, even if what you are saying it's true, that does not mean I should be separated from my own husband!"
Blake sighed, she was the only one who had managed to fall asleep, so now that she awakened, she was a bit lost. "Weiss, it's not a big deal. In fact, you should be getting used to it. You're a Huntress, he's a civilian. This is bound to happen again many, many times."
In the end, even if they shared their souls, there was a divide between them that could not be crossed. A divide that existed that many couples formed by Huntsman and a civilian had to face somewhere along the way.
Huntsmen and Huntresses were expected to occasionally take missions that would make them leave their home for days on end after all, and they couldn't exactly take their normal non-trained spouse with them. Least to say, Blake would not be dragging Elroy with her in her crusade against the White Fang as well.
Weiss pouted. "You are... correct, I suppose. And it's not like that can be changed either..." Suddenly a wicked grin appeared on her face. "I propose we incentivize Elroy into accepting becoming a Huntsmen. Who agrees with me?"
Blake pinched her nose. "That is so immoral..."
But she was alone in this battle, as Yang smiled. "I totally agree! You have my vote!"
Ruby nodded. "I agree too!" So many Mark pairings became heroes, so this could totally be kick ass!
And finally, Blake threw the towel. "Fine, damn it, I agree too." She pitied her poor husband.