RWBY: Ironwood's Redo

Part 10: A Place Of Particular Concern.

A gentle breeze rolls through the forest canopy. The Ever After almost seems to be alive, it's wildlife is so unique and full of a brilliant kind of life. It's endearing, truly.

And while the Ever After is no stranger to strange creatures, a new kind of life just forced it's way into the ecosystem, a human.

James Ironwood, presumably the first human ever to this strange place, was finally beginning to come to terms with his new mission. He has been told that his current mentality would not get him far, and he was now very conscious of his own shortfallings.

His reserved investigation of the Ever After has gone pleasantly so far, besides a high pitched voice that seems to follow him everywhere...

???: Hey, hey!

Ironwood stops inspecting an impossibly shaped plant and begins to scan the forest canopy, almost frantically.

Ironwood: For the love of everything holy.... WHO ARE YOU!? WHY WON'T YOU STOP TALKING!

Just as he yells at the leaves, something drops from above him and lands on his right shoulder. With a quick turn of his head, he discovers a small, mouse like creature in a dazed state perched on him. His eyes widen in surprise.

???: Ow... You scared me!

Ironwood: I- Wha- You-

Ironwood is shaken by the sight of the creature, not only is this mouse talking to him, it's also angry because HE scared it! The audacity!

???: Why's your shoulder so hard? Why are you so big? Why are-

Ironwood groans in frustration.

Ironwood: Quiet! Please... I'm tired of hearing so many questions! "Why are you this" and "Why did you do that" it's all the same thing!

The mouse on his shoulder listens to him intently as he vents his frustrations absentmindedly. It nods it's head in some form of understanding, even imitating his hand movements as he gestures around.

Ironwood: ....and then they have the nerve to send me here and make me do some soul searching or whatever! I'm just... Tired.

The mouse nods sympatheticly.

???: .... I don't know what any of that means. But I'm sure you'll find your purpose! Or... Whatever you're here to find! What are you by the way? I've never seen anything that looked like you before...

Ironwood looks back to the mouse on his shoulder.

Ironwood: I'm a human, my name is... Well... I don't... Really know....

The mouse simply cocks its head to the side, and silently inspects Ironwood again.

???: Never heard of a human before. You look weird...

Ironwood shakes his head gently.

Ironwood: That's sort of rude you know. I could say the same thing about you.

The mouse just shrugs and scurries across the back of his neck to his other shoulder. Ironwood shudders a little at the feeling.

Ironwood: Can you not do that?

The mouse giggles a little and makes itself comfortable.

???: So why are you out here?

Ironwood groans internally as the mouse asks more questions.

Ironwood: I already told you! I'm here to... Find myself. "My reinvention awaits" or something like that.

The mouse just cocks it's head again at him.