Just A Shadow (RWBY male reader insert)

V3 Ch1: Fever Dream

(Aw shit...here we go again...)

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A Familiar Cliffside, Patch

Early Morning

Seeing as hindsight is, in fact, 20-20, early morning was a slight understatement. Okay, a BIG understatement. It was around four in the morning, and Y/n had not had a wink of sleep all night. Although, most who know of his routine would likely observe that as normal, which in all fairness, it is.

The day prior, Ruby, Yang and himself had taken advantage of their break before the festival to return to Patch once more, much to the delight of Tai, who Y/n was fairly certain was just happy to have the company.

Tai was a kind man for certain, and it was obvious that he didn't like the idea of burdening others with his issues. Y/n however, having wielded plenty of damage of his own, could tell when someone was bothered, and despite Tai still teaching at Signal Academy, it was obvious the man got quite lonely at times.

But despite the relatively eventful evening of catching up, and other general activities, Y/n found himself wide awake as his slumbering Rose slept deeply beside him. His restlessness this night proved too deep for the warmth her embrace brought him. And so here he found himself walking through the forest, his enigmatic link with Ruby ever present as his form flickered from the distance.

The last remnants of morning dew dripped from the last auburn leaves of the forest, which now mostly littered the forest floor, omens of Autumn's approaching climax. The sky cast its dim blue in the atmosphere, the morning sun still too young to crest the distant horizon. His heavy boots crunching with every step over the grounds fibrous coating, he relished the feeling of the cool morning air filling and cooling his lungs, still heavy with moisture from the previous nights rain.

Exiting the edge of the trees however, his solemn stride came to an end some 20 yards further, coming to stand before the familiar black tombstone he had visited some weeks prior. Much to his delight, his father's grave remained pristine. One of the many beneficial properties his shadow constructs sported.

The topic of his strange power floating through his mind,  he gazed absentmindedly at his hand as he freed it from his coat pocket, flexing the appendage as his thoughts wandered. What were these powers of his? Were they a semblance? He didnt think they were...using them never affected what little aura he has.

He had a feeling that, if they were here, the Kindred could tell him. But  nonetheless, the weren't. For now, he would simply have to hope awnsers found their way to him.

Snapping himself out of the corners of his mind, he absently scratched the top of his head before looking back to the mortal reminder before him. Sighing to nobody in particular, he spoke to the air, as if he believed it might carry his message to whom it was meant for.

Y/n: "Sorry. You always did get on me for spacing out like that."

...

"In case you couldn't tell, im still not any better at small talk. I...never did inherit your social...finesse. It sure as hell made you a good salesman."

...

"I could never have lived that life. Talking to people for a living. I think this suits me better. Makes me feel like I'm finally able to make a difference i guess. I have a purpose now."

...

"Guess I still drone on when I get going don't I? Never been sure what my deal is with that honestly. I...maybe I should just shut up for a bit..."