Who: Elsa and Qrow Branwen When: Last week [backdated] Where: Qrow’s Apartment What: Neo is a meanie :P Warnings: TBD Status: Closed/In-Progress (TBC in Comments)
It wasn’t that Elsa was too proud to admit that both Qrow and Weiss had been correct in their assessment of Neo. It was that she had, most likely, put them both through a great deal of worry. If she had listened to their warnings and taken them to heart, Elsa wouldn’t have been in such a situation.
While neither of them had been gravely injured, there was an uncomfortable bruising to her pride. She could be stubborn, yes, but Elsa also knew when to admit that she was wrong.
Though she had assured both Qrow and Weiss that she was fine after the event of the elevator disaster, it was only a matter of time before someone would want to know the truth. Wanting to at least have the upper hand in the matter, Elsa had come knocking on Qrow’s apartment door and not empty-handed.
Take out from The Musain and a carefully-selected bottle of wine were her offerings in hopes that the number of ‘I told you so’ responses would be few.
“I know that I should have listened to you when you warned me,” Elsa admitted quietly, the still-packaged food and drink momentarily forgotten. “And I am very sorry if I worried you,” she said, resting a hand against his arm.
*** Upon hearing of Neo's arrival in town, Qrow had been quite upset. For good reasons too. Not only was she a cold blooded killer who enjoyed hurting people, she had also tried to kill both Ruby and Yang. If it wasn't for some quick thinking on Ruby's part and if Raven hadn't shown up in time to save her daughter, both of his nieces probably wouldn't be here.
So yes, Neo was one of Qrow's least favorite people in the world and Weiss had agreed with him. When Elsa told him she'd meet her and that she was hoping to befriend her and find some good in her, Qrow was not happy at all. He had told Elsa that Neo wasn't a good person, that she was bad to her very core, but she still believed Neo could change. As much as he wanted Elsa to keep her distance, he knew he couldn't stop her from befriending the other girl.
He had heard about the elevator fiasco from Weiss, who was the one who saved Elsa after Neo abandoned her. He was glad and relieved nothing bad happened, but he knew she wasn't completely okay. He had planned on checking up on her, only to hear a knock on the door and when he opened it, there she was.
He didn't really pay attention to what she said. Honestly, he was just happy to see her there after what happened. Rather than responding, he just wrapped his arms around her, hugging her. "I don't care about any of that," he told her, kissing her head gently. "I'm just so glad you're safe."
***
Elsa hadn’t been sure what to expect. Possibly a lecture or something along the lines of disappointment. She couldn’t remember the last time she had actually been lectured, but disappointment tended to run thick. Things were getting better, though. They always seemed to be getting better.
Still, Qrow’s reaction was a bit of a surprise.
Wrapping her arms around him in return, Elsa leaned into the entirety of his embrace. It was at times like this that she wanted to desperately feel actual warmth from another person. She would often stray back to their time during the Old West to remember what it felt like. Though far from the same, it did help.
“I should have had a better sense and trusted your warning.” Elsa knew that not everything would end happily ever after. It wasn’t possible. She did want to believe in change and in redemption. People had allowed her that chance after all.
Turning her head to look up at Qrow, she let out a heavy sigh, clearly troubled with even considering her next statement. “What do you think we should do?”
***
Qrow had considered a lecture or at least said he was right all along. He couldn't say he was disappointed because he had expected this. Both that Elsa would give Neo and chanced that that Neo would betray her in some way sooner or later. But if he was honest with himself, deep down, he was kind of hoping that Elsa was right and that he was wrong. He should've known better, though. This was Neo after all.
But there was no lecture or disappointment, just relief that she was okay. That feeling was more stronger than anything at the moment and he just hugged her tighter. "You were just being friendly and giving her a chance," he told her. "It's not your fault she did what she did."
At the question, he frowned. "I don't know," he responded with a sigh of his own. "As much as I'd like to go hurt her, she'll probably expect it. She's quite tricky and unpredictable, y'know. I guess for now, we'll just try and avoid her." But considering they were in a small town and trapped under the Dome, that might not be entirely possible. But he could hope.
***
"If there is one thing I'm good at it, it's avoiding others." Elsa leaned back enough to give Qrow a small grin. It was an attempt to lighten the mood and conversation. "We will have to keep an eye on her and see how she is with others. Maybe I just wasn't the right person to bring about any change."
There was that sliver of hope that Elsa would hold on to, but she was not going to pursue it herself. Someone else would be better equipped to handle Neo how she needed to be approached.
Elsa was hoping that would be how things went for all parties involved.
"And I think it's best that you don't go looking for trouble. It wouldn't make our argument any better, you know." There was no need to tell Qrow that. Elsa knew he would know better than to go rushing in arms swinging. At least, she was keeping her fingers crossed that that would be the case. "I've had offers from a few individuals to help with bettering my self-defence techniques, you know."