On-Screen Adventures (ch3)

2-DAY EARLY RELEASE FOR ALL MY PATRONS! THANK YOU!!

This chapter was definitely a bit tricky (but still fun) to write. I've never written Ozpin nor Salem rather extensively even with their canon personalities, so to write a whole chapter about them being an actual nice amiable couple was interesting.

Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY.

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												Chapter 3. Ozpin and Salem

The idea for Ozpin's television series came to him at a young age. He hadn't known much about directing, producing, or filming at the time, but had decided to pursue his goal nonetheless.

Salem had been with him every step of the way. They'd met in a film and media colleg class, where Ozpin had told her of his ideas and ambitions, and she'd taken immediate interest. It had been a long and difficult journey to get this far with mainly just the two of them, but they'd managed to round up a few more supportive classmates along the way, like Glynda, James, Bartholomew, and Peter.

And eventually they'd gotten to where they are now, shooting one of the most popular television series of the year.

All of Ozpin's crew tend to take turns directing, producing, and writing scripts to help develop the characters and the storyline. Ozpin has spent many nights awake in the trailer he shares with Salem and the others, toiling away for hours over potential ideas. The waste bin is typically filled to the brim with rejected plot lines and dialogues.

In recent weeks, they've been filming the second season of their show, and he'd already gotten confirmation that a third had been green-lit.

Presently, it's well into the evening after a successful day of filming. Ozpin has already showered and eaten supper, and now sits with a cup of coffee at his work desk, muttering to himself as he looks over plans and papers.

Salem has just finished drying her hair after her own shower, and now walks slowly out of the bathroom. James, Peter, and Bartholomew are on the couch watching TV and chortling over drinks. Glynda is with them and seems to be supervising while simultaneously reading.

Salem leaves them be and heads to the kitchen to pour a hot cup of coffee, then heads down to Ozpin's quieter room. She finds him there as usual, hunched over his desk, debating with himself. She gives a soft knock, but he's too focused to hear. She rolls her eyes helplessly and calls out.

"Oz."

"Hm? Oh, come in. I'm just thinking about what to do for the big fight scene in season 3."

Salem enters and goes to him, noting the coffee mug on his desk had lost its steam some time ago. She replaces it with the fresh, warm mug. Ozpin smiles briefly up at her.

"Thank you. Now, would you care to assist me with this scene? I'm not quite sure how I want it to play out. The monsters will be attacking Beacon and I need the teams split up, but how?"

Salem pulls over a chair and sits beside him.

"This is the scene that eventually leads up to your own 'death', isn't that right?"

He smirks.

"Indeed it is. Don't you worry though, I'll be reincarnated-"

"-in a charming little farm boy," Salem finishes. "Yes, I've heard. Any idea as to when you'll start casting for the role?"

"Not just yet. We've still got some time. But I already have the boy's character planned out."

"That's wonderful." Salem rests a hand on his arm. "But why don't we figure out season 3 before we get into 5 or 6?"

"Yes, yes, you're absolutely right. So what do you think about breaking up the teams? Which characters should be together? Shall I separate Miss Xaio Long and Miss Belladonna's characters? This will be when Mr. Tauros wrecks his havoc after all."

"That boy," Salem muses. "I can still hardly believe he plays the murderous part so well when in reality he's so sweet."

"Good acting," Ozpin proclaims. "That's why I chose him. That's why I chose all of them. They're a talented bunch. I'm almost sorry to have to be writing off Mr. Torchwick and Miss Nikos so soon, but they've got their own career paths to pursue, and I can't allow myself to get in their way."

"That's right," Salem agrees, shifting a bit closer to peer over his shoulder. "You've already written her death scene, haven't you?"

"Indeed I have. I'm sure Miss Fall will do a terrifically stunning job with it."

"She always does."

There's a moment of pause as Ozpin picks up the fresh mug of coffee and takes a sip.

"Mm. So yes, back to the matter at hand. How shall I have Mr. Tauros maim Miss Xiao Long's character? I know it has to be him, but under what circumstances? I was thinking he attacks her unfairly when she's already occupied with the Grimm."

Salem thinks for a moment. She considers the actresses themselves and their newfound relationship. An inkling of an idea sparks in her mind.

"What if..." She trails off for a moment to think. Ozpin knows she's onto something. She starts tapping her fingers against his arm in a telltale sign that she's concocting something devious, be it in a good or bad way. He readies a pen and some paper and gives her his full attention.

"Go on."

Salem's lips curve up into a smile, one that is a bit devilish.

"Why don't we have Miss Xiao Long get injured for Miss Belladonna's sake? While trying to protect her?"

Ozpin perks up.

"Yes, yes! Not only would that open up the opportunity for some animosity between her and Mr. Tauros, but it will also call for great feelings of guilt from Miss Belladonna. When the team splits up, she'll be the first to run off, without saying so much as a word to anyone."

"And-" Salem continues, still smirking. "It will allow for a potentially deeper bond to perhaps form between their characters at a later point in time. The resolution, I mean."

"Indeed you're right. I can see it happening already. They can both stand together to face off against Mr. Tauros in their final battle." He's already taking notes down, writing quickly and sloppily as ideas begin coming to him. Salem pats his shoulder and smoothes out a bit of his hair for him.

"It seems only fair we let the two of them have a bit of a romance with their characters as well, don't you think? They do make an adorable couple."

"I agree. I'm very relieved they finally made it official." He looks around a bit before lowering his voice. "I know I shouldn't talk about my actors like this, but I'll be honest with you, it was nearly driving me mad. They clearly had a liking for one another since they first came on set."

"Oh, it was driving us all mad, Oz. Don't you worry. They were the first to make things official, but we've got several more budding romances between our cast members that have yet to blossom."

"Oh?" He raises and eyebrow and takes another sip of coffee. "Do tell. You've always been a very skilled observer."

Salem takes the compliment with a flip of her hair.

"Well, for starters Miss Rose and Miss Schnee seem to have a little something. I'm not sure if either of them will ever realize it, though. Then there's Miss Scarlatina and Miss Adel, Miss Sustrai and Mr. Black, and clearly Miss Valkyrie and Mr. Lie Ren."

"Really?" Ozpin mumbles. "Well that last one was a bit of a giveaway, but I wasn't so sure about the others. Does Miss Nikos happen to have an interest in Mr. Arc? Because in the filming, their characters will have a fleeting romance."

"I'm afraid not," Salem says. "But there is someone else with eyes for Miss Nikos."

"I'm intrigued. It's only right I should be informed so I can make adjustments in the writing."

"Oh, please. You just like to gossip and try to play match-maker with the children." Salem gives him a light push and he chuckles. "But if you must know," she continues. "Let's just say it's someone who won't ever tell Miss Nikos how they feel about her."

"You don't mean...?"

"In fact I do."

"Color me surprised. I hadn't the slightest clue. Though sadly with how events will be progressing for Miss Niko's character to be leaving so soon, I'm sorry to say there won't be ample time or reason to have those two share any significant scenes together."

"That's fine, Ozpin. I believe those two are aware enough of their feelings to be able to act on them before very much longer."

"You don't say..." He trails off, then jots down a few more notes before looking back to her. "Any other observations you'd like to report, my lady?"

"Oh, yes. There was one more couple..." With a smile she leans forward and leaves a soft kiss on his lips. "Mm, now who was it...?"

"It's a shame you can't remember." Ozpin puts his pen and paper down and takes both of her hands instead. He brushes their noses together before kissing her in turn. The kiss tastes like coffee. When they part, Salem chuckles again.

"Is it wrong of us to give ourselves such major opposing roles in this story?"

"What? You mean how our characters begin to question the gods of Life and Death themselves, challenge their own morality and concepts of reincarnation, and end up on opposites sides of the same coin trying to defeat one another, while in reality we are nothing more than college sweethearts?"

"That's mostly what I was getting at, yes."

"On the contrary," Ozpin says. "I think it's very fun."

"I suppose you're right."

"But you won't come in for a few more seasons, my dear. So until then please keep your murderous tendencies against a group of confused teenagers to a minimum."

"I'll do my best." She moves her chair a little closer and wraps an arm around his elbow, slouching against him slightly as she takes a sip of his coffee. "Which scene are you working on next? Maybe I can offer some insight."

"Perfect. I was thinking about how the teams will reunite after the season apart-"

"Have we even been green-lit that far in advance?"

"Well, no... but-"

"I know it's very exciting Ozpin, but let's take it one step at a time, shall we?"

"Yes, I suppose you're right."

They chat over ideas and coffee well into the night. The noise in the main room eventually dies down. James, Peter, and Bartholomew end up snoring on the couch together. Glynda begrudgingly drapes a blanket over them before folding her book under her arm and heading off to her room for bed.

And despite all the coffee, Ozpin ends up dozing off shortly afterward. Salem carefully arranges everything on his desk as she knows he'd like it, then slowly picks him up to carry him to bed. She turns off the light and lies down beside him with a smile, wondering what brilliant ideas of his she'll get to see come to life next.

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A/N: I have no idea what to think of this chapter cuz I have no idea how to portray their relationship like this haha. Was it good? Did it makes sense?

Wondering about Pyrrha's love interest? Don't worry, that'll be covered next!