There is a fundamental difference between ‘I could love you, but I don’t’ and ‘I don’t love you, but I could’. That is the crux of the difference between Tyson’s thoughts about John Watson and Sherlock Holmes. The type of love differs, but the point remains.
Tyson absolutely does love John. They are simpatico, brothers-in-arms, brothers by all but blood. Romantically? Oh, Tyson knows that he could have fallen for John, easily, but he doesn’t love him romantically. And that’s fine. Whatever alternative path they could have taken, Tyson is happy where he stands with John.
Sherlock, on the other hand, is a more complicated feeling for Tyson. He does not like Holmes, but Tyson knows that he has a paper thin defence against caring for him; and that defence is avoiding him like the plague. He purposefully keeps a distance from the detective, because he does not need the Moriarty Mirrors game to become any more complicated by fallnig for another genius determinded to burn themselves up.
Having taught at Cambridge University almost since the university was founded, it was inevitable that the Delaney family would be involved in some of the school’s traditions beyond teaching mathematics.
One of those traditions is the bi-annual spring masquerade ball at the Delaney family manor grand hall. Every two years, an event for the top students from all across the university to mingle with those in the top of those fields: doctors, lawyers, business entrepreneurs, et cetera.
This event serves two purposes: it gives the best students an opportunity to mingle and make connections to set up opportunities for when they graduate, whilst also being an opportunity to bring in sponsors and donators for the university by showing how ‘supporting the future can benefit you’.
Though he hated having to play ‘perfect Delaney heir’ at those events as a child, Tyson continues to allow the university to use the manor for those events. Primarily, Jasmine is the one who takes care of the ‘Delaney estate’ side of the event, but Tyson makes sure to show up every time.
He knows that his family name carries weight and that he can use that to bring more funding to the university, and to encourage more people to attend and extend opportunities to the students. It’s exactly the kind of upper-class posturing that Tyson loathes, but he’s willing to swallow his pride for their sake.
Tyson will end up walking the same route, over and over.
In part, this is familiarity, taking the direct path to the nearest supermarket to buy extra milk is the simplest course of action. However, when Tyson is on edge, it reaches a point where his behaviour couldn’t be called anything other than patrolling.
He’ll take Lily and Bobby with him, and fastidiously adhere to one route around an imaginary perimeter around his apartment: one that stretches far enough to include The Biscuit Tin and the nearest Underground entrance. Tyson will walk that path over and over again, until he’s too exhausted to continue or other responsibilities call him away.
There is never a point in that patrolling where Tyson goes ‘oh, okay then. There is nothing to be worried about nearby’. He falls into a trap of tunnel vision and paranoia that would have him marching for hours on end.
He distrusts everyone equally, regardless of age, but Tyson is overly aware of how easily teenagers are manipulated by people like him for the web or other causes. Despite his best of intentions, Tyson knows that he is one of the worst influences to be around a teenager.
When recruiting for the web, Tyson goes out of his way to avoid anyone too young, no matter how much talent they possess and - if he suspects that others have their eyes on that person - will try to direct them elsewhere. If they are still as useful to the web once they’re older, then it’s no longer Tyson’s responsibility.
Though not a home by any stretch of the imagination, Tyson feels more at home in his two-storey warehouse than he does at the Delaney family manor.
For the most part, it’s storage for old projects, pieces of his motorbikes, and various works in progress, but Tyson has carved out a little area on the first floor for comfort whilst working on his own, or with the Moriarty Mirrors.
It’s not much - a queen sized bed, two three-seater settees, five dog beds scattered throughout both floors, a coffee table, and two wooden chairs that were in the warehouse when Tyson bought it - but it’s enough to feel as though the space is his own.
On the ground floor, he’s managed to get a working bathroom with a shower installed, and substituted the idea of a kitchen with a kettle, microwave, and mini-fridge filled with drinks on a table.
More than the bare-bones furnishing, though they are appreciated after a long day of tinkering and getting covered in grease, the warehouse feels more homely because it’s filled with things that Tyson made or helped make, or helped destroy depending on the items in question.
Even in the verses where Tyson lives in the Delaney manor, he doesn’t consider it to be his home. It’s the family home, it’s Jasmine’s home, but it’s not Tyson’s home. Not anymore.
He views the manor as a middle place, with the same ‘communal second living room’ place that a pub exists in. Tyson only tends to visit when meeting with Jethro’s part of the family or when he’s come to Cambridge to guest lecture, so he assumes that he’ll be meeting someone whilst there; even if it’s only Jasmine and Jack.
When staying the manor, Tyson will alternate between sleeping in his childhood bedroom and sleeping in one of the spare bedrooms. There are times when Tyson finds it comforting to be back in that room, and times when he needs to be in a completely separate wing of the manor from it.
No matter how affected by the memories of it, Tyson will always end up in the library at some point, and he may never stop viewing it as his father’s library. Sometimes he’ll be returning books or taking new ones away, and sometimes he just needs to feel grounded in the room he spent most of his childhood in.
A mercenary? A pilot? A prostitute? A realtor? A solicitor? Sure, if you’d like~
A man of many talents, Lex is whatever he is needed to be. So long as that thing is a smartarse. If he can’t provide what is being asked of him, he’ll either find someone who can from a seemingly endless list of people who owe him favours, or he’ll learn to provide it next time.
He’s loyal to his next pay check, nothing else. Until the web stops providing that pay for him, that is where his loyalty lays. Though Lex has no love for the Moriarty Mirrors, he sings theirs praises and flirts with them at any opportunity, but if left alone with a mop, Lex would start flirting. And likely succeed.
Though Lex usually isn’t Tyson’s first choice to fulfill a mission for the web, preferring someone who has mastered the one specific trait he needs for the job at hand, the former Lieutenant and - supposedly - former Major have ended up working together many times. One man of many talents who actually enjoys his company is better than bringing along half-a-dozen other employees, who largely dismiss him as the second-hand pet.
Tyson knows to keep an eye on Lex, that as soon as someone is brazen enough to offer him a better deal Lex would betray the web. However, Tyson genuinely enjoys Lex’s company. At times his constant need to fill silence with jokes can get on Tyson’s nerves, but for the most part it’s reciprocal; throwing quips back and forth, using barbed insults as compliments, flirting as a first line of defense and because it’s simply fun.
After getting paid, fun is Lex’s main priority. He want to have fun, he wants to be fun, and that is how Tyson thinks of him. He is an explosion of jokes and smiles, and damn near costing them multiple undercover jobs because he broke character into waves of laughter mid-con. In return, Tyson is a lot more fun around him. He’s willing to let his hair - if not his guard - down. Tyson’s behaviour and morals reflects those around him, and Lex is a kaleidoscope of fun.
When Lex says he needs a hand, Tyson nods and agrees; then sends a flurry of texts to make sure that it’s a job for the web, or at least not damaging to the web if it’s an independent contract. When Lex says he is in deep water and desperately needs Tyson’s help or he’ll die, Tyson rolls his eyes, orders take-out, and makes some coffee to bring with him for whatever stake-out Lex is currently bored out of his mind on.
When Lex is riding high from a job well done and runs his hand up Tyson’s thigh, Tyson doesn’t falter. He nods and threads his fingers through soft greying hair, pulling Lex closer. Knowing that it’s just fun, that there are no consequences to agreeing or declining. There will always be another time, whether its just fooling around or rolling between the sheets. It’s all in good fun, just blowing off steam.
Knowing that Lex is infinitely less annoying when his mouth is busy, Tyson goes out of his way to buy ice-lollies for Lex; specifically Rowntree’s Fruit Pastille Ice Lollies, because of how perfectly they match the colours Tyson’s Synesthesia projects onto Lex.
His name is Liam Edward Xavier. Or was is Lewis Eliot Xavier? Or perhaps, Leonard Elijah Xavier? Lex may even be short for Alexander. He’s pretty consistent about Xavier, so that’s properly true and when he’s half-awake or drunk, there’s no mistaking that his Irish accent is genuine. He consistently comes back to the rank of Major in his cons, so Tyson suspects that part may also be true.
Ultimately, Tyson isn’t concerned about what the truth is around Lex. He’s harmless. He wouldn’t hesitate to slit Tyson’s throat if someone offered a better deal than the web, but - as no one can offer Lex something better - he remains utterly harmless.
Whenever he’s on a job with Lex, Tyson has two options: let Lex go smoke on his own and get into trouble or to keep an eye on him. Needing his wildcard in hand to be useful, Tyson nearly always chooses to accompany him. Then one of two things happen, he’ll accept his offer to share a cigarette or he’ll decline and end up shotgunning the smoke from Lex anyway.
Lex is useful in his role as a wildcard. He can mix up the deck and disrupt the web in a way that keeps the Moriarty Mirrors entertained, without causing too many problems. Naturally, he does end up causing problems here or there, but Tyson has his wildcard in hand: be that the metaphorical hand on his wallet, or the literal hand cupping him through his jeans.
Lex has a pet caramel carpet python called Toffee. She was originally called caramel, but Lex grew frustrated by the inevitable debate about how that word was pronounced and changed the name to Toffee instead. He genuinely loves Toffee and her terrarium takes up an entire wall of his apartment.
Allegedly: Major Liam Edward Xavier, a.k.a. Lex
UNIVERAL TRUTHS
Blood Type: O Negative
Date of Birth: January 17th 1970 – Capricorn - Rooster (Earth)
DnD Alignment: Lawful Evil
Dominant Hand: Left
Ethnicity: White, Irish
Myers Briggs Type: ENTP-A | The Debater
Orientation: Pansexual
Religion: Catholic raised
Signature:
FAVOURITE
Favourite Animal: Bush Viper
Favourite Author: Neil Gaiman
Favourite Colour: Red
Favourite Film: Dungeons & Dragons
Favourite Food: Mango-Mint Smoothie
Favourite Plant: Moon flowers
Favourite Poem: The Charge of the Light Brigade - Alfred Tennyson
VERSE DEPENDANT
Avatar Element: Water
His Dark Material’s Dæmon: Chameleon
Hogwarts House: Slytherin
Hybrid!Verse Pairing: Leopard Gecko
Mass Effect Species: Drell Biotic
Pokémon Team: Girafarig, Serviper, Shuckle, Camerupt, Kecleon, & Zorua.
Tyson attended Atlas Academy, and later chose to remain with the army, to spite his father: the late John Delaney. He trained as a fighter at a smaller hunter school before joining the army, to spite his father: the late John Delaney. He made it to the rank of Lieutenant, before Sebastian forced his hand into abandoning. Now, he uses his skills in his work for the Moriarty Mirrors.
In this AU, Tyson is a faunus; specially, a (Roe) deer faunus, not that most people could tell. He shaves down his antlers regularly and hides the slight stumps under a beanie. Though he misses his antlers and shaving them down can hurt if he’s not careful, Tyson thinks that it’s worth while to keep his identity hidden. Even in the criminal world, faunus aren’t always welcome.
Tyson’s weapon is a shield that transforms into a combination [fencing] sabre/estoc. When out of combat, it’s usual resting position is a circular shield that straps onto Tyson’s back, typically over his rucksack. His shield is silver with purple details, while the estoc has a silver and purple striped blade and a silver hilt/handle with purple accents. His weapon’s tertiary form is a glock-style handgun, primarily silver with purple accents; and uses the same hilt/handle of the sword form. He uses a variety of magazines each with a different type of Dust.
He uses Dust explosions to hide his strikes, thrown from vials kept on his belt. Tyson, also, uses rocks and earth for cover in fights; such as hitting up dust* with the sabre to blind opponents. Though being part of the web means that Tyson has access to any type of Dust he desires, Tyson tends to only keep three types on his person at any one time; liking the ability to adapt on the fly, without being weighted down by too many vials or magazines: that could be struck and explode accidentally. Largely he uses earth, ice, & gravity with water, steam, & lightening substituting where necessary. *real dust, fine dirt.
Tyson rarely uses his semblance. To effectively access it, Tyson needs complete concentration and to stay perfectly stationary; rarely possible mid-combat. His semblance is a shockwave that pulses out of his aura in all directions. Primarily it exerts forces against anything it contacts, but - providing that Tyson is aware of his surroundings - he can make it pass through/over something without damaging it; such as a team mate. It will sustain for as long as Tyson can keep still and focused, and has aura remaining; more powerful shockwaves will shake him too and break his concentration.
In his RWBY AU, Tyson has his emblem tattooed between his shoulder blades. He had it done - alongside his teammates having their own tattooed - when he was in a team with Captain Samson, Hal Malone, & Bùi Kimiko; before meeting The Colonel and before the dent in his torso was formed.
Tyson’s original team was ATHK (Artichoke), led by Andrew Samson. Now, Tyson is the leader of TCLD (Stormcloud) with Charlie Hotchner, Lex, & Dick Gannon. Though he and Sebastian were partners in the Atlesian army, they were never on an official huntsman team together.
Tyson’s emblem represents a (digital) map pointer, a compass needle, & a compass rose. A compass pointer/rose rotates, as his weapon does, and resembles a shining sun; with one falling silhouette, who flew too close.
A motif continued in some of the other emblems. His mentor, Andrew Samson, has burning wings, or Roman-esque laurels, too close to the flames. Hal and Lex - who Tyson could have been, and who could have been Tyson in another life - have wings: Hal, as doomed to fall in glory as Tyson, and Lex with his false Caduceus; harming, rather than healing.
Kim, golden and glowing, has her arrows; fallen feathers, ready to shoot Tyson - and anyone else - completely out of the sky. Charlie’s favourite flower is Foxgloves, and here she is a fox who fights with her fists. And lastly, Dick: simple and to the point, he’s a salty old guard dog who has a trident and a shield. Simple.
Team ATHK - Artichoke
Andrew Samson - Atlas - Flint & Steel || Tattoo on the centre of his chest Weapon: Fire-Dust infused parrying dagger & scimitar/SMG & Hunting Rifle Semblance: Practically immune to fire damage, redirects fire into his weapon.
Hal Malone - Atlas - Aether & Fortuna || Tattoo on his left upper arm Weapon: Javelin/Spear/Wind and Fire Wheels & Off-hand Revolver Semblance: Never discovered before death.
Bùi Kimiko - Mistral - Neith || Tattoo on the back of her neck Weapon: Recurve Bow/Twin Dao/Double-Barrel Automatic Shotgun Semblance: Quickly travel/teleport as a burst of gold-aura that leaves a trail of smoke.
Sebastian Moran - Vale - Vae Victis - Tiger Faunus (Tail) Weapon: High-Caliber Sniper Rifle/Zweihänder with removable Rapier core Semblance: Can activate his aura to boost his strength to tiger levels.
Team TCLD - Stormcloud
Charlie Hotchner - Vale - Glamour & Valour - Fox Faunus (Ears) Weapon: Dust-infused knuckledusters & Bladed-Tonfas/Kusarigama/Shotguns Semblance: Can manipulate her aura to appear invisible.
Lex - Vacuo - Midas Weapon: Revolver Dust-infused Bo-Staff/Escrima Sticks/Nunchaku/Blow Dart Semblance: When touching another’s aura, ‘saps’ its energy to enhance his own aura.
Dick Gannon - Mistral - Bulwark & Corvus Weapon: Expanding Scutum Shield & Trident/High-Caliber Sniper Rifle Semblance: Can repel liquids, from redirecting rain off his aura to ‘walking on’ water.
Originally from Atlas, Tyson works in Mistral & Vacuo within the web.
In this verse, the Delaney family is notable for making a place for themselves as a faunus family within the Atlas elite; a place they fought tooth and claw to secure, and continued to ruffle metaphorical feathers by primarily hiring other faunus.
Anne Samantha Williams - Marsh Harrier (Wings)
James Delaney - Rabbit (Ears)
Jasmine Dartmoor - Persian (Ears)
Jethro Andrew Delaney - Brown bear (Ears)
John Delaney - Gemsbock (Antlers)
Richard Delaney - Wolf (Ears)
Rosie Delaney - Mountain Lion (Tail)
His aura is maroon and his semblance manifested at a family ball, when a drunk patron began tugging on Tyson’s antlers and threatening to snap them off. When using his semblance or activating his aura, the remaining stumps of his antlers glow like beacons under his beanie, alongside any red in his clothes; like the red in his gloves and the red stripe of his beanie.
Alongside his actual weapon, Tyson keeps a secondary/back up weapon on hand: a store-bought dust-powered pistol/dagger - Pale Sigil that doesn’t require him to carry additional ammo. His weapon is called Triumph, because it uses three separate forms:
Throughout all three stages of Triumph, the handle/hilt with its dual-triggers (and open end for ammo magazines/dust vials) remains the same. To change between the three forms, Tyson rotates the handle in a particular direction. From the sword, rotating clockwise changes the weapon into a pistol and counter-clockwise goes to the targe-style shield.
As a pistol (Tres), Triumph has three modes of fire further augmented by the type of ammo that Tyson is using: single shot, three round burst, and fully automatic. The scope uses a red circle-dot sight and he can turn the guidance laser on/off as desired. Largely Tres is used as a mid- to long-range distance closer.
As a light-weight finesse sword (Trois), Tyson can load in a vial of dust to affect the strikes: typically with ice to freeze opponents once a strike lands. The tapering blade is shaped like an estoc, but has slightly less length; the length of a fencing saber. Tyson generally uses Trois as one would a fencing sword or rapier to fight in his preferred close- to mid-range.
As a targe-style shield (Drei), Triumph’s handle becomes the front grip for his hand and a second securing strap appears behind it for use on either arm. Typically Drei is only used to defend against a particularly strong attack, but he will use it with his backup weapon and vials of dust when he knows he’s in a tricky position.
The purple pattern on Drei is the central part of Tyson’s emblem, based on a compass rose and the sun. Having partially based each form of Triumph off of weapons his family used in the Faunus Rights Revolution & Great War, Tyson decided to keep the traditional family purple rather than matching his own maroon aura.
To keep the element of surprise, Tyson can spin Triumph through several forms before pausing on the desired mode. When not in use, Triumph stays as Drei and attaches to the metal plate on the back of his rucksack. It can stay in any form, but Tyson finds a shield safer to carry around than a gun or a sword.
