Look around, kid, I've got this town running scared. Police camping out at every corner, Dust prices through the roof and we're sitting pretty in an old warehouse with more Dust crystals, vials and rounds than we know what to do with.
”
—Roman to Mercury, on his contribution to Cinder's plan
Now, I'll be the first to admit, humans... are the worst. Case in point.
”
—Roman, gesturing to himself
“
But, before the claws come out, I'd like to mention the fact that you and I all have a common enemy: the ones in control; the people pulling the strings; the dirty, rotten humans that run our kingdoms! Government; military; even the schools: they're all to blame for your lot in life! And they're all pests that need to be dealt with! Fortunately, I'm the best exterminator around... No offense to any rodents in the room.
Little Red, little Red, you are just determined to be the hero of Vale, aren't you?
”
—Roman, to Ruby
“
You're asking the wrong questions, Red! It's not what I have to gain, it's that I can't afford to lose!
”
—Roman, to Ruby
“
I may be a gambling man, but even I know that there are some bets you just don't take.
”
—Roman, to Ruby
“
Like it or not, the people that hired me are going to change the world! You can't stop 'em, I can't stop 'em!
”
—Roman, explaining his motivation to Ruby
“
You know the old saying, if you can't beat 'em—
”
—Roman, interrupted by Ruby
“
You got spirit, Red. But this is the real world! The real world is COLD! The real world doesn't care about spirit!
”
—Roman, to Ruby
“
You want to be a hero? Then play the part and die like every other Huntsman in history! As for me, I'll do what I do best: lie, steal, cheat and survi-!
”
—Roman's last words to Ruby before being eaten alive
—Neo-Roman, when Ruby stares at the large potrait of him and Neo
“
Been a while. How’s the hero biz treatin’ ya? I gotta say, you’re not looking too good.
”
—Neo-Roman, to Ruby
“
Yeesh, no manners. And after everyone came out to see you!
”
—Neo-Roman, to Ruby
“
Reality’s gettin’ fuzzier by the minute, kid.
”
—Neo-Roman, to Ruby
“
Y’know once Neo realized where she was, everything changed. Always loved the idea of a place to run away from it all. Do whatever you want. But we all remember how that ended.
”
—Neo-Roman, to Ruby of Neo's desire and how Roman was killed in the Battle of Beacon
“
They say everyone thinks they’re the hero of their own story. But… I knew what I was. And deep down, I think you know you are too.
”
—Neo-Roman, to Ruby
“
Oh, you’re familiar? How about a little reset?
”
—Neo-Roman to Ruby, suggesting taking the Ascension
“
You don’t deserve to die, Red. You deserve to be broken down… Torn apart… wiped from existence.
”
—Neo-Roman, to Ruby
“
Do you really think you can stand to watch more of your friends fall? Or are you ready to admit the truth? That the world would just be better off without you?
”
—Neo-Roman's words to Ruby before she drinks the tea and ascends
“
You’ve finally done it! Little Red’s gone. With your Semblance stronger than ever now, we can take over this whole absurd place!
”
—Neo-Roman's voice to Neo after Ruby ascended
“
Why not? Offing Little Red can’t be all you wanted… Right?
”
—Neo-Roman's voice to Neo, questioning Neo's desire to kill Ruby
Here I am, a boy, and I just about bested two of your Spiders. And everyone knows it. It took a dozen of them to bring me in--and I only cooperated because I wanted to meet you.
With all due respect, your crew is a disgrace. If they can lose to me when it's two against one, how can they intimidate anyone? How can you trust them to get the job done?
”
—Roman, pointing out the inadequacy of Lil' Miss' current goons
Chapter Four: Steal[]
“
Sharing the profit means sharing the risk. Working with a partner doubles the chance of failure, for half the incentive.
It's pathetic. You're pathetic. I really did respect you. I thought I wanted to be you. But I see that all of this--you didn't earn it.
”
—Roman, manipulating Paul Parrot's emotions
“
Girls, you were terrific back there. All in a good day's work. Maybe we don't need to tell your mother about this, hmmm?
”
—Roman congratulates the Malachite Twins
“
We took away Parrot's most valuable possession, what he used to make people afraid of him--and he was arrested. It all worked out. Just like I planned.
”
—Roman, justifying his actions to Lil' Miss
Chapter Six: Cheat[]
“
Looks like you're still open after all! Guess we'll see if you can really fix anything.
In my experience, some things are harder to mend than others, and the healing process can be long and painful.
I've realized the error of my ways and want to give up my life of crime, et cetera et cetera. Kidding, of course. I just figured we could cut to the chase. Actually, skip the chase entirely.
”
—Roman, turning himself in
“
Look, we have the same goal here. You want to get the praise for bringing me in. And I want to talk to your boss.
”
—Roman, knowing that their "boss" is not the chief of police
“
Of course I recognize you. You're the head of the Xiong crime family. I was hoping to meet you. I figured my stunt yesterday would get the attention of the biggest crime boss in Vale.
They call me a crook, but what you just did to that prime rib is the real crime.
”
—Roman chastises the Malachite Twins for ruining his meal
“
You're coming on a little strong. If you girls wanted to dance, all you had to do was ask. But please, you're going to have to take turns. I know you've never liked sharing.
”
—Roman taunts the Malachite Twins after they throw him through a window
“
Who are you? Is this--
”
—Roman, upon meeting Neopolitan and witnessing her Semblance for the first time
Chapter Thirteen: New Girl[]
“
My name is Roman. Roman Torchwick. Which of course you know. I mean, not 'of course.' Not to make it sound like I'm famous or anything...
”
—Roman's awkward introduction to Neopolitan
“
That's a much bigger question than you think. But you should also be wondering, how did I find you? You don't think I was just randomly walking the streets hoping I'd run into you, did you?
”
—Roman's response when Neo asked why he was following her
Chapter Fourteen: Tea for Two[]
“
I looked it up. I wasn't expecting to get quite so many hits. That triple spiral, it's kind of a symbol for ladies in high society. A badge or whatever. And then there's your uniform, though you've updated it some. It wasn't hard to connect you with Lady Browning's Preparatory Academy for Girls."
”
—Roman explains how he tracked Neo down
“
That's right. I'm laying low, too. I've discovered that the downside to being so recognizable is that you're easier to find when people come looking for you.
”
—Roman describes the woes of his audacious lifestyle to Neo
“
But you aren't a hardened criminal yet and I wouldn't recommend it.
I mean, sure, you get to do whatever you want. No one tells you what to do. You can stay up as late as you like. As long as you don't get caught. Or mixed up with someone like Lil' Miss.
”
—Roman attempts to dissuade Neo from pursuing crime only to shill it instead
“
I've heard rumors that Lil' Miss is challenging the Vale crime bosses--expanding her horizons, if you know what I mean. If her daughters are at your school, that can't be a coincidence... I'm thinking they're involved somehow. Would you mind snooping around the academy a little?
”
—Roman attempts to recruit Neo to his cause
“
You don't want to miss school. Okay. Okay. You know, it's better that way. You're right--you shouldn't hang around with me. You'll just get into trouble and regret it one day. Why ruin a good thing, right?
”
—Roman's response when Neo refuses
“
And I think we might actually work well together. So if you change your mind about that favor I asked you for, look me up. See you around.
”
—Roman leaves the door open for Neo
Chapter Sixteen: Partners in Crime[]
“
Well, first, Lil' Miss Malachite wouldn't knock on the door--she would knock it down.
”
—Roman explains how he saw through Neo's clever disguise
“
No tricks.
I mean, of course tricks. But you need to learn how to fight without them first.
”
—Roman instructs Neo to not be over-reliant on her Semblance
“
Don't get mushy on me. You needed a real weapon, now you have one. I'm really being selfish when you think about it, since I don't want you getting me killed.
Now then... Time to put in a night's work. Wouldn't you agree, my fang friends?
”
—Roman, to the White Fang members
“
Ha ha! I'm afraid you're got it all wrong. Them? Taking orders from me? Perhaps you didn't get the memo, Little Miss All-Star Student. They and I have joined together in service of a grand, sublime plan. We are partners. Equals, even.
”
—Roman, to Blake
“
Witness with your own eyes, then. You speak of "taking back pride"? Do that pride ever even exist? Well...? Faunus...?
Why I am, a human, among you? Because, you like you... I wish to see this world turned upside down. I have the power to do so at my disposal. Wouldn't you fine peaople like to have the power yourselves? Currently, in the southeast of Vale... There is a large-scale strategic operation. I plan to send you all there... To prepare to strike back against those rotten humans. So I ask you... Will you bend to power? Or seize it for yourselves?
”
—Roman's speech, about the humans to the White Fang recruits
“
Thank you, Thank you, one and all. I'm so glad you're pleased with my suggestion. But I seem to be forgetting somethings... Ah, yes. We have intruders. No, this is perfect purging this vermin infestation... Will make for the perfect demonstration of our new weapon.
”
—Roman, informing the White Fang recruits about Blake and Sun
My My... Seeing those looks on your faces... Makes me... want to keep playing until you break...
”
—Roman, to Team RWBY, after he foresee their attacks
“
Tell me something. Did you truly believe you had what it took to stop me and your brethren? You? a girl who... Betrayed her old times just to assuage her own guilt? You set aside the mask of the White Fang... And- Poseur that you are- donned the mask of a Huntress. Your rash actions have once again... gotten your allies hurt. Allow me to clear. no matter what you do, it won't erase your past sins. You'll never be any sort of hero.
”
—Roman, to Blake
“
Ha Ha. Impressive... For children. You turned my new toy to scrape some prototype.
”
—Roman, to Team RWBY
“
Neo...? You have the worst timing, I swear.
”
—Roman, complaining about Neo being late to assist him
“
Sure, Sure. I understand. Cinder is hopping mad, yes? You're so very serious, underneath that eccentric look.
”
—Roman, to Neo talking about Cinder
“
On that note, young ladies... The clock is about to strike midnight. So our ball must come to and end-
Since you went to the trouble by dropping by... I would have loved to entertain you myself... But alas... These ones... have far more pressing business with a human such as yourself. Plenty of fun to be had, I'm sure.
Let me make myself clear-I may have teamed up with you people... And now, I'm hopping mad. ...But I'm no hired goon. Interfere, and you'll be the first ones to die.
”
—Roman, threatens Neo if she interferes with his battles again
“
Excellent. Do your worst... Little Red!
”
—Roman, to Ruby
“
The curtain has risen on this show of ours. No matter the conclusion.. It cannot fall before the end. Remember this... Villainy has its own sense of style. So come how- Play my foil to the last... Ruby Rose!
”
—Roman, to Ruby about the role of being a villain
About Torchwick[]
“
I don't have time for your misplaced blame, girl. I didn't kill your boss. If you want revenge, take it up with "Little Red".
