Some might consider me to be a terrible worker, if they didn't know the full context.

Just my luck, really. A string of events outside my control, and here I am, back behind this bar counter. I mechanically clean a glass, place it on the shelf behind me, and grab another. Gotta keep everything spotless, just like the boss ordered on day one. Sometimes I wonder if he likes it that way because he can see his reflection in these glasses. I sure do, and good thing my uniform has a tie because it can hide the dumb bell collar.

As I polish another cup, my eyes dart around the club. The repair speed is impressive—some sections look untouched, as if they were never wrecked in the first place. Junior's men are efficient, I'll give 'em that. Probably had plenty of practice.

"Well, well. Look who decided to grace us with his presence again."

I stop mid-wipe, my ears twitching in annoyance as I lift my gaze. There's Melanie, perched on a stool in her usual strapless white getup, eyeing me with amusement.

"For a guy who practically begged for this job, you sure have balls taking so many... let's call them 'vacations.'"

I shrug, resuming my task. "Let's just say Lady Luck and I had a falling out. Losing my first job was just the appetizer for a really shitty week."

The twin leans forward, resting her chin on her hand and flashing a strange smile. "You know, if it wasn't for your psycho girlfriend, Junior would've tossed your ass to the streets a week ago."

Neo did what now?

My ears twitch involuntarily as I look at her.

Melanie's smile turns into a grin, clearly enjoying my reaction. "Oh, you didn't know?How adorable."

Neo might demand a lot of massages in compensation, probably. Very likely. Although, I did give her a massage back in Patch.

"Hang on," I raise a hand. "First off, I was in jail. Second, Neo isn't my psycho girlfriend."

Although, we have gotten a little... physical sometimes. But Melanie doesn't need to know that. Better said that is none of her fucking business!

"Though I won't argue the psycho part. That woman is… complicated,to say the least."

"Oh please," Melanie rolls her eyes. "You used one of our lawyers. Word travels fast around here." She cocks her head, curiosity replacing her usual disdain. "Though I am wondering how you ended up in the slammer. Isn't your Semblance supposed to be perfect for, you know, notgetting caught?"

I let out a bitter laugh. "Wasn't for anything clever. Our common enemy, Goldilocks, tracked me down and decided my face needed remodeling, just like your club. All for that damn bike."

I couldn't help but release a sigh. I should've listened to Neo about repainting it. Hindsight's a bitch.

"Seriously? She got you too?" Melanie's eyebrows shoot up. "Damn, that bimbo has been busy."

I tap my nose. "The bitch broke my nose. And before you ask—yeah, it hurt like hell."

Although it healed itself while I was unconscious. Or maybe the cops did it for me, but I really doubt that.

"Ouch," Melanie actually looks sympathetic for a split second. "Let's thank aura because something like that would have left a very nasty mark."

"Yeah, well, insult to injury? The pig who arrested me was a racist bastard. Shocked me twice, full voltage. Burnt part of my clothes in the process."

Melanie's laugh is sharp and humorless. "Classic VPD. Always looking out for the little guy, right?"

Yeah, fuck those guys.

I finish with the cup and grab another one, my hands practically moving on autopilot.

"Where's Miltia, by the way?" I ask, trying to sound casual.

Melanie shrugs, a hint of sisterly exasperation in her voice. "Sulking somewhere on the second floor, probably. She still hasn't gotten over me ruining her 'special night.'" She gives me a knowing look that suddenly freezes me in place.

"Ah…" I might have forgotten what I have done.

Melanie's smile turns almost predatory. "I must admit, you got me verycurious with all that screaming."

My ears droop low, heat rising to my face. Causing me to look away, searching for a way out. "Fuck, I walked right into this one, didn't I?"

"Oh, you sure did," Melanie purrs, clearly enjoying my discomfort. "But like I've said before, nothing personal. Just family business." She adjusts her hair with practiced nonchalance. "Though my sister deserved a little payback for ruining my fun as well. I won't deny that I enjoyed seeing her reaction."

Time to change the subject before I dig myself into an even deeper hole.

"Do you want something to drink?"

Melanie rolls her eyes dramatically. "About time you asked. I was beginning to think I'd die of thirst here." She raises two fingers, showing off her manicure. "Two margaritas."

I nod, grateful for the distraction. Putting down the cup with the rag inside, I get to work on her order. The familiar routine of grabbing bottles, mixing, and slicing lemons is almost soothing.

I serve the drinks into two cups, adding the lemon slices as a finishing touch. As I slide them towards Melanie, she calmly takes one and pushes the other back to me. "This one's on me."

The drinks are free, but I can appreciate the gesture. I take the offered glass.

She raises her glass. "Cheers."

And I follow suit. "Cheers"

We both take a long sip. I still don't like alcohol, but I can make an exception when I'm the one mixing. It's refreshing, with just the right balance of sweet and tart.

Melanie's satisfied expression mirrors my thoughts. She lowers her glass and licks her lips, her eyes never leaving mine. "You know, even if it wasn't for that crazy bitch of yours, I would've argued for Junior to keep you around." A smirk plays at the corner of her mouth. "Nobody can even hopeto make a drink this good."

She takes another sip, humming in delight.

I can only smirk in victory before gulping down the rest of my drink and let out a sigh of satisfaction.

"Now, how about another round? She says before finishing her drink and sliding her empty glass. "And this time, make it interesting."

I raise an eyebrow. "Interesting how?"

"Surprise me."

Miltia also asked me the same, and I gave her some weird milkshake mix. What should I serve the second twin then?

I turn back to the bar, surveying the array of bottles before me.

"Let's see..." I mutter, grabbing a few bottles of the most interestingcolor.

I work quickly, my hands move, following my instincts as an Adept Culinarian. The clink of ice, the gurgle of liquids, the sharp scent of alcohol and fruit–it's almost meditative.

Finally, I turn back to Melanie with two glasses filled with a swirling, layered concoction. The bottom is a deep purple, fading to a fiery orange, topped with a pale blue foam.

The end result is a surprise even to me. It looks more complex than expected.

"Let's name this…'Vacuo Sunset'," I announce, sliding one glass towards her. "Careful, it might be too strong."

I am quite sure some of the mixed bottles are very strong.

Melanie eyes the drink skeptically. "If this poisons me, I'm coming back to haunt you."

I merely snort. "Too lazy for that."

She raises an eyebrow at that, but takes a sip anyway. Her eyes widen, and for a moment, I see genuine surprise replace her usual cool demeanor.

"Holy shit," she breathes. "This is... actually amazing. No wonder my sister picked you."

I grab my own drink and raise it. "I'm just that special."

The twin clinks her glass against mine. "Just ONEof your many talents, don't you? That won't work on me, by the way."

"Wouldn't dream of it." I take a sip and enjoy the warm taste, the strong alcohol helping me relax a little. "Don't want to be skinned alive after all."

"Touchè."

-Later-

The soft pink sheets cling to me as I drag myself out of bed. I stretch my arms, feeling the satisfying pop of joints, before rubbing my bleary eyes. A yawn manages to escape me, but it's cut short as my ears twitch, picking up the muffled sound of running water from the bathroom.

Well, it shouldn't be a surprise that I ended up temporarily crashing in Neo's apartment until I can find a place for myself. I have a significantly bigger budget and a much better paying legal job, so it shouldn'tbe complicated to find a new place, or at least I hope so.

This arrangement isn't free, though. Nothing ever is in this world. My 'rent'is cooking breakfast every day. That's fair, to be honest. And Neo's easy to please when it comes to food.

I shuffle to the kitchen, my mind already mapping out a quick meal. Neo's got a sweet tooth, so the decision is pretty clear.

Waffles.

I pick up all the ingredients and I whip up the batter and pour it on the waffle iron. As they cook, I slice some strawberries. When the waffle is done, I serve it on a plate where I arrange the fruit on top in a circle. A can of Pepsi completes the setup.

Neo likes the drink and she will pay me back later, so I don't mind giving her one.

Finishing, I quickly wash everything and head outside to meet up with Jeanne, who she has asked to come to the same place as always.

I should shower, but there's no point before training because I will get sweaty anyway. Besides, it's Jeanne, she won't mind.

Although this session might be earlier than usual, that's because it's the only time I actually have free time. Jeanne has plenty of that nowadays since she has no part-time job holding her back. She probably wants to cram in as much training as possible, since Beacon's initiation is coming up.

As I step outside the apartment complex, I pause, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings. It's... nice. Cleaner. Safer. Objectively better than my old neighborhood in every way. So why does a part of me still feel so out of place?

I shake off the feeling and start walking

As I walk along the street, I am already missing the convenience of my borrowedbike after experiencing the thrill and freedom. Returning to the simple act of walking or cramming into a bus full of strangers is a massive downgrade.

Mental note: buy a new bike as soon as possible. It's not like I can't afford one now, even if the thought of spending that much still makes me wince.

The park gradually comes into view, a splash of green amidst the urban sprawl. As I venture deeper into the grounds, the rhythmic sound of metal cutting through air catches my attention. There she is, the blonde knight herself, Jeanne Arc.

I can't help but feel a twinge of pride as I watch her practice her swings. Gone are the days of flailing arms and clumsy swings. Now, her movements are purposeful, each strike cutting a precise arc. Still, old habits die hard. Her hunched posture has always been a problem.

"Hey Jeanne!" I call out as I walk closer while waving, getting her attention.

Jeanne freezes mid-swing, her blue eyes darting up to meet mine. A sheepish smile breaks across her face as she straightens up. "Ma'iq! You made it!"

I snort, crossing my arms. "I gave you my word, didn't I? Although, you still need to practice that posture of yours."

A sheepish smile breaks across her face as she straightens up. "Sorry. I kinda forgot about that. With Beacon's exam being so close. I was too focused on other things to notice that."

Beacon Academy. The name still leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. Ozpin and his shady 'scholarship offer'. Part of me wonders what would've happened if I'd accepted. Would I be heading there with Jeanne, playing student instead of... whatever the fuck I'm doing now?

"So what do you wanna practice now?" I unfurl my arms.

'Class change'

The familiar weight of a dummy sword and shield materializes in my hands. "Sparring, then? Or did you have a specific move in mind? Like that riposte we've practiced last time."

Reinforcing that move would be the best use of our time, I think.

Jeanne considers for a moment, her brow furrowing in thought. But then, to my surprise, she shakes her head and reaches for the sheathe at her hip. "Yeah, about that... Can we skip the training today?"

I blink, frowning slightly. "What?"

She twirls a finger around the end of her ponytail. "Yeah, no training. I just... I don't know. I feel like I need a small break, you know?" Her gaze darts away. "My dad always said it's good to take a break sometimes."

I tilt my head, still feeling confused by her request. "I thought you were eager to cram in as much practice as possible before Beacon."

She shrugs, a sheepish smile playing on her lips as she turns to look at me. "I did say that, but..." Jeanne trails off, her gaze drifting away again. "I don't know, Ma'iq. I just... I need a breather, I guess."

I consider pressing the issue, but forcing her won't help anyone and I can understand her better about breaks. I just came back from mine after all. "Well, it's your call. I won't force you."

With a flick of my wrist, I dismiss the training weapons, replacing them with a pair of ice-cold Pepsi cans. I hand one to Jeanne and take a seat on the grass, cracking mine open.

"Oh, thanks!" Jeanne follows suit, her eyes widening as she takes a sip. "Hey, this tastes amazing!"

I can't help but smirk, leaning back and relishing the familiar burn of my favorite carbonated drink. "Heh, everyone says that."

She settles beside me, taking another long sip, and we just stay there for a moment, watching the blue skies, a silence slowly forming.

Eventually, I break the silence. "Funny thing, you never really told me much about yourself, Jeanne."

"I didn't?" She blinks in surprise.

"Yeah, Jeanne d'Arc from the Arc family, with a long tradition of warriors and knights, if my memory serves me right." I can recall that was a big part of her motivation for wanting to be a Huntress - to continue her family's legacy.

She lets out a small laugh, a finger scratching her cheek. "Oh, yeah. I didn't talk much about myself, did I?"

I snort. "You're not alone in that."

Well, the topic had never really come up before. Neither of us is to blame for the omission.

"So, where are you from, Jeanne?" I prompt, turning to face her.

"Ansel - a somewhat large village east of Vale." she replies.

"Wouldn't that be considered more of a town?" I can't resist pointing out. The corner of my mouth quirking into a half-smile.

Jeanne shrugs, a wry smile tugging at her lips. "Technically, I suppose. But my parents just call it a village, so that's what I'm used to."

Nodding, I take another sip.

"And what about you, Ma'iq?" she asks, her blue eyes meeting mine. "Where are you from?"

The smile fades from my face as I glance down at the can in my hands. "A rundown, forgotten village in the middle of nowhere in Vacuo…," I pause as I furrow my brows. "Can't even remember the name of the damn place. Maybe even the people there didn't bother to give it a proper name."

My life there had been so forgettable. In contrast, the almost-year I'd spent in Kuo Kuana was more memorable. Should I feel sad about this?

"You hated your home?"

Jeanne's question pulls me from my reverie, and I blink a few times before pondering how to respond. "I wouldn't say I hated it, per se…" I begin, stroking my chin thoughtfully. "But I definitely loathed living there."

I sigh, struggling to find the right words. "It's hard to explain, Jeanne. But I'm sure you've heard - Vacuo isn't exactly a nice place, especially for a street kid like me." A wry smile tugs at the corner of my mouth. "That's why I saved up some money and tried to move to Menagerie when I could."

Jeanne's eyes widen slightly. "You tried to move to Menagerie?"

I nod. "Tried, but..." My voice trails off, and I can't help the bitter edge that creeps in. Damn Sienna and her stupid pilgrimage plan. I still owe her a punch to the throat for that.

A goal that is getting closer, slow but steady.

I know I've grown stronger since then - strong enough to handle all those giant Grimm on my own, or surviving a freaking Grimm tide, even if Blake did help. Speaking of which… I pull out my scroll, checking for any messages, only to be greeted by the familiar disappointment of an empty inbox. Not even a word from Levi.

"Ma'iq?"

Why haven't I received a single message? Did Blake lie to me, back then? Maybe she never intended to send anything, just trying to make me feel better about the shitty situation when we were trapped underground with a Grimm tide on our tails?

A sigh escapes my lips, and I find myself lying back on the grass, staring up at the clouds. I'm just being an idiot about everything, it seems. If I want something, I need to go out and do it myself – I know this, but why do I keep my hopes up that the other would happen?

"Ma'iq? Are you okay?" She asks again.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine," I lie, offering her a reassuring smile. "Just... some unpleasant memories, that's all."

Jeanne's brow furrows slightly. "Menagerie was bad?"

I let out a casual shrug. "Eh, no, I enjoyed my time there. I just... kind of pissed off the wrong people, so I had to move to Vale." It's not entirely a lie, but the full truth will be omitted. "What about you?"

"Oh," Jeanne murmurs, showing a thoughtful expression. "I didn't get to travel much, but we did go to Mistral as a family a few times." A small giggle escapes her. "It rains a lot there, but the rain is warm, you know? Even the nights are hot, so we were allowed to eat ice cream."

Family. The word hangs in the air, and I find myself unable to respond immediately. Instead, I push myself to a sitting position, turning to face Jeanne.

"Jeanne, can I ask you a weird question?" The words tumble out before I can stop them.

Her blue eyes widen slightly. "Eh, sure?"

I let out a self-deprecating laugh, as I cannot back out now. "What's it like... to have a family?"

Jeanne's surprise morphs into a pensive frown as she grabs her chin, mulling over the question. "I... I've never really thought about it," she admits. "But it feels... full? Nice? Annoying, sometimes, but..." A gentle smile spreads across her face. "I wouldn't change for anything in the world."

Suddenly, her expression lights up, and she turns to me, eyes shining. "I know! Why don't you come with me to Ansel when the first semester is over? You can get the full Arc family experience with my parents and siblings!"

My ears perk up at the invitation, and I can't help the small flicker of interest that sparks within me. "I guess I wouldn't mind that, yeah, sure."

[Affection with Jeanne d'Arc increased by 7, 28/100]

"I can already imagine my sisters' reaction when they meet you," Jeanne giggles, taking a quick sip of her drink.

I roll my eyes, taking a long pull from my own can. It should be about half empty by now. "Never seen a faunus before?"

"Oh, no, nothing like that!" Jeanne waves a hand dismissively. "We've met a few faunus families back home. I meant the ears andthe tail." She points at my twitching traitor.

I glance back instinctively, feeling my tail wag a little. Rather than be embarrassed, though, I flash her a grin. "What can I say? Iamspecial."

Our laughter rings out, a spontaneous burst that has me doubling over. When the weird humor finally subsides, Jeanne gulps down the rest of her drink before crushing the can and tossing it aside.

"Hey, can you still drive me to the airport?" she asks.

I cock an eyebrow. "I thought I already said yes?" I distinctly remember promising to take her, weeks ago.

"Well, yeah, but that was weeks ago, before Beacon postponed the initiation," she quickly explains.

"The promise still stands," I assure her. "Just tell me the day and hour."

"Friday, 8 AM?" she suggests.

"Okay, at your hotel, right?" I confirm, already making another mental note right next to other about buying a new bike.

She nods.

I finish the rest of my drink and follow Jeanne's example, crushing the can in my hand and tossing it aside.

Silence envelops us once more as we stare into the distance. Or so I thought, until Jeanne lets out a long, exasperated sigh, prompting me to glance at her as she slowly lies down on the grass.

"Hey Ma'iq," she calls out, her gaze fixed on the sky above.

"Yeah?" I respond, my curiosity piqued by her pensive tone.

"Do you think... do you think I'm ready? For Beacon, I mean." Her voice wavers slightly, betraying her uncertainty.

I try to answer her with a simple 'Yes'but no sound comes out and closes my mouth again, considering her question carefully. "Ready how?"

Jeanne sits up, hugging her knees to her chest. "All this training we've been doing - the sparring, the lessons... Will it be enough for me to pass the initiation?"

Her abrupt question makes me frown, a twinge of concern flickering across my face. I open my mouth to reassure her, but no words come out. I awkwardly close it, realizing that this isn't a matter to be taken lightly.

Jeanne's aura remains locked, a significant disadvantage in every way. She has yet to face a real Grimm, and I fear she might freeze when confronted with one. But despite these obstacles, she's made noticeable progress. She has the foundations of combat, the basics we've been honing together, just as I promised her the first time we met.

I can't help but think about how much easier this would be if she'd attended combat school. Beacon is a different beast altogether. But Jeanne is a quick learner, even if she doesn't quite match my pace. With the right support, she could catch up. Maybe someone at Beacon could even help her unlock her aura. It's a gamble, though - the odds aren't exactly in her favor.

Pressing my lips into a thin line, I choose my words carefully. "Honestly, if you'd asked me that when we first met, I would've said no, not a chance. But now? I think you've got a shot. It's not a guarantee, but it's something, even if it is really small."

Jeanne is quiet for a moment, processing my response. "...Thanks, Ma'iq. For being straight with me, I mean."

"Hey, I'm just calling it like I see it. Don't take it personally," I say, trying to lighten the mood.

"No, no, I'm not upset. It's just... everyone else has always told me I couldn't do it, or they'd lie to make me feel better. But you? You're being real with me. You actually believein me, even if the odds are stacked against me. That... that means a lot."

I can't help but chuckle, rubbing the back of my neck. "Well, if I didn't believe in you, wouldn't that be like admitting I'm a terrible teacher? Nah, you've got this, Jeanne. Just don't let me down out there, okay?"

A smile spread across her face as she absently twirls her ponytail. "I won't. I promise."

As I look back into the distance, a flash of green hair catches my eye, instantly souring my mood. The figure approaches, and I realize with a sinking feeling that it's the lapdog of that bitch. And I can't let Jeanne get dragged into this mess.

Abruptly, I stand up, brushing off the grass, clinging to my clothes. "Hey, I gotta run. Work stuff, you know how it is with coworkers."

Jeanne's confusion melts away, replaced by a knowing look. "Ah, yeah, especially the newbies, right?"

"Exactly. Gotta go sort out that mess now, lucky me, eh?" I force a grin, hoping it doesn't look as strained as it feels.

"Good luck then!" My apprentice waves, a gesture I return before walking away with fast steps.

Instead of heading straight towards Emerald, I veer off in the opposite direction, ducking into a different street. An alley catches my eye, and I make a beeline for it. Once I've arrived, I lean against the wall to wait for inevitable confrontation.

It might be pointless that things won't turn violent, but I will hold on to that.

It doesn't take long for Cinder's lapdog to stalk into the alley. Her face twisted in a scowl. "Why the hell are you here?"

I raise an eyebrow, feigning nonchalance. "Oh, you know, just enjoying my free time. Something wrong with that?"

Emerald's red eyes narrow. "There's work to be done, and you're wasting time. Move your ass to the warehouse and do your damn job."

The same old bullshit as last time. Figures.

I meet her glare with one of my own. "I'll get to it when I have to. What I do in my free time is none of your fucking business. Now go back to your owner."

She takes a step forward, shifting her posture. "No, you're coming with me right now. Or you will regret it."

I can't believe this bitch has the nerve to boss me around after what happened the last time she tried.

Cinder's pet or not, Emerald has no fucking right to order me around. She is a nobody.

"Fuck off," I spit at her feet. I turn to leave, eager to put some distance between myself and this insufferable woman, so I no longer waste my time with this girl.

But Emerald isn't having it. She lashes out, aiming a kick at my stomach.

Instinctively, I catch her ankle mid-strike, relishing the look of shock that flashes across her face before I toss her aside like a rag-doll.

She stumbles, falling ungracefully on her ass. For a moment, she sits there, mouth agape, before her features twist into a snarl. She pushes herself up, lunging at me with a wild punch aimed at my face.

I duck under her fist, feeling the rush of air as it passes overhead. "You really want to do this? After lasttime?"

Yet she only hardens her glare, which is enough confirmation as she throws another punch.

'Class change'

I focus on her incoming fist and shoot my hand out to grab her wrist, but suddenly, my stomach explodes in pain, knocking the air out of my lungs. I fall to one knee, desperately gasping for breath.

"W-what the fuck?" I rasp out, looking back at the bitch. She's already sending a kick towards my face, but my vision flashes, and it changes to Emerald coming down with a punch instead.

Not given time to think, I react instinctively to the punch, managing to stop her fist with one hand. She gasps in surprise as I twist her arm and counter, driving my fist deep into her stomach with added interest.

Emerald grits her teeth and tries to kick my legs, but mine are faster than hers. I drive a knee into her stomach, not wasting a single second, before I take hold of her shoulders. With a roar, I lift her body and slam it against the wall.

She crumbles to the ground, clutching her stomach with a whimper. But I don't feel any fucking sympathy for this lapdog. Her aura isn't flashing, so I still need to beat her into submission.

As I approach her, she suddenly rolls and throws something at my face. Unfortunately, it enters both my eyes, causing me to take several steps back as my hands frantically rub my eyes, trying to get off whatever she threw at them, to no avail.

"FUCK!"

This fight is far from over. My arms flail wildly, cutting through empty air like desperate windmills. It's a pathetic defense, but I'm hoping it'll keep her at bay long enough for me to recover. Fat chance.

A cold steel chain materializes around my throat, biting into my flesh. Panic surges through me as it tightens, crushing my throat.

Instinct takes over. My body thrashes violently, every muscle straining to break free from this death grip. But the more I struggle, the tighter the chain becomes. Fuck. I'm forced to use my hands, clawing at the metal links cutting into my skin.

A memory flashes–my first fight against an aura user and what exactly that bastard did to throw me off. Summoning my strength, I let out a primal roar and slam my back against the wall. Hard.

I hear a pained grunt.Good.

I slam my back again.

And again.

And again.

The pressure around my throat lessens. It's now or never. With a surge of adrenaline, I yank the chain off and grab a fistful of Emerald's hair, finally throwing her away like the trash that she is and hearing her body crash with a thud and the clattering of her weapons.

The sudden release has me gasping, gulping down air like a drowning man. My hand instinctively goes to my throat, feeling the raw, tender skin where the chain bit in. But I can't afford to worry too much as my eyes lock onto the bitchy lackey's crumpled form as she desperately crawls towards her weapons.

"Y-you're going to regret that," I snarl, my voice a raspy growl. I take a step forward, ready to end this once and for all.

But then my ears twitch. There's a faint whistle, barely audible in this mess. My body moves before my mind can catch up, ducking low. A gust of wind so strong it feels solid whooshes over my head, leaving a gaping hole in the wall behind me.

I whirl around, fists raised, adrenaline pumping. Only to find Mercury. Standing at the alley entrance, casual as you please, smoke still curling from his lowered boot.

"You dodged," he comments with a frown, his stance deceptively casual. But I'm not fooled; I can see the coiled tension in his muscles, ready to spring into action at a moment's notice.

"Mercury," I spit, my voice rough from Emerald's attack. "What the fuck are you doing here?"

He shrugs, that infuriating smirk still playing at the corners of his mouth. "Oh, you know. Just out for a stroll, thought I'd see what all the commotion was about. But it was Em being a failure, as expected."

I only growl and summon my brass knuckles, slowly materializing around my fingers, getting ready for the second round. These bastards want a fight? I'll give them a war.

But Mercury's hands shoot up in surrender, faster than I thought possible. "Woah buddy, relax. Not here to fight. Just to stop my dumb partner from committing more mistakes."

His words do nothing to ease the tension coiled in my muscles. If anything, they make me scowl harder. "Then why shoot me?"

"Only way to get your attention." He accompanies his reply with another casual shrug, as if nearly blowing my head off was no big deal.

A heavy silence falls over the alley, thick with unspoken threats and simmering anger. The only sounds are Emerald's labored breathing and the distant hum of the city. However, I won't let this circus continue.

"Your partner is a fucking bitch." The words come out as a low growl.

To my surprise, Mercury snorts. "I know. I should thank you for knocking her down a peg. Maybe that will teach her." His eyes flick to Emerald's crumpled form behind me. "But knowing her, I doubt she will learn anything from this either way."

Slowly, I lower my fists, but every sense in my body remains on high alert. I'm not stupid enough to let my guard down around this bastard. His stance might look relaxed, but I can see the predatory look in his eyes, ready to strike at a moment's notice.

Without taking my eyes off him, I walk towards the street to leave this place.

As I draw level with him, I pause. Our eyes lock, and for a moment. "Tell your boss to control her lapdog or I will kill her."

Mercury doesn't cower. Instead, he has the audacity to chuckle in my face, his eyes glinting with something that might be respect–or might be mockery. "Sure. Call me if you do."

Asshole.

---

-Later, somewhere in the Industrial District-

"You incompetent fool!" Cinder snarled, her voice dripping with venom. Emerald crumpled to her knees, her hand trembling as it touched the angry red mark on her cheek. She kept her gaze fixed on the floor, unable to meet Cinder's piercing stare. "I gave you one simple task, and you couldn't even manage that!"

"Please, Cinder, I-I can explain—" Emerald stammered, her voice barely above a whisper that only infuriated her even more.

"Silence!" She stomped on the floor, causing the idiot to flinch. "I don't want to hear your excuses. You've embarrassed enough as it is!"

Emerald's eyes widened as realization dawned on her. "But he-he's different. He broke through my semblance multiple times. I don't know how—"

Cinder's hand shot out, grabbing Emerald by the collar and yanking her to her feet. "I don't care about your failures or whatever pathetic excuse," she hissed, her face mere inches from Emerald's. "If he could break your illusions, then WHY did you keep using them?! Or is your brain as useless as your semblance proved to be today?"

Emerald's mouth clamped shut, her eyes averting from her intense gaze.

That girl knew she was right.

Cinder released her grip, letting her disappointing subordinate fall to the ground in a heap. "Your weakness reflects poorly on me," she said. "They'll start to question my power, my control. My authority. And it's all because of you."

"It won't happen again, I swear it!" Emerald pleaded.

Cinder raised her hand, causing the disappointing girl to flinch, expecting another blow. But it never came because it wasn't worth it. Instead, she turned her attention to Mercury, who stood silently nearby.

"And you," she said, her eyes narrowing. "I expected better from you. You're supposed to be stronger than that animal. To put him back in his place. So why did you do nothing?"

Mercury nonchalantly shrugged. "I did try. But he easily dodged my bullets without even looking. He couldn't even see them before. I quickly understood that if we were to fight, then it would cause a loud enough commotion to bring the cops' attention. And you were clear with your orders to not cause problems."

Cinder's brow furrowed because he was right. The VPD started to act against them. But that only made her seethe more as it was clear how much Emerald blatantly disobeyed her.

"Keep a close eye on Emerald," she ordered, her gaze shifting back to the green-haired girl. "Don't let her out of your sight from now on. Or it will be you who will be punished."

"Got it, boss," Mercury said with a mock salute.

Cinder waved her hand dismissively. "Now, get out of my sight. Both of you. I need to think about how to salvage your mess."

Mercury hauled Emerald to her feet, and the two quickly made their exit, leaving Cinder alone with her thoughts.

She paced the room, her mind racing. Roman Torchwick was a wild card, an opportunist bastard who would jump at the chance to betray her. And that pint-sized psychopath he kept around... she was far too perceptive for Cinder's liking. The small bitch was slowly realizing her bluff.

Those mismatched eyes were starting to give her looks that she recognized all too well.

Even with half the Maiden's power, she wasn't fully certain she could take them both in a direct confrontation.

And with the animal growing stronger and her own subordinates proving less than reliable, Cinder knew she would soon be put at a disadvantage and potentially lose everything. When they rebelled.

And she couldn't just go and kill the cat because the midget was proctecting him, if that wasn't obvious, and if she somehow managed then Neo would break all pretense and try to kill her.

She needed a new plan, and she needed it fast.

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