I would like to thank everyone for reading this story; I only posted the first chapter because I've had it written in a notebook for over a year. I know my writing isn't that good but thank you all for taking an interest in the story anyways! This is going to be reasonably short having about 10-15 chapters depending on chapter length, I'm thinking of trying to make everything from this point at least 2000 words. Having any questions or whatever just ask through review or something.
Emerald looked at Cinder in both awe and pride, to say that the woman has a hard time opening up to others was an understatement. It usually took a scolding from Jaune to get Cinder to acknowledge that she was anything but perfect; so for her to openly come out about one of her few insecurities was a big step. Also, it means that Emerald was right when she recommended therapy! And here I thought thing were going to to go nowhere or wrong; I can't wait for Cinder to praises me for my suggestion! Of course, that means I'll get a friendly big hug and thanks from Jaune as well, to be held in his masculine caregiver ar- She let out a small yelp feeling Cinder's heel dig into her foot, she turned and was greeted by the woman's very bemused face.
"Don't think I didn't notice you were thinking about something involving my husband, I don't know what it was but just know I'm always watching." Emerald felt her blood run cold at the tone in which her friend spoke, where she was reminded of the golden rule in their friendship. The dark-skinned girl just nodded her head and suddenly began looking at the ground finding a sudden interest in it. Cinder's expression turned to that of boredom as she watched her therapist jolting down something during the interaction between the two women, she was curious about what the woman had in store for her as far as treatments go.
"First of all, I would like to congratulate you on this breakthrough, while it's just the first step of many you've shown a willingness to improve." Cinder rolled her eyes at the speech; she has watched enough TV with her husband to know that this was just common therapist jargon. She will never know what he found so interesting about those tabloid talk shows "Now that you have admitted your problem we can build on that, however, our session is almost over so I would like you to bring someone new with you during your next appointment."
This request, however, caught Cinder off guard which were something that didn't frequently happen, but of course, she didn't allow it to show on her face as she merely raised an eyebrow. "May I ask why that you want me to do that?" One of the only reasons she even agreed to come to therapy is because Elm said that she was going to be with her the whole time. Cinder barely had people she could stand having a conversation with let alone sitting in on her therapy session listening in on vital moments in her life.
"As you could probably tell I not much of a people person, that trait belongs to my other half, and he wouldn't be able to make it to these sessions. He has four smaller version of me to watch over along with a house, so I don't see him having time to pop in here."
"I see, well the reason for this is because while Emerald does seem to care about you a lot I can tell her loyalty to you would stop her from saying much that would depict you in a negative light. So getting others in here to talk with about you will allow me to hone in on a solution. Also, seeing how others view you might be something that helps you a bit as well." Cinder thought about her words for a few moments trying to find any flaw in her logic. But nothing worth bring up came to mind, Cinder was all too familiar with the concept of getting others to help do your dirty work "I'm sure there are people in your life that you aren't considering or just writing off, so I can just get in contact with your husband."
The professional facade of Blanchette shattered as Cinder closed the distance between them in less than a second. She knew that when going into the life of someone like Cinder there might be unfavorable responses, however, the resolve and confident she built burned to ashes in the amber flames in Cinder's eyes. The desk beneath her palms began to smoke from the heat being generated by her, she slowly lowered her head closer and closer to the girl's toning out Emeralds pleads for her to calm down.
"Listen" Her voice was no more then a whisper, the calmness was far more debilitating then any roar of angry "I'll play my role as your patent if I must, and I'll find people to bring here. However, you don't ever try to talk to my husband. You don't ask questions about him; you don't say his name, you don't even bring him up. If I find out that you have any contact with him, you'll be all alone in your next family picture." Cinder slowly lifted one of the pictures on the desk; it was the one of Blanchette at a very young age with her mother and father in a field. The frame melted before flames began eating the picture from all sides.
"Cinder please stop!" Finally, Emerald's voice was able to break through to Cinder snapping her out of her daze, the flame that ate away at the picture stopped burning the area around the image but leaving the people unsaved. With a clear head, Cinder looked at the young woman in front of her and saw that she was shaking, a feeling a dread came over her when she realized that she might have signed away her freedom. Cinder backed away slowly and bowed.
"I'm sorry for that outburst, I allowed my composure to leave me and that not very becoming of the current Arc matriarch. If you want to info law enforcement, I understand but just allow me to contact my husband first" Emerald walked beside Cinder and mimicked her action, she was supposed to make sure her friend didn't get into trouble and failed. Blanchette took a few deep breathes as she tried to calm herself, in her head, she kept saying that this is what she signed up to do.
"It quite alright Cinder, I've come to expect this kind of outburst during assignments like these, and you showed great restraint in the end, so I forgive you. Next week just come in with a new guest, one that is preferably a huntsman" With that Cinder and Emerald gave causal waves for heading out the room, there was silence between as they got outside.
"You know that I'm going to have to inform Jaune of this right?" Emerald said with a sheepish look only to get a grunt out of Cinder. She was dreading hearing him lecture and nag her about keeping herself in check, but of course, it's the price she pays for having someone who cares.