Coming up, Cinder heads into Vale and meets a dashing stranger!
Cinder strode idly through the human town. This was Vale, if she remembered her mother's teachings correctly. This city wasn't much, but that's to be expected. It was one of the few towns in the kingdom still standing, possibly the only town in the kingdom still standing. Not for long if Cinder had her way, but she wasn't on a destruction mission today. In fact, she wasn't on a mission at all.
Streets passed as Cinder strolled leisurely through the town. She was just taking a day away from the fortress, seeing the sights, watching the people, the like. It also allowed her to survey those her mother wanted to get rid of.
A siren sounded nearby and Cinder moved closer curiously. Apparently, there had been a robbery. Fascinating. She spotted someone disappearing into the shadows and gave chase.
The sneak was fast, but their bright red hair was an easy enough beacon to track them with. Cinder followed in the shadows, letting the thief lead her to whatever secure place they were heading to. The buildings began looking less like shops and more like warehouses. The hideout couldn't have been far now.
Sure enough, the thief ducked into an empty warehouse, sealing the exit behind them. Cinder rolled her eyes and leapt up to one of the windows. With a simple gesture, the glass was gone and she climbed through, dropping onto one of the high rises. Moving quietly, she spotted the red hair from before and looked down below.
"Woohoohoo!" a voice cheered. "Now this is a good day's haul! Let's see… some sapphires, a few rubies, ick diamonds… ooh! Obsidian!"
It must have been a jewelry store. Cinder shrugged. She had come this far, might as well meet her new interest. Leaping from the level, she used her replaced arm to catch herself without making a sound. Leaning against a pole, she called, "Diamonds aren't really my type, either. I'm more of an opal kind of girl."
Within seconds, she was staring down the barrel of a cane-shaped gun. Olive eyes glared at her as the thief growled, "How'd you get in here?"
"Window." Cinder calmly pointed to the above entrance.
The thief grumbled unintelligibly before lowering his gun. Cinder raised an eyebrow at that and followed as this interesting human returned to the stolen goods. "I just told you how I got in and you're going to let me live?"
The thief snorted. "If you're smart enough to track me all the way back here, you're leagues smarter than the cops lookin' for me. By that logic, you're not gonna turn me in." Cinder was highly impressed. "Take a seat if you're stayin', sweetheart. Name's Roman, by the by. Roman Torchwick."
"Pleasure," Cinder chuckled. She didn't understand why him calling her sweetheart made her heart jump, but she kind of liked it. "I'm Cinder. Cinder Fall."
"Honor's mine." Roman went back to his stolen jewelry and Cinder watched him curiously.
"You're intriguing," she murmured. "You're letting a complete stranger loiter on your territory."
Roman shrugged, finally finished sorting his valuables. "My territory, my decision. And who am I to refuse the company?" He shot her a smirk and Cinder's heart jumped again.
"My mother would have the head of any intruder," the brunette responded.
"Sounds stingy to me," her new associate huffed, lighting a cigar. "Probably would be exactly the kind of place I'd rob."
Cinder hid a smirk. "I doubt that. We don't really have anything…"
Roman hummed in response and blew a cloud of smoke into the air. "So, sweet cheeks, how come ya follow me? I'm just a common thief."
"Boredom, I suppose," Cinder shrugged. "You caught my eye, so I followed you."
"Well, glad I could catch such pretty eyes." The amber orbs in question blinked in surprise. Such quick and witty comebacks were foreign for Cinder, especially from people.
"Your flattery is much appreciated," she finally said.
A chuckle bubbled up from Roman's chest. "Good to know," he snickered, putting his cigar out on the warehouse's stone floor. "Come on."
Cinder blinked again as he held out his hand to her. "Where are we going?" she asked, taking it. It was warm and a little rough. She liked it better than the fur of the Grimm.
Roman hadn't expected her to take his hand. Hers was soft, with the roughness of a blade wielder. It felt comfortable to hold. Clearing his throat awkwardly, Roman said, "Well, since you're new to town, I figured I'd show ya around. Not that there's much to see, but ya might find somethin' ya like."
Cinder was certain she already had.
Roman took her all over Vale that day. She wasn't fond of the barber, but she liked the restaurant he took her to.
"This place has the best food," he told her. "Figured we could stop here for a bite."
"That sounds lovely," Cinder responded.
While Roman ordered some noodle dish, Cinder preferred a dish that looked like a large chunk of carved meat. It was delicious, even better than the animals the Grimm brought back for her to eat.
Afterward, Roman introduced her to something called paint ball.
"See, ya put the gear on so you don't ruin your clothes," he explained, helping her properly strap on a vest and tuck her dress into the padded leggings. "It's also so ya don't get hurt."
"Isn't that what aura is for?" Cinder asked in confusion.
"Not everybody's got their aura unlocked, sweetheart," the redhead informed her. "This helps protect kids n' stuff."
That was news. She hadn't known not everyone had their aura unlocked. Why bother having one if you're not going to use it?
Naturally, their paint ball fight ended in a tie. Cinder had no experience with guns, and Roman had no experience with partners as fast and flexible as Cinder. They both ran out of paint and spent a good while laughing at the absurdity.
A growl filtered to them as they were heading back to Roman's warehouse. Roman instantly drew his weapon, but Cinder placed a hand on his arm.
"What're you-?"
"Don't worry, they won't hurt us." Cinder sighed. "However, I should be getting home." Leaning up, she pecked Roman's cheek. "I'll see you again real soon, Roman."
A grin slid onto Roman's face as she sauntered away. "Bet on it," he chuckled.
Cinder strode into the fortress in a daze. Salem watched her curiously, wondering what could have her Little Spark so absentminded. One of the Grimm beside her growled lowly and she blinked.
"Oh no." She blinked again. "I have to give her The Talk."
One more down! This is probably the longest chapter, and I had so much fun writing it!
Remember, sneak peeks and update info can be found on my tumblr, gothalbinoangel-fanfiction. And I still have commissions open for anyone who's interested!