The Night Of:

Emerald didn't date.

Not often anyway. Never for more than a date or two when she did. It wasn't that the people she met, or was introduced to, were bad matches. There were a few who were mean or pushy, domineering maybe, but that was almost a plus for Emerald. She could admit that she was not one to be in control, maybe share it with another; but never the leader of any group really.

Emerald was a good lieutenant. Put her just below the position of true power and she could navigate the hurdles for someone else, throwing their weight around for them. She wasn't against being in charge of something, but she did not appreciate being the top dog. In both professional and personal situations. It just wasn't her style.

Still, there was a fine line between "dominant" and "possessive", she had lived beneath both to varying degrees in her life. Her mother had been controlling, but loving. Salem was literally attempting to be seen as a god; Emerald wasn't sure if there was a word for that specifically, deific? Taurus was definitely possessive, though she had never lived under his influence, he was at minimum her equal for a while.

Cinder had been… well according to Emerald's therapist, she had been emotionally manipulative at the least. Downright abusive was probably more accurate though.

If Emerald was being honest with herself, she still felt the urge to find a relationship like that again. It had begun as a power imbalance when Cinder had found her on the streets and made her for a thief, blackmail of a sort. It had grown from there to something of a student/mentor situation; still unhealthy by polite society's standards, but infinitely easier to brush off at a glance. Then there had been the subtle shift towards a more familial involvement, forged on the road and tempered in blood. Eventually it had shifted again to a bond of longing and grief, easy to do when you spent nearly a month thinking your mother figure was dead. The relief Emerald had felt when she learned Cinder was alive had been what she now recognized as the start or another shift in her feelings.

Emerald had wanted nothing more than to run away from the whole thing and settle down somewhere. Be safe and surrounded by those she didn't want to see hurt. Mercury too, she supposed. But Cinder wasn't the kind to just hide from the world like that, she had waded into the thick of the war once more. Emerald wasn't about to let her family risk their lives without her there to at least try and save them should the chance come, so if course she followed them back in herself.

Just as quickly as the whole thing had started, it was done. Salem wasn't in control, Cinder wasn't a threat, and the world was safe - relatively speaking, anyway. Then Cinder was whisked away, Mercury and Emerald bolted from the sure-to-come recompense for their parts in the whole situation. Years later her new family had found one of her safe houses, and offered her a strange and perfect deal: settle down somewhere safe, and surround yourself with people you don't want to see hurt. The only kicker was that she was only the first, they were still looking for the rest.

Emerald's family was bigger now, but the founding members were back too! Mercury was certainly like a brother to her - annoying and a bit of an emotional souffle, but she felt better with him close. Cinder was… Not the Cinder Emerald had known last. She was calmer, less demanding, but still retained her drive. Her ability to set her sights on something and act to obtain it. An ability currently turned towards an annoying crimson-themed man who had been something like a tumor on Emerald's night.

If Emerald had a type, it was essentially the man's complete opposite. He was soft, not in a lacking muscle sort of way, he clearly had never truly left the city. His skin was pristine, his body unmarred by a life spent away from moisturizers. He hadn't demanded her time, just hung around trying to catcher her eye. His hair was too neon. His shoulders too broad. His… Well, his' ness was certainly a factor, but it wasn't a true deal breaker to Emerald.

Now that finally actually spoken to Cinder again, and set up a lunch date- well, a time for a lunch date anyway. I should check to see if Foxtrot's takes reservations- Emerald realized just how opposite her taste was. It wasn't some flair of lightheaded bliss or a surge of heat when the woman was near. Emerald hadn't even noticed anything until later that night; the first clue had been after Cinder had walked away the first time. She felt, less . Not missing anything, or cold, or wistful. Just like she wasn't quite herself when with other people. Cinder understood what Emerald's life had been like - at least to a point.

There was a odd blend of familiarity and strange newness to seeing Cinder so… happy. Even when Burgandy- or was it Brick? I think it started with a B- -had proven less than interested, Cinder had taken it in stride. Maybe the cocktail immediately after had been a warning sign, but Emerald was used to drinking with Ren ; her experience with reading other's limits was maybe a bit skewed.

The second flag should have been the Woman sauntering over to Jaune after the fourth pineapple mug had been emptied.

Emerald really needed to learn how to read the social cues of socially-lubricated individuals. Maybe easier if she was in any better state herself. Note to self: still a hell of a lightweight. Don't let the robot convince you otherwise. Penny had likely meant well, making sure she wasn't going to get sick from the amount of alcohol and providing water between each drink. That didn't mean her supercomputer brain turned towards getting them all "Party-Ready", or as Blake so sluringly put it " Hella Turnt ", in the most efficient way possible was healthy.

Still, somehow Jaune and Cinder had both ended up coming back to her. The company was, she couldn't say good given all three had at least some criminal record, but it was fun at least. The feeling of being herself again was back, not that she was coherent enough to really think about anything more than the warmth flowing off of Cinder; even from a distance.

It felt… nice, even when Mercury had stumbled out the door with somebody-even after all this time, and alcohol, he was more likely to walk away from a mugging with more money than he walked into it with. Emerald was far from worried for his safety, even if he hadn't had aura to protect him.

Her family was still here, still near her. Even if some weren't here . They were all safe, and happy; or at least not being hunted or held prisoner.

They even mostly got along with each other! Though Jaune and Cinder had been pranked by the first karaoke song of the night, it was by no means the last. Everyone had been up on that stage tonight. From classics like Grimm Gambol to more modern stuff like- ohh, what was it? I swear I know the name of that song. What's it sound? Dun-dun-dee dee-hmm-HMM-MMmm, by uhhh… -

"Jaune! Hey Jaune. Whas that song? That uhh, that Weiss wasinging? The really happy one? Withhe moon or something."

"Oh! Uhm. Moonbender? Moon… Lending? Sent? Bent? Bent. Moonbent. From Create Kevin, right?"

Yes! I knew he'd know. I need to write that down or something, now where's my…- Cinder seemed to know what was going through her head, or had been holding Emerald's scroll out to her for a while. It wasn't her place to questi- no. I'm drunk. Not an idiot. I'm a valuable person. I have worth. This isn't some seedy warehouse. I'm- Emerald was cut off by a pair of arms wrapping around her shoulders.

"Mmm, just the right size." Cinder was clearly past the point of no return. It would probably be a good idea to end the night before someone started dancing on a table or woke up slumped over in vomit.

Ren and Nora would likely close the night out with the staff and be no worse for wear. Ruby as usual was near-completely sober, but she was having such a good time with her family back together that Emerald didn't want to break up their night. Penny was… Apparently leading some kind of dance out on the floor, and it wasn't The Paladin . That just left herself, Jaune and Cinder ready to call it a night, or at least willing to.

"Alright, Jaune. I think Cinder's waaay too deep. drink. Drink? Dunk. I'm done. Cinder's started hugging. I don't know where she lives. Lend me a hand?" Nodding his understanding, the two helped the woman from their booth as she giggled and cling to both of them.

"Ohhh. My heroes ! Hee! So strong . Yes, carry me from this vile dungeon! Onwards, to the ravishing!"

I don't think I've ever seen here this bad. Penny really is dangerous.

"Alright. Em, can you- thanks. Maybe if we, uhh. I'll get the door." Emerald had maneuvered so that she was supporting cinder alone. Jaune was trying, but if he was even close to Cinder's level of intoxication it was probably good all three of them didn't fall at once.

"Emmmmeraaaaald. I don't wanna walk . Carry me!" Still clinging tightly to her neck, that left very few options. Princess? Not for any walk more than a few yards. Fireman? Not in the skirt Cinder was wearing. Piggyback? Similar issue to fireman, but far easier to balance at least.

Piggyback it is. She was lighter than some of the weights Emerald used for endurance runs at least, and much warmer.

After getting situated with jackets, purses, and bodies. They set out to say their goodbyes and get the hell outta' dodge. Weiss insisted she cover the entire night - not that any of them had assumed otherwise after being picked up by a limo. Blake and Yang were distracted by some conversation they had been having and only offered a passing farewell. Ruby offered to get them all home, but there was no way Emerald would even let her consider it.

"Lead the way Jaune!"


"Cinder. Keys. Where?"

They had traded carrying the woman. Emerald had gotten her to the Shyp, while Jaune handled getting her to the apartment. Which also left Emerald to unlock the door, and try very hard not to look at the nuzzling going on behind her- or notice just how less herself she felt. She was still a bit addled, but was at least aware enough to notice a pang of envy? Jealousy? Hunger? It was a pang of something, but she was still too clouded to tell what it was. The occasional hand brushing across her arm wasn't helping.

"Mhmhm… It's a seeecret. To prote-c-t my delicate self from, big strong bandits . Heheheha!" Great. She's frisky and drunk now.

Searching through Cinder's purse proved to be fruitful relatively quickly. Her keys were attached to a downright adorable little grimm keychain; it looked like a pudgy little ursa.

Cinder Maul, clearly a fearsome protector of fair maidens and slayer of guests.

While she laughed at her own mental pun, Emerald managed to open the door and fight the lights. It was, bare- or bear- of most decoration, but it looked lived in. The bookshelf was mostly empty, but a few paper sentinels stood watch above a shelf of trinkets and what had definitely been housewarming gifts. No plants anywhere, but Cinder had never had a green thumb.

Jaune had let cinder down once they had crossed the threshold, but didn't leave afterwards - Cinder made sure of that with a closed door and a smolder that made Emerald wonder if she had even lost her connection to the Fall Maiden. Jaune was less than clear-headed, but certainly seemed fine with it if the resulting kiss was anything to go by.

Emerald was left stunned in place, and remained so until a wonderful heat found itself pressing against her own lips. She wasn't exactly sure what happened next, but she had a hard time denying her smile.

Maybe a lunch date wasn't enough. Maybe a date would be though.

Now she really needed to make those reservations.