"You two want to hang out with me in Vale? Any particular reason?"
Mercury shrugs.
"This is more so Emerald's request. You kicked my ass pretty handily though, so I think you're kinda cool."
Emerald glares at Mercury for being put on the spot like this, before answering.
"What the idiot is trying to say, is that I'm curious on how a student can kill Grimm which killed hunters by itself? You... intrigue me."
Chris looks at her oddly before shrugging himself.
"That's not the worst reason I've ever heard. It's not exactly a commonplace occurrence, I'll give you that. You two mind if I call a friend, though? I haven't seen her in a while and I don't think I'll be able to hang out much in Vale this year with everything coming up."
Mercury and Emerald share a momentary glance and nod.
"Cool. I texted her to meet us when the bullhead arrives."
"When it arrives? That's awfully short notice for your friend, isn't it?"
Chris chuckles and he starts walking to the bullhead, only turning his head slightly to acknowledge the question.
"She'll be there. Trust me."
Mercury and Emerald look at each other in confusion before following behind, uneasy.
"She said she's almost here..."
Emerald's brow raises.
"Already? Does she live around here or something?"
"She told me she stays in a small place with her uncle here but I have no clue where she actually lives." Chris's words cause Emerald and Mercury to look at each other.
"He can't mean...?"
Neo has arrived and has secured her arms around Chris's waist, making him laugh while returning it and the two other people go pale.
'He knows Neo...?! Does he... no, he can't know who she is considering he didn't say who her uncle was.' Emerald panics before calming herself down.
"You're sure happy to see me. What's the special occasion Neo?"
'I've been lonely, nobody else hangs out with me.'
This situation is causing Emerald and Mercury to become even more uneasy.
"Neo, huh? How do you two know each other?" Emerald says with a hidden glare in her eyes, telling Neo not to let on she knows the two.
Neo finally turns to see Emerald and Mercury, slightly surprised the two are there but quickly catches on and nearly imperceptibly nods.
'We met in an ice cream shop after I sat next to him and got the same order he did. Who are you two?'
"I'm Emerald, this is Mercury. We're Beacon students along with Chris."
'Are they coming with us?'
"I wouldn't refuse an opportunity to make a friend. You should talk to them too, Neo." Chris ruffles Neo's hair, making her pout.
'Fine... but you owe me ice cream!'
Chris shudders.
"My wallet is going to be picked clean. Didn't you get like a dozen scoops last time? Where do you put it all... oh. Right, you're a short stack."
Mercury and Emerald both groan loudly at that.
"Can we go find something to do before I puke?" Mercury laces his voice with sarcasm.
"Screw you Mercury." Chris grins to show he wasn't serious.
The four of them talk amongst themselves to see what would be fun, eventually deciding on going to a local arcade.
"I haven't been in one of these before."
"Really? I'd have thought most kids would come to one at least once."
"I had to worry more about survival than fun for most of my life." Emerald sighs. Mercury nods at that and so does Neo.
"I can understand that. I spent a good few years in the forest and surrounding area just killing Grimm."
"Is that why you're so strong? You're kind of... out of our league. Semblance related?"
"I guess I haven't told you, but my semblance..."
Emerald and Mercury lean closer, intrigued.
"... is bullshit."
Neo silently busts out into uncontrollable, shaking laughter.
"... what?" The other two are confused and slightly annoyed at the non-answer.
Chris just grins.
After a while of introducing the pack of orphans to an arcade, Neo goes home after hugging Chris and the three remaining go to get some food.
"This was a strange day." Emerald starts off with.
"You two had fun?"
Mercury and Emerald share a shrug and a nod.
"A little bit. I'd have preferred training or something though." Mercury smirks, wanting a rematch from last time.
"You're welcome to try." Chris smirks back, holding out a fist to bump. Mercury does so as Emerald stares at Chris with an odd expression.
'Just you wait Cinder... once I've stolen the loyalty of everyone around you, only then will you be allowed to die.'
With that though in mind, the group split off on a high note. Chris waits until he's out of sight from cameras and people to teleport to his home, a serious look crossing his face as he makes a call.
"Christopher? To what do I owe a call?" Ironwood is on the other end of the line.
"Emerald and Mercury were assigned to get close to me by Cinder. I'm going to try my best to turn them to our side but I've also made contingencies for if they remain loyal to her."
"... thank you for trusting me with this information. Give the word when you decide what to do with them." a sigh of relief escapes Ironwood audibly, having less to worry about on the ground was always good news.
"Remember, Roman and Neo don't know that you know they're on our side. You'll have to capture them when I tell them to get captured and make it seem real. I know you well enough now to know that you'll come through."
"Understood. Do you need anything else Christopher?"
"Actually... I need one thing." Chris smirks.