When There's No Cops Around...
Emerald wandered slowly and nervously into a shop. No Celestine, no Greyfax or Kotek, and thankfully, no Lelith. Just herself. Apparently, talking to Ilia boosted the other's confidence in leaving her to do things herself… she hated it already. On the way here alone a mean, silver-haired man shoulder-checked her and some of the office workers eyed her down like she was some murderer.
It was safe to say, just like every other day in the city of Atlas, it wasn't the most fun experience. Though she was the one with the gun and honestly, a part of her started to not care what the dumb adults thought of her.
She wandered up to the counter and readied herself for the interaction with the man behind it, "uh, excuse me?"
"Aren't you a little young to be in here?" the man asked boredly,
Emerald glanced around at the neat shelves and designer weapons on racks and behind glass cabinets, "no, I need something,"
He sighed and waved a hand towards the door, "I can't sell you a weapon, kid. Scram and don't come back,"
She narrowed her eyes, "I don't need a weapon, I need a better holster… I'm obviously going to pay,"
She didn't like the idea of money being spent on her, but Celestine raised a good point; the old holster, as good as it was, wasn't designed for a Laspistol and the spare packs in mind.
"Well, I can legally do that, but I still can't sell a weapon to you," he leant over the counter, "I'll show you the holsters; sword or pistol?"
In response, Emerald placed the emptied Laspistol and the four power packs on the counter, "for these,"
The man picked up the Laspistol and examined it, "funky looking thing… no bullets or chamber-" he glanced at the power packs- "this is energy-based then,"
"Yeah," Emerald nodded, "I need a holster for the pistol and the packs,"
He narrowed her eyes at her, "how'd you get this, kid? You're a bit young for it,"
"I, uh," she thought as quickly as she could, "I lived in a settlement before coming here, it's a gift from someone I know in the military," not entirely wrong, but it wasn't a lie…
"Belonged to that winged woman, didn't it?"
Her eyes widened at the man, how'd he guess that!?
He chuckled lightly and if a little harshly, "the bird-thing on the gun, it's the same as the one on her armour,"
"O-oh…" she stuttered, she really needed to not speak her thoughts, "yeah, she gave it to me…"
"Two grand," he stated and slammed the Laspistol onto the counter, "I can do the holster,"
She narrowed her brows; that seemed a bit expensive…like, really expensive, "that's a lot,"
"Don't care, animals get charged extra,"
Oh… her eyes narrowed in anger, "she isn't an animal,"
"Do you want the damn holster or not?" he said in a hard tone,
Just as she made to respond, nausea overcame her and she couldn't have been more thankful for Alexea walking through the door. The woman stopped in surprise at the sight of Emerald but shook it off at the dirty look the man was giving the girl.
And it was at that moment Emerald realised just how intimidating Alexea could be in her armour. The glare the woman gave him made Emerald's blood freeze, or was that increasing nausea and difficulty breathing? Then suddenly, it stopped.
Like a blanket over a lamp, it was removed and her lungs functioned normally again. Nausea remained, but it was like it normally was around her.
She turned back to the man who looked like he wanted to be sick, "it's still too high of a price,"
"I ain't-" he coughed into his hand, "I ain't lowering it for an animal lover,"
"Hey!" Emerald glared up at him, "she isn't an animal!"
Alexea's shadow cast over Emerald and the woman gently pushed her aside. Emerald had to fight the increased sickness from the touch, barely managing to hold down the rising bile.
"Now, scram, kid. You're in the way of my next customer," he said like he obtained a victory.
The only thing she could think of was how much of an asshole this guy was to her.
Alexea pulled the magazine out of the Bolter and, with the sound of a thunder crack, she slammed it down on the table next to the Laspistol so hard it jumped and cluttered onto the counter again.
The Sister pulled her scroll out and held it up to his face once she typed something. He narrowed his eyes at her, "I ain't making two holsters, girl,"
The room went void of all temperature and Emerlad's mind swam hazily. Her eyes were instinctively drawn to Alexea, who glared at a shaking man. Once again, the room snapped back to normal in an instant.
The man scowled despite taking a step away from Alexea, "get out,"
The woman rolled her eyes and snatched the magazine back then motioned for Emerald to take her Laspistol back as well. Emerald glared up at him, "asshole,"
"Leave and don't come back, freaks,"
"Says the moustached fat guy," Emerald fired back as she shoved the last pack into her pocket. A small idea popped into her mind from nowhere as he sneered back at her, "fine, cunt, we'll go; have fun losing a shit ton of Lien from us,"
Alexea tapped her arm and motioned to the door. Emerald nodded, "I'm coming,"
As she walked away, she held a finger up to her mouth to Alexea, who rolled her eyes at the redundancy. But Emerald felt her surprise as she turned back to the man and held both hands up with the middle finger raised. He didn't react to it.
"Stop staring and leave like the girl did," he growled, "you have ten seconds,"
Emerald smirked at Alexea and motioned for her to go outside while the man counted down. Alexea waited for him to reach two before she marched out, leaving Emerald alone in the store.
She glanced across the ceiling and didn't find any cameras in the corners anywhere… she smirked to herself and slowly and quietly snuck through the aisles until a particular pair of leather and wool gloves caught her eyes in the personal protection section of the store.
Slowly, she removed them from the shelf and pulled the tag that held them together off with a quiet snap. Her hands became infinitely warmer after that. A pair of warmer-looking boots caught her eye but knowing her luck, the moment she touched them the man would find her somehow. So, with new gloves on, she stalked out the store as quietly as she stayed.
Just a few feet down from the place stood Alexea, a foot resting on a pillar as she leaned against it.
Emerald let the illusion drop and waltzed happily up to Alexea with her hands up, "look what I got!"
Despite the mouthpiece, Emerald saw the smile on the woman's face and she shook her head, "well, I guess that's a field test done. You can use your Semblance well if a little illegally,"
Emerald laughed at the words, "but I can use it! And it didn't hurt or strain me!"
"That's what using it on me gets you," Alexea shrugged, "though you've still yet gotten me to see anything,"
"I don't think you ever will," Emerald said and pondered for a moment, "what would it mean if I did make you see something?"
"You're one powerful Psyker," Alexea typed, "I am literally anti-Psyker and, by extension, anti-Semblance,"
"I wonder if I can use it on more than one person?" Emerald wondered aloud, "I should try it sometime,"
Alexea nodded in agreement, "it would be useful,"
It took a moment, but Emerald noticed the quiet around them. She looked around and found many of the people had flowed around them as if there was an invisible forcefield protecting them, which, technically, there was now that she put a bit more thought into it.
"I still gotta get a holster," Emerald said and looked up to the woman,
"I need one for my magazines,"
Emerald's lips pursed, "why don't we get Celestine to get ones for us?"
Alexea typed, "we must be self-reliant to an extent; only have Celestine go to Terra for important things, not a holster we can get here,"
She nodded. That Guilliman guy might get annoyed if they kept taking things every five seconds, "yeah, that's fair… but uh, we kinda pissed off one guy,"
"So?" Alexea cocked her hips, "there are others,"
Without warning, her stomach grumbled. Emerald sighed, "Imma gonna get food,"
Alexea stepped back and exaggerated an 'after you' bow for Emerald. The girl giggled at the antic and marched off with her head held as high as rich elites who watched on curiously.
Emerald stared at her steak and gravy greedily, as if it were the best thing to have been made. In a flash, she started devouring it as fast as she could.
Alexea on the other hand, picked at the plate of chips, meat, chilli and many other things; Nachos, it was called, something from Vacuo. It was nice, if not as filling as a proper meal should be. And judging by the oil on the meat, nowhere near as healthy either.
Low music played to add to the atmosphere of the small, nearly empty restaurant. The joy of coming before the lunch rush was the free seats anywhere. Only a few people sat around the place, some alone, a few together. Most were businessmen and women, while a few were… well, she couldn't tell nor cared to learn, really.
She glanced back at Emerald, who had gravy around her mouth and more than half of the steak gone already.
She took a large chip and scooped up much of the fillings as possible before she stuffed it into her mouth. It might not be filling, but it was tasty. Really tasty.
New favourite food, acquired.
"Why're you carrying your sword around?"
Alexea glanced at the girl who now started on her side of chips and rolled her eyes. "No such 'kill' like 'overkill',"
"Somph-" the girl paused to swallow the chip, "sounds like it'd be tedious, and painful on your back,"
"I'd rather tedious over dead," Alexea wrote, "my Bolter only has so many rounds, the sword I can keep swinging and I might not die,"
"Eh, I like my gun-Laser-thing," Emerald pat her weapon, "but I'd like a sword or something… I'm not sure,"
Alexea bit the inside of her lip. Great, a small Wych in the making was sitting across from her. Did she count as one if literally everyone in the group of idiots she found herself a part of trained the girl?
If she was able to take everything she was being taught… Emerald would be dangerous, which was the point of the training; make the girl as good as they are. Hell, she was already trying to get an Inquisitor to do what she wanted. Speaking of which,
"Has Greyfax done anything about the other girl?"
Emerald shook her head sadly, though her face wore a look of joy at the chocolate drink she was sipping from, "nah, she hasn't. Celestine said she told her, but…"
"Priorities," Alexea finished for her, "we can't run and save every individual we find,"
Emerald sighed and played with a chip in the gravy idly, "I know, but, I can't fight yet and I want to help someone somehow… I wanna do something to prove I can do something,"
Alexea rose a brow, "you have nothing to prove, not yet,"
She frowned and looked at her, "I do though, I'm a small girl who was saved by an angel, and now I live with people who are far tougher than I am. I have to do something so I'm not uselessly sitting around,"
"No one said you're useless,"
"But I feel like it," Emerald dropped chip carelessly on the plate, "I'm only good for when you guys need to know something, even Celestine knows that,"
Alexea rose a brow, "have I asked you anything?"
Emerald stared blankly, "I- that's not the point,"
"I was making a mute joke," her look was a blank and disappointed one. Was the joke that hard to see or that bad?
"O-oh…" Emerald slumped back into her seat, "sorry,"
Alexea shrugged, "why should I care? You're venting right now,"
Emerald rubbed her eyes and pushed herself up, "I would talk to Celestine, but, she'd worry a lot,"
That made little sense, "Why? It's her job to worry about you now,"
"Because she always worries about me, okay!" Emerald exclaimed, "and I don't want her to continue doing that… I can do things myself…"
Alexea sat in silence after that and let the girl finish her food off slowly.
Wouldn't it be nice to have someone to worry over you? The fact that someone was actually there for support no matter what isn't something she'd turn down… but that was the thing, she supposed, she never turned it down, but others neglected to even do that for her.
She frowned into the remains of the nachos. She didn't understand, so what was the point of arguing it with Emerald.
Fuck it, may as well be what she never got. Alexea wrote something on her scroll and handed it over to Emerald, "If it makes you feel better, I won't say anything if you want to talk,"
Emerald laughed at the dumb joke and handed the Scroll back with a small, timid smile, "thank you,"
She gave a thumbs up in response, "we'll hit up the next weapons smith and see if we can get the holsters,"
Emerald nodded and slipped off her seat, wiping her hand on a napkin before she put her new gloves on.
Alexea froze, "How are we paying?"
Emerald pulled a card from her pocket, "Celestine gave me this, apparently, Ironwood gave it to her a month ago; a bank-card-thingy..."
Fair enough. She let Emerald go first up to the counter and paid for the food. She noted to pay the Saint back later in the week or whenever she saw her next as they left for their now joint task.
It took another two stores before someone finally decided to not insult the Saint after piecing together they knew her or dismissing them on the basis of the Pariah gene affecting them. Either way, the last two stores were down some items as punishment… why they didn't have security cameras was beyond her. Wouldn't a store that sells weapons have security?
But then again, a lot of the civilians were full of themselves, thinking they were secure in a floating city. Having battleships in the skies equalled security in this city according to the people.
She rolled her eyes. People were dumb as shit sometimes. But hey, their stupidity got her a new leather jacket and aviator glasses to wear, so it wasn't all bad…
Students shuffled in, some marched others walked at a leisurely pace. At least their uniforms were immaculate to make up for such tardiness.
Winter sat at her designated desk in the amphitheatre and readied her textbooks and notes. All arranged in perfect order of what would be needed; the teacher had a pattern he kept to and few never figured it out yet.
A textbook reading, followed by a quiz, then, a lecture followed by another quiz on the assigned chapters from the last lesson. Though there may be a substitute teacher as the lights down at the stage remained off, even as the final students took their seats.
Her eyes searched the darkness below. The faint outline of the front of the desk could be seen along with a… the shadow moved entirely and the lights seemingly slammed on.
"Apologies for the dramatics," the Custodian said, "it was a suggestion of a… we shall call her a colleague who has gone somewhere at the moment,"
His words bounced off many people, including herself, as the man stood helmetless behind the desk. His massive stature made everything seem so… 'small' didn't do it justice. His helmet sat on the desk up-right while his large weapon rested against the side of the wall-mounted, interactive whiteboard.
"Despite the lack of qualifications, a substitute was required and I am the only one who could take this," he explained, most likely for their benefit not his, "now, I read over your prior teachings, and from my understanding, you were all up to chapter forty-seven, page three-hundred and sixty-two of the 'History of Combat', yes?"
A pin could have been heard dropping at that moment. Not a student moved or made a noise. She couldn't blame them; she froze the only time she saw him in person, when she gave the Scrolls to him, but seeing his face… the disfigured, melted skin made for a grizzly sight.
She glanced at the page in her textbook and shakily rose a hand, "i-it was page three-hundred and fifty-nine, Sir,"
He nodded once, "my mistake then, Winter; I was going off the teacher's notes. You must have fallen behind schedule,"
How did he know her name- the big man Weiss told her about. Oh.
"Now, the next series of chapters go over human combatants," he moved around the desk silently. How, with all the armour, that was possible, she couldn't say, "I have fought my fair share of enemies, creatures and humans alike, so despite my lack of teaching credentials, I am the best fit for this."
"What was it like?" someone asked with forced calm,
Kotek's brown eyes snapped to the speaker, "Bloody. Violent. And unlike the movies you have all seen, a person does not drop dead when shot or stabbed; no, they scream once the adrenaline wears off. It can take between two to thirty minutes until unconsciousness and death depending on the wound type, severity and location. Obviously, a headshot is the most likely to kill instantly,"
"This, however, is not relevant," he stated, "you are behind schedule and I will not allow you all to fall further behind. Turn to page three-hundred and sixty."
Winter immediately flicked to the next page and started reading, the other students followed suit. At the fifteen-minute mark of reading, and she knew it was exactly fifteen minutes, they were stopped. She placed a pen where she was up to and looked up to the Custodian, still in the same spot since they started.
"Questions, ask them now,"
It took a few seconds for someone to raise their hand, "the Pincer Movement, how effective is it?"
"That depends on a number of factors," he walked over to the whiteboard and picked up a pen, one that looked so small in his armoured hands. He drew as he spoke, "the effectiveness of the tactic is as good as the commander, numbers of both the enemy and your own. It is best used when outnumbering an opponent; whether it be four to one or four-hundred to one-hundred,
"It is also best used if one wants to force a surrender or destroy the enemy. Of course, it is also best used if the two flanks meet at the rear of the enemy to cut off a retreat, however, that will make the enemy fight harder and inflict losses upon your forces; thus the illusion of escape is best."
He finished speaking as his hand came to a stop and he stepped away from the board, "I have been on both ends of the tactic. When on the receiving end, it is best to try and identify the movement as quickly as possible and act in one of two ways; retreat before enclosure, or focus an attack to break it,"
"That's all you can do?"
"Yes, its weaknesses are as basic as the tactic itself. But that does not mean it isn't effective," he looked back to the board, "observe this; it is a series of two-dimensional mock-ups for study,"
And it was. In the time he spoke, dozens of varying enemies on both sides of the tactic were drawn, from Beowolves to Bandits and Atlesian Soldiers. There were depictions of what each one would do in both situations and the estimated success rates of defending against it would be, compared to enacting the movement.
Winter raised her hand, "Is the Single Envelopment the same then?"
"Same goal in mind, but with one flanking maneuver to either side of the enemy positions," Kotek said for the benefit of the class, "bear in mind, if overextended, you can be cut off from the rest of your lines and trapped in your own maneuver by the enemy. Do not be overzealous in enacting this and know your limits. Work with what you have within their limits as well,"
Kotek clasped his hands behind his back, "there are also enemies that it will not be effective against; imagine trying to surround a wild horse, the horse has speed whereas you do not. Speed is key in this, for you and the enemy, but if the enemy is faster it will not work. Isn't that right, Hesperax,"
"Yes, that seems accurate,"
The student body jolted and spun around on their seats to look behind them. Up at the top row, a redheaded woman sat on the desk. She leant back, propped up by her arms out behind her, one leg outstretched onto the seat in front of her, the other dangling. Everything was on show with her and left little to the imagination as an aura of danger flowed off her, and not just because of the sharp points on her armour, no, her entire body was sleek muscle and nothing less. Pure, refined strength barely hidden by what little she wore.
This was the woman in all those videos getting around.
A student next to Winter whistled a cat call under their breath. Hesperax must have heard since she glanced in the general direction and pushed her chest out a bit more.
Disgusting behaviour, the both of them.
"Of course, speed is just as effective as the user," Lelith said, "you can't be fast and unruly. Skill, precision, and grace all make for something more effective… not that you lot are capable of any of those things…"
Kotek sighed, "do not antagonise the class. Speaking of which, work on your observation skills, Hesperax walked through the door and none of you noticed. Anyway…"
"Who's this?"
Celestine looked over Emerald's shoulder to take a look at the image, "that-" she made the sign of the Aquila- "is the Emperor of Mankind,"
Emerald's brows rose and she looked back at the paper, and she knew this wasn't hers for much longer if Celestine had a say about it, "he's… what is he, exactly? You've told me before about him being your god, but he looks like a man… not gody and stuff,"
A man with long hair and hard features, but a man nonetheless. Didn't gods have horns or just be a blinding light of some sort?
Celestine blinked and look down at her lap, "He's- I know…" brief concern crossed her face, "I know him as my Lord and humanities shepherd, the one who granted me the power I now wield and my thousands of years of life… Are you asking who He is, not what?"
Emerald nodded and hummed at not getting the answer she was hoping for, "I can ask Kotek, he'd know, right? He knows a lot and drew these, so…"
Celestine nodded enthusiastically, like a child would at being asked if they want the candy they always asked for, "I would love to be there with you, that is one conversation I would not miss for anything bar the Emperor Himself summoning me,"
"You and the others are really different," Emerald said and Celestine tilted her head,
"How so?"
Emerald placed her hands in her lap, "you call him a god, but the others don't… I don't think I've ever heard them call him one,"
A puff of air left the Saint, "well, there are some who follow Him that do not fall into the Ecclesiarchy's worship as I do. Katarinya is the perfect example, she serves Him and the Imperium faithfully, but without the Faith,"
Faith without faith… how that worked was beyond her, "um, what?"
"She serves loyally but without the religiousness I do," Celestine rephrased for her, "I do not like that fact, but I would rather the loyalty in Him and His vision over none at all,"
"Like a friend who's always there but a bit mean?" Emerald tried to compare for herself to understand,
"Not exactly," Celestine crossed her legs and put her cheek in her palm, "it's difficult to explain in a way you will understand," she thought for a moment, "alright, do you have a dictionary?"
Emerald shook her head, "no, but I can use the Scroll to find it,"
"Go get it," Celestine said, "I want you to understand this,"
Emerald nodded and slipped off the couch to run to her room.
The idea of living in what would be equivalent to a Governor's bedroom, let alone with a child, was as surreal as it would get for the Saint even weeks later. Even stranger was the regular appearance of a Custodian. On the nights she could lie in her bed the weight of what he was and how old the Custodian is would hit her like a Dreadnaught.
Celestine laughed as Emerald fell over the back of the couch to where she sat and held her Scroll in her hands, "what word did you want me to look up?"
"Faithful and Faith," Celestine said,
With a look of concentration, Emerald typed the word into the search engine of the CCTS network. She turned the Scroll to Celestine, "um, did I spell it correctly?"
Fathfill. Celestine rolled her eyes with a smile, "close, but incorrect," at the frown from the girl, Celestine spelled it out for her and Emerald read the definition aloud as best she could,
"To be loyal and… steadfast?" she nodded to herself, "steadfast."
"Do you know what loyalty is?"
"Um…," Emerald's brows narrowed, "Katarinya said it's to, uh, show constant support and…allegince?"
"Allegiance," Celestine corrected gently, "but yes, that is correct. Now, faith,"
Emerald typed the word in and blinked widely, "there are two meanings…"
"Show me," Celestine took the Scroll and read both before she handed it back, "I am referring to the second definition,"
Emerald nodded and read it, "belief in religion based on spiritual coversation-"
"Conviction,"
-"oh," Emerald looked up at her, "I don't know what half of that meant."
Celestine sighed and relaxed back into the seat, "that is what I am, I believe Him to be a God, the one true God of humanity and everything else. A belief in religion, my religion. Whereas Katarinya does not, she serves Him and the Imperium without religious belief. Faith and faithful,"
"I think I understand," Emerald looked back to the image, "he's a god to you, but a ruler to Greyfax,"
Celestine nodded, "in basic, yes. I apologise if it was not a clear explanation, I have never had to explain it before,"
Emerald shrugged, "that's fine, I'd rather you do it anyway,"
Celestine smiled at the small blush the girl had, "so long as you let me be there when you ask Kotek, his Knowledge on Him would be something I would love to hear of,"
"Okay," Emerald nodded, "what do we do now?"
Celestine shrugged lightly and sat up, "if you like, I can tell you more of my faith?"
Emerald shifted uncomfortably as she always did when it came to the subject and her personally, "I…"
"May I ask you something?" Celestine gently questioned and got a tiny nod from the girl, "why do you not like the idea of learning more of this?"
Emerald gulped and shifted uncomfortably again, "you're really nice and- and I like you, but…"
"This has something to do with the cultists, doesn't it?"
She nodded softly, "yeah…"
"They liked rambling about the Gods and how what they were doing was revenge on their creations for what the Gods did," Emerald shuddered and curled up on herself, "I don't like much to do with gods and stuff after that…"
Celestine opened her mouth but closed it, Marie's voice echoed in her memory; Choice. Was this one of those moments? The Light was the only way, the right way. To follow in His steps and reach salvation.
Celestine frowned to herself, they just talked about different ways to serve him. Greyfax, Kotek and even Alexea didn't follow the Creed as she did so devoutly. One was still serving to the best of her abilities unwaveringly, and the other marched alongside Him when He still walked…
There were others to convince; one person had to see the light in His way… not all of them would be so flippant if an Order was here, no, they'd fall to their knees and beg for mercy.
Celestine sighed and faced Emerald, "I… appreciate your honesty," Celestine rubbed Emerald's head and she lightened up and gave the Saint a warm smile, "Oh, also, have you tried reading the book I gave you?"
Emerald shook her head, "no... It's big,"
"It's also the first memoir of Commissar Cain," Celestine frowned in disappointment. Wouldn't she like that type of book? It was sanctioned by the Minstorum after all, so it was safe for her to read in all things regarding Chaos outside of the vague idea of it being a threat to the masses, "he comes up in conversation a bit so I thought you'd like to read more about him,"
Emerald tilted her head, "does the other Saint get mentioned?"
"Other Saint?" Celestine thought for a moment, "Oh, do you mean Saint Sabbat?"
"Yeah!" the girl nodded enthusiastically, "her!"
Celestine chuckled, "no, I don't think he ever met her, or any other Saint for that matter. I know I've never met Cain, but last I heard he was back in service with the fall of Cadia,"
It seemed nothing past 'no' registered in Emerald's mind as she frowned slightly, giving the widest eyes possible, "but, Sabbat is like you, right? I wanna read about her..."
"Read that first and then I'll get something on the Sabbat Crusade, alright?" she sighed internally, damn the extortion the girl was committing. She knew the Saint still felt bad...
Emerald nodded happily, "okay! but, uh, it's a big book..."
"start reading then," Celestine teased, "I'll keep my end of the deal if you do yours,"
Emerald grumbled a little, "Yeah, yeah, I'll read it before I go to bed or something,"
"Go do whatever," Celestine encouraged as the conversation with Marie still flowed through her mind, "you must learn to do things yourself, and you do have the next few days off,"
Emerald nodded slowly and looked to her lap, "I know; Lelith and Greyfax tell me to stop being scared of strangers... I needed Alexea to help with the holster,"
"They're not wrong, just more blunt about it," the fact that the two had similar opinions was amazing in its own right, but the Saint was sure they didn't know that otherwise, they'd go out of their way to contradict each other, "and so what if you needed help? You'll get there eventually so long as you push yourself a bit. Besides, you have your Semblance and Laspistol in the worst case,"
Emerald slowly began fiddling with the wing closest to her, "I know… I'm tyring, Celestine,"
"That's all I can ask," the Saint moved the wing closer, "face your fears and fight them, don't let them control you,"
"Are you scared of anything?"
"Scared? No," Celestine shook her head, knowing it was a lie. But white lies hurt little, "however, I don't like a lot of things,"
Emerald sooted up to her and pressed into her side as she pulled Celestine's arm around her, "like what?"
"Soggy bread." Emerald gave her a disbelieving look, "I really don't like soggy bread, it's disgusting and an affront to the Emperor,"
Emerald giggled lightly, "that's weird,"
"It's not comparable to your fears, I know," Celestine pulled her to her side, "but everyone has fears and dislikes; but its how you deal with them that defines you,"
Emerald sighed, "I really try, I swear,"
"That was never in question, Emerald," Celestine ran her finger through the girl's hair, "I know you try your hardest; you're a determined and stubborn girl when you want to be,"
The girl paused, a look of internal debate etched onto her face. "Because I'm scared," Emerald gulped and nervously glanced at the Saint, "that if I don't you'll leave,"
The brutally honest response would have been to say that she already put too much time and effort into her to just walk away. But if she spent a moment of thought on it, she knew the reason was that she became attached to her… that and she had a legal obligation to take care of her, but that made it sound like a chore to be despised.
No, time with her around was… refreshing from what was most common in her life, and the fact she was surprisingly self-reliant once she understood the basics of what she was asked to do, the Emperor only knew how many times she found Emerald continuing her training in her own time and even attempting something new… despite the fact she would almost always hurt herself in the process.
"I do expect you to follow my, and our, words," Celestine peered down at her, "however, you can admit if something is difficult; from there we can devise a way to make it easier for you to learn,"
Emerald nodded with a neutral look, "okay,"
The Saint rubbed Emerald's shoulder, "and no, I won't just abandon you if you're not good at something, just try,"
The girl's look morphed into a shy smile and she buried her head into Celestine's side, "thank you,"
The Saint laughed softly, "you're welcome, Emerald,"
Emerald wormed her way out of Celestine's light hold and quickly wrapped her arms around her neck in a hug then let go, "Imma go get changed and meet Ilia,"
Celestine rubbed her head and had her hand slapped away with false irritation, "I'll be donning my armour and heading out to patrol the walls in a minute and go to the meeting between the others and Ironwood, so I won't be here if you bring her back,"
"Okay!" Emerald climbed over the couch and ran off to her room in more of a good mood than she'd been in for a long time. Celestine didn't have to be as nice as she was, but she wasn't going to complain any which way Celestine acted. The woman gave her food, a place to sleep and was kind… what was there to complain about?
Nothing. Sure her nonchalant attitude towards everything she did was weird, but it was far better than a perpetually irritable Greyfax.
Emerald shuddered as she did her jacket up. Greyfax was mean, but she knew a lot and taught her a lot, but if she were to be around her as much as she was Celestine… at least Lelith wasn't around much since moving in, disappearing for most parts of the day and night.
Emerald strapped her Laspistol to her waist and made sure she had the extra packs with her before she left her room. She found Celestine pulling the undersuit of her armour on and waved her goodbye.
The trek to the park was longer and a lot more tiring, but it was early in the morning so it wasn't too bad, except for the cool wind and extra snowfall. Though it was really pretty to watch as it drifted in the wind and formed swirls when a large gust came.
After a few more minutes of walking, and a light jog, she came up to the artificial forest. And continued her jog to the clearing.
"You used the path this time!"
Emerald flipped her off with a laugh as she slowed to a walk, "fuck off, I didn't know it was there last time!"
Ilia giggled into her hand from her place on the grass, "you're so rude!"
"No, just blunt," or at least that's what Alexea had called her once.
"Do you tell everyone to fuck off?" Ilia stuttered on the swear before she remembered who was standing over her,
Emerald shook her head, "no, just you,"
"Wow, I feel so special," Ilia held a hand to her chest, "thank you,"
A large grin spread across her face, "You're welcome, asshole,"
"For a kid, you're really rude," Ilia rose a brow, "nothing like the ones in class,"
Emerald shrugged with a small smile, "eh,"
Ilia chuckled and stood tentatively, "I don't mind… I was joking as well,"
"I know, I can handle a joke," a small grin formed on Emerald, "and a punch,"
Ilia's brows rose and she sized Emerald up, "the girls in school would hate you,"
Emerald laughed and shrugged, "so? I'm not in school,"
Ilia rolled her eyes, "they're full of themselves-"
"Really?" the adults were a bit rude, but the other kids? wait, she wasn't the best example of a child... what? she knew most adults didn't like her, but they weren't the important ones.
Ilia nodded, "yeah, they all have to have the perfect hair and nails, oh, don't forget the newest fashion!"
Emerald pursed her lips, "uh, regular clothes work well, why not use them?"
Ilia made air-quotes as she spoke with annoyance, "look the best,"
"Mummy's Lien at work!" Emerald said, brushing the fact she used Celestine's Lien to the side,
Ilia snorted at her and rolled her eyes, "pretty much, yeah. Don't have the right fashion? They won't talk to you. Have the right one, they'll bully you for copying them,"
Emerald's brows pulled together, "do they do it to you?"
"No," Ilia shook her head rapidly, "I stick to my corner and friends,"
Though the words were spoken with contentment, Ilia slumped slightly and glanced away from her sadly. Well, there were two liars here then. Emerald frowned at not knowing what to do.
So, she did the first thing that came to her mind.
Start a play fight.
"Comm'er, bitch!" Emerald reached for her and Ilia dodged to the side in a roll and got to her feet and ran. For Ilia, she thought she was the fastest person in the world, whereas Emerald spent less than a few seconds in a sprint before she sprung forward and tackled Ilia. she spun so she'd hit the floor first and let her Aura take the brunt of the impact.
"Ow," Emerald groaned and her arms flopped to the side,
Ilia sat up slowly and blinked widely, "you're fast,"
"I'm in pain," Emerald wheezed dramatically,
"Sorry!" Ilia squeaked and scrambled off Emerald and knelt at her side, "are you okay?"
Emerald waved her off and sat up, "yeah, I'm still getting used to being-"
"Strong? Fast?" Ilia grinned, "a rude ass?"
Emerald hit her arm gently with the back of her hand, "bitch,"
Ilia smiled at her and shivered in a cold breeze, "so, wanna teach me how to punch?"
"Um," Emerald scratched her head and shrugged, "sure, but do you have Aura?"
Ilia nodded and a small flicker of the fluorescent pink field was seen over her, "yup! I wanna go to the Academy, remember?"
Emerald grinned evilly, "sweet! But I'm really cold," more snow fell from the sky, "wanna head back to mine? I'll teach you how to block,"
Ilia nodded but tilted her head curiously, "blocking? I wanna punch!"
Emerald stood and pulled her up as well, "do you want to be punched by me?"
"No," Ilia answered quickly,
"Exactly, Ilia," Emerald smirked and began to lead them back, "you said a few weeks ago that you'd die boxing me, so I don't wanna risk it even if I'm not as good as you think I am,"
Ilia trudged along beside her, "but you are for a kid!"
"I'm nine, Ilia," Emerald deadpanned as the other girl caught up, "I got a lot to learn with this stuff,"
Well, everyone told her she did. Was punching not enough to be able to help? Apparently not, though the more she fought with any of them, the more she understood that no, punching and shooting wasn't the only thing in a fight.
"Ugh," Ilia rolled her eyes, "you're being a downer,"
"I'm telling the truth," Emerald corrected and shook herself out of her thoughts,
"Whatever, ass,"
"Do you really want to start an insult contest?" Emerald smiled widely, "I will win,"
Ilia gave her a deadpan look, "no, I don't want to know what other swears you know,"
"Shit, cunt, fuck, whore, motherfucker, bitch, bastard, slut," Emerald counted off casually even though she didn't know the meaning of many of them, just how to use them, "prick, dickhead, bullshit… honestly, they only get more and more boring,"
Ilia stared at her with an embarrassed and horrified blush, "there's more!?"
"Duh, of course there's more," Emerald wiggled her brows, "wanna hear them?"
"Does Celestine know this?" Ilia whispered the name furiously, like just talking to Emerald would get her killed,
Emerald shrugged with a small roll of her eyes, "Probably? I've sworn in front of her before and she hasn't told me off," she smiled, "you can say her name, you know,"
Ilia's cheeks flushed red and she leant in, "But she said not to let anyone know I know her,"
"You aren't, you're saying her name," Emerald lead them through the doors to the foyer, "besides, Celestine ain't gonna kill you,"
"How do you know that?" Ilia asked, "she has a massive sword!"
"The Ardent Blade is really cool, but she won't use it on you," Emerald shuddered from watching her fight the Grimm when she saved her, "but she has used it before on the Grimm, it wasn't pretty,"
The two of them entered the elevator that was stationed on the ground floor and Ilia shuffled, "What about people?"
Emerald side-eyed her, "yes, even people who have-" she gulped as she repressed unwanted memories- "who have wronged her and the Kingdoms,"
"So like the cult?"
"Especially the cult," Emerald spat venomously, "let them burn for all I care,"
Ilia stared at her in fear and gulped, "s-sorry…"
Emerald shook her head and took a deep breath, "no, I am… they-" she hung her head, not wanting to say what she felt she had to- "I was with them for two years, Ilia, and you don't want to know what it was like,"
"Mum and Dad whisper about Mountain Glenn," Ilia didn't meet Emerald's eyes, "they don't want me to know about it,"
The elevator dinged and came to a stop and Emerald swallowed thickly, "I don't want you to know,"
"You were there?"
"No, I wasn't," Emerald whispered, "but I want to fight them, so I'm learning as fast and best I can no matter what so I can protect myself and others,"
Like that girl. Why was it taking so long to do something? Priorities her ass, someone needed help…
Ilia's steps faltered and she frowned sadly, "will you still be my friend?"
Emerald looked up and gave her the warmest smile she could as she let them into her apartment, "Duh! Besides, you're my only friend,"
The fear and tenseness eased from Ilia, "you'll still teach me, right?"
In a blink, Emerald's fist hit Ilia's arm as hard as it could and shoved her into the wall, then the floor, "Ow, fuck!"
"Try blocking or dodging," Emerald smirked and bounced on the balls of her feet, much like the movies showed, "it'll hurt less,"
"Thanks," Ilia deadpanned as she rubbed her arm and stood, "I'll remember that for when you seak up on me, meanie"
"Come one, I gave you better insults a few minutes ago," Emerald giggled and removed her jacket, "now stand over there," she pointed to the bit of clearing between the living room and kitchen counter,
Ilia complied and stood nervously, "what now?"
"Copy my stance," Emerald tossed her jacket onto the couch and faced her, with her stance lowered and with her fists up to cover her face, but not enough to block her vision entirely, "stay like that,"
Ilia nodded and stayed in the same position, "wha-"
"Move your feet apart a bit more," Emerald looked her up and down and readied herself, "and raise your fists a bit as well. Good, now, I'm going to throw a few punches at your forearms, so have you Aura up,"
Ilia nervously nodded and the fluorescent pink field popped into existence briefly.
Emerald advanced and jabbed right and then left before she threw a hook that broke the block. She backed up and raised her fists, "and time for you to try that to me,"
"H-how? I've never thrown a punch before!" Ilia protested, "what if I hurt you?"
Emerald gave her a smile, "I've had my Aura broken and still had to fight… believe me, it isn't fun, especially when it's Lelith doing it,"
Ilia groaned and copied Emerald to the best of her memory and threw a right jab and a hook that was intercepted and had Emerald wrap her arm around Ilia's before she punched the girl in the stomach.
Ilia fell to her knees with a loud groan, "I regret this already…"
Emerald knelt down next to her, "you wanted to learn, and, well… I only have Celestine and that to go off on actually training someone…"
"They're this brutal!?" Ilia groaned up to her,
"This is brutal?" Emerald tilted her head, "there's only one way to learn, and that's through pain… well, Greyfax, Lelith and Alexea say so, and it has worked so far!" Emerald put her hands on her hips and stood tall, "I can dodge some attacks and my punches are getting harder!"
Ilia laughed tiredly up at her and then shakily rose and firmly copied the pose again, "try me then, bitch,"
Emerald smiled and fell into a readied pose, "stand next to me and copy my moves,"
The girl did so and proceeded to do so for the next six hours with breaks every so often. Was she any good? No, in Emerald's opinion but she knew she didn't really have one, to begin with, being very much a novice at everything, but it was the thought that counts, right?
A child, saying how good another child was in a fight, surely there was something wrong with that… But maybe she'd get good enough to match at least Greyfax or Alexea.
She wanted to be on par with Celestine, but she knew it was something she'd never reach, but by the Gods would she die trying.
By the end of their 'training' lessons, Ilia was sprawled on the couch, tired and worn, "I hate this…"
"You asked~" Emerald plopped down next to her, "I figured out that if you use your Aura while training to heal yourself, you build muscle quicker,"
"I don't want to be muscular though," Ilia pouted into the pillow her face was buried in,
Emerald shrugged in indifference, "I don't care what I look like, really, so long as no one can hurt me again," she finished in a whisper to herself.
"I wanna be stealthy, so the Grimm don't see me coming!" Ilia piqued up and her hair went everywhere, "it'll be cool!"
"Your body is worth more than you think," Emerald slid down her seat and groaned while Ilia jumped at Lelith's voice. The woman stepped over the back of the couch and sat down in between the two, "in combat, that is,"
Ilia went beet red when Lelith's regular attire, minus the armour registered, "what?"
Emerald glared at Hesperax, "Can you learn what pants are?"
Lelith put her arms over the back of the seat, "I could, but distraction is a key factor in combat,"
Emerald ignored the nervous spluttering from her friend, "wait, you wear so little on purpose? You're not a whore?"
Lelith rolled her eyes at the attempted insult and glanced at Emerald, "yes, people like to stare when more skin is shown, it makes for an amusing sight just before I kill," she flipped her hair over the back of the couch and the hooks and blades tinkled on the floor, "but it is also a taunt; I do not need armour and the opponent can not hit me,"
Emerald nodded slowly as she thought about it, "that makes sense… even if it's weird,"
"Wait," Ilia blinked, "that's a thing people do?"
"I do not recommend trying it unless your skills are to match," Lelith said offhandedly as she cleaned her nails, "unless you like the pain, that is,"
"And you're training me to be like you?" Emerald questioned and got a nod from the Drukhari, "so… do I have to dress like you?"
Lelith shook her head causing the blades and hooks to scratch across the floor, "no, but if you are to mimic the fighting style of the Wyches completely, it will be a requirement by nature of the art,"
"You're an artist?" Ilia's face lit with an awed smile, "cool!"
"I can perform a variety of arts; some of which you know of and find acceptable," Lelith smiled as memories of her own flashed, "others… not so much,"
Ilia sat up straighter, "does that mean you can play the guitar?"
"Can you teach me if you do know?" Emerald asked, trying to get in on the rare moment of pleasant company Lelith now afforded her, "It looks cool,"
Lelith glanced between the two girls and abruptly stood and walked over the couch, "no," she said blandly and left out the door,
Ilia stared at the entrance in shock, "wow, she left fast..."
Emerald looked back to her friend, not at all surprised by the reaction, "she does that,"
"She does need pants though," Ilia said, her skin flushing a faint red,
Emerald's eyes widened slightly, "huh, neat."
"What?" Ilia glanced at her in confusion,
"You're red," Emerald pointed out, "like, actually red,"
Wha- Oh. oh…oh no.
"Please don't leave!" Ilia suddenly begged and Emerald stared at her in confusion,
"Why would I?" Emerald asked, "you saw Lelith, she isn't human… she's a bitch, but that's unrelated," she tried to joke but Ilia's face didn't waver from the fear it held. Now, what could she do? "uh…I don't care that you're Faunus… wait, you are one right, not just using your Semblance?"
Ilia nodded slowly, "yeah, I'm Faunus…"
"Cool," Emerald shrugged. Not knowing what else to do, she faced Ilia properly, "so, what else can you do?"
Ilia's brows rose in surprise, "um… I can just… change colour…"
Though it wasn't that impressive, not after the stuff she's seen, Emerald nodded impressed anyway, "neat! So, like, can you go invisible and stuff?"
In response, Ilia's body, hair and all, went grey. She tilted her head, "why're you being so nice?"
"... so that's a 'no' on invisible…" Emerald joked only to earn a small glare, "Why shouldn't I be nice?" Emerald countered and rolled her eyes. "oh no, you're Faunus, get her…" she said dryly and pointed half-heartedly before dropping her hand in her lap, "that's what you wanted?"
Despite the nerves and fear, Ilia giggled at the joke, "kinda, yeah,"
Emerald waved her off with a 'psh', "whatever, you aren't an asshole and that's what matters," she straightened and her tone became serious, "besides, we both now know secrets about each other, right? So we have to be friends!"
Ilia gave her a watery smile, "thanks… when a lot of people find out, they're mean or stop talking to me,"
"Well," Emerald shuffled closer a little awkwardly. This was the first friend she had, there was no way she'd let it die over something so petty, "If someone is mean, I'll beat them up!"
Ilia giggled, her skin flushed a vibrant yellow and slapped Emerald's arm playfully, "no, don't do that!"
"Why not?" Emerald felt herself smile involuntarily, "if they hurt you, I'll hurt them,"
Ilia gave her a grateful look, "I can handle myself, but… thank you, Em,"
"Em?"
Ilia nodded, "yeah, we're friends now, so you get a nickname!"
Emerald chuckled, "fine by me, I guess…" she trailed off at the expectant look from Ilia, "what?"
"Gonna give me one?"
"Uh, shit, I dunno," Emerald scratched the side of her head, "...Lizard?"
Ilia slapped her arm with a look of mild annoyance and a smirk that told her she only got away with the joke because Ilia allowed it. Emerald rubbed her arm sheepishly.
But despite it all, it was relaxing to have a friend around. Someone to talk to who wasn't an angel or giant golden man. Just a regular person to make her not-so-regular life feel a bit more… normal…
"Wanna see if something is on the TV?" Ilia asked suddenly,
Emerald nodded fervently and picked the remote up.
A/N
Now, this skip is a few weeks-ish later. Because of the Vytal Festival to get to, the time skips will be a bit vague with dates and hard timeframes so I don't accidentally go past it.
Alexea: *casually encourages theft to a child because she gets free shit*
Moral of the story is don't insult a Saint or a Blank otherwise your shit will be stolen lol.
Emerald was a thief in canon, so why not have her steal a bit here and have it as a comment on how arrogant Atlesians are. That and Emerald's attitude is developing as she grows more confident and skilled. She's going from "wouldn't stab anyone" to "will stab as a warning" in true Imperial fashion, while Lelith is just "stab."
Ah, Celestine, addressing your own hypocrisy a bit, how you've grown! Emerald getting a pass through selfish feelings of attachment seem about right for an Imperial.
I was going to use an SOB-related book, but I thought 'why not have Celestine get something she thought Emerald would like instead?' and Cain has gotten mentioned a bit already, so may as well go with the Canonical Bio he has. It also solves the 'no Chaos' bit because it is a civilian available book, so Chaos would be mentioned in the broadest and vaguest of terms: Ruinous powers = Heretic. Heretic = kill on sight.
Now, the next few chapters might be out a lot quicker like this one purely because I'm using shit that was written months ago and only needs editing to fit a bit better. They're short, but that's because all bar one has a plot moment.
The full quote the title comes from is; "when there's no cops around, anything's legal!" -Grunkle Stan, Gravity Falls. Obviously, the title references Emerald stealing.
Review time
Saitama1155: the face ozpin or salem will have when they realize these people are ruled by someone who is basically a God in human skin with children who are just straight up demigods is gonna be priceless
When Celestine went to Terra the first time, I had a part written for shits and giggles where she's able to bring Guilliman back with her; problem was, they materialised in the middle of Kotek and Jacques' chess game causing Jacques to faint from shock.
Monster King: Good job
Thanks!
187: Man this shit is both funny and annoying. Like you see these strangers with powers and sizes never before seen they explain that they come from space and all that and Ozpin is like "nope". Like bro just do a dna scan on Lelith or Kotek and you will see that they arent from Remnant. Man cant wait for The Imperium to show up so Ironwood can be all "I told you"...fucking Lelith being from a tribe or some shit HA. Anyway cool chapter cant wait to see whats next.
Denial does wonders to a paranoid man, lol. And I doubt any of them would allow a DNA scan out of principle, let alone Lelith who would see it as an insult of some kind.
BloodRedRoses11: First, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! One year of publication of this story is quit a time, hope you keep the nice work!
Second, inquisitor Emerald? well, it will be a lot of work, but she can do it.. i guess...
About the malal thing, funny that i guess your original idea, also weird that no one(in Fanfiction at least) never did it before, but anyway, i think you still can use it, in a different way of curse. Before i release it's actually a good idea, i was think on it in the same way as Ozpin and company, making a lot of incorrect assumption out of paranoia, i was thinking in something like a special scene between the primarchs and the like, creating a million possibilities to a wrong conclusion, perhaps making a full blow crusade to find remnant faster. Go Imperium!
But anyway, hope you keep the good work and have a nice day!
Believe me, it was a shock to realise it's been a year. Like shit, time flew so fast it isn't funny.
I wish I added a line into that scene where it was like;
"wait, I'm gonna be in charge of people?" or something like that, and Greyfaxs' response being, "Don't know, but it's better to be prepared for everything than nothing,"
Like, they all silently agreed to train her because she's with Celestine, so may as well make her the best she can be, right?
I don't think I've seen Malal in any works, then again, I don't read much anymore so he might be out there. It's nice to think of all the 'what-if's there are with this like; what if it was a Primarch or what if X believed Celestine about X instead of X.
I have written out small bits of these 'What-if's because I never know when a bit of one might be of use later and self-indulgence.