Even as a day passed after his visit to Cinder's tent — busily, as running an illegal paramilitary organization required far more ordinary decisions than most people considered — Adam was fascinated by just how easily he was able to handle the fallout of killing Roman.

It was almost magical how the absence of the constant stress and anger allowed him to use some of the political tricks he loathed to use.

However, as he heard a tap on his tent flap, followed by Emerald bursting inside, he realized the benefits of his little trick did not come to an end.

The reason, her completely different way of dressing. Gone was her functional crop top and pants, replaced by a large overcoat. A noticeable difference in the way she dressed regardless of the circumstances, but Adam wouldn't have paid much attention to it if it wasn't for the way she had been trembling enough to show her discomfort.

Something was different, enough to break her usual attitude of dismissal.

"Yes," Adam growled, happy to push her even more with his attitude. Her distaste toward him was clear, though, unlike most cases, it didn't annoy Adam much. Her distaste was not about his Faunus heritage, but the disrespectful manner he was speaking to her boss.

"I'm here to discuss our new strategy after Roman's … unfortunate demise," she said, her pause enough to show that they weren't entertaining the farce, but choosing not to push.

Though even that choice was enough to trigger suspicion in Adam. If they knew what happened, why weren't they pushing more? Maybe they didn't know the truth, but guessed, Adam reasoned in the privacy of his mind.

After all, a human working with Faunus despite his habit of calling them animals… Didn't take a genius to understand his ultimate fate.

"Take a seat, then," Adam gestured to a chair, not wanting to waste his time more than necessary. He still had a lot of tasks to assign, and entertaining one of Cinder's lackeys was not how he wanted to spend the rest of his evening.

He considered kicking her out, but it was only a passing fancy. It had hurt his pride to admit but Cinder was as strong as she was volatile, and Roman's suspicious demise had already pushed the situation more than he was comfortable with.

He decided not to push his luck too much, even though he wanted nothing more than kick Emerald out and focused on his own plans.

"Make yourself comfortable," he gestured again after noticing she was yet to sit down, still shuffling uncomfortably. He meant that as a request to sit down, but he didn't expect to take her more literally than he expected, walking toward the small drink cabinet — the only hint of luxury in his tent.

He took a deep sigh, which was the only thing that allowed him from barking angrily. Their presence in the camp was annoying enough without them taking liberties in his tent. But he assumed it was just an indirect way of reminding him who was the boss...

Though, if that was the case, Adam had to admit, it was an acceptable punishment for the crime he had committed.

He kept his attention on the patrol schedule — not willing to work on anything more sensitive in front of Cinder's right hand — while Emerald busied herself with his drinks cabinet, which was filled with the cheapest alcohol that was still legally — for a given value of legality — could be sold.

He didn't have a particularly refined palate after growing up in a work camp, and the Faunus cause had more important things to spend money on.

He ignored Emerald's lengthy selection process and focused on his word. It took more than a minute for Emerald to pour herself a glass. Adam smirked as he saw the amount she poured from the clearest liquid, which was strong enough to strip off rust off the metal. He expected her to start coughing the moment she smelled, not even daring to take a sip.

Which was why he was surprised when she downed the glass with one reckless motion, leaving her coughing.

Though not as surprised compared to the moment she removed her coat and sat down, her legs crossed. "W-we have a lot … to discuss," she murmured, stammering and pausing.

Adam didn't blame her, not when his attention was grabbed by what she was wearing. Or, more importantly, what she wasn't wearing.

"Yes, we do…" Adam murmured, his smirk widening as she took a desperate breath, trying to shore up her courage. But Adam was less concerned with the desperate breath she took, and more concerned with her arms, clenching to the chair to keep herself from covering her chest.

And, she had a lot to cover with the way she dressed — and wasn't dressed — the way her bosom heaved hardly helping.

A bosom that he enjoy with little obstruction, because, under her coat, she had neglected some critical items. Items such as a skirt, or a blouse.

It seemed that his attempts to act like a horny teenager willing to be distracted by a sexy lady worked even better than he hoped. Lucky, he thought even as he enjoyed the view, he didn't push Cinder too much, realizing she was even crazier than he had given credit for.

She wouldn't think twice before trying to kill him if she was this quick to whore out her most loyal follower.

Emerald's clear discomfort didn't prevent Adam from enjoying it, not forgetting for a moment that Emerald was also a competent assassin and manipulator whose Semblance was still shrouded in mystery.

Not exactly someone deserving of pity.

He waited for her to speak even as he turned his attention to the ensemble that she was wearing.

An ensemble that was white, lacy, and most importantly, fragile… Too fragile, even, failing to completely hide the tanned skin underneath even under the dim lights of his tent. She was beautiful, that much for certain. Much more beautiful than he expected from someone from her line of occupation.

Some parts of her body were more covered, but considering it was her stockings that were responsible for it, deliciously chosen thigh-highs that connected to her garter belt, it was hardly something that reduced the sexiness she had on display.

Adam raised his gaze, only for her to avoid it with a blush. Adam smirked, and continued enjoying her almost naked body, surprised at just how much her daily practical clothing had given him a misleading impression of her beauty.

She was beautiful enough that she might have succeeded in captivating his attention if it wasn't for the adventure earlier, working wonders to reduce the impact of her allure, even with her delicious areolas, peeking through the edge of her bra, too small to properly cover her erect nipples pushing against the fabric.

He waited a while more, but she was yet to speak, so he let his gaze wander even lower, trailing her smooth stomach, toned by endless exercising, before arriving at her legs. Crossed tightly, her legs hid her panties enough to leave the amount of transparency it had been displaying a question, but the extra view of her ass was rather excellent as compensation.

Adam wondered how her tanned skin would feel under his fingers, and whether her garter belt could survive a violent pull if he bent her over his desk while Emerald maintained her silence.

"Actually, why don't you be a doll and pour a glass for me as well," Adam said.

"R-right now," she said.

"Well, it's a good way to start our discussion," he said.

She paused for a moment, making him curious whether her sense of shame would prove stronger than her loyalty to Cinder. But, her hesitation lasted only for a second before she stood up, revealing that her panties were rather more substantial than her bra.

At least on the front. As she started walking toward the drinks cabinet once more, most of her back was naked, revealing an ass toned enough to bounce a coin.

She was not playing around.

He focused on the way her ass moved rather than paying attention to the glass. Not because he trusted her, but because he didn't actually trust her enough to drink something she poured unless he had no choice.

And, since he wasn't going to drink it, there was no point in drinking.

He watched as she poured herself an even stiffer double before bottoming it, and started walking back. Her alcohol resistance was impressive, a blush all that was to show for the drinks she consumed — and even then, it was more about her state of dress than the alcohol.

"Here is your drink," she said as she put the glass on his desk, the way she leaned forward enhancing her cleavage even further — which was outrageous in the first place.

"Good, sit down and we can talk," he said, but this time, rather than pointing at the chair, he tapped his desk.

If she was willing to put that on the table, he was more than happy to take it. Maybe he could even shake her loyalty to Cinder.

Especially if he cheated a bit with his Semblance.