AN: Soooo, been longer than usual with my update to my little fix and for that I apologize. Had a bit of a time with this particular chapter and a hint of writer's block so wasn't satisfied with the first draft. That being said I can't help but think I will be slowing down my releases as work and life in general have been taking a lot out of me lately, doesn't help I also am drawing up ideas for another fic I want to write but more on that later.

For now, here is the latest chapter and as always Likes, Favorites, and reviews are always welcome.

As always I don't own any rights to RWBY which belongs to Rooster teeth and the beloved and missed Monty Oum.


A Re-Cut Gem

Chpt 6

A soft but insistent chiming filed the air as the first rays of the rising sun spilled into the room from its window. A low groan issued from the mass of tangled sheets and disheveled feathers as a metallic hand groped around the top of the side table. as soon as the metal fingers brushed the scroll they blindly began tapping and swiping at the screen until the chiming stop.

Emerald peeled the covers from her body and rolled of her stomach and into a sitting position before arching forward and unfolding her wings from her back and stretched them to their full span with a sigh. With several gentle flaps that caused the blinds of the window to rattle gently she shook her feathers more or less back into place before folding them against her back. She smiled gently as the unfamiliar room greeted her sight rather than the white washed walls of a prison cell.

A rush of energy filled her limbs, added, replacements and originals and with a hop her talons clacked gently onto the floor, gently scoring the wooden floors. She cursed under her breath in a obscure Vacuoin dialect that was one of the few things she recalled from her early years but continued on he way. Clad only in her underwear and a loose fitting camisole top that had been modified with a zipper up the back she opened the door of her room and peered out into the hallway. Satisfied that Lizzy was still asleep she made her way down the hall, stopping at the Linen closet and grabbed a towel before heading into the bathroom just opposite from it.

The bathroom was spacious in its layout with one wall being a massive vanity mirror under which was two sinks, one of which had bandages, make-up and other toiletries scattered around marking it as Lizzy's. Emerald smirked at the mess as she divested herself of what little clothing she had on. She tossed her shed clothing into a hamper nearly full of clothing before stepping into the shower stall.

Emerald twisted the knobs and was reward with a stream of ice cold water that caused her to flinch slightly but years spent in a prison had forced her to deal with cold water. As the water warmed she hummed in delight, running her hands through her hair as she worked the water in. She couldn't tell how long she spent in that blissful heaven of heated water cascading down her body and wings but enjoyed every moment of it. Only when scrubbing her back did she frown when she felt the scarring and the dully glowing eye of the dark god on her back, the point were the parasite had latched on and burrowed into her.

It was from that mark that all the faint red lines that adorned her body originated, the lines marking the flow of what foul material and power that had warped her into her current form. Emerald shook her head gently before slapping her cheeks. It never paid to dwell on the past so long as you remembered and learned from it. She twisted the knobs and the stream of water petered out as she slid the frosted glass door of the shower open. With several shakes she shed as much water from her feathers as she could before holding them partially open to air dry as she wiped herself down with the towel.

Sufficiently dried sher wrapped her hair in the towel before clutching a towel to her front. If there was one thing having wings did it was making it hard to keep your modesty after a shower. After again peeking her head out the bathroom door to see if the coast was clear Emerald dashed back to her room with a towel wrapped around her hips and another clutched to her chest.

After dressing, preforming her morning stretches and warm-ups Emerald opened the window to let the cold spring air and the gentle sounds of the waking forest drift in. She sat on the middle of the floor and crossed her legs, carefully curling her talons beneath her. After Emerald had positioned herself she lightly closed her eyes and took a steadying breath, letting her mind clear as she began to meditate.

It was a practiced she had started early in her time in prison to manage the Grimm urges and thoughts that were a constant presence in ever Shaded's mind. Each shaded handled it differently. Most just suppressed them as best they could, others drank themselves into oblivion when their Grimm nature reared itself and some indulged in their nature, drinking in the negative emotions they elicited, the effects not unlike a drug that gave them strength and fortitude at the cost of making them more aggressive and prone to lashing out violently at the slightest provocation.

Emerald had come to terms early on with what she was and accepted her Grimm nature. She kept a firm control on it, never allowing it to feed on the negative emotions but never trying to deny it. Even now she could feel the presence in the back of her mind, acknowledged but firmly held on a short leash. Content with her own dark emotions that she like any human was prone to have as it's source of sustenance.

Emerald continued her meditation for a half hour, content with herself and her more pronounced dual nature of dark and light. After rising from her position she headed downstairs for yet another crucial aspect of her morning, coffee. It was a few minutes into searching the cabinets and shelfs that Emerald heard the sluggish footfalls of her roommate trudge down the stairs. "Morning Lizzy, those several drinks coming back to haunt you yet?" Emerald asked tauntingly which only elicited a groan from Lizzy.

"I will end you and use whats left to stuff pillows. Coffee is in the cabinets over the microwave, make it strong enough to wake the dead please." Lizzy shuffled into a seat that lined the small island counter in the middle of the kitchen before resting her head on the counter.

Emerald chuckled as she fished out the Coffee grounds and shoveled several spoonfuls into the coffeepot. "Sure thing, want me to set out anything in particular?" Emerald turn to finally look at Lizzy and her eyes widened in surprised. Underneath a sleeveless shirt and pajama pants she could make out the outlines of bandages and gauss warps. "Oh, I didn't realize you where hurt. I hope it isn't serious?"

Lizzy held up a hand and gave a thumbs up. "Nothing serious anymore. I had a disagreement with a murder of nevermores and they poked a few holes in me. Wasn't my most pleasant hunt but I came back breathing so I chalk it up as successful. As for accessories to my coffee, I prefer it black with a spoonful of sugar."

Emerald winced slightly and sighed. "Sorry to hear, Nevermore quills are not a laughing matter. I take it that is why you are on down time with your family?" While talking she went to the fridge and pulled it open to very little in the way of actual food. Mostly take-out boxes and tubs of half eaten leftovers that obviously came from Jaune and Pyrrha's. "Well aren't we a self sufficient grown up, nothing but take out and leftovers. Oh look, this one even has mold..." Emerald shook her head before grabbing a plastic tuber ware container and threw it into the garbage next to the fridge.

Lizzy looked up from the count and shrugged apologetically. "Never was much of a cook, That was always Jaune-Jaune's department." she gave a small grunt and slipped from her stool and around the island counter to the half full coffee pot and pouring herself and Emerald a cup as the Shaded continued her unappetizing work with the contents of the fridge. "I know the basics but I really am never in one place long enough to actually bother buying groceries and making food. This is the first time I've ever been in one place for so long."

"Is it really getting that bad out beyond the Kingdoms?" Emerald finished a rough clearing of the fridge as she spoke before turning to the sink and washing her hand. "I guess I need to speed up getting back into fighting order then. I need to get Lil' red's scroll contact from Pyrrha so I can get a start on my weapons, might as well go mooch of them for breakfast seeing as most of what I could see in the fridge was gaining sentience." Emerald picked up her coffee and poured a dash of creamer and two spoons of sugar before sipping on it.

"Lil Red? Oh you mean Ruby, yeah not so little anymore. she is nearly as tall as Pyrrha." Lizzy stated. "Granted she still acts like a fifteen year old most of the time rather than someone nearly thirty."

Emerald smirked and shrugged. "Eh, she was basically a midget when I first met her and the image of her as Lil Red has stuck in my head since then."

Lizzy shook her head before finishing her own cup of Coffee and placing the mug into the sink. "I guess I would have had to meet her back then. Anyway lets head out for breakfast, Tori should be up and bouncing around by now so we should make it there just as Jaune is taking her off to per-school."

Emerald quirked an eyebrow as she watched Lizzy pull on her boots and begin to lace them up. "You are going to take a five minute walk in nothing but pajama pants and a tank top at eight in the miring in early Spring?"

"I'm a huntress, I've fought off beowolfs in nothing but my panties before so a little cold does nothing more that make the girls perk up a bit." Lizzy Stated cheerfully.

Emerald sighed as she placed her mug in the sink as she heard the front door swing open. She hurried after her new roommate who was waiting outside popping her lips to create puffs of frozen breaths in the air.

"You and Yang must be some sort of long lost relatives you two are so alike."

"Oh it was amazing when my brother meet me for the 'first' time. He just looked between Yang and I for like a minute before asking if the Xiao-Longs were distant relatives. We would've gotten as much mileage out of that had our parents not denied it right then." Lizzy sighed wistfully at the missed opportunity as the pair began the trek back to the main Arkos residence. "To be fair it would have been a dick move to play on my brother who had lost all memories of his family."

"Yeeeeah, just a little bit of a dick move on your part. Not exactly like he lost his memories by choice." Emerald gave Lizzy a pointed look to which Lizzy gave shrug in reply. "I have to say though, your brother seems to have taken it in stride. The way he acted around you and your sister I would never have guessed it."

Lizzy smiled gently and nodded. "Yeah, he has made strides but he still isn't the same Jaune that we knew..." Lizzy's smile faltered as her voice softened. "Don't get me wrong I still love him and would go to hell and back for him but it has been hard coming to terms that the brother I knew and the one I have now aren't really the same person."

Emerald nodded silently as Lizzy talked before putting a hand gently on her shoulder in a comforting manner. At least that was the intention but as her metallic hand touched bare flesh Lizzy gave a shreak and jumped forward several feet." GAAAH! What the hell was that for?! Gods your hands are giant blocks of ice! Don't they have internal heaters to keep it at body temperature?"

Emerald winced and rubbed the back of her head, noting Just how cold her hand was. "Eh-he, oops? My old arms didn't have that function so it kinda slipped my mind." Emerald held a wrist out in front of her, palm up, and gently pressed on the panel on the underside of her forearm. It popped open to reveal several pistons and bundles of wiring as well as two slots to hold dust vials of fire and ice that regulated the temperature, both of which were empty.

"Um, you would happen to have two spare vials of fire and ice dust each on you, would you?" Emerald asked meekly as they started up the drive to the Arkos house.

"I'm in a tank top and pajama pants and you are seriously asking me for vials of dust?" Lizzy deadpanned to which Emerald hung her head. the two crested the hill to the view of a truck with a covered back idling outside on the drive with Jaune standing at the front door.

"Hey there Liz, Em." He greeted them cheerfully before sticking his head back inside. "If I don't hear feet moving in a couple of seconds, someone won't be watching the next few episodes of X-ray and Vav or any TV for that matter!"

He smiled as his threat had the desired effect as the sounds of muffled scrambling echoed down the stairs before turning back to his the two women. "I swear, she gets just about every one of her bad habits from me. I would ask what brings you here so early but I could hear your stomachs growling while you were still at the bottom of the drive. Still plenty left in the kitchen, I would stay and chat but I have to get Tori to school."

The girl in question appeared at the top of the stairs, jumping from the landing and using partially opened wings to slow her descent. "Sorry daddy, I fergot to put my colorin stuff in my bag." She held up a Pumpkin Pete messenger pack to emphasize as Jaune ushered her towards the truck.

"Trust me, I used the same excuse on your mother back in Beacon. It didn't fly then and it won't now, speaking of which you get to do dishes tonight. You know flying in the house isn't allowed."

Praetoria gave a defiant look that withered under the stern one that Jaune returned as he buckled her into her seat. "But I didn't fly! I was just fallin' slowly!"

"Same difference little lady, dishes tonight and no more buts. We will be late if we don't hurry." Jaune closed the truck's door on Praetoria's protests and waved to Emerald and his sister as he hoped into the drivers seat. "See you two later tonight, I have a sweep and clear with a batch of Juniors from Beacon today as a day trip so don't wait up for me at dinner time."

Emerald and Lizzy nodded and waved goodbye to Jaune and Praetoria as the truck trundled down the drive and to the main road before going inside. The house's pleasant atmosphere warmth was a pleasant contrast to the cold spring air and the smell of oatmeal and cinnamon was a added plus. Pyrrha appeared at the top of the stairs in training clothes made up of yoga pants and a sleeveless training top that revealed the graceful looking red lines that marked her arms .

"Lizzy! Did your really walk over here in your pajamas again?" Pyrrha asked, admonishment clear in her tone. "You really need to take better care of yourself, you are still recovering from having nevermore quills punch strait through your abdomen."

Lizzy waved the concern away lazily. "Oh a little cold won't kill me Pyrrha. Besides I am well out of the woods in regards to the wounds." She smiled as Pyrrha walked over to her with a concerned look on her face before gently prodding Lizzy's bandaged stomach causing the woman's smile to turn into a gritting wince.

"Out of the woods maybe but hardly in top shape." Pyrrha sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Blatant disregard to one's self seems to be another Arc trait. I just hope Praetoria doesn't get that as well. I can only assume you are here because you once again forgot to get food as well."

Pyrrha motioned for the two to follow her as she headed back into the kitchen. "Honestly Lizzy, if you keep this up I will drag you back to the main house. You are twenty-nine years old and a trained huntress yet you still act like a huntress-in-training." The tone in Pyrrha's voice could only be described as 'motherly' and Emerald couldn't help but chuckle. Motherhood, it seemed, was something that Pyrrha had taken too quite quickly.

"Don't worry Pyrrha, I will make sure we start getting a steady supply of fresh food." Emerald stated gently as she walked over to the stove that held a covered pot next to a kettle set over a low flame that emitted a steady wisp of steam. She lifted the lid to see lukewarm oatmeal and made a noise of approval. "Mm, oatmeal. Always a good choice for starting the day. Will Violet be joining us or has she already left?"

Pyrrha shook her head gently as she walked next to Emerald and turned the flame underneath the kettle off. "Sadly she already left, she needed to take the early flight back to Vale to be to work on time." stated as she poured the hot water into a tea pot before droping in several tea bags. "Would you like some tea Emerald?" Pyrrha asked as she poured herself a cup.

"Nah, I'm good for now, just hungry. To bad about Violet, I was looking forward to chatting with her more."

After retrieving a bowl with Lizzy the two woman spooned a healthy portions for themselves and dressed the oatmeal to their tastes before sitting down with Pyrrha at the table. The three enjoyed a companionable silence as Lizzy and Emerald enjoyed their meal and Pyrrha looked through her scroll at the latest news. After several minutes of the quite sounds of silverware clinking and the ambient sounds of the forest outside did Emerald break the silence.

"Seeing your scroll reminds me Pyrrha, I need to get Ruby's scroll contact. I still need to talk to her about getting parts and materials to make new weapons." Emerald stated in a pause between bites finishing off her oatmeal. "Would you happen to know when a good time to message her would be? wouldn't exactly want to call or message her in the middle of a stealth mission."

"Oh, of course Emerald. Just let me finish up this article and I will give it to you." Pyrrha replied happily. "As for when a good time to call her would be I do believe that she should be just getting in from a mission out in Northern Anima." Pyrrha glanced at the time on her scroll and gave a moment to calculate. "She actually should just be landing if she hasn't run into any delays."

Emerald wiped her mouth with a napkin and nodded. Emerald fished her scroll from her pocket and held it out to Pyrrha who tapped her own against it and a small chime sounded as the information was transferred. "Northern Anima? Why is she taking a mission all the way up in the frozen sticks?" Questioned Emerald as she began dialing her friend.

"Last I heard she was on protection detail with a group of dust mine surveyors for her block of ice of a wife and her company." Lizzy supplied as she stood up and began clearing the table. "After your guys little crusade against that Salem woman and her nutters Weiss went to contest her douche nozzle of a brother's-"

"Language!" Pyrrha interrupted with a stern glare to Lizzy before Lizzy continued.

"-inheritance for the SDC and things got nasty. Company nearly ripped itself apart and a lot of mines and jobs got lost in the crossfire. After Weiss pulled the majority the company back together and renamed it the White Rose Dust Company she and Ruby have been clearing out mines and processing sites."

Emerald held her scroll to her right ear gently as she listened. "Oh wow, I think I know who I might lend a hand to once I'm back in fighting shape." Her scroll stopped ringing as the other end answered. "Hello? Ruby are yo-"

"EMMIEEEEEEE!" Emerald winced and held her scroll at arms length as a piercing squeal of unbridled joy was emitted from her scroll loud enough to cause Pyrrha and Lizzy to flinch.

"I really should have expected that from Lil red." Emerald grumbled as she switched her scroll left hand and ear while rubbing her ringing right ear. "-looOoo, Emmie? Remnant to Emerald."

"I'm still her Ruby, just had to switch ears now that I can't hear out of my right one at the moment." Emerald replied dryly which caused the woman on the other end to chuckle with a hint of embarrassment.

"heh, oops? Sorry I guess I might have over re-acted a little bit." Ruby replied apologetically. "I'm sorry I wasn't able to make it to your hearing but was glad to hear you are free as a bird now! oh, whoops... Sorry, that sounded a little racist didn't it?"

Emerald covered her face gently and heaved a sigh. "It's fine Lil Red, hasn't been the worst thing said about me. 'Sides, it is a fairly accurate statement. I wish this were a social call only but I do need to ask for a favor or three, would now be a good time?"

A bubbly giggle drifted from Emerald scroll "Of course! I'm just waiting for big Al to swing by to pick me up. let me just find a place to hunker down and switch to video call."

Emerald looked at Pyrrha and Lizzy questioningly and mouthed 'Who' as she stayed on the line waiting.

"Alexander, Ruby's personal assistant. built like a brick shit house but damn smart and a nice guy unless you piss him off." Lizzy answered as a video chat notice appeared. Emerald tapped the Icon and Ruby's scuffed and grimy face with a large black leather patch imprinted with White rose decal covering her left eye and part of her face appeared.

Ruby's hair was longer than when Emerald had last seen her. Reaching just past her shoulders and tied into a loose pony tail that was secured with a white ribbon just above the red tips of her hair. "Hey there Emmie! lookin' good. How are you enjoying your stay with Pyrrha and Jaune?"

"I am having a good time so far, it's much better than my last lodging not that they would be hard to beat." Emerald answered with a laugh. "Anyway I was hoping you might be able to scrounge up some pistol and mecha-shift parts for me. I need new weapons and will take any old scraps and outdated tech you might have lying around."

To say that Ruby's face didn't light up at the mention of weapons would have been like saying the sun doesn't rise ever morning. "Oh Emmie! I was hoping that you would ask me for help with your weapons! I loved your originals and thought they suited you sooooo well as you could be like all 'wha! yah! who-waaaaa and bam! Bam! Bam! at the same time just like Ren!" Ruby gesticulated as she spoke, earning a small smile from Emerald as she watched the famed 'Red Rose Reaper' act like she was still Fifteen. "You two have such awesome fighting styles, it is like gun play and Kung-fu had a super baby! Oh you guys should call it Gun-fu! How has nobody thought up that term before! I gotta' call Weissy and get her lawyer people get that trademarked and copyrighted!"

Both Pyrrha and Emerald groaned at the term 'Gun-fu' while Lizzy chuckled silently at the reactions. Emerald held up her hands in a calming gesture as Ruby continued to jump from one tangent to the next like a demented train jumping tracks. "RUBY! calm down there Lil' red, I need you to be coherent for me. I'm not as used to translating things from 'Ruby-nese' as the rest of your friends."

Ruby gave a sheepish smile from the screen and scratched her cheek gently as she chuckled. "Ehehehe, sorry Em. You know I tend to get a teensy bit excited when talking about weapons." 'That is putting it mildly' Emerald thought as she rolled her eyes while Ruby continued. "Back on topic I wouldn't force you to dig through all my bits and bobs to cobble together your weapons. I can tell you are one to build your own weapon so why not swing by my shop when I get settled in and we can tinker together? Cresent Rose needs a little TLC after my last mission but Weiss HATES when I work on her at home so its a win-win for everybody!"

"I would love to swing by your shop Ruby but I don't think I can afford anything other that your 'bits and bobs'. I am already relying on your guys' charity more than I would like." Emerald stated morosely. "I am already a few hundred Lien in the hole with Pyrrha for new clothes and I don't expect to just squat in their guest house like I was still a street urchin."

"Emerald, this might seem like charity but it is what real friends should do when their friend finds themselves in a bad spot." Ruby said gently with a soft smile gracing her face. "You can pay us back when and where you can so don't feel like our help is just us taking pity on you."

Pyrrha nodded at Ruby's words and smiled at Emerald from across the table. "Ruby is right Emerald. We aren't doing this out of pity, we are just helping a friend get back up on her feet. You've been through a lot as have we all, what kind of friends would we be if we didn't help one another?"

Emerald sighed and nodded gently. "I- you are right guys, it's just that I have been on my own or dealing with less than reputable people for as long as I can remember. I can't help but be wary of accepting so much without thinking there won't be some catch or favor needed at a later time. I WILL pay you guys back, just bear with me as I get this whole 'living like a normal person' thing down."

"Eh, it isn't my strongest point either Emmie so don't worry about it." Ruby said as she waved the thought away.

"I would like to know what kinda' parts to set aside for when you stop by just so we can get a bit of a jump on getting you armed again... I did it again, didn't I?" There was several moments of awkward silence on both ends of the call before Emerald sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose while shaking her head.

"I would be lying if I said this was out of character for you Ruby. Again, it is fine. The only time I have seen you actively be malicious was towards Cinder and her. Other than that you are about as capable of being consciously racist or mean as a basket full of puppies and just as oblivious." Emerald stated which earned a nod of agreement from Pyrrha and Lizzy while Ruby just beamed happily at the back-handed compliment. " As for what to set aside, a few pistol variants and mecha-shift capable blades and connecter/extention joints."

"Can do Emmie!" Ruby chirped as a text document popped up on screen for Ruby to quickly type in the notes. "Do you want to stick with revolvers or should I put aside some semi- and full-auto actions as well?

"No full autos as their accuracy at range is crap and I hate the recoil patterns they usually have. I will take you up on the semi autos but can you look for ones that have front mounted clips? I wouldn't be able to fit the chain and counter-weights with any designs that have the clip housed in the grip."

"Those designs are a little uncommon but I think I have a few lying around in storage. Any other requests?" Ruby asked as she finished up her notes.

"Nothing comes to mind right away, that should give us a good place to start from at the very least."

The on screen notes disappeared and Ruby nodded with her remaining eye shining bright with anticipation. "Great! I will shoot you a text or call once I have settled back in and after having ravished my sexy Lil' snow queen!"

"Ruby!" Pyrrha sputtered as a faint blush dusted her pale features.

"Tell Pyrrha to loosen up Emmie." Ruby giggled as a mischievous look entered her eye. "It isn't like she doesn't do the same thing with Jaune after she goes on a solo hunt. I never knew there was a louder screamer than Weissy until we moved to New Vale. I am surprised she doesn't get noise complaints from downtown."

There was a loud clatter as Lizzy toppled out of her chair cackling like a demon as she rolled on the floor and a strangled noise of utter embarrassment from across the table. Emerald quirked an eyebrow and looked up from her screen to see Pyrrha's light blush heat to a color rivaling her hair before her head met the surface of the table with a audible thud.

"So on a scale of one to my cloak how red did she go?" Ruby asked innocently from the screen of the scroll.

Emerald tapped her finger to her chin in mock contemplation. "Eh, you got her to match her own hair color. Isn't this kind of thing your sister's forte?"

Ruby pumped her arm happily. "Yes! Still got that touch and to answer your question she has always been a bad influence on me. That and there is nothing sweeter than beating your older sibling at their own game. Yang has only gotten Pyrrha to match the sunset so I still hold the record of making Pyrrha gain the most color back to her face."

"Well that isn't racist at all..." Emerald replied dryly.

"What's a little casual racism between friends? Oh! I see Al in the limo. I hope he has gallons of the strawberry fizz water in the mini-fridge. Gotta go Emmie, can't wait to hug you!"

Ruby waved cheerily into the camera before the connection cut off leaving Emerald with a soundless Pyrrha and a wheezing Lizzy. She closed her scroll and stuffed it back into her pocket before starting to clear the table since her friends were incapacitated. "Well she is as chipper as ever. Seriously, how can you bunch be THIS happy and laid back all the time? It will probably be a question I take to my grave."

The only respond she got was a squeak from Pyrrha and a ragged breath from Lizzy who still had tears streaming from her eyes. It was several minutes longer before either of her friends was able to speak properly and ten more before Lizzy could talk without her sides hurting. After regaining her sensibilities Lizzy excused herself for the walk home to get fully dressed while Emerald joined Pyrrha for a light workout.

The gym of the house was located in the basement which to Emeralds estimates looked to extend past the walls of the house that topped it. The basement was separated into several areas that would seem out of place in any household other than a hunter's. the Laundry room sat next to an armory bench where Psíthyros, Pyrrha's replacement and upgraded spear, sat partially disassembled while a heavily repaired and modified akoúo hung next to a spot for Corcea Mors and both the Arkos's other hunter field gear. in the room next to the armory bench Emerald could make out several cases of heavily plated dust and ammunition crates on top of which were several cardboard boxes labeled 'holiday decorations'. The rest of the basement was taken up by rec room complete with a mini bar and pool table and the gym was right next door.

The workout was mostly done in companionable silence punctuated by idle chatter between the two before Lizzy returned in workout gear of her own as well as fresh clothes for Emerald. Emerald couldn't help but frown at Lizzy's condition. the young woman put on a convincing face that she was perfectly fine and her wounds didn't bother her but it was clear from the wincing and gritted teeth that she still had a while to go before being field ready once more.

The workout session was cut short when a winded Lizzy nearly dropped a barbell onto her foot, releasing a string of expletives in several different languages that would make even a bandit blush.

"I think that is where we will call it for today." Pyrrha stated while gently setting down her own weights before walking over to Lizzy and lifting up her shirt and shifting aside the bandage and gauze to check on her wounds. "Honestly Lizzy, you and Jaune truly are twins with how hard you push yourselves. Tsk, the scars are bruised, you nearly reopened them by the looks of it it."

Lizzy winced as Pyrrha replaced the bandages and gave a light laugh. "Heh, so I might have exaggerated on how much my wounds had healed, still in one piece aren't I?" Her weak smile withered under Pyrrha's glare.

"Just get up stairs and shower first, I want to take a good look at those wounds again. I have a feeling you have been downplaying just how bad they were to begin with." Pyrrha ordered in concerned annoyance. "Emerald and I will clear up down here and see you back in the kitchen."

Lizzy shuffled away and up the stairs while mumbling her acknowledgment and favoring her right side. Pyrrha sighed and shook her head before turning back to straitening up the gym room with Emerald. After storing the last of the weights Pyrrha and Emerald made their way up the stairs."Well while she is freshening up we can get started on another bit of training that I think you are in need of."

"Oh? What do you have in mind for me Pyr?" Emerald asked they both crested the stairs.

"Thats for me to know and you to find out so just sit down in the kitchen while I just get a few things from the office." Pyrrha gave a sly smile as she walked to the front of the house while Emerald just shrugged and went back into the kitchen.

Emerald grabbed a glass from the cabinet and filled it from the tap taking a long sip of water before toping her glass off and moving to the tablet to browse the latest news on her scroll. It was only a short while before a small stack of books thumped down on the table in front of her, causing her to jump in her seat slightly. Emerald shot Pyrrha a glare, eliciting a shrug of apology as her friend settled down into the chair next to her.

"What the hell is all this stuff? These looks like textbooks." Emerald eyed the stack of books warily as if it might jump to life and attack while Pyrrha nodded.

"That is exactly what they are! I asked Glynda if we could have or buy some of the old textbooks from Beacon's sophomore and senior classes. As part of getting you back up on your feet and as a certified huntress I have taken the liberty of throwing a little lesson plan together to help you!" Pyrrha beamed brightly as she watched Emerald crack open one of the used textbooks before scanning the index.

"I think I know which end of the gun the bullets come out of and how to gut a Ursa Pyrrha. Do you really think I got that rusty while sitting in my concrete box?"

"Not at all Emerald, this material is of a decidedly different nature. While I have complete confidence in your ability to kill Grimm what I do think you will need help with is learning to, shall we say, 'living on the up and up?'" Pyrrha handed Emerald several sheets of papers, the top page reading 'Tax Form' which caused a chill to run down Emerald's spine.

"Given your previous less than law abiding life style I thought it prudent to tutor you in the intricacies of living in the land of the lawful." Pyrrha clamped a not so gentle hand to Emerald's shoulder when the winged shaded had made to run to keep her seated as she continued. "This an important part of living Emerald and I am not going to just let you out into the world with no practical living skills. Thankfully we just pasted tax season so we can ease into that mess as time goes on. For right now it's time to learn to balance a check book and getting you medically covered. Those arms of yours aren't exactly cheap but luckily they ARE tax deductible. Now lets get started, shall we?"

Emerald groaned and put her head down onto the tablet as Pyrrha grabbed the economics book. "Pyrrha? Is it to late to get my cell back?"