Mercenary Yuri
Ch2: This Glittering World
Song Recommendation: Polka Dot Stingray- No Heart Here (Kokoro Koko ni Arazu)
"This world seems to glitter, and I want to cry. Every time it twinkles, I want to see it ignite."
Cinder got like this from time to time. Poetic, philosophical; I'd say pretentious if she wouldn't turn me into a candle with a snap of the fingers. Whenever she did get like this, it was usually when we were in a more relaxed environment. The last hint of the golden afternoon sun was slowly tucking into the horizon, streaks of night blue painted more of the heaven's canvas. All the little shops and homes of Vale's city were flicking on their lights. We were sitting on a field close to Beacon's air dock. Cinder sat one leg stretched out, the other was bent at the knee a little, her arms supporting her back from behind. Emerald was crisscross a bit to the left, while I sat up against a tree, legs outstretched.
"That was beautiful Cinder." Emerald complimented shyly, wearing a smile befitting a schoolgirl talking to her crush. Considering the circumstances, that might as well have been the case.
"Yeah, like something out of an edgy teen's diary. With lines like that no one would guess your nearly thirty."
Em scowled at me, Lips pouty, brow furrowed, staring dagger as she turned to face me. Cinder turned her head to glare me down; one searing amber eye burning at me. Like a laser lighting a wick. Before I could say anything smarter, I could feel the heat rise in my legs.
"Point taken." I said with a smile. Sure, I was risking losing my legs again, but I'd say it was worth it.
"Well, you sound like a 52-year-old man impersonating a 20 something." Em grinned all smug.
"What? You know this guy's social security now?"
"Studied like a mark. You're never going to live this down, Yuri." She dragged the name out like a long list of acting credits.
"Are we killing Yuri Lowenthal? Please tell me we're killing Yuri Lowenthal." They both burst out laughing, Em falling to her side holding her stomach.
"What?"
"It's just funny hearing you say it. No, we're not murdering Yuri Lowenthal just because you sound like him."
"But we could." I replied.
"And I know where he lives if we ever have to."
"There can only be one."
"No Merc."
"Dammit, fine."
"Don't be so down Yuri. I know what will cheer you up, why don't you treat us to dinner and a movie? Say chili fries and smoothies? Oh, they're playing that new Code Geass movie! You we're brilliant as Suzaku." Cinder rose and clasped her hands together, raising them to her cheek, fangirling. She had moments like this too, between the fem fatale veneer and that furious anger, where she'd have a quirky little thing going on that was almost charming.
"How does buying you food and a movie ticket supposed to make me feel better?"
"It won't, but at least you'll have some food in you, and we get to see a cool flick. Plus, I think you'll like this one. Mechs, political, intrigue, all-out war; it's totally up your alley."
"Sounds like a lot of mellow drama." Em stood and offered her hand to me.
"Bit more fun than waiting for the sun to die down." She smiled as the sun reflected off her hair, almost shining.
"Want a lift?"
"Yeah, thanks." I took her hand and smiled back.
With me as the buyer as the buyer for the night, I chose a chain buffet restaurant called Bacchanalia, much to Cinder's chagrin.
"I detest these places. Overcrowded and you must plate yourself like a commoner."
"Not as overpriced as what you usually go for, but you said chili fries and smoothies and this place has both." We were in line waiting to buy our way in. Packs of people stood
around us as we shuffled our way to the register.
"I could get your plates for you." Em offered, trying not to add "ma'am" at the end.
"That won't be necessary dear." Cinder smiled and Emerald beamed at the praise.
"Dinner for three. As I greeted the cashier, I reached for my wallet, and found nothing but pocket lint.
"What the?"
"Left your wallet at home? Don't worry, bud. I'll cover us." Emerald pulled my wallet out of her jacket and her eyes widened at the amount of Lien in there. She exchanged cash
with the cashier, and we went to sit down.
"Jeezuz, there's gotta be ten grand in here." Em passed me my wallet as I snatched it out of her hands.
"Not cool, Em."
"Come on, you love it. You're smiling."
"I'll acknowledge that. Still doesn't make it any better." I replied, picking through my money to make sure it was all there.
"I need the practice, and you're an easy pocket." She teased.
We found an empty table by the corner window. After we got our grub, we sat down. Cinder had gotten there first; a couple leaves of lettuce for a salad, a fried chicken wing and a corner piece of cake with a red rose on it. Em started out with a slice of pizza, brisket and a slider burger. And I sat across with a plate full of-
"Chili fries and a smoothie," Cinder stared in surprise.
"With a disgusting amount of onions." Em added.
"Thankfully on the fries, not the smoothie."
"You kept going on about it, I had no choice."
"Ok, Albedo." Cinder snickered at Em's retort.
"Exactly how long do you plan to keep this joke going?"
"For as many years as there are fries on that plate." I started eating away that time.
"So, who was that asshole? Why the surprise mission?" Cinder stabbed her salad so hard the plate cracked.
"Doesn't matter. You won't be seeing him for a while." She answered sternly.
"I'm just asking. He said he had another job for me. Pretty sure Emerald wasn't even paid."
"Definitely not 10'000 Lien." Em added under her breath.
"And I said it doesn't matter! This hasn't been the first time you've done jobs for someone, it's just the first that wasn't directly under my supervision. It won't happen again." Her
tone was even colder than before and her eyes burned like a pyre, bearing its heat on me.
"Fine. Forget I said anything."
"Good. Now let's focus on more pleasant things. Like seeing Lelouch after all these years!" And like the slip of a switch, she was back to her bubbly persona.
"Do you like Johnny Young Bosch?" Em asked casually.
"Ever since he was a power ranger."
We ate for a little while longer and went to see the movie. It was a good flick, but I couldn't concentrate on the plot much. There were too many questions, too many thoughts going on in there. How long have I been working for Cinder? Seems like ages since I struck out on my own. After we're done in Vale, what next? For that entire movie I kept reasoning and reflecting on who I am, what purpose do I have. Cinder's attack dog, or a bird on we exited the theater, those thoughts still thumped in my mind. Em and Cinder were chatting about the film as we walked home. We were passing through the dark alleys to cut our way through the traffic when Em broke me out of my trance.
"Mercury? Yuri? Hmm. Suzaku Kurarugi."
"Huh?" they both burst out laughing for the for the 100th time today.
"You actually answered to that!" Cinder was leaning against the wall wheezing.
"I think we might've broken him with all the teasing." Em wiped a tear from her eye.
"What the fuck is it?"
"I was gonna ask what you thought of the movie, but it looks like you dropped right into character."
"It was alright. Fight scenes were cool." I replied gloomily.
"Oh, come on Mercury. You've been like this all night. Is it the Yuri thing? It's just a joke"
"This whole job is a joke." I muttered under my breath.
"What?"
"I said this 'mission' is a joke!" I shouted
"What is up with you tonight?" Em asked as Cinder kept her eye on me against the wall.
"We're posing as teenagers when we have skillsets beyond slaying monsters! Assassins, thieves! And whatever the hell you make yourself out to be." I ranted, gesturing to
Cinder. She stood from her perch on the wall. Her eyes glowing lightly. A glare ready to set me ablaze.
"Go ahead! Light me up! I don't give a damn! Tell me, you ever planned on paying us for helping you destroy a kingdom or did expect us to put your slippers on every day?"
"Watch your tone, Yuri"
"Oh please, if it wasn't for this evil queen thing you've got going on, you'd be making lewd cosplay sets and meme-ing online, Jessica."
"What did you just call me?" She stomped forward, steam rising out of the puddle she stepped in.
"Jessica! Jessica fucking Nigri!" A slow clap rang about the walls without anyone there except us and the night. Sinister laughter echoing.
"Nyahahahaa! She does sound like her now that I think about it." That man from before stepped from shadows, his form becoming more visible from the feet up, as if from
nowhere. There was a weird silver device attached to his belt, an invisibility cloak.
"Grendel." Cinder growled.
"Cinder! Not happy to see me? Did I come at the perfect time?" He smiled smugly as he got closer.
"What is it that you want?" She demanded, crossing her arms in impatience.
"I'm here for your man, of course." He said, sidestepping around Cinder.
"Yuri and I are going on a joint business venture."
"I never agreed to anything."
"Not yet." He grinned and pointed at me before turning back to Cinder.
"But it does look like you're trying to get more liquid, eh? While I can't promise the work is any better, the pay is. Of course, you'd have to drop out of school, but what are they
teaching the kids these days, really?"
"I did you a favor letting Merc-"
"You owed me a favor, still owe me a favor and this is part of said favor! You'll get your man back, don't fret. What're you bitching about anyways? You still got the green simp."
"Hey!" Em interrupted.
"No. No. He's got a point." I replied.
"I just need him in Mistral for a few days. A bit of fucking about and he'll be back by midterms."
"Mistral?" Em and I said in unison.
"Out of the question." Cinder asserted.
"What's going on in Mistral?" I asked him.
"Diabolic schemes, my friend. Least that's what we'll be up to." Cinder's eyes perked up at the phrase. A playful smile appeared on her lips as her face softened.
"You could say they're nefarious plans?" Grendel cringed and strained a smile as he turned to her.
"They are diabolic schemes."
"Hmm. Sounds more like nefarious plans." She replied tapping a finger on her chin.
"Diabolic scheme."
"Nefarious plan."
"Diabolic scheme!"
"Nefarious plan!"
"Di! Di! Di! Di!"
"Ne! Ne! Ne! Ne!" They went on like that for a few seconds.
"And here I thought you two hated each other."
"We do!" They shouted in unison.
"This is ridiculous!" Cinder's face was bright red as her eyes flashed.
"There will be no discussion of any 'mission', or Mistral or anything of the sort! Leave now Grendel. If you value your life." I could feel the sweat building on my brow as the temperature rose around us. A steam pipe burst as steam hissed, blowing cinder's hair. Grendel chuckled calmly and raised his hands as he backed away slowly.
"Fine Cinder, I'll go. As for you, Mercury, I've got a ship docked at port called Oseberg. If you're looking for a bit more excitement in your career; well, when in Mistral, do as the locals do." He started to sink into darkness as the cloaking device activated.
"I don't think that sentence works like you think it does." Emerald cut in.
"I do. And my opinion is all that matters," Grendel replied, missing his legs and half his torso.
"Your opinion is trash."
"See, this is why I didn't hire you."
He finished, his head disappearing at the last word.
"I'm with you there. Didn't flow right." I looked at Emerald and she gave me an annoyed stare.
"Simp."
"What? I'm agreeing with you!"
"No, no. I've got a point." She mocked back at me.
"Let's go. Now!" Cinder hissed like steam from the pipe. Emerald looked on as Cinder hurried out the alley, rushing home and hiding her face. No doubt embarrassment and her
signature fury were very visible. Em and I gave each other a solemn knowing look and followed behind, keeping our mouths shut the whole walk back, waiting for Cinder to cool down.
"I'm taking a shower." She liked to bathe in cold water whenever she was fuming, creates her own mist. Em and I took our beds as mist escaped from under the door. I laid against the wall of mine while she sat on the edge of hers.
"Do you want to talk about it?" She spoke just loud enough to be heard over the falling water.
"About what?"
"About what it is that's eating you?" She said in a soothing voice, those ruby eyes searching me.
"It's nothing." I answered looking away.
"Doesn't seem like nothing." We sat in silence for a few minutes before she started asking again, sighing deeply.
"Come on Mercury. Talk to me." She had never taken her eyes away.
"When's the last time we had a fight like that?"
"What?"
"I'm tired of playing schoolboy. Ever since we got here, it's been 'keep your head down.' We take classes and hang out in Vale as if we aren't going to turn it to ruins. As if- as if we were normal." I kept my voice hushed as I spoke.
"Is that such a bad thing?" She looked me right in the eyes and I stared back.
"A little normalcy before thing get crazy?" I didn't know how to answer, nor did I have the opportunity as Cinder stepped out, in a tank top and pajama pants. She went to bed without uttering a word. We followed suit and tucked in for the night. I didn't get much sleep that night, but by morning I knew what I wanted. Packing what little I had, I snuck out while they were sleeping in the early dawn. By the time I reached the port, the sun was peeking over the ocean's horizon, pouring scarlets and golds in the navy-blue sea, the sky glowing a pink hue. I could hear the waves crash as seagulls sounded off above. Grendel stood on a trawler, wearing sunglasses and smoking a cigarette. 'Oseberg' sprayed on the back.
"So, you're just going?" Turning around, I saw Emerald; fists tight, fighting back tears, she looked sad, almost scared.
"You're just leaving me- leaving us?" She stumbled on her line, correcting herself. I found myself having trouble meeting her eyes.
"Em, it's like he said I'll be ba-"
"Why do want to go in the first place!?" She interrupted.
"Do you want to be with Cinder the rest of your life?" She was silent for a moment, gathering her thoughts.
"I don't know. Maybe? I've never really thought that far." She rubbed her left arm looking down, the fist still clenched.
"I don't. There are thousands of shitty bosses in the world, so why stick with one? After Vale is done, I'm leaving her. The way the world will be, there will be plenty of job
opportunities for a guy like me."
"But aren't you happy here? With me at least?" A single tear trailed down her cheek. In the morning light, her ruby eyes sparkled like jewels. They shined so brightly I had to look away.
"Th-that's different. Listen, I'll be back, ok?" Before I could say more, she marched up to me and took my hand. Placing something in my palm and holding tightly.
"Then promise you'll come back to me." She kept her eyes glued to mine and wouldn't let go of my hand. I breathed deeply and matched her stare.
"I promise, I'll come back to you." She let go and took a step back.
"You better." She said quietly and turned and walked away. Looking at what was in my hand, it was a orange key chain flight tag with M80-495 imprinted in it. Emerald gave me a lot to think on that morning, but my mind was made up. I clenched my fist around her gift and made my way to the ship. Grendel was grinning smugly from, seeing our little moment.
"Girlfriend done seeing you off? Hope you have some good memories to keep you going, cause where we're going, there's only tragedy."
