RWBY Through Worlds (End)

BC52: Dolor (Raven's team)--4

["Misery"--Maroon 5]

"They've been talking for a long time," Mercury commented to Cinder.

The two of them had been sitting in mostly awkward silence, but he kept glancing towards Emerald and Royal, who were having an in depth conversation.

"You're so basic, Black." Cinder folded her arms. "And so jealous."

"I'm not. I just wonder what they're plotting when we're not around," Mercury said. 

"Ways to ditch you maybe," Cinder said meanly.

She thought Mercury would just take that jab in stride, but he gave her a dirty look.

"Well, if they're talking about the mission, why shouldn't we be in on it?" he said.

"So go over there and ask," Cinder suggested.

"No, you do it. I don't want to look needy," Mercury huffed.

Too late for that, Cinder thought.

"This was a waste of time--" she began before she was interrupted.

"Hello, Black." It was Darren, from team DAPA. Cinder didn't know who he was, but Mercury looked annoyed. "I didn't think you'd be in tonight. Who's this?" Looking Cinder up and down.

"Just an old...friend." Mercury didn't know what else to call her.

"I'd keep that friend." Darren seemed a little buzzed. "Hey, I saw Emerald sitting with that nice pilot guy, Royal? You know him, right?"

"Yeah, we're on the same team," Mercury said.

"Oh, you migrated back?" Darren said. "Hey, are they going out now?"

"What? no," Mercury said.

"Oh, good, I just thought they looked kinda close, but I know you two were tight," Darren said.

"Who is this annoying crustacean?" Cinder said to Mercury in a rude tone.

"This is just one of the huntsmen who works on the odd missions," Mercury said.

"Hey, I'll have seniority soon--I'll get the tougher stuff. Maybe I'll even become a specialist like you," Darren said. "I'm Darren Field, by the way." He nodded at Cinder. "Hey, Mercury, if you and your friend aren't busy, want to come play some pool? My team and I are up against this team CRDL."

Cinder blinked. "Those idiots are in Argus?"

"They're passing through," Darren said. "You know them?"

"That guy who used to beat Jaune up?" Mercury said. "What a loser. You're hanging out with him?"

"Oh, come on, they're Valean heroes who survived the Fall of Beacon--they've got stories," Darren said. "A little bullying in the past is nothing."

"What a nice attitude," Cinder said. "And you're a huntsman?"

"Are you one to talk?" Mercury asked her.

"I'm not a huntress," she said.

"You're not? So how do you know Mercury then?" Darren asked.

"We go farther back," Mercury said.

Darren had to know Mercury's background. He suddenly gave Cinder a more scrutinizing look.

"Hey, Dar." One of team CRDL's guys came up, holding a drink. "What's taking you so long? We're about to skin you b------ds of 50 lien."

"You wish," Darren said. "I was just saying hi to one of my coworkers."

"Oh, hey, Black," the guy said, not very nicely. "I heard you worked here now.... Must be a real kick."