The Grimm Huntress

Emeralds and Violets

Eclipse clicked her lighter and it transformed into a bow.

She nocked a shadow arrow aimed for Emerald's heart.

"You have ten seconds before I let this arrow fly." she growled.

"What are you doing here?" Ruby asked, tightening her grip on Crescent Rose.

"I- I'm alone I promise!"

"Not what we asked." Blake stepped forward and unsheathed Gambol Shroud. "You have five seconds left."

"I came to help!"

Eclipse stared at her for a moment, her eyes red, before dissolving the arrow and lowering her weapon and clicking the grip, turning it back into her lighter.

"Alright, let's hear it." she said. She made no action to keep the others from attacking.

"Thank you." Emerald sighed. "I- I defected from Salem. I want to help you fight against her, take her down..."

"And how do you plan to do that?" Weiss scoffed. "I mean do you have one of the relics?"

"No but I do have inside information and I can fight." She nearly reached for her weapon but refrained.

'You're here to help. Pulling out a weapon won't look good no matter the intention.'

"I don't want to work for someone who's just trying to destroy and not caring about anyone who 'gets in her way'."

"Where's she gonna stay though?" Apollo muttered. "I mean we only have that last peasant room and if she wants to help we shouldn't really put her in there."

"Go check the last room at the end of the hall. If it's not overrun with anything then we'll put her there."

"Whatever you say Tay."

Emerald took a tentative step forward. "Mercury and the others are still there. I made sure to watch my tail."

"How'd you know to come here?"

"Cinder told me that the relic in Atlas had been left with a family of riches. Then I saw the flier for your welcome home party and just– I knew it'd be best to help you. To pay my dues and repent."

"Ruby?" Blake looked at her. "What do you say?"

"I think... we should trust her."

"Wha– she's the reason they're dead!" Jaune argued.

"No, Cinder is the reason they're dead! Cinder and Salem, they're the ones we need to fight!"

"We captured Cinder! Why are we trusting her ally but keeping her restrained?!"

"What?" Ruby and Jaune looked back at Emerald who looked between them in shock. "You all... you found Cinder?"

"More like she found us." Nora crossed her arms. "The other night after the bidding and stuff she and Neo showed up."

"So- so she's here?"

"Yeah we don't really trust the police." Esteban yawned.

"...can I see her?"

Ruby and Eclipse looked at each other. Ruby nodded.

"Only once we're sure you won't free her."

"Free her? Is she in the dungeon or something?"

"Eh? No, we don't have a dungeon anymore." Apollo shook his head. "She and Neo are in our peasant rooms."

"And will I be staying in a 'peasant room'?"