The Badge and the Burden

At Ease

Three Hours Later

"Neo, he's coming! Get ready!" Emerald said to me in ahushed voice. I had already told Mercury and Cinder, who both thought itwonderful that I had a voice. Cinder was actually jealous of my voice, much tomy surprise.

"Roman, we have news for you!" Mercury said, seeing Roman'shat through the window.

"What is it Mercury? I have had a day. That little redgirl's kitten friend decided to pay the docks a visit again today, and took outover 20 of the Faunus of the White Fang. I'm not a happy man right now." Hereplied, glaring at Mercury, then looked at me.

"Well hello Neo, how are you today?" Roman said, realizing Ididn't have my notebook with me. "Did you forget your notebook? I have one inmy bag if you want me to get it." He said, turning to get his bag.

"No worries, I don't need that anymore." I said suddenly,wincing at the harshness in my voice.

"Cinder, knock it off. I know it was y-" Roman said, turningaround to see Cinder was nowhere to be found, instead only me there.

"Where did you guys go?" I asked, looking up to see Emeraldand Mercury waving at me from the catwalks above. "You promised to help me!"

"You're doing fine, keep going!" Emerald called down,walking away with Mercury. "And don't forget our deal!"

"Neo, since when could you talk?" Roman stared at me, mouthopen in amazement.

"Since today, actually. I got a surgery done that didn'tmess with my semblance at all, so I can talk now! But only after the surgerydid I realize that I messed up. I know you like to vent to me, knowing I won'tgive a smart-ass comment, but now that I can talk, I'm worried you won't trustme any more. I'm sorry." I said, looking solemnly to the ground.

"Neo, I'm still going to vent to you, because you'reactually the one I trust most here." Roman said, putting a hand on my shoulder."Now, what do you say we go get some ice cream to celebrate?"

"Sure! Want to take Mercury and Emerald as well?" I asked,pointing to the duo on the balcony.

"Nope, let's go alone. I need a break from this boringwarehouse anyways, and it'll give you time to ease into your new voice as well.