Her One Weakness...

Coordinates

Oh great! Let's just add one more to the party!

*Mental sigh* this is not my day.

"Hah-hah.... I'd, uhhh.... not kill them?" Better not make the big bad boss get her nickers in a twist.

"Cinder!" Emerald exclaimed. What a suck up!

"I'd thought I'd made it clear that you were to eliminate the would be runaway." she questioned me menacingly, ignoring Emerald completely to my satisfaction.

It's ok Roman. Just play it cool. Formulate some excuse, otherwise you are Beowolf bait!

"I was going to..."

"HE was going to escape to Vacuo! Mercury and I decided to take it upon ourselves to kill that rat." Emerald boasts. Jees, she might as be one of puppy dog Faunus begging for treats! She's no better than those other mutts.

Well maybe even worse.

I rejoined the conversation as I heard the sweet sound of Cinder scolding them.

"QUIET! Did I not specifically instruct you two to keep your hands clean while in Vale." she chastised.

Hah! Serves you right! I just couldn't hold back from mocking them from behind Cinders back as Emerald stuttered.

" I just thought..."

"Don't think! Obey." Cinder interrupted, while I made a slitting motion to my throat.

Did I mention I was quite the comedian?

Bowing her head, Emerald apologised. "Yes mam. It won't happen again."

"And you!" Cinder said turning her attention to me.

Oops! Act professional!

"Ah-hah-huuuhhhh...."

"Why wasn't this job done SOONER?!" She menaced.

"Uhhhh....." Because I'm busy doing YOUR dirty work.

"Ehhhh.." I gestured with Melodic Cudgel to the right.

"Ehhhhhhhh..." I gestured to the left.

"EHHHHHHHHH!!!!!" As if this Dust filled warehouse wasn't proof enough.

"Sorrrrryyyyy, if I've been a little busy stealing every speck of Dust in the kingdom!"

"You're an inspiration to every punk with a gun and a ski mask," Mercury's voice practically dripped with sarcasm.

Damn that incompetent fool! I'll show him.

"Look around kid, I I've got this place running scared," I sneered. "Police camping out at every corner, Dust prices through the roof, AND we are sitting pretty in an old warehouse with more Dust crystals, vials and rounds than we know what to do with!"

Now is probably as great of time as ever to try and squeeze out some info from Cinder's tight lips "Speaking of which. If you guys wouldn't mind filling me in on your 'Grand Master Plan', it might actually make my next string of robberies go a little smoother!"

"Oh Roman have a little faith," Cinder walsed over tipping up my chin, "you'll know what you need when you need to."

The dangerous glint in her eyes kept me from arguing back. Jees such a scary woman!

I grunted in reply.

"Besides, we are done with dust."

This caught my attention.

"Ok... so what now?"

"We're moving." She began to stroll off towards the exit, "Have the White Fang clear out this building. I'll send you details and coordinates tonight."

"Coordinates?"

She turns back with no display of emotion, only cold hard business. "We're proceeding to Phase 2."

With no further word she walked off with her too mindless minions following.

Huffing I grabbed a cigarette to calm my nerves. Uhhh they've only created more work..... HANG ON! WHERE'S MY LIGHTER. Hearing a familiar click I glanced up.

Emerald held my lighter, poking out her tongue in mockery.

WHY THAT LITTLE....

"Oh and Roman. Neopolitan is waiting for you outside. I promised you a new partner, didn't I?" Cinder called out casually, as if this wasn't one of the biggest bomb shells she could possibly deliver, before disappearing out of view.

Stolen lighter forgotten I nervously made my way to the entrance. This 'partner' better be damn good at his job.

Wait...

What kind of guy has a name like Neopolitan????

************

BAM!

Another chapter done!

Here comes Neo.... 😉