Gems in the Ruff

Seven

Mercury

Today is kind of a freestyle day. We don't have any moves in particular, we're just kind of making it up as we go along. We're fighting a small flock of Manticore's, a harder Grimm to fight.

"Firecracker!" Hazel yells at me. I run towards him, firing off the occasional shot to get there quicker. A Manticore was charging towards him, but I got there first. His arms were infused with flaming dust, his veins glowed bright red. I leapt into the air, he crossed his arms, my feet connected, we pushed off. I exploded off almost, flame twisting around my legs. I landed across the Grimm from Hazel, it seems confused. It starts to turn to me the moment I send a kick to its behind. This of course, is a mistake as once it turns Hazel sends a flaming fist down on its unprotected neck. It turns to dust.

"Chainsmoker!" I look over to Emerald, who's weaving between the Manticores and the fireballs they're blasting at her. She fires a chain out of Thief's Respite, and I yank her towards me. She flies past, heading towards a Manticore on my left. When she's close to it, she pushes off the ground and goes to leap over the beast. It swings its large tail towards her, and Emerald laches on to it, barely missing a stab form the stinger on the end. After a moment of struggling and a single slice from Thief's Respite, the tail disconnects from the Grimm's body. Its wings spread out as the Manticore lets out a bellowing roar of pain, Emerald uses the opening and fires the killing shot midair. She comes down unbalanced and slips. I run over and help her up.

"Thanks," she huffs, touching her midriff and wincing. "Damn, that was a really stupid idea."

"Eh, it worked and you're alive, doesn't seem so stupid to me."

"Can you two stop chit-chatting and help?" Hazel hollers at us from across the room. He's taking on the remaining Manticores, dodging their fire balls and sending waves of flame back. I glance down to Thief's Respite's chain, which is still in my hand. I send a smile to Emerald, who just nods. I use Talaria to blast off, pulling Emerald along. My momentum carries me forward, I slide under a Manticore and kick up into its stomach. It evaporates into dust quickly, blocking a lot of my view. I burst out of the cloud, dodging arrays of attacks from the Manticores and Emerald's gunshots, which seem to go everywhere.

Soon the fight is over. All of our auras are fairly depleted, the Manticores being more tough stamina-wise and power level than the other Grimm we've practiced on, plus this was more of a review of the past moves we've made. We're now sitting around on the floor.

"You think the victory still counts? We didn't exactly fight a large herd in the wild," Emerald yawns.

"We fought them and won with our own skills. I think it counts," Hazel chuckles. His voice seems to echo across the large, circular room.

"Besides, we're not totally depleted. I still have enough reserve for at least ten more Manticores," I add on.

"True we still have aura left, but don't overestimate your limits, Mercury. You'll end up dead for it," Emerald laughs. Her voice travels through the room as well, sounding deep yet airy. I guess I never noticed amongst all the battles and fighting how well the room is for echoing noises.

"Well I'm glad to know you're concerned for my well-being, Emerald, it means a lot."

"Well I mean, you're my partner. So, I've got to look out for you a little bit, even if you're annoying," she lays on the floor, staring up at the ceiling.

"We've progressed a lot in our relationship. When we first met you probably would've pushed me off a building if you had the chance. Can't say I wouldn't have done the same," I join her in lying down, my head resting against my crossed arms.

"I probably wouldn't have; it would've displeased Cinder."

"Well I, unlike you, didn't entirely care what Cinder thought of me."

"What is that supposed to mean?" She rolls to her side and stares at me.

"Well I followed her orders and such, she was our leader in a way, but that didn't mean that affected how I acted around her—"

"No, I mean you think I cared a lot of what she thought of me? I mean, yeah. She was, like you said our leader. I had to show respect and follow her orders, that's how it works, Mercury.

"You just took it to seriously. You acted like we owed Cinder everything, when we didn't. You would follow Cinder to the grave. She was like your idol of worship—"

"That's it, I'm out," Emerald gets off the ground and walks towards the door, cutting me off. "Enjoy the rest of your day, guys; I'll see you tomorrow." Hazel gets up to follow her, then looks over to me disapprovingly.

"You really don't know how people work, do you?" He leaves, following right behind Emerald.

Emerald

I'm silently raging. The thoughts that float in my head are as dark as the walls boxing me in. I would like to go for a walk outside to cool off, and get out of the same building as Mercury. Of course, I can't exactly do that.

I hear footfalls coming behind me. Both Mercury and Hazel have light footsteps for their weight (and the fact that Mercury's legs are made of metal), so I cant tell who it is just by listening. I turn my head, it's just Hazel. I relax a bit, not realizing I was tensing in the first place. I am not wanting to talk to Mercury at the present moment.

"You okay?" Hazel questions, catching up to me on his large legs.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just pissed at Mercury right now, obviously."

"I understand. He just doesn't really know boundaries sometimes when communicating with people."

"You think?"

"But," Hazel kept talking, his voice solemn, "that's how he was raised. He never knew how to talk to other people, all he had was his father. The father who beat and abused him. The boy doesn't know boundaries, but he knows authority, and that's it."

"I guess. But I just cant handle it when he talks about Cinder. If he's supposed to know authority how does—" Hazel cuts me off, his voice suddenly hard.

"Cinder died because she failed. She didn't think things through, and she dragged us down with her. He may have not spoken up when she was around, but her failure was weak. And people don't show respect to those who were weak." I know all this was true. We kept walking down the corridor, my legs felt leaden. I felt tears sting my eyes but I knew I couldn't cry.

"Listen," Hazel's voice is now soft and soothing. He puts a hand on my shoulder; it's heavy, but warm. "I've talked to Mercury before. I understand why you show attachment to Cinder and why you hated Mercury in the beginning, sometimes still now. It's clear to me, but not to Mercury. You shouldn't be talking about this to me, but to him."

"You're right, I should talk to him. But what if he won't listen or understand?"

"Then make him."

"Alright. I'll do that later, right now I need a nap." I let out a light laugh, rubbing my eyes. "Thanks Hazel. Although I should probably wonder what Mercury said about me. But still, thanks for understanding anyways."

"You're welcome..." he trails off for a moment, then smiles. "Do you want a hug?" I freeze, and Hazel keeps looking at me, still smiling.

"Uh- I- yes, I would like that." He takes me in an embrace. It feels awkward, yet still wonderful. All I can see is his olive jacket enveloping my vision. Hazel smells like old books and cologne, a comfortable, musky scent. It takes me a moment before I realize I'm actually crying now. Silent tears run down my face.

"I'm sorry. Thanks. I- yeah. I'm going to go nap now," I sniff out a jumble of words as I pull away.

"Have a good rest," Hazel is still smiling. Everything about him in this moment is warm and comforting. I almost forget he's a servant of the queen of the Grimm who would kill at her notice. He gives my hair a rub, which both annoys me and makes me smile, as I run past. My limbs are now full of energy it feels like. I know I most definitely won't be sleeping.