Chapter 34 - 33 - Partners

[In hanger 27]

Mercury was walking next to Emerald with a bandaged face inside walking up to Roman at the back who was looking at a map.

Roman: 'What to do, what to do? Maybe I can give information to Shallot so he could not bother me as much. I know that he has a thing for feline Faunus so maybe if I can find some more that could get his attention he would stop messing with me.'

While Roman was trying to think about what can he do to have a smoother life he heard footsteps approaching behind him. He turned and saw Emerald and a bruised Mercury.

Roman: "Oh look, she sent the kids again. This is turning out just like the divorce."

Roman had wrapped his arms around the both of them while slowly sliding his hand into Emerald's pocket taking a sheet of paper from her pocket.

Emerald: "Uhh ... spare us the thought of you procreating."

Roman: "That was a joke, and maybe this will tell me where you have been all day."

Roman: 'This better not mess with the plans that I have to change now thanks to Shallot making a move."

Roman started waving around the paper he had in his hand.

Emerald: "What?"

Roman: "I'm a professional sweety. This is what I do. Pay attention and maybe you might learn something."

Roman looked at the address and knew that it was in the same city where Shallot is before his face scrunched up.

Roman: "Why do you have this?"

Emerald: "Wouldn't you like to know?"

Roman: "Yeah I would, but I can guess what happened due to scraggly there with his busted nose."

Mercury's eyebrow twitched remembering being knocked out after only one punch.

Mercury: "What did you say?"

Roman: "Kid don't make me lay you out on the ground for a second time today. If I wanted to I'll take you and your street rate friend and ..."

Cinder: "Do what Roman?"

Roman: "Toss there sorry ȧss out. What are you going to do about it Cinder?"

The blast was a lot faster then Cinder was expecting and Roman then reached in his pocket clicking a buŧŧon before two crossbows at the top in blind spots of the lift Cinder was standing on launched a frostbolt at her and started to freeze her on both sides.

Roman started walking towards her when Mercury and Emerald tried to attack when Roman parried their attacks before hitting Emerald in the solar plexus winding her slightly but not breaking her shield and kicking Mercury in the nuts.

Roman: "Everything is fair in a street fight kid. That's what I was taught from a young age. The world is always unfair. Even if your aura is active you can still feel the pain."

Roman continued walking towards Cinder who was melting the ice.

Roman: "You know that I can outsmart you for hours Cinder. You might have magic but I have always learned and adapted so that I can survive. I have plans for my plans and I don't like being threatened. This is a partnership and we can always stop it at any time and you do do this by yourself."

Cinder gritted her teeth knowing that Roman is a slippery bastard and she can't underestimate him but that's the exact reason why she went to work with him so she didn't have to worry about him getting captured.

Cinder: "Fine."

Cinder used her maiden abilities and heated the rest of the ice and dusted herself off.

Cinder: "But I won't be threatened like this again Roman."

Roman: "I wasn't the one about to make the first move. As long as you don't start anything I won't do anything."

Cinder turned to Emerald and Mercury.

Cinder: "And what were you two doing in Vale causing problems. I thought I told you not to get involved and keep your hands clean while in Vale."

Mercury: "We were going to go clean up his problems. One of them at least until someone got in between us."

Cinder was surprised at hearing this.

Cinder: "Oh ... and the both of you couldn't handle it."

Emerald: "It seemed like Roman knew the person that interfered since he didn't even try to fight him at the harbor when he was supposed to steal the shipment of dust."

Cinder lifted an eyebrow hearing this.

Cinder: "Oh ... Roman. I thought we were partners. Are you hiding something from me?"

Roman: 'So Shallot is involved in this. Even when he isn't around, he still makes it difficult for me. How am I supposed to do anything when I have to watch my back more then I already am.'

Roman cleared his throat.

Roman: "Well, I can say that they are quite lucky."

Cinder was becoming more interested.

Cinder: "And why is that."

Mercury: "What is that suppose to mean."

Cinder: "Quiet."

Roman smiled in Mercury's direction and made the gesture of slitting his throat.

Roman: "From what they said the person they came across is Shallot."

Cinder: "Shallot? Who is this Shallot?"

Roman: "If he let them live then he must have given them a message to give to you or else he would have probably killed them ... well he would have killed Mercury for sure."

Cinder looked towards Mercury and Emerald.

Cinder: "Did he have a message for me."

Emerald gulped before preparing herself for the message that she was told to give to her.