A New Life Pt. 1

In seconds Emerald's world had collapsed around her. Cinder, her patron, her protector, the closest thing she had to a mother, dead. Mercury, the closest she had to a friend, not just killed but reduced to little more than a puddle of gore. She had faced down her own demise, only to be spared and dragged back to a foreign capital in chains, a stranger, alone, far from her homeland. Then she was given a uniform and put to work. It was not slavery, she was paid, and the work was not forced on her against her will, but it was certainly not freedom.

There were some positives. No longer would she have to steal just to survive. She was promised that she would never have to kill again. She would never be made to do anything against her will. Her childhood destitution was far behind her, but she had always feared a return to such desperate circumstances. At least her future was secure. She had her life, a new life of peace, and in the end, that was the most important thing to have.

Unfortunately, that new life was off to a shaky start. Emerald was not adjusting well to life as a servant in the imperial household. For starters, she had no relevant talents. She could not cook, and even had to be instructed on basics such as washing dishes. She was only barely literate, further limiting her usefulness. But somehow it got worse. Emerald was shunned by the other servants. They knew she was a criminal and an enemy alien, a close supporter of the monster who had launched the world into a calamitous war.

Then there was the anxiety. The fear and pressure of constant combat - some direct and some covert - that she had been part of all her life still wore on her. Sudden sounds made her jump, sometimes reverting to combat mode. She was always on edge, her hands often shaking. Emerald's mistakes piled up. A trail of shattered china and damaged furniture lie in her wake. She even managed to inadvertently injure some of the other servants. No matter what role she was placed in, what task she was given, it seemed she could find a way to screw it up, and usually in the most spectacular way imaginable.

Torchwick's future had never seemed brighter. From crook to highwayman to mercenary, he had always been on the very edge of survival and was frequently a failure, but it finally seemed he had found his calling. Being a servant - first in Chon'sin, then later in the capital of Valm - had at first seemed like a torture. Sure, it beat being dead, but following orders and completing menial tasks was a drag. Then one day he was given a pouch of gold coins and told to go out and buy some flour. He came back with the flour, and most of the gold.

Initially it was suspected that he had stolen the flour or threatened or extorted the seller. Upon investigation it turned out this was not the case. He was just a master of making deals. When it came to money he knew how to make it last, how to stretch every little bit to the maximum. Though his criminal background caused many to have reservations about it, he was eventually put in charge of household finances. The imperial household had a budget, and any money saved was split among the servants. It was not long before the servants were making a lot more than they usually had. From a despised criminal Torchwick had become beloved by the other servants.

Then Emerald showed up. Another prisoner, spared by Weiss just like himself and his associate Neo. But there was a difference. Torchwick excelled in his new position. Neo, while lacking in talent for most usual servant's duties, earned her keep by entertaining the others and the court with her dancing. Emerald was worse than useless. Her near constant screw-ups made more work for everyone. Even worse, they cost a lot of money.

Torchwick could take it no longer and called Emerald in. The girl, once so confident, so cocky, meekly stood before him. "Do you have any idea how much trouble it is to have you here?" Torchwick asked.

"I...I'm sorry." Emerald stammered. "I just...I'm sorry."

"I've worked really hard to save some cash, because every piece of gold we come in under budget we get to split." Torchwick said. "Somehow, in three days, you've managed to cause enough damage to cost me everything I've saved for the last month. If there weren't orders from on high to go easy on you, I swear, I'd kill you myself." Emerald started sobbing. She knew well just how much of a screw-up she was. "Oh for the love of…" Torchwick groaned. "Just go keep Neo company in the South Wing living quarters. She's been lonely since they put me in charge of finances. And I don't know how you could possibly manage it, but try not to break anything else."

Emerald stood before Torchwick, unsure of what to say or do. "I…I…" She stammered.

"Just go." Torchwick ordered. "Now."

Emerald wandered her way toward the South Wing. The palace still seemed impossibly large and complex to her. The royal palace in Plegia was much smaller, and her place within it had been much more limited, but it was familiar, comfortable. It was a place she knew she would never see again. She began to shake again, her hands the most visible example. She did her best to avoid the other servants and keep her breathing steady. It was a losing battle but she had to try.

Emerald knew who Neo was. All the servants had seen her dance. It was a breathtaking and inspiring sight. When Emerald spotted her, Neo was lazily dusting a suit of armor. She had been put in charge of keeping the South Wing tidy while it was out of use, as only visiting dignitaries were afforded the honor of residing there. As Emerald approached, she clasped her hands to stop them shaking. It did not work.

Emerald took a deep breath. "E-excuse me, Miss Neo?" She said. Neo paused and looked up, raising an eyebrow. "Mr. Torchwick ordered me to assist you. He s-said you were alone here. I-I don't know if I can be much help." Emerald held up her shaking hands to display the problem, the lowered and clasped them. Neo just shrugged. "I-I'm s-sorry miss, I'll try not to be a b-bother. What can I do?"

Neo shot Emerald an irritated look before her face softened into a sad smile and she rolled her eyes. She pointed to her throat and shook her head before mouthing a few words. "I can't speak."

"My apologies." Emerald gasped and bowed her head. "I-I was unaware. D-do you sign? Cin...my former employer had me learn." As she spoke she signed the words. Her hands still shook, making reading the signs difficult, but Neo could hear her just fine anyway.

Neo perked up, her smile growing. "Yes I sign." She signed "Torchwick does too but he's too busy to teach anyone else, and no one cares anyway. Except Yang, but she's not here now...but you're here! I finally have someone new to talk to!"

"You know Yang?" Emerald asked.

"Yes, I miss her." Neo signed, looking slightly forlorn. "She was the only one who understood me, but it was come here or be executed. Such is life I guess."

"She did the same for me." Emerald explained. "I was w-working for Cinder and...well now I'm here. I haven't been myself lately, which is why Torchwick sent me to you. I made him angry because I kept breaking things."

"We have a lot in common then." Neo signed. "Torchwick and I were working with Adam Taurus when we were captured and spared. I'm working here...all alone...because the others don't like me very much and I'm better at dancing than cleaning. Do you dance?"

"No, but I...was trained to sing." Emerald replied, shaking her head. "Cinder enjoyed hearing my voice."

Neo frowned and looked down. "I used to sing, long ago, before I lost my voice." She signed. "People would rejoice and be empowered, just from hearing me." She looked back up, meeting Emerald's gaze. "Let's not stand around here. I have some food stashed. We could have an early lunch and talk more if you'd like. Oh...and what was your name?"

"My name is Emerald, and I would love to Neo." She agreed.

Emerald and Neo retreated to one of the bedrooms, sitting on the floor before the fireplace, to eat their impromptu picnic and chat more. They talked for hours, first avoiding sad subjects and focusing on their interests and happy memories. Eventually, the conversation wound its way to the present and the topic of Torchwick.

"I never would have taken him for a fighter, but he's intimidating when he's angry." Emerald admitted.

"Don't let him fool you, he's a good fighter." Neo signed. "He's pretty easily angered when things don't go his way, and he can certainly be greedy, but he's not cruel. I'll talk to him for you, to make sure he doesn't snap at you like that again."

"Thank you Neo." Emerald sighed. "Things have been...difficult...and lately when I get stressed I just...lose it...you know? I get nervous, t-then scared, then panicky, a-and my hands shake and it's hard t-to breathe or see and...a-and I just want to curl up in a ball and sink into the g-ground." Emerald drew her knees up to her chest and wrapped her legs in her arms, pressing her forehead into her knees to hide her face. She flinched and looked up when Neo briefly laid a hand on hers, but was able to relax upon seeing Neo's gentle smile.

"I know exactly how you feel." Neo signed. "When I lost my voice, I was like that for quite some time, but I lashed out instead of hiding. It usually made things worse, and if it wasn't for Torchwick, I may not be alive today. I certainly wouldn't be healthy."

"How did you get b-better?" Emerald asked.

"Whenever I felt overwhelmed...when I still do...I find a quiet place and do the one thing I'm still good at, the one thing I still love: dancing." Neo explained.

"It was that simple?" Emerald pressed.

"When I dance it's like going into a trance." Neo signed. "Nothing else matters. Nothing else exists. It's pure physical expression. It's like going into my own little world. Perhaps you could do the same with singing."

"That's sounds beautiful Neo, but I don't know." Emerald sighed. "I...my voice probably isn't as good as your dancing."

"There's only one way to find out." Neo smiled.

"I-I haven't in a long while." Emerald protested.

"You'll be fine Emerald." Neo encouraged. "I have faith in you, and you should too."

Emerald closed her eyes, took a few deep breaths and cleared her throat. She only knew a few songs, and after some thought settled on one about a hero chosen by fate, sent to certain death for the greater good. With eyes still closed she sang the song through, putting all her energy and passion into the performance as she had done back in Plegia. When she finished she finally opened her eyes, only so see Neo's filled with tears. "N-Neo, are you okay?" She gasped.

Neo snapped out of her daze nodded and grinned. "Yes." She confirmed. "Gods you were wonderful, beautiful! I haven't heard that song in years, and you sung it perfectly!"

"Truly?" Emerald asked. "I-it was always one of my favorites."

"Neo, what's going on?" Torchwick asked.

Neo and Emerald turned to see Torchwick standing in the doorway looking quite shocked. "M-mister Torchwick." Emerald gasped.

Neo laid a hand on Emerald's shoulder and smiled at her before standing and approaching Torchwick. "This poor girl has been through hell." Neo signed. "She can barely function and you yelled at her for breaking a few dishes."

"Well, in my defense it was more than a few." Torchwick explained. "I had to blow all the savings to replace everything. I sent her here to keep her out of trouble. I certainly didn't expect this...or that."

"You just thought sending her out of sight and out of mind would be better for her?" Neo challenged. "What she needs is help Roman. You're just lucky I can give her some. Now apologize to her for your poor treatment."

"But…" Torchwick protested. Neo slapped him.

"Gah...alright, alright." Torchwick relented. "Emerald, I apologize for yelling at you." His tone was more than a little patronizing but it was better than nothing. Neo gave him a stern look. "I...I'll slip something in your pay as compensation."

"Th-thank you Mr. Torchwick, but that's really not necessary." Emerald said with a bow. "Just...can I stay here? If that's alright with Neo."

"Of course it's alright silly." Neo signed with a silent laugh. "I love having someone new to talk to, and I don't want you trying to deal with this yourself. Now shoo Roman, you've done enough damage." She started pushing him out the door.

"Not as much as she has…" Torchwick grumbled as he walked away

"Th-thank you Neo." Emerald stammered. "It means a lot to me."

"Roman is an ass, but he did right by me, helping me recover." Neo signed. "I want to do the same for you. No one should suffer alone. I promise I won't let that happen to you." Neo wrapped Emerald in a hug, much to Emerald's shock. She froze for a moment before returning the embrace, enjoying the warmth that overcame her.

Emerald smiled, her first genuine smile in a long time. "Thank you Neo."

Emerald and Neo stayed close as the weeks passed. Emerald was doing better, but had frequent, terrifying nightmares. First they shared a room, then a bed, so Neo could be there to comfort Emerald when the need arose. They did not do anything romantically intimate, but both considered the other an important part of their lives. They maintained the South Wing themselves until it was announced that guests would be arriving to occupy it for a few days. More servants were moved into that part of the palace but Neo and Emerald remained, even if their earlier, admittedly minor, responsibilities were taken on by others. Suddenly being surrounded by the hustle and bustle was a cause of anxiety for Emerald, but there was also good news. Yang had stopped by and hired both Emerald and Neo as entertainment for her inn. Not only would the pair get paid to do what they loved, they would be given much more freedom.

Emerald and Neo chatted as they waited for the guests to arrive. They were to provide a private show for them, but their focus was on the future. "I'm just glad Yang decided to hire us." Emerald said. "I never thought I'd be happy to leave a palace, but this place...it feels like a cage sometimes."

"I heard Yang's inn specifically caters to women." Neo signed. "Maybe it has a spa. I hope it has a spa."

The pair could hear the sound of footsteps approaching, probably the guests and the servants escorting them to their quarters. "Please Countess, allow me to take your bags." A servant said.

"Nah, I got it." A cheerful voice boomed. "Ren says I should take it easy because I'm pregnant, but I'm still going strong!"

"Th-that voice." Emerald gasped. She began to shake, more than Neo had ever seen.

"What's wrong?" Neo asked.

"I-it can't be." Emerald quaked. "There's no way."

"It's so cool to be here to see all my friends again!" The cheerful voice continued. "Well, not all of them. Pyrrha and Ruby are still in Rosanne, but we're visiting them on the way home!"

"N-no...no!" Emerald started to back away, her breathing erratic. Nora turned the corner carrying two large bags, accompanied by a servant. Emerald screamed and fell to the ground, curling up in the fetal position. "No! Not like this! Not like that!"

"Uh...what's happening?" Nora asked, looking in confusion at Emerald crying on the ground.

"Emerald, are you okay?" Neo signed. "What's wrong?!" But Emerald could not see her signing.

"Oh hi Neo...and...Emerald, right?" Nora asked. "Does she have a headache or something?"

Neo put it all together. She pointed at Nora. "She's afraid of you!" Neo signed frantically. Nora did not understand but could tell that something was wrong. She dropped her bags and rushed off. Neo knelt at Emerald's side and pulled her hands away from her face so she could see. "Emerald, she's gone. It's okay."

"You could save even more if streamline the payroll." Ren said. "Then you won't have to spend as much time and effort overseeing it. It worked for the army, it will work here."

"That's brilliant." Torchwick said. He leaned back in his chair, putting his hands behind his head. "Just being cheap and driving a hard bargain can only get you so far. Sometimes it takes a broader approach."

"Exactly." Ren agreed.

"It would also help if people would stop breaking shit." Torchwick sighed.

"Always a problem with Nora around." Ren admitted.

"I'm not talking about the guests." Torchwick said. "I'm talking about the staff. We've got this one in particular…"

Nora burst through the door and into the office. "Ren!" She exclaimed. "Ren, green girl and pink girl need help! You can help right? Follow me!" With that she immediately rushed out. Ren sighed and slowly stood, shaking his head.

"That sounds urgent." Torchwick said with a hint of concern.

"No, that's just Nora for you." Ren explained. "She makes everything sound urgent."

"Hmm...green and pink…" Torchwick thought aloud. "Probably Emerald and Neo. They've been taking care of the South Wing. Emerald probably broke something again."

"Emerald!" Ren gasped. "We must hurry!"