Gaining Emerald's Trust

Emerald: Um...is there a reason why your naked?

Cinder: Simple it's because I have chosen to become a nudist.

Emerald: Wait you mean to tell me that law was real? I thought that was just some sort of joke they put on that magazine to help sell them.

The somewhat surprised and equally confused Emerald thinking back to when she was passing by a newsstand and saw the front cover of "DUST" which depicted a naked woman on in with text on the side saying, "New law goes into effect allowing nudity and sexual acts in public places". To Emerald, at the time she thought it was just a prank to help sell the magazine, so she didn't think too much into it and quickly forgot about it.

Cinder: Well, you can think about that later for now though you should gather what you can to take with you.

Emerald: What for?

Cinder: What for?... So, you can bring it with you back to my suite, or did you think I was going to just sleep in this disgusting old building you've made into a home?

Emerald: You ambushed me, ask about my semblance and now you want me to come with you are you for real!?

Cinder: Your semblance you say?... Ah, so that's what you used on the jeweler to have him give you the ring!? That is impressive indeed~!

Emerald goes wide-eyed covering her mouth realizing she just unintentionally revealed she had a semblance to the naked woman she just met out of frustration from her earlier demand to come with her. With a sigh, Emerald pinches the bridge of her nose and comes to a decision "Well since the cat's out of the bag may as well come clean."

Emerald: Yes...my semblance lets me create hallucinations, but I can only use it on one person and only when my eyes are focused on them.

Cinder: Interesting could you use it on me so that I could see a demonstration?

Emerald: Uh sure, I guess? What do you want to see?

Cinder: How about something simple, say making me look like I was wearing clothes?

It was an easy enough request so Emerald focused her mind and made the clothes she was currently wearing appear on Cinder's body within moments making Cinder smirk and raise a brow at how talented she could be with more training.

Cinder: You have quite the effective semblance Emerald however what I can't understand is how a thief of your caliber with such an impressive power is still living like...well this...when you could be having it easy?

Emerald: I guess I'm just afraid of having high expectations in living an easy life only for it to turn out badly in the end?

That's when Cinder understood what she was getting at. It wasn't that Emerald didn't have any expectations or goals it's that as she currently is she does not have the confidence to actually follow through with it. In Cinder's mind, Emerald was just like her a long time ago weak, afraid, lacking confidence in herself, and powerless. At that moment it was clear to Cinder what she needs to do.

While originally wanting to recruit Emerald to further her plans she will instead help Emerald become stronger and confident in herself and perhaps if she plays her cards right convince her to forgo wearing clothes altogether because she had to admit that Emerald had such a lovely body that would look even better if she were naked.

With her mind made up Cinder walks up to Emerald and places both hands on her shoulders catching her by surprise and looks her straight in the eyes.

Cinder: Emerald, please come with me? I know you might be scared. I know you may have some doubts. Believe me, I've been where you were, and I know what it feels like. All I ask is that you join me, and I promise you that I will show you the world of possibilities you never thought possible while living here.

She surprises her even more by pulling the thief into a hug and whispering into her ear "At the very least I can promise you that you won't go hungry" before pulling back and looking into her eyes again.

Cinder: So? What do you say? Will you come with me?

Emerald could feel tears coming down her face this was the first time in what felt like forever since Emerald had an honest conversation with anyone that she wasn't trying to steal from. The way Cinder looked at her she could tell that she was being honest about what she said. She could see in her eyes that she too has had to suffer and try to make ends meet. Perhaps the reason why she became a nudist was so that she would have more confidence in herself over having nothing left to be afraid of.

With new resolve, Emerald works up the nerve to agree to go with Cinder.

Emerald: Please take me with you? Teach me to be strong like you?

Cinder: I except.

With that, they enter into a deep hug before Cinder finally releases Emerald from her grasp.

Cinder: Now then you should take this opportunity to gather anything valuable to take with you.

Emerald: Right!

After taking a couple of minutes to gather her things into a sack Emerald is finally prepared to head out.

Cinder: Is that everything?

Emerald: Yeah...well at least what is important to me.

Cinder: Good then let's head out.

Putting her utility belt back on and sheathing her weapons Cinder leads Emerald out of the building and onto the roof.

Emerald: So where is your suite located?

Cinder: On the opposite end of the city just about close to the academy. We'll need to travel via the rooftops if we want to get there faster and avoid anyone.

Emerald: And the people of the hotel will let you in even though your...you know...completely naked?

Cinder: Yes, I am sanctioned under the law to be allowing me to be naked wherever I go even in public places. Why...is me being naked around you going to be an issue?

Emerald: NO OF COURSE NOT! I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH YOUR BODY AT ALL! IN FACT, I THINK YOUR BODY LOOKS INCREDIBLE HELL I-! Sorry.

Cinder: Ah don't apologize I appreciate the compliment ~, if it helps, I think you look good too.

Emerald: You really mean tha-?

Cinder: Especially Naked~!

Emerald's dark skin couldn't hide the bright red blush that was forming on her face. Cinder could tell she was going to be fun to tease.

Author Note: Alrighty that's one down and two more to go to form team CMEN...Yes that IS what we're calling them because Roman doesn't count, it's funnier, and because they never addressed the team's name during the tournament from what I remember. Anyway, hope you enjoyed it. ( ˘▽˘)っ