Save the world? Fuck that, I want to make money! (RWBY SI) ch 49

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A sense of excitement had gripped the air. After a series of disasters and tragedies, Vytal had been the one event nearly everyone in Remnant was looking forward to. Emerald Sustrai, or rather, Emerald Wayland as she was known now was not immune to the excitement. Not really because of the contestants beating the ever living hell out of each other or the hundreds of stalls and little events that was going to be occurring at the same time.

No, she was going to finally go to a event with her family.

​Ever since she had been sent to school, Emerald had begun to see Alexander less and less. His schedule had slowly started to get him away from home most of the time. When he had to leave south for his project, she was unable to see him off busy as she was with school.

It was a...experience, Emerald had to admit. For the first time since her adoption, she was alone to fend for herself in a strange environment. But, it was a challenge she accepted for herself as both her new family supported her all the way. She tried to act ladylike, as the maids of the house kept on teaching her, but it only made her look unapproachable to her peers. Sure, they knew the niceties of society, her school was a good school after all. But between them who had grown up with silver spoons and her who grew in the streets, there was an odd disconnect that just made her stand out.

It did not stop a few people from trying however.

The bell rang and students stood, chairs strained against the floor as they were pushed back. Emerald quietly and tenderly arranged her desk and her books into her bag when loud steps began to barrel towards her. "Emerald!"

​Emerald Wayland cringed. She craned her head, a polite expression on her face. "Neon," she greeted neutrally.

Neon Katt was a bright and cheery faunus girl that was brightness personified. Her hair was orange with light blue streaks in her bangs. While Emerald kept her uniform standard, Neon had skirted to dangerous territory by styling her hair in two wild pigtails, a deviation compared to the formal ones the school dictated. Her light grey uniform had sparkles as well, pink gloves when she ought to be wearing white. That and she somehow managed to integrated roller skates to her boots.

Neon was the very first girl to approach her when she had given her introduction. She could still remember it as clearly as day. She walked into the classroom, curtsied, then introduced herself. She sat on her lonesome for the meantime, ignoring the looks her classmates sent her. She did not want to make friends at that time. She just wanted to get her classes over and done with. Neon did not get the memo however and insisted on talking with her. 

Neon slid up, slapping an excited palm on Emerald's desk. "So, what are your plans for today? Do ya wanna train? Study? Talk about cute boys?"

Emerald snorted. The only boy she would ever need was her father. "Not interested, Neon." she shook her head. "I'm going to be leaving early today. My cousin is coming back from abroad. I will be seeing him at the airport."

From how she understood it, Alexander was really her cousin and Gerard Wayland being her great-uncle. However, she saw Alexander more as her adoptive father and Gerard as her grandpa however. If people asked, she was just going to tell them the basics rather than the whole truth.

"Oooooo!" Neon grinned, eyes shining as stars. "Alexander Wayland, right? Handsome, charming, and single?"

​Not quite single considering his relationship with that stuffy, dusty, no-good princess Winter Schnee. Even until now, Emerald did not know how to feel about their relationship. In one hand, she did want to see him happy. On the other...well...she was still a young girl territorial about the attention of the few people she actually cared about. She was willing to put up with it as long as he showered her with more attention first. "He's not single. He's with someone. Winter Schnee."

A part of Emerald felt bad revealing such a thing to Neon as her face broke, like a cat being told that she wasn't going to get treats despite being fed two minutes prior. To her credit, Neon recovered well and quickly. "Well, that's fine. Your uncle is single, right?" 

​Emerald was starting to suspect that Neon was just messing with her. She glanced at her brightly coloured tail and sure enough, it was swaying and swashing with mischief. She shook her head as she stood up. "Did you need anything from me, Neon?" she asked. 

"Actually, yes!" Neon grinned. "I'd like to introduce you to a friend of mine!" 

​Emerald grimaced. Last time Neon said that, she had tried to introduce her to a boy. "This isn't another boy you are trying to introduce me to, are you?" 

"Nyope~~!" Neon said, voice sing-song, as she began to drag her away. 

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"Ilyaaaa. Ilyaaaa!" 

The faunus girl cringed as a familiar singsong voice broke through the din. She sat alone on the lunch tables, the din of other students talking over each ringing in her ears. 

​Her old friend group had deserted her after she had outed herself as a faunus. It was rather public with the way she had ran up the Council chambers screaming bloody murder. It was fine however since for her, the most important people in her life were still alive. They were afforded higher positions and pay in the new Schnee Dust Company, foremen in charge of a whole mine. Mining was really the only thing they knew and accepted work as soon as they were able. Compared to the old regime, the SDC had done steps to clean its hands of its past sins. It was not perfect by any means but it was a start. 

Back to her friend however...

"It's Illia, Neon," the chameleon faunus turned to correct the approaching cat faunus. She could see the cat dragging along another girl, tanned like her but with short green hair and red eyes. Illia allowed herself to feel pity for the girl.  

"Aww," Neon cried dramatically. "But Ilya is cuter! It sounds...exotic," 

​

"Urgh," Illia stuck her tongue out. She shook her head, turning towards the other girl. "I'm sorry for Neon. She's strange." 

The girl straightened herself, her hands folded in front of her like a lady. "It's fine," the girl assured her. "I would not put up with her if I didn't accept her." 

Upon closer inspection, Illia could see that she wasn't exactly faunus. Despite the new laws in place, it wasn't exactly popular to be friends with her people especially among the teens of her school. "Don't take this the wrong way but I'm surprised you're friends with her," she trailed, leaving what was unsaid in the air. 

"I don't really care," replied the girl, shrugging her shoulders. "I guess I'm just used to how most faunus feel. Growing up, I've been ignored and abused."

​Illia's eyes widened in surprise. "Oh, I'm so sorry," she apologized quickly. "Are you okay?"

The girl afforded her a quick smile. "I am, thank you. I've been adopted by a good family now." Then with a curtsy, she introduced herself. "Emerald Wayland. It is a pleasure to meet you." 

Illia did a double take. Did she...

"Wayland?" she repeated. 

​"Isn't it obvious with her eyes?" Neon said, hugging Emerald who struggled valiantly under the cat's affections. "Apparently, she's a cousin!" 

​"Get off!" Emerald protested. She protested some more as Neon then hugged her tightly, rubbing her face against Emerald's cheeks, cooing. 

"Awwww who'se a cutie patootie, you are!" 

Illia however, she fully stood up from her seat, mouth slightly agape. "I'm Ilia. Ilia Amitola. My parents were in the mine at Courrières," Illia revealed. Neon and Emerald stopped, turning to face her. "If it weren't for your cousin, they both would be dead." 

"My...cousin," Emerald coughed, shaking Neon off. "He's a good person, like that. I am proof of it." Emerald wasn't going to reveal that he had quite literally took her from the streets while she tried to steal his food but the gratitude was clear in her eyes. 

"Could you tell your cousin thank you?" Illia said, a swirl of emotions clear inside of her and on her, her cheeks a riot of color. She had always wanted to find a way to thank him considering what he had done for her. This expression of gratitude felt paltry compared to the literal international organizing of Alexander Wayland but Illia didn't really have anything else to give. 

"I'll tell him," Emerald nodded. "He's coming home from abroad actually." She paused, looking at Illia. "I will be meeting him today when classes are done. Why not tell him yourself?" 

Illia's thought process went blank for a second. Then, her cheeks turned pink from embrassment. "Um...I don't....I don't think I could meet him," she turned her face away. I mean, what right did she have to meet him. She was just a miner's daughter. A faunus. What could she possible offer him that he already had? Did she think that a thank you was going to be enough to cover her massive debt?

​Emerald raised an eyebrow. She did not understand what the problem was. "If it's a request coming from me, he'll be happy to hear it out. You're alright, I think. You aren't an assassin are you?" 

"Me, no!" Illia flushed. A few students glanced at her, eyebrows raised. Desperately, Illia wished she had a hat to cover up her face. Her embarassment was made even more apparent as Neon's lips curled into a devious smile. The rainbow cat slid up, pulling Illia into a hug. 

"Illia is too nice to be an assassin," she giggled, patting the chameleon faunus on her head. "How about this, Illia. I'll go with you so that you won't be alone?" 

"R-really?" Illia stammered. 

"Yup!" Neon nodded. "What are friends for?"

"You're only saying that because you want to drool over my cousin, Neon," Emerald said, crossing her arms. 

"Well, that too!" Neon admitted without shame. "So, what do you say, Illia? Meet up with him? Tell him thanks yourself?" 

Hesitantly, she nodded. 

They arrived at the airport much much later in a car that was probably worth more than all her family had. Emerald sat quietly, legs crossed on one another. Illia sat nervously, her fingers twitching and her skin taking on the colour of the seat. Neon however...

"EHuehGuhghhe," the faunus giggled immensely, her laugh resembling that of a creature from the depths than an actual living being, as she pressed a gloved finger on the car's sunroof controls. The glass window obeyed, first closing in then opening. 

"Um...Neon...can you stop playing with the sunroof?" Illia asked, utterly mortified by the cat's behaviour. 

"Ehehehe, sunroof, hehehe," Neon giggled, utterly engrossed by the buttons. Emerald afforded the two girls a small smile. 

"It's alright. I wouldn't allow that if it wasn't funny," she admitted. 

"What if she breaks something?" Illia stammered. 

"Well, I will just have the two of you pay for it," Emerald answered, deadpan. Illia panicked, her skin turning white. 

"Neon, stop!" she cried as terror gripped her. Her family didn't have money for that!

Emerald snorted. "I'm joking," she admitted. "The sunroof window isn't going to be broken like that. And even if it was, its nothing for us." 

"R-right," Illia muttered, still utterly terrified and nursing a fish-out-of-the-water expression. Everything in the car just screamed wealth to her and she felt out of place. Not so much with Neon however who had found another button that revealed a hidden compartment. Turning to it, Illia found herself facing a small snack bar of juices, a bottle of wine, and other little treats. 

"Ooooo," Neon's eyes lit up brightly. "Can I?" she asked Emerald who nodded. The cat faunus chirped happily, helping herself to the delectable treats Illia was pretty sure was again more expensive than what her whole family had. 

"What's this?" Neon asked, holding up a glass dish filled with cream, chocolate, and coffee shavings. 

"It's chocolate mousse," Emerald identified. "Try it." 

​"Hehe. Mousse. Mouse. And I'm a cat faunus," Neon piped, her tail swaying behind her. 

"I am embarrassed to be seen with you," Illia bemoaned. 

"And I am happy that you've decided to meet Prince Charming!" Neon replied, giggling. She took a small spoon available and dug in, her tail swirling even more as she sampled the treat. 

"Oh, this is better than sex!" Neon cackled. 

"Neon!" Illia cried in utter mortification, her skin turning from white to an absolute shade of red. 

"It's alright," Emerald once again assured them. She was enjoying this dynamic, if she had to be honest. It did break up the monotony of going through the motions of life alone. "You should try the other food we have," Emerald offered. There was more than chocolate mousse there, that was for sure. 

"Are you sure?" Illia spoke up, still quite unsure about her offer. 

"Positive," Emerald smiled gently. "Look, the chefs at home worked hard for all of this. If you help Neon eat it, they'd appreciate you enjoying it." 

Well...she could dig that. Illia scooted over, ignoring the humming Neon, and tried something that caught her eye. It was a tart looking thing with a cherry atop some cream and fruit. The sweetness was mild at first then intensified as her tongue found the fruit. 

"It is good," she admitted. 

Emerald smiled. 

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They stood by the exit, their car waiting by the driveway. Emerald has insisted on standing out to wait for her cousin and neither Illia nor Neon wanted to defy her. She had graciously allowed Illia access to her snacks and Neon access to her sunroof. Who were they to say no. 

Neon would note this as the first time since her friendship with Emerald of the girl seeing actual emotion on her face. She stood impatiently, her feet tapping the ground despite her refined stance. It was finally when the doors opened and out came a man, uniformed in archaic dress, and a security detail trailing behind. He glanced around then quickly spotted Emerald. "Emerald!" he cried out in utter happiness. He increased his pace, near rushing towards the tanned girl. 

"Welcome back hom-" Emerald tried to greet him but was swiftly silenced as the man pulled her into a massive hug. Normally, the girl resisted when she was embraced. Not so much here as she wrapped her arms around him, trying her best to look like a prairie dog trying to make a burrow. 

Neon would note this as important information to tease her later.

Alexander Wayland was handsome, roguish in his airs despite his regal looking uniform. 

"I missed you," Emerald said quietly in a tone most people would miss but Neon heard it. She was a faunus after all and so did Illia. At her side, the chameleon was trying her best to look away but she kept stealing glances at Alexander, the fascination and gratitude clear in her eyes. 

Neon would remember this too. 

"Me too, Em. Me too," Alexander said softly, patting her on the back. He then glanced up, eyeing both her and Illia. Neon could not help but see his eyes narrow in at them in recognition. That was strange considering this was their first time meeting him. 

"You're her friends, eh?" he smiled quickly, warmth emanating from his face. 

Oh. 

Emerald probably told him about them. 

"Yup-yup!" Neon flashed her most charming smile at him. She sauntered over, her hips swaying slightly. Behind her, Illia gasped at the utter scandal. "Neon Katt!" she beamed, holding out her hand over to him. In his arms, Emerald hugged him a bit tighter, her eyes narrowed at Neon. She growled as Alexander held his hand out, accepting the shake. He was burning despite the gloves Neon wore. And calloused. 

Oh, she was going to milk this for what it was worth. 

"You're hot," she smirked. "Your hands, I mean." she added thankfully, ignoring the dying mouth scream Illia emanated. 

"I do work a forge," Alexander said, gracefully ignoring the innuendo Neon sent his way. 

"How about an oven? I have an oven right at home," Neon added, flashing her eyelashes at him. 

"Anyway," Emerald added, pulling herself away and standing between the two, to Neon's disappointment. "There's someone that wanted to meet you, Alex." She then motioned to Illia to come closer and she did, her breath stuck in her throat.

"Oh?" Alexander said, raising an eyebrow as he turned away. 

"Um...h-hello," Illia tried weakly. With a supportive nod from Emerald, she spoke up a little bit louder. "I'm Illia. Um...Illia Amitola. I'm Emerald's classmate." 

"Hello, Illia," Alexander greeted her. Again, warmly. "So, you wanted to meet me?" 

"Y-yeah!" she nodded with enthusiasm. "Um...I wanted to say thank you, Mister Wayland. My...my mom and dad. They were at Courrières. You saved their lives. If you hadn't done what you did, they wouldn't be here." She took a breath, face and heart full of emotion. "Thank you. Thank you so much." she tore up, lips quivering and eyes tearing. 

Alexander was stunned, his open eyes and wide mouth said as much. Then, he began to laugh, rubbing the back of his head. "It's quite alright, Miss Amitola. It's what I do." 

"If you don't mind me asking...why did you do it?" Illia asked, sniffing. "We...there was nothing we could offer you." 

"Because I can," Alexander replied quickly and simply. "Because I could. And because it was the right thing to do." 

"But we're faunus. My mom and dad, they were just miners. Hardly someone worth saving," Illia whispered. She had wondered about that. What was there worth in saving the Courrières miners. By all accounts, the world ought to have written it off. Alexander paused as he processed what Illia said. Then, he walked forward, Emerald walking up close to him. He looked directly into Illia's eyes and that of Neon, exchanging with each one as he spoke. 

"True. My clique, the old and the rich of this kingdom would say as such. But they are idiots. Blind ones," he proclaimed. "They forget that their ancestors weren't always elites. They too were once salt of the earth. I am sure my own ancestor broke his fingernails on his tools, and grew blisters from heat and labour. My clique looks down on the common people, blind to the beauty of their struggle. Blind to what they might become, if only someone would scrape the filth from their faces." 

He smiled, radiant. Illia was immersed. Neon was immersed. Emerald smiled with pride. "I am the highest and many of my fellow men and women are the lowest. It is my duty to raise you up, as high as you will go. Anything less is not worthy of me." 

It was then and there, Illia made a choice. Once her studies was done, she would follow this man wherever he might lead her. How could she not offer him her loyalty not after that? What else could she offer after the debt her family had acquired? 

"Once I graduate, I am going to follow you, wherever you go!" Illia blurted out. Alexander blinked in surprise. Neon glanced at her with a sly look. Illia ignored Neon's poring gaze. 

"That's good, Miss Amitola. But you do not have to pay me back, seriously. Finish your studies and follow your dreams, alright?" Alexander said soothingly. 

"I know what I said," Illia stood her ground, refusing to take back her words. 

"Well then, if that is what you want, the Silver Shields would be happy to receive you. Do well and it might justify you qualifying to be my bodyguard," Alexander laughed. Inwardly, he did not really think Illia was serious about following him. She was a young teen and teens did have flights of fanciful thought. 

"I am going to train hard. I am going to be the very damn best," Illia swore, her voice sincere and full of fire. 

"Do your best, then," Alexander nodded. He then turned to Neon whose face did not lose any of its slyness. "And you as well, Miss Katt." 

"Oh I will," Neon vowed. 

"Well, I am happy you've decided to greet me but I have to go. My father has something important he wants to tell me," Alexander said. 

"Why not take a ride with me?" Emerald said, walking up to him. 

"I am sure your friends need to go back home, Em. You can't expect them to go by themselves. The airport is far after all," Alexander noted. "I have to rush to the Foundry then I will meet you at home." He then paused. "Actually, would you two be willing to stay over for dinner? I'll just have people bring you two home." 

"I don-" Illia was about to refuse. She had already taken in too much already. But Neon, shameless as she was, smirked.

"Oh, we'd be delighted to, Mister Wayland!" she smirked. 

He smiled. "I will see you all later then." And with that, he waved them off as another car rode up the driveway followed by an armoured car for his security personnel. As they drove away, Emerald frowned slightly as he vanished into the distance, Illia and Neon standing by her left and right. 

For Illia, she meant every single thing she said. 

For Neon however....

"Emerald?" 

​"Yeah?" 

"I think your cousin's pretty rad." Neon said, voice matter-of-fact.

"I know," Emerald smiled. 

"Also, I think I'm in love." Neon sighed. 

"What is wrong with you?" Emerald frowned.

"Nothing," Neon laughed. She then paused. "Actually, a lot of things." 

They would continue to bicker as they went back into the car.

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A/N: Ha. Emerald's dad is actually pretty rad. 

Next up, Vytal Festival time babyyy.