sometimes the only payoff for having any faith (open - will match format)

[unfollowing]

Who: Emily and YOU!
What: After her revival and subsequent chats with housemates, Emily crashes at Chris's and tries to go about her normal life. Ofc, she's pissed. And really, really sad.
Where: Around the city (coffee cart shift), the sewing shop, and Spire 4 apartment 201
When: Nov 24-28
Warnings: Emily. Emily's attitude. Mentions of death and demonic possession. Pain and suffering. Brief eating disorder-esque thoughts in the thread with Chris. Will add more if they come up.


mornings around the city

[Despite the shitshow that was this entire last event and its aftermath, Emily is still an early riser, and she's still keeping up her end of the deal with Delight, staffing the coffee cart for the morning shift. It's more going through the motions than anything, but it's something, something that's not Matt being angry at her and the damage in the house staring at her like it's reminding her of what she did while possessed.

(No. What the demon did. It wasn't her. It's not her fault.)

It's not easy to serve coffee with a smile, but she manages, depending on the person she's making a cup for. Just don't expect her to give more than that.]


daytime in the sewing shop

[Walking into the sewing shop sends a fresh wave of angry guilt through Emily, because for a second, she thought, At least I didn't ruin all of this.

(No. At least the demon didn't ruin it. It wasn't her. It's not her fault.)

Her progress is slow, but her stitches are just as careful, sturdy, and straight. It's back to work like normal, even if it takes her a little longer now to do a quick consultation and get started on your pattern or to have a fitting with her works in progress.]


downtime/nighttime in the apartment

[Her first day here, she walked in like it's hers and claimed the spare room, slamming the door and crawling into bed to cry herself to sleep for the first time since Matt got here.

She isn't sleeping much, she isn't eating much, and she's not doing much besides her two jobs in the city. The rest of her time is spent in the room sketching idly, or in bed, or taking a shower (vain until the end, and she hates herself for it, for letting the demon in because she cares so much about how she looks).

(No. The demon forced its way in. It wasn't her. It's not her fault.)

Very close friends might have heard she's here, because she won't deny them the information if they ask her for it by text. Beyond that, neighbors might see her going to or coming from the city. And, of course, Chris gets to see her.]


wildcard

[Come at me!]

Comments

[unfollowing]

Yeah, it would.

[Maketh could use a nicer shirt, or a dress. Shame Lilith's not here. Then they could go on a date in really nice clothes.

(Ash's dress is tucked away out of sight. Good thing, because Emily doesn't think she can bear to look at it now.)]

I can measure you for a dress.

[She's aware that she should sound excited, but she just can't muster up the feeling, not after what happened, killing two of her friends while possessed, fighting with Matt after her resurrection.]

[mismanagement]

[Maketh smiles just a little.] Would you like to do that? I'm afraid I don't know how these things are done.

[She doesn't bring up the demons or the clout of horrors no doubt bouncing around in Emily's skull. Sometimes it helps just to have a task to focus on, something that can be done gracefully and with great skill. And whatever else is said, Emily has a good eye for clothes. Maketh has come to admire that about her.]

[unfollowing]

[She almost answers right away. Yes, she wants to. She's gotten pretty good at it over the last few months, and she wants to keep improving.

But that little smile feels like a slap in the face. Is she that miserable, that Maketh is taking pity on her? Does she look so fragile that Maketh is afraid of breaking her with just a word? She's too late, Matt already did that.

Even though she's mad, she still sounds more tired than not, but she still gives it a shot because being angry at someone else is easier than being mopey and quiet.]

Don't fucking patronize me. I offered. That means I want to. Do you want to, that's the only other thing I need to know to get started on a dress. If you don't, then why did you bring me the fabric at all.

[mismanagement]

[Maketh's smile fades, replaced by a narrow glare.] I do not patronize.

[There's no point in that and Emily wouldn't appreciate it.]

I asked only because I do not know the process for such things - if there was work that needed to be done beforehand.

[unfollowing]

You could've led with that.

[She's not going to back down right away. She can't be wrong here. She can't fail yet someone else.]

I'm not a fucking mindreader.

[mismanagement]

[Maketh folds her arms over her chest.] Do you want to fight?

[It's an honest question.]

[unfollowing]

[The question takes the air out of Emily. She stops, thinks, looks away a moment.

When she answers, her voice is low again, flat.] Not with you.

[mismanagement]

[Maketh's expression softens a little.] All right. Show me how this is done. I don't know anything about tailoring.

[It gives Emily something to do, something she's already good at, and it doesn't hurt that Maketh is genuinely curious. How does one go about making clothes?]

[unfollowing]

[For a second or two, Emily stares down at her hands. Right. She has to make Maketh a dress.]

I have to measure you.

[Without another word, she gets up and goes to get the tape measure.]

[mismanagement]

All right.

[There is a process. Steps to be followed. Maketh finds that comforting when she is uncertain of herself. Perhaps the same holds true for Emily.]

Tell me what needs to be done.

[unfollowing]

[Following a proccess means she doesn't have to think, so Emily talks Maketh through the measurements for the dress she has in mind, scribbling them down in her sketchpad to work with later. It won't be ready in time for Maketh's birthday, but it'll be something to look forward to. Something Maketh can wear to not be just a soldier, something Emily can work on to take her mind off all the shit they've been put through this year.

It doesn't take too long, especially in the relative silence that's filled with instructions and notation, and when she's done, Emily sets down the pencil and the tape measure and puts a hand on the fabric Maketh brought her.]

It'll be a while. I'll let you know when it's done.

[mismanagement]

All right.

[It wasn't a painful process. Only a quiet one. Maketh smiles just a little.]

You'll endure.

[It's said quietly, though not without force.]

I'll say nothing more of it. But I know you will.

[unfollowing]

[You'll endure.

Emily's breath catches. It's not you'll be okay. It's not things will work out. It's the truth, phrased in a way that doesn't hurt, doesn't remind her of how she failed the one person who most deserves her best.

You'll endure.]

Yeah.

[She hopes so.]

Thanks.

[mismanagement]

[She will, Maketh thinks. Emily has a strong center. She knows herself and in time will know what to do next. In another world - another life - that would have made her a good officer for the Empire. It remains to be seen what that will make her in this one. Hadriel brings out the best and worst in people. But they survive, either way. That has to be enough.] Let me know when it's done. I'm sure it will be lovely.

[unfollowing]

[If there's one thing Emily is sure of, it's that she can make a garment worth wearing, even if the work is slow-going. Especially for someone she trusts, someone whose opinion matters.]

Yeah. [She nods.] I will.

[mismanagement]

[Maketh steps back with a little smile.] I'll leave you to your work. Take care, Emily.

[unfollowing]

Yeah. You too.

[She waits until Maketh turns to go before she heads back to the table and starts to sketch out a few ideas. Whatever she ends up with, the dress will be beautiful, that much she's determined to accomplish.]