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I stood watching the Crystal Tower against the night sky. I pressed my journal close to my chest. My waist still feel the residual presence that was Thancred’s embrace. My heart having these deep thumps of adoration I held for him. I shook my head before that lingering regret of not taking him up on his offer to walk me back to my room. I made the right choice, I knew I did. I want to think that despite the circumstances of our moment, he understood.
At least a little more of my own heart and of how much I relied on him
“Had a productive talk, my dear?”
I turned around at that familiar voice. Through his teleportation magick, Emet-Selch had appeared once again. I frowned at his presence but he appeared unperturbed, per his usual. I had hoped with Thancred’s earlier intervention he would forget about wanting to speak with me.
Apparently not…
He stepped forward as I stepped back. The last thing I wanted was to speak with the Ascian. But he seemed determined to fulfill his goal. He soon stopped once he gazed upon my face. His brows furrowed in displeasure. I soon realized with the lampposts overhead, he could clearly make out my puffed eyes and tear-stained face. I could feel the blush emerging and the tears prickling the corners of my eyes. Anger and embarrassment at him witnessing me in such a state. I did not hide my glare at him.
“Go on then,” I spat, “mock me for looking oh so pitiful in your eyes.”
Once those words left my lips, he paused. Then he stared at me. But not like his usual looks, something different. Perhaps a sympathetic look? As quickly as I noticed it, he was replaced with his usual nonchalant expression.
“I am not so callous to do such a thing, as much as you’d like to believe.”
He let out a small sigh as he reached for the inside of his coat. A few short moments later, he put a soft cloth on my hands. A handkerchief? Of finer thread, somewhat expected of a person of his high status. But why give this to me? I heard him sigh again as his gloved hand took the item. Softness touched my cheek as he began to wipe my face. I held my breath as he continued under my eyes to my cheeks.
“W-what are you doing?”
“Cleaning your face,” he replied, “Since the hint was lost on you to do it yourself.”
The shock of such an answer left me still as he touched my other cheek. My eyes tried to focus on anywhere else but they always went back to Emet’s golden eyes. It would be unwise to place my trust fully into him and yet it was hard not to with the considerate acts he’s done so far. I felt my face heat up at being so close to another person.
“There, at least you look more presentable than when I found you.”
At that, I frowned. He didn’t seem affected by my expression. He had lingered in my space. I wondered what he was thinking about. He leaned back at last with me finally able to breathe.
“T-thanks, though I didn’t need it.”
“Of course, my every intent at showing my offer of peace is met with a rebuff.”
I let out a small breath. Again I touched my journal, the texture of the weathered leather a comfort. A small comfort in the grand scheme of things. I stared at Emet.
“It is hard for me,” I confessed, “how am I to know that you aren’t feigning this peace to just manipulate us?”
“You don’t,” he simply said.
I waited for a further explanation. But the man seemed unwilling to elaborate. He was truly a confusing man. In claiming to speak naught but the truth, there was always that sense of there being more to his words. I let out a breath at the complexity of it all.
“You still wished to speak to me?”
At that, he seemed to look at me up and down. He gave a slight shrug.
“I did, but it’s clear that you are not in a frame of mind for such talks. I would be wasting my time.”
My eyes widened slightly at Emet. He could almost sound disappointed at the fact. I shook my head, no reason to draw to such conclusions. Tonight has just been much for my mind and heart. I saw no reason to stay so I turned to make the trek back to my lodgings.
“Ah, but before you go,” he said.
I paused. Turning to look at him, Emet had a sort of knowing look in his eyes.
“On the subject of time, it won’t be too long now before all things come to light. Pardon the expression. Don’t falter now at such a pivotal time, my dear.”