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Ema had visited Franziska von Karma a few times already.
They were usually impromptu visits, a result of Ema just so happening to be in the area or needing a place to crash while she stayed in Germany. She had yet to see the von Karma residence that stood in Los Angeles, but the one Franziska used to live in together with her father when they weren’t in the US was very… spacious. Fancy. Polar opposite of claustrophobic. Decorated almost as if trying to display all legal accomplishments of the family and the money that came with them in its design, almost to the point where she was scared to even step inside — taking her shoes off felt impolite, while leaving them on came with the risk of getting one of those expensive luxurious carpets dirty.
Franziska was usually the one to make the offer, occasionally prompted by the remarks her “friend” made about some case she helped her out with, or someone she introduced her to, who just so happened to have information of a clue valuable to an ongoing investigation. Meant as casual reminiscing, yet apparently interpreted as a reminder of the debt she owed to Ema.
(Even though sometimes she would probably feel better sleeping in a small room in a cheap inn on the outskirts of the city.)
So, when she got the opportunity and heard that the prosecutor was searching for accommodation near the university Ema was attending, she didn’t think twice before returning the favor and inviting Franziska to stay at her apartment. Even though this girl could be rather… picky, when it came to pretty much everything, it was just two nights — besides, she wasn’t the type to leave someone she knew to fend for themselves when she could very well just help them out.
Unfortunately, the conditions of her apartment didn’t seem to immediately satisfy von Karma’s refined tastes.
“You… actually live like this?”
“You could be a bit more polite about this, you know?” Of course Ema knew better than to get upset about this, but it did leave her slightly offended. She was living here on her own, she didn’t need much more than what she had, and she spent a lot of her time in the university library anyway. Besides, this was her place on Earth and she couldn’t help feeling emotional over it, like a mother would about her child.
Franziska said nothing to that remark, continuing to carry her things inside and occasionally bumping into the cramped up furniture.
“Are you gonna sleep on the couch?” At first she was going to just offer her own bedroom (or share the bed, but even suggesting that might very well get her whipped from head to toe). Eventually, though, she decided against sacrificing her comfort for the sake of the “princess”.
“This is barely a couch, fool!” She retorted, but didn't get a response. “... Do I even have a choice?”
“Not really, no.”
Franziska grumbled something and threw her bags on the couch. It didn't seem like they would have an easy time living here together.
The first issue arose later that day, around time for dinner. It was a Friday afternoon, so it was the weekend already, but Ema had told her new roommate she was getting ready for evening classes.
“You'll get yourself something to eat, right?” She asked, while packing her rather modest dinner to eat before the class.
“Of course, who do you take me for?… do you even have anything in that fridge, though?”
That was a good point, she should've probably stocked up if she was going to have a guest. Then again, she usually didn't buy groceries in advance when she was all by herself.
“You could just get takeout, or go to the store around the corner if you wanna eat something. Knock yourself out.”
“Is that any way to treat a guest, you foolish—”
But Ema had already left in order not to be late for her class, only to hear some German profanities and the whip cracking against the door.
The next day was a little easier on her, as Franziska was out all day to do what she actually came here for, speaking to alleged witnesses and people related to a case she was busy with at the moment. For Ema, it was a day off, and she believed that she deserved a rest after a long week of geeking out over forensics and a day of putting up with a particularly moody von Karma.
So when her guest returned home, she definitely wasn't pleased with the mess she encountered. It's not like Ema was a dirty person, or something, but she just didn't care about making sure everything around her was squeaky clean when she barely felt like doing anything. She liked to joke that her apartment reflected her state of mind, but Franziska clearly didn't like that joke, not when she had to draft reports and review the new information she obtained throughout the day.
“Ugh, I can't focus like this at all!” She groaned, gripping her head with both her hands.
“What’s the matter this time? You know you can go to the campus library if you have work to do, right?”
“Why would you invite me to stay with you if I cannot even get my work done here?!”
“What do you even mean?!” It didn't seem like they were getting anywhere with this, but she didn't want Franziska to boss her around at her own place. “I thought you just wanted a place to crash!”
“God, I can't believe this is how you actually live here!”
Fortunately, she didn't need much convincing before packing up her things and just leaving to the library, only to return a couple hours later, still clearly stressed out.
Ema Skye and Franziska von Karma clearly weren't made to live together. They had completely different lifestyles and would just get annoyed at each other for stupid, small things. Neither was really in the right or wrong, they were each just too accustomed with their way of doing things to accept a different one. Which was a real shame, because whenever they had to work together in different circumstances, they always seemed to get along and could even call each other friends.
The second night of Franziska’s stay, neither of them could sleep and neither knew why. At about four in the morning, after hours of tossing and turning in bed, Ema got up to the bathroom and just as she was leaving, she saw a pair of gray eyes looking at her — barely visible with the curtains closed, but still clear enough to make out.
“You're up at this hour?”
“I wouldn't be able to fall asleep tonight.” It seemed like Ema wasn't all alone in this struggle of hers.
“Huh.”
Well, she didn't expect to see Franziska like this. And she wasn't quite sure what to do now, because it'd feel pretty awkward to just go back to bed.
“Well… wanna watch something together?”
“Excuse me?”
“It’s better than spending the next few hours trying to fall asleep, no? And maybe a movie will be so boring it'll put us to sleep, who knows.”
Fortunately, Franziska was too tired to argue — or maybe she did want to watch something too and make up for all the time the two have spent arguing about literally everything by doing something nice together — so she shuffled towards one armrest of the couch, leaving space for Ema to join her.