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 Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 10:00 pm
Even though Zach was engrossed in one of the tomes Emma had let her read she still heard her name when Emma called it. She looked up and rubbed at her eyes before staring around for the source of the call.
"Over here," she said. She was at one of the desks in the library sitting comfortably while she read.
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Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 10:05 pm
Emma made her way over to Zach, staying a respectful distance away. The band on her left hand had taken on a glow of its own which she attempted to hide with a fold of her skirt.
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Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 10:07 pm
"What's up," Zach asked, pushing away the book for a moment. "You look uncharacteristically happy right now."
She didn't know if that was Ivan's influence, but she had not intended the statement to sound rude.
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Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 10:09 pm
"Oh, nothing in particular.", she said airily, trying to avoid giggling like a schoolgirl.
She was far too old for such things.
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Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 10:10 pm
"You called my name," Zach said. "I thought there might be something you needed?"
She couldn't help but notice how gleeful Emma was, despite her trying to cover it up with that usual cool collectedness.
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Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 10:12 pm
"Just checking in on your progress, seeing if there's anything I can do."
The ring grew brighter despite her attempts to darken the glow.
Magic was a great boon, but it played hell with your dignity sometimes.
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Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 10:16 pm
"Oh, well I've been reading a lot of history," Zach said slowly, noticing the glow of Emma's ring. "Phoenixes throughout time, y'know? It's been a fascinating read so far, despite the gore and violence."
She was, of course, referring to the hunts for phoenixes and the magical items they possessed. In the book she was reading Zach actually found mentions of his mother. This made her very happy.
"If you want to be happy then be happy," Zach said finally. "You don't have to act so calm and unfazed all the time. It's just me here."
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Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 10:21 pm
"I have a reputation to keep up." Emma replied, a note of jesting in her tone.
Besides, it took a great deal of restraint to keep her magic under control, it was only natural that the same restraint be applied to her emotions.
She wasn't very good at either.
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Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 10:23 pm
"And I used to be a guy," Zach said, crossing her arms and smiling. "Reputations are what other people think about you. Do you want me to think that you're cold and unfeeling? C'mon, I promise not to tell anyone. Go ahead and express yourself."
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Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 10:26 pm
Cold and unfeeling had worked for a little over nine centuries.
That is, of course, with one rather recent exception, as her left hand would demonstrate.
Emma shrugged. "Suit yourself."
Her control weakened for a moment, and Emma's entire frame seemed to emit a faint violet shimmer.
She also seemed taller.
That was because she was standing on air a few inches above the floor.
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Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 10:31 pm
Zach applauded Emma's display and laughed out loud.
"That good, huh," she said with a happy sigh. "Glad to see that you're having a good time with your life. It's infectious, you know. Happiness, I mean."
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Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 10:32 pm
The moment having passed, she reclaimed her control and gravity resumed running its normal course.
"So it is."
Her life was far from peaceful, but she had all she needed.
Would ever need.
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Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 10:42 pm
"Well I'm going to go back to reading then," Zach said once Emma returned to ground. "Maybe I'll find something tonight before going to sleep. Thanks again for the books, Emma."
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Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 10:45 pm
There was the soft sound of a door creaking open, and Emma's delicately pointed ears perked up.
She was out of sight, but a squeal of joy could be heard, followed by the near-silence of an embrace and...other things.
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Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 10:47 pm
"All that over some feathers," Zach couldn't help but laugh as she returned her focus to the books piled in front of her. "She could have just asked, tho. Heh..."
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