Emma Frost is tired of trying to be good (ice_queen) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2013-07-08 23:11:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, emma frost (white queen), harry dresden |
Who: Emma Summers and Harry Dresden
Where: Emma's place
What: Harry's checking up on his employer
When: 6/30
Warnings/Rating: PG
Status complete
Harry had heard everything that had happened, and today, he felt a personal visit was in need, so, with cookies, Lavender Lemonade, sweet bread, and a smile, he knocked on the Summers house door. He had been given a basic run down by Cora and then by Nate, and he felt bad for them. He knew that things would only get weirder in the OC, but he wanted to try to help, and Emma had been a good friend. So now he was willing, and he was able, and he was going to help her, darn it!
Emma answered the door, still wearing her pajamas. She gave Harry a blank look, but moved aside so he could come in. “I wasn’t expecting you.”
“Well, no, but I heard about everything. And I thought, well, that it would be right to visit.” Some things were just right. He stepped in and smiled to her, extended the basket of items. “From all of us, for you and yours.”
Emma gave the basket a slightly warmer look. She still felt so shaky, but Nate’s presence was calming, even if they weren’t directly interacting. “That was very thoughtful of you, Harry.” She motioned to the table behind the couch. “Go ahead and set it on the table, would you like some coffee?”
“Sure.” He smiled to her, and set it on the table. “How are things around here now?” He knew how chaos could throw everything for a loop. And he hoped she would not be too discomfited for too long. He wanted to help, but he thought all he could help for now was his presence. and so he brought it.
“Quieter, now. Which I appreciate.” She suspected Nate was playing a big part in that, when Scott wasn’t responsible. “Other than the looming threat of zombies.” Her voice was very tired with that last sentence.
Harry nodded. “Well, something is always looming. At least these are things we can kill when we need to.” He smiled softly. “Will you be kicking ass, or hanging out here for the time being?”
“I’ll be staying here. It doesn’t really need my attention, but I don’t want to risk getting caught up in something I can’t handle.” Again. She moved to the kitchen, trusting Harry would follow. “Do you have a preference as far as light or dark roast?” She began digging through the K cups.
Harry listened to her words, thinking. “Could be good. I also wanted to extend an offer to lay down some protections over the house and grounds. It’ll take awhile to fully snap in, but it’ll do a little from the get go.” He nodded, then smiled.. “I prefer dark, but are you sure you want to. I don’t want you feeling deprived.” He was here to help, not hurt.
“I’ll be fine. Not having coffee is the least of my worries.” She popped the k-cup into place and began making herself a mug of tea. “I’ll have to wait until the house’s owner is here. She might object, though I can’t think why she would.”
Harry nodded, then watched her as she worked. “...the house’s owner? I thought you and Scott owned this place.” Now he was confused.
“No. Scott was watching it for her while she was away.” Emma shrugged. She still didn’t know that whole story.
Harry nodded.”Okay. Are you staying?” He was curious now. “That sounds like an odd story.”
“I assume it is. I’m staying for now, what will happen down the line I can’t say.” She shrugged and handed Harry his cup of coffee. “We’re trying to convince her to move back in, actually.”
Harry nodded as he listened, then took his cup. “Really? Hm. Well, why not? The world is a weird place. Sometimes, embracing weirdness is your best bet.” Harry had embraced his weird life. He was a lot happier now.
“I’m doing my best. Some things are difficult to embrace.” Her tone was even more hollow with those words than it had been before.
Harry winced, then eyed her. “I can imagine so. Which one?” Something big and bad was bothering her. Was it death, or something else?
“Ironically the thing that gives me the most trouble is remembering what it’s like not to be the White Queen. I forget what it’s like to be vulnerable, and then I am and it hurts. Not because harm is coming to me, but because I can’t protect the people around me, and they need that protection.” She sipped her tea, lost in thought.
Harry nodded. “It’s hard to do. It’s hard to not help others, protect them, when we see them in danger.” He hated not being able to protect Cora, and Nate, even, and Thomas and Neena, and Elaine and all of them. “Sometimes, all we can do is our best, and trust that we are not the only ones doing.” He sighed.
“I felt responsible when she hurt Laura, when she shot Jubilee.” Emma shook her head. “I know it’s ridiculous. I know I wasn’t. I just. . . I’m allergic to being out of control of my situation.”
“Understandable. It’s not a fun feeling. I’ve never liked it myself. I try to find ways around it, but sometimes... it feels impossible.” Harry had been lucky to have allies in both worlds.
She nodded, sipping her tea. “I don’t know what to do. I still feel very unlike myself.” Well, that wasn’t true. She felt exactly like herself, just herself when she was a teenager.
“Maybe what you have to do is give yourself some time and think about things, feel them, and see what you really feel and think. We all need time to recover from things. Different people fill that time in different ways.”
Emma nodded. “I suppose so. Thank you for coming by, Harry, I appreciate it.”
“YOu’re welcome, Emma.” That sounded like a dismissal to him, so he rose. He sipped more of his coffee, and smiled at her. “You may be my boss, but you’re also my friend, and my possible future cousin in law. “ He chuckled, though lord knew it was more likely than not, with how those two clung together.
For the first time Emma’s expression lightened a bit. “At this rate I’ll be related to the whole damn county.” She moved out of the kitchen to get the door for him.
“Could be fun.” When she had gotten the door he stepped out. “Have a good day, Emma, and try to hug the kids more.”
“I can barely put my arms around Nate.” Emma said with a small chuckle. “Have a good day too.”