She knew it was coming, but was still startled by the touch to her shoulder. She didn't mind physical contact, but despite all her glorious abilities it was always a bit of a surprise when someone made contact. Fortunately, her shoulder was covered - she slept in a silk and lace nighty that was held up by just small straps, but when she woke up she always put on the accompanying robe with it. She felt no need to get dressed up for Nikolai, and usually he helped her pick out her outfits anyway. She had an array of very nice things, things she had seen herself wearing in the future or things she trusted her close friends wouldn't look bad on her. She often had her skin mostly covered, to keep from accidentally brushing up against people when she walked. The psychometric visions she got from them could be jarring.
Despite his lack of saying it, she knew Niko sympathized with her over her precognition. It was not something a lot of people could understand - the few visions here or there that made sense were welcome and wonderful, but most were obscure, more like a riddle than anything else. It was difficult to read, and more frustrating than anything else when you couldn't figure them out. Her vision of what happened had been a landscape of bright orange, with shaded figures all stuck in invisible boxes. Now that she thought about it, and the events had transpired, it was easily figured out - the Dome, and the fire. A shadowy figure had run free among the rest, and though Bianca would never have been expected, there would have been other clues to let her know, had she paid enough attention to it.
When he admitted to not thinking he was cut out for relationships, she shook her head softly. Niko, you are. A relationship is not much different than a friendship. They both take commitment, caring, and love. The only differences is sexual desire, and if you find someone sexually desirable, you care for them, and you feel you can love and commit to them, then you're right for a relationship. Challenges come up with everything, and you are smart and amazing enough to figure those things out. Asher had hurt him, and Emily knew it. It made her so sad that he had taken it so harshly. Nikolai hadn't done anything wrong. Asher hadn't really, he was following orders. But the damage had been done.
You and Asher didn't break up because something went wrong. You were torn apart by our cause. It was necessary, and it's only natural that you feel now, when you realize he didn't leave you because of something you did, those same friendly feelings that you had before. If you love Asher, you have to tell him. At some point, Niko, you need to decide. Leaving things unspoken never helps. Emily was quite honest, especially with her best friend. He needed to hear it, and wouldn't fault her for her somewhat harsh words. It's not right, to let either Asher or Ferran be strung along. Don't think I don't know what's happening with Ferran. You may not realize it, but there's something there, too.
Emily loved Ferran as well, and didn't want to see any of her friends hurt. Things needed to be resolve. Nikolai needed to let go of those last five years without Asher, and figure out what this meant for his future. Either he forgave Asher and gave him a second chance, or he decided he couldn't let that be, and cut Asher out of his life, in that way. It needed to be clear and concise, not left in the air to fester and get worse.