[The memory of that day, of his voice and his gaze when he told her I love you too, Em -- it's hers forever. It'll get her through this in time. Even though he's gone back home, Matt still helps her, still keeps her grounded, still makes her feel safe.
That's love, she thinks. It has to be.
Wolfie shifts a little, as if to remind her he's there and that she has to be in the present moment. Emily sniffles and strokes his fur once, so he knows she's aware of him.]
[Maketh huffs a little, almost smiling. This is ridiculous. She's drinking coffee and playing chess with the man who killed a monster wearing her face.]
[Maketh gives Emily's arm a little squeeze. This will hurt and perhaps there is no avoiding the blow. But there's no need to face it alone. The Empire was wrong about that. This sort of thing isn't shameful. It's just the way of things. There is a wound and it must bleed before it can heal.
And it will heal, in time.]
You can always stay with Henry and I, if you wish. Or even come for dinner.
[Terminology is confusing she's trying not to be an asshole. Maketh leans back in her chair with a sigh, drinking some more of her coffee. The taste is something to focus on, something comforting, something she knows well.]
[This time Maketh does laugh, just a little. The look on his face is quite something.]
Don't mistake me. It's not a slight on your capabilities. But you would not have been allowed to remain as you are.
[She gives him a faint smile.]
They wouldn't have let you keep your name. The Empire, I mean. It would have been taken from you. I never realized how--important that was, before I came here. Having a name.
There were a few with power like yours. I served with one. The Inquisitor. [She shrugs, drinking her coffee. She's been thinking about the Inquisitor a lot since she came to Hadriel and often wonders what became of him. Perhaps he's dead. Probably he's dead.] The Empire makes things simple. Either you obey or someone stronger kills you. And there is always someone stronger.
[She shakes her head.]
He killed my lieutenants. I should have expected it. But he--enjoyed it. I suppose it was the only thing left to him.
Something like that. [She lifts her cup in grim salute.] They did, yes. He was barely a person. I respected him, as much as I could respect someone like that. He was powerful and he never lied to me. But he was the Inquisitor and he would never be anything more or less than precisely that.
[Maketh gives Shadow a thin smile.]
I had choices, at least. Perhaps they were wrong. But they were mine.
[Right now, all Emily wants is to lie in bed, wrapped in their blankets, her head on Matt's pillow, his jacket on, Wolfie snuggled up against her. Tonight is going to be hard, and she wants to be in their room for that.
But dinner. Dinner she could do. Matt did most of the cooking while he was here, so it'll be good to be away around mealtimes.]
Dinner sounds good. [She's quiet quiet but clear.] If Wolfie can come too.
[He's pretty much her therapy dog. Hannah and Beth have Hannah's nug, so it's only fair, right? Don't tell her it's not.]
Oh, I see. [That gets a faint smile. At least Shadow isn't alone. Not in Hadriel. Not in whatever place he'll call home when this is through. Belatedly, Maketh realizes this matters to her.
Hmm. [Maketh returns his smirk with one of her own and makes her move. It will undoubtably sacrifice her queen, but she sees a way to win. It's a gamble and a dangerous one, but why not?]
[For her part, Maketh has bothered to get dressed and little else. Her hair is loose, hanging down to her waist, and dark circles ring her eyes. She's not wearing shoes.
She lets Rey in with narrowed eyes, eying the bottle, and holds her hand out for it.]
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