Track 15: Trouble in Paradise

[gaydrill]

[ With the prom ending for them in the way it... did, Klavier had promised Ema he would call her after they both have had the chance to calm down and think things through. It's inevidable. ]

[ A few days after the prom. Filtered to Ema Skye ]

... Where shall we meet? Or would you rather talk this way? [ His voice comes out as careful, relatively

Comments

[glowing_science]

I'll see you soon, then.

[Ema hangs up the phone and takes a deep breath to steady her nerves. She's not looking forward to this, even though she acknowledges its necessity. There are things on both sides that need to be discussed and addressed. Their relationship needs some honest reflection. They nee to re-evaluate their strategy for investigation and finding a way home--are they working together on this, or has Ema been acting too independently, or what? Who knows--but they're going to find answers today, somehow or another.

It occurs to Ema, as she's walking over, that she's been in Mayfield for a year now. The realization only seems to make this all even worse; has Mayfield really done that much damage to the two of them, that these sorts of things are springing up? Or have they simply been in Mayfield long enough to change without the external influence?

When she arrives, she knocks on the door. Usually, she'd just let herself in, but not today. She doesn't want to suddenly appear next to him, ready to fight; she wants to give him warning that she's arrived, just in case he's in a state similar to hers.]

[gaydrill]

[ Done with the phone call, and the hardest part of this whole up-coming drama; the beginning, Klavier sat down on the living room sofa to wait for Ema. He had used the few days after the prom to think about his own doings, trying to understand what she wanted out of him and how could he do any better. In other words, he had put himself into the role of the villain, at times trying on the boots of the victim as well; Ema had been keeping some things from him, after all. Was there a good reason for this? Most likely, but then again, would he have done anything even if she had told him?

...

Seems like he always returned back to playing the villain.

Letting out a breath he had been unconsciously holding in, Klavier calmly got up from the sofa once he heard the knock on the door. All of the unease hidden inside of him, he goes to let Ema inside, mustering up the smallest of smiles for her. ] ... Come on in.

[glowing_science]

Thanks.

[Ema steps past him and into the house, trying to give him a slight smile in return with very limited success. She has to admit, she's been going between blaming herself for excluding Klavier and blaming Klavier for not insisting on being included. There's also the fact that, quite frankly, she's expecting him to still be sore about Edward, since... well, that really got out of hand, didn't it?

And not just on Edward's end, as much as she hates to admit it. She loves Klavier and wouldn't dream of leaving him or hurting him if she can avoid it, but there's no denying the emotional... whateveritis she's developed with the criminal-turned-PI-turned criminal. That topic is probably going to come up, so she needs to figure herself out quickly; and decide what she needs to tell Edward when, inevitably, she and him have their own version of this talk.]

Where do you want to sit and talk?

[gaydrill]

The living room seems like a suitable place. There's no one else at home right now.

[ After he has closed the door, he'll lead Ema to the living room where he points out a seat for her to take before sitting down on an armchair himself. He figures they won't need drinks for this (Bracers not counted.)...

Now, how to start this... ] How are you feeling right now?

[glowing_science]

[Ema stares at her knees while Klavier takes a seat on a completely different piece of furniture. This is different from the usual curling up together on the couch that they do. She doesn't like the difference, even if it's necessary.]

I wish I knew.

[Awkward pause.]

Thanks for dragging me away from... everything, at the prom. I know I didn't seem grateful at the time, but I needed it.

[gaydrill]

[ If the atmosphere wasn't as heavy as it was, Klavier would've gladly sat down next to Ema, but right now he needed to see her properly, from the front like this. ]

... It was the least I could do. [ His browns twitch the slightest as he recalls the prom, an evening he had hoped to be just a nice evening out for them. ] ... Most likely the only thing I could do.

[glowing_science]

It was what I needed you to do.

[She sighs softly, playing with her hair a little. They're dawdling and she knows it, but she honestly doesn't know where to start. Well, might as well start with the most obvious issue.

Or, at least she would, if there was just one thing that was more pressing than the others. Another frustrated sigh.]

Where do we even start with this? What do you want to know?

[gaydrill]

[ Klavier leans forward a little, placing his elbows on his knees to rest his head on top of his hands. He sighs as well. ]

If you're willing to give me the role of the listener first, then I'd like to hear about the relationship between you and Herr Nigma more.

[glowing_science]

[Ema had a feeling they'd be starting there. And really, it's her own fault; she's been keeping Klavier in the dark about where things have been going with Edward. Intentionally, at that. It's a wonder he isn't angrier at her over this, given his firm commitment to the truth and total honesty.

When she answers, she avoids his eyes.]

He's... I don't know what he is. What we are.

After the betrayal, we've been... meeting each other. Accidentally, usually; we ran into each other in Westport when all those statue things were sending us there. We've talked several times since then. He even showed up during the Milkman's attack on the town to get me the hell out of the way--he literally saved my life.

And... we talked. [Yeah, this is uncomfortable.] He told me pretty much everything that's made him who he is. He poured his heart out to me. And I'm not heartless, Klavier; it stuck. But he's been vying for my attention ever since. I... didn't know what to do. I still don't. I'm not going to lie to you and say I don't care about him. But I've never once considered leaving you for him. So there's that.

[A soft sigh. She's not sure if she's making sense or if she's digging her own grave.]

I tried to make the boundaries clear, that I'm not romantically interested in him. That I don't want to leave you. It... hasn't worked. Obviously.

[gaydrill]

[ As she talks, Klavier keeps his eyes on her, his gaze not budging even for a second. Perhaps under some situation being angry like a normal boyfriend would be the best solution, but right now he hoped they could avoid a total fight between them or, at least, that neither of them would be blinded by the rage and could just... listen to the other calmly and think about his or her own reply calmly as well. Giving in for his emotions during Kristoph's trial still haunted him in the back of his mind and it was something he wished would not be repeated. Then again, Mayfield had managed to pull out his weak side more than just once.

But not showing any emotion wasn't the approach he was aiming for either, Klavier could feel his browns twitch at points and once Ema's done with talking, he leans back on his seat, giving a sigh. He closes his eyes for a moment to let the thoughts arrange in his head. ]

... Was that the first time the two of you kissed? [ At this point Klavier returns his gaze back to her and, to be completely honest, it wasn't the kiss that bothered him that much. He wasn't an elementary student, after all. ]

And what are you going to do from now on? Of course I would prefer if you broke it off with him completely. [ Breath in and out. ] But I suppose there is no way of that happening, the least I can wish is for you put distance between you and him.

[ Preferably a five meters long stick. No, make that ten. ]

[glowing_science]

No. [Ema's voice is small, guilty. She can hear Schuldig's voice in the back of her head, taunting her about not bringing it up. He'd warned her about this, hadn't he?] He kissed me back in Westport, before he and I split up and before I found you.

[Ema falls quiet, thinking through what she should say or how she should even feel. Klavier has just made it clear that he doesn't really trust her... or trust Edward, she's not sure which. Well, no, she is sure; he doesn't trust her or Edward when they're together, as if she'll suddenly fall for him if he persists enough. Perhaps that's slightly deserved, given her admission for having some sort of feelings about him, but Ema only feels irritated when Klavier says he'd rather she break things off or put distance between herself and him. It feels too much like a punishment and a slap in the face, especially when Ema's made so many efforts to make it clear to Edward that she's faithful, even while building up this strange relationship with him.]

I don't know what I'm going to do. I can't just separate myself from him--he'll follow me. I've tried separating myself from him. At this point, after everything that's happened, it would just cruel. I can't do that to him. I won't do that to him.

Don't treat this like I was unfaithful to you, Klavier. I wasn't. He kissed me twice, I broke it off twice. I told him that I love you and I won't betray you. What more do you want from me?

[gaydrill]

The kissing is the least of my worries. [ He was possessive, he acknowledges this and would rather have it that Ema's lips were left just for him, but Edward could've done much worse than just a few simple kisses. ]

The reason why I told you that I'd like for you to break it off completely with him is because it's the truth, it's what I really would want to happen in the best possible condition for me, but as I said, I know it won't happen, as you just made yourself very clear that you aren't going to leave him. Considering the position I'm in, anyone would want their beloved away from the person they consider as a threat for their relationship. [ He pauses for a minute to sigh once again, this time with a frown as he slides his fingers through his hair. ] I trust you, I truly do. Even if right now that trust is wavering, I still trust you. Of course I can't help but to imagine the worst case scenario, it's only natural, but you are you and I cannot control you. I can only tell you how I would wish for you to act, but in the end it's you who makes the decision on what path you should take.

[glowing_science]

If the kissing is the least of your issue, then why did you even ask?

[Ema sighs, frustrated by the direction this conversation is going.]

So, you trust me, but you're starting not to trust me? That's flattering. I stood up for you. I tried to draw lines in the sand, because I didn't want to hurt you. There's such thing as caring about someone without running off with him or falling in love with him. I have given you no reason not to trust me, Klavier.

[Except, of course, not tell him how close she and Edward had become lately.]

Edward Nigma isn't a threat, no more than Scout is or Sideswipe is. Or would you rather I not spend time with them, either?

[gaydrill]

I'm a jealous man.

[ At this point, he feels like he shouldn't event try and explain this more. Whatever he tries to say, ends up it being turned against him no matter how thourough he tries to be, so it's best to just state the one clear fact now. ]

Right now, because of what happened prior to this, of course I'm feeling even more jealous than usual. I know kissing with another person isn't exactly the worst thing there is, I'm not a grade schooler for god's sake, but I'm sorry, I'm still feeling a bit betrayed and I can't help it. Go ahead and make more male friends, I'm not forbitting you that.

[glowing_science]

[Klavier's frustration is understandable; Ema doesn't exactly fight fair. It doesn't help that she's getting frustrated herself.]

He. Kissed. Me.

I didn't kiss him back.

I terminated the kiss.

Why is that so hard for you to understand? It's not my fault Edward's an idiot.

[gaydrill]

Are. You. Even. Listening. To me? [ He hisses this time to regain his control and not to shourt at her. This was moving nowhere.

Having found himself leaning forward unconsciously, he slumps back against the chair with a loud sigh, his hand in his hair again. Breath in. Breath out. He needs a short time-out. ]