#emmrichweek

Once behind her own shut door, she stood numbly. “How could Emmrich…” she started to say, but her fury was soon surpassed by anguish. She brought her hand to her mouth to cover the sound of her sob. The pressure behind her eyes was too great to hold back the tears. She brought herself to sit on her divan instead of huddling in a corner. She took a deep shaky breath and allowed herself this one moment.

Rook dreamed. She dreamed that she was walking through the Lighthouse. It was quite dark but she knew her way. Finding herself in front of a very familiar door, she opened it. Emmrich’s room was oddly lit by veilfire. She found him sitting at his desk writing. Writing in his diary, she somehow knew. He didn't look up, didn't acknowledge her presence. As she drew closer in an attempt to read his words, she heard footsteps on the spiral staircase. Rook turned in surprise at seeing another Emmrich descend the stairs.

“What is it that you want, Rook?” demanded the newly arrived Emmrich.

Rook looked back in confusion at the still sitting Emmrich. Before she could say anything, he commented, “You're being unnecessarily rude”, as he continued his writing.

The Emmrich near the stairs then addressed the other with, “I'm handling this, thank you.”

To Rook, he said, “We've indulged ourselves long enough. Please understand that this is really for the best. Easier, even, for you. And I would never think ill of you.”

Rook frowned in confusion.

He cleared his throat and continued, “It was becoming a problem. And so I found a solution.”

“Is misery your solution?” inquired the seated Emmrich.

The other retorted in an annoyed tone, “You should know better than anyone, that is a temporary manifestation, like all things in life.”

“It’s different this time.”

“I think not.”

“You are wrong.”

“No! You have been wrong! Every time! It was inevitable. Do you enjoy waiting for your own destruction?”

The Emmrich behind his desk clenched his jaw, stared himself down, and firmly said “I am not wrong about Rook.”