“Emma...” Pinocchio’s voice cracked. He didn’t know what he was more upset about. There was the fear of not knowing and it gnawed at the pit of his stomach. Then there was Emma vanishing. Days had begun to run together and keeping his hands busy had been a welcomed distraction. It still couldn’t stop his thoughts from running away and wondering where Emma was. Was she watching the stars when he was? Was she thinking of him? Was she okay? To hear her voice again... Pinocchio wrapped his arms around Emma. He didn’t wait for an invitation. Emotions had overtaken him and urged him to pull her in close. “What matters is, you’re here...” There was a sudden pause as he released Emma from his embrace and gazed into her eyes with adoration and deep concern. “How are you? Did you find what you needed? Emma... Do you need to go again? I can help you... For packing or... say the world, you’ve got my help.”

“Me? Oh...” The response was sheepish and somewhat quiet as Pinocchio shuffled his feet back and forth while trying to keep his eyes on his boots. “What gave you that idea? Of course I’m not...” The tired, strained look in his eyes was an immediate betrayal, of course. Pinocchio had been tracking in a bit of dirt to the castle. He was usually a little bit more careful, but this time he had neglected to tap off his boots. “You know I can’t lie to you, Emma. It’s such a nice day out that I wanted to lay some flowers down. I thought my father might like them. I didn’t get a chance to collect myself.” He cleared his throat, still somewhat a bit choked up from spending the morning outside, and focused on Emma with a smile. “Now how do you manage to keep finding me? I thought only your parents could do that.”

“No. No, I honestly do not.” The grass shifted beneath Pinocchio’s feet as he eyed Emma up and down curiously. He was about to ask just where the shovel had come from when it ‘vanished’ behind her back. Now he felt the need for partial alarm. Clearing his throat gently while holding a fist to his lips, Pinocchio’s eyelashes fluttered dramatically. “Steal what? What?” Hands slowly slipped behind his back. “...Emma, you’re really supposed to wait for someone if you’re going to hide a body.” The tone was sarcastic and barbed. She couldn’t have. Could she? Suddenly Pinocchio’s eyebrows began to raise and color drained from his face. “You didn’t actually...did you?”

@kiraistorm