Chapter Two

Love and Order

Ema stared at Klavier's silhouette as she sat in a corner, as far away from the air vent as possible. Klavier, all though Ema knew he would deny it, was inevitably cold.

"Are you sure you don't want your jacket back?" Ema said, as she slipped another Snackoo into her mouth. Klavier's shadow of a head shook left to right, and spoke, "Nein, Fraulein. What good would that do to you?" She rolled her eyes. "Again with the kiss-up stuff. I want a serious answer." Klavier flipped his hair and grinned, but then realized Ema couldn't see him. Ema could see him move his head, but she didn't exactly know why he was doing that. "I'm very sure, Fraulein, that I do not want my Joppe back." Ema gave up and kept the jacket. She couldn't understand the glimmerous fop in English, much less German.

I can't stay in her all day, Ema thought helplessly to herself. I do gave a life after all!

"How are we going to get out of here?" she whined. "We can't stay here much longer!" She popped a Snackoo in her mouth. Despite the abnormal things that had happened today, Snackoos were the most normal things she could have that were normal. And, maybe Klavier was something normal, maybe...

Or maybe not. Ema's thoughts were interrupted by Klavier's body heat moving closer to her. "What on Earth do you think you're doing?" Ema squealed, when she noticed Klavier's shoulder touching hers. Klavier grinned. "Just sharing body heat, ja? It will make the cold more bearable, Fraulein." Ema realized he was right. "I know that! I was just... I... never mind." She really couldn't come up with an excuse for accusing him except for the fact that it was bothering her. Klavier knew this of course, and felt dominant and, again, triumphant.

I wish he didn't have to be charming and smart, Ema thought. He could at least be a dumb blond to make her feel in control.

Klavier slipped his arm around Ema casually and coolly, like it was no big deal. I'll let that one slide for now, Ema smiled to herself. I wonder if he really does like me... or if I'm just another "one of those girls"...

Klavier certainly think Ema was just another "one of those girls" he planned on "ditching" as Ema put it not so nicely. He thought she was intelligent, talented, beautiful, and, on a good day, very charming. And, Klavier being Klavier, he planned to spend the rest of his life with her. (He would not mention he had also wanted to do this with about six other girls at one point). Klavier was the artist, and Ema was his muse. I wonder what I am doing wrong that doesn't please the detektiv, he wondered. I've made moves, I've asked her on a date, and I've offered her many things (including my jacket!) There must be something missing, something he wasn't seeing.

"How are you holding up, Fraulein?" he asked. Ema's teeth chattered as she spoke, "I'm...holding up." Klavier chuckled. "That's not very reassuring, ja?" Ema shrugged. "I suppose not." Klavier didn't know what to say. He had started the conversation, so he may as well continue while he had the Fraulein's attention. You're beautiful? No. She'll think I'm being a "kiss up." So if I cannot compliment her (yet)... what can I say to make her believe I love her?

"Fraulein..." Klavier started. Ema groaned. "Don't call me that." Klavier pointed out, "But you don't like me calling you 'detektiv' either." Ema realized this right before he said it. "Fine... I guess you can call me Ema... for now, until I can think of a more formal name." Klavier liked being with Ema. It made him feel triumphant an awful lot.

It's not that Ema didn't find him charming, sweet, funny, kind, talented, good-looking...

But the fact that Klavier was a player bothered Ema and made her feel uncomfortable. However, all those good things about Klavier made it hard for her not to like him, especially when he did polite things like offering his jacket or relating to her about feeling like she wasn't accomplishing her job in life to her fullest. She felt confused and, worse, in love.