Mom: "So how is the online story thing going?"
Me: "Pretty well I guess. I mean people seem to like the story."
Mom: "That is good, now when are you going to post the next chapter?"
Me: "As soon as I write it."
Mom: "But you can't keep your fans waiting for too long!"
Me: "But I need to structure everything first."
Mom: "Write!"
Me: "Moooom!"
Mom: "He-he-he-he!"
Hello everyone! I am back! Sorry for not posting this chapter up sooner but I basically went down the rabbit hole when I decided to do some research for the story (all for later chapters), and again we have another chapter that went through a ton of editing and rewrites before I said "This is it!" and to which the roommate replies "Finally!". As always I want to thank everyone for their reviews and comments, and I know all of you are waiting to read this chapter so I am going to keep this short (if that is even possible). Also I am not sure when the next chapter will be up next week, my boyfriend is coming over for the holiday weekend (teehee!), and is hopefully is going to help me do some research…after all the fun stuff of course. Anyway, thanks once again everyone and I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Chapter 11: Ask me a Question
St. Dymphna, France (The Region of Brittany)
Spring, 1884
One month later…
One month. Exactly to the date, one single month had passed since Emi moved to the small, remote village of St. Dymphna and began her new life and job as Erik's caretaker. The day also marked the stalemate between her and Erik as well.
Ever since that day when Emi had declared to Erik that she intended on staying the two had barely spoken a word to each other.
Their interactions (or lack thereof) had become a daily routine for Emi. Every morning she would rise and go and check in on Erik. To avoid any repeats of what happened on Emi's first day the two had adopted a silent code between them; Emi would knock on the door and call out to Erik, usually on the first knock he would either call out "dressing" or his favorite phrase "go away". If Erik did not answer her by the third or fourth knock she would peek her head in to make sure that he was alright, and on the very rare occasions that she had to enter his room without him knowing she had always found him still asleep and left him alone for an hour before checking in on him again. When Emi was given a clear single she would enter the room and sit with him for about an hour or two, he always at his drafting table with his back to her and she on the floor with eyes boring into his back. Afterwards she would check in with Nadir to see if there was some house hold task that needed to be done; usually there was something for Emi to do but if there was nothing to be done around the house she would usually spend her day with Erik in absolute silence.
For the first few days Emi tried to engage Erik into some casual small talk, hoping that it would lead him into actually opening up and talk to her. Her plan had failed miserably.
On the first day Emi attempted small talk she asked him how he was doing. He did not say a word. The next day her bold curiosity wanted to know what he and Nadir did (she was a little curious to know exactly how the two of them earned an income in order to live here in some comfort, and pay her for her service). He had turned his head in her direction, but said nothing, his facial expression said it all; None of your damn business.
Her third attempt at starting small talk had gotten more of a reaction out of him.
"What's your favorite sound, Erik?" Emi had asked absently while creating invisible designs on the smooth wooden floor with the tip of her index finger.
As usual Erik did not say a single word to her; Emi had assumed that he was doing what he had always done, ignore her, but when she lifted her gaze from the floor to him she found a rather distraught sight before her; Erik hunched over the table with his hands covering his ears.
Oh, how childish! Emi had thought, but when she heard a sob emit from him she knew something was not right.
"Erik?" she prodded delicately, "Erik, are you alright?"
He did not answer her, but a cry wracked through his slim body and her heart went out to him.
"Erik?" Emi asked with concern as she rose from her place on the floor, "Erik is everything okay?"
As she got closer to him she could see his shoulders trembling.
"Erik?" she carefully laid one of her hands on one of Erik's bony shoulders, unsure of what to do.
As soon as her fingers made contact with the fabric of his silk robe he jolted up from his seat causing her to quickly remove her hand from him as she jumped back at the sudden surprise of his quick movement.
With hurried steps Erik made his way to his own washroom, no doubt he not only wanted a barrier between them but some privacy as well, which Emi had granted him without argument.
Emi had resigned herself to sitting outside the door of the washroom (for the off chance that Erik might actually need her help). Her heart broke as she listened to the man cry for something she knew nothing about, and how she was powerless to help him through his emotional turmoil.
The next day had resumed as normal, as if Erik's breakdown had never happened at all. They continued on as before; Emi watching Erik and Erik ignoring Emi in total silence. Neither one willing to bring up what had happened the previous day.
Emi had ceased trying to make small talk with Erik, and just settled in as the role as a caretaker and only asked if there was anything she could do to help him, and of course she still received no answer from him. Emi eventually fell silent as well and only spoke to Erik if was necessary (which was not often).
Her days spent with Erik were dull and lifeless; she now believed what Erik had said to her on her first day, that she was wasting her time. She was wasting her time; the time she spent sitting on the floor waiting for Erik to make the first move was time wasted, with all that time Emi could have tried a little harder to make some semblance of progress with Erik instead of allowing him to sulk like a spoiled child.
Emi had finally decided that enough was enough; nothing was ever going to happen if the two of them stubbornly waited the other out in their insane mental game. Emi couldn't wait, if she wanted any progress to be made it was she who was going to have to make the first move.
Just like any other day since she began her role as a caretaker Emi sat on the floor of Erik's dark room, adjusted eyes staring directly at his rigid back. The only difference this time was that Emi was gathering up the courage to put her new idea into action.
What if it fails? A little voice inside of her wondered.
Then I suppose we continue on as we have until I come up with a different course of action.
Taking a deep breath Emi pushed herself to her feet and made her way across the room to Erik quickly before she could even think about changing her mind. She saw Erik's back stiffen as she stopped just a short distance away from him.
Emi observed the physical gap between her and Erik; it would be easy to close that gap, all Emi would have to do would be to take just a few small steps forward and her and Erik would be standing side by side. The metaphorical gap between them was another question; it wouldn't be as simple as taking a few steps towards someone to close the rift, but if the idea of Emi's worked then it could mean the starting point of closing the massive distance that lay between them.
"Ask me a question."
"Quelle?" by the tone of his voice Erik seemed baffled by her request.
Emi repeated patiently, "Ask me a question."
"Why?" Erik asked cautiously.
Emi smiled to herself; pleased that she appeared to be making some sort of head way with Erik.
"Because I do not seem to be good at picking a subject for conversation." Emi had explained. "So, you ask me a question, Erik."
Without a trace of shyness Erik asked, "Where are you from?"
She winced slightly at the question, like it was a sting from an unexpected blow. She was afraid of discussing the subject of her nationality, but it seemed there was no avoiding the topic now. Erik had asked her a question and she intended to answer it, in order to build a bridge between them.
"Nippon."
Erik spoke as if he did not hear her correctly, "Nippon?"
"Sorry," Emi explained, "I suppose here in the West you would call it Japan."
"Oh." Erik said coolly, trying to keep his interest hidden. "So, I would assume you are Japanese then?"
"Sort of…" Emi hesitantly answered.
" 'Sort of'? You either are or you are not. Which is it?"
Emi hesitated, she could feel herself shaking just like the first time she had come to the house. She took a breath; she had come too far now to just end it all. Even though she was afraid of what Erik's reaction might be when she told him the truth she answered his question.
"Technically…I am half Japanese."
Erik did not respond.
Silence had fallen between them once more.
And so another chapter has ended…
Alright be honest; how many of you guys saw that coming? (laughing for no reason)…man I am tired. Hope you guys enjoyed the chapter, take care and have a save weekend and I will see you in chapter 12!
