AN: Hello all! Guess who's back from the dead?! I am really sorry for taking so long to post! To all the comments asking whether this story is canceled/on-hiatus/discontinued: NO! I promise you I am still working hard, I've just been a bit busy as I have started a second job. I've been really busy and my muse for writing has been extremely dead. While I want to continue writing, I do know my limits, and so I want to give fair warning that updates for this story will not be nearly as regular as before, but I AM going to finish it.
REVIEWERS!:
Mei1395: Yep! Crazy stuff is gonna be happening this year! And it's wonderful to be back! I am doing well, just a bit busier than before.
Acecove: Of course I am! All will be explained in due time, my friend! ;)
Noxi26: Yea, Rapunzel's having it a bit rough right now, but she a tough one! Hehehe, you'll see soon enough! Yes, Rapunzel knows about the Kittroll thing, and she hasn't explicitly Seen his true form, but she understands that the one she sees isn't the full story. As for the rest, I assure you that answers are coming!
Hixup: You are appreciated no matter what! And I'm glad to hear you're excited! Hopefully I won't disappoint!
Adaminaart: Dude, big mood! Life has been throwing a lot of curve balls! Hopefully this new chapter can brighten your day!
Miomie: Aww, I'm so happy to hear that! You're so sweet! Sorry I've been gone a while, but I promise I am trying to update as often and as quickly as possible! :)
Eris: Yea, about that... It wasn't soon, but the chapter is really long if that helps?
sefpox: YOU'RE SO KIND, THANK YOU! I really appreciate it! Hopefully this book lives up to all the hype!
Luna Umbra: Aww, thank you! I'm blushing! Hopefully I can update a little sooner this next time!
Music: "Good Girl, Winnie Foster" from Tuck Everlasting (Broadway Musical)
NOTES!: "A man knows when he has something good right in front of him and never takes it for granted. A boy makes excuses."
Chapter 2: Good Girl, Emma Frost
"Emma, darling, it's time to get up now!"
Emma started awake at the loud voice in her room as her mother flustered about, throwing open the curtains and calling for her to get up. Emma yawned and squinted at the blinding light now streaming in at her, but judging by the low angle of the sun it was only just past sunrise.
Yet still, She slowly forced herself up into a sitting position, watching as her mother hurried back and forth. Slowly, her memory came to her. Jamie's mother had invited Mrs. Frost and Emma to breakfast and a walk in the gardens this morning. And later there was going to be a ladies tea she'd 'graciously' been invited to as her mother's plus one.
Emma rolled her eyes, but obediently went about getting out of bed. Her mother picked out her outfit; a pale blue thing. The blouse and skirt reminding Emma of the Beauxbatons girls' uniforms a little bit, but there were obvious design differences.
Her mother went about taming her hair into a low bun as Emma sat quietly in the wooden chair, ankles crossed and hands folded in her lap just like she'd been taught. She looked in the mirror, seeing a Lady looking back at her. Dull and withered around the edges, but a Lady nonetheless.
Her vision flashed and suddenly she was alone, her body rotting and corrupted from the inside out as blood and blackness oozed out of cuts and wounds. Emma squeezed her eyes shut, taking a deep breath and letting it out as she willed the image away. She lifts her chin a little and opens her eyes, finding the lady back in the mirror and her mother standing behind her.
Matilda finished pinning her hair and set aside the brush, resting her hands on Emma's shoulders as their eyes met in the mirror. Matilda smiled and rested her cheek against the top of her head in a hug before looking back up at the mirror.
"Look there. Such a pretty girl." Matilda murmured and Emma offered a small smile, but no words. "Well, I have to go get ready myself, but your father should be out in the common room. Go and see him off, will you, dear?"
"Yes, Mama." Emma nodded as Matilda left. She glanced back at the mirror again and sighed, but rose from the chair and started towards the door.
The end of last year brought many changes to their family with the start of the War and Percy's return. They kept quarters in Hogwarts now since both Percy and Jack were helping full time with the War effort. It was a set of rooms in the Teachers' Wing of the castle. There were two bedrooms and a common room with a desk and entertaining area. Small, but nicely kept and plenty of space for the three of them. Jack, still being a student, was staying in the Slytherin dorms. Emma, having lost her magic, was no longer considered a student at Hogwarts and stayed with her parents.
Entering the common area, Emma found her father already donning his coat by the door. Seeing him off was a quick exchange that left Emma to her own devices until her mother was ready. She decided to spend the time peeking at the papers her father had left strewn across the desk. They were reports of the recent battle near Syracuse and a letter from an Officer Wilde expressing concern for the rising number of missing persons in smaller villages.
She was startled out of her reading by her mother entering the common area, and Emma quickly turned and opened one of the drawers on the desk. She grabbed one of the lemon hard candies there and popped it into her mouth. When she turned, as if just noticing her mother, she gave a sheepish smile as her mother gave a knowing smirk, hands on her hips as she shook her head disapprovingly.
"Candy is not for breakfast, Emma." She admonished lightly, whacking at the air between them. Emma ducked away, throwing the wrapper in the waste basket and letting a smile crawl across her face.
She'd found it best not to express her interest in the war effort to her mother. Matilda seemed determined to keep her away from anything having to do with the war. Ever since the incident at the Moor, she'd become... Protective.
They left soon after though, and ever the dutiful daughter, Emma followed her mother to the Bennett's temporary quarters in the visitor's wing. The Bennett's were a well-bred, pure-blood Wizarding family that had open invitations to many of the events occurring at Hogwarts due to the War. From fund raisers and benefactor meetings to social teas and parties with the royals, they attended them all. So even though they resided in the visitor's wing, their presence was fairly consistent. Emma was not surprised to find that Mrs. Bennett had made herself comfortable in the small rooms, even keeping a few plants to 'brighten up the space', the older woman had explained during her grand tour of the common area upon their arrival.
Breakfast was served rather quickly by a Yeti and a few elves who delivered it to the rooms shortly after Emma and her mother arrived. Emma swiped one of the biscuits while no one was looking and passed it down to a tired looking elf, who grinned up at her before running off with the others.
Emma sat at breakfast, only half paying attention to whatever Mrs. Bennett and her mother were talking about and only speaking when spoken to. Her back was straight, her hands folded just so: the perfect image of a young lady. Jamie spoke openly, though he seemed fairly bored when the topic was not about him or something to do with his Auror's Assistant work. Emma couldn't blame him for that, really. If she were him, she'd rather be off doing important work too. Her father and all the other men were in meetings all day today, and she'd heard that the Assistants, like Jamie and the other boys, had been excused for the day.
A nice way of saying they weren't allowed in. Emma had inwardly snorted, thinking about how her father and Jack and so many others were off doing something meaningful and important, and she was stuck here in a fucking corset with tea and biscuits. But at least for today, she wasn't the only one. She couldn't bring herself to care that the thought was quite a bitter one.
After breakfast they take to strolling in a nearby garden. Mrs. Bennett and her mother are ahead of them, chatting away quite pleasantly. Emma walks beside Jamie, her hands locked behind her back as she swings her legs a little with each step. A bit too casual to be lady-like, but Jamie is the only one around to see it, and Emma doesn't believe him to be the most observant.
A light breeze brushes up the grassy hill, and Emma has to resist the urge to kick off her shoes and go running as fast as she can just to feel the wind in her hair.
"This is just so frustrating!" Jamie huffed out of nowhere, causing Emma to look up at his face. "Here I am, strolling through a garden while we're at War! I should be in that meeting with the other men!"
"Maybe when you've become a man, they'll let you in." Emma replied, rolling her eyes.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Jamie demanded as he jerked to a stop. "I am a man!"
Emma raised her eyebrow, only turning back enough to glance at him sideways. "Jamie Bennett, I believe you and I have very different definitions about what it means to be a man."
"How can I not be a man? I'm fighting in the war, aren't I?"
"You haven't even seen the war. You're tucked away in a comfortable little office."
"Of course I've seen it! I'm right in the middle of it!" Jamie blustered. "Besides, what do you know about war?"
Emma paused, turning to face him almost fully as cold rage shot through her veins, but she stopped, thinking better of it. She glared at him for a moment, and then murmured, "More than you."
Needing space and time to get her fury under control, Emma turned on her heel and stomped away, leaving a gawking Jamie in the walkway. She stalked further and further into the gardens, her anger slowly fading into annoyance and frustration as she lost herself in the maze of rose bushes.
She took a few deep breaths. Walking along the inner-garden area allowed her to slip out of sight, though she wasn't sure how long that would last. Turning a corner, though, Emma found quite the familiar garden square with Jim Lake standing in the center. He was wearing his armor, practicing with his sword, but he lowered it and turned upon sensing her.
"Emma!" He smiled at her, and Emma smiled back despite herself.
"A quick afternoon practice between sessions?" She inquired, nodding to his sword just before it and his armor disappeared into smoke and the amulet fell into his waiting hand.
"Something like that. Needed some fresh air to clear my head. We're taking a mid-morning recess." Jim explained as he walked over to her. "What are you doing out here?"
"Escaping a walk with Jamie, Mrs. Bennett, and my mother." Emma admitted, biting her lip. "I may have insulted him a bit."
"Uh, oh." Jim snorted, and they both broke into quiet laughter. "What about?"
"Hm? Oh! Well..." Emma drew out the word, feeling a bit sheepish.
"Emma!" The sound of her Jamie's voice caused Emma's eyes to widen, snapping back down the way she'd come and then back to Jim.
"Hide!" She hissed, shoving him back towards the tree he had tried hiding behind when she first discovered his secret.
Not a second after she'd pushed them both behind the tree, Jamie appeared around the corner, looking in the square and down each path. "Where did she go? Mother's gonna kill me!" He muttered, but after another moment he turned and trudged back the way he had come, seemingly giving up.
"Is there a reason why you two hang out so much? You don't seem to like each other." Jim remarked, as they both popped their heads out from behind the tree.
"It's these stupid courting rituals that Lady Tremaine and the Ministry are so fond of. I guess because Jamie and Jack are somehow close, everyone expects me and Jamie to be close too." Emma shrugged, not really sure of the whole situation herself. "Anyways... I may have insinuated he wasn't a man, and I think he took exception to that."
"I probably shouldn't ask, but why?" Jim asked, though there was a lot of amusement twinkling in his eyes.
"He was complaining about not being allowed in the meetings... I guess I can't blame him, but he really has no clue about what's actually going on." Emma huffed, crossing her arms over her chest and turning away. "He thought helping in the war effort makes him a man."
"He's fought?" Jim looked at her, startled, but she snorted.
"No. He sits in the Auror Office filling out paperwork and sorting evidence. He didn't take it well when I point that out." Emma explained further.
"I guess we've heard so many stories about it, sometimes I wonder if everyone in this whole war is fighting for some kind of Glory." Jim sighed, looking tired. "I'm not sure I know what makes a man. Or a troll, for that matter." He added on with a slight smirk, trying to lighten the mood.
"I'm no expert on it either." Emma shared. "...To be honest, I keep thinking back to how things used to be. Before all of this, before... before Ca- Hiccup disappeared. He was Jack's best friend, but he taught me a lot. He was like a second brother to me."
"Sounds like you admired him a lot." Jim remarked.
"I still do. He was Brave and Strong and Broken, all at once." Emma told him, looking up to meet his gaze. She chuckled a little bit as her memories brought fondness welling up in her chest. "You know, everyone thinks Jack was the biggest troublemaker, but to anyone really knew them knew that Hiccup was just as bad. He was always encouraging me to dig up trouble. You know he brought me to Hogsmeade during my first year here!"
"So what I'm hearing is, you're a delinquent." Jim accused with a teasing grin.
"I prefer the term "dashing rogue", or is that for men only? Perhaps, "scruffy adventurer" would be better?" They both burst into small fits of giggles, bending over slightly as they laughed. "Course, that's only when I can get off the leash long enough for it." Emma admitted.
"Hard to believe anything could keep you down for long." Jim said, and Emma's cheeks suddenly felt hot and ached because of her smile. "I think all these meetings might be a little more bearable if you and Toby could be there with me. I know I'm not the Trollhunter anyone wanted, and the Royal Council is so hesitant about working with the Trolls, and I'm expected to be the messenger between the two. I feel like I'm way out of my league here."
"I'm sure that's not true. You care. That's what's most important, isn't it? You're here, doing your best to fill a roll you weren't prepared for." Emma said, returning the gesture of putting her hand on his shoulder. He gave a weak smile.
"You wanna know what they've been talking about?" Jim asked after a moments' pause.
"Wouldn't you get in trouble for telling me?" Emma smirked at him, raising an eyebrow.
"You're not gonna tell anyone, are you?" Jim returned, already knowing the answer as they both moved over to a bench off to the side of the square and sat down.
"I'd never use anything you tell me against you. Promise." Emma nodded, still wanting him to hear it.
"Well, most of the meetings are still bogged with a lot of fighting and disputes between the Kingdoms. It's really obvious they haven't had to work together for a long time, and no one's willing to give more than they take." Jim shared.
"Disappointing, but not all that surprising." Emma shook her head.
"They're nervous, though... There are rumors from the North. Something about a Dragon Conqueror. The Prime Minister suggested today that he may be in alignment with Pitch, and I think that has a lot of people scared." Jim's brow furrowed with a troubled expression, concern flitting across his features.
"Why would he say that? Surely he knows it's reckless to incite fear and panic over stupid rumors from drunken traders." Emma rolled her eyes, though her hands balled into fists against the concrete of the bench. She wondered what angle Frollo was playing now.
"I don't know. But... Drago Bludvist came up for the first time today as well. Some say it's him, back from exile, and others say it's not. That it's someone new... Either way, if they really are working with Pitch, this war is about to get a whole lot harder."
"I'm sure, whatever happens, we'll find a way to win this war." Emma tried to reassure him, resting her hand on top of his. Their eyes locked, and Emma realized she'd leaned in a little closer then she thought because they were very close.
She really didn't feel the same amount of concern for the rumors as everyone else did, but she was concerned about the Prime Minister. He'd been so ready to use her blood to summon the Jabberwocky... She needed to find out what he was planning and put a stop to it. For everyone's sake.
"I just hope we don't become like the monsters we're trying to defeat." She added with a sigh. Jim squeezed her hand to bring her eyes back up to his.
"Me too." He said, his eyes reflecting some of her own troubled thoughts.
"Emma!" It was her mother's voice, calling from a distance. Emma's eyes slid shut with a soft huff, and then she looked back at Jim.
"I think they're looking for me." Emma murmured wryly.
"I should probably return you before they start thinking you've been kidnapped." Jim chuckled, but Emma winced, knowing it was all too true and such thoughts would only lead to her mother organizing a full out search party.
They made their way back through the gardens to the open walkways of the castle. It wasn't hard to spot her mother standing a little ways out on the grass with a worried expression shadowing her face. Mrs. Bennett and Jamie stood in the walkway, their eyes searching the bushes of the gardens as if they expected Emma to randomly burst out of one of them.
"Emma! Where have you been?" Her mother fussed, hurrying over and taking Emma's face into her hands.
"I'm fine, mother. I was just walking through the gardens. I found Jim and we were talking, I lost track of time." Emma explained easily.
"I'm really sorry for keeping her, Mrs. Frost." Jim offered a small bow with his apology, but Matilda smoothed her skirt and returned a smile.
"Oh, you shouldn't worry, dear! I'm just glad Emma was with someone." Matilda turned to her then, the worry returning to her eyes. "You shouldn't go off on your own, Emma. The castle grounds are safe enough, but what if you'd had a dizzy spell and hit your head?"
"Mother, I'm alright!" Emma shook her head. "The dizzy spells stopped after the first week. You've been there for most of my appointments with Dr. Sweet; I'm as right as I'm going to be."
"But that's no reason to be reckless, Emma." Matilda sighed, her hands falling to her sides. She looked back to Jim. "Thank you, for walking with Emma, now if you'll excuse us, I'd like to take Emma to rest some before we're expected at the Ladies Tea this afternoon."
"Oh, yes! Of course. I should be getting back to the meetings anyways. Mrs. Frost... Lady Emma." Jim started a little and then nodded, giving another small bow to each of them. His eyes caught Emma's and they held for just a moment before he turned and started walking away.
"Come along, now." Matilda said, wrapping an arm around Emma's shoulders. It was warm and comforting, if a little much. "We'll finish with the Bennett's and then you can have a few moments to yourself."
Emma's mouth quirked into a small smile when she looked up to meet her mother's eyes. As overprotective as she was, her mother still knew her and cared enough to try meeting her half-way.
After parting with the Bennett's with excuses of Emma feeling faint, the two Frost women returned to their quarters for a little while before the Tea. Emma retreated to her room, journaling what she'd learned from Jim and contemplating the findings, but before she knew it her mother was already coming to collect her for the afternoon Tea that Lady Tremaine had arranged.
Emma's invitation was more of a courteous extension of her mother's than it was one entirely of it's own. Without her magic, Emma was little more than a squib under special circumstances. Out of respect for her family, especially since her father's return and reinstatement to the Guardians, she had kept the title of "Lady" among the higher social circles. Emma doesn't really think much of it, but it is a useful cover for her given her current state.
Entering the sun room that had been set up and decorated for the Tea, Emma found herself biting the inside of her cheek to keep from groaning.
She and her mother were greeted at the door by Lady Tremaine and a few lady-servants who were serving at the Tea. They were immediately separated to their assigned seating; her mother being led over to a table with several other married women, including Mrs. Bennett. Meanwhile, Emma was brought to a table with other girls all around her age. She didn't know many of them, but she knew Pippa and Claire Nunez from Bueaxbatons.
Pippa gave her a cool glance, barely looking away from her conversation with another girl, but Claire smiled and nodded at her.
"Hi! You're friends with Jim and Toby. Emma, right? I don't think we've officially met; I'm Claire Nunez." Claire stuck out her hand to her, and Emma shook it, offering a thin smile back.
"Yeah, Jim and Toby and I became friends last year during the tournament. It's nice to meet you." Emma replied, sitting in the open space next to the girl.
"Jim and Toby always speak very highly of you during our quests." Claire informed her.
"Quests?" Emma looked at her, surprised.
"Trollhunter business. Jim let's Toby and me tag along to help. He promised... Well, we're working on something together." Claire explained, though she caught a far-off look for a moment when she stalled, thinking about something else. Her hesitance made Emma even more curious.
"Claire's been out on the front lines with him! She gets to go on all sorts of fun adventures with the Trollhunter! Isn't that exciting?" Another Bueaxbatons girl leaned forward to tell Emma from across the table, but Claire waved her off.
"It really isn't that big of a deal, Nora. It's strictly Troll Market business. We haven't gone near the War battles and Jim is the one who does most of the fighting." Claire insisted, though she was smiling and trying to hide it by taking a sip of tea.
Emma didn't say anything. The pang of jealousy in her chest made her doubt herself and what might come out of her mouth. Claire, a Lady of the court, was being allowed out on quests with the Trollhunter. It wasn't hard to believe as it was up to the trolls who was allowed to take part in their business, though it left a bad taste in Emma's mouth.
She couldn't help but think back to when Jim and Toby talked about bringing her with them on their adventures. It made a familiar bitterness swell in her mind. Without her magic, it just seemed like everyone she knew was leaving her behind... Not that it didn't happen before.
She'd never been able to make friends with any of the other children in Diagon Alley, and Pippa's reaction to her was a solid reminder of how most of her classmates had come to question her character, let alone think of her as weird. Now even her close friends had found someone else to take her place.
Claire Nunez, Lady of the court, who likely had little to no battle training, was allowed out on quests while Emma was not. Claire was respected and admired for reaching beyond the part of a simple Lady. Claire was living a life that Emma had dreamed about, and now that dream felt so distant she wasn't sure she'd ever see it.
Knowing that jealousy and bitterness over all of it wouldn't help anyone, Emma stuffed the feelings back down to examine them at a later point in time.
"...And what about you, Emma? What have you been up to?" Claire was looking at her, and Emma blinked a few times to clear her thoughts as her mind tried to catch up with the other girls' question.
"Oh, uh... I've been hired by the Royal Court as a Bard... Lady Tremaine suggested it. Says it will keep me out of trouble." Emma shared, knowing that bit of news would suffice.
"A Bard? So you like singing, then?" Claire asked, showing genuine curiosity, which Emma had to admit was a bit refreshing compared to the sideways looks Pippa kept throwing at her.
"Well enough. I don't usually sing in front of other people, but I'm being paid for it... And it's not like I'm allowed to do much else these days, so it's nice to have something to do." Emma admitted truthfully, looking down at her hands. Claire's eyes filled with sympathy, but Emma kept her focus down, not wanting to see the pity.
"I have to agree with Lady Tremaine," Pippa announced, drawing the attention of the table to her. "You do have a habit of finding trouble. And being a Bard for the Royal Court could help your reputation if you play your cards right."
"My reputation?" Emma's brow furrowed, looking at the girl and wondering just what she meant.
"Well, it is a bit of a miracle that Jamie and his family are still interested in you after that whole scandal with Antonio Perez last year." Pippa remarked with a smile, and Emma's brow dropped to a full glare, her fists clenching in her lap. "You really should care a bit more careful. People may start to get the wrong idea."
"What are you talking about, Pippa?" Claire looked between the two girls in confusion.
"Oh! I guess you didn't hear about it. I'm sorry, Everyone in Hogwarts knew so I just thought... Well, it doesn't matter now anyways, but... You said Emma spends time with Jim? If you're interested in him, I'd be careful with her around if I were you." Pippa's tone turned hard and she leveled a glare to match Emma's.
"Whatever you're trying to say, just say it, Pippa." Emma bit out, forcing herself not to rise to her feet at the insult.
"I'm simply saying that pretty face of yours won't last forever, and if you don't want to be marked as a social outcast for the rest of your life, you might want to start concerning yourself with proper Lady-like behavior!" Pippa snapped, raising her chin primly. "That's the reality of it."
"Well, then, Reality is a lovely place, but I wouldn't want to live there." Emma retorted, shoving her chair back with a loud scrape and storming away from the table and out of the room.
She didn't look back.
Her mother had not been happy about her storming out of the Tea that afternoon; lecturing her about proper behavior and how people would start to believe she suffered hysteria if she kept letting her anger get the better of her.
Emma didn't have the heart to tell her she was already far past Hysteric...
When she finally did escape her mother's chiding, Emma found herself cornered by Lady Tremaine who insisted she come and practice chords for her set that evening. Matilda had been hesitant, but agreed, and Emma was whisked away to practice songs chosen by Lady Tremaine for that evenings feast. The practicing, which the old hag stayed to watch her like a hawk the whole damn time, didn't end until just a little before the dinner feast. She'd had enough time to eat something herself before she was expected to serenade the evening alongside Professor Robinson's Toad Band.
Now Emma's quill scratched against the paper laid out before her as she scribbled down the lovely chunk of information Jim had given her earlier. She wanted to let Cat know about the rumors that had reached Hogwarts and the Prime Minister's reactions to it. When she was satisfied with the report, she folded it and stuffed it into an envelope. She stood, tucking her letter into her pocket and grabbing her notebook. She started towards her door and the common area of her family's quarters.
She stopped short halfway down the small set of steps that led down from her bedroom.
Percy Frost was seated in the large armchair by the fire, reclined comfortably with a writing plank settled in his lap as he worked quietly. He looked up when he heard her coming and their eyes locked for a long moment as Emma hesitated on the steps. She fidgeted with her fingers and shuffled her feet, looking down.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt..." She muttered, leaning back on her heels to turn around, but his voice made her pause.
"You're not interrupting at all!" He smiled warmly at her. "I'd actually like some company... If you want to stay, that is." He shifted a little, and Emma realized that this was probably just as strange and awkward for him as it was for her, possibly more so.
She hesitated a moment longer, but then slowly made her way over, perching herself on the couch beside the armchair. She didn't sit next to him, but she didn't sit on the opposite side either. She figured the middle was safe. Neutral.
"What are you working on?" Emma asked quietly. She'd known her father for a few months now, and even though every interaction she'd had with him had been pleasant, if a little awkward, she still wasn't sure what he thought of her. Emma didn't think she was terrible at reading people, but when it came to Percy Frost, she had no idea where the lines were. She didn't know how to act around him.
"Oh, it isn't much. Just a quest report for the council and Aurors about the battle on the outskirts of Syracuse's territories." Percy explained. "We managed to save the supplies and protect most of the damage, but relief will still need to be sent, and Rapunzel and Merida found more of those stones in the area. This was our first sighting of them that far south."
"That's not good." Emma nodded, not sure what else to say as she digested the information.
"No, it's not." Percy sighed in agreement. "But enough of worrisome things. How was your day? Your mother had a few plans for you two if I remember correctly?"
"Oh, um... It was alright, I suppose." Emma shrugged, looking every but at him.
"Your mother tells me you didn't enjoy the Afternoon Tea very much." He says, and Emma glances up, worried he'll be upset with her too, but she only finds a knowing smile and an amused glimmer in his eyes.
"I... I don't like tea very much." Emma told him slowly, softly.
"Oh?" Percy questioned, raising a brow at her. "Well, what do you like?"
"I'd rather not say."
"Why is that?" Percy asked, confused.
"...Because I don't want to screw this up. Everyone thinks I'm weird, everyone thinks I'm crazy, but you're my dad. I really want you to like me. And if I tell you, then you'll think I'm weird, too. Or I'll have to lie to you, and pretend that I like all these lady things. I don't want to lie to you." The words rushed out of her, slow at first, and then all at once before she could think to stop herself. She stared up at Percy, biting her lip, unsure of how he would react.
He doesn't react right away though. He looks at her with his head slightly tilted, his eyes curious. He's silent for what felt like an eternity, but was really only a few seconds.
"I must admit: I haven't known you very long. I never got to be a father to you, like I was to Jack, and it's one of my biggest regrets. But if there's one thing I know, it's that you are mine, and I will love you, no matter who you are or what you chose to be. That's my job. And whether you know it or not, I remember holding you for the first time. I remember thinking about how small you were, and how beautiful your eyes were, and still are, for that matter," He gives her a a pointed look, but Emma scoffs and folds her arms around her middle because her eyes have become so Dull. Percy continued on though, "I remember. And all it takes is one moment for a man to become a father."
Emma looked up at him, locking gazes with her father once again. She found such warmth in his eyes, such sincerity and pride. She felt her throat tighten up a bit, wondering if she'd actually done anything to deserve his pride, but it made her heart swell. It made her want to hold her head a little higher.
"...Do you want to see some of my notes?" Emma barely even whispered.
"I would love to." Percy smiled brightly, and Emma can see the light in his eyes.
Emma scooched over towards the end of the couch that was next to her father's chair, and Percy leaned forward, setting his writing aside and giving her his attention. She found her fingers shaking a little and her heart pounding a little faster, but... In a good way. She opened her notebook to a page she thought was relevant, but not incriminating or too important, and held it out for him to look at.
Her father was curious and smiling as he looked over her notes, and Emma slowly started explaining her thought process for each research topic or strand, how she came across some solutions, and what questions she still had. He listened to everything she found herself rambling on about, but he never once interrupted except a few times to clarify details or ask a small question.
And then he praised her on her work. The pride in his eyes got so much Brighter, and Emma couldn't help the watery smile that spread across her face. He asked her questions about all her research, encouraging her to go deeper, and he even helped her answer some of the questions she'd been struggling with.
They just talked. And for the first time in a very long time, Emma felt like what she cared about, the things she liked and the dreams she had, actually mattered.
It was as her Dad was pointing out how two of her points showed a cross-reference and, therefore, a new angle to research for possible answers, that Emma remembered the letter sitting in her skirt pocket.
The report was important, more important than anything else she'd gotten in the past six months at least, but... She decided it could wait until morning.