Friday, 14th March, 2104
Honestly, today's been really quiet compared to other days.
Well, Laurie isn't home from school yet, which makes sense: I'm supposed to pick her up today. She does tend to be the noisemaker of the house with all the code-working she, Tord and occasionally Tom work together for. Or her and Tom working on homework, with Tord stepping in every so often for math. At least she keeps them having civil conversations, even if they're noisy and really fast.
But so far, it's just been a plain day: talking with the hologram housemates, sharing chores with Emily, secretly staring at the crate of cancelled Nectar…
Okay, that last part makes the day not as plain, but my point still stands.
After sorting through some more antiques to sell off (Em and I realised we hadn't gotten rid of everything in there), I head to the living room to find Edd and Tom watching TV on the floor.
"Oh, hey Cora."
"Hey Tom. What's new?"
"Eh, watching a channel with old reruns of Doctor Who."
"I thought you didn't like the show."
"I got nothing better to do while I let the old Commie tinker around with some of his own code."
"Jeg hørte det!"
"At least Edd's enjoying himself." He shrugs.
"Still can't sit on the couch, even though we can now touch the telly to make it do what we want," Edd sighs, stretching, "My back hurts after sitting like this for so long!"
"You're a literal old man, Edd." I shake my head, smiling, "And now a walking TV remote."
"Don't remind me." He rolls his eyes with a smirk, "Have you checked on Matt again?"
I tap my chin.
"Not yet, no. Where's he gone?"
"I think he's in the attic, maybe showing off his ego to Emily."
"Pfft, she wouldn't tolerate it easily. Maybe she's taught him a thing or two on humility."
Honestly, as much as I want to finish going up the stairs, the conversation which Em and Matt are having so far is… surprisingly intriguing.
"…You ever met this Sidney guy in person?"
"No. But come to think of it, Cora and I did see him during an old school field trip to Phoenix once. He was helping out one of his employees with an issue in a face-to-face conversation, which I appreciated. He was very well-to-do within the world of business and all that."
"Huh! Haven't heard of something like that in a while! Well, apart from the age thing."
"Ha, true. The guy was pretty much a paragon: honest, genuine, an interpersonal leader - I wasn't surprised when Time magazine took notice of him once."
"What's a paragon?"
"… You're joking."
"No?"
"It's a person who's got a strong and wholesome set of morals and values, even in times of crisis."
"Oh. Well, I heard from Laurie and Tord he's been acting off recently. What's going on with him?"
"I don't know. But I don't like the clues we're being given either."
"Clues?"
"Well, they're more hints of something bigger, rather. Though, thinking of them as clues just sounds more… I'm not sure, fun? Interesting, in some sense? See, in his recent interview on BBC3, he said after the case, he'd need some time to work on new projects. Even talked about spending time with his family, though it's probably just the one relative he brought in for the case. He sounded off when talking about the relative. I mean, really off. He acted friendly and all, but his eyes… They looked… Vacant. Nothing except an empty sparkle. Something's not right with him."
Matt whistles low.
"Yikes."
"Yeah," I exhale as I come up, "you don't say."
"Oh hello!"
"Oh, Corrie! I didn't see you coming up here!"
"Well, I didn't want to interrupt you guys," I sheepishly admit, "I should probably get going to pick up Laurie…"
"No no, Coraline!" Matt waves me over, "Stick around! We wouldn't mind! Emily was just telling me about the research she was doing on the whole Phoenix thing going on!"
"Really? And it's just Cora."
"Cora! Sorry."
"You're fine, Matt. Actually, I have the middle name 'Arne' thanks to my dad. But just Cora is fine."
The whole attic has a different vibe to it compared to when Em first moved into it - she's redecorated it.
Most of the photos and relics on display are covered up by lilac and purple bedsheets draped around and over them. The coziness is topped off with fairy lights everywhere - sheets and walls. Whatever photo frames I still can spot in shelves or walls, they have polaroids tucked in place over the top. Wait, how did she get those?
"You like what she's done with the place? Pretty, huh?"
"Yeah, very." I nod, trying to not rub my neck, "Were you here before she redecorated?"
"Actually, no. " Matt shakes his head, "None of us could get up there. Or even whole parts of the house."
Phew.
"It's really lovely how we can get around everywhere now! Well, almost everywhere."
"Almost?"
"Another layer of basement," Em explains, "The deepest one yet. I was there when Laurie and Tord tested it. Well, tried to. We couldn't find the entrance to it, just a wall.
Huh. I wonder…
"Corrie, aren't you going to take a seat?"
"Wha? Oh, yeah. My bad." I set myself down in a spot next to Em on the floor, stretching my legs out. "Say, Emmy?"
"Hmm?"
"You look really pretty today."
"Oh shush!"
"Yeah! Undoing your braid to tie up your hair more loosely, a collar on top of the turtleneck, the tan skirt and shoes… It works, Em."
"Cor, you shouldn't have."
"By the way, where did you get all the Polaroid photos?"
"I found them and the instant camera for it," Matt puffs up, "in the antique room when she was giving me and the guys a house tour! Tord helped her fix it and take so many photos, but it was all practically in mint condition!"
"Riiiight."
"No no, Corrie. It's true. I'm still glad you found them, Matt. And the barre kit too!"
"Why, you're welcome!" He flourishes his hand with a small bow.
"Wait, a bar kit, Emmy?"
"No, a barre kit, Corrie." She stresses, "Gymnastics stuff."
"Ohhhhhh! You're gonna get back into it?"
"And quarterstaff fighting too. I've… Somewhat missed doing those. Might get Matt involved in some of my training as well. I'm thinking Pilates, stretches, some pull-ups and push-ups… "
Oh yeah, he's got no idea how much humility he'll get. I can't wipe the stupid grin off my face thinking about it.
"Mm-hmm! We were about to start building the kit when we started talking about the whole Firebird case and you came up, Cora."
"I did some more research on it after hearing from Laurie and Tord. Honestly, I don't think I like what Sidney's becoming.
Matt and I share a glance. Bold statement coming from Em.
"He was obviously better before the case," she continues, "but… I don't believe he should've gotten so involved as he did."
"Kinda sounds unfair to be the judge, jury and prosecutor or whatever the last thing was in your own case." I scoff, "Especially against illegal smugglers in your business. I mean, sure what they did was wrong, but there's HUGE bias in your favour for it to happen."
"Erm, what do you mean, Cora?"
Right, I kind of forgot Matt has the intelligence of a kitchen shelf.
"I mean, there's gotta be some serious flaw in the justice system to allow a plaintiff to be judge, jury and prosecutor. It's nowhere near fair at all."
"Mmm," Em nods, "He really shouldn't have gotten so involved as he did."
"What's a plaintiff?"
Oh god, Emmy. How do you put up with this?
"It's the one who puts the case forward in court," she explains, her voice just a slight bit slower than what I'm used to. "The defendant is the one who's accused of doing the crime."
"Ohhhhhh, I get it." Matt shakes his head, "Does he ever catch a break?"
"Goodness, I don't believe he ever-"
Ding.
"Did your parents text you, Emmy?"
"Oh, must be… Yes, it's them."
"Well," Matt shrugs, "Aren't you gonna text them back?"
She slowly slides her phone into her skirt pocket.
"Perhaps later…"
"Emmy!"
"Goodness Corrie, you made me jump!"
"Sorry, but you can't keep dodging your parents forever. It's been going on for weeks! At least tell them you're okay!"
"Emily," Matt leans in, "Is it about the four of us being here?
He looks genuinely concerned: a rare thing to see. I want to speak up for her and explain the whole situation, but it's not fair to do so. All that's possible right now is to comfort her the best I can, resting my hand on her shoulder.
"You don't… You don't have to tell me now, Emily. But I still want to know at some point." Matt's words are slightly slower-paced than before. He's already picking up off her.
"Yeah," I nod, "The sooner you tell us, the easier it is for us to help you."
She rolls her eyes back at me.
You're one to talk.
After a moment, she sighs.
"It's one thing to have new housemates move in all of a sudden. I've told my parents about that. They're… Mostly okay with it. It's another thing when said housemates have the techno-equivalent properties of being ghosts for some reason or another."
"Hmm…" Matt slowly nods, "Makes sense why you'd not want to tell your parents. Though, every selfie you've managed to take with us looked perfectly realistic enough, so I think you're in the clear in that regard."
"Was the text about them though?" I wonder.
"…No. It was to see if I needed any help staying here. And what my thoughts were on the whole Firebird case."
"Emily!"
"Emily!"
Pfft, perfectly in-sync.
"Goodness! Why did you-"
"Come on, Emmy, really?" I shake my head, "You're scared of your parents disagreeing with you about Phoenix?"
"I don't even know if they will and that's worse!"
"No it isn't, Emmy. They're intelligent people with strong moral and faith compasses. They did a hell of a job raising you-"
"Language!"
"Sorry. Look, my point is, they should know by now you're capable of having a mind and opinions of your own, which can be super different to theirs!"
"Yeah!" Matt pipes up, "It's dealable on both sides!"
She's wide-eyed and silent for a moment, then glances away from us with a tiny frown and flushing cheeks. She knows I'm right.
But she looks back, clutching her arm.
"I'm their only child. Corrie, you of all people know how… Overprotective they can be."
"Emmy…"
"Come on, Emily!" Matt jumps in, "They can't be so overprotective to let you not have Cora as a friend or stay in her house!"
"Not forever, I'm guessing." She shakes her head, "This is the first time I'm independent from my parents and… I don't want to mess this up."
"Oh, of course you will, Emily!"
"Matt!"
"No no," I hold up my hand, "He's right. Go on Matt."
"When I first moved in to share a house with Edd and the others, I still needed their help. I even called my parents for help too!"
"Wait, what? But independence-"
"A load of rubbish, Emily! If I were independent from my friends back then - maybe even now - I'm sure I wouldn't have made it. Ow, my ego…"
Ah, so he does get some humility after all.
"Tord and I talked about it two weeks ago," I nod, "Yeah we'll screw up, but we'll learn from these things along the way. It's okay if you need advice or help from your parents. Heck, we might not know entirely what we're doing, but you can still ask me and Laurie if you need to!"
"Corrie!"
"Seriously! I invited you to stay with me mostly because you're my friend, and I couldn't have picked a better person to learn all about living away from our parents."
"Oh, shush."
"I think she's right, Emily," Matt nods like an excitable dog, "Seriously! I really couldn't have done life alone. … Ow, that hurt to say out loud. W-well, for example, I couldn't have done school without Edd."
"Really?" Em's cheeks stop flushing as she looks back to him, "Well, what was your school like?"
"Oh… Hell."
"Pssh," I scoff, "Come on, don't be like that! There must have been something good from then!"
"Yeah, at least one thing," Em backs me up, "Anything!"
"Anything…" he muses, tapping a finger on his chin. Em nudges me as if to say something, but not a word escapes our lips.
Isn't that what you do?
"Well," Matt begins, "I met Edd there. We became friends during those public school days.
"We were both picked on by the other kids. For him, it was his weight, for me… I think I might've been a bit of a weirdo. How so, can't remember, it's been over a hundred years since it happened. Anyway.
"The first time I met Edd… He tells me we were just sitting down on the sidelines of a sports event or whatnot, we were just friends of a friend who brought me there, though it was more rather of an acquaintance, really. He also tells me I was way too talkative and I kinda pissed- erm, I mean, peeved him off, but anyway.
"Over the days, weeks and months probably, I hung out with Edd more often. The teachers even moved me to Edd's class because we started to be actual friends. I think his impression on me worked too well because most of our friendship was and still pretty much is based on just being in each other's company.
"No talking, just sitting there while one of us read comics and the other one drew or animated. It's a good sign of friendship, I suppose. When you can just enjoy the silence together, doing your own thing. Silence can say more than words, really."
"…Matt, I can't believe you said something profound! What will the others think of this?"
"Hey-Cora!" Matt protests, "I'm not that shallow! I know the others make fun of it a lot but it's not entirely true!"
"Your ego still does need a bit of work though," Em remarks, pulling up her jumper sleeves, "But we'll get there."
"Still hurts…" He grumbles.
"Oh dear, what time is it? I need to pick up Laurie!"
"Don't worry about it," I stand from my spot and stretch, "You two can just keep on talking, I'll bring her back home."
"Seriously? But-"
"Don't worry, Emmy. The schedule for next week is still the same, I'll just finish up this week for you."
"Cor, you shouldn't have!"
"That's what friends are for, right? Not to do life alone?"
"I suppose…"
"Ah!" Matt hisses and clutches his hand.
"Are you alright?"
"I know I'm made of pixels right now but… My hand just went freezing cold."
Cold?
Weird… Tord had a cold neck pinch the other night…
"I'll… I'll leave you two to talk about it and maybe set up that barre while I'll pick up Laurie. I won't be long while you're still speaking your language!"
"…Was that supposed to be a pun."
"Corrie!"
I leap down the stairs three at a time, not looking back to hide the smug smile on my face.
However, I don't find myself in front of the van doors - but rather at the stupid box.
I can't believe I've had these dumb late-night thoughts of its contents since the last order got cancelled a few days back. It's ridiculous, it shouldn't be bothering me.
And yet…
I'm holding a crowbar from the antiques room and I know full well that I can't take it any longer.
Crack-thud.
Crack-thud.
Crack-thud.
Crack-thud.
Tossing the crowbar to the side, I gingerly pull away the lid and peer in to see…
Nineteen bottles of the Nectar.
Well, that's that dumb question put to bed - I should get going before Emily notices the van is still here and Laurie isn't.
