Shattered Innocence Ch. 6

Emily sits still as the last of her bandages are removed.

"There will be some scarring," Carmilla tells her. "But otherwise, you're healed… at least physically."

The seraphim checks the faded markings around her, "Thank you, Ms. Carmine."

"Please, Emily," the woman smiles at the angel. "You've been with us for a little while now. No need to call me anything less than my name."

The girl returns the smile. "Thank you," and bows. "Carmilla."

"And there's no need to be formal. As long as you live here, you're among friends," the matriarch's smile then drops. "Now, are you sure that you are alright with Zestial coming over for lunch?"

The angel closes her eyes, inhales, and exhales. "Zestial was a part of your lives before I was. It would not be fair to keep him away just because of me. And despite looking scary," she looks away. "He seems nice. I would like to try and get to know him. Besides!" the girl smiles. "It's almost time. I'm sure it's too late to call it off."

"If I were to turn him away at the door, he would understand," Carmilla smiles and runs a hand over the girl's head. "Only if it's okay with you."

.oOo.

Emily was helping the Carmine sisters set the table when Carmilla walked in along with Zestial.

"Greetings, young ladies," the Ancient Overlord bows.

The three Carmine's turn to the seraphim to gage her reaction.

"It's nice seeing you again, Sir Zestial," Emily gives a small bow herself.

This causes the Spider Sinner to smile. "Such a polite one, young angel," he takes a seat.

"Thank you," Emily calmly takes a seat at the end of the table.

Both Clara and Odette smile as they sit on either side of the angel.

Even though the matriarch is smiling herself, she's still worried knowing that Emily is only putting on a front. The Arms Dealer can tell given that her large eye is wide open.

After a while, Emily asks, "May I have some more?"

And Carmilla answers. "Of, course, Dear."

Seeing this, Zestial notes. "Thou has quite an appetite for someone small, child," as he had counted three plates.

"leave the poor girl alone, Zestial," the woman tells her oldest friend. Even though she herself is worried about Emily's increasing intake of food.

"Can you blame her for enjoying some good food," Clara comments with a smirk. "She had been starved before we found her."

At that, Carmilla snaps. "Clara!" then there was silence.

Realizing what she'd done, the puffy haired Carmine turns to her. "I'm sorry, Emily. I didn't mean to bring it up."

"It's alright, Clara," the angel sets her silverware down and pushes away her plate as she suddenly lost her appetite. "I guess I should cut back anyway. I'm already having trouble picking out something that fits."

This prompts Clara and Odette to glance at one another before the puffy-haired one gestures her head towards their mother. The spectacled one seemed hesitant at first, but a kick to the shin encouraged her.

While trying to hide the hiss of pain, Odette says. "Speaking of. Clara and I were wondering if we could take Emily out shopping for some clothes of her own and perhaps some other necessities."

Carmilla thought for a moment before nodding. "That sounds like a pleasant idea. We can head out this weekend."

"Actually," Clara interrupts. "We thought we'd do it today and that it could be just the three of us."

At that, the matriarch's eyes narrow. "Absolutely not!"

"But, Mom—" the puffy haired Carmine is then cut off.

"No buts! That is the end of the conversation!"

The room then remained in silence for a few moments before the only male presence reminds everyone of his existence.

"With permission, Old Friend, may I interject?"

Carmilla glances at Zestial before nodding.

"Thy understands that thou worries for the angel. But should it not be up to her to decide?" he gestures to Emily.

Carmilla looks over at her closes her eyes and takes a small deep breath. "What would you like to do, Emily?"

"Well…" the young seraphim looks away. "After being… found, I've only ever been here and your office. I will always be thankful for letting me stay in your lovely home. But I guess it be nice to see more of Hell and get some of my own clothes. I kinda feel bad for always barrowing some from Clara and Odette. I've already seen some of the worst this realm has to offer. I want to know if there's any other good besides you," she looks over the Carmines and her eyes briefly lands on the Ancient Overlord before glancing away. "And you as well, Sir Zestial."

That last part made Zestial smile. Even the corners of Carmilla's mouth turn up a little as she notices Emily's large eye slightly drooping. But the woman is still hesitant.

"Mom," Odette speaks up. "Would it not be more logical to let Emily experience certain things on her own? If you keep her here and constantly hover over her than she'd be no different than a cooped-up bird in a cage. Uh…" the spectacled Carmine blinks and turns to the seraphim. "No offence."

Emily blinks. "Why would I be offended?" she looks over everyone and notices Clara pointing over her own shoulder. Glancing behind herself, the angel sees her drooping wings. "Oh?" and turns back to Odette. "No offence taken, Odette."

Carmilla sighs. "Fine! You three can go out this evening." Her daughters started celebrating. "But! You girls better be back by night and you," she points at Emily. "It's important for you to keep a low profile. Please keep your wings hidden and wear some horns."

"Horns?" the angel blinks and tilts her head. She then turns to Odette who begins speaking.

"Yeah," she removes her horns to reveal them to be decorations of a head band. "Here!" and sets them over Emily's head and adjusts the angel's hair to hide the band part. "I have a spare."

"Thank you, Odette," Emily then looks at the Matriarch. "So, when can we go?"

Carmilla smiles. "You may be excused after you girls clean up and finish your chores," she then rises from the table and leaves for her office where her friend follows her.

"I would like to once again apologize for getting into thou's own affair," Zestial tells the woman as she takes a seat at her desk.

"None are needed, Zestial," Carmilla starts going over some papers. "You were right. It is her choice to make. I guess I should be thankful. It's a good sign that Emily is healing faster than I thought she would be. So many in her position would have been unable to move on for years if at all."

The Spider Demon wishes to know more about what the angel had been through but knows better than to pry on certain subjects. The man then approaches the desk, curious what has his friend's interest. That's when he notices that they are real-estate listings.

Zestial raises a brow. "Thou plans to switch housing?"

The woman nods. "It only makes sense with Emily staying with us. She should have her own room instead of barrowing Clara's. And I'm sure both Clar and Odette would wish to have their own back. The two of them have been sharing since Emily arrived. I often wake up to the two fighting," she shakes her head. "The only few times I haven't was when decided to have a little sleepover with Emily."

"And what do they think of this?" Zestial watches as his friend stopped shuffling through the paperwork. "Thou has yet to mention it?"

Carmilla sighs. "I guess I'm afraid that I'm moving too fast. It's something that should be done but I'm not sure how my daughters would react. Especially Emily. As I am doing this to accommodate her. She already feels guilty for what we've already done for her. The poor child insisted I start giving her chores to help give back," she smiles slightly. "Even when I told her that it wasn't necessary."

Zestial smiles in return. Wondering if his friend had intended to include Emily when she said her daughters. "Then, I shall say could luck on the search for your new home," he turns around. "I shall make my leave. There are other things I must tend to. Same time next week?"

The woman looks up at the man. "I will mark it on the calendar, Zestial."