Bring On The Men Solo Finished

December 28th 2024
Emily's Speech: #cfa120
Nora/"Auntie's" Speech: #fe0613
Thoughts: Italics
Mentioning: @Scout Fu-Hai (Tagging @Sage Willows as requested )

Emily was a fan of the classics and well-beloved stories growing up. While other children in Primary Seven weren't as keen as she was on Gulliver's Travels and Skellig, Emily ate up every chapter during class and a chapter more during homework questions, and it was all worth it. In school every morning, on the steps leading to the second floor she would chow down on the award winners sitting in the school library and every book report was an offering to the shrine of the greatest writers well before her time. During the weekends and the summer before arriving for her first year at Hogwarts she read through many more, immersing herself in the wild world of Tolkien and stepping up further with the life of Jane Eyre and even further into the Shakespearean Cinematic Universe.

But nothing compared to her love for Jekyll and Hyde. Emily devoured that story the same day she first read it. Then she read it a second time. Then a third. And a fourth. By the ninth re-read she had come to the conclusion that it was one of her top favourites, if not the favourite of the pre-2000s.

Fascinated with duality, if the tarot cards she possessed didn't already give it away, Emily always loved to think about the inner-machinations of human decision making and morality. Even in fiction, Emily would spend time delving into the hidden themes in the text; The scientific development of Henry Jekyll's brilliance, the moral duality between him and Edward Hyde, the powers of nature versus the supernatural. It was all thrilling, mesmerizing, delightful! It played a small part in how she saw the world but dominated her fascination for the line separating the good man and the wicked monster that shaped the earth.

And to see it expanded into a full play, with more characters and twice the digestion of its moralistic themes... Emily may as well be up in Heaven right now!

The curtain raised, the stage adorned in the dark, gothic sparkle of 19th century London. The stage lights dipped and through theatre wizardry it changed to the interior of a fantastically well organised laboratory.

And there he entered! Henry Jekyll! Just as handsome and intriguing as Emily pictured in the book. The embodiment of a man well kept like the set up in his lab, from his perfectly proportionate features, the pride and elegance of his walk to his raven hair nearly pulled back into a ponytail to his dress shirt and waistcoat, clean and presentable.

Emily was not a musical person. Except for one. Phantom of the Opera. Had it not been so masterfully crafted as it was when she first saw it on stage last year, she would remain bored and uninterested in characters singing overexaggerated songs 90% of the time.

But she could confidently chalk it up to two. Jekyll could sing! Or at least the actor playing him...! Kudos to such heart and passion as he sang his pride of science. The townsfolk joined in reverie. How well regarded the good doctor was in London for his skill in the art of health and science and his charitable deeds.

But even several rows away from the front Emily saw the weighted struggle in his eyes. To remain a good man whilst battling with humanity's base vices. Yet he hides them well from society, as well as his dear friend John Utterson and his wife-to-be Emma - a welcome addition to the story, Emily thought - and how lovely she looked in her yellow dress and strawberry blonde hair! Emily's overreaching mind was turning the cogs deep inside. A symbol of radiance, of goodness! Something that the good doctor adores as he smiles at her with the same warmth of her colours, but ultimately fears he'll taint it if this war within him goes on for too long. Their duet of love was convincingly sweet for Emily as it was bitter for the story of Doctor Jekyll.

And then the epiphany! The song of realisation, curiosity and embarkment! The society has declared "no" but Jekyll blissfully ignores them and claims "yes" instead! Madness and Rationality can be indeed separated. Stage lights dimmed and brightened with every sparkle of the liquid props on set as Jekyll sung his woes of the human mind. Emily felt the soft glow of courage and anticipation, both from Jekyll and the audience as he raised the flask containing the crimson concoction. With escaped gasps from the audience, he tilted his head back and down the medicine it went.

A beat went by. Then another. Then a third-- BAM! The lights flickered harshly as Jekyll twitched and convulsed, his back to the crowd. Smoke filled the stage as cries of agony washed over the scene. Henry Jekyll was sounding uncontrolled, out of breath... Was death upon him?! No... But yes!

His hair fell loose and became untamed, covering his features, his clothes now unkempt as his appearance shed the image of the goodness he was known for. The lights dimmed before they suddenly flashed hysterically as Jekyll revealed his face. But it wasn't Jekyll... It was a beast! Yet traces of the good doctor were still hidden deep under this sudden transformation. The man's eyes were darker, a predator's gaze. His smile was no longer kind, instead a wicked grin that stretched across his face. A horrid looking man now stood before the audience, free from the confines of his other half's mind. He now held the freedom to indulge in humanity's vices of destruction, violence and loose women.

Edward Hyde dominated the stage! His toxic laugh permeated the theatre as the audience sat to bear witness his cruel deeds. One or two felt real enough to make Emily avert her eyes out of shock.

Until finally in a dramatic blackout, Edward Hyde disappeared! When the lights came on he was replaced by the familiar red curtain of the stage.

Emily was stunned. End of Act One.

*****

During the interval, the ladies left to stretch their legs. With the onsite bars occupied by those looking for their glasses of red, "Auntie" and Emily went out into the foyer downstairs. Emily rubbed her eyes as the lights from the main corridor blinded her after being cooped in the darkened theatre room for the last hour and a half.

They stood by a large window where the life back in the city continued to move around them. Emily sat by an unoccupied table as she watched in content silence. The buzz of the First Act replayed in her head over and over again and she relished every waking moment of the feeling. The acting. The thrill. The suspense. The stakes! Emily was smiling so hard her cheeks were starting to ache.

The show wasn't even over yet and she already declared this the best. Present. Ever!

She was ready to start talking "Auntie's" legs off about the show so far but caught sight of her looking around the foyer like she was on the lookout for something, her hazel eyes scanning the heads of the people that walked past them. Emily cocked her head curiously.

"Looking for something?"

"Auntie" frowned a little. "I thought he would meet us here during the break..."

At first Emily had no clue what she was on about, until it suddenly clicked and she gasped excitedly. "Do you mean Mr. Mystery Man?"

"Auntie" went flush in the face and nodded, only adding to Emily's enthusiasm.

While the odd tale or two about their time together had been leaked to the Huffie's ears, there was still practically nothing else she knew about him. No clue about what he looks like, what he does for a living... Not even his name.

When Auntie said it was her private life, she really meant it...

All Emily knew by this point was that they met in the library. "Auntie" went to return the books her zing had been looking for. They got talking, starting meeting up every once in a while and soon "Auntie" was admitting that she was becoming fond of him. Well, technically Emily was guessing this; the giveaway was her pink cheeks, the sparkle in her eyes and how she always looked down wistfully when he was remotely mentioned in conversation. To Emily, those were sure signs of love, even though their dates weren't even really dates as "Auntie" corrected her before when she first told her... Much to the confusion and somewhat disappointment to Emily.

"Auntie" began walking away as she kept her eyes at the bustle of theatre-goers around the foyer.

"Where are you going?"

"I'll be back soon...!" "Auntie's" voice faded away as she disappeared into the ocean of people. Emily remained seated at the table as she sighed and looked back out onto the view beneath her.

She's only got another fifteen minutes before the interval ends.

Emily observed the lights and people peppered throughout the city landscape. If she had to guess, it had been roughly five years since she was last in London. To say she was used to the overrun city between the tourists and typical London hype would be false. Belfast by comparison felt a lot smaller and as for Hogwarts... It was like living in a museum compared to the constant noise of the London streets. Between it all, that and the occasional changing of schools between there and Belfast, she had no solid memories of the place. In fact, Emily was quite at peace with herself for acknowledging that she didn't even miss London in the slightest.

Except the theatre. With the amount of fun she was having, even if slightly biased because it was Jekyll and Hyde, she could at least say there was one place worth coming back to the next time she'd visit London.

As much as she's tried to make the most of it all these years, Emily still felt like a stranger to nearly all the places she had to call home over the years; Hogwarts largely remained a mystery to her as much as it was her purpose to overcome adversity, Belfast felt lonely and London was just out of the question entirely. Though right there in the theatre foyer... To find a sense of belonging in enjoying, deconstructing and analysing a live stage production of one of her favourites in literature for a couple of hours was a pleasant change that she wished would be welcomed more often in her favour.

"Mind if I nick this seat?"

Emily was pulled out of her thoughts and looked up to see an elderly man with a cane under his hand, hunched over as he hovered over the spare chair on the other side of the table.

Smiling, Emily gestured for him to take it. "Please."

The old man bent down and fell back into the backrest, his cane tucked under his arm and top of his glasses refracting the light that hit them from how his head was angled. While he watched the movements of the other theatre-goers in the foyer, Emily went back to looking out the window, minding her own business.

"You're quite young to be seeing a piece like that, young madam."

"Hm?" Emily turned to face the man quizzically, who regarded her back with a warm expression. "I'm sorry?"

"Jekyll and Hyde. I saw you in the crowd. I never would've thought that production would hook a youngster like you."

Emily smiled and shrugged politely. "I've read the book, several times in fact. One of my favourites actually."

"Hoo," The man nodded understandably. "And in what ways does it grab you?"

Wouldn't he like to know! Despite the book being so short, Emily could talk for days on how powerful the themes were in it. "Well, dual nature mostly... Jekyll has always been curious on how one suddenly changes from "good" deeds to "bad" ones... Something about it always struck out to me."

"Hmm," The man kept nodding as Emily talked, every word absorbed through his ears. "The power of a man's psyche..."

I think it goes a little more than that. Jekyll and Hyde are just two layers but I think everyone has a lot more... May that be seven our eight more, or maybe millions more. "

"Oh?"

Emily traced a finger absentmindedly along the table as her mind wondered. It was rich of her to make assumptions like this, but if she were to guess it must have been not too far from what werewolves experienced. Or maybe vampires. Or who knows what other kinds of half-species. Emily didn't like the fact that they were dehumanised the moment they acted "inhuman." What did that even constitute? Many would argue that a werewolf's blind wrath would be an example, or maybe the consumption of blood as part of a vampire's diet. Was it horrible because humans usually got hurt in werewolf attacks? Emily wouldn't dare ask Scout for how insensitive the question was, but was it human blood that vampires drank? What did Scout think or feel if that was true?

Was that the reason people despised half-breeds? Even when they had human genetics, did the part that made them different feel like a betrayal to their human halves? Emily's brain spat out figments of ideas and imaginations but she couldn't make them connect coherently for the life of her.

"You look like you have a vendetta against the table with how you're staring at it," the old man perked up, smiling amusingly. Emily blinked as her thought pattern stalled.

"I didn't realise..." It also just clicked in Emily that the man didn't hear a single thought that crossed Emily's head. Now of all times would've been perfect for him to magically become a mind reader! And with the deflated expression Emily flashed his way unintentionally, the man picked up on it.

The man chuckled. "That's the curse of being so young, see. You have more time in the world to think about the oddities and complexity of the world, things that'll stretch and strangle your mind in ways you might struggle to understand at first, and to ponder on how the mind works when it embraces and simultaneously repulses vice and what we call "evil"... You'd be lucky not to go mad by the end of it all."

Emily shared a smile with him. "Is it really so maddening to understand our own monsters? What about trying to understand someone else's? Do we even call them monsters when they're just a part of us, for better or for worse?"

The old man's kind-hearted expression never faded though it was apparent to Emily that she was starting to lose him a bit. He wouldn't be the first. Emily already had the curse of overthinking absolutely everything just to try and seek validation for what was already traditionally good deeds in the world. To try and translate it into words was the one thing magic still couldn't fix and God help the people at the other end of her compulsive explanations that for all she knew could've gone nowhere each time.

However, the man didn't shut down her questions and answered them sincerely. "I think only the person can show you their monster first... Only then can you tell if there's any warmth in their eyes left... Only then might you be able to determine if they're truly monstrous or not--"

"Dad?? Blimey, where are you??!"

Emily blinked in surprise while the old man jolted before letting out a sigh. "I feared she'd come looking for me soon..."

Emily giggled. "Is she a worrier like me?"

The man gave a tired nod. "I only wanted to stretch my legs and give her some time with the fiancé before the Second Act. For God's sake..."

"Oh! She's engaged?"

"They wed in June," the man smiled. His expression then frowned as he leaned forward like he was trying to find something in Emily's expression. "What was I saying before...?"

Ah...

Rather than chase him for another answer, she waved it off and grinned. "It's okay! I think I got the gist of it..." Even though it wasn't all that foreign from what she's used to hearing. "Besides, you should get back to your daughter before she starts asking the staff to hunt you down."

The man shivered as if afraid of the notion and checked his watch. "Ah, just as well. The interval's almost over."

So soon...?!

Then where was "Auntie"? Emily scanned the room but couldn't see her. The man struggled back onto his frail feet and patted Emily's shoulder.

"Let's wait for your mother back inside. My family and I are just on the row adjacent to yours. We'll keep watch over you until she gets back," he winked warmly.

Emily's cheeks dusted red and she bowed graciously. "Thank you..." She couldn't bring herself to correct him after his generous proposition. As much as Emily wished for years... "Auntie" was no more than just "the guardian", forever robbed of the title she would've won in a heartbeat in another life.

As the mass of people started shuffling back into the theatre room, Emily held a friendly arm out to the man. "Can I give you a hand?"

The man chortled and accepted it, the two staying close together as they were brushed along the current of people getting ready and seated in time for the Second Act.

_{Word Count: 2958 ((:O)}

Stats: Stamina: 7|Evasion: 6|Strength: 6|Wisdom: 8|Arcane Power: 7|Accuracy: 6
Abilities: Non-Human Enthusiast |Cat's Grace

December 28th 2024
Emily's Speech: #cfa120
Nora/"Auntie's" Speech: #fe0613
Thoughts: Italics

With the old man safely returned to his seat, Emily weaved between the last of the stragglers that came in to reclaim their spots minutes before the Second Act was due to begin. Despite how close the interval was to ending, "Auntie" was still nowhere to be seen. Nearly every seat in the room was occupied except for hers. Emily would be lying if she said she wasn't getting nervous without her being there. Where the heck did she even run off to anyway? Unless she spent the last half hour taking the biggest bathroom break in history...

"There you are, pet!"

Emily craned her head and immediately brightened up upon seeing "Auntie" fly into her seat, sounding like she had just ran a marathon. She could see her makeup had been touched up so perhaps she did get a bathroom break at some point...

"Where have you been?? I couldn't wait any longer out there otherwise we both would've missed the Second Act...!"

"I know, I know... I'm sorry, pet. I was trying to find him."

Him?

"You were looking for...?"

"Yeah... I thought we might be able to catch up with him during the interval for five minutes but I couldn't find him..."

Emily could see the slight disappointment in her guardian's eyes, along with something else. "You really like him, don't you...?"

"Well, that's the thing... I know we called them 'dates' but they were really just times where we would meet up for tea and all that. They never really went into romantic territory. He and I enjoy each others company but perhaps that's really all there is to it. Maybe we won't become... More than that. In the end he could be a boy who happens to be a friend... Nothing else."

Well... Emily wasn't expecting any of that to come out of" Auntie's" mouth. A bit of a let down as well, if that's what she was actually thinking. Not a boyfriend? Though maybe it was too early in the game to plant that label on them just yet anyway... And Emily hardly learnt anything else about the guy other than that he lived in London. If the two were really in the romantic sense, Emily would've expected "Auntie" to talk her ear off about how handsome he was or how strong he looked, or whatever other corny nonsense that tended to sprout from romances these days.

Thinking back to what Emily said to her before on the run-up to their December Day-Off, maybe "Auntie" was just feeling grateful to have company again. Looking after Emily prior to Hogwarts was a full-time engagement. Only very few days of the year, each year, could Emily remember her actually going out to meet with friends no matter what time of day it was.

"Auntie" was as much as a fairy-tale person as Emily was. With Emily off at Hogwarts, "Auntie" would have undoubtedly felt a new sense of freedom from her day-to-day schedule, and the fact that she had made friends with and is getting along nicely with a guy probably made her feel all the more special, especially if it gave her that 'one on one date' feel. That was more likely why "Auntie" felt so passionate about being able to see him, since he was the one to get her out of that stuffy routine and house in the first place. Whether or not they were just friends, he was still making her happy.

It was settled then. Without having met him yet, Emily decided he liked the guy. Even if he was just a friend.

"We'll catch up with him after. You'll see!" Emily affirmed.

The two ladies looked fondly at each other. Everything would be grand!

The lights suddenly dimmed and the orchestra pitched. With excitable applause, the curtain raised and the Second Act began.

*****

The lights brightened into Jekyll's estate, a split stage greeting the audience. Gabriel John Utterson stood in the lit up corridor, pleading at the door to Jekyll's lab that was hidden in darkness. He hadn't seen his dear friend in weeks, supposedly shutting himself inside where not another soul had seen him. Not even his dear fiancée Emma who's been repeatedly banging on Jekyll's door so that she might hold him once again.

But Jekyll swore that no one, not even his best friend and dear wife-to-be would see his face while he was afflicted with the ever looming presence of Edward Hyde. What became a few nights of lecherous and chaotic festivities had now evolved drastically into unscheduled changes during the day. Every day the war between Jekyll and Hyde got stronger. The lamentation in Jekyll's voice ran deep as he carried another song to advance the show.

Sets rotated and lights flashed as Utterson journeyed on his investigation in exploring the bizarre link between Jekyll and the mysterious Hyde. He traversed across the revolving panels that switched out the sets, from the decorated streets of London to the smaller sanctums of offices and marketplaces as he tracks down the destructive Hyde. Meanwhile, Jekyll's lament drowns him with the salt he needs yet no amount of potion seems to reverse the wicked effects.

Several ear-pleasing musical montages later and Jekyll reaches his ultimatum... A final confrontation with his dark alter ego! Mirrors infest the stage, sharp lights bouncing off each of them as the two sides fight for control over the same body! Back and forth stingers echoed acroos the stage. Hyde's threats! Jekyll's pleas! All while Utterson, Emma and Poole bang at the door! The entire room flashed in lights before dawning on the three intruders, surrounding Hyde's dead body...

The tragic tale of Henry Jekyll and the sorry existence of Edward Hyde. Both at an end. To Emma's sadness, to Utterson's emptiness. To the audience's shock and silence.

Jekyll and Hyde were dead but the actor was still alive to arise and bow with the others, an uproar of applause showering them with wave after wave of adoration. Including the young Shephard who nearly stood on her seat as she threw energised cheers alongside "Auntie".

The lights dimmed for a final time and when the room brightened back up and the doors opened, the world of Jekyll and Hyde and its characters had vanished. The real world was back at last to stay.

*****

"That. Was. AWESOME!" Emily still had the sparkly dazed look of pure joy washed on her face as she skipped out of the theatre room. Her throat held an aggressive strain as she began rambling off every good thing about the show... Which was pretty much all of it, beginning to end. "Auntie" walked alongside her as they descended the stairs back into the downstairs reception, neither bored nor entirely caught up as Emily sung of praises at high speed. Emily was too ecstatic to slow down, with only words like "actors" and "music" being registered in "Auntie's" ears.

"So... You enjoyed it then is what you're saying?" She finally asked with a smirk. Emily said nothing, other than showing off a big smile that puffed her cheeks out.

The old man from earlier and his daughter passed them when they stopped to grab their coats from the reception desk. Emily gave a wave to him when he tipped his hat to her before she watched them depart.

Such a nice guy...

Just as "Auntie" received the coats, a pair of footsteps came up behind them.

"Nora??"

Both of them turned around, their eyes widening in joint surprise, a joyous smile immediately gracing "Auntie's" lips.

"Hey! Finally found us, I see!"

Emily's lips however formed a perfect "O" shape. All air escaped from her lungs as she bore witness to the glorious sight before her.

Standing in front of them was none other than Henry Jekyll!

_{Word Count: 1337}

Stats: Stamina: 7|Evasion: 6|Strength: 6|Wisdom: 8|Arcane Power: 7|Accuracy: 6
Abilities: Non-Human Enthusiast |Cat's Grace

December 28th 2024
Emily's Speech: #cfa120
Nora/"Auntie's" Speech: #fe0613
Thoughts: Italics

The front lobby cleared out pretty quickly with every attendee and their mother wanting to get home before they get caught in the evening traffic. For Emily and "Auntie" however, everything seemed to slow down as Henry Jekyll - or whoever the man that played him throughout the entire performance - walked up to them, his oceanic navy eyes taking in the extravagance of the woman he had been spending time. His hair was still pulled back into his Jekyll ponytail only his waistcoat was undone and the the side of his shirt was starting to fall out from where it was tucked in under the top of his trousers.

He was looking at "Auntie" with a fond glaze in his eyes, a subtle turn of the side of his lips upwards as he scanned her features softly. "Auntie" was staring back at him with a similar one, though hers was telling her he looked good dressed up as an 1800s man. Emily was still standing there, mouth wide open like she could hoover up a cake any moment. After a few minutes of appreciating each other in silence, "Auntie" finally spoke first.

"Matthew...?"

"Sorry! You're just..."

"You were..."

"--Amazing. You, I mean...!"

"So are you...! You looked great. Well-- You still do..."

"Heh... Thanks."

"Thank you..."

The two of them were like teenagers, making eye contact but then immediately avoiding it when they looked at each other for more than three seconds. Meanwhile Emily was still brain dead amazed over the fact that "Auntie" somehow knew Henry Jekyll.

Emily was never the girl to fuss over a boy band or get super hyper-fixated on a famous celebrity, yet somehow this man who was merely playing a part in a fictional play had Emily going pink with embarrassment.

"You're...!"

The man shifted his calm eyes down to Emily and smiled. "Is this the girl you've told me about, Nora?"

"Auntie" moved until she stood behind the star struck Huffie, with both of her gentle hands on her shoulders. "Matthew... This magnificent girl is Emily. And from what I can see, a big fan of yours..."

That made Emily's cheeks turn a deep crimson as she grinned shyly at him. The pitch in her voice went up by at least five octaves when she greeted him, a true sign that she was nervous beyond belief.

For Emily, she was essentially meeting a man that managed to catch her fascination with just a single theatre performance. In the span of about two hours, he had become akin to a boy band crush!

"Y-Yes! Hello... Hi... I uh... Hello-- I mean! You were really good... And I... Verymuchenjoyeditandcongratulationsforallyourhardwork!" She bowed as the words tumbled out of her mouth in one, long frantic squeak, all while desperately hoping no one could see the mad shade of red that overcame her face. "Auntie" laughed as she watched her and Matthew stood closer to gently take Emily's hand in his and respectfully pecked her knuckle.

"I'm glad you had a good time...!" He had an unwavering gaze of flattery and kindness as Emily finally had the courage to look up at him, albeit still an anxious mess. "And it's an honour to meet you..."

Eep!

That sent Emily's flustered stupor sky-rocketing, which only added to how amusing "Auntie" found it all. "I think you've found your number one fan...!"

"Auntie...!" Emily hissed shyly.

Matthew withdrew as he looked back at "Auntie", the gaze of silent appreciation making a return. This time it was "Auntie" who began to feel heat in her cheeks. With the way that the two were looking at each other, it was becoming increasingly clear that both had something to say but didn't dare say it to their faces.

"Matthew? Cast members are needed back in the break room." A member of the townsfolk poked her head round the corner as she gestured for him to come back with her. Matthew, quietly conflicted about leaving the two of them, eventually nodded.

"Alright, I'll be right there," he responded as she vanished back out of sight again.

The smile on "Auntie's" face morphed into one laced with disappointed. After spending most of the evening looking for him she was hoping the three of them could spend more time together. "It looks like you're needed."

The look on Matthew's face wasn't any better. [color=#o6b123]"I'm sorry, Nora... But if you give me an hour to get changed and finish up with the studio, I'll come right back. If you have somewhere booked for the night, I can walk you two there, since it's so late..."[/color]

Gracious for his offer, "Auntie" held up a soft hand to hush him. "It's alright, Matthew. We got to swing by and see you on stage. A magical performance like that has us satisfied." She and Emily looked at each other with a mutual look of agreement. "We have tickets for the last flight back to Belfast for the night."

"Then I'll ring you a taxi to get to the airport...!"

"Oh let me--"

"Nora, you and your girl have gone through a lot of travel just to see little old me. This is the very least of what I could do for you after you came all this way." Matthew's sincerity and kindness was as powerful as his allure on stage, looking at her like he was feeling helpless just by doing nothing - something which "Auntie" found herself going flushed over.

"I-- Matthew, that's too kind of you..."

"Just looking out for a friend, Nora." Matthew's smile was infectious as he clasped a hand around "Auntie's". Even when they were just friends, seven lunch dates together was clearly enough to solidify chemistry between them... And Emily thought it was all adorable as she stood there and watched like the metaphorical third wheel she felt she was.

Matthew disappeared back into the staff corridor where after a short while he came back out, out of his Jekyll attire and into some civilian clothes. The ponytail hair vanished, the hair extensions leaving behind a soft wave of raven hair that sat elegantly at his shoulders while the rest of him was dressed in a shirt that matched the colour of his eyes, a black jacket over it and casual jeans. Other cast members exited the theatre dressed like they were ordinary Joes again, bidding each other goodnight as they departed.

"That's better... Back in more comfortable cotton and the taxi's on it's way for you," Matthew returned to them in swift strides. Emily's stolen glance at her guardian made her smile when she saw that subtle hint of relief that he got back quick. For being friends, "Auntie" sure was enjoying his company.

"There's coffee and tea left over in the break room if you two care to have some while you wait. Production staff will be getting ready to leave shortly so the room is more or less vacant." Matthew extended an arm to "Auntie". Even though his body was calm and composed there was a small flicker of nervous anticipation as he let the offer hang in the air.

Emily looked at "Auntie" expectantly. "Tea sounds good." Especially if it meant seeing more of this cute back and forth of the two of them kind of hitting it off with each other.

"Auntie" eventually nodded sweetly. "It'll keep us warm before we have to brace the cold." She shyly took Matthew's arm as he escorted her to through the foyer and down through the dim, staff corridor, Emily skipping behind them as she savoured the invisible bonding between the two of them.

Inside the break room was a brightly lit space with a few tables and chairs, a small counter with an overhead cupboard, a mini fridge and a microwave. On the counter was a water pitcher and a collection of mugs and plastic cups, as well as tins of coffee and tea bags.

"One sugar isn't it?"

"You remembered...!"

"And you, Emily?"

"Wh--Um...!" Emily was too busy silently gushing over the fact that she was about to have tea with Henry Jekyll that it took her a little too long to register his question, less so to answer him. "Two, maybe? And milk..."

Matthew dutifully prepared tea for both ladies, slipping them across the counter when they were done When he made his own he led them out through the corridor and out the other exit of the theatre, guiding them through the car park until they were all seated together on a bench under a lamp at the edge of the drop-off point.

Emily took baby sips of her tea. Any more and her tongue would burn right off. Meanwhile, "Auntie" and Matthew left their drinks almost untouched as they talked, topics of rehearsals, weekends and other aspects of mundanity swirling back and forth between them. Small snippets and words jumped out every now and then as Emily shyly kept to herself. This was really more of a "them" thing than an "Emily" thing anyway.

"What about you, Emily?"

"Eh--wha?" Emily jolted when Matthew's voice startled her back into the conversation, her fingers gripping her half-empty cup before they had the chance to drop it.

"What kind of animal would you like to see? I've always wanted to see a dragon." Good lord, his voice was soothing. It was no secret why "Auntie" looked liked she melted every time they spoke to one another. Emily was starting to feel that too. Had it not been for the fact that dragons managed to leak into the conversation, Emily would've blamed his allure for her quick answer.

"Unicorn... I'd want to see a unicorn."

She had to bite her tongue a bit before she would say "again" even when it was true - she'd scour the forest back at Hogwarts all over again if it meant seeing her new unicorn friend again.

"A dragon and a unicorn? Quite the ambitions," "Auntie" chuckled musingly.

Emily grinned sheepishly. If only she knew...

She'd tell "Auntie" eventually about some of the magical creatures she'd seen, including the beautiful unicorn and the... Less beautiful Hag Dolls.

The conversation chugged along at a merry pace until a black car rolled up to the curb with an illuminated taxi sign atop it. The three of them shared a look of disappointment that their time together was coming to an end.

Emily and "Auntie" tossed their empty cups into the nearby bin before Matthew escorted them to the taxi, opening the door for them. Emily slid into the far side while "Auntie" paused. She looked back at Matthew.

"Matthew... Do you think... In the New Year..."

"Of course, Nora. I was hoping we could too. When I'm back in Belfast we'll meet for another coffee."

"And I'll pay this time," the guardian smirked cheerfully.

Matthew laughed with her before giving the back of her hand a kiss as he led her comfortably into the taxi. "Have a safe trip home, Nora... And I'll see both of you after New Year!"

Emily waved when he did. She was quite looking forward to seeing more of Henry Jekyll in the future, even if the wait would be longer than he was probably thinking.

She and "Auntie" kept waving until Matthew eventually faded away into the distance as the taxi drove on. They both sat in silence for a bit before Emily broke it first.

"You never told me Henry Jekyll was the friend you'd been meeting with."

"I wanted it to be a surprise... And it worked."

"Heh... Yes it did. He's really nice."

"Yes he is."

"And cool looking."

"Yes he is."

Emily glanced at her guardian who stared off ahead of her. She could see the look of pure love in her expression through the lights that zoomed passed them while they remained in the car. Emily stretched another grin as she took her guardian's hand.

"You really like him... Don't you?"

"Auntie" faced her and nodded shamelessly, a red blush painting her tender face. "Yes... Yes I do."

Excellent.

Emily's grin got wider.

"I think he likes you too."

_{Word Count: 2054}

Stats: Stamina: 7|Evasion: 6|Strength: 6|Wisdom: 8|Arcane Power: 7|Accuracy: 6
Abilities: Non-Human Enthusiast |Cat's Grace