[Backdated to a day before the event]

[have_your_lives]

[Ema may have noticed a few days ago that, on top of the money she simply hands over to Schuldig as part of their living arrangements - which is theoretically an improvement over him simply stealing it from her - some of her own money has gone missing. For some reason, it seems, Schuldig has either recently gone over what she budgets him or he's

Comments

[glowing_science]

[Ema has noted the missing money; it's something she's been meaning to bring up but hasn't had a chance yet. Her life this week has been a bit complicated and punctuated by extreme highs (Edward) and lows (Kay's droning), so it's slipped her mind. Even if she had gotten him pinned down long enough for a confrontation, it would have been perfunctory, he rarely explains his reasons to her unless he has specific motive to do so.

So, imagine her surprise when he's the one to make first contact. Telepathically, no less. She shakes off any remaining grogginess, puts on a robe, and pads out to the kitchen where Schuldig is waiting for her.]

You couldn't have called me like a normal person? [The question is more a complaint than an expression of ire--this is a weird way to start the day. In Mayfield and with Schuldig, weird is a good reason to be a bit on edge.]

[have_your_lives]

[Schuldig cocks an eyebrow at her. He's sitting - well, sprawling - in a chair at the kitchen table, cup of coffee already in hand; apparently he actually made it today, having been up first.] Considering everything, if you're complaining about that then you're just trying to be petulant. [Which is one hundred percent true. Schuldig and Mayfield both have put Ema through so much worse than this.

Wordlessly, he reaches into his jacket and pulls out a gun. But almost before Ema can fully process what it is, or become alarmed at anything it might mean to her, he sets it flat on the table and slides it in her direction.

There's no immediate explanation for this at all. She may have to ask for one if she wants one.]

[glowing_science]

It's early. [The excuse is half-hearted; even Ema knows that it doesn't really hold up. Leaving it at that, she begins to turn away to get herself some coffee.

She's interrupted by the sound of metal hitting the table before she actually gets that far.

After a few moments' stunned staring, Ema carefully picks the firearm up and inspects it. She half-expects something to be wrong or strange about it, but it's simply a basic pistol--no more, no less. Why is he presenting this to her like this? Is he giving it to her? Why? What does it mean?]

Is this what you took the money for?

[Might as well start with the easy questions and work up to the more complicated ones. ]

[have_your_lives]

Would you actually do anything if I said no? [This is rather blunt, but Schuldig is trying to offset the unusual generosity of the gift.] But yes, since you ask. So you've technically lost nothing.