Aisling eyed Paul with a frown before they headed out. They got back to the car and Aisling started it up after everyone had loaded in, looking over her shoulder cautiously. "I don't like that guy," she muttered, beginning the drive back. "He's weird."
"He's familiar, right?" she asked with a frown, checking the rearview mirror. "Something about the way he speaks or something."
She frowned, shaking her head. "We'll have to tell Emerson when we get back. Strange that he was talking about our 'leaders'. Everyone knows that we just have Emerson."
"It's fine," she said, heading into the city. "It's fine." When they returned to their fort, Aisling headed up the stairs towards Emerson's office, not giving any indication as to whether or not they should follow, clearly distracted by her own thoughts.
Jaz did not follow, staying back. Rory only went as far as the door, but did not enter. She figured she would let Aisling talk first.
Rory would hear Aisling speaking quietly to Emerson. The way she addressed him was interesting; there was clearly affection present, but both of them were naturally serious people, so it was subtle. "We met someone in the forest," she told him. "He wants to meet with you tomorrow." "With me?" he asked slowly. "Why?" "I'm not sure," Aisling admitted. "He seemed taken back by the Clan." He sighed for a moment before speaking again. "No weapons?" "No weapons," she confirmed. "I scoped it out for you. He just seemed confused more than anything." "Alright. Tomorrow, then. Thank you, Aisling." She left the room, glancing at Rory for a moment before continuing down the stairs.
The next day, after the meeting, Emerson and Aisling arrived back at the building. Emerson went up the stairs to his office, his brows furrowed angrily and his body tight with stress and frustration. He breezed past everyone, even Rory and shut the door behind him. Aisling looked up the stairs towards the closed door, looking utterly perplexed.
Rory frowned, her head tilting. She sat down, seeming a bit uncertain. Jaz approached Aisling carefully, looking curious. "What happened?"
She sighed, looking irritated. "If I knew, I would tell you. We pulled up and the guy was waiting in plain sight and Emerson just went really quiet before telling us to turn around. He got really mad. He was yelling at me and everything. I don't know. He wouldn't talk to me after I headed back. The guy was just sitting there."
He looked at the door in confusion. Rory got up, going and approaching the door before knocking slowly.
There was no response on the other side of the door for a moment before Emerson came to the door, pulling it open sharply and looking down at Rory, poison in his eyes. His features may have softened at the sight of her and he took a deep breath, running his fingers through his hair. “Rory... now’s not the best time.”
The initial sharpness of his return made her slightly nervous, but she tilted her head. "Are you okay, Emerson?"
He was clearly not okay, something close to panic compacted in his body. "I'm fine," he replied, looking over his shoulder. "I just can't talk right now."
He looked down at her and was silent for a moment before sighing, opening the door a little wider for her and heading back into the room.
