Ring, ring

[Emily] It's mid-afternoon, a time between classes perhaps, or a time when they'd both ought to be working on some sort of manuscript (or program [or schematic]). By now, Ashley knows Emily's number. Perhaps it's even saved in Ashley's phone.

Ring, ring.

(Hello.)

When Ashley picked up, Emily would answer. "Ah, it's Emily. Do you have a moment?"

The younger girl sounded serious, or perhaps a little under the weather, but not too anxious. Which was a change.

[Ashley] Enid just left her apartment a short time ago. It's fortunate: she often doesn't answer her phone earlier in the day, absorbed as she is in teaching the girl, in looking after her. Enid has emotional needs, too, which aren't being handled by her parents. She needs affection, support, understanding. Ashley has done her best to provide these, but they aren't things she's used to offering up.

When she answers the phone she feels a bit wan, tired, but none of it leaks into her voice. "Emily," she says, polite. "I have a few minutes. What do you need?"

[Emily] There's a little pause. People are harder to read over the phone. This goes both ways today.

"I wanted to let you know that Jarod is leaving," a little pause. "Has left." Correction. There's a pause, and then Emily pushes on. "I know you've been encouraging me to find a mentor, and a Tradition. I just thought you should know I'll be back to square one for awhile."

It's a courtesy call. It also lets Ashley know that Emily is not as protected (watched) as she had been just a week before. And now there's a longer pause. And it's Ashley's turn to talk.

[Ashley] Ashley doesn't know much about Emily and Jarod (she has her guesses, but they are only that: suppositions.) There's a (heavy) pause on her end of the line as she says, "Is he all right? And are you?"

[Emily] No one knew much about Emily and Jarod. The two of them kept it that way for reasons undisclosed. Perhaps it was better that way.

"We're both fine, thank you," Emily says, but there's a touch of sadness to it. Enough to be noticed, but not enough to worry over. Perhaps the Orphan had a few, vaguely Tytalan traits of her own.

"He... has some family matters to look into." It's delicately phrased, but not openly evasive. "And I can understand and appreciate that. It's just sudden." And very, very new.

[Ashley] "I see," Ashley says, and perhaps she does. In spite of her difficulties hearing pitch, particularly over the phone when all other body language is lost, perhaps she hears the way Emily's voice falls. It could be kindness or callousness that makes her move forward without inquiring further. It's hard to say.

"Consider yourself under my protection until you acquire a new mentor. In the meantime, maybe you'd want to speak with Owen further?"

[Emily] Emily nods, but then realizes that Ashley cannot hear that.

"Okay," she says, and it's stronger and more resolute. "And I will. The only way I know how to find him is to go by the Church, but it's a start." There's another pause -- hesitant today, Emily is. "I'm going to talk to Chuck, too. It doesn't necessarily feel right, but I understand at least the mundane underpinnnings of what he does. That's worth considering, isn't it?"

Then she adds: "What do you need from me? To check in every so often? And how can I reciprocate?" Emily is often (always?) interested in finding a fair trade in these dealings.

[Ashley] "It's definitely worth considering. You might find a way to fit your own beliefs into his Tradition," Ashley says, though there's a waver here: it might be doubt, it might be encouragement. Her voice is hard to read, at times. "If you have interest in the Order after speaking with me further, I have a Tradition mate in town who doesn't have an apprentice. And there may also be other options for mentorship if you look around."

Emily asks what she can do, and there's a thoughtful pause here. "You can study with Enid. I'll permit you access to portions of my library. I think the extra interaction would benefit her. Be respectful and don't do anything stupid. That's all I ask."

[Emily] "I try very hard not to do stupid things on purpose," Emily promises Ashley. It's a good rule of thumb, not seeking out stupid. She's had her fair share of it over time anyway.

"I would be interested in talking to her. I don't know that I necessarily fit, but I am curious. And I'm considering all the options anew, in light of..." Her voice trails off a little.

"I'll give Enid a call. Maybe we can set up a regular study time."

[Ashley] "I know you don't, but it had to be said," Ashley says, and for a moment she sounds amused until she hears Emily's tone drop off again. Then the humor in her voice dies away.

"Enid usually comes to my apartment in the mornings. You can accompany her then and at least learn some history and magical theory. It'll do you good no matter where you end up."

[Emily] "Agreed." Another small pause, and then (warmer). "Thank you, Ashley," she says. The girl means it, too. That much comes across clearly in the wake of everything else that's left unsaid.

[Ashley] "You're welcome," Ashley says. "Come to my apartment when you're ready, and in the meantime I'd suggest getting a hold of Owen and seeing what develops."