News Break (Ember)

Masin always read the news reports, but today was a special occasion. Serena Seely had recently interviewed her and Em, and the article was to be published today. Masin sat upright in her chair, holding the article firmly in her hands. BREAKING NEWS: CHANCELLOR RACE IN THE BAG FOR MAGISTER MASIN DELISLE Oh, it couldn't be in the bag, could it? Masin felt her heart rate pick up at the title of the article and kept reading. As she did so, she slowly lowered the paper down as her jaw dropped and her eyes watered.

EMBER LYNN BRIDGES has decided to throw in the towel. She stood, crossing around her desk as she read the rest of the article. Her eyes watered at the words 'She feels that Magister MASIN CASSIOPEIA DELISLE has shown potential for greatness that can't be stifled.' A hand flew to Masins mouth and she covered it as she started to cry.

She didn't know why she was crying, exactly. What she happy? Of course she was! But what did it cost her best friend? Did Em really feel that way? Em trusted her in this position... right? Masin had always known that but didn't really believe it completely until now. She crumpled the article in her hand, standing there to silently let tears fall for a few moments before she left her office, moving to open Ems door.

"You're dropping out," it was sort of a question, but came out more like a statement.

@emberlynn

Ember Lynn didn't even know the story had been released. She was leaning over a document that she couldn't find the energy to read. She was fed up  with all the work, especially now that she knew she wasn't going to be doing it anymore. She started to chew on the end of her pen, wondering for the millionth time if she should have told someone before she released it to the papers. She knew deep down that she should have told Dylan. He was he husband and had no clue that her job was about to end, and she should have told Masin.

As if answering some unbidden cue, Masin burst through the door and Ember Lynn found her document covered by the new paper. Her picture was large on the cover and the headline said it all. Masin knew. There went Ember Lynn's chance of telling her before the fit hit the shan, "Masin." Ember said, looking over the article before leaning back in the chair and looking at her best friend, "You want to sit?"

Masin shook her head for a moment, biting her lip before she finally did sit down. She looked down at her hands. This was indeed a moment of weakness for Masin. Something that she never expected would happen. She had a feeling, of course, that she could easily win if the news of Embers pregnancy got out... but she didn't think Em would make that decision herself. However, Masin didn't understand the whole 'marriage and kids' thing anyway.

She looked up at Ember, having calmed herself a little. "Em... I'm not sure what to say," she said, in all honesty.

Leaning across the table, Ember Lynn breathed out a heavy sigh and picked up the paper, handing it over the counter, "The office is your at the end of the week, maybe we should talk about what that entails." She was in full blown Chancellor mode right now, for what is close to the last time. She turned the chair and bent forward to pull open a filing cabinet, groaning at the little bump at was her stomach. She was just barely starting to show, but it was a constant reminder that she was no longer just Ember Lynn.

She picked up a heavy box and grunted as she dropped it on the desk, "This will be your bible." She said, her voice cracking a little. She bit her lip and looked at the box full of demi-god profiles, "I meant to go through them and pull out the ones that....in the attack." Ember Lynn pushed the box away from her and propped her face in her hands, "I'm sorry. It's just hormones." She groaned, sobbing into her palms.

Em was being so formal, so business like. It reminded Masin that she needed to get her act together, "r-right," Masin confirmed as Em said the Office would be hers at the end of the week. As Em lifted the heavy box, Masin stood as if to take it from her, but soon it was on the table.

When Ems voice cracked, Masin felt the lump in her throat worsen. She understood this was hard, giving up this job, being pregnant, losing so many people the night of her wedding... Masin felt it too. She stepped beside Em and draped her arms around they blondes shoulders. "I'll go through it, Em. You shouldn't... You don't need to be looking at them right now," she said, her own voice shaking. Then she started to soon too. She wanted to thank her, comfort her... She had a lot of emotions at once.

Ember looked at Masin and somehow, through her tear swollen eyes, gave her a serious stare, "This will be equally the hardest and most rewarding thing you will ever do." She said standing and walking to the window to look at the ocean, "Don't forget that I will always be here to help. I will be a Magister now." Ember turned and leaned against the floor to ceiling window to smile at her best friend.

Masin made eye contact with Em as she spoke seriously. As Em moved away to the window, Masin stood, nodding her head. "I look forward to it," she said in reference to the box of files. She lifted a hand and wiped the tears from her eyes with the back of it before placing a hand on the desk, running her fingers over it a little as she looked at Em. "And I'd love to have your help. I'm glad you're still working," she lifted her hand from the desk and took a step back, turning to look at the door before turning back to Em. "Thank you," she said, her voice cracking again, "this is... this is all I've ever wanted, Em. And it's all thanks to you," she said, turning to look down at the desk again.

Ember nodded slowly and stood up very quickly, "I'll be right back." She groaned, wrapping her arms around her stomach like she was about to be sick. She bolted from the room and was in the marble bathroom across the lobby before the office door even swung shut.