Ashes, Ashes

Scars and Scarves

- c h a p t e r   n i n e t e e n -

The photographer was the killer, of course. She should've known sooner. And yes, that had been Michael. That had been the man she'd been convinced she could build a life with if only they managed to get on the same level. They might've made a wonderful couple, if he hadn't been a liar.

And a murderer. That was kind of an issue as well, she had to say.

But everyone had managed to make it out of the situation alive. Even though Sherlock had been convinced someone was going to die, he'd been incorrect about that particular fact. Emma chose to focus on this rather than the other things which were happening at the moment - people might be happier around her, but she didn't want to pay attention to that. She needed to forge her own path.

Yes, she was glad no one had died. That was always a nice thing, of course. But it didn't change the fact that Sherlock had mocked her in front of everyone. It didn't change the fact that she'd wanted to spend the entirety of her life with someone who turned out to be a ghost who only wanted to use her for information to get to this wedding.

And she hadn't even recognised that man! She could've been in love with him, and she hadn't even recalled his face when he'd been taken picture.s Granted, he had a camera in front of his face the whole time...but still. She didn't feel any less foolish because of it. She wished she'd never come to the wedding. Then she wouldn't have to feel quite as crummy as anything else.

But now Emma could go to the more fun part of the night - she would be able to get more done when she didn't have to worry about Sherlock screwing up and saying some random personal fact about her that would end up ruining her social life. No, she would be on her own and able to work out everything.

For once, she wasn't seeking for any sort of romance - she didn't want to have a one night stand or spend one whole life together. All she wanted, at this moment in time, was to have someone to talk to even though she might never lock gazes with him ever again. Right at this moment, she just needed to seek someone out and talk to them.

Surely there had to be a single man somewhere about - all she had to do was look out and find him. Never had she wished she had Sherlock's deduction than in this moment. Just because a man was alone didn't mean he didn't have some girlfriend back at home. She wasn't looking for a boyfriend, but she had a feeling that would be the only thing people thought of when they looked at her.

Finally, however, she settled on a man standing next to the wall and nodding his head. He was aesthetically pleasing enough, although it was somewhat difficult to tell in the dim setting. That didn't matter to her, though. She just wanted to have this conversation and get it all through. Maybe it would work out well, as long as she managed to be properly sociable.

"Hello there," she said, placing a slight but beaming smile upon her lips.

"Oh, are you talking to me?" he said, looking behind him as if there could somehow be someone fitting between the wall and where he stood.

"Of course I'm talking to you," Emma said, heaving her shoulders up into a shrug. "It's not like there's anyone else around here who I would be talking to."

"Actually..."

"I mean, I just thought you look like you might need a good conversation," Emma continued, making sure to remain chipper no matter what happened.

"Well, I guess," he said. Emma struggled to keep her smile up as she saw just how confused he seemed. Hopefully she was just projecting those thoughts and they were just an illusion.

"So, er...how do you know the newlywed Watsons?" Emma began, trying to make conversation.

"Wait a minute - what's that on your arms?" he asked in response. "Did you get makeup all over it, or something? Oh...God, what happened to you?"