#but yEAH just. thinking about how the process works is fun. de-snakification has got to be a slower process

[lynnesgalaxy]

Time to continue this! Their arrival to mainland is a bit of a messy one, hiding from everyone, trying to get their lives back on track... Emilette is no different, trying to adjust to the changes she knows she has to make.

Post-Snaktooth:

Going Home

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—

Everyone was hopeful. Despite what they had all gone through, now that the airship had safely arrived at the mainland, everyone was wearing big—although tired—smiles. And understandably so, since despite what her head had told her during those terrifying moments just barely hours ago, everyone had managed to stay in one piece.

While she had been participating here and there with the group, adding in her own commentaries as everyone did their best to conceal their snakified bodies, her eyes were heavy, and soon after everyone was ready she found herself simply listening in silence. When the journalist handed her a piece of the balloon's remains, all she could do was grunt in response as she covered herself with the cloth. The battle from before had taken a toll on her, not being used to moving around so much, but she knew she still had to keep herself awake. At least, until everyone was home…

Her eyes shifted from grumpus to grumpus. Everyone had a place to call home, right? Wambus and Triffany had mentioned the old house they used to live in and how it should still be in good condition; Filbo mentioned something about staying with the journalist; Shelda mentioned her family waiting for her; Snorpy and Chandlo still had enough to afford rent; Floofty, Creetus…

While Wiggle had offered to the few that didn’t have a place of their own to stay for a while at her mansion, Emilette had shied away from the opportunity. It wasn’t as if she didn’t want to accept, especially considering how luxurious it sounded, but… she couldn’t bring herself to. After all she had done to hurt everyone, she couldn’t make them put up with her on a daily basis until who-knew-when.

So, as the gentle sound of the waves faded away and the chattering of the other excited grumpuses filling her ears threatened to lull her to sleep as they walked together, she let her own mind drift away. She never had plans to come back to the mainland; the prospect of leaving everything behind forever had been far too tempting to put too much thought into it at the time. Of course she regretted it now, but what else could she do? The damage was already done, and now reality had once again come back to hit her where it hurt the most: in the end, she was all by herself. Alone.

It took her a moment to realize the group had stopped moving, and goodbyes and see-you-soons were being exchanged. She shook her head in an attempt to keep herself awake enough to respond, and watched the first members of the group leave. Then a few others. Then others.

By the time the limousine arrived, only Wiggle’s group was left. The tall, orange grumpus approached her with a concerned frown, “Darling, are you sure you don’t want to come with us? There’s plenty of space to share.”

Beffica was barely a few steps behind, catching up to the conversation with ease, "Yeah, you're missing out. Wiggle said she has this huge pool and I'm dying to chill there till I'm all wrinkly. You should totes come with."

Emilette waved a paw dismissively, her smile betraying the sick feeling in her chest, “I’ll be fine. You guys have fun, I’m sure Gramble’ll love the ducks or whatever you said you have. And Cromdo’ll be thrilled living the rich life. I'll just…" she gestured to the cloth she was holding around her, "I'll raid that pool once I'm all done dealing with this.”

Wiggle smiled back at her, amused, “Swans, dear, not ducks. But alright, suit yourself. You know where to find me if you need where to go.”

Beffica didn't seem as convinced, frowning instead. "Hey. Keep in touch."

"Y-Yeah…" Emilette replied, unsure on how to react to her concerned expression. Whatever jumped inside her stomach in that moment, she made sure to bury it as deep and quickly as she could. Grump, they had to leave soon before she couldn’t hold herself back anymore.

Cromdo was already in the limousine, admiring the details on the inside, while Gramble stood quietly, waiting for Wiggle. After a quick nod at her, Wiggle turned away and got into the car with him. Beffica took one last glance at her before waving a paw and getting inside with the group.

Emilette watched in silence as the vehicle left, letting her tired smile finally drop to her usual frown. The weight on her chest only increased. Was she truly doing the right thing? She didn’t know the first thing about being a good person, but this was for the others’ sake, right? Even if that ended up putting her directly on the streets.

Maybe she could get in contact with her parents. She could try to find a phone… although remembering their number was another story, not to mention if it was still working at all, or if they cared to pick up. But the situation was desperate enough to try-

“Hey.”

Emilette nearly jumped out of her skin. “Grump- Dude!” She put a paw on her chest, glaring at the source of that trembling voice she recognized well, “You gotta stop doing that.”

Frankley scratched their chin with an apologetic smile, “Sorry. It’s just...” They looked away for a moment, looking for the right words, “Do you... really have somewhere to stay?”

She blinked at them. “Yes- No- I mean-” she clicked her teeth together. “I’ll figure it out.”

Frankley frowned, letting a few moments pass. After realizing Emilette wasn’t going to say anything else, they spoke again. “Why did you tell Wiggle no if you have nowhere to go?”

Emilette huffed, then stopped herself. Instead, she took a deep breath. She had to control her temper, wasn’t that part of the issue? “I… don’t know. I don’t want to be a bother, I guess.”

“But she… offered. And she didn't seem to mind.”

"Please," she rolled her eyes, "she didn't mind because she was already inviting the others in. She had to invite me out of courtesy, too. Or pity, at least."

Frankley looked down the road where the car had gone, pondering, "She and Beffica... really seemed concerned for you-"

“Shit- Listen,” she gestured around her, “I’ve hurt you all enough already, okay? They don’t have to put up with me just because I’m homeless now. That's why I said no, get it now?"

Frankley opened their mouth to reply, but quickly closed it when she continued, now glaring at them. "Why are you here anyway? Why didn’t you take her offer either?”

This time, however, Frankley didn’t miss a beat to reply, “I have a place to rent.”

Emilette's glare dropped, instead now simply replaced by disbelief, “...You do?”

They shrugged, “I always had it just in case, as a backup if I ever had to leave the island. I mentioned it earlier, remember?”

“Oh- Right. Sure, yeah, I remember.” The small grumpus mumbled. She vaguely recalled the conversations from earlier, but could only remember the details of a few in her groggy state. She had no idea Frankley had even spoken at the time, so it came as news for her. From seeing them desperately clinging onto that snak back at the island or following every single word anyone said, they had always seemed the more impulsive kind in her mind, so them having a plan in case of something unexpected was… surprising. Then again, she had never truly bothered to get to know them before.

They noted how she had once again fallen silent. Her eye bags were understandably heavier than usual, but they couldn't help but feel the deepness in which they truly went. It wasn't just the trip that had her this exhausted.

"What if…" Frankley mulled over their words, "What if you stay at my place for a few days?"

"What?!" Emilette snapped out of her thoughts almost immediately.

"I-I mean- just for a bit, until you can get back up on your feet!" They waved their paws, taking a step back at her outburst.

"No- No, no, no, no." She pointed at them. "You of all grumpuses don't get to be nice to me after all the shit I put you through. No."

"But you apologized to me..." Frankley replied.

"That- That still doesn't make it okay! Dude! I just-" she gritted her teeth, "That was exactly my point! You can't just act like nothing happened after what I did! You think I would've been able to say that if I hadn't been drunk?! Don't pretend you like me because I said sorry once. I'm garbage, you can't just let that go for one weakass apology."

"I-" Frankley gulped, "I never said I liked you." they replied.

That was enough to shut her right back up. She stared at them. After everything they'd told her back at the island, she expected as much, but hearing them say that outloud still made something awful stir inside. 

"But just because I don't like you doesn't mean I'll leave you to die out there." The yellow grumpus continued. While their voice still trembled, they looked at her with conviction.

Emilette looked away from them, grumbling under her breath. 

"I-It's my choice, okay?" Frankley continued once again. "I know how it is to have almost nothing, and I don't want someone I know going through it too. A-and you already rejected your only other option, so…"

Curse them and their kindness. Curse her prickling eyes, threatening to blur her gaze. "Ugh, I should've taken it."

Frankley scratched their chin, "...Yeah."

She didn't look at them again, instead nodding with a small hum, but that was enough response for them. They gave her a small smile. "It's this way," they began walking down the street.

Emilette looked at them for a moment, moving further away with each light step. They were still too naive. Too sweet. Too trusting. Too nice. They were an idiot to offer her a chance when she hadn't done anything to deserve it. But the first signs of a headache were forming due to her exhaustion, and the weight of her own sleepy body was threatening to throw her against the floor at any moment… she wasn't in condition to say no again.

She caught up with them, her gaze refusing to leave the ground. She rubbed her arm, noticing its shape was almost back to normal under her clothing. After a few moments walking side by side in complete silence, she mumbled in the lowest voice she could muster, "Thank you."

Frankley looked down at her, tilting their head. "What was that?"

"Fuck you." Emilette corrected herself out loud, not bothering to look up.

The tall grumpus frowned, disappointed, but stayed silent. The next few days with her around were definitely going to be a challenge.