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[h1][color=turquoise]E[/color] [i]m i l y[/i][/h1]  
[img]https://i.imgur.com/UCPz7e1.png[/img]

[color=turquoise]"Don't eggnog it till ya try it."[/color]

[color=888888]— Emily[/color]
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It would be a lie to say that Emily was all sunshine and roses considering the rather aggressive start Samantha had at the beginning of the party. It also weighed on her that she could not do anything for her friend, and trying while she was ignorant would likely only cause more problems. So, Emily could definitely be in a better mood. Thankfully, Oros knew exactly what could cheer Emily up, and so the eggnog they were now drinking took the edge off. She also appreciated the hug. 

When her phone chimed, indicating she had a message, Emily read the text that read: 

[code]Lupa
“Hey kiddo! How’s the party?”[/code]

Emily's expression lit up. After how suddenly Lupa had left, Emily was glad she was well enough off that she could message her. But the flame-spec did feel a tinge of sadness at the fact she couldn't speak to the girl personally. 

[code]Emily
"It's wonderful, thanks for asking! How have you been doing?"[/code]

When the Lord of Change sent a text revealing that her own text wouldn't reach Lupa, Emily deflated. She managed to listen to the Lord of Change's explanation of the game and how she could possibly get someone to this party who normally wouldn't be able to attend. Even those who were dead. Naturally, her thoughts dwelled on her deceased sibling, whom she wanted to see more than anyone else in the world. She would give almost anything to reunite with her sister... but at the end of the day, this was a promise made by a horror that was openly looking for despair. 

Ignoring a once-in-a-lifetime chance was not an easy thing to do, but she decided it was for the best. Even if she won, it might no be her sister. There would be some catch, like The Monkey's Paw. 

That was her justification, but she still needed a distraction. Emily immediately downed a couple of cups of eggnog. She would never hold a candle to Hilaria, but that was quite a bit for Emily to drink in such a short time. [color=turquoise]"O-oh, I should be a bit more careful..."[/color] she did not want to drink too much and get sick, like usual when eggnog was involved. And it was a good thing she slowed down, too, as Oros inquired about what they should do. [color=turquoise]"Um,"[/color] Emily thought about keijo and her belly full of eggnog and no food and made the wise decision to avoid that combination. [color=turquoise]"Maybe we should stick to the harebingers?"[/color] she suggested. 

Since she was intentionally avoiding the Lord of Change's game, Emily didn't immediately see who had come to the party as a result of it. Instead, as she waited to see what the others wanted to do, she spotted Connie approaching them, and then greeting her. 

[color=turquoise]"Yes, it's me!"[/color] she confirmed with a welcoming smile. [color=turquoise]"And thank you, Connie! You're looking very pretty yourself! It's good to see you!"[/color] Elated to meet another friend, Emily's smile only widened. Despite their interactions being minimal, it somehow felt wrong to see just Connie. Curious, Emily tried to spot her other half, only to instead spot someone else instead. [color=turquoise]"Um, please excuse me!"[/color] she asked of the group, hurrying off towards the girl who left the first portal created by the Lord of Change. 

[color=turquoise]"Tetrad? Tetrad!"[/color] Emily didn't seem interested in the other girls. [color=turquoise]"Hey, is it actually you?"[/color] If she wasn't stopped, Tetrad would find herself being hugged by the fire spec, as if she had completely forgotten the skepticism she had displayed for the Lord of Change's powers earlier.