Noemi is a godsend.

It is with her help that Emerynne slowly packs up her belongings and, one fine Sunday, occupies her new apartment in Haus Franziska. She didn't want to bother Matthias about this since he's already keeping an eye on The Heartsease Effect orders and has his own plant business to take care of. Where Noemi believes Annika and Erika are supportive of Emerynne's independence, Emerynne has simply left them a note reading:

I've moved out.

Emerynne doesn't put her address on it, since she is fairly certain her new neighbors will help the news spread to Esoteric Herbals. And in a town as tiny as Hallstatt, that won't take even a day.

Noemi helps her unpack as well, arranging her clothes in the wall-wardrobe, her toiletries in the bathroom cabinet, her laptop, sketchbook and other art materials in the small office table by the window. Josefine brings them lemonade and sliced fruits, which they eat sitting on the balcony floor and making lists of necessities and requirements.

"A gas connection," says Noemi. "I think you need to submit photocopies of your National ID and the rent agreement at the Municipal Office for it."

Emerynne makes a face. "Hmm, no. I'm sure I'll be fine with an electric stove and a cooker. See, that saves me the hassle of government paperwork stuff and dealing with another monthly bill on top of the rent."

"Alright, but can you afford the appliances?"

"Yeah. I got my AFCC event bonus on Friday."

"We also need to get curtains, bedsheets, pillow covers, and maybe one quilt, one shawl, and a couple comforters..."

"I've got a set," Emerynne says, jotting them in the list, "though, I do need a fresh set for replacement on cleaning days."

Staring out at the lake, eyes squinted against the sunlight, Noemi drinks her lemonade. She studies the remaining liquid in her tumbler. "Oh yeah, pots and pans—electric stove specific—and plates, spoons, glasses... all that."

Nodding, Emerynne writes those down too. "What else?" she asks, picking up her bowl of fruit to finish. "Cleaning supplies!"

"Ah, floor cleaners, surface cleaners, mops and wipers, dishwashing soap and sponge..." suggests Noemi as Emerynne makes a fresh list for those. "Bleach, toilet cleaners, the drain cleaning powder thing..."

"Some air fresheners and naphthalene balls," Emerynne adds. "I suppose that should do it."

The girls gather the utensils on the tray and return them to Josefine on their way out. Nearly two hours are spent in shopping, in ensuring the products are markedly cruelty-free, in choosing colors and patterns of furnishing that fit Emerynne's aesthetic. They somehow make it home carrying all the supplies. Noemi sets the bed and puts up the curtains while Emerynne heats an assortment of take-aways for dinner. Then, she uncorks a bottle of cheap wine and they have a homey little housewarming party.

It is 10:30PM when the two resort to their own things; Noemi sprawls out with her college assignment on the bed, whereas Emerynne sits at the office desk, painting. The first call from home vibrates Emerynne's phone; the Kaufmann sisters have found her note. She sees it's Annika and ignores it, returning to the art she's working on. When it stops ringing, she sends two texts.

|Text sent 10:42pm. To: Mama|

Apt 4, Haus Franziska, 37 Gosamuhl

You can visit but please don't ask me to come back

She watches the 'typing...' bubble hover at the bottom corner of her screen.

"Is that Matthias?" Simpering, Noemi waggles her eyebrows suggestively.

Emerynne rolls her eyes. "It's mama. Just asking how I'm liking it so far."

"Oh, okay," Noemi says, however, Emerynne is worried by her expression. And with good reason, because the redhead drops her voice to a coy register, questioning, "do you guys ever sext or something?"

Emerynne chucks an eraser at her. "Do your fucking homework!"

❧

After almost three weeks of planning and canceling, Noemi and Emerynne have now finalized a Wednesday for the outing. With a heavy brunch packed in three wicker baskets – courtesy of Anne Unger and Amelie Lagerlof – Emerynne, Noemi, and Matthias drive down to the Hallstatt Market Boat Station to receive Fynn. Thereon, Noemi and Fynn decide to sit in the loading deck on the journey to the trekking trial.

Matthias and Fynn gel sooner and better than Emerynne imagined. They're highly conversant, deep-diving into discussions regarding art and dance, gardening and cooking, with either Noemi or Emerynne mediating. The group hikes on to the meadowgrass carpeted hill, choosing the same spot by the edge and spreading their ginghams.

They chat, unwinding in the slow, summer day, enjoying each other's company. Noemi points out the important places below, giving her boyfriend an eagle-view tour of Hallstatt. Seeing her so happy and fulfilled makes Emerynne glad that Fynn and Noemi found one another. Once they clean up the meals, beers and crisps go around. Matthias sets up his miniature easel and atelier to paint, Emerynne lounges beside him to watch. Fynn reclines on the blanket, Noemi sits tucked into his side as they talk.

"Oh, Emery," Fynn says, "I've got some good news." Emerynne cants her head at him, prompting him to continue. "There's this guy from AFCC—some upper officer in the Federal Ministry of Arts and Culture. He has a high culture club—fuck, I can't remember its name—where rich folk have gallery shows for classical art, visit operas, watch classic theatrical plays, and critique them snootily over caviar and champagne..."

Eyebrows meeting in a frown, Emerynne uncertainly voices, "that... that doesn't sound very good."

"I haven't gotten to the good part," informs Fynn. "Here it is. The club has signed a five-year contract with Flow State. Meaning we are guaranteed the stage at any event they hold. Sure, they'll be critical and haughty, but we'll be getting some handsome bonuses!"

"Oh... oh, that's neat." Emerynne's frown smoothens as she thinks about it. "And surely the bourgeoisie will be talking to others in their circles and word of Flow State will travel... meaning, quite possibly more shows, more bookings!"

Excited at the drift, Fynn nods, grinning widely. "Exactly!"

"Awesome."

"Since it's high culture, they'll only want ballet. So, we've gotta rework our schedules and get more hours for ballet, reduce the hours for other dances..."

"Yeah, we'll do it," says Emerynne. "Talk to the directors tomorrow."

Matthias touches Emerynne's arm, signing: congratulations.

"Yes, congratulations. That sounds great." Raising her beer, Noemi appends, "we should drink to that."

Cheers ripple around the four friends, eventually quieting back to relaxed chatting. As the time drifts by, Matthias's painting of Fynn and Noemi gains shape; Fynn's ebony skin glows a sublime bronze in the late afternoon sun, Noemi's tresses are a fire caught in the alpine wind. Emerynne is in awe of the way he captures the lights and shadows, builds the values. When Matthias has finished working on the subjects, Fynn moves over to see, projecting the same admiration that Emerynne has for the painting. "Woah, that's insane!" he exclaims, jaw unhinging. In slow words, he goes on, "that is the coolest thing I've ever seen. Seriously."

Matthias gestures a response which Emerynne translates, "he says he's happy you like it. And he thanks you for being his subject. You too, Noemi."

Noemi glances up from her phone. "Aw, you're welcome, Matt. I was literally just chilling but I'm glad to be of use."

Painting the grass below and the sky above takes thirty minutes more, and then, the piece is complete. Fynn calls Noemi; the couple gush at Matthias's work. He himself looks so pleased and proud, his felicity washing over Emerynne in divine, warming combers. She brushes his fringes aside, pressing an appreciative kiss to his temple.

"Matt, please, can I have it?" questions Noemi, palms joined in entreaty. "I'll pay you!"

"We'll share the cost," Fynn supplements.

When it dries, I will layer a fixative, pack it, and give it to you, Matthias tells Noemi. Don't need to pay. My gift to you.

"Oh my gosh!" Launching herself at Matthias, Noemi squeezes him in a hug. His startled expression makes Emerynne giggle. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" chants Noemi, pulling away.

By sundown, the four have packed up and begun the trek towards the bottom of the hill. At the Viewing Deck parking lot, Noemi expresses that she wants to show Fynn around Hallstatt before the last ferry to Obertraun departs. Hence, Emerynne and Matthias wish them goodbye, heading to the Franke house to pack this week's orders of The Heartsease Effect for shipment.

They have amassed a total of twelve orders; news of it prompts Emerynne to do a little victory dance. Matthias pulls her into a short, sweet canoodle. Together, they begin packaging, passing boxes, envelopes, glassine bags, receipts, and postal addresses between each other, catching on a rhythm. An hour later, Amelie lets herself in, bringing spiced apricot tea and Emerynne's favorite blueberry lemon cake.

After they've eaten, Amelie turns to Emerynne. "Could you help me with the dishes?"

Nodding, Emerynne collects the plates and forks, following Amelie into the kitchen. Quickly taking the utensils from her, Amelie puts them in the sink under running water. She then peeks out at the dining room, most surreptitiously. Curiosity peaked, Emerynne queries, "is everything alright?"

"Yes, yes. Everything's fine!" splutters Amelie. Her voice a near whisper, she says, "his birthday is on the twenty-fifth, but we're celebrating this Saturday at our house. Can you make it?"

"Of course, I can!" Emerynne cries, "I wouldn't miss it for the world!"

"Shh! Shh," Amelie urges, casting a furtive glance at the dining room once more. "We start at eight in the evening, although would you mind coming at six? To help prepare?"

"I'll be there," Emerynne promises, starting on washing the dishes.

"Thank you."

"Don't mention it," says Emerynne, smiling. While her hands rinse the teapot, her mind is already ruminating about what she should get for the boy she'd give her heart to.

a/n: another little filler chapter so that fynn adebayo and matthias franke can be friends. but this story is close to completion. (: