August 4th, 1895 - Pennyworth

The last few days had been such a flurry of unfortunate activity, that Daff felt like the spinning would never stop. The whole thing was so utterly heartbreaking. Daff had always held out hope that Zinnia and Rhys would work things out and find some joy in their marriage. Now it was all a wreck of heartache and uncertainty. She and her sisters had obviously attended to Zinnia first, making sure she and Emery were taken care of in the wake of her brother-in-law's untimely death. There were a lot of things to figure out, that she was sure her mother would wind up handling and so Daff had to take into consideration someone else who was largely impacted by the loss.

There really wasn't much she could actively do for him, but she wanted to at least check in. Daff was just thankful, selfishly and privately, that it hadn't been Jack. He'd been a part of her life longer than he hadn't at this point. Of course she had a certain fondness for her brother-in-law, largely for how well he treated Zinnia in the wake of their debacle, and for how good of a father he'd been, but life without Jack seemed impossible, insurmountable.

She worried about him though, and so she had bundled up some dinner, some treats and of course some flowers to take down to his house. She'd left Willow in Elias' very capable hands (she rather thought he had adapted much better and much quicker than she had) and assured him she would be quick. The last thing Daff wanted to be was a pest, but even with all of her own life changes over the last year, she didn't think her open invitation to his home had changed.

The walk to Pennyworth was quiet and Daff hurried along, not for feeling unsafe, but she just wanted to get there, now that she'd ventured out. She would likely floo home, but hated to do so with the basket of goodies in hand. Fortunately it didn't take her too long, and it was still light out, so she felt comfortable. Taking the last turn, she climbed the steps confidently (though she was half looking out for Miss Sandow) and rapped her knuckles on the door loudly.

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Jack Dorset

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   Jack Dorset

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'He'd be out of luck if I wasn't here,' Jack thought to himself tiredly, pulling a suspender over one shoulder.  A shirt that was fresh but poorly tucked and a face still damp from a recent shave completed the picture.  As far as he knew he was the only one home and it didn't sound like an Ivy knock.  That left his new-ish roommate who was odd enough it was easy to imagine him losing his keys.  He shuffled to the door, in no real hurry, but didn’t find the face he expected when he pulled it open.

"Daffy - " There was both relief and questioning in his voice.  She was always a welcome sight but his thoughts immediately jumped to her sister and her loss, to the Potts family as a whole, and what they might need. "Everything alright?" he asked, for once not noticing what was likely a food-involved care package.

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Daff smiled softly as Jack opened the door, haphazard in appearance, but expectedly so. "Funny you ask, because I came to check in on you." She stepped across the threshold without being invited, leading with the basket to prove her point.

Rhys' death echoed throughout several spheres of her life and Daff hadn't realized just how integral he'd been in their extended family. Even knowing the circumstances between Zinnia's marriage, Daff maintained that Rhys had done his best to do right by her sister and then Emery. She was sure Zin missed him on some level, even if she couldn't quite verbalize as much.

But Jack had also worked for Rhys for several years too, long before he'd become her brother-in-law. "Everything is a little jarring, I wanted to make sure you're doing alright." She said as she turned back toward him after taking in the state of his little townhome, wondering what she could clean for him while she was there.

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   Jack Dorset

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He huffed a laugh as she stepped in, barely waiting for him to swivel out of her way, and lifted the basket from her arm as she went by. "I was just about to go back - " he pause mid-sentence watching her eyes rove around the flat. "Whatever you're scheming - don't."  Food was basically a given at this point but he knew that look in her eyes.

"I'm alright..." he allowed, carrying the basket towards the kitchen. "Its just - I should be there, you know?"  Their constabulary was a small outfit; With the captain gone it felt like trying to eat at a table with one of the legs missing.  He'd only been off shift for a few hours and already he was thinking about going back in to help hold up that corner.

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Daff eyed him, eyes narrowed. She could understand the want to go back, to be useful, but he couldn't wear himself out. "You can't do it all," she assured him quietly, gently. "Have you eaten? At least have something from the basket. Ma sent your favorites." He would need some sleep at some point. Daff wanted to be supportive, but also make sure he was taking care of himself.

"And I could go for a snack." There, that might help. She batted her eyelashes at him playfully, but hoped he would concede just long enough to let her get an idea of how he was and how often she would need to follow up.

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He shrugged. He couldn't do all of it... but he could do some of it. His apartment was empty and quiet, all while the constabulary was busy and chaotic. He should be there.

His stomach rumbled the moment she asked, like it had to be reminded it was empty. He chuckled softly, placing a hand over it. "I haven't." He shook his head and shot her a knowing look as he began to unpack the basket; She was getting her way as she usually did. "Give her my thanks?" it was a formality that wasn't strictly necessary after all these years but that was just it - Mrs. Potts still spoiled him after all these years.

"I've a flatmate again - I don't think he's in now but just so you aren't surprised if he walks in."

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"Humor me." She insisted, making her way into the kitchen. There was a plethora of things in the basket that could be quick and then she'd let him go, at least feeling satisfied he was fed. She thought it was good Jack had someone around again. Not that she expected two grown men to be checking in on one another often, but it would be good that somebody was around, at the very least.

Motioning for him to give her back the basket, she started to unload the quick things— some cold sandwiches and cheese, a little container of apples dusted with cinnamon and sugar leftover from the apple tartes at the bottom. Something quick so he could entertain her worries and then head back to the office where he would at least probably feel useful. Daff took out a slice of apple for herself. "Will he be shocked by my appearance?" She teased lightly, trying to lighten the mood a little, if nothing else was accomplished she could be satisfied with feeding and distracting him for a few minutes.

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