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*Dionisia Fisk* · January 31, 2021 – 5:04 AM

January 23rd, 1890 — Ari & Dionisia's Bartonburg Home

Anyone who knew Dionisia knew that she did not like to cry. It was one of the many weaknesses that was attributed to her femininity, and she hated it. Usually she would stiffen up until the tears finally stopped threatening to escape her eyes, but today she was alone in the comfort of her home, Elliott out cold on the couch across from her, and it was the first opportunity in days that allowed her to process her emotions.

Reuben Crouch knew he had a son now. He knew it was her, even if he didn't know her name. He wanted to know Elliott—Dionisia glanced up from the letter with glassy eyes to watch as her son snored—even though he'd never be able to claim him. Dionisia couldn't deprive him, not after being the one to contact him to begin with.

But Ari didn't know.

Logically Dionisia knew she didn't have to tell him. Following their last major emotional exchange he'd professed that he would file for divorce if it would bring her any semblance of happiness, and that he didn't mind if she had her own life outside of their marriage. Only this wasn't about her. She wasn't bringing Reuben Crouch to her bed, she wasn't writing love letters, none of that.

No, she'd only granted Reuben Crouch access to the little blond-haired boy she knew Ari loved more than anyone. In exchange for taking a pregnant Dionisia as a wife, Ari had been gifted a son—and gifts were not meant to be taken back. It was the root of the whirlwind of guilt and betrayal that hadn't let her rest peacefully for days. She was a terrible wife.

Dionisia leaned forward, buried her face in her palms, and let out a muffled sob.

@"Zelda Fisk"

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Zelda Darrow · January 31, 2021 – 5:18 AM

Zelda's routines were predictable, now: work, home, work, home, work, home, and the occasional event to drag her out so that she could talk to Alfred and be carefully observed by one of her many furious siblings. It was starting to grate. So - she had taken the opportunity to head over to Ari's, because it was hardly like Brannon could complain about that when she announced where she was going and Ari would certainly narc on her if she was lying, and maybe if he was work this would give her a solid opportunity to be alone.

She let herself in, because Zelda had long since mastered breaking into Ari and Julian's home. The natural progression brought her to the sitting room - she stepped in quietly - where Dionisia was sitting, not looking at her, and sobbing.

Zelda paused.

Her entire relationship with Dionisia felt like a significant failing: they had been close friends, Dio had married Ari, Zelda had been furious, Ari confessed, and then - Zelda had just never quite been able to bridge the gap. She didn't know how to apologize, and she had also not been fully convinced she was wrong. And she had her own problems, and Dio had her own problems, and Dio had a son.

She rushed forward, and sat on the arm of the chair Dio was in. "Are you alright?" Zelda asked - despite large amounts of trepidation, she laid one hand on Dio's shoulder.

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*Dionisia Fisk* · January 31, 2021 – 5:24 AM

A mother was meant to know when danger was lurking, which was perhaps why Dionisia so violently jerked back when she heard a voice and felt a hand. Only it wasn't danger: it was just Zelda. She took a deep, shaky breath as she tried to self-regulate, but it wasn't working very well. Tears continued to well in her eyes, partly from her sadness and partly from the sudden shock of her Zelda suddenly being in the room.

"I would say I am," she said. Another breath. "—But I don't expect you to take that as truth." It was not easy talking to Zelda, which was rarely nowadays. The two had never mended their friendship following her sudden marriage to Ari, and Dionisia did not know if it was possible.

And even if it was—this was probably not the time it was meant to happen. She had snot everywhere and no composure about her.

Zelda Darrow · January 31, 2021 – 5:27 AM

Zelda kept her hand on Dionisia's shoulder. "No, I probably wouldn't," she admitted, because they might not be friends anymore but Zelda also was not so cruel as to pretend that Dionisia was not crying. They had been close friends, for a long time - very close. And now she was standing here perched awkwardly on a chair and trying to remember how Dionisia liked to be comforted.

"We could talk about it," Zelda said, "If you want."

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*Dionisia Fisk* · January 31, 2021 – 5:35 AM

She could talk to Dionisia or—she couldn't. What she could talk about was questionable. Dionisia was Zelda's friend, but Ari was Dionisia's brother, and she knew how fiercely loyal and protective of her family Zelda could be.

"We could," she said quietly, "but I will not force you to listen simply because you feel bad. I don't want to burden you with my problems."

Zelda Darrow · February 1, 2021 – 1:13 AM

Zelda paused, tapping her fingers against the side of her leg. "I want to help," she said finally, because she did.

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*Dionisia Fisk* · February 1, 2021 – 1:22 AM

For the next twenty seconds, Dionisia remained quiet as she sought the right words. Was there any way to tell Zelda that Elliott didn't belong to Ari? Or that Ari didn't—and never would—love her? How could she explain that? And then she would have to explain Reuben Crouch's sudden presence and why she'd decided to contact him, and—well, it was so much, and Zelda didn't seem to like her that much anymore.

"How much do you know about the circumstances of Ari and I's marriage?" she asked quietly. She assumed everyone had their opinions. She and Ari had married in December of 1888, only to have a fully-developed, healthy baby boy born the next June. At this point it was easier to let people assume she and Ari had premarital relations than... well, the truth.

Zelda Darrow · February 1, 2021 – 1:29 AM

Zelda exhaled, slowly. She could claim to know nothing; or she could admit that Ari told her details and she did little to nothing about it. This was it. Do or die.

"Ari told me... A little before Elliot was born, told me that you had been in trouble," Zelda said. "And I never told you I knew. And that wasn't fair of me."

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*Dionisia Fisk* · February 1, 2021 – 1:39 AM

Dio blinked. Ari had never told her that he'd spoken to Zelda about their marriage. Obviously she assumed the engagement itself was something they discussed, because she didn't expect Zelda to sit by while her brother married one of her best friends, but Ari had sworn to keep her secrets. It seemed he hadn't—at least, not completely.

She wouldn't hold this against him, though. Not in this instance, if only because it would help segue into this conversation.

"I was in trouble," she said, nodding. "I was a victim—well, both of us were the victims—not Ari, but someone else—I mean." A pause. A sigh. She needed to go slower.

"When those letters laced with love potion were sent out back in 1888, another gentleman and I were matched. I was under a love potion, and I... woke up in bed with him." The memories were still fuzzy, but after meeting Ben Crouch in person she was able to remember some things. She felt her face heat up.

"I came to tell you when I found out I was... expecting, only you weren't here. Ari was." Zelda was smart; Dionisia assumed she could piece together what happened next.

Zelda Darrow · February 1, 2021 – 2:01 AM

Zelda, who was not typically one for listening, listened. It seemed that she and Dio had made the same mistake - but Dio had been a victim, and Zelda was a willing participant. And Dionisia had found herself pregnant, and Zelda had found herself with troll-induced internal bleeding and a question mark.

And so Ari had married her. Of course he had; that was the sort of person he was, although Zelda still didn't understand why - why he had on-the-spot decided to marry someone he didn't love, even if Dionisia needed him. That wasn't so much a question for Dio, though.

"I'm sorry," Zelda said, finally, "I'm sorry I wasn't there for you. And that I was so... angry, and stubborn. I felt like you were leaving me behind, but I never asked you about it."

*Dionisia Fisk* · February 1, 2021 – 4:50 PM

Finally, an acknowledgement. An apology, even if she wasn't sure one was owed to her.

"I should apologize," she interjected, "He's your brother, and I didn't tell you anything. I know how it may have looked." She knew how it did look, and she knew Zelda well enough to know what she must have been feeling at the time. "Unfortunately it was—complicated. It still is." More complicated than she ever imagined it would get, and worst of all, it was partly of her own doing.

Zelda Darrow · February 1, 2021 – 5:34 PM

And that was true, too, but it wasn't as if it settled anything. Neither of them could change the situation, they had both been unfair, and Zelda was still not entirely over it even if they had apologized. But Dio was crying and neither of them were really flush with friends, and Zelda swallowed before she said. "Is... well, is that why you're upset today?"

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*Dionisia Fisk* · February 1, 2021 – 5:41 PM

A silence fell between them as Dionisia tried to figure out the right thing to say. In truth, there was no right thing to say, only the direct truth or a modified version of it. She'd always valued honesty, hence why she hadn't allowed Ari to marry her without knowing the complete truth even if he'd withheld part of the truth from her, but now she'd gone and done something dishonest.

"Sort of," she said in a voice so quiet she could barely hear it herself. "I did something and I'm not sure if it was the right decision. I... I told Elliott's biological father he existed." And she didn't regret that, not in itself. Ben deserved to know he had a son, but Ari should have been involved with the conversation leading up to it. Now if he found out, he might make assumptions—he might hate her.

Zelda Darrow · February 1, 2021 – 5:51 PM

"Oh," Zelda said, because she did not know what else to say. A beat passed. "I don't know if there... is a right decision in that situation." Either Dio could tell Elliott's real father, who had not actually done anything wrong; or she could never tell him, which was also probably wrong. And, presumably, she had not told Ari, who was a very devoted father to Elliott even if Elliott wasn't his.

To sum it up: yikes.

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*Dionisia Fisk* · February 1, 2021 – 6:08 PM

This was not helpful. Zelda had always seemed the practical type, but that was years ago and when their biggest problems were finishing schoolwork and career planning. Now they had real problems that affected them beyond a simple grade.

"I met him. Elliott met him, too—completely my chance. I didn't realize who he was until I saw the similarities in their features. You know me, Zelda, I-I... I felt as if I had a responsibility to let him know," she continued, "but he's a married man now, and I'm a married woman. I'm afraid I've complicated everything." It sounded terrible, and might sound better if she were able to explain the circumstances of their marriage, but one could not just out her husband to his sister. That would be uncool of her.

Zelda Darrow · February 1, 2021 – 7:13 PM

"Oh," Zelda said again. This was a very adult problem, and one that felt a little over her head - she didn't have children or a marriage or an ex-lover to worry about, particularly. But she remembered distinctly the conviction that if she did not marry Alfred, she was not going to marry anyone, because she would have to tell them that she was not a virgin.

"Well, it's not as if you're going to... you know," she said, because she didn't want to allude to sex out loud. "But you should maybe tell Ari."

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