InsaneJournal

It had taken most of Friday and part of Saturday to figure out just what had happened to Dulci. That was the problem with a separate society. It was hard to notify next of kin if you were killed in the other world. Thursday. Dulci had been killed on Thursday and Bina had only found out on Saturday because she'd had some friends from the MLO who had pointed her in the right direction. The story of course made sense, but the muggle law enforcement seemed inept. "It was an unforeseeable accident," they said. And "We're sorry for your loss." As if that made it better somehow.

She had changed into all black once she'd found out, jeans and a sweater. She still couldn't believe it. Dulci had been a hit and had known how to handle herself in a duel. How had she died at the hand of a muggle? It didn't seem to make sense.

Bina drew her wand when she heard the wards allow someone to pass through and stepped into the foyer. When the elf opened the door, it took Bina a moment to realise it was Will standing there.

"You came," she said softly, as if part of her hadn't been sure that he would.

Death in the family didn't exactly narrow much down when it came to Bina, she had a large (and rather old) family so really any of them could've passed away. The question of course was who and was she close or was a lot of this going to be formalities. Either way, vulnerable moments were possible and it was only right he be there. Luckily he'd finished up showing the recently acquired Rosier Manor to his sisters that morning, and they'd gone to lunch after. By the time she'd warded he was already about to go and leave his sisters the rest of the afternoon and evening to themselves. So after goodbyes it had taken him little time to get home and change before going to see Bina.

Will glanced up as the doors opened, giving her a small soft smile. "Of course, you asked." He stepped forward and into the foyer, hand reaching out for her arm. "Are you alright?"

She wasn't crying, but the look on her face made it clear something wasn't right. The hand holding her wand fell to her side as she stepped forward into Will's arms, pressing herself against him. "Dulci was killed."

Will's brow furrowed slightly at the look on her face and he didn't question the way she stepped into his embrace so instantly, just wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. But her words had him frown even more. Killed? Died, yes, the woman had a history of illness though he'd never been able to scrounge up the details of what in his research, but killed was a different issue entirely. "By who?" Remembering where they were standing, Will stopped himself from asking any more. Best to move this. "Want to go sit down somewhere? We'll get the elf to bring tea or something," he suggested softly.

Bina nodded against his chest before pulling back and leading him to a sun room in the back of the house that looked out over the gardens. She pulled him down on the sofa with her and drew her legs up under her while signalling for the elf to bring some tea. Once Will was seated, she curled up against him, pressing close for comfort.

"Thursday night." Her voice was empty. "Muggles. It was an accident, or so they say. I need more information. I need to know what happened. She used to be a hit. She should have been able to handle herself."

Will put a comforting arm around her and rested his head against hers as he listened. His mind was going a mile a minute from the start. Muggles? How had fucking muggles managed that? But more importantly...muggles had killed her mother. If there was ever anything to make someone see that muggles were filth to be avoided and ignored...it was this. And of course with it came the potential to subtly make her appreciate the importance of blood. Well apparently once in a while life liked to throw him a bone, give him a rare stroke of luck like this. Of course the big picture stuff was a long con but this could be a potentially good start.

"She should have," Will agreed with her. "They didn't give you anything more than that? What kind of accident or who might have been involved?"

"Apparently someone was getting robbed and she intervened and then the robber killed her. I'm going to go back to try and find out more but.. I needed to be here today. And tell people what happened. Or at least what we know," Bina said quietly. "I just.. Fuck, will. How does a muggle kill a hit?"

"I don't know, I really don't, but we'll find out alright?" He rubbed her shoulder and looked down at her. "Once you have a handle of the family stuff we'll go figure it out." The we was deliberate, to have her feel that he was on her side and had her back, that if she was going after muggles then he'd be there. As much as he would rather not be near them, some things trumped that.

Bina nodded, wrapping her arms around him and ignoring the tea that arrived. "How was your day with the girls. I didn't pull you away, did I? I'm sorry.."

"You don't need to apologize," Will reassured her. "I was about to leave anyway, give them some Will-free time with each other or their friends. I monopolized them enough for most of the day." Will didn't let go of her, but did lean forward to take a cup of tea and hold it by the saucer on his knee, just to have it in easy reach for her if she decided to go for the tea after all. "What did you do today, and yesterday?" Because it was better to ask concrete things like that to start, better than 'are you okay?'.

"She didn't show up for lunch yesterday," Bina explained. "I was supposed to leave for the Azores after we had lunch. And I went down to her office and they said she hadn't come in. I checked with grandfather and he said she hadn't come home Thursday. I checked in with Mungo's, they didn't have her.. and I've been going from place to place to try and figure out where she was until I found out today." Her method of finding out might not have been the most ethical, but that didn't matter. "Got back not too long ago and told Grandfather and we're telling the family. And then I warded you.."

"So they're still finding out," Will nodded, as if it was the most natural thing that she'd warded him so early even if in reality he was mildly surprised by it. He lifted the cup off his knee slightly, a silent suggestion of tea though he wasn't going to push it. "And now that you've had a chance to sit down...how are you?"

Bina saw the cup of tea out of the corner of her eye and wondered if the elves had laced it with anything. But she obediently took it and took a sip, before putting it back on the saucer.

"I don't know.." Bina admitted. "This is the first Doge death in quite some time, and it's.... Unexpected." Shock would be the best word for it probably, as she curled her fingers in Will's shirt. "Is it weird.. For you to be here?"

Satisfied that she at least took a sip, Will nodded along as he listened, even if part of his mind was on the implications of this whole situation. He didn't want to say it wasn't just a Doge death, it was her mother, which meant it was entirely different. "Not at all. I came for you, the rest doesn't really matter." he said softly, thinking it an odd question but answering anyway as he put the tea back on the table so she could curl up more or rest on his lap. "When did you last see her?"

Bina took advantage of situation, turning into William more and sliding a hand under his shirt, needing to touch living flesh, to someone reassure her that he was okay. Because if he was okay, they'd be okay. And then she'd be okay. Despite the fact that her half her world had come crashing down on her in the last 24 hours.

"I…" She couldn't quite remember. Last weekend she'd been in Egypt with Michael and then spent Sunday with Will. "I think we passed each other in the halls this week or last, but I think it was a week or two ago that we last had tea or lunch. I.. I can't remember."

Hand no longer occupied by the tea, Will wrapped his free one around her too and pulled her into him. "It's okay," Will said gently as he stroked her hair and leaned down to kiss the top of her head. "I'm sorry this happened, darling, I really am. If you need anything from me..."

"You." It came out in a soft whisper, have muffled by his shirt. "I just.. I know I need to start with the planning and the will and the funeral arrangements, but I just want to find out what happened. I can't think about a damned funeral when those idiot law enforcement folks are treating me like I'm a bloody civilian. I think they know more than they're telling me."

"You have me," Will whispered back. But it was a good thing she wanted to focus on the muggle law enforcement, direct her anger there, that's where he wanted it to be after all. Law enforcement stonewalling you in the wizarding world was rage inducing enough but he imagined it'd be worse if anything with the muggle equivalent given that these people were beneath them. "Get your aunts to deal with that part, I'll talk to them about it for you," he offered, voice still gentle and reassuring. "I'm sure they'll understand and it'll free you up. You shouldn't have to do all this yourself anyway, Bina. We'll free you up to focus on finding out what happened okay?"

"Stay with me here tonight?" Bina asked quietly. She hated asking for that, hated being vulnerable, hated being this… broken. She wanted to go upstairs, to have Will hold her and reassure her, to cry behind closed doors and fuck away her problems. But it was never that simple. Though this was her grandfather's house, her mother had made this her home and now.. well, that made it somewhat hers. And she should be receiving guests and whatever else fell to the child of the deceased.

"Perseus has already offered to help," Bina explained softly. "Maybe tonight. After dinner? We might have more luck in the evening.."

"Of course." The details of arranging that could be put aside for later, the important part was being there for her while she was vulnerable. How present you were and how you acted in these times determined and set up a lot for the future, and Will knew this was critical. "After dinner, I'll talk to them on my own and get them to take some of it off your shoulders." Will stopped there to pull away a bit and tilt her chin up towards him before giving her a long tender kiss. "We'll go from there, one step at a time alright? It's going to be okay Bina. I'll make sure of it."

She wanted to believe him. She returned the kiss, feeling her cheeks get wet as a few rogue tears escaped her eyes. "What? Oh.. no.. I meant the muggles.. we can talk to them in the evening.."

Will paused and gave her a searching look, wondering where she wanted to go with this and if he could nudge her in the right direction. "We can...we'll say you need to get out a bit, some air and distance from here for a short bit. Where do you want to start?"

Bina didn't think they would need much of an excuse. It'd be easy enough to slip off after dinner with the family and it seemed it would be a full table for dinner tonight.
"The.. police station.. law enforcement knows more than they're saying. Hopefully there will be less security at night. And we can get someone to talk or at least see the files."

Will always figured it was good to have one in case, after all she was the daughter of the deceased and quite a bit of the concern and focus would be on her. "I don't know how they secure their places..." Because he never took muggle studies, why would he. "But I'm sure there are ways around that if we're willing." Especially for an auror and if she was going to be...less than scrupulous with the rules.

Bina gave him a look that Will probably hadn't seen before. The look that meant she would get her answers no matter what it cost and pity the person who got in her way. It was the same look she got when she was training her unforgivables. "It doesn't matter how they secure it. I'll get what I want. No matter what. There's ways around everything, Will." She gave him a feral smirk. "Besides, I might as well put my husband's oblivation skills to good use."

It took a lot to keep his expression down to a smirk and not a slow shark-like grin at those words. He'd never seen her like this, but it was exactly what he wanted, that level of ruthless determination and disregard for others in favour of her own goals. Especially since it meant she was bending the rules and not being so concerned with the wellbeing of muggles like too many were prone to.

"Sounds like a plan. We find out what happened, and nothing gets in our way, Bina," Will smirked back and kissed her harder. It wasn't exactly the sort of goal he wanted them both working towards like this, but it was an excellent start.

Bina kissed him back hard, her hand sliding further under his shirt. "William…"

She pulled back, resting her forehead against his shoulder as she caught her breath. "Perhaps we should move this upstairs. There's time before dinner and I ought to send Zinny to fetch a change of clothes for dinner.."

Dinner at Batheaston wasn't always formal - her mother and grandfather having gotten used to her ways, but today was different. There were already a handful of aunts and uncles at dinner and she knew the elves would probably turn it into a slightly bigger affair. And Bina wasn't about to show up to a family dinner in slacks and a jumper. She probably needed Zinny to get a variety of demure black dresses. And fetch the pearls. She considered borrowing Dulci's pearls, but she couldn't bring herself to do it.

Will's smirk faded into something softer as he held her against him. "We'll be down before they arrive, and your grandfather should probably know I'm here." It was his house, only right he go greet the man eventually, before the other guests came. "Come on, you need a break before you have to deal with family," he smiled and took her hands in his.

Bina raised an eyebrow at him as she squeezed his hands. "Are you propositioning me, Mister Rosier?" she asked, grateful for the distraction.

"Would I be so inappropriate as to do that in your grandfather's house, Miss Bulstrode?" Will stood up and pulled her to her feet.

She got to her feet and wrapped her arms around him, pressing against him tightly for a moment before pulling back and sliding her hand through his. "You would," she said, managing a small smile for the first time that day. "Besides, you can help me scrub my back."

Bina led the way upstairs, telling Zinny that she wasn't to be disturbed unless it was urgent. She was going to lie down for awhile but would be back before dinner. She asked the elf to fetch her all the appropriate mourning clothes that she had.

Once upstairs, her hand squeezed Will's tighter, as the passed the door to her mother's suites before reaching her room in the manor. Her mother had moved here after the divorce, but Bina hadn't spent much time here at all since Hogwarts. Nervously, she pushed open the door.

The elves had tidied up the room since the morning, and the fading sunlight still filtered through the windows. The walls were covered in a soft green and gold damask wallpaper, portraits of Bina from her childhood adorning the walls along with occasional pictures of the grounds surrounding Batheaston. The room looked like what a proper young lady should have - tasteful and elegant. The bookshelves around the fireplace were a mix of childhood toys - a few dolls, a toy broom, some storybooks, some of Bina's schoolbooks from Hogwarts, and some of the stranger books she'd bought during summer holidays. Her combat boots seemed out of place next to the window seat.

Bina bit her lip. "I feel like I should blindfold you while you're here.."

The smile, no matter how small, was a good sign and Will let himself be led up, taking note of the layout and decor of the manor as they went. He hadn't been up here before, having only visited the manor a couple of times, for family occasions and once to interview her mother. How long ago that seemed now.

At the door to her room Will couldn't help but glance around. It was...interesting. A different side to her and no doubt one she both didn't show people and tried to push down, a glimpse into her life before being an auror. Will gave her hand a reassuring squeeze and brought it up to kiss the back of. "No no, it's nice, I like it. You yet not you." Which made him think of what in his old room he'd change if she ever saw it. "That and a blindfold would be hard to explain away," he teased gently. "Are you going to give me a tour?"

Bina closed and locked the door with a flick of her wand. "It's not like I'd make you wear the blindfold to dinner," she said with a sheepish shrug. "Bathroom's through there," Bina explained pointing through a doorway. "Closets through there," she said. "And this is where I slept half the time when I wasn't allowed to stay at Hogwarts."

Will gave her hand a final squeeze before he let go to slowly walk about the room, stopping at the bookshelf to survey the titles and look at the odd photograph there. "You don't stay here much do you?" Apparently she hadn't even wanted to during her school years, if 'wasn't allowed' was anything to go by.

"A few days here and there," Bina admitted, grateful the room at least wasn't pink and decorated like a miniature castle. She bit her lip and took Will's hand, dragging him towards the bathroom, which was more neutral. Sitting down on the edge of the of the tub, she pulled Will towards her, wrapping her arms around him and burying her face in his shirt.

Will kissed her hair and gently stroked it as she buried her face in his shirt. Comforting was rather straightforward, he'd always thought, it was about being a comforting physical presence more than anything. Eventually he let go and slowly got to his knees in front of her so their heights weren't so different while she sat on the edge of the tub. He gave her a tender kiss and pulled her into a tight hug. "It's going to be okay, Bina," he whispered.

"I don't want to talk about it," she whispered back, holding him tightly. "I'll drive myself insane." She wasn't sure what she'd do without him. No, she did. She would be crying and destroying things. Or fucking some nameless stranger in a club. "Just.. tell me anything. Anything not related to this.. What did you have for lunch today?"

Will nodded, understanding the need not to talk about things. What had he had for lunch? The morning had been at the manor with his sisters, bottle of champagne to celebrate, after he'd sprung for lunch at a nice place then gone back with them to Hogsmeade for a bit. "Steak, marinated, mustard sauce and seasoned vegetables with new potatoes. Rather classic. And part of what my sisters had, they're not big eaters though they tried some of mine at least." Talking about everyday things he could do, it wasn't difficult. If that's what she wanted, he could deliver just fine.

"Sounds tasty," Bina said, realising she hadn't eaten today, but dinner would be in few hours, and she'd eat then. She slid off the edge off the tub and into Will's lap, sliding her hands under his shirt. "Keep talking, Will. About anything. Please."

He hadn't expected a lapful of Bina and had to sit back, now on the bathroom floor with her on him as she untucked his shirt to slide her hands under. "Alright. Well Madam Puddifoot's is trying out some new cakes, all of them a bit too sweet looking to be honest but new stuff brings interested people in. We didn't stop in, just looked in to see what the extra interest was about. It's a good thing, I'd probably have to finish the cakes if we ordered any and they seemed a bit much." The topics were light enough, and a bit nonsensical in his opinion, but his tone was soft and quiet, trying to be both distracting and reassuring.

"Not much of a sweet tooth, eh?" she asked, resting her head on his shoulder and staring off into space. It seemed so unreal, even though she'd seen the body, identified it, so pale and lifeless. It didn't make sense. Her fingers traced idle patterns on Will's skin as she shivered slightly. She needed to keep it together, needed to play the perfect grieving daughter. Children were supposed to lose their parents, that was natural. She was a grown woman of thirty. She shouldn't be wanting to cry like a toddler in Will's arms.

"Afraid not, yet they never finish the slice of cake and I end up having it pawned off to me." It was a little odd, pretending to have this silly conversation about cake, yet if it helped, it helped. He knew he wouldn't want to break down either in her situation. Will didn't care that Dulcinea Doge was dead, though he did think it almost insulting that it was muggles who killed a witch, but that didn't mean he couldn't understand Bina's response.

"Trying to fatten you up," Bina teased, squeezing Will. She didn't think it would work, since he had always been fit since she'd known him. She took a deep breath, trying to keep herself grounded. "Promise me. Promise me we'll find out what really happened and bring the bastard to justice. No matter what or who it is." Justice that might come at the end of Bina's wand. It was highly likely it was muggles, but in case it was wizards who made it look like muggles, Bina needed him by her side and not trying to play her. "If you can't promise me that, then you might as well leave."

Ah, revenge. A good motive, easy to use too. He'd cautioned Imogen about it, revenge could drive you to make decisions that were dangerous and dug you into a hole. As much as he hated the DMLE success was a better revenge than focusing his efforts on trying to see them all burn. It would be nice to see but at the end of the day there was no benefit. With Bina though...he wanted her to pursue revenge, those dangerous decisions were the type he wanted her to make, and as far as he knew none of the Death Eaters were behind this. What did he care about other wizards? He'd feed them as fodder to the angry auror in a heartbeat. Hell, muggles he'd serve on a silver platter to her if it got her to go down this path.

"Bina, I promise alright? No matter what, no matter who. Us against the world. Let's make whoever did this our first target." His voice was sincere and his eyes serious, every indication that he meant this promise.

Bina took his face in her hands, studying it carefully. She didn't think the words were completely honest, he would always put his family above her. But unless one of his sisters or his mother had killed Dulci (highly unlikely), she was fairly certain he'd keep his word on this. "They won't approve," Bina said, referring to the majority of the Doge clan that was gathering in the manor house. "But I need this."

Will said nothing for a moment, letting her study him and make her decision before taking her hands off his cheeks and kissing them. "It doesn't matter if they don't approve. They won't know." Because he certainly had no plans to tell any of them and he doubted she did, best to keep this just them.

It mattered to her. Or to a small part of her. She had been a Doge more than a Bulstrode for most of the past ten or so years. This was a significant step. One that made complete sense in her head. She would be ruthless. It was what the situation required. It didn't matter what anyone else thought, she knew this was the right thing to do. And she was about to be made Deputy Chief Auror. She pulled her hands back from Will's and there was a cold, steely determination in her pale eyes. There would be time enough for tears when she was training alone. This was not the place. "I think you've met everyone who will be at dinner over the summer, but just nudge me if you need to know how someone fits into the family tree," she said, pragmatic and removed once more.

Part of him was a bit disappointed she'd recovered so quickly here, but Will nodded. "Just give me a name to put to a face and I'll figure the rest out." Most of the aunts he had down, it'd be the relatives he was only aware of by name that could surprise him. His previous research into the Doge side of her family had been more focused on the aunts and older generation that frequented family gatherings more, but at least he had that to fall back on. "You have enough going on without needing to give me mini biographies."

Bina nodded, almost distracted. Her mind was running scenarios already - where to start with her "investigation" tonight. What she would need to do for grandfather and for the family and how quickly she could get away. "The important one's are grandfather, whom you've met, Uncle Oberon and his family, and then great grandfather - though I don't know if he'll be here tonight."

She played with his shirttails, idly unbuttoning and rebutton the bottom buttons. "I'll need to shower and look presentable before then. I think it'll be a couple of courses and then scotch or port. Possibly some funeral planning over dinner. I'm sorry if it bores you…"

"We'll find out who's here when they show up," Will said simply. In situations like this the guest list was difficult to figure out ahead of time and that wasn't his job anyway, he'd adapt just fine. Will glanced down, watching her play with his shirttails as he idly considered getting Zinny later to bring him a freshly ironed shirt for dinner. "Don't worry about that, I'm not here to be entertained. If there's something they don't want me around for I'll excuse myself, but I'll be there as long as you need me to."

She opened her mouth, about to say how long she needed him for before closing it again and occupied herself with continuing to mangle his shirttails. "Have I said thank you yet?" she asked, looking up at him with some confusion. "I should. I appreciate it, William. I know.." you don't consider them as good as the Bulstrodes, she finished in her head. "Just… thank you."

"I should… well, notify the Ministry, and her friends. And then Gringotts. And ward the solicitor. I suppose there will be an open seat in the Wizengamot now.."

He almost wanted to ask what she was going to say there but didn't think it was important enough to pursue at the moment. The Doges weren't pure, but they were old, had money and plenty of influence around. More than enough reason to be polite and pleasant even if they weren't related to Bina. Instead, Will just smiled at her and shook his head. "You don't need to, but you're welcome," he said then leaned in to kiss her cheek.

"Hell of a way to open a seat up. We'll make a list of things to do and I'll see what I can subtly suggest and pawn off to your relatives so you're freed up." As far as he'd gleamed, the aunts had had enough disapproval of Bina, and her mother for how she raised her. Might as well let them do some of the work.

"I'd take the seat if I could, but Rufus would kill me if I threw the promotion back in his face like that. Especially when I haven't even started yet." Not to mention, the Wizengamot seemed more like settling down and Bina was most certainly not ready to do that. Well, not completely. Perhaps Rufus wouldn't kill her, but he had enough on her to sentence her to Azkaban, and given what her mother had said about him hanging Aurors out to dry in the past.. well, she'd need to keep a close eye on him. "I have to make sure the funeral doesn't interfere with work. This is why I don't take vacations… because something always happens."

That and wizengamot seats weren't really inheritable, Will thought to himself. But at least it was a good indication she was unlikely to leave her new position anytime soon, he'd been a little worried on that front. "They'll give you the time off, Auror Scrimegour especially. Didn't he work with your mother? He might want to be there." Taking her hands in his, and off his shirttails, Will gave her a small smile. "But if you're going to sentence us to no vacations ever at least do it when we're sitting somewhere more comfortable than your bathroom floor. Come on, we'll move and you'll feel better."

"Of course they well, but I'm already jumping people with many more years seniority. I'm starting on the first of October. I can't be seen as weak from the getgo." Bina snorted. "Auror Scrimgeour dated my mother. Or whatever they called it. They had a thing for awhile. But you didn't hear it from me." She let Will nudge her to her feet. "It's a very nice bathroom," she said defensively. "I've already got Monday off since we should have been naked in a very luxurious pool right now. I'll take Tuesday off to deal with stuff. Maybe we can have the funeral next weekend. I don't think I'm on call." She was talking to herself as much as to him.

"I heard nothing," he confirmed, silently glad she was taking her new position this seriously. She hadn't been happy at all about the promotion, much to his disappointment, but at least she intended on doing a good job with it. Once she was on her feet, Will took her hand and led her back to her room to find somewhere they could both sit, even if it was just curling up on the bed. "Want me to take Tuesday? I'll make it one of my personal days." Do extra shifts later, there was a chance he'd get to see some of Ms. Doge's affairs and where they stood. These things often only came out in death.

Bina squeezed his hand and led him to the windowseat. It was a large enough to sleep on and well padded with cushions and pillows. Hepheastus had designed the building with large windows offering sweeping views of the countryside. Bina sat down, empty eyes gazing off over the Doge grounds as she drew her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms around them, looking more the sixteen year old girl who had dreamt of escaping the family than the thirty year old woman who had just lost her mother.

She looked up at his words, almost confused. "You don't need to.. it's not your family…" As much as she wanted him by her side through this, there was nothing binding them yet and funeral planning wasn't exactly the most glamorous.

Will watched her sit herself in a tight ball, it was an interestingly vulnerable look to her and she looked almost child-like there. For the briefest moment he was at a loss, unsure of what the situation called for, but his part here was to be comforting and concerned and whenever he was stuck even for a bit, Will thought what would he do if one of his sisters was like this. Of course he didn't do exactly what he would with them, but it was a good starting point to go off of. So Will took off his suit jacket and shoes and sat, knees to his chest like her though his arms rested atop his knees rather than wrapping around them.

"No, it's not. But it's yours," he said simply but softly, as if that was really explanation enough. "And if you need me, I'm there for you."

She looked over at him and smiled, though there was little emotion in the action. "I appreciate it. Maybe take it as it comes? You may be sick of me by then," she teased weakly as she rested her head on her knees. She didn't know what to do. There was so much to be done, to take care of and Bina knew if she got started on that it would consume her energy. And she needed to be free to go out tonight with Will.

"That seems unlikely," he smiled and looked out the window to give her whatever silent moments she needed. Will wasn't one to just sit and appreciate scenery though so now that they had a moment he let himself run through the pros and cons of this recent development. It had largely positive potential, of that he was sure, but how it'd play out was still up in the air.

"The last funeral we had was Uncle Arion... I was twelve then and he wasn't really a Doge. But it was only a few months after Aunt Calypso.." 1980 had been a bad year for the Doges. Her parents divorce and two deaths. "It'll be interesting to see how big of an affair this is going to be. Though I imagine grandfather will do it properly and in style."

"As is deserved. I'm sure they have a general idea for funeral arrangements even if it's been some time. Most of it might not be on you," he offered, not wanting to comment on Arion Wilkes who was too close to the topic of his own family.

"And I know she updated her will when she was sick," Bina said distractly as she shifted on the window seat to move closer to Will. "I didn't speak to her for a month when she told me she'd moved back here and left my father."

"The illness was that bad?" Will asked and reached out for her once she shifted closer. "Did it take you long to become close again?"

"She always liked to be prepared, make sure every eventuality was taken care of. Just in case." It was why Dulci insisted on elaborate contracts that specified everything. She wanted to make sure every contingency was planned for. Bina moved into Will's open arms easily enough. It was familiar. "I was a child.." Bina explained. "I hated them both for quite a long time."

"Did you ever stop?" He asked gently and he pulled her towards him.

Bina settled between his legs, her back resting against his chest as she wrapped his arms around her and laced her fingers through his. "The relationship changed. Very little phased her. She took every little rebellion in stride and calmed down the aunts. Frustrating as all hell. My father, well, he was more adamant about what a young lady ought to be doing. But Eventually... We came to some sort of understanding, but nothing like what it was like at the beginning. They weren't happy for long, but there were a few years..."

It was more of an answer than he expected to be honest. Will relaxed his knees and wrapped his arms around her. "Miss it? Or has it been so long that..."

Bina let out a harsh laugh. "I don't even believe it was real anymore."

He gave a humourless smile and shook his head. "Only pictures to prove it ever happened hm?"

"It's easy enough to fake it for pictures," Bina said quietly. She couldn't help the cynicism. It was just how she was after her childhood. She wondered if that was why Perseus had never gotten married.

"I suppose, it's why you need candid ones. Is this why you're not much for photos?"

Bina didn't answer, thinking instead about how easy it was to put on an act, to do what was expected. Did you at some point start to lose the distinction between the act and reality? She wasn't sure if it had all been an act between her parents. She remembered when the fighting started before closed doors but maybe it had been earlier and she just hadn't been aware of it. She turned her head and kissed Will's shoulder, not knowing what to say on the topic.

Will leaned over and kissed her cheek fondly, wrapping his arms around her tighter. She was answering more than he'd thought so at one point he expected her to not answer one of the questions. "Anyone coming tonight that you want me to play interference with?" Just to give her a respite from the childhood topic.

"You get to answer any questions about marriage," Bina said, fairly certain that at least one of the aunts would potentially make an off hand comment about that. But at least Will was here, playing the dutiful betrothed so there shouldn't be too many complaints. "Just find me an excuse if I'm being smothered by condolences."

"After a death." Though it was a question not a statement because of course someone would bring up the topic. But now that he had to delay the whole thing at least he had the opportunity tonight to imply that. "I promise I'll steal you away if they crowd you, let you go off somewhere alone away from the chaos for a bit."

"I bet you a bottle of scotch that there's one comment about 'Oh, but wouldn't it have been nice if she'd been around to see you get married' and something about 'not wasting time'," Bina said, rolling her eyes. Her fingers tugged on the sleeves of her jumper, stretching and twisting the fabric. "Hopefully it won't get too bad." And hopefully no one would bring up her father.

"I don't take losing bets," Will teased gently. "And this isn't the time for them to bother you about that, I'll take it or deflect. Easy enough." Seeing her fiddle with her sweater and look that down and lost, Will pulled her into almost snuggle her as he rested his head against hers.

It helped, knowing that he would be there, especially considering how charming most of her relatives seemed to find him. She sighed against him, the weariness of the past day and a half beginning to take its toll. "And will you help me scrub my back as well?"

Will kissed her shoulder and slid his hands around to gently massage her lower back. "You know I never turn down that suggestion."

Bina closed her eyes and purred at the touch. Between the sleepless week she'd had because of being upset after the fight with Will, and now this, she was exhausted and tense. "Mmm.. tub. Promise me you won't let me drown if I fall asleep."

"I'll drag you out, mouth to mouth, the whole thing. We'll get Zinny to draw up a bath though." Why not indulge her, it was a delicate time and indulging now would pay off in time.

Bina chuckled. "And what if I need mouth to mouth before the bath.."

"That can be arranged easily enough..."