Scenes From A Destination Wedding Weekend, Part 14: A Long Put-off Conversation

Harper

The danger is past. Scarlet is supervising Alex, Daphne, and Skye as they magically repair the damage from the battle. The Hollow Garden residents are calm, as are the kids, once the all-clear is called.

Harper still has Foresight up, just in case. The sensation was strange, at one point: the feeling of experiencing the present and the immediate fulfillment simultaneously. Now, after using it so often for so many years, it’s almost second nature. Between that and her She Goes Where No Ordinary Hoppalong Would Dare transformation, she will have plenty of warning if there will be any “aftershocks” upstairs.

So, she Misty Steps inside, anticipating the storm of a different sort that is going to crash upon her. Foresight tells her where the tea equipment is before she started looking for it. The intruding elf gets to work: getting the kettle to a boil, loading the tea pot with a lovely batch of full-leaf Russian caravan tea in the infuser, setting the mental timer as she fills the tea pot, arranging cups and lemon wedges and honey, pulling the tea infuser out at just the right moment. The pinewood smoke aroma fills the kitchen.

She has tea ready and lightly doting on Mittens before an exhausted Dinah enters her cottage living room. Harper ignores the Foresight visions to focus on the one her soul still aches for; she does not want the conversation spoiled.

“I made tea. I found a chair to sit in. I understand if you don’t want to have that conversation right now, but I think we have the time.”

Dinah is caught slightly aback by the fact that Harper is in her living room, tea at the ready. But it’s not even the tenth strangest thing she’s seen today. “I have no idea what’s going on upstairs. Arabella isn’t answering, which isn’t encouraging. On the other hand, do you feel it? This whole place feels like it’s holding its breath.” She hesitates, biting her lip, an uncharacteristic show of doubt from her. “I think the Verant has arrived.”

She takes a deep breath, and Harper can see that her eyes are wet. “I’m sorry,” Dinah says, wiping her cheeks with the back of her hand, “it’s been an exhausting day, with an emotional rollercoaster bolted on it for good measure. If the Verant is here, the endgame is over, and Andy and his harem...” She swallows. “Marie and Sarah went missing during the attack. It’s not a coincidence, given their connection to Laura. I hope everyone up there is okay. But whether they are or not... I feel like I didn’t have the chance to properly say goodbye. To them, or to Arabella, for that matter.” She shakes her head and sinks into the couch. “That’s not relevant right now, though. I did tell you we needed to talk after the thing was over.” She accepts Harper’s tea and sips it, sighing. “Alright. We have some time, until whatever happens up there reverberates down here. Let’s talk, you and I.” She gives a pained smirk. “Properly, this time.”

“Properly,” Harper echoes. Then, she adds almost as an aside, “and I will make sure you have that time to bid them all farewell, for now. No matter what happens up there.”

Harper lets Mittens go, who stalks over to Dinah, expectantly. The doctor gently strokes the cat, who seems much calmer, almost as if she’s feeling the tension in the air. Harper pours herself a cup. She savors the tea, which is like drinking a campfire from a brisk autumn night.

“I will admit that I have no idea how to start this. A century has passed since that night for me. Years have passed for you, too. I failed you that night, I failed you dozens of times before. I thought that, if we could have just sat down and not gotten up until we really worked through it… But, that week of the game was insane and I barely had time to breathe. I know I said it before and I am sure that you’ll say something like, ‘it’s not just your fault,’ but I am so sorry for what I did.”

Dinah doesn’t speak for a moment, stroking Mittens’s fur while the cat curls up in her lap, purring contentedly. She seems torn, but when she speaks, her voice is steady, sure. “Harper,” she says, “I know that. You said that when we last met at Andy’s birthday and on the beach, the night Ms. E released me into Arabella’s care.” She pauses. “I didn’t fully believe you, then. I was too hurt, too raw, and I had seen things backstage that no one should see. I was terrified, and it took Arabella a lot of work to help me put myself back together, after. But that’s not on you. You panicked because I was depressed, and you thought I could do something rash. Turns out, I did something rash anyway, didn’t I?” She smiles faintly.

“The truth is, being here has given me a lot of perspective. The guests you sent here during your endgame aren’t even the worst off. I’ve seen what real neglect, real carelessness, can do. That’s not you. Your intention was honest, and as you expected, the tool the audience had given you despite your wishes was too tempting in the heat of the moment.”

She looks at the elf, her eyes unreadable. “I know what it cost you, you know. Arabella told me, and I watched the rest of your season after some time. I know about your soul scar. I know that taking me away from the harem left you with a hole that you will never quite heal from. And that’s not what I wanted to do to you. Never in a million years. And I'm sorry for it.”

Harper’s lip quivers behind her cup. That dull ache in her heart since this morning, when they talked just outside this cottage, is flaring up again. “It’s not your fault... I was the...”

Stop. Think. Breathe. In. Hold it. Out. Repeat.

“I am trying not to just blame myself. I really am. Some bad habits just don’t die. The situation was fucked. It’s as simple as that. What the hag did to us... What she did to you... It was cruelty, just needless cruelty. I had a demon apologize for what the hag did to me. A literal demon said that we were tortured for no reason.”

A few more breaths to steady herself, then Harper continues, “So, apology accepted. I will try my best to forgive myself, too. I’m not sure if I will ever manage it, but I will try. I did the best I could in a sadistic situation. I hope you never have to feel like you need to do anything that rash ever again.”

Harper takes another sip, then asks, “What is your plan now? How can I help?”

Dinah hesitates, staring into the half-filled cup for what feels (to her) like an eternity. “If you had asked me that question a year ago,” she begins, “I would have told you I had everything I needed right here. I made friends. I have a unique job, but a very fulfilling one. There are no hags playing with my head for fun. I have Mittens here. I am trusted, respected.” She hesitates. “I don’t know where that goes, after today. I don’t know what the Verant will do with this realm. Even if they recycle the island, what of the Hollow Garden?”

She sighs. “If this place survives, and its mission continues, I want to be part of it. I have seen a thousand things that would make grown men and women weep, but I have also seen the hope lighting in the eyes of men and women who thought their life was over, and realized perhaps they could still do something with it instead. It’s faint, it's tremulous, but it’s there, and when it lights up, it’s the best feeling in the world. Next to delivering babies.” She pauses. “Oh God, I didn’t even think about what will happen with Erin, Chloe, Claire, Liesa, Laura... I wish I could continue following them and helping them. I hope it’s not arrogant for me to say, but I think at this point I may be the foremost expert in transformation-affected pregnancies.” She shakes her head. “Everything is so... up in the air right now, and I don’t know when we’ll find out what the Verant intends to do.”

She looks at Harper. “I could use a vacation, though. If this place is going to go on, I could use a brief break to recharge. And if this place is going to be shut down, I could use a vacation to distract myself and not grieve.” She hesitates. “I hear that your kingdom is quite unique, and the episodes of Mona’s season seem to hold up to that reputation. I was wondering...” She bites her lip, ears flicking nervously. “I was wondering if I could stay over for a couple of weeks. See the old gang, see how you all ended up. And... maybe talk some more, you and I. Neither of us is the same person we were when I fled the set.”

Harper’s heart hitches. Dinah’s request hits differently this time. This is not a polite gesture, like from back at the party. Some idle words said in passing, with neither party expecting to follow through. Dinah really means it this time. Well, Harper extended the offer in earnest back then; she can certainly accommodate the request now.

“You are always welcome at my home, Dinah. Pack up what you need, if you want to hitch a ride with me. I’m sure most of my companions would love to see you too, either to catch up or to meet you for the first time. Tina just had some babies hatch, which is always a joy. And I will make as much time as you need if you want to keep... talking.”

Harper looks at her, checking to see if that was too much or not enough. Even after all this time, this kind of situation always leaves her second guessing.

“As far as the Garden is concerned, maybe Ms. E could negotiate with the Verant about transferring it over to her care, if they aren’t willing to keep empowering it. I know you said something about Arabella letting the magic slowly fade away instead of all at once this morning if Andy’s Endgame went poorly. There would be at least some time and I know she’d be willing to do it. We both have vested interests in keeping this place around. I’ve seen enough immediate aftermaths of bad Masters to know that the Hotel ecosystem needs to take responsibility for the people it breaks, at least for as long as it keeps breaking people for entertainment.”

Harper finishes her tea, then offers Dinah a refill before pouring a second cup for herself. “I can get on the horn with her. You just need to ask. Anything else I can do?”

Dinah’s shoulders relax a fraction, and she exhales as if she had been holding her breath. She accepts the second cup of tea gratefully and sips it, holding the cup with both hands, more to do something with them than because she is thirsty. “Thank you, Harper. For the Garden, we’ll need to first see what the outcome of the endgame was. I’m sure at this point, we’ll be notified shortly. I don’t know how, but... I can’t imagine they'd leave us here, not knowing. If the Verant decide not to keep the Garden functioning, I would appreciate Ms. E stepping in. There is a lot of good that is done here, and any person brought here who can be a little less broken because of our efforts is a victory, in my book.”

She hesitates. “Depending on how that goes, I might hitch a ride with you or come on my own once I have had the chance to handle whatever transition occurs. It wouldn’t take much time, I would imagine. And... I know you have a lot of responsibilities, between being a Queen, and being a Host. I don’t want to take you away from those, so you need to tell me if you prefer me to visit once Mona’s season is over. Either way...” She takes a deep breath, “I think perhaps... no, I know I would like to continue our conversation. Perhaps at Scarlet’s spa?”

The last sentence is a little hurried, a little uncertain. In her mind, Dinah is seeing another spa, another private time between her and Harper, although that one had been a cover. But this one... this one doesn’t need to be. No one is running away, this time.

“I will always make time for you, Dinah. You’re...” Harper stops herself. She is still unsure how much is too much. She tries again, “A spa day with you sounds lovely. Don’t worry about the season. You are welcome to stay with us whenever.”

Harper gives Dinah a slight smile. Remember, Dinah gets to set the rules. Just be open to her. Harper sits and waits, sipping her tea. I just wish she would be brave enough to say what she really wants.

As if she were reading Harper’s thoughts, Dinah looks at her and places the cup on the side table, taking another deep breath. “Look,” she says, “I haven’t really had a chance to look around since I came here. The work has been great, very fulfilling, but also very time consuming, and my role prevents me from considering companionship with the guests, even if I wanted to. And the ones who aren’t guests, with a few exceptions, are Mildreds. Warm ones, to be sure, but still, I’d rather not. So I’m a bit rusty at all this.” She gives a nervous laugh. “And I don’t know where we stand and I don’t know where we go from here. But... Harper, I’ve had a lot of time to think about it all. We both made messes, we both made mistakes, and I think we both paid for it in the end. I like to think we both came through it stronger, in the end. I know it’s been a century, for you, so I would like to get to know you again. See what I missed. And... stop that smirking right now... see if anything of what was between us has survived its armageddon. Also,” she can’t help but shrug helplessly, “Ms. E’s transformation is very exact, and I think I wouldn’t mind finding out if you trigger it or not.”

She looks at Harper’s face and arches an eyebrow, as if daring her to respond.

Harper stops her smirk before it even truly began. Still, a whole load of tension dissipates from her. “After everything, I really needed to hear you say something like that, just to be sure. I don’t want you to feel like I am taking advantage of you. But, if you are willing to give me a chance, I would love to see where this goes.”

They feel it. The call. Time to witness the end. It better be the right one.

Harper sets her cup down, then Misty Steps over to Dinah. The elf extends a webbed hand to help Dinah up. “Shall we?”

Dinah smirks at Harper's teleport. "Part of being a Host, the style?" She takes Harper’s hand, hesitantly at first, then tightly – whether because it brought back memories, or because she’s worried about what will happen upstairs. “Two conditions, though. I do want to see where this goes. But. One, if this,” she’s says, pointing to herself first, then to Harper, “works this time, it doesn’t change that the Hollow Garden is my place. Logistics can be worked out, I’m sure. And two: no harem for me. I don’t know if there’s a way to fix the scar on your soul if I help too, and if there is, I definitely want to help. But I’m not rejoining the harem, no matter what happens. I paid too much to get out of it, and I also know that your harem has some... hefty requirements to thrive. Can you accept both conditions?”

“I try to have a little pizzazz. Done, on both accounts. I wouldn’t want to take you away from here. And no harem joining; I am sure Josie would not even try without everyone being on board first anyways.” Harper pulls Dinah up onto her feet, then places a hand gingerly along the small of her back. The ache is… less. “Thank you. For giving me another chance. I hope that I can live up to expectations.”

Harper opens the door like a proper gentlewoman as the two begin to make their way upstairs. Andy’s ending awaits.