Chapter Text
When Natasha showed up with the promise of a few bottles of wine and an invite for a chat, Fiona should've been suspicious.
He was, actually. But he was also curious, and Fiona wouldn't refuse free alcohol if given the chance.
Still, mid-conversation, he wondered if it’d been a good idea to drink that much before Natasha opened her damned mouth.
— So you’re getting married again? For real? And to that Daphne girl…
Natasha sighs and does everything she can to not roll her eyes at him.
— I didn’t come to talk to you for more of that attitude, Fiona. I did because – even if it shocks me to say it – I needed help. But if you want to keep being an arse , I won’t ask again. I can try to figure this out with someone else.
— I’m not- I’m not being an arse .— he complains, frowning, making Natasha raise one of her insufferable eyebrows at him.— I’m just saying- It’s a big decision. You’re a Pitch , who’s planning to propose to a woman – one that is a tad younger than you, if I must say, andand also basically powerless , compared to you. Never even seen her with her wand in hand.— he scoffed.— She’s not affiliated to any of theOld Familiesies, and even if she waswas, it would still be a scandal.— Fiona smirks, taking a sip from his glass.— And this isn't me saying I don’t support this union- pretty much the opposite, actually. I’m proud. You know all this, you thought this through. You remember how it went with Malcolm, and you know how people treated me after I came out- You’re perfectly aware of the consequences. Which leads me to believe- my big sister is finally going through her rebellious phase. Who knew that your marriages would be the one part of your life that could piss our parents off?
— Shut up,— Natasha chuckles.— Or, I mean, thank you. For worrying.
— Don’t ruin it.— he smiles more warmly.— I do need to ask, though I fear I might seem like I’m worrying again,— Fiona mocks.— Did you talk to Basil about this? I know you sat down with them when you first started to see Daphne…
— I did, of course. Like last time, Basil didn’t have any objections- They think Daphne is a lovely person.
— Okay, that’s all I needed to know before we got into it.— Fiona rubs the palms of his hands together in expectation.— Now do tell me- what did you need my help for, anyway?
Natasha looks down to her glass, looking shy all of a sudden – which anyone could guarantee was not common for Natasha Pitch.
— I... I still have no idea how I’m going to do it.
— You mean- The proposal itself?— it’s Fiona’s turn to raise one of his brows at his sister.
— Yes. It’s the only thing that’s been proving itself difficult. It’s ridiculous- I have half the ceremony itself planned already in my head – I want it to be in the White Chapel – but I have no idea how to ask her. I’d probably have done it already- as I told you, I’ve had my mind set on this for a while, but I really don’t have any decent ideas-
— It does have to be something big , sis . First time you did it you fought three duels before Malcolm accepted your proposal, and you fucking hung the moon . It’s hard to top that.
— Yes, I know. — Natasha scowls.— This is what I’ve been trying to say -
— Shush, you didn’t let me finish.— Fiona then interrupted, with a more sincere smile on his face.— It’s hard to top that, but , you’re Natasha freaking Pitch. Youngest Mage, and youngest Watford Headmaster, in history . You’re a fucking hero, Tasha- You’re a legend. If there’s anyone who can top that, it’s you . Especially for gay reasons.
Natasha scoffs, but Fiona could see a genuine, proud smile forming on the corner of her lip.
— It’s not just gay reasons, though. It’s Daphne. It’s big stuff.
— I know, but I mean.— Fiona shrugs.— I can only relate to the gay shit. Outside of that and the occasional motivational speech when I’m feeling cute, I don’t think I’d be of any help. You know I barely even proposed to Ebb, I just stole mum’s wedding ring from you and asked them, plain and simple. And I got my yes- Even if they were pissed because they did want to do some big thing to ask me, but I think we’re well past that.
— Maybe I should tell Ebb, then, and ask for their help.— Natasha teases.
— If you really thought telling them was a good idea, I think you would've led with that, instead of asking them to sit tight while you take me out for a drink.
— Oh, please. They’re having the time of their life with our goats.— Tasha then takes a sip of her wine, still sulking a little.— More seriously- I would love their insight, but I just don’t know if it’s a good idea to tell them about it right now. I know they’ve become close to Daphne, what with our family gatherings. I don't want to… risk anything, I don’t know. Get ahead of myself. A gut feeling, is all.— She shrugs.
— I get that. But you know,— Fiona raises one of his eyebrows.— if proximity is the reason… If you’re comfortable with it, you can always ask Bunce.
Natasha immediately frowns at him.
— Martin Bunce? What does that dud -
Fiona is quick to interrupt.
— I meant- Mitali Bunce. Is she going by Salisbury these days? I don’t know, but anyhow-
— Even if she isn’t going by Salisbury, which would be ideal in this situation, you could just call her Mitali . Bunce is the least magickal name in the Realm, poor woman. She’s a well respected magickal historian, for Morgana’s sake-
— Okay, Tasha, you’re missing the point. As you’ve made clear, you respect her. She's a badass, she obviously can be trusted, and even though she doesn’t particularly like our family, she’s a part of your team back in Watford and she’d understand how being discreet is important in this situation. Most of all, I don’t think she’d refuse to help when Natasha Pitch , the legend , is asking for her advice to propose to a woman , without any link to the Old Families, which is going to be a major event with absolutely no external support from the majority of the mage population.
— Sure, you’ve made your point, and I do think Mitali is trustworthy. But I still don’t see what she has to do with the proposal.
— She knew a bunch of shit on marriage and family magic. I don’t know if it was her or this Martin dud who was obsessed with rites, but she knows a lot about those. Lucy Salisbury and her are bound together in, like, eight dimensions or something.
— Alright, then.— Natasha sets her jaw forward.— Let’s ask her.
Fiona blinks at her, expectantly. Natasha finishes her drink.
— So, aren’t we going to ask her?— he finally asks.
— Sure, I’ll talk to Mitali next time we…— Fiona rolls his eyes, and puffs, annoyed.— You can’t mean now .
— Just call her! I’m curious!
— You’re screwing with me.
— Ugh, Tash, come on.— he gets his own phone out of his bag, quickly dialing a number and getting up.— Hello, is this Lucy Salisbury? Hi, it’s Fiona Pitch. I hope you don’t mind me calling, Lady Ruth gave me your number. Yeah, I was two years behind you, I think! Ebb Petty’s class, you know her, right? Great. So, Miss Salisb- Sorry, uh, Lucy then, I was actually calling to reach Mitali, is she with you?— a pause.— Sure, we can wait a moment. Thank you.— he puts the phone away and sits down next to Natasha again.— She’s calling me back in ten. Mitali’s coming back from Lady Ruth’s, just left some of the kids there.
— I’ve got to admit, it’s hard to imagine Premal Bunce staying with Lady Salisbury. — Natasha chuckles.— He’s obsessed with David Cadwallader, is he not? The only time we met he’d just gotten into Watford, kept asking me about the attack at the nursery. Oh, you should’ve seen Mitali’s face when he mentioned vampires. Fairly powerful kid, though, from what I hear.
— Lady Ruth told me Premal and Pacey spend a lot of time with their father. I think Lucy meant her boy and Mitali’s girl, Ruth has pictures of them everywhere.
— Hm. They’ll be in Basil’s class, I think. I wonder if Lucy-
As if on cue, Fiona’s phone chimes.
— It’s her.— Fiona smirks.— She’s inviting us over.