The washing up was more of just a task of physical work, it was persuading Quinn to participate. There was nagging, exchange of sarcasm, bribery and finally it was done. As they all went upstairs, Helen emerged from the bottom of the stairs.

"Daria, can you stay down here? I want to talk to you" she cooed.

Jake had gone to bed, his outburst and fear riddled ramblings having exhausted him. Shrugging, looking to Jane, she went back down. The entire lower of the house was dark, apart from the lamp that cast a warm glow in the living room where they sat. Jane headed upstairs to change, then walked the bathroom and brushed her teeth with Quinn standing nearby.

"Ugh, could you wait till I finish?" spat the redhead, into the sink.

"I could, then the plaque may continue to consume me so bad, it affects my brain and I become an imbecile"

"That can happen?" gasped the insolent girl, making the older girl roll her eyes. "Anyway, do you know much about Daria's boyfriend? Is he cute? Is he just some weird gender-swapped version of her?"

The constant prattling was giving the artist a migraine. "He's cool. I wouldn't say he's a total gender-swap of her, they're not totally identical" she said, while she wasn't giving away who 'he' was, she felt it'd be fun to play along. "But their personalities compliment each other pretty well"

"So... are they cute?" Quinn egged on, fetching mouthwash.

"Oh yeah, baby. Drop dead gorgeous" the raven haired gal grinned, massaging her ego.

With an ecstatic gasp at the description, Quinn turned to her, grabbing her arm "Do you think we could get Daria to let us meet him?"

"Hmm, I dunno. It depends you see. You may have seen him around already"

"At Longdale?"

"Yep"

"What's he look like?"

"Oh, about 5,5, dark hair, shoulder length, kinda ectomorph build, handsome"

"Oh..."

"Oh, what?" Jane raised a brow, hoping Quinn was dense enough to not get she was describing herself. Thankfully, she was.

"So he's only two inches taller than me. That rules him out. My shoe collection is based on me dating guys who are three inches taller at least"

"You're thinking of hitting on him? Your sister's boyfriend?" Jane peeped, blushing a little, but also cringing somewhat at the thought. "Christ, you have low standards"

"What are you talking about? I just said I only date guys 3 inches taller. I'm very strict with my regulations"

"I mean you've never met the guy, it's your sisters boyfriend... can't you let her have some shred of happiness for once?"

"Chill out" Quinn groaned, gargling and spitting the mouthwash. "I'm not 'after' him, I'm just curious. There's no way I'd steal my sisters boyfriend. Besides, the way you described him sounded as if you were buttering me up. If anything, previously, I'd thought he was some loser."

The artist grit her teeth, snatching the mouth wash too.

"Gonna give me a name at least?" the redhead whinged, hands on hips.

"Nope" Jane retorted, spitting.

"Aww, c'mon...!"

A herbal tea was something new around the house. Helen often persuaded Jake to try it, especially when in attempts calm him. Daria wasn't a fan. Helen sipped her cup, dressed in her gown and turned to her daughter, who was eager to flee given the permission to.

"Now, Daria, I know you may not think this is any of my business, but I'd like to know a bit about this person you're seeing"

"Huh, so I can't persuade you into thinking otherwise. Is it that obvious?"

"Daria, I'm your mother. Mothers can pick up on all sorts of little things. Your behavior has made a change as of late. You're quieter than usual around the house and we barely even see you anymore..."

"The second you compare me to Quinn, I'm leaving"

"So, who is this person? What're they like?"

"Um... well... I can't say we're identical, cus we're not, but there's a lot about their personality their echoes my own frame of mind, but is still deviant and independent enough to speak in a way that challenges that perception and try new things and even encourage me to do the same. They've become an essential part of my life and it's hard for me to imagine being without them.

Not much of a response to that, just a sincere nod and a "Mhmm" A cue to continue.

"When I'm with them, they make me feel not so alone, that I'm not crazy for thinking the way I do. She makes me laugh at things that only I'd find to be of amusement, whilst others either wouldn't be able to comprehend or just be repulsed by. It all feels natural, nothing is phony or enforced"

Another nod, only this time longer and with some silence. After a minute, Helen patted her daughters knee.

"I'm sure she thinks of you the same way"

She?

Immediately, Daria tensed, having let that pro-noun slip and proceeded to knead and scratch at the couch seating. Helen shook her head some, a warm smile on her face.

"Thank you for telling me, Daria. I hope this hasn't burdened you for too long"

"Burden?" Daria repeated, her brain still in a bit of a twist.

"Your father and I love you very much and we only want for your happiness"

This time, Daria didn't reply. Still stuck in a state of shock from her own mis-wording.

"It's alright, Daria. Go get some sleep. I won't tell anyone else if you don't want me to"

"Um... it's alright. So long as I know it's people I know and trust"

"Understood"

Raising to her feet, Helen kissed Daria's forehead and reached for her cup, finishing the tea.

"Scoot along to bed. You want to show a good example of bed time curfew for your girlfriend"

"Mom!"

The woman chuckled, seeing her daughter walk on up the stairs "You didn't think I didn't know who you were talking about?"

At that, Daria looked down, a soft pink on her cheeks then proceeded to walk on up.

In the Lane residence, Trent had evaded his sister's room, something he scolded himself for doing. He'd never usually do this. He wanted to make sure the book was gone. He searched the drawers, shifted things about, looked about behind the canvas. It appeared clear. He let out a sigh of relief.

"I guess that's the end of it. Good job, Jane"

A glisten appeared at the corner of his eye and, in one of the drawers, he saw a disc shaped pendant, sitting under some scraps of paper. He picked it up and stared in horror and the Vescatur's sigil. The young man shivered, feeling a breeze in the room. A collection of voices slowly picked up, faintly at first, like children's laughter, escalated in volume. A rise in sensation from within, so scared he'd puke. He turned his head slowly to the doorway, and the dark figure stood observing him. A flash. A powercut, and the sounds of the eerie children's voices faded along with the surge of comforting light.

End of Part Ten