I made a bet. With Roman... and I lost. It was only stripping. Loser loses their clothes. No biggie, right?
[She rushes to add the last few sentences. It shouldn't have been a big deal.]
Except... Fuck. Faith. And it wasn't Vic's fault, right? I mean, if anything, it was probably mine. If I'd just done it - but I had to open my damn mouth. I am sorry. I am so, so sorry, Faith.
Why would you even talk to-- [She curses under her breath, not wanting the yell. That's not what's important right now. Although Faith is already shaking with rage on Dinah's behalf.]
He sat down next to me. [Dinah almost yells down the phone. She didn't mean to. She's just - and if it comes out and Faith hasn't heard it from her? Not good. She repeats herself, more quietly, more controlled.]
I was gambling. Poker - between sets, right? And he sat down next to me. We played a hand and I won. Obviously, he was pretty mad so he said some shit about women or submissives or - I dont remember now - but we ended up betting again. Loser strips. And I lost. Not the worst thing, right? Except fucking Zsasz shows up and actually pulls my damn dress back up and that really pissed off Roman and he made fucking Zsasz bet - me and Vic go free, or Roman fucks me on the poker table.
[There's a beat.] I'm at my place in the down. Door's open if you wanna talk. I get it if youre mad at me though.
That doesn't mean you have to agree to his bets! He's not your Dom! [Faith reasons her voice shaking in her frustration and fear. She wants to keep Dinah safe, but it seems like maybe it's impossible to do.]
I'm upset but that doesn't mean I don't want to see you. I love you. [Her breath catches.] Did he... did you lose the last bet?
He gets in my head. I don't know how he fucking does it.
[Through a decade and more of conditioning that makes her susceptible to his games. He knows her buttons, what to push, probably better than anyone. Which is really unfortunate when his aim is apparently to torment her forever.]
You gotta know I love you, right? You know I love you? More than anything? God, Faith, I love you.
[Dinah didn't answer the question. That seems to be answer enough. Faith's already grabbing her keeps and heading out the door so Dinah will hear her rustling around and a door opening and closing and soon after that the sounds of the open air and hustle and bustle of the city.]
I love you too, Dinah. But you scare me. All this shit with Roman and Victor. I want to help you. If walking down to Roman's place and ripping his fucking head off with my bare hands would help you, I'd do it! [Despite trying not to be that kind of person anymore. She doesn't want to be a murderer. But she will.]
Except Roman and Victor have a permanent contract. So there's no separating them is there...?
[Plus he helped kill Dinah and hurt her too before apparently getting better. So that doesn't make her think of him all that fondly. She knows Dinah cares for him, but Faith's never even seen him so it's hard to form much of an opinion beyond that.]
Coming for you now? What do you mean coming for you? [And now she's moving a hell of a lot faster to elevators.]
Surely there must be a way? Like, if Roman's abusing him - and fuck, he fucking waterboarded the guy, Faith. Zsasz is scared.
[She shakes her head, not that Faith can see.] Like, he's not gonna stop. He's said. Every network post. Every club night I do. Everywhere I go. Fuck - Faith - your club. Faith, I can't - he'll shit all over it. I can't sing there. I can't do - fuck. I can't ruin it. He thinks I belong to him - he thinks - he thinks that I've betrayed him. It's why he keeps going and gets in my head and fucks me the hell up.
I don't know, Di. I've never looked into how it can be done. If Victor can get out of his contract somehow, I'll fucking sign him. I just don't know if he can?
[Even if Faith didn't trust him, really. It would help Dinah though. That's the important thing. She's still making her way quickly to the elevator even if Roman's not about to bust down her door.]
I know he's dangerous. But you also give him more power than he actually has Dinah. Just because he's a Dominant doesn't mean he can do whatever he likes to you. He steps one foot into our place, I'll toss him out on his ass myself. He's not welcome. And every person working for us will know it too. You don't belong to anyone. Okay? He comes into your network post. You ignore him. Or mock him. But just don't let him think he's actually getting to you. Even if he is. And if he tries to come for you or me. He doesn't know who the fuck he's dealing with. Okay? We'll fuck him up together. And if that means we get a citation. We get a citation and then fuck him up again when we get out. As many times as it takes for him to stop. I'm not fucking playing.
[She's practically seething now. But takes a few deep breaths.] Sit tight, babe. I'll be there soon. About to head into the elevator so I might lose you.
It does though. One word from him and the Sin Guards are there to fucking arrest me. Again. They listen to him, even against you. I dunno what the hell Roman's got on them, but he's got something.
[Dinah sounds so frustrated.]
I know I don't belong to him. I know that. I fucking yelled at him over text. But... I'd rather you hear it from me.
[It's nice that Faith's this upset. Well, no, it's fucking terrible. But nice that she cares this much? Cares enough to get citations. Dinah nods to herself. She's gonna do it. She's gonna broach the subject of murdering Roman.]
[Faith does lose her connection when she gets in the elevator. She doesn't call back, instead, she tucks her phone into her pocket and rushes toward the apartments in the Down toward Dinah's place. She really should insist that Dinah stay with her.
It would at least make Faith feel better having her closer. Finally, she gets there in the shithole Down apartments and she's knocking at her door.] Dinah? It's me.
[Faith isn't entirely sure how she feels. There is a tinge of irritation at Dinah for letting herself listen to a damn thing Roman tried to coax her into, but more she's upset at him than her. ]
Cheat? It's not that. I just... I'm worried about you, okay? [She pulls back to look at Dinah's face searching.] You didn't want him to do what he did. [Faith doesn't see it as much different than a rape, regardless if it was a 'bet'.]
You don't need to apologize to me. I'm not mad because this is some kind of betrayal to me! I'm mad because I wish this fucker would leave you the hell alone.
[Part of her does think that Dinah really needs to learn to stand up for herself. But that doesn't make Roman any less of a piece of shit.]
What do you need from me? And I'm telling you that if I ever see Roman in person, I may not be able to stop myself from breaking every bone in his body...
Don't you get it? Roman is never going to leave me alone. I could be on top of a mountain or at the bottom of the ocean and he'd be there behind me. Until I fucking lock myself back up in his damn cage, he's never gonna go away. Never, Faith. And -
[She hates herself for saying it. She hates him for forcing them into this situation]
Even if we break every damn bone - even if we kill him - he comes back. This damn city loves him. Fucking bastard. But - Faith, and I swear to god that I love you - but if you wanna be with me, you gotta accept he's fucking there too.
[She's yelling though it's out of frustration rather than anger. After a beat, she adds,]
[Faith can feel her own rage building, but she's never going to direct it at Dinah. Never again. She wants to keep what she has with her. It's one of the few things in this fucking place that makes sense.]
Then why'd you even tell me it happened? It's not like I can stop myself from being upset about what he did. [Part of her wonders if Dinah can't stop herself from being around the man, either. Like some awful attraction.] Am I supposed to just not care?
Because I LOVE you. And if you found out and I hadn’t told you? It’s even worse right? Faith, I’m just so sorry. Sorry it’s happened. Just sorry for everything. I’m sorry for telling you. I’m just -
[Dinah shrugs and almost collapses onto her bed. Her voice had been getting dangerously high but as defeat steals into her posture, the rattling objects still.]
I love you so god-damn much, Faith. I don’t wanna hurt you. You’re the best thing in my life. I don’t wanna hurt you.
I love you too, Di... it just... it hurts me when you're hurting.
[She follows Dinah to the bed, sitting beside her.]
I want to help you. Somehow. I just... I don't know how. And it sounds like you're asking me to do nothing at all. To just watch as he continues to do things like this to you over and over again.
What the fuck else can we do? I've tried to fight. I've tried to stay away. They don't work. I don't know what else to do except wait for him. Or go back? He'll back off if I lock the cage again.
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timeasmymeasure
voice; un: canary
Date: 2022-06-27 04:53 pm (UTC)[There's a beat, and Dinah swallows hard.]
Something happened my first night at Scratch. Something bad.
voice | un:lehane
Date: 2022-06-27 04:59 pm (UTC)What? What happened?
no subject
Date: 2022-06-27 05:06 pm (UTC)[She rushes to add the last few sentences. It shouldn't have been a big deal.]
Except... Fuck. Faith. And it wasn't Vic's fault, right? I mean, if anything, it was probably mine. If I'd just done it - but I had to open my damn mouth. I am sorry. I am so, so sorry, Faith.
no subject
Date: 2022-06-27 05:18 pm (UTC)What did Roman do? Where are you?
no subject
Date: 2022-06-27 05:29 pm (UTC)I was gambling. Poker - between sets, right? And he sat down next to me. We played a hand and I won. Obviously, he was pretty mad so he said some shit about women or submissives or - I dont remember now - but we ended up betting again. Loser strips. And I lost. Not the worst thing, right? Except fucking Zsasz shows up and actually pulls my damn dress back up and that really pissed off Roman and he made fucking Zsasz bet - me and Vic go free, or Roman fucks me on the poker table.
[There's a beat.] I'm at my place in the down. Door's open if you wanna talk. I get it if youre mad at me though.
no subject
Date: 2022-06-27 05:47 pm (UTC)I'm upset but that doesn't mean I don't want to see you. I love you. [Her breath catches.] Did he... did you lose the last bet?
no subject
Date: 2022-06-27 05:51 pm (UTC)[Through a decade and more of conditioning that makes her susceptible to his games. He knows her buttons, what to push, probably better than anyone. Which is really unfortunate when his aim is apparently to torment her forever.]
You gotta know I love you, right? You know I love you? More than anything? God, Faith, I love you.
no subject
Date: 2022-06-27 06:07 pm (UTC)I love you too, Dinah. But you scare me. All this shit with Roman and Victor. I want to help you. If walking down to Roman's place and ripping his fucking head off with my bare hands would help you, I'd do it! [Despite trying not to be that kind of person anymore. She doesn't want to be a murderer. But she will.]
no subject
Date: 2022-06-27 06:18 pm (UTC)[Maybe Faith can hear footsteps? That'd be Dinah pacing her tiny room back and forth, as she tries to control her emotions.]
I wish we could fucking rip his head off. I've just yelled at him over text. I just - he's coming for me.
no subject
Date: 2022-06-27 08:55 pm (UTC)[Plus he helped kill Dinah and hurt her too before apparently getting better. So that doesn't make her think of him all that fondly. She knows Dinah cares for him, but Faith's never even seen him so it's hard to form much of an opinion beyond that.]
Coming for you now? What do you mean coming for you? [And now she's moving a hell of a lot faster to elevators.]
no subject
Date: 2022-06-27 09:30 pm (UTC)[She shakes her head, not that Faith can see.] Like, he's not gonna stop. He's said. Every network post. Every club night I do. Everywhere I go. Fuck - Faith - your club. Faith, I can't - he'll shit all over it. I can't sing there. I can't do - fuck. I can't ruin it. He thinks I belong to him - he thinks - he thinks that I've betrayed him. It's why he keeps going and gets in my head and fucks me the hell up.
no subject
Date: 2022-06-27 09:46 pm (UTC)[Even if Faith didn't trust him, really. It would help Dinah though. That's the important thing. She's still making her way quickly to the elevator even if Roman's not about to bust down her door.]
I know he's dangerous. But you also give him more power than he actually has Dinah. Just because he's a Dominant doesn't mean he can do whatever he likes to you. He steps one foot into our place, I'll toss him out on his ass myself. He's not welcome. And every person working for us will know it too. You don't belong to anyone. Okay? He comes into your network post. You ignore him. Or mock him. But just don't let him think he's actually getting to you. Even if he is. And if he tries to come for you or me. He doesn't know who the fuck he's dealing with. Okay? We'll fuck him up together. And if that means we get a citation. We get a citation and then fuck him up again when we get out. As many times as it takes for him to stop. I'm not fucking playing.
[She's practically seething now. But takes a few deep breaths.] Sit tight, babe. I'll be there soon. About to head into the elevator so I might lose you.
no subject
Date: 2022-06-30 10:13 pm (UTC)[Dinah sounds so frustrated.]
I know I don't belong to him. I know that. I fucking yelled at him over text. But... I'd rather you hear it from me.
[It's nice that Faith's this upset. Well, no, it's fucking terrible. But nice that she cares this much? Cares enough to get citations. Dinah nods to herself. She's gonna do it. She's gonna broach the subject of murdering Roman.]
>action
Date: 2022-06-30 10:28 pm (UTC)It would at least make Faith feel better having her closer. Finally, she gets there in the shithole Down apartments and she's knocking at her door.] Dinah? It's me.
Re: >action
Date: 2022-06-30 10:34 pm (UTC)I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to like... cheat. I didn't mean for it to happen with Roman. Either of them. I am so sorry.
cw: rape
Date: 2022-07-02 06:59 pm (UTC)Cheat? It's not that. I just... I'm worried about you, okay? [She pulls back to look at Dinah's face searching.] You didn't want him to do what he did. [Faith doesn't see it as much different than a rape, regardless if it was a 'bet'.]
Re: cw: rape
Date: 2022-07-03 02:49 pm (UTC)It was a bet. I mean - no. No, I didn't want it. No, it had got way out of hand. But it was a bet, Faith. A bet I agreed to. [Kind of]
I am so, so sorry. I - FUCK I'm sorry.
no subject
Date: 2022-07-04 11:17 pm (UTC)[Part of her does think that Dinah really needs to learn to stand up for herself. But that doesn't make Roman any less of a piece of shit.]
What do you need from me? And I'm telling you that if I ever see Roman in person, I may not be able to stop myself from breaking every bone in his body...
no subject
Date: 2022-07-08 09:48 pm (UTC)[She hates herself for saying it. She hates him for forcing them into this situation]
Even if we break every damn bone - even if we kill him - he comes back. This damn city loves him. Fucking bastard. But - Faith, and I swear to god that I love you - but if you wanna be with me, you gotta accept he's fucking there too.
[She's yelling though it's out of frustration rather than anger. After a beat, she adds,]
I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.
no subject
Date: 2022-07-09 01:42 pm (UTC)Then why'd you even tell me it happened? It's not like I can stop myself from being upset about what he did. [Part of her wonders if Dinah can't stop herself from being around the man, either. Like some awful attraction.] Am I supposed to just not care?
no subject
Date: 2022-07-09 02:46 pm (UTC)[Dinah shrugs and almost collapses onto her bed. Her voice had been getting dangerously high but as defeat steals into her posture, the rattling objects still.]
I love you so god-damn much, Faith. I don’t wanna hurt you. You’re the best thing in my life. I don’t wanna hurt you.
no subject
Date: 2022-07-09 04:20 pm (UTC)[She follows Dinah to the bed, sitting beside her.]
I want to help you. Somehow. I just... I don't know how. And it sounds like you're asking me to do nothing at all. To just watch as he continues to do things like this to you over and over again.
no subject
Date: 2022-07-11 08:53 pm (UTC)