Marbit 'meet the family' Thoughts Pt 1
Thinking about Mrs. Matthews whose son has had many exploits, dated around with many girls- dozens even- since the time he was fourteen, but has never once brought one home; coming to her one night, fidgety like he hasn't been since he was just a little lad, wringing his hands and telling her with a grin that he's been going with someone real special and he wants to bring her over for dinner. Marly, he tells her once she's recovered from her shock enough to ask, his girl's name is Marly, and she's got the sharpest mind of anyone he's ever known and shampoo that smells like strawberries, and if inviting her for dinner didn't already make it obvious that he was in love Mrs.Matthews thinks this would have been what gave it away- the fact that he sits with her on the couch for a full hour, beaming and telling her all about this girl she's never even heard of before now, instead of going out causing trouble with his buddies.
Thinking of Susie Matthews, whose watched her older brother pull bottles from the fridge since she was eight years old, who has nursed his hangovers, helpless as he slowly destroyed himself trying to fill the hole their father took with him with booze and blondes and false affection. Thinking of her noticing a change in her brother, slow at first- a night or two when he wouldn't go to the fridge before noon, dressing better, coming home to sleep at a decent hour, then bigger- never going to the fridge at all (not the one full of bottles anyway), then actually getting his diploma. One day she swears she sees a job application on his desk and she doesn't know what to make of it all, doesn't know what could have saved him when she and mom have never been enough. It doesn't make sense- until he sits her down one day, his grey eyes shining bright, and tells her he's bringing his girl over for dinner sometime this week, and what nights is she free. Anytime, she tells him (he'd know that if he ever bothered to pay attention to her for more than five seconds), and he practically skips out of the room to go tell mom that he'll invite this 'Marly' around on Wednesday.
Thinking of Mrs. Matthews, who hears Marcia before she sees her, watches through the screen door as her son picks up a girl she can't quite see yet, twirling her around while she squeals with laughter and swats at his chest without stopping their conversation for even a second. Mrs Matthews who knows from the first glance that Marly is not like them, that she comes from higher folk, but that she looks at Keith the same way he looks at her- like it'd kill her to stop, even for a second. Mrs. Matthews who doesn't worry about it, because she herself loved the 'right' kind of man for a woman of her own standing, and look how that turned out, so what right does she have to try and protect Keith's heart when it is already too late and he has already given it away. She welcomes his Marly into her home and into her heart, and after a dinner where the two kids can hardly stop laughing with each other long enough to spoon soup into their mouths, she gives her a hug and sends them on their merry way to whatever date Keith actually bothered to plan.
Thinking of Susie Matthews who knows before her mother that Marcia Valentine is a soc, who decides before she even meets her that she hates Marcia no matter how much Keith might like her, who regards the dinner as a chance to see how some west side princess will sneer at their greasy lifestyle. Susie Matthews whose hatred wavers when she remembers how much healthier Keith has been since he started seeing Marcia, and dissolves completely when Marcia- Marly, she insists- actually talks to her and seems interested. More interested than Keith is half the time.
Mrs Matthews and Susie Matthews who love Marcia from the day the first meet her, who take this girl and make her a part of their family for all her social status and stuffy upbringing make it so that they should shun her. Marcia who loves them back just as easily, because they're important to Keith so they're important to her, but also because they accepted her so easily when they didn't have to- a courtesy not afforded to her by much of the east side.
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I am once again fixating on Avatrice’s first scene in season two.
Beatrice tells Ava off for chatting with customers because they were talking about Adriel and what happened at the Vatican. They’re supposed to be keeping a low profile.
If anything, being incognito only makes things all the more stressful for Beatrice. Eternally in Mission Mode, she’s hyperaware of everything going on around her, from the conversation in the bar to Hans coming up the stairs and looking at her and Ava. There’s so much pressure on her.
At least when they were with the OCS, she had the others to rely on, but in Switzerland, she’s responsible for anything that goes wrong, including anything that might happen to Ava. While Ava jokingly calls her “Mother”, it is like being a single parent. She just wants to keep her safe.
And hearing about Adriel’s ever-increasing presence is just a painful reminder of how unsafe they are. How important this mission is.
Beatrice also tends to fidget a lot more this season with anything that’s in her hand (in this case, the pencil). She gestures with it after Hans leaves, asking Ava what that look meant.
“You and Hans shared a glance.”
(Cue back to Lilith’s line in 1×04: “Careful around this one, Camila. She’ll pry into all your business.”)
We can insinuate it as jealousy as she’s become super protective of Ava (or perhaps just the fear that something is going on that she’s not aware of), but in Ava’s mind, Hans is jealous of them. Ava laughs.
“What do you expect? Hans has been here for three years. We’ve been here a month and you already got promoted to manager.”
Beatrice fidgets some more and even straightens her back as she says, “Well ... it’s not my fault that I’m exceptionally well-organized.”
Did I mention how much I love proud Beatrice? It may come across as a bit defensive, but outside of her being a badass in the field, it’s so rare to see her stand tall in her abilities – to take pride in them, in spite of all her self-hatred. She’s good at what she does and she should say it.
And then Ava knocks back with: “Ah, as a matter of fact, it is. Discreet, remember?”
Touché.
Beatrice bows her head and nods. You can see the breath she releases. But before she even has the time to feel awkward or embarrassed, Ava says in that gentle voice, “You don’t have to be so perfect all the time.”
Once again, Ava demonstrates exactly why they work together. While Beatrice often works to keep Ava safe physically, Ava knows just how to keep Bea safe emotionally. Despite all the teasing, she knows how Beatrice worries and steps in to calm her racing mind.
She does it as easily as breathing, head angled to look into Beatrice’s face, eyes soft and posture relaxed. And Beatrice softens with her.
That line hits on some key insights, too: the idea that it’s possible to be too good at something, and that that might actually hinder them while undercover. But more than that, it’s a reminder that they’re not at the convent anymore. Beatrice can drop the tactical habit. She can be unsure, she can make mistakes, she doesn’t have to know what she’s doing all the time. She’s already doing enough.
“You don’t have to be so perfect all the time.”
Ava thinks she’s perfect. Her. Beatrice. Just as she is.
It seems too much for Beatrice to handle. She looks up at Ava and then looks down again. At a loss for how to respond, she changes the subject: “Well, I’m heading back to the apartment.”
It’s Ava’s turn to deflate a little as she nods, but her eyes hang on Beatrice’s face as Bea tells her that she’s going to check in with Camila.
“You don’t stay out too late,” Beatrice says, back in Mission Mode. “We train tomorrow.”
“Yes, Mother.” Ava laughs again, and even Beatrice drops her head in amusement or exasperation, still fiddling with her pencil.
She looks up just in time for Ava to give her a quick peck on the cheek, the Warrior Nun swinging her shoulders like a golden retriever puppy. “I’m just messing with you. See you at home!”
Beatrice can only watch her bounce away and has to take another breath to steady herself. Ava, meanwhile, knew exactly what she was doing and can only hope that the message sticks.
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