This is Bly Manor

Once upon a time is something you hear in fairy tales of at least a normal story. However, you didn't have to even live in Bly Manor to know that this was anything but a normal story or even a fairytale.

Dani had gotten out of bed and headed downstairs. Softly padding and reaching over the various creaks in the old floorboards.

She took a seat in the kitchen and made herself some coffee to feel a little more human that what she currently felt. Oh the irony.

That was when Jamie barged her way into the kitchen with as little grace as anyone could possibly muster.

"Shite, sorry, I thought everyone would still be asleep. Not that they would be after that but not that I really care much either." Jamie showed little to no remorse in her efforts to apologize which Dani understood and accepted.

"Don't worry about it. Pretty sure the only ones who can sleep have had as much as they can gather."

"Can't sleep, Poppins?"

Jamie plonked herself next to Dani in the hardwood chair. Along with a box of supplies that were thumped on the table.

"Not that I really blame you. Barely anyone gets any sleep around here anymore. Why do you think me and Owen live outside the premises? Owen only stays when Hannah asks him to. And she does that on a rare occasion as she knows how much he dislikes it. Kinda cute really those two."

"Yeah. Can't say it's the easiest or most relaxing atmosphere I've ever been in. But there's worse places to be."

"Oh yeah...how so?" Jamie quirked a eyebrow.

"Well, my background isn't exactly the most colorful. Contains more heartbreaks than anything."

Before Dani even got a chance to elaborate on her comment, Hannah and Owen had walked in, smiles bright as they watched the pair interact.

Owen made them all breakfast before they all headed into the garden. That's when Dani next saw the children. Or at least their ghosts.

They looked hollow. Dani knew that ghosts looked like this because it was the fact that everything that had made them a person, their looks, personality, likes and dislikes, emotions, it had all been taken from them. Leaving a barely hollow frame.

"I'm sorry. Still getting used to this. And I'm still trying to put two and two together. I do apologize for this all taking so long."

"It's perfectly alright. We have some information in which you may like to read. It's currently waiting outside your room for you. We hope you find something of use in there."

And again before she had the chance to respond or breathe the children had disappeared once again.

She made her way upstairs to her room where the stack of books were waiting for her outside the door. She picked the books up slightly struggling when Jamie came back around the corner of the wall. Presumably from the bathroom.

"Need a hand with that?" Jamie smirked.

"You are a lot stronger than me. Would be much appreciated." Dani smiled as Jamie made her way over to her. Brushing her rough, strong hands and fingers and against Dani's which granted had made her breath hitch a little even as Jamie held them with ease.

"Where to boss?"

And Jamie didn't miss the slight snicker and catch of breath before placing the books on top of the night stand.

"We up for a little late night reading, are we?"

"Well, with the children, they said that they might help."

"The children? You mean the ghosts? You've spoken to them? You a ghost whisperer or something?" Jamie gave Dani a slight third degree.

"The children are the ghosts and yes I've spoken to them. Apparently it seems I'm the only one who can or at least the only one they are willing to be seen by. And no...not quite a ghost whisperer although that would be easier or less complicated."

Jamie lowered her eyebrows questioningly. Almost studying her. She was different. She wasn't a vampire or a werewolf, she could sense that, but there was something different about her. She wanted to know more.

But that was when the children decided to show themselves to Jamie. She looked at the fair skinned children and could instantly tell that they meant no harm.

"You got the books. That will hopefully give you some insight into our past and the so called rules in which we have. There are a few other people mentioned. I'm sure you'll find it quite interesting."

"Ah so the books are for her to understand you?" Jamie was inquisitive and Dani liked that. She didn't ask too many questions and she knew when to stop pushing.

"That would be correct, Miss Taylor."

Jamie smiled a little. As did Dani. And the children decided that they would leave the two to it.

The two walked downstairs into the front room with the fireplace. As Jamie fetched out a bottle of wine and Dani settled on the couch.

"I know it's still quite early but....given the look on your face, which has been there while might I add, I think we could both do with it."

Jamie sat next to Dani on the couch with two glasses placed on the table in front of them. Without noticing it, the two had placed their hands closer together, slightly touching. The tension was there. They could feel it their touch and the air. Their pinky's intertwining almost fighting for dominance in which Jamie had soon won. But they were disrupted by Hannah who almost sensed the tension even as Owen followed her in seemingly distracted by something.

The pair made eyes at each other almost a silent apology for something that wasn't even their fault.

As the day went on there was more moments when the tension hung in the air. Like in the kitchen when Jamie had placed a hand around her waist to get past and slid it across her back.

But it felt normal to the both of them. Like something they'd done for years without a second thought. Even looking at school other or conversation seemed to flow easy as water between the two.

Suddenly Dani's silent personal bow of reservation and not getting involved was slowly going out of the window. Sure Jamie was incredibly attractive, she was physically and mentally strong, she was funny and she seemed smarter than she was willing to let on.

"I'm sure Poppins would be alright with that. You might even say she'd prefer the batter option." And of course Dani laughed along with them all including Owen who was almost mad that he didn't come up with that one himself.

It all seemed peaceful. Until Dani had heard something outside and had gone to investigate. Jamie hot on her tail.

She looked around and silently cast a spell after gently cursing the fact that she hadn't been equipped with a flashlight. Her hand lit up which had suddenly answered the quiet question in her head.

"Well that explains it." Jamie smirked.

"What explains what?" Dani stopped looking left and right before meeting Jamie's eyes.

"You're a witch; aren't you?" Jamie gently wrapped her hands softly around the hand that had lit up. She slightly stroked a finger against her pulse point on her wrist.

"Have to say...it's quite handy. Pardon the pun."

Dani smiled before letting out a slight laugh. Jamie decided in that moment that she liked the sound of that.

"There, what is that?" Dani pointed and with Jamie's heightened sense of sight she saw it instantly.

"Would you light the way for five minutes?" As Jamie dropped her hand as Dani made the light go further.

"Peter fucking Quint. You demon, you're gonna pay for this."

Dani looked closer to see the garden that Jamie was so currently proud of had been ripped up and stood on.

Dani waved a hand getting rid of some of the mess.

"Come on, Poppins, you go back inside, I'll sort this."

Dani turned away to walk back inside however hesitant she seemed. But she didn't miss the feeling of having Jamie's eyes watch her as she walked. Quite obviously watching her hips sway side to side and could sense her jaw dropping slightly.