Midwinter Prompt #3: Auld Lang Syne, My Dear (Downton Abbey)

[mrstater]

Title: Auld Lang Syne, My Dear
Author: mrstater
Prompt: resolutions
Fandom: Downton Abbey
Characters & Pairings: Lady Mary Crawley, Sir Richard Carlisle, Lady Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham; Richard/Mary
Rating & Warnings: rated PG, spoilers for the S2 Christmas special
Word Count: 759 words
Summary: "This is Haxby, and that's not how we do it here

Comments

[jadeandlilac]

GAH! This was fantastic!

As usual, I love your characterization of Richard. I absolutely think that behind his threats, he'd secretly be glad to let Mary have her way, and he'd admire her all the more for it afterward. He'd see a lot of himself in that tenacity, and I think the similarity of their characters is the first and probably the biggest reason behind his attraction to her. Also, Violet's lines were great :)

I'd been having an awful day, and this was the perfect antidote! Thanks so much!

[mrstater]

Why, thank you, Jane Cadillac! I'm so happy you feel I've captured a plausible characterization. I had this one line in an earlier draft of this where Mary realizes she's not afraid of Richard once they're married, because anything he does to her only brings misery on himself, as well, though I do think Richard's original intent was to do whatever Mary says is the proper thing to do. It was only after he encountered the threat of Matthew and Mary's disinterest in him that he changed his tune.

Couldn't not write Violet at a Crawley/Carlisle family Christmas! I've been rewatching the little exchanges between her and Richard and in my head!canon, he kind of loves the repartee they have and the shots she takes at him, though really deep down he wants to have her respect. A bit like Rhett and Mammy, I think...

Sorry you had a crummy day, hun, but glad this was a good pic-me-up! Thanks for taking the time to read and comment. :D

[jadeandlilac]

Bahaha, that nickname kills me!

It was only after he encountered the threat of Matthew and Mary's disinterest in him that he changed his tune.

Just so! This is why I'm eagerly anticipating your s1 AU, to see where and how their relationship would've gone without Matthew's influence and all the emotional baggage Mary is already carrying when she meets Richard in the series. I'm very curious to see whether or not you'll eventually work Matthew into that fic, or if it will be pure, unadulterated s1!Mary/Richard :)

[mrstater]

Bahaha, that nickname kills me!

I'll stop if it bugs you. It could always be your sock puppet name or something. ;)

I'm very curious to see whether or not you'll eventually work Matthew into that fic, or if it will be pure, unadulterated s1!Mary/Richard :)

I'm very curious to see that, too. ;) I've been faffing around with the Haxby smut fic that's turning out not to have smut at the moment, but I keep thinking about the S1 AU, too, and I'm just not sure where I'm going with it. I'm also conflicted about whether to have Richard be Mary's sexual rebellion, or to go with Pamuk and see how that plays out in regard to Mary being courted by Richard at the time it happens...

It's seriously way too much fun, though, thinking of all the wooing Richard could do in London...

[jadeandlilac]

Oh no, I love it! :D It's like I'm Beyoncé and Jane is Sasha Fierce! Or...something. Anyway.

It's seriously way too much fun, though, thinking of all the wooing Richard could do in London...I'm so glad we're on the same page, because I agree that he is going to be a champion wooer. And I can't wait to see what he gets up to in your fic(s

[mrstater]

Can I PM you or email you about some of this? I would love to pick your brain if you have the time, without giving away too many of my ideas in comments. :)

[jadeandlilac]

Of course! PM or email, which is just my username at gmail, whichever you prefer :)

[mrstater]

Awesome, thanks muchly! I'll email you--if I can not type janecadillac at gmail in the address line. ;)

[fragrantwoods]

A bit like Rhett and Mammy, I think...
This isn't my ship, but you made it work so well here, and looking back, I can see how a viewer could get from Mary up against the pillar to this place. And Rhett Butler is such a great mental icon for Richard in so many ways, which may explain why some people (like me) know he's all wrong, and want Mary to be with Matthew, but...there is something about him...And yes, Mammy and Violet both have very strict ideas about what is fitting and what is not, but certain transgressors will get a pass because they are "family". Well-done fic and thoughtful commentary!

[mrstater]

And Rhett Butler is such a great mental icon for Richard in so many ways, which may explain why some people (like me) know he's all wrong, and want Mary to be with Matthew, but...there is something about him...

I'm so glad that's not just me being a little crazy to see that parallel! It is a rather wrong pairing, but I think that's what draws me to it, the challenge of trying to make Mary and Richard work, which JF didn't really try very hard to do in the actual series. Thanks for reading and for taking the time to comment so thoughtfully! I'm really pleased you enjoyed even though the pairing isn't your thing. :)