Fic: A Girl in Black (7/?)

[mrstater]

Title: A Girl in Black (7/?)
Author: mrstater
Fandom: Downton Abbey
Characters & Pairings: Mary Crawley/Richard Carlisle, Violet Crawley, Cora Crawley, Edith Crawley, Sybil Crawley
Chapter Word Count: 3891
Chapter Summary: Following Mary's return to Downton in disgrace, her grandmother, mother, and sisters are all keen to offer commentary on her behaviour

Comments

[gilpin25]

Don't tell Richard that his presence was missed in one sense but not so much in another - JF has so many interesting female characters amongst his cast, and it's one of the best things about the show to me. Which makes it hugely enjoyable to see Mary here getting no shortage of advice and opinions from her nearest female relatives, if not necessarily always her dearest! Besides, Richard does get talked about a great deal, which I'm sure he'd like

[mrstater]

Yes, I did my best to keep Richard present in cheekbone references, if not in their actual appearance, hehe. I'm so very very pleased you feel I've pulled off the S1 dynamics between Edith and Mary and Sybil and Mary--I'd actually intended for the Sybil conversation to happen in the next chapter, but then it just seemed so perfect to actually juxtapose the scenes for more contrast.

And what will Mary do next? Hopefully you'll find out on Friday, though I'm a wee bit distracted by Richard's alter ego at the moment.

Thanks so much for your lovely comments!

[anonymous]

Aaaaaaahhhhh! I came here for my weekly fix, and THERE ARE NO NEW CHAPTERS!!!

I'm going to shoot myself, and it's all your fault. ;-)

[mrstater]

Aw, don't do anything drastic! I ran into a bit of a snag with the chapter but I think I've figured out what to do so there will be an update next week. Sweet of you to let me know the update was missed--makes me feel good!

[shimotsuki]

I'm going to have to echo gilpin25 here in saying that I (almost?) didn't miss Richard at all in this chapter, which is such a wonderful ensemble piece with the women of Downton. Your Violet had me in stitches! Appraising Richard's cheekbones one minute, and giving Mary The Talk next. Cora's reaction to Violet's views on sex was priceless, too -- she's obviously had a much better time of it than poor Violet did. ;)

Edith -- ouch. I can only imagine that she's plotting some way to get Mary even deeper in trouble, since this is S1-timeline. But Sybil is such a sweetie, and Mary must be so relieved to have at least some support in the family.

Now I'm itching to know what Richard has done to the poor editor of the Sketch -- and how Sybil is going to get hold of the Telegraph, heh.

[mrstater]

Hee! It must have been the female ensemble of awesome in this chapter that took the sting out of Richard's absence for me, because I was feeling it so much in Ch8 that I've decided to completely scrap how I was going to write that chapter just to get him back in the darn story! Seriously, though, I'm just chuffed that you think I captured everyone--Violet was the most fun, though I equally loved writing Edith being horrible and spiteful and just plain mean! And sweet Sybil--they all have parts to play, but I'm quite looking forward to hers!

All shall be revealed with Richard's diabolical plots (and Sybil's, too, LOL) soon and very soon!

Thanks for reading. :D

[just_a_dram]

Yeah, I'm with the cluster of people who are saying they didn't really particularly miss Richard, because you write the family dynamic so beautifully. Lots of chances for snark. Of course, I know you missed writing him. :D

You could write for DA. Period.

"O'Brien told my maid Simmons that when Robert saw The Sketch, he flung it down on the floor. A if he were Moses casting down the Ten Commandments at the sight of the Hebrews dancing around the golden calf."

I can't help snorfling at that. I want to see it, actually.

"Oh, you can still offer her whatever little gems mothers in America bestow upon their daughters on Mary's wedding night. Or whenever you deem it appropriate. But I think what she requires now is some sage English instruction."

Some of my favorite moments are when we get an American dig from Granny. Makes me chuckle here in my wigwam. So, I love that you gave her that little line. So perfect. And of course Mary gives as good as she gets.

[mrstater]

Some of my favorite moments are when we get an American dig from Granny. Makes me chuckle here in my wigwam.

Bwahaha! Thanks for giving me a chuckle thinking of the wigwam line. I just adore that one, though Cora has such a rare great follow-up: "And when we come out of them, we go to school."

She wouldn't be Violet, though, would she, if she wasn't taking a swipe at Americans? It's fun to write those as an American, honestly. Unpatriotic, but true. ;)

You could write for DA. Period.

Gah. Best comment ever, darling. Thank you. I'm just delighted you liked this so much. Even if you didn't miss Richard. ;)