(Untitled)

Jun 20, 2007 18:29

Archibald Craven has always been a selfish and self-indulgent man, and there have been very few willing to challenge him when he went into his darker moods since Lilias Craven died. In the days since he quarreled with Lucy Pevensie he indulged himself first by shutting himself up in his rooms and later by expressing his will rather forcibly to the ( Read more... )

duo maxwell, love-in-idleness, kaylee tam, archibald craven, puck, dickon sowerby, colin craven, mary lennox, simon skinner

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a_poor_guardian June 21 2007, 01:52:56 UTC
At some point in the evening, Archibald empties his bottle of wine (a mellow red wine from the Rhône valley) into his glass and walks out towards the lake.

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t mmquitecontrary June 21 2007, 04:21:51 UTC
"Puck," Mary says, furiously. "What have you done to my uncle?"

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Re: t outta_a_chair June 21 2007, 04:31:49 UTC
"To my father," Colin adds as he stares.

"Did you infect him?"

Colin feels Archibald looks like he's sick.

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a_poor_guardian June 21 2007, 04:35:37 UTC
"I'm quite well indeed, Colin," Archibald assures his son. "I can't imagine what you're talking about."

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puckishly June 21 2007, 04:36:41 UTC
"We're thinking marriage," Puck says solemnly.

He grins at Mary.

"I'll make a lovely stepmother, shan't I?"

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a_poor_guardian June 21 2007, 04:43:53 UTC
"I'd hardly dared to ask," Archibald answers Puck. He's disturbingly radiant. "Do you truly love me?"

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mmquitecontrary June 21 2007, 04:46:56 UTC
Horrified, Mary stares from Puck to Archibald to Colin, and comes to the only possible conclusion.

"He is bespelled! He has bespelled him - he wants to be your stepmother so he can be awful and turn you into things!"

. . . all right, so it's a slightly alarmist conclusion.

"Colin, you must not let him - you must stay here and stop him from doing anything," she says, frantically, and runs off into the bar.

Help must be found before Puck finds a preacher!

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puckishly June 21 2007, 04:51:06 UTC
Puck sighs, biting his lip.

"I don't think she much likes me."

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outta_a_chair June 21 2007, 05:01:29 UTC
"You will not be my step-mother," Colin informs Puck sternly after blinking at Mary.

"My father is far too old to get married again. And I do not wish him to marry you. Or for me to be turned into anything.

"Also, you are male."

Puck may have missed this fact, you see.

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a_poor_guardian June 21 2007, 05:15:00 UTC
"I am thirty-six," Archibald informs his son.

Thirty-six is quite a respectable age to get married, especially if one is a wealthy landowner with small children who need more care than one father can give them.

"Of course Robin will not turn you into anything. You have been reading Grimm's fairy tales for too long, Colin, and I should give you more proper books for a boy of your age."

Archibald makes no comment on Puck's gender, as he has temporarily forgotten that gender is a relevant issue to consider when choosing a mate.

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puckishly June 21 2007, 05:29:01 UTC
"There, there," Puck sighs, patting Archibald's arm.

"I'm sure 'tis only that it is all so sudden. I expect the children shall soon grow used to me."

A tilt of his head. "Though if I may suggest ... I hear that the Ethica Nicomachea is just the thing for a growing lad."

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mmquitecontrary June 21 2007, 05:57:47 UTC
Before Colin has time to reply, Mary comes running up, followed by the help she found.

Breathlessly: "It is all right, Uncle - we are going to save you!"

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a_poor_guardian June 21 2007, 06:06:27 UTC
The children's dramatics are growing tiresome. Why must the two of them continually interrupt Archibald's happiness?

"Really, Mary, I do not know what is the matter with you and Colin tonight."

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maxwellsdemon02 June 21 2007, 06:13:57 UTC
Duo pinches the bridge of his nose. "I hate to break it to you, Mister Craven. But your blushing bride there? Already married. And she'll probably be pissed if he manages it again."

He glares daggers at Puck.

No. More like meat cleavers and broadswords.

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puckishly June 21 2007, 06:17:10 UTC
Puck blinks copiously at Duo, then smiles a broad, bright, entirely winsome smile in his direction.

"Why, Master Maxwell-- surely you wouldn't think to stand in the way of true love?"

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uncommongardenr June 21 2007, 06:26:41 UTC
"Mary, Duo--"

Dickon's voice is low, and he's very definitely addressing Mary and Duo and not Archibald.

Archibald is not going to hear any accusations of not being in his right mind from Dickon.

"I think I c'n 'elp 'im, but...'e must be asleep for it t' work proper, I think."

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