(Untitled)

[mmquitecontrary]

Mary's studying languages tonight, which means there's a lot of muttered German coming from a table in the corner.

It's an unfortunate fact that no matter how often she repeats a sentence, or how correct her grammer is, her accent stubbornly fails to conform itself to 'native German speaker' and continues to quite clearly convey 'British

Comments

[morethanprops]

Moist walks by her and stops to listen, she sounds like she could almost be speaking Uberwaldian.

Since he's been having a relaxed day, he's still only in part of his best suit, the jacket is back in his inn room, but the waistcoat and pants are of fine quality.

[morethanprops]

Mary has never been ridden out of town on a rail, it makes things much more exciting and sticky when tar is involved,

"Yes, my life isn't that interesting."

[mmquitecontrary]

"When I was younger, my life was dull," Mary informs him, with all the aged wisdom of a crone-in-the-making, "but that is because I was dull - I did not know how to interest myself in things, or care about things. Once one is able to do that, it is difficult not to have an interesting life."

[morethanprops]

"True, but the opportunities I find worth pursuing might bore you."

[mmquitecontrary]

Mary sniffs. "Why should you care about that? You have no need to concern yourself with being interesting to me - or vice versa. I am sure there are a great many people who engage themselves with dull things; it is not my concern."

[morethanprops]

"So it doesn't matter to you if others find you worth spending time around?"

That's an unusual way to go through life, but then Moist's career relies on him being ingratiating and not that memorable.

[mmquitecontrary]

"No," Mary says, head high; which is half a lie, and half not.

"People may like me, or they may not. They may find me interesting or they may find it dull. What should it matter? I shall not change for them."

[morethanprops]

"That is a brave choice. Sadly to do well in the business I work, I need people to like me. I hope you can find a career that lets you hold onto that freedom."

[mmquitecontrary]

Mary shakes her head.

"It is not brave. But I will not change who I am."

[morethanprops]

"Yes, it is. When people dislike you they can be quite cruel."

[mmquitecontrary]

"I know that. I am not thin-skinned," says Mary, which is a lie; Mary takes offense faster than a dog jumps up at the word 'walk.'

"It should matter to me if I cared. I care about the people I like - but even then, they are not obliged to like me."

[morethanprops]

"So you have never had to worry about employment and finding and holding someone's good graces?"

Moist has not ever held a steady job, but part of seeming respectable is knowing what's acceptable. If you flaunt that you don't care too much, people notice.

[mmquitecontrary]

"My uncle owns Misselthwaite Manor. If I did not wish to, I should never have to work."

Mary says this matter-of-factly, with a small hint of self-satisfaction; there is something, after all, to being of a certain class."

[morethanprops]

He raises an eyebrow, that explains quite a lot,

"I see and where exactly is Misselthwaite Manor?"

[mmquitecontrary]

"Not in your world," Mary says, suddenly wary.

"So it should not be any concern of yours."

[morethanprops]

"I was only curious how manors might differ between our worlds,"

Also he's trying to figure out just how rich she is versus how rich she thinks she is.