When can Jeeves cry?

[storyfan]

 All right, flist folk, I need a little help. When you have a spare minute, please take my poll. If you'd like to comment afterward, feel free. And does anyone know how to get rid of or hide the poll info (number and who can view it)?

Poll When can Jeeves shed a few tears?

Comments

[thirstyrobot]

I ticked bunny suit for the lulz, but yes, I think he would be moved to shed a few tears if Bertie broke his heart. Or as others have said, by Bertie's death or some other Very Bad Thing™. But I kind of feel like they would be those very stoic sorts of tears that just sort of roll out whether you want them to or not. I don't see him as a hysterical sobber.

I have problems in general with the crying thing; it has to be done really really right for me not to cringe a little even if it's a character who's been seen/said to cry. That's a pan-fandom blanket statement, not limited to J&W.

[storyfan]

The bunny suit. I can just picture it. Incidentally, I wore one in college for a sorority fundraiser. I delivered chocolate rabbits to people, and I will never live that down.

For me, any crying in fandom has to be for a very good reason, so I agree with you there. I would not want Jeeves to be blubbering all over the place simply because he didn't care for paisley ties (such Attire has a use, if he thinks about it). The only story I can remember that has him doing more than wibbling just a bit is that marvy fic by Triedunture. You know which one? I just don't want to put a spoiler in here. But it worked in that one, very very well, and that's because she really built up to it.

Thanks for the advice - Love the trademark sign.

[waqaychay]

if bertie or he were hurt, i'd say it's all right for jeeves to cry. like, really hurt. but i don't think jeeves would ever let bertie or anyone else see him cry.

[storyfan]

To cry in public or to cry in private - that is the question. Now I just have to decide. Thanks for voting.
P.S. I'm glad you survived the weekend.

[jmparrot]

My thoughts? He'd cry if the news was a sudden shock and he didn't have time to rationally process it before the emotion kicked in-and so long as he was alone. He seems very aware of other people, and would keep the mask on if they were there regardless of the shock, but if he were to, say, get a telegram saying Bertie eloped while he was on holiday might do it. Not sobbing crying, but as said above, the stoic sort of tears. A manly sniff and a one or two stray drops before he pulled himself back together.

But the thing that I think would get him most of all would be to realize he failed Bertie in some serious way. His feudal spirit and all would make the blow doubly hard. Failing in general seems like something that would break Jeeves in one way or another, but to fail Bertie, well, that's just enough to break him completely. Especially if Bertie's the one to point out that Jeeves failed in his soup-straining duties.

[storyfan]

This gives me food for thought. Failure-induced tears. I hadn't thought about it that way. And I know what you mean about just a few tears. There would not be a flood of them. He'd rein himself in before that could happen.

Thanks!

[hazeltea]

He'd need to be devastated, and even then, he'd do his best to hide it.

[storyfan]

Yes, I believe he would do his best to hide it. And he would have to be unexpectedly devastated, I think. If he knew the blow was coming, whatever it was, even just a few minutes would be enough time for him to collect himself.

[princesshannah4]

I think that Jeeves would cry about the bunny suit, mainly because the pajamas-and-sweater thing is the only thing he almost cries about in canon.

If we're talking about comedy crying, I'd say the bunny suit. If we're talking Srys Crying, I'd say "Bertie breaks his heart." For the latter, he'd probably mull it over silently for a bit and then shimmer off to his lair to shed a few quiet manly tears, pillow-hugging optional (it's kinda hard to picture Jeeves crying any other way than sheding a few quiet manly tears).

[storyfan]

Quiet manly tears. I think that's the key.