002 ☙ [video] | OTA

[thequitecontrary]

[War changes people, Mary Crawley included.

After her midnight ride from Caer Glaem the night of the jabberwock attack, she arrived a frozen mess in the land of the Elves. Nearly dead, they had taken her in and helped nurse her back to health. The whole experience had been surreal. Being in their realm made her wonder if this was what heaven was like. Everything seemed so bright, as if someone had turned the contrast up on the entire world. Whatever medicine they used on her worked, because she was as good as new within a week, feeling stronger than she had in years. They helped equip her and her horse before she set out. She owes them a great debt and she knows it.

She has since arrived in Parrais, where she knew that Anne would be, in order to seek shelter since the castle at Glaem has been damaged. Truth be told, she'd rather not go back there for a while anyway. While in the Elvenlands she had a lot of time to think and was subsequently able to act in Parrais. Mary has cut her hair, partly out of deference to the latest style back home and partly for practical reasons. She realizes that finding someone here to do her hair every day will be difficult. Mary also hasn't worn a corset since she fled Glaem and after several weeks without one, she has no plans to go back. A camisole suits her fine and again she's met with the obstacle of having no one to help her tie a corset anyway.

Congratulations. The war has successfully pushed Mary into the twentieth century.

She appears on the locket looking well-rested and back to being herself again.]

Hello to anyone who may be seeing and hearing this broadcast. I was not able to properly introduce myself last time I used this device. [Since she was fleeing on horseback through the frozen landscape.] I am Lady Mary Crawley, daughter of the Earl of Grantham. Firstly, I would like to thank the Elves for their hospitality and care after I arrived in their lands following the attack on Caer Glaem. Your generosity will not be forgotten by me. Secondly... [She pauses here for a moment, gathering exactly what she wants to say.] I wish to know if I may help in any way now that the battle is over. I'm staying in Parrais for a while so anything in this region would be well-suited. I know... a bit about farming, actually, and the running of an estate. I also have a small bit of nursing knowledge thanks to my sister and the experience of a war back home.

Please let me know of a way that I might be helpful.

[Not only has the war pushed her into the twentieth century, it might also have caused hell to freeze over. Mary's not usually the helpful type, though maybe the healing she received from the Elves is causing her to want to pay it forward. Or maybe she just doesn't want to sit around bored all day. There are only so many shops to visit and books to read. They don't even have formal dinner here. At least back at Downton she had responsibilities and tasks to complete.]

Comments

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[jaywalks]

Looks like your nose didn't freeze off in the trip. Congratulations.

[ SON don't sass. ]

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[thequitecontrary]

[This.. is probably a joke and she takes it as such. The man helped her find her way when she was fleeing for her life, so Mary doesn't see him wishing her ill-will now.]

Yes, that would have been rather inconvenient, though I did have severe frostbite. I don't know what kind of medicine or.. dare I say magic that the Elves used but it was very effective.

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[jaywalks]

In my experience, it's probably magic if it's something you walked away from surprised that you're feeling as good as you do.

[ because, ha. magic is about the only thing that saves you from near disembowelment.

he pauses, briefly, because here we are with someone with IDEAS about manners, probably, seeing as she's... well, she has a title from her home, and all he has is "detective" on his endorsement paperwork, with chief's yin seal stamped in the corner of one, bright red ink next to the gold. ]

Is it Lady Crawley or just Mary?

[ for the record, his experience with nobility is limited to: korra, tonraq, mmmmaybe opal and suyin, lord zuko, for all of 5 minutes, that jerk queen who thew him in prison because he helped prisoners she had under false pretenses break out from her top secret brainwashing facility, and then the other jerk queen who took away his bending just because she thought korra was rude.

also her hair looks like something modern from home, so clearly she is modern and not stuffy hopefully. ]

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[thequitecontrary]

Magic. I didn't even know such a thing existed before I came here, but I don't see how I have any other choice but to confront it in this land.

Lady Mary, actually.

[She's a bit stuffy, sorry Mako. Mostly just very proper and polite. But she knows that not everyone here has been raised in the same environment as her.]

What's your name?

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[jaywalks]

I'm, ah — [ shouoould he use a title??? nobody knows. maaay as well try it. ] — Just Mako. I'm one of the Cuidigh Le Marquis at the Citadel.

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[stickseller]

Nursing, eh? So if I get a booboo, you'll come kiss it better?

(Howard no.)

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[thequitecontrary]

[Howard, no. Mary is definitely side-eyeing you a bit.]

And rely on the medicinal properties in my saliva?

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[stickseller]

Don't disappoint me here. I thought all fairy princesses were supposed to have a healing touch. One delivered as a kiss must be the most powerful of all.

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[thequitecontrary]

[Add a cocked eyebrow to that too.]

Do I look like a fairy princess to you?

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[stickseller]

(He'll just raise one back at her.)

Honestly? Yeah, kinda. They're always pale and beautiful in the pictures, though I can't see your ears to see if they're pointed, but for all I know you could be keeping them concealed for that exact reason.

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[souveraine]

You always are welcome in Parrais. [Anne smiles kindly, she is not one who could ever sit idle.] It is quiet for the moment but I could always use help with supplies and working with the council.

I am sure the Lord Marshall Lancelot could use some help as well. It is not difficult to keep busy.

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[thequitecontrary]

Thank you, Your Majesty. [Mary smiles, happy to see her.] I'll be happy to help you at your convenience. How do you fare in your condition?

[She had noticed her expanded belly when they had talked at the feast.]

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[souveraine]

It is my hope that Parrais is a safe place for those that wish to stay there.

[Anne is touched at Mary's concern, a hand resting on her belly.] I am faring well. I am thankful my child continues to grow, I am confident they will be strong like his father.

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[thequitecontrary]

I have a son back home. [She pauses, thinking of him. It's funny, when he's in the Downton nursery she sometimes forgets that he's there, but now when she's so far away he's on her mind every day.] I remember being about where you are in the pregnancy and being frustrated at the seeming endlessness of it.

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[souveraine]

You must miss him greatly. To be separated from your son like this, I couldn't imagine such a thing. [Anne's heart goes out to Mary, she doesn't want to think of being separated from her son.] It does seem as if it will never end and there are a great deal of frustrating moments.

[Like when she popped the seam of her gown or was unable to put her shoes on herself.]

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[cerebral]

I'm not in any position to organize anyone at the moment, but it's good to see you again, Lady Mary. [Which is a nice way to say 'it's good that you're alive and intact.'] You're looking very fashionable.

[re: the haircut.]

It might be worth asking someone with high standing in the court. I have a feeling any help is welcome these days.

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[thequitecontrary]

Mr. Xavier. [She grins, glad that he noticed, of course. Men here are proving to be more attentive than she'd originally thought.] Thank you. Glad to see that you made it through the battle, hopefully not too much worse for wear. I'd have been upset if I'd never got to hear details about life in London in the 1960s.


[OOC: Kind of handwaving that he told her he's from London in the 60s since we didn't get there in the other thread. Let me know if I need to edit.]

[cerebral]

(ooc: that's totally fine!)

[Only because the ladies in question are so charming.]

It depends on your definition of wear - [he hasn't told anyone he was shot (...again)] - but yes, I'm well. Present and accounted for to spoil history for others.

[thequitecontrary]

[Charming ladies do love attentive men.]

I doubt it's much of a spoil. Are there plans to get any of us back home soon? And even if they do, goodness knows what year it will be when we arrive there. It feels as though every day here is equal to two.

[cerebral]

You mean you're not enjoying your stay? [He's shocked, shocked he tells you.] War aside, it's all quite scenic.

[That would be a 'no,' unfortunately.]

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[psalmed]

It is difficult for a lady to find something to do with herself when such an event occurs, is it not?

[And while her face might hold a bit of mischief, her tone is sweet, understanding even because she has found herself much in the same boat and she arguably has more skills than most Court-raised ladies.]

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[thequitecontrary]

Quite difficult, yes.

[The idea that she might actually fight in a battle is completely ludicrous to her. That's what men are for. And women if they really feel like it, but Mary certainly does not.]

Are you also a member of the titled class?

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[psalmed]

A lady in the Court of His Majesty. Lesser nobility but I have been fortunate enough to be the lady of Her Majesty as well.

[The illegitimate spawn of a king doesn't really have a title, after all.]

It is difficult and rather trying to find a place in a land not your own.

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[thequitecontrary]

I agree. I've enjoyed some hospitality of these monarchs and other peoples of this land, but this is not my country and the monarch is not my King.

[Mary is loyal to England, King George and her family. The Seelie aren't going to get much of a fighter out of her.]

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[psalmed]

I am afraid I do not know the history of the stewardship of Grantham save that it is in England, mademoiselle. I also must beg your forgiveness for how rude I am. My name is Lia de Beaumont.

[Without formal introductions it is so difficult to let it go by the wayside.]