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alias_sqbrA little ficlet set during Elizabeth's visit to Pemberley. Part of a longer AU which is refusing to let me write it, but this scene fits into canon and stands alone, so I thought I'd post it to make myself feel better.
EDIT: First chapter of Mistress of Pemberley now up at AO3.
In the Portrait Gallery: Pride and Prejudice, 350 words, G. Elizabeth Bennet, some Elizabeth/Darcy subtext.
Elizabeth was beginning to suspect that Mr Darcy was not the man she'd thought he was.
His portrait stood out from those of the other Darcys, and not only because of Elizabeth's familiarity with him. They were all tall, but many of the other Darcy men had an almost hulking quality that Darcy did not. Even his sister was an imposing figure, though the shy sweetness of her smile undercut any intimidating effect her statuesque figure might otherwise have inspired. Darcy, however, was of a moderate build, despite his height. He looked more like the descendant of scholars than of the sword wielding soldiers and grizzled patriarchs lining the walls of the gallery.
Looking at Darcy's portrait, Elizabeth felt able to examine his features in a way she would never have dared with the real man. Larger than life, his painted features smiled at the world with an expression both good natured and slightly restrained, as if he felt a little self conscious in front of the painter and his intended audience. An audience which did not, one assumed, include Elizabeth.
How strange to be in this house as a tourist, almost a stranger, and yet to know that she could have been mistress of it. And how unexpected the glowing account of him they had received from his housekeeper. She made him seem...almost human. Elizabeth did not know what to think. And what would Darcy think of her, if he knew that she had walked these halls, examining his personal possessions as if they were objects in a museum? Elizabeth had never felt the sting of rejected affection, nor was Netherfield grand enough to attract outside visitors, but she still felt a deep sense of unease imagining Darcy's feelings if he was made aware of her presence.
Elizabeth reminded herself that the housekeeper had said he wouldn't be back until tomorrow at the earliest, and tried to not to feel like a voyeur. After one last, conflicted glance at his portrait she rejoined her aunt and uncle and left the house, never expecting to walk it's halls again.
EDIT: First chapter of Mistress of Pemberley now up at AO3.
In the Portrait Gallery: Pride and Prejudice, 350 words, G. Elizabeth Bennet, some Elizabeth/Darcy subtext.
Elizabeth was beginning to suspect that Mr Darcy was not the man she'd thought he was.
His portrait stood out from those of the other Darcys, and not only because of Elizabeth's familiarity with him. They were all tall, but many of the other Darcy men had an almost hulking quality that Darcy did not. Even his sister was an imposing figure, though the shy sweetness of her smile undercut any intimidating effect her statuesque figure might otherwise have inspired. Darcy, however, was of a moderate build, despite his height. He looked more like the descendant of scholars than of the sword wielding soldiers and grizzled patriarchs lining the walls of the gallery.
Looking at Darcy's portrait, Elizabeth felt able to examine his features in a way she would never have dared with the real man. Larger than life, his painted features smiled at the world with an expression both good natured and slightly restrained, as if he felt a little self conscious in front of the painter and his intended audience. An audience which did not, one assumed, include Elizabeth.
How strange to be in this house as a tourist, almost a stranger, and yet to know that she could have been mistress of it. And how unexpected the glowing account of him they had received from his housekeeper. She made him seem...almost human. Elizabeth did not know what to think. And what would Darcy think of her, if he knew that she had walked these halls, examining his personal possessions as if they were objects in a museum? Elizabeth had never felt the sting of rejected affection, nor was Netherfield grand enough to attract outside visitors, but she still felt a deep sense of unease imagining Darcy's feelings if he was made aware of her presence.
Elizabeth reminded herself that the housekeeper had said he wouldn't be back until tomorrow at the earliest, and tried to not to feel like a voyeur. After one last, conflicted glance at his portrait she rejoined her aunt and uncle and left the house, never expecting to walk it's halls again.
no subject
Date: 2012-08-08 05:04 am (UTC), though I think canon explicitly mentions the similarities between his sister and him. (Something I, uh, forgot while you were talking about the AU. It can be explained away, anyway.)* I love the way you describe it all, and I like what you decided for him physically, if only because it so decidedly contradicts fanon. *rejoices*If you ever plan to use this, maybe I would consider referencing a connection E does make about his expression in the portrait, to whit: Mr. Darcy, with such a smile over the face as she remembered to have sometimes seen when he looked at her. Not literally the phrase, but maybe as a hook back to canon.
* Good that I forgot because it actually doesn't say that, as you point out in chat. -_-
no subject
Date: 2012-08-09 01:24 am (UTC)if only because it so decidedly contradicts fanon
I must admit I did enjoy that aspect :D I get a bit sick of all the hulking heroes.
If you ever plan to use this, maybe I would consider referencing a connection E does make about his expression in the portrait, to whit: Mr. Darcy, with such a smile over the face as she remembered to have sometimes seen when he looked at her. Not literally the phrase, but maybe as a hook back to canon.
Good point, done!
no subject
Date: 2012-08-08 09:28 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-08-09 01:25 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-08-08 09:50 am (UTC)also:
LIZZIE?!
do you hate me? is that why you hurt me so? *sob*
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Date: 2012-08-08 10:01 am (UTC)Dammit I thought I got them allYES YES I DO
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Date: 2012-08-08 11:48 am (UTC)http://www.youtube.com/user/LizzieBennet
"This" being "an online modern adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice"
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Date: 2012-08-09 01:26 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-08-08 07:53 pm (UTC)The AU is interesting, too!
A new, decent, P&P fic with my favourite characters! YES!I don't think I've ever read anything particularly like it (and now I understand some random questions I got, lol). I love the idea of Georgiana as mistress of Pemberley, particularly. Georgiana <3 <3 <3I guess you'll explain it later, but it seems a little bizarre that they would adopt/steal the Wickhams' son, and only one of them, and then raise him alongside the other one. Did everyone else know? And Darcy, if I'm remembering correctly, refers to himself as almost exactly Wickham's age. Did they fiddle with the birthdays? Or are they twins (fraternal obvs)? Gah, I want to know all the things, but these are probably as spoilery, you don't need to answer them. Anyway, good luck with the fic!
no subject
Date: 2012-08-09 01:28 am (UTC)And thank you for your second hand information!
I guess you'll explain it later, but it seems a little bizarre that they would adopt/steal the Wickhams' son, and only one of them, and then raise him alongside the other one. Did everyone else know?
All will be clear in time ;)