The Letters of Elizabeth Bennet

ONE

[When the device is activated, the scene before it is of a plain wall with a window, currently open to the dubious light of a morning in the Down. Beside it is a simple cot, clean sheets neatly folded upon it and ready to be used. There is a small, wooden table to one side.

Sitting on the cot, back straight and hands resting neatly in her lap, is a young woman who is confused, upset and doing her best to let none of those concerns show on her face. She is a pretty brunette wearing the clothing she chose that morning for a walk into Meryton: a simple shift made from fine, unbleached muslin and a cotton dress of a rich coral colour with a gentle square neckline and Empire waist, a popular fashion choice of the period. A long coat is draped over the cot beside her.

The device is completely foreign to her, so if she is a bit stiff or uncertain, please be patient. For those who are familiar with Great Britain, her accent could be categorized as upper-class in quality, though where in Britain she is specifically from is probably not clear to someone unfamiliar with the variety of possibilities. If you are more intimate with the accents of the soggy island, she is from Hertfordshire in Southern England. When she speaks, her voice has a pleasant tone and her words are clear and easy to understand.]

Good morning. I am new to the city and thought it prudent to introduce myself and perhaps gain a better understanding of my circumstances.

[She shares a genuine smile, though it is apparent she is a bit overwhelmed.]

I do apologize if I am not presenting myself correctly, but I am still learning the proper etiquette of this place.

Oh, my name is Elizabeth. I look forward to meeting anyone who should decide to respond. Thank you.

[She stands, moves toward the device until the fabric of her dress is the last thing seen before she sets this unusual item to something called 'pause. It will reactivate should she receive any replies.]

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TWO

Longbourn is not a large estate, but it was established by her father's family some time before in the beautiful countryside of Hertfordshire, and Elizabeth is very grateful to her Bennet ancestor for choosing this particular location. Not only are there fields and forests to explore, but she can comfortably walk to the market village of Meryton and usually does so several times a week with one or more of her sisters, weather permitting.

Today is one of those mornings. This early, the air is still crisp and cool, but it is undoubtedly Spring, regardless. Small, green hints of flowers are poking through the soil, both in their formal garden beds and on the roadside on the way to the village.

"Mama, I want to wear this blue bonnet and Kitty won't let me have it!"

At the sound of her youngest sister, Lydia, stirring up trouble, Elizabeth pauses at the door to her room, debating whether she should leave now and bolt for the stairs, hoping to avoid being dragged into an argument, or if she should just grin and bear it. The third option is to wait and hope the storm passes her by.

"Mama, it is my bonnet and I want to wear it," Kitty counters. "Lydia has three of her own to choose from."

"But I don't want to wear any of those," Lydia says petulantly. "I want to wear this one."

"Well, you can't, because it's mine."

Elizabeth decides she shouldn't let her sisters keep her hostage in her own room and is about to leave when she hears her mother's voice.

"Oh, let her have it, Kitty. You can wear that brown one, which is still very nice."

"But Mama -"

"Kitty..."

"It isn't fair," the second youngest announces and runs off to her room.

Elizabeth gently presses her forehead against the wooden door and sighs quietly. In the hall, Lydia is delighted, of course, and her mother is making doting noises like a hen over a chick. At least as second eldest and another of the daughters her mother mostly leaves alone, Elizabeth can disappear into the garden and not be bothered.

Perhaps after her return from Meryton, she and Jane, the eldest Bennet girl and Elizabeth's best friend and confidant, can escape to the drawing room or, if it is warm enough, to the back courtyard, soak up some of the sun and share a few hours of blessed silence. She can bring a book and Jane her latest needlepoint.

With that pleasant thought in mind, Elizabeth waits for the chattering to subside before she slowly opens the door and cautiously looks out. The hall is empty of human life so she steps out, coat in hand and gently closes the door behind her.

She is unexpectedly confronted by two doors she has never seen before...

Bonus link to TDM #41 with Hayato Gokudera, bless 'im bakudan_bambino - ( Read more... )