they love the way i walk cause i walk with a vengeance

[thequitecontrary]

Mun,

Never let it be said that you are not a champion for me. Your fierce loyalty and spirit are most inspiring and I thank you greatly. You've also been rather good to me as compared to some other muns, never sending me to a game where I might feel incredibly uncomfortable. Me in outer space for instance - could you even imagine? No, you cannot. Which is why I remain game-less. I appreciate that. Don't let it go to your head.

You seem a bit upset about the fact that PaPa took care of my debacle concerning that wretched woman, but really, to quote the Bard, all's well that ends well. In your time my indiscretion with Tony is not a crime. It's a common occurrence. But where and when I am from, even if I am a widow, it is a scandal. Whether or not I agree that it is makes no difference. I would have taken care of it myself had PaPa not intervened.

I like the way my life seems to be going too and whatever the future may hold for me. And I'm glad to have you in my corner always. Even if I don't really know you.

And I'm also glad you enjoyed the trousers.

- Lady Mary Crawley

PS. Who is this Beyonce and why should I listen to her music?

[Mun suggests you start with "Grown Woman" and work your way around to "Run The World (Girls)". It's empowering.]


[x-posted]

Comments

[underbutler]

Might be all right for you Miss Crawley. Mine just keeps me boxed up half the time. I wouldn't mind a trip to outer space. It would give me something to do.

[thequitecontrary]

It would be nice if your mun would let you out for a bit, Mr. Barrow. It's lonely being the only person from Downton around here.

But do you really think you would enjoy outer space? How does one even get there?

[underbutler]

Perhaps a large sort of aeroplane? I suppose to the moon first and then, ah... up?

Well you're welcome to speak to her, Miss. She wasn't even going to watch the episode you know, not if her friend hadn't pushed her to it. She'd forgotten about me, I think.

[ETA: because they did have planes by the 1920s, oops.]

[thequitecontrary]

Really, Mr. Barrow, you are perhaps one of the hardest people to forget. She should thank her friend. My mun enjoyed the episode and was glad my ordeal with that witch of a woman didn't get too drawn out. Of course, she may be back...

By the way, she thought you were very sweet to Georgie.

I imagine an aeroplane would be it. But can people breathe all the way up there? I thought the oxygen thinned out the higher you went?

[lol yeah I was gonna say.]

[underbutler]

I've always thought, whatever can get worse, will.

Ah well, I don't, [trails off, possibly even sporting a blush].

Not really my area of expertise, Miss. I can't imagine why the air would change though, it's all just air, isn't it?

[thequitecontrary]

Always the pessimist, aren't you?

Oh come now, he likes you. If you would like for him to stop using you as a pack mule though I'll speak to him.

I don't think so. I think that's why people faint if they climb very high mountains or go up very high in hot air balloons. It seems like it would be cold in space and I don't think I should want to go.

[underbutler]

No it's fine, I'm happy to. He's a good lad.

I suppose it's not so much a question of wanting as it is... not having any other options. There's- That is, it's been mentioned that some of the staff might... might have to be let go.

[thequitecontrary]

Right. Well, none of that has been discussed with me yet, and quite frankly I would hope that it would be before anyone is to be let go. With Mr. Branson gone I plan to take on an even larger role in the business side of Downton.

[underbutler]

That's good to know, Miss. I'd hate to leave the house. I've been here since I were a lad, well you know. Not sure what I'd do if I left Downton. Didn't work out so well the last time.

Are you really taking over then?

[thequitecontrary]

I understand. I could never leave Downton for good either. [And she also understands that Thomas is... different. The world is hard for people who are different.] Even if they feel they do not have use for you as an underbutler, you have other skills, Mr. Barrow. I'm sure we could find something.

I would like to but it will depend on how much power PaPa is willing to let go of. But I know what I'm doing. We won't suffer too harshly while we search for a replacement for Tom. Personally I'm not sure if we even really need one.

[underbutler]

With you on the case, Miss I'm sure I've no need to worry.

It'd be quite the thing, a Lady running the household. Very modern. Not sure what Carson might say about it. Though, as long as it were you, I don't think he'd mind so much. It's a bit forward of me to say, but I'd imagine you already know you can't do wrong in his eyes.

[Unlike Thomas, who can't do anything right].

[thequitecontrary]

Carson and I do have a special relationship, that is true. Although to be frank, he will always run the household. I just wish to have a say in the business end.

Matthew is dead. Papa is getting older, and George is 3. It falls to me and I can handle it. Lord knows we wouldn't want to leave it to Edith, would we?