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[janebecomes]

Jane enters Milliways with a look of shock on her face, she has accepted Mr. Wisley's proposal, her way forward has been decided for the good of her family. This is what is best for all concerned, she will be able to provide what is needed and can write if she wishes.

Her time with Tom was something that might have been and is best left to novels, where the impossible might become possible. The world has need of lawyers with the backings of money and status and proper wives.

She walks in a daze to the counter where she is presented with a small glass of brandy that she sips before turning to look at the population of Milliways. At least no one can take this spot of respite from her and she will have need of it as she will be related to Lady Gresham.

(OOC: Prompted by a canon rewatch and time, open for ages.)

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[herr_bookman]

And curled up next to the fire is a boy appearing to read two books at once: The Phantom of the Opera and Pride and Prejudice. It's clear from his face that he doesn't like at least one of them, though he appears to be taking notes on both.

Obviously he doesn't notice the woman in shock at the bar.

[janebecomes]

When she has her drink, Jane turns to look around the Bar and sees the boy with his two books.

She walks over to him and says, "Are you reading them both at once or going back and forth?"

[herr_bookman]

"I've read them separately already," Autor says, furrowing his brow. "Now I'm reading them both. Prejudice is clearly superior."

Then he looks up. "Hello," he says. "Are you a drinker? You don't look much like one."

[janebecomes]

"I'm afraid that I do not know either volume, I believe they're after my time. What makes Pride and Prejudice superior and that is a good title? No, sir, I am not, but I was in need of a drop of brandy."

[herr_bookman]

"Good," he says, and adjusts his glasses. "Brandy is a nasty drink; drinking is a dangerous habit."

That judgment made, Autor sets the books down, and opens the floodgate. "Pride and Prejudice is a fantastic title," he exclaims. "Both protagonists embody the traits, and have to eventually overcome their nasty first impressions of one another to work together. But!" he gushes, working himself into a crescendo, "if you examine the protagonist from a societal perspective, she has to fight against the expectations given her by not only her family, but his, given that he represents the landed gentry. In this way, her pride is at stake against their prejudice. Brilliant, brilliant social satire; would that I could write so lovely."

He sighs, contented.

"Phantom, on the other hand," he trails, wrinkling his nose. "Well, let's just say that the main female protagonist is passed between a bland Prince Charming and a sociopath as an object with no agency of her own."

A 'normal' person would likely say, 'Goodness me, I've spoken too much, please forgive me.' Autor does not. Instead, he leans forward. "What do you read, in your time?"

[janebecomes]

"I'm working on a novel called First Impressions but I will have to remember that title. When was it written? I mainly read novels such as those by Ann Radcliffe though I did enjoy Tom Jones, which a friend recommended to me,"

Jane never expects normal manners in Milliways, its something she finds freeing about it. She will not think on Tom now, they are not to be.

[herr_bookman]

First Impressions, Autor thinks. Why does that sound so familiar?

"1813. If you're reading Ann Radcliffe, it is likely that you'll be able to read this yourself, someday," he says, smiling. "What an exciting time."

Until he realizes, of course, that this young lady is living with all of the expectations that Frau Austen skewered. Oh.

Time to change the subject. "Do you often attend Milliways?"

[janebecomes]

"It is 1797 for me, forgive my manners. My name is Jane Austen. Not as much of late as my doors have not appeared consistently. I am glad that they have returned,"

Though she both wishes and doesn't wish for Tom's door to return, because it is too late for them now.

[herr_bookman]

Autor pales. "Frau Austen?" he asks quietly. He's torn between cracking up hysterically and collapsing in awe.

Instead, he'll rely on his rarely-used manners.

"A pleasure," he says, placing a hand over his heart and inclining his head. "I'd be honored to be the first to welcome you back here, the gathering place at the End of the Universe."

[janebecomes]

She smiles at his enthusiasm,

"Yes, I am not yet published in my time but I hope that it will not be too long before I am."

[herr_bookman]

Autor covers his smile with his hand. "May you have a brilliant debut. Might I ask for a first impression on First Impressions?"

[janebecomes]

"It follows the lives of a family with too many daughters and not enough money and their challenges in searching for marriages that will bring them happiness. I have not yet figured out how it will all end, but I am searching for a balance between an easy happy ending and the hard truths of the world,"

Her own happy ending will not happen, but perhaps it might for her characters.

[herr_bookman]

Oh, he could probably die happy now.

"It sounds lovely," he says. "I can certainly see the potential for conflict. And the main protagonist? One of the parents of the daughters, perhaps?"

[aaaaaaaagh_sky]

Ellen's getting ready to head out, and so she's armored at the moment- the Chinese stealth gear, black and close-fitting in places, bulky in others. She stops on her way towards the door, though; she's seen that poleaxed look before. "Hey there," she says carefully. "Are you all right?"

[janebecomes]

Ellen's gear is odd but a nice reminder that Milliways is truly not own,

"I should be as I have just become engaged but I do not feel as I am meant to."

[aaaaaaaagh_sky]

"Oh dear," says Ellen. "I'm guessing there was a family obligation involved?"

She's aware that some people in here probably get married for political reasons, too, but... well, Jane doesn't quite look like her conception of royalty, so politics is probably out.

[janebecomes]

"It is not an arranged engagement but it is for the benefit of my family."

[aaaaaaaagh_sky]

Ellen sighs, but nods. "That must be pretty tough," she says. "Is the gentleman at least somebody decent?"

[janebecomes]

"He is, yes, but not the one I truly wish to marry. That sadly cannot happen due to other circumstances. This way, I will be able to do as I must for my family."

[aaaaaaaagh_sky]

"Which is at least something," Ellen murmurs.

Arranged marriages or forced marriages weren't a thing in Vault 101, but having children was pretty much a requirement for anyone who wanted to live their lives without being thought to be completely abnormal. You did what you did as part of your obligation to the society that raised you; that's something Ellen can understand.

"How long until it becomes official?"

[janebecomes]

"I don't know, that will depend upon him and his mother. She decides much of how things are to be done,"

It will not be pleasant to be related to her but her family will have what they need as Tom is beyond her.

[aaaaaaaagh_sky]

"Ah." Ellen winces. "That's probably going to get awkward, isn't it... I hope it goes well, at least. Even if he's... even if he's not who you hoped for."

[janebecomes]

"The one I hoped for is beyond my reach now as he is engaged. With this engagement, I will fulfill my duty to my family and I believe he will allow me to continue writing."

[aaaaaaaagh_sky]

It's the lesson Mr. Brotch said was the most important thing to take away from The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance: sometimes the only reward you get for doing the right thing is knowing that the right thing got done.

The 'allow' bit kind of sticks in Ellen's craw, but- well, she comes from a society of scarcity in everyday life. Resources and work hours can only be allotted so far before they run out. (The idea that it might have anything to do with gender roles hasn't really occurred to her.)

"Would you be able to get any of your writing done here if he didn't?" Ellen suggests tentatively. "I mean- God forbid that happens, but... if it did, it's not like a restriction could be imposed here, right?"

The Bar has a ridiculous amount of resources, after all.

[janebecomes]

"Yes, I could. I have been writing slightly more here as it takes less time away from my other duties,"

It worries Jane as well, but Mr. Wisley does seem to be a decent other than that letter. Though she believes that came from his mother.