Mary Poppins is Practically Perfect in Every Way (prac_perfect) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2019-03-08 22:02:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, mary poppins, william laurence |
Who: Laurence & Mary
What: Dream gift surprise!
When: Friday morning
Where: Mary's apartments
Rating: Low
Status: Complete!
It seemed as though the question of whether Temeraire would remain in China or return to England with Laurence was finally answered in the dream that Laurence had, neatly, if not a little embarrassingly. Laurence, in his thirties, was to be adopted as the Emperor’s son, a prince of China. Laurence knew, of course, that this was just a title, a tidy piece bit of ceremony so that they could justify letting Temeraire remain in Laurence’s care. The ceremony was proper, though Laurence couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable in the robes, splendid and golden and the stitching elaborate and adorned with precious jewels.
He was given gifts, and when he asked Temeraire what he wished to do now that they had the choice to remain in China, or to return to Britain, Temeraire was adamant that they return home to help improve the lot of the dragons back home too. Laurence, though uncertain of how to proceed, was proud of his dragon. And, to be certain, a little relieved. He didn’t know how they Emperor or the Chinese government would take to having him remain in China with his new title.
Laurence was woken up by the sound of the bedroom door opening, and he was awake in a flash. The first thing he became aware of was the pearl necklace in his hand, completely perfect, one of the gifts he had received at his adoption ceremony. Quickly, before Mary could see it, he hid it under the covers.
While they had progressed to the next step of their relationship sometime last year, Mary still had not found a way to politely ask Laurence to stay with her in her bed. While the thought was pleasing, the thought of making a request was too embarrassing to comprehend. Instead, she was able to enjoy his company far into the night and not have to worry about how much time they had together before they needed to part ways. He seemed quite content to stay in her extra bedroom and she could only admire him for his chivalrous behavior.
She wanted to surprise him that morning by providing breakfast in bed. She had cooked a rather splendid traditional British breakfast and was quite excited to serve it to him. It was hard to find a good pub that made an authentic breakfast in Orange County.
She had knocked quietly on the door before pushing it open, not very surprised to find him awake. She saw a quick movement only due to the colorful garb he had on. Her eyes grew wide and she had to bite down on her lip to keep herself from smiling gaily.
“My word William! That’s...quite a decorative pajama you have on!” It certainly didn’t look like anything he would wear and she wondered if he may have just had a dream.
For a moment, Laurence had no idea what Mary was talking about. He had gone to sleep in a rather comfortable, if not plain, set of pyjamas. Only after she mentioned it did he realize that he was not wearing the warm cotton, but something that felt rather like silk.
Feeling a sinking sense of dread, he looked down at his garment, realizing that he was still wearing the jewel encrusted, silk robe from his adoption ceremony. So taken aback by it was he that he didn’t even notice the Chinese literature that sat at the end of his bed, evidently another gift from the dreams.
“Oh dear,” Laurence muttered, his cheeks turning a shade of crimson. “I can’t imagine what you must be thinking, but know that I wanted no part of this get-up.”
Mary had to stifle a laugh as she knew Laurence would only become more embarrassed over the whole situation. Still, it was quite strange to see him in such finely ornamented and colorful robes! He tended to like more muted colors, nothing with too much “flair”, as the kids called it.
She set the tray on a table, walking over to the bed and taking a seat on the edge. It was a bit familiar, but he was up and she couldn’t help the curiosity that seemed to be coursing through her.
“A dream gift?” she guessed, looking from him to the ornamental clothing. “May I?” She had reached to touch one of his sleeves, guessing that it was made of silk.
Laurence sat up as Mary approached the bed, making room for her at the edge of it. Familiar it may have been, but Laurence welcomed the familiarity. Right now, he wished for nothing more than to be close to her.
Well, that, and for her to have never have seen him in these embarrassing robes. “By all means,” he said, lifting his arm for her to feel the garment, knowing how ungracious it would be to pull away and at the same time wanting to feel her touch on his arm.
Mary couldn’t help but coo over the beautiful fabric, the silk so soft and supple beneath her fingers. “It’s beautiful! How did you receive it?” The look in her eyes was one of pride and curiosity. She knew he must have done something rather heroic to have such a finely made outfit. Still, it was more color on Laurence than what she was used to. She had to agree that the vibrant adornings didn’t do well with his complexion. Not that she would actually speak such things out loud, she was sure he was embarrassed enough as it was!
Her hand wandered to find his own, clasping it in her own as she waited to hear the adventures he may have gone on to receive such a gift.
“It is a rather long tale,” Laurence said, moving deeper onto the bed so that Mary would have room to sit fully beside him. He tugged gently on her hand, a silent invitation which she could accept or refuse without any breach of etiquette. He took a sip of the coffee Mary had brought for him. He had been raised to believe that being a good storyteller and conversationalist was a necessity for any gentleman, and so, while it was a very embarrassing story, he was willing to tell it.
“As I’ve told you before, once we arrived in China we discovered that Teremaire was one of eight Celestial dragons in the entire world, and that the Celestial dragons were only to be paired up with Emperors or Royalty. We had not known why the Chinese would have surrendered him to France, and that was of some concern for us.
“It was explained, however, when we discovered that Temeraire had a twin brother, who was paired with the crown Prince. He had not been sent away in any sort of alliance with the French, but rather, because they did not want to have the competition for the throne once they were both grown. As they had heard of Napoleon, who styled himself an Emperor, they thought that he would make a wonderful companion for their extra Celestial.
“This did prove to be a complication, but not one that could be fixed. As Temeraire refused any companionship but my own, it was conceived that I would be adopted by the Emperor of China as one of his sons. This, of course, was just a formality, an easy fix to a complicated question, but one that both I and the Emperor accepted.” It was, after all, his duty to his country to bring back one of the strongest fighting dragons they had, and it, as well as the ability to stay by Temeraire’s side, and so he had reluctantly agreed. It still stung that he had needed to choose between his duty to Temeraire and his country over his duty to his family. His father, when he heard the news, would no doubt be furious.
“This, I’m afraid, were the robes they had dressed me in for the adoption ceremony.”
Mary happily joined him on the bed, indulging a bit by snuggling close to him to hear about his dreams. He had such a way with storytelling that she found herself engrossed, almost as if she were there with him.
Every time he told her his dreams, it felt like an adventure story. As much as a grown dragon would not be welcomed in Orange County, she couldn’t help but imagine what he would be like, if Temeraire would actually show up one night after a dream. If he hadn’t arrived yet, she had a feeling he might not and wondered if Laurence minded. Perhaps this meant that someone in the area might dream of being him; while not being human, he was certainly intelligent from what she had gleaned from his stories.
“I think it’s wonderful,” she said at the end of his tale. “You’re a very good friend and patriot.” She hadn’t thought how his own family might take to it as it was a ceremony for pomp and show. “How did it feel?” she asked, suppressing a smile. “To be an adopted son of the Emperor of China?” His reaction to his garb seemed to prove he wasn’t thrilled with the idea, but she knew his pride always took a backseat when it came to Temeraire and England.
Laurence frowned to himself, trying to think of the most diplomatic way of answering Mary’s question. Eventually, he decided it was Mary, and there was no Emperor of China in this day and age, and he could, perhaps, be less than diplomatic.
“Humiliating,” Laurence admitted after a moment. “Perhaps humiliating is the write word,” he amended after a moment. “It’s not something that I wanted, at least. I understand the diplomatic reasons behind it. The Chinese would not allow Temeraire to come home to England if he were not bound to one in an Imperial family, but I’m afraid that everyone home will make a bigger deal of it than it truly is. Temeraire already feels as though it is something to be proud of, instead of just a piece of convenient, if not convoluted, diplomacy. And…” he took a breath. “I’m afraid my father will not approve in the least when he hears of it.”
“Oh my dear.” Of course it was Laurence’s perspective how embarrassing the ordeal was. Being a man and not a child, the ceremony was to secure his nation’s assets, something he would always place above his own feelings. Still, she could understand the humility of being put into that situation; it wasn’t like he had much of a choice. She smiled and, in a very un-Mary thing to do, she snuggled closer to Laurence, wrapping an arm around his chest.
“Well, it can obviously be just between the two of us,” she said with a smile, closing her eyes. But she was sure it would be something he would share with the Valarnet. She didn’t blame him, however; of all the different sorts of people in the world, she found it truly remarkable that so many could be brought together in a strange solidarity. No one else would question the strangeness of it.
Laurence smiled, and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her in close to his breast. It was nice, having Mary this close to him. He hadn’t realized how much he had craved this closeness until he had it.
“I think I’d prefer that,” Laurence said. There was no reason why everyone need know about his adoption - as a full-grown adult no less - or his garish ceremonial robes. “It’s far too embarrassing. If anyone need know, I’m glad that it is you.”
Mary smiled into his chest, both as he pulled her closer and admitted his confidence in her. They had been dating for a few months now, but Mary was beginning to feel like each moment she had with him brought them closer and closer together. She was beginning to understand why some people forgo all decorum and acted in a way she had deemed inappropriate. She would never act on such impulses herself, but...she understood.
“Well, if you don’t mind terribly, I think I shall keep you here just a bit longer in those robes.” She looked up at him, smiling. “And then, perhaps, I will let you up and we can go about our day.”
Laurence smiled at her. It wasn’t often Laurence was able to just relax in bed after waking up - there was always so much to do, and he didn’t enjoy feeling idle. But he had his breakfast in front of him, and his beautiful Mary at his side, and he couldn’t think of anything he’d rather do more at this moment.
“I don’t mind in the least, darling,” Laurence said, settling in more comfortably next to her. “I’m quite content to just remain here for the time being.”