New Fic, Just in time for the Holidays. I mean, aren't we getting a little sick of it?

[stoney321]

This is an experiment, but I will see it through with a new chapter everyday until all 12 parts are posted.

Pairing: Cecily/William (Spike)/Drusilla
Rating: PG-13 for some snits and I'm not sure...
Summary: Ever wonder what made Cecily leave her Victorian life to become Halfrek? Heh heh heh...



1880, December the Thirteenth
Mother and I have been quite concerned about the strange goings-on at the Haugh residence. Ever since William disappeared for a fortnight, strange doings have been told by the servants. Not that I listen to such gossip, but when one hears of a fine, upstanding lady such as Mistress Haugh... Well, better not to speak of such things. What mother wouldn't become adle-brained with such a wretch for a son? To think he deigned to love ME... It isn't to be borne.

However, I do find it odd to see movement in the windows at such a small hour of the night, yet no servants coming in and out during the day. No matter.

Tonight is a Grand Ball at the Worthingham Estate. I shall wear my lavender crinoline and carry the new clutch Father brought back from his travels. I expect to make quite a splash.

1880, December the Fourteenth
It was lovely to see everyone dressed so fine last night. My card was full all evening, and I dare say that Roger Worthingham and I would make a charming couple. It was all Mother could talk about on our ride home. I was the only girl in lavender, and with my complexion, there aren't many who could wear such a delicate colour. I am certain to be remembered for it.

Mother is calling me to the foyer. Someone has sent a gift. Can I imagine who has sent something this close to Christmas? Oh, do I dare?

~~~

That he would... the unmittigated gall of him. Common sense and propriety dictate that one does not purchase a gift for someone richer than he. What would be the point? That Mr. William Haugh sent a gift as if he had the right... And how droll. A partridge perched in a fruit tree as the song calls it. I could die of shame. I had mother roundly send it back, unsigned. Oh, I hope no one has heard of this... I shall not be made a laughingstock.

~TBC~

So? Anyone else care about this? I'll more later. Bet you a million dollars that you'll never guess the next gift. That is a complete lie.

BTW: According to Victorian times, it was considered ridiculous to try and give someone with more money than you a present. In a way, if someone bought you a gift, they were obviously indicating their superior wealth to yours. Merry Christmas! (I read a few Harper's Bazaar articles from 1880s today...)

Comments

[sdwolfpup.livejournal.com]

I'm interested. Post more for meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

(Is that enough "e"s you think?)

Will the next gift be a puppy? That's what I think!

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

It IS a puppy! how did you do that? I have the first 5 parts done, I'll put more up later on, promise.

JUST FER EWE!!!!

[crazydiamondsue.livejournal.com]

However, I do find it odd to see movement in the windows at such a small hour of the night, yet no servants coming in and out during the day. No matter.

Love you!!! Excellent period voice (you know, time period, not talking 'bout your "visitor.") The bit about lavender was a nice touch, very Cecily. More? For your little Suzie-Woozie-Floozie-Needs-Some-Boozie? I think two pounds of back bacon would be a lovely second gift. Bah-dah-bump-bump!!! (Whew - watch me mix my 12 Days metaphors. Gettin' dizzy?)

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

And a touque!! I-i-in a tree... Har har!! My mom always did the drink version (what a stretch) and on 9, sang out (a la Authur) 9... 9... *hic* 9 eyes have seen the coming of the Glory of the Lord..."

Good times.

I have almost half of it written... will put more up. Is it cheesy to put up a chapter a day?

[spikendru.livejournal.com]

Ooooo, ooooo! Mr. Kottah!

That's me, doing my Arnold Horshack impression to let you know that I want more, too! And is the dress a clue? I love clues. Now you've got me trying to figure out how much Cecily knows, since lavender was considered "half-mourning" in Victorian times. (After a year of unrelieved black when someone close to you died, you could then begin to wear gray or lavender for the next year.) Is her choice of gown a hint that William was closer toher than she wanted to let on . . . or am I totally off base? (I knew my addiction to British mysteries would get me into trouble sooner or later!)

[crazydiamondsue.livejournal.com]

Is it cheesy to put up a chapter a day?

Nah, that's what I intended to do with SMCD until days became weeks and weeks grew into months, one season following another, laden with happiness and tears...okay, so now we know I can work a musical into any topic. My work is done.

You can post one chappie a day. But if you wanted to send advance copies to your BF LJ, nobody would be the wiser ***whistles***

[violethamster.livejournal.com]

Very cool idea. I like Cecily/Halfrek fics. Can't wait to see how this plays out.

Those Victorians sure knew the meaning of Christmas. Not! Those magazine articles must be fascinating.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

No, no. No clues. I'm not clever enough for that. I was making a joke as everyone in Western Civilization should see where this is headed. I didn't know that about lavender. I had always believed it to be a color of girlhood. Shows what I know. I thought I remembered Cecily wearing a lavender dress when she tells William (in a horrified tone) that he is beneath her.

All of the Victorian Ways to Spend and Celebrate Christmas are facutal, however.

There will be more...

[violethamster.livejournal.com]

Next Christmas, he should get her a chainsaw. Except they didn't even have chainsaws then.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

i KNOW!! I read that, and the rules for what is proper for men, women and children, and thought, "those Victorians knew how to par-TAY!!"

And how happy is the idea that if someone bought you a gift, it was a veiled insult?

There is more coming, and thanks for playing along....

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Mr. Burns would call it a "cut-a-malotor."

[paynbow.livejournal.com]

Ooooh...I likes! I always wanted more Halfrek backstory! Shall I flutter my eyelashes again to get you to continue? *batts eyelashes* *g*

[cityphonelines.livejournal.com]

Stoney, I do believe you have read my mind. I was going to post that I wanted someone to rec me fics that did the Cecily/Halfrek exposition thing and now I don't need it! I love you, love you, love you like whoa.

I love the Victorian voice and Cecily's hautiness.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Oh, I am almost done with the whole fic, so I can post it bit by bit as I start my holiday cooking.

I'm glad you're liking it! It's cracking me up over here...

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Serious? I haven't seen any Halfrek fics (but then, I wasn't really looking much) so this just popped into my head.

I will say this: some people are having a lot of fun at someone else's expense, and one of those people is a surprise.

Cecily is REALLY not going to see the forest because of all them damn trees. 10Q

[likeadeuce.livejournal.com]

OMG, you rock!

Cecily!

I have a feeling she will be sorry she was mean to Mr. Haugh.

but I thought Angel was the puppy nailer?? :)

[paynbow.livejournal.com]

It's almost all done!? Oooh! I'm all excited to read it! Hooray!

And speaking of holiday cooking...guess what I did today? Something of a chocolatey nature...*eg*

[mskakaako.livejournal.com]

I will also hop on ye olde Cecily/Halfrek backstory wagon. I want MORE! Those bastards never explained the how and why of Cecily and Spike. Explain! Be my canon!

Also...(I read a few Harper's Bazaar articles from 1880s today...) Teehee. You're adorable!

[spikesbint.livejournal.com]

Love the first chapter, is it going to stay PG13? Just thinking about what a naughty girl you are... ;)

Angela

[anelith.livejournal.com]

This will be fun! Please do post a chapter a day! Where on earth did you find Harpers Bazaar articles from the 1880s?

Presents as insults, I didn't know about that. I'm assuming that Victorians could exchange gifts within their own families without daggers drawn, though, right? Since there would be no question about inequality of wealth.

<-- 'tis a hint

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Keep reading... (And to stay in my Cecily mindset, Angelus was the puppy nailer, Angel saved puppies.)

Wanna know a secret about the name Haugh?

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Adorable? I like that... Yes, Precious, we shall be Smeagol no more...

More is up! And more later, also!

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

I'm keeping with the times, so I'm staying good. It's Cecily's journal after all... The rating is strictly for mahem and violence.

10Q for playing with me!!

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Isn't that so deliciously snooty?? I read up on many guides to how to buy girfts for gentlemen you are interested in, are married to, related to, etc. And vice versa for buying for the ladies. And children. Love it.

The most popular way for a woman to gift a :gift" to a potential suitor is through flowers. I have a list of all of the flower meanings, and entire letters would be composed through a boquet you would send. Isn't that awesome? Or is that the geeky gardener in me?

[spikesbint.livejournal.com]

oh, but who knows what was going on under those heaving corseted bosoms in those days? ;) did you know that the age of consent in the victorian times was the tender age of 12? :0

Angela

[mirasol.livejournal.com]

Oh this is gorgeous. Not miles and miles long. Tasty enough to be eaten in one bite, but deliciously filling anyway.

Couldn't resist looking at the comment above. I'm fascinated by the language of flowers - I've always wanted to do a fic where the main communication/flirting was through flowers - but I've held back thinking that it's probably too esoteric.

I'm seeing a yellow boquet here - tulips, carnations and chrysanthemums.