Fic - 'Tis The Season
I know this is a bit early for Christmas...
FanFic100 prompt: 092 - Christmas
Pyramid_Dares: Set 2, Level 6 - Dolls
My Tables 'O Links -- Pyramid table, FanFic100 Table
Rating: G
Pairings: None
Summary: The Earl of Gloria does some charitable work.
By: Margaret Price
Written: September 3, 2007
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
‘Tis The Season
Word count: 739
It’s better to give...
“M’lord, you can’t give all these away! You just can’t!” James objected for what seemed the thousandth time.
The Earl gave his accountant a reproving look before he pulled his coat tighter around himself to ward off the biting wind. Then he turned back and watched the boxes that were being loaded. “Christmas is a time for giving, James,” he said dismissively.
“Then someone should be giving to us!”
“All loaded, milord!” Bonham called, interrupting the argument that was threatening to erupt yet again.
“Excellent,” Dorian called back. “We’re expected at eleven.” He heard James give a whimper and turned a cold look in his direction, quelling any further objections.
*
The small caravan of vehicles pulled up to the orphanage exactly on time. The Director greeted the Earl of Gloria, who was decked out in his holiday best. The picture of the proper English aristocrat.
“Lord Gloria,” the Director said, shaking the Earl’s outstretched hand. “I can’t begin to tell you how pleased we all were when you offered this…this…extraordinarily generous donation.”
“I try to do as much charitable work as possible. Especially around the holidays,” Dorian replied, hearing his men gulp at this. Charity begins at home, he thought with a smile.
“Well, sir, the children will be delighted!”
Dorian waved a hand and his men began shuttling in the gifts, which were placed in two separate piles beside an enormous Christmas tree. It was obvious which was for which, one pile for boys, the other for girls. The only difference in the packages was the color of the bows - pink or blue. In front of the tree sat a man dressed as Father Christmas, his costume looking much the worse for wear.
“When I spoke with your assistant,” Dorian said conversationally, “she indicated what the children wanted. Apparently, certain dolls are quite popular.”
“Oh, very,” the Director agreed.
“I don’t have children myself, so I was rather surprised that the boys wanted dolls, you see.”
The Director laughed at this. “I understand your confusion, Lord Gloria. They call them ‘Action Figures’ rather than dolls.”
“Oh!” Dorian gave a polite laugh. “That explains it.” He turned his gaze to the next room where a great deal of activity was going on. “They’ll be pleased I was able to get hold of them, then.”
The Director made a small strangled noise. “Really? I thought the only way anyone could get those would be to steal them.”
The Earl gave the man an inscrutable look. “Quite.”
Before the Director could think of a suitable reply, someone was coming to get him to start the festivities. In the excitement of squealing children, Father Christmas, gifts and goodies, he lost track of the Earl of Gloria and his men.
Suddenly, Dorian was tapping the Director on the shoulder. “If you’ll forgive me, I must be going,” he said mildly.
“Oh! Yes, of course, milord,” the flustered Director replied. “I feel a poor host, leaving you on your own all this time.”
“Not a bit of it,” the Earl replied. “Your assistant was gracious enough to give me a tour. This is such a lovely old building. And I see you’re renovating your chapel. It will be quite lovely when it’s completed.”
“Er…thank you, sir. The church isn’t really a part of the facility.”
“Yes, your assistant explained that,” Dorian said, waving a hand in the air. “I have a special interest in churches, you see. All those remarkable works of art.”
It wasn’t until the Earl was striding towards the lobby that the Director remembered he was an art expert. He made a mental note to thank his assistant for having taking such good care of their honored guest.
* * *
A week after the party, Dorian received a sack full of mail containing thank-yous from the children. Included were several drawings of the children playing with their gifts.
“You’ll not be framin’ these, I’ll wager,” Bonham joked.
“Perhaps one of these urchins will be the next great painter,” Dorian said as he unfolded another drawing. “Oh! This one perhaps.” The drawing was of himself, his mop of curls very much the center of attention.
“Yes, milord,” Bonham replied.
Dorian leaned back in his seat and sighed. “How is James faring?”
“Still ‘appily making calculations.”
“Oh, good.”
“Why didn’t you tell ‘im you planned on pinching that lot from the chapel storage?”
“What…?” Dorian grinned. “And spoil his Christmas present?”
* * *
FanFic100 prompt: 092 - Christmas
Pyramid_Dares: Set 2, Level 6 - Dolls
My Tables 'O Links -- Pyramid table, FanFic100 Table
Rating: G
Pairings: None
Summary: The Earl of Gloria does some charitable work.
By: Margaret Price
Written: September 3, 2007
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
‘Tis The Season
Word count: 739
It’s better to give...
“M’lord, you can’t give all these away! You just can’t!” James objected for what seemed the thousandth time.
The Earl gave his accountant a reproving look before he pulled his coat tighter around himself to ward off the biting wind. Then he turned back and watched the boxes that were being loaded. “Christmas is a time for giving, James,” he said dismissively.
“Then someone should be giving to us!”
“All loaded, milord!” Bonham called, interrupting the argument that was threatening to erupt yet again.
“Excellent,” Dorian called back. “We’re expected at eleven.” He heard James give a whimper and turned a cold look in his direction, quelling any further objections.
*
The small caravan of vehicles pulled up to the orphanage exactly on time. The Director greeted the Earl of Gloria, who was decked out in his holiday best. The picture of the proper English aristocrat.
“Lord Gloria,” the Director said, shaking the Earl’s outstretched hand. “I can’t begin to tell you how pleased we all were when you offered this…this…extraordinarily generous donation.”
“I try to do as much charitable work as possible. Especially around the holidays,” Dorian replied, hearing his men gulp at this. Charity begins at home, he thought with a smile.
“Well, sir, the children will be delighted!”
Dorian waved a hand and his men began shuttling in the gifts, which were placed in two separate piles beside an enormous Christmas tree. It was obvious which was for which, one pile for boys, the other for girls. The only difference in the packages was the color of the bows - pink or blue. In front of the tree sat a man dressed as Father Christmas, his costume looking much the worse for wear.
“When I spoke with your assistant,” Dorian said conversationally, “she indicated what the children wanted. Apparently, certain dolls are quite popular.”
“Oh, very,” the Director agreed.
“I don’t have children myself, so I was rather surprised that the boys wanted dolls, you see.”
The Director laughed at this. “I understand your confusion, Lord Gloria. They call them ‘Action Figures’ rather than dolls.”
“Oh!” Dorian gave a polite laugh. “That explains it.” He turned his gaze to the next room where a great deal of activity was going on. “They’ll be pleased I was able to get hold of them, then.”
The Director made a small strangled noise. “Really? I thought the only way anyone could get those would be to steal them.”
The Earl gave the man an inscrutable look. “Quite.”
Before the Director could think of a suitable reply, someone was coming to get him to start the festivities. In the excitement of squealing children, Father Christmas, gifts and goodies, he lost track of the Earl of Gloria and his men.
Suddenly, Dorian was tapping the Director on the shoulder. “If you’ll forgive me, I must be going,” he said mildly.
“Oh! Yes, of course, milord,” the flustered Director replied. “I feel a poor host, leaving you on your own all this time.”
“Not a bit of it,” the Earl replied. “Your assistant was gracious enough to give me a tour. This is such a lovely old building. And I see you’re renovating your chapel. It will be quite lovely when it’s completed.”
“Er…thank you, sir. The church isn’t really a part of the facility.”
“Yes, your assistant explained that,” Dorian said, waving a hand in the air. “I have a special interest in churches, you see. All those remarkable works of art.”
It wasn’t until the Earl was striding towards the lobby that the Director remembered he was an art expert. He made a mental note to thank his assistant for having taking such good care of their honored guest.
* * *
A week after the party, Dorian received a sack full of mail containing thank-yous from the children. Included were several drawings of the children playing with their gifts.
“You’ll not be framin’ these, I’ll wager,” Bonham joked.
“Perhaps one of these urchins will be the next great painter,” Dorian said as he unfolded another drawing. “Oh! This one perhaps.” The drawing was of himself, his mop of curls very much the center of attention.
“Yes, milord,” Bonham replied.
Dorian leaned back in his seat and sighed. “How is James faring?”
“Still ‘appily making calculations.”
“Oh, good.”
“Why didn’t you tell ‘im you planned on pinching that lot from the chapel storage?”
“What…?” Dorian grinned. “And spoil his Christmas present?”
* * *