Challenge 12: Useful
Title: Useful
Author: littlemei
Rating: K+
Warnings: spoilers for S1
Characters: Matthew, Isobel
Challenge: 12- funeral
You must be useful. You can not be yourself if you are not useful.
She makes arrangements with the parlor on Monday, selects a practical casket and hands over the fine suit he only wore when she requested it specifically. Tuesday is devoted to disseminating the particulars to his wide circle of acquaintance: time, location, and whether or not they would be serving luncheon at the wake. Wednesday is more hectic - menus must be finalized and the house readied for the influx of bodies - and by Thursday the florist has made their delivery and she is up till the small hours ensuring the lilies are arranged just so. Friday she reserves for the most difficult task. To Matthew's great annoyance she sets him on her knee as if he were a child of five instead of eight, though he is later grateful for the nearness when she explains in low tones why father is gone, why tomorrow he will go into the earth, never to return to them. When Saturday comes all is sorted and smooth, every detail well-oiled. One event glides into the next without a single hitch or snare, and she is gliding as well, through the speeches, the handshakes, the doleful looks of condolence that come and go around her, the one placid face amidst the sea of sorrow.
It is not until Sunday that she cries.
Author: littlemei
Rating: K+
Warnings: spoilers for S1
Characters: Matthew, Isobel
Challenge: 12- funeral
You must be useful. You can not be yourself if you are not useful.
She makes arrangements with the parlor on Monday, selects a practical casket and hands over the fine suit he only wore when she requested it specifically. Tuesday is devoted to disseminating the particulars to his wide circle of acquaintance: time, location, and whether or not they would be serving luncheon at the wake. Wednesday is more hectic - menus must be finalized and the house readied for the influx of bodies - and by Thursday the florist has made their delivery and she is up till the small hours ensuring the lilies are arranged just so. Friday she reserves for the most difficult task. To Matthew's great annoyance she sets him on her knee as if he were a child of five instead of eight, though he is later grateful for the nearness when she explains in low tones why father is gone, why tomorrow he will go into the earth, never to return to them. When Saturday comes all is sorted and smooth, every detail well-oiled. One event glides into the next without a single hitch or snare, and she is gliding as well, through the speeches, the handshakes, the doleful looks of condolence that come and go around her, the one placid face amidst the sea of sorrow.
It is not until Sunday that she cries.