Catherine Morland

But Catherine did not know her own advantages - did not know that a good-looking girl, with an affectionate heart and a very ignorant mind, cannot fail of attracting a clever young man, unless circumstances are particularly untoward.

[emmawoodhouseau]

[fannyau]

Welcome to Town | Catherine & Fanny

Fanny had allowed herself to be dragged to this public ball by her husband for one reason: to keep an eye on her brother, Edward. She did not like how attached he seemed to be by Elinor Dashwood. Edward was destined to become a great man, but he needed guidance and Fanny was there to make sure he didn’t make any false steps. Oh, Elinor Dashwood was pretty enough — if you liked that sort of thing — but Edward must not allow himself to get caught up in her charms and her sad story. Edward had a sensitive heart and he was easily taken in by women’s tears. Fanny had to constantly remind him that to give them anything, would be to take it away from dear Henry. 

Thankfully, the Dashwood girls were not at the assembly, even though her brother was. But the night might not be a complete loss. Among the guests was Mr. Bingley, his sisters, and his very wealthy friend. Fanny had hear much about him and would seek to make his acquaintance as soon as possible. 

But in the meantime, she scanned the crowd for more familiar faces. She recgonized the Allens almost immediately and leaning in towards her husband, asked him if he knew the young lady who was with them. He did not, but he did hear that she was staying with them in town and it was said that she was going to inherit their entire fortune, as they had no children of their own. 

This was more than enough to interest Fanny, and she took off towards Mrs. Allen. “Oh, Mrs. Allen!” She said, speaking as though they were old friends. Mrs. Allen seemed taken aback by the familiarity, but all too happy to see someone she knew — she also seemed to have a rather limited acquaintance here. Fanny inquired after her health and her husband, before turning to Catherine.  

"And you must be, Miss Morland. Come here, child,” She said, extending her hand. “I wonder if Mrs. Allen can spare you a moment. I should love to introduce you to my brothers — they are both eager for a dancing partner, if you are not otherwise engaged. Do you care for dancing, Miss Morland? I found it to be such a pleasant diversion, when I was your age.”

[catherinemorlandau]

Catherine's eyes were wide with delight. Everywhere she looked, a new surprise awaited her inspection. All the ladies wore fashions that would not reach Catherine's country home for at least another season in rich and exotic colors. Tables were spread with bounty, crowded by militia in fine uniforms, gentlemen wearing wonderful tailored suits, and ladies whose headdresses were enough to make Catherine wish to swoon (if only there were someone to catch her). "Oh, Mrs. Allen!" was her constant exclamation, her kindly patroness smiling softly and adding a tidbit here or there to the sound of her charge's raptures, and adding how she could hardly wait to see Catherine's reactions when she was invited to a private ball. Too wrapped up in the moment, Catherine hardly gave the notion any consideration. It seemed to her that this was certainly the best pastime. As an acquaintance rushed up to them, Catherine smiled, taking in her lavish gown, all in green - the most expensive color, Isabella Thorpe had confided. "Might I present Mrs. Dashwood," Mrs. Allen was saying and Catherine bobbed a curtsy. Surprise appeared upon the woman's face as Mrs. Dashwood requested a private moment but Catherine found herself beaming. Already, set apart, by what was clearly a fashionable lady! Stunned and delighted, Catherine could do little but grin, though she made a proud effort of concealing her excitement behind her fan for a time. Accepting Mrs. Dashwood's proffered hand, she allowed herself, with Mrs. Allen's permission of course, to be led off. "Oh, yes," responded Catherine, quite eagerly. "I do so love to dance, Mrs. Dashwood! You are very kind." A certain perplexity regarding what she hoped were Mrs. Dashwood's younger brothers set in briefly but Catherine managed to smile, notwithstanding. It seemed to her that she was already making a very audacious start. "I should be more than glad to meet your brothers," she added, blithely. "Might I ask," she added. "Are you from this area? My friend, Miss Thorpe, suggested we should go to the millinery at the next opportunity. Is there a place you can recommend?" This question seemed to Catherine to be of no small consequence as she looked eagerly to the fashionable lady for an answer.

[catherinemorlandau]

OOC | Catherine & Marianne

Ok, so I feel like Catherine would ADORE Marianne like nobody's business. She'd adore her passion, her frankness, her spirit, her romantic nature and would LOVE it if Marianne helped expand her horizons beyond simply her novels into poetry and dancing and basically Catherine: #1 MARIANNE FANGIRL

[robertmau]

ooc | Robert & Catherine

So idk but like I feel like the Morlands and the Martins might be friends/friendly?? Especially since Mr. Morland is a clergyman and the Morlands are just really friendly down to earth people and I think that the Martins are, too. Plus like headcannon that Robert and James were friends before James went off to college. :D 

[catherinemorlandau]

!!!!! HEADCANON ACCEPTEDDDDD!!!!! I love that and I can see them all playing together as kids, what with both being country families and not terribly well-to-do. Esp since there're like 5000000000 Morlands, so it'd probs be particularly nice to occasionally get out and see people who aren't their siblings hahaha BUT I CAN SOOOO PICTURE ROBERT AND JAMES AS BFFS OK THIS IS PURE GOLD Also, you know this means that whenever the bff of the heroine's bro comes up in a novel, she's picturing Robert hahahahah I can see her having one of those childish hero-worshipping crushes on him when she was really small, too, because let's face it, for Catherine 95% of life boils down to romance ;DDD

[fannyau]

ooc | Catherine & Fanny

So I think that Fanny will totally be taken in by the “Catherine Morland is Mr. Allen’s heir” thing and be soooo nice to her and try to take her under her wing and TALK UP HER BROTHERS ALL THE TIME. Until she realizes it isn’t true and then Catherine will be the scum of the earth. :D

[catherinemorlandau]

She would be totally taken in, too! Like, "All the people here are so very kind and considerate!" And just be all like, "Mrs. Dashwood is very kind to me. I feel that we are destined to be great friends!" bc Catherine is silly and guileless and Fanny is more tactful than Thorpe so she'd obv buy in ;DDDDDD

[catherinemorlandau]

OOC | Catherine & Lizzie

Ok so I know you’re spelling it with a ‘y’ but to minimize confusion rn I’m gonna spell it ‘ie’ for the character bc too many Cates/Kates & Lizzies in this post. ;DDDDD Catherine would be Lizzie’s biggest fan tbh like Lizzie would be the absolute coolest idek. She’d also probs want her advice in what ribbons to buy etc bc Lizzie’s so cool she must know. She’s quite obviously a grewat heroine, stepping directly out of a book ;DDDD this au in which Catherine’s actually right about everything ;DDDD

[bingleyau]

ooc | Catherine & Bingley

So I think that Charles would really like Catherine (I mean he pretty much likes everyone tbh). But especially b/c she’s new to town and this entire scene like he’d be soooo happy to introduce her to ppl and make sure she takes in all the sights. All that being said, I feel like Caroline will NOT like Catherine. I feel like she freaks out whenever Charles says more than “hello” to a single lady without a fortune, haha.

[catherinemorlandau]

OMG tho can you just imagine the two of them and how adorable they'd be running around town together???????? I ACTUALLY CANNOT. She'd be soooo starstruck by him, too, because he's so polite and kind and knowledgeable and she'd basically just be like YOU WOULD MAKE A PERFECT HERO in her silly way. Granted, she'd be a bit disappointed he doesn't (I'm assuming but maybe he does???) read Ann Radcliffe, though she might try to expand his horizons by recommending it hahaha! She'd also be totes taken in my his sister tbh and just idek, man HAHAHAH

[austenunbound]

Catherine Morland (18)  || NORTHANGER ABBEY taken by kate aa relationships: Isabella Thorpe (friend), James Moreland (brother) Catherine is naïve, innocent, and imaginative. She has never been away from home before, so the trip to town with her aunt and uncle is a new experience for this sheltered young woman. Catherine’s main occupation is reading Gothic novels, particularly Anne Radcliffe’s The Mysteries of Udolpho.  portrayed by felicity jones