Fanny Dashwood

My only real concern is how long it will take them to move out.

[shinee-ass-life]

[fannyau]

Welcome to Town | Catherine & Fanny

[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.

[fannyau]

"Oh, how charming she is, Mrs. Allen," Fanny said, looking past Catherine to her patroness. She was paying the compliment to Mrs. Allen as well as to Catherine. Miss Morland was dressed nicely and was, if one didn't look too closely, fairly pretty in Fanny's eyes. Of course, there was still a country air about her, but that was nothing that her inheritance wouldn't be able to improve. 

Money did, afterall, solve all ills. 

Mrs. Allen readily gave her consent to be spared of Catherine's company, encouraging her to follow Mrs. Dashwood and find a dancing partner.

"They shall be so pleased to meet you, too, I am sure. Edward, the elder, is very handsome, indeed. He is one of the finest gentlemen in all of England, and we have such high hopes for him. And Robert, the younger, is quite fashionable and is so very pleasing."

"I have only just moved here with my husband," She explained, "But I can already say with great certainty that Gray's is quite the place to go, you know. So many young ladies make the mistake of shopping at Hartford's, but I suppose it what they can afford. Not that it matters much to someone like yourself. I'm sure Mrs. Allen wouldn't think to take you there." 

She paused, however, when she heard that Catherine was friends with Miss Thorpe. She knew enough about them to know that they had no money and would be trying to marry up in the world. She hoped Mr. Thorpe had no designs on Catherine. No matter, he would be of little concern once she met her brothers, she was sure. 

But still, one could never be too careful, "Oh, Miss Thorpe.  Such a ... pretty girl," She said, "I know her mother. Tell me, are you at all acquainted with the rest of the family?"

[fannyau]

We'll Have to Change it All | John & Fanny

[dashwoodau]

John Dashwood had never had an especially good handle on his own emotions: how to take them, treat them, give them any proper headway or lack thereof. In fact, emotion in general - in any form, from anyone - was enough to make him squirm. This was, he suspected, the reason he and Marianne had never formed a terribly tight bond, given his squeamishness and her aching heart. Nevertheless, grief had united them all, in a way - and blood had done that at their very births. Oh, it had been odd to watch his father remarry a woman not much older than himself and odd to watch him start a new family, but even for all their profligate feelings, they were each dear to him. They were his sisters and, deep down, John no longer felt sure he’d been entirely right in sending them away. Naturally, there was no questioning Fanny: she was right, of course - as she always right - his father had no idea of giving them money…But perhaps John ought to have done, anyway. It seemed they were in rather dire straights…and the house seemed all the more quiet and melancholy, now that they were gone.

The library had always been a room of comfort for the entire Dashwood clan. From boyhood with both his own parents, to teenage years when his father had remarried, gathered with his sisters and step-mother, and father…With a fire, this room had been terribly pleasant, though it seemed somehow colder, now that he was all that was left (granted, he reasoned, he had let the fire run down). He hadn’t done well by his own grief and it seemed worse now. His refuge didn’t last long. Fanny was already speaking as she entered, gesticulating and disapproving. John swallowed hard. She looked terribly glamorous in the light of the fire as it flickered in her lustrous locks and brightened her gown. He was on the verge of inviting her to sit peacefully with him by the fire, but she was speaking…and that wasn’t Fanny, in any case. “I-I can’t imagine it being quite so odiferous, my love,” he began, timidly. “Afterall, the house is quite large…You can’t smell the books all the way in our room, I’m sure.” His effort was to be reasonable but, swallowing hard, he wondered if he’d succeeded at all. He stood slowly, clearing his throat. “You know, my father was quite fond of these old books.” He gestured towards them, before dropping his arm as a bout of nerves overtook him. “He dedicated much of his life to collecting and preserving them. It is really quite a rare treasure trove here…I imagine, I would imagine the whole lot is quite costly in nature. Perhaps our friends should rathe rlike to see such an impressive collection,” he suggested. Quickly, he lowered his eyes. Afterall, the house was a woman’s domain and he feared he’d overstepped his bounds.

[fannyau]

Her lips tightened: it was clear, unfortunately, that John had no wish of changing a thing about this room. It was, no doubt, for some silly childish sentimental reason. But she would win him over. She always did, even if it took time. 

"Oh, no doubt, no doubt," She said, carefully, looking around her, "But as I said, I do not think this is the room to display them in. I know you are not so sensitive as I, but the matter is, my love, that I can smell it in other parts of the house. And it is all well and fine when the weather is lovely, but what shall we do when winter comes? I shall not have the house aired out and risk little Henry catching cold. The fact is, my dear, that this simply will not do." She paused, "If the books are so very important to you, of course we must keep them but --- perhaps in a different part of the house? The upper levels, perhaps? I thought we might one of the empty rooms up there the new library. The one with the little window that overlooks the lake? Surely that would be a more ... peaceful place to read?"

Not that Fanny had any real plans to do any such thing, but John didn't need to know that. The expensive tomes could remain on display in here, but the rest would be boxed up and taken upstairs for safe keeping until they could begin to work on the new library. And it would, she was certain, be forgotten in time. 

She wanted every last happy memory of the Dashwood girls to be boxed up and neglected. 

"One day, we may even give some to your sisters," She said, "After they are married, you know." She couldn't help but smile at this. She had gone to visit them just the other day and she had seen the place where they were now calling home and she knew what little they had to offer financially to their future husbands.  It would be a laugh if they found husbands at all -- let alone ones who would have space to spare for books. 

"Now then," She said, clasping her hands, as though she had settled the matter, "I was thinking about removing the walnut grove -- ugly looking trees, don't think? Perhaps we could make way for a Grecian Temple? Now, don't you think that would be quite an impressive view from this window?"

[fannyau]

A Little Cottage Is Always Very Snug | Fanny & Elinor

Fanny was happy to see that the Dashwood girls had moved out, but she wished they weren't quite so close in relocating. As it was, she had no choice but to call on them, now that they were settled. She had put it off as long as she could, but it had now been three weeks and she supposed she ought to go, at last. 

Luck, it would seem, was on her side as Mrs. Dashwood and her two youngest girls were out and it was only Miss Dashwood there to receive her. She hadn't been especially pleased with the attentions her brother had given her sister-in-law back at Norland, but he had gone on to London to be with their mother and if anyone could drive such silly thoughts out of her head, it was she. 

And that trouble aside, Miss Dashwood was certainly the most tolerable of the Dashwoods. She would give her no trouble. 

"Miss Dashwood. How well you look," She said, dryly, glancing around the barely furnished parlor. That did make her smile; to see them living in such modest accommodations. "Oh, how very quiant this is." She said, pleased, "I trust you all are very comfortable here." 

[fannyau]

An Unexpected Party | Fanny & Darcy

How could John give her absolutely no notice of this? This, which might just be their most important moment! Stupid, thoughtless man! She thought to herself, as she gave herself a last look in the mirror. 

Her husband had met Mr. Bingley in town, only to discover that the gentleman had no place to go for the night, as his own house was not yet ready to receive him, and here he was with a whole company of friends with him. The most notable of these was Mr. Darcy, who was worth 20,000 pounds a year! If only Fanny had been younger, she would have tried for that in her youth. But at is was, she could catch his sister for one of her brothers. 

And having Miss Darcy as a sister-in-law would come with great advantages indeed. 

Still, it was quite unfortunate that they had chosen today to descend upon them! Fanny had just gotten rid of the Dashwood girls and was in the middle of making great improvements to the entire house. But she supposed that couldn't be helped.

After snapping at her maid to help her claps her necklace, Fanny descended down the stairs to join her husband and her guests in the drawing room. 

She allowed her husband to make the introductions, before taking a chair next to Mr. Darcy. "I hope you shall be very comfortable with us, Mr. Darcy. I do apologize, we've only just settled here ourselves. My husband, John's father, God rest his soul, has recently passed," She lowered her eyes and paused for a moment, as though she felt this loss deeply. But in another moment, her dark eyes were back on him, and she smiled, "We are making a great many improvements and I hope you shall someday return to see them."

[fannyau]

ooc | Fanny & Georgiana

So Fanny is going to try to get Georgiana to marry one of her brothers and IT'S GOING TO GO SO WELL FOR HER OMG haha. Perhaps she should try to set her up with her youngest brother, Robert, since he's soooo ridiculous + you are playing Edward. I feel like she'll talk up Robert all the time (and Edward, too, in case that falls through, but mostly Robert) and just ... *facepalm* b/c Fanny's idea of what is appealing in a man is probably not that appealing to Georgiana and FAIL. But poor Georgiana tho, b/c she's like the sweetest person alive, she'd probably still even be nice to Fanny. 

[fannyau]

We'll Have to Change it All | John & Fanny

"We'll have to change it all," Fanny said, waltzing unannounced into the library where her husband was sitting in a chair by the fire, "I hate the smell of books," She said, turning her nose up at it all, "It makes the entire house smell ... old and ... decayed."

She hated everything about the Dashwood girls: how they would dare try to lay claim to something that should, by all rights, go to her son. The nerve! And John -- how could he take so literally something his father had made him promise on his death bed. If it was so important to leave something to the girls, shouldn't he have said something to John long ago? John had come to see reason, but his sisters had left today. She had watched her husband carefully and wondered if she had seen something of a look of regret as they left. 

If he did have regrets, she would crush them.

She turned to her husband, "My love, you don't care much for this room, do you? I thought we might turn it into another parlor, for when we have company, you know. Of course, we'll save the more impressive texts, but we certainly don't need an entire room devoted to books, do we?" 

Fanny never had much taste for reading herself and while she would like to boast about the impressive library, she also knew that it was one of the favorite rooms in the entire house to the Dashwood girls -- they would often go there to escape her, she had noticed -- and therefore it had to go.

[fannyau]

ooc | Fanny & Darcy

[darcyau]

OMMMMMGGGGGG dude Fanny is far and away Darcy’s FAVORITE person like he just lives for hang sessions with her.

OMG tho he’d be sooooo cutting towards her. Bc to him, she is the worst sort of parasite the misfortunes of their social system attract who brownnose for favors and cast off those in need of their pity. Her behavior towards the Dashwood girls would, to his mind, be unforgivable and he would honestly keep hitting that dead horse whenever it even faintly came up. Weirdly, I can actually see Edward/Georgiana being a good thing, but if Darcy were asked merely on acquaintance with Fanny, he would insist that he would never give his consent to such a union. THIS WILL BE SUCH A DISASTER

[fannyau]

OH MY GOSH. I WILL NEVER EVER EVER BE OVER DARCY'S THOUGHTS ON FANNY NOPE. Although ALL THE ACCURATE. And it's actually really funny that like Fanny is ALL ABOUT helping her bros (Robert, too, but especially Edward) to find good marriages and she's actually really hurting him w/ the Darcys (although if/when Darcy actually meets Edward, I think he'll see pretty quickly that he is nothing like his sister, but still). 

But Fanny will like NOT give up with Darcy. i mean, she probably eventually will, but it will take a lot like if he calls her out on her behavior towards her sisters-in-law, she'll basically go on about how helping them will hurt her son and also how he doesn't know them (assuming he doesn't??) and go on about how horrible they are. AND IT WILL BE SUCH A DISASTER I DON'T EVEN KNOW. 

Oh! So, in my latest comment to Dashwood as Bingley, I basically suggested the possibility of Charles coming in to Netherfield before they are ready, like his letter announcing his arrival to his servants was lost or something in the post and basically he and his guests are planning to stay the night in town and they run into John Dashwood who invites them all back to his place BASICALLY SO WE CAN HAVE SOME REALLY AWKWARD/UNCOMFORTABLE/AWESOME Caroline/John/Darcy/Bingley/Fanny interactions where they can't escape each other. Thoughts?? 

[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."

[fannyau]

ooc | Fanny & Marianne

[marianneau]

Haha. Preach.

And Fanny is TOOTALLLYY Marianne’s favorite too. ;D Haha.

But oh man, like just waves of hatred coming from Marianne towards Fanny. Especially if she starts being cruel to Elinor. Because NO ONE gets to hurt Marianne’s sisters!

Though she’d probably just be more obnoxious towards Fanny. haha.  Because it’s about the only advantage she’s got over Fanny.

[fannyau]

Also, in this Austen universe thing, I'm thinking that Norland and Barton are actually pretty close so Fanny basically gets to see the Dashwoods a lot more and will basically love to talk to them about all the changes she is making to their house and just go on and on about her and her mother's plans for Edward and how none of them include anyone like Elinor. SO LOTS OF FUN FOR THESE TWO AHAH. 

Anyway, do you think we're ready to start them? 

[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

[fannyau]

ooc | Fanny & Elinor

CAN YOU FEEEELLL THE LOVE???

Fanny is totally lovin' Elinor's house tho. ;DD

[fannyau]

ooc | Fanny & Darcy

So wow -- Fanny is probably constantly sucking up to Darcy. And I think that Georgiana would basically be the grand prize as far as her brothers' marriages go. (Although Fanny would def settle for Caroline or Emma or one of the Bertram girls). But either way, Fanny wants to make sure that she's on Darcy's good side and basically just wants to hang out with him all the time and enjoy the splendors of Pemberley and get free handouts. And I'm sure she's Darcy's favorite person evvveeerr. ;DDD

[fannyau]

ooc | John & Fanny

So this will def go down as one of our weirdest relationships ever??? Like wow idek with them??? HAHA. So I do think that Fanny does care about John, in her own weird way. And she loves him as she might love a new hat (which is about as much affection as she has for anyone tbh). But she def gets super annoyed with him sometimes -- like how he can even begin to THINK to give away what is rightfully their son's inheritance to his half sisters, but she does know how to manipulate him and she has the patience to do it (like that opening scene THAT GETS ME EVERYTIME. Like I think she just slowly chips away at whatever wrong thought he has until it's aligned with her's completely). 

I do think she's pretty calm and patient with him, for the most part, but I def think she's been known to have her fits (no where near the little outburst she has when she finds out that Lucy is engaged to Edward, but there's been hints of that, I think) and I feel like John isn't that eager to ever go down that road again. 

Also, she does love their kid. Or like, loves him as much as she can which is basically her being all HE'S THE GREATEST THING LOOK AT HIM LOOK. To just being like "ugh, go away. I'm tired" But she does think he's the greatest child in the world she will fight you on this. Also I can't remember what his name is?? But I think it's Henry ...??? 

[fannyau]

ooc | Fanny & Marianne

So WOW Fanny just loooovvveess Marianne, haha. I feel like she's def her least favorite relative b/c I feel like Marianne's the only one to actually fight back when Fanny is being a total bitch and Fanny is like NO. (Although if something develops/looks like it is developing between Elinor and Edward, than the least favorite Dashwood award might go to her sister haha). 

[fannyau]

Fanny Dashwood (née Ferrars) (32) || SENSE & SENSIBILITY taken by lizzy relationships: John Dashwood (husband) Edward Ferrars (brother), Elinor Dashwood, Marianne Dashwood, Margaret Dashwood (sisters-in-law) Fanny is extremely snobbish. She only wants to associate with people who are as wealthy or wealthier than she is. appiness and love are secondary to Fanny; first things first, she wants to make sure that the Ferrars clan increases in wealth and status. She and her mother are both determined to find Edward a wife that will get them all somewhere – somewhere higher up. Fanny’s constantly on the lookout for boosts either to her ego or to her progress up the social ladder (or preferably both at once), and, seeing as Elinor and Marianne offer her neither, she has no use for either of them. portrayed by harriet walter