mistressmaryquitecontrary

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Tomorrow Mary turns thirteen.

The cook is going to make a cake and she is to be let off lessons. Other than that she's not really sure what to make of this; despite the cold weather, she's sitting outside by her tree (now bare) in her garden, trying to decide.

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"The planet of origin is thoroughly relevant," Mary says, rather stubbornly. "I wished to know what your contingency plan was for someone successfully kidnapping us to the moon. That is the unlikely part - though someone wishing to kidnap one of us is nearly as unlikely, it is at least conceivable. My uncle is quite rich and such things do happen."

"Ah, to the moon. One ought to be specific from the word 'go', Mary."

Galadan's lips twitch.

"As it happens, I would return to Milliways, and then travel from there to the moon. With the appropriate precautions taken, of course."

This same procedure would occur if, for example, Mary and her uncle were being taken to India. Or Antarctica.

Or New York.

Mary eyes him. "That is hardly a very specific plan. Had you thought about it before I asked? The moon, specifically - and you must tell me truly."

"Other locations, certainly. And such plans are easily altered to fit a plethora of circumstances."

He raises one eyebrow.

"As you might already know, were you inclined to anything resembling 'planning'. It works for your garden, does it not?"

Galadan is one of a very few people who can use the word 'plethora' in conversation and get away with it.

Mary, however, is not thinking of this, because she is too busy saying indignantly, "I do plan! That is not a fair judgment - I have planned a good many things."

"And you will oblige me by providing an annotated list. If you please."

It's not really a request, as such.

"All right," Mary says instantly.

"Should you like me to write it now or ought I to write it up tonight to give to you tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow will be soon enough--though do try not to stay awake all night slaving over it."

His lips twitch.

He may be teasing her.

With an air of triumph: "I shall plan not to."

There you go! That one is going on the list.

"Truly you are a master of subtlety and long-range thinking, Mary."

Truly.

The Sahara is nothing on Galadan's voice at this moment.

"You are mocking me," Mary says, but without rancor.

"But large plans are made up of smaller plans, so. It does no good to plan for the long term if you cannot plan for the short."

Both Galadan's eyebrows go up at this, but he may also look faintly approving.

"There is that. It will do you well to remember it."

Edited 2008-11-13 05:39 (UTC)

"I know," Mary says serenely, and looks, in spite of her conviction of being right all along anyways, rather pleased to have earned the approval.

"I am the one who said it."

"So you did."

Galadan appears fairly amused.

"And having accomplished such a meeting of the minds, shall we head in for tea?"

"- all right."

Mary clambers back up to her feet, graceless as usual, and pauses briefly to brush off the dirt and pick a twig or two out of her hair before heading towards the small garden door.

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