a good argument
In which Mary and Matthew attend Columbia University and some things never change.
A/N: Goodness, it's been a while since I wrote anything. I owe this particular story to silvestria's University Challenge - I love seeing Mary and Matthew in a university setting, but being an American myself, I decided to stick them in the sort of school and world that I know. And here they are. This will be a multi-chapter fic spanning an AU version of the first season (or should I say, series) and perhaps continuing into the second.
i. Mary meets Matthew during Orientation. They are in the same Literature Humanities class, and he lets her read along in his copy of The Iliad when she realizes she has left hers in her room. She likes that he does not say anything when she tugs the book closer to her.
"Let's talk about fate," the professor says, adjusting his glasses. "Why do you think Homer deals with it the way he does?"
A girl in the corner raises her hand. "Well," she says, "Homer makes his characters aware of their destiny. They already know what's going to happen and so does Homer's audience. So I think he loses a lot of dramatic irony or whatever. "
Mary smiles slightly and makes a note in the margins of Matthew's book. He reads it, and looks at her with surprised eyes. He nods towards the professor, but she shakes her head. Shrugging, he pulls the book towards him a little, and raises his hand.
"Yes, Mr. Crawley?"
"I don't exactly agree. If anything, I think Homer gains a lot by making his characters aware."
Mary looks at Matthew sharply, and reaches to grab the book back from him, but he rests his arm across it.
"Please, elaborate," the professor says.
"I mean, I think that the characters come across as a lot more tragic this way. Achilles knows he's going to die but he keeps fighting because there's no escaping it. And I think Homer does that on purpose. He makes a tragedy that much more tragic by having these people go knowingly to their deaths."
The professor nods slowly. "Yes, I think there's something to that. Anybody have any thoughts in response?" Mary sits back in her chair with a sigh and does not look at Matthew again.
When class has finished and they are filing out, she is not surprised when he falls into step beside her.
"Hi." She does not respond. "Well? Did I get it right?" he asks.
"What?"
"Your note. I wanted to make sure I said it right."
"You said it just fine," she replies coolly.
"Hey, relax. The professor liked it."
"How lovely for you."
"Look, I didn't mean to upset you."
"Please, as if you matter enough to be upset over." He stops walking, and she startles herself when she does too, turning to face him. "What?"
He looks at her for a long moment, and then shrugs, his blonde hair falling over his eyes. "You're really not very good at this, are you?"
"Good at what?"
He laughs. "Meeting people, making friends. You know, being sociable."
She waits for the appropriate response to come to mind, for the familiar, bitter taste of vinegar to fill her mouth, but it never comes. He sighs and takes a slight step towards her.
"You're Mary, right?"
"And you're my stalker, I take it?"
"Yeah, sure. I also heard your name when the professor took attendance. But mostly the stalking. I'm Matthew." She laughs lightly, looking a little embarrassed.
"I know."
"Oh, so now who's the stalker?"
"I saw your name written in your book, okay? That's perfectly normal."
Matthew grins widely. "All right. Truce?"
"Fine," she replies.
"Shake on it?"
"Absolutely not."
When she walks away from him, she is almost sure he watches her go.