Sybil sat in her room, reading an article on feministing, which was one of the websites Branson had given her. The rest were about communism, socialism, capitalism, and other governmental things. All of the websites were quite interesting, and she had been holed up in her room reading them since a few days after Christmas.

There was a rap on the door, and Sybil looked up at it.

"Come in," she called out, running a hand over her tangled hair. Cora walked in, took a glance at Sybil's room, and sighed.

"You've been in here for two days. Violet is wondering if you're even alive,"

"Of course I am, Ma-ma. I've been reading about interesting things, that's all,"

"Hm? Like what?"

"Well," Sybil wasn't sure whether to tell her mother, "socialism, capitalism, feminism, and things of the like,"

"Aren't you the little activist? Anyway, I came in to tell you that your sisters and I are going out for lunch, and you're coming as well. We're leaving in forty-five minutes, so get ready!" Cora smiled and left, sending Sybil into a frenzy.

She showered, blow-dried, combed, brushed, applied makeup, picked out outfits, picked out new ones, fretted over her appearance, and finally made her way downstairs in forty minutes. As usual, Mary and Edith were arguing in the foyer.

"Edith, please don't tell me you're wearing that," Mary was saying, eyeing her skirt.

"I think it's a nice skirt," Sybil said, linking her arm through Edith's. Though she preferred Mary to Edith, the middle sister needed someone to stand up for her every now and then. Edith flashed Sybil an appreciative glance and straightened her posture.

"Violet and Isobel are coming, I had to change the reservation, but it's at the same time," Cora said, walking into the room with her purse over her shoulder and her hat in the other hand.

"As if this lunch couldn't get any more interesting," Mary quipped, and Cora shot her a look.

"You really should be nicer to Isobel. She's going to be your mother-in-law, and it'll be better if you two are friends rather than enemies," Cora said as they walked out the door held open by Thomas. The back door to the limousine was held open by Branson, and they filed in to the comfortable interior, taking their usual seats.

"I do prefer the limo to the Rolls-Royce. This is more luxurious," Mary said.

"The limo is a Rolls-Royce," Edith said, glaring out the window.

"Is it, really? And how do you know, Edith?"

"I've been looking up things about cars since the accident, and I've decided I'd like to learn how to drive,"

"That's horribly middle-class. I'd never dream of learning how to drive,"

"Maybe you're just lazy!"

"Girls, stop arguing, right now!" Cora snapped. Edith sheepishly glanced away, Mary rolled her eyes, and Sybil sighed in relief. Glancing at the rearview mirror, Sybil could see the slight smile on Branson's face. She set her jaw, agitated that he was getting amusement from her sisters' bickering.

The rest of the ride to The Ashgill House was spent in unpleasant silence, the tension practically visible. Sybil was beginning to wish she had pretended she was sick, and that was why she had been in her room for two days. As they exited the vehicle, Sybil gave a pointed look to Branson, whose brows furrowed.

Inside The Ashgill House, the Crawley ladies were taken upstairs to eat in a sectioned off area, where Isobel and Violet were already waiting.

"I am so glad you arrived. I did not want to spend any more time alone with her," Violet whispered to Cora, glancing at Isobel, who was fussing over Mary's hairdo.

"It looks very old-fashioned. You should get a more modern cut, something with layers! You're young!" Isobel said, making Mary uncomfortable.

"Maybe you can give me some suggestions after I decide what I'll be eating," she replied. Edith smirked at Mary's situation, something that did not go unnoticed. Mary mouthed 'Just wait, Edith,' and held her menu up in front of her face.

"You know, Ma-ma, my first season is going to be this upcoming year," Edith said. Violet and Cora nodded, Violet perceptibly worried.

"We'll need to get you a new wardrobe," she mumbled, catching sight of the skirt. Mary smirked at this comment, and Edith glared down at her menu.

"Hello, I see the full party has arrived. Can I get you ladies anything to drink?" the waiter asked, finally arriving.

The ladies all ordered some sort of alcoholic drink, including Sybil, who was feeling daring and thought she would need it to get through the lunch.

"Since when do you drink alcohol, Sybil?" Mary asked condescendingly. She straightened up a bit in her chair and narrowed her eyes at Sybil, who tried to look innocent.

"It's legal as long as Ma-ma is here," her smile was wily, and Cora tried to hide her own.

"I hardly think that is an appropriate thing to say!" Violet exclaimed, and Isobel gave her usual annoying grin.

"Well I think it's good that she gets used to alcohol. Moderate use. The United States has issues with that all the time," Isobel said, and Violet dramatically rolled her eyes.

After ordering their food, Sybil became bored with the conversation, which was mainly about the New Year and Mary's engagement. Edith's upcoming season was barely talked about. She pulled her mobile out and kept it in her lap so Granny Violet wouldn't see, scrolling through the local news. One article caught her eye: Pro-Abortion Rally to be Held in Ripon on February 15. Sybil saved the link to her favorites as the food came out and slipped her mobile back into her purse.

February 15 was now booked for Sybil Crawley.


A/N: Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a great New Year's Eve/New Year's Day. If you would like to see Edith's ugly skirt, here it is: www. brownsfashion Product/Sale/Women/Clothing/Skirts/Tweed_Pencil_Skirt_with_Lace_ ?p=4494783 . Of course, you could use your imagination :)
Disclaimer: I do not own Downton Abbey or any of the characters. The Ashgill House is a fictional restaurant.
I do not have any association with feministing .com or brownsfashion .com.