Prompter: thenotoriouscow
Prompt: Johan and Clara getting a portrait of themselves (or even a family portrait done idk) for a thing
Originally Posted: 11 August 2016
Notes: 1051 words; takes place while Lena's a bun in the oven; possibly connected to a future main-story chapter because portraits; pure fluff
It was three weeks before the Marchioness's formal creation as Doctor when her husband decided to surprise her with something they both considered an extravagance.
"You want to have another hall portrait done?" she marveled. "We already had one shortly after our wedding, and the baby is growing larger every day." She touched a hand to her stomach, as if to check that the swelling of their child was still there. "Are you mad?"
"No, but I think it would be fitting," the Marquis replied plainly. He took a sip of his water, eschewing wine with dinner as long as his wife was, and continued eating. "The first hall portrait was of Doctor and Companion, and this would be of the Dual Doctors. We already don't commission large hall portraits nearly as much as others in our position, and the smaller ones at least allow us to offer local artists additional patronage."
"Then let's make sure we have a while before we sit for another one," she said. "Have you thought of an artist?"
"I've already contacted the young man who did our wedding portrait and he's eager to take the job on," he stated. "You did find his work satisfactory, correct?"
"More than satisfactory; he's brilliant. I only want to make sure that we're not spending too much, with the ceremony and ball and portrait, is all."
"Kester is a rather reasonable man when it comes to payment—he actually prefers installments rather than being paid up-front." The Marquis glanced over at his wife and allowed himself a smile. "Is there anything you want for the portrait in particular?"
"Not really," the Marchioness mused. "When can he start?"
The following afternoon, after court and their lunch, the Marquis and Marchioness met with the artist who was to work on their portrait. Kester Riggins had been allowed into the governance hall after court had cleared out and while the maids were working on their cleaning, setting up his canvas and paints and brushes so that he was ready when he employers arrived. One thing he had not said would be set up was a wooden play cot, occupied by a gurgling babe that rolled about as the future Dual Doctors entered the hall.
"Now who is this brilliant little darling?" the Marquis asked, bending down to pluck the child from her cot. Her father stared at them uneasily, hoping that it was not some sort of ruse.
"That's my daughter, Lucy," Kester explained. "My wife is out of town at the moment and Lucy's not very good at traveling yet, or else she'd have her."
"I think she's lovely," the Marchioness assured. She patted Kester's shoulder while watching her husband with the baby, leaning in close so that no one else could hear her words. "Every child he encounters does him good—I'm sure you know about His Lordship's first wife."
"None of us say as much, but all Gallifreyans and Kasterborsians know about the Tragedy of Lady Melody," he replied. "You didn't fill her shoes, milady, but you did make a mark of your own that is just as brilliant."
"Flattery," she chuckled. The Marchioness then went up the dais to the governance chair, sitting down as she waited for her husband to catch up. "Johan… Kester would like to get started."
"Oh, that's right," the Marquis grunted. He placed the child back in her cot and patted her head, watching carefully as she flopped down onto her back before joining his wife up at the dais. He helped her stand and glanced back at the artist. "What would you prefer us to do? I assume you have an idea in mind."
"Yes, please," Kester replied. He went up to the Marquis and Marchioness and posed them carefully, making sure to catch a flattering light and angle on them both before going back down to his easel. "Now if you can please hold still for a little while; once I do the main outline, I should be able to let milord and milady to take their seats for a time."
The sketching took nearly no time at all before Kester prompted his liege lord and lady to sit and relax. They sat on the large governance chair holding hands, keeping their expressions rigid as possible for the artist. Every so often they'd glance at one another and speak silently with their eyes, as well as their minds, as the Marquis was able to accommodate.
'This is an excellent break,' he mentioned. 'To think we were not even in the same room during our last portrait.'
'Our last portrait we didn't even touch one another in the sketch,' she recalled. 'Now that I've had more time to think on it, I do believe it was wise to commission a new one. Our children will be able to go into the portrait hall and see their mama and papa truly together.' Her eyes flicked over towards the babe in her cot for a moment and she chuckled. 'You were much better with her than with other children; should we offer to foster her so you can get used to dealing with a child?'
'…and take her away from her parents like that? Because we decree it? That would be cruel.'
It was then that their young guest began to whimper, flailing inside her cot as she demanded attention. Kester put down his paints and picked her up, trying to quickly hush the girl.
"My apologies; this shouldn't be too long," he said.
"Nonsense—bring her here," the Marquis ordered. Kester did as he was told, handing his daughter over almost timidly. "Work on my wife's visage if I am too active with Lucy."
"…but, are you sure, milord? You wouldn't rather call a maid?"
"The maids are busy enough without me asking them to do extra things such as babysit random children," he replied. "I do not mind. The young Earl or Earlessa will be glad I've had the practice, wouldn't you think?"
"I believe so, yeah," Kester agreed. He then returned to his canvas, leaving his daughter in the care of his lord. Lucy giggled and cooed and stared at the grey-whiskered man holding her, not wholly satisfied until she crawled up his chest and tugged on his facial hair.
