Two Different Worlds

Disclaimer: I don't own Downton Abbey.

It's odd for me to write a modern AU, especially one where the characters aren't married yet, but I suppose you have to write what your muse tells you to, LOL. And I assume I'll get plenty of history in this from Robert.

I'm also not doing anything with Covid in this story, so either assume this takes place a few years before the pandemic hit, or in a universe where Covid doesn't exist.

Many thanks to Countess of Cobert for helping this to sound authentic for the modern British university setting.

Oh, and OOOOOO is time change

XXXXXXX is POV change

"Are you ready for courses to begin tomorrow, Cora?"

Cora Levinson looked up from her Facebook page to see her roommate, Maggie Brooks, carefully stacking all her new books. They both studied at Oxford University and had been roommates since last year. Cora worked toward a degree in drama while Maggie was determined to earn one in philosophy.

"Yes," Cora said causally, patting the e – reader that sat on her desk. "All my books are either loaded into this or available online, and I have found all my syllabuses, too." Her introduction to film and her drama voice and diction textbooks were just waiting to be opened, and all the material for her Shakespeare course was available online. Of course, her philosophy and chemistry textbooks were in the e – reader, too. Her black day gown hung in the corner, ready for the special ceremonies.

Maggie shook her head, her short blonde curls bouncing. "I know e – readers are becoming more popular, but I think it's better to buy the real books, so you can write in them." She counted her new books again, as if she were uncertain, she'd had every single one.

Cora crossed the room and put her hand on Maggie's shoulder. "Stop stressing," she said gently. "You have had all your books for the past week. You are more than ready for classes to begin."

Maggie nodded but sighed. "I just need to do well this year. I'm finally taking advanced philosophy classes. Ethics, Marxist philosophy, feminist philosophy..." She counted her books once again. "Perhaps I should put my books in alphabetical order."

Cora smiled. "At least I know if I struggle with my introduction to philosophy course, I know I will have you to help me." She sighed and shook her head, her own dark hair flying. "My chemistry course is a lot more worrisome." Cora knew she would have to take some difficult courses here. It was Oxford, after all. But a required chemistry class?

As Maggie organized her books, Cora returned her attention to Facebook. Many people from her home in America wished her luck with school this year. Mother posted that she looked forward to when Cora opened with a major theater company or even stared in a movie. Meanwhile, her brother Harold had posted pictures of his before – school blowout party. It consisted of far too many people drinking, dancing, and swimming on the roof of their New York City penthouse above Central Park.

It was a good thing no one had an accident that night.

"Please be careful, Harold," she posted underneath the photos. "And good luck in school this year." She worried about her brother, but at the end of the day, Cora knew Harold made his own choices.

Looking up, she saw Maggie had finished finally finished organizing her new schoolbooks. Again.

"Why don't we head to the dining hall?" Cora suggested gently, hoping to destress her friend. "I certainly could use something to eat."

OOOOOOOOOO

Their dining hall served spaghetti and sauce for supper, with a choice of vegetarian or meat sauce. Cora was certain the delicious meal would calm down Maggie, as the other young woman was already looking brighter when the spaghetti was placed on her tray.

"Cora!" shouted two men that lived downstairs from them from the sea other students "Maggie. Come sit with us." After pausing to see Maggie nod, Cora eagerly placed her tray next to Brian and George. Both men were tall with heads of dark hair and beautiful smiles. Even better was the sound of their voices. One of the best parts about studying at Oxford was that all the men spoke with British accents.

"Are you both ready for courses to begin?" Cora said, voicing the same question everyone else was asking. Brian took drama classes as well, so she was particularly interested in his answer.

George shrugged. "As ready as I can be." He paused and took a large bite of spaghetti. He always seemed more interested in eating than anything else.

Brian nodded, smiling as he did so. "I'm looking forward to the introduction to film course. Just imagine acting in a real film someday."

Cora grinned and nodded, excited about that possiblity as well. "But working in theater could be just as interesting. I loved the introduction to theater course that I took last term. This term I'm also taking a course on Shakespeare, so I can study the plays in more depth."

She paused and took a bit of spaghetti, letting the tomato sauce fill her mouth.

"Good luck with that," Brian said as he carefully wiped the tomato sauce from his mouth. "I'd like to find some amateur films to do this term, but so far I haven't seen any opportunities."

Swallowing, Cora nodded. "I've been looking for that, too, and I'm certain there will be something soon. But I do have a gig on Thursdays at the local pub. They've agreed to let me sing!" She felt her smile widen to her ears as she thought of singing again. Granted, it was just a pub, but still. Performing for a real audience was so invigorating.

Brian, George, and Maggie all smiled at that. "That's so wonderful, Cora. We'll have definitely be there to hear you," Brian added. "You're lucky that you can sing, too. There are more options for you."

George finished another mouthful of spaghetti before he said, "By the way, Cora. Do you like Indian food?"

"I do." Growing up in New York City, they'd eaten at Indian restaurants often, but it was even more popular here.

"Good. Would you like to have some at the local restaurant this Saturday night?"

Cora smiled in return. "Yes." Both Brian and George were handsome with attractive accents but the best part about them was how nice they always were.

OOOOOOOOOOOO

The next day, Cora entered her Shakespeare course with David and Jean, who were also taking drama and were very nice. "Sit next to me, Cora," Jean said brightly, pointing to the seat on the opposite side of her.

"Come, on, I was hoping she'd sit next to me," David said with an attractive British accent and a killer smile.

Shaking her head, Cora chuckled. "Why don't I sit between both of you?" she said, pointing to the seat in the middle. There was no need for an argument when there was a simple solution. Both of her friends nodded as she sat down.

The course filled with students quickly, with at least twenty people in the small room, and the sound of mindless chatter filled the air for several moments.

"All right," said Professor Brown suddenly. His hair was greyish and balding, but he still possessed a firm, clear voice. "This is English 315. Shakespeare's plays. You should all have the syllabus, as it is available online." Cora took out her tablet and pulled up the syllabus for this course. "You will be expected to read everything listed there, and your grade will be defined by class participation, a midterm, a final, and one term paper. All the material is available online, although many of you may find it easier to read and take notes if you have your own copies."

Cora rolled her eyes, knowing the professor couldn't see her. He sounded a bit like Maggie, obsessed with doing everything perfectly. She was certainly capable of reading everything on the tablet and taking notes as well.

There was a pause, and then the professor said, "We have a lot to cover in this course, so please open your books to our first play. Romeo and Juliet. The classic tale of forbidden love among feuding families." Cora eagerly clicked her tablet to that one, happy to begin the class today.

"Who would like to read Samson, and who will read Gregory, from the House of Capulet?" David shot his hand up, as several other drama majors. Cora sighed, wishing the first scene of this play had female parts.

"'Gregory, o' my word, we'll not carry coals,'" read David as Samson.

"No, for then we should be colliers," said another man as Gregory from the front row with dirty blond hair. His real name might have been James. Both men pronounced the words carefully, reading everything so all the people could hear. Cora admired their diction.

"'I mean, as we be in choler, we'll draw.'"

"'Ay, while you live, draw your neck out o' the collar.'"

"'I strike quickly, being moved.'"

"'But thou art not quickly moved to strike.'"

"'A dog in the house of Montague moves me…'

The two drama students continued reading the rest of the scene very well, ending with

"'Let us take the law on our sides, let us begin."

""I will frown as I pass by and let them take it as they list."

"Nay, I will bite my thumb at them, which is a disgrace to them, if they bare it."'*

There, Professor Brown paused. "Now we bring in the Montague side. Who will read Abraham?" Several more students raised their hands, most whom Cora recognized from her drama courses.

The professor chose someone sitting in front of her, who looked like he had a nice head of hair.

"'Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?'" said the new voice as Abraham.

"'I do bite my thumb, sir," said David as Sampson.

""Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?'" The student did an impressive job sounding just as cross as Abraham would have been.

""Is the law on our side, if I say aye?"' Sampson was supposed to have whispered to Gregory.

""No,"' James as Gregory said.

""No sir, I do bite my thumb at you sir, but I do bite my thumb sir," Sampson/David said.

"'Do you quarrel, sir?"' Gregory/James said.

""Quarrel sir! No, sir," Abraham/nice hair said.

"'If you do sir, I am for you; I serve a good man as you,"' said Sampson/David.

""No better," said Abraham/nice hair.

"'Well, sir," said Sampson/David.

"'Say better: here comes one of my master's kinsmen," said Gregory/James.

"'Yes, better, sir,"' Sampson/David said.

"'You lie," said Abraham/nice hair.

"'Draw if you be men. Gregory, remember your slashing bow,"' said Sampson/David. **

"And then they fight. With swords," the professor said with a nod, "Which we won't be performing." There were a chorus of groans from several students, who likely wished to see more action. "But what do you think of the first scene?"

One girl with long blonde hair raised her hand. "It seems to me that the Capulets and the Montagues just like hating each other. Like they enjoy fighting." Cora nodded, trying to understand why anyone would enjoy fighting like that.

Professor Brown nodded thoughtfully. "It's a universal issue in society. A lot of people enjoy fighting."

"But sometimes it's fun," protested one of the students who probably wanted to see the swordfight.

The professor nodded. "It can be. Competition is enjoyable for a lot of people, and it often encourages people to perform better. But we can all agree the Capulets and the Montagues took things too far."

Cora nodded. Way too far. Two innocent people fell in love and died just because of their families' feud.

Another student, sitting in the middle of the room, raised his hand. "The feud between the Capulets and the Montagues reminds me of the feud between the Yorks and Lancasters. I took a course on the War of the Roses last year, and it's rather similar."

Cora turned to look at the young man closer, fascinated by this new angle. He had short, brownish hair and that impressive British accent all the men here had.

Professor Brown paused a moment, as if thinking about this new comment. "Perhaps you are right, but then why would Shakespeare write Henry VI, which focuses on the War of the Roses, as well?"

The young man thought for a moment and then said, "It's been a while since I've read Henry VI, but I seem to remember their feud makes more sense. Shakespeare probably wanted to show how much more rational English people are than Italians, who fight for no reason at all."

The professor shrugged. "Maybe. I encourage you…" he paused, as if trying to remember the name of the student. Briefly, Cora wondered how the professor already knew his name, as he didn't seem to know any of the other students yet. "Mr. Crawley, to think about that more thoroughly when we study Henry VI." Perhaps he was a very dedicated English major.

The other students continued discussing the first scene of Romeo and Juliet, including the fact that all the characters seemed to lie to each other at some point, but Cora couldn't stop thinking of Mr. Crawley's comment.

"Please read the rest of Romeo and Juliet for our next session," Professor Brown finally said, as the class ended.

Cora stood up from her seat, watching Jean and David dash out of the classroom. But before she left, she stopped in front of Mr. Crawley. "I really appreciated your interpretation of the text today." Standing close to him, she noticed his brownish hair had a bit of curl, making him look extremely cute. Not only that, but he was a few inches taller than her, and that could sometimes be difficult for Cora to find. Why had she never noticed him until today? If they attended the same college at Oxford, shouldn't she have seen him in the dining hall at least once?

Mr. Crawley stared at her for a second, his eyes widening in surprise before he attempted to school his face to appear more neutral. "Thank you…I admit, I'm not fond of Romeo and Juliet, but that reference seemed obvious to me."

Somehow, his apparent surprise that she was speaking to him made him even more endearing. The British accent didn't hurt, either of course. "Well, I hope you have similar insights in the future, Mr. Crawley."

"My name is Robert," he told her firmly.

She nodded. "My name is Cora," she said, dashing off to meet her friends. Robert. She would remember that.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

OOOOOOOO

After all his classes were done, Robert sat at his desk with his e – reader, making notes about the conflicts between Churchill and Chamberlain for his World War II course. He couldn't stop himself from grinning, fascinated by the many layers of conflict.

When the doorknob began to jiggle, Robert resisted the urge to open it himself. It had to be his roommate, John Bates, and John disliked people doing things for him. Even something as simple as opening a door.

Eventually, the door opened, revealing John, a tall man with dark hair, with a cane in one hand and a tablet in the other. It had taken Robert a while to get used to a man so close to his age who used a cane, but John was now the best friend he'd ever had, and they shared a room for the last three years at Oxford.

"Hi, Robert," John said causally, walking into the room. Then he placed his tablet on a nearby table while he shut the door with his other hand, still clutching the cane the entire time.

Robert still occasionally marveled what a pleasant person John was, despite his disability. If Robert were ever developed a permanent limp for any reason, he knew he would be constantly grumpy and bitter. But John was nice, a good listener, and incredibly loyal. He was even reading sciences, with the hope of becoming a doctor that could help people with injuries such as his.

"So, how were your first courses?" John said, sitting down at his own desk.

Robert shrugged. "I wish we were reading something other than Romeo and Juliet in my Shakespeare course. Something like Richard III, Macbeth, or even King Lear would be more interesting." He retrained from mentioning the American who'd spoken to him after the first course, as he didn't know what to make of it. He knew she was a drama student, so it was obvious they lived in two different worlds, even if they did attend the same college at Oxford.

Perhaps she was just trying to be nice, like she made a point of giving everyone a compliment. Or even pretending to be nice? Drama students were rather superficial, eager to show of that they would someday be "stars." It didn't escape his notice that she had insisted on calling him 'Mr. Crawley' until he corrected her.

Pushing it aside from his mind, Robert pointed to his notes. "But I'm reading a great book about Winston Churchill and Neville Chamberlain."

John nodded. "I start my organic chemistry lab tomorrow. It's supposed to be rather demanding."

Robert grinned at his friend. "I'm certain you'll do fine."

OOOOOOOOOOO

A few days later, Robert listened to his other classmates drone on about different aspects of Romeo and Juliet. He had little patience for a play about two infatuated teenagers and Italians fighting over nothing.

That American drama student was talking about how sweet Romeo was when he said he would love Juliet no matter what her last name happened to be. Robert scoffed, knowing the superficial girl didn't know anything about love. After all, she had a reputation for dating a different bloke every week. In the past two days, he'd seen her chatting with several different men, proving the rumor.

Robert wished he could just pull out a book from another course from his e – reader. Perhaps that great book about Churchill and Chamberlain again. Or one of the books for his Victorian England course.

But he was conscious of the fact that Professor Brown was a friend of his father's and knew Robert rather well, shown by the fact that he'd called him by name in the last class. Robert's father had been a Latin professor and had taught at Oxford for many years. He respected his father's legacy and it usually inspired Robert to perform well in school.

But at the moment, it was a problem. What if Professor Brown told Papa Robert hadn't been paying attention?

Sighing, he tried to pay attention to the foolish play. If only they'd read Henry VI recently. Comparing the two feuds might be rather enjoyable.

"…don't know if Romeo should have married Juliet without asking permission first," one of the students was saying. "It was very dishonorable at that time."

OOOOOOOOOOO

Robert arrived at the next Shakespeare class more eagerly. They would be discussing Hamlet this week, which was far more interesting than Romeo and Juliet. Unfortunately, this one wasn't related to British history, but the play itself had so much more layers. Hamlet's depression and possible mental illness vs. his love for his father and understandable anger at both his uncle and his mother. Ophelia's relationship with Hamlet and how that affects the overall story. King Claudius's motivations for his evil deeds. Was Queen Gertrude weak or unfeeling to do what she did? And those were only a few of the things that were possible to discuss…

I didn't surprise anyone that Professor Brown chose to read act three, scene one for the course to read out loud. Not only did the scene include many of the different characters, but it contained Hamlet's most famous soliloquy.

Several different drama students raised their hands eagerly when asked who would read Hamlet, but Professor Brown chose Oxford's most well-known drama student, David, who would graduate soon. Still, many others volunteered to read King Claudius, Ophelia, Queen Gertrude, Polonius, Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern.

Robert's eyes widened a bit that Professor Brown chose that American to read Queen Gertrude. He knew she was a drama major, but everyone knew Americans couldn't perform Shakespeare. Certainly not as well as any of the British drama students in the course.

Did Professor Brown choose the American specifically to watch her fail? Robert liked to think his father's friend was above such behavior, but he couldn't think of another explanation. He felt sorry for the girl.

Nevertheless, the reading began with a shorter bloke with glasses as Claudius. Naturally, he was British.

"'And as you can by no drift circumstance.

Get him from why he puts on this confusion.

Grating so harshly all his days of quiet,

With turbulent and dangerous lunacy?"

The bloke who read Rosencrantz was too far away for Robert to see clearly, but of course, he too was British. "'He does confess he feels himself distracted,

But from what cause he will by no means speak.'"

Guildenstern, who was read by a blond man, said, "Nor do we find him forward to be sounded,

But with a crafty madness keeps aloof,

When we would bring him on to some confession

Of his true state.'"

"'Did he receive you well?"' said the American as Gertrude. Robert had to admit, he was surprised at how…British she could make her voice sound. But he focused on the play, as the characters discussed the mental state of Hamlet, and whether they needed to worry about the prince.

Or perhaps pretend to worry about him, in Queen Gertrude and especially King Claudius's case?

… The American continued as Gertrude. Robert turned himself toward her, a bit more curious how she would do reading a longer part. "'I shall obey you; (to the king)

And for your part Ophelia, I do wish

That your good beauties be the happy cause

Of Hamlet's wildness. So shall I hope your virtues

Will bring him to his wonted way again,

To both your honours."' ***

She'd cared the proper accent through the entire piece, Robert noticed. And her ability to recite in proper rhythm was even more surprising. It was also interesting that the American tried to show Gertrude's concern for Hamlet. Obviously, the girl refused to believe Hamlet's mother didn't care about him.

She was rather attractive, too, he'd admit. Her dark hair contrasted with her pale skin was lovely. Maybe that was why she had so many dates.

The play continued, and soon it was time for Hamlet's famous monologue, where he wondered whether it was better to kill himself and be rid of his pain or live and try to understand and avenge his father's death. Finally, the scene finished with Ophelia trying to comfort Hamlet, and the two of them flirting as lovers do.

"I think Hamlet was being unfair to Ophelia, trying to pretend nothing was wrong when he had just contemplated killing himself," said a girl behind Robert.

"But isn't he just trying to protect her?" said a bloke in the corner of the room. "If he loves her, he doesn't want to drag her down with him." Robert nodded. That had always been his thought.

"But doesn't Ophelia already know there is something wrong?" said another blonde student sitting across from Robert. "His mother just pleaded for her to help Hamlet, after all. And clearly, they know each other rather well. Couldn't she be part of Hamlet's plan against King Claudius as the play continues, and pretending to be ignorant, to help him?"

Reading the play he'd read last week, Robert thought about this.

"It's certainly possible," he said out loud. "Shakespeare wrote Hamlet during the Elizabethan period, when women were still supposed to be submissive and obedient. But a lot of women were beginning to defy that idea, starting with Queen Elizabeth herself. So, you see a lot of mixed roles with Shakespeare's female characters." He didn't say it, but Robert also knew some women could pretend to be more submissive than they were, because it suited their present goals. Mama did that occasionally.

The American student stared at Robert in fascination as he spoke. He had to admit, her eyes were a pretty shade of blue. "I definitely see a difference between Queen Gertrude and Ophelia," she said to the rest of the students, but still looking at Robert. "Gertrude is kind of…apprehensive, while Ophelia is more resilient."

"I don't know how resilient Ophelia is if she killed herself later in the play," said the same bloke from the corner of the room.

The American student sighed as she raised her hand, and Robert was again struck by how attractive her pale skin was. "I think she started out resilient, but it all became too much for her after Hamlet killed her father by accident. Who could blame her for that if Hamlet thought of committing suicide even earlier than she did because of his father's death?

He could definitely see why the American found so many Oxford men willing to date her. But attractive or not, Robert was never going to be one of them. They were from two very different worlds.

*The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet Act I, Scene I. by William Shakespeare. wwwdotopensouceshakespearedotorg

**Ibid.

***The Tragedy of Hamlet, the Prince of Denmark Act III, Scene I. by William Shakespeare. wwwdotopensouceshakespearedotorg