Allan Observes: A TPDoEQ Special Edition
by Lady Norbert
A/N: Are we having fun yet? XD Thanks for the great reviews -- it's nice to know this is as entertaining to you as it is to me! I also have to say thanks for the help to Teri the Wonder Beta and my pals in the LXG RPG, most notably "Dru." Volume III is such a behemoth that I split Allan's observations of it into two chapters.
22 October 1899 -- League in Greece, visiting Athens. Skinner asked daughter why ancient Greeks had god of wine but no god of Scotch. Daughter v. entertained by random stupidity.
24 October 1899 -- Daughter and League visited Acropolis. Jekyll and Mina v. cuddly on rocks. Skinner crowned bloody Queen of the May by daughter. Daughter noticeably impressed by Acropolis, not least by fact that Skinner actually shut up for ten minutes while touring. After dinner, Jekyll and Mina went back to Acropolis for moonlight tryst. Jekyll proposed. Wonder if union will result in little flying Hydes.
26 October 1899 -- Daughter went to church with Skinner and Sawyer. Trying to decide if Skinner had ever been to church before, but as none of them understood anything in Greek service, was hard to tell.
29 October 1899 -- League on train heading north to where Nautilus will meet them. Jekyll amusing group by reading Homer, unaware that real Homer is sitting with self criticizing English translation. Daughter embroidering handkerchiefs for gentleman thief. Daughter takes "gentleman" half of designation entirely too seriously.
31 October 1899 -- Mina asked daughter to stand bridesmaid in wedding on Christmas Eve. Daughter ecstatic. Nemo to be best man. Proud of Sawyer; if jealous of Jekyll, concealing it well.
2 November 1899 -- League surprised by earlier rendezvous with Nautilus than planned. German scientist Draper sent recipe for invisibility formula so Mina and Jekyll can try to make antidote. Skinner had reservations, uncertain whether to go through with plan; daughter tried to help. Invisible git made jokes about undressing in her room, but thanked her for help. Daughter still totally in dark about Skinner.
8 November 1899 -- Daughter finally went into old quarters and began sorting through self's belongings. Has set aside specific personal items as Christmas gifts to League; Matilda will go to Sawyer, v. appropriate. V. pleased with daughter. Found old photographs and started crying, tried to stop when Skinner came to call her for tea.
9 November 1899 -- Daughter continued sorting belongings, is sending most of self's clothing to charity. Suppose only fair, as she cannot wear it. Noticed she is keeping old hat. Skinner came to help pack clothes, discovered money and bank paperwork hidden in bottom of old steamer trunk. Made no attempt to rob daughter; it must be love. Forgot about stashing away money -- go me! Wanker Prime Minister not taking everything from homeless offspring after all.
12 November 1899 -- Nemo threw engagement party for soon-to-be Jekylls. Several strange toasts. Greek wine went straight to daughter's head, as daughter usually temperance person.
15 November 1899 -- League back in London. Daughter now has money and is indulging in shopping spree like typical London girl. Is passing Tom off as visiting American cousin while giving him tour. Works for strangers, will not work for people who know daughter has no American relatives. Should be interesting watching daughter wiggle out of this one.
16 November 1899 -- Daughter learned mother and Skinner's parents buried in same cemetery. Got Skinner to tell her more about history, learned why turned thief. Most illuminating. Skinner gradually becoming more obvious, apparently encouraged by daughter's incomprehensible obliviousness.
19 November 1899 -- Shopaholic offspring accompanied Mina on trip to find wedding attire. Daughter had good sense to keep out of Mina's way, as lady vampire knows what she wants and takes no guff. Pitied saleswoman, but only slightly. Daughter v. entertained by Mina's take-charge attitude. Men planned bachelor party, women rolled eyes. Could easily out-drink Skinner, if not still dead.
27 November 1899 -- League celebrated American holiday of Thanksgiving. Ate lots of turkey and gave thanks for different things. Gratified by Skinner's speech about being thankful for self, though suspect was more for daughter's benefit than self's. Daughter almost cried again, but getting better about restraining tears.
30 November 1899 -- Daughter in charge of League Christmas festivities, has started by making plum pudding for entire crew. Taught Tom and Nemo about everyone taking turn stirring and making wishes. Observed that daughter wishes to find husband to love her like Jekyll loves Mina. Observed that Skinner wished daughter's wish would come true, whatever it was. Would like nothing better than to smack their heads together.
3 December 1899 -- Was wondering what daughter would do upon meeting up with someone she knew. Today encountered old friend and friend's husband, had to think of way to explain new and bizarre lifestyle. Rescued by Sawyer, who pretended to be daughter's husband and confused other people completely. Daughter, Sawyer and Skinner laughed like idiots afterward. Admit to chuckling. Got Sawyer for son-in-law after all, if only for minutes.
13 December 1899 -- Skinner's birthday. Daughter, being only person in League to know this fact, orchestrated small celebration, his first in some dozen years. Seemed very appreciative. Cake looked really good; must admit that birthday cake is something missing in afterlife.
23 December 1899 -- Jekyll's bachelor party. Women took refuge in library while men got roaring drunk. Am impressed, Skinner can hold liquor. Sawyer started doing strange dance on tabletop. Skinner and Jekyll v. amused, Nemo not so much. Men drank to love, happiness, self's memory, League as whole, and "all the women we've ever loved." Am not sure how many that is. Nemo had wife, Jekyll probably too shy to deal much with women. Sawyer had two past loves if counting Mina. Skinner -- don't really want that mental picture.
24 December 1899 -- Marriage of the Jekylls. V. moving ceremony. Daughter sweet bridesmaid, looked puzzled after catching bouquet. Asked Mina what to do with designation as next bride; suspect Mina of wanting to tell daughter exactly what to do. Mina much quicker on uptake than daughter. League exchanged Christmas gifts, Sawyer v. emotional over Matilda. Daughter received new diaries from everyone but Skinner, who gave own mother's locket. Daughter's failure to put two and two together far too easy for self to mock; shall refrain in spirit of Christmas.
25 December 1899 -- Newlyweds returned to observe proper English Christmas on submarine. Lots of food; could smell, if not taste. V. mouth-watering. League sang carols, danced much. Sawyer complained about limited supply of female companionship when forced to waltz with Skinner. Sawyer caught Mina under kissing bough, looked embarrassed. Skinner caught daughter under kissing bough, looked smug. Daughter almost choked to death on silver ring in slice of plum pudding, seemed bewildered by accumulation of marriage symbols. Was cleaning ring and completely missed significant looks exchanged by Sawyer and Jekylls. Mounting conspiracy v. amusing.
26 December 1899 -- Confounded offspring almost took hint today. Was cleaning locket from Skinner and wondered at intentions, but talked herself out of believing. Am seriously considering taking up haunting.
27 December 1899 -- Second wife not much help. Discussing situation re: daughter and Skinner, wife wants to know why self is so interested. Is daughter's life, daughter's decision. Agreed, but am naturally concerned regarding continuance of Quatermain bloodline. Have given up hope of acquiring Sawyer as son-in-law, not averse to idea of Skinner taking job but want matter settled. Both wives now addressing self as meddlesome old coot. Wives dead too long, had too much time to team up against self.
31 December 1899 -- Century ending tonight. League planning to watch first sunrise of 1900. Meanwhile, huge New Year's Eve party being held at Caligula's place, am told togas optional. V. suspicious, have decided on quiet evening with family.