In Response to the Guest Reviewer:

To the guest reviewer who thanked me for the lovely journey, thank you so very, very much for your lovely review! I'm pleased to say that I finally have the time to really devote to writing again. And, to read your review makes it really enjoyable to give this all a shot again. So, truly, thank you.

Author's Note: Have I mentioned how great it is to be back in this series! For those who've been around for the whole deal, get ready for a one heck of a finale! I've been spending the last few months going over the main points of each story in the series and have been creating what I hope is a fitting "tag" for this little collection.

I'd also like to add, for those who are new to this AU world, you're really going to want the context of the prior stories. In any case, whether this is your first glimpse at this world or not, I hope you enjoy this. As a shout-out to the story that started it all, this chapter might look very familiar.

_._

Thursday, the 28th of November, 2019

4:17pm

"I do apologize, Mrs. Crawley, but I am in full agreement when it comes to this decision."

Violet Crawley eyed the speaker at hand with more than an inkling of confusion, though she masked it quite well. The elderly woman would never dare to speak out in bewilderment or panic –– it was far too beneath her. However, her normally sharp gaze was clouded by a hint of disdain tinted with perturbation.

The speaker quietly continued, interspersing a dignified knowledge into his words, "As you have previously mentioned, the choir department cannot be expected to manage 200 students with only two teachers, not if we wish to maintain our standards."

"Indeed," This was a point that Violet Crawley could concede. "But, the question still remains: why wasn't I consulted on this matter?"

Ah, yes. The idea of consulting. More specifically, the idea of consulting with Violet Crawley, one of the most important administrators behind Downton Academy.

This was a question that the speaker had spent many weeks preparing for, a painful question he had anticipated once this plan had been brought to life. A question he'd been dreading for days, one that had him avoid the administrators' corridor for as long as possible. However, it was also now a question that he felt completely prepared for. One wherein he could honestly speak about the matter.

"Mrs. Crawley," Charles Carson was doing his best not to be patronizing, readily understanding how difficult it could be to be faced with a drastically changing future. He himself was petrified about pulling this whole idea off, about giving this new direction a chance. But a look at his fiancée sitting right by his side, a glance at the woman who encouraged him to be the best person he could be, made a world of difference.

And he found himself able to continue.

"Over this last semester, we've seen a dramatic drop in the choir program. Students who have experienced the full impact of Mrs. Butte's teachings," Here, Charles momentarily stiffened in disgust. That that debacle had been allowed to commence in the first place was something he still blamed himself for. Nevertheless, that was neither here nor there, "Rightfully decided that, for personal reasons, they needed to leave the program. This, along with a majority of the school catching wind of what happened and deciding to steer clear of the choirs, has led to a significant decrease in registration–– the lowest choral registration rate I've ever seen in all my time at Downton."

Charles stumbled with his words at this, still coming to terms with what felt like another failure on his part. Here he was, a supposedly esteemed director of a brilliant choir department, and he'd been unable to recognize what was happening until it was too late. He'd worked with the woman for several years and it had taken him far too long to finally understand what a mistake their partnership had been.

Luckily, Elsie refused to let him carry this burden alone.

"The truth is, Mrs. Crawley," The choir teacher's brogue remained light as she took over for her fiancé, a steadying mezzo-piano admission, "There wasn't time for consultation. We needed to raise the morale of the choirs before it collapsed. And from my personal experience, this will raise morale."

"But,"

"Violet," Isobel had sat in on this meeting to support the teachers at hand, knowing that this would be a tough situation. As such, that meant she was also going to give them verbal support in getting their message across. "I do believe they have more to say."

"Thank you, Mrs. Crawley," Charles could speak again, having found his inner balance once again. Redirecting his gaze to the woman whose approval meant the world to him, "Now, Mrs. Crawley, would we have liked to have properly consulted you? I hope you understand that we truly would have.

"However," And this, the choir director truly regretted what he was about to explain. "In this case, proper consultation in any case was a luxury. The students needed something to look forward to before class registration began, something to encourage them to stay, and this was what we had to offer. I'm grateful to say that they immediately took to the idea, having been preparing for this showcase since we announced the possibility."

"I, for one, am all for it," Martha Levinson chimed in before Violet could get another word out, uninterested in watching an unnecessary war be waged. She'd come back for the obligatory school meetings, and this was the first one she was actually invested in. Therefore, there would be no way Cora's mother-in-law would take this away from her.

Charles twitched at this decidedly bold proclamation, unsure of how he felt about Mrs. Levinson's approval. Elsie internally sighed at the sound, appreciating the American's support but not caring for the imperious stare Violet Crawley now bestowed upon them. When she considered that Violet Crawley was a large part of the reason they had far less to worry about when it came to their upcoming wedding, Elsie almost felt frustrated for the necessity of this meeting. This meeting was quite necessary, mind; it just also happened to be quite unenjoyable to partake in.

"I do think there is something to be said for changing the game a little, spicing things up a bit."

Isobel Crawley, for all of her wonderful intentions, was not helping this time. Nevertheless, her remark did bring up a good point: the choir teachers were not alone in believing this showcase was a good idea. In other words, this change needed to happen.

Furthermore, said choir teachers had already gone ahead and made the necessary arrangements for this idea. Hence, this performance would be commencing with or without Violet Crawley's permission. So, although the administrator was inclined to continue quarreling over the issue at hand, she decided to do something else –– something she was remarkably, surprisingly good at:

"Indeed." This assent was spoken in Isobel's direction although discerning blue eyes still held the gaze of the choir director. Charles visibly relaxed at this, understanding that this was the administrator's way of agreeing to the plan. This was her way of giving some form of approval.

Needless to say, he understood that if he wanted true approval he would have to consult her on some of the finer details at hand. But, that would be for another day. Today was only about coming to terms with former expectations and announcing the future path.

"Thank you, Mrs. Crawley."

Truly.

Violet Crawley seemed to understand everything he wasn't saying, calmly nodding in his direction. And with that agreement made, it was only a short while before that game-changing meeting came to an eventual, shockingly optimistic, conclusion:

Downton Academy would be putting on a musical theatre showcase over the next fifteen weeks. Most of the traditional spring choir competitions and concerts would be set aside in favour of one overarching performance, a show that would indubitably lift the spirits of all involved.

In other words, a change would be invading the music department this spring. A change that promised to shake things up indefinitely, one that would spring a newfound energy upon the choirs and bring them all down a different path in life, a different direction.

And, for once, no one legitimately wanted to stop it.

_._

Author's Note: I do hope you enjoyed that little teaser of what's to come! The next update should be up next Friday (the 17th) by the latest. In any case, I do hope you have a lovely day!