Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“-you have bewitched me body and soul, and I love—I love—I love you.”

Marianne’s eyes couldn’t help but become misty as the soul wrenching line from one of the greatest love stories ever told, in her opinion of course, played across her TV screen.

“I would have assumed that you had this movie memorized by now Marianne”, Dawn muttered before yawning and leaning against the door frame of her older sister’s room.

“Well I have read the book multiple times and watched the other adaptations, so I’m not sure if I would get it word for word exactly but I might be close”, Marianne replied sheepishly while hugging her “I heart Darcy” pillow closer.
Dawn scanned the darkened bedroom noting her sisters’ somehow still growing collection of Jane Austen memorabilia, over filled bookshelves of multiple copies of the authors original stories with inspired works as well, and the antique dolls crowded at the headboard in their floral regency ensembles.

“Sis”, a deep sigh from the younger sister interrupts her sentence, “do you think maybe all of …this? Is getting out of hand?” Dawn grabs a lace trimmed pillow off the bed to sit on the floor as she looks up at Marianne for a response.

Marianne’s grip on her pillow tightens for a few seconds before she takes a deep breath and turns to Dawn, “I know this might seem like an obsession to other people, but as my sister don’t you understand how much I love these stories, this world?!” Marianne gestures to the paused movie. “And that I do respect the line between reality and fiction, even as much as it pains me to say it out loud.”

“Well didn’t you look into that Austen camp? Or was it a resort?”

“THE TRAVEL AGENT SAID IT WAS AN IMMERSIVE AUSTEN EXperience…”

“……”
The silence hanging in the air highlighted the point Dawn was attempting to make earlier with Marianne realizing a bit too late. Another deep sigh escaped the younger sibling as she straightened herself on the pillow.

“I’m sorry Marianne, I really don’t mean to make fun of your interests, I just worry that you haven’t really been experiencing the real world lately.” Dawn reached for her sisters’ hand to comfort her, “I mean didn’t you like any of the dates I set you up with last month?”

Marianne scoffed, “No offense Dawn but those guys were all Wickhams and Mr. Collins hoping to be Darcy.”

“I’m not going to even pretend I know what that means, BUT shouldn’t you try living in the real world more? If not for yourself, at least for Dad?”

Marianne opened her mouth to protest but lost her momentum with the mention of their single parent, even only being in his mid-fifties Dagda was anticipating his retirement and in preparation he was beginning to pepper his conversations with the possibility of grandchildren in the coming years.

“UGH!!!!” Marianne fell back on her bed and promptly covered her face with the pillow. Not that her sibling wasn’t making a couple valid points but also that it was all coming from a place of love and concern that Dawn seemed to constantly radiate.

“I just don’t believe there are any decent guy’s here Dawn, the kind of relationship I want seems to only exist on pages.”

“And you don’t think you will be able to find that anywhere in the tristate area?”

Marianne quickly sat up to smack Dawn with a pillow and laughed, “What?! No…I mean maybe? It seems so impossible given MY dating history.”
Dawn looked at the ceiling and seemed to be pondering something in deep thought.

“Then maybe it would be easier to rule out the fictional world first?”

The elder sister grabbed one of her antique dolls and started gently brushing its hair, “What do you mean by that?”

“I mean we should go to that immersive Austen experience and prove that any “Darcy” only exists in your imagination.”

“Really? I’ve wanted to go for years bu-WAIT what do you mean “we”?”

Dawn giggled as she climbed up on her sisters’ bed to sit next to her as she responded, “As in you and me, duh! I’m not going to miss out on seeing you dressed up and drooling over fancy men in waist coats!”

“I wouldn’t drool!! And do you even have enough money saved up to afford this??”

With a very exaggerated eye roll Dawn replied, “Dad will pay for it no problem, he loves seeing us bonding and will probably be hopeful with the prospect of you reentering society again.”
Marianne was starting to think that her family saw her as more of a pet project rather than a relative, but was soon lost in thought of her daydreams to finally visiting the place of her fantasies.

“Sooooo, what’s this place called so I can send Dad the link to buy us tickets or whatever?”

“…. It’s called Austenland.”

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Airports were not the easiest to navigate, especially with a floor length regency dress and a bonnet tied to your head.
"C'mon sis we are going to miss the pick up time!"

Marianne bumbled into people, quickly apologizing as the blush grew across her face with each passing stare or amused giggle in the crowd. Both sisters had packed rather lightly as they were told by the travel agent that part of the experience was to "do as the Romans do" and wear only historical garments provided by the estate. Dawn however, the fashion design student she is, begged Marianne to wear the regency gowns she somehow whipped up just the couple nights before their trip to fully acclimate as they entered the London airport.

"Dawn wait up!!"

It shouldn't be so easy to lose track of the only girl in this airport wearing a light blue regency style gown, embroidered with a subtle silver floral pattern and a straw bonnet accented with forget-me-not's and baby's breath blossoms. In contrast Marianne's was a simple lavender colored dress cinched as a empire waist with an embroidered ribbon of calluna flowers that also adorned her bonnet as well.
Marianne was beginning to feel more anxious as she could not see any sign of her sister in the dispersing crowd, that is until she heard an unmistakable squeal coming from the front doors about ten feet away.

"Seriously Dawn I told you to wait with me so that i wou-"

"Marianne!! Look at this old timey car they came to pick us up in!!"

Parked in front of the pick up area was in fact an old car model, dated around the late 1800's, that was Marianne's guess since she did not have any car history knowledge. The driver side door opened to reveal a well dressed man in forest green chauffeur uniform and cap with gleaming blonde hair, bright emerald eyes and a show stopping smile.

"Good Evening ladies, allow me to welcome you on the journey to Austenland as we get you and your luggage into the vehicle. My name is Roland and I am very pleased to be your escort."

Dawn giggled with girlish delight while Marianne blushed even more at the ridiculousness of the mans greetings. As the sisters were getting into the car Marianne felt the need to explain both their outfits, "Sorry I was encouraged to wear this....costume before we arrived."

"So was I", Roland winked.

Now finally on their way to the estate, Marianne and Dawn were both mesmerized by the beautiful English summer scenery as the city melted away into tall trees and blooming undergrowth.

"Isn't this absolutely magical so far??! And we haven't even seen the house yet", Dawn could scarcely hold in her excitement.

"I know, this seems so surreal. Like I really am about to enter Jane Austen's world."

Chapter Text

The ride to the estate was leisurely with the occasional excited gasp from Dawn. Marianne was too focused on picking her pseudonym for her "new life" that she wasn't fully appreciating the English countryside.
Their father did pay for Dawn's ticket for the trip but Marianne argued that she should be responsible for her experience since this was going to prove whether or not she has a chance at love. Which meant a steep cut into her savings, this was becoming more of a gamble than she expected.

"Look!! I think that's the house! .......it's much smaller than I imagined."
Dawn was leaning out the window of the antique vehicle as they pulled up to a small classic English cottage, trying to curb her confused disappointment as both sisters stepped out of the car.

The door of the ivy coated cottage opened to a woman with blue white hair styled in regency fashion that matched her icy pastel gown. Following behind her was a short woman in servant clothing and bright tangled red hair.

"Ladies welcome to your first stop on your Austenland experience! I am Mrs. Sugarsworth the lady of the estate and this is my handmaid Mrs. King," Sugarsworth gestured to the woman curtsying next to her.

"Hi! I was expecting more of a mansion but this looks super cozy too", Dawn replied as she stepped forward with Marianne.

Mrs. King chuckled as Sugarsworth responded flatly, "This is only a rest stop to discuss expectations and be dressed appropriately as this is a fully immersive experience." She turned to show the younger women into the home.

The interior of the building reflected the warmth from outside decorated with floral patterns and vintage furniture, the sisters were led to a small sitting room that had a blazing fire going in the hearth.

As Sugarsworth sat in her chair she began her introductory speech, "Here at Austenland we pride ourselves in providing the most authentic immersion for our lovely guests, as you both have chosen two different experiences," the handmaid stepped forward to fan out a collection of colored booklets, "Dawn being a part of the platinum tier and Marianne with the copper tier." Sugarsworth gave a barely disguised sneer towards Marianne as she said the last part.

Marianne was starting to feel as if she was more of a burden rather than a guest, so she spoke up," I was considering the name for myself and I thought-".

"Your names have already been assigned for you, Dawn will be Miss Charming and you my dear are Miss Erstwhile", Sugarsworth interrupted. Dawn grinned enthusiastically while Marianne chewed on her lip to avoid responding unkindly with her frustration at the obviously slighted option for a pseudonym.

Loud hand claps break the tension.

"Now let's move on to the fun part girls", Mrs. King announced cheerfully, "the makeover!!!"

Dawn and Marianne are herded into a larger room with two overloaded chairs brimming with regency gowns and accessories. The sisters couldn't control their glee for the fanciful clothing and shoes, as they were thrown into a whirlwind of fabrics.

"I'd say this color is more of a robins egg blue rather than baby blue," Dawn commented to another maid who was holding two dresses against the girl.

Marianne smiled with gratitude that her sister was joining her in this wild indulgence, but her joy deflated as she turned to Mrs. King holding two gowns towards her that were dreadful shades of grey and brown.
"Are these my only options with the uh copper package, Mrs. King?" Marianne asked with barely concealed grimace.

"Afraid so sweetie, but don't you worry with a face like that you'll be swimming in suitors," Mrs. King winked, "and forget all that formality. Call me Griselda."

Both women smiled at their new found friendship and began the process of a regency makeover.

Two hours later the sisters emerged from the humble cottage as their horse drawn carriage pulled in to transport them to the manor. Dawn quickly joined in with Sugarsworth and Griselda while Marianne followed a moment after only to be told by Sugar that she would have to sit at the back of the vehicle.

Dawn began to protest but the elder sister held her hand up to silence her and agreed to sit in the back as to not further anger the lady of the estate. The ride to the manor was far quicker, with Mari facing away from the direction. had no indication when to spot their destination. As she was allowing herself to relax into the scenery the sound of another carriage alerted her, she turned slightly to peer at it. From the front it was similar to her own, what gave her pause was the doppelganger in the same assigned seat as her that had a matching gown but a far off disinterested gaze. The creeping dread began to climb in Marianne as doubtful thoughts began to swirl, she gulped her worries down and was distracted thankfully by a dramatic gasp from her sister.

"OH Look!!! It is STUNNING!!!"