Bet On Me

[Akeira]

It is no mystery that an aristocratic girl and a chauffeur do not run in the same circles.


The barrier between those upstairs and downstairs well exists in Yorkshire in 1914.


Despite the odds and looming grandeur of Downton Abbey, fate and politics have a funny way of creating an unlikely pair.


[One x One between @Kellie Jemmings and @Akeira]
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[Akeira]

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Life used to be simple for Tom Branson. A native to Ireland, the boy and his family were used to working their way through life. He spent time with his relatives, particularly on his grandfather's sheep farm in Galway. He often shot pigeons there, in addition to helping his grandfather around the ranch. Despite his humble beginnings, Tom's life grew to be complicated when he arrived at Downton. Only a chauffeur, it was imminently clear that he was more interested in a particular girl from upstairs than he should be. The barrier between the Crawley family and their staff was well practiced at Downton, however Tom could not help but find himself attracted to the youngest daughter. Sybil Crawley proved to be more phenomenal than he could eloquently describe, given her looks to her devotion to women's suffrage. After Sybil's stunts in Ripon, there was no doubt in Tom's mind that he greatly admired the nineteen-year-old lady.
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Rising early that morning, Tom dressed briskly and strolled down to the Servants' dining hall for breakfast. Upon arrival he saw that a few people were already present, namely John Bates, Anna Smith, and Mrs. Hughes. "Good morning everyone." Tom declared to the room's inhabitants, taking his place at the table and waiting for others to arrive. The others gave remarks of their own before going back to their business. Tom sat quietly and looked over a political pamphlet from his pocket, waiting for the room to fill up for the meal. As more attendants arrived, Tom put the papers away, standing with the others, when Mr. Carson entered. With his hands clasped behind his back, the driver continued to stand until given permission to begin eating.


Tom zoned out throughout Mr. Carson's announcements, continuing to eat his meal. "Branson." He heard moments later, glancing up from his plate to see the butler looking at him expectedly. Though obvious that the elder man had called Tom more than once, Mr. Carson never raised his voice. "Yes, Mr. Carson?" Tom remarked, waiting on further instructions. "His Lordship has business in London this evening and would like to be on the twelve o'clock train. Do bring the car around." The butler proclaimed, making eye contact with the chauffeur before looking at the pieces of mail in front of him once more. "Yes, Mr. Carson." Tom responded with a firm nod, quickly finishing the rest of his breakfast and excusing himself from the table. He sauntered out of the Servants' entrance and made his way toward the car, starting it up and bringing it around to the front of the Abbey. Arriving at the head, he stopped the car and exited, standing beside the vehicle and looking up at the grand estate. The Irish man still had some time before Lord Grantham would be ready to leave, however, Tom hoped to run into a certain Crawley daughter, before they departed.

 

[Kellie Jemmings]

Sybil had a boring life. One of parties and people who she didn't find too interesting, though she always made pleasant conversation. Giving off the appearance that she was the nice sister out of the other two. Mary was the stuck-up one, according to others. Sybil had always thought fondly of her sister, as she had never given her reason to not. Edith was a little different, though they never had strife, she wasn't too close with her because Edith tended to be off-putting and just plain awkward to speak with. Edith and Mary on the other hand did in fact have issues between each other. Sybil tried to stay out of their affairs because they tended to be rather nasty to each other. Her mother and her father still treated Sybil as the baby of the three, and often limited her to what she could and couldn't do, far less than her sisters despite the fact that Sybil was in fact 19 years of age.


Her life began to change when she began focusing more on politics, she eavesdropped on her father's conversation at parties when he was talking with other men. She learned of more details from newspapers her father discarded, she even went as far to begin borrowing books from the library in order to learn of politics. Something that for once interested her, and as she grew more knowledgeable, she also grew more restless. She was a woman of a decent amount of money, and plenty of ability, she wanted to help people. Women specifically. She wanted equality for the oppressed women, she wanted to be able to participate in politics that she so deeply loved. Unfortunately, it was not the time for her to be doing so, at least, it wasn't common for women to participate in politics. Her second best option was to witness it. Which further meant going to places where she could do just that. Upon her father finding out of her wishes, he banished her from going to any political meetings. As a way around it, she went without her father knowing, and tricks Tom Branson into taking her. Though she felt bad about deceiving him, she was more excited about being able to witness the High Sheriff's reading of election results. After fights broke out upon hearing the result, she was injured in the process, and Branson was blamed for the entire incident. Sybil stepping in to stop her father from blaming the chauffeur, and takes on the punishment herself. She did feel bad about deceiving Branson.


Sybil requested to have her breakfast in her room, and sat on her bed as she waited for her tea. She didn't want to face her father that morning, in fact, she didn't want to face anyone. The only one she felt obligated to even speak to was to Tom. She needed to apologize to him for the events that had occurred earlier in the week, now that she was finally back on her feet and able to do so. After barely eating anything, as she wasn't up for food currently, she began dressing. Feeling empowered to do it on her own she changed into a simple purple dress before pulling her hair back into her typical bun to keep it out of her face. Eventually she felt like she should wander around to find Tom, so she opened her door to her room. Slipping from it when the coast was clear as she headed down the staircase and began meddling about in odd places he might be found in. She sighed after doing this for a good part of the hour. When it was eventually 11:20, she decided she would find him when father was back, and went towards the door to go for a walk. Pushing the door open as her eyes landed on the car as well as just the man whom she had been searching for. A smile graced her lips when her eyes met his own, and she wasn't able to keep her comment to herself. "There you are!" She said to him, though upon realizing what she said, she fidgeted, that was rather obvious on her part.

 

[Akeira]

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Tom waited patiently beside the car, staring up at the grand estate and wondering whether or not Sybil would grace him with her presence, before he left for the station. The chauffeur had made it clear that he had feelings for the aristocratic girl, though he was rather hesitant about what he felt. Despite his own emotions, Tom was uncertain whether or not Sybil felt similarly. She seemed keen in his presence, however, sometimes he was unsure whether she meant it or was simply being polite. They often talked about politics, particularly women getting the vote, but perhaps she was simply making conversation, as he drove her around the English countryside. The man occasionally thought to ask, yet he was afraid to sever their budding friendship.


Consumed by thoughts and personal worries, Tom Branson barely saw Sybil Crawley appear between the imposing doors of Downton. She seemed to not notice him at first, but that did not stop the chauffeur from adjusting his posture and removing his cap out of respect. Their eyes met, and Tom could have sworn his heart skipped a beat or two. He gave her a gentle smile in response to her own, pushing away from the car and approaching her slowly. Her melodious voice reached his ears, and he almost grinned, sensing her relief in finally finding him. "I'm happy to see you." He voiced a bit boldly, his Irish accent peeking through, as he looked down at the lovely girl before him. "How are you feeling?" He inquired moments later, seeing as she was at least better to be up and about the estate.