Chapter Text
*Excerpt from On the Nature of Mirror Phenomenon by A Lady*
Surely each person holding this book in their hands already has some interest, and perhaps knowledge, on the Mirror Phenomenon. It is a fascinating topic that swirls around the gossip circles more than the scientific ones. Scientists seem to shy away from its study, worried they might uncover something. As a scientist myself, I have to say I do not understand their reticence. Is not the purpose of scientific study discovery? Surely that is always our goal.
It is certainly the goal of this text to write frankly about this whispered about happening with the hopes that it will be more normalized and used in aid of people seeking a fully satisfying life.
As it stands with the latest research about 52% of the population of France, where the study was performed, experienced the Mirror Phenomenon. There have been no such studies done in Spain or Italy. This research has been widely used to either demonize or glorify the Mirror Phenomenon. I want to write this text in order to suggest another alternative. Perhaps it is not the worst or the best thing to happen – perhaps it just is. A common development and growth in a young person’s life the same as a voice shifting tone or other physical changes.
Part of the issue is that we have been working with faulty research, which hopefully this book will address. Over the centuries, since the Mirror Phenomenon began to be written about or tracked, those who experience it have risen at an astonishing rate. Or perhaps it only seemed astonishing because certain factors have changed, like havingf mirrors in most households. For many centuries, they were a rarity. If there are no mirrors to be had on one’s twenty-first birthday, it can hardly be surprising that so few people experienced the Phenomenon.
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Darcy prepared himself for his bout, not noticing that he had tied two of the leather protective pieces askew. He typically took care to look presentable and never had a button out of place. This result was in large part thanks to his valet Clocks, but Clocks did not join him in his preparations for swordplay. But usually, Darcy was keen enough to do the job credibly even without Clocks. The fact that today he had failed to do so told everyone in the school that something was distracting Mr. Darcy. Many young men who hoped to gain some note thought that today might be a good day to challenge him as it would likely be the only time they would be able to best him.
Fencing was one of Darcy’s favorite past times. It had the dual benefit of keeping his body relatively fit and giving his mind good space to work. If he wanted, he could request a bout with Master Angelo and get a distraction even from his mind, but he did not want that today. At least not yet.
One of the young attendees, which Darcy always thought of as puppies, rather had the look of Bingley a few years back which just pricked at Darcy’s conscience. The young puppy approached. He began stammering, and Darcy patiently waited for him to request a fight. He did not even roll his eyes and felt quite proud of himself for his forbearance.
Darcy lost himself in the movements of the fight. The puppy proved easy to read but had some flourish. Darcy let his mind wander over the past months. Kent had been more difficult than ever before. His aunt insufferable, his sickly cousin sicklier, and the shock of seeing Miss Elizabeth Bennet had done nothing for his nerves.
I cannot account for the aggressive desire to propose that swept over me there. It was all I could do to not find her in that parsonage and declare myself to her.
Darcy feinted and managed to a clean hit, finishing the fight. The puppy bowed to him, flushed with exertion. “Thank you, Mr. Darcy. It was an honor.”
Darcy nodded and did not have to wait for the next challenger. Darcy knew this one, “Ah, Clarke. Ready to try to beat me again?”
“Darcy.” Clarke acknowledged. He was a hard man, but very dedicated. He had been trying to be beat Darcy for the past two years at least. He had gotten better but still did not present too much of a challenge for Darcy.
Of course, I could not propose. Not before she is twenty-one. She might have her Mirror Being. Darcy suppressed a sigh and focused on the fight. He was far past his twenty-first birthday. He had quite given up on having a Mirror Being of his own, but Clocks knew he looked in his mirror the first thing every morning.
Clarke attempted to land a harsh blow, but Darcy managed to block it, even as it sent a rattling shiver throughout his arm.
Just as well I did not propose. That would have been a disaster. She could not be clearer in her hatred of me. If only Richard had not told her . . . No. That is unfair. I cannot blame Richard for my own choices. At least I got to warn her about Wickham. If she believed me.
Darcy managed to beat Clarke over the next twenty minutes, but that did nothing to help him feel better. He felt eaten up with frustration and devastation. Elizabeth did not want him. That was clear. And it made Darcy feel empty inside.
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Kind eyes, warmth, the feeling of the sun touching every part of her skin. Someone gently running their hand through her hair, commenting on how silky her curls were. Elizabeth felt washed in sensations and images she could not quite categorize, and everything run away from her attempts at memory as her shook her awake.
“Lizzy, we are getting closer.”
Elizabeth sat up a bit straighter in her seat. She had fallen asleep somewhere on the road, but now, blinking into the light, tried to bring herself back to awareness. Sleeping on a carriage is always the hardest sleep to wake up from. She tried to surreptitiously rub her gloved hand against her cheek.
Her dreams and imaginings rushed back to her, and Elizabeth smiled. They had been decidedly pleasant dreams, centering on what she was hoping would happen a week from today. Closing her eyes, she could barely make out the man she knew she saw clearly in her dream. Now, all that was left was a vague idea of brown.
That could fit so many people. She sighed a little, looking at the passing landscape. Do not get over excited. Nothing may happen in a week. It could be just another morning. Just another glance in the mirror. Not everyone has a Mirror Being. But maybe I do, and maybe I will see them next week. If they are not younger than me. It might be a bit strange if they were younger, but I suppose that would be alright if it happened.
Elizabeth leaned back, moving away from the window. She settled back, staring at the dark wood in the corner of the carriage. Who would I like it to be? Who would be well suited to me? She surprised herself by seeing a haughty mien. A man reaching his hand out as he led her though the dance at Netherfield. No. Foolish. Why would it be Mr. Darcy. That is laughable. It is not as if he would want me anyway. Not handsome enough for him as he has always made so abundantly clear. Besides we quarreled so abominably at Rosings. No. She shook her head, it could never be him. Elizabeth did not even admit to herself that she thought that last bit wistfully.
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Darcy smiled as Pemberley came into view. He let his eyes happily take it in, embracing the warm feeling of coming home. He was so fixated on enjoying the view that he quite missed that people were touring the grounds until he almost ran directly into one. He reached out to make sure she did not fall and realized with a twisting excitement that it was Elizabeth Bennet.
His eyes instantly met her sparkling ones. Oh – the sun makes them shine. Darcy watched as Elizabeth cheeks turned a charming shade of rose, which would have made him smile, but he knew his were an even darker red. Darcy absolutely started, surprise taking him completely over. He manifoldly forced himself to Get it together, man. He spoke to Elizabeth, if not in terms of perfect composure, at least of perfect civility.
Darcy noticed that Elizabeth had instinctively turned away, which made his heart twist inside of himself. Does she wish to avoid me so much? But she stopped as he talked and received his compliments with an embarrassment impossible to be overcome.
Darcy nodded to a gardener as they passed who stood and bowed to him. He tried to look over to Elizabeth, but her bonnet hid her face infuriatingly well. Darcy noticed an approach of two older people who stopped and stood a little aloof while he was talking to Elizabeth, who, astonished and confused, scarcely dared lift her eyes to his face, and knew not what answer she returned to his civil enquiries after her family.
Darcy felt himself growing more embarrassed because he knew that Elizabeth was amazed at the alteration of his manner since they last parted, every sentence that he uttered was clearly increasing her embarrassment. I just hope that she is not feeling that it was improper for her to be here. If only she could know how I wish she was always here at Pemberley with me. Darcy knew that as he spoke to her he was not at his ease. He spoke trippingly, which made him long for his usual sedateness. He knew he asked her after her family at least three separate times. I wish I could be swallowed by the lake. Darcy knew he spoke in a hurried a way, which clearly revealed the distraction of his thoughts.
At length every idea failed Darcy, and after standing a few moments without saying a word, Darcy suddenly recollected himself and bowed to her, taking his leave. I just need to change out of my sweaty, travel stained clothes. He thought as he rapidly walked to the house. And then I will come back out here, meet with them again and have them stay for a while. Yes. I will meet the family she is travelling with, and I will show her that I am not an unpleasant, rude, arrogant man. I can do this. This is my chance to show her who I really am. Who I can be.
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Elizabeth had been secretly worried that she would sleep too long on her birthday morning, but her body seemed to know how excited she was. She woke up at an early enough time to have a few moments to think before rushing to her mirror. She wanted to wait until the sort of unspoken hour everyone said was the best to check the mirror on one’s twenty-first birthday.
She sat up in her bed, but leaned against the headboard, letting her thoughts wander over the past several days. She could not believe how gracious, warm, and delightful Darcy had been to her and her aunt and uncle.
I was so sure he was going to be rude to them when he found out who they were, but no – he surprised me. He really did. He cannot be too prideful if he is so polite to them, can he? She smiled, unknowingly, thinking of how sweet he was with Georgiana. It really makes me wish I had a brother who so clearly cared for me. They really only have each other, I suppose, with both their parents being dead. She sighed, rubbing absently on her bedsheet, feeling an unaccountable desire to hug both of the Darcy siblings. It would be so hard to be without one’s parents. She let her mind wander around these thoughts for a while. She had too many butterflies in her stomach to even think of ringing for some breakfast.
Today is the day. I cannot believe today is the day. I might see my Mirror Being. What will I do if I do? Will I recognize him? I need paper close at hand in case I need to write where I am from so he can find me. She felt overcome with giddy excitement. I am to keep the mirror with me all during the morning. He might not look at the same time as me, and so it is important I give him enough time to see me.
Elizabeth bit her lip, feeling both the excitement and the terror. Aunt Gardiner had been happy for her, sitting up with her last night. She had even explained what it had been like when she saw Uncle Gardiner in the mirror when she was twenty-one. Thinking back on it, Elizabeth wanted to squeal.
Alright. I am going to give my Mirror Being the next four or five hours. I hope someone is there for me. Elizabeth brought the mirror she had been given to her face. She looked, seeing her own anxious face blinking back at her.
She tried to take a breath and let herself relax. And just then, she saw the glimmer of someone else take the place of where she had been watching her own face. She knew she was not to bring the mirror closer because that would make her Mirror Being unable to see her clearly, but she was overcome with the desire to just pull it closer.
She clearly made out deliciously dark eyes. They were warm and beautiful reflecting some light back to her. She also saw dark brown hair that curled. It looked lush and thick, and Elizabeth immediately wanted to reach out and feel the texture against her own fingers. The hair was being combed or had been, for now the person in her mirror stood stock still. He was clearly surprised to see her.
But now they looked at each other. It is him. Elizabeth could not tell if the thought excited or terrified her. They were both stunned. Elizabeth smiled tentatively at the man in her mirror: Mr. Darcy.