Chapter Text
Lyra lay in her bed as she heard her father, Asriel, come home. She was used to him rarely being at home as his job kept him moving. But she also always appreciated that he would always come home for her birthday. She smiled, rolled over, and fell asleep knowing that he was there for her.
That morning, Lyra woke early and bounded sown the stairs to the kitchen. She was surprised to see her father there already awake, given how late he got home at. He sat at the kitchen table reading the morning paper and sipping a cup of coffee. On table next to him was a plate which featured Lyras favourite breakfast food, and two small parcels.
“Morning Lyra,” said Asriel as she sat next to him for breakfast.
“Morning Dad” she replied. “How was your trip?”
“As exciting as always. But never mind that- here, Happy Birthday.” He slid the parcels closer to Lyra. She tore into them. One was a book about the north that she had admired, and the other was a small trinket which Lyra knew he had brought back from his latest expedition.
“Thank You!” she exclaimed with a genuine love for her gifts- but, a smirk had begun to cross her face. “But of course you know what I really want don’t you…”
Asriel rolled his eyes as he looked at her. This was an annual tradition of theirs- Lyra would say that what she really wanted was to know about her mother, and Asriel would give her a small snippet of what she was like.
But something had changed. This year he’d giver more than just a snippet of her. This year, he was going to tell her everything.
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It was Christmas Eve in New York City. For most people it would be a night for staying in with the family. But for the cities most elite individuals, it was a night for attending the annual Explorers Gala at the New York branch of the Royal Artic Institute. And at tonights event, the infamous Lord Asriel has made a speech about his time in the Artic with the legendary explorer Stan Grumman.
Marisa strolled elegantly through the main hall of the institute, introducing herself to anyone whom she did not know. Of course as a rising starlet on the Broadway scene everyone knew who she was. And the fact that she was married to one of the top producers in Broadway helped too. But tonight was not her normal scene. So, she felt compelled to make herself known, even though it was completely unnecessary.
Marisa had always been compelled by the idea of The North. Ever since she was a young girl she had had dreams of exploring the Artic regions. But they were not proper feminine dreams, as her mother said. So she pursued a life in NYC; on Broadway; on the arm of the most important man in the business.
The types of people at this event were definitely the types of people that she was used to. Smartly dressed, with polite chatter, and a glass of champagne that was always exactly half-way full. They lived lives that should have been interesting, but they themselves were awfully boring. Much to Marisa disappointment.
“So the rumours are true. Broadway has come to my little talk” said a man from behind Marisa. As she turned to face him she instantly recognised him as the famed British explorer Lord Asriel Belacqua.
“Well the stories you tell are almost as fantastical as the ones we put on stage” she replied with a flirty smile, before stretching out her hand. “Marisa Coulter”.
“Asriel” he replied, shaking her hand. He was only slightly taller than her. And whilst he was appropriately dressed for the event, he also seemed to bring with him an air of rugged adventure, that was quite out of place at such a gala. His hair was messy, and beard only barely groomed.
“So did you enjoy my little presentation?” he asked in an almost humoured tone.
“I did. Very much so. Your account of the time you spent with Stan Grumman was fascinating. Truth be told, I think my husband would like to turn it into a play of sorts. At least I think that’s why he agreed to come with me tonight.”
“He’s here is he? How odd- if I was married to someone such as yourself I’d never leave your side” said Asreil, with a smirk on his face.
Marisa laughed. “Oh he got talking to one of his old cronies. I know better than to get between him and a good old catch up” Marisa shuffled her weight from one foot to another with a sense of anxiety.
“But never mind me. How are you? Are you enjoying America?” she asked in an attempt to get the conversation away from her personal life.
“Well it’s true as they say- there really are rivers of gold. But, the wind goes right through you. It's no place for the old” replied Asriel, as if he was making a reference to an ancient philosophy which Maria knew nothing of.
Asriel smiled at Marisa. “Come on, this place is not the scene for the likes of you and me. Let me take you somewhere with a bit more character.” He took her hand. She smiled in return, but pulled her hand away from his grasp. She knew that she shouldn’t go with this man, but there was something about him. A dangerous sense of adventure that she craved more than anything right now.
“It may not be your scene, but it is definitely mine” she replied, with a perfect poise to her action.
“What’s wrong? Do you need your husband’s permission?” asked Asriel in a mocking tone.
Marisa scowled at him. She knew that it wasn't meant seriously; that at that moment she should have walked away; and that this was all part of an act. This was a dangerous game of flirting they were playing.
“You’re a scumbag” replied Marisa. Her pulsed raced.
“And a maggot" answered Asriel, with a cool tone. "Someone also once called me a cheap lousy faggot, but I don’t really agree with that.”
Marisa’s attempt to keep a certain level of disdain towards Asriel broke. She laughed at his display of self-depravation. Asriel smiled back. They both knew that he had one this game- that she would go with him. But, Marisa still maintained a level of properness that was expected of her.
“Ok, one drink, at a location of your choosing. But nothing else” agreed Marisa with a flirty smile.
And with that she took his hand and they left the institute, fleeing into the cold winters night.