July 24, 1894 — Padmore Picnic
Tilda MacFusty Philomena Sprout

At this point in the day, Adam had enjoyed most of what the picnic had to offer--he'd eaten the food he'd brought with him, tried the shaved ice, and tried his hand at a couple of the lawn games that were currently happening. He was contemplating observing the quaderash match, because broom sports were broom sports, regardless of what kind.

At the moment, though he'd paused to watch the kites. He hadn't quite gotten as far as deciding to fly a kite himself, had only just paused in his trek across the picnic area to observe when one of the larger kites seemed to get away from its person's control and came careening toward the ground--and the bystanders in its vicinity. "Watch out!"

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She couldn’t stay away from Hogsmeade forever. Tilda had friends and clients in Hogsmeade; there were plenty of opportunities to run into Eugene or one of their mutual acquaintances and she would rather it be sooner rather than returning from an inevitably difficult call. She had such an occasion when her family decided to go to the picnic in Padmore Park. It was one of the rare days that they’d all coordinated their schedules as best they could so they could enjoy an afternoon together. Though her parents were still in partial mourning, a trip to the park was something they had decided they desperately needed. And though they didn’t do much socializing with others, it was nice to be surrounded by activity.

In a particular lull, Tilda got up and walked around the park for a few minutes. Watching the other families, especially those with younger siblings, tugged at something in her. She’d decided to watch the kites instead, but her vision soon became blurred. It was while fishing in her pocket for her handkerchief that she heard a voice call out in warning. Looking up, Tilda was met with the image of a large kite shaped like a dragon coming at her.

She let out a strangled cry and fell backward.

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Adam reacted quickly, diving for the kite as it came near enough to the ground and grabbing it--it was much lighter than its size would suggest, thankfully, being mostly made of paper--and shoved it away. "Control your kite!" he yelled to the hapless kite flyer. Merlin, you'd think people would have more sense about things like this.

"Are you all right, miss?" Adam asked, reaching out to offer a hand to the young lady who'd been knocked back.

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It was only a kite, and yet Tilda found her heart racing as if an actual dragon had been about to swoop at her. Being from the family she was, it was only that much more embarassing for her as she lay there. But she didn’t have to lay there long; a hand had reached out to her and she gladly took it. “I’m quite alright, just my pride…” She trailed off as she realized who it was she was talking to.

Perhaps she’d have preferred the “dragon”. It was Eugene’s co-worker who had come to her rescue. And though Tilda knew they had only seen each other in passing, she immediately froze as she took his hand.

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"Miss MacFusty." He only really knew of the woman in passing, and although he wasn't one for gossip, he was aware enough that their connection was... a bit awkward. Still, he offered a smile. "Have you been well? Stray kites notwithstanding, of course."

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“Mr. McKinnon,” Tilda murmured, her smile tense as she stood up and backed away a few paces to put some distance between them. In another world, perhaps she’d have been on less-awkard terms with the man in front of her, and as a result it would have been quite a cheerful interaction. The way things were at present, it was leaving her feeling like she’d gladly attend another 48 hour labor in exchange.

“Yes, I’ve been quite well.” She returned, giving a weak laugh. “Usually I’m quite comfortable in front of dragons, as I’m sure you can imagine. I’m not sure why today startled me so much.”

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Adam smiled wryly. "I think anyone could be forgiven for being startled by finding a dragon suddenly so close." Last year not withstanding, that would be a shock for anyone. "I'm accustomed to other humans, but I would still have a fright if someone came barreling towards me suddenly," he said. "I think your reaction is more than reasonable."

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His kindness touched her. Every time she saw him around the department, he’d always been an easy conversation with a calming presence. It was a good disposition to have when in the presence of beasts; or apparently midwives that had had long shifts. “Well if you insist, I won’t stop you from not judging me,” She said, trying to mentally brush herself off from that embarrassing display.

Adam McKinnon

  

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Adam smiled. "Judgment is so freely given most of the time, we have to take a bit of understanding when we can get it," he said lightly. He didn't mean anything in particular by it, of course, but he thought it was a sentiment most people could sympathize with.

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Her smile faded slightly; she wasn’t sure if he was being obtuse in referring to her broken engagement to his co-worker, or if his comment just so happened to fit neatly in between her recent scandal and her recent display of emotion just now. “I quite agree, I think.” Was all she could manage as a blush worked its way into her cheeks.

  

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Adam wasn't sure what he'd said, but he knew he'd said something wrong. "Pardon me," he said. "I didn't mean anything particular by it." He was perfectly earnest, which he hoped came across in at least some small fashion.

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In that instant she knew he was serious. Tilda pursed her lips. “Of course you didn’t,” she murmured. And the fact that he was more sincere seemed even worse; that it had been a harmless comment meant sincerely and she’d taken it to mean something quite different. Of course, now the embarrassment was on her and she felt the heat in her cheeks warm even further. “It was my fault entirely.”

  

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