July 03rd, 1888 — Irvingly Infirmary

The Ministry had still been unable to locate and handle the source of the magic-inhibiting fog, but for some god-forsaken reason they thought sending a bunch of debutantes into the fog was the way to handle that situation.

Or at least that's the conclusion she'd came to when the Irvingly Infirmary received it's first patient in the form of an injured debutante who she just assumed couldn't have gotten any more brain-damaged if she'd willingly entered the expedition in the first place. Dionisia, having been on her feet for nearly eighteen hours at that point with few breaks, had not been asked to participate in her subsequent handling.

Nearly half a day later, Dionisia was sound a sleep on one of the benches in the front room of the infirmary, having made the same bench her sleeping place over the last half a month. The sound of an inquiring voice snapped her out of a very deep sleep, prompting her to reluctantly seat herself upright and rub her eyes.

"What do you need me to do?" she yawned before blinking in an attempt to focus her vision.

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   Temperance Fairchild

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Somewhere in the depths of the fog a motley crew of reckless idiots were either about to severely stretch her ability to create more beds in an already crowded ward, or surprise her. Temperance was, unsurprisingly, not a gambling woman but she would have offered very short odds that the former was the more likely outcome.

Suffice to say everybody was stretched to the point of exhaustion, their patience limited and once the debutante had been settled Temperance left the room, too disgusted with the deliberate idiocy to even look at the girl for long. She wasn’t the first, she would not be the last, and meanwhile she had to watch as hard-working individuals who had the sense to show humility in the face of the Lord’s test were worked harder than ever.

Temperance sighed as she came into the reception room and saw a now familiar sight. She had discovered the girl’s name, that she was a mediwitch – which had proven exceptionally fortuitous – and that she had rescued an auror. She was also quite clearly sleeping here every night, which was utterly ridiculous.

“I need you to be at your best if you’re to be any use,” carefully brushing off the chair where the girl’s feet had been she took a seat, grateful for the rest. “Has nobody offered you a room yet?”

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   Dionisia Fisk

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Wonderful set by Lady <3

As her vision came into focus, Dionisia realized how silly she was to have not recognized the voice sooner. She smiled up at the older nurse in acknowledgement and greeting, all the while shuffling to straighten out her dress and hair after having slept in such a public area where she could not conduct such activities in private.

"Oh no, Miss Fairchild," she quickly reassured, scooting over to make room for the nurse. "They need to save the rooms here for incoming patients. I have slept on worse than a bench before, and I presume the day will come when I do so again," she continued with a chuckle that quickly transformed into a yawn.

Sleeping on the bench, in all reality, was no trouble to her at all; she often nodded off the moment her head hit the seat or the back of the wall! It was far better than sleeping on the cold floor or in the fog.

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The child was clearly no stranger to hardship and yet she seemed resigned to it, grateful for even the wooden bench and a roof in an Infirmary that never entirely slept. Temperance thoroughly approved.

“I have no doubt it will child, but for now you and your back have suffered enough.” It had been nearly a month since she had started noticing the girl, almost a full week since she had realised she never left the Infirmary. All things considered Miss Tweedy seemed to be holding up rather well but it would be unchristian of her to leave her sleeping like a vagrant when it was in her power to change the situation.

“You shall come home with me,” she stated. It was not a question.

  

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Wonderful set by Lady <3

Dionisa began to open her mouth to protest, though was compelled by the woman's stern and definite tone to shut it before words could escape her lips. A smile fell onto her face, though it was one of undoubted reluctance.

"I cannot thank you enough for the offer, Miss Fairchild, but I could not impose on your hospitality," she said after a moment of contemplation. To refuse such an offer would seem illogical to anyone else who had spent the last month with a bench as a bed, but Dionisia had spent too many years of her life reliant on others for food and shelter. She now had her independence, and she was determined to keep it even if it proved detrimental to her back. "I'm sure the fog has provided enough stress; I wish to be no burden."

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   Elladora Black

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Temperance was truly of the belief that everybody under the age of thirty seemed to have been on this earth to test her patience. (There were several over that age too of course, but at least some of them were tolerable. No youth ever was.)

“Nonsense. It certainly will not do at all to have you sleeping out in the open like this for another night,” solemnly Temperance glanced out of the window at the lingering fog. The Lord had sent it to them for a reason he would reveal in good time, but until then she had no faith whatsoever in the decency of others keeping Miss Tweedy safe. A lot could go on under cover of fog. or sunshine, as she had learnt to her detriment

“I’m quite sure your family would be much happier to know somebody cared a jot for your well-being.”

  

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Wonderful set by Lady <3

There were many people who would relent after multiple refusals, but Miss Fairchild did not strike her as that type of woman. While not particularly intimidating in stature, she had stern features and a harsh demeanor; she carried herself with a sense of dignity that many woman could not claim to have. Despite this, her generosity and humility provided a sense of comfort, almost as if Miss Fairchild was the type of woman Dionisia could imagine herself becoming at an advanced age if she were to remain unmarried.

"I'm sure they would," she agreed, the corners of her lips tugging into a small smile. "As would I, if you're positive my presence would not bother you. I'm sure I could be of use during my short stay." She could cook, she could clean, and she could provide companionship if needed; much of her own time away from work was spent in solitude, and Dionisia was sure she could find comfort in having someone else around.

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It was of little matter to Temperance whether Miss Tweedy was useful around the house: she had Blythe, who was rather good at keeping house while she was working at the Infirmary, and Davinder for less delicate tasks, and she had no intention of putting the younger woman to work. The entire point of her offer was to make sure that the younger woman was better rested not further fatigued.

“There’s no need,” she said dismissively, rolling her ankles in a vain attempt to ease the ache in her calves. Merlin, she was getting older by the day and the Lord was not done testing her yet. “The Lord teaches us to offer hospitality without grumbling and I have no intention of doing so,” slowly getting to her feet Temperance straightened her back and, feeling it click ominously, grimaced to herself. “One assumes he also expects us to do so without compensation.”

  

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Wonderful set by Lady <3

The mention of the Lord had Dionisia freezing in place for a moment while she processes what she knew vs. what she thought she knew. She was very confident that Miss Fairchild was a witch, and while religion amongst the magical population wasn't unheard of, it was certainly uncommon! Her proximity to muggles might have given her reason to believe it was just a learned habit, much as 'Merlin' had become for her—if not the context she'd used it in.

"The Lord also teaches us kindness," she responded, observing the way Miss Fairchild grimaced as she stood. "You look like you're in need of a rest as much as I am. Surely I could help take some of your workload at the moment to give you a moment to breathe," she offered, feeling compelled to find some way to offer help if the other woman was determined to give her a place to rest for the night.

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The ache in her back was not unsubstantial but the twinges reminded her of the scars she would possess even now if she had not been attended quite so quickly by one of her colleagues – and subsequently the thought of that colleague finding out she had accepted the help because she was tired was more than enough to push her onwards. Besides which, she had the pleasing thought that Miss Tweedy might well be aware of the Lord’s teachings and would not be a bad influence upon her children: she could be generous without fear of letting devilish behaviour into her home.

“There’s no need. I will rest when all of this is over and the Lord has delivered us from this reminder of his power.” Stiffly Temperance stretched her back. “Perhaps Miss Trelawney may need help though?” She suggested to the younger witch, running through the rotas in her head and mentioning where the healer ought to be at this time.

  

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Wonderful set by Lady <3

To that, Dionisia frowned. She may have been aware of the Lord's teachings, and once upon a time had been the most devout child in the muggle village she'd lived in, but now the prospect of letting a woman suffer for the sake of suffering itself seemed cold. Still, she was not so inclined to press Miss Fairchild further, as she seemed like a steadfast sort of woman who would not quickly bend to any pressure put upon her.

"I'm sure I might be able to offer her some sort of assistance," she contemplated, tugging her bottom lip between her teeth, "but if you do need anything, please let me know, Miss Fairchild."

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