April 7th, 1888 - Witches of Hogmeade Hospital Luncheon
@'Lucille flint' @'Helga Scamander'

This was far more Nora's speed than most balls. Of course she was not very good with dealing with many of her own peers at such events, but thankfully she had Lucy and Helga in tow today! Having her much more outgoing friends made socializing much easier on the introverted brunette when she all she had to do was tag along with them! Not to mention the auction and luncheon was to support a worthy cause and dear Evelyn was helping to host, so it would only do to support her cousin's wife as best she could.

It was a wonderfully warm afternoon, though Nora suspected weather charms to be in effect, she certainly couldn't complain about the atmosphere! Between the music, the acrobats and her company, Nora was, for once, completely at ease with her surroundings. Her mother lurked nearby, no doubt trying to discern which of the hospital's healers were of "proper caliber" and "good breeding" and of course "able to take a wife". It was scary sometimes really, how much effort her mother was currently putting into her hunt for a suitable husband. It wasn't necessarily bad, it saved Nora from having to do it for herself, but she simply couldn't imagine what her mother must have been thinking sometimes.

As they sat at a pretty table in the garden, a vase of gorgeous spring blooms sitting square in the middle, Nora brought her tea to her lips and smiled wistfully over the cup after a sip. "I wish all events were as low-key as this one." She of course, was probably in the minority in that respect, but she couldn't help but to breath a sigh of relief anyway.

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The Scamander family was well off, but was by no means wealthy enough to attend occasions like this on the regular. There was something different, something more exciting, about small, somewhat exclusive gatherings like this compared to open balls, no matter how extravagant they seemed. She felt more pressure to sit up straight, mind her manners, and speak cautiously — things she always did, but usually with less mind of what impression she might leave.

Helga was without a relative that day, instead being permitted to attend alone as long as she stayed within eyesight of her friends and their chaperons. She was sitting between Lucy and Nora, two girls who were from wealthier, arguably better (in social terms) families than her, which both boosted and dampened her confidence. Even if she wasn't super wealthy, she had good connections, right? Her nerves were bolstered by the amount of wealthy people — wealthy gentleman — who continued to walk past their table, most not minding the small group of ladies who were gathered there.

"I don't know," Helga commented in response to Nora's statement, flashing her a small grin. "Balls and bigger parties usually allow less time to worry over conversation. You can just dance your way to a good impression instead." Not that Nora, the cousin by marriage to one of the hostesses, needed that comfort.

  

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— set by MJ! <3 —

This garden party was the perfect excuse to get Lucille of the Flint grounds. She had spent much too much time at home of late and was simply basking in the company of her two friends. She had missed their constant presence like it had been in school since the last season had concluded. She supposed it really wasn't worth lingering on such morbid things as loneliness, but it did tug on her from time to time and as such she determined she really wouldn't think of it again until she returned home.

Lucille didn't mind small gatherings like this nor grand balls. They all offered their own variety of entertainments and opportunities. "All you need to do at events like this, though, is smile pretty and -" Lucy leaned in conspiratorially toward Helga's ear as if she had a secret, her eyes glancing up at a gentleman passing by, "Act as if you are sharing secrets." She whispered in a tone that both girls could easily hear, a giggle playfully tickling her lips. She'd missed being out of the house she decided as she glanced briefly back at the gentleman who was pretending he wasn't interested in what the girls were discussing, as if he weren't suspecting he were the very subject of whispers and giggle himself.

"In any case, it's much better than being cooped up at home. I can't tell you how happy I am to see both of you!" Lucy cooed happily.

  

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Thank you MJ for an amazingly Lucy set!

It was as if Helga had never seen her dance! Nora was not abysmal but she could certainly be better, according to her mother anyway! Thankfully at her last few balls, Mr. Lestrange had taken pity on her and seen her through a dance or two, if only to keep her mother off her back. Of course that also led to lots of questions about the nature of their friendship, questions Nora did not have the answer to, but nothing satiated her mother's curiosity anyway. It wasn't as if she were a possible match for Mr. Lestrange anyway, he was not in a position to take a wife as far as she knew and he certainly wouldn't choose her if he was!

"I am much better at sitting and smiling than dancing." Nora chuckled quietly, imitating Lucy as best she could. They were both so much more naturally outgoing and charming than she was, not that she could begrudge them that, but they made it look so effortless! Even now Lucy was making it look so easy, casting glances over her shoulder all the while holding a conversation on two fronts! "Oh on that, I can agree, it is much better than being at home." At home she had to endure her mother's constant glare and sighs while she tried to hide and read a book in peace.

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Helga wore an exaggerated frown and let out a dramatic huff — at least until that facade collapsed and her girlish smile peeked through once more. There was no fun in sitting around and doing nothing, though! Didn't they want connections? To have moments they'd remember forever? Of course — Lucy and Nora would have plenty of these occasions, unlike her, whose family status limited her to the number of these sort of events she could snag an invite to.

"Well," she exaggerated, her mile growing more mischievous as she leaned towards her friends. "It's much easier to catch a man's eye while on the move. We should walk around!" she suggested. She was far too energetic, excited, and even nervous to sit around and do nothing, even if that was what the ladies of the higher classes chose to do!

  

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— set by MJ! <3 —

"Psh. Nora, you simply do not give yourself enough credit." Although there was some truth in Nora's statement, Lucy, however, was not above trying to comfort a friend with little white lies.

There was little Lucy could do but smile at the banter between the girls. She had missed this. It really had been much too long since they had had an occasion to visit. She'd have to see that she planned something soon. Perhaps a tea or a garden party at home. Although she did wonder if she might invite a few gentlemen or simply keep it them.

Pulled from her bubbling thoughts by Helga's suggestion she nodded, a smile on her features. "Certainly, a turn about the room shall do us wonders." She agreed as she stood up, offering an arm to a friend for a turn about the room. "Perhaps we'll catch someone who will strike our fancy." Lucy whispered with a giggle.

  

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Thank you MJ for an amazingly Lucy set!

Nora simply passed Lucy a knowing smile and finished the last bit of her tea. With a small sigh she hoisted herself from her seat and smoothed out her skirts. The garden itself was beautifully decorated and the weather charms kept it pleasantly comfortable, but lawns were notoriously full of things for her to trip on, she'd have to be careful. It was purely because she wasn't trying to draw attention to herself that she wished to stay put, but her friends had other ideas.

"Do let's." She agreed as she knew trying to get out of it was pointless. It was expected of her anyway, to get up and socialize, to be seen if if she didn't want to. Her mother was around somewhere, no doubt watching her every move so at least her friends were saving her some grief from her mother later!

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Helga popped up from her chair without question, a wide smile spread across her lips as she waited for Nora and Lucy to smooth themselves out. Helga's dress wasn't made of the same delicate materials, and as such she didn't worry too much about the fabric being permanently ruined by folds. There weren't many people around, and most of them women.

"I don't suppose either of you have a specific - direction - you'd like to go in?" she asked with a wiggle of her eyebrows. That was short for "do you ladies have any gentleman you'd like to stalk?" and they should know that.

  

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— set by MJ! <3 —

As they stood and readied themselves Lucille scanned the event. She had really seen no one to capture her attention so far and rather hoped she might as they walked. “Nora?” Lucille turned to the quieter of the trio, as she didn’t care. Besides, she was really here for her friends, and she would resolutely remain in support of their ventures before her own. Surely there would be a gentleman in the crowd they might be interested in for she desperately hoped her friends would find their happily ever afters this season.

A handsome gentleman stood across the tables from them, watching the crowds and discussing something with another gentleman. “What about that direction? The petunia display looks quite handsome.” Lucille nodded at the large plant display to the side of the gentleman, clearly meaning the gentlemen themselves and not the flowers at all.

  

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Thank you MJ for an amazingly Lucy set!

Nora was woefully at her friends' mercy here and was just as apprehensive as they were eager about moving about and scoping out gentleman like it was a sport. Then again, for most debutantes, Nora supposed, it was a sport of sorts. It was a skill Nora certainly lacked, but thankfully her friends made up for in spades; she would likely be lost without them. Or at her mother's beck and call to every gentleman her mother deemed appropriate enough to meet.

"Whatever catches your eye." She assured the girls with a wry smile and straightened her shoulders as best she could; one of her mother's pet peeves was her subconscious need to make herself smaller and hunch down. With Helga and Lucy however, Nora was more than happy to play the second (third?) fiddle and be their back up rather than the center of attention. Right about now all Nora could do was follow along and hope maybe she'd learn something from her friends in the process.

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Ugh, gentleman—and wealthy ones, too!

"I think they're all very easy on the eyes," she giggled, walking towards one of the potted plants and playing with the leaves. She tossed a knowing glance towards Nora and Lucy before glancing towards the gentleman nearby.

Mmm, he was a bit short, but his hair!

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   Nora Abercrombie

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— set by MJ! <3 —

"Very easy." Lucille admitted as they reached the plant. One was taller with blond hair and brown eyes. Very Prince Charming. With an easy smile, Lucy nudged Nora and discreetly nodded toward the gentleman nearest to them. "What do you think?" She already was crafting a story in her mind, his background, his personality, his career. In her mind he would be perfect for Nora, he'd be gentle and kind and sweet to her and treat her like a princess. Was that a sad look in his eyes? He had to have a story and Lucy was a sucker for stories.

  

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Thank you MJ for an amazingly Lucy set!

Nora was not, in fact, looking at any of the gentlemen like her friends were, she was actually looking at the flowers nearby as she found them wholly more interesting. At her friends question, Nora turned blue eyes toward the gentleman in question. "Oh, I think you'd have beautiful little blond babies." She assured Lucy in a teasing tone. It was much easier for Nora to pretend she wanted nothing to do with this and to make sure her friends got their fair share of attention.

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Helga rolled her eyes. "I think one with brown hair might suit you better, Lucy," she said quietly as she passed by her friend. "Besides, men with dark hair are far more attractive. Blonde baby girls and dashing brown-hair boys," she giggled as she leaned her shoulder against her friend's.

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— set by MJ! <3 —

It was unfortunate that they had both mistaken her intentions. “I agree Helga. But don’t you think the blond would make a lovely match for Nora?” She clarified with a grin.

Helga always had a way of making the girls giggle and Lucy couldn’t help it. “Indeed. But think of chubby blond haired baby boys in their cute little trousers. With those adorable blue eyes looking up at you.” Lucy had a soft spot for blond haired babies, now men. She did prefer brown hair. Dark, tall, and absolutely dashing.

  

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Thank you MJ for an amazingly Lucy set!

Nora could only smile softly. Her friends would be undeterred in their quest to match-make. At least they could do it all together. What it would be like if one of them were to actually succeed! It would be entirely different then. One of them could host dinner parties and these large events wouldn't be nearly so hard!

"I do suppose he's rather handsome." Nora agreed with a slow smile. Of course she would be last, that was a given, but she would benefit in a round-about way. She was not however, going to go and get ahead of herself in any sense. "What do you suppose he does for a living?" It was much easier to make things up than to be serious about it after all.

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