January 20th, 1894 — Charity Event

Now she was at Charity Events not as Mrs. Thomasina Dempsey, healer but as Mrs. Thomasina Dempsey, the Minister's wife. This was much worse; she was now expected to be here for much longer. She could still have her fun, but it felt more claustrophobic — people were constantly watching her. And she was still thinking about the ballerina.

Thomasina was sipping her champagne and conversing with someone; she didn't know them from the hospital, which likely meant they were some sort of socialite. "Are you familiar with the Sinclair family?" Sina asked — her tone was slightly shorter than she would have liked, as she was not a fan of small talk. "I cannot claim to be familiar with them."

open to someone who does not work at either hospital!

  

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set by MJ

Lucy knew of Mrs. Dempsey, they were of an age, however, beyond a few shared classes over a decade ago Lucy hadn't crossed paths much with the minister's wife. Yet here she stood chatting with her as if it were an every day occurance.

"I cannot say I do." Lucy admitted taking a sip of red wine. "I did hear the daughter had a terrible accident last summer." Another rumor came to mind and she lowered her voice, "I've also heard she was too ill to attend Hogwarts at a child." What a terrible misfortune for a child.

  

Sina had never really had many thoughts about Mrs. Hutton, but at least she was willing to gossip with her, and make this event more tolerable. Sina smiled at the whispers, a mischievous look in her eyes. "That's horrible," Sina said — of course she agreed it was horrible to miss Hogwarts, but she'd also said it because it was the done thing. "Did you hear what nature of accident?"

  

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set by MJ

It was always gratifying when one took one's tidbits with the shock they were intended. She gave a small nod, "I believe it was a riding accident. I suppose it makes an argument that brooms are safer than horses." Brooms at least did not have minds of their own. Of course Lucy had been taught to ride both but she had been hesitant with her own boys learning. The eldest two had had their lessons thanks to their father, but she could hardly stand the thought of allowing Arthur the same privilege that her older boys had. Every time she thought of it her whole body tensed and all she wanted to do was hide in bed, with her baby curled to her. Although he was much too old for such behavior now.

  

Thomasina nodded, thoughtful. "I have to say I'm not much of a fan of either," she said. She had taken flying lessons at Hogwarts, of course, but was still a very basic flyer — and only went on horses when it was part of some weekend ordeal.

"It must be lucky that she was able to continue her debut, then," Thomasina added — again, it gave them something to say.

  

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set by MJ

"Indeed, it makes me nervous to have my boys learn." The fact that Lucy could ride didn't mean she liked to. It was alright on occasion when she was on a hunt with the family, but beyond that she much preferred other means of transport.

"From what I've heard it's lucky she even survived at all." Lucy added, finding herself relishing being able to drop such comments into the conversation. Then, because she knew her place in society and at the event they were currently in (and whom she was currently speaking to), she added, "Luck that was all because of St. Mungo's."

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   Thomasina Dempsey

Sina blinked. "I hadn't heard we had her as a patient," she said. She didn't think there was anything unusual about that — namely because it was a big hospital, and horses were far from an artifact. "I suppose that helped lead to their generosity in hosting today." She didn't know the Sinclairs well, obviously — but in Sina's experience, people were rarely doing things just out of their inherent goodness.

She'd actually enjoyed Mrs. Hutton more than she'd expected.

  

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set by MJ

"I should think so." Lucy agreed with a nod. "Although, an unmarried niece is as good an excuse as any to host as well." Thankfully Lucy would not need to worry over that, with three sons she merely needed to worry over eventually making sure they settled down. With no husband she also could espouse no political motivations for such things. Indeed, when Lucy decided she wanted to host there was usually only her own motivations behind it.

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   Thomasina Dempsey

"Everyone loves to have a reason," Sina said cheerfully; she held her glass up in a mock salute to Mrs. Hutton.

  

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set by MJ

"Indeed." Lucy agreed matching Mrs. Dempsey's motions with a conspiratorial smile. Moments later the shifting tides of the party had the two ladies making their excuses and heading their separate ways among the party guests.