August 16th, 1895 - Enchanted Garden Party

It was just Elsie and Bentley today, Tyb was at work and the girls home with Miss Halliwell. Maisie was a little under the weather and Marley was in sore need of a nap. Plus, Elsie thought it was good for everyone to get a little dedicated time together. And as the oldest, Ben would likely enjoy it the most. It was hard to believe he was creeping up on four already. The time had flown by.

Currently he was very engaged watching some older children participate in the hoop races, clapping and laughing along with them. Elsie always thought these sorts of events were good for him to get out and meet other children and it was entirely how she and Zelda had become friends, so it was good for everyone, really. Of course she'd brought a little monetary donation, along with some books that were still in good condition.

Keeping an eye on him from nearby, Elsie sipped at some lovely lemonade and took in the room. A light gust of wind changed the colors of the flowers from a pretty pink to an outrageous sort of orange and she chuckled at the creativity of the hosts. It was a lovely little congregation of people today, which was delightful to see. The more donations, the better the fundraiser.

For a few moments Elsie was simply content to people watch, her eyes landing on a familiar figure across the hall, seemingly in conversation with a pretty young lady. It was none of her business, so she did not let her gaze linger, instead watching an older child take a moment to teach Bentley how to roll the hoops for the races. When she scanned the room again, she found Mr. Skeeter had lost his conversation partner and was looking a little disheartened for it. She passed him a wave and smiled softly when he approached. "Mr. Skeeter, what a pleasant surprise. I would not have expected to see you here." No children of his own, though perhaps a philanthropic purpose was equally as likely. They had not run into one another since that day in Honeyduke's and Elsie had briefly stopped by the services for Professor Skeeter, but had remained a wallflower, passing along her condolences before quietly slipping back out.

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Barnabas Skeeter

  

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MJ always makes her so pretty

This entire situation was absolutely abhorrent. He'd not wanted to attend the moment he'd received the invite and had intended to reply as such immediately. However, Mrs. Stewart had decided to give his room a clean whilst he'd been at work, and had rearranged every single one of his belongings. He expected she'd been digging through them to see if she could scrounge up any loose coins (even though he'd told her repeatedly she did not need to clean it, he would do it himself for just this reason.)

In the end, he hadn't responded before the hosts had cornered him on his way to The Three Broomsticks and effectively guilted him into attending. Something about his generosity and werewolf aunt–this one a subtle dig–and then something else about how his predecessor always made it a point to attend and donate on behalf of the Ministry.

So now here he was, trying not to grimace at all the sticky children who came within five feet of his preciously tailored suit. How long did he have to be here before he could leave? At least there were a few pretty women about to get to know–though that went about as well as everyone except for Barnabas expected. She'd spun on her heel away from him, so he spun on his own and found himself facing Mrs. Kirke. It wasn't appropriate to think of her as Elsie but he didn't particularly enjoy thinking of her as a Kirke either.

"It is good to see you as well, Mrs. Kirke," He forced a smile, "I had not expected to see myself here, in all honesty, but our hosts seem to be incredibly... persuasive."

  

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Barnabas walks with a cane. Set by Lady.

Elsie cast a glance at the hostess, her exuberance quite evident by her laugh and it caused Elsie to chuckle as well. 'I've heard that. We are not well acquainted, but the library likes to help out with these sorts of events." It was a personal thing to Els. All students should have the chance to get an education, regardless of money. She kept trying to start up some sort of children's program at the library that would be open to everyone, but kept getting sidelined by babies. She would figure it out eventually.

"Plus Ben likes to play with other children who are not his little sisters." Maisie was a holy terror when she wanted to be, very much a little sister looking for attention since Marley stole her spotlight as the youngest. It wouldn't last for Marley either, Elsie suspected. Fortunately they were all so young that they didn't really remember what it was like. "It's good to make the most of it, at the very least." She motioned to the woman Mr. Skeeter had been chatting with with her lemonade. "Are you staying local, then?" She had thought he'd said he was just in town for the funeral, but here it was, several weeks later.

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MJ always makes her so pretty

He nodded as she spoke, as if he found it perfectly acceptable that the library helped out at 'these sort of events.' If by that she meant events that were his worst nightmare come to life, then he hoped he was never pressured/blackmailed into attending ever again. Barnabas tried not to grimace as she motioned toward the interaction he'd had only moments before. She'd seen that? The tips of his ears reddened and he brushed a hand through his hair–hopefully she hadn't heard it, at least. "Oh yes, yes, of course," He caged, "Plenty of new faces to meet."

Thankfully, the conversation veered away from it, and he was able to breath a little easier. He nodded again, "I am after all, it would seem. An opportunity at the Ministry came up and I couldn't turn it down. I've just accepted the law enforcement office squad chief position." His chin lifted slightly, unable to help himself from being rather proud. It had come with a nice pay raise. And it was nice to back in a department where he felt he was actually part of the action again. Though he mostly oversaw paperwork and scheduling, he at least was involved to a degree with the hit wizards and obliviators.

"I'm still at the boarding house in Bartonburg from last we met and am in desparate need of a home–townhome even–if you know of anywhere decent that's available, do let me know." Hell, he'd even move to London if it meant he didn't have to be around Mrs. Stewart anymore.

  

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Barnabas walks with a cane. Set by Lady.

Els absorbed all of the information he gave with a polite smile, still keeping an eye on Ben while he played. "Oh, congratulations!" She said of the new job. From their last encounter she had gleaned that he was only visiting, but this was certainly a turn of events. That was quite the prestigious position too and one she was incredibly thankful Tyb had absolutely no interest in. They'd had their fair share of disasters over the last few years, thank you very much.

"I'm sure your family will enjoy having you around again." It had been hard for her when her siblings had gone to America and then Bentley had never come home. It was still hard for her to wrap her head around it being permanent. "It's been a while since I've had to look." She had found the house on Lion's Roar, but she was sure her requirements for a home were much different than his. "There are often advertisements on the community board and sometimes in the library, you should take a look." That was where the renting information often gathered.

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MJ always makes her so pretty

He nodded thoughtfully. He'd have to pay closer attention to the community board, and make it a point to visit the library. That would be his priority for the next month–and then Mrs. Stewart would be out of his hair and his belongings and he wouldn't have to put up with her a minute more. "I appreciate that, thank you."

As for his family... well, he didn't exactly know if any of them cared that he'd returned. Except for his sister. She cared for some reason. He didn't say that of course, instead he went with, "They're pleased I'll be around more. Though my siblings are busy with their own lives, of course." (And he said nothing at all about his Aunt Morwenna.) As always, he found the soft, sweet Elsie someone he could confide in–and had a habit of oversharing–so he continued, "Feels a bit odd, being back after so long. Like a fish out of water, almost. My family and friends lives have all moved forward and I feel as if I have six years of catching up to do."

  

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Barnabas walks with a cane. Set by Lady.

Els didn't know how big of a family Mr. Skeeter had, but she could understand how important having everyone in the same place would be. It still felt weird, missing two of her brothers permanently. It was unfortunate that such a tragedy had brought him home.

"I can imagine," she had never really left home. Her one big adventure had ended in a shipwreck and that had been enough for her. She preferred her adventures in novels or close to home. Not that she was ever bored. Three children under four certainly kept her on her toes. "But you enjoyed your time in America?" Surely he'd found something worthwhile to keep him there having been away for several years. "I'm sure you'll catch up quickly." He had a new position to keep him busy and eventually things would settle down.

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MJ always makes her so pretty

"I did for the most part." Barnabas opted not to mention the many failed attempts at wooing women that had happened there, including being left at the altar. That had happened to someone else, specifically the American version of himself. No one here knew of such things—which was exactly how he preferred it.

He continued in an attempt to sound more interesting, "There's a notable difference between life there versus here–I've picked up a habit of drinking coffee every morning for every breakfast, for example." What else would make him sound more cultured? Was coffee truly all he could come up with? Before he was able to ponder this further, the woman from a few moments before had apparently not gone far. Her conversation was suddenly much louder than necessary—especially since she was saying very unflattering things about his interaction with her. Namely, how arrogant and awkward he was, and no wonder he was a confirmed bachelor.

  

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Barnabas walks with a cane. Set by Lady.

Els couldn't imagine living anywhere else, everything was here, but her brother had done it and loved it. Starting over must have been tough, but rewarding in the same breath.

About to remark on the coffee, of which she had only tried once and had not enjoyed it, she overheard the woman she'd seen him with earlier being quite rude about it. Whatever the interaction had been, it was quite brazen to go complaining about it so openly. Els had missed it, only saw the end really, but surely Mr. Skeeter was not that bad; he'd always been quite pleasant, if a bit stiff in their interactions.

She caught his eye briefly, unsure as to what to say. She was not a confrontational person, but it was situations like this that tended to bring out her inner Gryffindor. She had something unpleasant on her tongue, but swallowed it back. Instead, she pursed her lips and made her way over to the woman, leaning in to whisper something in her ear. The immediate response was to flee the room and Elsie wore a satisfied smile as she made her way back over. "People's lack of manners is astonishing these days." She said pleasantly, hands folded in front of her skirts as if it hadn't happened.

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   Barnabas Skeeter

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MJ always makes her so pretty

His face burned hotly beneath the room's stares. Before he could react or defend himself, Elsie had looked at him—and then swept off to be his knight in shining armor. Barnabas hadn't been expecting her to do anything, to be honest, more of a soothing 'there, there,' and perhaps suggesting they relocate to somewhere less humiliating. But no, she'd marched right over to the woman (who he realized really wasn't much of a beauty, at least not with Elsie next to her) and said... something. Then the woman rushed away, and Elsie returned as if the pair had merely been discussing the weather.

Barnabas swallowed his shock. He couldn't remember a time when anyone had done something like that for him. Stood up for him? Is that what it was? He shouldn't have needed a woman to defend him against another woman. Preposterous. The entire situation was absolutely preposterous. Why did he get himself roped into such things?

He cleared his throat as he studied the hilt of his cane, as if discovering a new scratch on the polished surface. "Thank you for that,"" Barnabas told her quietly, unable to keep the shame from his voice. "You needn't have troubled yourself over it."

  

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Barnabas walks with a cane. Set by Lady.

Elsie merely shrugged. She had been the subject of a little too much public scrutiny in the last few years and the only way she'd managed to get through it was to try and hold her head high and live her life. Which she had no complaints about, so in the end the rumors had died down and people had lost interest.

"I do not care much for such... public nonsense." She couldn't think of a polite way to put it. Cattiness. Unnecessary rudeness. Outright disdain. Whatever the woman's thoughts had been, she was entitled to them, but the entire room did not need to hear them. Honestly. "Opinions and gossip are such a low form of communication." She reasoned quietly, shoulders still square as if she really was unbothered by it. "Hopefully she'll think twice in the future." It was unlikely, Elsie did not have quite so much faith in people, but one could hope.

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The following 1 user Likes Elsie Kirke's post:1 user Likes Elsie Kirke's post
   Barnabas Skeeter

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MJ always makes her so pretty

"Hopefully," he repeated, sounding not hopeful at all. With his luck, she'd end up in all the same places he did and spread 'public nonsense,' as Elsie had called it, far and wide. Barnabas met her eyes then with a small, self-deprecating grin. "If not, I'll just plan to avoid her for the rest of my life." He was joking... sort of. He took a moment to glance at his pocket watch. Had he spent enough time at this event to be able to excuse himself politely, or must he continue to stew in his own humiliation?

  

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Barnabas walks with a cane. Set by Lady.