J.A.I.L.B.A.I.T. Teaparty ::Semi-Screened for Female Chars Under 30::

[ginevram.livejournal.com]

Madam Rosmerta has cleared away most of the usual tables and booths. There are still a few small tables scattered around the large room, and a cheery fire is crackling in the fireplace. Along one wall are long tables loaded with tea sandwiches, scones, petit fours, candies, biscuits and other rich treats. On the opposite wall there is tea with all the accoutrements, a fountain type punchbowl, and coffee for those who prefer it to tea. Butterbeer is also available on request.

The tables hold bouquets of early spring flowers -- snowdrops, narcissus, and crocus in pink, yellow and white. There are soft yellow, pink, and white ribbons on the candle sconces, as well.

In a back room, the models from Gladrags are bustling around, changing into the various cloaks and robes they will be showing the attendees. They can't be seen, but it is possible to hear their indistinct chatter.

After checking the arrangements with Madam Rosemerta, Ginny stands near the door, nervously waiting for Emma to show up, and worried about whether the party will come off well, and very excited about her friends meeting each other. She's dressed in an aqua green Muggle dress with small yellow flowers, and wearing the new silver snitch necklace Harry gave her.



((While screened for female characters under the age of 30, the Three Broomsticks is a public facility, so it is possible for other characters to crash the party. It'll be a lot easier if they're disguised as a female under thirty, though. *wink*))

Comments

[mistressshirley.livejournal.com]

Anne smiles brighter still, and loops a willing arm through Emma's. "Oh, I can't let you serve me. Come - let us get some together. I've not had anything but scraps from the kitchens for a month. I'm starved!"

[ewoodhouse.livejournal.com]

"Goodness, child!" Emma gasps, appalled. "Why do you hurt yourself so? Hogwarts has more than enough food for every lady within these walls." She walks with her to the side wall, where the sweets are. She loads a plate with sandwiches and cookies.

"And you must tell me what has distracted you so much."

[mistressshirley.livejournal.com]

Anne curses herself inwardly, and blushes outwardly. "It's... nothing. Silliness, really. Girlish fantasies and the shocking truth that love is neither as glorious or as true as tales suggest." She smiles self-consciously, and takes a small sandwich from Emma's plate. She bites at it daintily, and sits as Emma does at a table set away from the others. "I was simply getting an early start on old maid-hood."

[ewoodhouse.livejournal.com]

"Have you had trouble with a boy, dear Anne?" Emma looks concerned. "Oh, please, tell me about it. I am an expert in the ways of the heart, although I do not intend to be involved in such affairs myself. And Anne, you shall not be an old maid. I will not stand for it. We just must be careful to make the correct match for you."

[mistressshirley.livejournal.com]

"You could say I have, though I honestly believe it is through no fault of his own that he broke my heart. He simply... was too perfect. And although I knew that it had all been a horrid prank, a trick that neither of us saw coming, I could not help but love him." She swallows a growing lump in her throat, and takes a large bite from her sandwich. "And now... well, I've been hiding. From him, from the school, from men. I'd convinced myself that living with the illusion that he loved me as well, somewhere else, was better that knowing that he didn't, with him close by."
Anne smiles bleakly, and finishes her sandwich.
"Emma... he kissed me. I feel like such... such a tramp!"

[ewoodhouse.livejournal.com]

"Oh, my poor child. Dear, dear... a kiss is a kiss is a kiss. Succumbing to a boy's flirtations to grant him a kiss does not make you a tramp in any way. I know that you are an intelligent, moral girl. You certainly are not a tramp."

Emma smiles encouragingly, and pats her hand. "Now, what was the name of this boy, again?"

[mistressshirley.livejournal.com]

"I don't think I ought to say. He might not like it to go around that he's kissed a girl. He... um. I think he's a... a..." Anne bursts into tears suddenly and quietly, her shoulders shaking with the effort to hold them back. "Oh, Emma," she sobs, "He... He likes men! I f-found out that he was with that awful T-tom boy, and I n-nearly died with heartbreak!"
Anne collapses on the table, and buries her head in her arms, her body shaking with emotion.

[ewoodhouse.livejournal.com]

"What!? My goodness, Anne! Why, you must have heard incorrectly. Yes, I am certain of it." She hugs her tightly. "But you must tell me who it is. I swear, I will not spread any malicious gossip. But I must know who is seducing girls of their first kiss, so that I do not encourage any of my friends to step out with him."

[mistressshirley.livejournal.com]

Anne tries to stem her tears against Emma's shoulder, but only succeeds in getting the fine fabric wet. Shaking, she manages to choke out the name between large sobs.
"Ryuuji..."

[ewoodhouse.livejournal.com]

"Oh, there there, dear. He was a terrible boy, but there will be others; nicer ones. From now on, you can just rely on me. I shall make sure that you will never suffer such a thing again. Cheer up, now. We're in the middle of a party, a place to meet new friends. I am certain we will find ladies with bad experiences just like you have.

And besides, now that your heart has been broken, I am certain you will write excellent poetry."

Emma continues to rub Anne's shoulders, memorizing Ryuuji's name. Someone's gonna get a Howler...

[mistressshirley.livejournal.com]

Despite herself, Anne can't help but laugh. "I already write dreadful poetry, Miss Emma... and I doubt this added melancholy will help any." She pulls away from Emma, and smiles blearily. "Oh, I fear I shall never get the hang of being normal... please, lets do meet some others. I haven't come all this way just to mope - I've been occupied with that for the last month and a half."
Standing, she wipes at the corners of her eyes with one bushy braid, and smiles fondly at Emma. "Thank you nonetheless, my friend."

[ewoodhouse.livejournal.com]

"I am here at any time you need me, my dear. Do you still have my handkerchief?" She stands up, offering and arm to Anne.