[identity profile] ginevram.livejournal.com posting in [community profile] hh_mirror



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*))

J.A.I.L.B.A.I.T. Continues

Date: 2006-03-16 09:40 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ewoodhouse.livejournal.com
Emma walks to the head of the room, holding a paper in her hands. "Ladies, ladies. I thank you all for attending the first meeting of JAIL BAIT. It pains me to remind you that we did not just gather here to socialize. Please, if you may, allow me to articulate my purpose with a poem by Lady Mary Chudleigh entitled, 'To the Ladies'." Emma then reads from her paper in strong, clear voice.

"WIFE and servant are the same,
But only differ in the name :
For when that fatal knot is ty'd,
Which nothing, nothing can divide :
When she the word obey has said,
And man by law supreme has made,
Then all that's kind is laid aside,
And nothing left but state and pride :
Fierce as an eastern prince he grows,
And all his innate rigour shows :
Then but to look, to laugh, or speak,
Will the nuptial contract break.
Like mutes, she signs alone must make,
And never any freedom take :
But still be govern'd by a nod,
And fear her husband as a God :
Him still must serve, him still obey,
And nothing act, and nothing say,
But what her haughty lord thinks fit,
Who with the power, has all the wit.
Then shun, oh ! shun that wretched state,
And all the fawning flatt'rers hate :
Value yourselves, and men despise :
You must be proud, if you'll be wise.


"I now ask for your responses regarding this poem." She waits, feeling at home at the center of attention. She had missed the time she ruled her social circle like a queen.

Re: J.A.I.L.B.A.I.T. Continues

Date: 2006-03-17 02:03 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] r-tam.livejournal.com
River cracks up quietly: this is so much at odds with her relationship with Stephen that it's almost incomprehensible. "What if you find one who does what you want instead?" she suggests, half to herself. "Well, I mean mostly. And I try not to boss him any more than is good for him."

Re: J.A.I.L.B.A.I.T. Continues

Date: 2006-03-17 02:08 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ewoodhouse.livejournal.com
"Excellent, Miss Tam. Indeed, it is quite necessary to find a husband of good manners and kindness. And it appears that you have already found such a thing. I am happy to hear that you showed such careful thought in choosing a husband."

Re: J.A.I.L.B.A.I.T. Continues

Date: 2006-03-17 02:19 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] r-tam.livejournal.com
River beams. "Oh, he's not my husband--- well, yet, anyway. We haven't actually talked about that. I did put my name on him, though. With a scalpel. If that counts. But thank you--- he really is wonderful. Most of the time. When he's not being incomprehensible. But I love him even then."

((OOC: I think River and Stephen hadn't yet gotten engaged by the time of the J.A.I.L.B.A.I.T. meeting--- actually, they got engaged (http://community.livejournal.com/hogwarts_hocus/292740.html?thread=14311812#t14311812) right after the meeting (http://community.livejournal.com/hogwarts_hocus/292740.html)--- but now River will definitely have to send Emma an owl to tell her! :D))

Re: J.A.I.L.B.A.I.T. Continues

Date: 2006-03-17 02:25 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ewoodhouse.livejournal.com
((Emma still assumes that every couple are either engaged or married. It's a good thing she's getting an invitation, though. Emma Woodhouse is a bit of a snob and would just die if she interpreted anything as a snub. Of course, I would just laugh at her. ~_^))

"Well, I trust you to your guidance. Obviously you appear to be aware of the qualities one should seek in a husband... but if you ever require advise to ensure your engagement, please feel free to approach me after the meeting."

Re: J.A.I.L.B.A.I.T. Continues

Date: 2006-03-17 02:29 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] r-tam.livejournal.com
((Oh, no problem--- just wanted to be sure I hadn't confused anyone! And she'll be glad to invite Emma!))

"Thank you--- that's really thoughtful of you."

Re: J.A.I.L.B.A.I.T. Continues

Date: 2006-03-17 03:00 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ewoodhouse.livejournal.com
"That is because your mother was very careful regarding who she married, Ginny. Therefore she did not live a life of unhappiness and misery."

Re: J.A.I.L.B.A.I.T. Continues

Date: 2006-03-17 03:11 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ewoodhouse.livejournal.com
Darn, she was hoping someone wouldn't bring that up. "Yes. Uh, yes, Ginny, that might have been her intent, indeed. But, of course, this was in a different time. And there are many ways to interpret this poem. Personally, I feel that marriage can be wonderful, if one uses a practiced eye in choosing her partner. One can have a marriage such as your parents', Ginny, or the type described in the poem. It is the lady's responsibility to be aware of this, and make her decisions accordingly. Furthermore, if she is unsure, she must approach someone more knowledgeable of the subject."

Re: J.A.I.L.B.A.I.T. Continues

Date: 2006-03-17 03:31 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ewoodhouse.livejournal.com
"Divorce!? Oh, Ginny, do not speak that word. Can you imagine the scandal of such a thing? Not to mention, if we all simply divorced ourselves from ours husbands what would be the purpose of marriage? I certainly do not want society to crumble. Do you wish society to crumble, Ginny? I should hope not!"

Emma sniffed. "That is why, my dear child, we must depend on each other to know of our future husband's habits and personality. But you are right to say that marriage is a risk. That is one of the reasons I never intend to marry. But many of the ladies here do not have the luxury of my income."

Re: J.A.I.L.B.A.I.T. Continues

Date: 2006-03-17 03:46 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ewoodhouse.livejournal.com
Oh, what a terrible new world this future is. No wonder people here make such poor and selfish decisions. I am not speaking of you, Ginny, of course.

Love is not everything, Ginny. You should love the man you marry, of course, but most women love many men throughout their lives. You should at least marry one that will be kind for you and provide for you and your children. And of course marrying a man with an excellent reputation is also required.

Re: J.A.I.L.B.A.I.T. Continues

Date: 2006-03-17 03:59 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ewoodhouse.livejournal.com
Of course, Ginny. You are still a bit too young for that. *She pats Ginny's shoulders* Give it another year or so, and we shall see.

Re: J.A.I.L.B.A.I.T. Continues

Date: 2006-03-17 06:27 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ewoodhouse.livejournal.com
Hopefully it has served its purpose, and the girls will be more inclined to listen to our advise, now that they are aware of the unhappiness that lies in an imperfect marriage.

Re: J.A.I.L.B.A.I.T. Continues

Date: 2006-03-18 04:23 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] sensiblesusan.livejournal.com
There were girls at the Quirm College who ended up like that -- those that were less intelligent, who'd already been in thrall to their fathers, who accepted such a thing from their husbands as entirely normal -- but she knew plenty who had married well, if not completely by their own choosing, and who now maintained a curious network of politicians' wives across the Disc, which Susan half-suspected was the real infrastructure that kept the world running.

Susan herself, of course, had not felt any particular pressure to marry, and who would she marry, anyway? She listens to Emma's poem with not a little amusement. "The poet has a point, I daresay," she observes, "and it's true, no woman should value herself so little that she would throw herself away on the first man who came along and let herself in for a life of misery. Although I find the blanket condemnation of the male sex a bit ... overwrought."

Re: J.A.I.L.B.A.I.T. Continues

Date: 2006-03-18 09:44 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ewoodhouse.livejournal.com
"Indeed, Susan." Miss Woodhouse smiles and gives a quick nod. "That is precisely the reaction I was hoping for.

"Although I enjoy this poem as a cautionary tale concerning foolish marriages, I have also met many husbands who were complete gentleman, such as Mr. Weston, Mr. Knightley, and of course my own father. But I believe, considering the amount of pressure a husband might place against his wife's autonomy, it must be known the considerable risk a lady takes when being married. That is why decisions on courtship is best left to be advised by women more wise in the ways of husbandry."

Re: J.A.I.L.B.A.I.T. Continues

Date: 2006-03-19 07:12 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] sensiblesusan.livejournal.com
Susan nods, a little skeptically, but she has to admit there was logic to Emma's proposal. "I see. Of course, as Ginny has pointed out, we do all come from a wide range of places and times, with a variety of experiences. I hope we can take that into account in our exchange of ideas and ... advice."

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