![[info]](https://www.insanejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
![[info]](https://www.insanejournal.com/img/community.gif){kind=small}
Who: Ismeria McQuillen and Blanche Skeffington
Where: Blanche's office
When: Afternoon, Friday, 13th September
What: Tea, cucumber sandwiches andgossip polite conversation
Afternoon tea wasn't really a social trial of any grandeur, but that didn't mean one couldn't make preparations both lengthy and detailed.
It had began when she changed her dress after luncheon, and a full hour had been spent examining herself from all angles in the mirror. And then she had to see about arranging her study in a way both cosy and elegant and sending her maid out to pick fresh flowers. The house elves were diligent and careful cooks, but even so Blanche had written them a very detailed order of what she wanted and how she wanted it arranged.
The occasion in itself was not shocking, but she had invited the Headmistress, Blanche wanted to impress. Or no, not impress, she wanted the other woman to feel at once relaxed and comfortable in her company, touched by every thoughtful arrangement and eager to pursue the acquaintance. Blanche had seen her grandmama do it, on the rare occasions when she exerted her influence over ladies she particularly wanted for something - flower fairs or concerts for the poor. She wasn't sure exactly what she wanted from the Headmistress, but she was quite certain it would be a very good thing to be on friendly terms. Had it been a man, things would have been very different of course, but Professor Mcquillen was a lady and that, well, that changed things. Made her a possible and very valuable ally. For what? For what, Blanche had no idea. But the day she suddenly did have, it would be very unfortunate not to be on good terms with such an influential lady.
And so the set hour came. A small fire was going in the fireplace, the armchairs and a table set up in front of the window. Tea things, and tiny sandwiches and a plate covered in a towel, but actually filled with freshly baked scones, and then a tiered serving platter filled with dainty little sugary things. In fact, Blanche had underscored the word 'elegant' three times in her note and apparently to a house elf that meant 'tiny', which wasn't displeasing but somewhat odd. When there was finally a knock on the door, she was ready and waiting, the picture of a gracious hostess.
"Headmistress, do come inside. I was so pleased you accepted my invitation. Won't you have a seat?"
Where: Blanche's office
When: Afternoon, Friday, 13th September
What: Tea, cucumber sandwiches and
Afternoon tea wasn't really a social trial of any grandeur, but that didn't mean one couldn't make preparations both lengthy and detailed.
It had began when she changed her dress after luncheon, and a full hour had been spent examining herself from all angles in the mirror. And then she had to see about arranging her study in a way both cosy and elegant and sending her maid out to pick fresh flowers. The house elves were diligent and careful cooks, but even so Blanche had written them a very detailed order of what she wanted and how she wanted it arranged.
The occasion in itself was not shocking, but she had invited the Headmistress, Blanche wanted to impress. Or no, not impress, she wanted the other woman to feel at once relaxed and comfortable in her company, touched by every thoughtful arrangement and eager to pursue the acquaintance. Blanche had seen her grandmama do it, on the rare occasions when she exerted her influence over ladies she particularly wanted for something - flower fairs or concerts for the poor. She wasn't sure exactly what she wanted from the Headmistress, but she was quite certain it would be a very good thing to be on friendly terms. Had it been a man, things would have been very different of course, but Professor Mcquillen was a lady and that, well, that changed things. Made her a possible and very valuable ally. For what? For what, Blanche had no idea. But the day she suddenly did have, it would be very unfortunate not to be on good terms with such an influential lady.
And so the set hour came. A small fire was going in the fireplace, the armchairs and a table set up in front of the window. Tea things, and tiny sandwiches and a plate covered in a towel, but actually filled with freshly baked scones, and then a tiered serving platter filled with dainty little sugary things. In fact, Blanche had underscored the word 'elegant' three times in her note and apparently to a house elf that meant 'tiny', which wasn't displeasing but somewhat odd. When there was finally a knock on the door, she was ready and waiting, the picture of a gracious hostess.
"Headmistress, do come inside. I was so pleased you accepted my invitation. Won't you have a seat?"