Private Message to Barty Crouch, Jr
Aug. 22nd, 2011 10:10 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
alt_narcissaI'm sure you're just as busy as everyone else preparing for the Cup next week, so do forgive this intrusion, Barty dear. Merlin help me if I'm going to make it through the Cup myself at this rate. At least with the Rousseaus I had some idea what to expect; the Propopovs - or rather I should say Mr Propopov - is quite a handful!
I know it's only a week and then they'll be back across the Channel. But what a week! At least I shan't have to take them through all of New London's attractions, but there's shopping and the salon and gifts for the orphans at Aldborough Hatch and on and on.
I've a bit of rest, if it can be called that, this morning, since I've brought both Ministers' wives to Witch Weekly for interviews and photo sessions for next month's issue. While they parrot their party lines to Celia and pose for Elpis, I can take care of a few items of my own.
But one of them is not very pleasant, I'm afraid. Dear, can you think of a pretext on which Aleta and I may ... deter your mother from attending tomorrow's WI meeting? Madames Propopov and Rousseau will be there and - well, with Norah still insisting that assassins lurk round every corner and tree, you can see how it simply won't do to expose them to - well, to her ranting. I spoke to her only last Friday and she was still determined to go and, really it must be said, she was almost willfully failing to take any hints to the contrary. Aleta says she's had no better success. I just spoke with her moments ago, before realising that I had no choice but to trouble you about it.
One detests having to put it so bluntly or to involve you in something that really ought to be trivial. I'm sure the ball this week will go splendidly and of course, the Cup itself should present no worries (your parents are seated on 19, are they not?) - it's just that the WI is so informal it might be difficult to shield any off-hand remark from reaching either of them. And if it were anyone but your mother I'd not worry about the language barrier, either!
At the very least, tell me you're taking time away from the field to come to the ball? I know - it's not your idea of a relaxing evening. Shall I promise that if you make an appearance I shall save you your choice of dance?
I know it's only a week and then they'll be back across the Channel. But what a week! At least I shan't have to take them through all of New London's attractions, but there's shopping and the salon and gifts for the orphans at Aldborough Hatch and on and on.
I've a bit of rest, if it can be called that, this morning, since I've brought both Ministers' wives to Witch Weekly for interviews and photo sessions for next month's issue. While they parrot their party lines to Celia and pose for Elpis, I can take care of a few items of my own.
But one of them is not very pleasant, I'm afraid. Dear, can you think of a pretext on which Aleta and I may ... deter your mother from attending tomorrow's WI meeting? Madames Propopov and Rousseau will be there and - well, with Norah still insisting that assassins lurk round every corner and tree, you can see how it simply won't do to expose them to - well, to her ranting. I spoke to her only last Friday and she was still determined to go and, really it must be said, she was almost willfully failing to take any hints to the contrary. Aleta says she's had no better success. I just spoke with her moments ago, before realising that I had no choice but to trouble you about it.
One detests having to put it so bluntly or to involve you in something that really ought to be trivial. I'm sure the ball this week will go splendidly and of course, the Cup itself should present no worries (your parents are seated on 19, are they not?) - it's just that the WI is so informal it might be difficult to shield any off-hand remark from reaching either of them. And if it were anyone but your mother I'd not worry about the language barrier, either!
At the very least, tell me you're taking time away from the field to come to the ball? I know - it's not your idea of a relaxing evening. Shall I promise that if you make an appearance I shall save you your choice of dance?
no subject
Date: 2011-08-22 07:09 pm (UTC)I realise now we haven't spoken since I met with her Healers. I apologise that you've been left to deal with her so often: the problem is not one with a social remedy.
She's suffering a relapse, Narcissa, and she's refused all but palliative and invigoration treatments. They couldn't say how long she has, though apparently she's also consulted a Diviner and been told to set her affairs in order before the Solstice. O'Toole sneered at the methodology, but couldn't disagree with the estimate.
Apparently the paranoia is no more than can be expected as the malady spreads to her mind.
I'll see that she does not disrupt events surrounding the Cup, and not only to ease your diplomatic challenges: I cannot allow my family's melodrama to be a distraction from the tasks of the week ahead.
One of those tasks is to attend the ball in an official capacity. Do, please, save a dance for me.
no subject
Date: 2011-08-22 08:22 pm (UTC)I'm sure you'll do whatever is necessary, of course, but do promise you'll remember to be as gentle as possible as well. After all, she is still your mother, not some mad beggarwoman off the street, nor one of the seedy churls from your investigations.
I've simply no time at present, nor have you, to sit together and catch up properly. But I'll look for you at the ball - if only for a few moments. When these events are over and the children have gone back to school, we'll have to make a date.
I truly am sorry, dear. I know this must be very hard for you.
no subject
Date: 2011-08-22 09:30 pm (UTC)