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last online Mar 28, 2024 4:08:46 GMT -7
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Feb 1, 2020 11:49:51 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Feb 1, 2020 11:49:51 GMT -7
Early/Mid June 2025
Riley had started at St. Mungos almost immediately after graduation. He had taken 1 day off to move his things into a room in the Leaky Cauldron while he looked for a proper flat. Somewhere in a muggle area. He wanted to live away from the wizarding community. At least that was the plan before the outbreak. Now, living around muggles was becoming increasingly dangerous. Since starting at the hospital - he had experienced no symptoms himself, but he was religious about staying away from the infectious areas of the hospital. He was fairly safe in the mental health wing, but walking through the main floor to get there always sparked anxiety. Especially on the mornings when he stopped to get a coffee, which he had only done maybe 3 times in his two weeks here. But this morning was going to be one of them. He walked into the cafe and did his best to try to hold his breath while he ordered and waited. It was still such a new illness and it wasn’t entirely known whether it spread through the air, but he didn’t want to take any chances.
OPEN
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penelope raisa bainbridge
HOGWARTS ALUM FORGET-ME-KNOT FLORIST CASHIER ABILITY DETECTION
223 posts
played by Audrey
What if Cinderella had to save herself?
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last online Mar 24, 2024 16:04:37 GMT -7
WIZARDING ADULT
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Feb 5, 2020 15:10:08 GMT -7
Post by penelope raisa bainbridge on Feb 5, 2020 15:10:08 GMT -7
The thought of being at St. Mungo's amidst of the Hag's Fever outbreak didn't do much to ease Penelope's mind about having an appointment there. At Madam Macmillan's suggestion that she follow up with a Healer over the summer, she had arranged to see one of the Psychiatric Healers, though she immediately regretted it. There was too much going on in her head for even an expert, she felt. The weird feeling that she got from being around Kinsey—and some other people—hadn't gone away, but she also hadn't had any visions or anything to suggest that she was a Seer. It would have made the most sense, or maybe it was just residual fear from everything that had happened with Priscilla.
Whatever it was, she had made it to the hospital with too much time to kill before her scheduled appointment. The most calming thing that she could think to do—if there was one—was get a cup of tea while she waited.
Everyone at St. Mungo's seemed uneasy, and Penelope had difficulty telling how much of that was just her own perception. Hag's Fever was serious, and she really didn't want to end up catching it from having gone to St. Mungo's to hopefully get some help with everything else. Physically, she was fine.
The tea room, though, seemed welcoming, and the woman who took her order for an Earl Grey and a croissant was pleasant.
It was only after she had finished her order that she noticed someone she knew was there, waiting. Out of anyone other than Kinsey, he understood the most of what was going on, but the last thing that Penelope wanted was to worry him.
"Hi, Riley," she smiled, assuming that not saying hello to him and acting as though she hadn't seen him would only make matters worse for her. She didn't actually have any reason not to acknowledge him.
@riley
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last online Mar 28, 2024 4:08:46 GMT -7
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Feb 6, 2020 12:57:24 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Feb 6, 2020 12:57:24 GMT -7
Riley knew that working in one of the most visited places in the wizarding world meant that he would come in contact with people that he knew. He had always been a fairly social and kind guy. But the events of the last few months had stiffened him. He had been colder lately than he meant to be. To everyone. Including Kinsey. Which he hated. He never wanted to hurt her but he knew that he was hurting her with how protective he was being over her. And her family, to be honest. He feared retaliation against Penelope almost as much as he did against Kinsey or himself. She was the one who had found Priscilla at the scene of the crime. Her testimony had the girl expelled.
He had never expected to see the girl here, though. He didn’t notice her until she spoke to him. He tried to keep his eyes to himself, while trying to remain aware of his surroundings. He didn’t fear while in a space as public as this. Honestly since the outbreak his fears had subsided greatly. It was a distraction, but he was fairly sure it wasn’t one that the Purifiers were prepared for either. “Hey! What are you doing here? Are you feeling alright?” he prayed she wasn’t sick.
penelope raisa bainbridge
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penelope raisa bainbridge
HOGWARTS ALUM FORGET-ME-KNOT FLORIST CASHIER ABILITY DETECTION
223 posts
played by Audrey
What if Cinderella had to save herself?
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last online Mar 24, 2024 16:04:37 GMT -7
WIZARDING ADULT
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Feb 6, 2020 14:03:50 GMT -7
Post by penelope raisa bainbridge on Feb 6, 2020 14:03:50 GMT -7
"Hey! What are you doing here? Are you feeling alright?"
Penelope knew that it would be one of the first questions out of Riley's mouth, not that she minded. She was glad that he was thoughtful and caring. Aside from her wishing that there were more people in the world who were considerate, Kinsey certainly needed someone like that.
She immediately nodded to reassure Riley that nothing was wrong. "I'm alright," she answered him. "Erm, I've got an appointment with a Psychiatric Healer in a bit," she admitted. Dancing around why she was there felt pointless, especially when everyone was concerned about the quarantine. Besides, Riley would understand. "Madam Macmillan said that it would be a good idea," she explained, "to, you know… see a Healer over the summer holidays…"
And that was it, really, aside from all of the things that still felt strange to put into words. Like the fact that she was there alone, for one, and not with one of her sisters or parents for support. Even that felt a little bit unusual for her, but she didn't want to bother anyone.
@riley
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last online Mar 28, 2024 4:08:46 GMT -7
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Feb 6, 2020 15:32:48 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Feb 6, 2020 15:32:48 GMT -7
Penelope told him that she was there to meet with a physiatric healer and he nodded. That made sense given everything that she had been through. He felt so sorry that she had been dragged into all of this. It was his mess and he had no desire for anyone else to be hurt because of his decisions. Especially not the little sister of the woman he loved. “It’s never a bad idea to talk with someone.” he insisted. He knew that even the most ‘normal’ people could benefit from talking with someone. He had studied this subject for upwards of 9 years and while he was still just a trainee at the hospital and in the psychiatric ward, he knew a lot about his field. “Are you here by yourself? I’m heading up there anyway, allow me to accompany you there?” he offered. He would borderline insist on it - but he didn’t want to make her uncomfortable. Still he felt responsible for her - neither of her parents were in this community, and as far as her older siblings went - Kinsey was the only one of them that had even an ounce of his trust. Someone had to be looking out for them, and he took it upon himself. Especially Penny.
penelope raisa bainbridge
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penelope raisa bainbridge
HOGWARTS ALUM FORGET-ME-KNOT FLORIST CASHIER ABILITY DETECTION
223 posts
played by Audrey
What if Cinderella had to save herself?
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last online Mar 24, 2024 16:04:37 GMT -7
WIZARDING ADULT
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Feb 6, 2020 17:12:20 GMT -7
Post by penelope raisa bainbridge on Feb 6, 2020 17:12:20 GMT -7
Riley was supportive, though Penelope didn't doubt that he would be. "It’s never a bad idea to talk with someone," he assured her.
Intrinsically, Penelope knew that it wasn't a bad thing. It was better than never saying anything and letting it consume her. She knew that, and she would have been happy to remind anyone else of it. When it came to herself, though, it was harder. She knew that she needed help and that she had made the right decision in coming to see a Healer, but what happened if she was just overthinking everything? Most people had trauma because of something or other, especially after the past few years… What if her issues weren't severe enough to be helped?
"Are you here by yourself?" Riley asked. "I’m heading up there anyway, allow me to accompany you there?"
"Yeah. I mean, if you don't mind?" Penelope replied, giving a small smile. "I did come alone." There was nothing that said that she couldn't. She was seventeen. "And I'm… not exactly sure where I'm going," she added.
@riley
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last online Mar 28, 2024 4:08:46 GMT -7
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Feb 6, 2020 17:51:46 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Feb 6, 2020 17:51:46 GMT -7
Penelope admitted that she was here on her own and that she wouldn’t mind if Riley escorted her since she didn’t know where she was going anyway. He nodded. “Yeah sure, it’s kind of a maze sometimes.” It had been hard to navigate his first few days too. But now he was getting the hang of all the twists and turns. They called his name and he went over to collect his coffee in his own stainless steel cup that he had bought from a muggle shop when he had gone out to tour apartments. He slid the lid on and then turned back to her. “How’s your summer been thus far?” he was glad that she didn’t seem to be experiencing any symptoms. Hopefully none of her siblings were either.
penelope raisa bainbridge
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penelope raisa bainbridge
HOGWARTS ALUM FORGET-ME-KNOT FLORIST CASHIER ABILITY DETECTION
223 posts
played by Audrey
What if Cinderella had to save herself?
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last online Mar 24, 2024 16:04:37 GMT -7
WIZARDING ADULT
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Feb 6, 2020 19:27:57 GMT -7
Post by penelope raisa bainbridge on Feb 6, 2020 19:27:57 GMT -7
“Yeah sure,” Riley replied about going with her to the psychiatric ward of the hospital. “It’s kind of a maze sometimes.”
Penelope didn’t really want to end up late for her appointment because she was unable to find the right place, seeing as she had come early and all. Riley’s order was called, and Penelope cringed a little when she realized that he’d ordered coffee. He probably needed it in order to stay awake, but at least she wasn’t the one drinking it.
“How’s your summer been thus far?”
“Good,” she nodded. Aside from the chaos that was the end of the school year at Hogwarts because of the quarantine and getting used to the realization that she would be one of only three Bainbridges at Hogwarts the next year, it hadn’t been bad. It was nice not to have to worry about school. As a positive, she hadn’t failed Potions yet, which was a small miracle (and probably thanks to Peyton’s assistance in studying). “It’s been sort of quiet, you know?” Growing older was a little weird, especially as one of the three youngest in the family. “But how’s work and everything?” she checked. It must have been weird for Riley, too, now that he had estranged himself from his family and the girl who would have been his wife. Penelope lowered her voice slightly, but she tried to remain casual. “Do you need anything?” she wondered. “I can Apparate now. I mean, I’ve got a license, at least…”
@riley
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last online Mar 28, 2024 4:08:46 GMT -7
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Feb 7, 2020 10:27:13 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Feb 7, 2020 10:27:13 GMT -7
He didn’t expect that her summer would have been anything extraordinary - they had only been out of school for two weeks and the whole time had been spent mostly in fear of getting the disease and being stuck in the hospital while it cleared their system. It was a bad time to be working here. But he only needed to be here until he passes his tests, then he would be able to start his own practice eventually. He wanted a private psychiatric practice one day. In the meantime, the ward here wasn’t so bad. And the healers he was working with were kind. “Well enough for training.” of course he felt anxious to start working on his own without being watched, or having to sit and watch another healer.
She asked if he needed anything, which he thought was odd, but then clarified saying that she had her apparition license now and he could imagine she was keen to start using it regularly. “Oh that’s great, congrats.” he insisted. It wasn’t an easy skill to master or test to pass. “I’m alright though. But I know how much easier it makes it to get around. Is that why you’ve come on your own?” he also didn’t imagine she’d want to bring her parents. They were muggles and in a place like this it would be hard to have them.
penelope raisa bainbridge
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penelope raisa bainbridge
HOGWARTS ALUM FORGET-ME-KNOT FLORIST CASHIER ABILITY DETECTION
223 posts
played by Audrey
What if Cinderella had to save herself?
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last online Mar 24, 2024 16:04:37 GMT -7
WIZARDING ADULT
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Feb 7, 2020 11:50:45 GMT -7
Post by penelope raisa bainbridge on Feb 7, 2020 11:50:45 GMT -7
Riley's only comment on how work was going was that it was going "well enough for training." Penelope took that to mean that training itself probably wasn't the greatest thing in the world. It was probably stressful, she thought, and barely being out of school meant that he probably wasn't able to do very much yet.
He congratulated her when she mentioned having gotten her Apparition license, though he assured her that he was alright. "But I know how much easier it makes it to get around. Is that why you’ve come on your own?"
"Yeah," Penelope nodded. "My mum could have taken me with Side-Along Apparition if she wasn't working, I guess, but my dad wouldn't be of much help." The one bright side was that he was a Muggle and therefore incapable of catching Hag's Fever, unlike the rest of the family. Penelope guessed that she could have taken the Knight Bus, too, but it wasn't the most direct route. "I don't mind, though, really. I wouldn't want anyone to catch Hag's Fever just because I've got to see a Healer for something else."
@riley OOC: Only her dad's a Muggle; her mom's a witch, though I don't know of what purity…
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last online Mar 28, 2024 4:08:46 GMT -7
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Feb 7, 2020 12:52:55 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Feb 7, 2020 12:52:55 GMT -7
Riley nodded. She said her mom could have brought her along but he understood that she wouldn’t want her to come along. She blamed it on Hags fever. But even when he was close with his mother he wouldn’t have wanted her along at healers visits. He was his own person and he didn’t need her or anyone else butting their own opinions on matters that didn’t concern them. “Sure. Well yeah I’m happy to take you up there whenever you’re ready. I’m not in a rush.” his start hours were flexible and he had come early anyway. He was always early. He knew she was still waiting for her own drink to be called. “Do you know who you’re seeing?” he asked, hoping that it wasn’t the healer that he was shadowing for the day. If it was he’d probably ask to step out. He didn’t want there to be any bias in her appointment.
penelope raisa bainbridge
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penelope raisa bainbridge
HOGWARTS ALUM FORGET-ME-KNOT FLORIST CASHIER ABILITY DETECTION
223 posts
played by Audrey
What if Cinderella had to save herself?
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last online Mar 24, 2024 16:04:37 GMT -7
WIZARDING ADULT
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Feb 7, 2020 13:10:09 GMT -7
Post by penelope raisa bainbridge on Feb 7, 2020 13:10:09 GMT -7
Assuring her that he wasn't in any rush, Riley said that he could take her to the ward whenever she was ready. Aside from waiting on her tea and croissant to be ready, she figured that she would at least try to finish her croissant before leaving for her appointment. She didn't think that the Healers would like it very much if she left crumbs around the hospital.
"Do you know who you’re seeing?"
Just then, her order was called, and Penelope momentarily lost her train of thought while she went to grab her tea and croissant. As soon as she had done so, she turned her attention back to Riley, tea in one hand and croissant in the other. "Yeah, it's, er… Starts with an 'S'?"
@riley
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last online Mar 28, 2024 4:08:46 GMT -7
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Feb 7, 2020 14:43:20 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Feb 7, 2020 14:43:20 GMT -7
She said the healer she was seeing started with a S and instantly he knew who she was talking about. He nodded. “Ahh - Steinwort. He’s a nice guy, a bit stuffy for my taste, but very good bedside manner. And he’s brilliant.” he admitted. He was the oldest of the healers in their ward and because of that he was very traditional about his methods and wasn’t very open to change. However, he also had the most experience with patients and almost always knew the answer. Riley just hoped that he himself never got that opposed to change when he grew older. “Are your sisters doing well?” he asked regarding her triplet sisters. He knew how Kinsey was probably better than they would since they had been together almost every moment they weren’t at work or sleeping since graduation. And he didn’t much care to ask about the older ones. Out of them all he only really respected Diana, but he didn’t much want to be around her if he could get away with it.
penelope raisa bainbridge
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penelope raisa bainbridge
HOGWARTS ALUM FORGET-ME-KNOT FLORIST CASHIER ABILITY DETECTION
223 posts
played by Audrey
What if Cinderella had to save herself?
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last online Mar 24, 2024 16:04:37 GMT -7
WIZARDING ADULT
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Feb 7, 2020 17:09:41 GMT -7
Post by penelope raisa bainbridge on Feb 7, 2020 17:09:41 GMT -7
"Ahh," Riley nodded almost immediately. "Steinwort." The name alone really did sound like something a Healer would be called, Penelope thought. "He’s a nice guy, a bit stuffy for my taste, but very good bedside manner. And he’s brilliant."
That was positive, Penelope supposed, not that she really wanted to deal with the Healers at St. Mungo's any more than was absolutely necessary. She just wanted to figure out what was wrong with her and get it treated. That was it.
"Are your sisters doing well?"
Penelope took a sip of her tea. She nearly asked Riley which ones, but she figured that he meant the sisters who weren't Kinsey. Essentially, that just left Cara, Peyton, and Persephone, because Diana had chosen to be Diana, with which Penelope had attempted to make her peace. "They're alright," she shrugged. "Cara's been busy," but that wasn't unexpected. She didn't see her much, anyway, because of school.
"It's been normal for us, really…?" she continued. "Besides feeling like I've gone mad, I mean." Or else she wouldn't have been at St. Mungo's. "I don't know if it's because of what happened to Kinsey, but I get this… weird sort of feeling when I'm around her or Pey…" It was a conversation that she probably should have left for her appointment, but it was weighing too heavily on her mind not to mention it.
@riley
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last online Mar 28, 2024 4:08:46 GMT -7
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Feb 7, 2020 17:27:50 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Feb 7, 2020 17:27:50 GMT -7
Penelope told her that Cara was busy and Riley had to fight not to roll his eyes. He didn’t much care how Cara was, and it didn’t surprise him that she was busy. So he nodded slightly, showing Penelople that he was paying attention, but trying not to show that he didn’t really care. He had more interest in Diana than he did Cara. Those two never got along. Penelope then admitted that things had been mostly normal, but that she felt weird being around Kinsey and Peyton since the incident. “What kind of weird?” he asked. He hoped that he wasn’t prying, but this was also his job, not to mention something she was already going to be seen for, he was sure. However, it also felt like it was just him talking with her. He felt protective and didn’t want her to feel upset.
penelope raisa bainbridge
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