MCA #7, Sunday Afternoon

[funnyways]

Mina had prepared a rather impressive assortment of tea sandwiches, scones, and crumpets to accompany the afternoon tea. She had invited her dear friend Miss Bennet. The table was set with a fine, rich burgundy tablecloth. She hoped the accommodation would satisfy her guest

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[clevermsbennet]

Miss Elizabeth Bennet could never show up for tea empty-handed. It seemed churlish. So she had brought a store-bought pie, which one would imagine to be a greater breach of etiquette, except that her attempts at pie would have been inedible.

She knocked on the door, quite pleased that she would be having tea today as a proper gentlewoman. It had been far too long.

[funnyways]

Mina answered the door, smile on her face. "It is good to see you," she said. "Please, come in."

[clevermsbennet]

"Thank you kindly for inviting me," Lizzy said, bowing respectfully before entering. "I confess, it has been far too long since I had tea, or the pleasure of your company. I do hope this island has been well to you, since last we spoke."

One could never be certain, given the island's approach to mischief.

[funnyways]

"The island is very kind," Mina said. "Far kinder than other places. I hope time finds you well, also?"

[clevermsbennet]

"That it does," she said, hoping that her words hadn't doomed her to another outbreak of Fandom's particular form of mockery. "Though I miss my home a great deal. Even this island's good behavior cannot replace my dear sisters, or the social niceties of home, I fear."

To be perfectly frank, she would forgo most of her family in favor of her sister Jane, and her beloved father, but that was a particularly horrible thought to have, much less speak aloud.

"Is your home less charitable?" she asked, a light frown covering her features.

[funnyways]

"I recently had my faith in her majesty's government shaken," Mina said, leaving it at that. "Would you care for a scone?"

[clevermsbennet]

"I am so terribly sorry to hear that," Eliza said, taking a seat and folding her hands in her lap. "It is unfortunate, the ways that Man is fallible. Perhaps the Crown is unaware of what misdeeds its trusted servants have wrought?"

She smiled, faintly. "Yes, please, and thank you," she added.

[funnyways]

Mina set aside a serving for her friend on a small plate, and passing it to her. She herself sat down across from Eliza. "The crown is probably quite ignorant. Though that is not much of a relief."

[clevermsbennet]

"Not terribly," Eliza agreed, "though ignorance is preferable to malice, in such matters. How unfortunate, nonetheless, that one should be reduced to such choices."

[funnyways]

"I have been doing my best to not think of such things," Mina said. "And busying myself with work in this time."

[clevermsbennet]

"How is the clinic?" Eliza asked. "I have spent part of my summer employed by the book-store, though I confess I find myself eager to return to teaching."

[funnyways]

"It runs smoothly. We are free from plague or pandemic, thank goodness," Mina said. "Though I must admit I am beginning to believe that medicine is not quite my vocation of choice."

[clevermsbennet]

"No?" Lizzy asked, tilting her head slightly. "What have you been considering, as alternatives? I'm quite certain that a woman of your intellect could find a number of applications for her talents."

[funnyways]

"I have been thinking of reapplying myself to science," Mina said. "Working with chemicals was my trade of choice, back in Victoria's time."

[clevermsbennet]

"Fascinating." Lizzy munched delicately on her scone. "I'm afraid I've no head for science, in this time or my own, so there's little I can suggest, but it isn't as though you need my assistance. Are there outlets for that vocation, here on this island?"

[funnyways]

"I am not sure," Mina said. "I must admit, I have done little but think of the concept. I have yet to explore the island for ways to make my daydreams more substantial."