RP: SHH Women's Support Group

[shh_orla]

Date: 12 December 2005
Characters: Orla, Hannah, Daphne, Marietta, Su, Parvati, Ginny, Luna, any other SHH female who wants to come
Location: Community Cenre
Status: Public
Summary: The first round of the Stoatshead Hill Women's Support Group is now called to order.
Completion: Incomplete

Orla had dressed casually, but conservatively. She'd re-

Comments

[shh_luna]

Luna had made time before her shift to make it to the meeting, because a womens' group sounded like an interesting idea, even if she wasn't totally clear on what was to happen. She'd not been positive about coming until the last minute, really. But, mainly she figured on having a chance to socialise, which was rare for her these days. Between her work at the hospital and occasional writing for the Prophet, her social life had dwindled into virtual non-existence again

[shh_orla]

Orla looked up as Luna entered. She hadn't heard from her, but it wasn't surprising, given how busy the hospital likely was this time of year She stood with a smile. "Not at all, Luna. Glad you could join us. I've got permission to transfigure the chairs into whatever's most comfortable for you, as long as we transfigure them back, so make yourself at home." She gestured towards the seating.

"I thought so too. I don't have an overly sweet tooth, but I do have a weakness for biscuits." She said with a laugh, taking one and biting in.

[shh_parvati]

Parvati had mixed feelings about the idea of a group therapy session. ON the one hand, she was sure it was a good idea, and really felt that this sort of interaction could be helpful to the community. She knew deep inside that she had something to offer, not only as a Healer, but because her experiences had given her perspective.

That didn't make her anxious to talk about her pain with strangers or (worse yet) casual acquaintances, though.

Still, this was a chance to possibly get out of this rut she'd got into as she tried to pretend that her parents' silence didn't hurt her. And she wanted to support Orla, too.

She stood in front of the door for a few minutes before actually opening it and going inside. She saw Orla and smiled, feeling reassured.

[shh_orla]

Orla saw Parvati enter, and came over to give her a small hug. "Glad you could make it. Its been far too long since I've seen you, and had a chance to talk proper." She chided. She didn't count the Open House, busy as it had been. She'd had a bunch of short conversations, nothing terribly deep.

"Come in. We can transfigure seating, so make youself comfortable."

[shh_ginny]

Stuffing her books into the backpack, Ginny slung it onto her shoulder and hurried down the corridor to the reception desk where she quickly signed out, waving goodbye absently as she pushed out the door onto the pavement. It was then that she realized she couldn't pull up the memory of where the Community Centre was and she'd nearly turned to go back inside the hospital to ask when it came back to her. Her thoughts had been jumbled more than usual over the last four days and she wasn't sure she knew what to attribute it to but smiled ironically to herself as she thought it was a good thing she'd be seeing Orla today.

Disapparating to the Community Centre, Ginny made her way inside, following the signs leading to the Women's Support Group meeting and entered the room cautiously, looking around as she shut the door behind her. Leaving her backpack by the refreshment table, she took a deep breath and approached the circle of chairs.

[shh_orla]

Orla saw Ginny enter, but gave her a moment. She moved carefully, like a deer on the verge of being spooked. She didn't want to be the spooking factor, since she'd not seen her for months. She hoped she wasn't doing any worse, for the nightmares.

She waited til Ginny had settled on her seat, then came over, and sat next to her. "Hello, Ginny. Glad you could make it." She smiled at her. "Feel free to make the seats as comfortable as you like."

[shh_ginny]

She found a seat and had just settled in, looking around with veiled interest when Orla came over. Flashing her a lop-sided smile, Ginny said. "Thanks for inviting me. The seats are fine and, truth be told, I'm pants at Transfiguration anyway."

[shh_daphne]

Daphne had been looking forward to this ever since Hannah had sent her an owl to tell her about it. Apart from Miss Skeeter she didn't really know any other women in town, and definitely none her own age. She had enjoyed meeting Hannah that night at the opening festivities at Hammerside, but since then they hadn't seen as much as the shadow of each other, so Daphne wasn't really sure that she could count Hannah as a person she knew

[shh_orla]

Orla saw the brunette enter, and was pleased that word had gotten around to bringing new people. She couldn't place her, but that was no reason to think she was lost and didn't intend to join the group.

She approached her, trying to make eye contact. When she did, she smiled, and extended a hand. "Hello. Welcome to the women's group. I'm Orla, and you are?"

[shh_daphne]

Okay, so at least she had definitely gone to the right place at the right time. It wouldn't be likely for a town this size to have two such groups. This woman, whom Daphne assumed to be Miss Quirke, seemed nice enough. That, at least, was a good start.

"I'm Daphne Greengrass," she said, taking her hand. "Um... I've never tried anything like this before," she confessed.

[shh_orla]

"I doubt anyone here tonight will have." Orla said by way of reassurance. "But the important thing is that you're trying it now, so I'm glad you came." She gave her another smile, before gesturing to the refreshments table. "Biscuit? Punch?"

If it makes you feel better, I put some guidelines and expectations out for people to read. Its a bit dry, but I hope it might reassure you that I'll do everything I can to make this a safe place for you to share."

[shh_su]

Su had ended up working a bit late and had to rush to the community centre for the women's group, just grabbing a quick sandwich for dinner. She still wasn't entirely sure she belonged. After all, it wasn't like she had participated in the war. No, she'd been safe in Shanghai while her childhood friends fought and died. Su shook her head, not wanting to dwell on that just now. If it doesn't work out, you don't have to go back, Su promised herself.

Arriving at the centre, she followed the signs to the room and tentatively walked inside. She smiled, glad to see Luna and Orla. At least they weren't all strangers.

Looking at a dark-haired woman nearby, Su gave an inward groan. It was the woman who had disapprovingly watched her get ridiculously drunk last spring. Maybe it would be better if everyone were strangers.

[shh_orla]

Orla saw Su enter, and waved at her. She was glad to see the other woman. They'd had several nice conversations to this point, and Orla wanted to be able to help her, whatever she was here to talk about.