RP: Testing the Water
Date: December 16, 2004
Characters: Parvati Patil, Lavender Brown
Location: Parvati's flat, Lavender's flat
Status: Private
Summary: Parvati and Lavender have some catching up to do
Completion: Complete
Parvati put the book down in irritation. The day stretched in front of her; long and lonely.
Too quiet.
Too cold to go outside and walk, though the walls of the flat seemed to be closing in on her.
She thought she'd made so much progress. She was working again. She had actually gone to a pub and--miracle of miracles--talked to strangers. Or, rather, a stranger. She'd been so proud of herself.
Then, suddenly, the fear was back. Perhaps it had been that fire alarm brought it back; being surrounded by a crowd--the shirtless man. Suddenly the war and the abduction returned to the forefront of her mind, and she couldn't banish them.
She worked, but felt no joy in it. Just another illness to cure, just another injury to heal. She didn't see them as people, only problems to solve.
She avoided everyone, even Lavender and Padma, because she suspected her apathy and pessimism depressed them in return, or possibly even annoyed them.
Yesterday, however, had been a small victory. She'd spoken with an old friend and made a new accquaintance. It felt hopeful, somehow. She'd gone back to work with a bit more lightness in her step, with a bit less weight on her shoulders. She'd actually interacted with her patients, and felt more job satisfaction than she'd felt in days. She began to look toward the future, and where she wanted to go with her Healing. A private practice maybe--someday. It was possible, wasn't it?
She decided not to let this new hopefulness slip away. She was going to get out of this stupid flat. She grabbed a cloak and her wand, and headed out the door.
First things first, she thought. I've been a dreadful best friend. She stood in front of Lavender's door and knocked softly.