Everyone's A Critic {Medea} [FINISHED]

[MEDEA KEKELIDZE]

"You make a very fair point, a very fair point indeed... And to be perfectly honest I'm not all to fond of politics myself."

Medea gave a small chuckle at Her Ladyship’s comment on disliking politics. She agreed completely. To her, politicking was quite unnecessary when it was used excessively. A ruler should rule, and be done with it. That was how she felt, though of course that opinion was definitely influenced by her past dealings with certain politicians. She was not going to mention that at the moment.

"I hope you shall be able to do so.... Are you...quite alright, Miss Kekelidze?"

Oddly, to Medea at least, Her Ladyship seemed surprised by Medea’s reaction to her comment. Medea had only vaguely realized that her eyes were brimming with tears. When Her Ladyship asked whether she was all right, she blinked them back and put on a brave smile.

She was not going to have some sort of mental-breakdown-psychotic-break this evening! Not after all she had been through, not in the midst of so many important people, and certainly not in front of Lady de Bourgh, who had been so kind to her! She gave herself a little mental kick. Pull yourself together!

“I’m all right, Your Ladyship. I appreciate your asking. I’m just a little nervous, and homesick, is all.” She exhaled a little. “And thank you for your kind words. My friend was certainly right in praising you earlier.” Before, she had made a similar comment designed partly to stroke Her Ladyship’s ego, but now, even just a few minutes later, she really felt grateful for the woman’s presence and conversation.

Her smile growing stronger now, Medea gently changed the subject. “We were talking about charitable organizations just now- may I ask what other sorts of work you do around the city? I’m afraid my friend wasn’t very specific on that subject.”

[LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH]

Medea laughed a little at Lady Catherine's comment on politics, and Her Ladyship was pleased. A lot of the time people were so intimidated by her that when she did say something that was meant to be funny, or could be interpreted as such, they rarely laughed.

However, in response to her query, Medea blinked rapidly and seemed to muster a smile before replying, the laughter gone.

“I’m all right, Your Ladyship. I appreciate your asking. I’m just a little nervous, and homesick, is all.”

Lady Catherine nodded, an unusually sympathetic expression on her face.

"I am sorry to hear that," she replied.

“And thank you for your kind words. My friend was certainly right in praising you earlier.”

Ordinarilly Her Ladyship may have been so blunt as to say something along the lines of 'Of course he was'. But tonight the thought didn't even enter her mind. Medea's sincierity saw to that.

“We were talking about charitable organizations just now- may I ask what other sorts of work you do around the city? I’m afraid my friend wasn’t very specific on that subject.”

Her Ladyhsip's broad smile returned as Medea's did.

"Well, as you know I help to sponsor places and events like this one," she indicated the room with an elegant sweep of the perfectly manicured hand that wasn't holding her champagne. "I also have helped many unemployed people to find jobs, invested money to improve living conditions in the more run down areas of the city...I recentley donated a great deal of money to the Presbetyrian Hospital, now I come to think of it."

Of course Her Ladyship could have gone into greater detail (she loved the sound of her own voice, it was true). But tonight she decided against it.

[MEDEA KEKELIDZE]

The note of sympathy in Her Ladyship's expression did not go unnoticed. Medea felt a little grateful for it. She was not the type of woman to seek out sympathy everywhere, but when it was offered in such a seemingly genuine way, it was actually kind of reassuring.

"Well, as you know I help to sponsor places and events like this one. I also have helped many unemployed people to find jobs, invested money to improve living conditions in the more run down areas of the city...I recentley donated a great deal of money to the Presbetyrian Hospital, now I come to think of it."

Medea wondered a bit about what possibly motivated Lady de Bourgh to do all of these kind things, which all seemed to be of no benefit to her. Did she do it out of kindness, or for the recognition that came with such philanthropy, or for some other reason? However, Medea was at least socially cognizant enough to realize that such an inquiry was rude, and that, if there was ever a time or place for that sort of question, this was definitely not it. What mattered was that Her Ladyship did do these things, and did not seem to be bragging about it, just responding to a question.

"That was very kind of you," she said, her tone still very sincere. She couldn't help feeling at least a little admiration for those who were still able to give of themselves. "Your reputation for charity is well earned."

She paused for a moment as if just realizing that she was also holding a glass of champagne before looking at Her Ladyship. "I hope it wouldn't be too forward of me to ask your assistance with getting involved in such circles? I'm not in a position to be as generous as you have been, but I must say, you've inspired me

She made this request for two reasons- the first being that she really had been inspired by Her Ladyship and was interested in helping others, perhaps as a subconscious effort of redemption; and because she wanted to widen her group of contacts in the city, so that she would not have to rely on her friends to take her around so much.

[LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH]

"That was very kind of you. Your reputation for charity is well earned."

Lady Catherine graced her companion with a winning smile.

"Why thank you," she said, the perfect picture of sincere cordiality, a slight nod of the head to finish off her reply. "It is very gratifying indeed to see that my efforts are recognized...though, of course, that is not my intention in carrying out charitable deeds, good heavens no!"

The latter phrase having been accompanied by a laugh, Her Ladyship took a delicate sip of her champagne glass, near empty by this point in the proceedings, before refocusing her attention on Medea.

"I hope it wouldn't be too forward of me to ask your assistance with getting involved in such circles? I'm not in a position to be as generous as you have been, but I must say, you've inspired me."

"I...I have?" Her Ladyship's reply was made in a genuinely shocked tone; she liked to think she inspired people, but as for actually doing so... If she ever had she'd never been made aware of it. Medea's sincerity made her all the more surprised (and pleased), it must be said.

"Well, even if I hadn't, I'd be very pleased indeed to make you acquainted with some of the more esteemed organizations here in New York." This said as Her Ladyship swiftly regained her usual 'friendly' demeanour. "Might I inquire as to which particular charities interest you, my dear Miss Kekelidze? Ones which cater to people? Or improving the planet? Or any others? I assure you I know a great many people in a great many circles."

[MEDEA KEKELIDZE]

"Why thank you. It is very gratifying indeed to see that my efforts are recognized...though, of course, that is not my intention in carrying out charitable deeds, good heavens no!"

Medea met Her Ladyship's smile with one of her own. Oddly, to Medea at least, Lady Catherine had responded both to Medea's spoken praise and to the question she had not voiced, regarding her intentions in being so giving. According to her, there was no drive for recognition or the like that was motivating her, though she did not exactly say she was being altruistic. In any case, the unexpected response was sufficient to Medea, for the moment.

"I...I have?"

Her Ladyship's surprise was unexpected. Medea had figured that the woman heard such comments often, made both genuinely and frivolously. But if her reaction was any indication, apparently being an inspiration was somewhat new to her. She gave a nod in response, still smiling; she genuinely liked this woman, and felt strangely honored to be among the first to express such sentiments.

"Well, even if I hadn't, I'd be very pleased indeed to make you acquainted with some of the more esteemed organizations here in New York. Might I inquire as to which particular charities interest you, my dear Miss Kekelidze? Ones which cater to people? Or improving the planet? Or any others? I assure you I know a great many people in a great many circles."

Medea took a sip of champagne from her own glass, which kept fading in and out of her awareness, as she thought about the question. Sometimes she felt that the entire world was broken- the environment, the animals, and the people- but usually dismissed the thought as a symptom of her bitterness. If she were to focus on one problem, she decided, it would be her fellow citizens. There would be parallel irony in that.

"I think I could do best working with organizations that cater to people," Medea said thoughtfully. "Particularly children." She was unable to completely hide the slight cloud that passed over her expression. "I'm not very picky, though. I would appreciate any recommendations you might have."

[LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH]

Medea's continued smiles, and the genuine nature of them, were greatly pleasing Lady Catherine. She was used to smiles it was true, as most people were inclined to do so when they met her, but it was the continual sincerity of Medea's expressions that counted.

"I think I could do best working with organizations that cater to people...Particularly children."

Lady Catherine nodded as Medea spoke, but was quick to notice something about her demeanour changed as she mentioned children. She hardly heard the rest of what Medea had said, for in this subject there seemed to be some common ground.

"I'm very glad to hear that Miss Kekelidze and will be happy to draw you together a list of suitable organizations as soon as I can." She paused. Then, "If you don't mind my asking, why children in particular? Do you have children of your own?"





ooc: Sorry this is so late/short/lacklustre. I'm still unwell but didn't want to keep you waiting any longer. (: And trust Lady C to make it awkward. XD

[MEDEA KEKELIDZE]

"If you don't mind my asking, why children in particular? Do you have children of your own?"

Medea should have expected Her Ladyship to notice and comment on Medea's reaction to her own mention of children. This one was her fault, completely. She had led herself into another difficult situation by mentioning children. If only she had kept her mouth shut!

She paused for a moment, unsure whether to lie or tell the truth, or whether to tell the full truth or just part of it. Normally, she probably would have lied, but she liked Lady Catherine well enough that the prospect of misleading her felt grim. She gave Lady Catherine a direct look for a moment before dropping her gaze to the bottom of her champagne glass.

"I did...." Her vice was faint and hesitant. She hoped Her Ladyship did not ask any further questions, at least not at the moment. She would have to lie about it in that case; there would be no getting around the issue. She missed her sons so terribly, but it was all for the best. At least, that's what she told herself.

"And you, Your Ladyship?" she asked in a feeble attempt to turn the discussion away from herself. "Do you have any children?"



ooc- No worries- I hope you're feeling better now!

[LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH]

Medea paused before making Lady Catherine an answer, yet another strange reaction to add to the grwoing list. Clearly there was something amiss here, for next Medea looked directly at Lady Catherine before redirecting her gaze to her champagne. Her Ladyship was just about to inquire again (perhaps Medea had not heard the question?) when the younger woman spoke.

"I did...."

Her Ladyship was, as mentioned earlier, one of those people who loved nothing more than to poke their noses into other people's business. However, as before, she decided to forgo her usual gossipy tendencies; this was clearly a delicate matter and one Medea did not wish to discuss. Although Lady Catherine had only known Miss Kekelidze for a brief time she didn't want to act in her usual manner...she found she liked her and appreciated her company (and Lady Catherine liking someone was often a rare incidence).

She gave Medea a look which, she hoped, conveyed her sympathy and her intent not to pry, before refocusing her attention on Medea's next question, in an attempt to alliviate the sudden awkwardness of the situation due to her previous inquiry.

"And you, Your Ladyship? Do you have any children?"

Lady Catherine gave Medea a small, somewhat hesitant smile in light of what she had just said.

"It just so happens I do, Miss Kekelidze," she replied. "I have one daughter, Anne de Bourgh. A delightful and dear girl if ever there was one, and very accomplished with it."

Yes, even in circumstances like this, Her Ladyship couldn't resist the oppurtunity to boast.



ooc: Much better thank you! (:

[MEDEA KEKELIDZE]

Fortunately, Lady Catherine let the matter of Medea's children go, with only a sympathetic look. Medea was slipping up so often that her luck, or rather Her Ladyship's charity, was likely running out.

Had she really analyzed her feelings, Medea might have noticed a touch of anxiety over Lady Catherine's response to her question. If Her Ladyship did have children, Medea would probably just feel out of place, or perhaps even jealous. She did not want to feel either. As it turned out, Lady Catherine did have a child:

"I have one daughter, Anne de Bourgh. A delightful and dear girl if ever there was one, and very accomplished with it."

Medea smiled, feeling neither uncomfortable nor jealous. Perhaps it was because Her Ladyship had a daughter, not a son, and one who sounded a good deal older than Medea's sons had been. There was really no comparing the two situations. "That's wonderful," she said genuinely. "She sounds like a great daughter."

She briefly wondered, as she often did, what might have come of her two sons, what they might have grown up to be in better circumstances. But, again, she reminded herself that she had done what was best for them.

Medea certainly did not mind Her Ladyship's bragging. As a mother herself, she could understand the urge to do so. Besides, it diverted the attention away from Medea. "Does she do very much charitable work?" Medea asked, thinking that perhaps the daughter took after her mother.

[LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH]

"That's wonderful! She sounds like a great daughter."

Her Ladyship's smile widened and she nodded. Why, of course she was. She was a de Bourgh, after all.

"Indeed she is," she replied. "I'd consider her to be a fine example of her class; elegant, accomplished and refined unlike so many other young women these days."

"Does she do very much charitable work?"

Lady Catherine's smile faltered a little, though it was still present.

"She accompanies me to events and does all she can but I'm afraid, for all her talents and charm, my dear Anne is of a rather unfavourable constitution,very delicate, which means she is unable to do as much as she would like. It's such a pity, her going to waste like that."

Her Ladyship shook her head in a grave manner; generally she didn't bring up the subject of Anne's illness, preffering to stick to the more positive aspects of her daughter's life. Unfortunatley these were few and far between, and Lady Catherine's lies, though sometimes convincing, were at the same time obvious exaggerations.

[MEDEA KEKELIDZE]

"Indeed she is. I'd consider her to be a fine example of her class; elegant, accomplished and refined unlike so many other young women these days."

Medea nodded because it seemed to be the right thing to do. She didn't know whether she agreed with Her Ladyship on the attitude of young women lately. She knew little about the subject; she had never paid much attention to others before, and since having to move to New York, that had not changed for her in the least. But if Lady Catherine felt that today's young women were out of line, she would go with that opinion for the moment. She did not feel it necessary to create an opinion of her own when a suitable one had been supplied for her.

Then came Medea's question about Anne's work. Now, it seemed, it was Lady Catherine's turn to feel uncomfortable. Medea wished a little that she had not asked any more on the subject of the woman's daughter, but she had only done so out of interest and politeness. She went on to explain Anne's illness.

"She accompanies me to events and does all she can but I'm afraid, for all her talents and charm, my dear Anne is of a rather unfavourable constitution,very delicate, which means she is unable to do as much as she would like. It's such a pity, her going to waste like that."

Medea gave a small smile. She could not relate completely, but as a mother, she felt she could understand the pain of having an infirm child. "I'm really sorry to hear that," she said, her condolences completely genuine. "I wager she's a strong woman, much like her mother."

This was another compliment, and a sincere one. Medea liked Lady Catherine more and more as they spoke, even despite some of the difficult subjects and the half-truths she'd had to tell. It appeared her attendance at this gallery opening was useful after all, as she had made an acquaintance, if not a friend.

[LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH]

Medea nodded as Lady Catherine mentioned today's young women, which pleased Her Ladyship greatly. Of course she was unaware Medea had to opinion and was in fact agreeing with her out of politeness...even if she had known she wouldn't really have minded that much.

Miss Kekelidze's reaction to the topic of Anne's illness was clearly genuine, Lady Catherine could tell. She found herself wondering again why Medea herself avoided the subject of children but decided not to swere the topic of conversation back to that.

"I'm really sorry to hear that. I wager she's a strong woman, much like her mother."

At this compliment Lady Catherine was certain she'd gone red. She was blushing, certainly. Never before had anyone said anything like that to her and seemed to mean it.

"Thank you," Lady Catherine said, much more quietly than anyone who'd heard her usual authorative tones would have thought possible. "That means a lot, it truly does."

[MEDEA KEKELIDZE]

To Medea's astonishment- in the most positive of ways- Lady Catherine blushed at her compliment. The woman seemed pleased, though, and not embarrassed. Had she been embarrassed, Medea would have felt horrible; but, as it was, it appeared Medea had said something right for once.

"Thank you. That means a lot, it truly does."

Medea responded with a bright smile and nod. She had grown to like this woman, much more so than she had expected to like anyone in the crowd of attendees, who she regarded as somewhat pretentious and had approached with a somewhat pretentious air herself.

She saw her acquaintance waving to her, across the crowd and behind Lady Catherine. She could not tell whether he wanted to leave or was hoping to introduce her to someone- Medea guessed it was not the latter- yet, oddly and unexpectedly, she felt reluctant to return to his side. Her discussion with Her Ladyship had become something resembling a chat between friends, something she had largely missed since arriving in New York.

"I hope I'm not being too forward, but do you by chance have a business card or something of the sort? I'd like to keep in touch with you, but I don't have any of my own. That is, I doubt my address in Greece would be of any help to you." She laughed softly, though she had just reminded herself again of her own poor situation and felt unpleasant for a moment.

"I've very much enjoyed talking to you this evening." She felt she might have said something to this effect already, but she truly had enjoyed the company and did not mind saying so. What had begun as a forced outing for Medea had actually proven beneficial, and that made her happier than she could possibly have expressed to Her Ladyship.

[LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH]

Medea's smile and nod encouraged Lady Catherine to smile a little more. She wasn't used to such sinciere compliments and was feeling, in truth, somewhat humbled by them.

"I hope I'm not being too forward, but do you by chance have a business card or something of the sort? I'd like to keep in touch with you, but I don't have any of my own. That is, I doubt my address in Greece would be of any help to you."

In an instant Her Ladyship seemed to be back to her old, no-nonsense self.

"Not too forward at all, my dear Miss Kekelidze!" she cried. Placing her champagne glass on a nearby table she rummaged in her bag to extract a business card (one which stated her position in Art With A Heart, no less) and handed it over to Medea.

"There you are, my dear, all my details are on the card. I'd say it would be easiest to try and get in touch with me via my mobile phone; more often than not I'm in the city rather than at Rosings."

"I've very much enjoyed talking to you this evening."

"As have I, Miss Keklidze, as have I. It was a pleasure to make your acquaintance, and I do hope we shall meet again soon. Perhaps you would like to come and dine at Rosings one evening?"

[MEDEA KEKELIDZE]

"Not too forward at all, my dear Miss Kekelidze!"

Medea smiled broadly at Her Ladyship's enthusiasm. Once Lady Catherine had located a card, Medea accepted it, taking a moment to glance at it as Lady Catherine described the best way to reach her.

"There you are, my dear, all my details are on the card. I'd say it would be easiest to try and get in touch with me via my mobile phone; more often than not I'm in the city rather than at Rosings."

Noting the mobile phone number on the card, Medea tucked the card into her handbag, where it would remain safe and easy for her to find.

"As have I, Miss Kekelidze, as have I. It was a pleasure to make your acquaintance, and I do hope we shall meet again soon. Perhaps you would like to come and dine at Rosings one evening?"

Medea smiled at the invitation, blushing faintly from flattery. "That would be wonderful, Your Ladyship. I would be honored. Perhaps we can work out the details when I call you."

She saw another wave through the corner of her eye. "Goodnight, Lady de Bourgh, and best wishes for you, until we meet again."

Considering the poor start the evening had gotten off to, she was pleasantly surprised at how much time she had spent talking to Lady Catherine. Maybe she had underestimated herself or misjudged the people in attendance. Her Ladyship, at least, had not really been the sort Medea had expected. She would have to be more open-minded about these events from now on.

With another smile, she hurried over to her friend's side, finishing off her champagne as she went, hardly noticing that the worries she had carried in with her were now just about forgotten, if only for the moment.



[If it's okay with you, this will fin for Medea. <3]