Tonight

[alt_sinistra]

It looks to remain clear tonight, so if anyone would like to join me for some relaxed star gazing on the Astronomy tower, I’ll be up there after supper until curfew.

There’s a particularly good chance to see a half dozen of the brightest objects in the sky at once this week, during the first hour after sunset, and the crescent moon makes for good stargazing in general.

Comments

Private message to Sally-Anne Perks and Pansy Parkinson

[alt_sinistra]

Thank you, both, for your thoughtfulness - I’m sure the tea will be a help tonight.

How are you both doing today?

Re: Private message to Sally-Anne Perks and Pansy Parkinson

[alt_pansy]

I'm glad.

I think everyone is still sorting out things. But the star gazing sounds like it will be lovely, and a nice distraction, which is something we all need would enjoy. I'll be there.

Thank you for passing along what you did. I appreciate it.

Re: Private message to Sally-Anne Perks and Pansy Parkinson

[alt_sinistra]

Thinking about it this morning, I know I want some distraction tonight, and I'm sure I'm not alone.

And yet, something undemanding. I'm certainly not up to complex work myself, today.

On passing things along, well. I'm glad I could answer Sally-Anne's questions.

Re: Private message to Sally-Anne Perks and Pansy Parkinson

[alt_pansy]

I know that for me at least, looking up at the stars, especially familiar ones, it's like seeing friends. And it's nice to see them in the places they're meant to be, right where you expect, and know where they'll be in a day or in a year or in a hundred years.

Re: Private message to Sally-Anne Perks and Pansy Parkinson

[alt_sinistra]

Yes, exactly. I've thought that since I knew there were stars to look at. (And to be honest, it's driven a lot of the projections project.)

They're there, and they move as you know they will. And occasionally something exciting happens - a nova, or a comet or a meteor shower. But even the novas are about the natural lifespan, the way things are supposed to work. It isn't a surprise.

Private message to Poppy and Pomona

[alt_sinistra]

We weren’t sure if there was going to be further discussion, or another command performance today, but apparently not, so I’m back in the castle now, in my rooms.

Poppy, were you horribly overwhelmed last night? I know a number of students were listening on the wireless, though that was much better than being there.

Re: Private message to Poppy and Pomona

[alt_poppy]

It was busy, yes, and straight through the night. Night terrors, bed wetting, upset tummies, breathing difficulties, and not a few bona fide bouts of hysteria.

Things are quiet now, though I expect they will pick up again tonight. Thank you for extending yourself to the students with your offer for this evening: that's Healer's work, as well.

Re: Private message to Poppy and Pomona

[alt_sinistra]

I quite understand, having been close enough to hysteria myself, most of last night. I'd regret the copious applications of alcohol when we got back to Spencer, but it was the best of a bad lot of choices, I think.

As to tonight, well. It seemed the thing. I know it will steady me, and the responses so far make it clear that I'm not the only one.

Yesterday was - I don't even have the words. And knowing that students were listening (Miss Perks carefully asked me some questions that made that clear) was even worse.

[alt_padma]

Thanks, Professor. I think that'll be well grand, just to spend a quiet night like that.

[alt_sinistra]

I've heard that from several people, yes. I'm glad the weather's cooperating.

[alt_pansy]

I'll be there too.

Maybe you could tell some of your stories, Padma. About the constellations. You're awfully good at story telling, and I know that I always find them really interesting, and there'll be people there who haven't heard them before.

[alt_sinistra]

That's an excellent idea, yes.

I had a book on the Babylonian stories out for something, too, and perhaps I'll bring that up.

[alt_luna]

That actually sounds like quite the perfect thing to do tonight. Thank you, Professor.

[alt_sinistra]

You're very welcome, and I look forward to seeing you.