Private Message to Poppy Pomfrey

[alt_antonin]

I woke having dreamt of our discussion of the other night, which generally means my subconscious has identified something my conscious mind has missed and is trying to get through to me by whatever means necessary.

If you will indulge me -- when you said that St M's wanted more regular data on my progress from you -- you said it was "your team of Healers" making a request. By that, did you mean the request arrived under Healer Kosta or Healer Allthorpe's seals, or was the parchment unsealed and signed "on behalf" by one or more of their juniors?

I do not necessarily begrudge them the data if it will lead to faster recovery or to others in my position receiving better care in the future, but some of what is being requested seems -- well, "intrusive and irrelevant" is as good a term as any. My suspicions are beginning to stir.

If you were in my shoes, would you accede to their request? Given that I do wish to advance the state of knowledge where possible, but not by sacrificing too much of my privacy, my convenience, or your time and effort that should belong to the students.

I also must ask: if I decline to cooperate with the monitoring they have requested from you, will that reflect badly upon you? Please be honest: I am aware you are a very dear friend of Auri's and for her sake I would not want to cause you grief.

Regards,
Antonin

Comments

[alt_antonin]

Poppy --

Thank you. Your perspective is invaluable in assisting me to evaluate their requests and I greatly appreciate the time you have taken to explain that perspective. I must think further on the merits of cooperation -- I do, in fact, sympathise with a desire to make one's mark on one's field of study, but (quite justifiably, I suppose) am wary of attempts to do so should they override my own primary goal, that being the restoration of my good health as much as is possible.

Your advice regarding blanket consent is quite sound, and likewise appreciated -- once I have a moment to recover from this hellacious day, I will write to them to refuse that blanket consent and request more information regarding the purpose to which this data, if collected, will be put.

I hope I did not offend with my extraneous considerations. It is not that I doubt your dedication to upholding your healer's oath; it is only that I have heard in passing of the difficulties you have had in the past with certain of St M's staff, and I would not wish to exascerbate those difficulties needlessly. If you would be blamed for my refusal, I would not necessarily accede -- but it would be a factor in my deliberations.

In regards to your followup, meanwhile: if (as I suspect) you mean Miss Perks, who has told me of her interest in pursuing your profession, there is very little I would wish to deny if I could be of some small use in her education. Today is, yes, not the day for it (and I am to be plagued with further visitations tomorrow as well), but shall I stop by for tea on Saturday afternoon so we can discuss?

Regards,
Antonin

[alt_poppy]

Saturday would do nicely. Half-three or thereabouts?

[alt_antonin]

That sounds lovely. Do allow me to bring the refreshment. (Auri, damn her, has got me addicted to the products provided by her café -- so much so that I have arranged for a biweekly delivery for the staff room to sweeten the tempers of certain people throughout our meeting.)

Regards,
Antonin

[alt_poppy]

I have to agree with you about the quality of their wares. If I didn't know Aurora so well, I'd suspect them of blending a craving compulsion into everything they bake, but she wouldn't patronise the place if they did.

I look forward to Saturday.

[alt_antonin]

If one might not rely on Auri's scruples, one might at least trust in my paranoia: the precautions I regularly take would catch any such compulsion. Alas, we can only blame the talent of the baker.

I will see you on Saturday -- unless certain august personages attempt to hijack my time for the third day running.

Regards,
A