Okay, I said this in replies but now I’m thinking about it and procrastinating, so I just want to talk, briefly, about how 19th century balls were just Not Good for ladies.

* You’re wearing an EXTREMELY heavy gown
* with a lot of layers
* Probably a corset, if it’s late enough https://twitter.com/sarahmaclean/status/1337808909025894400

Okay, so think about how difficult it is to bend down, and ask yourself: how exactly are you going to pee, especially since we don’t have running water or flush toilets?

Right.

You’re just not going to drink that much.

Now you’re going to go dance! For several hours! And it’s bad manners to say no to anyone who asks!

So imagine wearing all those layers and then going and working out for four hours and not hydrating at all, except for maybe something mildly alcoholic.

Anyway, it actually shouldn’t be a huge surprise that upper class 19th century ladies fainted on occasion.

They faint for the same reasons we faint, which is that dehydration and exertion isn’t great for you.

Did some of them fake it?

You bet your ass they did. It’s bad manners to say no to a gentleman? Well, shit, fainting on demand is a GREAT way to avoid Sir Gropey Hands.

They had whisper networks back then! Someone probably said, “oh, God, it’s Sir Gropey Hands heading our way!”

”No, Melinda, *I* fainted last time, let’s not make him suspicious. *You* should faint this time! Then we’ll all have to see to your health.”

“Oh very well.”

*faints*

... I feel like this is an excellent start to a f/f romance, of two women who enter into a mutual fainting pact, and discover that holding each other is Very Nice, Actually.

Nobody owns ideas so you don’t have to tell me you’re stealing it! Just be aware there’s a non-zero chance I will write this.

Anyway I need to stop plotting this and go back to the thing I absolutely have to do. Have fun!