A better class of visitor

[Erika Leroux]

Erika paces nervously. Every noise, every little movement, she expects it to be the veiled doctor. She hasn't felt this nervous since...

...was it Paris 1703? The shadow she'd caught in the corner of her eye there? She was convinced she'd been followed. So she'd taken a carriage, moved on, not stopping until she felt safe. Always with the running, always with the hiding, not knowing if this time she'd escaped for good.

She wonders for a brief moment, was she truly running away from him, or herself? He's likely long gone now, and if not, then she doubts that it concerns him any longer. Perhaps a matter of pride, that he might stumble upon her some day, and wish to exact his final revenge. But little more than that, surely.

Ah. Revenge. A sweet word, sweet in the manner that molten sugar is hot, burning the skin beneath. Her bitter heart burns as hot and as dangerous, as she waits, with her own bag packed. There will be revenge. And there will be pain.

She continues to pace, wondering now, re-reading the letter that Viktor had sent, wondering if she'd misread his intentions, and then tuts to herself. Her experiences with stagefright knows this is nothing but nerves. Viktor said he would meet here here. He will be here.

[Viktor]

Politeness costs nothing. Wrapped up against the cold with a bowler hat upon his head the rosy cheeked gentleman finds one of the stage hands and asks them to inform the Lady Leroux that Mr. Williamsons Senior has arrived to act as her escort for the eve if they would be so kind. As the young man scurries off the figure finds a place out of the cold to calmly and politely wait for his companion for the evening.

[Erika Leroux]

Erika starts as the stage hand knocks at her door, then laughs quietly as they announce that she has a gentleman waiting for her. Swiftly she dons her hat and heavy veil, and leaves her quarters, stopping only to press a coin and a letter upon the the member of theatre staff.

"Thank you for notifying me - and would you please be so kind as to see that Miss Delaney receives this?" Though her face is hdden, she makes certain that the smile in her voice is heard, and then limps towards the direction she was pointed in search of her escort.

[Viktor]

An unfamiliar face and figure awaits her as she rounds the corner although the gentleman tips his hat briefly toward her as she approaches.
"Good eve Lady Leroux, I apologise for the manner of my appearance but I hope you will forgive me. As recompense I hope this small gift will suffice?"

He holds out a small pouch toward her.

[Erika Leroux]

Erika nods her acceptance and takes the pouch. She notes its contents, and laughs quietly as the penny drops.

"I thank you, your gift is far more than recompense, and there is no forgiveness required. Indeed, I feel I must apologise yet again for requesting that we meet so soon and in such different circumstances to those which I had expected." She glances around, somewhat nervously, as if looking for shadows, then appears to relax a little. "Everything appears to have gone a little awry."

[Viktor]

There is a vague, dismissive wave of a hand.

"Think nothing of it, your company and conversation are most welcome but such matters should be discussed in more suitable surrounds. Shall we?"

The figure gestures toward the door with an expectant look.

[Erika Leroux]

"Please."

Erika exits the theatre, and lets her companion take the lead.

[Viktor]

The figure gives a small nod before the pair head out into the lamp lit evening. They travel a short distance away before turning into one of the alleys of the city but do not emerge from the other end.