Tea for two

[Erika Leroux]

"Oh, that's truly adorable. You two will have a delightful time. Being able to be together, to be alone, to love..." Erika gives Eponine's hand a gentle squeeze. "I can honestly think of nothing better. To hold your love close, while under the sky, the gentle rocking of the waves and the water. You have to be closer than normal, and you want to be, so it doesn't matter. And many of the little everyday distractions are gone. Instead you both see sights with new eyes. Even if he's seen them before, you will bring a new perspective to it."

She pauses.

"But tell me...I adore hearing about romances - when did you both first realise?"

[eponine]

"We were fond of each other before my embrace, he used to visit my mistress Selina when I was a ghoul and he was always so kind, when I was embraced and taken to the tower to learn and to train we would correspond and he invited me to come to Bath and live with him, each night my love for him grows."

[Erika Leroux]

Erika laughs softly, a happy and gentle laugh.

"So our delightful Mr Black's courtship was a cover, so to speak! I did wonder about that..." She looks at her companion appraisingly. "I did not have you marked as one who would...hmmm...fall lightly to his charms. I am glad that my judgement was correct. There is a deepness to your being that I would not have considered until now, if you'll forgive me for saying so. You understand masks as well as I."

[eponine]

She drops her gaze into her lap with a coy smile.

"It was really so much fun being courted publicly, but I could not commit to him with my heart belonging to Elder Campion. To my surprise when I told him he was charming and wonderful and rather flamboyant but that my heart belonged to another he suggested that we maintain the masquerade, not only for the cover for my own relationship but he enjoys the scandal public courting commands, even suggested we turn our public displays into a game! He knows no to whom my heart belongs but he was very sweet about it all and he and I still 'court' but we both know where we stand"

[Erika Leroux]

Erika nods.

"Dor...Mr Black is, I admit, quite delightful company, and I am exceptionally glad to have him as my Whip. And friend." She breathes slightly, wraps her hands around the cooling cup of tea. "Before I arrived in this city, truth be told, I had no friends. Here, I find myself with both friends, and a family, so to speak. I realise all too well how much we need such connections. Without them, we let ourselves become the beast, the monster that we attempt to tuck away in the shadows. They're necessary."

She settles back in her seat then.

"I am very grateful for this city, and those who have become my friends and family." Her smile is warm, as are her eyes, when they meet Eponine's. "Thank you for being one such."

[eponine]

The Prince's smile relaxes her and she smiles back and her shoulders drop slightly.

"Forgive my poor etiquette and informal address, I fear I have become a little complacent of late."

[Erika Leroux]

Erika waves her hand at that.

"Pfft! There is a time and a place for etiquette and address! We, my dear, are taking tea and talking friend to friend." As if to prove the point, she winks quite dramatically and her smile widens. "I don't think that formality suits discussions of the heart, unless it is a publicly formal affair."

"Is there anything you might require for the travel, while I think of it?"

[eponine]

She smiles and is grateful her host is so gracious.

"I do not know what I will need to be honest, Cosette says I will need plenty of books as they will all be in different languages if I were to buy books while on the road, and she ad Lugg are sorting maps and I have plenty of ink and parchment, as well as pencils to draw with but that is all I can think of. Have I forgotten anything?"

As she asks that final qustion her head tilts slightly to the side

[Erika Leroux]

Erika considers for a few moments. Then, without any explanation, she unpins the simple, but elegant brooch, set with a pearl, from her lapel, and pins it upon Eponine's instead.

"How about a small token to remind you of your friends at home, should ever places seem too strange or you feel in danger of being overwhelmed?"

[eponine]

Eponine looks completely stunned at this beautiful gesture. As Erika pins it onto her she looks down at it and as Erika pulls her hand away she touches it gently.

"My Lady it is beautiful, I dont know what to say, thank you!" her voice is almost a whisper as if the breath, if she had one, had been taken away from her