Top of the bill

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina bobs another curtsey at the compliment. Curtsies are such useful things, they give you time to think and a chance to compose yourself when you are surprised.

"You are most kind my lady." She smiles as she responds. "I'm pleased to have been of service and thankful that the gowns suit. As for your own needs I am more than happy to discuss them. Do you wish evening gowns or something less formal?"

She guessed evening, something made in good fabric and with perhaps a little ribbon detailing but nothing startling or 'high fashion'. That said, it didn't do to anticipate in the matter of gowns and of course, the choice of gown can tell you so much about a person.

[Erika Leroux]

"I was thinking both. An evening gown and something less formal. Despite the best care, I have carelessly managed to ruin a walking suit recently. Much as my heart yearns for beautiful dresses, such as the lovely Miss Daye can wear, I do not feel that it would be appropriate for me to draw attention to myself, at least not until my skills in..." she paused, a careful pause, and one that said far more than the words themselves "use of cosmetics has vastly improved. To that end, matching veils for both outfits will be required until such time to conceal the...disfigurement."

She hoped she hadn't shocked Miss Audley too greatly with such a revelation.

"It was a huge oversight, whether deliberate or accidental, that training in such a matter was overlooked. I apologise if this shocks you. However, I trust your discretion, which is why I share this with you now. It would be exceedingly remiss of me to order fine garments without fully explaining my requirements in full, and ruining an otherwise perfectly delightful neckline by the addition of a veil."

[Valentina Audley]

Well that was refreshing. A Nosferatu who wasn't going to turn up as a succession of random people? Simply glorious. Valentina smiles sympathetically.

"If you will allow me a moment I shall fetch my design sketchbook. What are your opinions on the new lace collars? They are very fetching and perhaps if we applied one as an overlay it could give the look you admire whilst also" Valentina pauses and continues diplomatically "allow you your modesty?"

With that she crosses the room to a small table in the corner fetching a sketchbook and pencil and seating herself on the sofa opens to a fresh page but waits for Erika's response before starting to draw.

[Erika Leroux]

"I do have a great fondness for lace - and, if I am to be honest, for lovely things in all forms. Oftimes it is forgotten that such as I might once have been deemed beautiful. Yet I was. And as lively as a summer butterfly. It has been a long time since I have afforded myself the pleasure of wearing beautiful clothes. Perhaps a little lace would be a good starting point."

Again, Erika had surprised herself with her own words. Was there some strange enchantment about this place? Or was it the treatment that she was receiving that was beginning to make her feel more like a person than a monster?

"I must also confess to yearning for a more simple silhouette around the hips. Please tell me that such a thing is coming into fashion? It's so dreary after having had to fight one's skirts sideways through doorways for centuries."

There was a hint of humour in Erika's voice then, an attempt to lighten the conversation.

[Valentina Audley]

The pencil in Valentina's hand springs to life and she sketches busily as she replies.

"I cannot think why they didn't build the doorways wider." Her voice is full of amusement and the quick glance up with a smile invites Erika to share the joke. "However, perhaps luckily for us, skirts have changed. I cannot champion the bustle, as I believe it to be extreme in it's current form, however the natural form is exceedingly flattering."

She considers the sketch in front of her thoughtfully and adds a few more lines.

"If I may be so bold as to suggest, furbelows on the skirt may also draw attention away from the neckline."

She holds the book out to Erika. The sketch is of a walking dress, the skirt gently A-line with trim detailing the hem. Above the skirt a jacket continues the trim detail on the cuffs and pockets. An shirtlet peeps out of the jacket collar, showing a hint of lace. Over the top the figure wears a fashionable hat complete with a lacy veil to compliment the shirtlet. Overall the decoration seems to emphasise the cut of the dress,nothing is overstated and it gives the impression of a lady grown out of youthful fancy but with an innate understanding of style.

"What would you say to something along these lines my Lady?"

[Erika Leroux]

Erika contemplates the sketch for a few moments, before nodding slowly and approvingly at it.

"You have quite the eye, Miss Audley, quite the eye indeed. To listen, understand and interprete is a rare talent. This is perfect, particularly for business affairs. I was beginning to despair of myself. There is only so much arranging one can do via letter, and Miss Daye is likely to be in quite the demand following some of her more recent performances. I would not wish my appearance to let her down in that capacity!"

[Valentina Audley]

Miss Daye's more recent performances. Valentina devoutly hopes Erika is just referring to time spent on stage. Dare she mention the night in the shop the other night? Erika's input on the matter would be useful, but she's an unknown and it could be a risk. Hrm.

"You are too kind my Lady." She looks up and smiles at Erika before dropping her eyes to the sketch book and adding a few notes before turning to a fresh page.

"A few moments more and I shall attempt to sketch out a suitable evening gown to accommodate your tastes." The pencil springs back into life and sketches busily.

"Speaking of Miss Daye, I trust the new gloves are giving satisfaction? It was so nice to have her visit the shop the other night." She glances up as though to say something then bites her lip and looks down again as though torn by indecision.

There, the ball is firmly in Erika's court. If she brushes that aside as a social nicety Valentina will follow suit. If she takes the hint and asks Valentina for more detail, well, that would be better in Valentina's eyes but experience dictates Elders must choose the path of the conversation.

[Erika Leroux]

Erika smiles.

"The new gloves are indeed giving her satisfaction - at least for the brief time she can hold on to them. She is quite wanton with her possessions, and is likely to be returning here for several more pairs before the season is out, though I have no issues with such. I am used to her ways, as, I believe, she is to mine. I do trust all was well when she last visited? She can be..."

She pauses then, trying to find the most diplomatic words that state her understanding of Miss Daye, that she is a strange creature, troublesome, yet without demeaning her. It is a constant issue for Erika, this frustration and love.

[Valentina Audley]

Oh it was so nice to be understood! Erika provided just the opening Valentina wanted.

She bends her head to her sketch, considering the lines with care and replies "she seemed a little perturbed my lady. She gave me to understand that she was temporarily unsure of your whereabouts and she..." Valentina hesitates again, pencil stilled for a moment before she continues.

"She asked my advice on several matters and I did offer her my thoughts, but as she is your ward I confess I am a little concerned that I have overstepped my place Lady Leroux." Valentina looks up to meet Erika's gaze steadily.

"I wish no quarrel with you my lady and I can only apologise if such actions have caused disharmony between you and your ward, though I fervently hope such is not the case."

[Erika Leroux]

Erika sighs.

"I have no quarrel with you in the slightest, Miss Audley. If anything, your actions have proven most favourable, if indeed she has listened to you. She is..." Erika pauses, again searching for words. "wilful. I try to advise her, but she has none of it for more than a few moments from me since coming to this city. If she has gained a morsel of wisdom from your conversation with her, then I see that as no bad thing. She has been far too easily distracted of late."

Erika lowers her voice and leans towards Miss Audley, glancing around.

"As for my whereabouts remaining a mystery? That is true. Miss Audley, I fear that there are certain...younger parties in this city, who believe that they should take that which they think is theirs, and be damned with propriety as they make demands of their Elders. I was approached at the theatre, by one veiled and armed. I therefore took appropriate precautions, and still do. Miss Daye has, be it through ignorance or desire to ignore the obvious, no idea of the danger in which she has inadvertantly placed her guardian."

She sits back in her seat, affecting an air of world weariness, of burdens too weighty for her broken frame.