An Evening In

[Manacledairman]

[Valentina Audley]

"The problem is a lot of gossip says he tried to stop my fashion show being a success. Put quite a lot of effort into it apparently. Of course it failed miserably, if he did try to stop it that is. There's no proof that suggests it's true. But anyway, my show was meticulously planned and a fabulous gala! Not even-" She stumbles over her words, grief flaring wildly over her aura and a sob suddenly finding it's way into her throat.

She casts the tie aside, fumbling in her sleeve for her hankie and then pressing her face into it.

[Lady Grace]

Grace looking pained.
Is it weakness to suggest that she needs help in front of him?

An instant later she decides that she doesn't care when her friend is in such pain.

Grace moves over to Valentina and kneels by her chair in concern. Grace is ready to offer a hand hold or a shoulder as required.

[Manacledairman]

Aldrich is slightly taken aback by Valentina's break. But remains calm. He turns his chair so he is facing and her and leans forward in a friendly manner.

"I'm sorry if I've caused you distress Lady Valentina." His tone is sombre and careful, he reaches into his jacket pocket and removes a handkerchief and offers it to her with a small caring smile across his face.

[Valentina Audley]

She stays still, face buried in her own handkerchief for a long moment.

"Sorry" She whispers. "I'm sorry..."

Another pause as she tries to collect herself.

"I keep forgetting. It's the unkindest thing you know? Everything keeps going and it all seems so normal, and then... And then I remember and it hurts. Again."

Her trembling hand finds Grace's for comfort.

[Manacledairman]

Aldrich steadies himself a little

"You have no need to apologise to us Lady Valentina, not for feeling." He collects his thoughts "we revere our humanity, and to feel pain, loss, mourning is all part of that. I'm sorry to have awoken pain in you however. Truly."

He offers his own hand.

"You do not have to be strong in this room with this company. Lady Grace here obviously cares for you a great deal and I will admit I've grown quite fond in the small amount of time spent. You are a credit to our society. It is all too easy for those like us to become numb and empty, to forgo emotion because it's easier than feeling. I'm glad I'm in the presence of one who is not like that. Truly."

He stops, almost aware that he probably has said too much and probably isn't helping. His hand remains however.

[Lady Grace]

Grace smiles gratefully at Aldrich whilst he offers his words of comfort. Her eyes convey a profound, 'thank you', as she holds Valentina's hand sharing in her pain.

She thinks over the Elder's words for a few moments,
"l truely believe that to feel and to keep feeling, keeps us safe and whole. Even though this existence leads us to the melancholy, as long as we still feel we are as close as we may be to remaining true to our purpose and to who we were before the beast came for us. Emotions are a blessing as well as a curse,"

[Valentina Audley]

"If I knew how to go numb I probably would." She admits, pain making her more honest than she might otherwise be.

"It hurts so much and I know in time it will stop hurting so much and..." She stops for a moment. "That knowledge hurts most because it feels like a betrayal."

"Oh Francis..." The last is a murmur on the edge of hearing before she abandons herself to the kind of tired weeping where the tears don't help but you can no longer hold them back."

[Manacledairman]

[Lady Grace]

Grace has sat listening holding Valentina's hand.

"There is no shame in grief.
Better here than in front of unfriendly eyes,"
She says quietly with a look to Aldrich.

"I am still of the same view as before. He could not have escaped it, no one action could have brought things on a different path. I still don't know why I am here, when and others are not," she stops abruptly. No good can come from talking like this. Certainly no comfort for Valentina.

"I am sorry," this is quieter still as Grace debates the merits of leaving to allow Valentina some privacy.