Top of the bill

[Erika Leroux]

The heavily veiled woman reaches towards the door, pulls away, nervously, but not before the bell is stirred. She starts, sighs and enters the building. It's painfully obvious that she feels out of place and that her movement is obviously painful. Her clothes are plain, though they are neat and of good quality. She looks as though she cares about her appearance, yet the world does not. Her head lowered, her face completely hidden, she waits patiently.

[Jacob Swainswick]

The couple looked up as one: her, a small woman with hair cut in a fashionable style and the neat navy uniform of a shop assistant, the cut elegantly understated; him, a tall and well-dressed young man with a high forehead and a pleasant smile. It's the young man who speaks.

"Good evening, madam. Cold night out, isn't it? Do come in. Anna, the lady's shawl, if you please."

If the young man was at all startled by the layers of veil, he hid it easily enough; nor did he offer insolent curiosity toward her hobbled movements. Closing the ledger that the pair had been examining, he offered a small bow of his head. "Jacob Swainswick, at your service."

[Erika Leroux]

The woman inclined her head a little in acknowledgement of the young man's words. His manner seemed to settle her nervous disposition slightly.

"Good evening, Mr Swainswick. Miss Erika Leroux at yours. I have come to settle an outstanding bill." She fumbled, not without some awkwardness, in the leather bag that was at her side, and produced the appropriate paperwork for Mr Swainswick's inspection. "I hope everything is in order?"

[Jacob Swainswick]

Swainswick seemed pleased as he took the paperwork. The handwriting on the bill was his; for an instant he was surprised to hear Miss rather than Lady - but, he supposed, the former appellation offered a lower profile.

He thrilled at such a clandestine notion.

"Ah, Miss Leroux - how pleasant to make your acquaintance. Miss Audley has been anticipating your visit. I know that she's very keen to meet you - won't you come through into our fitting-room?"

With a small gesture he indicated the door that led to the inner sanctum.

[Erika Leroux]

Erika headed towards the fitting room as directed. If she'd appeared nervous as she'd entered, those nerves were no longer showing. Her posture regained some of its pride, despite the limp, and she looked about the room she'd entered with curiousity, and a hint of nostalgia, remembering times past when she had been fitted for a gown.

[Jacob Swainswick]

"Please, Miss Leroux, do take a seat." Swainswick stood in the centre of the parlor; although he was ready to offer a hand or even an arm should their guest require it, he neither hovering nor fussed unduly - for such behaviour would be ungentlemanly.

The decor was modern, with a sofa and a couple of chairs where a client could bring a friend or companion to hear enthusiastic second opinions; a large, free-standing triptych of mirrors had been wheeled into one corner of the room and presently stood closed. With the hallway door closed, the sounds of Miss Wilkins' bustling in the shop front were quite muted. The room seemed bright and cosily warm, as befitted the heart of the little boutique.

"I'll fetch Miss Audley forthwith. If there's anything else you require, please don't hesitate to mention it and we'll do our best to accommodate you." He smiled once more, nodded his head slightly in salute, and retreated to the threshold, not wishing to keep Miss Leroux waiting unnecessarily.

[Valentina Audley]

Inside the workroom, Valentina has been listening intently. She heard the shop bell go and the murmur of voices. She couldn't make out the words but that was alright, Jacob's tone of suppressed excitement told her most of what she needed to know. Another Kindred come calling and one Jacob assumed good things about. Unlikely to be someone he's met already because he'd either bring them straight through or make her excuses.

That left... She mentally reviewed the past few nights. Maestra. Lady Erika Leroux. Good grief. Clans Malkavian and Nosferatu are turning positively farcial. Unless, is this some kind of plan to keep her out of something else? Well, if it is it's suceeding. She sighs and shakes her head as she stands and tidies away her current project. By the time Jacob makes it into the workroom she's stood by the door, hair tidied, dress straightened and delicate lace gloves on.

"I suspect the Lady Leroux would prefer to meet with me without attendants darling, so please keep Anna busy and out of the way until we are finished." She smiles sweetly at him.

[Jacob Swainswick]

"Of course, Miss Audley." His eyebrow quirked in humour. "I hope that she'll not be disappointed that an arrival after dark doesn't presage another early dismissal for the day. That's not a habit I wish to instill in her."

(Of course, Swainswick was burning with curiosity over their latest visitor: the obscuring garb only further piquing his interest. But it seemed better to receive any news second-hand than risk his mistress' ire over any protestations; now that he found himself in the know he would not chance damage to that situation.)

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina quirks a smile. "The stock take must go on regardless of nocturnal customers."

With that she whisks away, into the fitting room where she curtsies respectfully.

"Good evening Lady Leroux. How kind of you to grace my humble establishment." The words are sincere. Valentina is curious despite herself along with a healthy desire not to offend her elder if she can possibly avoid it.

[Erika Leroux]

Erika smiled underneath her veil at the sincerity in Miss Audley's greeting. She had been unused to such welcomes for a long time that it was still a delightful novelty to hear them. She considered a moment whether she should ask Miss Audley to simply call her Miss Leroux, but prudently decided against it. Miss Audley knew what she was doing, and Erika found herself secretly appreciating the feeling of respect.

"Good evening, Miss Audley. It is my pleasure. I have been meaning to visit for a while, and thought I would take the opportunity to attend to payment of bills in person, in the hope that we could speak that thank you for Miss Daye's splendid outfits in person."

She paused for a moment, and continued, words tumbling out over themselves, as if they'd taken her by surprise, which they had.

"I fear that I am also in need of your fine work - it has been a long time since my own wardrobe has seen any new items, and, while they are of quality, they are suffering a little from wear. I am after nothing particularly fancy, alas, for my appearance would not befit any of your finest gowns. However, I am fond of excellent cuts and attention to detail, and your fine establishment has proven itself more than worthy in delivering both."