On the subject of missing items

[Christine Daye]

"If she has, then they have been very slow to deliver it!"

Christine takes a breath, calming herself, then blinks in surprise.

"The... the... council of neonates? What do I think about them? Oh... what do I think about them?"

She thinks for a long moment.

"Well, I was not present for the first council, though I did assist in...tidying up... the resulting mess..."

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina laughs merrily, inviting Christine to share the amusement. "Gracious darling I've no notion of what you think, hence my asking! Was it so very awful? To sort out the mess?"

She looks reflectively down at the sewing. "It is a big responsibility isn't it? To tidy after others have made a mess?"

[Christine Daye]

Christine laughs half-heartedly, but still seems troubled.

"It is...it was.."

She gets a petulant look on her face.

"And I got no credit for my efforts... that all went to Maestra..."

She casts a quick look at Valentina.

"Miss Audley, forgive me if I pry. But...you are an independent woman of means, well respected in Court. How do you achieve this?"

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina laughs again. Then sighs.

"I have independent means through inheritance darling. An inheritance I should rather not have acquired so soon. My sire..." She shakes her head in seeming sorrow and sews pensively for a moment

"As for respect... Everyone always needs a button sewn on darling and none like to offend she who makes the clothing, lest They find their seams coming undone at an inopportune moment..." She grins catlike for a moment.

"Of course it helps at the moment that my lady has risen so high in Bristol..."

There's another long pause in which one thread is tied off and another started.

"Those who mentor us often take the credit for our work darling. It is part of the price of having the protection of a mentor."

Valentina eyes her work critically then sighs a little, shaking her head.

"So you were at the second council were you? What was on the agenda?" The questions are asked almost absently as though she speaks without much thought.

Christine's comment suggests this council was a fairly recent development, which is a point of note. Now to try and find out what was actually said at such events.

[Christine Daye]

Christine giggles.

"An agenda? Oh, I fear you have a far greater opinion of the... professionalism... of the council... than is warranted..."

She looks into the distance for a moment, hums a musical phrase.

"Do you get to Bristol often? Only... I have heard that there is a new opera by Bizet due to be performed next year. I hear it is quite, quite scandalous!"

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina laughs.

"Dear me, do you mean to suggest that nothing happens at these exalted council sessions?" She sounds highly entertained.

"As for Bristol, I was there for a short visit recently, though I do not get there as often as I should wish. Travel is dangerous at the moment and arranging escorts takes time. The opera sounds diverting though. Tell me, are the performers known?"

She looks up from her sewing and smiles apologetically. "I'm afraid I am quite ignorant in the ways of music, beyond the knowledge that I enjoy it greatly."

[Christine Daye]

Christine echoes Valentina's laugh.

"Oh, no, not nothing! A great deal of posturing and preening occurred, with a few tempers flaring. It was a very trying night indeed."

She looks down at her hands again, trying to hide a little smile as she remembers the night in question. Then, looking up again.

"As for the opera, 'Carmen' it is called, no, it is not being performed by one of the big troupes, but a new group that is not yet well known, but I have heard good things about. The subject matter is quite, quite scandalous! Lies, deceit, thievery, murder! Quite thrilling!"

She is more animated now than she has been since entering the shop.

"And oh! There is something that will appeal to you, I think - one of the roles, the baritone - he is a toreador, a bullfighter. In Spain. He has the most glorious, martial, and prideful aria!"

She hums the first few lines of the aria in question, her finger twitching to keep the time.

"And Carmen herself - she is a mezzo-soprano, my own range. And so I would dearly like to go!"

Her face falls.

"But without Maestra to make the arrangements, I will just have to pray that the company decides to tour and come to Bath."

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina notes the move to hide her expression. Curious indeed, but Valentina regretfully decides she's got as much information as possible without looking overly fixated.

"Darling, I do think you are worrying unnecessarily about your maestra. I am sure she will find you soon." Valentina smiles sympathetically but speaks decidedly, hoping to stem the moping before it takes hold of Christine again.

"As for visiting Bristol... I make you no promises Miss Daye, but..." She pauses deliberately and holds the hoop up to inspect it before continuing, "If this opera is as you say I might like to go and should your maestra and my lady be agreeable perhaps you could accompany me. Dear Dyonisia is a harpist you know and very fond of music. She may enjoy a musical visitor."

The first test is to see if Christine picks up on the hint. Valentina applies herself to her stitching again and waits for a reaction.

[Christine Daye]

Christine's eyes light up like a child's on Christmas morning.

"Truly? Oh, Miss Audley! That would be wonderful! And to meet Lady Dyonisia! That would be a greater honour than I could dare to hope for! I have said to you before... I am sure I have...that my own skills at the harp are pitiful in comparison to hers...but to even meet her..."

She trails off, looking completely star-struck.

[Valentina Audley]

She smiles sweetly. "I make no promises darling, but... We shall see."

Valentina stops stitching for a moment, clearly lost in reverie. She remembers the heady days of times past and Dyonisia's harp recitals. She sighs, a little melancholy at the thought of these special days no longer being anything like a frequent enough occurrence.