On the subject of missing items

[Valentina Audley]

[Christine Daye]

Christine's fingers twist tightly around each other.

"I...I don't know if she has been released... All I know is that Lord Viktor... has claimed her as his ward...and oh! I do not even understand what that means in Society, despite being a ward myself!"

Her agitation rises, driving her to get up from the sofa and start pacing the room, fingers still twisting each other.

"I...I last saw her...after the ball...Lord Viktor and Maestra, they brought us to a restaurant... Lord Viktor and Maestra... they were speaking of other things... so Rebeka and I... we were planning a collaboration... it would have been glorious! My music... her dancing... beautiful... beautiful..."

She closes her eyes, hums a musical phrase, then continues:

"I thought it was all arranged. I thought Rebeka would come to the theatre. But she did not... so I went looking for her...but I couldn't find her anywhere! I searched and searched and searched!

"And, at the last Elysium... I asked Lord Viktor about her...he scolded me most horribly for searching for her! And he will not let me see her! And he will not let her practice her art... Lord Viktor and Maestra... Lord Viktor and Maestra..."

She stops abruptly in the middle of the room, her gaze fixed on something that isn't there, and breathes:

"He has taken her from me... Of course! How could I have been so blind? That is where she is...she is with him... And he is jealous of the love she has for me...so he is trying to drive us apart! And she... she is being seduced by him...all the letters...the meetings... sitting so close to him all the time at Elysium... how he is trying to help her...with her sire... He is determined to win her for his own... drive me away... Oh, my poor, poor Maestra! He will break her heart! I cannot let him...no....no..."

She closes her eyes, shaking, and starts to sing, quietly:

"Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap as a hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall sing."

As the last note fades, Christine opens her eyes, blinks in surprise, and sits down again on the sofa, carefully smoothing her skirts.

[Valentina Audley]

Whilst Christine sings Valentina takes the opportunity to close her mouth and school her expression out of the surprise and curiosity it has been displaying. So. Lady Leroux has some Sire based difficulties does she? That's a snippet worth remembering but also currently worth politely pretending it's not of interest. By the time Christine has come back to herself Valentina is watching her with an expression of pity tinged with the slightest hint of disapproval.

"My dear, what is the state of society coming to? It sounds as though your education on status is deplorably lacking." She sniffs. "If the same is true of the other neonates in Aquae Sulis it goes far to explain the rudeness several of them have being displaying. Allow me to explain then."

She sits up a little straighter, unconsciously adopting the air of a society mama about to impart pearls of wisdom to her daughter.

"As I am sure you are aware there are tiers within our society. At the top there are the Elders. They are older and wiser than all others and this is why positions of authority usually fall upon their shoulders, for they have the experience to guide us all.

Below the Elders sit the Ancillae, such as myself. We have proven ourselves capable of surviving and flourishing in our society and that we are able to continue to progress. However, we lack the years and the wisdom of our elders and, occasionally, we are still capable of errors.

Below the Ancillae are the neonates, such as yourself. You are released in society, meaning you are trusted to act independently, but your youth and inexperience means that naturally you cannot be trusted to lead society as a whole and you should be looking above you for help and guidance and taking care to cultivate friendly relations with those you admire most so that you may progress.

Below the neonates are the unreleased. They are those so new to us that they do not have the understanding to be left to their own devices lest through their lack of understanding and attention they bring ruin down on us all. An unreleased remains the property of their sire until such time as their sire deems them capable."

Her face becomes grave and she reaches out to take Christine's hand in her own.

"Miss Corrigan's status as ward is a little different to your own. My understanding is such that Miroslav's claim to her as sire has been denied and that instead this status has been awarded to Elder Viktor. He is parent, mentor and teacher but also jailer, judge and jury. In our society she has no rights, no recourse. Both she and Miss Kira are lucky that in this time of change the Prince in both cases has been lenient and allowed them to continue, but their survival is tenuous and uncertain. Elder Viktor will, quite rightly, take your searching for Miss Corrigan as a slight to himself and you are lucky that he merely scolded you. If you wish to see her you must apply to him, offer boons for the favour you ask and hope he is feeling kindly inclined."

She pauses and takes a deep breath before continuing.

"You own status as a ward of Lady Leroux is different. It is a private arrangement between the two of you and it is quite proper in our society that she should have the leading role, however, outside of that relationship you have the right to speak for yourself and to make your own decisions as much as any other neonate."

[Christine Daye]

Christine hangs on every word Valentina says, occasionally nodding acknowledgement. Then, as the lecture comes to an end, she pauses to think for a moment.

"Thank you, Miss Audley, I think I begin to understand now. Thank you so much for your excellent explanation, and I am sorry to have put you through the trouble of educating me."

She looks down meekly at her hand, held in Valentina's. Her voice becomes tightly controlled.

"Just so I may check my understanding... am I right in thinking now that there is nothing I can do to help Rebeka...my friend? And if I am to see her, I must apply to Lord Viktor in all humility and beg his favour? Oh... I would do it...i would... for the reassurance that she is well... but I fear...I fear that he...well, that is no matter..."

She shakes her head in dismay, then flashes a quick look at Valentina.

"Oh, forgive me, Miss Audley! I did not intend to inflict my worries upon you...you have been so kind to listen! And your advice... oh! It is clear... and I thank you so very much for it! I have so much to learn... thank you for taking the time to enlighten me!"

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina is beginning to be intrigued, despite herself. Erika Leroux is clearly someone to watch carefully. That said, her methods are impressive. Probably best not to upset the relations between Christine and her Maestra then.

"Darling, didn't you just say that Our dear Master Harpy is solicitous to Lady Leroux? I think that there is you answer. If you wish to lend your aid to Miss Corrigan, then were I you, I should apply myself to pleasing Lady Leroux and when I had done all that I could I should apply to her to entreat her to bespeak Elder Viktor on my behalf."

She smiles sweetly at Christine. "As for the advice, think nothing of it darling. It is a pleasure to find a neonate willing to learn!"

It was as well. After the wretched George and the deplorable Dorian, Christine was a breath of fresh air.

[Christine Daye]

Christine starts as Valentina mentions Viktor's feelings for Erika.

"Did I?" she asks, confused. "Oh...but that makes so much sense!"

Her face falls, her tone depressed.

"But Maestra is wroth with me... and I do not know why... and she has left me alone! So how can I please her if I do not know if I shall ever see her again?!"

[Valentina Audley]

"You must search your knowledge of Lady Leroux and act only in a manner which you are sure she would find no fault with if she were with you and you must hold yourself to her standards and wait patiently for her return. Can you do such a thing? Possibly until the next Elysium?" Valentina lets a note of kindly concern creep into her voice as she talks.

So, the little songbird doesn't remember what she said when she started to stare into the air and talk. Also worth noting. This night was turning out to be most informative.

[Christine Daye]

"You are very wise, Miss Audley... very wise.... I shall do my very best to follow your advice... thank you again... a thousand thank yous!"

Despite her general air of dejection, Christine seems a bit brighter now she has a clear path in front of her to follow.

"You have been so kind, Miss Audley, so kind! Is... oh I cannot think if there is anything... but is there anything... I might do for you?"

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina smiles. "Perhaps in the future at some point I could attend one of your performances? I do enjoy listening to music so." She sounds a little wistful. "There seems to have been little time for such pleasures of late..."

She seems to suddenly remember something. "Oh and should you find the Lady Leroux before the next elysium would you be so kind as to pass on my regards?" A wry smile quirks her face. "I should not like the lady to think I am without the manners that I have just preached to you."

[Christine Daye]

Christine smiles, a genuine smile of delight.

"Oh, of course, Miss Audley, of course! Only send me word at your convenience, and I shall see a box reserved for you!"

Her face falls again.

"And I will pass your regards on Maestra. Assuming I ever see her again..."

She pauses, hums a bit, then another thought strikes her, and she looks embarrassed.

"Miss Audley... while Mr Swainswick is out... I did not want to speak of this... in front of him...he is a man...after all..."

She twists her fingers, looking mortified.

"...only...do you have any... underthings... in stock? Chemises...? Unmentionables...? If so...I should... like to purchase some...as well as the gloves..."