On the subject of missing items

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina laughs in girlish amusement. "For future reference you may always ask for Miss Wilkins to attend you if I am not here and you have such needs."

She puts aside the embroidery and stands, moving over to the drawers, opening some and selecting a range of neatly folded white cotton garments, her hands moving swiftly and surely.

"How many of each are you requiring? And do you wish our everyday range, or something... A little more lavish? I have this week just finished three sets trimmed with lace I picked up in Paris, when I was there for fashion week." She turns to smile at Christine, pausing in the act of laying out the garments for the other's inspection.

"They are even trimmed with a green ribbon!" She grins at Christine, all thoughts of scheming driven away by her excitement in the fabric and garments.

[Christine Daye]

"Oooh!" Christine breathes a sigh of delighted admiration at the garments, reaching out to gently touch the lace, the ribbon.

"Oh - they are so beautiful! The lace, the ribbon! And such a beautiful colour! May I... may I have all three sets trimmed with the green please? I know it is terribly extravagant of me...but how can I resist such beautiful things?"

She strokes the lace again in admiration.

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina locates some brown paper and makes a neat pile of the garments in the middle of the paper, tying up a parcel with the ease of practise. She makes a note in the ledger.

"There, discretion guaranteed! As for being extravagant... Dressing well is one of life's little pleasures and it's far easier to go about one's business safe in the knowledge that one looks one's best, no?"

Valentina grins conspiratorially at Christine. "I always wear lace." She murmurs wickedly.

[Christine Daye]

Christine giggles.

"Oh, Miss Audley, for a lady of your taste and refinements I would expect nothing less!

"But I have trespassed on your valuable time enough this evening. I cannot thank you enough for your valuable advice and your wisdom! Please, please, do let me know when you wish to attend one of my performances, I shall ensure that you have all comforts while you're there."

She pauses, a thought occurring to her.

"Or...if Maestra permits...if you should wish a... performance for a... more exclusive gathering... I would be delighted... Maestra permitting, of course... though I cannot see her having any problem with such a thing."

She looks nervous, twisting her fingers, at the audacity of this suggestion.

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina tilts her head thoughtfully. The ability to host a private soirée could come in very handy. Vivian owed her a few favours so no need to worry about where to hold it as she's sure Vivian can find a space suitable to her needs. The down side would be that it put her in the limelight, but then, perhaps being in the limelight as a frivolous pleasure seeking creature would be no bad thing... Probably best to see how this war played out first though. There's frivolous and then there's downright foolish.

She smiles warmly at Christine. "Darling what a simply splendid idea! Wouldn't that be just glorious? Though.." She pauses and her faces sobers a little. "Possibly best to see how the war will affect us first. I don't know about you but I've no desire to have Elder Caspar or Milord Frederics berate my lack of thought in Elysium. But assuming we all survive what is coming I should simply adore it!"

[Christine Daye]

Christine nods, her face serious.

"Indeed, many things must wait on the outcome of the war...oh! How I wish there was something I could do! But what can I do? I am just a musician... not a fighter... useless... useless..."

Her air of dejection returns as her words falter, and she closes her eyes to hum again, low and melancholy.

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina resists the urge to roll her eyes. Erika Leroux must have the patience of a saint to put up with this.

"Darling, couldn't you sing some stirring songs? Or give the money earned from your performances as a donation to the effort?!"

She doesn't suggest the efforts she'll be turning her hand to at some point in the future. After all, it doesn't do to give away all your secrets.

[Christine Daye]

"Oh!" Christine looks astonished. "The money...yes..
Maestra deals with all of that...but I could suggest it! And stirring songs...martial...there is plenty of material, that's for sure! Do you think it could work? It might! I think it might....and it is something I can do!"

She turns a radiant smile on Valentina.

"Once again, Miss Audley, you are a fount of wisdom!"

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina shakes her head, self-deprecatingly. "Hardly darling. They are probably not the best of suggestions. I'm just... In the same position as you I suppose. I too lack the martial abilities we so badly need at this time and I've been wracking my own brains as for what I could do."

She smooths the parcel and then looks up with a smile. "Silly of us both really, because now, if ever is a time to cling to the traditions. We should both apply to our primogens for direction. I shall ask Milord next time I see him."

Something of a formality there, as Valentina is pretty certain she knows what Elijah will want. Still, it really doesn't pay to advertise all your talents...

[Christine Daye]

Christine smiles sympathetically at Valentina, an air of shared concern about her.

"I am to meet with my Lady Fortiscue soon," she volunteers. "I shall ask her for guidance. I shall ask Maestra as well..."

Her voice, when mentioning Maestra becomes tightly controlled, but her agitation is displayed in the twisting of her fingers. She takes a breath.

"Oh, Miss Audley, you must be quite, quite sick of my thanks by now! But still, I cannot help but give them! I shall leave you in peace now, I think. Unless there is anything else you wish to speak to me about?"