[Introduction] There's no need for red-hot pokers.

[x_postal_ines]

They had been getting on with it, over and over again. The game had been repeated so often that she knew it all by heart, like an actor's set of lines in a play.  Now, it was Garcin's turn to speak - but those words were not his, really, they were hers, stolen. Had he been ever anything else but that, a coward? A thief? Stealing Estelle's attention

Comments

[silvercrowned]

Celebrían may just be passing through a doorway toward wherever Inès is walking, quite by accident, really. And she is a little lost, looking perhaps for the library, because it seems a likely haunt of her husband's. So, have an elf, stepping closer softly, dressed in soft silvery white, tall and quite regal, and blonde.

"My apologies, lady..."

[x_postal_ines]

Whoa hallothar! Ines can't help but stare a little, she's so beautiful, it's really striking. "-- you never could do anything wrong," she tells her, immediately enthralled. "You are beautiful like an angel."

[silvercrowned]

Her look, from mildly concerned about having lost her way changes to one of mingled relief and confusion. "Whatever effect my looks have is no matter, they will not show me the way to the library."

She is aware of the woman's fascination - but it is an uncomfortable awareness, a prickle at the back of her neck, and makes her feel like a butterfly skewered on a pin. But she is too well-mannered to show the discomfort. "I thank you, all the same."

[x_postal_ines]

"Of course," Ines replies - she's a bit... off her footing, if anything. "Perhaps I can help you find it? I've only made it here," the corridor, she means, "very recently. The library would probably be a useful find for me as well."

And also, I can spend more time admiring you, my precioussss.

>.> Might we gently poke at our threads with Mags and Nell?

[silvercrowned]

"Very well," Celebrían agrees, apparently with some ease, though she can't help but wonder why this woman, whose outward manners are friendly enough, is making her skin crawl as she does.

"I was seeking my husband," she says by way of explanation, perhaps a soft warning, "and he is likely to be found in whatever place has the most books. Were you looking for anybody? It is often that, upon arrival or so I have been told - one's kin is already here."

[x_postal_ines]

Husbands are mere little obstacles that can be pushed under tramways - Inès isn't deterred, and hasn't noticed yet the pointy ears - she's too busy being awed at Celebrían's beauty.

"If I find a friend in you, Madame, that will be enough," she replies. "I don't have any family, and I don't suppose if I did that they would be here." And offering her a handshake, she adds, "I'm Inès - Inès Serrano, from Paris."

[silvercrowned]

Celebrían looks at the proffered hand in some surprise, and after deciding it is a gesture of greeting, she takes it and clasps it between both of hers. "Celebrían of Imladris. Surely you must have a family, and even if they have passed from life in your world, they may be alive here. I have met some people from what for me is be an age or two past."

And still, there is a note of unease at being -- marvelled at, so. If she knew Inès' thoughts, there would surely be a different tone to her reply. "Friends are not found, in my experience, they are made. But I am not disinclined to try, perhaps." She twines a strand of hair around her finger, perhaps inadvertently baring her ear.

[x_postal_ines]

Inès spots the ear - but she's blind to its oddness, or perhaps decides to ask later. What she wants, right now, is closeness to this beautiful person, and she's more than willing to be blind to things she doesn't understand.

"I'm glad you want to try," she says, and her other hand joins the three in the pile. "I've been so terribly lonely..."

[silvercrowned]

"That is a very sad thing," she agrees, quietly. "I would hate to see anybody linger in sadness. Walk with me, perhaps we shall find the library yet."

[x_postal_ines]

"I would like that," she replies, and might keep Celebrian's hand, unless the elf makes sure to retrieve it. "Have you been here long?"

[silvercrowned]

"Not long enough to become acquainted with the house as well as I would wish," Celebrían replies, wondering at the other woman's tactility, and yet again heeding that little inner voice counselling caution.

"Should we seek for the library?" At least walking will allow her to get her hand back. "I take it you are a recent arrival as well, then?"

[x_postal_ines]

"Everyone I've met so far seems to think so - and frankly, I don't know, since I... was in the room, then the corridor... and I recall being int the room a very long time."

Surprisingly, she's not lying. Then again, Inès needs to lie only very little.

[silvercrowned]

"Then it is good you have found your way outside. Did you make you way to the common room yet?"

Celebrían is concerned now. Not overly so, but remaining cooped up in one room, she imagines, cannot be healthy.

[x_postal_ines]

"You just found me out for the first time.... Take me there?" There's something a little bit bewildered in her expression, and it's only partially affected.

[silvercrowned]

"That I can do, if you are ready to meet many more people. It is commonly crowded there, and yet there always seems to be a space to sit, here or there," is Celebrían's reply, in a gentle tone now, like one she would have used to explain a new thing to her children. It is not derogatory, or anything of the sort: with Inès confused and recently arrived, it is easy to sympathize.

And she starts walking, slowly.

[x_postal_ines]

"I suppose that would be entertaining," she replies a touch quietly. "I wonder if my former -- roommates will be there."

She's still amazed that she is talking to this woman. This stunning woman.

And in fact, it could be amusing if we make it there, since we're still with the old 'couch on fire' canon from DF (it's generally forgotten, but I wouldn't mind reviving it for the lulz, if you want.)