(Untitled)

[senseforromance]

Enter a young woman, looking quite miserable, for lack of a better word. Without noticing her surroundings, she collapses into a chair, sobbing as if her heart were breaking and clutching a tear-stained letter in her hand. This is Marianne Dashwood, who's just received some very bad news. Who'd like to comfort her?

Typist: Like it says,

Comments

[star_in_night]

"What's wrong?" softly, earnestly.

[senseforromance]

*curls into herself, still sobbing* Oh--! Oh, it's Willoughby! *and that name just brings on even more tears*

[star_in_night]

Helpful, that. Elaine comes over and lays a gentle hand on her shoulder.

[senseforromance]

*the typist would like to note it's hard to get sense out of Marianne when she's like this* *still sobbing* He is engaged --

[star_in_night]

Elaine has no idea what she's on about, of course; but she's perfectly happy to stand there patpatting until something more coherent emerges. So she does.

[senseforromance]

*and the sobs will be subsiding, just enough so she can actually be coherent* My -- *gulps* Willoughby is engaged to another, miss. I thought we -- we were to marry, and...*oh, now she's sobbing again*

[star_in_night]

"I'm very sorry." And it seems as though she truly is. She finds a clean handkerchief in the pocket of her slacks, and offers it.

[senseforromance]

*takes it with a slight nod, and dabs at her eyes* Th-thank you, miss.

[star_in_night]

"I'm not miss," she says softly, diffidently. "It's just Elaine. Is there anything I can do?"

[senseforromance]

*a bit of a smile* Not unless you can bring me Willoughby, Miss Elaine.

[star_in_night]

Elaine smooths her hair gently. "I'm sorry."

[senseforromance]

*dabs at her eyes again, getting calmer -- Elaine reminds her of Elinor, for some reason* I dare say this has all been a horrible mistake.