Introduction; a secluded room in the mansion

[southernpoison]

At the end of a hallway where no one usually goes, there's a spartan room. Inside lives a woman, flanked by anonymous nurses that stick with her as obediently as lapdogs. She wears old-fashioned, expensive clothing, including a black mourning veil draped over her face, and her hands, withered and ancient, lay on top of an embroidery sampler in

Comments

[thanitohercules]

*watches her closely, but then bows, because he's not one to deny anything of an old woman in mourning*

'Tis not in me to trouble you, gentle mistress.

[southernpoison]

*bows her head; it's as close as she can get to a curtsey*

No trouble at all. Whatever you'd like, I'll send the servants to get it for you.

[thanitohercules]

*and for that, she'll get a small, handsome smile*

Tea, perchance, would you partake.

[southernpoison]

*swells slightly, genuinely charmed* I'd be delighted to. *turns toward her nurses* A fresh pot of tea, please, and two cups. *the nurses, of course, make no move, as this isn't part of their jobs, and Cornelia rolls her eyes* I must remember to speak to my husband about them.

[thanitohercules]

Your service goes ill-served. *motions to fetch the tea himself* Would you permit me this?

[southernpoison]

*smiles* That's so gracious of you. You needn't.

[thanitohercules]

*another, smaller bow-- for all the emo, no one can say hamlet's not well-bred* 'Tis an honour to equal your invitation. I shall; forgive me.

[southernpoison]

It's a pleasure to be hosting such a charming young man. *keeps her mouth shut, now*

[thanitohercules]

Greatly lesser than to be hosted. *and were he not on his best behaviour, he'd wink here-- as it is, perhaps there's something of it in his face before he turns to put the tea on*

[southernpoison]

*can sense the hint of a wink, and her own eyes might sparkle just a bit at that*