(Untitled)

[ambitious_woman]

[There is a Reinette, who if not perhaps completely lost to the 'hijinks' of it all is certainly getting into the spirit of things. She is on the very top floor, legs submersed into one of the outdoor baths. She is wearing swimwear, of all things. For a woman accustomed to wearing layer after layer of corsetry and silk? Well, the feel of the water

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[ambitious_woman]

[As she was raised to be]

[She becomes aware of him]

We do.

[Only then does it occur to her that they are speaking of rings. She pulls it closer still for study.]

[ambitious_woman]

[Oh, but if that does not spark her interest. Her eyes light.]

Truth?

[ambitious_woman]

Have you managed it then?

[ambitious_woman]

[And perhaps the hijinks have indeed infected her because Reinette makes a confession. Which is dangerously close to a weakness]

I do not know how. My mother did not allow it. And unlike most of her wishes that I managed to circumvent, I was never able to arrange that part of my education.

[ambitious_woman]

[she thinks, then, that it is very likely he saw all this in her mind. He merely wishes to force her to say it aloud. Reinette understands, because she would do the same]

I was very ill when I was a child. It forced my withdrawal from school. Any sort of lesson would have certainly endangered my health. And after Madame LeBon's prediction? Such frivolity served no purpose towards reaching that goal.

[the shimmering gold is lovely, but she moves no closer]

[ambitious_woman]

I no longer fear for my health. [there is a slight bite there] Certainly not in this place.

That is not what is endangered by my not knowing how.

[quit making pretty things Master, you know how she is]

[ambitious_woman]

I could.

[And risk failing in front of him. Which he knows quite well. With a last glance at the fading flower and then to the color of her suit, Reinette slips into the water]

[ambitious_woman]

[and if only because it amuses her to say so]

For shame.