Enter Stage Left:

[sixpearls]

A lady enters. She is young, perhaps thirty years, with a pretty complexion, blue eyes, and a fine smile, although it is small and warm, the smile of one who knows she intrudes and wishes to assure the company that she means no harm, and is well-bred. She pauses, and then enquires, in a soft and lovely voice,--Good day. I am Mrs. James Watson, and

Comments

[lawyer_boy]

*smiles and bows* Bonjour, Mme. Watson! I believe your husband is about, but I am not precisely sure. I haven't seen him in some time.

[sixpearls]

*extends her hand modestly for a kiss* Thank you, sir; I hope I may find him. May I ask for your name?

[lawyer_boy]

*kisses her hand gracefully* I am Marius Pontmercy. A pleasure to meet you.

[sixpearls]

And you, Monsieur Pontmercy. I hope we may become better acquainted during my stay.

[riveroffire]

*looks at her for just a moment the way anyone else might look at a cardboard cutout, before something clicks in his brain and he arranges his features into the usual charming smile* Lodgings here are, conveniently, free. Just find a room that isn't taken and effectively occupy it before anyone else does. It's the mansion at its best. *holds out a hand, and is exuding that trust me vibe* Phlegethon Hades. Charmed.

[sixpearls]

*watches him very cautiously; she is a sharp woman, and very observant, and his look has not escaped her* I thank you, Mr. Hades. *extends her hand as well, for a very delicate touch, as handshakes are not quite her style*

[riveroffire]

*lets himself frown just slightly before smiling again* Not at all. This place ends up being nothing like you expected and everything you feared would happen to you.

[sixpearls]

Indeed? *tones her voice softly in order that it be deferential to him, although clear that she does not like what he is saying* I must take care, then, that I am ready.

[trusty_sidekick]

*there's shock at first-- a wife he'd thought was dead, a wife he'd mourned, a life he'd continued alone-- there's a little intake of breath, a little bit of a tremble that's not quite contained--*

*breathed:* Mary. *gives a small, faint smile and extends a hand* Mary, it's you.

[sixpearls]

Oh, dear James! *hurries forward and takes his hand in both of hers*

[trusty_sidekick]

My Mary. *pulls her a little closer* I'd-- oh, you don't know what I'd thought.

[sixpearls]

*rests her head upon his shoulder; the display of affection is inappropriate in public, but she is so glad to see him again* I feared I had lost you.

[arapidpace]

*will just be sulking now, thanks*

*though if anyone asks he's brooding dramatically, because the world is not paying enough attention to him being boring failing to present him with challenges worthy of his skill*

*yes*

[sixpearls]

*oh, hello there, sulky fellow!*

*smiles affectionately* Mr. Holmes.

[arapidpace]

*...sulking is somewhat more difficult in front of Marys, dang it*

Mrs. Watson. *she doesn't get one of the rare Smile smiles, but she does get a gracious tilt of the head*

*and now he really needs to rationalize all of this so it makes sense because it's much harder to just ignore it when it's someone you know*

*knew*

*know*

*thing*

[sixpearls]

*because Marys quite like you, all things considered!*

How have you been? *holds out her hand*

[la_baronne]

*curtsies and smiles* Bonjour Madame Watson. It is a pleasure to meet you!

[sixpearls]

And you, Madame. Might I know your name?

[la_baronne]

I'm sorry! How dreadfully rude of me! My name is Cosette. Cosette Pontmercy. I believe you've already met my husband?

[sixpearls]

Yes, I have met Monsieur Pontmercy. He was very kind. I am very pleased to make your acquaintance.