[For Sugar (and Sophie)] Familiar faces in unfamiliar places...

[non_foxy_widow]

It's been a few months since Emmeline woke up in this strange place, and despite the initial surprise and confusion, she's settled in and even established a routine. She's been taking walks on the grounds every day that she can, and the fresh air has done wonders for her health

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[crimson_sugar]

Sugar, on the other hand, has not been told unless Emmi got the news from Cal, in which case we can't imagine he wouldn't have told her.

She's on her way out for a walk of her own, her clothes a little more modern than Emmeline might expect, but still reminiscent of her era, and she is still, ah, she is still unmistakably Miss Sugar, if freer, happier, calmer, and.... three, almost four years older.

She'll just freeze, staring, eyes wide, when she spots Mrs. Fox.

[crimson_sugar]

So long as Darkling is kept in check, but Sugar has something for that, which she's not telling anyone.

"He will," she says softly.

I love him, she doesn't add.

[non_foxy_widow]

"He is more than just a friend and protector?" she asks carefully, but with a small smile of approval.

[crimson_sugar]

Sugar's blush is probably answer enough - in truth she would tell Mrs. Fox that she should mind her own business.

Instead, she tells her the lie she's almost come to believe, in all those years.

"He is my husband."

[non_foxy_widow]

She smiles a bit, gently. "Then you chose a good man when you met him: he seems like a hard man, but one with a good heart," she replies. "You've done well here."

[crimson_sugar]

Sugar blushes, nods. "I.... thank you."

Pause.

Small voice.

"So... we may keep her?"

[non_foxy_widow]

"I probably do not have the authority, but if I did, I would say that you have every reason to keep her in your care: she was your charge and you have never shirked your duty, unlike those who share her blood," she says. "After all, King Solomon judged a woman who truly cared for a child as the fitter of the two who claimed it as theirs and the one who should keep the infant."

[crimson_sugar]

Sugar isn't sure what all that means, beyond the fact that Mrs. Fox isn't going to fight her for Sophie, and that apparently is enough to reassure her.

"-- thank you," she says, still a bit cautious.

A beat.

"Is there anything... have you been well tended to?"

[non_foxy_widow]

"Yes, I have been settling in better than I expected," she says. "The people here seem quite kindly, though...there are some ...peculiar sorts here."

[crimson_sugar]

“I am glad,” Sugar replies softly. “.... should... should .... would you like to come for tea?”

[non_foxy_widow]

She smiles at this offer. "I would like that very much, thank you," she says. "I've had nothing trouble me that a good cup of tea cannot put to rights."

[crimson_sugar]

"I'm very glad to hear it," Sugar replies. "That... is good news."

She's wondering if she should speak about real Mansion troubles.

[non_foxy_widow]

"Do I dare ask, is it always so peaceful here?" she ventures, tentatively. She's finding it a bit hard to believe any place could be without it's rough side.

[crimson_sugar]

"No," Sugar replies. "It's not. And it's been peaceful, in fact, for perhaps too long now."

[non_foxy_widow]

She raises an eyebrow at this. "Do I dare ask what happened?" If there's been trouble, she may need to know in order to prepare herself for it.

[crimson_sugar]

Sugar, however, feels the need for great caution.

"My lady," she says, whispering a little, "let us go back inside first."

It's silly, of course - but it would be a small reassurance, to have a roof over their heads while she mentions the Devil.

Even if the reformed prostitute is hardly pious herself.