#also I love maria being like 'don't worry ariadne I'll fix this' and then straight up betraying this teenager.

[incarnalsims]

Procopia doesn't hesitate to offer her full attention. "Oh, yes, of course."

She closes the distance between them, and Maria swears she can almost see a second thought dwell on and disappear from the duchess' face in the few moments it takes.

"Right," Maria begins, only to feel her jaw tense with a flood of decisions. "Ah, I- I understand this may be sensitive, and I certainly don't mean to overstep, but…" She can only think of one way to explain it, the word suddenly falling more resolutely than she intended. "...Ariadne."

Procopia takes a pronounced breath. "Don't worry, I certainly didn't expect she'd keep her frustrations to herself- even if I find her haste in doing so rather astonishing. But it's nothing you should feel the need to concern yourself with." She shrugs, somehow maintaining elegant dignity in such a casual gesture. "After all, you've been a teenage girl before too. Friction is bound to occur here and there."

"That's… true," Maria responds, "But I'd… I'd hate for this to be any worse than it has to be. As in I'd hate for there to be… additional friction."

Procopia's brow furrows. "I'm not certain I follow."

In her pause, Maria can only nod. "I'm talking around my point, my apologies." A quick breath. "I'd like to offer to accompany Ariadne on this dress fitting you have planned." With that, she suddenly finds her stride. "Perhaps I could even arrange the whole thing. For both your sakes- as effortlessly as I know you could handle such a small task, you certainly don't need the additional worry leading up to the wedding, and I feel as though Ariadne may respond better if she felt as though she were being guided by a… a friend, and not an authority figure." She shrugs, imagining that it's hardly so dignified when she does it. "And, even if she doesn't… I don't mind taking on some of that 'friction' for you."

Procopia considers the offer carefully, before her composure gently relents alongside her decision. "I never want you to feel as if I don't trust your judgment, Lady Maria, because I do, and wholeheartedly at that. And I hope that, in the future, you find no need to convince me so strongly of something I've simply yet to admit is true." She smiles. "Ariadne trusts you. That's all the reassurance I need to accept your help."

Maria feels her breath catch in her throat, though she breaks it with her response. "Thank you, milady, I'll…" She matches Procopia's smile. "She'll come around, I promise."

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