#unyeldingvalxr

[smiletimeisrunningout]

@unyieldingvalxr x Philomena

The rain had forced her to seek asylum, if only temporarily, waiting for her carriage to come, and it was plain as day from the men's mixed emotions that they really hadn't wanted an esteemed female guest to be anywhere nearby, when alcohol had just started flowing and female guests had already made their appearance. They obviously wanted to keep the princess from having to bump into one - wasn't sure if they were working women or just women who were having a bit of fun, but Emma couldn't care less as long as no one was getting hurt, and she sneaked away a moment to find a mirror.

The one who had been described in a quick whisper as 'an actress' was there too, and Emma smiled. "I am new to this country's costumes but I hope you'll allow me to say that I find your dress lovely, milady. And your hairstyle even more so, with the humidity today I can't quite fix mine..." she looked at the mirror then, adjusting a curl with a little twirl of her finger.

[smiletimeisrunningout]

"Only if you call me Emma freely, and if people question it you can tell them it's the princess' request, my dear," Emma smiled, squeezing her arm while all too happy to follow. She was perusing the crowd, curious to see who was Philomena's partner that night. Hopefully someone worth of her company. "As always, no plans, I am left tragically companionless. And with my hair and dress looking so nice this time, what a pity." It wasn't so much a pity as a reward for her misbehavior, not being kind to a man who had decided to impress her by being merciless to the needy that day. Men could be such idiots.

@smiletimeisrunningout (requested starter)

Fondness curls about her lips as she spots the other woman. "They didn't tell me we would have your esteemed company this evening, your highness." Philomena was quite pleased. She takes the other woman's arm. "I simply must insist you join us for dinner should you have no other plans."

[smiletimeisrunningout]

@unyieldingvalxr "quickly! get inside!" Philomena urges, ushering the other in. She has information that she is eager to pass on.

"If you are about to tell me you got very lucky with that handsome soldier, I saw him and congratulations!" Emma does follow the order, curious to hear what Philomena wants to share - now, any other lady of this country had been there, she wouldn't have spoken so freely, but Philomena isn't as shy and Emma is glad she doesn't have to pretend to be either. Unless this is about some other idiot bothering her, in which case Emma is equally ready to listen and then act very violently about it.

[smiletimeisrunningout]

open to all mutual muses she knows - moving it to new post @unyieldingvalxr - Elsie

"Is that for me?" First nightmares and sleeping in, then one of the bad headaches, and Emma had been forced to stay in bed to recover, coming out only after dark to look for something to eat. She expected scarce leftovers, but actual food was there. "You are the most lovely, amazing person I've ever met!" she beamed, and kissed the cheek of her savior, "Thank you so much."

"Yeah. A'course it is." The complimentary remarks do not go unnoticed in Elsie's book. "I ain't so certain ya gonna want ta thank me. Less ya're partial ta groundhog and sweet potato, that is. See cause of Bloody Ban we aint got no new rations in months. 'Cept for the shipments we disrupt ---"

"What's not to like?" Emma shrugged, forcing herself to handle the plate like a lady and not a bear, despite the desperate need to fill her stomach, "Meat, good. Sweet potato, also good. Tomorrow I could go hunting, if you tell me there is something to be hunted nearby. I promise I'm good at that."

[smiletimeisrunningout]

"I doubt we have, my dear. I'm from Europe, just arrived," she's found it's easier to start from there, her kingdom isn't as well known as England, "I'm Emma. What's your name?" It appears the little compliments had been enough to make her happy, and Emma is pleased. She likes when women feel appreciated in a world that tells them they have to follow so many rules to be appealing.

"Of course you can! Please, save me, my looks are all I have," she jokes, but this may just be the nicest interaction she has had in a while, something so genuine and simple. "The White kingdom, actually..." she hesitates because she's not quite sure of how she's supposed to finish that sentence, "The... princess... of the White Kingdom...? Visiting."

Amenable, a smile is cast towards the other blonde. The multitudinous lavishment of gracious compliments were few and far between. The actress finds her's cheeks turning a cheery shade of pink. "My darling, you are quite kind to say such things. I don't believe we've made acquaintance before. Have we?"

"Oh?" Mena gasped. "It is awfully dreadful of the weather. Here, let me share a little secret..." A fine comb is furnished from her belongings. "May I?" There are tricks Cheer learned on the Street that just might work wonders with the other woman. "Where did you say you were from? Can't quite place you among this crowd."

[smiletimeisrunningout]

So it was just a job - pity, she had hoped Philomena was simply having a good time. She doesn't know how the other woman can stand doing that if it's not about fun - or love, sure, there is that option. Emma knows she could at best force herself to kiss a man she doesn't like, and would already be planning to punch him if needed while she does. "Why are men like this..." she mutters, taking the parchment to see, "I understand that they feel so grateful after what we do to them that they may start talking about all sorts of things, but forgetting what should be a secret..." Though it probably has to do with how harmless men in the colonies seem to deem women, as opposed to back home.

"But if you mean Arnold, sadly yes. If you mean have I met Henry Allen, not yet. But I'm guessing as a princess... as a pretty princess," she amends with an amused smile to Philomena, "I could open us doors to meet either group..." her eyes dart to the other lady, "Was he at least nice to you? Soldier boy?"

Incorrigible, a smile deigns to venture across the actress's poised lips. Cerulean orbs come alight with new life at her companion's response. Where she had anticipated some sort of rebuke, there was--a congratulations? A golden brow arches with intrigue and she huffs out a laugh. "He did sing quite beautifully after the third or perhaps fourth round.."

A piece of parchment is delicately produced with a flourish. "Here are the intended targets, he just happened to grit out the information. He also suggested Arnold is not as popular as he thought he'd be. Sources say Henry Allen and with his band of Green Mountain boys and Arnold quarreled because of his ego. I haven't yet the man. Have you?"