Though this particular tea shop felt a bit intimidating for Ida, she tried stubbornly to not let on how she felt. She watched closely to mirror Miss Mountbatton's movements, down to placing the same order. This, at least, felt reassuring enough for a small smile to cross her lips. It may seem rude to discuss openly, but Ida was relieved to find that they might share the same misgivings about tea commonly found in these shops.
"Oh," Ida nodded along, genuinely surprised and intrigued by the battle metaphor. Only a few girls at school knew how Ida thought of their upcoming season a war against undesirable prospects, and they often called her dramatic for it. This felt like vindication. Wait until they hear about this! "I can understand that completely... In a way this armor bears the protective power of steeling your nerves and projecting confidence to the battlefield." Ida smiled as she took her teacup with a nod of thanks.
She hummed into the cup and took perhaps a less-than-dainty sip at Miss Mountbatton's question, hoping to buy time. It was inevitable that this conversation would come up and be awkward.
"My mother passed away some years ago, unfortunately," Ida really didn't know how to beat around the bush, so she just set it down straight to get it out of the way. By now she learned to smile with soft reassurance when she said it, encouraging the other that she was well-equipped to discuss her circumstances without sobbing or anything like that. "Survived by my father, my brothers, and myself. Though to be honest, I just learned about the concept of a debut's theme today," she laughed, trying to make the conversation lighter. "So I must admit I am running a bit behind in my arrangements."
@'Natsuko Mountbatton'
"Oh," Ida nodded along, genuinely surprised and intrigued by the battle metaphor. Only a few girls at school knew how Ida thought of their upcoming season a war against undesirable prospects, and they often called her dramatic for it. This felt like vindication. Wait until they hear about this! "I can understand that completely... In a way this armor bears the protective power of steeling your nerves and projecting confidence to the battlefield." Ida smiled as she took her teacup with a nod of thanks.
She hummed into the cup and took perhaps a less-than-dainty sip at Miss Mountbatton's question, hoping to buy time. It was inevitable that this conversation would come up and be awkward.
"My mother passed away some years ago, unfortunately," Ida really didn't know how to beat around the bush, so she just set it down straight to get it out of the way. By now she learned to smile with soft reassurance when she said it, encouraging the other that she was well-equipped to discuss her circumstances without sobbing or anything like that. "Survived by my father, my brothers, and myself. Though to be honest, I just learned about the concept of a debut's theme today," she laughed, trying to make the conversation lighter. "So I must admit I am running a bit behind in my arrangements."
@'Natsuko Mountbatton'