Ana's Room, Brunnhold Campus
Ana had seen that flash of defiance on her sister's face, so much like their father's--and so much like her own, too. Aurelie had been obedient in the end, for which Ana was grateful. She would have been forced to press the issue. Re-dressing had refreshed her sufficiently to the point that she didn't even flinch when her sister had very nearly, unthinkingly, called her "ma'am". She let out a sigh when the bathroom door clicked shut, and turned to look at Niccolette.
Would the other woman stay, if she asked her to? After all, it wasn't as if it would take her such a long time to walk Aurelie back to her room. There was time yet to the night; it didn't have to end, if they didn't wish it to. Ana very nearly considered it; she didn't, in the end. She wasn't sure that she would have wanted Niccolette to say yes if she had. Ana enjoyed her company, and she was a very lovely companion indeed, but Ana's mood veered dangerously close to melancholy. She was not quite sure how long she could keep her thoughts in array. What if she did something truly dreadful, like cried? No, it was best to end the evening here. Even if she was disappointed after all--there was nothing for it.
"Of course," Ana agreed as she crossed the room to stand near Niccolette. She let her snap the front busk closed herself, and then moved to take the silk ribbons in careful, competent hands. "Do let me know if there's too much or too little tension." First the middle, to a careful two inches width. Ana frowned and took it in just a little more--it did not seem quite as firm as it should have been. As she took down the slack, working from top to bottom, she thought of what there was left to say.
"This is not quite how I pictured this evening going, if you can believe it," Ana offered lightly, her mouth curving to an unseen smile. "Although is isn't the strangest one I've spent."
Here Ana hesitated, for once well and truly unsure of how to move forward. She wasn't quite willing to let it end here; she knew that it very well might. She tied the lacing in the back, a knot that a maid could easily undo. "If..." No, she wouldn't say this to the back of Niccolette's shoulder blades like a coward. Ana moved to face the Bastian again, more firm in her smile.
"I should be happy to tell you about that, too, if you should wish. Another time. Perhaps--" Ana cast her eyes to the bathroom door. A warmth crept into her expression that she couldn't quite contain. "Aurelie doesn't live with me, yet."
There was laughter in the offer. Ana didn't think it was likely, but felt that she should make it all the same. One never did know.