(Winter Formal) Mhairi, Evelynn, et al

[Evelynn East]

Evelynn was smiling brightly, pleased that Mhairi Ankaa had arrived, and shot a furtive glance back at Hank Thompson , wondering if he might join in.

She turned her attention back to Mhairi. "I'm really glad Hank didn't scare you away after the diner. How're you settling into town?"

[Mhairi Ankaa]

Mhairi smiles reflexively as she sees Evelynn's grin. A almost tangible weight comes off her shoulders when she realizes that at least one people didn't think she was a flake. Mhairi's eyes follow Evelynn's head turn and wonders if the fellow elemental will wander over.

"Ah...yeah. It's wasn't Hank. Err. It was, but not in the way you probably think." She tries to smile reassuringly, she's positive that it looks crooked and awkward. "I'm not." 'That's not really an answer. Go use more words. I belive in me! God I'm such a weirdo.' "Settling in. I mean. I just got here. By bus, then I wanted pie, and you know how that turned out. Then I was wondering around and now I am here."

[Coco]

"Good evening!" a new voice trumpeted from behind the trio. Turning, it was easy to see the tuxedo clad Wasp striding up to them.

"We have not met," she blithely proclaimed. "I am Cosima Tascioni, though Coco if you prefer, at your service." An elegant bow was made, the top hot expertly doffed in a flourish before it was returned to Coco's head as she rose.

"Who might you be?"

A smile softened the challenge. At least...for those unfamiliar with the Wasp.

[Evelynn East]

Evelynn had opened her mouth to speak to Mhairi, to suggest that she stop by the Boarding House if she needed somewhere to stay, but Coco's approach interrupted her, and she turned her attention towards the loud voice behind her with a smile.

"Hi! It's good to meet you, Coco! I'm Evelynn." She offered the Wasp a clumsy little curtsy and grinned. "And, um, this is Mhairi." She turned her attention back to Mhairi with a gentle smile. "Um, right. Well, there's a boarding house run by Betony Rue you could go to if you need a place to stay. If you're planning on staying in town, I mean. I assume you are, since you're here, right?" Seemed like people didn't come to the coronations unless they planned to stick around.

[Mhairi Ankaa]

Mhairi's lips quirk upward at Evelynn's curtsy, then gave a simple wave as the other women introduced her to the new face. "That's the plan. Staying. I mean. Could you right down the directions for me?" then paused as a thought sparked, "Do I have to pay? Funds are...uhh...limited. I something saved up, but I don't have a job or anything yet."

[Mhairi Ankaa]

Mhairi smiled at the name that froze her mind at the diner "I did and it was tasty," Mhairi whispered to Hank's question, listening to Hank introduce himself to Coco, and trying to keep her mind on Evelynn's advice on the boarding house.

[Coco]

Coco couldn't help but laugh at Mhairi's response, it's unvarnished timidity tickling something elusive in the Wasp's mind.

"Ah, but it's refreshing to have new...perspectives in the 'Hold," she exclaimed on the heels of her laughter. "It had gotten a bit stifling, we'll say, after a few months of seeing the same faces at every coronation. But, alas, I suppose that doesn't matter know. What does matter is ensuring that you all settle in. So, what would you say Mhairi, if I agreed to pay for a month or two of your stay at the boarding house?"

A scarlet brow arose with the question, arcing like a saber over Coco's inquisitive eye.

"I'm a courtier of Spring, after all. I certainly wouldn't mind supporting another's Desire for shelter until they could provide for it themselves."

After all, she'd helped provide shelter to another courtier before. This time, however, she simply wasn't making the mistake of offering her own home.

[Mhairi Ankaa]

Mhairi blinks, once. Twice. 'That would be good. Great Even.' Mhairi sucked in a breath to enthusiastically agree, but a thought tugged at her mind. 'What seems to good, usually is...' "And in return?"

[Evelynn East]

Evelynn's whole expression lit up at Coco's offer of helping Mhairi to pay for her first few months at the boarding house, until she was able to get a job of her own. What kind people! She'd encountered nothing but generosity since she'd arrived.

Which, incidentally, was why Mhairi's response drew her up short. In return? Evelynn's expression fell, but only slightly. She was too trusting, she realized. That's what had gotten her into trouble with the Lord of Storms to begin with. Silly girl. Maybe Coco wanted something in return. Heck, maybe everyone who had been kind of Evelynn so far now expected some kind of favour. But as her gaze swept around the room, as she saw Ava and L'aire and everyone else who had been so kind to her last Coronation... No, that didn't seem right. Even if she was new, these people looked out for each other. It didn't mean all of them were unrepentantly generous - so maybe Coco did expect something back - but she couldn't believe that she'd been secretly roped into a web of favours, either.

Besides, Evelynn's business was booming. She wasn't rich by any means, but she did well enough. If Coco did want something, and if it was a price Mhairi was unwilling to pay, maybe Evelynn herself might be willing to offer her own aid in that regard, if she could. But she stayed quiet, because even shy and clumsy Evelynn knew that making that kind of offer before the Wasp could respond was exceedingly rude, and the redhead hadn't exactly done anything to suggest that she was being anything but kind, so Evelynn stayed quiet and smiling, waiting to see what Coco would say in response.