Nerves will be the death of me [Alexandria]

[Claire Beauchard]

It was going to be one of those days apparently. Claire thought that morning as she laid in bed staring up at the ceiling. Her nose was clogged and she had to breathe through her mouth. Her stomach rolled and she covered her hand, prepared to lunge for the side of the bed and the chamber pot, but luckily it passed. Her frequent illness had apparently shown itself once they arrived to Tresteria much to Claire's displeasure. And she'd done so good on the boat ride too... 

She waited a few moments before she slowly removed herself from the bed. Knowing today would be a big day for her Queen, and Claire wanted to support her as best she could. She hadn't known Edward, had only met him once and then had heard the horrors he'd tried to do to her Queen. Claire had wanted to protect her as best she could, but felt inapt at it. She was small. Very small, and often fell ill, but she tried not to let it get to her. It had taken Teagan a whole day to make her feel better about what had happened and for Claire to feel not as helpless. 

Rising from bed, she could feel the head congestion shift, and she picked up a handkerchief from her nightstand and blew her nose. "Uuugh." She moaned, wiping her nose. She set it back down and went about finding her dress for the day. She sniffed as she went about the room she'd been given and quickly got ready, or as quickly as she could since she wasn't feeling well. Claire's mourning dress was rather simple,  and she paired it with black flats. She brushed her hair quickly and put it up in a neat bun, reaching up to finger her bangs into place. She nearly groaned at seeing herself in the mirror. She looked even paler then normal and her nose was already red tipped from her runny nose, and there was a tiredness around her eyes. She took some powder to try and hide the dark circles. She put a simple little necklace on that was a small gold flower, before she left her room in search of her Queen. 

This was the first time she'd been out of Aralore other than when they'd moved back, but she'd never been to Tresteria before. The castle was large and Claire wandered down the hallway, only she paused. Unsure of which way she was supposed to go to find Queen Alexandria's and King Aric's rooms. "Sugar snaps." She cursed, with a little stomp of her foot. She looked around, before she hurried down a hallway, and then another, thinking she was in the right area. "Queen Alexandriaaa......?" She called softly, unsure of herself. 

She felt it then, the tingle in her nose right before a sneeze would happen. "Oh no...."She said quickly, hurrying with the handkerchief she'd stuffed into her dress's pocket. She wasn't quick enough before the sneezing fit struck her. "AAAAH-CHOOOO!" For being such a small woman, she had quite the loud sneezes, and this one shook her body from her head to her toes. Luckily no one was around to see the snot coming down her nose, or so she thought... before she reached up with her handkerchief. 

Alexandria Eveleigh- Demarais

[Stefan Gifford]

Stefan stood outside Aric and Alexandria's room.  The Tresterian prince had left earlier on, and the queen was alone within the room.
It was a quiet morning and he was glad for it, but it made for a long and boring one.  As long as his queen was safe, however, that was all that mattered.  He would stand here for days on end if he needed to.  

But when he heard the voice call out for Alexandria, he peeked around the corner of the hallway and spotted Claire wandering about aimlessly.  He chuckled softly and when she sneezed that loud sneeze of hers, he totally saw that snot coming down her nose.  He cleared his throat to get her attention and pointed in the direction she needed to go in.  Not before motioning to her nose.  "You ah.... Got a little somethin'...."  

He led her the rest of the way to the queen's room before he placed a knock on the door.  "My queen, the lady Beauchard is here to see you."  He nodded to Claire and offered her a smile.  

[Alexandria Eveleigh- Demarais]

Alexandria had woken early that morning and hadn't been able to fall back to sleep. She spent the morning staring out the window in thought, worrying over what the day would bring and how things were faring in Aralore. She trusted Orin was quite capable of handling things, but still... She worried about it all.

When Aric woke, he had gotten himself dressed and told Alexandria he had some matters to attend but would be back in time to escort her to where they needed to be. It allowed her some privacy to get herself ready for the day. The funeral would begin within the hour and Alexandria wasn't certain what to expect, how to dress, how to even act while she was in Tresteria. She was a foreign queen to their prince and she only hoped she would not disappoint Aric or leave a bad taste to his home and family.

She sat at the vanity staring at herself in the mirror, wondering and fearing that Tresteria's people would blame her for their king's death. He had died in her home. How could she have let this happen?
Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard her name faintly spoken in the hallway, followed by a rather large sneeze. She knew the sound of that sneeze and it made her frown a bit, only out of concern that Claire was falling ill again.

She sat, waiting for a moment until she heard the knock on her door, followed by Stefan's voice. "Come in, please." She answered, turning her body and gaze towards the door as she waited for her lady to enter.

[Claire Beauchard]

"So gross. Uuugggh." Claire mumbled. She could feel the stream of snot on her top lip, and raised the handkerchief to wiped it when she heard someone clear their throat. Blue eyes suddenly looked ahead and could see someone poking around the corner. Not just anyone, one of Queen Alexandria's guards. Her eyes went wide, and she paled for a moment, as if she'd suddenly been turned to stone as she froze. A look of horror suddenly took over her face once she realized which guard it was, and her face was pale one moment and as red as a tomato in the span of a blink of an eye. "S-s-st-efan!" She squeaked. 

She slammed the handkerchief into her nose, covering her mouth with it as well, so all the possible boogers were out of sight. She felt light headed suddenly. As if she was about to faint from the embarrassment (she probably was.) Her body started to tremble and her movements where jerky, as she placed her other hand on her face, wishing she could just fade into the wood works. How EMBARRASSING. In front of Stefan! Steeeeefan! "Kill me now." She whimpered into her hands. As much as she wished that would happen, her Queen was waiting. And since Teagan wasn't there to do damage control, Claire was going to have to suck it up and face the giant booger in the room herself. 

She quickly wiped her nose,  and then wiped it again, and then again. Hoping she got rid of all signs of snot. She quickly moved forward. Following after Stefan. She couldn't bare to look at him, and if he glanced at her he'd see she' was bright red, the blush even going down her neck and disappearing under the neck of her dress. Even the tips of her ears were red. 

"T-thank you." She murmured. Her eyes darting up to his for a moment when he announced her, and then they went right back down to looking at her toes. The moment she heard Queen Alexandria tell her to come in, she darted for the door, but didn't open it quick enough and slammed into the door, "Ooof." She said, as her hands struggled for the handle. She pushed against it but it wouldn't open, and she slammed into it again. She fumbled with it again, letting a small whimper out as she realized she was looking like a snot nosed fool in front of one of her queens guards. "Sugar snaps." She muttered in her sudden outrage at the stupid door, trying for the handle again. She glanced up at Stefan, having to crane her neck way back and gave a nervous laugh, when she finally got the door open. She fell backwards, her eyes going wide, and she squeaked. 

Her arms did a windmill motion for a moment, as her body turned, and the her legs moved to try and regain her balance. She quickly regained her balance, holding her arms out at her sides and she was slightly bent over, but she was standing. She took a moment to take a deep breath and gather herself, before she quickly straightened. Her eyes the size of dinner plates and she could practically feel the heat coming off her face. "G-good morning!" She squeaked out, smiling brightly at Alexandria. 

[Stefan Gifford]

Stefan stood there after announcing the lady's arrival to the queen. His arms folded over his broad chest and he motioned with a nod for Claire to make her way into the queen's chambers. He could tell she was slightly embarrassed by him pointing out the snot running out of her nose--but, had it been him, he would have wanted someone to tell him!

He glanced down at the floor, not wanting to cause her anymore embarrassment. Or maybe himself. But he couldn't stop the small smirk that formed at the corners of his lips.

But suddenly, he heard a loud thud noise and he quickly glanced back up to see that Claire had slammed right into the door. His eyes widened and he looked at her curiously. What? What just happened? He noticed her struggling with the door handle, so he moved to assist her with it, but was suddenly slamming into the door again. He couldn't help it. He started to chuckle. "Here... let me...." He caught her gaze and grinned at her. "get that... " He reached for the handle but the door was opening and Claire was falling. He quickly moved to try and catch her, and he helped her steady herself. "Are..... you... alright?" He hesitantly asked her. But she was going into the queen's room already, so he reached for that pesky door handle and quietly shut the door.

He stood there for a moment, just staring at the door, and then the floor, and then the door again. What? What just happened?
He scratched his head in puzzlement and then shook his head and laughed before turning and leaning back up against the wall.

[Alexandria Eveleigh- Demarais]

Alexandria heard not one... but two thumps against her door, and she looked at said door with a bit of concern and confusion. Maybe a little bit of fear. No, she heard Stefan's voice and he announced that it was Claire. Surely nothing was amiss.

She slowly stood up from her seat and took a step closer to the door, wondering if she should just open it herself. But being away from home made her feel slightly more nervous. When the door finally opened, she caught sight of Stefan trying to help steady Claire, and she looked at both of them with a confused gaze. But Claire was stepping into the room, greeting her. And she did not look or sound too well.

When the door shut, Alexandria looked Claire over carefully and she frowned. "Claire? Are you feeling alright?" She asked concerned. She moved over to her and placed an icy cold hand on the woman's forehead to feel if she was warm. "Have you fallen ill?"

[Claire Beauchard]

Claire smoothed a hand over the skirt of her dress, and shoved her handkerchief in her pocket, and smiled at Queen Alexandria as she moved closer to her. "I-I am fine!" She said trying to be cheery but knew she probably looked the complete opposite. She held very still as her queen touched her forehead, her cold fingertips suddenly feeling very nice. She reached up to touch her own cheek. Her fingers were a bit clammy and her face did feel warm but she assumed it was from the amount of blushing she'd just done. 

She glanced up at Queen Alexandria and gave her a sheepish smile. "I had um...a...sneeze." She said beginning to explain. "And it um, left a-uh...friend, and S-st-ef-" Oh god she could feel her face getting hot again, and she tensed, her eyes went down to look at her toes while she held her hands in front of her. "Stefan." She squeaked, and swallowed around the lump that had formed in her throat. "Pointed it out." She mumbled. Her blue eyes shifted to look up at her queen, as her lips pressed into a thin line. She took a deep breath, and then a flurry of words came out. "I was so embarrassed and horrified, but he was just being nice and pointing it out so I didn't go to the funeral with a booger the size of my left pinky toe on my lip, but i was mortified! Absolutely mortified, because he's so nice, and h-hands--and I was mortified! I couldn't look at him, and then I couldn't get the door open, and I ran right into the door, twice, and then it opened suddenly and-" She said in a flurry of words. She began to get more animated with her hands and arms as she tried to explain everything that happened. She took a deep breath then, and her body sagged in on itself. "It was super embarrassing." She mumbled. "I'm probably warm from the amount of blushing I did..." 

She cleared her throat and then stood up straighter. Knowing she hadn't answered Alexandria's question in full, she pursed her lips and then averted her eyes. "I did wake up with a stuffed nose..." She admitted. It was obvious to everyone that Claire would often get sick spells. Some she could handle better than others. "B-but I'm okay! I promise. Just a runny nose." She said quickly. She smiled at her then. "Thank you for...asking." She said. 

"How are this morning? I see," She looked around Alexandria to make sure that yes, King Aric didn't just hear the booger story, and embarrass her further. "King Aric is gone early." She said. "Shall we get you ready? I'm not the greatest with hair like Teagan is, but I can certainly try, and I can get your shoes, do you have your mourning dress picked out already? I heard once that multiple options are good, but not too good, you want like three to pick from because it makes the decision a bit easier to make." Claire began to ramble. She was normally very shy around strangers and men in general, but once she warmed up to you she became a different girl entirely and quite honestly, would not shut up. 

If Alexandria allowed, Claire would take her hand and take her back to the vanity as she began took an inventory of what she had to work with. 

[Alexandria Eveleigh- Demarais]

Alexandria listened as Clarie rambled on about her moment of embarrassment. She couldn't help but laugh, her hand coming to cover her lips to try to stop herself. "Oh, dear..." She smirked, waiting for Claire to finish her story. "I am sorry you had such an embarrassment. Is there anything I can do to remedy this? Erase Stefan's mind?" She joked, giggling softly.

Her sapphire-colored eyes regarded her lady for a moment, checking her over to make sure she was telling the truth and wasn't really sick. She was concerned. A slight nod was given to her, though. "Well... If you start to feel worse, I will not be upset if you need to lay down... Or skip out on the funeral."

Alexandria wished she could skip out on the funeral-- but Aric needed her. She sighed. "I am alright..." She started but hesitated. Her eyes moved over towards the bed when Claire mentioned Aric being gone early. She nodded. "Yes.. he had some things to attend to before the funeral."

Alexandria allowed Claire to take her hand and lead her back to her vanity. She sat down and looked in the mirror. At her rambled questions, Alexandria laughed slightly. "I do have a dress picked out already." She gestured to the black gown that was hanging by the wardrobe. "And we can just leave my hair down if that is easier." The Araloran queen was never demanding of things. Nor did she expect much from her ladies-- she was often flexible and spoke to them as if they were her friends and not ladies who worked for her.

[Claire Beauchard]

Claire looked over her shoulder at the dress Alexandria gestured too. "Oh it's lovely!" She exclaimed in glee. Though if you asked her, Claire would say anything that Alexandra wore she looked absolutely stunning in. The girl was completely enraptured with her Queen. Claire came up behind her, reaching around for her hair brush, and took a lock of Alexandra's hair before she began to brush it gently. "Why don't we do half up half down?" She asked. Looking up to meet Alexandra's eyes in the mirror. "It'll be no trouble at all." She rushed to say with a smile. 

She hummed as she looked back down at her task, running the brush through her queens hair with a gentle tenderness. She'd been through so much...She deserved a little care and spoiling, or at least that's how Claire saw it. There was nothing she wouldn't do for her. Alexandria, whether she realized it or not, had saved Claire from her own family. Given her a place where she could actually be herself and not be looked down upon for being the sick Beauchard girl. She was forever grateful, and would do whatever she could to give back for the kindness that Alexandria had given her. 

Claire was focused in on her task, doing the occasional sniffle as she worked. Stupid running nose... She thought. She quickly finished brushing her hair, and set the brush down. Stepping back a good couple feet, she dug her handkerchief out of her pocket again and quickly blew her nose. "Uuugh, I was doing just fine on the boat." She grumbled to herself. Not understanding why today of all days her body decided it was going to get sick. She sniffed,  and put the handkerchief back in her pocket and went back to standing behind Alexandria. "H-how are you feeling about today?" She said almost hesitantly. Claire could only imagine what she must feel like. The funeral for King Edward... She'd heard horror stories and rumors about the man, and it was hard to believe, but hearing what he'd almost done to Alexandria made her almost physically ill. She glanced to the door where Stefan stood guard on the other side. Without him.... She bit her bottom lip, and looked in the mirror at Alexandria. She took a deep breath, and then stepped up, wrapping her little arms around the other woman's shoulders and then rested her cheek on top of her head as she hugged her from behind. Giving her a small squeeze. "I'll be there for you. If you need anything, come heckles or high water." Even if I have to push this sick body of mine... She thought. She smiled at Alexandria through the mirror before she let her go. Wanting to let her Queen know that she knew it was going to be a long day, and that she would have Claire to lean on. And King Aric of course, but Claire wanted her to know she was there too. 

[Alexandria Eveleigh- Demarais]

Her bright colored blue eyes glanced into the mirror and at Claire behind her. She smiled at her and nodded. "Sure." Her shoulders rose and fell in a quick shrug. Alexandria wasn't too fussy or picky over things like that. One may never actually imagine she was a queen if they did not know her, just by how Alexandria carried herself. Claire may have been one of her ladies, but she treated her as a friend more than anything. A friend whom she adored as if she were a sister to her.

As Claire hummed, Alexandria looked down from the mirror and at the surface of the vanity. In front of her were various jewels she was pondering wearing. She forego wearing a crown while in Tresteria, feeling it was not appropriate. But there was a beautiful small hair comb that would be a perfect touch to her hair for the occasion, at least.

She glanced down at her hands, relaxing slightly as Claire brushed through her hair and hummed. It could have easily lulled her back to sleep. But then she was sniffling and her voice kind of stirred her out of the slight trance of her daydream that she had fallen into. Eyes lifted back up to look at Claire through the mirror and she gave her a sympathetic smile. "I'm sorry, love... You should spend the rest of the day resting... I have Aric I can cling to." She gave her a reassuring smile

At her question, though, Alexandria sighed and looked down at her hands again. She nervously spun her wedding ring around on her finger. "I don't honestly know... Nervous, I suppose. I'm so afraid that they will think all of this is my fault... Aralore's fault...He died in Aralore... Why wouldn't they be suspicious?" She frowned and glanced back up, her eyes searching hers for an answer, perhaps. "I'm so scared that they... Whoever takes over Tresteria... Will break the alliance... will force Aric to stay here, away from me... He technically is next in line for the regency if the queen cannot take over herself."

There were so many worries going through her at the moment. She wanted to cry, but lord knows she had been doing that far too much the past month or two with everything that had happened. She laughed a saddened laugh. "I'm sorry-- I do not mean to burden you with any of these thoughts..."

It was certainly going to be a long day-- Mourning a man who hurt her... Who nearly ruined so many things. But Alexandria was great at wearing a mask. It would need to be her biggest accessory for today.

[Claire Beauchard]

"I-I'm okay!" Claire quickly said. Not wanting Alexandria to think she was sicker than she appeared (even though she was she just didn't know it yet...) Claire tilted her head as Alexandria sighed, and played with her wedding ring. Claire's blue eyes looked down at the movement, watching her for a moment before she went back to her Queen's hair while she listened. Claire's fingers little fingers were quick as she gently parted Alexandria's hair and took strands from the sides of her head and began to brain them in a loose yet clean looking braid. 

She paused and gasped as soon as Alexandria voiced that the Tresterians would think it was her fault for the death of their king. "No!" She exclaimed. Not believing a word of it. "He died from that Solarious or whatever their called spy!" She said quickly. "You married King Aric to keep the peace!  King Edward did what he did on his own accord, you are justified for throwing him in prison.Why would they- No! No you did nothing wrong Queen Alexandria." Claire said adamantly. "And I'll fight anyone who argues otherwise..." She growled under her breath. Meaning it too even if she was a little thing. She was fiercely protective of her Queen. 

She caught Alexandria's gaze and placed a hand on her shoulder, giving her a comforting squeeze. "I doubt King Aric will stay here without you." She told her with a smile. "The man loves you very much from what I've seen." She sighed happily. Claire quickly pinned the first braid in place and then placed her hands on either side of Alexandria's temples. Looking at her in the mirror, she wiggled her fingers beside her head, and made a pulling motion as if she was pulling something out of Alexandria's head. "Bad thoughts go away, bad thoughts go away, come back another day, happy thoughts, happy thoughts, happy thoughts are here to stay." She sang a small little tune and then shook her hands out as if she was ridding them of whatever yuck she'd just "pulled" out from Alexandria's mind. "There. Bad thoughts gone." She said simply with a small content sigh. Now Alexandria would have no worries for the rest of the day. 

She went to the braid the other side of Alexandria's hair then. "It's not a burden at all." She said gently. "I don't mind listening to your worries at all Your Highness, I just want you happy so we can all see that pretty smile of yours." Claire said smiling at her in the mirror. "And if that means being a listening ear, then so be it. Also," she placed her hand on her shoulder again, and gave her another squeeze. "You don't have to face whatever troubles you alone. King Aric, Myself, Teagan, Cassie, and Lord Orin, even Stefan, and many others are all here to support you in any way we can." She told her encouragingly. Wanting her to know how loved she was and that there was several people who would support her. 

Claire quickly finished with the braid before placing it right where she wanted it. Taking several pins that she help between her teeth to keep the hairstyle in place before she picked up the beautiful hair comb and slid it into her hair. Making sure it was centered before she lightly fluffed Alexandria's hair. Her brows were furrowed in concentration, and she stuck her tongue out occasionally. Making sure every hair was in place. "Aaaaah!" She cried loudly in glee. Practically squealing in delight at seeing her handy work. She broke out into a coughing fit then, from the sudden irritation her cry had done to her throat, and she coughed into her arm, before catching her breath and sucking air back into her lungs. "Oh Teagan you need to see this!" She whined. Missing her friend. She'd make sure to have to do this hairstyle again for Queen Alexandria and show her. She did one more cough into her elbow, before stepping back, and she clapped her hands together excitedly. "Oh it's perfect! You're going to look even more beautiful, you're going to take King Aric's breath away." She said wistfully with a nod of her head and her smile wide.  She picked up the small hand mirror and held it in front of her at an angle so Alexandria could see the back of her head. "What do you think?" She asked. Eager to know what she thought. 

[Alexandria Eveleigh- Demarais]

Alexandria frowned in concern when Claire insisted she was alright. She always felt bad when her ladies felt they needed to push themselves for her sake. She hoped that she had never made them feel like they were not allowed to take care of themselves first before her.

She sat quietly and still as Claire began braiding her hair and tried to console and convince her that none of what had happened with the Tresterian king was her fault. Then why was she feeling so guilty about all of it? Somehow, she still blamed herself for what Edward had tried to do to her.

A small laugh escaped her lips when Claire threatened to fight anyone who argued that she was guilty of any of it. "Thank you, my love..."

Her smile widened a bit with Claire's observation of Aric loving her and that he would not stay here in Tresteria without her because of it. She could only hope that she was right and that this love would keep Aric with her.
And then Claire began to chant the little tune, trying to will the bad thoughts away. She laughed again and shook her head. "Oh, Claire... What would I do without you? You always know how to make me smile..."

She lifted her hand to rest on top of Claire's when she rested it on her shoulder. Alexandria listened as she listed all of the people that she knew supported her. She nodded in agreement and smiled. "I know... And I appreciate you all. Truly."

Alexandria fell silent as Claire finished braiding her hair. At her exclamation, she nearly startled her, especially as she began coughing. The queen frowned and watched Claire for a moment. "Are you alright?" She questioned before Claire was already continuing with her compliments of her taking Aric's breath away. She laughed and looked into the mirror to see the back of her head. Another smile spread along her lips and she nodded. "It's beautiful, Claire. You did wonderfully. Thank you!"

Alexandria took hold of Claire's hand and pulled her around to the front of her. She smiled at her but gave her a stern look. "Please go take care of yourself, love... I promise I will be alright. Go rest."

[Claire Beauchard]

Claire's smile was beaming. Her face lighting up with the praise, glad to have done something that pleased Alexandria. She sighed in contentment. Yes, Teagan was definitely going to have to see this style again. Oh she was so happy! She couldn't contain the little body wiggle she did.

When Alexandria reached and took her hand, pulling her around so she was in front of her, her smile faltered, and she dipped her head. Knowing the look almost too well that Alexandria was giving her. She bit her lip, and held the mirror she held in her other hand against her stomach. Disappointment filled her at her Queens request. But! But! It was only Claire here! She didn't know where Cassie was that morning, and hadn't heard anything. Claire was the only one Queen Alexandria had to help her get ready. She was fine really! She couldn't let her down. 

Claire couldn't help the pout that appeared on her face. "I'm fine really! I feel fine, I just got too excited." She said trying to reason with her. How often had Claire's mother just dismissed her when she was like this? When Claire got ill there was no one to tend to her in the Beauchard home, and she had spent countless days just in her room while one of the servants made sure she was still alive. Now that she had a purpose? She didn't want to let even a small sneeze get in the way of being useful to her Queen. 

"I promise, If I start to really feel sick I'll go to my room." She told her. "Pinky swear!" She said holding up her little finger. Everyone knew that pinky promises were nearly as sacred as blood oaths right? To break one would bring death and destruction down on them all. Her blue eyes were hopeful, almost pleading. She hated being a burden on anyone let alone Queen Alexandria. She didn't want her worrying about her, but she also really didn't want to leave her alone. Not here, not in Tresteria. What if King Edward became a ghost? What if his evil spirit came for Alexandria? What if it wasn't his spirit? What if he became a zombie and came to eat her brains? The mere thought had Claire's hand clenching around the mirror tighter. No. She had to be there. Needed to be there. She'd help protect her from the stares and glances. She'd be there for her this time.  "Please?" She said softly. "I want be there for you..." She mumbled.

[Alexandria Eveleigh- Demarais]

Alexandria frowned as Claire insisted that she was fine and didn't want to leave her. She wondered if she had somehow subconsciously chosen her ladies because of their stubbornness, or if they had learned that from her.

She laughed softly at Claire's pinky swear and grinned faintly. "Alright... But, the moment you do not feel well!" She insisted.

After she was sure that her hair was done, Alexandria stood up and motioned to the corset on her bed. "Would you help me with that and my dress?"

She randomly thought of Aric and his comment regarding women wearing so many layers of clothes, it made her smile slightly, but she brushed the thought aside and glanced at Claire. "So... Are you missing home already, as I am?"

[Claire Beauchard]

Claire's grin lit up her whole face when Alexandria accepted her pinky promise. "I'll go to my room!" She told her with a nod. She set the mirror down then and put the finishing touches on Alexandria's hair before she looked to where the corset was on the bed. "Of course!" She said happily. Claire practically bounced over to it and picked it up. Holding it up and out, ready to help lace her in. 

Her eyes wandered over the many scars Alexandria had, they always did. They were Claires reminders to never again let someone harm her queen. She was gentle, and get firm as she began to lace the corset up. "Hmm I miss Teagan, a lot actually." Claire confided. Her friend was loud and sassy, and provided Claire with a sense of security. She often looked to the older girl for guidance, and confidence, and the fact her friend couldn't be here because of how bad she handled ships made Claire sad. But she also enjoyed the one on one time she had with Alexandria. Claire's happy place was at her side. She didn't miss her family, and that made her feel a bit guilty, but it was also a relief to not be under there scrutiny. 

Once the corset was tied, Claire moved to help her with the dress. "I'm sad she couldn't join us, but the reunion I'm sure will be very sweet." She said with a smile. "I miss our sunsets as well, and home. Some people I don't miss as much, but I think I miss them anyway?" She said thinking for a moment. "Do you think Cassie is happy to be home for a bit?" She asked quietly. Thinking of the other lady in waiting, and wondering where in the world she was, but also was perfectly fine with it as she got the one on one time with Alexandria.