» Act 5, Take A Bow, OPEN, Jemima's intro

[Jemima deCourtenay]

Jemima had always been quite fond of the theatre. In the same way as she enjoyed a good novel, she went to watch a play for the story. The society of the place had never really had an effect on her as she wasn't ambitious in the way of connections. She in fact found the critics and proclaimed experts quite tiresome.

Miss deCourtenay had worn the darkest dress she could find and stuck to the back wall. The last thing she wanted was the conversation of many woman thinking she was one of the actors. Waiting for the opportune moment to slip into the theatre and into her seat. Her brother had advised her against going alone but Jemima was strong-willed and went anyway. The minutes of tedium passed slowly and she waited as calmly as she could for the show. She had never been one for waiting.

[Tristan St. James]

((YAY, finally, a post for Trissy in his hometown. xD))

Tristan, as a general rule, was not one for social events. The poor young man was such a bundle of nerves that often, he could not handle it. There were times of course, that he enjoyed himself immenseley, but that was generally back in Middleton. In London, where he knew so few people well, it was all quite different.

But he enjoyed the theatre, even in London. It did not require much talking on his part, which was always nice. All one had to do was sit quietly and watch, then fulfill social etiquette by pausing for brief moments of conversation before excusing one's self.

Tonight, he was meeting a family from his parish, something he was not particularly looking forward to. They were an elderly couple, the sort that worried too much about him, and his unfortunate marital status.

He was running slightly late, but it appeared that his friends were even later. Making his way to his seat, he smiled politely at a young woman. "Pardon me, Miss," He said as he moved passed her, seating himself near her.

[Jemima deCourtenay]

((Lol, I thought the theatre was being neglected. ))

Jemima sat patiently. The move to her seat had helped her to calm her impatience. She had never been one for waiting and it was one of life's unavoidable events. So far she had avoided undesirable conversation and was feeling quite content for the evening performance.

Looking around absent mindedly, Jemima spotted a young man making his way towards her. She turned around quickly unless he spotted her looking in his direction. She tucked her legs further under the chair so as not to be in the way.
"Pardon me, Miss,"
Jemima smiled and nodded at the man. He did not seem to be the type she had been so ardently avoiding. In fact, he sounded quite polite. "Not at all." She replied just as he was past her, seating himself quite near. Jemima had not been too good at beginning a conversation so decided not to say anything else. She could almost hear her mother's voice inside of her head advising her on the proper etiquette for such situations as these.

[Tristan St. James]

Tristan was just about to check his watch, for perhaps the hundredth time, when his friends took their seats, one of them sitting between him and the young lady. "Miss deCourtenay!" She exclaimed, before even greeting Tristan. "How pleasant to see you tonight. Are you acquainted with Mr. St. James?"

Tristan thought about answering for her, but that did not seem very polite. So he waited patiently in silence to be introduced to her, glad that his friends were acquainted with her. It made him feel much better about the fact that she appeared to be alone.

[Jemima deCourtenay]

Jemima heard more footsteps coming in her direction and assumed they must be acquaintances of the man that was sat near to her, for she knew that she had planned to attend alone. She waited for them to sit down until she heard a voice she recognised.
"Miss deCourtenay!"
Jemima turned and smiled. Apparently they had friends in common which was a comforting thought. Now she was not alone at least.
"How pleasant to see you tonight. Are you acquainted with Mr. St. James?"
Jemima realised that she didn't actually want to be alone this evening, company was always pleasant. "Sadly not, I wasn't aware of your knowing him." She smiled in his direction hoping not to make him feel uncomfortable.

[Tristan St. James]

Their friend fluttered her hands about, as if she were pained at the thought that she had just left them there, unintroduced for so long! "Then, Miss Jemima deCourtenay, May I present Mr. Tristan St. James?"

Tristan smiled, almost apologetically at the young lady, and bobbed his head in place of a bow. "It is an honor to meet you, Miss deCourtenay," He told her.

[Jemima deCourtenay]

Jemima twisted her mouth in amusement at their friend. A little bit unnecessary but she ignored it. She introduced him as Tristan St. James. Jemima wasn't too familiar with the name but she wasn't alone now particularly. Returning his smile, she bobbed a curtsey.
"And you Mr St. James." She sat back down again but did not face the stage. "Do you enjoy the theatre, sir?" She asked, making conversation about the only topic readily available to her. Her wit evidently letting her down.