"When the news of your... tragic accident spread years ago, the entire capital wept. To think you were trapped in the barbaric outer provinces for so long! The very thought of it makes my skin crawl. It must have been utterly devastating for a woman of your refined breeding."
"Indeed," chimed in Baroness Elara, a woman draped in an excessive amount of rose-colored silk. She leaned forward, her eyes gleaming with morbid curiosity. "We heard rumors that you were taken in by commoners. Gracious heavens. Tell us, my dear, how did you ever manage to survive the stench and the lack of proper etiquette? Did you not forget yourself entirely?"
Heena set her own teacup down. The porcelain *clinked* softly against the jade saucer, the sound perfectly measured.
