[hr][hr][center][h1][color=#00ccff]Nora Kingston[/color][/h1][img]http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lqiv5wXUgM1qlbn3r.gif[/img][hr]Location: Egyptian Museum[/center][hr][hr]Flustered.

That was the word Nora would use to describe her mental state. After her brother married that wretched American woman, Frances Tate, Nora had described herself as unsettled. The chaos of words and feelings, of magic and realism, that was at foot on this particular evening was like a swift punch to the jaw. Raised on decorum and its questionable merits, Nora scrambled to find purchase, to regain her footing, amongst competing pressures. 

Of course, it wasn't that Nora thought women should be quiet. No, that wasn't it. She felt indifferent to the question of women's rights, her life of privilege blinding her from their necessity. Regardless, with two outspoken ladies in the room, she couldn't help but shrink away slightly, despite the burning sensation on her finger. Haakon had failed to impress her with his conduct, practically wailing and sliding into the female role that the starlet had left vacant. 

[i]If only the museum clerk had refused to let them in...[/i] Nora thought wistfully. Lady Munn, as she introduced herself, wasn't nearly as awful as the starlet. The curly haired woman seemed rather manly in her dress, and Nora found her to be an oddity, almost a curio. At the inquiry about dreams, Nora felt her unease increase. Flustered wasn't even the proper term now--she was flabbergasted. 

At the Lord Major's request, Nora smiled faintly, the same forced contortion of the face her parents and etiquette had drilled into her. Had she been more properly acquainted with Haakon and the starlet, perhaps she would have apologized upon their behalf. Instead, she decided to set herself apart, curtsying as she introduced herself to the Lord Major and the Lady Munn. 

[color=00ccff]"My name is Eleanor Kingston, the daughter of Dr. Richard Kingston, a professor of anthropology at Victoria University,"[/color] Nora introduced, her tone soft and delicate. [color=00ccff]"I must apologize for my intrusion, I had taken it upon myself to come to the museum and make certain inquiries to an Egyptologist. I must explain that I have never had the good fortune to meet Mr. Elvsgard and his associate prior to this very hour."[/color]

She folded her hands neatly, concealing the burn from sight. She was not prepared to simply show it--not yet, at least. There were social customs, Nora felt certain, to asking a female Egyptologist to examine a brand that appeared out of nowhere. [color=00ccff]"It is a pleasure to meet you, Lord Major and Lady Munn,"[/color] Nora added, having not heard the last individual in the room introduce himself. [color=00ccff]"I am dreadfully sorry that I did not catch your name, otherwise I should greet you properly with all respect due."[/color] she said, looking at William.