[ When he replies as breezily as he usually would, Hilda lets out a quiet sigh of relief before it's followed by a much more audible snort. Good, she hadn't sounded too off. Goddess knows what she would have done to recover from that fumble. There's no explanation - no good one anyway - about why she's trying to backtrack out of something that she'd normally be more than happy to indulge in. In reality, she'd drop any other date for Claude in a heartbeat. They both know that.

So as a result, it's very hard not to fall into old habits. Even if old habits means she's also lying through her teeth about having a date in place. ]

A real suitor would know that they have to do a lot more than prepare a speech and take me some place I like.

[ Finding a date isn't really a problem that she's concerned about though. The larger problem, the one she's been finding it so difficult to reconcile, is ensuring that her resolve stays strong enough.

With her old dress put away she steps into the new one. Buttons and corset laces, while far more finicky, were still her fastener of choice - but this one had a zipper. It's easy enough to use, but with the added distraction of trying to be careful with her usually carefree banter means her attention isn't as focused on the act of getting dressed. Hilda prattles on, laying on the teasing in return as she tugs at the zipper that gets caught on the fabric. The extra force she applies tugs it up - catching her hair in the process. ]

I don't even see any flowers or the promise of food - ow!