with a little bit of luck
Simone stared out the window of Sybille’s carriage, noting every twist and turn they made in case she had to make a quick getaway. While she wasn’t planning on doing so, it never hurt to be too careful, particularly in a situation she was still very new to. She distracted herself from her anxiety by focusing on what she did know: the intricacies of her own con. Monsieur Labelle was a well known man, and she heard rumors of the riches he possessed behind locked doors. Not to mention certain reports have linked him with the Cardinal. Over all, the opportunity was too great to not try something.
She was jolted out of her thoughts as Sybille placed a comforting hand on her knee. Her eyes met her mentor’s with a small, practiced smile on her face. “I’ll be fine. Though I hope this stupid party doesn’t last too long. I don’t know how women breathe with this.” She gestured to the corset that put her breasts on display but did little else to benefit her. As they stopped, she felt her heart pound against her chest. You belong here. With a deep breath, she placed herself into the practiced shoes of any other noblewoman. Smoothing out her skirt, she gave Sybille a short nod. This was it.
Sybille couldn't help but feel proud of how far Simone had come. She looked like a bored young woman of society going to a ball that didn't interest her. Not a street rat shoved into a pretty dress. Even her smile was perfect, even if her voice here between them had the twang of the gutters. She knew Simone would iron it out "The idea is that if we can't breathe we will be more likely to swoon into the arms of a dashing gentleman," Sybille mused, making sure the ribbon of her fan was looped tightly around her wrist. "It does provide a convenient excuse if you need to get out of a conversation in a hurry." Simone was good at hiding her anxiety, but Sybille could feel it radiating off her still. She didn't let on, just nodded back at Simone before knocking on the carriage door.
The driver opened the door and helped them both down onto the pavement. There was a brief pause while they smoothed down their skirts, and then the party set upon them. Glistening ladies and posturing men watched them as they entered. The largest room of the house had been turned into a ballroom, with a small ensemble in one corner. Dancing was something she had yet to teach Simone. How to present herself and to properly socialise with the nobility was easy to explain the importance of. Explaining why Simone should spend time learning the waltz was more difficult to impart.
But so far they had survived the first people that had approached them, none had seen through Simone. Men who had asked for a dance had easily been turned away by mention of a healing ankle. "How are you finding it so far?" Sybille asked Simone when they finally had a moment to themselves. "Enjoy seeing how the other half live?" Sybille knew that this soirée was nothing compared to the parties the nobility threw, but the middle class could try their best to imitate.