Sandrine nó Orchis
Adept
Orchis House
A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.
Posts: 776
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Post by Sandrine nó Orchis on Feb 25, 2009 18:33:15 GMT -5
I am not a vengeful person. Not at all. And yet I had let the wrong done to Faolan at The Grand Magasin de Soie gnaw at me. It wasn't a pleasant feeling.
After my punishment was over, Alexandrine had more or less reinstated my normal privileges. I knew, instinctively, that the days of playing her and the cook against each other were gone, and so I decided to turn my fertile mind to the idea of exacting revenge.
Though I was sure Faolan would have enjoyed the little plot, I reasoned that it was better to keep her out of it. Joking around with the palace guards was one thing, but what I was planning to do was a bit more unseemly for someone like her.
And so I found myself standing outside The Grand Magasin at an ungodly hour of the morning, holding a pail full of water. Through careful investigation, I had determined when the offending woman worked at the shop. Luckily, she had just received a delivery, and so it was easy for me to clamber up the crates, positioning the pail at a precarious angle above the door. It would have been better to put the pail up inside, but even I have standards, and breaking into the shop was not my idea of fun. My hope was that the pail would fall when the woman entered the shop, soaking her and leaving her none the wiser. I was sorry to lose the pail, but there is always collateral damage in these sorts of situations.
My trap set, I hid near one of the nearby stalls to watch and wait.
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on Feb 25, 2009 20:34:13 GMT -5
It was early, but my day was already going badly. I thought everyone was abed when I came downstairs, but I ran into Ivolde in the kitchen. He frowned at me (as per usual), then when he walked past me I could swear he brushed up against my backside on purpose. Ugh, the man was already as sour as a lemon, now he was lecherous as well?
I knew I wasn't supposed to, but I just had to get out of there for awhile. I slipped out the servants entrance and wandered around the City. I was lost in thought for a time, and when I looked up I thought I might be lost. However, looking around, I recognized the Grand Magasin, where Dyan bought me a dress when I first arrived (my own clothes had been deemed unfit apparantly).
I noticed the woman who had helped us that day - 'helped' might be too strong of a word, actually - struggling toward the door with some packages, so I hurried forward to help. "Here, let me get that for you." I offered.
"Hmmph." Was the response, followed by her dropping the keys at my feet. I shrugged, leaning forward to pick up the keys and then unlock the door, while the shopkeeper stood behind me, sighing impatiently.
The door swung open easily and suddenly I was drenched in icy cold water. I gasped as the frigid liquid coursed over me, soaking me in seconds. I was dimly aware of the sound of a bucket clattering to the ground and the shopkeepers guffaws, but I couldn't even think for a moment.
Lifting the sodden mass of curls out of my eyes, I looked around cautiously, suddenly afraid there might be more to come. The shopkeeper, still laughing, swept past me into the shop, slamming the door behind her.
I was now painfully aware of how ridiculous I must look, standing in the street soaked to the skin, but I was completely at a loss as to what to do next. Go home? How would I explain this?
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Sandrine nó Orchis
Adept
Orchis House
A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.
Posts: 776
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Post by Sandrine nó Orchis on Feb 25, 2009 20:48:25 GMT -5
I had almost fallen asleep when I heard that shopkeeper moving toward the door. She was laden down with packages, which was a delightful addition. Perhaps those would get wet too.
My barely muffled laughter quickly dried up when a woman, younger than me, approached the door, offering her help. The shopkeeper, rude as ever, dropped the keys for the other woman, and I almost felt my heart stop as she started opening the door.
Everything started to happen in slow motion. I was torn between stopping the girl and hoping the water would somehow fall onto the hated shopkeeper. An almost inaudible "No!" squeaked from between my lips as I saw the pail fall. Quickly I put my hands over my eyes, watching through the spaces between my fingers.
To the girl's credit, she didn't scream. She didn't throw a tantrum. I knew the water was cold, and yet she stood rather still, just pushing her hair out of her eyes. The worst part of all this was that that damned shopkeeper had escaped. Again!
I bit my lip, and then I stood, quickly walking over to the girl, my face full of concern and worry. "Elua, Naamah, and Eisheth!" I said, grabbing her by the shoulders, talking fast. "I saw the whole thing, dove, what an awful way to start a morning! You're alright, aren't you?" I pulled out my handkerchief from my cleavage--my dresses generally didn't have pockets--and handed it to her, clucking my tongue in worry. This was to make sure I didn't start giggling. I did feel bad that the girl had gotten caught up in what I now considered to be a war between me and the shopkeeper, but that didn't stop me from wanting to laugh at the situation. "Here, let me see if I can find a towel somewhere...stay right there!" I commanded, looking behind the stalls to see if there was anything to help dry her off.
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on Feb 25, 2009 21:39:47 GMT -5
I was still standing there gaping like a fish out of water when a woman rushed up to me and proffered a handkerchief. "Thank you." I murmured, wiping my face and mopping at my neck. The handkerchief was no match for my soaking wet dress, however. I regarded my rescuer as she hunted for something better suited to dry me off. She was lovely, and I was suddenly acutely aware that I must look like a drowned rat. "Well, I suppose I'm just lucky it's summer." I muttered, scowling. I thought about what Maric and Lilli would say and I had to laugh. Once I started, I couldn't stop, and I began to giggle helplessly. Wonderful, now I probably looked like a lunatic as well!
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Sandrine nó Orchis
Adept
Orchis House
A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.
Posts: 776
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Post by Sandrine nó Orchis on Feb 26, 2009 1:02:35 GMT -5
It took a few tries, but I finally found a large blanket, used to cover the owner's wares. It didn't smell too bad, and it seemed like it would help to get some of the water off.
As I rushed it over to her, I became aware of her laughter. Quickly I wrapped the blanket around her, covering her shoulders and pulling it tight so she was covered up to her neck. I stepped back and regarded her. I didn't think it possible for the poor girl to look even more silly, and yet there she stood, hair soaked, red and white blanket covering everything but her wet feet. The drips were audible in the quiet street.
I tried to hold back my smile, but her laughter was infectious, and quite soon I found myself laughing so hard that tears were streaming down my face. Every time I tried to speak, I erupted again in giggles.
"Gods," I finally said, wiping the tears from my eyes. "I bet most people wouldn't react that well to a second bath." I leaned in and and gave her a kiss of greeting, ignoring the fact that she was still a bit damp. "I'm Sandrine nó Orchis," I said, not sure whether to tell her that her current state was partially my fault. "I may just have to follow you around to see if anything else so ridiculous happens today."
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on Feb 26, 2009 15:39:28 GMT -5
As musty and god-awful looking the blanket was, I was glad to have it, so I accepted it being wrapped around me, giggling all the while. My laughter rubbed off on the other woman, who began to laugh as well. Really, how could she not? In fact, she'd showed remarkable restraint in waiting for me to laugh first, a feat I'm not sure I could have managed had I been in her position.
She introduced herself, and I managed to get myself together, wiping away the tears of laughter that had appeared in the corners of my eyes. "I'm Sophine de Layne, and I wish we had met under better circumstances!" I took a deep breath to steady myself. "Well, I certainly hope nothing more interesting than this happens to me today."
Pulling the scratchy blanket close, I regarded Sandrine. "I don't suppose you know a place to get a new dress." I asked, then added, "Aside from here." I nodded toward the dress shop. "I'm not taking any more chances with this place!"
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Sandrine nó Orchis
Adept
Orchis House
A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.
Posts: 776
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Post by Sandrine nó Orchis on Feb 26, 2009 15:54:16 GMT -5
"But what better circumstances are there than this?" I asked, grinning. "After all, we dispensed with the awkward give and take of most 'getting-to-know-you' conversations. We have a common problem, in that you're all wet, and we have a common enemy--that harridan behind the door.
"Honestly, if this is the worst thing that happens to you all day, you're doing pretty well," I said, scooping up the pail and inspecting it. No dents. "And it happened early, so you've gotten it out of the way."
The idea of ever even stepping into that shop again was out of the question for me. "That woman is a holy terror," I said, rage creeping into my expression, though I tried to keep my voice neutral. Now I'd have to do something twice as worse to the woman. "I wouldn't buy a damned thing from her." I walked around Sophine as I tapped my fingers against my lips, considering. "I'm not sure if this warrants a new dress, Sophine. After all, you're out and about. You'd have to carry around the sodden old one all day." I stopped in front of her, considering. "We're about the same size, I think. Either you should go to your own home and change, or come with me to my home, and I'll lend you one, if you don't mind bright colors." I was wearing a soft pink that day, but that was one of my few subdued dresses.
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on Feb 26, 2009 16:01:23 GMT -5
I had to laugh, she was right, the awkwardness of meeting a new person was not present in the least. "Well," I said after a moment's consideration, "I agree with you about that woman. Not only did I not get a 'thank you', she couldn't even be bothered to make sure I was all right!" Now that I was thinking about it, what I really wanted to do was march in there and give the shopkeeper a piece of my mind. I knew that would probably get me nowhere, and even get back to Dyan, who frequented this particular shop. It figured.
"And the last place I want to be is home, so I will take you up on the offer of borrowing a dress." Although I had a feeling a dress of hers would be too big in the chest department, I could always stuff it with socks. "If it's not too much trouble, that is. You must have been about your own errands today."
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Sandrine nó Orchis
Adept
Orchis House
A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.
Posts: 776
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Post by Sandrine nó Orchis on Feb 26, 2009 16:09:38 GMT -5
"I wouldn't let her trouble you overmuch. She's a sour old lemon." I stuck my tongue out at the door for emphasis.
It took me a second to realize what she meant about 'my own errands'. "I only had one errand this early in the morning," I sighed, "and unfortunately it did not come to fruition." I shrugged genially. "No matter, tomorrow's another day. It's no trouble at all."
I was glad that she wanted to come with me. She seemed very nice, and I could understand the desire to avoid the home. Luckily I had served my time, so Orchis would be welcoming to the both of us.
"I think we'll have to leave the blanket, though," I said. "We should try to stretch it out somewhere where the sun can dry it a bit." I looked around to see if the owner of the stall was anywhere nearby, but the streets were quiet. "Do you think you can manage without it?"
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on Feb 26, 2009 16:16:15 GMT -5
I nodded; the old itchy thing wasn't much help anyway, though I held my tongue so as not to seem ungrateful. After all, it had been very nice of her to stop and help a stranger out of this humiliating predicament. We found a place to lay the blanket where the sun would it hit it just right, and although it hadn't been much help, at least it had kept me covered. I felt very bare with my thin blue dress stuck to every curve (though admittedly not as many curves as I would like) of my body.
"I suppose I can manage, though I hope you don't live too far away." I said, smiling bravely. At least it was early enough that there weren't many people about, and since I was new in the City there wasn't much chance of running into anyone I knew. I shuddered to imagine what my image-conscious sister would say if she saw me, however, and suddenly I was in a hurry to get off the street. "Lead the way." I said, wrapping my arms around my chest to try to afford myself some modesty.
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Sandrine nó Orchis
Adept
Orchis House
A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.
Posts: 776
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Post by Sandrine nó Orchis on Feb 26, 2009 16:41:19 GMT -5
"Not so far," I said, trying my best not to look at Sophine inappropriately. I do what I can not to take advantage of people during difficult situations, but she was very cute. "Just up Mont Nuit."
I almost laughed as she covered herself. She might have fit in at Alyssum, though she obviously wasn't an adept. "Oh honestly, Sophine, no one's even looking at you. There's no one here to look at you." I grabbed one of her arms and tugged it loose, linking her wet arm in mine. "Come on, let's go. We can go on the side streets if that makes you feel better."
As we walked, I glanced at her sidelong, smiling. "Are you from the city, Sophine? You've got nerves of steel, I would have been screaming bloody murder if that water had fallen on me."
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on Feb 26, 2009 16:48:54 GMT -5
I shook my head, laughing again. "I was too shocked to scream!" She was right, I noticed, as we walked along; no one was looking my way. I let my hands fall to a more natural position. "It was so unexpected. I mean, honestly, who does something like that?" I shook my head. "Although, if that was meant for that woman, I suppose she had it coming."
I noticed as we walked that my shoes were making squishing sounds and that I was leaving a trail of water behind me. Trying to look on the bright side, I grinned at Sandrine. "Well, I was just feeling homesick for the sea." That reminded of me of her question. "Actually, I'm from Kusheth. I've only lately come to the City to stay with my sister and her family." I smiled companiably. "And you, are you from here?"
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Sandrine nó Orchis
Adept
Orchis House
A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.
Posts: 776
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Post by Sandrine nó Orchis on Feb 26, 2009 16:58:04 GMT -5
I fought the urge to blush when she asked who did something like that. "I know, how ridiculous!" I said, laughing along with her. Unfortunately I knew exactly who might just do something like that. "Everyone knows that woman is mean," I said, biting my lip. "It could have been anyone, really."
"Kusheth?" I mused, thinking of Gadleon. Stupid Shahrizai. "I've never been there, though I've heard it's pleasant. I'm from the City, myself. Never really left, though I plan to."
I thought for an instant. "What's so bad about your sister that you'd rather go home with a virtual stranger than back to her house? If you don't mind me asking, of course."
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on Feb 26, 2009 19:18:24 GMT -5
I had to agree with her that the woman from the dress shop was a horror, and I also had to admit that I admired anyone who had the nerve to play a trick like that. It's the kind of thing I might have imagined but never would have executed. "I don't know about anyone," I said. "It takes a pretty nervy person to go after her like that."
I nodded when she said she planned to leave the City. "I know what you mean. I love Kusheth, and I want to go back someday, but I also want to see all the places I've read about. Tiberium, La Serenissima..." I could imagine all of those places in my mind; would they be able to live up to my expectations? So far the City of Elua hadn't, though if I were honest with myself, I hadn't given it much of a chance.
When Sandrine asked about my sister, I drew my lower lip between my teeth before I answered. "Oh, it's nothing really. We just haven't seen each other in some years, so it's like living with strangers." I didn't want to mention how her husband made my skin crawl with his odd looks and "accidental" touches. "I left this morning because I really need to get out, and I'm really not ready to go back. Not to mention that my sister would have a cat if she saw me like this." I gestured at my wet attire. In a sudden fit of inspiration, I mocked my sister's haughty mannerisms.
"Why, Sophine, you are bringing disgrace to the family, letting yourself be seen looking like a drowned rat." I pursed my lips in that way she had and waggled my finger. "Honestly, you're never going to find yourself a good husband at this rate."
I rolled my eyes. "It's only been a few weeks and I swear I might lose my mind."
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Sandrine nó Orchis
Adept
Orchis House
A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.
Posts: 776
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Post by Sandrine nó Orchis on Feb 26, 2009 21:57:48 GMT -5
I did blush when she complemented the nerve of whoever pulled the prank. Quickly I cleared my throat. "I suppose that's so...but I think that woman has far more enemies than friends," I said, a bit airily.
I perked up when she mentioned traveling. "I would love to go to La Serenissima," I said, smiling. "It just sounds so lovely. But I want to go pretty much everywhere. At least that's pretty close. It would be a good start." I gestured around me. "But who could beat this city? It has its quirks, but it's my home, and I'd always want to come back here."
Obviously the sister was a sore spot. "Well, you sure got out all right," I said, stifling another giggle. "I'm sorry to hear that about your sister. It's always something about a family...they're the ones you love the most, but they also drive you the craziest."
I did laugh when I saw her impression. "Oh, no, you're much prettier than a drowned rat, Sophine," I said, patting her hand. "And what's her hurry? I would venture a guess that you're not much younger than me. You're supposed to marry for love, not because someone else thinks it's time."
I felt bad when she talked about losing her mind. It didn't seem fair that her sister would care so much. After all, it wasn't Sophine's fault that she had gotten caught up in my war with the shopkeeper. "Don't lose your mind just yet," I said, seriously. "You probably haven't seen any of the City. It can be a beautiful place. And if you get bored, well, soon you'll know where I live, and we can find some trouble to get into." I flashed her my most winning smile.
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on Feb 26, 2009 22:30:55 GMT -5
I blushed at Sandrine's compliment; being near someone so beautiful, and well, exotic made me feel like an awkward child. Especially in my present state. Only Sandrine's down to earth personality kept me from feeling hopelessly ridiculous.
I nodded when she mentioned my age, and my sister's interest in my marriage. "I know, it's as if my personal life is her personal purview." I sighed. "If I do fall in love, it better be with someone of a decent rank, because as far as she's concerned, that's the only thing I have to contribute to the family - a rise in status. Being the seventh child is really no picnic."
Smiling, I shrugged. "Well, I have no intention of marrying anytime soon, despite what she wants. I want to see the world, and have..." I felt sheepish, but I said it anway, "adventures. I know it's silly, but I've always felt like there had to be more to life than needlepoint and parties." I hoped she didn't think I was a silly child.
I realized that she was right about the City; I really hadn't been giving it a chance. And now that I had met a few people that weren't related to me, it was beginning to seem like it wouldn't be the dreary, lonely place I had feared. "You're right, I haven't seen much of the City yet. And I would love to get into some trouble." My spirits were feeling lighter already; getting doused with a bucket of water was starting to seem like the best thing that had happened to me thus far.
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Sandrine nó Orchis
Adept
Orchis House
A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.
Posts: 776
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Post by Sandrine nó Orchis on Feb 26, 2009 23:04:45 GMT -5
I noticed that she blushed at my off-handed remark, and smiled. "Some people are always in other people's matters. That's because they have no business of their own." I shrugged again. "Don't be too mad at her, she's probably just excited to have her younger sister with her again."
I didn't know anything about Sophine's sister, but I was impressed by how calm she had been after the water, and so I felt obligated to cheer her up a little bit. "Plus, she must know that you're more than just a bargaining chip. I mean, you seem like you can carry a conversation and you've read a few books, and you don't look like a hag or anything." I grinned, squeezing her arm in a friendly way. "You have a lot to offer, I'm sure, don't let anyone tell you different."
I raised my eyebrows at her suggestion of adventure. "Adventure? Really?" I stopped, pursing my lips as I looked at her, pretending to consider this. "What sort of adventure? Or trouble? Distressingly I am well versed at both. Though I must admit parties are generally ripe for some interesting times..."
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on Feb 26, 2009 23:17:37 GMT -5
Sandrine was definitely getting my spirits up, and her optimistic assessment of my personality was helping too. Despite being wet and bedraggled, I was feeling lighter by the moment. I was starting to feel like my old self, the girl who filched tarts with Maric and Lilli, or acted out scenes from romantic novels. I sensed that Sandrine could be a partner in crime the likes of my foster brother and sister, and her next words confirmed it.
"I like adventure, but it does seem to translate to trouble." I laughed. "I mean, look at me, all I was doing was going for a walk and now I'm soaked and going to Mont Nuit..." It just dawned on me what I said. Mont Nuit. I'd always wanted to see it, and I hadn't even paid attention when she'd said that was where she lived. I tried to keep my eyes from widening into what Lilli called my "saucer eyes". "Where are we going, exactly?" I asked, trying to sound offhand.
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Sandrine nó Orchis
Adept
Orchis House
A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.
Posts: 776
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Post by Sandrine nó Orchis on Feb 26, 2009 23:51:38 GMT -5
I tilted my head as I looked at her. She seemed...scared? Her eyes looked huge in her head.
"Mont Nuit," I said, wondering if maybe she was a little hard of hearing. "That's where I live. That's why my name's Sandrine nó Orchis, because my home is Orchis House." I looked her up and down. Maybe the bucket hit her head? "Do you...not want to go?" My heart fell a little, especially because getting into my room with Sophine in tow might prove a bit tricky and I thought she might enjoy that.
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on Feb 27, 2009 0:00:41 GMT -5
I realized that I had been so wrapped up in my ordeal that I hadn't really listened to Sandrine. I wanted to smack my own forehead, but I realized that I would look even more ridiculous. "I'm sorry," I stammered. "I guess I was a little caught up in being wet and embarassed." I felt my cheeks getting hot again. "And it's not that I don't want to go, it's just that I..." How to say this without sounding like a silly girl? "I've always wondered what it would be like to be an Adept, it must be fascinating. I guess I just didn't realize I'd be meeting one so soon." I was seeing Sandrine with new eyes, appreciating her striking looks from a different perspective. And I was dying to see her marque, but I thought it might be rude to ask, so I kept my mouth shut.
Reaching for her arm, I tugged her forward. "Come on, I really want to get into some dry clothes." I smiled, trying to overcome the embarassment of my own stupidity.
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Sandrine nó Orchis
Adept
Orchis House
A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.
Posts: 776
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Post by Sandrine nó Orchis on Feb 27, 2009 0:31:32 GMT -5
"You act as if you know where you're going," I laughed, letting her drag me for a few instants before I pulled her to a stop. I squeezed her hand gently, trying not to laugh at her blush. Honestly, why did I always find all the innocents? It was a lot of pressure. "You don't have to be nervous or afraid." I shrugged. "I'm not really any different from you." Then I looked down at our hands, one dark and one light, and laughed. "Well, maybe a little different. But not where it counts.
"I can tell you anything you want to know," I said, winking. "But you're right, we should probably find you new clothes. Or borrowed ones."
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on Feb 27, 2009 0:42:03 GMT -5
I laughed when Sandrine stopped me. "True, if you follow me we'll be lost in no time." When she grabbed my hand and assured me we were not so different. She had a knack for making me feel comfortable, and I felt myself relax. She wasn't expecting anything from me, and had gone out of her way to offer me friendship.
I took a deep breath. "I'm sorry if I seem a little silly. I've had so many new experiences the last few days, my head is spinning. And getting doused with water didn't help." I wasn't above using that experience to make myself look sympathetic. "So, clean clothes and adventure, here we come!"
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