Returning to the Palace

[Malzane d'Essoms (I)]

I arrived at the Palace and wasted no time what-so-ever in trying to find the Queen. I would, of course, have to report back to her about his months in Ephesus. Of course, I knew he would have to wait for a time, possibly even days. Things were busy and hectic, and I had only managed to hear things about "New Queen this..." and "New Queen that..." but the word on the street always seemed to be third or fourth hand.

I, however, would still have to report, and had already let a servant know. I was assured that the Queen would be informed in due time.

In the meantime, I could always see what sorts of new things were going on in the Palace.

[Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour]

Once again, I was lost. It seemed to be becoming a habit these days and I was starting to think I shouldn't leave the house without a chaperone. Someone had mentioned the Hall of Games in passing, and I wanted to see it for myself. Besides, I'd be in the City a fair amount of time and I hadn't been to the palace yet. Perhaps I could sneak a glimpse of the Queen?

I turned a corner, and then another, and ended up ... well, if I knew where I'd ended up, I wouldn't be lost. I sighed and glanced around, looking for someone who might be able to give me directions.

[Malzane d'Essoms (I)]

I noticed the girl the moment she turned the corner. I couldn't help but do so, after all. She wasn't beautiful per se, but being D'Angeline she was still pretty. She appeared to be young, so she would still grow into her beauty. None-the-less, I wasn't about to let a chance pass where I could make the acquaintance of a pretty lady.

Striding across the Hall, paying little heed to the servants who stepped out of my way, I made my way directly towards the young woman.

[Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour]

I was about to flag a passing servant and ask for instructions, when a man came toward me, walking purposefully. He was handsome, with a confidence that made him seem older than he looked. I felt a bit nervous as he approached, and I smoothed my skirts and hoped fervently that I didn't make a fool of myself. Moreso than admitting I was lost would do, of course.

[Malzane d'Essoms (I)]

I watched as she smoothed her skirts and smiled at her warmly. I didn't want her to feel to uncomfortable. So I made up a little white lie.

"Pardon me, M'Lady, but I must admit to being a bit muddled." I looked around. "I was told that I could find an evening of entertainment, good food, and perhaps a dance or two, if I came to this wonderful building." I turned my cerulean gaze upon her dark-cast eyes. "Perhaps you could help me?"

I widened my eyes a bit in mock surprise. "Ah. I beg your forgiveness. I am..." he considered his next words in his mind before mentally shrugging. "...Comte Malzane d'Essoms."

[Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour]

I had to smile when he asked me for direction. "I'm afraid it's the blind leading the blind here, Comte d'Essoms." I said with a curtsy. "Sophine de Layne." I said by way of introduction. "I was looking for the Hall of Games myself." I gave him my best smile; after all, he seemed kind, and I relaxed my guard.

"Perhaps we could look for it together?" I hoped that he at least had somewhat of an idea where to look, because I was completely lost. "I'm afraid this is my first time at the Palace, and I'm rather lost."

[Malzane d'Essoms (I)]

"The blind may see things that others do not. Sometimes it is those of us with sight who are truly blind." I waxed philosophical for a moment, not even thinking of it as I spoke. The reply was on my lips before my brain had time to say otherwise. This of itself was fairly rare, as I thoroughly thought things through before spouting them off. "And please, Malzane will work nicely, or if you find that a little lengthy simply Mal."

"Your first time in the Palace? My dear Sophine, you are a lucky lady." I smiled and held an arm out for her. "As it so happens, I have a general idea of where the Hall of Games is."

[Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour]

I blinked at his serious words, slightly taken aback, followed closely by intrigued. I admired intelligence in a man - in anyone, really.

"Mal, then." I said, taking his arm with a smile. "I like the sound of it."

When he said he had an idea of what we were looking for, I was relieved. "Well, I am certainly glad one of us has some idea." I said, favoring him with what Lilli had said was my most winning smile.

[Malzane d'Essoms (I)]

"Well, I am certainly gladdened to hear you enjoy the sound of my name." I chuckled softly and lead her down through one of the arched doorways and into a wide hallway. I was taking my time, however. We would reach the Hall of Games, but all in due time.

"So tell me, Sophine, what brings you to the Palace for your first visit?"

[Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour]

I smiled wryly. "Boredom, really." I made a face, explaining, "I'm staying with my sister, but there is only so much time I can spend doing needlepoint and reading stories to my niece and nephew." As we strolled through the Palace, I tried not to stare at everything like a wide-eyed bumpkin. "And yourself, what brings you here this fine day?"

[Malzane d'Essoms (I)]

"Well, I certainly hope that you are entertained while in my presence. I would hate for a beauty such as yourself to be bored." I flashed a grin at her as we continued to walk, noting that she was managing to maintain her cool. Not many people would do that in the Palace.

"Ah yes, sometimes one needs to see the story, and not just read it." I offered, looking around at the hallways we were walking through. "It is always good to simply be out and about. Having time to oneself is an important part of any day."

Looking around me I noted several servants and a few of my peers. My peers, at least, seemed to simply be out and enjoying the Palace just as Sophine and I were doing now. "As for myself, dear Sophine, I am waiting for such a time as the Queen may be able to grant an audience with me. That could take some time."

[Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour]

I managed not to giggle like an idiot when he complimented me, and made a mental note to ask Sandrine to give me lessons on not acting like a fool in front of men. "I can't imagine being bored in your presence." I said, returning his smile. That was true enough, thus far.

As we continued to walk, I listened to Mal's observations, nodding my agreement. "Absolutely, being cooped up all of the time can't possibly be good for one's health."

When his next words were that he was awaiting an audience with the Queen herself, I felt a little thrill of excitement. "An audience with the Queen? Now that sounds much more interesting than rescuing lost damsels from their own ineptitude with directions." I quirked a brow at him, saying in a teasing tone, "Though it's very sweet of you all the same."

[Malzane d'Essoms (I)]

A smile broke across my face as she spoke and I couldn't help but hum a few lines of my favourite tune. "Well, everybody gets lost at times. As long as there's somebody there to help you find your way, however, you are rarely ever truly lost."

Her reply on the Queens audience prompted the smile into a grin. "Well, I think I may be able to bring you along for the Audience, though I could not allow you to stay for it all. I am afraid some affairs of state are best left between myself and the Queen."

[Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour]

I stopped in my tracks, looking at him with eyes that must be as wide as saucers. "Truly?" The very idea was both thrilling and nerve-wracking all at once. "When? Today?" I looked down at myself, hoping I didn't have food on my dress or anything like that. Was this dress even nice enough? What about my hair? I realized I must look like a panic-stricken idiot and I made a face, smiling wryly. "I'm sorry, I'm acting like a fool, aren't I? It's just, I don't have much experience, well, any experience, actually, with royalty, and I don't want to disgrace myself."

[Malzane d'Essoms (I)]

As I watched her reactions I couldn't help but chuckle. "Yes, truly. Yes, today, I hope." I watched her check her clothing and hair. "As for experience, simply think nothing of it. You look fit for an audience with Queen and if things seem too overwhelming just slip your arm through mine and forget about everything except myself and the Queen."

I smiled warmly at her. "And I promise you will not disgrace yourself."

[Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour]

I laughed, feeling more at ease with Malzane's comforting words. He seemed so self-assured, and I wondered if I would ever have that kind of easy confidence. "Well, thank you for the vote of confidence, and I'll do my best not to embarass you terribly." I thought for a moment, then asked, "If I'm not being too forward, what brings you to see the Queen?" I assumed that if I was to be privy to the audience, the reason for it must not be earth-shattering.

[Malzane d'Essoms (I)]

"You will not embarrass me, Lady Sophine. Of that you can be assured. I have dealt with far too many people to have that sort of thing." I then smiled directly at her. "I come to see the Queen regarding the situation in Ephesus, and whether or not she wishes them as an ally." I admired her features for a moment as I gazed into her eyes. "And whether they wish to be an ally."

[Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour]

"Ephesus, it sounds fascinating." I brightened at the talk of far-off places. It was my dream to see the world, and being in the company of one who had was almost as good. "You must tell me all about it, I'm dying to hear. And what do you think, would they make good allies?" I was full of questions, and hopefully I wasn't going to frighten Mal off with my chatter. I couldn't help it though, I really was intrigued by the subject.

[Malzane d'Essoms (I)]

I smiled and nodded my head. "It is fascinating and I promise I will tell of its many wonders. I could even show you some." A look of deep thought came over my face as I considered Ephesus in the great scheme of things. "I think they would make good allies, yes."

[Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour]

"Show me? Now that sounds interesting." I smiled, watching him as he paused thoughtfully before answering my other question. "Now I shall have to brush up on my studies, so that I will at least be able to follow along." I tucked an errant lock of hair behind my ear as we continued on our way. "Tell me, what was your favorite thing about Ephesus? Or, alternately, was there anything you really disliked?"

[Malzane d'Essoms (I)]

I chuckled softly to myself, my mind wandering ever so slightly before I reigned it in. "I assure you that I will not go so fast as all that. All things in due time." I smiled warmly at her, yet again. "My favourite thing about Ephesus? I do not know that I could bring to the fore only one thing, but I must admit they have some interesting foods. As to something I dislike..." I drew a long breath and then let it out slowly. "...It is not Terre d'Ange. It is not...home." I traced my facial hair with my other hand. "...Though some would say that I only half-belonged here in the first place."

[Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour]

I blushed a little, I was obviously getting a bit ahead of myself, as I was wont to do more often than not.

"Interesting foods? I wonder if there is anywhere in the City that serves their cuisine. Or at least a fair approximation."

I don't know what came over me, but I reached up and tugged his facial hair lightly. "Oh, don't say that. Whatever other blood one may carry, if there is D'angeline at all, you belong here." I thought of Sandrine, my closest friend, who was only half D'angeline, yet one would only know it by the color of her skin. "D'angeline blood runs strong, wouldn't you say?"

[Malzane d'Essoms (I)]

"That is an interesting question, I will have to ask around and see if there is anything of the sort in the City."

My eyes widened a little at the sudden tug of my facial hair but a grin quickly slid across my face. "Elua knows that any d'Angeline blood is reason enough to call this home." I stared into her eyes, allowing the silk in my gaze to win over against the steel. "I would certainly say, without shadow of doubt, that d'Angeline blood does run strong. As do d'Angeline...passions." I forced myself to blush at the supposed slip.

[Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour]

I blushed a bit at his words, and noted that he did too. That put me a little more at ease, and I found myself smiling widely, forgetting about Ephesian food for the moment. "That is what I've heard," I said, in a slightly teasing tone, as if I didn't have firsthand knowledge of how passionate we D'angelines could be. I might not have much experience, but I had definitely felt the stirrings of passion.

"And have you found yourself to fall prey to D'angeline passions?" I could hardly believe I'd said the words, I wasn't generally so forward... was I actually flirting with him? Sandrine would be so proud!

[Malzane d'Essoms (I)]

I chuckled almost chime-like. The smile on my face broadened, flashing snow-white teeth. "I can honestly say that I have been both victim and instigator of d'Angeline passions, yes." I could tell that while this wasn't new for her it was unpracticed. "At risk of being too forward, have you found yourself in such a predicament?"

[Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour]

I made a little face at his question, wondering if I should admit to my inexperience. It wouldn't do to seem more experienced than I really was - that could become embarrassing.

"Well, not as much as some, I'm sure. I'm afraid most of my experience is with feeling, rather than doing." I blushed, laughing softly. "Apparently I'm quite backward in this regard."

[Malzane d'Essoms (I)]

I tucked away the little bit of knowledge she had let slip in her indecision with a mental note attached.

"Experience gained is experience to be cherished." I replied with a warm smile. "We all learn from many different things. Feel no shame or embarrassment in that."

[Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour]

"That's very kind of you to say." I said, losing my blush somewhat. I was finding that I really liked Mal, he made me feel at ease in a way not many men did. I wasn't sure what else to say as we continued to roam the halls of the palace. I had almost forgotten that we were looking for the Hall of Games, so entranced was I by our conversation. When I realized it, I chuckled softly. "I don't think we shall ever find the Hall of Games at this rate, though I must say, I am quite enjoying the search."