Sophie de Trevalion
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood
Daughter of L?ander and Aveline de Trevalion; sister to Ghislain, Amelie, Cadice, and Rochelle
Posts: 579
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Post by Sophie de Trevalion on Mar 18, 2009 19:43:03 GMT -5
I had left the house on foot, one of the maids assuring me that it wasn't far to Eisheth's temple and giving me very good instructions. It was a lovely day, so I was quite enjoying myself as I ambled down the street.
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on Mar 18, 2009 20:43:33 GMT -5
I had a crudely drawn map, but it didn't appear to be much help. Dyan had suggested a trip to Eisheth's temple and for once I agreed with her. I'd like to see all the temples eventually, and Eisheth's seemed like a good start. I turned the map this way and that, trying to make sense of it. Finally I shrugged and continued trudging along in the direction I was already heading, hoping I'd make it there eventually.
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Sophie de Trevalion
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood
Daughter of L?ander and Aveline de Trevalion; sister to Ghislain, Amelie, Cadice, and Rochelle
Posts: 579
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Post by Sophie de Trevalion on Mar 18, 2009 23:49:48 GMT -5
I came to an intersection, and seeing the shop with its yellowing awning as promised, I turned left. There was a girl, probably about sixteen, on the other side of the street and heading in the same direction.
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on Mar 18, 2009 23:54:50 GMT -5
I was worried about going too far out of my way, so when I saw someone going the same direction, I crossed the way and fell into step with her. "Excuse me," I began, getting out my map and holding it up to illustrate my newness to the City, "but would you happen to know if I am going the right way to get to the Eisheth's Sanctuary?"
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Sophie de Trevalion
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood
Daughter of L?ander and Aveline de Trevalion; sister to Ghislain, Amelie, Cadice, and Rochelle
Posts: 579
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Post by Sophie de Trevalion on Mar 19, 2009 0:42:21 GMT -5
The girl crossed the street, looking like she was headed to speak to me. It seemed that we were both new to the capital. "You are by the directions I was given," I said with a chuckle. "I'm going there as well."
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on Mar 19, 2009 9:32:39 GMT -5
I was immediately relieved that I was headed the right direction so far. Maybe I was getting the hang of navigating the City. When she said she was going to the Sanctuary as well, I smiled and crumpled up my little map. "Do you mind if I walk with you?" I asked, holding up the crumpled paper. "This thing is useless, and so perhaps your directions will serve better."
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Sophie de Trevalion
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood
Daughter of L?ander and Aveline de Trevalion; sister to Ghislain, Amelie, Cadice, and Rochelle
Posts: 579
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Post by Sophie de Trevalion on Mar 19, 2009 15:24:26 GMT -5
I smiled. "Of course. Though we're not there yet, so I don't know if my directions are any better," I said with a little laugh. "I'm Sophie."
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on Mar 19, 2009 18:25:17 GMT -5
I raised an eyebrow when she told me her name. "Well, not only are we going to the same place, we have similar names." I said with a laugh. "I'm Sophine." I grinned at her, then added, "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Sophie."
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Sophie de Trevalion
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood
Daughter of L?ander and Aveline de Trevalion; sister to Ghislain, Amelie, Cadice, and Rochelle
Posts: 579
|
Post by Sophie de Trevalion on Mar 20, 2009 2:07:15 GMT -5
I began to laugh. "Oh, fantastic. And if you were two years older, we could probably pass for one another," I said with a grin. "To those who didn't know us of course."
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on Mar 21, 2009 13:04:05 GMT -5
I laughed aloud. "Perhaps we're distantly related somehow." I smiled and asked her, "So, how new to the City are you?"
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Sophie de Trevalion
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood
Daughter of L?ander and Aveline de Trevalion; sister to Ghislain, Amelie, Cadice, and Rochelle
Posts: 579
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Post by Sophie de Trevalion on Mar 24, 2009 16:25:36 GMT -5
"Three days new," I replied with a smile. "You?"
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on Mar 24, 2009 20:51:09 GMT -5
"Oh my, you're the first person I've met who is newer than I." I said with a smile. "I must confess it makes me feel a little better." I made a face. "Although I do still manage to get lost on a regular basis."
We walked a few more steps before I asked, "Where do you hail from?"
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Sophie de Trevalion
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood
Daughter of L?ander and Aveline de Trevalion; sister to Ghislain, Amelie, Cadice, and Rochelle
Posts: 579
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Post by Sophie de Trevalion on Mar 24, 2009 22:43:19 GMT -5
"Azzalle," I replied, smiling from her admissions. "I spent most of my childhood there. You?"
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on Mar 24, 2009 23:01:26 GMT -5
"Two places, really." I smiled. "I was born in Eisande, but fostered in Kusheth. I consider Kusheth home, really." As we continued to walk, I tugged a stray curl behind my ear. "I've never been to Azzalle, but eventually I'd like to see all of the provinces."
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Sophie de Trevalion
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood
Daughter of L?ander and Aveline de Trevalion; sister to Ghislain, Amelie, Cadice, and Rochelle
Posts: 579
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Post by Sophie de Trevalion on Mar 25, 2009 0:17:02 GMT -5
"What part of Eisande?" I asked interestedly. "I was fostered there."
I almost missed it, but at the last moment I spotted the statue of a stag at the entrance to a garden, and knew that we were getting close.
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on Mar 25, 2009 20:28:16 GMT -5
"The northern area..." I said, thinking for a moment. To be honest, the only part of Eisande I remembered was our estate. I looked around, not recognizing anything. "How much further, do you think?"
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Sophie de Trevalion
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood
Daughter of L?ander and Aveline de Trevalion; sister to Ghislain, Amelie, Cadice, and Rochelle
Posts: 579
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Post by Sophie de Trevalion on Mar 26, 2009 0:53:55 GMT -5
"Oh I see. I spent most of my time in the south, and then in Marsilikos during the war. It is another block, or so I was told," I replied. "My maid said that I couldn't miss it."
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on Mar 26, 2009 21:53:21 GMT -5
"I imagine it would be hard to miss an entire temple." I said, laughing softly. I sobered a little as we continued our trek, thinking about what she'd said about the war. I had been insulated from it, knowing of it only through what tidbits Maric, Lilli, and I could pry out of the adults in our lives. "How was Marsilikos?" I asked, curious about a place I had never been.
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Sophie de Trevalion
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood
Daughter of L?ander and Aveline de Trevalion; sister to Ghislain, Amelie, Cadice, and Rochelle
Posts: 579
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Post by Sophie de Trevalion on Mar 28, 2009 14:26:44 GMT -5
"Rather grim, but I didn't get to see much of it. It would be nice to go back one day, and see it without the cloud of war hanging above the residents," I replied.
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on Mar 28, 2009 17:32:02 GMT -5
I nodded. "I can imagine it would be quite different." That was the extent of my knowledge of the subject, so I turned to another question. "What brings you out to Eisheth's Sanctuary today, if you don't mind my asking?"
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Sophie de Trevalion
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood
Daughter of L?ander and Aveline de Trevalion; sister to Ghislain, Amelie, Cadice, and Rochelle
Posts: 579
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Post by Sophie de Trevalion on Mar 30, 2009 21:32:21 GMT -5
"I'm going to pay my respects, and pray for the future. I'm a nurse," I explained. "Well, I'm not acting as such right now. But expect I'll use the skills again."
As promised, a gracefully archway appeared, framed by climbing vines in full bloom. "Looks like we're here."
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on Mar 30, 2009 21:40:05 GMT -5
It was beautiful, and it quite took my breath away. I almost didn't think about what she had said, so taken was I, but then I snapped back to attention. "A nurse? That sounds interesting, but difficult. Is it terribly hard emotionally?" I had to imagine that it would be.
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Sophie de Trevalion
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood
Daughter of L?ander and Aveline de Trevalion; sister to Ghislain, Amelie, Cadice, and Rochelle
Posts: 579
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Post by Sophie de Trevalion on Mar 31, 2009 0:35:44 GMT -5
We stepped through the arch and headed along the paving stones to a set of stairs that led up to the sanctuary. "I worked in one of the rehabilitation wards during the war. It certainly had its difficult moments."
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on Mar 31, 2009 11:30:36 GMT -5
I nodded. "I can see how it would have been. Rewarding though, at least you know you made a difference." I pondered that as we walked up the steps; what would it be like to lead a life that actually meant something to someone?
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Sophie de Trevalion
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood
Daughter of L?ander and Aveline de Trevalion; sister to Ghislain, Amelie, Cadice, and Rochelle
Posts: 579
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Post by Sophie de Trevalion on Apr 5, 2009 20:37:47 GMT -5
"Yes. And I would do it again in a heartbeat, if it were needed. I just pray it's not."
We entered the sanctuary, pushing open the solid wood doors that led inside. An acolyte saw us and began to come over. Before she could reach us, I said to Sophine, "I'm going to make an offering and then ask to look around."
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on Apr 5, 2009 20:44:30 GMT -5
I nodded, I could agree with her sentiment about war; Elua forbid we be faced with that again.
"Oh, do you mind if I tag along? That's what I was coming her for as well." I had decided that if I were to be visiting the temple, I should at least bring an offering, although I had to be honest that I wasn't sure what to do with it. Perhaps Sophie already knew?
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Sophie de Trevalion
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood
Daughter of L?ander and Aveline de Trevalion; sister to Ghislain, Amelie, Cadice, and Rochelle
Posts: 579
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Post by Sophie de Trevalion on Apr 8, 2009 0:53:45 GMT -5
"Oh, of course," I replied. We were led over to a bench to remove our shoes, and the alcolyte let us enter worship space was a wave of her hand. I approached Eisheth's statue at a solemn pace, trusting Sophine to follow me, and knelt at the base of the steps that led up to the angel's feet. Reaching for an unlit candle, I touched its wick to one of the many glowing ones, and set it in an empty holder. Bowing my head, I sent up a prayer for the men I had sent home, and for the health and safety of my family.
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on Apr 8, 2009 13:17:07 GMT -5
I followed Sophie's example, leaving behind my shoes and kneeling at the base of the statue. While I was lighting my candle and thinking of a suitable prayer, I studied the statue itself. Eisheth's rendering was beautiful, and comforting, if that was a quality a statue could possess. I prayed silently for my family, for their continued health and happiness, and for Maric and Lilli, my other family. I added Luc and Sandrine to my prayers, my two closest friends. I was lost in my prayers, and I could not have said how much time was passing as Sophie and I knelt at the statue's base.
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Sophie de Trevalion
Royal
Her Highness, Princess of the Blood
Daughter of L?ander and Aveline de Trevalion; sister to Ghislain, Amelie, Cadice, and Rochelle
Posts: 579
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Post by Sophie de Trevalion on Apr 9, 2009 1:30:49 GMT -5
I took comfort in the many glowing flames and the wings spread above us, sheltering us and softening whatever the world might throw our way. I drew the peace inside me, holding it in for another day when I might need it, and then fetched a violet from where I had tucked it in my gown. It was a little rumpled, but I smoothed it out before laying it at Eisheth's feet with silent thanks. I rose slowly, then made my way back to hand a small but heavy pouch to an old priest.
"Find healing my child," he murmured, stooping to kiss my forehead.
"Thank you my lord," I said with a soft smile, feeling at peace for the first time since I had left home.
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Post by Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour on Apr 11, 2009 14:05:13 GMT -5
I followed Sophie's example, having brought a little something at my sister's instruction. I felt refreshed, peaceful, and it was a feeling I was rather unaccustomed to, being given as I was to worrying perhaps overmuch.
After I received the Priest's blessing, I turned to Sophie and smiled. "Thank you for allowing me to accompany you, this is a most pleasant way to pass an afternoon. I think I should have come sooner."
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