Friends in Unexpected Places - Sophine & Faolan

[Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour]

It was a beautiful, and as summer would soon come to a close, I wanted to enjoy it. To that end, I left the townhouse early that morning, wearing only a pale yellow cotton dress and sandals. The air felt warm on my skin, and as I wandered the streets of the City, I felt completely content.

I decided that what I would really like to see was some greenery. The gardens at the Palace were lovely, so it was there I headed. I remembered the last time I'd been to the gardens, however, and so this time I headed for the south gardens, where I was less likely to have another unpleasant encounter - or so I hoped.

When I got there, I could see that other people had the same idea I had, and among the gardens there were a smattering of people enjoying the fine morning. Rather than stop and sit, I passed the time walking along the little paths and admiring the flowers.

[Faolan mab Ceallach]

I had looked outside and noticed that, again, it was a flawless day here. It seemed every day during the summer held perfection, at least not as much rain as Alba, the dirt of the land turning to mud high enough to drown a horse. I had heard the winters were treacherous, but I was sure they couldn't be as terrible as Alba. After all, we were farther north.

Needless to say, I had been trying to mingle from the moment I arrived and had not had a chance to really go back to my roots. Picking up my bow and my quiver of finely honed, sharpened and crafter arrows, after donning my traditional Alban garb -- a blue skirt that hit just above the knee, lighter blue tights and brown deerskin boots with wrappings a dusky brown that tied around my chest and stomach in ide bands of fabric and secured around my back, leaving my arms free -- I left my quarters, traipsing down the stairs and out the doors of the palace. Being in the southside, I ventured towards the south garden in search for a bit of wooded area to partake in target practice. My bow was slung familiarly over my shoulder the weight of my quiver against my back a comfort as I moved through the people, who, no doubt, thought me awkward for wearing such daring and out of place clothing in a place where fashion was a must and courting was an ongoing game and struggle.

[Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour]

I had been bending over to smell a particularly lush yellow rose, when I heard the murmur of voices, whispers that were loud enough to really be hiding anything. Curious, I straightened up and looked around. I saw immediately what everyone was whispering about - the exotic Alban woman, complete with bow and arrows. After a moment, I recognized her; Faolan mab Ceallach, from my natal.

I was excited to see her here, and hurried forward to intercept her. I had been very impressed with her at my fete, but with everything going on in my life I hadn't had the chance to attempt to meet with her. Fate seemed to be on my side today, and I soon fell into step beside her.

"Greetings, Faolan mab Ceallach." I said, smiling and hoping that she remembered me. "Would you mind some company on this fine day?"

[Faolan mab Ceallach]

A dark haired, dark eyed girl came to my side, walking in step with me and I furrowed my brow at first, then upon realizing who she was, stopped looking so damned suspicious and smiled as she greeted me.

"Sophine de Layne," I said with a soft laugh as I lightly mocked her formal greeting, sccrunching my nose and furrowing my brow a little bit, "and please, it's simply Faolan." I glanced her over quickly, her dress was pretty, very feminine, and I looked around at some of the people who fair gawked at me. I would haev thought they'd have been used to Albans by now, but maybe it was moreso an Alban who didn't conform to their social requirements. I sniffed at them, then turned to Sophine as we walked.

"I am sorry we didn't get to speak overmuch at your natale," I said with a laugh. "It turns out I got to speak to the blonde-haired beauty before you did."

[Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour]

"Ah well," I said, with a smile and an exaggerated sigh, "that appears to be the story of my life." I thought fleetingly of my several frustrating near-misses with Luc. "You must tell me all about it." I smiled, feeling the gazes of the nearby D'angelines like heat on my skin. Was that what it was like for Faolan all the time? How tiresome.

"I hope I'm not disturbing you, but I must be honest and tell you that I find you absolutely fascinating." I blushed a little at the admission, but rather than stare and whisper, I would prefer to be honest.

[Faolan mab Ceallach]

I laughed as we walked, feeling their gazes on us. In order to get the point across, I took my loose, flaming red curls, wrapping them a few times as we walked before letting it snake forward over my shoulder, revealing my markings. If they were going to stare, I may as well give them something to stare and gasp about, and mayhap upon sighting them, they would look away in terror. The thought made me smile.

Focusing back on Sophine, I laughed. "Not much to tell. I think maybe he was just being polite in speaking with me. He is older than I, and mayhap I was a bit too childlike," I said, frowning at first then smiling. "Then again, I suppose not everyone in Terre d'Ange sees someone of the opposite sex and immediately has devices on them." I said with a chuckle. Though, when I thought of it, not many men had approached me really. I shook the thought from my head as her next words raised my brows and coloured her cheeks. I laughed, full-bodied and loud, mirthful as I looked to her.

"Well, Sophine, I commend you on your courage. You are about the only d'Angeline to have enough of it to speak what is on their mind." I stopped, turning to her, tilting my head a bit. "What is it that fascinates you about me?" I asked. Only one other person had said as much, and I smiled warmly in thought of her. "Afterall, it is you d'Angelines who are not like the rest of the world." I said with a laugh.

[Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour]

"Really?" I laughed, thinking about what she said. "It seems almost the opposite to me. 'Men only have one thing on their minds' my sister always says." I watched her move her gorgeous red hair over one shoulder to reveal her markings and I had to restrain myself from reaching out and touching them. It was as if one took the marques of the Night Court and freed them from the constraints of the marquist's needle, made them exotic and wild, free flowing and beautiful; much like Faolan herself.

I laughed with her when she made her remark about we D'angelines and the rest of the world. "We aren't?" I said, laughing still. "I don't have much experience with the rest of the world, so I imagine it is all very exciting." I sighed and shook my head. "Unlike here, which can be immeasurably dull at times." I canted my head to the side as I looked at her. "Have you found it so?" I wondered what Terre d'Ange was like to someone from afar.

[Faolan mab Ceallach]

I looked to her as we walked. "Well, for one, you are a beautiful race. I don't think there is one among you who is not beautiful by the world's standards, even if they might be comely by yours. It is a little difficult, being in a world where everyone is terribly gorgeous. And mayhap that is why I do not have men falling over me," I shrugged giggling, "or maybe they're afraid I'll shank them for even having the thought." I laughed a full-bodied laugh at that. "But yes, you are a different people. Although, where it counts, you are the same. You work, you play, laugh and cry, have feelings, hurt others, love others. On the basic level we are all human, regardless of whether you have the blood of Gods," I said winking at her.

"And as for things to do... I guess it is a bit difficult. I am used to roaming, hunting, being free and in the wild. Here it is not as easily done. But I come out to practice my shooting when I am not busy exploring. And there are things that Terre D'Ange holds for me that home doesn't." I explained with a smile. Like possible answers, I thought to myself inwardly.

"But I do like that it seems that no matter where I go, I run into an acquaintance, or someone interesting," I said wtih a chuckle. "For example," I said with a warm smile, "there is this one Orchis adept. She is gorgeous, and exotic, but my Gods does she love getting her pretty little arse into trouble! I think you may know her... she was at your fete."

[Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour]

I was surprised at her comments about men, and I couldn't help but look at her appraisingly. She might not be D'angeline, but she was beautiful and exotic. I laughed at her remark about men being afraid; it was likely true! "I think the men here must be intimidated by you - not only beautiful, but utterly self-sufficient as well." I wrinkled my nose and added, "Men are such children in ways."

I listened with interest as she talked about hunting and roaming in the wild - how fascinating! "I would love to hunt, and to see wild places someday." I said wistfully, eyeing her bow and arrow. "Is that what you are going to do now, practice?"

Those thoughts were driven out of my head by her next words. "Oh Blessed Elua, do you mean Sandrine?" I laughed; her description was my friend to a T. "She is one of my closest friends!" It was a small world, indeed.

[Faolan mab Ceallach]

"Me?!" I said surprised that she thought so high of my strength, "hardly. But I do think we can both agree they are afraid," I said, rolling my eyes playfully.

Her reaction to my explanation of Sandrine made me smile warmly. "Then you have excellent taste in people, and choose wisely with friends. Sandrine is... definitely something else," I said softly, though I could feel my cheeks heat. Changing the topic before I looked like a babbling idiot, I thought about what she had said. "Yes, I am going to look for a sturdy tree, or bunch of trees to shoot at, basically. Would you care to join me?"

[Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour]

It was all I could do not to squeal with excitement when she invited me to join her. I realized immediately what a perfect idiot that would make me look like, so I contained my excitement. "Oh, that would be lovely, thank you."

Returning to the subject of Sandrine, which seemed to have an interesting effect on Faolan, which made me speculate on just how they knew each other, I said, "I do seem to be good at choosing friends." I was thinking not only of Sandrine, but Luc as well. We were quite the trio, and mayhap with Faolan we could be a foursome? The thoughts that came on the heels of that were enough to make me blush, so I quickly changed the subject.

"Will you teach me how to shoot?" I hoped that that wasn't some sort of taboo in Alba, but I couldn't recall learning anything of the sort.

[Faolan mab Ceallach]

I saw her smile and smiled back. It would be nice to have someone to walk with, especially someone who didn't look at me like I was some odd being. She flushed though, soon after, and I wondered at it, though it did make her cheeks a pretty pink colour. I wondered for a moment if I looked anything like that when I got embarassed, it was rather fetching.

Her next question made me laugh.

"You wish to learn, Sophine?" I asked a little incredulously, then felt my cheeks heat. I was not the type to be judgmental. "Well of course I shall teach you," I said with a grin. "Though we will need a place where there are not a great deal of people. I would like to keep the casualties to a minimum," I teased with a wide grin.

[Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour]

I laughed, imagining the thought of what would happen if a rogue arrow managed to hit anyone. "Perish the thought!" I failed to think of a good, unpopulated place, however, since I was fairly new to the City and mostly stayed in the City proper. "Have you found any good places for this sort of thing since you've been here? I personally seem to spend all of my time in highly populated areas." I chuckled, thinking of the fetes and shopping that seemed to take up all of my time. "I would hate to put anyone's eye out." I added with a smile.

[Faolan mab Ceallach]

"Well," I started with a smile, "although humans make good target practice, there is wooded area here for hunting. Maybe we are allowed to use it for practice." I said with a shrug. "And you mean to tell me there is no one you dislike enough that, given the chance, you would put their eye out? No jilter lovers or past jealousies?" I asked. I wasnt sure if this was too personal a question, but I thought I would ask it anyway. Afterall, I was considered unconventional to begin with. It would be chalked up to my Alban 'charm'.

[Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour]

I made a face, snickering softly. Jilted lovers? Well, mayhap... "I'm afraid my life really isn't all that interesting." I replied. "The closest thing I have is a foster brother who wants more than I have to give." I sighed, suddenly sober at the memory of our confrontation in the North Garden. When had things gotten so complicated between us? "But that is neither here nor there, when all is said and done, I still don't want to put an arrow through him." I wondered if he would say the same, and I had an uncomfortable itch between my shoulder blades at the thought. "Perhaps if I get good enough, I can simply shoot him in the foot or some such." I said, laughing softly.

[Faolan mab Ceallach]

Her face grew serious for a moment, and at first I regretted having making her remember something that was not pleasant, but then again, sometimes thinking over those things gives one better clarity. I smiled though, as she made light of it, joking about shooting her foster brother in the foot.

"Ah yes, I do recall you mentioning something about a foster brother at your fete. Well, shooting one in the foot is a good warning signal. Should they advance after that, well then they deserve to be shot higher up," I said with a laugh. I thought it funny, though it might have come off a little macabre. "Well at least boys come to you, to the point you have to apparently beat them off with the threat of an arrow in the foot," I said with a raised brow. "Then again, I'm not sure I would want someone to be..." I searched for an appropriate word, "obsessed? with me."

[Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour]

I chuckled at her jest, though I certainly wouldn't say I had men knocking down my door; which was apparently what Maric thought as well. With a wry smile, I addressed her next comment, shaking my head. "I don't know if I'd say 'obsessed', and it's partially my own fault, but it is quite uncomfortable when you simply can't return someone's feelings, no matter how much you might want to." Did I want to, really? When I imagined myself in a man's arms, it wasn't Maric's face I saw, it was Luc's. The thought of Luc made me smile softly - now there was a man I could have feelings for!

I shook myself out of my romantic reverie, this wasn't the time or the place for it. "I'm sorry, I'm sure you don't want to hear about my troubles with the opposite sex."

[Faolan mab Ceallach]

"Ah," I said in understanding as we continued to walk. "Well, no I really don't mind listening," I said with a sad smile, "I don't really have anyone to have this sort of female talk with, and I could really use it. I am terrible with fashion, and I am terrible with speaking to men. I either talk like what you may liken to a bawdy sailor, or I get reserved and blush like a child," I said worrying mybrows together. "It is really rather annoying... this whole being so innocent in such a silly area of life. I know so many other things that it just seems like... I feel... underdeveloped as a person." I said this with a laugh. "I need to get into touch with the woman side of me, as opposed to the warrior." I said with another laugh as I looked down at what I was wearing and became aware of the weight of my quiver and bow. Fine job I was doing at that.

[Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour]

I smiled and took Faolan's arm in mine, in the conspiratorial manner of women everywhere. "Well, mayhap I can help you in some of those areas, though I wouldn't say I was all that experienced with men." I made a face, chuckling. "If I was, I probably wouldn't have gotten myself into such a predicament. However, I am decent with fashion, and we can always run to Sandrine with our questions about men." I looked over her shoulder at her bow and quiver of arrows, and then said, "And perhaps you can help me, I should very much like to learn some of the 'warrior' side of myself, if indeed I have one."

[Faolan mab Ceallach]

I laughed as she hooked my arm, drawing me closer to her, and smiled. I was certain we made quite the interesting pair as we walked jovially forth.

"Well, even if you haven't the knowledge of a well trained adept, you have far more than I have. I mean afterall... I am stil...." I didn't complete the sentence and already I could feel my cheeks heat rather ridiculously. I cleared my throat, though, focussing on what she had said about Sandrine, and laughed, albeit maybe too forcefully. "Yes, she certainly knows what she is doing, doesn't she?" I asked with a knowing smile, though I was not sure she knew exactly what I might know, or what the smile denoted.

"As for discovering your skill with the bow and arrow," I said with a quirked brow, "I would be more than happy to oblige. Though I am not entirely sure how much warrior you have in you," and I bit my tongue from making the obvious bawdy remark that would have followed with my brethren on the field and instead smiled.

[Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour]

I knew what she was getting at even though she didn't finish her sentence, her cheeks turning quite a fetching rosy red. I chuckled and squeezed her arm lightly. "Don't feel bad, I've only done it once myself." Although the way things were going with Luc, I was praying that would change - and soon!

When we got back onto the subject of archery, I had to keep from skipping, I was that excited. "I'm not sure how much warrior I have in me, either..." I said, then trailed off as I realized how that sounded. "Let me rephrase that," I began, but couldn't think of anything that said it better. I laughed then, and shook my head. "Well, you get the idea."

We had finally drawn away from the more populated area of the South Garden, and there was no one in sight. I wanted to make sure we were far enough out, however, so I didn't stop, or suggest it. This part of the garden grew a little more wild, everything not grown in perfect rows or designs, and I decided I liked it better this way. Less sculpted, more natural. "I like this part of the garden best." I said aloud, wondering if Faolan would agree.

[Faolan mab Ceallach]

I chuckled as she realised that what she had just said held a double meaning. I was very tempted to say something along the lines of 'mayhap you should get some in you' but knew that sort of baudy talk was not supposed to be shared among young ladies. It was the sort of thing that I would have said on the battlefield, young as I was. The men had influenced me i nthe time we spent in commraderie.

I noted how her spirits became high when we spoke of archery, and wondered what it was about it that intrigued her, and was minded to ask, but was stopped before I could.

I brought myself to pay attention once again to my surroundings, notcing how tthe grass rew longer, the flowers not as perfectly groomed and smiled. "Yes, I like this myself as well, though I still much prefer the forest," I said with a sigh. "Something about sitting under an aged tree, knowing it has seen many generations before you, it is humbling, and comforting. Though this is beautiful in its own way too," I said smiling. We were not yet within the trees, and we needed them for the practice. "We will have to go further until we hit more of a wooded area, not too wooded of course, but still, the less populated the better. And the more non-human targets, the better as well," I said with a chuckle. As we walked I looked over to her. She didnt seem like others, she seemed more carefree, more... alive.

"So what has possessed you to take a liking to archery? Why not.... music... or painting."

[Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour]

"I've never seen a true forest." I said, slightly envious as I listened to her rapt description. "I grew up near the sea, so there were less trees and more sand." I had my own moment of nostalgia, and with the heat of summer I missed swimming. Thinking aloud, I mused, "I wonder if there is anywhere good to swim around the City? Even a lake would do..." I wished I had more of a head for geography, I was certain some lakes must run nearby, but I'd be damned if I could think of any.

I followed Faolan as we looked for a place with more trees and less people, for I certainly did not wish to put out anyone's eye, and then answered her question with a smile. "I never really thought about it, but in my reading, it sounds so much more interesting than mundane things like music or painting." I made a face, then laughed. "And also, I am not so good at 'feminine' things, so mayhap this will be something I can do well. It would be nice to have some sort of skill."

[Faolan mab Ceallach]

"Ahh the sea," I murmured in response to her own reverie, thinking on the shores of Alba. "That is nice as well, the sound of waves crashing against the facade of a cliff," I said with a soft smile. "You must miss it." I snapped out of my thoughts. There was that awkward omniscient feeling again, and I fought it back, hoping she didn't see me furrow my brows. I focused on her other words to beat the feeling down. "Well, that is as admirable a reason to pursue it as any," I said reassuringly. "And don't worry, all those feminine things.... they are nice but they are not much good other than for recreation and securing the wrong sort of man," I said with a snort of a chuckle, then stopped, hoping that I hadn't insulted her. Judging by our conversation though, I figured she would probably agree. I looked around and noted that we were heading a little west, and towards the forest. We would probably be upon the more wooded area soon as the vegetation grew more wild about us. With every step I felt freer, lighter, as though a burdon was being lifted.

[Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour]

"I do miss it." I sighed, smiling softly. "But I am coming to enjoy the City more everyday." I thought of Luc, then, and yes, I was definitely beginning to appreciate the City.

I chuckled at her next words, thinking of my sister. "Oh, I think many women here would tell you those skills were for marrying the right kind of man - one that has enough money to keep you up to your ears in embroidery and babies for the the rest of your life!"

We were moving further away from any area that I was familiar with, but Faolan seemed sure of herself, so I wasn't too terribly worried about getting lost. I had an image in my head of being lost in the woods, and so I had to ask, "Do you know your way around over here?"

[Faolan mab Ceallach]

I made a noise that could be describe as a chortle, certainly not a very ladylike noise to make, as she described the quintessential woman... or at least some of the upper crust of society's views on the matter. "Please, if I were a man I would want a woman who was skilled enough that, should I pass, she could take over wtihout any strife. I wouldn't want her to be utterly useless and then be forced out of need to marry the next thing that walked in front of the house," I said adamently. "Yes, cooking, cleaning, watching the kids, they are important, but that won't help you when a thief comes in the night to steal your possessions, or when your country goes to war," I continued, probably far more heated than the present mood prescribed. I calmed myself, smiling apologetically as I took a deep breath. "My apologies. I just think that while those are nice and admirable pursuits, they are not the ones that could save someone's life. I have never seen a painbrush deal a mortal wound," I said with a chuckle.

I looked around, taking a deep breath of the warm, grass and foiliage scented air, my senses keen about me. I smiled at Sophine. "What, are you fearful of an adventure?" I queried, raising my brows.

[Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour]

I was a bit taken aback by Faolan's vehemence on the subject at hand, but after a moment to think about it, I realized that I felt much the same, only I hadn't had the words for it. I shook my head as she apologized. "Oh, I agree with you completely. Sadly, however, I am so sorely lacking in domestic skills that my sister despairs of my ever finding a man to marry me." Not that I was interested in that, and perhaps that was why I managed to find a way to fail at every domestic task I attempted?

Her question made me chuckle slightly. "Well, not necessarily fearful, but I must confess that not only don't I have any domestic skills, I certainly do not possess any survival skills, either." At this point, I might have laughed, only I suddenly realized how utterly useless I sounded. What good was I, really? That thought was so depressing, if I were near a bridge, I might have thrown myself from it. Well, not really, but still. "You must think I am a complete nitwit." I said, sighing dramatically.

[Faolan mab Ceallach]

I chuckled in response to her laugh, but stopped short as she went on. I clasped my hand to her shoulder, giving her a gentle shake as I looked into her eyes. "Come come now, why would I think you a complete nitwit? Sometimes gifts are given by the Gods and talent is something that is easy, second nature. Other times people have to develop these things. Some things are harder to get if not started at an early age, other things you can start whenever you like. Just be patient Sophine," I said with a smile, soft and reassuring as I removed my hand, "you will find something."

I turned back on our route, spotting a clearing that faced a number of sturdy trees. I smiled then, turning to her then nodding my head in the direction.

"Come," I said with a girlish giggle as I moved to run over to the clearing, knowing she would follow.

[Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour]

I almost teared up at Faolan's words, her encouragement made me feel better. "Thank you, it helps not to think I'm such a lost cause." Faolan seemed to have found a spot, and before we could say more, she ran off in the direction of a nearby clearing.

With a wide grin, I followed her, skirts flying as I ran. I wished suddenly that I could get away with dressing the way she did; I admired her form as she ran, she looked like she belonged in the woods, while I looked like I should be having lunch in the City. Twigs snapped under my sandals, and I was glad we weren't trying to be stealthy.

When we reached the clearing, I stopped, panting a little. I realized I was out of shape since coming to the City and resolved to get more exercise. "Apparently City life is making me soft." I said, laughing lightly.

[Faolan mab Ceallach]

I laughed as she pulled up alongside me, panting, my own breathing rather steady. "So it seems to do to everyone. The trick is just to not give into it. Rather difficult what with the lovely pastries and dainty dresses, luncheons and tea services, courting in the halls of the palace and dates to restaurants," I giggled then, rather girlishly. "Mayhap its a good thing men don't show interest in me," I said with a fuller laugh.

I moved to remove my quiver from my back, and my bow as well, the full length of it just over a foot smaller than I was. I loved my longbow to death.

Placing both on the ground before me, I turned to her.

"Alright... are you ready for your first lesson?" I asked, cocking my head to the side, my red waves flowing over my shoulder in the light breeze.