Practice Makes Perfect - Guy & Sandrine

[Guy de Layne]

I had arrived in the City as expected, and met my ward, one very noble, very rich noble young woman, also as expected. Thus far, she seemed much calmer than my previous charge, and while I expected this assignment to be dull, at least I didn't feel like a babysitter. Not yet, anyway.

The morning had dawned bright and sunny, and while I was hoping to get in a visit with my sisters before too long, I felt the urge to use this time for something that was as much a part of me as breathing - practicing with my daggers. To that end, the front of the estate where I was staying had a large garden that was perfect for my needs. It was fenced in, but still didn't allow for much privacy, as it was wrought iron. Well, it was early, so there wasn't likely to be anyone about to watch me anyway, not that that would have stopped me.

I began with the easiest forms, things I had learned as a child, and as I began I felt myself relaxing immediately. There was nothing more calming than the familiar forms I had been doing every day for the past fifteen years. After a time, even in the cool early morning air, I found I was overheated. I paused to strip off my shirt, tossing it to the ground beside me. My torso was already covered with a fine sheen of sweat, and it was only going to get hotter.

[Sandrine nó Orchis]

I never felt comfortable in the richest part of town. Most of my clients were not wealthy, and so I didn't know how to act. However, I had one regular patron who was more than half my age, and he loved to take advantage of my...ah...youth. He also gave rather large patron gifts, and so I was always happy to play any role that he desired.

Unfortunately this day I had been required to leave quite early, due to the endless set of chores--today was laundry day--and I didn't have time to change my clothes or take the plaits out of my hair. My dress was quite short, held up by naught but thin straps barely clinging to my shoulders, and I felt goosebumps raising on my bare legs and arms as I walked through the empty streets. Thank Elua it was so early...I felt utterly ridiculous.

I heard a strange whistling sound, and I paused, looking about me. What in the world could that be?

And then I saw a flash of metal and a glimpse of skin through a wrought iron fence. I took a step closer, squinting to see what it was.

It was a man, gorgeous in the mold of all d'Angelines, moving seamlessly in what looked like wrought iron cage. My breath caught in my throat as I moved even closer, unable to stop myself. I was captivated by shiny things, and the man was definitely shiny. He had what looked like daggers--vambraces?--attached to his arms, which meant he could be only one thing. I was standing at the fence now, fingers curling around the iron designs, my face pressed against the metal so that I could see better.

"A Casseline," I breathed, reverently, watching him move, my eyes wide. Even though I couldn't understand why anyone would take the Casseline vow, I respected anyone with such self control. I had none myself.

[Guy de Layne]

I was immediately aware that I was being watched, and my muscles tensed as I continued the forms, though now on alert. I hardly feared a threat here in the North Borough of the City, but then again, my ward's father had hired me for good reason, and I wasn't fool enough to assume there was no danger here. I moved into another form, one that had me pivot, and I used that to my advantage, looking without seeming to all around the front of the house.

There. Peering through the bars of the fence like a child, a woman. One with dark hair, plaited like a child's might be, in a short, but fetching, dress. She was watching me practice my forms with rapt attention, and I had to smile. Turning to face her, I bowed low and approached the fence.

"Good morning, my lady, is there something I can do for you?"

[Sandrine nó Orchis]

He moved so beautifully that I didn't notice he was looking at me until it was too late. I blushed mightily as he approached, feeling much like the child I looked like, with my hand caught in the jar of sweets.

I felt even more like an idiot.

"N-No," I stammered, looking down. "I was just...ah, passing by...and I saw you, and..." I trailed off, unsure of where to go with my words. Finally I swallowed hard and looked into his eyes.

"I'm sorry, you caught me off guard, sir," I said, as evenly as I could muster. "My name's Sandrine nó Orchis, and I was on my way home from an assignation." I smiled softly. "And then I got distracted by a beautiful sight, this early in the morning. Are you...a Casseline?" I asked, unnecessarily. I just wanted to carry on a conversation as long as I could.

[Guy de Layne]

Her discomfiture was a bit amusing, but I wasn't usually in the business of making women uncomfortable, so I smiled and hoped that I appeared less intimidating as she stated her business. Her question elicited a chuckle, and I bowed to her as I replied, "Indeed I am, my lady. Guy de Layne, at your service."

I straightened up and regarded her in more detail. She was quite lovely, and her dark skin seemed radiant in the early morning light. Her eyes were bright, and I could imagine she would be quite at home in Orchis. I ran a hand through my hair, slick with sweat, and wondered what type of assignation would have her looking like such a young- I decided then that I really didn't want to know.

"Well, it is rather early for a young woman to be walking home alone. Would you like an escort?" My ward would not be up for some hours yet, and I was allowed a modicum of time to do with as I pleased, and so I would use that time to see Sandrine back to Mont Nuit safely, if she so desired.

[Sandrine nó Orchis]

I curtseyed in reply--not too low, lest I expose myself to the entire street--and smiled, noting that he was looking me over with a flush of pleasure. What little I understood of the Cassiline vows included some whispered ideas that all of the men were celibate. That seemed unfair in a place like Terre d'Ange, but I supposed that was part of the sacrifice. It wouldn't be a sacrifice if it was easy.

"I would love an escort, Sir de Layne. Not for my own safety, but more because if I walk by myself there is no one to listen to my witty banter." I smiled my most winning smile at him, unable to stop my eyes from dancing along the chiseled lines of his body. Stupid vow...

And then something he said made me start. I clutched the wrought iron fence tighter, looking at him, trying to discern any resemblance. "Did you say de Layne?" I asked, tilting my head to the side. "I know a girl named Sophine...she has the same surname as you. Are you related?"

[Guy de Layne]

I moved a few feet down from her as she accepted my offer, opening the gate and coming around to face her without wrought iron bars between us. I realized that I'd forgotten my shirt as I sheathed my blades, but then it was already shaping up to be a sunny day, and I thought I could go without it.

Her next words caused me to smile widely. "Sophine is my baby sister, do you know her?" I knew she wasn't a baby anymore, but I couldn't help it, that's who she was in my mind.

[Sandrine nó Orchis]

I watched him put the blades in their sheaths before I looked up at his face, listening to what he said. "I'm one of the first people she met in the City," I said, proudly. "Don't worry, I've taken exceptional care of her."

I paused. "It's funny that you would call her your 'baby' sister," I mused, looking at him. "I think that she and I are about the same age...and despite what I'm wearing, I am no child." I reached up and started unbraiding one of the plaits, fingers deftly separating my hair into my familiar curls. It was the work of only a few moments. Once finished, I quickly took apart the second plait, combing my fingers through my hair. "You should have come to her natal, it was very enjoyable."

[Guy de Layne]

I tried not to frown as she mentioned 'taking care of' my sister. Was this what was meant by Sophine becoming wild? My eyes were a bit more critical of Sandrine after this statement, but I could not find any obvious reasons that she should not be hanging about with my sister. I chuckled as she unplaited her hair and spoke of their ages; she was right, Sophine was not a child.

"Ah, it is hard for me not to see her as a toddling two-year-old, chasing after us and putting everything in her mouth." I at least hoped that had changed. "Alas, I wasn't in the City yet for her natal, I hear I missed Marc and Henri as well." I furrowed my brow, "Perhaps I should bring her a belated gift? Is there anything you can suggest?" I smiled ruefully. "I fear it has been so long since I've seen her that you know her better than I."

[Sandrine nó Orchis]

My hair was back to its normal unruly state, the riot of curls cascading over my shoulders. I laughed at the idea of baby Sophine. "She must have been a very cute baby," I said, reaching over and pulling the gate closed before we both forgot. I almost remarked that the main thing I had seen her put in her mouth was alcohol, but something told me that wouldn't be the right thing to say.

"I think she would love a gift, but you don't have to get her anything fancy." I looked up, thinking. "She's thinking of starting classes at the Academy...maybe something that might help her there?"

I didn't have any siblings, and so I didn't truly understand the bond between Sophine and Guy, if any. "Why haven't you seen her in a while?" I asked. "Is it because of...?" My eyes flickered to his vambraces before I met his gaze once again.

[Guy de Layne]

I nodded, suddenly proud of her for wanting to study. Dyan must have been exaggerating, and I was oddly relieved. It was strange, worrying so over a person I barely knew, but blood was blood, after all. "Perhaps I shall have to go shopping this week." I made a face to show what I thought of that; shopping wasn't in my nature, unless it was for weapons or horseflesh.

Her next question elicited a nod, as we began walking down the wide avenue. "Yes, I left home when I was ten, and Sophine was two. To be honest, I have been gone so long even the siblings I was closer in age to are strangers." I smiled, shrugging. "It is the way of the world, it seems. What of you, any siblings?" I was admiring her curly locks probably more than I should be, so I turned my attention to the road ahead of us while I awaited her response.

[Sandrine nó Orchis]

I looked down and then up at him through my eyelashes in a fair approximation of a shy person. "If you need someone to help you...well, very soon you'll know where I live."

I shook my head at his question as I walked with him, a step or two behind. "I'm an only child. Hence my constant need for attention. My mother could barely handle me as it was." I chanced a glance at him and noticed him looking at me before he looked ahead again, flushing again. He was eight years older than me, and it was quite flattering that someone much older and so attractive might be interested in someone like me. Of course, he was a Cassiline. And Sophine's brother. So it would never ever work out. Right?

Oh Elua, I barely knew him and already I had us getting married. Grow up, Sandrine, honestly.

[Guy de Layne]

I chuckled at her remark. "Indeed I shall, though I shall cause quite a stir coming and going from Orchis House. What will people say?"

I had to smile when she mentioned being a handful; I'd known her only minutes, and I could imagine that to be true. "Ah, well, I shall be sure to lavish you with attention while we are together." It was times like these that my vows were quite the inconvenience, but I had become accustomed to enjoying the company of beautiful women and keeping my urges in check.

[Sandrine nó Orchis]

"They'll say the same things they always do about me," I shrugged. "But since you're a Cassiline, that will make the gossip so much better." I made my voice higher in an approximation of all the nosy women I had ever known. "Oh, that Sandrine, now she's causing young men to break their vows and blaspheme, such a terrible girl, what will the Dowayne do with her?..."

I shook my head, voice returning to normal. "As if I would ever do such a thing," I said innocently, almost under my breath. I meant it. Though the thought was tempting.

"If you do lavish me with attention," I said to him, grinning, "then we will get along famously. Though, if going to Mont Nuit makes you uncomfortable..." I thought for an instant. "Well, we can stop just short." I laughed. "It's funny, you should have seen Sophine's face when she found out where I was from. Eyes big as saucers. It was very cute." Again, probably not a good idea to tell Guy that she had been to Orchis. Or why she had come in the first place. Those daggers looked mighty deadly, and I liked all my appendages just where they were.

[Guy de Layne]

I laughed aloud at her mimicry - I had seen a bit of that in my time as well. "No, no, I am quite comfortable. And like you, I don't mind idle tongue's a-wagging. People will talk if they are going to, regardless of what one does. I have long ago learned to dismiss such things."

When she brought up Sophine again, and her reaction to the Night Court, I shook my head, though in truth I was relieved; the fact that she had apparently been taken aback was probably a good sign that she wasn't getting into too much trouble. I hoped. "Tell me about Sophine," I said, honestly curious, "I'd like to know what to expect when I see her."

[Sandrine nó Orchis]

I nodded once. "I wish I was as strong as you," I said, truthfully. "I mean, most of the times it doesn't bother me...or at least I don't let it. But when I was younger..." I shook my head, trying to dispel the bad memories that suddenly came unbidden, and sighed. It wouldn't do to let him, or anyone, see me so melancholy. I couldn't afford to get kicked out of another house.

"Sophine is...Sophine!" I said, laughing. "She's very innocent...Sometimes I feel a bit older than her, although she's been more places and seen more things and knows more than me. She just isn't used to living in a city. I've tried to teach her what little I know. Luckily I haven't got her into too much trouble." I smiled, remembering how we snuck into the Academy, and then looked up at him, remembering who I was talking to. "Ah, not that I would ever do such a thing, Guy. Not...not on purpose."

[Guy de Layne]

I sensed that Sandrine was perhaps a bit more hurt by those comments than she let on, and I felt a protective urge coming over me. It was not only my training, but my very nature. Still, I also sensed she did not wish to speak of it, and I, in turn, would never pry.

The subject was changed at any rate, when she began to speak of my sister. I smiled at her assessment, and at her slight nervousness at my reaction. "Well, I feel better knowing that my sister has a friend like you, despite the trouble you may get into." What could I expect, they were young girls, it was only to be expected that they find some trouble. "As long as 'trouble' does not equate to 'danger', I shall endeavor not to be overprotective. I have a feeling she would not appreciate it, anyhow." I said, smiling ruefully. After all, she hardly knew me.

[Sandrine nó Orchis]

I shook my head, curls flying everywhere. "Oh, of course not. I may be a 'handful', but I would never put anyone in danger for my own silliness..."

That wasn't quite true. I would never put Sophine in any danger on purpose. But occasionally things happened to me that I couldn't control, no matter what I did. Sometimes I wasn't sure if I looked for trouble or if trouble just found me wherever I was.

"Don't worry," I said. "I won't be a bad influence or anything. I talk like I am very tough, but in reality there's no maliciousness in my heart." I looked up at him, my smile matching his own. "I just can't help it, I get bored most days, and then I go out and find something to do. Sometimes that something isn't the nicest or most virtuous thing, but I never mean to hurt anyone or anything."

[Guy de Layne]

I believed her, those big dark eyes didn't seem to hold deceit in them. Or if she were lying, she was very, very good. I prided myself on being a good judge of character, however, and while Sandrine might very well get into trouble, I didn't see any harm in her.

"Ah, boredom, the prelude to trouble." I said, chuckling. "I have known it's charms once or twice." What could I say, I had been in trouble a few times in my youth as well. "Well, if you are ever in trouble and need a hand getting out, that is one of the things I do well."

[Sandrine nó Orchis]

My eyes widened. "You? In trouble?" I gently poked him in the side, partially to tease and partially because I wanted to touch him. "I can't imagine it. Whatever could you have possibly done?"

"As for needing a hand..." I shuddered slightly, smile melting off my face, remembering Gadleon. "The last time I asked for help, I ended up worse off than I started." I bit my lip, thinking. "But that was my fault. And now I know who not to ask for help." I shrugged, and then looked up at him. "Don't worry, I hadn't met Sophine yet. And everything's fine now."

I felt like I had said too much. He probably thought I was going to get Sophine involved in all my naughty escapades. Much like his sister, something about his earnest nature made me talk a lot more than I should. Hopefully he wouldn't think too badly of me.

[Guy de Layne]

I nodded as she poked me lightly in the ribs. "Oh yes, I have had my share. Once... no, I shouldn't tell tales." I made a face, then laughed softly. "Even Cassilines were once nothing more than young boys, and what are young boys, if not made for trouble?"

I frowned slightly at her next words - who would not help a woman in distress? "Well, I for one would lend you a hand, no questions asked." I said, magnanimously. It was partially true, I probably would ask questions, but I'd help nonetheless. "Do not be so hard on yourself." I said, reaching over to brush a stray curl from her cheek. "Every young woman should have a little trouble now and then."

[Sandrine nó Orchis]

"He lent a hand, alright," I said, smiling ruefully. "His hand as well as his steel. And then I owed him for what he did for me. I lived in fear for weeks, waiting for the other shoe to drop..." I shuddered again, remembering those days. "Finally, he approached me at a fete...and he gave me a talking to. Like my father or something." I laughed nervously. "It was a relief, I suppose, but also a bit of a let down. All that worrying for nothing. I never want to talk to a Shahrizai again. What a tease."

I blushed furiously as he touched me, closing my eyes for a fleeting instant. How embarrassing, I generally didn't act this way. It was all the ways he was forbidden to me, I was sure. Plus I knew if I did get any trouble, he would take care of me. That was an attractive quality, moreso than his handsome face or gorgeous body.

"Oh, I think you should tell tales," I said, stopping in front of him, a sly smile on my face. "I won't tell Sophine--or anyone else. It'll be our secret, I promise."

[Guy de Layne]

I frowned as she told her tale of 'help', but when she mentioned that the man in question was Shahrizai, I nodded sagely. "I have only known a few Shahrizai, but they are dangerous folk - you never know what their motivation, and what they will do next, but you can be sure, they know yours, and they won't hesitate to use that knowledge."

I laughed as she promised to keep my secrets, and I didn't doubt that she would. "Let's see, oh I know." I got into my 'tale-spinning' mode, lowering my voice conspiratorially, and using my hands for effect. "The first few months after I arrived, I had only made a few friends, and one of them, Darrin by name, and I decided to play a little trick on the Brother who gave us our history lessons. Now, out in the gardens, we had found an anthill, full of biting ants. They won't do any lasting damage, but their bites can be quite itchy. One day, after a particularly grueling lesson, Darrin and I went out to the garden and dug up the anthill, then planted it in the Brother's bed. That night, his yells were heard all through the monastery." I laughed at the memory, then grimaced. "However, someone had seen us, and I got the strapping of my young life." I could almost still remember it - it had been the first time I'd ever felt the strap, though certainly not the last.

[Sandrine nó Orchis]

"Well, I know that now," I said, smiling slightly. "But I don't like to listen to such things as reason. And, honestly, I didn't know what he was. Shahrizai don't often come to Orchis. Now I keep my distance from them."

My eyes danced from his hands to his eyes as I watched him. The change in him was huge, like night and day, and I delighted in it. My grimace at the end of his story almost matched his. "How mean!" I breathed, shaking my head. "And here I was worried you would think I was a naughty girl." I clucked my tongue at him, chuckling. "Though, just for future reference...how did you transport the ant hill? Did you put it in a bucket? Did you get bitten? Sounds rather dangerous!" Even though I had chided him, I couldn't deny that the plan was brilliant.

[Guy de Layne]

I laughed as she spoke, her mind going straight to the heart of the matter - logistics. "Actually, Darrin was quite the one for ideas, but not much for execution. We brought a burlap sap for the anthill, which didn't quite hold in the ants the way we thought it would." I shook my head, remembering. "Oh, we probably got bitten as many times as our 'victim', which in retrospect hardly seems worth it." I chuckled, and then remembered something else. "The funny thing is, Darrin has had quite the illustrious career, and before I left his name was being used to show students how an upstanding Cassiline should behave. It just goes to show, a little trouble doesn't make one incorrigible."

I looked over at her as we walked, thinking how adorable she looked in that little-girl skirt, with her curls cascading over her back... I wrenched my eyes back to the road and away from that train of thought. What was the matter with me? Not since puberty had I had to wrestle so much with my thoughts, and I found it quite disconcerting. "Tell me one of your tales. It's only fair, after all."

[Sandrine nó Orchis]

I tapped my lips with my fingers, thinking. "I think there's some sort of cream or lotion you can use to keep the ants off of you. Or maybe there's a natural remedy..." I mused. "I'll have to ask someone in Balm." I paused, then looked up at him. "Not that I would ever do that sort of thing, of course." I winked. "So your career hasn't been illustrious? What does an illustrious career entail, for a Cassiline?"

When he asked me about my tales, I smiled, wondering which one he should hear. "Well, I'm not sure if you've noticed, but I don't look like most d'Angelines. My father is Jebean, and my mother is an adept of Jasmine. Most people can tell I'm not pure d'Angeline, but they can't put their finger on what I am exactly." I glanced at him, noticing that he was looking at me, and blushed a bit. I hated that I was wearing this stupid child's dress. I must have looked like an idiot, especially to someone so mature and worldly. "So I often use that to my advantage. Once I was contracted for a fete, and a young lord, older than me but younger than you, approached me. I immediately affected my version of a Jebean accent to amuse myself. He was awed by the fact that I was from such a faraway land, and I was very pleased with the way the ruse was going--until he revealed that he had traveled and lived there for a few months. He started peppering me with questions...what part of the country was I from, what was my favorite food, how I found Terre d'Ange different, and so on. I bluffed my way through as best I could, and it seemed like I had convinced him. It was only much later, when I was lying in his arms after a particularly energetic bout of lovemaking, that he revealed he knew I was a fake." I grinned broadly. "You know, it's funny...he didn't seem to mind." I chuckled a bit at the memory. "Anyway, after that embarrassment I started reading up on my other homeland. Now I could do a much better job. And I have." I paused, imagining that beautiful country. "It's my fondest dream to go there, Guy. And once I complete my marque, I will."

[Guy de Layne]

I shook my head, smiling, as she attempted to come up with ways to better my old prank, and I wondered if I shouldn't have given her any ideas.

"Illustrious, me? No, not yet, but I am still holding out hope." I said, chuckling. Thus far, my career had assisted mainly of guarding young noblewomen, which was a worthwhile pursuit, but not one that inspired men to glory. "I may be a few years older than you, but I think I still have some time."

I listened as she launched into her story about the young lord, and it was rather amusing. I could just see her, with her fake accent, charming the pants right off of the young lord. I could also see her lying in his arms after the "particularly energetic bout of lovemaking" and that was a thought I had to quickly banish.

"I had noticed, actually, and I must say that Jebean and D'angeline mix quite well together, if you are any indication." It was true, her wild curls and exotic brown skin coupled with D'angeline beauty was a very enticing combination indeed. When she spoke of going to visit Jebe Barkal, I smiled. "Oh, I can tell that you are the type of woman who does what she sets out to do. I have no doubt that you shall make the trip. I have always wanted to see the world myself, and I hope one day that my duties shall permit it." I thought of Marc and Henri, and even Marcel's discontent with his lot, and added, "We de Laynes seem to be afflicted with a bit of wanderlust, I've noticed."

[Sandrine nó Orchis]

"I'm still waiting to become illustrious, too," I said, softly. "Hopefully it won't be too much longer."

I blushed again--Elua, Naamah, and Eisheth, was this going to become a habit?--when he complimented me. "Thank you, Guy." I smiled mischievously. "Maybe one day I'll get to see how I might mix with a pure D'Angeline." My eyes flickered to him for an instant before I looked ahead at the road.

It was only honest flirting. I couldn't help it, it was like breathing to me. Plus, Guy seemed like the perfect Cassiline, he would never give in to temptation, especially not to someone like me. Still, it wasn't fair. I would have to do my best to suppress my nature.

"Sophine said something similar. She wants to travel too." I quirked an eyebrow when he mentioned his duties. "You can't just go and do what you like? You know, take a vacation?" I bit my lip, thinking for a second. "Maybe I should hire you when I go. I'll bet you could protect me from anything."

[Guy de Layne]

"Ah well, illustrious, notorious, it's all the same, isn't it?" I teased, hoping to draw another beautiful smile out of her. I don't know what it was, but I could look at that smile all day. And all night... now where had that thought come from? Were all adepts so maddeningly beautiful and funny and adorable? The City of Elua, it seemed, was going to be far more dangerous than I had imagined.

Her next words, flirtatious though they were, were enough to bring a blush to my cheeks - a feat no one had managed to accomplish in many years. I could hardly even think up a witty response, but I was saved by her mercifully changing the subject.

"Does she?" I was not surprised, but actually sorry for her - father would never allow it. Marc and Henri had been allowed to go and that was it as far as our father was concerned. No, Sophine was expected to do nothing more with her life than marry well. I didn't say these things aloud, as I wasn't sure they wouldn't get back to my sister, and it was best that she hear these things from me. I didn't want her to get her hopes up, though I feared I might be too late.

"A vacation, perhaps. Every so often we do such things. In fact, I have only recently come from seeing my father for the first time in fifteen years." I smiled when she spoke of hiring me; I had to admit, I liked the idea. "I would certainly do my best. Which is, of course, formidable." I said with a wink.

[Sandrine nó Orchis]

I ran my fingers through my hair as he compared the two terms and smiled weakly, because I knew it wasn't true and he was just being nice. One day I would be good and not so incorrigible, I knew it, but it was just so much easier to pretend there was no consequences for my actions.

My smile turned genuine as I saw him blush. Now I could see the family resemblance, though it was slight. It was only because I had seen the same color on Sophine's cheeks so many times. I hadn't expected that from him, and my triumph quickly faded to guilt.

"Yes, I want her to come with me when I go," I said, a bit more subdued. "After all, I can't go by myself, and she's so smart and clever, I know she would be a good person to have along." The glimmer of an idea was forming in my head...I already wanted Faolan to come, so why couldn't Sophine come too? The more the merrier, right? And, I mused, a bit selfishly, they had more money that I ever would. That would help too.

"And I don't doubt you would be very dangerous." I shuddered, but it was a pleasant one, much like I felt when scary stories were told. "I watched you for a little bit before you stopped...you seem quite deadly with a sword."

"You just came from a vacation?" I asked, coming to a stop in my disappointment, unable to stop a moue of distaste from crossing my face. "Does that mean you'll have to wait another fifteen years? I don't think I could wait that long." I looked up at him, pouting a bit before I quickly wiped that expression from my face and replaced it with a normal, non-flirtatious smile. In my mind, Guy was already a part of the trip, along with Sophine and Faolan.