Thereza de Soigneux
Military
First Lieutenant
Second in Command to Captain de Etalon
Posts: 233
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Post by Thereza de Soigneux on Jan 6, 2011 10:42:12 GMT -5
The laugh, though a quiet one, showed that the Dauphin did at least see the humor in my statement, which was probably for the best. I didn't worry overly much about pleasing people based solely on their rank but I wasn't stupid enough to want to offend them either. It would only make my life more difficult in the long run and this Prince seemed to be the good sort of nobility in any case. The kind that was needed as far as I was concerned, and I gave him another respectful sideways glance before taking a sip of my wine.
"They do have a sort of noble air about them," I agreed with a fond look for my own puppy where he sat on the table. "I don't know a good deal about dogs and it's probably too early to say but I'd say they should end up good-sized creatures. They have the build of some of the mountain dogs in Siovale." Hopefully that would be the case; Casanova could easily be trained to guard or track and be strong enough that he wouldn't be defenseless in battle. "Are you going to have them trained for anything in particular once they're weaned?"
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Post by Prince Christien de la Courcel on Jan 9, 2011 15:26:54 GMT -5
I hadn't thought about it yet, but when she brought it up, I knew I wanted more for them than to be like some of the indolent, pampered noble pets that I'd seen in my time. Granted, most of those were small dogs that were not really suitable for anything else, but if Reza was right, these dogs would be bigger, and therefore more useful.
"Hmm, I don't really hunt..." that was the most common thing a noble's dog would be trained for, but honestly I wasn't much of a hunter. "Perhaps I could train them to keep watch." I was mostly thinking of Cori, I liked the idea of an extra layer of protection for her. "I guess we'll have to see how they take to it when they get older." I smiled happily down at the puppies, excited already about presenting Cori with Luna, knowing that while she did not love animals as much as I did, she would still be pleased with the gift.
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Thereza de Soigneux
Military
First Lieutenant
Second in Command to Captain de Etalon
Posts: 233
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Post by Thereza de Soigneux on Jan 9, 2011 19:13:28 GMT -5
The more he relaxed the more his affection for these animals seeped through, and it reminded me very much of myself at times. I had reason to keep myself distanced from most people, and if I was honest with myself I knew that I didn't know how to relate to most of them- and while I doubted his reasons were the same a Dauphin would no doubt compartmentalize himself much the same way. When things needed to be done sometimes the emotions had to be put aside, and through history it was shown that the nobility had a knack for doing just that.
Casanova stirred a bit and I ran my hand lightly over his back, which seemed to calm him a good deal, making him sigh and fall back into a deeper slumber. This creature would need my affection, not just training, because he wouldn't be able to find it anywhere else, so perhaps that was the lesson I was supposed to learn from this experience. "Casanova will be taught to guard as well as more intensive obedience training," I said after a moment of speculation. "With my duties that's the best way to ensure he stays safe and has a job to do if his temperament is inclined to it."
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Post by Prince Christien de la Courcel on Jan 9, 2011 22:37:01 GMT -5
"Maybe they can learn some things together?" I didn't like the idea of my pups and hers parting ways and never seeing each other again; they were family, after all. Maybe dogs didn't see family the way humans did, but I couldn't shake the idea that they were family, family that had been through a lot together.
I continued to stroke Luna's fur, noticing that she seemed the smallest, the most in need of love, and maybe a part of it was that she belonged to Cori, who I always wanted to protect.
"It would be nice if they still got to see each other," I added, hoping that she wouldn't think I was foolish. I had the idea that she knew who I was and maybe that made me want to make a better impression? I wasn't just Christien, I was the Dauphin, a role that called for more decorum than I was perhaps showing just now.
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Thereza de Soigneux
Military
First Lieutenant
Second in Command to Captain de Etalon
Posts: 233
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Post by Thereza de Soigneux on Jan 11, 2011 9:40:03 GMT -5
I was no child anymore, I wasn't sure that I'd ever been one as most children are, but everyone had things that they believed in. I fought for my Captain's dream, my idea of truth and the defense of people to make a better future, but some people felt things far more personally than I allowed myself to do. That didn't make them wrong, or right, only people- and perhaps if I'd had a different life I'd have a mentality that more matched theirs.
Even still though there was something touching about his question and I smiled a bit more like I would for the few friends I had. "I think that's a good idea, sir," I replied, the title getting more of a respectful inflection than the rest of the sentence did- because he did deserve my respect, but not in the way of scraping and bowing or even as a soldier to the royal family, though of course I would anyway. He'd done something brave, if small, and his reasoning was one I could understand. "It would be a good way of judging their progress."
One last sip and my glass was empty, and I followed it with a small bite of fruit, my hand absently stroking Casanova's fur. I probably should have considered what the Captain would say about having a pet around, but I wasn't really concerned, especially since I could make him a useful asset. Royal wasn't the kind to turn away an advantage, though he may grouse about it a bit, and he had been nearly raised in the saddle so he appreciated animals more than other officers might.
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Post by Prince Christien de la Courcel on Jan 11, 2011 22:05:23 GMT -5
I gave her a smile, thinking about all of the things the dogs could be trained to do. In my mind's eye, I could see them trailing after Coretta and I, I could see us playing with them in the gardens, curling up next to them by the fire in the salon while reading a good book... why hadn't I ever gotten a pet before?
I reached for a bite of fruit, then a sip of wine, then looked back over at her. "So, when you're not rescuing puppies, what do you do with your time?" Now that the pups were safe and sated, I found myself intrigued by the person who had helped me with them.
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Thereza de Soigneux
Military
First Lieutenant
Second in Command to Captain de Etalon
Posts: 233
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Post by Thereza de Soigneux on Jan 17, 2011 12:20:16 GMT -5
It seemed that the conversation was turning more casual, which I could appreciate and actually tended to enjoy from time to time. I was a mostly introverted and introspective person when I wasn't on the quest of something I was trying to learn, but everyone needed to have interaction outside of themselves from time to time or they grew stagnant. In any case this was a very comfortable sort of situation, I didn't really have anything else to do and all of the puppies were comfortably sleeping- and even my practical mind had a moment of softness as it realized they probably needed the rest.
"When I'm not in the City on leave or picking up supplies I'm usually on the Siovalese/Aragonian border," I replied in a conversational tone as I turned to more fully face the Dauphin. "That's where I'm stationed. What about yourself? With all due respect you're not exactly the person I'd expect to go walking down alleys and rescuing puppies." There was a light joke and a careful one in my tone that hopefully wouldn't come across as forward or brusque.
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Post by Prince Christien de la Courcel on Jan 17, 2011 15:48:24 GMT -5
I had thought there was something of the military about her, I couldn't pinpoint it ... maybe it was the way she moved, or the sureness of her actions. I had had my own training and while I had not chosen to pursue a career in the military - it was deemed to dangerous for the Dauphin - I knew enough to take care of myself and a little bit of strategy besides.
So, she knew who I was. I laughed softly and shook my head. "No, but I recently spent some time away in Serenissima and I find that I am having a hard time readjusting to the City." I smiled ruefully and drained my glass. "It seems that I am at loose ends these days. Perhaps I should find some time-consuming hobbies?"
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Thereza de Soigneux
Military
First Lieutenant
Second in Command to Captain de Etalon
Posts: 233
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Post by Thereza de Soigneux on Jan 17, 2011 18:12:41 GMT -5
There was almost a sense of realization that crossed his face when he noticed that I'd caught on to who he was- but he didn't seem bitter about it so there was no reason to dwell on the topic. Through history there had been many examples of nobles leading lives that no one would expected and at least the Dauphin was interested in doing things like helping rather than getting completely drunk and acting like a fool, at least for today. Something in his demeanor so far told me that he wasn't that sort on many days but I didn't have the evidence to back that up or the inclination to speculate.
"There are many good hobbies that can help to occupy the mind provided they're the right one," I said steadily, not at all perturbed by the slight change in his demeanor or changing my own. What sense did it make to behave differently toward a person just because you knew their heritage? The Captain's wasn't one that most would expect but it didn't shape him either. "I can understand taking time to adjust to the City though, I was brought up in an environment that's far different from this one."
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Post by Prince Christien de la Courcel on Jan 18, 2011 21:49:22 GMT -5
The way she regarded me, with interest, but nothing more, no desire for anything from me, made me feel more at ease than I did with most people. Truth be told, everyone wanted something, and when you were the Dauphin, the demands might be subtle, but they were still there, gossamer strings of obligation. I liked that there was no expectation here, and I knew for certain why so many nobles chose to "slum it" and get away from court. With Reza, though, she knew who I was, but still treated me like a person. It was a relief.
"It's strange," I said, telling her perhaps more than I would anyone else, simply by reason of her seeming indifference to who I was, "I didn't grow up here, and it never really felt like home, until I went away. And then I come back and find that I am no longer the same person I was when I left." I made a rueful face, laughing softly at the absurdity of it all. "It appears that royalty are not immune from existential crises."
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Thereza de Soigneux
Military
First Lieutenant
Second in Command to Captain de Etalon
Posts: 233
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Post by Thereza de Soigneux on Jan 22, 2011 9:52:16 GMT -5
There was something about teenagers that seemed to have them constantly questioning themselves and their environments. There were good things about this, as their minds were open and they could learn and make decisions quickly, but if they didn't have any kind of stable base of reference to the past or the future they could often get swept up in it. I was always sure of my own mind, but how much had I changed in my own years as a young adult? Very few could have predicted that I'd go from being on the path of a Priestess to a dedicated soldier who had killed, but I'd managed to stay myself through the transition.
"If royalty was immune to crises of that sort I think they'd be a lot less worthy of being being rulers," I said in an honest tone, but not a callous one. "How else would they identify with the rest of us who do have such human failings?" My smile grew a bit more warm, though it was still subtle. "Perhaps you have changed since your departure, but if I can venture the idea that's a part of life as well. Now you may be able to look at the role you choose for your life with more experience for what you've seen and done, and that can only be to your benefit."
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Post by Prince Christien de la Courcel on Jan 22, 2011 14:04:02 GMT -5
I had to admit it, I really liked her. I liked that she wasn't afraid to be honest with me, and that she seemed to know who she was. I gravitated toward that probably because it was how I wanted to be. I was tired of feeling unsure of myself, I wanted to know exactly who I was. That it would take more experience made sense, though I was impatient for it.
"Experience," I mused, letting my fingertips rest on the soft fur of one of the puppies, "is perhaps what I didn't realize that I was lacking before I left, if that makes sense. I mean, I hate to say it, but royalty seems to be ..." I tried to think of the right word, "sheltered, in a sense. Even in Serenissima, you see things but it's all different for you, because of who you are. I guess what I really want is to experience life without the manacles of privilege." I wasn't sure if I was making sense at all, but the longer we talked, the more I was coming to realize what it was that I wanted to change about my life.
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Thereza de Soigneux
Military
First Lieutenant
Second in Command to Captain de Etalon
Posts: 233
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Post by Thereza de Soigneux on Jan 22, 2011 17:14:52 GMT -5
As much as he attributed his confusion to his status- and indeed that may have been a contributing factor, I'd never been a noble- it sounded as though he was thinking much the same as anyone who was young, intelligent and self-aware. The fact that he could ponder such things in a sensible fashion impressed me; if half of the young nobles who came through camp as officers in training were as smart there would have been a lot fewer casualties in conflicts and training. This was made even more evident by the fact that he was willing to speak so openly with me based on respect and despite our different social standings, and I respected him more for it.
When he spoke of wanting to learn and experience more in life it reminded me of myself at one point, when it had seemed that the Temple of Shemhazai was all I was meant for- and until Royal had shown me a different dream and direction. It would have been a life I could have enjoyed in one way or another, but on hearing about his plans I'd known that I could take another path, one that would lead to something greater in terms of my own personal quest for knowledge. "I would say that privilege or responsibility is like a cloak," I said candidly, another slight smile coming to my face and my tone calm and steady.
"Much like the one you were wearing. People see it and assume it is meant for one thing, but it's yours to do with as you choose. You can hide in it, or toss it aside- or use it for something that you believe is better. Like it, there will be others who believe that it's meant for its own purpose, but you have the intelligence and will to use it to see beyond that." Hopefully I wasn't crossing the line and being too bold, but given the conversation it seemed appropriate. "It's always the person bearing the weight who must make the decision in the end, and there are ways for you to gain experience without having to throw away what you believe."
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Post by Prince Christien de la Courcel on Jan 23, 2011 16:25:19 GMT -5
"Now if I could just figure out what I believe..." I smiled wryly, though her advice made far more sense to me than other things I had been told. Maybe that was they key to good advice: finding someone to tell you something that you already knew, but in a way that you hadn't quite understood before. Thank the Gods that there was no danger I would be King! Sabrina was young and healthy, but I'd feel better once she had some heirs and I could simply get out and live this experience of which Reza and I were speaking.
Perhaps it was the conversation, or that I was having it with her, but I was starting to miss my small amount of military training. I would need more, if truth be told, but I had not been so serious about it before. Only half-joking, I smiled at her and asked, "Is there room for another sword amongst your company? I feel that I could learn more with a length of steel and some discipline than all of the parties in Serenissima could teach me." I spared a thought for what Cori would say, but I would still be in the City, so I doubted it would matter overmuch to her, though if there were a war ... well, no one was safe during war, anyway, right?
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Thereza de Soigneux
Military
First Lieutenant
Second in Command to Captain de Etalon
Posts: 233
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Post by Thereza de Soigneux on Jan 25, 2011 12:42:06 GMT -5
That the Dauphin was still young and yet wise enough to realize that he didn't have a perfect grasp on what he may think of as true was more proof of his open-mindedness. Many people were unsure in their beliefs or followed blindly the things they didn't truly understand for the sake of them without realizing they could come to their own conclusions. I'd had nearly a lifetime of contemplation and circumstances to learn of my own morality- but with his age and the life he'd led Christien most likely had not. And he was smart enough to see that.
His question and explanation was a little bit of a surprise but I managed to mask that with my normally stoic demeanor until it only showed a little in the warmth of my smile. "My Captain has always said that anyone with a good head on their shoulders and the will to work is welcome among us, no matter their standing," I replied in a tone of sincerity. Whether or not he was the Dauphin this young man wanted to make more of himself and rank should have nothing to do with that. "It would possibly be a bit harder than dancing around a ballroom, but we'd be honored to have you."
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Post by Prince Christien de la Courcel on Jan 26, 2011 21:45:08 GMT -5
I chuckled at her phrasing. "You haven't seen me dance around a ballroom," I jested, although, to be fair, I had been dancing so long that I could probably do it in my sleep. It was the kind of thing that was 'proper' for the Dauphin to know how to do and so I did it, without ever really thinking about it. Nowadays, I did nothing but think about those sorts of things, questioning everything.
"I shall see about it, then, and perhaps I can learn some things that are a sight more useful for a Prince to know than proper forms of address and how low to bow to foreign dignitaries." Not that diplomacy didn't have it's place, I would never argue that one should not learn as much as possible about the proprieties of other cultures, but seeing as how I was rarely ever called upon to use such skills, it felt as if there should be something more I could be doing with my time. "Perhaps you can introduce me to your captain?" I didn't know if that was the proper way to go about such things, but I didn't overly care, either. Probably I should be seeing Jaime, but likely he'd set me up in a platoon full of the rich and pampered boys who called themselves soldiers and that was the last place I wanted to be.
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Thereza de Soigneux
Military
First Lieutenant
Second in Command to Captain de Etalon
Posts: 233
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Post by Thereza de Soigneux on Jan 27, 2011 18:54:24 GMT -5
"Ballroom dancing is graceful enough I suppose," I said with a half-smile and a nod of assent. "But it's not the same sort of grace as is always needed in a fight either, and I can understand how it would be a useful thing to learn. Knowledge gained doesn't erase what is already known, only enhances it. Sometimes it seems that those who teach forget such facts." Perhaps being raised as I was I'd grown up to appreciate knowledge in a different way from most. We'd learned whatever grabbed our interest no matter the topic and I'd studied swordfighting and archery before I'd even enlisted with the Temple's blessing.
When he asked about being introduced to the Captain my smile widened a bit further; I'd known him long enough to see that he'd be honored by such an idea as much as I was. "I would be glad to- he's Captain Royal de Etalon," I replied in a steady tone that held a tinge of pride. He was a good commander, good friend and one of the best people I knew, even with our complicated history. "I believe he should be in the City in a couple of days to attend to some matters."
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Post by Prince Christien de la Courcel on Jan 30, 2011 22:16:58 GMT -5
"True," I said, agreeing that knowledge was knowledge in all of it's forms. "I think it never hurts to learn something new and see how it all fits together." One of the puppies yawned widely, stretching out and then adjusting his position. If they were kittens, I was sure they would be purring.
"I would be happy to meet him, when he arrives," I said. I could see that she felt strongly about him, and I wanted to meet someone who could inspire such loyalty. I felt in my blood that one day I might have need of such a skill myself. The evening was getting on, and if I wanted to catch the Kennelmaster before he retired, I might have to get going soon. To that end, I supposed I had better tell her where she could find me, as if she did not already know.
"You can send word to the Palace when he arrives, and we can arrange a meeting, if that is suitable."
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Thereza de Soigneux
Military
First Lieutenant
Second in Command to Captain de Etalon
Posts: 233
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Post by Thereza de Soigneux on Feb 2, 2011 18:58:12 GMT -5
The evening was starting to set in, but I was somewhat used to later night so I had scarcely noticed how the hour was progressing. Nevertheless when it was called to my attention I knew that I would have to get Casanova to my own room at the inn I'd chosen and try to start resting. All infant creatures ate nearly constantly and with how malnourished these ones were they'd likely be eating every few hours, day or night, and as I didn't have a Royal Kennel at my disposal I'd be undertaking those feedings myself.
"When he arrives I will be sure to pass the word on, sir," I told Christien with another slight smile, picking up the bundle of my own puppy and makiing sure that he was comfortably settled for at least a little while. Of course the Captain would be glad to meet him as well for a number of reasons but that seemed to be an obvious statement. "He's generally very prompt about things so I imagine the message won't take too long to reach you." That was because I was the one who took care of such matters as his correspondences though and I was very prompt, but I couldn't say that or Royal may look ineffective.
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Post by Prince Christien de la Courcel on Feb 6, 2011 13:02:36 GMT -5
"I'll be looking forward to it," I said, wrapping the little puppies up more securely in my cloak. "I suppose I should get these little guys to the kennels..." I looked over at her and smiled. "Thank you so much for all of your help, I don't know how I would have handled this on my own." I liked to think I still would have rescued the pups, but would I have been as successful? "Hopefully we'll see each other again soon."
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Thereza de Soigneux
Military
First Lieutenant
Second in Command to Captain de Etalon
Posts: 233
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Post by Thereza de Soigneux on Feb 15, 2011 10:47:08 GMT -5
"I think you would have handled it well," I told him honestly, giving the Dauphin another slight smile. "You have a good head on your shoulders, compassion and enough willfulness to take a chance when necessary, if I can speak plainly. Those are good traits to know of and keep for as long as possible." As I spoke I made sure that Casanova was bundled securely in my own cloak and still sleeping peacefully before I rose and gave Christien a casual but respectful salute, too short to draw attention but still sincere. "It was an honor to meet you, sir. I really should be getting my own ward settled so he can get some more rest, and I look forward to our next meeting."
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