Trevalions Unite!

[Noemi de Trevalion]

There were always so many members of the larger noble families that it could be hard to keep track of, but I tended to just play it by ear; if they had the same last name I did they were people close enough that I should keep track of them closely. After that they were probably more distantly related. In the end it all came down to 'you don't want to get married and end up with the same last name you started with', because that would be pretty much a sign that you were going too closely related for comfort. Animals did poorly with limited breeding stock and so did people, though I knew my parents would be more than a little upset if I pointed that out in polite company.

That being said I'd settled into the townhouse for my branch of the family pretty quickly, and since I didn't have any animals I needed to look after yet I decided to go wandering the neighborhood. There was another Trevalion house, and at least two for the Somervilles, not to mention the homes of the other sovereigns- but it would be polite to stop by and say hello to the closest relations first. Vic was probably at court saying hello to that branch and making things official with us being here, and I'd get up there eventually, but for now there were other people to see.

With no further ado I walked up to the door of the other Trevalion estate and knocked on it politely, smoothing the lines of my Serenissiman-inspired gown with its empire waist and d'Angeline sleeves. A servant answered, as was somewhat usual, and I gave her my name with a smile, which she returned as I was led it to wait in a nearby sitting room. This probably meant that one of my cousins was home since I'd have been told otherwise if they weren't and I was content to wait, the elegant beauty of the furnishings keeping my attention for the time being.

[Sophie de Trevalion]

Ghislain was out somewhere, and I was in the back, checking over a crate of wine that had been ordered when Anne informed me that I had a visitor. Family no less. Noemi, Noemi... ah yes! She was one of Pierre's daughters. The last time I remember seeing her, she had been in diapers. I washed my hands, checked my hair in the glass quickly, and headed to the sitting room. I was already dressed in a plum-coloured gown, suitable enough for receiving at home, and so I didn't give my appearance much more thought.

"Welcome cousin," I said with an open smile when I saw her. One glance and I knew that she was family, no one else would have that blonde hair coupled with that bone structure. "It's so good to see you again."

[Noemi de Trevalion]

When the woman came in I knew her for my relative, though I'd only heard of her from Victoire's description of her. There was something familiar in her features and bearing, and while I was only a third daughter in my line I'd always been raised to believe that all of us had the same value in the eyes of the family. "Thank you, cousin," I replied with a bright smile, standing up and walking toward her. "I'm sorry if I called you away from something, I know I should probably stick with letting people know beforehand but I thought you might like a surprise."

My eyes wandered over the room again before I looked back at my cousin and smiled a little wider. "You have a beautiful house, Sophie. Do you have time to sit and talk for a little while, or go somewhere? I've heard they have some great restaurants around." I was the kind of person who tended to go with the flow, but I also had a good deal of energy to spare and it was such a nice day it seemed a shame to waste it inside. Besides, what was the worst that could happen, she declined?

[Sophie de Trevalion]

I gave her a kiss of greeting, and was about to offer her a seat with the wave of my hand when she suggested going out for a meal. "Thank you. I actually have lunch started already, would you like to stay here?" I inquired, more than happy to feed someone besides the staff. "I thought Ghislain would be home, so I made plenty."

[Noemi de Trevalion]

There was something about this cousin of mine that said she was one of the more 'mature' types, like Vic was- but that was alright, and it gave me a lot of space to be myself without stepping on anyone's toes, and I returned her kiss of greeting with a smile before I stepped back a bit to give her space. "Sure, I'd love to stay," I told her enthusiastically, hoping that she wasn't simply offering out of courtesy, but even if she was the offer was still made and I'd still accepted. Most people warmed up to me after awhile anyway.

The quiet of this household was comfortably familiar, but not silent like it was a place of sadness either. Just peaceful, which right now the house I was staying in wasn't. Everyone was getting used to the new arrangements and the new staff and that made things run a little less smoothly for the first week or so, though I barely noticed. I had other things to do besides sit inside and wait for invitations. "Have you been in the city long? I'm still trying to learn it and there's just so much going on."

[Sophie de Trevalion]

I smiled at her question. At first impression, my cousin struck me as a bubbly type, keen on making friends and being social. "You'll get used to it, and you'll never be bored. We haven't been here all that long, I'm still discovering new sights myself. Would you like something to drink?"

[Noemi de Trevalion]

Well, at least we weren't the only newcomers, and that was actually something of a blessing. It meant that there would be more people interested in exploring the sights than just Vic and myself. Not that I didn't love my siblings but, well, I was always around them in some way or other. The eldest of us had her own way of going about things, considering she was the closest to the 'top' in terms of our ranking and that was fine. Me, being the 'bottom' of our sibling hierarchy, naturally fell to the less flashy level and that suited me fine. Most of the time the friends I made didn't try to stab me in the back.

"A drink would be lovely, thank you," I told her cheerfully as I smiled, then went to a chair and sat down carefully. "I've been out wandering a bit and already I know at least ten places I'd love to go to when I have other people to go with. Then there's all of the shops and the restaurants- a person could live here for ten years and still not see all of it. What's the most interesting place you've seen so far?"

[Sophie de Trevalion]

I uncorked the port and poured two small glasses, returning to the seating area and offering her one before settling down myself. "Eisheth's sanctuary," I replied with a smile. "You can get lost in the history, or simply let the peace settle into your bones. The other sanctuaries are also very interesting. I would say the entire temple district is worth exploring."

[Noemi de Trevalion]

Sophie had soon poured us some wine and I smiled my thanks as I took it, the dark red liquid almost glowing in bits of sunlight that found their way into the room. The scent of the wine was rich and thick and I tasted just a little sip, and found it to be much like I expected. I wasn't adverse to drinking anything and it was nice to have a wine this hearty and floral all at once. Serenissima had some fine vintages but I really did prefer d'Angeline wines.

Her explanation of the places to explore was a good one and I'd heard a few good things about the Temple District, both in terms of the sanctuaries and the shops in the area. "I'll have to go there the next time I'm wandering then," I told Sophie, glad of her advice. "Are the shops in that area just as nice as people say?"

[Sophie de Trevalion]

"They are quite nice. But for the truly nice ones, you need to go to the palace district. I haven't seen such rich beauty in a long time," I said, speaking comfortably. To be honest, I was glad for the company. Ghislain and I didn't speak very much.

[Noemi de Trevalion]

I'd heard a little of the Palace District, where people like us were generally supposed to go- but that also meant a lot of people who I saw ended up wearing things that were very similar because they all came from the same assortment of places. "I'll be sure to stop by, but after I do everything else," I told Sophie with a slight grin. "That way Vic can go and get the best pick before I follow after her. I'd rather design my own gowns anyway or put together things that no one expected."

Taking another sip of my wine I let myself setting into the comfortable feeling of camaraderie; it wasn't that much different from being around my friends or family back home and was a nice surprise with everything else that was so different. "So, tell me what else has been happening around the City lately? Something's always going on and I want to know which parties I can expect to be invited to first," I pleaded in a half-teasing tone, the humor of my jest shining in my eyes. "And, of course, where the cutest boys are besides the Palace."

[Sophie de Trevalion]

"The latest great scandal was the cancelation of the queen's wedding to Prince Alexei. Since then parliament has stuck its collective nose in and ordered Princess Coretta to marry. I heard that they provided her with a list of candidates to choose from. Not the most romantic of propositions," I commented with a shrug. It was a hazard those with royal blood faced. Marry and provide heirs, or have it forced upon you.

"I don't know how that will affect your social calendar," I added with a smile at the more light-hearted topic, "but if you're looking for cute boys, you'll have to head up the Mount."

[Noemi de Trevalion]

There was a certain sense of gravity in her words but I was so far removed from the d'Angeline court in some ways that I didn't quite understand the level of it. "Ruskovia, that's far to the north and then east almost to Ch'n, isn't it?" I asked interestedly. The news about the Princess Coretta made my face fall into an expression of sympathy though. The higher you were the more likely it was that something like that would happen. 'The responsibility of royalty', it was sometimes called, or in cruder terms 'an heir and a spare'. That was Prince Christien's sister and from what he'd told Victoire they were very close, so likely it wouldn't be happy news for him.

"Well, it may mean I stop by the Palace a bit sooner than I was planning," I admitted with a smile. "The Dauphine will probably need some kind of distraction or other and I at least have to bring her a little gift of some kind to say 'hello'. I don't know what you mean by the Mount though, is that another name for the Night Court?" It was an interesting place, one I'd read about in histories and heard in whispers but I'd never had any experience with it myself and neither had anyone I'd known in my immediate family, at least not my siblings. I was NOT going to ask my parents, they'd probably be a little concerned if I did and I really didn't want to know.

[Sophie de Trevalion]

I nodded to her question about Ruskovia, but didn't interrupt her as she continued on. "The Night Court is located on top of Mount Nuit, but you know how lazy people get with names," I said with a lopsided smile. "That's where the truly beautiful people live, though not without strings attached. Then again, most of the men up at the palace have strings too, and they're not nearly as upfront about them."

[Noemi de Trevalion]

She was right, most people had connections and things that pulled them in a particular direction, but I wouldn't let that bother me. Everyone had something that they weren't willing to do, or weren't willing to see others do, and I returned her grin. "Yes, I can imagine most people try to pretty up their strings and call them other than what they are, as though a coat of gold paint makes it more than a string," I agreed with a light laugh. "Luckily I have no strings of my own so it's easy enough to move about between them."

Bringing up a hand I pushed my hair back behind me and then took another drink from the glass in my hand. "Have you ever been there before?" I asked, then gave Sophie an apologetic grin. "I'm sorry if that's a rude question, I was just curious. No one I know has ever been to the Night Court, at least not anyone I could ask things like that."

[Sophie de Trevalion]

I smiled a little, her question reminding me of the way my sister Cadice came up with inquiries. "I don't mind. I haven't been yet, there's just been so many other things to do. I've been thinking about it though, about which House I might visit if the need struck."

[Noemi de Trevalion]

Sophie struck me as the kind who would be inclined to let her work get the best of her, but that was a sign of responsibility. I knew how lucky I was that I didn't have those duties yet, that I had the privilege without having to pay for it, and as much as I appreciate what all of my cousins and parents and siblings did I wished they could put it aside and find time for their own happiness. I'd even help if they'd just tell me what I could do to make things easier- but if they didn't I would do my best to raise their spirits.

"Well, there are a lot of Houses so I'm sure that means there's some variety," I teased gently. "Or so I hear. My parents would probably be a little concerned if I went there before I even managed to say hello to my relatives. Some of them do sound fun though. Which ones caught your attention?"

[Sophie de Trevalion]

Her question was even more personal and though I didn't answer right away, it was not out of hesitation, only out of needing to think. "Balm and Orchis both hold their allure," I said with a soft smile. "What about you?"

[Noemi de Trevalion]

It was naturally something that most people would have to think about, and I was glad she was willing to answer rather than get embarrassed or snap. Who could I talk to openly if not my family? "I have to say from what I've heard of Orchis they sound like a lot of fun," I agreed readily. "And maybe Jasmine, or Eglantine, because I love to dance. But I don't know enough to say for sure. Maybe one day I'll wander the Mount a little and meet people from many different Houses so I can pick based on what the Servants are really like under the mottos."

It didn't occur to me that my outlook on the Night Court may be an odd one compared to most- after all, most people went there with particular fantasies in mind of what they wanted and then went to the House most likely to fulfill them. I didn't have anything so firm in mind and only wanted to see what it was all about; if sincere desire to arose from it I'd follow my passions where they led me.

[Sophie de Trevalion]

Her idea made me chuckle. Clearly Noemi had grown into a practical and noble young woman. "I think that sounds like an excellent idea. Don't want to stereotype to ill effect," I agreed.

[Noemi de Trevalion]

"Is that a trap a lot of people fall into, assuming things about the Houses and then trying to make a square peg fit into a round hole?" I asked interestedly once she'd spoken, glad that I had a cousin who was so easy to get along with. I'd heard a lot of the nobles could be rude, judgmental or even sometimes downright nasty to each other, but I probably should have known better than to think anyone like that could be in my family. Then again who expected one group of people to be so lucky? "You know more about the City than I do, and probably more about the Mount, and I'm pretty sure that Vic hasn't made it there either, so maybe we can all take a day and wander," I suggested lightly. "Or make a day of it in the future, with shopping and such. What do you think?"

[Sophie de Trevalion]

"I think that would be just the impetus I need to get out of the house and take a trip up there," I said with a happy smile. Noemi was making me realize how much I missed my sisters, and just family in general. No one could understand you like family.

[Noemi de Trevalion]

Her answer brightened the smile I was already wearing and I was very glad that she was willing to do something that could be considered so scandalous- well, maybe not here, but I was still getting used to that. "Then we'll have to plan a time for it, when you and Vic aren't busy," I said cheerfully. I knew that they probably had responsibilities and generally I only had hobbies, or things that came up at the last minute. As much as I loved my sister she did need to be pushed outside of her Palace comfort zone and into the less ordered society of the rest of the world at times.

[Sophie de Trevalion]

"Oh, I can't wait to see Victoire either. She was always so much fun as family gatherings," I said with a fond smile. "It sounds like the perfect girls day out."

[Noemi de Trevalion]

"I think Vic will be happy to see you too," I told Sophie sincerely; my older sister had always enjoyed the family gatherings, and though I remembered them a bit less clearly and had missed a couple here and there I thought on them just as happily. "She always loved taking trips to see everyone, and they always seemed a bit like vacations inside of a vacation." I had another idea for the girl's day but I wasn't sure how well-received it would be so I decided to wait and mention it to Vic first. "Do you know of anyone else who'd want to go, or should it just be the three of us?"

[Sophie de Trevalion]

"Definitely just the three of us," I said with a smile. It was one thing to go to the Night Court with my cousins, but I didn't have any friends in the City yet that I would consider close enough for such an outing. "We'll have to see where Vicky wants to go, and do a little tour."

[Noemi de Trevalion]

"I think Vic will want to go almost everywhere," I said with a slight laugh, mostly speaking out of a sisterly impulse to tease my eldest sibling than anything else, though I knew she was as open a person as I was. "At least to look. I just hope they're ready for us, because this is going to be fantastic fun."

[Sophie de Trevalion]

Her words made me laugh softly. "I think so too. We'll have to do it soon, I'm rather looking forward to the idea. I haven't had nearly enough girl-time lately."

A soft knock sounded against the door. "Sounds like lunch is ready. Shall we?"

[Noemi de Trevalion]

"I'm glad I could come along and help remind you to have some girl-time and good, clean, slightly naughty fun involving handsome adepts, shopping and innocent decadence," I jested back, setting aside my wineglass at the knock. "I think that's a great idea," I agreed, rising and smoothing down the skirts of my gown while I took another look around. Everything here really was lovely, and even though it wasn't Serenissima there was a very home-like feel to it, as though the land itself and everything in it was welcoming and sweet. "Should I ask what we're having or let it be a surprise?"

[Sophie de Trevalion]

"Beef stew and fresh bread," I said with a smile as we headed to the dining room. "But I'll keep dessert as a surprise."