Svetlana Romanova
Royal
Kzajina of Ruskovia
Dearer to me than a host of base truths is the illusion that exalts.
Posts: 106
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Post by Svetlana Romanova on Jul 24, 2011 23:13:25 GMT -5
The pen Alexei had given me glided well on the paper – and I'd perused it more than once already, had sent for ink very regularly. This time, though, it was special – for all the things I'd written for him, this one was a note to tell him I'd arrived, and arrived well. Dear Aliosha,
I hope this finds you well. We finally docked in Marsilikos this morning, and as I write this note to you, the servants are unpacking my luggage into the rooms which have been assigned to me.
I must tell you that my first impression of Marsilikos is grandiose – the city is all made of white, but it is blistering hot, hotter than any of our summers. The combination is odd, and I find the people, thus far, to be beautiful, their voices are almost singing.
The trip went well, though it was long. Oh, brother, how did you pass the time on such a long sail? For myself, I wrote and wrote with the beautiful pen you gave me, stories and tales, and some poetry, too. Betimes Lessa and Fedya spent time with me, but not always – I do not resent them for it, as I imagine newlyweds do get well absorbed in their love. Be assured – our new sister is kind as ever, and seems to worship the ground Fedya walks on. They are indeed well suited to one another.
Tomorrow, I will go shopping into Marsilikos, to find something more adequate to the weather. I will admit to you that I am eager to know this place and to meet the artists of this world. But I will remember Olga's words of caution, and yours – those you spoke and those you did not. Give her and Salia my love, and do tell Father and Mother that I will not shame House Romanov, on my life, come what may.
I wrote a story for you, on the way to Terre d'Ange. Here it is, a tale for you, proof that you are ever on my mind, dear brother.
I miss you dearly, every day. I pray that you are finding joy. Do not forget my white hart! For I will cry, if you do.
With all my love, your little sister,
Lana. [/i] I included a manuscript for him, some stories I'd written about a fair prince who'd gone chasing after the firebird, until he realized that it was a fickle being, unworthy of being sought after. The key to the riddle and to his quest was instead a white hart, as predicted by our little game, and was only revealed in the very last line of the tale. It was my way of sending him my love. There would be more stories – more and more, all for him, until I returned, or until he came.
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Alexei Romanov
Royal
His Royal Highness the Prince of Ruskovia; House Romanov
Posts: 3,550
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Post by Alexei Romanov on Aug 16, 2011 1:06:34 GMT -5
I'd read 'Lana's tale and it had taken me awhile to respond to her letter. I knew she meant well, the pain was still too close to the surface most times.
My dearest 'Lana,
I am filled with joy to hear that your trip went well and that you arrived safely. I never did get to Mariskilos, so you will have to send me all the details of the city.
Life here is normal, if quiet for Vlad still being gone. I sent word to Sergei that you were in terre d"ange as well, so he may write to you.
I am keeping your quest in my mind, I will not forget.
I love and miss you. Stay well and safe,
Your brother, Alexei
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Svetlana Romanova
Royal
Kzajina of Ruskovia
Dearer to me than a host of base truths is the illusion that exalts.
Posts: 106
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Post by Svetlana Romanova on Sept 3, 2011 11:16:45 GMT -5
I'd received Alexei's letter quite some time after I'd sent my own – it had been a long time since my last missive, and I felt... ah, at a loss, as to how to start it. I'd not written a fairy tale since the attack on Marsilikos. I simply felt unable to write any thing further. Still, I was glad to read that he was well, that home went on. If normalcy had faltered here, perhaps knowing that it still existed, else place, was good enough. Dear Aliosha,
So much has gone on, here in Marsilikos, since I last wrote to you, that I fear to start to tell you the first tales of my peaceful arrival, so obscured they are by the violence that has pervaded the past few weeks. I wish I could tell you all about the white city and how it is warm, how its folk are kindly, and about the odd scenes one can observe out in the street. Alas, those memories are hazy, now, and all I can see before my eyes are the flames that coloured the sky in violent crimson. Even as I write this, I can still smell smoke and hear the fighter's cries.
Doubtless you have heard that Terre d'Ange and Skaldia are at war, and though the most of the fighting was, I heard, in a place called Camlach, it has now spilled over into the White City. As I write this to you, it seems it is over, and so I am relieved to tell you that Fedya, Lessa and I are all hale, safe and sound in the palace, as is the Vikontessa Ykatarina Azarova, whom as you know, has travelled with us as well. I have only witnessed the attack from the height of my room at the palace – I shudder to think of what could be seen from the ground.
I've yet to hear from Sergei, though with all that is happening, I suspect he may have other matters on his mind. Mayhap I should go to him, when travelling is possible again. I've yet to see the capital, and it would not do to be travelling all the way here, and not greet the King and Queen properly. In other words, everything conspires for my removal from Marsilikos, and my transfer to the City of Elua.
I wish I'd not heard the cries of dying men from my window, or seen the ships burn in the harbor. They make any story I would like to tell you from before the battle pale in contrast to the terror and sadness which filled me then. I would only tell you, there is a terrible and sad thing in war, and I pray neither of my beloved brothers ever have to fight in it again. I spent all night shivering in fear for Fydor, and felt all manners of relief when he returned alive, but I would sooner know emotions of a lesser intensity.
Through it all, I wish you were here – I would feel safer with you close and about, though it would be a lie to say that Anton Illitch Borodyn is not doing his very best to keep me safe.
Give my love to Olga and Salya, and do take good care of yourself, for if you do not, even as far from you as I am, I will know, brother dearest.
With all my love,
Lana
[/blockquote] I would have wanted to describe to him, in every detail, my encounter with the duc d'Alegre. However, it seemed now like a pleasant dream from which I'd woken up violently, and the contrast of my experiences made its very recollection half-painful. Writing about the eyes of Gauvain, or his chivalrousness, when I did not even know if he still lived, seemed too saddening a perspective to even try to bring him to life on parchment. Besides, what was he to me? He was a man who'd offered me a compliment and a refreshment, nothing more, da? And so to leave him where he was, wherever that was, seemed to be the best course of action for now.
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Alexei Romanov
Royal
His Royal Highness the Prince of Ruskovia; House Romanov
Posts: 3,550
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Post by Alexei Romanov on Sept 16, 2011 17:00:25 GMT -5
Lana, My heart rejoices to hear that you are all safe while at the same time it breaks to know that you were exposed to such horrors. I would have given anything to keep you from having to experience such things.
Everyone here is well though busy. Father has increased the military and is preparing for the war to come to us; he is certain it will happen. I promise to write you should anything occur.
Or, would you rather I come to you and bring you home? Things are not the same as they were when you set off, and I know it would ease my heart if you were here safe at home.
I love you, Alexei
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Svetlana Romanova
Royal
Kzajina of Ruskovia
Dearer to me than a host of base truths is the illusion that exalts.
Posts: 106
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Post by Svetlana Romanova on Sept 30, 2011 10:09:21 GMT -5
When Alyosha's letter, I was about to go for tea with Katya, whose presence, in truth, was a blessing. She was thinking of going to the City of Elua, and I was fretting at the thought that we might part. In truth, I'd seen little of Fedya and Lessa. They were both busy with their responsibilities, and I felt that I might have well been in their way more than anything else. I was still trying to decide, and ah, I wanted Alexei's counsel, and feared there would be no time for the letters to come and go between us. Still, his words seared something in my heart – the gap of my brother's absence felt even more profound than it had, and I wrote him back a hasty and excited response. Oh, Alyosha,
Come, just come. This place is new and odd, and though I am terrified of what may come with the events, I want you here, by my side, to guide and counsel me.
I've come across a D'Angeline Knazj who has been nothing but charming and chivalrous to me, and perhaps I will be able to obey father after all. But I am lost and a little bit afraid, and it would soothe me to have you by my side.
I do hope the war does not reach home, and everyone stays safe. Promise me, brother, that if you are to fight, you will be careful with yourself. But come, come, if you can. I miss you more than words can say.
With all my love,
Svetlana [/i]
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Alexei Romanov
Royal
His Royal Highness the Prince of Ruskovia; House Romanov
Posts: 3,550
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Post by Alexei Romanov on Sept 30, 2011 15:00:51 GMT -5
Dearest Lana, Oh sister, I would come to bring you home, come to protect you, but I cannot come to stay. My heart lies buried in that land and it is only the distance between it and I that allows me to keep moving, keep rising out of bed each day.
Who is this Prince that has caught your eye, little flower? Tell me of him and how he has so caught your attention.
I love you, Alexei
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Svetlana Romanova
Royal
Kzajina of Ruskovia
Dearer to me than a host of base truths is the illusion that exalts.
Posts: 106
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Post by Svetlana Romanova on Oct 8, 2011 18:32:23 GMT -5
Receiving Alexei's letter had been a blessing – and I only received it a month later, when I'd settled in the city with the Vikontessa Azarova. I took the pen he'd given me, and one night, I tried to pen him a reply. I'd not seen the Duc d'Alegre in some time, and writing of him made me feel a little melancholy. Dear Alexei,
Forgive me for writing so late: alas your letter came only after I had left Marsilikos with Katya. Will you believe that we left one siege, only to find another? Thankfully we were kept safe in the interim – nonetheless, I am still shaken by all that I have seen.
But here comes an answer, brother, to your question. The Prince I have met is, rather, a Duc, which I am told is not quite the same. He is of a rank under Lessandrie's, but close, and very gentle and chivalrous. I met him per chance, out in Marsilkos, before the war, as he rescued a little street child from Anton Illitch Borodyn's wrath. In truth, he is everything I might wish for in a husband: handsome, kind, strong and cultured. But alas I've not seen him since the war, and perhaps it was only a chance encounter.
Whether you are here or not, I feel your presence, even as I write this letter with the glass pen you gave me, even as I wear the blue cloak of your protection. Will you tell me of your days? I long to have news of your life, to imagine you in Palace Ruska.
You have my heart,
Lana
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