[Silvana and Soraya] Getting acquainted part 2.

[Silvana de Lucca]

^{Continued from here.}

As we exited into the garden, I opened my parasol and despite the fact that Soraya hadn't wanted one, I found myself shielding her from the sun as well. The rosebeds were sprawling ahead – even at this distance, I could guess their sweet scents.

I raised my eyebrows – though the topic change was welcome, it was also unexpected. “All the city, si,” I replied, glancing at her still. “Though that excludes toddlers and mourning widows, of course. Some traditions die hard, and the year of mourning is one of them.”

In all earnest, it had been the most boring year of my life. I mused that it might be part of why I'd taken so easily to the D'Angelines after that: I needed the dizzying twirl of their fetes and customs, to compensate for my year of idle solitude.

[Soraya de la Cruz]

"Traditions are important," I commented, though I believed if you really cared for someone you never stopped mourning them. I thought of my mother and poor little brothers, but put that thought away before I could start dwelling on it.

"It must be amazing to behold." I returned back to the topic and indeed, it was one of the things I'd hoped to see next time when things were at peace.

[Silvana de Lucca]

“Oh, it is,” I replied, smiling a little, though sadly, because the carnival always made me think of the last scare Arianna and I had given the Duchessa Bellazza, and that reminded of the burning questions I had concerning her disappearance.

I'd gone to inquire about her, as soon as I had had my head on straight: I'd been given no answer, no matter how much I'd tempested. With war in Camlach, now, I had no way of pushing further.

“I do think that the most remarkable element is the music, which echoes over all the canals – it is very surreal,” I said again. “Have you never travelled to La Serenissima? You should, if you can, one day. It is a brilliant place, not unlike this city – if perhaps a touch more austere betimes.”

[Soraya de la Cruz]

"I've visited," I nodded, "though never long enough really to enjoy it. I find it a wonder that it's a city on water, and I remember the buildings in the old style of architecture. I'd so dearly love to see it in all the splendour of festivities."

I glanced at her then. But she had grown up in Lucca, had she not? "Is it very different to Lucca? I am not very familiar with the other city states in the Caerdiccia Unitas."

[Silvana de Lucca]

I laughed, then, but without much mirth. “Oh, Lucca is very different,” I replied. “You might find it dreary, if places such as this one are your staple. It lies away from the sea – and it is more a fortress than a city.”

I smiled, just a little, like a secret.

“But it is home.”

Even, I didn't add, if I haven't visited in years.

[Soraya de la Cruz]

It sounded like a militant city, which probably wasn't far off if the tales of the old prince and his possessed friend were true. It had been under siege if I recalled correctly, a generation or two ago. I could understand what she meant though, about it being home.

"I think I know what you mean," I said. "True, I love Terre d'Ange in all its glittering beauty, but Aragonia is the stern but loving parent I'll always return to."

[Silvana de Lucca]

“Hmmm, precisely,” I replied, appreciating the image and the understanding. “Though the Prince – my brother – is hardly a stern man, thankfully. None of my kin are, I don't think, though they are serious and dedicated to keeping Lucca free.”

I tilted my head, then, and asked, “Where are you from, in Aragonia?” It wouldn't do, to keep hogging the conversation with tales of Lucca.

[Soraya de la Cruz]

"I'm from Amilcar. My father has to be in the heart of court, though I suppose mother would probably have preferred to be elsewhere." The last part of my answer came out despite myself, and I felt a pang at the memory of her.

[Silvana de Lucca]

“Where would she have wished to be?” I asked, tilting my head in interest.

I still couldn't tell if I trusted her – and well, I resented her, perhaps, for not being someone else – but at least she was being open, and I appreciated it.

[Soraya de la Cruz]

"Somewhere quiet, in the country probably," I shrugged again. "She was Akkadian by birth, they're very strict about how women are to be in public and she didn't want more of the same in Aragonia. They are more lenient with such protocol in rural areas, though I suppose she was resigned to it in the end."

It was probably the only thing we never agreed on. Mother would have been happy with a quiet life away from the whirlwind intrigue of court, whereas I was not.

[Silvana de Lucca]

I nodded, understanding. “I will admit, in La Serenissima, I was happier in the Little Court than in the Palazzo Immortali, when it came to how women were treated.” I gave her a small smile. “Young widows are expected to age too quickly, in my country.”

[Soraya de la Cruz]

Her words gave me pause. Was she referring to herself or someone close to her? In any case, I nodded in agreement. "I think it is like that in most places, though I believe there is no such thing as a young widow." I'd known a girl my age, who'd married at fifteen and was widowed two years later. These days, she hovered around court like a wrinkled duenna, aged far beyond her years by the whole sad business. Once something like that happens I think it's inevitable that you suddenly become old.

[Silvana de Lucca]

“Oh, there is,” I replied simply. “At eighteen, one has barely seen the world, barely loved. Then tragedy, or nature strikes, and suddenly one should enter a monastery and never come out, and become a dour ghost dedicated to making everyone who is not like them miserable.”

I wrinkled my lips in distaste. “I have no interest in that.”

[Soraya de la Cruz]

"I think hardly anyone would," I commented wryly. "But I suppose that after the time of mourning a young widow would have some independence, to do as she wished. And there are always those families that would have their girls marry again as soon as possible."

[Silvana de Lucca]

“There are those,” I replied, nodding. “Thankfully, my brother is relatively liberal and has better things to do than tell his youngest sibling what to do.” I smiled, just a bit, and tilted my head. Wryly, I added, “I suppose not being in the same area of the world also helps quite a bit.”

[Soraya de la Cruz]

Hmm, youngest sibling, a large family then? "That would be very convenient. He is not the sort of over protective brother? Or do you have other sisters giving him grey hair?"

[Silvana de Lucca]

I laughed lightly, then. “I think my status as a widow emancipated me sufficiently, is all. Besides, he has Lucca to think of, and I am far.”

[Soraya de la Cruz]

I glanced at her appraisingly. I would not have guessed her for a widow, or at least one who had been happy in her marriage in any case, but her personal views on her predicament were not my business. I'd already learned not to push, in the course of the conversation anyway, so I merely nodded. "It is well for you then. I am sure that he would miss you, as older brother do but don't admit. Will you not be going back soon? Or are you planning to stay in Terre d'Ange a while yet??"

[Silvana de Lucca]

“I have business here,” I replied quietly, “and so I will be in these parts for quite a time.”

I tried not to keep my smile clipped. “We shall have plenty of time to get better acquainted, my lady.”

[Soraya de la Cruz]

Her smile seemed a little forced and I gave her a sweeter one of my own. I was genuinely interested in getting to know her, for all that she did not seem all that inclined to warm up to me. "I shall be looking forward to it."

[Silvana de Lucca]

“I take it that you are staying a while yourself, then?” I asked, and my interest in her response was unfeigned – for all that Soraya de la Cruz was asking questions, I found that I should be asking some of my own indeed.

[Soraya de la Cruz]

"Oh yes, for a good while longer," again, I wondered if she would openly show she'd be less than happy with that prospect. As foreign guests it was inevitable that our paths would cross frequently during both our visits here, and that we would be bound by convention to continue our acquaintance with each other. Ah, such fun times ahead.

[Silvana de Lucca]

“Then I suppose we will indeed have plenty of time,” I replied politely. “What brought you to Terre d'Ange, if you don't mind my asking?”

My thoughts about her extended presence were null – if I wished to avoid her, I might well succeed: the palace was large, its alleys were numerous, and my footsteps were quiet. Besides, my opinion wasn't made of yet.

[Soraya de la Cruz]

"My father has business here of course. With the war there is always the chance Terre d'Ange will seek help from Aragonia. If not for the ties between our two countries already by marriage, it is still in our best interests to support Terre d'Ange from invasion."

I shrugged, as though I didn't know of or care for such politics. "Truth be told, I always enjoyed visiting here for the sheer liveliness of it so that was another incentive to stay a while."

[Silvana de Lucca]

I found her response much too savvy to be fully disinterested, and made a note to investigate this woman when I could – she was... suspect. I was grateful that my inherent dis-trustfulness had kept me from expanding my emotions onto her. She might well be a spy, for all I knew, and what a great cover it would be, if... ah, but I was spinning wild tales. I stopped short.

“Of course,” I replied amiably, “the City of Elua shines with many lights, and it is enough to dizzy the stoutest head.”

[Soraya de la Cruz]

"Dazzling yes," I agreed, though it struck me that it probably did not apply to my companion. She seemed far too level headed and mistrustful to be given over to such fancy. "Have you had the opportunity to cavort around the Palace District?" Perhaps I might prevail upon her to accompany me through the city, sometime in the future.

[Silvana de Lucca]

“I have not,” I replied truthfully. “I have so much work to do, between my responsibilities here, in Lucca, and in Schio, that I have not quite taken to explore the city of yet.”

The truth of it was that I had no desire to do it on my own, and hoped Christien would take me out soon.

There was the outing at Eglantine with Prince Eduardo, which I also anticipated.

[Soraya de la Cruz]

"Then a visit is definitely in order," I grinned, about to suggest that we might go together, when Gaspar, one of my messenger boys came sprinting across the garden.

"My lady," he panted, sketching a bow. "Senor Allende has arrived with instructions from your father." He seemed to notice Silvana then, and blushing profusely, bowed over and over again as he stuttered apologies.

"It is all right, Gaspar," then, turning to Silvana I gave a rueful smile. "I'm sorry. This is quite urgent. My father's retainer seems to require my presence." Which meant that father probably had to leave on short notice. I dropped into a deep curtsey. "Forgive me, for my abrupt departure. It was lovely making your acquaintance today, and I hope you don't find it amiss if I might call upon you soon."

And, because Gaspar looked like he was about to faint, poor lad, I inclined my head once more before hastening back to my quarters.

[Silvana de Lucca]

Just as we were discussing less awkward things, a messenger boy came about and interrupted us, then very literally whisked away Lady de la Cruz.

As I watched her leave, having nodded and been more or less left to wander the garden alone, I had to wonder what urgent matter would demand her presence so quickly.

I found it suspicious, and as I strolled the garden alone, I resolved to set Augustus to perform a discreet investigation in the bowels of the palace. Servants always did have the best and most interesting ways of finding out information, after all.