Lorena's Eyes Sparkled With Appreciation For The Woman's Poetic Sentiment As She Listened To Her Words

Lorena's eyes sparkled with appreciation for the woman's poetic sentiment as she listened to her words about the ocean's allure. "I understand what you mean," Lorena replied softly, her voice carrying a hint of wonder. "The ocean has a way of drawing us in, inviting us to explore its mysteries and depths." She glanced out at the waves rolling gently onto the shore, the sun casting a golden hue over the water. "In Spain, near my family's estate, there's a beach where I used to spend hours as a child," Lorena continued, a nostalgic smile playing on her lips. "The sound of the waves crashing against the cliffs, the salty breeze... it always felt like a gateway to another world, my imagination always ran free."

Being away from the temple of Athena had freed up many hours of Safiye's day; and she found, she did not enjoy to spend this time cooped up within Paço Imperial palace. Shoes in hand, the lady trawled the beach, stopping to listen to the tales of the devil's side from the locals, feeling warm from the kiss of the setting sun. She may be twinged red across her nose, come morning, but Safiye held no regrets as she allowed water to wash over her toes, chin tilted && eyes closed as she tried to hear the sounds of sea through the wind. The Gods communicated through nature; and it was hard not to feel seen by greater beings when surrounded by such beauty. " The view... the feel of it all. " This, Safiye said eyes still closed, before opening them to turn && greet the speaker. " It is hard not to imagine you could just walk right into the ocean, enter a new world. "

Lorena stepped outside, the cool night air a welcome contrast to the oppressive atmosphere of the ballroom. She took a deep breath, her heart still racing from the anxiety she’d been trying to hide. As her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she noticed another figure standing alone, her gaze fixed upward. The woman’s midnight blue gown blended with the night, and her serene expression caught Lorena’s attention. Curious, she approached, needing a moment of calm herself.

The Spanish princess followed her gaze to the sky, feeling a momentary sense of peace. “It truly is magnificent,” she replied softly. “I needed to escape the ballroom, even if just for a moment. The stars... they do have a way of putting everything into perspective.”

° • — OPEN starter ( 0 /3 ) ° • — mysteries of osiris gala, outside

zelenia was quiet as her eyes were aimed upwards, towards the stars. she had not once stepped foot into the gala, despite being dressed for the occasion in a midnight blue gown. such events were the duties of a princess, but not something she cared to attend. as priestess, her gaze was captivated by the mentor shower.

it would be the perfect night for meditating at the water springs or even the beach itself. if she could slip away . . . she would.

" it's wonderous, isn't it? the way the gods designed the stars. " she murmured to the person who had joined her outside. " i cannot imagine why anyone would want to spent their time in the ballroom tonight. "

Maya considered Safiye's words, her heart heavy with understanding. "You're right, madam. Wars, as horrible as they are, often have a declared purpose, a twisted sense of order and morality within their violence. But what we see now... it feels like intended chaos, cruelty without bounds and the destruction of what we hold dear." She sighed, her eyes reflecting the depth of her own sorrow and fear. When Henri was taken from Maya during the Reckoning, it felt like the very ground beneath her feet had been pulled away. "It's a painful truth," Maya began, her voice gentle yet firm. "They forget the lives lost, the futures erased. It's a kind of hubris, thinking they can play god and manipulate the course of history however I fear this is just the beginning"

She glanced at the ground for a moment, memories of Henri flashing through her mind—his warm smile, his reassuring presence, and the way he had always stood by her side. "I lost my husband, Henri, during the Reckoning," she continued, her voice tinged with sadness. "He was a man of integrity and kindness, caught in the crossfire of political ambitions and violence."

“ It is so strange. “ Safiye blurted in earnest, head nodding in agreement with Maya’s words. “ Wars make sense. Tragic and despicable and always the wrong choice, but… “ they followed order, they held morals within their violence. Oftentimes, motives for aggression were declared && clear. This display before her… the roots seemed untraceable. It was frightening, and Safiye shivered, wrapping arms tighter about herself with a deepening frown. “ Unsettling indeed… “ she sighed, wishing for innocence restored. Her brother was among those who had fallen; maybe she, too, was motivated by fear of the same happening to her. Where the prisoners somewhere below them used fear as a weapon, Safiye clung to hers as a reason to stay pure. “ It’s like they chose to become Gods and alter the course of history. “

Rena chuckled softly, shaking her head. "It wasn't a mistake, Kai-Ming. It was a bold and adventurous idea. Your courage is admirable, and I can see why you were drawn to that beautiful flower." She glanced up at the cliffside, assessing the situation. "We just need to approach it differently, with a bit more caution. Let's see if we can find another way to get that flower without risking another mishap."

Lorena took a moment to study the surrounding area, her eyes tracing the safest path up the rocks. "Perhaps we can find a longer stick or a sturdy branch to help us reach it," she suggested thoughtfully. "Or maybe there's a way to climb up from the other side where the slope isn't as steep."

kai-ming let out a sigh of relief as someone came to her rescue — the smile on her face making the little princess feel at ease. " thank you, i greatly appreciate it! " she exclaimed with a soft smile, as she stood absolutely still while the other worked to free her foot.

" well, you see . . . " the princess started, as her foot came free and she hopped away from the rocks with their help. kai-ming turned, to point to the flower that was vining down the cliffside. " i was hoping to grab that flower, so i could take it back to my room and paint it! " she then huffed, and looked at them. " but, i suppose that had been a mistake. "

Lorena had decided to take a walk along the trails of Sugarloaf Mountain, seeking a peaceful respite from the worries that plagued her mind. The midday sun bathed the landscape in a warm glow, and the flowers along the path provided a comforting presence. She took a deep breath, trying to center herself and find some semblance of peace. The past months had been a whirlwind of fear and uncertainty. Her abduction by anti-monarchists was a nightmare she couldn't escape, even now. The isolation, the interrogations, the constant threat of harm—it was all etched into her mind. Every night, she was haunted by the memories: the cold, damp cell where she was kept, the faces of her captors, and the relentless pressure to reveal secrets she could never betray.Sleep offered no solace; her dreams were plagued with vivid recollections of her captivity. She would wake up in a cold sweat, the sound of her own screams echoing in her ears. The darkness of her room often felt like the prison she had barely escaped from, and it took all her strength to remind herself that she was safe now.

Yet, despite her release, the facade she had to maintain was exhausting. As she walked, she tried to focus on the present. The trail was a welcome distraction, each step taking her further away from her worries. The beauty of the mountain, the fresh air, and the vibrant flowers offered a temporary escape from the shadows that lurked in her mind. Her thoughts were interrupted by a voice calling out, tinged with nervousness. Lorena hurried towards the sound, her instincts taking over. She soon found the source of the call: a young princess, her foot wedged between two rocks as she reached for a vining flower. The sight of her struggling tugged at Lorena's heart, and she approached with a gentle smile.

"Don’t worry, I’m here to help," Lorena said soothingly as she knelt beside the other. "Let’s get you out of there." With careful movements, she assessed the situation and then gently but firmly worked to free Kai-Ming’s foot. "What happened?" She asked, calmly, trying to ease the other.

° • — OPEN starter ( 0 / 3 ) ° • — sugarloaf mountain, midday

it was not healthy for her to sit around and mope, kai-ming knew that. it didn't stop her from wanting to, however. she had stayed below deck while they traveled, and the first few days back the princess had also stayed in her chambers — but no more. despite her sorrows, kai-ming realized she was only making the people who did care about her worry. she had to be brave and put on a mask, even if it was just for their sakes.

— but she did not want to wander the castle grounds, worried she'd catch sight of him at any moment. so, her mind went to the sugarloaf mountain trails. a view to enjoy, flowers to find; peace and warmth in the sun. it was exactly what kai-ming needed. halfway through the trail, though, and the little princess found herself stuck — her foot wedged between two rocks as she had attempted to climb and grab a vining flower.

she had all but given up on pulling herself free amd was about to just sit and cry when she heard footsteps up the path. " ah, excuse me! " she exclaimed, " i . . . i could use some help! " kai-ming called out nervously, hoping they could hear her.

Maya nodded in agreement, her diplomatic training guiding her response. "They do have a timeless charm, don't they?" she replied warmly. "I'm sorry, but I don't believe we've been introduced. I'm Maya Rousseau, the Deputy Prime Minister of France, and this is my son, Nicholas." The mother smiled warmly at her son, encouraging him gently. "Nicholas, why don't you say hello to our new friend?" With his ever so curious and friendly nature, he turned to the woman with a bright grin. "Salut" he exclaimed cheerfully, his youthful energy evident in his voice.

Elisa had a particular fondness for France. For all the Orleans' decadence they had a sense of self preservation that was admirable, to say the least. Gilded puppets, bowing to a constitutional monarchy. And soon, God willing, to no monarchy at all. When she noticed the Deputy Prime Minister and who she presumed to be her little son in the courtyard, Elisa decided to take a stroll herself. As she came closer, the boy pointed at her - probably because of the bruises still on her face and neck. "There is no need to apologize," she smiled sweetly, "I just thought the fresh air would do me some good. "Hello," she said to the boy before turning back to his mother. "I love the courtyards...they look just as I've remembered them..."