(AN: Well, I've been having second thoughts about all my work, so I thought I'd do something with which, so far, I've had marked success. Not the Bible, but Soul Calibur! So here we are again, stage of history and everything. Also, in preparation for another story I'm working on, I will be delivering this story from the perspective of the main character, since we know she makes it all the way into the 17th century [or at least any who have played SCV will know that])

(Like with my other Soul Calibur stories, it will be heavily influenced by the historic setting and I'm sure it will be fun. If you love Isabella Valentine, you will love this story.)

First Memories

January 19th, 1564

This was my earliest memory. It was a cold winter's day in January. I remembered raised voices: Father was angry with one of the servants. For some reason, I wanted to see what was the matter. I ran down the hall of our beloved home - though some would call it a mansion, it was home to a child like myself at the time - to where I could hear the voices loudest. I found Father at last in the kitchens, where he was angrily berating a servant. In his hand was a leather switch, with which he beat the servant. He became aware of my presence and halted. The switch was put away and he said some choice words to the servant.

If you think my Father, Edward Valentine, Earl of Lincoln, was a cruel man, you are gravely mistaken. He did not punish me for my curiosity, for he loved me greatly. Even now, as I think back on him, I feel that he knew the truth and yet loved me regardless. In his eyes I was his daughter, his prized possession, and he never denied me anything. When he found me looking upon his berating of a servant, he did not shout or threaten me, though it would have been within his power to do so. Instead, having done his duty, he took me by the hand and led me into a parlor.

"My dear," I remembered him say. It was so strange, seeing those blue eyes of his, which a moment ago had been so full of anger, now directed at me, filled with nothing but love. Or at least, that is what I see it as now, in my mind's eye. "My dear, do you think me cruel because what I did to Anne?" I was silent, fearful at that young age if he might do the same to me.

"One day you'll be old enough to realize this," he said. "But life is full of pain. That cannot be avoided. Sometimes, someone has to give pain if one is insolent. Besides, pain will make them stronger, more obedient servants. Do you understand?"

I was silent, but inside something profound happened. For the moment, my Father seemed satisfied with what had happetlned and left. However, from that moment on, I was changed. I knew that something had happened, but, being so young, I could not properly articulate precisely what had changed. Nevertheless, I do recall that my governesses and tutors always referred to me as cold-hearted. Ever after, I have been called such as well. But it is not my purpose to refute what has been said: let people say what they will, it shall not change me. I am what I am, God or whoever else is out there help me, for better or for worse.

I am Isabella Valentine, and this is my story.

(AN: I hope that was okay.)

(I had to bend the historical account quite a bit in this story, since there is no Earldom of London and most of the other earldoms are already taken during the period of this part of the story. Yes, Elizabethan noblemen could probably beat their servants if they do decided. Nevertheless, I need to establish Ivy's infatuation with pain early on, which is why I have this scene. No need for apology, just like Ivy.)

(Also, I haven't got a pic up for this story. I really want to use one, either of Ivy or of Belle Chere, who has famously cosplayed as Ivy, but ALL of Ivy's pictures are "provocative" [ie: SCIV's epic under-boobage], so I'm not sure. Maybe I'll find something eventually, but I hope I don't get shut down without warning when I finally do find a good pic.)

(How did you like the style of story-telling, from the character's perspective rather than from mine? Please review, I'll try to get new chapters up soon. I always have such fun with Soul Calibur stories, and they've turned out so well so far, so I have high hopes.)