Disclaimer: Again, I do not own any of these characters but Nathalie.
Please comment, tell me what you think. This chapter will explain more
about their customs. No flames, please. Also, statements within the :: are
thoughts, as I have yet to learn the HTML required for fanfiction, Thank
you again
Eisheth's Call
****** Chapter One: Debut
A moment, perhaps two, was all required before I managed to gain control over my rioting nerves. ::He's a boy, you fool, stop behaving like a desperate child!:: The word child snapped the areas of my mind to order, seething at the notion of addressing me as such.
"M'lady?"
Whirling about at the voice, a young boy, perhaps 15 years of age, gulped and then dropped a bow. With a muttered word, too quiet to be understood by any one save one trained to hear such things, I responded with a nod of my head.
"Yes?"
"They are ready to announce you." The interchange was rapid, and for a moment a haze of gray-green, like foam from a wave, threatened to overtake my vision. Blinking to clear my eyes I nodded once again, turning away from my perch overlooking the ballroom. The haze lingered, then drew away, as did the fact of its presence, sorted away to puzzle about later. Padding towards the infamous staircase, where ever so many peers of the Realm had waited impatiently for their name to be announced, I drew in a breath.
The need to ask the beings who watch over my country for luck on this day took me by surprise, and right between my ribs, an insistent nudge. Never before had I felt a need to pray to Blessed Elua or any of his companions for aid. The story of their arrival to the lands of Terre D'Ange is known to every child in these parts. As I waited, my mind drifted to such matters, borne upon the wind of strength, using the knowledge I had learned so long ago to calm my nerves.
As Yeshua ben Yosef lay dying upon the cross, Mary Magdalene had wept, tears falling to mix with the blood of the dying man. Taken into the Earth's womb, an Angel was born, Elua, who held but one precept: Love as thou wilt. Abhorred by the Yeshuites, of whom Yeshua, Elua's father was one a part of, scorned by the One God, his father's father, and considered an enemy of the Tiberium Empire, Elua wandered the Earth, bare feet trudging across the land of his mother, the Earth. Along with him came seven companions, fallen Angels: Naamah, Anael Azza, Cassiel, Eisheth, and Kushiel. As they wandered across the lands, if ever Elua hungered, Naamah would lie with merchants and the like for money for food; and none would begrudge him, so merry was his soul. Singing and crowned with vines of leaves, Elua and the companions found the land of Terre D'Ange, yet unnamed.
The One God, after having mourned the death of his son Yeshua ben Yosef, sent his Commander in Chief to retrieve his errant relative. Elua greeted the messenger kindly but refused, and so the creature returned empty handed. A second messenger, his Arch-Herald was sent, with the bidding to take him by force is necessary. Elua borrowed a dagger from Cassiel and scored his palm, the blood dripping onto the rich soil beneath.
"The Heavens of my grandfather are bloodless. And I am not." With those words Blessed Elua sealed himself and his companions to Terre D'Ange, mixing their seed with mortals, granting the D'Angeline beauty and refinement beyond other races. The One-God and his once wife, Mother-Earth, created a Terre D'Ange beyond, a perfect world to whence the companions journeyed.
Before they did so, they divided the lands, each companion taking a parcel and gifting it with their own talents. Elua took but a city, the City of Elua, the capital of my beloved country. Cassiel took naught, content to be the Perfect Companion to Elua, with only a brotherhood of expertly trained guards to his name.
"Duchese? Duchese!" A voice, calling from somewhere, shook me from my trance-like state. I blinked back the fog of the past, farther back then I could possibly imagine. "Duchese, have you heard one word I have uttered to you?" That voice. Again. A vulgar word came to mind, but I had the presence of mind to tamper it, turning to face the speaker.
It was the herald, middle-aged face irritated. "You young folk, never listening when people speak to you. Always off in a daydream." The man muttered darkly, bringing a touch of color to my cheeks.
"I apologize, Messire, I was unaware anyone required my attentions." I admit my tone was rather frosty, annoyance held in check- though just barely. "What was it you so urgently needed me for?" A harsh, exaggerated sigh escaped from his parted lips, pursed in exasperation.
"To announce you, duchese. We've proclaimed your name already, once at least." 'Twas my turn to emit an incensed sound, though the nature of mine was for more vulgar than his. The teachings instilled in me when I was but a child still held the power to command my complete attention, it seemed, much to my chagrin.
There was much I would have said to the man, had I had the time necessary for such an endeavor. Alas, it was not to be so. My name was spoken, quite clearly, audible over the laughter and music vibrating from the musicians creating pleasant sounds. Throwing a glare over my shoulder, directed at the herald, I rested my palm upon the cool wooden surface of the railing. I felt, rather then saw, the many eyes of the peerage of Terre D'Ange turn in my direction.
A breath, mayhap two; I stood there, like a thief caught in the act in a bright beam of light. My mind went blank for a heartbeat, the only thing registering on my senses was the incessant attention, the murmurs of the crowd below. I know not what broke this reverie. Doubtless many though I was merely pausing for the attention, to flaunt my passable beauty to the peerage of Terre D'Ange, hoping the young men noticed. A chuckle; a cough; a titter; whatever it was, it returned me to my senses.
My long fingers closed over the wooden surface of the railing, maintaining a light hold as I descending. Silk skirts whispering ever so softly, head held high, chin erect; I daresay I did all and more of what I was taught, so carefully trained to do. Much as it pained me to admit it, the herald had aided me- not a trace of nerves could I still feel. The annoyance had cleared my mind, fanning the flame which fed my defiant nature. Nothing anyone has ever done has been able to tamper this side of me.
With a mental shrug I continued down, almost startled when the cool marble of the floor met my slipper clad feet. Some might believe the worst was over after having descended those dratted stairs; I, for one, was relieved, but was not averse to simply ascending them and departing. Various nobles of Terre D'Ange moved towards me, reminding me faintly of a swarm of locusts. ::Only difference is that locusts devour plants.:: The rogue voice in my mind chortled after whispering such, inspiring a smile on my visage.
Peerage surrounded me, the group slowly moving away from the dreaded stairs and more towards the dancing, where couples already twirled with light- hearted abandon. A chattering of voices seized my senses, absently listening to at least three conversations but understanding none. A flurry of movement caught my gaze in one direction; a riot of color in another. Imperceptibly my mind took on a numb stance, politely reacting to all but truly noticing none. One young man asked me to dance, blush tinting his fair cheeks. I had but opened my mouth to reply when another voice carried over the throng of persons.
"Marsilikos! I believe you promised me the first dance." Eyes bright, I rose up on my tiptoes, looking for the source of the voice I knew well. I picked him out easily, striding towards the group I was currently imprisoned within. Garbed in a ceremonial naval costume, the striking figure made his way through easily, persons parting to give way. Gray streaked dark hair was cropped short, as was the style, blue-gray eyes as merry as the sea on a brisk day. If nothing else, the eyes would give him away; if not that, then the various awards positioned on his chest.
My father.
Eisheth's Call
****** Chapter One: Debut
A moment, perhaps two, was all required before I managed to gain control over my rioting nerves. ::He's a boy, you fool, stop behaving like a desperate child!:: The word child snapped the areas of my mind to order, seething at the notion of addressing me as such.
"M'lady?"
Whirling about at the voice, a young boy, perhaps 15 years of age, gulped and then dropped a bow. With a muttered word, too quiet to be understood by any one save one trained to hear such things, I responded with a nod of my head.
"Yes?"
"They are ready to announce you." The interchange was rapid, and for a moment a haze of gray-green, like foam from a wave, threatened to overtake my vision. Blinking to clear my eyes I nodded once again, turning away from my perch overlooking the ballroom. The haze lingered, then drew away, as did the fact of its presence, sorted away to puzzle about later. Padding towards the infamous staircase, where ever so many peers of the Realm had waited impatiently for their name to be announced, I drew in a breath.
The need to ask the beings who watch over my country for luck on this day took me by surprise, and right between my ribs, an insistent nudge. Never before had I felt a need to pray to Blessed Elua or any of his companions for aid. The story of their arrival to the lands of Terre D'Ange is known to every child in these parts. As I waited, my mind drifted to such matters, borne upon the wind of strength, using the knowledge I had learned so long ago to calm my nerves.
As Yeshua ben Yosef lay dying upon the cross, Mary Magdalene had wept, tears falling to mix with the blood of the dying man. Taken into the Earth's womb, an Angel was born, Elua, who held but one precept: Love as thou wilt. Abhorred by the Yeshuites, of whom Yeshua, Elua's father was one a part of, scorned by the One God, his father's father, and considered an enemy of the Tiberium Empire, Elua wandered the Earth, bare feet trudging across the land of his mother, the Earth. Along with him came seven companions, fallen Angels: Naamah, Anael Azza, Cassiel, Eisheth, and Kushiel. As they wandered across the lands, if ever Elua hungered, Naamah would lie with merchants and the like for money for food; and none would begrudge him, so merry was his soul. Singing and crowned with vines of leaves, Elua and the companions found the land of Terre D'Ange, yet unnamed.
The One God, after having mourned the death of his son Yeshua ben Yosef, sent his Commander in Chief to retrieve his errant relative. Elua greeted the messenger kindly but refused, and so the creature returned empty handed. A second messenger, his Arch-Herald was sent, with the bidding to take him by force is necessary. Elua borrowed a dagger from Cassiel and scored his palm, the blood dripping onto the rich soil beneath.
"The Heavens of my grandfather are bloodless. And I am not." With those words Blessed Elua sealed himself and his companions to Terre D'Ange, mixing their seed with mortals, granting the D'Angeline beauty and refinement beyond other races. The One-God and his once wife, Mother-Earth, created a Terre D'Ange beyond, a perfect world to whence the companions journeyed.
Before they did so, they divided the lands, each companion taking a parcel and gifting it with their own talents. Elua took but a city, the City of Elua, the capital of my beloved country. Cassiel took naught, content to be the Perfect Companion to Elua, with only a brotherhood of expertly trained guards to his name.
"Duchese? Duchese!" A voice, calling from somewhere, shook me from my trance-like state. I blinked back the fog of the past, farther back then I could possibly imagine. "Duchese, have you heard one word I have uttered to you?" That voice. Again. A vulgar word came to mind, but I had the presence of mind to tamper it, turning to face the speaker.
It was the herald, middle-aged face irritated. "You young folk, never listening when people speak to you. Always off in a daydream." The man muttered darkly, bringing a touch of color to my cheeks.
"I apologize, Messire, I was unaware anyone required my attentions." I admit my tone was rather frosty, annoyance held in check- though just barely. "What was it you so urgently needed me for?" A harsh, exaggerated sigh escaped from his parted lips, pursed in exasperation.
"To announce you, duchese. We've proclaimed your name already, once at least." 'Twas my turn to emit an incensed sound, though the nature of mine was for more vulgar than his. The teachings instilled in me when I was but a child still held the power to command my complete attention, it seemed, much to my chagrin.
There was much I would have said to the man, had I had the time necessary for such an endeavor. Alas, it was not to be so. My name was spoken, quite clearly, audible over the laughter and music vibrating from the musicians creating pleasant sounds. Throwing a glare over my shoulder, directed at the herald, I rested my palm upon the cool wooden surface of the railing. I felt, rather then saw, the many eyes of the peerage of Terre D'Ange turn in my direction.
A breath, mayhap two; I stood there, like a thief caught in the act in a bright beam of light. My mind went blank for a heartbeat, the only thing registering on my senses was the incessant attention, the murmurs of the crowd below. I know not what broke this reverie. Doubtless many though I was merely pausing for the attention, to flaunt my passable beauty to the peerage of Terre D'Ange, hoping the young men noticed. A chuckle; a cough; a titter; whatever it was, it returned me to my senses.
My long fingers closed over the wooden surface of the railing, maintaining a light hold as I descending. Silk skirts whispering ever so softly, head held high, chin erect; I daresay I did all and more of what I was taught, so carefully trained to do. Much as it pained me to admit it, the herald had aided me- not a trace of nerves could I still feel. The annoyance had cleared my mind, fanning the flame which fed my defiant nature. Nothing anyone has ever done has been able to tamper this side of me.
With a mental shrug I continued down, almost startled when the cool marble of the floor met my slipper clad feet. Some might believe the worst was over after having descended those dratted stairs; I, for one, was relieved, but was not averse to simply ascending them and departing. Various nobles of Terre D'Ange moved towards me, reminding me faintly of a swarm of locusts. ::Only difference is that locusts devour plants.:: The rogue voice in my mind chortled after whispering such, inspiring a smile on my visage.
Peerage surrounded me, the group slowly moving away from the dreaded stairs and more towards the dancing, where couples already twirled with light- hearted abandon. A chattering of voices seized my senses, absently listening to at least three conversations but understanding none. A flurry of movement caught my gaze in one direction; a riot of color in another. Imperceptibly my mind took on a numb stance, politely reacting to all but truly noticing none. One young man asked me to dance, blush tinting his fair cheeks. I had but opened my mouth to reply when another voice carried over the throng of persons.
"Marsilikos! I believe you promised me the first dance." Eyes bright, I rose up on my tiptoes, looking for the source of the voice I knew well. I picked him out easily, striding towards the group I was currently imprisoned within. Garbed in a ceremonial naval costume, the striking figure made his way through easily, persons parting to give way. Gray streaked dark hair was cropped short, as was the style, blue-gray eyes as merry as the sea on a brisk day. If nothing else, the eyes would give him away; if not that, then the various awards positioned on his chest.
My father.