Originally Posted by
Raz_Fox
As Jongo and the Weaver left, Fayruz took a step closer to Soreal, smiling faintly. "If names define us, sister, then Father gave us all the right names. Even yours is just right for you. And I'm sure, whether Father names it or our little brother-sister names it, that it will have the right name. Everything works for the good of those who trust Father, after all."
Fayruz looked around her for a moment, and then knelt, her skirts spreading about her, as she plucked a dark rose from its bed, its black petals in full bloom. In the dark - as far as it ever grew truly dark in the White City - its petals would glow beautifully, bringing light into the darkness. This she offered to Soreal with a smile. "I don't want you to leave without something to remember from home," she said. "Even if we all stay together... you should keep this. I'm sure the people below don't have flowers this beautiful - Toreazan told me that, when he came back from measuring the seas. They have some flowers, he said, but they're nowhere near as pretty as the flowers of the White City." Toreazan was speaking about Fayruz, in part, when he said this to her, but Fayruz - as usual - missed the compliment.
"I should be going," she continued, after a moment. "Father expects me to be ready for the banquet tonight, and I don't want to disappoint him! This is the most important banquet we've ever been to, so I really should look my best." An empty worry, given how radiant Fayruz is at every banquet, how resplendent in her brilliant silks, with her crown of silver and starlight trapped within colorless jewels. But Fayruz worries, regardless, for tonight she hopes to be given her special task for the journey, and if there is anything out of place, anything she does wrong - why, Father might not tell her, or might chastise her for being an imperfect reflection of his glory!