The nave and altar of the Imperial Cathedral soar above and before in sweeping, archaic architecture, its rich onamentation speaking of millennia of patronage from the Lion Throne itself. Arched ceilings rise in intricate engravings and porphyry columns to meet ceilings frescoed by the masters of the Early 18th Century AG Neo-Terran school. More than fifteen thousand seats rise in elaborately-carved mahogany lofts, many reserved for specific Houses and these denoted by their banners flapping above, on either side of the black and white marble-chequered floors, interspersed amongst tombs and reliquaries flashing with hints of gold in the subdued lighting of bronze chandeliers. All of this draws the gaze forward, towards the pristine white marble dais upon which is set the Altar of the Host, its triptych depiction of the founding of the Church carved from a single, immense rectangular slab of Hagal Quartz. The blue-green shards of the altar are ablaze with the light which shines in from the magnificent stained glass windows which comprise the wall behind it, its more than five million shards in varying shades of red, orange, and yellow, a roiling conflagration of glass breathtaking to behold, even to the unbeliever who may not understand the holy significance of that stylized fire.

    The normally austere chamber is alight with intricate decorations for the day's ceremony -- ribbons and banners and flowers everywhere.

     Lithe and athletic, Elsa strides silently and gracefully as her soft, black leather shoes only occasionally show their tips from beneath the line of her dark purple dress. She wears an amethyst silk scarf around her bare shoulders, holding and adjusting it now and then with a black-gloved hand. Her slender neck is adorned with a rather large, silver pendant of intricate design resembling a swirling vortex, the same design her silver earrings seem to be. She has long, chestnut brown hair neatly kept in a knot on the back of her head, with a tress falling before her delicate face. A face that some find most striking, due to her piercing, amber eyes outlined by her high cheekbones.
Carrying:
Silver pendant

     In the vast Cathedral, even though it is daytime, there are relatively few people inside. Some sit in the benches, some pray at the dozens of statues aligned near the walls. One silhouette is clearly standing out to of noble birth. Draped in a long flowing dark blue cloak, with her curly hair flowing gently about her shoulders, the Lady Ginaz is kneeling below the old and dusty statue of Saint Patrick in the far southeastern corner of the Cathedral.

     The Ginaz dress the Sister Morante wears at this occasion seems to be a statement of itself. Obviously, she refrains from wearing her black aba robes here. Her soft boots make no sound when she enters and crosses the vast holy space silently, making the proper greeting to that Being so fervently woshipped here. She notices the figure of her pupil kneeling and approaches her silently, not interrupting her prayers, and seats herself in the frontmost row, waiting for the young lady to finish her prayers.

     In her kneeling position, an expression of piousness and deep faith on her expression, the Lady recites her prayer with her eyes closed, holding a white, thin candle in her hands. A priest, which was busy with something at the altar a few moments ago, approaches the Lady and stops at three steps distance, at a mere hand's reach from where the tutor is sitting. He seems to have something in his hand, a silvery band falling a couple of centimeters down. He has a candid smile on his face as he watches the Lady pray.

     Elsa remains seated, observing the priest. When she decides he poses no direct threat, she closes her eyes and starts mumbling a prayer herself in ancient Latin.

     The priest tilts his head towards Elsa, an astonished look on his face as he does so. In a glimpse of intuition, or was it divine intervention, he realizes the nature of the woman near him and turns his head embarrased to wait for the Ginaz Lady. Only for a trained and careful ear the faint murmuring of SIsay can be heard: "... as you drove away the snakes from the green isle of Erin, so watch over your humble follower, guide and protect me and my family. " She pauses and continues with her own words: "I need your help, Saint Paddy... I'm scared... I wish all go flawless and neat, I wish my doubts dissapear... In the name of the Lord, Amen." Then she raises and dips her fingertips into a bowl of holy water near the wall and makes the sign of the Holy Cross and turns to the priest with a smile. They chatter for a while and the mysterious object passes from one hand to the other. The Lady's happy giggle can be heard. The priest says, with a louder voice: "Bless you, child." and turns to walk away, heading for the altar.

     Elsa finishes her prayer, a standard but ancient prayer with no personal word, and makes the sign of the Holy Cross herself before opening her eyes, trailing the priest for a moment before looking up with a fainst smile at her pupil and inclines her head in greeting. She remains seated, however, and does not speak.

     Sisay still has a delighted smile on her face when she notices her tutor. She expresses her surprise with a light "Ooh" and curtseys gracefully and approaches, seating herself near the sister and massages her knees through the cloak's fabric. "My dear Lady Elsa... this is a sight... A sister, in a church... You followed me here, didn't you." she says in a merry tone.

     Elsa smiles and nods. "We too pay tribute, dear Lady Sisay." she says. "I did not follow you. I knew you would be here this morning. It is not often that you have a morning off from our lessons." she smiles and inclines her head at your knees. "They have pillows you can use, you know."

     Sisay smiles shyly as she stretches her feet a bit. She says: "Yes, but the purpose of a prayer is to be profound, not comfortable, as I gathered from your wisdom." In fact, it was not her lessons she learned this, but an old tradition of her family from her mother's ascendency to pray on the bare ground or in more straining conditions. 'The body must suffer for the spirit to be raised' they said.

     Elsa smiles and nods slowly. "When you manage not to be distracted by the hurt in your knees, that is true indeed." She lokks you in the eyes and continues "You have learned much of late. I remember the day when you still thought those words you just used were plain nonsense."

     Sisay looks at you with her black eyes, glimmering sofly in a myriad of colours from the reflected light. She crosses her hand through her hair and sighs deeply. "I was reckless... Maybe I still am... But how was that? One must prove his human condition in ways of acting and thinking in order to be accepted by society as a human being... Figuring your way into the big puzzle of the universe is not an easy task..." She says and giggles, remembering her childhood.

     Elsa seems to appreicate those words. Still looking into your eyes, you may even notice that, somehow unnoticed so far, there seems to be a fainst shimmer of blue in the whites of her eyes. With a warm voice she asks "And have you found the place in that puzzle now? "

     Sisay smiles again, softly, and says, looking upwards briefly: "Only the good Lord knows... but I'm walking on his path, guided by your wisdom and my uncle's..." She looks at you and pauses for moment, noticing the blue haze of spice dependency with sligh sigh. The magic spice which she has always warded off and hopefully will always do. "I am seriously considering to become a planetologist... In writing the book, my eyes have opened for this field which I find so very fascinating..." she adds.

     Elsa nods slowly, but raises a brow after your sigh. Guessing your..disappointment, she says "You know this is part of my training and my future. You knew that all along." With that, she gestures at her eyes with two gloves fingers. Then, she replies "I am glad to see you know that you are not there yet. And I'm pleased to hear you speak of desisions. I am sure you would make a fine planetologist. Is this purely related to those stories you told me of Marcinko, or would you study any planet with that same interest ?"

     Sisay nods. "Each planet has its own stories and spirit. I was born on Marcinko and Nature embraced me there. But any planet is as as beautiful as the other, for they are all part of the Creation. I'd love to study the laws which govern them to bring together humans with their environment... A diffcult task at best, but very enjoyable..." She beams a cute smile as she looks into herself, trying to figure out of she will manage in an academic life.

     Elsa nods slowly. "Have you met the Reverend Mother Bordayne already ? She has just recently arrived here oin Kaitain. I think she might like to see you one day." she says. Something is on her mind, apparently. There's more to this.

     Sisay replies: "No, I havent..." Her mind is briefly clouded by the shadows of doubt. Actions within actions, motives within motives, endless invisible wheels ticking and turning mysteriously in the mystical chain of causality. What is good and what is wrong, what is the answer to the magic question 'Why?' But she replies, with excitement in her voice: "But I'd love to meet her... It would be a honour..."

     Elsa nods. "Indeed."she briefly states.<< Let her wonder. I cannot tell her now anyway. Let's just see how she behaves in front of her. If she would come prepared, she'll not be herself.>> "I will contact her, then." she says and rises, holding out her hand to you. "Shall we have lunch together, My Lady?" she asks.

     Sisay takes your hand and rises aswell. "Gladly! My stomach owes you one..." she giggles as she raises and makes the sign of the Holy Cross again.

     Elsa smiles and walks alongside you towards the centre of the vast cathedral, turns to face the altar and makes the sign of the Holy Cross, before turning and walking with you through the lines and lines of seatings. "I was not aware that Saint Patrick was your personal patron, My Lady?" she says, nearing the doors. At the doors, she turns once more and again makes the sign.

     Sisay says as she walks alongside down towards the doorway: "Indeed. It came from my mother's family. He is the protector of our family and of our ancestors. It is said he once tamed the wild lands of our ancestors and turned them to christianity. It is also said he had magical powers and used them to heal the people and the land and he will always watch upon us from the Heavens so we will never get lost. I think he was a nice laddie, I often imagine him as my grandfather..." She giggles and turns to make the sign again as they arrive at the doorway.

     And they walk out of the Holy Sanctuary into the busy streets of Kaitain...