Yet More Background

[smwright]

Yet more background for those who may be interested.

This is an excerpt from Part II, Chapter Eight of the original Seraphim Applorant, not Declan’s retelling. Part II is told from Sylvie’s perspective, and this bit is the scene where Etienne explains Xavier’s feelings for her. Sylvie is eighteen at the time, nearly nineteen, and Kincaid Blair has

Comments

[thismaz]

Mmmm. I liked that. A father/daughter moment, where the father treats her both as a child, and as a recognised adult... or maybe as an adult, but a younger, less experienced one, would be a better description. Yes, actually, it would. That is what makes it so personally rewarding - to see a father see his child as an adult, is always good - it is, after all, the pattern of life, when the pattern is allowed to flow.
Also, it was good to see how Sylvie reacted to the information - with understanding and compassion, not with childish 'yuck's or revulsion. Her value for Xavier was clear, and her love, which gave her the space to be compassionate. Very nice, hon. Very nice.

[smwright]

Her value for Xavier was clear, and her love, which gave her the space to be compassionate.

Yes, only she spends the next however many pages fumbling all over herself in the trying to be compassionate. Poor thing.

I like the father/daughter moments between them. There are lots, of course, in SA, which is really her coming of age novel, and they come from a variety of perspectives. Often, Etienne is not so gentle with her, but they are very synchronous together. I think it comes from her being the daughter of The Healer more than anything else. She's learnt the value of many things from a young age... peace, quiet, simple togetherness, etc. Still, she's capable of holding her own.

(This is still my favourite story, although IR is finally growing on me as I'm reworking it.)