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rix_scaeduThis piece runs to 3,257 words and I hope that you enjoy it.
Hakkarsday, 7 Deichen, 1893 C.E.
Khemaas, 25 Sajibu, 2157 T.M.L.
5 Ueuekayomatilistli, 12 Coatl, 6.11.2.1.8.3.13
Dear Journal,
When Nais brought me my hot water this morning, she told me that the household had started preparing the guest bedrooms for the family members coming to our engagement dinner at first light this morning. Cousin Nhaidha and her family are expected mid-afternoon today. I dressed in a walking dress and went downstairs for breakfast and to offer myself up as an extra pair of hands, once I return from our visit to the Pearlish Lines office.
Miztli and Tekatl Umetlalliyaotl were going out to their morning practice session when I came down the stairs, and we exchanged greetings. I noticed that one of the housemaids was busily wiping down the walls of the corridor that goes off the foyer in the opposite direction to the breakfast parlor - no doubt there was sweeping and polishing down there a short time later.
Cousin Ghrus, Axolin, and Yeixi were in the breakfast room when I entered. Yeixi was just finishing up his meal before going out to fulfill a number of commissions for Cousin Poktlilui before his other aunt and cousins arrive this afternoon. Cousin Ghrus gave me to understand that Cousin Poktlilui was conducting military-scale household preparations from her bedchamber at this point with the intention of emerging later to take hands on control of matters. He added that we two can expect to receive commissions to complete before we return home this morning. I volunteered to drop in on her when I had finished my breakfast to find out what those might be.
When I was admitted to Cousin Poktlilui's bedchamber after I had finished my breakfast it was clear that she had been awake and busy for some time. She was fully dressed, her breakfast tray was nowhere in evidence, and she was reviewing a floor plan of the house with a list of names. I told her that I had come to see what tasks she needed or wanted us to complete on our trip out to the airship port. I also offered, if it would make her task easier, to share my room or have Nais in my room. Cousin Poktlilui thanked me and said that Nais would perform an important buffering function where she was, and the only person she needed to find a suitable room for was Cousin Nhaidha's mother-in-law who was unexpectedly coming too. Cousin Poktlilui was quite clear that this (fierce) old lady would not be happy sharing with me, and added that it was a good thing that she and my Great-aunt do get on extremely well with each other. She also assured me that she would have a list of any tasks she needed us to complete for her ready before we left the house.
As I was not in the office parlor this morning (helping ease me out of that role, and transferring full occupancy of the role to Mr Dhairaign) I used the time to make sure that I had all my travel documentation, confirm that Nais was to come with me, and work my way through the local newspaper. I think I understood the article on a local fishing dispute, most of the issues surrounding a dispute between the temple of the Lady of Filth and the spice merchants' trade association, and Tekatl Chicyoualizolin's obituary. The funeral is tomorrow, and I assumed that Miztli and his colleagues will be attending.
Lord Elnaith arrived at the appointed time, impeccably dressed but looking quite tired. Apparently whatever this black worm business is, it resulted in much activity overnight for him. This time his manservant or valet accompanied him. Axolin and his manservant, as well as Nais, joined us and it seemed to me that some considerable sizing up of each other was going on between the men behind their employers' backs. The weather was fine, so we took the open carriage today and Cousin Poktlilui did supply us with a list of small orders for us to collect on our way home.
We reached the airship port with no difficulty, and the Pearlish Lines office was easy to find. The first thing we discovered is that their next departure south is the Pearlish Dawn tomorrow. The next south bound departure is the Pearlish Lady on 19 Deichen/4 Mikistli. (There are other sailings on other lines, but my open ticket is with the Pearlish Lines.) Secondly, the Pearlish Dawn doesn't have three first class berths available from here to their final port in Scryhrial. Fortunately, the Pearlish Lady did have three berths available in first class, so we booked them immediately. I also discovered that I don't have to pay extra to have Nais with me. (It also means that if I had known and made other choices concerning city tours and entertainments, I might have been able to hire myself a maid long before I reached here. Realistically, of course, I would not have been able to afford a very good maid, but even so....) Our berths secured, hopefully all the way to Glastriel, we returned to the carriage.
Axolin and the coachman consulted on the best order in which to undertake Cousin Poktlilui's commissions, while Lord Elnaith and I watched the crowd and the air traffic. There were no Pearlish Lines vessels, indeed I saw none in the port today with an Imperial livery, but there were at least three of a size comparable to the all stops vessels that come through Umbrial, and I assume that Tlemutsiko would be a convenient place for travellers between smaller coastal locations and the interior (and in the opposite direction) to change vessels. There were also cargo vessels, one of which had Kerajaan livery.
Most of the foot traffic was people dressed in the Imperial-influenced clothing common in Tlemutsiko - several generations of being in power in a place and exerting control over the locals will have effects. (I believe myself to be a loyal Imperial citizen and subject, but I also believe that there are historical situations and circumstances that we could have handled better. Much better in some cases.) There were more people here wearing clothing that showed little, if any, Imperial influence than I had seen before, and some combinations I would not have expected - such as labourers (cargo handlers?) wearing Imperial-style leather work aprons, gloves, and boots with local loin cloths and nothing else. Ours was not the only llamadas-drawn vehicle in the street, but they were outnumbered by handcarts and man-handled carts moving luggage and goods into and out of the port through the entrance we were pulled up near. I am no judge of llamadas-flesh (should that even be a word?) but I thought Cousin Ghrus' team were the best ones there. Lord Elnaith expressed relief that he has not been required to don a loin cloth. I pointed out that a man of his age and status would also wear a cloak, and he said that he did not find that at all reassuring.
Fortunately, at this point Axolin told us that they had worked out the best way to collect Cousin Poktlilui's purchases. We made two stops where only Axolin and his manservant left the carriage, two more where they, Nais, and I left the carriage so we could collect two different items at once, and then we stopped near an intersection and all of us left the carriage to collect things. Once we were all back in the carriage, Lord Elnaith mentioned that it had been his first time inside a store here, and asked what the finely wrought wooden boxes it had for sale were for. It seems that they were spices and seasonings, boxed up for purchase and ongoing storage. Lord Elnaith indicated the size of them with his hands, and we discussed how I would buy such things at home. There were two more stops on the way back to the house, but only Axolin and his manservant got down from the carriage on those occasions. Lord Elnaith and I had moved on to discussing household purchases in general, and what we needed to know or decide about our future living situation before we started making such purchases.
When we returned back here, Matlal relieved us of Cousin Poktlilui's purchases, and Cousin Ghrus invited Lord Elnaith to stay to lunch. I sat on his right and Mr Dhairaign sat on my right - the better to flaunt his tattoo at Lord Elnaith I suspect. When I introduced them, Lord Elnaith surprised me by telling Mr Dhairaign that his testimony in the Black Havens matter, as instructed on during Lord Elnaith's officer training, was what had sparked his interest in the law. He added that it was taught on again during his legal studies, where entirely different but not opposing conclusions were drawn. Mr Dhairaign asked whether he had fared well in either assessment and laughed when Lord Elnaith told him that the military assessment was that his only alternative had been to shoot several people out of hand and take the consequences, and the law professors had applauded his decision not to commit perjury and to place information on those who had attempted to suborn his testimony. Mr Dhairaign noted that acknowledgement after the fact hadn't helped his situation at the time, and Lord Elnaith pointed out that he had, in fact, been able to reach the relative safety of the then southwestern provinces, despite the considerable resources arrayed against him. Mr Dhairaign, I thought, looked much struck at that. Over lunch we discussed poetry.
Lord Elnaith made his farewells straight after lunch, and Axolin, Cousin Ghrus, Cousin Poktlilui, and I immediately began discussing what needed to be done before our departure. (Miztli has declined the opportunity to visit the Empire, citing the press of his current investigation.) Axolin already has a passport among his credentials as an Obsidian Knight, but needs to obtain a suitable visa and permissions to enter the Empire. He also needs to obtain a passport and visa for his manservant, as well as attestation from his and Cousin Ghrus' superiors as to the limits of his authority to act on behalf of the Confederation whilst in the Empire. [Perhaps I am not as impressed with my cousins' consequence as I ought to be?]
Cousin Nhaida and her family arrived a little over an hour after lunch. This included her husband, who asked me to call him Cousin Nochehualt, her mother-in-law (Nantli Yahari), her children (Ghilhaidha, Chiccitlalli, Yeitlaulli, Chicmacumetlaulli, and Ceyouali), her son-in-law (Chicmacteskatl Suchitl who is married to Ghilhaidha), and her granddaughter (Tepinahueioztotl known as Tepin). Chiccitlalli is almost exactly my age, and Ghilhaidha is the daughter and only child of her first marriage. [I learned later today that Cousin Nhaidha and Cousin Nochehualt first met after he killed her first cousin who was preparing to kill Ghilhaidha in a plot to frame certain locals for heinous crimes. I definitely believe I have not heard the pertinent details of this story, and much as I would like to hear more, I really feel that I should not ask.] The family lives on an estate that Cousin Nochehualt manages, producing fleeces, meat, and potatoes. Chicmacteskatl's family runs a manufactory in their althepetl, and he is distantly related to Cousin Ghraimh's family.
Because Cousin Nhaida's family had been travelling since early this morning, any other day would have required them to stay overnight somewhere due to airship schedules, they had first call on the bathwater. Hence I had not yet gone upstairs top change when Miztli, Tekatl Umetlalliyaotl, and (surprisingly) Lord Elnaith returned to the house. Apparently Lord Elnaith spent the afternoon after lunch helping the Jaguar Knights with their Imperial legal questions, then my cousin and his colleague helped Lord Elnaith purchase an engagement token for me - they were there because he needed translation help.
Lord Elnaith said, rather diffidently for him, that he had noticed that I didn't wear rings, and hoped that was because I didn't have any rather than because I disliked them. Then he produced a ring box from his pocket, and presented it to me, saying that he had guessed my size from the feel of my fingers. The box contained a beautiful emerald ring, one large cabochon stone with a black, caltrop-shaped inclusion set in gold, and it fits on the middle finger on my left hand just as one would want it to. The ring was admired on my finger by everyone, Lord Elnaith was introduced to Cousin Nochehualt and Chicmacteskatl, Lord Elnaith made his farewells as he was expected at the consulate, and I went upstairs to prepare for dinner.
While I was bathing, it occurred to me that perhaps I should give Lord Elnaith an engagement token. Normally the man gives it to the woman, and then she wears it, but in this case I am the head of my family (of one), so I wondered if it was appropriate for me to give him a betrothal token. I resolved to ask Great-aunt Giltreada and then consult my budget.
I was seated between Chiccitlalli and Yeixi at dinner, while Tekatl Umetlalliyaotl was seated between Tehaneume and Yeixitlaulli. Tehaneume flirted silently across the table with Yeixi while Yeitlaulli spent the meal getting to know Tekatl Umetlalliyaotl. The Tekatl did not appear to object or be uncomfortable with this. I spoke to Chiccitlalli about his home and mine. (A surprisingly useful topic while travelling and meeting new people because you can stay at as much distance as you are both comfortable with while being interested.) Chiccitlalli was explaining to me how they organise their shearing season when Great-aunt signalled that it was time for the ladies to withdraw from the table.
While we enjoyed our kasoolht, Great-aunt and Cousin Nhaida continued a conversation they had apparently started before dinner, Tehaneume and Ghilhaidha discussed (in completely different terms) Yeixi and Tepin [Tepin is completely adorable and if she was cross this afternoon, well she had been travelling all day], and Yeitlaulli asked Cousin Poktlilui what she knew about Tekatl Umetlallihaotl and his circumstance. My ring was much admired and that gave me the opportunity to ask Great-aunt about me giving Lord Elnaith an engagement token myself. I thought Great-aunt looked much struck and she told me that although when she lived in the Empire the lady did not give her future husband a betrothal token, things may have changed in the intervening years, plus my circumstances are different to most betrothed young ladies. Cousin Nhaida remarked that she had, effectively, gifted her second husband with a loaded pistol as a pre-betrothal gift. Great-aunt remarked that the pre-betrothal gift Cousin Nochehualt had given her was arguably of greater value, and Nantli Yahari observed that those particular circumstances were not applicable in my case. Then she pointed out that Imperial gentlemen seemed to wear small items of jewellery to keep their neckcloths in place or to dangle from various pockets. I thanked her for her suggestions and agreed that a pin or fob might be just the thing - assuming I have the funds for it. I then asked if any of them knew where I might buy such a thing in Tlemutsiko. Great-aunt said that Great-uncle had preferred Mhifhaikh's and Cousin Poktlilui agreed that Cousin Ghrus still patronised that establishment. Tehaneume mentioned a shop called The Lasting Remains a few streets away that dealt in the goods of those deceased whose families could not absorb all their possessions or needed the ready money. Ghilhaidha said that she thought the establishment her first husband had favoured had burnt down.
The gentlemen joined us at that point and their opinions were asked. Mhifhaikh's was mentioned again, as was The Lasting Remains - Miztli said that was where Lord Elnaith had taken them to purchase my ring. (Apparently he saw it displayed in the window when we were out this morning.) Miztli said that he knew several establishments that dealt in that sort of thing that he would not name or recommend because he suspected that most of their valuable stock was stolen goods. Yeixi remarked that he was very happy with a cloak pin/brooch that he had gotten from a workshop down towards the docks, and that their prices and been very reasonable. I thanked everyone for their suggestions and said that even if I don't have sufficient funds now, so long as I present the gift before we are married, it would still be a betrothal token.
Cousin Ghrus then encouraged us to get up a game of maistoto among the younger members of the party while he and his sister and their spouses, and his mother caught up on their news that could only be passed on in person. Ceyouali greeted this idea with enthusiasm - it seems he is both competitive and believes himself to be good at card games. His next oldest brother, Chicmacumetlaulli, did not help matters by pointing out that his youngest sibling was no longer so young that the family would go easy on him. Axolin insisted on dealing first, while Miztli urged myself and Tekatl Umetlalliyaotl to the table while claiming a seat for himself. Tehaneume chose to read a book. Ceyouali and Yeitlaulli took the last two seats at our table. A second maistoto game was gotten together with Yeixi, Ghilhaidha, Chicmacteskatl, Chicceitlalli, Chicmacumetlaulli, and Nahuitlau.
At our table Yeitlaulli was clearly interested in getting to know the Tekatl better, Ceyouali's face showed how good he thought his hand was and when he was trying to be clever, while the Tekatl showed himself to be a very good player. Both Miztli and the Tekatl have a trick of having a heavy eyed look on their faces which reveals nothing of their thoughts - I do wonder if it is a Jaguar Knight thing meant for other uses. When she realised that Tekatl Umetlalliyaotl was concentrating on his cards, Yeitlaulli applied herself to the game and showed herself to have a good sense of which cards were available and where they were likely to be. Ceyouali isn't quite as good a player as he thinks he is - yet. (I agree with Axolin's admonishment that he not play strangers for money for a while yet.) We came to the end of the game to find that Tekatl Umetlalliyaotl and I were in the equal lead on points. Ceyouali was slightly deflated that he had been outplayed by me (apparently being outplayed by the Tekatl Umetlalliyaotl is something that doesn't affect his sense of himself.)
I did wind up recounting the story of the students who tried to fleece me at tocal on my last night on the Pearlish Queen. The three older men at our table commended my strategy of playing for copper points. When Yeitlaulli asked what I would say to someone who wanted to make the game exciting or interesting by playing for higher stakes I told her that I would point out that I played for social interaction and for the strategy - not for the 'thrill' and 'chills' of risking more money than I can afford to lose. Miztli remarked that was a sound point, and wished more people thought that way - too many problems started off with people getting into trouble over this sort of thing.
On those weighty thoughts, our table broke up, said good night, and made our ways to our bedchambers.
Anadrasata Nearabhigan