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rix_scaeduThis episode runs to 2,178 words and I hope that you enjoy it.
Onnaday, 13 Deichen, 1893 C.E.
Sulese, 3 Kaalen, 2157 T.M.L.
11 Ueuekayonmatilistli, 18 Coatl, 6.11.2.1.8.3.19
Dear Journal,
There was some rain in the night, but it had finished and the clouds were clearing by the time I woke this morning. When Nais brought me up my warm water this morning I raised the issue of planning what I would wear over the next few days with her and the matter of pre-departure laundry. She brought up the matter of what clothes I would need to have available while onboard the airships. Her very valid point was that on my way here I only had a few clothes, what I had was all I had, whereas now I have a wardrobe worthy of the title. Nais and I agreed that we should consider my clothing options, and discuss this again when she has had a chance to consult with the laundresses and/or the housekeeper on what can be accommodated before I leave.
I reached the foyer as Miztli and Tekatl Umetlalliyaotl were putting on their coats to leave the house. Cousin Mizti was there too, finishing a conversation before the Jaguar Knights left the house. Before they left, and after they had finished talking to Cousin Mizti, Tekatl Umetlalliyaotl told me that he will be departing for home tomorrow afternoon - which fitted in with what I had understood of their conversation, which had been very quickly spoken and either in a dialect or simply involved a lot of vocabulary I don't have. Cousin Mizti escorted me into breakfast, and commented as he did so that my engagement was his acquaintance's loss. He settled me into a vacant seat next to him, and while Matlal dished up my breakfast, explained that someone in his althepetl was one of the men I could have found myself married to if I had learned "too much" from Great-uncle's journals. I asked if this had been discussed extensively before my arrival, and he confirmed that it had been - within a select group. Cuixtli heard enough to ask what we were talking about and while Cousin Miztli was quelling him, I said that when I left home believing myself to have no prospects and no portion, I would have welcomed their efforts on my behalf. Cousin Miztli ended the subject by saying that he would not now, in the current circumstances, promote such a match as, in his opinion, Lord Elnaith would be likely to enact targeted violence at a third party trying to terminate our engagement. I had nothing to say to that, such a thing not having occurred to me, but I understood from their reactions that my other male, adult cousins did not disagree with that assessment.
I am still not sure how I feel about that - I do not consider myself someone to engender strong feelings in another, although I am confident that Lord Elnaith has kind feelings towards me, over and above being a gentleman, and he has given no indication of having any disgust of my person or manners. There is, of course, the matter of the money....
After breakfast I went back to my room to tidy myself and found Nais checking my clothes to see what cleaning, touching up, and repair they might need before I go home. She also gave the opinion that although my current possessions would fit in my chest, any further purchases, including a fur lined coat, would require a second chest or trunk. I thanked her for her advice, she promised to follow up with the laundresses (who are doing Tekatl Umetlalliyaotl's pre-journey laundry today), and then I collected my art supply gifts to take up to the nursery.
I arrived to find that I had indeed found the morning hour when my cousins looked in on their children. I explained why I had come, and showed them what I had brought. The children are still too young for governesses, but Coza and Tepin's nursemaids agreed that the slates and chalks were just what was needed to start them on pre-writing exercises, which is a phrase I have not heard in Imperial, but which refers to the tasks that are given to stretch the thumb web and develop the small hand muscles while still being fun for the child. [My recollection of learning to write was that I was handed a pencil and a copybook and expected to copy my letters from a scriptbook. Each letter had numbered starting points and arrows to show which way to draw the lines, but....] Assuming that Lord Elnaith and I are blessed with children, there may be more to consider concerning their early education than I had previously considered. The twins, of course, are too young yet for such considerations but they are not too young to enjoy doing what the older children are doing, and having their own materials will avoid sharing issues.
After I left the nursery, I went back to my room, fetched my novel, and spent the rest of the morning reading in the courtyard. With only a twinge of guilt about indolence, laziness, and overindulgence, I also finished the book - Aunty Ssang correctly identified the murderer, just in time to prevent another death, and the minor romantic plot seems to have been satisfactorily advanced. At this point I am very glad that I bought all of the books available in Imperial and that I have the ordering information for further volumes.
At lunch I sat between Mr Chicmacyeimetetlitecolotl and Mr Dhairaign. Both apologized if they have seemed unfriendly recently and congratulated me on my formal engagement. They also told me that they cannot talk about the progress of their work, but they assured me of the ongoing health of the clerks I knew from my time in the office parlor and passed on those gentlemen's good wishes for my forthcoming nuptials.
After lunch Cousins Poktlilui, Nhaida, and Graimh took me visiting with Cousin Teicuih to see various friends of theirs. Great-aunt stayed behind for her conversational Imperial lesson while there was to be a visit to a park with the nursery party and their mothers. (I gathered the intention was to begin fostering links with other children of their age and class in Tlemutsiko, and those children's parents.) Our group visited a number of households. We visited several Hutitlahuatli homes, where I met most of the ladies of that family who have called on my cousins while I have been there and several more besides. Everyone expressed their good wishes over my engagement. (If I understand the matter correctly, the very severe looking gentleman with whom we crossed paths in the foyer of one Hutitlahuatli home, and to whom I was presented, is the equivalent of the provincial governor. I believe I have already mentioned that the Hutitlahuatlis are very political.) We also called on Crimson Blossom of the Ninth who may, in fact, have been hosting some type of literary salon this afternoon - certainly one of her other visitors seemed to be reciting something during part of our visit and it certainly had what I heard as a poetical cadence and rhythm, but although the sounds of it seemed to be Coac-htl, I could not understand any words - I don't know if that was because of a lack of language on my part , it being written in a related language that is not actually Coac-htl, or it being some type of nonsense poem. [I am sure that sentence has far too many dashes and phrases in it!]
The last visit of the afternoon was to a cousin of Cousin Teicuih. Frankly, I gained the impression that these cousins did not approve of the Forbaigns, and they definitely did not approve of me. This improved slightly when Cousin Teicuih told them that her family is visiting Tlemutsiko to celebrate my engagement. The grandson of the house, who is about Axolin's age, was in the room and I realised on the way home that they may have thought that I was trying to set my cap at him. The funny thing is, as I pointed out to Cousin Teicuih, that back at home if she knew an unmarried woman with my alleged inheritance then she would be expected to introduce her unmarried eligible male relatives in the hope that one of them might suit the lady and secure both her and her fortune. Both she and Cousin Poktlilui found that funny because of course there are also unmarried Hutitlahuatli male cousins - and all of the young men concerned cannot say that they haven't had the opportunity to cut Lord Elnaith out.....
When we returned home, Nais had organised for my and her own laundry and ironing to be done before we depart, and had proposed lists of clothing for the next few days and the journey prepared for my approval. We discussed her lists, made a few modifications, and then I bathed and dressed for dinner. I confessed that I have no idea what the bathing arrangements are for the household servants, and then asked if I need to ask the housekeeper's indulgence for Nais to have a full bath (possibly an extra bath) on the night before our departure. Nais assured me that everything is in hand.
At dinner I sat between Cousin Nochehualt and Cousin Rudhain. Cousin Nochehualt and I spoke about Imperial and Confederation policies on and treatment of minority ethnicities within their borders. I did have to point out that I am technically, very technically, a member of a minority ethnicity within the Empire. My family records make it clear that we have been within the boundaries of what is now my home province since the Age of Cataclysms, participating in the local kingdoms and speaking our own language. Obviously our language is closely related to the tongue of the Empire's founders, but they came from much further east - we were related but separated tribes. From my point of view, there are few (if any) restrictions on my behaviour, rights, or duties that arise from my ethnic background. However, I am a woman of genteel family whose family head has both land and sufficient funds. We, along with the Frais and many other groups, have no history of rebellion against the Empire and have benefited from our inclusion in the Empire. My views may well differ if I was, say, Rhumik, or sought a high position in the Imperial Court. Cousin Rudhain was interested in what I know about the part of my province that the Forbaigns come from. It's really not a lot, partly because I've never had a reason to go there. and partly because it is no more important than my part of the province. I know the main roads, and the airship and coach routes, and I can name two prominent noble families - not really what Cousin Rudhain was hoping for. The Forbaigns who remain there are not so prominent or notable that I have ever heard of them.
When the ladies were taking their kasoolht in the parlor, I was asked about my preparations for my return home. I explained where we were up to, and asked their advice on where to buy another piece of travelling luggage and winter weight shawls. Everyone agreed that it was completely the wrong time of year to have any hope of finding a good winter shawl - the new stock won't be arriving in the shops until after solstice. They did have advice on the subject of luggage, and several stores were recommended, depending on exactly what I needed. When I explained that I needed a second chest or a trunk, Cousin Teicuih expressed surprise that I didn't already have two trunks as well as my jewellery case. Great-aunt made a throat clearing sound and Cousin Poktlilui gave a little shake of her head, but I explained that I didn't need a jewellery case and I had only needed my hope chest to bring my belongings with me. There was a short silence, then Ghilhaidha commented that it was no wonder that Cousin Mizti's friend had sounded like a good idea to me. The conversation then shifted to a discussion of the plans for tomorrow's lunch which is planned as a farewell to Tekatl Umetlalliyaotl, and this continued until the gentlemen joined us.
I spent the rest of the evening playing the domino game with a shifting roster of cousins. There were also several tables of card games, and Cousin Ghrus was chairing a discussion about an issue involving the althepetls immediately on the other side of the mountains from Tlemutsiko.
I looked out the window when I came up for the night and the sky above us was clear and star sprinkled, while the streetlights illuminated a mist that reached halfway up their poles and completely obscures the pavement and street below. I have not seen anything quite like it before, and do not know what it might mean for tomorrow's weather.
Anadrasata Nearabhigan