rix_scaedu | Entries tagged with anadrasata

Here we are on Day 49 of Anadrasata's travels. She is still in beautiful Tlemutsiko within the Confederation, and tonight her suitor has been invited to dinner with her family. Her family that sided with the winning side in the War of Secession, and subsequently renounced their citizenship and did not return to the Empire. He is an Imperial kinsman who is also an Imperial official with a roving remit who first set out to meet her because there were official concerns that her visit to her relatives could be part of some scheme by the Confederation's government against Imperial interests. Why would anyone be nervous about this dinner?

This piece runs to 3,036 words and I hope that you enjoy it.

Index page.

Daighsday, 30 Naisen, 1893 C.E.
Sulese, 17 Sajibu, 2157 T.M.L.
10 Tlanoluaoy, 4 Coatl, 6.11.2.1.8.3.5

Dear Journal,

My night passed peacefully, except for a dream where I found myself naked at the dinner table with Lord Elnaith and Crimson Blossom of the Ninth. They were both beautifully dressed in what my dream told me were the latest fashions.

Nais woke me when she brought in my warm water, and we were of the same mind as to which dress I should wear tonight - the new dining gown in a variety of blues that no-one had seen yet. All being well, there should be a return dinner invitation for me to dine at the consulate (or possibly in a restaurant) in the near future, and we agreed that when it comes I should c0nsult Great-aunt on whether it will be appropriate for me to dress in an Imperial or a mixed style.

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More Anadrasata! Here we are on Day 48 of her travels and Tlemutsiko has another day of rest. Really, three days out of thirteen seems quite reasonable to me. Matters do move slowly forward.

I checked back through what I've written previously today, and Anadrasata has now been with her relatives for a full tzolk, which means that I can start referring back for recurring activities, i.e. routines have been established. That means I can revisit the language conversation group - that could be fun.

This piece runs to 1,715 words and I hope that you enjoy them.

Index page.

Ghairniksday, 29 Naisen, 1893 C.E.
Asnan, 16 Sajibu, 2157 T.M.L.
9 Tlanoluaoy, 3 Coatl, 6.11.2.1.8.3.4

Dear Journal,

The thunder passed overhead last night and was followed by torrential rain. I got out of bed at the height of it to make sure that it wasn't blowing in through my windows and getting the carpet and curtains wet. What I did see when I was adjusting the window was lights outside like the ones in the square in Amnestri. They hang from hook necked poles or fittings on the sides of buildings and the tops of them are covered so that the light only goes downwards. From what I could see, given the weather, they are spaced so that there are no pools of darkness on the pavement - or at least not in this part of town. Having seen this. and admired the effect of the lights through the rain and on the wet pavements, I drew the curtains again and went back to bed. The last thing I remember before falling asleep was wondering if some of the thunder I was hearing was, in fact, echoes off the mountains.

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Here we are on Day 47 of Anadrasata's travels and matters slowly progress.

This piece runs to 2,555 words and I hope that you enjoy it.

Index page.

Skaithosday, 28 Naisen, 1893 C.E.
Eheid, 15 Sajibu, 2157 T.M.L.
8 Tlanoluaoy, 2 Coatl, 6.11.2.1.8.3.3

Dear Journal,

As soon as I woke I remembered that tomorrow is another rest day, and made sure to clarify with Nais that I do not expect to have a bath then. She assured me that she would make sure that I was not down for one - and something about her expression made me ask if I ever was. She told me that, generally speaking, downstairs I was regarded as a thoughtful lady, if distinctly foreign and that the staff both accepted that I would occasionally need guidance and were pleased that I seemed willing to accept it. I told her that I was grateful for everyone's effort to stop me making a fool of myself, and we left the conversation there.

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Here we are on Day 46 of Anadrasata's travels. There is a city tour and an At Home, and it is not always easy being in a country that is not your own.

Honestly, I think I have made many, many mistakes with the longer portions of the Confederation's calendar system - possibly to the point where it is completely borked. On the other hand, it seems to work for the window of time that contains this story. Consequently, I think that if I don't poke at it too hard, I won't have to try to fix my errors ad redate things, etc. On the other hand, as this is a work of fantasy fiction, I could come up with an in universe explanation for the discrepancies. At this point I can live with the situation.

This piece runs to 3,357 words, and I hope that you enjoy it.

Index page.

Hakkarsday, 23 Naisen, 1893 C.E.
Sebti, 14 Sajibu, 2157 T.M.L.
7 Tlanoluaoy, 1 Coatl, 6.11.2.1.8.3.2

Dear Journal,

This morning dawned clear with a stiff breeze from the south. I consulted Nais, and because I am going out this morning she recommended that I put on a visiting gown. We chose the midgreen one with the orange-brown sash, and which straw hat to wear with it. Nais said she would bring it downstairs when we came down to go on the city tour and mentioned that I might need a wrap, depending on whether the wind kept up. We decided to put off choosing outer garments until closer to our departure.

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Day 45 and we have more about clothes, and a dinner party.

I think I might need to sit down and pull out my notes about when I want Anadrasata to return home, and the map, and then calculate journey times and departure dates. Otherwise, things may not work out the way I want them to.

This piece runs to 2,701 words and I hope that you enjoy it.

Index page.

Rhoinday, 26 Naisen, 1893 C.E.
Jimool, 13 Sajibu, 2157 T.M.L.
6 Tlanoluaoy, 29 Kiautl, 6.11.2.1.8.3.1

Dear Journal,

I woke up to a rainy morning today. Really, I have been most fortunate with the weather so far on this trip - nowhere I have been has been in drought or suffering a water shortage, but I have not been personally inconvenienced by rain. When I commented on it to Nais, she remarked that it is a good thing I am not here in storm season and she is probably right. We picked out a yellow house dress for this morning and I asked Nais to think about her recommendations on what I should look for in combs and hair pins as I suspect there will not be room for her in the coach this afternoon. She promised to have a written list for me when I came up to change after lunch.

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More Anadrasata. More early courtship manoeuvres.

This piece runs to 1,746 and I hope that you enjoy them.

Index page.

Brogaiday, 25 Naisen, 1893 C.E.
Rebi, 12 Sajibu, 2157 T.M.L.
5 Tlanoluaoy, 28 Kiautl, 6.11.2.1.8.3.0

Dear Journal,

This morning is fine and sunny after yesterday afternoon's downpour. I am wearing one of the morning dresses I brought with me from home this morning - the first time I've worn any of them since I left home. (My walking dresses have been more appropriate and the morning dresses did migrate to the bottom of my chest.) Nais asked about the inclusion of an apron in my packing and I explained that I really hadn't known what sort of help my Great-aunt needed when I packed. Nais will look over my other morning gowns to form an opinion of them.

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Day 43 and events move on, despite it being a local day of rest. There is even a backstory reveal.

It felt like it took ages to type this installment out, and it turned out to be 3,148 words so maybe it did. I hope that you all enjoy it.

Index page.

Thuwnday, 24 Naisen, 1893 C.E.
Rebi, 11 Sajibu, 2157 T.M.L.
4 Tlanoluaoy, 27 Kiautl, 6.11.2.1.8.2.19

Dear Journal,

Nais brought me my warm water this morning and then helped me into my newly refurbished walking dress. She and the other ladies' maids have done a wonderful job with the purple tape additions to my walking dress and its jacket. The effect is reminiscent of the military detailing that is sometimes fashionable at home, but different - some of the curves and angles obviously are taken from something else. The overall effect is very pleasing, and I thanked her for her hard work and asked her to pass on my thanks to the other two maids. Nais assured me that their motivations, all three of them, had been to make sure that I did myself and the household credit when I am seen out and about with a gentleman of Lord Elnaith's prominence. I insisted on passing on my thanks.

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So, this is Day 42 and there are, I promise, Developments! Yes, I had to consult my timeline and travel times to know when to write this.

This piece runs to 2,189 words, and I hope that you enjoy it.

Index page.

Onnaday, 23 Naisen, 1893 C.E.
Khemaas, 10 Sajibu, 2157 T.M.L.
3 Tlanoluaoy, 26 Kiautl, 6.11.2.1.8.2.18

Dear Journal,

When Nais brought me my warm water this morning, she reminded me that tomorrow is another day of rest so I should not put off doing anything that includes other people doing things for or to help me until tomorrow. She helped me into one of my house gowns, a blue cotton almost the colour I am using for my guardian creatures, and did my hair in a loose-ish local style which although it may look a little matronly to my eye, is also very flattering. Unless my great-aunt and cousins advise against it, I think I will keep using it - what it is to have a variety of hairstyles to choose from!

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I have realised that I am going to have to write myself a list of Anadrasata's wardrobe because...she's started thinking about it more.

Pulling out another large index card and going back through the chapters.

So here we are on Day 41. Adjustments to life in a different country and an improvement in her personal circumstances continue to dominate Anadrasata's life.

This piece runs to 1,762 words and I hope that you enjoy it.

Index page.

Twirsday, 22 Naisen, 1892 C.E.
Sulese, 9 Sajibu, 2157 T.M.L.
2 Tlanoluaoy, 25 Kiault, 6.11.2.1.8.2.17

Dear Journal,

Nais and I are working around the fact that I am not used to having someone help me dress. Of course I am used to having maids dust my room, and putting away laundered stockings and undergarments but I am not used to having someone layout my clothes and help me do up the hooks and tapes. We also experimented with several different hairstyles, and settled on a version of a style popular in the Confederation. Nais recommended that I consider getting some more hair pins and one or two sets of combs to expand the possibilities of what we can do with my hair. [I haven't had someone else to do my hair since - we moved into Mother's dower property. Ghenghain used to look after Sura and me - Anna already had her own maid. When we moved, Mother told me that I was too old to be looked after by the nursemaid anymore, so Ghenghain only looked after Sura after that. When Sura went to the University, Tallaig gave Ghenghain a pension and she went to live with her sister, and Mother hired a maid to attend Sura in her rooms but there was never enough in the household budget Mother gave me to employ a personal maid for me...]

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Here we are for Day 40 of Anadrasata's journey. This entry is relatively short, because it is both a formal day of rest where she is, and it is her day of religious observance - so relatively quiet.

This piece runs to 1,274 words, and I hope that you enjoy it.

Index page.

Naiphday, 21 Naisen, 1893 C.E.
Asnan, 8 Sajibu, 2157 T.M.L.
1 Tlanoluaoy, 24 Kiautl, 6.11.2.1.8.2.16

Dear Journal,

I woke when Nais brought me my warm water. She helped me do up my buttons and I checked with her that her accommodations are what we both expected. After she went back downstairs, I made use of the retiring room and then went back to my room to check what today's readings are - a pamphlet I picked up during my tour on the Street of Three Churches has them listed until equinox, and this is the last day before equinox. The main texts for today are Serethias, Chapter 3, Verse 19 and Letters from Bhaicharoldh, Letter 17.

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Here we are on the 39th day of Anadrasata's travels. (Also, this entry finished on the 137th page of the second book I have used to handwrite these pieces. Probably a good thing I didn't realise how long it would go for when I started - and we aren't finished yet.)

This piece runs to 2,976 words and I hope that you enjoy it. Please comment below!

Index Page.

Daighsday, 20 Naisen, 1893 C.E.
Eheid, 7 Sajibu, 2157 T.M.L.
13 Oztotl, 23 Kiauitl, 6.11.2.1.8.2.15

Dear Journal,

I was woken this morning by Nais bringing me my warm water. We established that she prefers to be known as Nais within the household. I asked her if her accommodations were appropriate and she assured me that they were, and added that Matlal and Necahuel, the housekeeper, know very well what they are about. We discussed what I should wear for the day, that a new wardrobe for local conditions is being made, and that I would need her to come with me to my appointment this afternoon. We also discussed whether, now I have someone to do my hair for me, whether I might experiment with something a little more adventurous than the way I usually wear it. I decided that we will, but not today when I have what might be an important appointment.

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Another "Meanwhile, elsewhere" episode. In this case it's a glimpse of what Lord Elnaith is up to.

It runs to 1,000 words, and I hope that you enjoy it.

Index page.

Lord Elnaith bh'Sedloit, Esquire, Gentleman of the Emperor's Bedchamber at large, was occupying a comfortable armchair in a comfortable government office in Ghoatroil. He shared the room with the man whose office it was. On paper that man, Baron Pollux dh' Fhaighain, was an adviser to the provincial governor and a member of his staff. In reality he took his instructions from the capital and advised the governor on what the Empire and the Emperor required in various matters and situations. At the moment he was in the process of handing Lord Elnaith a file.

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It's Day 38 and Anadrasata finds out more about her late Great-uncle's diaries. Quite a few things more, actually.

This piece runs to 2,072 words, and I hope that you enjoy it.

Index Page.

Ghairniksday, 19 Naisen, 1893 C.E.
Sebti, 6 Sajibu, 2157 T.M.L.

12 Oztotl, 22 Kiauitl, 6.11.2.1.8.2.14

Dear Journal,

I had trouble getting to sleep last night, nothing to do with anything but my state of mind, let me be clear on that. Another maid I haven't met before brought me my warm washing water this morning but this one was prepared to tell me her name - Umetlalli. She is an older woman, and I think she is one of the more senior members of the household staff. She had me down to breakfast earlier then yesterday, and Axolin and Cousin Ghrus were still there when I arrived. Miztli was still out at his fighting club, and Matlal and a footman were still in attendance. The stack of used dishes on the trolley by the servants' door suggested that I am among the late risers of the household.

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Anadrasata has her first full day with her cousins. What does a young lady need for an extended visit in a foreign city? Who might she meet?

This piece runs to 2,596 words, and I hope that you enjoy it.

Index page.

Skaithosday, 18 Naisen, 1893 C.E.
Jimool, 5 Sajibu, 2157 T.M.L.
11 Oztotl, 21 Kiauitl, 6.11.2.1.8.2.13

Dear Journal,

I woke this morning when a maid I haven't met before brought me warm water for my ablutions. She was shy, or my accent was so bad she couldn't understand me, or she is mute, but she just smiled and curtsied at me in response to my greeting and my request to know her name. I did try in both Imperial and Coac-htl. I may already be known below stairs as "that fool who thinks she can speak Coac-htl" when I think I am "that fool who is trying to learn Coac-htl."

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So, here we are. It has taken her over a month, and me considerably longer, but Anadrasata has finally reached her relatives' house. Sorry it took so long to write this and then type it out, but a lot of new things happened and she had a lot to write about. Also names. You will know them when you see them.

Anyway, this runs to 4,371 words, and I hope that you enjoy them.

Index Page.

Hakkarsday, 17 Naisen, 1893 C.E.
Rebi, 4 Sajibu, 2157 T.M.L.
10 Oztotl, 20 Kiauitl, 6.11.2.1.8.2.12

Dear Journal,

I rose early, dressed for the day, packed away my night attire, and went to breakfast as early as possible.

Teicuih and Xocoh were there before me, and asked me to join them as we were filling our plates from the buffet. We discussed the weather, and speculated on what it would be like at sea level, my feelings about almost being at my destination, and the mandated sleeping patterns of priestesses of the Lord of the Dawn. The mandated after lunch nap sounds an excellent plan, given the requirement to wake up an hour before true dawn. More people came in while we were eating, and I exchanged greetings with Lady Kaxtolliehekatl and Mr FiveMirror (who asked to be remembered to Cousin Ghrus), RainintheNight, and Mr Aguilayeitlalli.

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Here we are! Anadrasata is almost at her destination, surrounded by the locals and an unfamiliar language, working her way through different ways of doing things, and she hasn't left the ship yet.

I realised while I was converting Anadrasata's birthday into the Cuoahtimollon calendar that I made a mistake when I first calculated the Long Count date. Essentially I used an Excel spreadsheet, arbitrarily picked a start point for the long count calendar, worked out the elapsed number of days, and figured out the date from there. Except it must have been fairly late at night because the multiplier I had to convert years to days had four figures to the left of the decimal point. My original start date was picked to be a little extreme, but it's now so far out there that it really would be incredible if an oral tradition, like a hymn, had survived that long. Given that I already have these dates on a live post, I decided that doubts about the accuracy of the long count's start are canon within the setting. The following is from a statement on the subject by a highly respected Cuoahtimollon authority:

“...The calculations underlying the selection of the start point of the long count were performed well before the Age of Cataclysms befell our ancestors and the original documents containing them, like so many other precious things, were lost to us during that calamity. It is often suggested that those who performed and checked those calculations may have mistaken which stellar cycle the hymn referred to, despite the use of planets and comets to identify the year. Theories supporting that suggestion include that the calculators mistook single appearance comets for identified repeating comets [Cerny & Fialova (6.11.2.0.5.6.13)], and that the calculators were unaware of the sheer amount of astronomical debris in our solar disc [Oliha (6.11.0.4.19.2)]. Another relevant theory is that our solar disc may be subject to repeated injections of extra-solar astronomical debris [Muleti & Birinni (6.11.2.1.7.19.12) and Birinni (6.11.2.1.8.1.0)], thus making it unclear whether comet and meteorite orbits within our solar disc can be relied upon to have long term stability...”

From "A Statement on the Calculation of the Long Count Calendar from the Cuoahtimollon Worshipful Fellowship of Astronomers, 6.11.2.1.8.1.18".

This piece runs to 1,433 words and I hope that you enjoy it.

Index Page.

Rhoinday, 16 Naisen, 1893 C.E.
Khemaas, 3 Sajibu, 2157 T.M.L.
9 Oztotl, 19 Kiauitl, 6.11.2.1.8.2.11

Dear Journal,

I had breakfast this morning with Prince Osbalzir and Baron Fulcvin. Because of their particular relationship they do not have plans. I suspect that Prince Osbalzir has plans/makes decisions and then Baron Fulcvin follows along after him. I am certain that Baron Fulcvin looks forward to going home, because he misses Ostravic and his family not because he dislikes anything about his current post, but I did wonder where Prince Osbalzir considers home to be, given that he has never been to Ostravic.

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Here we are on Day 34 of Anadrasata's journey and she is a long way from home, but almost in touching distance of her destination. There is also some geology/geography.

Also, the new calendar is based on the idea of the Mesoamerican one. I wanted something that was different again to the two I am already using and also different to them in a way that is different to the way they are different to each other. (I didn't realise that I could use the word 'different' that many times in a sentence.)

This piece runs to 2,070 words and I hope that you enjoy it.

Index Page.

Brogaiday, 15 Naisen, 1893 C.E.
Sulese, 2 Sajibn, 2157 T.M.L.
8 Oztotl, 18 Kiauitl, 6.11.2.1.8.2.10

Dear Journal,

We entered the Confederation in the night and the Chief Purser has started posting the date in the Cuoahtimollon calendar. Today is the 8th day of Cave week (the Cave week?) and the 18th day of the Rain month, and 6.11.2.1.8.2.10 days (counting in base 20(!)) since our race became human. My primer explained that they based that calculation on the internal evidence of the oldest surviving hymn to one of their star or celestial deities. There is so much philosophy, science, and mathematics in that statement that I am in no way qualified to comment on that I will just leave it as "that is what they say they are counting from." I think that historians and scientist might like it because it gives you a nice, smooth timeline for long ago dates - one of the problems I had with studying history with my governess was keeping all the different calendars straight in my head.

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Anadrasata is about to leave the Empire, again, and the roll over to accommodate the customs and tastes of the Cuoahtimollon Confederation aboard the Pearlish Dawn has begun.

(For those of you who may be interested, the Imperial ladies are drinking the equivalent of port while the Confederation ladies are drinking a whiskey.)

This piece runs to 1,667 words and I hope that you enjoy it.

Index Page.

Thuwnday, 14 Naisen, 1893 C.E.
Asnan, 1 Sajibu, 2157 T.M.L.

Dear Journal,

When I looked outside this morning I saw snow on the mountain peaks reflecting the sunlight. Very pretty but I am so glad that I am not outside. I am making sure to take a wrap with me to breakfast so I can still have my morning walk.

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Day 32 of Anadrasata's travels. Her destination is getting closer!

This piece runs to 1,896 words.

Index Page.

Onnaday, 13 Naisen, 1893 C.E.
Eheid, 28 Lamtaa, 2157 T.M.L.

Dear Journal,

One pleasure of being in a cabin on this side of the ship is seeing the early morning clouds from their illuminated side, all clean and white instead of showing their shadowed grey side.

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