rix_scaedu | Entries tagged with anadrasata

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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So here we are on Day 31! From Anadrasata's point of view, this is really quite a quiet day. For other people who are not the centre of this story, well....

This piece runs to 1,431 words and I hope that you enjoy it.

Index Page.

Twirsday, 12 Naison, 1893 C.E.
Sebti, 27 Lamtaa, 2157 T.M.L.

Dear Journal,

It occurs to me to wonder where these properties being held in trust for me are situated. The residential properties in particular as I could live in one or more of them. The townhouse in Umbrial could be in several areas of town, and some are more desirable than others - if it is in Bhrastoigh Square, for instance, I would have to actively prevent Mother moving in with me, whereas if it is along River Row I would probably have to hire bailers and there would be a constant fight against all manifestations of dampness. Lord Elnaith can probably enlighten me on matters of location but I will have to wait until I can speak to the trustees to find out about the buildings' condition/s and whether they are tenanted.

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Time for another look at what's going on back home with Anadrasata's family.

This piece runs to 1,290 words, and I hope that you enjoy it.

Index Page.

Tallaig Nearabhaign's butler was pouring and serving the fortified wine for the assembled after dinner family in his employer's drawing room. As they were a small family, two gentlemen and three ladies were present, Mr Nearabhaign had decided that he and his brother-in-law would join the ladies immediately rather than drinking alone in the dining room. The butler, who went by Khaidhaign, thought this was an admirable idea as it both allowed the staff to clear up the dining room immediately and gave Mrs Nearabhaign little opportunity to rearrange the ornaments in the drawing room. She claimed this was to give the room "a woman's touch" but Khaidhaign suspected that she disliked the fact that her son had rearranged the details of the public rooms of the townhouse after she had removed to her dower property. He did not suspect his employer's mother of stealing, but sometimes after her visits the maids found newer small ornaments tucked into odd places and he didn't think she realised that her behaviour made small theft by others easier. It was part of Khaidhaign's job to be concerned about such things.

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So, here we are on Day 30 of Anadrasata's travels. She is moving south now with no more off ship experiences planned until she gets to her destination.

And the drama on board is not about her, but she is the lowest status lady in first class so she is an easy target....

This piece runs to 1,771 words and I hope that you enjoy it.

Index Page.

Naiphday, 11 Naisen, 1893 C.E.
Jimool, 26 Lamtaa, 2157 T.M.L.

Dear Journal,

I woke in the early hours of the morning remembering Lord Elnaith's assertion that I am "owed a little avuncular oversight." My mind had finally worked out that the Emperor knows who I am - in the abstract if not the particular. Of course, I also don't know how long he has known about me and how long he has held his current opinion. Harking back to some of the novels I read from my father's library when he was alive, I also don't know whether His Imperial Majesty would find having a spare, unattached heiress on hand useful - he is considered benign and beneficial compared to some of his predecessors, but the needs of rulership....

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Here we are on Day 29 of Anadrasata's travels. She boards the airship that will take her to her destination, and unexpectedly gets news of previous travelling companions.

Many typos were eliminated in getting this piece ready to post. Please let me know if you find any more.

This piece runs to 3,691 words. I hope that you enjoy it.

Index Page.

Daighsday, 10 Naisen, 1893 C.E.
Rebi, 24 Lamtaa, 2157 T.M.L.

Dear Journal,

I woke earlier than I expected and before I had arranged to be woken - possibly because I was concerned about oversleeping. I rang for warm water when I woke, asked for breakfast in my parlor at the usual time, and spent the extra time writing letter to my family so I could send them off to be posted when I went down for breakfast. One thing I did learn from the chambermaid who brought me my water is that there is some excitement in the town this morning because an Imperial airship of the line came unannounced into the naval base last night - running dark across the Circle Sea, gossip she credited to the fishing fleet says, until it got within ten Imperial leagues of the naval base. According to the chambermaid this is unusual - ships don't usually run dark like that and various merchants are hopeful that the vessel's (large) crew will get leave in the city while it is here.

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