rix_scaedu | Entries tagged with anadrasata

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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I was interested in the research policies of the House of Historical Artifacts and Other Curiosities that Anadrasata visited in Day 28, and so I wrote this little piece.

It runs to 1,707 words and I hope that you enjoy it.

Index Page.

Onnaday, 13 Seib, 1893 C.E.

"Professor Ghailain Saighairhain of the Imperial University of Sighairiel to see the Curator," that gentleman told the staff member on the front information desk in Akatoil's House of Historical Artifacts and Other Curiosities. "I have an appointment."

The young man, well he was young compared to Professor Saighairhain's fifty-two years, consulted something out of sight behind the counter that lay between him and the professor. He looked up and smiled. "Yes, sir. You and your assistant, Mr Mhainghair, are expected. I'll get one of our guards to take you up to his office." He pressed a button. "It will just take a few minutes for one of them to come up from their tearoom. Would you like to take a seat on one of the benches while you wait for him, or is there something else I can do for you in the meantime?"

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My current major writing project is The Travels of Anadrasata Nearabhigan.

Anadrasata is the spinster daughter of a genteel family living in an Imperial provincial town who is being sent to visit an aged relative in a former Imperial territory. She is leaving family difficulties behind her, and she is seeing more of the world than she ever has before....

If you might be interested in reading some of this, there is an ( Read more... ).

So here we are on a day when Anadrasata has another city tour, which explains why her word of the day is "apparently". I know why she does this, but I really will have to keep an eye on it. The other thing I have to do is sort out the map for the next part of her trip.

This piece runs to 4,430 words, and I hope that you enjoy it.

Index Page.

Ghairniksday, 9 Naisen, 1893 C.E.
Khemasss, 24 Lamtaa, 2157 T.M.L.

Dear Journal.

I woke in good time this morning and when the chambermaid arrived I was able to send my laundry out to be done. My ship, the Pearlish Dawn, doesn't board until after lunch tomorrow so there should be enough time for my shifts and night rails to be washed, dried and returned to me. Assuming, of course, that it doesn't rain.

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Here we are on Day 27 of Anadrasata's journey, and we quietly part ways with the Pearlish Queen. Well, Anadrasasta quietly parts ways with the ship, others....

This piece runs to 2,981 words, and I hope that you enjoy it.

Index Page.

Skaithosday, 8 Naisen, 1893 C.E.

Sulese, 23 Lamtaa, 2157 T.M.L.

Dear Journal,

I opened my curtains this morning to see that we were being paralleled by an Imperial sloop, the Scion of Wisdom, which was, indeed, close enough to read its name on the hull. The flashing light I saw pointed at us from their bridge made me believe that they had been tasked to pass information to our ship that the captain and his officers needed.

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Time to look at events behind the news and catch up with what's happening to the real villain who passed through this tale.

This piece runs to 717 words, and I hope that you enjoy it.

Index Page.

Lady Maikhas dh'Lhong clutched at the locket that nestled at the base of her throat. "How many murder charges?" Outside, in the sunlit garden beyond the curtained windows, three small birds hopped along a flowering border.

Her husband's solicitor, Mr Ghrus Mhahaiba, cleared his throat uncomfortably. "Conspiracy to commit murder, my lady," he corrected respectfully. "Eighteen charges."

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Here we are, up to Day 26. Anadrasata is almost at the end of the second leg of her journey and settling in back aboard ship. She still hasn't seen a current newspaper, in a language she can read, for days. Actually, the ship probably does pick them up in the cities where they stop, and she just hasn't been looking for them. Perhaps they stay in the lounge, where she doesn't really go, or gravitate to the smoking room, where she never goes. Maybe it says something about her home life that she hasn't gone looking for a newspaper on the ship?

I think I will keep up having the two dates at the beginning of each entry, and then add in a third one when she gets to her destination just so I know how everyone's calendars align with each other. Any thoughts?

This piece runs to 1,632 words and I hope that you enjoy it.

Index Page.

Hakkarsday, 7 Naisen, 1893 C.E.

Asnan, 22 Lamtaa, 2157 T.M.L

Dear Journal.

No storm in the night last night, but perhaps it is to be expected as, on consideration, we are now slightly south of Amnestri,

At breakfast I was joined by Mr Taighaign, who sat opposite me. He is disembarking today in Mikratoil and wanted to say goodbye. Mrs Nyr sat beside me, I had taken the end seat at the table, and her husband and the rest of their family group were beyond her. Mrs Nyr asked how Mr Taighaign and I were related, and I explained that the Kerajaan hostels had required us to share a table, alone together, at meals in both Sengrangri and Palebihen Leningri. Mrs Nyr, whom I strongly suspect of having a dry sense of humour, said it sounded like very ham-fisted matchmaking. Mr Taighaign begged her not to give his mother ideas.

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It seems that there was an important conversation that Castor Fhailaign wanted to have with his brother-in-law yesterday, but Mrs Nearabhaign's carry on rather got in the way.

This piece runs to 927 words, and I hope that you enjoy it.

Index Page.

Castor Fhailaign was shown in to speak to his brother-in-law, Tallaig Nearabhaign, immediately when he arrived at Tallaig's townhouse. There was a short delay before his host entered the room, but not a discourteous one. Tallaig was wearing his reddish, knee length, overrobe again, but it partly covered brown breeches and an embroidered blue waistcoat on this occasion. Castor's outfit of a black and silver waistcoat above pale trousers and under a dark blue coat was a more formal choice, but Castor had been calling on government record offices instead of relaxing at home. Or working in the privacy of his own study for that matter.

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The Pearlish Queen, her passengers, and crew are now free to leave the Kerajaa on their journey south.

This piece runs to 1,543 words. I hope that you enjoy it.

Index Page.

Rhoinday, 6 Naisen, 1893 C.E.

Eheid, 21 Lamtaa, 2157 T.M.L.

Dear Journal,

Today is the first day of the Kerajaan week - it seems odd to me that their day of religious observance and rest just sits in the middle of the rest of the week. Perhaps because I'm just a visitor I'm missing something about how the Kerajaans organise their lives.

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I thought that it was time to look in on Anadrasata's family again. Just for a short visit.

This piece runs to 1,299 words and I hope that you enjoy it.

Index Page.

Tallaig Nearabhaign was paying a call on his mother and his eldest sister. Anna didn't normally reside with their mother, but she and her husband were staying there to keep Mother company while their middle sister, Anadrasata, was away rendering assistance to Mother's recently widowed aunt. It had taken mere days for Anna and her husband to discover that this meant acting as an unpaid housekeeper and companion with a household budget that was meagre compared to Mother's resources and expectations. Their mother's reaction to complaints was that Anadrasata had been managing things perfectly well on that budget. The reality was, she hadn't been.

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Here I am, back from my travels and Anadrasata is still on hers. There is a day of sightseeing, and other events.

This piece runs to 2,663 words and I hope that you enjoy it.

Index Page.

Brogaiday, 5 Naisen, 1893 C.E.

Sebti, 20 Lamtaa, 2157 T.M.L.

Dear Journal,

I fell asleep to the sound of thunder and what I think was the sound of waves on the seawall. I hope it was the seawall - one hears stories about sea storms hitting the shore.

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Hi.

I am about to embark on an overseas trip for pleasure, and I thought that I would be able to take my Anadrasata notebooks along and work on it every now and then.

No. Weight limits on the plane for carryon luggage.

And to be fair, this is the sort of trip that if I take it, then I have to lug it around.

Updates on Anadrasata will resume after 11 November, but there may be other things in the meantime.

Rix

Another day, another city. Anadrasata's travels continue, and she finds another cultural difference.

This piece runs to 920 words, and I hope that you enjoy it.

Index Page.

Thuwnday, 4 Naisen, 1893 C.E.

Jimool, 19 Lamtan, 2157 T.M.L.

Dear Journal,

I think we ascended and descended again several times in the night, but I heard no lightning. (Dear past me, did you expect to? Really?)

When I went to breakfast, everything was laid out and the tables set, but only Mr Taighaign, Mr Saighaitumais, Dr Idhaisailt, and I were present, aside from the stewards. When I remarked on this the steward to whom I made the remark (Ghaimus, a man my brother would describe as a 'splendid chap' if he employed him) told me that Jimool is the Kerajaan day of religious observance, and that most of the passengers were attending the prayer service in the second class lounge. I sat with the three gentlemen while we all breakfasted and made general conversation. Mr dh'Lhais joined us as I was finishing up, and almost embraced the teapot. I think I could hear the other first class passengers returning from their service as I returned to my cabin.

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So, this was the last day of Anadrasata's travels that will fit in the notebook I have been using to write these episodes in long hand with a fountain pen. It's a good thing that I bought two of them.

It runs to 1,553 words, and I hope that you enjoy it.

Index Page.

Onnaday, 3 Naisen, 1893 C.E.

Rebi, 18 Lamtaa, 2157 T.M.L.

Dear Journal,

I took a long, hard look at my shopping this morning, and went to the front desk of the hostel to order and pay for a porter to carry my things back to the ship this morning. Then I went to breakfast.

There was a fourth table of passengers in first class this morning. The Kebble-tan is Imperial registered but Bakmatri owned, and follows a route from the Bakmatri Protectorates that brings it across the Kerajaa and into Sengrangri from the northwest, then it turns eastward and goes on to Amnestri. I have this information from a conversation Mr Taighaign had with another businessman from the Kebble-tan who was sitting on the end of their table, just a walkway away from him. They exchanged business cards.

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Of course things are still happening in the Caitus dh'Lhong space! Admittedly most of that is forensic accounting, including the type where you have to find the ledgers in the first place and the type where you have to work out what phrases in the ledgers are code for what exactly....

Anyway, for your delectation here are two fly-on-the wall snippets running to a total of 1,177 words. I hope that you enjoy them.

Index Page.

"I don't understand why young Fhyailain hasn't taken her children home to her parents," said the Marquess to his solicitor. The professional gentleman, dressed in a sober dark green coat over a brown and pewter waistcoat, had arrived at Lhong Hall to brief his noble client on recent developments. The ructions of Caitus dh'Lhong, a younger nephew, being caught at what he was doing were spreading as the extent of those doings was uncovered.

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Day 21 of Anadrasata's travels, and is it really eavesdropping if the conversations are in a public place at normal conversational level? Also, shopping.

This runs to 1,566 words. I hope you enjoy it.

Index Page.

Twirsday, 2 Naisen, 1893 C.E.

Khemaas, 17 Lamtan, 2157 T.M.L.

Dear Journal,

If there weren't two storms last night, then there were two different lots of thunder, or perhaps it just circled back around to find us again. The sheets on my bed here are even nicer than the best guest linens at home - I wonder if I can buy some? Either for my hope chest or, if I really do have money, my own house. I will ask Miss Eyeu.

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Here we are on the twentieth day of Anadrasata's journey. Compulsory nights off the ship, and etcetera. You might almost think that the Kerajaa doesn't trust the Empire or something.

This piece runs to 2,685 words. I hope you enjoy it.

Index Page.

Naiphday, 1 Naisen, 1893 C.E.

Sulese, 16 Lamtan, 2157 T.M.L.

Dear Journal,

The second date at the top of today's page is today's date in the Kerajaan calendar. I have no idea what T.M.L. stands for or what it means.

Because everyone except the Captain and the Chief Engineer have to leave the ship today and spend two nights in Sengrangri's hostel, this morning's prayer service was truncated and in the short form. The entrical was recited by a professional actor, Mr Hairhai Ehaign, travelling in second class, this morning's verse for reflection was Naish, Chapter 4, Verse 17: "Remember that a guest is not a master, and that to stretch another's hospitality is to abuse it." Two curates travelling separately read alternate sections of an episcopal letter dated 23 Ochd condemning "Spiritual Guidance for the Modern Woman" by the Reverend Zaim Fairdaice and recommending that anyone reading it for religious or moral instruction put it aside now.

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