rix_scaedu | Entries tagged with anadrasata

Here we are on Day 61, and I feel that from here on we are heading into the countdown for Anadrasata's return journey to her home. She, and I, are going to have to remember all the things she wants to get before she packs her bags to board that airship. On top of that neither of us have any idea exactly what is going on at home in Umbrial, except that Mr bh'Dhoinh is advancing the wedding planning as much as he can at this time....

This piece runs to 1,896 words and I hope that you enjoy it.

Index page.

Naiphday, 11 Deichen, 1893 C.E.
Eheid, 1 Kaalen, 2157 T.M.L.
9 Ueuekayomatilistli, 16 Coatl, 6.11.2.1.8.3.17

Dear Journal,

Today is both Naiphday and a day of rest, so I began the day expecting it to be quiet. Nais brought me my warm water and reported that the factions that thought the family should come to the scullery for their water are now in agreement that this should not be so - two of my 'growing boy' cousins attempted to raid the pantry in the wee, small hours of the morning. It seems they now agree with Cook that the hordes should be kept out of the kitchen and away from the pantry.

Lord Elnaith arrived in good time to escort Nais and I to morning prayers in the consulate chapel, and it was a pleasant morning for the walk. Because today is a local day of rest and last Naiphday was not, the streets were much quieter than last time we did this. No deliveries are being made today and it seems most people were taking the opportunity to have a quiet morning at home with their households. The arrangements at the chapel were the same as last Naiphday. The entrical was recited by the same young man as last time, and today's sermon was on Stewards 3, Chapter 6, verse 17: "Service faithfully rendered is not service blindly given. The one who renders service has a duty to those they serve to apply critical thinking, a sound moral compass, and good faith towards all in their service." The banns were not read for Lord Elnaith and I, but our engagement was included in the announcements from the pulpit.

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Here we are on Day 60 of Anadrasata's travels and I can safely say I never really thought about how many entries this story might have before it was finished. As she hasn't started for home yet that was probably a good thing, actually thinking about it might have been quite daunting.

It is purely happenstance that this episode includes the engagement dinner, but it does make a nice highlight for this entry.

If anyone thinks that my comments about the Southern Ice and the Circle Mountains are a little extreme, I would point out that the Baltic is still bouncing up and down as a result of the icecap over Scandinavia melting....

This piece runs to 4,158 words and I hope that you enjoy it.

Index Page.

Daighsday, 10 Deichen, 1893 C.E.
Sebti, 28 Sajibu, 2157 T.M.L.
8 Ueuehayomatilistli, 15 Coatl, 6.11.2.1.8.3.16

Dear Journal,

The wind was still blowing when I woke this morning. When Nais brought me my warm water, she reported that Cook in in her element, overseeing the receipt of deliveries, managing both breakfast and the beginning of dinner preparations, and making sure that her subordinates don't get too tired to think and do their jobs properly before work for this evening's dinner really gets underway. Aside from Lord Elnaith and two others from the consulate, everyone coming tonight is staying here already so the timely arrival of guests is one thing that should not be a problem tonight.

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Here we are with Day 59 of Anadrasata's adventures. This episode has taken longer than usual to get up for which I apologise. Part of the reason for that was that when I was writing this, I got ahead of myself and wrote several pages of events that belong in Day 60. So, then I had to go back and write things that actually belong on Day 59.

This piece runs to 2,982 words and I hope that you enjoy it.

Index page.

Ghairniksday, 9 Deichen, 1893 C.E.
Jimool, 27 Sajibu, 2157 T.M.L.
7 Ueuekayomatilistli, 14 Coatl, 6.11.2.1.8.3.15

Dear Journal,

Thankfully today is not another day of rest. When Nais brought me up my warm water this morning she told me that there is some friction between the servants from "traditional" Confederation households and "Imperialised" households below stairs over how things should be organised and handled - specifically rest day also known as the day after tomorrow. There is, it seems, a school of thought which says that the family should go down to the scullery to fetch their own warm water for washing in first thing in the morning. The prevailing school of thought, led by the housekeeper and Cook, says that the family should not be trailing through the kitchen and into the scullery in their night attire in order to wash their faces. Cook had added that she did not need a mob of hungry schoolboys loose in her kitchen among her supplies first thing in the morning, particularly when she has the leftovers from a large, important dinner on hand. The mob of hungry schoolboys seems to include all my unmarried male cousins, and possibly Tekatl Umetlalliyaotl - Cook has been with the family since shortly after Cousin Ghrus and Cousin Poktlilui married.

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Here we are on Day 58 of Anadrasata's travels. More Forbaigns arrive to attend the celebration dinner, people attend a funeral, and the subject of eels is discussed.

This piece runs to 2,958 words and I hope that you enjoy it.

Index Page.

Skaithosday, 8 Deichen, 1893 C.E.
Rebi, 26 Sajibu, 2157 T.M.L.
6 Ueuekayomatillstli, 13 Coatl, 6.11.2.1.8.3.14

Dear Journal,

It was fine when I woke up this morning, and when Nais brought me in my warm water, she told me that the carriage had already left to collect Cousin Mizti, as well as Axolin and Miztli's younger siblings Eloxochitl and Cuixtli, plus Eloxochitl's husband and child, from the airship port as they came in on overnight vessels. Cuixtli is coming home from school specially to attend this dinner, and Eloxochitl's husband has a position in a government office.

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Here we are on the 57th day since Anadrasata left home on her journey to visit her closest living relatives, aside from her immediate family. Given that they live in a foreign country, and that she passed through another foreign country to get there, I'm sure that she would have considered it the trip of a lifetime, even if other life changing events and realisations hadn't happened on her way.

This piece runs to 3,257 words and I hope that you enjoy it.

Index Page.

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.

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Here we are on Day 56 of Anadrasata's travels, and we have both developments and decision making.

When you get to it, Pairhoclais is said Pai-rho-clais. I can totally see the possibility for the syllables to be completely different.

This piece runs to 2,100 words and I hope that you enjoy it.

Index Page.

Rhoinday, 6 Deichen, 1893 C.E.
Sulese, 24 Sajibu, 2157 T.M.L.
4 Ueuekayomatilistli, 11 Coatl, 6.11.2.1.8.3.12

Dear Journal,

I woke to more scudding rain this morning, and as there is a definite chance that Lord Elnaith will call today, I had Nais help me into a visiting dress for the day. That being done, we went downstairs for our breakfasts - mine with the family and hers with the other servants.

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I thought that with the thrilling events in Anadrasata's personal life it would be interesting to see how things played out back at home in Umbrial. Because he is her guardian until she turns twenty-five, she does need her brother's permission to get married before her birthday - there is an obvious way around this but having that permission does make everything easier.

This piece runs to 4,260 words and I hope that you enjoy it. (I have no idea how it got that long!)

Index Page.

Umbrial
Onnaday, 3 Deichen, 1893 C.E.

Tallaig Nearabhaign had not been expecting a telegraph from Tlemutsiko just yet, he had not been expecting two, and he had not been expecting any on this subject. He was expecting to hear shortly that his middle sister, Anadrasata Nearabhigan, was beginning her journey home. That notification would sensibly be sent by telegraph because there was no guarantee that a letter would travel the width of the Circle Sea any faster than his sister could make the journey herself. He had not expected to be warned to expect a request for permission to marry his sister and ward.

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So, here we are on Day 55 of Anadrasata's travels. Matters develop, some in a good way and some, it seems in a concerning way.

Next point of view character I write needs to use "apparently" less. To be fair, Anadrasata uses it as an indicator that she does not know the information directly, so it represents various versions of "reportedly", "allegedly", and "I was told." It is also worth noting that she is not writing for public consumption.

This piece runs to 2,881 words and I hope that you enjoy it.

Index page.

Brogaiday, 5 Deichen, 1893 C.E.
Asnan, 23 Sajibu, 2157 T.M.L.
3 Ueuekayomatilistli, 10 Coatl, 6.11.2.1.8.3.11

Dear Journal,

It wasn't raining when I woke and looked out the window, but rain clouds were still scudding across the sky and dropping rain on other parts of the city. Nais brought me my warm water and suggested that, given the colour of Great-aunt's blanket cloak, my purple-black walking dress might be the best choice to wear to the temple this afternoon. Great-aunt's maid is seeing to the freshening up of the garment, which is made of a fine p-akeri wool and purple in colour. That matter decided, unless the two shades of purple are just wrong together, I dressed for the morning and went down to breakfast.

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Here we are on Day 54 of Anadrasata's travels. Things are happening off stage, so to speak, and some of them have nothing to do with Anadrasata.

This piece runs to 2,446 words and I hope that you enjoy it.

Index Page.

Thuwnday, 4 Deichen, 1893 C.E.
Eheid, 22 Sajibu, 2157 T.M.L.
2 Ueuekayomatilistli, 9 Coatl, 6.11.2.1.8.3.10

Dear Journal,

This morning was fine and breezy from the south when I woke up. Yesterday was a momentous day - not only am I engaged to be married to an eligible gentleman whom I greatly esteem, but no-one in my mother's circle of acquaintance can ever suggest again that I am and have always been without prospects. (On repeated reflection, the mayor's wife is very good at making snide observations without actually stating anything. One thing I do agree with my mother on is that I do not particularly care for that lady.)

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Here we are on Day 53 of Anadrasata's travels and there are happy developments! Also a number of related discussions.

I have been meaning to mention that when the story talks about fortified wine, I am talking about something very close to, if not identical to, port. Kasoohlt, on the other hand, is a white whisky made from maize. This may explain why the ladies drink both of these from small glasses....

This piece runs to 1,930 words and I hope that you enjoy it.

Index Page.

Onnaday, 3 Deichen, 1893 C.E.
Sebti, 21 Sajibu, 2157 T.M.L.
1 Ueuekayomatilistli, 8 Coatl, 6.11.2.1.8.3.9

Dear Journal,

I woke up this morning a lady in expectation of receiving a proposal of marriage.

It is an experience unique in my personal history. It combines both hopeful expectation and dread that the expected event won't occur - a situation in which I would not like to dwell overlong.

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Here we are on the fifty second day of Anadrasata's travels and developments in her personal life appear to be continuing apace.

This piece runs to 2,940 words and I hope that you enjoy it.

Index Page.

Twirsday, 2 Deichen, 1893 C.E.
Jimool, 20 Sajibu, 2157 T.M.L.
13 Tlanoluaoy, 7 Coatl, 6.11.2.1.8.3.8

Dear Journal,

I woke early for some reason this morning, so after doing as much as I could without Nais and warm water to get ready for the day, I took the opportunity to read the next chapter of my Aunty Ssang novel. I believe I am developing an ambition to mature and age into one of these ladies - if not Aunty Ssang herself, perhaps Mak Nur-rang who seems to have perfected the art of managing a difficult set of close relations while managing to raise perfectly nice children of her own. (Of course it was her mother-in-law who arranged her eldest son's marriage to that dreadful young woman!)

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So, here we are on Day 51 and the formal courtship continues. There is also some world discussion which some of you may find interesting. In addition, I believe some characters are having their concepts of another character...stirred. (How well do we know other people? If you don't work with them, what does their work actually involve and what do they need to know to do it? Come to that, if you don't live with them, what exactly are their home circumstances?)

This piece runs to 2,973 words and I hope that you enjoy it.

Index Page.

Naiphday, 1 Deichen, 1893 C.E.
Rebi, 19 Sajibu, 2157 T.M.L.
12 Tlanoluaoy, 6 Coatl, 6.11.2.1.8.3.7

Dear Journal,

Nais woke me at the appointed time and we did not dawdle over my ablutions and getting me into my walking dress. We were downstairs, shawls about our shoulders to counteract the morning chill and adjusting our hats when Miztli descended the stairs for his pre-exercise snack. He was kind enough to say that we both looked very smart, and stayed chatting with us until Lord Elnaith arrived to take us to morning prayers. I noticed that Miztli is still limping a little form the other day - I didn't notice it yesterday, so perhaps it's due to the early morning coolness.

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So here we are at Day 50 of Anadrasata's travels. That's a considerable number of entries in this story and doesn't include all the side bits. I hope that the Index Page has been of use to at least some of you, and that you are enjoying this story. I am behind on my typing and have three more days' worth of entries waiting to be typed up. (Yes, I have not had a writing problem, I have had a typing problem. I suspect that typing block is not really a thing....)

This piece is 2,389 words long, and I hope that you enjoy it.

Index Page.

Endday, 31 Naisen, 1893 C.E.
Khemaas, 18 Sajibu, 2157 T.M.L.
11 Tlanoluaoy, 5 Coatl, 6.11.2.2.8.3.6

Dear Journal,

I woke to rain this morning and the strong smell of sea brought in on the wind. I thought I could hear the sound of breaking waves and dismissed it as my imagination, until Nais told me that the morning deliveries had brought news that the sea swell was up this morning and waves were breaking higher up the sea walls and breakwaters than is usual.

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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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