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Written By Eleyna

Jan. 31, 2017, 6:16 p.m.(10/23/1005 AR)

Relationship Note on Esera

On my sixteenth birthday, I was convinced that everyone had forgotten me. My mother was many years dead. My sister had disappeared and was given up for dead. My father... well, no one could ever accuse Marik Velenosa of caring too much about his daughters. That night, Esera came to me with a gift. A dress. A perfect blue dress that she said matched my eyes. There was a party. Nothing overly large, but there was dancing and music. And Esera smiling at me, reminding me that I was never truly alone, no matter how much it felt as though I was.

Hers was the little hand that found mine at my mother's funeral when I was five. Esera was the one who got me drunk on Tor red the night before my first wedding because I was too anxious to sleep. She was my cousin and friend long before she was ever my Grand Duchess. That is who my heart aches for now.

Yet, even though she is gone, she is still there to remind that none of us are alone, even without her. There is still the family. Always. She bonded us all and, through her memory, the Velenosa will rise stronger than ever. As she would have wanted of us.

Written By Eleyna

Jan. 28, 2017, 7:04 p.m.(10/14/1005 AR)

I really think the only way that dinner party could have gone better is if it were Talen's -other- snake that had gotten loose.

Written By Eleyna

Jan. 23, 2017, 8:55 p.m.(9/28/1005 AR)

At last, after much hassle and a expenditures of favors both promised and owed, I've brought Jiacomo to Arx. He's been my father's servant since before I was born and, by extension, he's been a steadfast presence in my life when few others have been. Beyond that, he's loyal, he's clever, and he's discreet. Father nearly didn't let him come, but I made an offer he couldn't refuse.

Serafine should be pleased.

Father is decidedly less so, but, I got my way, so I can't bring myself to care.

Written By Eleyna

Jan. 21, 2017, 12:23 p.m.(9/20/1005 AR)

In the end, we all have to pay for the things we have done. One way or another, there is always a price.

It's just that some prices are easier to pay than others.

I will never forgive you if you try to pay for mine. I said that. I meant that.

I am so sorry.

Written By Eleyna

Jan. 16, 2017, 12:22 a.m.(9/4/1005 AR)

Relationship Note on Joscelin

Like any good follower of the Faith, I revere and respect all the Gods, but Jayus has never been a very special one for me. I can appreciate beautiful things, of course, but I never troubled myself about their creation.

Mistress Joscelin was recommended to me as a jeweler of supreme talent. Having since made a number of commissions through her, I can safely say that any rumors underrated her talent, if anything.

I think she must be one of those truly touched by Jayus to be able to take a handful of words and bring a vision to life. There is something magical about sharing an image in one's head with her and having it made manifest in the palm of one's hand.

She's turned down my offer of patronage at least half a dozen times. I'll never stop asking, though.

Written By Eleyna

Jan. 15, 2017, 2:48 p.m.(9/3/1005 AR)

Another set of ex-in-laws have arrived to Arx.

I'm still not sure which of the Gods I've angered recently, but I'm considering blowing through my allowance to make some offerings of atonement. Maybe the first offering should be to Gild since I ran into Duke Cristoph at the bank.

If I don't get you a wedding present, Esera, this would be why.

Written By Eleyna

Jan. 14, 2017, 2:39 p.m.(8/28/1005 AR)

In my life, 'want' has not been a word that I've been able to entertain. There has never been room for it since 'duty' and 'obligation' have always loomed so large within it. I have been mocked for 'doing as I'm told' since, to some, this denotes that I lack a mind or will of my own.

Anyone that truly knows me knows that is far from the case. I've simply given over the power of my will in favor of love. The love of my family. What had been needed, I have always provided if within my power. Those needs did not often align with my wants and so I learned to brush them aside.

But now, there is want. I know now why I was counseled to set want aside. It seeks to grow, to feed on itself, turning fascination to obsession. Want is dangerous.

Written By Eleyna

Jan. 10, 2017, 7:46 a.m.(8/15/1005 AR)

Relationship Note on Talen

You are such a baby.

Also, I do not giggle.

Written By Eleyna

Jan. 9, 2017, 7:13 p.m.(8/13/1005 AR)

I suppose it was a foolish inclination anyway. Even more so for being rather obviously unwelcome.

Written By Eleyna

Jan. 8, 2017, 7:53 p.m.(8/11/1005 AR)

Relationship Note on Isolde

Right now, I think you are my favorite cousin.

Written By Eleyna

Jan. 6, 2017, 8:15 p.m.(8/5/1005 AR)

There are no easy choices.

Maybe these blood sacrifices have to happen. There are certainly people more knowledgeable than I am that seem to think so. Whatever my private thoughts on the matter, I stand with my Archduchess and support her choice to agree to the Teind. The decision is made.

That said, we can grieve that this choice had to be made. We can grieve for those that make this sacrifice to keep the rest of us safe. I grieve for Lady Dawn and all who love her. I grieve for the twelve that will follow her. I even grieve for the generations of Abandoned that gave themselves to keep us safe. We paid them back with slaughter.

These are people that are loved. That will be grieved. That is what we cannot allow to be forgotten. These are not 'sacrifices'. They are people.

Written By Eleyna

Dec. 31, 2016, 1:30 p.m.(7/14/1005 AR)

Relationship Note on Blacktongue

Note to self: Never... wait no... ALWAYS eat the apples that Blacktongue offers you. Something interesting is bound to happen.

Written By Eleyna

Dec. 31, 2016, 1:21 p.m.(7/14/1005 AR)

Relationship Note on Orazio

Since the first dance we shared at the Valardin Ball, I have found the Legate to be nothing but intelligent, charming, and personable. He also understands what it is to be bound by duty and how, sometimes, those duties can stand in the way of other things one might want.

It's also wonderful to see that a lifetime in the Faith has done nothing to diminish his dancing skills. You can take the man out of the Lyceum, but you can't take the Lycene out of the man.

Written By Eleyna

Dec. 21, 2016, 8:27 p.m.(6/13/1005 AR)

I'm now the owner of a tarantula. It's hideous, bad-tempered, and has been chasing Griza around my chambers in torment.

I adore it.

Written By Eleyna

Dec. 17, 2016, 9:52 p.m.(6/1/1005 AR)

Relationship Note on Sylvie

Lady Sylvie and I were not especially close when I lived in Gemecitta after my last marriage. Ludovico and I spent most of our time at his manor house away from the court and so our exchanges were always brief, murmured niceties in passing.

Since coming to the city, Lady Zaffria has proven a graceful and intelligent influence. Unflappable, beautiful, and elegant. I would dare to call her a friend.

Written By Eleyna

Dec. 17, 2016, 4:36 p.m.(5/28/1005 AR)

I think some should be very careful of how they speak of others, particularly when that other is a Velenosa princess. There is a line between showing concern and outright disrespect. A wise man should know that crossing that line could prove rather imprudent toward one's hope for living a long, healthy life.

Written By Eleyna

Dec. 13, 2016, 10:10 p.m.(5/17/1005 AR)

Relationship Note on Jaenelle

Several times now, I've been mistaken for Jaenelle by servants of the Estate. I was even mistaken for her while taking a glass of wine at the Hundred Cities. How peculiar to finally have someone that looks like me around. I spent years being the only fair Velenosa and I stood out like a cuckoo in the nest.

Written By Eleyna

Dec. 9, 2016, 9:17 p.m.(5/5/1005 AR)

And if prayer will not bring comfort, then drinking until you cannot feel fear may suffice.

Written By Eleyna

Dec. 9, 2016, 8:44 p.m.(5/5/1005 AR)

I do not pray often. I did when I was a child, but none of those prayers seemed to be heard.

In exchange for years of unanswered prayers, I ask whatever god is listening to hear mine now.

Keep them safe.

Written By Eleyna

Dec. 4, 2016, 6:27 p.m.(4/18/1005 AR)

Relationship Note on Talen

The Sword is being disingenuous. I never said I expected him to restrain the predatory nature of his pet, only that he not contrive to -help- the creature kill my fox. There is a difference.

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