Written By Margerie
Jan. 26, 2018, 11:49 a.m.(1/15/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Harlan
"That's the thing -- flowers aren't just pretty and smell good. They're very useful for a number of things. Medicine, perfume, dyes -- just to name a few. Perhaps people should be slower to jump to conclusions lest they fall on their backsides"
If we are going back to the message I sent after writing in this journal, and its response, let us provide context for our future readers.
I advised that the good Duke might be receiving some dead or dying flowers in the days to come and, yes, made my own impolite comment about feet being in the vicinity of mouths. However, I was making the suggestion that it might rather repair some of the damage of these comments if he donate a certain amount of silver to charity for each bunch of flowers received. I still find that a most worthy idea, especially with so many organizations in need as we focus on the urgency of the battles to come. And should he choose to embrace that idea in the spirit of making this a moment of light, I will further encourage all of you to send many, many wilting flowers to him that might otherwise go to waste. All the better if he employs those who might find purpose in them as perfumes (Those pretty scents for us to wear), as dyes (for that pretty clothing for us to wear), for medicines (No snippy comment here, I actually rather encourage that last).
You seem to be doubling down, m'lord. What you suggest is that you do recognize us as 'useful' and that I am leaping to a conclusion based on your earlier writings. So I have further conclusions to draw about the skill of those writings now, but I will leave that to the aforementioned future readers to infer on their own.
If we are going back to the message I sent after writing in this journal, and its response, let us provide context for our future readers.
I advised that the good Duke might be receiving some dead or dying flowers in the days to come and, yes, made my own impolite comment about feet being in the vicinity of mouths. However, I was making the suggestion that it might rather repair some of the damage of these comments if he donate a certain amount of silver to charity for each bunch of flowers received. I still find that a most worthy idea, especially with so many organizations in need as we focus on the urgency of the battles to come. And should he choose to embrace that idea in the spirit of making this a moment of light, I will further encourage all of you to send many, many wilting flowers to him that might otherwise go to waste. All the better if he employs those who might find purpose in them as perfumes (Those pretty scents for us to wear), as dyes (for that pretty clothing for us to wear), for medicines (No snippy comment here, I actually rather encourage that last).
You seem to be doubling down, m'lord. What you suggest is that you do recognize us as 'useful' and that I am leaping to a conclusion based on your earlier writings. So I have further conclusions to draw about the skill of those writings now, but I will leave that to the aforementioned future readers to infer on their own.
Written By Mae
Jan. 26, 2018, 11:31 a.m.(1/15/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Harlan
To refer to women as flowers for you to pick is very strange, but poetic language sometimes is. To remind yourself that you should only pick flowers that fit your needs is stranger still. Surely, I thought, you're just awful at poetry.
But then you doubled down. Women are pretty, and beautiful, but also useful objects for men to take as they need. I think what Marquis Mydas was suggesting was that you should refer to women as people, not objects.
This is disgusting, my lord. I'm hoping that wherever Aislin is, she doesn't get sent a copy of this journal. I also hope that should you find any "flowers" to be "plucked" for their "usefulness", someone shows them these postings before they agree to marrying you.
But then you doubled down. Women are pretty, and beautiful, but also useful objects for men to take as they need. I think what Marquis Mydas was suggesting was that you should refer to women as people, not objects.
This is disgusting, my lord. I'm hoping that wherever Aislin is, she doesn't get sent a copy of this journal. I also hope that should you find any "flowers" to be "plucked" for their "usefulness", someone shows them these postings before they agree to marrying you.
Written By Jael
Jan. 26, 2018, 11:12 a.m.(1/15/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Harlan
I don’t think you’re making the argument you think you’re making.
Written By Mydas
Jan. 26, 2018, 10:59 a.m.(1/15/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Harlan
Cousin, I doubt you'll be able to save a metaphor that compares the women of this city to something easily plucked from the ground or trampled underfoot.
Written By Archeron
Jan. 26, 2018, 10:16 a.m.(1/15/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Harlan
That was a very creepy way to put it, Cousin.
Written By Margerie
Jan. 26, 2018, 10:11 a.m.(1/15/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Harlan
The women of this city, be they noble or common, be they unmarried or not, are not flowers to decorate some noble's hall or chamber. Look to our warriors, our scholars, our leaders of the faith, our craftspeople, our diplomats, our justice. If one sees the women you are meeting as sweetly scented ornaments, one of which might fulfill a 'need', you will be missing out rather entirely on seeing the gardens, the forests, the continents each and every one of us is capable of being.
Each with the potential for thorns, for worms in the roots, for the richness of the soil that raised us up.
And yes. Occasionally having to deal with rather a lot of bull-droppings to deal with when it comes to fertilization.
Each with the potential for thorns, for worms in the roots, for the richness of the soil that raised us up.
And yes. Occasionally having to deal with rather a lot of bull-droppings to deal with when it comes to fertilization.
Written By Thena
Jan. 12, 2018, 9:14 p.m.(12/16/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Harlan
If you’re interested in procuring a bottle of...whatever this weird pink shit is, I’m sure Mae Grayhope has the hookup. As for me, while I will NOT be drinking mine, I’m not inclined to let it go just yet.
Written By Derovai
Jan. 12, 2018, 11:23 a.m.(12/14/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Harlan
We haven't met, but do you want mine? Two reasons:
1: Dame Thena WILL drink hers sometime. I will ensure it.
2: I only made it through two rounds of the liquor before having the good idea to bow out of the drinking contest. Discretion is, after all, the better part of valor. And as you can see from Lady Keaton's and Magpie's reactions, that was obviously the wisest call. It tasted like a 7-year-old girl's birthday cake, if that 7-year-old secretly hated all the guests at her party.
Find me at the Murder of Crows if you have an interest. I'll be the only one able to form coherent sentences for the next few days.
1: Dame Thena WILL drink hers sometime. I will ensure it.
2: I only made it through two rounds of the liquor before having the good idea to bow out of the drinking contest. Discretion is, after all, the better part of valor. And as you can see from Lady Keaton's and Magpie's reactions, that was obviously the wisest call. It tasted like a 7-year-old girl's birthday cake, if that 7-year-old secretly hated all the guests at her party.
Find me at the Murder of Crows if you have an interest. I'll be the only one able to form coherent sentences for the next few days.
Written By Edward
Sept. 10, 2017, 10:04 a.m.(3/10/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Harlan
You handle your poison well. The next time your staff force you out of the office to get a break, let me know and I'll give you some more.
Written By Shard
Sept. 3, 2017, 2:27 a.m.(2/20/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Harlan
It may help, or not, but wolves don't herd when they hunt. Not as you're thinking of it. The intent of herding is to keep the herd together; no, wolves work to break the herd apart. They will drive the herd in such a way as to drive off the weak, the injured, and the sick from the rest of the herd, so that the prey can be surrounded and brought down. Where this metaphor breaks down, of course, is that this is ultimately necessary, even good, but let's continue.
Where a wolf hunt fails is when the herd refuses to run. A herd that refuses to run, but merely circles to face the pack, with its weaker, smaller members protected in the middle, presenting a strong, united front, cannot be harried and split apart. A herd that refuses to run does not show its weaknesses to the pack. A pack will snap and snarl and try to get them to flee, sometimes for hours at a time, but eventually, the herd that stands strong will outlast a hunt and the pack will move on to easier, weaker prey.
If you must think of your enemies as wolves, then think of this mission as circling the herd.
Where a wolf hunt fails is when the herd refuses to run. A herd that refuses to run, but merely circles to face the pack, with its weaker, smaller members protected in the middle, presenting a strong, united front, cannot be harried and split apart. A herd that refuses to run does not show its weaknesses to the pack. A pack will snap and snarl and try to get them to flee, sometimes for hours at a time, but eventually, the herd that stands strong will outlast a hunt and the pack will move on to easier, weaker prey.
If you must think of your enemies as wolves, then think of this mission as circling the herd.
Written By Killian
Dec. 15, 2016, 12:44 a.m.(5/20/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Harlan
Cousin
Written By Sylvie
Dec. 4, 2016, 12:30 p.m.(4/17/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Harlan
Lady Aislin's brother with his own convoluted ties to me. His cousin-in-law being my own former sister-in-law. I am surprised that we have not talked more because he is pleasant company, if a little more distracted by hunts and adventures than I am.
It reminds me often of how different our cultures are, we who mingle in Arx. The Compact is strengthened by our differences, as I hope my relationship to Lord Harlan and the Ashfords will be.
It reminds me often of how different our cultures are, we who mingle in Arx. The Compact is strengthened by our differences, as I hope my relationship to Lord Harlan and the Ashfords will be.
Written By Cara
Dec. 2, 2016, 2:55 a.m.(4/10/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Harlan
Perhaps I should not be so reassured by Lord Harlan's return to the city, but I must say that it is something of a relief to share some of the concerns of the day with him. He will be a good Duke some day, though if the gods are kind, it will not be for some time.
Written By Acacia
Sept. 8, 2016, 6:45 p.m.(7/10/1004 AR)
Relationship Note on Harlan
I don't often run into people at the Shrine of the Lost. It's known too frequently for its silence which makes it one of those few oddly perfect places for thinking. So I hadn't expected to chance upon Lord Harlan, who portrayed himself as exceptionally polite and refined, but found it easy to live in both laughter and deeper, more poignant thoughts. And if chance presents itself, I hope to send him worthy alcohol in appreciation. Some mysteries are best left as mysteries, he essentially mentioned somewhere in the conversation. While there's truth in that sentiment and I'm a firm believer that some questions are best never asked, I wonder if one has to tell themselves things like that when they can't always chase after the answers themselves. Freedom has a certain taste that's hard to forget.
Written By Olivia
Sept. 4, 2016, 6:09 p.m.(6/25/1004 AR)
Relationship Note on Harlan
Bumped into my brother today. So wonderful to see a familiar beloved face. And he's exactly the same, it brought a twinge of homesickness that I'd managed to bury to the forefront of my mind! Still, it is good to have family about, and good to have someone so firmly on your side. He said wonderful things to Lady Dawn about me, and championed my cause to see the King.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.