Written By Malcolm
Jan. 17, 2021, 6:06 a.m.(10/8/1014 AR)
Relationship Note on Delilah
She used to play this game, often, and it's just starting to be that now I've learned enough to start playing too. (This is you, L.) Warmth of copaiba balsam, warm sandalwood, worn brown leathers, and raw vanilla -- (the flower kind - mixed with some other kind of small white garden flower) -- a drop of whiskey, a hint of cream, something designed to bring up images of unburied secrets and dusty libraries.
Written By Malcolm
Jan. 3, 2021, 6:51 p.m.(9/9/1014 AR)
Relationship Note on Alarissa
Gods, Da, I almost used all three of those dreaded words in a missive. It's a proud day. Cause while I might've used one or two - I didn't use all of them - and the honor was still granted to us Shepherds. After Delilah and spoke about it, I asked the Princess-Consort of Maelstrom, the Pearl of Thrax herself - Princess Alarissa Thrax - to be salt parent to Altair. She accepted, and that kid's going to be all the better for it, I know.
Written By Malcolm
Jan. 1, 2021, 11:32 p.m.(9/5/1014 AR)
Junior and Al.
( After Delilah's finished recuperating -- she'll then likely see this. She'll see how easy I can make a proclamation without extra yammering. And then Layla and Altair, she'll remind me. However, my darling spouse, someone's got to give these kiddos nicknames now. )
Newborn babes are a different kind of adventure.
( After Delilah's finished recuperating -- she'll then likely see this. She'll see how easy I can make a proclamation without extra yammering. And then Layla and Altair, she'll remind me. However, my darling spouse, someone's got to give these kiddos nicknames now. )
Newborn babes are a different kind of adventure.
Written By Malcolm
Dec. 4, 2020, 10:19 a.m.(7/4/1014 AR)
Relationship Note on Thea
So, just to commit it to print for the future: Lady Thea Malvici, Notable Adventurer. My protégé.
My luck continues to hold out in regard to having partnerships with the best people.
WHEW.
My luck continues to hold out in regard to having partnerships with the best people.
WHEW.
Written By Malcolm
Nov. 30, 2020, 11:27 p.m.(6/25/1014 AR)
[ It's misspelled and grammatically terrible: ]
Not real sure when this will make it to my Journal -- and I may very well be wrong, real wrong -- and that this gets ahead to the Archives well ahead of me. That said, observed, and now I'm wondering what comes next -- because it's been too long since I wrote anything down and it feels a little like confessing to something else worse -- like eating too many garlicky fried eggs before you head off to the Hall to meet your people.
Seriously. I blamed it on Goofus.
Then, that's when I remembered that the dog wasn't even around and I couldn't blame that stink on him -- even though he can clear a room like a person can -- and if that wouldn't be a good reason to continue pickling my liver in good Northlands drink I don't know what else is. Although, honestly, if the present day ain't enough to keep the bottle uncork --
Right, right. Where was I -- oh, I know -- there's dire circumstances and everyone's rallying around and here I am making fart jokes.
Guess I blew it.
Not real sure when this will make it to my Journal -- and I may very well be wrong, real wrong -- and that this gets ahead to the Archives well ahead of me. That said, observed, and now I'm wondering what comes next -- because it's been too long since I wrote anything down and it feels a little like confessing to something else worse -- like eating too many garlicky fried eggs before you head off to the Hall to meet your people.
Seriously. I blamed it on Goofus.
Then, that's when I remembered that the dog wasn't even around and I couldn't blame that stink on him -- even though he can clear a room like a person can -- and if that wouldn't be a good reason to continue pickling my liver in good Northlands drink I don't know what else is. Although, honestly, if the present day ain't enough to keep the bottle uncork --
Right, right. Where was I -- oh, I know -- there's dire circumstances and everyone's rallying around and here I am making fart jokes.
Guess I blew it.
Written By Malcolm
July 1, 2020, 8:23 a.m.(7/27/1013 AR)
I'm real sure that since I've been a Duke and started acting, dressing, and eating more like a Duke that my middle's getting squishy.
Written By Malcolm
June 15, 2020, 1:56 p.m.(6/24/1013 AR)
Back to the start. That's not such a terrible thing. There's no real way to go about it -- I got to continue on. I'm sure I'll find it. (Whatever it is. Is that TOO vague, Scholar? Fine.) It has to do with answers to questions I didn't know needed asking. Like: What's next?"
Written By Malcolm
June 4, 2020, 8:02 p.m.(6/2/1013 AR)
Look, see Scholar, back again to update my Journal.
Lately, things have sort of been. They've just been. And I have been trying.
Trying to find a protege. Trying to make friends. Trying to find new projects to tackle for Graypeak that will best suit these great folk I happen to be related to. Trying to think about things. That last one is the hardest. There's way too much I don't know - about, well, everything. Some days, I don't mind a bit. Some days, I do. Figure not knowing is what keeps me from hiding in the study with all the bottles of whiskey we have, you know? Figure that not knowing gives me peace of mind. That I can end every day with playing with a pile of dogs in the garden on a nice spring evening and enjoy that moment for what it is.
Think I'm going to go and do that now.
Night, Scholar.
Lately, things have sort of been. They've just been. And I have been trying.
Trying to find a protege. Trying to make friends. Trying to find new projects to tackle for Graypeak that will best suit these great folk I happen to be related to. Trying to think about things. That last one is the hardest. There's way too much I don't know - about, well, everything. Some days, I don't mind a bit. Some days, I do. Figure not knowing is what keeps me from hiding in the study with all the bottles of whiskey we have, you know? Figure that not knowing gives me peace of mind. That I can end every day with playing with a pile of dogs in the garden on a nice spring evening and enjoy that moment for what it is.
Think I'm going to go and do that now.
Night, Scholar.
Written By Malcolm
May 26, 2020, 5:02 p.m.(5/12/1013 AR)
Yeah, Scholar, back again. Trying to keep to my self-made promise to keep up in my Journal more.
Got caught in a bit of rain, yesterday - today - or some other day before that I can't remember. Was on the way out of the woods with the dogs. We were just walking, you know, and I was following a game trail in the odd chance that I'd let Lump tree a critter. Perhaps search one out in a burrow. He's all low, see, and he's got a grasshopper's view of the world. Paired with that nose of his, yes, he is keen to chase. Honestly - more a hunter than Gal and Goof. Nah, Graypeak's shepherd are different. They're fierce, but only when they're set to task, and they'll protect the flocks better than any person ever could. I run them through their own exercises, and they like the ambling just fine.
Oh -- yeah. I did mention the rain, didn't I? This isn't about the rain.
It's about Lump.
Once, see, this little long sausage was the lapdog of a silk -- as a pup, see, when he was smaller and the runty boy of his litter. The lady was set on nursing this little fellow back to health, and the lord was one that wanted to see that the pup was going to thrive on its own. They spent time with the healers, the animal folk, and they took all their advice and continue to worry and fawn over their little pet. (Listen, anyone that doesn't worry about their animals is a person that I don't want to know.) So, you know, in the morning the Lady goes to check on the pup. Startled, she calls out for her counterpart that comes running -- and he breathes a sigh of relief while the lady's got tears in her eyes.
They made a proclamation, I heard, later that day:
"Noble Sausage Stands for the First Time; Lord and Lady Ebullient -- But Tired.
Swear it's true, Scholar.
Got caught in a bit of rain, yesterday - today - or some other day before that I can't remember. Was on the way out of the woods with the dogs. We were just walking, you know, and I was following a game trail in the odd chance that I'd let Lump tree a critter. Perhaps search one out in a burrow. He's all low, see, and he's got a grasshopper's view of the world. Paired with that nose of his, yes, he is keen to chase. Honestly - more a hunter than Gal and Goof. Nah, Graypeak's shepherd are different. They're fierce, but only when they're set to task, and they'll protect the flocks better than any person ever could. I run them through their own exercises, and they like the ambling just fine.
Oh -- yeah. I did mention the rain, didn't I? This isn't about the rain.
It's about Lump.
Once, see, this little long sausage was the lapdog of a silk -- as a pup, see, when he was smaller and the runty boy of his litter. The lady was set on nursing this little fellow back to health, and the lord was one that wanted to see that the pup was going to thrive on its own. They spent time with the healers, the animal folk, and they took all their advice and continue to worry and fawn over their little pet. (Listen, anyone that doesn't worry about their animals is a person that I don't want to know.) So, you know, in the morning the Lady goes to check on the pup. Startled, she calls out for her counterpart that comes running -- and he breathes a sigh of relief while the lady's got tears in her eyes.
They made a proclamation, I heard, later that day:
"Noble Sausage Stands for the First Time; Lord and Lady Ebullient -- But Tired.
Swear it's true, Scholar.
Written By Malcolm
May 15, 2020, 11:56 a.m.(4/18/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Thea
Lady Mav --
Can you spell that for me, Scholar?
MALVICI.
Not sure what kind of red hawk she's got. But she's got a dog. Finn's a good boy. Lady treats him real well. We might be friends. No, I think we're pre-friends. Not acquaintances. Not yet fully friends. Pre-friends. Between the two. I need more of them.
Can you spell that for me, Scholar?
MALVICI.
Not sure what kind of red hawk she's got. But she's got a dog. Finn's a good boy. Lady treats him real well. We might be friends. No, I think we're pre-friends. Not acquaintances. Not yet fully friends. Pre-friends. Between the two. I need more of them.
Written By Malcolm
May 15, 2020, 11:49 a.m.(4/18/1013 AR)
Good day to you, Scholar. Don't worry too much -- I won't get crumbs in my Journal. Yes, and my hands are clean. Clean-ish. Yes, yes I was feeding Goofus pieces of my hand-pie. But I left the pair of them outside this time, so at least there won't be crumbs AND snuffling wet nose prints. Or hair. Or a big dog the size of a small pony trying to fit themself into your lap. That's not what I wanted to write down, but I guess you did.
Next time I'll say so, yes.
Next time, yes, I'll bring them in for snuggles.
Seems like the latest murmurings in the Archives are about the subject love, the politics of the peerage, noble marriage and thoughts about a legacy and all. My thoughts about the subject are a muddle. At best. When duty (that WORD) was hovering over my head -- I knew that I needed to choose a partner that was going to be a good pick for Graypeak. I was thinking politics when I started to think about it. Won't lie, then I got selfish. I made my choice based on politics, sure I did -- had to, because of being a neo-noble (another WORD) -- but I wanted for myself too. I wanted someone better than me. Someone that was more educated, more creative, more. Someone would be a proper addition to the Duchy, right?
But I also wanted someone with a curious nature, with mystery, and with an adventurous spirit. A neo-noble, like me, so that there could be a kind of mutual understanding between us. I found it in Lady -- Duchess-Consort -- Delilah. The initial infatuation shifted into respect and a shared sight toward the future of Graypeak. Now, there's fondness. I can find myself shirking work, procrastinating, to sit quietly and look at her across the study. With the books. And I can smile to myself and smile at her, and I now I can think:
Yeah, she can steal my hat anytime she wants.
Next time I'll say so, yes.
Next time, yes, I'll bring them in for snuggles.
Seems like the latest murmurings in the Archives are about the subject love, the politics of the peerage, noble marriage and thoughts about a legacy and all. My thoughts about the subject are a muddle. At best. When duty (that WORD) was hovering over my head -- I knew that I needed to choose a partner that was going to be a good pick for Graypeak. I was thinking politics when I started to think about it. Won't lie, then I got selfish. I made my choice based on politics, sure I did -- had to, because of being a neo-noble (another WORD) -- but I wanted for myself too. I wanted someone better than me. Someone that was more educated, more creative, more. Someone would be a proper addition to the Duchy, right?
But I also wanted someone with a curious nature, with mystery, and with an adventurous spirit. A neo-noble, like me, so that there could be a kind of mutual understanding between us. I found it in Lady -- Duchess-Consort -- Delilah. The initial infatuation shifted into respect and a shared sight toward the future of Graypeak. Now, there's fondness. I can find myself shirking work, procrastinating, to sit quietly and look at her across the study. With the books. And I can smile to myself and smile at her, and I now I can think:
Yeah, she can steal my hat anytime she wants.
Written By Malcolm
April 9, 2020, 9:14 a.m.(2/1/1013 AR)
What's been going on of late with the animals out west got me worried about the livestock of Graypeak. I'll need to make double sure that we got our good Dogs out to those farmers and whatnot to help where they needed.
And if anyone - anything - ANYTHING threatens the well-being of my Dogs -- well --
I'm coming for them.
And if anyone - anything - ANYTHING threatens the well-being of my Dogs -- well --
I'm coming for them.
Written By Malcolm
April 2, 2020, 8:20 p.m.(1/16/1013 AR)
It's a day where all I hear is the wind. Howling. Making a ruckus that sounds like someone is banging around pots and such -- and then I'm wondering why the dogs got into the pantry again. Especially the little one. Lump. He's a stinker.
Written By Malcolm
March 28, 2020, 5:03 p.m.(1/6/1013 AR)
I had this hat. It was a wonderous hat, it was the best, it was - Scholars - you saw it. Note that it had a swoop across the brim, a plume, and it was the first ever extravagant purchase I made as a newly titled Duke.
Now -- gone.
G O N E.
Now -- gone.
G O N E.
Written By Malcolm
Nov. 11, 2019, 7:53 p.m.(3/7/1012 AR)
Relationship Note on Monique
Don't you think for one tick I've forgotten about those donations, protege. I have not.
Written By Malcolm
Nov. 11, 2019, 7:49 p.m.(3/7/1012 AR)
Relationship Note on Delilah
This litter of pups is going to give me more gray hairs than my lady-wife going out on her next -- wait. Where's she bound for next? Nah-uh, no sir Scholar, not without me she isn't --
Written By Malcolm
Oct. 2, 2019, 9:04 p.m.(12/11/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Monique
Last, never least, I'll need to send another donation to the Faith in the name of a certain protege.
Written By Malcolm
Oct. 2, 2019, 9:04 p.m.(12/11/1011 AR)
Wondering how Simon's settling back in and if Bonnie's back. Think I'll send a message and have him be the second of the Valiant Effort in my stead, he's got more freedom to roam. Hoping Jennyva and Kaiden are doing all right. Nights, when the stars come out, and trust me if the sky isn't the most pretty thing ever when the view's from Graypeak's Aerie and I know all's right with the world -- I wonder how Delilah's holding up. Nothing bad's come up by messenger yet, so, that's a good thing. Keep it up, my lady-wife, you're doing fine.
Written By Malcolm
Oct. 2, 2019, 9:04 p.m.(12/11/1011 AR)
Notes from Graypeak:
Autumn's got to be the best time of year because that's when the entire mountain turns to fire from whatever trees are down in the Valley - the Fine river cutting through it like a like a pair of shears through some kind of fancy cloth. Gives me ideas. But not many. I'm no poet and I'm barely of a crafting mind. Just stealing sips of whiskey to keep me sane through all these meetings and greetings. Makes me wordy. Been up here mostly to meet with my people at Graypeak and review how we're looking after harvest, how well our stores will feed us during the winter, asking about the upkeep of our crops and flocks. Gods above -- so many damnable numbers and reports that I have piled up. All this nonsense will go straight to Wyatt once I'm back.
Autumn's got to be the best time of year because that's when the entire mountain turns to fire from whatever trees are down in the Valley - the Fine river cutting through it like a like a pair of shears through some kind of fancy cloth. Gives me ideas. But not many. I'm no poet and I'm barely of a crafting mind. Just stealing sips of whiskey to keep me sane through all these meetings and greetings. Makes me wordy. Been up here mostly to meet with my people at Graypeak and review how we're looking after harvest, how well our stores will feed us during the winter, asking about the upkeep of our crops and flocks. Gods above -- so many damnable numbers and reports that I have piled up. All this nonsense will go straight to Wyatt once I'm back.
Written By Malcolm
Sept. 1, 2019, 10:26 a.m.(10/4/1011 AR)
This will probably reach my Journal in the capital city by the time the leaves turn, we'll see. Still in Graypeak, you see, taking care of things -- still. Meeting with my vassal Houses. Wondering if my insides are pickled from the amount of whiskey and barley wine and ciders I've been putting back because, gods, being this noble hurts.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.