Written By Dycard
Feb. 24, 2020, 12:12 p.m.(10/23/1012 AR)
Relationship Note on Revell
You are a curious woman, Revell.
At first glance, I took you to be no more than a 'flower girl' - a stereotype that typically summarises not only a profession, but a personality, an ethos. Shame on me for making such a judgement.
Instead, you are clearly more than that. You're outspoken, but that doesn't do the idea justice - you speak your mind without reservation (albeit with a great deal of post-speech nerves), you actively despise duplicity and self-suppression. You drag lies, doubt and hesitation kicking and screaming into the light, and that is a rare quality.
It does make you a potentially problematic friend to have around as you drag -my- hesitation and subtlety into the light (with the gentle touch of a rum-soaked Thraxian in a chinashop), but perhaps that is good for me, in the long run.
What made you this way, one has to wonder? Perhaps in time, -that- will be dragged out and revealed.
At first glance, I took you to be no more than a 'flower girl' - a stereotype that typically summarises not only a profession, but a personality, an ethos. Shame on me for making such a judgement.
Instead, you are clearly more than that. You're outspoken, but that doesn't do the idea justice - you speak your mind without reservation (albeit with a great deal of post-speech nerves), you actively despise duplicity and self-suppression. You drag lies, doubt and hesitation kicking and screaming into the light, and that is a rare quality.
It does make you a potentially problematic friend to have around as you drag -my- hesitation and subtlety into the light (with the gentle touch of a rum-soaked Thraxian in a chinashop), but perhaps that is good for me, in the long run.
What made you this way, one has to wonder? Perhaps in time, -that- will be dragged out and revealed.
Written By Dycard
Feb. 24, 2020, 12:11 p.m.(10/23/1012 AR)
Relationship Note on Dianna
I do so enjoy our dances, Sister Dianna - even if happenstance stole the chance of an actual dance away from me.
I confess that in large part, this game is just that - a chase, a pleasant distraction from the dour seriousness of obligation.
But, having attended your ceremony, having heard what you said to your reflection - and your reaction to Revell's breach of decorum - I have to admit, I find myself increasingly interested in getting to know you better.
Either way, you -are- a most pleasant distraction. We must have that dance sometime.
I confess that in large part, this game is just that - a chase, a pleasant distraction from the dour seriousness of obligation.
But, having attended your ceremony, having heard what you said to your reflection - and your reaction to Revell's breach of decorum - I have to admit, I find myself increasingly interested in getting to know you better.
Either way, you -are- a most pleasant distraction. We must have that dance sometime.
Written By Dycard
Feb. 24, 2020, 12:10 p.m.(10/23/1012 AR)
An eventful few days. I returned to Arx rudderless, adrift and without any real purpose - but a conversation with an old friend has given me one.
The Gambit's hold has been emptied, her cargo sold for a song - she'll need the space. I'd not thought to return to the waves so soon after arriving, but in truth, I can't wait - Arx is a beautiful city full of beautiful company, but I find myself restless within her walls - I need to be out -doing- something. If it's something useful, all the better.
What exactly I -will- be doing is not for a white - not yet, anyhow. For the moment, I'll take delight in saying that my father would be ashamed of me.
The Gambit's hold has been emptied, her cargo sold for a song - she'll need the space. I'd not thought to return to the waves so soon after arriving, but in truth, I can't wait - Arx is a beautiful city full of beautiful company, but I find myself restless within her walls - I need to be out -doing- something. If it's something useful, all the better.
What exactly I -will- be doing is not for a white - not yet, anyhow. For the moment, I'll take delight in saying that my father would be ashamed of me.
Written By Dycard
Feb. 20, 2020, 11:03 a.m.(10/15/1012 AR)
Relationship Note on Lucene
As it turns out, the fact that you could likely have beaten your cousin once with one hand behind your back doesn't necessarily mean the same holds true near twenty years later.
I'm not quite sure why I was so readily beaten by Lucene on the training sands. It would be wrong to sully her victory - unlike her family's namesake, the Lady Gilden is anything but soft, and gave me the most thorough thrashing I've had since... well, in years.
But that as an aside, my own performance was as lacking as hers was proficient. Maybe it had to do with the lack of stakes - for all her rage, I knew my life was never in any real danger, whereas I can remember fighting tooth and nail for my - or Rom's - life on multiple occasions, frequently snatching survival from the jaws of death.
Maybe I've grown soft. Too much 'gentleman,' not enough 'reaver' to my lifestyle of late.
Or perhaps I'm simply worse at swords than I thought. Perhaps I should find someone to remind me which end of the weapon is the business end.
I'm not quite sure why I was so readily beaten by Lucene on the training sands. It would be wrong to sully her victory - unlike her family's namesake, the Lady Gilden is anything but soft, and gave me the most thorough thrashing I've had since... well, in years.
But that as an aside, my own performance was as lacking as hers was proficient. Maybe it had to do with the lack of stakes - for all her rage, I knew my life was never in any real danger, whereas I can remember fighting tooth and nail for my - or Rom's - life on multiple occasions, frequently snatching survival from the jaws of death.
Maybe I've grown soft. Too much 'gentleman,' not enough 'reaver' to my lifestyle of late.
Or perhaps I'm simply worse at swords than I thought. Perhaps I should find someone to remind me which end of the weapon is the business end.
Written By Dycard
Feb. 19, 2020, 8:05 a.m.(10.450516286375661/19.228912037037038/1012.7875430238646 AR)
Dry land. A peculiar sensation, after so long.
The Gambit's made port many a time in the past half year, of course - I've spent a fair number of nights ashore here and there, in varying places and varying company - but this is the first time since Spring that I've come ashore with any real intention to stay until the next morning.
Why I've come back feels as ambiguous and murky - and yet, as inevitable - as the reason I left in the first place. The open ocean called until I could ignore it no longer, and the solitude (to the extent that one's ever alone on a cramped vessel with two score of crew, anyway) was welcome, but it could only ever have been temporary.
I've got duties to attend to, for my family, for the Isles - and some personal affairs to dig into that can't really be explored leagues away from civilisation.
I'd also be lying if I said I wasn't looking forward to some fairer company. The Gambit's a reliable old girl with whom I've been through a lot, and my crew have their charm, but I have missed spending time with individuals for whom personal hygiene isn't a novel concept.
So, here's to new beginnings. The tide goes out, the tide comes in.
The Gambit's made port many a time in the past half year, of course - I've spent a fair number of nights ashore here and there, in varying places and varying company - but this is the first time since Spring that I've come ashore with any real intention to stay until the next morning.
Why I've come back feels as ambiguous and murky - and yet, as inevitable - as the reason I left in the first place. The open ocean called until I could ignore it no longer, and the solitude (to the extent that one's ever alone on a cramped vessel with two score of crew, anyway) was welcome, but it could only ever have been temporary.
I've got duties to attend to, for my family, for the Isles - and some personal affairs to dig into that can't really be explored leagues away from civilisation.
I'd also be lying if I said I wasn't looking forward to some fairer company. The Gambit's a reliable old girl with whom I've been through a lot, and my crew have their charm, but I have missed spending time with individuals for whom personal hygiene isn't a novel concept.
So, here's to new beginnings. The tide goes out, the tide comes in.
Written By Dycard
Nov. 25, 2019, 8:32 a.m.(4/6/1012 AR)
The waves are calling, and I can deny them no more.
I need some time to myself, to remember the truth of who and what I am, and to remember the meaning of freedom.
My sister and her heir live on; I was only ever the spare, and I have been feeling that more of late. Perhaps when I return it'll be in a better frame of mind.
Fare well, Arx, until we see each other once more.
I need some time to myself, to remember the truth of who and what I am, and to remember the meaning of freedom.
My sister and her heir live on; I was only ever the spare, and I have been feeling that more of late. Perhaps when I return it'll be in a better frame of mind.
Fare well, Arx, until we see each other once more.
Written By Dycard
Feb. 17, 2019, 5:20 p.m.(8/4/1010 AR)
An adventure aboard ship, sailing further from Arvum than I've ever been before, and aboard a new type of ship at that!
The caravel is a most wonderful vessel. I'm so proud of Skye and the shipyards, and she weathered the storm as well as any vessel I've seen. Even if I didn't. Ow. I'm sure the skin on my leg will grow back 'ere I see Blackshore again.
The caravel is a most wonderful vessel. I'm so proud of Skye and the shipyards, and she weathered the storm as well as any vessel I've seen. Even if I didn't. Ow. I'm sure the skin on my leg will grow back 'ere I see Blackshore again.
Written By Dycard
Sept. 16, 2018, 5:08 p.m.(8/12/1009 AR)
At last I am feeling well again. It has been some time since I had energy to spare for anything but duty, and I look forward to revelling in revels once more.
I do hope my friends remember what I look like.
I do hope my friends remember what I look like.
Written By Dycard
Sept. 9, 2018, 5:04 p.m.(7/24/1009 AR)
Why do they call it a cold in the middle of summer, Scholar? I've not been cold for weeks, and yet here I am.
Normal service - and servicing - will be resumed shortly, I hope. Once I finish sneezing all over the place.
Normal service - and servicing - will be resumed shortly, I hope. Once I finish sneezing all over the place.
Written By Dycard
Sept. 2, 2018, 4:11 p.m.(7/6/1009 AR)
My first lesson in languages was quite the success, though it seems that my accent may well get in my way. I shall have to practice my pronunciation most diligently. And to think all that time my parents and my tutors spent 'teaching' me to speak without the accents of the crew.
Written By Dycard
Aug. 26, 2018, 6:49 p.m.(6/20/1009 AR)
I have a room, and it's neither in an inn nor on a ship. The workmen are still working on the rest of the house, but I'm rather enjoying the novelty. Next I shall need furniture to put in it - the old sea chest, while it's served me well, is not enough. I can get wardrobes, which means I can get more most excellent clothing, which is an idea that would have turned my father purple with rage. It has to be done!
I wonder how large a bed I can fit through the door?
I wonder how large a bed I can fit through the door?
Written By Dycard
Aug. 12, 2018, 2:24 p.m.(5/19/1009 AR)
I do believe we should give more consideration to the idea of waterborne jousting. A punt or a gondola, or even a canoe, could be propelled without need for the smashing of oars as the two vessels raced towards one another.
This sport - much like the hunting of boars - is likely best reserved for when one is very, very drunk and one has just lost a bet.
This sport - much like the hunting of boars - is likely best reserved for when one is very, very drunk and one has just lost a bet.
Written By Dycard
Aug. 1, 2018, 12:57 a.m.(4/19/1009 AR)
Not only have I joined the Scholars, Scholar, but I have done so as an Associated Teacher. My second attempt at the test went rather better than the first.
Thank you. I look forward to the work ahead of me.
Thank you. I look forward to the work ahead of me.
Written By Dycard
July 24, 2018, 4:26 p.m.(4/4/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Fairen
Thank you for your kind words, my lord; I posit that, all other things being equal, I can hardly do much worse.
I will return to make another attempt.
I will return to make another attempt.
Written By Dycard
July 24, 2018, 4:07 p.m.(4/4/1009 AR)
I cannot believe I performed so badly in the Scholars' test.
It was as though everything I had ever known flew out through my ears, leaving but a shell of empty space behind; I found myself doubting whether I was in fact reading the questions at all, the words jumbling themselves together in my head and playing hopscotch behind my eyes.
Perhaps next time I will be able to nail them to the page. I will have to be sure to bring a hammer.
No, Scholar, that was a joke.
It was as though everything I had ever known flew out through my ears, leaving but a shell of empty space behind; I found myself doubting whether I was in fact reading the questions at all, the words jumbling themselves together in my head and playing hopscotch behind my eyes.
Perhaps next time I will be able to nail them to the page. I will have to be sure to bring a hammer.
No, Scholar, that was a joke.
Written By Dycard
July 22, 2018, 9:20 a.m.(3/28/1009 AR)
Either I was more drunk than I thought I was, someone slipped something into my drink, or I really did lose a bet, go looking for people in the woods, and see some hulking great white thing with four legs and huge pointy teeth turn into a cloud of choking, foul-smelling smoke.
Whatever happened yesterday, this morning I feel as though I gargled a hedgehog.
Whatever happened yesterday, this morning I feel as though I gargled a hedgehog.
Written By Dycard
July 15, 2018, 3:46 a.m.(3/12/1009 AR)
I read some of those journals left recently, and I wonder if the denizens of Arx have lost something.
Were one of the greatest tailors of Arx to make me an outfit I'd wear it with pride, even were it three strips of wool. I might wear it with undergarments - that stuff itches - but I'd wear it and be glad of it. I arrived in Arx wearing rags, grateful to have arrived at all.
Were one of my liege lord's lord's kin to offer me insult, I'd protest to my lord and let her deal with it. Perhaps I am old-fashioned, perhaps my House cleaves to traditions that were no more by the time some others were created, or perhaps Thrax does not handle such matters the way the rest of the Compact does, but I learned at my mother's knee that such is the graceful way to handle these things. I arrived in Arx hoping that my brother had survived and sure that all my other kin were dead, and finding that I still have a family, someone to whom to give my fealty, and a place in the world will forever be a joy.
Perhaps it's the ordeals I've endured, where simply surviving another day was a victory. Perhaps it's the ordeals I've seen, where death became a blessed end to suffering. Perhaps it's the memories that haunt me through the nights that tell me that there are more important things in life than what seems so vital to life here.
While Arx whiles away the idle days with duels and parties, others pay for that with their lives. Some of you knew Countess Paige, many of you far better than I. She was a woman who did her duty. Will they be able to say the same of you?
Were one of the greatest tailors of Arx to make me an outfit I'd wear it with pride, even were it three strips of wool. I might wear it with undergarments - that stuff itches - but I'd wear it and be glad of it. I arrived in Arx wearing rags, grateful to have arrived at all.
Were one of my liege lord's lord's kin to offer me insult, I'd protest to my lord and let her deal with it. Perhaps I am old-fashioned, perhaps my House cleaves to traditions that were no more by the time some others were created, or perhaps Thrax does not handle such matters the way the rest of the Compact does, but I learned at my mother's knee that such is the graceful way to handle these things. I arrived in Arx hoping that my brother had survived and sure that all my other kin were dead, and finding that I still have a family, someone to whom to give my fealty, and a place in the world will forever be a joy.
Perhaps it's the ordeals I've endured, where simply surviving another day was a victory. Perhaps it's the ordeals I've seen, where death became a blessed end to suffering. Perhaps it's the memories that haunt me through the nights that tell me that there are more important things in life than what seems so vital to life here.
While Arx whiles away the idle days with duels and parties, others pay for that with their lives. Some of you knew Countess Paige, many of you far better than I. She was a woman who did her duty. Will they be able to say the same of you?
Written By Dycard
July 12, 2018, 3:16 p.m.(3/7/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Snow
I must confess, the cologne that Master Snow has given me is amazing, and his friendship is something I treasure.
Written By Dycard
July 1, 2018, 5:27 p.m.(2/12/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Coraline
Congratulations to Princess Coraline. We have had the chance for conversation just once, but in that time she struck me as all that a Knight should be.
So, Princess, do you wish to be Dame or Sir? Princess Sir Coraline has a certain ring to it, I'm sure you can agree.
So, Princess, do you wish to be Dame or Sir? Princess Sir Coraline has a certain ring to it, I'm sure you can agree.
Written By Dycard
July 1, 2018, 4:59 p.m.(2/12/1009 AR)
Where has the time gone? It's been going faster than I knew. Snow has lain on the ground for some weeks now, and soon spring will come. I've not seen snow for some time - we sailed south to avoid the worst of it - but spring will be a very welcome sight indeed, and I'm glad I'm not sailing in this. Lines and sheets are painful enough to haul before the ice adds blades to them.
I believe it may be time to make sure that Blackshore will have what it needs in time for a good spring festival. Parties, events and socialising are, after all, a part of what Skye asked me to do for the Barony, and I see no reason that should all happen in Arx where our people can't attend.
I believe it may be time to make sure that Blackshore will have what it needs in time for a good spring festival. Parties, events and socialising are, after all, a part of what Skye asked me to do for the Barony, and I see no reason that should all happen in Arx where our people can't attend.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.