Written By Natalia
April 24, 2018, 10:36 a.m.(8/11/1008 AR)
I admit to being startled to receive gifts yesterday; I hope no one is too heartbroken that I did not send any out myself.
I do not have the best history with gift giving. Next year, I will have time both for the finding of gifts (I did not realize what was even happening until it was too late to get anything that would not have sung a song of last minute) AND letting someone look them over for appropriateness.
That last bit is important.
I do very much appreciate those who thought of me, though.
I do not have the best history with gift giving. Next year, I will have time both for the finding of gifts (I did not realize what was even happening until it was too late to get anything that would not have sung a song of last minute) AND letting someone look them over for appropriateness.
That last bit is important.
I do very much appreciate those who thought of me, though.
Written By Natalia
April 22, 2018, 8:13 p.m.(8/8/1008 AR)
I am happier to have returned to Arx than I expected to be.
It has gone well so far.
It has gone well so far.
Written By Natalia
Feb. 19, 2017, 5:08 a.m.(12/13/1005 AR)
Up and down, up and down, up and down... such are my highs and lows of late. It seems nothing that is good doesn't come with something just as harsh to bring me low again, until I hover at the very depths of my soul.
But then? Then comes so much light and joy and happiness that I dare not even speak it aloud, lest it be taken from me. No.. this I will keep to myself and share with no other, save one. A secret, a gift, a treasure untold - eternity on the span of a fingertip.
But then? Then comes so much light and joy and happiness that I dare not even speak it aloud, lest it be taken from me. No.. this I will keep to myself and share with no other, save one. A secret, a gift, a treasure untold - eternity on the span of a fingertip.
Written By Natalia
Feb. 19, 2017, 4:59 a.m.(12/13/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Rowan
A chance meeting in a forest glade, intelligent conversation, pleasant company. Though he scared me enough that I shall have a bruised backside for at least a week, I am happy to realize that my own internal beliefs of Prodigals and those outside of the Compact have been wrong. I don't know what I expected, to be honest, but he was a welcome breath of fresh air.
I can only hope he feels the same, but a man that looks like that will be prying women off with a spear for many years to come, and so many do not wish friendship with a Princess that has little to offer but dances in a sunlight forest.
I can only hope he feels the same, but a man that looks like that will be prying women off with a spear for many years to come, and so many do not wish friendship with a Princess that has little to offer but dances in a sunlight forest.
Written By Natalia
Feb. 19, 2017, 4:53 a.m.(12/13/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Rook
So many words could describe this delightful creature. Cultured, wise, handsome, gifted.. I have nothing but respect for him. 'No' does not seem to be a word in his vocabulary, and if it is? Why, he is so skilled with his silver tongue that you would never know otherwise.
We will be friends for a very long time, I imagine. Or at least I hope.
We will be friends for a very long time, I imagine. Or at least I hope.
Written By Natalia
Jan. 29, 2017, 12:38 p.m.(10/16/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Juliet
The sister I never had. The sister I always wanted. What would I do without her in my times of darkness?
Written By Natalia
Jan. 28, 2017, 11:57 p.m.(10/15/1005 AR)
Do you know that feeling, when you are bare of foot and just barely miss stepping in a large pile of steaming shit left behind by an animal?
I find myself feeling that same relief in having realized my careless mistake in letting my emotions get the better of me. Princesses aren't meant for such trivial wishes, for hopes and dreams. I hope whoever slips in the pile doesn't get their pretty neck broken from carelessness.
You should always be well aware of the world around you.
I find myself feeling that same relief in having realized my careless mistake in letting my emotions get the better of me. Princesses aren't meant for such trivial wishes, for hopes and dreams. I hope whoever slips in the pile doesn't get their pretty neck broken from carelessness.
You should always be well aware of the world around you.
Written By Natalia
Jan. 21, 2017, 5:56 a.m.(9/20/1005 AR)
I have decided to invest in a great deal of plaster. Some things are just worth the time to repair, instead of throwing out the old just to buy new.
A great deal of plaster. And honey.
A great deal of plaster. And honey.
Written By Natalia
Jan. 20, 2017, 1:39 a.m.(9/16/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Angelo
Lord Angelo Fidante is quite ambitious, if one believes everything that comes out of his mouth.
But no, my sweets, let it not be mistaken. We are -not- courting each other.
But no, my sweets, let it not be mistaken. We are -not- courting each other.
Written By Natalia
Jan. 19, 2017, 10:34 p.m.(9/16/1005 AR)
Sometimes, I test people. I don't do it to be cruel, or unkind, or malicious.. I do it because I have to know if I can trust a person. So far the people I can trust can be held on one hand. Does this mean my tests are too hard or is everyone just so unwilling to prove themselves worthy of truth?
Time will tell, but just once I would wish that I wouldn't leave a meeting feeling nothing but disappointment.
Just once.
Time will tell, but just once I would wish that I wouldn't leave a meeting feeling nothing but disappointment.
Just once.
Written By Natalia
Jan. 19, 2017, 1:19 a.m.(9/13/1005 AR)
Sometimes, when your heart is heavy and broken in your chest, and your tears have dried their salted rivers down your cheeks - the only thing that can reach your soul is the best of friends. And two bottles of wine. And talk of handsome men. But without a doubt, all that is never needed is a friend.
And I am going to start wearing Lycene fashions, I believe. Juliet is much more beautiful than I in her ribbons and flowers! I will have to cover more skin, however. I don't know how she pulls it off so flawlessly.
And I am going to start wearing Lycene fashions, I believe. Juliet is much more beautiful than I in her ribbons and flowers! I will have to cover more skin, however. I don't know how she pulls it off so flawlessly.
Written By Natalia
Jan. 5, 2017, 9:45 p.m.(8/2/1005 AR)
Do you see what happens when I find a moment of happiness in this world? The fates laugh and laugh and laugh, and then everything is empty again.
To feel so unwanted and unloved, what does beauty matter when it is a void that will never be filled?
There was a time when duels were fought over me, now.. now they would rather run off to die.
Die then, and so shall my soul. Who needs it anyway.
To feel so unwanted and unloved, what does beauty matter when it is a void that will never be filled?
There was a time when duels were fought over me, now.. now they would rather run off to die.
Die then, and so shall my soul. Who needs it anyway.
Written By Natalia
Jan. 4, 2017, 5:35 a.m.(7/25/1005 AR)
Just when I think my spirit can suffer no more darkness, I find a ray of hope. A light in the darkness from a simple, kind smile that gives me hope I am not alone.
Perhaps he will like Nightfall once it has been completed. I wanted a work of art that is worthy of all he represents to me; light in the darkness.
Perhaps he will like Nightfall once it has been completed. I wanted a work of art that is worthy of all he represents to me; light in the darkness.
Written By Natalia
Dec. 10, 2016, 10:27 a.m.(5/7/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Reese
My cousin is a wonderful distraction when I am worried. She seems a little interested in romance, but I love the stories.
Written By Natalia
Dec. 9, 2016, 9:05 p.m.(5/5/1005 AR)
There are nights that we try to show our love, our compassion and our hope. We try to hide our fear so that we might be a light.
Remember, you gave me your word. You gave me your promise. I plan to hold you to it.
Remember, you gave me your word. You gave me your promise. I plan to hold you to it.
Written By Natalia
Dec. 8, 2016, 5:09 p.m.(5/1/1005 AR)
Darling Readers,
I have been asked a few times my thoughts on thralldom, more so with the recent announcements of my future. I have to admit that I would rather say nothing and follow Dagon, but I am not without my own voice.
I hear the condemnation of thralldom. I know the rumors and speculation and the histories of the practice. I also know that we are not without our own stereotypes. In the same breath that one declares the sins of thralldom, they could condemn the poisons of Velenosa. It's the same sort of whispers that follow all the lores and all the things we do not understand because they are not our culture. Those of the north are painted as barbarians that shed their own blood. They are referred to as godless and demon worshipers for their 'second sight' merely because they do not follow our Gods. If we are to make blanket statements then we open the statements to be made against us. It is a burdened step to take.
So I will not lower my head to my strong Thraxian leaders in this matter. I will state with my voice and my pen my thoughts on thralldom as I have researched it. I would like to say though, it is not just picking up random commoners and making them bend to the noble rule. Thralls are not crafted from the average every day citizen. They are criminals. Let me repeat this and take a moment to let it sink in. Thralls are people that have committed crime. That crime could be theft, death, or a manner of things that are important at sea. The basic truth is they are criminals.
So now I pose a question, since the debate is offered. What do we do to criminals in our system? We banish them away from society. We lock them in towers and cells until their minds rot. We kill them. We allow our laws to dictate what action comes from it. So then is the laws of Thrax with thralls. They are people that have risen up against their liege and broken the laws of Limerace. They are prisoners that many of our brothers and cultures put to death.
Thralls are given a chance to fix that which they have done. Now you may not agree with the methods, but they are forced to pay off the debt to those that they have errored against. They steal and make it so another family cannot eat? They work until those profits are seen. They took a life in a way that did not honor Gloria? They give theirs in servitude. It is a way for them to learn to respect the lands and the people they chose to dishonor. It is a way for them to see the perspective of those that they wronged. We speak out against the conditions, but they are fed and given a place to sleep. Perhaps they do not have the softest bed or the most decadent food, but should a criminal serving their sentence have these things?
It should be noted that Thrax does not immediately just take a life or banish a person. Instead they call them a thrall and indenture them to serve a sentence. It is not normally a life sentence and when the sentence is complete and the offense has been paid - THEY ARE RELEASED. Everyone seems to ignore this part of the statement. They are released after serving their time in CRIMES they have CHOSEN to commit.
So I just ask each of us, before you cast a stone against a culture. Talk to them. Research them. Just because it is not identical to how we might see it, does not make it wrong. Do not make the people who constructed a way for a person to redeem themselves of their crimes, instead of death, vicious and vile. I know some would say that being in thralldom 'breaks' a person. But is it not already a person that is broken if they are committing the crime in the first place to land them into thralldom?
I have been asked a few times my thoughts on thralldom, more so with the recent announcements of my future. I have to admit that I would rather say nothing and follow Dagon, but I am not without my own voice.
I hear the condemnation of thralldom. I know the rumors and speculation and the histories of the practice. I also know that we are not without our own stereotypes. In the same breath that one declares the sins of thralldom, they could condemn the poisons of Velenosa. It's the same sort of whispers that follow all the lores and all the things we do not understand because they are not our culture. Those of the north are painted as barbarians that shed their own blood. They are referred to as godless and demon worshipers for their 'second sight' merely because they do not follow our Gods. If we are to make blanket statements then we open the statements to be made against us. It is a burdened step to take.
So I will not lower my head to my strong Thraxian leaders in this matter. I will state with my voice and my pen my thoughts on thralldom as I have researched it. I would like to say though, it is not just picking up random commoners and making them bend to the noble rule. Thralls are not crafted from the average every day citizen. They are criminals. Let me repeat this and take a moment to let it sink in. Thralls are people that have committed crime. That crime could be theft, death, or a manner of things that are important at sea. The basic truth is they are criminals.
So now I pose a question, since the debate is offered. What do we do to criminals in our system? We banish them away from society. We lock them in towers and cells until their minds rot. We kill them. We allow our laws to dictate what action comes from it. So then is the laws of Thrax with thralls. They are people that have risen up against their liege and broken the laws of Limerace. They are prisoners that many of our brothers and cultures put to death.
Thralls are given a chance to fix that which they have done. Now you may not agree with the methods, but they are forced to pay off the debt to those that they have errored against. They steal and make it so another family cannot eat? They work until those profits are seen. They took a life in a way that did not honor Gloria? They give theirs in servitude. It is a way for them to learn to respect the lands and the people they chose to dishonor. It is a way for them to see the perspective of those that they wronged. We speak out against the conditions, but they are fed and given a place to sleep. Perhaps they do not have the softest bed or the most decadent food, but should a criminal serving their sentence have these things?
It should be noted that Thrax does not immediately just take a life or banish a person. Instead they call them a thrall and indenture them to serve a sentence. It is not normally a life sentence and when the sentence is complete and the offense has been paid - THEY ARE RELEASED. Everyone seems to ignore this part of the statement. They are released after serving their time in CRIMES they have CHOSEN to commit.
So I just ask each of us, before you cast a stone against a culture. Talk to them. Research them. Just because it is not identical to how we might see it, does not make it wrong. Do not make the people who constructed a way for a person to redeem themselves of their crimes, instead of death, vicious and vile. I know some would say that being in thralldom 'breaks' a person. But is it not already a person that is broken if they are committing the crime in the first place to land them into thralldom?
Written By Natalia
Dec. 8, 2016, 12:59 p.m.(5/1/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Cassius
A Nightgold cousin. Perhaps even a friend. I cannot say that we walk the same paths or have the same goals, but I do believe we have a fostering of mutual respect.
Written By Natalia
Dec. 7, 2016, 6:13 p.m.(4/27/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Bethany
It is always a pleasure. My only one flaw in her, is that I cannot steal her as my own trusted ally.
Have you tried her tea though? It's quite refreshing.
Have you tried her tea though? It's quite refreshing.
Written By Natalia
Dec. 7, 2016, 1:23 p.m.(4/26/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Marcas
The Captain. He is entertaining and as I told him; I am more interested in tales that struggled not always of one's victories. I am sure we shall take tea again soon.
Written By Natalia
Dec. 7, 2016, 10 a.m.(4/26/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Valery
Oh the most darling girl. The little mouse seems so out of place in the city. Of course, I'm trying to arrange what I can to assist her. I am sure that given enough time, the mouse shall become the feline.
Or do they all become bears in Redrain?
Or do they all become bears in Redrain?
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.