Written By Tanith
May 16, 2021, 6:11 p.m.(6/25/1015 AR)
I'm still trying to get cobwebs out of my hair, and my dreams have a peering red eye staring out at me. Not with malice or anger, but curiosity. I keep wondering if I was followed, but that would be a first.
Or would it?
...shit.
Or would it?
...shit.
Written By Tanith
May 11, 2021, 1:58 p.m.(6/15/1015 AR)
Tea is wonderful for chatting and conversation; pie is even better, but that's the opinion of a baker that loves pie.
Written By Tanith
May 3, 2021, 10:37 a.m.(5/26/1015 AR)
...what the -Abyss- happened to all my olive oil?
Written By Tanith
May 3, 2021, 10:09 a.m.(5/26/1015 AR)
Helping plan and fund the educational center for midwifery has been both a delight and a trial; some of these new-fangled notions and foreign ideas of help provided to a new mother (specifically from other cultures) make no sense to me. Which is part of why I'm so grateful to be involved in this project. Learning more helps me, and as I deliver babes of immigrants that come into the city, knowing how their people handle such things makes it better for all of us. Knowledge brings understanding, at least more often than not. There will be a chamber devoted to birth at the Shrine soon enough, with resources and supplies for those Harlequins that need it, now that the weather is warm and I'm more confident about construction getting done in a timely manner. I don't -want- to have it overseen by Raymesin, but I tell you what, having him scowling around the original ruins of our house got it setup -very- quickly.
But I'll remain one of those midwives that travels to my mothers in labor; the idea of a woman in her pains taking a ride by carriage through the cobblestones of the city sounds absolutely disastrous. Shaking the baby loose from a woman's hips doesn't sound right to me, thank you very much. At worst, it'd be dirt roads that might churn into mud most seasons of the year. If it's all the same, I will take my shortcuts and ride a horse myself if necessary, to get to her side. I've never been late to a delivery and I'm not about to start to give anyone a -reason- to need to leave her bed midst labor.
But that's my only sticking point; it's good to have midwives in the same place now and then to share stories and information. I've put call out to those I know outside the city, for insights on relevant herbs and stories about the misadventures of exiting a pelvis. Easy births can be relatively the same, but now and then the troublesome births can reveal solutions for future similar situations. I've enough notes to fill several books.
Maybe I'll call it "The Human Oven".
Oh, I'm not serious, scholar. ...are you laughing, or choking?
But I'll remain one of those midwives that travels to my mothers in labor; the idea of a woman in her pains taking a ride by carriage through the cobblestones of the city sounds absolutely disastrous. Shaking the baby loose from a woman's hips doesn't sound right to me, thank you very much. At worst, it'd be dirt roads that might churn into mud most seasons of the year. If it's all the same, I will take my shortcuts and ride a horse myself if necessary, to get to her side. I've never been late to a delivery and I'm not about to start to give anyone a -reason- to need to leave her bed midst labor.
But that's my only sticking point; it's good to have midwives in the same place now and then to share stories and information. I've put call out to those I know outside the city, for insights on relevant herbs and stories about the misadventures of exiting a pelvis. Easy births can be relatively the same, but now and then the troublesome births can reveal solutions for future similar situations. I've enough notes to fill several books.
Maybe I'll call it "The Human Oven".
Oh, I'm not serious, scholar. ...are you laughing, or choking?
Written By Tanith
May 2, 2021, 4:33 p.m.(5/25/1015 AR)
My brothers are in one piece. Sort of. Bhodi lost his right arm, Proctor says he's in good spirits despite that. My mother was only hysterical for a moment, but Bhodi's lover is still a mess. Blaise is the one Proctor is worried about, though; even father sent a message. My little brother hasn't slept since the battle. I'll be checking in on him. I'm sure Emara will beat me to it.
Comforting the dying is something Harlequins do, a responsibility I've only just begun on the regular. While midwifery comes more naturally to me, the duty of comfort is not one I'm likely to shirk, not when I've Raymesin as such a good example.
[there's a splotch of ink on the page]
Scholar, did you break your quill? What kind of spasm was that?
-well certainly he comforts the dying. He's good at it. Why wouldn't he be? He's been at this much longer than I have, too.
Comforting the dying is something Harlequins do, a responsibility I've only just begun on the regular. While midwifery comes more naturally to me, the duty of comfort is not one I'm likely to shirk, not when I've Raymesin as such a good example.
[there's a splotch of ink on the page]
Scholar, did you break your quill? What kind of spasm was that?
-well certainly he comforts the dying. He's good at it. Why wouldn't he be? He's been at this much longer than I have, too.
Written By Tanith
April 30, 2021, 5:40 p.m.(5/21/1015 AR)
Three of my stupid brothers are going to sail out with the rest of the brave and the bold heading to Pieros. Proctor, Bodhi, and Blaise. My affections are violent and they're a lot of poofed up bastards; I saw the bottles they tucked into their things, Emara's cure-all for sea-sickness. Idiots. Did they even train?
My mother is doing better than me. I'm not saying I'm a worried wreck over the city (because I'm not) but I am a bit of a mess over my brothers, especially the two younger. Bodhi and Blaise knew my hands first, from pink-faced squealers to snot-nosed brats.
But that line of thought got me thinking, scholar. I've been delivering babies since I was fifteen, assisted since I was ten. I've just had my 33rd birthday. There are those I helped bring into the world that go now to fight, and maybe die. I don't know if I'll see them at the end, I don't know if I'd have that honor, to witness a life from beginning to end. I'll pray that they all come home safely to their families, and wonder in my heart if they're alright until I hear from them all; there are so many.
Back to work, scholar; I've got defenses to see to in the Docks. Raymesin is waiting for me.
My mother is doing better than me. I'm not saying I'm a worried wreck over the city (because I'm not) but I am a bit of a mess over my brothers, especially the two younger. Bodhi and Blaise knew my hands first, from pink-faced squealers to snot-nosed brats.
But that line of thought got me thinking, scholar. I've been delivering babies since I was fifteen, assisted since I was ten. I've just had my 33rd birthday. There are those I helped bring into the world that go now to fight, and maybe die. I don't know if I'll see them at the end, I don't know if I'd have that honor, to witness a life from beginning to end. I'll pray that they all come home safely to their families, and wonder in my heart if they're alright until I hear from them all; there are so many.
Back to work, scholar; I've got defenses to see to in the Docks. Raymesin is waiting for me.
Written By Tanith
April 25, 2021, 12:38 p.m.(5/11/1015 AR)
Raymesin tells me sometimes he prays in the Shrine to clear his thoughts, and I've done it too, but since Hamish passed I find no peace in there. I'm always busy doing something. I've had the mind to pray while I bake-
You know what? That's not a bad idea.
You know what? That's not a bad idea.
Written By Tanith
April 21, 2021, 10:36 p.m.(5/3/1015 AR)
So! Cat's out of the bag, as they say; the epilogue of my book series is in the literary contest. Or if that kitten already fled, my apologies; it's hard to keep track of what month it is, let alone the day.
I doubt I'll win but it was nice to finish the series.
I doubt I'll win but it was nice to finish the series.
Written By Tanith
April 19, 2021, 11:32 a.m.(4/27/1015 AR)
Do you know what feeling, scholar? When you're certain you feel many voices talking about you all at once?
It's a strange feeling.
Maybe my hidden collection of books has finally been discovered. Yes, that must be it.
It's a strange feeling.
Maybe my hidden collection of books has finally been discovered. Yes, that must be it.
Written By Tanith
April 18, 2021, 3:09 p.m.(4/25/1015 AR)
Note to self: If you want your husband's sound focus to be razor sharp, -don't- give him the cookie, Tanith.
Written By Tanith
April 17, 2021, 8:11 p.m.(4/23/1015 AR)
With spring comes a demand for cakes. Cakes! And cookies. But mostly cakes decorated in every color I can manage. The violets, when candied, make excellent decorations. Thus far, I've done a dozen or so of varying flavors covered in violets. I'm starting to wonder if I should keep those in stock; they aren't expensive, right now you can find violets growing nearly everywhere.
Winter depletes a lot of my typical flavors for such colors, but I'm sure everyone will get tired of chocolate. Vanilla, maybe? There are some jams that will work ...
Winter depletes a lot of my typical flavors for such colors, but I'm sure everyone will get tired of chocolate. Vanilla, maybe? There are some jams that will work ...
Written By Tanith
April 17, 2021, 7:55 p.m.(4/23/1015 AR)
I'm thankful my beloved knows that when I get twitchy and long for our third, it's not him that's lacking. We are better together, the three of us, and I find home in our company.
Written By Tanith
April 15, 2021, 5:11 p.m.(4/19/1015 AR)
The tall slice of terror that's lurking through the Lowers looking smug as all fuck is my husband, Scholar. He's beautiful and I won't lie, I keep tabs on him sometimes, wanting to know where he is, if our paths might intersect so I can steal a kiss. There are days I manage to snatch a pinch and maybe a little more on my way through the alleys and streets that weave through and about our home. In the beginning it was accidental, but as time went on, I noticed how much better my day can be with that little bit to keep me sane before finding him at home.
As a smartass kid, the kind of kid growing into an adult, the ones who think they know everything (but as it turns out, they know a quarter of what they think they do), it was easier to pretend to ignore him. You don't want to be tied down at that age, it felt weird to me that I wanted to know where he was, how he was doing, and my sister warned me then that he was the alley cat I teased him to be. The alley cat might miss you, but in the mean time, they're just going from moment to moment existing until they need food and a place to sleep.
We're both older now. I've known this bastard my whole life and I've watched him change and grow and I won't deny it; I've loved every second of it. Never boring, always shifting somewhere unexpected. Even if the core of him was always the same, it's beautiful to watch him unfold, to watch him settle on paths unexpected, wise and cautious but always brave.
As a smartass kid, the kind of kid growing into an adult, the ones who think they know everything (but as it turns out, they know a quarter of what they think they do), it was easier to pretend to ignore him. You don't want to be tied down at that age, it felt weird to me that I wanted to know where he was, how he was doing, and my sister warned me then that he was the alley cat I teased him to be. The alley cat might miss you, but in the mean time, they're just going from moment to moment existing until they need food and a place to sleep.
We're both older now. I've known this bastard my whole life and I've watched him change and grow and I won't deny it; I've loved every second of it. Never boring, always shifting somewhere unexpected. Even if the core of him was always the same, it's beautiful to watch him unfold, to watch him settle on paths unexpected, wise and cautious but always brave.
Written By Tanith
April 11, 2021, 6:13 p.m.(4/11/1015 AR)
Spring is here, my first babe delivered. The timing is never good on these kinds of things, I left a long-awaited friendly visit in a rush, but that's the way of it, isn't it? Mother and child are fine and well attended. Proper Lowers clan descended on that poor woman's house, as they ought to. I must have counted four grandmothers fighting over who got to do the dishes and hold the baby first. Wonderful.
That reminds me. I need to meet with Emara this week. I'm out of willowbark and mint leaves. There's a few things at home that need restocking, too. She makes the best tea, and this oil, scholar, gods, she makes this amazing oil that smells heavenly and dulls the ache of sore muscles and joints nearly instantly. I can never have enough of that stuff in my house.
That reminds me. I need to meet with Emara this week. I'm out of willowbark and mint leaves. There's a few things at home that need restocking, too. She makes the best tea, and this oil, scholar, gods, she makes this amazing oil that smells heavenly and dulls the ache of sore muscles and joints nearly instantly. I can never have enough of that stuff in my house.
Written By Tanith
April 11, 2021, 5:38 p.m.(4/11/1015 AR)
Honestly, scholar, I don't know why my books are on the shelf with all those other titles. It's not purple. They're meant to go in the 'culinary' section.
Don't look at me like that. Clearly, you haven't read them.
Don't look at me like that. Clearly, you haven't read them.
Written By Tanith
March 31, 2021, 7:03 p.m.(3/17/1015 AR)
I missed our anniversary.
It happens and it wasn't unexpected, but I didn't like it anyway. Two years on top of many orbiting each other, time is marked different now. It's not decades of being best friends and allies, it's not years and years of watching out for each other, making sure one is fed and the other out of trouble. Countless days chasing each other as kids, building dreams and telling stories. A thousand kisses before we knew what it could mean. A thousand more before we knew what it meant.
Being away for the first time since we decided we couldn't live without each other taught me a few things. I don't like being away, and nobody likes me when I don't have him around. I turn into a rotten ass.
I'm sure that the Princess will get an earful from the captain. No matter what he says, I didn't break -any- bones. I dislocated exactly one shoulder and any bruised bones and bodies, I made sure to tend to myself.
Actually as I recall, they found that really annoying.
See here; I did my best and I apologized.
Who'd have thought a cranky Ulbran would be what it takes to keep me peaceful and content?
Most of the time, anyway.
It happens and it wasn't unexpected, but I didn't like it anyway. Two years on top of many orbiting each other, time is marked different now. It's not decades of being best friends and allies, it's not years and years of watching out for each other, making sure one is fed and the other out of trouble. Countless days chasing each other as kids, building dreams and telling stories. A thousand kisses before we knew what it could mean. A thousand more before we knew what it meant.
Being away for the first time since we decided we couldn't live without each other taught me a few things. I don't like being away, and nobody likes me when I don't have him around. I turn into a rotten ass.
I'm sure that the Princess will get an earful from the captain. No matter what he says, I didn't break -any- bones. I dislocated exactly one shoulder and any bruised bones and bodies, I made sure to tend to myself.
Actually as I recall, they found that really annoying.
See here; I did my best and I apologized.
Who'd have thought a cranky Ulbran would be what it takes to keep me peaceful and content?
Most of the time, anyway.
Written By Tanith
March 15, 2021, 9:11 a.m.(2/12/1015 AR)
I'm home.
I'm turning in a few entries, and heading straight to a particular bedroom. I hope I'm not alone, and if I am, not for long.
Yes, scholar, I saw the flier for the writing competition. I might have to send in that last chapter, the Epilogue, between a certain Baron and Baroness.
People like happy endings, right?
I'm turning in a few entries, and heading straight to a particular bedroom. I hope I'm not alone, and if I am, not for long.
Yes, scholar, I saw the flier for the writing competition. I might have to send in that last chapter, the Epilogue, between a certain Baron and Baroness.
People like happy endings, right?
Written By Tanith
March 15, 2021, 9:09 a.m.(2/12/1015 AR)
Supplemental, passed over upon returning to Arvum:
I am concerned.
I leave reluctantly but when your patient is a physician (and a Valardin), you can only fight so much.
I'm trusting her, and her family, to let me know if there's anything they need from me.
The baby is very healthy and a credit to his parents. I look forward to watching this one grow, just as much as the others.
I am concerned.
I leave reluctantly but when your patient is a physician (and a Valardin), you can only fight so much.
I'm trusting her, and her family, to let me know if there's anything they need from me.
The baby is very healthy and a credit to his parents. I look forward to watching this one grow, just as much as the others.
Written By Tanith
March 15, 2021, 9:07 a.m.(2/12/1015 AR)
Supplemental, passed over upon returning to Arvum:
It's beautiful here.
Raymesin wouldn't tease me for it, I think he misses the sun more than any of us during these cold months. It's warm and I miss them both. I think I'll have to cash in a favor or two and bring them with me next time I think of it, or we all have a stretch of lazy months before us.
I'll be three months gone by the time I get home. An unusual circumstance for a mid-wife, but my reputation was invoked; what else could I do? All the same, sarcasm aside, it's been an honor.
It's beautiful here.
Raymesin wouldn't tease me for it, I think he misses the sun more than any of us during these cold months. It's warm and I miss them both. I think I'll have to cash in a favor or two and bring them with me next time I think of it, or we all have a stretch of lazy months before us.
I'll be three months gone by the time I get home. An unusual circumstance for a mid-wife, but my reputation was invoked; what else could I do? All the same, sarcasm aside, it's been an honor.
Written By Tanith
March 15, 2021, 9:05 a.m.(2/12/1015 AR)
Supplemental, passed over upon returning to Arvum:
My concerns were well-founded; the baby arrived, loud and angry, while the boat was still far from its intended shores.
The birth was easy enough, the baby healthy. I'm a little worried about the mother but she's stubborn as such of her kinsmen are. She's a fighter, as firm a fighter as her son, and she's healing well.
Note: I'm a little worried about her exhaustion. I may not leave as quickly from Pieros as I'd planned.
My concerns were well-founded; the baby arrived, loud and angry, while the boat was still far from its intended shores.
The birth was easy enough, the baby healthy. I'm a little worried about the mother but she's stubborn as such of her kinsmen are. She's a fighter, as firm a fighter as her son, and she's healing well.
Note: I'm a little worried about her exhaustion. I may not leave as quickly from Pieros as I'd planned.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.