Written By Emara
April 29, 2022, 9:33 a.m.(7/20/1017 AR)
I return to Arx and to the library after what was meant to be a Summer in the South that turned into a Summer, Autumn, Winter, and most of a Spring. I am sure that my mother and sister are furious, but perhaps seeing the samples I have returned with will restore me to their good graces once again. Tor roses and Lenosian wisteria and moon thistle from Iriscal. It's good to be back in the city. I stopped by my favorite bread shop (not Tanith's but don't tell her. Her cakes and pastries are divine, but a childhood in the Lowers has made me long for taste of sawdust in my morning roll) and took a stroll up from the docks to the Uppers and then into the Market District.
There are changes. New shops. New faces. Always new faces. And yet, the scents are the same. The people don't seem changed to me. The sun still slants off the roofs of the buildings in a way that feels as familiar as the songs that children still sing that I remember singing when I was their age. The familiarity is a boon when my senses have been drenched in the beauty of the Lycene seasons for nearly a year.
There is work here to be done. A garden run wild that needs a little discipline. Library books to re-shelve and new ones to acquire, I hope. I know eventually this settling into routine and the normality of city life will gnaw at me and I will long for adventure and travel once again, but, for now?
This is nice.
There are changes. New shops. New faces. Always new faces. And yet, the scents are the same. The people don't seem changed to me. The sun still slants off the roofs of the buildings in a way that feels as familiar as the songs that children still sing that I remember singing when I was their age. The familiarity is a boon when my senses have been drenched in the beauty of the Lycene seasons for nearly a year.
There is work here to be done. A garden run wild that needs a little discipline. Library books to re-shelve and new ones to acquire, I hope. I know eventually this settling into routine and the normality of city life will gnaw at me and I will long for adventure and travel once again, but, for now?
This is nice.
Written By Tanith
April 28, 2022, 5:12 p.m.(7/18/1017 AR)
Broken ribs have finally started to heal but oof did I get kicked in the chest by a woman in labor last night? No. I didn't. I'm just moving like a frozen sack of potatoes because it's the latest dance craze, I hear the silks call it the 'Angry Beanbag'.
I've been quiet about everything. I want to get it down and out and ... I have no words. Someone takes the fall for you and you don't know what to say about it. I feel an awful lot about it, though. I feel ... sad. Determined. A lot of grief. There's some hope in there too, though, a little bit of honor. Shock. Yeah, that hasn't faded a bit. Definitely, still in shock.
But there's gratitude, too. I'm grateful, as I wash my hands before I soothe a new mother, before I hand her her baby. I'm grateful to come home at night, even if I'm sore. I'm grateful to open the bakery in the morning. I'm grateful to kiss my loves, to hold them close, to cook for them or watch them cook for me. To tuck them in when I sneak away at odd hours. I'm grateful I can see the faces of my friends and kin, to feel the sun on my face, the wind in my hair.
Kyda. I'm grateful. Wherever you are. I'm a lot of feelings right now but I'm that. I'm mostly that.
I've been quiet about everything. I want to get it down and out and ... I have no words. Someone takes the fall for you and you don't know what to say about it. I feel an awful lot about it, though. I feel ... sad. Determined. A lot of grief. There's some hope in there too, though, a little bit of honor. Shock. Yeah, that hasn't faded a bit. Definitely, still in shock.
But there's gratitude, too. I'm grateful, as I wash my hands before I soothe a new mother, before I hand her her baby. I'm grateful to come home at night, even if I'm sore. I'm grateful to open the bakery in the morning. I'm grateful to kiss my loves, to hold them close, to cook for them or watch them cook for me. To tuck them in when I sneak away at odd hours. I'm grateful I can see the faces of my friends and kin, to feel the sun on my face, the wind in my hair.
Kyda. I'm grateful. Wherever you are. I'm a lot of feelings right now but I'm that. I'm mostly that.
Written By Medeia
April 28, 2022, 4:36 p.m.(7/18/1017 AR)
Three years of marriage have gone by more quickly than I had imagined they would. I am still sometimes asked how I am settling in to the Isles - at what point will I have settled? Have I not, already? Eswynd Rock is my home. My patron is Duchess Tyde. All of my children have Islander saltparents, and I am a saltparent to Islander children. I am curious about the difference between settling and settled. Is there some rite of passage I have yet to experience? Perhaps someone may have suggestions for how I could finish settling.
Written By Erik
April 28, 2022, 2:50 p.m.(7/18/1017 AR)
A meeting under scholars can go every which way and all ways at the same time.
Here I am, imagining that each clue is a ball of yarn,
and the scholars the kindle of kittens let loose at them.
In no time, everything is unraveled but in a way that you are now faced with a giant chaotic weave of strings instead that are equally hard to make out.
Now, which one was mine?
Here I am, imagining that each clue is a ball of yarn,
and the scholars the kindle of kittens let loose at them.
In no time, everything is unraveled but in a way that you are now faced with a giant chaotic weave of strings instead that are equally hard to make out.
Now, which one was mine?
Written By Artorius
April 28, 2022, 2:34 p.m.(7/18/1017 AR)
I received a copy of this and felt the need to enter it into my own journal, because in a way it reaffirms how I feel and obviously better written.
Sir Preston Writes, of Knighthood:
"To be a knight is a most solemn thing for all. It is true, for a common person it can indeed be a greater change - a chance to be seen, to advance, but that is a byproduct of it. And the importance, the solemnity, applies whether it is a noble or a commoner. It is not simply a saying of words, or the meeting of some arbitrary goal. You give your oaths, before the Gods and your people. You swear your service to another, not to yourself or your own needs. The test, if there is one, is to choose wisely to whom you grant your service. For you are bound, by oath, to them. And in turn that they accept you, knowing your dishonour will also be theirs, just as theirs is yours."
I will consider these words thoroughly in the coming weeks, Sir Preston.
Sir Preston Writes, of Knighthood:
"To be a knight is a most solemn thing for all. It is true, for a common person it can indeed be a greater change - a chance to be seen, to advance, but that is a byproduct of it. And the importance, the solemnity, applies whether it is a noble or a commoner. It is not simply a saying of words, or the meeting of some arbitrary goal. You give your oaths, before the Gods and your people. You swear your service to another, not to yourself or your own needs. The test, if there is one, is to choose wisely to whom you grant your service. For you are bound, by oath, to them. And in turn that they accept you, knowing your dishonour will also be theirs, just as theirs is yours."
I will consider these words thoroughly in the coming weeks, Sir Preston.
Written By Piccola
April 28, 2022, 2:25 p.m.(7/18/1017 AR)
True honor belongs to those on the field; whose face is marred by the dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions and spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who, at worst, if she fails, at least fails while daring greatly; so that her place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat.
Written By Orland
April 28, 2022, 2:12 p.m.(7/18/1017 AR)
Thoughts of hosting a new sort of ... meet and greet party.... on the Rising Sun Casino...
I thought as a host, I managed that little party fairly well, considering I was left unsupervised by Savio. The guest reception of the activities that we did, ultimately was praise worthy.
The main party was centered around one activity. I split my guest list up. I had one group sit down at the tables and remain sitting the entire time, while the other group would visit each person at the tables, having a timed round robin chat with them. I suppose you could call it speed ... meeting and greeting? They could talk about whatever they wanted for a short time before moving onto the next, harkened by a copper little bell, in complete privacy of doing so. This sort of hastens the nature of questions and bypasses all the formalities before hand, really eliminating small talk and getting down to what's important to a person.
Then in between I had people play a game called Never Have I Ever and answer three ice breaker questions. Very amusing.
For the first time hosting something like this, I think I did okay. I at least, apologized to those I had offended last party.
I do think if I have time I will run this sort of party again.
It was fun. Imagine me, writing that something was fun.
I've come such a long ways from being an orphan on the streets...
I thought as a host, I managed that little party fairly well, considering I was left unsupervised by Savio. The guest reception of the activities that we did, ultimately was praise worthy.
The main party was centered around one activity. I split my guest list up. I had one group sit down at the tables and remain sitting the entire time, while the other group would visit each person at the tables, having a timed round robin chat with them. I suppose you could call it speed ... meeting and greeting? They could talk about whatever they wanted for a short time before moving onto the next, harkened by a copper little bell, in complete privacy of doing so. This sort of hastens the nature of questions and bypasses all the formalities before hand, really eliminating small talk and getting down to what's important to a person.
Then in between I had people play a game called Never Have I Ever and answer three ice breaker questions. Very amusing.
For the first time hosting something like this, I think I did okay. I at least, apologized to those I had offended last party.
I do think if I have time I will run this sort of party again.
It was fun. Imagine me, writing that something was fun.
I've come such a long ways from being an orphan on the streets...
Written By Caspian
April 28, 2022, 9:25 a.m.(7/18/1017 AR)
Relationship Note on Savio
A fight well fought indeed! it was a lucky stroke that ended it, nothing more! Its amazing how much i learn each time i cross blades with another. I learned this time that victory is always costly. By the by, should you come across lord Savio amidst the buckets and soaps of laundry day, do wish him my best and perhaps offer some tips on how best to launder.
Written By Ida
April 28, 2022, 5:54 a.m.(7/18/1017 AR)
I am going to do more of the dark-hued daggers for the shop. While it may be a bit before I have time to design new things, I wonder what things I should do. I've been meaning to do some more sets of armor, even if they don't sell out all that quickly. Maybe some battle gloves and archer's bows. Suggestions welcome. I'm making a list.
At some point in the near future, I should be have time to take commissions again. I think.
At some point in the near future, I should be have time to take commissions again. I think.
Written By Savio
April 27, 2022, 11:27 p.m.(7/17/1017 AR)
Relationship Note on Caspian
If you see my lovely protege around at the clothing shops this week, please congratulate him on a well-earned victory and assist him in choosing a shirt.
Written By Erik
April 27, 2022, 3:47 a.m.(7/15/1017 AR)
Not getting hit not only hurts less, but it increases the chance for survival.
If i count my recent bruises and make a chart, it shows that the number of hits is slowly declining. I still feel very tender after each bout and I do not think I will ever become a front line fighter, nor do I have the desire to become one.
At the very least my footmen will be able to stop worrying about me and concentrate on their job to take down the opponent
If i count my recent bruises and make a chart, it shows that the number of hits is slowly declining. I still feel very tender after each bout and I do not think I will ever become a front line fighter, nor do I have the desire to become one.
At the very least my footmen will be able to stop worrying about me and concentrate on their job to take down the opponent
Written By Mabelle
April 27, 2022, 12:38 a.m.(7/15/1017 AR)
Relationship Note on Felicia
I invited Dame Felicia to tea in our library and we had a conversation where she placed all my ducks in a row.
What a remarkable, knowledgeable woman.
I should invite her more often.
What a remarkable, knowledgeable woman.
I should invite her more often.
Written By Temira
April 26, 2022, 8:49 p.m.(7/15/1017 AR)
Finally beat that slaver,but not after taking some serious damage. Pushing myself to hard sometimes but in the moment it doesn't feel like it. Thankful to Orland for blocking that last hit, It might of been my last
Written By Erik
April 26, 2022, 8:37 p.m.(7/15/1017 AR)
I had a perfect day.
The weather was nice, the location was great, the company perfect.
I will treasure this moment.
The weather was nice, the location was great, the company perfect.
I will treasure this moment.
Written By Piccola
April 26, 2022, 10:22 a.m.(7/14/1017 AR)
The death from which you run will find you.
Then you will be returned to the Queen, who knows the unseen and the seen, and She will inform you of all that you had been doing.
So fear not death, for it shall bring the truth you were trying to avoid.
Then you will be returned to the Queen, who knows the unseen and the seen, and She will inform you of all that you had been doing.
So fear not death, for it shall bring the truth you were trying to avoid.
Written By Piccola
April 25, 2022, 10:45 p.m.(7/13/1017 AR)
All the strength and force of a general comes from her faith.
She who believes is strong; she who doubts is weak. Strong convictions precede great actions. The general strongly possessed of an idea is the master of all who are uncertain and wavering. Clear, deep, living convictions rule the world.
Thus, wise general, believe deeply and powerfully.
She who believes is strong; she who doubts is weak. Strong convictions precede great actions. The general strongly possessed of an idea is the master of all who are uncertain and wavering. Clear, deep, living convictions rule the world.
Thus, wise general, believe deeply and powerfully.
Written By Tikva
April 25, 2022, 10:42 p.m.(7/13/1017 AR)
Spent a few hours tonight working my way through some old notes on closed files that I never finished wrapping up in the old refectory. Made me miss the old days, really, in so far as I am old enough to _have_ old days. Especially nostalgic was a reference I found to an old chart full of collated evidence that Laric made when we discovered some informants had gone missing. The chart itself is long gone because it was basically a mural, but I remember all of the hours we spent collating paper to line it up, and the headache I had when we saw the sun coming up and we still weren't done . . . so I'm not nostalgic for _that_ part, but gods. The work seems different now, or maybe it's just that my passion is directed differently . . . it's been awhile since I really delved, really had an investigatory puzzle that needed me to take hold with all my teeth.
Also, honestly, . . . I don't know.
To make a record of my days, to memorialize the history of the day, and yet to spend my memorializing of the day rememberancing and nostalgizing about things that are probably findable earlier in my whites. Haha, recursive, isn't it?
I just feel like I used to be a sharper, keener investigator, you know? Or maybe I just was more arrogant. Hmmmmmmmm.
Also, honestly, . . . I don't know.
To make a record of my days, to memorialize the history of the day, and yet to spend my memorializing of the day rememberancing and nostalgizing about things that are probably findable earlier in my whites. Haha, recursive, isn't it?
I just feel like I used to be a sharper, keener investigator, you know? Or maybe I just was more arrogant. Hmmmmmmmm.
Written By Raven
April 25, 2022, 10:14 p.m.(7/13/1017 AR)
I truely need to learn to stop and think. I can't fathom why it's so hard a thing for me. Mission for this week: keep my trap shut and behave.
Written By Tikva
April 25, 2022, 3:34 p.m.(7/12/1017 AR)
I am a dust mote floating in a ray of light, adrift in the air around me but whirling with each change in the breeze. I glitter as the shine of the sunbeam passes through the window so that you can observe me in my travel and guess at my direction. Without me, the light would still exist, and the afternoon would only be mildly less picturesque.
Yet the infinitesimally small change that would be created by my absence is one that I treasure, because the beauty of the piece is in its wholeness, and I regret nothing about being here. Shine on, light, and I will whirl on with you.
You do not need to make a huge change in the world to matter. Whether you are the mote of dust, the light, the window, the room at large: you are part of the painting, you belong, and your presence enriches the whole.
We are all tiny fragments of a great work of art. Dismiss none.
I just couldn't make this song work so now it's just words on a page. I am stymied, but what I imagine is still meaningful. I only wish I could share it in clear enough terms so that the meaning could reach your heart from mine.
Yet the infinitesimally small change that would be created by my absence is one that I treasure, because the beauty of the piece is in its wholeness, and I regret nothing about being here. Shine on, light, and I will whirl on with you.
You do not need to make a huge change in the world to matter. Whether you are the mote of dust, the light, the window, the room at large: you are part of the painting, you belong, and your presence enriches the whole.
We are all tiny fragments of a great work of art. Dismiss none.
I just couldn't make this song work so now it's just words on a page. I am stymied, but what I imagine is still meaningful. I only wish I could share it in clear enough terms so that the meaning could reach your heart from mine.
Written By Celine
April 25, 2022, 1:42 p.m.(7/12/1017 AR)
Relationship Note on Erik
I wrote in The Whites a short while ago that you should never judge a book by its cover, and I find myself quite hilariously guilty of that today. Lord Erik Grimhall gave me a gift that ran so counter to my nature that it was a challenge not to appear disenchanted with each layer of wrapping removed. Closer inspection however revealed that what I had believed to be the gift, merely hid the true one in its pages, and the true gift in its turn, hid a secret of its own.
Bravo Lord Erik. You fooled me completely.
Bravo Lord Erik. You fooled me completely.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.