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Written By Rosalind

May 23, 2021, 8:07 p.m.(7/11/1015 AR)

I did a thing, scholar! I guess I've been helping Aella with contracts I guess. See that! I can do more than even I thought I could

Written By Orland

May 23, 2021, 8:01 p.m.(7/11/1015 AR)

Relationship Note on Savio

Thoughts of... taking a moment to forget all the carnage .... and dance...

It's nearly been a year since I met Savio Pontelaeus, now Lord Savio Proscipi... It's been a year that's changed so many things for me, I can't even begin to reflect properly. He's been a constant through all the chaos, though all the hardships, through all the fun times and beautiful moments. I think often back to our time on Pieros beach, just him and I, in a secluded cove with white sand, my arms wrapped around him. I thought, if anything, all I'd get to do is hold my man in private. Now, I don't have to. He always wanted me to take him to dance, so, I did. The Celestial ball held by Marquessa Quenia gave us a night to escape all the horrific things we witnessed at Tremorus... a night we both needed, with good friends, such as Lord Apollo and Cesare Whisper. I... owe that to Savio as well, to help me see people in a manner that I'm not accustomed too.

However, the ball, I will never forget being able to take Savio to his first Arvum ball and dance with him all night.

We've been through a lot together.

Written By Erasmus

May 23, 2021, 7:52 p.m.(7/11/1015 AR)

So much has changed in just a generation's worth of time, the ideas which were common place among my family and others have been cast down, discarded or villainized. I'm to understand much has happened in my absence, but these were radical ideas in my day, the mere thought of some were nothing more than a fantasy.

Yet here we are, such ideals and plans made manifest within Arx and beyond. I should very much like to wonder how my brothers and sisters would see all of this, what their thoughts would be. Because mine are still uncertain, it all seems so fragile. Bereft of cohesion as some cling to their new ideals and yet others yearn for an easier time, when things made sense.

On one hand some of their points have made sense, had I grown up in their conditions I could very well have been persuaded. On the other, the mere idea is to besmirch your legacy, changing it forever and potentially, for the worse. I am doubtful I will find a young lord or lady who shares the views I grew up with. Time will tell, will I change them, or will they change me.

Written By Lucita

May 23, 2021, 7:36 p.m.(7/11/1015 AR)

Out of place plants, old ruins, maps missing landmarks and ancient roadbeds. Exploring can be so interesting yet can cause more questions than the answers it provides.

Written By Apollo

May 23, 2021, 7:24 p.m.(7/11/1015 AR)

What does "be careful" mean, to you?

Written By Raymesin

May 23, 2021, 6:30 p.m.(7/11/1015 AR)

I'm sure we had a waterskin of milk when I went out yesterday afternoon. I came back this morning and there wasn't any left, just Tanith and Sydney draped over the furniture and snoring. Loudly.

I like knowing that they had a good evening, but I wanted milky tea before bed, and had to make do without - and listen to the snoring while I tried to get to sleep, too.

Written By Tanith

May 23, 2021, 5:59 p.m.(7/11/1015 AR)

It might shock some to learn this, but I've never made a chocolate mousse pie.

I'm going to learn it. I'm going to learn it so hard and so good it'll bring all manner of people out of ... where they're hiding.

Ahem. What?

Written By Tanith

May 23, 2021, 5:56 p.m.(7/11/1015 AR)

On occasion, I get called to relieve another midwife. The reasons are varied, sometimes it's just a matter of a long labor and someone needs to take over, other times the situation seems dire and I happen to be the one called in. It's never as bad as it seems, I'm happy to say; tangled cords or twisted babies or narrow hips, and if it's worse than that it sorts itself out by the end. It all turns out alright and everyone's smiling come the next day. Tired, but smiling. But it humbles me that I'm thought of, that when things get bad no one is afraid to knock on my door at all hours of the night, even now that I'm married to Raymesin. Not that I was worried about that.

The Harlequins' midwives are solid, well-rounded women and men of different ages and stages of life, eager to share stories and knowledge to better prepare each other for what may or may not happen at a birth. I hear stories about some countries, different traditions and ideas. It's all useful knowledge, and now that we've more immigrants in the city, better able to handle requests that might seem strange or different.

Written By Desiree

May 23, 2021, 5:50 p.m.(7/11/1015 AR)

What a fun few days! Bit if a bar fly but can you blame me. So many fun spots in the city to visit and enjoy. Shame though about the few of my things broken on route here.

Written By Tanith

May 23, 2021, 5:48 p.m.(7/11/1015 AR)

I only seem to get black-out drunk with Sydney, and I suspect it's because we mix our booze with the eating of cake and pie. We over indulge and love everything until the next morning, when we curse our life choices and each other. But only for a minute. Or ten. I regret nothing, though, and look forward to more such occurrences.

But I still can't find where I put my knife, dammit, and I've searched everywhere. Also ... I think I hid a waterskin of milk in Evaristo's store. Maybe in the rafters? Or the floorboards? Shit, I really need to remember-

Ev, if you read this, it wasn't my idea. It was Sydney's.

Written By Cufre

May 23, 2021, 5:38 p.m.(7/11/1015 AR)

Ever since the thing with Felicia, I've been feeling bad. Guilty. Jealous. New things to me. It's less than it was, and I know it will go, but for now it's just difficult. I sit at my worktable, and I just can't. I haven't fired the kiln in over a week. I haven't made jewelry in that long, either. I'm trying to push myself to, but I just can't see anything new in front of me, and I don't want to revisit old designs. I've had awful conversations with visitors to the shop. Accusations. I closed it for a few days, but money is food, so I reopened. The emptiness of most of the cases is just one more thing for me to feel bad about.

Written By Valencia

May 23, 2021, 4:54 p.m.(7/11/1015 AR)

It has been lovely to spend time with people I enjoy. Even more so when good things befall them.

Life is not always kind or fair. Good people are often overlooked for what they have done to help or the good things they bring to our world. So, when things blossom in the right ways it makes me smile all the more.

It is nice to know that, despite all the awful, good things can still happen to good people.

~~~~~~~<~<~<@

Written By Aslaug

May 23, 2021, 4:05 p.m.(7/11/1015 AR)

Long I've listened.

The echoing sounds that rush from all directions, from before until now, are howling like a tumultuous wind in my head. The wild speaks its own tongue too; much of the meaning is lost as I climb back up to the surface to this place once more. But this is where I must walk and listen now to clear my head. Just so I can fill it back up again with new noises.

Eadwacer remains a constant companion. Despite missing an ear, he hears more than I do. No surprise. He is a clever rat.

=:7)~~

Written By Nina

May 23, 2021, 3:41 p.m.(7/11/1015 AR)

I've been thinking lately about the art of writing music.

It seems like happy songs can be quite simple. A happy song is one that simply inspires people to get up and dance and revel in joy.

Those songs are always my favorite because I love to see people smile and move!

But where a happy song can be general, a sad song is always personal. To be really sad, a song must be about something that impacts your memory in particular.

So it would be much harder to write a song that made everyone sad... don't you think?

Written By Lisebet

May 23, 2021, 12:54 p.m.(7/11/1015 AR)

I love when the work I put into improving our lands and the lives of our people comes to fruition. It's always a lovely thing to witness.

Written By Evaristo

May 23, 2021, 11:18 a.m.(7/11/1015 AR)

I have started working on the big act to be presented later in the summer. At least in my head. I mean, how hard can it be?

My garden is quite lovely this summer, after the work that was done on it last year. There are a lot of roses, a flower one can not get too many of.

Now fully recovered I am getting restless and long for travel and exploring again. But I have a few such fun times coming up, two opposing directions.

Written By Raja

May 23, 2021, 10:13 a.m.(7/10/1015 AR)

A Primer for Survival in the Lowers

The people of the Lowers are a tough and hardy people. We have seen a thing or two in their day. We are crude at times, rough around the edges. We love a good rowdy party. We love our booze. We love our haze. We laugh loudly, cry deeply, scream angrily. The vast majority of us leave the masks of niceities behind, revealing who we truely are as people. In all that, there are two primary virtues that we hold onto. They are our guiding principles. Those virtues are discretion and respect.

First, what is discretion? I found the meaning to basically mean the ability to use good judgement. It pertains to being discreet or being able to hold your tongue, hold your secrets. The people of the Lowers are a private people. We do not like our business being exposed by loose lips. Ever hear the phrase loose lips sink ships? It is literally true down here. In all honesty, it is not that much different than the folk on top of the hill. I mean, look upon the Silent Reflections. Holding people's secrets is a sacred duty.

Equally important is the virtue of respect. This basically means that you treat others how you want to be treated. If you walk into someone's home with foul words upon your lips, you can damn well expect retaliation. Sometimes that retaliation is in the form of a fist in your mouth. Sometimes it is slow burning as elaborate schemes are hatched. So, how does one show respect in the Lowers? The easiest way is to just leave us alone. Talk to us like people, not like the dirt beneath your feet. Be genuine. Listen and heed warnings. This does not mean that you have to spill forth flowery compliments. You will get odd looks for that. Just watch what you say.

Now, there are times that these virtues do not matter. Those times are rare, but they do happen. This is where you need to be able to defend yourself. Get skills. Stay armed. Don't walk around flaunting your silks and jewelry. Sadly, in spite of our unique culture, there is desperation out there. So, you have to be able to back yourself up or at least have backup. Sadly, when desperation takes hold of an individual, they will forget those virtues. They will have to be reminded of our guiding tennants.

In conclusion, it is basically your mouth that keeps you alive down here. Be discreet and hold your tongue and speak respectfully.

Written By Raja

May 23, 2021, 9:24 a.m.(7/10/1015 AR)

I typically avoid fancy balls and rich parties. However, I found that the Celestial Ball was quite nice! I must admit that I enjoyed dressing up. I actually /felt/ pretty. It was good to see familiar faces there as well! Marquessa Quenia Igniseri did a fantastic job.

Written By Raja

May 23, 2021, 9:22 a.m.(7/10/1015 AR)

You know, people do not like the taste of their own medicine. Especially members of the peerage. Just hearing him growl and get his heckles up was almost satisfying enough to not need that apology I was seeking.

Written By Lisebet

May 23, 2021, 9:17 a.m.(7/10/1015 AR)

We are going exploring in the Ashford forests. I'm quite excited about it!

I do hope we find something interesting, but perhaps not too dangerous. I'd much prefer to come home in one piece, especially since the children still like to play with their parents.

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