14-03-YC122

Ishta and I went to the market today.  The slave market!  I cannot imagine that many, if any, members of my family have set foot in such a place in many generations.  However, Ishta was quite insistent that I require a Personal Secretary, to assist as I train in my new duties.  I suppose she is correct, of course. When the time comes for me to take on the role as Head of the family, I shall indeed require a capable and trustworthy Assistant.

Speaking of trustworthy, I was absolutely dependant on Ishta's judgement.  I thought two showed promise, but apparently I was quite mistaken.  Shockingly, one of the slaves for sale was a True Amarr woman, the daughter of a disgraced family.  Such times we must live in!  In the end, we were presented with a young Gallente woman by the name of Saria.  She reminded me much of Ishta, to be quite honest; that same defiance and stubborness toward her fae and station in life.  However, if Lord Pitoojee can work such wonders as to turn Ishta into a model Imperial Subject, then I am sure I can follow his example.  Such, after all, is my duty.

Once that transaction had been completed we went to the auction square.  I will not deny I was apprehensive, and with good reason.  Danylo and Osip Koval were there, intending to buy a so-called birthday present for Danylo.  Osip was wise enough to keep his distance, but his younger brother has never been blessed with an over-abundance of intelligence, and of course it was far too much for him to resist coming over in an unwise and vain attempt to antagonise Ishta and I.  Fortunately, Ishta was able to restrain herself from throwing him through yet another window, and instead decided to engage in a bidding war with Osip for a Sebiestor woman Danylo had some interest in.  What made this more shocking, of course, was the fact she was bidding under Lord Pitoojee's name, with Lord Pitoojee's money!  I have no doubt this auction will be the talk of Nakri for some time.  Especially as in the end, realising that Ishta was simply going to get herself into trouble, I placed some bids myself.  At least it was enough to push Osip out of the running, and his shout of frustration was extremely satsifying.  Ishta, eventually, won the girl, whom I think she has something of a spark of interest in herself, though what Sasha would say about that, I do not know.  I should hope they avoid more scandal..  Ishta did not stop there, however, for she immediately gifted the girl to me, as a handmaid!  I am not sure I really require a handmaid, but I suppose she can at least become part of the Household staff.   In any event, it is better than becoming a plaything of Danylo Koval.

In a rather sweet twist, the girl's name is Katya!

I have to prepare to return to the warzone.  There has been a call to arms to defend the station in Floseswin.  The Tribals seek to make yet another attempt to push us from the system.  Perhaps they shall succeed, perhaps not, but as long as we have Faith in our Hearts and Prayers on our Lips, God Willing, we shall make them pay a heavy price.