27-06-YC123

Yesterday was the wedding of Luna and Franco.  What a beautiful ceremony it was!  Luna, of course, looked absolutely radiant, and Franco was surely the most handsome groom I have seen.  They make such a delightful couple, and it was a true honour to be present.  A most solemn and serious ceremony, in full accordance with the Rite, as might be expected.

The only blot was that idiot Amadin standing up and causing a scene when Brother Theodosius, who I must say was a perfect choice, asked if anyone would voice their objections.  If recall correctly, Amadin was, at one point, a suitor of Luna's, though she seems to have fortunately chosen someone more suited.  Of course, he probably thought it was all very amusing, and Franco did seem to take it as a well-intentioned joke.  Amadin is just lucky that Brother Theodosius did as well, or else the ceremony would have been stopped, and it could very well have quickly turned into a funeral.  I suppose one must expect this sort of foolishness from the middle classes.

The reception was delightful.  The happy couple were such an image of love for their first dance, and I am sure they did not let go of one another's hands all night.  And how popular!  It took quite some time to present them with our gifts; a samovar and tea-set from myself, and two bottles of our vodka from the family.  Sasha presented a matryoshka set we had specially commissioned from an artisan in Nakri; the largest made in the image of Luna, then Franco, then down through Luna's children to the tiniest doll, still unpainted and blank.  A promise of the future.  Ishta had made her gift herself, a most fine piece of jewellery.  I swear that Ishta does not fully appreciate the artistic talent she has!  They seemed pleased with the gifts, and Luna's youngest, Stellarisse and Liam, certainly liked the surprise stash of Nakriian sweets hidden inside the samovar.

It was a pleasant night's mingling with the other guests as well.  Aldrith was there, of course, spending much conversation with Aria.  The poor girl seems terrified of him for some reason, and it is not as though I have ever seen her relaxed even when he is not there.  At least she was wearing something other than black for a change.  She rather suited the green of her dress, even if Charles Schmidt disagreed.  Arline had to leave early.  Apparently Aldrith's boy had gotten into a fight.  Like father, like son, I suppose.

I find myself rather fond of Charles.  He amuses me.  I think it is his attitude, though I cannot think of exactly how to describe it.  It is his wit, that is for certain.  Charles is another one of great artistic talent, although he is very much aware of it.  That said, his fashions are famous for a reason, and I am most tempted to take him up on his idea of having him make something especially for me.  I cannot help but wonder what he would create.

It was not just Aldrith who made Aria nervous.  Here in Nakri it is not unusual for someone, usually many people, to get drunk at a wedding reception.  After all, it is a celebration.  Yet that is precisely it - people are happy drunk.  The majority of people who were inebriated last night, and there were very few that I saw, were happy- even Aldrith was happy! - but one in particular was clearly not.  Che Biko is not a man I know well, and I have not the faintest idea of his connection with Aria, but a connection there is.  It seemed decidedly sinister, as though he were keeping an eye on her.  I have no idea what possessed me to walk up to him and tell him he was better than to skulk drunkenly in a corner, but that is what I did do.  I hope somewhere in his head he listens.  Again, I do not know why.

I wish I had been able to take Valerik, but it is probably a little early to do so.  The next wedding, of course, will be Sasha and Ishta, and I fully intend to take him along to that!

 23-06-YC123

A quiet day yesterday, against expectations.  We had assembled with a number of allies to assist in the defence of a station that has been repeatedly attacked.  Alas, the enemy made no appearance, which was a shame as I think many of us, myself included, were rather looking forward to an engagement.  Nevertheless, it was a change of scenery, as I do not often travel to the Kingdom, and it is not so much important to fight alongside our allies as it is to simply stand with them.

It gave me some inspiration too, if that is the right word.  Now that matters in Nakri have settled down again, notwithstanding Ishta make some foolish move against the Kovals, I should turn my focus to other things.  I would not want the guns on my ships to go rusty, so perhaps they should be trained on the enemy more often.

That said, my mind has been a little preoccupied with less war-like concerns.  True, one of those is Valerik.  I have been thinking of him a lot since our date.  I hope I shall be seeing more of him.  After all, men who can pass the vodka challenge are few and far between.  I have also been thinking about Nakri.  I am so proud of my home and my people.  To see how they rallied together in the face of Nauplius' heresies, and now, in the aftermath, I still cannot believe the recruit figures.  Volunteers have come to all the families, ours included, or to Sarum or any of the other Imperial Forces.  It does go to show that to attack on Nakriian is to attack us all, and we are not a forgiving people once roused to conflict.

Given my position and status, I need to set a better example.

No, that is not correct.  

I need to follow the example of my Nakriian brothers and sisters.

 20-06-YC123

I have just docked from an attack on an enemy station owned by some Tribal Alliance or other.  They sent a fleet in some pathetic attempt to defend it.  They barely had the courage to engage and when even when they did, they were utterly ineffective.  I must admit I was rather flattered when they chose to Primary me, but it was barely enough of an attack for our Logistics ships to break a sweat.  I am grateful, of course, for we could never conduct a battle, let alone a war, without the bravery of Logistics.

It was a pleasure and an honour to fight alongside other valued allies, from a number of different militia forces, and Ohpehk Doshu is a most accomplished Commander.  No kills for me this day, though Aldrith got one. Aldrith was also kind enough to allow me to take command of TES Crusade Guard, a Sacrilege-class, as I have no large vessel of my own near Bosboger.  It did mean a clone-jump to Mehatoor, which I am still recovering from.

I am looking forward to telling Valerik of today's action.  I think he really is interested, and at least this time I have met a man who does not have some sort of concern for the enemy.  I like Valerik.  He is not at all what I expected from an MIO officer, especially one whose business is focused on Nakri.  I have a feeling we shall be seeing much more of each other.

Ishta now has a date for her ceremony.   I know just the gift for her, and speaking of gifts, I need to find one for Lunarisse for her wedding to Franco.  

I wonder if it would be too forward to go with Valerik.

 06-06-YC123

The news is positive of late.  All Imperial systems in the warzone have been liberate from the clutches of the Tribals, and our forces shall now be pushing forwards to drive the enemy back into their holes.  I may even be able to fetch a shuttle that has been lingering in Huola for I do not know how long.

Ishta is to be freed soon, which means that her marriage to Sasha cannot be far away.  I am sure the celebrations shall be magnificent, and a welcome occasion of joy for the people of Nakri.  My sister to be is also close to securing her capsuleer's licence.  I shall be interested to see how her career in that field develops.  It rather encourages me to engage in more productive efforts myself.

I had the most unexpected communication today - a Colonel Sokolov of the Ministry of Internal Order.  Obviously their presence here makes perfect sense, given recent events, and I am reassured that they are here, I just did not expect to be contacted myself by the man now leading investigations; I would have presumed he would wish to speak with Papa.

Even less expected was just what sort of a man Colonel Sokolov is.  Aside from the odd coincidence of him sharing his family name with our Security Chief, though I do not believe them related, his manner was not exactly what I would associate with a MIO officer.  Perhaps the best way to describe his mannerisms and pattern of speech is as relaxed?  He certainly has a confidence about him, which comes as little surprise given the number of awards he had pinned to his chest.  A veteran of a number of engagements, including the Elder Invasion.  He is most certainly an interesting man.  Audacious, too - I can think of no-one who would, apropos of absolutely nothing, suddenly ask me to join him for dinner this very evening at one of Nakri's most exclusive and finest restaurants.  I said yes.

I suppose I had better chose something appropriate to wear.  It promises to be a most entertaining evening.  I am sure we have much to talk about.