09-10-YC128

    A busy yet most satisfying week.  Aside from some productive discussions with Felix on some production changes on our Belaya Planeta facilities, and Kolya being home again, which is always a delight, and some promising signs on rekindling Sasha and Ramina - Tanechka really does need a proper mother-figure - the icon I wrote even won the Jubilee competition.

    The judges were very kind and had one or two interpretations that I honestly had not seen myself, although I recall now Father Mikhail saying those very same things as he was guiding me.  Of course, I should not give in to pride, but I am rather pleased they not only found it pleasurable to look it but also read it as an icon is supposed to be read, seeing the message within.  Father Mikhail seems rather impressed too - or at least he nodded with what I believe was approval - and he has said that he will place it in the family chapel.  He even suggested I carry it in the next Holy Day procession!  I am sure it will not even be noticeable amongst all the other icons written by the monks and nuns here, whose work is beyond comparison, but it is still a very great honour.

    With celebrations done, the focus now really ought to be work.  There is much to do.  Felix has identified some inefficiencies in our planet-side facilities, but I think that his ideas will address those issues.  There are also some expansions to the School's curriculum that we would like to implement.  We have had some very positive responses, and Lord Osowiec has been most supportive.

    I also really must find the time to get back in the capsule, as they say.  I cannot believe it has been so long, distracted as I have been with a great many other duties, but as I consider it, I realise I do rather miss the freedom of the stars.

    Besides, once again those vile heretics raise their cowardly heads in their so-called Crimson Harvest, and what faithful servant of the Empress would I be if I did not at least play some small part in the stand against them?

    That, and I rather enjoy blowing their ships apart!

 

27-09-YC128

Ten years of Her Imperial Majesty!  May God grant Her many more.

I attended the Jubilee last night, or the reception at least.  Unfortunately, duties kept me away from the parade.  I hear it was most spectacular.

The reception was a remarkably quiet affair, but I presume such an important occasion was kept to a very select few.  Arline gave a presentation in honour of Her Majesty.  I think her tribute to the Imperial Navy caused quite a stir, but I appreciated it, and I think Papa would have too.  Of course, Arline being Arline she was delivering a message.  A not particularly subtle message, but a powerful one.  The images of the ultimate sacrifice made by many who are not blessed with repeating immortality hit home, I believe, at least I thought so from the looks on some people's faces.  Perhaps it was the sudden juxtaposition with the happy tune that followed those images so immediately.  Utari spent the next ten minutes looking absolute daggers at Arline.  Perhaps the reminder that death actually means something to some people spoilt the taste of his wine.

Is that not what happens, though?  The high and mighty give their tiny, empty eulogies to the dead, then in the blink of an eye they are off to tea and dances, the whole messy, unpleasant business forgotten about.  It is not just Holders, though I have seen that with my own eyes.  I think most Capsuleers are like that.  Immortality seems to mean not caring about mortals anymore.  Even the dehumanising name they use shows how much less they think of ordinary people.  Baseliners!  How I detest that word.

I think the so-called Lord Gallius rather proved Arline's point with his crass behaviour, swinging his wife around like that.  How gauche.  I have seen more elegance and grace in a barrack-room sing-along.

The night was not marred by such behaviour, however.  I made the acquaintance of the most charming and interesting Brigadier-General Malitia, from the State.  We had a most enjoyable conversation about art and family.  I rather hope to meet her again, I am sure we should have the most interesting interactions.  Rather amusingly, it seems she has a somewhat antagonistic relationship with Edward.  Understandable, given the background.  She was very clear on considering him a traitor to the State, which he is, of course, regardless of his reasons.  I cannot imagine the Brigadier-General has much sympathy for those, of course.

Apparently Edward was there last night, although I did not see him.  I can only assume he did not see me, either.  I find it hard to believe he would pass up the opportunity to attempt to irritate me.

Arline did not stay long after her presentation.  I think I can guess as to the reason why.  I saw she had a brief conversation with Utari, though they appeared to part on amicable terms - or at least, they did not come to blows.  Then again, I trust they both at least know how to behave as the Paladins they are.  The Directrix did not stay long either, which was rather a shame as I have not spoken to her for some time and would like to have done so.  There will be other opportunities, I am sure.  Aria remained for a while, talking with the Brigadier-General and I.  She seemed to understand the message within Arline's presentation, but that is no surprise.  She is sharp-witted and astute, is that one.  Very little escapes her.  I rather like her for that, I must admit.

So many things have kept me away from those circles for so long, but I really should try to return.  I know everything I do in Nakri does benefit the Empire in some way, but I cannot help but feel I ought to be a little more directly active.  It is all a balance, I suppose.  The duties of my social station, of a Paladin, family life.  So much to attend to.  At least I shall never run of out time, unlike so many others.

Family life calls again!  If I am not mistaken, that is little Taniushka coming this way with her father.  I wonder what delightful adventures she is enjoying today.