Journal Entry — October 22, 2026
Location: Turmus
The early morning brought a welcome reunion with CaineSteele and his slave, Muse. Caine said they had found a place to stay and spoke of his friendship with the Ubarate and his interest in offering his services to the city. The encounter was interrupted by Cinnamon, who made false claims of belonging to me and several crude remarks.
◈◉◈═════════════════════════════════════════════════ ◈◉◈
Later, Odette and I caught up over blackwine. We spoke briefly about Nadia’s trial and our hope that it would continue soon. Odette hoped the next hearing would be earlier so she could remain attentive throughout. I then showed her my ring and shared that Kael had asked to court me on Sunday and I had agreed. She laughed that others had seen it coming and offered her support, provided I remained happy and unharmed.
◈◉◈═════════════════════════════════════════════════ ◈◉◈
During my morning rounds, I stopped at the gate to greet Tom Valencia. We spoke about the wind coming through the entrance and the quiet nature of standing guard. Although he regarded it simply as his duty as a warrior, I told him that those who protect the rest of us should know their work and our gratitude do not go unnoticed. We parted with wishes for a safe day.
◈◉◈═════════════════════════════════════════════════ ◈◉◈
I had hoped to show Odette the mailbox and doorbell at the Educational Hall, but Carola kindly offered to help test them instead. The doorbell rang and sent its summons, and the test notecard reached me successfully. Carola admired the blue sign and suggested using “Available” in place of “Online.” I adjusted the sign, and she approved the result.
Our conversation turned to Kael and my ring, then to Carola’s hope of meeting someone through the Festival’s matchmaking service. I offered to help arrange a similar mailbox for her and suggested that a simple Festival mailbox might be useful. She wished to consider it, as her existing arrangements were working.
◈◉◈═════════════════════════════════════════════════ ◈◉◈
Later that morning, I encountered Kizzy with a dairy bosk inside the city. Its appearance differed from the larger, hairier bosk I knew, and she explained that different varieties were bred for different purposes. She said she sometimes brought the animal into town to demonstrate the freshness of her dairy products. I asked her to take it toward the docks or back outside the gates. She replied that she knew of no law prohibiting an animal whose owner was handling it.
◈◉◈═════════════════════════════════════════════════ ◈◉◈
At home, I showed Ink another seating option and explained that Kael would not be moving in until after the ceremony. We shared a little laughter about avoiding rumors. Ink expressed her happiness for me before leaving to attend to her other responsibilities.
◈◉◈═════════════════════════════════════════════════ ◈◉◈
The afternoon found me at a desk in the Magistrate Office, writing reports. Aries was nearby with July. When July greeted me incorrectly, Aries corrected her and apologized. I assured him that I had hardly noticed and was not concerned. They later left for the infirmary to have her healing brand checked.
Jessika stopped by to ask whether I had heard when the trial would resume. I told her that my inquiry to Aries had suggested perhaps the weekend, though nothing was confirmed. We both wished we were being kept better informed. Knowing I still had work to finish, she offered to bring me something to eat.
She returned with vulo and noodle stew, fresh bread, verr cheese, and butter, insisting it was her treat. It was a thoughtful kindness during an afternoon of paperwork. Before leaving, she said she would seek the Ubara because she and Vasator wanted to move into Turmus officially and rent a home.
◈◉◈═════════════════════════════════════════════════ ◈◉◈
In the evening, I exchanged greetings with Nicholas Eel and the slaves gathered nearby. Later, I noticed that a shop was gone. Cheryl explained that its occupants had moved into a house. Kael arrived after a busy day, and I invited him to sit and tell me about it.
To-Do / Follow-Up
◈ Obtain confirmation of the next trial hearing.
◈ Show Odette the Educational Hall mailbox and sign when convenient.
◈ Await Carola’s decision about a mailbox or possible Festival version.
No comments:
Post a Comment