![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
Paphos Mosaics
Jun. 16th, 2026 07:41 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
purplecat( Picspam Ahoy! )
'Twas on the Monday Morning...
Jun. 15th, 2026 09:33 pmpurplecat
The plasterer who was making good around the new windows left the most phenomenal mess throughout the ground floor of the house. In his defence he had tried to mop up. On the other hand, I'm not convinced he really knew his way around a mop and bucket and I'm mystified by the lack of dust sheets. Most of the ground floor was covered in a thin layer of plaster dust but thankfully we only have carpets on the upper floors so it wasn't trodden into anything difficult to clean. Some things had actual plaster stuck to them - most notably an attachment that came with our toaster for making toasted ciabatta sandwiches which now has plaster stuck to each corner. At least we never actually use it, so I can merely be mildly non-plussed - did he think it was some kind of plastering tool? A dustpan? who knows? It was stacked on top of the toaster some way from the site of actual plastering, so I don't think it was just random plaster splashes.
The plasterer returns tomorrow to tackle replastering of the pantry where a leak had completely ruined the old plaster.
I have invested in dust sheets.
UPDATE: Apparently the plasterer won't be here tomorrow...
FIC: The Chara To Be's chamber (Tempestuous Tours)
Jun. 15th, 2026 02:45 pmduskpetersonThe semi-attached bedchamber I mentioned before is assigned to the Chara To Be – that is, the heir to the Chara.
For centuries, no women except the Consort and the High Lord's wife have lived in the East Wing of the Chara's palace. Any children of the Chara and the High Lord have been raised elsewhere in the palace. The current High Lord visits his children daily, often spending entire evenings with them.
The one exception to the rule against families dwelling in the East Wing is that, upon reaching the age at which he can read, the Chara To Be is moved to the bedchamber directly next to his father's quarters, so that he can begin to learn the law. He is tended by servants and, in recent decades, by a tutor assigned to him. The tutor lives elsewhere in the East Wing; however, the Chara To Be may enter the Chara's quarters at any time, and he is permitted to spend time playing with the scribe-boys across the hall. He is thus less isolated than were earlier Charas To Be: young boys who were expected to quietly read law books all day.
The previous Chara To Be is now Chara. He is young enough that he has not yet married, but presumably he will do so and will install his own heir in the bedchamber.
The bedchamber is guarded by the same men who guard the Chara. Do not approach that door in the corridor.
[Translator's note: The Ambassador first came to know the Chara To Be's chamber during the period of Re-creation.]
Reading, Listening, Watching
Jun. 10th, 2026 08:07 pmpurplecatListening Starship Alexandria in which Adrian Tchaikovsky and Emma Newman (two authors I have not read, but intend to) review books and films that I often haven't read. In this case Piranesi which sounds interesting but not so much so that I think it will earn a place on the to read pile.
Watching I am still snowed under by marking, so still nothing.
New Window
Jun. 8th, 2026 08:32 pmpurplecat
This is one of our new windows. Actually, as is probably obvious, this one is a door onto the garden. Plasterer failed to turn up today. Apparently he had had a fight with his missus. I'm not convinced I could get away with that as an excuse for failing to turn up to work.
FIC: The Chara's quarters (Tempestuous Tours)
Jun. 8th, 2026 10:05 amduskpetersonThe place where you are standing or sitting is the Chara's sitting chamber. You are privileged to see it; most visitors only encounter the Chara in his court or at receptions. The primary purpose of the sitting chamber is to provide the Chara with a place to relax with his friends during his brief moments of leisure.
To your right is the hearth, and over it is carved the royal emblem. This was added during the reign of the previous Chara. Directly opposite is a doorway leading into a semi-separate bedchamber, of which we will speak later.
Directly in front of you is the law. This impressive display of books, in a floor-to-ceiling bookcase, constitutes the Emorian edition of the Chara's law. You must not touch the books, but if you admire them from afar, the Chara may unbend enough to talk of the law with you. By all means, take this opportunity to learn more about the law from Emor's High Judge.
A small window to the left of the bookcase offers a splendid view of the black border mountains.
Other objects and chambers in the quarters are entirely private. Do not touch anything in the Chara's quarters – I emphasize that. Over the centuries, the Chara's dungeon has been filled with many men who accidentally let their hands touch something forbidden that belonged to the Chara.
In a word, visiting the Chara – at least, the current Chara – is an intimidating experience. Let us leave here as quickly as possible.
[Translator's note: Due caution in these quarters is shown by the protagonist of Law of Vengeance.]