On to the replies
RoughIslandSunrise: here's the update, as requested
Cole-Lover: yes, I know not all the English recite Monty Python. But not all the French think they're squids, now do they? But when you say things from Monty Python in a terribly fake English accent, it gets annoying very fast. As our character (and many other people) knows well.
Beth: yes, well, I can't please everyone. Sara (not Sarah, you will note) is a bit of a brat, I admit. She is, however, a princess and a duchess, born to old money and power. She, and all the others of her ilk, will be like that whether you like it or no. They have every right to be, as far as they're concerned, I suppose. As for Micheal being a jerk, I think I can understand what you mean, but please allow me to clarify: he has just met up with one of his best friends, who he hasn't seen in years. Sometimes people can be a little funny when they're with their old, dear friends.
Ira Gaines: thank you so much for your help. Grandmere will be, from this point foreward, Clarisse. I'm too lazy to go back and change it, however, so up until now, she's Clarice. Thanks to you and all my other readers for being understanding on this point. You're right about the Princess Lessons thing. Never even heard of it. However, I totally disagree with the firstborn/nitpicker thing. I'm first-born, and completely lazy on such points... at least on my own work ^_^ As for the mob thing, well, I hope to do more of those, but as they're the sort of thing you shove in without forethought, I have no idea how many I'll do. Still, it being the mob and all, there's plenty of twisted humor to draw on.
Anna: thanks for your support. And, well, here's the more!
First of the Geeks: thank you too for your support and praise. And what, dare I ask, do you mean by 'Sara and Nick'? I am so confuzzled.
Jackie: I have no idea if this comes after the fourth book, because I haven't been able to get a copy of it yet. Micheal and Mia are together, though, if that helps clarify at all. I have no idea what 'all that jazz' is, cause as I've said, haven't got hold of the fourth book. Soon, though. Until then, appologies for any inaccuracies / contradictions.
To all: please read, review, and enjoy
Friday, June 24
I've spent most of the day so far in the consulate. They've redone a number of the rooms already, mostly the private ones. The bedrooms, and so on. They're much nicer, though I'm not sure the style is what I would call timeless. I tried to follow the style that my estate at Rysoth is done in, because it's absolutely beautiful. Whoever decorated it, a hundred years ago or whenever, had excellent taste.
It was a bit hard to duplicate it, of course. I don't have hand done
portraits of the Minotis from six hundred years ago, or one-of-a-kind statues
done in tribute to the family from three hundred years before. Everything
has to be a modern reproduction, or a purchased piece. No family heirlooms
that have been handed down through the centuries.
I've had each of the rooms themed, sort of. All older, elegant European
styles, of course, but from different countries and periods. I must say,
for all its faults, New York has some excellent artisans. They're doing
a spectacular job renovating the horrid place.
Mike invited me to go to a movie with him and Mia tonight. I was a little worried, I admit, that I would be cutting in on a date of some sort, but he said not to worry, because Lilly was coming to, and bringing her boyfriend Boris. Besides, Lars, Mia's bodyguard, would be there. That doesn't do much for my belief in what he said, I admit. I'm supposed to go to a movie with two teenage couples and a bodyguard. And my bodyguard, I guess. So, basically, I'll talk to Mike a bit, then I'll end up going to a movie with Nick. Because, well, just because.
Mike went to school, because it's the last day and he needs to pick up his stuff. And I think he got in trouble over the climbing thing, at least a little.
Nick's playing his guitar. It's hard to hear it, but I don't think it could be anything else. No CD stops so often and starts swearing. I guess he's out of practice. Or he's got the window open and the wind keeps blowing the music away. I don't think I want to find out. He's probably not in the greatest mood.
They're working in the garden under my window. It's the nicest part of the house, but they're putting some more features in, and pulling out the couple of flower beds that are dead. I guess no one came here for quite a while before Lady Tanya, and she didn't do anything for the upkeep of the place.
I like the waterfall they have planned. It's not very big, only about five feet high, but the guy who's building it is basing it on a bunch of waterfalls he's seen hiking in the Rockies. He told me his primary inspiration was a little back-country waterfall he found hiking in Alberta. He showed me the pictures. It's gonna be beautiful.
I suppose I should get back to reading. Grandpa's set me a book list, so I can learn about history and philosophy and politics and all sorts of other stuff. Like good literature. And what, may I ask, is so wrong with Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings? They're no Dickens, granted. They're far more interesting. I mean, how many people face giant demons or soul-sucking vampire things in Great Expectations? I did like Don Quixote when he made me read it, though. Great story, once you understand what Cervantes is saying.
The book he has me reading right now isn't so bad either. Sun Tzu, The Art of War. But it's heavy going, like all the books he's set me. Alright, my dead Chinese friend, teach me your wisdom.
Later Friday
I suppose I should have actually labeled this as Saturday, because
it's like one in the morning. But it still feels like Friday, because I
haven't slept yet, and, of course, it's dark.
We went to the movie with Mike and Mia and Lilly and Boris and Lars. Lilly's the pug-faced girl from the school. Mike's sister, Mia's best friend. Apparently she's really smart. She's also really bad tempered.
Started in on my economic and political policies as soon as I saw her. Somehow she found out I'm a princess. I wonder if she does this to Mia? If she does, it must get really annoying. I was sick of it before she'd finished her second sentence. All that 'free country' and 'equal rights' and so forth.
"Do you even know what country I'm from?" I demanded. She'd made no
mention of it, so I had to wonder. Just a lot about monarchy and feudalism
and so forth, and how it was all so terrible and I should be ashamed of
myself for supporting it.
Well, it turns out she didn't. Mia obviously hadn't told her. "Well,
I'm the princess of Armen, and my people don't pay taxes so I can live
in luxury. The rich foreigners who come to visit and do business do that.
My income comes solely from tariffs and payments from other countries for
trading privileges." She shut up for a while after that, before she started
in again. She was asking questions this time, though, and actually seemed
interested in what I had to say. Were we a constitutional monarchy, or
something like that? Sort of, except that the royal family still holds
power over the House of Commons and House of Lords (as they are called
in English), and is involved in the government beyond just signing documents.
What did we have by way of equality rights? No such thing. The same laws
apply to everyone. Even minors? There is no age of majority.
Mike broke up the conversation after a while, saying the movie was starting and people wouldn't like us discussing politics during it, even if it was only previews. Boris seemed happy to be able to talk to his girlfriend again, though she promptly told him to be quiet and watch the movie. There is no way I'm breaking up Mia's friendship with this girl. They're good for each other. Or at least, Lilly's good for Mia.
At one point, when the characters were making sappy love speeches to each other, Mike and I started throwing popcorn at each other. It's an old tradition we have, from the rare movie nights at camp. Sometimes we'd get the whole camp involved, but most of the time it was just us and a few friends, every man for themselves. I don't actually remember seeing the end of any of those movies. We tended to get kicked out.
We weren't kicked out this time, but Nick took away my popcorn. When I couldn't retaliate, Mike stopped throwing. I think Lilly and Boris, who were between us, were glad. It's hard to aim in the dark, and popcorn doesn't fly all that well to begin with.
I had to beg Nick, in a whisper, to get my popcorn back. It's not fair. He should have to do what I say. At least when it's as reasonable as giving me back my snack.
We went for pancakes afterwards. Some 24-hour pancake house. I've had better, I admit, but never at eleven thirty at night. I tend to eat my flapjacks in the morning. Late morning, approaching lunch.
We're back at the consulate now, and I'm really tired, but I had too much coffee (which wasn't really all that good) and now I can't sleep. Damn and blast.
