Topic: In the little embroidered journal

Azure Ilnaren

Date: 2015-10-05 22:01 EST
Papa won the election again. I am happy. I know last time I wrote I wasn't happy. But I am happy. Mama is happy for Papa, too. Papa looked surprised when he heard. One of those happy surprised, like when Mama told him Olivia was coming. Only he didn't cry this time.

I got to see Maggie and Doran in their musical. They are both brave. They can do so many things. I wish I was brave like Doran. I could help more. Maybe help Papa at the governor's place, so I wouldn't miss him. Brave enough to not hide from people.

Mama says I'm just right as I am.

I wish I was braver. But I am happy for Papa. Governor Papa.

Azure Ilnaren

Date: 2015-10-22 10:15 EST
Seasons changing. Mama loves Autumn. It's funny to hear her whistle songs. I don't know why. Maybe because it's sound coming from her mouth. I don't say anything. But it makes me smile. She'll see me smile and come over and kiss my head. I think she knows I find it funny. Funny good, though. Not funny bad.

The other kids here are excited about Samhain or Hallowe'en. I hate it. I hate the scary. I like helping make costumes though. Braison was so excited with the wolf cap I made him. I did NOT use real fur. Blech. I want to vomit thinking about it. Constance, one of my teachers, says there's nothing wrong with using real fur as long as respect was paid to the animal and all of it used, not just killing to kill. I wonder what Papa thinks. I'll have to think about that. When I don't want to vomit thinking about it.

Azure Ilnaren

Date: 2015-10-27 13:38 EST
Mama let me dress her up as a completely not scary tree for the Fright Night's party. It was fun making the leaf headpiece and doing the embroidery. I thought she looked really good.

Maggie defended her title as Baroness. I was a Lady of Honor. I wasn't there, but Papa brought the flower Maggie gave all her court. Court' Is it her court' I really should ask. I don't think I could watch a duel. Maggie really likes it, though. Doran really likes watching Maggie.

Oh, that's a laugh. He'd kill me if I said that. You know what I meant though. Doran's too old for Maggie anyway. Mama would say it is none of my business, but he's my brother and she's my friend. Definitely too old for her.

Samhain's going to be fun this year. Mama and the staff are working on a party for all the kids here at the manor. The party at night is for grownups, and I wouldn't want to go to that anyway. But we're having a party during the day with all sorts of nice games and treats. I get to help with the apple swing. See, you core and then slice apples. Thread ribbon through them and hang them from a turning post. Gotta catch the apples with your mouth! Isn't that funny?

I'm helping with the puppet show, too. I don't mind performing then. I don't have to say anything and no one can see me. Just have to move the puppets just right to the story.

I'll write about it after, I promise.

Azure Ilnaren

Date: 2015-12-09 14:40 EST
Well, I did say I would write about it after. I did not say how long after. The Samhain party was lots of fun! Gabriella caught so many apples on the apple swing I thought she was going to turn into an apple pie!

One party to another party. Governor's Ball is this week. Mama is nervous, but her gown is so, so, soooooo pretty. I think she looks wonderful, and I tell her that. I think it is more she cannot talk that makes her nervous. I hope having Logan there as interpreter will help her have a good time. Logan is one of the older boys here at the Manor. He's been with us so many years, and he's ever so nice. He can sign as fast as my mom. He cleans up good, too.

Logan promised me he would not go flirting with the pretty ladies at the ball and would stay with my mom. If he leaves her behind for a moment, I'll bop him.

I cannot wait to hear the stories of how the night went!

Azure Ilnaren

Date: 2016-02-27 19:38 EST
Fashion Week starts tomorrow. Mom said she would be staying with us so Papa could go to whatever events he needs to attend without worrying. Worrying. She gave me that look. As if I would sneak out to go' Me"

Moms. I think they hand out extrasensory perception when they get the Mom title. How did she know" I had been thinking about it. I so want to see one of the shows! I know the clothing isn't always appropriate for me. But some of it is! And I love making clothes. Someday I'm going to have a fashion line, too.

I made something for this fashion week. Do you know how hard it is to keep a little kid still" I finally found out Olivia can stay still as long as she has pistachios in her bowl. She got sick on them. It was gross. The greenest vomit I've ever seen. That's probably how Mom got the idea I was up to something. Sorta hard to hide your little sister vomiting.

Anyway, this is a sketch of what I made. All that smocking took forever, but I think it was worth it. http://ep.yimg.com/ay/bestdressedchild/anavini-infant-toddler-girls-navy-blue-silk-smocked-susan-dress-10.jpg Some day. Some day I'll get to go to a Fashion Week show.

Azure Ilnaren

Date: 2016-02-28 19:37 EST
Guess what? There's gonna be a workshop during Fashion Week! A workshop for kids! It says Build Your Own Fashion Adventure: Design Workshop for Children right on the list I found in Papa's Study. No, I was not snooping. I was finding a pair of scissors. Honest.

Mom said I could go. Well, she said we would go, which means not by myself. I'm glad for that. I don't think I'd want to go by myself, and none of my friends want to go to it. But I do! And I get to! I'm so excited!

Azure Ilnaren

Date: 2016-03-15 11:34 EST
Fashion week was amazing! The workshop I went to was so much fun. I made a skirt! Not just any skirt. It's called a box pleated skirt. I learned lots of names for things. I didn't know they had names!

I've got to get started on Beltane outfits for the other kids. Something dreamtastic for Olivia. Butterflies I think. She had four of them sitting on her hair yesterday. I don't know how she does it. She sorta looks like a baby Snow White. I guess. Doran says I looked like a baby Snow White when I was little. Animals don't come up to me like they do Olivia. It's both cute and scary.

But she pulled my hair yesterday. Nope. Not Snow White.

Azure Ilnaren

Date: 2016-04-02 17:34 EST
Maggie's sick. Or, she was sick. She had SURGERY! They had to cut her open! Yelk.

Papa didn't let me go with him. Mama says it would be better if we spread out the visits, so she will take me in a day or two. I'm sent a card with Doran. Olivia got some grape jam fingerprints on it. I drew them into butterflies. I don't remember being this much trouble to Doran. He never says anything, but Mama laughs when I say that. I wasn't!

Beltane is coming. I hope they have a kids day like other years. Olivia's dress is done. Mine is, too. I was going to make clothes for lots of the kids, but some of them didn't want any.

Azure Ilnaren

Date: 2016-05-01 13:18 EST
Beltane! I wish I could go to the fires. I mean, just to watch. Papa and Mama are going. Doran's thinking of going. I have to stay with Olivia. But we get to go to the Festival. I'm going to paint ladybugs on the Maypole when I get the chance.

The Carnival is going to be lots of fun. Roberta says nobody ever wins the games because they are rigged? But I don't think that's true. I'm going to try anyway. Papa always says try your best and have fun, so that's what I'm going to do. And the Ferris wheel! My tummy flips over each time, but I love it!

Azure Ilnaren

Date: 2016-09-22 22:39 EST
Mama said the last meeting would be late. I didn't know she meant that late. I wish I could have gone, but it was so much better to wake up and find Papa there and waffles being made.

I haven't finished making the picture for him. I guess I still have time. He is still Governor until they elect someone else. I think?

I watched Mama talking with Tilly today. Tilly seems worried about those that are running, but Mama was saying things like it would work out, and not to worry. Tilly's pretty smart. She teaches me maths. If she's worried, maybe I should be, too. Papa would know. I'll ask him later.

Azure Ilnaren

Date: 2016-12-04 19:49 EST
I'm so excited! I've crocheted a million snowflakes. Not a million really, but lots, and you know what? They are going to be hanging from the ceiling at Winterfest on the riverboat! I even taught Papa how to crochet snowflakes! I showed him the easy pattern. I can make really fancy ones. That sounds boastful. Is it boastful if it is true" I really like the ones I can make, even if it is boastful.

You know what Papa did? He made a crochet hook crochet on its own. We made three at once that way! I knew Papa was clever — is clever — but I always thought Mom was the one that could do crafts. Papa can, too!

We got to sit and drink cocoa last night while talking about our vacation and making the snowflakes. Mom was putting Olivia to bed. Doran was being Doran. He's got his own things he does now. I guess Papa and Mom feel he's getting to be grown up. I don't want to grow up. I like Mom and Papa giving me hugs goodnight before I go to sleep. I like waffle mornings and seeing Papa make the forks and knives dance.

I better turn the light off and get to bed. More snowflakes after school tomorrow.

Azure Ilnaren

Date: 2016-12-11 16:19 EST
Remember those crocheted snowflakes" All done! Guess what else I got to do"! You'll never guess. Of course not, you're a diary! If anyone read's this (better not be you, Olivia) you'll be able to guess, because you will already know! I finished fitting Mrs Anya De Luca in her Sugar Plum Fairy tutu that I made! That's the most wonderful, stupendous, terrific, fantastic thing ever! It's for The Nutcracker, which is a ballet from Earth.

I've never been to Earth. Lotsa people who live here have. I think Earth must have a portal issue with so many that come through from there. Like hiccups or burps or acid reflux. I heard that from Daniel who is studying to be a doctor. He's cute and nice.

But the tutu! It took a long time. Mom gave me some advice on the right crystals to use and such. Do you know how much tulle it takes to make a tutu"!" I'd like to use a big word, but none of them seem big enough. I got a room all to myself so Olivia wouldn't trip over it, or roll around in it, or drop food on it.

Mrs. Anya was so sweet during the fittings. I can't imagine doing this for lots of people. Wait! Yes I can! I loved it!

Azure Ilnaren

Date: 2017-01-02 13:03 EST
We're on vacation! The whole family — plus Sylva. I've just decided to give up on my brother for now. Mom gives me that look when I roll my eyes. I know what it means, but I don't think I could give it words. It's like a look that says, "Stop your eye rolling and keep your thoughts to yourself, little miss, or you and I are going to have words." Which 'having words' with Mom is sorta difficult. Her hands start moving so fast, and there are sounds from her mouth which are sorta words but not exactly because they don't have any tone. If the wind could speak, that'd be my Mom. In fact, that's just it. My mom being mad at me is a big ole thunderstorm, flash and strong winds, and you just really want it to stop.

But vacation! Papa says the clothing there is different, that I've seen some before, but not so much in one place. That's so exciting! We're nearly there!

Olivia has been very good. This scares me. She is up to something. I know she's little, but she tells me the weirdest things. She said yesterday that some lady's dog was sick and going to die. I thought that was a horrible thing to make up. So, I told Mom and Papa. Between my brother and his hormones and my sister and her goofy animal talk — and all the strangers — I prefer to sit in the compartment and draw.

Azure Ilnaren

Date: 2017-07-07 22:47 EST
I started knitting. It's harder than you think. Promise. I can get the lines and everything, but I saw this picture of a knitted bird, and I thought Olivia would like one for the holidays. Never too early to start thinking about it. Have you ever tried knitting bird tail feathers" Or beak" Or bird anything? I wish I could say some of the bad words I hear from the older kids. I'm afraid to even write them, like Papa might hear me even think them.

The first bird looked more like a mushroom on a log. It was awful. I was so embarrassed that I threw it in Mom's kiln. Only place that had a fire. The second bird was closer, but still not right. Roasted that one, too. I'm working on the third one now. Got high hopes. I might cry if this one turns out bad. I just don't know why it is so hard. I don't want to make a scarf or a hat.

Doran's getting a hat. With antlers. If I can do it. Bird first.

Papa come home drunk-kinda-maybe the other night. Mom thought it was funny. I tried not to be mad. If Mom wasn't mad, I shouldn't be mad. But I felt mad. That's when the second bird got a growth of yarn on its butt. I lost stitch count. It looked like poop. Or grapes.

Adults are weird. And you can't make sense of them. I don't know what Mom was saying to Papa, they were talking with their minds, but she was grinning and poking at his side when she said it. I hope she wasn't trying to make him puke. I was supposed to be in bed, so I couldn't say anything, but that's when I went back to the bird. Poor bird. Drunk bird with grapes hanging from its tail. Bet someone would have liked it. Burned now.