For those who haven’t been following this blog, let me introduce it a little. I am currently blogging my 21st novel that has the working title Daemon. The novel is about Aksinya, a sorceress, who, to save her family from the Bolsheviks, called and contracted the demon, Asmodeus. Her family was murdered anyway, and she fled with the demon from Russia to Austria.
Aksinya is drunk. Natalya is angry. We learn why Natalya is angry. While Ernst courted Aksinya everything was well; when he made a claim on her physically, Natalya could not help herself...
Natalya tugged a little harder against Aksinya’s hair.
“Nata, please be more gentle. I’m listening to you. You are only fifteen.”
Natalya’s voice was very hard, “I hate them. They promised to take me away. They promised to rescue me. All they wanted was my body.”
“And you gave it to them?”
Natalya took a deep breath, “To be free from the beatings and hatred, I would give away anything.” She began to brush Aksinya’s hair again, this time much more gently, “You were the only one who would rescue me, Cou…Aksinya. You gave me new life. You don’t know how important that was to me. I would have done anything to be free from what that household did to me. But only you really did anything. The others took me and gave me nothing back.”
“Ernst isn’t like that…”
“They all are like that. He will tire of you, just as they tired of me.”
“They? I am so sorry, Natalya.”
“I am not sorry. I am only sorry that you did not come sooner. I would die for you. I will protect you from this man.”
“But, I’m not sure I want to be protected. I think I might like him. I am tempted by his love.” Aksinya giggled, “And I left the party before midnight.” Her voice trailed off, “Will the new year even come if I’m not there...?”
Natalya continued to brush Aksinya’s hair. She didn’t say anything more that evening.
Finally Natalya left Aksinya alone. With the thought of Ernst’s kisses in her mind, Aksinya tried to pleasure herself, but her body was too drunk to respond properly, and she kept falling asleep.
Natalya confesses that she was abused by the men from her household in Minsk. We know that Natalya was beaten by the mistress of the house. She was whipped and forced to serve like a slave. She wanted to escape. On the night Aksinya called Natalya, Natalya was beaten until her legs were bloody. Natalya begged Aksinya to rescue her, to take her away.
We didn't know that Natalya had begged others to take her away too. She is lucky to be alive. If her past mistress knew what she was doing, she might have thrown her out or beaten her to death. The men from Natalya's past told her they would save her. They told her that they loved her. She traded her virtue for the hope of freedom and ended up with nothing. You can see the smart, quiet, usually gentle, beautiful, noble Natalya was under great physical and mental abuse--as Asmodeus stated she was seeking (an understatement). Natalya was seeking to escape from hell. Do you remember? All of Natalya's comments form the past become very clear. Her statement: “To be free from the beatings and hatred, I would give away anything.”
Now, you can properly evaluate how Natalya views Aksinya, and you can begin to see what Natalya might do. Aksinya is Natalya's savior. She is like a god to her. Natalya worships Aksinya. Before, in her household in Minsk, Natalya allowed herself to be beaten without much complaint because she has such great control. With Aksinya, Natalya's power and control is evident. Natalya would do anything for Aksinya, but Natalya's thoughts and understanding of the world are driven by her past. Even the words Natalya uses to describe Aksinya are powerful: "...You gave me new life. You don’t know how important that was to me. I would have done anything to be free from what that household did to me. But only you really did anything. The others took me and gave me nothing back.” Aksinya did indeed give much to Natalya. She gave friendship and a kind of love. She gave Natalya safety. She gave her a purpose and a place to live and study. Aksinya blessed Natalya with everything Natalya didn't have before. We know that Aksinya gave much more for Natalya than Natalya could ever imagine.
Aksinya's response to Natalya is naive: “Ernst isn’t like that…” Aksinya doesn't know much about Ernst at all. We don't either. We only know Ernst from his actions, and those aren't very destructive, but they aren't super encouraging either. Natalya's response only gives us more information. There was more than one man in her life who promised to take her from the abuse she faced in Minsk. They all discarded her. Then Natalya makes a very important promise to Aksinya: "...I would die for you. I will protect you from this man.” This is a foreshadowing and important information. Aksinya should be listening closely, but she is drunk. It is not certain she will remember this conversation at all. She is tempted by Ernst's love. This is something Natalya is completely opposed to. Aksinya's last words are a kicker--“Will the new year even come if I’m not there...?” This is also a foreshadowing. The number of people Aksinya has touched in her short time in this city is astounding. For Ernst, the Graf, the Freiherr, the Freifrau, the Reverend Mother, Sister Margarethe, the Abbot, the Cardinal, and Natalya, Aksinya is entwined dangerously in their lives. If she were to suddenly disappear, the New Year for them all might indeed come. The danger isn't that Aksinya would be gone, but rather that she is here--and the demon.
I give you a final glimpse of Aksinya. The metaphor in her actions and her situation should be evident. Her descent into luxuria makes her own private perversions impossible. She hasn't fallen as far as possible yet, but this is an easy sign of where she has come. This is also the end of chapter 13. Tomorrow, we begin chapter 14 with scene setting and chapter setting.
Showing posts with label 1919. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1919. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
A New Novel, Part 163 After They Take You to Bed, All Their Love is Forgotten
For those who haven’t been following this blog, let me introduce it a little. I am currently blogging my 21st novel that has the working title Daemon. The novel is about Aksinya, a sorceress, who, to save her family from the Bolsheviks, called and contracted the demon, Asmodeus. Her family was murdered anyway, and she fled with the demon from Russia to Austria.
Ernst delivers Aksinya and Natalya to their door. Aksinya promised to speak to Ernst tomorrow...when she gets up late...with a headache...
Natalya shut the door.
The two maids came to them and immediately began to remove Aksinya’s clothing. Aksinya required the help of all three. They put her into a hot bath. Natalya stood half undressed in the center of the sitting room and directed them. The maids readied the nightclothes Natalya instructed them to get out of the small trunk they had brought on the coupe. The footmen had delivered it to the room earlier. While Aksinya bathed—with the door open, so Natalya could keep an eye on her, Natalya had the maids set out Aksinya’s and her clothing for the morrow. The maids pressed their gowns and hung them. By then, it was time to wrestle Aksinya out of the bath and put her nightgown on her. While Aksinya lay on her bed, the maids helped Natalya out of her clothing and into her nightgown. They had already warmed the beds and checked the coals again.
At the end, Natalya had them lay Aksinya under the covers, but they propped her up on the pillows so Natalya could brush her hair. Natalya finally closed the door on the two of them. Natalya took her brush and sat on the side of the bed. She began to brush Aksinya’s hair. Aksinya’s eyes were closed, but Natalya knew she wasn’t sleeping. Aksinya didn’t open her eyes, she stretched her hands out in front of her. Her voice was only slurred a little, but her accent wasn’t evident because she spoke Russian, “Nata, no man has ever told me that he loves me.”
Natalya gave a fierce tug on Aksinya’s hair.
“What was that for? Be more gentle, Nata.”
“You have a lot to learn mistress.”
“Aksinya. I am Aksinya.”
“Yes, Aksinya. You still have a lot to learn.”
“About what?”
“About men. The first thing they tell is that they love you before…before…”
Aksinya’s head lolled, “Before what?”
“Before they take you to bed—then all their love is forgotten.”
“How do you know?”
“The number of times…”
“Number of times. You haven’t?”
Natalya tugged a little harder against Aksinya’s hair.
“Nata, please be more gentle. I’m listening to you. You are only fifteen.”
If you remember, Natalya is in charge. Aksinya is drunk and slowly sucumbing to inebriation. The Graf has assigned two maids to Aksinya and Natalya. For the times that is very impressive. Aksinya needs the help of both maids and Natalya. I give you details of the preparations for bed and the next day. Natalya keeps the door to the bathroom open so she can ensure the drunk Aksinya will not drown in the tub. Remember, in this day and time, rooms were always cold in the winter. That's why the fires, the bed warming, the hot bath before bed.
Natalya had the maids sit Aksinya up in the bed so she can brush her hair and get her ready for bed. Natalya has been angry all night. She wants to speak to Aksinya. Aksinya wants to talk to Natalya. She begins: “Nata, no man has ever told me that he loves me.” Natalya's response is to be rough in brushing Aksinya's hair. We know this means she is angry and agitated. Perhaps we will find out why Natalya is angry.
Aksinya isn't very tactful either. She snips at Natalya. Natalya tells Aksinya that she has a lot to learn. The a lot to learn is about men. We knew that. Aksinya is clueless about men. We also knew there was something about Natalya's unusual maturity, knowledge, and comments. Natalya is going to take this opportunity to teach Aksinya...about men. We knew Natalya was abused, but this is new. You might have guessed. Her advice to Aksinya: “Before they take you to bed—then all their love is forgotten.” Natalya's response tells Aksinya and us that many men have told her they love her and have taken her to bed. Natalya is only fifteen. She was abused by many men. We find out why tomorrow.
Ernst delivers Aksinya and Natalya to their door. Aksinya promised to speak to Ernst tomorrow...when she gets up late...with a headache...
Natalya shut the door.
The two maids came to them and immediately began to remove Aksinya’s clothing. Aksinya required the help of all three. They put her into a hot bath. Natalya stood half undressed in the center of the sitting room and directed them. The maids readied the nightclothes Natalya instructed them to get out of the small trunk they had brought on the coupe. The footmen had delivered it to the room earlier. While Aksinya bathed—with the door open, so Natalya could keep an eye on her, Natalya had the maids set out Aksinya’s and her clothing for the morrow. The maids pressed their gowns and hung them. By then, it was time to wrestle Aksinya out of the bath and put her nightgown on her. While Aksinya lay on her bed, the maids helped Natalya out of her clothing and into her nightgown. They had already warmed the beds and checked the coals again.
At the end, Natalya had them lay Aksinya under the covers, but they propped her up on the pillows so Natalya could brush her hair. Natalya finally closed the door on the two of them. Natalya took her brush and sat on the side of the bed. She began to brush Aksinya’s hair. Aksinya’s eyes were closed, but Natalya knew she wasn’t sleeping. Aksinya didn’t open her eyes, she stretched her hands out in front of her. Her voice was only slurred a little, but her accent wasn’t evident because she spoke Russian, “Nata, no man has ever told me that he loves me.”
Natalya gave a fierce tug on Aksinya’s hair.
“What was that for? Be more gentle, Nata.”
“You have a lot to learn mistress.”
“Aksinya. I am Aksinya.”
“Yes, Aksinya. You still have a lot to learn.”
“About what?”
“About men. The first thing they tell is that they love you before…before…”
Aksinya’s head lolled, “Before what?”
“Before they take you to bed—then all their love is forgotten.”
“How do you know?”
“The number of times…”
“Number of times. You haven’t?”
Natalya tugged a little harder against Aksinya’s hair.
“Nata, please be more gentle. I’m listening to you. You are only fifteen.”
If you remember, Natalya is in charge. Aksinya is drunk and slowly sucumbing to inebriation. The Graf has assigned two maids to Aksinya and Natalya. For the times that is very impressive. Aksinya needs the help of both maids and Natalya. I give you details of the preparations for bed and the next day. Natalya keeps the door to the bathroom open so she can ensure the drunk Aksinya will not drown in the tub. Remember, in this day and time, rooms were always cold in the winter. That's why the fires, the bed warming, the hot bath before bed.
Natalya had the maids sit Aksinya up in the bed so she can brush her hair and get her ready for bed. Natalya has been angry all night. She wants to speak to Aksinya. Aksinya wants to talk to Natalya. She begins: “Nata, no man has ever told me that he loves me.” Natalya's response is to be rough in brushing Aksinya's hair. We know this means she is angry and agitated. Perhaps we will find out why Natalya is angry.
Aksinya isn't very tactful either. She snips at Natalya. Natalya tells Aksinya that she has a lot to learn. The a lot to learn is about men. We knew that. Aksinya is clueless about men. We also knew there was something about Natalya's unusual maturity, knowledge, and comments. Natalya is going to take this opportunity to teach Aksinya...about men. We knew Natalya was abused, but this is new. You might have guessed. Her advice to Aksinya: “Before they take you to bed—then all their love is forgotten.” Natalya's response tells Aksinya and us that many men have told her they love her and have taken her to bed. Natalya is only fifteen. She was abused by many men. We find out why tomorrow.
Friday, February 18, 2011
A New Novel, Part 138 Versailles Will Lead to Something Worse
For those who haven’t been following this blog, let me introduce it a little. I am currently blogging my 21st novel that has the working title Daemon. The novel is about Aksinya, a sorceress, who, to save her family from the Bolsheviks, called and contracted the demon, Asmodeus. Her family was murdered anyway, and she fled with the demon from Russia to Austria.
The soup course is served. This gives a natural break in the conversation. Can you imagine Aksinya. She isn't very happy, but still she is not entirely unhappy...
The waiters appeared to take away the soup and serve the fish. They brought out a fish knife and a small fork. They placed a small trout fillet before each of them. It was covered with a cream sauce. Aksinya turned a little away from Ernst and took a bite.
Ernst ate a forkful of the tender fish himself. He wiped his lips, “Countess, there are many more events that touch this world and Austria right now.”
Aksinya whispered, “None is more important than my sorrow.”
Ernst made a serious face, “That may be true, but the end of the war has placed a great burden on the Austrian and German people. You see the beggars in the street even in this freezing weather. The usual restaurants can barely keep their doors open. We have coffee and tea—they drink hot barely water. And I see little improvement in the future. For example, the treaty of Versailles in itself may cause suffering for all of us.”
“What is this treaty of Versailles?”
“It is the agreement the allies forced on Germany to conclude the war.”
“Is it onerous?”
“It is indeed onerous. It calls for reparations the German people will never be able to afford. Their aristocracy is in collapse. It is not yet certain who will lead them forward.”
“A man who is noble, forthright, and courageous must lead them.”
“I would that there was such a man. I expect they will be led by an egotistical commoner and fool. The people there have rejected their nobility.”
“And I understand your people here have decided to reject your nobility too.”
“Ah, so you have heard?”
“At school.”
“It is true. The parliament intends to dissolve the aristocracy.”
“If you hold no true fealty, then there is no purpose for an aristocracy in Austria.”
Ernst smiled, “There you have found us out, Countess. We have no reason to exist, and the parliament will erase even the slight nobility left us.”
“Nobility is not a question of birth, but rather how a man carries himself.”
“What did you say?”
“It is something my father often reminded me.”
“Yes, well…”
The waiters brought the main meat course. It was wiener schnitzel with puffy potato croquettes in a demi glace sauce. Aksinya was delighted. Although she and Ernst made a few additional remarks about the meal, their conversation after that wasn’t very remarkable. They completed their dinner with a salad, a cheese course, and a desert. The courses were a little larger than those at Sacré Coeur, but much smaller than those before the war. Desert was an apple strudel with whipped cream. The whipped cream was not sweet, but the desert more than made up for it.
When they finished eating, Ernst stood and helped Aksinya and Natalya out of their seats. The maid who held their coats and gloves came to them. She assisted Aksinya first with hers and then Natalya, finally Herr von Taaffe. With a deep curtsy, she reverently handed Aksinya her bouquet. They had been placed in water the whole time and still were fresh. Ernst led them both back out of the Palais Coburg Hotel Residenz and helped them into his landau. The carriage headed off down the cold and damp streets of Wien.
The conversation continues as I continue to show you a meal typical of this class and time. Ernst unwisely turns the conversation from the nobility to current affairs. Aksinya's first answer is very revealing. We understand it completely, Ernst does not. We know the true depths of Aksinya's sorrow. Ernst gives us a little more information about the times. He brings up the treaty of Versailles and notes it may cause worse suffering. This is historical grandizing that I use to show that both Aksinya and Ernst are very knowledgeable. The point, we know, is the treaty of Versailles led directly to WWII. Aksinya hopes for a courageous man of noble character to lead them. Ernst rightly predicts an egotistical commoner and fool (it was Hitler, an Austrian) who ended up leading the German people.
The German's rejected their nobility following WWI. The Austrians are in the process of doing that too. In the late spring of 1919, the Austrian parliament voted out the aristocracy. Aksinya heard this from the girls in school. Aksinya notes there is no purpose for an aristocracy if they don't hold people in their fealty. She follows this with a statement we know is her expression of self. It is so important to her, I'll repeat it: “Nobility is not a question of birth, but rather how a man carries himself.” Aksinya's father often told her this. From the lips of a nobleman, it is likely not very meaningful, but in the context of who Aksinya is, we know this is very important to her.
We see the meat course. This dish is a favorite in Germany and Austria. I give you a list of the remaining courses with some comment on the size of them. The chapter ends with Aksinya, Natalya, and Ernst retrieving their cloaks and Aksinya, her bouquet. The hotel took care of them--they realize their worth. Then back to the laudau and away. Sorry, I didn't end the chapter with a kicker. This chapter became too long, and I just decided to break it here. Tomorrow, we begin chapter 12 at the ballet.
The soup course is served. This gives a natural break in the conversation. Can you imagine Aksinya. She isn't very happy, but still she is not entirely unhappy...
The waiters appeared to take away the soup and serve the fish. They brought out a fish knife and a small fork. They placed a small trout fillet before each of them. It was covered with a cream sauce. Aksinya turned a little away from Ernst and took a bite.
Ernst ate a forkful of the tender fish himself. He wiped his lips, “Countess, there are many more events that touch this world and Austria right now.”
Aksinya whispered, “None is more important than my sorrow.”
Ernst made a serious face, “That may be true, but the end of the war has placed a great burden on the Austrian and German people. You see the beggars in the street even in this freezing weather. The usual restaurants can barely keep their doors open. We have coffee and tea—they drink hot barely water. And I see little improvement in the future. For example, the treaty of Versailles in itself may cause suffering for all of us.”
“What is this treaty of Versailles?”
“It is the agreement the allies forced on Germany to conclude the war.”
“Is it onerous?”
“It is indeed onerous. It calls for reparations the German people will never be able to afford. Their aristocracy is in collapse. It is not yet certain who will lead them forward.”
“A man who is noble, forthright, and courageous must lead them.”
“I would that there was such a man. I expect they will be led by an egotistical commoner and fool. The people there have rejected their nobility.”
“And I understand your people here have decided to reject your nobility too.”
“Ah, so you have heard?”
“At school.”
“It is true. The parliament intends to dissolve the aristocracy.”
“If you hold no true fealty, then there is no purpose for an aristocracy in Austria.”
Ernst smiled, “There you have found us out, Countess. We have no reason to exist, and the parliament will erase even the slight nobility left us.”
“Nobility is not a question of birth, but rather how a man carries himself.”
“What did you say?”
“It is something my father often reminded me.”
“Yes, well…”
The waiters brought the main meat course. It was wiener schnitzel with puffy potato croquettes in a demi glace sauce. Aksinya was delighted. Although she and Ernst made a few additional remarks about the meal, their conversation after that wasn’t very remarkable. They completed their dinner with a salad, a cheese course, and a desert. The courses were a little larger than those at Sacré Coeur, but much smaller than those before the war. Desert was an apple strudel with whipped cream. The whipped cream was not sweet, but the desert more than made up for it.
When they finished eating, Ernst stood and helped Aksinya and Natalya out of their seats. The maid who held their coats and gloves came to them. She assisted Aksinya first with hers and then Natalya, finally Herr von Taaffe. With a deep curtsy, she reverently handed Aksinya her bouquet. They had been placed in water the whole time and still were fresh. Ernst led them both back out of the Palais Coburg Hotel Residenz and helped them into his landau. The carriage headed off down the cold and damp streets of Wien.
The conversation continues as I continue to show you a meal typical of this class and time. Ernst unwisely turns the conversation from the nobility to current affairs. Aksinya's first answer is very revealing. We understand it completely, Ernst does not. We know the true depths of Aksinya's sorrow. Ernst gives us a little more information about the times. He brings up the treaty of Versailles and notes it may cause worse suffering. This is historical grandizing that I use to show that both Aksinya and Ernst are very knowledgeable. The point, we know, is the treaty of Versailles led directly to WWII. Aksinya hopes for a courageous man of noble character to lead them. Ernst rightly predicts an egotistical commoner and fool (it was Hitler, an Austrian) who ended up leading the German people.
The German's rejected their nobility following WWI. The Austrians are in the process of doing that too. In the late spring of 1919, the Austrian parliament voted out the aristocracy. Aksinya heard this from the girls in school. Aksinya notes there is no purpose for an aristocracy if they don't hold people in their fealty. She follows this with a statement we know is her expression of self. It is so important to her, I'll repeat it: “Nobility is not a question of birth, but rather how a man carries himself.” Aksinya's father often told her this. From the lips of a nobleman, it is likely not very meaningful, but in the context of who Aksinya is, we know this is very important to her.
We see the meat course. This dish is a favorite in Germany and Austria. I give you a list of the remaining courses with some comment on the size of them. The chapter ends with Aksinya, Natalya, and Ernst retrieving their cloaks and Aksinya, her bouquet. The hotel took care of them--they realize their worth. Then back to the laudau and away. Sorry, I didn't end the chapter with a kicker. This chapter became too long, and I just decided to break it here. Tomorrow, we begin chapter 12 at the ballet.
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