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 and Ernst are having a wonderful and somewhat candid conversation about what he loves and she...
Aksinya mumbled, “Ha, you know nothing about me.”
“But I do know a lot about you now. Everything I know, I love.” Ernst pulled Aksinya closer to him, “Listen to me Aksinya. I want you to be mine.”
She trembled and tried to pull away, “What do you mean by that?”
“I want you to marry me.” He pulled her close again and put his lips on hers. Aksinya allowed him to kiss her. She sunk into his embrace. They stood there for what seemed like to Aksinya for a long time. Slowly he let her go, and she settled back with her feet solidly on the ground.
Natalya rushed from the other room. She grabbed Aksinya by the arm and tried to pull her away from Ernst, “Get back Ernst von Taaffe. I know impropriety when I see it. That was much too forward. Let her go.” She punched at the young man.
Ernst let go of Aksinya’s hands, and she fell back a step. She stared at Ernst with dawning realization, “You…you kissed me.”
“Mistress, you should have slapped him. Otherwise, he will be encouraged…”
Aksinya closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath, “No, Natalya. I wish to speak with him further.”
“I will stand right here between you.”
“No,” Akisnya’s voice softened, “No, please, Lady Natalya. Just let me speak with him a moment more. I shall stand away from him, and he shall not touch me again.”
“Only if he promises...”
Ernst growled, “I will promise for now.”
Aksinya pleaded, “You see, Lady Natalya, he promised. Allow me to speak to him for a little longer after that you and I will retire for the evening.”
Natalya scowled at Ernst. She glanced at Aksinya from the sides of her eyes, “Very well, mistress. But he must stand on one side of the room and you on the other. I shall be watching.” She pointed at Ernst, “If you make a single move toward her, sir, I shall scream for her aunt and uncle and tell them everything.”
Ernst moved to the end of the enclosed balcony, “Lady Natalya, you need not fear. I will not attempt to molest your mistress again.”
Natalya glanced at Aksinya. Aksinya hastily moved to the other end of the balcony. They waited for Natalya to return to her seat.
Ernst declares his love...again. He did before and Aksinya blew it off. Now we know why. She didn't believe him. She thought it was all a joke. She thought it was a lie...wait, Ernst was lying. Aksinya is confused. She doesn't know what to believe or what to trust. Does Ernst really love her? She thinks she is unlovable. She thinks she is ugly and unwomanly. Could Ernst really love a woman like her?
Ernst throws down another bet on the table: "I want you to be mine." Aksinya doesn't know what he means. She isn't stupid; she just can't process the information. Ernst makes it clearer and ups the annie. He should have been so straightforward to begin with. He wants to marry her, and to seal his point, he kisses her.
We realize this is not the usual Ernst we have come to know and love. This is very forthright for Ernst. The last two times we saw him this straightforward were, when he approached Aksinya at the Advent party and when he pushed past Sister Margarethe at the door to the house. We know he did both at the encouragement of Asmodeus. We guess that Ernst really does want to marry Aksinya, but his action to kiss her catches us and Aksinya by surprise.
Aksinya like this kind of attention. Didn't we go through this before. The demon wanted to tempt Aksinya with real sex. This is an intimacy that will surely tempt Aksinya. I use some fun techniques to show you how the kiss affected her.
Natalya acts a proper chaperone, but her actions seem a little too intense. She seems a little too ready to protect her mistress. Didn't she prepare Aksinya like a bouquet for Ernst. Didn't she pick the wonderful and beautiful dress to present Aksinya to Ernst tonight. Ernst's action was obviously out of line for the times. Natalya's very fervent response (as opposed to Aksinya's) shows just how far Ernst went over the line. But surely there is more...Natalya knew what was going on--she more than Aksinya. We will find out more about her reaction...soon, but for now, you might contemplate why Natalya's actions are what they are.
Aksinya is amazed more than surprised. Nothing else that Ernst could have done would have made such an impression on her. Natalya advises a slap--Aksinya wants to talk to him more. Natalya's response is right on in some ways and a little too much in others. As the chaperone, she should keep the two from untoward behaviour, but she shouldn't prevent all interaction. Her purpose is to prevent certain things, but speaking and even limited appropriate touching is not some of them. Still she is technically correct in what she requests.
Ernst and Aksinya have had a taste of the physical. Ernst will control himself. He doesn't like it. Aksinya will control herself--she doesn't like it. Aksinya promises to retire with Natalya after they speak. Natalya threatens to scream for Aksinya's aunt and uncle. Now, we know how far that might go. Aksinya's aunt, uncle, and Ernst's father have gone to great lengths to get these two lovebirds together like this. They wouldn't condone physical interaction, but they wouldn't want to do anything to prevent Ernst and Aksinya from speaking and wooing.
Ernst and Aksinya accomodate Natalya--they move to either end of the enclosed balcony. Can you see them move--especially Aksinya's haste. They wait for Natalya to sit. Tomorrow, the rest of the conversation.
Showing posts with label estate. Show all posts
Showing posts with label estate. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
A New Novel, Part 156 It is not the Sorcery
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 and Ernst are dancing at his father's New Years party. Their conversation is very personal. Ernst suggests they go to a more private location...
“Come, we will converse in private.”
Aksinya pressed her lips together again, “Not without my chaperone.”
Ernst glanced at her. He hesitated a moment, “Very well.” He led Aksinya to where Natalya sat. Aksinya made a sign to Natalya. Ernst held to Aksinya’s fingers on his arm and took her back toward the parlor. He led her through the room and to the entrance to a smaller sunroom on the other side. The music from the ballroom still sifted to them. He touched the back of a chair and glanced at Natalya, “I wish to speak privately with the Countess. Would you sit here by the door? You can still observe us though the opening.”
Natalya glanced at Aksinya. Aksinya nodded to her. Natalya sat in the chair, and Ernst led Aksinya to the end of the sunroom. The small room was like an enclosed balcony. The outer wall was glass and overlooked a courtyard within the interior of the building. A low stone wall stood at the end as though the balcony had once been open, but the glass had been added later. He rested against the edge and held Aksinya’s hands. She pulled her hands from his and leaned on the top of the wall. The top was unfinished stone with some crumbling mortar in between. She picked at the loose pieces of it, “What did you wish to say to me that you couldn’t say in the ballroom?”
“The reason I am so interested in you.”
Aksinya toyed with the mortar, “I was about to tell you… you are interested only because of the sorcery. I understand that.”
He stared out at the darkened courtyard, “It isn’t the sorcery.”
Aksinya picked at the mortar a little more fiercely, “It has always been about the sorcery.”
“Why are you trying to tell me how I feel about you?”
“It is obvious. It is because of the sorcery. Isn’t that what you told me before?”
Ernst grabbed her hands and made her look at him, “It is obvious that I love you.”
Aksinya tried to pull her hands out of his and turned her face away, “It is obvious because of the sorcery. Don’t bring in such ideas as love.”
“I’m telling you, Aksinya. It isn’t the sorcery. I love you.”
“You…you used my name.”
“Sorry, I’m telling you, it isn’t the sorcery. It never was the sorcery. That was just an excuse I used to get close to you.”
“You said you were trying to accomplish sorcery, and you wanted me to teach you.”
“I lied.”
“You said my courtier told you about me.”
“I heard about you from your uncle. He pointed me to your courtier. I don’t know why the subject of sorcery came up with him. I have been studying it. I have been completely unsuccessful. I know I can’t really do it. It requires a faith in the world I don’t have.”
“So you took my book just to get me to go to the ballet with you.”
“Your courtier said there was no other way to convince you. I wanted to get to know you. You are an astonishing person. In my mind, you are a perfect woman.”
Aksinya mumbled, “Ha, you know nothing about me.”
“But I do know a lot about you now. Everything I know, I love.”
The private conversation...this is the kind of event a chaperone isn't supposed to prevent, but must keep in check. Aksinya shows wisdom here. The Lady Natalya comes along--we knew she would. If you haven't guessed it already, the entire party was put together to support this very event.
Ernst leads Aksinya to an enclosed balcony--how romantic. Natalya can observe them through the opening.
I give you a detailed description of the place--this is important. I won't build too much here about the meaning behind the details, but you can see for yourself the metaphors I set in place. Aksinya will not hold Ernst's hands. She rests her hands on the top and plays with the rotten mortar between the stones--there is an intentional metaphor here. She asks the obvious question: “What did you wish to say to me that you couldn’t say in the ballroom?” If you remember, it wasn't what Ernst was going to say--it was what Aksinya was about to say. Ernst gets it. He wants to tell her: “The reason I am so interested in you.”
Now Aksinya tells us what she thinks about everything that has been going on with Ernst. This is very important, but it is not new information. We knew it from the beginning: "...you are interested only because of the sorcery. I understand that.” This was the reason Ernst gave from the beginning. This was the idea that held Aksinya back. This is why she kept asking for the books.
Ernst's answer: “It isn’t the sorcery.” Doesn't surprise her, she just thinks it is a lie. Ernst is becoming angry with her. I don't tell you this, his words show you this. Aksinya calls him on his statements, and he answers her straightforwardly. He says he loves her, but she still doesn't believe it. Aksinya can't imagine that someone would love her. Love is a strange thing to Aksinya. We aren't certain she understands what love really is at all. Then...Ernst uses Aksinya's name. That is a real faux pas, and very intimate, but he thinks, perhaps that will shock her into believing him. It shocks her, but doesn't work much--at least she listens to him.
We get an explanation from Ernst about some of the events that made him seek out Aksinya. We find that most of what he told her before was a lie. It was a lie he used to get close to her, but a lie none-the-less. And Ernst admits he lied. We discover the details of Ernst's interaction with the Freiherr and with Asmodeus.
Still, everything Ernst tells us, we knew already. We realized he loves Aksinya. We realized he stole her book to get her to go out with him. He thinks she is special and perfect. We know all this is temptation--temptation for Ernst and temptation for Aksinya. The kicker here is Ernst's confession (again): “But I do know a lot about you now. Everything I know, I love.” Alas, he doesn't know much at all.
Ah, love. Aksinya is wary. Natalya is wary. Aksinya should be. Natalya knows. Tomorrow, more of the lovebirds conversation on the enclosed balcony.
Aksinya and Ernst are dancing at his father's New Years party. Their conversation is very personal. Ernst suggests they go to a more private location...
“Come, we will converse in private.”
Aksinya pressed her lips together again, “Not without my chaperone.”
Ernst glanced at her. He hesitated a moment, “Very well.” He led Aksinya to where Natalya sat. Aksinya made a sign to Natalya. Ernst held to Aksinya’s fingers on his arm and took her back toward the parlor. He led her through the room and to the entrance to a smaller sunroom on the other side. The music from the ballroom still sifted to them. He touched the back of a chair and glanced at Natalya, “I wish to speak privately with the Countess. Would you sit here by the door? You can still observe us though the opening.”
Natalya glanced at Aksinya. Aksinya nodded to her. Natalya sat in the chair, and Ernst led Aksinya to the end of the sunroom. The small room was like an enclosed balcony. The outer wall was glass and overlooked a courtyard within the interior of the building. A low stone wall stood at the end as though the balcony had once been open, but the glass had been added later. He rested against the edge and held Aksinya’s hands. She pulled her hands from his and leaned on the top of the wall. The top was unfinished stone with some crumbling mortar in between. She picked at the loose pieces of it, “What did you wish to say to me that you couldn’t say in the ballroom?”
“The reason I am so interested in you.”
Aksinya toyed with the mortar, “I was about to tell you… you are interested only because of the sorcery. I understand that.”
He stared out at the darkened courtyard, “It isn’t the sorcery.”
Aksinya picked at the mortar a little more fiercely, “It has always been about the sorcery.”
“Why are you trying to tell me how I feel about you?”
“It is obvious. It is because of the sorcery. Isn’t that what you told me before?”
Ernst grabbed her hands and made her look at him, “It is obvious that I love you.”
Aksinya tried to pull her hands out of his and turned her face away, “It is obvious because of the sorcery. Don’t bring in such ideas as love.”
“I’m telling you, Aksinya. It isn’t the sorcery. I love you.”
“You…you used my name.”
“Sorry, I’m telling you, it isn’t the sorcery. It never was the sorcery. That was just an excuse I used to get close to you.”
“You said you were trying to accomplish sorcery, and you wanted me to teach you.”
“I lied.”
“You said my courtier told you about me.”
“I heard about you from your uncle. He pointed me to your courtier. I don’t know why the subject of sorcery came up with him. I have been studying it. I have been completely unsuccessful. I know I can’t really do it. It requires a faith in the world I don’t have.”
“So you took my book just to get me to go to the ballet with you.”
“Your courtier said there was no other way to convince you. I wanted to get to know you. You are an astonishing person. In my mind, you are a perfect woman.”
Aksinya mumbled, “Ha, you know nothing about me.”
“But I do know a lot about you now. Everything I know, I love.”
The private conversation...this is the kind of event a chaperone isn't supposed to prevent, but must keep in check. Aksinya shows wisdom here. The Lady Natalya comes along--we knew she would. If you haven't guessed it already, the entire party was put together to support this very event.
Ernst leads Aksinya to an enclosed balcony--how romantic. Natalya can observe them through the opening.
I give you a detailed description of the place--this is important. I won't build too much here about the meaning behind the details, but you can see for yourself the metaphors I set in place. Aksinya will not hold Ernst's hands. She rests her hands on the top and plays with the rotten mortar between the stones--there is an intentional metaphor here. She asks the obvious question: “What did you wish to say to me that you couldn’t say in the ballroom?” If you remember, it wasn't what Ernst was going to say--it was what Aksinya was about to say. Ernst gets it. He wants to tell her: “The reason I am so interested in you.”
Now Aksinya tells us what she thinks about everything that has been going on with Ernst. This is very important, but it is not new information. We knew it from the beginning: "...you are interested only because of the sorcery. I understand that.” This was the reason Ernst gave from the beginning. This was the idea that held Aksinya back. This is why she kept asking for the books.
Ernst's answer: “It isn’t the sorcery.” Doesn't surprise her, she just thinks it is a lie. Ernst is becoming angry with her. I don't tell you this, his words show you this. Aksinya calls him on his statements, and he answers her straightforwardly. He says he loves her, but she still doesn't believe it. Aksinya can't imagine that someone would love her. Love is a strange thing to Aksinya. We aren't certain she understands what love really is at all. Then...Ernst uses Aksinya's name. That is a real faux pas, and very intimate, but he thinks, perhaps that will shock her into believing him. It shocks her, but doesn't work much--at least she listens to him.
We get an explanation from Ernst about some of the events that made him seek out Aksinya. We find that most of what he told her before was a lie. It was a lie he used to get close to her, but a lie none-the-less. And Ernst admits he lied. We discover the details of Ernst's interaction with the Freiherr and with Asmodeus.
Still, everything Ernst tells us, we knew already. We realized he loves Aksinya. We realized he stole her book to get her to go out with him. He thinks she is special and perfect. We know all this is temptation--temptation for Ernst and temptation for Aksinya. The kicker here is Ernst's confession (again): “But I do know a lot about you now. Everything I know, I love.” Alas, he doesn't know much at all.
Ah, love. Aksinya is wary. Natalya is wary. Aksinya should be. Natalya knows. Tomorrow, more of the lovebirds conversation on the enclosed balcony.
Monday, March 7, 2011
A New Novel, Part 155 Dance with Me
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, Natalya, and the Bockmanns are at Ernst Father's estate for a New Years party. Dinner and dessert are over; now is the time for dancing...
Ernst and his father led the men from the table. Aksinya followed a servant and the ladies to the parlor. The women spoke with Aksinya and that part of the evening was very pleasant to her. After a while, the men returned to the parlor and the Graf led Ernst to Aksinya, “Countess, would you come to the ballroom. I have promised my guests a dance, and I hoped you would dance with my son.”
Aksinya stood and took Ernst’s arm. She was a little wobbly from the wine. She glanced at him, “I would be pleased to dance.”
In the ballroom, the Graf made a motion toward the sting quartet, and they began to play a waltz. Ernst clasped Aksinya’s hand and led her into the dance. He didn’t say anything and didn’t look at Aksinya at first. She asked him, “Are you embarrassed about your father’s comments at dinner?”
Ernst frowned, “Am I that obvious?”
She laughed, “Yes.”
“Do you understand his meaning?”
“Yes, I think I do. This is why you brought me, isn’t it? Your father sees me as a potential candidate for your bride.”
“Yes, it is that obvious?”
“It was that obvious from the beginning.”
“Yes… And what are your feelings?”
“Feelings have little to do with it.”
Ernst stopped cold, “Wha…what do you mean?”
Aksinya pursed her lips, “Everyone is staring.”
Ernst led off again, “Everyone is staring at you.”
“At me?”
“You are absolutely gorgeous in that dress. If you didn’t wish to be stared at, you shouldn’t wear such beautiful clothing. Didn’t you realize?”
Aksinya tossed her head, “Natalya chose my dress. I leave such things to her. If you wished perfection in decorum and dress you should be interested in her.”
“But I am not interested in her. I am interested only in you.”
“Only because of what I am…”
Ernst pulled her a little closer, “This is not the place to speak about such things.”
“Really?”
“Come, we will converse in private.”
Aksinya pressed her lips together again, “Not without my chaperone.”
So the evening continues. The conversation of dinner has a break due to dessert and after dinner drinks. I show you this little cultural phenomena and refer to its reasons. Usually the gentlemen go to smoke after dinner. They usually have an after dinner drink. The ladies usually have an after dinner drink and dessert with coffee or tea.
When the men return to the the parlor, it is time to begin the dance. The Graf is pushing his son into Akinsya's arms--did you expect anything else? Aksinya is a little tipsy--did you expect anything else? Aksinya will dance. Dancing is one of the major civilized pleasures of the time, and this was a period when all educated and refined people knew how to dance.
Aksinya and Ernst begin to dance. He doesn't speak and Aksinya is a little drunk, so she does not hold her tongue. The conversation at dinner is the topic. Ernst is obviously upset about his father's candor. Ernst is obvious. Ernst has always worn his thoughts and his emotions on his sleeve. From the beginning, he hasn't kept any secrets from us or Aksinya. His love letters are straight forward. His love is like a puppy dog's.
What should surprise us is how observant Aksinya has been. She picked up on everything. She knew what was going on. I ask you again, do you think she is a woman in love? The Graf was just short of inviting Aksinya into the family at dinner. He invited her to call him by his given name. He gave her to Ernst to escort. He sat her in the place of the lady of the house. He spoke candidly to her about Ernst and his future. The next step is obvious to everyone but Aksinya.
So Ernst asks Aksinya in a round about manner. This is not the correct approach with her at all. He asks: “Yes… And what are your feelings?” (her feelings about marriage to him--that is, about love for him). Aksinya floors him with her answer: “Feelings have little to do with it.” You can see all that is happening here. Ernst has been dropping hints from the beginning of their relationship. Well, okay, not so much hints as straight out declarations. He loves her and wants to marry her. He thought that Aksinya would fall in love with him just as he has fallen in love with her. He thought that all the preparation would make her fall into his arms. He thought that even if she didn't love him, he was at least so good a catch that she would just act like she loved him and everything would be well. That isn't Aksinya. Plus, Ernst approached Aksinya about sorcery. He has her book. This little perversion of the relationship is the problem.
When they stop in the middle of the dance, everyone is staring at them. Well, duh. They are the reason for this party. They are the couple here. Everyone knows what is going on. A marriage proposal is in the works. This is the way things are done. Aksinya takes the staring for their motionlessness in the middle of the dance floor. Ernst gives another reason--Aksinya's beauty. Which is right? We know Aksinya is not beautiful, but her dress perhaps makes her look stunning. This is why the perceptions of the characters are untrustworthy--just like real life. We see the happenings around the characters and have to interpret them for ourselves--just like real life. By the way, I use an advance writing technique to show you all this. I don't tell you everyone is staring; I show you through Aksinya and Ernst conversation that everyone is staring. No description, just dialog.
Ernst response and declaration that Aksinya is "absolutely gorgeous" shows us that he is smitten. Whether Aksinya is as ugly as she believes is immaterial to Ernst and to his father. Look as Aksinya's response. Natalya chose the dress (she likely chose it for Ernst, but Natalya is the reason, not Aksinya). There is another way of looking at this--we choose our servants to make us look good. That is their purpose. There is a foreshadowing here about Natalya. I won't do anything other than point this out to you right now.
This interaction leads to the point Aksinya has held to all this time. She doesn't believe Ernst loves her for herself, but only for her sorcery. That is the reason for her statement. Aksinya is a little drunk and she is hot for a little confrontation with Ernst. Ernst and his father put her on the spot at dinner. She believes everything is a facade and the facade is based not on Ernst's love for her and what she is, but rather on her sorcery and the demon's actions to influence Ernst and perhaps his father.
Ernst invites Aksinya to have a private conversation. Of course this can't be allowed. This action alone likely proves how inexperience Ernst is with women. He should know this. On the other hand, if he does know this, they his request is pure induendo. We will see tomorrow the beginnings of thier private conversation.
Aksinya, Natalya, and the Bockmanns are at Ernst Father's estate for a New Years party. Dinner and dessert are over; now is the time for dancing...
Ernst and his father led the men from the table. Aksinya followed a servant and the ladies to the parlor. The women spoke with Aksinya and that part of the evening was very pleasant to her. After a while, the men returned to the parlor and the Graf led Ernst to Aksinya, “Countess, would you come to the ballroom. I have promised my guests a dance, and I hoped you would dance with my son.”
Aksinya stood and took Ernst’s arm. She was a little wobbly from the wine. She glanced at him, “I would be pleased to dance.”
In the ballroom, the Graf made a motion toward the sting quartet, and they began to play a waltz. Ernst clasped Aksinya’s hand and led her into the dance. He didn’t say anything and didn’t look at Aksinya at first. She asked him, “Are you embarrassed about your father’s comments at dinner?”
Ernst frowned, “Am I that obvious?”
She laughed, “Yes.”
“Do you understand his meaning?”
“Yes, I think I do. This is why you brought me, isn’t it? Your father sees me as a potential candidate for your bride.”
“Yes, it is that obvious?”
“It was that obvious from the beginning.”
“Yes… And what are your feelings?”
“Feelings have little to do with it.”
Ernst stopped cold, “Wha…what do you mean?”
Aksinya pursed her lips, “Everyone is staring.”
Ernst led off again, “Everyone is staring at you.”
“At me?”
“You are absolutely gorgeous in that dress. If you didn’t wish to be stared at, you shouldn’t wear such beautiful clothing. Didn’t you realize?”
Aksinya tossed her head, “Natalya chose my dress. I leave such things to her. If you wished perfection in decorum and dress you should be interested in her.”
“But I am not interested in her. I am interested only in you.”
“Only because of what I am…”
Ernst pulled her a little closer, “This is not the place to speak about such things.”
“Really?”
“Come, we will converse in private.”
Aksinya pressed her lips together again, “Not without my chaperone.”
So the evening continues. The conversation of dinner has a break due to dessert and after dinner drinks. I show you this little cultural phenomena and refer to its reasons. Usually the gentlemen go to smoke after dinner. They usually have an after dinner drink. The ladies usually have an after dinner drink and dessert with coffee or tea.
When the men return to the the parlor, it is time to begin the dance. The Graf is pushing his son into Akinsya's arms--did you expect anything else? Aksinya is a little tipsy--did you expect anything else? Aksinya will dance. Dancing is one of the major civilized pleasures of the time, and this was a period when all educated and refined people knew how to dance.
Aksinya and Ernst begin to dance. He doesn't speak and Aksinya is a little drunk, so she does not hold her tongue. The conversation at dinner is the topic. Ernst is obviously upset about his father's candor. Ernst is obvious. Ernst has always worn his thoughts and his emotions on his sleeve. From the beginning, he hasn't kept any secrets from us or Aksinya. His love letters are straight forward. His love is like a puppy dog's.
What should surprise us is how observant Aksinya has been. She picked up on everything. She knew what was going on. I ask you again, do you think she is a woman in love? The Graf was just short of inviting Aksinya into the family at dinner. He invited her to call him by his given name. He gave her to Ernst to escort. He sat her in the place of the lady of the house. He spoke candidly to her about Ernst and his future. The next step is obvious to everyone but Aksinya.
So Ernst asks Aksinya in a round about manner. This is not the correct approach with her at all. He asks: “Yes… And what are your feelings?” (her feelings about marriage to him--that is, about love for him). Aksinya floors him with her answer: “Feelings have little to do with it.” You can see all that is happening here. Ernst has been dropping hints from the beginning of their relationship. Well, okay, not so much hints as straight out declarations. He loves her and wants to marry her. He thought that Aksinya would fall in love with him just as he has fallen in love with her. He thought that all the preparation would make her fall into his arms. He thought that even if she didn't love him, he was at least so good a catch that she would just act like she loved him and everything would be well. That isn't Aksinya. Plus, Ernst approached Aksinya about sorcery. He has her book. This little perversion of the relationship is the problem.
When they stop in the middle of the dance, everyone is staring at them. Well, duh. They are the reason for this party. They are the couple here. Everyone knows what is going on. A marriage proposal is in the works. This is the way things are done. Aksinya takes the staring for their motionlessness in the middle of the dance floor. Ernst gives another reason--Aksinya's beauty. Which is right? We know Aksinya is not beautiful, but her dress perhaps makes her look stunning. This is why the perceptions of the characters are untrustworthy--just like real life. We see the happenings around the characters and have to interpret them for ourselves--just like real life. By the way, I use an advance writing technique to show you all this. I don't tell you everyone is staring; I show you through Aksinya and Ernst conversation that everyone is staring. No description, just dialog.
Ernst response and declaration that Aksinya is "absolutely gorgeous" shows us that he is smitten. Whether Aksinya is as ugly as she believes is immaterial to Ernst and to his father. Look as Aksinya's response. Natalya chose the dress (she likely chose it for Ernst, but Natalya is the reason, not Aksinya). There is another way of looking at this--we choose our servants to make us look good. That is their purpose. There is a foreshadowing here about Natalya. I won't do anything other than point this out to you right now.
This interaction leads to the point Aksinya has held to all this time. She doesn't believe Ernst loves her for herself, but only for her sorcery. That is the reason for her statement. Aksinya is a little drunk and she is hot for a little confrontation with Ernst. Ernst and his father put her on the spot at dinner. She believes everything is a facade and the facade is based not on Ernst's love for her and what she is, but rather on her sorcery and the demon's actions to influence Ernst and perhaps his father.
Ernst invites Aksinya to have a private conversation. Of course this can't be allowed. This action alone likely proves how inexperience Ernst is with women. He should know this. On the other hand, if he does know this, they his request is pure induendo. We will see tomorrow the beginnings of thier private conversation.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
A New Novel, Part 153 I Have Not Found Him Dour at All
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, Natalya, and the Bockmanns are at Ernst father's, Graf von Taaffe's, estate for a New Years party and dance. They have been called to dinner...
They entered a large dining room and Ernst escorted Aksinya to the seat next to the head of the table. It was the seat usually reserved for the lady of the house. Ernst sat beside her and the Graf von Taaffe at the head. Natalya was seated by the Graf next to Ernst. Across from Aksinya sat her uncle and next to him, her aunt.
As soon as the first course of wine and appetizer was served, the Graf asked her, “I understand you are attending the gymnasium at Sacré Coeur.”
Aksinya touched her lips with her napkin, “My lady-in-waiting and I.”
“Yes, you made the acquaintance of my son there?”
“Through my aunt and uncle…”
“Yes, through your aunt and uncle. Your uncle is a very good friend of mine. Do you intend to continue your studies?”
“I would like to.”
“I understand you are as fond as my son of the ballet, opera, and theater.”
Aksinya tasted a bite of the appetizer. It was a small piece of hart in a light wine sauce. She took a sip of wine before she answered, “Yes, although I am still getting used to comedy. In Russia, not so many of the stories end without tragic consequences.”
The Graf laughed, “I thought we Austrians were dour.”
“I have not found Ernst dour at all.”
“That is good. Are you pleased with him?”
“He is pleasant to me.”
“Good. I intend for him to take over the business from me. Perhaps you can encourage him in this direction. He can’t continue to spend his life in frivolity.”
“Father,” Ernst complained.
“Now, Ernst, I simply state the obvious. Although I understand very well why you might want to spend every evening entertaining the Countess, I do wish you to be as serious as she is about your future.”
A servant removed the appetizer plates and another served the soup. Aksinya’s glass was filled with a new wine that was a little sweeter than the first.
You can make all you want of this--Aksinya is seated at the place reserved for the lady of the house. This place would usually go to the highest ranking woman in the household--it goes to Aksinya. Like I said, make of it what you want. The Graf honors the Bockmanns, but we could have guessed he would. He is interested in their support for Ernst in his courting of Aksinya. Plus they seem to be the highest ranking couple next to the Graf and Aksinya. The Graf also allowed Ernst to escort Aksinya to dinner. He introduced Aksinya as Ernst's suitor so it is natural that Ernst should escort her. These little plays have their place. They are the norm for the culture and are not random or by simple desire.
At the table, the responsibility of the man on the right of the lady is to engage the lady in conversation. The Graf begins immediately. His question is simple. Aksinya's answer is not as simple as it sounds. She tells the Graf that both she and Natalya are attending the school together. A small detail. The Graf's response is straight to the point--can you see, he wanted to bring up Ernst. We learn that Freiherr Bockmann is a good friend of the Graf von Taaffe. This shouldn't surprise us, but it does make everything become clearer about the past events.
The second point the Graf wanted to bring up is about studies. Ernst and studies, whatever could he have in mind? The Graf makes a statement that lets us know he is very familiar with the evening meetings of Ernst and Aksinya. The Graf's statement is simple, but it is a statement not a question. Aksinya answers thoughtfully. Note she does take a long moment to think through her answer. She acknowledges the Graf's knowledge and provides an attempt to turn the conversation. This gives me the opportunity to bring up the joke and point about being "dour." This was a part of Ernst and Aksinya's first event conversation. The Graf mirrors his son in the treatment of the subject. This shows the connectin between the two. Aksinya makes it personal: “I have not found Ernst dour at all.”
This allows the Graf to get to one of his main points: "Are you pleased with him?" Aksinya's answer allows the Graf to bring up his second point--this is about Ernst's life and work. Ernst isn't happy with the direction of the conversation. This is obviously a point of contention between Ernst and his father. The problem here is that the Graf has made a terrible mistake about Aksinya's dedication to her studies. Perhaps she wishes to study, but we know she doesn't. She is not a model student at all. She is in some ways as bad as Ernst. To use Aksinya as an example of proper dedication is not the best idea. Neither Ernst nor the Graf realize this. Aksinya might not even realize this. She is a dedicated student of sorcery and luxuria, but not of much else. Still the dinner continues and tomorrow, we shall see where the Graf's conversation will go.
Aksinya, Natalya, and the Bockmanns are at Ernst father's, Graf von Taaffe's, estate for a New Years party and dance. They have been called to dinner...
They entered a large dining room and Ernst escorted Aksinya to the seat next to the head of the table. It was the seat usually reserved for the lady of the house. Ernst sat beside her and the Graf von Taaffe at the head. Natalya was seated by the Graf next to Ernst. Across from Aksinya sat her uncle and next to him, her aunt.
As soon as the first course of wine and appetizer was served, the Graf asked her, “I understand you are attending the gymnasium at Sacré Coeur.”
Aksinya touched her lips with her napkin, “My lady-in-waiting and I.”
“Yes, you made the acquaintance of my son there?”
“Through my aunt and uncle…”
“Yes, through your aunt and uncle. Your uncle is a very good friend of mine. Do you intend to continue your studies?”
“I would like to.”
“I understand you are as fond as my son of the ballet, opera, and theater.”
Aksinya tasted a bite of the appetizer. It was a small piece of hart in a light wine sauce. She took a sip of wine before she answered, “Yes, although I am still getting used to comedy. In Russia, not so many of the stories end without tragic consequences.”
The Graf laughed, “I thought we Austrians were dour.”
“I have not found Ernst dour at all.”
“That is good. Are you pleased with him?”
“He is pleasant to me.”
“Good. I intend for him to take over the business from me. Perhaps you can encourage him in this direction. He can’t continue to spend his life in frivolity.”
“Father,” Ernst complained.
“Now, Ernst, I simply state the obvious. Although I understand very well why you might want to spend every evening entertaining the Countess, I do wish you to be as serious as she is about your future.”
A servant removed the appetizer plates and another served the soup. Aksinya’s glass was filled with a new wine that was a little sweeter than the first.
You can make all you want of this--Aksinya is seated at the place reserved for the lady of the house. This place would usually go to the highest ranking woman in the household--it goes to Aksinya. Like I said, make of it what you want. The Graf honors the Bockmanns, but we could have guessed he would. He is interested in their support for Ernst in his courting of Aksinya. Plus they seem to be the highest ranking couple next to the Graf and Aksinya. The Graf also allowed Ernst to escort Aksinya to dinner. He introduced Aksinya as Ernst's suitor so it is natural that Ernst should escort her. These little plays have their place. They are the norm for the culture and are not random or by simple desire.
At the table, the responsibility of the man on the right of the lady is to engage the lady in conversation. The Graf begins immediately. His question is simple. Aksinya's answer is not as simple as it sounds. She tells the Graf that both she and Natalya are attending the school together. A small detail. The Graf's response is straight to the point--can you see, he wanted to bring up Ernst. We learn that Freiherr Bockmann is a good friend of the Graf von Taaffe. This shouldn't surprise us, but it does make everything become clearer about the past events.
The second point the Graf wanted to bring up is about studies. Ernst and studies, whatever could he have in mind? The Graf makes a statement that lets us know he is very familiar with the evening meetings of Ernst and Aksinya. The Graf's statement is simple, but it is a statement not a question. Aksinya answers thoughtfully. Note she does take a long moment to think through her answer. She acknowledges the Graf's knowledge and provides an attempt to turn the conversation. This gives me the opportunity to bring up the joke and point about being "dour." This was a part of Ernst and Aksinya's first event conversation. The Graf mirrors his son in the treatment of the subject. This shows the connectin between the two. Aksinya makes it personal: “I have not found Ernst dour at all.”
This allows the Graf to get to one of his main points: "Are you pleased with him?" Aksinya's answer allows the Graf to bring up his second point--this is about Ernst's life and work. Ernst isn't happy with the direction of the conversation. This is obviously a point of contention between Ernst and his father. The problem here is that the Graf has made a terrible mistake about Aksinya's dedication to her studies. Perhaps she wishes to study, but we know she doesn't. She is not a model student at all. She is in some ways as bad as Ernst. To use Aksinya as an example of proper dedication is not the best idea. Neither Ernst nor the Graf realize this. Aksinya might not even realize this. She is a dedicated student of sorcery and luxuria, but not of much else. Still the dinner continues and tomorrow, we shall see where the Graf's conversation will go.
Friday, March 4, 2011
A New Novel, Part 152 My Son is Courting the Countess
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, Natalya, and the Bockmanns have arrived at Ernst Father's estate. The immediate greetings are complete. Now, the Graf leads them into the house...
The Graf seemed even more pleased, “I understand completely, Countess. Very well, it is cold outside, and I understand your delicate nature. Please, let us retire to the ballroom. There are refreshments, and I’m certain, my guests would like to make your acquaintance.” The Graf extended his arm toward Aksinya. She took it. Ernst frowned and gave his arm to Natalya. They made their way into the house with the Graf von Taaffe and the Countess Golitsyna in the lead.
The interior of the mansion was similar to the outside. The floor was set stone, and very old. Martial emblems and weapons decorated the walls. The foyer was large and the walls were very thick. Heavy tapestries attempted to contain the chill from the outside, but they only helped increase the temperature a little. Inside, with the Graf’s help, a footman took Aksinya’s cloak. They made their way up a long stone staircase to the next floor. That opened to a long room which ran over half the length of the front of the house. At the far end of the ballroom, a string quartet played gentle waltz music. Against the inside wall were two large fireplaces filled with roaring wood fires. The floors here were also stone, but thick oriental rugs covered them. The temperature was also much more to Aksinya’s liking, but a persistent draft touched the room with a slight chill.
Five other very well dressed couples conversed in the room. When the new arrivals entered, they all turned toward the Graf and his visitors. Graf von Taaffe pulled Aksinya gently ahead of him, “Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present to you, the Countess Aksinya Andreiovna Golitsyna.” Everyone made a deep bow or curtsy. The Graf continued, “My son, Ernst is courting the Countess."
A quiet mummer ran through the ballroom.
Graf von Taaffe smiled, “I will introduce the Countess to each of you when it is convenient for her.”
Aksinya blushed again, “Please continue, I will be pleased to make your acquaintance.”
The entire room made an obeisance to her again.
The Graf laughed and gestured Ernst forward. He placed Aksinya’s hand on Ernst’s arm and announced to the group, “Accompanying the Countess is her aunt and uncle, my friends, the Freiherr and Freifrau Bockmann. You all are acquainted with them already. And also, the Countess’s lady-in-waiting, a member of the Russian court, the Lady Natalya Alexandrovna Obolenska.”
The group bowed to the Freiherr, Freifrau, and Natalya.
The Graf nodded to Ernst, “Come Ernst let us introduce the Countess.” With Natalya directly behind them, the Graf led Aksinya around to each of his friends and holders. They were mostly lower nobility and some politicians from the local area. None were as high as a Freiherr in rank.
When the introductions were finished, Aksinya had only a few moments to stand at one of the fireplaces beside Ernst while he engaged in conversation with his father’s guests. Aksinya didn’t speak much to them. She didn’t have time to become comfortable before a house servant came around to announce that dinner was served.
I left out an important observation yesterday. I'm certain you saw it, but just to make sure. When Ernst's father offers his arm to Aksinya, this is most proper--the Count should escort the Countess. Anything else is really unthinkable in the society, but Ernst frowns when he gives his arm to Natalya. Everything is proper, but you should wonder, why did Ernst frown. The first reason is the most obvious, he wanted to escort Aksinya, the Countess, and not Natalya. The second, if the Graf allowed Ernst to escort Aksinya, the Countess, that would be a direct indicator of his father's pleasure and certainty that Ernst is ready to assume the duties as Graf. Ernst wants this approval very much, especially in front of Aksinya. We will see very soon how this all plays out.
The scene setting continues inside the house. As I've mentioned before, my point is to provide enough description to spark your own imagination. I agree with Arlo Guthrie and Ernest Hemingway on this that too much description makes a book like a movie or a screenplay. You don't want to give so much to your readers that they are locked in the view only the author or producer imagined. You want to give scope to the reader's imagination to fill out a scene in the boundary of their own imagination. The author must put enough into the description to bound the scene for the reader and install inside it the props necessary for the story, plot, and theme. Too much is a burden on the reader and too little an equal burden.
So the description...I already told you the house looked like a castle and gave some details that focused (bound) your mind in a certain way. The interior just confirms to you the way you knew it had to be. The important point is the temperature. Anyone who has been inside a real castle knows they are impossible to heat. It is the middle of winter. The contrast is the warm welcome of the family and later the guests and the cold thick stone.
Remember the three floors I mentioned before? The ballroom is on the second floor (the floor with the medium sized windows). A string quartet plays a waltz, and the two fireplaces are blazing. The room's still cold. There is a persistent chill through the room--just scene setting here.
We see five couples--so this is a small party, only 16 people total. You can guess they were all hand-picked by the Graf. The reason for this will become obvious later. The Graf introduces Aksinya to the group. This is proper, but even more proper is an individual introduction especially to royalty. I mentioned this before too. The Graf tells them Ernst is courting Aksinya. There is some excitement at the announcement, but they likely already know this juicy tidbit of gossip. The Graf wants everyone to know--especially Aksinya, that he accepts her and accepts his sons decision. Look at the etiquette of the group. It is perfect--they are hand-picked. Aksinya's reply is perfect too.
The Graf places Aksinya's hand on Ernst arm. In this group and at this time, he is willing to hand over the countess to his son. The precedence of rank is obvious here. He has announced that they are courting, this is indeed the right thing to do, but he still stays close--he is not willing to give the appearance that he is handing anything else over to his son.The Graf then introduces the rest of the newcomers. Note, the Bockmanns know these people. Surely, at a party so far out of Wein, there might be a single person the Bockmanns might not know. No, the Graf wants this to be a perfect party and evening. He has picked the people for their decorum and rank. They all know the Bockmanns--there will be no surprises tonight. That is the obvious intention of the Graf. The Graf laughed for pleasure. He is happy everything is working out just as he planned it.
The Graf with Ernst then takes Aksinya (and Ernst) around the room to make private introductions. You can guess what these are like--I don't need to tell you. Natalya follows obediently along. We find that these people are all holders to the Graf in one way or another.
Aksinya is chilled and uncomfortable. She knew what this party would be like from the beginning--she knows all about parties. Isn't she the one who ended up a wallflower at the Advent party? Finally, it is time for dinner--that's a bit of luxuria Aksinya can delve into. Tomorrow, dinner at Steinholtz.
Aksinya, Natalya, and the Bockmanns have arrived at Ernst Father's estate. The immediate greetings are complete. Now, the Graf leads them into the house...
The Graf seemed even more pleased, “I understand completely, Countess. Very well, it is cold outside, and I understand your delicate nature. Please, let us retire to the ballroom. There are refreshments, and I’m certain, my guests would like to make your acquaintance.” The Graf extended his arm toward Aksinya. She took it. Ernst frowned and gave his arm to Natalya. They made their way into the house with the Graf von Taaffe and the Countess Golitsyna in the lead.
The interior of the mansion was similar to the outside. The floor was set stone, and very old. Martial emblems and weapons decorated the walls. The foyer was large and the walls were very thick. Heavy tapestries attempted to contain the chill from the outside, but they only helped increase the temperature a little. Inside, with the Graf’s help, a footman took Aksinya’s cloak. They made their way up a long stone staircase to the next floor. That opened to a long room which ran over half the length of the front of the house. At the far end of the ballroom, a string quartet played gentle waltz music. Against the inside wall were two large fireplaces filled with roaring wood fires. The floors here were also stone, but thick oriental rugs covered them. The temperature was also much more to Aksinya’s liking, but a persistent draft touched the room with a slight chill.
Five other very well dressed couples conversed in the room. When the new arrivals entered, they all turned toward the Graf and his visitors. Graf von Taaffe pulled Aksinya gently ahead of him, “Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present to you, the Countess Aksinya Andreiovna Golitsyna.” Everyone made a deep bow or curtsy. The Graf continued, “My son, Ernst is courting the Countess."
A quiet mummer ran through the ballroom.
Graf von Taaffe smiled, “I will introduce the Countess to each of you when it is convenient for her.”
Aksinya blushed again, “Please continue, I will be pleased to make your acquaintance.”
The entire room made an obeisance to her again.
The Graf laughed and gestured Ernst forward. He placed Aksinya’s hand on Ernst’s arm and announced to the group, “Accompanying the Countess is her aunt and uncle, my friends, the Freiherr and Freifrau Bockmann. You all are acquainted with them already. And also, the Countess’s lady-in-waiting, a member of the Russian court, the Lady Natalya Alexandrovna Obolenska.”
The group bowed to the Freiherr, Freifrau, and Natalya.
The Graf nodded to Ernst, “Come Ernst let us introduce the Countess.” With Natalya directly behind them, the Graf led Aksinya around to each of his friends and holders. They were mostly lower nobility and some politicians from the local area. None were as high as a Freiherr in rank.
When the introductions were finished, Aksinya had only a few moments to stand at one of the fireplaces beside Ernst while he engaged in conversation with his father’s guests. Aksinya didn’t speak much to them. She didn’t have time to become comfortable before a house servant came around to announce that dinner was served.
I left out an important observation yesterday. I'm certain you saw it, but just to make sure. When Ernst's father offers his arm to Aksinya, this is most proper--the Count should escort the Countess. Anything else is really unthinkable in the society, but Ernst frowns when he gives his arm to Natalya. Everything is proper, but you should wonder, why did Ernst frown. The first reason is the most obvious, he wanted to escort Aksinya, the Countess, and not Natalya. The second, if the Graf allowed Ernst to escort Aksinya, the Countess, that would be a direct indicator of his father's pleasure and certainty that Ernst is ready to assume the duties as Graf. Ernst wants this approval very much, especially in front of Aksinya. We will see very soon how this all plays out.
The scene setting continues inside the house. As I've mentioned before, my point is to provide enough description to spark your own imagination. I agree with Arlo Guthrie and Ernest Hemingway on this that too much description makes a book like a movie or a screenplay. You don't want to give so much to your readers that they are locked in the view only the author or producer imagined. You want to give scope to the reader's imagination to fill out a scene in the boundary of their own imagination. The author must put enough into the description to bound the scene for the reader and install inside it the props necessary for the story, plot, and theme. Too much is a burden on the reader and too little an equal burden.
So the description...I already told you the house looked like a castle and gave some details that focused (bound) your mind in a certain way. The interior just confirms to you the way you knew it had to be. The important point is the temperature. Anyone who has been inside a real castle knows they are impossible to heat. It is the middle of winter. The contrast is the warm welcome of the family and later the guests and the cold thick stone.
Remember the three floors I mentioned before? The ballroom is on the second floor (the floor with the medium sized windows). A string quartet plays a waltz, and the two fireplaces are blazing. The room's still cold. There is a persistent chill through the room--just scene setting here.
We see five couples--so this is a small party, only 16 people total. You can guess they were all hand-picked by the Graf. The reason for this will become obvious later. The Graf introduces Aksinya to the group. This is proper, but even more proper is an individual introduction especially to royalty. I mentioned this before too. The Graf tells them Ernst is courting Aksinya. There is some excitement at the announcement, but they likely already know this juicy tidbit of gossip. The Graf wants everyone to know--especially Aksinya, that he accepts her and accepts his sons decision. Look at the etiquette of the group. It is perfect--they are hand-picked. Aksinya's reply is perfect too.
The Graf places Aksinya's hand on Ernst arm. In this group and at this time, he is willing to hand over the countess to his son. The precedence of rank is obvious here. He has announced that they are courting, this is indeed the right thing to do, but he still stays close--he is not willing to give the appearance that he is handing anything else over to his son.The Graf then introduces the rest of the newcomers. Note, the Bockmanns know these people. Surely, at a party so far out of Wein, there might be a single person the Bockmanns might not know. No, the Graf wants this to be a perfect party and evening. He has picked the people for their decorum and rank. They all know the Bockmanns--there will be no surprises tonight. That is the obvious intention of the Graf. The Graf laughed for pleasure. He is happy everything is working out just as he planned it.
The Graf with Ernst then takes Aksinya (and Ernst) around the room to make private introductions. You can guess what these are like--I don't need to tell you. Natalya follows obediently along. We find that these people are all holders to the Graf in one way or another.
Aksinya is chilled and uncomfortable. She knew what this party would be like from the beginning--she knows all about parties. Isn't she the one who ended up a wallflower at the Advent party? Finally, it is time for dinner--that's a bit of luxuria Aksinya can delve into. Tomorrow, dinner at Steinholtz.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
A New Novel, Part 150 Dressed Like a Princess
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.
For New Years 1919, Aksinya, Natalya, Freiherr, and Freifrau Bockmann have been invited by Ernst and his father to visit Ernst Father's estate in the mountains of Austria...
Aksinya was not enraptured with the idea of visiting Ernst’s family or his father’s estate. Still Ernst was pleasant. She certainly didn’t want her aunt and uncle gumming up all her time with the young man. She wondered mostly why he would invite her and her aunt and uncle to this affair tonight.
When their coupe arrived at front of the house, Ernst ran out and stopped at the carriage door before the vehicle came to a complete stop. He was dressed formally in dark tails, but didn’t have on his top hat. He yanked open the door before the doorman or the driver could. Aunt Brunhilda grasped Aksinya’s arm and pulled her up. She whispered with a smile, “Greet him first. He’s looking for you.”
Aksinya came to the door, and Ernst put out his hand. Aksinya allowed him to help her from the coupe. She was dressed in a light blue gown that had silver highlights sewn into the fabric. The gown flowed gently over her body. The top was high with a straight collar that accentuated her very thin body and small bosom. Her hat was a small square of blue lace with a very light veil that only reached as long as her bangs. Like always, Natalya had chosen the clothing for her. Aksinya had not closed her long mink cloak and that framed her body and the dress. Ernst stared at her for a moment then he put his lips close to her gloved hand and bowed deeply over it. His warm breath swirled with small clouds in the cold air, “Countess Golitsyna, welcome to Steinholtz.” He raised his head and gazed in her eyes with such a strange and fervent expression, she blushed.
The doorman and driver helped the Freiherr and Freifrau from the coupe and then Natalya. Finally, without moving his eyes from Aksinya, Ernst turned partially toward the Freiherr and Freifrau, “Good evening Freiherr and Freifrau Bockmann.” After a moment, Ernst managed to drag his eyes from Aksinya and to the Freiherr. He gave a slight bow to the nobleman, and then took Freifrau Bockmann’s hand and bowed over it.
Okay, I don't usually let you have a look into the minds of my characters. I let you see a little into Aksinya's thoughts. I chose to use this technique because I didn't think it would fit well in a conversation, and I wanted you to note her mind as they arrive. It was enough to show you she is interested superficially in Ernst, but not in his family, estate, or the party. Although very wise about many things, Aksinya is clueless about some things in life.
When they arrived, Ernst ran out without his hat. No one is caught outside without a hat in this culture. To do is is the epitome of a faux pas. Ernst rushes out to greet Aksinya. He is like a little kid. He gets to the carriage before it can stop moving and yanks open the door. You would think Aksinya would get it, but she doesn't. Her aunt does understand and pushes her out first.
Aksinya is dressed like a princess--a Russian princess; her mink cloak frames her body. If you didn't get it already, this makes Ernst's poor heart do flip-flops. He thinks she dressed for him--that's why I point out that Natalya picked out her clothing, like always. Aksinya is ambivalent to Ernst; he is deeply in love with her. All he can do is stare. His look makes her blush. We also get the name of the estate, Steinholtz--roughly, in German, "stonehold."
Ernst can't take his eyes off Aksinya. By the way, men did not kiss women's hands in Germanic cultures. To touch your lips to a woman's hand would be considered very intimate and improper. A man, most properly, would bow over the hand. In Latin cultures, I understand a man might kiss a woman's hand, but he would not kiss a Germanic woman's hand twice. In some Germanic countries, such an action could be prosecuted criminally as "touching." I do let the moment get a little intimate: Ernst brings his lips close and his warm breath makes fog in the air. This way I show you how cold the day is and how impassioned Ernst is.
Ernst manages to greet the Freiherr and Freifrau. Tomorrow, we meet Ernst's father.
For New Years 1919, Aksinya, Natalya, Freiherr, and Freifrau Bockmann have been invited by Ernst and his father to visit Ernst Father's estate in the mountains of Austria...
Aksinya was not enraptured with the idea of visiting Ernst’s family or his father’s estate. Still Ernst was pleasant. She certainly didn’t want her aunt and uncle gumming up all her time with the young man. She wondered mostly why he would invite her and her aunt and uncle to this affair tonight.
When their coupe arrived at front of the house, Ernst ran out and stopped at the carriage door before the vehicle came to a complete stop. He was dressed formally in dark tails, but didn’t have on his top hat. He yanked open the door before the doorman or the driver could. Aunt Brunhilda grasped Aksinya’s arm and pulled her up. She whispered with a smile, “Greet him first. He’s looking for you.”
Aksinya came to the door, and Ernst put out his hand. Aksinya allowed him to help her from the coupe. She was dressed in a light blue gown that had silver highlights sewn into the fabric. The gown flowed gently over her body. The top was high with a straight collar that accentuated her very thin body and small bosom. Her hat was a small square of blue lace with a very light veil that only reached as long as her bangs. Like always, Natalya had chosen the clothing for her. Aksinya had not closed her long mink cloak and that framed her body and the dress. Ernst stared at her for a moment then he put his lips close to her gloved hand and bowed deeply over it. His warm breath swirled with small clouds in the cold air, “Countess Golitsyna, welcome to Steinholtz.” He raised his head and gazed in her eyes with such a strange and fervent expression, she blushed.
The doorman and driver helped the Freiherr and Freifrau from the coupe and then Natalya. Finally, without moving his eyes from Aksinya, Ernst turned partially toward the Freiherr and Freifrau, “Good evening Freiherr and Freifrau Bockmann.” After a moment, Ernst managed to drag his eyes from Aksinya and to the Freiherr. He gave a slight bow to the nobleman, and then took Freifrau Bockmann’s hand and bowed over it.
Okay, I don't usually let you have a look into the minds of my characters. I let you see a little into Aksinya's thoughts. I chose to use this technique because I didn't think it would fit well in a conversation, and I wanted you to note her mind as they arrive. It was enough to show you she is interested superficially in Ernst, but not in his family, estate, or the party. Although very wise about many things, Aksinya is clueless about some things in life.
When they arrived, Ernst ran out without his hat. No one is caught outside without a hat in this culture. To do is is the epitome of a faux pas. Ernst rushes out to greet Aksinya. He is like a little kid. He gets to the carriage before it can stop moving and yanks open the door. You would think Aksinya would get it, but she doesn't. Her aunt does understand and pushes her out first.
Aksinya is dressed like a princess--a Russian princess; her mink cloak frames her body. If you didn't get it already, this makes Ernst's poor heart do flip-flops. He thinks she dressed for him--that's why I point out that Natalya picked out her clothing, like always. Aksinya is ambivalent to Ernst; he is deeply in love with her. All he can do is stare. His look makes her blush. We also get the name of the estate, Steinholtz--roughly, in German, "stonehold."
Ernst can't take his eyes off Aksinya. By the way, men did not kiss women's hands in Germanic cultures. To touch your lips to a woman's hand would be considered very intimate and improper. A man, most properly, would bow over the hand. In Latin cultures, I understand a man might kiss a woman's hand, but he would not kiss a Germanic woman's hand twice. In some Germanic countries, such an action could be prosecuted criminally as "touching." I do let the moment get a little intimate: Ernst brings his lips close and his warm breath makes fog in the air. This way I show you how cold the day is and how impassioned Ernst is.
Ernst manages to greet the Freiherr and Freifrau. Tomorrow, we meet Ernst's father.
Monday, February 28, 2011
A New Novel, Part 149 An Undefendable House
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.
You know the drill. This is the beginning of chapter 13 so it is time to transition and set the scene. The transition comes first...
The invitations from Ernst continued every week. During that time, Aksinya and Natalya had an unwelcome break from school for Christmas and New Years. It was unwelcome because Natalya wanted to study and Aksinya liked the privacy of her own house—the Freiherr and Freifrau insisted they stay at Grossbock during the holiday. Ernst came to collect Aksinya and Natalya at Grossbock for their outings. Occasionally he ate dinner with them. During the holidays, he escorted Aksinya to dinner and a concert, opera, ballet, or a play every other day. The Freiherr and Freifrau encouraged Aksinya, and Aksinya was certain her aunt and uncle encouraged Ernst. She had her own suspicions that Asmodeus also encouraged him. She hadn’t seen Asmodeus for a while and that worried her very much. Natalya simply went along with Aksinya and carefully watched Ernst.
Aksinya made it her practice not to drink as much as she had the night of Die Zauberflöte. She still enjoyed the wine and Champagne Ernst served her, but she was just a little more cautious. She loved to drink but she did not enjoy the aftermath, and she wasn’t certain of what she did or told Natalya in the privacy of her room when she was not sober.
Ernst invited Aksinya, Natalya, and the Bockmanns to the Graff von Taaffe’s New Years dance and party. Because of the distance to the estate, they were invited to remain over until the next day and brought their small trunks and nightwear. They rode in the Bockmann’s coupe for more than two hours into the country until they arrived at the Graff von Taaffe’s estate. The way to the house from the main road was down a long tree-lined carriage path. Aksinya would have continued to read her German novel except that Natalya pointed out their approach to the house. They caught occasional glimpses from the enclosed cab of the great house as they cut back and forth in the gentle climb to the mansion.
The house was large and very old. From a distance, it looked like a schloß, but had a little more modern appearance close up. That is, on closer observation, it appeared to be from the eighteenth century, which it was, rather than from the fourteenth century, which it wasn’t. The front was stone with a generous fresco of marble, and all three floors displayed a similar exterior. The access to the heavy oaken front door was from a set of modern marble steps, but in contrast, the lower floor showed tiny windows and the top floor a crenulated roofline. Aksinya could spot the iron roofing that poked above the tops of the decorative crenulations. The second floor windows were larger and more numerous, but still gave an impression of medieval depth, and the top floor windows were the largest, but the thickness of the stone facade prevented any visibility into them. Tall constructions at either end of the face of the mansion appeared like towers, but they were encompassed at the walls and not separate structures.
The mansion reminded Aksinya a little of her house in Russia. The outline and much of the ornamentation were similar. In Russia, however, the purpose was protection and defense. Her house had been defended many times in the past by the Counts Golitsyna. She, on the other hand, had abandoned it instead of defending it with her life. She shook her head. She wondered why that thought had suddenly stolen into her mind. The von Taaffe estate, on the other hand, gave no impression that it had ever been defended against any real foe.
You need to ask yourself this question: does Aksinya appear like a woman in love. If she does, I have failed miserably. On the other hand, if Ernst doesn't appear like a love-struck puppy, I have messed up the writing entirely. If you didn't get it before, you should now. The details in this transition give you many details about Aksinya and Natalya and, of course, Ernst. We knew about the relationship pushing from the Freiherr and Freifrau. We could have guessed that Natalya loves to study and Aksinya loves her privacy. I hope you are suspicious too about the interaction of Asmodeus in the whole affair.
We also see that Aksinya is trying to moderate her own behaviour. She hasn't been successful in the past and we know where this kind of thing goes anyway. I suspect she won't be successful now, but we shall see. Note, that Aksinya is concerned with what she might reveal to Natalya while she is drunk.
Now on to the main point of the chapter: Ernst invited Aksinya to his father's estate for New Years. He also, quite properly, invited Aksinya's aunt and uncle. This is the scene setting for the chapter. This occurs following the transition. I give you a bunch of information in a tight format. Notice that Aksinya doesn't care about the house, Natalya points it out to her. It is through the eyes of Aksinya we see the house of Ernst's father. The mansion is on a mountain top. I don't tell you this, I show you this through the travel on the road. I also use comparison and other techniques to describe the house to you. This description is a metaphor for the Taaffe family. So lets look at the details of that.
The house is large and very old. Likewise the Taaffe family. It looks like a castle (that's what a schloß is). It is more modern close up. So Ernst is like his father's house. It has the appearance of age and the past, but close up, he is modern (in terms of a noble). The other details likewise relate to the building and the family. The contrast between modern and ancient between old and new. The description of the house also shows the windows are tiny on the bottom with thick walls and wider with the same thick walls at the top. This indicates the potential secrets and privacy of the family. You know there is a depth and many secrets here, but I don't reveal any of them. There are secrets especially about Ernst, but I haven't shown them to you. You might ask about how Ernst became involved in sorcery. You might wonder about his mother--we'll see that later, and his father.
The next comparison is between Aksinya's house and Ernst's father's house. It reminds her of her house in Russia. Take this metaphor to the full point. Ernst's house is a facade; Aksinya's house was used for defense. This is a foreshadowing to what I mentioned before. Do you think Ernst can release Aksinya from her curse? What do you read from his father's house. Akinsya tells you that in spite of her power and her desires, in her well protected and defended house, she could not defend or protect it. The end tagline about the Taaffe's estate is this: The von Taaffe estate, on the other hand, gave no impression that it had ever been defended against any real foe. So what do you think? Tomorrow, the arrival.
You know the drill. This is the beginning of chapter 13 so it is time to transition and set the scene. The transition comes first...
The invitations from Ernst continued every week. During that time, Aksinya and Natalya had an unwelcome break from school for Christmas and New Years. It was unwelcome because Natalya wanted to study and Aksinya liked the privacy of her own house—the Freiherr and Freifrau insisted they stay at Grossbock during the holiday. Ernst came to collect Aksinya and Natalya at Grossbock for their outings. Occasionally he ate dinner with them. During the holidays, he escorted Aksinya to dinner and a concert, opera, ballet, or a play every other day. The Freiherr and Freifrau encouraged Aksinya, and Aksinya was certain her aunt and uncle encouraged Ernst. She had her own suspicions that Asmodeus also encouraged him. She hadn’t seen Asmodeus for a while and that worried her very much. Natalya simply went along with Aksinya and carefully watched Ernst.
Aksinya made it her practice not to drink as much as she had the night of Die Zauberflöte. She still enjoyed the wine and Champagne Ernst served her, but she was just a little more cautious. She loved to drink but she did not enjoy the aftermath, and she wasn’t certain of what she did or told Natalya in the privacy of her room when she was not sober.
Ernst invited Aksinya, Natalya, and the Bockmanns to the Graff von Taaffe’s New Years dance and party. Because of the distance to the estate, they were invited to remain over until the next day and brought their small trunks and nightwear. They rode in the Bockmann’s coupe for more than two hours into the country until they arrived at the Graff von Taaffe’s estate. The way to the house from the main road was down a long tree-lined carriage path. Aksinya would have continued to read her German novel except that Natalya pointed out their approach to the house. They caught occasional glimpses from the enclosed cab of the great house as they cut back and forth in the gentle climb to the mansion.
The house was large and very old. From a distance, it looked like a schloß, but had a little more modern appearance close up. That is, on closer observation, it appeared to be from the eighteenth century, which it was, rather than from the fourteenth century, which it wasn’t. The front was stone with a generous fresco of marble, and all three floors displayed a similar exterior. The access to the heavy oaken front door was from a set of modern marble steps, but in contrast, the lower floor showed tiny windows and the top floor a crenulated roofline. Aksinya could spot the iron roofing that poked above the tops of the decorative crenulations. The second floor windows were larger and more numerous, but still gave an impression of medieval depth, and the top floor windows were the largest, but the thickness of the stone facade prevented any visibility into them. Tall constructions at either end of the face of the mansion appeared like towers, but they were encompassed at the walls and not separate structures.
The mansion reminded Aksinya a little of her house in Russia. The outline and much of the ornamentation were similar. In Russia, however, the purpose was protection and defense. Her house had been defended many times in the past by the Counts Golitsyna. She, on the other hand, had abandoned it instead of defending it with her life. She shook her head. She wondered why that thought had suddenly stolen into her mind. The von Taaffe estate, on the other hand, gave no impression that it had ever been defended against any real foe.
You need to ask yourself this question: does Aksinya appear like a woman in love. If she does, I have failed miserably. On the other hand, if Ernst doesn't appear like a love-struck puppy, I have messed up the writing entirely. If you didn't get it before, you should now. The details in this transition give you many details about Aksinya and Natalya and, of course, Ernst. We knew about the relationship pushing from the Freiherr and Freifrau. We could have guessed that Natalya loves to study and Aksinya loves her privacy. I hope you are suspicious too about the interaction of Asmodeus in the whole affair.
We also see that Aksinya is trying to moderate her own behaviour. She hasn't been successful in the past and we know where this kind of thing goes anyway. I suspect she won't be successful now, but we shall see. Note, that Aksinya is concerned with what she might reveal to Natalya while she is drunk.
Now on to the main point of the chapter: Ernst invited Aksinya to his father's estate for New Years. He also, quite properly, invited Aksinya's aunt and uncle. This is the scene setting for the chapter. This occurs following the transition. I give you a bunch of information in a tight format. Notice that Aksinya doesn't care about the house, Natalya points it out to her. It is through the eyes of Aksinya we see the house of Ernst's father. The mansion is on a mountain top. I don't tell you this, I show you this through the travel on the road. I also use comparison and other techniques to describe the house to you. This description is a metaphor for the Taaffe family. So lets look at the details of that.
The house is large and very old. Likewise the Taaffe family. It looks like a castle (that's what a schloß is). It is more modern close up. So Ernst is like his father's house. It has the appearance of age and the past, but close up, he is modern (in terms of a noble). The other details likewise relate to the building and the family. The contrast between modern and ancient between old and new. The description of the house also shows the windows are tiny on the bottom with thick walls and wider with the same thick walls at the top. This indicates the potential secrets and privacy of the family. You know there is a depth and many secrets here, but I don't reveal any of them. There are secrets especially about Ernst, but I haven't shown them to you. You might ask about how Ernst became involved in sorcery. You might wonder about his mother--we'll see that later, and his father.
The next comparison is between Aksinya's house and Ernst's father's house. It reminds her of her house in Russia. Take this metaphor to the full point. Ernst's house is a facade; Aksinya's house was used for defense. This is a foreshadowing to what I mentioned before. Do you think Ernst can release Aksinya from her curse? What do you read from his father's house. Akinsya tells you that in spite of her power and her desires, in her well protected and defended house, she could not defend or protect it. The end tagline about the Taaffe's estate is this: The von Taaffe estate, on the other hand, gave no impression that it had ever been defended against any real foe. So what do you think? Tomorrow, the arrival.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
A New Novel, Part 144 Read to Me this Evening
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 and Natalya are at Grossbock. This is their usual weekend hangout. Ernst with the acceptance and help of Aksinya's aunt and uncle, has invited himself to dinner...
When Saturday evening came around, Aksinya did not greet Herr von Taaffe at the door. She read a book in the family parlor, and Natalya sat with her. Freiherr Bockmann wanted to use the formal greeting parlor, but Aksinya liked the large fireplace in the family parlor with its very warm wood and coal fire. She remained facing the fireplace when Herr von Taaffe entered.
Ernst came around to the blazing fireplace and stood in front of Aksinya, “Countess Golitsyna, good evening.”
Aksinya made a wry face, but didn’t look up from her book, “Good evening, Herr von Taaffe.”
“Sweet Lady, I told you, you may call me, Ernst.”
“Very well, Ernst.” She glanced up from her book. “Do not neglect my lady-in-waiting. She is not your servant, and you have been introduced.”
“I’m sorry, Lady Obolenska. Good evening.”
Natalya nodded.
Freiherr Bockmann pulled a chair over for Ernst. He put it close to the left side of Aksinya’s seat. Ernst sat down. Aksinya opened her book again, and Ernst pulled it out of her hands. He laughed, “You didn’t intend to neglect me, did you?”
“No, I did accept your invitation to dine and to the opera next week.”
“I received your post.”
“Then, you see I have no intention of neglecting you. In fact, I shall give you all my attention on Wednesday evening.”
“What about tonight?”
Aksinya scowled at him, “You did not ask my permission about tonight. You came to entertain my aunt and uncle. I certainly don’t want to get in your way.”
Ernst laughed again, “I warned you I was coming. I invited myself to your aunt and uncle’s for the purpose of seeing you again. Will you let me entertain you?”
“What? Entertain me in my own relation’s home? That is certainly pretentious.”
“With your and their permission, I will attempt to engage you in a pleasant evening’s conversation.”
“I intended to read this evening.”
“Then I shall read to you.”
Aksinya’s eyebrow rose, “You would?”
Ernst nodded.
Aksinya took the book from him and stuck it between her hip and the chair, “Perhaps after dinner.” She stood, “Ernst, you may escort me to table. Uncle, I am ready for dinner.”
They went together into the family dining room.
Aksinya was pleasant to Ernst during dinner and the rest of the evening. He left before the Freiherr and Freifrau retired for the evening. Ernst did not read to Aksinya that evening, they were all too busily engaged in polite conversation.
Aksinya is being a real stinker, but in the culture, her actions are considered reasonable. Ernst wants her attention. She is not ready to give it so readily. You can imagine Aksinya's mind. She wants her books. She is just getting comfortable with Ernst, but she would never admit that. She snubs him, but he treats her as a friend. Aksinya, at this point, is without any help. The Freifrau and Freiherr, and Natalya are all happy to see her a friend with Ernst.
Ernst places himself where he can't be ignored. Aksinya snubs him, but acknowledges his precense. In this culture, that is a step ahead. Ernst announces before the "family," Aksinya may call him by his given name. That is very intimate. Because she does would be a reason for her aunt and uncle to rejoice. Aksinya bursts Ernst's bubble by reminding him of his manners. She does it in a very strong way that lifts up Natalya.
The Freiherr is encouraged by Aksinya's intamacy and brings a chair for Ernst. Ernst, likewise, acknowledges his closeness by taking the book out of Aksinya's hands. He reminds her of her responsibility as a member of the host's family, and she turns it around at him. We also get that Aksinya responded to Ernst's letter. I don't show you the letter, but let you know it was. Then, we get to the whole part that is iritating to Aksinya--tonight. Ernst didn't ask her about this evening. She's right, Ernst used his influence on her uncle. Aksinya is quite proper in her response. We get a dialog give and take about this very point. It is a verbal contest that Ernst wins by giving everything to Aksinya. Aksinya likes this in a man. She does want a man she can control. The evidence of the action is that Aksinya places her book away--it doesn't get taken out again that evening. She allows Ernst to escort her to dinner. This is a huge change from ignoring him to taking his arm to dinner.
The end is a small kicker--he didn't read to her because they were engaged in polite conversation. Aksinya is indeed warming to Ernst von Taaffe. Tomorrow, a small transition and dinner at Sacré Coeur.
Aksinya and Natalya are at Grossbock. This is their usual weekend hangout. Ernst with the acceptance and help of Aksinya's aunt and uncle, has invited himself to dinner...
When Saturday evening came around, Aksinya did not greet Herr von Taaffe at the door. She read a book in the family parlor, and Natalya sat with her. Freiherr Bockmann wanted to use the formal greeting parlor, but Aksinya liked the large fireplace in the family parlor with its very warm wood and coal fire. She remained facing the fireplace when Herr von Taaffe entered.
Ernst came around to the blazing fireplace and stood in front of Aksinya, “Countess Golitsyna, good evening.”
Aksinya made a wry face, but didn’t look up from her book, “Good evening, Herr von Taaffe.”
“Sweet Lady, I told you, you may call me, Ernst.”
“Very well, Ernst.” She glanced up from her book. “Do not neglect my lady-in-waiting. She is not your servant, and you have been introduced.”
“I’m sorry, Lady Obolenska. Good evening.”
Natalya nodded.
Freiherr Bockmann pulled a chair over for Ernst. He put it close to the left side of Aksinya’s seat. Ernst sat down. Aksinya opened her book again, and Ernst pulled it out of her hands. He laughed, “You didn’t intend to neglect me, did you?”
“No, I did accept your invitation to dine and to the opera next week.”
“I received your post.”
“Then, you see I have no intention of neglecting you. In fact, I shall give you all my attention on Wednesday evening.”
“What about tonight?”
Aksinya scowled at him, “You did not ask my permission about tonight. You came to entertain my aunt and uncle. I certainly don’t want to get in your way.”
Ernst laughed again, “I warned you I was coming. I invited myself to your aunt and uncle’s for the purpose of seeing you again. Will you let me entertain you?”
“What? Entertain me in my own relation’s home? That is certainly pretentious.”
“With your and their permission, I will attempt to engage you in a pleasant evening’s conversation.”
“I intended to read this evening.”
“Then I shall read to you.”
Aksinya’s eyebrow rose, “You would?”
Ernst nodded.
Aksinya took the book from him and stuck it between her hip and the chair, “Perhaps after dinner.” She stood, “Ernst, you may escort me to table. Uncle, I am ready for dinner.”
They went together into the family dining room.
Aksinya was pleasant to Ernst during dinner and the rest of the evening. He left before the Freiherr and Freifrau retired for the evening. Ernst did not read to Aksinya that evening, they were all too busily engaged in polite conversation.
Aksinya is being a real stinker, but in the culture, her actions are considered reasonable. Ernst wants her attention. She is not ready to give it so readily. You can imagine Aksinya's mind. She wants her books. She is just getting comfortable with Ernst, but she would never admit that. She snubs him, but he treats her as a friend. Aksinya, at this point, is without any help. The Freifrau and Freiherr, and Natalya are all happy to see her a friend with Ernst.
Ernst places himself where he can't be ignored. Aksinya snubs him, but acknowledges his precense. In this culture, that is a step ahead. Ernst announces before the "family," Aksinya may call him by his given name. That is very intimate. Because she does would be a reason for her aunt and uncle to rejoice. Aksinya bursts Ernst's bubble by reminding him of his manners. She does it in a very strong way that lifts up Natalya.
The Freiherr is encouraged by Aksinya's intamacy and brings a chair for Ernst. Ernst, likewise, acknowledges his closeness by taking the book out of Aksinya's hands. He reminds her of her responsibility as a member of the host's family, and she turns it around at him. We also get that Aksinya responded to Ernst's letter. I don't show you the letter, but let you know it was. Then, we get to the whole part that is iritating to Aksinya--tonight. Ernst didn't ask her about this evening. She's right, Ernst used his influence on her uncle. Aksinya is quite proper in her response. We get a dialog give and take about this very point. It is a verbal contest that Ernst wins by giving everything to Aksinya. Aksinya likes this in a man. She does want a man she can control. The evidence of the action is that Aksinya places her book away--it doesn't get taken out again that evening. She allows Ernst to escort her to dinner. This is a huge change from ignoring him to taking his arm to dinner.
The end is a small kicker--he didn't read to her because they were engaged in polite conversation. Aksinya is indeed warming to Ernst von Taaffe. Tomorrow, a small transition and dinner at Sacré Coeur.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
A New Novel, Part 136 You have so Little Purpose
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 wondrous 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 Wien, Austria.
Ernst has taken Aksinya to the Palais Coburg Hotel for dinner. They are in the Red Room, a very exclusive place in the very exclusive Palais Coburg. Ernst has asked Aksinya to call him by his first name. Aksinya remains in command of the conversation and addresses Ernst...
“In any case, Ernst, am I to understand that you didn’t participate in the war?”
“Ah, but I did, Countess. I marched off with the first wave and served honorably until my father caught me. At his insistence, the Army sent me back and assigned me as an adjutant to a General in Wien. I would still be there except for the end of the war and the reduction of the military. They didn’t need a half Graf who was a lieutenant at full pay. So I am back to my old habits.”
“And what are those?”
“In general, I read. I study Latin. You understand why. I go to breakfast, luncheon, and dinner at my favorite restaurants in Wien. I visit my friends and my father’s friends. It is a pleasant existence.”
Aksinya pressed her lips together again.
“You disapprove?”
“A nobleman should be about a nobleman’s business…”
“And what is that?”
“Managing his estate. Keeping his horses and property. What about your people? Who holds court over them and judges their problems?”
Ernst laughed, “The aristocracy in Austria is much different than you imagine. My estate is not made up of lands and people. Although my father does have some property, and I keep a house here in town, our family’s wealth is in stocks and bonds. We hold industrial agreements and own factories.”
“And your people?”
“No one looks to us.”
“That is sad, you have so little purpose.”
The waiters poured them another glass of wine. This was just a little sweeter than the last. They removed the plates and utensils and exchanged them for a spoon and a small bowl of soup. The size of the spoon was petite and matched to the size of Aksinya’s mouth. She was very pleased with it. The soup pleased her as well. It was a buttery consume of some kind of squash and little bits of bacon. The wine matched it well.
You can count on Aksinya to pounce on the very singular issue that might be a problem in Ernst's life. She choses the subject that no one will speak of here in Austria right now--the war. Austria lost the war. Austria is in ruins because of the war. The war took food from the people and life from the society. No one speaks about the war, and Aksinya knows this. She wants to know about Ernst. This is her way of testing the man. She finds out that he was an officer. She also discovers what he does for a living--nothing. He is absolutely useless. That really angers her, but she is willing to let it slip--for now. She does admonish him. That is when we learn about the shape of the Austrian nobility. It is very different than the nobility Aksinya is used to. She can only judge based on what she knows. Her judgement is very harsh because she disapproves of Ernst's casual approach to his life. All of this conversation per their culture is couched in gentle terms and gentleness.
Still, now we know a lot about Ernst. We know he fought in the war. He is not a coward. He is a wealthy man who doesn't desire to work. He doesn't hold his nobility as very important. Aksinya wants more, but she is happy with her luxuria for right now. In the transition, we get a serving of the soup with more wine. Tommorrow, Ernst grills Aksinya.
Ernst has taken Aksinya to the Palais Coburg Hotel for dinner. They are in the Red Room, a very exclusive place in the very exclusive Palais Coburg. Ernst has asked Aksinya to call him by his first name. Aksinya remains in command of the conversation and addresses Ernst...
“In any case, Ernst, am I to understand that you didn’t participate in the war?”
“Ah, but I did, Countess. I marched off with the first wave and served honorably until my father caught me. At his insistence, the Army sent me back and assigned me as an adjutant to a General in Wien. I would still be there except for the end of the war and the reduction of the military. They didn’t need a half Graf who was a lieutenant at full pay. So I am back to my old habits.”
“And what are those?”
“In general, I read. I study Latin. You understand why. I go to breakfast, luncheon, and dinner at my favorite restaurants in Wien. I visit my friends and my father’s friends. It is a pleasant existence.”
Aksinya pressed her lips together again.
“You disapprove?”
“A nobleman should be about a nobleman’s business…”
“And what is that?”
“Managing his estate. Keeping his horses and property. What about your people? Who holds court over them and judges their problems?”
Ernst laughed, “The aristocracy in Austria is much different than you imagine. My estate is not made up of lands and people. Although my father does have some property, and I keep a house here in town, our family’s wealth is in stocks and bonds. We hold industrial agreements and own factories.”
“And your people?”
“No one looks to us.”
“That is sad, you have so little purpose.”
The waiters poured them another glass of wine. This was just a little sweeter than the last. They removed the plates and utensils and exchanged them for a spoon and a small bowl of soup. The size of the spoon was petite and matched to the size of Aksinya’s mouth. She was very pleased with it. The soup pleased her as well. It was a buttery consume of some kind of squash and little bits of bacon. The wine matched it well.
You can count on Aksinya to pounce on the very singular issue that might be a problem in Ernst's life. She choses the subject that no one will speak of here in Austria right now--the war. Austria lost the war. Austria is in ruins because of the war. The war took food from the people and life from the society. No one speaks about the war, and Aksinya knows this. She wants to know about Ernst. This is her way of testing the man. She finds out that he was an officer. She also discovers what he does for a living--nothing. He is absolutely useless. That really angers her, but she is willing to let it slip--for now. She does admonish him. That is when we learn about the shape of the Austrian nobility. It is very different than the nobility Aksinya is used to. She can only judge based on what she knows. Her judgement is very harsh because she disapproves of Ernst's casual approach to his life. All of this conversation per their culture is couched in gentle terms and gentleness.
Still, now we know a lot about Ernst. We know he fought in the war. He is not a coward. He is a wealthy man who doesn't desire to work. He doesn't hold his nobility as very important. Aksinya wants more, but she is happy with her luxuria for right now. In the transition, we get a serving of the soup with more wine. Tommorrow, Ernst grills Aksinya.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
A New Novel, Part 76 The Rosary
Asmodeus left Aksinya's mother's jewelry box on Aksinya's bed. We get a description now of the box.
Aksinya lit the gas lamp. Her mother’s jewelry box was a piece of art itself. It was handmade by a craftsman from the late fifteenth century. The box was decorated on the sides with the four seasons of their estate in Russia. The top showed the house of the Counts of Golitsyna. The façade was almost unchanged from that time to this. The box had been a wedding present from her father to her mother. It was locked, and the heart-shaped key was in the lock where her mother always left it. She remembered the first time she saw the jewelry box when she was a child. She had stared at it for a long time—until her mother finally opened it.
With shaking fingers, Aksinya unlocked and opened the jewelry box. Inside were all her mother’s beautiful things. They were literally a princess’ dowry of gold, silver, and jewels. On top lay a fabulous jewel encrusted crucifix and rosary. It was her mother’s favorite piece. Aksinya always remembered her mother wore it on Sunday, every Sunday. It was too large and fine a piece to wear everyday.
Beside it lay a smaller crucifix and rosary made of intertwined white and yellow gold. On it, the body of Christ was yellow gold and the cross white gold. The tiny adornments, the loincloth, the crown of thorns were white gold. The prayers and decades were white and yellow gold. It was the most beautiful rosary Aksinya had ever seen. Her mother let her wear it on Sunday, but had put it away during the week. She told Aksinya it was her wedding present when the proper time came. Aksinya lifted it in her hands. It was warm to her touch. She bit her lip and quickly put it over her head. It fell around her neck and immediately the crucifix became hot. She felt the heat against her breasts. The heat rose through the prayers and decades and irritated her neck. She felt slightly nauseous. Still, she promised herself she would not take it off. If she lost to this, she felt she would lose to everything. The demon might make her do the most horrible things in the world, but in this very little part she could fight back. She knew at least one of his weaknesses now. He could not move an evident cross. Unless the demon was playing a game with her, he had not taken her sister’s jewelry box, it was decorated with crosses. He had not taken her cross decorated bookstand. He had been able to move her mother’s jewelry box even though it was filled with crosses and crucifixes.
Aksinya didn’t let herself feel encouraged by this little piece of knowledge. It was much too early for that. She simply filed the information in the back of her mind—it was a little more information about the demon and his weaknesses. She would use it, if she could, against him.
Aksinya was asleep and the lights were off when the demon brought the jewelry box to her. Therefore, Aksinya had to light a gas lamp again. Perhaps I should have given you a little more description of the little light from the gas lamp.
We see that the jewelry box is truly a piece of art. It is ancient and beautiful. We learn it was a wedding present and had a heart shaped key--a symbol of love. The house depicted on the box is Aksinya's family home. In this, it represents her home. Remember, all her family were murdered outside the house. The box is locked. This scene is set up to be almost like the first time Aksinya saw the box opened--that is the image I give you. In this case, Aksinya represents her mother.
The box, like the home is filled with wealth. Notice, it is a "princess'" dowry. The first thing on top is her mother's rosary. It was the rosary Aksinya's mother wore every Sunday. Beside this rosary is another. It was the one, Aksinya's mother promised her as a gift for Aksinya's wedding. You might ask who would get the larger and more beautiful rosary. Aksinya instinctively goes for the rosary she always admired as a child. When she touches and wears the rosary, Aksinya feels nausea and pain. The cross, a symbol of God and Christianity, causes her nausea and pain.
By this, we are to understand a cross will also affect the demon. Aksinya puts this together--she had before. If you remember, the jewelry boxes were a test for the demon. Aksinya noticed Asmodeus couldn't move her cross decorated bookstand. He couldn't move Aksinya's sister's jewelry box because it was also decorated with crosses. This is the answer to one question about the weaknesses of the demon.
Aksinya is already preparing to oppose the demon. The crosses she had Natalya sew into their clothing is meant to affect the demon--we shall see how effective it is. And we shall see what Aksinya does with this knowledge. Don't you admire how methodical Aksinya is--this is perhaps the best part of her personality. You can see how she could become a powerful sorceress.
Aksinya lit the gas lamp. Her mother’s jewelry box was a piece of art itself. It was handmade by a craftsman from the late fifteenth century. The box was decorated on the sides with the four seasons of their estate in Russia. The top showed the house of the Counts of Golitsyna. The façade was almost unchanged from that time to this. The box had been a wedding present from her father to her mother. It was locked, and the heart-shaped key was in the lock where her mother always left it. She remembered the first time she saw the jewelry box when she was a child. She had stared at it for a long time—until her mother finally opened it.
With shaking fingers, Aksinya unlocked and opened the jewelry box. Inside were all her mother’s beautiful things. They were literally a princess’ dowry of gold, silver, and jewels. On top lay a fabulous jewel encrusted crucifix and rosary. It was her mother’s favorite piece. Aksinya always remembered her mother wore it on Sunday, every Sunday. It was too large and fine a piece to wear everyday.
Beside it lay a smaller crucifix and rosary made of intertwined white and yellow gold. On it, the body of Christ was yellow gold and the cross white gold. The tiny adornments, the loincloth, the crown of thorns were white gold. The prayers and decades were white and yellow gold. It was the most beautiful rosary Aksinya had ever seen. Her mother let her wear it on Sunday, but had put it away during the week. She told Aksinya it was her wedding present when the proper time came. Aksinya lifted it in her hands. It was warm to her touch. She bit her lip and quickly put it over her head. It fell around her neck and immediately the crucifix became hot. She felt the heat against her breasts. The heat rose through the prayers and decades and irritated her neck. She felt slightly nauseous. Still, she promised herself she would not take it off. If she lost to this, she felt she would lose to everything. The demon might make her do the most horrible things in the world, but in this very little part she could fight back. She knew at least one of his weaknesses now. He could not move an evident cross. Unless the demon was playing a game with her, he had not taken her sister’s jewelry box, it was decorated with crosses. He had not taken her cross decorated bookstand. He had been able to move her mother’s jewelry box even though it was filled with crosses and crucifixes.
Aksinya didn’t let herself feel encouraged by this little piece of knowledge. It was much too early for that. She simply filed the information in the back of her mind—it was a little more information about the demon and his weaknesses. She would use it, if she could, against him.
Aksinya was asleep and the lights were off when the demon brought the jewelry box to her. Therefore, Aksinya had to light a gas lamp again. Perhaps I should have given you a little more description of the little light from the gas lamp.
We see that the jewelry box is truly a piece of art. It is ancient and beautiful. We learn it was a wedding present and had a heart shaped key--a symbol of love. The house depicted on the box is Aksinya's family home. In this, it represents her home. Remember, all her family were murdered outside the house. The box is locked. This scene is set up to be almost like the first time Aksinya saw the box opened--that is the image I give you. In this case, Aksinya represents her mother.
The box, like the home is filled with wealth. Notice, it is a "princess'" dowry. The first thing on top is her mother's rosary. It was the rosary Aksinya's mother wore every Sunday. Beside this rosary is another. It was the one, Aksinya's mother promised her as a gift for Aksinya's wedding. You might ask who would get the larger and more beautiful rosary. Aksinya instinctively goes for the rosary she always admired as a child. When she touches and wears the rosary, Aksinya feels nausea and pain. The cross, a symbol of God and Christianity, causes her nausea and pain.
By this, we are to understand a cross will also affect the demon. Aksinya puts this together--she had before. If you remember, the jewelry boxes were a test for the demon. Aksinya noticed Asmodeus couldn't move her cross decorated bookstand. He couldn't move Aksinya's sister's jewelry box because it was also decorated with crosses. This is the answer to one question about the weaknesses of the demon.
Aksinya is already preparing to oppose the demon. The crosses she had Natalya sew into their clothing is meant to affect the demon--we shall see how effective it is. And we shall see what Aksinya does with this knowledge. Don't you admire how methodical Aksinya is--this is perhaps the best part of her personality. You can see how she could become a powerful sorceress.
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