Evastany

22 IV

22 IV

Allow me to introduce you to the new me!

My new persona is a few years younger (because who would not be, given the option?). She is female. I mean, I could masquerade as a man if I wanted to; I need change nothing about my own appearance, merely my audience’s perception of it. I could be green if I wanted to, with three horns, six eyes and a tail. I could be invisible.

But why would I choose to pass myself off as a man? Men are so dull. No gowns, no bosom, little jewellery and sadly minimal eyelashes. What would I be expected to do with myself? I’d rather be green and betailed.

I have chosen a name! I considered such delights as Petrovanka Lorianassan and Miss Arabellina De Varsenay, but I suppose they are a little too flamboyant. Do they sound convincingly like real people, to you?

No. They don’t to me either.

I regret this excessively, for I feel that Miss De Varsenay would be more than passingly fond of her parasol, and I have always been attracted to those. However, one must be sensible. I have settled upon Edwora Selana Crompet. She shall be a Summoner like me, as I see no reason why I should resign all claim to some of my best abilities just because I am pretending to be somebody else.

I place my character in Orstwych — some town just over the border will do. I do not wish to have to travel too far. I will ask Adonia to fix upon a suitable address.

… Or perhaps I shall not. A terrible thought has just occurred to me. What if she is the person who has tampered with our post! What if my confidence is misplaced and I am being made a sad dupe? I know I was severe upon Ori for doubting me, but it happens that I come to doubt myself.

It is an activity I have rarely indulged in before, and I can tell you, I do not find it an enjoyable experience. In fact it is so particularly unpleasant, I cannot understand why anybody ever bothers with it at all.

I do not see any occasion to mention to Ori that this has come to pass, for he would no doubt imagine himself free to be deplorably smug about it. But if I happen to refrain from confiding in Adonia about this new plan, just in case, I do not see that anybody shall be inconvenienced by it.

Miss Crompet is a woman of some prosperity, sadly orphaned (I do not wish to throw any obstacles in the way of potential kidnappage, and it is perhaps noteworthy that neither Susa nor Faronni appear to be overly blessed with relatives). Her father and mother were traders in… some species of industry. Details are boring. I will reserve the designing of her wardrobe to myself, naturally, but perhaps I can prevail upon Tren to dream up the dull parts.

Ah, I am bored with the idea now. I will put my journal away, and return to the tasks I am supposed to be venturing upon at this hour of the day.

Ooh, what about Drusilla T. Rosewater? The “T” stands for Tabitheia.

… Perhaps I had better put the journal somewhere out of reach.