John Vazquez
Posts: 108
3/1/2014
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The following is a series of notes taken by Lady Isabelle Strange on conversations we both had at Caligula Coffee House and other places. It all started when said Lady took notice of certain Letters of Rejection published by Yours Truly in a well known London newspaper. Moved by a certain sort of affection, she agreed to meet me, with the possibility of maybe building a romantic relationship.
The encounters did not ended in the way I expected, but instead produced a most interesting conversation. As we are currently in friendly terms, we have decided sharing the notes with the readers, with the healthy intent of enlightening them, or at least, of providing entertaining material for their avid minds.
Without further ado, I will present you with the transcript of our first conversation, centered around our professional interests. Lady Isabelle herself will continue the story.
"Dear Isabelle, for our first meeting, I thought it would be a good idea to talk about our professions and interests.
I have recently achieved recognition as an Author, what I hope you will find interesting as you have expressed interested in books. I have so far completed two short stories, a drama about love that was critically acclaimed at Court and the futuristic and slightly iconoclastic novel :"Risen London: a Tale of the Future".
I had previously worked as a Watcher for the constables, but became disaffected after my ethics crossed with the interests of the Masters, leading to me being expelled from the University. I definitely advise you caution if you are still embroiled in their intrigues. What about you? How does a Strange Lady earns a crust in this city? "
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http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/John~Vazquez
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Lady Strange
Posts: 95
3/5/2014
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He’s a surly creature, my imp, and while I do not know if he will do as he is bid for pure entertainment, he may come along if only for give our stroll some countenance. Blatancy is a term I would use on the people of the haute ton as they try to outdo each other and show off that which they have, but to each their own definition. Why should the corruption of a high ranking member of the Church surprise you? History has taught us that the papacy has a something of a tradition for it and it was even de rigueur for several centuries for Popes to have hoarded wealth, built magnificent palaces, and had mistresses and children whom they would place in positions of high office in various professions. It does not surprise me that there should be corruption in the Church even in London. Neither am I shocked that exposure of this corruption should be punished. Such is the way with any faction in power and favour. They believe in their infallibility and anyone who stands in their way is crushed because they will not have their existing power, privilege, wealth, advantage et cetera removed from them. It has been so in ancient times in the days of the Thirty Tyrants of Athens, during the tenure of the Roman Emperors, during the reign of Ptolemy Physcon, Henry VIII and more.
There is corruption in every walk of life. Indeed, such is life – the shadows are always juxtaposed against the light. We cannot avoid having shadows when there is light, n’est-ce pas? And without light and good, there will not be shadows or darkness. One cannot have one without the other. Since this is life, I find it fatiguing to take issue with it. The only difference is whether that degradation or corruption be large or slight, whether the acquisitive and self-interested personage is blatantly flaunting it or covering it up. Such deeds pervade every quarter of life, I am surprised you should take it to heart. Then again, I am jaded as most philosophers are because we are often part of le beau monde and yet apart from it. Knowing that such corruption, acquisitiveness and cupidity exists leaves one with two choices – do you chuse to play and be part of that way of life, or do you chuse to stand apart from it. I know it exists and I chuse not to play at it because I have no talent for it and cannot play at it and win. Furthermore, it is exhausting to bestir myself in backbiting because experience has taught me that regardless as to whether a person chooses to engage with the corruption (and so be one of them and then backstabbed when one is no longer “useful”) or to ignore the corruption by refusing to be dragged under its festering pus and have others backstab one and be cast out as a stupid being unable to adapt to the order/faction in the ascendant, that person will still be crushed, punished and derided by the prevailing order. You may think me reprehensibly jaded or horribly hardboiled, but there it is. Therefore I am instead a disinterested observer and I look on it with wry amusement. And do that which I believe is right in the circumstances.
It is best that I remain a dispassionate observer, for a scholar should be so; and my luck or fate or call it what you will is rather hard. My family knows me as a sorry creature bringing misfortune to myself, them and others close to me. Indeed, even if some task or venture be a sure thing, all I need do is to try it and it will fail repeatedly. Moreover in being an apathetic observer practicing the principle of video et taceo, people often assume I know nought or that I am facile, and I care not what they think. As far as I am concerned, I think they are merely espousing opinions that they believe in and thus practice. I can readily comprehend the stance of any faction and I neither approve nor disapprove of their ways, for it is not my place to cast judgement on others. You asked a deceptively simple question, to which there is no simple answer. I only believe in something when true opinion has transformed into knowledge. I cannot say any more than that, for there is no explanation beyond that. It is not the answer you seek and I am sorry for that. Only you can weigh the odds of that which is important to you and cleave it to you. I rather suspect it is different from everyone, despite the outward conformity to the Church, other religions, the political system, Science or acquisitiveness for the sake of self-advantage.
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My main, Lady Strange (https://www.fallenlondon.com/profile/Lady%20Strange), in the process of stockpiling various items for various purposes, one task at a time. Regrettably not accepting challenges for the Tournament of Lilies.
My Alt, Lord George Mowbray (https://www.fallenlondon.com/profile/Lord%20George%20Mowbray), younger son of an impoverished Marquess, proud owner of an Übergoat, ploddingly grinding for cider and other things.
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Lady Strange
Posts: 95
3/8/2014
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I apologise to have caused you pain, Don Vazquez. Experience has made me a little weary of humanity. And people, as you know, do have a way of being trying and my experience of them has been as I described to you. One after another, most are that way and it’s enough to either fatigue one or bore one. You are a romantic, my friend, but I am not one. It does not exist outside of books. While it is entertaining to read of a grand passion, it is not very practical. You want and need an all consuming passion that burns and inspires you to the beyond, do you not? Passionate adoration may be exciting, but it seems impractical and very blinding. My needs are more prosaic. I believe romantic love is a sedate affair; it is not built on blinding, heart stopping passion. A love that lasts is based on friendship, kindness, tolerance, patience, a commitment to the same goals and a shared sense of humour. Life with another person is not made up of moments of exaltation, but of quite ordinary, everyday things that are shared. If a love gradually grows out of friendship, then it seems more natural to me than a mad passion of wild adoration. That could so very easily lead to blighted love, which would be a nasty state of affairs for both parties. Moreover, wild adoration and overriding passion seem very alarming, and I would worry about any person putting themselves through such extremes.
On another note, I find it fascinating that you have been to Polythreme and have met the King there. And that such a meeting should shape your views on love. But fear not, I am not offended. Discussions where opposing views are espoused are bound to end as it has for us in our latest venture. In any case, I do hope that we remain friends, and I wish you much joy in seeking a lady whose passions and views of love match yours. Yrs. &ca, Isabelle Strange.
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My main, Lady Strange (https://www.fallenlondon.com/profile/Lady%20Strange), in the process of stockpiling various items for various purposes, one task at a time. Regrettably not accepting challenges for the Tournament of Lilies.
My Alt, Lord George Mowbray (https://www.fallenlondon.com/profile/Lord%20George%20Mowbray), younger son of an impoverished Marquess, proud owner of an Übergoat, ploddingly grinding for cider and other things.
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