Moonwater Perfume/Written on the first day of a new life

The future arrived this morning via one Holonet message. Josym has been accepted into the Cultural University on Aeithera. Like his illustrious maternal uncle, he will depart from this wretched planet to start another life and begin fulfilling his destiny. This new future shall carry him into the galaxy, away from Deiu, away from me…

Oh, to hells with self-pity! Jos is free! He’s going to forge a new path until the moment arrives when he meets Luke Skywalker and begins Jedi training. I was unsure if this notion was a true possibility until my beloved’s announcement. It felt ridiculous to believe Jos might arrive within Skywalker’s ken, but now it feels vivid, concrete, three dimensional. Of course I don’t possess any Force sensitivity, which means I cannot envision the day when this meeting shall occur. But all things which seemed like illusions now feel solid and true.

This revelation emerged from Josym over breakfast. Like all other mornings at Reunahn’s manse, we sat upon the rooftop under a gold and white striped cloth which blocked us from direct sunlight. In a whimsical fantasy, one could imagine all three of us rising up into the clouds, passengers on some airborne sailing vessel…over the remnants of briconberry cakes and half-filled glasses of Bellingransa mixed with rubysoft juice, we basked in the sudden glory of the wonderful news. The comm was transmitted from the Provost’s office last evening local time, a simple conglomeration of letters and numbers which forms a message of salvation. We chattered like sugar-laden youngsters about Jos’s potential existence among many different kinds of people; Reunahn couldn’t resist suggesting my beloved could increase his chances of popularity by throwing outrageous parties. “Wine and music gathers all merry souls in one space. From this joyous light, friendships are born.”

I understood Reunahn’s perspective. For a young man entering his first semesters at university, there is no better means of announcing “I’m here, world!” than holding court in the midst of his own gathering. I know certain sure Josym can bring together a diverse group of the student population and discover acquaintances that shall become his friends, perhaps a close knit group of Force Sensitives who can seek comfort and refuge against the vicissitudes of a hostile galaxy.

But a nascent Jedi and university student cannot move into his destiny without first moving into a home best suited for a double purpose life. What kind of living arrangements can Jos have during the next four years? The standard dormitories fulfill the basic need for most young students, but I can’t imagine him sharing a bedsit with another being save myself. So it’s likely he will follow the precedent set by the few heirs who have undertaken this journey and reside in some off-campus house or apartment. Heirs that choose to study off-world are given a stipend which covers basic expenses and some varied extras, but that is all. The general discouragement against leaving Deiu for long periods ensures the intrepid Prestatine shall understand what it means to go against our society’s unspoken code. If there wasn’t any financial support which comes from the heirs’ clans, none of those boys could ever answer the unknown call of adventure into uncharted territory. A closed society is forever threatened by any incursion from outside influences, especially those which emanate from their own children. Change is prevented, and the old ways continue for another two decades. But one can hope for better days via these young men who choose to leave Deiu. Lord Arcadin has done much to insure the passage of some laws which chip away at the oppression which keeps our planet in the dark ages. Although it feels assured Jos will never become a member of the Ancients’ Council, but everything he learns on Aeithera can still form the basis of an enlightened new philosophy which trickles down from the upper echelons into the foundation of this wretched place. One day, this change in opinion might force revolution and the

upheaval of the Old Ways. From the Dark Age into the Silver Age…but our Silver Age shall occur on a grander scale, and will become a chapter within the galactic Golden Age.

One might wonder how I’ll cope during those years while Jos is away…well, Reunahn has found another profession for me, a quite unexpected occupation that is unlike my experience as a cortigia. But Reunahn is going into a new land as well. Yes, my beloved isn’t the sole participant in some new path which shall alter one’s previously stagnant existence. Earlier in this narrative, I mentioned Reunahn’s second marriage. This second revelation which emerged over crumbs of our late breakfast is course-altering for both of us. The declaration of my first benefactor’s impending nuptials was tucked within scattered conversation about Josym’s future. Right after his uncle’s suggestion about throwing a party in order to make friends came this pronouncement: “I’m going to become a father.” Bang!, out came the words that startled both Jos and myself. Reunahn has always been a man who is less than enthusiastic around children. This characteristic, along with his desire not to force another generation to endure the Di’sallach bloodline, caused Reunahn to remain childless during his first marriage. But now he’s going to venture into the realm of fatherhood, albeit in a roundabout fashion. He isn’t procreating, but shall become a stepfather. After the initial surprise dissipated around the table, he told Jos and me about his engagement to Lady Temera Kyrison. I’ve noticed in recent weeks that Reunahn has disappeared from the manse for several days every fortnight, and had some vague notion that he and Lady Kyrison were acquainted in some manner. But I wasn’t aware their interactions were so advanced. Marriage and stepfatherhood? How extraordinary!

So my benefactors are now embarked upon new journeys within their lives. Where does that leave me? The daughters of Lady Kyrison will require a new instructor since their previous governess retired from service. I’m soon to become their governess. Reunahn decided I was qualified for this vocation based upon the educational foundation I received in the Cortigiamira. I was given a comprehensive education that moved beyond the standard curricula for young women on Deiu; the womanly arts including needlework and art history were enhanced by lessons in science, philosophy, and even the basic maths (higher maths aren’t valued by anyone, saved for dedicated academes). My affinity for knowledge has been a major draw in previous relations with other men, especially Reuhan and Josym. How could I resist the offer to become the Kyrison daughters’ governess? Perhaps this seems like a demotion, but it’s actually the only legal upward shift a cortigia can hope to achieve within her lifetime. Not many courtesans shift from their bedchamber role to a schoolroom function; when age catches up to a cortigia, she disappears from polite society (like any courtesan is ever outside the shadows!) and is often compelled to stay on the gray side of respectability by working as mistresses in the unregistered backroom brothels in the capital nightclubs. A respectable profession is rarely the option for retired cortigia. But a fortunate few can ascend into the beautiful purity of educating the aristocrats’ young ladies (boys need instructors who lack stains of ill repute). Former cortigia selected for the role of governess are viewed as worthy in spite of the checkered past because of her intellectual gifts. Through years of teaching aristocratic girls, it becomes possible for a courtesan-turned-governess to clear away the past filled with sins and become pure in respectable folks’ eyes. One day she might even be allowed to enter the Temple and achieve state recognition as one of The Blessed Women, a group of former courtesans who are “redeemed and reformed”. Respectability isn’t unattainable for even the worst dregs…forgive me if that questionable perspective doesn’t provide me any motivation. I know that Reunahn decided to choose me because he trusts my abilities. I also realize his choice allows me to stay under his legal protection while Jos lives offworld. I can’t leave Deiu and stay with him, even though I’m his property. Yet I’m unable to obtain permission for off-planet travel unless accompanied by a male relative of my current benefactor, and that obviously creates an impossible dilemma for me. So Reunahn’s job offer protects me in a practical way; I can remain in his custody and can travel whenever necessary.

That is the state of current affairs. Jos will depart for Aeithera in three months, which leaves us both enough/not enough days together. We’ve begun to plot some weeks during his first semester when I might come to visit. So far we have five possible weeks tucked aside for occasions where I can pop into his new life…see how things are going for him…maybe keep another written record for posterity…But that concern is for those days after he is gone. I still have my beloved in bed next to me, asleep for now. We decided against the pursuit of carnal matters because our spirits craved a better intimacy which transcends physical bonding. All the minutes, days, and weeks that remain until his departure must be cherished, inscribed into memory so that any lonely times will be conquered. Yes, we must be separated in order to keep Josym safe and give him the best chance to grow into a future warrior and leading participant in galactic history. My place in his evolving story will be multi-faceted: lover, spouse, and chronicler. I now understand my regular scribbling in diary holds another purpose beside some thoughts and events organized in a calendar format. Everything contained within this datapad is a first-hand account of a courtesan’s life interspersed with the developing tale of a Force sensitive in a hostile galaxy. We are background players on the universal stage, but featured players in our personal romantic/mystical adventure/family drama. (It’s difficult to measure one’s existence through genres).

What comes next for us? Three months of waiting is a long time for the commencement of Jos’s new life, but not long enough for time spent in each other’s presence. Perhaps we could escape into the mountains for a hideaway vacation until the day he leaves…or stay here, and simply live within each moment. Sit on the rooftop, watch the sun and moon rise and set, sit in the garden and debate the merits of poetry versus drama, laze about in the Candy Box Suite…I could think of worse activities to pass the weeks. Then we’ll go forward onto individual roads, moving into new destinies yet still united in our mutually desired future. Does that future include marriage and children? I cannot imagine how a cortigia would be allowed to wed a Prestatine. Going to Aeithera could be possible; once I get away from Deiu, it would be possible to enter into matrimony anywhere in the galaxy so long as I possess the required identification. But any form of permanent commitment must wait until Jos leaves university. And what if…perhaps I might follow a long hidden wish to see a bit of the galaxy under my own auspices before I might be able to enter into marriage…

But those desires belong to another world which lies upon the horizon. Najahal is glowing through the curtains, shining down upon us. May the ancient holy guide keep us together from now until…well, for a very, very long time!