Jill, from Katherine Kerr's Deverry books

[turtledove_jill]

A young woman with short blonde hair walks in, stops, and looks around in surprise. She is wearing worn baggy trousers, a slightly stained linen shirt, boots, and a swordbelt from which hang a sword and a silver dagger.

"By the Lord of Hell's black hairy balls! Since when did Brin Toraedic have a room that looked like this(OOC: This Jill is from

Comments

[fw_darcy]

Good day, madam. *bows stiffly*

Are reading and writing uncommon amongst ladies where you live?

[turtledove_jill]

"Good day, good sir," Jill says, returning the man's formality and sketching a bow of her own. "Reading and writing are uncommon among most folk where I'm from. It tends to be the domain of bards and scribes, along with those craftsfolk and high-ranking retainers who need to know a few letters and numbers for their professions. Some nobleborn can read and write, but it isn't that common for them to learn. Now that I'm learning dweomer, I've learnt that dweomerfolk need to read and write as well, which is why I'm learning."

[fw_darcy]

Ah, I see. Such was once the case in my own country, though by my time it had come about that most of the populace had at least a little of letters. Some more than others, of course, but far better than the days when books were the exclusive province of priests.

Your eagerness to learn new things makes me think you would do well in my own House, Ravenclaw.

[turtledove_jill]

"Most folk can read and write?" Jill sounds impressed, then gives a slight frown. "Then what do scribes do for work, if everyone can read and write?"

She considers the man's suggestion of Ravenclaw. "Laura told me that Ravenclaw is for the highly intelligent people. That's not really what I'd label myself, so I'm not sure if I'd fit there, though learning dweomer is my passion, true enough."

[fw_darcy]

Most *can,* but not all *do.* Either their work does not call for it much, or they prefer other pursuits, or simply do not enjoy *thinking.*

Those who do often specialize in reading and writing, as your scribes do. Many produce writings for readers to read. Or they study the writings of others, or teach those arts to children.

A passion for learning seems to me to be quite the thing for Ravenclaw. Not all are born smart, or wise. They come by it through years of work, attended to diligently and seriously. You strike me as quite capable of such discipline to learn your - dweomer.

[turtledove_jill]

Jill smiles. "Thanks. My Da drilled that sort of discipline into me pretty young, after I badgered him into teaching me swordwork. I've found that learning dweomer and letters is a lot like swordwork, you've got to work on the basics over and over until you're bored to tears, and then still keep going."

[fw_darcy]

Exactly! Just so. And as with swordwork, at some point after the endless drilling it will be as if a switch has been thrown and you are comfortable enough with the basics to stretch beyond them. I am no master of the weapon, but I do have enough competence with a sword to remember how astonishing that felt, when it happened.

[turtledove_jill]

The smile that's brought to Jill's face when she thinks back on that point for her is full of genuine delight.

"It does feel wondrous, doesn't it? It makes all that drilling worthwhile. I was so pleased, and then Da put me to work on more endless drills for something more advanced so I wouldn't get cocky." Her smile turns proud, with a wistful tinge. "Not that I'd ever get cocky when I had him to compare myself to. Da's the best swordsman in all Deverry, and he made damn sure that I never got overconfident."

[fw_darcy]

*smiles* He sounds a most excellent teacher, and a most excellent parent. You make me miss my own dear father, madam. He never tutored me in any one subject thus, but he taught me all the things I value most. I cannot imagine who I should have grown into without his support, and his fine example.

[turtledove_jill]

"He wasn't a typical parent, and I'm sure many people thought him more a daft one than a good one when he took me on the long road with him, but I always thought he was the best Da ever. I know what you mean about your Da -- I wouldn't be who I am if it wasn't for everything mine taught me. I'm sorry you've lost your Da, but if you have good memories of him, then that's the important thing and I'm sure that when he looks back on you from the Otherlands he's proud of you."

Vote: Ravenclaw

[fw_darcy]

I do have, madam, and I have always hoped he does. It is something to keep me focused on doing as I should, certainly.

But I haven't yet properly voted, have I? Ravenclaw.

Re: Vote: Ravenclaw

[turtledove_jill]

"Thank you, good sire. And speaking or doing things properly, I never properly introduced myself." She holds out her hand. "I'm Jill. Well, Gilyan. But just call me Jill."

Re: Vote: Ravenclaw

[fw_darcy]

No more did I; I suspect the odd nature of Sorting interviews loosens the requirement for traditional manners.

*takes her hand* A pleasure to meet you, Jill. I am Fitzwilliam Darcy, but as Fitzwilliam is a mouthful, most call me Darcy, or Mr. Darcy if formality is called for.

Re: Vote: Ravenclaw

[turtledove_jill]

"An honour to meet you, Darcy," Jill says, shaking his hand. "Ah...'mister' is some sort of title, I take it?"

Re: Vote: Ravenclaw

[fw_darcy]

It is, madam. Any male of legal age in good standing as a citizen may claim the title of Mister, or Master if they are not yet of age, followed by his family name.

For ladies the title indicates their marital status. An unmarried lady would be addressed as Miss, followed by her family name. A married lady would be Mrs., followed by her husband's family name. My young sister is Miss Darcy, and my late mother went from Miss Fitzwilliam, her father's family name, to Mrs. Darcy upon her marriage to my father.

Do they not use family names in this way in your land, Jill?

Re: Vote: Ravenclaw

[turtledove_jill]

"I've never heard of anything like that before," Jill says. "It sounds very...ordered. As for family names, this sounds like clan names in Deverry. Only the nobleborn have clan names, and not all of them are used the way you use family names -- for example, my...friend...is named Rhodry Maelwaedd, and his lady mother is Lovyan of the Red Lion."