ARISTASIA FORUMS

Rayati, everyone. I've registered under the name I use in Virtualia, which I am no stranger to, but have spent most of my time in Elf Circle and Caledon. I visited the embassy for the first time today, but was called away suddenly before I could properly respond to the very warm greeting I received there. If any of you were there, I apologize for that.

I first learned about Aristasia a week ago, and I find the idea compelling. Specifically, the Aristasian genders of blonde and brunette make me feel for the first time that there is an archetype that fits me. I've always had an instinct for protectiveness and, dare I say, chivalry, yet this has not been accompanied by any desire to behave in a masculine way. Now, I feel I can say with confidence, "I am a brunette."

There's plenty about me and my life in the physical world that doesn't fit here, but I won't bore you with it. Here are a few things I enjoy, instead.

I love to cook. My specialties are delicacies for dainty constitutions, as my sister and her daughter are allergic to a host of different foods. I love to take care of people in general. I love things that are durable, simple, and stay bought, like my French press. I love homemade clothing, but am hopeless with a needle, not for lack of trying. My favorite up-to-date films are The King and I, My Fair Lady, and recently Desk Set. I reread Jane Eyre every six months, Pride and Prejudice every year, and anything by Louisa May Alcott that I can get my hands on. My favorite instruments are the dobro and the violin, because of the range of emotion and tone they can convey. I met my best girl friend over Sailor Moon trading cards. I'm starting to learn about opera, and finding I rather enjoy it. My daughter is named after Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Well, now. Since I've let you all know a little about me, I'll be doing more listening than speaking from now on, as I don't always have access to a keyboard when I have access to elektraspace.

Will I do?

Rayati, Miss Looming. How lovely to hear from you! You really have a very interesting range of interests - and I share with you the one about loving homemade clothes, but not being able to control a needle properly to make them. Hee!

I hope to see you in Virchers soon!

Rayati dear Miss Looming! It was lovely to see you - albeit very briefly - at the Embassy. I do hope we shall meet you properly very soon.

You will certainly "do". Actually when you say "the Aristasian genders of blonde and brunette make me feel for the first time that there is an archetype that fits me" you are saying something that many have said before you. So many people spend years in Telluria trying to understand themselves in a world that gives no model for who they truly are. Once they realize they are blondes or brunettes, suddenly everything falls into place and starts making sense at last.

Chivalry - certainly you may say it! Chivalry is something we value highly in Aristasia. It is out of fashion in Telluria for a mass of reasons - not just the confusion of gender roles but also the lack - and disparagement - of a raihiralan (noble or knightly) social estate. Whether this is all good or bad for Telluria I don't know, but in Aristasia you will find the virtues of chivalry to be alive and much honored.

Welcome among us and I look forward to meeting you very soon.

Rayati, Miss Looming! It really was lovely to see you at the Embie yesterday--I can't wait for you to be able to stay around!

I love to cook too! And so do a number of other maidens here--perhaps we shall have to get into some recipe-sharing.

Miss Yu, I think sharing recipes sounds delightful.

Miss Madonna, I truly enjoyed our conversation at the embassy last evening. I hope I didn't make a total buffoon of myself to Miss Pearl trying to explain coals to Newcastle.

Miss Kohime, I hope you are as blessed as I am with loved ones who sew.

Thank you, everyone.

I think we should do it, Miss Looming!

I do a fair bit of sewing myself.

COOKING? Did someone say they enjoy cooking?

Miss Looming, I think blondes and brunettes find meaning from taking care of each other, but in different ways. I'd thought that as a Blonde, I took care of Brunettes through cooking, but there's no reason it should not be the other way round!

Rayati,
Miss Daffofil