Below are the 3 most recent journal entries recorded in varatichef's LiveJournal:

Wednesday, March 23rd, 2005
11:12 am	Obviously, it is not enough that I must plan, ration, and make the food palatable, but now I am being asked for special requests. Not specific recipes, for that I could handle. But one of the crew members has asked me to prepare her a separate meal for each meal. Why? Because she doesn't eat meat. Why? Because she is a Healer. I am sorry, but that will not fly with me. I am already vastly limited in the recipes I -can- use due to the cargo space and the food-access I have. I do not have fresh meat, nor do I have fresh vegetables. All of the meat is smoked or salted and the vegetables are mostly tubers. What fresh food I have is used up within the first few meals and then I must go back to the stores. Once those are gone, we will be having fish. But to make a separate meal? It isn't going to happen. It is a waste of food...I don't care if she eats every last drop, it is far more economical to make it in bulk. I tried to compromise by saying I would do my best to alternate meals; one day with meat, one day without, but I have a feeling that did not placate her. She then asked if she could buy her own supplies and use my galley to prepare her food. I can barely fit in the place...two most certainly would not. That and I doubt that the Captain would allow the personal cargo. The woman is on a ship. Maybe she has never sailed before, but I just cannot handle individual meal requests. It isn't like I butcher the meat on the ship that she could feel the pain. (Comment on this)
Thursday, January 27th, 2005
10:49 am	I saw him! I was on the Bridge...a fascinating marketplace...I plan on visiting every day even if it's to taste all the strange foods and pore over the exotic wares for sale. I knew it was him even before I looked up. I had purchased some pastries from an Empyrean bakery and was taking notes on what I tasted when there was this presence. Maybe it was the heat about him or the aura of power that just exuded from him. I looked up and there he was...making his way through the stalls in his red robes and shimmering heat. Adya was right...we do resemble each other. His jaw is more square as mine is sharper...and even sitting down I knew he was bigger than I. Maybe by a few inches both ways. But he was there, before me. And then all I saw were flames. They engulfed my vision...I could feel them licking at me, but I could not control them. They were of my own making, but I could not stop them as they started to burn. I think I screamed and the next thing I knew he was holding me upright. It was a vision...there were no flames. My magic was under my control and even if it wasn't, I am sure he could have stopped them. I felt his warm hands holding me up for just a moment before I could manage it myself. "Thank you," I said, trying desperately to meet his gaze as I knew I should. There was silver in his hair...I will have to tell mother. "Be careful, Imphadi..." was offered back and he even smiled at me, "The candala do not seem to understand that visions do not always come in our sleep." He understood. Mother often lamented that as I shared his magic, I would share his fate. But I was not taken by the Atarvani, nor was Fire my first magic. I think I stammered out another "Thank You" and he clapped me on the shoulder and continued on his way. By Ushas, if I had that man's charisma there would be nothing I couldn't do. No wonder he was made Imam...I was half-tempted to follow him back to the Temple myself. But now I have seen him. Touched him. I do not think he knew who I was, but I shall leave that for Adya to divulge. I would be afraid that he would find me somehow lacking...perhaps because I do not wear the red robes. I do not wear red much at all. Perhaps it would be different were I to actually say 'I am your son', but I am not ready for that. When we return to this port, maybe I shall have the courage. (Comment on this)
Tuesday, January 25th, 2005
2:00 pm	I have finally made it to Parnassus And will begin a new journal here. The journey from Port al' Salla'hin was uneventful. Despite the cold waters and chilling wind, it was relatively smooth sailing, all considering. Luckily, I was quite able to keep myself warm...I even offered to help out the cook so that boredom wouldn't overtake me. I am not used to being on ships as a passenger; for the last four or so years, I had been serving on one or another. Mostly, I act as the cook...or assistant cook, as it was at the beginning, but once finding out I was educated, they began teaching me about rationing and purchasing supplies. The last ship I was on, I took care of those duties more often than not. But not this trip. This time I was a passenger with time on my hands. Sailing into the docks of the two cities was...well, it was very impressive. The marble of Parnassus and the carved cliffs of Irha-Esh were at such odds with each other, but it was a breathtaking testament of the peace the two cities have shared for two decades. It was quite awe-inspiring. The flame of the Temple of Khalid-Atar caught my eye and my heart jumped in my chest. My father lived there. Lives, I should say. All I know of him is what my mother has told me, what rumors made it to bin Ushas and then to alam Zulyat. And what my sister wrote me about him. She says we resemble each other in some ways...although I am told he is taller. Closer to Seven feet than I am. I dreamed of him once. I don't think he knew I was there, but I saw him in my dream. It was maybe a year or two ago...and yes, we are very similar. He is broader and taller, yes...and his face is more square while mine is more heart-shaped. But his fire is brighter than mine. Much brighter. I haven't the magic to truly see it, but it was in his very demeanor. It is how I imagine Khalid-Atar must look; strong and powerful, handsome and wise, with that bearing that says 'I know who I am and I know that I can destroy you'. Perhaps I will venture into the Temple...perhaps not. I found the ship I am to sail on...the 'Amarada', Captained by one Sebastian Xavierus, an Empyrean. This will be my first voyage sailing under an Empyrean, but his First Mate, a 'Mister Burke' seems a decent enough fellow. I shall have to swallow some of my Kshatri pride to be sailing with all these 'candala', but as long as they do not mind my presence, I shall not mind theirs. Besides, my status has done me little good besides being a good Stud for some spoiled little Imphada...and even then, the status is dubious. Adya and I were adopted into the Kshatri. Technically, because of our birth, we are Vaisya. Or would we be Atarvani? That would indeed make a difference. I shall have to ask her; I hope to spend some time with my twin before we set sail...we may not get along well, but I miss her. The ship herself is quite nice; very well-kept and roomy, but slim enough to get a good amount of speed. She has a sister ship which is a little lower-lying in the water, perhaps it is of Varati make? But I shall be aboard the Amarada as Mister Burke enjoyed my cooking. I plan on spending my few days here ashore, sampling what cuisine I can so that I can make food that is palatable to most. I already have plans to learn some Empyrean fare. I have met my first Empyrean...she must be a noble, from her chilly attitude. Her name is Zea Justinus, yet she insists I call her 'Domina'. Of course, I won't...just out of spite. She is quite lovely if one likes the pale, small, delicate type...she seems to have a good rapport with the Captain and his First Mate. I think I will have quite the challenge before me to get her to like me...not that it matters, but one always needs a bit of a challence on the longer voyages. This will just be mine. Well, that and to deal with being close to so many candala...and many of them male. My mother blames herself for that; for the first twelve years of my life, I was surrounded only by women. I despise the shift in attitude that comes over me when I am confronted by one and I am working to ease it. A Varati man should not feel inferior to one of another race, that I know, but...well, it is hard getting rid of phobias. I am certain there will be more to write once I explore these cities briefly. Current Mood: nervous (Comment on this)