Diary of Eirlys
From Ars Magica
Samhain's Morrow, 1217
Yesterday I completed my gauntlet, and I am now considered a full mage. Drystan seems a mixture of relief, regret, and resentment. He is glad that we will no longer suffer those long and uncomfortable silences (as am I). He does not wish to lose his lab assistant, of course, and is nervous that he might be reprimanded for gauntleting an apprentice he's had for such a short term-- should it become an issue, he will play up the amount of time I studied within Arcadia before he brought me back to the mundane realm with him. It's the truth, though he thinks it a lie; the difference is that my study at home was seen to by mother and grandmother, not him. Finally, there is his resentment. He was ever frustrated that he sought to teach his apprentice "mysteries of the fey" and yet, learned more from me than he taught. While I mocked him for it, I do value those lessons with him; I learned a great deal of the mortal perceptions of our kind... information which I do not doubt will be of importance.
The "gauntlet" itself was not much different from any other Samhain. I danced and sang as my Lady was reborn. As I received Her blessing, Drystan said a few words which declared my change in status; I (mostly) recited his oath before the feasting began.
I imagine I should choose a Hermetic name at some point, but thusfar my grandmother's nickname for me is suitable enough. It means "Snowdrop" in my her tongue, and bearing that name makes me feel more connected to her. I shall think on it more.
Yule Eve, 1217
I still haven't thought of a Hermetic name. The more I think on it, the more convinced I am that bearing my grandmother's pet name for me is a constant homage, one which I gladly pay. Besides, Latin names are so *stuffy* and self-important.
Things are more strained with Drystan. Now that we are no longer master and apprentice, he has redoubled his efforts at making advances. It's more an annoyance than anything else. I believe he pursues me out of a deeper-rooted problem: there is a palpable distinction between fey-blooded Merinita and the mundane. They wish they were us, and I believe they resent us for that. From hearing Drystan's rantings about his colleagues, I believe he feels that the mundane-blooded Merinita are looked down upon by the fey-blooded. Perhaps they are; it doesn't seem so from my experience, but it is certainly a possibility. If he could only be happy with who he is, he would be a much better magus, and a much happier person. I don't know what he hopes to achieve by trying to worm his way into my bed, but I tire of it. I cannot wait to find a new covenant for myself... with any luck, I can leave Loch Leglean entirely.
