Opinion Of Others:Excerpts from the Diaries of Elia Louisa ReinhardtMariah Amor:"I will say it now so that these words of mine are not repeated en masse. There's nothing more destructive to the reputation of women as a whole than people like Mariah Amor. I do not deem myself to be the greatest judge of characters but from the few times I have met this lady, it has become painfully obvious that she covers her intelligence with a thick layer of stupidity. The most sickening aspect of this? It works. She has men following her around like little lost puppies that someone should have really drowned in a river at birth. Such a pity, it is, that behaviour like that displayed by Miss Amor will be noted and unduly repeated by the younger generations. I do hope, for the sake of our species, that the fruit of her womb are imbued with a little more sense knocked into their skulls.
Oh and did I mention she was a brat?"
Gwendolyn Argall:"Another dinner party. These events have been increasing in number ever since I released my designs on the new airborne gondola. It seems that these blubbering fools expect some sort of discount if they harass me with gentle smiles for a night almost like I'm a child chasing a fanciful dream. If they could see half the thoughts in my head, they would count themselves enlightened for a lifetime.
One must mention, however, that the reception I received at the Argall manor house was a breath of fresh air. Instead of pompous nobles, I was surrounded by those who were well-read; poets and the like. Much could be said of the host, a Miss Gwendolyn Argall, who entertained an entire crowd (myself included) with lacklustre tales of the old kingdoms and fallen empires. However, most notably, she seemed almost entranced to listen to the others and their fine stories. A woman of knowledge. If only there were more."
Edwyn Carlisle:"How do they do it on a daily basis? A dear friend of mine, a one Mr Hubris, was invited to a dinner party of late and, lacking a partner to accompany him, he did extend the invitation to myself. I feared wounding his pride so I hesitantly accepted. Hindsight is a cruel jape, it would seem. Dear Mr Hubris became burdened with the destroyer of good men; alcohol, and was forced to retire much earlier than expected. I was engaged in conversation already so in his good nature, he left me undisturbed.
It would seem that the young patron of House Carlisle shared his friendship with the better-looking majority of young noblemen because, due to my outwardly abnormal look, I instantly became the centre of their humorous attentions. One would have preferred to remain very far from the centre. Needless to say, young Carlisle himself tried his hand at taming me with his soft words and that smug smile. I could have broke him in two. and put him back together just so that fine Godsend could ravage me. I quickly departed the manor and I've gained the understanding that these sort of events are just not for me. No, I am quite safe buried deep amongst machinery but God is it difficult to ignore the fire rumbling in my belly. This is why I despise biology."
Lizbeth Dveaux: This source, although not mentioning her name, is believed to contain a reference to Lizbeth Dveaux"It was upon this cold, January evening that I've had a brush with the darker side of our world. It is commonly known that the underworld of the major cities is awash with brothels and prostitutes selling their... wares on the corner of streets but in my childlike innocence, I did not expect to find one upon the arm of some loud, plump nobleman at an unveiling of my latest designs. I was furious, to say the least; not because he dared to take her into an event of my organising but that he seemed to believe that she was his property for the evening and thus proceeded to show her off like a well-crafted portrait.
Gods be praised, it took everything inside of me not to find some way to bash his sorry skull in - the poor thing, prettier than most other girls I've seen, looked like she had resigned herself to deep self-loathing. If only I could share my dreams with those who are stuck at the bottom of the barrel. If only I could ignite hope back into their hearts. Rebellion is on their lips, I can see it, but I must refuse to act. I question my intentions everyday."
Linta Hohyener:"I have made many friends thus far but it's becoming painfully clear to me that for every friend I make and every ally that binds their aid to my cause, there are those who stare on with dark intents. Those who curse my name and believe that I do not belong at the level I have rose to. I imagine if I was a male, these self-righteous bastards would be content but nevertheless, they have made me their enemy and some are beginning to outwardly expose this.
The most noteworthy of these enemies would have to be Lord Hohyener, the High General of our nation's military. He is one of the few bloodthirsty individuals who believe that the machines of war must closely mirror every leap of progress. It began as fine praise from him for my work for the Royal Family. This was followed by gentle hints and promises of funding if I was to focus my intelligence on military technology. That alone offended me - did he dare think that my good father raised me to power the gears of war!? I forgave his insolence that once and politely declined his offer. He's a powerful man and it would be foolish of me to publicly declare my opposition to him.
My thoughts on the matter did not halt him and much like a dog baying for blood, he continued on with his unholy crusade of attempting to enlist me into the ranks of brilliant minds that had already betrayed progress. When I refused again, his persuasions turned violent and I understand that he commanded his youngest daughter to beg the king to have me arrested.
The bitch apparently made a good case of it and if it were not for my friends close to the Royal Family, I imagine I would be rotting in prison by now. I would prefer to rot than to have my genius used so as he may further his war-effort.
Nevertheless, the first question that crossed my mind was who in God's name allowed that bastard Hohyener to breed? The next that crossed my mind was which sane-minded woman with any self-integrity allowed that dog anywhere near her nether regions. I imagine he'll send men after me but I pay no heed to such shallow threats. Science has succeeded today."
Kipling Baye:"Was it foolish of me to expect much of the world when I started this blooming business of mine? Back then, sheer determination clouded by thoughts and in my innocence, I believed that the world was somewhat ready to accept the fruits of my mind. I am beginning to question those thoughts, however.
Unfortunately, being the head of mine own industry, I'm responsible for almost all of the sourcing of parts. It was, in this particular venture, that I did butt heads with the Baye family business. I was under the impression that my business would ignite great potential in their enterprise and that they would respect this fact but I was painfully proved wrong. Kipling Baye himself is a vicious man with very little care of his workers. Granted, I am not known for my social expertise but I at least keep company with decent standards. This would have just been a simple irk in our relationship would it not have been for the fact that Kipling was a bastard who thought little of me. I urged my pride to stay at bay but it kindly refused which resulted in our business dealings falling apart.
After that? Threats. A lot of threats and even some action but I refused to let him hold sway over my dealings. I imagine our next meeting will be sour. I have every intention to let the cunt know his place."
Goram Dorr:"I have decided that today is a fine day, or it appears to be so. Father seems elated and I cannot help but mirror his feelings of happiness. What is he happy over? If I knew it would already be upon this paper but alas, I've been left in the dark by his excitement."
"My day has indeed proven to be eventful and father has somehow stayed excited throughout most of the entire process. 'Always reflect on what you have learned that day, Elia, and be thankful for it' he told me so I thought it best to mark my train of thought here. What I do know is that father and an old friend of his have secured a partnership in their business. We paid a visit to the man (whom father spoke very highly of) and I was left to inspect his tidings. Unsurprisingly, he was a productive man, or a blacksmith to sum it up. His smithy was expansive and even I was impressed - if it made father happy than I was also consequently happy. I found a giant there, hulking over the forge. He must have been five years my senior but he gifted me a gentle smile before returning to his work. That smile stayed with me as I left and although I am hesitant to admit such a thing, the pure strength exposed by him stirred darker thoughts."
"It does seem that father's business deal has gone through accordingly but something has seemed to trouble him today. I was working on the airship with him and he backed away from the project almost within the first hour - his mind was clearly elsewhere. As we later ate, he did what I was patiently waiting for and told me what was burdening him. 'My friend wishes to seal our business dealings with a marriage.' He told me, leaving me more than confused. Almost a minute later, he elaborated, 'He extended his desires to have his only son wedded to you.' I was shocked, to say the least, as this was the first time father spoke of such things. Nevertheless, images of the young blacksmith did leave me a tad confused of my feelings on the matter. Father didn't ask what I wanted though, he knew - he never mentioned it again."
Telion Velkfur"Rumours have spread to me about a book-burning that occurred in a few towns over. Naturally, such tales angered me - how dare the insolent fools burn such great bastions of knowledge!? Such ancient books were prized by all those who even mildly held themselves as intelligent. I dug a little deeper into the stories to discover some of the past behind it and what drove such a notable family into such a heinous crime against humanity.
The story only proved to annoy me further but it left me lusting to learn further upon the young man who was the victim of this mindless slaughter of knowledge. Yet, whispers were also voiced of his defiance and how he had secretly hidden away several ancient tomes so that he could learn more, even if knowledge was outlawed. I've found small hope in his tale but it is a want of mine to discover more about the young Velkfur patron - he who prizes knowledge to such a degree is well-worth knowing, after all. Perhaps I can arrange a meeting with a shallow offer of marriage?"