#and also reminded me. gaelic is another language I'd like to learn

[bookwyrminspiration]

just found out apparently there is a song in hozier's new album abt language! wanted to rec it to you both because. it sounds very beautiful and also obviously because lyrics: butchered tongue

Oh, really? Cool! I've seen that Hozier songs have been coming out, but I haven't kept close track and didn't know there was a whole new album now.

I'm listening to it now and ough. Okay wow yeah that hurts. Especially that "Until the distance has been shown between what is lost forever / And what can still be known" line, that's incredibly reminiscent of several of the convos we've been having about trying to reclaim what we can, but how it will never be quite the same as what it could've been. And trying to reconcile and be okay with who we are while still feeling the righteous anger at what was taken from us culturally and linguistically.

And then "A butchered tongue still singin' here above the ground". I don't even know how to explain it, but you get it, right? We are butchered tongues, we're alive but with this piece cut from us. But we're still singing, we're still trying, we're teaching ourselves as many sounds and words as these butchered tongues will accept because we're not letting our language passively go. And despite our difficulties and how it's never be quite the same, we're still persevering.

I love this language...partnership? Camaraderie? Connection? Solidarity? we've accidentally discovered--thank you for sharing this song with me <3

[officalroyalsofpierreland]

A Garden Party Introduction

Balmoral, Scottish Highlands, Scotland

Marie-Christine: Another, summer...another garden party Alexander: yup...last one before our break huh my love Hortense: Oliver...all of these people... Oliver: it is quite alright my love...we shall be making a b-line for my friends. They've been excited to meet you. Mama and Papa will be talking to guests

Hortense: So your friends have wanted to meet me? Oliver: Of course! I will admit [sheepishly] I have done nothing but talk of you when I bring up Francesim....you were the best part of my time there Hortense: Oliver David Alexander James, you flatter me Callen: Ah, there are the happy couple!

Oliver: Ah. Mo Gaol, you remember Lord Callen MacDonald. Callen: Your Imperial Highness, wonderful to see you again. Oliver: To his right is Lord Rhys MacPherson, one of my other friends since childhood Rhys: Your Imperial Highness.

Oliver: To his right is his twin sister, Lady Evie MacPherson Evie: Hello Your Imperial Highness! Oliver: And to her right, is Mr. Ahmad Chambers...though soon we shall soon call you Lord Ahmad my dear friend! Ahmad: Hello Your Imperial Highness. And Your Royal Highness, you flatter me sir. I'd only wish such a title on the basis of my hard work, not my dear mum's. Hortense: Hello everyone...very pleased to meet all of you!

Evie: It's an honor to meet you Ma'am really! Callen: Must we keep with the formalities? Oliver: Yes- Evie: Yes! His Royal Highness said we should ease Madame Hortense into the group...Francesim is a very different country Lord Callen...which you would know if you left the kingdom Callen: Oh here we go because- Evie: I did a study aboard semester in both Pierreland and Francesim...and they are both much more formal nations...not to mention the art!

Callen: Well...I've gotten Evie started...apologies Madame...Evie can talk about art and paintings till she's blue in the face...and not a lovely shade of blue might I add Ahmad: Really Callen...must you insult Evie's passion for the subject at every turn! Hortense: Actually...I love art! And please...I do not wish to change how your group operates...if you are less formal then please!

Ahmad: Thank you for being so gracious with us Madame. I apologize for Callen...he's a bit of a grouch when he has not slept well. His twin has been annoying him non stop recently- Callen: Hey! Ahmad: Anyway...if you would like Madame, Evie and I could show you around some of the art exhibits. It is not as glorious as the art of the Francesim palaces- Hortense: oh, I'd love that! I'm open to seeing all forms of art. Evie: Brilliant! We shall make plans then! Sorry Oli, we're going to steal your girl for a day!

Hortense: Will it be alright? For us to go to a public Museum? Oliver: Of course Mo Gaol...I will also make sure some nondescript security will be there, but it shall be safe. I promise. Hortense: Okay...then we shall go!

??? [in Scottish Gaelic]: Ahh Your Imperial Highness! It is such a pleasure to meet you! I'm Lady Thalia MacDonald. Hortense[confused]: I'm sorry? I'm afraid I do not speak..gaelic ???[scoffing under her breath in Gaelic]: What a surprise...the stuck up princess does not learn our native tongue and yet the prince expects her to be our queen.

Oliver: Lady Thalia...need I remind you that Her Imperial Highness has been mourning the loss of her beloved father. Did you expect her to learn such a difficult language as she said her good byes and adjusted to life without one of the fiercest protectors on the continent? Thalia: Oli, I just thought- Oliver: I am His Royal Highness, followed by Sir to you Lady Thalia. I demand you treat Madame Hortense and myself with respect. And you forget I speak our native tongue. Thalia: Forgive me Your Royal Highness...it is just I believed the Madam to be an intelligent Princess- Evie[muttering]: She did not just say that

Oliver[seething]: Lady Thalia. I will stop you right there. Her Imperial Highness is one of the smartest women I know...She will learn Gaelic with time. She is here as a guest of the King and Queen and when they hear of your rudeness, even your father will not be able to save you... Thalia [seething]: But Sir. Oliver: I demand an apology to Her Imperial Highness. Hortense: Mon Prince...do not make a scene please...

Oliver[to Hortense]: Mo Gaol...I shall not have you be disrespected like this...not by her [turning to Thalia, seething] Thalia. I command you to apologize to Madame Hortense...Now. Thalia[muttering]: My apologies Your Imperial Highness.... Oliver: I cannot hear you Lady Thalia. Thalia[louder]: My apologies Your Imperial Highness... Hortense[awkwardly]: Your apology is accepted... Oliver: Now leave Thalia. Or I shall summon security.