Year of the Boar, Thirteenth Month, Day 12.

 I have decided that fatigue or not, I must start returning to something resembling normal life. I cannot stay confined to my bed indefinitely. It reminds me too much of being a 'guest' at Mother's pleasure. No. I will not lie around any longer. I took a turn around the grounds earlier today; the House is vibrant with preparations for the winter solstice. Since winter in Pale Twilight is not as long, as cold or as dark as it is further north, it has never been much of an event. Our stark, ritual prayer services and toast to the gods as thanks for their generosity during the year past is about as celebratory as it gets. 

Here, the House seamstresses are frantic in the rush to create clothing and drapery for the occasion. The waft of warm spices for dried fruits wafts from the kitchens all over the House and the gardeners have started to build a bamboo structure from which I am told they will light fire flowers at the precise hour the day turns. The entire House is alive with excitment for the coming festivities and it is infectious. What a wonderful way to see out the darker months and welcome the longer, lighter days. I find myself looking forward to it with the same joyful anticipation as everyone else. 

Kaede has instructed her personal seamstress to make me a new gown for the occasion. I tried to demur. She has already been too generous and what use have I for a gown I will not be able to take with me when I leave? Kaede laughed and said she would not have a member of her House looking shabby for Solstice. A member of her House... That made me feel warm. The gown in question is to be cream with gold embroidery over it; there will be an under dress of a deep orange and a sash to match. Kaede chose it and when I asked for something plainer, she told me that my sense of dress is lacking and I should accept her better judgment. There did not seem to be any point in arguing. I am to have a white fox fur wrap to wear over it.