Miss · Cornelia · Rothschild

Exciting Thing Number One: I get to be a debutante this year! For real, this time!

I am terribly jittery and restless and happy about this...well, this has been my mood of late, anyway, but it is only magnified. I feel as if I am far too large for my body (which is queer, as this is the body I have always had.) This means I am to have a ball, and attend etiquette classes, and can use my own calling card (I want very very very pretty ones), and that gentlemen might court me if they wish, and that Sir will drink more of the brown and green gear cleansers.

Exciting Thing Number Two: Professor Sputnik might be the debs' house father! I mentioned it to him, and he plans to talk with Her Grace Riel. I hope he will be our house father, as he would be sure to take us on the most marvelous outings and teach us truly useful things, like...um...well, I'm sure he knows a great deal more than I do, as he is much older. I just do not know his mind as well as I would wish, so I cannot say what he would teach us at this exact moment, so, moving on....

Speaking of the Professor: I attended the Caledon Navy's meeting yesterday, where many planny-type things were discussed. And, although the Professor styles himself an old man, now, he pounded Uncle Zen into the ground in arm wrestling. I did, as well...but it was unfair to try, in my case, as I am so strong.

(Age and engineering will always win out over youth and beauty! Sorry, Uncle Zen.)

After this, the Professor and I sort of drifted into a very odd conversation. I believe that it started with a discussion of his age, which made me realize that I, like him, might be 411 years old one day. Sir has often told me that good machines need never die...and he has reminded me, though I do not like to think about it, that he shall not live forever. That I shall outlive him, and many of my friends.

So, I mentioned that one day, I should have to marry someone capable of keeping me in good repair. At this, the Professor sputtered a good deal, and seemed shocked that I would even consider it.

He then began to explain how his people go about it...apparently they do not marry, but they do couple together for years and years and years and years (I fail to see how this is not marriage, but he knows better than I). No children come from these unions -- his kind reproduce in an entirely different way. He didn't explain this part as thoroughly as I would have liked, for he seemed to take a turn, perhaps thinking that I wouldn't understand how his people's ways differ from those of humans if I did not understand how humans accomplish it. Admiral Wind wandered in just as he began to talk about that, and he seemed very relieved to have the conversation come to an end.

I went home feeling very confused. At first, I couldn't decide what on earth the topic of reproduction had to do with the topic of marriage, and fretted a good deal over the Professor's state of mind...perhaps he truly was more aged than I had previously thought. But then I remembered to consult this journal and my lesson books, to see if I might find any clues. I located an essay on human biology that I had been set to write about half a year ago, and remembered a very brief talk Sir had given me that he had entitled "The Birds and the Bees" (and which ended in the brown gear cleanser), and suddenly realized why the Professor had started rattling down the road he did.

So, should the topic ever bob up again, I am sure he will be gratified to hear that I already understand what I think he was trying to get at. The connection simply never entered my mind, as...well...I am sure it is impolite to talk about such things. Needless to say, I am most curious about the reasons humans do the things they do, as I am fashioned to look and act like one, but I am...well...oh, it is difficult to get out! Lately, I find I would dearly like to have someone who might show me affection, and spend time with me, and teach me things I do not yet know, and take care of me...not like Sir does, but in a different manner altogether. That is why, perhaps, I was thinking in terms of 'marriage' rather than 'eternal mechanic-age.'

Oh, now I am more confused than ever. I do hope I did not offend the Professor. He is the dearest man, so wise and cheerful, and his voice is very calming (and before, he was very handsome, and I am sure I will live to see him so again), and I always wish to have him about. I feel so ignorant and bumbling around him, sometimes.

Ah well, I suppose it is time to wash the dishes....

Love,

Lia