[ (un?)fortunately, Margaery thinks nothing of Constantin's very mild departure in tone, although she does wonder why it feels like something's missing... ]
The thought of you as a shepherd is more endearing than I'd like to admit. Was this before or after your growth spurt?
No, thankfully, once I remembered the time, it was as if the rest of my body also remembered it had something else it should've been doing.
Once I had the strength to hold onto the hook, I was a shepherd. After I was considered grown at twelve, I became a pastukh or yak herder. I also reared horses, which I preferred.
( the children tended the sheep while the adults tended the yaks and horses. constantin wonders if that's still how it is in the ravninyraya. )
We had almost two hundred yaks, and each one required great care. Have you seen a yak, Margaery?
[ grown at twelve. what a thought. although, Margaery shouldn't be so surprised when some girls find themselves to be considered women at an even younger age. ]
I have not. The word itself seems to be so strange, almost as if it's been cut off before being completed fully.
Indeed, the word is incomplete. It originates from "Jacobin", Volosko's companion and the ancestor of our herds. Younger members who share the same name as their parent are sometimes referred to by their diminutive form. Therefore,
"Jacobin" โ "Jac" โ "Yak"
All one hundred and sixty members of my tribe were responsible for the yaks. Even the chief. Other groups of Horsepeople roaming the Ravninyraya with their herds of yaks, sheep, and horses operate similarly.
These giant, long-haired cattle are found only there, however. While the herds in the Nebesnyypodval that my people now tend to are unique to that area, they are not descendants of Jacobin and, therefore, are not "jacs."
One of the things I appreciate most about you is how willing you are to teach me, Constantin. It is no small thing.
So if I'm understanding you correctly: if we had a son named Jacobin, and he went on to have a son, we could call our grandchild "Jac" as a pet name, even if he had his own namesake?
I appreciate your willingness to ask questions and learn, Marg.
If Jacobin and his son shared the name, then indeed, the son would be called "Jac." If Jacobin gave his son a name of his own, he would be called by that name, not "Jac."
My mother passed away when I was very young, and I fear that if I name my daughter after her, I will unknowingly place the burden of nostalgia on her.
If we are to name our children after people we know and cherish, I would prefer they be those we know and love well enough to also acknowledge and accept their flaws.
In my clan, it is traditional not to name a child after a person who is alive (excluding the parent, of course), so as not to place a burden of expectation on them. It could also be misconstrued as a wish for that person to die.
( although the horsepeople do not fear death, it is a misconception that they welcome it. they will fight against it, fearfully and fiercely, until the end. )
[ the last part of his explanation probably shouldn't have made her laugh - at the very least, she can claim she simply choked on a small piece of biscuit as she reads his note over a short tea break. ]
I have never once considered that such a thing might also be presented as a possible death wish, but I suppose I can see where it comes from.
Thank you. I think Alerie is a beautiful name as well. Although I suppose my grandmother was more of my parent than my mother ever got to be - how do you feel about Olenna?
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[ (un?)fortunately, Margaery thinks nothing of Constantin's very mild departure in tone, although she does wonder why it feels like something's missing... ]
The thought of you as a shepherd is more endearing than I'd like to admit. Was this before or after your growth spurt?
No, thankfully, once I remembered the time, it was as if the rest of my body also remembered it had something else it should've been doing.
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( the children tended the sheep while the adults tended the yaks and horses. constantin wonders if that's still how it is in the ravninyraya. )
We had almost two hundred yaks, and each one required great care.
Have you seen a yak, Margaery?
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I have not. The word itself seems to be so strange, almost as if it's been cut off before being completed fully.
How many yak herders were there?
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"Jacobin" โ "Jac" โ "Yak"
All one hundred and sixty members of my tribe were responsible for the yaks. Even the chief. Other groups of Horsepeople roaming the Ravninyraya with their herds of yaks, sheep, and horses operate similarly.
These giant, long-haired cattle are found only there, however. While the herds in the Nebesnyypodval that my people now tend to are unique to that area, they are not descendants of Jacobin and, therefore, are not "jacs."
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So if I'm understanding you correctly: if we had a son named Jacobin, and he went on to have a son, we could call our grandchild "Jac" as a pet name, even if he had his own namesake?
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If Jacobin and his son shared the name, then indeed, the son would be called "Jac." If Jacobin gave his son a name of his own, he would be called by that name, not "Jac."
Do you like the name?
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I would like for you to name our son, if we're blessed with one. I imagine it means as much for your people as it would for us?
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( apologies to his private secretary, madame jacobine affrรฉ. it is a fine, strong name but not for his child. )
Yes. I imagine our people will be as overjoyed for a prince or princess as we will be.
Your opinion shall be considered in the naming of any child, of course.
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I see. In that case, I'm very relieved that I'm not at all attached to that name.
Is there anyone you'd want to name your child after? Nacogdoches, perhaps?
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Is there anyone you wish to name our child after?
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She and her cousin would be in the same room only on occasion.
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I have no preferences, aside from those names that have been marred by people who had them.
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If we are to name our children after people we know and cherish, I would prefer they be those we know and love well enough to also acknowledge and accept their flaws.
Do you think that's silly?
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In my clan, it is traditional not to name a child after a person who is alive (excluding the parent, of course), so as not to place a burden of expectation on them. It could also be misconstrued as a wish for that person to die.
( although the horsepeople do not fear death, it is a misconception that they welcome it. they will fight against it, fearfully and fiercely, until the end. )
Alerie is a beautiful name, however.
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I have never once considered that such a thing might also be presented as a possible death wish, but I suppose I can see where it comes from.
Thank you. I think Alerie is a beautiful name as well. Although I suppose my grandmother was more of my parent than my mother ever got to be - how do you feel about Olenna?
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If you wish to bestow it on a daughter, I would have no objections.
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๐
You win this round, darling. x