Pedigree and Training

From Calina Tereshchenko’s Guild data file

A complete history of courses as well as remarks by teachers are located in sub folders of this data disc.

Note: Ms. Tereshchenko began her studies at House Madrassa well after most students begin.  However, due to the rigorous nature of her preparatory classes at Surval Boarding Academy, Londinium, the Guild Training House was pleased to enroll her as an acolyte.

Accepted transfer courses from Surval Boarding Academy:

Social Sciences:

Introduction to Anglo-Sino Alliance government, Political Theory, Geography, Earth that Was History – American, European, Russian, and Chinese

Humanities:

Languages: English, Chinese, Russian, and French, Introduction to Religions, Introduction to Philosophy

Mathematics and Sciences:

Algebra, Geometry, Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy

Ms. Tereshchenko privately trained in voice, music, and dance lessons from a young age – ballet, jazz, ballroom, and folk dances.

First year courses:

Continuing studies — languages, current events, history

Advanced ballroom; Court dance.

Etiquette.

Calligraphy.

Intermediate vocal performance.

Intermediate piano.

Second year courses:

Continuing studies — dance, music, current events

Self-defense

Physics

Architecture

Art History

Rhetoric

Third year courses:

Studio Art (Painting)

Economics

Beginning Spanish

Speech Therapy

Anatomy

Sex and Sexuality

Fourth year courses:

The Art of Love, Sensuality, and Sex

Internship with Lady Marina Koltoskaya, Registered Companion [Internships involve learning how to interview potential clients, different types of meetings, proper behavior in social settings — the practical experience to what has thus far been theoretical.]

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Guild acolytes maintain regular practice of worship, musical instruments, dance and other art forms that may not be listed in their regular course of study.

Addendum: Because Ms. Tereshchenko joined the Guild at a later date than the traditional student, her studies were completed at a later time.  High Priestess Kimaya Liamano approved her course of study and has certified Ms. Tereshchenko’s performance as exemplary.

Little bit of history – part 5

“Let’s talk, Calina.”

She moved with ease and grace.  She spoke wisdom.  Dressed in a simple sari, it belied her influence – not only on her students but among the Core worlds and beyond.  High Priestess Kimaya was as divine as her name (which means “divine” in Sanskrit).  Her red hair was braided and pinned back.  Flowers tucked in.

“About what?” I could not bear to look at her in the state I was in.

“You are not happy here.  It is clear – to even the most uneducated person.  You have tried to mask your pain but as time passes, it is more and more obvious.  The cracks are starting to grow and the weight is growing heavy.”

I did not respond.  My shoulders drooped a little more as she spoke.  Apparently I was not as graceful as I thought.  Who was I kidding?

“Your father and I spoke prior to your arrival.  This was not a life you intended to live.  Neither of the choices presented to you were something you ever dreamed of for your life.  They were the consequence of your actions.  First, I want you to understand something about your father…”

“No.  I don’t want to understand anything about them!” I yelled at her.  I kept yelling, all of pent up frustration and feelings erupted in a flood of expletives, curses, and questions.

Kimaya raised her hand, not in violence or anger but to signal ‘stop.’

That was all that it took.  My rambling angry words stopped and I sat back down.

“This was not easy for him… for your parents.  Sending a child off to be a Companion is never easy for the family, particularly one as devout to old Christian traditions as yours.  That you would be offering different and intimate services to a variety of people upset them.  However, they also knew that you would have the kind of life that you were accustomed to — with people, parties, and in time perhaps find a love to settle down with.  That is  somewhat rare for a Companion but it does happen…”  She paused and re-crossed her legs.  The silence pounded in my ears.  “Your father has never contracted with a Companion.”

“Never?”

“No.  He has only been with your mother.  I find that an admirable… if quaint… quality.  He is loyal and loving.  Your mother has met with a Companion.”

I could not breathe.  I slumped over and my chin hit my knees.  My mother… with a Companion?!

“Do not be so hysterical,” she muttered.  “Not every contract that a Companion accepts is one for a sexual relationship.  Think about the position that your mother is in.  Your world is very insulated.  There is a tremendous amount of pressure, particularly for her.  She keeps your father’s secrets.  She loves and supports him.  While he does the same for her, there are times when she needed more.  She needed someone to speak without pretense, expectations, or judgment.  Someone who would accept her- fears, doubts – and encourage her in her gifts and abilities.  Not a therapist or psychologist because she knew she did not need that kind of clinical help.”

“How do you know this?  I thought Companions did not share their client relationships.”  I was so confused and hurt.  None of this made sense.  At all.

“Your mother called me.  She was my client.  She is the reason that you were allowed to come here and that you are not in a convent on Greenleaf right now.  Anya called and asked if we would accept you as an acolyte.  Out of love for your mother, I agreed.  She knew that you would shrivel to a shell if locked away.  She knew that here there would be a chance for a life, for happiness.  I spoke to your father, assuring him that you would be well cared for, continuing in your education.  I am not privy as to how your mother convinced him to give you the options, but she did.  I am telling you this now because she knows that I am.  You need to understand some history and that the world is not against you.”

“What?”

“The world is not against you.  The other acolytes do not hate you.  Yes, you came here under some very special circumstances and some of the girls were jealous.  There is more love and support here than you realize.  We will start with you spending more time with your jie jie and not alone in the dance studio.  Your jie jie is one of my senior students.  She is from Osiris.  Her father also worked with Courts so you may already know each other or have more in common than you think.  I believe it will be a good match.  You need someone that you can lean on.  We all do.  That is one of the principle roles of being a Companion.”

The High Priestess sat on the ground next to me.  She held my face in her hands, brushing away tears.

“You are entering a wonderful sisterhood,” Kimaya whispered before kissing my forehead.  “I believe you will find happiness here if you give yourself a  chance.  Be open to the possibilities.”

A little bit of history – Part 4

The first weeks and months were very difficult on me.  The acolytes lived a life I never expected.  Morning and evening prayers were led by the High Priestess.  I did not grow  up Buddhist.  I did not think this would involve a change of religion, too.  My family was one of the few remaining Russian Orthodox adherents.  Not surprising.  The ornate cathedrals and regalia of the priests fit our little corner of Londinium.

After prayers, we went to our academic classes – mathematics, philosophy, history, sciences.  Physical education, which included self-defense, was in the afternoon.  Only those near the end of their training began studying the intimate arts.

Music and dance classes developed mental and physical discipline.

I was already an accomplished dancer so these classes came very easy for me, even if it was a different style.  So long as a dancer is willing to set aside her previously learned techniques, it is easy to adapt to a new movement pattern.  The dance studio was my one refuge.

The other girls resented me.  While they were mostly polite and never said anything to me directly, I felt the stares, the occasional whisper.  They were put through a rigorous exam and application process when they were much younger to enter Madrassa.  My father sent a few waves and here I was.

It hurt when my birthday came and went with no one to celebrate it.  My parents did not send a wave.  I mentioned it to the other girls in the dorm.  No one responded with even a greeting.

I should have been at home.  There would have been cakes, guests, friends, presents, singing and dancing.  My mother would have made sure that my favorite singers were there to perform.  Instead, I wandered from from class to class, hurt and lonely.

So I hid.

Others spent the out of class time in the gardens or library.  Older students would venture to the nearby towns for shopping.  I spent it in the dance studios.  It was the one place in the entire school where I felt like I was myself.  I could vent my frustration and anger through my dancing.  I would abandon all of the technique and fling myself wildly across the room.  Sometimes, I would collapse in a heap, crying.

“Little one, pick yourself up off the ground,” the soft voice came from the doorway.  Without looking, I knew it was the High Priestess.  I pushed up to my knees, wiping the sweat and tears from my face.  My hair was a mess.  I was exhausted – physically and emotionally.  The recent months had worn on me.

“Let’s talk, Calina.”

New Assignment

~*~  Metagaming/Godmodding not allowed!  Some of these details have NOT been revealed in game. ~*~

~*~  If you weren’t there, you don’t know.  If I haven’t told you in game, you don’t know!  ~*~

This is a very high honor for me.  The Priestess has agreed to let me go on assignment with Captain Brooke Rhea back to Sihnon.  She is planning to introduce her parents to Dex and her twins.  The Captain wishes for communication with the local officials to go through a Companion.

Captain Rhea greeted the shuttle from Paquin and gave me a brief tour of her ship.  She and I discussed the relationship I have with the Faiths, especially that with William… her – is it ex husband?  well, the father of her children.  Seems as there is some concern that William and I are an item… lovers.  There is even a rumor flying around that I am the lover of Sedrick Faith… which… is… well… he is my father’s age.  Not my cup of tea to be honest.

I assured her that my association with William was strictly social and not in any way romantic.

I don’t think she really needs to know about the dinner on Persephone in great detail.  No one does.

I imagine that I will be spending quite a bit of time in the galley and dining area.  Dex was trying on the clothes he planned to wear for meeting Brooke’s parents.

The mechanic arrived.  She kept fidgeting by the cabinets, putting things away and moving them around before the disappeared into the engine room.  She seemed to delight in making all sorts of noises and being… uhm… well… a scene.

Davion was the last crew member to arrive.  We met once before while I was on Prosperity, arranging for my shop to be transported to Jiangyin.

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He and I have spent quite a bit of time together over the last few days.  He is funny, charming… a little on the handsome side.  He has been my escort when the ship has docked for re-fueling and transfer of cargo.

Someone needs to re-do the color on his hair because that red is far too brassy for his skin tone.

I hope to meet some of my other sisters when I arrive.  It will be good to be back on Sihnon and learn from their experiences.  I am sure they can make the transition with the local government much easier.

A little bit of history – part 3

Hours later she arrived at Sihnon.  One privileged world for another.  She stared at the wall the entire flight.  Her mind reeled with what was going to happen.  She knew of Companions.  She saw them at parties all over Londinium.  They were graceful, elegant, very intelligent and well-spoken.  Calina had a strange sense of admiration and hatred for them.  The Companion was everything, deep down, she wanted to be but why would these married men seek their company?  Could they not get what they wanted or needed from their wives?

The Assistant to the High Priestess of Madrassa met the shuttle on the landing pad.

It seemed like a dream… or a nightmare.

The office was full of reds and golds – much warmer but just as  imposing as her father’s office.

“It is under special consideration that you have been admitted to House Madrassa to begin studies as a Companion acolyte.  We typically do not admit students at your age due to the length of time, training, and knowledge that must be imparted to a future Companion.  Upon reviewing your performance at Surval, we feel that you are prepared to enter the training – at least in the academic subjects.”

Calina stared at her.  The Assistant was an older woman who clearly carried the burden for the House and its daily functions.  She could see it written all over her – the pushed down shoulders, forced posture.  Calina wanted to tell her to lay down and take a nap…

“What you will learn here is control, which seems to be lacking in your life.  You will learn to control yourself, your behavior, your emotions.  All of that to create beautiful environments for both you and your future clients.”

Still in a very rebellious mood, Calina thought “Good luck with that.”