[MR] Secrecy

[Rosine]

Since I need to test this addy and it's subscription, I need a subject. So
here's one:

Secrecy

   We have a couple in our barony - one more high-profile than their
partner. The High Profile member has now been awarded Kingdom-level
recognition three times... and in each case, the Beloved Other was not aware
that the award was going to be given. Twice The Other skipped the event in
order to work/do labs at school (but could have made arrangements to
attend), and once was volunteering in an area too far away from where Court
was being held. In all those times, their Baron and Baroness were present
but unaware of the impending award. I have heard similar tales about other
S.Os. and Peers whose squires/protogees/apprentices were awarded
planned-in-advance honors with no head's up to anyone who could have made
sure that friends and family were present while still keeping it secret.
   I think we have lost something important in our quest for the thrill of
surprise - we've lost our concern for the friends and family of the honoree.
And I *don't* think that it's something we can lay on the shoulders of our
Royals - every territorial baron and baroness, every Order principal, every
court herald - every person who helps out by filling in names on a scroll -
each of those folks should be carrying an awareness that half of the joy of
personal recognition is in seeing the happiness in one's loved-one's eyes,
to be able to go back to one's friends and get the acclaim, the pat of the
back, the hugs of joy while still clutching their shiny scroll.
   So count this as a reminder, to all of us, that there's a large body of
people who can assist our King and Queen (and Baron and Baronesses) in
making sure that stories like the one I related above are not the norm in
this Kingdom any longer.

In service,
Hróðny Rognvaldsdottir
(that would be "Rosine of Rowanwald", only better)
--
"Has it escaped your memory that Manfred's violences to women opened the way
to this Kingdom for you?. . . Let me remind you, Oh King, that it was very
glorious to have conquered Manfred but far more glorious to conquer oneself.
Therefore, do you, who have to correct others, conquer yourself and curb
this appetite, and do not spoil what you have gloriously acquired with such
a stain." - The Decameron,  by Boccaccio