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Hairsticks, A History

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Hairsticks, A History  Let me tell you about the most wonderful (and probably oldest) hair accessory in the world:  the hair stick , also known as a  hair pin  or a  hair bodkin . Or  kanzashi , or  binyeo,  or…they have many names. You’ll see. If you’re a fan of  Janet Stephens , hairdressing archaeologist, you’ll be familiar with the term ‘bodkin’ as she uses it a lot. If you’re not a fan of Janet Stephens, whyever not? Hair sticks have been used to restrain long hair for...probably as long as humans have had long hair, to be honest. Before we had bobbles/hair ties, before we had elaborate fancy schmancy barrettes or claw clips or any of that, we had...sticks.  And because humans like pretty things which are also durable, there are some beautiful examples of very old hair sticks which are made from bone and gold and silver and all sorts. With some super fancy decoration, too. Did I hear you ask for pictures? My friend,...
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It's Ten of the Clock: Do YOU Know Where Your Rosy Is?

(Have another Fantasy Heroine snippet, because Robin brings me joy, and the scene that comes right after this is currently doing my head in. This one takes place on the evening of the Feast of Remembrance.) ‘It’s ten of the clock, do you know where your wife is?’ Robin demanded, and Leo jumped. Leo was used to Robin appearing in unexpected places, but he had entered the Rose Room’s solar with uncanny stealth. Leo, who had been absorbed in one of the accounting ledgers that lined the bottom of the bookshelf, hadn’t even heard him. Leo shrugged. Robin crossed the room and glowered down at Leo, who waited to see if anything else was forthcoming. Robin said nothing further, so Leo returned to the ledger. ‘Why don’t you know where she is?’ ‘Why would I know where she is?’ Leo countered, turning a page. The ledger was flipped shut with a decisive thump . Leo looked up. ‘Because you won ,’ Robin said, exasperated. ‘The pair of you, with a little help from yours truly, of course,’ he adde...
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Legal Reasons (Fantasy Heroine Snippets)

  (Takes place between S4 E3 and S4 E4) Leo poured himself wine as Robin tucked into his food, and for the next few minutes the silence in the Rose Room stretched out comfortably. While he took the worst of the edge off his hunger, Robin pondered his previous conversation with Leo. Specifically, the significance of the sentence, ‘I’ll go and talk to her Ladyship .’ That overzealous formality wasn’t for his benefit, Robin was sure. And the fact that Leo was being even more formal than usual... didn’t bode well for the state of marital relations. Still, Robin Waverley prided himself on impeccable comic timing. Which was why he waited until Leo had taken a large mouthful of wine before asking, ‘So, has Rosy deflowered you yet? So to speak?’  The wine went everywhere . Robin, satisfied that he hadn’t lost his touch, waited patiently while his friend finished aspirating his drink, and even mopped up some of the spillage with his napkin. Just to be helpful. Eventually Leo, trying v...
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