Not To Carp or Criticize

Among the most notable features of the Celestial Garden are its multitude of ponds, brooks, and other water features, many of which are devoted to the raising of koi, the noble brocaded carp. These include the famous Aqueous Pavilion (accessible through the Empress's Gallery), a semi-submerged conservatory where one may take tea and interact with the fish on their own level.

The palace koi include several different varieties, ultimately descended from an original gift from the people of Kanatai. Most famous, though, are the Imperial Koi presented to the Imperial Couple in 1891 by Kíyal Kodonaga, the current Keeper of Dragons Nascent, noted for their long fins, gilded barbels, and scales patterned in the midnight-blue and gold of the Empire.

Such Imperial Koi are rare even within the Celestial Garden and unknown outside it, and are considered a national treasure of the Empire. A foreign dignitary presented with such a koi would be receiving one of the highest honors and signs of Imperial favor it would be possible to bestow.

- Within the Emperor's Garden, Jinnia Renaez

On another (the "criticize") note, I have been invited to try out the possibility of audiobooks, making use of virtual voice narration, which will make audiobooks practical for me. I have no idea how well this will work, especially when it comes to non-English words, but I'm going to try it anyway. Volunteers to have a listen to beta versions are welcome.