"she winces as she gets out of bed, her bottom sore from that damn hairbrush and then the paddle he beat her ass with last night. She glances over at him as he sleeps and slips a robe on. She goes to her desk to write in her journal not even attempting to sit down"

What can i say about yesterday? It was horrible. First the note from the Bank which made no sense. I should have checked it out before i sent that note to Alterio. But once again I didnt stop to think before I reacted. But upon stopping at the bank I found out the signature wasnt his at all.

The note I sent him later to apologize, went unanswered. The note I sent to his son, well it got answered it. But he refused to have a talk with his father. I guess I cant blame him though. I should have gone over sooner and brought him home. I just didnt want to fight with him. OR maybe I didnt want to see this houseguest that came from Achethe to visit. From what Alterio, has hinted at and the rumors that are floating around, I now know she was his mistress back in Achethe. After hearing that I assumed he was staying there because she was there. "glances over at him as she hears him turn over" But he came to Dome last night and he is home now. Although he was still angry at me. And Mori and his fibs sure didnt make the situation any better.

I didnt grab him and dance with him. He -grabbed- me and slung me into Memnocke. Now my husband thinks I have been finding comfort with other men. Thats not even true at all. But he got what he wanted. Alterio believes him I think and now is paying him to report to him anything I do.

If Mori was truthful it would be a very boring report. As i have been doing nothing. Lately I have been spending very little time at dome. I work then go home and sit in my room most of the evening...alone. I stopped at dome a few times and got bored and left soon after getting there.

But after listening to Mori's lies I couldnt believe how crude Altero was. He demanded that i go home and do my -wifely- duty among some other comments that i wont repeat. But i was glad to see him and Im glad he is home. Getting my bottom beat didnt bother me although it hurt like hell. Either he missed me a lot or beating my bottom really turned him on. "smirks" (haha you just think you are going to get details :P) And he held me so gently AFTERWARDS like I was fine china that he was afraid might break.

As far as the houseguest next door, Im not gonna mention her to him. If he wants me to know he will tell me. And I really dont think he slept with her while he was over there. A few days ago, yes I thought he was. But last night, he was so loving and passionate...after he got the anger out of his system with the hairbrush and that damn paddle.

"hears him stirring again she goes over and bends down kissing him softly then heads down stairs to make him breakfast"

Journal Entry: 12 February, Vixen Blade Carazzi

12 February.

Writing this with my left hand..sprained my damned right one administering needed correction to the wife. Will have to visit my son's and borrow his domestic healer, later this day.

About last night, though.. :Stops writing a moment, rubs his wrist and tries to write with his right hand. The left is too difficult to manipulate:

Last night was both reminiscent of the past in a certain aspect, as well as an indication of an unsure present, as well as an equally cloudy future. But for this very moment, I do believe all is well.

The past seemed not so distant. Her voice strangely holding a quasi-arrogant tone that Gira's once did, but not as shrill, yet not as innocent as Gira's, and far more defiant. Vixen has by far more fire and passion, and more of a capacity, a raw ability to feel both love and hate. And after showing me some of that hate in a letter, she earned my wrath.

Aye, after time away, I did what a head of a family should do. I set her back on the straight and narrow, a reminder of what is expected of wifely behavior. While I may have been lax as of late in spelling to the letter, my requirements of a wife's demeanor, I believe I instilled those in her last night.

She's still not sure what she wants though, that much I sense. I felt her passion and warmth after, but I still sense her hesitation, as in she can't understand how she's gotten this far in her life. Now, if there's any truth to Mori's claims, and I'm sure time will tell (as well as my request to Mori to keep me informed on what he sees that I am not present to see), then this marriage will unravel and I will be again alone. But if she proves herself and wishes to be with me, then I will remain at her side.

She didn't think me awake when she arose this morning. I saw her, her mottled bottom peeking out of the sheet, still in hues of red. She earned that and then some. The difference between her and Gira was even more apparent though when I watched her when she didn't know it....

I didn't love Gira, not like I love Vixen. I also would've been far more harsh on Gira, whereas I couldn't bring myself to truly hurt Vixen. I do believe however, I made my point with my young wife.

I might be an old fool, but I did what I did out of caring. She seemed to understand as much.

--Journal Entry, 12 February, Alterio Carazzi I.

~He woke up after falling asleep only a few hours ago, tired and restless. He stumbled out of bed and sat upon his chair in front of his desk, scratching his face a little as he woke up slightly. He turned towards the desk, seeing his journal lying there, now remembering he hadn't written in it for a while. He opened it up, a hand reaching to pick up a quill and dab it into the ink lightly. He then wrote...~

Dear Journal,
It has been a joyful past week for me. Many things going well.

My shop is near completion. Everything should be up and running shortly, especially after Chastity offered her services to help there. Now I can make sure to keep an eye on Gronk, to make sure he doesn't screw up or anything. Takes a load off my shoulders.

Speaking of Chastity, our relationship is going well. We got past the issue that hindered said relationship, and it's been pure bliss. Every moment I spend with her is like a treasure I'm glad I have found. I'm falling deeper and deeper in love with her, and I do believe that feeling is mutual. At least I surely hope so.

Two weeks, no fights with Vixen. I think I need to document that as a record or something. I actually return her nods in greeting now, though little else. Though it discomforts me that she always seems to leave once Chastity and I are spending time in the pleasuredome together. Is it coincidence? Is it just boredom? Or is she bothered by us? For some reason, I want to know.

An odd happening, however. I was sitting in the Dome, alone, when a gathering all of a sudden appeared within the Dome. Some magical force definately was behind this. Concerning.

Well, I'm tired, and I must rest, for tomorrow is a big day. I hope to see Chastity soon, I have missed her the past few days.

-Journal Entry, 13 February, Valyndor Heslam Lyndrae

~He let the journal sit to dry, as he stumbled from his chair, setting down the quill upon the desk. He slipped back into bed, where he fell asleep shortly.~

::After Seeing Char, and Eyas venture out of the Dome, he decides to go home for the first time in weeks. He steps into His Beach House, and lights a few oil lamps in his study. He produces his faithful Journal and begins to write::

Journal,
It has been quite awhile since I last wrote, as a matter of fact; I do not remember anything from the past week and a half. {So Eyas says it has been} After Rosalyn had decided to move in with me, I was extremely happy. That night after she was settled in bed, I decided to step outside for some fresh air. With some of Alterio's Specialty Rye in tow, I sat on my front step looking up at the night sky deep in thought. Truly happy, that things were starting to look up for me. I had found a Lady who shared the feelings that I had for her, and she wanted to be with yours truly. *Chuckles lightly*

Anyway, as I sat there in thought, I had heard a noise from behind the house, near the shoreline. Whatever possessed me to investigate is beyond me, but I did. From that point, until now, I have no recollection of. I simply, came to as I heard Charquin screaming inside the Dome. I had received a nasty cut to the forehead. My body was covered in dry blood, and the wound had started to become infected. If it wasn't for Char, and Eyas cleaning and healing the gash, I am sure I would have perished. Thank the gods they were at the Dome.

Where was I that week and a half? Who had tried to sever my head in two, and why didn't they kill when they had the chance? Did they want me to suffer? My gods... who wants me dead...?

As for now, I need to rest, I am exhausted, and famished... Note: Go talk to Ros when I am rested enough to venture out again..

-Journal Entry, 13 February, (Lord)~Neo~

*rises early, and begins her morning routine, this day however, she grabs her journal and places entry, been awhile it seems. Chastity sits down infront of the easternly window with her journal and quill, she notices the day is already filled with morning bliss, the sun is shinning, its already warm, a light breeze from the ocean rests upon the palm trees, nods to herself this will be a great day.

Dear Journal,
Well well, I have not had a chance to write in some time. I've told Valyn that I would start helping out in his shoppe, and I have since that very next day. Gronk should be watched he is an odd sort, not as dostle as Donk. The first week I spent cleaning off the various bottles, and learning about potions. I re-arranged the orders by alphabetical order thinking it is easier to retrieve something someone asks for, instead of looking and looking. Men have no sense at times for such things. Organize, Organize, Organize. However today I am making a special visit in the morning so I can melt down some of the wild flower root, and experiment.

Mayhaps I will see Val there. *smiles to herself* I awaited his visits last eve, but left after awhile. I got to gossip a bit with Charquin and Roslyn a bit, that was nice...I never get to do the girl talk, so this was a new experience, they had me married, with a big wedding, cakes, dresses, makeup, perfume, presents, decorations, and a new name. I left a bit feeling as if I were in a zone. It was quite comical however. Are all girls this way? Never really had that growing up, mayhaps that is why I tend to stick with male friends, women scare me. Its hard enough with Raven, but she is a lot like me. She doesnt have to wear dresses and giggle. I think I will allow her to come to the shoppe with me today, so she can get to know Valyn a bit better. She needs to stop speaking about Nemesio as much, and this might get her mind off him. For some reason she likes him, and would do anything to grab his attention.

Something happend in the Dome however, she does not wish to go back just yet, and makes excuses up when I suggest to go. In time I am sure she will wish to do such things. Well ive nothing else to write about this day, im off to gather a few things and make my jaunt down to the bazaar.....

Sincerely,

Lady C. De'Kartan,
13 February.

Day One.

Bech slipped away from the tavern and down the beach. It was quite late, and the white sands of the Shores fairly glittered under bright pools of stars; but he barely noticed this. His mind was preoccupied with the events of the evening, his first on this peculiar island, and he paid no heed to the beach, nor to the stars, nor to the velvet hush of the open sea beyond him.

Bech began to talk softly to himself, as was his habit, spilling his thoughts out for review:

"This place is a lovely little nuthouse. Completely mad... everybody throwing magic spells about, as if they were nothing! and shouting, and tossing about! Of all the places for Eawing to toss me off...grief. "Who were they, again? You ought to try and remember, it's always handy to. Let's see.

"First off there's Khalidan. The only one it's likely safe to know. Straightforward, no nonsense. Solid man. Seems trustworthy. Probably a drinker. Probably a holy terror, too, when he's had a few. Definitely someone you could get along with, Bech. You need safe allies if you're going to last long around here.

"Then there was the polite Lady...Char? Sharken? Something like that. Nice enough woman-- for an upper class type. Makes a person feel welcome. Seems to be about my age, too, though who would guess it from the look in her eye! Been through the wringer, I'd guess. Probably has a heap of problems and tragedies and things. Gotta remember to keep her at a safe distance! Remember why you're here, stupid...

"Then there's...let's see... the aptly named Mr. Hawk. Quiet type. Fair-humored...to a point. Looks a little sinister. Goes with Lady Sharken, I guess.

Also someone to keep at a good distance. Probably not the sort of fellow you'd want to screw about with. "Who else? That girl Rosalyn. Pretty enough, and rich. Hospitable. Has at least one house. She's trusting, too, which is probably a pretty rare quality around here. Sounds like a good deal...but grief, how old is she? Not very, by the looks of it. Probably got a rich father. Caution flags there! And to top it off she's sweet on that ridiculous Turnip fellow.

"What's his name?...Neo. Good grief, was he drunk? Made a complete fool of himself, carrying on like that. I don't think he liked me very much, either-- but then again, nobles never do. Could probably turn me into a turnip, if it pleased him! Has some kind of crazy Elf magic. Got to be careful, keep a healthy distance. Probably gets off on respect, remember to play that. At any rate, keep out of his way if at all possible.

"Is that all? the Lady, the Lord, the girl, Khalidan, Mr.Hawk... Oh! that colossal brute of a Minotaur. How could you forget him? Marvelous choice for a chef, that's for sure.

"Oh well. Tomorrow's another day, I guess! We shall see.

"Now!..where the hell am I going to sleep?"

Journal Entry: 14 February, Bech Barhainah