Dearest Joural,

Its still dark as I write I'm surronded by candles on the desk and in the room, I wish so much for the sun to come back, you never know how much you miss something until its gone....

I guess that brings me to what has been going on around here. Neo is home,and I think I hurt him pretty badly , but last night he and Gwen started dating I think, I hope that both of them will be happy, as for myself a bit of my guilt has lifted, we'll see how this turns out though.

Along with Neo many others have come back...Adam being one of them, he is already trying to fill Neo's head with lies and still says he will kill him..I hope that Neo will discover the truth before its too late...

Well perhaps there will be more to write later, I think I will go see if any of my house guests are in need of anything.

Rosalyn Lovine
-Journal Entry 5 May, Rosalyn Lovine

The dim light is now appreciated, as his head pounds from his drinking last night. Having fallen asleep in his chair at the desk in his study, his back now screams from the "abuse". He remembers in blurs, and rubs his hand on the stubble on his chin, before reaching into the drawer and withdrawing his journal::

Saw Qko last eve. She's never looked better. What a little scamp she can be, did I tell her I'm recently wed? Bah. I'm sure Hestia will beat me to it..little brat. An innocent flirtation is all Qko and I ever shared and I am not about to risk what I've finally attained over an innocent flirtation.

I know Jane would pick up and walk out and that's not something I wish to deal with. We've come too far, and it's taken too long, to throw this away.

They still come from the Window. I've heard rumors but not seen just how many. It's painful but also a relief, now that the prediction that we are now more than halfway through this, that Marissa's not come back. She is at rest with her mother..much like Maribel is with Mirell.

Never thought I could let them go; I still mourn my dead, some more overtly, others covertly. But I remember. They think I might not; but I do.

And now it's time to do one of two things: Shake the cobwebs from my head and grab a shave, or go back to sleep, praying for this ache to go away..

::Puts the quill down and decides what to do with this dark day::

-Journal Entry 5 May, Sir Alterio Carazzi

:::rising from her bed, and nearly stumbling in the process over a boot, she mutters...kicking the boot to the other side of the room, making her way downstairs in the dark. Making it to the kitchen, she builds the fire beneath the cooking surface and sits, taking out her journal until the flames die down enough to cook::

I will be so glad when the sun comes back out. I dont mind the dark so much, but, Christopher cant go outside to play, and he doesnt understand why the sun doesnt shine anymore. I tried explaining to him why the sun isnt shining, but, I dont think I did very well.

I ran into a small boy yesterday at the dome. Not everything about this Sebastian fits. He is intelligent, yes. True, that could be from years of study..but, his mannerisms speak far more than his words. The young dark one is older than he says..somehow. Strange. Not really... not with the magics going awry. Everyone has been speaking about certain dead rising....maybe?? nods Maybe.

:::She hears Christopher stirring, and rises, making her way back up the stairs to get him and guide him down into the kitchen, leaving her journal forgotten for the time being::::::::::

-Journal Entry 6 May, Lyrias Dreams

I can't even die for a few days without the entire operation falling apart...

I found out that Mammon led my ogres in a raid against the City, as revenge for my death... of course, this was after I had returned, and the Old Dragon had been discovered as the one responsible for Vixen's death.

I'm not going to lie, I wanted her dead too, at first... But things changed; she gave me everything I could have wanted from her. Everything. And I had no intention of following through with my plan after that.

But Mammon, that bastard of a Dragon, he went behind my back, 'representing' me to the Drow, completing what I had abandoned. Back in that holding Cell in Achethe, I had time to piece it together.

He had her killed so I could inherit everything, and then let it slip that I had a hand in her death. He wanted to make sure one of her friends heard about it and tried to take revenge against me. If I died, he'd have all the money that she gave me, plus my money, plus Control of the Shops and the Syndicate... Clever %$#@.

He didn't know I had a brother. My Slave, Hiretsukan... Little Brother, you're the only reason I'm still in control. Without you to take over for me, the Old Dragon would have succeeded totally.

I suppose that for that, you've earned your freedom. GO, be with Lyrias, and name the first brat after me, eh?

But this raid... a cheap attempt to sully my name, destroy innocent lives, and rob the Bank all at once.

Protecting the neighborhood has always been a driving goal for the Syndicate. The Syndicate needs these people, the people need the Syndicate.

The Ogres didn't know any better, they thought I was dead, and that I wanted them to do what they did. I appreciate that sort of loyalty, really, but they were misguided by the Old Dragon. I have gone out and... Set things straight with them.

Who knows how much time and effort it will take to rebuild the trust that the people invested in me before this happened...

But if anyone can do it, I am the One.

-Journal Entry 6 May, Boss Kuno

"Along came a spider who sat beside her~"

I can't help feeling this way, with Nemesio. The lurking dark one, seeking something I have knowledge to. At times he appears to be his hateful self, and others he is what he once was, warm and caring..so..erotic, yet pleasing. Last night I was so exhausted when I reached the castle, I seen Mumphra in the library, laying in a chair, seemed like old times, when I would tuck him in at night, when he stayed up reading, now he is a child like figure I am still confused. However I did what I normally would do, him either being large or small, wrapped his favorite blanket around him, and kissed his forehead. ~My Teacher~ Everything was quite dark...so I sat down what seemed like just a moment, and I awoke this morning, on the couch. I didn't even get to see my room or Raven's yet. Mori has been avoiding me as if I were the plague. I am sure Nemesio went to his quarters...haven't seen him either. I am allowing him to spend as much time with Raven as possible. Although I can't help feeling left out. I do miss her. Tomorrow is our weekly outting at the Foundling home...I will discuss this tonight with her, and see what she wishes to do. Upon entering the Dome today, it was rather quiet, Donk busy cleaning up still, the dancers just waking up, Boris starting his food emposium, and me in my office...gazing at the jasmine. I have so much running through my mind...anyways off to do something, I have to get out of here today...

Chastity~
-Journal Entry 7 May, Chastity De'Kartan

:::Rising with the purpling of the sky this morning, she sat in the sun's light, enjoying it until the sky had turned a brilliant magenta color before going down to see about Christopher. Waking him, she feeds him his breakfast and sends him out into the sunlight, while she cleans up. Finishing that, she grabs her journal and walks out, sitting on the porch steps while Christopher plays, writing:::

How wonderful to wake to the sun's light once again. Perhaps now I can make it back to work... if Fin doesnt mind watching Christopher awhile for me. If he does, then I will just have to figure something out. Perhaps I could teach christopher to do what I do.

:::takes in a breath of the sun warmed earth around her and the wildflowers, smiling inadvertently, before writing:::

Aaahh.. to again be able to see..easily. And Christopher adores being out in the sunlight, he loves it. I love to watchin him at play, just running about the yard, and playing with his toys. It gives me hope that all isnt as lost as I thought it was. Maybe he's right...perhaps I should listen to him more often.

:::grins in her most impish way, and leaves the journal on the porch, dashing out and scooping Christopher up into her arms, to twirl him and sit him down before chasing him all over, laughing:::::

-Journal Entry 8 May, Lyrias Dreams

That blasted wench!!

Several days ago, she attacked me for no reason in the pleasuredome. She's damn lucky i didnt kill her.

No provacation, no intimidation, nothing, just demanded i take to the outdoors with her. Imagine -her- of a people, demanding of me!!

When i refused, she blatently attacked me, damn near causing a concussion whence i flew into the door.

The woman does not know her place, and it would behoove her to do so. Quickly. She has no idea of what horrors await, should she convince the wrong ears of her frivilious claim.

I have noticed she is still trying to contact me, though its not nearly as strong as before. More of a whisper on the wind instead of the touched voice ringing in my ear as though she were next to me.

This puzzles me, I know the ability well, and she should have no problem communicating. Something is amiss, and i intend to find out what it is.

Several of my assumptions of "possibles" have been denounced. Two are dead, though one has been seen lately. I still have my eye upon him and a couple others. Specifically the professor and the mouth.

I hear rumors, her "man" has been attacked, that almost proves my assumption of him being innocent. But they are a sorted lot, not to be trusted, and i would not put this "attack" past them as an adversion to my inquiries.

I must find out why she is acting so, unless it relates to her betrothed being attacked, mayhap she is just disrought, otherwise it might be possible that she herself is in on this little game they play..

Doubtful, but from the strength of her magic, it does cause concern. She packs one hell of a blast ...I'm impressed.

Anastasia L. Clemont
-Journal Entry 10 May, Anastasia Clemont

I have found at last, a will to put pen against paper this eve...the winds are all round, causing such a din as to bring all souls from the realms of dreams into the solid darkness of an unending night. I think perhaps any other night might not have sent sparks down my wrist to speak my mind, as if some stone in a damn had leapt forth letting water spill on thirsty earth..I am glad to be up though, it is a gift indeed to watch a loved one sleep, and Sylver sleeps so beautifully.

*She looks down at him, his head resting in the arch between her upper arm and torso. She reaches to stroke his hair very gently, taking care not to wake him and returns to her prose*

Time passes quickly when one is absent one hour or many moons- as it has been for me- I feel entirely lost in the crowds, the only thing keeping my bearings is Sylver's presence..I sometimes get to wondering if time isn't as constant as it seems. I've many days when I feel I retrace my steps over and over and get no where, and days when I feel entire periods have been skipped and I find I am in one place and can't remember how I got there or how long it took me..

I find the sea's salt is more bitter on my lips, the water bluer, the sky closer...as if my distance and return has somehow heightened my senses..Indeed as things go I've been so overheated lately I cannae contain myself...not to the dismay of my husband I'm sure..

*she grins inwardly, blushing even in her solitude thinking on the afternoons she's perched in the window sill her skirst bunched at the waist, straps from her tunics and bodices tucked under her arms, head tilted back feeling the heat surge through her slender frame*

I wonder if all this be foreshadow for something greater, I've cast stones and cards every cycle of the sun but I come up with neutral answers to all my questions..

The only things that I'm certain of now are that I'm dearly glad to be back, close to my husband, and back at home..

Blessed Be
May the Goddess find y'well.
-Journal Entry 11 May, Arachne