:: The cries of seagulls rouse him from slumber. Awakening midafternoon entangled in a whore's embrace, she still passed out, he runs a hand over his heavily stubbled face. Only paid her for the night, thought she'd be gone by now :: Shaking his head clear of the alcohol-induced cobwebs, he looks at his filthy shack and thinks little of it. His unfocused eyes linger as he looks round the place and he attempts to sit upright, his skull screaming with the effort exerted. He nonchalantly lifts the harlot's hands from his flesh and goes over to the Journal to write. Not write a tome, but just his current thought, a thought that's picking, nagging, eating away at him more often than not as of late ::

There's got to be something more than this..

:: He wakens the woman with two words spoken gruffly, "Get out" and gets up from the rickety chair. He's tired of waking covered in mosquito bites in a shack that hardly keeps the outside, out. He's not welcome for extended stays at the family's Manor..particularly since his younger brother married, and Anthony's well-earned reputation with the women is, what it is.. But there, as he wrote, has to be something more to life than this. Nameless, faceless hookers; more alcohol in his blood than blood; he looks into the cracked looking glass. Still has the face that's attracted the ladies..but he looks...worn. Maybe it's time, after all, to grow up.. He heads out to the shallow lagoon to bathe and think, taking a filthy change of clothes with him. Before he leaves the shack, he signs his book with the date he believes it to be ::

"The Black Sheep," Anthony Carazzi, 1 July or So.
Ex-Knight, Ex-Ship Captain, Future.. what?"
-Journal Entry 1 July, Anthony Carazzi

~Now that things have settled between herself and all of the Carazzi children, she takes some time after they all have gone to sleep to sit in her room and drag out her long unused journal to write.~

Things have gone very well here at the Manor. Better than I thought they would in the beginning. The children no longer give me such a hard time. I do believe they are beginning to become somewhat accustomed to my being here with them.

Benjamin's departure still puzzles me. I still find myself often wondering if he left solely on my account. Perhaps I should take the time to go and speak with M'Lord Carazzi. He and Benjamin have been friends a long time. Mayhap he can shed some light on this disaapearing act he pulled.

I do hope his leaving the Manor wasnt on my account. If it was, then perhaps its time I left. I wouldnt want anyone whom lives here to feel they had to leave because of my prescence in these halls.

Mairin and Thirlia are still as quiet as ever. The twins as mischevious as ever. M'Lord and Lady Carazzi, as always, a delight. And the young Paulie is so undeniably handsome and pleasant. I do enjoy my time here with them all. In a way, they have become the family that I have lost. The sole surviving Flynn... a hard thought to come to terms with. This may be the end of the Flynn clan. I dont forsee myself becoming with child anytime in the future. I remain a nanny to these children, but, I fear that may be all I ever will be.

Tika

~Hastily scrawling her name to the bottom of the journal entry, she leaves the journal and decides to take a walk along the children's wing of the Manor and check in upon them. Trying to keep her mind off of Benjamin and her thoughts about her dreams of one day becoming a wife and a mother.~
-Journal Entry 2 July, Tika

*After a late night at the brokerage, three more native elves sold through the help of her contacts, her hands are a bit dirty from dispensing the gold and counting her profits. She takes a long, luxurious bath in the spa behind her house, with her twin cats watching over her. The smaller, younger ~alright so not twins by birth~ cat pads the edge of the spa, while the older, large one seems to stand guard over her mistress. When Cipriana is done with her bath, she goes in and writes as she does every once in a while, in her leatherbound journal with the gilded print of the owner's name upon it. Some ink is bolder as her fingers press the quill harder in some places than others*

"Well, it seems that Eden the Liar and Xanthia wed. I heard of it..to think that he even cheated me of the commission. Well, sometimes it's the so-called nice ones that are the truest snakes in the underbrush. Father was so right..choose ones much like yourself, rather than reaching to the opposite of the spectrum. Did I really like Eden after all? *Giggles softly as the cats nuzzle her shins, as well as pondering the answer to that stupid question she asked herself*

"Loneliness and grief, no matter how short-lived, tends to make you do silly things sometimes. The liar DID give me a second key, and yet that fool Thia married him. So on the surface, he's a dear, sweet boy and lying below that bland exterior is someone who'll probably hurt her given half a chance.

"I do hope Thia married him for his purse..he's got quite a bit of Kuno's gold, and I hope she takes him for every gp he's got. Wretches both, I tell you. Is there no good man on this island, fit for an empress?"

-Journal Entry 2 July, Cipriana Vyras

This is a most unusual land...

Last night I entered the Pleasuredome again, dizzy with the heady rush of fiscal revelation. The sack of coins I found, pirate treasure, no doubt, I must deposit in the bank, since I have registered but as yet have no home. To relax a bit, and drink a mug of this ale was in order, such has my luck turned here on this island. As well, these new boots and pants make me feel much better about my lot. But if I should stay, I think I should take up the craft of a tailor, for the shops here have little variety in clothing for men.

The huge man-beast Donk was again genial, and I hope to never see him angered, especially at myself! A drink in hand, I watched a few new people enter, but they respected my wishes for privacy. I am amazed at how easily people here show affection! Gone are the days of my youth, it seems, where public displays of affection were frowned upon. The natives (and adopted citizens, I notice some seem to also come from the Mainland) kiss and play lover's games in the public forum of the Dome. Much has changed, and I must make certain not to show amazement at such things. I will write more soon...now I must think about these Guilds...

-Journal Entry 3 July, Piper Barrett

Dear Journal,

I have neve been so happy in my life. Having Xanthia as a wife is the best thing I could ever ask for. Just being by her side is wonderful. Having her in my embrace is...intoxicating. She is all I ever want and desire...and yet, one thing has bothers me. Sometimes I feel as though I do not show heras much love as she shows me. I try to say things and she says exactly what I was thinking and all I can say is I feel the same way. Perhaps I am afraid she will doubt my conviction. Maybe that's is just a sign that we truly are love. I hope so...

Eden Arcane
-Journal Entry 5 July, eden Arcane

Dear Journal:

I have problems. Alterio is dead set against Eden's & my marriage. He's come up with what he thinks will end it, and he thinks I have no choice but to go along with it. Well he is right. I have no choice but the actions I pursue wil not quite be what he thinks.

I will tell Eden the truth of it.

And what is the truth?

Well, that Alterio is funding a trip to Achethe this very eve. We are to go to the Morgan holdings, formerly ThornHenge Manor & lands to see if we can find the remains of my parents, well specifically my father. He wishes to use the power of the island's volcano to restore my father. He believes my father will demand that the marriage be declared null and dissolve it. I dont believe my father would do that but Alterio does indeed believe such a thing. Jamek Morgan was a respected man and a fair man. As soon as he saw how much I love Eden, and how devoted he is to me, My father would bless the marriage I am sure. Restoring him would not be a bad thing, I would love to have him with us and it would be good, not only for me but for Lyrias and Christopher .. but going there.. oh gods to see that carnage .. the stench of death and the ruin... I .. I told myself I would never go back there. The people .. no they were even less than savages, they were animals, who did that.. the cruelty of what happened... the torn bodies .. the servants, even women and children ... not even recognizable... it was the most horrific thing I had seen. I dont wish to go back there.

So why am I going? ... Alterio kissed me. Again.

He thinks to force me to do this because I will not tell Eden of it. BUT I will tell Eden everything. I have to. I will do so, if I can Before we leave. And then, I dont know how to prevent what will happen. I am not sure, mind you. But if Eden reacts as he has before he will challange Alterio to a duel of honor. My fate is sealed should he do that and die. My vows are to live as my husband lives. If he dies, I die as well.

I have thought this through. If he should rise early and go out as he has been doing, I will leave him a note saying where we have gone. I will also write a letter which I have arranged to have delivered should I die in Achethe. I will try to see him today but if I do not see Eden at the ship before we leave then the notes will explain to him what has happened. I have also asked that should I die, that my spirit be left alone to find what peace I may. Ben is angry with me about that. He says I am foolish and ignorant. Perhaps I am. But if I die, this will all end.

Perhaps...

At any rate, I must go. I have preparations to make.

Xanthia
Journal Entry 8 July, Xanthia

:::Waking early, still curled beside Ben, she smiles as she tries to slip out of the bed without waking him, and grabs her journal to write.::::

I slept so peacefully last night after the ordeal and trip back to Thornhenge. I cannot believe that Jamek is here on this Isle. Father was meant to be at his home. Not here on some god-forsaken Island.

The sight of him in his coffin rattled me beyond belief. Thank Gods that Ben was there. I dont think I could have done it without his support. I just wish Thia had been here. But, no. Eden had to take the other dragon and come back to the Island, leaving us with the decision on who goes home and who stays. Well.. Thia and Alterio had to stay. We couldnt all fit on the dragon with the coffin.

There was bickering, arguing, and all that. Of course. You put myself and Alterio together, there is bound to be fireworks. I just wish he'd give up on this whole disowning thing.

:::Sighing, hoping that Ben didnt wake to her nightmares in the night, she rakes a hand through her hair, and continues to write.:::::

Ben and I had the chance to talk quite a bit on the flight back. I think we have some of our differences settled between us. At least it seems so. Which is a good thing. I believe things here will get better. At least I hope so.

When Jamek wakes... I dont know what will happen. Im worried. I havent seen him alive in so long. Ive only seen his cold body lying in the coffin. Its hard to believe that someone who was dead will walk the earth again.

:::Sighing, she shakes her head, angry, and confused, deciding to crawl back into bed with Christopher and Ben, and go back to sleep a while. Leaving the journal open to dry.::::::::

-Journal Entry 9 July, Lyris Dreams