::She bites her lip as she opens her journal to a blank page, as she settels herself into the sand. She looks out over the water in thought then begins to write::

I have had no word from the small note I sent to Ben, that worried me. I sat up in bed last night staring into the shadows, not leaving to see if he slept or not. Though I didn't see him around the Villa last eve. Though the Villa is so large, it's hard to come across anyone that's there, unless you look for them.

::she tucks a lock of hair behind her ear and bites her lip in though before continuing::

I willed myself last eve not to check up on him. I don't need to be a hovering one now do I? But...ah...anyway.... Thinghs have been going on around the dome, though I just hear about it lately. When I have been there it has been pretty dull.Many have left to the mainland for one reason or another, or they are just too busy. I really should keep myself busy with something, take up a hobby and such. But what? Hmm...something to think about. Which in itself would keep me busy. Who knows...

Ah well I feel I have rambled enough...

--Journal entry 21 August, Lina Metallium

~sits in the 'dome on the sofa, listening to the patrons talk around her. she pulls out her journal, adding the parchment pages to it, from when she wrote while on the mainland. she dips her quill and begins to write~

Dear Journal,

I am home. Tiger did alot of convincing, but I came home.

And I am glad, after receiving Sir Paul's letter regarding my brother, I wanted to be near him.

I feel alittle strange here. And almost left with Doomsday earlier. But he convinced me to stay. Not to run away from the problems. And then the long talk I had with Miss Jane tonight, that helped me alot. She is a very wise friend, just like Tiger. I am glad they are a part of my life. I need positive friends like them in my life.

It was good to see everyone. I can not say how muchI missed them. There are no words to discribe that feeling.

I will definitely have to have a home built. I have no where to go. So I am sure no one will mind my sleepg on the couch in the 'dome for now. Miss Lina is stll here. And she said she would be for a while. So I am glad. Maybe knowing she is here, will keep the nightmares away.

I hope so.

Anyways, I should close. But will write more again soon.

~closes the ink. laying it, the quill and her journal on the floor under the couch. as soon as her head hit the pillow, she is out~

--Journal entry 21 August, Alianna Carazzi

*sighs as she sits in bed, thinking shes only tired because shes just woke up. She looks at Vrax sleeping beside her and smiles gently, then grabs her journal, dips the quill in her ink and starts to write*

I don't think I've been too well lately. It was ever since a few hours after I ate in that tavern at the mainland. Not the one Alianna was working in, but there was another I'd gone to. I didn't feel so well after I visited there, but I just let it pass as that I ate too much. I would hope very much that there wasn't anything in that food that might have been bad for me to eat. Because now everything is different....my skin has gotten paler lately, and I haven't really eaten much since I left the mainland.

Being tired doesn't help either.

Stress! It has to be the stress! Listening is stressful too, no one understands that. Except Lina...Lina understands. Oh well, I guess I can live with the way things are now.

*she sits the journal down and stands to go make some breakfast for Vrax and Saria, not at all being too hungry*

--Journal entry 22 August, Tiger Lorinar

"she slips out of bed quietly and rubs her eyes as she looks at Alterio, still sleeping peacefully for a change..she smiles and goes over to look out the window at the sunrise"

Well a few things are back to normal again. For how long? Hmm thats a good question. The Ship of Wishes returned to the Isle last eve. Several patrons had their wishes granted. "she giggles thinking about poor Ardwin being turned into a 10 yr old boy" .. Some were quite funny, but worked out alright. Like Ardwins, but Nestasia used her wish to make him the age he was before his mishap that left him crippled. Between Lina and Jane's wishes we are free of the giants. And My only wish was to have Alterio returned to normal, the way he was before the beam fell on him. "she glances over at him and smiles"

Alterio now knows all of us again. And Ben is back to well Ben.. He looks like himself again. He no longer has someone elses face.

The midgets gave us all gifts after the wishes were granted. I didnt really care about that.. I just thank the gods Alterio is back to normal. Thats all i really wanted. Now that the giants are gone, i wonder if all the big brave men will return or come out of hiding eh? Its been pretty much just a few of of us "Brats" taking our chances by venturing out of our homes and not leaving the island.

"she glances up as she hears him stirring and smiles at him as she sees he is awake, she lays down the quill leaving the journal open as she goes over and hugs him tight and gets ready to go make him breakfast"

--Journal entry 22 August, Vixen Blade

*Ara lingers with her quill this evening, gazing at the volume with affection in her luminous emerald eyes. Smoothing her fingers over the variations in the parchment, her gaze sweeps the content of her small room she's rented out. Littered with half open trunks and foreign looking cooking utensils, beads, yards of ribbon, and pages of music scores it looks like the apartment of a merchant or a salesman. Letting out a gentle sigh she finds peace and solace in the tiny apartments of all the places she's seen. This, of course, being no exception. The common boredom and sleepy manner of some of the patrons has rubbed off on her, her skin seems to glow in gold and bronze, a bleary twinkling light present in her eyes. Smiling she slowly touches her quill against the parchment, her thoughts lingering and unorganized…*

This day was slow, as yester eve and last morning… I see the sun struggle through clouds at times, in tune with the sway of moods of the patrons. I see sleepy women, beautiful and brimming with thoughts, doze in the company of quiet fighters. Scholars and poets, thoughtful muses, all, drifting in and out with the tides of the day… Nothing so very interesting, nothing out of the ordinary or particularly striking… I think though, I may have seen flying fishes this day…Something brilliant and shimmering raise its head and down again, breaching a tail as transparent as the wings of a dragonfly, and startling as summer snow. The miracle of today…this fish- if that is indeed what it was- had golden hair! Curls and curls of it- like mine, only honey colored…no, indeed- tresses of sunlight? Could it be? Merfolk? I shouldn't wonder what else I might come across! – Are they so common and every day that people walk right by them and speak nothing of it? If that indeed is true, then perhaps mine take on this place is false indeed…I wonder what other sort of miraculous things I have overlooked! I suppose I should visit the tavern this evening, mayhap I may meet that person I do long for…placid and calm and beautiful and interesting…I do bid thee well…our list for this evening before bed…

Three Good Things of the Day…
1. Saw a flying fish? Mermaid!
2. Made a few more acquaintances
3. Was finally able to remember the verse for the Blackbird Ballad! Glory.

Three Bad Things of the Day…
1. Wasted the morning in slumber and did not accomplish much before sunrise
2. Snapped the last pair of lute strings- top and thin. C.
3. Admitted to boredom.

Pleasant eve to you.

--Journal entry 22 August, Arachne

::She bites her lip thoughtfully as she begins to write, stealing a glimpse of Ben from across the 'dome but quickly looking away, having read his message, in reply to hers:: Ben looks wonderful, and seems more like his old self. The one who became my best friend, and the one who, almost immedeately stole my heart. Only he doesn't return my feelings. Ah that hurts, but is part of life. It happens to the best of us.

I didn't sleep a wink last night. Every time I tried...what happened while Alterio's wish kept repeating itself in my head. Good Gods, I never want to see that again. I had all I could do to keep from crying and such. Not many know how I feel about him, and those that do will soon see me as I once was, happy but not really.

After I read what Ben had to say...I was...crushed really. I knew deep down that he could never love me, and now I know it to be true. I have a key to the Villa I no longer need. I have friends who wonder but will never guess what is running through my mind, except one...

I am glad the giants are gone. I tried to word my wish just so, but worded it wrong. I am so sorry I sent that awful plague of terror upon the elves of the island. And I cannot thank Jane enough for righting my wrong with her own wish.

It's great to see Alterio back to his old self. Everyone missed him, and only wished for him to be well once more. Everyone's wishes were purely unselfish, which is a change for this island, save a few people. I am happy for everyone and only hope the best for them.

Ah Ali is back from the mainland....I spoke with her but only a moment. We used to be good friends, but, I feel uncomfortable around her lately. It is probably what I feel for Ben. I know that she loved him and he loved her. Of course that's the reason I pushed away these feelings in the first place.

Ah I feel I have gone on long enough.

--Journal entry 22 August, Lina Metallium

*she sighs softly as she awakes. She looks at a perfectly new book then pulls up a seat and begins to write*

Okay, I've been meaning to start writing in this book for some time now. I guess I haven't had anything to write about. Now I do...a strange group of people came to the island last night. I believe someone called them Midgets. These Midgets came with a ship which granted wishes. I had such a good wish but I believe what I actually wished for is better than anything I could have ever thought of. I was going to wish for love...but love is cannot be found by wishing for it. What I actually wished for was for a friend of mine to be restored to his old self. I've noticed that he has wished for this for quite some time. Maybe my wish was granted indirectly. I have always been fond of him, though I haven't had the courage to tell him in fear that I might scare him away like I scared Claude away. Then is what I feel just infatuation?

*she pauses and thinks for a while*

I'm sure it is not. What happened with Claude was just a lesson I needed to learn. Then am I moving too fast? Maybe I should just deal with myself before I try dealing with others. Yes, that is what I shall do.

--Journal entry 22 August, Nestasia

I close my eyes and listen. Birds are singing. Leaves rustle in the breeze. Water crashing over the rocks, rushing and swirling all around. Opening my eyes I begin to walk. The path urges me ever forward. Following the dips, twists and turns, catching glimpses of the water sparkling through the trees. Strolling slowly along the pathway, soaking in the splendor of the day. Squirrels jumping overhead, stopping to watch them play. Laughing with child-like abandon.Enjoying the squirrels antics. I slowly move onward, drawn by the sounds of rushing water. I walk alone and yet I am not quite alone. Standing at the waterfall I am filled with wonder. Breath taking beauty surrounds me in the form of a woman... honey haired maiden who's beauty will last beyond forever. Rowsy. Her beauty overtakes my heart, filling my soul with such peace of mind. The power of the rushing water.

Gives me the power to face the day, to face a new life, to face... her. Rebirth of myself into something better, stronger and more confident in myself. Slowly I make my way back along the path away from my waterfall and toward a new path of self discovery.

:::::: He awakens slowly. He looks out his window at the noonday sun. What is this? He slept. He slept through the night. He dreamed. Not the haunting visions that have plagued him for so long.. but a sweet simple dream of that day, that wonderful day when he saw her. The images of her, the waterfall, the lush green foliage, and her eyes... her soft sad eyes. He knows it would break his heart if she ever looked upon him with such sadness, such disappointment. The dream. So vivid. He can still hear the pounding of the waterfall in his ears, feel the soft spray of the water on his skin, smell the lovely tropical flowers that surrounded him that day. Yes, the dream. Different from the rest to be sure. Perhaps this means... he shakes his head for he knows not what it means. He spots his book of poetry on his table and wonders if he even has the wits about himself at this moment to even attempt to write... to give of hs soul once more. He raises up out of the bed and makes his way over. Yet as he begins to write he finds that his confusion over this entire situation comes to the forefront once more. He writes... ::::::

I wish I didn't love you.
I wish I didn't see what I see in your eyes
Like looking into the deep blue seas of eternity
Like looking through the door of forever
Like ice that could melt a flame
I wish I didn't need your touch
That warms and protects
The touch of innocence
The touch of time without end
I wish I didn't want your heart
Not to possess, but to share
To see into your past, and reveal your future
To hold in the dark recesses for comfort
I wish you weren't so close
Close enough to touch
But not to hold
I wish you couldn't see me
Why do you have to see me?
Nobody else can
I'll close the window to my soul
It's not meant to be peered through
I wish I didn't love you
I wish I didn't want you
Sometimes I think if I say it enough
It may happen
But I know in my heart it won't
Because I'm wishing the wrong thing
I should wish you loved me.
I should wish you wanted me.

:::::: Why? Why must his thoughts turn towards the negative when everything he sees in her is so positive... so good? She is beautiful. Yes. She is kind. He can see it in her eyes. She is quick to laugh. He can tell by the way she carries herself. She is strong of will. This he knows for he could see it plainly as she dove under that waterfall. She is lonely. Again, her eyes that night at the 'dome spoke volumes to him. She did not see him he thinks.. did not recognize him at the least. So sad. His heart aches for her constantly. To go to her. To comfort her as he knows somehow that she needs right now. To tell her simply that she is not alone. Even if his love is not returned... he would not abandon her. He knows this. Once more he sighs as he is wont to do when his mind races with thoughts of her. Rowsy. Again he feels it is time for his next cowardly act, or what else could it be called? He will write er a poem which professes his profound love for her, then he will simply leave it for her and vanish into the night. But it is not night. Dare he attempt to deliver his message during the day? He kows he cannot wait. He must. So he once more removes his golden ink. He notes he will need to go out and buy more as quickly as possible. He slowly dips his quill and begins to write to her of his love once more... ::::::

Sing to me a sweet lullaby
And keep me held close by
Rock me gently in the night
Soothing away my fears and fright
Holding me close to your heart
Let this love of ours never part
Whispered words soft and low
Sharing your love and letting it grow
Oh the sweet words you I would say
For the hope of you loving me I pray
I need your tender loving care
Without it is something I can't bare
Fill my soul with your song
I have waited for it so long
The tears that I have cried
They have long since dried
Your song has given me a smile
Something that I've not had in a while
From now on there is only happiness
Because of your sweet gentle caress
And the loving words that I would say
I hope our song begins this day...
Lord of Masks... The one who would be there for you... always.

:::::: What does that mean? It just flowed from him so easily he could not stop. He shrugs it off as simply the way his strange mind seems to be working these days. Never a simple straight forward thought. All thoughts lead back to her. He smiles as he realizes... all thoughts lead back to her. He is still smiling just a little as he gets dressed and once again dons his mask. His mask. His shield. His solace. His only defense to keep the world out as he wants. Well, not the entire world. He truly wants to let her in. If only he could find the courage to invite her. Once the ink is dry he rolls up the parchment and binds it with a small ribbon of pristine white. He begins his journey to her house, pickin a white rose again on his way. A white rose. He has come full circle. But it is after all his favorite of roses. The purity it reflects mirrors, he beleves, the purity of his feelings for her. He arrives at her cottage and looks around to make sure she is not about. He moves to her door and carefully places the parchment in it's same spot where he knows she will find it. He looks at her door once more, wondering if she is on the other side.

He thinks back to his dream and the words he wrote in his book of poetry, then to the final line of the poem he wrote for her, the poem he just pinned to her door. "I hope our song begins this day." He still knows not what it means. He decides he will ponder it on his way home. Then, as he turns to leave, the strangest thing... through what seems no volition of his own he looks down as it through another's eyes and watches as his hand raises slowly... so slowly, and begins knocking on her door. What? What has come over him? Surely she is home t this time of day. Has he gone mad? He is not ready. Or is he? Perhaps his heart has finally overcome his fear and has acted on it's own. He watches as he knocks, again and again. He thinks he hears someone stirring inside but he is not sure. His heart seems to stop as his eyes focus on the door before him. Will she answer it? Will she allow him in? He watches... and waits.. to see. ::::::

--Journal entry 22 August, Lord of Masks