::::She sits gazing at the roses gathered in a crystal vase before her...one red, one white, one blue...and now a fresh pink one. She leans to inhale their sweet fragrance with eyes closed, then feels the supple petals of the blooms melt beneath the light touch of her fingertips as she touches at them softly. She sighs quietly as she reaches for the teacup and takes a careful sip of the hot brew, eyes glancing appraisingly to the various letters scattered on the table, then moves them aside slightly to bring her journal to the forefront. Opening it, she begins to write::::

Who are you, precious bard, to mystify with your words...to beckon me.

Who are you, dear sir, to put forward your spirit...to excite me.

Who are you, my good lord, to extend your soul...to seduce me.

Who are you, kind heart, to bequeath to same to me...to allure me.

Who are you, stranger, to...love me.

And who, pained one, are you to think I can assuage your torment...lighten your anguish...lessen your pain...

If I know you not.

::::She reaches a hand to pick up the last note received, pinned to her door, and re-reads it, then brings it slightly closer to sniff at the scent that lingers there...his::::

This is madness! Poems. Stories. Proclamations of love. Is that even possible? Then nary a clue...simple initials...fine parchment and gold ink...roses.

The roses.

I am flattered of course...but also wary, for I know not his intentions. Yet, strangely...I am not afraid.

The roses.

::::She looks at the blooms carefully for a moment as she takes another sip of tea::::

The roses.

Enough!

I need to get out. I need to remove myself from this self-imposed exile in this self-inflicted prison lest I become a total recluse.

::::She bites at her bottom lip thoughtfully, brow knit gently as she considers herself::::

Perhaps I shall take myself to dinner this evening. Yes. A little food, a little wine, say hello to friends...that is if they even remember me still. Heh...likely not...but ahh well...it might be nice to get out in any event. Even if I run into Claude, I have no doubt he has moved on...though my life has been at a veritable standstill...of my own making, of course. I'm sure he suffers not...the possessor of such passion is unlikely to remain for long without...love.

Yes. This is what I need.
Not to mention, I'm starving.

::::She giggles quietly to herself and stands, leaving the journal open on the table in order that the gentle breeze flowing through the open window may dry the ink:::: With an anticipatory smile curling the corners of her mouth, she moves to the armoire and rifles through the assorted silks, satins and light cottons, finally opting for an outfit in a pale yellow, the buttery hue certain to accentuate the tone of her now-darkened skin, the softness of the silk fabric vying the suppleness of the roses. She wraps the skirt around her midsection and ties it low on her left hip, then gathers her bosom in the matching scarf, securing it with a knot in the middle. She brushes out her hair and quickly weaves a long slim braid on either side of her sunkissed face. Finally, she moves to her dressing table and touches a layer of pink gloss to her lips. Almost as an afterthought, she slips her feet into her favourite sandals and grabs a lightweight midnight blue cloak, tossing it haphazardly over her shoulders, then arranging it as she moves toward the door::::

--Journal entry 15 August, Rowsy

::::She sits with her morning tea ruminating the previous night's events...or lack thereof. She idly pulls her journal forth and puts pen to paper::::

Gah!! I'm such a coward! And since when? Did some inexplicable shyness suddenly overwhelm me? Fear perhaps? Just a general reluctance to show my face? What??

I don't know. All I know is that I spent the night roaming the beach. My great plans to stop at the 'dome for dinner unfulfilled. And I really had been looking forward to it! Then I got home just around midnight...and almost in tears. No reason really...except maybe my feet hurt. Seems I had been mindlessly wandering for hours.

Why? Who?

Questions. Seems my life is full of them right now...when it should be so simple. After all, no one to worry about, no one to worry of me. What could be more easy? Where do I get answers? Can I even?

::::She stops momentarily to sip at her tea, the warm liquid soothingly coursing through her, relaxing her:::: Tonight. I shall try again tonight. I have to. I have to do this. And smile.

::::She slams her journal closed and leans back, her gaze drifting to the roses and the letters as she issues a quiet self-admonishment..."Don't be timid, Rows...you never were before. Why now?"...she stops and closes her eyes, taking a deep breath..."There. Again. Why? Who? Bah!!"::::

--Journal entry 16 August, Rowsy

::She sits on her sofa, only stopping in for a while, before heading back to the pleasuredome, where she slept rather restlessly last night and opens her journal to a blank page::

Ah, well...it has been eventful to say the least. Now that we really have nothing to worry over with the Sharken, we have a new and more dangerous threat...Giants. Seems that Torlin's body had a map of the Island on it. So we find out that giants can read maps, and well one found it's way to the Pleasuredome. When it attacked, many were hurt, including poor Donk. I was hurt alot during that attack...

But aside from that, after the last attack last night, I spent alot of time with Ben, talking to him about what has been bothering him. I let it slip that I knew how he felt about certain things. He was intrigued by me loving someone for a long time, and pressed me about it until I answered. He was shocked to find out it was him. I didn't want to tell him and mess up our friendship... Now I have to deal with all of this all over again...and I didn't want to. I find that I am questioning myself about Claude now, and ahhh...just when I have everything figured out. Ah well.. I need to forget my feelings for Ben and go on with my life...just forget that what happened last night happened...Especially that kiss...

Eh...I still feel faint when I think about it... Anyway... on to something else.

So I should forget my feelings for his Ali's and my hearts sake and stick with Claude. That's all I can do really...I mean what if Ali didn't leave him like he thinks? Ah gods...ok ok...forget about it Lina...just push it from your mind. Ah buut its going to be harder than last time...how can I act normal around Ben now? Will he and I still be friends? I really don't know...I wish I never said anything... Ah well...I should get going...

--Journal entry 16 August, Lina Metallium