::::Sits down only now, finally being able to put his thoughts to paper. The quill quivers in his hand as he begins to write... not good for a bard to be this nervous when putting quill to parchment.::::

I had just arrived on the Island that fateful day when I saw her. I was simply taking a leisurely walk to aquaint myself with my new surroundings wen I came upon her. A true beauty. A face that belongs immortalized in verse. I guess that is why I am here. I watched her as she sat, a sad look upon her face, as she wrote in her own journal. I could feel her pain from where I stood. I wanted to go to her... comfort her, but alas I was frozen in place by the combination of exquisite beauty and heartwrenching pain upon her face. I watched as finally she let out a sigh and a strange smile came to her lips; a smile of contentment as if she were finally at peace within herself. Then she stood up suddenly and without warning dove into the water before her and disappeared from my sight. Finally I could breath. I then watched as a man came as if from nowhere and read what she had written. All I could think was what kind of person would read someone's personal thoughts without their leave. erhaps the people here were not as decent as I had heard after all. Either way it was not my affair so I turned to leave. Yet still to this day her image has haunted my every waking moment as well as my dreams as she dives into the water just as I am about to speak to her... ::::He stops and catches his breath as his mind races with thoughts of this woman once again. Finally he is able to continue:::: I have learned since then that this woman... this vision of perfection, is named Rowsy. I have also learned of the man and their relationship. I guess I can't really blame him for wanting to rea her thoughts after all. If nothing else, It has inspired me to once again put my thoughts down for all to see. It has inspired the following...

Lady Rowsy's Answer "Dancers come and dancers go, But none have tread the measure so. Would you learn what no one knows? Fire blood as cold as snows? Build a blaze to leaping high With light enough for dancing by? Name the tune and be the dancer!"

Such was Rowsy's answer, Lady Rowsy's answer.

"Strike the beat and tread the measure. He who dares may find the treasure; He who hesitates is lost-- Yet wisest he who counts the cost! If you've cash enough to buy, Pay for trying what you'd try: Name the tune and be the dancer!"

Such was Rowsy's answer, Lady Rowsy's answer.

"Reckon well the steps you'd take, Calculate each move to make. Wanting's torment, having's fun: But, recall, when dancing's done Someone has to pay the fee-- No one ever dances free. Name the tune and be the dancer!"

Such was Rowsy's answer, Lady Rowsy's answer.

"Would you try to be my master? Circle fast and ever faster, Foot the pattern, falter not! Iron's cold where flame is hot. Death is dear when dancing's done. Count the cost of what you've won!" Name the tune and be the dancer!"

Such was Rowsy's answer, Lady Rowsy's answer.

:::::He pauses once again as his thoughts leave him only to be replaced with the soft image of this woman.:::::

I have not seen her since that day, though I am not sure I would posess the courage to approach her even if I had. I know little of this Claude fellow still, so I know not what happened between them... but aparently he was unable to "pay the dancer" what she wanted most. I do not know if that is the case, just as I know not if I could give her whatever it is she feels she is missing. I only know that I would like the chance to try. If only she were still here... If only...

::::He lays the quill down and closes the journal then drops his head into his hands. His thoughts a veritable maelstrom as images and feelings collide within him. With a soft sigh, not unlike the one she herself let out on that shore not so long ago, he blows out his lantern and stands, walking to his window and staring out over the oceans vastness, "Where are you now m'lady? Have you found that which you needed to be happy? I truly hope it is so." He walks to his bed and lays down only to drift off into a fitful slumber as once again the sadness on her face enters into his sweet dreams of her and turns them sour.::::::

--Journal entry 1 August, Lord of Masks

:: He awakes in a cold sweat for such it seems, as he hurries out the ship, only to fall down the gangplank. He looks about seeing only mist, not the sea's fog, that occaisional raises upon the isle. He frowns, bewildered. Though suddenly he hears laughter, the dulcet tones like music. He pushes past the mist seemingly, as if it fights to protect him from his own thoughts, his feet fall heard on what he thought to be sand. Each time his boots hitting the ground a resounding click-click of his boots. The laughter grows louder, as he rushes after the site of it, he suspects it to be Lina, the woman unattainable, or Nestasia, the beguiling Nymph, though as he slips through, he falls the mist blinding him so that he could not see, he falls dropping to his knees. The mist clears and he sees the sort of the laughter. ::

" Oh my god...Why do you haunt me with your laughter! " he asks, great vigor yet fear in his voice.

:: His sister, stands there, a gown of erie black...She tilts her head her tresses falling down in jest. Her painted lips part and speak as if without words. ::

" You killed me Claude...I thought you were my best brother, My closest kinsman...You caused my death, Now you seek to kill more! Nestasia, Lina, and most of all....You already seeked to Kill Row, You are a truly evil man. " she said, in hurried judgement.

" I did no such thing! I never raised my blade against any of thee! " he replied in such a manner, one would think him mad by this shock of vision the seems so real.

" Ah, but you wield a powerful magick...You love! Yet you sacrifice heart for coal...Sacrifice precious stones, for dirt. You neglect! You neglected me, your kingdom....Your nothing! Then when you were released from the kingdom, you found a isle...You foolish cad! You could not do it then...You loved Rowsy, She loved you...With all your hearts you felt the other...And you thrown it away, NEGLECT do you not see Claude, dear brother! " she pauses her voice seeming to ebb. " I am but a apparition in the streams of your life...And my haunting will not cease until you attone the wrong you did to that lass! It was her, that took you from me, and you from Winterfell! I will see that lass is cursed with your efforts, for her pride will never forgive you!"

:; Claude still dropped on the knees looks to the surrounding illusion, seeing slowly it transforming the true beach of the Crystal Shores. The nearly ruined bayside beside him. ::

" Damn you Sansa, What cruel heart have you taken? I am broken! Nothing! Must I take more torture....To only see Rowsy awakens in me so much! "

The sister replies. " Ofcourse it does...Lust...like those heated nights, Love like those languid days, frusteration like those humid afternoons...All the staples of true love.

But No One will love you....ever again Claude. Not here. Row intends to tell the world what you tried to conceal, and the new you is nearly evil in its entirity...What do you think you are doing? Showing a bit of a flirt to Jasmin? Trying to tell Lina how you felt? Trying to stomach a Nymph? It is not your nature...You even told me during your last visit to Winterfell, that you once loved Lina...But Rowsy owns your heart now. She owns your heart, like I will have your soul! It is due to me! The Drow Sorceress, last eve was only the begining of your torments and trials... You will be truly broken in all due time. You were lucky to of lived, The rest of your party dead, or have retreated...And you alone with a Air Dragon? Do you think the luck of your body will leave you like the luck of your heart? You are more than Damned Brother... " the hysterical rantings tring true to Claude, though her corpeal form begins to wain. She resumed her ranting. " Soon, you will come to death! First your heart, then you! You have lived to long! And you will be like I was, alone..And like Bran was, killed in combat. A combat that means nothing! You Claude, will never find happiness! And you know it! You neglected love...You neglected instinct, for that I can never forgive you! You are a murderer, a butcher, You destroyed the sacred love, you had with Rowsy.

And for that, your heart will die. Though I doubt even you with all my redundance will understand. " her corpeal form disapears, as Claude realizes this was no dream. His voice begins to build as he screams though not for his sister...BUt for the only one that brought him comfort from the demons that haunt him.

" ROWSY! WHY DID I ABANDON YOU! " he collapses at the expel of breath, and the fright the sister bestowed on him. He sees a few of the commoners out by the side, and hurries away into his ship in ragged steps. He brings his journal out and after scowling at a entry entered twice, he begins to write, though his thoughts so rattled and handwriting so ragged, no one can seem to read it, not even himself.

--Journal entry 1 August, Claude Torrent

What did I say so wrong, to make him say all those things? To make him accuse me of thinking of another? And during our time together? I'd never do that! He's just a friend!

Although...Jaixe does have a familiar sense to him. Why would he think that I'd think of anyone else but him....Vrax is my husband. Maybe theres more to Vrax then I know. A whole different side that he tries to hide from me. How long will it be until it all comes out?

Lorax told me maybe it was an imposter. But...who would be so cruel? I'm staying with Ali again, until all this settles..I don't want anything worse to go on if me and Vrax were together in the house. *she sighs deeply closing her eyes for a minute before opening them and writing her final words for the entry* I hope we can get through this...I hope so.

*she sets the quill and journal down on the nightside table, standing up and leaving the room, not even bothering to come back later to close and hide it...maybe things could get solved if Vrax finds it.*

--Journal entry 1 August, Tiger_Goddess

:breathes heavily after following Tiger to the Villa where she is staying. he sits down on a rock and begins to pen his thoughts:

I am... to say the least confused. My wife tells me that I accused her of many things but I know not what! I did not say those things. at first I thought maybe I did say them while I was sick yesterday....but I spoke to Lorax and he opened my eyes to the truth. Tiger was livid when I saw her saying that I "just" accosted her at our house when, in fact, I was at the Dome listening to Lorax tell his stories. what had I missed..? Lorax said someone was impersonating me... but who? and how? :thinks holding his quill:

that's it....why didn't I see it *eyes grow dim* Magic! that accursed Mumphra!! I got sick as I confronted him in the Dome. Aye it was Mumphra..... well, he wants to play games? I CAN PLAY WITH THE BEST!! :throws the quill down and runs off:

--Journal entry 1 August, Vrax Lorinar

::She sighs and opens her journal. As she finds a blank page, she starts writing::

Hmmm...where to start? Really nothing to say, but I like to try to get my thoughts on paper before I even consider sleeping...

Another night without the egg. I hope this isn't burdening Lorax, I would hate for that. I care for him deeply and would hate for anything to burden him.

::she laughs a bit as she recalls earlier in the day::

And it must be obvious...a few grinning and winking as Lorax and I sit in the dome. We must be something to watch eh? Jane was even dreaming of a furture house for us...though I think it more for her.

:;She laughs a bit::

Ah everything seems to be going good...Vixen misses Alterio, but then again, the people who truly care for him do... I am devising a plan which I may attempt tonight, to communicate with Alterio, make sure he is alright and such.

I told Vixen about it, but I want to make sure it works before I commit to anything with Vixen.

I haven't seen much of Ali as of late...hope she is doing well. And dan should be back soon with mags and nun...or atleast I hope. I do miss my dear friends...So much has happened. I wish I could tell them of it. I think Dan would be proud of me...it's not that I seek such, but he is like a part of my family. And he does worry about me at times I'm sure...some would I would think. But I have come out of my shell much more and such. He would have been proud if he saw me with that Serpent and those sharken too. Ah well I hope you are Well Dan and company. But I have rambled too long and I should go.

--Journal entry 1 August, Lina Metallium

~rises earlier than everyone else. smiling softly as she slips on her robe. looking to Ben as he lays, still asleep in their bed. leaning down, she kisses his cheek gently, smiling as he smiles in his sleep. she moves out of the master bedroom, down the hall quietly to check on first Mairin then Tiger and Saria. nodding to herself as the sleep peacefully, she makes her way down to the study. opening up the french doors, she takes in a breath of fresh air. looking out to watch the galls fly to the water. turns with a smile, and sits down at the rolltop desk. opening it, she pulls out her journal, a quill then dips it into the ink. she pauses for a moment, scratching the bobcat behind the ears then begins to write~

DearJournal,

So much has happened lately. And so little time to write it all down. My thoughts and worries are with my brother, Alterio. I worry so much about him. Due to a duel with Nemesio, he was banished from the island for thirty days. I hope he is alright. And I wish there was a way to make sure. Tiger has told me not to worry so over him, that he is strong. But he is my brother. And has been through so much in his life. He deserves happiness. He deserves peace.

I know this banishment was in part, his fault too. But no one deserves to be away from his family and friends. Especially when he is needed, wanted and loved.

Ben and I have tried to help out as much as we can. Mairin staying with us, was in part so my brother would not worry. And she has been a pure delight to have around. And I am glad we are getting this time, to get to know one another more. She is so sweet. And very witty. My brothers sense of humor, has rubbed off on her. And Paul has been right by her side. I can not thank him enough, for giving her his constant protection.

And my other neices and nephews are with Vixen at the manor. My worries are with her as well. I know how much I miss my brother. But I can not fathom the depth of Vixen's loneliness. I know how much she loves him.

I just wish there were some way I could help her. She has been a constant source of strength for me. And has been there for me many times. I wish there was some way I could help her in return. I admire her so much. Her strength and courage is so strong. I only wish someday, I can be as strong a woman as she is. In a way, she reminds me of my mother. The diligent way she goes about her day. Never letting anything get her down. And Mia is just like her. Not afraid to try anything. Mia is darling. Fiesty. And Alkane, he is such a sweet boy. The spitting image of my brother. Which reminds me, I will have to send over the portrait of Alterio as a child, to Miss Vixen.

Marissa is a little angel.

~smiles proudly as she pauses, then redips her quill~

My family. They make me so very proud of them.

~watches the bobcat move outside~

Lina has found someone truly wonderful to her. And I am so very happy. Lorax Gemseeker. He seems to adore her. But that is from what I observed yesterday at the 'dome. And they are doing wonderfully, in their job of protecting the Serpents egg. That was an ordeal in itself. One I am glad is over. Everyone was starting to go alittle crazy over the draught. Then with Alterio, Ben, Vixen and I all changing. That was very scary.

My brother wright, my mouth almost got me killed that day. I learned my lesson, when the shark bit into me.

I could very well not be here now.

~looks up to see Tiger come down the stairs, and move to the kitchen. sighs softly, brow furrowing with worry as she begins to write again~

Tiger, I am very worried about her. I am not sure what has happned. But she has not wanted to go home. Not that I am complaining. I love her and Saria being here. But I worry over how much of a change there has been in her. Something happened between her and Vrax. And I am not quite sure what it was. But Tiger has not been the same since. I just hope whatever it is, things can be worked out for them soon. She deserves to be happy. They both do, because the love one another so much.

~looks up again, as Ben comes down the stairs. a bright smile appears on her face, as she lays the quill aside and rises to meet him the doorway. kissing him good morning, then heading off to prepare breakfast for everyone~

--Journal entry 2 August, Alianna Calkane