:::::: Sitting and his writing desk as he always does, he writes his thoughts in his journal. Random thoughts, rambling thoughts, that oft times do not even make sense to him. Only one common theme seems to find it's way into all of his writings. Rowsy. The warrioress and healer who has captured hs heart so. All thoughts are of her and if she will accept his apology. He wonders if he should make one more sojourn to her cottage... her cottage. He smiles as he thinks of it. It suits her. Elegant yet at the same time simple. Beautiful yet at the same time approachable. Yes. Her cottage is as she is. He begins to write... ::::::

A small cottage nestled sweetly in the midst of a forgotten wood, it's beautiful veranda has proven in time to be an unavoidable spot for the dreams of a poet to dance and twirl. The hidden whispers cast as thought on the winters lips of wandering angles, still do not cease to be spoken to the humble places bed, be it by lark or oak, or stream. Not a merrier sight there lies to a passing sprite or curious mind in the wisdom that is a dwarf. The woven birch steps smell deeply of rosemary, and enchanting jasmine. There lies a talkative resting place in the corner just at the ascent of the steps, always appealing, yet rarely visited. Roses are strewn about the entrance to the home gingerly and without care, but never lacking order. The cottage itself is surrounded by great pine, at the height of which lies every joy of man's desire., and dwelling within the breast of this dear so place.... my heart's desire. Rowsy.

:::::: Mmmm yes... simple perfection. A small smile creeps onto his face beneath his mask then just as quickly fade as his thoughts turn again to his desertion of her the other night. Would she ever understand his reasons? Should he.. could he tell her? No. At least not yet. For now he can only hope and pray that she will give him a second chance... that she wll listen to her heart as he does his. He moves his journal aside and opens his large book of poetry and writes simple thoughts down.

--Journal Entry, 6 September, Lord of Masks

::She sighs as she stares at the blank page for a moment then begins to write::

I believe I may have all of this sorted in my mind finally, come to terms I suppose one could say. I feel that I shall resign to the fact that Ben will not love me. Though I have hoped, and suppose daydreamed of a time when perhaps that would have been possible. Though, now, I know I can nor ever will, be able to compete against the women he flirts with in the 'dome. I am not nearly as nice to look at nor am I as charming, nor act that much like a lady. I feel tears come to my eyes even as I write this. What good am I anyway? Gods...can't even help him when he needs it. I am a horrible friend and yet I hoped he could love me. Gah! I should...I should...perhaps he would do better without me...wouldn't be any worse, I don't seem to help when I need to. Why did I ever think such thoughts? I find myself almost funny, truly funny. I feel I have acted like a love sick girl, and say that I help when I just stand there looking stupid. Ah enough of my inane rattling...

--Journal Entry 6 September, Lina Metallium

My pawn has be taken today, little they know. My knight moves up in position to threaten my opponent's rook. The rook can only sit there trapped within the the corner and its own pawn and bishop...

--Journal Entry 6 September, Mumphra

::sighs as she sits on the bartop in the dome alone..journal balanced on her lap and begins to write::

I cannot believe the turn of events here tonight. I dont know who this Qko woman was...but, I find myself not trusting what Uncle Alterio has said about her. Said I could have learned from her...Bah! There is so much going on here that just doesnt piece well together, and, I intend to try and find out what it is exactly. Why all the finger pointing..why all the turning of deaf ears..I just cant piece it all together. Things just dont fit.

:::sighs as she thinks of Taelie:::

How I wish Taelie was here with me...what a great comfort that would be right now. He always knew how to keep my thinking straight and keep me going in the right direction. What I wouldnt give to fall asleep on the couch beside him tonight...just a little peace in all this turmoil.

:::takes a drink of her rye and looks at all the empty tables, then begins writing again:::

I suppose this is enough for now...until I can sort all of this out in my mind...how confusing it all is....

~Lyrias~

::::lets the ink dry as she finishes her rye...and closes the journal, tucking it back beneath the bartop:::

--Journal Entry 6 September, Lyrias Dreams

What to do, what to do...

I cannot sit by and watch Alterio take over this island.

But how can I speak out against him, when he leads the island with Nemesio at his right hand? They'll have me committed at the least, executed at worst, and that will do no good to anyone. How dare they try to pin guilt on me? My house was bought with money Ben gave me out of his own generosity, which I had not truly earned.. he is not money-grubbing, nor insane. And if they knew I was a thief.. gods, they'd have committed me already. I'm not crazy. So I have a compulsive stealing habit. I can't help that, and that doesn't make me any crazier than anyone else.

I wish I knew where Ben was. I'd help him if I could.. I tried to defend him before that lunatic, but could do nothing. Alterio's delusional, Nemesio's just playing off him, and Vixen is just as bad, always siding with that man of hers. Bah. If I had that kind of man, I'd kick him to the curb, not side with him. Poor Ben.. trapped in the middle of all of this, and unable to defend himself.

I don't know whether or not to take Alterio's threats seriously. If something comes up, Cal and I can always go hide out with Tika.. let's hope it doesn't come to that. For now, I must do something to stand up against this insanity. I will not be dragged down with it, and if I must go down screaming against it, so be it.

I will not let this world go crazy.

--Journal Entry 6 September, Casidhe

~Sits at the small table she's built over-looking the sea as she takes out her journal, and writes one of the few entries in it. Deep, indigo eyes search the ocean, dark red hair absorbs the light of the moon as she bends to pen the entry~

I donna knae wha' in all the nine hells o'the Highlands is goin' on at the 'dome. I recieved word from Calhin tha he and Casi may come tae stay with me a while 'ere. I donna mind them staying..but, somet'ing 'as made them 'ave tae leave their new 'ome. He says Alterio is ravin on like a sheep'erder who 'as been bitt'n by a tick with lyme disease. The lad an 'is lass are always welcome tae darken m'doorstep and he knae's it. ~thinks as she redips her quill in the inkwell~

I wonder wha 'as got'n intae Alterio. Per'aps all the stress o'is life 'as finally caught up tae him. Maybe on the morrow I will wander intae the town and make my prescence knaen at the dome..it 'as been a while since I ave been there.

~she smiles as she thinks of her brother and their most recent visit~

I swear..if'n tha Laddie doesna stop with the worryin' me about 'avin a bairn soon..Ill send 'im packin back tae the 'omeland tae deal with Mother. Tis only right tha he settle down first..after all..he is the oldest. He has Casi..and they seem well suited for each other.

Says Im pasty white, he does. Does the lad nae knae tha I work 'ere in the garden and keep tae m'self because of things like this with Alterio? Besides....I've spent all these years alone..per'aps Im frighten'd of finding someone and being 'urt like I was before. Long before. Though ye can bet yer top dollar Ill nae e'er admit tha tae Calhin.

Nae in a million years. I would as like tae 'ave m'fingernails yanked out than tae admit tha tae him.

~Realizes the hour grows later than she normally remains awake and decides to put an end to her ramblings~

Ah well....the 'our grows e'er lat'r..and Ill nae get a wink o'sleep this way. E'eryone needs their beauty sleep, and I am nae an exception tae tha.

***Tika Waylan***

~leaves the journal on the table to dry till morning and returns inside her home to prepare for bed~

--Journal Entry 7 September, Lady Tika Waylan