*Lia sits in the library, glowing and beautiful carefully spreading her book in her lap and opening to a page leaning to whisper into it fondly, that which has lifted her heart, having konwn for a long while Alterio's been sick, her sharpened sense of intuition keeping the silent burden heavy on her shoulders, but now it's been released! She smiles kissing the page*

Daddy is burr!

*closes it rising with a giggle running into the dome, parading and delighted to be up and about*

--Journal Entry, 17 November, Thirlia

So i've made it

wretched sea voyage and all

and I'm here in a place that's got no name no title no boundaries save a long expanse of sea all ridden with sharks and

jelly fish

*mutters 'damn' to herself as she rubs a stung calf*

This gathering place I found

goodness but you'd never believe it to be of the restlful sort

The first thing I saw 'pon ducking someone in the doorway

was a squirming woman held beneath a man's arm whose chair was

carelessly kicked out by the so-called 'leader' of this place

Alterio I believe

And so devastatingly handsome I'd bet my entire life on his

bad character..

Anyway

then we see this man in entirely transparent pants doing somewhat of an erotica performance, everyone below their breath mumbling about the length of his Manhood.

Can you believe I worried about fine tuned manners?

I shouldn't wonder if I went there entirely nude that anyone would notice..

There are two bickering brothers I've met

Attrei and Eyas, gypsies- though it sounds doubtful that the first knows much about them, he seems sheltered for some who lives a travelling life.

And one quiet, strong, wonderful woman named Lyrias with whom I hope to be friends.

And that's that, journal dear, until more happens

--Journal Entry, 18 November, Megaira

Dearest journal:

I sit here thinking, wondering, somewhat contemplating.

It's been awhile since I have written, my minds been busy, mayhaps overworked and underplayed. ~who knows. I hide my feelings wonderfully and have become skilled in that, but I must know is that lying? to them? to myself? who..

Sometimes I am lady-like, poised and perfect, and other times I am verbal and brash whats the matter with me? What have I become? I am truely ashamed. Once upon a time, I was the picture perfect outline of a true lady. Now what would I be considered? Well for one, in all true rationalizations I am me, no one no less, I speak my mind, I flirt, I smile, I get angered, all very truth filled emotions. I will try and tone it and tweak my personality a bit. Well enough of that, lets move onto another thing thats bothering me... I joined the docks upon the arrival of the Wishing ship, and had the pleasure of meeting the WishfulMaster, well He did save Alterio. No one knows but I had planned on switching hearts with the man, for him I would've, he is so loved, hated, and everything/anything in between. Mayhaps my descision was based on reedemption, honor-something I once had and held above all. Truely I believe it was because I care for him. Anyway, everything turned out well on that night, Mumphra showed up, and it pleased me to see him again, the care I hold for that one, is out of knowledge and respect, yes I care for the most lothed man on the isle, as I did for Nemesio..I must have a thing for the untouchable ones. Such as life. Well now I will move along to another topic, and bring out a smile~ Lia. I had the pleasure of attending her presense yesturday in the dome, She remembered me. Me. That one thing pleased me more then any possible thing could have ever. At one time she stayed with me, while her tramp, runabout, docklookingsmellingpresense of a so called mother traipsed about uplifting and returning when it pleased herself. So therefor, I took responsibilte and took her into my home and tried to do the best I could for her, until Torlin took over and scorned her against me...how could he? at that time her mother came back, and well was against me also..so I was doomed, and that day, my heart truely broke I could not have loved another as much as I loved that lil lass. I am a believer in everything happens for a reason, and I am sure there was one there. That is when I left the land and looked anew I came to the island, and much to my surprise she was here with Alterio, claiming to be her father that pleased me, I know she is safe, loved, and has everything she can possibly fathom. Yesturday was a break through, I got to play the mother role, and explain to her what happend to Sir Lyons. I had to take the event and twist it into something only a four year old could understand, and accept. I do believe I did a marvelous job, she accepted it, and understood why she can't see him for a long time. I am proud of myself over it. I am thinking of writing Alterio and asking if I can have Lia over one afternoon accompanied by Lyrias of course, incase he doesn't trust me. Lia seemed elated, truth be told, as did I. For her if I have to act like a lady I will. Mayhaps he will even allow me to see my little Mia, if that were to happen, I would be the happiest woman in the world what more could I possibly ask for then? I susposed inwardly I have a heart of a mother *smiles softly* I would make a great one, providing the father is decent. Anyways what silly thoughts. One last notation, Journal, I got to speak to Jasmin last eve, and I invited her to my manor for tea..

Dan said he might allow it, I am glad, I would like the oppurtunity to show Dan I am not horrible, although secretly he thinks I am, I can tell with each glance. Mags is wonderful, a lot like me. I respect him, and I like Jasmin she has an aura of light around her that shines deep. Well I must be on my way, we will keep in touch, Journal, I promise.

--Journal Entry, 18 November, Chastity

~she stirs from where she's fallen asleep on her desk, and sits bolt upright once she realizes she's slumbered. Looking about wildly, she breathes relief, seeing Paul simply looking at her solemnly, sleepily from his basinet. Noting the time, she realizes she's only drifted for an hour, and breathes relief. She fumbles about for her quill, and begins writing~

I'm afraid to fall asleep for too long. It's not that I haven't had the opportunity. Indeed, Paul is such a quiet child, he only wakes every six marks or so in the night, though he needs feeding and changing a little more during the day, when I'm toting him about to the shop and to see my family. He doesn't seem to mind all the movement. I fashioned a kind of sling to carry him about in so I can have my hands free. Mostly he simply sleeps. When he's hungry or needs changing, he barely fusses at all, simply makes more noise than usual and squirms about a bit. I'm guessing he got his father's calm nature. I feel blessed. I just am afraid to sleep lest I wake to find him gone, or sick, or worse... Enough. I'm just paranoid these days.

Last night was Paul's induction into the family, the first part of his rite as a Maichen man...the second part will occur at his ninth year, when he's killed some kind of game. The third when he's thirteen and can stay out on the plains alone...they will not be sending my child out into the jungle here. They can forget it. The fourth is when he marries and his wife conceives child. And the last is when he dies. My uncles performed that last one for Uncle Yorath before we took his body to the volcano. They blessed him, affirmed him as an honourable and just man, a Maichen in body and soul, and signed the writ. Last night, Paul was blessed, confirmed as Maichen in body, and anointed with protective oils. I am told all went well. I was not there to watch, because womenfolk are not to be about. ~she smirks a bit~

Aunt Amy doesn't seem to hate me. She always seems glad to see me, but it's hard to tell with her because she's so incredibly serious and elegant, even though bed-ridden. She wants me to leave Paul with her in the evenings now and then so she can get to know the newest member of her beloved family before she joins her husband in the afterlife. I agreed, though I get a sick feeling when I'm parted from him. How can I refuse a dying woman, whose home's destruction I'm responsible for? Nothing ill can happen to Paul in that house, anyway. The Maichens don't harm their own, except for Ashling and Treyman, who don't live there just for that reason. Uncle Kienen is cold to me. He only speaks to me when it's necessary. Uncle Carlin I think is afraid to like me because of Kienen. That's alright. His small smiles are enough. He's a good man.

Nathaniel is loud and pompous. He's eighteen, and thinks he knows everything. I avoid him. Hestia (mistakenly called Hester by Amy no matter how many times you correct her) is quiet, timid, and fourteen. She's very nice, but it's easy to tell she doesn't like the island, too used to snow and cooler weather and familiar northern greenery. Ashling...

Ashling is as cruel and spiteful as she ever was. She knows just what strings to pull to make me furious. I nearly slit her throat when she referred to Paul as a tainted bastard. She hasn't the room to talk. What does she know of Maichen lineage and honour? Look who her father is! Look what she's become! It's disgraceful. If she comes near my son, I'll have her on the pointy end of my blade.

This morning I was "brought to trial" with Treyman by Uncle Kienen. It mostly consisted of me calmly explaining the rationale of my decisions, being yelled at, Ashling adding her two gold pieces, more yelling, Treyman laughing about the whole thing and calling Kienen the sniveling twit he always was, Carlin trying to edge out of the room, Nathaniel shouting for execution, and Hestia exclaiming about finding out I'm Queen of the Midgets. In short, it was one big, confusing headache until Aunt Amy came laboriously down the stairs, told us all to quit being fools, told Kienen to let me be, and everyone to leave Treyman to his own devices, exiled from the lineage, unless he caused more troubles. In her words, "He's died once and gone to Torment...just think, he gets to do it over again in some years, all the while dreading his return. Is that not torture enough? Who knows, maybe it'll rehabilitate him." I agreed heartily, got a nasty look from Kienen, and promptly left. Same old family.

The orders from the Baby Boutique have arrived, everything just as it must be. I busily put everything away this morning when I returned from the fiasco of a trial. I shall buy some paint for the room, I think. I also received a couple of gifts for Paul. A little jacket made of fine materials from Chastity, and some sleepers from Vixen. I will be sure to thank them.

Jane

~she rises to sit cross-legged on her bed, a sentry over Paul while she goes through her case list and decides which ones she can't take Paul to, lest he catch something contagious from one of her patients~

--Journal Entry, 18 November, Jane Maichen

The funeral is taking place later today, and Corgan and I have been working to make sure everything goes without a hitch. It seems my father didn't pass away, he was murdered. I swear, if I didn't have convictions at Crystal Shores, I'd stay here and kill the murderer myself. But, after the funeral, Corgan assured me that he would oversee justice in my place.

Mother is absolutely devastated. She has spoken may be ten or so words since I arrived. She seems to be in a near-comatose state of extreme denial. It's like she's waiting for him to come home or something. I surely hope she gets better before Monday, because I have to leave back to home then, and I'd hate to leave her like this.

Ah, well. Hopefully everything goes as planned. I miss everyone, especially Vixen, an awful lot. Seems that distant isle has gotten to me. Well, Journal, there's work to do.

--Journal Entry, 18 November, Valyndor Lyndrae

Well, well....it's been quite some time before I've met up with a good quill and paper...and now, since I have the chance and some time, I think I'll write for the first time upon coming to the isle...

By the stars....I know not what to think of this place...and I thought the strets of the mainland were insane.

Well it seems that one woman, a "Mags," has been trying to mate off the master harper's (Dan's) slavegirl to just about ever single man she could find. Lucky me...I turned out to be next on the list. *sigh* Well it's not that I don't enjoy her company, but I'm not used to being shoved into a relationship, or as Mags calls it, "Mating."

Mating...isn't that a lovely way of describing it? Makes me feel right at home. So...I had to decline...I could tell Jasmin was hurt, and this spurred a whole lot of trouble for my newfound brother, Attrei, along with Mags and Dan, but it just didn't feel right...then I acted like a fool and let my emotions get the better of me... *sighs and shakes his head* I won't let THAT happen again....I hope.

Yes, as I wrote above, my newfound brother....well that's just great too, now isn't it? I used to not have to worry about my life...as a thie-Err...Citizens' Funds Manager back on the mainland...part of the lifestyle was that it was no big deal if you died....Sure it wasn't sought after, but overall it was just something rather unpleasant you'd try to avoid....like a cold. Well now with a brother, who's a gypsy and quite a flirt, I HAVE to be more careful. Great. This'll SERIOUSLY put a damper on my style...

The people here...They're not what I expected. Sure I can see a few being rude once in a while, but they're nothing like the people on the mainland. They're far too kind and caring. I never thought something such as this would get in the way of my stealing, but I've found it has. *sigh* What IS wrong with me...I've changed, and for the worst.

Oh, and I'm forgetting one important fact...at least this place is too far off from home...there's still danger in the streets. The danger here is some creature called Sharken...half human, half shark it seems...And on my first night of combat with them I had my ankle impaled....I beter watch these beasts....luckily I had Jasmin and Attrei heal it...with one ankle less it would have been that much harder to steal.

Ahh but it seems I have written too much...I had better get back to cleaning the jungle drake's dung *shudders* ....I'm going to have to remind myself to NEVER get a pet....and on a final note...I've got to get Attrei back for that prank he pulled on me....I don't know what I'll do yet...but I should think of something...

--Journal Entry, 18 November, Eyas