I arrived back on the Isle early this morning. Seeing the smoke I asked a guard what was happening and was shocked to learn my cousin, Alianna, had killed herself some time earlier this morning. What has happened here since I left? Axalon is dead, Torlin dead... Tis unbelievable.

I sent a messenger to Alterio Informing him of my arrival. I have nae heard from him yet. I had to ask if I could stay at the Manor for a while, as I have very little money and can nae afford a room.

I have been wandering through the Bazaar looking at the shopps. There is a lot more than when I left the Island. I stopped at Dome earlier today and had a cup of tea. There were a few people there that looked familiar but its been so long, Im nae sure if I know them.

I guess I will sleep at Dome tonight until I hear from Alterio Or maybe go to the Manor and talk to him.

Well that is all for now.

--Journal Entry, 21 November, Orianna Carazzi

Well, I'm back to the isle now. Been a few days, actually.

Strange night, tonight. Didn't see Vixen, wonder why. Ben and Draco were exchanging harsh words all night, until Ben got Draco arrested for the murder of Alterio's gardner, charges pressed by Mags. Alterio's gonna be pretty pissed at that.

Seems I'm joining the Tower of Enlightenment. Lady Charquin, of all people, gave me the offer a day or two ago, and I accepted. It seems I need something to do with my time. Anyways, we talked and drank brandy for what seemed like hours. We somewhat flirted a little bit, but she didn't seem to mean any of it. Weird, I didn't think of Vixen for one moment while I spoke to her. Disturbing.

Anyways, now I'm a part of this Tower, and I'll have something to do with my days, and that is good.

Hopefully, I'll see Vixen soon. I wonder where she's been, and what she's been doing...

--Journal Entry, 22 November, Valyndor Lyndrae

"she rereads the note the messenger brought her, now that she is awake and can actually comprehend what she is reading, she shakes her head and begins to write"

Now doesnt that just figure..I work my butt off at the shops all day yesterday. Go to dome and wait for hours on Val and he doesnt show up til after I leave for home.

"smirks " looks like he had a wonderful time with Char, if this report is correct however. And he says he is not like most the other guys. Yeah, right...I guess he just flirts with other women when Im not around. And he is a damn fool, if he thinks no one would tell me. I guess what he meant by not being like the others, is he sneaks around to do his flirting.

Eh, well, I always said men are all alike. So much for love or is it just lust? And i had planned on inviting him for dinner today. But screw that, Char can cook for him. hmmm wonder what his excuse is..cuse I wasnt around and someone else was? Well I -do- have to work and can not sit at dome on my arse all day and all night waiting for him to show up.

Bah men are pigs..

--Journal Entry, 22 November, Vixen

::::She sits with her morning tea at her small table by the open kitchen window, an aromatic breeze drifting gently to fill her senses, the blooms just outside full and fresh and colourful. Pulling her journal closer to the edge of the table, she sets quill to parchment for the first time in a long time:::

The days have been long, the nights longer it seems, despite busying myself with a little of this and a little of that. Strange how easily one adjusts to loneliness with the right mindset.

I wonder how Lord of Masks...Camden...fares. Funny how he comes to mind first. He occupies my mind still, notwithstanding I have not seen nor heard from him for quite some time. I suppose he got busy...that happens. I wonder if he knows that I was looking forward to our dinner at the 'dome. ~chuckles~ Perhaps his senses finally returned and he made a mad dash. Or perhaps his shyness prevails once more. Hmm...maybe I said something wrong.

Ahhh well, I shan't let it bother me. I know better than to expect miracles, especially when it comes to love.

:::She sighs heavily anyway and takes a sip of her tea, leaning back in deliberation before continuing::::

Again I tell myself I should get more active, be more visible…social. I try to keep up with the happenings around the isle and it seems much goes on. Nasty typhoons eliminating a good portion of the island's population, nastier-still Sharken wreaking havoc and taking their share, the usual rumours and couple reports, whether true or not. Is there still a place for me here? Who knows...but I'm happy enough, content to spend my days...

::::She trails off, tapping thoughtfully at her chin with the idle end of her quill as her gaze moves to the window momentarily:::

Am I?

Hmmm...

Oh! I know exactly what I need! A swim. I hear that waterfall beckoning me...calling my name today. Yes. And then perhaps later...or sometime soon...I shall go check the 'dome...and see if the enigmatic Lord of Masks has been seen thereabouts. For I still keep his ring.

::::With that and an amused chuckle, she downs the remainder of her tea and sets off to face the day, a smile of anticipation gracing her mouth as she heads toward the waterfall::::

--Journal Entry, 22 November, Rowsy

:::::: He sits upon a high cliff beside the waterfall, his journal laid open upon his lap. He takes a deep breath, inhaling the aromas of the world around him... the sweet scent of the newly fallen leaves, the smell of the salt air from the nearby shore wafting to his nostrils. The steady sounds of the stream beside him before it goes over the falls relaxes him as he tries to put his thoughts in order before placing his quill to parchment. With a slow sigh, he exhales and takes up his quill and begins to write. ::::::

Well, here I am. I came here...to this place, the place I first saw my Rowsy, the place that changed my life forever... I came here to sing. It's been so long.. years since I have had a reason to lift my voice in a melody. I always believed that to a bard such as myself, Music brings Life. It is the tune of the soul. My soul was dead for so very long. Finally it has found new life, a new purpose for living. Rowsy. Only she can make me sing again. I want to sing for her, sing of my love, my wants, my need to be near her. Alas, I know it to be too soon. I know not if I even still have my voice.

So here I sit beside a waterfall. I had hoped that it would bring me inspiration... as well as drown out my voice to any passers-by. Now that I am here though and my thoughts turn to song, I find myself thinking not only of what to sing, but the reason I lost my will to sing to begin with. Roxanna. Once she was gone,I had no reason to sing.. no reason to go on... but I did. I went on... for revenge. Would Rowsy understand? Could she accept the things I have done? I hate myself for what I did, yet was it not justice? I will simply not tell her, how can I? I am so very ashamed.

I need to put it behind me. Perhaps now would be the best time. I wish to see Rowsy tonight at her home, and though I will not tell her of my... past. I would like to put it behind me. I can think of no better way... than with a song. A song to end one chapter once and for all, and begin another, brighter one.

:::::: With that he lays his journal aside and stands, stepping to the ledge. He stands now upon a cliff overlooking the waterfall, yet to the side of the pond below where nothing waits below but the hard earth and jagged rocks. He closes his eyes as he begins to hum, his voice growing louder and more clear as he begins to sing. A deep, rich voice escapes his throat, heard by any nearby, even over the sounds of the waterfall though he does not realize. He is also unaware of the figure moving up the path down below towards the falls. As his melodies become more controlled, words form in his mind and without a thought, he simply begins to sing... ::::::

--Journal Entry, 22 November, Lord of Masks

~humming softly, she rocks Paul on her lap. He sleeps restlessly, sensing her distress. The tear-trails on her cheeks still damp. Eventually he quiets, settles, and she lays him gently in the basinet. She peers down at his peaceful, round face, and carefully brushes wisps of pale hair with her fingertips. She sits to write.~

Not a moment of warning. She said she was doing better. She hugged me...how glad I was to have her. How grateful I was that she was glad to have me. ~she pauses to look at the flowers by her bed, sent by Ali~ And now she's gone. She was doing so well, so successful. She was going the right way. Her way was lit...and yet- Did she see darkness? Did she feel lost? I guess none of us will ever know. I never even imagined, not once, that she would resort to death...to suicide. Will she now remain lost for eternity?

I will pray every eve for her soul. What else can one do? And how does one grasp, move on, and be freed from the pain? Such a loss...Paul, Yorath, now Ali...it's too soon, too much. We've no need for evil to darken our doorway...

--Journal Entry, 22 November, Jane Maichen