I have done with letting this damned island bother me. I lose my child and nearly my sanity, grieving over people, and one of them turns up alive on the mainland. Bah. Convinient for him and his, but what about the rest of us? Mother always told me I care too much for people and things... enough of that. It's just about me and Calhin now, and perhaps a few friends. I have done with empathy.

Meanwhile, I will not let this ruin my holiday. The 'dome has been near empty for the last few nights, I have nearly given up on going there. Mostly I steal out of Donk's tip jar and pinch from Alterio's stash of rye. Not bad stuff, that. Good in eggnog. The tip jar's nearly empty, though. If this keeps up, I may have to convince Cal to go back to the mainland; there's nothing left here to make a living on. Besides, I miss the winter, and I'm running out of warm-weather dresses.

*she signs the entry, and goes back to check on the cake in the oven, humming to herself*

Journal Entry, 22 December, Casi Flynn

*The Bard steps out of his home for a bit, walking to the edge of the glade that it is situated in. He stops at the base of a tree, and ponders on just how to climb it with his journal in hand. In a short while, he is climbing the tree....the leather bound book held firmly by the Elf's teeth.. One he reaches a suitable branch, he climbs out onto it and sighs...the book falling out from betwixt his teeth. Yelping, he grabs for the falling book, ending up upside down, hanging from the branch by his legs..the journal caught, at least. Sighing, he takes out a quill and begins to write...upside down..*

I've not written in some time, so I decided to do that...despite present circumstances.

Yule is upon us..and yet, there is no snow. Ah, but for a bit of snow from the homeland..but, 'twilln't be my first such Yule. Bards -do- travel a bit, after all. And when they've been alive a few generations..

What is there to write? About the present events taking place on the isle? I've not seen many these past few days, so I don't know much..the 'dome's been empty but for Donk the past few times I've gone. Donk isn't exactly my company of preference, so I tend not to stay long..

Oir is speaking both Elven and Common fairly well for one of his age..The stories I've been telling him seem to help–the tales of Cuchulain and Fionn MacCumhal and such. Some of the island's naive lore–what I know of it..he is one of native blood, after all..

Ara tends him right now..I can see as much through the window..I think I shall go help her, but first, I have a wee problem to take care of...getting down..

Signed,
Sylverleaf

*the Elf looks down, judging the distance...about 15 feet. "Och," he mutters. "There's nought to 't, I suppose.." He drops the journal after first closing it, slipping the quill betwixt two pages. He then grabs at the branch eh dangles from. He pulls himself up, and is in the middle of a triumphant 'Huzzah' when his backside slips from the branch. He yelps and reflexively grasps the branch with his hands, dangling from his hands now.. He pulls imself hand over hand to the tree trunk and climbs down with another, "Och." He picks up his journal, throws one last glance at the tree, and heads inside..*

22 December.

*sits upon the chaise, downstairs on the first floor, Eyas gone for the day so she takes the time to jot down some thoughts that have been disturbing her*

Spoke with Eyas last eve, he came to the dome quite late, I was preparing to leave, though seems to be a trend with him recently. I enjoy the time spent yet now i worry more then ever when he doesnt arrive till the hours of the morning.

He had been working with Morte again upon the ship, as i expected, though when he did arrive he seemed quite..preoccupied, and concerned over something, though he would speak little of it to me. I only hope tis because he nae wishes to worry me, and not that he thinks little of me as a woman, and does nae wish to discuss "men" issues with me.

I rested upon him for a bit, and pretended to have little interest in the conversation, and i listented as he spoke with Khal about his concerns...

He believes there may be a mutiny upon Morte's ship!!!

I am beside my self with concern over this...imagine, a mutiny, people fight, are hurt, and die...I know Eyas uses his brain more then his strength, yet i fear those horrid crew mates will use that to their advantage.

I must do something.

I asked him nae to do anything foolish or unnecessary, and he said he wouldnt, though i know how men are..he will do something to scare the wits out of me, and then say it was "necessary" that he had to do it. I could nae handle something happening to him, I have grown to fond of him lately, it would be as though my life had ended...I will nae let this happen...I will defend him with my life if need be!!! I have waited to long for someone who treats me with respect and dedication to appear, for me to let it all end now.

Though he must never know, his pride would be damaged, and I do so adore his pride....I must find a way to be rid of those pirates.. This i vow...if it takes my life so be it...Eyas will nae ever have to know. I will nae lose the most precious thing in my life right now..

*quickly hides her journal, and sheds her courtly dresses, reaching in her trunk for the clothing she thought she would never use again...surveying herself in the reflective glass, and giving herself a curt "nod". The low cut, form fitted body suit is tight enough to reveal a deep cleveage, and the leather skirt is about 2 inches short of being decent, that coupled with the sheer leggings, that end down to the knee high leather boots she usually wears for work. Shaking her head, and allowing her hair to "poof" out about her, in a rather "wild" style, she dons her cloak, pulling it tightly about her and heads out towards the docs, hoping to blend in with the "women" there and to locate this "ship" of Morte's and find out what she can.

Journal Entry, 23 December, Lady Charquin Clemont.

*sits upon a stool at the counter at her laundromat, her journal open in front of her and a quill in her hand, she looks down at the blank paper and begins to write.*

Dearest Journal,
What do I do? Last night I told Char and Attrei the reason why I left my village and why this is where I have stayed. I haven't told them though the reason that the possibility of marriage scares me so...or why it is truly impossible for me to marry Attrei, now or in the distant future. If the man I was...or still am betrothed to ever found me here I would have to go back to the village and marry him, with less privilages than a slave I'm sure and more duties at that as well. The contract between his family and my father is considered law where I live and the only reason I find this island to be safe for me is that it isn't governed the same as things are on the mainland and it isn't easily reached, I have been lucky so far and I pray that he has stopped looking for me, and someday I will have to write to somebody I trust in my village and see if he has wed yet, for that is the only thing that can break the contract.

*sighs, pushing a stray piece of hair away from her face, as her eyes take on a sad, far away look*

I must break off my courtship with Attrei, I don't wish to hurt him any longer than I must, why would somebody court without the hope of marriage in the future. He will be hurt now, but he is strong and he will get over it somehow I just don't know how to tell him, I wish that I would have told him all of this before he began courting me, but I just didn't want to, I was irresponsible and I take all the blame for it, but I can't let him go on believing he has a chance, he can stay at the house still if he wishes, but he is having a house built so perhaps it will be better if he stays there. I let him stay in my room last night,I trusted him not to do anything and he didn't, I guess for me it was a form of goodbye.

* a single tear slides down her cheek as she writes those words*

Journal, I suppose this is all I will write to you today, I just don't have the words to say anymore.

Journal Entry, 24 December, Rosalyn Lovine

*closes the book and lays the quill next to it, wiping away the tear and heading to the back to distract herself with work*

:::sits wrapped in a blanket, journal across her lap, smiling, writing quietly while Taelie sleeps soundly::::

Its done...finally. Taelie and I were married last night at the Pleasuredome. I had wanted Vixen to be there, to be a bridesmaid, but, she was no where to be found, and it was late. Char was there, thankfully, and I asked her to be my bridesmaid. :::smiles remembering the excitement she showed:::: Im glad it made her so happy to be there. I was glad for her presence. I didnt think I would be nervous, but, when it came right down to it, I was nervous as hell.

We had Khalidan marry us. I wanted Dan to do it, but, I havent seen him nor Mags in a while. Thats alright though, I intend to do it one more time, for everyone. I just wanted to be married to him before I have to leave, before he returns to the mainland again.

:::giggles lightly to herself, hearing behind her Taelie's voice calling out to her "Lyri where are you? Why arent you in the bed?"..."Ill be there in a minute, love."...she replies, finishing up her entry::::

I cant believe its done. I wanted so much to have Uncle Alterio here...even though he has his differences with Taelie. Its ok though. I have what I wanted....the one elf who could possibly make me happiest. Taelie and I are now husband and wife, as it was meant to be all along.

I cant wait to tell Lia when I go to the Manor in just a bit, I have to check on her. I havent been there since yesterday morning. Im soo worried about her still. I would have loved for her to be there with me when I married Taelie, seeing as to how she likes him so well.

Any happy news, any, just to bring her out of her daze, to bring her back to us. I miss her so much, even though she is there.

::::the quill stroke falls down through the page as she is picked up off the floor in one swift movement, giggling, as she looks up adoringly to Taeliesyn, her husband, wrapping her arms around his neck, letting the journal fall to the floor, forgotten for the time being. Some time late, much later, she picks up the quill and for the first time, signs the name of herself and her husband::::

Journal Entry, 24 December, ~Lyrias Wynterfire~

Well it has finally happened, the day I knew would happen but after some things I wondered about when it would happen. Lyri and I finally got married, late just before yule. It was such a small ceromony, simple and basic, just me lyri and whoever else was there. Well I called Azorah but that was about the only person that got an -invite- or so to speak. That is only because she is so easy for me to contact.

**smiles to himself as he recollects the wedding night or perhaps it was really morning**

Finally lyri is my wife, I shall have to get things worked out here at my home or perhaps we will move into her's, I guess we will discuss it later, when she returns from the mainland and I return from my next voyage to visit my brother. Atleast when I find my brother I will be able to tell him about my wonderful and beautiful wife.

**chuckles as he remembers the end of ceramony** I cant believe Azorah caught the boquet of flowers, and Fallen, during his short return to the isle to help me with lyri's ring caught the garter, It seems Eyas has never heard of the garter throwing tradition. Oh well he didnt catch it anyway, and I dont wanna know what fallen is going to do with the garter, probably use it in some experiment. Well my thoughts are still jumbled from the fact im married.

**He signs it slowly with a new addition, to when he does rarely sign his name in his journal***
Taeliesyn Wynterfire, husband to Lyrias Wynterfye

25 December.

I can not believe what all has happened in my absence...ALterio is alive but in another land...Lyri has gotten married and some bard has been throwing untruths around. Dan will not be happy about the latter when he returns. And the fact that Lyri married without him performing the ceremony. I think that will disappoint him the most.

This Yule has been hetic for me...being called away as I was.I missed most of my friends on the isle and feel horrible that I couldnt be there for Vixen in her time of need. No need to worry now though as I am back and will defend her honor as I do, and to cause more problems for others.

I am starting to think though that Lyri and Tael rushed into the marriage for a reason...mayhaps she is with child. If she is I am glad her Uncle isnt on the isle for he would no doubt go after her with one of those dreadful brat sticks...mayhaps I shall have do it for him...snickers a bit.

::Sitting at the bar int he pleasuredome and hearing now how attrei read Ros' journal about wanting to break it off...throws a turkey baster at him and smirks::

I will have to find a way to get Jas with child before this time next year. I think she would make a wonderful mother and Dan would make a wonderful father. He loves her so. I want them to be happy together for I know dan and I never can be.

I must head home soon so I will close this here and sand the pages so it doesnt smear as I will NOT leave it lying about for attrei to read since he is a romany and a snoop a liar and a theif as well as being the defiler of water in these parts making allt he men go daft.

Journal Entry, 26 December, Mags