Lyrias and Tae got married a few nights ago. I missed it because it happened kinda late.

Eden Arcane sent me a bottle of wine. He is kinda shy and quiet but I have managed to get him into a conversation a few times at Dome. He seems to be there a lot but not many talk to him ive noticed.

Yule at the manor was kinda quiet yesterday. The children miss their father. We all mostly just picked at the food.

I still havent heard from Alterio or his father.

Watched the Ship of Fools leave a few days ago with a full load of idiots. Including the troublemaker Talas. I knew that would happen sooner or later.

I hear the giggling idiot Syphilla was taken to Wonderland. Good riddance to that one. She wont be missed by any.

Rumor is that Aidan left the island or is planning to leave. No big loss there either. I wonder how they got his head out of Janes's ass? hmmm well no matter, maybe she will leave with him.

Now that Yule is over I think we will see some returning to the island from the mainland. Some wanted snow and to see their families for the holiday.

Cant think of anything else right now. Maybe write more later.

Journal Entry, 26 December, Vixen.

Again, it seems Morte has attracted danger....and again I am caught in the storm. He believes the crew, or part of it, may mutiny. I have been spending more time on the ship than usual in an attempt to detect this "odd" behavior Morte refers to. He believes we should kill one of those whom he suspects, as a warning to the others...I disagree. He has already killed three members of the crew since his arrival, and I don't think we can afford to lose anymore. For all we know, that could be the reason of their discontent...but what would I know, I'm merely a thief who has been hired as the Demonshadow's first mate. Hmm, that is another factor that I think contributes to the crew's low morale. I cannot be certain of the causes, than again, I don't think even Morte can be. He claims he's going to attempt his solution soon enough...I only hope he's right...and it works.

*leans back in his chair and sighs at what he has written, then signs it* Journal Entry, 26 December, Eyas Hawk

(sits quietly with the leather bound journal strapped over her knees, she positions herself accordingly, while dipping the quill into the inkwell....she then watches as the thick, black ink drips off the end of the writing utensil...almost mezmorized into a stare, she begins to feel a significate shiver creaping down her spinal column as if placed their by an unknown presence, she tries shrugging it off, but to no avail it seaps soundly into her being ignites into every solitary confindment finding inner hidden covets to explore and play with....)

Dear Journal:
I can't help think there is something more for me to beckon. I sit here with strange feelings, overwhelming thoughts...but what can it be? I haven't the faintest idea. I see everyone happy, joyful, and somewhat giddy...it makes me cringe, I just wanna scream out in the middle of the room in dismay, but I stay silent and just watch, yes with a fake smile...but my eyes show the truth to my soul...none notice, nor would I expect them too. No one knows the real me, mayhaps one person. How I love him...he is in my thoughts from the moment I awaken, to the moment I cast myself to sleep. Will this spell ever break? What the hell did he cast over my heart to make me feel this way, I try and pretend, fool myself...but, I can't...each time I am ready to move on, I get a jarred motion pulling me back...why? I just hindered his lifestyle....and he didn't understand why I withdrew from him the last days of his life....I just wish I had the chance to tell him why I was so cold hearted...cruel. Oh yes I was indeed cruel, deceitful, horrible to him, but that was to save him....I remember the last day I seen him, I so wanted to throw my arms around his neck and whisper into his ear "we will make it" but...I just couldn't....a piece of me was afraid he would lash out for making his heart weak to me, he was the epitomy of strength, and here I come along and change that...he would never admit it, but I looked into his soul and seen what he truly yearned for...someone to just know.

But I knew... I knew. Why couldn't I have just been selfish like the rest of the women around here? It just wasn't right...and I know this, but does he? Right now my eyes are like pools of concrete stone, masked, hidden, coveted. My mind whispers ~'what would the righteous heart feel like if it were ye who ravagely ripped it from its owner and held it into your palm watching it beat as the crimson liquid spilled stickly between your fingers dripping one drop at a time onto the floor, would that be enough to satisfy the inner heathen? or take it a step further and slowly pull one's spinal chord from its rightful resting place, allowing the brain stem to jingle to and fro and the nerve ending brush past your knee, leaving behind blood whisps against your flesh, almost a new decor for your body...'~

{closes her eyes and allows the images to flood her visionary orbed gaze} How can eyes of onimous descend throughout one's game?...soon I shall find out. After all, tomorrow is another day {Laughs somewhat manically, the cackle heard throughout the dome}

Journal Entry, 27 December, Chastity.

(I take out his journal, making sure prying eyes aren't near)

Dear Journal
Well, this is m first entry, so I better writ about something important. I think I have truly fallen in love today. I have never truly felt this way, until today. Oh, she's beautiful.I'd descibe her, but I would not want to be found out. She's kind and so refined, I feel like such a peon when I'm around her. I can't say any more. I'm just so overwhelmed with emotion.

Journal, 28 December, Eden Arcane, entry 1.

: The elder reflects on the colonists as his sits at his late brother Merrick's desk. How many were documented as having died, of the newcomers? Two hundred twenty-eight. Quite a lot in anyone's estimate. That's a few villages.. perhaps an entire province where these people came from. He writes to himself, never letting anyone read his writings, unless they're for the Library. This isn't. :

I never wished to lead this Island. That was my brother's duty. His passion. Granted, they tell me that in my several-centuries absence, he did things I would have not approved of. Merrick. The one who aided those who bred the Sharken. Best of intentions, of course, but to what avail? My magical knowledge could, with help from those younger, destroy that species, but they have seemed to thin out with the new colonists.

But so many lost. And the one who brought many of them, left to a cruel exile in a place he abhors. Granted, had he himself never found this isle..my boyhood home..Merrick's first love, these Crystal Shores..then perhaps the young Carazzi wouldn't be so haunted and compelled to risk everything in an attempt to get back here. His father and I have met and "spoken" : Quajinx has no tongue, but conveys his thoughts in minds : at length; he knows that his son will come back. And perish violently when the magics seize him.

The magics.

Merrick, you allowed an imbalance to happen in the six months you lived to see the newcomers along. These magics, the magics of our very gods and goddesses.. there must be a balance struck with those, and these people.

Many good people. It matters not of ethic. There is much good. I do not say there is no tension nor animosity, of course there is, not all get along, but the majority who chose to live in this commune deserve a rich balance, a place to live with lessened fears.

I must try tonight to reward them. Fate be damned. Playing Khlamar? No. Righting wrongs, averting further harm, lessening cruelty. I will try.

Journal Entry, nearing Year One's End, this 28 December.
Lord Quajinx Moonskyr Pryce.

(Although a bit tired,I decide to write any way about the many experiences he has had tonight.)

Dear Journal.
Never have I seen a spectre in all my life today. It was certainly a riveting experience. That's not the only thing that has happened today.I was able to be truly close to the woman I held my affections. She seemed a little withdrawn, so I asked her how she felt, she said she was fine, but told me not to worry.She fainted during the storm, so at that point I held her.Her visage was enchanting. After she came to, I as a little puzzled, she seemed a little angry. I may have simply misunderstood her response. I hope to soon summon the courage to tell her of my feelings for her.

29 December, Eden Arcane, entry 2

Entry 101

Ah, “the mutiny”…

Everyone knew it would happen…it was just a matter of when. There was no concealing the truth from my men…they were bound to discover it. They were bound to learn about how I killed the old captain in self defense…they were bound to learn about my frightful past... nothing could change the course of events that happened last night.

After giving Eyas my note concerning the mutiny, I walked back to the Demonshadow, sword drawn. As I had guessed, two of my men were waiting for me. They greeted me at first, but in a suspicious manner. My suspicions were confirmed when the two men who greeted me attacked me from behind. I fought them and left them lying on the floor, then I rushed to my cabin to get my staff. As I entered my cabin, I saw Serath, my Boatswain, waiting for me. In an instant, two more of my crew came from behind me, sealing me in my cabin, and preventing my escape.

Much to my surprise, Eyas walked in then, and the fight began…

After a long struggle, and a lot of pain, Eyas and I defeated most of the crew. The remaining survivors surrendered to us, and I promoted those who were loyal to me during the mutiny. One of the most ironic parts of this mutiny was that Serath, the man who has been on this ship longer than anyone else, was replaced by Vincent, my newest crew member.

Afterwards, we immediately tended to Eyas. He obtained steel poisoning during the battle, and it was already working its way through his body. Using what little strength I had, I was able to partially cure him. However, he should see a professional healer, for I do not know how effective my spell was. For now, Eyas is having difficulty walking. When his brother Attrei hears about this, I can expect a nice, long argument…

Once Eyas was taken care of, I proceeded to give my punishment to the one surviving leader of the mutiny: Aucturin. He didn’t have to die the way he did…he could have just told me what I wanted to know. Instead, he spat at me and insulted me. I proceeded to carve the bones out of his body, one by one…

It was the most gruesome thing I had ever done in my entire life, and after reflecting upon my actions, I wonder how I managed to do it.

Speaking of death…

Earlier this evening, I was confronted by a shadow-like figure unlike any I have ever encountered. Full of riddles and mystery, this figure gave the people at the dome a LOT of trouble. From threats to kill Dan to slaughtered animals, it scared many and froze us in our tracks. I do not know who or what it was, but if I ever see it again…it shall meet my fury. I’ve gone through enough problems for one day…I don’t need any more.

It’s time for me to take a long rest, for I need it badly. After all, my wounds won’t heal overnight.

Captain's Log, 29 December, Morte Geist.

"she takes the clean laundry to his room and stacks it on the dresser and smirks as she leaves the room to go write in her journal in her own room"

Well his laundry is done. Clean and well he didnt say it had to come back without holes in the knees. He just said to do his laundry. "Smirks" I did what he asked. The grass stain is no longer there "she grins" but eh not my fault there is a hole now.

Well i was wrong -he did survive the wedding night-. He was in bed asleep when i finished his laundry. "she giggles" Im surprised he didnt wake everyone in the house when we came in last night. Shouting out his orders and such. Luckily we didnt see anyone, not even Alterio. I still havent seen him. I wonder how he is gonna take it when he finds out about the wedding. Eh well, he prolly wont notice or care. Im glad he is back on the Isle. I know he hated the mainland. He would have eventually managed to get away from his father and tried to return here and then he may have died permanently.

I wonder what that old coot wants for breakfast."smirks" he will just have to eat whatever -I- choose to cook or else fix his own from now on.

Im surprised at Chas's reaction last night. I guess i shouldnt be though. Yes ALterio is alive and back on the Island. What am I suppose to do? Yes I still love him. I always will. He just isnt ready to settle down. He will go right back to chasing every whore he sees. I was always there for him, I avenged his death. Im still there for him. How many others on this isle would have killed Black for what he did? Not many. And now im babbling so I think I will stop and go cook the old man's breakfast.

Journal Entry, 29 December, Vixen

I'd forgotten how bright a day can dawn. How glorious the sunlight on the waves can be. How enrapturing the brilliant foliage around my very home is. But today...today I noticed these things again. The father of my child...returned from the dead. Oh Paul, how I long to tell you how sorry I am, but yet I'm afraid to remind you of that night. Never, never would I wish you harm! And never again shall I see you put in such peril. What an unparalleled gift, for little Paul II to have his father back again. Oh, he'll have such things now as I could never give him myself, such knowledge and ideals and wisdom. It's almost too much to believe. Yet when I woke this morning I found it wasn't a dream.

Another stroke of the most awesome occurrances...Alterio has been saved from exile. A day to rest, to get settled...it's been a day, and first thing in the morning I will bring Mairin to him, Felina with her. And then, by the favour of Khlamar we may have the child back. I am inclined to believe in anything just now, and it seems so incredibly likely in my heart that I have trouble remaining reserved and wary with my elation. I can't wait.

Two sorrows to soon be disregarded as though they scarcely existed. No! Never disregarded. I must remember those lessons...lessons learned well and hard, as they all must be. Never shall I forget. But they *will* be a thing of past from now on. Come to think of it, in the past few days I've decided to put a lot behind me...including certain individuals. These things are hard to decide, but it had to be done, and has been done, and I will feel no reservation about such decisions. In fact, I feel better.

Merrick is back...and I hear Nemesio as well, along with several others. I can't begin to understand what occurred last night with their return. It's as though death's hand retreated, and for once we were gifted with the return of valuable life instead of mass slaughter. I felt like I was in some twisted, confounding dream the entire time. I was frightened, to be sure, having my son there in my arms... But I couldn't have dreamed of a better result.

Tomorrow then, after the gift of Mairin's consciousness (we hope and pray!) and Felina's absence (she's not so horrible, just rather...skulky)and Hestia's visit (she wishes to shop) I shall make my way to the bazaar with cousin and son to purchase belated Yule gifts for all those I hold dear to my heart in this time of renewed hope and faith.

Father, I salute you! Wesley, you've a piece of me up there with you. Riena, forever guiding my heart. Thank you.

Journal Entry, 29 December, Lady Jane Shayla Maichen