[Filter: Lawrence and Jace]

Ah, dears... I'm certain you've noticed that there's been a change in Celeste, during the past few days. From what I can tell, it seems that the spell is no longer sustaining her, and her sleep doesn't seem as fitful, though she's as far from waking as ever.

I've asked for Keagan to send Jonathan back with Rae, to get them here quickly.

[Filter: Private, in Old High Megam]

It's been a few days, now, with this decline. This change won't go unnoticed by the others for much longer. There isn't much time. Something's changed, perhaps the nature of the spell, or...

She'll truly need to rely on the herbs now, until they can get here. They were leaving less than a week ago, and travel... no. No, there must be something...

[Filter: Keagan]

Dear, I must ask you. How much longer do you believe your return trip will take?

[Filter: Private, in Old High Megami]

Haa, she certainly had it right, didn't she? It is the first time in a long time that it seemed all right, to be so open. Perhaps it is her ... distance from everything. At least, currently. I must find a way to make things right with her, once this is all over. And Jonathan... I wonder if he would be able to teach about the method he's learning. Perhaps not, but... surely when they return, no matter how long it takes, watching closely will certainly be ... haa, well, let us not get over our heads.

Perhaps with all that has gone differently this year, this particular exception is to be expected, however... even if Lawrence is well, that does not account for the others.

That girl's writing, earlier... it's curious. Very curious indeed. Perhaps there is something in that, as well...

[Filter: Franelcrew]

How is everything over there, dears ...?

[Filter: Private, in Old High Megam]

Nearly a month now, and still... mmm. Time will tell, and all we can do is what we can, and wait. It may be difficult, but something surely will come of it. If it is yet another test... surely, she endures still, and waits. As we must.

Being strong for them is what matters, now... it's what's always mattered. Even in the darkest times, we've endured. And now it will be the same.

And then there's ... haa, I have been putting time away from this, haven't I? There are still other things that need to be resolved. In our haste, we had acted poorly. Surely, we should have have left before ... in the end, I suppose she's right, yet again.

[Filter: Aileen, in Kilian]

Ah, dear... I've been meaning to speak to you.

[Filter: Private, in Old High Megam]

Nothing yet, and... haa, should I truly be relying on that? It was a foolish attempt, and with everyone on the way, hardly -- necessary, even. Though I still find myself waiting, for some word, when... wouldn't it be very like her, to either find a way to save everything if she wanted? Unless even she does not know...

There is something I'm ... missing, in all of this, surely. I was such a little girl at the time, it was very... hmm.

She will come out of this. That I know. But, her mind... that is the true worry. Where she is, and ... what it is, that's holding her back.

[Filter: Private, in Old High Megam]

Goodness, and what do I say...? Their faces all say as much. Even my husband... I suppose there is little that can be said, truly. I'm here now, and that's what matters.

Celeste ...

A week has passed, and yet her condition is the same as it was since the eclipse. Unchanged, and the healers all shake their heads when asked. Blown out by dark magic -- it is something that should have been guessed at, earlier, especially those other times. Something that I should have suspected, considering ...

Seeing her now makes it all too clear. And treating it is another matter. There is nothing more that I haven't done already, and the waiting, truly ...

And the end of May... what significance is there, other than marking an anniversary, of sorts? Yet it is enough to trigger a similar sort of spell. And if the moons were involved, perhaps it's a positioning? And now... hm. Initially, they were more ill, and to hold the six of them under surely is more tasking than one alone, and each year after, the illness waned until it was mild, as if the form of the attacks were changing... and now she is simply under. No obvious signs of distress... Which means that perhaps there is something more to her own sleep... if there are nightmares, they aren't being put there, so it would be of her own making. A worry, and yet... perhaps it gives her more control, where she is. A step, and we must support her as we can, and help her out of it...

Although there is a surety of May still happening ... but she cannot be in this condition for that long. She will not be.

Though it's -- there is a wrongness here, with whatever happened. There would have been no way to stop it, but the magic involved, that's ... hm. Something... overwhelming enough. I suppose that doesn't leave me much of a choice when it comes to asking questions, does it? Jonathan has the Kilians, and I... suppose it must come to this.

[Filter: Keagan and Lawrence]

Ah, dears... could you please describe in detail what you felt...? The difference is what's keeping her under. Perhaps having more insight to the feeling involved would help ...

[Filter: ... Dairanne, in Atsirian]

Dear...

If I'm wrong, I'm wrong, but you do have a journal, don't you...~? Please, it's important.

[Filter: Private]

Haa, he is right, of course. It has been more than enough time... and delaying does nothing for it, no? And this does seem the best method, does it not? Finding the words is difficult, but it's only for ... as long as it needs to be, really.


Mmm ... this week will be a difficult one to recall, indeed.

[Filter: Franelcrew]

Ah... dears~? Druce and I will be taking a short trip out of Floran...

If anyone needs me for anything during that time, you are more than welcome to write with these, mmm~? Please, do continue to enjoy yourselves here, and we'll return in plenty of time.

[Filter: Private]

... Mmm, something does seem to be brewing, and not altogether favorable, if that girl's hmm, innocent questions were any indication of such~ And there seems so little I can likely do for it. I hope I can manage a nudge, at the very least. Though, in the end, responsibility will have to be taken ...~ I can only hope that it won't be too painful.

Especially if I am to be leaving soon...

I suppose as the days continue to pass, that does become more of a reality, does it not? ...

[Filter: Keagan]

Darling...~?

[Filter: Celeste]

Hmm... dear~?

[Filter: Jace]

I was hoping we could have another talk, dear.

[Filter: Private]

Haa, this time of year~ and here it rests so heavily. Too heavily. The days pass, and it all comes together. My thought certainly has been most elsewhere, as of late... so many dates, all after the other. Each will be more ... difficult, than the last.

I'm sorry I wasn't there, dear. Not soon enough.



Mmm, and there are always others... so perhaps this is best left for another time~

[Filter: Celeste]

I certainly hope you haven't made too many plans for tomorrow, dear~

[Filter: Jace]

Mmm, now you and I have hardly had a proper talk for a while, dear...~

[Filter: Aileen]

I realize it has been some time, since we last talked, dear. Though it wouldn't be right for me to let the day pass without wishing you a happy birthday. I hope that you're well.

[Filter: Private, in Old High Megami]

Floran always has been a most lovely place~

Haa, this will certainly be quite the month, won't it, dears~? There is a lot to prepare for, as well as... well, we'll only cross that bridge when we come to it. It won't be very long at all, after all.

So much to say, and yet...~ perhaps another time. There is something I need to do, something I've been neglecting. And... it's wrong to do that, no matter what the outcome is, truly~ after all, what good are trials, if one only turns their back to them, in the end?

[Filter: Celeste, in Trade]

My, that was a wonderful walk, wasn't it dear? I do hope we'll have the opportunity to do so again, another time...~

[Filter: Miss Aileen, in Kilian]

Ah, hello... my name is Lyonesse, dear.

I apologize for taking so long, in contacting you personally. I certainly did not wish to intrude on your space, while you were coming to terms with what had happened... I do hope that enough time has passed for us to be able to speak, at least a little, though if you do not feel comfortable enough to respond, then I will certainly understand.

Aine was very dear to me.

[Filter: Private, in Old High Megam]

My girl ...

This is... unacceptable, truly~ it will not do, to continue on, this way. I will need to speak to that girl... but I do not have the words. All this time, another... it was something we talked about dear, wasn't it? Long ago, when we were both so young~ ah but situations, and ... things, they never truly go the way we once intend, and we find ourselves on these broken paths ...

Sometimes the cracks can never be smoothed away~ and yet I continue to follow these paths. They are dark, and it is foolish. So very foolish, that I cannot begin to wonder where the way out lies...

My, but I do go on. At least... Atsiria is behind us, and... surely, things could have gone so much differently, as well. I ... so unfinished, though I can say that I will never understand. It's not my --

My, my, but it does not do to go on like this, truly, no reason at all for it, for it all comes back to the same circle, when there is so much more I could be doing, truly.

[Filter: Inara, in Trade]

Ah, dear... I'm sorry I haven't been, ah, available, lately~ If you wanted to go have some fun with the others, I wouldn't mind watching Joshua, you know~

[Filter: Private, in Old High Megami]

[Section completely obliterated]


... Mmm~ there's nothing I could say, is there? Nothing at all.

A curious thing, that child. I have to wonder what it was... she's so quiet, and seems to be quite adept at art. Irony, perhaps? Dairanne... why am I having difficulty placing that name? It seems so simple, the thought... there's a fit, somewhere.

But perhaps ... that is a thought left for another time.

The same as so many others...

[Filter: Public, in Trade]

Now, dears~ I do believe we've missed quite a few celebrations, no? Now that we've rested for a few days, it seems only right for us to catch up on them while we have the opportunity~

Now, how many cakes would that be~ hmmm...

[Filter: Private, in Old High Megam]

Mmm ...


... I'm sorry, dear. I'm sure that I know what you are, ah, implying, but surely it isn't necessary. If this were in a different time, a few years ago, perhaps ... I will be fine, truly. As long as we can leave this place behind, leave Atsiria behind, then surely, things have a chance of becoming better ...

Even with Korin ahead ... there will be a lot of pain there, I fear, especially considering what we have faced here, and even in Norey. Celeste ... Celeste isn't nearly as prepared as she should be, even if we don't know, aren't truly aware of what we are heading into. We will need as much time as possible to talk, to reassure her, and pray that she is not alone during her trials ...

It's mostly faded now, honestly, there's hardly any reason for them to still be worried~

[Filter: Jonathan]

Now don't think that I don't know what you've been up to, dear~

[faintly shaky]

[Filter: Private, in Old High Megam]

Mmm ... not entirely faded, but it will follow, soon enough ...

It's so... mmm, quiet. I suppose that's for the best, considering ...

... Haa, I knew it, didn't I? After all this time~ it's ... it's not something that should be dwelt upon, not at all, and perhaps the sooner we all can ... ah, go~ since it is not very likely that she ... she is simply not going to get what she wants and that will be that~

She ... wouldn't, there's hardly a need for her to, and that's not in her ... haa, well, look at this foolishness, when I said I wouldn't~

Now, there are so many ... yes. It has been long~ much too long, and everyone simply must be ... ah, reassured~ yes. That is what's ... most important, in the face of all this~ and the sooner we can all go on, the better. After all, there are more important things to worry for, and certainly not matters like these~

[Filter: Lady Tyrande]

Haa, my, I truly must apologize for the inconvenience, Lady Tyrande~ and I must thank you for your extended hospitality ...

[... Filter: Franelcrew]

Well now, dears, we've truly been here long enough, haven't we~? I certainly do apologize for the delay, but now that I am well, there's truly no need for us to linger any longer...~

[the handwriting below is in a trim and refined script]

[Filter: Lyonesse, in Old High Megam]

Hm. Now, is this how it works? How terribly clever. The wonders of magic. A most fascinating read, I must say. You have so many words, and yet you say very little at all. It's a wonder.

How lucky for you that I can read between the lines, mn? Your tone has changed, but perhaps not quite so much. And hm, how they do seem to worry about you. I've certainly enjoyed the time of getting to know them. Truly, a shame that I seem to have missed that opportunity with Aine and Corrina, is it not? And the ... little one as well, mn.

I suppose that I should return this, since you're likely to claim that you're well enough to write, soon enough. And you'll take care, this time, won't you? It would be a terrible shame were something like this to happen again. How very lucky that I happened to be here, after all. Why, you all could have been out in the desert, and that certainly wouldn't have done much for your condition. Why, it could have almost been deadly, and surely your dear friends shouldn't have to suffer like that. Especially Celeste, she truly is such a dear girl.

I do hope that these words may find you well once more, hm? It would be a pity, were that not the case.

[shaky]

[Filter: Private, Old High Megam]

Ah ... I ... this is...

One was bad enough but at least it was ... expected, surely, after -- it was expected. I don't know how it ... how he is able. Every time. Every year now it seems, I ... I can't let this ...

And now ... and now the other, I ... I suppose that is answer enough for that, truly, as if I should be surprised, I cannot ... it was too much to hope that it was ... stress, the heat of the day, something else, but no. The face hasn't changed, not at -- that voice ... I ... and this, this only proves ...



... A note, of course, how did I miss ...

This ... this is hardly the time, I ... everyone is still here, the party, the Festival. They ... I will not allow her to take this day ... everything's fine, everything will be fine, and ... yes. ... yes. I need time to think, and that time is not now. It is their time, and the festival. Yes. It will be fine.

Just... smile, and no one will notice~

[Filter: Private, Old High Megam]

Haa... and it's been longer than that, hasn't it? It's odd, how time can pass. Sometimes it seems longer, sometimes it goes so fast you can hardly, mmm, keep track~ and others it seems it's hardly passing at all, when you can glance back to certain occasions so vividly, even if they were months, a year, or even several years ago...

Ah, but moments are like that...~

I know I've certainly explained it to my dear girl once before. Or perhaps several times, although that was a long time ago, now. Very long, though perhaps not so very long, if I can remember those times so clearly, haa~

So many things have changed... and time moves us. Until ... mmm.

Time is time, and time again, no~? Even writing, like this... it does no good at all, truly~ I shouldn't let myself get so carried away, when there is so much work to be done ...~

Mmm... indeed.

[Filter: Private, in Old High Kilian]

[carefully copied word]

Hm... it appears often, yet I can't seem to ... hm.

Gratify? No, that seems something else...

[a few more phrases written out]

"Questions", again, and perhaps ...


... Oh my~

[Filter: Public, in Trade]

Oh, goodness, look at the date~ I suppose I haven't been paying that much attention to it, mmm? Happy Birthday, darling~

[Filter: Private, Old High Kilian]

[carefully copied paragraph]

[general assorted notes]

And that I [will] give you [my] love, as much as I have. So much.

I [crave] so [poorly ; deeply?] that we should have more [ ? ] the [ time ; occasion ] when I saw you. [ ] for it may be the last [ ] we have.

It is my belief [that?] those [ seconds ; -length of time] shall [? ; carry? bring] as ; [ stretch? ; length of time ] ...

And thank you [ that?]



Hmm...

"Seconds" seems off ... perhaps something longer. Minutes? Moments?

And the other length of time ... except it's more of a measurement, rather than ... hmm.

[Trade]

It's so vague, still. My, what comes of being distracted. This section is being a little more difficult, and there's still another to go~ though hmm...

"Poorly" -- I've had difficulty with that one before, no? Idioms, then, though perhaps the cleaner result will come later. Unless... "deeply", hm.

Back to work~

[Filter: Private]

They say I cannot write [this?], however we never [heard? asked?] them, which is why we [bonded?]

It matters not what they say. Yasirina is my [heart?, location?] and [charge?], and it was not [disputed?] what [Ferdidad] did in the [Riverlands]. It is my [decision].

Hmm... and then there's still...

[a carefully copied section, with certain sections underlined, circled, or bracketed]

[the copying down of some other notes]



[Old High Kilian]

... you do not [conceive? comprehend] any of that, no? I [feel? realize?] that I cannot [detail?] it, that I cannot say you any of the [?] that I [crave?] to so [poorly? perversely?]. I cannot [furnish?] the [assistance?] for or to say you which [...? future?].

You should be [disorganized?; in the dark?], if this is the way that you take. There should be many questions... and the [responses of none]. I feel it that I cannot give them you, but I [crave?] to give [?] that I am able.

[Trade]

Perhaps you do not [comprehend?] any of that, no? I [feel?] that I cannot [give detail] on it, that I cannot say you any of the [?] that I [desire] to so[poorly?] I cannot [give? furnish?] the [assistance?] for or to say you [?]

You should be [perplexed?], if this is the way that you take. There must be many questions... and no answers. I feel it that I cannot give them you, but I [desire] to give it to him that I am able.

... Mn.

Some of the phrasing is... difficult, haa~ why, not even the letters match, truly, or the meanings... hm.

[Filter: Jonathan]

Ah... dear~? I believe I may be in need of your eyes once more~