with a face like this

Well then, the new evidence brings up a new riddle. Hopefully this one won't have so many critics.

What does the appearance of half a pipe and old scriptures, both belonging to a man long dead, mean for those receiving them?

Hopefully more of you will actually answer this time. Don't be scared, I don't bite. At least not hard, as Randy can attest.

I'm glad I don't live any farther North. It's way too dark here most of the time as it is. It must really suck up there~

[Filter: Private]

I think this dress is a bit loose now. I'll have to get it taken in.

I'll get them all taken in.

Wow, that really was delicious, Crow. I think you've gotten better at cooking even while I've been here.

...I talked to Branston and he's going to be ready to leave on Wednesday.

[Filtered from Crow and Cassidy]

Does anyone know where Best Dress is in Colndor?

[Filter: Mathilda]

So, um, I was thinkin. Do you think we could get a little time off just for us pretty soon? I mean since I didn't get to see you too much on your birthday since I was busy, and all. We can go on a picnic or somethin, just you and me, and ... and stuff.

I was gonna ask Father Fullrich about it but I figured I'd talk to you first and we could make plans so I'd know how much time we needed off, or anything.

[Filter: Private]

I ...

I was right, when I told Ian I need to do more things. There's so much going on and Daddy handles all of it and I'm the princess ... I should start asking Daddy if I can handle more things. Even just little things, like arrangements for court celebrations ... or maybe if I can sit in on some of his meetings??

Daddy will think I'm sick, or something. But I do want to know more. I really do ... It's not so bad, right? Mother will be surprised, too, but ... but it had to happen sometime!! And ... and if I do get married, then it's important that I know some things. Even if it's to Ian. He only barely knows more about these things than I do ... and if I don't marry Ian, then ...

I'll ... I'll ask Daddy about it. Just if I can start going to meetings with him. Maybe he'll just think I'm curious ...

[Filter: Private]

It's just a fucking dead man.

They took the axe away, I wiped the blood off, and everyone saw I'm not afraid to deal with this shit firsthand. I am the lord of Sylea. If they don't see that now, they're blind or stupid. Jarek would have had to do this sort of thing, if we hadn't been at war. Father probably had to do this all the time.

It's just a dead man. A dead criminal. Lower than dirt. I don't even have time to think about all of it. I've killed men in battle before. This isn't any different.

Relette asked me if I'd ever killed anybody. I bet this still doesn't count.

I ... ah. Elden is already aware of this, but I thought I might share it with everyone. I tried out for a part at the playhouse a few weeks ago. I think they were a bit surprised to see me again, actually, especially since I came alone.

I didn't get the part, but ... ah, well, I'm going to be in the chorus for it. Rehearsals begin this week, so ... so if you don't see me around, that's where I'm going to be. I'll see if I can get any tickets, if anybody would like to come ...

[Filter: Private]

Jealousy. The feeling of resentment, apprehension, or suspicious fear against another due to that person's advantages or success. The fear or wariness of being supplanted.

Well, the latter is just nonsense. And irrational. Lady Eriena can't supplant me. And what advantage does Lady Eriena have over me? It doesn't seem as if Matthias likes her very much. But I'm hardly a good ju</s>

Completely irrational. I wish I could feel something that makes sense.

[Filter: Andrew]

Sigh, Andrew. I'm feeling pessimistic~ Do you have any advice?

I might just be making up an excuse to talk to you, but really, I figured you wouldn't mind. You like talking with me, don't you~? And I'm very, very lonely without you here. I'm glad you didn't come, because it's so dull, but, well. A girl can dream, can't she~?

[Filter: Terrance]

Hey, kid. You got a sec to talk?

[Filter: Private, Atsirian]

Such interesting responses. And varied, as well. I certainly hope that my child will consider me with the same respect as I did with Mother. I hope my child will be eager to learn, and eager to lead, and treats others with kindness. Of course, I will take the opportunity to nuture these traits when I can.

Four months. I can hardly believe it.

[Filter: Private, in Kilian]

He was here ...

Haha, it's so ... strange to think about. He was here, in this place, with these people. He walked these streets. He stayed in this inn. He spoke to people here, he asked them questions.

I wonder if that's why ...

...

... he was here looking for an artifact. I just wish I'd asked him more about it all, but with the triplets just born, I was so distracted. I didn't think to ask a single thing ... if I knew more, if I knew why he'd been here, what trail had lead him to this town ... perhaps I'd be able to follow it. Maybe it would have some answers.

And perhaps looking for answers here is a mistake all itself.

He was far from here, when he was found, or so they said. But that doesn't mean he didn't die here. It doesn't mean we're safe.

Oh, Justin ...

It was raining, today ...~~

All this talk about er snow has really put it on my mind. I walked outside in the streets in the rain and ah everyone kept telling me to get in because I was going to get wet, as if getting wet was such a bad thing!! Being wet is just like being dry only er ... well it's wetter! But being wet never hurt anyone! I don't know why everyone always hurries away from being made wet when it's just water but then they love getting wet in a bath and

Oh but I'm getting all off the topic I was writing about ah wasn't I?

I was walking in the rain and getting wet and I was thinking that if I were somewhere else where it were colder, there would be snow~~ There would be a little bit of snow in Norey sometimes and er when I was in Eastern Dentoria with ... with Tristan, we would see such nice snow, sometimes!! He showed me that you could catch a snowflake on your tongue and make a wish!!

None of my wishes ever came true, but it was still very fun to make them!

... so I've been thinking about that~~ And wishing for a little snow ...

[Filter: Kail]

Ah, so ... Kail ...

Ah, well, how did things go, last night? Did you notice anything ...? I hope you remembered to pay close enough attention ... ah, that was the point, after all, to check up on Sawyer and Pearl ...

[Filter: Private]

Would you look at that. A merchant ship, with a storm forward, and us at the rear.

Hah, just like old times. Let's see how well drilled we are now, with our new additions.

Used to live for this shit.

[Filtered to those involved with directing the Goddess worship in Cleraine, in Atsirian]

Forgive me, I do not know all your names. Nor do I know who best to direct the question that I have towards. It is my dearest hope that one of you who can read this will be able to help, as this request is very dear to my heart.

As you may know, my bethrothed, Rhaieen, is a devote follower of the Goddesses' path, as am I of course. Because of her devotion, I had hoped that we might be able to be wed in a ceremony devoted to the Goddesses. Perhaps even held in the Temple, once construction has been completed...

We have planned this wedding for many years now but...as of yet it has not come to fruition. I would be most thankful if any of you would be able to help our dearest dream become a reality.

[Filter: Private, Atsirian]

...I really do like her, though. Heh, she's so good with the pups, too, I almost wish we could keep 'em all even after they're big enough to give away.

I just wish Raydn would get a grip!

[Filter: Princess Seraphine]

Please let your brother know that I have received his letter. Somehow it actually managed to arrive before me...the messenger must have overtaken us on the road during one of our delays.

I have read it many times now and have already started work on a reply.

November 28th

I have been watching her, closely. She knows and knows that I know. But her motives are still a mystery. She has been punished severely for her supposed discretion: five lashes and she is on chamber pot duty indefinitely.

I watch her and she knows. She looks for me.

But nothing more than that.

[Filter: Private]

Yep, stayin' here for the winter'll be nice...sure do miss everyone, though. Mom, Grandfather, Tina...


...hell, I miss Alice. The way it was before I screwed everything up, the way she smiled when I gave her that first rose, how it felt to really be in love again after thinking I'd never get over Morgan.