PARADISA

Now, I do not mean to alarm anyone still at the Castle, but I have a question - everyone else has seen the rather large, transparent spirit bird that wanders the halls, correct? 

 [ He likes to make sure of his own sanity now and then, though frankly a spirit bird is not very strange. Still, one likes to check... ]

[ He had waited a day before letting himself begin to believe that it was real, that he was... he was gone. He hadn't wanted to believe when he woke up to an empty bed, when he realized all his things were gone and the soul rending ache in his chest was back. He didn't want to believe it when Yfandes curled in the back of his mind, trying to soothe him. He didn't want to believe any of it.

But he had to accept it, didn't he? That he was gone, the Castle had sent him back and he was alone again. It didn't hurt like it had the first time he lost him, but gods did it every hurt. He lay curled on his bed, sweating in the heat and not caring, but finally seemed to realize that perhaps he should say something the others, let Tylendel's friends know if they did not already.

So he sat up, opening the journal, opening and closing his mouth as he debated what to say, how to say it, how to force the words past his lips even as he wished he could deny them. Drops appeared on the pages, and he liked to think they were sweat instead of tears. ]

To all those who knew and cared for him... Tylendel is gone home. 

[ He let the journal fall to his feet and leaned forward, putting his head in his hands and he wept. ] 

Good day, all.

Recently, I took one of our young residents out and taught him something of hunting and tracking - or at least what I know. I thought I would extend an opportunity for more to join on another excursion, if there are others interested. 

I figure that the more all of us know of useful skills, the better, so we can all respond better to the things the Castle throw at us. It does not hurt, correct? 

I think it best to meet two hours after dawn at the stables on a decided day - fresher tracks for the teaching. 

[ There is a heavy sigh and a disgruntled snort that leak over the journals in the mid morning. If anyone knows Vanyel well, this usually announces the fact he is out with Yfandes, his horse-shaped Companion. And in fact, he is. He's holding up strips of ribbon to her so she can decide which she wants braided into her hair for the wedding, but so far no success. Not even tiny jewels like pearls or inexpensive crystals have piqued her interest.

So, finally, it has come to this. ]

If it is not to much trouble, I think I might need a lady's advice on this matter, or a gentleman's if he wishes to offer it. I seem to only be knowledgeable in the proper attire for men and have no sense of what a proper lady should be wearing to a wedding, according to my Companion.

So, ladies of Paradisa, your advice if you would be so kind? 

Ah, so I know this is very, very over due, but in the rush of things I could not find a quiet moment to think on how best to announce this - if, of course, Tylendel has not beat me to it in person.

But, as some of you may know, Tylendel and I share a special bond. It is considered a rare and extremely special gift granted from the gods in our world. The Bond is like finding the other half of your soul, and many will never find that one person in their lifetime. When you do, there is no room in your heart for anyone else. You love them beyond all, and many Bonded pairs do not outlive each other because your life without them is simply to dark. And after a long time of waiting here, my Bonded was reunited with me. 

And after some time, it occurred to me that here, in Paradisa, there are no strictures against the ways in which we all pair off with each other, in which we choose to celebrate our love for each other. So, about a month ago, I asked Tylendel if he would share with me another title between ourselves beyond that of Bonded. 

I asked him if he would share the title of Husband. 

And he said yes.

[ Boy, you can just hear the heart-fluttering happiness in that statement. ]

We have not made much in the way of planning for a celebration, but as we do, I would be honored and grateful for all of you here to celebrate with us, though I do not think we shall be very extravagant. 

[ Vanyel has been careful to take himself away from people for this little experiment of his, not wanting to have someone accidentally get caught up in it. Not that he wanted to hurt anyone, really, but accidents happened and the rooms in Chimera were a bit to small for what he was attempting to work with. At his feet stood a book - well, several. Some with pictures, some with words, and one being the journal, carefully read and figured as he looked at the dummies he had set up in a circle around himself. 

He took stock, like he was sizing up enemies, glancing down at the books at his feet before bracing himself. Air whistled between his teeth as he took a breath, gathering his magic...

And lightning lanced from his hands, bolting out towards the dummies he had set up. The first bolt hit his target, but the second went past, singing the ground it struck. Good thing he had come out here then. 

From far off, though, it would like bright flashes of lights, lightning to close to the ground, but controlled - and no storm in sight. ]

 Well, that was certainly an enlightening... detour. 

I found it interesting that I could pull some many correlations between the faith those priests and monks professed to follow and that of the Karsites back home and indeed what it is they actually did with said faith. It makes me wonder how connected all of the worlds we come from really are, how deep our similarities run as well as our differences. 

Can we influence each other, or is it just some sort of universal coincidence? 

But, perhaps I going to deep into my own musings. The place just brought back memories.

Do you know... after everything that happened... I almost wish I was back to being a unicorn. It sounds stupid, but it was just so much simpler. 

I know you all might be a bit tired of hearing these, but please bear with me and hear one more.

We have asked that some stay behind to guard the Castle, and it is not a bad idea. I have opted to stay as part of that group, given much of my skill is magical in nature and will be nullified in the Dead Zone. That being said, there are also parts out there where magic could work and not knowing what you will find, I thought to make charms of protection for people to take.

While they might lose their power in the Dead Zone, if magic is regained, they could come in handy, especially if you should face combat. It is a long shot, but I would like to make everyone as prepared as possible, in any way we can. If you would like some, please contact me through the journals or if you run into me in the castle I also know how to pack for long land journeys if anyone is having trouble deciding what to bring. 

If nothing else, I hope they might bring luck and comfort. 

( Filtered to Tylendel )

[ There is a quiet cough as Vanyel readies himself to bear bad news ]

I do not recall it being said, but if it was and you all did not hear - Clow has returned home. For those who knew him and were companions of his, I am sorry. 

However, he did leave some things behind, and I am sure he would not want them to go to waste or to simply sit and gather dust. 

There is quite a large, red chair and any number of books, most of which are labeled 'Encyclopedia Britannica'. They do not mention anything I have ever heard of, but if anyone would find use for them, then by all means. I will leave them in his room should you want them, but I would ask that you come to me to retrieve them as I will be magically locking the room.

I would not see his things ransacked heedlessly.