HEAD UP HIGH ;

[Filter: Lady Canti and Lady Francisca]

Finally, I've managed to find a moment to write and thank you for all that you did. While I still don't quite know what is going to become of me, the threat of things getting decidedly more unpleasant has been lifted.

Of course, it does raise the question about what does come next, though I don't know that I'm going to like the answer. I know all the other refugees have ended up being sent back up where they came from.

[writing is rushed]

[Filter: Lady Canti and Lady Francisca]

I'm sorry but I can't make this sound all fancy like usual. I'm in a lot of trouble and I need your help.

When I said I'd left the city, I was lying. I found a group of people from Korin and I hide with them, hoping to slip out on my own later. That later never came and we were discovered. I thought they'd just send me back with the others but they've decided to keep some people to be questioned. Guess which group I'm in.

Please, please, if there is anything at all that you could do to get me out of here, I would never be able to repay you.

[Filter: Private]

I have never been happier in my life to see scribbles on a page that weren't mine. I don't even care about losing work! Well, no, that's not true. I care, just not very much.

If this keeps going for much longer, I am going to lose my mind. Just plain up and go mad. There are plenty of words people use to describe me but patient is definitely not one of them. Handsome, yes. Charming, naturally. But never patient. Unless there's a woman involved. Or women. Young, beautiful women ...

[slight pause]

This is exactly what I'm talking about. Madness.

Some people - not naming names here, Aekaran - would say it's my due. And they might be right. That still doesn't make me like it. Dragons dammit, why the hell did Korin have to start a bloody war? There's a question with an easy answer: because it's Korin.

O Korin~

[Filter: Private]

Right ... [slight pause]

Forget about the rest of this mess for a moment. Clearly something's happened in Lireth. Something really bad. I'm not even going to try to guess or anything like that.

What the hell am I supposed to do now?

Okay, Alexander, think. The tension here is insane. It sounds like it's even worse there. But what I just don't get is why? Why is everyone so easily agitated? Something about it just doesn't feel right, it never has. Maybe that's why it's so hard to get a handle on.

... And that still doesn't answer my damn question. Fuck. I don't know. When the hell did life get so complicated? I thought getting away from home was supposed to get me out of this stuff.

[Filter: Private]


If I ever wished to be flung into chaos, then I can consider it granted. Who would have thought there could ever be so many of them here, all clinging to their stories, each story as unbelievable as the next. It is a poet's dream come true. So why am I having a hard time using it?


Who knows. Who cares.


Still, there are always those moments when I catch myself half believing it. If you hear one story often enough, it seems like it must be true. Even if it can't be.


Maybe tomorrow, inspiration will strike. Or that day after. Or the day after. It's not like I exactly have any pressing need to get it done now anyway~

[Filter: Private]

What the hell am I even supposed to say, in a time like this? Fuck if I know. There probably isn't anything really. Even Mother couldn't fault me for being at a loss this time.

It is quite the story though. Maybe one day I can write a song about it, in all its scandal and wonder~

[Filter: Private]

Damn, I don't even know where to begin.

I know I'm not exactly the model brother but even I wouldn't ever even think about doing something like that. It's just so distasteful. Really, that man is leagues beyond me when it comes to assholery and I don't begrudge him one bit of it.

That doesn't mean I'm so big of a person not to try and use it to my advantage though.

[Filter: Lady Canti and Lady Fransisca]

Good afternoon, dear ladies. I know that these last few days have been filled with many a storm cloud, however I hope that I might be able to tempt you out of doors and out into the sun! Surely there must be many exciting sights, now that spring is on your doorstep~ And I would be greatly honoured if you would share them with me.

I have been trying to avoid doing so but alas, it must be said! I have, most unfortunately, caught a severe case of writer's block. I simply have not been able to write a single line of music which I thought worth keeping. It is quite the tragedy, I know.

However fear not, I have endured this before and shall do so again! And in the end I know that I will be victorious~

[Filter: Aekaran~]

And how does this lovely day find you, Aekaran? I do so hope you are well. Though I suppose, given the timing, it is rather unlikely~ I can't quite picture you as the Rose Day type, unlike, say, me. But maybe I'm wrong. Did you receive any home cooking yesterday for your troubles?

I certainly did, thank you so much for asking!

[Filter: Lady Canti]

Excellent news, my lady! I have finally completed your song to my satisfaction and it is truly a wondrous piece, if I do say so myself. Perhaps even a masterpiece, though that final verdict will have to come from those such as yourself.

Are you still interested in that private concert we discussed? There is no time like the present, at least if you ask me~