[Filter: Private]

Bah. Something is going on, or those brats wouldn't have anything to be chattering about, incoherent as those wagging tongues are. Whatever it is, Eve's certainly distracted. Not much else to do but watch the situation for now, see if there's any change.

Well, well, well~

Come on, you youngsters, you have to do better than this. There's quite lot to make up for, after all~

[Filter: Those in Rayla]

I see that old Jeckle has gotten cold feet~ what a pity, indeed. But that leaves me without a partner this year. Surely you won't all be disappointing~?

[Filter: Private]

Bah. Painful, she said. As if a few fond memories from youth should have any bearing on what goes on now. I should never have brought the subject up, or answered the damned question. Makes you think too much. It's too much, even with this. What good are years, after all, when you've only remained in the same place, just to prove a point? It doesn't bring anyone back. Though perhaps in some cases that is for the best.

It would have been much better if I had stayed away, and never returned to Korin at all. Or took the grand opportunity to leave, once all was said and done. Might have had a chance for something different. Instead I chose this way. Who can even say if it's worth changing it now? A nice peaceful retirement for once. A fool's dream. Can't stay here forever, but I don't especially feel like leaving just yet. Nowhere else to go.

On the bright side, a certain day is coming up. Mustn't disappoint the children. Though I'd rather have that damn drink today.

[Filter: Private]

Hmmph. I hope she enjoys my report. Longer than every one of theirs, by far. Proper scrutiny of everyone involved. I take pride in the organization.

At least with that out of the way there's time to focus on other things. Something. Projects would at least make the time worthwhile. Hn. I'll figure it out.

Ah, but Forna. I remember it well. All things do come to certain ends, don't they? Such is Korin.

[Filter: Eve]

So, Lady Eve, I have to wonder if you've given any recent thought to those language lessons.

[Filter: Lysander]

*Rory --- Colleen -- Monica -- Dustin

*James -- **Cecelia -- Ariel -- Roseanne -- Frederick -- Joyce -- Robert -- Henry -- Felicity -- *Maxwell -- Hortense -- Rudolph -- Murray

*Sebastian -- Blair -- Bernadette -- Edith -- Dolly -- Vincent -- Renee -- **Sonia -- Maureen

*Geoffrey -- Gottfried -- Christopher -- **Nadia -- Alicia -- Garnet -- Wilson -- Harold -- Jermaine -- Kevin

These are the names pulled from the most recent generations. Obviously, a lot more names can be pulled from the household as needed. I am fairly certain that most of them are dead, with a few questions here and there, but this is Korin. Historical accuracy sometimes need be taken with a grain of salt, depending on the victor.

Questions?

[Filter: Private]

Ironic, all of it. I suppose this is more than what I deserve, for not retiring properly as I should have.

At least it was a blow to a few of the egos we have running around this place. Not very much so. We'll see if anything changes of that.

[Filter: Lysander]

All right, I know you've been waiting patiently. Now that this business is wrapping up, I've finally had the chance to find your records.

[Filter: Private]

Well that's one more down. Wonder what he thinks of that. There'll be an answer for it soon enough. Can't let your guard down in these things.

I wonder how the library is. It's been a while since the headmaster's sent something. Guess the old fool is finally learning how to deal on his own. I still ran it better.

Matthias, married. How quaint, these nobles are. It's been

Bah. No need for that now.

[Filter: Private]

Old House Forna records? An interesting request. I suppose I'll have to make the time, when not worrying about what these blasted children are doing. Reports have been coming in about seeing activity within the Pegasi... we'll just have to keep an eye on that nonsense. Bah.

If this were a real siege... somehow I doubt it would be going this well. They should consider themselves lucky. Some don't know how lucky they are.

[Filter: Private]

Hn. I do find this all terribly ironic, myself.

Is that the best you've got, Jeckle? Lord Kray didn't seem to take too well to his defeat. The boy could use some humble pie. Several helpings of it.

Now then.

[Filter: Rayla Defense]

That's one for us, but we've still got three more of them out there.

These kids better not let their guard down now.

[Filter: Private]

... Bah.

Get involved in these kids games, and then they want to call a standstill due to these shenanigans.


Too old for this foolishness. I should just work on the next set of plans while they're off being ridiculous.

[Filter: Private]

Honestly, all these New Years come and go, and what's the point of it all? A change of date on a calender. However much that matters here. It hardly even matters to historians, unless something dramatic occurs and the date is noted.

Of course, it's always a fine day for wine.

[Filter: Private]

Finished, and sooner than expected. The timing is ironic, although when has it not been? The only question remains as to what to do with the bloody thing.

Feh. I think I shall go ride Cadsuane, now that the hip is no longer acting up. It's been much too long since a normal flight that doesn't involve training, at any rate.

[Filter: Private]

Thirty two, and closer to the end; by the end of the month, if this pace continues. Not too shabby, for six years of work. I suppose this would leave the other one, then; that one is still a mess, and perhaps better left to its own devices.

And what after? I suppose there is always the fascinating prospect of a brand new project, but as things stand right now, nothing is coming to mind. These bursts don't come quite like they used to, and it's not as if I've been keeping track of them lately. Pity. Though it isn't as if I'm surrounded by inspiration. Something will come up, or else I'll have more time on my hands for drinking, when I'm not working.

Bah. For now, there's finishing this, and we'll see where it goes. There's still the title to work out, after all, and that alone may take an extra year.

[Filter: Private]

Hmmph ...

Another year, another Festival, another party.

I really am too old for this. Honestly. Forty years ago I was... well. There's nothing I hate more than reminiscing, so I'm not about to start that up. Bah. Of course it's the only thing that would come up, on a day like today.

I really am much too old for this.

[Filter: Private]

Birthdays, holidays, anniversaries... bah. People are always fixated on something.

I don't even know why I picked this up again. The clutter recently has been ridiculous. It is strange that after so much quiet, a new person or two slips in through the cracks. It's been so quiet that I've forgotten half these people existed, and now they all want to have sharing time.

Though it's not the way it was. We hardly say anything up here anymore, and not even Matthias makes a scene as much as he used to. Hmph.

At least I've made progress. Perhaps I'll even be finished with this ridiculous story by the time I turn -- hmmph. Birthdays again. And now they all know, so I'm stuck dealing with that too.

Ironically I think that what irritates me the most about all of this is that none of this is bothering me as much as it should. Dragons.

[Filter: Private]

I never know why I've started buying them this early. Dragons. Even worse is that I've nearly finished, but that seems to be tradition now. How many years?

Figures that I would be stuck when it came to Eve's, of all people. Even Heckle is easier to find something for. Little Lara's not so difficult either. But every year, stuck on that one.

Not as if there isn't still time. Bah.

[Filter: Private]

Not used to seeing them that young.

Heh.

It'll go by fast.

Oh children, you have disappointed this year. What a shame~~

Well now, magic journals~

You all better know what time it is~~~

I expect to see you youngsters celebrating properly~

[Filter: Private]

The closer it gets, the more unreal it seems. Imagine that.


Hn. Twenty-eight. As if I'm any closer to the end as when I started. With the weather turning warmer, the more time there is for training outside. More new ones. Kids don't know what they're getting into.