19 October 2037
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John Crowley Adam Crowley Renasi Reium Feemerson Crowley Elijah McMurran Jessica Crowley Trajedie Remourna Nathaniel Larson Jill Hart Joel Marsetti

John: Not finding him in his office, knocks on Adam's door.
Adam: Sleeps on.
John: Knocks more loudly.
Adam: Stirs, but continues to sleep.
John: Violates his privacy. Adam.
Adam: Curls up, snoozing.
John: …Adam!
Adam: Eyes open.
John: Good afternoon.
Adam: Looks at the clock and sits up. Oh my God!
John: Perhaps you shouldn't have stayed up late talking to Trajedie.
Adam: Stares at him.
John: Stares back.
Adam: Frowns and rubs his chest.
John: …Are you feeling well?
Adam: I'm fine… I need to get dressed.
John: Alright then. Bows. I will see you later, Adam.
Adam: …Bye.
John: Leaves the room.
Adam: Looks down at his chest. Ah… Gets dressed.

Renasi: Arriving at the castle with Feemy. You should visit with your family…
Feemy: …Alright… I'm coming right back after I do, though. Okay?
Renasi: Nods.
Feemy: Pats his cheek lightly. I'll see you in a little bit, Ren.
Renasi: Take your time…
Feemy: …Alright. Leans in and pecks his forehead.
Renasi: Pats Feemy's arm and departs.
Feemy: Departs as well to visit his own family. Checks for his mom in the kitchen.

Elijah: In the kitchen… since he's somehow become the chef in his mother's absence.
Feemy: …Heeey Elijah.
Elijah: Turns. Feemy! Gives a big grin and hugs him.
Feemy: Hugs back, though gently and winces if he's hugged too tightly. Eaaasy now… My ribs hurt.
Elijah: Lets go. What happened to your ribs?
Feemy: Three of 'em are broken. Laughs.
Elijah: Nooo… What'd you do?
Feemy: I got tackled off stage by our lead singer.
Elijah: Gee. Well long time no see, bro. Though I think I know why you're back…
Feemy: Not a real brain buster…
Elijah: I'm sorry, Feemy…
Feemy: S'nothing to apologize for…
Elijah: I'm guessing you were looking for Mom.
Feemy: Yeah…
Elijah: She's in her room.
Feemy: …She still asleep?
Elijah: Probably, I dunno. She'll be really happy to see you.
Feemy: I'll be really happy to see her, too… You wanna come with me while I visit?
Elijah: Ah… I'd like to, but I gotta get dinner started.
Feemy: …You're cooking?
Elijah: Amazing, isn't it?
Feemy: Never would have seen it coming.
Elijah: Grins. I'm a man of many talents.
Feemy: Grins as well. Yeah, that you are.
Elijah: Handsome, too.
Feemy: Now let's not go overboard. You don't have horns, after all.
Elijah: Grins. Yeah… Well, go on, then… I bet you're wetting your pants to see Mom. Laughs.
Feemy: Laughs as well. Alright, I'll wade through my rabid fans to Mom's room. I'll talk to ya later.
Elijah: See ya, kiddo.

Feemy: Through his nonexistent fans to his mother's room.
Jessica: Sleeping.
Feemy: Knocks first.
Jessica: Not sleeping very heavily, so rouses at that. Yes? Still groggy.
Feemy: …You up, Mom?
Jessica: Blinks. Feemy?
Feemy: Opens the door to poke his head through. Hi, Mom!
Jessica: Sits up. Feemy! Smiles.
Feemy: Enters the room proper, all smiles for his mother.
Jessica: Smiling, holds her arms out to her son.
Feemy: Goes right into them, hugging his mom gently, though only because he doesn't want to hurt his ribs and give himself a colossal headache.
Jessica: Hugs back weakly, stroking his sheepy hair. It's so good to see you again…
Feemy: It's good to see you too, Mom… Missed her a lot.
Jessica: I missed you, sweetheart.
Feemy: I missed you too. You and the rest of the family.
Jessica: Lets go of him, but keeps her smile. You're as handsome as I remember.
Feemy: Smiles sheepishly. You have to say that, you're my Mom… Sounds grateful to hear it regardless.
Jessica: What happened to your hair?
Feemy: …Some technical difficulties. Laughs and runs his fingers through it. I'm growing it back.
Jessica: You've been getting into trouble?
Feemy: Of course not! I've been a good boy. Laughs.
Jessica: Good… Lies back a bit on her good side.
Feemy: Oh, I didn't send a letter off about it… but the concert has been put on hold…
Jessica: I'm sorry to hear that… I was looking forward to it…
Feemy: Well… it's not cancelled… You can still come when we're playing, those passes will work.
Jessica: Smiles a little. I can't wait to see you on the stage.
Feemy: Returns the smile. I'm even the lead guitar now… and singer.
Jessica: Really? Smile widens. I'm so proud of you. You're a very talented young man, it's nice to see you get recognized.
Feemy: Well… I owe it to you, Mom. I must have drove you crazy with all of those times I wanted you to hear me play when I was a kid.
Jessica: Not at all… I love hearing you play.
Feemy: Smiles. That was enough to keep me practicing!
Jessica: I'm glad I could encourage you…
Feemy: I have you to thank for where I am, today… and I really want you to be there for my last concert, so you can see how far I've come.
Jessica: Wild dogs couldn't keep me away.
Feemy: Wild dogs could probably keep me from attending. Laughs.
Jessica: Smiles fondly.
Feemy: Looks absolutely happy to see his mother again and smiles back to her. Mentally, he lets out a sigh of relief, as he realized that he called his next concert his last one out of habit.


Adam: Trajedie…
Traj: …Adam?
Adam: Um… What I said last night… Was uncalled for.
Traj: …What do you mean?
Adam: I shouldn't have said… I didn't mean any of that…
Traj: …You didn't…?
Adam: No.
Traj: Doesn't look too thrilled to hear this. …I… alright…
Adam: I realized we're really going too fast with this relationship.
Traj: Nods her head. I understand.
Adam: I'd prefer it if we didn't sleep in the same room anymore.
Traj: …W…What?
Adam: Looks at her expressionlessly.
Traj: …What's going on, Adam…?
Adam: I've just begun to have second thoughts.
Traj: Stares at him, trying to meet his eyes with her own.
Adam: Having trouble keeping eye contact.
Traj: Fights to keep her eyes to his. Adam, talk to me.
Adam: I've said what I had to.
Traj: Eyes are beginning to tear up. I don't believe you.
Adam: Looks at the ground.
Traj: …Did I do something wrong…? Just please… tell me… talk to me…
Adam: It's not you…
Traj: Then what is it?
Adam: Stares at the ground, fists clenching a little.
Traj: Places a hand over one of his. What's wrong, Adam…?
Adam: …Trajedie… Finally meets her eyes.
Traj: Her own are watery from the sting of his earlier words. You can tell me, Adam… I meant what I said… I'll always be here for you, no matter what.
Adam: Puts a hand to her cheek.
Traj: Keeps looking into his eyes, not blinking, for fear of tears rolling down her cheek.
Adam: Unbuttons his shirt and takes her hand, placing it over the scar on his chest. Closes his eyes.
Traj: Lets the hand rest on his chest, looking to him in a now questioning and slightly fearful manner.
Adam: Unable to meet her eyes. With his own hand, presses one of her fingers down very gently and beneath the surface of his skin, there is a small, hard bump.
Traj: A look of confusion crosses her face for but a moment, replaced by despair when she remembers what he told her before. Adam…
Adam: I can't ask you to be with me anymore…
Traj: Finally closes her eyes, the tears trailing down her cheeks. You don't have to ask… My… My words haven't changed…
Adam: Trajedie… You can't honestly want this.
Traj: Through sickness and through health… I meant it.
Adam: Holds her. The past few months… have been the best I ever had.
Traj: Shaking as she wraps her arms around him.
Adam: Strokes her hair.
Traj: Obviously crying by now, though to keep herself quiet, she buried her face into his shoulder.
Adam: God, I love her too much. You can't stay with me, Traj…
Traj: …Don't make me go, Adam… Please… Please… don't…
Adam: …You don't want to stay with someone… who bleeds all the time…
Traj: …I want to stay with you.
Adam: Sits down. It makes me feel like… It'd make me feel like… like I was using you.
Traj: …But you're not…
Adam: Nods and sighs. I just don't want this to affect our relationship or make you feel pressured or obligated or… What I was saying before was fine… but now it's just selfish.
Traj: Nods slightly, pulling her head back from his shoulder, so she can actually respond. I…It hasn't… and I do…don't feel obligated…
Adam: I don't want you to. This is my own problem.
Traj: Clings to him a little, staring up at him instead of burying her face in his shoulder to hide it.
Adam: Finally letting himself cry.
Traj: Wishes she could be a bastion of comfort for him, but isn't able to remain stoic when he cries and soon joins him in tears.
Adam: …T…This isn't fair to you.
Traj: Clings to him more tightly in response to his words, trying to show him without words, that she doesn't intend to let him go.
Adam: I don't know what to do.
Traj: We'll… figure something out…
Adam: …Do you still want to get married… after the war is over…?
Traj: Nods, not wanting to sound shaky by speaking her confirmation out loud.
Adam: Sighs… and stands, trying to compose himself. Nothing… Nothing's changed… I love you so badly… it hurts.
Traj: Tries to compose herself as well, though she isn't seeing much success on her part.
Adam: Offers his hand to her. I'm going to tell my father. Do you want to come?
Traj: Takes the hand and nods. I do…
Adam: Smiles at her gratefully, meeting her eyes.
Traj: Smiles back to him as best as she can manage, grateful as well that he can meet her eye.

John: Knocks on the door of Gabriel's office.
Nathaniel: Come in!
John: Enters, nodding slightly. Hello, Nathaniel.
Nathaniel: Smiles! Hello, Sir John!
John: Do you have a moment?
Nathaniel: Sure! How can I help you?
John: How to approach this…? The kid is a mathematical genius… Not so sure if he's good with design and construction, though.
Nathaniel: Swings his arms, smiling brightly. You want some candy? Offers a dish.
John: No, thank you… Nathaniel, I was wondering… Are you any good at… designing things?
Nathaniel: Huh? Like what?
John: …Put simply, I was hoping you may be able to construct traps.
Nathaniel: Traps?
John: Indeed.
Nathaniel: What kind of traps?
John: Have you ever seen a mouse trap before?
Nathaniel: Yup!
John: They need to do the same thing. Except… they need to be bigger. Not bigger mouse traps… but the same concept.
Nathaniel: I guess I could try… Scratches his cheek.
John: Any kind of trap you can devise would be wonderful, Nathaniel.
Nathaniel: I'll do my best, Sir! Salutes.
John: Chuckles at the salute. Thank you.
Nathaniel: Grins. Sure you don't want some candy?
John: …Alright.
Nathaniel: Offers the bowl again.
John: Takes out a piece of candy, not really looking at which he receives.
Nathaniel: You need anything else?
John: Eats the piece of candy.
Nathaniel: …No?
John: …I was going to ask the same of you.
Nathaniel: Huh?
John: If you needed anything. Chuckles a little. Still keeping an eye on you for your… parent.
Nathaniel: Oh, no, I don't need anything. Grins. Thanks for asking! You're the best!
John: You're welcome, Nathaniel. Scruffs up his hair. I'll be around if you do need something or if you come up with some of those traps we discussed, alright?
Nathaniel: Nods and hugs him. Okay! I'll get started right away.
John: A little slow to hug back. Thank you.
Nathaniel: Turns back to his desk to get to work.

John: Intercepted in the hallway by Adam on his way to find Elijah.
Adam: It's kinda scary now that he's actually here. Father.
John: Looms over him. Hello Adam, Trajedie.
Adam: Hello… How are you?
John: I'm doing well. I was just on my way to speak with Elijah.
Adam: …Trajedie and I wanted to tell you something…
Traj: Nods.
John: Staring at them both. He doesn't exactly look thrilled, as he has an inkling as to what he's going to mention. And what would that be, Adam?
Adam: We're engaged.
John: …Hm.
Adam: Nods.
John: I see. Does not look pleased at all. Waiting until the end of the war?
Adam: Stares a bit.
Traj: Also stares.
John: There is no telling how soon or how far that is or what kind of work will need to be done afterwards.
Adam: Yes. Nods.
John: …Thank you for telling me, Adam. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have things to discuss with your brother.
Adam: …Father…
John: Yes?
Adam: Bites his lip, looking up at him.
John: Looks down to him. What is it, Adam?
Adam: This is much more difficult to say. I'm sick again.
John: What do you mean? With the tone and his expression, it's quite clear he already has a good idea about what he means.
Adam: …You know…
John: …I see. Looks calm enough, but his fists have clenched into a white-knuckled grip.
Adam: Nods. Thought you should know.
John: Releases the fists with quite a bit of effort, instead reaching out to pull his son into a hug, even if he's holding hands with his fiance.
Adam: Hugs his father back with one arm, his other hand still holding Trajedie's.
John: Hugging him tightly. This caught him completely off guard. Doesn't even know what to do about it or what to say.
Adam: Hugs back. I should let you go talk to Elijah…
John: …I'm sorry, Adam…
Adam: I'm sorry, too… Lets go of John.
John: Lets go as well. Seems like he's become exhausted within the last few moments.
Adam: …And I'm sorry if I've disappointed you.
John: …You haven't…
Adam: Looks to Trajedie.
Traj: Not sure what to say, either. Looks back to Adam.
Adam: Nods to his father.
John: …I love you, Adam.
Adam: I love you too, Dad… Don't worry about me. I'll be okay.
Traj: Strange seeing him so dire one moment, then doting the next.
John: Sighs. Take care, you two… Departs down the hall to find Elijah.
Adam: …What would you like to do?
Traj: …Would you like to go on a walk?

John: Knocks on the door to Elijah's room.
Elijah: Who is it?
John: …John
Elijah: John who?
John: …Your father.
Elijah: Come in.
John: Enters and doesn't look very pleasant. Hello, Son…
Elijah: At his desk. Hey Dad.
John: …I was wondering if I could talk to you about Holle.
Elijah: Sure thing.
John: …For starters, how much of it have you seen?
Elijah: Enough.
John: …I need you to be specific, Elijah.
Elijah: I don't know… Some of it.
John: Nods. What can you tell me about it?
Elijah: Can you be more specific?
John: About the base of operations located in Holle.
Elijah: Rolls his eyes. Well my son's there.
John: I know!
Elijah: Doesn't flinch.
John: I am well aware of the fact that Vladora is there. That was not what I asked.
Elijah: It has lovely marble floors.
John: Never mind.
Elijah: I don't know what you want to know!
John: Turns on his heel and leaves the room, shutting the door behind him.
Elijah: Or you could do that.

John: If this keeps up, I'm just going to run to the nearest living thing and kill it. I guess Hana is the next choice. Anyone that has been to Holle should be questioned. Knocks on Hana's door.
Hana: No answer.
John: Knocks louder.
Hana: No answer.
John: Tries to open the door.
Door: Is locked.
John: Slams his fist into the door. Hana. Are you in there?
Hana: No answer.
John: Unfortunate that Elijah irked him and that Adam confessed having the illness and being engaged. Rarely loses his temper, but this is just one more thing on an entire pile of problems and once more, he loses his temper and kicks the door in.
Hana: Lying on the floor.
John: Goes to him and kneels down. Hana?
Hana: Not breathing. Very pale.
John: Checks his pulse.
Hana: None.
John: Dead. Checks for any signs of violence.
Hana: There's an empty bottle of poison on the nightstand.
John: Pathetic. Katen would be ashamed of you. Picks up Hana and to the infirmary he goes. They get to deal with him. What a waste.

Jill: Blinks as John enters. Another Elf?
Joel: John? Sets down his tea. What has happened to Hana?
John: He's dead.
Jill: Goes back to tending to the patient she was looking after.
Joel: …I see. Set him on a bed, then. I'll tend to Hana. He was far too young. What happened, John? I'm not seeing any wounds on him… so there wasn't another attack.
John: I found him like that. There was an empty bottle on his nightstand. He probably drank the contents and ended himself.
Joel: I see… Sighs and shakes his head, feeling guilty.

Adam: You really still want to be with me…? You're so young… I… want you to be my lover, not my nurse maid.
Traj: I really do want to still be with you… and I'll be your lover… and… I am a nurse, so that's spoken for…
Adam: …I was so happy…
Traj: …We can still be happy, Adam…
Adam: …This is weighing on you, too.
Traj: …I know…
Adam: …I don't want it to.
Traj: I want to remain by your side, Adam… You don't have to be alone any more… In sickness and in health.
Adam: Tears up and holds her. You're wonderful… I'm so glad to have you… Even if it's selfish of me…
Traj: Cuddles back to him lovingly. I'm glad to have you too, Adam… and it's not selfish… I wouldn't have it any other way…
Adam: Strokes her hair, rocking her gently.
Traj: Closes her eyes, enjoying the moment with Adam.

John: Finally back in his own room.
Jessica: Waiting up for him. John…
John: Smiles to her. Jessica…
Jessica: Smiles back. Have you seen Feemy?
John: Despite the bad day, he can't help but grin a little. Yes.
Jessica: It's so nice to see him again… even if it's due to bad tidings…
John: Nods. It is… He brought me a gift, too.
Jessica: What's that?
John: Chuckles as he undresses, only taking off the top half of the uniform, to reveal a black shirt with, 'The Hungry Ghosts' written on it. It also has a logo with a cartoon ghost holding a knife and fork with a chicken leg on the ground. The ghosts is eyeing it hungrily. He made me promise I'd wear it. It looks tight.
Jessica: Laughs. It looks good. How're things going?
John: …They're going well. Just a little tiring. Not about to stress his wife out.
Jessica: You look tired…
John: Just was a long day, is all.
Jessica: …Tell me about it.
John: Gets into bed. Reading enough to make my head explode and ordering the guard about until my throat is raw and practicing to the point of feeling sore all over.
Jessica: …You work too hard.
John: I just do what needs to be done, Jessica. It's all worth it to end the night right here with you.
Jessica: Smiles.
John: How are you feeling, Jessica? Strokes her hair.
Jessica: A little better, actually.
John: Smiles. That's wonderful.

Joel: Sips his tea. So, Jill.
Jill: Yes?
Joel: Do you know of any good healers?
Jill: …Quite a few.
Joel: Any that are seeking employment?
Jill: Certainly… At a good wage.
Joel: Should consider hiring them here then.
Jill: Nods. A good idea. Sets her teacup down. Tell me…
Joel: What is it you would like to know?
Jill: …Your cousin… Did he make it here on his own merit or was he hired because, well… He was your cousin.
Joel: On his own merit.
Jill: Really? Is he published?
Joel: Published?
Jill: Has he done research? Published his findings in an article…
Joel: Oooh! I'm unsure, unless he has done it in his spare time. He mostly just assisted here.
Jill: I see.
Joel: How about yourself?
Jill: I've had any number of them published in a variety of medical journals.
Joel: Fascinating.
Jill: He's quite passionate about the field, is he?
Joel: I would say so, yes.
Jill: …But has done nothing to try and advance it?
Joel: In his tenure here, he hasn't actually had the time to. He was treating a mysterious ailment that was afflicting our regent.
Jill: Raises an eyebrow. A mysterious ailment?
Joel: Indeed.
Jill: Please elaborate. Sips her tea.
Joel: Well, he had silver bugs eating him from the inside out. Takes a sip of his tea.
Jill: Stares.
Joel: You did ask.
Jill: I've never heard of such a thing.
Joel: Well, it's hard to study them, since removing them would have been fatal. Nick knows far more about it than I do, truth be told. What I do know, is that they prevented his wounds from closing, so he was always bleeding.
Jill: Well, it'll be quite interesting to discuss the subject with him.
Joel: I'm sure it will be.