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Posted: Tue Mar 01, 2005 6:21 pm
{.M a r. 0 3.}
I was standing by the Anima Gardens as usual, chatting away with the other people there when a young woman came out and asked us to step away from the lantern that hung on the building. That's when I noticed it, that mysterious looking lantern. There was a swirl of light around it. It had a beautiful glow. I wasn't quite sure what it was, maybe it was energy or something but I just knew I had to have one.
A pink haired girl next to me, Koyuki and the young lady, Chai were discussing prices for the lantern. So I saw my opportunity, and bought one after they had settled on a price. Chai went into the building and came out carrying a lantern with a white swirl of light around it. I was thrilled once she handed me that lantern and cert after paying her quite a lot of money.
I went home holding the delicate lantern in my hands. Once I entered the doorway I stood there for a while, unsure where to put it. In fact, I didn't know much about it at first. I thought it was only a pretty lantern that glowed, I didn't know it could turn into a child. It took quite some time of explaining for my to understand it. And still after that I was a little confused.
I hung it on a hook by my window. It had a nice view, I lived 2 stories up in my apartment so it overlooked a field of lush grass and flowers. I wonder if the environment around it will affect her? It looked so nice and peaceful up there, with the light from the window shining against its side.
Oh yeah, my apartment. I lived in a pretty large apartment, I couldn't afford a home myself yet. It was kind of empty though. It had a small bathroom, a kitchen, large living room, and 2 bedrooms. It had a wooden floor, white walls, and basically lots of large windows. All I had in my big living room was a sofa and a tv- with lots of papers sprawled all over the floor. They were mainly doodles, sketches. I liked to draw a lot.
Anyways, I sat on my bed and thought I'd take a closer look at that cert Chai handed me. It said Innocence, and some other thing I'm not too sure about. Alignment? I felt like one of those pregnant ladies, thinking about how there's going to be new addition to the family, and wondering how the kid is going to turn out. Suddenly, I could see visions or flashes of my own kid, running around, and then growing up. I started to get a funny feeling in the pit of my stomach, and I felt really nervous. What if she pops out as a little baby that will poop and pee all over the place!? What if I have to touch those... nasty diapers? Now I felt dizzy. I got up from my bed, ran to the bathroom, and threw up.
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Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2005 5:24 pm
{.M a r. 0 4.}
... I'M OKAY NOW. I'm okay. I swear. I just got a little crazy for a moment. I don't handle stress that well so I guess it's a good thing that my type of lantern is Innocence and not something like... mischief. Maybe I've just had bad experiences with babies or something, but I just don't like them. The next day, after asking around for some more information at the Anima Gardens I found out that they turn out to be children, not babies. Phew. Don't get me wrong, I love my lantern and look forward to taking care of her, I just got overwhelmed for a while. Well. Maybe that was just after I found out they don't turn out to be babies. I'm just rambling on now, so I started thinking about what would go nice in her room.
So far her future room consisted of a mattress and a poster of some rock band called "Hizzbits" that was left behind by the last owners. I think I'll give it a classical look. Something simple and white. White would be fitting. It usually meant good. Anyways, I'm tired now, so I'll write in here tomorrow after my shopping trip.
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Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2005 6:34 pm
{.M a r. 0 6.}
A new day today. I spent the whole of it shopping at the mall for Inno's room. While I was shopping I bought music for her, even though I didn't know what she would like. I wonder if I played it to my lantern I would get any reactions from that swirling light. Or maybe I should just wait until my own butterfly comes. Considering that she is Innocence, I assumed she would like some peaceful, nice music, so I got some classical music and randomly threw in some others. Who knows?
And of course, I bought some books. My little girl has to grow up smart! I bought a few kiddy books, in case I'd have to teach her how to read, and a bunch of books with pretty pictures that told you about things like Mythology or architecture. I'm gonna stuff as much knowledge as I can into her brain!
Hmm... Hmm... What else would she need? Toys maybe? Naw, she's not a baby. Or a toddler. At least I don't think so.
Then I bought her the basic things she would need for a room. So far her room only had a mattress, white walls, wooden floor, and a huge arched window. Oh. And that poster of "Hizzbits". A wooden desk and chair, white and simple bedsheets, a wooden shelf, a woven end table with drawers to go besides the bed, roman shades, which are like elegant draperies, and woven blinds for the window to match. I think they were made out of bamboo or something. I also got a few plants and yellow carnations to go in a vase on the table.
It needed the last finishing touches so I got yellow candles and light/pale yellow paint to paint the room in and left.
I finally came home and started on the room. I ripped off the poster and dragged all the stuff I bought into the room. It probably took me the most time to paint the room but it was worth it. I stuck the books on the shelf and the CDs in the drawers. When it was all put together it looked great. Sort of earthy. Then I set the candles on the desk. Maybe I shouldn't have bought flowers though. I mean, no one's going to be in the room anyways. It would be kind of a waste to see them die. I wonder how long it takes for this child to come? I sat on the chair in her room in thought, but before you knew it I was dozing off and then out like a light. Working on the room had exhausted me.
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Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2005 3:06 pm
accessorization quest!__.A fragile, beautiful butterfly has arrived. It looks a bit lonely beside that lantern, don't you think?

Perhaps it's time to find something nice for the little girl that will emerge.
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Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2005 8:42 pm
{.M a r. 0 7.}
I woke up with a groan from a bright light shining in my eyes. I cracked them open but quickly shielded them with my hand from the piercing light. It was coming from the window. It was morning. What time was it? I got up from the chair. My back gave a crack. I was sleeping in Inno's room the whole night so my whole body ached. I glanced at the clock in the living room and it said 7:45.
I snorted. It was much too early for me, so I lumbered back to my own room to go back to sleep. At the entrance of my bedroom I noticed something moving near my lantern. My eyes hadn't clearly adjusted yet and I was obviously still half-asleep. Whatever, I said to myself in dim thought. I slowly edged towards my bed, walking like an old man, and flopped onto the bed.
Digging my face into the thick blankets, I thought, wait a minute... I stuck my head up and peered again at the lantern. It was a blurry blob, but I could tell what it was. It was a butterfly. I shrieked in excitement and hopped from my bed to have a closer look. The butterfly was fluttering its wings rapidly now, my loud shriek had apparently frightened it. I held my breath.. I hoped it didn't scare the butterfly away. But it didn't. It stayed there, perched on the wooden ledge of the lantern. Its wings slowed, it looked like the butterfly was calming down. I let out a small sigh of relief.
After my eyes adjusted better to the light I was able to focus on the butterfly a little more. It was black and white. And sort of lavender. Hm. It wasn't as bright or vibrant as Allure's butterfly but it had a sweet delicacy to it. How pretty. I thought about how Inno would turn out.
So. How should I spend the day? I wanted to take Inno somewhere nice. Even though it was just a lantern and a butterfly. I knew where. On my way out I slung a small bag over my shoulder. I unhooked the lantern from the window ledge and clutched its handle carefully as I walked out of the apartment. I tried to hold it as steady as I could, being as the butterfly was so tiny and fragile.
As I walked out of the apartment a small breeze brushed past my face. It was refreshing now that I was completely awake. I walked past stores and houses for some while before I reached a sylvan area. It looked very shaded, only with cracks or rays of sunlight peeking through the trees. As I approached the forest it became more peaceful. I was away from all the honking cars, chatter of people, it was just me, Innocence, and nature now. I took in deep breaths of the cool air. It was nice to get away from all that. Civilization.
I glanced down at the lantern to check if the butterfly was alright. It seemed to be completely calm too. It was fluttering by the lantern, seemingly enjoying the changed environment.
I had walked for perhaps about 20 minutes before I started to hear the sound of rushing water. I was almost there. It was my favorite place to go. Especially when I was stressed out. I'll bring Inno here again when she's emerged.
I finally arrived to a broad river, and a bit further a waterfall. Under the waterfall there were large rocks that were scattered around that surrounded it. It was misty here, the trees were taller so it appeared darker here. I followed the river until I came to a redwood bridge.
I dropped my bag and carefully set the lantern down by it. I leaned over the ledge of the bridge and look down in the river at my reflection. Then I noticed the butterfly flutter up next to me. I stuck my finger out and it perched there. I stared at the butterfly, watching its wings. Open. Close. Open.
Something drifting down the river caught my eye. I turned my attention from the butterfly. It was a lily. A white lily, floating down all by itself. It was funny, because I've never seen a flower like that grow around here or even throughout the whole forest ever since I was little. It was perfect. It was like it was so unsuspecting.. so innocent.
The butterfly fluttered off my finger as I went to pick it up. It drifted to the side of the river, as if it was giving itself to me. Water trickled off my hand as I held it and set it by the lantern. The butterfly landed itself right in the middle of it. It was a nice day.
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Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2005 7:41 pm
{.M a r. 0 9.}
It was a beautiful day today and sunny outside. I was in my bedroom by the window, checking up on Inno again.
She was still on the lily, which was put next to the lantern. It seems she's grown acquainted it. She's been sitting on it for most of the day in fact. And she did look kind of crooked... I gently prodded her wing. She tipped to the left even more and then tipped back.
I'm not going to panic... I'm not going to panic... What's wrong with her?! , I thought. "It's only been 2 days and I've killed her!", I suddenly wailed out to myself. My fingers fidgeted in my lap. After a while of nervous fiddling my stomach growled. It sounded angry since I didn't have breakfast this morning.
It just occured to me. I slapped my head. Butterflies needed to eat too of course. I'm so dumb! What do they eat anyway? And where are their mouths?? I went to my desk where my laptop was. I started reading away about butterflies.
..............
-tap tap tap-
-click-
-click click tap-
Hhmmm.
-click-
Well. They drink some kind of nectar. That you can buy and then make at home. I found some interesting stuff while looking up the food they eat too. Like, a butterfly is called "fartattu" in Arabic. Which I so immaturely snickered at. Could you imagine me saying, "Good morning my beautiful little fartattu!"? There were tons of words for butterflies in fact. Like this one in Gaelic, which I can't even pronounce, "dearbadan-de". And an even more complicated one in Yup'ik, "Caqelngataq". I found out that they don't even really drink from flowers. They get their food from rotting wood or sap. Eww. Not as pretty as I thought.
I went out to the nearest shop I could find that had it, which took a while because well, who has a butterfly for a pet? Or a butterfly garden? I rushed home, stuck a feeder on the window and poured nectar in.
Inno timidly edged towards it. A thin stick extended from her head and into the food. I let out a sigh of relief, knowing I didn't kill her out of my stupidity.
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Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2005 8:47 pm
{.M a r. 1 1.}
Well it looks like Inno has a little visitor. There was a slightly smaller butterfly sitting next to her. It was brightly colored, green and yellow with hints of blazing blue. She didn't seem to mind it being there. It was probably attracted by the food in the first place, I left the window open overnight because of the heat. I figured it was pretty safe considering we were 2 stories up. It was perched on a corner of the glowing lantern. The swirling light continued to circle it.
I wonder what would happened if I touched that light around it? What was it, specifically, anyways? I once again had the urge to poke at it. Well it's not like I'm gonna die if I touch it, I thought.. Right? My finger inched towards it as my face became all squinted and my head backed as far as I could as though something would zap me. I swear my finger was only like 2 millimeters away when something jumped out. I yelped and was tipped off the chair onto the floor. Ow. Getting up, I chuckled nervously at myself at my jumpiness.
Peeking over cautiously, I made sure there wasn't some kind of who-knows-what that came out of it. It was only Inno and her little friend. Their sudden movements just surprised me is all. They were fluttering up and out by the window where the flowers were growing in. It was close by. I know Inno would never be too far away from her lantern. They flew around excitedly by each other and the flowers. It looked like they were playing.
Knowing I was alright I did the same thing over again. You know. Squintyface. Fingerpoke. I got over my fear in doing this, I figured I was just being ridiculous. After I finally did touch it I discovered it was like there wasn't anything there. But I did feel a slight breeze. Me and my curiousity. Sigh...
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Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2005 3:42 pm
{.M a r. 1 3.}
My mind is simply buzzing with excitement. I caught sight of Koyuki's new arrival today. She's soo pretty. Especially her wings. I can't help but feel jealous, but I'm happy for her. I thought it was really quick though, I would have thought they would take longer to come. When she told me about Allure I was quite surprised.
On a different note, another reason for my excitement is because it's my shop's first anniversary! My Pud shop's been up for whole year! Yay for mee. Just all the running around has been making me crazy.
But maybe the real reason I am is because it's making me even MORE antsy about Inno's arrival. What if she was next? I hope I don't faint.
I also noticed there was an auction going on for a lantern while I was in the shop. Most of the people who usually hung around the Anima Gardens were now at the auction so the gardens were sort of deserted and when I popped in no one else seemed to be there. I saw a picture of Allure up there and this other Anima with a devil tail I've never even seen. Perhaps that was mischief? It did look sort of familiar.
I felt quite lucky and smart, seeing the high bid for it. I bought mine for only 600k and the bid was already up for around 850k. I would have died if it went much lower than what I bought mine for. To tell you the truth I was pretty hesitant to buy it in the first place. It was quite a lot to me, seeing as how it took quite some time to make all that money. But I know it was worth it now, and I don't doubt buying little Inno for a second.
(("Chai: drawing Allure, Inno, Ura, Piper, Deus" Ho ho ho. xDD))
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Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2005 12:09 am
what's my name?__.As fragile and beautiful as a lily. So flawless, and such a sweet little bundle of joy. She deserves a name fitting of her beauty.
 How will she find it...? Describe how this curious little girl came upon her name!
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Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2005 7:22 pm
{.M a r. 1 4.}
It was glowing. My little butterfly was glowing. I wasn't quite sure what was happening, or if something was going wrong but something told me it was going to be alright. I think it's suppost to happen. She was coming...
I was sketching out things on my bed when it happened. I usually do my work there when I want to relax too, though I tend to fall asleep quite often whenever I did that.
I noticed there was a light coming from the window. Was the sun really that bright? I looked over and saw that Inno was glowing, and the strange wind around it grew quicker and quicker in its pace around the lantern. I watched intently at it from my bed while the glow started to become a blinding light until I couldn't look anymore.
I covered my eyes with my arm and when I peered out from it a beautiful child emerged. There she was at last. The lantern was gone, along with the butterfly, and the lily I had found for her was now tucked neatly in her hair. She looked so sweet and adorable.
What was I suppost to say to her? All this anticipation and anxiety during the wait for her arrival made me speechless now. She was here. Standing right in front of me.
"Hello there.", I said to her. She stood there staring at me. "I'm Piper. I'm... your guardian?" My voice sounded a little wobbly and nervous now. What was I suppost to say? And did she even understand what I was saying?
She gave me what looked like to be a timid smile, and immediately began looking around. She appeared to be very curious of the surroundings around her and began to touch everything and even sniff at a few of them. I just hope she doesn't start licking things though. Who knows what she might put in her mouth? I guess this means she doesn't speak yet then. She picked up my sketches, squinted at them, and threw them behind her head. I don't think she liked them. After a bit of poking around she crawled onto my bed next to me and clutching tufts of my hair, and then doing the same to her own hair. She looked very amused by all of this. It must all be new to her.
Then she caught sight of my mirror. She saw her reflection. She was a person now. She ran her small fingers over her face. She smiled at herself in the mirror. I wonder what she was thinking.
After watching this for a while I thought. She needed a name now! She had come so soon and unexpectedly that I hadn't thought of a name yet. I think I'll name her Anua, after my great-great aunt. She reminded me so much of her...
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Posted: Tue Mar 15, 2005 7:51 pm
{.M a r. 1 5.}
Yesterday was Anua's first time at the Anima Gardens. She met some very nice people, including another Anima, Allure. I think it went alright. She seemed to be a little confused about the greeting gestures first but she's learning. She didn't speak either, but everyone was patient with her. I think she enjoyed being there so I'll bring her by soon.
I found out she liked to watch TV a lot, and if she wasn't doing that she was in her room, reading the books I bought her. At least I think she's reading them. She must have learned from that kiddy channel I showed her on the television. If so, it must meant she does understand what I say, and just must be shy. Or maybe she just hasn't gotten the hang of speaking yet?
I tried to get her to talk today. I came into her room while she was sprawled on her bed on her stomach with her legs dangling in the air and her hands holding up her head while she read. She saw me come in and looked up at me. She stuck a hand out at me. I took her hand and shook it. She must have learned that from yesterday when we were at the gardens.
"... So. I came up with a name for you.", I said to her with a smile, "It's Anua. It was my great great aunt's name." I didn't tell her why I named her after my great great aunt. It was quite a long story, and I don't know if she was ready for it. There was a slight pause between me and her. "You can talk right? Can you say Anua? Ah-noo-ah." She opened her mouth slightly. I looked at her in anticipation. I thought she was gonna say something. But she didn't. She closed her mouth again as if unsure of herself.
I sighed. "That's ok. You'll get it soon." The bed made a creak as I got up from the bed and was on my way to the door when I heard her first words: "A-Anua?". I whirled around. "Yes! Anua!" I smiled at her, and she smiled back. "Do you like the name?", I asked her. She gave me a small nod.
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Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2005 8:16 pm
{.M a r. 2 8.}
Well she's beginning to talk more. And I think she's getting the hang of everyday gestures. She doesn't look at me with a puzzled expression anymore when I kiss her forehead goodnight. I noticed she's a very curious girl. Luckily she hasn't licked anything she shouldn't be yet, but I often find her snooping around my stuff and the closet. She does make quite a mess, but she's a good girl. If I ask her to put away her stuff she does, I don't have to even yell at her.
I think she likes the music I bought for her a while ago. She insists on playing them while she reads. I don't even understand how you can do that. Crazy girl. I did find a CD in the trash can though, one of the random ones I threw in while I was shopping. I guess she doesn't like metal or rock.
We haven't met any new people at the Anima Gardens lately. It seems to be a little deserted most of the time. It's too bad, we don't see Allure there either except for that one meeting. I'd really like her to interact with some other anima but Allure's the only one we've seen around. I suppose it'll just take some time and I'm sure more will come soon, there were quite a few lanterns hanging around. In the meantime I'm her only friend so I try my best to spend as much time as I can with her. She doesn't seem to mind it at all though.
She seems to be content just staying in her room and has quite an imagination. More than once I've had to clean up the giant mess she makes from her little inventions like a fort she once made out of all the blankets in the house, cusions, and random pieces of clothing. Or one day during breakfast when she tried to smush everything from her meal into one once I had turned my back to look for a few papers. She tried to stuff it in my mouth! Unfortunately, she succeeded, and let me tell you, toast, bacon, eggs, drenched with orange juice does not taste good if you eat it all at once. I can't get mad at her no matter how hard I try though. I mean who can resist that adorable face?
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Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2005 7:24 pm
((Was suppost to be on April Fool's but didn't finish.))
{.A p r. 0 1.}
...Oh god. April fool's day. You don't want to know how my day's been. But I'll tell you anyways.
Anua had quite a lot of fun with me today. I have no idea where she learned all this from. I didn't know she could be such a trickster. Maybe it's because I'm such an easy and gullible target. Or maybe it was from watching all that television....
Anyways, I ended up with black rings around my eyes, salt in my sugar shaker and vice-versa, pee on the floor of my bathroom (which I made her clean up), honey on the outside of my cups, my papers glues to the desk, etc etc.
Boy she was in a lot of trouble. I stormed up to her room and caught her sprawled on the bed with clumps of tape stuck to her. She stopped in the midst of ripping a piece of tape from a roll in her mouth and looked up at me. "Hi! Mom... ?", she said muffled through the tape. She could see that I was angry. "What's wrong?", she asked.
What was WRONG? What was wrong!? How could she ask me that? I explained to her all those tricks she pulled on me and what a mess she made. Her expressions turned from playful happiness to sadness. She told me that she didn't think she did anything wrong and said that she thought everyone was doing it. I explained to her how she might have gone a little far on the tricks so she apoligized to me. She looked pretty sincere so after that I calmed down and forgave her. I made her clean up everything of course. She did it all without argument. After all I suppose it was a innocent mistake right?
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Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2005 3:06 pm
{.A p r. 0 9.}
Tobit and Illan came to visit today! It was a surprise visit. Illan came in holding Tobit in her arms, having quite a lot of trouble keeping him there seeing as he kept on squirming around. That boy can never keep still.
As soon as they entered the doorway he managed to wiggle his way out and he ran into the apartment, squealing in excitement to see his sister.
Anua was in her room, reading one of her books, when Tobit just barged in. I ran after him once I heard a scream coming from the room. Anua reeled back, looking so surprised. Apparently Tobit had jumped on her bed and was now reaching over to try and give her a hug. I can't blame her. Tobit looked like a fuzzy blue monster with rabies.
She looked very stiff when he finally did manage to hug her, with her eye all squinted up. I think she was expecting him to eat her. "Hi! I'm Tobith!", he said enthusiastically at her. "It's Tobit. Not Tobith.", I corrected him.
"And I'm Illan", the Lykin said from behind me, leaning against the doorway with a smile on her face. That girl never looks surprised, mad, or anything. She's always got a calm look on her face.
"Yes. This is your brother and sister Anua! Well. Sort of. And don't worry. Tobit's completely friendly. He won't bite." Anua looked nervously at the small blue bunny and gave him a weak smile. "Well. I'll let you 3 get aquainted a little better, if you need me I'll be in my bedroom."
Illan gave Piper a nod and walked over and gave her a hug, "Nice to finally meet you! Piper's said so much about you." Anua looked at her in curiosity. She looked so.. gray. And ghostly. But she was a pretty sort of ghostly. Her eyes were especially interesting. They were glimmery, but she looked blind. Where were her pupils? She finally responded, "It's nice to meet you too. You've got some pretty eyes. Are they magical?" Illan chuckled at her. "No, they're nothing special. I was just born this way. Well. At least I think they're not magical."
Meanwhile Tobit was rummaging through her room. And making a bit of a racket at that. Anua finally turned, hearing it. "Wha' are you doing Tobit?" Tobit was under her bed, so she crawled over to the edge of it and peered under. "Hummph. There's nothing good under here!", he huffed and crawled out, now covered with dust clumps. "Looka! I'ma dust boonie!" "Good for you...", Anua said, as Tobit started running his dusty paws through her music collection and books.
"Hey hey Boy. Don't start making a mess out of her room. You already did with mine. You better sit and keep still or no more candy for you.", Illan said. Anua looked a bit more relieved that she said that, because Tobit sat his angry butt down on a chair with his arms crossed and stopped.
They talked for an hour or so before leaving. Well, mainly Illan and Anua, with Tobit interrupting every so often or inquiring about any chocolate or candy laying about the house. Illan seemed to be an intelligent girl and was pretty nice. Tobit seemed to be sort of psycho, but he was actually rather fun. I think Anua liked having them over, because she told me she hoped that they'd come back again soon, after they left. Maybe I'll have Illan come over again and teach her how to write.
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Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 6:53 pm
{.A p r. 2 6.}
About less than a week after their visit Illan called and offered to come by and be Anua's tutor to teach her how to write and tone her reading skills a bit. I told Anua and she seemed to be rather excited.
Illan comes by about 2-3 times a week and tutors her now. Illan tells me how eager she is to learn and how well she's doing!
Besides that, the Anima Gardens have been absolutely deserted the past while. Chai seems to have gone off somewhere. Something about loads of work. Most of the people who used to hang there seem to have disappeared along with Chai. I hope they come back though after everything gets up and running again. It's a shame because Anua keeps on asking me when we'd go back. I have to keep telling her "Soon, dear." She's still getting along perfectly fine but I wish she could meet some other Anima.
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