Lithian -- The Only Black Uke

[Miss Chief aka Uke]

A Whisper and a Prayer

Dear Journal,

I rose at dawn, the morning after I first laid with Casseth. The previous night seemed almost a dream, in wake of the light of day, and I felt myself locked in a desperate tandem, strung between great joy and great fear. It was everything to me, to have him — to feel his warmth at my side upon waking — and as happy as it was, it was equally terrifying to think he would not return the sentiment once in a more wakeful state of mind.

In that mindset, I savored his heat only as long as I could not bear to pull away, then dressed, and prayed, thanking my god for the blessings he had bestowed upon me, irregardless of whether or not he yet intended to withdraw them again. As it happened, to my immense relief, Casseth rose with no regrets — apparently woken by my movements despite my efforts to remain quiet — and in the aftermath of my prayer, ushered me back to his bed and the warmth of the furs.

It did not take much convincing.

Sincerely,
Lithian Bhardvaris

 

[Miss Chief aka Uke]

Dead Man's Treasure

Dear Journal,

Despite our various initial 'distractions,' Casseth and I did eventually get to the heart of the 'purpose' which drew us to Aisko in the first place. Though the adventure itself was not awful, I find that overall, the breaks from it, and the stolen time with Casseth where we learned more about each other's landscape than that of Aisko proper, was far more engaging and enjoyable.

Sincerely,
Lithian Bhardvaris

 

[Miss Chief aka Uke]

The Earth and the Sea

Dear Journal,

Casseth and I made it back to Eowyn today, from our trip to Aisko. As promised, we went to the beaches, I swimming and he watching for some time. Eventually, though, I convinced him to come in with me and we had a brief session of swimming lessons before things took another direction. Not that I find myself in a position to complain.

Sincerely,
Lithian Bhardvaris

 

[Miss Chief aka Uke]

The Naked Truth

Dear Journal,

Araceli learned of the nature of Casseth and my 'new' relationship - or rather, the twist therein - and I do hope the method by which she did does not become habit. Bare of any clothing to speak of and actively...'coupled'...with one's partner is not how I suppose most anyone would prefer to be walked in on. To my great surprise - though less so, I suppose, as I ought to have predicted from her first speech to me on Ayr about the subject that she was not averse to the idea - she did not so much as spare a question about the shift in events.

Instead, she focused immediately on Casseth's wings, something so natural to me now and such a part of him that I forget sometimes that to others, it is a secret. And, in the immediate aftermath of that, Detraeus. Her original purpose was to seek me out for counsel and healing since her stubborn living partner refused to see a healer of any other sort. As I anticipated, he was little more willing to see me, but with the coaxing of both Casseth and Araceli, he finally permitted me to work - from a distance - on what was ailing him.

The man is frustrating to no end. I do not understand what Araceli sees in him, and frankly do not yet trust him in her home, though he seems to have caused no trouble thus far. Thankfully. I pray it remains so.

Sincerely,
Lithian Bhardvaris

 

[Miss Chief aka Uke]

The Art of Subtlety

Dear Journal,

Casseth promised himself to me. Of all the gifts in this life greater than I ever once thought to ask for, this moment was among one of those most precious to me. It began rather unorthodox, as our style seems to be, with his father catching us in the process of disrobing behind Casseth's residence. The moment terrified me, naturally, but Kilian has always been a kinder man than my mind seems to have given him credit for. Perhaps his intimidating first impression in my childhood left a more permanent mark in my conscience than I anticipated.

Whatever the case, the man was far more concerned with us putting our clothes back on than he was with the actual nature of our relationship. Casseth, though, in the process of trying to define said relationship, called me his 'mate.' It was a shock for me, of course. While we have shared each other's bed a number of times now over the months we have been coupled, such a label as I have come to understand it is only applied to those who are in a partnership where both discussed moving towards such a bond in the future - a mutual promise and an act of courting - followed by a ceremony to link their names, their families, and their futures in the eyes of Abronaxus and any other god who cares to look.

Kilian seemed to understand this better than Casseth and after a quick word, left us to our own devices. I explained, as best I could, to Casseth, what it meant to ask for someone as a mate, and Casseth asked for my hand immediately after. I am courting my best friend, and my lover. A happier day is hard to imagine, and I pray only that 'the rest of our lives' is a very long time indeed.

Sincerely,
Lithian Bhardvaris

 

[Miss Chief aka Uke]

What Was Left Behind

Dear Journal,

Detraeus is gone. In his wake, he leaves me Casseth, poisoned and on the brink of a fate I dare not contemplate where I lie sleepless at his bedside. And Araceli, alone and wounded in ways less physical and more of the sort I would expect such a man never to understand. He betrayed two of my closest friends, fled, and left me with their battered hearts and ailing bodies injected with as much mental venom as physical. For that, I cannot forgive him.

I hate him, and I hope that he never returns, so help me.

Sincerely,
Lithian Bhardvaris

 

[Miss Chief aka Uke]

And The World Spins Madly On

Dear Journal,

Finally, Casseth woke today. I suppose I ought to have expected it, but expectations did not make hearing him stand up for that horrible man any easier to take. I know that he was Casseth's friend, but nothing Cas can say will make me believe our lives would be better if he returned. He has left nothing but hurt in his wake, and I want nothing but Casseth safe against me. That, for now, and perhaps for always, is enough.

Sincerely,
Lithian Bhardvaris