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Dear Niko,

Like as not, you are not reading this letter and are ignoring it, just as you have ignored my last five phone calls. Do not think for even a moment that you are the only one to have ever gone through heartbreak. You know my story, you say. Do you truely? I felt bound to Lynwood by my emotions, by my parents, by the one I loved. Unlike you, I left him willingly. I knew if I stayed, I would never have the freedom I longed for. Many years of Vate persuing me, and many regrets later, I was able to find love again.

Believe me, I know what you are going through, though not how you will choose to deal with it. I chose my route in life. It may have bumps and road blocks at times, but I advise you to find your own. You are young, Nikos. Young enough to have made a mistake in love. Perhaps she was not the one you are destined for. I believe whoever fate decides to place you with will accept you completely, love you for who you are,flaws and all. Like your family has. Like I have.

My brother, you have a great destiny before you. a life full of wonder and laughter. I may not be an oracle, but fate tends to work like this. This is a trial, Niko. You have gone through a great deal of them, you will soon receive your reward.

My husband believes that there is a being bigger than any of us, bigger than the universe. That this being is bigger than thousands of universes put together. This being, it's said, loves us. That it protects us and knows us all by name. That it knows how many stars there are and knows their names too. If such a being exists, I believe it must have a plan for you. Ben says it always has a plan. He calls it a "He" but you can imagine my confusion. How can spirits have genders?

If anyone deserves happiness, it's you, Niko. I wish you every happiness Gaia has to offer.

Love,

Thali

P.S

Remember that there is a time in everyone's life where they believe love is only true in fairytales. You and I are lucky, Niko. We get to live one. That's something other people only dream of.

I love you, little brother,

Thali

This letter told Niko many things, but none struck him more than the fact that Thali had called him "brother". Twice. It was true that her parents had very nearly adopted him, though the princess had never before acknowledged it.

Though she had seemed to involve herself in Niko's life, the elf hadn't thought--she had actively tried to reassure him, even in her present condition. It was no secret that the tiny princess of Lynwood was pregant; very. Niko felt his spirits lift in a way they hadn't in days at the thought.

He had a family. One that cared about him, despite what they were going through themselves. A family that acceppted him. A family. He had a family.

Updated up to here. Solo due.

Dear Journal,

Demyx seems to be adjusting to having a womanless house surprisingly well. Far better than I am. I still expect her to come in and tell me about a book she's just read or something the children have done. I miss her, journal.

So I've started dating again; for his benefit, and for mine. He needs a mother, journal, I don't know--or care how many times he's gone through life. He needs a mother, and I'll find him the perfect one. One who accepts us both for who we are. Someone who won't abandon us. Someone who won't leave us for something small and never come back.

He needs a mother, journal. I don't care how many lives he's gone through, he needs a mother. Someone who will care for him and love him; as much as I do. He's an enchanting child... I don't know why she doesn't come to at least visit him. I will try to find the perfect replacement for her--for both of our sakes.

He needs someone he can count on. I need someone I can count on. Someone who won't abandon us.

The house has been quieter since they stopped visiting. Demyx seems to miss Axel more than the rest of the family put together. He doesn't say much, but I've seen his drawings lately. Scribbles, of course; but even I can tell what they're supposed to be. They're always the same. Two figures in black with red and golden tops. I know from experience that he means these figures to be himself and our Xelly. It's so hard to have them seperated; it's tearing me apart to see them like this. I know they're suffering just as much as we are.

Not for long, though. Thali has introduced me to the most beautiful girl on Gaia. Her name's Lilynne; and I've never met someone nicer. She's wonderful, kind and loving--I know Demyx will adore her. She seems to fit Howl's description of a woman true and fair--maybe I've found the one, journal. She's smart and funny, and cute--and absolutely perfect.

Apparently a "Dryad King" of some sort told LiLi to watch over Thali while she was pregnant; not sure if he's actually a dryad--or a king, for that matter. His name's Drystan or something like that; and he's a good friend of the Princess'. I don't know. I've heard of him before, and none of it was very good. I've heard he's some kind of guardian for the forest and that he eats the elves that explore there.

My cousin Faust told me; and he said to be careful of dryads, too. He said they can be quite violent. They have complete control of their trees--all sorts of ways to kill people, he says. I'm not sure about this, though. I don't think Thali would become friends with someone who ate elves... She's so sweet. Then again, she does make companions of all kinds of fae.

The princess is a complex creature...

And LiLi's twice as complex.

That might be why I love her.

Yours,

Niko

"You ever get the urge to just do something stupid... and AWESOME?" -- Demyx, 358/2 Days