Found:
The past few days have been.... interesting.
Work has been slow, but that's no bother. I'm more than wealthy enough to do without by this point and only really work as a way to keep myself occupied. In lieu of scrolls to painstakingly transcribe, I've spent much of my time in town with an ever-expanding circle of acquaintances and friends.
Adathan has, we hope, given up on his infatuation with Tilliee. The woman is married, and happily so, even if none amongst us has a high opinion of her partner. It is not we to whom the man is bound however, and as such it is not for us to judge. If she is content with him, then it is no ones concern but her own. Whilst the boy had a little trouble with that idea, I'm of the belief that the woman herself set him straight when his desire was brought to her attention.
Meanwhile the sister that the boy mentioned, Asterid, has appeared. Though angry and far from friendly at first, a bath, some sleep and a good meal seems to have mellowed the girl. Alas, she and Tilton do not get along. A pity, for they are of an age and she is pretty enough when cleaned up, and personable enough now that she has located her errant sibling.
Nicasia is still absent. I worry for his safety, of course, but there is naught to be done for now. I know his obsession with the puzzle, I recognise his drive to forge ahead and find his quarry at all costs. It is not healthy - I know that now - and I continue to hope that he can be talked away from this. But for as long as he's gone, no interventions can be made. Patience is key in this.
Dernwynn seems a great deal happier since making her decision. I am glad for her. And having seen the pair together, I even approve. He is a handsome man who is clearly respectful toward her, as it should be. There are yet some hurdles to climb for the pair, I think, but I suspect they will clear them in time. I must remember to ask him name, "Bard" being more a descriptor than a moniker.
However, since solving the issue of her own love-love, she has turned her attention to mine. In a bid to take my attention away from Rowan, she has taken to playing match-maker. I find it endearing, but a little frustrating. Despite my protests, she refuses to believe that there is naught between the Dunedan and I but a tenuous friendship. And the man she has chosen as a potential partner for me is.... interesting, but as yet unknown. Handsome and intelligent, he is at once a gentleman and nothing of the sort. A trickster, a con man, a vagbond and a charmer. We shall see how further conversation progresses, but for now I am content to offer banter and nothing more.
But perhaps the most important aspects of these past days are the urchin girl and Tilton.
The former is a young pickpocket, living upon the streets. Now, one might think that this could cause in her a selfishness or greed, yet it has not. She claims to steal only when starved and with no other option, preferring to beg instead. Despite this, she sought to return to me a coin that I had "accidentally" dropped. Perhaps she is more canny than she appears and is choosing to play the long game. Or perhaps there remains an honesty to her that her current way of life has yet to strip from her young mind. With further questioning, it seems that she has some aspirations; to become a cobbler, of all things! Of course, few are willing to take in a dirty little street rat, thus I have opted to help her out. A bath, a comb, a room to stay in for the moment, and some new clothes. Improving her appearance will aid me in finding someone to take her on as an apprentice because, despite all evidence to the contrary, people still put far too much stock in how one looks over how one behaves.
Idiots.
Tilton also has aspirations. He wishes to travel the world instead of spend the rest of his years breaking his back on a farm. To that end, I have offered to invest in him as a trader. Certainly, it is an expensive start-up and there is no evidence that he will be any good at it, nor certainty that he will enjoy such a life. But for the young man to realise his dreams, someone must take a chance on him and I have never shied away from a risk. Naturally, I have told him that he must first give serious thought to what he will trade, where he will trade and to speak to his father about the matter. Then, and only then, will I fork over the money to get him started.
We shall see how matters progress.
