Mani my friend!

I’m sending this letter to you with a funny looking bauble I found in the library. Doesn’t it look splendid! It reminds me of that fancy decor from the pretty houses that I used to visit.

I may end up staying a little longer my friend. After all, I experienced my first WIZARD RAVE!

I found the invitation by chance! It was just sitting there, left alone by the front stairway. I knew at once that those tricksters had gone ahead! I dashed as fast as I could to the party. There was fun to be had and I desperately needed some time of carefree fun! When I arrived,  I danced, OH MY did I DANCE! I was even brought on stage with Bird Girl! The music, have you ever heard lyrics that spoke to your soul? I may have swooned until the music ended.

I could have done without what happened after dear one.

John warned me at the dinner. Warned me that secrets can kill. He whispered things that made little sense except… how did he know? The edge of my knife bit into my hands as those words seemed to echo around me. Even spending the day with Omakahel, hours desperately needed with another halfling who loves the sea, couldn’t dissipate the gnawing fear I have over my past life catching up to me. I like simplicity. The fish I choose were good. The food everyone brought was tasty. The party is happy. I may have lost my way when I was younger, but I’m a new and better halfling now Mani! You can see that, can’t you? Running home, we see Narcel’uss in a tear, threatening to kill Ildan. I’ve never seen her this way, half-crazed, almost without control. Then just hateful words spilled from her mouth. I had no idea this is what she thought of me. It felt... well did everyone feel that way? Even now, I can feel my fingers tremble. I know I’m rather foolish at times, Mani, but I’m a dreamer. I dream and dream and put into my head pictures of my past that I know are not true, but who says we can’t rewrite our history? I need to stay focused. Not unravel. I can’t view this party as my new family. That’s silly. It’s silly for me to think this way. You’re my family, aren’t you Mani? Yes, yes, I know you are. Just as I know you would write if you could!

I hid in my pond after that ugly outburst. The mood was a stark contrast to the fun we were having not too long ago. Everyone seemed somber. Ildan was noticeably absent from the group. Eventually I came out and we had a party meeting. Seems everyone had something they needed to share, say why they are here and not at home.  One by one, each revealing secrets! I hated it. I don’t understand why everyone feels the need to tell all the itty gritty dirty secrets of their lives! Who cares! At least now I know there is some sort of magical object in the house. If Narcel’uss had to tell us that, why couldn’t she tell us more? I’m going to find it when I get the chance. I don’t need anyone’s help to find pretty things, right Mani? I can find them on my own. When it came to my turn well, I TOLD the truth. I did! I see how they see me. Why should I tell reveal anything else? They didn’t believe me though. Can they see my ugly underbelly? My conflicting natures that lie underneath this layer of cheer? When J told her secret, I couldn’t hide my spiteful tone.  Stars are awful, tiny, cruel specks of nothing in the sky. They don’t mean anything. Finally I told what I felt comfortable telling. They seemed to accept it for now.

We spent the night in the library, to have a sleepover and bond a little. Heal a bit from the meeting we’d had. I dreamt of my cave. The pale pinks of the coral. The shimmering schools of fish. Sometimes when I close my eyes, I can hear the whispers of the sea. I wish I hadn’t been so hasty with that box. I wish I could bring it up and remember a simpler time, a time before I came onto the land.

That’s enough of memories for a long time dear one. I’m storing all my gloomy thoughts into a box, and tossing it into the deep. I like cheerful Vani. Happy Vani. Energetic Vani with a flower in her heart and a playful spider on her head is coming back as soon as I finish this letter. She’ll protect her party from foolish shenanigans and find treasure for all! Yes. I like this Vani. I’ll have her stay for awhile.

Yours,