Imrhien

I saw Imrhien and her man, name of Duncan, yesterday. And, being as we've been through so much, I wasn't expecting her to be so hesitant to take a key to my place. But, hesitant she was. It took her a while to comprehend it all, I think. The last person in the world she expected to see was me. Well, maybe not the last, but one of the least likely. And the last place on earth she'd expect to see me would be in front of the family business, specially seein' as I'd disowned them and they me.

But there we were.

The towns people seem happy enough to have us back, which surprises me somewhat. Maybe other people don't hate Blue Sun as much as I've come to hate Blue Sun. But then again, they didn't grow up watching it destroy everyone and everything they loved. In fact, they probably actually learned *to* love, because they didn't have the shadow of the qing ri following them around like some dark day.

Me, maybe I was making some attempt to make up for Mindo's madness. Maybe I wanted to be closer to mother. Maybe I wanted to stop running. Maybe I even missed Nene. That last one, well, not likely, but maybe.

So, anyway...Imrhien. She's the same. More wary, but the same. And she tells me someone tried to grab her, to take her to Blue Sun. Thats not likely. I'd know. There's no where else they'd bring her but here. And no one else they'd bring her to, but me.

Unless..unless when the facility under Shadow was dismantled, some of the workers decided to take "thing" into their own hands. Even so, Mindo was safe. Grandfather at least appears to be stable. Mother will arrive soon. One big happy family.

Back to where it all Began

Grandfather is ill. Very ill.

I suppose I should feel some sort of sorrow or sense of impending loss. But I do not.

He summoned me, and I appeared dutifully. He asked me to take over for him, as mother was "still missing" and Mindo was "unable at this time".

Missing? I've *seen* her. I know where they keep her. And Mindo? Unable? He's the same as he ever was, totally insane and totally "he can do no wrong".

So why me? And why would I say yes.

Its complicated. That's all I can say.

Complicated.