I'm tired.

I'm going to sleep for a long time.

Alex... Dai... you know who you are... I miss you. Just thought I'd let you know. I didn't get to talk to you today.

Daris... I'm worried about you. *hugs* Be well, my creature... please, be well. You'll survive.

Hida, talk to the wench, she's good company.

Kadin... *sighs softly* ...you and my bard... gods. I need you both right now.

It was hard, talking to my folks.

It was NOT fun.

It was NOT pleasant.

But... it needed to be done.

And I did it.

I'd say that's a point in my favor, right?

And certainly I let my mom talk over me quite a few times, I let her whine and jabber, and you know what? It's ok. Because I got out what I needed to say. Put it out, black and white, it's there on paper. No garbled words. None of that. I know what I wrote, I know what I said, and it's done with.

Said it.

Finished.

And they are still talking to me.

This is... better than I had expected, certainly. I think I can rest easy now. Please don't wake me unless you are an Alex, an Elru, a Caleb, a Kadin, or a Daris... I want my sleep.

If you are one of those four... well, Alex, you don't have my number but you could get it easily enough from the Grr. The other four... you know where to find me.

I'm here if you need me.

*pads off to sleep*