branwen_y_draig

Cancun- the worst place on earth (locked)

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 04:46:27 GMT

Gabriel dies, and Doyle helps me grieve. The library, and Doyle rescued me. Eleanor disappearing, and Doyle came with me to go find her. He asked me to be his bloody oathmate! I WANT to! But I HAVE to ask the count first. I HAVE to perform my duties. It's who I am! I think so, anyway. I mean, I'm TRYING to protect him. I WANT to look after his bloody family. I've never felt anything for anyone like i do for Doyle. I don't know what it means, but I do know I want to do what's best for him. He's told me how dangerous it would be for me to know anything. He's told me he wants to tell me everything. I can't let him. I can't be the person who betrays him. I already know too much.

I know I'm in the right, so why do I hate myself so bloody much right now? I stayed up all night, made sure he came back with me to Blooming Valley, even though "the woman he loves, his muse, his reason to keep fighting" told him -I told him- that I didn't love him, and I never would.

What does that make me? I don't know if I love him. I don't know if I would. I told him I understood that he had to lie to me sometimes. Hell, I TOLD him to! He should understand if I have to lie to him to protect what I care about, and WHO I care about. There are some who would wish him ill if he kept pursuing me. There are some who would wish us BOTH ill if I let him. I still want to be his oathmate. I will defend his honor and his right to his title because he ISN'T common. I know it. So why can't I let him love me? It's not just to protect me and my status- if it were that, I need only help him prove his nobility. I'm trying to protect him. I can take responsibility, but I can't risk knowing what he wants me to know- I can't risk having that information whilst sworn to someone, even someone I trust, because the Count doesn't know Doyle and might think that his pretending to be what he's not... at least... what I think he's not... maybe he's that too. I don't know. But the Count might think he was a danger. I can't even tell Eleanor what happened fully in Cancun. Just that he drained himself of glamour and that I was feeling too close to being drained to enchant him enough to get him home.

He left me a note. Even when he wasn't able to remember me... he left me a note saying, "I can't not love you. Please remember that. I love you." How? I don't understand what's going on! I don't understand it, I'm tired, I'm sick with banality, and I just feel like I want to sleep for days but I can't. I have to talk to the Count as soon as possible. And I need to see Baroness Baum. And I need to see to the childlings. And I need to know if Doyle is all right. I just need to talk to Jillian, and get rid of some of this horrible filth from around me. I need to sleep in a freehold. I hate this. Boys are such trouble. It's a wonder Miranda ever got anything done.

I hurt.
-Bran-

"I'm a loser, and I lost someone whose dear to me
I'm a loser, and I'm not what I appear to be."

For all my Yankee Friends

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 02:55:42 GMT

Go on, mock my city.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/2698507.stm

Faggots, by the by, are FOOD.

Doyle (locked)

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 04:01:39 GMT

Doyle is getting to be a problem. Not a bad problem. Not a problem I necessarily want to solve. Just... *sigh* He's marvy. Don't get me wrong. He tells me a LOT, and then nothing at all, all in the same sentence. Bloody pooka. I'm so confused and frustrated, I waited almost a week to write about it. He keeps telling me all about how he feels, about life, about his goals, about ME. It's really far too forward, and I SHOULD give him a piece of my mind, or maybe even my steel. But he's a Fiona. It's not really his fault, I suppose. He told me all about his plan to gain title and all, slaying a dragon. He apparently told the COUNT how he feels about me. I really should ring his neck, and part of me is surprised the count didn't. I mean, Robert might have been okay with it, but I don't see Count Fletcher as the passionate, romantic type. Apparently, he's got plans for his alter ego, and I really hope they come through for him. I do care about him, but my GOD, he's asking me to potentially throw away my title and any chance of advancement... I tried to explain the way my house and indeed most of the nobles in court worked. I did. And I know he says he has a bright future, and feels he's a king or something. Maybe he is. But I have a future too. And I don't know if I could get there if I risk it all now. I know a knight dating a pooka is not the end of the world, but I JUST swore to the count, and I know what he'll say...
He even talked to a Goddess about me! She gave him a ring with a dragon on it, though. That was neat. Maybe he will slay a dragon yet. It's funny, I wish I could talk to her about MY dragon ring. My da always said it was a bit like a horse, but I never really thought so. It's bloody bizarre what Doyle and I have in common though. I mean, the ring, the "feeling," the possessed people with scratches telling us that they know what we did, the oddly patchy memories. I want to make him my oathmate, but it's so soon. We only just lost Gabriel, and I just don't feel I can get that close to someone so soon. Maybe that's my problem. I have volunteered for an awful lot of late watch shifts lately at Tower Hold and at the Buskirk-Chumley Theatre.
And that's another thing. I don't trust her. She just happens to have the right things. She just happens to be an enormous Beatles fan. She just happens to have a beautiful home. I mean, she offered to let me stay there- she just could see how jealous I was. I wish I had some rich Duke to give me everything *I* ever wanted. And she commented how odd it was that i was sworn to a count, but look at her! Maybe she is genuine, but I promised Gabriel to watch her. And all of those... changers... she's got a bloody army forming. I just wish I could offer them something she couldn't. Truth, Justice, all that rot is all I can offer that lot. They do seem largely honourable, but... I dunno, maybe I can use my seeliedom to win them to the Gwydion banner and the Summer courts. Kazuki, the bloke with the swords, he seems like he's the one who honor might touch the most. If not, maybe Iris can wink at him till he wants to come to our side! That's an unseelie thought if ever I heard one!
-The right honourable Lady Branwen ap Gwydion-

Why I Miss Liddypool (friends locked)

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 02:54:25 GMT

Well, I did it. I was released from my oath to Baron Sutcliffe and I am now sworn to Count William Fletcher ap Gwydion. I am a citizen of Concordia. I know it's good for politics, but I had NO IDEA I'd feel this homesick. I'm homesick for England, the Isle of the Mighty, for my da, even for Liverpool! Liverpool with its fishy docks full of sweaty men smelling of Mersey water and smoking fags on a 10 minute break that's lasted an hour, taken up with talking about some bird that they shagged the night before. Liverpool, with Lime Street Station plastered with old advertisements of local bands trying to get their start and be the next Beatles, bustling people hurrying past to get to their minimum wage jobs in the factories that weigh their souls down so much that they become fuel for the dauntain that inhabit our fair city. I miss that. Why? I dunno, but it was home. Robert was more than willing to let me go, but he still seemed so lonely. I guess I'm lonely too.
Help, I need somebody, help! Not just anybody...
I was just rewatching "Backbeat" last night, and I always loved this quote:
"John: Do you know what I like about Liverpool Mister Sutcliffe?
Stu: No, what do you like about Liverpool Mister Lennon?
John: I was hoping you'd tell me!"
Onyroad, I want to go home. Just for a week or something, but I want to go home.

Words cannot describe (locked)

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 07:11:11 GMT

I just woke up a bit ago. I'm amazed I was able to fall asleep, honestly. Gabriel, my OATHMATE, is dead. Lost to the Dreaming forever. God, I need a drink. No, I can't have a drink. They'll come for me, I know it. And I WILL be ready when they do.
This was the worst Beltaine ever.
And he kissed me. Or I kissed him, rather. He was trying to protect me. I KNEW there were Shadow Court out for him, and I didn't do a runic circle. I didn't do fuck all- I was so angry at everyone trying to get me to shag. Everyone *except* he and Doyle. Doyle stayed here last night with me. If it hadn't been for him, I'd likely have killed that girl we found, though I'm not certain he didn't want to. She killed the Shadow Court agent, but I'm not convinced she wasn't Shadow Court herself. They could easily have sacrificed someone so that they could see who would come to Gabriel's aid and find out who they might need to kill, who might have information. She was a pooka, and I couldn't read her beyond telling she was lying.
I will not let my guard down again. Even on Beltaine.
I will see you avenged, my friend. I swear it.

Really now, this has got to stop! (locked)

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 06:44:52 GMT

Doyle and I had a picnic. It was lovely. I really enjoyed it. Bugger all! He told me all about his feelings for me, and how, can you believe it, he and Gabriel had a talk about me, and said whoever WON me, they would still be FRIENDS! I ought to string them BOTH up! "Won me" indeed! But I'm not angry at them. I'm honestly very flattered. And FLUMMOXED out of my skull!
I told them BOTH that I can't promise anything, and that I have this feeling... I can't explain it, but I just feel as though I've an obligation to fulfill. I can't tell you what it is. I haven't the foggiest, but it's like I'm betrothed already or something. I know I've a lot to accomplish with my life. Funny how 2 years ago, I didn't feel any real drive at all. I thought at most I'd move to Sheffield and get a job down at factory or something. Maybe I'd go to uni one day, and become an artist or maybe an editor of a paper or a writer for the football column. Now I feel as though... I dunno, maybe it was Doyle talking about being meant for bigger things. I just feel like there's something big I've yet to do, or something I am that I'm not living up to. Maybe I'm stupid and I should just confess to being a dock working, football loving, lager drinking scouse git and have done with it. I mean, who knows, I could be given Robert's Barony someday, if he makes Count. Of course, I'd have to marry a Fiona, but there are worse fates. At any rate, I've GOT to stop MOONING over boys all day.
PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER, BRAN! You're a Gwydion! Bloody ACT like one!
Right. Going off to change the guard now.
Bloody Boys.

Big changes (locked)

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 06:34:15 GMT

Well, journal, it's been a tale, let me tell you.
Where to start? Well, I suppose let's start with the biggest: I am now sworn to Gabriel. He asked, and it just felt like the right thing to do. He's a great man, and it's an honor. I mean, I joined his army some time back, and I trust him with my life- bizarre given what he showed me he had on only the second time we met...
But he and I agreed that we would do what we could to keep Baroness Baum from seeking too much power. There are too many Eiluned in charge here. I talked to her Duke today, and he seemed quite sensible, so I think perhaps we may be alright for now, but I'm still concerned, and I believe that Count Fletcher ap Gwydion is as well. Another great man. And quite dashing for an older gentleman. I don't know what it is about Gwydion men. I mean, Fiona are *more* dashing, yes, but a Gwydion carries such class, such finesse...
I suppose I may be a bit biased. :)

Well, after all that, I met with Gabriel, as well as a few others later for dinner- Morgan, Iris, and Doyle of all people. Gabriel shocked me out of my senses telling me that I was vibrant, full of life, and astoundingly beautiful or some such thing, and that he was quite taken with me. I mean, he actually said that he didn't know he could feel like that again since his wife died. And then before I could really think it through, everyone else turns up! Don't get me wrong, I was honored and not unpleased to hear it, but he'd been so courtly about it heretofore! It quite took my breath away. I expect that sudden confession from a commoner, or from a Fiona or something, but Gabriel had been so formal... but he was sincere. And his sincerity touched me. Well, he invited me to the Count's pre-Beltaine festivities, and I naturally said yes, and I'm quite looking forward to it. I'm not sure what my feelings for Gabriel are, but... I do care for him.

Surprising (locked)

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 06:21:05 GMT

Many things bewilder me. Maths, magics, men...
I mean, I'm not complaining, but... men are confusing. I went several years getting, "Oi Darlin'" out of boys at Lime Street Station, and so I know I'm worth looking at, but suddenly I feel desirable. It's odd. I mean, I've always thought I was the dog's bollux, clearly. But boys never thought that way. I had a boyfriend for almost a year who clearly found me attractive, but didn't seem to care for my personality, because he got frustrated I wouldn't shag him and buggered off. Good riddance, really. I've had dates. I've had two boyfriends. Almost three, but I've just found that since my Chrysalis, I'm not interested in regular men. Fair play to him, he was a looker, and quite impressive at football and even snooker, but he just... well. I haven't known that many men my own age who are like me. Mostly Baron Robert's friends. I guess with us, age isn't as important. I've met some older men who are just fascinating. Honestly, Robert would have turned my head if I hadn't known and respected Miranda. (And worried she'd have chopped my head off!) I wouldn't say I'm against dating a commoner- I just don't really see why I would. I mean, it could never really go anywhere. I've had pooka friends, and gone drinking with a pair of satyrs, and actually REALLY enjoyed the company of Robert's UNSEELIE redcap mate, Mad Jack McGlaughsky. He was a laugh and a half, and not terrible looking, if you enjoy wode tattoos and morris dancing.
At any rate, I suppose I'm surprised at myself. I judged Doyle too quickly, and he's actually a charming... date, I guess you could say. I had thought he'd be fun when I first came up to him and he offered me a Guinness, disregarding my pointed ears, just seeing a bird from the British Isles who could use a drink. He seems to actually like me though. It's possible, I suppose, that he's just putting me on, but I don't think so. He played a concert at Bear's place, and, what can I say but... IT BLEW MY MIND. He was incredible. I'd no idea he could play so well. And he had a beautiful voice. Almost McCartney worthy. And he said it was all for me. He was really dashing, and gave me flowers, and I had a really nice time.
So nice I said I'd love to do it again.
Bizarre.
I don't know what Gabriel feels about me, but I enjoy his company too.
Hang it all, I'm here to get a degree! And to perform my duties!
Right, Branwen. Go to bed.

Investigations continue (fae friends locked)

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 06:00:13 GMT

So... I've decided that in future, if there are armed guards somewhere, I should steer clear investigating. Ow. That BLOODY WELL HURT. Iris and I didn't get a whole lot, though the basketball coach was quite a lot of fun. If I didn't think I'd have to join basketball to do it, I think she'd make a fantastic dreamer. Maybe I could muse her anonymously...
Thank god that Iris is such a looker. I think that cop was ready to give me the third degree!

In other news, maths continue to elude me, though I think at this rate, if I do quite well on my final, I COULD scrape a B. Maybe. *sigh* At least there are tutoring hours... I just feel as though, perhaps, in my past life, maths beyond basic addition, subtraction, multiplication and division just WEREN'T IMPORTANT. It so hard to care, but I've got to keep my marks up if I want to keep this mysterious scholarship. Speaking of which, Gabriel is just too much. He actually got himself injured trying to scry for me. Someone really doesn't want me to know what's going on. Good thing I'm a Gwydion. :) Otherwise, I might just pack up my ball and go home!
-Bran-

Behind on my Journal but keeping afloat in the world! (friends filtered- ask if you are one to see)

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 16:47:29 GMT

Well journal, I may have been ignoring you, but at least I can say I am not failing maths. I have been working long and hard, and barely even coming up for air between school and my research position.
Lady Iris and I have begun our hunt for information on articles that Eleanor set us to research, I've gotten to the top 5 in challengers for Epee, and the top 7 for foil, I've offered some time to work at the Tibetan culture center (which will be a laugh, since I know next to nothing about Tibet. ah well, looks like more research.), I've met with Gabriel to discuss important matters (my head is spinning from all that we're concerned over) and spend my nights in a ritual of weaverwarding my bed, and all of the doors of Tower Hold. It's spring break, and I can't go home for my duties here and my lack of dosh, so forgive me if I come across as a bit grumpy. I am enjoying myself here, but some of what I'm doing is so detailed and time consuming, I almost miss just chasing down dauntain. There's nothing nearly so complex about their plans: see fae, hate fae, kill fae. I hate the buggers, but at least the creativity has gone from their lives and their plotting is more limited.
I've found little more about my mysterious benefactor, except that mine is a presidential scholarship, and that means that I have ONE PERSON and not a department who got me the money. That's more worrisome.
At our last gathering, we had even more strangeness than at the first. A Thallain and a big cat thing had the audacity to waltz in and declare the freehold theirs. Gabriel saw what they were right away, and he and I (with the aid of a few knockers, Lady Iris and her newfound ability with a gun, Llewelyn, and I'm certainly forgetting some, but I was rather busy at the time) made fairly quick (and messy) work of them. Disgusting slime all over. Iris was kind enough to help me get cleaned up, but next time, I intend to attack the non-slimy creatures where possible.
The barony seems to be overrun with pooka lately. Particularly cat pooka. Doyle seems to have changed his attitude towards me somewhat, though I find myself suspicious of his sudden deference. "Green and Golden Goddess" indeed.

Friends Filtered: Our First Meeting (ask if you'd be able to read this IC)

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 04:19:45 GMT

Well, that was interesting.
The first gathering of the fae in Blooming Valley, and we attracted a werewolf, 2 vampires, some women from the land of Oz, recently returned from school on Saturn, bringing their winged monkey with them to play with the monkey pooka who came with an entourage from a nearby freehold. And if that weren't enough, one of the vampires called himself a prophet from God. Said he could get us back to Arcadia, and that those who went missing were called to God. He made me feel very uncomfortable. He reminded me a bit of the man who killed the baroness Miranda Sutcliffe of Corner Docks. He was Dauntain, of course, not a vampire, but he was a fanatic and completely barmy as well, and so as much as I wanted to laugh at this "prophet" who wrote his flyers in crayon, I stiffened every time he approached Lady Eleanor. I was, fortunately, not alone in this. The Baron of Forest Hold, Lord Gabriel Moonstar ap Beaumayn shared my apprehension. A very upstanding gentleman. He reminds me a bit of Baron Robert Sutcliffe, only I've not seen him relax a moment. Baron Sutcliffe is all pomp and circumstance when times call for it, as was his wife, but in small groups, he is one of the most jovial blokes you've ever met. He as to be to be Baron in a place as cold as Corner Docks. If you haven't got the sense to drown your sorrows with a pint and a laugh with some close mates when everything gets you down, you may as well let the Dauntain get you.
That's what I was thinking when I had a guiness brought by a Lyger pooka fellow named Doyle. He seemed nice enough. Honestly, he was quite charming for a while, but something about him put my hackles up... Weird things kept happening around him. And I mean weird for OUR society. And when the going got tough, even though I stood beside him, sword at the ready, he vanished. I don't like that sort. He was quite handsome, and rather funny, but he likes hiding things, and I cannot abide that. And he had the audacity to kiss me! At first, I was so shocked I didn't even react. To be fair, it was all in good fun and to help him win a bet, so I suppose it's alright that I didn't teach him a lesson on respect for a Lady of the House of the Falcon right there. But then... THEN he offered to tell me his little "magic trick" secret for another "sweet kiss." The NERVE. I nearly had to arrest myself under Eleanor's order of non-violence for that little "compliment." I think I've made myself perfectly clear on that point now. Baron Moonstar was good enough to escort me out, and hold my arm to keep me from rushing back to skewer him on my sword.
He was also good enough to write me this afternoon to invite me to visit him in his apartment in town, and then to Forest Hold. Quite an honor, since he shows it to few. Eleanor is very relaxed, and I enjoy her company, but I like it mixed with the formality and proper chivalry of Baron Moonstar. There's nothing like a proper kiss on the hand from a Baron to make a young Sidhe knight feel weak in the knees. He may be a Beaumayn, but I get a good sense from him. I'd love to see him after he's had one too many, just to see him relax a bit. ;P
Lastly, I met another of my house today. A young woman by the name of Lady Iris, who, as it turns out, lives just one floor above me. I was concerned to discover that the Lady knows little of self defense, but I am pleased to say that she is willing to learn, and so I will be taking her to fencing with me as soon as possible, and I hope to ask Baron Sutcliffe to have another sword equal to mine made. She seems a bit more reserved that I might like, but she is a theatre major! I hope we'll be great chums!

-Branwen-

Classes

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 23:53:59 GMT

So, I've been far too busy to post updates very often, and my roommate tends to like to read over my shoulder. Classes have been exciting, and I've enjoyed getting to know some Yank slang from my classmates. I'm taking a maths class- calculus. I've never been completely daft in maths, but I am far from gifted, it seems. I spent a good portion of last night in a study session with a group of girls who knew even less than I, but who had enticed some poor young lad to aid them before a quiz. In between flirting with him to get help, a few told me I should think about pledging next year. I had no idea there were so many sororities and fraternities here. Maybe it's just a freshman thing. I couldn't believe how many freshman there are in this class. There must be at least 57 people in the room. I don't think I even saw most of these girls in class before I saw them at this study session. Jocelyn, the girl who invited me, seemed quite nice enough though. She's in one of my History classes as well, so I'm hoping to work with her on quizzing dates and the like. She seems to hang around a lot of the girls whose heads are filled with fluff, but she's not half bad in history. I think her head for maths is a bit more muddled than mine though. She made a lot of sign errors, and I've never seen a calculator just freeze and spit out the word "error" till the screen was full! I wouldn't be surprised if she had some gadget-handy relatives, because that girl swore a blue streak and banged the calulator on her desk, and I'll be damned if the thing didn't correct it's mistake.

I'm taking a class from Eleanor as well, and I've been really enjoying it. She's a wonderful orator, and I'm actually looking forward to doing some of the projects she's outlined. Besides, it'll be nice to be able to have at least one professor who is willing to give me an extension due to some of my less common extracurriculars. She's even offered to let me study at ther office if I am ever driven bonkers by Lindsi's music, friends, scented candles, snooping around, stuffed animal shrine, or just general presence.

The offer is much appreciated.

I'm really looking forward to meeting others in the area on the 10th. I've enjoyed sprucing up the tower, and it feels almost home-y to me.

I'm a bit homesick, and Jillian has been really busy at the Music School, so I've only seen her a few times in the last couple of weeks, but the energy she's gotten is amazing! It's really refreshing to see a friend so lively who once was unsure of her abilities. I may try to take a class with her next semester, if they'd let me take a music class at the school...

The fencing team here is quite good, as well. I am looking forward to our first tournament, even though it is a ways away yet!
-BG-

Scrap that!

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 02:03:46 GMT

My roommate is NOT lovely.
She's bizarre. And she won't let me move anything! I mean, it's alright the way it's set up, but really, Lindsi, was that strictly necessary to say, as I came in, knackered and half hung over from the plane trip over, "hi! Welcome to the USA! The left side is my side, and you can't move anything. It's just I really like the setup! Are you really British?"

No. I'm not. I just arrived from Gatewick because of a transfer I made flying to Indianapolis from Cleveland.

I mean, I know she didn't mean anything by it. I know it. It's just, she was so loud, and I was so hung over. I mean, it was my last night out being legal before I came here. She did graciously say I could keep all of Amy's things that were left. (I took them to the tower) and she did offer to make me tea (though I would hardly qualify Lipton's as "tea." I nearly spat it out all over the kitchen. And she didn't even have milk for it!
I think she said something about dairy giving her hives. She did like my accent though, and paraded me around the dorm's common rooms so that she could show off her new British roommate. Afterwards, she took me back and introduced me to EVERY ONE of her stuffed teddy bear collection, which I was to greet, but NEVER to touch. I was given the honor of hearing all of their life stories, and where and when she got each one. I'll at least give her that she is creative.

She even tried to help keep me from feeling "homesick" by mimicking my speech patterns. It was a nice effort. Really. It was. But Stephen bloody Hawking sounds more like me! She decided to take me out today for a real "American" supper- sorry- "dinner." (I'll never get used to that!) Cheeseburger in Paradise, was the place. We went with she and her boyfriend Brady. He's not a bad bloke. A bit quiet, and not terribly interesting, but...

Anyway, when we got there, we met up with a group of her friends, and a few boys in a fraternity who were there with the girls. Maybe I'm remembering it wrong, because there was so much noise there, and because the company was less than thrilling, but I think I see why it got it's name. "Paradise," because by the time the food actually GOT to you, you'd died and claimed your eternal reward, which had to be heaven, because you'd had not time to sin while you sat and WAITED so long in Limbo! Very good burger though. Not what I ordered, but very good, nonetheless. The waitress offered to take it and trade it for the right thing, but I told her I thought I'd rather spend my 42nd birthday elsewhere. She didn't get it.

Lindsi regaled us all with how she had British family from way back (apparently the Mayfower actually housed half the continent of England. I'd NO IDEA so many Americans claimed to have a great great someone aboard!) and that Lindsi was actually a British name. I was tactful as I could be in telling her that yes, it was, but it was originally a man's name. One of the lads there took up the unfortuante habit of forgetting my name and calling me Guineviere, and asking me if I liked "Lances a lot." He tried to explain it to me when to his dismay I didn't laugh, but I assured him that the double entendre was not lost on me.

Anyhow, after we finally got done, a bunch of them came round to our room, and people took turns having me (and Lindsi, because she wanted to show off too) say words with my funny accent. Really, Aluminum is not that funny. Nor is Vitamin. English was OUR language first- you're the ones saying it wrong! And it is pronounced HHHERBS, because there's a bloody "haich" in it!

Anyway, they finally left, and Lindsi fell asleep and stopped looking over my shoulder, so here's the real (private and locked) update. Amy was a troll. She was quiet, shy, worked hard. She was studying to be in Biology. Lindsi said her things were undisturbed. She just went out that night and didn't come back. The mystery is intriguing. I hope that she's well wherever she is. Well, I've got to finish my reading that I was to put upon to do until everyone left. Goodnight!
-Branwen (not Guineviere)-

state of the union

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 01:13:24 GMT

Alright- so I'm here. I've mostly gotten my class schedule under control, but I'm not sure if I really want to keep all of my classes or what I want to major in, for that matter. I chatted with Elinor, and saw the tower- it's really pretty. Very grand- I didn't expect anything that classically posh or well furnished in the land of the somewhat tacky and oversized. Speaking of oversized- I think I discovered a bit about one of the missing students. The bird who lived in my room was a blue bird, if you get my meaning. My bed is enormous for a regular dormitory bed! not that I'm complaining, mind. Really not complaining, here. The desk is a bit high for me, and the chair, but I'll manage.
Elinor seems great, and she offered me a potential research position with her in folklore, which is great for me, since I'm so interested in history and all. I mean, my scholarship covers most of what I need, but I certainly don't mind having a bit of extra dosh. Jeans are so much cheaper here! One good thing about all this coming to America bit is that the pound is over the dollar more than twofold! Thanks mister Bush!
I miss my da, and my mates, but so far, all is alright. Except the bloody weather here is freezing my arse off! My classes seem mostly interesting, the food is better than I expected, though I'm dying for a pint of lager and an egg sandwich, and my roommate is charming.

Last night before the trip!

Sun, 13 Jan 2008 02:28:05 GMT

Well, I've done it. I've finished packing. I've finished seeing off my mates. I've finished going on a pub crawl of all of the pubs still open at... good God, is that the time? Bloody hell. I'll tell you what I won't do. I won't have slept off this hangover by the time I get on the plane. I've never been on a plane, and I've heard you're likely to sick up. I suppose I can drink some more at the airport to keep myself from the sobering up and being sick. I'm not driving when I get there! Jillian's been to the states, so she's used to driving on the wrong side of the road. She can take care of it. Sadly, she isn't going to be my roommate- she wanted to live in Reed hall, since it's close to the Music School. I found an opening at Collins, which is lucky for me, since it's close to the IMU. I don't know who my roommate is yet, but I'm sure we'll get on fine.

I did some talking with the locals about the missing students, and it turns out I'm getting one of their rooms. This might help me with my side project. It seems I need to introduce myself to an Elinor to find out more. It also seems they'll be needing my organizational skills, since their fencing team is sorely lacking as of last Halloween.

Off to bed for a few hours,
-Branwen-

I'm going where?!?!

Sun, 13 Jan 2008 01:45:04 GMT

Hello Journal.
I'm beginning you today, a brand new journal, for a brand new chapter of my heretofore rather dull life. I can't believe it- it must be fairy's luck, or a horrid mistake, but someone gave me a scholarship. Me. Oddest part of the whole bloody thing is that I didn't apply. I don't remember even applying to Uni this year. I mean, I've got the grades to go to Cardiff, or at least to Southampton or Sheffield. I certainly could have gotten in to Glamorgan, or Liverpool, if I wanted to stay close, I suppose, but I just didn't know what I wanted to do yet, and I wanted to save up a bit of dosh first. Besides, I've only just gotten used to other changes. I mean, I have some- er- responsibilities here, what with my fencing team and all. But my coach said I should go, so off to adventure!
And I do mean it. I've heard some strange rumors about Bloomington, Indiana. Some students have disappeared, according to local papers. Ah well. No one will come abduct me! I'm bringing my epee!

The best news is that Jillian is tagging along! I told her that she should finally audition for a conservatory, and she took my advice! She's been accepted into the School of Music there, so I'll at least know someone in town who knows what a lager is supposed to taste like.
-Bran-