From the Past to the Present

[Amalea]

October 10, 2001

"Penair Flight 350 crashed earlier this morning. The cause is still unknown at this time. We will bring you more details as they are avalible."

* * * * * * *

"We now have confirmation that everyone aboard Penair Flight 350 was killed in the crash around 9:30 this morning. Cause is still unknown at the present time. We do know that the weather was clear and windy. Officials do not believe this to be a weather-related incident. They have issued a statement assuring that it is not a terrorist attack and that they are still investigating."

October 16, 2001

Giles Orion Devadas
Loving Husband, Caring Father
March 14, 1960 - October 10, 2001

October 24, 2001

"To my loving wife, Taika, I leave the entirety of my half of all jointly-held assets should they not revert to her upon my demise, in addition to any of my personal possessions not otherwise distributed in accordance to my last wishes. I also leave her the contents of the safe deposit box #573 at the Fleet Bank on Federal Street. I wish I could have grown old with you, my dearest, and I know that the money and items are a poor exchange and will mean nothing to you. My hope, though, is that you will not want for any material item.

To my favorite, and only, daughter, Amalea, I bequeath my collection of art prints as well as the contents of safe deposit box #238, also at the Fleet Bank on Federal Street. Upon her twenty-fifth birthday, she shall receive the remainder of her inheritance to be disclosed at that time. I'm sorry, Princess, that I'm going to miss seeing you grow up and become the fine woman I know you'll be. Reach for your dreams and don't ever let anyone tell you that you'll never reach them.

My sweet ladies, don't let my death weigh you down and keep you from moving forward. Know that I love you both dearly."

[Amalea]

November 8, 2001
9:30 AM

Read Me First. Do Not Move the Black Cloth until then.

***

My dearest Taika, I hope you are not morning my passing. Just as my next big adventure has arrived, so too will your newest adventure. While the contents of this box won't take my place, I hope they'll provide you with many happy memories in the future while ensuring you will not want for any material item. And before I start revealing what's inside, you may want to sit down. No cursing my name is allowed, darling. This is all yours, I can't take it back.

First off, you'll find a sizable sum of cash. Breathe. No peeking, that's cheating. It's for your use. It's money I squirreled away to set aside for this eventuality. It's yours, free and clear, to use as you want. This is in addition to out joint account and is separate in case there was a legal issue with the joint accounts passing solely to you.

Next are frequent flier cards in your name that are hooked to my account. These miles are now yours. Use them to travel the world like you always dreamed. I always planned to surprise you with an around-the-world trip for our 25th anniversary. Enjoy it and take lots of photos.

Speaking of photos, the DVD and memory cards are all the photos I've ever taken. They are yours to do with what you will now. There's a couple pictures there that you may be able to blow up and sell, if you wanted. The DVD, however, contains digital copies of the photos from our wedding photos, our engagement, and Amalea's milestone events. Cherish them, I know I did.

The last two items are rather large, so if you're not already sitting, now is probably a good time. There's information on a Swiss bank account in your name. Again, this is separate from the joint account and this one is solely in your name. With it and our joint account, you'll never have to work another day if you choose not to, and can spend all your time doing those things you always loved. Sitting on the very bottom of the box is the deed for a small house in France. It was to be a 50th anniversary gift for us to retire in. It's set upon the countryside, so it has some spectacular views that I know you'll love.

Enjoy these, love, in the spirit they are meant to be. Do not look at them as blood payments or a replacement for what was taken from you. Move on with your life, do not swell on our past. You will always hold fond memories, but do not let them hold you back. Live your life anew, my love, and remember I love you always and give you my blessing should you meet someone new. I only hope they will treat you as well as you deserve.

My love always,

Giles

Same Day
1:15 PM

Read Me First. Do Not Move the Blue Cloth until then.

***

My sweet Amalea, I hope that you are not taking my demise too hard. You are a fine young lady who will end up growing into a fine woman when you are older. For now, cherish the remainder of your youth for it goes by all too quickly. Amalea, dear, even though your box is larger than your mother's isn't nearly as "valuable", but that does not mean I love you any less.

As you may recall from my will, the majority of your inheritance will be held until you are twenty-five. This is not to punish you, my daughter, but to ensure that you will not have to grow up too fast. I do not believe that handing you a sum of money would make you reckless, but there are those that would use you for it.

As per the will, all my art prints passed to you. Copies of all our family photos will be found in this box, including a DVD of most of them - including your mother's and I's wedding. You should have a copy of them for the future. Add to them as much as possible, you'll be glad for it later on. You will find a brand new digital camera in here with a few blank memory cards. It was to be your coming-of-age gift. I'm proud of you, hunny, remember that.

There's account information for a small bank account in your name. It's not overly large, only about five grand, but it'll pay for some of your incidentals though out school. Don't worry about saving it for college. There's a separate trust fund set up just for that which contains more than enough for whatever school attend.

The external hard drive is the entirety of my music library, kitten. Enjoy it. Music can do many things - inspire, provide enjoyment, relax you. Let it speak to you. Don't worry about removing the ones you don't like. I didn't like them all either. My favorites are in a special folder. The ones you loved as a child are on there too.

Enjoy these, kitten, in the spirit they are meant to be. Do not look at them as a replacement for me nor as something to pacify you until you're twenty-five. They are not for that, they are things that would have been yours regardless, just at a later time. Move on with your life, kitten, there is so much out there for you to still explore. I know I've said this before, but it bears repeating. I'm sorry, Princess, that I'm going to miss seeing you grow up and become the fine woman I know you'll be. Reach for your dreams and don't ever let anyone tell you that you'll never reach them.

My love always,

Daddy

[Amalea]

OOC Note: This is going to jump around a bit in terms of dates.

October 13, 2013

I'm not sure what to think or how to feel at this moment. Hurt. Disappointed. Angry. There's so many emotions and I don't know exactly what to pinpoint them as. How should one feel when their mother calls the police on them in attempt to have them arrested?

I don't even know what really happened. Just as I've done in the past, I came home for the anniversary of dad's passing. It's been twelve years, but sometimes, it still feels as though it only occurred yesterday. It's been worse in recent years, if I'm completely honest with myself - ever since I found out the real cause of the crash. But something was different this year, I'm not entirely sure what, though. Mother knows nothing of the reason behind the crash and I have no intentions of ever telling her. We already do not get along and that would just add further fuel to the fire. Nevermind that I don't think she'd even believe me. She never really did on most things.

This is the one time of year we can ever put aside things to honor the man that was dear to both of us. We successfully made it through the initial pleasantries and greetings. Dad's memorial service went off without a hitch, like it always has. It wasn't until the next day that Mother dearest changed the rules of engagement. When I arrived at her doorstep so we could go to our annual memorial breakfast, I was greeted with yelling and cursing. I didn't catch all if it, if I'm honest. It was too much of a surprise and she didn't really stop.

The real shock was the police cruiser that showed up moments later. She must have called them before I even arrived as she never stopped her shouting to do so while I was upon the doorstep. The officers were great, honestly, despite the situation. One tried to calm Mother down, but that only pissed her off further than she already was. The other escorted me down the block and strongly suggested I not return. He wasn't quite sure what the problem was, just that they had been called to have me removed from the premise. However, no restraining order was requested so they were just as confused as I.

I really don't want to leave everything like this, given it's likely I'll return for next year's memorial, but at the same time, I don't foresee the situation anytime soon. She's not going to magically cool off in a day or two, even if I don't know about the real issue. I've seen her like this, several times; it'll be a month before she's gotten enough of it out of her system to even consider talking rationally. This time, though, I have a feeling that things aren't going to be fixed. Something tells me I won't end up being back next year.

My flight leaves within the hour; something for which I'm truly grateful. Staying here holds nothing at the moment. Even a walk through the city held no interest to me as it usually does. I think that once I get back to Harper's Rock I should seek out one of or all of the girls. Perhaps AJ, Amara or Alex might have some better insights.

[Amalea]

August 10, 2014

What the ****. Seriously, what the hell happened around here? I know Aysel and I haven't spoken in a couple months... but this? This makes no sense. Even when she had been gone for all those months and had come back she had remembered me. Now after two months, she has no idea who I am, how things used to be or that we were friends?

I know weird things happen around here, but I've never really seen this. I hope it's just some sort of temporary amnesia, but what if it isn't? What if its something different? I have this vague notion that there's something very off about this all. I don't think its fake by any stretch of the imagination, but it's still very odd.

Given we are in Harper's Rock and odd is part of daily life, I'm not sure odd is a good way to describe it. It's almost... unnatural? I'm not sure what to think about it all. I'll have to wait and meet with her at the Necropolis to see if it makes any sense. I'll make sure to go fully armed, just in case. The Aysel I know would never have harmed me in the past; I don't think she would now either, but I'm not taking a chance. I refuse to seriously harm her, but I won't let her hurt me badly and goddess only knows who else might be there. Especially if -someone- did this to her...

When the hell did life get so complicated? It seems this past year things have been spiraling out of control and I'm helpless to stop it. First mom, then Amara and now Aysel? I'm not sure how much more I can take. I can only hope this chat with Aysel goes well. I don't know what I will do if it doesn't, so fingers crossed.