Found:
It's been a long and very strange day.
I was awake early, as per usual. The nightmares are starting picking up pace again, but whether or not that's due to the way I've been feeling lately is up for debate.
Ry found me long before first light. He seemed agitated. I was half-expecting him to try again in starting an argument with me, especially when he randomly declared that "We ain't friends." I wasn't entirely certain what to do with that information. I've spoken to the man more openly than I have with anyone else living, and he has confided much in me as well. What was that if not some form of friendship? Or had he decided to put an end to that? Why? What had I missed to cause this sudden shift?
So many questions between one breath and the next.
He explained himself without my needing to ask, however. In typical Ry fashion, it did take some deciphering and a lot of further discussion, but in the end we came to a mutually pleasing arrangement. That's good. It's good to know where one stands in these things.
Afternoon found me in the Pony. I hadn't expected to run into him there, but I suppose I probably should have at least considered that as a possibility. Millie was there too and, once again, I find myself in envious awe of her artistic abilities! We didn't have too much chance to chat though for she had other things to attend to. Perhaps next time!
The afternoon found me listening to him compose a piece of music for Gregwald. And answering questions that I didn't particularly want asked. And occasionally fighting the urge to kick him down the hilldside. I was almost relieved when he said he wished to go find someone in Bree.
I saw Khazim there and introduced the pair. And met a few others as well. Ry's friend Sanathiel was quite lovely. Very pretty, shows the makings of a good sense of humour. Askelin from days of yore - or so it seems now - and his brother-in-law Anddri, who showed me his big axe. He was oh so proud of it! A beorning, apparently; the fabled bear-men of the Vales. I don't believe I've met one before. He may well be worth speaking to further.
Later, Ry came to join me at my camp. We were having quite an... interesting discussion - by which I mean mildly uncomfortable. Why does everyone keep trying to talk to me about feelings of all things? When did I become someone who knows about these bloody things? They exist! What more needs to be said? - when a lovely young girl quite literally dropped by! Alas, by that point my ability to properly converse was diminished due to tiredness and general emotional and mental exhaustion from having to navigate all that touchy-feely crap. I wish I could have stayed to speak with her longer, but I really needed to be unconscious in my tent. Scanie, though, I shall remember her name for future reference.
On the bright-ish side, we're all to meet in Combe for departure on the morrow. The Shire. Yay. It gets me out of Bree-land though, so that's a point in its favour. I am, however, going to be surrounded by Ry and the girls. I'm hoping that this will mean everyone is too distracted or excited or what have you to try "getting to know" me.
The first person to ask me about my feelings or my childhood is going to get a slap.
