I've taken Remdir's advice and taken a day to rest. While I can't manage to sleep for long, I'm getting a couple of hours, waking up and drifting off again. It's uncomfortable and annoying, but it's rest.
Visitors have continued to come and go, some for examinations and treatments, others to sit down and talk. While the distraction is welcomed, I'm not confident how long I can continue to offer tea and small food free.
Madam Kithri has taken to visiting me, and while it's only been brief, I find myself wanting to know more. I only heard of her recently, and while aware of what has happened to her, I've not taken the time to ask the full details. She seems well enough, aside from the leg troubling her, but she has at least found herself a cane to support her.
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I attended the Harvestmath gathering, hosted by miss Plumwood. It was a pleasant evening; she was an excellent host. While I had plans to mingle and follow the steps of father, I found myself in the company of Remdir for the entire evening.
While I had thought of asking miss Rushwood to accompany me, the woman hasn't come by to visit and so I was unable to. The day before the ball, I asked Remdir to join me. He was reluctant at first but agreed. The man dressed up as a 'White Knight,' it was rather amusing.
I did see miss Rushwood, so it would appear that she did get an invitation to join, at least. Thinking back on it now, perhaps I should have greeted her, but the company she kept was large, and it might have gotten overwhelming.
Mister Leoffrith came as well, and while I do not approve of the man letting his horse roam freely and unattended, it was good to see another familiar face. Masters Maurr and Maddoct had joined the celebration as well, along with miss Winkle and her partner, mister Theodebald. A good collection of familiar faces, I don't believe I know the others who arrived.
There was one woman in a deep blue dress that seemed familiar. I feel as if I've seen her somewhere before, but I cannot recall. I was unable to find the time or place to approach and inquire where I might have seen her. It continues to bother me.
This gathering was far from what I recall from back in Gondor. People continued to ask about the theme of the costume, but I had no real answer. There was no band or people collecting on a large floor to dance. Few wore proper masks to obscure themselves, losing the mystery of strangers meeting, no names, and no titles. Just an evening of masked men and women, drinking, dancing, and laughing until the morning sun.
Instead, there were contests, one to determine who could eat the most pies and the other which 'costume' was the better one. I suppose it seems childish in comparison, but from what I observed, people did seem to enjoy it.
* Inquire about the stomach structure of Dwarfs and Hobbits
The month isn't over yet, and it's been suggested that there might be more such gatherings and that I may have to prepare a new costume, one that makes sense in these lands. Whether or not I shall be invited to anything else, it'll be good to have something more fitting the local custom.
I arrived back to the Soothery to find Ruevir there. She informed me that she had felt bad for being unable to attend with me and had chosen to keep an eye on things while I was away. It was surprising but welcomed.
We talked, and I found my facade breaking around her. She continues to ask things, and I continue to answer. You can only dig so deep before you find the core. This terrifies me. I feel the thoughts returning; I shall have to calm down or hope that the day shall be kept busy again with visitors and new patients.
