Poe's Journal Entry
The simple handwriting was slightly smudged, as if the writer had taken the journal elsewhere to write, perhaps where a light mist fell upon the parchment.I came to visit Relan. It had been some time since I had checked in with the crazy old man. I was tired and haggard. The padjals had placed such confidence in me, I couldn’t let them down. And I didn’t. A-Towa-Cant spoke with me after and I realize now that while I may never be on the front lines, that I do still have much to offer.
Returning to Limsa, I first tried to find Daevien. I wanted…no, needed to see him. These past few days away have been difficult and I wanted to see him. But he was not in our room when I arrived. I tried to keep my disappointment under control and took the opportunity to visit Relan.
Knocking on his shop door down by the docks, Relan answered it, smoking his pipe and leaned against the door frame, slowly looking me over. I remember nervously shifting from foot to foot. He finally spoke, “You have returned…†I could not tell by his beard if he was smiling, but I noticed the crinkle near his eyes from smiling and quickly embraced him in a big hug. Relan will always be family to me and he knows I will always return to see him.
Bringing me inside, he closed the door and pulled up a stool, patting it while he brought out a bottle of liquor. Pouring us each a couple fingers worth, his old, weary body sat down on the stool opposite of mine and raised his glass. We silently drank the liquid, it burning my throat as it went down.
The comfortable silence, Relan did not ask where I had been or what I had seen. He simply set his empty glass back down, smiling from what I could tell behind his beard. His statement surprised me, his voice a low rumble, “You have found love.†How the crazy old man deduced that…or realized….I got flustered but did not deny it. Relan had met Daevien quite some time ago, before anything had even happened with the crew. Relan did not speak again and we sat in easy silence, having another drink. Relan stood, stretching as he motioned towards the window where my hammock still hung. “I know you will go sit on docks and write and think. I will leave the door unlocked so you may return to rest.†Old man knows me too well. I lit a cigar and brought my journal out here to write. The ocean sounds are lulling me to sleep but I am glad to have a few quiet moments in the moonlight. And I pray to Menphina that everyone I hold dear will be ok.
