#sim: julia

Author’s note: all text written in cursive is inner thoughts

Julia: *Sigh* Another year, another ball..

???: Ummm excuse me? Julia: Oh sweet Matron! ???: Sorry! Sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.

Julia: No no it’s okay. Umm but what are you doing up here? The party is downstairs. ???: Yes, about that. I got lost. I was looking for the restroom and the server told me to take a left at the hallway and somehow I ended up here. Julia: *Chuckle* So do you tend to get lost often Mr...?

Sebastian: Ah yes, Lord Sebastian of Carlisle. Nice to meet you Miss..? Julia: Julia of Charleston. Sebastian: Well Miss Julia, the pleasure is all mine. And once again sorry for startling you. Julia: *Chuckle* It’s quite alright. I just didn’t expect to see anyone else. Sebatian: So what are you doing up here by yourself? Not a fan of crowds or?

Julia: Something like that. Sebastian: Well hey I get you. They can get quite overwhelming now can’t they. Anyway I should probably head back before your security comes to escort me from the premises. Julia: Oh they wouldn’t do that. You’d be taken straight to the dungeons for trespassing on royal property.

Sebastian: *Laughs* Oh, you’ve got jokes. Well now I’m truly glad that we met. Even if it almost got me locked up. Julia: Luckily we avoided that yes. Do you think you can find back by yourself? I can escort you downstairs if you’d like. Sebastian: I think I’ll be fine. I’ll just head back the same way I came.

Julia: Alright. Well have a great evening Lord Carlisle. It was a pleasure to meet you. Sebastian: As well as you Miss Julia. Perhaps we’ll meet again someday. Julia: Perhaps, yes.

“It’s over... they’re coming home!”

I remember feeling weightless in the deeper end and drowning In the fear again

“I’m so glad you’re home!!!”

And the lovely little loneliness would hold me down under the sound of being found

“We’ve missed you...”

But then it all turned around...

“Mr. Hartwood? We’re sorry to inform you....”

Thank you for the Hartwood Family @storiesbyjes2g​!!! Sorry about this part though. :D

Caroline: Did you get any word from Miraledus? About the spellcasters?

Nolan: Not yet, ma’am. Although, Tis’ quite a process to get a message to Miraledus. I’m quite sure they didn’t even receive it yet.

Caroline: Those damn hermits...Alright. If we can’t get their help, we’ll need to call Darius. Convincing the council to get those changes done without them won’t be easy though...Ugh.

George: Callie?

Caroline: I...I’m fine. Just need to sit down for a bit.

Nolan: Should I call the doctor, ma’am?

Caroline: No, don’t do it. He’s made it very clear there’s not much he can do. It’s alright, Nolan. You’re dismissed.

PROLOGUE

"Why are you wearing a backpack?" Julia asked, the next time she saw Caio at the Senbamachi climbing site.

"Because I will be wearing one for the real climb," he said. "And I want to get comfortable with the weight. It affects your balance."