The Ultimate Vampire Resource and Directory

Day 1.

It's been so long since I had even written my name, I almost thought I had forgotten how. So I started by writing my name, Aquamarine. I guess I figured it out. Lapris traded his red neck scarf for this graphite stick, so I would have something to write with. I told him not to, little brothers never seem to listen as much as their big sisters want them to. He really was quite insistent on getting me some graphite. He didn't want to waste the blessing of me finding this book, it was in an old backpack outside of the Jewel Cavern. We had been to the Jewel Cavern twice already this Moon Turn, but had never seen a sign of anyone else there. But still, you were in an old beaten brown backpack. Lapris said you were from the Gods. But since, neither of us had any Elemental Style Magic, I'm not sure who to thank.



Day 2.

Lapris thinks I should thank both the INs God's. So thank you God of Water and Goddess of Earth. And thank you mom and dad for Lapris.



Day 3.

It's hard to find time during daylight to write .Even though it's just Lapris and me we still don't have enough money to buy candles or a lantern. We worked really hard today so my fingers are a bit sore anyway.



Day 4.

After 2 years of taking Prickly Pear Fruit for Chia, my fingers should be used to it. But during the Time of Full Sun. We work longer , poor Lapris he is 5 years younger than me, 13. I can't believe we have been with the ONs for over 3 years. I miss mom and dad.



Day 5.

I have to keep this going for Lapris. I almost didn't take you up today. I just wanted to go to sleep then Lapris asked "You write already?" I looked at his shining face and told him I would. So here. Time for bed.



Day 6.

I wish Lapris could write, then I could make him take this thing. This book is the nicest thing we own, parchment of any kind is a rare find this Far West. Out here in this desert flats, not much trees to be used for anything of that sort. Sand, dirt, heat and no rain to speak of. So I should be grateful. Truth is, it's just another thing to do. I need to care for Lapris, keep him fed and on track at Chia's fields. That alone with my own work keeps me busy all day. Now I have to write to keep from hurting Lapps feelings. Maybe, I'll loose my graphite stick for a few days.



Day 8.

Well, Lapp found the graphite stick. It meant a lot to me that he traded in his red neck scarf to get it. So I didn't want to really lose it. Just take a break from writing for a few days. The last time I've written at all mom and dad were still live. Over 3 years ago, when we still lived with the INs. We hadn't always lived in the small town of Pincushion, but all the same, everyone knew we were INs. It didn't matter that Lapris and I had Sunkist skin. Just like the rest of them. It didn't matter that we had dark hair. Just like most of them. to show we were outsiders ,all we had to do was say our names. The Ins, those of us that live in the ground have names of the treasures we find there. Things of great beauty, things that glitter with the sunlight. Like Aquamarine and Lapris. But if you're an INs, you never get to see it. You take all day, and you find beautiful jewles, but the only sparkle on it is by candlelight. Lapris and I did not live that life anymore. We were orphans, and so we were cast out of the INs. The INs spend their time mining for everything of this world that has great beauty. But they save no beauty for themselves. Without parents, we had no one to look after us and the INs wanted nothing to do with us. So with me ,15 and Lapris 10, we were cast into the world of the ONs. A life we had never known. Into a life we were never taught about. The INs pride themselves in their work of beauty. But the ONs pride themselves on the work of necessity. Only after coming to live with the ONs did we realize that the INs would be lost without them. Underground, we have no light only what we have in lanterns and candles. We do not have gardens. We do not have animals. We have only what we find in the earth and our Elemental Style Magic. But of course, the INs would never admit to needing the ONs help. But bartered for food and other things just the same.



Day 9.

Lapris was happy to see me writing with great abundance, before dinner. He felt pride that I was using the graphite stick he had found, after I'd hiden it that is. I was happy he had found it even though it wasn't really lost. Lapris knew how to read a little bit but not write .Our parents had died before he had really gotten the chance to learn well. I think he could write his name. While I was cooking the prickly pear stew Lapris asked if maybe "One day he could read my book?"

I told him "There isn't anything really interesting to read in it Lapris". He asked me, "Why not?" and I said "Lapris, nothing interesting happens to us." He said "I know, but there's plenty of interesting stuff you could write about Aqua. Why not write about that? And then I'll read that." So I just smiled and told him alright.



Day 10.

So today is the day I decide to write about things more interesting. I will still write about Lapris and me just, also things other than Lapris and me. Things like my parents and our life with them before they died. And what it was like to live in the ground. I kind of liked living aboveground now. I don't think we lived in the nicest place here but I think my parents would have thought it nice at times. It's Lapps turn to make supper. So I grabbed you book, and I went and sat outside. I sat down and decided to really really think. I took a look at you in your dark red cloth with black decorations. In your yellow pages were the words that I have written in the days before. And now, they were going to be filled with the words I would write after today. I promise you book, I don't know what I'm going to write, but someday you will be full, and someday you will hold a wonderful story for Lapris.