Desmond Cusick's Diary

I leave the city for a few days, and everything seems to fall apart. My house is empty. The children are gone. Ilse is gone. The childrens' scents are stronger than hers--she did not take them. Where have they gone?

At least the whiskey is not gone.

How could she have done this? Why did I not insist that she remove Benedict from the clinic? She has put so many a She has put so many at risk. The clinic must be moved.

There will be no rest for me tonight.

( A Letter to 'Tesoro'. )

Work at the guild has picked up of late, or perhaps I have just fallen behind. Guildmistress Decarabia is most likely less than thrilled at my recent lack of work ethic. I shouldn't let personal affairs get in the way of business.

I was cutting through some paperwork at Nautical Nezzie's when Lady Isabelle Na'Ostiria and Lucien Tessier happened by. I was so distracted that I only just now realized that I let both of them get away with calling me "Mister Cusick". I do so dislike such formalities, especially among genial acquaintences such as those two.

It seems the Lady Na'Ostiria is planning a small gathering at her estate. I made no promises about being able to attend--I really must get caught up at the guild--but it could be interesting nonetheless. I hope she finds the selection of teas that were sent to her house today satisfactory.

I visited the new building. If all continues as it has been, we should be moving in on Thursday, or Friday at the very latest. I informed Amy of her inevitable release, and she seemed agreeable.

Still no sign of Gretchen.

Ilse had dinner with Earl Alistair Sharpe.

Ilse informs me that Earl Alistair Sharpe wants to fund prosthetics for all of the children. Not only the initial prosthetics, but any subsequent devices needed as they get older. I can't help questioning his motives, but the children could do well with such a generous benefactor, and it will help in their adoptions. I've handed over the search for a supplier to Ilse, at her request. That is one more load off my mind.

Is he trying to impress her?

Ilse comes home to my arms at night. I am content with that.

( 'It is easier to manage if your dinner guests aren't all hiding guns and poison rings in the hope of sniping off an enemy over the canapes.' [Isabelle, Lucien] )

Desmond has a chance meeting with Isabelle and Lucien. There is mostly chit-chat. Isabelle informally invites Desmond and Ilse to a gathering at her estate.

( 'Alistair Sharpe came by the clinic today. He...made an interesting offer over dinner.' [Ilse] )

Ilse tells Desmond of Alistair's desire to help the children. Desmond decides to tentatively accept the offer. Ilse is given the responsibility of finding a prosthetics supplier.

After enduring Mother's ceaseless taunting, one would think that Amy's comments would be easy to brush off. Why, then, do I feel so unnerved?

( 'And perhaps we act like it, but Ilse is not my mate. I have no mate. Our relationship is casual.' [Amy, Uriko] )

Desmond goes to visit Amy in the basement. They speak of freedom and Desmond's relationship with Ilse. Amy says something that bothers Desmond a great deal.

Amy has made excellent progress, as Ilse and I discovered today. I'm pleased. After Ilse left the room, Amy actually spoke out and demanded a large box and extra water. I take this as a sign that she is learning decisions can be made on her own.

Tonight, I discussed the Darla plan with Ilse. I do believe she liked it. Now all that remains is to discuss things with Darla herself. I don't believe she will have much of a problem with it.

I did not realize just how much I had missed Ilse until tonight, when I held her in my arms again. I believe I have grown rather fond of the my wolf doctor. I am undecided as to whether or not this is good or bad. It is certainly risky. Very risky.

( 'We waste our time with Navarre.' [Ilse] )

Desmond and Ilse discuss the plan to employ Darla as a means of swaying Angelo to their side of things.

Amy seems to be coming around fairly well. I'm pleased with her progress. Tomorrow, Evans will take her for a walk around Malfunction Junction. I think she's earned it, and I hate to think of her locked away in that basement all day.

She mentioned a bath-hose. Evans confessed that it was Ilse's idea. I'm not pleased to discover that the good doctor undermined my authority, but Amy actually enjoyed it, so perhaps it is not so bad.

I don't know if I should go out and search for Ilse again tonight. I am so tired.

Gretchen.

Gretchen is alive.

What is she doing with Babenkov? That girl said she was protective of him. And she also said that Gretchen was injured. I swear to God, if Babenkov has harmed her. . . .

I'll know more once I pay a visit to this "Gerry."

Well, my first session with the dragon--whose name, I have discovered, is Amy--didn't go as well as I would have hoped. Thanks to Ilse, however, she now believes that I own her. I hope this will help bring her around.

I wonder where she got those papers?

We are going to call on Mother. She has an enclosed lawn, and I'm overdue for a visit anyway. I'm sure she'd love to meet the good doctor.

Ilse was informed of a slave--a Komodo dragon shifter--heading towards Headquarters with the intent to eat the children. For once in our long rivalry, Fenrir's Children and Blood Meridian actually combined to fend off this threat. I hope it is a sign of things to come.

The offender is now secured away in the basement. She's a confused girl, but I think she will come around with the proper incentives. Perhaps she will be swayed to our side. I don't think her intention to eat the children was born of malice.

Not moments after subduing the girl, I received a summons to go visit Mara Phoenix. Alone, it specifically says. I do not know what the guildmistress could possibly want, but I am in very little humor to listen to her if she dares to spout any further excuses for Muldoon.

( 'BAD BAD STUPID STUPID CAT!' [Angelo, Amy, Callisto, Zu, Ilse.] )