[hr][hr][center][img]https://s23.postimg.org/h6shths5n/virginia.png[/img]
[img]https://s33.postimg.org/bbhqu462n/funeral.gif[/img][hr][color=9999ff][b]Location[/b][/color]: the Mournweald Estate [/center][hr][hr]	Virginia felt the heavy weight on her heart as she took the oils and spirits from Ernest. She headed inside the estate, knowing that while Alfred was attempting to speak to her, his words fell on deaf ears. It was a decision driven by emotions and not logic, that she knew. The type of danger her brother was in could be solved by the Talinks, yet she had also requested aid from Mary. Perhaps it was a lack of faith that had driven her to it, not in Mary but in herself. Could she truthfully protect her brother without aid? Is that what had driven her to commit to a loveless life with a man who she was certain would be monstrous yet lack passion? 

	Those thoughts weighed on her as she prepared the mixture. Once she finished creating the alcohol and glycerine mixture, she carefully applied it to the paper, hesitant to break with it. While she worked diligently, Alfred stood outside of the room, with a confused James clinging to his leg. The young boy was questioning Alfred more and more about what was happening - why his sister made a deal with Beowulf, why the girl was staying behind to watch him, and why Virginia was taking some solitude for the moment. No matter what answer Alfred gave him, James was not satisfied. 

	"Why are you here?" James asked Thalcona finally, seeing that Alfred would not tell him the entire truth. 

	Back within the room, Virginia gasped slightly as she saw the writing on the paper. Her eyes were wide and soon filled with tears. She blinked rapidly, in order to avoid staining the page with them. The language on the paper was not known to those without training in the New World. That in itself would have been simply interesting, not necessarily distressing. No, it was the penmanship that startled Virginia. 

	[color=9999ff]"My father's hand,"[/color] Virginia whispered, before she translated the message. Direct translations were often challenging in her trained tongue, since it was a tongue meant to be understood by all and not really one specific language of its own. However, she understood the message all the same. [color=9999ff]"Seek Life Elsewhere."[/color] She blinked back tears as a smile graced her face in understanding. 

	The Crypts had many legends, yet this had been one of her favorites as a young girl and even now. A young Crypt with ebony hair sold her soul to dark forces. As the years passed, this Crypt emerged in different locations around the world, with some of her large family even claiming to have met her. There were few questions that she would answer, aside from how she survived - [i]"I seek life elsewhere."[/i] 

	Virginia then looked once more at the page. There was the outline of a flower - nightshade. Virginia recognized it, although it rarely grew in the New World, it was in a wild bloom during her training times. She recalled its other name - atropa belladonna. She then carefully took up the piece of paper and left the room, much to Alfred's surprise. There were tears on her face. 

	[color=9999ff]"Miss Talink, I am afraid your services are no longer required. Lord Dywell is returning imminently."[/color] Of course, it was a half truth. She did no longer feel that they needed the Talink's to survive. Her father's simple message had great meaning for her. As for the second half...Well, he had made contact with her. She doubted it would be understood in any other manner unless she said those words.