My history

02.03.1999 (Only joking!)

One thing I suppose I should record is my history. It has been known to cause a lot of amusing confusion amongst some choice people, both friends and otherwise... But just in case this diary should be misplaced or lost, and found by another, I think I ought to preserve the mystery of my allegiances, at least.

**A rather carefully drawn doodle can be found on the page here, a sketch of Scarlet, one half of her dressed as a sultry demoness, and the other as a sweet angel. Both sides, however, share the same cheeky grin**

I was born in England, to an English nobleman, and his second wife. The first wife had passed away long before I was born, and I knew nothing of her. I had, to the best of my recollection, a happy childhood. I grew up with my brother Oliver, who was two years my senior. I had a thorough education, at home, and was far less restricted than many ladies born when I was. This was a result of Father always being away, or working, and Mother being a spirited young lady herself. I like to think I’m very similar to her in many ways.

Sadly, when I was 17, both Mother and Father died of Influenza. Oliver and I could not stand to stay in the great empty home they left behind, scarcely a home without Mother’s exuberance and Father’s guidance. We set sail on the first ship after their funeral, and made our way to New Babbage.

It is a warm, welcoming place, where I made, and kept, many good friends. But Oliver wanted to join the Military, and his friend in New Brunswick offered him a place in the Navy, and for us to share, the local Inn, to make our home. With teary goodbyes and promises of visiting, we left for the town of New Brunswick.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by a beautiful little town, almost entirely populated by soldiers. We settled happily into the Inn, Oliver would go out training and he and his comrades would come home often during the day for a stiff drink, or just to talk. Life seemed perfect.

But then one overcast day, the door of my Inn burst open, to reveal two dirty, bloody sailors. The looks on their horrified faces told me everything, and we raced to the Infirmary, where Oliver was sprawled on a bed, an--- **Here the line trails off to the edge of the page, as though the writer slumped over, mid-sentence**

We held his funeral on a spring Wednesday afternoon.

I was quite lonely, in the months that followed. But one of Oliver’s good friends, Colonel Edward Vectoscope, cared for me, made me smile, brought me tulips every day. Not long after, I received a very surprising letter. The gentleman who had sent it was my brother, by my Father’s first wife. He had moved to Babbage, and had heard about me, from long-ago correspondence by our Father, records of our move left behind in the empty vault of the family home, and word of mouth in Babbage. Soon after, I travelled to Babbage to meet Mr Michael D. Mannonen, and over a cup of tea, found him to be kind, intelligent and entertaining.

I have always been thankful I met Michael when I did... Because a few weeks later, Edward proposed. We were married within two hours, Michael rushed to New Brunswick as fast as he could, and our good friend Indigo was also there to bear witness. The town Magistrate married us within minutes, and we swept on a wave of giddiness down to the Inn. I certainly never thought I’d marry in a purple and gold dress.

Edward and I completely redecorated the Inn, and lived there happily for some time. I even joined the Navy, once the life of a Lady of Leisure started to get dull... And found I love it. The smell of the sea breeze and the wind in my hair is divine... Not to mention I feel deliciously scandalous in the uniform!

My life found a beautiful sense of perfection in those precious months. Sailing with good friends, living with my love, visiting my darling brother, and enjoying the delights of both Babbage and New Brunswick. But nothing gold can stay, as they say...

Edward left to assist with diplomatic relations in London, leaving me alone in New Brunswick for at least half a year. We made our tearful goodbyes, and I watched the love of my life sail away from me. Without my brother, and my friends, I could not have stood the first few weeks without him. He may still be gone, but I don’t miss him as much as I did. Only late at night, when I roll over to hug him to me, and only find the cold side of the bed.