Some years ago, young Jenevieve, her family life forever altered, found comfort from a relative...

Background: This happens shortly after the Move to Thorn Valley. In part due to Jenner's demise, Victoria, his wife, decided to hang around the Rosebush, leaving Jenevieve and Racso to fend for themselves in Thorn Valley. Luckily they had help.

Some of you have expressed your opinions (publicly or privately) about my latest story arc, and I would like to respond.

I am not doing this to satisfy anyone's desire for Schadenfraude (meaning enjoyment over the suffering of another), or because I get a thrill from subjecting my characters to suffering (like some post-modern 'authors'), or even, God forbid, to provide an outlet for the frustration of myself or others.

I am doing this because Sirana's suffering is necessary as part of the process of her character development.

That is all.

Sirana finds her schemes cast to the wind as she finds herself increasingly under the Staggs' mercy...

Sirana surprises Drasta by actually showing up with her promised machine...and making it work

Drasta waits in the clearing, having taken a position on an outcropping of rock. She's not sitting; rather, she is in watch mode, scanning the area for the promised visitor. As always, she has Owen with her, and a few other...friends...waiting in the brush beyond the clearing. Just in case.

The trickster rat Sirana tries to have 'fun' with the Staggs by offering them her 'expertise', but ends up getting much more than she asked for

Benjamin and Isabella discuss their concerns over Merick's behaviour and then discover the results of his latest bout of madness...

Isabella is sitting at her desk in the office, having just filled out some paperwork--it's a report on Merick's actions, and she does not relish the thought of turning it in--but it must be done. She covers her face with her paws, still trying to process what she saw.

Years ago, after the rats had moved to Thorn Valley, Jenner's daughter and grand-niece reflected on his death and their lives in general.

Rebecca and Isabella discuss the various travails of their lives

Leon and Santiago answer some questions from Cadmus and then discuss the recent unpleasant business of the eye-gouging killer(s)

Leon is, as usual for a weekday evening, asleep at hid desk, buried in paperwork. It's been a late night as usual, and it won't be getting any easier. He's just recharging, that's all!

Joseph hosts Eric and Cadmus; they discuss the present crisis with the NIMH mice and the inertia of both the Council and their plans

This is mostly character-driven rather than plot-driven, but those are always interesting in their own way :)