9:41 Dragon

I never finished Outlander. I fully intended to, my dearest diary, but I never got to the end. The book is most likely in some dump somewhere and not sitting on my end table any longer as I traipse around Redcliffe. Outlander was good up to the point I read. She got sent back in time to make out with a sexy Scotsman. I envy Claire Beauchamp. She was displaced, but she at least got a hot man toy. All I got was a sack of gold and a map with where I needed to go. Thanks be to Andy.

I miss Antiva. It's warmer up there, and the people there were far nicer. It was easy to find work. The cities were sprawling! But! They weren't terrifyingly big. I dreaded living in Val Royeaux in the next 5 (or is it 4) years. I hear stories form the Chantry sisters of Val Royeaux and it's "beauty." Sure, I suppose it was probably nice, but I don't want to go. I'm a sedentary creature, what can I say? After that brief tangle with the Blight though, I'm glad I left Antiva when I did. On my way to Denerim, the Blight had just ended. After a few years there, I'm finally in Redcliffe. This was where Andy told me to come. Andy wants me here for some reason, and I can't seem to understand why. Either way, I'll keep you updated on anything that happens.

Love and peace,

Ella Golightly

Ella sat her journal down, tucking the damn thick book into her dresser beneath her underclothes. She got dressed for the day, pulling her long brown hair into a pony tail at the top of her head. She slid on her slippers and stepped out into the brisk morning air. Redcliffe was a nice little village, nothing too special (save for the walking corpse incident). She'd lived here for a few years (only 2). She'd seen many things in her travels through Thedas. Mostly, she'd seen heartbreak. It wasn't that much different from Earth, save for the fact that Earth was so far away. As for Thedas, Ella had been here for 25 years and not aged a day. She was never suspected (she moved around too much), but the constantly moving life left her a bit lonely. She thought about a dog, but they'd just die. A depressing and lonely existence. Even still, she did take comfort in her jobs. At Redcliffe, she oversaw an orphanage.

The orphanage was huge. Kids of all ages were in there, but there weren't any over 16. After that, they left. Ella didn't like that about Thedas. She preferred Earth's ideas that someone wasn't grown until they were 18. But here, it was 16. It took her a while to get used to, but she was growing accustomed to Thedas lifestyles. Either way, the orphanage held 20 kids who were all very sweet. Only 3 bairns, and they were all at least 8 months or younger. Tragic. The biggest group was 10-16. The Blight left many kids without their mothers and fathers. However, Ella was happy to provide them with a surrogate, someone who would help them. She often left large(ish) sums of money behind when she left places. She couldn't leave much in the Antivan orphanage, but she didn't need to. They were fairly well off. The Antivans were good to their people, orphan or no. Ella loved that about Antiva. Far better than Val Royeaux or Fereldan. Far better, and far cooler. It was like a modern Spain. It was where she got her guitar. Or something similar at least. She played it for the children.

The guitar was old, of course, and it was not in as good shape as it had been when she first got it. But, the beauty held up quite well considering the shit the old girl had seen. Darkspawn, bandits, deserters (at least until Celene became Empress). Still, she was special to Ella. Carved into the wood was a little quote—"Let the wind carry your feet Hopeful Traveler. Love and Sorrow, YM". The token of an Antivan merchant she loved ever so dearly. He was older now with children of his own and a beautiful wife and even prettier children. They were honestly the best family in Antiva…. In her , she couldn't see them for another 30 or so years. They would recognize her too easily. Or at least, her lover would. She hadn't met many people in her 25 years here in Thedas. She was wary. Always wary. Andy granted her immortality. That was dangerous. Too dangerous to get attached anyway. Too painful too.

Ella walked into the main hall of the orphanage, swamped with young boys and girls hugging her legs and wishing her a good morning. She smiled brightly at the children, ruffling some curls and patting some heads. They were the most adorable things, so bright and happy after only a few years with them. Ella worked at an alienage orphanage in Denerim, and it took 3 years to get them smiling. Then, she left. She left them in capable hands though, and she knew they would at least be safe for sometime. She might visit again in a few months. A visit wouldn't hurt, and she knew Alia, the original elven mother of the orphanage, would love some time with the children. Mostly, she had to work paper work and going to get adoptions. Not to mention, she had to deal with two jobs. Ella came along at the perfect time, giving Alia a nice extra pair of hands. Ella was good with the kids, and that helped. Ella never asked for much of a salary or paycheck. She only asked for a few extra coins and maybe someplace to sleep. Alia had enough from the Mayor of Redcliffe to provide at least that. So, she had her job. At least she enjoyed it.

"All right, sprouts! Who wants to watch the little ones today while I go to the market?" Ella asked rather quickly, glancing over the crowd for the first person to raise their hand. One of the fifteen year old girls raised her hand gingerly. Perfect. Edith was her name, and Ella positively adored her. Ella nodded.

"Of course Edith. You're the perfect choice." Ella breezed through the mob of children and placed a gentle kiss to young Edith's forehead. "I'll be back in an hour. Can you handle the little ones that long?"

Edith just gave a small smile and a nod. She didn't speak much, and she didn't for good reason. The home she'd been in before her parents had been killed by the Blight was a horrid thing. She was chastised for being a child and doing things a child did. Alia only felt comfortable telling her so much though. Ella didn't push it. Trauma was a fickle thing. The last thing Ella wanted was Edith feeling inadequate or uncomfortable. So, Ella was as kind as she could be.

After making sure the bairns were fed and asleep at their 10 am nap, Ella swept out of the door, promising chocolates and sweets for the children when she returned. As she stepped outside, the market was in full swing. Merchants traded their goods with those who were willing. The Orleisian merchants were in today. Must have been because of that Conclave going on in Haven. Ah well, Orlesian people were a bother, but their chocolates were to die for. As she made her way to the Orlesian stall, a loud crack sounded in the distance, and the sky split in the distance. Outside the gates, cries of "demons!" resounded. The children!

Day 1 (9:16 Dragon)

I don't know what I'm doing here. I hate this place. There are no cell phones, no Internet. GOD NO INTERNET! FUCKING CHRIST ON A CHRISTMAS CRACKER. I hate that. I wish I had it. 'Hey Siri, Google dimensional travel real?' Even still, Andy told me to head to this place called Antiva City. I was in someplace called the Tellari swamps, and I was totally creeped out. I suppose I ought to write out what Andy told me.

1. Find Yavana. (Who is this? I will have to explore the swamps, I suppose)

2. Ask her about magic? (Andy wanted me to learn things. A lot of things from Yavana. Apparently, Yavana is very smart.)

3. Head to Antiva City after 1 year.

4. Wait for 9 years. Move to Rialto for next 5

5. Move to Ferelden; Denerim (8 years; these years get weird?)

6. Move to Redcliffe.

After that, Andy didn't tell me anything else. "Just wait." That's all that Andy said. I'm nervous. I miss my mom. I miss my phone. I miss my computer.

-Ella Fitzgerald

p.s. thinking about changing things. Need a new last name.

9:41 Dragon; 5 minutes and 42 seconds after The Breach

Ella ducked inside the orphanage a moment later, searching for Edith. The silent companion looked towards Ella, and she searched for an explanation. Ella didn't know what to tell the young girl. She was only a girl. Maker, she's just a child.

"Get in the cellar. Keep the children calm. There's a bow in the cellar. Use it if you must." Edith went to turn away and gather the children, but she stopped when Ella called out her name. "Edith! … Be careful. I care for you all deeply. And...I would be overwrought with sorrow were you to get hurt." One long lingering glance later, Ella grabbed her dinky sword and left the orphanage. She rushed to the gates to see a giant green tear in the sky. Shades and wraiths hovered outside, attacking whatever they could see. Ella rushed towards the captain of the guard—a young man named Jonas. He was a good man—a man who loved the Maker honestly. Ella didn't necessarily believe in the Maker, but she appreciated those driven by their convictions. Jonas was driven. That much was evident.

"Jonas!" Ella shouted, showing up at his elbow. He looked over at her, worry creasing his brow. The poor man was going to get wrinkles. He was not longer a young man, gray kissing his black hair and wrinkles forming at the corners of his brown eyes. He's going to die. Ella swallowed that pessimistic voice in the back of her head and looked over at him.

"We need to shut the gates. With the gates shut and sentries at the top of the gate, we can pick off the demons wave by wave in shifts. I assume the...tear or whatever it is doesn't close after you kill all the demons?"

Jonas shook his head. "No, Mistress. They keep flooding out. But I like that idea." He paused and reached over, gripping Ella's shoulder. He was a good man. No one remembers the good. They only remember the great. Ella frowned and listened as Jonas spoke again.

"Soldiers of Redcliffe! Close the gates! Kill whatever demons you can and help me close this damnable thing!" And that is what they did. Ella killed whatever she could, clumsily slinging her sword at whatever she could cut into that wasn't human. A few demons died by her sword, but her talents were with magic. But, she couldn't use magic lest she be branded an apostate and made...Tranquil. She shuddered at the thought. Another round of applause for Andy who subsequently built this body for Ella. Ella didn't get used to the insult "knife-ear" until her 10th year in Thedas. Even then, the insult still chilled Ella to her bones.

"Knife-ear! What are you doing out here? Was it you and your elf magics that summoned these abominations?" A guardsman asked, his face obscured by a helm. Ella held her sword tighter, but she didn't have to defend herself. Jonas stepped in.

"Reese! Hold your tongue. Mistress Golightly has been with us for two years and has not summoned up any demons yet. She brought you soup that week you were bedridden with illness or have you forgotten?"

Reese shut up after that, quietly fuming when he'd been outsmarted. Good. Disgusting shems. Ella shook her head. No. Just because Yavana taught you some elvish doesn't mean you can go insulting people now. Be kind. Kindness saves lives.

As the gates shut on the demons, Ella breathed a sigh of relief. The children were safe, but they wouldn't be forever. Time to sleep. Andy had things to tell her no doubt. Best to beat Andy to the chase. But first, she needed to feed the children. They were probably starving.

9:41 Dragon

The Breach. That's what everyone's calling it. Or at least, that's what Andy's calling it. I have to leave the children. I've already told Alia and Edith. They were both sad, but they understood my excuse. I told them I wanted to help with the Breach. It was true, but I'm not doing it for noble reasons. I still want to go home. I have to go home. I miss my family too much. I need to see them again. Then again, are they even still looking for me? The problem with inter-dimensional travel is not knowing how the original dimension is doing. Has time passed? Do they believe I'm dead? Is there even a way home? I'm too scared to ask Andy. Andy has these answers though. I know it. I'm positive. But, I can't bring myself to ask. I'm terrified. What if Andy tells me yes to the first two and no to the last? What if she tells me no to the first two and yes to the last? Either way, it's a toss up, and I hate toss ups. Absolutes are better than maybes. In my opinion. Then again, I'm the one in the impossible world. A world of demons and magic. What the fuck. 25 years, and I'm still fucked up about it. Maybe eventually I'll get over it. Doubt it.

Made the kids dinner. Soup. Not too exciting, but it got the job down quick. Sent the kids to bed and sat with Alia for a while. We got drunk. Or well, she got drunk, and I got buzzed. I'm leaving tomorrow. I'm headed to Haven. Wish me luck.

Love and peace,

Ella Golightly.

Thanks for reading! Please leave a review if you see something wrong, have questions, or just want to tell me how you feel about Providence!