Year of the Boar, Thirteenth Month, Day 8.

When I went to meet with the Clerk earlier, he had arranged for some tea. I thanked him for his thoughtfulness and sipped with pleasure as he told me more tales of Father's youth. 

Before he married Mother, it seems he was very social and spent as much time at the homes of his friends as he did at the House. He was carefree and popular about the Kingdom but a year or two after he married, he stopped visiting other Houses except for Diplomatic Talks. The Clerk had not seen Father since before I was born. All of that is very curious. I cannot imagine Father as a fun-loving gad about but can that have anything to do with the secrets he sent me to find at Purple Lightning...? Perhaps it is connected, perhaps it is coincidental but I do not think the Clerk knows any more than he is telling.

I wondered if Mother, too, had been so very different in her youth and I asked the Clerk what he remembered of her. He did not know her well but he said she was reserved and polite. It was of little help but I was grateful to him for spending the time.

I realised earlier today that I have not recieved a bird since I parted company with Aoki. I do not know if that is because the birds cannot find me after all or if there has just been no news of note. Now that I have no contact in Dying Crane, I have no idea how Yuika fares. I wonder if Kaede can find out for me. I regret leaving Yuika with the impression I would return and I must let her know that my plans do not include going back ...