Finally realized a big plot point I can use that should've been obvious from the start B) anyway, I actually know what I'm doing now! Mostly.

(note as I post it: I've gotten next week's chapter done already too, which is nice. I'm currently reading the new book, which is super exciting! I also feel the need to note that one of my writer friends legit writes out her whole fic before she starts publishing it and I wish I did that sometimes XD)


Eve sat back in a big comfy chair in the palace's library, holding a large book propped up on her stomach. She was researching again, looking as hard as she could for anything at all that might relate to missing memories. A cure would obviously be ideal, but even just a mention of a case would be good at this point. Her searching had, so far, come up empty.

But that wasn't stopping her.

This book was on curses and the beings that could cause them. Eve had read about a lot of interesting things she'd never heard of before, although none of them sounded like what she was looking for. She wouldn't allow herself to lose hope, though. Even if this book didn't have what she was looking for, she was having fun learning about so many new types of things. Eve could never get enough of this stuff.

She didn't read all the way through the book; it was far too big for that. But Eve did a sufficient amount of skimming to find out what each chapter was about and look over the pages quick enough to make sure she didn't miss even a passing mention of missing memories. A book of curses seemed like the perfect place to find it-

Although, that reminded her that she didn't even know how Seth lost his memories. What had happened? He hadn't told her, and she wasn't sure if he even knew. He might've forgotten what had happened to erase them with them. Maybe Kendra knew. Eve would have to ask next time she saw her. For the time being, curses seemed like a reasonable place to look. She kept reading.

Towards the end of the book, Eve found the only remotely relevant piece of information in the whole thing.

It wasn't anything big. It was a passing mention of a man with amnesia symptoms related to unnatural causes- but that was it. No in depth analysis, no guesses as to how to fix it. It didn't even mention how he got it!

Eve couldn't believe how big of a bust this was. She was trying so hard, and she couldn't turn up anything? It's not your fault there's no information, she reminded herself with a deep breath. And she knew it wasn't; it was just so frustrating not to be able to find anything! The rarity of the problem suggested an even more difficult solution.

Eve closed the book, just a little bit proud of herself for not slamming it shut. She stood up, and the book felt as if it might fall, as heavy as it was. Too bad that so many pages didn't offer her anything helpful. She shoved the book back into its spot on the shelf with a mental note of the man's name so that she could look for more information on him next time (if there is any, the grouchy voice in her head grumbled).

With another deep breath to clear her head and calm the emotions threatening to boil over, Eve left the library. Halfway back to her room, she changed courses, heading for outside instead. Fresh air was the best distraction from pesky emotions. Just being outside was known to make pain from illnesses lessen and tears subside.

When she opened the side door she liked to sneak out of so the townsfolk didn't know exactly everywhere she went, the cool breeze that greeted Eve was just as good as she'd hoped for. This was exactly what she needed.

She strolled off through the village in the general direction of the Blackwood. She wasn't going to go into the forest, but there was a nice, secluded sitting area nearby that not many seemed to know of. Eve liked to go there to think.

It was well past lunchtime, which Eve and her brothers had been expected to get and eat on their own today. Eve hadn't- she'd lost track of time researching in the library. She'd gone in right after breakfast, so it had been quite some time. Eve's stomach made a strange rumbly sound, and she could feel how empty it was, so she figured she'd stop by a vendor on her way. She'd never been one to pass up the opportunity for food.

Which just reminded her how important her mission was.

Eve set aside that thought as she took the road to the market. The competing scents of food from different vendors wafted over her, and her stomach grumbled again. Good thing I'm about to get some food, she responded to it mentally. The idea had already cheered her again.

She stopped and got a sandwich, smiling when the warmth of the bread heated her hands as soon as she took it. Not much better than fresh bread. Eve ate the sandwich as she continued on her walk.

Watching the familiar scenery of the village with a warm sandwich out in the fresh air reminded Eve that there really was a lot to be thankful for. Life was very beautiful, even when she didn't notice it. That thought comforted her- the world would continue to be beautiful, whether she paid attention or not. Why ignore all there was to see?

When she got to her little spot, she sat down on the bench right underneath a willow tree. She could hear water somewhere nearby, signifying a little stream in the area. She finished off her sandwich, thoughtfully watching a butterfly dance past flowering bushes.

Finally, she allowed her thoughts to return to the problem at hand- from a safe distance so she wouldn't get irrationally upset again.

So far, after all she'd tried, she still hadn't found any leads. Nowhere to look for clues, no monsters to go to to reverse the curse. No-

Well, she reminded herself, she did kinda have one lead. She'd at least found mention of one other person with the same problem. That was a discouragingly small amount of help from all the books she'd looked through, but it was better than nothing.

After all, she'd only been back at it again for one day. She knew she'd be back to it tomorrow, if not as enthusiastically as today. She'd make sure to actually eat lunch tomorrow. And she had a starting point now!

Things could've certainly been going better in her search for a solution, but they also could've been much worse. And Eve wasn't about to give up on finding a way to help Seth.

If she had to, she would move heaven and earth to do it.


on the shores of the heaven-bent

with who i thought i was