Candlemas and Anya.

.....I saw a note today on LJ about the recent death of Anya de Chaalis of a Brain Tumor. I hadn't seen her in a number of years, but hearing her name reminded me very much of the Candlemas where she became the Dragon's Laire Baronial Rapier Champion.

.....It was at a Candlemas out at Long Branch. The day was cold and very overcast and so the championship itself was held inside the building. I cannot remember how many fighters there were in the list, but there were quite a few. Anya had that determined look of a fighter who knew that she would be a contender. And so she was and so she won. Way cool.

.....I remember that Candlemas well as it was autocratted by Serena. She had this orange that was stuffed over every bare spots with both cloves and ribbons. A key hung off one of the ribbons. I remember teasing Serena about it, asking her if it was the key to her bedroom. It was probably the only time I ever saw her blush. :-)

.....That orange sits above the kitchen sink at home. I think that the cloves have preserved that orange for all eternity. :-)

.....I also remember that event well for the fact that it was the first time that Eric de Dragonslaire remembered my name on his own with no prompting. The first time he'd been able to do so for the four or so years that he'd seen me playing in Dragon's Laire. :-)

.....It is rather sad that two of the most memorable people from that event have now departed this world. All the more reason that things like Live Journal are available to keep those memories alive. Let this be a reminder (to myself especially) that it is important to tell those people you love how much you love them every day possible.

.....With Love, Aaron / Arontius.