Welcome and thank you all for coming to this grandeur day.

It has been another 365 days since we last partook like this celebrating what is another passage of time in my life. There is much I could say about what the year behind us and what impacts it left us. In truth, I would be most dishonest if I told you all I expected to be standing here inside of Almoral's residence by the end of the year. No one could have foreseen these peculiar circumstances, but long has it been said that things happen for a reason...

Now that I am here, I am forever grateful to you all. Each of your existences have led to me to continue to exist even if it feels as if I am a bother to try and keep safe. Your willingness to risk your own safety for my safety...our friendship means most dear to me. I hold all of you in my heart in different ways. Epsilon for being a great, trustworthy friend I have known for many years now. Dylan for being a sweet, humorous and adventurous friend who seems to fear no far away land. Traveler for being a kind, risk-taking and honorable friend I have gotten the chance to become friends with. Almoral for being the most humble, respectful, humorous, and yes, charming friend to give me shelter and warmth when no one else could. And of course, Nate for being the light that has guided me from the darkness and given me the honor to call him my sweet but mighty partner who I dare not extinguish for fears of the darkness to return...

I know not what next year will bring. I do still live in fear each day but not for myself. I fear most for you all and constantly wish that your actions will not become consequences but lead us all to a day worth remembering where we can all feel peace. As long as you all continue to exist, I will feel at home. Home is where the heart is at and my heart owes each of you gratitude for being the most amazing group of people I have ever met in my, quite ancient, life. May the new year grant us adventures worth going, risks worth taking, knowledge worth learning, and memories worth making. Thank you all. And now, of course, who wants cake? — Lucid