Clockmaker

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====== Maelle's Journal ======

These are select entries from [[pc:Maelle Kurimoto]]'s journal that were written during the campaign.

======Session 0/1======

Got a break day today with work, decided to keep this journal this person gave me, some strange person she was! kept rambling about killing these aberrants and throwing explosives at people. Suffice to say she was interesting, might keep going to that place if shes a regular. Place also had some pretty good stew and  wine was wine, nothing to really note except I like wine.

Yumiko's planning on taking me out to this park around central Zwosta some day this week. For an old woman she sure likes doing a lot of activity; would've expected her to live a quiet life outside of the city compared to this? She still works hard as a doctor, guess all that work she's done as a kid really kept her fit.

That's all I can really think of for today I guess, might write more later if I feel like it.

Got an actual bit of feeling out of me for once. Thank you a lot Ms. Navia. (was her name?)

======Session 2/3======

God fucking dammit.

I guess I'm writing in this again. So right as I get back into work turns out some fucking ass screwed up and sent a few tanks of insecticides into the river! gotta clear my entire schedule for that.

I'm so sorry Yumiko, park date will have to wait I guess. Whoever fucked up that badly is getting hit in the fucking face I swear.

Went back to that bar to unwind and that same woman was arguing with the bartender, called him a… what was it? oh right! "pig-fucker" for not letting her order another drink after what seemed like a lot. Heh, she was nice to me, I bought her a bottle of gin after she went outside as a gift for this book, she called me cool and left to somewhere I guess.

Whatever.

If this kind of bullshit keeps up I'm gonna have to write so much more.

======session 4.1======

So that's more work to deal with some eternally frozen body found in the Zone! can't do anything to help them, Halkin wasn't much use either, just another stuck up Rigasian official stuck in his ways, guess I'm going to the hunters guild to go ask for help researching this body then.

I'm gonna be going into the Zone actually, into Nuskom once more. I haven't been there in years, ever since that Bomb <del>that</del> <del>shit</del> <del>it's</del> I'll be okay.

Might write later, who knows.

======Session 4.2======

<del>What the fuck</del> 

<del>I am</del>

Murderer, that's all I am. <del>Those</del> They had families, Rigasian or not they were human and I fucking killed them.

What the hell is wrong with me?

Monster.

Aberrant.

Maybe I'm just a monster after all.

======Session 5======

Everyone was the same, it was like that day never happened. those two, Clark and Gaia---

Gaia is a fucking kid, what was going through her head during <del>that</del> <del>what</del>

What the hell is wrong with me?

Calm yourself, Maelle. Turns out both of them are "special" in some way: Clark can freeze stuff with his hands; Gaia I'm not sure what she can do but she must be special in some way considering the gloves effect.

We stole that body out of the hands of Rigasia, I'm making sure its gonna be sent to Zhongguo.

Went back to that bar, need a fucking drink after everything. That Mariette was there again, seems she is a regular. Bought me some wine as a thanks and we talked for a bit, mentioned those two and the other day.

Don't know if it was the drink or what but I told her, told her all that happened. Remember her saying something and then my mind going fuzzy there but---
 
Don't know anymore, at least I'm writing this stuff down.

======Session 6.1======

Boring as hell morning.

Convinced Iorena to send the body to Zhongguo, using my vacation days to cope with all the bull from before, kinda channeling my younger self and just having fun around the town.

Wonder how that lot is doing. God that Ivan was a fucking shithead I loved him, good ass friend! Ivan, Aleksey, Lotte--- better family than my birth family.

Ivan the clear-headed, always made sure those kids never got in too much trouble. Him and Yumiko really were the most responsible if anything. Aleksey was a loud and energetic prick! despite him only being a kid he could ruin shit I swear.

Shame what happened to his family, Black-cap bastards. Kid didn't deserve to lose his parents like that. He kinda reminded me of this other Romani kid.

Lotte was a quiet girl, don't think I've ever heard her talk… but everyone understood her easily, her and her little hand words confused a lot of people but we thought it cute.

Yumiko was the grandmother of the group, she was old but wise. Didn't know much Vartsprak but we taught her, she picked it up pretty quickly compared to most I've met, guess Nihon has some good education on language then.

Mariette isn't in the bar today, been writing here this whole time and she hasn't shown up once. Wonder what shes up to.

They were serving a drink called the "special" today, tried it: just tasted like a normal cocktail from around here.

I might as well leave it off here then, don't wanna get drink on this thing.

======Session 6.2======

<del>That</del>

Fucking turns out that Vituska prick I've been hearing about as of recent was connected to Clark and Gaia, he burnt down the fucking hunters guild with Ferret inside.

Saved his ass with Pyotr, still waiting in the ICU to see if him and Iorena are alright.

Found a note saying that Gaia was kidnapped, got almost run over by Iorena, debriefed her on the situation, she told me to go get help and she got people, I came after collecting Yumiko and Meiyo.

We came right in time: Gaia was running down the stairs while I walked in. for some reason a random voice in my head was saying "don't aura farm" while I was thinking about walking in slower; no idea who or what that was but I ran in instead and attacked that Vituska guy.

He's dead; no need to explain further.

We're getting a bounty for him. Iorena's been hurt, she got hit in the fucking face by his wind sword things, whatever magic he has.

We're getting money for us killing him. Might buy a dinner for everyone when I get it, don't know though.

======Session 7======

Day 1

Turns out Clark might also be affected by the reality fuckery Rigasia did. Told me about this "Ringu" person he saw in a dream during his time in the Vituska-Motyl house of fun.

Yumiko did some testing and hallucinations are not one of the things that can be caused by the drugs they used on him, so most likely this Ringu girl is some sort of <del>god?</del> don't know, he'll be okay though. Thank god.

Day was nice, just napped and took a bit of a walk outside and got to this bench. It's really quiet this late at night. Wonder if anyone's awake.

Night then, journal

Day 2

Was walking around more: bought this denim jacket from a clothing store, also some new boots considering these are wearing out. fucking finally getting some calm.

Got some more stew and wine from the bar again. Mariette was there and just as talkative as before. I apologized for what happened last time, turns out she doesn't know what I was talking about, she was working late in her shop that night apparently. weird. We talked about whatever, told her about that lot… she seemed to enjoy hearing me talk about Aleksey, called me gay jokingly when talking about Yumiko…

Yeah, nice day I guess.

Day 3

Yumiko knows now, told her about those days. She reassured me, comforted me. I don't deserve her. Don't get why she loves me so much. I'm a monster. But at least I have her instead of nothing.

======Session 9/10======

Holy shit I'm finally myself again full-time! This is amazing!

Okay, okay. Fucking zone was being fucky again! I'm finally not feeling apathetic all the time now! 

May have broken down in Yumiko's arms but that's besides the point! been talkative and shit! Fucking hell I remind __myself__ of Mariette hahah!

Anyhow! was coming down into the hotel lobby, some people down there, I'm led to the staging ground and I go help out around the place. A giant fucking dog just a bit bigger then a tank comes in and almost kills me and everyone around. Wonder what would have happened if I hadn't dodged.

I go into the car with Gaia and Clark because they were there and we crash into an elephant's foot and Gaia starts fucking talking to them?! No idea how, apparently she talks to squirrels also! weird as hell but also cool.

We go to the center of the Zone and me and Gaia become ambassadors for a time until some masked fuck tries "helping" us but then a tank rolls in! T medic gets hit really hard by the tank, I start saving her. She then sees the glove that Clark has and pulls me down. Clark then __freezes__ the tank!

We escape through the portal but then Rigasia sends in a fucking bomber plane!

Okay.

Calm down Maelle, genuinely.

We then wake up in this savanna somewhere in Africa. <del>I see</del> there's three dead bodies: Antonio Vargas, Zoe Curie, and Steve. No idea about the last one's name. Body is mangled, and so is the nametag. That poor lot.

Gaia started breaking down. I hugged her as tight as I could, she just cried harder. Clark told me to bring her over to Derek and I did, thankfully Clark buried the bodies for us after. He's a good man! 

We went over to this fort after all of that. I was able to learn some of the language these people speak!

Then tonight---

FUCK RIGASIA I SWEAR THAT POOR WOMAN.

Calm down; pretty sure both of them are still awake, don't want them hearing me cry.  Gotta get back in that motherly role again… be strong. 

This Anagusi woman got stuck in time. She got somehow saved by  this big strong woman named Ariyadna which I ###### ##### ## ##### ##### ## like holy ##### ##### ## ##### ##### ## I WA###### ####### ### ### ####.

Then after all that we got some time to ask questions to Derek. Turns out the <del>kesizmensis</del> kesizmans known about human aberrants. They call us "eternity-touched". <del>I guess</del> It's better then aberrant that's for sure though, but why would I be allowed a term like that? I'm a monster anyway. I better accept that for once.

======Session 11======

Goddamn it.

Today was <del>absolutely fucked</del> not good in the slightest, everything is still a bit fuzzy after drinking like that. dont exactly know what caused the binge but- maybe I'm a bit better, who knows at this point.

From my memory of this morning, I just felt completely tired, couldn't think clearly because of that Ariyadna woman- went and hid after eating to go think some things out, I'd have to accept that fact sometime and, I guess that time is now.

I'm not a woman, I'm different. I'm not a man, I'm just- me? I guess that's how I could phrase that, I'm Kurimoto Maelle, all I've really heard people refer to people like me as is "Deviant", "Faggot", "Whore", and- other (much worse) cases of libel. So, in turn I dont exactly understand what I could call myself, I'm just Maelle.

Anyhow, after that morning, I did ask initially to see about how Clark and Gaia would react towards that fact, after what happened earlier suffice to say Clark doesn't see me as different for this, I'm glad for that. Gaia though, I'm worried about how she'll react towards me, she seemed- I'm not too sure, during the initial ask I feel as if she dismissed that question before, but then when i openly came out about that- I feel like she didn't.. understand? That or was dismissing it once more.

Now, finally remembering what happened after going into that chamber, I- I wish that I didn't remember. Everything felt heavy, I wanted to scream in that very moment and I did. I caused a scene that made me pound an entire thing of beer in one shot, goddamn idiot, I'm not supposed to act so immature about this, I'm 34, why am I acting like such a damn baby about being called a slave? Idiot.

======Session 12/13======


What a day, but, not too bad! everything seemed to turn out well in the end.

Been exploring the city for the past few weeks, Kesizma's taking their sweet time making that portal, learnt some new words in.. I'm pretty sure the language here is Mande? From what i can tell this country is Mali, specifically the Malian Empire, heard a bit of it from some <del>drunk, horny, frat guys trying to impress me</del> "history majors" back in university.

Rigasia's starting its invasion of Kesizma, before we left there was news of them attacking an army a kilometer away or so, thought to help with the strategizing against them.. hopefully these people wont get hurt in this war, they've been very nice these past few weeks! so, good luck to Kesizma and Mali!

Speaking of Rigasia; we have a Rigasian on board with us for the time being now! Schidera is his name, some corporal who had his entire platoon destroyed from a group of eternity-touched crabs, I was the one who saved him initally. <del>Claire (woman Clark haha)</del> Clark thankfully got the tourniquet on him before he could bleed out, thanks a lot, Clark!

Took a nap for an hour after the whole debacle with poor Schidera, woke up to both Clark and Mauto falling out of Derek and their horse respectively! <del>Goddamn</del> What insanity I was awoken with! We went to go get Derek some medication for his sickness but.. I dont exactly think he'll do well tonight, that woman did have a point with the meds but, eh, i dont know

Finished cleaning up and whatnot about an hour ago.. Gaia and Clark have been asleep for the last ten minutes so I guess I'll finish up my entry for tonight, hope to see Yumiko and everyone soon!

**[FEW HOURS LATER]**

scratch good end, gaia, <del>head exploded.</del> gaia crying, fucking clark isnt moving.. hes not doing anything. what the fuck was that? how did vituska live? clark was covered in his fucking guts.

gaia wont stop crying

clark isnt responding

im managing but i feel like im on the verge of tears, gods help us.

======Session 14======


By the gods, finally, a good day.

So! We were broken out of prison by a couple of revolutionaries going against the Empire's rule this morning, after all of what happened a few days ago. Seems the people are finally going against their oppressor in this timeline.. hopefully everything turns out well when they win!

And one of those revolutionaries, one Fulan Ibn Fulan, seems to understand Gotthos and Vartsprak pretty well. He came with us while looking for our weapons (thank you Derek for your sense of smell). Something was happening regarding Mauto and Clark, wasn't focusing too hard on the conversation except interjecting on certain occasions, seems Mauto was a bit anxious about the other night and all that's been happening recently.

Fulan is.. Fulan is an interesting character, to say the least. He's the same as me in regards to attraction, he likes the same sex and doesn't seem to mind other people in regards to how they identify, I like him, he was nice.

He brought us over to the revolutions leader, Djama, he seems like a smart man, no wonder he's the leader of the revolt!

Got some time to talk to Fulan a bit after it all, turns out he was able to find a bottle of wine also! I missed this taste so much, felt nice to get a drink in while talking about everything. We mainly discussed our lives and works we have done (considering the fact we're both scientists). Fulan seems to be against Rigasia for the most part so I feel like its okay to trust him.

अन्त्यः त्वां सर्वशून्ये मिलितः भविष्यति, त्वां सर्वान् च प्रियं च भक्षयन् दैवेन कथितम्।

Seems I've fallen asleep at my desk, somehow? Odd, this hasn't happened since I was working on the Leiphof Paper. Anyhow; I had a dream during it, I was somewhere in.. I'm not sure if it was Nihon or Zhongguo, it had a similar appearance to an area around them <del>(possibly Kansai?)</del>. 
Everything started to fade apart after I saw a shadow in the ground, it was.. it felt like it consumed everything it saw like a vaccume, nothing could escape its pull until everything was gone except me and a small light. The light comforted me, everything was cold but I felt a warm comfort throughout my body even if everything was gone, the light was there.
I soon died of either starvation or a crushing force and the dream had ended

======Session 15/16======


The hell happened today? Fucking tired my god.

Oh, now I remember. Aberrants raided the fort today, we defended the place fine and with Mauto we were able to get everyone inside before they actually got into the place. I kept casualties to a minimum when attacking the ones inside the fort considering they can fucking explode. Pretty sure Clark analyzed them after the battle ended.

Speaking of Clark; I think they're like me. they don't seem to identify with the identity they were assigned throughout their life, specifically them being a man. I talked to them about it after the battle and they seem to be in denial as well, apparently thinks they're being "corrupted" somehow but, I don't trust that assumption as the real reason to whats happening: Whatever their biology is about, they're a woman and are scared to embrace who they are and <del>some magical biology bullshit</del> something related to their gift is influencing this. Also, Kitsune seem to be real and Clark is one of them, even becoming a cute woman like in the stories Yumiko told.

After the whole kerfuffle with the hot-headed lizards, Djama (who originally blamed #### Ariyadna) wanted to know who caused the wall to freeze up. I went with Clark to help explain it, thus leading to an argument against Rigasia with Djama and how he seems to be in support of their government. Everyone split up after it got heated.

Ariyadna, Seems a child version <del>(smalliyadna?)</del>  of her lives in this area, she directly helped me during the fight by disarming a horse ready to trample me. I don't like that man with her, from what she said he's her husband. Fucking disgusting. I want to try saving Ariyadna from that man and give her a better life, I don't want her to suffer.

Ugh, and now the fun part of today. Rigasian tanks came into the fort after the lizard attack, they needed to make a pit stop after driving for what looks like awhile. Got some information out of the captain about the situation in our timeline; Valtshora is rebelling against Rigasia! From what I can tell they aren't Blackcaps considering Zhongguo is giving them support, I'll make a note to try and help when we get back to Valtshora.

Another thing. Gaia, I'm worried about her. She was really interested in the GAT, so.. much that it resulted in her sneaking out to break inside it. She looked at it with the glove and passed out earlier, she still hasn't woken up even now. I'm waiting here with Clark for her to do that but, as I've said; I'm worried for her.

======Session 17======

She's dead. Ariyadna the witch died.

Can't believe we actually succeeded in defeating her and saving the kid, Gaia had almost died during the battle and I was breathing in chlorine gas but, we still won.

Maybe it's not too bad, thinking about it. If it wasn't for my emotions returning I probably would've let that kid over to Ariyadna, I felt an instinct to protect the kid from her and I succeeded. Poor kid hasn't said a word since we got hospitalized, been holding onto Gaia's hand and patting Clark on the head the entire time.

Fucking drugs really worked me up, cried my eyes out in front of Fulan, fucking good man he is.. Wonder when I'll see him again after all this shit ends finally. Gave him a hug before we left, see you later Fulan, and Mali as a whole.
======Session 18======

All is finally over, we're home in Valtshora after a few months of staying in Mali.

Though, what a day! Fucking first thing we deal with is an invasion from Rigasia *into* Kesizma itself, shooting a giant super sonic device into the crowd and hurting everyone, thankfully Ariyadna was able to block it in the case of me, Gaia, and a few others. Fucking jumped on a GAT and almost hijacked it while fighting, badass.

Got a device also while there, apparently it'll stop the effects of being outside a warped area akin to the Nuskom zone or Mali, or even Kesizma itself! Finally felt what its like to hug Yumiko while like this and.. I really needed that.. she's amazing. With that though, I might go and help Ms Sevel with the political work or any operations needed against Rigasia or the Rigasia-aligned militia. Gods this is gonna be a busy ass month.

Went out to the bar (thank the gods its not gone out of business) that me and Mariette have met up at before with Yumiko, got a few drinks and a bowl of stew there and fuck, I missed the taste of Valtshoran beef stew! I've missed this damn town much more then I've expected.

For the most part I've just spent the rest of the night with Yumiko, left for a bit to check in on Clark assuming they were at the Guild after they lost their house, they seem to be in deep thought about something. I'm hopeful they can come to a conclusion about the whole woman thing, its extremely obvious they like being a girl.

Met up with Yumiko after that at the hotel, she seemed.. different, more excited then usual (especially compared to today). Had fun today, she's asleep right now and mumbling to herself. I'm glad to be back. what felt like 6000 days of waiting has finally come to an end close to my birthday. Happy Birthday Maelle Kurimoto.

(How am I gonna tell Yumiko that I'd wanna buy a real house..?)

====== Journal Entries of the Time Skip ======

1

Been a week since I've been back, went right back into business and got to work with Ms Sevel and in my personal life.

Bought a nice house (around 40m^2) just outside of the city, giant backyard and a lot of rooms for me and Yumiko to stay in. Giant kitchen, Ivan would cry at how pretty it was! Hopefully he'll be back in Valtshora soon to really put it to work (ready to meet that Kitazawa person he keeps writing about as well). And then a very pretty room for Ariyadna (spare bedroom until we decide on who she lives with) to stay in, has all the things she'll need and possibly want considering the Vituska money.

Got a German Shepherd after me and Yumiko moved in as well. This little (62cm) 5 year old we found at a shelter, named him Milo, felt like it would fit considering his coat (looks like a yew tree) He seems to enjoy the backyard we've given him, keeps running around and playing with the toys I left out for him, we've been playing all day actually! he fell asleep on my lap and I'm currently using his back as a desk. He likes it.

More importantly though: I've been given a few assignments from Sevel to rat out potential spies around Zwosta, made sure to bring Milo with me to keep cover. Jobs been easy for the most part right now, caught a few spies from the other side already, they're being interrogated right now if im right.

Busy week, basically.

====== Session 20/21 ======


What a fucking eventful day! Goddamn insane shit happened all day.

So, we were at the Umichooan peace talks this morning. For the most part it was very peaceful, not a single problem in sight really.. 

Then Mariette Navia fucking shanks Riung in the chest.

From this, all hell breaks loose! I was giving an (admittedly half-assed) explanation to the main stickler there, Gauta Oi-see, and he was extremely condescending. I swear I could bottle that pompousness and sell it to the Blackcap leader or my damn father. fucking hated the Umichooan officials.

We went to my house after and started investigating where Mariette would be, got my notebook and got the address for her shop, was an.. interesting place: lots of potions lining the walls and whatnot. once again, was an extremely weird place (it did feel oddly comfortable though). Then we reached her fucking mad scientist laboratory that just has a goddamn homemade Koteglia mechanism sitting on the table!

Then we get jumped by Mariette herself! She had a fucking invisible cloak ripped straight out of a fantasy and was hiding. She was paranoid as hell about Riung and was aiming a gun at us. From how it looked, she was preparing to leave and then instead of the Koteglia mechanism doing what she wants, it instead summons the Riung-stabbing Mariette. Gaia tries shooting her and we all fucking panic in response, the Shanker left and we took Mariette back to the Hunters Guild. Then like the AMAZING day it is, Mariette faints and isn't actually human. What the fuck. She got to the hospital in time but, just goddamn.

Anyhow, after all that I just decided to stay home with Ariyadna while Yumiko went to go take care of Mariette. Ariyadna seems to be growing closer to us as of recent, she was being silly during dinner (made Yukinos Udon) and I was being silly about her eating with the gift she has.

After dinner there was a knock at the door, assuming its Yumiko I come over and its Mariette (specifically the shanker one). She seems agitated, I'm not able to understand much of what shes saying (might have slipped in a glass of wine during dinner), from what I understood though something happened to the timeline and its affecting the universe at large because of Riung. <del>OH SHIT SHE TOLD ME SHE WAS LEAVING TOWN</del> She mentioned going off for her own safety. And after today? I hope you'll be safe.

After she left I had just rested in the living room, Ariyadna came out and she wanted some kind of physical comfort, I gave her a hug which seemed to shock her and make her a bit anxious (tried my hardest to be careful) but comforted her in the end. Read a fantasy novel Yumiko had to her and fell asleep during it.

I'm glad we took Ariyadna with us after killing the Witch. Forgot how nice it is to be a parent, really wonder how Ivan's doing with those kids. It'll be fine though, they're 15 and 16 now, they wont blow the house up.

But anyhow, I met old Riung.

She's fucking real, and shes shockingly nice to be completely honest! I really liked her, she has that humbleness that was described in the past, wonder what the fuck happened to make her so different from who she is in this moment. She mentioned that Mariette was in trouble and that I needed to get a few people to help her out, then let me ask a few questions. Apparently its possible for me to become a Dreamweaver, how we met was from dreamwalking after all. She didn't give a straight answer in terms of what happens with her, I guess we wont know til later?

But yeah, I went to help, to say the least. Got everyone together and we ran to the station. Looked for Mariette and then one of the Umichooan <del>bastard-bot 9000s</del> puppets came in and started hunting for her, Mariette then fucking SLAMS into the puppet to try and bring it down, I obviously provide help and I grab onto the puppet, making it falter for a bit. 

Though, I had a slight feeling you could say? I indulged in it and I woke up on the Umichooan island with Gaia, she was cross with me and in a fit of pure excitement I actually *confront* Riung herself! Turns out her and Gauda broke a rule. I also told her to tell Umichoo to fuck off on my way out which obviously pissed her off as well.

I've just been resting in the living room pondering all of today as of now, Yumiko went to bed and Ariyadna's asleep while I've been up. I still wonder about that dream back in Mali, seemed too important to brush off and the text in my journal is still indecipherable, even asked around with the Anagusi delegation in the city and they didn't know what the hell it said (that or just looked at me with a clearly anxious look). What the hell is gonna happen in the future? What the hell did that dream fucking mean. And if I can dreamwalk, I'm going to find this out. I'll ask Sozaya about dreamwalking this week and see if they can teach me the fundamentals.

====== Session 22 ======

P1

Met up with Sozaya earlier today, got some info about dreamwalking. Turns out a bulk of what can be done to learn is stuff I already have basic knowledge on; lucid dreaming for one. meditation on the other hand is something I'm not too knowledgeable on though, will have to ask Yumiko later.

Had a dream last night, was in the middle of a nighttime snowy Nuskom, lights were completely on but the galaxy could still be seen from the sky. Weird, walked around my old neighborhood and it continuously started to feel more and more cold around me as I walked.. soon it felt like I was about to collapse from the cold, walked into one of the houses and went to sit on a couch in the living room. The sky appears in the hallway, it fizzles out and all that's left is the void.. that same void as the other dream.

Ran out of the house and into the street but it just kept following me, soon the neighborhood was gone and I just kept running as fast as I could until I fell in. The dream ended after that.

Another dream; was on the porch and watching the sun rise with Milo, I saw my goddamn parents walking up to the house somehow while obviously murmuring crap about how I'm a "degenerate" and shit, considering its a dream I gently wake Milo up and tell him to go sic em! I run up with him and tell the both of them to fuck off while cheering happily. I actually did wake up with Milo to the sunrise after the dream also, Yumiko must've saw considering there was a big blanket on me when I awoke.

P2

Stopped a Rigasian train robbery, literal train robbery; they tried stealing the entire fucking train.

Days leading up I did some investigation on the earlier robberies and goddamn: they //really// used tanks to stop them? The hell was going on in their heads with that? Glad they stopped that after Umichoo did its thing in Kesizma, though of course it (stopping the robbery) was still fucking hard.

So by the time we're pouring into the train it seems like there was a damn Rigasian plant and they tried shooting my head off, Claire iced him (and almost broke him by pushing him to the floor) while I was in shock. After that I just sat in the car with Zach the entire time really, meditated and tried to dreamwalk.

Then Claire wakes me up and I'm jumping onto Derek from the damn window.

Turns out Gaia forgot to tell me and Claire that there were a couple of Paranormal Foundation goons fucking with a Koteglia Mechanism and summoning a //portal// to.. somewhere, we stopped them before we could see where Rigasia wanted to send us. Some prick was telekinetic and the other was fucking invisible which led me to fall on my ass multiple times, eventually the engine was taken off (luckily) and we were saved atleast.

Got the core tested in a lab after, turns out whatever Rigasia does involves something that's organic. Fun. Can't wait to find out that Rigasia is electrocuting shit to make it give Rigasia a portal to wherever.


====== Session 23 ======

What fun, a visit to the Umichoo delegation turned into a mindfuck dream, my favourite activity.

Riung was gathering up gifted people to be investigated with the subtle machines maintenance which resulted in the 3 of us being teleported there, place was bland, they need to redecorate.

She was talking to Gaia about the gift stuff which.. Riung was looking at me, a lot of them were. I mentioned it and more started looking at me, including the main Riung, Gaia did, Amanda did, even Claire.. Then I wake up on a beach while disoriented to all hell! Went up some stairs and investigated a cloud shackled down and almost got struck by lightning.

Cue me waking up in a Shinto shrine while Miko Claire looks in confusion and doesn't remember anyone, including me. She went to go make me some stew while my Claire walks up and shows me a glass bone and looks confused. the Miko comes back to give me the stew and then gets startled by both my Claire and Gaia falling through the roof, all of us are confused and it gets worse, Riung comes in.

Apparently a Dream Queen who rebelled against.. someone.. the whole conversation was confusing considering I still can't dreamweave. Said Dream Queen was following me and wasn't leaving my side.. I'm interested in meeting her to be frank, she seems interesting.

Then of course, as if this week couldn't get more weird, another Ariyadna shows up and reminds me why I got a crush on her initially. Thank you Ms Ariyadna.
====== Session 24 (and the rest of the week) ======
==== Monday ====

Was my birthday today, first "real" party I've ever had in my life.

Met up with Ivan, Aleksey, and Lotte at the train station a few hours before, Claire came with and she seemed to get along with everyone pretty well! Glad that everything is going well on that front. Though, apparently paparazzi from Motyl was taking photos of us meeting up again, fucking amazing.

Only really notable thing that happened during the party itself was the paparazzi coming again, otherwise I had just hung out with Mariette and Ivan.

Lotte started "talking" to Ariyadna I noticed as well, she would write notes and hand them to her and then try to help make sense of the words Ariyadna didnt know! They seemed to get along well thankfully.

After that it was time to get cake and.. do all of that traditional party stuff, I really hated it to say the least, I don't like cake and it got extremely frantic. Went outside with ##### Claire and we talked for a bit, topic went towards our childhoods and I touched a bit on.. her.. haven't thought of Marina Novikov in literal decades, didn't notice how much I missed her touch and that kiss we shared on the beach. Hope you're alright, my love.

Opened our presents; Aleksey gave me 200¥ and a 'cool rock' as he calls it, Lotte gave me some photos of the city they're living in and a picture of Ivan and his boyfriend, Ivan gave me a bit of candy and some caramels from a really expensive place, then Mariette, being the joy she is, gave me an entire bottle of the best wine I've ever tasted in my entire life.

Riung though, gave one of the more important(?) gifts out of all, seemingly a library inside of an egg shaped device that has information on dreamweaving, the surrounding world, and so much more. Apparently there are even eldritch horrors beyond any of our comprehensions (The Unmaker, The Wanderer, and the Master Cog are some highlights I gathered), these beasts are either Hyuni (the beasts outside of our universe), or the Zuni (more comprehensible monsters such as the Unmaker or the Renegade (which I'll just refer to her as Haikyousha as thats easier to say)).

Though.. after that, a giant fucker named the [         ] appeared and disappeared after terrifying everyone and caused a fright. We started talking on everything and debriefing and I - may have drank a bit too much and don't remember shit about what happened.

Thats it really though, gonna try to see if I can contact the Renegade after doing the reading on dreamwalking that was in the egg.

==== Tuesday ====

I can have Monday as a break day as a treat I guess.

Motyl started including me in his little paper of nightmares and categorized me as a "cheating faggot" and Yumiko as a "[slur] dyke who is here to turn our kids communist". Yup, its as bad as it seems, as much as I wanted to spend the rest of the week with Ivan I might as well get started on helping Iorena manage this and make a response. Let it be known that Motyl is a piece of shit.

On a better note however; the family's been enjoying the house a whole lot after coming here, Ivan was asking about the possibility of moving in with us again as well! I might as well start looking into that considering my plans for the future (though knowing the state of shipping from Zhongguo to Valtshora right now it'll take a bit). Ivan also said he was gonna offer to bring his boyfriend Aoi to Valtshora if we'll find him somewhere to stay, can do that.

==== Wednesday ====

Nothing notable really, Ariyadna was staying here and talking to Lotte a bunch while I've been busy working with Iorena to manage the Motyl Massacre.

Aleksey was running around like a maniac outside with the dog, they both kept falling over and having fun.

Also I'm pretty sure Ariyadna did tell Lotte about Claire and the ears, can't wait for her to tell Aleksey and the secret to come out (gonna be hilarious).

==== Thursday ====

Guess I'm just a bit sentimental but I had to look, that conversation was nagging me a lot.

Marina doesn't have a grave or honor anywhere, could she still be out there? She was in the logs for the camps but nothing on her getting killed, looked everywhere in the database for Marina Novikov but there's nothing. Please gods, please let Marina be alive, wherever she is now.

Accepted a few interviews after looking about Marina this morning, guessing that it wont be published at all considering I kept dodging the pitfalls they'd place in front of me, wasn't even well hidden, would've thought these fucks would try a little harder with their tricks but oh well.

==== Friday ====

Not really much to address other than the same as yesterday, told the fucks in Motyls ring to fuck off and worked with Iorena.

Though I did have a talk with Ivan after everyone fell asleep, apparently hes not going back to Zhongguo now. He bought a shabby little apartment in the main city and is moving in there while waiting for his stuff and Aoi to come over (so he can move in with me and Yumiko of course), he wanted to make sure I'm alright and wont get hurt with the shit happening now.. guess he really does know how I am, I will definitely break if Motyl gets in office and having Ivan here might be for the best really.

Good luck then, Iorena, hopefully the worst wont come to happen.