β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«βοΉποΉββ«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β« Captain's Log ----------- #journal #viewed-oocly #inperson #narration #violence #teaparty β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«βοΉποΉββ«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β« ~ On the 19th ~ ------ Despite the inexcusa8le hour at which I finally retired, my rest was unexpectedly tranquil. Sleep, however, remained a stranger for some time; my palmhusk was 8esieged 8y many notific8tions. Among them were messages from a smug Doctor, several fresh 8eforan's of my own cur8tion, and an interesting confession from one of the few humans I find remotely tolera8le, a casual admission to homicide. My m8tesprit drew a 8ath at my return, a restor8tive lull that managed to purge the psychic rot I had carried home from that wretched tea party. I still question why I continue to frequent these gatherings. I have no desire to align with their faction, nor do I intend to 8e conscripted into their machin8tions once more. I hold these people in utter contempt, yet they represent a chapter of my life so sequestered that even those the pu8lic deem as my fellow 'ancestors' remain ignorant of it. While my peers here preoccupy themselves with trivial grievances, I am 8urdened 8y a clearer, colder vision of the hollow vanity that is Alternia. They squander their existence proselytising over caste-issues or weeping over the dissolution of fated rel8tionships. They fail to grasp that our autonomy was an illusion; our lives, in that era, were utterly devoid of significance. I had entertained the hope that seeing the Handmaiden might offer a shred of solidarity, one of the only others who shared a recognition to this profound ennui 8ut her focus has drifted elsewhere, to other company. In ages past, my presence in the manor was a matter of tutelage, sequestered away during lessons 8ecause Alternia could ill afford the sight of a lusus-coloured faceless mutant on its land. A mere acknowledgment from someone who survived that shared torment would have 8eenβ¦ familiar. ------ A week prior, I held court at my own event. I extended an invit8tion to that same Doctor who seemingly met his end last night, the agreement was for him to hold his counterpart at 8ay. He did his part to ensure the evening remained free of arson or cheating. Indeed, my casino night was a triumph of decorum; no one perished, and no one was reduced to ash. The most noteworthy transgression was a futile attempt 8y the Midnight Crew to plunder a vault that existed only within a dream. They are welcome to their phantom currency. I found far greater satisfaction in the company of my matesprit and the coffers I filled at the expense of my guests. I should 8e cele8r8ting, 8ut I anticip8te something far ominous to 8e a8le to relax now. The figurines depicted in the image of the guests who arrived to the tea party felt like a warning. Though I do not expect the intelligence of the others would 8e high enough to see anything in it like I have.