Caius

Third of January, 2005

Day three. Otho wanted a gate put up first. Stakes our claim and maybe will keep people out... at least when they break in they know it's not theirs. So that's what I did. It's real simple but it's the best that can be done by someone who's never done this before.

Adamari was the one who found this place while watching Eos. She wanted to make sure that whatever else is discovered, whatever else is built, the name of it all would simply be 'Adamari'. I thought the name could be improved upon, but she'd already gotten it stuck it her head... So much for 'Tranquillus Praeteri'.

Everyone was quick to the idea of setting up shop here and even quicker to pushing the duties off to me. Otho's helped a bit, but he's too old to really do any of the heavy lifting. At least they're all decent cheerleaders. Eos in particular seems very excited about this place. Feels like Elder Scrolls he says. Have to keep that kid on a short leash so he doesn't get lost. Honestly, I'd stake his leash to the ground- a decent distance away from me -if I could. The other two haven't been much help, both unusually quiet. Adamari has been staying out of the way, kind of just watching me work with surprising interest. Arsinoe is as too herself as always.

I'm content with what I've done so far, but there's still a lot to do. Not much time to write.

Ninth of January, 2005

Hell. Hell like I haven't experienced in a long time. That's what I experienced over the last couple days.

It started on the seventh I believe. Arsinoe had barely spoken to any of us since we came out here. I was honestly getting kind of worried. She was always quiet- usually too focused on books and her own thoughts too come out of her shell and chat -but she'd also disappear for hours at a time and no one would know where she went. Then she came up to me with that stupid look on her face. Like she thought she was just going to blow our minds with some wisdom only she could figure out. Then, she reached into her pocket, and pulled out a tiny stone. A perfectly smooth orb, not even as big as a quarter, with a little 'c' cut into it... and it GLOWED!

Well, good for her she did blow my mind. She's always been super into the occult but I've never really seen her do anything tangible with her 'magic'. I kind of just looked at her, confused, when suddenly it was like I was in a green tornado. It was so bright and I was so dizzy when it was over I didn't even realize I was lying on the ground.

I opened my eyes and I had NO CLUE where I was, it was as dark as dusk, and I was by some lake in the middle of the woods. Admittedly, I kind of freaked out... a few times, over this whole misadventure. Once I calmed down, I noticed there was something odd with the water. Pictures, for lack of a better word, were floating on the water like reflections. I didn't really understand a lot of them, but some were definitely from... in my mind I guess.

Another freak out.

At that point I just did my best to pull myself together and try to find my way out. I knew the valley didn't go on forever- you can see every mountain that makes it up from the enterance -so I just ran in the direction that looked like the center of it all. I don't know how long I went. The others said I was gone for days, but it only felt like a few hours. It never became night, just stayed that same darkness till suddenly it was bright as day again and I was back in the meadow I'd been working in.

I had a few choice words for Arsinoe, but they didn't seem to bother her. Apparently, since we got here, she'd been working on these teleport stones. Congratulations, I said. Maybe consider consulting me before sending me to your brain-ghost lake!

Whatever. She said she would continue working on them, and once she KNEW MORE ABOUT THEM we could use them to get around the valley faster, and even reach places that are out of reach. I didn't bother asking for an explanation on whatever that means.

Everyone seemed happy to see me at least. That's always nice. Sounds like Adamari wants to throw a party in my honor tomorrow. Maybe Arsinoe can magic us up a teleporter to a sea of alcohol. I'd like that after the last few days.

Eleventh of January, 2005

I usually don't bother with parties and the like but, I'll admit, last night was pretty fun.

No ocean of alcohol, but Adamari brought plenty of her own supply so it seems... I'm a little concerned that's what most of her bag is filled with actually. When she opened it, I noticed at least four bottles of vodka, a bottle of rum, Midori, a six pack of beer, some wine, and a large bottle of Jager. Of course, that's what all of us were trying to convince her to open, but she supposedly wants to ration it. First time I've ever heard of her holding back with anything... I think she just wants it for herself.

We ended up working on a bottle of vodka between 'Mari, Ars, and I. Otho surprised us but bringing a decent bit of beer himself. 'Mari obviously wanted to share, but we mostly left it to him while we 'enjoyed' the vodka. A little hard to do when our only mixers were lemon and lime juice and midori, so we just had lemon drops deep into the night. Our resident party girl even tried to get Eos to have some, much to Otho's dismay, but he was comically disinterested.

I managed to get a radio signal all the way out of here too. The music was nice after all these days of silence, but I wonder if there'll ever be a day I don't have to hear American Idiot on the radio. At least So Cold seems to still be getting decent play. That's the only thing keeping me from just playing CD's for these people twenty-four seven.

The fire, the relaxing, the music... it was nice to just kick back for a night. Overall, it was pretty nice, even if my heads been trying to spin all day. There's still plenty to do though, so back to it.