[journal] Exciting Occasion

Dear Diary,

The snow starts to fall now. I caught its first descent when I was walking by myself outside, watching the leaves leave its tree as it fell gently to the ground — The particles were just as gentle to my skin. Snow has a unique quality about them, if you look very closely its shape is mesmerizing. Now that the world will be wrapped ever so gently by the glittering blanket, it’s time for me to travel now as well.

The Moonchill festival will come soon. As a performer there is much to do, I need to travel far back to Elysium — the place of my halcyon childhood. Well, I said that so sentimentally but in fact I visited every year. A poet must always hone their skills, sharpen their words like a knife so they will be ready for any performance. Not that I’m a poet though, I couldn’t write an epic if my life depended on it, but I know someone who could, my father. Being a traveling singer and actor — or an idol of sorts — means that you won’t get to see your family much, but each year we’d go back to grandmother’s house in Elysium to celebrate the festival together. We make gifts and write songs, dad would always come up with a new play for me to perform, he’d been my supporter since day one. No, really! Mom said dad cried in synchronization with me when I was born, isn’t that silly?

There’s nothing better than the taste of home, literally. Grandma would make a big pot of chili for the whole family and some for neighbors, nothing tastes better than that. I couldn’t even replicate it even with the recipe, it’s something about melting fresh arctic ice to use for your pot; normal water just wouldn’t cut it, it won’t have that fresh zing. When I was a stinky bappy I remembered crying my eyes out while trying to swallow grandma’s food, it hurts so bad but too good to spit out. Being able to eat with everyone despite bawling because the chili is too spicy is my most memorable ‘big boy’ moment. Just writing about that made me laugh to near tears, mom was right when she told me I’m a drama queen. Now that my mind had been consumed by the thoughts of food, I couldn’t help but fantasize about what interesting new things Aesir could pile on my plate when I go visit her restaurant this year. The ingredients they use are always fresh and enticing, my mouth is now full of saliva just thinking about it — shameful. Despite knowing that my cooking would never be able to be compared to him I’m still excited to share with them some recipe I found during my time in the desert, hoping it could be an intriguing new taste for them.

Well, before I go too far with personal gifts, I should focus on my work first and foremost. I’m going home to perform, after all! Since it includes a play this time instead of only a singing performance, I need to commission so many costumes! I feel a bit bad for Tangie, really — What kind of friend gives their friend an extra load of work right before holiday? But she seemed really happy about it the last time we talked, though. Tangie told me about this pretty material she managed to acquire a while back. A sheer fabric that could shift colors under different lightings, it looks like pure magic! I don’t have a clue how that works; she told me but I was busy giving treats to her byun.

So many things to do, so little time. In about 12 days I must head off from this settlement and slowly make my way up, my poor crab will need to work hard again, she deserves so much treat. I am excited though, this journey entry has taken up too many pages now because of that, if I don’t pour my excitement out in here my manager will need to be the one listening to my ramble instead. Writing so much starts to make my hand cramp a bit now. I can clearly see the neatness of my handwriting faltering as a result. Also, who would have known that a pretty face needs to be paired with a pretty handwriting? And don’t let me start with a pretty signature! I invested so much time into my signing practice, the manager said it’s about the ‘image’ and ‘presentation’. What a tool that aramelle is, I love him to death but he’s such a grumpy little thing sometimes. I wouldn’t want to face his wrath though, nor his stupidly hard horns. My kettle is screaming now, it signifies that break time is about to end, I need to go now.

The gentle snow left a mark at my doorstep today, it reminds me of a certain someone again. I wonder if he’s drinking his tea right now as well?

Best, Orion