A Meter Distance

Journal Entry No. 3

(The fourth page on Luthor's observation journal)

Journal Entry No. 3

Pre-observational notes for today's journal entry:

Two questions have been made upon the introspection of the observationalist. The questions are as follows:

• Is there a correlation between the "unnamed spirits" and the subject's acquired literacy skills?
• Does the Alice in Wonderland book has an influence on the subject's behavior and perception of life in general?

These questions, therefore, will be the focal points of today's observational meeting with the subject.

September 14, 2017

A week passed before I was able to meet again with LoReLeI. I subtly observed her after arriving at her "home," noting any reaction as I did not give her an exact date when I'll be back for another observational session. I was expecting disappointment, surprise, or excitement, but none came. Instead, she was calm as if she was already expecting that I'd arrive today.

Of course, I asked her about it. She only gave me a small smile saying that she'd expected I'll come back one way or another. I asked her again if it was because of her "supernatural" power if she has any. Not that I believe in them, of course. However, she only laughed at my question. She replied that it was just her hunch. She sees me as someone who always keeps their word.

I didn't say anything after that.

As per the condition, I brought her the sequel to Alice in Wonderland. Her cheeks blushed slightly when I gave her the book. I was careful not to let our hands brush when I handed it to her as she was too busy admiring the cover. She didn't notice that she almost touched my finger.

She quickly sat down on the gray picnic blanket-it was the correct decision as I bumped into Maggie at the entrance of the hotel upon my return last week. She would surely question why I have a picnic blanket when she's aware that I do not like sitting on the ground in picnics. LoReLeI was about to read it when she stilled as if remembering that she currently has company.

I have to admit that seeing her act like an excited child after being given their Christmas present is . . . interesting. Aside from the last time when she burst into laughter, LoReLeI is usually quiet. As I am also not very talkative myself, half of the time we were together was spent in comfortable silence. I've noticed that that's the time when she'd skim her worn-out book countless times as if it was the first time she'd ever read it. Maybe she liked the story too much even though it's just a child's whimsical dream adventures in wonderland.

LoReLeI apologized for her behavior, even explaining that it was a dream of hers to continue reading. That's why she always re-reads her book even though she can recite the story like reciting the back of her hand. I asked her how she got the book and her literacy skill if she'd never interacted with people. I was thinking that the unnamed spirits have something to do with it. I was partly correct.

When she was a child, the spirits guided her to the east side of the forest. That's where she found the book lying on the grass. She told me it was a breathtaking moment. Like the natural flow of water in the river, she was able to read and understand the words written in it. If she could summarize her mixed emotions that day, she'd say that strangely, the book felt like "home."

LoReLeI's expression was fond yet melancholic. I tried to gauge her thoughts but I couldn't read anything beyond that.

What does she mean by home? Was it because she felt alone that finding the book is akin to a found companion?

I wanted to prod further but it feels like she, herself, doesn't know the answer to my possible questions. And so, I opted to change the topic instead.

I asked about her opinion of Alice in Wonderland. She told me she enjoyed it. It was nonsensical, simple, random, and carefree. The main character, Alice, resonated within her. The child was full of life and curiosity, often questioning herself and her surroundings.

LoReLeI said more about the book. In the middle of that, there was one statement that caught my attention. It was actually more accurate to describe it as a thoughtful whisper.

"By some miracle, if I am in Wonderland, will I be able to walk around freely? To read and dance and not worry about being touched or touching. And... no thoughts of suddenly disappearing." [1]

That statement had me reeling back from my thoughts. Her tone wasn't entirely pessimistic but it wasn't positive either.

Was that pure wonder? Or was it hidden wishful thinking she accidentally let out while sharing? I do not know. I am also not sure if I wish to know.

At the back of my mind, a voice was saying "no" because doing so would mean I will be crossing a line that shouldn't be crossed.

Normally, I'd listen to this voice. It felt familiar, reasonable, and logical. But for some reason, it felt cold and impersonal.

I̶t̶ s̶h̶o̶u̶l̶d̶n̶'t̶ b̶e̶ a̶ s̶u̶r̶p̶r̶i̶s̶e̶ a̶s̶ c̶o̶l̶d̶ a̶n̶d̶ i̶m̶p̶e̶r̶s̶o̶n̶a̶l̶ i̶s̶ w̶h̶a̶t̶ I̶ a̶m̶. S̶o̶, w̶h̶y̶ a̶m̶ I̶ q̶u̶e̶s̶t̶i̶o̶n̶i̶n̶g̶ i̶t̶ n̶o̶w̶?

[ᴡᴏʀᴅs ᴀʀᴇ sᴄʀɪʙʙʟᴇᴅ ᴏᴜᴛ ɴᴇᴀᴛʟʏ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴍᴀᴋᴇs ᴛʜᴇ ᴛᴇxᴛ ɪᴍᴘᴏssɪʙʟᴇ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ]

I was grateful for LoReLeI changing the subject. She then asked me about my day or week. That's when I remembered that one of the conditions is for me to share something about myself.

I have a straightforward routine. Wake up, have tea, go to school, perform council duties, have tea again, study, read law books during my free time, do my nightly routine, and then sleep.

Well, that changed a little when I started this observation journal. I've started thinking of visiting her on the weekends, particularly afternoon as I will be busy with school and council duties in the morning.

It would take at least an hour drive from Angeles City to here, but she need not know that. I'm not sure, but something is telling me that LoReLeI is altruistic. There's a chance that she'd make us stop with the observation journal.

I cannot have that.

(momentary pause)

I shared that I am also fond of reading. I noted how her eyes particularly widened after. I didn't even know monolid-shaped eyes can go as round as that, or perhaps it's just her being an absolute book nerd.

I told her that I like reading non-fictional books, specifically law books as I plan to go to law school after graduation. I thought I would need to explain the concept of school to her, but she seem to understand it. Did the spirits tell her again?

She asked me more about the books that I like, and we spent the rest of the a̶f̶t̶e̶r̶n̶o̶o̶n̶ observation session talking about books and reading.

Observational notes for today's journal entry:

There is no correlation between the unnamed spirits and the subject's acquired literacy skills. The subject claimed that her ability to read and write came to her upon seeing the novel Alice in Wonderland. The observationalist theorizes that the subject must have previous knowledge of it. However, the authenticity of the subject's statement and the existence of the unnamed spirits shall remain as theories but will be considered valid in consideration of the subject and the matter at hand.

On the hand, the subject also showed signs of being influenced by the novel stated above. Upon careful introspection, the observationalist will lay out a hypothesis:

T̶h̶e̶ s̶u̶b̶j̶e̶c̶t̶ d̶e̶s̶i̶r̶e̶s̶ t̶o̶ b̶e̶ h̶u̶m̶a̶n̶.

The subject desires the freedom of physical touch.

Observationalist L.M. finds the questioning of the hypothesis stated above too early in the observation process. Thus, the observationalist will focus first on other matters surrounding the subject and her surroundings.