The Journal: The First Edition

Chapter 1

Since I learned my name in this planet's language, it has been much easier for me to advance in my language learning skills. It's been several months now since that moment. I believe I've been living on this planet for a year. Johnathon came by with exciting news just days ago, telling me he had turned 28. He explained to me the concept of years and birthdays, and only then could I be excited for him. I do wonder when my birthday is, and how old I may actually be. Maybe when I can grasp that idea, I can truly celebrate a 'birthday party.'

It's been a year, and I still have not left my room. Thanks to all the books I've been given, I was brought a bookshelf. Several, actually, and they were set up around the room. My shelves contain a multitude of books, ranging from children's tales to dramatic novels. In my pursuit of knowledge and understanding this new language, I can appreciate almost every book that I read. As I read through the books on my shelves, I come to realize just how many topics I would despise reading if not for this curious nature of mine.

I sigh as I place another one of my disliked books on the shelf. I glanced back at the stack of books beside the original seat I had made. I still have a few books to read, but at long last, I finally feel myself growing tired of reading. I refuse to push myself any further, and instead move the books to a different shelf. In my head, I mark the shelf so that I know what books are still unread. At the same time, I dismantle the seat that I had made, and put all the books onto the shelf where I keep all the books I've already read through.

I walk around the shelf, and look at the door. Johnathon has not visited me since his birthday. I am left bored, with nothing to do other than read. I approach the pile of foods I'd been given, lifting an orange out of the pile. I rip off the skin, discarding the peel on the other side of the room. I make myself comfortable on the ground as I enjoy the fruit, happy that I no longer spill juice on myself while eating. I'm not particularly hungry, but it is the only thing I have left to do. I let out a sigh as I indulged myself. I closed my eyes, blocking out the world and fading into darkness.

One might confuse me for being asleep in this state. A state where I am completely still, and silent. In many ways, I suppose this is my own form of sleeping. I never dream, nor am I really unaware of my surroundings. But, it does help me to relax. I can breathe deeply in this space, though doing so makes me become aware of just how strange the air on this planet is. I am unsure if I will ever get used to it. All I know is I need to breathe to survive.

I open all of my eyes in a sudden panic. They all blink as they face the door. I am relieved to see Johnathon enter the room again. I felt the other eyes close against my skin, leaving me with two eyes yet again.

"Hello!" I greeted him as I got to my hooves.

"Hi again," The man said happily, his tail swaying from beneath his cape.

"I haven't seen you in a few days," I said as I approached. "Has everything been alright?"

"Yeah," Johnathon said, though the twitching of his ears seemed to betray him. "I've had to do a lot of work outside. I can't sit in here with you all the time, unfortunately."

"Sad," I hummed, feeling my ears wiggle and my expression fall. "Well that's okay. But, speaking of sitting here... Johnathon, would you mind if I asked you something?"

"Go ahead," He said, crossing his arms over his chest. "I'm listening."

As if to prove his point, his ears perked. I took a brief moment to smile from the motion before I let my expression fall back to serious.

"Well, I've lived in this room for a year now," I said, twisting a hoof against the ground. "I do enjoy this space, but... I want to go outside. Why can't I?"