Berrybottles' Travel Guide to Terra

Day 4

Observation Journal Entry #9

Super Early Morning, Cloudy

Hello Travelers,

I'm pleased to say, that I'm back in my nice, toasty warm new room (because the unwanted window exit in my original room is still being repaired). And I'm even more pleased to say that, it worked!!! My mother got my message!! AH-HA!! O(^o^)o Trust in the power of the stars, my friends. Those tiny little suns will never let you down. Even when you're a terrible caster, like me.

The rain in this area has stopped. Mainly because my mother used an Aqua Stratus spell to speak to me through an avatar made entirely of water. And that takes a lot out of the clouds to do it. Especially, as my mother isn't one to just do a simple face, or a basic outline of a form. Oh no. If she's going to appear, it's going to be a detailed, epic rendition of her extravagance.

I can't even begin to describe how good it was to see her. I know, I know... It hasn't been that long away from home.　(._.)　But to me, this is the longest I've ever been so far from my comforts and cozies. Let alone, well, alone. I want to be brave about it, but I'm starting to think... I mean, I'm not sure I'm really cut out for this kind of life—being a Traveler and Explorer.

I thought I wanted it—wanted this. I believed so badly that this was my path. From the time I was little, I would make my own adventures around the Library. I'd find books that had pictures of places and foods, and I'd prop them up in a circle to create the scenery. Then I'd pretend I was at some restaurant, sitting outside under an umbrella at a table set for one. Sipping the most divine teas, and nibbling on the loveliest cheeses. I'd write all about the delicacies, and do my best to explain every sensation.

But now... What if all that pretend wasn't preparation after all, and maybe it was just boredom. Everyone plays make-believe, but I'm starting to worry that being in the make is ruining the believe.

Maybe...

Maybe I should just become a Watcher. It's what is helping Prince Lann of Bloodbriar, and it's what the crew loves most about me—all my stories. No one is going to ever look at me and think, Ah, look! A Guide! Perhaps they have a recommendation of somewhere to stay for the night. I'll only ever be as I was born. And I don't hate that entirely. There's so much honor in being a Watcher. My family stretches back in this profession for so long, they often boast that they were among the very Firsts. Those who took it upon themselves to start collecting, preserving, and protecting our histories. I really am proud to be from such a family with such a great honor of work.

But for a while there, I really thought....

Wow. This turned out to be a bit more depressing than I intended. My apologies. This isn't a diary. There's a lot to love about being a Watcher, and a lot to hate about trying something new. It's dangerous out here. And lonely. I haven't met many yet, but those I have don't think this is a good idea. Zora is the only one who seems to think I can, and should, do this. With so much discourage, and so little encourage, I'm finding it difficult to gain any real courage at all. And let's face it, when you leave your home, you can pretty much expect to find things cold, wet, and stressful.

I'm certain many of you know what that's like. It's scary out here. And let's be honest, what could I possibly do as a Guide? I have absolutely no training for it. And you'd best add on that I'm cowardly, pampered, and disappointingly pathetic. Not the qualities you'd find in a Guide, or a hero. But, maybe as a Watcher I might be of some use.

I spoke to my mother about this tonight. And she pretty much told me I was being a drama-blama. Reading back over this, I'm kinda thinking she's right.

This is barely day four of my Star Follow. It's way too early to start thinking of the end, and what I'll become. So, I'm going to take her advice, and just enjoy the journey and all the foods that come along the way. Yeah, okay, maybe I'll end up working in the Wing right beside hers, but that's not really an evil. It's okay if I try and fail something, or if I believed one way but changed my mind the next.