Blooming Diaries

Falling Apart

One could almost hear the sound of glass shattering. "This can't be real, this can't be real, this can't be..." The words got stuck in my head. I swear to the Doctor, the intensity with which they were ringing in my ears could conjure a "This can't be real" spell out of thin air. Yet, it was. I was looking around in disbelief. Against my will, I felt a tear going down my cheek. I thought nothing would shatter me again so much...

***

It was a lovely morning, really, nothing whatsoever was indicating that a day could go so wrong. We woke up in our room, the four of us – Elvidan was still taking the other room on his own – and I got to business immediately, there was no time to waste! Even though Joe I was gone after our fight at the Arena, Keriil was still by my side, and that's all that really mattered. He was a giunea-pig skeleton anyway, and I've already summoned Joe II. Both of them were chilling by the side of my bed, vigilant, watching out for me. That's what a true miracle is, so thrilled to be able to do this by myself now! And Keriil almost felt like a good old friend at this point, it's only been a few days since we met her in her original state of mind, but she's just so much more likeable – and nice! – in her undead state. One day Celandine will understand...

Anyway, of course, now that I got a chance to study Apolodar's book a little closer, I think I finally deciphered banishment spell, might even get a chance to use it today. Going to the cemetery was an exciting event in itself, practicing new spells is just the cherry on the top of this sweetest cake. No time to copy it in my own spellbook right now, but I'll catch up later, it's no big deal.

So many plans, so little time! Of course, finding the Doctor is always a priority – and I might just be getting one more step closer to opening the veil with the first Firest task. It is as if fate is putting everything in my hands. First, this group of outworlders in search of the Doctor, and I really grew fond of them, it's the first time since... since ever?? That I am a member of a group of friends who care for each other like this, and actually take me for who I am. And then, the grimoire of Apolodar?! With his notes of Firest task? Oh, I'm going to kill it – in a metaphorical sense – with all of that on hand.

Now, every one is awake – back to business! Celandine's pelican is already doing honorary circles around the room, Alida's packing all the little notebooks and potions, while Gleb... Well, he's being Gleb in the best meaning of it, casually getting out a cigarette, somehow looking even more tranquil than Celandine in this moment. I hurried to the stairs to not block the doorway, as all of my undead friends take some time to get out. On my way, knocked on Elvidan's door, letting him know we're up and about, and headed straight down. I wonder if he'll use a different face today, I guess we'll see. Waved to Fariya, who volunteered to come and help us today and was heading to her room to get into her heavy armor. How do people manage to wear those?

The tavern seemed to be waking up together with us. Not a lot of patrons yet at this hour, but the bartender was in his usual place and the skeletons waiting on the tables made it all seem just a little more friendly than anywhere else outside Naxramas. Should I get cocoa for everyone? Are we rich now?? The thought came to my head unexpectedly, and only now I realised that I haven't yet fully processed a status of a celebrity. For a brief moment, I stopped, lost in thought, still holding the grimoire in my hands. No, of course, nothing's really changed, these things come and go.

And then it entered. A rather curious being that immediately drew attention to themselves – a slime-person went in and dedicatedly headed towards the bar. Everyone around looked intrigued (well, except for Gleb, he rarely showed emotions on his face and I could never read him at all). But wait... The slime wasn't approaching the bar. It came here for me??