The Relentless Search

[it seems that a page is missing between this one and the entry before - even as they are written on the same day]
 
I don't need to worry that the servant will remember my charm; he seems to be like a programmed illusion, always reliving the same five minutes, even though you can interact with him during that time before he forgets the conversation again. It seems like an eternity that we've been standing here in this courtyard. The floor is littered with forgotten objects: pieces of copper, hairpins... It reminds me of the saying “a copper for a thought.” Maybe they're not really copper coins, but many forgotten memories? Would they dissolve and become memories again if we took them with us? Unfortunately, there is no way to find out. When you pick something up from this plance, it feels as if the object wants to stay here—and the tighter you hold on to it, the more you become attached to this place. I almost wrote “plane,” but we don't really have any indication that it's a different plane. I still feel the connection to it.
We also found a broom. Frederick wanted to take it with him, but then decided not to. I can't remember what was so special about that broom.
 
We follow Aura's compass clock and leave the first courtyard through a corridor. Everything felt strange in this corridor. I turned around and my group was far away, but at the same time they were standing next to me. I heard Oro shout something, but he didn't move his mouth until much later. With every step I took, it felt like the corridor was getting longer. I recognized Yuri's face in the mirrored walls. But it wasn't mine, at least it didn't feel like it. If I hold on to that, there is something that this garden can take away from me. I was prepared for such things in my training. Trust what you are and not what you perceive—that way you remain capable of fighting even if you lose the world around you piece by piece. I always thought I was learning this in case I was tortured or had to fight illusions, not that I would ever have to rely on it in a case like this.
Suddenly with the next step I was in the next countryyard. It was very similar to the one before but still... different, such as here are other kinds of forgotten items. We saw a big brass brazier with insence. We stood there for a while and looked at it. As we walked on, I stroked Te'sarim. Why was that so important at that moment? We moved on and went further and further inside the palast. On a large square we crossed, surrounded by patrician houses, stood statues of forgotten heroes. Their faces were worn smooth and the inscriptions were blank. I wonder if Balthasar or the others from the DDAEBS will ever stand here... There also was an old man who tried to touch his Birthstone, but he couldn't. Is it because he lost himself and is nomore the person written on the stone?
We noticed that our clock was deviating further and further from the paths, that we were moving in the wrong direction after all. Then we reached an old nursery. Was this where the seven princes lay? An old mechanical ballerina with a music box was in the middle of the room; it seemed to be working halfway? How I would have loved to take it apart to understand how it worked, but we didn't have time for that. Frederick and Alizée recognized the melody of the music box as a modified version of the first song of the Founding! I remember the song a little, I think I was bobbing along again, Oro asked me afterwards if I didn't like music after all. My connection to music is... difficult. I like the music Frederick plays slowly. It has a completely different melody than the music at my house. It seems full of experience? He himself says that he can't play very well because he's more of a dancer, but everything I hear from him is meaningful. My mother's music was different... You could really feel how every note she played spread through the room like a spider's web, trying to captivate and bind people to her. Just thinking about it makes me feel sick. Her songs never had... substance. They were empty promises that hung in the air. I don't like music... right?
 
As we looked out of the window we saw a huge tower Auras watch is pointing at. We jumped through the window to run towards it. I nearly lost my rope there if it hadn't been for Oros's great idea. I could have thought of that myself, but I haven't climbed that often in my life...
When we turned around, we ran through a few streets with empty people before arriving at a park. A little girl was sitting there, but as soon as we got close to her, we felt a wave of energy emanating from her and hitting us. I'm really glad I left Te'sarim at home; it would be really dangerous for him! The wave from this girl hit me. Something is different, but I don't know what. It's a similar feeling to when I want to take something from here with me, almost as if my self wants to stay here.
 
The next stop was a large marketplace. In the middle, someone was sitting by the fountain, which appeared very blue. In every meaning: drunk, depressed and color of skin. ok the last one was more purple. He also sang one of the founding songs (i can't tell them apart). He reacted to the name Salome - which also feels familar to me. Steam recognizes his face from the Bar Hadibis in Karam. I've been there to play dice games, but I never noticed this stranger. When Steam says his name, it's as if Ibn-Ice-Hadibi—a mighty ice djinn—awakens from his slumber. He recognizes himself and promises to take us to our destination. He also tells us that the curse at the heart of the legend of the seven princes is true. However, we must be careful not to explore the curse too deeply, otherwise we will end up like him and become part of the curse ourselves and forget who we are.
 
We must not forget that we are here to save the children—no matter what this place does to our memories. And if I have to give up my entire self, let this be the last thought that remains in me—the one I cling to.