Journal 14 - Day 11 in Beaumont

**Psychic Paper **
"My purpose has grown far greater than I thought, and I knew it would be huge. I have found one of our people, the fight here will be long but worth it. All my love. Kii"
 
 
(Written in the Queen's French) : Frostbreak 2, 9999
I’m not sure if I should be jumping to attention or if I should feel alright resting as I am today.
Maybe both.
I think I’ll learn to cherish days like this — the quiet ones — since it’s only a matter of time before we face the real world beyond these sheltered walls.
 
We work to stave off the anxiety of waiting for tomorrow… as we wait for Nightshade. Whoever or whatever that may turn out to be.
We gathered everything in sight — packed it all into the invisible Cindy, our determined new home on mechanical legs. Hopefully, once our peculiar little family settles in, she’ll start to feel like our own.
 
Silas was so diligent, crafting each of us our own “bug-out” bags, as he called them, along with field kits. I truly enjoy his company — such a sharp little feline. His mind could outwit most generals.
 
And Xhoya… truly awe-inspiring. I think she’d become Careo’s favorite assistant if he could meet her. That bright, quick mind of hers — curious, unpredictable, always humming with thought — even gave Z3RO pause. She’s remarkable for someone so young.
I’ll have to approach her delicately if I’m to earn her trust. She’s cautious — rightfully so. Still, I wonder… how old is she, really? A teenager, perhaps?
 
I digress. My restless mind always wanders — exhausting and tedious as ever.
So today, I think I’ll declare myself officially insane and revel in this false, fleeting peace.
 
I’ve been hiding from the others.
And, oddly enough, I feel more myself for it. No one seems to share my fondness for the pool, so I’ve resigned myself to sweating my troubles out alone.
 
Still, my thoughts circle back to Blink. Not only did she call me out — she gave me my first thread assignment. My first timeline to nurture and protect.
And she chose for it to connect me to Ildris.
To bring him where the cat will go.
 
Silas will get word from Z3RO tomorrow. Then I’ll know where we’re headed. I understand the gravity of this responsibility, though I suspect I still don’t grasp what it will mean for my faith — or my loyalty to Time herself.
 
This bond is strange, sacred in its secrecy. He mustn’t know what I hold of him.
It’s a strange feeling — to hold someone’s time.
I wonder what the true significance is in being a Keeper.
If Ildris is the standard… then I have much soul-searching ahead of me to be worthy of the same title. Luckily, I’m up for it.
 
I’ll admit — it felt a little silly. But I don’t care.
Claiming two wolves as my personal guard felt good — a small piece of home I’m happy to preserve.
 
Lux — my newest friend, my fiery wolf — is an absolute honor to have at my side. And Ildris, ever the mystery, my Left Hand — the Princess’ First Wolf. The knighting felt right, a tradition worth keeping. Since his timeline now rests in my care, keeping him close feels both comforting and wise. He reminds me of home… perhaps because he’s Avariel, perhaps because he’s him.
 
Lux, of course, was adorably jealous — heartbreakingly so. I should have acknowledged her wish to be my close friend sooner. Being a wolf by nature, full of laughter and loyalty, it only felt right to make her my Right Hand.
Now, with both by my side, I have two souls I would gladly protect with my final breath — and perhaps, a friend whose eventual loss I already know will ache deeply.
Still… a blessing worth the pain.
 
I flipped my feather — my wing color changer — today, marking my promise as Keeper. These will be the wings Sanctuary Inc. comes to recognize.
And for the record — no, Gambit, it is not a sign of pregnancy. The nerve of that thick-headed dolt. Absolutely ridiculous.
 
On brighter notes — I donated the structure of my teeth so Echo could have his own mouth! Gidget, bless her, had never done anything like it but didn’t hesitate for a second. She built him a mouth modeled after some man named Flint Westwood — handsome, I’ll admit. Ildris helped power it, giving Echo the ability to eat. Bit by bit, he’s becoming more human. Jaxion will need to see him for that, not for his "programming".
 
Still, I can’t stop thinking about what I saw — not just from Blink, but from what Ildris and Lux created together. They reached an entire world of people.
 
I should learn how to help with the next… stream? Post? Tweeter? Gods, I need Lux to explain it again. Whatever tomorrow brings, it’ll be busy — and the road will be calling our names soon enough.
Especially if Jaxion’s impatience has anything to say about it.
 
xoxo