((Exp: 1 for on time, 1 for subplot, 1 progress on main story, 1 relates to other people = 4))
Hello friends! It’s been a long time... crazy to think a whole month has gone by. I understand there has been a little difficulty with my message getting out. So much for magic being perfect. But it got out eventually, and that’s what counts. Sorry if something similar happens this time. Whoever’s listening anyway. I... it’s good to know the big three are still alive, come fire, sleet, or Elder Gods. It’s good to hear you two are still marchin’ on. Distance is an illusion says Austin. I don’t understand space magic, but I trust you. Your insight is very valuable. Perhaps I can help. If the universe is holographic, then separation is an illusion too, /but/ matter can occupy the same space as other matter. But there is no distinctiveness, and... I try to think of the universe as /not/ being holographic, because that prospect is terrifying. To illustrate this concept, allow me to explain your other computer question, Rick will doubtless agree with me. From within a computer, from within a “simulation” ones and zeros have no size, because from within the simulation they don’t exist. From the perspective of a user on the outside, however, ones and zeros have a size defined by the system they’re composed on. A WWII era “supercomputer” had ones and zeros stored on vacuum tubes the size of my arm. On modern systems, a one or a zero is microscopic, but it does have a finite size depending on the size of the computer running the program.
But I digress. There’s one more detail you need to know... or that you talked about, I guess. The Necronomicon. Please don’t tell anyone in my Order I’m talking to you about that, as I have no doubt I would be deeply reproved. Painfully, no less. But here’s what I know. There /is/ an English version, written by one “Dr. Dee” in response to the religious reformation. There were only 1000 printed, and this edition was published in 1643. As a result, almost all the copies that exist have simply withered away. Still, I’ve got access to an awesome library here. I found a reference here that indicates a copy of this English version is in storage in Harvard’s library. Good luck getting access, but there you go. Now comes the part you don’t want to hear. Do Not Read That Book. Knowledge is power, but it’s more than that. To know these things is to change yourself to make them true. Think of yourself as a subatomic particle. Like Schrodinger’s box. There are two conflicting pictures of the universe, mine and the one in that book. If you /know/ your version of the universe, then the one where we aren’t fleas on the face of some strange god is not real for you. Only what you know exists. If that isn’t a good reason not to read, I don’t know what is.
In much happier news, I’m glad you and Amelia are doing well. I did ask you to /save/ her for me, since redheads are more my thing... but short girls are yours, so I suppose there’s a bit of a split. As to foxes... I really think those are more my territory. Wait! I know you’re the one who’s part animal. I know your animal is from the same habitat as hers, buuhhut... wild cats compete with foxes. Unlike me, who never competed with or hurt a fox for anything. Plus, as already demonstrated, redheads are way my thing. FURTHER: I’ve only been an animal once, and I was a fox. I’ve been a fox, and you haven’t! ^^ I... know what it’s like. Or... it might’ve only been for a few hours... but I still remember! I’m gonna talk to Master Harps about experiencing it again, one last time... I guess I could talk about that a little, since Rick hasn’t talked about it. And even if he did... I’m sure you guys want a /human/ perspective. Rick’s got some way awesome powers... but as Rick would tell us, he’s not human like... well... like Austin and me are. The rest of you are... other things too.
So here’s what happened... a few weeks ago, all the different orders sent their Masters. There were ten in all... and they talked to all of us preparing to take the vow. Each of us would get to claim one gift from /one/ of the Masters. But before we did, each of them stood up to demonstrate what the magic they mastered could do. It was all /amazing/. Like... I wish I had the time to talk about it all. It was all amazing, but when Master Harps stood up and said he would change one of us into an animal, everyone was terrified. Everyone but me. I volunteered, which earned me some major points with the rest of the order.
The spell... I didn’t really see it, which was okay. Next moment... it was bizarre. Ever used laughing gas before? It felt a little like that. Like... only what’s in front of me is important. Ever felt like that Rick? Instinct... it’s like... I knew what to do without thinking about it. It was relaxing, in a way. For once I wasn’t afraid, wasn’t worried about a thing. My vow at the end of March? No problem. Being away from the “real” world? Didn’t matter. I just wanted... well, I can’t really explain what I wanted. It was /way/ cool. I wish I wasn’t trying to save the world, so I could study life magic. Forget this dumb vow... I’ll study with Master Harps. Look him up, Austin, he’s fromt eh Free Council. Tell him you’re my friend! He’d probably be willing to help you with stuff. But... I don’t have that kind of time, as much as I want to. Still being a fox is a lot of fun, and I’d love to be able to do that all the time. I won’t say if it was Master Harps I asked the help from... but it was probably my favorite thing I’ve done since I got here.
Where was I going with this? I... uh... your friend Amelia! If you two don’t work out, let me know. I love redheads, and being a fox only earns her more points. Did you tell her my wizardry was the very strongest? Cuz it isn’t. I was really worried when I read you’d been attacked by werewolves, Rick! Werewolves are dangerous! Darrel, help him out! And... Rick, keep some silver handy. But... about silver... does that hurt you too? You’re sort of a were-thing, aren’t you? If you are, I hope you heal fast... you need to be out in the world. Doing... somethin’. Learning. I dunno how you want to help the fight with the Old Ones, Rick, but as long as you’re doing /something/, you’re probably helping us.
So what’s the story with you, Lizzie? I was worried about you. How’s Japan? Is the Ghibli museum still open with those floods? Let me know how you’re doing... how’s the dead side of Japan? I bet there’s lots of ghosts after a major disaster. Is Cthulu or anything like that involved? Hope you haven’t died again...
Darrel, don’t die. I don’t worry about you. Werewolves seem to be very good about taking care of themselves. Too bad you weren’t with Rick. That fight would have gone way better if you’d been on his side.
Now... I suppose I should talk about how things are going for me. Remember how I was gonna leave this month? Well... I decided to stay one more month. Don’t judge me! It totally sucks here, but I’m learning /so/ much! The amount I change in just a few days... I thought getting a whole bunch more would leave me that much more prepared. I feel more confident every day. More ready I guess.
So far as what I’ve learned this month, like Austin, I have discovered my own source of knowledge. “And the Lord said: I will prepare unto my servant Gazelem, a stone, which shall shine forth in this world of darkness unto light, that I may discover unto my people who serve me, the works of their brethren, yea, their secret works, their works of darkness, and their wickedness and abominations.” The stone of Gazelem is the key. If it even exists... the Masters sure think it does... they think it has another name, but it has been known in Arabia during the 9th century, I think. Abdul Al Hazred... do you think there’s some connection there? The writer of the Necronomicon... holy crap holy crap... do you think it wasn’t the mind-altering substances that helped him see into the secrets of the universe? That’s terrifying. Stupid contradictions! The power of God, god isn’t real. Elder gods. Maybe I’ll see one of you out in the world, maybe not. I hope you see me, though. I’m looking for someone... anyone. That’s how the Vow ends: end up treated like a human being. None of you will recognize me, but I’ll recognize you. I’m not afraid: you guys are great people, and I know you’ll help me return to the Order in victory. If I can... I could unite all five of the Orders. Imagine! The awakened nation! What we could accomplish... together.
Okay, I’m sounding like a motivational speaker, I think it’s time to shut up. Next month I’m gonna be out on the streets, somewhere. Somewhere. Please be nice to... people. And foxes too, but that’s another story. Peace out.
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