four

[linguistical]

[ There is a clatter when the journal opens and the faint sound of cursing—just hang on, he's dealing with a klutz situation, he'll get it under control any second time. Any second.

Oh, here we go. ]

—Right, hi. So, seeing as we're all done parading around in fluffy dresses and fighting witches, I figured it was about time to tell the castle at large that we found something. [ A beat. ] For those not in the know, Haymitch, Finnick, and I went on a little impromptu camping trip last month. It was great, full of campfires, smores, and singalongs. [ And black eyes. ] We headed northwest, towards the bridge marked on the map—Oh, in case anyone is wondering, yes it is a bridge and no we can't cross it. It's broken.

[ Hang on, he's getting a little off topic. Thus without warning he starts coughing, causing him to turn his head as the fit continues. Good going bro. ]

Sorry, what was I saying? Ah, yes, we found something. A few somethings, actually. Tools, rations, survival gear. Nothing telling us the mysteries of Paradisa, but hey at least it is something. [ Another cough. ] People lived out there at some point, not entirely sure when they were there or who these people were, but it might be worth going out there and looking a little further into at some point.

[ Yup, that's it... Or is it?

Then after a moment, added as an afterthought: ]

Dear friends, sorry I forgot to mention the trip before we left. It slipped my mind.

Comments

Dictated forever

[wastheexample]

Even I managed to tell my people I was going on a trip and I'm an asshole. Nice job, Daniel.

[linguistical]

Yes, yes, I'm a terrible person. [ AT LEAST HE IS APOLOGIZING!!! ]

[wastheexample]

So long as you're aware of the problem, you can learn to grow from it.

[linguistical]

That's funny coming from the guy who's got a massive case of blatant alcoholism. [ Snark snark. He doesn't really mean it bro... ]

[wastheexample]

See, that's the difference, I don't want to grow from my alcoholism.

[linguistical]

One day your liver is going to forcibly rip itself from your body.

[wastheexample]

Probably. But at least I'll go out doing what I love.

[linguistical]

Could be worse. [ :| ]

[wastheexample]

It really could. [He can list all the ways it could be worse. It's a long list]

[linguistical]

[ Oh, Daniel can imagine. He really can. ]

You been doing anything other than drinking yourself into a stupor since we got back?

[wastheexample]

No.

[Nice and to the point. Maybe one day Daniel will learn that's ALL Haymitch does.

That and scheme secret schemes. But those are secret]

[linguistical]

Surprise surprise. [ Maybe one day. For now he is holding out the hope that there is more to Haymitch then drinking himself into a stupor every day. ]

[wastheexample]

If you expected any better, you're setting yourself up for a lifetime of disappointment.

[linguistical]

Don't worry, I'm not that stupid.

[wastheexample]

Oh, I wouldn't go that far.

[ruin_mania]

Did you bring any of it home? What was the style? How many, or for what general number of people? Did you find them on the bridge or along the way, and if so where? Were there no signs of aging at all, such as debris accumulation?

[linguistical]

We didn't stay there long, only really had time to grab a couple of things. [ In part due to drama happening back at the castle, also because their supplies were starting to dwindle. ] The style wasn't archaic, most of the supplies were inside a crate, others were scattered around close nearby. If I were to make a guess there had to be at least ten or so people there at some point, they were located nearby the bridge in what I figure was a campsite once. The bridge has been broken from some time, there is a good amount of aging on it. Rough estimate would be a few years, probably more. Not sure what broke it, whether it was age or something else, I'd have to go back to figure that out.

[ruin_mania]

I'm afraid "not archaic" doesn't narrow it down. Did they seem to be in a style familiar to you, or were there items you did not recognize? Was there any reason it seemed they were left behind, such as being broken or of no use, or is it probable that they were abandoned in a hurry?

Would it be easy to find on a subsequent journey?

[linguistical]

They are typical of what you find around Paradisa, I recognize them yeah, it is all survival gear. There were only a couple of broken tools but for the most part their in perfect working order. It didn't look like they left in a rush, but again we didn't stay long so I can't say for sure.

Yeah, just keep heading north west until you see the bridge. It is hard to miss. What remains of the camp is close by.

[ruin_mania]

Thank you. I may have to see for myself. Were you traveling by foot, and how long did it take for you to reach your destination?

[linguistical]

Traveling by foot it took a week to get there, if you take horses it will likely cut that time down.

[ruin_mania]

Hmm. I wonder if my mongoose-dragon is still in the stables.

In any case, thank you for the information.

[linguistical]

[ SILENCE...... HOLD UP, JUST HOLD UP A SECOND. ] Wait, mongoose-dragon?

[ruin_mania]

Yes, well, not every world has horses, you know. Riding dragons were very popular in Aselia, and when another resident left her mongoose-dragon behind I naturally gravitated toward it.

[linguistical]

Yes, I know. I've done a bit of planet hopping. [ But that's another story. ]

We're talking about the giant, fire breathing, dragons right?

[ruin_mania]

Oh, those are a subspecies. Far more commonly, and like the one in the stables, dragons have no wings. They may have different breath weapons, but they can as easily be ice as fire.

[linguistical]

That's-- wow.

[ruin_mania]

A little different than what you're used to, hmm?

[linguistical]

Just a bit.