ninth.

[eaglet]

[Connor sounds slightly out of breath when he dictates into the journal, mostly because it's so cold outside but also because he's been working pretty hard out there.]

Before I came to this world, I had left my village for six months. I have now been in this place for nine. There are still things I do not understand about both this world and the world outside my village, but I am learning, I think. And there is much to learn.

I have been interested in exploring the Dead Zone again. The god of this place has the power to move us and to transform our surroundings, but I would like to explore on my own terms. There is much to learn here amongst each other, but I feel as though there is even more to learn out there.

[Connor can be found on the castle lawn, packing a long wall of snow about a foot tall, taking care to carve a furrow down the middle. He has acquired some gloves that don't really match the rest of his outfit -- they have a reflective strip down the side and are also neon pink.]

Comments

[eaglet]

Yes... I am sorry. I have only never seen anything like him before.

[He's still keeping his distance, but he looks more curious than scared now.]

[wishmadeinfire]

As I said before, there is no offense taking. I sometimes forget he can be a bit scary to people who have never seen him before. The fault of being so attached, I suppose.

_{[ He reached into a pouch on his hip and drew out a strip of jerky, feeling it Svitana, who took it with surprising delicacy and chomped it down as Ashura patted his neck. ]}

I did not mean to scare you, truly, and I apologize for that.

[eaglet]

[Connor shakes his head.] You do not need to apologise. I understand, I think. I am often surprised to find that there are people here who are not accustomed to the things I am used to.

[wishmadeinfire]

Different worlds, different customs, but we still take for granted the things we see as normal. Mortal nature, perhaps?

_{[ He looked at Connor, smiling in a sort of amused way. ]}

Do you want to come and touch him?

[eaglet]

[He's still sort of eying the creature, and is slightly surprised when he's invited it pet it.]

You are sure it will be alright?

[wishmadeinfire]

On my honor as King of Shurano, I swear he will not hurt you.

_{[ He placed a hand over his heart, nodding his head slightly and smiling at Connor, gold eyes glittering. ]}

[eaglet]

[That doesn't really mean anything in particular to him, but it sounds genuine enough. Cautiously, he approaches the creature, his hand outstretched.]

You are a king, then?

[wishmadeinfire]

Not here, but in my world, yes, I am.

_{[ Svitana looks at the boy and snorts, lowering his head and sniffing, much like a horse would, though he had a few more razor sharp teeth than the herbivore. After taking the scent, he seemed satisfied, and went back to being disinterested. ]}

[eaglet]

[Well, that's kinda weird. But it's horselike enough... he tentatively pats its head.]

That is true. There are no kings here. I suppose we are all the same.

[wishmadeinfire]

Yes. I find it refreshing, and have for the past, oh, four years or so? It is surprising, how much a crown weighs one down.

[eaglet]

[Connor's eyebrows raise at that, and he peers over more carefully.]

You have been here that long?

[wishmadeinfire]

Hmm, yes. Five soon enough. The years just... mesh together, really.

[eaglet]

[He frowns.] I cannot imagine being here for that long.

[wishmadeinfire]

Neither could I, and yet it has happened before I truly realized. There have been other things to deal with.

[eaglet]

[Connor nods, thoughtfully patting the dragon-horse.]

That is true enough. Things are often very strange here.