Journal entry #1: 1:29 AM
At long last, I make my triumphant return to planet Hocotate. Those are words I've been planning to write for a little over three months now, but now at last I can write them and mean them in earnest. I'll admit here and only here that it's not quite as exhilarating as I'd imagined it would be. We've arrived in the middle of the night, for one. Not a soul is going to be awake at this hour, but I, in spite of being worked the last few months to both mental and physical exhaustion, am wide awake. I know that on the ground my arrival won't be entirely unnoticed. My wife, son and daughter have been messaging me almost non stop since I informed them that I was on my way back, I'd hoped to arrive to a welcoming party, something with a lot of fanfare to announce our safe and successful arrival, and the end of my travels on the Pikmin planet, but I suppose that the most important people who could be there will be present. I can't wait to see them in person again, at long last.
The journey home has been a quiet one. Louie and the President have been sitting next to me in silence for the better part of our 300 light year trip. Of course, it's taken only a few hours to cross at warp speed, but even now the time seems to drag. Trying to talk to Louie is harder than ever. Ever since the incident with the Titan Dweevil he will barely speak a word to me, or anyone really. I've tried to convince him that the incident wasn't his fault, but he doesn't seem interested in listening to me.
I wonder if I've touched a nerve with him.
Leaving him behind on the planet was a mistake I'll not be forgetting soon. If I ever manage to forgive myself for it I'll be surprised, though the President has insisted that the oversight wasn't my fault, nor was it the fault of anyone associated with Hocotate Freight. It seems to me that he may just be saying that to avoid a lawsuit, but I'll try to take him at his word just this once.
We're approaching the planet's surface now. I can finally see the rings of my beloved Hocotate rising above us once more. It feels surreal to be returning home after so much time spent away. It's been so long since I've been here, and yet the familiarity of it all makes it feel as if I'd never left.
We're landing now. I will continue to update this log with the details of my arrival on the ground as soon as I have the chance.
5:45 AM
I am at home in bed at last. It has been a whirlwind of a night. I didn't realize how long its been since I felt the warmth of someone beside me as I lie here, at last free from the confines of my space suit, able to breathe freely the unfiltered air. I don't think I've ever seen my wife cry like that, but today we both shed tears of joy. Back home with my family, my children, I feel complete again.
We sat up for hours upon returning home, as I recounted my adventures on the Pikmin planet to Ollie and Maria. They seemed pleased with the souvenirs I managed to smuggle back for them out of the treasure hold, though, I hadn't realized how big they would be. They barely fit in the house, but its of no matter. I'm sure that tomorrow we will find a way to get them inside.
I can't believe how late it is. Tomorrow I'm sure there will be much more time to talk. The president has given me a few days of leave to recuperate from the long journey. It's the most generous I've ever seen him.
Journal Entry #2: 1:15 PM
When I wrote yesterday that I would have time to talk, I didn't expect it to mean that I would be giving a speech! Apparently back on Hocotate our success on the Pikmin planet was no secret. No sooner was I even slightly conscious, my wife had already begun pushing me to the closet, remarking that I'd lost weight. All things considered, she's not wrong. Everything I wear feels loose and ill fitting now that I've returned. I suppose all that running around and living on instant space noodles helped me slim down quite a bit. I don't think I'll be making that a regular habit, however.
I feel as if I've been smiling and greeting old friends and distant relatives all day. I'd hoped that I would be able to spend time with my wife and children today, but today the stars seemed to have different plans for me. My voice feels so hoarse from talking so much. This was at least a little closer to the greeting I'd hoped I would get upon my return to the planet. Perhaps it would have been were it not so late at night. Still, be as it may, I'm pleased to see so many people have turned up to welcome me back. If I'd known so many people would be this happy to see me upon my return, perhaps I would get lost in space so often.
I kid, of course.
I've told the tale of my thirty days alone on the Pikmin planet more times than I think I can count now. By now I could probably write a book about it. Several books even. Perhaps once I've settled down from my daring life of an explorer and treasure hunter, I will live out the rest of my days writing the story of my time on the Pikmin planet.
I will call it "There and Back Again"...
… or perhaps something else. I'll probably need to write it all down first. One step at a time, Olimar.
7:30 PM
I feel almost as exhausted as I did at the end of my Final Trial on the Pikmin Planet, but tonight I felt something I've not felt in a long time. At ease. Talking so much was a laborious task, but being able to watch the sun go down without needing to scramble back to my ship was a gift in itself. Ollie and Maria won't stop asking about the Pikmin. I've shown them the images I sketched in the margins of my Captain's Log but they want to see them up close. Ollie has insisted that I bring one back as a pet for him, but I can't imagine they'd survive for long in our atmosphere. Oxygen may be toxic to us, but to them it must be a necessity. Without it, they would surely perish. I can't imagine subjecting them to such a fate.
I've learned quite a bit since my return to Hocotate. Apparently my discovery has earned the interest of the Galactic Federation, and has been in the news across several systems. They've named the planet without me it seems, dubbing it 'PNF-404'. I can't say I'm very pleased with the name. It sounds so clinical and distant for something so exotic and full of life.
I have to admit, I'd hoped I would be given a chance to name the planet, seeing as I was the one who discovered it. I suppose it's a dream that will just have to wait until I uncover another uncharted planet.
I haven't eaten this well in ages it feels like. I'll admit, having Pikpik brand carrots again makes me feel strangely nostalgic. I'm afraid my wife may have caught me glancing wistfully into my bowl once or twice. I'll have to make sure to be a bit more discrete next time.
Anyway, this has started to become a long entry. A long entry, and an even longer day. I believe I will retire now, and try to spend my last few days of leave at ease.