November 23rd
You might be wondering where we are right now. I imagine that it must seem strange and wondrous at the moment, with so many strange sights, and you, so unused to life outside those grey walls...!
Welp, now we're at the mall.
I know, it's a little risky with so many people around, and there's a chance Professor Grabiner will confiscate you and start leafing through your pages, and... basically, a lot could go wrong.
It won't, though! I'm confident in this! Or - I'm choosing to believe this because I agreed to take Minnie's shift along with mine and I'm going to be here for a while.
The candles – the ones I chose and then helped to make (which I didn't mention mostly because candle-making is hard and I don't want to let that ruin my view of candles. ...also because I've been studying all week and I was tired) – look lovely, and from the gaps, they've been pretty well received. Ah, so proud.
Let's see how well it goes, shall we?
Been standing a while. Candles selling well. Bless whoever decided to light some of them. Makes it a little warmer, and the scent is comforting.
Still standing. Tired. Excitement wearing thin.
Knees hurt.
Well, thanks a lot Angela. Your support is noted. Humph.
It really is getting late. I don't know what time it is, but some of the shops are beginning to close down. Nobody's been by in a while. One of the candles burned its wick won into the wax and I don't have the heart to relight it. Isn't it nearing time to close up? There's not enough candles to box up - which I'm pleased about, sure, but it gives me little to do, and the noise made by packing up might get the Professor's attention. Maybe he's just distracted by his book...?
Or... or maybe we really need these funds and we're staying here just in case?
I'll... get to rearranging the candles.
...the man running the coffee shop across from here just waved at me sadly and smiled at me in what I think was a sympathetic way as he locked up.
What time is it?
Three shops are open. Three. The last customer emerged about twenty minutes ago, and even they were unsteady on their feet.
Fideli certa merces.
Or at least, I hope so. Faith that I'm doing this right keeps me from punishment...?
Tired. Very, very tired.
I refuse to bother him.
Hello again, diary. I'm a little flustered.
Professor Grabiner took me to the Glen. You know, that cozy, literally-magic place that Damian took me to?
Yeah, there.
I, uh. Almost fell over. He caught me. Falling on a table of candles would not have been my brightest moment.
He brought me here - didn't want people to think he'd worked me to the bone on purpose, he said.
He was really nice about that.
Said that it was incredibly stupid on my part, but still let me rest a bit before going back.
Small talk did not work - the Cambrian period is fascinating, but I still cannot decipher the rest of that title – but being in a social situation with him wasn't all that awkward.
...alright, yes it was, but now I know it's possible - and that silence can be comfortable with him.
Hmm.
-Illia
Postscript – it looks like the reason we stayed so late was that he was absorbed in his book. That's kind of c
nope nope nope nope not finishing that nope.
Post-postscript - ...endearing. I might accept that. Anyone could be endearing if they did that.