Sextday, Sarnat 27th 067.M42
Once again, we settle into the new normal. We're still working long days, and rest days are completely off the table at this point, but at least there's enough time to go home of an evening, and even some time to have a little recreational time, even if it's only an hour or so.
Mum and Dad brought Mei around last night, they were here and mum was making re-grox stew when I got home. It was amazing to have a properly home-cooked meal again. I missed it so much. And Mei looks so different from when I saw her that first day. Mum had her dressed in the most adorable little set of PDF fatigues, just like her Daddy's. I didn't even know you could get them that small. If I ever have kids, I'm going to make sure they all have a pair.
She seems really well. Mum said she does talk at the moment, but she's very shy around strangers - which I am, that makes sense. But she's looking so much better than she was. Even in a little over a month, she's put weight back on. She's got chubby little cheeks and she toddles around everywhere as fast as possible on her little legs. I love her. I think the highlight of my night, apart from Mum's cooking, was when she made her way over to me and leaned on my leg for a little while after she'd been racing around in circles for a time. Which of course then led into the age-old conversation with Mum, though this time it had a new twist. Now it's not "When will you meet a nice girl, do your duty and make us grandparents?" it's "When will you meet a nice girl, do your duty and make Mei a little cousin to play with? She's lonely being an only child!"
And this is why I haven't told Mum about Maddy yet.
I'm still worried about what happened to Daisy. Though I won't have a day off any time soon, I may still put in an application to the Magisters to get that footage sooner, rather than later. I can take some time in the evenings to look over it… maybe see it with a fresh pair of eyes. Maybe it's arrogant to think that I'll see something that trained law enforcement officers didn't, but then they just seemed completely uninterested once it seemed like she'd just walked out and disappeared. They couldn't see anyone following her - or so they say. She wasn't kidnapped from her home or abducted in her building lobby, so it just doesn't seem like they're all that invested. I guess there's just so many things that come to their attention, and there's someone here to look after her daughter so… It just makes me sad. We haven't heard anything from Daisy's family either. I don't know if Mum's tried to reach out to them or not, she hasn't said.
Apart from that, and on the whole, things are going pretty well right now. Work is challenging but enjoyable. Mei is an absolute sweetie and Mum and Dad said they'll bring her around at least once a week so she gets a chance to get to know me. Maddy and I are going out for dinner again tomorrow - there's an Atillan noodle place just outside Central that's on both of our ways home. I haven't been there, but she says it's pretty good. I hope it's not too spicy. I'm not good with spicy food.
Thought for the Day: Pain is penance.
