Date: 08/13/23
Weather: An overcast.
Dear Diary.
Compared to yesterday I feel a bit better. Sore throat and stuffy nose is going away, almost no fever, still a bit of coughs and body aches though but the best part was that I didn't feel any paranoia. I guess that came from my episode of cold. What I can't say the same is my wrist. I don't think the Big Boss biting the same place over and over again is a good idea, do it enough times and she's probably going to bite my hand off, maybe I should ask Remilia if she can hold off on biting me on the wrist and just bite somewhere else? Then again if she changes up the place I'm going to turn into Swiss cheese. Damned if I do and damned if I don't, I'll let future me deal with that. Even though I was feeling better Meiling once again refused to spar with me until I made a full or at least close to full recovery. So the morning exercise was mostly stretching in the chilly overcast morning. At least the sunrise over the lake was pretty to watch. On top of that the Gatekeeper suggested that I do the shift on the inside, maybe the library or something. I haven't even thought of that, clever little Gatekeeper that one.
...
Taking Meiling's advice I asked Flandre if I can look after her inside today. Naturally there was a resistance to the idea. I can see where Flandre is coming from. This past almost half month is probably the most shes been outside consecutively. The little Vampire pulled all the tricks of the 'kid not listening to their 'elder' figure' playbook, elder being a misused relative term since Flandre is generations older than me. Tricks including that cute little pout that she does when things don't go her way, talking back, and throwing a little tantrum. When did I start liking this kind of stuff? If I saw this back home I would have gotten irrationally angry at some kid doing the same thing. Gensokyo definitely changed me.
For a moment I gave into Flandre's little tantrum and went outside with her. Only to march straight back into the mansion from Meiling putting her foot down. She didn't sound or look upset or anything, but I think the little Vampire did feel that air of 'Older sister' authority coming from the Gatekeeper, I sure did. I'm pretty surprised that Flandre backed down without much of a fight. Pretty sure that the little Vampire can straight up crush Meiling in a fight, no offense to the Gatekeeper or anything. So the shift was done inside the library where the little Vampire and I read a bunches of books, There was a sense of nostalgia during the shift in the library, probably because I didn't do this for like almost a month now though I don't think Flandre shared that sentiment. The little Vampire was restless, closing the book and flying off every now and then only to come back and read another book. I guess losing that freedom must be tough for Flandre even if it's just for a day. Also during the shift I kept my distance from the Library crew and Flandre since I didn't want them to catch my cold. Wait. Can Youkai even get sick? Better safe than sorry.
...
Post shift and the rest of the day was actually me staying in the library. Now that I was feeling better I thought I'd try my hands at magic and chi again. I thought I might find some sort of a recovery magic or something in the book series that I've been reading. Unfortunately nothing of the sorts. And pretty sure that I can't just 'Chi' my way into better health. So it was back to the basics. Nothing too fancy like flying, just spells and spell modifications, the results are mixed but mostly positive. I didn't stick around the library for too long, and even with the evening still very young I opted to just rest in my room and write today's entry. What I didn't expect was a cup of tea on my room table still steaming hot. I don't remember seeing anyone enter or leave my room. My best guess is Izayoi using her time powers to enter and leave without a trace minus the tea. I didn't have to use her powers to just to be sneaky like that, though I did appreciate the tea.
-R.F.
Date: 08/14/23
Weather: Mainly sunny.
Dear Diary.
Clouds begone and let the Sun shine bright! I woke up feeling so much better than yesterday! I mean sure other than the very minor fatigue, the occasional coughs and the bruised wrist, I felt fine! Heck I was feeling good enough to convince Meiling to spar with me. Did I get my butt kicked? Sure I did but I got my butt kicked without that dumb'ol foresight messing my groove up and it honestly felt good to be back. I think my excitement translated to the Gatekeeper as well, patting me on the back for the good morning workout.
...
The shift went as well as it could too. Flandre looked mighty happy to be outside. I know this might sound real dumb but I tried my hands at flying over the lake again with the little Vampire again. I gotta say, even though I was almost done with my recovery, it was still a bit hard to self enchant and to fly, and to continuously focus so I don't fall though I did get it eventually. Flying to the center of the lake I think Flandre was excited just because there was a chance to see me fall in the lake and make a big splash. Though me falling in the lake was the exact reason why I caught the cold. Well unfortunately for the little Vampire I didn't fall in the lake. Although my shift went so much better than two days ago, that creeping feeling was still around. I don't think the cold was causing this. I once again looked around the mansion and still nothing. So... Is this some sort of a byproduct from the Foresight? Or some new premonition power? It would be nice if these things were more clear and to the point. The shift ended with Meiling once again tagging in to play with the little Vampire. I think this time around it was because she wanted to play with Flandre and not because she was covering for me. Regardless it was nice to see the two play and have fun.
...
So normally after the shift I'd go down to the library to practice more of my might and magic, but today I thought I'd mix things up a bit and visit the village instead. I've always gone to the Village during evening times and surely enough it was nice to mix things up and visit during late afternoon. And I'm glad that I did, the sun still shining and the fresh are was well, refreshing. With the days getting noticeably shorter I think this is what I'm going to do from now on. On top of that I finally got that weirdo umbrella girl, thanks to the Foresight... For once. 'Seeing' the foresight work properly for the first time felt almost otherworldly. A single footstep, and for a split second I could 'see' the at least three umbrella girls. Two hazy ones and one clear as day. Picking the right one I managed to put the scare on the umbrella girl and man that felt good. Now, if only I can do that consistently. The kids and adults looked pretty shocked as if the Miss Umbrella was going to get me for the third time. Well I guess I'm sorry to disappoint. Putting the spook on the Umbrella girl I got the chance to talk and find out what the Umbrella girl was all about. Tatara Kogasa. A Youkai that pretty much exists to surprise people on top of being a Blacksmith and pretty much a full time babysitter for the kids. Well that last one was according the kids and not her. Wait... Black smith? She doesn't sure doesn't look the part but who am I to judge. Regardless that Tatara girl is going to have a harder time scaring me from now on... I hope...
...
Finishing off the day was practicing more Might and Magic. Since I got the basic magic modification down, I thought I'd mix things up like I did with visiting the village early. Chi sense boost on top of flying, and the result was... surprisingly underwhelming? I thought I'd be able to have a better control of flying without using a catalyst if I boosted my vision or something. Maybe I'm doing something wrong. Other than the lukewarm Might and Magic practice, today was a good day.
-R.F.
Date: 08/15/23
Weather: Sunny and a bit warm
Dear Diary.
It only a few days but I've made a complete recovery. Well kind of, I didn't feel a single bit of the cold symptoms but my wrist is still mildly sore. On top of that there's still that creeping feeling that I don't like. If this is some byproduct of the Foresight I would much rather not have the Foresight. Anyway, now that I had a full recovery. I was able to spar with Meiling with little issue. The Gatekeeper seemed pretty impressed that making a full recovery sort of improved my physical prowess. She also asked if I experienced any foresight during the sparring match and fortunately I didn't get anything like that. I don't think I'm ready for that kind of thing during a sparring match.
...
Since I was back to ninety nine point nice percent I thought the shift would go well. Well it sort of did, Flandre playing around, doing mock Danmaku duel with Meiling, was nice and all but that creeping dread that I felt only got worse. It got so bad to a point where both the little Vampire and the Gatekeeper had to sort of snap me out of it. Asking the two if they also felt that feeling didn't get any good answer from them. So its just me that was feeling it. I even did a little fly around the mansion to see if there was anyone or anything that could give me that feeling of dread, and once again found nothing. Just what is this feeling?
...
Post shift the paranoia hit pretty hard, no village visit, no might and magic practice since I was mighty stressed. Which sucks since the start to my day was great. I stayed in the library reading my book to calm myself down. It worked but not fast enough. I tried hanging out with Meiling to distract myself and that didn't work... The moment I stepped outside I felt that ominous pressure, and it sort of felt countered when I was around Meiling, maybe my body was telling me that I was in danger and being close to the Gatekeeper gave me some level of safety. Wish my body told me exactly what was out to get me, other than the possible Youkai that would see me as dinner. Man what a way to end my day. It started strong and ends with me being holed up in my room? I whatever this feeling is, if something's out to get me; it goes away sooner than later.
-R.F.
Date: 08/16/23
Weather: Hot... So hot...
Dear Diary
Middle of august and it feels like peak summer... So hot... The sparring match felt like a slog I couldn't focus and I don't think Meiling could either. There wasn't a winner, we both stopped half way and just sat under the shade. First thing in the morning too... What is up with Gensokyo and the weather? It puts my old home's erratic weather patterns to shame. While chilling under the shade, the Gatekeeper asked if I was still paranoid, I wasn't paying attention until she asked, there was still a bit of creeping feeling but nothing like yesterday. I guess that's a good sign.
...
There's one benefit to the day being hot. Leading Flandre outside I thought I was going to have to really push through my shift on looking after the little Vampire. Nope. First three seconds on feeling the heat and the sun Flandre turned around and asked if we can go to the library. Before Flandre and I walked through the cool basement halls I did let Meiling know that the little Vampire wasn't going to stick around outside. Hopefully the poor Gatekeeper keeps cool. The shift was fairly calm until the Witch decided to drop by. That girl was drenched in sweat and barely had the energy to announce her entrance. There was pretty much a momentary truce between the Witch and the Library Crew, which is strange since by all means the Library crew had the upper hand to kick Marisa out; why they didn't do it is beyond me. And once the Witch cooled down enough she was back to her normal self as if she was never fatigued from the heat, well that plus the sweaty clothes. Ew. It was back to business with Marisa, a Danmaku duel with Patchouli here, a book pilfer after losing there. Flandre was eating up the spectacles between the two magicians and so was I. All in all a pretty good shift.
...
Looking back I think it would have been objectively better if I stayed in the library. Not to say me visiting the Village was a bad thing by any means I got to make small talks with the villagers, mostly about the heat, and with Konpaku... Mostly about the heat. On top of that I got free drinks thanks to Mister Tailor. The Gardener sort of got pulled in to also drink with Mister Tailor and me. More the merrier I suppose? Mister Tailor seemed to take interest in how my clothes were holding up to Danmaku fire. He was disappointed by my "I didn't get a chance to get hit by any Danmaku bullets." answer... And Mister Tailor's passing remark of a reply "Maybe you can get that Gardener girlfriend of yours to fire off some for ya. She can fire them Danmaku bullets. Right?" What is this some sort of a flag from a dating sim? The Gardener looked way too shocked to give any thoughts so I had to step in and tell Mister Tailor that the Gardener and I were not in a relationship. We were acquaintance at best. The drink session got pretty awkward after that, and Konpaku was the first to leave. Something about needing to go back to her boss or something. I left soon after a few more drinks. I think I remember Mister Tailor telling me to test out his clothes seeing if he needs any improvements. That man sure has a one track mind. Even in the late evening the heat was almost unbearable... But as much as this heat is killing me, I sure hope it lasts til tomorrow so I can do my laundry and hang them to dry in the hot hot sun. Maybe I can take a quick dip in the lake to cool down or something.
-R.F.
Author's Notes: Okay. I'm caught up now! I know what you're probably thinking. "Rhyflow you're still missing like two days worth of entries!" And you'd be absolutely right. The answer to that question is for Plot reasons :). To answer our reviewer "Al the Obsessive", oh I don't know, about a year? ;) Until then everyone, take care!