Raiona’s Journal: Lurking threat

Spring day 62

Today, I have fallen ill. And mother wasn’t ill today, so she looked after me. As opposed to the setting of me looking after her. I slept most of the day. I had a dream about the white horse visiting me. Lying down with me. When I woke up, I felt better.

Spring day 63

Today, I do not want to go to lessons. I want to go outside. I went to the clinic garden and took white horse with me to the rooftop gardens. I am now writing this after setting the horse free. He looks happy enough to skip around. A happy baby horse. So cute. He looks like he has glitters on him when under the sun. I don’t know the gender so he could be a girl. Or maybe he doesn’t have a gender.

I am now just leaning my back on the tree. I am under a shade and horsey is walking towards me. The skies are perfect. I love it here. I am happy that I am not alone now. I have horsey beside me.

He just lied down and put his head on my lap. What a baby. I wonder what name I should give him. Stroking horse hair feels different from a lion mane.

Spring day 64

Yesterday, after I fell asleep under the shade with horsey, I woke up when daystar was setting. And to my surprise, angry bird was also asleep with us.

I tried to leave without waking him up but horsey made a ruckus on standing up, waking birdie up. I said sorry and tried to leave quickly, but he stood up and started walking with me and horsey. I returned horsey to the clinic. He looked sad. I kissed his nose as I bid good night. 

I was trying to be sneaky in guiding him back to his mini courtyard, but suddenly, angry bird talked to the workers there and thanked them for allowing him to borrow horsey. Excuse me? I stole rescued him from the clinic. Not you.

I started to walk home, very confused with this bird. He started walking with me again. But a little bit behind me. He kept up with me until I was close to home. And it was a long way. The court is huge after all. I didn’t know what to say to him. Bizarre bird. I thanked him silently as he was starting to leave. I think he was trying to smile. It was the first time I looked long enough on his face. His face looks round and chubby. His eyes look eager and respectful. Heh! Release me.

Today, I am just writing this in the library. I might get horsey again later. Maybe I can ride him when he is bigger and not sick. The plaster on his forehead is still there after all.

Spring day 65

Today, there was a lot of commotion in the court. I stayed inside my mother's room. Well, I say her room, but it's more of a complex. She has a huge room with lots of rooms inside and it is easy to get lost in. We call it her royal chambers but it could might as well be her own tower in the court. 

We were both sitting by the main door, I am trying to draw the skies, when… taadaahh! Special appearance by horsey! I thought that was the best part. Until I realized it was Riye taking him to us! That’s much more important. 

I wanted to talk to him, but then again, I can’t. I can only smile at him and tell the others how I wanted to marry him. We exchanged glances before he left and I was rolling on the floor before I knew it. Mother can’t get enough of my reactions. She loves me. I love her. 

I had to extend my dramatics and exaggerate my reactions a bit more to make her laugh. I wondered why white horse was taken to us but forgot to ask cause Riye came back ocne more! Yey! But with angry bird… Boo! What in the Meu?

Spring day 66

Today, we are all still within my mother's room. I am writing while my breakfast is being prepared. Last night, the adults looked busy. Me, angry bird, horsey, sometimes Riye, were huddled in one room. I fell asleep while drawing. Father must’ve taken me to mothers bed. 

When I woke up at dawn to go to toilet, I saw father talking to a general, they woke poor sleeeping Riye on the lounge and they a left. Bird and horse are asleep still, meters from where Riye was. I keep calling him angry bird but I actually saw him as a bird only one time. He looks peaceful while asleep. And like a round fruit. His cheeks are biteable.

Today, we had class inside one of the rooms in mother’s complex. Me, birdie and horsey. The teacher wasnt Riye. I think it was my father’s cousin, defense tactician, Shin. One of the lions here that is close to my father in strength and might. But close in terms of uncle Shin being 20% of what my father is. The rest are at 1%. 

He is teaching how to detect other creatures hiding around you. I can't understand this lesson in particular. I am just a defective lioness cub. I can't smell, see and hear as good as the rest when they’re in their animal forms. I can see Riye coming and leaving throughout the day. Sometimes with father. At one point, I saw that girl who kept looking at Riye at the festival and she brought something to Uncle Shin.

Waiting for dinner. And father. And Riye.

Spring day 67

Today, it feels like there’s less tension in my father's face and attitude. I had been indoors for days. I want daystarshine. I might take a horsey for a quick sneak out later.

Spring day 70

That day, I got caught leaving the front door and got scolded magnificently. I don’t want to talk about it.

Spring day 75

Today, I still don’t want to talk.

Spring day 80

Today, bird came by to bring notes.

Summer day 1

Today, I learned about seasons.

Flowers - 80 days

Crops - 80 days

Flood - 20 days

Fall - 70 days

Dark - 90 days

Flood - 20 days

with some seasons having an extra day more depending on the moons.

Bird’s notes are very clear and easy to understand. I can read his notes but he can’t read mine! Advantage!

Summer day 2

Today, bird came by with horse. We did not talk. I just petted horse and returned his notes. They were followed by a lot of guards. I gave him and horsey some sweets as thanks. I made them. I hope they will like it. I am still holed up in my mothers complex.

Summer day 3

Today, bird came by with horse. Mother saw me talking to them and they were invited in for snacks. She noticed me calling them “bird and horse” and scolded me publicly. For the first time. How much scolding have I been receiving. I guess I have to get used to calling angry bird as his name, Mede. Horsey doesn't have a name yet. 

Mother said horsey gets to decide his name and who he will open it up to, later on. Horsey seemed excited to eat one of the snacks we had, pan fruit. He particularly liked the rainbow coloured pan fruit that leaves heavy colored stains. Maybe he can be called Pan for now?

Summer day 4

Today, Mother had been encouraging me to go out, and I won’t. I asked her why isn’t she coming out then? She can go out herself. If she gets to stay in, then I should be able to. 

Father heard this and got the angriest I’ve ever seen him be. Even his strongest guards scurried the insects. My question is valid. Something is wrong in this house. Or court. Father called for Riye to take me out of mother’s room and I ran off before Riye arrived. 

I went to the rooftop gardens on my own. No one followed me up, but I think the guards surrounded the entry and exit to where I was. I fell asleep and when I woke up, Mede was there. I wonder why he is always appearing when I’m on the rooftop but I do not want to ask him. 

I started to walk home and he walked with me most of the way again. No words exchanged. Father and mother wanted to talk to me but I don’t want to leave my room. I wish I can hug someone right now, but at same time, I want to be in solitude.