Liminesca

I have to be honest. Wolfgang was kind of an asshole back on Kehia. I don't mean to be rude, but the man was literally the Big Bad Wolfgang. He'd show off his fangs to even the small children. Now that I’m here in the Animal Kingdom, I see him settled here with all these sheep. He even married one. They call him The Shepherd for Pete's sake. Lupina is a wolf though, she can see what's going on. She doesn't seem happy here. Maybe when I leave she can come travel with me. It won't be for years, so I'll worry about that later.

For now, I'd like to mentor her while she navigates growing up with the Big Bad Wolf. I think she could really use a friend who knows what she's going through. All her classmates are scared of her because she's a wolf. When she told her dad all he said was “Good.” Unfortunately, her stepmom, Baarb, isn't quite the ally. Not quite the wicked stepmother, but sides with Wolfgang in every single disagreement they have. Whenever she asks her for advice she just says, “Ask your father.”

Then when we went to dinner, Tim told the most INSANE story ever. About how he jogged the entire way to the Imhotep Desert! He had been ill for so long on the boat that when he finally got better he couldn’t stand still ever again. So he started training. When they got the Ht. Hilo Bay, Tim ran along the shore every morning until his feet bled, then he’d run back. Started working in the shipyard where he was moving barrels all day. Then at the end of the day he’d fish so he could have the freshest ingredients. No wonder he wins every fight. The man is a machine.

He's got her leadership skills, I'll give him that. I do believe he has the best interest of his people in mind, but I do not like the way he goes about it. Just the other day he blew up at his wife for interrupting his hourly quiet time. As if she forced him to yell when he's supposed to be silent. I don't understand how anyone can tolerate him. I’ve been walking on eggshells for months and I can't take it anymore. I’ll ask around if anyone wants to come down with me, but I don't anticipate many wanting to leave. Half the citizens here love Andro and the other half are terrified of leaving the village entirely. 

I really wish she was here. She would know what to do about Andro. He’s just so furious all the time. He won’t listen to me. He won’t listen to anyone. All I can do now is support him the best I can and be there when this all goes to hell. I'm hoping the birthday present I got him will help. A Prayer Journal, had the cover hand-painted by Phinn. It's the day I met her. Andro's favorite story of the mother he never got to meet.

What does he even have to be angry about? My entire life it was his way or no way at all. How can someone get everything they've ever wanted in life and still be so upset all the time? I just do not understand. And even more confusing is how everyone just lets him get away with it. They call him The Shepherd. Ha! What a joke. Marrying a sheep and covering yourself in wool doesn't make you a shepherd. How am I the only one who can see through it? He’s the Big Bad Wolf “shepherding” a pack of yes-men.

I need to get out of this place. There is absolutely nothing here. I told dad I felt pulled to go back to the island one day. He claims it's only a matter of time before it erupts again. I can't tell if he's serious or if he's fearmongering. I can't even tell if he believes his own bullshit or not. In fact, Mt. Liminesca erupting was the best thing that ever happened to him. It was his out. He got to leave an island with such rich history and culture where he was no one to this flat nothingness where he's worshiped.

I'll cut to the chase. I sobbed. I didn't realize how much I missed home until I talked to Parent. I love it on this planet, but memories from my 130s just kept flooding in. Ah, high school. Best four decades of my life. Anyway, Parent told me that Best Friend from those days is having a baby! I remember when we met in 5D Chess Club. We were the best in the sector. In fact, senior year we took home the quartzark trophy. I can't believe they're going to be a Parent! I'll have to petition Star and Stella to help me talk to Best Friend tomorrow so I can congratulate them. They're going to be so surprised.

Speaking of Star and Stella, I'm going to have to figure out a way to repay them for this. I know they said just the smile on my face was enough, but there's no way I'm not making it up to them in some way. Maybe I could get someone back home to send a present. Maybe a telescope. Let's just say the telescopes on this planet aren't exactly up to par. You can't even see one lightyear away! I know they'll love it. But I better ask soon, it could take up to three years to get here. Unless the Universal Shipping Planetary Service has improved since I left. Somehow I highly doubt that. 

When we got there, Hail wanted to make a wager. The last person down the hill had to steal a Prayer Page from Dianna's House. Slate went as white as the snow we were standing on. He's such a goody-two-shoes. Although, can anyone blame him with his dad? As usual, Slate tried to talk him out of it. I really don't understand why he bothers with him. Hail is the most hard headed boy in the whole wide world.

Suddenly, Rainn just sled down the hill. I don't know if he was trying to get away from the arguing, if he wanted to win so he didn't have to get the Page, or if he simply wanted to go sledding. Either way, I was dying laughing as I followed him down the hill. He doesn't talk much, but his actions really speak for him.

As I’ve stated many times, Slate not finding a girl before his Omerta was a big mistake. Trying to find a wife when you can’t talk is just not feasible. He believes if his Drifter friend can do it, then he can too. I've explained to him multiple times that Rainn's Omerta isn't for another two years. He hasn't actually done it yet. And well, we'll see…

Anyway, I found Slate talking to that new girl, Rose. Honestly, that’s not really what I was upset about when I yelled at him. It was the fact that he was talking to her out in the open where all his friends caught him. If it was just me, then I could have easily taken care of it all, but now his friends know. Which means the entire town knows. It’s not so simple anymore. Don't get me wrong, there’s never been a problem I couldn’t fix, but this one’s a doozy. For now, I just need to give Slate a bit of tough love. It's about time he learned how to be a man.