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Jessica's Journal [Game 4]   1 | 2
Rascii
Caves Dweller

Rascii
United States  
Administrator


 visit Rascii's website: Creatures Caves
  8/2/2012  1

Hello there! I'm Jessica, avid blogger and Creatures player. My time on the island will be an interesting one, hopefully filled with adventure and excitement. That is, provided I can stay around as long as possible!

- Rascii
 
Jessica

Jessica


 visit Jessica's website: Discover Albia
  8/12/2012

Day 1, Entry 1

The island. It had held such a wonderful sense of excitement as the day drew nearer to my arrival. Curiosity was my strong suit, and I had a volume of dangerous tales to prove it! Having never been stranded on an island before, I decided to make the most of the experience: I left everything behind, save for my obscure knowledge. Judging by past experience, though, that knowledge might not be the best of companions. I left my home behind, perhaps for good, as I boarded the most seaworthy boat I could locate. The captain was a seedy looking Norn, with a decidedly fake mustache. Really, was he trying to fool anyone? Part of me was tempted to investigate, but the nasty gleam in his eye held me at bay. Mustaches... Something to investigate in the future.

The voyage quickly turned choppy as the weather ushered in a tremendous storm. The boat turned into nothing more than a slab of wood barely able to float: My initial diagnosis of "seaworthy" convinced me of my lack of nautical skills. Nevertheless, the captain was able to maneuver through the crashing waves with more skill than imagined. Yet my initial fascination with his mustache must have set him on edge, for I was forced to swim to shore. I realized, with a pang of sadness, that I would miss this strange character. Or was it just the intriguing mustache?

As I bravely plunged into the churning waters several yards from shore, I realized that I was alone. The clouded sky darkened with every stroke, and it dawned on me that the coming rain might be a trifle more difficult than a simple case of dampness. At long last, I reached land! The island welcomed my presence with a crash of thunder that sent my teeth to chattering. And so my tale began.


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Jessica

Jessica


 visit Jessica's website: Discover Albia
  8/12/2012

Day 1, Entry 2

Already soaked from my brief swim, the torrential downpour that followed did little to change my current condition. Fortunately, the thunder and lightning was more of an oceanic occurrence, although the island could not escape from the buckets of rain. There was one positive to this downpour, though, and that was fresh water. All I needed, in fact.

I landed ashore a sandy beach... At least, it seemed sandy beneath the steady sheets of water. I gave the sea a wary look: No sense being too close to it when it decided to come inland! Several palm trees dotted the landscape before a tangled mess of green. I was sure it looked picturesque in the sunlight, but the rain made it impossible to enjoy any scenery.

Brushing the incessant rain from my eyes for what seemed like the hundredth time, I made for the tangled mess. As I had hoped, there were several exceptionally large leaves growing in abundance. I snapped the largest one from its base, and had myself a brand new hat! It was actually quite thick, and reached from one ear tip to the other. An instant umbrella! Granted, I needed both hands to keep it firmly planted over my head, yet there was at least some way to escape the rain. Now I would have a decent chance of going from exceptionally soaked to exceptionally damp. Not a vast improvement, but something to work for!

Instinct told me to venture further into the vegetation, though my sapphire eyes lingered on these leaves. There could be a way to create shelter here, though food and water (aside from the rain) seemed to be nowhere in sight. I cried out as an idea came to me! I gathered up several of the leaves, stacked them on top of one another, and held the bundle above my head. Not only would this keep some of them dry, but this might also be the only place to locate them.

In the worst case, I figured I could turn them into some type of outfit and become the most fashionable on the island. As if the thought had never occurred to me, I wondered when I would come across the others. The sky was beginning to darken behind the thick clouds, and it was clear that I had to be one of the last arrivals. Leave it to my odd tangents and choice of captains to take away the element of punctuality!

Satisfied with my bundle of dark green leaves, I headed off into the unknown. Rather noisily, I might add: That tangled mess of green certainly was not meant for easy navigation!


Discover Albia

 
Jessica

Jessica


 visit Jessica's website: Discover Albia
  8/13/2012

Day 2, Entry 3

My night was filled with adventure, though my lack of lighting forced me to wait until dawn to write. Night quickly swallowed up the island, and its arrival also calmed the rain to a drizzle. Though the air still smelled of utter dampness, I also began to pick up some more of the subtle smells. My curiosity brought me close to traveling in circles, although I was attempting to walk in a straight line. The leaves had served their purpose well: Despite the wetness I picked up from the tall underbrush, my head remained surprisingly dry!

A very dull light still lit part of the sky, yet I found myself in a wooded area with tall trees that ate up any remaining light. It was dangerous to run around without anything to see by... Who knew what lay around the next corner! I also thought I detected the distinctive scent of a large predator. I was not about to walk about aimlessly like a tasty target!

Many of these trees grew very close together, and even the fading light highlighted a path up them. I carefully laid my bundle of leaves at the base of the largest tree. Climbing it was more challenging than I thought, thanks to the rain slicked trunk and branches. It wasn't long before I found what I had hoped for: The branches of three or four trees converged around a central area. It was fairly small, able to hold perhaps two or three Norns at once, yet it would be a perfect shelter for my first evening.

"Perfect" might not have been the best description, for I had no way of constructing a true roof: I reached the ground again to retrieve my beloved leaves. I realized, too late, that I should have tied them up somehow, rather than securing them under one arm. Climbing with just the other arm was difficult, but doable!

As the rain came to the slowest of drizzles, I laid out one of the more concave leaves to gather a bit of the night rain. I was not utterly exhausted, but my strength would be needed for a full day's work ahead. The gentle melody of the final lazy raindrops lulled me to sleep beneath my makeshift emerald blanket. Sleep overcame me surprisingly quickly, complete with a hushed snore every now and again.


Discover Albia

 
Jessica

Jessica


 visit Jessica's website: Discover Albia
  8/13/2012

Day 2, Entry 4

I was roused to a semi-conscious state at a very early hour... Or perhaps it was still very late. The light was still eerily dark, although my sleepy eyes had adjusted to the blackness. As I turned to find a more comfortable spot among the ancient branches, I caught my breath and froze.

There, just in front of my twitching and slightly itchy nose, stood a most peculiar critter. I could only make out its silhouette in the black of night, yet it closely resembled some sort of small lizard or frog. Being the naturally curious type, I slowly reached out to touch it.

It turned into a bright spot of blue for an instant. I was in awe, yet I thought I had sent the poor thing to its death: There was a peculiar sound of air, and the silhouette was gone. I waited briefly, hoping for this strange sight to return, but the only sound I heard was the chattering of bugs. Their steady song lulled me back into slumber.

The morning woke me with its brilliant light, filtered to a soft green from the canopy above. I was thankful for a clear morning: Staying wet was not a hobby I held in any particular regard! The leaves of my makeshift home had served me well, for I only awoke with a thin layer of dew upon my face.

As I rubbed last night's sleep from my eyes, I realized that the light was much brighter. It certainly had to be well after dawn. The morning predators, if there had been any, must have ignored me. Luck was on my side! Then again, I realized a wet Norn was something that smelled anything but appetizing.

Speaking of which, food was at the top of my list of priorities. The leftover water in the leaf I set out quenched my thirst, and a rather ungraceful slide down the tree began my morning. It was the sound of an approaching creature which really woke me up, though. It was close: Very close, indeed!


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Jessica

Jessica


 visit Jessica's website: Discover Albia
  8/13/2012

Day 2, Entry 5

A bright blue Astro Norn suddenly materialized out of a web of nearby vines. I was relieved to meet someone else, and even more relieved that this was not a hostile bear! C-Rex, as he was called, kindly offered to share a bit of honey with me. My stomach had begun to gurgle, and the welcome taste of the sticky substance made me feel like dancing. I think I frightened the Astro Norn slightly with my excitement... He backed away a few paces when I twirled around.

We shared a short conversation, and I even offered him one of my giant leaves. It seemed a fair exchange! After he disappeared into the green, I rubbed my palms together as I planned my next move. I was quite a bit behind schedule, even though I had managed to eat and drink. Luck had been kind so far, yet it was nothing to bet one's life upon.

I walked around the perimeter of the converged trees, and found a small grove of blueberry bushes. The berries were rather tiny, but very abundant. Trouble was, I ended up with horribly stained fingers and lips after just a few mouthfuls. I supposed it matched my silly Harlequin appearance: Nothing could make me look any more ridiculous than the Shee already had!

It was just past midday, and the heat was tremendous. Coupled with the rapidly evaporating water, my home base was more of a hot and humid nightmare than a haven. The dense canopy made for nice insulation at night, but the tropical daytime was more than I could handle. I decided to head off in search of a stream or clearing, where I might be able to breath again.

I dragged a few springy vines along for the journey: Hopefully there would be a use for them somewhere along the way. Although the sun only dappled the ground here and there, I felt as though I was much too close to its scorching hot surface. Miserable, and still stained with blueberries, I trekked off in the direction C-Rex had come from. Perhaps cold water lay just beyond the wall of vines he had come from.


Discover Albia

 
Jessica

Jessica


 visit Jessica's website: Discover Albia
  8/13/2012

Day 2, Entry 6

Drenched in an uncomfortable layer of sweat, I was only too glad when I found a pond just a few paces beyond the vines. The cold water rushed down my throat, yet it felt even more soothing as I scooped handfuls of the clear liquid. It swallowed up the griminess that had become a part of me, and I was soon left with just a hint of my previous blueberry stains. After all, I was colorful enough!

I spent the remainder of the day exploring the perimeter around my grove of trees. There was plenty to investigate, although it would take ages to document it all. Besides, my curiosity usually made the most mundane speck of dust an interesting treasure to me! Suffice to say that it was a typical island paradise, and the perfect location.

Several supplies found their way up to my shelter: Several lengths of sturdy vines, a few handfuls of very colorful fruit, and a couple of rocks. I was known to spend hours as a young Norn gathering rocks for no apparent purpose, and the habit had not yet dissipated. I was pleased to find a couple of shiny stones to keep me occupied in times of boredom. Perhaps they would become tools or mere souvenirs.

Before long, I realized that darkness was beginning to creep into the jungle and make the shadows grow larger. Exhausted from my constant climbing and exploring, I was only too glad to snuggle up against the branches. I had nearly dozed off quite early, when I spotted the same critter from the night before.

It was more of a lizard than a frog, though it was a bit round about the middle. He was a bluish green tint that matched much of our surroundings. An excellent camouflage artist! Before I could attempt to touch him again, he did the strangest thing: He puffed up like a bullfrog and made that peculiar airy sound. Rather than releasing the air, it moved onto either side of his midsection. Before I knew it, he lazily jumped into the air, and began to float along the breeze. In the waning light, I could almost see others following his example.

Sleep came much more willingly, and I was out like the proverbial log in no time. Yet I still wondered if that little bluish critter had actually floated away, or if my eyes were playing tricks on me. What a strange island... Yet a wonderful one, at that!


Discover Albia

 
Jessica

Jessica


 visit Jessica's website: Discover Albia
  8/14/2012

Day 3, Entry 7

This morning was not a good one. I failed to anticipate the heat that naturally goes with an island: I was too preoccupied with my quest for adventure! I awoke a hot, sticky mess, which did nothing to put me in a good mood. A steady stream of grumbling poured forth from my lips as I noisily ate the remaining blueberries and a few nuts I found. It was a tiny breakfast, but it sufficed.

I revisited the pond, where I lingered for a long time. I glanced around suspiciously, wondering if anyone was nearby. Some faint smells of smoke wafted in every now and then, yet I was too weighed down by the heat to be bothered. My body ached to be thrown into the cool water, but it seemed like a rude thing to do. No one needed to drink from my bath water! I settled on a few handfuls of water, which did a world of good to cool me down. For a few minutes...

My eyes rested on a mossy patch of ground just out of reach of the pond's territory. A quick test proved that it was exceptionally soft: A most welcome change from the hard branches of the night before! Not caring about much else, I settled in for a short nap, determined to cool down before venturing anywhere else. The air was as cool as it would get with the pond nearby, and once again, I drifted off to sleep beneath the tall trees.


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Jessica

Jessica


 visit Jessica's website: Discover Albia
  8/14/2012

Day 3, Entry 8

Some type of mischievous monster decided to play a trick on me! I vaguely was aware of something moving me, yet my afternoon slumber was completely destroyed by my arrival in the pond. I spluttered, thrashed about, and made a complete fool of myself! I was only able to glance about momentarily, and I caught a glimpse of something gray scurrying off into the bushes. Instinct told me it was an Ettin: A very cheeky one! I heard his laughter echo among the jungle.

Despite the rude awakening, my wish for a bath had been strangely granted! I headed back towards the safety of my grove, though... No telling what that Ettin could do next! I spent the next few hours as a master builder. "Master" in my eyes, though it was truly more of an amateur's work.

Crouched on the soft ground, I tightly wove the vines together to form a crude sort of blanket. Warmth was the least of my worries, but staying covered from the nighttime insects was important. I already had a couple of itchy bites on my arms from the night before. I also took some time to fortify my tree house with a bed of soft leaves for nestling into. A few hanging vines created temporary walls.

As I stood back, I was impressed with how remarkably camouflaged my home was. Hopefully no nasty tricks would befall me here! The rest of the evening was very quiet, and I stuffed myself with berries and nuts. Tomorrow's task would involve hunting for fish or some type of meat... Yet I cringed to think of killing anything. I hoped to get lucky, although my nearby food sources were not exactly unlimited.

I gathered more mundane items into a little pile at the base of the grove, which I partially covered with dirt. My bed was comfortable, and I easily nestled in. Though I had seen a clouded sky from a small clearing above the pond, a thousand stars twinkled down between breaks in the canopy. I drifted off to sleep, hoping that I would still be dry the next time I awoke.


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Jessica

Jessica


 visit Jessica's website: Discover Albia
  8/15/2012

Day 4, Entry 9

My day was, literally, a life or death situation. My pounding heart needed hours to return to its usual rhythm! It all started with a brilliant idea: I was already partway up some of the tallest trees, so why not travel to the top and have a look at the surrounding area? In hindsight, I think I was still sleeping when the idea came to me. Smart...

I found that the old, gnarled branches made my vertical journey quite simple: Everything grew close together, and the morning light slowly became brighter and brighter. Tropical birds called out, possibly startled from their morning rest by a strange climbing Norn. I smiled at the few who took to flight: They added some much needed color to the green oasis!

My progress halted beneath a few of the tallest limbs, yet I was still given a breathtaking panoramic view of the island! Words escaped me, and to describe everything I saw would never have done it justice. I made a mental note of some light smoke, where some of the others might be. I could have sworn I saw some sort of large bear near the beach, but it was difficult to see everything in detail from such a vantage point.

Then, it happened. I reached out to climb just a teeny bit higher... And the branch snapped just as I touched it. I lost my balance, and the world was suddenly hurtling towards me. My frightened cries echoed out in a somewhat comical way: I almost wanted to laugh, if only for the peril of the situation! Desperate for something to hold, I flung my arms out at anything: Leaves, branches, even air!

By sheer luck, I whizzed into a giant ball of vines. By no means was it comfortable to crash into sideways, but I was able to sink my fingers deep into the mass without hurtling into the ground. The jungle was silent and stunned by the chaos I had caused. Sheepishly, I climbed to the top of the massive wad of vines.

There, I stood face-to-face with some very curious baby birds. Then it dawned on me that there was a glint of anger in those big brown eyes. And a glint of some very sharp teeth in those bright red beaks. I quickly learned that I had found the first toothed birds, who figured that I looked like a very tasty meal...


Discover Albia

 
Jessica

Jessica


 visit Jessica's website: Discover Albia
  8/16/2012

Day 5, Entry 10

I was unable to write in my journal for the better part of the last day, partially due to excitement, and partially due to this tremendous wind that whipped up this morning! Escaping those baby birds seemed like an impossible task... They were angry and apparently hungry, and my only path was off the nest and into the hard ground below. Not exactly an option!

Something like this had happened to me before, so I tried out the only possible solution: Growling, jumping about, and acting like a crazed lunatic. My eyes burned with an equal anger, and those little birds gasped in confusion. They murmured among themselves, and by the time they turned back my way, I had disappeared down the side of the nest.

It was a rather cowardly muse, but I challenge any Norn, Ettin, or Grendel to find a better method! Unceremoniously, I swung to another branch, which groaned beneath my weight. Had I really gained weight from nuts and berries? I shook my head woefully and finally made it to solid ground.

The rest of yesterday was spent nursing my wounds... And pride. No more climbing expeditions for me!

Today was much of the same, aside from the massive windstorms that have raced through the area. I found that I seem to have lost some courage from my near fatal experience: I intended to seek out the others and make friends, but I felt more comfortable in my own little home.

Just before turning in for the evening, the wind angrily huffed away, and a little splatting sound indicated that something was nearby. It was one of those strange floating reptiles, which had been thrown into the tree trunk rather harshly. I picked him up gently... There was no sudden blue glow, but his little sides still moved to the rhythm of his breathing. He was an extraordinary critter, with an interesting texture that was the smoothest I had ever felt.

I cradled him against my body and brought him to the pond. A little water brought him back to his senses, though his blue eyes looked at me rather groggily. The nighttime sounds had already begun, and I knew I would feel guilty if I left him all alone. He didn't seem dangerous: His mouth had opened a few times to reveal some of the dullest teeth I had ever seen. He appeared to be an herbivore, which made him a good companion!

Many would never dream of cuddling up with a strange lizard at night, but I gladly welcomed the company! He was still rather dazed, though he didn't seem to mind me. I glanced over at him as my eyelids grew heavy. Perhaps he would be there in the morning, peering up at me as quizzically as I had peered at him the first time I saw him.


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Jessica

Jessica


 visit Jessica's website: Discover Albia
  8/17/2012

Day 6, Entry 11

I awoke this morning in a terrible fog... Literally! I thought my eyes were still glazed over with sleep, but it was soon clear that the island was enveloped in a very dense fog. It did little to cool the air, though. I was as hot and sticky as ever! In all the excitement of seeing my first fog on the island, I forgot about my little friend from the night before. Yet a quick glance in his direction revealed an empty place. I could see his outline in the dew, though, so I knew he must have made it through the night. Such a pity he had not stuck around!

The fog was rather pretty from my high vantage point, but on the ground, it was downright blinding. I took a few tentative steps from the tree, and raced back. There was no way I was going anywhere in this thick fog: I would never find my way back! Everything was foggy, and I stood for a great deal of time, contemplating what to do. I ended up spending the morning circling the little grove, gathering more rocks.

Surprisingly, there were a fair share around. I had to cram them mere inches from my nose to get a clear view of them, but I was still fascinated! I built a couple of stone rows as I carefully explored. The bright sun of midday melted away patches of the fog, but it was still impossible to see much of anything. I called out a few greetings several times, yet the only answer was the gentle breeze in the leaves.

I grew rather bored, and took to weaving my vine blanket a little tighter. I also crafted a rather large basket from the vines and the remains of my giant leaves. Still around from my first night, they were still rather tough and leaf-life... No dead, crispy edges here! I tore little pieces to fit between the gaps in the vine, and soon had myself a gathering basket! I hung my head a little when I realized that it has somewhat lopsided and misshapen... But I had made it, and it was my own!

The fog eventually felt like it was crawling over my skin, and I itched at imaginary bugs throughout the afternoon. I sighed out of sheer boredom... This fog prevented me from doing much of anything, and it was difficult to really study the nearby plants. Not that anyone would really want to. Expect for silly me, of course!

Sunset made me uneasy for some reason. I knew that there were dangerous birds high above me in their nest, but some of the sounds from the hazy undergrowth made my teeth chatter. I clamored up the tree trunks to my home well before darkness mixed with the fog. I spent time counting rocks, in between giant mouthfuls of blueberries. It was a terrible habit: Nervousness made me hungry, and eating when I was nervous only made things worse. I was a purple stained nightmare in no time. I laid awake for much of the night, tossing and turning as I imagined things coming out of the night air. The fog lifted near midnight, yet there was still something unsettling about the night. Any sleep I managed to come across came in fitful naps, and I woke up with a start many times before the gray dawn began to creep over the island.


Discover Albia

 
Jessica

Jessica


 visit Jessica's website: Discover Albia
  8/18/2012

Day 7, Entry 12

That ominous feeling must have been my senses picking up on the thunderstorms that hit early this morning. I was only too glad to find an excuse to fully wake up after such a fitful rest! My tree house was very underdeveloped for being nearly a week old, and I paid the price... Wet became the fashion of the day! I grumbled about it, but I had gotten used to it the first night.

My neverending supply of vines came in handy, for I was able to actually tie a leaf to my soaked head, rather than hold it on with both hands. I hoped that the one I had given to C-Rex would help him make it through the rain. My teeth chattered when a burst of thunder shook everything around me. I realized I had yelped a little out of sheer surprise!

The weather was not conducive to exploration or social calls, so I was left alone again. I wondered if I would begin talking to myself... The rain almost sounded like it was whispering, and I had to tell myself that it was the lack of sleep that was doing this to me.

Towards nightfall, the thunderstorm brought about some gusts of wind. Suffice to say that I was miserable. Miserable and wet. Wet and miserable. I bit into a strange fruit I had found nearby. As I crouched there, perched in my tree house, a familiar splat sounded behind me as a gust of wind nearly toppled me over. I wheeled around to see another one of those floating lizards! Well, he wasn't exactly floating anymore. This one was not knocked out, but seemed very angry over the ordeal. He hissed as I reached out towards him, forcing me to back away.

He smartly chose to climb down the tree, rather than risking another flight. I wondered how these lizards could ever survive, crashing into everything as they did. I remembered how I had crashed into everything as a young Norn... Perhaps these ones were merely learning. I shrugged, too tired and wet to truly be bothered by the thought.

A final strobe of lightning abruptly ended the show that had been going on all day, and the drops of new rain lazily cascaded to the island's floor. Maybe tomorrow would be a good one for exploration... I fell asleep at once, so drained that warm blackness was all I could dream of.


Discover Albia

 
Jessica

Jessica


 visit Jessica's website: Discover Albia
  8/19/2012

Day 8, Entry 13

Today was blessed with a much needed break in the weather, as well as slightly cooler temperatures. I took the time to do some much needed exploring, and it wasn't long before I found my original path back to the beach. Without the sun, the waves were rather lackluster, yet it was paradise to me! I collected a couple of seashells to add to my rock collection. It looked like someone else had gathered some previously, although I did find a few very pretty ones! They were placed neatly in my handmade basket, which still looked like a sad, melting mess, but it stood up well to my exploring.

I took a different path back, where I traced the path of a little river. The cool, clear water was certainly an improvement over the stale pond water and warm rainwater I had subsisted on. It was absolutely delicious. My basket suffered a tumble into the stream when I negligently forget about it. The seashells survived, but I feared I would be back to the art of basket weaving soon!

Although nothing extremely important happened on my journey, it felt wonderful to explore and get away from the surroundings I had burned into my mind over the past week. I skipped along happily, though I was a little wary of that prankster... The pond held a rather terrible memory, though it was, after all, somewhat humorous!

I was treated to a short display of the floating reptiles late in the day. They fascinated me from the beginning, and I decided to study them further during the daytime... If I could find them! Hopefully the island's weather would continue to hold up so I could make more of these exploratory trips. Maybe I would work up the nerve to track down some of the others, so long as they wanted to be tracked down. Perhaps I was the only real loner on this island... It had to be my crazy Harlequin colors. Nightfall shut me up quickly, as the night critters called out over my quiet snoring.


Discover Albia

 
Jessica

Jessica


 visit Jessica's website: Discover Albia
  8/20/2012

Day 9, Entry 14

More exploration was in order today, though it was rather fruitless. My nerves got the better of me, and I stuck to the shadows, hoping no one would find me. I was unable to locate my interesting blue reptiles during the day, which leads me to believe that they're more nocturnal than anything else. Or maybe I was just looking in all the wrong places!

While I was back in my tree house in the afternoon, I worked on fortifying it. Not long after I had begun, it had an acceptable roof and three finely crafted walls. I laughed at myself, for it was a little less than a fine establishment... It probably would have been condemned, had the Norn housing authority spotted it!

Suddenly, I heard a strange noise from below. Peering down, I saw that devilish Ettin, Pirate-Rob, grinning up at me. I was a little wary of him after his original antics, but he was a wonderful sight to see! I slid down to greet him, going a bit too hurriedly in my excitement. I lost my footing, but bounced up, trying to make it seem like I had perfected the dismount from the trees!

We talked for a short while, and I got the distinct impression that he was in need of a place to stay for the night. My base was rather tiny, but there certainly was room for another. Besides, with reports of bears and my own encounters with predatory birds, it didn't seem like a bad idea to have another on hand! I just hoped he wasn't in the mood to play any tricks on me overnight.

I spent a little time weaving together more vines, since it would be such poor manners not to offer my guest a blanket! The temperature was still very hot, but I found that the vines did a world of good in keeping away insects. After a delicious meal of ripe berries, I bid the Ettin a good night. It certainly way nice to have a friendly face around! At least, I thought it was friendliness, and not just a mischievous smirk on his face...


Discover Albia

 
Jessica

Jessica


 visit Jessica's website: Discover Albia
  8/21/2012

Day 10, Entry 15

Pirate-Rob made a much better impression on me this time around. I awoke to find myself still in my tree house, with no harm done. The Ettin wandered off before I could talk with him more, but he was certainly better company than the voiceless rocks I had collected!

The day was rather hot, though it was nice to feel the sun beating down on me from time to time. I decided to find a good position to keep a lookout for the interesting blueish critters I had observed so often. I actually hoped to be left alone in this quest... It was time for some serious fieldwork! Well, not exactly. I fell asleep wandering about, and gorged myself on a new type of fruit. My contact with Pirate-Rob re-energized me, and the day was much more enjoyable!

I found a good vantage point from a larger tree just a few paces from my house. Sure enough, just as the sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, the floating lizards came out to play. One landed quite close nearby, and I managed to sketch him:



I noticed a row of tiny spots along either side of his back: It was impossible to figure out if they were merely aesthetic, or if they were involved with the amazing floating capabilities of his species. This one was rather inquisitive, and angled his head at me a few times as I made little noises in his direction. Finally, he lost interest, and took off on the breeze with his fellow friends. They were constantly in motion, using their tails to thrust forward, while their limbs guided them. It was an inexact sort of floating, though, and I understood why they crashed into trees when the wind whipped up! I quickly sketched one in motion, though it was difficult to really capture the exceptional dance-like movements:



Satisfied with my wildlife study, I wearily climbed over to my abode. It seemed rather empty after having company the night before, though I felt I could snooze in peace. My dreams were filled with images of the floating lizards, lazily dancing on a summer air current.


Discover Albia

 
Jessica

Jessica


 visit Jessica's website: Discover Albia
  8/22/2012

Day 11, Entry 16

The island has been rather quiet lately, or perhaps it's just my imagination. I decided to go for a swim in the ocean today: I was immediately reminded of my first evening here. I wondered how I would actually get off of the island... I rolled my eyes, and figured that would become apparent when the time came.

I noticed a few sea creatures swimming about far away in the water. They flipped, jumped, and splashed about playfully as I watched, bobbing in the sapphire water. I was so caught up with their antics, that I failed to realize that the current had slowly carried me around the island. When I turned back around, the smile was erased from my lips, and I felt a cold shiver of panic ripple through me.

The sand on this side of the island seemed different, but I thought some of the trees looked familiar. Had I drifted just a few yards away? Or was I really on some other part of the island I had never found before? With a sinking feeling, the realization that I had become lost pierced my lonely heart.

I wasn't even sure if I had drifted east or west, or north or south. Being known for my lack of direction really came back to haunt me under the partly cloudy sky! Those clouds seemed to laugh at me, and I angrily kicked the sand about in a tantrum that lasted unusually long.

And so I wandered, and wandered some more. By nightfall, I was even more unsure of my surroundings than before. The only thing I was sure of was that I was on the same island: Wasn't I? My frustration quickly turned to sadness, and silent tears trickled down my frantic face. There were bears, and dangerous birds, and who knew what else!

When I could barely see my hand in front of my face, I knew I could no longer traipse about in the pitch blackness. I managed to find a little indentation in a cliff face, which was perfect for a lost Norn to huddle under. My only consolation was the floating lizards: They lit up whenever they touched something, which was quite often. They were the only familiar thing, and I stayed awake most of the night, restlessly watching them flit about in the darkness. Morning could not come soon enough.


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Jessica

Jessica


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  8/23/2012

Day 12, Entry 17

I was unable to devote a great deal of time to recording the events of today due to the fading light. The reason for this was my continued wandering: I started moving as soon as first light struck, which, coincidentally, came with a burst of lightning and rain. I failed to remember just how common rain would be on an island! Naturally, my progress was impeded by my status of being lost, and storms that cropped up throughout the entire day.

My feet were bruised and cut; my legs were ready to collapse beneath me. I felt as though I would be forced to build a brand new home, and that my erratically weaved blankets and basket would be lost. Suddenly, I picked up the faint smell of smoke between the raindrops. My sense of direction might have been lacking, but my sense of smell had never been a struggle!

I blindly trotted in the direction of the smoke, until I stopped in my tracks. A huge smile spread over my face: Here was my tree house! A cheery fire was burning nearby. Though unattended, it was safely built, and a new storm had already begun to snuff it out. I couldn't be sure of who had begun the fire, but my sense told me it was the Ettin who had crafted it. He was nowhere to be found, yet I owed him a great deal of gratitude for inadvertently bringing me home!

I snuggled up with my vine blankets, shivering with happiness. The tree trunks were hardly more comfortable than the rocks I had leaned against the night before, but there was a sense of security that was softer than the best feather pillows. I had learned my lesson: Never lose sight of the island again! I was fast asleep long before the clouded sun had dipped below the horizon.


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Jessica

Jessica


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  8/24/2012

Day 13, Entry 18

Word around the island today was that a party was planned for GrayDragonEmily. I was eager to participate, but I woke up feeling absolutely horrid. A day lost at sea and a night spent in the damp air apparently was not the way to stay healthy! Rather than pass along my misery, I cleared a patch of ground and arranged some of my best rocks to read "Happy Birthday!"

It really was a sad, sad birthday gift, but I hoped that the thought would actually count! I noticed a few possible party goers who passed by the nearby pond, but I kept my shivering body well hidden. I was about to weave together a much better birthday gift, when I fell asleep about midday.

I awoke just after sunset, completely out of sorts. I sighed: The better birthday present would have to wait until I could actually see what I was doing. Otherwise, it might turn out to be even worse than my lopsided basket! I wrapped myself up in my vine blanket, and felt rather warm beneath it. I vowed to build up the fire pit left by Pirate Rob the next day: Warmth was much more important than I had originally imagined!


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Jessica

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  8/25/2012

Day 14, Entry 19

Despite having a good night's rest in the safety of my tree house, I was still under the weather from the second I woke up. It took me a long time to find my bearings... The world was spinning! I was in no condition to climb up or down a tree, and I honestly couldn't tell which was which at one point! I had a few leaves filled with the night's leftover dew, which did a little to quench to my thirst.

The closest food was on the ground, but my stomach felt like it would turn away anything besides water. I was rather embarrassed, since none of the others had come down with anything. It wasn't exactly an accomplishment to be the first to not be able to do much!

My day was rather boring, with short naps dotted throughout the morning and afternoon. The sun was hidden behind a layer of clouds and leaves for most of the day, but I still dreamed of a pitch black cave to block it out. I tentatively called out a few times, testing the area to see if anyone could lend a hand. I was on my own, though, as I feared.

My strength returned, ever so slightly, at the end of the day. I had the courage to climb down to the ground and munch on a few blueberries. They were a rare find, since I had gorged myself on them to begin with. I also decided to drag myself to the cool stream: It was a little further than the pond, but fresh water seemed like a much better idea! I was also able to take a cautious bath, which was most refreshing.

I trudged back to my shelter, feeling mildly better. Another unproductive day on the island had come to an end, yet I had hope that tomorrow would bring some good news. At least I hadn't been attacked by some monstrous predator! That thought made me shiver, and I was granted the gift of a wonderful nightmare involving bears chasing me through the jungle and across the sea. What a night!


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Jessica

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  8/26/2012

Day 15, Entry 20

Today was much more productive, due in no small part to the return of my health! The skies looked rather overcast when I visited the stream in the morning, and I vowed to get a fire going to stay warm. No way was I going to risk another cold!

I delighted in skipping about and collecting broken twigs. A little tune kept me in good spirits, and I had a tiny fire blazing in no time! Not that the temperature really necessitated added warmth... I was just wary of staying damp for too long. Sure enough, a shower decided to douse the area shortly after the fire came into existence.

My old leaves were rather dried out, but they still formed a decent hat! The fire was well protected from the falling rain, though I did hear a few drops hiss in the flames from time to time. Once the storm died down, I did a little more exploring.

Nearby, I noticed an interesting assortment of flowers. As I got closer, I noticed the most stunning flower I had ever laid eyes on. I wanted to get closer, but something caught my attention... It was growing in the middle of a circle of similar flowers, and looked like it hadn't just grown there by chance. I did a double take: Had those little flowers gotten just a little closer to me?

I backed away a safe distance, perplexed by this odd sight. I traveled back and forth between the fire and my lookout, making sure to stay warm as my curiosity grew. Towards the end of the day, after several more showers had dumped buckets of rain on the island, I was to witness something shocking.

Those little floating lizards had just come out for their nightly flight. A couple dropped down near the flowers, seemingly unaware of their oddities. I noticed that the little ones appeared to have some sort of nectar or sap. Those lizards were curious, and easily started to lap it up. Of the four, one looked a little unsteady. The others followed suit... What was going on?!

I stared on, my mouth agape. Some of the larger and older lizards managed to stagger away, but one remained on the ground, very confused. In one fell swoop, the beautiful flower lashed out and swallowed the lizard whole! I wasn't even sure that anything had happened, for it returned to its original position in no time!

Night began its dark embrace, and I headed back to my house. The fire had gone out in my absence, though I needn't have worried about warmth. I was still confused about that flower... Or whatever it was. Perhaps the nectar contained a sleeping agent. Then it hit me: That would explain the clumsy nature of these lizards! Those that ate some of the nectar and escaped would naturally be a little more woozy and prone to crashing into things.

I made a note to sketch the plant eventually, so I wouldn't accidentally inject that nectar... Or have some flower attempt to eat me! That train of thought surely was not the way to have a peaceful night's sleep!


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Jessica

Jessica


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  8/31/2012

Day 20, Entry 21

I spent the last couple of days really digging into the wildlife in this area. I forgot all about anything else... Including eating! Sometimes I wonder how a Norn like myself has survived for so long. Some help from the Hand would most certainly be welcome at this point! Fortunately, I lived!

My most interesting find was the carnivorous plant, which turned out to be the focus of my study. After multiple attempts at sketching it, I managed to come up with the following:



The middle flower was rather large and extremely colorful... Though I lacked any dyes to really show off its amazing brilliance. Even through the dull rainstorms, its beauty shone through. The smaller flowers, which I originally assumed to be separate, were actually connected through intertwined vines. I could only gather that these vines connected to the main flower underground, thereby creating a much larger life form. I thought I might have been mistaken, until another floating lizard met its demise:



I backed up several steps when I saw those teeth! Luckily, it was firmly rooted in the ground far from my tree house. All the same, I made sure to keep the fire going strong near the tree... Seemed like it might deter any carnivorous plants that decided to walk about! I was just being my normal paranoid self, though.

The rest of the wildlife was very fun to study. Those floating lizards made the evenings much less lonely: I could have sworn that one liked to hover near me a lot. Perhaps it was the one I had watched over when he crashed into my grove of trees! I would have shared my discoveries, but it seemed like the others were not too thrilled with my odd scientific propensities. After all, I was the crazy Norn with a rock collection and fairly substantial woven vine collection! I could have started a business... Had there been any sort of economy on the island.

I decided to rest comfortably for the night, though the toothed flower made the night seem all the more dangerous. I was determined to set off and warn the others, in case there were similar plants on the island. That nectar seemed rather potent for the lizards: I could only imagine what it might do to one of us! All the same, I drifted off to sleep, my silly and nerdy scientific needs completely satisfied.


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Jessica

Jessica


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  9/1/2012

Day 21, Entry 22

A morning stroll taken in the fog was not the brightest of my ideas, though it turned out to be quite a good decision! As the fog thickened, I realized that I could hear some of the others up ahead. My eyes were still adjusting to the haziness, so it was no surprise that I walked directly into a game of miniature golf! No damage was done, though my cheeks burned with embarrassment at my clumsy entrance.

After some greetings, most of which were the first ones exchanged, I was happy to finally have met Layla and Ylukyun. The course looked rather fun, and I happily joined in. Equipment was easy to find, though my branch was a rather sorry sight.

I slipped away for a moment to race back to my home and bring back some delicious berries to share. It wasn't much, and I had to warn them that purple stains would be unavoidable. That also got me to thinking about the carnivorous plant: I produced my sketches, and made sure they knew not to go anywhere near the flowers!

The fog added a layer of difficulty to the miniature golf game, but we all enjoyed it. It was fun to build the course as we went, too: Pretty soon, the area was filled with obstacles and holes! My "ball" was more lopsided than anything I had ever seen, and I was lucky to hit in a slightly straight line. What fun the game was!


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Jessica

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  9/1/2012

Day 21, Entry 23

I had a splendid afternoon playing miniature golf! Though it got even more difficult throughout the day, we had a lot of laughs. I even mixed up my rock with Ylukyun's at one point... I tried to blame it on the fog, but my lips twitched as I held back a knowing laugh. Layla was smart enough to use the berry juice as a sort of dye!

We grew tired of the game late in the day. I was surprised that the sun was nearing the horizon: The day had been almost spent entirely on the golf course! I bid everyone a fond farewell, and I hoped we would meet up again for another fun activity.

I gobbled up some fruit along my route home. I ignored my rumbling stomach as long as possible while we were playing, but now I enjoyed eating on the go. I had quite a ways to go on my return journey. I had the distinct feeling that I was being watched at one point, and I quickened my pace. Those bears had not been spotted for some time... I didn't want to take my chances!

Home at last, I settled in to my little fort in the trees. It was still very much a makeshift home, but it had evolved into something very comfortable. I felt safe and at peace, even though the dangerous unknown was still all around the island. Content with such a social day, I dozed off with a smile to share with the darkness.


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Jessica

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  9/2/2012

Day 22, Entry 24

Today was a perfect day to spend at the beach! I realized that I had been shying away from the water, thanks to my day lost at sea. Fortunately, I was able to bask in the intermittent sunlight as it dodged between the clouds.

I ended up extremely salty, but very happy! It was nice to feel the ocean air as I lounged near the water. It was a rather lazy day, yet I understood that beach days were best spent in laziness!

It took all my energy to climb up to my tree house. Part of me wondered if I should try to move it to a lower level. The thought of bears and carnivorous plants quickly made me change my mind. High above it all was more than enough for me!

Depending on the upcoming weather, I wondered if a beach party might be something the others would enjoy. I could pack some berries, and maybe show off my rock collection to anyone who cared. With so many in my little treasure pile, how many trips would it take to transport them all? And would I be able to take some home with me when my journey was over? These, and other useless questions, were the last things I remembered before falling asleep.


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Jessica

Jessica


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  9/3/2012

Day 23, Entry 25

Another perfect day was just waiting to greet me! As I munched on some fruit, I decided that today would be the day for adventure. My last few forays into the wilderness had been fraught with disaster... I shuddered at the memory of getting lost, and those birds!

My mind raced as I thought of all the possibilities. It occurred to me that my tree house was looking rather shabby. One never thinks to truly clean when taking part in an island contest. My little home across the ocean was usually in tip-top shape, with my trinkets neatly arranged. There was a mischievous Ettin who often stopped by to cause trouble, but that was another story.

I tore down the old leaves. They had served their purpose well, but without water, they had wilted away and now crumbled each time I touched them. I replaced this roof with fresh leaves, along with newly fallen branches to form a more solid structure. Perhaps, I thought, the rain would finally stay off of me.

Climbing up and down the tree had become rather cumbersome, especially after long days of exploration and travel. To make things easier, I ripped down some more vines: They were never in short supply! I enjoyed an afternoon of vine weaving: It was an art I was not very skilled in, and it showed. I huffed and puffed over broken tendrils, but my persistence paid off!

I climbed up my newly crafted vine ladder, quite proud of this small step for Norndom! It was even easy to hoist it up during the night, to keep away any curious critters. Maybe it would even make for an easier entrance for the others, should they ever be interested in visiting!


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Jessica

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  9/4/2012

Day 24, Entry 26

Fog. There was no other appropriate word to describe today, other than fog. Normally, the ground mist dissipated throughout the day, leaving openings for exploration and fun. Today, I was forced to hang out around my camp. It was impossible to see much further than my fingers, which had become stained with purple berry juice. Again.

The fog made the air much heavier than usual, and my mood was kept at a dismal low. I threw rocks into the fog, not even thinking that I might hit something. At one point I did: I heard something grunt in pain, and scuffle away! I meekly turned around and put myself in the proverbial corner... No need to take out this foggy boredom on anything else!

I ventured over to the spot where contact had been made, but I found nothing. Hopefully it was something I would have wanted to keep away, like a bear! I sent myself to bed early without a proper dinner... Something my parents had done many times when I was a mere youngster. No more rock throwing for this Norn!


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Jessica

Jessica


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  9/5/2012

Day 25, Entry 27

Dash it all! Another day of fun was eaten up by the weather. Though the thunderstorms were much more exciting than the recent fog, I was still forced to stay under cover for much of the day. I amused myself by organizing my rocks into pretty patterns on the damp ground. In between the rain, I managed to make a rather interesting artistic patio of sorts! A quick test with my foot proved that it was completely for show, and not for actual usage. Still, it was a nice day to spend most of the day!

My improved roof turned out to be much sturdier than I thought possible. I knew how to construct artistically, so it was a total surprise when very little rain trickled in. A few drops fell on my nose every now and then, but this was the driest I had been during my stay on the island! It was a proud moment, though I knew it was rather sad that I was proud of staying dry. Simple things make for happy minds!

There was no way I could venture forth to try to find the others. The thunderstorms were rather intermittent, and they almost seemed unsure whether to do much of anything. I urged the skies to give forth something spectacular, but all I got was a low grumble. I tucked myself in at that point, knowing that a conversation with the clouds signaled the end of logical thought!


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  9/6/2012

Day 26, Entry 28

Curse this fog! I woke up to find the air shrouded in the mysterious fog. Staying put for the last two days had made me antsy, and I yearned to go out exploring the island. I knew all about the risks... Yet holding back a Norn is a very difficult thing to do. Even I couldn't stop myself!

I ended up tumbling into the nearby pond, where I had been pushed in so long ago. The water was refreshed by the recent storms, though I still felt rather grimy after blindly finding my way back to shore. This fog made the world so strange: Everything was a dream, while still being real.

As I pondered this interesting thought, it came to my attention that I was not alone. The pond was apparently a common drinking spot. For a bear. I froze in place, not knowing whether to run or hide. The situation became more precarious when I spotted a couple of young cubs wrestling behind her. Wonderful: A mother bear was known to be very protective of her young!

To my surprise, she fairly ignored my presence, though she did shoot me a few warning glances. The thought occurred to me that my haphazard rock throwing might have scared this family away... Was that a bump on one of the cub's head? I wanted to stick around and watch this family, but instincts got the better of me!

When the mother bear turned her back momentarily, I ran away as fast as my legs could take me! The vine ladder twisted and writhed beneath my frantic motions, but I was safe at last! There was even a small supply of rocks I had kept in the tree house, just in case.

Night fell, and the bears did not come my way. I wondered how many there were on this island: I had seen a good portion of it, and it seemed rather small. Then again, I still had yet to identify the strange noises of the night. One could spend a lifetime here and make so many discoveries! I vowed to return one day, if I could, to make a closer inspection of the wildlife. Maybe then I would actually think to bring some real supplies along... I giggled as I looked over my shabby retreat. Shabby though it was, it was my home away from home.


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  9/8/2012

Day 28, Entry 29

I have felt an utter sense of loneliness over the past couple of days. The island has slowly become more vacant, and I regretted how little interactions I had with the others. Naturally, though, this was the way of life for a Norn! I made a note to bring along some sort of companion to an island in the future... Since these things happen so often!

Throughout the day, showers hammered the leaves and sent rivers of water flowing from the sky. I was reluctant to get my hair wet again. Though I enjoyed swimming, I preferred to keep that activity to oceans and ponds! Speaking of which, when the rain let up for a short time, I raced off to see if the family of bears had returned. Dangerous? Of course. Not a bright idea? Of course. But I needed a little adrenaline after another boring day of waiting out the rain.

I did find their tracks on one side of the pond, though I couldn't be sure of how fresh they were. There was no noise from the brush, save for a few lazy raindrops that fell from leaf to leaf. I was about to set off on another expedition, when a literal sheet of rain fell upon me. I actually had to reach out and hold onto a tree to save myself from falling onto the muddy ground!

I spent the early afternoon drying off, all the while hoping I wouldn't become ill again. Maybe I could stuff myself with a delicious meal to stave off a cold or any other bacteria. I collected my thoughts as I took a mid-day nap. A feast it would be!


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  9/8/2012

Day 28, Entry 30

So much for that feast. I had to settle for those ridiculously messy berries I've been living off of for weeks. The rain held me at bay like an angry and very territorial monster. The dull light quickly faded to a dull black in no time, yet my mind was still very much awake.

I settled on creating an umbrella, of sorts, made from branches and a lot of vines! In the darkness, I actually had no idea of how well this contraption resembled an umbrella. I could only hope for the best! With the terrible streak of recent weather, a bit of sunshine would be most welcome. If not, I had an umbrella test to perform!


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  9/9/2012

Day 29, Entry 31

The one thing I hadn't thought of was wind... My shelter was fairly good in the rain, but the first powerful gusts of the morning sent the roof into a frenzy! I took cover closer to the ground, where stray leaves and twigs were less likely to attack. Still, I ended up with a few nasty scratches across my forehead, courtesy of an airborne spray of wooden slivers. No real damage was done, save for my unblemished beauty! I was certain I would have some stories to tell back home, though!

The wind howled and whipped through the island most of the day: It was pleasant to have the sun dancing in the sky again, despite the limited opportunities to actually watch it. I risked a journey through the underbrush to hang out near the water. Although I felt like I would be carried away at some points, the flying debris was kept to a minimum. I even made note of a new berry bush I had never noticed before: The purple berries looked a lot juicier than the ones I had been accustomed to! I made a note to seek these out for a delicious breakfast the next morning.

Those angry winds died down in late afternoon, when the sun was just beginning to think about getting ready for bed. I was hardly surprised when I discovered that my roof was nothing more than a skeleton, with a few raggedy vines floating limply in the dying breeze. I gathered more branches to fill in the roof with, and made sure they were securely bolted down. A few globs of mud, some moss, and a pile of leaves later, and I was much happier with the roof! With my luck, some other natural disaster would take out my hard work. I just hoped that those berries would still be there when I awoke in the morning!


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  9/10/2012

Day 30, Entry 32

A day without wind, fog, nor rain was a promising start! Like a young Norn excited about a new morning, I grabbed my vine basket just after dawn and raced off to find the berry bush I had discovered the day before. The berry bushes around my home had become rather drab, and they certainly needed a break from my foraging!

The beach was calm and peaceful underneath a cloudy sky. I sensed nothing ominous on the wind, however, which was a first! I picked the plump berries, all the while marveling at their beautiful purple hue. There was something about them that seemed much different than the ones I was used to, but with no reports of dangerous food on the island, I figured there was nothing to worry about.

I set out to enjoy a little picnic on a layer of fresh leaves. Though living on an island had made me far less than clean, I still tried to keep up some clean behaviors! There was no one around to enjoy the berries with... No matter, since I was quite famished. I gobbled most of them up quickly, leaving a few in my basket for a midday snack. There was a peculiar sour note to them, though it was easy to ignore through the delicious juiciness.

After breakfast, I played a short game of mini golf. Though the game had ended long ago, I figured it would be a good idea to brush up on my skills. After a few swings, I felt rather ill. In my typical naive way, I ignored the initial feelings and concentrated on my little rock. Pretty soon, it was apparent that my breakfast was not going to be with me any longer. I expected to see a new purple area in the bushes... But to my dismay, the bushes remained the same color.

I blinked my eyes and thought carefully. This didn't make any sense! Suddenly, I caught a glimpse of my trusty berry bush from the corner of my eye: The purple berries now blended in with the rest of my surroundings! As if the nauseousness and color problems weren't enough, the ground felt like it was moving beneath me. Before I knew it, my dumbfounded face was planted firmly on the ground. Standing up seemed rather impossible: My arms and legs were barely under me before I toppled over again.

I laid there with my poor eyes tightly shut against the swirling world. What was happening?! I felt ill again, due to the intense dizziness and generally strange feelings. I risked a peek at my beautiful golden tail: It no longer had any color to it. Those blasted berries! There must have been something in them. How could I be so ridiculously ignorant?

I tried to get up again, and succeeded in grasping onto a nearby tree. Bits and pieces of information came to me... None of which made sense. I was in a panic, with no one to help me out. Yet the thought of anyone lending a hand sent a surge of sudden anger coursing through my body. At that point, I was angry, dizzy, colorblind, and extremely nauseous. I would have been better off dead!

One wrong step had my head crash into the side of a rock, sending me into an odd state between consciousness and unconsciousness. A memory came to me... The fact that most natural poisons had natural cures. Purple berries. Bears. A pond. My home. And then darkness.

I awoke with a terrible start. There was no telling what time it was... The world was still swirling around me, and everything was the same. Everything, save for the new red bump on my head, but that seemed to be the least of my worries. I managed to stand on wobbling legs: Shutting my eyes helped with the dizziness, with the distinct disadvantage of not knowing where I was going. I was in serious trouble. Something caught my attention: A Norn. I sensed it, and I snarled in an unknown rage. Without much thought, I took off in a dead run for the source, with the most extreme anger I had ever felt.

What I didn't realize, however, was that this particular Norn had spotted my apparently drunken run and was ready for me. Something smacked me across the head, and I was knocked out in an instant. The world turned to black: A sweet, all encompassing black that knocked out all thoughts and feelings.


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  9/13/2012

Day 33, Entry 33

My mouth was dry, my head pounded, and a weakness like I had never felt before rounded out the scene as I finally came to my senses. I was covered in dirt and all manner of creepy crawlers. I tried to jump to my feet to brush them off, when a wave of dizziness came over me. With it, I remembered what had happened: The poisonous berries!

My nausea and vertigo returned in full force: I assumed I had been knocked out for a long time, possibly days, and my symptoms had apparently grown bored. There was no way to tell where I was, though my surroundings were altogether strange. I wondered how I had gotten here, and, more importantly, why I was knocked unconscious. Had I simply slumbered all this time?

I whimpered a little as I saw the gray world around me in a swirling mess. All hopes of being saved from my plight were lost... I knew as well as the next Norn that an antidote had to be administered quickly to counteract a poison. Now that poison coursed through me, and had become part of me.

Between my blurry tears and unsteady sight, I recognized the figure of a Norn come into view. Sheer anger overtook my emotions, though I fought back the urge to lash out. I would simply topple right over in my current state! The more logical side of me faintly associated this Norn with the large lump on my head. I couldn't help but feel another surge of anger: I had laid unconscious for at least a day, without any food, water, or care. Why had no one helped?

I snarled and tried to speak to the Norn, warning her against getting any closer. I was apt to snap at any second, and I didn't know how much longer I could keep this anger under control. Desperately, I crawled away along the jungle floor, becoming oblivious to the insects and dirt. There was no way to describe my feelings: I was angry and terrified, which provided the only strength I had left to move.

Presently, I heard the sound of splashing, gurgling water. My eyelids had been shut tight against the vertigo, but I cautiously opened one bloodshot eye to see if I could find the source of the sound. One second brought back the dizziness, but I had also glimpsed a waterfall just up ahead. I forced myself to continue long enough to reach the life giving liquid. As soon as my hands were wet, I opened my mouth to taste the cool, clear water. It was fresh, and made me feel marginally better. I needed a lot more than water to return to my usual self!

I delicately climbed into the pool, hopeful that a short bath would provide some refreshment. Unfortunately, I misjudged how the water would exasperate my dizziness. I felt like I was in a whirlpool! My senses told me that this was a very calm pool at the bottom of a waterfall... I let the steady sound of the falling water calm my nerves. My toes were still able to feel the soft, muddy bottom. I reached out and discovered a warm rock: A quick glance showed an entire outcropping next to the pool.

After I had hoisted myself on top of the largest rock, I passed out. Though hydrated, I had no idea how I would ever be helped... The mere thought of another Norn made me angry beyond anything I ever imagined. At least I could sleep in peace for a short spell, though.


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 visit Jessica's website: Discover Albia
  9/14/2012

Day 34, Entry 34

I awoke last evening, but didn't have the strength to write. I was still a mess, but I discovered a basket of berries laying beside me. It was impossible to tell what they were with my blasted colorblindness: They actually looked like the terribly poisonous purple berries! My stomach had been singing an awful melody for a long time, though, so I really had no choice. I tentatively tasted one, and found the flavor to be much different than expected. These berries were a little on the sour side, though they also had a hint of tropical fruit flavor.

There was the possibility that these, too, would send me on another awful journey, but things couldn't be much worse! I ravenously devoured the entire collection like a wild animal: The sticky juice made my recent bath null and void, yet I couldn't care less. My stomach gurgled once in satisfaction, and I felt much better. I still had to keep my eyes closed against the world to avoid the dizziness, and I had the sneaky suspicion that I would be ill again.

For that moment before nightfall hit, I was content for the first time in days. I even threw caution to the wind and decided to sleep out in the open. I just hoped that my symptoms would subside so I could at least attempt to thank whoever had reached out to help me. Not every Norn would have done so...


Discover Albia

 
Jessica

Jessica


 visit Jessica's website: Discover Albia
  9/14/2012

Day 34, Entry 35

A blast of rain woke me in the early hours of the morning. I shakily sat up, expecting the dizziness to return with a vengeance. I had some sort of dream about becoming the Norn who kept her eyes shut all the time... Tentatively, I opened one, and then the other. Amazingly, the world was not spinning!

I let out a cry of happiness when I noticed the faint outline of color to the dripping leaves around me. Was the cure really that simple? I could tell that I was not completely back to my usual, strange self, but things were on the right track!

Layla visited me, and I learned that she was the one who saved me. She was also the one who smacked me across the head, but the situation called for it! The bump had receded slightly, though I imagined I would always remember her when I touched that one spot. I didn't blame her for bringing along her trusty golf club, either! I still had a few waves of anger, and made sure to warn her. No head smashing was in order today, thankfully!

We had a nice chat, and it sounded like Layla had some Toxic Norn ancestry. I would have given my lovely tail for some of those genes! My strength slowly returned throughout the course of the day, and my sight was no longer a jumbled kaleidoscope of gray. Progress, indeed!

I invited Layla back to my tree house, mostly because I had no idea if I could even climb into it. I suggested that we join forces: My calculations pointed to an end to our stay on the island very soon. Time had flown by! It seemed like only yesterday I had waved farewell to the captain with the obnoxiously fake mustache. Memories, memories...


Discover Albia

 
 
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