The Diplomatic Journal of Albert Herrera, entry one
(i said i would translate this and i am sticking to my word because it dropped the biggest bomb on me and i cried for half an hour. i’ll be including messages from characters with the journal entries that come directly before them. disclaimer: i’m not a professional translator!)
Entry one: I’ve taken up a new position
As of today, I’ve been appointed as envoy of legation for Earth to the planet of Janina. There’s no big reason to celebrate something like that, but I’ve decided to start a journal. This is my first time keeping a journal, so I’m not sure what to write. More or less, I'm writing so that I can look back on things and focus, but I'm afraid that sooner or later I'll just be writing down my complaints.
In any case, I made an appearance at the government office today. Writing about this kind of thing will probably make my friends in Paris laugh (especially Mr. Secretary Debray), but I was really nervous.
I had heard that an envoy hadn’t been appointed yet, so first, I met with the person in the position directly above mine, Mr. Kazantzakis. He is originally an aristocrat, but he's a fairly friendly person, so I feel at ease around him.
“It hasn’t been long since you started formally doing legation work, so I’m sure there’s plenty of inconveniences, but I’ll leave it up to you,” he said.
I had lunch with the coworkers I had only just met. I thought they would say something about my father’s situation, but no one said anything. Is it because they’re all adults, or because they’re diplomats they were behaving cautiously… All we did was eat together, but I got the feeling that they were all good colleagues.
The senior staff members explained what my job would entail from tomorrow on, and I returned home while it was still light outside. I planned on cleaning my room, but I gave up. At any rate, today was just a day of greetings and paperwork one after another, so it took a lot out of me.
That’s it. I’m going to sleep now.
Hey, it’s been a while. I hope you’ve been well. I’m sure you were nervous about your first day, so you’re probably really exhausted. Relations between Paris and Janina are very important, so do your job commendably.
By the way, I bought a new antique car. Next time you’re in Paris, let’s all go for a drive. I’ll invite Maximilien and Valentine.
Raoul*
Hey, you doing good? So you’re coming to Janina soon, huh? …Oh, so you’re already headed here. You don’t really seem like a diplomat. It’s kinda unexpected. I’m sure you’ve got a lot going on, so keep it up. You’ll be assisting my Princess, after all.
By the way, don’t you think it’d be a good idea to study Eastern Space’s language? Some of the spelling is different. Hang in there, Mr. Diplomat.
Baptistin
Good morning, Monsieur Albert. Did you sleep well last night? I’ve told everyone of your new position. Bertuccio and Baptistin were up late whispering about something after I told them. Perhaps they were planning a welcome party. Please visit the market, at least once. Janina’s morning market has all sorts of unusual goods.
Haidee
Albert. I hear you arrived in Janina safely. I was nervous. Do not worry about me. Everyone is very kind, so it seems that I’ll be just fine.
In terms of the past, there may be times when your surroundings will treat your harshly. Perhaps your father—Fernand—is there, in that fated soil. There are many people who think of you fondly. If you are ever troubled, please contact me. I am always thinking of you, far away on Earth.
To my beloved son, Albert
Mercedes
Hey Albert, how are you doing? I hope you were able to take up your new position with no problems. Things will probably be tough from here on out, but this is you we’re talking about. You’ll make a living somehow. Keep going at your own pace. By the way, what’s Janina’s weather like? It’s hot here. I’ll probably be heading out there for work soon. I look forward to seeing you.
Lucien
Albert, have you been well? Congratulations on becoming envoy of legation for Earth to Janina. Have you not contacted me recently because you’ve been busy? I hope that your new life will be ideal… That’s what I wish for when I’m playing piano.
