#feli's log

[highpriest-feli]

Feli's log [Independent Follow-up]

To say this entire... encounter to be surprising is an understatement. It was unlike anything I have ever experienced before.

Princess Yolena, a Toplander, had somehow appeared in Sal'thorin without being seen by the guards. I thought perhaps I should keep her safe until someone she knew came to find her, because Sal'thorin really isn't safe for Toplanders. Thus, in a rush, I took her to my experimental forest and showed her around. We both had a great time... a magical time.

My initial guess to how she got here without being seen was she passed through a portal, to which someone who came for her later on fully confirmed it.

★ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. ----------------- ★ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.

Speaking of the person, I can't help but think there is something strange about him...

At first, I believed he was an Essail noble who was either helping someone on the surface watch over Yolena, or he was taking care of her himself. During that moment, I was already wondering how she had been in Sal'thorin without ever being seen by anyone—Her vibrant red hair stands out!

Until she mentioned he was actually in disguise, meaning he, too, is a Toplander, and his name is Cyran. Something tells me I should remember it...

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(As Feli finishes writing and closes his notebook, magically sealing it, his flying squirrel friend hops towards him...)

[highpriest-feli]

Feli's log (Sentient toys...?)

I have thought of something.

The toy version of Indris that came here before him... From my analysis of the magic used to enchant him, that's not Her Majesty's magic, confirming he's from the surface. I still wonder how he got here, and if he is sent by someone, who was it exactly? And how did they know I'd be right where I found him before any patrol guards could...

Ugh, here I go again, overcomplicating things when they don't need to be.

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What if... I can replicate this same method, using a bit of magic that was used to enchant the toy version of Indris, to enchant my own toy version of 'me', and with some luck, have him also move to the surface? And perhaps, even able to travel across dimensions? Oh, I'm already feeling hopeful...

I know how to sew and knit, so I can make soft toys myself. But I'll probably keep 'me' looking simple since I only know the basics. Perhaps a simple face that also looks cute, and some key details... but still enough for others to tell it's 'me'. I'll also make many of these little 'me's, just in case one ends up getting lost, I'll always have more.

Each of 'me' will also have the tiny pink flower I infuse with magic to record messages, so if some do come back, I can replay them through those. I'll enchant the flowers to ensure they wouldn't wilt or fade, as well as the little 'me's to make sure they're durable while maintaining softness for holding.

★ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. ----------------- ★ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.

(Just like the last entry when Feli finishes writing in his notebook, he closes it and makes sure it's magically sealed.)

Oh right, should I give 'me' the ability to make little noises, too...?

... I suppose not, but 'I' can be expressive with body language instead. It'd be a little different from me, but it can work just fine.

But first, I'll make only one as a test experiment. I'll be taking notes of how little me would move around just within this area...

I can't go to the surface, but I can still reach there in a different way if this plan is successful... and 'I' can meet all these mysterious people out there.

[highpriest-feli]

Feli's log (Mirage - 2)

I have been keeping track of my mirage these past few days. It is looking good with the purpose I planned for it, but I still don't know what to do to dim the magic density around the area. I have been thinking of a special agent that can do just that, but it requires more testing...

Regarding my sore throat condition, it has thankfully been getting better. I don't wake up having the sensation anymore, and the strange dreams have been occurring less often, too.

It must be because of me reminding myself to take my Divine Dew on time, as well as more regularly. Her Majesty's blessings can never be wrong, and this has proven it! The High Priestess can worry about me less now, too.

Things are definitely looking up. As a priest, I am thankful for Her Majesty's boundless grace everyday!

[highpriest-feli]

Feli's log (Mirage)

It has been a while since I last wrote in my notebook. Some strange occurrences have been happening lately, and I need to write them down in case I forget.

A portal suddenly appeared in my forest, I met Indris from a different dimension through that portal, bad dreams, a sore throat after waking up from those bad dreams... Could all these mean something? I can't figure any of this out, but patience is a virtue...

From what I've noticed, either it's really only me who's been experiencing these strange things, or there are others who have the same problems, but just like me, they never said a word. I shouldn't ask around about it, since none of this really makes sense from a logical angle...

★ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. ----------------- ★ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.

I've figured out how I can keep my forest all the safer. Were it not for Indris mentioning "mirage bloom", I likely would never be able to come up with this method...

Mirages are an optical illusion, naturally created by rays of light bending due to significant temperature differences in the air. Natural mirages are less commonly seen in forests than over bodies of water, but with magic, this can be achieved. I've been using magic to maintain optimal temperature and humidity within my forest, so making temperature adjustments for the outer areas will be no big deal.

If I can make this work, I'll be able to create an illusion that keeps my experimental forest hidden from outside observers, even if a portal appears nearby or within the area. I'll also make sure the mirage doesn't stretch too high; my flying squirrel would be confused...

Mirage bloom... I understand now. A type of flower that can create illusions to stay hidden from predators, similar to the mirage for my forest... It all makes sense!

Thank you, Indris!

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(Feli closes his notebook and makes sure it's sealed with magic.)

Now, to create a magical mirage, the more complex it looks to observers, the more magic it requires. An amount of magic too dense would be easily detected, especially by us priests...

I need to figure out a way to render it magically undetectable, while maintaining the mirage's complexity.

Normally I wouldn't need to make this difficult, but I'm determined to finish my experimental forest, and security has significantly increased.

I need to prepare for the possibility that someone, other than Indris, will eventually come by this area.

[highpriest-feli]

Feli's log (2) [Follow-up to here]

Hmm, I think I have figured this out, just need to try it and see if it works...

As to how I'd even reach them after getting to know them... That may take some time, so I'll take this one step at a time.

Hopefully by doing this, I can be closer to people... And maybe learn new things from them, too.

Testing, one, two...

...!

Okay, okay, let's not get too excited just yet...

... Can anyone see me?

[highpriest-feli]

Feli's log

Another day that I finished my blessing of the Commoner's District's Divine Dew early, and the High Priestess called me soon after.

But instead of sounding... stern, like last time, this time she gently told me I can speak freely to all, be it Essail, dwarves or even toplanders...? She said it's the Queen's order, and how it worried her if she was being too harsh back then.

I understand her worries for me, but I also know Her Majesty is kind and merciful. I'm sure she would let us priests help everyone, as they too have troubles that weigh heavily on them, and it's our duty to hear them and ease their pain...

While that helped me a lot, I still don't feel... safe, because I was being careless before. I wonder...

Ah, I know! Even as I can't come up with many ideas for my experimental forest lately, I can still have it as a spot for myself, since I have other little animal friends to take care of and play with... But, when I stay there, I wouldn't be able to keep track of time and be on time for the ceremonies...

Got it! I can have my flying squirrels help me; they would alert me whenever it's time. They can also be sneaky, so they won't get caught so easily. That way, I won't have to worry about forgetting or being late! Hee-hee, I'm so smart.

Now, how do I come up with a way to be able to talk to people more closely, now that I've been given permission...

[highpriest-feli]

Feli's log [An independent follow-up to here]

Ugh, I'm feeling pretty sick as I'm writing this down... But I feel like I should, as a way to remind myself...

I must have really upset the High Priestess this time, even though she didn't show it. I wasn't sure if whoever I talked to was a toplander, as they were simply confused and I thought I should help them...

I admit, at that moment I forgot that we're hidden here for a reason... But I also want to talk to people that are beyond underground. I don't think they're all bad...

Despite the Dark Forest now being destroyed, I want to see what it's like up there still. Surely there's more out there than just the land we once called home... This experimental forest... What else can I do with the ideas now... It's harder to come up with anything new lately...

The High Priestess... No, I must not think badly of her. Even though she was being harsher than the usual ceremonies, I'm sure it pained her too while she was doing what she had to... She promoted me because she saw my potential, and I need to remember that, remember her kindness...

I need to set up a good example and abide by Her Majesty's wishes like she does, too. I'm the youngest High Priest in Sal'thorin, after all.