14:45   25/10/2020

To my dear…

A man is not in the best state. Biophysically… Biochemically? Whatever. I took poison last night. As usual. Commemorating my firstday. I’ve reached the third decimal. But you already knew that. And sadly, I was to have some lonely cups for such a significant mark in my timeline. Well, I had Octavious with me. And we were at the warren, so of course Warren was there. Just us.

Warren’s younger brother had more of a party along with him. That was a reckoning to my reality. The notion that people don’t enjoy me anymore. It would have been nice to have more who wished to celebrate with me. My company wasn’t even aware I was celebrating. Well, they recognized my firstday. But they were not aware my celebrations never happened. It didn’t matter. That’s how things always went for me. But you already knew that.

And so the fervour to celebrate was strong in us.

Tav’ and I were growing eager for cups. We watched the fieldball championships. A good game. And so the fervour to celebrate was strong in us. I was just eager to celebrate my firstday, but the championships were enough of a guise. So, cups we had. Warren’s brother Marmot too, was celebrating the championships. It explained the party behind him. Some of his company were interested in my time. Old stories and wisdom, they seeked. So, I was happy to talk. One of them eventually joined Tav’ and I in our cups. It was Key.

I’d apparently met Key several times in the past. I couldn’t remember. My apologies to all of you out there that I don’t remember. A man has too much on his mind. But as Key explained more of the times we had interacted, I was able to connect a name to a face. I did remember him. He was always with some of the demons of old. Winter demons.  Shadows that many of us had left in the past. I hadn’t been to those corners of hell in a very long while. And neither had Key, Key told. I gave him the benefit of the doubt. Especially because I couldn’t feel it off him. Well…  That’s the thing. I actually could feel something off him. Honesty. Heart. Not the cold nothingness that came from that part of the darkness. Seasons grew colder back then, so most of us had to eventually leave. Apparently he did too. Good on him. Let’s hope that honesty actually walks.

I forgot the light was still guiding others out there. Showing the world that there was still hope.

So, the three of us manned the table. Me, Octavious, and Key. Warren needed rest. Key told me he was just happy to be in my presence. Said he always respected me and what I stood for. I found that strange. To receive a salute. I guess I’d forgotten that I lit those beacons long ago. Since no one else around me would stand in their light. I forgot the light was still guiding others out there. Showing the world that there was still hope. Makes me wonder…

The two were eager to battle at cups. Tav’ likely poked at Key too much. As men do, we poke the bear. Or in our case, the young ones. Key knew this was his chance to prove his worth. And we honoured him the courage to prove it. That sort of will to fight isn’t common nowadays. I’ve noticed. It was refreshing that someone still had that sort of fire. Well, Key did.  I don’t know what’s happened in the digital age. No one stands up for their honour nowadays. They rather be more ‘efficient’. ‘Smart’ they call it. But what’s smart about missing out on the beauty of the journey. That’s what Marmot’s company was doing. Fleeing from battle. Battle of cups, that is.

Tav and I wanted one more competitor. We asked Key to find an able fighter. He tried to ask the most popular contender, but the contender didn’t have that will. Sad. Efficiency was more of his concern. And we had high hopes he would join us too, like he had in the past. It was disappointing. Luckily Key was determined to prove his fight. He was determined to find a partner to join him. And who he brought out was their wildest fighter yet. Dubble.

They had the will to win. And that was rare. The warrior’s spirit.

Dubble had heaps of will to fight. A bit too much will. He didn’t exactly join the table on stable feet. He was already battling his cups on his own, beforehand. What a champion. He definitely needed refining in his game. Reckless, he was. But what mattered was that he had the heart. And so on we battled.

They were, of course, no match for seasoned veterans. But that’s not what mattered. What mattered was the beauty of battle. The courage that blossomed. The honesty that was shared. Those two were convinced they had us. But their postures spoke otherwise. That didn’t matter. They had the will to win. And that was rare. The warrior’s spirit.

Those two definitely needed to practice their form. They wanted to start the battle with no rounds and no time-limit. Silly fools. The battle would’ve ended in a quick moment. No rounds and time-limit was my element. They needed a structured battle. Especially Dubble. That fool was already stumbling all over the table. So we gave them the mercy of rounds. But as you already found out, they were out classed.

I hope the next time we see them, they return stronger. We elves only get better at battle, so long as we fight to the limit. But as I said, next time, I hope they return stronger. Because they honoured us with their courage and their will. I admire that. And so next time, I will show no mercy. I’m not sure about Tav’ but I held back quiet a bit. I knew the two young ones wouldn’t last. Yet, it was still fun. I don’t think they knew that I was celebrating my firstday. No one did.

Now I can relax. I’ll stop here. A meal is upon me.

Love from yours truly

Daniel Roy