It is starting to seem as though we will be concluding our translations by Apreri’s end. Everyone is excited to finally see this massive undertaking completed. For me, however, it has been sobering, I suppose. Of course, I want nothing more than to return to Seaptagiri. I am now reminded how ethereal this time truly is, however. It is hard for me to believe that it has been just over three weeks since Ulrich and I began spending time together. Yet in no more than three more weeks, we will have to part ways. I wonder if we will ever meet again?
Perhaps it is best for me to distance myself from him, so as to make the departure easier for the both of us. But every time he greets me, it feels as though he is happier to see me than the last time, and I cannot bring myself to hurt him so. I have grown more accustomed to the peculiarities of Feroxi friendships. The honesty, the casual touches, and the embraces. It is a form of intimacy that I am very much out of my element in. Though Ulrich is always very respectful of my personal boundaries, I continue to make efforts to remove myself from my comfort zone for Ulrich’s sake, as I imagine that to him it would be rather cold and unfriendly of me to refuse. I must remind myself that gestures that might be seen as romantic in Aurumo are more commonplace as platonic gestures here. Candidly, I must admit that I enjoy them from time to time.
Though I have not developed the same level of camaraderie with the others as I have with Ulrich, it feels as though we have at long last reached an understanding and developed a mutual respect for one another; at least in regard to our professional capabilities. I have begun to understand each of them as individuals rather than as a collective, and it seems as though they have finally moved entirely past their initial prejudices towards me. I would still describe our bond as merely cordial, however, but cordiality is a marked improvement over hostility.
I wonder how it is that I might look back upon this period of time? A month of loneliness and pain followed immediately by one of togetherness and warmth. As the seasons changed around me, so too have my feelings about this place and the people who surround me. I have even learned to open myself up to others, within reason. We all must keep our secrets. This is the first time in a very long time that someone has reached out to me, however. I forgot what it was to have a new friend. I know not how these last few weeks might march onward, nor do I know if Ulrich and I shall see one another after this fleeting project is over. I suppose that time will tell the tale, as it does with all things in life.