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Oqe says that Iver is a "complicated man", which probably means he did something bad and Oqe is being too nice. I can tell he really doesn't like me. Maybe he just hates kids? I dunno. I don't see him around that much. He doesn't have to like me. It's fine.

Iver makes me nervous, but he listens to me, so I guess he can't be that bad...

...sometimes, when I think of Iver... instead of the man he's become, I remember the kit he was. The scared little fawn, with his soft grey fur and wild, uncontrollable mane, to which many combs lost battles with. I remember how he would cling to my leg, his small needle-like claws digging into my skin. I remember helping him file down the tips of his horns as they grew in, so they wouldn't scratch him as he slept. I remember when he pierced his own ear, tears welling in his eyes as I helped clean up the blood. I remember who he was. I remember who he no longer is. He hasn't been that scared little kit in a long time. I remember Iver, but I do not know him.

Ah, Sitchin. A fascinating creature, for certain! He has many beliefs one may find outlandish - I, too, disagree with him almost entirely. However, if I am to dismiss all I find outlandish, how am I any different from those who seek to silence the genuinely true? Who am I to claim to be aware of the entirety of truth, that my knowledge exceeds all others? I am nobody, in the grand scheme of things, which is a position I share with him. I simply a man seeking truth, as is my friend Sitchin. I hope we both find it - the truth that is.

What a wonderful treat, to meet someone with a belief system so opposing my own! This is a mental exercise most should undertake! When you meet someone whose perspective seems miles away from your own, you may find yourself learning something new - or, at the very least, you may find your previously held beliefs reaffirmed through opposition. What a fascinating circumstance! Whereas the auric egg and such matters are purely science from my perspective, Maghe finds superstition in such topics, believing in a world beyond explanation. She believes in what she can feel, whereas I believe in what I can quantify. I would love to converse with her further on this topic, in a perfectly respectful debate, of course.

Everyone in this world has motivations. Be it founded in hopes and dreams, or fears and anxieties. I don't believe I've met anyone more driven by the latter than Iver. You may not believe me, if you've met him. He seems a man two steps ahead than everyone else, confident in his ability to take anything he desires, sidestepping danger, playing the field, taking all sides. What is that, but a fear? An all consuming need for control points directly to a lack of control in something when it mattered. That is what he fears. A lack of control. Perhaps, in order to grow, he needs the controls pulled out from under him. Well, that isn't really my business. He believes me a naïve, and I have no desire to prove him wrong - he may think of me however he sees fit! I know what I am, that is what is important. The manner in which one is perceived says more about the one doing the perceiving, in some ways. For example, I see Iver as a man with regrets and fear, despite how he postures himself as all knowing and powerful. I know what it is like to have fear in my heart, guarded by a facade of calm - don't we all? I hope Iver realizes who he is, truly. He will become a more complete person when he does.

Ah, Matchka... He is a friend to me, though I'm sure he doesn't consider me the same way. I find the thrill of the debate to be one of life's greatest pleasures, and Matchka's wonderful little traveling shop is full of little trinkets that spark that very passion of mine! You see, his good luck charms, I cannot speak on, though I certainly have my opinions - the nature of religion and spiritualism is as such, of course. I don't wish to downtrod upon anyone seeking answers less tangible than the ones science can prove unequivocally, and I am aware my honesty on this subject would offend those less open to discussion on the topic. I do believe any mind can be changed, but outright stating their firmly held beliefs are wrong is certainly not the way to go about it! The things I believe in are always grounded in what is true and provable, and though my inherent friendly disposition does often make these discussions easier, it is a topic I've learned the hard way is best to avoid - though when the topic comes up with an agreeable debate adversary, I enthusiastically and passionately engage! Well, anyway, all of this is to say that when I approach his cart, I make no remarks on the good luck charms held within. His antiques, however - oh, they are most fascinatingly disreputable in nature! Now this, I must admit, I tackle quite gluttonously. Though it sounds braggadocious to say, I have a thorough and categorical knowledge of archaeological artifacts of all kinds - my specialty, of course, is in zooarchaeology, and therefore depictions of ancient animals, which often pop up in contexts such as good luck charms, as is their inherent nature to draw symbolical interpretations. I am always delighted to uncover a forgery or fraud, though I know now to repress my excitement, as I've found it draws ire from the forger or fraudster themselves. Not that I am necessarily accusing Matchka of knowingly forging or defrauding - not... not necessarily. I would like to believe in the best of people, Matchka included. Holding the benefit of the doubt is not an inherent naïveté! I will continue to seek Matchka's company and hold debate with him, as I find our conversations delightful, and hopefully, through many meaningful discussions, aid in helping clean up his business into one of pure repute.

My ward! Taking him in has, unequivocally, been one of the best decisions I've made in recent memory. But don't let him know I've said that, he'll get embarrassed. To be honest, I truly never thought of myself as someone who could be fit to parent. My nomadic lifestyle, my admittedly perilous career, and... well, frankly, my perhaps less than stellar self preservation instincts - something I was not truly aware was a problem for me until I had another life in my hands to preserve - I believed these things would prevent me from ever settling down in that way. Settling down - as if! That's what I used to say. Well, I certainly haven't settled down, that's for sure. But now I simply have someone to share it with. Someone that, in protecting him, in a way, I've begun to protect myself, too. I see a lot of myself in that boy; in his thirst for adventure, yes, but also in his doubts and fears. Knowing we have the rest of our lives to figure it out together - pardon me for becoming emotional, but it's beautiful, isn't it? To connect with a person in the way a parent and child can? They say our minds harden when they age, that only children have minds malleable like clay - and in general, they are wrong, I strongly believe, but there is the smallest grain of truth there. Children figure themselves out better than adults, who believe themselves to be immutable in their ways. Mos is figuring himself out quite beautifully, and I consider myself lucky to not only bear witness to his metamorphosis, but to help him, tangibly, to show him the world in the way he's deserved all his life - as a parent would.

borrowed a pair of star shaped sunglasses from them and forgot to give it back

COOL GUY doing COOL GUY things!!!!