You're where the Wild Things are...

An in-character blog set in the universe of EVE Online. These are the private diary entries of Lady Ekaterina Mariya deSilvestris, a minor Amarrian Noble and Capsuleer. Other existing characters within EVE will be referred to throughout, though any opinions and views expressed are those of this character. These entries may touch on or directly address mature themes such as violence, sexuality, race and ethnicity, and mental health. As noted, any views are those of the character.

Before we begin, I feel it important to say a few words on the subject of mental health. Ekaterina, or Ekat as many call her, is something of a troubled soul. This aspect of her character is a personal choice I have made, for very personal reasons. Although EVE is a game in which the players can immerse themselves to a greater or lesser degree as they wish, mental health is a very real issue for many people. Those two simple words cover a myriad different issues and concerns that affect people directly or indirectly every day all, over the world.

If you find yourself affected by any issues touched upon in these posts, or if you face your own troubles, please know that there are people out there you can turn to; doctors, friends, family - there is ALWAYS someone. If you are an EVE player, then Broadcast 4 Reps chat is available, staffed by wonderfully kind and good-hearted volunteers. If you know of someone who has mental health issues, then please just let them know you are there. It doesn't have to be anything big, just a smile, a cup of tea, a quick phone call about last night's game - just a little thing to show they aren't forgotten.

You Never Fly Alone.
26-04-YC122

Goodness! My head!  It seems that the Diana Kim cocktail is even more volatile than its namesake.  I suppose I did drink six of them, or was it seven?  Then the two vodkas afterward.  Ishta is not even awake yet.

It was an enjoyable night.  I am glad I went.  A little party in a neutral location.  It was really rather pleasant to see so many people who, at any other time, might as easily be at one another's throats.  Commander Kley and Aspirant Onzo, Lord Gallius were there.  I have apparently not noted in this diary that Commander Kley is with child!  I had heard it from one of the PIE hangar-crew, but I was able to confirm the information last night.  I had never thought Commander Kley would be a parent, but I am so very pleased for her, if obviously somewhat jealous.  Oh, well, not everyone can have the same fate, can they?

Lord Gallius appears to be in a relationship with Lasariona Raske - I am sure I have spelled her name wrong, but I suppose that matters little here.  I was a little surprised at that, but not nearly so surprised as I was to see Lady Elkin openly kissing Arrendis!  I had no idea.  No-one has ever mentioned to me that they were together, and I can now understand why she resigned from PIE.  Well, if that is where her heart lies, so be it.  I am sure there must be people who consider that as controversial as Constantin's relationship with Melisma, but almost everything appears to be willingly accepted these days.  I do not think anything about anything makes any sense to me anymore.

I arrived rather late, due to being on duty, and I think I missed most of the singing.  Commander Kley did sing a very emotional and heartfelt tune, which was pretty, and Lord Gallius also sang.  It was most entertaining.  A varying degree of talent throughout the night, but all very much a joy to listen to.  It felt good to see so many people enjoying themselves without any sense of animosity.

Ishta also came along, and did a song herself.  Not just any song, but one in our Nakri dialect!  Her pronunciation was almost perfect, and she sang so beautifully.  Of course, she dedicated it to Sasha. Not by name, but I knew who she was referring to.  I am not sure if she will remember, as she did get quite inebriated afterward, but I shall be sure to tell him.  I wonder if anyone recorded it.  A little later we also did a duet, something loud and energetic.  It seemed to go over quite well.

Edward was there too, fashionably late as one would expect from him.  He looked at me as he sang his silly SOS song.  Honestly, he does make me laugh so.  Trying to be all enigmatic. like some debonair mystery.  I do enjoy his playful mischievousness.  It was not unpleasant to attract his attention for the evening.  I am rather glad Ishta was there, however, and in need of looking after.  I may have done something regrettable had she not been.  He and I flirt outrageously when the mood takes us, yet why should we not?  It is harmless, so long as it does not lead further, and compared to all the other things that no-one seems to comment on, it is hardly the most damning of past-times.  That said, I am sure some of the comments we passed to one another were most outrageous innuendo!  I am probably fortunate that I cannot quite recall what exactly was said.

How regretful it is that now, after such fun, were we to meet in the warzone, we would be enemies.

A gentlemen by the name of Eric, apparently a friend of Edward's was similarly full of mischief.  It was rather to one's liking to flirt a little with him too.  Eric most certainly has a devilish streak, and has no shame in openly displaying it.  A most accomplished singer also.  I hope I shall meet him again in similar circumstances.

We must have been the last ones remaining by that time, but it was impossible, not to mention rude, to leave without a toast, especially once we discovered it was Ria's birthday!  I think the two shots of vodka were just enough to take me to my limit, and it was sadly time to leave.  Strangely, it occurs to me only now that Ria made one or two comments to me in Nakrii, or something similar.  I thought nothing of it at the time, and perhaps it was not the same, as there are a few dialects throughout New Eden that sound close to it.  I should have asked, but it was just nice to hear it.  She and Eric were also drinking tea, rather than alcohol, and I meant to mention the Tea Room on our station, but it slipped my mind.  Perhaps next time.

Speaking of Nakri, I had better get Ishta home.  At least she does not look quite so green now, poor thing.
18-04-YC122

Happy Birthday, My Darling Kolya!

How lucky we are to have communications such as we have today.  Although I have been so terribly busy of late, I could not possibly allow my brother's birthday to pass without contacting him.  I do miss my family, and Kolya most of all.  Now that he has transferred over to the Sarum Navy since the restructuring, he has as much free time as I do, which is to say very little, so we are blessed that the whole family can come together through the network.  That is when it works, of course.  I should think Kolya and the rest of the family have very few problems, but here in the warzone, communications are constantly being interrupted.  No doubt Tribals electronic warfare attempts.  I suppose one cannot be surprised.  We do the same.

It seems so long ago since I faced this warzone with trepidation.  I suppose in many ways it is.  I could never have imagined, back at my very entrance into the Academy, that I would, by this point, be forming a rather impressive killboard.  Indeed, at any point.  Of course, it is nothing when compared with many other far more skilled capsuleers, on all sides, and, personally, I do not consider such things worthy of note, least of all my own, yet I cannot deny that I have come a long way.

There is, however, always a price to pay for success.  I do not mean my losses, for they, now that I have become accustomed to the inevitability of such thing, mean as little as my victories.  No, I mean the loneliness.  Everything is so filled up with duties and responsibilities of one sort of another that I barely seen anyone else in a social context.  I am so grateful to God and the Eternal Empress that I can have these moment with my family, even if it they are only through long-distance communications.  Even when I go back to Mehatoor I do not see anyone I am particularly familiar with.  There are the fights, of course, which pass the time and keep me focused, to say nothing of honing my skills, but little wonder that when I do have some time to myself it is mostly spent in the comfortable numbness of Esfand.

The klaxon again!  Another call to arms.  I barely have time to even write anymore.  I fear this region shall never be secured by anyone. A eternity of fighting.  I wonder - even if one side or another does win, what shall be left for them to display their victory?
01-04-YC122

I honestly do not know what to think about Commander Adams.  Requesting my frozen body from the battlefield in Floseswin is rather disturbing when one considers it, yet to return it to me almost immediately is an act that I can describe only as considerate, perhaps even gallant.  Such a man of contradictions.

Ah, yes, my body.  I had forgotten just how long it had been since I was unfortunate enough to suffer a catastrophic capsule rupture, but then I suppose my luck could not hold forever.  If I feel nauseous when undergoing an expected and routine consciousness transfer, then waking up under more violent conditions makes me feel even worse. The memory loss does not help in the slightest, but spending a full ten minutes vomiting is distinctly unpleasant.  At least it was only one or two hours since my last back-up from a clone-jump.

Reviewing the combat holo is actually rather amusing.  Sliding into a plex into the entire Tribal patrol did not improve my chances of survival.  It must have surprised them as much as it surprised me.  It has taken me some time, replaying it over and over, but finally I see my mistake.  My D-Scan was on 90 degrees instead of 360!  How foolish.  Too eager to get into the fight, I think.

Still, it was not a complete waste.  After getting back into it - dear, sweet Riccoda for encouraging me - I was able to assist in quite a few kills, and even got another Final Blow of my own.  A couple of pods as well.  Empty, as usual, but nonetheless the feeling of vengeance was satisfying.  I only lost two Punishers and a Maller, and, all-in-all, Victory, Granted by God and The Eternal Empress, was ours.  One hopes the Tribals will finally realise that Floseswin belongs to the Empire, but I truly begin to doubt they have the intellectual capacity to come to that glaringly obvious conclusion.

I do not know if news of my "death" has reached other ears as yet.  I do so hope Lilya does not worry if she hears about it, or Constantin either.  Aside from some lingering nausea I am quite alright.  I do wonder, though, how long I shall be permitted to fight in the front lines for.