Ubi Silvestria Sunt: January 2022

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.

17-01-YC124

I sometimes wonder if I should consider retiring from the life of a Capsuleer and concentrate on the duties of my social station. Can one even retire from being a Capsuleer?

I should not, perhaps, have been quite so blasé of the danger, and I really ought to have taken more notice of the location in which the Anathema I bought was being sold. Still, it is a small blessing that I had not even fitted her when those pirates attacked me, and it was rather more a waste of their effort than mine to destroy a ship with nothing to loot. No profit for them, although something of a loss for me.

I suppose I have now recovered a little of it after a small expedition in a Wormhole, though when one considers the cost of a replacement and an actual fitting out, it is still a loss. It is not the finances, that barely makes a difference, and soon enough Płaczka will pay for herself. It is just such an irritation, a tedious chore. But then everything seems that way at the moment. Simply passing the time until the next message from the 601st. Their last Code, ALEKSEY, is promising, just what I was hoping for. May that continue until Operation Sanctity is concluded, and may God, and Her Eternal Majesty, watch over them.

10-01-YC124

Finally! A quiet moment to give some attention to my poor neglected diary after all the activity of the last few weeks. And such activity, both good and bad. Where does one begin?

Yoiul, of course. It was a wonderful time as it always is, all of us together, but this time with Ishta and her family. They are our family now and must get used to Nakriian celebrations. I am sure the seemingly endless Church Services must have seemed exceedingly strange to them. Not that they are any strangers to The Faith, of course, but I do not think they will have seen many like those we have here. Smells and Bells, as Felix says, although never in earshot of Father Mikhail!

It was the family gathering, though, that was, as ever, the highlight. Presents galore and as much food and drink as we must have in the rest of the year alone! Dear Kostya was home - an event for which I am always grateful - and I had given Sasha, along with the rest of the 601st, 48 hour passes. It is the least I could do given where I was to send them afterwards.

This Yoiul was made thoroughly special by the kindness of The Directrix. The refugee and orphan children absolutely adored having a visit from Saint Nicolas The Destroyer, and even the older ones let themselves be lost in the moment, putting their traumas away in the shadows for a while. The Directrix is a soul of pure kindness. I shall make quite sure she is an admired and respected figure in Nakri, as she should be.

It feels as though there has been so much, and yet I can think of so little to write. Operation Sanctity is now under way fully, and we received a SHEBA with the Code Word MIKHAIL. We shall see what comes next, but my prayers are with them every day. What they do is but the beginning, and an unseen beginning at that, but it of the utmost importance, and I must concentrate my energies upon playing my part in it. It does, I admit, pain me that I cannot tell Ishta the truth of where her beloved is, but operational security must come before any personal considerations. I also worry about what she might do were she to know, given how impetuous she can be. Perhaps there are other things we can occupy her mind and time with.

I wonder, now that Ishta has qualified for the capsule, whether she may be interested in joining some LUMEN expeditions. The last we had, a strike against Triglavian forces attempting to raid Imperial territory, was most successful. We must have destroyed at least a hundred of the invaders, with no losses to us at all - and we had but a handful of vessels. Ah, but a handful of loyal and brave Faithful is more than enough to defeat any foe. Who can stand against us when God is on our side and we have the Blessings of Her Eternal Majesty?

I know there are things I am forgetting, but I am tired and my mind is whirling with all the things I must do. Time for prayers and then sleep. Tomorrow shall no doubt be another busy day.