Yenisei

Some "valuable" gifts from London, made in the standard shapes and sizes found in many glass factories. She can tell the value of an object at a glance, and she's always sensitive to any ulterior motives behind gifts. Judging by the replacement rate of these bottles, she has made the most of them.

A common hair tie forgotten in a corner of the suitcase, with feathers that still seem to carry a trace of warm air. Though the interviewee isn't one to chase trends, her carefully considered choices succeed all the same.

Every Russian child knows it—it is the second blanket, under which one wraps oneself against the icy wind of the long winter. It can be made of various materials; in general, the wool ones are warmer than the cotton ones, and the patterns embroidered with gold thread last much longer than the usual colored threads... the list goes on.

A fringed shawl inspired by dense drooping leaves, exuding a subtle sheen under the sunlight. Unfolding it is like opening a page of a poem about the colorful summer.

Drifting atop the clear Sucuri River, no one cares about fashion. Fortunately, the interviewee doesn't mind, as she is here only for the water.

A skirt modified from an outdated evening gown for easier movement during outdoor activities. There are two straps on each side to hold the rolled-up hem in place, so the long skirt doesn't become a headache when riding. An ingenious idea, if only reality would work like this.

A warm, clear blue from the deepest part of the Sucuri River.

The indigo river bay is crystal clear, making it the perfect place for divination and extraordinary exotic sightseeing. After much consideration, the interviewee decides to simply cherish this source and remember the beautiful journey with her own eyes.

In the beginning, the soothsayers were just soothsayers.

When the brick paved streets were still covered with stinking swamp mud, the arcanists known as "Soothsayers" were already there. They were there before the city walls overcame the wilderness.

They saw the Bulgars, the Hazaras, the Germans, and the Greeks come and go, preaching in vain in this land, until one day the Prince's envoy from Byzantium returned on horseback with scrolls.

The changes seemed to happen overnight:

Millions of onion domes covered the land like snow, erasing all traces of the Kievan Rus arcanists had once known. The ability to harness the power of nature was considered evil. It was still early before the European Inquisitions lit the pyres in this land, but many of the arcanists were still accused, tried, and quickly sunk to the bottom of the lakes...

It didn't matter to the Rusalki why these people were thrown into the water. As they brought another arcanist to shore, an offer was made in the glistening water...

The mermaid agreed to the exchange. That day, the "Soothsayer" died, but the "Waterkeeper" was born.

"This is just a story. It could happen to any race, not just arcanists. The Little Mermaid is fiction. The Rusalki don't necessarily have immortal souls, and the Waterkeepers are just the arcanists who control water... Nothing more."

She gently closes the fragile old book as she makes the sharp remark. Next to her, her little sister is fast asleep. She pokes at the fire to warm the room. Tonight, at least, neither of them has any questions that need to be answered by the divination.

▪April 11, 18■■ Sunny

The route through the Valdai Hills to Siberia has always been disliked by travelers because it is both a detour and mostly covered in thick mud. The river has put an end to my social life, but at its source there is nothing but an absurd number of swamps and countless lakes of various sizes. I have no interest in guessing from which of these lakes and swamps the water samples I used in the palace divination came, and I certainly have no desire to do all that again, even if I had the chance.

The weather, however, is beyond reproach. I have plenty of time to sit down and get my head together.

▪<space=0.64em>May 20, 18■■ Cloudy

... Rivers are rare in the steppes, but the Ishim is an exception ... It's already summer, and I saw two churches flooded because of their proximity to the river. One of them seemed to have been built during the reign of Catherine the Great(to be confirmed), for its architectural style was common in that era. Surrounded by the (Unrecognizable, possibly the name of a certain architecture or the description of it), the Ishim must have been a beautiful sight when it was peaceful.

(Unrecognizable handwriting, blurred by water stains)... is different. Both the icy water in the summer and the swift current reminded me of the days I spent by the Vyatka River when I was still in the Tula countryside. It was good to be alone by the river, but there was nothing to be proud of if you fell into the water and got frozen... When I was traveling, I sometimes wondered if I would get myself killed one day because I was too "arrogant" to have a travel company.

▪<space=0.64em>June, 17, 18■■ Sleeting

The weather does not look good, nor do our supplies. I have to set out again, to the source of the Yenisei. It's way up north. If I'm lucky, I might see some other northern lights than the ones I saw during the White Night festivals.

Wish me luck.

▪<space=0.64em>August 13, 18■■ Cloudy

This may be the end of this diary. The St. Pavlov Foundation will provide me with another diary, one that is more waterproof. They said they all use this special kind of paper. I just hope they also have pens that write down everything I say by themselves ...

▪<space=0.64em>August 15, 18■■ Sunny

... They really have pens that write down everything I say by themselves! I asked for one. I hope to show it to Ms. Bessmert one day.

Pandora Wilson: What made you decide to leave home without any worries?

Pandora Wilson: I heard that your adventures were not funded or supported by the court or any family. It must be hard for a well-born Russian aristocratic arcanist like yourself.

Yenisei: My grandfather held the title, not me.

Yenisei: And we do not lead an extravagant lifestyle. May I ask you to put aside your prejudices before you ask the questions?

Yenisei: I thought UTTU was a magazine of higher standards.

Pandora Wilson: So you have heard of us.

Yenisei: ...Yes, only because Ms. Bessmert was interested in you. So I looked you up a little.

Yenisei: Now that I see it, that little piece of note might just be a coincidence.

Pandora Wilson: I think the more you learn about us, the more you will see past your prejudices, too. So, you seem to care a lot about Bessmert ...

Yenisei: ...

Yenisei: You seem to be in contact with her ...

Yenisei: ... how is she these days?