It is a simple mask. Just an oblong shape made of birch with two holes for the eyes and a leather band to… put it on, obviously. It doesn’t have any shape to it, or patterns, but it does have engravings on the inside. I recognize the odd shapes, a spiral with what seems to be an arrow through it, but I don’t remember which divergent of magic it is. If I had my journal, then I could figure that out and then theorize on what it would do and how to activate it…

Note to self: next time, pack ALL your study items

I sigh as I lean against the wall of the damp alleyway. My heart pounds at my ears, and I force my breath to calm. The world feels so… grey… odd. I look back down at the mask, It’s poorly made, mostly likely by a novice wood worker, though the engravings have perfect lines. Maybe someone who didn’t care how it looked?

It’s most likely activated by putting it on, cause otherwise it would be pointless, but I don’t really want to test it out. I remember that one girl from my hometown that gave me that amulet cause she hated my dad, it exploded in my face. Explosion magic, father said, the kind they would use when mining. Luckily, I didn’t harm me. Explosion magic is surprisingly gentle… I liked that amulet… but that’s not the point, brain. The point is don’t trust random magic objects that might burn your face off. Though it would be easy to just put it on and test…

I hear the fall of heavy footsteps and I take a step back.

Note to self: stop getting caught up in your own mind!

I back away as quietly and as fast as I can… then my back hits a dead end of a wall… my breath gets caught in my throat.

NOTE TO SELF: DON’T GO INTO ALLEYWAYS WITH ONLY ONE EXIT!

I grab at the dagger strapped to my arm. I don’t prepare to fight. 1. That would be stupid, I can’t fight 2. My dagger would hate it. I grab it for comfort. It reminds me of dad’s soft golden eyes and his even softer voice as he carved a small animal with it. Father’s warmth as he guided me through my first project with it and how he told me to always keep it with me, that if I had my dagger, I wouldn’t be alone.

I take a deep breath and look around. Maybe I could climb the wall? No, I’m not that strong. Well, maybe I could use the boxes to climb up and before I’m fully over I can kick the boxes down so the guards can’t follow! So, I do just that.

Though the guards didn’t know I was there before and now… their chasing after. Great. Just great. I pant as I run away on heels that were never made to be ran in.

Note to self: stop being an idiot…