Traveler, welcome to Farero Beach. I assume you have been here before, correct?

It must be a bit odd to find me in a place like this, but believe me, I do go out and enjoy what the dream world has to offer on days like today. Normally, I wouldn't take my birthday off. There are years where I will work and years where I don't. However, if you've been aware of the news as of late, you'll have known that the DPF is getting ready to testify before the Council of the dream world in a trial against Francis. It is expected to be a long and lengthy trial and if I'll be honest with you, it is going to be really hard to convince the entirety of the Council to not expel Francis from the dream world since that is what he is going to argue against. I'm no psychic, but the closest the final verdict could end up being would be a tie 3-3 and it will likely end up in the hands of the key swing vote who is council-member Zhang. It could also be unanimous but perhaps you are not familiar with the Council of the dream world. They can be surprisingly unpredictable.

So with that in mind, I want to enjoy my birthday today in the outdoors of the wilderness. Once the trial begins, much of the big authority figures in the DPF will be busy making their case for why Francis should be expelled after everything he has done to the dream world. Since I too will be busy, I may not find adequate time to enjoy days to their fullest. The trial is set to begin within the coming week so today I will take the day off and relax. The wilderness is a rather fascinating and surreal place. I hope you find the time to explore it soon.

Be my guest and accompany me to a drink. Don't worry, if you prefer your drink to be straight-forward, that's fine too. Not that I like to drink anyway. I prefer simple cocktails with nothing intoxicating in them. We can sit and discuss regular topics or if you're really curious, we can also discuss the Council of the dream world since I'm sure you aren't too familiar with them nor have met them...yet. Not that there's anything wrong with meeting them, but should you ever be summoned, best hope that it is for good reasoning. Here's to another year of getting older.

Fancy seeing you here, Traveler!

Don't come to the conclusion that I'm taking a day off merely because it's my birthday, but rather quite the opposite, actually! I'm just on a small break here grabbing a quick bite at the Parlor before getting back out there and catching scoops like I usually do. Last year you found me eating ramen, but now, I decided that a good old slice of pizza would be great!

The general news cycle of the dream world will be shifting soon to point all its attention on Francis' upcoming trial. It's perhaps the biggest trial since Lucid's back in 1930, and although I wasn't here, I heard it was quite the big news story! But with technology having become more high-tech since then, news will arrive to people much faster— both true and sensational. It's our job as reporters to keep it straight and factual without any need of yellow journalism (although yellow is my favorite color).

We'll see how his trial goes but you know me, I'll be gathering the latest scoops as they happen! News never rests and a good scoop is always in reach. You just have to look for it! Why don't you sit down, grab a slice and we can brainstorm ideas for topics to write about in the meantime. I know with a mind like yours we can get great, juicy and true stories for the Subliminal Tribune!

So this is where you wanted to take me, huh?

Not that I'm bothered by it, but you were pretty adamant to get out in the rain and come all the way here. Actually, it's quite nice. I'm not the biggest fan of rainy weather but it's quite cozy in here taking shelter from the rain. There's something about sitting by the window and watching all the raindrops hit it. The pitter-patter of rain hitting the concrete outside is also something to watch and get almost hypnotized by it. Oh but don't worry, I'd prefer to look and get hypnotized by you instead.

I think for the longest time I've always felt most safe with you. Coming from a family who cared little, you cared a lot. It was alien to me, if I'm being honest, and at first it didn't feel right. It was when I realized that caring for someone is totally normal; I just came from a not-so-great household. Moving out and getting to live with you since then has been a big breath of fresh air and honestly? I don't really think about where I came from anymore.

And truly, I think you were that beacon of light that made me escape that dark place. I will always be grateful that we met on that sidewalk many, many years ago when we were just little kids. We didn't know any better then in our innocence that the world can and will be cruel but as we grew up, we knew that we could conquer any cruelty so long as we had each other. I appreciate you very much my Dilly. Thank you for spending another birthday of mine in a way you know how to best celebrate it: being in my life.

Today’s a pretty silly day!

You know what’s funny? I’ve had several birthdays in a row where things just weren’t normal around here! Okay okay, sure, the dream world is not “normal” by typical standards but this time it’s really really not normal! So there’s a leak in the dream world again and things are silly as heck… What’s the big deal?

It’s refreshing actually! Nothing like getting a little silly around here. There’s so many fun things we can do with everything being like this! I’m here at the Desert…or rather, the “Dessert” since everything got turned into a tasty treat! It’s funny how everything here is edible, well, except for us! I think. But when silliness calls, you just have to take the call and answer it! Living a life without having fun is no way to live! That’s what I like to believe!

Yeah you can say I’m silly 24/7 but I’m especially on a day like today! Everyone deserves to spend their birthday having a LOT of fun in any way they can find! You know, I think I still have a long life ahead of me, but I’ll be sure to really make the most of each day. Even on the toughest days, I’ll be sure to smile and make others laugh because a little silliness goes a long way! It’s my birthday! Let’s have some fun and hang out! Come slide down this giant ice cream sandwich. It’s both delicious and a fun ride! WEEEEE~!