it's remarkable the extent to which time has worn down the fangs of this old quest. it's still the only one to have a legal warning, of course, but that's honestly begun to feel almost quaint; londoners do worse to themselves for fewer reasons, these days. oh, maybe when the wicked book was young, losing half your watchful for no reason, or giving up destin's castle in exchange for a pun, hurt enough to warrant it. but now the path's been well-trod and plotted well in advance; this everest has a sherpa, and all those moments are just curious tourist attractions to look-and-not-touch on the way to the Knock. just one more vanity of many to put on the mantelpiece, and this one even comes with a minor mechanical advantage.

i don't miss those days, though. this is better. past that point was mystery, but the time for that passed long, long ago