Update and Review of The Keeper's of Discord

Hey, everyone. Sorry for the silence and lack of updates on my story. The writing and editing process can be a slow one. I'm also busy getting ready for my move back to Brisbane next week which means lots and lots of packing to come soon.

This morning I listened to Dr Wolf's audio reading of The Keepers of Discord by Hoopy McGee.

I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was heartwarming, gutwrenching and really gave Discord an interesting new facet to his character. I really love it when writers show these characters in a new light. Showing us that even though the show has ended (no spoilers on the finale I haven't seen it yet) we can still spend time exploring their personalities and how they interact with those around them.

I don't wanna spoil anything so I won't get into much detail here. Honestly, the best way to experience it is by listening to it. I prefer audio readings because it allows me to multi-task while I do it. I can be playing games, colouring or just taking some time out from the humdrum of life. Not having a job or any sort of study leaves me with a lot of empty hours. I'm finding it hard to know what to do with all my free time.

I am applying for jobs of course but without a license my options are limited, I also have zero experience which makes even harder. Thankfully I do have three relevant qualifications but that doesn't seem like enough. I'm just hoping the job agency will be able to help me get something. There are so many changes I wanna make to the house and things I wanna buy for myself that would dramatically improve my quality of life that, getting a job would allow me to do.

I've spent my entire life living on Centrelink. Which means I make less than $30 a day as a job seeker or student. Despite the cost of living rising over the past decade, the amount people receive on benefits like mine hasn't. Despite not having any money I've still managed to save up $4,000 dollars by setting aside one-third of my income each month. I've also been paying for board, all my own bills and managing my finances the best I can. When you don't have any money to spend, it's much harder to waste.

So now much like Discord in Hoopy McGee's wonderfully written story, I am sitting here biding my time. Counting down the hours and days until I leave. And just like him, I feel perpetually trapped by my situation. Except, I don't have servants to come and talk to me or read to me or give me any kind of comfort. In fact, I've spent much of it alone.

While I do have a large family, my mother is always working or is with her boyfriend, my twin brother is house sitting and my other two brothers spend a lot of time in bed or shut up in their rooms. My grandparents (one of whom has Alzheimer's) spend most of their time at doctor's appointments or visiting my Great Grandfather at the nursing home.

Which leaves me alone with my thoughts. And when you suffer from mental illness have no sense of purpose, you become much more vulnerable to feelings of depression and anxiety. It has been this way for so long that I've lost track of time. Just like Discord did while he was trapped in stone.

However, there is no one here to comfort me when the storm clouds roll in and I finally cave into the loneliness. I haven't seen Cerulean Voice in such a long time that I find it hard to clearly picture his face. I know now that I haven't left here unscathed and it will take a long time for me to adjust and transition into my new life.

Cerulean Voice has also stated on many occasions the way and reasons for which I fell in love with me are profoundly sad. He says it saddens him to know that the reason I fell in love with him so quickly was because he treated me like a human being. I agree it is...sad. But he also says he is grateful. I can't picture my life without him in it.

With my flight to Adelaide fast approaching, (next Friday night to be exact) my nerves only grow. His mother hasn't seen or heard from me since I left. I knew what she thought of me then but what will she think now? What will everyone say? What we will talk about? Three days there feels like an eternity. I'm just glad Cerulean Voice will be there to reassure me when I am in doubt.

I'm hoping to publish the new chapter before I leave. I'm a little unsure of how it will be received. I feel like I'm going off the original timeline I had. Which I am, but my best and boldest ideas always come to me when I'm writing.

I hope you're all doing well.

~ Arcelia

Credit: 1jaz