Xiaoba

Up already. Another busy day ahead. Come on, Xiaoba, time to get to work on those mechanisms. Foreman Shi was up late checking inventory last night, so I should make him a rainbow lantern. That way he'll feel a bit more lively when he's counting stock after dark, and when he has a moment to spare, he can even loosen up with a few steps in its colorful glow. The old foreman has been ordering everyone around nonstop lately, and everyone's ears are paying the price. I should make him a sound-recording box. Then he can talk all he likes, and no one else will have to hear a word of it. Zi Yuan is always saying she wants to see the world beyond the mountain, so the little bird carrier still needs a few more adjustments... There's no way it can fly across Gasping Cliff, but maybe it could whip up a whirlwind and blow her over instead. I just hope she doesn't grow too tall before then. Cai Yin loves her drink, but she's always worried a cup too many will muddle her sums. I'll build a "Slumber-Buster Mechanism": whenever her head goes fuzzy, it'll dump a jug of "Sweet Slumber" right over her. That way she can drink and keep the books at once. I'll just have to swap her ledgers for waterproof ones. ... So much to do. Mirkvale really can't manage without me!

Little Xiaoba, even though you're only a bell toller for now, I still have high hopes for you. If the day ever comes when you can read and write, then this letter will not have been written in vain. First off... well... thank you for keeping me company all these years. Ever since Zhang Wanshi and the others vanished, I've turned into a bit of an odd soul, always drifting off into my own strange thoughts. Talking to you has been my only real comfort, even if you don't understand a single word I say. But enough of the mushy stuff. Time for some encouragement! First, when I'm away, watch over Aloft Abode for me. But don't actually hurt anyone who comes by. Just give them a scare. My mechanisms do go wrong all the time, but after hearing me ramble on every night, you must have picked up something by now, right? Second, I'm giving you a task: learn how to speak. Everyone says it's impossible, but I think of you as a friend, so of course I want to hear what you think. Don't worry. I'll keep working on your inner mechanisms until you can make your own voice. Third, I've planted lots of flowers and herbs for you, so you won't get bored while guarding the house. Fourth, don't forget to keep the night watch. Plenty of people count on you to tell the time. Little Xiaoba, if you never do learn to read this letter, that may not be such a bad thing. That way, there will only ever be one odd little head like Xiaoba in this world. But if one day I really do manage it, and you can understand this letter at last, then please remember this one final thing: Xiaoba and Little Xiaoba are best friends.