I am the Conductor. I am a soldier and a scientist who is here to observe and document the progress of humans and their planet, Earth, within the neutral zone.
Due to a power failure within my lab, I have decided to visit a place called the playing grounds. I have met someone interesting there.

~Author's Note~
Hello everyone! This is the first submission of the Conductor's Logs, where the Conductor shares her findings and observations of humanity.

Artwork by  porin!

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Conductor’s Log: Entry 107-A
Month- October (solar decline season)

Around dawn this morning there was a glitch in the electrical system, depleting all of my reserves and forcing Eve to shut down during an upgrade. All in all it took several hours just to get enough energy built back up to switch her back on.
I decided to visit this place called ‘park’ and use a feature called ‘playing grounds’. Quite the charming thing they have developed. Typically these playing grounds are equipped with metal and plastic fortresses, obstacles courses, pendulum-like contraptions and they are places for human offspring to cavort and clamber. Traditionally this behavior is a means to practice hiding and hunting, but humans no longer seem driven to adhere to their rank in the food chain. Rather, they use these training sessions as a way for adult females to socialize or to provide solitary mothers with an opportunity to relieve their maternal burden for a brief period of time.

Upon my arrival I happened upon a most curious young lady who was sitting alone in the metal and plastic play structure. As I approached I noted that she did not react to my presence as I had anticipated. Human programming is to be wary of strange beings that encroach on the territory of a person or group. Rather than ignore my presence, as most tend to do, she called me over and insisted I sit with her.

Physical Structure
Darker hair pigmentation with hints of copper.
Eyes are expressive and lively. There are flecks of gold coloring in the iris.
Recovering from physical corrections to bone structure of the foot. Recovery status- incomplete. Healing at 87% completion.
Well fed, but healthy.

Carried Possessions
Wore green zombie socks and sandals.*
A set of keys and plastic slips
Nail paint and a stick of finger sandpaper
Sketchbook and a portrait of me
Winter coat despite the warmer temperatures
Pink sack full of writing and coloring utensils
Communications device or cellular telephone

Observations
I was taught how to paint my nails. This is a custom among young human females, a sort of bonding right when performed together or a means for social interaction when they have someone else do it for them. After application of the nail paint, my fingers feel heavier. Admittedly this has become a distraction during the remaining activities of the day. The paint coloration is also catching to the eye.
She showed me how to utilize the swinging contraption. It took some time to understand the mechanics but eventually I was able to force the pendulum motion. The harder we kicked the higher we went. At one point I leaned my head back and closed my eyes. As I felt the wind rush through my hair and over my face, I thought to myself that whoever came up with the idea for the pendulum to function as a children’s plaything was a genius. It is the closest thing to free flying most humans will ever experience in their entire lives. I caught a glimpse of the young woman’s face. She was smiling at me, and I knew she felt the same.
I asked her why she had chosen to come here and received the following response: “It’s so simple. Everything is complicated and busy- and buzzing. It’s all work, responsibilities, expectations, loud noises and humming computer screens. But a playground is simple; just air, earth, sun, and fun”. I cannot help but wonder how common this mentality is. How deprived of the natural world are humans in this age that they have developed cravings and urges for it, as if suffering from withdrawal? How much damage have people done to themselves by depriving their vessels of one of its core nutrients- sunlight? Will have to look further into this matter at a later date.

Researcher’s Notes
When I first began taking observational trips to the playing grounds, I received a multitude of disapproving and nervous reactions from the other women who had come with their offspring. I’ve come to understand that a full grown woman engaged in solitary use of designated children’s play equipment is a social absurdity. Since then I have taken to visiting the grounds once there is no one present. I have noted that the hormonal systems of the vessel occasionally will register an emotion called ‘shame’ or ‘embarrassment’. I do not understand this response as it is clearly an abnormal reaction; as demonstrated by my day’s companion. More research is needed.

*it has been previously noted that the combination of socks and sandals is a means for social rejection. When I asked her why she still chose to wear them, she responded by saying: “Fuck them. I’ll wear what I want”.