Where No Loporrit Has Gone Before
While your allies were busy braving the depths of Allagan ingenuity to gather the materials you so sorely needed, you and your companions went ahead to see to the needs of some Sharlayan's most accomplished scholars. It must have been quite a surprise when there was little you were able to do for them. But someone of your capabilities always manages to stumble into work, and it wasn't long after that you found in the form of fuzzy-eared helpers.
Well, they do say that no job is too small.
S'eni honestly wasn't surprised.
In fact, she had downright expected to run into their furry little friends down here. What she didn't expect, though, was to find the Loporrits all on their own. Nor that she would get volunteered to serve as their tour guide since their friends in the Forum were all too busy for obvious reasons.
Yet here she was now, giving one of them a lift on her shoulders while he looked at a Sharlayan apparatus in the distance. But it could be worse, she supposed. At the very least she didn't have to explain its function, as Urianger, who was currently engaging Livingway in a little conversation, deemed it more constructive to let the Loporrits form their own conclusions instead. Not like she would even know where to start anyway.
"Ooooh, that looks very similar to the 'trees' in the Endsvale!" Singingway exclaimed, shifting around a little to try and get a better look. In the end, he planted his tiny hands in the top of her head to stand up on her shoulder, drawing out a little strained smile from her. "No, wait. The shape is a bit strange. Thin at the bottom, big and round at the top. Quite tall for something so unbalanced too—Ah! I understand!"
S'eni's hand shot up to steady him as he did a little jump.
"That's where they store water! They draw it up through that tube, purify it in what I presume are tanks and then store it up there. Now..." he scratched his muzzle. "...if I had to hazard a guess, it's getting stored there before being redistributed somewhere else. Am I right?"
"Sure are," she chuckled, silently thanking Alphinaud for at least explaining that much earlier while they had been at Logistikon Alpha.
"I knew it. A design brilliant in its simplicity. I daresay it would take only a moment to install in even the harshest of environments. For us Loporrits, that is!"
"Well, glad you're so confident about it." She helped Singingway back down to the ground, then faced the approaching Livingway.
"Securing a reliable source of water is of the utmost importance for any fledgling settlement," the smaller woman said.
"However, we have read that some people have made their homes in arid climates. How are they able to survive in such harsh conditions?" Singingway asked.
"Settlements in Thanalan are very often built near an oasis," S'eni explained. "And in Gyr Abania it's quite common to find villages in the vicinity of waterfalls."
"So wherever you live, you're never far from water..."
"Oh dear..." Growingway said and looked at Singingway. "I fear we won't be able to procure the necessary amount."
"Hmm...perhaps a few adjustments are in order..."
As the two Loporrits began falling into a technical back and forth about how they could improve the water supply on the moon, S'eni briefly glanced over to Urianger. "Looks like you were right," she said to him, crossing her arms lightly. "It really was a good idea to let them figure it out on their own."
"Hydaelyn hath blessed Her custodians with sharp intellect, and a healthy amount of curiosity," he said with a chuckle, then raised his voice a little to address their furry guests. "Mayhap thou wishest to speak with those more qualified to describe the workings of the apparatus?"
"Oh yes! That sounds absolutely splendid!" Singingway practically beamed at the suggestion.
"Then we must journey beyond the sanctuary of the hamlet. I shall lead the way." Urianger began to turn, only to pause when Growingway spoke up.
"Y-You mean we'll have to brave the untamed wilderness!?"
Livingway nodded in agreement. "A valid concern. We couldn't help but notice the many creatures with big, nasty teeth lurking outside."
"Don't worry." S'eni knelt down, offering them a reassuring smile. "Urianger and I will protect you."
"Indeed. Even without mine humble contribution, many a hungry predator would do well to avoid S'eni."
"Well, in that case." Singingway raised a tiny fist. "To the water extraction wotsit!"
Leaving the hamlet, their group began to make their way to Logistikon Alpha. Luckily for them, the beasts in the area seemed to take Urianger's counsel and decided to stay clear for now, which made their little charges ease up enough to chat amongst themselves. Well, apart from Growingway, who was looking around as if the next beast could jump out at any second.
"Gil for your thoughts?" she asked, making him jump, then look at her.
"Huh?" he tilted his head. "Gil? That's your money, right?"
"Yeah, it's an expression for asking what you're thinking."
"Oh, well, all I'm thinking about is not to end up as food. I figured that Etheirys wasn't going to be saved but whoooo..." he shook himself. "Wossname...uh, Garlemald, already made for a pretty unfavourable first impression. And now I'm in an underground, miniature Etheirys crawling with all sorts of beasties."
"I can see how that can be scary. But not everywhere is like that. Take the place where I was born for example. It's a quiet island very far in the south, where barely anything happens."
"That sounds very nice right about now."
She released a little laugh. "You'd like it. There's lots of trees on it too. Could maybe get a little warm with all your fur though."
"Aww, now I'd really like to see it..."
"Who knows...perhaps you will," she said, her expression growing somber. Of course, for that to happen, they would have to stop the Final Days, and that was still very much a work in progress. And since the Loporrits were very much still in favor of flight instead of fight, she changed the subject instead. "Sorry, by the way. For knocking you out, I mean."
"Crikey! I should be the one apologizing. It was all such a terrible misunderstanding after all," Growingway said. "Don't worry about the others either. They all recovered from the beating. As they say, time heals all wounds. Most anyway."
"Then let's agree to both be sorry, and do better from here on out."
"Agreed!" he smiled. It vanished quickly, though, as he turned his gaze back forward and pointed ahead. "W-What's that?"
Following his outstretched hand, S'eni spotted a Burning Anala making its way towards them in all its fiery glory. With a small sigh, she cracked her knuckles and began walking away from the group. "Excuse me for a moment."
So much for taking Urianger's counsel.
After seeing the Lopporits to Logistikon Alpha safe and sound, she figured that her contribution to the guided tour had largely come to an end in favor of actual experts. Well, she thought wrong, as Cookingway had very little interest in any 'water extraction wotsits' and would rather sample some of the local delicacies. Which led the two of them right into the Medial Circuit; to Meryall Agronomics to be precise.
Just like her first visit here during their investigation of Labyrinthos, one could feel the stress in the air, with people carrying crates of samples in preparation for the exodus. A part of her wanted to go check up on the small patch of Elpis flowers but ultimately decided against it. If not still ashen in color, they would most likely have taken on another, darker shade.
Besides, she thought and looked over to Cookingway. Better keep an eye on him all the time.
Humming to himself, the Loporrit was currently engrossed by a cluster of grapes hanging from a bush, looking at it from every possible angle. Once he was done, he nodded to himself. "Well, let's see if they're as delicious as they look..." he said and plucked one off, then popped it into his mouth.
The reaction was almost instantaneous, his already large eyes growing even larger and his ears shooting upward in a straight line. With very obvious amusement, S'eni watched him slowly chew and swallow. His hand immediately went to grab a second one.
"Good?" She asked and moved to join him.
He nodded enthusiastically. "So sweet and equally sour! Its taste is not unlike the philosopher's carrot...and yet the texture is entirely different."
"Well, of course. It's not a carrot after all," she said matter of factly, and tried a grape as well. It was absolutely delicious.
"That certainly gave me food for thought," he said once he was done with his second grape, smacking his lips a few times. "Tell me, what's your opinion on them?"
"They're great, but they're not just for eating. You can also make wine out of them. There's a vineyard on Vylbrand famous for some of the best grapes in all of Eorzea," she explained.
"Hmm, yes, I read about that. You make intoxicating beverages by stepping on them."
"A few more steps are required for that, but in essence, yeah."
"I see...anyway, that's enough about grapes for the time being. On to the next treat!"
"Sure," she said, taking one final grape on the way. They really were great!
The next samples were an orange and a pumpkin respectively. While the first pretty much garnered a similar reaction to the grapes, the second proved a little too hard and flavors for Cookingway's liking, that was until the woman tending the fields imparted into him the wisdom of that which gave him his name in the first place. That cooking to bring out the flavor in something was unknown to the Lopporits certainly explained quite a lot. Nevertheless, she was sure that he left the lecture quite wiser than before. She certainly found herself in the mood for that pumpkin soup the woman so highly spoke of now...
Wandering around for a few more minutes, they stopped near a group of small trees holding many yellow, ellipsoidal fruits. Lemons. S'eni watched with a raised brow as Cookingway inhaled its scent for a few seconds, before raising it to his mouth. She raised her hand to tell him—too late.
And the reaction was immediate.
"Blech!" he exclaimed, dropping the lemon to the ground and scraping his tongue. "My...tongue...is this...poison!?"
"No. That's called a lemon. It's meant to taste like that," she said, reaching into one of her bags and pulling out a flask of water while she knelt down next to him. He snatched it out of her hand and washed out his mouth, spitting the water into the grass once he was done.
"How can something so similar to an orange be so revolting?" he spat a few more times. "Ack! My palate is going to take some time to recover from this, I fear. Best to stop this round of sampling. Let's say our farewells and return to Urianger."
"Alright."
They made their way over to Jebke, the man in charge of the facility, finding him very much still in the same position as when they arrived.
"No room for these either..." S'eni heard the Xaela mutter under his breath, but saw his gaze soon shift over to them. "Ah, back already? I take it you found something to your liking?"
"I quite like the grapes and oranges, the pumpkin less so. Though I learned they're not to be eaten raw..." a grimace formed on the Lopporits' face. "Then there's the lemon. Blerg! I feel so violated..."
"First time, eh?" Jebke chuckled. "Well, I'd hate for you to leave with a bad taste in your mouth, so let me get you something real quick."
Putting his list on the nearby crate, he stepped into the building. He returned less than a minute later, holding in his hand two—
"Here, a lemon muffin I baked earlier," he said and held one out to Cookingway. "If this doesn't change your mind, then nothing will."
"More lemon!? Have I not suffered enough?" Cookingway sighed. "But it would be rude not to accept..."
The second one, Jebke offered to S'eni. "Have one too. Don't worry, I've got a whole batch of them and you look kind of hungry."
Her stomach replied before she did and, with a slightly embarrassed smile, she accepted. Taking a bite out of it, she released a little sigh. Soft, fluffy, and sweet, with just the right amount of lemon to enhance the flavor. Just as it should be.
She took another bite.
Meanwhile, Cookingway's reaction was much stronger, his entire body beginning to shake as his eyes grew even larger than with the grapes. "This...is..."
He jumped.
"DELICIOUS!" he shouted and a few nearby workers actually stopped briefly to see what all the ruckus was about. Raising his other hand, Cookingway practically cradled the muffin, looking upon it like a precious treasure he didn't ever wish to let go of. "Although I still detect a hint of lemon, it complements the sweetness of the batter to create a perfect harmony! I never would have guessed such vile bitterness could be used to create something like this!"
"See? We rarely use lemon in its natural state, but it's used in all sorts of recipes. Same as many other ingredients. It all comes down to making the most out of what we have at our disposal. And that can sometimes make the difference between life and death." He sighed and looked at the crates, his face darkening. "A shame we can't take every species with us."
"Has the Forum come to a decision?"
"Yes. We have a list of saplings and seeds that are to be delivered to the Central Circuit. And anything not on that list will be left behind. Such a shame."
"Can I see it?" she asked.
"Of course." He handed it to her and her eyes began to scan the pages. "I have no doubt that the Forum agonized on what was worth to be preserved...and what will be consigned to history."
And indeed, the pages were all filled with a variety of crops that would grow in a multitude of environments. A considerable amount, all things considered, and it certainly wouldn't cause a lack of variety either, but it nevertheless had to sting to leave everything else behind. Just like the choice of what life forms would be taken along on the exodus. It couldn't be easy to make.
She handed the list back to Jebke.
"Hard choices," the Au Ra said. "But we must make them if we wish to survive."
"Such strength of will...Now I know what Hydaelyn sees in your kind. Mankind, Lopporits, we were born from the accumulated knowledge of the Ancients. They learned all there is to learn about the nature of sentient life and the fates of the stars themselves. Once a civilization has fulfilled the basic requirements for survival, it will inevitably seek to eliminate all forms of negativity and achieve perfection. And therein lies its folly...and its downfall." Cookingway briefly closed his eyes, only for them to shoot open again, a never before seen twinkle in them and he raised a clenching fist, his lips curling into a determined smile. "For perfection is unattainable. The paradox of the immaculate carrot. Yet civilizations since time immemorial have deemed the pursuit of perfection as 'progress'. They pay no heed to the costs incurred in their futile quest, and all too often become the architects of their own demise. But what is the alternative? The answer is simple: to accept that our existence can never be perfect and to be content with what we have; to make the most of it. When life gives you lemons, make lemon muffins!"
Both Jebke and S'eni blinked, then shared a look.
She just shrugged.
"...pardon my Eorzean, but what in the seven hells are on you about?" the Au Ra asked. "And who are you anyway?"
"Cookingway. At your service." The Loporrit bowed, making his ears flap around a little. "I'm here to help prepare for the trip to the moon. And once you get there, you'll be able to try my carrots. I've been growing all different kinds!"
"And believe me he means different," she added, and she suddenly felt the urge to try that one carrot again.
"Don't worry, there'll be room for your crops too," Cookingway said. "We'll work together to preserve as many of Etheirys's species as possible, if you're up to the challenge."
Jebke sent another questioning look towards her, since she was clearly in charge of him, and, when she nodded, offered Cookingway a smile. "I look forward to it!"
After saying their goodbyes, the two of them left Meryall Agronomics in the direction of Logistikon Alpha, where Urianger and the others were no doubt already finished with their endeavor. Halfway there, though, Cookingway turned towards her. "Say, S'eni?"
"Yeah?"
"I was wondering, do you know other places known for their cuisine?"
She had to consider that for a moment. "Anywhere, really. From Limsa Lominsa to the Far East, you'll be hard-pressed not to find a place with local delicacies. Part of the fun of traveling is trying the various foods of the area. It serves as a unique window into their culture."
"Ah, if only I had time to visit them all," Cookingway sighed. "The more I learn of Etheirys, the more I wish we could spare it from the Final Days. But Hydaelyn's orders are to flee, not to resist. If only there was another way..."
But what if there was? She asked in her mind.
As they stepped into Logistikon Alpha, they swiftly located Urianger, as well as the other Loporrits, and walked over to them.
"Ah, S'eni. I trust thy time at Meryall Agronomics did..." the Elezen coughed. "...bear fruit?"
She nodded. "I think it was quite a growing experience."
They both chuckled.
"Our own efforts, too, were rewarded. We now possess an embarrassment of educational riches," he said.
"Not to rub it in, but we had the most fantastic time while you were away," Singingway interjected. "Urianger was able to obtain all sorts of meteorological data for us and I'll be sure to put my newfound knowledge to good use!"
"Glad to hear," S'eni said, then furrowed her brows when she noticed they were missing someone. "...where's Growingway?"
"He walked off some time ago. Seemed quite lost in thought," Livingway replied. "We were just about to fetch him, actually."
"'tis time for us to return to the hamlet. While our guests' pursuit of knowledge is admirable, time very much is of the essence," Urianger said.
"Then why don't you guys go on ahead and I'll go get him?"
"Very well. I shall leave him in thy capable hands, then." With a bow, Urianger began to usher their tiny wards into the direction of lift to the Central Circuit.
As soon as the doors had closed behind them, S'eni began looking for Growingway. It took a little bit, since it wasn't exactly a small building, but she eventually located him sitting on a bench, staring out of a nearby window, despite his short stature making it quite difficult to do so. His large ears moved slightly at the sound of her footsteps, yet his gaze remained firmly set on the sight in front of him even as she sat down beside him.
After a few more seconds of silence he finally said, "Siiigh..."
A look of confusion formed on her face and she turned her head towards him. Did he just—
"Yes, S'eni, that was me verbalizing a sigh to express my emotional state."
"What happened?" she asked.
"While the others were reading up on the wotsit, I managed to take a look at the reconstructed environmental data of Etheirys." This time he actually sighed. "And I saw a forest so lovely...so...leafy. Are all your forests like that?"
"Most of them. There's a few differences of course, depending on the climate for example."
"Like at your home?"
"Yeah. Down there the trees are called palms. Their leaves are shaped like feathers that dance in the breeze."
"Gasp! Gasp, I say," he indeed did say and looked at her. "No wonder you are so reluctant to leave a star so beautiful behind. I'm a fool for assuming that the moon was something worth being proud of. We must look pretty ridiculous to you now..."
"That's not true, Growingway. Yes, it's true the moon doesn't reflect the realities of Etheirys, and the Endsvale is about as far removed from an actual forest as can be, but that doesn't diminish what you all created. You built something that can travel the vast expanse of the cosmos. That's no small feat, and absolutely something to be proud of." She placed a hand on top of his head. "We all make mistakes. What's important is to learn from them and endeavor to do better. That way, even the Endsvale can one day have proper trees."
"You really think so?"
"Of course." Pulling her hand back, S'eni rose back up and held it out to him. "Come, let's go join the others. They're already waiting."
He smiled and took her hand. Together, they made their way over to the lift and stepped inside. Watching the floors pass by on their way down, S'eni spoke up. "Hey, can I ask you a question?"
"Of course!"
"Let's say the Final Days would be stopped, and please just humor me here...what would you like to do?"
"Hmm..." Growingway fell silent, clearly not having expected that question. A few moments passed and she was just about to rescind the question when, finally, he replied. "...I think I'd like to visit all the forests of Etheirys. Starting with the one from your home."
Now it was her turn to smile. "Then it would be my pleasure to show you around."
The lift stopped, its door opening to the Central Circuit, and they both stepped out.
And now you have to imagine Growingway dressed in an Aloha shirt.