asbest

What? How is that exciting? We're happy enough just living here and getting our three meals a day.

Yeah, this is where we live. Plus, what if there's a bunch of poisonous bugs up there? You'll die! That's not exciting.

Yeah, you'll die! Don't be silly!

Er... I...

We saw you eat bugs. Did you spend all your money shopping a few days ago? But you can make money if you catch a bunch of fins!

Yeah, follow Inam and you'll make lots of money!

And your parents will be sad if you die!

Parents? They ain't around anymore.

Oh.

But what's with all this death talk? Never said I was gonna die.

Oh, that's good.

Then let's keep singing! Do you want to learn our songs?

You farm—♪

(Deep breath)

Oh for god's sake stop talking already even that girl wasn't as noisy as you people I should've gotten some duct tape to shut you up for good!

Whoa! What did she say? That wasn't Sargonian, was it?

Did one of her eyes just change color?

Argh! Ugh! Uhhhh...

Finally! She's awake! Now you can take her and scram!

Are you alright?

Ugh... guh...

Shit, and out like a light again.

Whatever. You have doctors, don't you? Stop wasting time with me.

Now piss off.

Alright, thank you, miss!

(Doesn't change the fact that she's weird through. Maybe we should knock her out and take her away in a sack if things don't go well.)

Hell no!

Oh, it's morning.

Yesterday was so tiring... I should go before those guys come back.

Looks like that's everything. Time to move!

And here we are.

It's even more daunting up close. What am I getting myself into?

Well, here goes nothing!

The surroundings are silent, save for the deafening roar of the waterfall. Asbestos climbs against the raging current, tugging at her rope, the top of which is swallowed by the splashing foam.

It is always the same—climbing towards unknown heights, or descending into unknown depths.

She knows that there is a stunning view at her destination, but not what difficulties that she might encounter on the way.

It could be a slip, a fall, wild beasts, snowstorms, or perhaps some disaster or challenge she could never imagine.

(The current's too strong. I can't find my footing!)

(There's a branch there!)

(Good, it's pretty solid. I should be able to avoid the currents by following it...)

Ha!

So slippery!

She knows how it feels to lose her balance in rapid currents, pushing her lungs to the limit in suffocating whirlpools.

She knows how it feels to keep climbing through the night after breaking her arm from a fall halfway up, just to catch a glimpse of the sunrise from the top.

She knows how it feels to slip and fall on a glacier, the ice chips ripping through her skin.

But she also remembers seeing the rays of the setting sun reflect upon the icy surface when she stood up again, accompanied by a sweet icy breeze.

At that moment, Asbestos no longer cared about her bleeding wounds. All the pain and suffering, all the hardship—it was all worth it.

*Cough* *Cough*...

Aye, that was one hell of a shower... good thing there's a gap here.

But I'm still alive! And almost there!

Here we go!

Every time she gets up again, she is thinking the same thing.

It was bloody worth it.

Half an hour later

*gasp*... *gasp*...

I'm exhausted...

I took a look around. No poisonous bugs, so she won't die. Oh, and these vines grow here too? Wow, there's a lot of them!

It's such a great place up here! So many vines growing here!

Haha, you may be fierce, but you're pretty darn good!

Hey, back off!

I had my eyes on her first!

Oh, and sorry about the other day. Kanna told me you outsiders don't like fighting. I shouldn't have hit you.

But your tail is really cool!

Oh, for the love of—!

Just shut up and take in the view!

The Archosauria are wet and muddy, with pieces of grass in their hair.

A wind from the canyon blows the grass into the sky, until it disappears in the distance.

They see a sight they have never seen before—their own home.

Look over there!

Wow! Look at that!

Their hearts are filled with myriad emotions. Beautiful, stunning, spectacular—or perhaps something beyond what any word could describe. Just like the outsider who gazes at the view in fascination, their cries of joy echo through the canyon.

Woo!

Wahoo!

Wow...

It's beautiful.

Wow...

I want to sing.

Let's surround her! Join hands and sing!

Your waterfall is rushing, there's fins for your plate~♪

You swing about your tail, so the fins take the bait~♪

Climb up your waterfall, it's such a pretty sight~♪

It's such a pretty sight, oh, such a pretty sight~♪

Ha. Fine.

Such a pretty sight~♪

Hey, stop spinning!

Cheer and laugh, till we make the sky sing~♪

Make the sky sing~♪

We'll be going!

Goodbye, friend!

Yeah, yeah, later guys!

So tired.

Where do they get the energy for all that noise? I'd rather climb ten waterfalls.

Now, what should I write for this one?

One month later

Magazine delivery from Asbestos! There's one for everyone! Her travel journal's inside.

A travel journal is a record you keep of what you see and experience when you visit a new place.

Wow, she grades the sights pretty harshly. And she looked so happy when she came down from the waterfall.

It's in Rim Billitonian. I'll translate it. There's a new section: 'Meet the Locals.' You guys are in it!

We're in a book!

Ahem! It opens like this: