halo2

The question planted itself in my heart like a seed. I was frustrated with my ignorance, at the lack of answers...

It was only when I grew up and read about light pollution and atmospheric turbulence in the library that I found the answer.

...I don't know much about the stars, but sometimes being ignorant isn't such a bad thing.

If you didn't think you were ignorant, you wouldn't have gone to the library to find the answer.

You're right.

Did your parents ever tell you why they liked to look at the stars? That 'astrology' thing?

It's not a question of like or not. It's my family's tradition.

Hunting and sculpting are my family's tradition, but I don't think my ancestors would have carried it on for so long if they didn't like it...

...I remember now. My mother told me something that my ancestors once said.

'Beauty and the unknown.' Beauty makes people gaze into the unknown, and the unknown makes people feel a deeper beauty.

Maybe that's why they started stargazing...

Well... I'm not sure I understood it, but it sounded like the clerics reciting the <i>Kjeragandr</i>, so I guess that's not a bad thing.

Anyway, it's time for us to go down. I'll go wrap up that sausage for you.

Okay.

...Thanks, Joanna.

Had fun today, Elena? You were the last one to come back.

Well, it was a long day. It did end up being fun, I guess?

The receptionist said there's a guest here looking for you. Said you hadn't been writing back, and they're not leaving until they see your face.

They're in the reception room.

A guest? For me?

I'll go now.

Hey, is that... smoked wild game sausage I smell?!

You like this? My guide friend said Kjerag locals like it more than fondue.

Probably a tradition thing? I grew up in a poor family, and I would be overjoyed when we got smoked sausage. I prefer fondue now, though.

So... could I have a bit of the sausage?

I see... I'm not hungry yet. I'll go see the guest; you can help yourself.

...I knew it.

Genne...

So glad you're alright...

Sia...

I've been sending letters ever since the Catastrophe, trying to make sure that you're alright.

Then I heard that there was a skirmish between Kjerag and Victoria, and I got even more anxious...

Mm... there was a suspension of incoming mail that only recently got lifted.

Were you hurt? Sick? Is everything okay?

Well... a lot happened. Maybe I changed a little bit...

But I'm doing fine. Everything that's fine...

No need to worry.

Good to hear that...

I brought your favorite coffee beans from Columbia. The same kind that our favorite breakfast place in Trimounts uses.

And a hand-grinder, too. It's a little late for coffee, but if you want—

Yes! I haven't had good coffee in a long while since I came to Kjerag.

Heh, give me a minute.

Did you come from Columbia? I thought you spend most of your time on Rhodes Island?

A lot's happened to Rhodes Island lately. We can talk about that later...

Anyway, I went home after the events at Rhodes Island. Mother fell sick around the same time that the Catastrophe hit Kjerag, so I stayed a few more days and took turns with father to care for her.

I tried to tell them about what you're doing in Kjerag, but it didn't take long for father's expression to grow dark. He told me through clenched teeth that he didn't want to hear your name.

I knew it.

And then I found out that he had been buying a few different newspapers, and trying to keep it a secret from me.

I thought he didn't like to read the news.

Because Kjerag was all over the news those few days...

He took the newspapers into mother's room, talking as he flipped through them... they hugged, and his eyes were red as he left the room.

Maybe he's just getting old... he and mother want to know more about you, Genne.

Sia, you know I... they...

I'm not here to lobby for them. You know I'm on your side, and I know what they did to you.

But if one day, they ask me about you... can I tell them?

Of course.

...Is mother alright?

Just a bout of flu that hit harder than usual. She had recovered by the time I left.

She wouldn't let herself show any weakness. She was back to her stone-faced self the first day her fever faded.

Hmph... good to hear, I guess.

Do you still carry your astrology notes with you, Sia?

Yeah. Why do you ask?

...I want to take a look.

I thought you didn't like astrology.

I... I saw the 'god' of the Kjerag when I was investigating the Kjerag Catastrophe.

At first, I thought all this talk about 'god' was just a load of hot air, and I was frustrated that my companions believed in the existence of a 'god', even though the most rational explanation was an Originium vein.

Until I walked into the cave... and saw biosignals on my instruments.

When the word 'Feranmut' came to my mind, I realized that my research wasn't so different from our family astrology, after all.

That irredeemable asshole, Mr. Urbica, father...

I started to understand him, just a little.

You don't need to reject the path you chose, Genne...

No, no, it's not that.

I revealed a glimpse of the truth, the secret behind the veil. I won't stop there.

I continue to believe that science is the best way to explore the unknown, and the path that I'm meant to walk.

Our ancestors may have gone down the wrong path, but it doesn't mean what they did was meaningless.

But... they never got the chance to see the stars in Kjerag. And so, it's our turn to continue this journey of exploration that goes on and on.

I see.

Do what you want to do, Genne. I'll have your back, always.

What—

Why do you look so surprised? Am I not allowed here?

...The Director told me the local volunteer guide would only come along the first day.

I'm just here to hang out with my friends from afar. No need to follow their rules.

What do you say, Rift Cloudbeast?

(Purrs)

I guess you're right...

Alright, but I'm only coming with you if you agree to two things.

You got it. What are they?

First, we'll not run all over the mountains again!

Second... let's go down the mountain and have some fondue.

I told you, that stuff's—

Nope, I want to try it for myself before judging whether it's good or not.

Alright, alright...

Let's go.