meteo

How many freaking times does it need to appear in one sentence?!

What the heck does it even mean?!

That took longer than expected. How was it? You could keep it as little farewell gift, if you like.

Nah, I prefer adventure novels to reading about some girl sitting on a farm. Honestly, it was pretty frustrating to read.

Was there a problem?

Yeah, there was a word in there I'd never seen. I tried to skip it, but it kept showing up, way too often.

Let me see... ah.

It means a pleasant and serene night.

...A what?

Well, a night that's happy.

That doesn't make any sense. Nights aren't happy <i>or</i> serene.

Why not?

Because they're long, dark, and cold. They're dangerous and you have to always stay on guard... I hate the night.

I've spent so many nights thinking I would die right there and become food for nocturnal scavengers, never to see the sunrise again.

You could understand 'nocturnal scavengers', but not 'a pleasant and serene night'?

I mean, I've seen plenty of animals tearing at dead bodies. I could picture it as soon as you explained it.

Well, in that case, let's try picturing it together. Close your eyes.

Gotcha.

Think back to when you were a little girl, sitting by your mother's side one night...

Stop right there. I've never met my mother.

Well... did you have any other parental figure as you grew up?

The previous captain found me on the battlefield and raised me.

Well, picture sitting by her side then. How do you feel?

I'm sitting next to her, and she...

She pushes me away, tells me the warband has no use for a weak child, and makes me run ten laps around the camp holding a bucket of water in each hand, without spilling a drop.

My shoulders are starting to get sore.

A-Alright, let's try something else. You and your friends are sitting by a campfire in the forest. There's a delicious-smelling pot of soup on the fire.

What do you feel?

I stick my nose out to get a whiff of it...

Exactly!

Then I turn around and see a hand reaching for my pack, trying to steal my money pouch. Why the heck did the captain even let that known thief in?

So I feel really pissed and kinda wish he was right here so I could punch him.

...Never mind, let's start over.

Alright... it's nighttime. Gentle moonlight sweeps across the land. You wrap your blanket around you and feel your eyelids dropping, dragging you into slumber.

What do you feel?

Fear.

Artillery fire might rain down on the camp at any moment... I hide under the bed, covering my ears with my friends.

*Sigh*... Look at what war has done to you children.

Sorry for not getting it.

It's okay. Let me think of another way.

It's just a word. You don't need to go that far to teach me.

Every year, many new things appear in our lives, and new words are created to describe them.

Most of these words are forgotten as the things they describe disappear, never to be uttered again.

But some words are special. They're passed down from one person to another, living on in our collective memory.

That's because they describe something eternal and unchanging. They represent the most precious, foundational spirit of their people.

They're worth understanding and remembering.

So... what if I just can't understand it?

Patience, young lady. Give it time to take root.

Look out for the dried branches under your feet. They're overgrown with moss and very slippery after a rain.

Alright. You're talking too much.

Now can you tell me why you woke me up in the middle of the goddamn night?

You really are grumpy in the morning.

Pardon me, sir, would you care to enlighten me as to why you've brought me to this place?

(Puts a piece of cloth on the ground)

Sit.

(Sits down on the cloth, confused)

Here you go.

...Canned peaches?!

I knew you'd like them. I saw the way you were staring when your captain had a can a few days ago.

Hmph, they're not <i>that</i> special. ...So how'd you get your hands on 'em?

I traded a book for two cans, with your captain.

Whoa, that's one valuable book. What was it?

Just an old manuscript. It wasn't doing anyone any good.

Give me a break, I know how the captain has been collecting old books and selling them to the Columbians.

I'm just stating the facts.

...There's still half a can left. Want it?

All yours.

Thanks...

What do you feel when you look around you?

*Slap*

(Looks at her palm in disgust)

Too many bugs.

There's no need to kill them, they don't bite... but never mind that.

I spent a few nights looking for them. I brought you here because they're special.

I can see their backsides glowing.

Huh... I've seen these by the water before, but I didn't know they were bugs. I thought...

Thought what?

I thought they were the ghosts of people killed in battle.

People do associate them with will-o-wisps found near graves, but they glow in different ways.

Will-o-wisps are caused by gases released by decomposing bodies, which have a very low flash point and ignite when they come into contact with air.

What about these bugs, then?

They secrete chemicals that glow, using their respiration to control the biochemical reaction in order to adjust the brightness.

Their abdomens contain a large amount of light-emitting chemicals and cells.

A bug lands on the man's palm, its backside glowing with a blue light.

Soon, more of the insects draw near, until his entire hand is surrounded in light.

The man seems able to speak endlessly about them, using many complicated words that Blunt Wedge does not understand.

She does not feel troubled, however. In fact, what she's feeling is unfamiliar to her.

It's like a little bug is flapping its wings in her heart, slowly ascending, with a light on its butt that is weak and dim, but filled with vitality.

I think I feel something.

They like to lay their eggs by the water... Wait, what do you feel? Tell me!

I feel...

The sound of an explosion interrupts her.

The bugs scatter at the noise, their lights disappearing into the dark woods.

A plume of smoke can be seen in the distance, covering the few stars visible in the night sky.

Oh shit! It's coming from the camp!

Wait, Blunt Wedge! You haven't told me how you felt yet.

There's no time for that. We need to get back.

It's important to me. Please, I must know.

I...

Say something, please.