pudd

Don't sweat it, I'm actually really happy to get a chance to help you out.

I have to say though, Sami's environment is just so complicated. The myriad factors you have to keep in mind just make my head hurt. Only you could've thought this through so meticulously without being on-site, Pudding.

You have to finish this, Celica, so don't screw it up!

I'm just scared of any other variables I might have missed...

I'm sure your proposal will be able to meet the power supply requirements of a modern village, so please don't worry yourself sick.

Yeah, you've done a great job. We're bound to miss <i>something</i> without conducting an on-site survey ahead of time, so don't overthink it.

Besides, the actual environment is always changing, and no one can calculate every possibility.

...I guess it would have been better if we did do an on-site survey for this project proposal.

It's fine, we all know you don't like going outside. No need to force yourself to do something you don't want to.

Am I... unable to help everyone to the best of my abilities?

Why would you think that?

But going outside... I'm afraid of making a mistake again, or running into some sort of danger...

At this point... No need to worry, Pudding.

If you'd ever like to try stepping outside, we can accompany you wherever you go, just like what we did now.

Pillow, Celica's letter hasn't arrived yet.

Yes, I won't be working overtime today, but I just wanted to wait here.

Should I get a cup of coffee...? I do miss the taste of hot cocoa when I'm not working overtime though.

I look unhappy? You know that I've been at a loss recently.

In retrospect, I did work on some simulation experiments while helping everyone implement their ideas, back when I had just arrived on Rhodes Island.

Maybe those experiments gave me a false sense of security, made me think I could become a good engineer even if I stayed in a closed environment.

But maybe, things have quietly changed outside, as time flows in the breeze, with us none the wiser.

Oh, how I envy Celica... I really want to know what she's seen...

Good evening, Pudding!

Is Celica's letter here?

Yes, it's for you. Have a good night.

Quick, open it!

I can't wait any longer.

Um... huh? When did you guys get here?

We... just happened to be passing by. Uh, right, we were on our way to get some hot cocoa.

Here, this cup's for you.

Alright, enough about us, what did Celica write this time?

Um...

'Dear Pudding, you might find it difficult to take in what I'm about to tell you. I was also shocked when I first saw it.'

'Let me figure out how to say this...'

The rest of this page is blank.

Let's look at the next page, I think there's writing on it.

'When we arrived at the Sami settlement, I was so surprised to find that they weren't using electricity—or any other modern devices—like we had thought they would.'

'They still use the most traditional means to provide light for themselves.'

'So in actuality, life in this community is no different than when the first Columbian expedition team chanced upon them many years ago, and modern technology has changed very little.'

How could this be...? But those smiles...

Pudding... It's too soon to feel bad, there's still more.

*ahem* 'However, I was also surprised that they hadn't entirely discarded the notion of using modern technology.'

'What they have done instead is live alongside it in their own unique Sami way.'

Seems like there's a photo in the envelope.

Light.

Pudding sees light, before tears cloud her eyes.

There is no doubt this light comes from modern civilization. A soft, cold light is emitted by the diodes powered by Originium.

But there is not even a single electrical light in the photo.

She sees a horned creature emerging from the forest, like the first ice crystals shaken from the treetops.

Its fur glistens like moonlight.

So that's an ice sculpture? I thought it was real!

Wow, so the Sami people actually stuffed light tubes into their ice sculptures to make that shiny fur. It's beautiful.

I have to say, this is my new favorite story.

There's more at the very bottom...

Celica had written another paragraph.

'Did you see the photo? I never read about the Sami people doing anything like this in books, but I saw this with my own eyes.'

'Your efforts didn't change how they live, but this result... I think it feels just as wonderful.'

'I don't know if you feel the same. But when I saw that, I felt like I saw something new, and yet ordinary.'

'Like something that has always been with us, that we've never properly looked at until now.'

'Sami isn't a static snow globe. This land has always been beyond our imaginations.'

'Pudding, I'll continue striving onwards, but not necessarily to change anything. The future will change on its own.'

'I can't just stay like this, even if only to witness the many different vistas out there.'

I... can't just stay like this.

I'm not seeing things, am I?

Is that... Pudding? Outside?

Oh, hello everyone.

Hello.

I'm accompanying Pudding outside to do some maintenance work on the landship equipment. It's the first time she's left the ship ever since she got here.

You...

Don't look at me like that, I didn't drag her out. She chose this on her own.

She was very enthusiastic on the way here, go take a look if you don't believe me.

Pudding... seems to be trembling a little.

Scary... It's so scary...

P-Pillow... I think I really shouldn't... shouldn't...

Go outside!