story_malist_1_1

Deculture. After seeing this photo, I've decided to return to Acahualla.

Huh? But it was so difficult getting to Rhodes Island, and I want to explore some more—

But you're the one who gave me this photo of the Acahualla Durin settlement!

It wasn't me, it was Master Edge. He wanted to share their 'novel architectural style' with you, so he threw it in...

He's calling it a 'novel architectural style'? Those idiots actually want to imitate those crude Tiacauh huts? Can you even call this a style?

Just look at the Great Aquapit. It's so stifling, but at least it's solid, neat, and has a sense of rhythm immediately recognizable as Catch's work.

Or Rhodes Island's dormitories. Their appearance viscerally disgusts me, but at least they've separated the areas by function, and you can tell they considered traffic flow when designing the space.

But these 'houses'...? Those crooked pillars, dilapidated roofs, that grotesque fencing... I refuse to even call them buildings, they're just an unaesthetic, organically constructed safety hazard waiting to collapse!

Stitch, calm down...

How can I possibly calm down when my people are living in something so hideous?!

As a design representative, I'll come up with a design that will convince them to willingly demolish those inexplicably slipshod dwellings!

I'll go submit a request to go back—

Wait, Stitch, just hold on a minute––

What now?

You can go back if you want, but... It's going to be a real challenge to convince everyone to rebuild the settlement in a different style.

The Archosauria-esque designs were agreed upon by popular vote, and the turnout rate was pretty high, too.

Personally, it's a bit too simple for my tastes, but in the end... It's the first time everyone's been on the surface, so it's not surprising such a different style would leave a deep impression on us Durins.

Based on what I know of the public opinion, it'll be difficult for you to win everyone over before this new wave of enthusiasm passes.

If that blasted Catch's 'Great Aquapit' could get such high approval, then surely my designs stand a chance too? I'm used to their complaints; I quarreled with them often enough while we were repairing the dome.

*sigh* Anyway, I suppose I'll just have to try my best to convince everyone.

Even if you could, our energy supply has dwindled a lot since our Zeruertza days, and the development of construction machinery has also taken a strange detour...

It's a little tough to explain, but basically we won't have enough resources to carry it out.

Yes, yes, my idiot countrymen are stubborn and don't even have the resources for production, so rebuilding the settlement will be quite the endeavor.

I'm glad you understand—

Regardless, I want to go back! I can't bear the thought that the artisans who made Zeruertza could possibly come with such abominations!

I'm going to submit an application for, so you just wait for me here!

When Master Edge handed me that photo with such a wicked smile on his face, he didn't tell me Stitch would blow his top like this...

Deculture? I didn't know you were coming to Rhodes Island.

Avdotya! Perfect timing, go convince Stitch to stay!

I don't think you need to worry about that. The road back to Acahualla is long, and Stitch isn't like his old self. I'm sure he'll calm down on his own.

Besides, he hasn't returned to Acahualla ever since he came aboard. Maybe he just misses everyone so much he jumped on the first excuse go back.

But you know how Stitch is...

If you're so worried, how about I accompany you back to Acahualla?

Deculture, I brought some food for you two.

Thanks.

Where's Stitch?

Inside, working on his designs.

Avdotya, he isn't doing what you said he would. He's been glued to his drawings every step of the way, with no intention of giving up on what he's calling 'New Zeruertza'—

I can hear you, you know.

Ahahaha...

Stitch...

We should eat quickly so we can get back to our journey ASAP.

I don't care what you two think, but I've had enough of this shabby place. I won't elaborate on how awful the design is, just that all the dust and dirt give me a headache worse than a hangover.

I'm alright with picking up the pace, but you've been in such a rush ever since we set off—with both the traveling and the drawing. As if... you're being chased by something.

Don't worry about it, Avdotya. I'm more than fine. I really can't stay in this room any longer, so I'll get a move on first.

What about your food—

I'll eat it on the go.

If something's happened, you ought to tell us. Don't be like Gavial when they first came to Zeruertza.

I know!

Minimalist seems extremely impatient, but his gaze is evasive.

Stitch.

What now?!

Look at me.

Tch.

Fine, I'll talk, I'll talk.

Actually, I got this a few days before we set off.

Your medical report?

How could this be—your Cell-Originium Assimilation rate is so high?!

No no no, finish reading it first. Or at least Gavial's notes at the bottom.

'Due to the Originium Zone's interference... fluctuation in instrument readings... this report is hereby invalidated... there is nothing abnormal about Operator Minimalist's condition, and the patient is still relatively stable...'

Is this true?

We were both shocked when we first saw the results, but everything was fine when we reran the tests.

She also said that if the numbers were really that bad, I wouldn't be standing here like this.

But it was a wake-up call for me. While the report itself is wrong...

*sigh* Anyway, that's pretty much what happened.

Stitch, you can't just skim over it like that—

Come to think of it, they never even showed me any of the design drafts before building those inexplicable... things on their own!

Combined with the fact that they're short on resources already, we really need to pick up the pace!

I'm heading out first!

Welcome back, Stitch!

Welcome, welcome. Gavial has stopped by so many times, while I'd almost given you up for dead, you rascal.

So it was you who sent the photo?

Pretty much. I happened to drink a little more than usual that day, so I had Deculture pass that photo along. I knew you'd come back after seeing it, haha.

...I must admit that these, hmph, 'houses,' are more... visually striking in person.

Right? I flipped through 'Stranger Things,' and decided to do as the surface dwellers do and name this style, 'Jungle Wildism'...

Jungle... Wild... ism...

I have a knack for names, don't I?

...Let me just ask this first, did Master or Catch ever come back? What did they have to say about your 'Jungle Wildism'?

They haven't, Catch has only sent a few letters.

(Whispering) Hmph, I guess there's only me around here to fix things.

Minimalist takes a deep breath.

Uh, Stitch?

Old! Man! Edge!

Owww, Croque, if you could just help move me over there? I need to sit for a bit; my waist has been aching up recently—

Stop right there!

You could've just written a proper letter if you wanted me to return—no, we can talk about that later, first we have to settle this 'Jungle Wildism' issue!

Just look at these shabby houses wobbling on stilts behind you!

I can understand why you'd elevate the structures to deal with the humidity, but the stilts aren't even straight! They're bent! The foundations are all wrong!

I can already hear them screaming whenever you climb up and down!

And that barely boarded-up window up there? I can't tell if you're trying to keep the sunlight out or invite the rain in.

And these tattered rags, broken shelves, smashed stones—even the Great Aquapit was nicer than this, and I'm talking post-explosion! This is just a pile of lousy logs!

You itching for a beating?! That's my house, boy!

...Huh?

(Muttering) If the local homes are already as problematic as this, the Durin settlement is bound to be even worse...

The situation is exactly as Minimalist expects.

After all, this is the first time the Durin have built on the surface. Their frantic way of thinking matches well with their Tiacauh guides, resulting in a cacophony of what they presume to be 'design,' rousing Minimalist's ire.

But after a brief tour of the settlement, Minimalist concedes that the Durin are indeed lacking the resources to demolish these whimsical structures and start over from scratch.

He puts away the 'New Zeruertza' design drafts he came up with on the way, and instead goes door-to-door dispensing advice.

He makes the most pragmatic proposals, that while easiest to ignore are also the most important. Afterward, he oversees the renovation efforts by the unorganized Durin, spending entire days outside.

As for the purely whimsical designs with no actual practical issues, Minimalist spares no mercy in his critique, but chooses to turn a blind eye—

This behavior is simply unfathomable to his old acquaintances from Zeruertza.

Time slips away among the wood, stone, and tools. The vacation is about to end.

Our settlement has changed so much just by having you here, Stitch.

Hmph.

I suppose they're worthy of the term 'buildings' now, but they're still an eyesore. I wish I could see Catch's face when he comes back to all this.

Haha.

By the way. I seem to recall you wanting me to build something by a nearby lake?

Yes, but you only have a few more days before you return to Rhodes Island. Wouldn't it be too much to handle that now?

But what if after I leave, someone else just so happens to get inspired to build something crazy there instead...?

Then you can tear it down and replace it with whatever you want, no one would object.

...Can I really do that?

Why not? No one lives there anyway.

I mean...

Forget it. Call over the others and let's get to it.

We're here. This is the lake.

This place...

It reminds me a little of... Zeruertza's 'Great Aquapit.' There's even a natural beach.

I think this is where Acahualla's Durin will develop our entertainment industry in the future, but unfortunately, we have nothing here for now.

Everyone was busy building their homes first, then repairing them, and then all the recent renovations...

But the main reason no one's started work in this area is that the terrain causes the water level to fluctuate. The facilities would be unusable when it's too low, but they'd flood when it's too high.

I'm not forcing you to do this, Stitch. You're exhausted, so like I said, any future landscaping efforts can wait till next time.

Forget next time, I'll do it now.

Oh, if it isn't Stitch? Thanks a lot for helping me renovate my house the other day.

It was nothing much... Are you guys building a sandcastle?

Sure are.

No you're not, <i>I'm</i> building it while you just sit there.

Can you really build one here? I hear the water level fluctuates enough to create waves.

Then I guess we'll see if luck's on our side.

If it is, the sandcastle will be able to stand tall for a good while. If not, the water might just rise the moment you come up with the perfect design—

The lake, which had been calm this whole time, suddenly rises into a wave, battering this early iteration of the sandcastle until it loses its shape.

Soon, after several more waves crash onto the beach, there is no trace of it left.

Why'd you have to jinx it?! And why couldn't you have been right about the good option?!

Isn't this a good thing though?

Back when we still had the Great Aquapit, we had all the time in the world to daydream about what kind of sandcastles we wanted to build, and even got into tinkering with an Arts Unit to teach a lesson to anyone with the nerve to disturb us.

The Arts Unit worked so well that we ended up procrastinating on the sandcastles because we had the luxury of time to think of even better designs. More time than we knew what to do with.

I guess that does make sense...

Sense? This guy's been over the moons from getting a week of free mead, so of course he's actually thinking logically for once!

Mead?

I'm ashamed to say that we made a bet this morning on whether the water would rise today, and if a sandcastle could be built... pffft.

How dare you laugh! You picking a fight?!

The two Durin duke it out on the soaked shore.

See, Stitch? This is what the lake is like. I can't figure out what to possibly build here, and your vacation is almost over. Just relax and we can discuss this next time.

But I've already come up with an idea.

Really? What do you want to build here?

New Zeruertza.

Stitch, did you drink before coming here?

Of course not. We can't solve our resource issue right away, but I can at least correct the aesthetic taste of our dumb friends here.

Oh, you meant a scale model of your New Zeruertza.

You don't have much time left, and what are you even going to build it out of? I can go help you gather materials and craftsmen, if you like...

No need for that. I'll just build it with sand like they did earlier.

Were you napping when those two idiots were fighting?

This is a great place for a sandcastle, even with the water and waves.

You keep saying I don't have much time left, Master Edge. So isn't something that won't require a lot of effort just perfect?

Even if you know it'll soon be washed away by the waves?

Yes.

...Stitch, did you mature? Maybe some kind of life-changing experience? You almost seem like a different person now.

Let him do it, Master Edge.

Avdotya?

Nothing happened to him, but the way he thinks has indeed changed of late.

Really?

Really.

...Stitch, I'll believe you this time, for Avdotya's sake. But be sure to keep your word.

Of course.

Oh, also. Can you tell the others to stay away from the lake while I'm building?

Hmm, that'll depend on how they vote. I can't stop them if everyone wants to come and see.

The Durins vote to not go near the lake for the time being.

Nonetheless, the curious Durins can't help but wonder if Minimalist's sandcastle will be washed away by the fickle waves.

The intensity of their interest is especially evident from Croque's betting business.

A few even try to sneak over to the lake to check out the situation, only to be obstructed by similarly minded people in front of the blockade. Croque takes the initiative to maintain order, keeping them out.

Finally, Minimalist arrives at the blockade the day before he is to leave for Rhodes Island—two huge dark circles under his eyes—and tells the people crowding outside that the sandcastle is finished.

People stop and gawk at the exquisite and concise construction of 'New Zeruertza.'

The City Forum and streets are reminiscent of the old underground Zeruertza, while the roadside buildings sport a clearly personal style quite different to the old designs: simple, smooth, and clean.

The buildings are not a carbon copy of any particular style, and even include a fair number of Acahuallan design elements, making them fit for a real jungle.

The bad-tempered architect standing before them has built an ideal city of sand by the lake.

I can't believe the New Zeruertza Minimalist kept talking about was actually this stunning.

I think we should promote this design style to the Archosauria and Phidia!

So Stitch actually managed to build a model out of sand...! But you can't stay lucky forever, and once the water comes in, there'll be nothing left. What a pity.

A strong breeze causes a wave to rise from the lake, crashing onto the shore.

*splash*

Stitch's city of sand does not budge.

Stitch, are you secretly an Originium Arts expert?

Hmph, I've always been simply an architect.

Another wave surges with even greater force, this time submerging a corner of the city.

To everyone's surprise, the receding water reveal most of the buildings still intact, save for a tiny house in the corner.

The keen-eyed Edge realizes with a glance that while the first floor of the house has been completely washed away, the second floor is still attached to the ground.

Hoh, I see what you're up to—

The lake eventually turns fierce, and the waves, each higher and foamier than the last, batter New Zeruertza incessantly.

A sympathetic cry erupts from the crowd. Stitch's luck has finally run out, and so has the lake's favor.

Edge glances at Stitch, and sees the boy also biting his lip, but with a cocky expression.

Be frank with me. How many times did you remake this?

The lake has been pretty nice to me, but... probably three or four times.

By the time the lake is once again still, Minimalist's sandcastle is bereft of most of its sand, but still stands on the shore.

Everyone can now clearly make out a dense steel framework inside it, its silver-white bars shining brightly under the sun.

The crowd first marvels in amazement, then applauds, and finally bursts into a laughter devoid of any malice.

In their eyes, the bad-tempered architect has finally grown a sense of humor and performed a grand magic trick for everyone to see.

Minimalist says nothing. Slightly reserved, he looks away, rubbing his nose.

Haha! This is the first time I've seen you so smug with yourself, you rascal!

Honestly, I really want to start making that design a reality right away, Stitch.

It seems like our resource shortage has become the most pressing issue then.

Then my work here...

(Yawns)

...is done.

But... why a sandcastle?

Like I said, this place is great for building sandcastles. It just so happens that they're in need of landscaping, so I merely seized the opportunity.

What you see now is a sandcastle, but once the water comes and goes, there's still a steel framework to look at that won't be easily washed away. Isn't it perfect?

Also, remember that medical report?

The one that was wrong?

It put me on alert. When I read it, I realized for the first time that my time is limited. While it's wrong today, who knows when it will become reality?

...Like the sand.

So I had to return as soon as I could.

Regardless of my position as an architect, Zeruertza's design representative, or just someone with a slightly better sense of aesthetics than the rest of our people, I'm responsible for the kind of place we'll all live in.

And this way, even if something happens to me, my scale model of New Zeruertza will still be standing tall, waiting for everyone to begin building the real thing.

(Yawns)

Just for that? You wouldn't have insisted on building a sandcastle with a steel frame instead of simply using ordinary materials, just to make that point.

About that...

A purely aesthetic issue, as I mentioned in a chat with the Doctor on Rhodes Island the other day—

Doctor?

Yes, I'm waiting for Closure.

...She's doing maintenance work on the landship's core structure, so I should head back for today?

Tch, and after I finally figured out how this place was likely designed.

You want my thoughts? As a newcomer, I'm not familiar with Rhodes Island's core structure, so what could I even tell you?

If you insist... I propose swapping in more corrosion-proof materials next time you do maintenance.

Why?

Because when all's said and done, it's not you or me that will be left behind. It's this landship's skeleton. That's what's going to endure. That's what will stand for us.

(Muttering) ...Tch, that was so embarrassing. How on Terra did I even manage to say it with a straight face?

Well, Avdotya. You can ask the Doctor when we're back on Rhodes Island.

I'm going to get some proper shuteye first.