Archive of Our Own

The seasons never change in Solution 9.

Eheeya'd idly watched some late night video about it years ago, about how the Queen of Reason and the rest of the city government had agreed that there was no need for something like winter in a place such a this. We want our citizens to be happy, the director had said, a broad smile on her face. For too long have we suffered the scourge of lightning, the uncertainty of what tomorrow will bring. We can build our own paradise, away from corrupted aether and nature that does its best to purge us at every turn.

Therefore, they had decided the best climate for the city was early spring. Crisp, cool sunlight that was just warm enough for you to walk around without a jacket, with no humidity or risk of heatstroke. There was never any rain, and talk of storms or thunder was akin to blasphemy. No one who grew up in Solution 9 has ever seen snow. Leaves are something projected from the metal tree branches, forever verdant and cheerful with the faintest hint of blossoms.

The hands of time never move here. Queen Sphene never grows old. Any signs of wear on the city are quickly tidied up by maintenance drones overnight. Dancing Green has been nineteen for oh, a good four years or so. Apparently polled better with the public if he was the babyfaced rookie. But Mom had always said that everything ends eventually, especially the good times, and the Warriors of Light had come in with a big ol' axe and smashed the illusion to pieces. The Queen of Resolve an Endless and the Arcadion one big lie with a bunch of bodies piled in the green room.

It was time for things to change, and that included Eheeya. Tossing aside the moniker of Dancing Green had been a good start; throwing most of the gaudy clothes into his apartment building's incinerator had been another. Buying a sturdy pair of boots and a decent travel pack in any colour other than neon had had felt oddly liberating. Hells, even getting out of the city itself wasn't an ordeal anymore ever since the Vow of Resolve had insisted that the stranded Tuliyollan citizens should be able to come and go as they pleased.

The trouble with change was that it required being brave, and Eheeya had never been particularly good at that. He'd spent too long covering up his vulnerabilities, plastering them with stage makeup and distracting his opponents with the flashing lights of the dance floor. You were never taught how to handle the feral soul or how to shape your body into something suitable for combat, you just figured it out on your own until you wound up in the hospital. But this was something even Dancing Green couldn't have handled entirely alone, let alone Eheeya. So now he's stuck lurking around the job distribution center and wishing that he'd gotten Susa's number before she vanished back across the Salt.

The sun rises on Solution 9's 6am, every day, and the job boards opened at nine. Eheeya's been lurking round there since half eight drinking coffee strong enough to kill a god and getting so jittery it'd be a miracle if he could get any coherent words out. Adventurer types were usually easy to spot; even since the Warriors of Light and their entourage had barged their way in, outsiders were becoming more and more common, turning up to see what this mysterious city of electrope was all about. Usually they were strapped to the nines with swords bigger than their torsos or spears that could take an eye out, but today all that was showing up were handfuls of people in sensible officewear being redirected to other parts of the city since they didn't need staff maintaining Living Memory anymore. Where were all the hunters?! Couldn't there be one teensy little black market deal going on somewhere?

He was starting to lose hope when he spotted pale blue amongst a sea of neon dyed hair, handing over a package to a grateful milalla before receiving a handful of coins in return. Okay, that was good. No credits in sight, so gil meant they were definitely an outsider. If the huge knife strapped along their lower back wasn't clue enough.

'Uh, hey, 'scuse me! Blue? You looking for work?'

Long ears twitched in his direction before the owner turned to face him. Pale as a ghost, eyes as piercing blue as their hair, stocky and wrapped in all manner of leather and metal armour. Looks like a fighter, and Eheeya knows his fair share of them. He waited for the scornful dismissal or irritated glare, for this outsider to laugh at the soft city boy and stalk off in those weird metal-toed boots.

Instead the stranger broke out into a polite smile and bows, the beads in his hair clattering against the metal pauldrons strapped to his arms.

'Good morning! I am Uvlo Gahjewesfv, hailing from the village of Kuguma. Please, allow me to serve you.'

'Tuliyollal, you say? That should be simple enough. They have trains running to the capital now, and beasts you can hire to reach the city proper.'

'Yeah, that's… I wasn't planning on using the rroneek. I was gonna walk it.'

Eheeya can already feel this confidence in this plan failing, and they've not even talked about fees yet.

He's dragged Uvlo over Mosaic and bought him bubble tea in an earnest attempt at bribery. He's distracted, studying the colours of the drink and the tapioca bubbles' movement as he swirls them around, which is almost cute. Despite being so obviously out of place, he seemed relaxed, if not a little starry eyed, which made Eheeya feel a little bit better and not like he was going to be laughed out of the city. How to explain this?

'Look, I… I haven't been outside the dome before. Not even outside in a very long time. I want to see what's out there, but I don't like my chances of crossing a whole-ass desert by myself, especially since I can't fight anymore.'

'So it's a bodyguard you require?' Uvlo tilts his head, watching him, but his expression is curious. 'That's wise of you. I took the recommended route from the city and found it tough going. Though without rroneek, it's like to take considerably longer.'

'Yeah, I know. I did a bit of research and it's gonna be like… two weeks. But I can handle it!' he's quick to add. 'I'm not a total shut in. I'm used to long hours.'

'Hmm. Very well. Are you adequately prepared?'

'I've got a backpack and boots,' Eheeya says hesitantly. 'Bought a camping tent that'll withstand some rain, dried rations.'

'And have you made your offering for safe travels?'

'My what?'

Uvlo shrugged. 'Usually we offer prize game from a hunt, back home, or a particularly choice fish from the day's catch, but I suspect that isn't the custom here.'

'Uh… I think people used to pray to Queen Sphene, for luck and stuff. They have little statues of her all over the place that you whisper secrets to and stuff, and then they say she hears them and grants your wishes. Only that's gotten a bit… complicated. Y'know, with the whole toppling the monarchy thing. I think some of 'em even got smashed in all the chaos.' He pulls out his tomephone, searching up a picture to show Uvlo. 'That's all we have that's like, a god. Or used to, anyway.'

'And you don't pray to your ancestors? Tribe elders? Mentors who have returned to the aetherial sea?'

Oh gods. He is not explaining all the mess with the regulators right now.

'Nope. Just Her Holy Queen Sphene.'

'I see. Very well.' Uvlo rummaged around in one of the pouches clipped to his belt and produced two stones, polished and bright under the harsh café lights. One was a pale, milky opal with a vivid iridescence struck through it, and the other a soft blue the same colour as his hair. Uvlo ran a fond thumb over them before putting them next to Eheeya's phone and Sphene's creepily smiling face.

'In Kuguma, we believe part of our loved ones live on inside the ore of the earth. That they will guide and protect us in times of need. This one is my father.' He pointed to the blue stone. 'An exceptionally skilled warrior who defended my home with his life for many years. This is my first mentor, Yunhre. When I was first chosen to be a Wood Warder, he was the one who taught me everything I knew and ensured I survived the training. His faith in me never waivered once.' He has a nice smile, Eheeya thought, watching as the emotions easily played over Uvlo's face, making his eyes shine. How good would it be to be this open with everyone, all the time?

He turned those eyes on Eheeya, who fought the urge to look away.

'Do you truly have no one to watch over you?' It sounded like it should be a judgement, yet there was nothing but kindness in Uvlo's voice. 'What of your parents?'

'They're still alive. I think. I haven't seen them in years.'

'I see. In that case, I will appoint myself your mentor. It would not do to let a veratsi embark on a journey alone.'

'Huh?'

'Now, repeat after me…'

Okay. This was weird. Uvlo was definitely weird, but he's unabashedly nice and that was something Eheeya never wanted to take for granted after the Arcadion. Someone always wanted something out of you, and it was only rare gems like Sugar or Retsarra that weren't waiting to tear you apart like a garbage disposal and sell the scraps to the highest bidder.

So far, Uvlo had insisted Eheeya bring a long sleeved jacket despite the heat, a travel knife not unlike his own, replacing his water canteen with one made from solid mythril for better purification properties, and sunglasses. When Eheeya had produced his usual neon purple ones, Uvlo just looked fascinated.

'At home we use something much simpler and less colourful. May I try them?' Eheeya obligingly handed them over and laughed as the viera turned to face him. 'These are wonderful! Perhaps when I return to my village, I can bring something similar. They would be so useful for snow blindness...'

'Is that like rain?'

'Much, much colder. Flakes fall from the sky and settle on the ground. It compacts together so you can walk on it. There is actually a competition in Tatyus that is famous for snow sculptures! There are artisans who specialise in it.'

Turns out, Uvlo's quite the chatterbox. His explanations of how exactly they make the snow sculptures and the stories they tell about the weather's origins (a warder cutting his hair in offering and the pieces falling to earth as frozen crystals to cool the land forevermore) kept the conversation going until they're out of the city proper. As they stepped outside into the outskirts, they were immediately plunged into darkness, the sky the colour of a fresh bruise, punctuating by fresh lightning strikes scarring the clouds.

Eheeya shivered as static prickled over his skin, rolling down his sleeves. Uvlo just gazed at the sky, transfixed, before shifting his gaze back to the city.

''Tis quite unlike anything I have seen before,' he remarked as they fell into step together, quickly checking the map before setting of. 'We have storms in Skatay, of course, but rarely have I been out in one. We try and avoid such excursions and unnecessary risk. The constant sound alone…'

'You get used to it,' Eheeya said with a shrug. 'I grew up around here, actually. It's kinda nice to listen to while you fall asleep, so long as the tent's set up somewhere out of the strike zones.'

'Such a maelstrom, so close to the city of eternal light… does it not strike you as strange?'

'Not really. It's just going from one fake thing to another, just in a different flavour. Both places have alarms that tell you what the time is, and the light never changes.'

Uvlo hummed thoughfully, his ears swivelling towards every crack of thunder.

'I am used to telling the time by the angle of the sun or position of the moon. We plan our days around favourable temperatures and the moon's light so we can harvest certain plants. Any disruption can throw our entire society out of kilter. The Wood does not like Her balance to be disturbed.'

'The wood? I thought you lived in the mountains?'

'We do. But flora thrives even amongst the snow; the Wood is a hardy creature. She has persevered even amongst the most trying of circumstances. Even when foreign chemicals are carried on the wind over our borders, Her life finds a way to adapt. I suppose 'tis why Garlemald never succeeded in seizing our lands. Everything they tried, She gave us methods to combat, even if they were unorthodox.'

Eheeya looked around, at the scorched earth, at the skies that never clear. Not much grows out here other than scrubgrass. You'd get the odd cluster of joule trees that only bloomed when the bolts struck them, producing a tough, leathery fruit that would need to be boiled before you could eat it. The rain at least leant towards damp conditions for mushrooms and herbs like cloud dill, but anything other than a small handful of seeds withered away in the aether warped soil. It was like the ground was poisoned, he remembered Mom saying once, that it had been cursed by what the Alexandrians had done to Yyasulani. It's like the star itself was hostile towards them now.

'I wish I could have seen it before,' he found himself saying. 'When it was whole, y'know? When I could feel something other than static in the air. I don't think we're meant to live like this.'

'No,' Uvlo confirms. 'This is… not what nature is supposed to look like. Your connection to the Wood is almost severed. But there is still a world that awaits you, outside of this dome. I promise you.'

Would it want Eheeya, though. That was the question.

They made good progress over the next few days, trekking out through the wastes. It's hardly a hike; really it probably qualified as a slow amble, Uvlo constantly stopping to marvel at technology Eheeya's seen since childhood. It's kind of nice, being able to show someone where he'd grown up. Before this, getting out of the city had been a nightmare in and of itself.

'It's why I haven't seen my mom in so long,' he confessed as they stopped for a break in a small settlement, the shetona there more than happy to let them sit around the sparkfire and rest their aching feet. 'We had everything we'd ever need; why go back to somewhere so dangerous? And you had to have skills and stuff to get in; I got lucky 'cause I impressed the panel of judges. Not much use for scrap gatherers in a city full of recycling drones.'

'… I too, have not seen my mother in many years.' Uvlo's voice was thoughtful, cradling a cup of water and staring into it. 'For us viera, it is custom that we leave our mothers and villages upon presenting as male. From there we fulfil our duty to the Wood and live separately until our cycles align.'

'What's that?'

'Hm? Some become Warders, who protect the Wood and our villages, like my father was. Others fulfil a more spiritual role, living in harmony with Her and becoming attuned to the forest's aether, communing with the Green. Others become botanists, healers, or work metals, to ensure the Wood Warders are kept healthy and villages supplied. Some are so small they may not have a forge or dedicated leatherworker.'

'And… that's it? You just never see them again?'

'Not quite. It varies from village to village, but Kuguma is quite lax with its adherence to the doctrine. We send letters as often as we like, and we have a few days each moon where we can return and see our families should we wish it, and there are no such restrictions during market days. There are also… opportunities, for men and women of age to meet prior to our allocated cycle.' He turned the most charming shade of pink, flushing peony up to his eyebrows. 'Kuguma is small, so the elders usually arrange meetings based on their record keeping, though we are free to speak to others if our personalities do not align. We are very lucky! I have heard some villages insist on arranged matches regardless of objection.'

'Ah, so you've got a girl back home?' Eheeya teased. At least this was familiar territory. 'What's she like?'

Uvlo had graduated from pink to scarlet.

'No, no! I am tasked with wandering and bringing home knowledge; until my task is complete, I am not permitted to mate. Still! 'Tis no hardship. I am far too young to help raise children or maintain a romantic relationship so far from home.'

'Wait, what — that makes it sound like you're on some sort of schedule?!'

'Yes. We specifically meet to conceive children once or twice a year, though there is nothing forbidding meeting a female paramour on the days we socialise with the rest of the village. Those who have coupled together many times often spend those days in each other's company. They seem very happy.' His voice had turned wistful. 'I have been travelling for six years. I was very young when I left.'

'Wow,' Eheeya said, stunned. 'It sounds so… I dunno, complex? About how they expect you to know what to do and where to go. I guess we have some of that — the men are supposed to travel, my dad had like, three different families, but I went into the city as a teenager. There's loads of shetona there, but I didn't really get to know them. Too busy with work. No wonder I don't feel like I belong with them.'

'But you do!' Uvlo's voice was unusually firm. 'You've been teaching me about your people this whole time, just as I've been teaching you of mine.'

'Half remembered information from years ago,' Eheeya corrected. 'I know my mom followed a lot of the shetona traditions but I can't really remember them.'

'But you can learn those again! I'm sure there are many who would welcome you. Master Shunye, my employer, has diverted from many of the traditional shetona ways. There are many in Kuguma who have forged their own path. Why should you not do the same in a way that is special to you?'

'… Thanks, Uvlo.'

Uvlo reached over and squeezed his arm, his weight comfortingly heavy on Eheeya's shoulders. Interesting. And people said Eheeya was too huggy with people.

'When we reach Tuliyollal, I'll introduce you to Master Shunye. I'm sure he'll be delighted to meet you.'

From there, it was another day to the train station, and then they were bound for Tuliyollal. Eheeya found himself almost disappointed Uvlo wasn't more excited about the train; he'd been thrilled at the concept of alarm clocks, sentry bots, and the chilled drinks machines, after all.

'I must confess, I was a little wary of the locomotive the first time I boarded it,' Uvlo told him as the waited for the next train, sat on a bench with their packs at their feet. 'Before this, I had only been aboard ships. Nothing quite this fast.'

Eheeya grinned. 'Ever ridden an electrope motorcycle? I knew people who'd race 'em through the city, the patrol bots had no chance of keeping up.' He laughed as Uvlo's eyes lit up.

'Might you have one?'

'Maybe one day. I can travel Eorzea on it.'

The conversation had dissolved into an idle chatter about transportation, because while Uvlo was fascinated by the idea of a city that was entirely walkable (Kuguma was apparently only accessible by a shallow inlet where boats sailed in and out), Eheeya was entirely more interested in the lizard-like creatures some of the other villages used (a smaller subspecies of those in Shaaloani, apparently). The train ride itself was uneventful, even relaxing, until Eheeya caught his first glimpse of the sky.

He unabashedly stared at the sky, burning a brilliant orange as what could only be the sun sank below the horizon. Shadows stretched long in the golden light, making everything look warm and golden, like the light would stretch on forever. All of this, they took for granted every single day, that the sun would rise again and let them live under its rays.

'I did it, Mom,' he said softly. 'I found the real sun, this time. And I'm not letting it go again.'

Standing under actual sunlight was dazzling, so bright he actually had to pull on his shades. It was like he was finally seeing for the first time; everything was sharper and bolder somehow. He bounded off the train platform while Uvlo trailed behind him, trying to take in as much as he could with every blink. There was so much colour, everywhere, with flowers blooming on the weird spiked plants and-

'Is that a lake?! Is it safe, can we swim in it?' Eheeya whipped his head round, looking for Uvlo. 'How long d'you think it'll take us to get over there — hey, man, you okay?'

Uvlo had finally caught up to him, metal toes clicking against the wood of the station platform. Rather than his usual easy smile, his face was pensive and a little pale, gait slower than normal. He set down his pack and leaned against one of the pillars, offering Eheeya a weak grin.

'Ah, I'm fine. Pay me no mind.'

'You sure? I guess it is pretty hot out here.'

'Merely a little tired. Now, shall we be off? I believe the lake is this way- '

He tried to set off with his usual confident stride, but instead swayed alarmingly on his feet. Eheeya yelped and darted forward, taking Uvlo's weight and letting the other man sag against him. Now that he was so close, he could see that Uvlo's breathing was shallow, sweat beading on his forehead.

'What's wrong?' Eheeya demanded. 'Are you sick? Why didn't you say anything?!'

'It's nothing- '

'C'mon, man. Don't bullshit me. What's wrong?'

Uvlo sighed. 'Aether shock. Don't worry, it's only mild. I'll get used to it soon.'

'What's that?! Do you need a hospital?'

'No, it's - ' His face suddenly blanched and he closed his eyes wearily. 'Might we continue this conversation sitting down? The lake would be a good place.'

'Wouldn't it be better to get a proper bed for the night?'

'No. It needs to be outside. Trust me.'

'… Alright. Wait here. I'll be right back.'

Luckily cab drivers were easy to find in every city, even if these ones were little wagons pulled by those scary things they called a rroneek. Uvlo gratefully collapsed into the seat, and Eheeya scrambled in after him, scanning his face for any worsening symptoms. He gave Eheeya a rueful smile at his obvious panic.

''Tis nothing to fret over, I assure you. Most viera are susceptible to changes in the aether.'

'Yeah, I'll believe that when you don't look like you're about to keel over. Driver said it'll only be about a quarter of a bell before we get to the lake, are you gonna be okay for that long?'

'I would be fine for many hours more,' Uvlo said patiently. 'I will be quite revived with some shade to rest in and some tea.'

'Tea-yeah, I can do that. I bought a bunch of crystals for emergencies, I can get a fire going, no problem.'

He practically dragged Uvlo out of the carriage as soon as the lake appeared, fumbling with the unaspected crystals to attempt to get the water boiling. Uvlo, on the other hand, was rummaging through his pack before producing what looked like old fashioned tea leaves, and set them in the water to steep. The liquid turned a strange, pearlescent silvery white, and if Eheeya looked closely, he could see a myriad of shimmering colours under the surface, offset by a strangely medicinal scent.

'I am no herbalist, but it includes muscmaloi. It gives a boost to your internal aether when in an unfamiliar land. You should probably drink some too, in truth.'

'You've lost me,' Eheeya said truthfully, though gladly accepted the cup. 'We're not using aether for anything, why has it gone weird now? Is it like an illness?' Come to think of it, he had been warned his immune system might struggle with the unfamiliar sicknesses of Tural. He should have paid more attention to the doctors.

'Hm, think of it as… changing temperatures. I am used to a very cold clime; Skatay does not have summer in the same way Tural does. So upon coming here for the first time, my body does not know what to do with the strange environment. The same applies to the underlying aether in an area; all of us are intrinsically connected to the Wood in Skatay. It can be quite a shock the first time you experience it; when I landed in Eorzea proper for the first time, I was bedbound for a week until I attuned to the aether of La Noscea.'

'Oh. I didn't think it'd be so different — we're not that far from Solution 9, but I guess with Yyasulani…'

'A big difference,' Uvlo confirmed, taking a deep drink of the tea and pulling a face at the taste. 'I am surprised you aren't feelings its affects too.'

'I don't feel anything,' Eheeya said honestly. 'Just… kinda peaceful.' The wind was blowing over the reeds on the shoreline, sending them rustling in the breeze. The lake itself was a beautiful turquoise, with several hhetsarro out on the water in little wooden boats. It was so incredibly quiet, with none of the rush of the city in the background noise, and Eheeya found himself honestly never wanting to leave.

Uvlo just smiled. 'See? The aether remembers you. You're never not connected to the Wood, no matter how far away you go. Master Shunye told me the desert is entirely its own ecosystem; the Shetona's version of our Wood. Even if you don't recall, it remembers you.'

'You really think so?'

'I know so. You're living proof; your body hasn't reacted at all to the aether. It knows you're home.'

Eheeya blinked hard and looked away, staring at the surface of the water and the faint movements of tiny, darting fish underneath.

'Y'know, this trip to Tuliyollal, I… there's been loads of outsiders coming into the city recently, and they mentioned a huge party for something called the solstice. Said it's a huge deal for the shetona. I kind of wanted to go. Wanted to see if I'd feel something. Feel less lost, y'know? Kinda stupid, really.'

'Not at all,' Uvlo said. 'We celebrate the solstices too. 'Tis a privilige to see the sun again. I'll get you to Tuliyollal, I promise.'

'After you've rested. Can't have my bodyguard keeling over on me.'

'I assure you- '

'Uvlo. C'mon. No point in a party if you're not well enough to enjoy it.'

The afternoon dissolved quietly, slowly. Eheeya had never felt more at peace even though he was doing absolutely nothing, sitting up against a tree and watching the clouds drift past while Uvlo dozed on his shoulder. Yeah, they'd get there. But there was enough time for this.

They made it to Tuliyollal on the day of the summer solstice itself. The entire city seemed to be celebrating, with a mood of joviality in the air. Music was drifting down from balconies, and Eheeya could smell the scent of fresh cut flowers mixed with the warmth of the air. There were shetona everywhere in light, airy clothes who all greeted Eheeya like they'd known him for a lifetime, and it sat warm and glowing in his chest like a miniature sun.

('What's that they're calling us?' he'd asked Uvlo as they'd wandered through the side streets, following the scent of the ocean. Uvlo just smiled.

'Ah, Master Shunye taught me this. 'Tis "sun friend," in the shetona tongue. A traditional greeting for your kin.')

Compared to the sea and the beach, however, none of it even came close. He didn't even bother trying to hide his tears this time, kicking off his hiking boots and splashing calf deep into the waves, trying to take in as much as he could before he woke from what felt like a beautiful dream. A little further away, there were several shetona stacking firewood for a bonfire, and others already laughing and dancing with bright flower garlands on their heads. It felt like something he hadn't known he'd been missing, for a very long time.

'Was it everything you had hoped for?' Uvlo's soft voice came from behind him, and he turned to see the other viera standing on the shore, watching him. 'You are upset?'

'Happy tears,' Eheeya assured him. 'Happiest I've been in a long time, I think.'

'Good! Though… selfishly, I am sad to see our trip at an end.' Uvlo turned that adorable shade of pink again. 'I have enjoyed your company very much, Eheeya.'

'Well, the night's not even started yet. Why don't you stay for the party? Not much fun dancing by myself. Always better with a partner.'

'Me?' Uvlo's face was adorably perplexed. 'You wish me to guard you at this party too? Tuliyollal is quite safe, I assure you- '

'No, Uvlo — I want you to come with me. Have some fun, get a few drinks, show you how to dance. Like a date. Or do I need to schedule that too?' he teased. 'What do they call dates back in Kuguma?'

'That would be courtship and would need to be approved by the elders,' Uvlo muttered, rapidly graduating to scarlet. 'Though I am unsure who can allow this so far from home- '

'Be a rebel. Just this one.' Eheeya winked at him and burst out laughing as Uvlo buried his face in his hands.

'… May I get a flower crown?'

'As many flower crowns as you want,' Eheeya promised him. 'C'mon. Sun's waiting.'

Uvlo took a few hesitate steps into the surf, picking his feet up like a cat presented with a bath, and took hold of Eheeya's hand, to his shock. He smiled at Eheeya's look of astonishment.

'What the elders don't know won't hurt them. And I dare say they'd approve.'

As the sun set behind them, their long shadows twined into one, matching their hands. Eheeya couldn't help but think the sun herself approved too.