Page 95 of Guiding Reason
“Back to the contest. Strictly speaking, it’s over and was won by this gorgeous statue made by Year Twelve’s Guardian Inissi. Ama back in stream edit has some images of the winning sculpture for you. It shows Guardian Senlas and his ConduitOrrey levitating above Starlit Stage in wicked, projectile-laden wind.
“We made scans, and while the statue was melting when we left, you can look at it in our archive section and should have no problem finding it all over our profiles.
“Right now, the Champion Shoda Donation Night is pulling together people from the Grounds, and we’re here with…”
“You can call me Fig. Owner of Summer Spoon Soup, and I’m not actually from the Grounds.”
“Oh, that’s why you’ve been grinning at me like that. Here I thought you were trying to hit on this lonely documentarian, but that’s my fault.”
“You’re cute, Sinta, I’d hit on you, but I have soup to cook.”
“Heh, I suppose you do. Tell us what you’re making?”
“We brought the basics, pots, heaters, bean and vegetable stew ingredients, and our secret spice mix. We had pyromancers offer to help with the cooking, so we shouldn’t have brought the heaters. We could use some ingredients though, so if people have something at home that’s suitable for soup, please bring it so we can start cooking.”
“Everyone at home, you heard it! If you have soup stuff, bring it so Fig can cook it. I’ll be back to taste test it once it’s done. As you can see, it’s not just the Grounds coming together, but also the regulars of Ferrea. Fig, what was your motivation to come out, and what’s your goal?”
“Oh, my motivation? Maybe get to shake a champion’s hand? Even better if I can feed them soup. Shoda called for Guardians and Conduits, but I figured, our place is so close, and we had a few Guardians come out of the tunnels in our backyard during the battle, so we’re already involved. On top of that, I know people have been waiting out here for a long time, and they are grieving and tired. So we came.”
“That’s Ferreans for you, coming when called. Now, I’ll go and look if I can’t find someone from the Grounds side to maybe hit on me and tell me why they brought food out here and—oh, cam bot, you got this? Are you seeing this? Hey, is there a pyromancer here? We need some light over here! Lumen bots! Where are my lumen bots?
“Viewers, I don’t know if you can see it on stream, but unless I’m mistaken, Guardian Senlas and his Orrey are above us and descending. Okay, I’m hearing we have a semi-decent image for you. I’m sorry, I’m trying to see where they are going so I can get to them on the ground. Some running here, follow me, bots on me, please!
“While I’m making my way, take in the mood we have here. There’s people dancing and laughing together. It’s dark times, it’s sad times, but you have to find laughter again, if only for a second. Helps you remember happiness exists.
“Okay, I don’t know who brought the vookas lizards out here, but that one stole someone’s dumpling, and it looks triumphant running away with its food. Bot, get us that vookas!
“Right, enough with the lizard. Here they are! Look, they’re about to touch down. Cam bot, switch to intimate view of Guardian Senlas and Conduit Orrey.
“I don’t know about you, viewers, but the way he holds on to Orrey—ah! As a Conduit myself, this is the kind of Guardian I want, all firm, all protective, and he can carry me above the city! I’m seeing the comments. Yeah, maybe I’d be more scared than anything to fly with a Guardian. If I ever get the chance, I’ll let you know how I feel. Intimate view off.
“Guardian Senlas! Conduit Orrey!”
“Hi? Oh, Sinta from ChannelPulse. You’re everywhere.”
“Thank you for noticing, Conduit Orrey, but I could say the same about you. What brings you and your handsome Guardian here today?”
“We simply wanted to help in any way we can help and—hello. It’s nice to meet you too. Yes, thank you.”
“Viewers, as you can see, people are eager to get this pair’s attention, but I am on them like fire on a pyromancer’s nose. Orrey! Orrey, a moment?”
“Right, yes, sorry. You had a question?”
“What are your plans for tonight? Tell ChannelPulse, tell all the cities. This cam bot, please.”
“Uh. Hi. We’re here to help where we can in order to express our and Team Three’s gratitude to Ferrea as a whole, to the protectors, to the Municipal AI and the Argentean Op-AI who have been working to make sure everything runs as it does now. And we want to thank Shoda for organizing this and everyone who brought food out here tonight, right, Sen?”
“Yes. Your generosity is outstanding. Hey! You’re not touching him! He’s mine!”
“For our non-Guardian viewers—and clearly for some Guardians among you—trying to get too cozy with a Conduit whose been imprinted upon might get you levitated out of the way just like that silly B- or C-ranker. What? Oh, you’re a B-ranker? Well, you should know better, shouldn’t you?
“Now, Orrey…oh, Senlas’s so wrapped around you, I love that! Yeah, thanks to all the commenters mentioning I was desperate and hoping Fig the soup cook was hitting on me and am now living vicariously through Orrey and Senlas.
“Anyway, ChannelPulse saw you out and about earlier, Conduit Orrey, and it seems you are settling in well in the Ferrean Grounds. Yes, just like viewers say, you’re Ferrea’s Favorites. You’re moving here, right? The Ferrean Flicker was mistaken in their reporting. Please tell us it is so.”
“Actually, we wanted to announce that we’re returning to Argentea the day after tomorrow.”
“Oh, no, Conduit Orrey, you’re breaking my heart, and I thought Soup Fig had done that for the night. You mean it?”
