The Color Which Moves My Heart
Oct. 9th, 2023 11:15 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
posseoirOn that day, I was assisting Figaro with his medical work and came to the Swamp of Pestilence.
Figaro: You're a real life-saver, sage. Thanks to you, I wrapped up earlier than planned and had time to see some other patients. Thanks for accompanying me all the way out here; hope you didn't get too tired from the heat and humidity.
Akira: Well, it was my choice to follow along; I'm the one who should be thanking you for being so accommodating. Watching Figaro work is, admittedly, kind of fun.
Figaro: You really are modest, aren't you? Allow me to show you around, as a show of gratitude. We've come all this way, so, let's take some time and relax.
Akira: That sounds nice. Then, if it wouldn't be a bother, I'd love to!
As we walk along the waterfront...
Swamp Resident: Oh, Dr. Figaro. Around for your regular checkups? Many thanks for all your help.
Figaro: Yup, everyone is looking as good as ever.
Swamp Resident: Greetings, Dr. Figaro! I harvested some delicious fruits, take as many as you'd like.
Figaro: You have my thanks. Remind me to stop by later, alright?
Swamp Child: Dr. Figaro! Lookie, lookie! The leg you looked at last time is all better now!
Figaro: It's good to see you run around again. Just don't go doing anything reckless.
Akira: To be approached by everyone we meet, you're really loved, Figaro.
Figaro: Haha, and I'm grateful for it. However, I'd like to talk a bit more with you as well. Hey, sage, I know a great place where we can be alone.
(Scene Change)
Akira: Wow! I didn't know canoeing could feel so good!
Figaro: I'm glad you're having fun. At least here, it's just the two of us, and we can spend some quality time together. It's also way cooler on the water than by the shore.
The surface of the water is beautiful as it glistens and bounces in the light. The surroundings are lush and green and the flowers vibrantly colorful. The canoe moves slowly, thanks to Figaro's magic.
Akira: Not having to worry about paddling feels like a luxury.
Figaro: Rowing can be a source of enjoyment, though. But it's physically exhausting. After all the hard work we've done today, I thought I'd take the easy way out.
Akira: Haha, I'm fine, though. This kind of humidity is something I'm familiar with.
~ EPISODE TWO ~
As we continue along the water's surface, enjoying the beautiful scenery, we come upon a tree which looks as if a large marble hung from it.
Figaro: Oh, it's a marine tree.
Akira: If I recall correctly, this is a specialty here. Those dangling, round things are fruits, right?
Figaro: You know of them already?
Akira: When I was here before, Rutile told me all about them! You can even drink the juice; it was really sweet and refreshing!
Figaro: That's right. Then, today, I'll treat you to a special version by yours truly.
With a wave of finger, a snow-covered breeze brings the fruit over. The berries, like large translucent marbles, were dropped into my hand.
Akira: Woah! So cold ... did you freeze it?
Figaro: Good guess. Try taking a bite.
Akira: Alright, then... ?! This is delicious!? Oh, wow, it's like sherbet!
Figaro: Ahaha, glad you approve. Only those familiar with magic can eat them in this manner; we should pick a few to surprise Mitile and the others.
Akira: That sounds like a wonderful idea!
As we savored the frozen sea berries, our eyes wandered back to the flowing waterfront. Then, I spotted a single bud of a flower, majestically rising from the water's edge.
Akira: Oh, Figaro. Over there. I don't think I've ever seen a flower with these colors.
Figaro: Hmm? Flower?
Akira: Look, it's right there. See? It's still in the bud, but the petals are a bluish gray.
Figaro: That's—
Akira: It's beautiful, isn't it? Kind of reminds me of your hair color.
Figaro: ...Sage?
Akira: I wonder what it will look like when it blooms. Do you know, Figaro?
The colors look mature, fitting with the calming tones I associate Figaro with. When I looked up and over at him excitedly, Figaro seemed to be thinking about something with a hand on his chin.
Akira: ...Figaro?
Figaro: ...Ah, no. Sorry, it's nothing. This is known as a "double flower." When the buds open, the petals overlap in several layers, and are known to look quite beautiful.
Akira: I see! I really hope I can see them in bloom, next time.
Figaro: .....
We returned to the village, yet, before we returned home, Figaro instructed me to wait a while and disappeared.
Akira: (I wonder if something's happened. Figaro hasn't come back yet ... walking around shouldn't be a problem, right?)
During my walk, I find where Figaro had run off. He's speaking with a villager and I can see that he's holding something in his hands.
Akira: (Huh...? Isn't that the bud we saw earlier?)
Figaro: This plant shouldn't be here. It's probably an effect of the Calamity's influence; never thought it would show up here, though. If you see this flower, burn it down from a safe distance or send a request to the sage manor.
Akira: ....Eh?....
Akira: (...burn it down? The flower?)
The conversation proved unexpected and puzzling. Then, Figaro's eyes met mine. No sooner does Figaro open his mouth does the person in front of him bow his head.
Swamp Resident: I understand. Thank you for getting rid of the poisonous flower, Dr. Figaro!
Akira: ....!?
Figaro walks over to me with a bittersweet smile as he waves off the departing resident.
Akira: Uhm, Figaro...is that flower really...
Figaro: Ha-ha ... guess the truth is out. This flower has poisonous pollen. As a bud, it's harmless; but, when it blooms, it spills into the air. So, I can't afford to leave it there.
Akira: I see. I didn't know they were so dangerous...
Akira: (And we have to burn them down....even though they're beautiful.)
As I was lamenting my disappointment, Figaro surprisingly offered me the bud he'd been holding.
Figaro: Well, I had hoped to present this a bit more smoothly—this is for you, sage. Don't worry about the poison.
Akira: ...eh, for me? Thank you ... oh, it feels really strange.
Figaro: There's a spell on it to prevent it from blooming. Because of this, they may look different from fresh flowers.
According to him, these buds will never open ... but will remain beautiful for a long while without the fear of withering.
Figaro: Truth is, I intended to burn it right away. But you called it beautiful...even said it reminded you of my hair. I couldn't bring myself to show you such a sight. At the very least, I wanted to preserve their memory. I'm sorry I can't show you them in bloom, sage.
With lowered brows, Figaro smiles apologetically.
Akira: (I see...because of my excitement and wish for them to grow, Figaro's—)
Akira: Please don't apologize. It is dangerous, but I'm just grateful you left it like this. Besides, more than anything, I'm really glad my words left such an impact. Thank you, Figaro. I will treasure your gift!
Figaro: ...Haha. You really are modest. Well, it's about time we head home; I'm sure everyone's wondering where we've been.
Akira: Yes sir!
Figaro takes out his broom and we take off into the night sky. And so, our time in Southern Country comes to a close. Feeling the wind beneath our feet, I hold a bud of the same color as the hair that swayed in front of me close to my heart.
Akira: Figaro, thanks for taking me canoeing the other day! You had us paddling by magic, last time, but it would be fun to actually paddle together.
Figaro: I'm glad you enjoyed yourself. Though, as for paddling together....
Akira: ...Oh, sorry. That is physically challenging, and Figaro's lived a long time...
Figaro: Hang on now, what is it you're trying to say? I may not be young, but I can handle a canoe. It's just that there's a rumor surrounding the one we took.
Akira: A rumor?
Figaro: Yup. They say if two people row together, they become incompatible.
Akira: (Huh...I think there's a similar legend back home. Something like: if a couple were to ride this together, they'd break up.)
Akira: I'd rather not be on bad terms with you, so....
Figaro: Ahaha! Ah, you're a fun one. There's no curse attached to it or anything The canoe is just more difficult to paddle than others because of its peculiar shape. Therefore, it's easy to get into trouble, such as "It's your fault that I can't change direction!," or something like that.
Akira: Oh, so that's what you mean ... two people who row together become incompatible.
Figaro: Mhm. But, when you think about it, I doubt the two of us will have such issue. —Care to have some fun together?
Akira: Yes! Let's row together, next time!
~TRANSLATION MASTERLIST~
