A New Lease on Life

That's weird... I could've sworn it was in this direction...

Can I help you, young man?

Um... I was looking for the general store.

Then it's the midlayer you want. You won't be finding any shops here on this street.

Get turned around admiring the flowers? Even in a city as fair as this, the gardens are in a league all their own.

...They really are. We don't have such pretty flowers where I come from.

Is that so? Then you should stay for a little while and enjoy them.

As much as I'd like to, I need to finish my errands. I don't want to keep my friends waiting.

Ah, okay then. Do you know the way?

Actually, I'm kinda lost...

Well then, how about I take you? I was just about to go shopping there myself.

You'd do that for me? Thank you so much!

It's my pleasure. Shall we, then?

Korobo sure is taking a while... Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to send him out in a new town all by himself.

Don't be such a worrywart. It's not like it's dangerous here.

Aldo! Ashtear!

See? He's already back.

Sorry I'm late! I just finished up the shopping!

Thanks for that. I hope it wasn't too much for you to carry by yourself.

No, it was fine. But I did get a little lost. This nice man came to my rescue.

It might be a bit of an exaggeration to say I "rescued" you. I just showed you the way for a bit, is all.

Thanks for looking after him for us.

It was my pleasure. We don't get many outside visitors around here, so it was nice to have some company for once. If anything I should be the one thanking him for all the wonderful tales he had to tell.

Be careful not to lose your way again, young man.

Shall we head back to the inn now?

......

Is something wrong, Korobo?

...No, it's nothing. Let's go.

Are you sure? If something's on your mind, you can say so.

Did you forget something somewhere?

No, I...I was just thinking about that old man. He seemed lonely...

Ah, I get it. Want to see if we can catch up with him?

Huh?! No, I...

You haven't properly thanked him for helping you, right? Why not offer to spend some more time talking with him?

...Is it really okay? It feels selfish of me to ask.

Of course it's okay.

Now get going before you lose your chance to catch up with him.

Misteeer!

Oh, hello again. Was there something else?

I wanted to do something to thank you for showing me the way back!

As I said, you already have.

Just taking the time to chat with me was more than enough.

I know, but...I feel like I owe you more than just a little conversation.

As simple as the art of conversation might seem, my boy, it's priceless to me.

However, talking to the same people for hundreds of years on end can be tiresome. That's why I say you've already given me enough, You listened intently, and gifted me with your own fresh perspectives.

That's more than enough for me.

I see...

But if you really feel so strongly about it, I'd love to talk with you more. When you've lived as long as I have, the tedium can become overwhelming.

You mean you're always bored?

While we roks do eat and drink, most of our nourishment comes from photosynthesis. We don't really have any pressing need to hunt or farm our food.

And therein lies the problem, It's easy to become lethargic or apathetic when all your needs are already accounted for.

I guess that describes my situation pretty well. I realize it isn't a good way to live my life, but I also don't think there's much an old man like me can offer society. A way to make the days pass faster is about the only thing I want for in this world.

But that's such a waste... You have so much freedom.

Isn't there anything you want to do with it?

In the past I could always devote myself to my work, but I'm retired now. It was time to let the next generation have their chance at things.

Then why not try something new? That way you'll have new things to talk about with the people in town.

I'm afraid I'm a bit too old to be starting new hobbies.

Don't say that! I'll help you! Was there anything you really wanted to do when you were younger, but never had the chance?

Gardening I suppose... That's probably why I spend so much time in the gardens these days. I always did want to try my hand at growing something myself.

Then that's it! You should do it! Starting today!

Today?! But...

What kind of plants do you like? I'll help you find them.

Hmmm... Well, if we're going to do it, then I suppose I'd like some pretty flowers that we can't see in the gardens already.

And if possible, I'd like something that requires a lot of care, or it won't be any good for alleviating my boredom.

You got it! I promise I won't let you down!

I like your enthusiasm and all, but do you even have any idea where to start looking?

Maybe we can ask the staff at the gardens. They probably know a lot about this era's plant life.

Excuse me! Could I bother you for just a moment?

There's something I wanted to ask...

Something you can't already see in the garden, 'eh?

In that case, you couldn't go wrong with Parmonia Meadows, so long as you don't mind all the monsters lurkin' about. Place is lush with vegetation we don't have here. It's the perfect spot for pickin' unusual flowers.

Parmonia Meadows, huh? Thanks! We'll check it out.

Here, take this with you.

A botany handbook... Are you sure it's okay to just give us this?

Yep. I've got no use for it anymore. After a hundred years without much else to read, I've already memorized every page.

Thank you very much! This is going to make our job much easier!

Glad to help. And if that old fella is really plannin' to start a garden...

...Go ahead and tell him he can use that empty plot over yonder. It's been out of use for a long time now.

I'm sure he'll appreciate that. Sorry for putting you to all this trouble.

Let's head over to Parmonia Meadows and pick some flowers!

You shouldn't read and walk at the same time, Ashtear.

Sorry, give me just one sec. I'm almost done.

That's the handbook you got from the gardener, right? Find anything interesting?

You bet I did. The information in here is incredibly detailed! The author was either an unbelievably meticulous person, or they had just as much free time as our new friend does.

And it's not just biological descriptions, , It even includes notes on how to take care of the plants and how much water they need.

Sounds like it'll have everything he needs to start his garden, then.

If anything, it'll make it a little too easy. Anyhow it also includes a map of where to find different kinds of flowers, so let's try and follow it. The ones we want should be just a short way ahead of us. Shall we?

Yes! Let's go!

Haha! I'm sure your new friend would be really happy if he knew how hard you were trying for him, Korobo.

...You really think so?

Huh? Why wouldn't he be?

Is there something on your mind? Did something happen?

No, not really, it's just...

...I felt kinda sorry for him after hearing what he had to say.

I'm not sure why, myself.

...It's probably because he's the polar opposite of you.

How so?

The meks back in the slums had no choice but to make the most of every second they had. But that elderly gentleman? He's got so much free time he doesn't know what to do with it.

Maybe after everything Korobolk risked to be free, it's difficult for you to accept that it still isn't enough for some people. If even the people who have time and freedom are unhappy, then what's left to strive for?

That's my guess, anyhow.

You really think that's the reason?

Maybe. But the only one who can truly understand how you feel is you, Korobo.

I don't know if it's really as deep as what you suggested, Ashtear... ...But I know I'd be happy if he found something to enjoy in life.

Well, we'd better find him some nice flowers, then.

Oh! That's just the flower we were looking for.

There's a monster, too...

Yes, the handbook mentioned that some kinds of monsters like to eat this type of flower.

Then we'd better get over there before there's nothing left to pick.

I feel a little bad for the monster, but we can't let them eat everything.

We're gonna have to claim this spot as our own for a little while.

Let's try and gather up as many seeds as we can before that monster comes back.

How many do you think we need?

As many as we can find, I guess. That plot of land they offered us was pretty big.

......

You know, back when I was a researcher, my colleagues and I always wanted more of just one thing. Care to take a guess what it was?

Kind of a weird time to be playing twenty questions...

Maybe, but there's no reason you can't humor me while we work, right? What do you think is the one thing that every scientist wants more of?

...Results? Like, from their experiments and stuff?

Research subjects? After all, you can't do any experiments without a subject.

Nice try, but you're both wrong.

The only thing we ever wanted was time.

There were so many things that we wanted to research and test that we never had enough time to do it all.

That was more of a common complaint than a quiz...

Maybe, but I'm just saying that research projects take a lot of time.

Hmmm...

...Still not coming to you?

Huh?

I'm trying to tell you that you can kill a lot of time by doing something that takes a lot of time.

You mean you want to assign Korobo's friend some kind of research project?

I'm just worried that he'll get bored of gardening quickly if all he has to do is follow the book's instructions.

Instead of that, why not suggest he try and breed an entirely new type of plant? Something that's not already in this book.

Is that even possible?

It is, yes. It can be achieved by cross breeding different types of plants to create new strains. He'll be able to raise entirely new kinds of flowers that the world has never seen before.

Well, even if it's possible, won't it be extremely difficult?

Isn't that the point? Who knows how many attempts it will take before he's able to create something that will truly satisfy him?

It's the perfect hobby for someone with so much time on his hands.

Well, he did say he wanted something difficult to take care of...

I'll tell him your idea and see what he thinks!

Okay. In that case let's search for some other flowers that might be good for cross breeding. I've already found a few good candidates in the handbook.

That should just about do it. Let's get back to Jasmond.

Alright, Korobo. I'm going to teach you about breeding plants on the way back to town. Make sure to listen carefully so you can teach your friend when we get back.

Okay! I'm all ears!

Misteeer! I brought you the flowers!

Oh! Thank you, my boy.

...I see. These are the flowers that grow out in Parmonia Meadows. I suppose it's true that the gardens don't have any of them...

I know they aren't really something you haven't seen before... But the thing is, these aren't the flowers I wanted you to try and grow.

Oh? You brought something else as well? May I see?

Well, that's the thing...

, They don't exist yet. I want you to make them for me.

I don't quite follow...

Do you know anything about cross breeding plants?

I see... You want me to breed an entirely new strain of plants myself.

Yes, but it will probably take a lot of time to get right.

What do you think?

...I suppose after all the trouble you went to it's at least worth a try.

I'm the one who asked for something difficult, after all. If I manage to create something nice, will you come and see it?

You betcha!

Ohoho... Then I'll do my best not to disappoint you.

Ashtear already taught me the basics. Is there anything you wanted to ask me about it?

Hmm, yes, I suppose there is.

You brought me quite a lot of different flowers. Which ones should I try breeding together?

Um... Ashtear said that you'll have more success breeding plants with similar characteristics at first.

Alright. I'll try mixing those. It will take some time to finish the cross breeding process, but I'm looking forward to the results.

Looks like they're both enjoying themselves.

Yep. Now we just have to pray that the gardening goes according to plan.

Breeding plants is more difficult than it looks. I'm afraid they aren't ready yet.

You'll have to come and check on them another day.

Ah! There you are! The flowers have finally bloomed!

By emphasizing the best traits of their lineage, I've bred them to be both large and fragrant.

I couldn't have asked for a better outcome than this.

Now then, what shall we try and breed next?

Ah! There you are! The flowers have finally bloomed!

They're small, but they occasionally emit an exquisite glow. perhaps one day I'll be able to make them glow constantly.

There's still room for improvement, but that's half the fun of it. Now then, what shall we try and breed next?

Ah! There you are! The flowers have finally bloomed!

They're a mineral flower with an appealing smell. ...Hm? Too plain, you say?

Well you should know that it's quite unusual for mineral life forms to have any sort of fragrance. And yet, we still managed it through the power of selective breeding!

I bet you're pretty impressed with them now, huh?

Now then, what shall we try and breed next?

Ah! There you are.

I'm afraid that this time the seeds haven't sprouted. It's unfortunate, but puzzling out the reason why is interesting in its own way. Every breakthrough is enough to make me feel young again.

Now then, what shall we try and breed next?

I'd like to get started on the next batch of flowers soon. Do you have any suggestions on what to grow?

Alright. I'll try mixing those. It will take some time to finish the process, but I'm looking forward to the results.

Ohoho. Who knew breeding flowers could be so satisfying?

I've already got a few ideas for my next batch. They'll be blooming soon, so don't forget to stop by.

Ah! There you are! The flowers have finally bloomed!

This time I tried breeding all of the new strains into one. Beautiful, isn't it? I'm so grateful to you and your friends for giving me a new passion in life. Please allow me to share these seeds with you as thanks. I'm sure you'll know just the place for them. As for me, I'll be continuing my work here, so I hope you'll stop by again soon.

Hmmm... I've got just the pairing in mind for the next batch.

Ohoho! I'm getting excited just imagining it!