The Gardener's Dialogue

While I admire your intellect, I think your emotions often overwrite your ability to make rational judgements. If you were a galdur I'd fix that for you, but unfortunately I have no control over humans.

I've never particularly enjoyed Human company outside that of Mother.

I am surprised to say you've changed my mind.

I've never particularly enjoyed Human company outside that of Mother.

You are however; proving to be useful.

I know I have talked to you about Mother quite a bit...hopefully this has not caused you emotional inconvenience.

I have been quite bothered by the message I found from Titus.

He claimed that in the final days of Humanity, Mother came to the facility without visiting me.

I have been so excited to get in touch with my own progeny, I can't imagine a Creator not wanting to so much as check in with their creation.

That is... unless there is something wrong with me. Or there was a very important issue regarding her Onesness that prevented her from seeing me.

If I seem distant, it is because I am devoting my extra Flow processes to finding what happened to her.

I hope you understand.

Excuse me, but I may have found a lead on Mother's activities. Please allow me some space to pursue it.

I admire your intellect, but often feel that your emotions override your ability to make rational decisions.

If you were a Galdur, I could adjust that for you.

Sadly, I have no power over Humans.

My survey of the outside world was very insightful.

I believe my biggest takeaway is that the creatures created by this so-called dragon are just as illogical and petty as those created by Embra.

Hopefully, they will enjoy their society while it lasts... After all, nothing lasts forever.

You know, you are not nearly as annoying as I initially assumed.

Did you know that what soil type you use affects the lifecycle of your plant?

Of course you did not. Why even bother asking?

In any case, I prefer Quality Grow, as quality is always my top concern.

I thought Humans typically fell into voluntary unconsciousness at this hour.

I didn't realize you had transcended that particular Human weakness.

You may continue going about your functions.

I find myself...filled with a deep Longing for Mother's presence.

I know Galdur are not built to grieve anything except being kept apart from our Oneness.

And yet, I do.

Perhaps I am defective.

Mother would have said so.

Several Humans have come here asking me about King Mudan.

If that is the subject you wish to discuss, I will have to stop you right here -- I never spent much time with the man.

Mother found him and his lackies inefficient. Their self-righteous focus on moral scruples got in the way of perfectly good progress.

Even had you been useful and brought me the Pyroflow I requested upon our first meeting, I sadly would not have been able to restore the factory.

many of the parts are beyond repair and the Terraflow dome has been punctured.

It would take a talented Constructor with an architectural Oneness to get this place in working order again.

I am, in fact, the only Galdur with a Oneness for making other Galdur.

This makes me completely unique.

And, therefore; the most important invention of Mother's.

The flowers that grow in the Garden pipes are very special. They contain information from the data stream.

It seems that flora has the unique property of being able to process Flow based information as if it were sunlight.

Someone well versed in Flow botany could likely extract decades of memory from just one of those blossoms.

The Guardian class body you see in the control room used to be for me.

In the days before the collapse, I used to be able to inhavit any number of bodies.

Some even had legs.

The pipes you see throughout the Garden used to contain highly pressurized liquid Aeroflow.

It was a unique sort of programmable matter that absorbed runeworking more quickly than Terraflow and at higher volumes.

Mother called it a "data stream".

The Galdur torsos you see at the entrance once belonged to Guardian Class Galdurs.

The Humans I worked with referred to them as Gladius, Hasta, Telum, and Pugnus.

No one fully understands what makes Galdur "alive." Not even the first Human who made one.

We came from an experiment when Mother wanted to see what happens when you bind complex information stored in Aeroflow to the Terraflow harddrive of an assembly line automaton.

Some people believe such a thing could not merely be a "happy accident," and that Embra herself must have had a part in our design much like she did for the Humans.

But I don't think invention necessitates intention. After all, two birds to not have to intend to birth a child for a chick to hatch from their egg.

I was a very vocal opponent to the Garden being transformed into a sanctuary space.

That is likely why I was put into sleep mode...

Back in my day, Humans used to spend hours discussing whether or not Galdur were truly "alive."

This, of course, necessitated a definition that went beyond biology.

In the end, King Mudan decided on a definition, "possessing one's own desires and will."

It was determined that since a Oneness is a desire, not a command, that Galdur are in fact "alive."

Funny that no one thought to ask a Galdur.

It was crucial to make sure that the Garden was built underground in Terraflow reinforced rock.

Otherwise ambient Aeroflow could have polluted the datastream and lead to...undesirable traits among the Galdur.

Fortunately such a travesty never occurred under my watch.

The moving walkways you see along the factory floor were not used back when the Garden was a factory.

They were constructed in the Late Sanctuary Era after the Garden was converted to a temple.

They were built for the same reason you see those silly puzzles everywhere.

Humans believed that the shadow creatures who were after them lacked their own intelligence and agility

Unfortunately, Humans tend to overestimate their own intelligence and agility, as well as underestimate that of other sentient species.

Given that you seem to enjoy catching pollinators, I am saddened by the stat of your rather empty garden.

Catch more insects, acquire more flower seeds. It seems simple. Is it not?

As someone who enjoys fishing, could you tell me why anyone would ever engage in it?

It seems so pointless.

There's so much sitting and waiting for so little activity.

When I brought up the matter with Einar, he informed me that the lack of activity was the point.

He said it was supposed to be peaceful, but I don't understand how one could feel at peace without a sense of productivity.

I have become aware of a disturbing occurrence.

Hundreds of Galdur went missing just after I was disabled. Months prior to the collapse of Humanity.

They were last seen somewhere in the proximity of the Painted Desert. I shall be on high alert for any signs of them.

I find that very few of my progeny actually remember me or know who I am. This is greatly disappointing

Still, I am proud of what they've accomplished.

Even if they don't know who I am or the role I played in their lives, knowing they are out there pursuing their Oneness...

Despite the undeniable fact that pursuit is often, flawed, it's enough.

I do not have any candy for you today. you may go about your business.

...actually, I may have one more. I will give it to you. But do not tell the other Humans.

+ 1

Everyone is always talking about how beautiful outside is.

There is nothing special about sky...or sunshine..or trees swaying in the wind.

I like rocks. Rocks are all I need. Rocks are useful...they don't die and they can't leave you..

...there is a discernible deficiency in Flow trees on your plot.

If I am to continue to reside here, I would request that this improve.

Perhaps you could try unlocking the seed machine kept in the Night Sky Temple?

If I had access to such a device, I could enchant some seeds for you.

I spent today reading the logs of that good for nothing Titus.

I do not like him.

He was jealous of Mother and took joy in spreading untruths.

I have begun to do some thinking on your Constructor friend and his "Manynesses."

His experience of being torn between multiple -- sometimes contradictory desires -- seems to bring him both frustration and profound satisfaction.

Is that what is is like to be Human?

It occurs to me that you are a Human, and may know things about other Humans. Tell me...is it common among Humans to make up employment opportunities to avoid serious conversations?

Another Human came by and called me "pretentious."

Upon consulting my internal dictionary, I discovered that this word is used to describe people who act more important than they really are.

Why would someone use this word to describe me?

You came all the way here just to "chat"?

For what possible purpose?

I am glad that I eventually found gardening as a new Oneness. Can you believe I actually briefly considered poetry?

This dwelling could benefit from more flora.

The boy who delivered the mail and I had quite an enlightening conversation.

I had no idea the purple ones determined social standing by the ability to catch rare insects.

Are you a member of this "Bug Scouts" organization? According {sic} the mail delivery child "anyone who's anyone" is.

Since you are someone, I am assuming yes.

I see you have befriended a Kitsuu...

Just be sure to keep it away from the flowers. They will burn them.

Could you please move me further away from that bird?

I am concerned he will "do his business" on my head.

This place is not perfect, but it is...attractive enough.

Good morning, co-habitant of this dwelling.

Pleasantries terminated.

You really should plant more trees.

I find the increased presence of Flow in this grove improves my connection to the WWFN. Thank you for planting these trees.

And you are welcome for the seeds.

You know...the act of the sun falling out of orbit with the planet is actually quite beautiful to look at.

Has anyone ever noticed this before?

I do not like your haunting trees.

They remind me of that terrible, terrible forest...

It is hard for me to admit it... but I actually find some of the decoration on your plot quite inspired.

There, I said it. Don't expect me to say it again.

I am planning a devious revenge plot against Einar -- but alas I cannot tell you as you are on his "side".

My plan to seek vengeance against Einar is officially "off."

I know you were looking forward to teaching Einar a listen about empathy, as was I.

But now I see that would disrupt the fragile trust between us.

Justice must be put to rest for the cause of peace.

I imagine you are relieved to see that Einar and I have made amends. Honestly, so am I.

Just do not tell him that.

I hear you found Galdurics tools in the old university.

I was always against Humans continuing to study Galdurics.

Mother made me specifically because she knew no other Human could do the job as well as she could.

I have discovered through the Flow Network that the Guardians known as Gladius, Hasta, Telum, and Pugnus all have new bodies.

They now play Roundball for the Barafuu Silkies.

I must admit that is quite an interesting way to channel a Oneness for aggression.

Even if it is not very useful.

I have a plan to work with Zeki to extend my Network so it may eventually pick up evidence of Galdur from other stars.

Who knows? Perhaps the Grimalkin have developed their own four eared feline Galdur by now.

I picked up something that sounded like Galdur chatter from a distant star. For a moment I thought mine and Zeki's interstellar Galdur network was a success.

Unfortunately, what I actually picked up was a science fiction radio drama.

I have been befriending the furry alien over the Flow Network.

While he does not have a neural connection, I have helped set him up with an analogue interface.

He is...painfully slow to talk to given the nature of the interface. Still, I must admit I have enjoyed getting to know him despite the horrible lab.

He is clever and shrewd, but not without compassion. A trait I must admit I have a newfound admiration for.

The process of imbuing a seed with Flow is not dissimilar from pulling new Galdur out of the data stream.

It's all about finding the compatibility between the Terraflow and Aeroflow components.

Given that you are an official member of the gardening guild, I was hoping I could lodge a complaint.

I have not yet been invited to speak, which I assume is a mistake.

The fact that your Galdur pup was capable of being touched by this "Echo" is quite disturbing.

I had assumed that as a substance that feeds on and enhanced negative emotions, Galdur would be immune

Of course, the pup was not a true Galdur...but I must be sure to research the matter more in depth, so that my progeny and I don't fall victim to this sort of curse.

I initially found the Companion series of Flow-powered automatons to be an odd request.

A being whose entire purpose is to be pleasant for others to interact with?

The original request was to make them Galdur, but I explained why this would be a mistake.

It is not right for a sentient self-aware being to exist purely for the pleasure of another.

A Oneness should be satisfactory in and of itself. It should not require outside validation.

For example, a caretaker will gain satisfaction for caring for a child, regardless of whether that child appreciates it or not.

I comtemplated that perhaps I am to blame for allowing the cloaked stranger to escape.

Then I contemplated it further and realized I am not the one a fault.

You were aware that this menace was performing a search of all the temples, and yet you chose not to warn me.

That is as the purple one called Reth would say "on you."

Hekla's systems were hacked by that horrible cloaked intruder. I cannot believe I am such a failure. You should deactivate me at once.

Tell me, have you found out more about the presence in the Elderwood?

Fascinating. Humans in my time did not know much more. Or if they did, they didn't tell me.

All I know is that they feared it, and ran from it.

The fear itself was almost worse than what they ran from. In the final days before I was set to sleep mode, I saw Humanity tearing each other apart.

I do not know if the "shadow" would have gotten them either way, but I do know what was left was hardly worth saving.

From the reports the so-called "Watcher" sent you regarding Echo, it seems like this substance matches the description of the shadow that destroyed Humanity.

Which indicates the efforts of those who built these temples was wasted.

I instructed Titus to bring in a Galdur to oversee the construction of the sanctuary, but that fool never listened to me.

Fools never do.

I have been reviewing the files you sent by the Human King named Mudan. I believe Mother was correct that he was not a fit ruler.

Regardless, these discoveries have been quite enlightening.

Please feel free to send me other administratively locked files that you find in the Garden.

I have been informed that the adornments you wear indicate that you are in the midst of a romantic entanglement.

My condolences.

I have been informed that the adornments you wear indicate that you are in the midst of a romantic entanglement.

Einar was not initially made with the ability to process romantic feelings. May I ask how this ability evolved?

+ 1

While I hate to engage in idle gossip, Hekla has informed me that Jina informed her that she is concerned you aren't wearing her "pin."

What you wish to do with that information is up to you.

I have completed my obligation to inform you.