Elarrapal - Shallow Roots

[Aitas]

((Oparis Regional Hospital – North Oparis Branch Settlement, Uwe II))

Elarrapal: If you ask more of me then I may offer questions of my own in turn, and I fear that we might all be washed away by the answers. I cannot speak to others of what I do not know.

Hopper: Once this situation is resolved, Elarrapal, I hope we’ll see each other again. I think the government would be wise to listen to your warnings, and at least consider alternatives.

Perhaps those words would count. If not for Uropal, then for other trees that could be more easily saved. Perhaps not. Elarrapal could no longer name herself sure of such matters. 

Wong/Saavei: Response

Galanis: ::to Elarrapal:: Thank you for the information you’ve been able to provide regardless. It’s been very informative.

Elarrapal: As I said, you have not harmed me, or Imeris. Such leaves far more possibility to grow intertwined.

Wong/Saavei: Response

The others moved away, leaving Elarrapal by the window, and overlooking all the destruction laid before her. Most of the smaller trees that should have been there had been stripped away, or poisoned by the mining, and she could see scars where they had once grown up from Uropal’s roots.

She could still hear the flutter of words, but distantly so, as if the others were insects flitting outside a nearby window. 

Hopper: Well, it’s a bit thin – but it seems we have a thread to pull here. Norsel. He may be our ticket to righting this situation.

Galanis: If we assume the same people behind the explosion and the kidnapping are the same, that suggests it’s just a matter of time before they strike again - and the damage may not be so superfluous. Considering our influence in how events have played out so far…

Hopper: Yes, you’re right. Things here weren’t great before we got involved – now they seem to have escalated, in both intensity and in pace. It’s not a very likely coincidence, and if it isn’t, then we have a responsibility to try and undo the damage…

Wong/Saavei: Response

That was when Elarrapal turned briefly toward them and raised her voice. 

Elarrapal: There is always a responsibility to heal. How else will matters change?

She did not know how much, or little, might grow from those words, but it was her place to offer them. Despite how unbalanced she felt. 

Galanis: Minister, we may not get a chance to pursue another lead if this one is a dead end. What we do next may well decide the future of this project.

Hopper: ::Look of mild irritation::  Thank you…  ::Sigh::  Look, if Procla is down there, right now, and she can put us in touch with Norsel, I think that’s what we gotta do. Plus we can use it as an opportunity to investigate the ore they’re mining more closely – confirm our theories. If not…

Their leader, perhaps a Minister, perhaps something also, reached into her pocket, though Elarrapal could not see what for. So many layers to this, and yet there she was without the roots to feel her way through them. 

Hopper: …We may be forced to use ‘other means’ to reach Norsel, or find Greeta.

Wong/Galanis/Saavei: Response

Hopper: Elarrapal, will you be safe here? Or find your way back to Imeris without any more trouble?

Elarrapal: I will find my way. I fear more for the murmurs you might face, now. 

Hopper: We’ll check back in on you as soon as we can.  ::To the others::  Okay, team, let’s go.

Elarrapal didn’t move away from the window for some time. Imeris would need her soon enough. But perhaps it would also benefit from her knowing more.


End Act 2 for Elarrapal

Elarrapal

Prophet & Anti-Warp Activist

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