A Dedication Recounted

[Ivanna]

May 18, 2050

I intend to recount for all to see, some of strange events over which the investors at the new buildings being built presided and seemed pleased. The event went as follows:

*Two gnomes stand in front of an odd, colourful, metallic structure. One of the gnomes has her hair tied into a tight ponytail, the other has ten ponytails jutting from her head. The one with ten ponytails steps forward.*

"Greetings! My name is Tildey, and this is my sister, Opal. We are the curators and creators of this fine work of playful art you see before you!"

*Tildey languidly motions towards the structure. Opal takes out a moth-eaten rag and wipes a plaque placed at the structure's base.*

"My sister Opal worked tirelessly, attempting to create wondrous contraptions and gizmos, but to no avail. She failed. A lot. And we had a lot of leftover scraps that no one wanted. And that's when inspiration zapped me! I collected the remnants of her failures and welded them together to build this beautiful piece to commemorate the gnomish lives lost in the naval battle against Gamore's brood flotilla. After I built it, flocks of children came to play on it!"

*Tildey stares at the structure, enraptured, eyes dazzling and watery. Opal finishes wiping the plaque and joins her sister's side.*

"Tildey is... an abstract artist. So, it may look strange and out of place... but it means well. It's miraculous she made something so... profound and grand... from my lifeless scraps… the children love it…"

*Opal sighs and scratches at her singular ponytail.*

“Many lives have been sacrificed so that we can carry on… Tildey and I hope that this contribution, as small as it is, and as strange as it is, can help heal our community… and fill the void of these losses…”


I recount the above so that all may know that even the humble and odd amongst us can contribute and honour the lives lost.