Chapter Text
'Meidi is a Quiet Moment in an Age of Loudness'
Published by Duran Days Publishing
An Editorial by Julian Danielson-Scott
East District Duvos
Summer 2
331, PD (post-Darkness)
When I look back to the world long in the past I find a staggering amount of similarities to our shambled together world now. Of course, I'd hope I wasn't the only one or we've truly been living in a world gone mad.
We don't need to be reminded of why the world's gone mad, you're here, aren't you? Unless you read eyes glazed over, a hand full of Tallsky brew coffee, in which case I must ask you to direct me to your cafe because I have yet to taste a Tallsky brew that didn't taste like wood chips and trodden on dirt, I imagine this is a taste Duvos soldiers are familiar with.
I know some Empurists must be slightly ticked at that quip. Even under the rule of an emperor, he knew not to stifle the people's freedom of speech lest we have another Marie Antoinette situation on our hands. May the library guide you well on your trek to decode that statement.
During my stay in the radio-silent Meidi dominated by peace-loving, earth-thumping priests I realized something amazing. I do mean radio silent, by the way, I swear I've heard more outcry towards Duvos' actions in The Great Begeondan. Props to the brilliant person who named that stretch of ghastly land that. I would've settled for No Man's Land and called it a day. I heard that during the Darkness it was called the Farlands. Back on track, I realized that Meidi was far from the Switzerland or Sweden it is being referred to. Seeing as how Switzerland and Sweden weren't truly neutral.
I talked to the High Priestess of Meidi about the situation in Duvos. She told me that she had no intention of ever speaking on about the situation besides this:
“The situation between Duvos and the cultural capital of the world, Ethea, is truly a shame. Especially after the disarray Lucien was left in. I can only hope that the Alliance holds. Everyone seems to play their part.” - High Priestess Umara.
I even got to talk to the current and ex-Minister of Meidi’s High Temple. The current Minister, Roman-Bartholomew. Said much of the same as the High Priestess. He was in the middle of many weddings, with spring being wedding season, but I’m not concerned with him. The real interest came from the ex-Minister, who didn’t retire but rather moved to Portia, a city-state in the Alliance that I’m planning on visiting real soon. His name was Lee, with no last name. He was visiting Meidi for work and I got to ask a few questions. Specifically on the Duvos situation.
“I believe Duvos is where it is now because of the evils of technology. I believe in the abolition of AoC (Age of Corruption for the less witted) relics. Maybe then will the world be at peace or the very least at a standstill.” - Church of the Light Minister Lee, Portia Branch.
Ah yes, a real earth-thumper. Nobody tell him that even without technology people would still fight for power. Nobody tell him that it is a deeply rooted societal problem from the encouragement of New-Era Capitalism and the constant rat race to improve and conquer. I will say this, even if we don’t quite see eye to eye politically he is remarkably likable, just steer clear from the talk of relics.
After that, I simply walked around Seesai Town, a marketplace in Meidi home to many Seesaian and surprisingly Walnut Groovians alike. Meidi is a beautiful place by the way. Especially in the spring, the wedding season, and the flowering dogwoods, which give the Seesaian cherry blossoms a run for their money, are in bloom and the petals are constantly airborne. I passed a little Sister-in-training and she had the petals woven into her hair. A grand vacation spot truly. The town is quiet, refreshingly so. As someone who both currently lives and was born in Duvos, it’s a stunning but welcome change. I think I like it more than Tallsky or Atara. If you’re ever tired of the buzz of Atara, the horrible coffee of Tallsky, the smog of Duvos, or the ever droning boredom of Sandrock or Portia then I suggest a vacation here. Just not during spring maybe, weddings and all that.
I will keep you up to date if the Priestess ever changes her mind.
Julian Danielson-Scott is an editorialist for Duran Days in East District Duvos. He is an avid traveler and a lover of art, especially old-world art. He’s been with Duran Days for two years, being one of the younger members on the team. He also occasionally hosts the opinion column for the Atara Times.