Meditation by the Waste

Summary

Following the violent confrontation with Nick Silver in Session 6, Safia and Vasso step away from the group to decompress through meditation and communion with nature. The pair sit together on the ground as sunset approaches, breathing deeply, listening to birdsong, and attempting to reconnect with the natural world after the trauma of the day's events. The peaceful moment takes on a darker cast when they observe an eagle in the distance and realize they can now see the Waste itself on the horizon—glittering spires marking the remains of structures in their looming destination, only half a day's travel from New Smoke. Meanwhile, Sucks and Cat remain on the cart, watching the meditation and placing bets on whether the two will kiss.

Details

After the confrontation in the pumpkin field, Safia feels the need to decompress and approaches Vasso with a proposal: "Faso, do you want to just like. Can we just like, maybe sit down for a minute and take our way through this?" The two settle directly onto the ground, with Safia suggesting they "feel the earth vibrations or something. Let's listen to the birds. Let's get in tune with something that isn't debt, you know, killing each other." Vasso agrees, describing it as "getting in touch with our, with our mother earth."

As they meditate, they observe swallows whipping through the air above the grass, hunting for insects. An eagle in the far distance catches their attention, drawing their eyes to the horizon. For the first time, they can see the edge of the Waste itself—glittering spires that mark the remains of structures within the Waste, visible because the group is now only half a day's journey from New Smoke, which sits right on its border.

The sight creates what Safia experiences as "a kind of sinking feeling," as the Waste is described as "not a very fun place for Safiya to be near." The meditation occurs as the sun sets after a full day of events, lending the scene a particular quality as the two characters sit together in nature attempting to find peace.

While Safia and Vasso meditate, Sucks and Cat remain seated on the cart, observing the scene and making wagers about whether the two will kiss.

Participants

• Safia — Initiated the meditation as a way to decompress after the confrontation; experiences a sinking feeling upon seeing the Waste
• Vasso — Joined Safia in meditation and communion with nature
• Sucks — Observed from the cart while making bets with Cat
• Cat — Observed from the cart while making bets with Sucks

Consequences

• Safia and Vasso gain their first clear view of the Waste, confirming their proximity to their destination
• The group learns they are approximately half a day's travel from New Smoke
• Safia's emotional state is complicated by the realization of how close they are to the Waste, a place that causes distress
• The meditation provides a brief respite from the violence and debt that has dominated the session's events