Chapter 9: Marginalia

Once out the other side of the woods, brownie, sprite, and gnome walk for some time, discussing their adventure. Falling into a hole is agreed to be a low point; sleeping in the Night Tent on the winding trail was definitely the highlight. Atcher consults some notes, “We need to find the Twisting Village. It is supposed to shift and change every time you observe it. The Tree Beyond the Garden is in the woods just past their meadow. Getting through the village will be difficult, though. Any thoughts or plans? I have been caring for a Sudden Idea about maps. I want to see if it can help us traverse the shifting streets.”

Prism is quick to speak up, “From what Vellum said, there is a creek that goes around and through the village; I think we can use that to bypass the challenging Village of Twist.”

Tonic isn’t so sure. “I think we are going to need some local knowledge. The Twisting Village is part of the Marginalia. I don’t think it can easily be defeated or snuck around. But Vellum said people live there, so somebeing must be able to help guide us!” 

With a stormy temper, the water sprite argues, “We can’t just ask. What would we tell them? If they guard the Lintel to the World’s Between, they aren’t just going to take us to the Tree Beyond the Garden! And remember how concerned the panel was at your Conclusion? I don’t think we can just tell people that you are a Wildling. They might purposely leave us lost and trapped there!”

“Those are valid concerns.” the garden gnome agrees “I think we could find a way through, though. Atcher is great at explaining things, and inspiring people to join in. I’m sure if we ask, it will work.”

The disagreement grows, each friend thinking their way is the only way, and no compromise is reached. After lengthy discussion, Prism says "I'm going to try it my way and you try it yours," and storms ahead in a huff. Tonic looks at Atcher, who shrugs in agreement. It seems they have finally come to a consensus; they will each try their own way, see who gets to the Tree first, and then help the others reach it. All this discourse means the trio arrives sooner than they expect, to the labrynthine village on their map. 

“Oh, whoa. Here is the twisted village.” Atcher quavers, looking over the slate stones of the houses, the somber shining metals, the deep red color of the street bricks, the bright glass windows, and the heavy dark wood doors and fences. “The dark and bright patterns must reflect light so that it is hard to see where you are going; like tricks with mirrors.” Turbine huddles down in the bronze bag, and the Sudden Ideas peek out of the birchbark journal.

Prism cuddles Undertow and comments “The mist here never goes away. I can tell from the way the weather moves. The mist will shift, but the air stays moist; it only turns thicker into fog, or back into wisps of mist. It must be miserable to see anything.”

Tonic gulps and puts Steam back into the teapot, with the lid firmly closed. “Okay. Are we all ready to get through this Marginalia maze village?” Doubting whether they should split up, Tonic watches Prism in the creek, singing to the current, and sees Atcher eagerly follow one of the Sudden Ideas around to the far side of the Village wall. 

“Well,” the gnome says to a nearby rosemary bush, “We are at the Marginalia, we are so close. But we are separated. Prism trusts the water and Wind Rabbit to lead a safe water route. Atcher is inspired by a Sudden Idea. I really wish we were together.” 

Walking through the gates and into Twist Village, Tonic looks at the red brick lane and dark slate buildings nearby and feels lost among the shifting streets and abundant alleyways; light glints and hides, mist curling over everything. Villagers are mostly on busy errands of their own. Most aren’t exactly rude, but also not very helpful when approached by a strange gnome. While standing in a park green and trying to determine which way to go, and feeling terribly turned around, Tonic spots a cheerful figure chatting with some villagers and warming a weary butterfly from a perfectly still hand. Tonic goes over to say hello and see if this villager can help navigate the way to the Tree Beyond the Garden. 

Offering their name as “River Brindle, of Okashi Street” the villager is tall and lithe, with large hazel eyes, beautiful wavy orange hair, and black stripes. And the wonderful thing is that although the gnome is feeling lost and nervous in the constantly-new, peek-a-boo village, there is someone offering to help. Tonic remembers dire warnings from stories and myths, and briefly fears that this new friend might not be as genuine as they seem. However, they keep to bright, populous places, and this stripey new friend is kind and considerate of all Tonic says and asks. The gnome decides to trust their gut, and takes advice from Graeme’s journal, “Many stories are told as cautionary tales; they are created to try to keep us safe. But often they also make us fearful, so we forget that anyone is capable of being helpful. Talk to those you meet; most will be kind. Trust yourself when you think something is hinky.” 

Tonic decides to follow the stripy River, and stays alert in case anything seems wrong. As they travel, “Never a straight path in the village” River Brindle explains, they talk about life here, and life in the Teapot. The village is too far from any professors, so they don’t have Craft Courses or Conclusions the way Atcher, Prism, and Tonic did. “We largely learn from apprenticeship and errors.” River Brindle gives a cheerful laugh. “The young are encouraged to try things, and get them wrong, and when we find skills we enjoy, we go apprentice with someone to improve ourselves. I myself have apprenticed at many places, and I’ve had a few apprentices too. Getting things wrong is how I got so many patches in my vest. I keep fixing it to remind me of all I’ve tried and learned.” River explains with a smile, pointing out stitches and patches in various shades on the black tweed vest.

They go up streets, and down gardens, under stairs, and across bridges, sharing stories and comfortable silences all the way. In this unsettling place, Tonic is relieved to share stories of the tea garden, of blending and smashing, and of hopes and hurdles for the future. The gnome feels good talking about things with confidence, in this place of shifting certainty. River Brindle is delighted to let the enthusiastic gnome talk and explain the intricacies of a passion for tea, and life back at the teapot.

The journey through the Village of Twist is long and arduous, and River Brindle has them take several breaks. Tonic feels comfortable with River Brindle, but has a difficult time dealing with the ever-changing streets and buildings. The gnome fidgets abundantly, dealing with the discomfort of the unusual place by letting out the unsettled feelings in physical jitters, taps, and cloth twists. Once, when feeling anxious, Tonic unconsciously pets River Brindle’s tail as they sit eating lunch at the Temper and Scale pub.

After a while, the gnome realizes the faux pas, and looks at River Brindle in embarrassment. “Oh no! I didn’t realize I was holding your tail...I’m so sorry! I’ve been terribly worried, and didn’t even ask…”

River Brindle cuts in saying “It’s okay. It’s not a bother. If it helps you feel better, then please continue. Sometimes you need to hold a friend’s hand, or tail, when you are scared.” Smiling, River Brindle keeps talking until Tonic is ready to continue traveling. They start walking with Tonic still holding onto River Brindle’s tail like a security blanket or worry stone.

They continue their journey through the village, until they are stopped by a grass-tufted villager who asks River Brindle with disgust “Why would you let somebeing hold your tail?!” 

The two villagers seemed to know each other, as River Brindle responds with familiarity. As they talk, Tonic begins to fear being left in this unknown place, far from friends. The serene River Brindle calmly retorts “My friend needs help, and I do not mind. Have you even a tail to be held? How do you know it’s terrible if you’ve never tried it?”

Rebuffed, the villager stands wordless and grumpy. River Brindle and Tonic walk on through the maze of the Marginalia village. They travel far, and double back, and sometimes have to run to keep up with the wily, changing path. Eventually they come to the edge of town, to an open meadow. River Brindle says “Here is your destination; my journey goes elsewhere, my friend. Just look for the violet-filled hallow ground. It was once a well-traveled mound, but is now only a forgotten depression in the forest beyond the meadow.” 

Tonic replies “Thank you. Can I have a hug before you go?” With a fierce hug, River Brindle asks “Are you alright now? Have everything you need for your adventure?” Tonic nods doubtfully. Noting the new friend’s uncertainty, River Brindle reaches into a vest pocket. Handing over a soft, toy moth the tall, striped friend adds “Here, you might need something comforting to hug on your journey, and my tail has to come with me. Travel safe my friend. Well met and meet again.”

Tonic tucks the plush moth into a petal pocket, and replies “Well met and meet again!,” as the helpful new friend heads back into the village. Once River has left, the gnome looks around and suddenly realizes that the plan (reach the end of the village, then go back to find the others) was a terrible one. The gnome looks down at the Wind Rabbit sniffing the grasses and asks Steam, “How can we possibly back-track our own path to find them on theirs? Where would they even be? We chose different routes... That plan didn’t make as much sense as we thought.” Tonic slumps with regret, before perking up.

Inviting Steam to help, Tonic sends the Wind Rabbit off to find Undertow and Turbine. “Didn’t Prism say that Wind Rabbits would help us stay in touch?” Tonic muses aloud, and fervently hoping the Wind Rabbits can find each other. Steam curls up high, like puffs from a giant kettle, floating and spiraling above the tree tops, and over the village. Then Steam whistles a song loudly to the other two Wind Rabbits, and the trio are shortly reunited! Turbine tumbles ahead of Atcher, glittering like gem dust in the air, and Undertow surges forward, leading Prism on paws splashing like flecks of seafoam.

*Much later, Tonic learns that River Brindle journeyed far away, and the gnome realized they weren’t likely to meet again. Tonic made a note in Graeme’s journal, “Although having friends too far away to visit may be sad, it is good to have met them. Some friends are deeply important to us even when we only see them for a short time. Being far away doesn’t end a friendship.” Tonic wished they had exchanged some way to send letters to each other. “A happy thing to look forward to from a friend is a much needed delight.” was also recorded in the journal by the gnome.