Gelin remained still, eyeing Mary. He appeared to be perplexed by her question. "You don't know about it?" That gave him the energy to sit up, though he immediately shivered and pulled the blanket tighter. "Everyone here knows what that is, even those guys that never leave the Village of Santa Claus."

He gave a show of taking a deep breath and sighing as loudly as possible.

"What cozy lives they must have. Large, modern houses, warm fires, surrounded by family...ah, to live in the comfort of the bustling city! To be free of the worries that plague us scavengers! Our days are dedicated to a noble cause for the people, only to tread with death each day we travel to the west! And now, with the way to Trano Golsaucia blocked by that guardian, we have no use! No purpose! What is an engineer without the parts he must build with? He is just a bum that scribbles drawings on paper!"

He threw himself back onto the floor, his head hitting the mat with a thunk. Gelin slipped his hand to his head and rubbed the sore spot.