We head north, far north, to one of the last uncharted areas in the pleroma. Now that Gwion is recognized, the map fills out as we pass over an area. We can see as we hit the border, travelling into the State of Repairs. « I felt drawn to this place the first time I heard about it, from the supervisor at the Blue Moth Mills, » says Varen. « I was hoping we’d find it. Honestly, I’m disappointed that the “Repair Something Broken,” achievement is already completed. It feels like something I could do. »
« There’s nothing left on the list which seems obvious, » says Gwion. « But given the random nature of some of the achievements, we might as well land and explore. »
The capital, Fixiit, is a bustling town; the streets are filled with quaint little establishments, but upon inspection, there are few merchants; they’re all repair shops. The only traders are dealing in parts for repair being shipped to other places in the pleroma.
« I don’t understand, » says Ishan. « Didn’t Javor say that the pleroma is a mental construct? If something breaks, why can’t it be immediately replaced? Why would it break in the first place? »
« Cillian says that the pleroma is an extended allegory, » Gwion replies. « For example, there’s a physical plant in the basement of the Yggdrasil Tower which symbolizes the physical plant – the pipes and wires are analogous to the xylem and phloem of our trees. I’d assume that everything being fixed here is actually some kind of problem that I and Us has identified – physical or psychological. »
We soon discover that the signs on the shops don’t always mean what they seem. For example, “Watch Repair” is actually a clinic which improves the skills of concentration and observation. Right now, it seems to be swamped with penguins in varying states of agitation. « Every time I try to open this box, there’s a cloud of that annoying credit-store party glitter, and it just gets in my eyes, » one complains.
« I can’t open this one, » says another. « I keep trying, but I’m overwhelmed with dread, and I can’t bring myself to do it. »
We pass by a veterinary clinic. It really is what it says – there’s a Gentoo penguin in line with a strangely elongated canine.
« That’s a doxhund » says Gwion. « It’s a data retriever. X’khaim wants one, but dogs are strictly forbidden because of an incident involving a dobergator. »
Durant approaches the waiting pet-owner. « Is your dog sick? »
« No, I’m just having him fixed, » the penguin replies.
« Why fix him if he’s not broken? » asks Durant.
« That’s a euphemism for animal sterilization, » says Gwion. « They’re going to remove his testicles. »
Shocked and horrified, my first reaction is to bring my hands swiftly to the area of my groin. My partner is more practical, throwing himself across the doorway.
The penguin is nonplussed. « It’s the responsible thing to do. If all the dogs had puppies, the pleroma would be overrun with them. »
« How would you feel if someone sterilized you? » says Durant.
« I hate to tell you this… » says Gwion. « Since the Cu’enashti are now carefully cultivating their children, the natural process which resulted in the destruction of the vast majority of seeds no longer exists. We had to have some method of population control – seedless fruit. Of course, this idea came from Atlas, where they already have children. Our archons – Templeton and Balin – aren’t happy about it, but nobody ever asked us. »
« That’s exactly it, » says Durant. « Nobody asked this dog. »
« Do you think that he would answer? » snaps the penguin. « A talking dog – ridiculous! Furthermore, the issue of whether you want more children is completely unrelated to the issue of whether household pets should be allowed to procreate indiscriminately. »
« But removing the testicles is pretty severe, » says Durant. « Can’t the dog have a vasectomy? »
Durant is not going to let this go. I must admit that’s one of the things I find attractive about him. He figures out a way to accomplish his ends, no matter what. He’s the reason we got into the pleroma.
« I suppose it could be considered a quality of life issue, » muses the penguin. « Do they even perform canine vasectomies? »
« X’khaim is checking, » says Gwion. « He says that the most popular method of birth control amongst Earth’s elite is to use nanobots to neutralize the sperm before ejaculation. It’s considered the least invasive method since there’s no need to use a physical block or tamper with the hormonal cycle. And it has the added benefit of allowing the nanobots to neutralize any venereal diseases as well. »
« Least invasive! » I gasp. « You want robots in your privates? That’s the creepiest thing I’ve ever heard! »
« I don’t think my dog would mind, » says the penguin. « Is it an expensive procedure? »
Gwion glances at Durant, who projects complete intractability. For the moment, he’s eclipsed me – I don’t think that anyone even notices that I’m there. Gwion shrugs and says, « I’ll take care of it. I’ve got credit. »
« At least let me repay you somehow. » The penguin waddles across the street to a small building marked “Shoe Repair.” A moment later, he emerges with an envelope and hands it to Gwion. « A gift certificate. In case you ever need a new sole. »
“Durant of Seachange, All-seeing Potentate of the Domha’vei. 95th to emanate, 49 in the color scale, resonates to 227. 1.817 meters tall, cock size 15.95 cm when erect, apparent age 32. Inductor. Totem is Juglans nigra, the black walnut, fixed star is Tchou, the pestle. Esoteric symbol is the Etruscan letter 
. Dessert is nau’gsh liquorice allsorts. Function is establishing initiation, proto-conscious tendency is persistence, designated Perdurable. Blazon is argent, within a bordure licorice, a basilisk, licorice.”
« It was the “Rescue the shoemaker’s dog” achievement, » Gwion informs us.
For a moment, Durant looks stunned. Then he sets his lower lip. « We have to find a way for Lakeland to get his achievement, » he says.
« Well, that is what we’re trying to do, » says Gwion.
« No. I mean now. » Gwion shrugs, and it strikes me how much stronger Durant is than Gwion.
We keep exploring. It really is a quaint little town. There’s a church with a sign proclaiming, “Broken spirits mended,” and a therapist’s office advertising, “We fix broken hearts.”
« Maybe that’s the romance achievement, » Ishan suggests.
I ring the bell. « You must be here to pick up the package for Dr. Tadgh, » says the receptionist.
It’s an enormous carton full of ointment tubes of a product called “Magic Cock.” « It’s used topically for hurt-comfort, » says the receptionist. « Dr. Tadgh is our biggest customer. »
« Is this dodgy or is this dodgy? » murmurs Durant. Then, when we pass an apothecary called “Get a Fix,” another penguin waddles up and asks us to deliver something to Mr. Chase. It wheels out a dolly full of boxes which tower over its head. « I’m starting to feel like a drug mule, » says Gwion. « Are we going to get stopped by customs if I try to take these across the border? »
At the center of town is a black, windowless building. As we move closer, I can see that the sign reads “All-Purpose Repair.” The interior is pitch dark, except for a spotlight on a display case in the center. There’s only one thing in the display case: a locket.
« It’s the one Daniel gave to Tara, » explains Durant. « I’m not sure if it’s a copy, or if it’s somehow the original, but I know that Tara is still wearing it. »
It contains a cyclical holograph. The initial photo is of a sweet-faced young man. « That’s the original photo of Daniel, » Durant explains. Each subsequent image follows a theme: the same woman paired with a different attractive man. They look like they are enjoying themselves. They look like they’re in love.
I’ve never seen Tara before. The concept was explained to me, but evoked only a vague sense of warmth, like nostalgia. Now the feeling is intense, seems associated with half-remembered music. There’s purpose, longing, something is needed.
Durant provides a commentary. « Sloane and Tara on horseback. Ailann’s marriage to Tara. Tara smoking a joint with Chase. Tara and Driscoll gossiping at the gallery. Rand and Tara in the tunnels connecting Atlas with Ashvattha. Hurley and Tara eating ice cream. »
The thing which is needed, which is missing, is the picture I can imagine in my own mind, the picture of Durant and Tara and me.
Tears well in my eyes. And then I get it. I understand the nature of romance, the interplay of desire and satisfaction, dark and light, pain and pleasure, frustration and fulfilment, the freshness of water and the tang of salt. For water is an insulator, carries current only through its impurities.
“Lakeland of Seachange, Scion of the Waters Beyond. 94th to emanate, 82 in the color scale, resonates to 421. 1.775 meters tall, cock size 17.33 cm when erect, apparent age 27. Insulator. Totem is Nyssa aquatica, the water tupelo, fixed star is Achernar, the end of the river. Esoteric symbol is the Minchiate trump L’Acqua, Water. Dessert is nau’gsh pond pudding. Function is exegetic inspiration, proto-conscious tendency is fluidity, designated Flux. Blazon is argent, a fess, watery, turquoise.”
“Varen del Shambhah’d, Perfect Excavator of Shambhala. 82nd to emanate, 67 in the color scale, resonates to 331. 1.828 meters tall, cock size 16.76 cm when erect, apparent age 37. Recovery and restoration. Totem is Pistacia terebinthus, terebinth, fixed star is Wezn, the weight. Esoteric symbol is the Minchiate trump La Temperanza, temperance. Dessert is seven-layer torte with chocumber-redberri-nau’gsh-custard fillings. Function is adjudicative initiation, proto-conscious tendency is resolve, designated Discipline. Blazon is argent, upon bars dovetailed bark, a Grecian urn, proper.”
Next to us, Varen’s eyes glow with the light of quite another epiphany: « Achievement #88, the universal medicine, » he says, pointing at the locket. « It fixes everything. »