The future is written in stone from the past.
For Moss, xyr father was a recycler, his father was a recycler, and that means for as long as xe stays a part of Viridi, any kids xe has will be recyclers as well. It's a leftover rule from when the founders stumbled upon the previously abandoned city; free bodies go to the next job on the list, exceptions only made for those with deep knowledge, such as cooking for large groups, or farming. Once a person was issued a job, the only changes left were vertical; were you a high-level recycler, someone who'd been doing it for years and knew all the tips and tricks? Or were you in the lower levels of being new and just joining?

And yet, even the smallest thing can break it.
It starts with a simple question; why can't people learn new skills and find other jobs? From there the crack widens as everyone offers their thoughts and opinions, and Viridi starts to show papered-up cracks. Older residents are happy with solar power, electricity, clean water, walls to keep out wild animals, and enough buildings that continued growth is welcomed. They think younger people should count their blessings, do the work they're told to do, and not make such a fuss. Moss, and others like xem, would rather see situations continue to improve; this is supposed to be a better place for everyone, an area with more kindness than the past. Sure, the work needs to be done, but it shouldn't take all of a person's time, energy, and spirit.

All it takes is a small seed, digging in and refusing to do anything except grow.
But what happens to a seed when the stone is crushing it? Because between the older generations not wanting to change and the younger generation wanting change to happen immediately, Moss is feeling caught between two hard rocks.

Read this coming-of-age solarpunk novella and see how quickly ideas can grow!

Tags: nonbinary Moss, anti-capitalism, seeds of rebellion, gently post-apocalyptic, universal basic income is key, solarpunk society, hobbies and art is important

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