Nata says that “people who really need to can come” to Misty Valley. However, she reveals that Lina came by invitation, rather than necessity.
Who do you think invited Lina to Misty Valley? Why do you think this person might have invited her?
4. Who do you think invited Lina to Misty Valley, and why?
-
smkelly
- Posts: 31
- Joined: Thu Apr 24, 2025 7:35 pm
-
Readiculous19
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Thu Nov 20, 2025 5:41 am
Re: 4. Who do you think invited Lina to Misty Valley, and why?
Thanks for that excellent question - it got me thinking. First I thought: well it‘s obvious who invited her, right? But you are right, just because this person sent her the invitation doesn‘t mean he/she had the original idea.
But would Lina also maybe have the necessity (if however not as urgent as some of the „guests“ we get to know in the story) along with the invitation? I do not remember getting too much background on her life outside of Misty Valley, and her being not that self-sustaining in my opinion is more due to her (young) age than anything else. I may have overlooked something in the story, but Lina was welcome with everyone of the people she helped out with. Shikka in the ceramics shop was specifically asking for a human to support him in the preparations, however the story is not indicating that this situation was to be expected.
In the end I think I would stick to my original thoughts: Ms. Picotto is/was the one inviting Lina. Was there a possible request from her father? I don‘t remember any hints towards that, only Ms. Picotto mentioning she knows the family back to the grandfather.
So then the question remains: why? That is a tough one…I don‘t remember Lina being a bad character, spoiled child or something similar that would require correction in a fairy—tale sense. Coming to Misty Valley she approaches the people open-hearted and -minded. Yes, she is not used to working, but also doesn‘t complain when she is asked to help out. So I would rule out the aspect that the journey should teach her some lessons, even though Ms. Picotto refers to Lina‘s father as being „a bit slow on the uptake“ since it took him 3 years to get the message (sorry, I do not remember „what exactly did she say“
). So there is something the invitees should learn - is there? Can it not just be a wonderful trip into Absurde Alley once a year, until - unfortunately - you become too old to believe in those things?
And would only Lina (or other humans) be the one learning something here? What about the people living in Misty Valley, those that Lina helped out. Would they have solved their issues without her? Maybe, maybe not - sometimes we just need someone with an outsider‘s perspective to approach our situations, and help us when we get stuck. So it might just be that Lina was invited to help out - and while doing so to experience a wonderful journey to a very special place.
But would Lina also maybe have the necessity (if however not as urgent as some of the „guests“ we get to know in the story) along with the invitation? I do not remember getting too much background on her life outside of Misty Valley, and her being not that self-sustaining in my opinion is more due to her (young) age than anything else. I may have overlooked something in the story, but Lina was welcome with everyone of the people she helped out with. Shikka in the ceramics shop was specifically asking for a human to support him in the preparations, however the story is not indicating that this situation was to be expected.
In the end I think I would stick to my original thoughts: Ms. Picotto is/was the one inviting Lina. Was there a possible request from her father? I don‘t remember any hints towards that, only Ms. Picotto mentioning she knows the family back to the grandfather.
So then the question remains: why? That is a tough one…I don‘t remember Lina being a bad character, spoiled child or something similar that would require correction in a fairy—tale sense. Coming to Misty Valley she approaches the people open-hearted and -minded. Yes, she is not used to working, but also doesn‘t complain when she is asked to help out. So I would rule out the aspect that the journey should teach her some lessons, even though Ms. Picotto refers to Lina‘s father as being „a bit slow on the uptake“ since it took him 3 years to get the message (sorry, I do not remember „what exactly did she say“
). So there is something the invitees should learn - is there? Can it not just be a wonderful trip into Absurde Alley once a year, until - unfortunately - you become too old to believe in those things? And would only Lina (or other humans) be the one learning something here? What about the people living in Misty Valley, those that Lina helped out. Would they have solved their issues without her? Maybe, maybe not - sometimes we just need someone with an outsider‘s perspective to approach our situations, and help us when we get stuck. So it might just be that Lina was invited to help out - and while doing so to experience a wonderful journey to a very special place.