In a futuristic society that shuns the weak, a lame orphan named Kira is allowed to continue living only because she has an amazing talent for embroidery. Given the responsibility of restoring a historic robe that is worn during the village`s annual Ruin Song Gathering (an event that retells the history of the society), Kira is taken to live with a group of other young artists, all also orphans, at the Council Edifice. While there she discovers a long-held secret about her society--and the fact that she has the power to change her entire world.