(video) one.

[traitre]

[ it's a residence-- and one belonging to either a botanist or someone who's just really terrible at taking care of their plants. visible in the background, off to the side, is a series of clay pots all in a row, each filled with exactly one sad plant. there's a wide variety of species in the collection, yet one thing between them remains constant: the black rot that's been consuming flora everywhere on the turtle. apparently someone's been doing his homework.

the speaker shifts in his seat just a tad, just enough to block out the sight behind him with the huge thing (hat??) on his head. he's an unfamiliar face on the network (who could forget an appearance like that?) but judging from the set-up he's got, he's been here quite some time. his is a pleasant, if sharp-featured face-- one made for smiles like the one plastered on right now. ]

All this work and nothing to show for it but a few sorry-looking shoots more withered than I am. [ a little sigh. ] Well! I suppose that's what I get for attempting to cure a symptom rather than its cause.

[ he leans back so he can gesture vaguely behind him, at the experiments set up. ]

I can claim a great deal of experience with plants, doctoring, and the doctoring of plants-- but I'm afraid that this illness eludes me. Surely there're a few more green-thumbed or scientifically-minded individuals among us: perhaps if we combine our efforts, we can get to the... [ and there really is no preventing the self-indulgent little smile here-- ] ...Root of the problem.

Comments

video;

[wintershepherd]

[ Jack is not so secretly delighted that the puns weren't a one-time thing. He seems a little tired as he turns on his console, but he perks up to answer the message. ]

I know I'm not really the right guy to ask about growing things, but what if you tried different dirt? I can bring you some from other areas of the turtle, if you want. Not just from around the city.

video;

[traitre]

[ they just happen on accident sometimes, honest!

at the sight of jack, qilby smiles in acknowledgement-- but either he doesn't notice the tired look about the boy or chooses not to comment on it. ]

I'd hardly feel right making you my errand boy... But it's a sound idea. If I went to collect some samples, perhaps you'd care to assist me.

[ a pause, and an arched brow. ] Not the right one to ask about "growing things"-- why would you say that?

Re: video;

[wintershepherd]

Oh, just because not much grows in the winter. Except that cool lichen moss up in the tundras, which comes in a great variety of colours.

But yeah, I'd like to go with you.

[ You're awesome Qilby and he wants some of those stories. ]

video;

[traitre]

[ darn RIGHT he's awesome.

a slow nod. ] I'm... Familiar with the sort, yes.

[ aaand another pause. he's got a good idea of what's going on here, but just to be sure-- ] Jack Frost. That's not so much a name as it is a title then, is it?

Re: video;

[wintershepherd]

Well, it is my name... the actual title is Spirit of Winter.

[ he holds out his hand, a small cyclone of snow swirling up across his palm ]

video;

[xenocide]

[ Ender frowns. ]

How long have you been working on them?

video;

[traitre]

[ color him surprised to see such a young (if serious-looking) child show interest. the only indication is a raised brow, but qilby responds politely enough -- he's not talking down to anyone here. ]

As long as I've been in the city-- or just under a month.

[ a little shrug. ] Certainly not long enough to give the whole experiment up for lost, but I can hardly be blamed for a little impatience when it's people's livelihood on the line here.

video;

[xenocide]

No, you can't be blamed. Most would have lost patience much sooner.

[ He shakes his head. He's only just got here, but it already bothers him a great deal that there's this large problem with no foreseeable solution. ]

I'm no botanist or even a gardener, but if you wouldn't mind sharing anything you've learned, I'd offer my help in any way I can.

[ At least it would feel as though he was trying to do something. ]

video;

[traitre]

[ and most haven't endured what he's had to endure either. as far as he's concerned, if anyone had the right to impatience, it was him.

well, this certainly is no ordinary child. but if some of the other people he's met in the city are any indication, he's more than capable of being fooled by appearances... ironically enough. ]

Aah... Yes. Yes, of course. [ he clears his throat. ] I'm fairly certain that this characteristic black fungus is not the cause of the plants' rot, but merely another common disease that's taken advantage of an already weakened state. The rot affects plants regardless of species, location, climate, or the quality of care they're given. Attempts to cultivate shoots from the few specimens that haven't yet begun to decay-- well, they all fail.

The problem seems to be within the very earth itself. The seas are fouled too, I hear, which cannot be particularly healthy for the living vessel we're sailing on. [ somberly. ] And I believe that's what it comes down to: if the beast what supports us on its back falls ill, every living thing that relies on its well-being suffers for it.

video;

[bowarmed]

[Hey, a new face. Maybe? He's been away for a while. Here's a Connor, not Green Arrow, on vid.]

We've all been trying. The water, the soil - all of it has been zapped of nutrients. I don't really know how to explain the cause in science terms. And.

Well, if I don't have the cause down, I definitely do not have an idea on the solution.

video;

[traitre]

Depleted soil. [ he nods, and the corner of his mouth turns up in a wry smile. ] You're more than free to explain anything you can in... Not-science terms.

In any case, knowing the cause of the decay certainly is step one. I understand it's connected to the health -- or lack thereof -- of the turtle, but what could cause such a creature to fall so ill?

video;

[bowarmed]

It's affecting the water too. [His smiles mirrors the wryness.] Something's happening and it's affecting both land and sea, I don't know if there is a science term for it. I suppose we should just be glad it's not doing the same with the air.

I would love to give you an answer, but I have is there are people working on it.

video;

[traitre]

[ he shakes his head lightly-- not to worry, connor. ] If the answer were so easily given, we wouldn't still be forced to ration our food and supplies.

People working on it, you say-- Kedan, or other foreigners like us?

Video

[wholenewstory]

[Cass peers at the plants. It's one of the first sparks of interest that's lit her eyes in weeks, somber as it is.]

I've - been learning. But this...um, decay. Nothing works like it - should.

Think it...goes deeper. Than we can touch.

Video

[traitre]

[ what a strange girl. ]

Deeper even than the shell we stand on?

If what we've been told is true, we're between a place of life and death-- quite a delicate balance to maintain, there. [ he leans in. ] Do you think something is wrong with the world itself?

Video

[wholenewstory]

[Her eyes widen. She hadn't considered that, really - she just thought Tu Vishan was sick, as any creature could be.]

Maybe. [She frowns.] Kedan think - it's because of us. Could we have, um. Upset the balance?

Video

[traitre]

It's one theory, but I doubt the Kedan know any better than we do. [ a dismissive wave of his hand. ] They're upset -- understandably so -- and they merely want a scapegoat.

If anyone knows for certain, it's probably the person who brought us here. [ but unfortunately, from what he's heard, the empress isn't particularly forthcoming with these little details. ]

[video]

[cowled]

[With a slightly speculative expression,]

I'm not scientifically-minded by any means, but I'd be happy to provide any resources you might need. I have a sizeable laboratory.

[video]

[traitre]

Is that so? Well-- yes, thank you. I'd appreciate it very much.

[ and then, after a pause to get over his surprise, he adds casually: ] And "not scientifically-minded?" So your lab is there... Simply to take up space?

[ or to lend out to people who are scientifically-minded and can actually do a damn thing with it, apparently. he's thankful -- don't get him wrong -- but he can't help but feel there's a catch.

there always is one, with these people. ]

[video]

[cowled]

[He laughs.]

Honestly, saying it's just taking up space wouldn't be too far from the truth. I used to have a team of scientists working for me, but that was... several months ago now.

[video] and back from hiatus, sorry for the delay!

[traitre]

[ he smiles, curiosity apparently assuaged. ] That's a shame. Well, I'm sure I'll be able to keep the dust off it.

But if you don't mind my asking, to what end were your former employees put to work?

audio;

[iron_ego]

Green? [A beat. Half a laugh.] No. My thumbs are strictly flesh-toned, but I could hook you up with green guy that's been working all the symptoms.

audio;

[traitre]

[ yeah, there's probably no irony at all in that usage of the word "green"-- qilby certainly doesn't note any, at any rate. he just sounds pleased to be getting somewhere finally!!

doesn't mean he won't go along with the joke anyway, mr. i-don't-have-green-thumbs. ] Well, of course I wouldn't ask anyone to literally be green-- but I'll certainly take you up on your offer, Mister...?

audio;

[iron_ego]

Pity. He does the skin thing part-time -- the days he doesn't have his coffee. [A beat.] Or has too much.

[Eh, either way.]

The name's Stark. The guy you're looking for is Bruce Banner. Real smarty-pants.

audio;

[traitre]

[ aaand now the joke's kind of gotten away from him. maybe green skin's a cultural thing. HE JUST... sort of settles for an evasive little laugh. ]

Banner. [ a pause. ] Well, it's not the first time I've heard the name. I appreciate the tip.

--And it's a pleasure. My name is Qilby. [ pleasantries aside... ] So do you assist your friend in his work, then? Or do you merely promote it?