(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

[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. ]