tushanshu | (video) one.

[ 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.

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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. ]

[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.

[ 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?

I dabbled a little in pharmaceutical ventures when I was first here. All very highly regulated, of course, but I'm not exactly one to rely on shamanism and roots when aspirin does the trick.

[Calling it aspirin is a deliberate mis-step. He has no real desire to trot out the words 'acetylsalicylic acid'.]

[ he laughs. ] You just may have not found the right roots.

[Airily,]

I wouldn't know.

In any case, I wouldn't sample anything currently growing on the turtle if I were you. Not if you ever hope to change your opinion of them, anyway.

[ and, a little more seriously: ] Would you ask me to help you in these... Ventures, then? I don't expect you to give something for nothing in return.

Believe me, I've no intention of doing so.

[He raises an eyebrow, at that.]

What sort of help are you offering?

Help with most any projects you'd mean to pursue, I'm sure.

Botany isn't my only area of expertise -- just a bit of a specialty of mine. I'm also a biologist, physician, engineer, and physicist... [ a little smile. ] ... Among other things.

[ it's hard to rattle off a list of qualifications like that without sounding wholly conceited-- but he pulls it off humbly, somehow! ]

Impressive credentials.

[His tone is faintly surprised.]

I'll take it under consideration, I'm sure something can be worked out later on.

[ the lesson everyone can take away from this is not to underestimate functionally-immortal old men with interesting facial hair and a concern for the environment. ]

Do let me know, then. [ the corners of his eyes crinkle. ] I like to pay back those who offer me their help.

I'll be sure and do that.

[Bruce fiddles with his console a bit, gosh he's technologically inept! And then he sends a location ping on the map.]

The lab is here. Let me know when you'd like to see it, I'll have to be there to let you in.

[ it's okay dude, technology can be kind of confusing if you're not in the know like some people are.

qilby appears to have no such trouble and after his eyes flick down the screen and back up, he dips his head gratefully. ] Thank you, Mr. Wayne... [ bruce? ] Unless the mysteries of the turtle suddenly solve themselves, you'll be hearing from me soon.

[ and with that, he ends the feed. ]

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

[video] no worries!

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