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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[ Ender shrugs with a smile. ]

I've seen many elders do remarkable things. I'm sure you'd be able to handle it.

[ But yes. Introductions! Because Ender will actually be able to remember his name! ]

I'm Ender. It's nice to officially meet you, Qilby.

Have you? Well, that's relieving.

[ what a serious response out of a child! he's poking fun, but it's (probably) all in good humor. ] But me, I'm less familiar with children quite as... Astute as you are. You've undoubtedly natural brilliance -- lots of it -- but surely you've also had some sort of formal training?

[ The smile fades at the question. ]

I've had teachers, if you could call them that. Most of what I know, I learned through other students, observations, and trial and error. My official training is in how to kill another alien race -- needless to say, I'd like to veer away from that course.

[ He eyes Qilby's plants again. ]

Who knows. Maybe I could be a natural gardener.

[ wow, just using that "kill another alien race" line right out the gate, huh? qilby can dig it.

he arches a brow because he has to make some sort of effort at looking perturbed by the thought of genocide. a hasty, assenting nod. ] "Needless to say," indeed.

But you could, perhaps. It's not so far removed from the life of a warrior, as funny as that sounds. [ he laughs. ] A person can be as vulnerable as any fragile bloom, and you fight an endless war against invaders that'd seek to take the life of both.

[ and one does develop a good eye for which branches need to be pruned. anything for the good of the whole, after all. ]

[ Open and honest is Ender's policy in this place! Maybe he can teach you all about it someday, Qilby. ]

[ But in the meantime, a tiny smile forms after Qilby's statement and he nods in agreement. ]

When you look at it that way, it doesn't sound as impossible as it once did. But it also sounds as though you speak from experience -- on both accounts. Were you involved in wars back home?

[ honesty's pretty freakin' overrated! give yourself a decade or so to grow up, ender-- you'll learn that particular lesson on your own.

the question elicits a brief, pained look, but the moment quickly passes -- that's a hell of a frank question. but evidently he doesn't begrudge an innocent question from a child, because his voice is calm and steady as he answers: ]

In my lifetimes, only two. Both resulted in the destruction of the worlds we currently occupied at the time.

My people had-- a terrible enemy. Perhaps if we'd taught our children to kill the way they're taught on your world, we might've... [ he shakes his head at the thought. ] I never could have done that to them.

[ Ender notes the use of 'lifetimes.' He wonders if Qilby literally means lifetimes or if that's just old person speak. ]

I'm sorry. I truly am. I may not know what it's like to lose my world, but I do know what it's like to be torn away from it. The important thing is that you survived.

Is this an ongoing war? Or has your enemy since been defeated?

[ the two need not be mutually exclusive! ]

As I discovered some several thousand years after the fact, they were defeated soon after my... [ what's the right word? ] ... Departure from the premises. And at no small price.

[ the lives of more than half his people, and the livelihood of the other half, to be exact. ] I appreciate the sympathy-- and yes, that certainly is the important thing. At the very least, with my life, there's hope for my people.

Several thousand years?

[ Wow. Maybe this is like what happens when one travels at light speed, where the travel for them is only a few years while the rest of the world goes on for several. But either way. ]

You look good for your age. Not a single gray hair. You must have good genes.

[ He has to make light in the heavy conversation, not wanting Qilby to be completely consumed by the emotions associated with such a heavy burden and loss. Though he does sober a bit. ]

Hope certainly is one of the most important things to keep alive. Without it, a world will destroy itself. I'll hold hope for you -- that you will safely return to your world having gained tools and knowledge to better assist them from this one here.

[ the joke does its job-- it appears to take him by surprise, gloom instantly disappearing and quickly replaced by an almost grateful smile. ]

"Well-preserved," you mean. Like a pickled fruit. [ maybe he'll explain the whole endless reincarnation thing later...

a moment's hesitation. ] --And I hope the same for you. Perhaps when all's said and done, I'll find myself in your neck of the multiverse one day.

I'm not sure I would wish that on you...

[ Pause. And then a smile. ]

But I, at least, would welcome you with open arms. I'm sure we'll talk again during our time here.

[ After all, Ender knows there's a lot Qilby can teach him. ]

[ and he laughs a little at that!

in spite of himself, qilby's enjoyed the talk. it's not something he often has the luxury of being able to say. ]

I'd be disappointed if we didn't. [ and then, more seriously-- ] Do let me know if you come up with any more theories, Ender.

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