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 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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