video;

[virginprice]

[Alcuin had sat down at his console to ask his fellow Foreigners a perfectly innocent question, only to be greeted by Malicant. He's shaken, though it only shows in the way his voice carries a little more asperity than usual.]

Whether it was ignorance or malice that caused someone to summon that here, I hope they have learned better- though indeed, such knowledge would seem to come too late.

[He shakes his head. Never mind. There's little to be done about it now.]

But that was not the matter I intended to speak of. I seek someone with the knowledge of how to care for young trees, for I have found one and know little of their husbandry.

Comments

[franchisepirate]

In my experience, those who would make such an error rarely learn their lesson in an orderly fashion. Most inconvenient for the rest of us.

But more to the point, I managed a fair plot of land at one point. [Land that wasn't his, but it was his shoulders and back and work that kept things going.] What sort of sapling have you come across?

[virginprice]

I suppose that is true, and a shame. I would hate to decry them as fools, but... [Really. How stupid can you get?]

I'm not sure, it's nothing I've ever seen before. The trunk is pale and the leaves are silver- I found it in the city that we're visiting.

[franchisepirate]

Sometimes even distasteful things must be done. [Count this as an 'aye' for the "Fools" column.]

I can't say I'm familiar with a tree like that, and plants can be rather picky about their environment. Perhaps how and where you found it would be of some clue.

[virginprice]

True enough, but I think others have made the point. [He's had time to see a few of the scoldings now.]

Oh, I hope I haven't hurt it... [He would hate for it to die because he moved it, but it looks fine so far. Some of the leaf buds are even unfurling.]

[franchisepirate]

Indeed. Not that it needed to be belabored.

I'm sure something can be arranged. Most foliage tends to have the same basic needs: light, water, soil. Did you dig it up, or was it more or less ready for travel?

[virginprice]

It seemed very loosely rooted- I didn't have to dig, the roots were quite shallow and small.

[franchisepirate]

If the roots are small, it may do best in a planter for a time. Much as I'm not normally one to take nature out of its element, that way you can move it about to see where it grows best, and better manage the watering.

I suppose it must have struck your eye keenly to go through the trouble of bringing it back.

[virginprice]

Yes, I have it in a pot. It was suggested that I add some stones or gravel to make sure it doesn't drown, so I'll be certain to do that.

Yes, it did- I'm rather fond of trees, though I know little of their care. And it is truly lovely and strange.

[franchisepirate]

It sounds unique, indeed, even in a place such as this. Perhaps a good luck charm. [Goodness knows he begrudges no one any advantage they can get, here.]

What many plants most need is attention, and it sounds as though you'll give it that. There's little more needed than a mindful hand to tend it.

[virginprice]

If it is, then I'll plant it somewhere that everyone can enjoy it. [It would be selfish to keep it in his house in that case.]

And I am certain that if anything goes wrong I'll have as much help and advice as I need.

[franchisepirate]

How selfless of you. [That's not anything like mocking; he's genuinely amazed someone would be unselfish in that way. Westley's experience of humanity: not the greatest.] I'm certain all would appreciate such a wonder.

It's not anyone that would offer to share such a marvelous thing freely.

[virginprice]

But I cannot imagine keeping it to myself. [The thought is literally completely foreign to him, he looks a bit confused.] There would be no reason to do it- I would not lose anything by sharing such a wonder, and it would benefit so many.

[franchisepirate]

A laudable attitude indeed. One that I sadly cannot claim is shared by many others, at least others whom I've met prior to arriving here. [People who agreed to help Westley always have some other agenda. Even his true love is, objectively, a relatively spoiled woman.]

[virginprice]

[Alcuin just shrugs, a graceful little movement, and thinks about it a little more. He's not stupid, just... a very nice person.] I suppose that there are those who would worry that its effect would be diffused if many had access to it, or who desire the fortune it would give them, but I cannot think of anything I would truly want it for.

[franchisepirate]

For some men, keeping fortune for themselves is all they wish for. One can only hope your attitude prevails, particularly among those of us who share the common problem of being trapped here.

[virginprice]

It seems to me that most who have been gathered here are exceptional in some way, in attitude as much as power or skill.

[franchisepirate]

[A little smile, he's noticed that as well. Albeit in a more strategic sense.] As you say. I have heard and seen some amazing feats indeed.

I take it, then, that your positivity is not the only unique thing about you?

[virginprice]

Oh, no, there is nothing terribly special about me. [Unless you count being extremely pretty and the nicest person on the face of the planet, but he doesn't.]

I do not see that the training I've had will be of any help against the enemy we face- really, I'm not certain why I'm here at all.

[franchisepirate]

Nothing, you say. [It's funny, he may have said the same, once.] Whatever training you've had, I can only presume it's more useful than you believe. Being that you're here.

[virginprice]

Well, if it had any interest in socializing, perhaps it would.

[He gets a distracted look on his face. Malicant might not care for such things, but if his people did...]