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[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.

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[Ororo's been bothered by a lot more than Malicant in the last twenty-four hours and she's desperate for a change of topic -- one which Alcuin provides for so nicely.]

I've got some horticulture under my belt. It's my major back home.

[She's not exactly the picture of confidence as she speaks and her body language -- curled up in her chair, a hooded sweater drawn tight around her -- is closed off, but it's a start.]

How young's this tree of yours?

It's hard to say, since I found it in Sinbrilee. It's quite small and slender, though- I carried it back myself and found a pot and some earth for it.

[It had been so lovely he hadn't wanted to leave it there, but he really didn't know much about gardening.]

Think I could take a look at it?

[Ororo's not sure if small-and-slender means like an evergreen or a citrus tree and they each need a different handling. She'd rather not accidentally give it a death sentence with her advice.]

Just hold it up or something and I'll be able to figure out more.

Oh, of course. I should have thought of that myself.

[His lips quirk at his own foolishness and he gets up to fetch the pot, holding up the silver-leaved sapling in its elegant green pot.]

I know nothing of trees, but I know how to care for flowers?

[The smoothness of his reply twitches the first and faintest of smiles in return, though it fades as she looks at the tree.

That... looks nothing like the trees she knows.]

Okay. [A breath.] It's no conifer, I'd keep it warm. Let it tan for five hours daily and see how that goes. [Her brow furrows -- this is a rare moment when she kind of knows what she's talking about.]

How many stones've you got in the bottom to drain the water?

You ought to see this one, Jehan, it's lovely.

[Even if he might not be able to help, he wants to show it to him. He lifts it up to show the delicate tree with its unfurling silver leaves.]

Oh, that is lovely, Alcuin. Silver leaves!

I didn't know that was necessary. I'll put some in- what kind of stones would be best?

[He doesn't know anything about trees, but at least he can accept instruction gracefully.]

And you mean I ought to put it out in the sun?

I've never seen the like. I couldn't resist bringing it home.

[He touches one of the leaves with a gentle finger.]

I do not imagine I would have been able to resist either. It's very unique.

Perhaps it has some magical quality, but even if it does not it is simply one of the loveliest things I've ever seen.

Gravel'd work. It keeps the water from clumping up and drowning the roots.

[It's okay, Alcuin, she'll help. And, for a marginal fee, she'll even keep the sun shining for it's daily doses!]

Yeah, sun's best. UV lamps are a total scam.

I fear we may need some simply lovely things in the coming days.

Yes, that makes sense. I'll take care of that.

[Well, he's now significantly wealthier thanks to all those coins...]

UV lamps? I do not know of any lamp with the brightness of the sun.

[Alcuin lowers the tree and sighs, worry shadowing his face.]

I do not doubt it. We always need lovely things, but in times of trouble we need them more than ever.

We are lucky, then, that you have found the tree and I have found these pipes.

[He holds them up. They're playing Schubert.]

Oh, how charming!

[That must be magic. He smiles with delight at the music.]

Do you know what they are playing, or is it from here?

[Excellent. Ororo does like the clink of coins in her pockets negl.]

Seriously? What age are you from?

[Her bad, but she assumes that people are all from about the same era still -- aside from some futuristic assholes.]

They play anything I request. I do not even have to ask them--they simply know!

I am from Terre d'Ange, which has few of the modern conveniences Keeliai boasts.

[He talks like a fantasy novel, Ororo. It's not hard to guess.]

I insist that you bring them next time you visit, Jehan- I want to hear all your favourite music.

[Hey, he could totally be a RenFaire type of guy!]

Terre d'Ange... [That sounds familiar.] That's where Favrielle was from, right?

[aka her favorite former fashion designer.]

I will. Perhaps it can play some of your music, Alcuin.

Yes, we are both d'Angeline- though not of the same time. She came from a few years later, but she knows my foster-sister.

[It reminds him how much he misses both of them, but brooding does no good.]

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