We now interrupt your regularly unscheduled programming...

[morteanimositas]

[ Static. Lots of it. Eventually the feed clears up a bit and it's...Bennett?

Yes. Not quite, though. About a decade younger and looking a little harried.

Upset.

Something. It's weird. If any of you ever knew River Tam you might recognize her. Or you might just confuse her with Bennett, not the first time that's happened today. ]

Tell me a

Comments

[bloodseal_soul]

... River.

[The word is breathless, the boy's face a brush of joy and an edge of pain.]

...

Do you want to hear a story about a tree that wouldn't stop growing?

[enchainement]

The water isn't far.

[ That name? Means nothing to her. Sorry, Al. But she recognizes that look, if nothing else. ]

Please? I think you'd know the sort of stories to tell.

[bloodseal_soul]

[A slow nod, and he doesn't push it.]

... once upon a time, there was a young woman who lived in a big house. She loved plants, and she grew flowers in the garden, and all over the place. Pots of flowers were everywhere, baskets of ferns. At least one in every room.

There were mischievous creatures called the Animus that saw how much she loved the plants, but they didn't have the best of intentions. Flowers grew in her hair, ferns grew over her clothes. Everywhere she walked, flowers and moss would spring up under her feet, and vines would grow on the doorknobs when she opened doors.

Everywhere she walked in her house, the green followed. It was beautiful, and the flowers smelled sweet.

[enchainement]

[ She closes her eyes and smiles, swaying a bit. ]

It's a good story. I don't think she'd mind.

Well...not at first.

Hello.

[bloodseal_soul]

[He notices the swaying, and starts humming. It's nothing in particular, just a soft little tune, like something one would find on a music box.]

Not at first, no. But branches in pipes, and leaves and twigs and beetles in beds are not a good thing. They cause all sorts of plumbing problems.

Hello.

My name's Al.

[enchainement]

She picked her name, Qĭ, to go with the stars she loved and can't see as much anymore.

How long ago in the once upon a time did Al know a girl that was turned into plants by the spirits?

[bloodseal_soul]

Qĭ is a nice name.

Mmmn. Over a year, I think. Yeah. Maybe a year and a half.

[enchainement]

She must have missed Simon.

[bloodseal_soul]

... I never was able to meet Simon.

[enchainement]

He's important. The moon. But he worries so much. He'll worry now.

[bloodseal_soul]

When are you going back to meet him?

[enchainement]

When I've learned what I can and I can't take this anymore.

[bloodseal_soul]

... be careful.

From what I've heard, the Tree's not kind to those that learn too much.

[Drake nearly lost his mind. He can't help remembering that... and he knows exactly what River is capable of.]

[enchainement]

No, but this isn't mine. I don't want to know my story. I can hold someone else's can't I?

[bloodseal_soul]

That's good, because I never knew very much of that girl's.

I only knew what I saw, and the name "Simon".