[ 002 ]

[unit_67]

[Hello, Holloway's! Lily here with her second video post. Videos are a million times easier to do than text posts! Lily can't write for shit. That much is obvious.

Anyway, Lily is outside. Grass and flowers and topiary sculptures, oh my! She looks pretty happy. There is some intense nature going on in the background, being beautiful and all.Hi, it

Comments

[Audio]

[doctoral_bird]

[It's so wonderful to see people sharing the doctor's admiration towards the less hostile sides of nature.]

Greetings Miss Lily. It's very much a pleasure to meet you! You are not the only one who can appreciate the beauty of plant life. Though yes, it seems to be one of those things that are overlooked pretty often. People don't understand how useful some can be!

[There's a tiny scribble of a very basic looking flower slowly appearing under this writing. It seems a certain doctor is QUITE THE ARTIST, EH? There's also a tiny arrow pointing to the flower with the word "Lily" over it.]

At least I think that specific flower looks like that...

[ audio ]

[unit_67]

Oh, wow!

[Lily leans in close. What a pretty flower! And hey, what a nice guy!]

It's so pretty! You're a good artist, Mr... Malkus?

[That's what the signed name says, right? Lily's pretty shit at reading, too!]

[Audio]

[doctoral_bird]

Really? You like it? Hm!

[That was a much needed confidence boost. Perhaps Malkus can just say nuts to all this plague doctor bologna and be a starving artist.]

Thank you very much, dear. And yes, Mr Malkus works. Though you can just call me Malkus if you'd like! I have not seen you before, are you new?

[ audio ]

[unit_67]

Yeah, I am! I got here a few days ago. It's great. I don't know why some people don't like it. I mean, there's flowers and books and other cool stuff, right?

[Audio]

[doctoral_bird]

Oh, I agree! For the most part I have been enjoying myself... Aside from occasional upsets, but those are to be expected from time to time right?

[JUST THE USUAL ZOMBIE INFECTION AND PLANT DEATHS.]

The lack of a need for currency helps, but feels a bit odd at times. I feel as if I owe the kitchen something for these jars... Suppose I shall repay those debts when the time comes! But yes! Books! Have you been to the library yet? It's simply amazing.

[Plus there's a lovely bird in there! Malkus really should pay Featheralko a visit.]

[ audio ]

[unit_67]

Oh, yeah, I went to the library with Sollux! We played video games, though. I didn't pay much attention to the books. [Mostly because they were BIG and had BIG WORDS.] I opened one and it was about... politics... or something. Whatever that is.

[Audio]

[doctoral_bird]

Ah, Sollux! Nice enough lad, but be sure not to catch whatever bug he has. Seems to be a strange skin condition of some sort...

Oh eugh, politics were never a favorite of mine. Seems you got unlucky there, with first impressions and all! I assure you there are some very pretty books! Perhaps I shall pile up a few specifics for you to look at sometime? Rather hard to find the right books in such a large place.

[He pauses.]

What are video games?

[ audio ]

[unit_67]

Yeah, that would be great! But, uh... They have to be kind of easy to read? I'm not so good at reading. Annnd video games are... They're like games... on a TV? A screen? They're pretty cool, but I totally suck.

[Audio]

[doctoral_bird]

Oh dear. Yes, illiteracy is a common occurrence. No need to feel bad about it! If you'd like, perhaps I can teach you a bit on that as well? So much in the world of knowledge, I'd hate for such a pleasant youth to miss out on it.

[He scratches his chin.]

But yes, I understand. Mostly pictures to start off with and all... What is a TV? Screen... I don't-...erm... Games? Like skipping stones?

[ audio ]

[unit_67]

You wanna teach me to read? Oh, man, that would be great! Can you teach me to write, too? Or is that too much to ask?

[Pause. How does one explain a TV?]

Uh, a TV is kind of like... moving pictures. And to play games on it you press buttons to make stuff happen.

[Audio]

[doctoral_bird]

I'd absolutely love to, if you're willing to let me be a bit of a mentor or teacher! Writing too! Anything you wish to learn, really. I'd enjoy that very much.

[He pauses for a moment, before laughing.]

Oh, magic. Moving pictures sounds like pretty heavy magic. I ought to give it a look, sometime! Buttons? Sounds complicated...

[ audio ]

[unit_67]

Thanks! That'll really help.

[... How does one discern science from magic? Science is kind of magic, right? It's just magic we understand. Wow, that's whimsical.]

I think it's just technology, but now that I think about it, maybe it is magic...

[Audio]

[doctoral_bird]

No need to thank me, it'd be my pleasure! The lines between the two seem blurred at times, I admit. I better head to the library for those books, but if I stumble upon any rather pretty flowers I'll be sure to save them for my new student.

[He pauses for a moment.]

Perhaps you may even be willing to teach me about these...vidayo games.

[ audio ]

[unit_67]

Great

[Student! What a nice word! It's a thousand times better than "subject" or "unit". Lily takes a moment to smile and think of herself as "Student Lily". Marvelous!]

Uhh, I really suck at video games, but I'm gonna practice! So when I'm good enough, I'll teach you!

[Audio]

[doctoral_bird]

Practice makes perfect, after all! I'm looking forward to it, Miss Lily. I shall see you when I finally have everything ready!

[ audio ]

[unit_67]

Same! Thanks again, Malkus!

[This is so great!! Lily can't contain her smiles.]