[action] Mistletime!

[made_of_science]

[Vitalia has finally gotten the nerve to go around the Gardens without being terrified of Reno's horrifying thuggery, and what's this? SOMEONE has been neglecting the place and allowed this parasitic pest of a plant to take over! Not that she disapproves of parasitic plants in general, but they must be carefully controlled! This is woefully

Comments

[persical]

[Claire is dressed for the cold now, with warm stockings under her skirts, long sleeves, and a scarf. She's out gathering as much fruit as she can before the frosts ruin it all, when she spots a familiar figure.]

Miss Vitalia! I would be careful near that plant...

[made_of_science]

Oh, Miss Claire! Please don't worry- I'm well aware of the toxic effects of this Order. I shall make certain to thoroughly bathe once I've finished pruning these.

[She wipes her shears off on her apron.] That is, once I've determined the most effective way to do so... I should hate to resort to an herbicide, but their strange resilience may compel me to do so.

[persical]

It's not that it's toxic--it's toxic? [she shakes her head. Wait, that's not the point.]

It's just that, the plants have the strange effect of...

[oh boy. Poor Vitalia will be scandalized. How to explain this delicately? Claire finds her cheeks turning pink, and not just because of the cold.]

I'm afraid this is another little incident caused by the Queen.

[made_of_science]

Oh yes: the berries particularly, but one can never be too careful!

Will they start rooting in the very reality around them like those other ones?

[existwithoutme]

[Kuja's noticed the plant growing on her tree, but it hasn't bothered her. However, when Vitalia brings out the shears, she notices, and she feels she should take some action.]

My dear, that's hardly necessary. There are other ways to deal with the problem.

[made_of_science]

[She stops, attentive.] Oh? Do tell me, would you?

[existwithoutme]

[She ventures closer, peering up at the plant.] I've found it's often the case that such new plants disappear or are removed in time, so we might simply wait to see if that's the case.

Or I can use my magic, easily enough.

[made_of_science]

I suppose some more patience might be in order, but it does rankle me a bit to leave this sort of disorder alone.

Still, at the very least, I should like to obtain specimens. Could you manage that? They stubbornly refuse to respond to my shears.

[lifes_expensive]

[Aaaand here's Black Jack, back from a trip to the Wilds with another bucket of magic dirt so Pinoko can put up those Christmas decorations she's been endlessly talking about. She's on her way home when she notices a familiar face attempting to garden things in the Gardens.]

Miss Vitalia, whatever are you doing?

[made_of_science]

Ah, Dr. Jack! I'm attempting to prune these Santatales; they're entirely too widespread for the health of the Gardens.

[lifes_expensive]

Huh, mistletoe. Just in time for the holidays, I suppose.

[Funny, she didn't really notice it before. Probably because once she got the clinic up she kinda... hasn't left it much.]

...and I see you're not having much success though.

[made_of_science]

No; it seems a peculiarly tough strain. I may have to resort to an herbicide, though I find such measures to be less than desirable. If I could only wrench the berries from it... I should like very much to obtain a few specimens for my own work. Isolating its blade-resistant properties could be very useful, indeed!

[tomboyishcandy]

There're shpechimens eveeeeerywhere, though!

Can't just pick one off?

Pinoko thinksh the mishtletoe's romantic, though!

[made_of_science]

Ah, the little nurse from the clinic! Good day to you!

I can't seem to separate them from their source... they're singularly stubborn.

Romantic? [She titters, advancing briefly into Unhinged Laughter that would normally require a lightning strike to punctuate it.] Why, whatever could be romantic about a parasite?

[1/2]

[tomboyishcandy]

Good day to you too, Mish! You sheem to know Pinoko, but... Pinoko hasn't gotten your name! [She blushes a bit.] Who're you?

[2/2]

[tomboyishcandy]

[Okay, the laughter is scary! She jumps in fright, then blinks, then she starts tearing up.]

Waaaah, Doc used to laugh like that shometimes too!

Pinoko mishes him...

[He'd have thunder flashing too! Weirdest reaction ever.]

[miserytaker]

[ From behind one of the trees, there will be someone watching Vitalia observing the plants. She's curious about the plants herself, but she's always wondering what the other might be doing...! ]

[made_of_science]

[It takes a while, but she eventually realises she has an audience.]

Oh, good day to you! Please don't feel worried; I'm sure there is nothing dangerous about these specimens!

[miserytaker]

Specimens? [ Not too worried at being seen, Hina tilts at her head at the woman's words. ] What are you going to do with them?

[made_of_science]

Hm... I was hoping to take a few samples and then to exterminate the rest, but that appears to be a rather difficult prospect.