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[redwinekindofgirl]

So, uh, hey everyone. Julie here. [Wave!]

It looks like, um... Serah's gone, if you knew her, so that's something. But-- [She takes a breath, seemingly steeling herself against the news she just gave out. Serah was - is - her friend, and she'll miss her.]

But before she went, we were talking to Tranquility about planting some trees outside his temple. Looks like that's not the only place that could use it though, right? [The smile that comes to her face is small and crooked, a little awkward. She hadn't been to the other islands in a while, but when she did... People have been busy.]

I did some farming back home, but I don't think I can plant a whole forest by myself. Soooo... anyone want to start a project? Bet there's people here who can make seeds sprout by magic, right?

Comments

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[so_dark_a_road]

I'm very sorry that Serah's gone. I did not know her well, but I liked her a lot. I am sorry you have lost your friend.

[ He responds to that small, crooked smile with a full smile of his own. He's one of the people who have been busy on North Island. Julie's idea sounds like a very good one to him. ]

I would love to help you plant trees. I just won't be able to work on that until I get back from my voyage. If you still need help by then, I'll make myself available. I can't make seeds sprout by magic, but I can certainly plant them.

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[madambutterfly]

Kind of you to offer to arboreal remediation after the fact.

[She injects a light tone into what is otherwise a very dry and unamused statement. Too much to assume that residents of their little island chain could have exercised some fucking restraint - not that she's ever known people to do so.]

Weren't you one of the handful of people responsible for razing the earth in the first place?

[redwinekindofgirl]

Thanks.

[She doesn't really want to get too much sympathy over Serah, so she brushes past that quickly. Her returning smile is real enough, but lacking just the slightest edge of warmth.]

I think the planting part is more important, anyway, right? They'll grow whether we help them out or not.

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[puzzlingly]

I talked to her a little bit, I'm sorry she's gone.

「He's been saying that a lot lately but... Huh. It's strange.

Eh, it's not the time to think of those things-- he does seem a little thoughtful at the request, though.」

Hmm, maybe I can help. But I we'd need seeds to start with.

[redwinekindofgirl]

Mm. [Julie's sorry too, but she just nods and moves on. Not lingering on things is a consistent habit of hers, and often to her detriment.]

Seeds will be the easiest part. I've already gathered up some, and there have to be more out there.

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[madambutterfly]

I was a homesteader once, back in my world.

[Not entirely a lie.

It was a happy, simple time up until the Ghost Nation and the Man in Black attacked the house. Maeve is skeptical about how effective magic sprouting will be, given the way humans have already been taking care of their environment, but she needs something to do and a means to meet others.]

Subsistence farming comprises most of that lifestyle.

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[redwinekindofgirl]

[She lets out a little snort. It doesn't seem to be directed at Maeve, though, more some personal thought that her words provoked.]

Yeah, guess it would. We were just trying to grow enough to survive and didn't really manage that, but an apple now and then broke up the taste of carbtien.

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[theweakhavepurpose]

The orchard is looking really sad lately.

[ His main source of food. He cries. ]

I don't have magic powers but I can dig holes for planting.

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[redwinekindofgirl]

Mm, kinda is... [She hadn't really been thinking about the orchard, but now that he mentions it...

But that's something else. A bigger project. Something that would take time and thought. She can try to take it on. Maybe it's just what she needs to shake her out of the funk she's been in since she got back.]

Thanks for offering, we're going to need a lot of hands for this.

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[am_i_a_monster]

I remember Serah. She wanted to start a school months ago. She seemed nice. I'm sorry she's gone.

[She pauses to be respectful.]

I'm not magical, but I'm willing to help with the planting.

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[redwinekindofgirl]

Thanks.

[She keeps it short, not wanting to linger on the thought that her friend is gone... for however long it might be.

Luna never came back.]

And yeah, I think that's the important part, right?

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[hoperulesdespairdrools]

Serah.....?

[A quiet pause. He has a sinking feeling he knows the answer but...]

I guess you're talking about Serah Farron, right?

[redwinekindofgirl]

Didn't know any other Serahs, but yeah, her.

[She shrugs, but it comes along with a sigh and tucking her hair behind her ear. It's not really something she wants to talk about too much.]

[Audio]

[whistlewhilstyouwork]

If you pointed me where you needed me to go, I can be handy with a shovel.

[His muscles never get put to any useful end in this place anyway]

Can also carry things that needed carrying.

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[redwinekindofgirl]

Hah, thanks, Whistler. [Never one to downplay his usefulness, she doesn't doubt him for a second.]

This is gonna be a big thing. I hope.

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[knifecollecting]

I'm pretty good at digging holes. Do we need seeds first?

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[redwinekindofgirl]

Yeah, we will. You can find them all over, especially where the trees have been cut. Bet we can get a bunch together if more than one of us are looking.

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[hasitsthorns]

Yeah, the orchard... It's seen better days.

[ That's putting it mildly. While she made sure her roses and the marijuana were safely kept, she couldn't rightfully stop people using the trees for piers and boats. It was important but, y'know, so was food. Most people can get by but... In cases of emergencies like the city split? Yeah, the orchard was a nice thing to have in a pinch. ]

My kind kind of have a way with nature. Not, like, magic you're describing but I can hopefully help with the growth in small ways.

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[redwinekindofgirl]

[Seen better days? No kidding. The orchard has been a favourite place of Julie's - it reminds her of home - but between people cutting the trees down and that bitch Caedra burning parts of it for the fun of it, it's looking sorry for itself.]

Pft, sounds like magic to me. Don't have anything like that where I'm from, except... fertiliser, I guess. But that's something we make, not something we do.

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[bythewaves]

Tis always hard to lose a friend.

I can't make them sprout, but I can probably encourage them to grow a little faster, I think.

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[redwinekindofgirl]

[She nods.]

Everything's gonna help here, right? [This is starting to get a little exciting. Her expression is brightening up with everyone she replies to.

Julie tilts her head, peers at him a moment, then asks carefully--]

You're an elf, aren't you.

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[stonebird]

I'm glad to see you whole. (She winces to hear about Serah and the trees.) She was a sweet girl and her optimism will be missed. As for the trees...

(Outdoor work isn't her strong suit, but...)

I do not mind getting my hands dirty. We need trees.

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[redwinekindofgirl]

Takes a lot to take me down, don't worry. [It's more bravado than she ever feels, but it's important to keep up appearances.

But she smiles and nods. So many people are on board with this and there's no way to express how encouraging it is.]

There's going to be a lot of dirt.

[unphase]

I'm sorry for the loss of your friend.

Magic isn't my superpower, but I can help with the planting and the watering.

[redwinekindofgirl]

Thanks.

[A little sigh follows that. People are just being kind, but she has a feeling she's going to get tired of that sympathy soon.]

Uh, you have a different superpower?

[deathstouch]

My wife would be capable of assisting with seeds.

[redwinekindofgirl]

Who is she?

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[utulien_aure]

I am sorry for the loss of your friend.

We had some luck tending the orchard with Song after the Null attack. It may be of use again.

[redwinekindofgirl]

It's okay.

[It's not, but... it has to be, right? Things move on, people move on, and she has to move on as well. Loss happens. It happens so much.]

I've heard plants like it when you play music to them, but I don't think you're talking about that, are you?

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[tenuousmorality]

My sympathies for the loss of a friend. It seems that is part and parcel of our time here.

[Personally, he'd have preferred to be the one let out of this maddening hellscape of overblown emotions. Alas...that seems like the wrong thing to say in order to sympathize with someone.]

At any rate, given the foolish plundering of resources, I'm more than willing to volunteer some of my time towards your effort. I'm afraid my artes are more offensive than utilitarian though, so no "magic" here.

[Look. Emotional things aren't his forte. Offering to help with fixing some stupid decisions? Well, that he knows how to do.]

[redwinekindofgirl]

Mhm. Guess it is.

[But on to the actual matter at hand. People are offering their sympathies and she understands, but she kinda wishes she'd asked them not to.]

Time's going to be what we need the most. [Stupid decisions, indeed.] Are you a soldier or something?

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[madebyhumans]

I can try to help, in any way I can.

[Mewtwo's not really sure if she can be any use. Maybe it's better if she didn't volunteer, in case she does more harm instead of good.]

I can't use magic, but perhaps I can use my psychic abilities to keep the plants watered.

[redwinekindofgirl]

How would that work? I mean, if you can explain it.

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[knockthemdead]

[He never met Serah, and he doesn't really want to touch on that sore spot, so Kravitz moves right past it and focuses on the part that's easy to respond to.]

Do you have a supply of seeds? I'd be quite glad to lend a hand to this venture.

[redwinekindofgirl]

I have a couple of ideas of where I can get them from. Collected some myself, and Delmar has a store. If enough of us bring a handful, we should have plenty.

[Oh, hey, Kravitz. Been a while. At least she's not tripping over her words this time.]

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[vocarrah]

That sweet little girl? What a shame.

I've no powers of my own, but I can handle anything physical.

[He hesitates, and then, softer:]

I...apologize. I didn't realize...about the wood, I mean. I'll do whatever I can.

[redwinekindofgirl]

[Julie holds her tongue on what she could say about 'not realising', only betrayed by a brief pause and pressing her lips together.]

What's important is helping now. What's done is done.

[Good enough.]

I'll be counting on you.

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[stealyoursoul]

Better hope there's enough people that can make those seeds sprout quickly. Otherwise, we're in for a wait of, what, twenty-five years or so?

[Here's Leo, being oh so helpful with his usual cynical self.]

[redwinekindofgirl]

Nice optimism. [She makes an 'ok' gesture with her hand, then rolls her eyes.]

You going to offer to do something, or sit on the sidelines making unhelpful comments?

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[pellameno]

I'm sorry, Julie. It's never easy when people leave. Let me know if you'd like company?

[ Over two and a half years in Hadriel haven't made loss any easier to handle, and it never ends. But Pell's not going into that on the network -- Julie already knows he was a farmer, so he doesn't bother explaining his background for anyone else's benefit. He has a more specific question. ]

I've encouraged my garden a bit magically, during dramatic climate shifts, but have no idea how to grow a tree with any noticeable speed. Has anyone with an ability like that come forward? Maybe I could learn.

[redwinekindofgirl]

I will.

[In truth, she's been keeping more to herself than she had been before her short trip back home, and Pell has been one of the only people she's seen in that time. His company is easy and unintrusive, and he's never made her feel like she has to talk about the things that are on her mind.]

Mm, a few, but I think it's something they can just do because of what they are. [Like the elves, for instance.]

You think you could learn to do it?