tampered | XANADU OPERA TIME

WHEN: Jan. 15 | the Xanadu gardens.
CHARACTERS: Everyone.
SUMMARY: we interrupt your regular Xanadu viewing for the following special reminder: ...the visit ain't over til the bloody plant sings.

That's right: our green belle been giving rather ~~obnoxious~~ titillating performances in Xanadu, to what can only be the... enjoyment... of certain Citizens. Adding injury to insult, it's quite possible that a couple of residents have also captured the plant's tune on film, and now the video's been turned into a network viral phenomenon!

But as Citizens surely know, every grand artist needs a doting live audience: come get dibs on more plant footage? Save someone from its evil clutches? Help a poor soul that's got lost in the gardens' great expanse? Get the plant to sign with your talent agency? Embark on a mystical quest to get it to shut up?

Just put your chlorophyll-tinted glasses on, and anything is possible.

[ ooc: Find whatever excuse to throw your character in Xanadu, tag someone new, and all around: GET IN HERE. Just as a note: hearing the plant is definitely optional, so please don't think it's an overwhelming sound that'd keep your character up at night or some such. It's just a log prompt. XD ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[After a good deal of contemplation (not of the singing plant--he's been thinking about that most of the day), Justin determines that he's perfectly capable of initiating a conversation with Euphie. Completely. Without looking like an idiot.]

Hi. [Good, good.] What do you think of the plant?

Oh! [She sounds a little surprised and then giggles at herself as she smiles at him.] Hi, Justin. Sorry. I was a little mesmerized, and I'm not sure what to think.

I wonder if he knows what he's singing about. ...Or she.

[Why is she so cute. Justin is going to die. Or take a moment to make words happen again.] It's... mesmerizing. It'd make an interesting houseplant if it was smaller and quieter.

It seems sentient. ...Which shouldn't be possible, since that would mean it would have to have a nervous system, which plants don't have. I mean, Dionaea muscipula and some other carnivorous plants have a primitive reflex system, but--but nothing like that.

[It's all natural, just like the hair.] I spoke to a cactus once. [And after a moment, she clarifies with a smile.] He also spoke. Of course it was during one of the curses where the City is flooded with all sorts of people and...not people too I suppose.

It must either mean that plants can be sentient without nervous systems or that some plants have them. This place doesn't really play by any rules. Or just when you think it does they are changed.

The City gets invaded? [It's the first time anyone has mentioned it, but there's something...] ...Was the cactus polite?

I'd like to think that some plants are semi-sentient. Why else would they respond favorably to music or conversation? [Pleased with his ability to string words together, Justin actually chances eye-contact.] So there really isn't anything stable and reliable and certain here.

It's not like in war when there is an invasion, but there is a massive group of new people who stay no longer than the weekend. It keeps the Welcome Center extremely busy for a couple of days.

[She considers his question and tilts her head.] The cactus was a little peculiar even for a talking cactus, but he was polite.

[Warm, violet eyes looking back at you, Justin!] Am I making it sound so distressing?

That doesn't happen often, does it?

[He's glad the cactus was polite, not that he'll say as much. He thinks very highly of plants and wouldn't want to learn that they're actually jerks.]

Nn--not distressing, so much. I just don't like change.

[She shakes her head just a little. Just enough to see there is a shake really.] It's one of the more common curses, but it doesn't happen as often as the weekends where anything can happen. But it's more often than the days when everyone kisses each other. You just missed that.

There's always change here, but sometimes it's change for the better. [Usually not perhaps, but her optimism keeps her going.]

[Justin looks alarmed.] A curse when everyone what?

[She giggles at that reaction.] It's not so bad if you just stay at home. [She's just a busy girl with things to do!] Mistletoe appears where you least expect it and you feel compelled to kiss. It happens in the winter. At least it has both winters I've spent here.

I suppose the day after the curse can be awkward? Unless there's a--unless everyone here forgives anything that's induced by a curse.

Yes, people here are very understanding, Justin. I think it's most awkward when a curse reveals something true.

[She smiles.] But kisses aren't always something that need forgiveness, are they?

How often does that happen?

[He has to think this question over before answering.] They are usually, I think.

Usually? [Her tone falls in some awkward region between amusement and confusion as though she's not sure if he's teasing or not.] I would think the opposite. Though a curse does change things since they aren't always wanted.

Mm, how often does what happen? [She wants to make sure she follows him.]

[Justin does not tease.] Never mind. It's good. How forgiving people are about curses, I mean.

Curses that reveal truths we'd rather not reveal. Are they common?

That depends on the curse and the person. I would say they are, but it isn't always true they would affect you.

[He brightens at that. You know, as much as he brightens at anything.] Selective cursing. That's a relief; being cursed every time would get old.

[He abruptly changes the topic, all seriousness.] Do you know if there's anyone here named Shilo?

[She notices. It's a nice brightening! And gone all too quickly.] Shilo? No, I don't think I ever have. Is that a friend of yours?

No. I don't know. I just keep thinking about the name.

[He shrugs apologetically.] Sorry. The plant's singing... it must be making me crazy.

You mean you don't know anyone by that name either? [Looking a little confused.]

No, but I might have.

I should--I think I'm going to have a closer look. At the plant. But thank you for talking to me.

Oh? Well... All right. [A little surprised but she smiles.]

I like talking to you. And please be careful. I wouldn't want you to be hurt.

[Against his better judgment, Justin smiles back. It's very nice of Euphie to be concerned, and he'd like to think she really does like talking to him.]

I won't--I mean, I will. Be careful. I'm good with plants.

[She continues to smile since he is and because of his slightly confused reply.]

You do seem to know a lot about them. Good luck.

XANADU OPERA TIME | ALL INVITED

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