Twenty Six Truffula Trees

[whichwayyoulean]

[Now the expedition has stopped inside the dead zone for the night, the Once-ler is sitting outside his collapsible cottage, flicking idly through the journal pages, catching up on what's been going on in the castle.

It's not until he gets a few pages in that he even realises what date it is]

Huh. Looks like I've been in this place a year now. Sure doesn't feel like it.

[It's better than what he's got to face back home, at least. Here, he has people to talk to, and isn't left alone with only his own personal demons to keep him company. Still, it's not exactly what he planned, being trapped here. It forever feels like a temporary stay of punishment, that could end at any time]

...Not sure how to feel about that. I mean, how are you supposed to feel, knowing a magical possibly evil castle has decided to keep you around for a whole year?

[Hermione]

Hey, while you're still in the castle, can you do me a favour? There's a tree in the gardens, can you just...check up on it once in a while? Make sure it's doing okay? Until I get back.

Comments

Once-ler

[courageous_wit]

A tree...? You mean from your world, don't you?

Hermione

[whichwayyoulean]

It's a Truffula, yeah. It's important that it's kept safe.

Once-ler

[courageous_wit]

I can perform a few protection spells. It'll be safe, I promise. Just you be safe, all right?

Hermione

[whichwayyoulean]

Oh wow, really? That'd be great.

[That solves the electric fence thing]

Don't worry, I have my army of people watching out for me. I'll be fine.

Once-ler

[courageous_wit]

Glad to hear it. Keep in touch. I want to know everything that's going on.

Hermione

[whichwayyoulean]

Will do. I just hope it's not as eventful as last time.

Once-ler

[courageous_wit]

Or the time before that. I'll hope for the best.

Hermione

[whichwayyoulean]

Thanks, Hermione. I think we'll need it.

Action

[not_mafia]

Eh... come to think of it, I've been here a long time too! It'll be a year in... about two months for me, I think.

[kalinda]

Let me just grab the party favors.

[fanstheflame]

No wonder you didn't want to move into our house. [Gale wanders up, hands in his pockets, and looks up at the cottage] I forgot you had one of your own.

forever!

[whichwayyoulean]

[He'll glance over]

Really? Time sure does fly when you're trapped in a magic castle, right?

[whichwayyoulean]

Keep them on hold for me for when I come back. We can celebrate it with our good friend Jack Daniels.

[whichwayyoulean]

[The Once-ler smiles up at his creation]

Yeah, it's pretty cool. I mean, it's only really good for expeditions, but it does the job it needs to.

Get settled in okay?

[not_mafia]

I guess so. I'm not sure if I should count myself lucky or not...

Action

[cyan_maid]

[Guess who overhears you and wanders over, Once-ler.]

You've been here a year already, Once-ler? Oh, wow!

forever!

[whichwayyoulean]

[He offers her a smile]

Yeah, I can hardly believe it myself. I'm kinda glad I'm out here, it stops the castle from doing anything weird to me.

[whichwayyoulean]

I don't know how lucky you can call it when the castle actually wants to keep you around.

[not_mafia]

Yeah, especially considering what it wants us around for.

... well, it could be worse?

[cyan_maid]

Do you think it does something weird to most everybody who's hit their yearly landmark?

[kalinda]

That'll be one hell of a celebration. [She's rather celebrate with Señor Jose Cuervo, but Mr. Daniels is a strong runner-up.] I accept.

[whichwayyoulean]

[Mr. Daniels goes better with his cigars]

You bet. We're long overdue one, anyway.

[whichwayyoulean]

Sure, we could have been living in that castle that went crazy and made everyone sick.

[whichwayyoulean]

That seems pretty regular. That and their birthdays.

[cyan_maid]

What wonderful gifts. [/Sarcasm]