11 Truffula Seeds

[findatree]

There's a botanical building right here in the city. According to what I found, there are over two thousand different plants in there! The best part is that it's free!! You can go in and look at the plants and you don't have to pay money.

[this is literally the most incredible thing he's ever heard of in his entire life. His mind is completely blown]

I want to go! The guide says that it's going to be open today in a few minutes.

Comments

[whichwayyoulean]

[He doesn't reply for a while. That good old feeling of regret and self loathing claws happily at him, reminding him that it's still there. Of course the kids wants to go and see the plants. Something that would be considered dull and boring to most people is a brand new, exciting experience for Ted.

It will never be okay that he caused that. Never. When he does speak, he at least tries to manage to get some cheer in his tone]

Sounds like fun, kiddo.

[findatree]

You want to come with me? You don't have to if you're recovering, but it's free. You won't have to pay money.

[this is an important thing to emphasize. Seeing plants is FREE]

[whichwayyoulean]

[That's how it should be. Damnit O'Hare why did you have to create a culture where money is everything?

...Oh yeah, because the Once-ler made it that way]

I'll go with you to see the plants, Ted. So long as you don't mind me walking slow.

[findatree]

That's okay. That'll give us more time to look at them all.

[lightbranded]

[Will grins at the idea.]

I would like to see something like that, I think. It sounds marvelous.

[findatree]

I'm sure Grandpa won't mind if you come along.

[lightbranded]

Your grandpa? He's here as well?

[whichwayyoulean]

It would be pretty cool. To see all those Earth plants.

[findatree]

No, that's just what I call the Once-ler.

[findatree]

It's the most amazing thing.

[whichwayyoulean]

Did you have any museums? ...Back home, I mean.

[findatree]

No, we just had a lot of stores. To buy trees and batteries and things like that.

[whichwayyoulean]

[...Wow that's depressing]

But museums are important to learn about the past, and present and heck, even the future. You can't have had many exciting school field trips.

[findatree]

We went to a toy factory. It was great! They showed us how they put together the remote-control planes.

[whichwayyoulean]

...Oh.

Well, I guess that's important to learn too.

[findatree]

It is! That's how I got the idea to build my own models. Mom thought it was weird.

[whichwayyoulean]

Well, there's nothing weird about that. I learned about machinery by taking apart the farm tractor when I was your age.

[...Wow did he just say 'when I was your age' he really IS an old man]

[findatree]

What's a farm tractor look like? Will they be at museums?

[whichwayyoulean]

I guess it might be in a technology museum. They're big, clunky things, with really huge wheels for moving through muddy fields.

[findatree]

Wow. I hope we can see one!

[whichwayyoulean]

If not, there are farms outside the city, back in Paradisa. Maybe we can see if they have one.

[findatree]

Okay. We'll go find one somehow.

[whichwayyoulean]

And I can show you how they work. It'll be an experience for you.

[findatree]

Can I drive one?

[whichwayyoulean]

I don't see why not, so long as you avoid...uh fences. And cattle.

[lightbranded]

Onceler?

I think I met him once.

[Wasn't that the fellow who had been nearly killed by a nature spirit?]

[findatree]

What's wrong with cattle? What do they do?

[findatree]

He's not really my grandfather, you know. I just know him as an old man.

[whichwayyoulean]

Well, they won't enjoy being run over by a tractor for a start.

[findatree]

I'm a good driver. I wouldn't run over anything.

[whichwayyoulean]

Yeah, I know you wouldn't.

[And, because it's been bothering him and he knows Ted will probably get it] Is it weirding you out, how square all the buildings are here? I mean, there's no imagination to them at all.

[findatree]

I was thinking about it. Where are the extra staircases? Where are the doors on the second floor? The multiple chimneys?

[whichwayyoulean]

I don't know, Kiddo. Do they just like...walk up stairs inside, just to each floor? Why would they do that when they can have a doorway right up there, and saves them from going the long way up.

[findatree]

That's crazy. And what's with all the straight lines? Even jello molds have more variety than this.

[lightbranded]

He did sound rather young for it. [Will agrees with this amiably.]

[findatree]

I'm from like fifty years in his future.

[whichwayyoulean]

If they had to leave their house in a hurry, they'd be stuck.

[findatree]

I don't even want to think about the inside. All those box-shaped pieces of furniture. It's too weird.

[whichwayyoulean]

There are almost no curves or weird angles. It's super restrictive.

[findatree]

But why would anyone want that?

[lightbranded]

Goodness, that must have been confusing. [Said with some mild amusement. Will never stopped marveling at how time was twisted about in this place.]

[whichwayyoulean]

I don't even know. Really boring people, maybe.

[findatree]

Only at first. It's not as weird now.

[lightbranded]

They do say it is possible to get accustomed to anything.