nine truffula stumps

[shortishandbossy]

[Despite the sun beginning to set, the Lorax is outside, sitting in front of the Truffula tree. The amount of time he's been watching it is probably questionable. But that's nothing unusual. He is the guardian of the tiny thing, it's what he's supposed to do. Besides, it's become a sort of habit. This is the only Truffula existing at the moment, after all. Might as well enjoy its beauty while it lasts.

When he's away from it there's always a nagging tug of fear that he might come out one day to see that it's disappeared, much like the other residents that come and go. He honestly dreads the day when he'll be sent back, too.

He's not paying attention to his surroundings, and it looks like he might be muttering to the tree. The journal, which has somehow managed to flip open over the hours, records some of the muffled words. They appear on the page as jibberish, though.]

Comments

[findatree]

[Ted arrives for his daily tendnig of the Truffula. Under the boy's care, it's really grown a lot. He gives it some water and gently pulls away any weeds that cropped up. He smiles at the Lorax]

It's looking good, isn't it?

[ino]

[ She's actually coming over to shoo him away from the tree -- after all, Once-ler made it very clear that NOBODY should be touching this thing. But once she gets a little closer and sees what he looks like ... hold on, this couldn't be that Lorax mustache guy she's heard about, could it? ]

Uh ... What are you doing?

[ Real tactful there, Ino ]

[shortishandbossy]

[He watches Ted do his thing with a slight smile on his face. Good kid.]

Mhmm. So far so good.

[shortishandbossy]

[He starts, jumping up and putting his hands in a karate-like pose, before realizing that it's just a human. Whoops. He lets his hands drop and crosses them instead.]

What do you think I'm doin'?

[findatree]

Thanks. I've been working really hard to keep it healthy.

[ino]

[ she folds her arms across her chest, a little suspicious after such a defensive reaction ]

You wouldn't happen to be that Lorax guy, would you?

[shortishandbossy]

I can tell. It likes you.

[shortishandbossy]

So what if I am?

[ino]

If you're not, then I'd be telling you to get the hell out of here and away from this tree.

[cant_breathe_no_heir]

[An odd looking guy that the Lorax has probably never seen before walks up to the tree. He doesn't seem to notice the Lorax, and is instead focusing completely on the Truffala tree.]

What is this...?

[findatree]

It does? How can you tell?

[shortishandbossy]

It's growing, isn't it?

[shortishandbossy]

Good thing I am, then.

[shortishandbossy]

[He looks up at the other, wary about letting someone get too close]

The last plant from my world.

[ino]

Hmm.

[ that gets a little smile, then! and she'll crouch down to his level, sticking out a hand for a handshake ]

It's nice to meet you, then. I'm Ino.

[cant_breathe_no_heir]

[Equius turns and looks down, realizing that he had completely ignored someone.]

Oh... is that so?

What is it called?

[findatree]

So if it didn't like me, it wouldn't grow?

[rose_of_battle]

[Sheena's cutting through the garden on her way out of the castle when she spots the Lorax.

Heading over, she gives him a small smile.]

I was hoping I'd run into you again.

[shortishandbossy]

[He gently shakes her hand and nods]

Yeah, I think I've heard Beanpole talk about you once or twice.

[shortishandbossy]

A Truffula.

[shortishandbossy]

[He glances up at her, staying seated in front of the tree. He does smile a bit, though.]

Oh yeah?

[ino]

[ that gets a giggle ]

Beanpole? I guess it's fitting ...

[cant_breathe_no_heir]

[He looks back at the Truffula, inspecting the tree up and down.]

It is very beautiful. A shame it is the last.

[rose_of_battle]

Yeah. I wanted to give you this.

[She reaches inside her obi for a paper as big as her seals, with something she's drawn on it landscape-wise sumi-e style.

A grove of grown truffula trees.]

I hope you like it.

[shortishandbossy]

Nah, that isn't how it works.