Thirty Four Truffula Trees

[whichwayyoulean]

[Learning about Sheena's death has bumped Once-ler's paranoia from a five to a ten. He knows people are hiding out in the library, in that bar in town, in those other safe zones, but he remembers being on the Event Horizon. If something is attacking them, or god forbid if one of their OWN is attacking them, then it won't matter if you're in numbers or not. Heck, being in a big group might just attract attention to them. He's more than content to stay in his tower with all his traps, thank you. But there are two somethings that are missing. He quickly picks up a pen to scribble into the journal:]

[Ted and the Lorax]
It's starting to get bad. You guys should come to my room, I've got enough here to protect us. [Probably. Hopefully]

[He almost leaves it at that, but he knows he can't. Not after the news of today.]

[Friends]

Just give me a sign you guys are still alive, ok?

[There's a tap of his pen on the journal. He's a salesman, he's finding it difficult to get things across without his quick and easy patter. It's very different having to write it all down]

Well, this sucks.

Comments

[whichwayyoulean]

[The Once-ler gives a shrug, writing in his own journal]

Not at all. This has never happened before. Not since I've been here, anyway.

[shortishandbossy]

Whatever it is, it's not good. I have a bad feeling.

[whichwayyoulean]

[The Once-ler pauses a moment, shuffling uneasily. Before writing again, quickly, as if getting the words on paper faster will make it easier to deal with]

One of my friends was killed.

[shortishandbossy]

[He tilts his head at the words. It was that girl, wasn't it? He moves closer to the Once-ler to pat the place right below his knee in what he hopes is a comforting manner. Hey, it's the only thing he can reach.]

You mean Sheena? She drew me something right before all of this.

[whichwayyoulean]

[That gets a surprised look. Wow, he must look depressed if the Lorax is resorting to comfort]

Yeah, Sheena. She's a good friend, always looking out for other people.

[shortishandbossy]

She'll be alright. Probably just at the wrong place at the wrong time.

[whichwayyoulean]

Sounds like here, really. And yeah...she should come back. [Except sometimes they don't]

[shortishandbossy]

She will. [He can only pat your knee so many times before it gets awkward, man. The Lorax will just hop onto his bed and get comfortable now.]

[whichwayyoulean]

And then she'll be mad as heck but cover it up well. It's not like she has Zelos to punch any more to get it out of her system.

[He allows it, he knows telling the guardian to move won't do anything regardless,/i>]