[Video I.]

[vivelavenir]

[He hasn't dont anything like this before in his near two months here, but it would seem about time. There's an innate timidity that comes with addressing absolute legions of people whom you do not know and cannot see, with a device you are still not comfortable with... but, well.

After the recent spat of low events and lower spirits, if there was ever a time pluck up an introductory nerve and present a worthy distraction, this was it.

Smiling lightly at what he hopes is the camera (modern communication, why are you so uncomfortable? He is literally speaking to a metal hunk in his palm...), Jehan greeted with quiet enthusiasm,]

Hello. I don't assume many of you know me; my name is Jean Prouvaire. Good to make your acquaintance.

Even if you do not know me, I'm sure many of you must be well-acquainted with the Oxygen Gardens. Though quite expansive for a single ship, I've noticed that the first floor is especially well-kept, while the upper floors are a bit more... untamed.

[His expression suggests that both versions of the garden are equally impressive, as far as he's concerned.]

The other day, it had been brought to my attention that-- along with a number of very beautiful blooms and buds on all four floors-- there might also be some plant varieties that are harmful in all that thicket.

[The boy who had the interest in belladonnas had quite reminded him of that.]

I thought it might be both useful and nice, then, if there was an attempt to map some of the flora of the Oxygen Gardens. If other passengers are willing to help, we could put together some little collection of various flower types and where to find them into a book. It could be advantageous for viewings, for further learning, or simply to know which to avoid, should any be of a mean kind.

[A soft shrug and he tilted his head, unable to help another quick smile.]

I don't doubt that the gardens may be too vast to capture in a single volume, but... There is a man on board named Claudius who hopes to start a paper-book library. The book could be at home there, and available to any who wish to use it or add to it, over time.

[Pausing a moment, he shuffled, looking down, before holding up a bit of paper that he'd begun the project with. Everything had to start somewhere.

But, as he's rambling now and really doesn't know quite how to end the conversation with something that can't speak in return until he has... He gave a last, tighter smile, and flushed only slightly self-consciously as he finished,]

I'd be grateful for any help, as I don't fashion myself a botanist, scientist or a cartographer. Advice is also welcome and appreciated. Thank you.

Comments

[majestyofthethrone]

We met at a Jump.

I have some paper, if you need it.

[vivelavenir]

Yes! I remember, of course. Seraphim.

That would be wonderful, thank you.

You have you been well, I hope?

[majestyofthethrone]

I'm all right? Are you? After pirates?

[vivelavenir]

[If his expression flickers, it's jut barely. He holds his smile and bows his head into a soft nod. It was an unnerving week at best, and the gruesome, unjust end to the business... well.

He was sure that everyone had their issues with it, and took exception.]

Yes... I'm fine. It's kind of you to ask.

I'm glad to see you safe. I hope that your friends are similarly all right, and that nothing very dear to you was taken-?

[majestyofthethrone]

No. Everything's safe.

[vivelavenir]

That's good.

Ah! [Looking up, he recalled to mention,] You were right, by the way. My flute did come, in the last jump.

[majestyofthethrone]

You should come play with me.

video

[assumedposition]

Such neat handwriting, Jehan!

Of course, you know you can count me in.

[Video forever]

[vivelavenir]

[A soft grin.]

I'd have a lot of nerve, telling you to work on yours, if mine was completely illegible.

I made sure you would be my cohort before asking anyone other. You, I am afraid, are most stuck in the task.

[Of course. Video forever here too unless otherwise specified.]

[assumedposition]

That's fine with me! I'll ask around people I know too, see if I can get anyone else in on it. The more the merrier, right?

[vivelavenir]

That's certainly the case I believe, yes. I leave it to you then, Albert. By which, I expect to have an army of helpers in no time at all.

[assumedposition]

I'll do my best!

In the mean time: would you like some company?

[vivelavenir]

How could I ever refuse such dear company? I would like that, yes. Should I fix tea?

[Since that's what you're into, Albert. And he doesn't want the kind you made, okok.]

video;

[workout]

I'm pretty good at finding things. If you want help collecting plants, or finding where more of one kind is, I mean.

[ then there's a grin, amused at his own expense. ]

Just don't ask me to help with the actual botany. Or the writing, yours is way nicer than mine.

[vivelavenir]

Oh! That would be a great help, yes, thank you. The gardens are not always the easiest to circumnavigate.

[A soft laugh.]

The science of botany, we may be equally lost causes at. But there's always room to improve handwriting-- and thank you.

[workout]

Think I'm a lost cause at both. Especially if my teachers have anything to say about it.

[ but man you sound posh what's the deal. ]

Where are you from?

[vivelavenir]

Well, they must be mistaken then. There's always room to learn. Two left feet is possible, but not two left hands.

[Smiling shyly, he raised his brows and answered,]

Paris, of 1832. I gather that's a long time ago, for most aboard here.

And you, Monsieur-...? [Paused, not knowing his name as just yet.]

[workout]

[ the first comment earns a smile; dissing his teachers, you know how to make a good first impression. ]

Kind of a long time ago. Like almost two hundred years, but I think I've seen older.

[ those starks and their crazy capes, mostly. ]

Scott. And uh - California, 2012. [ a pause, then- ] Did California even exist in 1832?

[vivelavenir]

[Jehan blinks. Then gives a good-natured laugh at the question.]

I assume it existed, but not in so many words. Empires rise and fall, as do their names. On what continent is the country California? Perhaps I can tell you what we called it.

[His geography isn't too shabby... for the areas of the world he's interested in, anyway. No luck if you're from Oceania, alas.]

And Monsieur Scott, then. It is a pleasure. [Not wanting to be too formal, he added,] Two-hundred years... I don't look awful for my age, then. Not a day over one-hundred fifty, I hope.

[voice]

[jurisimpudent]

That's a good idea, young man. I know little of plant life, but I know the pathways of the garden.

[Video]

[vivelavenir]

Thank you. I'd be glad if it proved to be of any help. Knowing the pathways is a fine start; should you be willing to have a walk about them with me, or with your own company, it could make for a nice beginning to the collection process. Or else, it would be wonderfully useful towards mapping.

[voice forever!]

[jurisimpudent]

Er - quite, yes. You've spoken, of course, with the agricultural team?

[Video forever! Probably, anyway.]

[vivelavenir]

I haven't, in fact. I was hoping this might attract the attention of those who were knowledgable and interested.

[He hadn't been able to find anything like this in the current library or database-- with, admittedly, limited knowledge of how to work that-- so he assumed there were no projects currently underway and it might be... fun. To do as a group project. The gardens were so popular, after all.]

But failing that, I will ask for their assistance, certainly.

[jurisimpudent]

Indeed. I can refer you to a woman named Heather Mason. She's sensible and intelligent - level-headed. She'll help you.

[vivelavenir]

My thanks again.

Is it impolite to use the directory to contact her on this device, or is that the done thing here? Pardon me, I still find these unwieldily.

[He's chatting with disembodied voice, okay. The future is a strange place.]