sixthiterationlogs | [MINGLE] Just don't touch the puffball

WHO: Mark Watney
WHERE: 6I Town Hall
WHEN: 7 June, after lunch
OPEN TO: ALL - MINGLE
WARNINGS: n/a
NOTES: Please note in your subject line if a top-level is to Mark (or whoever)

I have to be honest, as a botanist, there's a lot about this new, expanded world to be excited about. It seems like almost every time I go out to collect samples, I find something I haven't seen before, and nearly every minute I'm not working in the fields or greenhouse, I've been in Ravi's lab doing tests and compiling observations. Some of the specimens are pretty spectacular, but for a lot of them, the things that make them impressive are also things that could be a problem for the average villager.

Which is why I'm here now, in the town hall, lining up a variety of plants on a long table at the front of the room, some dried, some placed carefully under glass, many seeded in whatever I could find to use as a pot: Sauce pans, old boxes, tea cups.

Early this morning, I left a message on the blackboard in the Inn in big chalk letters:

Seminar on new native plants
TODAY - TOWN HALL - AFTER LUNCH
IMPORTANT INFO!!

In the old place, I used to take folks out one at a time and give them a crash course on what was edible and what was poisonous, but that's just not going to cut it now.

As I wait for folks to arrive (As I wait, hoping folks will arrive), I lay out labels in front of each plant listing what I've been calling it, whether it's dangerous, and any known properties. Once I'm done running my mouth, people can come up and get a good look.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Being a city boy Danny really needs this talk and despite all his arguing, he can't really avoid it. Or he could but the risk isn't really worth it. He makes is way inside and settles to listen to the lecture. At some point he notices Owen and smiles at him, remembering his face from the times they've run into each other. After a bit he comes up. "Hi there."

Owen lifts a chin in recognition; his posture picks up slightly, where he'd folded an arm under his opposite elbow and leaned on the wall, holding his cheek. The discussion has been interesting enough--certainly a place to start, and a means to visually note plants that have any effect at all.

Good or bad, he'd rather not deal with the inherent change out in the wilds, without intention, preparation. "Hi yourself," he greets, shifting to make space along the wall, if Danny's after it. "Here to learn?"

Danny nods and leans on the wall next to him. "This might be a surprice but nature and I don't really get along. I figured studying up on this is the safest thing to do."

"Why would it surprise me?" For all that it does, with every person he encounters who mentions traffic, television, basic freedoms. He doesn't know enough of Danny, beyond the sense that their worlds were very different. "This is new to all of us, that's the point."

Danny glances at him and then nods. That is a small comfort at least. "True and it doesn't seem to be changing any time soon. You've been out in the woods much?"

For Owen, it's been a matter of months: some of the people claim to have been here years. The more things change, the more they stay the same--and vice versa. No one seems to have concrete answers, no matter how long their tenure. Even Mark seems surprised by the curves the Observers throw them for, this far in.

"Pretty much every day since I arrived," he confirms. "This stuff on display? It's just the plants, and just the ones that seem to do something. I've run into bats that bite like snakes, make you go blind. Seen birds that reflect the world to blend in. It's just enough like home to feel even more alien when it isn't."

Danny looks at him, quite surprised. "Damn that sounds... both really breathtaking and also makes me want to stay indoors. At least the bats keep to caves right?" He hopes so, there is no danger of him going into any caves anytime soon so that would be ideal. "Found any places you recommend checking out?"

"I wouldn't know enough about them to say," he answers, smoothing his mouth open at the corner with a sweep of his tongue. As must seem common to their interactions, his brows find a somewhat permanent place higher on his forehead: Danny's attitude so often confuses him. "They came out of a rocky outcrop beneath a tree, water running through it. They attacked me and Miss Carter."

Whether or not they venture further out, he has no immediate need to find out. "I think if the outdoors aren't something you're used to, you should venture out cautiously, and not alone."

"I'll admit I am not planning on heading out there. But knowing my partner I'll get dragged out there. He loves being outdoors. And sharks." Danny shakes his head. "But thanks for the advice."

Owen isn't sure what they have to do with anything--and he hasn't seen a shark since he was very young, living through the outbreak on his father's boat. He shrugs. "Haven't seen any of those, at least--he's free to look for them while you're out there."

What Danny means and what you might have to know Steve to get is that Steve is fond of dangerous things, way too fond if you ask Danny.

"Don't suggest that, he'll do it." he shakes his head, but his tone is fond, he likes Steve.

[MINGLE] Just don't touch the puffball

During the lecture

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