adstring_npc | {Unified Universe Project}

[There’s a clicking noise, then a burst of static, before a moment of silence. A male voice speaks first, recognizable as Greg’s.] Did it work?

[A female speaks up.] Is it a plant? No. How should I know if it works? Mine got eaten by the Hungry Vine.

[A third voice speaks up, a new male.] He was asking in general, not you, Abbot. And yeah, I think it’s going. But not video. You’re the codemonkey, fix it.

[Greg snorts.] Fixing, fixing, bug boy. You go play with your beetles, I’ll get this… there.

[The video flickers on, showing Greg, Caroline Abbot, and another young man who resembles Greg slightly. ]

[Greg nods happily.] Guess what? We have blankets! [He holds up stiffer-looking greenish-white blankets.] We’re going to share! Abbot can explain!

[Caroline sighs.] They’re plant fiber. I modified the Hungry Vine to have stronger limbs, and—

[The other guy shakes his head.] She’ll talk for hours. Look. Plants became blankets. It’s not good weather for them, but you’ll have them. Anyone wants to pick them up, we already dropped off a load at [x,y]. Outreach and shit, since our PR department is fuc—

Matthew! [Greg’s voice is sharp.] There’s a lady present.

[Caroline blinks, staring at Greg.]

[Matthew snorts.] Fine. Since our PR department is sleeping around instead of making sweet, sweet love to all of y—

[Greg reaches over and shuts the sound of the PCD off. He and Matthew talk for a moment, while Caroline looks very awkward. She plays with a vine that’s crawling up her arm, smiling at it. The boys stop talking, and Greg rolls his eyes and turns the sound back on.]

[Matthew sighs.] The PR department isn’t doing its job. So we’re doing what we can. Better?

[Greg nods, then looks off to the side.] We’ve got to stop transmitting for now. Guard cycles. But we’ll answer questions in a few minutes. It should be safe.

[He smiles, and with a quick wave, he shuts off the PCD.]

[[ooc: There are twenty-five plant-fiber blankets at the location listed.]]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Matthew shook his head.]

See, this is why I figured it was a stupid idea. Halfway thanks, and we have to watch out for the guards this whole time.

[Greg taps Matthew on the shoulder and says something quiet to him. Matthew sighs and glances at Caroline.]

Plant question. You want to field it?

[Caroline nods.]

The primary reason isn't scientific so much as it's basic. The vines that are everywhere and carnivorous I've classified as the Hungry Vine. When it's bred with a creeper vine such as kudzu, it becomes mostly benign and grows far more rapidly. You can trim it, then it will regrow rapidly. The vines can be spun to render them down to a workable fiber. It's a fast-replenishing natural resource, and--

[Greg coughs. Caroline blushes.]

I'm sorry. I talk too much...

[A frown]

Apologies, Scientist-san. [Watch Neji as he tries to pinpoint their location with the Byakugan judging by what he sees on the video feed] It is unfortunate circumstance, but the gesture itself is appreciated. It's at least, more than we've given you.

[His head tilts to the side, listening and trying to understand]

I see, so it's the most convenient material you have on hand, then? I suppose, given the state the world is in, regular textile materials are sure to be more difficult to come by. It's a creative use of a plant, however, and never would have thought it possible.

Can these species be located in the Wastelands?

[Matthew gives Greg a puzzled look from behind Caroline. He mouths 'tan?' Greg nods. 'Japanese,' he mouths back. Caroline doesn't notice this going on behind her, trying to smile.]

It is. We don't have anything like cotton plants here. I love plants, though, so I like to come up with reasons for more people-- Right, I'm sorry. I talk a lot.

Yes, both of them can be. I can introduce the resulting vine somewhere so you didn't have to breed it yourself.

Hm... You seem to be doing well in that regard, Botanist-san. Surely you'll find more useful ways to implement their nature to suit a variety of needs as I'm certain you've done already. It's a wonder why your fellow scientists don't share a similar enthusiasm.

But perhaps that would be best. I haven't the slightest idea of how to breed plants, but I'm relatively sure someone among us could sort it out. How are the vines woven into fibers in order to craft such materials, if you don't mind me asking.

[Caroline nods and presses her lips together. After a moment she nods.]

I'll have to... I'm sure you understand. It's not very safe out there. I'm going to have to wait for a bit and then find a chance to get it growing out there.

They're spun. You can use a wheel for that, or even just a spinning weight.

[She pulls a top-like metal item out of her pocket and holds it out.]

It's slow going at first, but once the skin of the plant is broken, if the weight's good, it will speed up. But you don't want it to be so heavy the vine breaks.

[He returns the gesture]

Of course. Still, it's a thoughtful gesture. Thank you for being so helpful and willing to reach an agreement. Unfortunately, there's little I can think of to aid you in return.

I'm sure the information will be more than useful with the upcoming winter.

[Caroline shrugs.]

Maybe, you know, good will. That's good. We don't all have to hate each other.

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