{video/action}

[guidance]

[the image that comes through the device is Fi, floating in the sea a ways out. her surroundings say she is near one of the hotspots - fairly standing in the current, actually. no suit, but that is normal for her.

staring directly into the camera, there is a brief pause before she begins.]

I am requesting suggestions of what should be made to grow on our base underwater in order to heal the injury that their presence causes. Coral was previously mentioned, but plants that have the capacity to grow on harder surfaces or will not be greatly shaken to be transplanted to the area are what I am looking for. While transferring energy to them from the hotspots on a regular basis is planned and will doubtlessly assist in the transition, energy cannot force something that will not grow well to change its nature. Nor do we wish to cause more harm in the process.

[with a bow of her head, the transmission ends.]

---

[for those that are out and about in the sea, however, she can be found on a regular basis by the hotspots, either close or going so far as to hover in the currents. always when the water is warmer, the energy friendlier, more inclined towards being channeled. this is not a simple task, but she needs to charge herself in order to bring the energy across distances. the effort is inconsequential in view of the goal.]

Comments

video

[riflew]

Thank you for doing the message, Fi!

[guidance]

[she bows her head briefly in return.]

I am hoping that with the number of people that reside in this base, more than one will have suggestions for us beyond the few we know. Thank you for agreeing to assist us in this task.

[riflew]

I just want to be as useful as I can be. And this is something that definitely falls under my powers, so...

[guidance]

[a pause, and then:]

It is 100% certain that you are helping, Izetta.

[riflew]

[ that brings a smile on her face. ]

I'll do my best!

action

[ex_resound725]

[She finds Fi while she is working. It is clear enough to her to see Fi in that light, and she understands the vessel she created is strong. But Fi is also a person, and Zelda wants her to understand that. Zelda wants her to understand what it is to be treated as one.]

Hello, Fi. How are you feeling?

[guidance]

[how is she feeling? full of energy, really. measuring how much she is taking in and how much more she can, coaxing and waiting and allowing it to come at its own slower pace. for something so powerful, it's very full of its own whims, but Fi is patient.]

Warmer than normal temperature, Zelda. But I am well.

[ex_resound725]

[wait a goddamned second]

Was that a joke?

[Fi tell her that was a joke? that's hilarious?]

[guidance]

[Fi doesn't say anything, but there is a small sense of contentment from her before she comes over to float close enough to Zelda for her to note that the words had been literal. but they had also been meant as a dry joke.]

Does this answer your question?

[ex_resound725]

[Zelda giggles.] That was funny, Fi! [She brushes her fingers over her shoulder to see the temperature for herself.] Don't take on too much, okay?

[guidance]

I will not. I will only take as much as it is willing to provide me.

[she is warm, like one would expect of metal run under warm water for long enough. not too warm as to be alarming.]

It is so far mostly willing to cooperate.

video;

[superseding]

Do you think some kind of vines would work? I've only seen creepvines in the Kelp Forest, but if something like that could be grown anywhere and manipulated like bonsai, it'd wouldn't be that harmful, right?

[guidance]

Vines would attach onto the external structure sufficiently. If they were encouraged, they could grow without compromising visibility from external windows.

[could they transplant vines? it's an idea.]

Perhaps URSULA knows of more species of underwater vines aside from the kelp. There is a high probability they would not take well to transplanting.

[superseding]

I've only been learning more about flowers because of gardening, so I don't know how strong vines are away from their natural home, but it can't hurt to try. Maybe we could look into vine seeds?

[ That would decrease the chances of possible plant death. Probably. ]

[guidance]

That is a possibility with a higher chance of success should the proper conditions for germination be met.

[that's another consideration, can they even make anything grow?]

How much experience do you have in gardening?

[superseding]

I started the flower gardens on our island base with Rapunzel, but that's more straightforward than this project. I had to transplant flowers from other islands to our base, but it's easier for me to compare environment on land than in the water.

[ They can try, and if they don't succeed the first time in growing, they can try again. Hotaru won't give up on helping until there are no options left. ]

[guidance]

If land comparison would aid in this, we could engage in scanning the area that the transplantation would occur in and compare it to other areas to look for something similar and then take stock of what grows there.

[that's a real fancy way to say "why not look for plants in places like our base"]

[superseding]

Oh, that's a good idea! I know there are abandoned bases or buildings from past crews out there. I haven't been to a lot of them, but that'd be a good start. I can do some searching.

[guidance]

We would appreciate your help, Hotaru. Please tell us what you find, and if you are in need of someone to go with you, I can do so.

[the power of teamwork!]

[superseding]

Yes. Please? Would you come with me? Two pairs of eyes are better than one.

[ with their powers combined, they'll be captain planet. ]

[guidance]

Of course. Specify the date and time you wish to proceed, and I shall accompany you where you wish to go.

video;

[mistimed]

Salutatious, Fi. Horō here. [Her habit of identifying herself over video even when others can see her is intact.] Is Dewflower assisting you?

I am no expert on transplanting, but I will assist you with the relocation. I suggest that we relocate other parts of the local ecosystem to help the plants feel like they belong.

[guidance]

Dewflower is observing and assisting where their hands are needed.

[their hands, her hands. some days there's not a real difference in how much they work together.]

What other parts would you suggest be moved with the plants for a higher probability of success?

[mistimed]

I am glad to hear that they found something to do. [She seems it, genuinely, please to see the little machine has found its place.]

Many plants and animals rely on each other for nutrition and protection. Removing one could orphan the other. What if we humanely relocated small groups of animals as well?

[guidance]

As long as the animals do not seem to be in high distress to be moved, it is a logical idea. Them living in harmony with the plants could only help our attempts to heal this area.

We would welcome your assistance, Horō. This is something that with certainty requires teamwork.

[mistimed]

Of course - we don't want to traumatize them! We must weigh whether or not it's better to find a new home or to follow the old one.

[Well, doesn't that just sound like some of the questions their fellow adventurers have about themselves? This must be, like they say, life imitating art. Horō nods, her jaw set with a determined tightness.]

I am happy to help. Perhaps we may need to tranquilize the larger carnivores before attempting to move them? I believe my rifle could be modified to take care of that.

[guidance]

It would be wise to have precautions in place before proceeding. Even if they are shown to be amiable and thus willing to cooperate, the percentage that they will not be is at the moment higher than 50%.

How long would the modifications take to accomplish?

[mistimed]

Those are unfavorable odds. It would be better if we could bring things into our favor. Carnivorous animals are also part of a successful ecosystem, as well.

It shouldn't take long, if we have the correct materials. I may be able to consult Dirk to expedite the process.The concentration of the tranquilizer material is my concern. [Jake has raised a valid point: With people like Valentine no longer on the planet with them, they are lacking some of the scientific support they might need. Cognizant of the gaps in her own knowledge, Horō frowns.]