[videro]

[made-of-science.livejournal.com]

[Vitalia is attempting to keep several small potted plants away from a small party of the new robotic overlords (some of whom are carrying the shards of ex-potted plants). This is fairly difficult with only one arm available.]

Oh dear... These automatons certainly do make a nuisance of themselves, don't they? I've lost several specimens to them now! I shan't begrudge anyone their efforts at progress, but I do wish their creator would be a bit more responsible with them. Honestly!

I've overheard some of you saying you could reason with them... Might I request a bit of assistance from you? I'm afraid I've met with no success in my attempts at discourse.

Comments

[manymasked]

It is pretty amazing. I can't claim to know anything about how it works, but it can't be easy.

[made-of-science.livejournal.com]

Indeed! Merely working with actual living tissue is difficult enough without having to replicate so many of its functions mechanically.

[A thought strikes her] Your friend... she isn't here, is she?

[manymasked]

No, unfortunately she's not. — Well, maybe I shouldn't say "unfortunately". I don't know whether she'd want to be here.

[made-of-science.livejournal.com]

Ah... [The news is a relief.] It doesn't seem like a bad place to be, though I do rather object to being brought here without so much as a by-your-leave.

[manymasked]

Mm, there are definitely worse places to be. But someone who feels that they have something important to do at home might object to being stuck here.

[made-of-science.livejournal.com]

That is rather rude, yes. One would think a simple invitation would work much better for a gathering such as this.

Though I suppose I wouldn't be able to be here in that case... [Sadface!]

[manymasked]

You couldn't have come if you'd been invited?

[made-of-science.livejournal.com]

I don't think Papi would allow it. He's very worried about my safety, you see. I'm sure he's quite upset that I'm missing.

[manymasked]

Oh, I see. That must be hard, knowing someone at home is worried about you but not being able to contact them and tell them you're all right.

[made-of-science.livejournal.com]

A bit... but I'm certain he'll figure out a way to find me. He's quite a brilliant scientist, you know! So I'm not too concerned, though I do miss him.

[manymasked]

Well, that's good. What kind of scientist is he?

[made-of-science.livejournal.com]

He specializes in zoology and medicine, though he's quite accomplished in the biological sciences in general. [Vitalia: very proud of her father.] He taught me everything I know.

[manymasked]

Cool. I'm guessing your specialty is plants?

[made-of-science.livejournal.com]

Yes, that's correct. And yourself? What is it that you do?

[manymasked]

I don't really have a specialty. I guess I'm sort of a dabbler — you know, "jack of all trades, master of none".

[made-of-science.livejournal.com]

It's quite important to have a general education, as well! You must be a helpful person to have around, with so many skills.

[manymasked]

Well, I try to be! I do admire people who have the focus needed to get really good at one thing, though.

[made-of-science.livejournal.com]

You are still young; perhaps you'll find something in your studies in the future. Although even if you don't, if you're at least competent at it, you're sure to find your way in life.

[manymasked]

That's true — I've still got time to figure things out.

Have you always wanted to be a botanist?

[made-of-science.livejournal.com]

Well, for as long as I can recall, I've enjoyed working with Papi in the laboratory. I suppose I must have always been interested in investigating the applications of many of his ideas on other forms of life, and there were so many different types of flora available.

[With a bit of shyness, she admits:] Perhaps I was also looking for a way to impress him, since he already knows so much about everything else.

[manymasked]

I see. What kinds of things are you investigating?

[made-of-science.livejournal.com]

For now, I'm simply learning the growth process of the flora in this location. Once I've familiarized myself with that, I can start more interesting ventures... [She lists off a stream of things that sound sciencey, complicated, and bizarre.]

Of course, that's only a start, since I'll be working without the benefit of Papi's equipment.

[manymasked]

Maybe you could try replicating some of the equipment with the wild stuff? If you haven't already tried, I mean.

[made-of-science.livejournal.com]

Do you think it would work? Some of it is very complicated, and without any schematics...

[manymasked]

Well, I've never tried to make anything that complicated, so I wouldn't really know. But it might be worth a shot.