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[madcuriosity]

Hello? Oh ah, I beg your pardon. [Alice has never made any sort of announcement before, she has only ever responded to them.]

That is, I was wondering if I could take some of your time, for just a moment. My name is Alice Liddell, how do you do? ... Ah yes, there is another Alice Liddell on the train, she's the older me... or well, I'm the younger her since she was on the train first. Mr. Stark said that might be confusing so you can also call me Minnie, if you like. He says it's the same name as a cute Mouse Queen but I suppose it could also be "Mini Alice" if you like.

But oh um, that isn't what I would like to ask... mostly because that isn't a question, the first thing I said.

The greenhouse, which is the actual garden rather than the garden car... do we take flowers from the planets we visit and put them in the greenhouse?

Comments

[popotostudies]

I'm not entirely sure private is accurate. Mmm.. how else to put it. It's a communal space, but some of the spaces have been taken over suddenly by sunflowers, or popotos, and those belong to individuals.. and you can mark off a spot you want to fill with your things.. but it's still a public space?

[His tone is a touch hesitant, as if he's not entirely sure how this actually works.]

[madcuriosity]

Popotos? I've not heard of such a plant or... whatever it may be. What is it?

What might stop someone from shoving my plants aside for theirs? [Look, she's not saying anyone is a jerk, but she's seven and adults don't tend to think of children's things as "valuable" where she's from.]

[popotostudies]

Hmm. It's a vegetable of sorts that grows in the ground. Very tasty when cooked right, and full of vitamins and suchwhat that most beings need to stay healthy.

[It's a potato! But Fandaniel's never calling them that.]

Nothing at all, I'm afraid, beyond some innate sense of right and wrong. After all, the train is a closed community, and they will not know this patch or that patch doesn't belong to someone rather powerful who might get very angry if their plants are disturbed!

[madcuriosity]

What color is it usually? [Perhaps she could figure out what it was by the way it looked.]

Oh... I'm not powerful at all... I've not any powers.

[popotostudies]

Brown. Sometimes reddish, or white, and I'm working one that's a little blueish. I have found most favor them sliced up and fried, with a bit of salt, or baked with a little sour cream.

[There's a long pause, and a quiet chuckle.]

Well, little one. You know that, and I know that, but if nobody else knows that, how can they guess? Sometimes a good bluff goes a long way. Barring that, there is strength in numbers. Bring your friends to defend your patch. If you have none, then I'm certain some around here will be more than happy to change that and be a friend for you.

[madcuriosity]

.... Wait... do you... do you mean potatoes? [Because that is EXACTLY what those are.]

Well... I admit, I've made more friends here than I ever did back home.

[popotostudies]

I mean popotos.

[It's the same thing.]

Having friends is a good thing! Now all you need to do is ask if they might help you with your bit of garden, and all problems with potential people digging up your plants and putting in their own ends.

[madcuriosity]

[Her eyes narrow, incredulous.] What's the difference, then?

Someone might dig up my flowers?

[popotostudies]

I've never encountered a potato, so I could not tell you. And I ...feel like we've already tread over whether or not someone might disturb your flowers, just a few minutes ago. I dare say my conclusions won't be different now than they were then.

[He looks more amused than irritated or chiding.]

[madcuriosity]

[She's still incredulous about this... but she doesn't wish to be rude... well... ruder.]

Yes sir, my apologies, I was just... never mind, again my apologies.