#botanist asks

[botanist-bird]

Just how powerful are you?

:)

[botanist-bird]

A soul appears, black and covered in glowing purple cracks Hi Sparrow. I don't think we've ever really spoken, not when the game has been active. I just wanted to thank you for being there for Flotte when I failed to. I really thought that by leaving I would protect her from what I am, from my family. Seems I was wrong

[her eyes narrow, before widening with realization]

it wasn’t your fault, astrin. that’s the way these things go. it’s an inevitability—and when we’re bound like this, to follow the set rules… there’s nothing that we can do.

besides… you’re taking care of fusion, right now. seems we’re in the same boat.

i’m sorry flotte died. feels like i could’ve prevented her other death today, but—well. no use looking back. we can only continue on. It’s dangerous to linger in the past.

[botanist-bird]

a missive! a missive! a missive in blue!

hello my darling sparrowhawk, just how are you?

do tell me of your lives, your deaths and your kills; i personally have found myself a new skin that thrills!

i've not much time to send you this—i spent it all on chasing wist </3 but with this ask i'll send a kiss—please know that you are sorely missed!

xoxo, hollow

oh, a message, a message! truly a welcome message to receive! when next we meet, i’ve quite the tale to weave!

glory and love and promises galore, ‘tis a riveting narrative for you to store. tell me of your form, let us compare; i myself have a new body to wear!

likewise, your absence has been sorely felt—but worry not, i’ll soon return to where we once dwelt. i’ll leave the door unlocked, if you’ve the time to come by; we could trade tales, even go for a fly <3

all my love, sparrow

[botanist-bird]

If there was a way out of this game, into a world where you and most of the other participants could be friends, what would you do to get to it? And don't just say "anything."

[she sighs, exasperated]

I can get out of these any time I want—I’m one of the oldest things in the universe, do you think I’d be here if I wasn’t willing?

…okay, well, not exactly. I need the games to end before I’m able to just fuck off, but, y’know. once a game has ended, it’s pretty easy for me to leave.

like, that’s all i need to do—play the game. win or lose, i just need it to end, before i do whatever i want. even if that’s… participating in another one. they’re quite fun, honestly.

[botanist-bird]

Do you really think youll win? Dont you think that someone is pulling the strings and youre just ... a puppet for them?

[she laughs loudly]

Darling, you’re a fool if you think I haven’t broken free from my strings.

They did that when they took me away from him.

[botanist-bird]

they're loyal. i'm happy for you. loyalty is... tricky. finnicky, too, with these sorts of games. i'm glad they chose you over... well. it would be rude to call those ties "lesser," wouldn't it.

just a little.

[she sighs]

i know it’s a death game, so they’re not that stupid for choosing me. i just… i can’t help but remember suni and fluffy, you know?

How is Reminiscence doing, by the way? Or Simple?

[botanist-bird]

Will the games ever end?

[she smiles]

come now, darlings. They can’t keep you here if you don’t want to be here.

This ends whenever you want it to end. But you have to really want it.

[her smile fades, eyes narrowing]

hm.

[botanist-bird]

do they know what you're hiding?

you’ll have to be more specific, my dear.

they might… they might not.

who’s to say, really? but it has no bearings on what will happen.