Second Seed; [Action]

[nearlychosen]

[If anyone's traveling in the vicinity of House 26, they might take notice of the little garden that's steadily been popping up outside over the past few weeks. Even if it's just another garden at first glance, today one of the residents is kneeling outside in the dirt attempting to change that. In the midst of a patch of what looks like mundane dasies, the round-faced, slightly dirty Neville is settled, brow furrowed in concentration, as he prods at the flowers with his newly-found wand. He's mumbling fiercely under his breath, presumably to the flowers themselves. Feel free to interrupt, Luceti. He won't bite.]

Comments

[nearlychosen.livejournal.com]

Then I'm not really sure how that assignment is suppoed to work. [There's no cynicism in this, though. He's genuinely confused by the practice. Why would Harry willingly volunteer for something like that?]

[pinkribbons.livejournal.com]

Don't ask me. I think they were just trying to scare everyone and didn't have those baby dolls that actually make noise.

[nearlychosen.livejournal.com]

... There are dolls that don't make noise? [Forgive him, he's never really lived among Muggles before.]

[pinkribbons.livejournal.com]

...Uh, yeah. Anything without batteries. [And she's never lived with wizards.]

[nearlychosen.livejournal.com]

[He's got no idea, but will give his best guess nonetheless!] Do you need to cut off the wings before they're save to use?

[pinkribbons.livejournal.com]

Cut off... what? [now she's completely lost.]

[nearlychosen.livejournal.com]

The wings. From your bat-earies. [He's getting this wrong, isn't he?]

1/2

[pinkribbons.livejournal.com]

[.....]

[pinkribbons.livejournal.com]

[sorry, Neville. She's not laughing at you. She's used to people not getting technology, but the way he misunderstood was probably the best she's heard yet.]

No, it's not a real bat. It's... uh, well, something you put in machines to make them work.

[nearlychosen.livejournal.com]

[It's okay to laugh. He hasn't tripped or made anything explode in recent memory, so it's probably not malicious at all.]

You mean it's like that eklicitry thing Harry talks about sometimes?

[pinkribbons.livejournal.com]

Yeah, exactly. A battery stores electricity.

[nearlychosen.livejournal.com]

And that's how you make things work without magic. [There's a slow nod to show his determination to GET THIS Muggle stuff if it kills him.]

[pinkribbons.livejournal.com]

Yeah. No magic needed.

[nearlychosen.livejournal.com]

How does it work?

[pinkribbons.livejournal.com]

Technical stuff's... not really my area. A friend of mine would be happy to geek out about it though--

[... but then she stops abruptly.] Well, maybe later. He's not around right now.

[nearlychosen.livejournal.com]

[He frowns lightly at the shift in her demeanor.] Was it one of those kidnappings?

[pinkribbons.livejournal.com]

...Yeah.

[nearlychosen.livejournal.com]

Then I do apologize. I've seen how people come back from them. I hope he's okay where he is.

[pinkribbons.livejournal.com]

Our other friend got off pretty well when he was taken. [though he was gone for over a month, and Yuzu really doesn't want to worry for that long again.]

[nearlychosen.livejournal.com]

Then maybe this one will too. And even if he's not, you can surely patch him up good as new. [She looks worried, which taps into his instinct to console her. He's been giving these speeches a lot back home.]

[pinkribbons.livejournal.com]

Yeah... he's tough, for an otaku. I'm not that worried. [except she is but it's not so outwardly apparently anymore. You're helping, Neville!]

[nearlychosen.livejournal.com]

[Yay! It's good to be effective! Even if he has no idea what an otaku is either.] Good. I know it's hard to be without someone you care about, but at least we're all in the same situation here.

[pinkribbons.livejournal.com]

Someone really needs to teach those Malnosso guys a lesson already.

[but then she calms back down, looking a little sheepish.] Sorry, I've been telling you all my problems and I don't even know your name. I'm Yuzu Tanikawa.

[nearlychosen.livejournal.com]

[He smiles pleasantly] I don't mind at all, Miss Tani-- [wait hold on that name has a lot of syllables and his tongue is rather European.] It's okay to call you Yuzu? I'm Neville Longbottom. It's a pleasure to meet one of Harry's friends.

[pinkribbons.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that's fine. Nice to meet you too, Neville.