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[yolonceler]

[The Once-ler emerges from the barracks (accompanied by a coughing fit, as he was running, and running does not agree with his damaged lungs), after a rather amusing freak-out when he noticed that he was not in his office. He is met with the sight of the Green. The Green, with its growing grass and budding flowers and… and nature. It's the landscape the Once-ler used to know, sans the truffula trees—but this is enough.

He glances skyward. It's blue, a radiant blue, with puffy cumulus clouds drifting about here and there. The light is bright, so bright he puts on his sunglasses, but there's… no sun? That makes about zero sense. He shakes his head and turns his attention back to the Green. He crouches down and tugs off one of his gloves. His hands are shaking, just a little bit, and they don't stop even when he commands them to. The Once-ler presses his palm down into the grass. The feeling is giving him some pretty unwanted flashbacks to when the truffula forest was full and lush. The world was a nice place to be, and you could take a deep breath without coughing up a lung.

He might as well be four years back in time.

So, if you want to see a tall, well-dressed man wandering around the Green with tears on his face, this is your chance.]

Comments

[songofura]

[So much caution. Don't worry Once-ler. Zia's just a seventeen year old that likes music. She's probably the most harmless thing in the Keep.]

I'm Zia, by the way. You're new here, aren't you?

[Oh, and once you get her talking, it's hard to get her to stop. Good luck with that.]

[yolonceler]

[Excellent, now he has to have a conversation. Can't everyone leave him to have allergies in peace? The Once-ler crosses his arms and reluctantly responds.]

Looks like it. I'm the Once-ler.

[Introducing himself is a formality, really. Everyone knows the Once-ler.]

[songofura]

[You will take this conversation and you will enjoy it, Oncie! Or... not. Either way, he's stuck with her for a little while. At least until she knows he's not gonna cry anymore.]

The... Once-ler? Is that some kind of rank?

[She's never met someone with 'the' in their name. Sorry dude.]

[yolonceler]

No. It's my name. You know - The Once-ler?

[He watches Zia expectantly. This has got to be a joke. It's not like the Once-ler is the most recognizable person in the world or anything. Nope. Not at all.]

[songofura]

[Well, that could have gone better. She smiles a little and slowly... shakes her head.]

I've never heard a name like that before. Sorry! But, they say people here are from all different places so... Just because I've never heard of your name doesn't mean much.

I know it now, if that counts?

[yolonceler]

[She hasn't heard of him. This is the worst joke ever. He is sick of this. All this fake scenery and weird people that are either lying or have been living under a rock for their entire lives. It's annoying, and he wants to go home.]

It doesn't, [he says curtly,] but I appreciate the sentiment.