[video; open] operation: name that bibiru

[bestofthevein]

So, uh, I could use some help.

[The video is clearly being filmed outside, and the camera is focused on a little white bibiru with a crooked wing and patch of brown fur over one eye. It is doing what bibirus do best: look cute and eat grass. Kit's voice is audible before he turns the yimo around so he can be seen by the camera.]

Help me name this damn thing.

[he points the camera back at the bibiru and whistles once to get its attention. It perks up cutely, ears and nose a-wiggle. It squeaks.]

Comments

[Voice]

[necrocabbage]

What about 'Sycamore'?

It's a type of tree that sheds it bark, taking on the appearance of having brown and white patches.

voice;

[bestofthevein]

[Sycamore; that's probably the noblest of the suggestions that Kit has heard so far, and it takes him aback.]

That's a pretty apt description of this little guy, [he admits, mulling it over.] It's definitely a contender--not something that rolls off the tongue that easily though.

voice;

[necrocabbage]

Neither does 'eucalyptus', I'm afraid. There may be a nickname you could take from it.

voice;

[bestofthevein]

You-can-what? [yes, that's what he thinks you said, Trahearne.]

I think I've picked a name out already, but you ought to tell me more about these sycamore trees anyway. I don't think we had any in my world.

voice;

[necrocabbage]

That was eu-cal-yptus. It's another kind of tree that sheds its bark.

It's a little odd to be somewhere without the same plants, I have to admit. Well, I'm used to seeing sycamore trees in human lands. Aside from shedding their bark, they're known to grow quite tall, and that makes them a stunning sight when their leaves change in the fall.

voice;

[bestofthevein]

[Kit stops himself just short of asking Trahearne if he misses the old familiar trees of his homeworld; of course he must, being visibly plant-like himself. Maybe sycamores and these eucalyptus trees are his distant cousins, or something.]

That was one of the best things about going topside--leaving the Deep Roads, I mean. Don't see many green things growing down there that aren't mould or mushrooms. [a solemn pause.] I'm so sick of mushrooms.

voice;

[necrocabbage]

Don't we all enjoy experiencing new things? I imagine I'd find those mushrooms quite interesting, to say nothing of your cities.

voice;

[bestofthevein]

[sounding somewhat dubious, as though he's not sure of the words even as he says them aloud,] Yeah--I mean, sure, I guess. New things are better than old things, most of the time.

[another pause, before he clears his throat,] Orzammar is great if you're a dwarf from a wealthy caste. Not so much for anyone else.

voice;

[necrocabbage]

[He's briefly silent before saying,]

My apologies. I didn't mean to bring up painful memories.

voice;

[bestofthevein]

No, it's all right, [offered in kindly reassurance; the note of bitterness in his voice isn't meant for Trahearne.] It's hard not to talk about where we all come from, from time to time.

voice;

[necrocabbage]

I think it's equally important not to forget. "Hard ground makes stronger roots." Our experiences shape us, whether for good or ill.