Welcome to Gaia! ::

((Only Songjewel, Dragain, and Saniiro may post here.))

The door to Songjewel's office was wide open, and a warm light shone from the closed blinds behind her cherry desk. She crossed to the chair behind the desk and beckoned toward the two seats she was facing.

"Please, have a seat."

Song began to dig through a pile of papers on her desk that looked as though they had been hastily shuffled through two or three times already, her expression progressing from frustration to releif when she found te paper she was looking for.

"So, Saniiro is it? Do you mind if I call you that?" She looked up expectantly. "You already know my name, but I should still introduce myself officially, yes? I am the head of Genetic Research here at the arboretum. This adoption program is my pet project. I'm so glad you applied; most of the applications I received were from women, and we do need both ends of the spectrum. So tell me, why do you want to adopt a plant? Most people would rather a pet that can talk to them or play fetch."

"Ah, so you like talking to plants? That's interesting." Song wrote a little note on the sheet of paper she held.

"Well then, if you don't have any particular concerns as to what kind of plant you get, I have one in mind for you. I think this one will do better with a male touch...you know, some plants just have that certain personality...anyway, I'm sure you'll find it a fine tree."

Song slid a file folder that had remained hitherto hidden over to Saniiro. The tab was labeled "Fire Cherry (Prunus pennsylvatica)." There was a picture of a young sapling paper clipped to the inside front of the folder, as well as a fact sheet opposite the photo.

"What do you think?"

((Just so you know, it's just a photo of the plant...not the sprite yet. You get to meet 'him' when we go see the actual plant...))

"I'm glad you approve. Now, there's one more thing..." Song turned around and pulled a pocket-sized leather-bound book from the shelf behind her and handed it to Saniiro. The pages inside were lined, but otherwise blank.

"This is a journal for you. It's not required or anything, but you may find that you want to write down your feelings about caring for the plant, or record...um...significant changes. It goes with your file, and it's yours for as long as you take care of this Fire Cherry. Okay?"

She smiled kindly and stood up. "If you're ready, we can go see the new plants you've all adopted."

"Such nice manners." Song nodded at him and passed throught he door, leading the way back to the waiting room. Finally, she would be able to show them what they were really in for!

((Back to the Main Lobby. I've got to go now...I'll be back tonite.))