#sebni 01.

[jin-leizu]

Greenhouses, regardless of what their owners might want, are always open to Leizu. The specimen collecting is too good. Transferring a moth from her net to a little container, where its wings beat helplessly against the glass, she's too focused to notice anyone else's presence. Only until the lid, with airholes punctured in the top, is secured. "Ah." she turns, clearly not the least bit guilty for being caught intruding. "A magnificent specimen, don't you think?" she holds the jar up, displaying a mutated moth with veins of bioluminescence running through its wings, and tiny claws on the ends of its fragile feet that clink musically against the glass. @sebnimassoudafm

[de-paz]

Meatball requires a lot of walking, being a big mutant dog/warg type thing. And Xander generally lets her go wherever her whims take them. The strange, fresh smell of the greenhouse seems to have drawn her in today, and he follows her, where she immediately squats down and pisses on one of the plants. "Sorry." he grunts to the man tending the greenhouse, not looking at all sorry. Meatball is making firm eye contact towards Sebni as she pisses. @sebnimassoudafm

[sable-hart]

@sebnimassoudafm

“Ah, Professor Hart... I didn't see you there.” He did. And it did not matter. Whoever she was, he was still going to go that route. Sebni is anything if not practical, methodical, or just plain predictable. Turning his attention away from his roses, he met the woman's gaze with a smile. “A lecturing opportunity? What kind? Can't say I'm not interested.”

For the most part, it was highly practical, methodical, and plain predictable for the mutant with plant manipulation to be a professor of botany, but Seb was also well-versed in the field of English language and literature. A hobby mostly, sure, but he had plenty of lessons to share with whomever would like to hear them. Or had the time to indulge his ramblings. “I'd offer you tea, but we'd have to leave this place.”

She waves off the offer of tea; Sable's always been of the opinion that hot drinks for conversations like these are utilised by people who don't know what to do with their hands while talking.

"I've got some students that are interested in architecture in literature -- specifically impossible architecture, liminality, that sort of thing. Borges, Murakami, Danielewski. But literature's really not my area of expertise. Is that something you'd have any ideas about? It's all a bit... speculative for my area, but I think their interest is from the perspective of architecture, you know, when you encounter impossible structures in literature, how can we picture them, how can we imagine them, is it possible to evoke them in reality? They're a pretty practical cohort, and they're used to blueprints and so on. Imagining the unimaginable is an interesting challenge for them."

Sable rarely has space for literature in her syllabus, but she does want to encourage students to follow their passions, so a guest lecture on literature might be a good thing to keep them engaged.

[kaihayes]

"Chandler Hayes," he mused, running a hand through his hair. "Ocean life and water sources were his specialties." His father had been a primary photographer for thirty years, but five years ago he stepped away from that role to return to Hawaii and work on climate and ocean conservation. Then, his expression changed as he noticed the hesitation in Sebni’s voice. He decided not to press too hard. "I'm sure I've heard much stranger stories than whatever you're about to share, and trust me, I've probably liked most of them," he said with a grin, a playful challenge gleaming in his eyes. "Besides, 'dumb' stories are often the best kind."

Sebni nodded at the customer's words, obviously impressed. It wasn't every day he met someone related to a... Would his father be considered a celebrity? To Sebni, that was as close as he'll ever get. Again, that is. “ Oh, yeah? What's your dad's name? Maybe I've seen his work. I did have a Nat Geo phase for a while. Just read them for months, and only them. ” He shrugged when it was his turn to receive compliments. Sebni was never good at receiving them. He wasn't even sure if it was an insecurity. Maybe he just really didn't care enough what others think of him? Maybe that's a bad thing, though. “ I try, but it's a dumb story. You won't like it. It's totally dumb. ”

[jin-leizu]

"Leizu. Leizu Jin." she offers her name in the Western order for clarity, accepting the man's handshake -- not without a brief glance down to ascertain just how dirty his hand may be. "It seems risky on your part, to be unprepared to deal with pests, Mr...?" she waits for his name. His attitude borders on sycophancy, which is a trait Leizu has mixed feelings on. She likes respect, she likes being in charge; but there's such a thing as too much of a good thing. For now, he is endearing, but she wonders how long it might be until he begins to test her patience.

“ Even better, ” the phytokinetic professor grinned when the female intruder revealed that she was a fellow scientist. Sebni had always considered those in pest control quite the specialists, mostly because his botany often required their specialized expertise. When he started his greenhouse, he had them on speed dial, so to speak, and always appreciated their ingenuity when it came to their field.

A lepidopterist, however? Now that was an upgrade. Sebni nodded his head as he studied the creature in her grasp, a creature whose species can be quite the pest for him and his garden, but a creature whose species he still respected for their many, many adapted evolution. “ That one is yours. Finders keepers, am I right? Besides, you're doing me a great service. As much as I welcome all that appreciates my greenhouse, I am not that well-versed in insects, and as such, I am horribly underprepared for dealing with those that may appreciate my plants too much. To whom should I give my own appreciation then? ” He held out a hand for her to shake, trying his best at introductions.

[sable-hart]

He seems nervous - which isn't particularly unusual. A lot of people, particularly within her sector, find it intimidating talking to Sable purely on the basis of her position on the Council. And the world of academia seems to be filled with more nervous types; sometimes Sable thinks half the reason she ever got on the council is because she's one of the few that had the drive and the confidence to fight for it.

Sebni's nervousness really makes her want to tease him. Not unkindly (not deliberately unkind, anyway); it just seems too easy to fluster him. "That's very kind of you to offer. Things are a little hectic with the Council -- always are. I might have to take you up on that. In what sort of capacity do you see yourself helping?" It's the sort of comment, she thinks, Ngelah would make to her about the 'nonessential' nature of her work.

Oh, no. Sebni discreetly gulped. Or at least he thought he was being discreet. Thinking and being were two different things. Did he just screw himself over by unintentionally inviting the single most important person in their sector to sit in his class? He wasn't even sure yet if he'd be good at it. If it was a botany class, he'd be more confident. But a literature class? With architects? Fuck, no.

Then again, maybe he'd get lucky. She was the single most important person in their sector, so surely she'd be too busy to make time for an unproven class, right? She wasn't even the tiny bit interested in it. Plus, she did say maybe and maybes aren't worth that much to even worry about them. He'll cross that bridge when he gets there. “ Ah, well feel free to sit in when you're not too busy, which I'm sure you will be, making sector 5 the best sector out here. How is the whole Council thing, by the way? If you ever need any help, I'm right here, ready and willing and able. ”

[jin-leizu]

Pest control? Now there's one Leizu hasn't heard before. It might almost be offensive, but she has to believe this man is simply an appalling judge of character. So she allows a rare, indulgent smile. "Simply an amateur lepidopterist looking to add to my collection." she explains, holding the jar at an angle so that he might enjoy the sight of the creature.

People sometimes act like Leizu is a hard woman to impress, but really you don't have to do much: calling the moth incredibly magnificent instead of acting like its icky or scary has already endeared him to her. "Of the Arctiidae family, I should think. You're very fortunate to work here, surrounded by such fascinating visitors. I hope you don't mind me depriving you of this one's company." Not that she'd release it even if he wanted her to, but... diplomacy, et cetera.

Sebni's curiosity was piqued when he saw a rather attractive woman lurking around his greenhouse. He has never seen anyone like her before, a rather attractive woman lurking around his greenhouse. He has never seen anyone lurking around his greenhouse. No one at all. Still, he refrained from making any hostile movements, remembering his greenhouse seemed to have mutated into having the ability of drawing some of the most deplorable and dangerous folks to it. Like a very harmless flame to an overgrown, fireproof moth.

“ What...is that? ” Ever the curious plant scientist, Sebni's curiosity transferred from the intruder toward the thing she had trapped. He raised an eyebrow, examining it as he moved closer to the jar, to her, already almost forgetting the trespass. “ That is incredibly magnificent. Are you from pest control? ”

[de-paz]

Xander blinks curiously at the panicking man. He doesn't really care enough to actually stop Meatball, but once she's done he calls her to heel and she trots happily behind him, peering through his legs at Sebni. "Isn't she just fertilising them?" he points out. Or is he thinking of shit? It's probably shit. "You can hose 'em off, anyway. They're flowers. They like water, right?" See, he's not a total asshole, he can make helpful suggestions. He's really trying to be kind, even if his gruff demeanour might not be terribly reassuring.

“ No, no, no, no! Not my petunias! ” Sebni rushed forward when the owner of the big mutant dog/warg type thing alarmed him with a zero-hearted apology, though not close enough to get mauled by the big mutant dog/warg type thing when his brain quickly reminded him that the mutant dog/warg type thing was big. Also not helpful: The big dog mutant dog/warg type thing's owner was also big. Seb wouldn't be surprised if the unapologetic and incredibly irresponsible owner was a mutant with the ability to turn him into Swiss cheese. That was just his petunias' luck apparently. “ Aww, man! Those were for someone. ”

[sable-hart]

Sable can generally tell when people are trying to impress her due to her position, and she's pretty sure that's the case with Sebni's declaration of reading a lot of Murakami. And usually she'd find it tiresome, but the prideful grin on the young man's face is endearing in a way that's difficult to be annoyed by.

"I don't know, I think it all gets a bit philosophical for me. I'm a concrete and brick sort of person. But maybe sitting in on a lecture on the matter could be illuminating. I don't have a whole lot of time for fiction." she could make time if she really wanted to. She just... never really gets around to it. Sable's always been good at keeping herself busy.

“ Well, I have been reading a lot of Murakami these days, ” Sebni grinned, proud of that for no other reason than wanting to impress the most important person in their sector. He wasn't into the idea of politicking for position or prestige or the like, but he'd rather not risk offending or souring his possible relationship with, again, the most important person in their sector. “ It's a bit of a stretch from botany, but I'm sure I can...handle it if no one else can. Besides, imagining the unimaginable sounds like a good challenge for all of us, I think. Don't you think so, too? ”

[kaihayes]

“My dad has been with National Geographic for decades now. It’s incredible how much he has achieved, but you know how it is—he’s been immersed in that world for so long that I doubt he would know what to do with himself if he retired." Kai was behind the camera just for fun, but he would be happy to share some of his prints from over the years. When the owner mentioned the range of his work, Kai raised an eyebrow, genuinely intrigued. "Fiction, non-fiction... wow, you're keeping things interesting." He glanced at the books around them, considering how much more nuanced their job must be, dealing with a variety of topics and writing on demand. "What’s your story about, though?"

“ Oh, that's always good... Keep it in the family, right? I'd love to see some of your work if you're sharing them, ” Sebni grinned, stopping at the promised section, the quick destination and logical end to their brief journey. There wasn't a lot of new selections, and the recent ones were three months back, but they should be enough until the new shipment arrives. Maybe if he got inspired by the photographs this customer has, he'd actually make the effort of following up on more books in that category. “ A little bit of everything, to be honest: Fiction, non-fiction, even articles on whatever the paying publication wants me to go on about. I'm currently trying to finish a story, though. Hopefully I can get it published. That's always the dream, isn't it? To get your piece out there for the world to see. ”

[kaihayes]

Kai followed Sebni through the bookstore. He felt a calmness in places like this—a blend of sanctuary and treasure hunt. "A bit of both," he said, adjusting his backpack strap. "My dad’s a photographer, so the interest runs in the family. I wouldn’t say I’m as good, but I try my hand at it sometimes." He shrugged, feeling both comforted and humbled by the comparison. He paused, curiosity sparkling in his eyes. "But you’re a bookstore owner and a writer? That’s pretty cool. What do you write?"

“ Yeah, sure, follow me, ” Sebni walked toward the guy before leading him to the art section that also had other books on other forms of visual art. He had dated a painter and then a photographer before, so Seb knew the basics of the art forms and was very much into them for a while. Now he was just an occasional peeper. “ Hobby or practice? I do, actually. Both for me, hobby and practice. Literature, I mean. Bookstore owner and writer. Heh. ”

[kaihayes]

"Uh, no. Not really. I tend to browse until something catches my eye. However, if you could direct me to your photography book section, that would be great." Kai had been exploring different businesses in Brooklyn and had finally made his way to Carroll Gardens to conduct his research. "Do you, uh, own this place?"

what: open @bfmstarters where: one more page (carroll gardens)

“ Welcome to One More Page. Anything I can help you with? ” Sebni was pretty sure this was another case of i-need-a-quick-gift-because-i-forgot situation, but he kept his smile warm because any time he can point a reader, new or not, to a book they'd enjoy, it was a win for him and his bookstore. besides, what's one more page, right? cue the end credits.