Houston, we may have found a home! [canon: The Lorax]

[truffulacide]

Just so you know, I wasn't that bored. Honestly, I've gotten better at keeping myself entertained - see? [he brings his guitar up and plays, on an impulse, an improvised little melody that he only just thought up now. it sounds every bit annoying as you would expect it to.] Give me a little while and I'll even think up words for it, I promise.

I think I'd much rather be doing that than going down whatever weird kind of road you've set me on. Let's pretend that, hypothetically, this isn't anything less than a prison sentence and that this Mayfield place or whatever the heck it's called turns out to be pretty decent. Got it? Awesome!

Now explain the part where it's totally justifiable to kidnap someone and put them in a strange town without their consent. Tell me how that doesn't make you mean and awful and completely ungood. Go on, I'll get to writing those lyrics as I wait.

Comments

eeeeee onceler

[dreamofdays]

Good luck out there. Muns can be real tricky things to deal with, y'know. But it's nice, too, 'cause then they let us talk and exist and stuff. ...Still, y''know, that's a rough break. That place seems real scary and spooky. Be safe now, okay?

-Oh! And my mun likes you, Green Gloves Man.

[truffulacide]

It is. Part of me still sort of thinks I can change her mind, but at this point, what happens will just happen. [pauses.] But thanks. It means a lot.

...Really? We're talking about me, right? Not some other guy with gloves? [oh he's not used to this. all these feels sob]

[dreamofdays]

No problem. Everyone needs to hear a little encouragement once in a while, y'know? Makes even the scary things seem a little less scary. Mom always does that for me, so it should work for you, too! [Aah, the logic of a child.]

Not unless there's some other guy with a waistcoat and a... What was the word Mun used? A "Thneed"? Funny word, y'know?

[truffulacide]

[it's too bad that his mom was a raging bitch and had no time for doing nice things like that for him because otherwise he'd totally understand where you're coming from. but he doesn't.]

Oh, well...I'll take your word for it? In my experience, the best way to make something less scary is to put on a brave face and pretend you're not afraid. Or at least bring a baseball bat along.

- Funny? It only took me forever to think up a name as cool as that. Listen to how nicely it rolls off the tongue - Thhhhhneeeed. Go on and tell me that isn't the most awesome thing you've ever heard.

[dreamofdays]

[Poor Oncler, horribly manipulated and abused. Dude needs family counseling toot suite. Or maybe he should listen to the fuzzy guy with the mustache instead...?]

But why would you need a baseball bat? Sometimes the scary places don't really have scary things in them, y'know. You can be scared but go ahead anyway. That's being brave!

[Blank look goes here.] ...if you say so. It's your word, y'know. If you like it, that's what matters.

[truffulacide]

And what will I have to show for it if it does have scary things in it and none of them feel up for being friends or, y'know, coming to a compromise when they decide to horribly mangle me? I dunno what the payoff there is. [and good god, is he relying on a kid to motivate him. is this really happening?]

Well, I do. Maybe not so much right now, but I did back then and that's all that counts!

[ex_solarflares280]

[Woah, what the heck was that? Not that whole thing about being kidnapped and imprisoned or whatever, that noise he made with that... thing!

Hopefully the Once-ler isn't too terrified of huge white wolves getting in his personal space, because this one is very interested in that guitar of his.]

[truffulacide]

[are you kidding? he's never even seen a wolf before, let alone one this close. naturally, it really takes him by surprise and he finds himself taking a tiny step back. against his better judgment, of course; he's pretty sure he read something once about not letting wild animals sense your fear.]

What do you want? I don't have any food on me. [to illustrate this, he raises his free hand to show her that he isn't holding anything.] Go on, leave.

[ex_solarflares280]

[Hey, hey, she's a nice wolf (most of the time)! Mother of the earth and life and all of that. Not that he would know...

She just huffs at his attempt to dissuade her, but if he's going to be like that she'll just sit back and attempt to mimic the tune he just played with her own howling. It's just as annoying when a wolf is howling it.]

[truffulacide]

[ouch, sick burn.]

What are y- stop that! [and now he's just going to cover his ears. hearing your own awful music played back to you through a series of barks and howls is such a cruel and unusual punishment.]

[ex_solarflares280]

[Well, she thinks it sounded good!

Come on, beanpole! She's just trying to pay you a compliment! Okay, what if she just tries to go right for the guitar? That can't be horribly misinterpreted in any way, can it?]

[truffulacide]

[oh. you would be surprised.]

- GIVE ME A BREAK! [wildlife, man. if it isn't trying to kill him, it's out to annoy him until he's reached his breaking point. and it's really hard for him to say what he's more fond of: breathing, or his guitar. it's a really, really nice guitar.]

Stoppit! I don't want any - [and he stumbles on his own feet as he tries to turn and run. ouch, right on the butt, too.] ...trouble.

[ex_solarflares280]

[... Oh. That didn't go as planned! Sigh, the troubles of nobody being able to understand you.

She takes a few steps back a bit from him and plops herself down on her belly, resting her head on her paws. See? She's being good, and she didn't really mean to get anyone hurt. For once. She doesn't have much she can offer as a sign of peace, unless those totally adorable puppy eyes are good enough.

Probably not.]

[truffulacide]

[and again, you'd be surprised. he cringes and braces himself for the inevitable mauling, but when it does come he peeks through his fingers and sees the cutest most mildly heartwarming but still vaguely unsettling sight ever.]

...

[alright, he just can't say no to that face and so, sullenly, he picks himself up and moves to an upright position.]

What do you want? [he slowly raises his guitar again, slowly. it's a wonder it didn't get broken.] I don't have anything except this.

[ex_solarflares280]

[How rude, she's the cutest ball of fur this side of dear_mun.

She stays perfectly still just to show how well behaved she is, until he brings up the guitar. Then she perks right up, although she remains laying down (don't want to scare him again), her tail suddenly thumping crazily against the ground. Come on, make those weird noises again!]

[truffulacide]

...Oh. Ohhh! [imagine, if you will, a little light bulb dinging over his head.] You did want this, didn't you?

[he feels quite proud of himself for deciphering that highly complex puzzle and also more than a little gratified that at least SOMETHING out there enjoys his sweet, sweet tunes.

he straightens up and sits with his legs crossed, holding his guitar at the ready. then he starts strumming and playing that same totally random, vaguely peppy tune again.]

[ex_solarflares280]

[Now that's more like it! She has no idea what that thing is, but as long as this guy keeps playing it he's okay in her book. As long as he doesn't go and wipe out a certain kind of tree and destroys several species' habitats in the process.

She'll just try her best to howl or bark in tune, but she's never been much of a musician herself. It's a wonderful thing when two beings can be annoying together.]

[truffulacide]

[watching two kindred spirits find each other can be a beautiful thing.]

Hmm hmm. Da de daaa~ [he starts bobbing his head a little, humming gently to himself.] There is a secret place for you and I, somewhere you can't seeeee with just yoooour -

[and he pauses for a minute, knitting a brow.]

...Eyes? Hnn. [and he glances down at Ammy.] What do you think? Too cheesy?

Hi have a Lorax!

[voiceofthetrees]

[ Oh no. Please no. Don't try to make another song. He's heard 'Traveling Madness' and he doesn't want to hear anything of the sort ever again. ]

Haven't you thought of doing something that isn't threatening to one's eardrums?

（*´▽｀*）

[truffulacide]

Well, I could always talk to you, but then it'd be my eardrums that would be aching. But you know me - I'm always open to suggestions.

:D

[voiceofthetrees]

Oh. So you're open to suggestions now huh. What about earlier when I suggested that you leave the valley?

[truffulacide]

That's... That has nothing to do with this and you know it. Completely different circumstances and all. [still, there's a strain in his voice and a note of real sadness, which he tries to cover up.] Besides, you know things can change.

[voiceofthetrees]

[ The Lorax folds his arms ] Still, you shouldn't ask for suggestions from someone whom you completely ignored earlier. But... yes. Things can change.

[ex_solarflares280]

[If Ammy could have rolled her eyes at those lyrics, she would, but instead she just snorts and gives the Once-ler a quizzical look. Or at least tries to, being a wolf and all.

She plants her head back on her paws as if to say, "try again".]

[truffulacide]

Excuse me? I don't recall asking for anything from you OR your mustache. It was sarcasm, in case you missed it. [baseless anger is the best crutch to fall back on when you're close to tears, dontcha know.] Besides, don't you think I would know better than to expect you to do anything for me? Especially -

[stay composed now.]

...Especially now.