You have now entered Arven's room.

You softly knock, and you hear a "Enter!" from the patient inside- they have a slight accent that you can't quite identify.

Who are you?

First you scan the room: the typical lab-issued furniture, an old shaggy rug, fairy lights wrapped around the top bunk of the bunk bed, art clipped up all around the room- paintings, collages, even a few pencil drawings matching the style of some you saw outside another paitent's door. The thing that you find yourself the most confused about is an open medicine cabinet- it's full of the standard things you'd expect in a medicine cabinet. Like medicine. But those items are also accompanied by gardening supplies, in particular shears and a very small trowel.

Now you turn and get a good look at this Arven- and the first thing you notice is the mint. You can't notice anything else. It's like it has overtaken her flesh- chunks of skin carved out by roots, the leaves spreading and wrapping across her body, reaching so far as the face- the overgrowth has taken over even an eye. You must not be doing a very good job of hiding your surprise, because she sighs and sits down on a stool.

I'm assuming you want an explanation? That look on your face is by no means neutral.

You nod, sitting down as well- you just choose the floor, there really isn't any better spot.

Well, if you've ever gardened you know how voracious mint plants are- they're hard to kill and they always want to spread. Well, for me they've taken root where injured flesh crops up; and they attempt to spread much like they'd do in soil. They've yet to do anything bad.

You realize just how much has been overtaken- at least a third of her body.

"What could have possibly happened? That would mean a lot of wounds-"

Well, by any means, you aren't just going to ask- you doubt they'd be ok with that.

So, um- want to see my most recent painting? I'd much rather talk about those.

You nod, you're interested in them anyways. Arven smiles, and picks up a paper off her desk, handing it to you.

So, what do you think? I messed up the details on the flowers, but otherwise I think it's good.

The painting is of a rural street, you don't see what she means by messed up details- you're just impressed she can paint that small. She seems thrilled with your reaction- you're about to ask her questions about the painting when Eel walks in again.

I see you're showing off your art? It's worth it, you've got quite the skill-

I am! I'm assuming you're walking the guest around?

Despite the typically friendly connotation this phrasing would have, Arven sounds like she's annoyed with Eel's presence.

Correct! I came to check in.

Eel's tone is their usual, flat and bored-sounding mixed with occasional spikes of emotion that die back down as quickly as they appear.

Well, you can leave- all we're going to talk about is art.

No thanks- I'd like to continue their tour.

I see. Well then- goodbye I suppose, we don't often have repeat guests-

You're honestly kind of dissapointed, you wanted to talk a little more to Arven. Oh well- what choice do you have?

These links will be up eventually, I promise!

Arven's files.

Creator notes.

Return to the hall.