[open] I'm honestly not sure why most humans still have such lengthy sleep cycles.

[begetblue]

Who: Turing and you + some closed prompts
What: Catch-all for November, hurrah
Where: Everywhere and nowhere
When: Time is a lie but post-event and various times afterwards
Content Warnings: Probably none but will edit if necessary!

Comments

[begetblue]

[ Cosmetic damage caused by an ally? That was a good enough reason as far as Turing was concerned, and the resulting distress caused to that person sealed the deal. ]

In that case, I will do my best to cover it with something much more calming!

[ First of all, they mixed up a dark grey--almost black, really--to act as a base coat. If nothing else, the discolouration would definitely be covered up regardless of what they painted. As for the subject, the first thing to come to mind was a particular tree and its leaves. It was probably best to go with a more conventional type of composition, especially since they didn't have a ton of space to work with, but that didn't mean they couldn't get a little creative with the colour palette! ]

[forwearemany]

Acknowledged. Thank-you.

(They sit down, so that Turing can more easily access the indicated spot.)

[begetblue]

[ And so, their art session began! They were originally planning on painting a eucalyptus globulus tree, but as they were choosing what colours on their palette to use, something happened.

Inspiration suddenly hit them like a truck.

...Uh, actually maybe that wasn't the best way of putting it at all, but that was beside the point. Why not cover up a symbol of regretful aggression with a symbol of peace instead? The olive branch that began to take form had some of Turing's own personal touches; colour was the most obvious one, and the angles of the branches were another. The delicate veins of the leaves were probably the only thing that completely resembled reality. They had chosen to paint the branch as if it was sprouting forth from Legion's body and hinting at something deeper and more intrinsic.

When Turing was (finally) happy with what they had painted, they took a step back and beamed. ]

I'm finished! The paint still needs a little time to dry, but let me know what you think!

[forwearemany]

(They glance down occasionally while Turing is painting, but they can't really get a good look without risking getting in the way, so they can't really see what is being painted until Turing is finished.

And when they are, well... the first thing that comes to their mind when they look at the painting of the plant growing out from within isn't peace, but the deadly disease known as Overgrowth, and they let out a startled burst of chatter.

That humans use the phrase "extending an olive branch" to refer to making peace occurs only afterward.)

[begetblue]

W-what's wrong?

[ Internally they immediately started catastrophizing. That was so much worse than voicing it; their thoughts could move so much faster than their ability to voice them. Questions like "was it that bad" were only the tip of the iceberg on that front.

Their gaze fell to their palette. ]

Should I cover it with something else...?

[forwearemany]

(They did not intend to cause distress!)

We apologize. We did not intend to cause distress.

(They look at the painting again.)

It is an olive branch?

[begetblue]

No, no, there's no need for you to apologize!

[ Okay, phew. While they said that, they were still glad to hear that reassurance. ]

Yes, that's correct. I did take a little artistic license, however.

[forwearemany]

The olive branch is a symbol of peace among humans.

(They chatter, headflaps rippling.)

This was your intention?

[begetblue]

It was! To be specific, it is an Ascolano olive branch; this cultivar originated in the Marche and Tuscany regions of Italy, but it is cultivated in California as well.

[ It was unfortunate that they never had a chance to see one in person, but uh, that really wasn't the issue right now, was it? Oops. ]

Forgive me for rambling about unrelated matters. I wanted to cover the cosmetic damage in a way that would also show your ally your feelings on the...er, incident?

[forwearemany]

Acknowledged. It is a suitable metaphor.

(They chatter.)

However, plants growing from inside the physical platform are a symptom of the disease Overgrowth. The imagery startled us.

[begetblue]

It is? [ O-oh. Well, now everything made a whole lot more sense. This was not at all going how they wanted or hoped for! ]

I'm sorry! I can see how that would be very unsettling...

[ Their artwork being mistaken for an actual plant was technically a compliment though? Maybe? ]

[forwearemany]

Yes.

(They look at the image again. The memories of Overgrowth are ... unpleasant. But the symbol of peace is appropriate.)

[begetblue]

If I may, I have an idea for an addition that would make it less frightening?

[ ...Though, uh, saying what it was first might be better. ]

I was thinking of adding a pot of some kind.

[forwearemany]

Affirmative. (And they will absolutely crouch down so Turing can paint some more.)

[begetblue]

[ Okay, whew. Now that they had Legion's approval, they began mixing a few more colours. Perhaps this was a good chance to play with perspective a bit? They added some smaller branches to give the illusion that the first branch was part of a much larger olive tree, and it ended with a weathered but still sturdy pot that had a heart-shaped opening at the top instead of the typical rounded one. ]

How is this?

[forwearemany]

(They wait patiently for Turing to finish, and turn immediately to look at the painting once they're done.)

We ... like it.

(It is a suitable metaphor.)

[begetblue]

I'm glad!

[ After all that, they were just relieved that they managed to correct their previous blunder into something more preferable. ]

[forwearemany]

Acknowledged.

(They stare at themselves, and the painting, tilting their head to look at it from different angles.)