Lunch time and Eric is down at the local tavern. Sitting at the bar with a carvery lunch before him and a glass of iced cola, Eric continues a conversation he has already been having with barman and long-time friend Mike Langton.

'I tell ya Mike, the thing actually spoke to me.'

'Yeah sure, you have been watching far too much of that Sci-Fi channel you so like to watch Twiki, my friend. Just as well that it is only cola in your glass; I'd struggle with the idea of serving you beer or alcohol of any kind for that matter right now.'

Twiki, a nickname Mike has had for Eric for some time now. Despite the fact he actually likes that nickname, Eric only allows Mike to call him by it. If anyone else were to use it, he'd correct them.

'Ha, you know I have never been much of a drinker, seriously though, I am not making any of this up.'

'Well, whatever it is that you got yourself into I hope that little antique store lady of yours is worth it.'

'I hope so too. In all honesty I hardly talked with her, but she did come across a good person, I can tell these things, and her beauty is amazing, you should see her.'

'Maybe I will get to sometime. Anyway, my friend, I will leave you to your lunch, enjoy and give me a shout before you head back home.'

'I will, thanks Mike.'

Eric done as he was asked, he called out to Mike before leaving the tavern premises. Mike requested to be kept informed as to what was going on, offering his presence if and when Eric may need it and Eric would be grateful for that. It is good to know that his situation is out there no matter how crazy it sounds when he speaks it out loud.

He may be overreacting and with Eric being Eric, he probably is overreacting though it is nice to know that back-up is available if and when he should need it and while still feeling calm with things as is, he is in no kind of danger, there is still quite the likelihood he will need some back-up.

Having been out and away from home once again for a full ninety minutes, Eric did not delay further in making his way back home and upon his arrival things would most definitely become all the more strange, if that was at all possible for it would soon appear that the plant was having somewhat of an emotional response.

A radio on a counter only a couple of feet away from the window within which the plant still rests was switched on. Eric had not left the radio on. The song playing on this radio is a tune called 'Bells for Her' by Tori Amos, a haunting melody with piano like chimes echoing and being accompanied simply with eloquent vocals. This is a song which quite easily could evoke emotion if one just so happened to allow a moment of emotion in.

And through the life force and there goes her friend
On her Nishiki, it's out of time
And through the portal they can make amends
Hey, would you say, "Whatever, we're blanket friends"?

Can't stop what's coming
Can't stop what's on its way

The stem of the plant stoops over near its head; the flower itself being slightly open almost seems to be focusing downward. Two small petals loosen and fall, one directly after the other. It is as if the plant is crying. This in no way could be possible, could it? In order to feel emotion, there must be some kind of intelligence, right?

Something else that Eric would find extremely strange is the fact that he himself is feeling something. Observing the plant in some kind of negative state made him feel somewhat sad too. If it were a person, he would be compelled to go console it. There really is something strange going on. He could feel pain and sorrow, a pain and sorrow that hit him along with confusion. What he felt was coming from within him.

Surely there cannot be some kind of bond growing between the two, as in Eric himself and this strange plant he has temporally custody of. Such a thing would seem impossible, silly even. What it is he has acquired is just a plant after all. Plants do not have emotions; flowers cannot make connections. It is just a plant, right? Now this is heck of a thought.

Sure, a gift of flowers can convey emotion, a gift can entice an emotional response but what was and is going on in Eric's home is something else entirely. This flower is singular and it ain't no gift, though maybe in a way it is. Eric has possibly acquired an intelligent, emotional unusual plant which may or may not have spoken on at least one occasion, and what is worse, if that is possible, Eric may have made a connection with this plant on some level or another.

This connection or whatever it is, is not only emotional, but also ... something more. Eric at this point begins to feel hunger despite the fact that he has only just returned home from having gone out to lunch. The hunger he feels is not his own. The plant is hungry, and Eric somehow knows what it wants. Without haste, Eric ensures that the plant gets what it wants and fairly soon Eric feels his own spirits lift. This lift is also reflected in the plant for the flower has fully opened and the stem no longer stoops over.

Instinct takes over, if it hasn't already; Eric heads out, makes some purchases and before long is once again back at home. His acquisition has once again grown, and Eric has all that he needs to ensure that this acquisition has all that it needs; well at least he thinks he does.

There is a need to move outdoors. Yeah, fresh air for this plant will be good. Outside another need is soon to be satisfied, outside in the back yard, a connection is strengthened. A Robin Redbreast comes to rest on a ledge of an ornamental waterfall, a waterfall in operation and located right in the center of that back yard.

Evening is setting in. The Robin is almost playful with the flowing water, lost in a moment where it does not see its own demise approach. In one quick extending rushing motion, the bird is grabbed and consumed, consumed by something which has, in a short period of time, grown way beyond anything which could have been prepared for.

Something unusual is in bloom; something unusual is in season, something unusual is alive. A smile oddly takes a hold on Eric's face as a strange sensation of satisfaction takes a hold on the rest of his being.