Thorn glances over at us, and nods before he goes back to watching Juko breech the waves. Armonk, on the other hand, looks quite worried for me.
Dr. Varik’s grin is wise. “I’ve studied this phenomenon because I’ve witnessed it too.”
“You have?”
“Occasionally I’ll hear silent words when I’m in the lab, surrounded by my plants. Especially when they’ve been disturbed.”
“Disturbed?”
“Emotionally affected.”
“But plants can’t feel!” At my statement, Thorn busts out laughing. He’s looking at me, not at the dolphin. “What’s so funny?”
“Plants. Feel,” Thorn announces.
“I’ll second that,” Dr. Varik agrees. “Plants have something called stroma. A ventilation system; pores or ports or a network; however you choose to describe them. My theory is that in addition to the stroma providing ventilation, the plants’ electrical impulses travel through the stroma, and that is fueled by their reactions to their environment. A primitive nervous system.”
“Wow!” So cool that the Fireseed have a million tiny pores that feel things, think things.
“You could call it a stromanet,” Armonk says.
Dr. Varik nods. “Correct. Good name for it. So, Ruby and Thorn, you’re actually communicating with the plants, gaining sensitivity toward them.”
“Could the … the stromanet warn someone of danger?” I ask.
“I imagine it could.”
“And you said that plants communicate their stress, right?” Armonk asks. “Can Fireseed set themselves on fire when they’re upset?”
“Yes,” Dr. Varik answers. “The ones my father planted in the desert many years ago burned themselves up when he left. I think they felt abandoned.”
“I knew it! The judges didn’t believe me,” Armonk complains. “I didn’t make their finalist cut. I won’t get to see Vegas-by-the-Sea.”
“That’s too bad. I suppose the concept was simply beyond their scope. Perhaps another time.” Dr. Varik says.
“You still have a valuable role,” I remind Armonk. “You’ll be at The Greening to keep Thorn safe from Jan and Vesper. To protect the whole school!” I know it’s not enough of a consolation, but Armonk’s such a sport that he simply nods and shrugs.
Then he throws an arm around Thorn. “Stick with me, bud.” This prompts the Red to a flurry of enthusiastic sounding squeaks.
As we leave, I hug Dr. Varik and he wishes us well. I notice his gait is stiff and slow, which again makes me sad for him. He’s not that old. I wish I knew what was wrong with him.
But there are other pressing worries. Heading back to school, I’m already fretting about leaving Armonk and my brother when I go to Vegas-by-the-Sea. If there is a stromanet, I worry that I won’t hear it signal danger from so very far away.
Chapter 24
Axiom’s gliders arrive to ferry us to the coast. We load the cargo hold with Bea’s fashion line, the angled sections of Radius’ flyer, a case of my lizards and salves, Blane’s holo tablet and a holy mess of brimming suitcases. The last time I traveled I had only my latchbag.
This time I feel like one of the fairy queens that Bea draws. I’ve packed a filmy red cocktail dress that she designed for me, a pair of fancy heels Nevada lent me, and flirty decorations for my flyaway hair; and I’m only going away for a weekend.
I’m teary at the sight of Thorn and Armonk waiting by the landing strip to see me off. “Take care of Thorn, will you?” I plead with Armonk for the tenth time. We hug and he gives me his word. His presence feels like a rock—strong, unshakable and reassuringly familiar.
I lean over Thorn, and mash my head in his sweaty mop of hair. These days he smells less of boy and more of sweetish Fireseed musk. “Don’t get in trouble, okay? Don’t wander off, stay close to Armonk. Do everything he tells you to do.” Thorn looks down at the ground and nods. He’s still uncomfortable with gazing in someone’s eyes. Probably always will be.
Blane comes out dressed in snug white pants and a plaid shirt that shows off his powerful shoulders. He’s packed his burnsuit, only wearing the mask part. My heart thuds at the sight of him. He cleans up well. When Armonk steps aside to let him by, there’s an obvious flicker of pain in his eyes. Does he know that Blane and I have kissed? I should’ve told him, but there was never a kind way to broach the subject. I push down a huge wave of guilt. Who knows if Blane and I will end up a good fit? All I know is that I’m itching to find out.
Blane and I sit facing forward, Bea and Radius facing us. As the gliders take off, my heart does too. I’m filled with a lightness and joy I haven’t felt since I was little.
“We’re double dating!” Bea gushes.
“Huh?”
“Silly Ruby, you’ve never heard that phrase? It’ll be so fun to hang out, the four of us.”