a/n: Gwin finally gets what Quincy's got.

All the good things belong to Monolith Soft.

"Oh, no. Oh, Quincy."

Hope understood. The flower was slightly damp, with a trace of dew that was warmer than the morning mist drifting off the spore sands. Pale blue dew, the color of mimeosome blood. She laid a gentle hand on Quincy's wrist. He started to shrug her off, but instead he patted her hand and quirked a smile at her. She knew he didn't want pity, but that wasn't what she was feeling. Sorrow, support, regret, but not pity. He knew this, he must. She looked over at Doug and saw much the same look on his face. Quincy must have told him already, if he hadn't figured it out faster than Hope. Without saying, they all knew now why they were packing up.

Almost all; Gwin didn't get it. He waggled his head from face to face, trying to buy a clue.

Quincy's voice was much clearer. The inhaler must have helped. "Don't worry, Hope. I've got an appointment the minute we get back to NLA."

"What for?" asked Gwin. He gulped a few times, trying to follow what was up. The answer danced just out of his reach. "Is Quincy ... sick?

Doug and Hope looked at each other with alarm. Neither wanted to be the one to say the explanation out loud. It was just such a shame.

Quincy looked at all of them for a moment, his eyes sliding from confused to miserable faces. He rolled his eyes slightly, or maybe Hope imagined it. "I need to have the secretions removed."

"Huh? What?"

"In my lungs." Once again he made the vague gesture he'd made to Hope, to Doug, a wave that encompassed his chest and his throat, but which Hope now realized hovered an extra moment over his heart.

Gwin was now looking like a puzzled but attentive dog. Any minute Quincy would toss him the answer, and he was ready to catch it. Quincy sighed and his face became serene. Hope wondered if he was hiding a frown or a laugh. "Secretions in my lungs caused by excess emotion," said Quincy.

"YOU HAVE HANAHAKI DISEASE?!" Gwin had finally joined them in the land of understanding.

Hope pursed her lips. "The proper term is petalose syndrome," she lectured primly.

Gwin was looking at Quincy with amazement. "LIKE UNREQUITED LOVE AND..." He gurgled to a halt because Doug had lifted him off the ground, slightly, by the back of his belt.

"Petalose syndrome," echoed Douglas. "And we're all going back so he can get to his appointment."

"Why?" Gwin skittered out of reach of Douglas, but kept his eyes on Quincy. "You could just tell her! Him! Them. Like, use your comm device. 1-800-I-LOVE-YOU."

Quincy quirked an eyebrow at Gwin, then shook his head. "Her. And no."

"Why not? You totally should. I mean, I would, if I were in your shoes." His innocent blue eyes shone with absolute lack of self-reflection. Doug, Quincy, and Hope all bit their lips, willing themselves not to wander into the mine field that was Gwin's obvious devotion to a childhood friend. It probably wouldn't have mattered if they had been brutally honest instead of silent. Gwin was scratching his head thoughtfully. "So that's why I had petals in my hair this morning."

xcxcxcxcxcxcxcxcx

Selection from the official brochure, "So You Have Petalose Syndrome":

"You may feel fine at first, but you will need to respond to the syndrome. Extreme extended emotions aren't healthy or safe for our new mimeosome bodies. More than your lungs are being damaged. The modified secretions are designed to act as a warning signal, rather than the root problem. While some people are surprised by the appearance of petals in their sputum, these are intended to force patients to respond before the damage becomes systemic. Without treatment, the mimeosome equivalents of your circulatory and nervous systems will be compromised over time.

Quite often the first response in your new situation is to speak to the person you are attracted to. The MMC understands, however, that this is not always the preferred path. Your choices will be respected by our technicians as we help you navigate your other options.

If you chose not to express your feelings, then you will eventually need surgery. However, many patients find behavior modifications can delay this. These include: counseling; meditation; breathing exercises; avoidance; transferal of attraction (another person or even a pet); transferal of focus (work or hobbies). The MMC can help you with these as well as providing medical supervision; damage to other systems must be monitored.

Self medication (alcohol, augments, tensifier, red pollen orbs, etc.) is not recommended. Experts note that while drug usage may be initially effective, it always speeds the onset of more serious symptoms, as well as resulting in additional negative side-effects.

If you choose to speak to the person you are attracted to, we suggest you make a provisional appointment before speaking to the involved party. In the case of an unfortunate response, immediate medical intervention is crucial.

a/n: I do enjoy messing with Gwin. Obvious devotion? Oblivious devotion? I need a word that is both.

Next up: Why petalose syndrome is worse on Mira than it was on the Whale.