Demifiction: "Grudges"

[ng_moonmoth]

This is by way of signal boost for ysabetwordsmith's monthly Poetry Fishbowl. It's set in their Monster House storyline, and draws its inspiration from "The Care and Feeding of Peeves".

From Barlowe's Comprehensive Field Guide to Ephemeral Life Forms:

Grudges

Grudges most frequently have the appearance of grassy plants, similar to sedges or sawgrass ... There are at least three known cultivars of grudges. The Common Grudge is rather delicate, and requires significant attention and frequent nursing. If appropriately cared for, it can transform into a Longstanding Grudge which can survive exposure to the elements. Harboring a Longstanding Grudge is not difficult; it requires only a minimum of attention. It is quite hardy as long as it can obtain a sufficient supply of enmity to prevent its withering away completely.

... A Grudge which receives a sufficient quantity of hatred and malice during its nursing will transform into an invasive form, known as Rancor. Rancor can spread widely and rapidly, often overwhelming entire neighborhoods and occasionally consuming whole towns. Eradication is challenging: not only can Rancor propagate from a single small cutting left behind, but it is capable of remaining dormant for years until conditions are right for it to emerge again.

Comments

[rhodielady-47.livejournal.com]

VERY nicely put together! (Giggle!)
:^)

[ng_moonmoth]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.

Saaaay! You're a plant person. Would it be more in line with references in the field to say "There are at least three known cultivars of grudge", as opposed to talking about genuses (and I realize now that should have been "genera", anyway)?

[rhodielady-47.livejournal.com]

I'd go with the "There are at least three known cultivars of grudge" myself.
Most people have no idea just how plastic the genetic structure of some living organisms can be.
The most extreme example of plastic genetics belongs to dogs. There's hardly an external part of their bodies that hasn't been shaped by selective breeding and their personalities have definitely been shaped by it as well.
Many plants have a rather plastic genetic structure as well.
Take cabbage for instance. Did you know that there's a type of cabbage that grows tall enough that its stem can be made into walking sticks? Brussels sprouts are another type of cabbage that's grown for its leaf buds which form tiny cabbage heads. Cabbage also comes in different colors.

So yes grudges can come in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, colors, and longitivity all of which can be called cultivars.
:^)

[ng_moonmoth]

Thanks for the help. Will update.

Yay!

[ysabetwordsmith.livejournal.com]

This is fascinating. Thanks for sharing.

Also, your new verse of "E Meglio Star Solo" is up.

[amaebi.livejournal.com]

*grin*

[mdlbear]

Fun!

Sounds way too much like bindweed...

[ng_moonmoth]

That was more or less the idea. Although the propagation details came from a ranger's description of a plant invading Kilauea crater when I was there a number of years ago. It behaves very much like that: you've got to get it all, and you have no idea of whether you actually have because it can remain dormant for a few years waiting for better conditions.

The recent eruptions may have resolved that issue.

[thnidu.livejournal.com]

...until a variant develops that THRIVES in eruptions. I don't want to call it a cultivar (http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/hortnews/2008/2-6/CultivarOrVariety.html) bc these aren't cultivated, unless by black capes or 'nary villains.