4. The Wabbit and the Plant Headquarters

They knew the plants had to have an HQ and there it was. They crept stealthily in to a building near the castle. Plants stood around in silence. "Do all right for themselves," commented the Wabbit. They pulled out their edged weapons and crept downstairs. Lapinette took the lead and when she encountered a plant-based chair she stuck her weapon into the foliage. There was a small squeak. "It speaks," she said with sarcasm. Wabsworth looked at the Wabbit. "Your ears have grown!" The Wabbit grimaced. "It's all the excitement." He tried to retract them, but they continued to grow. "Must be environmental." He glanced at a sign above a door and shuddered. "They have a meeting room!" yelled Lapinette. The plants cowered back. "They don't seem to like sudden noises," said Wabsworth. "You don't suppose they have a leader?" asked Lapinette. A voice squeaked in a high frequency language they didn't understand. "It's not in my universal translator database," groaned Wabsworth, "I think we have to add it." The Wabbit didn't sound cheerful about that. "Any ideas, Lap?" Lapinette waved her edged weapon. "They transmit biochemical and electrical signals. And volatile organic compounds." The Wabbits enlarged ears flapped. "Yes, I can understand them. They're saying 'don't hurt us'."  He made a series of unintelligible high pitched sounds. Wabsworth made calculations. He joined in the conversation and received a reply. He shook his head. "Unbeleafable!"

3. The Wabbit and the Sticky Tendrils

Susan spotted the Wabbit and Lapinette in one of the many lanes in the artisan district and thought it best to drop Lapinette there and then. Lapinette found herself ejected onto the cobbles. "Eeeek," she yelled. Wabsworth and the Wabbit stared blankly. There were flowers and plants everywhere. "Glad you could drop in!" said the Wabbit. Lapinette waved her paws. "These plants are all over the place, they're taking over!" The Wabbit looked down aghast. "I thought it was a new initiative by the Mayor. You know, for the pilgrims." He brushed frantically at his fur. But the plants were hard to shift. Wabsworth did the same. "I've got some systemic weedkiller in my fur. It might do the trick." But there was no way to detach from the sticky tendrils. Passers-by made their way along the lane but were quickly overcome by sticky green weeds. They all looked up. Susan was hovering overhead. "Can she pull us free?" yelled the Wabbit. "I don't think so," said Lapinette, "She had difficulties earlier." The Wabbit began frantically search his coat. "I have a pair of secateurs I got in a market." As the Wabbit fiddled around, Lapinette started to yank him away. By this time Wabsworth was able to free himself - and he joined in. Together they pulled and pulled, until with a sound like a suction cup the Wabbit managed to detach himself. "Who said flowers were delicate?" he moaned. "The flower people?" retorted Lapinette.

2. Lapinette and the Dangerous Flowers

It was New Year and Lapinette was celebrating her birthday. An unusual flight with Susan the Biplane had been promised - and she decided to accept the offer. They flew high over Rome and descended on Monte Mario to take in the view. But as they approached, strange plants reached out to grasp the undercarriage. With a burst of throttle, Susan shook them off. Lapinette looked back down. "They're like apple blossom. And this isn't spring." Susan wheeled round. "And they're not usually as tenacious. These grip like crocodiles." Lapinette coaxed Susan in the direction of HQ. "Better report in." Susan gave a giggle. "I doubt anyone will be there. I'll bet they're all shopping in the sales." Lapinette laughed. "Including the Wabbit and Wabsworth. They're after another camera lens." Susan responded with a cackle. "Like they need one." The plane shook. "More plants!" yelled Susan. She headed off above the Tiber, figuring they'd be less plants. But the city was alive with apple blossom. It twisted round towers and covered buildings. Tendrils hung from the Colosseum and blossom covered the Circus Maximus. "At least nothing is fruiting." Lapinette's aversion to fruit was well known. "I wouldn't say that!" said Susan. "I can see a giant orange." She veered in the direction of one of the main shopping streets. "It looks clear over there." Lapinette nodded. "Find a place to land." She waited. Then she spotted tendrils making their way across Via Paula bus station. One bus was completely full of plants. "Susan. On the other paw, land anywhere you like!"