Will look foward to seeing your pictures.

Is there a way to bump this?

What is the plant? And what kind of material is it planted in? It looks like regular garden soil - not advised - and very dry at that. If garden soil or similar, the 'visitors' are very likely weeds and can be removed.

While now is not exactly an ideal time to do so, I would repot - in a larger container - with a good quality potting soil. Those roots you see at the surface should not be exposed but covered in the planting medium. But I would suggest getting the plant correctly identified first (either with better, more detailed photos here or on the Name That Plant forum) so you will know the best type of container medium to use and how to properly care for the plant.

I doubt the middle of the dining table is the best location :-)

Looks like a Jade plant to me. Losing it's leaves in four days tells me it could have had something done to it before you received it.

Don't let it be in freezing temperatures.

It's an indoor plant here and and likes to be dry between watering it.

Placed near a sunny window would suit it best.

Do what Gardengal says and it will come back fast.

Mike