crystal;

[heirring]

FORM: Crystal
SENDER: Richard Dickerson & Wysteria de Foncé
RECIPIENT: You All
NOTES: The highly scientific results from studying a not-so-recent amputation, and a call for volunteers (don't worry, it's not volunteering to get your limbs chopped off). Wysteria is in blue. Richard is in green.

Hello everyone. This is Madame de Foncé speaking, accompanied by Mister Dickerson. There is a whole report written up on the matter which we wish to discuss today. Anyone curious will find it filed among the Project Felandaris records. However, we agreed [sure that's the word for 'Wysteria bullied Richard into it'] that discussing the broad points in a more public venue might do some good.

Go ahead, Mister Dickerson.

Dissection of Madame de Foncé’s arm revealed extensions of the anchor growing outward along the vascular system, confirming the existing supposition that as much of the affected limb should be taken as possible to ensure an anchor is truly separated from its host.

[ There is an odd beat where it seems likely Mister Dickerson is hoping for Wysteria to chirp back in before he continues: ]

It further appears that lyrium has an affinity for -- [ more quietly ] Rifter flesh, for lack of a more delicate distinction. When exposed to Madame de Foncé’s arm it made a fleeting attempt to regrow the parts of her that were missing. [ So the rest of the Wysteria? Another pause. He doesn’t deign to specify. ]

We believe it may hold promise as a healing agent for Rifters if applied topically.

[Which brings them to the true aim of this whole endeavor, the enthusiasm for which has Wysteria's clipping in so briskly after him that there's almost no pause at all between 'if applied topically,' and—]

And so Mister Dickerson and I would like to make a request for volunteers from among the Rifter population. We would like to make a more thorough study of the effects of lyrium on us. I have prepared a sort of sign up form and have posted it on the door of Project Felandaris' office. If you would please add your name to it, Mister Dickerson, and myself, and indeed the general record would be most grateful.

That's all. Thank you. Ask whatever questions you wish to.

[Slightly muffled then, as if the crystal has been lowered away from the general nexus of conversation, Wysteria continues on in the same breath, 'You see, Mister Dickerson? That wasn't painful in the slightest. I hardly see why you were so hesitant—']

Comments

[armd]

(HEY YOU FORGOT SOMETHING IMPORTANT)

How are you conducting these tests, exactly??

[nonvenomous]

Carefully and under the supervision of a healer. [ HM? ]

[armd]

You want to hurt us, and then expose the injuries to red lyrium. (At least take her to dinner first)

[nonvenomous]

Raw lyrium, actually. Red lyrium is inherently corruptive. [ VERY unethical. ]

[armd]

Oh, that makes it so much better.

[nonvenomous]

It really does.

[armd]

Test it on yourself first then, and let us know how it goes.

[nonvenomous]

Are you interested in the outcome or merely in seeing me suffer?

[armd]

I don't want to see anybody suffer. That's kind of the problem I'm having with this.

[nonvenomous]

Me neither. All the more reason to discern whether or not this holds promise as a treatment for grievous injury under controlled conditions.

[detestable]

And raw lyrium is...?

[ safe???????? ]

[nonvenomous]

Lyrium is a mineral with properties that make it useful to mages and in the practice of enchanting armor and weapons. It glows blue. Humans and elves native to Thedas are known to experience harmful side-effects from direct exposure to its raw form.

[detestable]

Harmful side-effects.

[ ??????????????????????????????????????????? ]

[nonvenomous]

Yes.

[nonvenomous]

Blistering, nausea, and loss of memory have been recorded, among others.

[detestable]

Oh great, so there's more.

[ >:( ]

You got a plan if your pitch doesn't net you any takers?

[nonvenomous]

Why wouldn't we have takers?

[armd]

Say that first?

(What the hell!) Or somebody is going to agree with no idea what they're getting into!

sorry me again

[tender]

Do you need another set of hands?

[ :grimace: ]

private

[nonvenomous]

I might, if we don't get any volunteers.

private ∞

[tender]

You'll do it yourself?

[nonvenomous]

I nearly did once well before we knew there might be any benefit.

[tender]

I don't like it, but I think I understand why you want to do it. How soon do you expect to begin?

[ surely there's enough time for hasty research on treatments for lyrium poisoning. ]

[nonvenomous]

We will reassess our timescale if no one volunteers.

[ He pauses. ]

Given a week or two, there's always a chance Captain Holden could return and take hold of a fistful of lyrium unprompted.

[tender]

[ a very sad laugh. ]

If only we were so lucky.

[ leaving out that derrica would be even less of a fan of holden playing with raw lyrium than she is of dick and wysteria making use of it. ]

I'll do some research on treating lyrium poisoning. Even if you get volunteers, you can count on me to be there with you, to assist.