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]

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.

[armd]

Right. (But Abby isn't one to lecture anybody about wording things more empathetically, so she settles for clicking her crystal off instead.)

[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?

[detestable]

Oh, I don't know. You're making it sound so appealing, who wouldn't want in on this operation?

[nonvenomous]

Short of amputating the arm you rode in on I think you'll find self-interest to be largely pointless in the long term, here.

[detestable]

Is that supposed to be advice?

[armd]

Say that first?

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

[heirring]

I think you'll find that all of these details have been included in our report.

Further, no one will be subject to these trials without having first received a perfectly thorough briefing.

[That would be highly unethical.]

[armd]

(Tightly,) Maybe you should ask Tevinter for tips on the best way to conduct your trials.

[heirring]

[The reflexive offense is tempered, if briefly, by the healthy reassurance that Abby has entertained her once before. Behold, the loyalty that standing around and looking at Wysteria's handheld cannon and letting her wave around a pistol engenders:]

Oh, this is nothing like that. [She laughs even.] I understand why someone might jump to such a conclusion, but I assure you that neither Mister Dickerson or myself has the constitution for torture.

[armd]

(Abby knows that what she's nervous about doesn't actually exist. Even so... she has a bad feeling; doesn't want to put her hand up, no matter how harmless she considers Wysteria.)

Okay.

(Well,) Good luck with that.

[detestable]

Hey. You.

Care to elaborate on the Tevinter connection?

[ between abby and astarion, this seems like the more level option. ]