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

[bouchonne]

[ Halt any mage - ]

Dear Maker, no. I wouldn't even know where to start on something like that. The lyrium certainly didn't give any inspiration.

[heirring]

That's a shame.

Would you be willing to try it again? Not to stop a mage. Only it sounds like it's been some time, and I would like a recent record of the thing so we may have a comparison and I'm under the impression that it would be rude to ask Ser Barrow.

[bouchonne]

[ Ah. A slight, slightly embarrassed pause. ]

I am...endeavoring to stay sober, of late.

[heirring]

Oh really, Mister Rutyer. Now everyone truly will think Mister Dickerson and I are some kind of dreadful scoundrels if even you aren't willing to submit to something you've done prior. All on account of it being under our supervision!

[bouchonne]

Yes, well.

[ It's an odd relief that she barely reacts to that news. ]

I'm sure I could find a ne'er-do-well-for-hire in town.

[heirring]

[Eyeroll. What good is knowing a debauched bachelor if he is neither debauched or a bachelor?]

I would prefer not to involve anyone outside of Riftwatch in this business. I'll simply consult Misters Barrow and Orlov, or the Lady Seeker.

[bouchonne]

My apologies. I should truly like to help you. It's simply so rare that I actually make a responsible choice, eh?

[heirring]

It's incredibly suspect.

[bouchonne]

[ - Oh. That's the reason for the lack of reaction. ]

I'm telling the truth, dear madame. I should like nothing more, under most circumstances, to intoxicate myself most eagerly. But...

[heirring]

But?

[bouchonne]

[ A true note of embarrassment in his voice. ]

But as I said. I'm endeavoring towards sobriety.

[heirring]

Even you must admit that the timing of this would seem terribly convenient.

[cozen]

[ Unsolicited interruption number two: ]

He is telling the truth, Madame de Foncé.

[bouchonne]

[ Byerly says nothing, just shrugs silently, which seems like some sort of confirmation. ]

[heirring]

Then you may tell the Ambassador, [since this is apparently the game they're playing] that the next time he chooses to take his health so seriously, that he might at least do the decency of not advertising it in such a time and place where the natural assumption may be to suspect it is an excuse to avoid something else for which someone is currently attempting to engage volunteers.

It somewhat sabotages what might otherwise be a certain person's approval of the whole idea.

[cozen]

Byerly, Madame de Foncé says that the next time you choose to take your health seriously, you should have the decency not to advertise it in a way where the natural assumption will be to, uh...

[ He could go on, but it was a joke, so he leaves it there. ]

Look, if you need someone who is not a mage or a Templar or a rifter or, [ who is he leaving out, pause for finger counting, ] a seeker, for your study, I will do it. Within reason.

[bouchonne]

[ What Wysteria said could have gotten very, very deeply under his skin. With Bastien coming in and making light of it, it only pricks at him. ]

Please do pass along my apologies, dear Bastien.

[ Just a little bit forced. Enough for Bastien, no doubt, to catch on that Byerly was less than amused by Wysteria, but likely not enough for Wysteria to know. ]

[heirring]

[Apology noted, ruffled feathers smoothed. And more pressing still, Bastien's offer:]

Would you really? It would mean a great deal to me. And I assure you, the whole thing will be entirely reasonable.

[cozen]

[ After a pause to consider adding conditions, like we all agree being honest was brave and much better than making thin, made-up excuses for sitting this one out, and deciding they'll only make Byerly even more embarrassed: ]

I will really. I cannot stand that Byerly has such a longer list of things he has done than I do.

[heirring]

Oh excellent! [Is not like intentionally trampling over unspoken conditions in her excitement, because they have not been spoken.and so it definitely can't be rude to be enthused.] Now with the two of us, we need only the participation of a Rifter still with an anchor and then will have more or less a full slate.

Thank you very much, Monsieur.

[cozen]

You're welcome. Best of luck with the others.

[heirring]

[Her frustrated 'Ugh' is at least remote enough not to be completely clear over the crystal.]

private

[bouchonne]

Don't let her push you into more than one go with it. You know how the Templars get addicted to it.

[ And Bastien might have a weakness for a drug that makes one feel important and self-confident. ]

∞

[cozen]

[ what no why would he ever ]

One go. If she needs more than that for what they are doing, I will talk to you first.

—and thank you, by the way.

[bouchonne]

[ Puzzled - ]

Thank you? For what?