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

[favoriteanalyst]

I have to agree with serah Gecko: not everyone has your particular fervor for scientific interest, and given the inherent dangers of introducing lyrium to one's person, the very least you could do is offer up some form of compensation for anyone's willingness to help you in this endeavor.

[Dicky's not mentioned because someone has at least heard of tact before. His tone betrayed the fact that what's suggested is Bonkers In Yonkers y'all.

To say nothing of the conversation with Byerly. Everyone be glad By is a diplomat and that Mobius is not heavily inclined to jump to his defense. Because Mobius is trying very hard not to become a particular brand of mad about it.]

I'll read the report for the details, of course, but as far as the anchor in the--severed arm. [Not that the good madame has any qualms about calling it what it is. No apparent need for delicacy.] It persists? Even removed from the, uh, let's call it host for now, and pickled? No change in size or luminescence? No ill effects on yourself for its removal?

[heirring]

[Skipping smoothly over the matter of incentives and rewards, as clearly she has deemed it best not to engage the subject:]

No, the anchor has become quite inert. Its powers faded within a few days of its removal. As for the host [primly], I've noticed no great change save for some minor alteration in the subject's appearance in the Crossroads. As you may know, Rifters there appear rather vibrant to the eye. That seems to no longer be the case when the anchor is fully excised.

Otherwise, I am as I was exactly with all my memories and skills and so forth born of the place I came from intact.

[favoriteanalyst]

And what's left in its place? Is it now just an empty hole in the skin? [When taken apart from the generally horrifying everything, it really is genuinely fascinating.] Or is there an actual object now embedded there?

[heirring]

There isn't an object, really. But neither is it really a void. The flesh has been transmuted—made into a different substance, now turned somewhat crystalline upon removal.

[And you're all very welcome for this critical advancement of anchor knowledge.]

[favoriteanalyst]

And with the evidence, anecdotal as it is, of the Crossroads, it seems that without the anchor you may have been rendered a person of Thedas than of the Fade. Though there may not be a [safe, sensical] good way to test that.

Can I ask, in what way does it poison the bearer?

[heirring]

Nonsense. There is any manner of good ways in which to test it. There are accounts of Rifters being exposed to refined lyrium as a means of healing an illness they suffered. Similarly, the way in which the average Thedosian responds to refined lyrium is well documented. We need only run a few trials to determine the way in which these different kinds of people react to begin to draw conclusions regarding its relationship to the anchor.

[As for the rest: An abrupt illness, the terrible fever, the sickly necrosis of the limb. All those dreadful days in the Gallows infirmary worrying over whether removing the anchor would somehow destabilize her connection to Thedas and cause her to disappear like Miss Jones, and Howard Stark, and Lady Anna, and on and on, and after—how poor Mister Holden had disappeared so abruptly with no sign that anything was at all ill with him, and when he had dutifully spent precious hours concerned for her welfare.

If they'd cut his hand off too, would he be here still?]

The details of the effects of the anchor on its bearer are all in the report filed in the Felandaris office. I've attached it to the original record of the elven woman who died a number of years prior from the same. I believe her anchor was in her chest or shoulder, which is why it couldn't simply be removed. She was from here, I think. A native to Thedas.

[favoriteanalyst]

You'd subject yourself to lyrium now to see if you react differently to it, in spite of the potentially very negative consequences of it? Even so thoroughly refined, lyrium isn't something to use lightly. Trust that I'm just as curious to discover more answers about Rifters, and potentially find ways to help, but you've got to understand why the idea of rubbing a little lyrium in a wound isn't an endearing thought to most people.

[heirring]

I've done extensive study of enchanting and runes during the time I've been in Thedas. I understand the dangers perfectly well, thank you. Your concern is noted, but yes. I would subject myself to it now. Someone must, otherwise ideas will never become facts.

[favoriteanalyst]

You understand the dangers, okay, then why are you acting so baffled at the idea that others wouldn't readily and eagerly line up for your tests as if that's unreasonable?

[heirring]

Because Mister Dickerson and I have done the preliminary work, and it's inconsiderate to assume straight away that we haven't or that we are being needlessly callous. It's highly cynical.

[favoriteanalyst]

I think it's the needlessly callous thing tripping people up, messere. You don't exactly seem to have much of a bedside manner for this kind of suggestion, no matter your intentions.

[nonvenomous]

Perhaps if you were to provide us with pointers on palatability Madame de Foncé and I could practice between ourselves while working to decipher the nature of our existence here.