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]

(Abby thinks that outburst is all he has to say on the matter... which, fair, but she has no idea how to respond; she opts to wait it out. Thankfully, he trails back, and she listens with a little crease at home between her eyebrows.

Firmly,) We're not about to let that happen. (It might not be much reassurance, but it's all she has.) Enough of us are watching too closely for them to get away with it.

(Muttered,) And it's pretty obvious we've given them both a lot to rethink, going forward. (She isn't here to defend Wysteria and wouldn't anyway, even though she privately thinks of her as harmless, but... she spoke as if she expected all of them to share in her enthusiasm, when why the fuck would they.)

[doggish]

[He scoffs, but it isn't directed at Abby, not really.]

A pleasing thought, but I doubt it. Why should she stop? She sees my dissent as nothing more than the wailing of an ignorant fool, not nearly as educated in these matters as she.

[That's not necessarily true, but ah, he's a bit off-kilter.]

Tell me you see this as madness.

[armd]

(Abby snorts, a humourless sound.) You're not the only one she thinks she's smarter than. It's how she is.

("You Forces people," she'd said to Abby. Well, Abby could say it right back, couldn't she, you Research people.

There is no hesitation before she says,) It's fucking insane. I don't like it. (Can't help but feel somebody is going to get really hurt, and that Riftwatch will gain nothing in return for it.)

[doggish]

[At least it isn't just him. That's of some comfort, he thinks.]

It's foolishness to the extreme. I understand the initial thought process, but to ignore the risks, to assume that all experimentation is inherently correct . . .

Countless magisters have done the same thing. And we have seen how that ends.

[. . .]

But it is a comfort to know that Rifters see that too.

[armd]

There's no way somebody's gonna fall for it. Think we're due to only lose one arm. Collectively, I mean.

(hrm) Well. Except for Sylvie, but-

(She's making a gesture that he can't see,) Yeah. (It's Sylvie.)

[doggish]

[Despite his terror and his rage, something like a questioning chuckle escapes him.]

You're so convinced she means it? It sounds like she's more bargaining than anything, but it would take more than I suspect this organization can offer for an entire arm.

[armd]

(Simply,) Yeah.

She's reckless. (And, like Loki, once she knows what she wants she's absolutely determined to get it. She doesn't say that out loud; knows better than to talk about them like they're only one person.) Wanna bet on who's gonna be dumb enough to do it.

[doggish]

Certainly.

[Not because he knows Sylvie and her whims so much, but because he's interested in keeping tabs on who goes for this insane experiment, and Abby seems to have a better grasp on others than he does. That, and he trusts her opinion.]

Place your bet. If we must abide by this nonsense, we might as well benefit from it.

[armd]

Okay. (Warming to it now, and glad to be having some fun with this shitty situation,) I bet Sylvie. And–

(Hrm, prior knowledge is coming in handy here,) Bet Dante'd do it.

(He seems the right balance of courageous and... bonkers.) And Sylvie, I haven't changed my mind there.

[doggish]

Dante would assuredly do it.

[An immediate agreement. He doesn't know him that well, but a few conversations is more than enough proof.]

But I think him the only one. I hope him the only one, for I did not hope to join an organization filled with lab rats.

Ten silver pieces.

[And boy, is he going to owe her.]

[armd]

Deal. (He's basically giving her money; she'll buy him a drink with it.)