07/25/21 - Detect and Protect
[Novine]
Novine stepped out of the aether from the East with a vengeance as she strode confidently toward the estate, for once knowing exactly what it was she needed to do when she stepped inside. She wasn't that broken, confused girl of the last few weeks, but rather that girl that was full of optimism and passion, who wouldn't let anything stand in her way. It seemed an escape was what she needed to sort her thoughts. She pushed open the door and immediately began looking for Yami, as she tore her way through the building.
[Yami]
Yami wasnt actually difficult to find this time around, lazing around in one of the leisure rooms in the residental area of the estate, sitting in the center of a room that was decorated wall to wall with books, armchairs, and floating lamps.
[Tadashi]
Tadashi emerges from the aether, surprised to have returned to the estate. Following a determined Novine, he wanders through the house, inspired by her ability to bounce back so quickly.
[Novine]
She locates Yami and reaches her hand out, summoning a bottle of some kind of booze from some aetherial pocket, summarily presenting it to the woman. “I've got an idea I need help with. It's related to the whole helping Father thing.”
[Yami]
She snuggles deeper into her chair, looking at Novine like she were a mother demanding she come out of a warm blanket fort in winter.
“And how likely is it that it will get everyone here killed? Especially me.”
[Tadashi]
Tadashi seats himself by the door, bowing his head in greeting, allowing Novine to lead the discussion.
[Novine]
“This first part? Probably not very likely. If anything it'd be me, but I'm gonna see if I can get someone else to do it for me.” She sets the booze on the floor and begins animatedly pacing around the room, putting her idea out there.
“I've been annoyed lately 'cause I can't tell who's infected and who's not, so I figured I needed to find a way to figure that out first so I can try n' pool our strengths, y'know? So, I remember you saying you can synthesize crystals to do stuff, n' you're really good at barriers… I thought maybe you could figure out how to make something I could use to collect samples of people's aether so my researchers can test 'em. Eventually I want them to make some kinda device or something that you can put the crystals in and sorta scan the aether for signs of it, so I'd need a bunch to have on hand.”
[Yami]
“Mhm….how’s that…”
She sits up and takes the bottle from the floor before sinking back into the seat
“….Gonna work? You’d have to know what you’re looking for first. Isn’t that the problem?”
[Novine]
“Well yeah! I'm gonna take a bunch of aether from people - people I know aren't, people that I suspect, n'… well… I guess one person that I know is? Two if you count me having had it in me. I'll have my researchers look into it n' study 'em and see if they can't find something detectable in there. I figure Father could always tell the difference between aether frequencies. If he can do it, why can't that be replicated to break it down and find a difference somewhere? Plus, it's not from here, so if we dig deep enough, we should find it.”
[Yami]
“First question: How do you know who isn’t infected? How do you know YOU aren’t? Or me? If you can reliably answer that you have a lot more to work with from the start.”
[Novine]
“I know I was though! I already said that! I probably have some trace of it or something in me since it can't infect me now. N' didn't you say something about it being with all of us anyway? Maybe that's something we could use. Maybe your aether would have some kinda key. I… I dunno, I don't think we'd know anything until people start poking around. But it's not like I can just sit around and do nothing. I've done that long enough.”
[Yami]
She sinks further.
“I guess this isn’t exactly a teachable moment. I’m saying if you already have an established criteria then you already have more to work with than you probably realize. It seems your solution is likely magical in nature if you’re coming to me, and if aether is both the answer and the uh….question, then you have plenty already. Who do you know that is infected, and how can you use them safely?”
[Novine]
“Well, that woman - I guess people are calling her Wisty or whatever. She's the one behind this drug thing that Father was fighting against. Creating a bunch of clones and stuff. Anyway, she's apparently infected. I don't think she'll make a deal or a bargain with me, but I know a couple of people who deal with her a lot better than I can. They've offered to help so, y'know, if it was something as simple as just… being around her, or touching her with something to take a sample, then that'd be good. She'd probably willingly allow herself to be studied, but she'd wanna study me in return or ask for something from me, and that's totally off the table in my book.”
[Yami]
“Alright…”
She yawns before getting up and uncorking the bottle, sniffing at it before tasting it.
“….What are you going to do in the event the…your father cannot be saved? Is he not the source?”
[Novine]
“I'll deal with that if it becomes a problem,” she says stubbornly, stopping in her tracks with her back to her, crossing her arms. “I don't think it'll be a problem though. We can find everyone who's not infected, n' we can all come up with a plan together. You can do your barrier thing, and the others can… do whatever they can end up doing. That thing's not invincible - it still needs my Father's body to do anything, so we just have to stop him enough to separate the two. I just need to know who I can trust going into this not to leak the plan back to it.”
[Yami]
She stared for a long time, drinking here and there.
“You must not have felt it. Or noticed. No matter….what do you want me to do to start?”
[Novine]
“Noticed what?” she asked, not going to let that go that easily.
[Yami]
She flicked her wrist, and a cup formed out of ice. She kept it suspended in the air as she poured the booze into it, squinting slightly as if dizzy.
“He was fighting recently. Quite fiercely too. I could feel it all the way over here. It didn’t seem like he won though.”
[Novine]
“…..Well….Good! Then…. That proves he's - I mean, IT'S not invincible. I bet Father's fighting it off.”
[Yami]
“If you say so. So where do you want me to start?”
[Novine]
She seemed satisfied as she resumed her pacing as she talked, as if thinking only happened when she was moving around.
“Well, I guess we need crystals first! I don't think they need to big big or anything, but I guess you'd know better than me. Small enough to carry a bunch around and to be discreet.”
[Yami]
“I think you’ve lost me a bit there. Crystals? That’s specific and vague at the same time. Why crystals? And what functions?”
[Novine]
“Yeah! You said you could make synthetic ones, didn't you? N' you're good at barriers… I was thinking maybe you could make a crystal that could contain an aetherial essence I guess. Guess it doesn't have to be crystals, just seems like that's a good way to transport aether around - n' it's something that can easily inserted into a piece of equipment for analysis. It can be handed off and easily protected.”
[Yami]
“That presents a small problem….but I suppose I could do that yes.”
“I’ll need at least one more bottle though.”
[Novine]
“Yeah, yeah, you can have a bunch of em really. But what's the problem?”
[Yami]
“Barriers need to be maintained by some source. My barriers are particular and amazing. Which means none of the primitive methods here would serve as a proper substitute for maintaining them. I will need to keep vigil until you can conduct your tests.”
She gulps down more drink.
[Novine]
“Hmm. Do you have to be near 'em to maintain them? Or can you you just do it from wherever?”
[Yami]
“Near would be best. Why?”
[Novine]
“Well, I don't really want you to have be around all these people who could have that thing try and join with you n' all.”
She turned her back again and sheepishly fiddled with the spine of some book.
“You're kinda… the best chance I think I've got right now. If something happened to stop you from helping? Dunno what I'd try.”
[Tadashi]
Tadashi finally turns his focus to the conversation, done studying the unfamiliar character. Realization dawned on his face as he remembered that he had mentioned something similar a while back. A smile flickers across his face, pleased with himself, and amused by Novine's bashfulness.
“I agree that it would be difficult to try and protect the both of you from something I have little power in fighting. Would you be able to have someone else maintain them? Or allow them to work from a distance?”
[Yami]
“I just said my barriers are particular. If the worry is swallowing you up, you should instead weigh your risks and rewards. If I’m the only shot you think you have, you only need to find some way to secure my safety beforehand.”
She sips from her bottle, looking tired of the entire interaction
“I can’t say I’m particularly worried about it as an experiment.”
[Novine]
“Hm,” she hums, tapping her foot and thinking on the matter. “I don't think the lady's as… aggressive as Father probably. Not sure really. I was hoping to maybe give the crystal thing to Blue and that Tretesta guy since they've dealt with her more and they said they wanted to help… Even if they're just decoys or something. Any chance we'd be able to get an aether sample from a distance without it being corrupted?” she asked, turning to Yami again. “Then we could just…. I dunno, hide somewhere, get what we need, n' then leave.”
[Yami]
“Have they not caused all sorts of problems for all of you? You do not imagine this person might notice the….well, any reason to be called anywhere? Rather than trying to match wits in that way you should leverage your resources. If you’ve a shot at something they want, what reason could they have to refuse you—for their own interests no less?”
[Novine]
She made a resigned sort of noise. “I guess. I guess it wouldn't hurt if I did it. Not like it can possess me anyway. She's just dangerous in her own way, n' I hate being around her.”
[Yami]
“How is she dangerous specifically? I’d like an idea of what to expect on my end.”
[Novine]
“The drug she made, it used to be really dangerous to me. Father gave me a modified version of the drug so I shouldn't be affected by her as much now but… I dunno, I don't like the idea of her being able to do something to me. 'N she can also switch into a bunch of different bodies, like clones and stuff. Not sure what else she can do, but she was always giving Father a run for his money.”
[Yami]
“So another beast then. In that case it should be easier to deal with them. Dangle some meat in front of them and they will surely bite. They won’t be able to help themselves. Trying to fight them only adds to the pleasure, so deny them a hunt altogether.”
[Novine]
“Hm. Yeah, probably,” she said after a moment of thought on the matter. At last, she made a noise of exasperation. “Well, I said I wanted to do something, so I guess this is the kinda thing I've gotta do. Not sure I can give her anything if she wants something but .. dunno, we can see how it goes I guess.”
She paused again, having another idea spark in her mind. “Would you wanna try the separation thing on her? The thing you said you could try on Father? Might keep that thing from spreading.”
[Yami]
She took several gulps from her bottle.
“I’m on board with any plan that doesn’t involve facing your father, especially if it’s to reduce risk. By all means let try this less deadly idea first.”
“New magic is prone to error after all.”
[Novine]
She looked to Tadashi.
“You up for it? I can't just sit around and let stuff happen around me.”
[Tadashi]
Tadashi lets out an overly dramatic sigh before complaining in a dry voice.
“We haven't even been back for a day and you want me to go back to work? Fiiine.”
He drops the sarcasm and assumes a serious face before continuing.
“Do you have a way to contact her? And any idea of what we can do if something goes wrong?”
Turning to Yami, he bows his head.
“I don't believe we have met. I am Tadashi. I am not a strong mage, but I consider myself passable with the blade. Anything I should know about you before we potentially end up in battle?”
[Yami]
“I’m not a combatant so I can’t imagine what you’d need to know about me. I’ll be quite far from any engagement.”
[Tadashi]
Tadashi shakes his head.
“Sometimes you don't get a choice. But very well. Have it your way. How long will you need to test the spell?”
[Yami]
“I don’t know yet really. We are talking about a source of aether I haven’t even seen before. Manipulating it might have unforeseen complications. But given how…thin this world is…perhaps an evening.”
[Novine]
Novine nods. “Yeah, that's fair. I don't really know where she lives or anything. I know where I met her once…. Wonder if she lingers there or something. She's always just… showing up.”
[Yami]
Yami leans back into the sofa, sinking into it once more.
“Let me know how that goes~”
[Novine]
Novine seems annoyed with her tone but she opts to chew on the side of her cheek rather than start whining about it, a remarkable display of maturity.
“Well, fine. I'll see if anyone I know knows where she is. I'll get you that other bottle, and then we'll go do it. Okay?”
[Yami]
“Sure, sure…I suppose I should find some clothes.”
[Novine]
“Yeah, that's probably for the best. Y'know. Clothes are usually pretty good for being in public n' stuff. D'you have a linkpearl I can contact you with?”
[Tadashi]
Tadashi scowls a little at Yami's slovenly behavior before turning to Novine and bowing his head.
“I will wait outside if you need me.”
He stands up and heads for the door before ducking around the corner to wait.
[Yami]
“If you’re talking about those little things you all use then no. I have no need for one.”
[Novine]
“….So….what, you can read my thoughts then? Feel my aether running around? Is it some other weird crystal thing I don't know how to do yet? Thought it might be nice to be able to tell you where I am in case I find her sooner than I thought I might.”
[Yami]
She waved her bottle overhead before adjusting her robe slightly.
“No one to talk to, and nowhere to keep it even if I did. Is it a terrible idea to bring her here? It’s not as if I exactly travel. I do not really know where anywhere else is.”
[Novine]
“Don't like to make a habit of inviting mortal enemies to my house, no, but y'know… if you really can't be bothered to wear something with a pocket in it, sure, I can expose all my people to her madness,” she replied with a heavy eyeroll.
[Yami]
“Perfect! I’ll at least find a….dress or something in the mean time.”
[Novine]
Novine gritted her jaw a bit before turning on her heel “I'll have someone come with another bottle in a bit.” She walks a way a bit before looking over her shoulder. “And thanks,” she said before jogging off to join Tadashi in the hallway.
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