Certainly, [ agreeing, immediately, to whatever julius suggestsβexperimentation, of course, look how biddable she is, so easy to work with. she accepts the vial, examining its contents as best she can in the low light.
for a poison, it looks fairly innocuousβno sickly green hue, like in illustrations, nor any sort of... palpable malevolence. for something called magebane, it's not very frightening. ]
I see, [she says, closing her first around the vial and holding it close to her chest. ] And small sips should do it, then, no need to drink the whole thing? How long do its effects last? Do we have an abundant supply, or should I be rationing?
[ hang on, actually, more importantlyβ ]
What would happen if I were to take too much? If I did, could that be counteracted in some way? Is there a maximum amount I should ingest within a certain period?
[ rip ness you would have loved to be a medicinal research chemist. ]
I'm not a healer, [caveat, talk to your doctor] but my understanding is that to a point, dose correlates to duration. That is, if you take more, the effects last longer. You certainly shouldn't need to drink the whole flask at once, assuming it works for you as I expect.
That said, I might need to direct you to another source for full information on ... Taking a flask's worth at once might be unpleasant, but shouldn't do you long-term ill. [He's heard of Templars forcing than much on a mage at a time, though that observation feels better unspoken.] An even larger dose might have ill effects; I'm not sure. Enchanter Isaac would be a likely source of information, though you may need to explain your condition to him, and I can understand that prospect giving you some pause.
Hmm. It wouldn't be terribly insensitive, would it, asking the Enchanter about this?
you don't have to be a genius to realize an enchanter with extensive experience with a poison directed specifically at mages might not have gotten that experience in an enjoyable or academic manner. ]
I'll think about asking him, at least, it may be irresponsible not to... But, ohβ
[ her eyes focus on julian again and she smiles, a little watery and wan, but no less genuine for it. ]
Thank you. I've been so afraid, and I didn't want to hurt anyoneβit was eating me up. Between you and Cedric I feel like I'm taking my first deep breath in weeks. It means so much, really.
We've used magebane within the organization before, [Julius assures her.] I think a simple "I need some time while I get a new effect cured or under control" should suffice. You're not the first rifter who got an unwanted gift from the Fade, even if this particular one is new to me.
[A small exhale with a faint smile.]
I suppose it keeps us on our toes. But I'm sorry you're having to deal with it. I think I would be ... cautious about how many people you speak to, before we've learned more. As Carsus may have indicated, there are a lot of native Thedosians who have a strong distrust for magic, especially uncontrolled magic. But I'd say any of the Division Heads are trustworthy. Madame de Cedoux. Stephen Strange, our head healer.
[ confirming, ] I've done some research. [ she knows the shape of the native reaction to magic, even if she hasn't experienced the whole of it for herself yetβthat's half the reason she was so panicked and terrified before tonight, to the point of attempting to isolate herself completely. ] That's why I didn't plan to tell any one I didn'need to about my... condition. I imagine there's no way you leave here and don't immediately tell the Division Heads what happened.
[ it's not a question, because ness has no doubt: after tonight, the division heads will know exactly what she can do, and how unstable it is. it's only right, tooβfor safety reasons, the people in charge of the organization should know when someone might pose a threat to the rest of the group!
it just sucks to be the one posing a threat, is all. ]
Petrana de Cedoux and Stephen Strange... I'll remember those names. They're natives?
Both rifters, actually, [even if that's not specifically why he recommended them.] Both of them are mages, though, or close enough to be a distinction without a difference. Dr. Strange is our head healer, which may give him a professional interest in your condition, [adopting her word]. And Mme de Cedoux has been navigating the intersection of her world's magic and Thedosian magic for many years now. Beyond being trustworthy, she has a unique perspective.
[And Julius is going to tell her about this anyway, more than likely, but he'd recommend her even if that wasn't true.]
Your instinct for discretion is a wise one, I think. But you've landed in a place with more than its share of people who've faced judgment. Most people in Riftwatch prioritize defeating Corypheus. As long as we can ensure you're no danger to yourself or others here in the Gallows, everything else can be managed.
[ it may not be fair, but ness absolutely perks up at both petrana and stephen being rifters. natives just... she's gotten lucky, between cedric and julius both being willing to help her instead of reaching immediately for pitchforks. pushing her luck seems inadvisable, that's all. it's healthy, reasonable caution, not irrational fear. really. ]
I'll remember both of them, thank you.
[ she really will, as soon as she gets back to her things she'll be writing notes on this whole experience.
there's part of that second bit that catches her ear, thoughβmost, emphasized, but that means... ]
Is there anyone in particular I should be cautious with? People less sympathetic than the rest, here?
[He takes his time to consider this question. (Not because it hasn't occurred to him previously.)]
Redvers Keen may not have sufficient trust in the organization's leadership to not feel he needs to take matters into his own hands. You should be especially cautious there. And while I doubt Lazar would be personally outraged, he is forever looking to turn a profit; he might see your distress as a business opportunity first and foremost.
Broadly, I might keep the number of people who know small until the Division Heads have had a chance to weigh in. But I think that is less a function of avoiding individual agents finding out and more a matter of giving them leeway to handle it as they think best.
[ more names to remember, petrana de... sehdoo? (probably not, she'll have to ferret out proper spelling), stephen strange, redvers keen, lazar... ness mouths each name to herself, making different small gestures with each name to reinforce the memory. ]
I didn't plan to tell anyone, [ confirming, and also, you know, she'd assumed he would, but maybe julius can confirm informing the division heads? she'd prefer only to interact with authority figures when she has good news, is the thing.
another deep breath, and ness can feel exhaustion creeping in, now that adrenaline has worn off. ]
Okay, this has been... quite a bit to take in. Iβif there's anything else, might it wait? I just want to make sure I can remember everything properly before I take in anything more.
[ please, her past couple weeks have been so much, she's doing her best but she needs timeβ ]
Go on. Try to get some sleep, if you can. And if you need me for anything with the magebane, or ... I expect I'll be in my office for a few hours yet. But things tend to look better in the morning, even if daylight doesn't actually solve them.
[He's not entirely unworried about letting her go again, but the Division heads will know and his instinct tells him she doesn't mean any active harm. The night will probably be quiet enough.]
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no subject
Certainly, [ agreeing, immediately, to whatever julius suggestsβexperimentation, of course, look how biddable she is, so easy to work with. she accepts the vial, examining its contents as best she can in the low light.
for a poison, it looks fairly innocuousβno sickly green hue, like in illustrations, nor any sort of... palpable malevolence. for something called magebane, it's not very frightening. ]
I see, [she says, closing her first around the vial and holding it close to her chest. ] And small sips should do it, then, no need to drink the whole thing? How long do its effects last? Do we have an abundant supply, or should I be rationing?
[ hang on, actually, more importantlyβ ]
What would happen if I were to take too much? If I did, could that be counteracted in some way? Is there a maximum amount I should ingest within a certain period?
[ rip ness you would have loved to be a medicinal research chemist. ]
no subject
That said, I might need to direct you to another source for full information on ... Taking a flask's worth at once might be unpleasant, but shouldn't do you long-term ill. [He's heard of Templars forcing than much on a mage at a time, though that observation feels better unspoken.] An even larger dose might have ill effects; I'm not sure. Enchanter Isaac would be a likely source of information, though you may need to explain your condition to him, and I can understand that prospect giving you some pause.
no subject
Hmm. It wouldn't be terribly insensitive, would it, asking the Enchanter about this?
you don't have to be a genius to realize an enchanter with extensive experience with a poison directed specifically at mages might not have gotten that experience in an enjoyable or academic manner. ]
I'll think about asking him, at least, it may be irresponsible not to... But, ohβ
[ her eyes focus on julian again and she smiles, a little watery and wan, but no less genuine for it. ]
Thank you. I've been so afraid, and I didn't want to hurt anyoneβit was eating me up. Between you and Cedric I feel like I'm taking my first deep breath in weeks. It means so much, really.
no subject
[A small exhale with a faint smile.]
I suppose it keeps us on our toes. But I'm sorry you're having to deal with it. I think I would be ... cautious about how many people you speak to, before we've learned more. As Carsus may have indicated, there are a lot of native Thedosians who have a strong distrust for magic, especially uncontrolled magic. But I'd say any of the Division Heads are trustworthy. Madame de Cedoux. Stephen Strange, our head healer.
no subject
[ confirming, ] I've done some research. [ she knows the shape of the native reaction to magic, even if she hasn't experienced the whole of it for herself yetβthat's half the reason she was so panicked and terrified before tonight, to the point of attempting to isolate herself completely. ] That's why I didn't plan to tell any one I didn'need to about my... condition. I imagine there's no way you leave here and don't immediately tell the Division Heads what happened.
[ it's not a question, because ness has no doubt: after tonight, the division heads will know exactly what she can do, and how unstable it is. it's only right, tooβfor safety reasons, the people in charge of the organization should know when someone might pose a threat to the rest of the group!
it just sucks to be the one posing a threat, is all. ]
Petrana de Cedoux and Stephen Strange... I'll remember those names. They're natives?
no subject
[And Julius is going to tell her about this anyway, more than likely, but he'd recommend her even if that wasn't true.]
Your instinct for discretion is a wise one, I think. But you've landed in a place with more than its share of people who've faced judgment. Most people in Riftwatch prioritize defeating Corypheus. As long as we can ensure you're no danger to yourself or others here in the Gallows, everything else can be managed.
no subject
[ it may not be fair, but ness absolutely perks up at both petrana and stephen being rifters. natives just... she's gotten lucky, between cedric and julius both being willing to help her instead of reaching immediately for pitchforks. pushing her luck seems inadvisable, that's all. it's healthy, reasonable caution, not irrational fear. really. ]
I'll remember both of them, thank you.
[ she really will, as soon as she gets back to her things she'll be writing notes on this whole experience.
there's part of that second bit that catches her ear, thoughβmost, emphasized, but that means... ]
Is there anyone in particular I should be cautious with? People less sympathetic than the rest, here?
no subject
Redvers Keen may not have sufficient trust in the organization's leadership to not feel he needs to take matters into his own hands. You should be especially cautious there. And while I doubt Lazar would be personally outraged, he is forever looking to turn a profit; he might see your distress as a business opportunity first and foremost.
Broadly, I might keep the number of people who know small until the Division Heads have had a chance to weigh in. But I think that is less a function of avoiding individual agents finding out and more a matter of giving them leeway to handle it as they think best.
no subject
[ more names to remember, petrana de... sehdoo? (probably not, she'll have to ferret out proper spelling), stephen strange, redvers keen, lazar... ness mouths each name to herself, making different small gestures with each name to reinforce the memory. ]
I didn't plan to tell anyone, [ confirming, and also, you know, she'd assumed he would, but maybe julius can confirm informing the division heads? she'd prefer only to interact with authority figures when she has good news, is the thing.
another deep breath, and ness can feel exhaustion creeping in, now that adrenaline has worn off. ]
Okay, this has been... quite a bit to take in. Iβif there's anything else, might it wait? I just want to make sure I can remember everything properly before I take in anything more.
[ please, her past couple weeks have been so much, she's doing her best but she needs timeβ ]
no subject
Go on. Try to get some sleep, if you can. And if you need me for anything with the magebane, or ... I expect I'll be in my office for a few hours yet. But things tend to look better in the morning, even if daylight doesn't actually solve them.
[He's not entirely unworried about letting her go again, but the Division heads will know and his instinct tells him she doesn't mean any active harm. The night will probably be quiet enough.]