un: trienemybest; video

[droptheious]

[The video feed opens in Varian's creepy basement lab where health and safety regulations go to die. The boy himself isn't looking that great, his skin has a grey-ish tinge to it and he looks more exhausted than usual. But that's fine, he's fine. He turns the camera around to take in some sapphires on his workbench. Some are soaking in various chemical substances, some are under a microscope, some are in various steampunk-y machines: it's clear some testing has been going on. ]

So, Flynn was kind enough to give me some of the crystals that grew on his corpse during...whatever weird new thing death is here. [He doesn't sound as excited about this as his usual projects and anyone who knows about his deeply unfortunate past will know why.] I have experience in creepy, magical death rocks -no...no I'm not going to elaborate on that- so I decided to study them. They seem to be crystalising the actual cells of the body- so not just a separate coating. I also found traces of warmblood within the crystals themselves, which I think is what Flynn is? A-anyway, it seems they're working on a cellular level, like they're what jumpstarts the reversal of the cell degeneration after death- so- so it's possible they're what reverses then entire process.

Anyway, moral of the story is, they're probably super important in resurrecting people so maybe don't mess with the process when it's happening? Of course, without having any other samples to compare this to, it's all conjecture right now.

[A beat, he turns the camera back to himself, grimacing.]

Sorry, I forgot who I was talking to. Please don't take that as encouragement to get yourselves killed in the name of science.

[Another beat, then he waves a hand airily.]

Thaaaaaat said, this is October, so statistically, there's a high chance that a not-insignificant portion of the population will be dead by the end of the month. So...if you wanna donate your death crystals for science then, that would be less...morally grey. Probably? Probably.

Comments

[unsheathedfromreality]

I will explore what it can do. [If it can take pictures, he can also copy the notes... Which will spare him the difficulty of storing them long-term when he doesn't have any fixed residence.

He gives a shake of his head, putting that musing on the shelf for later.]

Certainly they will help, as I am starting from very little, and you seem a good observer. [He smiles to punctuate the praise.] I will get them safely back to you once I am done having them read.

Which, if you do not mind, I would go to start on right now.

[droptheious]

[The praise means a lot. Varian's always had a tendency to be a little needy when it comes to external validation. ]

No problem, I'm glad I could help. Uh...I'll catch you later.

[unsheathedfromreality]

[Illarion might've picked up on that need, just a little. Call it parental instinct.

It hurt nothing and helped much to make Varian know he's appreciated.

He touches two fingers to his forehead in what's recognizably a salute.]

You as well. Perhaps you will have a name for me by then, yes?

[And with that, he takes his leave.]