Log 0011

[keeps_a_cool_head]

[Private to Mira Hidalgo, Motorcycle Boy]

Have either of you spoken to the other before? I should find it curious if you didn't; both of you seem to be suffering from reduced or missing memories.

I believe the three of us can work together to fix our mutual problem.

[Private to Gard]

Recent revelations have come to pass in the latest Barge flood. Pursuing John Crichton has dropped in importance and now my graduation is tantamount. What is the quickest way you know in order to make this happen?

[Private to Aeryn]

A word, Aeryn.

Comments

[ private ]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

[Some time later]

Gard has agreed to supervise.

[ private ]

[soliterraneous]

When do we begin?

[ private ]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Whenever you would like.

I will need a few samples of your blood, to start.

[ private ]

[soliterraneous]

Somehow I am shocked you don't already have one.

Fine. After dinner.

[ private ]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

You overestimate my reach, Aeryn.

My cabin. After you've finished.

[ action ]

[soliterraneous]

[ Aeryn goes through the dinner shift, eats, and arrives no less than half an arn after she's finished.

She fully expects this to go as sideways as possible. ]

[ action ]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

[Aeryn is expected. Scorpius has taken liberal use of his cabin space and has a set of vials and a syringe in place atop his desk. He waits for the Sebacean with practiced patience, enjoying the silence and peace of mind]

[ action ]

[soliterraneous]

[ Aeryn knocks, only once, taking a look around when Scorpius lets her in. ]

What are you going to do with the blood?

[ Spell it out for her, frienememy. ]

[ action ]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

[After Aeryn already enters;]

Come in.

[Because you were doing it already, gurl. Scorpius stands to greet her but keeps his distance respectful, and subtly checking her for any spare frying pans]

I'll be testing it against a number of chemical compounds already known to cause harm to me. If your blood does not react, I'll be one step closer to understanding the steps involved in dismantling Scarran biochemistry.

[ action ]

[soliterraneous]

How did you get access to these compounds?

[ She'll just sit down, then, giving him a nod. Not a frying pan in sight.

She'll kick your ass if you do anything funny and immediately noticeable, however, and with prejudice. ]

[ action ]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

[You don't scare him. B[

Scorpius seats himself again, reaching up with two fingers to tap his head gently]

From inside here. I've graphed my own biometrics cycles ago. All I need do now is bring that practical knowledge here. Manifesting the compound in physical form is a matter of simply asking permission from several key wardens.

[ action ]

[soliterraneous]

[ No one ever accused Scorpius of having a healthy fear of dangerous women, did they? ]

Of course, I'm sure you didn't tell any of them what you needed it for.

[ action ]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

[Nope. If they had, he might have handled Grayza with more care]

Do you wish to make that a requirement of your cooperation?

[ action ]

[soliterraneous]

No, because you already have what you need, and I don't believe you would keep your word. Asking your warden to be aware is enough.

[ action ]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

He is aware, and I believe he monitors my activity closely.

You never did give me a direct answer as to why you agreed to assist me.

[ action ]

[soliterraneous]

As he should.

[ She shrugs. ]

I'm curious to see what you do and if you break your word. If you don't, I'm curious to see the fruits of your work.

[ action ]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

It is not usually in the nature of Peacekeepers to be so curious.

[ action ]

[soliterraneous]

I have not been a Peacekeeper in some time, Scorpius. You may need to get used to the idea that I am not like them.

[ action ]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

No. Whatever you are, you are no longer like them at all.

[And may have just jumped up on the scale of Things That Catch His Interest]

If you'd like to begin? Please lift up your sleeve.

[ action ]

[soliterraneous]

[ Instead of rolling her eyes Aeryn fixes Scorpius with a blank look, before rolling up her sleeve past her elbow and placing her arm flat on the table.

She won't look away or flinch at all. ]

[ action ]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

[Walking around his desk, Scorpius sits down on top of it and begins to sterilize a small patch of Aeryn's skin. Alarmingly quick with the needle, he makes a quick poke and begins drawing a single vial of blood. There can always be more.

He keeps his eyes locked on hers, except when it becomes necessary to turn away and complete his work. Even so, he's professional about it, efficiency at the forefront of his mind.]

[ action ]

[soliterraneous]

[ It's almost fascinating to watch the little vial fill with blood. That's a part of her, an essence, suddenly bottled and out on it's own. ]

How long will your examinations of what you've created take?

[ action ]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

[His attention now fully locked on the vial, Scorpius' tone is less authoritative and more explanatory. He is, at heart, a scientist, and this is a precious resource]

I won't be expecting results for a few dozen solar days, perhaps longer. Biochemistry is an entirely different field from my previous work.

[Finally, he caps off the vial and reaches for a small gauze pad. This he presses against the skin until Aeryn grasps it for herself]

Keep pressure. The bleeding will stop momentarily.

[ action ]

[soliterraneous]

[ She turns her head to glare at her arm as if it'll just stop bleeding out of fear (spoilers: it doesn't, but it does stop after a second. ]

Do you need anything else from me?

[ action ]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

[Holding the vial up to the light, Scorpius looks it over with care before turning away to store it in a panel that folds out of the wall]

Not at the moment.