[Second afternoon of the new mingle]

[professorwolf]

Does anyone else have any background in biology or chemistry? I thought I might investigate this Stricken thing from a more scientific perspective, and I wouldn't mind some help. It's the only thing I can think of to do that might actually be useful. It might all be for naught, if it's an entirely magical sort of thing, but at least I can try.

And before anyone worries, I'm about ninety-nine percent certain I'm immune. The whole undead werewolf thing, you know. I don't really get sick, and I already have a particularly restricted diet and desire to eat things I shouldn't, so I doubt this will do anything to me.

Thorne, I don't suppose you could convince the local leaders here to let me near their afflicted? I'll wear a medical mask, and everything, but you've spoken with them already and I think it might go over well if I had a spokesperson, rather than going about asking for cheek swabs and blood draws willy-nilly.

Comments

[claudiometer]

Sadly, chemistry is Helena's bag, not mine... and she's still infiltrating.

I can cheat it by way of Grid-fu if it comes to it and you need the backup. Assist's gonna be off the table for the next few days, though.

[professorwolf]

That's fine, I didn't expect it, anyway. I may have to dive into constructive enlightenment, myself, if what I remember from molecular biology isn't enough to get me anywhere. But I need to do something, or I'll go mad with doing nothing, not this damn Song.

It doesn't seem to affect me at all, at least.

[claudiometer]

Well, hey, that makes you practically ideal to poke at it, in that case.

[professorwolf]

Well, I mean the Song bit. Though like I said, I'm fairly sure I'm immune to the Stricken thing as well.

[thornsofmalkav]

I will totally do that, especially since I'm not sure I can help otherwise. I mean, one of my overlays was a minor alchemist in Nova Venezia and I've still got her recipe book--plus I've got a bunch of first aid certifications from the Red Cross back home--but this... it looks way beyond my experience.

Minako knows chemistry, though. Helena and Naoki too, but they're infiltrating.

[professorwolf]

Thank you, Thorne, I appreciate it. Do you want me to come along, and introduce us, or should I just wait behind?

... you know, I think I'd better come. We can give them some modern-medicine advice. And maybe some supplies.

handwave handwave because you're also riddick

[thornsofmalkav]

Yeah. Like soap and shit. You want me to help you make some?

off screeen the two discover they don't like each other much :P

[professorwolf]

That would be marvelous. I already need to make up some lab equipment and attempt to make it look... old-timey. Maybe if I add a few extra gears and metal bits?

[He's thinking "steampunk" here, but that is where his first life came from. Legit steampunk.]

[triggerhappytraitor]

Biochem degree from South Harvey University, 10 years lab experience.

And plenty experience with researching impossible DNA.

[[He's pretty sure Lyall can guess what]]

[naturaltwohands]

I look forward to watching you two work together.

[Drizzt sounds quite pleased by this, despite the situation.]

[professorwolf]

You are my new hero, Tachibana. Genetics is my field, as well, but I've been teaching high school for ten years and then some, so it's been a long time since I've really gotten into it.

Come meet me at the Cornu, would you? We can have a talk about how best to do this.

[triggerhappytraitor]

Be there soon as I can.

[[Which... maybe be a bit longer than most, considering his speed. He'll try and hitch a ride, however.]]

[Action!]

[professorwolf]

[Lyall is leaning over the railing when Tachibana shows up, and he waves when he sees him surface.]

Wonderful, there you are. Tell me how much you know about pathogens, would you? We're going to need to test samples to separate out the host DNA from whatever is causing this. I'm at least sure I still know how to do that.

[naturaltwohands]

I know little to nothing of either subject that you do not know of already.

However, if we do not get access, I may be able to sneak in and get samples, but I would rather not draw the ire of our hosts. Or less dangerously, find an afflicted that has not been quarantined and defeat them, but only if they're above water.

[professorwolf]

I'd honestly prefer to get samples with the locals' agreement. I can get a lot of useful information from a cheek swab-- though blood would be best, I'm not sure if any aren't too far gone for them to see or smell blood at all.

[naturaltwohands]

That would be everyone's preference, I would assume. If they wish to give samples, then you'll likely have little use for me.

[A pause.]

... I have no idea what a cheek swab is. Blood I know well enough.

[professorwolf]

[He chuckles lightly.]

Sorry. That's where you take a bit of cotton on a stick and swab it around on the inside of someone's cheek. It takes a sample of saliva and very tiny bits of skin from the inside of a person's mouth. Since this disease is transferred through biting, at least in most cases, there ought to be some sign of it there when you look closely enough at it.

[morbirdinterest]

I am a pathologist. I have also specialized in epidemiology, and have the supporting biology and chemistry backgrounds.

I must say that I am somewhat doubtful that such knowledge will be useful given the magical nature of the disease, but as you note, there is no harm in trying. Aside from the possibility of infection, of course. Ho ho ho...

[He sounds a little too amused by the threat of becoming Stricken than seemly, but his offer of help seems genuine, at least.]

[professorwolf]

[He's just going to ignore the slightly creepy nature of that laugh.]

I, at least, and mostly certain I'm immune. I'm undead, technically, you see, I simply don't get sick. So if this is a normal, physical pathogen, I'm unable to contract it. Even if it's a magical one, I'm likely to be resistant.

[On multiple levels. Thank you, Pillar Resistance.]

If you're willing to help out, would you come by the Cornu? I'd love to have a chat about how we can proceed.

[morbirdinterest]

[Look, Shuu needs to get his entertainment where he can in this godforsaken island.]

I doubt I have similar immunity, but it is good to know that at least one of us does. And yes, I can certainly meet you at the Cornu.

[summerorange]

I know a little chemistry, but only in regards to developing photographs.

I can, however, offer a way to temporarily disable them without harming them, if you need help collecting samples.

[professorwolf]

Er, I'm planning on asking them in person. I doubt disabling anyone will be required. Thank you, though.

[seestheworld]

I've got some chemistry knowledge, but it's mostly based around Nova Venezian alchemy so I'm not sure how helpful it'd be to you.

I can mix up some sedatives for emergencies, but it'd be tricky to administer one to a berserking Stricken without getting yourself - general yourself - injured. Smoke or flash bombs would probably be a better bet - nonlethal, but hopefully confounding enough for a quick getaway.

[professorwolf]

I'm hoping it won't come to that-- but... actually, if you could mix up something that could be administered before the Deepsong to a willing participant, it might help keep them calm, or at least knocked out long enough for the Song to pass over, which would probably help everyone involved, honestly.

[seestheworld]

I could do that. It might take a little to get the dose quite right for the mermaids, but aside from that it wouldn't be difficult.