[ OoM ] Exploring Milliways

[donthidemycigs]

Grace has been meaning to do this for a long time. The grounds are expansive, follow no set rules that she knows of, and don't appear to make any topographical sense. She's heard about interesting native flora and fauna that subsist on a likewise implausible biological organization, but has never seen them. For a xenobotanist, this is Candyland.

She has looked around the gardens and greenhouses before, but they are the clear property of someone else. As much as Grace loves plowing in and taking over, she knows better than to disturb someone else's work. At least until she's been properly introduced.

So. One scientist, out on the fringe of the lake path, taking readings and notes on the forest. She's finding a surprising amount of flora seemingly native to Earth, mostly from temperate/oceanic climes. This doesn't make sense, and right now that trumps taking notice of the beady red eyes peering at her from the bushes.

"... And just what the hell are you?"

Someone walking by might see the belch of fire.

Or they might just hear the echoing, "FUCK!"

Comments

[donthidemycigs]

Grace arches an eyebrow. "Yeah, no, I feel the same way. Of course, I have to be high to feel the same way, but."

Whatever gets her boat to float.

She backs off, pulling her glasses from her face. She could ask questions all night, but her work was interrupted, and she's aware their situation isn't the best for idle chitchat.

"So how fast are we talking?" This isn't idle. This is important. "When you heal."

[cutting_edgex23]

"Seconds for most wounds."

X has gone over this before.

"Limb reattachment is slightly longer."

A pause.

"Regrowing limbs takes days."

[donthidemycigs]

"Regrowing limbs? Shit!" Grace is a kid in a candy store right now. "You said there are x-rays? Any other test results? And I don't guess I'd be able to take a look at them, would I?"

What a leap in genetics! What if whatever makes this chick heal so fast could be passed on to the rest of the human race? What if?

"So the little shits in the forest don't bother you at all, huh?"

[cutting_edgex23]

X stiffens.

"Why?"

Beat.

"Do you want them."

That's the most important thing. To X, anyway.

[donthidemycigs]

Oh, right.

"I'm a scientist," she says. "Right now my work deals closely with the study of alien plant life in curing disease. I'm not a biologist by trade, but I take an interest in special cases. Your rapid healing is right up my alley."

[cutting_edgex23]

"I do not want you to experiment on me."

X's delivery is flat and rapid.

Some things are important to establish right off the bat.

[donthidemycigs]

"Well shit, kid, I'm not that kind of scientist," she says, taken aback. It hasn't even occurred to her that someone else might have asked before.

"You said there had been x-rays. I assumed your mutation had been studied, and I'm interested in the research. Now that I think about it, it's probably not the sort of thing you ask a complete stranger."

There might be an apology in there. Somewhere. If you squint.

[cutting_edgex23]

"I understand," X says, after a moment or two of silence. "Why you want to know."

But this is the real crux of the matter.

"The people who did the research were that kind of scientist. All of them."

Beat.

"I do not want there to be more of me."

In more ways than one.

[donthidemycigs]

"But--" For a minute the scientist battles with the rational side of her brain advising her not to piss off the person with the eight-to-twelve-inch knives embedded in her fists.

"I'm sorry, kid," she says, with a controlled sigh. "That's rough. I guess I should keep my nose out of your business, huh?"

Fuck, she needs a cigarette. She pats her pockets, glaring into the forest. "Which would make this a shit time to ask if you could catch one of those things, wouldn't it?"

[cutting_edgex23]

"You can keep asking," X offers, after a momentary silence.

"Maybe I will tell you more. When I know you better."

If she can use the information to help people --

Maybe it would be worth it.

"What will you do with it? If I caught it."

[donthidemycigs]

She continues patting around until she locates her pack, eyeing X curiously. Smart kid. Grace can't help feeling a little amused.

"Quid pro quo, huh? All right, I can work with that," she says, sticking a cigarette between her lips. Now, to find her lighter. "I'd study it. If you're asking if I plan on eviscerating it, I don't. I'm more interested in what their habits are than what they're made out of."

For now, anyway. "You don't mind me gathering samples, do you?"

[cutting_edgex23]

X does not frown. Not quite.

"Observation and release?"

Beat.

"You you will take tissue samples. And administer chemicals."

[donthidemycigs]

Grace hadn't planned on committing herself to the 'release' part, but it's an easy enough condition to agree to. She still doesn't want to piss this X kid off.

"Sure," she nods. "What I'd administer is pretty innocuous, nothing gene-altering or experimental. I've been mostly gathering samples of plant life to determine their point of origin and species, but the little chupacabras are a mystery to me in particular."

[cutting_edgex23]

X studies Grace for a few more minutes, silent and intent.

Then --

"Okay."

Beat.

"You will let me know when you release it. And what results you have gotten."

It is best to be safe. And thorough.

[donthidemycigs]

Grace, forever the example of professionalism, taps two fingers to her forehead in a salute.

"You got it, kid," she says. "I'm always happy to share my findings."

She stuffs her cig between her lips and slings her kit over her shoulder. "We going in together?"