Inbox - Fade Rift

[nonvenomous]

Book/crystal/correspondence/action/whatever you desire.

Comments

[nonvenomous]

Hence the need for incentive.

[heirring]

I suppose it would be too much to hope for that something might be willing to endanger themselves simply because it might benefit our studies or the war effort...

[Ha ha what a great joke.]

We might raise a pot for it. Although the average Rifters hardly has many expenses...

[nonvenomous]

[ He could do it himself.

The thought corkscrews through a more private silence, weighed against the practical danger of burning one’s sanity at both ends. The amount of progress it could render pointless, very vague promises notwithstanding -- ]

The accursed weaponry the Provost provided for testing recently was popular.

[heirring]

Would you risk death or madness for an enchanted shield?

—Well, I suppose my thought is really that it's a rather subjective question. Perhaps we should discuss it with Mister Stark and suggest it as we might any other dangerous mission. It's hardly as if Riftwatch is a business entirely without risk. Field work is just as likely to do damage

We could draw lots?

[nonvenomous]

I am already risking death and madness for nothing.

[ An important point of order, casually imparted. ]

Are you hoping he will use his station to make knowing the answer an imperative?

[ Shady. ]

[heirring]

Is it not?

[Is dodging the question, but she's no coward:]

My point is only exactly the same as yours. We're already frequently put in danger. It technically wouldn't be out of turn to ask that someone chance a little more.

[nonvenomous]

I would be dangerously angry if I was ordered to do this.

[heirring]

[She is maybe bafflingly genuine when she asks—]

Why exactly?

[nonvenomous]

[ Silence peels open between them. ]

The existing literature on lyrium indicates a crippling outcome is all but guaranteed.

[heirring]

[Somewhere, Wysteria makes a note in a little booklet. Just as smoothly, evidently untroubled by the effect of dire consequences on morale:]

Then perhaps we might begin with testing exposure to refined lyrium in the way that Templars use it. We have a number of them in Riftwatch—or people who once were Templars—, and might easily conduct a study to see if the effects and addictive qualities of refined lyrium on Rifters are consistent with those felt by a native Thedosian.

That might give us some further basis other than my arm on which to theorize the risk of raw lyrium exposure.

[nonvenomous]

...I think that’s a reasonable start.

[ By contrast. The toothed edge to his voice has eased without leaving entirely, trodden grass hesitant to reassume its shape. ]

And something I have been curious about besides.

[heirring]

Then we'll begin there. We can ask for volunteers at the same time we present the findings from the amputation.

I don't suppose you're well acquainted with any of the ex-Templars—or whatever it is they're calling themselves—currently among our company, are you?

[nonvenomous]

I know that Ser Barrow is easily bullied. I’m not well-acquainted with the others.

[heirring]

Is he? I've found him to be a perfectly agreeable gentleman.

[🥁.]

But good. Then perhaps we may at least rely on him as a foundation on which to build should no other Templar-adjacent sort of person be willing to volunteer. Good. [A small sound. Perhaps somewhere, Wysteria has cheerfully struck her remaining hand on her knee or a tabletop.] I think this is a very fine plan, Mister Dickerson. Well done.

[nonvenomous]

Yes. [ A fine plan. His pauses are now occupied by speculation over who among them is likeliest to opt into addiction, the potential for nullifying aspects of their own Fade-fueled existence, and so on. ] Very scholarly.

[heirring]

[With an audible flush of pride:]

Do you really think so?