middaeg | [open] Research and hopefully development

[To have an official interest in Cwyld research so soon after the cult disaster is what anyone might politely call deeply suspect. Alucard would add a few additional words to the matter, but the Coven Approved has enough of his attention to approach the healers who are organizing the whole thing.

He was at that first open meeting of the Circle that has since been destroyed. It was all charisma and rhetoric, making the hair on Alucard's neck stand up. But this?

What is spread out on a few tables is reasonable information. An explanation of the process, what one of the bracelets looks like, and even a map of the areas the healers want to focus on.

It is staring at that map that Alucard can't help but let out a soft tut.]

This is night and day, truly.

[Ignis' own interest in the Cwyld research is not new, but he is fully aligned with Alucard in believing that the sudden Coven Approved interest in the topic following recent events is enough to more than raise an eyebrow at.

Still, it does open some doors which have until now remained irritatingly closed, though he has taken the opportunity with a gracious pinch of salt.

The map catches his eye as he passes with a couple of books in his hands, as does the soft comment made by the man looking it over. It doesn't take a genius to realise that they are both looking into the same thing.]

If you'll pardon the intrusion, I thought much the same.

Mmm.

[Alucard's eyes remain on the map rather than turning to Ignis. There's no sense of relief in looking at the thing, only a sense of oh shit, we got to do something to prevent another disaster.]

It also seems a rather pointed response.

[He gives a small nod of agreement, and though he doesn't presume to take a seat with the man he does take a visible interest in what he's choosing to study.]

I haven't failed to notice that the Mirrorbound tend to be treated as the first line of defence. [Ignis may not have been here for very long, but he's already noticed that.]

Enough to make one wonder, given the resistance to involving anyone in Cwyld research before.

That's true enough.

[Alucard's not one for sitting. He's more of a stand there and brood sort of man, although his current state is less brooding and more considering.]

I don't think there's any wonder about it. The question I have is how long was this in the works before their hand was forced. If the experiment is as effectively designed as it seems, I do find myself trusting it a bit more. Or at least wanting to.

[Ignis had been being a little kind with his evaluation. One does have to wonder how it came to this before this kind of research was approved. The amount of suffering he had witnessed that night should never have occurred to begin with.

He gives a small shake of his head, though it seems to be directed more inwards than at Alucard himself.]

I can understand that. It doesn't feel as if they came up with this overnight. [But still, it doesn't sit well with him somehow.] I want to think it can be trusted, too... Enough to take part, at the very least. I couldn't ignore the opportunity.

I'm willing to wait a week or two, if only to see the initial data. If that information is given willingly upon request, well, that alone is a reassuring sign.

>[Alucard's eyes scan the map, considering.] Have you been near any of these areas before?

Mm... here. [He indicates the area of the map without touching it.] And here. I hadn't noticed anything special about those areas.

[The Cwyld was everywhere, and thicker the further out you went, but the areas he knows seem safe... relatively.]

Strange that they want to send us out. I would have thought that monitored contamination would be preferable.

I think there's some benefit to it, mostly in seeing reactions and gauging any short to medium term risks.

[Alucard shrugs.]

It'll also help highlight areas where closer monitoring is needed, I imagine.

I can see the reasoning.

[He hesitates to call it logic, because the inherent danger of the way they are deciding to 'test' doesn't speak much of logic to him, but he expects it will het the job done...]

If you don't mind the question, what made you decide to get involved?

[Spiting Hector is not an answer, so Alucard doesn't dare to offer it. There instead a pause, a sigh, and then:]

If someone is going to do legitimate research that could actually work, then there's no reason not to. Especially when false hope and promises have proven so dangerous.

My thoughts exactly.

[And doesn't there seem to have been a lot of false hope around this very thing? Where there isn't blatant ignoring of the issue.]

I'll leave you to your thoughts. My apologies for the intrusion.

[It has been a week of gentle trials. Walking along winding pathways through the Wilde, fall colors on bright and glorious display. The contrast of seasons between the city proper and the Wilde will never not give Alucard pause, but right now, he doesn't care.

Autumn's brilliance here can't help but remind him of home. Of looking out of the castle's windows below at a brilliantly colored forest at the peak of autumn, cold wind and mist coming down from the Carpathians.

A pile of leaves presents itself along the marked trail, and all the dhampir can do is crunch through it. The sound is wonderful against his boots, and--

--he pauses, ears perking. There's sound coming from his right, and while the area may be pre-marked as mostly safe, one can never be sure.

His hand rests on the hilt of his sword.

Alucard is silent, eyes ahead.]

--Well.

[Alucard's turned in the data logging bracelet for the day, called back only by sunset and the fact he has a vampire to return home to. There's a queue for the blood draw, and it is in a homely enough setting to have a decorative hutch with a plant on it, along with a mirror.

Normally, Alucard might look at the plant. Examine the bright red flower, try to determine the type. He's not a botanist, just a nerd. But right now the mirror has his attention, as the reflection isn't quite right.

He walks over, examining the image of himself. His right hand goes up, tugging at a streak of actual grey hair among the straw colored blond.

The frown he makes at himself is far too large. Definitely concerned.]

That's absolutely not right.

[It was a calculated risk he had taken, considering the side effects. The more Alucard looks into the mirror, the more he leans in. Tilts his head this way and that, pawing at the grey.]

[If there's something else you'd like to do or else want another avenue to explore, please feel free to PM me or just pop something here.]

[open] Research and hopefully development

Before departure

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aaargh my HTML

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Crunching leaves

Slight discoloration

Wildecard