Video

[ten_zero]

Can anyone tell me anything about this 'dust' substance?

I thought that we'd left it behind when we made landfall, but it seems to be something that is still appearing and causing problems.

I've taken a few samples to study at the college, but since its not new, I don't want to tread old ground.

Comments

Video

[consultingbishop]

[The feed is mostly empty. It shows the wall of one of the labs in the college, as well as part of the desktop the console rests on. A voice comes from the right.]

Dust is an extreme psychoactive substance created by the Cherrywood Healer Milyn. It was then stolen and employed by the followers of Malicant in order to turn those affected by it more to his whims.

[A man wheels his chair into camera view, but he's not looking directly at it, instead concentrating on a small vial in his hand.]

To say it's been on Keelial for a while is an understatement, although, I believe Milyn had nothing but the best intentions for it's creation... Or so I've heard.

Re: Video

[ten_zero]

Oh, I see. That actually explains a few things.

[ Like what that entire recent Milyn controversy was about. ]

But that doesn't explain how a bunch of it was released into the sky sector. Was it the work of cultists?

And does that also mean that Milyn knows how to fix it?

Video

[consultingbishop]

[Peter swirls the contents of the vial, seeming to contain a black-coloured liquid, still not looking at the feed as he frowns at the substance in his hands.]

Chemical weapon is likely. Dust was used to weaken people to Malicant's influence. If these Cultists believe that Malicant is still around, maybe they think that if they hit enough people, it'll bring him back?

And just because she invented it doesn't mean she invented a cure.

[A glance to the console.]

Of course, this is all hypothetical. [A pause.] And I wouldn't go broadcasting on the kedan network that you've taken some of their drugs to the kedan-run college.

[A shrug.]

They might not appreciate it.

[ten_zero]

The Kedan don't strike me as such irrational creatures that they'd prefer to leave such a dangerous substance completely unknown then deal with an insignificant risk to study it.

Someone is obviously already spreading it. The faster we figure out what it is, the faster we can discover a way to deal with it.

I'd imagine they'd prefer having some oversight over it as well. Transparency seems to be a problem they have with foreigners, especially with how we handled Milyn recently.

[consultingbishop]

What makes you think they don't know much about it? Besides, the stigma relating to Malicant is still pretty high. Loads of people still can't even speak his name.

[Another shrug. He's clearly not quite as fired-up about this.]

And have you tried talking to the cops? They seem to know a bit more about this stuff and it's distribution lines.

[ten_zero]

[ She was a cop, but then she'd kind of been keeping Mag and her as separate entities recently. Probably for the best. ]

That's a good idea, thank you.

And I'll keep that in mind as well. Perhaps future discussions would be best on the radio after all.

[consultingbishop]

Yeah, just be careful when you're experimenting. Self-exposure is just as dangerous.

[ten_zero]

[ Ha, this was nothing compared to infested tissue. ]

I will, thank you.

I'm sorry I don't think we ever introduce ourselves. My name is Bisi. Are you chemist?

[consultingbishop]

Peter Bishop. And, no. I'm a handyman.

[A handyman with an above-average IQ. Hey, something's gotta pay the bills.]

[ten_zero]

...I'm afraid I can't quite grasp what that profession is from the title, besides someone that does something with their hands?

What is it you're doing with that vial?

[consultingbishop]

I fix things. Mostly around the hotel, and I'll admit, there's this one showerhead that won't stop leaking, but...

[He shrugs. And then looks down at the vial.]

Hm? This? Nothing much. Why?

[ten_zero]

Well, it seems to be dominating your attention.

If you'd prefer not to share, that's okay.

[ She just didn't like being lied to. ]

[consultingbishop]

Well, it's true. It's nothing much. It's cola.

[He pops the cork off the vial and then downs it, grimacing a bit.]

Too much acid.

[ten_zero]

[ She furrowed her brow. ]

Cola?

[ Have fun explaining soda to someone whose never eaten sugar recreationally. ]

[consultingbishop]

Uh, yeah. It's sugar, water, carbon dioxide, and other flavourings. I found something here that, when brewed correctly, has the same taste and properties... If a bit stronger

[ten_zero]

That sounds like a strange combination. Does it have some kind of cultural significance?

[ She could see sugar water as a decent calorie booster in a pinch, but a liquefied grain beverage would serve the purpose better, with a more substantial portfolio of nutrients. ]

[consultingbishop]

Not so much significant, more... Luxury. It tastes good, or at least most people think so.

[ten_zero]

Oh. [ Ooooooh. She felt silly now. That should have been so obvious. ]

I imagine it'll be rather lucrative then, if you can find a way to produce it at any significant value.

[consultingbishop]

Oh, that's the easy part.

[He waves a hand, dismissively.]

The hard part is getting the right formula and making sure it's not poisonous, or something equally as bad.

[ten_zero]

...what are you putting in that could be potentially poisonous?

[ Wait, what was 'equally bad' as poisonous for a sugary beverage?? ]

[consultingbishop]

The flavourings and other stuff aren't what we use back home, so... I'm experimenting.

[ten_zero]

Wouldn't it be simpler to just use local flavorings instead?

[consultingbishop]

Well, yeah, that's what I'm doing, but I can't exactly invoke Earth-style nostalgia with Keelial flavourings, can I?

[ten_zero]

[ aaaand she was confused again. ]

Sorry, you're trying to do what?

[ The universal translation properties of the teleportation can't translate concepts you have never experienced, like Nostalgia. There has never been a time or place that Bisi particularly misses. And earth felt like anything but home. ]

[consultingbishop]

Nostalgia. Something from your past that you miss.