Radio;

[purered]

Good evening, everyone. I understand that recent events and revelations have been... shocking, to say the least. I would hope that all of us will reserve any judgment until we have heard the whole story, including Doctor Milyn's side. And that is all I will say on that.

There is another matter that I need to bring to your attention, and one that is quite pressing.

We have been grounded a few weeks. As most of you are aware, the purpose of landing Tu Vishan here was to afford us more time in finding a way to awaken him. I believe a means may be found by utilizing the power of the Xunutane. However, before I go to the heads of the families and the Dexedi with this request, I had hoped to gain both information to see if it is a viable means, and also input and suggestions from other foreigners.

Now something most intriguing occurred while I was making my inquiries- my path crossed with a number of metalworkers who were researching the crystals that caused last month's truth compulsion. I agreed to work alongside them in a number of experiments - one of which involved setting active crystals alongside those that gave no readings. There was a brief reaction in which the "dead" stones gave off a bit of light and I...

[He hesitates here because it's not so much that it sounds absurd, but more he simply doesn't have the words to describe it.]

...I saw many things, all at once. The interiors of caves and homes. It was as though I had hundreds of eyes all in different places.

[To tell the truth, he was rather disoriented after the whole ordeal and needed to go sit down and have a headache.]

Needless to say, the other metalworkers did not share in this vision. I believe it came about due to my soul gem - a hypothesis the metalworkers agreed to be possible, though I would like to repeat the experiment with other foreigners to verify. They have kindly permitted me a secure facility as well as aid in writing up questions.

As I'm sure you've gathered, we would require volunteers for this. I am seeking those willing to sit through the same experiment as myself. I am also looking for people with psychic or magical capabilities for getting a read on things.

I will ask that no volunteers be under the age of eighteen for these experiments as I cannot guarantee there is no risk involved.

If you would prefer more discretion than speaking here, you can contact me privately on this frequency.

I thank you, and bid you all a good evening.

Comments

[ten_zero]

[ Hey, it was for Bisi! ]

I'm sorry to be difficult or rude, but- [ And there's an audible edge of indignation on her end - ]

If there was a time and place for well-intentioned coddling, I assure you that it passed a great many centuries ago.

I'm not interested in having my maturity or agency judged by you, so if we could please move on...?

[purered]

[Sorry Bisi, but this is where Klaus is putting his foot down.]

Make no mistake, this is not coddling nor am I passing judgment. If there is a remotely gray area about one's age, I cannot permit them to be subjected to a potentially dangerous experiment. The metal workers wish to keep things as ethical as possible and I quite agree. My apologies, but that is my final word on the matter.

Now, I will ask once more, is there another way you measure your age?

[ten_zero]

Time, by definition, is the only way to measure age.

This would hardly be the first dangerous experiment I've been subject to, and this one would have the benefit of being one of the few voluntary ones.

[ Oops, she gets a little more loose with the tragic backstory when she's angry. ]

[purered]

I'm afraid it isn't.

Miss Bisi, I will have to decline your offer to partake in the experiments. I will be more than happy to welcome you examine and analyze the crystals, however.

[ten_zero]

[ The urge to be petulant is quite potent, but Bisi takes a breath.

She swallows a 'fine, whatever' and instead tries to regain her composure. ]

Very well.

[ Urgh. ]

I mean, thank you, I would appreciate that.

[ She wasn't sure if she was resentful or grateful that she'd been indoctrinated to be so obligatorily polite. ]

[purered]

[He feels you on the obligatory politeness.]

I am sorry.

[He does sound it, but he's not messing around with cagey answers to direct questions. Sorry Bisi.]

Please let me know if there is any equipment or accommodations you will require.

[ten_zero]

The secure facility will be somewhere in the metal quarter? When did you anticipate starting?

[purered]

Within the next week or so. Would that be a problem?

[ten_zero]

No. Thank you very much.