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

[justno]

What kind of 'dust?'

[ten_zero]

I'm playing catch-up myself, but it's apparently some kind of mind-altering substance of mysterious origin?

Some of it appeared in the city and sparked a riot. There's still a few people in the hospital dealing with its side effects.

[justno]

So it's the hard shit.

[ten_zero]

What?

[justno]

It's not like painkillers or pot, it comes with side effects and withdrawals.

[It's a question in the form of a statement.]

[ten_zero]

[ Okay so 'painkillers' gives a bit of context but then 'pot' just throws her for a loop again. She has no experience whatsoever with drugs having slang names. ]

Opioids are some of the strongest drugs, and have many of the worst side effects if taken in excess, even some of the ones we're seeing from Dust.

What's 'pot'?

[justno]

So you're saying Dust fucks you up less than opioids?

Pot. Marijuana. That green herb some people smoke.

[ten_zero]

I don't know enough about Dust to really make that distinction. If the Kedan Milyn really made it to make the Kedan more pliable and passive, then my guess is that the substance used to cause the riots in the sky sector is a modified version, or just in much higher concentrations than intended.

The ease with which it can affect people is definitely concerning, but in the end its just a tool. The people who are using it are the real problem.

I'm not familiar with the herb you're speaking of. You smoke it in a pot?

[ Why else would you name it pot?? She also doesn't really understand why you would 'smoke' an herb. ]

[justno]

The junkies using it are the real problem. You got any idea who would know more?

Forget it. I don't think it's in this world. All you need to know is that it's a drug and it doesn't fuck you up that much.

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?

[unetrustworthy]

If you can find a way to counteract its effects, that would be far from 'old ground'

[Getting straight to the point; Midii herself was a fan of knowing as much about something as possible, but when it came to the Dust...to mind-control in general...she also had her priorities in order.]

[ten_zero]

I'd love to be able to do that, but I can't make any promises.

If Milyn created it, does that mean she could shed some light on how to fix it?

[unetrustworthy]

That would...make the most sense, wouldn't it?

[And for all the insanity of this world, there were still times when things did make sense. Times she clung to. Otherwise, Midii would have noped out years ago.]

I'm afraid I don't know too much about, her, aside from what we've all heard publicly. Which means I can't guarantee she'll be quite so helpful.

Still...it couldn't hurt to try. As long as you're careful.

[ten_zero]

Oh. You've never met her?

[ With how long Midii had been here, and with how important Milyn seemed to be, that was surprising. ]

[unetrustworthy]

I never said that.

I only said I don't know much about her.

[You can meet someone and still know next to nothing about them. You can meet them multiple times, even, and learn only as much as the other person lets you. It was a frustrating fact of life.]

[ten_zero]

Oh, I see. She isn't very forthcoming about herself, then?

[ Well, here's hoping she's more transparent about the Dust. ]

[unetrustworthy]

Actually, she's very forthcoming about a lot of things.

In fact, I don't think I've ever known somebody who can say so much in a single breath. Especially when they're actually saying very little.

[Translation: Milyn's habit of rambling was not new.]

[ten_zero]

I... see? [ She really didn't. ]

Well, I think I'll go down and see her now. Any advice?