[center][img]https://images2.imgbox.com/e2/d5/8Osx7mxg_o.png[/img][/center] [hr] Trypano had been searching the grounds where each battle had taken place. Powerful forces had died this day and even missed scraps from those who had taken their bodies could hold great potential. She found some blood from one of the Ogauracs that fell, a solemn reminder that people of such rare breeds should not be made pawns for one's own conflicts. It was bottled in one of her enchanted vials. She found a scale, one lone scale sitting in the site where the battle between Wu Long and the Emperors went down. It wasn't a scale from the other dragons. This was... Different. It held potential to become something more. She was not going to place this item somewhere out of her attention. Instead, she slipped it into her cleavage. Not something she commonly did not really out of modesty but largely because not much was so small as to be concealable there yet so valuable as to require concealment. She might of tucked it below the skin itself in an isolated oil pocket but such body horror might end up catching her fellow student's eyes, something she needed less of, not more. Lastly she came upon the plum. A curious fruit. Given her history with fruit it was not something to quickly overlook. As she reached for it however her binding picked up something else in the area, something near. It was something... Or someone. [color=steelblue]"Well spotted,"[/color] a familiar voice quietly remarked in both of Trypano's ears, such that it sounded like it was inside her head. [color=steelblue]"Both me and the fruit, heh. These are to die for, and there's more of them on the island once those two are done... settling their differences. Here, try it,"[/color] Xiuyang said as she invisibly lifted up the plum and offered it to Trypano. [color=steelblue]"I've said some things in anger that I regret. Today was one of those days. For what it's worth, I'm not exactly thrilled with some of our allies at the moment, either."[/color] Trypano could sense Xiuyang looking around, spotting something interesting and picking it up. It was... a spoon, quite some distance from where the dinner had taken place, as though a storm had carried it away. It seemed to be imbued with magic of some kind and quickly disappeared up Xiuyang's sleeve. [color=steelblue]"I'm disappointed in myself, as well. I killed a man today. ...My first kill, and all I can do is keep going about my business, like an ant dutifully carrying its spoils back to the nest."[/color] It was the second time that day she'd compared herself to an ant. The first had been while speaking to the Ice King. He had no words of wisdom for her. She supposed that Trypano probably wouldn't, either. [color=steelblue]"After today, I'm just not sure what else I can do, or if there is [i]anything[/i] I can do. Maybe that's why I want to help you. You seem to have grand plans to contribute some meaningful things to the world. All I can do is move money around."[/color] She heard her voice projected into her ears. It was inherently different from the methods others had used to speak into her mind prior. Thus, it had to be illusion magic. Alas, it's owner was no danger to her, not inherently at least. She accepted the plum from her hand, holding it in her own as she looked down at the fruit whilst she heard her out. As she listened to her words Trypano her red finger nail traced along the surface with the surgical accuracy of a scalpel, her binding slowly opening it's face until the insides of the fruit were revealed. From it she removed the pit, holding the seed bearing heart of the fruit in one hand whilst examining the fruit's flesh in the other. [color=crimson]"Words are tricky things. You can say something and have twenty different come to twenty different conclusions off those same words."[/color] She answered back before lifting her nail up to her lips, tasting the flavor of the fruit she dissected. [color=crimson]"Doctors no less than soldiers must approach the unavoidable truth: Their trade and death run hand in hand."[/color] Her head turning she slowly faced Xiuyang, her eyes staring off even if she was looking straight towards her. [color=crimson]"I do have plans, yes. I've seen much and gleamed insight into many truths, such as the knowers. Those are the things which produced those titanic appendages from the sky."[/color] The turned, looking back at the crushed land where the tentacles fell before turning to look back at the ruins of the palace where the others squabbled over the emperors gifts like bugs upon a rotting carcass. [color=crimson]"I do share some measure of distrust towards some of the others. As any good merchant knows a deal is only worth as much as the dealer's word."[/color] She looked almost pensive, given how reserved she oft was. Her shoulders seemed to sag and she sighed softly. [color=crimson]"I do thank you for the offer of aid. I may be... Moving soon."[/color] Xiuyang let out a hollow snicker, watching as Trypano [i]dissected[/i] her food. Really, she was foolish to expect any other reaction. [color=steelblue]"If you can think of twenty different interpretations of 'screw you,' then I may just bow to your wisdom and abdicate the title of wordsmith."[/color] The lighthearted jape improved her mood just slightly before the topic of death was inevitably brought to the fore again. [color=steelblue]"Yes, I suppose it was inevitable, just as my first failure to save a life, I must someday take one in the interest of preserving others. It still feels cynical, that human lives should be represented by beads on an abacus, or kept in a ledger."[/color] Xiuyang's head tilted back up towards the sky, as if expecting to find another giant eye gazing down at them. [color=steelblue]"The Knowers, huh,"[/color] she remarked flatly. She did get a rather judgmental vibe from the eye. Certainly, if she were looking down at the scene back at the Twin Emperors' table... well, from a god's perspective, she supposed that was nothing interesting. Like bugs to a carcass, indeed. [color=steelblue]"Rumor has it your word is worth a great deal,"[/color] she commented in reply. [color=steelblue]"Normally, I don't trust anyone—or you could say I trust everyone to act in their own self-interest. Making deals is about ensuring interests align. As for me, I'm not interested in tacking my name onto your life's work, or extracting royalties. My interest in your work is more personal."[/color] Xiuyang raised a brow, not at the notion of Trypano expressing gratitude, but at what she said. [color=steelblue]"Moving? You mean your workshop..?"[/color] she speculated. [color=crimson]"Perhaps in the wrong company some may purposefully misinterpret such words as invitation."[/color] A faint smirk pulled at her lips, only to return to solemnity as the conversation continued. [color=crimson]"I've seen it often enough during my training. Upon discovering you cannot save everyone nurses will either quit out of stress or elsewise grow callous as a defense mechanism. You cannot empathize with those you know may very well die. There are some pains you cannot alleviate no matter how much they beg you to. There are even times where in triage situations where one must make the active choice to stabilize someone's wounds while knowing that by not treating someone else their death is certain."[/color] A slow cold breeze crept over them like a frigid ephemeral slug. Only the briefest of pauses but longer yet in the mind's eye. [color=crimson]"It is difficult to shield one's heart to the world's horrors and not lose what little empathy that still affords you to care for the lives of others. It is a line thinner than any wire yet all the more important that the costs of individual lives are not trivialized, especially if one believes they are acting for the greater good."[/color] As she spoke memories came to mind of fellow students of medicine, both seniors and juniors working aboard the naval vessel she served on. She recalled how in their off time the nurses would talk of their patients, using such polite nicknames such as [u]Screamers[/u] and [u]Writhers[/u], regarding their fellow humans as little more than chores and inconveniences in their way, as less than human. For all the image the public may have of medical professionals as soft, caring humanists the truth is that the more suffering one witnesses the harder it becomes to not grow numb to it all. _ [color=crimson]"Indeed, one would be a fool to believe someone would help an acquaintance in their pursuits without somehow furthering their own agenda. Even a kind samaritan gets something from aiding those in need, such as a sense of validation."[/color] She paused to let Xiuyang speculate on her statement on moving. [color=crimson]"Yes. My current lab is located deep below, somewhere well secluded and difficult to reach without a guide. Recent events have revealed that it's privacy might soon be in jeopardy, if not from other's I've dealt with in the past then from the scope of what I'm trying to create."[/color] She took a moment, turning and examining the pit in her hand like a crow with a glinting stone. [color=crimson]"Depending on what certain studies may reveal I might need a legally owned location to act as a front, both so I can continue my work without harassment and so that I may stick my food in the door to the public stage when that time inevitably arrives."[/color] With that being said she turned her focus back over to the book that was their prior item of discussion. [color=crimson]"I do not believe in hording knowledge for it does the spellcasting community a disservice. While I must be cautious as to what knowledge I share due to the public's perception as well as to not draw attention from less philanthropic entities I am perfectly happy to share my discoveries. If you want when time comes you can consult with me regarding questions that will be asked and view the answers when the book is finally used."[/color] She offered. It was not a light offer given what she might stand to learn from this item but Xiuyang hadn't contested her on it like so many other students were doing with each other. An act in good faith deserved at least that much in turn. [color=steelblue]"The best I can manage is to pretend not to care,"[/color] she confessed, turning her head to watch as Abdel's struggle with Niallus reached a swift conclusion. With Jocasta and Ingrid both waiting to leap in if it turned sideways, she appeared to be mostly unconcerned—but her heart rate was still high as she looked on. [color=steelblue]"Never did learn poker face. Never had to,"[/color] she japed, invisibly gesturing to the mask she wore at all times, still for unknown reasons. [color=steelblue]"You're right. True generosity is an expression of power, that comes with its own satisfaction. If a fully selfless act is even possible, it's a feat reserved for gods. That's what I think, anyway. We humans can only get so close—but the attempt is still honorable, I think. There's value in struggling against our selfish nature,"[/color] she said confidently. She listened carefully as Trypano described her needs. [color=steelblue]"My father may be acquiring land in Revidia soon. He's certainly aiming for it—but if you have the means, there is certainly no shortage of secluded locations in the deserts of Torragon. My mother's family is quite wealthy. They may have some unused land that I could commandeer, if you only have the means to travel that distance quickly."[/color] She paused, letting Trypano think on it for just a moment. [color=steelblue]"Have you heard of a mana type that lets their host transform into other people? It's not just a rumor. It's quite sought after by certain groups, but exceedingly rare and kept secret by those fortunate enough to have it. ...I'd like to learn how to do this using only blood magic, if such a thing is even possible. Human body modification through fleshcraft, to put it simply. As for what I intend to do with such a skill, it's much less sinister than what you're probably imagining,"[/color] she said truthfully. [color=crimson]"There is value in struggling indeed. Even with all the violence and greed rampant in this era we've come so far from the days of old, whence knowledge was scarce and superstitions were all that people knew of the world."[/color] With that she turned her focus more towards the topic of more immediate concerns. [color=crimson]"That is funny, [i]It's much less sinister than what you're probably imagining[/i] is something I often have to preface the descriptions of my work with myself."[/color] She spoke in some humor, though it wasn't far from fact. [color=crimson]"To answer your question however, yes. I've read about the Face Mimic manatype, though not much is truly known of it due to both it's uncommon nature and the frequency of which it's hosts conceal their true identities, making it hard to follow the histories of it's recorded hosts."[/color] She reached up and cradled her chin in thoughtful contemplation, considering Xiuyang's ambition with focused interest. [color=crimson]"In truth I've sublimated my own blood type before for temporary access to the effects of other blood types before. It's a difficult process, I'm still working on overcoming the Law of Rejection in my effort to make the body accept foreign aid without completely shutting down it's natural defenses. As we've seen with sanguinaires however it's not impossible for manas to welcome foreign manas into the body. The sooner I discover the truth of manas the sooner I will be able to denature them, alter them on a fundamental basis. Once that is accomplished anything will be possible."[/color] She then removed her hand from her chin and looked back in Xiuyang's direction. [color=crimson]"For the moment I've set my focus on Hegelan brewing methods. Having examined their handiwork first hand I can deduce that they've succesfully denatured their manas, keeping them in some form of solution instead of in blood like most other types. Once I'm able to perfect the mixture I'll be able to start testing the manas themselves. As for the issue of location if I were able to have someone properly act as the face for such a business I could begin distilling the manas for distribution. This could create a source of revenue untouched by any of the major merchant families or even the lords themselves. I'd be able to pay off the cost of the properties and perhaps expand productions, especially if we were able to convince any of the merchant families to invest. If there's one thing merchants would pay heavily for it would be to possess the very thing nobility have kept a monopoly on for so many centuries: The power to wield magic."[/color] Having turned this conversation to one about money she then draws and releases a simple sigh, waving off the matter as it distracted from her true intent. Xiuyang had been quite forward in her meaning thus far, saying rather bold things for someone they've only spoken with briefly prior. They deserved a show of faith in kind. [color=crimson]"The money is far from my true ambition however, just a means of seizing independence so that the petty whims of those in power no longer jeopardize my freedom to work. I would discuss the grander, perhaps even grandiose, aims of all this but I cannot relay knowledge gained from The Forked Tower on penalty of death. In time however, I may find opportunity to discuss it further."[/color] She gave a simple disappointed shake of her head, having so much to say but forbidden to speak it. _ [color=crimson]"If flesh crafting is your main interest however there is a topic which may benefit both of us. I'm in constant need of bodies to test my magic upon but the dead offer less insight than the living, especially on matters that would make one that is living no longer alive."[/color] She left a quick pause before continuing. [color=crimson]"I've been growing back both my flesh and the flesh of others more times than I can count. What I am seeking to accomplish however would be to grow another body from but a single piece of myself."[/color] She held up the pit of the plum as a visual prop, representing growing something new from an already existing body. [color=crimson]"I understand it may seem sinister to try and clone oneself the purpose is very much for the sake of medical advancement. While it would be useful to have more than one of me to conduct studies whilst I'm otherwise occupied the real use would be in generating husks devoid of consciousness but fully capable of living under their own power. This would allow us to test our magic free of the dangers both to our own lives or to the lives of others."[/color] She then looked down, lacing her fingers in front of herself with what possibly be uncertainty. [color=crimson]"With all that being said may I ask your thoughts on these plans thus far? I must admit this is the most I've spoken about my work so far, it feels almost... Unnatural to me."[/color] A personal confession. Her desire to open up to others definitely strained against her years of abuse, judgement and isolation. So what changed? What changed indeed... Xiuyang snickered at her humorous reply. Yes, she supposed Trypano had dealt with others assuming sinister intent on the regular. Such was the effect of the church demonizing blood magic. She quietly listened as Trypano gushed about her life's work. Her sudden enthusiasm was a good sign that their negotiations were proceeding well, though it gave Xiuyang the impression that she may be the first merchant to show any genuine interest in Trypano's work. Her suspicions would be confirmed as Trypano began speaking about Hegelan brewing. That particular topic was somewhat alarming to her.[color=steelblue] "You're not wrong. Money is an obstacle as often as it is an asset, perhaps more so. Hegelan brewing... I must caution you that I have uncles who have disappeared while trying to learn that secret—and a Solari does not simply get lost while traveling in a foreign land,"[/color] she emphasized, choosing her words carefully. Certainly, a Solari had their means to disappear when they wanted to. The time came eventually, however, to give one up for dead. [color=steelblue]"The Forked Tower. Damnable obelisk of arrogance,"[/color] she remarked bitterly. Someday, she believed, the secrets therein would be public. It was unlikely to happen within Xiuyang's lifetime though. [color=steelblue]"It's a shame the sanguinaires are unlikely to assist in this endeavor of yours now, either—but I understand the gist of what you're after. You want a location that's closer to civilization, so you can monetize your work once it produces something profitable. In that case, I'll see about pestering my father for my own little workshop. I'm sure he wouldn't bat an eye at me keeping a business partner in my basement, even if he found out,"[/color] she said with a cheeky grin. [color=steelblue]"On the topic of ownership, if your 'cloning' can let me accomplish my goals, I'll see that it's yours."[/color] Apparently, she decided she'd drink to that, and took another long swig of her liquor. Ah yes, the dangers they would face. She was quite well aware. [color=crimson]"I understand well. An entire society built off of such secrets has much to lose should the entire world start running competing products."[/color] The air around them was cold and stale in the aftermath of the previous battle, dust still settling even now. [color=crimson]"I don't intend to gamble with the lives of others. If you should find the situation growing too dire I will understand if you decide to cease communications and conceal thyself."[/color] She gave a slight aside gesture with her right hand. [color=crimson]"It's not a matter I plan to rush either. Many elements will need to be tested for efficacy, set up to enable production proper and of course obfuscate either of our hands in this. Timing and preparation, along with the discovery in and of itself, will be key in implementation."[/color] While she made effort to assure her it was no guarantee of safety. Any number of loose ends or unpredicted events could turn the entire effort on it's head or make them lose theirs. [color=crimson]"In regards to the effecacy of the cloning process it's entirely possible, just a matter of technique. What can be made of it will be a matter of study that I shall assist in should you desire. At the very least should the book live up to it's apparent reputation you'll have a measure of say in what we gleam from the answers it gives."[/color] [color=crimson]"As for the the property I do have enough money to set up a down-payment should that come into discussion. Various treasures I've managed to collect have padded my coffers well enough and I've been sparce in spending it on trinkets of war unlike many of my colleagues as you may have observed."[/color] She looked back at the group, gathering more weapons and tools to heap upon themselves in an effort to become chariots of war in human form. How easy power could twist scholars into would-be conquerors and assassins. She looked back to the pit in her hand, and the flesh of the plum in the other. [color=crimson]"If the location has a garden or yard a plum tree would be suitably scenic."[/color] Trypano was ambitious—dangerously so. One might even say foolishly so. Yet, Xiuyang could not help but respect it. Learning that she was shrewd with her money was promising as well. Though, she also glanced back at the others, and thought to herself that perhaps she could benefit from spending [i]more[/i] on trinkets of war. The staff she held in her hand surged with manas, and the mysterious gourd left to her by Mountain Spring had twice given her a boost of energy unlike any alcohol she'd ever tasted, but would those alone have changed Cold Soup's fate? She doubted they would. [color=steelblue]"How shrewd. I'd assumed you wouldn't want your name associated with the property for the time being, and I'd sell it to you later when that's no longer an issue,"[/color] she explained. [color=steelblue]"It's something to think about once there actually [i]is[/i] land to discuss."[/color] She shrugged. [color=steelblue]"The rest sounds agreeable. Including the plum tree,"[/color] she quipped as she glanced back toward the others again. [color=steelblue]"Someone's coming. Shall we wrap this up before he hears you talking to yourself?"[/color] She gestured to Valerian. [color=crimson]"You are correct about the issue of papers. Whoever's name goes on there would be tied to what comes out of it."[/color] She offered a casual gesture in the direction she presumed Xiuyang was still in. [color=crimson]"Paperwork aside, I'm the sort that doesn't like to leave debts unpaid."[/color] On Xiuyang's last remark she didn't attempt to identify who it was that was approaching, instead casting her gaze out to the destruction that marked the land. There was no need to answer as her silence was purposeful, no longer [i]talking to herself[/i], so to speak. She would simply ruminate on matter both worldly and beyond, her expressionless face back to neutral. [hr] Involved - [@Emeth]