removeimpurity | Ninth Incision [(Accidental) Voice/Action; potential Trigger Warning for unsettling descriptions]

[There is an almost unusual silence at the beginning of the feed, broken only by the scratching of a pen against paper and the occasional turning of a page.]

[The near-silence doesn't last long, however; there's the thud of a book being shut, followed by the sound of another one being slammed down -- closer to the journal -- and the rapid fluttering of turning pages.]

There has got to be one thing that I could try to review without being bored to tears...

[Again, the fluttering of paper, accompanied now by Syre listing things off:]

"On the Effects of Hindered or Absent Organs in the Functions of Non-Combatants"... "On the Limitations of a Modified Body in Alchemical and Traditional Combat"...

[A pause, and then:] "On the Effects of Lethal and Non-Lethal Non-Native Pathogens on Those Without Antibodies or Immunities". Where was this when I needed it on that Gods-Damned draft...?

[She resumes flipping through the text, listing off various long-winded titles -- all of them rather grave-sounding -- before she comes to one in particular.]

Mm. "On the Concepts of Extending the Life of an Organism Through Physical Modification or Alchemical Preservation". Let me see if I can still make sense of this...

[The sound of writing resumes, and continues for quite a while. Soon enough, Syre packs all of the texts into her bag -- and that is when the voice feed ends.]

[After leaving the library, Syre's day is relatively uneventful. She grabs some fruit from the grocery store to snack on, then proceeds to sit at the fountain and take a book out of her bag.]

[Those that are so inclined to look over will see what look like research notes, written in Syre's own neat handwriting and covering whatever space isn't occupied by a diagram or a drawing of some sort; it seems she was rather engrossed in her work at the time of writing.]

[The diagrams themselves, however, seem to be of a most disturbing sort: impressively-detailed cross-sections of torsos and skulls (with all of their internal organs, glands, and other such detailed neatly labeled), and what seem to be sketches of potential theories -- figures with two heads, four (or more) arms...]

[Whatever Syre was researching, it certainly was interesting -- but certainly not very innocent.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He'd found a place to stay for the night (he still can't quite wrap his mind around the not needing money thing), but it still feels far too exposed for his liking. People had told him that there was magic here and, well, he can't help but feel a little like a target.

The shop does actually have some yarn that he can use, and once that's acquired, he retreats to a place of comfort and safety otherwise known as the library. A quiet corner isn't hard to find, and he settles down there, tentatively trying to weave at least a rudimentary ward that'll last the night.

It's hard work and honestly, the distraction of someone muttering to themself, especially such interesting things, is kind of welcome.

It's not happening.

After a few minutes more, he shoves most of the yarn into his pocket, keeping a few threads on hand, and stands up, heading round to the woman's table.]

You sound like you're researching something interesting.

[Syre starts at the sound of an unfamiliar voice and the sound of steps, setting aside her pen and notebook long enough to glance up.]

[She doesn't recognize this man at all, nor has she seem him about the village in prior months. A New Feather, then, her mind concludes, as she offers a smile.]

Reviewing some of my much older work, if that's considered interesting to you. [She laughs softly, folding a blank piece of paper to serve as a bookmark with which to mark her place.] Were you curious?

[He smiles back, twisting a piece of yarn between his fingers. An old habit that he's never managed to get rid of.]

Well, most people don't talk of alchemy as a viable process anymore, not where I'm from. So yes, my curiosity got the better of me.

[Syre's smile widened somewhat, and she folded her hands on her lap.]

My world seems to have a great many things that are antiquated in the worlds of others; though our exact definition of "alchemy" may differ from yours.

The closet proper term for my art in other magic systems, from what I read, is "transfiguration".

[He listens to the explanation, smile widening at the explanation. Now that makes a little more sense.]

Transfiguration is probably closer to what it would be in my world.

...that's never going to stop being strange to say, is it?

Not in the least. [She laughs, softly and warmly.] So, are you new? I don't believe I've met you before.

Oh good. It isn't just me.

Brand new today. Try not to break me.

Max Woodville.

A pleasure, Max. Don't worry; I'm mostly harmless. [She chuckles.]

My name's Syre. Syre Atries. [She rises from her chair, makes sure everything is neatly arranged on the table, and extends a hand for him to shake.]

Pleased to meet you, Syre. [He takes her hand, giving it a firm shake.]

Things would be pretty full if everything was harmless. I'd get terribly bored.

They would, wouldn't they?

You're in the right place, then. Luceti is full of surprises.

I'll bear that in mind. And probably be forced to eat my words after one of these drafts or shifts or whatever, but for now, I can look on the bright side.

The Shifts are mostly harmless.

She folds her hands over her lap, looking a little less chipper now.]

The drafts, however... those are another story entirely.

It's the 'mostly' that worries me. [Mostly meant that some of it was potentially harmful, after all.]

Yeah? They're bad then.

There have been some... injuries during the Shifts, but nothing grave. A few bumped heads and scraped knees, if you would.

[Syre's able to fight most of the displeasure from her features, but her expression is still noticeably grim.] ... "Bad" is an... understatement.

[He lets out a slow breath.]

Guess I should hope to not get drafted then.

Ninth Incision [(Accidental) Voice/Action; potential Trigger Warning for unsettling descriptions]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]