inbox.

[nightmarist]

Comments

[aberrant_type]

[Hange pushes the needle in with an easy twist. It seems they've struck gold the first try; blood spurts into the vial like struck oil.]

Then I tentatively agree that it's close enough, if it differs at all. Pending further examination. Cerebrospinal fluid might be more interesting, or it might be the case that your differences are... more metaphysical.

[And since he dreams, that would make sense. How does magic like that work? How does any magic work? Are there organs for it, new structures in the brain? Where does that energy come from? When Hange grows her plants, it fatigues her - less now than it used to, but it makes a solid kind of sense to her. It takes energy for plants to grow, and usually that growth happens gradually; the plants still demand energy to grow, and Hange provides it when she uses her botanokinesis. Is it the same for Ronan when he uses his magic?]

[nightmarist]

[Ronan doesn't flinch when she pokes him. He keeps his face turned away from the smell of alcohol, though.]

But at some point the metaphysical has to manifest as physical. That's what makes this world different from a dream. That's my whole function. And every thing I make takes a piece of me with it, which means that piece must have be here, in me somewhere, to begin with.

[aberrant_type]

If you yourself believe there's a physical marker... well, it's not really my area of expertise, but it seems logical there would be some aberrant characteristics.

[One vial clips out, the other clips in. That certainly is human-looking blood, at least, and if it's jumping out like that, he probably has an analogous structure to pump it with. Not that Hange will suggest vivisecting him to find out. Too scary.]

[nightmarist]

I don't think we'll know for sure 'til I'm dead.

[It does seem like the truth will have to be carved out of him, and he'd rather hold onto his organs a while longer. It's a shame, really, that he'll never get the answers he's looking for because he's the one holding them. He won't have any use for them as a corpse.]

[aberrant_type]

Buck up, Ronan. There are all kinds of relatively noninvasive ways to study your internal structure in this world.

[that's so comforting, right? One more vial out, one more in. It's really not taking too long. He's a good healthy young buck in spite of alcoholism and dehydration and everything.]

[nightmarist]

Scans and shit? I don't know. A lot of machines get fucked around me. But maybe that was the ley line's fault more than mine.

[He's not opposed to exploring the options. He wants to know just as badly as anyone.]

[aberrant_type]

If you're uncertain, it sounds like a matter that begs further experimentation.

[yassssssss ronan lynch, yaaaaaaaaaaaaassssssssssssssssss give your body up to ZOE HANGE, let her do her scientist THANG]

[nightmarist]

[The antiseptic stench, the needle in his arm, the word experimentation all work collectively to send him into a quiet panic, but as usual, the emotion doesn't reach his face. Worrying about Ronan's well-being has always been someone else's task, as he knows and accepts all the risks of his recklessness.]

Whatever you say.

[aberrant_type]

[She pops the last vial out, removes the needle with one easy twist. A dot of blood wells up on Ronan's arm where the stick inserted. Hange presses a cotton ball against it, loops gauze around his arm to hold it tight. Zoop zippity zop, bippity boppity, done!]

That's it.

[nightmarist]

Fantastic.

[Now that he's no longer being drained, Ronan leans back in his chair with a sigh. The tension doesn't quite leave his shoulders.]

What next?

[aberrant_type]

Let's check your reflexes.

[She has one of those little rubber hammers. This part will be far less invasive, far more routine checkup.]

[nightmarist]

[Now that almost seems silly, but this is meant to figure out his baseline, he knows. Still, his mouth quirks in amusement. His reflexes are all boring and normal.]

So... Why do you care about learning all this stuff, anyway? I know why I need to figure shit out about myself, but I don't really know what you're getting out of it.

[aberrant_type]

[it's pretty silly. Hange will begin examining him as she talks. it is all very boring and normal, so she can easily multitask.]

Me...? Well... I really love learning new things. I'm happy when I study anything and everything. And the nonhumans of my home are hostile, so it's exciting to meet friendly nonhumans who are willing to chat and cooperate with me.

[Ronan kind of sucks sometimes, but that fact still holds.]

[nightmarist]

Yeah, you got lucky. I sure as shit wouldn't let somebody do all this stuff to me back home.

[He's actually an extremely hostile nonhuman.]

[aberrant_type]

[He's not an enemy of humanity. He's mostly indifferent to humans, it seems? At least, that's the face he presents, and Hange takes it at face value.

Her return grin is spare, more a brief showing of teeth than a smile.]

I appreciate the opportunity and that's why I'll insist on making the most of it.

[Ding, ding, to each knee, and a normal response. Well, not surprising, but she had to make the most of the chance.]

[nightmarist]

I'm sure.

[Who doesn't make the most of Ronan when they've got him at their disposal? He wears nonchalance on his face, but his eyes are wary. Just because she's never harmed him before doesn't mean she won't.]

Are you hoping you'll be able to learn how to do what I do?

[aberrant_type]

That's an interesting idea. Does it worry you? Because if you were less of a rarity, you'd be less desirable as a mark.

[But she doesn't think it's likely possible for her... and to be honest, she's very happy with her own powers. They're less flashy than Ronan's, but there's a lot to be done with botanokinesis, and she can experiment upon herself as a titan shifter.

He's a fun side project, not the main course.]

[nightmarist]

I don't give a shit. But it doesn't help me as much as you'd think it would. The more of us there are, the more attention we attract, and they don't stop at one when they can have both.

Besides, the kind of people who've come for me shouldn't have that power in the first place, whether they're using me or any other dreamer. It'd just be stupid to throw you under the bus.

[aberrant_type]

Then rest easy in the knowledge that I'm very happy with the powers I've been granted. I always thought it would be nice to study botany, and it might not be as flashy as your business, but there are a great deal of practical things I can do with my botanokinesis.

[nightmarist]

Plants are some of my favorite things to make.

[But not for practical reasons. Ronan is an artist, more than anything else.]

And you get to do it without the looming threat of death, so you win, probably.

[aberrant_type]

[What's work without fun? Drudgery. What's knowledge without joy? Miserable. Hange can appreciate artistry. Plenty of what she's done with her botanokinesis has been about both beauty and joy.]

Ha! It's so dangerous, then? Going into your dreaming land... making what we're about to make together?

[nightmarist]

I've died a thousand times. But you'll be alright, I think. I'll be there to make sure you don't bring back anything you didn't intend to bring.

[Anyway, neither of them seem to be feeling particularly fearful, and they're not going in to harvest the body parts of children or anything.]

[aberrant_type]

Ha ha. [it's not... really quite a laugh. Life or death battles? Must be Tuesday!]

Well, let's stop beating around the bush. How does this work?

[nightmarist]

I'm just gonna climb into your brain, then you go fall asleep close to wherever you want you playground to be, and then we'll get to work. Are you ready?

[aberrant_type]

I have to fall asleep?

[she's so excited though.]