exsilium | two ჯ ᴠɪᴅᴇᴏ

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[ And here appears the face of an elf, one with short and dark hair scattered with braids, tattoos swirling across her face and around her large, almost insect-like green eyes. Her smile is awkward, only half there as aware as she is that it's a poor time to smile. ]

Hello there. This is Merrill again, um. I suppose it has been some time, but then I haven't had anything worth saying. And then I did, perhaps, but it didn't seem a good time. Is it ever a good time? Well, near half a million people have been destroyed despite our best efforts. That doesn't seem like a good time.

I am sorry. Especially to those who were from there. So sorry.

But I cannot put off this question any longer. My curiosity has gotten the best of me, and maybe a distraction would not be out of place for a short amount of time. [ She clears her throat and taps a fingertip to her lower lip, near pouting. ] I suppose a joke or story would be better in that case, but there I go again with my poor sense of timing.

In any case, does anyone here know of the Chimera Project? [ The petite elf holds up a small booklet, or thick leaflet, however you choose to see it. The title is clear as day. It's stained with something, though... ] I regret to say that...ale spilled all over it in the drastic move, sorry about the appearance. But I would like to hear if any Transports or even Initiative employees know of this.

[private; Fenris]

Isn't it strange? Even now, with our friends here...our Thedas is still the most similar. Our Kirkwall, and our Hawke.

[/private]

[ ooc; Sorry I might be slow on tagging back some threads until I hear more about the pamphlet thingy. Will get to them ASAP! ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Everything!

...Is that too much?

[ Chrono quirks a small smile and shakes his head. ]

Maybe in most cases, but my version of 'everything' isn't terribly long, fortunately—or maybe unfortunately.

But I feel like I should ask, first... what are you planning to do with what you find out?

Hm, I think that's a very good question. I think I need to learn more before I can give you an honest answer, though! I certainly have no plans of abusing people and children, if that is what you're asking!

[ He seems taken aback for a moment, before actually managing a short laugh. ]

Well! I wasn't worried about anything like that, but I'm still very relieved to hear it.

[ He sobers up some as he goes on, leaning back in his chair. ] I was one of the people kidnapped by the UE last month. All I know is what a scientist managed to let slip by accident.

Oh dear...! I'm glad to see you're well to do now.

[ So many taken. ]

What did the "scientist" say?

She was mostly babbling to herself at the time, but...

[ He sighs, pausing. It takes him a moment to recall everything he can from her vehement rant, and parse the important parts from the unproductive-ranting-parts. The rest of the story is delivered somewhat mechanically. ]

She was studying the information [ samples ] they took from the kidnapped Transports, so that the UE could replicate their abilities—she called it "The Chimera Project". They were apparently on a strict deadline to have it completed in days or weeks, but she wasn't sure it would be possible. I was hoping she was right.

[ Another pause, hesitant this time. ]

I don't know if you were at the battle, but you've probably at least heard of it by now. Some of the soldiers that attacked us were very obviously using the abilities of the kidnapped Transports. I can only assume they were the successful results of the project.

I don't know if they're clones or just soldiers that they've... 'altered', but... I guess it doesn't matter much, which it is.

[ Merrill listens very closely, trying to memorize as much as she can of his words. Is this what they did to Fenris? They must not know of Merrill's capabilities, or surely they would have taken her, too.

She actually shudders at the thought of them having access to blood magic, but quickly tries to cover it up with a nod of affirmation. ]

Why the time limit, I wonder... Because of the bomb? How would the two be connected?

[ Can't begrudge her any quaking, if he does notice—he doesn't let on either way. ]

I've wondered that myself. It's possible they knew the Initiative would fight back, or maybe they were planning an offensive even before they decided to use the bomb...

[ Shakes his head, because all of the possibilities are equally unpleasant to consider. He focuses instead on the booklet she'd held up earlier. ]

Where did you get that pamphlet from?

It was in a room with a lot of big tablets, but I was attacked before I could figure out how to use them and get anything more of use.

Would you like to see? You were one of their subjects... I think you would have a right to see it.

Please. [A pause.] If you wouldn't mind. I'm trying to find out as much as I can, but I haven't really had a lead until you posted.

What luck! Where shall I come to, then?

[ Briefly considers the cafeteria or the observatory, but decides this isn't a conversations he's quite ready to have in public. ]

I live in unit 124. Is that alright?

Oh, yes...if you wish.

[ Hoping others won't be there! They're cramped in her opinion, and even less private if others are around. ]

Maybe I ought to know your name before I knock at your door, if that's all right...

[ Truthfully, had Flynn been present or Rosette conscious, Merrill likely would have gotten a text response. Not that he's been intentionally deflecting the issue whenever it comes up with either of them, because he would never.

He's just glad Rosette sleeps like a dead person. ]

Oh! I'm sorry; my name is Chrono. And you said you're Merrill, right?

Yes! Merrill. I'm glad to meet you. Or will be! When we meet... Of course that could be a few hours from now, I'm uncertain. There are a few others who also wish to see.

[ He can't quite resist a soft laugh. ]

I think we've definitely already met, in a way.

I won't be going anywhere, so don't worry. Whenever you can is fine.

I'll let you know!

[ Timeskip to whenever at meeting place, y/n? ]

[ Y!

Chrono pulls the door open only a beat or two after Merrill's knock, and offers a smile—tired and reserved, but a smile nonetheless. He steps aside so that she can enter. ]

Thanks for coming. I imagine you're busy, so I appreciate it.

[ Now that she's close, she can see how short he is...and is ears! How interesting. She's also short, close to only 5'1 or 5'2, and her ears are much more pointed, but his appearance makes her curious! It reminds her of Tempest just a bit. ]

Ah yes, I mean no! No, it is not that busy... I am only jogging about, and I would be getting much more exercise were I am from, at any rate.

[ Except for the days where she stays hold up in her place, of course...

She enters his room without much concern except for the possibility of others, glancing around before back to him. ]

Are you certain you wish for me to be here? I can leave you alone with it if you like.

[ Chrono can't quite help a longer glance, himself. But she's not a demon, that much he's certain of- an elf, maybe?

(Not that these things seem to matter much, in this place. Even after several months, he still has trouble really wrapping his mind around that.)

He waves a placating hand, closing the door behind her (but not latching it). The living space is as scarce as to be expected, and devoid of life besides—save for a lump in one of the beds, but said lump doesn't seem to stir, and Chrono remains unconcerned. ]

It's fine. [ Best if he doesn't have too long to ruminate on it, in fact- ] I won't take long at all, I promise. I'm just wondering what their official records have to say about it.

[ Seeing someone is actually in the room but asleep, Merrill is quick to lower her voice to something more hushed. ]

Well, I don't know if it really has enough to help for you if you already know so much, but...maybe there is something of use?

[ She moves to the empty bunk and pulls out the pamphlet sized papers to rest them on the bottom bed for him. The following is a rough summary of what's included when he does go ahead and read it, and Merrill will stand aside:

Subjects were chosen based on a display of inherent genetic ability differing from the normal function of Homo sapiens, and the general hope is to be able to breed and sort through different "genetic traits" (powered abilities) to produce individuals capable of adapting to and handling any variety of environments, and further research is to be conducted on creating specialized tasks forces of genetic trait enhanced subjects for use alongside the colonization project. This project stems off their own genetics research; this portion was phased in as something meant to be an academic discussion (to start making people who are amalgamations of genetic material from different sources) that went forward with the discovery of a Transport (Kaworu) initially when he'd disappeared for over a month. They thought to use this at first with the portals to other worlds and get test subjects that way, but it was to too difficult to get the genetic material, since they couldn't bring living people back over the divide into this world. So it started later in 3312, sometime after October and before a Transport's (Elmer) world was destroyed. Subjects were initially going to be gene therapied, but it was decided before material was obtained in ready manners that such would not be efficient. It will continue to say they moved to full tank growth at an accelerated rate, and that it is unknown how stable the accelerated growth will make the subjects, nor if they can keep them properly educated without further assistance from the education. For full maturity, months is needed -- up to about puberty, growth can be accelerated over the course of a month to two months with relatively few setbacks. ]

[ Chrono has a moment to miss the comparative luxury of the apartments in Exsilium; he might have offered her a proper seat and something to drink, then. But, he concedes, hospitality is one of the most mundane of the many things lost to them, now.

He simply nods his thanks in lieu of anything more substantial, and begins skimming the pamphlet.

—A short intake of breath, and he mouths the words "gene therapied" and "full tank growth". Some of the earlier levity seems to drain out of him when he finally looks up. ]

... Do you mind if I photograph this? I think I'd like to have a copy of it.

[ Merrill just blinks in confusion with wide eyes. She has had to learn of 'video' while being here, especially as it takes too long to text, but...photograph? ]

Um, it won't...it won't damage them, will it? I already spilled a bit of ale on them, I don't want them completely ruined.

[ There's a moment where the surprise is clear on his face, but- maybe it makes sense. Tempest hadn't heard of any of this technology either, so maybe Merrill is from somewhere similar? Maybe even the same world.

Chrono just smiles wanly, more genuine this time, as he fishes in his pocket for the tablet and holds it aloft. ]

It won't, I promise. It's just like when we send videos to one another, only it's just one picture.

Oh... All right, then!

[ She nods and holds it out for a proper view. She'll be happy to hold the pages open! Even if that puts her fingertips in the photo. ]

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