video - week 2

[seventhdawn]

If I may, I request your attention for a short while.

[This mystery illness has taken a toll on Minfilia, and she's far from a pretty sight, with her nose and eyes red and the rest of her far too pale. She's not slept well, and any useful time awake she spends in weary attempts to find anything that might help all of them...if not feel better, then at least not get any worse. Really, she's rather stunned she managed to get the watch to do what she wanted, which is a feat even when she isn't a dizzy and congested mess.]

None of us are wont to suffer the symptoms of whatever is plaguing us for one moment longer than necessary. [She hopes.] In the last few days I have witnessed several sets of hands and minds at work in pursuit of a solution.

[A pause for a sound sneeze and a bit of coughing, which she tries her best to keep well away from the recording. The remainder of the message sounds as if someone is holding her nose, but there's nothing to be done about it now.]

Until now, these disparate but dedicated souls have, to my knowledge, proceeded tirelessly - and apart. We should all be better served by combining what we know has helped, and what has already proven itself of little use. To that end, I propose that all those striving for both treatment and cure convene as soon as possible, today if we can. The earlier talk of organizing aid and proper supplies will be invaluable as well. The kitchens ought to be sizable enough to hold a crowd.

I know also that a fair few of you wish to venture forth, or have done so, on temple grounds or out in the wilds, to further the chance at finding aught of use. Those who are well enough to travel could thereby divide into larger and more organized groups for continued investigation.

[This is wearing her out, and it's only talking and putting the words together in proper order.]

I look forward to working together in person.

[[ooc: So! A meeting in the kitchen after lunch - feel free to mingle as well as video chat! Primarily she's thinking they really ought to work together to go deeper into the temple or the forest, or both, because this is only getting worse for most people.]]

Comments

[isaz]

Yes. I figure the cause was from the sickness from that other world.

[ He wasn't there at that other world, so he can't say much beyond that. ]

[seventhdawn]

[Minfilia puts one hand over her mouth in thought. It's all well and good to think they are ill because of going to and from another world altogether. But.]

Is it not spreading unconscionably fast for something of this nature? I'm not familiar with any sort of illness shared by both people and vegetation, save for too much or too little aether.

[She shakes her head quickly and regrets it, blinking some dizziness away.]

And if it is something of that nature...too much or too little life force is not contagious in that way, much less able to be brought from elsewhere.

[isaz]

[ He supposes this warrants some sort of explanation. The initial confusion is something he's experienced before ]

In my world, one of the scholars in medicine devised some sort of explanation for this, the presence of small creatures called 'animalcules'. These animalcules are incredibly tiny, but they exist. They can be seen through the use of a magnifier device. Animalcules usually go about their business like a mouse or beetle would, but sometimes they are induced to change from their harmless nature. Just like how a fly would come to nibble on one's food, the changed animalcules would come and suck a person's blood or invade their body to cause illness. The scholars proved the efficiency of their study by making medicine that specifically drive out these animalcules from an ill person's body. Then they got better.

[ Boreas folds his arms. ]

If there were changed animalcules in that world, maybe they could have attached themselves to the travelers' clothing like tiny fleas. Then they disembarked here and went around doing their havoc. The problem now, of course, is catching one and identifying it....

[seventhdawn]

[What he's describing is only slightly more malicious than corrupted aether...and, from the sound of it, much easier to drive off, provided they are able to produce an antidote of sorts.]

In an environment not their own, they may not even realize the damage they cause. [Especially since Struxta was made of metal and glass - spotless in a terribly unsettling way, and not receptive to organic life. Something endangering it would go unnoticed by the constructs on the planet for a very long time.] If it is as you describe.

Are you knowledgeable in the methods of creating this medicine?

[isaz]

I am, but the problem I face now is that I lack the tools. Still, the knowledge can be useful in stopping the disease from spreading further. Keeping the patients well-rested and isolated from the rest can help in containing its spread.

[ No chiurgeon's kit, no magnifier... all of these are problems. ]

I heard a youth with white hair and pointed ears is trying a similar solution. Do you know of him?

[seventhdawn]

I do indeed. Alphinaud is a colleague of mine; we belong to the same organization in out home.

[The specifics of what the Scions do, not to mention their priorities and hierarchies, aren't at all necessary to stopping this plague, so Minfilia neglects to mention them.]

Neither well-rested nor isolated is going to be very easy, I'm afraid, and Alphinaud informs me that what he has discovered but affects the symptoms, and is nigh impossible to stomach.

[isaz]

[ So they do know each other. That simplifies a lot of things. ]

A young man named Akira told me about the same. I've been thinking of looking into it, but our limited resources are again the biggest hurdle.

[seventhdawn]

A hurdle we may not be able to surmount, at that, but that's no reason not to try.

[Sometimes the solution to an impossible obstacle comes bounding over from the other side.]

I suggest getting in touch with Alphinaud directly if you wish to discuss the specifics of his temporary remedy. He claims it isn't yet perfected, but 'tis far better than having nothing at all.

[isaz]

I will when I am able.

[ There are certain other things he still has to attend to, but the cure is definitely on his mind. ]

I will also let you know if I observe any changes outside.

[seventhdawn]

You have my thanks.

[And, as will happen to her several times today, she realizes at last that she has come this far with no introduction whatsoever.]

Forgive my discourtesy, if you would. I am Minfilia.