2020-01-29 - Two Scientists

(TXT to August) Yule : Hey August. This is Yule. Both Isabella and Alexander have given me your information, thought we should chat. You free?

(TXT to Yule) August : I certainly am. where did you want to meet?

(TXT to August) Yule : Since they mentioned you might have ideas how to get a lab under an A-frame... you want to come visit mine? Number 6.

(TXT to Yule) August : oh, you're over in those. sure thing, be there in a spell.

When August arrives, the door is opened to reveal a cabin still in the process of being sorted out. It hadn't helped that Yule? Didn't have much to bring from the small trailer he had been in before, with only a couch so far found and put in front of the fireplace. It gives the A-frame a more cavernous feeling than it normally would have. The ME himself is dressed in a pair of khaki dress slacks and a dark gray sweater, and the most visible thing beyond it all? Is the fact he's on crutches when he opens the door, his left leg held up and clearly favored. "Hey," Comes his greeting, giving a good look over the other fellow before he steps out of the way to allow him in. "Good to finally meet you face to face. Alexander and Isabella have told me quite a bit about you."

August's car is the sort you'd expect from someone living in the woods: an older Outback, with a winch on the front and a turbo engine from the sound of it, studded snow tires and extra fog lights. Just as Yule opens the door he pauses, wincing against something or other, then shakes it off. He flicks the briefest glance at Yule's leg, like he wants to acknowledge the injury but not dwell on it.

He's in a black, leather, motorcycle jacket, bronze and green knit scarf with a tree of life design embroidered in silver and matching cap, denim jeans, and heavy hiking boots. The edge of a dark red and gray sweater peaks out from under the jacket. "It's good to finally meet you too," he says. He's got an envelope with him, holds it up. "Figured you might want a glance at the note that came with the MRI."

He glances around the cabin's interior, clearly picking out details. "Well this is pretty nice," he says, sounding impressed. "I always worry when I hear a developer's going to build 'cabins'. Half the time they're California homes with an A-frame facade."

"Yeah. Long story." Comes his dry touch of amused humor when he catches that glance to his leg, offering up a show that he is at least in good spirits about it. "Come on in. Make yourself at home. Like something to drink? Water, scotch, beer, milk?" That seems to be about the extent of what is on tap at the Duchannes cabin, not a surprise given how new the place seems in terms of its occupation.

He doesn't make a motion to move, just leaning on his crutches as he takes that envelope and begins to open it, one to get directly to the point. "Note? The most interesting things about your MRI wasn't the rate of healing. I've seen that before, and I'm sure you realize how fortunate you are. It's the implants. Do you," His features scrunch up, trying to find the right way to phrase it, the whole mysticism angle still not settling well with the man of science, "actively think of... fixing them? Or healing the implants? Or do they just seem to keep good on their own?"

A soft mmph comes from him when he casts a glance around, and at the talk of home architecture? It gets a rueful smile from the man. "Far more than I've ever lived in for... ages. New York was just a closet of an apartment I was hardly ever in. When I came back? It was a small trailer. But I wanted something a touch more... permanent, and to be able to house the things I'd like to do."

August seems amused at the offering of milk, of all the things. "Water's fine, thanks." He nods, taking in the interior with another glance. "Same with me--I spent about a decade or so, out there on assignments, in a tent or whatever cabin Forestry had for me. Then I finally thought, well, maybe I should have somewhere to put my things other than my sister's basement in Portland, you know?" He chases that with a wry grin, folds his arms.

There's two things in the envelope: the bill for the MRI, which is a frankly exhorbitant amount, to the point of being extortive, and the note in question:

We offer discounts for remarkable individuals. Please feel free to contact us at appointments_only@fcninc.com to book an appointment with our friendly staff.

He hitches one shoulder (his right shoulder) in response to the question. "I don't think about doing it, not directly. I probably did it more when I wasn't here, and didn't realize what I was doing. Lately I've been trying to be more conscious of my use, so They don't show up for some quality time." He nods about the healing. "Yeah, I figure someone in the Portland VA hospital was helping us all along, a bit at a time."

It's the note that creates a soft snort from Yule, his features contorting into a touch of frustration at that very familiar phrase. "Did you actually go in to FCN for the MRI, or was it some other company, and somehow FCN... took over the medical processing of the bill?" Is his first question, before the envelope is handed back. "I had one very similar with blood tests I had run. Usual lab? Got swamped on that particular day. They all got rerouted to this FCN, and the note I got back, handwritten? Was almost exactly the same. Minus the discount part." Bastards!

He begins to pick up the pace, heading in his own hobbled way towards the kitchen where he retrieve a glass, and then water from the fridge that has been filtered. This? Is put on the counter, ready for August, the indication clear that Yule isn't going to try and balance all that and head back over. "Yeah? How long have you been back in Gray Harbor? Recall your records swapped over about 2004. And it's interesting. Even if you weren't actively taking care of them, I'd still think you'd... known. Sorta? I wonder if it is because they are in your body, that whatever it is that lets us do what we do just... takes care of them naturally."

August follows Yule to the counter, in no way expecting the water to be brought back to him by a man on crutches. "No, it was just Via Imaging over in Hoquaim, standard sort of medical imaging site. They do all the usuals--bone density, MRI, you name it." He snorts at the notion of the usual lab being swamped on that specific day. "I'm sure they were," he mutters around a sip of the water.

"Oh I'm not from Gray Harbor. I was driving through about, four years ago now, and it hit me. You know--the way it makes you want to stay. And I figured, well, I could still work at Olympic from here, or do something else." He seems amused by the year Yule mentions. "That's when I got my PhD and could make a reasonable excuse for not going near a fucking hospital. Got a job in Forestry and told them to put me out in the middle of nowhere, and they did."

Toying with the glass, he says, "I didn't come into that Song--Art, Talent, whatever you want to call it--very, ah, gently, let's say, so sometimes I use it on accident. Or, unintentionally. Sensing people's injuries, that kind of thing."

"Were you specifically looking for anything in your MRI? Even thinking about it? Or were you just going to get a standard checkup?" Yule gives August a knowing look, sharing in that skepticism, and his head shakes just a touch. "I have no idea how they managed it. And knew. I talked about it to Isabella, Alexander. We didn't write it down. Only I knew the day I was sending in the samples from the morgue that time around. Creepy, is what it is."

A knowing mmm comes from Yule at that siren call of the place, his eyes flickering away in consideration. A low breath is pushed out as he leans on his crutches, that brown gaze returning to the man. "Yeah. Grew up here. Left after High School. Spent nearly twenty years away before coming back. It was a year ago that it first /hit/ me, that I... manifested, or whatever you want to call it. Had no clue this was all going on before then. But now that I do? I want to learn as much as I can, in as scientific process as possible. Thus the desire for a safe spot for a lab. Don't even ask me what sort of equipment I'll put in it," He offers up with a touch of amusement, those brown eyes sparkling. The smile? It speaks volumes, that the ME doesn't yet have a clue what should go in such a thing, but one thing at a time.

"It was for a comparison," August says. "Not sure if Alexander and Isabella told you, but a bunch of us went to have a look at the Asylum. Only, we can't remember anything that happened. Just, that we went. That's all, the rest is like..." Well, August has some very good comparisons he can make to it. "When you go through some things, things your mind decides it doesn't want to deal with, and you know there's a memory there but you just can't grasp it? It's like that. Another guy who's been there, he called the memory 'corrosive'. Like it actively hurts us to try and remember."

August shakes his head. "Anyways, Ellie, she had an idea that maybe we should see if there was anything physical that could be detected." He licks his lips. "Thing is, if they got your samples, and this MRI, then I can only see two possibilities. Either they can hear and see everything we do," he makes a face, because ugh, what a thought, "or, there is a way to detect this, and they've already sorted it out." He raises his eyebrows at Yule, offering that for consideration.

He scratches his beard, listening to Yule's explanation of his tug of war with Gray Harbor, makes a low sound about the desire for a lab. "Sounds like a good idea. I guess you could put it here, though it could draw attention to where you live." It's offered less as a deterrant and more as a warning. "On the other hand, it's the best way to keep an eye on it, so."

"I recalled that they were going there. Or going again? He wasn't super clear on things, but that was when he and I were just first getting to know each other." Those words from August strike ever so close to home for Yule, especially on this particular day, and down his eyes cast towards his leg, a frown curling against the corners of his mouth. "Or block it out totally. While I was in the hospital? I remembered something that happened as a kid. A Dream experience I had totally blocked out. More a nightmare, really. Confirmed it with Alexander, whose eleven year old self was there with me."

"I came close. To creating a formula... I called it gluminol. It reacts with... something that would be visible under flourescent light. Only... it didn't last long. Five minutes. And it sorta ate and corroded any non organic material," You know, little issues, "And, I could feel that they knew what I was doing. And they weren't happy. After the last issue we had,"

It is here that Yule gives a waggle of that hurt leg, a touch of a smile curling to the corners of his mouth, as he says, "I'm shifting to observation. See if I can find out the power source of things, the how of the powers. And yeah," His eyes look around at the cabin, the contemplation on his face clear that he has thought long and hard on where he wants it at, "Considered Alexander's offer for an offsite bunker. But who knows what might happen. And the closer it is, the more use I'll get. Besides, given what we've already seen with the tests, and what FCN can do? I sorta figure they can find me where I live, regardless if I build the lab here or elsewhere."

August grunts as Yule looks at his leg. "Exactly. So, I figure...if we want to learn about that place, it's going to be hard. And dangerous, but not in the usual sort of way." He taps his temple for emphasis. "I was thinking we might be able to use psychometry--bring things with us, see if any memories or emotions get imprinted on them." Here he is assuming there'll be a next time.

He tilts his head. "Huh. So something could visibly show if the Art was used on something else?" A shake of his head and a sigh, though, for Their attention. "I figure that'll always be a risk. Like you said--what are the chances this FCN doesn't already know where we live? So. Might as well find out what we can."

He seems tempted, for a second, to ask about what Yule means by 'last issue' but opts not to. "Observation's probably safer at the outset. Which is why," he gestures at the note, "I'm going to make an appointment with them. Well, that, and I don't want to shell out ten grand for an MRI."

Yule considers this for a long moment, his head tipping slowly, "Interesting. I've never delved into it much myself, reading objects. I know Alexander does it quite a bit. You'd want something very impressionably, if anything is more or less so."

"Exactly. But they were Not Happy about that. I don't know if context matters? I wasn't thinking of how one might have to be touched to use it... so if anyone could use it to see the Art, as you call it, they might like it even less. I wonder if safeguards draw less of their attention." His mouth parts, however, when August says he is making an appointment. Oh, there is a complaint, a word of note, but damned if the same idea hadn't crossed his own mind.

"All right. So how is that going to go?" He asks about the logistics, "Assume you won't go alone. But even knowing where they would have you go would be interesting. I'm looking at some of the objects that came from them... like the soup. Isabella also has a coin."

"I'm not as good at it as Alexander or de la Vega," August admits. "My mind Art's not like theirs. But I can do it. It's pretty damned handy, even if it can be a bit of a kick in the head now and then. And, precisely--something relatively personal, something I'm focusing on. Like a, keychain I really like, that sort of thing." Okay, it's not a great example.

"Not happy," he echoes. "So that means maybe you're...discovering something they don't want you to know." He thinks over the bit about anyone knowing. "Not sure that'd be it. People without the Art, their minds just explain it away. Your 'gluminol' would just get a mundane explanation for them."

Of the potential appointment with FCN, he says, "At a minimum, Eleanor, probably Itzhak as well. I'm having her try to Research them first, just in case there's anything to find. Once we set up the appointment, she can look into that too, make sure you all know." And if it's at the Asylum, well...they can burn that bridge when they come to it. He raises his eyebrows at the mentioned objects. "Allow me to add to your collection." From one of his jacket pockets he pulls out a pair of comedy 'disguise' glasses, with a rubber nose and mustache, pushes them across the counter to Yule. "Isabella said it made me look like someone else for a bit. Not very convincing, apparently, but maybe I'm not easy to disguise."

One crutch is set aside when that object is pushed over, and that? Is the very first think is mind so raptly focuses on. "Or maybe it is because she knows you too well. Disguises are the easiest to foil by those who know you." He murmurs as he reaches out to look them over, but he doesn't put them on. "Mind if I keep these for a couple of days? I've looked through the soup. It's fascinating to see how they are able to have items with a permanent effect on them, at least until it is used. And how did you get it?"

Only then does his mind tug back to those other topics, a touch of reluctance as he looks up towards August, before a touch of a nod comes to that well reasoned plan. "All right. If you don't mind keeping me informed, I'll do the same. Isabella and I are getting lab equipment rented to do the blood tests on our own. Well, she's helping moving it. Testing falls to me," He offers up with a touch of mischief, "Hopefully something can be discovered that way. I'm not holding my breath, though. But,"

It's around the cabin he looks, and then back towards the man, as he murmurs, "On that subject. Isabella said you had thoughts on how a lab might be built out under a cabin? She didn't elaborate much in her voicemail, just a mention of it."

"Good point," August says under his breath, watching Yule take the glasses. "Don't mind at all. I got them the same place Isabella got her coin and Eleanor got the bath bombs--from the Christmas Parade. There was a different guy acting as Santa this year." Is that involved? Was he FCN too? A good question.

"I don't mind at all, it'd be better if more people knew, in case something happens." He hates to put that possibility out there, but there it is. They're in unknown territory, with unknown adversaries.

He also looks around the cabin, biting his lip. "Well, the issue is, these are a done deal. Really you'd want to put it under something you're getting built. If you dig under the slab or crawl-space now, it could compromise the structure." He laughs. "And it's a rental, not sure they'd be too happy about that." His grin says he doesn't personally care, but Yule might, depending on the lease he signed. "If you were going with a structure that's not yet built, then really around here the biggest concern is keeping it warm. You want to dig out enough extra to put down sand and gravel, and get a heating setup that lets you heat the basement too." He gestures at Yule. "Obviously if you're doing experiments, you'll want a reliable temperature anyways."

"It feels like they sure gave out a lot of trinkets. It has to be possible to make them without dire costs," Yule sounds half optimistic about their ability to do similar things, and half hopeful that it has to be true just to avoid the unpleasant thoughts of how many harmed souls, tortured spirits, or whatever else people thinks goes into these things. "Could be."

They are carefully folded back up, and a faint smile curls to the corners of his lips, "I'd think they'd be careful in doing anything the first visit, surely. But who knows what rules they play by, especially not when there is the talk of how to make things work being offered up.

"I considered a cellar in the back yard. Comes with enough spcae. I think I could spin it so if it is my cost footing the bill, with the right insurance? Surely they won't mind me increasing their property value for later rentals." Probably. Never mind the potential explosions or fires, but lets not get ahead of ourselves! "I'd hate to have to build a whole place, including a home, from the ground up... or subground, as the case might be. Yeah, a rental. Potential problem, but we will see, I guess."

"Yeah, I was kind of hoping the same. Like, if they're just tossing them at us--even if it was to get us to experiment for them, basically--it can't be that costly. On the other hand, maybe they have access to that much power. That's how rich corporations get away with shit like Deepwater Horizon without going out of business." He's cranky about that, for sure. Someone's an environmentalist.

"I'd like to think so," he agrees. "But, you never know. And, a separate cellar in the back is way easier to do," he says with a nod. "Or, what they call a half-cellar, where half of it is under the house, so you can have an in-house entrance, if you want. It can be a bit expensive but not as much as building an actual new place from scratch." Does August regret not thinking of this when putting up his? Yeah, he does.

"I'll have to see what I can get approved first, if anything. Thanks for the ideas, at least it gives me something to aim for, yeah?" Comes Yules thoughts about the basement, his head dipping into a small nod of approval, already having a few ideas running through him. "The other thing I'm working on? With Isabella and Minerva... is trying to find a way to create an object to nullify a room for long periods of time. The thought being, we could have a safe place to store records and keep information at that They can't get access to and erase. That,"

Once more it is down to his leg he looks, an exasperated shrug coming against him as he plucks up his other crutch, tucking it back under his arm, "Led to this. We didn't succeed, but we did learn it is possible, which is more than we knew before. We just need to be better at doing it." Certainly easier said than done, "Yeah. Alexander thought I could try and find financing for the lab.. but having someone that wants profit.. well. That isn't going to happen from the sort of stuff we are looking into."

"Not a problem," August says, nodding. He gestures dismissively at the idea of private funding. "Nah, I agree--unless it's someone you know and can trust, I wouldn't risk it.

At the explanation of their other experiment, he blinks, surprised. "Now that's a clever idea," he says, tapping his chin. "Since we need a way to record these things but to keep them safe, too." He follows Yule's gaze to his leg, shifts uncomfortably. After a second, he says, "Did, you, ah...want that healed up?" He meets Yule's eyes. "It's pretty bad, but I can give it a shot."

"Yeah, we do. I heard about something that happened at the Addison house, a christmas party or something? That produced an effect similar to that. If we can keep documented information, and hopefully do so in a way They don't know what we have? Even better. But, it might feel pretty damn creepy, if our first experiment is anything to go off of." That has a shudder through his spine, before Yule's head shakes just a touch.

"No. I appreciate the thought, but I'd rather have it heal naturally. Our nullification gone wrong? I hadn't had any, but all of Isabella's wounds that were healed by glimmer? It made her feel like they wre all being undone. That? Is enough reason for me to want to heal naturally unless it's a life or death situation."

August mmms, nods. "I was there that night. Not sure if it was someone trying to make the effect stop, or, if it was part of the problem. It definitely felt weird, though, not having the Art there. I've had it in some form or another since I was a kid." He can't suppress the shudder that forms in response to that memory. The silence inside him, like when he'd had partial hearing loss, where before there'd been something in motion, always sensing.

He pulls a face at the description of what they went through (and maybe also at imagining some of his heftier wounds which were healed coming back). "Jesus. But, no problem. Just to warn you, if Isabella and Alexander already haven't--I'll always offer. I don't have this Art to not use it, as far as I'm concerned." He smiles, rueful. "As bad as it was, you're pioneers. Brave ones, digging into something no one else has, maybe. So for what it's worth, good job." On not dying? On finding some things out? Yes.

"Just wish I felt more like Einstein than Edison," Yule offers up with a gentle quip towards that pioneering spirit, a twinkle of mischief coming to life in those brown eyes. "Yeah. I appreciate the offer, and I am sure now and then, I'll have to take you up on it. But after that," It's another shudder that comes, and back and fourth that bad leg swings as he pushes a bit more on the crutches. "Yeah. Natural it is. I'll keep you informed as well as we make progress... hopefully we will. Have a few things to try with Alexander next. We will see. And to examine these items more in depth. I should," It's a tug of his phone from his pocket to glance at the time, a small frown curling to his mouth. "Unfortunately be hitting bed soon. On call, and around here? Whenever I can get some sleep, I need to take the chance."

"Eh," August waves a hand, good-naturedly dismissing the comparison, "so Edison got bit by his own invention. That's just how these things go." He considers Yule a moment, expression distant. There's the faintest sensation of August not looking at Yule so much as at his abilities, weighing them. A few seconds of this, then he nods. "Well if you wind up needing any help, let me know. I'm not reluctant to pitch in, and I've even got some lab experience myself."

He finishes off the glass of water, collects the envelop with the bill. "Sure thing. I should get to sleep myself; if it's clear tomorrow, we have a backlog of appointments a mile long, and only four of us to get through 'em. Take care, yeah?"

"Was more about the fact he tested things blinding. Hundreds, even thousands of random poking at things to see what worked and didn't, rather than a more scientific approach. But what can you do, yeah?" It's like starting over without even knowing the most basic of building blocks, and his head dips into a small nod for that offer of help. "I'll be sure to do so." The envelop is handed back over, and for a moment? It's a narrowing of eyes as Yule catches that observation, but given it is an observation, rather than a more thorough looking over of him with spirit? No warning comes, at least not this time. "Take care too, August. Hope your other appointment is useful and not nearly as dangerous as it sounds."

"Eh, you know, we work with what we've got. You have to start somewhere. And hey, you've got actual training, so you're at least a little closer to Curie than Edison." August watches Yule narrow his eyes, seems to wait for some of the same, and maybe is a little surprised when it doesn't happen.

"Fingers crossed," he says of his FCN appointment, and then he's off.