[closed]

[axi]

Who: Kaname, Messer, Shiro, Ulaz
Broadcast: No
Action: Blameless, Ulaz's lab
When: April 22


[Talking to Messer about the idea went better than she hoped, and even if it's still something neither of them are excited about doing, they know it's needed. His condition being stable isn't something they can count on, nor should it be. Drifting only reinforces that idea. Being confined to a few select places with the possibility of an attack on him isn't an ideal situation at all. It's easier on planets with places to flee to.

So now, Kaname's off to Ulaz's lab with Messer in tow, aware that the two they're meeting with aren't going to be expecting his presence. She kept even that a mystery. A good portion of her thinks this is overkill: all the secrecy and skulking about, but it's how he'd want it. She's going to respect that.

When the lab door opens, she finds both of the other waiting inside. Offering a soft smile, the singer enters and moves aside for Messer to follow, door closing behind him. She nods to Shiro, then Ulaz, offering a hand for each to shake.]

Thank you for meeting with me-- us, and I'm sorry about all the secrecy.

Comments

[axi]

[Getting right down to business is what she intends, so the introductions being kept to a minimum is appreciated. It's a long story, but Kaname keeps it as succinct as she can.]

In our home [A gesture to indicate Messer, showing they're from the same place] there's a disease called Var Syndrome, or simply the Var. Those afflicted with it are known to fall into a berserker like state with enhanced strength, reflexes, and senses, while losing their minds and sense of self in the process. When they're like this, they're prone to wanton violence and destruction.

[The singer pauses to allow time for them to take that in. Continuing, she remains wholly professional, as if she's simply giving a briefing, not about divulge a secret that was kept from even her until it wasn't possible anymore.]

Messer has the Var. He's a rare example of someone able to live with it and keep it mostly under control. Unfortunately, events at home, just before his arrival here, have put that balance in jeopardy. Since we're limited to the ships now, I... we felt it was important you be informed.

[Only now does she spare a glance back at the subject of their meeting.] I talked with a good friend-- Keith, and he vouched for your trustworthiness, so I'll put my faith in you as well. We'd like to keep this information between as few parties as possible. I hope you can understand that much.

[Kaname looks back to the two officers.] There's more, but I wanted to see if you have questions so far before I continue.

[padadin]

[Oh, so they're both from the same world. That explains a bit already, and it's a good thing to know. Sort of an emergency contact for your crew mate, if you will.

...and isn't that thought ironic, Shiro realizes when Kaname tells her story.]

You're right, it's important to be informed.

[A very serious tone. He glances at Messer, as if a look could help him understand the man. Shiro, of all people in the universe, understands what it feels like, having to hide your demons. But this is a bit bigger than that, it puts his crew in danger.

He would've liked to be informed before... but at least they're doing it now. Communication has been started, and Shiro will take the opportunity instead of trying to scold them.]

Keith told you right, I can understand that much. The information is safe with me. I just ask you to keep me informed in return - even the slight hint of the Var coming out, let me know. For the sake of my crew, yes, but also yours. [If that's even possible. So Kaname is right, here comes the question.] Are there any signs that we can look for before it reacts? Can we stop it then? And what can we do to stop it when it's too late?

[scalpelofmarmora]

[Ulaz listened intently as she explained the issue at hand. He also did glance over at Messer. There were just more things that he was learning about these different worlds and this was one of them. From med tech prospective, it was a chance to learn something new! From the fighter's prospective, he knew how dangerous that could get and quickly]

I will not tell others about this either. It does not need to be common knowledge.

[Those questions of Shiro's were very good so he's going to pose a few others]

Suppose that we aren't able to stop it before it happens, what would the course of action be then? I'm assuming it can be stopped since he is known to have it and he is here not in that state. Also I will assume that others have attempted cure this?

[axi]

[Hearing their agreement to keep the information among limited parties, Kaname nods in gratitude before addressing (some of) their concerns.]

Try and keep him calm, an increase in stress or other external stimuli can trigger it. And contact me as soon as something happens. Back home, I'm part of a tactical sound unit, a singing group. The short of it is that our voices-- my voice-- can halt the Var and get it under control. If I can't make it over to him, get me on the communication system, that would just as well, though it needs to be live, not recorded after that fact.

[She pauses a moment.] As to the rest, it's better heard from Messer.

[And she looks to him to take over.]

[vartex]

[Messer's been paying attention the whole time, but he'd lifted his head at their questions, scrutinizing their expressions, trying to get a read on the room. ]

There is no known cure- the condition is permanent, but it can be maintained with caution. The symptoms originate in the heart, so it resembles a heart attack in some ways. Intense breathing, chest pains, sweating, lack of focus. Involuntary vocalization.

[So, y'know, if he starts screaming and grabbing his chest, that's a good sign. He lifts his wrist, revealing a small silver bracelet he's been wearing since his arrival.]

This carries a recording of Kaname's music. If you can't immediately contact her, this can temporarily help alleviate the pressure- her voice has yet to fail to control an outbreak of mine. And if it's impossible to contact her in time... [He lifts his shoulders in a slight shrug.] Do what's necessary to protect those around me.

[He's not going to say "kill me" in front of Kaname, but these are men of action, like him, at least as far as they've said. They might understand the necessity of making such a decision.]

[padadin]

[Increases of stress... well isn't that more irony to add to the pile. He doubts his team will go bother someone that mostly keeps to himself, but Shiro makes a mental not of that regardless. Now let's just hope that Atroma doesn't give them another cannibal planet - stressful situations are their best ratings.

He nods along to the causes, signs and effects - it's pretty clear, easy to understand. Magic singing, huh? Well, he's heard and seen weirder. And then... Messer adds that at the end. And Shiro understands, oh he really does. He's put Keith through this talk already.

His respect for Messer has just raised to inmensurable levels.]

Hopefully it won't come down to that. Both Ulaz and I are expert fighters, I believe we can hold you off until Kaname arrives. [A pause before he finally adds.] I'll do as much as possible for the right outcome, until the very end. But if what's necessary becomes the only option then...

[Just a nod.]

[scalpelofmarmora]

[Whether Ulaz had actually known what a "heart attack" was or not before the description, he at least had a description of it. He listened patiently to the information that was provided, both about symptoms and the cure to it. Like Shiro, he couldn't really say that he had heard of magical singing curing people, but he had seen enough that he wasn't even going to question it.

Ulaz definitely can appreciate the last line of Messer's statement. It was a philosophy the Blades would come up with if something should happen to one of theirs - do everything to stop them and if all else failed.... He knows actually stating the comment that someone should kill them is hard for anyone so he respects that he acknowledged it could have been an issue.

He nodded once in response to Shiro's comment about them being fighters] We will do what has to be done to ensure not only what is best for you, but also for the crew.

[An acknowledgement that they would try to keep everyone safe, but if the only option became the one no one wanted to say then they would take it]

[axi]

[Her eyes are on him during the explanation and subsequent comments. He doesn't need to say what he means; she already knows. Of course the idea itself is one she hates, but as a last resort, there's no denying the efficacy of it. The only indication of her feelings is the slight crease in her brow when it's alluded to, likely something only Messer would notice.

Their general reluctance but ultimate compliance to his solution is a relief for her. If it comes to that, they'll do what needs to be done and not before. It really is the ideal outcome. Once they've both agreed to his suggestion, Kaname chimes in once more.]

Until such a need arises, I'd like to make a request. If possible, would you be willing to monitor Messer's vitals every so often? It could be a way to get new data on it. Maybe we can find something here we weren't capable of at home.

[Not that she has hopes for it, but she glances at Messer once more to measure his reaction to her suggestion.]

order jumping for lab support question

[scalpelofmarmora]

[Since there was now a question specifically entailing what he did, Ulaz spoke up]

If he is willing, we can monitor him to see if there is some sort of pattern to this or if there is a signal that could lead us to believe that his condition could be on the verge of coming out so we can try to take measures before hand to reduce that chance.

I am also curious about the possibility that there might be something we can do to actually treat it with different technologies or a different set of eyes looking at the information.

[His lab was fairly basic, but another more advanced lab may have more equipment for him to look at this with if that lab support tech would allow him to borrow it. Since he wouldn't give out names]

[vartex]

[Messer nods, first to Kaname and then to Ulaz. And yeah, he didn't miss Kaname's reaction to his unspoken request, but he can't comment on it now. Maybe they'll have to deal with it later, but not now, not when there are others around.]

I have no objection. Take whatever information you need.

[He has some doubts about finding a proper cure or treatment, considering the advancements back home showing no progress on that front, but he's not going to refuse someone's offer to try. ]

[padadin]

[Sorry Kaname, self-sacrificing soldiers gonna soldier. It's gonna sound weird, but this conversation helps Shiro too. He knows he can trust these men to do the right thing with him, too, if the time ever comes (especially now that Haggar is here).

Shiro also nods along.] A great idea. The more we know, the better chances we have to prevent it, and the better prepared we'll be if needed. Maybe in the future you can ask some magical healers for assistance, too, see if they have better luck. As long as you're comfortable, of course.