driftfleet | Blameless Mingle / August 2018

[Messer's always on high alert, and the experience of once again falling to the Var has left him more paranoid than usual, so the knock isn't even necessary; he's facing the door as it opens, one hand holding his communicator for perusal while the other arm is bandaged and resting in a light sling. He's clean, at least, smelling of disinfectant more than blood. He takes note of the tray and books, and nods politely.]

I won't refuse.

[No promises about the quality of his company, but.]

[He's the beta of a werewolf pack, Messer. He's taken care of more than his share of injured grumps in his time. He's got thick skin.

He brings in the tray and puts it down on a free flat surface and starts pouring the tea.]

How are your injuries?

None were life-threatening. I'm expected to recover with no issues, given time.

[Which is good, because he already hates being stuck here.]

That's good to hear.

[Lyall hands him the tea and then grabs the stack of books and a chair to bring those closer to the bed.]

I brought these as a distraction but I wasn't sure what your preference was, or even if reading was something you'd enjoy... if you'd like to tell me, though I can easily scour the library for you until you are well enough to move around.

[Messer leans in carefully to get a better look at titles; he can't really sort through or check the description without a free hand, and they don't really look like books he'd normally select for himself, but hell if he's going to complain or behave like he's ungrateful.]

Thank you, I'm certain they're fine. If you happen to come across any tactical or engineering texts, I would appreciate those.

[Might as well use this time to learn a thing or two.]

Of course. I will keep an eye out for this.

[He'll leave the books on the bedside table where they can be easily accessed.]

May I ask what happened to put you in that state? I heard some rumors of a big monster and that some people went to fight it...

[Foolish, if you ask him, but of course, no one asked him.]

[Hah. If only it had been some other monster to fight.

Instead of a straight answer, Messer glances sidelong at the man. His secret's getting out, and keeping it isn't worth anyone else getting hurt. Time to come clean.]

You and Rabiffano lock yourselves away during the full moon to avoid harming people, correct?

[He doesn't wait for an answer, as it's mostly rhetorical. He'd gotten the whole explanation before.]

I have a somewhat similar condition, but it lacks the convenience of a schedule. It was triggered due to the mist, and I was injured to keep me from hurting others.

[Well, Lyall didn't know what he was expecting but it wasn't... that and it will show on his face for a few seconds before he schools his features again.]

I see... you say 'similar', so I assume you are not a were, ut you can also transform into another creature... but not at will?

[Basically what happens to newly-turned pups until they learn to control the wolf, it sounds like. Except more dangerous if there's no one around to rein it in.]

Did anyone else get hurt?

[That would be a concern.]

Injuries were minimal. I took the brunt of it, which is how it should go.

[He'd run off into the mist because he'd wanted that. It's just lucky no one got hurt in Kaname's group while they were searching for him.]

I should clarify- I said similar in that it would be easier to explain it as such. I don't become another creature, merely... my body changes, and I lose control.

Your body... changes?

[Maybe he should let Messer decide if he wants to elaborate.]

Would I also be correct in assuming that whatever was done to provoke this, it was not performed voluntarily on you?

[He does not. It's too close to home right now. He'll answer other questions, though.]

It wasn't. It's a disease known as the Var Syndrome- it was spread throughout the galactic cluster through food imports.

Ah.

[Not... exactly what he was expecting. But well.]

How do you normally deal with it, then? Are symptoms always this extreme?

A full infection, when triggered, can only be stopped by death unless a singer with fold receptors is available and skilled enough to suppress it with their music. Kaname Buccaneer, on the Bloodsport, is more than capable.

[Which is why he's still alive, though he doesn't feel the need to say that part. It's well implied.]

Pardone me, but.... a singer? Music as a remedy?

[Sorry if he sounds incredulous, but it is... well, incredible.]

I understand it sounds far fetched, but it's a reality I've personally lived. I've witnessed entire cities lost to madness come to their senses during Walkure's song, countless times.

I cannot say this is something I have ever heard of, but you have more experience than I do in the matter, so I will take your work for it.

And I assume that other scent on you is that of Miss Buccaneer? I do not recognize the name so I don't know if we have met, but her scent is always on you.

[Are you trying to make him choke on his goddamn tea? Wow. Messer coughs, grimacing. The guy's a werewolf so he's probably not... wrong... but it sounds far more scandalous than it is.]

...I hadn't noticed such a thing.

Humans wouldn't notice. Smell is an unfortunately underdeveloped sense in most of them.

[He wasn't trying to make it sound scandalous. If you had his nose, Messer, you'd smell Biffy all over him.]

That was probably forward of me to say, though. My apologies.

N-no.

[Well, yes, but it's more or less understandable. It's probably a whole different culture, werewolves and whatnot.]

You're not... incorrect. I see her frequently.

[Lyall still enjoys being polite and civil, Messer.]

Understandable and actually quite responsible given what you have described. Being in close proximity with her seems to be the most prudent course of action.

I assume we should also call her right away if we notice something amiss with you?

That's ideal. I've made the captain and first mate fully aware of the issue, both for the sake of contacting her and for resolving a situation if they can't find her in time.

[Cat's out of the bag now, so might as well let the others be aware of what they're living with.]

May I ask what you expect to be done should she be delayed or not accessible?

[After all, Lyall may look unassuming, but he can punch someone through a wall.]

Whatever needs to be done.

[His response is immediate, not an ounce of hesitation. If he can tell this to his comrades back home, he can tell his crew.]

Kill me, if it comes to that.

Understood.

[Lyall is not going to waste time being shocked or trying to dissuade him or anything of the kind because 1) Messer knows himself best, and 2) he's way too old for this himself. He's had people killed, or killed them himself, before. If that's what it takes, that's what it takes.]

I should let you reszt some more. And I'll get you more books later.

[It's nice that no one tries to argue with his logic. It's part of why he didn't bother telling people back home. Folks on this ship are a bit more sensible.]

Thank you for that. And for the tea, as well.

Blameless Mingle / August 2018

lmao i wondered about that

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