![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
( Depending on where Cosima is and how focused she is, the first sign of Franklin's arrival may be a cold nose gently poking at her. He has a talent for finding exposed flesh and ticklish spots. If she isn't immersed in work, then perhaps the tap tap tap of his claws on the floor get her first.
Now that he has been back around Cosima for longer, he isn't as prone to losing his mind whenever he sees her, but he still requires a good deal of pats and cuddles before he will be still enough for her to grab the note from the holster on his collar. )
Good morrow, Cosima.
I am drafting a survey for rifters. I had thought to share it over crystal, to encourage discussion that I might learn more, however, the topic may mean such a course is unwise.
Are you presently available to discuss and review? There is no urgency. If too many tasks require your attention, do not be concerned. I can seek out Dr. Strange.
With respect,
Herian
P.S. The chew marks are Franklin's work, not mine.
Now that he has been back around Cosima for longer, he isn't as prone to losing his mind whenever he sees her, but he still requires a good deal of pats and cuddles before he will be still enough for her to grab the note from the holster on his collar. )
Good morrow, Cosima.
I am drafting a survey for rifters. I had thought to share it over crystal, to encourage discussion that I might learn more, however, the topic may mean such a course is unwise.
Are you presently available to discuss and review? There is no urgency. If too many tasks require your attention, do not be concerned. I can seek out Dr. Strange.
With respect,
Herian
P.S. The chew marks are Franklin's work, not mine.
[As Franklin had already caused an unplanned break, it's probably worth just leaning into it, in Cosima's opinion. A stretch and a walk down to the infirmary could do her some good. Luckily Herian is no longer there as a patient, but it's a best guess as to where her work is taking her these days; Cosima can try the training yard next, if need be. And she knows Franklin will be a decent guide in his own right, considering his ongoing preference for Cosima and Herian to be in the same place whenever possible.]
That was good.
( Getting up so quickly even after the training drills, the inevitable fatigue and potential soreness, was a marked improvement. Herian gathers more from the basket, glancing about to ensure no one will be at risk from the next drill. )
Keep your present place.
( Herian begins walking a wide circle around Cosima, so the projectiles will come from different angles. Slow building to a jog in the first lap, before moving to a run. Some projectiles are poorly thrown, off target, some dead on centre, so Cosima has to judge which are worth defending against and which would be a waste of her energy, and all of them coming from different sides. All of them are thrown hard.
And then Herian pivots sharply, abandoning the circle when taking new positions, to make predicting and environment that bit more challenging. )
( Getting up so quickly even after the training drills, the inevitable fatigue and potential soreness, was a marked improvement. Herian gathers more from the basket, glancing about to ensure no one will be at risk from the next drill. )
Keep your present place.
( Herian begins walking a wide circle around Cosima, so the projectiles will come from different angles. Slow building to a jog in the first lap, before moving to a run. Some projectiles are poorly thrown, off target, some dead on centre, so Cosima has to judge which are worth defending against and which would be a waste of her energy, and all of them coming from different sides. All of them are thrown hard.
And then Herian pivots sharply, abandoning the circle when taking new positions, to make predicting and environment that bit more challenging. )
( Perhaps surprisingly, Herian is not in the Infirmary, although she is working on something related. Instead she has a table in a shaded part of the gardens, where she can work without the risk of interrupting others work through inadvertent mess. The area of low foot traffic would also prevent inadvertently alarming people, presumably.
There are books propped up around her, but kept well-clear of her present task. She is working with clay - unsuited to the sanctity of the Infirmary - a model of what looks like the musculature of the face and skull. The documents she is referencing are her own sketches, with notes and corrections from Doctor Strange. Her concentration means it takes a moment to realise Cosima's arrival - in fact, it is Franklin's cold nose catching her waist that pulls her from the task. (No ticklish squeak, sadly.) )
Hello.
( Herian stands, drying her hands so she can give Franklin a treat for successfully delivering the message. )
I did not expect you to attend. My question did not concern musculature, though if you've insight to offer, I would gladly receive it.
There are books propped up around her, but kept well-clear of her present task. She is working with clay - unsuited to the sanctity of the Infirmary - a model of what looks like the musculature of the face and skull. The documents she is referencing are her own sketches, with notes and corrections from Doctor Strange. Her concentration means it takes a moment to realise Cosima's arrival - in fact, it is Franklin's cold nose catching her waist that pulls her from the task. (No ticklish squeak, sadly.) )
Hello.
( Herian stands, drying her hands so she can give Franklin a treat for successfully delivering the message. )
I did not expect you to attend. My question did not concern musculature, though if you've insight to offer, I would gladly receive it.
[The response is left on Ness' desk in the Diplomacy office, weighed down by a small rock with a little yellow star painted on it.]
I'll work on the seneschal. Much appreciated.
[There's a small smiley face drawn to the side of the text.]
I'll work on the seneschal. Much appreciated.
[There's a small smiley face drawn to the side of the text.]
It was good timing, actually. I was due a break. And I thought it'd be easiest to talk about in person, rather than making poor Franklin run back and forth a bunch more times.
[She gestures for Herian to resume her seat, and finds a place to settle herself nearby.]
What kind of survey are you thinking about?
[She gestures for Herian to resume her seat, and finds a place to settle herself nearby.]
What kind of survey are you thinking about?
[She bends her knees, keeping her center of gravity low but preserving her ability to move. Herian can see that Cosima errs toward wasting energy on shielding against projectiles that wouldn't have actually hit her more often than the reverse. It's possibly this, or the fatigue more generally, that slows her over time.
Finally a turn isn't fast enough and the projectile slams hard against her hip and she hisses as she stumbles. She doesn't outright fall, and the wood hit her broadside so it will, at worst, leave a nasty bruise. Still, it's not especially pleasant. Even so, Cosima doesn't ask for a pause.]
Finally a turn isn't fast enough and the projectile slams hard against her hip and she hisses as she stumbles. She doesn't outright fall, and the wood hit her broadside so it will, at worst, leave a nasty bruise. Still, it's not especially pleasant. Even so, Cosima doesn't ask for a pause.]
( Franklin looks up at Cosima with the dopey smile of a content dog. While Herian returns to her seat, laying a damp cloth over the sculpture to preserve its moisture. Franklin waits for Cosima to sit so he can flop over her feet. )
Interviews might be a beneficial methodology, for better nuance. However, an anonymous form may be best for efficiency and honest responses.
( She pauses, registering that she may have misinterpreted. )
Medical ethics and research across rifter worlds.
Interviews might be a beneficial methodology, for better nuance. However, an anonymous form may be best for efficiency and honest responses.
( She pauses, registering that she may have misinterpreted. )
Medical ethics and research across rifter worlds.
Assess what is a risk and what is not.
( She uses the time as Cosima recovers her footing a move behind her, taking up two pieces from past throws. Both are loosed at once, both flying just wide of Cosima, but coming from an awkward angle, at least partially behind her.
The flying wide is intentional, to assist with her accumulative analysis; is her focus struggling alongside her speed? Is she more aware of one side than another? Protective of one side than another? Will fatigue force her to be more discerning, or make that judgement more difficult? )
You cannot sustain shielding against all projectiles.
( Three more pieces, one very close, one flying far wide, before a third is aimed at Cosima properly. Herian makes sure to space them out enough that one shield would not protect against more than one. )
( She uses the time as Cosima recovers her footing a move behind her, taking up two pieces from past throws. Both are loosed at once, both flying just wide of Cosima, but coming from an awkward angle, at least partially behind her.
The flying wide is intentional, to assist with her accumulative analysis; is her focus struggling alongside her speed? Is she more aware of one side than another? Protective of one side than another? Will fatigue force her to be more discerning, or make that judgement more difficult? )
You cannot sustain shielding against all projectiles.
( Three more pieces, one very close, one flying far wide, before a third is aimed at Cosima properly. Herian makes sure to space them out enough that one shield would not protect against more than one. )
[She leans to scritch Franklin's neck, absently fond, while she considers this.]
Can you give me an example question? What specifically are you trying to get at?
[Not skeptical: curious.]
Can you give me an example question? What specifically are you trying to get at?
[Not skeptical: curious.]
[It's not that Herian's point isn't good; it's that Cosima is still building muscle memory, and doesn't have much to fall back on (at least where combat is concerned). It makes every choice an active one, and decision fatigue as much as physical fatigue is in play.
She goes for the first of the three, the one that would have narrowly missed her, leaving her open to the third.] Goddamnit, [is frustration as much as it is pain, when the projectile connects.]
She goes for the first of the three, the one that would have narrowly missed her, leaving her open to the third.] Goddamnit, [is frustration as much as it is pain, when the projectile connects.]
With apologies for the bother, if I am wasting your time,
The Crossworlds' eluvians have an unreliable location, leading to agents of the Riftwatch occasionally being derailed or ending up in the wrong place. Or stuck in the Crossworlds until they find the mirror for the Gallows.
Without necessarily ruining the heritage value of the eluvians, I was wondering if it would be possible to write their destination in code, perhaps in invisible ink.
A bit like writing in lemon juice and shining a candle under the parchment to reveal the words.
Something that all members of the Riftwatch could then read - head archivist mentioned our crystals, so maybe that.
I am sure your division is busy with many things already but this might be of interest.
Kind regards,
Hermione Granger (Forces)
The Crossworlds' eluvians have an unreliable location, leading to agents of the Riftwatch occasionally being derailed or ending up in the wrong place. Or stuck in the Crossworlds until they find the mirror for the Gallows.
Without necessarily ruining the heritage value of the eluvians, I was wondering if it would be possible to write their destination in code, perhaps in invisible ink.
A bit like writing in lemon juice and shining a candle under the parchment to reveal the words.
Something that all members of the Riftwatch could then read - head archivist mentioned our crystals, so maybe that.
I am sure your division is busy with many things already but this might be of interest.
Kind regards,
Hermione Granger (Forces)
Edited (No, phone tags, bad phone tags) 2024-09-09 08:40 (UTC)
Not a waste of time at all — thanks for bringing it up.
Invisible ink is a clever idea, especially if it's fully mundane. I think most people would be looking for something magical. I'm not sure if there's any way to tie lemon juice to the sending crystals, exactly, but it's an area worth exploring.
Since no good deed goes unpunished: Would you want to head up looking into this possibility? If you already know any research personnel you'd like to request, I'm happy to send them your way for some amount of their workweek if they're not tied up too much elsewhere. If not, I can look at everyone's workloads and skills and make a suggestion. Either way, I think you might be able to explain your idea in detail to whoever I send your way, and if you get to the point where you're going into the Crossroads to do some mapping, I won't be mad at having Forces watching my people's back. (With the Commander's sign-off, of course.)
Let me know if you're interested and available. And if not, I'll add it to our list either way. Much appreciated.
— Cosima
Edited (I realized I misread the original message a little, mea culpa) 2024-09-10 00:00 (UTC)
[ She CAN GET THE PROJECT??? Okay Hermione, be cool, be cool. ]
I wouldn't think of the project as punishment! That is to say, yes please if you'd like to entrust me with it. I still have to catch up on reading, chemistry is not my forte, at least not with the unfamiliar flora and fauna here.
But I think I could be valuable on codework. And watching your people's back in the Crossroads.
- Hermione
I wouldn't think of the project as punishment! That is to say, yes please if you'd like to entrust me with it. I still have to catch up on reading, chemistry is not my forte, at least not with the unfamiliar flora and fauna here.
But I think I could be valuable on codework. And watching your people's back in the Crossroads.
- Hermione
It's all you (barring any concerns from Cmmdr Rowntree, of course). I'd suggest you check in with Madame de Cedoux at some point too; since she's our Chief Crytopgrapher, she may have useful input on current trends in codes, what our enemies are up to with them, etc.
Keep me posted on your progress, and let me know if there's materials or support you need.
Keep me posted on your progress, and let me know if there's materials or support you need.
I can bring it up with Cmmdr Rowntree, but I hope there won't be any concerns.
If the offer to make recommendations for who else to look into this is valid, I'll be grateful for someone who understands the crystals and most specifically the way they could be modified, if they should be.
- Hermione
If the offer to make recommendations for who else to look into this is valid, I'll be grateful for someone who understands the crystals and most specifically the way they could be modified, if they should be.
- Hermione
Roger that. I'll ask around, maybe one of the native mages will have an idea. I'll let you know.
[OOC: No on in particular in mind, but if you plan to RP about this and ask for Research volunteers, feel free to say Cosima sent someone her way if they need IC motivation.]
[OOC: No on in particular in mind, but if you plan to RP about this and ask for Research volunteers, feel free to say Cosima sent someone her way if they need IC motivation.]
(It all goes over Gela's head a little bit, for sure, but there's something so intriguing about watching someone speak on a subject they are interested in, or know a lot about, and she gets to observe Cosima in this way right now. A payoff, for now knowing much more about cows and deer.)
Yes. A bit —
If you weren't working on this, the deer and cows, what were you working on?
Yes. A bit —
If you weren't working on this, the deer and cows, what were you working on?
( A pause is prudent; frustration could carve away productivity if allowed to fester. She remembers how insidiously destructive it had been to herself, many times over. )
This is not indication of any failing.
( To address the frustration, as much as addressing something may, at times, stoke frustration further. )
I mean not to dismiss your feelings, only to remind you that there is courage in taking on such a challenge. Irritation with yourself will mine tracks under your progress and, in times of pressure, collapse the willingness to continue.
( An objective and unfortunate reality. A pause. ) What are you feeling?
This is not indication of any failing.
( To address the frustration, as much as addressing something may, at times, stoke frustration further. )
I mean not to dismiss your feelings, only to remind you that there is courage in taking on such a challenge. Irritation with yourself will mine tracks under your progress and, in times of pressure, collapse the willingness to continue.
( An objective and unfortunate reality. A pause. ) What are you feeling?
( Forthrightness is practical, although she is aware that the furthest end is a considerable leap. )
Multiple points, and I know not if the ultimate end is one that would be dismissed outright were I in my past state.
( With emotions, feelings. She can logically approach concepts, however, logic is not able to track all nuances. )
The recent survey on how best to accommodate rifters in the case of their passing overlapped with my efforts to advance my own learning, and craft materials to better assist Doctor Strange with explaining required care and training others.
( Having this conversation alongside a literal attempt to render musculature in clay seems appropriate. )
I questioned first if such efforts would be advanced if members of Riftwatch were willing to authorise, in the case of their passing, use of their remains for study, whether native or rifter. However, I recognise that this could be an inherent violation of cultural needs, and am reminded of times past when we spoke on ethical violations conducted with the justification of advancement in your world. Learning first of ethics in other worlds seemed the necessary first step.
( Herian is very still. )
There is danger in being without sentiment and emotion. Logic would suggest that using remains is practical and justified, that protest could be dismissed as the study would support the protecting of lives in the future, yet I would not have drawn this conclusion, were I not as I am.
Multiple points, and I know not if the ultimate end is one that would be dismissed outright were I in my past state.
( With emotions, feelings. She can logically approach concepts, however, logic is not able to track all nuances. )
The recent survey on how best to accommodate rifters in the case of their passing overlapped with my efforts to advance my own learning, and craft materials to better assist Doctor Strange with explaining required care and training others.
( Having this conversation alongside a literal attempt to render musculature in clay seems appropriate. )
I questioned first if such efforts would be advanced if members of Riftwatch were willing to authorise, in the case of their passing, use of their remains for study, whether native or rifter. However, I recognise that this could be an inherent violation of cultural needs, and am reminded of times past when we spoke on ethical violations conducted with the justification of advancement in your world. Learning first of ethics in other worlds seemed the necessary first step.
( Herian is very still. )
There is danger in being without sentiment and emotion. Logic would suggest that using remains is practical and justified, that protest could be dismissed as the study would support the protecting of lives in the future, yet I would not have drawn this conclusion, were I not as I am.
You've seen our microscope, right? Lets you see things you couldn't see without help. My world has a bunch of tools that lets me see into the building blocks that make up animals, and I try to ... Basically my field is trying to solve the mystery of whether different kinds of animals used to be the same kind of animals, thousands of years ago. And we do that by looking at how they develop. How is it the same, how is it different.
[She flashes a little smile.] Sorry if I'm nerding out on you too hard, it's like ... it was sometimes tricky to explain to people at home, and here I've got a bunch of extra context to add. But even if I can't do it here, it's been useful with like ... trying to understand how the Fade affects plants and animals near a rift. Thinking about whether those effects will pass down to their offspring.
[She flashes a little smile.] Sorry if I'm nerding out on you too hard, it's like ... it was sometimes tricky to explain to people at home, and here I've got a bunch of extra context to add. But even if I can't do it here, it's been useful with like ... trying to understand how the Fade affects plants and animals near a rift. Thinking about whether those effects will pass down to their offspring.
I'm okay, [is automatic, but also not untrue. She rubs her side where she was hit. It may bruise, but it's nothing to actually worry about.]
I'm feeling a little frustrated, but it's not. I mainly just know that I'm not playing to my strengths, and I wish I could make up the ground faster. But there's no way to shortcut a skill like this, I know it. [A small sigh.] I'm getting slow, though, maybe we should call it for today.
I'm feeling a little frustrated, but it's not. I mainly just know that I'm not playing to my strengths, and I wish I could make up the ground faster. But there's no way to shortcut a skill like this, I know it. [A small sigh.] I'm getting slow, though, maybe we should call it for today.
Yeah. I get that.
[She considers how to arrange her thoughts for a moment.]
In the world I come from, and I'm pretty sure the one Strange comes from, we've learned a lot from the remains of people who have died. I'd be shocked if no one in Thedas had ever tried it, but given the reach of the Chantry, I suspect it's been pretty secret. That said. Especially for people with anchor shards, there could be some upsides.
Assuming it's something Strange thinks would be practically useful, which I'd want to check with him before we even bring it up, I think the way you've got to approach it is around informed consent, yeah? The assumption is we don't do it unless someone freely says it's alright without any pressure. And I think for you, it sounds like the thing to be mindful of is not trying to like ... argue them out of their feelings or beliefs. Just because you see the logic of it doesn't mean everyone else needs to be convinced at any cost. Right?
[The question is a real prompt, Cosima studying Herian's face to try to gauge if she's made her point clearly.]
[She considers how to arrange her thoughts for a moment.]
In the world I come from, and I'm pretty sure the one Strange comes from, we've learned a lot from the remains of people who have died. I'd be shocked if no one in Thedas had ever tried it, but given the reach of the Chantry, I suspect it's been pretty secret. That said. Especially for people with anchor shards, there could be some upsides.
Assuming it's something Strange thinks would be practically useful, which I'd want to check with him before we even bring it up, I think the way you've got to approach it is around informed consent, yeah? The assumption is we don't do it unless someone freely says it's alright without any pressure. And I think for you, it sounds like the thing to be mindful of is not trying to like ... argue them out of their feelings or beliefs. Just because you see the logic of it doesn't mean everyone else needs to be convinced at any cost. Right?
[The question is a real prompt, Cosima studying Herian's face to try to gauge if she's made her point clearly.]
Correct.
( For all that flatness in her tone, the absence of the emphatic, she understands the message conveyed. )
Logic is not an objective truth that outweighs autonomy.
( Gaze impassive, she gestures to the sunburst brand. )
This was the result of perceived logic. Perspective and agenda can warp logic and see fact misapplied or poorly represented, akin to the need for blind studies and placebo. Our duty is to ensure knowledge is not prioritised over autonomy.
( A beat. )
Comparing such studies to blood magic to stir fear would allow the Chantry to strengthen their position across Thedas; more than like there are those holding power who would embrace such tactics. Implications on how enemies of Riftwatch could undermine us should be weighed, as well, especially where the involvement of shards is concerned.
( For all that flatness in her tone, the absence of the emphatic, she understands the message conveyed. )
Logic is not an objective truth that outweighs autonomy.
( Gaze impassive, she gestures to the sunburst brand. )
This was the result of perceived logic. Perspective and agenda can warp logic and see fact misapplied or poorly represented, akin to the need for blind studies and placebo. Our duty is to ensure knowledge is not prioritised over autonomy.
( A beat. )
Comparing such studies to blood magic to stir fear would allow the Chantry to strengthen their position across Thedas; more than like there are those holding power who would embrace such tactics. Implications on how enemies of Riftwatch could undermine us should be weighed, as well, especially where the involvement of shards is concerned.
Page 24 of 30