[[ Following the events of these posts here. ]]
Potions, leather collars, scalpels, amputation saws, forceps...
The long steel tubing of a syringe gleamed pristinely under the artificial light that shined from the ceiling above. White gloved fingers hovered over the array of instruments, occasionally adjusting their position. Raelisanne had long been familiar with these tools, often favored amongst many Inquisitors. She marveled at how effective they were, in transforming the subjects they were used upon.
“Are you a truthful and goodly child, Rissa?â€
She had gained intimate knowledge from her own experiences, after all.
The sense of helplessness that came over once the paralysis potion took effect was strangely overwhelming, she recalled. It was as if her body was akin to lead, her limbs too heavy to lift. A part of her idly wondered why the straps around her wrists and ankles were even necessary when the body refused to move. But curiously, goosebumps still crawled up her arms; her skin was still able to feel the chill of the stone basement. She remembered pondering if that was what it was like to be a golem, to have skin that weighed like stone and yet be able to feel the blade when it was cut...
Raelisanne also remembered learning the purpose behind the restraints. Because the nerves of her body were still awake to all the sensations, her muscles would go into uncontrollable convulsions when a burning liquid was injected into her veins and all her nerves felt like it was on fire. It was also said that the binds were to prevent self harm. She could appreciate the logical and practical sense behind each instrument. After decades of honing their skills, of course the Inquisition would have refined the methods of interrogations down to a science.
She could not remember the exact questions that were asked of her so many years ago, only that it had displeased her father. Lord Lyndon Brooks had remarked once that she had a keen mind, exceptional for her youth. She overheard him wondering out loud if she would someday prove to be worthy of the Inquisition. He believed that one of the most valuable decree of the Inquisitors was their relentless pursuit of truth, unhindered by civility or sympathy. It was his way of trying to relate to his strange daughter who seemed to be most curious about unusual things. A part of her younger self too fancied herself following in her father’s footsteps. Their unapologetic quest for knowledge had been appealing. And yet, through her own interrogation, the girl of fourteen years came to learn that the infallibility of the Church was just a myth and that the Inquisition had no interest in the truth. Was it at the hands of her own father that she had decided she would aim to become much more?
“Miss Reeves, the rest of the equipment has been packed.†The breathless voice of her assistant made her turn around. Aurelieaux regarded her carefully, his brows deeply bent with apprehension. The revelation that their main laboratory had been discovered and burglarized had disturbed the Duskwight alchemist greatly. “Shall I… pack those as well?†He glanced to the tools on the table behind her.
“Nothing must be left behind,†Raelisanne said, nodding as she made her way back to her desk. Violet eyes gazed upon the opened drawer there, behind which she knew remained an empty compartment where her magitek tablet used to be. It too was gone, along with the mysterious stone bearing ancient allagan runes. It was an opportunity lost; she could not deny her own disappointment at being unable to complete the final step. To have a chance at eliminating a part of someone’s legacy that ran in their veins, to alter what had been etched forever into one’s heritage… it was far beyond the meager goals of her father’s career ambitions.
But now the entire project had been thwarted. The keystone’s magic was supposed to enable a rewriting of the memories of anyone they wanted, en masse. It would have far surpassed her own personal research into altering a person’s thoughts and perceptions, which took time and care with each individual subject. Even with all the progress that she had made with Kavir’s preserved blood and eyes, without the keystone, her experiments would have to return to single specimens.
Perhaps it was for the best. The variables would be much easier to predict and counter when dealing with a limited number, compared to a large population. The promise that she had made the Court was ambitious and plausible at best, but they were willing to go forth simply on her calculations and theory without an actual successful field test. She had to admit, she herself was curious at the prospect, and was looking forward to seeing the unpredictable outcome.
As Aurelieaux ushered the last of the boxes carried by laborers out of the laboratory, Raelisanne scanned the empty shelves and the barren cabinets. So many possibilities this place had held… and now they were lost. Her white-gloved hands were splayed out against the smooth wooden grain of the desk, but slowly her fingers curled inward. It was a setback. Any research worth the effort was bound to face such trials, and she had found ways to adapt and revise her course in the past. Even if it took great sacrifices to do so.
“Give me what I need and this will stop. You do want to do right by your father, do you not my dear?â€
She could still recall clearly the desperation in his voice. How it trembled with fear, but made hoarse with indignation. Absent was the unwavering composure she usually admired in him; but even while his eyes were wide and frenzied, she could see that it was still driven by his single-minded belief that he was in the right.
Perhaps that had been the moment when his pursuit of truth was marred by his emotions. He was afraid for his own life and his place within the church. What he wanted was to erase the suspicion of heresy from his family’s name, even if that meant offering up his daughter’s life instead.
A soft snort escaped her nose. He had offered up a sacrifice to readjust the course of his ambitions. Perhaps her methods were not too different from her father’s after all. But she would be more than he ever was. He was driven by doubt, jealousy, and fanaticism. Never would such petty emotional fragility cause her to err.
“I would do anything for you. Tell me.â€
Raelisanne glanced up as the chandelier and the lanterns on the wall flickered. She pushed off from the desk and made her way to the exit, tucking her hands into her pockets. The final group of laborers were filing in, ready to grab all else that remained. She ignored the questions that echoed from behind her as a few of them gathered around the center desk and pointed at the deep claw marks that marred its polished surface.
Potions, leather collars, scalpels, amputation saws, forceps...
The long steel tubing of a syringe gleamed pristinely under the artificial light that shined from the ceiling above. White gloved fingers hovered over the array of instruments, occasionally adjusting their position. Raelisanne had long been familiar with these tools, often favored amongst many Inquisitors. She marveled at how effective they were, in transforming the subjects they were used upon.
“Are you a truthful and goodly child, Rissa?â€
She had gained intimate knowledge from her own experiences, after all.
The sense of helplessness that came over once the paralysis potion took effect was strangely overwhelming, she recalled. It was as if her body was akin to lead, her limbs too heavy to lift. A part of her idly wondered why the straps around her wrists and ankles were even necessary when the body refused to move. But curiously, goosebumps still crawled up her arms; her skin was still able to feel the chill of the stone basement. She remembered pondering if that was what it was like to be a golem, to have skin that weighed like stone and yet be able to feel the blade when it was cut...
Raelisanne also remembered learning the purpose behind the restraints. Because the nerves of her body were still awake to all the sensations, her muscles would go into uncontrollable convulsions when a burning liquid was injected into her veins and all her nerves felt like it was on fire. It was also said that the binds were to prevent self harm. She could appreciate the logical and practical sense behind each instrument. After decades of honing their skills, of course the Inquisition would have refined the methods of interrogations down to a science.
She could not remember the exact questions that were asked of her so many years ago, only that it had displeased her father. Lord Lyndon Brooks had remarked once that she had a keen mind, exceptional for her youth. She overheard him wondering out loud if she would someday prove to be worthy of the Inquisition. He believed that one of the most valuable decree of the Inquisitors was their relentless pursuit of truth, unhindered by civility or sympathy. It was his way of trying to relate to his strange daughter who seemed to be most curious about unusual things. A part of her younger self too fancied herself following in her father’s footsteps. Their unapologetic quest for knowledge had been appealing. And yet, through her own interrogation, the girl of fourteen years came to learn that the infallibility of the Church was just a myth and that the Inquisition had no interest in the truth. Was it at the hands of her own father that she had decided she would aim to become much more?
“Miss Reeves, the rest of the equipment has been packed.†The breathless voice of her assistant made her turn around. Aurelieaux regarded her carefully, his brows deeply bent with apprehension. The revelation that their main laboratory had been discovered and burglarized had disturbed the Duskwight alchemist greatly. “Shall I… pack those as well?†He glanced to the tools on the table behind her.
“Nothing must be left behind,†Raelisanne said, nodding as she made her way back to her desk. Violet eyes gazed upon the opened drawer there, behind which she knew remained an empty compartment where her magitek tablet used to be. It too was gone, along with the mysterious stone bearing ancient allagan runes. It was an opportunity lost; she could not deny her own disappointment at being unable to complete the final step. To have a chance at eliminating a part of someone’s legacy that ran in their veins, to alter what had been etched forever into one’s heritage… it was far beyond the meager goals of her father’s career ambitions.
But now the entire project had been thwarted. The keystone’s magic was supposed to enable a rewriting of the memories of anyone they wanted, en masse. It would have far surpassed her own personal research into altering a person’s thoughts and perceptions, which took time and care with each individual subject. Even with all the progress that she had made with Kavir’s preserved blood and eyes, without the keystone, her experiments would have to return to single specimens.
Perhaps it was for the best. The variables would be much easier to predict and counter when dealing with a limited number, compared to a large population. The promise that she had made the Court was ambitious and plausible at best, but they were willing to go forth simply on her calculations and theory without an actual successful field test. She had to admit, she herself was curious at the prospect, and was looking forward to seeing the unpredictable outcome.
As Aurelieaux ushered the last of the boxes carried by laborers out of the laboratory, Raelisanne scanned the empty shelves and the barren cabinets. So many possibilities this place had held… and now they were lost. Her white-gloved hands were splayed out against the smooth wooden grain of the desk, but slowly her fingers curled inward. It was a setback. Any research worth the effort was bound to face such trials, and she had found ways to adapt and revise her course in the past. Even if it took great sacrifices to do so.
“Give me what I need and this will stop. You do want to do right by your father, do you not my dear?â€
She could still recall clearly the desperation in his voice. How it trembled with fear, but made hoarse with indignation. Absent was the unwavering composure she usually admired in him; but even while his eyes were wide and frenzied, she could see that it was still driven by his single-minded belief that he was in the right.
Perhaps that had been the moment when his pursuit of truth was marred by his emotions. He was afraid for his own life and his place within the church. What he wanted was to erase the suspicion of heresy from his family’s name, even if that meant offering up his daughter’s life instead.
A soft snort escaped her nose. He had offered up a sacrifice to readjust the course of his ambitions. Perhaps her methods were not too different from her father’s after all. But she would be more than he ever was. He was driven by doubt, jealousy, and fanaticism. Never would such petty emotional fragility cause her to err.
“I would do anything for you. Tell me.â€
Raelisanne glanced up as the chandelier and the lanterns on the wall flickered. She pushed off from the desk and made her way to the exit, tucking her hands into her pockets. The final group of laborers were filing in, ready to grab all else that remained. She ignored the questions that echoed from behind her as a few of them gathered around the center desk and pointed at the deep claw marks that marred its polished surface.
