❧ **Quick-time event - End!**

[luministimods]

[a few hours after Hope returns with the vial, Doctor Resarci turns on his CAT and begins broadcasting to all active CATs and vidscreens. the expression on his face is the definition of relief.]

My dear residents, I bring you joyous news! The results of that riddle led to the discovery of a vial containing the precise solution we needed to neutralize the poison! I wish I could tell you the poison was an advanced or mutated form of botulism or salmonella, but I fear it is far more complicated than that.

[he holds up a picture like one might see through a microscope, and it looks like--]

A tiny robot; advanced nanotechnology, actually. You may not believe, but inside each of you are thousands of these devices, tailored to make you ill. But in the vial, we found other nanorobots and when put together, the new nanorobots neutralized the others! And even self-destructed once their job was through. We have already tested it on a few of our test subjects here, so the solution is safe. Just a single drop for you all and that should be the end of it!

[his expression turns stern] So, what are you all waiting for? Come down to the clinic right this second! [a pause as he relaxes, smiling benignly] Or in the very least, help each other come down here. Let us know if you cannot make it and we'll fetch you, yes?


❧ Plot Details: Someone has poisoned the waterhole - Solved!

Congratulations! You all have survived--that is, once the characters get down to the clinic. Feel free to assume that it has already happened, but you can also use this entry to discuss whether characters helped each other to the clinic or not.

There will not be another plot update until Saturday. Until then, have fun in the clinic--the pool is open for some recuperative swimming--or relaxing around town!

As for the perpetrators of this crime? Well, unfortunately, they didn't put in any clues to their identity... Residents will just have to make their own guesses--for the moment.

Enjoy the break!

Comments

[wind-of-reason.livejournal.com]

[Fuu's made it to the clinic with the assistance of Mister Braxiatel -^.^-
She's over-exerted herself, so she'll be sleeping for pretty much all of yesterday and today. If you happen to come by, she just might be whispering in her sleep concerns about her family and friends. She doesn't want them to worry about her.]

[collector]

[Irving, meanwhile, would like to have some very polite and carefully phrased words with Doctor Resarci. Thus turning up at the clinic again in full health, being as inoffensive and courteous as he can manage.] If I would be able to take a moment of the doctor's time?

[luministimods]

[looks up at him in surprise] Hm? Oh, yes, what did you need? You are still feeling unwell?

[collector]

Only a little. I was hoping for a brief word or two.

[luministimods]

Of course. [looks at him with doctorly concern] Now, what seems to be the problem?

[collector]

A little dizziness and a bit of a migraine. Illnesses always go right to my head. But, ah, I seem to recall that in our earlier discussion, you said you'd be looking into the poison through scientific methods? A chemical analysis, of course, and I can only assume that such an advanced facility would also use an electron microscope to study the samples.

[luministimods]

Oh, I can get you something for that. Do not worry!

[nods] Yes, of course. As you know, an antidote was found and shared with all those infected.

[collector]

An aspirin, Doctor? It's the cure to all ills.

Yes, or else I'm sure I'd still be resting. You also used X-ray diffraction, that would be standard for a facility such as yours. And also a magnetic analysis, I'd have thought? I certainly would have done.

[luministimods]

[raises an eyebrow at him] If your headache is no more serious than that, then yes, that would be one solution.

[a note of impatience slips into his tone] Is there something you wished to know about the analysis, sir, or is it my facilities you're more interested in?

[collector]

I just wanted to confirm what you would use. And, one more thing. You mentioned test subjects. I'm not aware of any of those who ate at the Chrysalis offering themselves up as test subjects, so that rather took me by surprise. [with a politely joking smile] I do hope you didn't poison any of the town's citizens on our behalf.

[luministimods]

[a flicker of anger can be seen across his face, just for an instant, before he smiles thinly] Nothing nearly so devious! It seems some of the staff at The Chrysalis were unfortunate enough to be poisoned as well, and they, unlike many of our residents, came to us for treatment right away. Several of them offered to be the first to test the antidote, that is all.

[collector]

Of course. That makes perfect sense. I don't know how I could fail to think of it. Another question just occurred to me, but I'll save it if you aren't feeling well. The stress of these last few days must be quite the burden on you. Perhaps you need a rest.

[luministimods]

[smiles] Oh, I assure you, sir, the Resarci clinic can put aside our own worries for the good of the town, especially in a crisis. What else is it that concerns you?

[collector]

Not a concern, actually, just a little inquiry. That historical display has me interested in the history of the town. Does the Resarci Medical Clinic typically fund the Founder's Day Festival, or is that honour generally passed around between the town's organizations?

[luministimods]

[proudly] Our clinic has been the main funding agency for the festival for, in fact, the past five years! After all, recreation is an important part of a person's overall health and well-being.

There were, of course, other organizations that aided in the funding, but I believe the very busy Miss Osculia, unfortunately, did not include them on the advertisements this year.

[collector]

That's funny. Most medical clinics I know are desperately seeking government and corpoate funding, not the other way around.

[a brief smile] Thank you for your time, Dr Resarci. I appreciate it.

[luministimods]

[his expression catches again, but he quickly replaces it with another of those tight smiles] Of course. Any time. You can get some advil from the nurse on your way out, if you'd like.

[collector]

Thank you. I will.

ooc

[irreversibly.livejournal.com]

kdfj;a I have to know I have to know

What would've happened if Fuu didn't find the cure?

Re: ooc

[luministimods]

Well...it's really all for the best that they did because otherwise? Death. A horrible, dizzying death with rapid and extreme temperature changes that switch back and forth quicker and quicker until--they die.

Only not, because this isn't that sort of game!

What really would have happened is that characters would have eventually passed out from the exhaustion and all the other symptoms, seemingly never to open their eyes again--and then they'd awake a few hours later in the clinic with Doctor Resarci telling them they found the cure just in time. And he wouldn't have shown them what had poisoned them.

IC (and in person before Fuu leaves the clinic)

[wind-of-reason.livejournal.com]

If I may, I have a request of doctor Resarci.

[luministimods]

[glances up from his paperwork]

Yes? How may I help you, miss?

[wind-of-reason.livejournal.com]

[Swallowing her dislike for this man she forces her voice into an even tone.]

I would first like to thank you for your care during my recuperation. [She gives a slight bow of her head, more out of habit than anything.]

And I would like to ask if it would be possible for me to have a hard copy of the image you took of the nanobots that infected us.

[luministimods]

[shows no sign of registering any strain in her voice. he smiles all the same.] It was my pleasure. That is why we are here, to aid in the recovery process.

Unfortunately, I cannot provide you with what you request. The Sheriff's department has collected it and every single sample from my lab as evidence. I...am not terribly pleased with that myself, but it had to be done.

[wind-of-reason.livejournal.com]

Is that so? It must be an inconvenience for you, if you had intended to research it further.

[No doubt the Sheriff was taking the criminal investigation as seriously as the doctors here had taken solving the antidote riddle.]

Ah, another question if I may. I'm not sure if you'll be able to answer, but I feel I must ask anyways.
Who were the test subjects from when you tested the antidote? I myself had volunteered to nurse Hope to be the first, because I felt that time was too short, but she reasonably denied my request. So I would like to personally thank those who were first, if at all possible.

[luministimods]

The discovery could have earned me my next research grant, but alas, it is not to be.

[shame Fuu hasn't met the Sheriff, else she'd see he's terribly duty-bound to his position. holds Deputy Drew to every single piece of required paperwork, and oh, what paperwork there is!]

Now that I can assist you with. You see, a few staff members of The Chrysalis were unfortunate enough to sample the poisoned food and came here straight away the moment they began to feel ill. I am unsure of their further employment at the restaurant, or for the restaurant's future for that matter. I was informed Con--I mean Mayor Caligin had ordered it closed down while the investigation was in process.

[wind-of-reason.livejournal.com]

I see. It must be another hardship for you if you are dependent on grants from the government.


Oh? I must admit that I'm surprised that it was them, and not one of the new residents, who came to you first. How is it that the employees had symptoms four days before us?
Actually, from your message alerting us to the fact we'd been poisoned, it had seemed more like the riddle from the 'third party' had alerted you.

[Being always conscientious of the proper terms of address, his slip with the Mayor's name does not go unnoticed. She puts it aside for the moment. After all, it's probably just that he's more used to addressing the Mayor casually, but has to use his title in front of others.]

[luministimods]

It is hard on all of us; that research could have been used to discover a method to prevent such an attack in the future. [he lets out a weary, slightly frustrated sigh.]

You misinterpret me, miss. The employees came to us right away once our announcement about the poison had been made and merely offered to be the first to test the antidote, that is all. Unfortunately, even in our great town, some employees have wandering fingers when it comes to dinner parties such as the one held at The Chrysalis.

[wind-of-reason.livejournal.com]

Ah, I did completely misunderstand that. It is all such a shock, and I'm still trying to reason it all out, I'm sure you understand. Thank you for straightening that out for me - I thought it a bit odd. I'm sorry that they had to go though that.

So then, would it be correct to say that the riddle from the third party was your first indication that something was wrong? And that you might anticipate another such attack in the future?

[luministimods]

Any anonymously received notes would raise suspicion. As for the future... [another sigh, and removes a handkerchief from his pocket to dab at his brow] I cannot say, miss. I trust in the Sheriff's department to do their duty and track down whoever is responsible.

[wind-of-reason.livejournal.com]

Ah, yes. Of course. And I'm sure that they will do their duty.

[bows] Thank you very much for your time, doctor Resarci.