Luministi

[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?

( OOC: **Quick-time End!** )

[a new face appears on the CAT this time--that of a man with dark, thinning hair and square-framed glasses. he is in an office of some sort, which appears very white and sterile, and there are medical implements on the desk behind him. perhaps unsettlingly, he is wringing his hands and looking quite agitated. he seems unaware that the CAT is broadcasting at first. the hint of a voice can be heard from off-screen, and the man jumps] It is? Already. Oh my! [he turns then, looking head-on at the listeners, and gives a thin smile that does little to cover his obvious nervousness] Hello residents, I am Doctor Ernesto Resarci. It is good to meet you. [pauses, nodding as though to acknowledge those who are watching. the pause continues for a bit more time than is perhaps natural, and the good doctor's smile fades as he opens his mouth but clearly has trouble convincing himself to begin speaking]

[after that awkward pause, he does eventually recover his composure and begin to speak, though his tone does little to conceal his nervousness] I do not plan to alarm anyone, but I am afraid I have some rather serious news. It has come to our attention that a...how do I say...a foreign element was introduced by an unknown party into much of the food and drink served recently at our prestigious Chrysalis restaurant during its grand opening. But not to worry! This third party has, graciously, left us a clue to the antidote. The best medical minds in town are currently working on unraveling this clue, and as you know, Luministi has only the most qualified employees here at the Resarci medical clinic. And at the very least, our testing of the food and drink informs us that the poison is slow-working. It takes four days for it to begin to affect those who have ingested it, meaning that no residents should be experiencing any ill effects until... [pauses, counting days on his fingers] Oh dear. [smiles tightly] It seems residents may begin to experience symptoms of the poisoning any time in the near future, but please, do not be alarmed! We are continuing a thorough analysis of the food and drink in question, and we will also have the clue to the antidote solved very soon. But, just in case any residents would like to--how do you say it? "Take matters into one's own hands," yes? I will share the clue with you. This does not mean that we are having difficulty solving it! Quite the opposite, I assure you. Here. [produces a crisp, white sheet of paper from somewhere off-screen. he holds it up for a moment, giving the CATs a full view of the neatly typed document. then he pulls it down in front of him and reads:]

The venom you'll find is a special kind
From a secret source, smaller than a flea
More deadly than the wrath of the sea
Hounding you discreetly ever since your happy revelry

All hope is not yet gone
As long as you mind the time and don't take too long
To find your salvation, you must seek and unlock

First, you must find the eye of the beast
And with it, you must visit the guardian of time
Find the slot to unlock, at the base of his place
With both steps accomplished, all will then be safe

You see? The solution is simple. We will have it for you soon. [smiles thinly] But if you have any ideas, please share, yes? I will keep a CAT channel open for...tips. We will talk again when we have the solution! Do not worry, we will take good care of you. [gives one more thin smile before the transmission ends]

( OOC: Plot Details )