[Open] OH MAN! WHIZBANGS!

[axetrovert]

WHO: Karlach, OTA
WHAT: Arrivals, first meetings, misconceptions, research, and definitely hitting things.
WHEN: Throughout Firstfall
WHERE: Gallows, Various
NOTES: Let's cook with fire, baby.

Comments

[axetrovert]

There is nobody there, but the door moves when she knocks on it, so Karlach cautiously lets herself in. It's built fairly spaciously, but when she's in a place with a lot of delicate instruments she always feels a bit like a bronto in a tea shop.

Tucking her arms in front of her so her elbows won't accidentally brush anything, she's casting her eyes upward to make sure her horn won't brush any lights when she hears the rapidly approaching footsteps.

Thankfully, the newcomer, Jayce, looks happy enough to see her.

Karlach is glowing, and the second she claps eyes on him, she glows brighter, enough to backlight her irises.

(Calm down! Calm the fuck down!)

"Jayce. Well met. I'm Karlach- newest member of Forces." Technically on probation. But Captain Rowntree hadn't given her any orders to disclose that part of the arrangement.

"Hope I'm not interrupting your lunch," she says, gesturing at the bread loaf in his hands.

[pathlit]

It isn't often that Jayce needs to physically look up to someone, but it is most common that such instances involve another race. Still, her oddity, as it were, has nothing to do with being a Qunari... he thinks.

"Nnnno," he says, eyes narrowing as he openly studies her appearance, "only my perception of reality. You're burning. Literally."

[axetrovert]

"Oh, that-" Karlach laughs, breathless and holding up a hand to wave it away. "S'normal. Well."

Karlach, no. It's not. None of this is normal.

"Not quite so hot. Feels like I'm running in serious overdrive. But! That's what I'm here visiting research for."

She catches her breath on the hope of it, the dread of it. "Have any of you ever seen a lyrium heart?"

[pathlit]

His brows rise, then furrow thoughtfully as he regards within the new context provided. It doesn't take a genius to put two-and-two together on the reason of her presentation; the glow of her body, brightest in her chest, the flames, the question.

After a brief lapse in response, Jayce tears off a good chunk of the bread, the crack of its crust sweetly audible, and steps forward to offer it to her. The bread, a basic yeast dough with a respectable crumb, is still warm. Regardless of whether or not she accepts, he then takes a seat on the nearest Research desk. Facing her, he says, "Your best bet might be Viktor and Wysteria. They've done the bulk of Riftwatch's research into lyrium, I think."

Of who remain, anyway.

He tears off a smaller piece of bread for himself. "They were conducting a trial, but it's been postponed in preparation for a mission."

And while he'd love to ask a bunch of questions, he doesn't prod. They've only just met, after all.

[axetrovert]

Karlach gratefully holds out her hand, palm-up underneath his so he can drop it into hers. Even then close, he'll be able to feel the heat rolling off her like a fireplace. When the bread touches her hand it's instantly a little toasted, and she quickly takes a big bite, giving a lusty groan of pleasure.

"That's good."

She nods along with the answer, the fierce hope in her eyes faltering for a moment before she firms her mouth, determined.

"I'll ask." Just a minor setback. Surely someone can help. Someone. She just needs to be patient, is all. Her heart thrums against the inside of her chest, aching, and she tells it to calm down. Just a bit longer. Please.

She takes another bite of the breath, and it turns to toast in her mouth.

"I mean it, this is choice. Did you make this?"