chromatized | book club

[Cantarella also gives it a read, taking quite a while, perhaps even reading it twice, before she joins the conversation.]

And only after someone has lost themselves to transformation? While that's the worst case scenario, I'm glad that Lynne could be helped. ...Do you have any concern at all about your desire being granted with seemingly no consequence?

[ well, he's glad Cantarella mentioned it so he wouldn't have to bring it up cold........ ]

... Part of whatever was in Lynne - the shimmering darkness that left her - is in me now.

Edited 2025-11-24 03:31 (UTC)

Ludger.

... Fran and Y'shtola are keeping an eye on me. There haven't been any changes so far but...

[ surely it's just a matter of time. ]

So rather than curing her, it just shifted the infection to a different host.

[Sighs!]

Did they say how long it takes before the transformation sets in?

It's not clear. Fran said my current level of exposure should leave me stable, but if I accumulate more of that stuff-

[ he shrugs, what can you do? ]

The main sign that I've reached a critical point will be a change in my behavior. I'm hoping that if they keep monitoring me each week, they'll be able to catch it before then.

And if they do, they can buy you some time with that treatment of theirs... or keep you away from the rest of the group, at the very least.

[but accumulate, huh.]

You said it only works on one person, but that's only because you tried it on both of them at the same time. [but.] If you knew someone else was infected, would you try it again?

[ he laces his fingers together, staring down at his hands. mentally, he goes over his, admittedly, haphazard check list. his own infection, confirmed. treatment steps, agreed to. other infections...

he looks up, smiling faintly. ]

... Yeah. If I knew someone was infected after we finished an investigation - I'd do it again.

I see.

[He closes his eyes. It isn't like he's entirely unfamiliar with the type; he's met enough people willing to throw themselves in harm's way in the name of protecting others that this isn't unexpected, even if this is quite a bit different context-wise.

There's a few seconds of pause, and then he looks back at Ludger.]

Does your brother know about this?

[ the tiny smile instantly fades away, leaving a troubled expression on Ludger's face. he should tell Julius. he knows that. but when he thinks of going up to his brother and saying the words...

(maybe he understands his silence on the matter a little more now.)

Ludger just looks away. ]

[The reaction speaks volumes, even if nothing is verbalized.]

So you took the easy way out by telling us, instead.

[He sighs.]

I don't have a problem with keeping your secrets. And far be it from me to tell you how to use the ability you've been given... but I'm sure there's more than a few people here who would rather not see you throw yourself into the fire for their sake. If it's only going to weigh on your heart, maybe it's best to take it easy on the heroics, hm?

[ the admonishment clearly strikes home, judging by Ludger's flinch. he's silent in the wake of the words, searching for some sort of reply before he finally just lets out a little sigh of his own. ]

Right. I'll... keep your words in mind.

That's all I ask for.

[For all he knows, this situation won't even come up again if Ludger's ability only works once. Even so, he feels the reminder is needed--they will undoubtedly run into more cases of infection, and the responsibility to save everyone should never fall solely on a single person's shoulders.]

Despite what I just said, it's good that you told us. If I notice anything off, I'll be sure to inform Fran and Y'shtola, too.

What an unexpected turn of events. [She taps her toe on the ground a few times, arms crossed.]

You can't be treated for it at all? You might at least have some time bought for you.

... I asked Fran not to give me any treatments, so he'd have access to unaltered samples.

[ yeah ]

[Cantarella's fingers dig into her elbow, tensely.]

...

Well. While we're sharing. I should be able to gauge a single person's infection status and how long they've been exposed. It's not like the almond water; I can only do it once.

[ Ludger blinks, slightly startled by Cantarella's information. ]

Oh, you didn't have to - well. That does sound useful.

[ he's floundering a bit. ]

Will... Are you going to save it for investigations? It'd be handy then. But I bet Fran and his helper would appreciate it too.

[Cantarella's eyebrows raise.] He has someone helping him? He didn't strike me as the type, given how evasive he was when I first met him as a puppet. Though I am glad he's looking after you.

[No touching week is really the worst...no headpats. She rests her chin on her hand.]

I'd prefer to make use of it before the worst-case scenario occurs...but I don't know what could then be done. I also have no desire to offer the group false hope, so I'd prefer this also remain between us.

[ a shrug! ]

Apparently. I guess having one of us survey the rest for any changes is easier than him going out and interrupting his research.

[ because Fran is a nerd that holes up indoors all day /pos. ]

I got it, my lips are sealed. Thank you for sharing with us, Cantarella.

[Cantarella shakes her head.}

Thank me if this should prevent the worst from befalling someone. [But she understands the other possible source of the thanks, too—that they both put something on the table in front of their small book club, and Cantarella pulls a slight smile.]

If there's someone you're seriously worried about falling to it... Well, my ears shall always be open. Otherwise, I might kindly persuade Foxglove for more information.

[He won't deny that it sounds useful, but--]

Is there a catch to this one, too?

[She shakes her head.]

Not that I'm aware. I would hope I've already earned this fairly through my participation. I haven't taken a little stroll to the well, so don't worry about that.

So it's one of the rewards they promised. It doesn't sound much like the camera I received, but it seems they have similar functions.

[The reminder of the camera from the trial piques her interest a little.]

Do you know how many photographs it can take? For...obvious reasons, I believe we missed that detail the other day.

[Her eyes close. What a nightmare that had been.]

Only two. And assuming Hyunjung's is the same as mine, he left out an important detail: it only shows if someone's infected.

[Which he figures he already implied, but with all the confusion during trial about proving Nala's innocence and all that, it's best to be clear.]

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physalia - 2025-11-26 06:42 (UTC) - Expand