❝Scalpel in hand, Dr. Jade heads out to dissect the monsters of Auldrant!❞

[clinical]

[There is only one way to get away from rappigs in Malkuth, and that one way is to get away from Malkuth. But as the flying ship doesn't belong to Jade, his landship is no longer an option, and trips on ferries are so last save file, Jade's quickest way out of Malkuth is to go to the Astral Plane.]

[So here he is, working in the library. His work is organized into three piles of books, with each pile of books accompanied by two piles of papers. The right-hand paper piles are of new notes, while the left-hand piles are old notes and files. And as to the books?]

[The first pile of books is dedicated to duplicates and replication. Books on cloning, books on fomicry, books on quantum teleportation and its ethical implications, books on parthenogenetic offspring and identical twins, books on gholas - it's a wide variety of subject matter and he hasn't limited himself to sources from his universe.]

[Similarly, the second pile of books focuses on energy consumption, gathering information on energy types that don't even exist in his world. From electricity to fonons to mana, if it's an energy source and if you can have problems getting enough of it, Jade has snatched up a book on the subject.]

[The final pile of books is on temporal manipulation and predestination. For once, there are no books from his home world. He already knows all that he needs to know about the Score. Jade has instead pulled up texts on temporal paradoxes, stable time loops, closed time-like curves, string theory, quantum theory and the many worlds hypothesis, and other adventures into screwing with history.]

[But dealing with three major world-changing issues is thirsty work, so Jade disappears back home to get himself something to drink. He returns, sets the drink down on his desk, and then stills and looks at the creature that managed to get in by rubbing against his leg. Jade's eyes narrow as he identifies which rappig it is.]

Saphir.

[Jade crouches down to look the rappig in the eye, smiling]

His Majesty will be upset if you follow people into interdimensional nexuses. Who knows what could happen to you? I would only be able to bring him back your dissected corpse. I've wondered for some time now what biological differences a pampered upbringing might make in a beast.

[There's something unnaturally sharp about the pen Jade is tapping on the table.]

His Majesty will cry so much. But I'm afraid there simply wasn't anything I could do to protect you from the cruel people who live here. I'll tell him you were drugged first. It's very likely that you didn't suffer. Much.

Comments

[clinical]

Yes, they're primarily livestock. This one is kept as a pet.

[heartscastaside.livejournal.com]

A royal pet? Would it not be unwise to subject a favorite of royalty to such cruelty?

[clinical]

Not at all. The worst he can do is execute me.

[heartscastaside.livejournal.com]

...You say such a thing so flippantly, as if it were a child's punishment for insolence. I would imagine it would be much more of a concern, unless you are clever enough to avoid it.

[clinical]

[Jade picks up the rappig and gets to his feet. Look, he's about to say something honest.] Emperor Peony is not prone to pointless executions.

[heartscastaside.livejournal.com]

I see. How fortunate that is for you, then.

{She smiles from underneath the hood, and bows her head politely} I am Caster. You have only recently arrived here, correct?

[clinical]

Jade. And that's correct. Please excuse me for a moment. I should take Saphir back before my pen slips.

[heartscastaside.livejournal.com]

Of course, Jade. I'm sure this emperor shall appreciate your mercy.

[clinical]

Oh, I'm always performing daring acts of heroism. [Jade returns home, then appears again without the rappig. THANK HEAVENS. He really needs to teach those things to stay the hell out of his office.]

[heartscastaside.livejournal.com]

{But they would make delicious bacon!}

Oh, is that heroic? I should think it slightly villainous, though touched with the boredom of not wanting to clean up the mess afterward.

[clinical]

Not at all. I have a very kind and generous heart.

[heartscastaside.livejournal.com]

So I see. How lucky for those around you to be graced with such a wonderful presence.

[clinical]

Unfortunately, so many of them just don't seem to appreciate it.

[heartscastaside.livejournal.com]

Not everyone is able to appreciate such a thing, sadly. {Such a thing generally being "massive ego assholish," but knowing Jade, that's probably what he's proud of}

But, I must ask... For a dissection of a rappig, or whatever else you may have planned, this is an interesting array of subjects you've gathered.

[clinical]

[Jade glances absently over his three piles of books] Oh, I could dissect anything without much research. [This is said very carelessly, with no arrogance and not even the suggestion of shame.] I've collected these books for another project of mine.

[heartscastaside.livejournal.com]

{A man after her own heart.

Caster moves closer to the books, glancing over the titles with interest}

What interesting subjects. Are you planning on making a homunculus?

[clinical]

A homunculus? Nothing so dramatic. I need to change someone's actions, but I can't just remove him, so I've decided to go back in time and replace him with a pre-programmed duplicate.

[heartscastaside.livejournal.com]

{She chuckles} It may not be so in your world, but it my observation, such a thing is impossible for you, I'm afraid. You simply lack the magic circuits to make it possible.

[clinical]

Do I? That will be a problem.

[heartscastaside.livejournal.com]

If you wished to sacrifice souls, however-- Ah, but this old woman is talking too much... Did you have an idea in mind, Jade?

[clinical]

I could always make a blood sacrifice to the god of time travel.

[heartscastaside.livejournal.com]

Oh, but even then, they may not see fit to grant you a Miracle.