Continuation.

[shimmermods]

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Vitali doesn't seem inclined to come much closer to any of you; there's a wall of glass between her and you, and she appears to want to keep it that way. Any attempts to breach it are likely a terrible idea; just because there aren't any soldiers with them doesn't mean that they're unarmed, after all.

"So you've decided to act up," she says, her hands folded behind her back, her posture formal and stiff in a way that doesn't suit her; her gaze remains as icy as her words, though she's refraining from making direct eye contact with any one of you in particular. She's still audible, despite the glass; it isn't as all-encompassing as the Shimmer seemed to be whenever it spoke to you within the boundary, but it's sharp, commanding. "If that's what you want to do, then fine. We can talk about that. You guys haven't wanted to settle since you got back; maybe this will make you actually sit down for a moment.

"If you're going to talk, get it out of your system before we throw you back in quarantine and figure out what to do with you. And try to keep from launching at the glass or doing anything stupid to yourselves in the meantime. We'd hate to have a reason to classify any of you as a threat."

code by vuvuzela

Comments

[abysstery]

[...]

Theoretically, it shouldn't be. But all of us have remained functional, not at all experiencing what the previous group apparently did. I...

[He tails off for a moment, because the terrible pain that Yeager's apparently been experiencing this whole time hasn't left his mind since Vitali revealed this.]

I truly did not realize it was actively killing any of us.

[shimmermods]

Apparently a lot of things were..."normal" in there.

[She gets it, in some way.]

But we're keeping an eye on things. It doesn't seem to be getting any worse, at any rate, and there doesn't seem to be much abnormal activity, if any.

[abysstery]

Very much so. [...] I appreciate you being forthcoming about this much.

And I do understand the desire to not spread the Shimmer. Preferably, I would like to avoid it as well. But have you documented any spreading in either group thus far?

[shimmermods]

Whatever's happening with your group doesn't seem to be getting any worse. As for the other, it's difficult to tell. Generally we've been avoiding any circumstances where there may be cross-contamination because if it starts spreading unchecked, that's going to be difficult, if not impossible to stop, and we want to avoid things like having to set the original vector on fire.

[because if the vector is a person, they will likely not approve of being set on fire.]

Fire is all you've found that kills it, correct?

[skelkro]

It seems that way.

[... But fire setting to people is probably a bad idea. Especially with Emma in this group who just recently realized she has a track record for this sort of thing.]

[shimmermods]

All right. We want to avoid that at all costs.

[She doesn't even have a history of this, she just sort of unilaterally hates the idea of setting someone on fire.]

[abysstery]

A small mercy, at any rate. But the fact that they do not seem to be fading either is likewise something to be concerned about.

[It makes sense! It just...sucks.]

And yes, as Emma confirmed, fire is what has seen the most results. Thank you for concluding not to use it on us.

[shimmermods]

I don't exactly love you guys, but setting you on fire isn't really high on my list of fun things to do this afternoon, no.

[abysstery]

I presume you have at least taken other worlds into consideration in your search for a cure? My other self may have mentioned this, but I certainly considered it as well- magic has the potential of aiding in these situations.

[It can also make things worse, but y'know...trial and error.]

[shimmermods]

We can't let you leave for obvious reasons. Do you have a suggestion that isn't finding six alternate copies of you and letting them do whatever it is they do? Because that was admittedly my first thought when you mentioned that.

[abysstery]

Imagine the progress that could be made, Vitali.

[Oh my god.]

[shimmermods]

[HEINWALD.]

Trust me. I've imagined.

[abysstery]

[He's just saying...!]

In truth, I would suggest researching a cure in my world. Granted, that would involve sending a Shimmer sample there.

[And while he would do it, and as much as he wants to go back home and research this, he...also should keep his ethical values in check.]

[shimmermods]

How much of a sample.

[Like, are we talking about one of you, or are we talking about throwing N at this thing, or what.]

[abysstery]

Depends on how much you are willing. But for the record, I have no qualms in using myself as the sample.

[He'd feel a lot better experimenting on himself than others. If it works on him, then they could move on to N, or...something.]

[shimmermods]

...This sounds like a bad idea for a lot of reasons, not least of which being that we don't know how much of a contagion vector you're going to be as soon as you leave this world for your own.

[abysstery]

Indeed... That is the part that concerns and frustrates me as well.

[He doesn't want to exactly expose Alberia to it.]

If only my connection to magic had not been severed upon arriving here...

[shimmermods]

That seems to have severed a lot of things. Some were fortunate and it wasn't taken right away, but others... It was just kind of an unfortunate part of the process.

[abysstery]

[Envious glance at Hubert...alas.]

Despite my lack of magic, my mind remains intact. [It's a little...weird now, but it's there!!] I wish to aid in your efforts to sort out the Shimmer's lingering effects so we may leave.

[It's nice to know that time hasn't exactly passed back home, but he still wants to get back to his life there.]

[aokisouhei]

[ ...you know what, this somehow kind of made him look kinda amused from over here.

Like, he's kind of a little impressed. Good try, Heinwald ]