174; plague

[sinister-charm.livejournal.com]

[Theta]
I take you aren't feeling any better...? of course, I didn't help things at all.

I should have known better. I feel like a complete and utter fool.

Mmm. I'll be back in a bit. I'm off checking on the cats as well as getting something.
[/Theta]

As a bit of a rough estimate, it seems that, at minimum, 66 per cent of the castle has taken down ill. I wonder how much longer until it starts reaching 90 per cent.

I'm surprised very few people have concluded that you all must've caught something. Considering the fact we were all human recently, AND that there were a high quantity of mosquitoes and unclean water... well, the most logical conclusion is that a grand majority of us were infected with some sort of disease. Something in the bloodstream or the intestinal track, perhaps.

Comments

[Written]

[chargrined.livejournal.com]

Malaria?

[sinister-charm.livejournal.com]

Possibly - or it could be an entirely unknown disease, originated and only attainable here, on this planet.

[Written]

[chargrined.livejournal.com]

Ugh I guess we'll never know properly.

[sinister-charm.livejournal.com]

I saw someone earlier making a request for blood and other samples - if enough people offered, he'd have a basis. I doubt many did, of course.

[Written]

[chargrined.livejournal.com]

I guess people are suspicious here when others start asking for blood. Was the person asking for blood working at the clinic?

[sinister-charm.livejournal.com]

Precisely... unless one is a vampire. Ugh.

Mmm, I don't know.

[sinister-charm.livejournal.com]

It could have a high incubation period - its possible. I've seen some diseases, not of Earth origin mind you, take months before they begin to strike at the immune system.

[sinister-charm.livejournal.com]

Its Paradisa. Do you honestly believe it would strike everyone in the same way via a disease created by one of it's little happenings?

[sinister-charm.livejournal.com]

You'll eventually lose those sorts of beliefs.

[sinister-charm.livejournal.com]

... That you do. Some temporary, some permanent, some willingly.

[sinister-charm.livejournal.com]

Mmm.

It can happen.

[nottwiceblessed.livejournal.com]

[quiet, transcribed 'pfffffffft']

[sinister-charm.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't scoff.

[dictated;]

[nottwiceblessed.livejournal.com]

There's a hole. [cough] If that's your theory, I mean. If you guys caught it from the jungle, it... might not be airborne.

[sinister-charm.livejournal.com]

With the amount of saliva, bodily fluids, and blood spilled around here, it can easily be transmitted.

[illicitsolution.livejournal.com]

[Written shakily;]

I considered that myself. [A pause, in which he taps the pen.] I've been studying the virus since it appeared. It... varies greatly. It's not like something I've seen before.

[sinister-charm.livejournal.com]

I've seen rapidly changeable viruses before - then again, I know how to engineer many. ...Ah, yes, you're the one that was asking for blood samples. I take you it you got little in the way of offers?

[illicitsolution.livejournal.com]

I have run into them before, but this one appears... different than the ones I've studied previously. It seems to be unique.

Quite, but then again, no one ever trusts a scientist. We don't technically have... good reputations. Especially when I have little to offer in return. I am not a doctor, after all.

[Written]

[chargrined.livejournal.com]

You asked for help with people giving blood samples and you didn't get any? Want me to try? What's your name?

[illicitsolution.livejournal.com]

I had one volunteer, which is little to start with.

If you could get others, that would be extremely helpful. My name is Even.

[Written]

[chargrined.livejournal.com]

I'll try, Even-sensei. My name's Page.

[sinister-charm.livejournal.com]

Yes, I've noticed it - but it may be a very high mutative quality... mmm.

You'd think they would. Without science, they'd have no medicine at all.

[illicitsolution.livejournal.com]

Mutation is quite likely, considering those who normally would not be able to be infected are sick. Perhaps it mutates to adapt to the host.

You are quite right, but the normal simpleton does not think that way.

[broken-clock.livejournal.com]

[Koschei]
[weakly] I'm...resting has helped, but I...don't think I should be running about again [a muffled cough] any time soon.

I haven't been much better.

Good. That's good. I...hope this doesn't...affect animals as well.
[/Koschei]

[written, slowly]

That, or an airborne contagion that strikes in various ways.

[sinister-charm.livejournal.com]

[Theta]
I won't let you. You're staying in bed now, even if I have to tie you to it.

I should have at least kept walking, cleared my head. Not hit you.

[a weary chuckle] I don't believe it does, but I've given strict orders to them that the med bay is to be avoided.


Would you like anything in particular, while I'm out?
[Theta]

Possibly. That'd be more likely. High mutative quality?

[broken-clock.livejournal.com]

[Koschei]

[he sounds just a tad cagey] Of course.

I doubt...I'd have let you.

[soft chuckle] I'm glad to hear it. Mind you...this probably means they'll...want inside.

I - don't want to be a - tea?

[/Koschei]

Very. It seems to...adapt to any system. Thwart any defences, natural or otherwise.

[sinister-charm.livejournal.com]

[Theta]
It's for your own good, love.

...You can be very persistent at times, you know that?

Well, I won't let them.

[a soft laugh] I expected as such. Anything in particular?
[/Theta]

Most systems. I've not taken ill.

[broken-clock.livejournal.com]

[Koscehi]
Of course.

I think it's...part of my charm.

I do like surprises.
[/Koschei]

[wry amusement] Perhaps it likes you.

[sinister-charm.livejournal.com]

[Theta]
I'm just... worried.

It is, Theta. Just sometimes it gets you into a bit more trouble than if you didn't have it.

Then I shall try to make it something to your liking.
[Theta]

[teasingly] If it liked me, shouldn't I be the one ill?

[broken-clock.livejournal.com]

[Koschei]
I...I know. I shouldn't have - I'm...fairly certain I...accelerated it. Need to...make up for that.

If I didn't get...into trouble, I don't...think I'd know...what to do with myself.
[/Koschei]

[written] That's another way to look at it. I'm simply more popular with the bacteria than you.

[sinister-charm.livejournal.com]

[Theta]
No. I'm at fault. Not you.

You'd have to get a hobby, my dear. Something less lethal.
[/Theta]

I think that is a popularity contest where it is much better to be losing.

[broken-clock.livejournal.com]

[Koschei]
You didn't...force me to run after you.

Perhaps I should...take up knitting.
[Koschei]

Aren't most?

[sinister-charm.livejournal.com]

[Theta]
I caused you to run after me.

[he laughs a bit] You're becoming rather domestic, love.
[/Theta]

Ahhhh, some aren't too terrible.

[broken-clock.livejournal.com]

[Koschei]
...Well, yes, but...

[playfully indignant] Rubbish. I can make a new scarf!
[/Koschei]

I suppose it depends on the voters.

[sinister-charm.livejournal.com]

[Theta]
Then I hit you. I think you're less to blame than I.

[purposely exaggerating, rolling eyes] Please, Theta, one of those monstrocities was enough for seven millenia.
[/Theta]

And what type of popularity was being voted upon.

[broken-clock.livejournal.com]

[Koschei]
Hmm, yes, I'll grant you that. [tad pointedly] At least I have no lasting damage, directly.

[the pout is evident in his voice] You didn't like it?
[/Koschei]

How many types are there?

[sinister-charm.livejournal.com]

[Theta]
I suppose when I'm threatened with the thought of losing someone I love...

[head turned up, disapprovingly] I thought it was horrible. Not to mention, I doubt it'd look good on you.
[/Theta]

You can have popularity amongst the intellectuals, of course. The upper crust socialites. The gangs of streets, so on and so forth, but its very rare they have any sort of polling together.

[fantasticninth.livejournal.com]

[v. grumpy but still all stuffy nose]

What about you, Master? Feeling anything?

[sinister-charm.livejournal.com]

I'm perfectly fine.

[fantasticninth.livejournal.com]

Oh good. It'd be horrible if you had to suffer along with the rest of us.

Anyway-- [pause for cough] not making a whole lot of progress with what I've got on hand, so I'm coming to pick up some things from Five.

[sinister-charm.livejournal.com]

Someone has to be healthy, I suppose the castle felt I was the best choice.

What? He's not to be leaving the med bay. He's in absolutely no condition for it.

[fantasticninth.livejournal.com]

[a disbelieving snort] Right.

No one'll be in a condition to do much of anything if we don't figure out what this is.

[benotmywish.livejournal.com]

I wonder how come I'm not sick?

[sinister-charm.livejournal.com]

Natural immunities, perhaps.

[benotmywish.livejournal.com]

Oh.

If you're sick, would that make you human and I'm not? I guess I'm more super strong than you.