PARADISA LOST

[She's never liked the holidays much, ever since her parents left when she was a teenager. Even if her past few Christmases haven't been so bad. But with Angela's recent disappearance from the castle, Brennan's found even more reason to revert to her old habits and be a hermit, spending all her time either in her room or her lab.

But today, she's taken the time to wander around the halls of the castle and see the decorations. There's a scowl on her face as she stands in front of the tree in the lobby, momentarily distracted by a passing sugarplum fairy.]

Christmas had its roots in pagan festivals like Saturnalia long before Tchaikovsky ever composed "The Nutcracker." If the castle really wants to be accurate in its celebration of the holiday, these sugarplum fairies ought to be replaced by something closer to last year's New Year. Intoxication, gambling, naked singing, and orgies would be a more accurate start.


[ooc: open via journal or action; any kisses more than welcome!]

Has anyone determined whether the sudden occurrence of multilingual expression is limited to the journals? [Someone hasn't gotten out of the lab today, or had much (if any) in the way of human interaction.] Or whether this is the first time the journals have malfunctioned in any way?

[Unfortunately, with recent events being what they are, she doesn't sound nearly as enthusiastic by the curious development as she normally would. Instead, Brennan's staring at a model skull she had wished up (against better judgment) months ago.

She picks it up and turns it around in her hands. Unlike people, bones don't lie. Mumbled:]

I think I am slowly starting to understand the merit of a vacation. I -- am growing very tired of being here. The lack of day-to-day stimulation is growing very tedious. There is very little worth occupying my time here. Even explorations within the library are growing repetitive.

Dr. Sweets, I think I would like very much to take you up on your lunch offer.

[Filtered to Billy]

You lied to me.

[Filtered to Angela]

[Even as she dictates the message, she's walking to the clinic.]

Spike said that you were hurt. What happened?


[Filtered to Booth and Sweets -- mainly Sweets]

Spike says that Angela has been attacked by a vampire. He promises to inform me when he knows more about who attacked her. I am on the way to the clinic right now.

I don't know why she didn't contact me. Have you heard from her recently?

[Even after watching the sunrise on a beautiful island, Brennan does not look so pleased. She sits on the steps of her bungalow, skimming through the journal as she looks for something specific.

When she does not find it, she scowls.]

I am thankful that these journals are still functioning, wherever we may be now. But I am not pleased with having been transported against my will again. I have responsibilities back in Paradisa that I cannot afford to be taken away from.

[Namely, she's concerned with the decomposing bodies she left in the make-shift lab room attached to her quarters in the castle. And the progress of the actual lab space Booth had surprised her with earlier in the week.]


[Booth]

Where are you?

[She looks as if she's about to close the journal at that point when she changes her mind.]

Has anyone seen Special Agent Seeley Booth? I... am concerned that he is not on the cruise ship, or anywhere on this island.



[ooc: open via journal, or action for those on route c!]

[Written.]

Since my arrival to Paradisa, I have encountered a number of people that contradict my prior belief in certain species being purely of the fictional realm. But I still maintain that there is a rational explanation for even the most inconceivable of species. But there are some concepts I refuse to believe in.

While I cannot claim to understand the technology behind resurrection and resuscitation in place for castle inhabitants upon death, it remains inconceivable to think the dead can return to an animated state on its own.

When an organism dies, biological functions terminate. Even if an organism survives any endangerment to their homeostasis, with the rare exception, senescence will ultimately lead to a cessation of life. At this point, the organism is no longer able to maintain its internal environment in a constant state, structural organization of the body gives way to decomposition, growth, metabolism, and adaptation cease. Response to stimuli is no longer an option.

The idea of an "undead" state of being outside of fictional or mythological works is preposterous. The word is an oxymoron. An organism cannot be considered clinically dead and yet continue to function as any living organism would. With cardiac arrest and the cessation of brain activity comes an inability for someone to interact with their environment, a key conception in the definition of life.

Rather than jumping to superstitious conclusions based upon inaccurate information derived from fictional works, I would recommend seeking a more rational explanation. Historically, there have been a number of cases of misdiagnosed death. Genetic conditions such as porphyria and severe photodermatitis have been previously considered explanations for the development of vampire lore. It is entirely possible that some sort of biological alteration could be responsible for the so-called "supernatural" conditions in those who had once be human - a virus or genetic predisposition, for example.

Overall, I am growing weary with the consistent mention of magic and the supernatural. The library is a valuable source of information, with plenty of factual knowledge for anyone interested in being better educated.

[The stack of books that sit by Brennan would be normal enough for the scientist, if she had the reading level of a five year old. A number of them contain more pictures than words, but on a number of fascinating (at least, what she considers fascinating) subjects: skeletons, human evolution, microbiology, and dinosaurs. On top of the pile lies her open journal - not something of which Brennan is aware.

[Her attention is instead occupied by the two year old girl in her lap. Her daughter. Hers and Booth's daughter -- a concept that she still has a difficult time really understanding. But some part of her doesn't want to take any moment for granted. It's almost a dream come true, if she would ever admit to wanting this dream at all.]

Your sternum is right here. [She explains, tracing a finger down Christine's chest. The girl laughs, watching her mother with wide eyed adoration.] And on either side of the sternum you have...

Bones, Mommy?

[Brennan gives a slight nod at the response and places a hand on either side of Christine's rib cage.] Can you be more specific? [As she asks, an impish thought hits her. Rather than waiting for an answer, Brennan curves her fingers to tickle Christine, joining in on the laughter as soon as her daughter starts to squeal with delight.]


[ooc: Open via journal or action!]

[Dictated.]

Whomever is in charge of these... "events" that occur within the castle, I would very much like to know what sort of technology it is you harness. Unless physically recorded in visual format, vocalizations and sounds do not result in the sudden appearance of bubbles above one's head. To be able to quickly transcribe and project one's words is one matter. But to portray a person's thoughts before they are even spoken aloud?

I am not so certain I believe in the possibility of telepathy, even if I have experienced other... unusual abilities since my arrival here. This weekend, the week prior -- I do not remember taking any mind altering substances. But I am having difficulty otherwise explaining what I saw. And did.

[A sigh.]

It has been four months and I am still no where near developing concrete, rational explanations.


[Filtered to Booth, Ange, and Dr. Sweets.]

Preliminary work on the body indicates a number of stab wounds, although I have yet to determine the type of blade utilized. Cause of death appears to be the result of deep penetration to the right of the costal cartilage of rib 9. I need more time to catalogue all osteological damage, but there is clear stabbing trauma on the sternum.

We know the victim was a townsperson. Skeletal structure confirms male Caucasian, approximately [insert age here cause I don't know characteristics of the victim, sorry.] years of age.

I have yet to find evidence of a struggle.

Dr. Sweets, do you know anything about the history of homicides here?

[/Filter]

Who: Temperance Brennan and Seeley Booth
When: Late Friday night, 4/29.
Where: Room 606.
What: Loss based log. Discuss all that's been going on at The Lab.
Rating: PG-13, in case of swearing/mention of murder/sexual innuendo.

( Burdens that allow us to fly. )