⚕ 001; // voice

[nekromanteia]

[Jade had spent months prioritizing the matter of his arm and why a spear could now simply manifest from it at will. So pressing was the matter of this anomaly and the effect on his health that Jade had nearly discarded the involvement of that mysterious number entirely.]

[Nearly.]

[After what must have been his fifth clean physical and third clear X-ray, Jade had finally decided to investigate the other route of determining answers. Instead of decoding the number as he'd intended, Jade instead stumbled upon the network. So that was how he'd spent some number of hours, silently watching and gathering information. Once he'd determined the reasoning behind his circumstances as well as a reason behind that god-awful buzzing. But the possibility of lingering problems still tugged at his mind; while he wasn't one to seek outside consultation, the doctor couldn't quite help typing in the number on the laptop in front of him.]

Good evening--this is Jade Balfour speaking.

There's something that I've been wondering. Has anyone thought to examine the physical or psychological effects of these pulses, echoes, or whatever terminology you prefer? The former of the two is what interests me far more, I must admit. Given the apparent range of effects, it certainly does seem as though some could have an adverse effect on one's health.

Comments

[nekromanteia]

Just today; unfortunately investigating that number escaped me until now. I was a bit more concerned with some other matters. Even so, I think I'm reasonably caught up on the situation.

[scramasax]

Have you only experienced one pulse so far? (Please excuse me if it is better for me not to ask anything.)

[nekromanteia]

Just the one, yes. [He didn't comment on whether or not the question was intrusive. I can't seem to determine how commonly they occur or if there's been some manner of pattern to them.

[scramasax]

They do occur with "triggers" [Hesitation on punctuating - jerks the period to a comma.] or it has seemed that they do. We often experience them in danger, or in other unusual situations, and also when performing actions. What occurs with a pulse often seems related to what is happening when the pulse triggers... I do not think that it's always true. [Which is to say that he's known several cases in which the pulse and the acquisition with it have had no clear relationship - who can tell if there hadn't been some manner of relationship whatsoever?]

I do not think that we experience them with a "scheduled" frequency, but I know that I have been experiencing a specific effect with a regular length of time in between pulses, sir. However, I don't think that it is a normal case...

[nekromanteia]

So they respond to stimuli rather than a scheduled frequency. Perhaps that isn't necessarily surprising.

'Jade' is fine, incidentally. 'Dr. Balfour' if you insist upon formality. And what is the effect you're referring to?

[scramasax]

Yes, Dr. Balfour.

My name is Anthony... I think that I am the zombie who was mentioned. [He cannot be entirely sure another supposed one hasn't started manifesting so-to-speak symptoms.] I have been "turning" further with pulses about once every month and a half. (It happened first in June.)

[nekromanteia]

Really now? Tell me, have you been feeling any adverse effects? Illness, mental deterioration, perhaps even the old undead cliche of craving human blood?

[jesus christ man what is WRONG with you]

[scramasax]

[He might have been much more unsettled by these questions being posed if Dr. Balfour's dare one say professional tone didn't have him feeling almost encouraged to answer!]

I have not had to eat or drink at all for a while! I also do not have to sleep, and I have lost nearly all of my sensitivity to pain. I have not been thinking any differently since it started... If I had, then I may have only assumed that I was ill or dying.

[nekromanteia]

[some would call that deeply unnerving. congrats, friend.]

That's remarkable. So what does this apparent transformation entail? I presume the typical rotting flesh and so on has something to do with it?

[scramasax]

[Some would call being undead the same - au contraire he's a bit settled by feeling as if it's being treated as something interesting and therefore good to speak about.]

Yes, sir. [Less cumbersome for this purpose than "Dr. Balfour" again.] I would be able to show you if that may help. However, my flesh has begun rotting. [All the same not a phrase that can be written with perfect ease - this context still makes it feel a bit less tangibly ominous.]

[nekromanteia]

Is it particularly troublesome? I wonder if applying formaldehyde in some manner would slow the process.

[scramasax]

[He nearly writes that it isn't, but he does know he'd feel quite a bit less guilty on his current shelter-er's behalf were it not for it.]

I am unsure if it may, actually... The rotting did not begin naturally, but suddenly. My flesh was not visibly rotted until my most recent pulse. Even with formaldehyde, I wonder if another pulse would "force" it to continue...

[nekromanteia]

You do raise a good point. I wouldn't doubt that any attempts to slow the process would be useless met with a force such as this. Quite a shame, really.

[scramasax]

I am willing to believe that my mind is going to stay alive... As long as it does, then I do not mind, if the people around me do not.

[nekromanteia]

It would hardly bother me, from the sound of it. Quite the contrary. I don't often work with the living rather, functional, but I might like to give you a cursory examination at some point.

[scramasax]

I see... [There's momentary pause - and yet it's vague - not necessarily on negative thought.] What would it most likely involve, if I may ask?

[nekromanteia]

Certainly nothing invasive or traumatic, that seems like it might be a bit tactless.

[not like that would necessarily stop him...]

I was just considering a simple examination so I could take a close look at what your particular situation entails. I can't say I'd be able to help the matter, but one never can tell.

[scramasax]

I doubt that it is reversible... Still, I would not mind, if it may be of interest to you. [Whether or not a certain someone else'd mind is another question, but either way. He's clearly a professional, after all! In matters bearing some relation!] Thank you, Dr. Balfour.

[nekromanteia]

Oh, you don't need to thank me. Satisfying my curiosity is quite enough for me.

[scramasax]

It is enough for me, also, if I can make that possible! Again, my name is Anthony Janvier... I'm pleased to meet you, sir.