“They threw me into the pits, and I only survived by making the effect stronger.So, they set me off against stronger and stronger actives.That’s how I lost my eye; that's where the scars came in.Poison got faster.It is still really just the original sedative, but hyper-concentrated.”
Zera nodded.“Strong enough to stop a heart.”
“And blow the liver or kidneys.Even causes complete hemorrhaging if the active is sensitive.I have seen the destruction up close.It isn’t pretty.”
Zera nodded.“Riithan, do they agree it’s their relative?”
He nodded.“They do.They will fund any and all treatments to get her to the point where they can hug her again.”
Ival held her hand up.“Not necessary.I make my own money.Plus, Zera wants to study me and pimp me out.She’s paying.”
Zera snorted.“She isn’t wrong.The chem team is signing up for overtime so they can keep working on the sample before it degrades.”
“I didn’t set it to degrade quickly.In general, if I am not paying attention, it lasts five hours.You guys wanted to play, so I extended things.”She laughed.“You would not believe the water treatment system I need at my house.”
Zera blinked.“Can we go and take samples of your water ponds?”
“Sure.It will speed up checking the degradation of your toxin.”She walked out to talk to Arcady, and Salmet walked back in with Riko.Amusingly, both looked damp.
Salmet smiled.“Thanks for the warning.I hadn’t considered that you would stick to my clothing.”
“It’s kind of like tree sap, but it washes off more easily.Water-based for the most part.The oil bit is the toxin.”
Zera asked, “Would you be willing to try working with Khytten?”
“Well, she’s a hugger, so...it would be difficult.”
Salmet smiled.“I will talk to her about it.”
“I am lactose intolerant.”
Zera blinked.“Is it a bad reaction?”
“No, but it is uncomfortable.”
Hemma was clutching her ribs and silently laughing again.
Ival snorted.“I can’t take it direct, moron.Not only do I not swing that way, but it would kill her.”
Hemma shrugged.
They chatted for a few more minutes.Arcady came in to take another sample from Ival’s cheek.“The chem lab is super excited.They have found nine different uses for the first samples.It’s only the concentration that makes it toxic.”
Riithan nodded.“That is what she was telling us.”
Ival nodded.“I have had it analyzed a few times at a private lab.It has been pleasant to meet all of you, but I am writing a few songs for the Uraddan event on Friday.They will need to practice them tomorrow.”
Zera grinned.“But you are willing to sign on to the BDC?”
“Sure.If I can’t kill them, they will kill me, so it will be a short date.”
They left the room, except for Zera, who walked over and spoke with Hemma for a few minutes.
Ival got back to the songs and sent them to Hemma, Chaos, and Zephyr.
Hemma was looking better.The marks on her were fading, her gills were more pronounced, and the melted skin was changing into healthy flesh.“You are looking good, Hemma.”
Hemma smiled and curtsied while floating.She was nothing if not graceful.
