vatheon | (no subject)

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(no subject)

Who: Shulk and Tech
Where: Defense Force Headquarters, Laboratory
When: Early morning, Monday
Status: Closed

[It’s not exactly irregular for the coyote to get caught up in a project and work well beyond his projected (and healthy) time frame. This is one of those times. But really, most of them are. He prepares the lab before he leaves, only storing the most vital or otherwise dangerous odds and ends. Most of it will be used again in the morning, anyways. After all, it couldn’t be that—oh. It’s tomorrow.

In fact, it’s very tomorrow. Tech sighs to himself as he begins to lock up. It’s a very half-hearted sigh.]

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A curse?

[Why does that sounds familia--]

Oh, right. This was mentioned in the pamphlet.

[He puts the box down on the table carefully so he doesn't damage anything.]

If it's a curse, shouldn't the effects have started yesterday?

Oh, you must be relatively new.

[That explains the unfamiliar face. Well, beyond the possibility that he just isn't paying attention.]

In the sense of a few hours ago, sure. It is a little odd, but maybe the effect did start then, and is only actually noticeable when...contact happens.

[With his free hand, Tech wakes up his communicator and begins to scan the network feed.]

[CLEARLY THEY SHOULD TOUCH MORE AND SEE--

Okay no not really. But Shulk does have the thought briefly before he discards it; it's already really inconvenient, there's no need to make it worse. The weight on the end of his right hand reminds him that yes, this person is still stuck to his hand -- Tech might feel a light tug on his stuck hand before Shulk remembers and stops pulling -- and, no, if he's going to think, he's going to have to forget about going into his usual 'thinking pose'. Shulk settles for curling his unstuck hand by his chin.]

That makes sense.

[When Tech takes out his SFC, Shulk's gaze focuses on it, observing how Tech navigates the device.]

I'd love to test your theory, but it seems inconvenient if we were stuck any more than we already are for the rest of the week.

[Tech's eyes flash from the screen quickly.]

You would?

[No one ever wants to test his theories! But now is not the time to be either over-excited or emotional.]

Yes, of course. We don't have to take that approach, though. It would make more sense to begin by analyzing how we're connected. Perhaps I can even find a way to separate us. That would certainly make testing more convenient.

[Shulk nods, glancing back down at their connected hands. It's a bit hard to see how they're connected from this angle, even after a lot of craning, so he'll wait until this guy's done with what he's doing.]

Sounds good.

[Oh yeah.]

I'm Shulk, by the way.

Tech.

[After a few more seconds of scrolling, Tech pockets his communicator.]

Nothing. That means we're on our own. Come with me.

[Tech, huh. Shulk gets the feeling Tech is pretty business oriented -- a little like Dean, actually -- so he doesn't say anything when Tech leads the way.]

[There's a telescopic glass with a lit platform set into a table, near a collection of microscopes. The latter would be more precise, but not exactly suited for this sort of examination. Tech switches on the lights and pulls their hands toward the platform.]

Put your hand here and try to keep still. I'm going to see if I can find anything that might illuminate the nature of our problem.

[Shulk obliges and stays still. Unfortunately, the glass really isn't designed for two people looking into it, so with nothing better to do, Shulk looks around the lab. All the equipment in here... He can't help but say aloud--]

This lab's a lot more sophisticated than the one I had. Is this all for research?

Research and development.

[Tech adjusts the scope as he peers through the viewer. There's nothing much to be seen, as expected. Just a pair of hands that won't come apart. He tugs around his glove with his free hand, but everything stops at the connection. Then, producing a small pair of forceps, he tries to find the exact spot where they seem to meet.]

Hm. No residue or give of any kind. As far as I can tell, there's nothing physical holding us together, or if there is it's contained entirely within the attached site, and otherwise immovable. It also penetrates my glove, which is interesting.

[R&D, huh. Shulk's attention is brought back to their stuck hands when Tech starts fiddling with them.]

Although this is different, we could try applying heat. Warming pitch loosens its binding ability, so it's not impossible.

[Using hot water or something. Not, like, boiling water, but hot water that isn't scalding.]

Maybe. Assuming we could get it hot enough without direct contact, as there doesn't appear to be any space between our hands at the connection.

[He lifts up from the device and stares for a moment.]

But first we should probably get what information we have onto the network. Here, I'm going to record to the SFC.

[As he speaks he retrieves the communicator from his side. He stands it on the table and begins to adjust.]

[Shulk nods. And then this post happens. When they're done, though...]

...Oh.

[That sure is his right hand getting unstuck from Tech's left.]

[Tech blinks, and lifts his hand to his face to examine it.]

Huh, interesting. I wonder if...

[He looks to the human.]

...we should probably hold off on further testing. For now.

[Shulk nods and takes a step back. You know. Just in case.]

Good idea.

[He hesitates for a moment.]

Uhh...

[His next words are blurted out.]

Would you mind if I observed what you do here while I'm in Vatheon?

[At first Tech gives him a look as if to say 'come again?' but of course he heard what was said. On brief reflection, he shrugs and offers a more pertinent response instead.]

We've already established that my assistant and myself would like to study your weapon. Unless you intend to leave it in our care and simply await the results, it seems like you would be here regardless.

[Ahahaha no. Shulk has absolutely no desire to let the Monado out of his sight. He scratches the back of his head.]

It's just...

[How to explain?]

Some researchers don't like other people asking questions and taking notes while they work. I thought it would be a good idea to ask, first.

Yes, of course. But it's no trouble at all.

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