>>@ALKOHEIST | @ALL

[frogfractions]

Does anyone have need of lipstick? I've been able to create a few tubes' worth, but I don't use much makeup myself. The benefits of eternal youth, basically. I should be able to manufacture nail polish as well, and perhaps a few other things. We can discuss based on your needs.

In news that I promise is highly, and in fact, completely unrelated, I've finished my research on the Shaper specimen. As I'm sure most of you are aware - unless we've picked up some new recruits in the past week - we had a pest problem. Basically, I dissected one.

[What follows is just straight-up a picture of a shaper's brain. There's a vial of blue blood to the left, and a plastic container full of small bones to the right of it. Off-camera, there's a few other internal organs she's separated and tucked away, but mercifully she hasn't decided to show everything to the camera.]

Would anyone like to enjoy foreign cuisine with me? The brain is supposed to be a delicacy, so we might as well give it a try. It's unlikely I'll be able to get a hold of another specimen, so it's a once-in-a-lifetime chance, in a way.

And if you'd like access to my research notes, I can text them over to you. Knowledge is meant to be shared, after all. They mostly concern the creature's biology, since understandably I did not want an annoyed psychic creature bouncing around my room, and thus could not leave it alive to study its behavior. In layman's terms, I like being conscious.

Incidentally, any and all moral or ecological complaints can be forwarded to my secretary, @MODERATUS. Thank you for your time.

Comments

[frogfractions]

What powers the Grail? Mana, obviously, but how is the mana gathered? Are there any limits on what can be wished for?

[horsepowered]

Death of servants. The last standing means that they get the one wish.

[frogfractions]

Ah. There's the trick.

It's rather human to summon someone with as much intelligence and experience as you just to serve as fuel for a ritual.

Then again, I'm basically in no position to judge.

[horsepowered]

It is, isn't it? But regardless: that's the explanation, as far as I myself understand it.

You are admittedly not trying to take control of a wish granting device, unless you've failed to inform me of things.

[frogfractions]

No, but

[There's actually a bit of a pause between texts there, as Prelati gets her thoughts in order.]

Well, using lives as fuel is work I'm familiar with. And if we had any knowledge of a wish-granting device, we'd have definitely tried to fuel it.

[horsepowered]

Then it is a good thing you didn't. And that the magic between our worlds is different.

[frogfractions]

I'd be interested to know exactly how different, but I imagine there's only so much you could tell me.

Are there any others here from your world?

[horsepowered]

I admit, I am now at the end of my own knowledge on the topic.

Several, yes. But their interest in these mechanics is lower than my own, I believe.

[frogfractions]

Are they all the summoned spirits, instead of the ones doing the summoning?

If so, that's a shame. Nothing against you or them, but it would be nice to talk to someone who actively participated in the ritual. Well, I suppose it wouldn't have any real benefit to me, but new information is always a boon.

If I might ask, what was the person who summoned you like?

[horsepowered]

Their information would be along the lines of what I've shared, I'm afraid. I will leave any identification on the matter to them, as I believe some do want their privacy.

She was...a very smart, capable young woman with a big heart. She is decidedly illsuited for the emotional callousness that her position requires, and I want the best for her.

[frogfractions]

The best rarely comes to people like that.

But at the same time, the strength of people like that can surprise you. It's a complicated thing, basically.

[horsepowered]

Most people are, in your words, complicated.

At present, the most I can hope is that she isn't pulled into the matters we're all apart of.

[frogfractions]

It must be strange, having people from your world here. It seems so alien a campaign we're on.

I'd rather like having my friends from home here, if I can be honest. They're both competent. Though I might wind up listening to Saint-Germain more than the actual commanders.

[horsepowered]

The strangeness of the campaign makes me glad to have their presence.

Perhaps that last detail is a reason that you've been taken here and they have not. No commander wants rebellion in the ranks.