[Closed] Agatha is finally getting around to dealing with her mom....

[ding_bots_are_done]

Who: Agatha Heterodyne and Fumi Kanno
Where: Castle Heterodyne
What: Unwise scientific experimentation.
Warnings: Lucrezia Mongfish None


[Agatha has gotten everything ready. One of the medical labs in the castle has been set up with as much monitoring equipment she could get her hands on. At the very least, she's going to get as much data as she can.

And now she's waiting for Fumi to arrive, nervously puttering around the lab. The castle is, for once, quiet. She's checked the settings on the suppressor, and the strength of the bindings on the slab several times already. Dingbots rush about around her feet, trying to help out. This is a pretty big risk she's taking. She hopes this isn't a mistake.]

Comments

[terminally_clever]

You've been quite thorough here.

[ding_bots_are_done]

[She sighs.]

I have to be. I'm not willing to take chances with something like this.

[The Other was able to rain destruction down upon an entire continent. To tear down all semblance of order and bring untold suffering. She can't be careless here.}

[terminally_clever]

Tell me... when this 'Other' takes control, do you have any memory of what happened during that time? Or is it akin to episodes of dissociative identity disorder where the suppressed personality has no recollection of what occurred during the time another personality was dominant?

[ding_bots_are_done]

I usually have... a vague idea of what happened. But the memories aren't complete. I think it's the same for her.

[terminally_clever]

Then when the experiment begins, I'll wait a predetermined amount of time and shoot you with the stun gun regardless of what is said or done. Presumably you will resume control after you regain consciousness, and then you can simply tell me yourself whether or not that was actually you. That will guard against the possibility of the Other attempting to lie to me in order to gain her freedom. Additionally..

[Fumi takes off the wristwatch they'd invented before, handing it to Agatha before setting up her laptop on the other side of the room.]

Your brainwave pattern should be fundamentally different from that of the Other in the first place. As long as you're wearing this, assuming the information is being transmitted faithfully, I'll be able to make that analysis immediately.

[ding_bots_are_done]

No. I won't regain control unless you put the locket back on. Knocking me out won't help on it's own.

[She straps the device to her arm and then walks over to the slab.]

You're right about the brainwave patterns though. They should be very different.

[terminally_clever]

All right. So we strap you down, remove the locket, wait a few seconds, I knock you out, replace the locket, and wait for you to regain consciousness.

[ding_bots_are_done]

That's the idea. Hopefully the suppressor will keep her at bay.

[She's not terribly confident though, Beating her mother couldn't be that easy. If it was, Baron Wulfenbach would have done it years ago.]

[terminally_clever]

Well, there's only one way to find out, isn't there?

[Fumi gestures to the table.]

[ding_bots_are_done]

Right.

[She takes a deep breath and climbs on to the table, waiting for Fumi to strap her down.]

Let's get started.

[terminally_clever]

[Fumi gets right down to work. It doesn't take her long, and she fastens the straps very securely. Almost as if she's done something like this before. She then removes the wristwatch and affixes it to Agatha's wrist before walking over to her laptop and starting up the monitoring program. Finally, she retrieves the suppressor device and the stun gun, bringing them over to where Agatha is.]

All right. I'm about to remove the locket.

[ding_bots_are_done]

Okay. Castle, lock down the lab.

Yes, my Lady.

[The doors all shut, and the sound of shifting stones can be heard outside the room. Agatha closes her eyes, trying to concentrate on staying in control.]

[terminally_clever]

[Without any further hesitation, Fumi activates the suppressor and then reaches out to remove the locket, setting it down next to her. She's got the stun gun pointed squarely at Agatha's chest with her free hand.

And now, we wait.]

[ding_bots_are_done]

[There is no waiting, the change is almost instantaneous. Agatha draws a single sharp breath and the readings on the watch spike wildly before settling back down.

The pattern is distinctly different. After a few seconds Lucrezia opens her eyes. This is not what she expected. She supposes it's somewhat gratifying to know that the girl still fears her. But it does present a problem in her plans.

She's smart enough to know that this is not the time to make her play. She doesn't have any advantage yet. And she doesn't have a proper gauge of her darling daughter's little friend yet. As it is, she doesn't bother with a ruse.]

Fumi, is it? I don't suppose I could convince you to hear me out?

[Lucrezia is remarkably calm, all things considered. She's even smiling, confident that her chance will eventually come. Near insurmountable challenges are always fun.]

[terminally_clever]

...Hm. I suppose we'll have to mark this one down as a failure.

[Fumi reaches over to her laptop with her free hand, fingers clattering across the keys as quick as lightning. Her eyes never actually leave... well, it's Lucrezia now, isn't it?]

Such a shame.

[She takes a moment to check the setting of the stun gun before leveling it at Agatha's body and smiling.]

Good night, then.

[And without wasting another word, she fires.]

[ding_bots_are_done]

Yes, I think you will.

[Ah, one of those then. Well, no matter. She takes advantage of the few seconds of key tapping and gun checking to add in one last comment.]

You may tell my daughter that her challenge is accepted. May the stronger spark prevail.

[The shot still jars her, but she manages not to cry out. Lucrezia goes limp, unconscious.]

[terminally_clever]

[Sighing, Fumi replaces the locket and sets about the task of writing her report while she waits for Agatha to regain consciousness.]

[ding_bots_are_done]

That could have gone better.

[The castle is just gonna make small talk while they wait. It's bored.]

[terminally_clever]

Every successful experiment inevitably fails numerous times first.

[ding_bots_are_done]

Oh, I am well aware of that. I've seen the successes and failures of generations of sparks. Very few get things right on the first try.

Still, success in this particular case would have been especially convenient.

[terminally_clever]

It would seem some more tinkering with the suppressor is required.

[Fumi grumbles a bit.]

Unfortunately, that ball would appear to be entirely in Agatha's court. As soon as spark logic is applied to anything, it immediately moves far beyond the realm of any sort of science I've ever known.

[ding_bots_are_done]

That is usually the case with sparks and non-intuitive engineers.

[Simply stating a fact. The castle doesn't care to spare anyone's feelings.]

Although the work of Lady Lucrezia presents a problem for even particularly gifted sparks.

[terminally_clever]

I tend to prefer the term 'scientist.'

[feelings

what are those

can you eat them]

Yes, so I've gathered.

[ding_bots_are_done]

[No

you can't eat them

the castle has tried.]

I have faith in Lady Agatha, however. She is a Heterodyne, after all.

[It pretty much has to have faith in the Heterodynes. It's primary function is to ensure the safety and continuation of the line.]

[terminally_clever]

I'll bring whatever talents I can contribute to her efforts as well.

[Fumi glances over to Agatha, lying there on the table.]

She is, after all, a friend.

[ding_bots_are_done]

You do seem to be remarkably capable for a non-intuitive engineer.

[Who doesn't love a backhanded complement? Sadly, that was the castle being nice.

It might have said more, but Agatha is finally stirring on the table.]

[terminally_clever]

[someday she will unravel your seeeeecrets]

Ah... back with us, I see.

[ding_bots_are_done]

Ugh...

[She shakes her head to try to clear some of the headache.]

I kind of thought it wouldn't be that easy. Can you unstrap me?

[terminally_clever]

Of course.

[Fumi double checks her laptop just to be sure before heading over to the table and doing just that.]

[ding_bots_are_done]

[Wise of her. Once the straps are gone, Agatha sits up and swings her legs off the table.]

I think the problem is that suppressor just isn't precise enough. It can't target the correct mind with enough force to make a difference.

[terminally_clever]

Well, thanks to that watch from before, I now have brainwave data for the Other stored on my laptop. Perhaps studying that will help with the appropriate modifications.

[ding_bots_are_done]

Ooh, good point! At least that gives us something to work with.

[She's turning over various ideas in her head when the castle interrupts. ]

The Lady Lucrezia did leave a message for you, Mistress.

Oh?

[That figures. God forbid she keep her mouth shut for five seconds so people could do simple experiments.]

[terminally_clever]

Ah, yes. 'May the stronger spark prevail.'

[ding_bots_are_done]

[Rolling her eyes over here.]

Why am I not surprised?

[/sigh]

I wish I knew what she was planning...

[terminally_clever]

With any luck, we won't have to find out.

[ding_bots_are_done]

Yeah.

[But worrying about it won't help. So she manages a smile.]

Well, that just means I'll have to work this out a little faster.

[terminally_clever]

Yes. Well. Good luck with that.

[ding_bots_are_done]

I'll need it. Thanks for helping me out.

Do you mind if I bother you when I'm ready to try again?

[terminally_clever]

That goes without saying. I never abandon research projects halfway through.

[ding_bots_are_done]

Heh, I should have expected that.

Want to join me for a post-experiment cup of tea?

[terminally_clever]

I think we've earned at least that much, yes.