When not offering the school her doctoring services, Ethel tended to be at one of her labs. She had a few scattered around. Each of them served as a surgeon's room and a science lab. They were decorated in body parts, and different species pinned to the walls, cut open, and cleaned of their organs, which floated in jars below them.
She'd sensed the presence of a particularly powerful Eldrich in the little Defan boy, and was certain at some point he planned on approaching her. Ethel knew about Eldrich on the theoretical, but she hadn't met many before coming to the island.
She was in the middle of dissecting a strange species she'd managed to scrounge up when she heard the tingle of her camera alerting her to someone's presence.
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He'd heard rumors about a sketchy little chop shop, lab, thing run by a school nurse of all things. The nurse in question was something of an oddity anyway, the kind you'd expect to have such hobbies outside of her day job. He knew she'd had some type of otherworldly experience, and he didn't need any strange senses to sift that much out. As for what, he hadn't the slightest idea. Tonight would be the night that he'd go ahead and get a closer look at her place.
He went about entering her lab rather nonchalantly. If she really wanted to deter people from entering her domain she's have to use something more vicious. Then again, how ever would she get any customers? He moved along, examining the various specimens that were on display. He made a point not to touch anything. Truth be told though he was more interested in the organs she had accompanying them. He knew some of these but not others.
He was aware that she was probably was more than likely alerted to his presence. It was fine, he was actually unarmed for this encounter. Really, he found himself taking in the horrors of this lab, it was oddly comfortable to him. "So do you like taking them apart, or are you looking for something in particular?" he asked as he slowly approached the facility's owner.
@Foxy
He went about entering her lab rather nonchalantly. If she really wanted to deter people from entering her domain she's have to use something more vicious. Then again, how ever would she get any customers? He moved along, examining the various specimens that were on display. He made a point not to touch anything. Truth be told though he was more interested in the organs she had accompanying them. He knew some of these but not others.
He was aware that she was probably was more than likely alerted to his presence. It was fine, he was actually unarmed for this encounter. Really, he found himself taking in the horrors of this lab, it was oddly comfortable to him. "So do you like taking them apart, or are you looking for something in particular?" he asked as he slowly approached the facility's owner.
@Foxy
Ethel was bent over an examining table, some alien species pinned there with its insides opened and some taken out. It was very clearly still alive. A gooey, purple thing with more than one eyes showing terror.
"You know," she sighed as she heard Theo walking around her lab, "the door is to protect those who would break in. Not the other way around."
As Theo approached her, Ethel looked at him, wearing a mask stained in purple, thin blood and gloves of the same color. Her eyes glow in the dim light of the lab. The only other light on was a concentrated lamp posed toward the creature, which emitted a high-pitched sound that Ethel didn't even flinch at.
"Primarily the former," she answered his question. "I'm a surgeon; my interests are not the outside of the body."
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"I see," the young man responded. He scanned the room more, his peripheral consciousnesses also honing in on seemingly minor things. Details that would elude most, this lab from what he could see was flawless. He could tell that much even in the dark. He had a number of questions, but he also had an understanding that couldn't quite be put into human terms.
She seemed like something quite similar to him, yet different. Theo's mental conversations could cover a number of topics in a matter of seconds. This was thanks in part to the eldritch nature of his own mind and Simon and Alvin. Both of whom resided there as well. It was enough to make most telepaths tune him out. He already had a general idea of what she was. She could be useful in the long run. His more playful side was telling him to make a game of it.
"You're somewhat similar to me. We didn't start out as the things we've become. Although if my- our conclusion is correct you didn't make yourself this in your bedroom like me. I'd like to say a stray Mi-go experiment. Cutting right to the point, I'd like to study you. And in exchange I will bring you things you may be interested in studying. You may even study me if you'd like. Although any dissections must be on my terms, and I'd better have everything back in its proper place," Theo's eye glowed a rather sinister red under this light. His figure was almost reminiscent of his eldritch form thanks to this. He folded his arms and awaited a response.
@Foxy
She seemed like something quite similar to him, yet different. Theo's mental conversations could cover a number of topics in a matter of seconds. This was thanks in part to the eldritch nature of his own mind and Simon and Alvin. Both of whom resided there as well. It was enough to make most telepaths tune him out. He already had a general idea of what she was. She could be useful in the long run. His more playful side was telling him to make a game of it.
"You're somewhat similar to me. We didn't start out as the things we've become. Although if my- our conclusion is correct you didn't make yourself this in your bedroom like me. I'd like to say a stray Mi-go experiment. Cutting right to the point, I'd like to study you. And in exchange I will bring you things you may be interested in studying. You may even study me if you'd like. Although any dissections must be on my terms, and I'd better have everything back in its proper place," Theo's eye glowed a rather sinister red under this light. His figure was almost reminiscent of his eldritch form thanks to this. He folded his arms and awaited a response.
@Foxy
Ethel turned to look at Theo now, eyes no more lifeless than they had been before even as her face twisted in brief agitation. "You make many assumptions," she stated, though didn't correct him on anything.
"You wish to study me? Very well, but on my terms. I will not be poked a prodded when I am busy, and I will not have my personal space invaded without warning," here Ethel's eyes flicked to the door of her lab, indicating this exact situation. For the first time, her face was alight with actual emotion, as dull and beneath the surface as it was. It seemed experimentation on her was a bit of a sore point.
"Before you explain to me what you had in mind, give me a few examples of the things you could bring me. I want to make sure this is worth my time."
Ethel hated when people named mundane things they thought to be interesting. Peasants. Filthy side characters. Like they could ever comprehend what would be useful to someone of her stature. Ethel always found it easier to give commands to those lesser.
"You assume my assumptions are baseless. And you're not correcting me. I had an encounter with one when I was very small. Not to mention I read, the signs are obvious," Theo frowned at her. He didn't appreciate halfway being talked down to. And as if he wouldn't provide things of interest for her. Nothing mundane, like spare parts either, unless they were genuinely intriguing spare parts. And of course he would study her according to her terms. What fun would it be if they were on his?
"I suppose that all depends on what you want. My skills with calling them means I can bring you live specimens. I also have a garden that may interest you. Naturally I won't part with anything I've named. Similarly if you want anything out of the garden, those will take time. I don't like disturbing the plants. I doubt these would interest you, but I do also know a thing or two about warding. Building arrays is second nature thanks to them."
He gestured to his mind in reference to Simon and Alvin, his head mates. They'd been busily discussing potential terms. He slid her a tablet with images of the strange lifeforms he'd have to offer on its screen.
"I also have no interest in dissecting you. I want to study your behavior... by spending time with you. Perhaps even go on a few dates. You have the fortune or misfortune of having all the qualities I'd look for in a partner."
@Foxy
"I suppose that all depends on what you want. My skills with calling them means I can bring you live specimens. I also have a garden that may interest you. Naturally I won't part with anything I've named. Similarly if you want anything out of the garden, those will take time. I don't like disturbing the plants. I doubt these would interest you, but I do also know a thing or two about warding. Building arrays is second nature thanks to them."
He gestured to his mind in reference to Simon and Alvin, his head mates. They'd been busily discussing potential terms. He slid her a tablet with images of the strange lifeforms he'd have to offer on its screen.
"I also have no interest in dissecting you. I want to study your behavior... by spending time with you. Perhaps even go on a few dates. You have the fortune or misfortune of having all the qualities I'd look for in a partner."
@Foxy
Ethel watched how Theo conducted himself in correcting her. There was an iciness to her stare since the mention of experimentation on her had come into the picture. She waved a hand flippantly. "You signs are pointless to me," she mentioned when he told her the signs were obvious.
Ethel gave Theo her back like he were a bug, though she didn't resume working, a good indication she was still listening to his offer.
"A garden you say?" Ethel asked, real interest in her voice. "Live specimens are always appreciated. But you bringing up a garden is enough to have garnered my attention and perhaps my agreement."
When she heard something slide along a table, Ethel turned back to him and looked at them, particularly interested in any pictures of this garden he had mentioned. "I see... Interesting."
She peered over the tablet at him. Then Ethel laughed. It was a cold, hollow sound. "This is not experimentation you are after. You wish to court me, Theodore? And in exchange for my cooperation to your advances you give me living specimens and allow me a gander at this garden of yours? I can accept those terms."