[ Zapolyarny Palace is a grandiose Snezhayan Palace. The main floors are drenched in an elegant wealth, that while delectable in taste, boasts a refinement that Dottore almost finds oppressive. His laboratories are in the basement, spared much of this embellishment, replaced with a cold and clinical environment.
When he enters his office, dismissing the Fatui guard who had been in the room with Lapis to see that she made no untoward moves, a woman is already there. This space too, is clean, though somewhat disorganized by his papers and the bookshelves that frame the engraved mahogany desk. Mask fixed on the upper half of his face, a casual look turns into a lingering stare. The agent who briefed him before this informed him of the details: from a family with ties to the Fatui, who has sought him on her own accord. Their intelligence remains surprisingly sparse. She is most likely a heiress, though much like the mother, she lacks a vision. ]
Lapis de Fiore. [ He states, though he pauses in case she seeks to correct him. Dottore already finds her a person of interest considering this introduction.
Dottore brushes past Lapis, whether she stands or has chosen to sit in one of the guest’s chairs.] You wished to have a word with me?
[ Lapis had, for the brief moments she left the opulence of the palace and descended into the sterile environment of the laboratories, wondered if this truly was the best idea. She's no stranger to the rumours that float around, especially regarding the Harbingers...
But this was also a chance she couldn't let slip by. Even if arranging a meeting hadn't been as difficult as she had planned - she knew her family had strong ties to the Fatui, something her mother cultivated over the years while establishing her "information network", but she wondered just how deep those ties were. At least now it's something she can use.
And now she's here, willing herself to remain calm as she waits in the office. She does nothing to acknowledge the guard, instead simply casting her eyes around the space; she certainly doesn't cut much of an intimidating figure, clad in a pristine white coat that pointed towards the wealth she was raised in and which almost enveloped her completely.
The sound of the door opening catches her attention, bright gold flicking over to Dottore as he steps in, her budding anxiety meaning she opts to stand. Not that her feelings show, her expression perfectly neutral as she gives a polite nod in greeting. ]
Dottore. [ Her eyes follow as he brushes past her, quietly attentive as she nods once more. ] Yes, I do. I wished for your help with, ah...
[ A pause, mulling over the right word before finally settling. ]
[ Since she remains standing, so does Dottore. He remains fixed at the side of his table closest to her, observing her carefully as his mask keeps his eyes hidden in the shadows. In this setting, he wears a white laboratory coat over his clothing, one that is not dirty, but not entirely unmarked by the side-effects of his work.
From his vantage point, Lapis de Fiore appears to be entirely self-possessed. He pauses at the mention of an experiment, before easing his way back into the conversation once more. ]
I see. [ There’s a noncommittal hum to his voice. Plenty of people sought answers from the Snezhnayan Embassy, though few willingly chose to make their way down to his facilities to them. Could this be, perhaps, foolishness? Or, more likely, a measure made as a last resort?
Dottore does not aim to intimidate, especially to someone who broaches the topic of science in his presence. His reputation precedes him. ] And, what is the answer that you seek?
[ Not being able to see his eyes is off-putting, but she remains unflinching and unfazed as she absently shifts on her heels. She does wonder if this is truly the best route to take, but there's little else available to her and he's the only one with the knowledge and skill to potentially help her.
So when he asks her what she seeks, her voice is slower than normal; still carefully choosing her words even as she speaks them. This is important, after all, the reason why she travelled so far and is stepping into something dangerous. ]
I want to know what I am. [ No answers were ever given as she grew up, not when she could see things others couldn't and wield the darkness as an extension of herself. Even when she found herself recovering from apparently mortal wounds, she was no closer to any sort of truth.
So now she'll do whatever she can to seek it out herself. ]
I don't have a vision, but I have abilities that I don't fully understand. And I can't get answers anywhere else.
[ Despite his spoken sentiment, surprise does not effuse his words. He remains calm and neutral, eerily so.
The Doctor is tempted, in more ways than one, to reach over and drag her away from here. Cut to the chase and examine her more closely. He writes this interest as scientific, but at the same time, there’s nothing to it beyond what she says. Not that he doubts the veracity, not yet. Dottore is accustomed to observing people, sifting through their behavior, cutting back to the truth. However, some are harder to read than others, and her trepidation could be anything. ]
… I’d be amazed if that was true. [ He remarks honestly, and in a less than generous disposition. Then dangles the following out. Oh, he has ideas of his own, but Dottore remains ever so curious — ] What would you be willing to do to prove this?
[ He doesn't believe her words outright, and Lapis would've been surprised if he did. It's incredibly far-fetched, after all, to have powers of some unknowable origin; like something out of some fantasy novel. But it's something she's lived with and cultivated over the years, before she could roam free and experiment even further. See how shadows bent and warped to her will, how death both evaded and gathered around her.
Then he makes that offer, and she knows that this is stepping ever closer to more dangerous territory. She should leave, should take back the offer and step out, pretend this never happened. But she stays rooted in place, eyes drifting to the side as she considers. What would she be willing to do... ]
It depends on what it would take for you to believe me. [ No matter how little or how much. ]
I could simply offer to just show you, but I imagine that won't be enough.
[ From the shadow of his mask, Dottore maintains his sight on Lapis. For better or for worse, she has captured his interest, and somehow maintaining it. Since if she really was putting on an act, it would be a formidable one. A true cause of concern, with or without her said powers. Cautious thoughts linger in his mind, an occupational hazard of being part of the Fatui. ]
An astute observation. [ He says, after a moment, before continuing. His voice remains low, naturally hardened. ] Yes, it won’t be enough. If you somehow manage to spark my interest, this would mark the beginning of a fruitful relationship.
[ The mask doesn’t cover his lips, and so she can witness a small smile curve at the corners of his mouth. Doesn’t have to see his eyes to make the determination that there’s no warmth there, the distinct northern air still permeating the air. ]
Still. It would be a start, which is better than none at all. [ He nods his head. ] So, show me.
[ She's caught his attention, and now she just needs to keep a hold of it. If she can convince him, then it's one step closer to her own goal, despite the constant simmering of anxiety over the situation. But she still presents as calm and unflinching as ever, the chill of that smile washing over her.
"Show me", he says, and Lapis has to debate for a moment the best way to. Anything too over the top would be revealing her hand too early, but it has to be something noteworthy enough that it can't be passed as some sort of act or trick... A simple summoning should be enough, then.
For a moment there's just quiet stillness, though a change becomes more clear as the shadows at her feet start to shift - reaching up to swirl at her ankles, as it expands itself further along the floor. The creeping edges of it come to a stop soon enough, only covering the area just around herself in darkness as the wisping shadows start to take a shape. What soon emerge are chains, clinking and wrapping around her ankles and coiling up to float just over her shoulders; jagged ends pointing down, to make it clear that there's no threat.
She would rather not have the guard react, after all, though she doubts this little display will help. And still, there is no shift in her façade - still she watches Dottore, as if she didn't morph her own shadow under her feet. ]
[ Lapis does not leave him waiting in anticipation for long, caving into his request — no, his demand — for a display. The disingenuous smile on his face stills, hearkening to a much more studious expression. Within his laboratories, this garden of the known, he seeks out the unfamiliar. And somehow it has willingly come to him without Dottore purposefully seeking the subject matter out.
He almost wants to break out in applause, but he keeps his appreciation muted. Focusing on the shadows, the chains that emerge from them, Dottore knows this to be true: he witnesses a power outside of what is granted by Celestia through the use of visions. ]
Well, well. I must give you credit. That is quite the display. [ He steps forward, bridging the gap between them, attention still focused on the remnants of supernatural energy that pervade the room. ] Phenomena like spirits and phantasms have no place in our arctic palace, yet you somehow managed to conjure this spectacle out of thin air.
[ Now, Dottore peers towards her face and grins. His gloved right hand reaches forward to clutch her jaw, though if she chooses to dodge, he only chuckles. He is dangerously close to the pointed edge of those chains, but he seems unperturbed by the threat. The guards know by now to not come in unless explicitly told. ]
I will give you the answers you seek — if you become my test subject.
[ Relief slowly filters in when it's clear her little example was enough, shoulders sagging as some of the tension finally drains from her. It seems she has finally achieved what she set out to do, or at least the first step, and she will take whatever small victory that she can.
Especially as it seems things will not always be so simple from here. Dottore bridges that gap and Lapis stubbornly remains in place, eyes fixed on where she assumes his eyes would be (she's starting to loathe that mask, how it makes it impossible to gauge him); unwilling to let herself flinch back even as he reaches for her jaw. He will at least feel how it tenses under his grip, her mask fracturing only slightly in how her eyes narrow - in how the chains shift and twist when he leans in too close, moving as if they were living things.
She came here knowing some of the potential outcomes, and now it's being presented to her. Becoming Dottore's test subject... A fate many would consider worse than death. ]
Alright. [ But she knows she'll be able to withstand anything he does to her. So long as she can get the answers she desires, she'll offer herself to him and whatever his machinations may be.
She would be lying, if she told herself she wasn't worried. But it's easy to take those feelings and shove them aside, ignore them when her goal inches closer within reach. ]
So long as you help me, I'll do whatever you wish.
[ He murmurs beneath his breath, thumb drawing against the scope and slope of her jaw before falling. Dottore watched the way her eyes met him with reluctance surrounding her determination. Of course, it was only human to desire to know what one actually happened to be, but at the same time, some were too cowardly to ask such a difficult question. ]
You know, I should be the one thanking you. [ He flashes a smile, widening to show the tips of his pointed teeth. This expression might have looked nice if not for his ever-present, boundless arrogance. ] This is the first time that someone has arrived at my doorstep, with the offer to help me navigate through one of Teyvat’s greatest mysteries.
[ As he said before, the Doctor gives credit where its due. There is a certain greediness within him, of course, but he has always been a patient man. It is the process that he enjoys, rather than endures. He is a true scholar, so he likes to think.
The inflection in his voice remains subtle and thoughtful. ]
I do want to ensure that our little secret is kept between the two of us, for now. Since you are my generous volunteer… you can either stay in the nearby city and commute to the palace, or the Fatui will provide you with a room here.
[ His preference is obvious, as a close proximity between the pair would make his work easier. However, he understands the appeal behind freedom — even if it would be but an illusion. In many ways, this entire winter nation was a Fatui stronghold. ]
[ Lapis is a split-second too late to stop the hitch of breath as his thumb trails against her jaw, the touch strange for someone so distant from everyone around her. But besides the brief tense of muscle, there's no attempts to lean back or flinch; stubbornly, she keeps up the wall of apathy, wanting to present herself as unaffected as possible. No matter how far from the truth that is.
But she can't stop herself from blinking at the smile (though those pointed teeth aren't comforting), and the thanks that comes along with it. Of course, she can maybe understand it from a scholars point of view - not many can boast such a control over death, and she's aware of how many questions her powers could answer. But it's something she never considered, only wanting answers about what she is. Though if she could offer than much in return... ]
Then I'm... glad I'm able to help. [ And for the first time, she sounds hesitant. She was expecting many things, but thanks wasn't one of them.
At least him mentioning where she should stay lets her gloss over her slight fumble, and she takes a moment to consider. Of course, staying somewhere in the city is far more appealing; it would allow her to roam and do as she pleases, when he doesn't need her for any studies or experiments. But despite it seeming like the obvious answer, she still takes a moment to consider - canting her head to the side as brows furrow, weighing the options. ]
I will stay here. People would eventually notice me coming and going if I stayed in the city, so the less attention, the better.
[ And unless it's from him, she doesn't want to deal with any probing questions. She knows just her being here might perk some curiosity amongst others in the Fatui, and currently she would prefer to keep a low profile. ]
... Though if I did need to head outside for anything, I can travel by shadow if necessary. It's just a bit inconvenient sometimes.
[ Placement of shadows, density... She would rather not travel somewhere only to find the best exit method is through the ceiling. Her skills are still limited, in a sense, so there's only so much she can do until she has more control. ]
[ Dottore looks at her very carefully. Now that he considers her worthy of being a subject of observation, it only figures that his attentions would be drawn towards her. She remains guarded, unsure.
On the other hand, he is unperturbed, simply nodding in understanding. ] I see. [ He moves past her, opening the door, beckoning with his hands to the other two guards, who were more on his beck and call than would-be protectors. ] Then, you will be shown to your quarters by these two fine gentlemen.
[ Accordingly, he turns back to face Lapis. ]
It’s late, after all. You should get some rest. [ His voice lifts at the helpful intonation of his words. For one reason or another — professional interest, he tells himself, he wants her to like him. It’ll make things easier to deal with. An aside to the pair of guards, ] Show her to our most recently vacated room.
[ They’re about to lead her out when the Doctor provides a refrain of parting words. ]
We’ll meet again in the morning. I look forward to it. [ This time, he doesn’t put on much of a show, simply catching the door by the handle and closing it as she’s moved out. ] Good night, Lapis.
[ Lapis will find her room simple and restrained, but stocked with all the necessities, which mercifully includes a private shower and rest area. Breakfast is provided in the private kitchens in the basement, though for test subjects it’s an overwhelmingly simple affair of either eggs and toast, or porridge.
Having been provided a general outline of her immediate surroundings, she would have been left to find the Doctor’s main laboratory on her own. When Lapis arrived, it was empty except for Dottore, who was inspecting a series of vials placed together by a holder.
When he hears the heavy door pushed to an open, he speaks without so much looking at her. ]
Come, sit. [ He places the vial, filled with a swirl of fuchsia and purple, back in place and strides over to the clinic chair set to the side. Raises his brow, the barest hint of a tease on his tongue. ] I do hope that you slept well. For your sake, as well as mine.
[ She knows that now she's offered herself to be a subject, having his focus on her is something she should expect. But it makes her... oddly nervous, hands absently twisting into the fabric of her coat as she suppresses any urges to fidget. It's simply yet another feeling she shoves aside and smothers, unwilling to let her guard down. Rumours may just be rumours, but they have their origins and Dottore has more than a few unpleasant ones attached to his name. Though so far he's shown himself as... not as unpleasant as she had feared, but it could also be due to how she has, or more accurately she is, something of interest.
But it's something she doesn't dwell on, golden eyes glancing towards her new guides once that door is opened, before back to the doctor. Rest would be good, though she knows sleep will be difficult as it always is. But she simply nods as she goes to follow the guards, only to blink once again at his parting words - briefly hesitant, before she softly speaks as she drifts out the door. ]
... Good night, Dottore.
[ She hadn't been expecting much from her accommodation, so she's certainly glad for the private shower. Which she spends far too long in, she's always been terrible with handling the cold, before she lays herself onto the bed for some kind of rest. Any dips into sleep are plagued by the usual whispers of spirits, things that are far more emboldened in the dark and claw at the edges of her awareness. It doesn't help that there's the stirring of anxiety on top of that, unwilling to let herself relax completely.
But she's no less worse for wear when morning arrives - opting for porridge for something simple and filling despite her lack of appetite, before she navigates her way to the laboratory. There's only the briefest moment of hesitation before she pushes the door open, letting herself glance around before taking a seat as instructed. At first her eyes drift to the vials, the colours catching her attention, only to quickly settle on Dottore - that faint tease prompting a gentle huff from her. ]
As well as I ever do. [ Her response is wry, less chilled and guarded compared to yesterday. She pauses, letting her hands drift to her lap as her fingers twist together; brows raising in faint curiosity. ]
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the first meeting.
no subject
When he enters his office, dismissing the Fatui guard who had been in the room with Lapis to see that she made no untoward moves, a woman is already there. This space too, is clean, though somewhat disorganized by his papers and the bookshelves that frame the engraved mahogany desk. Mask fixed on the upper half of his face, a casual look turns into a lingering stare. The agent who briefed him before this informed him of the details: from a family with ties to the Fatui, who has sought him on her own accord. Their intelligence remains surprisingly sparse. She is most likely a heiress, though much like the mother, she lacks a vision. ]
Lapis de Fiore. [ He states, though he pauses in case she seeks to correct him. Dottore already finds her a person of interest considering this introduction.
Dottore brushes past Lapis, whether she stands or has chosen to sit in one of the guest’s chairs.] You wished to have a word with me?
no subject
But this was also a chance she couldn't let slip by. Even if arranging a meeting hadn't been as difficult as she had planned - she knew her family had strong ties to the Fatui, something her mother cultivated over the years while establishing her "information network", but she wondered just how deep those ties were. At least now it's something she can use.
And now she's here, willing herself to remain calm as she waits in the office. She does nothing to acknowledge the guard, instead simply casting her eyes around the space; she certainly doesn't cut much of an intimidating figure, clad in a pristine white coat that pointed towards the wealth she was raised in and which almost enveloped her completely.
The sound of the door opening catches her attention, bright gold flicking over to Dottore as he steps in, her budding anxiety meaning she opts to stand. Not that her feelings show, her expression perfectly neutral as she gives a polite nod in greeting. ]
Dottore. [ Her eyes follow as he brushes past her, quietly attentive as she nods once more. ] Yes, I do. I wished for your help with, ah...
[ A pause, mulling over the right word before finally settling. ]
An experiment.
no subject
From his vantage point, Lapis de Fiore appears to be entirely self-possessed. He pauses at the mention of an experiment, before easing his way back into the conversation once more. ]
I see. [ There’s a noncommittal hum to his voice. Plenty of people sought answers from the Snezhnayan Embassy, though few willingly chose to make their way down to his facilities to them. Could this be, perhaps, foolishness? Or, more likely, a measure made as a last resort?
Dottore does not aim to intimidate, especially to someone who broaches the topic of science in his presence. His reputation precedes him. ] And, what is the answer that you seek?
no subject
So when he asks her what she seeks, her voice is slower than normal; still carefully choosing her words even as she speaks them. This is important, after all, the reason why she travelled so far and is stepping into something dangerous. ]
I want to know what I am. [ No answers were ever given as she grew up, not when she could see things others couldn't and wield the darkness as an extension of herself. Even when she found herself recovering from apparently mortal wounds, she was no closer to any sort of truth.
So now she'll do whatever she can to seek it out herself. ]
I don't have a vision, but I have abilities that I don't fully understand. And I can't get answers anywhere else.
[ Which is why she's turning to him. ]
no subject
[ Despite his spoken sentiment, surprise does not effuse his words. He remains calm and neutral, eerily so.
The Doctor is tempted, in more ways than one, to reach over and drag her away from here. Cut to the chase and examine her more closely. He writes this interest as scientific, but at the same time, there’s nothing to it beyond what she says. Not that he doubts the veracity, not yet. Dottore is accustomed to observing people, sifting through their behavior, cutting back to the truth. However, some are harder to read than others, and her trepidation could be anything. ]
… I’d be amazed if that was true. [ He remarks honestly, and in a less than generous disposition. Then dangles the following out. Oh, he has ideas of his own, but Dottore remains ever so curious — ] What would you be willing to do to prove this?
no subject
Then he makes that offer, and she knows that this is stepping ever closer to more dangerous territory. She should leave, should take back the offer and step out, pretend this never happened. But she stays rooted in place, eyes drifting to the side as she considers. What would she be willing to do... ]
It depends on what it would take for you to believe me. [ No matter how little or how much. ]
I could simply offer to just show you, but I imagine that won't be enough.
no subject
An astute observation. [ He says, after a moment, before continuing. His voice remains low, naturally hardened. ] Yes, it won’t be enough. If you somehow manage to spark my interest, this would mark the beginning of a fruitful relationship.
[ The mask doesn’t cover his lips, and so she can witness a small smile curve at the corners of his mouth. Doesn’t have to see his eyes to make the determination that there’s no warmth there, the distinct northern air still permeating the air. ]
Still. It would be a start, which is better than none at all. [ He nods his head. ] So, show me.
no subject
"Show me", he says, and Lapis has to debate for a moment the best way to. Anything too over the top would be revealing her hand too early, but it has to be something noteworthy enough that it can't be passed as some sort of act or trick... A simple summoning should be enough, then.
For a moment there's just quiet stillness, though a change becomes more clear as the shadows at her feet start to shift - reaching up to swirl at her ankles, as it expands itself further along the floor. The creeping edges of it come to a stop soon enough, only covering the area just around herself in darkness as the wisping shadows start to take a shape. What soon emerge are chains, clinking and wrapping around her ankles and coiling up to float just over her shoulders; jagged ends pointing down, to make it clear that there's no threat.
She would rather not have the guard react, after all, though she doubts this little display will help. And still, there is no shift in her façade - still she watches Dottore, as if she didn't morph her own shadow under her feet. ]
Will this suffice?
no subject
He almost wants to break out in applause, but he keeps his appreciation muted. Focusing on the shadows, the chains that emerge from them, Dottore knows this to be true: he witnesses a power outside of what is granted by Celestia through the use of visions. ]
Well, well. I must give you credit. That is quite the display. [ He steps forward, bridging the gap between them, attention still focused on the remnants of supernatural energy that pervade the room. ] Phenomena like spirits and phantasms have no place in our arctic palace, yet you somehow managed to conjure this spectacle out of thin air.
[ Now, Dottore peers towards her face and grins. His gloved right hand reaches forward to clutch her jaw, though if she chooses to dodge, he only chuckles. He is dangerously close to the pointed edge of those chains, but he seems unperturbed by the threat. The guards know by now to not come in unless explicitly told. ]
I will give you the answers you seek — if you become my test subject.
no subject
Especially as it seems things will not always be so simple from here. Dottore bridges that gap and Lapis stubbornly remains in place, eyes fixed on where she assumes his eyes would be (she's starting to loathe that mask, how it makes it impossible to gauge him); unwilling to let herself flinch back even as he reaches for her jaw. He will at least feel how it tenses under his grip, her mask fracturing only slightly in how her eyes narrow - in how the chains shift and twist when he leans in too close, moving as if they were living things.
She came here knowing some of the potential outcomes, and now it's being presented to her. Becoming Dottore's test subject... A fate many would consider worse than death. ]
Alright. [ But she knows she'll be able to withstand anything he does to her. So long as she can get the answers she desires, she'll offer herself to him and whatever his machinations may be.
She would be lying, if she told herself she wasn't worried. But it's easy to take those feelings and shove them aside, ignore them when her goal inches closer within reach. ]
So long as you help me, I'll do whatever you wish.
no subject
[ He murmurs beneath his breath, thumb drawing against the scope and slope of her jaw before falling. Dottore watched the way her eyes met him with reluctance surrounding her determination. Of course, it was only human to desire to know what one actually happened to be, but at the same time, some were too cowardly to ask such a difficult question. ]
You know, I should be the one thanking you. [ He flashes a smile, widening to show the tips of his pointed teeth. This expression might have looked nice if not for his ever-present, boundless arrogance. ] This is the first time that someone has arrived at my doorstep, with the offer to help me navigate through one of Teyvat’s greatest mysteries.
[ As he said before, the Doctor gives credit where its due. There is a certain greediness within him, of course, but he has always been a patient man. It is the process that he enjoys, rather than endures. He is a true scholar, so he likes to think.
The inflection in his voice remains subtle and thoughtful. ]
I do want to ensure that our little secret is kept between the two of us, for now. Since you are my generous volunteer… you can either stay in the nearby city and commute to the palace, or the Fatui will provide you with a room here.
[ His preference is obvious, as a close proximity between the pair would make his work easier. However, he understands the appeal behind freedom — even if it would be but an illusion. In many ways, this entire winter nation was a Fatui stronghold. ]
What will be your preference?
no subject
But she can't stop herself from blinking at the smile (though those pointed teeth aren't comforting), and the thanks that comes along with it. Of course, she can maybe understand it from a scholars point of view - not many can boast such a control over death, and she's aware of how many questions her powers could answer. But it's something she never considered, only wanting answers about what she is. Though if she could offer than much in return... ]
Then I'm... glad I'm able to help. [ And for the first time, she sounds hesitant. She was expecting many things, but thanks wasn't one of them.
At least him mentioning where she should stay lets her gloss over her slight fumble, and she takes a moment to consider. Of course, staying somewhere in the city is far more appealing; it would allow her to roam and do as she pleases, when he doesn't need her for any studies or experiments. But despite it seeming like the obvious answer, she still takes a moment to consider - canting her head to the side as brows furrow, weighing the options. ]
I will stay here. People would eventually notice me coming and going if I stayed in the city, so the less attention, the better.
[ And unless it's from him, she doesn't want to deal with any probing questions. She knows just her being here might perk some curiosity amongst others in the Fatui, and currently she would prefer to keep a low profile. ]
... Though if I did need to head outside for anything, I can travel by shadow if necessary. It's just a bit inconvenient sometimes.
[ Placement of shadows, density... She would rather not travel somewhere only to find the best exit method is through the ceiling. Her skills are still limited, in a sense, so there's only so much she can do until she has more control. ]
no subject
On the other hand, he is unperturbed, simply nodding in understanding. ] I see. [ He moves past her, opening the door, beckoning with his hands to the other two guards, who were more on his beck and call than would-be protectors. ] Then, you will be shown to your quarters by these two fine gentlemen.
[ Accordingly, he turns back to face Lapis. ]
It’s late, after all. You should get some rest. [ His voice lifts at the helpful intonation of his words. For one reason or another — professional interest, he tells himself, he wants her to like him. It’ll make things easier to deal with. An aside to the pair of guards, ] Show her to our most recently vacated room.
[ They’re about to lead her out when the Doctor provides a refrain of parting words. ]
We’ll meet again in the morning. I look forward to it. [ This time, he doesn’t put on much of a show, simply catching the door by the handle and closing it as she’s moved out. ] Good night, Lapis.
[ Lapis will find her room simple and restrained, but stocked with all the necessities, which mercifully includes a private shower and rest area. Breakfast is provided in the private kitchens in the basement, though for test subjects it’s an overwhelmingly simple affair of either eggs and toast, or porridge.
Having been provided a general outline of her immediate surroundings, she would have been left to find the Doctor’s main laboratory on her own. When Lapis arrived, it was empty except for Dottore, who was inspecting a series of vials placed together by a holder.
When he hears the heavy door pushed to an open, he speaks without so much looking at her. ]
Come, sit. [ He places the vial, filled with a swirl of fuchsia and purple, back in place and strides over to the clinic chair set to the side. Raises his brow, the barest hint of a tease on his tongue. ] I do hope that you slept well. For your sake, as well as mine.
no subject
But it's something she doesn't dwell on, golden eyes glancing towards her new guides once that door is opened, before back to the doctor. Rest would be good, though she knows sleep will be difficult as it always is. But she simply nods as she goes to follow the guards, only to blink once again at his parting words - briefly hesitant, before she softly speaks as she drifts out the door. ]
... Good night, Dottore.
[ She hadn't been expecting much from her accommodation, so she's certainly glad for the private shower. Which she spends far too long in, she's always been terrible with handling the cold, before she lays herself onto the bed for some kind of rest. Any dips into sleep are plagued by the usual whispers of spirits, things that are far more emboldened in the dark and claw at the edges of her awareness. It doesn't help that there's the stirring of anxiety on top of that, unwilling to let herself relax completely.
But she's no less worse for wear when morning arrives - opting for porridge for something simple and filling despite her lack of appetite, before she navigates her way to the laboratory. There's only the briefest moment of hesitation before she pushes the door open, letting herself glance around before taking a seat as instructed. At first her eyes drift to the vials, the colours catching her attention, only to quickly settle on Dottore - that faint tease prompting a gentle huff from her. ]
As well as I ever do. [ Her response is wry, less chilled and guarded compared to yesterday. She pauses, letting her hands drift to her lap as her fingers twist together; brows raising in faint curiosity. ]
So... What should I be expecting today?