<strong>Point Respite Magna Sophia chapter house common room</strong><br/><br/>Dr. Seabreeze looked somewhat alarmed and startled at Aeryn's conclusions. She shook her head vigorously and said, "Oh, no! I definitely didn't mean to confuse you. Both Doctor Ishimi and Doctor Kalia are here in the chapter house, but they are both in very poor health. The uncertainty is not whether they are present, but whether or not they will fully recover. As I implied, Doctor Ishimi lost an arm, and Doctor Kalia suffered some fairly severe abdominal wounds. Ironically, Doctor Kalia would have been the most qualified to treat any injuries, but I am doing my best, in her absence. I do not any official certification, but I trust myself more than I do most of the army surgeons."<br/><br/>Before saying anything else, she forced herself to take a few bites of bread, perhaps not trusting her stomach to handle anything more challenging. "Yes," she agreed, "I have considered a number of possible explanations for the reasons behind the awful things occurring on this island, but they are only vague guesses. I have only the most peripheral knowledge of metaphysics, thaumaturgy, diabolic/elemental theory, or any other discipline that would allow me to offer an informed hypothesis."<br/><br/>The metallurgist listened attentively to Eshalu's explanation, nodding cautiously. "Such things are the topic of a fair number of stories: acts so vile that they forever stain the place they were committed. I understand that some evidence exists to support this idea in real life, but Doctor Ishimi didn't find anything to make her believe that such an act occurred here, specifically. Perhaps something has so corrupted the entire island?" She shrugged as though to dismiss the idea, now fairly calm from the pleasant, theoretical conversation. "I appreciate your restraint, but I welcome you to speak whenever you think it helpful or necessary. Your ideas are as good as any other. Perhaps better than most. I certainly don't know what's going on."<br/><br/>Catherine fell silent for a long while, eating slowly and staring vacantly off into the distance. Eventually, however, she blinked, shook her head, and said, "But, as you say, you have a task to attend to in the field. I ought not to keep you waiting."<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Dr. Seabreeze</div><div class="spoiler_body">As before, she's thoroughly and obviously transparent. No rolls required, quite yet.</div></div>