[Private: From The Personal Journal of Dr. Crane] Crane's Weird Weekend
[In case anyone was wondering, have some excerpts from the personal and extremely private journal of Dr. Jonathan Crane, explaining what he's been up to since finding his Friday gift!]
Friday:
Awoke to discover personal rooms had been violated. Nothing missing, but intruder left behind evidence of their presence in the form of a small empty metal flask.
Initial testing proved futile: diamond-tipped cutters will not dent metal. Composition is as of yet unknown. No result in testing for fingerprints. No result in testing for residue of whatever substance the flask may previously have contained. No quantifiable meaning to the pattern engraved on the flask. Examination of personal rooms also yielded no results. Intruder left no trace of print, residue, or image on the cameras. Neither the motion sensor nor temperature sensors were activated. No attempt seems to have been made on any safes or locks.
Unless further evidence emerges, the conclusion must be drawn that the single purpose of the intrusion was to leave the flask. This is cause for concern, especially as anyone with such abilities no doubt has some knowledge as to my developing plans. Three likely situations:
1. Intruder is supportive of current work, and has left flask in order to assist in matters.
Opposing: Why the mystery? If the flask is beneficial, why not leave an explanation as to its purpose?
2. Intruder is considering being supportive, and has left flask as a challenge.
Opposing: If so, purpose cannot be deciphered. Best course of action: ignore, wait for further contact.
3. Intruder is unsupportive, and has left flask in order to somehow tamper with plans.
The last option is the most concerning, for obvious reasons. I have created a secure storage space for the flask for the time being.
Saturday:
Had idea concerning flask and proposition 1. Perhaps the material is the key to the answer? Attempted to "hatch" similar product - and attempt failed! Resulting material is common and everyday. Repeated attempts to create duplicates have been similarly unsuccessful, even when factoring as-of-yet-unquantified 'magic' into the process.
This could be a breakthrough. If the flask cannot be produced by resources available, source must either be the original object brought with a new arrival, or the city itself and its mysterious keepers. First option returns line of thinking to the previous three options, but second opens up interesting avenues. Perhaps the flask is a gift, in its own odd way.
Will leave flask on bedside table tonight.
Sunday:
Flask is most definitely intended to have negative impact.
The sign was so subtle it was almost missed. Need to discuss revision in plans with self resulted in routine induced hallucinatory episode: during conversation, mispronounced a scientific term and in two distinct cases confused ordering of chemical equations. Scarecrow confirmed slight but noticeable difference in personal control, denied being the cause. May actually have been concerned. Two hours of self-testing confirmed diagnosis, yet disproved connection with chemical or physiological causes.
Only one variable has altered: possession of the flask.
Final test: will place flask in containment chamber and deposit in unclaimed safe-hole.
Monday:
Have been separated from flask for twenty-six hours. Effect appears to have dissipated.
How the flask caused this effect is still unknown. More research is required. Cannot risk engaging directly with flask again. Possibility: place flask in ownership of secondary, monitor patient closely. This requires further consideration.
Friday:
Awoke to discover personal rooms had been violated. Nothing missing, but intruder left behind evidence of their presence in the form of a small empty metal flask.
Initial testing proved futile: diamond-tipped cutters will not dent metal. Composition is as of yet unknown. No result in testing for fingerprints. No result in testing for residue of whatever substance the flask may previously have contained. No quantifiable meaning to the pattern engraved on the flask. Examination of personal rooms also yielded no results. Intruder left no trace of print, residue, or image on the cameras. Neither the motion sensor nor temperature sensors were activated. No attempt seems to have been made on any safes or locks.
Unless further evidence emerges, the conclusion must be drawn that the single purpose of the intrusion was to leave the flask. This is cause for concern, especially as anyone with such abilities no doubt has some knowledge as to my developing plans. Three likely situations:
1. Intruder is supportive of current work, and has left flask in order to assist in matters.
Opposing: Why the mystery? If the flask is beneficial, why not leave an explanation as to its purpose?
2. Intruder is considering being supportive, and has left flask as a challenge.
Opposing: If so, purpose cannot be deciphered. Best course of action: ignore, wait for further contact.
3. Intruder is unsupportive, and has left flask in order to somehow tamper with plans.
The last option is the most concerning, for obvious reasons. I have created a secure storage space for the flask for the time being.
Saturday:
Had idea concerning flask and proposition 1. Perhaps the material is the key to the answer? Attempted to "hatch" similar product - and attempt failed! Resulting material is common and everyday. Repeated attempts to create duplicates have been similarly unsuccessful, even when factoring as-of-yet-unquantified 'magic' into the process.
This could be a breakthrough. If the flask cannot be produced by resources available, source must either be the original object brought with a new arrival, or the city itself and its mysterious keepers. First option returns line of thinking to the previous three options, but second opens up interesting avenues. Perhaps the flask is a gift, in its own odd way.
Will leave flask on bedside table tonight.
Sunday:
Flask is most definitely intended to have negative impact.
The sign was so subtle it was almost missed. Need to discuss revision in plans with self resulted in routine induced hallucinatory episode: during conversation, mispronounced a scientific term and in two distinct cases confused ordering of chemical equations. Scarecrow confirmed slight but noticeable difference in personal control, denied being the cause. May actually have been concerned. Two hours of self-testing confirmed diagnosis, yet disproved connection with chemical or physiological causes.
Only one variable has altered: possession of the flask.
Final test: will place flask in containment chamber and deposit in unclaimed safe-hole.
Monday:
Have been separated from flask for twenty-six hours. Effect appears to have dissipated.
How the flask caused this effect is still unknown. More research is required. Cannot risk engaging directly with flask again. Possibility: place flask in ownership of secondary, monitor patient closely. This requires further consideration.