The thought was an attractive one, made more enticing by the sheer possibility of its success. He took the brain from her, weighting it in his hands absently. His eyes followed the rippling of the brain itself, wondering idly if their brains were different, where the personality dwelt in there, or...if it was everywhere at once. Running a claw along the surface, it came back wet, almost sticky. The fluid there was not completely water but some sort of biological substance keeping the organ moist. With care, he carved his claw along the brain, dividing it in half before pulling the pieces apart. The inside was much the same as the outside, dense tissue of riddling shapes and unknowable language...written as were most brains, with the biological language of life. The biggest difference in this organ from other samples collected from the discarded skulls of animals was size, but that was obvious.
However, for larger animals, what made their organ size still less effective than a human brain? What detnoted sentience in a creature, and how did it develop? Was it Djed?
Could animals access that sort of force as well?
It bore some interesting concepts, but ultimately there was nothing to prove it with now. Laying down the halves of the brain, Dhalvasha wrote the notes in his pocket book, speculating on the need to explore these further ruminations...but that would be for later. For now he followed Alassa's words without looking at her, almost shivering away from her touch but hold his composure. The relationship between them was charged, but nonetheless inert. They were ripe for possibility, but Dhalvasha had been distant of late...ruminating, colder.
Besides, he was otherwise committed.
"An enticing possibility," he answered her at last, glancing over the body and to her with the hint of a smile, "I will defer to your negotiation abilities, however, I have been told my bedside manner can be cold at best...abrasive at worst."
He smiled, not in mirth but more because the response seemed appropriate. Lately he'd been reacting to most things in such a way, not through emotion but casual observation. Socializing felt hollow and everything in Kalinor felt alien and hostile.
He wasn't long for here, and he felt it now more than ever.
Still, research first and his fragile emotions after...it did him no good to reflect on such eventualities when there was progress to be made.
He nodded to her, washing his hands in a basin of water absently. "Shall we depart then?"