"So, congratulations are in order," Kystrel acknowledged, her fingers rapping against the surface of her desk, "you've successfully...outcompeted...so to speak, every other candidate. I expect you to pick your research topic within 10 days and for it to completed and accepted for publication in the library within two years." She explained, with her usual brevity. "I must say...I was impressed with your...competitive nature," She seemed to chuckle to herself.
"The job is a perfect way to serve Caiyha, I will do what is necessary to serve her the best way I know how." She explained, unconsciously appealing to her own competitive and uncompromising nature. While their desires were in sync they seemed to Himlitt a perfect pair, but his twitching eyebrows in the corner betrayed his anxiety. So long as they were in perfect stroke they could be a powerful duo...but as it was in research at some point they would be at odds. Two such uncompromising individuals at odds...it was a dangerous combination.
"I have already chosen my research topic. The landslide inspired me, I would like to research the effects of landslides on plant growth and succession. I can use both my burgeoning knowledge of geology to analyze earth and stone samples to see how the composition changes and it exposes subterranean organisms that appeals to my service of Caiyha," She explained, attempting to sell herself to the study.
"That sounds fine. You will write up the details of methodology for me by this time next season. Until then, you will learn how to conduct research and aid me in mine, specifically a subset of my research involving Lhavitian bats. It will take some time to learn about the scientific process enough to plan and write your own experiment and the techniques you learn while studying bats will give you some insight into the techniques you will use in your own research.
However, you can't learn everything in this lab and I expect you to take the necessary classes to fill in the holes in your knowledge. Today, I want you to read these manuals" She laid several handwritten manuals on the top of her desk, "On how to use the microscope, and the rest of the pertinent instruments you'll be using. All the instructions are listed there to collect data on six bats, you will put your findings in this book," She handed the dhani a paper bound black book, "You can make your own hours and schedule, but I expect you to get all the work I write on the black board done within 7 days. For now, that will likely require extremely long days. When you get more efficient with the equipment, it will take you less time. Then I will prescribe you more work." She explained rising from her chair.
"I have my own work to get to, this bench," she gestured a small desk with a cabinet at its side, "is where you may keep all your own samples, and any bats you are working on. The bats are in those jars," she gestured to the corner where several bats were laying suspended in the alcohol contained in large glass jars. Brusquely, she left Ayszel on her own.
The room was fortunately kept relatively warm by the large fireplace in every stone room, the heat retention was aided by the absence of windows. There was few buildings in Lhavit Ayszel had seen that so resembled Zinrah, so dark and warm. She settled onto the tall stool before the first piece of equipment labeled, 'Measurement Mat' and opened the black instructional booklet and her accompanying black record keeping booklet.
Flipping through the pages she saw, what she incorrectly presumed to be Kystrels sketches and measurements, sketches of something she couldn't decipher as well as tables of characteristics under each specimen. Copying the structure she labeled the top of the page with the same number on the jar she had moved to the station.
713-1
On the jar was also scrawled Lhavitian White-Nosed Bat. A stuffed version of the fluffy white bat sat behind the station with the same label. Ayszel pulled the stuffed creature toward herself turning it around slowly. It was as dream-like in its whiteness with thin yellow ears and a yellow nostril protuberance each so thin it was lined with red veining. The eyes were a small glossy black so tiny and tame Ayszel smiled to herself at the excruciating adorableness of the critter. Almost as cute as Keesha herself, she thought, thinking of the spotted raccoon waiting for her at home.
Next she created a grid like those on the previous pages, her pencil wobbling as she tried to draw straight lines. Looking around she spotted a long, perceptibly straight and flat, wooden stick to create the rest of her lines. Though they were straight they were still much more crooked than the other pages.
The grid on previous pages held a list of numbers that meant nothing to Ayszel, but she put the headings at the top in the same order as the previous page:
Total Length, Standard Length, Width, Height, Ear, Protuberance, Thigh, Lower Leg, Calcar, 2, 3, 4, 5, Arm.
Perhaps this is going to be more tedious than I anticipated... Though Ayszel didn't seek amusement or fun, but rather aptitude and perfection she was not fond of repetitive tasks such as this would prove to be. However, as she began to the slow painful act of reading common she found herself falling into the scholarly stupor that could consume a researcher who fell into complete focus while trying to be as exacting as their internal guide demanded.
