Dear Annase D'Arcangeli-Malicieux Si'Talvace,

Ok. So we need to clear things up.

I called you out on your hostility after the 'name' thing where you were angry after I gave you the plan we would follow since it didn't include the (previously cured) patient as a research associate. Describing symptoms to me is not research. That's a patient. Or would be, except he wasn't sick. Even so, I apologize greatly that your boyfriend was offended I didn't share his medical history with people who didn't need to know it for the steps I was looking to take.

But you were hostile from the start. From the very beginning, you were persistently glaring and growling at me. Which is a strange reaction when I'm offering to put significant resources to assist you for no cost and without strings.

Now that you reference B & R, it's clear to me why. I should've trusted my gut the moment I noticed the connection and saved myself the time. It would have also saved you and I 5,000 gold each. Sometimes wisdom has a price.
Do not get involved in this feud. It's old, it's stupid, and we're all better off leaving it where we left it - the trash. I have no interest in speaking to either of them again, or any of the rest of them, and I'm sure that's very mutual.

I reached out to you initially because I found your optimism inspiring. I offered to task our laboratory to helping you with your problem. Your immediate response was to demand we open our lab to your inspection. First, no. Second, that's a pretty entitled demand. Third, I think you misunderstood my communication that we'll work on this puzzle as asking your permission, and that would be very incorrect.

I did not obfuscate anything. And I never lie to my team. What good would that be? It would slow them down. I also sent you what I posted to them. I provided them what I know and what I suspect based upon my observations and those of others. Simple as that. We may find some of our presumptions to be incorrect but that is how science works.

You and I are not partners and never were. We conduct our own experiments, and our teams are dedicated to their craft. However, exchanging information with one another that brings the goal closer is a useful thing, and I was willing to share any updates with you. My first was the kickoff post. Based upon your wishes communicated in the post, I'll spare myself the effort.

Though I will point out that if this causes delays in what is guaranteed to be a long process, that means your reason for this crusade will suffer longer. I suppose that's your call though, it's your boyfriend after all.

The lungs of carriers have spores in them. This suggests fungal. The fact that our morticians don't get the disease every time they pull lungs out of a cadavar does not mean it ceases to be a spore.

I also do not know why the notion that it's a fungal infection offends you so much. You've never explained your rage at that idea. You seem to have the idea that what appears to be an airborne illness is shameful. It is not. Sick people need help. We cannot research cures without sick people, but the disease is common enough that I don't need to make new ones. They just turn up.

No, I'm not infected. Sweet, earthy taste, no intense burning feeling. Checked about a day or two ago. I also cannot comprehend what benefit I'd get by spreading it. I actually consider it a bad thing that I don't have it because if I had it I could trace my steps. Therefore, I don't have information that brings me closer. A momentary discomfort is a small price to pay to narrow down potential sources.

Now I don't know if the Academy will solve this or someone else or no one. We have a lot of projects going at any given time so it's a bit hard to say which will move fast and which will take longer. I wish anyone interested in solving the puzzle the best of luck. It has gone on a long enough time I think and certainly something we're interested in resolving. The Academy is about seeing mortal knowledge advance, not about bragging rights. If someone else solves it first, that saves us the hassle. We'll then take that greater knowledge and work on developing new things from it. That's how the process works.

In conclusion, please stop leaving burdock in the streets. We don't need it, it's a weed. It grows very fast and in plentiful quantity - we're fine. But I appreciate the passion that leads to such efforts. What I don't appreciate is being insulted through a paranoid proxy. If they think they can hide behind you they are incorrect, and I'm revolted that they would try. They owe you better than that.


Countess Nezaya Visindi,
Regent of Hashan
Witch




P.S.
Dear B and Associates,
You really don't need to contact me about this. We interact best as total strangers who never see or hear each other. I don't want to ruin the good thing we have going.

Nezzie.

Penned by my hand on the 19th of Sarapin, in the year 937 AF.