Chained in the Lab

Meeting Dr. Taylor

Henry

Henry arrived bright and early for his second day of work. And only got lost twice on his way to the security office. He pocketed his radio and turned to start his first patrol of the labs.

"You're Henry Cartwell, right?" the voice came from the shadows behind Henry.

He turned to see a thin, tall man in a lab coat. "Dr. Taylor?"

The man nodded. "That's me. I believe we met briefly during your orientation. Are you busy? I'd like to talk to you about your contact with the specimen."

"You mean Zauriel?"

"Yes, of course. I try to keep a professional distance, but I realize that may seem distasteful considering the subject of discussion."

"Uh, right. I'm not busy, no."

Professional distance? But, wasn't he Zar's contractor?

"Wonderful. Please come to my office at your earliest convenience."

Henry shrugged and followed his boss to a small office crammed with notebooks, overstuffed folders, books, pencils, pens, calculators and coffee mugs. About what he'd expected, really.

"Just sit anywhere," Dr. Taylor said. "There's no system so you won't be disturbing anything."

"Thanks," Henry said, rearranging papers until he found a chair.

The scientist perched on the corner of his desk, ignoring the perfectly good office chair right next to it.

"I realize this is an awkward subject of conversation, but it is necessary both for your safety and for my research."

"Sure," Henry said. "I'm not prudish, it's fine. I kinda thought there'd be a questionnaire to fill out, not an interview."

"Normally there is," Dr. Taylor said, reaching into a pile of papers next to him. "It's right here if you'd much rather do this on paper. However, I find it's a good idea to personally evaluate the lab employees, and as I am responsible for Zauriel's behavior, well, I should personally handle the interview after the first contact an employee has with him."

"Okay," Henry said. "I mean, you don't have to worry about the addiction thing with me. I'm from Underhill and I've had, ah, contact, with his species before. I'd know if I was susceptible."

"Right, yes. Of course." Dr. Taylor shifted in place, obviously uncomfortable. "Shall we begin? Or is this too personally invasive?"

"I don't mind if you don't," Henry said.

"Thank you." Dr. Taylor rustled around until he came up with a clipboard and a pen, and attached a sheet of paper with several questions written on it.

"First off, are you in any way injured?"

Henry shook his head. "No, not at all."

"And the... and Zauriel is also unharmed?"

"Looked fine, seemed quite cheerful when I left." Henry crossed his arms. "I don't hurt my lovers, Doc."

"Of course not, I referred to inadvertent injuries," Dr. Taylor said. "For instance, well, he does have fangs. And the horns are sharp. I've considered clipping or sanding the points down, but I am not certain how to suggest such an action. You've met Incubi, is that a subject to avoid or one he might be amenable to?"

"I've known a couple of procubi that either keep the horns hidden at all times or sand down the points if they face forward, just in case," Henry said. "It's safe, they grow back, but definitely ask him how he prefers to alter them if at all. It's a unique part of his physiology. No two Incubi have the same exact horns. Not even twins."

"Really? Now that is interesting." Dr. Taylor made several notes. "I should talk to him about that, then. Thank you."

"No problem."

Dr. Taylor continued, "Do you currently feel unusually fatigued?"

"Nah, I'm good."

"How much, well, energy would you estimate the... would you guess Zauriel took?"

Henry shrugged. "It's not like people have HP and MP bars, Doc. It's hard to quantify. Um. He took a little more than the last succubi I was with but less than the others? I got the feeling he was pretty hungry though. Something about being understaffed?"

"Yes, that has been a problem. I am considering extending his feeding base to include lab assistants if both he and they are amenable to the change. I am concerned, though, that it might affect my assistants' ability to be impartial during procedures involving the subject."

"Well, I mean, how impartial do they have to be? You're not going to be asking them to do anything he'd object to, like dissect him, right?"

"Absolutely not! I am well aware that I am responsible for Zauriel's well being. I assure you, the most invasive procedure he has endured is a blood draw, and he agreed quite freely to that." Dr. Taylor tilted his head. "Actually he seemed intrigued by the results."

"It's not really a thing Underhill or in the Infernal, as far as I know," Henry said. "Sorry, didn't mean to offend. I was just offering up the most extreme example I can think of. How could having a personal relationship with Zauriel affect your data? From what I understand several of your assistants have already struck up a friendship with him, they simply don't participate in feedings."

"That is true, and you are correct. My assistants are involved in data collection, not interpretation, so it is unlikely to cause any difficulties. I think I will implement the new roster, then. Very good. You have been most informative, Mr. Nelson. Thank you."

"Not a problem. Any more questions?"

"Not at this time, you've answered my main concerns. Oh. I did have one question of a personal nature."

"Sure."

"You lived Underhill for many years, yes?"

"Yeah, from the time I was ten till about seventeen, with my grandma. Me and my sister were training to be wardens."

"But you have elected to be a security guard instead?"

"Eh, yeah. Never got called to a position. I did a stint guarding a grove, though, and I dunno. Just felt right. So here we are. I'm contemplating going back to college for a masters, maybe go into full-on law enforcement but I haven't decided. This seems like a nice compromise until I do."

"Interesting. I'm glad to have you in the meantime." Dr. Taylor paused. "You mentioned the Infernal realms. Have you ever visited there?"

"Uh, once. It's... it's weird. Not a place you go alone or unprepared, I'll tell you that."

"Ah. I may have more questions on the subject in the future. Until then."

Henry stood up and paused at the door. "I don't mind giving you a human viewpoint on the place, Doc, but you might wanna just ask Zauriel if you're curious. I mean, that's where he lived until you summoned him after all."

"I realize that. I. Still require a certain professional distance at this time. I'll keep note of your excellent advice, however." Dr. Taylor reached for a sheaf of papers, a clear dismissal.

"Sure. Bye, Doc."