voice;

[pullback]

[ the voice function clicks on to a soft, British voice. There's a bit of wonder in the tone of his voice: Victor's still not entirely sure how he'll be able to communicate with people via this device but hey, new technology! Time to mess with it. ]

This is perhaps a morbid question, but this network is meant for communication with fellow 'imPorts.' I'd rather ask those in my own state over my coworkers

Would anyone mind catching me up on the state of embalming? A combination of refrigeration of the body and formaldehyde injected throughout the bloodstream was common practice in my time. Still, since it's now a hundred years in my future, one would expect there to at least be a few changes.

[ THIS ISN'T A CREEPY QUESTION IN THE SLIGHTEST or at least, Victor's asking like it's not creepy at all.

ftr, the comm name IS registered to 'Victor Frankenstein'. Feel free to fourth-wall him on Mary Shelley or Boris Karloff, but no fourth-walling on Penny Dreadful specifically! ]

Comments

voice

[incogneto]

Is that a joke?

[ Because the name... ]

voice

[pullback]

Of course not. This place decided to grant me a job at a funeral home. It would be ridiculous if I didn't at least learn a little about the modern state of medicine.

Re: voice

[incogneto]

In that case, yes. Bodies are usually either refrigerated or the fluids are drained and replaced with a formaldehyde solution. You should check if your funeral home only does one or both.

They will train you.

voice

[pullback]

How refreshing. [ and he does sound a bit relieved by that. ] This world is...confusing, to say the least. I'm glad to see some things remain relatively close to the same.

text;

[dirtyredneck]

You know your name is Frankenstein right?

permavoice!

[pullback]

[ because ahaha he's not changing the settings, he texts like a granddad and he's camera shy. ]

Obviously.

[ what the hell sort of question is that? ]

permatext!

[dirtyredneck]

So do you make monsters, too, or this just a terrible joke on your parent's part?

[pullback]

[ there's a bit of a pause because what, how exactly does he know about the whole 'raising the dead' thing. Because surely, that's what he must mean by making monsters, right? Maybe?

If he plays dumb, he'll get answers. Maybe. ]

I honestly have no idea what you're talking about. Monsters?

[thevictoriandetective]

[Oh. Oh look, someone with a decent question for once.]

It's not too far off. Once the body is cleaned, the embalming solution is injected into the arteries via an embalming machine. It's usually a combination of formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, methanol, ethanol, phenol, and water, and sometimes they add dyes in order to simulate living skin tone. Blood's drained through the veins and the same formula is added to the cavities after removing excess gasses and liquids.

[He looks at the name. Frankenstein. Huh. He's not really that into classic fiction except for some Shakespeare but he's definitely read Mary Shelley. Maybe the guy just liked the name or maybe he was the real deal. Too bad no video to deduce with.]

i see your google history has gotten just as sketchy as mine

[pullback]

[ Congrats Sherlock, you are new fave person because THANK GOD, IT'S AN ANSWER. ]

So relatively the same procedure, but with changed steps. How reassuring. I'm already trying to get myself acquainted with this brave new world, if I can make my studies easier, all the better.

The life of a writer TT^TT

[thevictoriandetective]

What sort of studies?

[He's quite intrigued now.]

[pullback]

I am an anatomist. I study the human body, in all it's various complexities.

[voice]

[puppydoctor]

I mean, it depends on whether you're embalming it for a funeral, or for research.

[voice]

[pullback]

In an ideal world? Both. After all, I don't see why my studies should cease now that I'm in a different world.

Voice

[bindsthedead]

I believe things have advanced a bit since then, but I don't really see the point in it. Cremation always seemed more respectful.

Voice

[pullback]

If I may be frank, your opinion on the subject doesn't matter—that is, unless you have a body for me to treat.

Voice

[bindsthedead]

[If this were video, he'd see Sabriel's eyes rolling. As it is, she just sounds slightly annoyed.]

And what do you want bodies for in the first place?

Voice

[pullback]

I'm to work at a funeral home. I'll need something to practice on. Or, at least the knowledge of current practices so that I won't be completely behind on my first day at the job.

voice;

[doubleblind]

I don't think the process has changed that much, but I know there's been some advances in the chemicals used. It's not my area of expertise, but give me a couple hours to research and I can find out. Or direct you to the best references if you'd rather explore the research yourself.

[Cosima is really hoping that the name isn't just because his parents were big Mary Shelley fans.]

voice;

[pullback]

Simply pointing out the references would be helpful. I'm sure I'll have plenty of other questions to answer and wouldn't want to bother you too much.

[ little bit of bothering's okay, tho. c: ]

voice;

[doubleblind]

Hey, man, don't worry about it. I love being bothered about this stuff. You're a scientist, right? How far in the past are you from?

[If anything, she's going to end up being the one bothering Victor.]

voice;

[pullback]

1893. Further in the past than most here, I assume.

voice

[am_i_a_monster]

That question is kind of disturbing without context.

voice

[pullback]

I've been placed to work at a funeral home. Enjoy your context.

voice

[am_i_a_monster]

That does help. Thanks. Are you okay with working there?