|
Post by Perceptor on Jul 31, 2009 23:01:50 GMT -5
Perceptor nods to himself as he continues to listen to Mirage's descriptions, making a few more notes--
Until Mirage asks that question.
No one ever asks that question of him!
Perceptor's optics flicker in a blick as he glances up at Mirage, dumbfounded. "Are you serious?"
|
|
|
Post by Mirage on Jul 31, 2009 23:12:39 GMT -5
Mirage shifts his weight in the chair, crossing his legs and lacing his hands over his knee.
"I have always been curious as to the brewing processes, but the best houses never allowed tours," he sighs, "No matter how much compensation was offered. I thought, perhaps, to gain a bit of enlightenment."
Mirage quirks up one browridge. "Should I have not asked? Are you one of those types that dislikes discussing your work or cannot stomach interruptions? If so, I do apologize."
|
|
|
Post by Perceptor on Aug 1, 2009 0:58:33 GMT -5
Oh, Mirage. You may rue this moment. When you recover.
"No, no, not at all," Perceptor replies with a shake of his head. "It is merely..." Most individuals have more sense than to request explanation. "Ah... I am rarely asked for clarification. That is all."
And if Perceptor had looked content before, having someone actually ask for his technobabble makes him almost giddy.
"In this apparatus, I am distilling a basic energon base with which to experiment with various additives. It is not, perhaps, the precise method by which your vintage is produced, but once I have determined a general chemical formula for your favored blend, I may be able to extrapolate a more authentic process. Distilling a base is, however, for the moment, the most efficient means of producing samples for you to test."
"Based upon your description, I did alter the basic distillation process, filtering out the higher level neutrinos and hydrocarbon polymers with a low thermal resonance process to enrich the mixture without concentrating the essential nature of the fuel itself. It is the interaction of the additive, after all, that we wish to draw attention to, and not the cetane thermal unit combustion of the energon itself."
As he speaks, Perceptor is making more notes and decanting off another sample of the fluid in the bubbler apparatus which has darkened more with continued exposure to the deep blue gas cheerfully bubbling up through it. Again, this fluid is carefully measured out in different amounts into one tube each of the racks, after which, more notes are made.
"The result of the distillation process should yield a smooth, non-cloying, relatively neutral energon with an elevated potency that assists in dissolving the additives evenly, resulting in a more consistent sample and a true blending of the various flavors into a cohesive whole, rather than maintaining the individuality of the component parts."
"Based upon your description of your impression of the flavor, I theorize that your vintage may have a methanol or ethanol blend, both to assist the lightness, and the restrict impurities. Given the elevated octane, such blends have been favored in the past by flight-mode mechanisms due to the additional thermal and energy boost which the volatility of the organic compound produces. The solvent properties of ethyl alcohol also assist in maintaining delicate fuel systems and injectors which tend to be far more complex in most flight modes than those who adopt strictly ground ambulation."
"Ethyl alcohol additionally has a somewhat crisp, occasionally 'biting' palate, which can be enhanced by infusing with other chemicals. Hence why I requested a description of the gardens. A methane suspension within the ethyl alcohol would produce both the subtle burn and a bit of spicy sharpness which you described, without altering the cleansing properties of the ethyl alcohol," he explains, and here, he pauses to gesture toward the bubbler apparatus. "I merely added a few compounds to the reaction chamber producing the methane gas to subtly alter the body of the methane itself before venting the product through the ethanol."
And a third sample is drawn off of the methane-enriched-ethanol, which has now darkened to a medium blue color, like that of a bright, clear autumn sky on Earth. A third series of tubes receive their graduating doses of the ethanol blend before more notes are jotted down.
"By altering the amount of time which I expose the ethyl alcohol to the methane gas, I can control the concentration of methane within the ethanol, both affecting the flavor and the presentation of the final product. I suspect that the original vintage is distilled straight from methane and a selection of other additives, however such is a time intensive process, and would not yield you samples in anything approaching a timely manner. I will endeavor to experiment with such a process at a later date, if an approximation of the vintage you seek can be arrived upon."
The next three samples drawn are a deeper blue like an Earthen dusk, a dark sapphire, and then a rich, not quite opaque cobalt that nears something closer to a violet.
"Of course, controlling the precise amounts of methane hydrates within the ethyl alcohol blend is only a portion of the overall process. There are also other additives which affect the composition of the finished product. Silicates to brighten, borates to dull, a silver nitrate mixture to heighten certain olfactory and tactility receptors, aluminum for enhanced system interaction, even a volatile iodine crystal for extremely mild euphoric effects. By altering the presence, absence, and ratios of various chemical additives, I can adjust the properties of the finished product."
Yes, he is still yammering away, and probably will continue to do so as he works unless someone interjects with any comments or questions.
|
|
|
Post by Mirage on Aug 1, 2009 18:20:04 GMT -5
Mirage eyes widen a touch and he blinks, once, twice before his expression settles back into a smiling- yet-neutral expression which gives the illusion of interest without offering additional encouragement. Such an- in depth and expansive explanation was much more than Mirage was expecting.
Far be it from Mirage to interrupt. He had asked, after all. It would be horribly rude to break in now. Besides, most of Perceptor's vocabulary may be beyond the spy, but Mirage is still intelligent enough to follow the conversation, and to infer meaning from context.
"I see," he says, once there is an adequate break in the tide of science-babble. "So you are creating a base mix based on extrapolations and conclusions from my descriptions and adjusting that to produce samples for comparison. Then you can add flavorings in after you have the base flavor profile down to further refine the product?"
Mirage deliberately makes sure he continues to sound interested. His honest curiosity had seemed to please the scientist so much. It could not hurt to indulge Perceptor a bit more, payment, in a way , for this favor.
Could it?
|
|
|
Post by Perceptor on Aug 1, 2009 18:39:55 GMT -5
And now you see why, Mirage, no one asks Perceptor for clarification or extrapolation. He could not only make a three hour tale of a limerick, he could turn it into it's own multi-volume dissertation.
"Precisely," Perceptor agrees with the simplification. "Except that, rather than take additional time perfecting a base which may be so fundamentally altered by the flavoring additives to render such a previous tasting somewhat moot, I have already prepared a wide variety of the flavor profiles into which the fuels will be added for a more comprehensive and cohesive testing."
"Additional refinement can be obtained after a general profile has been established."
And look! He's pausing there instead of continuing on! Probably because he is swirling each of the tubes to ensure complete mixing, before decanting off a large flask of energon from the distillation apparatus. A very brilliant, very pale, very, very clear energon that almost looks like liquid light.
|
|
|
Post by Mirage on Aug 1, 2009 19:35:10 GMT -5
"I...see. I suppose it is better than wasting effort, if the mix will, as you say, change so significantly."
Yes, Mirage is employing that well known social trick of repeating and rephrasing what the other person has said. A useful trick when one does not want to offend another party, but really has no idea what the proper continuation of the conversation ought to be.
"So that explains why you were interested in the gardens, at least. What import did the source of their luminescence have to your process?"
|
|
|
Post by Perceptor on Aug 1, 2009 19:45:53 GMT -5
Perceptor smiles cheerfully as he glances over to Mirage. "Curiosity," he replies with a shrug. "Aslo, some potential effect to the appearance of the finished product, but really, idle curiosity."
Energon flask in hand, Perceptor returns to his racks of neatly organized test tubes and begins carefully measuring out the scintillating energon into each tube, every one getting the same amount, even an empty tube for a base comparison sample. Once each tube is filled, the racks are carefuuly loaded into agitation trays to complete their mixing, and then, from there, into centrifuges to settle out the impurities which have not fully dissolved into the blended fuels. Finally, from there, each separated sample is carefully poured out into pairs of short, wide dishes which are lined up exactly as they had been racked on two separate trays, each one carefully noted down upon his datapad to keep track of exact mixtures and blends and additives.
With a tiny flourish, Perceptor at last sets one tray down upon the workbench and nods toward Mirage. "I believe that I am ready for your assistance now," he states, nodding toward the tray and the small dishes filled with brilliantly glowing energon in hues from almost clear to a deeper violet and many shades between. "Will you require anything for between samples?" A true taster cleanses his palate between different types, yes? He thinks?
|
|
|
Post by Mirage on Aug 1, 2009 21:43:08 GMT -5
Mirage unfolds himself from his seat, stretches, and then joins Perceptor at his workbench. He eyes the samples with a truly critical eye. Confident as Mirage is in Perceptor's abilities, the spy doubts he will be overly impressed.
Nonetheless, he tilts his head and smiles up at the scientist. "A palate cleanser would be lovely. A base solvent with little aroma of its own, something that won't leave a linger residue to hinder a tasting."
He starts to reach for the nearest sample, then pauses. "It occurs that you might prefer that I sample them in a set progression. Is that the case?"
|
|
|
Post by Perceptor on Aug 1, 2009 21:47:12 GMT -5
"Acetone, then," Perceptor muses, nodding as he fetches the required solvent and receptacles to sip from.
To Mirage's other comment, Perceptor merely shakes his head. "Not at all. Sample them in whatever order you wish. Only be certain that I know which position you have taken your sample from before you discard it, so that I may make notations."
Fortunately, Mirage's doubt is well concealed, or else the scientist might be well and trully afronted.
|
|
|
Post by Mirage on Aug 1, 2009 22:56:48 GMT -5
Mirage first takes a small sip of the acetone, so that he starts things off cleanly. He then reaches for the most color saturated of the lot and hold it up to the light.
The color is quite lovely...but it really is too dark. The palest of the samples is actually the closest to his memory, but he is deliberately leaving that one for last. He swirls the container, leans over it and sniffs. He then sniffs again a bit sharply. The aroma is definitely much sharper than he likes. But that can be changed later, he imagines
He takes a sip, not too large, and holds it for several seconds before swallowing, swishing it about his mouth. A slow swallow, and he carefully replaces what is left of the sample on the tray.
"A bit astringent. Too thin on the tongue. There's a bitter...something I'm not to fond of in the aroma and aftertaste. Not unpleasant, really, just not my preference." Of course, he is just tasting base mix here. It's like trying various bootleg moonshine and complaining about the burn.
|
|
|
Post by Perceptor on Aug 2, 2009 11:55:38 GMT -5
Perceptor watches Mirage's expression carefully, making notes on his datapad, and then even more notes as Mirage pronounces his judgement.
"Understood," he replies as he writes. "It is as I expected, however I did not wish to accidentally miss the target by limiting the field too much, so to speak. Perhaps one of the other blends with the flavor additives may adjust the astringincy correctly. The base formula is much drier than I am sure you were looking for, with nothing to smooth the body and profile down."
|
|
|
Post by Mirage on Aug 2, 2009 17:30:51 GMT -5
"That is is," Mirage murmurs in agreement, before taking another sip of the cleanser and getting down to business.
He works his way slowly through about half the samples, making comments here and there about specific properties. He make sure to cleanse his palate between samples. Every so often, Mirage sets a sample off to the side, instead of back upon the tray.
Perceptor will be happy to note that Mirage is giving the table his full attention and taking the tasting seriously, unlike some. The scientist's skills are not to be wasted upon him at least.
Perceptor might also note that Mirage is only taking small sips, seldom more than one from a sample. He pauses after tasting one from the second lightest row, then smiles at the scientist.
"I really do appreciate your going to the trouble. I know it's a horrible waste of talent, but...this lady has never been on a date in her life! Imagine that! I want her to have a proper high time, a night of elegance and indulgence."
|
|
|
Post by Perceptor on Aug 2, 2009 18:00:51 GMT -5
It is gratifying to watch Mirage appreciate his efforts so fully, and makes careful notes of every response and comment. It is also gratifying to see Mirage taking the sampling so seriously, sipping and clarifying before moving on; it is a very scientific approach and Perceptor appreciates the care Mirage is taking.
"It is no trouble, Mirage," Perceptor refutes, jotting another few notes down. From what he has observed, there may be some interesting new cocktails to come of this afternoon's work. Perhaps Xaaron would appreciate a tipple now and then?
The comment about dating, however, earns Mirage a brief look of bewilderment before Perceptor observes, "Ah... a, ah... travesty," in a neutral tone. "I honestly do not mind being of assistance, however, Mirage. Not everything need be dimensional rifts and interstellar travel."
He has to think back, though, to attempt to remember the last time he had been non a "date". (Does inviting Wheeljack over to his laboratory to pull an all-nighter working on a matter transducer or a chronofield warp gate count? Probably not) Perceptor has the feeling that Mirage would probably not count a few forays into sharing sustenance over field trials and experiments to be "dates", and even the most formal of those experiences happened... A very, very, very long time ago.
He isn't quite certain what to feel about that, actually.
|
|
|
Post by Mirage on Aug 2, 2009 19:20:58 GMT -5
If Mirage knew his comments were in anyway causing Perceptor such distress, he would be absolutely mortified. As it is, the spy does catch the confusion, though Mirage mistakes it, and the stumbling comment following, to be caused by embarrassment, not possible self-pity. Embarrassment, the spy is sadly used to causing. Mirage's lack of inhibitions have led to many the awkward interaction in his life.
He samples a few more of the mixes and is down to the last one when he reaches a hand our to gently place it Perceptor's forearm. His fingers just brush the knob resting there.
"I did not mean to embarrass you. You strike me as a fairly sheltered individual; I should not be so brash about such subjects in uncertain company."
Here Perceptor, have an apology and an insult all wrapped up in one unassuming package!
OOC: Touching w/ permission
|
|
|
Post by Perceptor on Aug 2, 2009 19:58:28 GMT -5
It is not so much distress, and not really self-pity, really, that Perceptor feels. More... confusion, and an odd sort of... curiosity about the difference of priorities. Is his outlook so skewed that he does not see having such a dearth of recreational excursions of such a casual relationship manner to be insignificant? Mirage certainly sees it as a huge issue. Perceptor does not really understand that. He has his work. he has always had his work to fill his life. Just because no one has ever gone out of their way like Mirage is doing to ensure that he could experience such a singularly indulgent episode...
Maybe, perhaps, there just might be the barest sliver of self-pity in those thoughts, after all. Just a little.
The rest, though... Not so much. His designation is Perceptor, after all, and observing the world is what he does best. And there is quite a lot that one sees when one stops and simply pays attention to one's surroundings. Especially when the individuals in one's view have no idea that they are being observed. Ahem. No, not sheltered. Envious, occasionally, but even Perceptor is not quite that oblivious to life around him.
Unaware that Mirage has made the wrong guess, Perceptor continues jotting down his observations, making notes and little chemical formulae in the margins now and then. He is surprised, then, when Mirage reaches over and brushes his fingertips across the knob on his arm, and twitches at the sensation.
"Embarrass?" he asks, frowning sharply. "Sheltered?" Does Mirage think him... a neophyte of some sort? Perhaps Perceptor's dating and relationship history may not be quite so expansive as the spy's, however, Perceptor has been on dates! Mostly. Well, he considered them dates - study and/or work dates or not, he still considered them dates - but more importantly, so did his actual partner in the endeavor!
"Simply because I do not feel the need to clutter my life with the entanglements of intimacy which you feel to be so necessary does not mean that I do not understand intimacy and the various... activities... that a pair of willing mechanisms may engage themselves in together. Nor do I feel that finding my work to be fulfilling enough to forgo the complicated rituals of interpersonal relationships to be any less valid than... Than..."
Than what?
"Than dating!"
Yeah. That showed him. Or something.
|
|