Biological Queries

As 4pm arrived, I found myself in the Biology Room, studying mummification, taxidermy, and other methods to preserve a human body. Part of me needed to know what had happened to our deceased students, and what method was used to preserve their bodies in such a way, and after finding nothing in the Chemistry Room, I felt the Biology Room was my next best guess.

As I opened my second book on human preservation, Monorakun scurried into the room on all fours. He looked up at me, his ears perked forwards, his head cocked in almost a curious pose.

"So, you're curious about how your students are being preserved, aren't you? Well, let's not burn up your brain cells over it. How about I just tell you, instead? It's much more fun to see you doing something other than reading book after book, after all."

I took a step backwards, apprehensive. "What do I get out of this? And why would you freely give me this information?"

Monorakun started scratching under his chin with his hind foot. After he stopped, he answered. "It's a process called 'Plastination'. Perhaps you have heard of it, Shishano?"

I thought for several moments, then nodded. "Plastination is a technique used in anatomy to preserve bodies or body parts. The water and fat in the body are replaced with specific plastics, yielding specimens that can be touched, do not smell or decay, and even retain most properties of the original sample. Am I correct?"

Monorakun...well, if a robotic raccoon can look surprised, Monorakun looked it. "Impressive, Miss Addams! I wasn't sure you actually knew that one! Now, for the how. There's another robot that's in the Staff Meeting Room, usually behind a hidden panel that I'm not opening for you. That thing does the plastination stuff. Now, would you mind doing something even mildly interesting? Like, anything else, for example?" Monorakun was starting to sound annoyed, but I had my answers, so I nodded, put my book away, and left the Library.

I noticed Korekiyo walking into the Biology Room, so (perhaps against my better judgement) I decided to follow him in there. Maybe he had something interesting to talk about.

However, it was actually him who was interested in hearing me speak. We went on for several hours about every funereal method I had ever performed myself: Burial, Cremation, and even a few Pyres.

Burials, I had helped with countless times. I handled the embalming part of things, though I had helped a few times dig the grave with my father, when Karadano sprained his wrist and could not properly utilize a spade.

Cremation, I admit, was more my specialty. Just drain the body of blood, remove any organs that were marked for donation and safely preserve them for delivery, then put the body on cardboard and put it in the crematorium. The cardboard prevented the fingers, heels, hair, or anything else from interfering with the rollers, ensuring that the cremation process would go off without an unfortunate hitch.

As for pyres, those required the most amount of work. A lot of work went into the appearance of the pyre itself, with the body usually high on top to be viewed by everyone. The pyre had to be built in a way that was sturdy, so it would not collapse upon itself when set on fire, but instead gradually lower itself into the flames. Having the body slide or fall off its platform and plummet into the flames would be seen as disgraceful, and my father warned me that some clients would not even pay us if that happened. As a result, a LOT of attention, care, and work went into ensuring the stability of the pyre, just as much as the appearance and every other aspect of the service.

"What, no cairns? I was certain someone of your standing would have performed one of those," Korekiyo commented, surprised.

"Cairns have fallen out of favor. Kids pick up the rocks and throw them, and they are easy marks for grave robbers. Cairns are better utilized for 'middle of nowhere' locations, to be honest." I responded.

Korekiyo nodded. "Ah, yes. Between the curiosity of children, and the greed of men, most cairns would not last long in this world. Such a pity."

I nodded silently. "Pyres, on the other hand, are little more than wood, bones, and ashes when done properly. While those are not as common either, some people seem to prefer the pyre over the crematorium. Pyres require more work to put together, but the departed's wishes be done." I closed my eyes and lowered my head, respectfully.

"Yes, indeed. Anthropology deals much with death, and I am all too familiar with the respect one must show to the deceased. Legends and myths tell of curses and hexes, but those are mostly warnings to show respect," Korekiyo replied.

I agreed with Korekiyo, and we spoke a bit longer together, but then Korekiyo decided to take his leave of me, stating he was going to head downstairs for dinner. I was not hungry just yet, so I remained in the Biology Room, examining the mannequins and reading a few books in the room.

Before Korekiyo left, however, he mentioned that he looked forward to introducing Kyoko and I to his sister soon. While I looked forward to meeting his sister, something about the tone of his voice put me on edge. He seemed...almost overly eager for the two of us to meet his sister now, even more than before. But why?

I decided to meet back with Kyoko, to see if Korekiyo mentioned his sister to her as well. I opened up my E-Handbook to look for Kyoko again.

*Shishano Kantoku has entered the chat.

Shishano Kantoku: Has anyone seen Rantaro or Kyoko?

Rantaro Amami: Kyoko and I are in the Dining Hall. What did you need?

Shishano Kantoku: I'll ask you when I see you.

Sakura Ogami: It is 5:30pm now. Perhaps Nekomaru and I shall join you for dinner. I have been practicing my submission holds this afternoon with him."

Shishano Kantoku: Nice! I hope your practice went well. I shall see you all in the Dining Hall, then.

*Shishano Kantoku has left the chat.

While that did not quite go according to plan, as I did not want to call out Kyoko individually, at least I knew where she was now. I had to know if Korekiyo had spoken to Kyoko about his sister, and see if she shared my gut feeling about his sister.

And if she did, then I needed to be prepared.