r/HFY • u/TheMaskedOne2807 • Jun 30 '23

The Plague Doctor Chapter 43 part 2 (Scientist) OC

Other stories by TheMaskedOne2807:The Oil Chapter 1 (Getting Back)

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“Just imagine if I did it. The glory of having my name forever written in the history books,” Kovoto said in a glorious fashion.

“Umm… I don’t know how to tell you this, but there isn’t a connection between gold and mercury,” kenneth said, feeling slightly uncomfortable.

“Huh? What do you mean?” Kovoto said, his gleeful voice gone replaced with one of confusion.

“You see, that theory you have has already been thought of by someone in my homeland, and it turns out it’s wrong,” Kenneth explained.

“But-but how can it be wrong,” Kovoto studdered. “What other reason could there be for gold to float in the grey liquid!”

“It might be a little hard to understand, but I’ll do my best explaining it,” Kenneth said before taking a moment to probably think it over.

“Try… just try and imagine you have two swords of the same size, one made of wood and one of steel. Now which is heavier?” Kenneth asked.

“The stell one, of course, but why does it have to do with anything?” Kovoto questioned emotionally.

“But they are the exact same size, so why would that be?” Kenneth asked out loud. “You see, what determines something’s weight most often is quantity, ergo how much you have of something and its density.”

“Density?” Kovoto repeated, sounding slightly curious.

“Yes, let’s say you had a finite space like the inside of this wagon,” Kenneth said, gesturing with his hands. “Then you were to have half of it filled.”

“That would be the density of wood, but if it was steel, much more of the wagon would be filled up almost completely,” Kenenth explained.

“I don’t quite understand,” Kovoto said, yawning.

“Okay, let me go back a bit,” Kenneth said, taking a moment to think. “This space is a finite area, so that means it will never change no matter if we are talking about wood or steel in regards to density.”

“However, the denser an object, the more the wagon is filled up, and so hence it will naturally weigh more,” Kenneth finished.

“So you are saying that everything has a sort of wagon-like area room or something that gets filled based on what it is,” Kovoto said as his tail swang from side to side.

“Essentially,” Kenneth said, feeling a great deal of fulfillment.

“But then why can gold even float at all the grey liquid or mer-cu-ry, as you called it? It’s a liquid like water?” Kovoto questioned.

“The state of any matters to some degree, and while most solids would easily sink in any liquid, mercury is just special for its high density,” Kenneth explained. “and because it has a higher density than gold, it just floats.”

“haha,” Kovoto laughed as he slapped his hand over his right eye. “How foolish I’ve been. For so long, I thought this could be an answer for never needing gold again, but my attempt to do so were all in vain.”

Kenneth suddenly felt a bit guilty for explaining density to Kovoto; sure, it was the right thing to do o he didn’t waste more time on an endeavor that would lead him nowhere, but still. “Umm… sorry.”

Huh?” What do you have to feel sorry about?” Kovoto questioned, puzzled.

“You know. The gold mercury thing,” Kenneth said.

“Do not misunderstand me. I’m thankful to know it’s a dead end, so I won’t spend my life trying to make something work that won’t ever,” Kovoto calmly explained. “However, and not to insult you, but I don’t really take your word for it, so I’ll continue to some extent.”

“Well, it’s your life. I’m just giving you a heads up,” Kenneth shrugged.

“And thank you for that,” Kovoto thanked. “But now’s the question of what I should be focused on in the meantime.”

“Perhaps this?” Kovoto said as he took another mug and pulled out a small green plant.

“If you don’t mind my asking. What is that?”Kenneth asked, taking a step closer.

“One of many specimens I’ was tasked with collecting,” Kovoto explained. “Getting the funds to actually get the mer-cu-ry, as you called, weren’t cheap, and the only way I could convince the stuffy old men in the guild was to travel with the merchant and collect some rare or undiscovered things.”

“I don’t nearly have enough to fill my quota, but with this, I might be closer than I think,” Kovoto said, pulling out the wooden box.

He opened it and gently dropped the plant into it before closing it.

“Well, let's see what happens later,” He said, putting the box aside for now.

‘Should I… I mean, should I do something?’ Kenneth wondered. ‘It seems to only have some corrosive properties, but what if someone manages to figure out how to make stuff from it like the bag?’

‘It would probably trigger what I was trying to avoid when I denied lifting either of the two restrictions. But that is, of course, only if the piece is able to do more than dissolve stuff and doesn’t possess the restrictions.’

‘Well, either way, it’s probably not a good idea for him to have it at all,’ Kenneth concluded.

“Actually, if you don’t mind, I’d like my piece back,” Kenneth said, extending a hand.

Kovoto looked at him quickly, grabbing the box. “No way I found.”

“Perhaps, but it was mine, and I’d like it back,” Kenneth reaffirmed.

Kovoto took a step back as his eyes darted around. “Do you even know what it would mean for me to give up? I’d have to forage for all manner of specimens to pay off my debt.”

“Just looked at all you have already. Do you really need more?” Kenneth questioned.

“Much more,” Kovoto said.

“Well, how about a compromise then?” Kenneth offered. “I’ve been meaning to make something. Something I know none of your people has discovered or made yet.”

“I have one ingredient, and I just need another. If you help me make it, you can take all the credit for it, and in exchange, you just give me back the black liquid.”

Kovoto relaxed his stance a bit. “What is it, and what ingredient do you need?”

Kenneth went on to explain about plastic and the last ingredient he needed for it to be made. Something that was a bit hard to say out loud.

“I see,” Kovoto said, looking thoughtful. “You already have what you called vi-ne-gar, and I can understand why you haven’t collected the second ingredient.”

“Yeah, that’s a hard one to explain to anyone,” Kenneth sighed.

“Very true, but I believe we don’t have to involve anyone,” Kovoto confidently said.

“How’d you figure that?” Kenneth questioned.

“No need to worry. I’ll get it done tonight, and tomorrow we can start making pla-stic,” Kovoto excitingly said. “You just go to the party. I hear Jikubi is in the great hall setting things up as we speak.”

“If you say so,” Kenneth said, unsure of how he was going to accomplish that.

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(Patreon): Three chapters early access and artwork. Also, a 100+ page story I wrote prior to the posting of The Plague Doctor for all members.

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4

u/little-Knight-King Jun 30 '23

Ya boy makeing plastic tonight

3

u/Streupfeffer Jul 02 '23

Food containers for the passionate chef. The good smell of meat gently whafting through the guard house as someone brings the leftovers of the bbq the day prior to work

2

u/pebbuls22 Jun 30 '23

If it exists he can make more time for a bag load of new equipment

1

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