Welcome to Gaia! ::

The genetics department was tucked away in the back of the east wing. Entering it, it was immediately clear that while the department was very new and hastily cobbled together, some serious money had gone into it already.

There was no receptionist or assistant present when the pair arrived, but from the inventive swearing coming from the main lab to the right, it was a fair certainty someone was present. And had just dropped something from the crash that came from the room.

Coming to stand behind Nines, noting he had taken the innitiative to knock on the door and ask for their contact inside he simply stood back and propped his back against the wall in a lean, arms folded over his chest.

Still not eager to remove the helmet just in case, as it'd mean burning blood to hide his features from unknowns, he mumbled something under his breath about probably not being allowed to smoke in this place.

"Go on in, what're the odds 'e just dropped some incurable air born nasty?"

Behind the visor of his helmet the fledgling chuckled, curious honestly at what they were in for.

Yes, because punishing any organ but your liver is oh so terrifying a prospect.

Nines grumbled his retort to Corbin, before stepping through the door and tapping two fingers to his chest.

I'd be Nines. Where do you want me to put this stuff?

He bent over and began snaking his arm under the unit, groping about for the lids that had scattered.

"Just over there on top of the DNA scann...oh."

Nodding a greeting to both men, the scientist was understandably distracted when Corbin pulled a damn tail out, in a less than flattering way.

"My word. How extraordinary. Is it prehensile? Where did I put my glasses..."

Darting across the room with suprising speed and dexterity for a fat man, the professor grabbed glasses and a strange pen like device, then darted back behind Corbin, prodding at his tail with little regard for invasion of personal space.

"Fascinating... not at all native to the hominid race, nor to the simian line... a sample!"

Corbin would no doubt feel a slight p***k as the pen like device was lightly applied to a meaty part of his tail and the professor was darting away to his desk, clearing a stack of paperwork into a drawer to make more space. Depressing the end of the pen into a tiny vial, he slid it into device next to him which started happily whirring away.

"Oh where ARE my manners... I'm Professor Lethfeld. A pleasure to meet you both. Our mutual benefactor has told me a little about you. And I must say, I'm look forward to working with each of you. Exciting prospects, oh yes."

Down boy, down.

As Nines was setting the tray where instructed, Corbin was reacting predictably to being 'sampled' in the a**. He couldn't help but chuckle at the thought, and brought his left hand to his face in a vain attempt to hide the smirk crossing his features.

So, professor, what exactly have you been told, and what exactly are you using these samples to research?

Leaning against the unit, Nines folded his arms over his chest and listened to the pitch as it was being given. He quirked his eyebrow at the thesis, nodding along to denote his understanding.

So the trick question is, what sort of lectures are you going to conjure about one or the other of us for this?

"Initially, I will be teaching the higher end classes on the impact of the standard genome on features and traits. This is easily done by using the genetic traits of persons of similar looks to yourselves with you present, to illustrate how information in DNA translates into physical characteristics.

Your presence for the preliminary lectures will be needed to establish yourselves as coming here under the guise of research subjects, however as I move on into the more in-depth discussions, you will be known to the class and no longer needed to attend the lectures themselves.

I believe cover stories are a staple part of Kindred existence?"

The portly professor answered Nines first, then nodded to Corbin, clasping his hands together as he responded to him also.

"The point of the research for now is already manifold. Her Ladyship wishes me to isolate the Kindred genome for study and understanding. She wishes me to see if there is indeed a regression for the Kindred condition, though you need not worry for me forcing anything on you in a test. Even beyond her Ladyship threatening to end my existence if I so much as think about using you two as test subjects, it is also beyond my own personal morals. I do not attempt anything upon those who do not wish it.

Her Ladyship also wants me to isolate the memetic legacy of Kindred blood. She is interested in... shall we term it Fate? Most specifically, she mentioned some external memetic force she believes affects all of you, that is not attracted to other Kindred. She has said no more on this as yet, but I already have much to do."

"Not guinea pigs. I do not intend to affect either of you with any of my discoveries. Research subjects, sample donors, but not guinea pigs."

Affront. Professional affront, no venom behind it, but a careful and deliberate correction to Corbin's choice of terms.

"Ideally I would need both of you to attend at least two lectures each, to establish your identities as subjects of the Institute, though I can cope with just one of you is necessary. The DNA I will display on screen will be from individuals of human descent who look similar to yourselves. If you can indeed change your appearances, it would be best for me if you show me what you intend to look like at least a week beforehand, so I can ensure the two sets of samples match up."