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The day after the memorial, Malodore made its way to the monster dorms, feeling more stable and together than it had in some time. It seemed Lizzy had been right about closure - while that didn't mean the pain of loss was gone, far from it, it did mean that its emotions no longer felt uncontrollable.

And, now that it had collected its data on Insanity, it wanted to see what else might be gleaned from further study. It would bring its data to Cricket very soon. The plague doctor let itself into the monster dorms, heading for Jericho's room. Part of it sort of hoped that Jericho wouldn't be in, because that would mean he had gone out on his own rather than hiding in his lair, but somehow it didn't think that was the case. When it arrived in front of the dragon's door, it lifted one hand and knocked. "Jericho? It's Malodore," it called out, quietly.

Malodore opened its beak in a smile. "I am doing... somewhat better, grazie. I was wondering if I might conduct another examination? My data is much improved from the last time we spoke. And then, perhaps, we could simply... talk. Not about Insanity, or anything like it. You are important to me because you are Jericho, not because you have greying flesh," it added, with a serious nod. It was very important to it that Jericho understand this.

"Of course," it said with a nod, pulling out its notebook and studying the grey. Its eyes narrowed behind the lenses. It should have made notes last time, proper ones so it could analyze any spread... well, it would just have to begin tracking that data point now. "Does it still itch? Have you noticed any significant spread since the last time I saw you? I, ah, was somewhat hoping I could obtain a tissue sample, perhaps a bit of shed or something naturally discarded... of both greyed and 'healthy' tissue, ideally."

It scribbled down a few things in its notebook. "I, ah... I was not terribly good at levity before all this, truth be told. Perhaps to eat somewhere, or engage in some social activity like the scarecade or window-shopping? I am told these are standard. We could invite Shehk as well?"

Malodore nodded and made notes as Jericho talked about the spread. "I am, truth be told, not terribly concerned about the grey increasing to cover your flesh entirely. From, ah... from what I observed in Riley, I... it seems the shift to stage three may be prompted by a severe physical trauma, possibly dissipation prior to that change. What I have heard about Professor Red seems to concur, so, ah... you might want to be careful about entering situations involving physical combat."

It perked up at the sight of the scales. "These will be fine, grazie mille. The size is not important." It took the scales and, putting the notebook to one side, pulled out some sample dishes and packed them away. "And no, not too crowded. I dislike crowds, myself. Have you a particular place in mind? I am afraid I am not very knowledgeable about such things."

"Nox? Ah... ah, si! The Trick-or-Treater, yes? He was... wait, he was somehow involved with the Island, was he not?" Malodore tilted its head to one side. "He is an ally, then, or at least a potential one?"

"Someone... someone far off..." Malodore's gaze narrowed beneath the lenses. "That is interesting... I wish I had more details about who, and where, and if there had been Hunters anywhere nearby. Any of the circumstances... from a scientific perspective, the more data points the better, though it pains me to think of it." The plague doctor shook its head.

"We still are not sure how the instability is transmitted, after all... when are you going to meet with Nox, next? Though," it added, "I am glad that you are under his tutelage. From what little I have seem of him, he does not seem one to go down easily... or to permit the same of those under his command."

"Hmm. Well, should you encounter him again soon, if there is an opportune time to inquire, I would welcome more information - but do not jeopardize your apprenticeship for it. There may be other avenues to attain that knowledge." Malodore paced around Jericho again, paying special attention to his wings. "I admit, I would like to know how deeply the grey penetrates... I wonder if a device could be modified to detect such things, as one can detect a skeletal structure?" it mused.

Then it walked around until it was in front of Jericho again. "Va bene - thank you for the samples. I have made a record of the visible patching. Does it stay in roughly the same locations when you transform? Though... I hate to suggest such a thing, but you may want to be cautious with your transformations as well. Not cease them entirely, but... don't do them unless it is very important? I know it is not the same thing as dissipation, but it is a re-ordering of your body and FEAR... I need more samples," it muttered, sounding frustrated. "I need more data, but I cannot allow you into danger to obtain said data. If only we could infect a laboratory subject!"

"Clearly, creatures of JOY are capable of taking on the infection as well. If only we'd trapped some of them, but... no, no, JOY-creatures change while in a FEAR-rich environment, our old specimens proved that. Too many variables." Malodore shook its head, then opened its beak in a small smile. "It is... not important, at this moment. Soon I will formally begin my apprenticeship with Nurse Cricket, and then I shall have more resources open to me. I know she, too, would like to study the Insanity. I believe I require more professional input at this point."

"So," it went on, tucking its notebook away in its sleeve, "where shall we go? Would Shehk have a good place, perhaps? I will leave the choice up to you; you know your own limits better than I do."