*And, just for clarity: I'm even less happy with the idea of courting Lux with the implicit goal of dating Seraphine too. That effectively entraps Lux in a polyamorous relationship without talking about it with anyone involved first.
Considering the leading votes are to either commit to Lux or keep options open while confirming an interest in Seraphine as well, and the general cultural expectations in Demacia, if Jinx says she's got serious intentions towards Lux I'm inclined to write that as everyone seeing it as monogamous by default.
Granted, while Demacia's more traditional that doesn't mean poly is unheard of. A society that still practices arranged political marriage and has noble ruling classes probably has plenty of de facto poly relationships. Nobles do like their mistresses and paramours, after all.
Though considering their circumstances, if Jinx says she's serious about Lux it's going to be assumed it's genuine interest, not a political arrangement. With Lux being quite miffed if Jinx then decides she wants a side piece.
Though I definitely wouldn't write Jinx and Lux getting together as Seraphine getting kicked to the curb. I like writing Seraphine as a wholesome BFF for Jinx way too much to do that. Especially since Seraphine's never done anything unambiguously signaling romantic interest, so it's fairly easy to say they keep being friends with no changes. The way she's very ride-or-die for Jinx and very affectionate and touchy could be her way of signaling romantic interest, or she could be just a really good friend.
At worst, the three of them have a talk about what boundaries Seraphine and Jinx need to set (which Lux would be pretty relaxed about). Lux doesn't seem like the kind of person to have raging jealousy issues.
That was, tbh, my initial read on the 'joke' option as well - at least after I got past wondering how that would sound from the outside, which gave me a fit of the giggles. Hopefully QM reads this and/or figured the same kind of deal as you and Nimbus have directly stated already.
That was how I read it as well. It's not saying "I want a poly relationship," it's saying she's interested in Lux and Seraphine, but wants to have a conversation with both of them before making a final decision. That conversation could raise the possibility that she just dates both of them, of course, but it's not guaranteed.
[X][Mageseekers] Sneak In And Find Evidence With Garen
[X][Intentions] Write In: "I'd like to smooch your sister, but I also want to smooch this other girl, so I'm trying to get them in the same country to talk this out before making any moves. So if we could focus on this whole civil rights thing so I could get back to that, I'd really appreciate it." [X][Intentions] Deny Having Any "Intentions" Towards Lux, We're Just Friends
[X][Intentions] Write In: "I'd like to smooch your sister, but I also want to smooch this other girl, so I'm trying to get them in the same country to talk this out before making any moves. So if we could focus on this whole civil rights thing so I could get back to that, I'd really appreciate it."
Better than just committing to Lux.
[X][Intentions] Deny Having Any "Intentions" Towards Lux, We're Just Friends
[X][Mageseekers] Sneak In And Find Evidence With Garen
[X][Intentions] Write In: "I'd like to smooch your sister, but I also want to smooch this other girl, so I'm trying to get them in the same country to talk this out before making any moves. So if we could focus on this whole civil rights thing so I could get back to that, I'd really appreciate it."
[X][Intentions] Deny Having Any "Intentions" Towards Lux, We're Just Friends
[X][Intentions] Write In: "I'd like to smooch your sister, but I also want to smooch this other girl, so I'm trying to get them in the same country to talk this out before making any moves. So if we could focus on this whole civil rights thing so I could get back to that, I'd really appreciate it."
[X][Intentions] Write In: "I'd like to smooch your sister, but I also want to smooch this other girl, so I'm trying to get them in the same country to talk this out before making any moves. So if we could focus on this whole civil rights thing so I could get back to that, I'd really appreciate it."
[X][Intentions] Write In: "I'd like to smooch your sister, but I also want to smooch this other girl, so I'm trying to get them in the same country to talk this out before making any moves. So if we could focus on this whole civil rights thing so I could get back to that, I'd really appreciate it."
[X][Intentions] "I don't mean to waffle on you, but Lux told me before I had to do more research on Demacian courtship customs and I think I have to agree with her. So I'm not saying yes right now, but that's not a no for the future."
[X][Intentions] Write In: "I'd like to smooch your sister, but I also want to smooch this other girl, so I'm trying to get them in the same country to talk this out before making any moves. So if we could focus on this whole civil rights thing so I could get back to that, I'd really appreciate it." [X][Intentions] Deny Having Any "Intentions" Towards Lux, We're Just Friends
lol, one vote difference vs. literally unanimous. Hilariously, the positive trait means we would have succeeded on the Sylas option. Though, failure isn't always a bad thing.
"Oh no, a stealth mission went loud, the horror!" - Jinx, revving up her custom-built mini-gun
In unrelated news, I'm amused that you can actually make a viable league team out of the current selection of champions in play. Garen at top, Quinn mid, Sylas jungle, and Team Lightcannon in botlane. Granted, Quinn was basically just a cameo compared to the other four because I needed Garen to have someone watching his back.
In unrelated news, I'm amused that you can actually make a viable league team out of the current selection of champions in play. Garen at top, Quinn mid, Sylas jungle, and Team Lightcannon in botlane. Granted, Quinn was basically just a cameo compared to the other four because I needed Garen to have someone watching his back.
[X][Intentions] Write In: "I'd like to smooch your sister, but I also want to smooch this other girl, so I'm trying to get them in the same country to talk this out before making any moves. So if we could focus on this whole civil rights thing so I could get back to that, I'd really appreciate it."
[X][Mageseekers] Sneak In And Find Evidence With Garen
2d6: (1+3)-4 = 0
Failure
"I intend to treat her decently, if that's what you're worried about," I answered, crossing my arms over my chest and trying to look imposing. Though it kinda fell apart when I felt my cheeks warming up as I continued. "As far as what exactly we're gonna be in the future ... I haven't figured that out yet. Like, there's definitely a vibe between us I wouldn't mind checking out, but I've also started wondering if maybe my number one gal pal back home being so ride or die for me means she wants to be more than just my gal pal. So ... that's a thing the three of us need to have a sit-down and talk through at some point. Right now, I'm kinda more focused on the whole civil war and revolution thing than worrying about who I'm gonna end up smooching."
Garen glowered at me for a while before letting out a grunt and a barely perceptible nod. "I suppose that is an honest answer, if not precisely what I wanted to hear. I won't have my sister being taken advantage of by some rakish skirt-chaser." He threw a sharp-edged smile my way. "If you make her happy and treat her well, we shall be the dearest of friends. If you make her cry, I will ensure you shed ten tears for every one that leaves her eyes."
Lux groaned, her face buried in her hands. "Garen. Stop."
Garen sighed, sending a faintly embarrassed look his sister's way before awkwardly clearing his throat. "Yes, well ... it needed to be said."
"Yeah, yeah, you're a big tough guy who'll kick my butt if I don't treat your sister right, message received." I couldn't resist throwing out one final parting shot just to let him know I wouldn't take all his blustering lying down. "Though I gotta ask, do you still get to do the whole protective big brother act after your family technically disowned Lux?"
Garen grimaced. "A political decision, and one I did not agree with. My aunt believes that so long as Lux is formally in rebellion against the crown, our house cannot acknowledge her as a part of our family without appearing to endorse her actions. She also pressed the king to offer her amnesty, and I imagine when you spoke with her she asked you to spirit my sister away to safety." He scowled and shook his head. "I wish we could be honest and forthright in all things. That it was never necessary for my aunt to speak with two different voices depending on the audience hearing her. We might have avoided all this pain and suffering if we had. I am not blind to how Demacia's actions sometimes fall short of its ideals. I had hoped the king might be willing to listen to the cries for reform once this rebellion ended and the pain of his father's passing faded."
"Leaders generally don't pass reforms after they've crushed all the resistance to them," I shot back. "Usually they do it to stop a rebellion, or to try to get the rebels to stop rebelling. Jarvan could probably end this whole uprising whenever he wanted by just promising not to be an asshole anymore and getting rid of the Mageseekers."
Well, Sylas probably wouldn't agree to peace, but even then I had to wonder how much of that was on account of him being pissed off and hungry for revenge, and how much came from not trusting Jarvan. I certainly wouldn't trust everyone on the Council to treat Zaun decently. If I wasn't a Hextech genius and a Kiramman, they'd probably be trying to find a way to take away Zaun's clean water, or at least spend less on making it clean while charging them extortionate fees for it. The likes of Salo didn't get all their money and power by not being greedy assholes, and they'd only restrain themselves as long as someone else had leverage over them.
Zaun's troubles would have to wait until I got back home, though. "So if we're sneaking in, what's the plan?"
"Garen will have to handle all the talking to get past the guards," Lux pointed out. "I can't risk someone recognizing my voice, while Jinx doesn't know a lot of our customs and has an accent."
"I could fake it," I grumbled. "Courage! Honor! Hating and fearing change! Beating the serfs until morale improves! Dumbassia!" I snickered. "Perfect. Now I just need to find a big enough stick to shove up my butt to complete the image of a Demacian knight." I turned to Garen with a cheeky grin. "Is there a standard size for that in the Dauntless Vanguard, or do you just let everyone pick for themselves?"
Garen sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Really, Luxanna? Her?"
Lux smiled over at me. "Yup. Her."
I quickly cleared my throat and changed the subject before blondie went and said something that'd make me blush and ruin my cool image. "Anyway, big bro, if you're gonna do all the talking, how do you plan on getting us past the guards? No offense, but you're not exactly wowing me on the subtle front."
Garen let out a low rumble of a chuckle. "Oh, believe me, I can be subtle when I want to…"
"Stand aside in the name of the Dauntless Vanguard, House Crownguard, and King Jarvan IV!" Garen thundered at the Mageseekers barring the doors.
The creeps in their half-masks hesitated, trading looks until one of them in fancier robes stepped forward. "Ah, Lord Crownguard, if there's something we might assist you with we would be glad to, but we really can't permit you to—"
"You permit nothing." Garen brushed past the Mageseeker as if she didn't even exist, reaching for the large set of double doors.
"My lord!" The Mageseeker grabbed his hand. "By your own lord uncle's decree, none may—"
"You dare lay your hands upon me?!" Garen cut her off. "My uncle will have your head for this. Inform him of my arrival if you wish, he can meet me within. He shoved past the Mageseeker and tore open the doors, holding them open until Lux and I had gone through, then pointedly closing them behind us.
Once I was fairly certain we were safely out of earshot, I turned to Lux. "So. That's his idea of subtlety."
"Unfortunately, yes," Lux sighed.
Garen let out a faint scoff, the barest hint of a smile on his usually stoic face. "I thought I put on an impressive performance. A young nobleman so accustomed to privilege his mind couldn't comprehend the idea of being forbidden to go anywhere. It looks like I was right, none of the Mageseekers would dare raise a hand to me without clear orders from Uncle Eldred."
"So now it's the three of us, all alone in the middle of a top-secret area of the Mageseeker compound." I looked around the musty stone corridors of the underground sanctum we'd just bullied our way into. "I mean, great job getting us in, Garen, but what's the plan for getting out?"
"Those Mageseekers will probably send someone to find our uncle once they have a minute to get over how badly you rattled them," Lux agreed.
"And passing messages takes time," Garen shot back. "We may well be in and out before anyone reaches him. And even if he does come, he'll approach the matter as our uncle. His first instinct will be to come speak with me on his own, not summon the guards to capture us. And if he does raise the alarm, Quinn is watching our backs and ready to signal for reinforcements."
That all sounded good, but I couldn't help thinking that if things went really bad and we got into a fight where seconds counted, any backup would be minutes away. Not to mention Sylas might see that as a sign to jump in as well, and I wasn't optimistic about that not ending with Sylas fighting the Vanguard as much as the Mageseekers.
Lux sighed. "Let's make the most of the time we have, then. If the stories I heard from some of the escaped mages are true, this is where the worst horror of the Mageseekers are carried out. There's nothing certain, only that the mages brought here never return."
"I hope we haven't come all this way chasing an empty rumor," Garen rumbled. "We're in the heart of the compound. If our uncle learns that you're here, I won't be able to—"
A piercing scream from further down the hallway cut him off. The three of us traded one look and bolted towards it. The screams kept coming as we approached, getting higher and louder before the last one abruptly cut off in a wet, ragged gurgle that made the bottom of my stomach drop out. Whoever was screaming, they'd probably just gone silent forever.
The three of us burst into the room. It was dank, musty dungeon chamber, where the usual scent of mold decay was cut through by the acrid coppery tang of freshly shed blood and a faint hint of something else revolting that my mind couldn't quite place at the moment. A figure in Mageseeked robes was hunched over a wooden table, a bloody scalpel in his hand. He looked up when he heard us storm into the room. "Lord Commander Garen? What an unexpected honor. Your uncle didn't tell me you'd be—"
As the Mageseeked talked, I got a good look at who was on the table. It was a kid, a fucking kid, couldn't have been more than twelve years old. It was a little hard to tell with how hair had sprouted all over her body and made her like some kinda weird wolf-person, but there were cuts all over her body, including where her throat, which that bastard Mageseeker had just cut open.
The Mageseeked followed my gaze and sighed. "Ah, yes, most unfortunate. Lord Eldred provides me with the best material he can find, but sometimes these younger mages are simply too weak to endure—"
I'd heard enough. I pulled out Zapper, cranked it up to max, and blasted his head off.
Garen and Lux winced as the smoking, headless corpse fell to the floor. After several painful seconds Garen sighed. "We could have interrogated him first."
I scoffed, but didn't argue the point. Garen was probably right that we could've gotten some useful intel off the sick bastard. On the other hand, we'd just walked in on him standing over the corpse of a young mage he'd just murdered, so I couldn't bring myself to feel an ounce of regret for killing him. If anything, I was mad he'd died so quickly and cleanly.
Lux cleared her throat. "We should search the area for evidence and any other prisoners. We'll need to move quickly, I felt something in the air change after you killed him." She grimaced. "No idea what it was, but my gut says we're compromised."
I sighed. "Blasting that guy was stupid, I get it." My eyes flicked over to the kid he'd been cutting up when we interrupted him. "Worth it."
Lux winced, but didn't disagree. "Let's make sure we stop them from doing anything else like this, ever again. I knew it was bad, I couldn't imagine..."
"King Jarvan would never endorse this madness." Garen scowled at the dead Mageseeker. "There is nothing necessary about such base cruelty."
I was about to point out that this messed-up science experiment was happening in his name when I noticed something else on the table, next to the kid. I hadn't noticed it before on account of the dead kid and all, but there was a glass vial lying next to him that was mostly empty, aside from a few drops of all too familiar glowing pink liquid. "You gotta be shitting me..."
I picked the vial up and gave it a quick sniff. Yup. "What the... how in the... This is Shimmer! How is there Shimmer in Demacia?!"
"Shimmer?" Lux frowned as it took a second to click. "That drug that was causing problems in Zaun? I suppose it wouldn't be a shock if some of it came here on one of the trade ships from your city, but for it to wind up here, being used in these kinds of experiments..." She grimaced and shook her head. "There's more going on here than just our uncle making a power grab and oppressing mages."
Garen kicked in the nearest door. "I think I found his office. Or at least there's quite a bit of paperwork in it." His face seemed to be tinged with green. "He kept records. Extensive ones. At least we'll have ample evidence of his crimes without a confession."
"Sick bastard," I growled and marched into the office. Being able to prove exactly how depraved the Mageseekers really were would be great for Demacia and all, but right now I was more worried about the Shimmer than anything else. Sure, it could just be a total coincidence that a weird mutagenic drug from Zaun wound up in Demacia being used for a bunch of sick mad science experiments, but I wasn't that lucky. Especially when...
My eyes locked onto a sheet of paper that looked a bit too white and cleanly cut compared to the local stock. Like something that came out of one of the paper mills in Piltover rather than being produced by a traditional craftsman. A quick check of the contents confirmed as much.
Senior Adept Hesbeth
Thank you for your latest correspondence. It's so refreshing to discuss my work with a man of science who truly appreciates the process involved in our work. My current employer is a man who sees my work as simply another tool to achieve his vision, and has no appreciation for the artistry involved in it beyond how it can be used to achieve his goals. I suspect your master has a similar perspective.
The more diluted forms of Shimmer can be a useful tool in ensuring compliance, but like any addictive substance, it's a flawed process. While there are successful cases such as The Tank, addiction and withdrawal is never entirely predictable process, and there are presently few people capable of producing it outside of Zaun. My own employer is understandably reluctant to part with the knowledge, even the samples I've provided you for your own research were hard-won. The supply line needed to keep Demacia's mages dependent and compliant would be long and prone to disruption in the face of any external or internal threat.
That said, your experimental data shows fascinating potential with combining Shimmer's mutagenic properties with animal and human flesh to create hybrid creatures with the strengths of both. I believe with just a little more work, we might soon be able to return dead or near-dead tissue to a state of life, if not the sort of life it was before. Still, the choice between acquiring a few animal traits and the oblivion of death is an obvious one.
I've enclosed two new variations on my Shimmer formula. One was adjusted per your request for increased reactivity with mage blood. While it should produce increased dependence and pliability, there is a chance of additional mutagenic effects or negative reactions, especially when mages are never entirely predictable. Do share the results of your experiments with me, the data will be of use as I continue refining the formula. I've also included a sample of the latest stable variant, capable of providing increased physical performance with a minimum of mutagenic effects, as a useful control.
I await your correspondence eagerly,
~Singed
I wanted to rip up the letter on the spot, but I'd need it for evidence. Still, that confirmed everything I'd been afraid of. Silco's pet mad scientist was trading research notes and bouncing ideas off another equally sick bastard working for the Mageseekers. How the hell had the two of them ever gotten in tou—
The grain deal. The gods-damned grain deal! Silco talking to Lux's parents was just one step removed from talking to her uncle, and from there how much would it take for their respective mad scientists to start talking to each other? Damn it all. I'd known Silco wanted more than just a chance to control Zaun's food while positioning himself as a savior, but I never would've imagined it was all in the service of something like this.
Still, you'd think Silco and Eldred would hate each other. A snobby noble and a scrappy crime boss weren't natural allies. Maybe it was one of those deals where they both hated each other, but were still miserable enough bastards to play the game as long as they each got something out of it. Or maybe it was a lot easier to put up with a vile ally when he was on the other side of the continent and you never had to interact with him directly.
I looked over the desk, grabbing any other Piltovan paper I could spot. Maybe it would be more letters from Singed, and if it wasn't I certainly wanted to know who else from back home was having talks with this psychotic bastard. After breaking the lock off one of the drawers I found something else: a vial of Shimmer, with a small label marking it as 'stable variant.' Must be the other sample mentioned in Singed's letter. I stuck it in my pocket, that was the kinda thing I didn't want floating around in the world.
"Jinx." I felt Lux shake my arm. "Jinx, we need to go. We've been here way too long already. If we don't get out of here—"
"Leaving so soon?" Someone called out from the other room. "And to think, I came in such a rush when I heard my dear nephew was so eager to see me."
The three of us turned around and saw an older-looking man with a blonde beard that was going grey, wearing a suit of armor and a mageseeker half-mask. "Lemme guess, you must be the evil psycho uncle I've been hearing so much about."
His eyes flicked to me. "And you must be the famous Jinx Kiramman. A pity we had to meet under such unfortunate circumstances. Which must mean..." He turned to the third member of our party with a truly nasty-looking smile. "Luxanna, take that helmet off, there's no point pretending any longer. You're already enough of a disappointment as it is."
Lux took her helmet off, if only so she could she could unleash a truly hateful glare at the man. Garen pointedly stepped in front of his little sister. "Uncle, the things I've seen in here. The horrors wrought in your name. Did you know of them?"
Eldred sighed and waved a hand at the dead kid. "This? Yes, of course I did. Hesbeth's work was a foul, depraved thing that by all rights should've sent him to the headsman. In better times, it would have. Unfortunately, we live in a nation in the midst of a crisis unleashed by your sister." He paused a moment, then chuckled and shook his head. "Well, no, perhaps not just her. The mages were a problem long before her corruption took root. If not for her foolishness, something else would've brought matters to a head."
Eldred crooked his hand, and one of the mageseekers stepped forward. "Demacia will never truly be safe so long as magic exists. Some mages, like my dear Wisteria here, are willing to turn themselves in and put their taint to use helping us purge and contain the threat of magic. You might have joined their illustrious ranks, Luxanna, if there was any honor left in you. Had all your disloyalty and wickedness scourged away, leaving behind nothing but a pure and devoted servant of Demacia. Instead, you chose the path of selfish indulgence."
"And I've never once regretted it," Lux shot back. "Don't tell me you honestly believe you're making Demacia a better country by doing things like this!" She pointed an accusing finger at the dead kid.
Eldred scoffed and waved her words away. "Those who will not serve us willingly can still be of use. The prisons were always an imperfect solution. Keeping men like Sylas locked away for years, where they were nothing but a drain on our resources and a constant threat. One that came into focus after Sylas escaped and began his rebellion. You call what I've done an atrocity? The real crime would be the failure to act! Only I had the strength to make the hard choices needed to ensure Demacia's safety and security. Do you have any conception of the horrors that would be unleashed if we allowed mages to roam free?"
"We've been doing that in Piltover and Zaun, and nothing's blown up," I had to point out.
"There will be a price to pay for your willing descent into corruption," Eldred scoffed. "Such unnatural power always comes with a price, and when it must be paid, I only pray the innocents in your city are granted a swift and merciful death. No, the only path forward is that of strict control. Hesbeth's work was our best hope to truly break the hold magic has on our people, to bend those afflicted by the taint into truly reliable servants to the realm. Even those like Wisteria who remain faithful to our cause must remain constantly vigilant to ensure their magic doesn't twist their minds."
"Sylas was one of us, once," Wisteria growled out. "Until the day his taint took him. One day it will take me too, but I will cut my own throat before I let my loyalty waver. Until then, I will serve Demacia and Lord Eldred."
"But the rest..." Eldred sighed. "Hesbeth could have made something useful of them. His work might have been ugly, but I would happily endorse it if it allowed us to finally make use of those mages who would not willingly serve."
"King Jarvan would never approve this madness," Garen snarled, bringing his sword to bear.
"But he did," Eldred shot back with a sick grin. "He authorized me to use any means I deemed necessary to pursue a final resolution to Demacia's mage problem. He's been gratifyingly clear-minded, compared to his father. Jarvan III was always too soft on the mages, he mistook weakness and a lack of conviction for compassion. This current crisis is entirely of his making; a strong king would've executed Sylas fifteen years ago. Fortunately, Jarvan IV is a better king than his father was."
"Now..." Eldred grinned as more and more of his pet Mageseekers filed into the room. "Allow me to make a proposition. Luxanna will submit herself to the Mageseekers for purification. I would prefer her execution given the risks, but she is kin and perhaps sufficient scourging might yet cleanse the darkness within her soul. Garen, I will trust you to support me going forward as we bring peace, order, and prosperity to Demacia. Miss Kiramman, you are free to go so long as you leave Demacia's borders at once and pledge to never return or correspond with anyone here."
I took one look at Garen and Lux and felt confident speaking for all three of us. "Go fuck yourself."
Eldred sighed. "So be it. Your aunt will be saddened to learn of what happened here. How the two of you brought Luxanna here, hoping that I could help her, only for her taint to overwhelm her. How her wild magic killed both of you, and in grief for her crimes she then turned her power against herself. Truly, a tragedy." He glanced back at Wisteria. "Make sure there's not enough left of their bodies to undermine the story."
Garen grabbed Luxanna and me and hauled us back into the office moments before Wisteria and the other broken mages started blasting away at us. "Uncle! You would damn yourself for a kinslayer?!"
Eldred sighed. "I will damn myself a thousand times over for Demacia. You would never understand, boy. You treasure your honor and decency, but I burned mine long ago. Such pride and weaknesses have no place in the heart of a true servant of the crown."
I groaned. "Yes, he's gonna try to kill you even though he's your uncle, he's a fanatical asshole!" A fanatical asshole who currently had a small cadre of mages he'd apparently tortured, brainwashed, drugged, or all of the above into following his orders. "Lux, is there anything you can do about his goon patrol?"
Lux grimaced. "I can't beat a dozen mages on my own, no. I could try blinding them or turning you invisible or shielding you, but..."
"Yeah, the numbers game." I quickly got to work pulling Pow-Pow's components out and putting it together. The firepower would be a big equalizer, though I wasn't sure if it would be enough by itself. I'd definitely do a boatload of damage, maybe even kill all twelve of them, but I didn't love my odds of being able to pull that off without eating a lightning bolt or fireball to the face.
"I'll draw their fire," Garen offered. "My armor's thick, and I won't go down easily. I should be able to buy you two enough time to—"
"Sit your noble self-sacrificing ass down," I cut him off. "Everyone's making it outta this in one piece. I just gotta figure out a good plan to do that."
As I grabbed an ammo belt and fed it into Pow-Pow, my hand brushed against my pocket, and I remembered the vial of Shimmer. The supposedly stable variant that'd give me a boost without driving me crazy or turning me into a crazy mutated freak. Probably.
Sure, dosing up on Shimmer was a phenomenally bad idea, but desperate times call for desperate measures...
