The Algernon-Gordon Effect (( OPEN ))

[Jasmine]

June 22. I'm forgetting things that I learned recently...

(( okay so this takes place more in the library? my character sneaked out and likes to visit there, because... well, we'll get to that in just a sec. got the idea for this from the short story "Flowers for Algernon." I was struck by the similarities to my character Gilbert, and decided I'd do something with this. He's been tested with IQ boosting drugs, and since then he's been getting more and more complex and strange thoughts, and learned to read. However, in this thread... ))

Gilbert liked to go to the book place - the library, it was called. Books upon books, words and words and only more words, so much knowledge on those thin pages. This time, though, he found himself confused by the letters on the pale sheets, scrawls of black on an expanse of white.

You know this, he told himself as he stared at the page open before him. You know what it says, Gil. Just focus-

"Ughhh," he groaned, throwing his head back in frustration. "Come on, awesomeness, read!" He squinted his bright red eyes at the words, and tried again. Lassa fever is an acute viral illness that occurs... He blinked. He'd met someone before, someone with this thing.

Hermia, his mind supplies. Her name was Hermia.

Gilbert shook himself and sat back, feeling strangely tired by the struggle to read. Pretty-Blue would probably laugh if she saw me now, he thought. The memory of the pretty female who refused to give him a name, the one with the living blood, was dimming, and it scared him. Don't let me forget her, he begged his mind. I'll be okay with not being able to read, but don't let me forget her, please. He sighed and slumped, unaware of the eyes watching him from the shadows.

I don't want to forget.

[Jasmine]

(( *bump* ))
(( does anyone want to join or ))

[lewis]

(( I might. I mean, Lewis obviously isn't a part of Bringers of Balance but ))

[Jasmine]

(( like i (kind of) said i put it in the bringers of balance area mostly because the setting doesnt really fit into any particular area... this is going on in the library so... ))

[Animus]

(It too late to pop my head in here?)

[Jasmine]

(( isis youre back! its been a long time, how have you been? you're welcome to join, of course! ))

[Animus]

(Yeah Flighty posted something on tumblr that made me think "Man I miss rial." Than I thought "Wait, there's an easy solution to that!" And here I am. Lol. But I've been good for the most part. Can't say I'm the same person I was way back when but I think that's a good thing. Hooray for adulthood I suppose. ~ How's life been treating you hun?
Also I actually have a character that was inspire by Algernon too, though I haven't decided if he'll decline. For now it's just giving him physical reactions. So I guess I'll go with them being part of the same tests. But you can correct Ras and say they're on different versions of the test if you'd prefer.)

Rascal looked about as he emerged from his place tucked among the shelves. He pricked his ears at the sight of another rat. Another rat reading to boot! Perhaps he was part of the same trial he was in...
"Ho there friend!" The brown rat called, scuttling forward. "Looking for a quiet place to read? So I guess you're part of the Gordon tests as well?"

[Jasmine]

(( well, it's good to see you back! i've been good too (and i'd probably say i've changed some too).
yeah, it's kind of funny actually, i made this character long before i read anything about flowers for algernon but then i stumbled across it and i was like "well this is... weirdly similar let's do something with it yeah" so here this thread is lmao ))

Gilbert's head snapped up at the voice. He turned, seeing the other rat, and got quickly to his feet, mentally shaking the thoughts he'd been having off of him. "Hey," he greeted coolly. "Um, yeah. The Gordon tests." Truth was, he hadn't ever heard the tests being referred to as "the Gordon tests" but he had a feeling the brown rat went through the same experiments. Straightening, he said, "I'm the awesome Gilbert. You?"

The act was starting to feel more and more ridiculous as time went by. What was the point of trying to seem so strong and confident when it just made others look at him strange at best and dislike him at worst? Yet Gilbert maintained his arrogant posture as he waited for a response.

[Animus]

Rascal's tail twitched at the other male's tone, but he flashed him a smile none the less. He had heard his verbal slip up, and noticed the tension in his shoulders: something was wrong here. But he brushed it away. Even if something was bothering the other rat, it was none of his business. However he did not relax, there were simply too many unknown variables.
"And you may call me Rascal, if it pleases you." He squeaked formally with a dip of his head.

[Jasmine]

"Rascal," Gilbert repeated. He grinned. "What'd you do to get a name like that?" He turned and looked at the open book again, tail flicking restlessly, and asked, "So you have the tests with the IQ drugs and the intelligence tests and everything, right? The Gordon tests." Whatever you call them, he thought to himself. "Or is that something else? I mean, not that I don't know," he added quickly. "Just- uh, just clarifying."

[Animus]

Rascal flashed the other rat a grin of his own. "Right on the money, my friend." He turned and scuttled his way up the book shelf, slipping behind the books in a blink of an eye. After a short moment one of the larger volumes fell to the floor with a soft thump, revealing the brown rat with that same grin still plastered on his features. "And as for the name," he began, hopping down from the shelf to begin flipping through the pages. "I've been told I have a knack for making messes."