Reichstein

The path to his lab was dark. Not many dragons got up as early as Reichstein did. It was fine, the dark. The eerie quiet. It relaxed him. His talons echoed in the hall with each step. Tap, tap, tap. He stepped into his lab and the automatic light sensors flashed the room in a bright white light. Reichstein squinted for a moment as his eyes adjusted. Once he could see again, he looked around the lab. On the left wall, the cabinets were filled with various chemicals and ordered in both the state (solid or liquid) and alphabetical. His lab book was on the island table in the center of the room, it’s black cover a stark contrast against the white of the tabletop. The right wall had a couple sinks and more cabinets above the counter tops and under the sinks. Those cabinets contained the glassware Reichstein worked with, also organized by size and type in alphabetical order. On the wall opposite the door was his fume hood and emergency eyewash and shower.

Reichstein opened his lab book and read over his notes from the previous day. A noise in the hallway steals his focus. Tap, tap, tap. His door opened and in stepped his brother. Ehrenfest was happy. He’s not usually this happy unless he’s got a new doll.

“Hello Ehrenfest. You’re in a good mood.” Reichstein said looking back over his notes.

“Yes. I am. I found a new doll for my collection. And, as much as I enjoy time in my lab, I need a breather. A new perspective. See, I LOVE my dolls, but they’re floppy and tend to lose some of their charm. I heard of a new thing. I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind if I raided your chemicals.” Ehrenfest cocked his head to the side. A wicked smile spread across his face.

Reichstein slammed his lab book closed and gave his brother a bewildered look. “You’re interested in chemistry now?”

“No. I just want some arsenic and borax. Maybe some alum as well.”

Reichstein was interested but he didn’t want to give his brother these random chemicals without any supervision. He gathered them but also rang up to, Pascal. The Tundra took his time making his way down to the lab where the two Imperial brothers waited. After hearing what Ehrenfest had to say, the three went down (with the requested chemicals) to Ehrenfest’s lair. The dolls he made watched as the three dragons began cleaning up the workstation, set up everything, and began their long work.

They had to call their superior, Celsius to help them with some of the skeletal structure and how to mimic musculature with different material. The muscles of a dragon are different from polyurethane molds. Ehrenfest argued about the mold but eventually listened to Reichstein’s suggestion. The mold would last longer and with the arsenic, would keep rot and bug away. They worked all day, and finally, as the sun set, they finished the taxidermy.

“Well,” Pascal said. “This… this is amazing.”

They stared at their handiwork. The hatchling looked lifelike and frozen in time. He looked happy as he ran one talon out poised to hit the ground, his hindquarters up in the air. Natural.