Journal Research

++PROJECT STYX++
+Postulate: It is possible for Magical Girls to harness the power of Witches
+Working Hypothesis: Taking the above statement as true, then it is most likely that the means to achieve so lies in one of the following channels.

++Channels
Integration		* Consumption of With Flesh (Differences in Familiars/Actual Witches?)
				* Consumption of filled Grief Seeds
				* Focus on Witch-like magical abilities

Merging			* Soul Gem tampering (Through Grief Seeds? Incubator tech?)
				* Body Tampering (Prosthesis parts? direct Augments? extremely high rejection risk)
				* Direct Interaction (Almost impossible, high risk low reward but interesting)

Controlled 		* Acclimation to and maintain of high Grief levels
Degradation		* Acclimation to Barriers and the presence of Entities
				* Partial WO Theory (requires research into other work sources)



++++Integration Research:
++Observation:
- The current empirical evidence suggests a correlation between the consumption of Witch Flesh and various degrees of the Integration phenomenon.
- The empirical evidence suggests that either merely consuming small amounts is not sufficient to exhibit Integration or that different Magical Girls have different degrees of affinity with it. Further research is required, but so far observations are as follow:
	*Two (2) girls consuming Witch Flesh from Familiars somewhat regularly over 3 weeks have exhibited mild Integration traits.
	*Two (2) girls having consumed Witch Flesh from Familiars once displayed no trait whatsoever.
- Common negative or neutral symptoms reported by Subjects experiencing Integration include: visions, nightmares, heightened hunger, heightened aggression, heightened boldness, fevers. Whether these symptoms are coincidental or symptomatic require further testing.
- Positive symptoms reported by Subjects experiencing Integration include:  Empowered magical abilities, heightened physical capabilities

- Under those observations, it is possible to make the conjecture that in Magical Girls with sufficient Affinity, the use of Witch Flesh can be assumed to produce mild effects of Integration. Several further Hypothesises can be derived from this conjecture:
	* Heavier use of Integrative processes may induce heavier results.
	* With insufficient amounts consumed, no Integration is made.
	* Some Magical Girls may have a higher natural affinity than others.

++Planned actions:
- Consumption of the Witch Flesh will have to continue for the purpose of observing any potential long-term effects that did not or can not manifest with only short term use.
- If at all possible, it would be interesting to convince others into at the very least sampling it at least once, or ideally more than that, for the sake of diversifying the data. It would be possible to just hide it among 'normal' food, but I do not think I have the heart to pull such deceits. If all else fails, I may be forced to get in contact with Edith and inquire about her statements about it being a common thing in the Cult.

++Addendum:
- It has come to my attention that, especially after the event during which I fell ill, the drive and cravings have become stronger. They are still well within the levels I can manage, but they are now ever-present in the back of my mind, never quite disappearing. In parallel, the taste has also greatly improved and I do not believe this is any difference in my skills or the freshness of the meat, so I can only assume it is a mental or physical after-effect beyond my control as well. Between this, the need for data, and the beneficial effects, I must confess: I do not believe I can stop myself anymore.



++++Merging Research:
++Observations:
- The last incursion into Alcyone's Barrier provided a shockingly successful incidence of Direct Interaction. This was a complex, unusual situation because the Barrier featured a second Witch-like, humanoid entity beyond Alcyone which displayed intelligence. It was classified as a Familiar by the Officio, but I DO NOT believe so. I was able to somewhat successfully with this entity on two occasions, during one of which she seemed to imply she was being controlled against her will to be here and during the other I seemed to have successfully convinced her not to attack my Cell. This being is of utmost interest and could be the key to many unsuspected secrets, my Cell has nicknamed her 'Birdo' but I have decided to give her the most appropriate nickname of 'Mephisto'. It is imperative that I prevent my Cells from engaging her or attempting to kill her.

++Planned actions:
- For an easier communication with Witch-like beings, it is necessary for me to continue practicing until I can successfully speak in proper Runescript. Attempts should be made at every reasonable opportunity and particular attention should be given to trying to figure out and perhaps even index the various dialects of Witches in a lexicon.



++++Controlled Degradation Research:
++Observations:
- Empirical Evidence is currently lacking, but a limited experiment involving Grief Seeds and alternate means to expose a Magical Girl to their effects has induced a state akin to heavy psychedelic drugs, accompanied with what appears to be premonitions, at least one of which ended up realizing itself. Further experimentation is required to see if this is a set pattern or a coincidence.

- Investigation into the Alcyone case and Tomoe's own research logs indicate very strongly that either Officios themselves or sub-factions within Officios have been working, with some marked results in her case, in the semi-artificial creation of Witches from Magical Girls with specific features an purposes. It also suggests some other factions may have interesting data on various aspects of my research. Further research into Tomoe's own investigations and that of named "Morrigan Faux", an alleged expert on mental magic, could prove instrumental into greatly accelerating the project. Investigation into the Project Hyades file could also prove fruitful if it can be acquired somehow

++Planned actions:
- Before anything else, it is necessary to either confirm or disprove the currently suggested side-effects of direct Seed exposition so that a solid basis can be defined. The only way to do so will be to repeat the experiment as many times as possible to gather the data, but it will prove difficult if I am always surrounded by others because I have suspicions the side-effects may be greater than I initially accounted for, and could be found out too easily without enough care.
- Once that is accomplished, it would be interesting to compare the effects of Grief Seeds of varying levels of accumulated Grief and varying levels of power, to determine if those two variables have influence how a magical girl is affected.
- Since there might be bias, it would also be important to try to find others willing to take part in the experiment to ensure results are consistent from one magical girl to another. This might prove difficult however as my current Cell has already expressed serious reluctance at the idea. If it comes to it, the only choice left may end up being to get in contact with the Cult. As much as I dislike the idea, they may be the only ones willing to openly discuss about this and provide assistance.