"And also I definitely need to dispose of my weapons today, he'll know the best place for it. Three days is the rule of thumb, even if regulations say five."

And soon they're on their way. 

"Maybe there are magic disposal methods. There must be lots of magical alternatives that no one bothers to share."

"Mm, I think science is better at scale, at least given my kind of magic. A few thousand people can use a train, but a Witch can only fly half a dozen passengers at the very most."

"I'll ask the expert if ours is the same way." 

They head out in Lydia's car. 

And in time, they arrive.

"There are new patients, so that means people who can't know about magic. I assume there's some kind of vetting system on that, but I'll have the chance to ask."

"I'll keep pretending I'm one of those costume people."

The doctor is examining his patient. 

The man worriedly observing his dog does not pay much attention to the cosplayer/historical reenactor. 

"Hey. Dr. Deaton should be done in about ten minutes. Is there anything I can do for you?" 

"Answer a bunch of random annoying questions about how much things cost here? I'm making a price index, now that I read what one is."

He is quite cooperative about that! 

Soon she has a basic understanding of  local prices.

It looks like the doctor is just about finished. He sends the stray human out the door, and now it's just the four of them and the dogs. 

"Hello again. I hope you had a good night." 

"Not particularly, alas."

And she explains the events of the party.

"Ms. Martin, are you alright?" 

"Peachy. Can you help her dispose of her weapons?" 

"...What kind of conditions do they need?"

"...Well they told us not to touch them after, because of the mercury, I don't really know after that."

"How sensitive are they? I can use magic to protect from the effects of poisoning but  I'll have to move them somehow, afterwards. How long has it been already?"  

"They're not armed, once they are that is very but just primed and not armed I could probably drop one a few feet and it'd be fine, though I couldn't set it on fire and expect the same. Fifty-seven to sixty hours since the fuses were assembled - The technical manual says they're good for five days in ideal conditions, but the grease monkeys' rule of thumb is three, so we're pushing it."

"Give me twenty minutes to set up the ritual, that should neutralize the risks at least long enough to dispose of them. We can talk while I work, if you'd like." 

"I think I need to know more about pretty much everything here? The significance of alphas, any unpleasant surprises that I could stumble on and might not be susceptible to or appropriately dealt with via lightning."

"It's quite a bit to cover. Alphas can turn people into werewolves. Those werewolves are their betas, part of their pack. Sometimes, instead of turning, a scratch can result in death. Alpha claws have unique properties; when attached to a living alpha, they can steal and implant memories. The claws of a dead alpha can still store these memories. Alphas can pass on their status either to an heir or an usurper- either way, upon their death." 

"Aw, damn, mind games confirmed. I suspected it already. That kind of thing is scary."

"Beyond the memory manipulation, alphas are not able to affect minds- but they can cause their betas to transform against their will, which amounts to the same thing."

"Werewolvishness is a very mixed deal. Any chores I can do to help with the ritual?"

"It's mostly about gathering the right ingredients, and mixing them properly. Everything I need is in the office already. If you or Ms. Martin would like to fetch items, or learn the proper way to combine them, you're welcome to do either."