[open] july catchall

[techmaturgy]

Who: Viktor and special guests and YOU
When: July through early August
Where: Cadens, the Horizon, Nocwich
What: open stuff, closed stuff, whatever I WANT
Warnings: general sadsackery, the usual references to (previously) terminal illness, otherwise will list as needed

[open and closed starters in comments! If you want a custom starter or something specific, just hit me up. full horizon details are here for any and all wildcarding needs. For everything else, I’m on plurk at whitticus and on discord at whitticus#8139.]

Comments

cadens (workshop)

[techmaturgy]

i. the workshop, earlier in the month

[Do you need something built? Fixed? Improved? A great idea you absolutely MUST see realized? You have come to the right place. Or you would have, if circumstances were better. Rio Enterprises has always been slightly chaotic, with multiple projects on various worktables, commissions and personal projects both. The walls, plastered with scrap paper and notes and schematics. This, however, is something different.

At first glance, it seems as though the workshop might have been robbed—materials and half-finished projects have been strewn about carelessly, papers torn off the walls and scattered across the floor. There are, perhaps, hallmarks of someone digging through the inventions, trying to find something useful, but ultimately nothing appears to have been removed. Further inspection, especially from those who might frequent the workshop, reveals that this seems to be wanton destruction, carried out by a perpetrator who still resides, unseen, somewhere in the back.

There’s a clatter from the storage room, the sound of something shoved off a tabletop, or furniture being overturned. Maybe something cast out, unapologetically, into the street with a metallic clang and no regard for whoever might be walking by.]

We’re closed. [Said not in the matter-of-fact way that he usually might. The voice that calls from the back room at the first sign of intrusion is pained, angry.] Go away.

ii. the workshop, later in the month

[A few weeks later, things have normalized, as much as possible. The workshop is no longer in disarray. Plans and schematics have started to cover the walls once more. There is an absence, still, but that's harder to scrub out than any physical damage.

There’s a sign, too, posted outside the entrance:]



[Perhaps that’s what you’re here for, or maybe you’re here about a commission. Viktor hasn’t looked sick for some time, but it’s possible old habits are creeping back up on him—dark circles under his eyes, indicative of a lack of sleep. It’s not hard to imagine that he hasn’t been eating, either. Still, he’s more receptive to visitors, looking up briefly from his workstation.]

Do you have something for me?

[A project, a request, a response to his sign, anything. He needs to busy himself—needs to work.]

Or are you here about the job?

ii. the workshop

[oversight]

Oh. Um. The job, yeah. I'm here 'bout the job.

[ This is Blake's eloquent admission, somewhat taken aback by not only Viktor's quick questions lacking in salutations but also the dark circles that resemble his own. He hasn't been sleeping well. Maybe Viktor hasn't, either. ]

Does it require workin' with the public?

[ If it isn't obvious by his shifting gaze and shuffling feet, he's not too keen on that part. Even before the money (which he desperately needs), he wants a little access to some peace and quiet. ]

[techmaturgy]

Oh. Good.

[It's possible that, when Viktor posted the sign, he thought he might attract the idle youth of the Summoned. Blake arriving about the job is slightly surprising, but not objectionable. He swivels on his stool, placing down the little machine he's been tinkering with to give the conversation his attention.]

It can, but doesn't have to. [There's plenty to reconfigure, now that he's a one-man operation. He's sure he can find something extremely useful for Blake to do that isn't liaise with clients.] I need...assistance. Part time. Facilitating operations in Aquila, making deliveries, helping around the workshop. Do you have an interest in engineering?

[oversight]

[ Blake is one of the idle Summoned, certainly, although youthfulness hasn't been within his grasp since arriving naked in this place. He studies the surroundings, awkward in his admission. ]

Yeah. I'm handy. My dad was an engineer. Sorta. Heavy machinery. Upkeep and the like.

[ Blake's father had always known how everything worked, at least as far as Blake could recall, and in subsequent years the same curiosity has presented itself in small projects in Blake's spare time. He'd been known to fuss with a VCR for nostalgia's sake, even if none of his home movies would ever play on one. ]

Deliveries are good. Clean up. Don't mind that. Whatever for a quiet coin.

[techmaturgy]

[Viktor's gaze is assessing, but not judgmental. He can't be, not when he's swallowing his pride and asking for help. Maybe he's a bit surprised, to hear that Blake has some practical experience, but he's certainly not going to complain.

Still, he never exactly pegged Blake as wanting to do something like this, though he'll be the first to admit he doesn't know the other man very well.]

Then, I suppose my only other question is--why here?

[There are many jobs available in Cadens, though of course many Summoned go out of their way to avoid working for the military. Maybe that's what this is about.]

the workshop, earlier in the month

[theidlemaiden]

[ Something metal and large rockets towards the ground inches from where she would have been had Hilda heard the heave from above her that had come seconds before it fell. The other people on the street seem equally as shocked as she is by a foreign object narrowly missing her, but after a moment of shock she manages to shake it off with a, "Nothing to see here everyone!"

Following no answer from Jayce about their usual tutoring time, she had already been en route to the workshop for their appointed time. She hadn't known what to expect, but it hadn't been narrowly meeting her demise by a large metal object falling from the sky.

With Perry's help she manages to lift the object and carry it towards the door of the workshop. What is meant to be a joking whine about hazards and lack of spatial awareness dies on her lips the moment she sees the state of the workshop. That the men have been robbed is her first thought, or maybe worse, the Academy has come back to rifle through their work again, but then she hears Viktor's pained voice.

Quickly she rushes into the back, Perry and the large metal piece in tow. ]

Viktor? Are you alright? What happened?

[techmaturgy]

[It was foolish, perhaps, to think that his outburst might go unnoticed, even when it spills out into the street. Perhaps there's a part of Viktor that still expects little attention to be paid to him. Not really the case anymore, given his newfound status in Cadens, but old habits die hard, and he isn't really interested in keeping up appearances at the moment.

Hilda is, perhaps, one of the only people he isn't inclined to throw out immediately, not that it makes it any easier, to be found like this.

Viktor is in the back room, slumped against a bookshelf, having apparently given up trying to overturn everything within arm's reach, though it's difficult to tell if his pain is physical or otherwise. Probably both. His face screws up when he sees Hilda in the doorway.]

I'm-- [He doesn't know what to say, or where to start. How can he?] I'm sorry, I didn't mean--

[To worry you, even though all of this must be incredibly worrying.]

[theidlemaiden]

[ Seeing him in this broken forms cracks along her heart and only serves to enhance the sinking feeling in her stomach. If the workshop looks like this and Viktor is alone -

Trusting Perry to handle the part and lock the door, she's by Viktor's side in seconds. Her first course of action is to check for any physical damage. Thankfully, most of the damage seems to be towards the things around him. A mess can be cleaned up, and parts can be repaired, but something she can't see is a little more difficult to take care of. At a glance it doesn't look like he's hurt physically, but that doesn't alleviate any of the worry that had taken root. Neither does the apology that he utters. ]

What are you apologizing for?

[ There's no lilting mirth that would usually accompany her question. Instead it's laced with concern as she gently places a hand on his back to support him, ground him somehow. ]

Why don't we get you into a place that's a little more comfy than the floor - can you stand?

[techmaturgy]

The mess.

[He gestures, vaguely at said mess. Viktor probably doesn't need to say that he's the one who caused it, at this point. He hopes he doesn't need to say why he's here, alone, with the workshop in this state, but that's mostly because he doesn't think he can bring himself to voice it.

Viktor makes no moves to get up, even as Hilda tries to encourage him. It seems he's fully content to stay right on the floor, and in response to her question he curls in on himself, burying his head in his arms. Something inside him seems to shatter.]

I told him-- [The words are muffled, broken up by a futile attempt to suck in air. He shudders.] I knew this would happen. I've been trying to find--to find some way to safeguard against it, but I wasn't--

[It's too far beyond him, the magic too powerful and obscure. He never would have figured it out fast enough.]

i. earlier

[godshattering]

[ It's been a little while since their last talk, and when he finds himself with an afternoon free Claude decides to stop by to see if Viktor's free. He has no real data in the way of what plants are growing or how yet, given that the experiment's barely started. There's a partially formed idea in his mind relating to it which might be worth pursuing so he makes a stop at a bakery on his way, intending on possibly also bribing Viktor and Jayce both into taking a short break from whatever they're almost certainly hard at work on.

Until he walks in and realizes: the workshop is a mess. Claude stands in the center of it and just looks for a good minute or so, then sets down the box he'd brought with him on a table that somehow has free space. He starts with retrieving the papers from the floor, somewhat shuffling them into an aligned stack as he goes without bothering to put them in order. That can wait until later.

With the papers mostly cleared in one area he shifts to picking up this object or that one. They must make more noise than he realizes - not that he was particularly trying to hide his presence - but it's enough to alert someone else. The crash of something else is enough to get him to stop in place, but the voice and that harsher than usual tone is enough for him to get moving again as he calls back. ]

I gathered as much, but I'm not planning on leaving.

[ Whatever else needs to be cleaned up can wait. Claude walks towards where Viktor is and then stops in the doorway. There's much he could say, much he could ask, but he'll wait to see what response he gets to that first. ]

I'll go lock the doors if you'd like me to.

[techmaturgy]

[Yes. Locking the doors probably would have been smart, but Viktor isn't exactly thinking clearly at the moment. He doesn't emerge from the back room and only calls out when he hears someone in the front, probably hoping they'll just go away.

But it's Claude, and of course he isn't going to leave. Viktor doesn't bother to get up to meet him, staying right where he is on the floor of the back room, as if the very thought of standing is too daunting. He doesn't say anything for a moment, as if deciding whether or not to lash out again, but then his shoulders sag and his gaze drops to the floor.]

That's...probably a good idea.

[godshattering]

Alright, just hold on a moment.

[ A small pause for the conversation about to happen because it can wait long enough to make sure no one else wanders into the workshop for now. There will be other visitors later, he's sure, but for whatever's going on: Viktor deserves some peace.

It takes but a minute or so for Claude to make his way back through the workshop's state of disaster towards the doors in question, to secure them into place so any visitors will have to announce themselves with something far louder than him walking in to start cleaning up what he'd discovered. The latter is another item on the list of things which can wait because grabbing the box of assorted pastries and breads he'd forgotten about to bring it back with him takes priority on his return trip.

The box is set on the floor in front of and slightly off to Viktor's side to allow space for Claude sitting down next to him which he does with no hesitation, drawing one knee up to rest an elbow on it. Despite the (sort of) relaxed posture, concern still runs rampant beneath it as he studies the man next to him. ]

I'll keep you company until you want to talk, if you even do.

[techmaturgy]

[Viktor isn't going anywhere, and it's clear that locking the door wasn't at all on his mind, so he doesn't stop Claude from taking care of it. There's nothing for him to do about it, anyway--getting up is too much effort, and he's run out of furniture to overturn. So he waits, miserably, until Claude comes back into the room and takes a seat next to him.

He's not in hysterics the way he was with Hilda, but a despondence permeates the room regardless. Viktor sits quietly for a long moment, not knowing how to begin.]

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to worry you.

ii

[nadine_he_loves]

[Nadine has known Viktor for a while now. She knows the type of person he is, so she's skipped the traditional sympathy gifts. No baked goods, no pre-cooked meals, no basket of snacks on this first check-in. She doesn't lead with 'I'm sorry' or 'how are you?'. It's obvious how he is, and she imagines he doesn't want to be asked anyway.]

Yeah, actually. I brought you a book.

[She holds up a heavy hardcover tome.]

I found it when I was grabbing textbooks for when the new year starts. It's on the history of medical technology in the Free Cities. Thought it might have some stuff you'd find interesting.

[A distraction, really. And yes, something of an excuse to check on him, because she knows better than to make a fuss.]

Uh...and some drugs, if you want them.

[techmaturgy]

Oh—

[A book is, perhaps, the only thing that will perk him up, though he still seems a bit halfhearted as he reaches for it. Viktor doesn’t necessarily need treatises on the medical technology in Cadens, but it’s interesting to him regardless, and he can appreciate the fact that she knows not to approach him with pity, but with distractions.]

That’s very thoughtful. Thank you, Nadine.

[To the offer of drugs, however, he shakes his head.]

I need a certain…clarity of mind. For my current project. But business is good, I hope?

[nadine_he_loves]

Yeah, you're welcome.

[It's what she'd like someone to bring her, were she in this position. Hell, she has been in this position, though the surrounding circumstances were far different. Still. She'd loved Flagg at the time, and it had pained her deeply to lose him.]

And understood. Just wanted to offer. But yeah, business has been really good. The apothecary part of the clinic is really busy. And this time of year, I can't keep sun cream in stock. But my classes are on break right now and I have more staff, so I can give it plenty of attention.

[She can't complain. She has a successful business and student practice, and her and Julie's diversifying into Vegas Botanicals has only helped things.]

You should come by me and Julie's and see my new greenhouse some time.

late july; lab.

[gynvael]

[ Geralt's only returned from the wastelands a day ago with Jaskier. It's late into the month, and he's busy restocking his supplies when Jaskier asks him to retrieve some equipment from Viktor. The previous time he and Viktor spoke, they had not ended on the most amicable note—but, never one to fuss over how others might feel about him (with rare exceptions), Geralt agrees.

Besides. He's aware of what happened to Jayce. Hard not to notice the absence of Cadens' once ever-present blacksmith. He hasn't spoken to Viktor about it; they haven't got a relationship of that kind, and he imagines those closer to the man will look in on him. But since he's to come by the lab nonetheless, he may as well...see how Viktor is doing.

He eyes the sign upon arriving. Then he knocks before pushing open the door. His gaze sweeps over Viktor. ]

Jaskier sent me. He said you've some tools for him.

[techmaturgy]

[Viktor, for his part, harbors no grudge—-or, at least, recognizes that their relationship is entirely professional, and is more than content to keep it that way. They may. Not see eye-to-eye about what he did during the kidnappings, but all of that is over now, and there’s no sense re-litigating the argument, not when he can deliver orders and receive commissions the way they’ve always been doing.

He’s a bit less charitable towards visitors nowadays, but he won’t let that get in the way of business. Viktor no longer has a general air of illness, but it seems he’s been lapsing into old habits, the dark circles under his eyes making a return in a way that indicates he might not be sleeping.]

Oh. Yes. [With some effort, he pushes himself to his feet and makes his way towards one of the worktables.] A few small things, to get a head start. Has he told you what we’re working on?

[gynvael]

[ The door shuts behind Geralt as he enters the shop. He makes no remark on Viktor's appearance, but it's evident he notices. He moves towards the same worktable. The supplies and schematics are different from the smithing tools he often saw with Jayce. Geralt has made a few requests from Viktor, but by and large, he went through Jayce, as someone who tended to need weapons more than inventions. ]

Mm-hm. Preserving his music?

[ Jaskier has not shown him the disc yet, though he knows the bard intends to. They've just not found the time between what happened with Ciri, the Feywilds, their travels through the desert. From what he's told—and to be sure, Jaskier has told him a lot, with many animated gestures—it's impressive. Magic can record sound to a degree, but as far as he knows, Viktor has accomplished it without much reliance on magic.

He is glad Viktor has given Jaskier something so important. ]

earlier.

[wiedzminka]

[ It doesn't deter her. Ciri was surprised to find the door unlocked in the first place; maybe he just forgot, but she's already gotten inside and it'll take more than yelling to get her to leave at this point.

She picks her way around toppled chairs and scattered papers toward the door to the back room. Stops in the doorway. ]

I'm not here for the shop.

I'm here to see a friend.

[techmaturgy]

[He imagines word might travel quickly. Jayce is never late on his commissions or deliveries, and Lee has already asked him about his partner’s whereabouts. It’s no surprise that Ciri, who probably has a few outstanding orders, would put the pieces together fairly quickly.

Viktor isn’t unhappy to see her, but he deeply wishes the circumstances were better. Probably he should have locked the door, but now that she’s inside and knows what’s going on, he gestures weakly for her to come in.

Still, he doesn’t make any effort to lift himself off the floor. If she wants to sit beside him, he won’t stop her.]

I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you.

[wiedzminka]

[ For now, Ciri doesn't move closer, letting him have his space. Casting a slow, quiet look around the mess in this room that matches the one outside.

When he apologizes, she only shakes her head. She is sorry too, of course-- but as nice as sympathy might be, both of them know it's not going to make Viktor feel better. Won't ease the heaviness in the air to fill the silence with platitudes.

So Ciri doesn't say she's sorry. She doesn't ask him questions or try to offer advice.

She gestures, instead, vaguely at the room. ]

You need a hand cleaning up?

Or would you prefer getting out of here for a few hours? You could get as soused as you like, and I'll make sure you don't break an ankle getting home.

Suppose there's always the option to stay here and keep throwing things. Won't stop you.

earlier??? middle??? gestures vaguely depending on whenever you want it to be

[falcony]

[ truthfully, sam has been fighting himself since he found out about jayce's disappearance. part of him wanted to show up at viktor's that day, knowing how hard it was to have someone just disappear like that, and knowing that viktor would probably be dealing with a lot. on the other hand, though, sam also understood that sometimes it takes a little time for the shock to wear off. that not everyone wants people around when that sort of shit happens.

this back and forth goes on for a bit, which is why - when sam does finally arrive - it's in some nebulous in-between time. he knocks all the same before stepping inside, the box where he keeps his wings in both hands. the workshop isn't in complete dissaray, necessarily, but he still hears the we're closed yelled from the back room. sam may or may not take a moment to see the chaos of it all, feeling a worried sort of curl in his gut as he does. ]

Viktor, my man! [ sam calls back, a bit louder as he sets the box down on the least chaotic table space he can find, and pulls off the bag hanging from one shoulder. ] I brought food!

[techmaturgy]

[It's for the best that Sam doesn't visit right away--Viktor is in little mood for company, and more than anything he hates being pitied. A parade of condolences would have done more harm than good. Made him pull further into himself. He has to be coaxed out, slowly but surely, and that takes time.

He's in better shape now, but that's not saying much. He still calls out that they're closed when he hears someone enter. Sam is going to let himself in, he knows, but that doesn't mean he has to be thrilled about it. When Viktor appears from the back room, it's clear he's been slipping back into bad habits--a lack of eating and sleeping, more focus on his work than on caring for himself.]

Oh. [The food is just a vehicle to see how he's doing, which is badly. Viktor stands in the doorway, looking slightly caught off-guard.] You didn't have to go out of your way for that.

[falcony]

[ time and consistency, from what sam has seen. he was okay to wait a little longer before he showed up, and now that he's here, he's come armed with physical items and also certain expectations of what he'll probably see. and truthfully, viktor doesn't look nearly as bad as sam would have expected - granted, he also didn't see viktor in the worst of it.

but what sam does see is viktor looking thin and exhausted, both things he thinks he might be able to help with. or, at least, he would like to think he could. ]

You're not out of my way, man. Plus, from the looks of it, you need it. So do you want to eat now or later? [ sam, despite how viktor looks caught off-guard and a bit lost, smiles. he's not going to pretend viktor looks good, but he's also not going to treat him like he's fragile, either.

and the food smells great by the way, and sam's pretty certain he knows what the answer's going to be whether viktor agrees. he's just sort of hoping viktor doesn't see the box where he keeps his wings too, at least not yet. ] Well?