[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

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. ]

[techmaturgy]

We recorded his concert at the Old Public Hall, yes.

[Viktor hasn't forgotten Jaskier's reaction. He can't deny the satisfaction, giving him something so meaningful, and true to form he's already thinking about how it can be improved. That's what the box of equipment is for.

He'll have to stop by later to set it up, but at least it will be out of his hands for now. Viktor sounds less enthused than he ordinarily might be, though he's sure Geralt will not begrudge him his mood.]

But I believe we can improve it further. We're going to sound-proof a room and record, ah. An album. Is what I would call it.

[gynvael]

[ Geralt would say he's surprised Viktor is even tinkering with these miscellaneous projects in the first place, given everything, but he isn't. It's precisely what he expects Viktor to be doing.

There are worse ways to grieve.

He waits for Viktor to collect the equipment, not wanting to damage something in the shop. Viktor's inventions always look...fiddly. And sensitive. He takes the box when it's given to him, peering inside. An album. As in...a booklet? Of music? Hm. ]

I'm sure he'll be overjoyed. [ And Geralt is prepared to hear Jaskier's music in every corner of the world, as he did on the Continent. It's inevitable.

He pauses, box tucked under one arm. Seems reductive to ask how Viktor is doing when he can see for himself. ] I am sorry to hear about Jayce.

[techmaturgy]

I’ll be along in a few days to coordinate the set up.

[He’s not going to comment on the timeline, figuring that Geralt understands any delays or de-prioritization on his part are for good reasons. On one hand, Viktor appreciates directness about the subject. On the other, it’s difficult not to feel pitied. His face steels.]

I am not the first person this has happened to. I won’t be the last.

[That’s the truth of their situation, at least until Viktor frees them from the oppressive force of the Singularity. Not something he’s going to say out loud, and it feels selfish, to think that his loss is any more painful than the ones others among them have suffered. He makes an effort to neutralize his expression, though the deliberate movement of his hands betray an anger just beneath the surface. ]

When I first arrived here, alone, I was certain I would never see him again. [He doesn’t think he needs to tell Geralt why that is. Viktor, at the time, recognized that there was a nonzero chance for someone from his world to arrive—-he just didn’t think he’d live long enough to see it happen. Now he’s proved that wrong…but now what?] I should be grateful for the time that I did have.

[gynvael]

[ Eager though Jaskier is, he's certain Jaskier will understand any delays. Besides, the two of them are often occupied as it is; neither have even been in the city this past month.

It's difficult to know what to say to someone like Viktor, who—in a certain sense—carries the same disposition as Geralt. Generally unwilling to speak of their wounds, old or new. Even so, he doesn't necessarily want to let it pass by entirely unaddressed. When Viktor continues, he finds himself staying to listen where he otherwise might've left the conversation at that. ]

Your pain is yours. You shouldn't have to be anything.

[ A century on, and he's grieved and watched others grieve in too many different ways. Some find their path forward; others never do. There are losses he's not ever quite reconciled for himself. He won't pretend to know what Viktor is feeling. ]

[techmaturgy]

[He can coexist with physical pain—-has lived with it, to some degree, every day of his life, and hides it accordingly. Does his best not to let it control his life, because he is so much more than the limitations of his body. This, however, hurts in a way he never could have anticipated, like something has been torn out of him, and nothing he does makes it less acute.]

I know.

[For all of their disagreements (well, disagreement), Viktor can recognize that he and Geralt are perhaps more similar than one might initially assume, in that they do not trouble others with their weakness. He does not need to speak on this any further, unless it’s to channel that pain in a productive direction. Geralt certainly understands that.

Viktor isn’t sure he should divulge what he intends to do, given those that might try to stop him, but he imagines those that know even a little about him might guess where he’ll go from here.]

Tell me. If Ciri were to vanish from this world, to what lengths would you go to find her?

[A dangerous question, maybe, but Viktor asks it deliberately.]

[gynvael]

[ It is a dangerous question. For a long moment, he regards Viktor.

Would there be anything to find? That is not an answer Geralt has. When he left his world, he had no memories of Ciri. When she came to him, she arrived several years into his future. She is his daughter, but the possibilities become endless once he considers what this truly means for...whatever may be out there.

Geralt is not a man who explores those endless possibilities. He lives his life along one path, one step at a time. ]

I would do much to keep Ciri safe. But there is no purpose in preserving the people I love if I can't look them in the eye.

[ Some prices are to steep to pay. Even for him. He's had a long time to learn where he draws the line. ]

[techmaturgy]

[Viktor is not here to judge Geralt's response, nor will his thoughts on the matter particularly dissuade him from what he hopes to do. He's not even looking for validation, he doesn't think--simply declaring his intent in an interest of transparency.]

If I am to stay here, it will be my choice.

[And it's probably not hard to guess that Viktor is not feeling particularly charitable towards the Singularity at the moment.]

And I'm not particularly inclined to let the Singularity take anything else from me.

[His memories, his healed lungs--none of that is negotiable.]

[gynvael]

[ In truth, it is not Viktor's fault that his ambitions provoke an instinctive wariness in Geralt. Ciri's ties to the Singularity and her ability to unlock the monoliths makes it difficult for him to trust anyone who aims to use the ancient relic. For good or ill.

But he does understand where Viktor is coming from. ]

Ambrose believes the Singularity will take everything, as well. That is why he invoked its magic and set this world on a course that's escaped his hands. [ He straightens up from the doorframe. Those who seek to control powers greater than them will always stray or destroy themselves. Sometimes both. He's never seen anything different. ]

You deserve the choice. I hope you get it. But know that your friends here don't wish to lose you, either.

[techmaturgy]

And to what end?

[There has been no war beyond the exchange of blows between Thorne and the Free Cities. The Summoned are kept on short leashes, and aren't even called on to utilize their talents. In Cadens, everyone is mostly left to their own devices. Perhaps in Thorne it's different, but Viktor fails to see the point of it all. He will not let these whims continue to dictate the course of his life, especially not now that he has one.

Of course, that includes friends, as Geralt says. Over time, Viktor has adjusted to the idea that he has friends, and people who care about him, and that he needs to think about their feelings, when he embarks on a single-minded pursuit of a goal. He frowns, eyebrows pinching together at the thought. It's still something that's hard for him to comprehend.]

I have to do this. For all of us.

[He thinks of Tony, pulled back to his own death. How Viktor could prevent that for others, in the future. Those who have made lives here, and want to stay. Everyone here deserves the choice.]

[gynvael]

Exactly. [ To what end. At what cost? He's not certain Ambrose even knows anymore; the king and queen certainly don't give a fuck. As with everything to do with the Singularity, this has gone far beyond one kingdom's ambitions.

And the only ones who have paid the price are those who asked for none of this.

There is more, perhaps, he might consider saying about the line between what you have to do and what you choose to. Another time, another topic, he may have. But he knows Jayce's loss is fresh. He has no wish to dig into a bleeding wound. ]

Just take care. [ He pulls open the door to leave. ] Ciri is quite fond of you.

[techmaturgy]

[They don't always get along, or agree, and Viktor gets the vague sense that he and Geralt might similarly find themselves on opposite sides of this particular venture. Yet again, Viktor knows he'll be trifling with powers beyond his understanding and control, which is not necessarily compatible with the relationships he's built here.]

I know.

[And he's fond of Ciri, too--but he already knows what choice he will make, if given the opportunity. This world is not his. There is belonging here, but not for him, regardless of the friendships he's made.

If there is one thing Geralt is good at, though, it's ending a conversation. Viktor nods, gesturing at the box.]

Tell Jaskier I'll be along in a few days.