Viktor (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
techmaturgy) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
abraxaslogs2023-07-03 09:04 pm
techmaturgy) wrote in abraxaslogs2023-07-03 09:04 pm
Entry tags:
[open] july catchall
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 ![[plurk.com profile]](https://plurk.com/favicon.ico)
whitticus and on discord at whitticus#8139.]
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
no subject
You wanna talk about it? [ because viktor is, officially, the one who bring sit up first - even if all he's done is call it the alternative. he's already expecting the no, but sam will try anyway. ] I know it's been a couple of weeks now, but that doesn't mean it goes away.
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[But that's why Sam is here, really--if not to talk about it overtly, then to check up on him and see how he's doing. That's what the food is about, even if he's not going to ask and Sam isn't going to confirm.
How Viktor's doing should be fairly evident in the volume of projects in the workshop and his general appearance, but he tries not to blame Sam for being worried, or offering him the chance to get something off his chest. That's what has him relent, but only slightly.]
Have you ever thought about putting a stop to it?
[The Summonings.]
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[ because he can spot the pushback from a mile away and while he will respect viktor's boundary if that's what he wants to make of this, he just. wants to know if there's been anyone else yet.
sam's gathering his own picture based off the sheer amount of in-progress projects he's surrounded by, but it's the opportunity for viktor to talk about it that sam's focusing on. and it works, at least in some capacity, as viktor continues the conversation with a question. one that, at first, has sam frowning.
it's a moment or two later when he exhales. nods his head. ]
Yeah, I have. But now that the process is out there, I'm worried about it becoming more...I don't know. Underground. The factions are hell-bent on bringing people here, and if we show 'em we don't want them to, there's a lot of ways they could respond and a lot of 'em aren't great. [ the last thing sam wants is any of the factions to start summoning behind closed doors, and holding whoever it is they do bring through captive. ]
Have you?
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[It's selfish and egotistical, to think that his pain is somehow more important than anyone else who has gone through this same thing. What's important now is to ensure the Summoned can choose their own destinies, so nobody has to feel what he's feeling right now.
Viktor studies Sam closely until he relents and replies. He won't deny that any of this is not a concern, but he's always believed that if the Free Cities government was able to steal the ritual, then it is not beyond his own grasp. He's smarter than any of them, after all.]
Yes. Without control of the ritual, we are simply at the mercy of cosmic forces. I'm finding myself less tolerant of that, recently.
no subject
[ which, for all its combative connotation, sam's tone is fairly unassuming. flat, even, as he takes another couple of moments to study viktor. because he knows there is more to what he's saying (anyone could see that) and he knows that the further and further viktor pushes it down, the worse it's going to get.
viktor is planning something. he can feel it in the air. what he is planning, though, sam is trying to find out. the mention of the ritual catches his attention. ]
Makes sense. But what d'you think we should do? They won't let anyone back in the barracks to watch the ritual...
no subject
[If Sam wants to argue semantics. The universe is chaos--it's unfair, and it's always been especially unfair to him. This is just the logical continuation, and though he could certainly say quite a bit about his personal state of emotional devastation, it will not solve the root cause.
So Viktor, as always, has thrown himself into work instead, and finds that much easier to talk about.]
I don't need to see it, necessarily. That would be nice. But I can make do without.
no subject
[ unfortunately, that is a part of the semantics he is willing to argue. and will continue to argue, if viktor is going to keep pushing back. he's used to this, and he's used to the line of thinking to get darker, to lean logical, when nothing about this is logic.
but there's that, and sam's frown is more curious than worried. yet. ]
You can? [ because uh, sam feels like this might be a big deal here. ] What have you found?
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[Viktor makes a frustrated little hand wave into the space between them. He needs to be working, not wallowing in despair, and though he knows it’s impossible not to feel this, but he can at least channel this to some ends. At the very least he seems to have said the right thing to get Sam’s attention off said feelings, and he’ll of course capitalize on it immediately.]
If they were able to figure it out, I certainly can. [What he’s found, however, he doesn’t necessarily plan to offer so freely, not when he sees an opening to turn the conversation around.] Tell me. Would you return home, if you had the means?
no subject
instead, he does follow after the pretty obvious lead in conversation. does feel himself fall fully into it, because this is...well, he supposes this would be exactly what he would find out coming to check on viktor in the middle of his grief-stricken working marathon.
the can he offers does let sam breathe, at least a little bit, even if the question has him frowning. it's a complicated one, he knows that, but he can't help the way his entire chest seems to seize at the thought. would he? ]
Yes. [ there isn't much hesitation at all, in the end. though sam is also quick to follow up with- ] But it'd depend on the means.
no subject
[Work is processing. There's more frustration in his voice than he might have liked to express, but appreciatively, Sam seems to realize that he's pushed just a bit too far.
And Viktor studies him in the aftermath, his yellow gaze sharp, making no secret of the fact that he's very interested in Sam's answer. They have all made lives here, in one way or another, but that doesn't mean it's what everyone wants.]
We deserve a choice. Whether to go or stay. I intend to secure it.
wrapping soon? c:
viktor's interest in sam's answer catches sam's attention, too. because viktor had been part of that first group just as sam had, has lived in the cities just as long. they both share the feeling - of being around long enough to have gained and lost, to have watched themselves age in this life too.
we deserve a choice viktor says, and sam couldn't agree more. it's been the singular stance that he's had since arriving here, the one thing he's been able to find common ground on. but there is something else to viktor's answer, something that isn't stated, but sam can't help but notice.
it'd depend on the means sam had said. and viktor hadn't quite responded to that, had he? ]
I want to help. [ sam adds, because he does. he does believe they should be able to send themselves back home. should have the choice. ] If you need it.
no subject
His plans are greater than the summoning ritual alone, too, but this is where he has to start. After a moment, he offers a nod.]
Anything you can find out from Reiner about the ritual or past summonings will be...helpful. My sphere of influence is at the Academy. You're much more suited for the political.
[Maybe Sam does not agree, but someone has to say it.]
no subject
they haven't solved any larger issues, and sam knows that it's not like viktor is suddenly going to be better, but it's a step. because they are on the same page, in the end. viktor isn't doing any of this alone.
sam nods, and it is true. whether or not he likes it, he is suited for it and has found himself in a place where he can better accept that. ]
I can handle that. I've been meaning to do some research of my own into a few other things anyway. You collecting all this somewhere or just keeping track of it all yourself? [ aka, does he have some kinda record book that sam can add to and/or make sure what all viktor already knows. ]
no subject
[He has his doubts regarding what Marlo will actually share, but if anyone can get answers out of her, it will be Sam. With Wanda working on the magical angle and Stephen prying Ambrose, well. Viktor thinks they might have a chance.
A better one than they did some months ago, at least. To Sam's question, he nods.]
I have physical notes, here. [Because this will become practical, one way or another.] And there's a study in my domain that you're welcome to visit, if you have, eh. Security concerns.
no subject
[ no, marlo isn't going to be very forthcoming at all. sam doesn't have any hopes up where that is concerned, but there are more people than just marlo who work in cadens. more people than just marlo who have to know something, and that's going to be where he focuses.
viktor mentions security concerns, and sam merely shakes his head. ] Honestly, I'm not sure what to think about Horizon security, what with how the Singularity likes to mess with it from time to time. Nah, physical works for me.
[ and then sam's pushing up from where he'd been settled, checking around on the food and the rest of the shop. ] I won't keep you any longer, I know you're working. [ processing, grieving. ]