[closed]

[techmaturgy]

Who: Viktor & friends
When: Late September through early October
Where: Cadens, Nocwich, perhaps elsewhere
What: quest stuff + closed starters
Warnings: will add as needed!

[closed starters in the comments! If you want me to write you something, just hit me up on plurk at whitticus or on discord at whitticus.]

Comments

[techmaturgy]

Something involuntary. Unconscious.

[It's just a theory--yes, Viktor is fairly convinced of it, even if Rhy has his doubts. He frowns, considering.]

Have you ever been frightened by your own power?

[Perhaps that's a rhetorical question, an invitation for Rhy to put himself in the Singularity's position, such as it might be.]

[londonbound]

[ Rhy hesitates, considering this. It seems to strike some sort of chord, though he doesn't quite explain. His voice is low, and the set of his shoulders deflates a little. ]

...something like that.

[ Less his own power (he'd had none before coming here) and more power that he'd wanted, taken, that wasn't his and cost him everything.

But he understands that's not what Viktor means. What he is getting at. Rhy nods. ]

It's an explanation I hadn't considered.

[techmaturgy]

[Of course, Viktor has no evidence for any of this, only his own theories, but he can see that Rhy is starting to take it into consideration. Viktor studies him for a moment, knowing it's not his place to pry, but feeling slightly curious, regardless.]

I'm not saying the Singularity can experience fear in the way humans do, but...

[He offers a shrug. All they can really do is contextualize this in the only way they know how. The Singularity doesn't have a mind. It doesn't have human feelings, but perhaps they can understand regardless.]

That's what you felt. Yes?

[londonbound]

[ Rhy nods again. He leans forward, keeping his voice low so that Viktor can hear him, not quite a whisper but private between them. ]

I know I've implied it before. But in light of your research into the Singularity...

I can feel its emotions, if they can be called that. You are right that they're not quite human, but they are just as real. Even more raw.

It was afraid. Fear is a universal emotion, I suppose. Anything can be afraid, even a magical construct.

[techmaturgy]

[This is not necessarily a surprise to him, given what he knows about Kell, but Viktor listens carefully anyway, understanding that this is likely not information that he wants to be public knowledge. He supposes they could argue the semantics of just what it is the Singularity is feeling, but Viktor understands.

He considers this for a moment, before he answers.]

When I built the Hexcore--and used it, during my procedure, it called out to me.

[So he understands, that magical entities such as the Singularity can do and feel these things.]

What do you feel, usually?

[londonbound]

[ Rhy hesitates, and then keeps quiet as the server returns with their order. He offers her a smile and a nod of thanks, and reaches for his tea. It's too hot to drink, but his fingers wrap around the porcelain of the cup, holding it gently. ]

Usually... I feel little. If I concentrate, there's something there, like a soft background noise drifting on the wind.

When I visit it in the Horizon, that noise becomes louder, the sensations more distinct. When I touch it, it makes me feel like I am... somewhere outside myself, looking on at my own existence. It's uncomfortable, I admit.

But when there's something wrong-- during the Dimming, or just recently because of the rifts -- I can feel the echo of its 'emotions' as if they were my own.

[techmaturgy]

[Viktor, too, takes a moment to contemplate his tea. He knows a little of this already, just based on what Kell has told him, but hearing it from a primary source is helpful. He listens, carefully, and nods in understanding.]

Do you know why you have this bond?

[They all have a connection to the Singularity, but Viktor understands now that a few of their number have it to a greater extent. This is the first time, however, he’s spoken with someone so frankly about it.]

Was it something you sensed from your arrival? Or did it develop later?

[londonbound]

[ He nods. Yes, he definitely knows why. It's just complicated to explain in full, and involves Kell. Luckily, he also knows well enough from Kell himself that he thinks very highly of Viktor and has put more trust in the man than Kell is usually wont to do. Viktor may even know some of this, Rhy thinks.

And if not, Kell probably won't mind. It's for a good purpose. Even if the shame and hurt of going over his worst mistakes never really gets easier. ]

It was immediate upon arrival. I know this because I had a similar connection before coming here.

[ He looks down at the cup cooling in his hands, the next part barely more than a whisper and a sigh. ]

A bond of magic strong enough to keep me tethered to life -- after I had squandered mine.

[techmaturgy]

[Viktor isn't sure how much he should say about what he already knows, because probably this is a private matter. He's heard part of this from Kell, but this is the first time Rhy has described his end of things, and the circumstances from which the bond stems.

Another person with nothing that awaits them back home but death. Viktor frowns.]

If you could reclaim this bond...would you want to?

[londonbound]

[ Rhy is quiet for some time. He knows how Kell feels, honestly. He knows what Kell's answer to this question would be.

He knows also the depth of the horror that gripped him when he awoke with that scar on his chest and the feeling of Kell's heart beating alongside his own within it. Should he have a choice -- especially one that doesn't end in his own permanent demise -- Rhy knows he could never choose to live out their days as the albatross around his brother's neck.

Slowly, Rhy shakes his head no. ]

It's not something to 'reclaim.' Kell's life is his, and should have remained so. I'm glad for the Singularity's interference.

[ A faint, rough laugh sticks in his throat. ]

After all, it's not as if I want to die. But this way, at least Kell can be free.

[techmaturgy]

[Viktor expects this, in some way. He's a similar kind of person, who would not want to be indebted to anyone else, even if he's sure that Kell does not feel as though Rhy owes him anything. But he knows, too, that this was Kell's choice, and he'd do it again if he were able.

This isn't his business, not really, but the answer informs him regardless.]

Kell wants to be with you. [Whatever form that might take. That much, he's sure of.] And the Singularity seems...volatile. I'm not sure it's sustainable.

[londonbound]

I know. [ Too well. He wants to be with Kell, too, with all of his heart -- but not more than he wants to give Kell the freedom he's always deserved and never been able to have back home.

He sighs, shaking his head slowly. ]

Perhaps you're right about the Singularity. Each year, the Dimming is... alarming. I can feel its distress, its weakness.

Viktor, you've been in Cadens some time. Do you think there's any truth to this matter of the Free Cities' government seeking to actually destroy the Singularity?

[ Really, he's only heard this rhetoric from the crown, mages and politicians in Castle Thorne. It seems to be the sort of 'common knowledge' that never has any tangible backing. ]

[techmaturgy]

[Viktor makes an affirmative noise in the back of his throat and nods. He's heard this from Kell, but doesn't necessarily want to indicate that they've spoken about it. He's still not sure if Rhy would accept any attempts at offering him relief, during the Dimming.

But the Free Cities is something he can speak on. He shakes his head.]

It's posturing. The Free Cities government wants to position itself as everything Thorne is not, but I don't believe they intend to destroy it. Nor could they, even if they wanted to. What the Free Cities wants is to be reliant on technology, rather than magic.

[That is not to say there is no danger. More militant citizens perhaps truly believe that the Singularity should be destroyed, but Viktor thinks Reiner is too smart for that.]