abraxaslogs | january catch-all

[ Kahlil has kept the little mechanical toy dog on his nightstand. No one in Thorne has troubled him over it.

Viktor had seemingly left the invitation to his domain open last they spoke. It takes some time between the holidays and the island for Kahlil to venture back into Horizon, and specifically toward the now familiar wall and river that marks where Viktor's laboratory is located within. He takes the 'long way', the old lift that brings memories of Vundomu.

Within his own domain Kahlil can sense when others have entered. It's not always the same for everyone, he knows, so just before he enters the lab proper he calls out: ]

Viktor?

[ He is, as usual, dressed in his priest garb, without any visible weaponry. ]

Edited 2024-01-04 23:22 (UTC)

[The invitation had been fairly straightforward, for someone like Viktor, even if he didn't actually utter the words "come to my domain". But it was all implied--if Kyle wants to see the automaton, the only place for that is the Horizon. Despite the fact that he's theoretically expecting visitors, and receives that little mental alert when he has a visitor, sometimes he's busy, or too wrapped up in what he's doing to pay much mind to it.

So it's not Viktor who greets Kyle, when he gets to the lab. The creature that perks up at the sound of a door opening is amphibian--but very large, and very pink. Surprisingly swift for something of its size, it's quick to close the distance, immediately in Kyle's personal space. The inspection is only interrupted only by the distinct sound of Viktor's cane against the floor.]

Rio--

[The lack of urgency in his voice indicates that Kyle is likely not in danger, and as soon as he emerges from the depths of the lab she rushes back over to get attention from him, instead.]

Leave him alone.

[ Kahlil, who is expecting to see a robot, is not prepared to suddenly find a large, pink... reptile? bounding in his direction.

He reacts the way most people would, probably - and silently vanishes into the Gray Space before it can get close enough to properly inspect him. He stays there for a moment or two, watching the mannequin-like view of the lizard return to the equally uncanny valley version of Viktor's hunched over form, before reappearing just off to the side of him...

.. the opposite side of him, specifically. So that Viktor is between him and the too-large pink dinosaur-creature. Kahlil peers down at it. ]

... hello. [ he says, warily, from around and slightly over Viktor. Then, to Viktor. ] A friend?

Edited 2024-01-06 08:18 (UTC)

[Well, Viktor supposes that Kyle cannot be blamed. He's desensitized, by now, but he certainly understands how this might be alarming. There's likely not much he can do to put Kyle at ease, but he can receive Rio's attentions until she settles down. With Kyle reappearing on the other side of them, Viktor takes a moment to placate her, stroking her head and scratching behind those pink fronds as one might a pet.

He doesn't seem to be offended, at least.]

A childhood companion, of sorts.

[Maybe not unlike the dog he met. In fact, if Kyle ever has the opportunity to visit Viktor's workshop in the real world, he'll find a metal sculpture of her by one of Libertas' artisans. One of the few things Viktor has commissioned for himself.]

But you're here about the automaton, yes?

[ He watches Viktor treat the creature very much the same as someone would a pet dog, and that does allow him to relax a bit. ]

... you must have been a very brave child. [ he says, matter-of-factly. Or it was much smaller. As it is, the creature could swallow a child whole. But he notices the lack of teeth whenever it opens its mouth, and the gentle affection in its large eyes as Viktor gives it familiar attention.

He steps a few inches out from behind Viktor to better watch them before answering: ]

I am. But it's not a rush. [ He usually doesn't like to stay in Horizon long, but he has time today. Easy to let people assume he's sleeping in after working over the holiday. He knows Viktor prefers to get straight to business though, so he doesn't expect this to take long either way. ]

I didn't have many human friends.

[Viktor has said very little about his childhood to anyone, but that particular fact is probably not hard to guess. Growing up in Zaun meant falling in with one roving pack of kids or another--Viktor, unable to keep up physically just as the they couldn't keep up with him intellectually. So he withdrew into his work, and the occasional inadvisable foray into the ravines that sit below them even now. Of course a child like him would be enthralled by a creature like Rio.

He only wishes it hadn't ended the way it did. But there's the Horizon, at least, even if it's not quite a second chance. Viktor likes introducing her to his visitors regardless, and despite Kyle's trepidation, this is no exception.

And if he isn't in a rush, well. Viktor gestures to a nearby receptacle of purple flowers. They glow softly.]

She's harmless. You can give her one.

[ Given what he knows about Viktor it's not a surprise to find out he was also solitary as a child, though he wonders how much was by choice versus circumstance. It makes him sad to think of him without a confidant who could speak back to him. Viktor has many friends here now, though. Many people who care about him, who would help him. Who worry about his plans - he now suspects Hilda is one of them.

But it seems it's always been Viktor's nature to follow his own path.

Kahlil's gaze follows the motion of Viktor's hand to the flowers, eyeing them curiously before he approaches and picks on up. They're strange and pretty, like something he might've seen in the Feywild. ]

She lives in the river? Or the ocean? [ He cocks his head toward Viktor with the question before gingerly stepping toward Rio, leaning over to offer a flower.

He's curious about the creatures from his world. But here, really, she is a part of Viktor. If he says she's harmless, then he trusts him.

(Unlike Waffle... which probably isn't fair to Hilda, but maybe she recalls her wyvern a bit TOO accurately... ) ]

[He can guess what might be going unspoken here--that it's sad, to have had little companionship growing up, but Kyle knows him well enough by now to understand he shouldn't voice it. If there's one thing Viktor doesn't tolerate, it's pity. He wouldn't be the person he is today without his upbringing in Zaun, for better or worse.]

Her species is ocean-dwelling, originally, but...adaptable.

[Viktor had never asked where Rio came from, and the Doctor used very specific terms when referring to her (a mutation that he cultivated), so he can only assume she was never a wild creature. That said, Piltover's unique position on the coast means it's not out of the question that a Waverider, at some point, might have found its way out of the sea and up the river.

As soon as Kyle takes a flower, Rio snaps to attention, clearly interested in the offered snack. What Viktor did not warn Kyle about is the three-pronged, prehensile, and very slimy tongue that reaches out for the blossom.]

I first encountered her in the ravines, below the wall.

[ The tongue is a surprise, and when they briefly wrap around his wrist while taking in the flower from his palm Kahlil tenses up, going very still. As he's released, so goes the short breath he was holding. His mouth forms a line as he briefly inspects the slimy film left behind on his wrist and hand.

When he glances back at the pair of large, guileless eyes, he can't help smiling - though he tries to hold it back. ]

You're welcome - I think. [ With some of the shock of a strange new beast worn off - mostly from Rio behaving like a massive pet dog, he raises his eyebrows and offers his non-slimy hand to stroke near her chin - and those wiggly fronds if she'll let him. ]

[The good news is that any incidental slime can be willed away, though that doesn't stop Viktor from looking fairly pleased with himself, at this turn of events. Rio looks pleased, too, snuffling at Kyle's empty hand to make sure he's not hiding another flower from her, then leans into the scratches.]

She likes you.

[She likes everyone, but Kyle doesn't need to know the specifics. Viktor himself still doesn't fully understand how the creation of an intelligent being in the Horizon really works, only that it must be an extension of himself in some way. When she's finished with Kyle, she slinks back over to Viktor, who gives her another pet before she slides under one of the laboratory worktables.

With that, Viktor figures it's time to get down to business. He can simply will the automaton into existence, but he wants to explain some of the theory behind it, first, and moves to pull one of the chalkboards into position on the floor tracks.]

I received your gift, by the way.

[Casual.]

[ By the way she acts he can figure as much. Still - ]

I like her too. [ Kahlil smiles to himself as he scratches around her head frills and chin before she departs toward Viktor's side again. He flicks his slimed hand, wiping it on his cloak - even if this all doesn't entirely follow the laws of the real world.

He wonders if Viktor was able to visit her again after he left for his studies, or if he was able to take such a large creature with him to nap like this under his desk. Before he can ask, though - ]

I had help picking it out. [ The gloves, specifically. He steps closer so that he can lean up against one of the desks with a view of the chalkboards being set up, arms crossing over his chest. ] I hope you can use them.

[ And the tea. He glances down at the toes of his boots, then up again. ]

No one's bothered me about the little dog. I have it in my room.

[ Not locked up. ]

Hilda, yes?

[The gloves, anyway. The tea seemed more personal--not that he minds a more practical gift recommended by someone with an eye for fashion. Viktor appreciated both parts of the gift either way, though he's certainly going to rib Kyle a little bit for having to panic-buy something.]

They're very nice. [Nicer than anything he might have thought to buy for himself.] Thank you.

[And Viktor sounds sincere, flashing a little smile as he locks the wheeled chalkboard into place. On it are notes and diagrams of the automaton, the blueprints of its design and the runic array that allows Hilda's magic to bind to the chassis. First things first, however--he perks up at the mention of his own gift.]

I'm glad to hear it. It must be sufficiently un-advanced.

[Which makes him wonder what else they can get away with.]

Edited 2024-01-08 16:06 (UTC)

Hilda. [ he repeats her name with a nod and a sheepish, fond smile as he rubs the back of his neck. She cares deeply about her friends.

The thing is - he had toyed with getting Viktor something when he was making his mental notes of who to buy holiday gifts for - but usually when you give away that you've contemplated assassinating someone, they tend not to want to accept items from you.

His gaze flicks up to catch Viktor's small smile, and he smiles back - somehow both emboldened and miserably perplexed by the current trajectory. He settles on just following along. ]

Harmless - and cute. [ he agrees with another nod. Which doesn't eliminate the possibility of these items being used as a scapegoat in the future but - for now it's fine. His gaze scans the the blueprints on the chalkboard, and mostly he takes in the aesthetics of the design, the runes. ]

I think you might be rubbing off on me - [ he gives a rueful glance around the laboratory and shakes his head ] - I had my own project in mind, but the crown wasn't interested.

[ He has one potential investor, but with that initial strong rejection he's wondering if the idea's really worth it. ]

[Viktor might not have much concern for embellishment or aesthetics, but he does think certain things are cute. Dogs and cats. Rio, apparently. Even if his general philosophy is one of form following function, he can still indulge, especially when it's a gift for someone else.

So he's glad to hear that Kyle likes it. Even better, that he has other ideas. Curious, that he seems to have already pitched it to Thorne, so it can't be anything that advanced, but Viktor is interested all the same.]

A project?

[Here he is, gearing up to give Kyle a full-on lecture about the inner workings of the automaton before he even conjures a version of it, but now all of his attention has shifted. Viktor looks excited to hear this, even.]

What kind?

[ For some reason he thought he would just get to see the robot, not the full in depth explanation of all its inner workings. As curious as he can be about new technology, perhaps the slight interruption is for the best... ]

A bicycle. [ Viktor's probably seen them before, but he closes his eyes for a second and conjures the much less modern one he used with the Lisam runners. When it appears his hand shoots out to steady it so it doesn't fall over. ]

I thought they might be useful for the couriers. I used one when I worked as a runner - they're quick and maneuverable in a city. But Thorne doesn't really see the point, because of the horses. [ He frowns at the bike. Is this stupid? He's not really had to pitch anything like this before, and clearly it didn't go well. He rubs the back of his neck, uncertain. ] I just know some of the new couriers aren't from places where horses are used anymore. Plus, bikes don't use the street as a toilet...

[ He makes a face. Kyle likes animals, but he's not a horse girl.

In any case, the bicycle idea is not really for him. He can go wherever he wants in seconds, minutes. The others can't. He wobbles the bike. ] I did find someone who might be willing to front the cost, for at least one or two of them. Maybe I'm trying to solve a problem that isn't there, though.

[ Another shrug. ]

Edited (last edit sorry don't look at me) 2024-01-09 06:29 (UTC)

A bicycle.

[He repeats that with some amount of amusement, the corner of his mouth quirking upward. Thorne's aversion to anything even slightly technological would be funny if it wasn't so backwards, and it's no surprise that they weren't interested in the bicycle. Why would they be, when there are horses?]

I can design a bicycle. [In his sleep, probably. Then maybe he'll build a fancier one, for the Free Cities, because he doubts he can get away with anything more than two wheels and a frame, in Thorne. Viktor's expression is thoughtful, gears clearly turning.] What happens when they ask you where the blueprints came from?

[ He narrows his eyes slightly, unsure if that amusement is at his expense or not. ]

I could lie and say I did it myself, or someone else from Thorne did it.

[ But he's not entirely certain if they would buy that, and that uncertainty slips into his tone. He knows enough about a bicycle to repair it, at least the one from runners. He frowns at the bike and dismisses it. ]

Would they believe you?

[Of course Viktor is going to design the bicycle. And he doesn't, really, care about sending his inventions to Thorne or Solvunn, but then he's not the one who pays the price, for those kinds of transgressions. If Kyle has someone who's interested, then maybe this doesn't need to be handled as delicately as the camera, but Viktor has stopped being optimistic, when it comes to Thorne.]

I'd like to do this for you. But I don't want to put you in danger.

[ To that he shrugs. Maybe. What do they know about his hypothetical engineering abilities? But - ]

Otherwise I take it through customs and see what happens. [ Less trouble than being caught in a lie, probably. ] See how much they consider a bicycle a viable threat.

[ The merchants in Nurjima seem to think so.

He frowns again, raising both eyebrows. ]

I came to see you, and your robot. [ He nods at the chalkboards. ] Not ask for things.

[ Even when he had asked about the camera it had been partially an excuse to talk. ]

I'll keep it as simple as possible.

[No motors, no flashy attachments or accessories, nothing that could be construed as distinctly of the Free Cities. He thinks he might even have to forego rubber tires and let the Thornean mages enchant the wheels as they see fit. Maybe that will give them greater ownership of it--be less threatened by what is clearly a piece of technology.

There's some guilt, maybe, in Kyle's request. An attempt to get Viktor back on track, maybe, but an apology, too.]

You can always ask for things. [If Viktor doesn't want to do it, he has no problem saying no--but he wants to keep busy, and he enjoys being something of an expert opinion among the Summoned, at least in these matters. There is a part of him, too, that equates his own worth with the things he can build for other people. Of course he wants to take this on.

And, if his work keeps giving Kyle an excuse to come see him, well. He thinks he enjoys that, too.] I like the work.

[ Simple he nods at. After so many conversations Kahlil trusts that they're on the same page about what they can get away with. And at this point he's let go of whatever remaining guilt-fueled suspicions he had about Viktor possibly making things difficult for him in retaliation.

He gives him a funny look at you can always ask for things, like he's said something particularly odd, then glances down at his shoes again. He expects the same offer is open to most everyone here, but just for a moment he enjoys - a little selfishly, to have that kindness directed his way again. ]

I know. [ He glances back up at him, another slight nod. Viktor needs this work the way that Kahlil needs his own purpose. There's a pause, then: ]

I didn't have many friends either. Not before here.

[ Even after the gift, and the open invitation here, he still doesn't know if it's right to call him a friend. ]

Then we're both making up for lost time.

[He wants to ask outright why that was the case, but he knows that might push too far--and Kyle hadn't asked Viktor to elaborate in turn, so maybe this is a boundary that needs to remain where it is, for now. It must have something to do with his religious upbringing and the duties he feels beholden to, but despite the fact that he finds himself wanting to ask, and to know, he's kept Kyle long enough. He's here to see the automaton, and Viktor should oblige him.

With one more adjustment of the chalkboard, pulling it a bit further along the track, Viktor takes his place in front of it, as if he's about to give a presentation, or teach a class.]

Do you have anything like this, where you're from? Automatons?

[He's asked before, he's certain, but Kyle's answer will provide a helpful frame of reference, and will inform where he begins.]

[ Maybe they are.

He lets Viktor take the conversation back to the automaton, his demeanor shifting ever so slightly. Less tense, closer to relaxed compared to a moment ago. To the question he shakes his head. ]

Not in Basawar, nothing close. On Earth, I don't know for sure. I never saw any on the street.

[ He's fairly certain the kind of automaton he's envisioning is science fiction, though. ]

We don't have them either, not really. This would be a new area of study.

[A fully independent, artificially intelligent robot that is. Something different than the steam-powered constructs that have fallen into disuse in Zaun. He thinks, again, of Tony, and the things Viktor saw in his Horizon. Machines that are given a set of parameters and then think for themselves.

He gestures to the notes on the board, which include a diagram of the automaton itself. Viktor will conjure up the "real" thing in a moment--he just wants to provide some context, first.]

And what we've developed here isn't true artificial intelligence, not yet. Right now the system is reliant on a particular spell that seems to take simple direction and perform tasks. By binding this spell to a mechanical chassis, we've greatly increased the capacity of what it can do, while...making it an entity of its own, essentially.

[ He nods again. He's still very curious about Zaun and Piltover - he's only had the short history and politics lesson from Viktor, and then the view outside. For now, though, he lets Viktor continue to explain. Artificial intelligence is a term he's heard thrown around before, but it's still relatively foreign to him. His gaze scans over the diagram as he listens, frowning to himself at the explanation of the spell they're using versus what they hope to achieve - ]

Then your goal is to create something that doesn't need your direction? With it's own mind, and soul.

[ He points to the middle of his own chest, eyebrows raising.

Hilda and Viktor want to create life?

It probably shouldn't be a surprise that he makes this leap, given what he is and his experiences. ]

viktor;

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