[OPEN] february catchall

[techmaturgy]

Who: Viktor and Friends
When: Early February
Where: Cadens, Nocwich
What: a little afterparty, Nocwich weekend, maybe some other stuff
Warnings: irresponsible cycling

i. the occasion

Despite various protestations and an insistence from Viktor that all of this should not be a big deal, a response to the Academy is sent, announcements are made, and invitations are distributed with the date and time. He maintains, until the very end, the possibility of renagation up until the hour of his award, but Viktor manages to attend, suitably cleaned up in a new suit that he most certainly did not choose for himself. The affair is formal and slightly stuffy, befitting of the Grand Academy, Aleksander Klinger’s usual dour demeanor providing contrast to both Viktor’s apparent discomfort and the small entourage of Summoned in attendance to show support.

The accolade does not kill him, but in the aftermath he doesn’t linger long. There is always more work to do, whether he is now in possession of a ceremonial degree or not, and Viktor is not the type to rest on his laurels, not when all of this has been more of a distraction from what he really wants to be doing, than anything else.

That, and there’s an afterparty to attend.

ii. the workshop

Viktor’s workshop is a familiar setting by now, especially to those who frequent the district of town lined with inventors' laboratories and machine shops. It can aptly be described as organized chaos. Viktor likes working on multiple projects at once, with pieces of clockwork mechanisms littering the worktables, and the walls are plastered with notes and schematics.

For those reasons, this is not a place conducive to gathering in ordinary circumstances, but Hilda and Jesper have done their best to correct that. Tonight, the more delicate projects have been stowed away, the plans carefully removed from the pinboards. The large bay door has been raised, and warm lights invite visitors in. The interior, too, has been decorated with strings of lights and garland, and at least one Hilda-Most-Certainly-Made-This banner that reads “CONGRATULATIONS VIKTOR” (he probably is doing his best not to acknowledge it).

If not for the decorations, the whole affair could be mistaken for one of the firm’s open houses, but instead of showing off current projects and innovations, an attempt at hospitality has been made, with drinks and snacks, an Academy-loaned gramophone piping soft music through the space. Mismatched furniture populates the room, clearly borrowed from other locations, offering comfortable—if no-frills—room to sit. Anything more, it seems, might be a little too much for the ostensible “host”, who despite his quiet gratefulness for the show of support, seems slightly overwhelmed.

Don’t worry about that. Make yourself at home.

iii. later

Once things loosen up a bit (once the requisite amount of alcohol is imbibed, to provide adequate social lubrication for certain involved parties), the gathering becomes livelier, with card and dice games, and possibly entertainment (to be continued). Viktor himself, now in a jacket that Hilda produced for him with the now-infamous decorative stud fastener, might be cajoled into demonstrating a few of his business’s offerings—all manner of tools and equipment for artisans and monster hunters, everything from a handheld gyroscopic laser cutter to night vision goggles that wick away moisture, to respirators for the desert.

There are slightly frivolous projects, too, like automatic appliances and magic-borne electricity dancing around in a faraday cage. The more alcohol involved, the more likely Viktor might be to show off (with some prodding) something…explosive.

And, of course, the automaton (complete with party hat and bowtie) is active, supplying refills and also fulfilling any requests for hi-fives and handshakes. Of everything that’s happening tonight, Viktor seems most pleased with this, and he can be caught sneaking glances at anyone who might be interacting with it—not unlike a proud parent.

iv. ooc stuff

feel free to use this log as a general mingle, otherwise open and closed starters of my own are in the comments. If you’d like something specific, just hit me up. I’m on plurk at whitticus and on discord also at whitticus.

Comments

[ordinar]

[He inspects. He admires! Honestly, it's pretty fucking cool that Viktor designed and built this thing himself.]

Yeah, Thorne's a little paranoid when it comes to...well, a lot of things.

[He's mindful not to say this too loudly. They're removed from the crowds here along the edge of the square, and they're in very mixed company, but living in the castle for so long has armed him with caution.]

The Queen probably freaked out about the Free Cities gaining too much influence over Thorne's culture. [Only a slight eyeroll.] You know, corrupting the minds of the people.

[Shuffling closer to the bike, he traces the wooden rims. He thinks, but does not say aloud, that these will suck ass on cobblestones.]

[techmaturgy]

A little?

[He gets the idea that Throne is a lot paranoid about a lot of things, but he can bite his tongue, when it comes to his distaste for the Crown. Viktor watches Wilhelm carefully, then decides he can speak a bit more frankly when the kid voices disdain for the Queen.]

Corrupting minds...I'm fine with that. [Especially if it means free sharing of information, technological advancement--Though even that sounds ridiculous, that such a thing might be caused by access to rubber.]

[ordinar]

[Wilhelm chuckles.]

Maybe if you corrupt them enough, they'll eventually warm up to the idea of cars. [It's a stretch, he knows, but it doesn't hurt to dream. Setting his tea down on a low wall nearby, he tests out how the handlebars feel in his grip.] Am I allowed to take it for a test ride?

[Viktor already said he's welcome to try it out, but he just wants to make sure before he hops on.]

[techmaturgy]

That would be a feat even in the Free Cities.

[But not something he's opposed to exploring. They've found a way to use magic and technology together in a way that permeates almost every aspect of life, but Viktor thinks they could also benefit from a good, old-fashioned combustion engine.

One step at a time. Maybe he'll put a motor on the bicycle, first.]

Please. [Viktor offers a go ahead gesture. He'd like to take design notes from the person who will actually be using the vehicle.] Just know that enchantments will, eh. Smooth out the wheels.

[ordinar]

[Swinging a leg over the frame, he hops onto the seat. Wilhelm can't remember the last time he rode a bike, but apparently it's true that you never forget how to. He bikes in a loop around the nearest cluster of stalls, carefully threading through the crowd — and earning some curious stares.

By the time he circles back to Viktor, he's standing on the pedals to grant his butt some relief from the bumping of the wheels.]

Well, it's no Ferrari... [He laughs to himself.] But not bad.

[Is this not the peak of your career, Viktor? Receiving such high accolades from a teenager?]

[techmaturgy]

[It is not, in fact, the peak of his career, but he is pleased by the bicycle working as intended for the person who will likely be riding it the most. He watches and waits while Wilhelm takes it for a spin, looking fairly proud, especially given the limitations he had to work with. The curious stares of the onlookers only serve to bolster his confidence.

He does not acknowledge the use of the term Ferrari. He doesn't know what that is.]

I'll take it. But if you have any suggestions, I'm happy to incorporate your feedback.