[open] july catchall

[techmaturgy]

Who: Viktor and special guests and you
When: throughout July & August
Where: Cadens, the Horizon, Nocwich
What: ah oh no we were indirectly responsible for bombing the castle
Warnings: war crimes

[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 also at whitticus.]

Comments

[ushiri]

[ He lets him go, if reluctantly, and watches his gaze pan across the open space. There are the usual cushion-pillows on the floor, along with an alcove set into the rounded walls with a stone bench - Kyle's clearly not particularly skilled or interested in furniture design, and he doesn't care if Viktor makes himself more comfortable seating options to leave behind here.

He shakes his head. ]

No. [ It can't be undone. He lowers his gaze, frowning at the stone floor. If he had full use of his abilities, he could suggest ways to at least attempt to slow down production of these new devices, all of them with stealth and violence. But he doesn't, so there's no point.

He cants his head to one side, raising both eyebrows. He starts slowly, and incredibly deadpan: ]

But you haven't blown up the whole world yet, and we're still waiting on war to officially kick off. So, there's still time to adapt. Or blow us all up, I guess. [ He gives a one shouldered shrug, a small smile at the end of that as he lifts his gaze again, his expression earnest. ]

I still have faith in you.

[techmaturgy]

[Viktor settles on the little alcove, his hand brushing Kyle's as he moves away, an indication that he wants him to follow. Sitting doesn't necessarily give him more agency, in this scenario, but it does help him feel a little less scrutinized, even if all Kyle has done is support him. He sinks onto the bench, managing to look small--closer to how he appears in the real world.

He won't stop Kyle from joining him, and he understands that this is all supposed to be comforting, both in words and actions, but he still can't help but feel like he's failed.

He reaches out, again, in spite of himself.]

This is--I am everything you were afraid of.

[Even so, hearing that Kyle still believes in him--that's what he needs, even if he can't admit it.]

[ushiri]

[ He follows a few paces behind him, hesitating after Viktor settles into place - watching him almost curl into himself makes Kyle want to reach over and pull him close again, but he's aware enough to give him some space. Instead, he remains standing to lean his back against the wall at one edge of the alcove, arms crossed over his chest.

Viktor's wrong about that last part. He's afraid of much worse things than bombs.

He shakes his head again, looking forward at the iron tree, and softly: ]

You're like John, in some ways. How he was before.

[ Before three decades spent in Basawar.

Maybe it's not the best thing to do, admitting similarities between the man you were involved with in another timeline and remain bound to in this one, and the man you're with now. But he has no experience in these matters to begin with, and nothing he's saying seems to offer much comfort anyway. ]

[techmaturgy]

[Viktor doesn't take the comparison to John as an insult--he seems like a good person, from everything he knows about him. Still, he remembers again of what Kyle has beyond this world, and wonders if it hurts him, to be reminded. He manages to tell himself that Kyle isn't joining him on the bench for a reason, and pulls his good leg up, folding his arms over his knee.]

I don't know if that's good or not.

[He manages a breathy laugh, though it sort of breaks at the end. The advantage of sitting down means he feels less scrutinized, but now there's no outlet for his despair and anger. He feels it building in his chest, but instead of letting it happen he tries to stifle it, burying his face in his arms.]

[ushiri]

[ His chest twists again as he turns his head toward him again. ]

It's not a bad thing. [ There's a tentative sort of fondness in his voice. ] I think you would get along.

[ It had been difficult when he was in Nayeshi, watching John on the other side of the Gray Space once he finally found him. Only able to watch, unless his life was in danger - no matter how badly he wished to intervene. Now, knowing how badly everything unravels - how it all ends, he regrets not acting.

But Viktor is here - or as close as they can get, not a specter behind a grey, soundless veil, and no one gives him orders now. He hesitates again, still uncertain over how much space or comfort he even wants right now, but after a moment he unfolds his arms and sits next to him. ]

I was afraid of something like this happening, yes. Because I know you've never wanted to hurt anyone. [ His brow furrows. ] I don't blame you for this.

[techmaturgy]

[Viktor thinks that too, from what he's heard, and he might say as much if he wasn't so busy despairing over the loss of life wrought by his technology. There's some relief when Kyle sits next to him, and he finds himself leaning in almost automatically, a reflex. Given the opportunity, he'll tuck himself against Kyle regardless of whether or not the embrace is returned.]

I know you don't.

[Blame him for this. Viktor charts the path from his cure to this new technological development anyway, and lets out a choked sort of noise into Kyle's shoulder.]

You need to get out of prison.

[ushiri]

[ He shifts to make room for Viktor, slipping his arm around his back as he leans into him. The sound Viktor makes feels like another cut, his shoulders stiffen for a second before he pulls him closer, forgetting his attempt to give him space. ]

I know - [ I'm sorry, he swallows back ] - I know. I will.

[ Another pause, his features twisting up as he looks over at him: ]

I wish it could be now. But they're going to let us out eventually - and if you need me there, if you need me to find a way to make it to Cadens, I will.

[ He doesn't want to leave everyone behind in Thorne, that's the whole reason he's stuck in a cell in the first place. But if Viktor tells him he needs him there, he knows that he will have to go. ]

[techmaturgy]

[It's not his fault, not really. Viktor knows the reason why Kyle stayed, and he can't begrudge him, even if he selfishly wishes the prison sentence was concluded by now.]

I wouldn't ask you to do that.

[Not when he remained in Thorne explicitly to protect the other Summoned there. Perhaps uncharitably, he thinks that Kyle lost his chance to go to Cadens when he received the warning and decided to stay in Thorne, instead, but the important thing is that he's safe.

He will not remain safe if he makes an ill-planned run for Cadens. Viktor shakes his head emphatically.]

There might be a time that's right. But it's not now.

[ushiri]

I know.

[ That he wouldn't ask. That this isn't the right time. It doesn't make him any less frustrated or useless in the moment. He sucks in a breath and holds it for a second, shaking his head when he releases it. The hand around Viktor's shoulder remains in place, not wanting to let him go just yet. ]

Please be careful.

[ Whatever he decides to do. ]

[techmaturgy]

[Viktor is content to sit here until they both have more urgent matters to attend to, but he won't be the one to make the first move. Instead, he decides to take a moment to himself, curling into Kyle's embrace and letting out a slow exhale.]

I'll try.

[That's as much as he can promise, right now, given the fact that he plans to go to Portam Hall.]

As soon as I have news, you'll be the first to know.