[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]

[ 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.