abraxaslogs | [open] july catchall

[ Cid throws his hands up and goes to fetch himself a pair of goggles and some gloves. He's being dramatic, for the most part. Viktor hasn't sent him off -- whether that's because he wants to talk or because he's given up on getting Cid to do anything he doesn't want to do, well. Cid will decide it's the former.

He settles beside Viktor's tools. He'll hand him things if he likes, or make himself useful, but he knows better than to stick his hands into the guts of another man's machine without his say-so. One of two things they usually agree on. ]

This is for the mines, isn't it? To get the little ones out of that particular line of work. How does it manage to take instruction?

Edited 2024-07-23 14:12 (UTC)

That is the intent, yes. The miners are not so receptive.

[They don’t want to be replaced. He’s sure Cid has heard that sentiment, if he spends any time with them at all. Viktor has never seen this as replacing the workers—-they would hold new, less hazardous jobs like maintaining and monitoring the automatons, which can operate in hazardous environments.

He does understand, by now, that change is incremental. It still frustrates him, especially coming back to this project after so many imagined centuries. Trying to achieve sentience for the automatons in Mechapolis.]

Right now it is dependent on a spell that binds to the chassis. I’m working on more…independent operation.

[ They both know the reason for that all too well, so Cid's only response is a sympathetic shrug. He's thought of a couple of ways to alleviate that particular issue, but with the recent bombings it seems as if it'll have to wait.

He looks up at the automation, and he can't help but wonder why Viktor has chosen to make it so that it's shaped like a person. ]

Mm. The Fallen had something like that. [ He picks up a screwdriver, mostly to have something to toy with in his hands. ] Long after they were gone, you might still stumble into one amongst their ruins and have the thing come back to life to beat the shite out of you. Yours looks a little more friendly than all that. Never took you for the type to want children.

[ He's teasing, mostly. ]

It's meant to be friendly.

[Well. Friendly-looking. The hulking form doesn't necessarily foster warm fuzzy feelings, but Viktor made it human-shaped for a reason. Gave it a face for a reason.]

If they're going to work alongside humans, then the humans shouldn't be afraid of them.

[That said, he still has a long way to go--longer than he initially thought, and when Cid mentions children, he scoffs.]

I was not able to achieve true sentience in eight hundred imagined years. I have a lot of work to do, before I get to that point.

Creating life now, are you? Imagine that. [ There's a long way to go, to be sure. Long enough that Cid is willing to be hopeful about it, instead of weary. He can see the vision, and he understands the fascination, though a part of him can't help but draw the comparison to Ultima. There are plenty of risks involved with creating something in your own imperfect image, and not just from the thing itself. ]

Thought you'd be more weary, after Thorne.

[ He's gauging, more than anything. He doesn't necessarily expect Viktor to respond as yet. Cid hadn't participated in the conversation about the fallout, but he'd read enough of it to understand what had gone on, and to make a guess at why Viktor has fallen into such a mood. ]

[He makes a little scoffing noise, because the point was that he hadn't been able to figure it out, with all the time in the world and a great deal of power. Viktor imagines this will continue to be an insurmountable puzzle, but that doesn't mean he won't try. If he can give the automatons some agency of their own, there's less of a chance they will be misused.

Cid already seems to understand what happened, but even if he didn't, the way Viktor's lips pull tight at the implication is probably answer enough.]

You must understand that I never intended them to have my technology. They stole it from me, while I was incapacitated. It took them until now to puzzle it out, but...

[He's been worried about this for some time.]

[ He'd figured it was something like that. While he'd never assumed that Viktor had let go of his technology willingly, he's heard about the break-in that happened well before his time.

Much as he'd like to tell Viktor that it isn't his fault -- and in many ways, it really isn't -- he doesn't expect that it'll do much good. It wouldn't have done for him.

Cid sighs, leaning forward to rest his arms on his thighs. ] But you still blame yourself for what happened, eh?

[ He inclines his head. ] You wouldn't be the first. What do you think you'll do now?

[Everyone has been telling him it isn't his fault. Viktor can't really believe that, and the sentiment is starting to ring hollow.]

I built the device. I knew the risks. I'm responsible for this.

[For not safeguarding it well enough, even though he knows there was nothing he could have done, to prevent the government from raiding his laboratory. And if he wanted to live, he needed to build the Hexcore.

There has to be some way for him to make it right.]

I could go to Portam Hall, I suppose. I don't think they know I'm aware it was my technology.

[ Cid makes a neutral sound at the back of his throat. Viktor didn't hand his technology over, and he certainly had no way of stopping whatever was being done with it, but Cid understands where he's coming from. He would feel the same. He's silent for a moment, considering. He taps the butt of the screwdriver against his palm. ] I worked for someone else, once. A king. For reasons of his own, he had no need of weapons. He never asked me to build any, never cared much for what I did with my time, so long as I did my job.

[ He's sure that Viktor can already see where he's going with this. Cid stands to pace, too restless to be still. ] Not long after I left his employ, his new warship crested the horizon, bearing his legions on her back and my engine in her belly. He was already formidable at sea, but now none could hope to match him.

[ He sits on the edge of a workbench and folds his arms across his chest. ] People keep telling me that things are different here, that I ought to keep an open mind... but they're not that different. If you're hoping to strike a deal with Portam Hall, don't expect that it'll stop them from doing this again.

[He appreciates no further arguing on the matter--too many of his friends have insisted that this wasn't his fault, that his choice was either to build the Hexcore or die. That might be true, but they could have safeguarded it better. He should not have assumed they'd never be able to puzzle it out, but despite the way the Free Cities is lacking in technology, Viktor should not have underestimated Klingel. Part of him wants to march to Portam Hall just to give him, specifically, a piece of his mind.

And it seems like Cid understands. Viktor listens quietly, now knowing the particularly devastation that Cid describes. He wouldn't wish it on anyone else, but some things seem to be frustrating universal constants.]

I don't know what else I can do. [Besides try and talk to them--speak on his own convictions and appeal to whatever humanity they have.] What did you do, when that happened?

[ Cid shrugs. ] Couldn't very well set my people free if I was dead at the bottom of the sea because I thought I'd have a go at Barnabas and the fucking Einherjar. Not that it stopped me wanting to.

[ He inclines his head, more empathy with the feeling than a true caution against acting rashly. Viktor isn't, as far as Cid has seen, typically inclined toward violence even when he's angry.

He gestures at the workshop in general, gaze tilted up toward the ceiling. ] Stopped doing this for a bit, if I'm honest... but I came to realize that not much had really changed. I designed that engine because I thought it might help us all flee the continents should the worst come to pass... and at the time, I believed that we still had need of it. Eventually, with Midadol's help, I designed another ship. Better engines. Left it in better hands.

[ He meets Viktor's eyes again. ] The way I see it is this: if you want to atone for what you've done, you should do it on your terms, not anyone else's. You know the cost now. Whatever you bring into this world, be sure that it's worth the blood you'll pay for it.

[Viktor knows he isn't the first person this has happened to. He certainly won't be the last. Hearing Cid's personal story doesn't help, necessarily--if anything, it reminds him of just how constant this is, the misuse of technology for war--but it does let him know he ins't alone.

In truth, he wants to destroy the whole of his laboratory, but Cid is right that it's not productive. He can't...not work. He just needs to be willing to live with the risks.]

What they already have...I can't let them continue to use it.

[ Cid raises an eyebrow. ] Do you have a plan?

[ He'll help, if he can be of any use... but he has a feeling Viktor's plan has less to do with, say, blowing up a lab, and more to do with compromise. ] You already know that it isn't going to be easy to put it all back into the proverbial box.

I was hoping someone else might have a suggestion.

[Though it's unlike Viktor, to abdicate--he's just seeking out people more well-versed in politics than he is. That said, he doesn't necessarily expect Cid to figure this out for him, and he manages to look slightly defeated, a task like this too daunting for someone like him.]

Now that they have it, and they can break through Thorne's wards, there's no reason to stop. I have no leverage.

[ Cid raises his eyebrows, more out of surprise than anything. It really isn't like Viktor to ask for help in this way, but this has shaken him.

It had shaken Cid too, the first time it had happened to him. ]

You're Summoned. Popular and well-liked besides. Some might consider using that to curry sympathy or advantage in the court of public opinion, but it isn't really your preference or mine. [ Cid waves a hand, dismissing the idea. ]

I suppose if you really want to stop people being harmed by your work, past and present, then it's the war itself you've got to stop. Little need for weapons without it. [ He inclines his head, offering a brief, wry smile. He knows it isn't useful. If any of them knew how to stop the war, it would be stopped by now. ] Personally, I'd consider currying favor with our hosts to put myself in just the right position to misbehave.

Edited 2024-09-01 23:54 (UTC)

[Viktor might argue popular and well-liked, mostly because he's not used to being either of those things, and some very large part of him still imagines most people are only interested because of the things he can make. It doesn't sound like leverage, but maybe Cid is right.

Maybe it's just nice to be told that he can do something--that there is a path forward, even if it won't be easy.]

Put myself in a position to work with them, and then sabotage. Is that what you're saying?

It's a thought. [ And like every option, there's risk that might outweigh the reward, but he doesn't think they need to go over it all again. Cid releases a slow exhale. He wishes he had something better to offer, but this is the best he can do at the moment. ]

You aren't without options, is all. [ He pats Viktor on the shoulder, the usual indication that he intends to leave. ] I trust your judgement, Viktor, whatever it is you decide to do. Don't let this nonsense make you doubt it.

Edited 2024-09-09 20:16 (UTC)

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wrapping? 🎁