Viktor (
techmaturgy) wrote in
abraxaslogs2024-07-15 10:44 am
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[open] july catchall
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.]
When: throughout July & August
Where: Cadens, the Horizon, Nocwich
What: ah oh no we were indirectly responsible for bombing the castle
Warnings: war crimes
no subject
This is a new face, so his curiosity overrides any potential offense at the interruption. His facial expression softens fairly quickly.]
Don't--don't apologize.
[There's nothing for her to be sorry for--it was only his own carelessness, though his eyebrows furrow together when he realizes she's a stranger.]
You could introduce yourself, though.
no subject
[ she doesn't recognize him either, but it's not a surprise - there are still plenty of people she hasn't met yet, thorne or otherwise. her gaze absently wanders again, this time flickering to the books, before she regains focus and turns back to the man. ]
I'm Annabeth. [ a beat. ] Hi. I suppose the nature of the Horizon means we all can kind of end up anywhere.
no subject
Viktor.
[Just Viktor. She says hi, and he nods.]
It takes some getting used to.
no subject
[ unfortunately, it's usually easier to go by pictures than letters in her case, so the books with images draw her attention longer. she's not judging a tome by its cover! a cover should give clues regardless! ]
I'm working on that. [ getting used to it. ] Trying to create different spaces in it for different reasons and different people, I guess. Your lab is so big. I got distracted.
no subject
[Viktor had spent some time, upon arrival, wandering the domains of others, impressed by both the capabilities of the Horizon and the level of technology available from other worlds. He understands the distracting nature of it--but she took an interest in his lab, specifically, so he of course wants to know a little more.]
Do you have an interest in engineering?
[Because that's what happens here, apparently.]
no subject
[ annabeth likes learning as a mere concept. engineering is included, if only for the physics and creative nature of it - she loves a good invention. it's not like it isn't part of architecture too. ]
It depends on what for. I'm good with ideas and schematics - I like math and physics. Numbers are easy. I'm most familiar with it when it comes to infrastructure. I'm an architect.
[ she might not have the actual degree yet, but she has the credentials! ]
no subject
[Viktor had relished the boundless creation right away--but he does understand it takes longer for others to wrap their minds around.
He seems to perk up as she describes her interests--it's no secret that the territories do not necessarily summon those with inclinations towards math and science very often. If they arrive in Cadens, Viktor tends to snap them up, but at present his workshop is populated with individuals with other skills, working for him because they need a job, and not necessarily because they want to make things.]
I am a mathematician and physicist by education, though my work has...expanded, since I began my studies. [She seems a little young, though, to have a full-fledged career.] Is that what you do, where you're from?
no subject
[ once she really got a sense of the horizon, annabeth decided she might as well get creative with it. go big or go home, while she has the chance. ]
[ she doesn't miss the way his interest piques, used to a similar kind of look among her siblings in her cabin, and even a little bit with children of hephaestus. she certainly doesn't mind talking about it, not if viktor understands it. ]
My schooling's been kind of unconventional. [ an understatement, but she's wary sometimes about sharing the typical demigod educational experience in conjecture with how smart she knows she is. ] I haven't technically gone to university for it yet, but I've already done some architectural work. I've been studying it for years.
no subject
There's nothing wrong with unconventional schooling.
[One may get the idea that Viktor's own schooling was similarly unconventional, though perhaps in a different way. For now, however, the conversation is trained on her.]
Maybe you could show me. [He gestures, vaguely, to the space in between them, where she might conjure a model.] It would be good practice.
so sorry for the delay!
That's what I always say! It's more important to learn it, no matter how it works best for you. [ she is aware sometimes she sounds just like her mother, but she will not admit it. ]
[ annabeth squints into the empty space, not out of suspicion so much as trying to imagine what she'd like to fill it with. she holds out her hand a little and slowly begins to form a small model of a hellenistic temple. ]
I was put in charge of some massive structural repairs back home. Fixing up temples like this one was part of it.
no subject
An academic education is valuable, but learning practically even moreso.
[She might be able to guess that some of Viktor’s schooling, to a point, was the latter.]
How long did you perform that work?
no subject
[ when the books are hard to read and a regular classroom can feel so restraining, hands on learning is a great bonus. she's a big fan. ]
[ she squints at the temple, adjusting the roof at the back. ]
A few months, before it was closed off when shit hit the fan again. [ she wrinkles her nose. ] But I did smaller scale things at my summer camp before that too.
no subject
[He'd be hard-pressed to think of Summoned who did not escape some kind of life-interrupting event. Viktor won't ask her to elaborate if she doesn't want to, but he hopes this makes it clear that he understands everything from the unconventional schooling to the practical experience to unfortunate disruptions.]
It's a shame you're not in Cadens. [He assumes, anyway.] I have a workshop there. We're...decidedly lacking in real engineering talent.
no subject
[ satisfied with her model, she finishes it up and lets it sit on the table between them, not quite sure what to do with it now, but she supposes she can face that task when the time comes. ]
[ her expression shifts into a sort of apologetic grimace. ] I'm in Thorne. It's all very studious there but apparently they threw a fit about bikes, so it's hard to think of them as welcoming towards innovation. I don't know a lot about Cadens.
no subject
[Well, he built one, and then handed over the blueprints so Kyle's eccentric patron could fund construction of the other. He admits that it's pleasing to him, hearing about the use of his invention in a place that must chafe at the sight of it, and he brightens a little.]
Apparently rubber is too advanced a material for your mages. That's why the wheels are, eh, like that.
[Wood. With enchantments. Maybe it works--Viktor still doubts it's very comfortable.]
no subject
Oh! You're the Viktor who made the bikes! Wilhelm introduced me and told me all about them. I should probably thank you - I've had fun riding them, even with their quirks.
[ she makes a face. ] Like that super advanced absolutely terrifying rubber. We joked about showing them cars and really creating some abject horror.
no subject
[Even if his number one recommendation is inflatable rubber tires. But he does know that having the bikes at all is a victory in itself.]
I'm working on a motorized version. [Not an automobile, but perhaps a stepping stone.] For Cadens, of course. I've been lucky not to cause an international incident, thus far.
[Except for the recent bombing of the castle. But, well, not something he's going to mention.]
no subject
[ then, a little sarcastically: ] I suppose I could work on getting Thorne open to rubber for starters.
[ annabeth snorts. ] What, you don't want to send a motorcycle on some kind of worldwide test drive?
no subject
[Two seems woefully inadequate, both for the couriers and those who would like to use them recreationally. It does seem like she understands, though. The limitations that they're working with. If even rubber tires are too much...]
I think a motorized version would be grounds for my assassination by Thornean agents. If you want to look at the blueprints, though. See what you might be able to reproduce with magic...
[He shrugs!]
no subject
I'm surprised they're not out here holding witchcraft trials. [ she really does not understand their reluctance when they seem to put so much pride in their academics! ]
You mean make one here, in the Horizon? I'm not very good with the reality magic yet. [ not very good, she says, as though she isn't picking it up fairly well overall. just because she can't do anything big and flashy yet... ]
no subject
[Which is good, even if he knows he's at least somewhat on the radar, for being the one to find the location of the kidnapped Summoned. And he knows they're lucky to have the bicycles at all, so he'd rather not push it. Still, the thought of all the wasted potential in Thorne pains him, sometimes.]
We could practice in the Horizon, yes. As proof of concept.
[That's what it's most useful for, after all.]
no subject
[ will she ever get over the rubber scandal tbh. ]
[ she perks up a little. ]
Sure. If you don't mind showing me the schematics - though my understanding might be rudimentary.
maybe handwave the engineering class and wrap soon?
That's why there is study. And practice.
[In order to deepen her understanding.]
I have time now, if you like.
yes that works for me!
Good thing I'm already pretty good at those things.
[ she straightens a bit, then nods with interest. ]
Yeah. I've got time too. [ a beat. ] Thanks for offering. It'll be fun.