abraxaslogs | [open] july catchall

[Despite his apparent intent to lock the door, Viktor is not necessarily opposed to visitors. He just needs a moment, to remember that other Summoned can simply walk in and observe what he's working on.

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.

[ he doesn't seem too annoyed about it, which relaxes some of the stiffness in her shoulders. she doesn't take back her apology, but nor does she push it, only offering a little nod instead. ]

[ 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.

[In truth, Viktor has too much else on his mind to be annoyed. If anything, this could be a welcome distraction, even if he's not necessarily the best at introductions. He watches her look around, as if he can gauge what she might be interested in from the way her gaze lingers on one tome or another.]

Viktor.

[Just Viktor. She says hi, and he nods.]

It takes some getting used to.

[ truthfully, annabeth is not great at introductions either. she's finding a lot of her experiences in abraxas have ended with sharing her name at the very end, so she's already ahead of the game here. ]

[ 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.

Easy enough to do.

[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.]

Yeah. I think I'm getting the hang of it.

[ 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! ]

It will come more naturally with time.

[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?

I hope so. I like seeing what I can come up with.

[ 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.

Edited 2024-08-20 03:50 (UTC)

[Viktor might say that he's like to see what she can come up with, too--instead, he offers an intrigued, affirmative noise before moving on to the next thing.]

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.

[ something in her shoulders relaxes a little more when he acknowledges the merits of varied learning. it's not exactly what he said, but that's how she is taking it. ]

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.

[Viktor is patient, watching with interest as she decides what she wants to build and then manifesting it in front of them. It’s an architectural style that he doesn’t necessarily recognize, but he can appreciate the aesthetics of it, and does his best to imagine what it might be like at grand scale.]

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?

I find practical learning easier, and it's a really good way to supplement academic methods - it's almost like putting yourself to the test. I haven't spent a lot of time consistently in a classroom.

[ 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.

We seem to come from...tumultuous places.

[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.

[ despite herself, she lets out a snort. ] You can say that again.

[ 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.

Oh, I know about the bicycles. I built them.

[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.]

[ there's a pause, where recognition suddenly flashes across her face and her expression brightens. ]

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.

You've ridden them? [Viktor seems to visibly brighten at this.] If you have any notes, let me know. I'm not sure what improvements I can make from Nocwich, but I am happy to provide solutions.

[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.]

[ she nods her affirmation. ] A few times now. I know they're part of the couriers' work, but they've been a good break from some of the castle's monotony too. Next time I take one out, I'll think about what could be fixed, if anything. I might be able to make some tweaks myself, with guidance.

[ 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?

I would have sent more, if I could.

[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!]

Two is better than none. [ she just can't go with more than one person at a time if she wants company, which isn't that big a deal. ]

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... ]

I think they're only vaguely aware of my existence.

[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.]

Probably better to keep it that way given the bikes are already suspicious.

[ 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.

[Viktor is still not over the rubber scandal, so...likely not.]

That's why there is study. And practice.

[In order to deepen her understanding.]

I have time now, if you like.

[ she grins a little bit. ]

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.

[open] july catchall

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so sorry for the delay!

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maybe handwave the engineering class and wrap soon?

yes that works for me!