[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

[itookashot]

Safeguarding ideas is difficult. A mind can twist something innocent. I could probably think of wrong ways to use your ideas, and I'm not a genius.

[ But Jesper does have the kind of mind that they do, which is probably why he is so paranoid, why he understands the way they think. Criminals aren't that far removed from a military, at least not his. And technically martial law this long is criminal in its way, so he's dealing with his own people. Jesper hasn't made his history a secret.

Whoever did this, they have to be a genius, like Viktor himself. They needed to know how and then build on it to create those bombs. Impressively, really. Wylan used to do that, something his merchling he knows didn't like to share. It was one of those things he fell into, it wasn't in his nature. ]

No, but I got you to stop thinking about vomiting, didn't I?

[ Jesper smiles wryly at him. He shrugs. ]

My better idea is that you need to give yourself a break and probably not give them more ideas. You're a good guy, the smartest guy I know. You aren't responsible for what bad people do.

[techmaturgy]

You did not, actually.

[He still very much wants to throw up. Viktor wants to argue that it certainly doesn't take a genius to think of ways to misuse his technology, but they must have enlisted Klingel, when it came to cracking his notes. That in itself is vomit-inducing.]

If I gave them the means, then I am responsible.

[At least partially. His intentions don't matter, not when people are dead.]

[itookashot]

Damn, I was hoping to spare this place the smell of vomit.

[ Jesper may be able to walk away any time he wanted, but that's not true of anyone. He wouldn't judge Viktor if he did get sick though. All of this is definitely the sort of thing that other people who are responsible types would find nauseating. Jesper's just not that type. He's cool as a cucumber, even when he's doing the wrong thing. Sometimes especially when he's doing the wrong thing. ]

I wouldn't blame my gunsmith for the times I've pulled the trigger.

[ He sighs and looks over at Viktor. He cares, that's why he's bothering to talk it out at all, and Viktor's at least engaging back. He doubts they'll find someone among the Summoned who would hold this over the inventor's head. Hard to say if anyone native in this world would feel differently though. Not that it matters. ]

Do you want help? I'm not a tech genius but I am one hell of a salesman.

[techmaturgy]

[Viktor maybe thinks these people deserve to have him throw up all over the waiting room, but despite his assertion that he very much needs to, he hasn't thrown up yet.

He could argue that there should be no need for gunsmiths--that there should be no reason for humans to make things to kill other humans at all--but that is more idealistic (and unrealistic) than he could ever be.]

I'm not sure that's the best idea. [Viktor has to do this on his own, but even then, he hasn't really forgotten that Jesper is often on thin ice with the government.] I don't think they like you very much.

we can wrap soon! (this was very cute)

[itookashot]

What? [ Jesper gasps dramatically. ] I'm offended, everyone likes me.

[ It's an act though and he drops it right away since this is a serious situation and he is capable of being serious. He has been this whole conversation, actually, and his offer was genuine. Jesper wants to help Viktor, and since he can't talk him out of blaming himself, maybe that's one way. But he nods. ]

Obviously, you're right. The feeling is mutual too.

[ It's lucky for everyone involved that he was pulling punches when they dragged him to the crater. Jesper studies Viktor. ]

I'll wait here for you. Whatever goes on in there, having a friend to walk you back would be nice, right?

[techmaturgy]

I appreciate the offer, but...this is something I must do on my own.

[If Jesper wants to wait here for him, even if it might be hours, well. Viktor doesn't necessarily need anyone to walk him back, but it's a nice gesture.]

If you're still here when I'm done, I'll message you to pick me up.

And wrap!

[itookashot]

Good luck, Viktor. Who knows, despite my words, I am an optimist at heart. It could work out.

[ Jesper pats him on the back comfortingly. He will be in the area for when Viktor comes out and walk him back. It's a small gesture but one he can do.]