abraxaslogs | [open] july catchall

[It's not like Viktor was expecting a present, but he isn't sure he anticipated this, either. Blood magic is not unheard of--Viktor has dabbled with it himself, both at home and here, and he does recall Kyle teaching him some of the magic from his world, when they had time over the course of a hundred years.

That said, he's not quite sure what to do with it. Viktor takes the vial gingerly, inspecting it for a moment before closing his fingers around it. This is, above all other things, practical, but the reference to his eventual departure gives him a moment of pause. He looks up at Kyle, searching.]

I don't expect a breakthrough in that department anytime soon.

[Not when he has the government breathing down his neck. Not when it's too dangerous to do any work. Still, he understands the importance of this offering, and Viktor steps closer, reaching out to brush his free hand against Kyle's.]

We might be stuck with each other for a while.

[ He's a little relieved when Viktor accepts the vial, and shakes his head with a crooked smile when he says he's still a ways off from traveling between worlds. He takes Viktor's hand in his own. ]

I know.

[ But, anything could happen to either of them. While in a cell he had time enough to wonder if he'd been too selfish in admitting his feelings and asking for this. The further they get from their time in that other future the less he worries about the ways they might clash and hurt each other, and more about how this all might just end, be it the Singularity's will or a misstep with their territories - both of them too far away to do anything.

He can push away those thoughts for now, though, and a teasing lilt returns to his voice as he takes a step closer: ]

I guess for now you can put it under a microscope and tell me how ordinary I am.

Then I would have less to use if I need to find you.

[He has no doubt that it appears ordinary under a microscope. Kyle gave this to him for one purpose, and Viktor does not intend to waste it. He can only hope that there will never come a time where he does need it--but better to have it and not need it, then to find himself without it.

Viktor is trying to make peace with the fact that he's made himself vulnerable again. That all of this could end in an instant, the way it did with Jayce. He wonders if he really could use this vial of blood to find Kyle across universes, if only to say goodbye.]

Thank you.

[That seems like the most appropriate thing to say, even if it's a slightly unconventional gift. They're close, now, with little distance between them, and Viktor doesn't hesitate to put his palm against Kyle's cheek, pulling him down so that he can kiss him.]

[ He nods, his expression shifting back from teasing to warm. If he can help it, he won't give Viktor a reason to need to track him while they're here.

Next time he has an occasion he'd like to give him a proper gift. He would like to give him something to make him smile, something without the weight of worry behind it.

He responds to Viktor's touch, leaning down to kiss him - finally. They could make do in Horizon. Maybe the difference shouldn't be too noticeable between there and here, generally, if they were constantly going back and forth. But after two months physically apart it's almost like leaving Basawar and arriving in Nayeshi, everything suddenly sharper in focus: how his lips are a little dry, how the scents of his workshop cling to him and his clothes, the taste of his mouth. Kyle's arms slip around his waist and pull him closer as he kisses him deep and needy, his chest coiled tight. He only barely breaks their mouths apart to ask quickly: ]

You don't have anything else to do first? [ No surprise meetings to rush off to? ]

[Viktor is aware of the connotations, and that it's not even a "gift" in the strictest sense--Kyle is giving it to him because some part of him fears the worst. He does too, in some ways. He's out of prison for now, but they're both acutely aware of how south things can go at any moment.

All the more reason to enjoy this, now. He tilts his head slightly, leaning into the kiss and allowing Kyle to support some of his weight. For the duration of it, until Kyle breaks away to ask him something, Viktor allows his world to shrink to only this, relishing how much better it feels in the real world.

He pulls away, reluctantly, eyes still half-closed.]

I thought we could do something.

[No meetings, no work (not yet, anyway). They understandably spent most of their time last visit in this very room, and though Viktor rarely misses a chance to go to Nocwich, exploring it with Kyle for the first time sounds...fun. Like a date.]

I plan to stay the weekend.

[ Kyle hums in agreement at we could do something, thinking with his lower brain only as he starts kissing Viktor again while one hand starts untucking his shirt from behind - something definitely lost in translation for a minute until he realizes very abruptly - ]

- do something... [ he pulls away again to look at Viktor, eyebrows furrowed as this processes for another second ] ... not here?

[ To be fair, he's never been able to go on anything resembling an actual date in his entire life. The closest he's gotten in recent time - which is still a stretch, was his awkward, half-attempt to get Viktor to drink with him in the tavern here and then they crashed a bicycle. ]

[He's not so easily distracted, though he's certainly used to and does not at all mind this kind of enthusiasm from a partner. Viktor does know, however, if they start now they might not stop, so he wants to be productive, first. They'll have plenty of time for this room later, if they can control themselves.

For now, this is very endearing. Viktor holds Kyle's face in his hands.]

You seem confused.

[Though, now Viktor is thinking about the platonic time they spent together in Nocwich, first in the baths, then drinking at the tavern and crashing a bicycle. They'll have to do things a little different, this time.]

An outing. Together. Anything you want to do.

[A DATE]

[ He scrunches his face at first to be told he's confused again while having his face held. His expression relaxes again as Viktor explains though, and he thinks about the offer. What does he want to do? ]

I haven't been to Ikorr since it opened for us. [ Not since the Epulum. He frowns slightly, continuing to think aloud: ] Or - that big ship they took us on once, the Arcanis. I heard it's docked in Luna.

[ He'd last been on it almost two years ago, now, and hadn't been in the mood to enjoy it's amenities at the time. It might be nice to have a meal on the deck, even if the ship's not moving anywhere. They had good desserts, too.

He searches Viktor's face, while also very helpfully fixing the shirt he had been trying to untuck a moment earlier. ]

Both good ideas.

[Viktor helps Kyle with the shirt-tucking, a crooked smile on his face. It's awkward, and one-handed, the other firmly pressed against Kyle's shoulder so that he can keep his balance.]

Provided you think it's safe to be seen together.

[He recognizes this as more of a him problem than a Kyle problem--though they both have notoriety in their respective territories, he doubts Cadens really cares about what he does in his free time. The same is not necessarily true for Thorne. But going out to Ikorr, away from prying eyes, sounds very nice, all things considered.]

[ He laughs again as they try to maneuver with each other to finish fixing his shirt, although the next thing Viktor says has him back to thoughtful - he pauses before answering. ]

I think it'll be okay. People know we've worked together before. [ On the bicycle. ] And they never asked about you when I was being questioned.

[ He takes a step back, looking over Viktor's shirt, then frowning toward the window. Luna and Ikorr feel a little safer to him, farther away from the portals that lead back to their territories. And both have bigger concerns right now, he can't see them individually stalking their Summoned through foreign territory. ]

It'll be fine. [ He says this again with more certainty, like he's only just talked himself into it. ] Let's go to Luna.

[ He'll pull up his hood again when they leave to walk to the portal, though. ]

That was before the Free Cities broke through the castle wards.

[Viktor says that softly, half-mumbled, with his eyes cast downward as he smooths out his vest. There's no indication that anyone knows his work was involved, but he can't help but fear what might happen if Thorne realizes just what happened.

Kyle is right, though, about the bikes, and if they didn't mention Viktor during his interrogation, that's a good sign. Best to keep things far away from the portals, though, and when the leave the inn and make their way through the cobblestone streets, he keeps a respectable distance between them. Kyle's raised hood evokes a similar caution.]

I wasn't well, the last time I was on the Arcanis. [Not that Kyle asked, but it's what's on the forefront of his mind, if they're headed there. He'd come back from that particular excursion chilled to the bone, and not long after that his illness began to catch up with him.] I'll be glad to experience it in a...better state.

[ Kyle gives a short, low hum in response. If they did know about Viktor's indirect involvement - and connected the two of them, it was almost for the best that Kyle was in the dungeons when the assault on the castle happened. But they can talk about it again later.

As they walk back to the portals and Viktor speaks up about himself, Kyle glances over with a slight frown. It's not often that Viktor talks about these things unprompted. He tries to think back to that time, if he can remember seeing Viktor anywhere on the ship - but he doesn't. He'd mostly been paying attention to Thorne Summoned, and spying on Abraxans. ]

Did they make you go?

[ He remembers the winter chill, especially on the island. He doesn't know the exact timeline of Viktor's illness and cure, but he can't imagine the climate being good for someone with damaged lungs. ]

No, no I wanted to go.

[He doesn't recall seeing Kyle aboard the Arcanis either, but then again he did spend much of his time wrapped in a cloak trying not to be seasick (or his regular version of sick). Viktor knows it was probably unwise to embark on the trip, and that the government might have granted him an exception, but at the time he remembers wanting new experiences, not knowing when he'd be unable to get out of bed.

Viktor does seem to understand that he's killing the mood. He offers a wistful smile, looking at Kyle fondly as they walk.]

I've always liked boats. I used to watch them from the docks, as a child.

[ He nods. His own near-death experiences were quick and brutal, it's harder for him to imagine Viktor's experience in comparison. Knowing Viktor, though, it's not so much a surprise to hear that it was his choice to go on the trip.

He catches his gaze again, smiling back. ]

It's too bad the Arcanis won't actually be sailing this time.

[ His smile widens into a sly grin. ]

We could always try to bribe a fisherman for his boat...

[ How hard could it be to row a boat? ]

Ah, well, that's all right.

[Perhaps it would have been more accurate to say he likes the idea of boats. He likes watching boats. Viktor's weak constitution also includes a general propensity towards motion sickness. An immobile Arcanis might be preferable. Kyle rowing a boat, while charming (and, he imagines, aesthetically pleasing), seems like a lot of effort, when they might passively sightsee instead. That, and Viktor doesn't necessarily trust what might be lurking in the waters.

Still, it offers him a little spark of pleasure in his chest, at the thought of someone going out of their way for him like that.]

I enjoy the view from the deck. [And, he thinks, he might enjoy the view of Kyle seated across from him, on the deck. When they reach the portal, he already seems pleased with the idea.] Shall we?

[ He gets the sense that he made the right choice, or at least not a terrible choice - a simple thing, but it's a good feeling. He doesn't slouch so much as they walk through Luna, lowering his hood as they get within sight of the docks and the Arcanis itself.

This time Kyle pays the fee to board while they're given a brief reminder of the amenities available: the gambling lounges, spas and eatery. For as many times as he's visited Nocwich by now, it's still a little odd to hear that lunch is being served in what feels like the middle of the night. There's noticeably less lights dancing across the water as there had been during the Dimming, most of the bioluminescent fauna having retreated to the depths to await the arrival of the new year again, but it's definitely more comfortable on the deck in the late summer air. And there are some lights - out on the horizon it appears to almost be a wall of them, which prove to be attached to fishing boats, specifically the sort that lure various species of squid.

There are no walls to keep his back toward for once, and despite everything, he seems deceptively relaxed. It helps that there aren't very many people up here with them. They'd ordered their food and drink below (he has begun to notice how often there are stairs required to get to wherever they are going), so there's no hovering waitstaff either. Kyle's plate arrives with a very ordinary steak, eggs and toast, followed by an almost silly amount of desserts meant to share, including candied flowers with petals that still faintly glow.

Although after plucking one from the plate and eating it, he realizes what he thought was candied was actually wax. Barely missing a beat he swallows it, too embarrassed to spit it out into one of the cloth napkins. ]

I don't think you'll like those. [ he adds hastily, in case Viktor means to try one too. ]

[Viktor navigates the Arcanis the way he navigates everything else that's marginally precarious to him--slowly, carefully, and with gratuitous use of railings and handholds, if available. Kyle is patient, which he appreciates, and Viktor does not reject additional assistance, should he offer it in the form of a hand at the small of his back, meant to steady him as they climb up to the deck.

It's not as impressive a sight as the Dimming, but there are still lights dancing out on the water and the summer breeze is pleasant, much more than the winter chill that had afflicted him last time. He settles into his chair, leaning out to get a look over the side of the boat while they wait for their orders to arrive.

Even post-illness, Viktor doesn't have much of an appetite, but he does have some kind of chilled summer soup in front of him, and he is eyeing the dessert. The assertion that he wouldn't like what looks to be a candied flower only makes him want to eat one out of spite, but Kyle does prompt him to take a closer look before he does so.]

Why would they put it here if you can't eat it? [He sounds thoroughly disappointed.] A waste.

[ Kyle leans forward in his seat and looks for a moment like he might try to snatch the false dessert out of his hand, but manages to stop himself while scowling, then looking thoughtfully at the wax flower in Viktor's possession. ]

Or a souvenir? If they're only going to throw them away when we're done...

[ He supposes they could reuse them, though the Arcanis at least presents an appearance of an establishment that wouldn't be so misery. With a small grin he plucks another faintly glowing fake flower - an orange one, and slips it into one of his many pockets.

Not such a waste, then. ]

Careful.

[Putting it in a pocket seems like a good way for it to get smushed, and Viktor would be lying if he said he didn't find them pretty. Very pleasing to look at. He'll take another and inspect it closely, smiling a little to himself before setting it aside.

Despite the fact that they really should eat the real food, Viktor is now mostly interested in the desserts, leaning in like he's preparing to make a selection.]

Does anything else strike you as purely decorative?

[Mostly a joke. But Viktor is not necessarily accustomed to fancy outings such as these, and maybe he should find all the wax flowers, first.]

I am always careful. [ He gently pats the pocket, the spike of embarrassment he felt a minute ago long gone, and he counters with a grin: ] You remember to be careful...

[ Later, when he inevitably gets distracted and forgets its in his pocket. Under the table he hooks Viktor's good ankle with his own, like it is something easy to do without thinking, and not still so very new to do out in the real world - out where someone might notice them.

The question he takes seriously, at least for a second, before reaching for a strawberry topped with some sort of cream - which he pops into his mouth without fear as though he didn't just eat a piece of wax. When he first arrived in Abraxas from Basawar he had to take eating more slowly, but now he savors it in his mouth just to enjoy the taste. ]

So far so good.

[Viktor raises an eyebrow that clearly says are you, though, but there's still some fondness in the expression. Kyle nudging him underneath the table has him flinch, briefly, in surprise, but he quickly decides that it's nice, and nudges back. Maybe there's some concern, about openly flirting in public, but Viktor has his hand and forearm exposed for this outing as a sort of test run, so probably people will notice that first, before any displays of affection.

He's still getting used to it. Weaning himself out of the gloves seems like a good start--also less messy when he decides to grab a little dessert for himself.]

When was the last time you were able to do this?

[Viktor suspects something like this would be a rare ocurrence for someone like Kyle, if he ever indulged at all. Not that he's really one to talk, given his propensity to focus on work at the expense of everything else.]

[ He cants his head to one side, as though uncertain as to what's specifically being asked before he gives a small shrug. ]

What? Go out? I go out all the time. [ When he's not in jail. He lets out a light huff. ] I've probably wandered in and out of every shop, tavern and cafe in Borrel, Nott and the castle city.

[ He likes exploring, he likes experiencing new things. But it's true, sitting and relaxing isn't usually something he's good at, and he wouldn't spend money on a meal like this except for someone else. Most of his friends aren't exactly the type that like to leave the castle often of their own volition, though, and the common interests he's shared with his more intimate companions haven't included sitting across a table and chatting. ]

Yes, but. With anyone?

[Viktor isn't asking about other romances, since he arrived here, though that's certainly part of the question. He knows about John, of course, but he might be curious about the time between Kyle's arrival in Abraxas and their actual meeting. It's with some regret that he admits not reaching out to Kyle until his interest in other worlds became relevant, and he still doesn't know much about his day-to-day in Thorne.

It's probably not hard to guess that the last time Viktor did this was with Jayce. He offers a sheepish smile.]

I admit my friends are usually bringing things to me. [Because he spends all of his time in his workshop, of course, though he does make time to visit certain merchants and fellow inventors.] I don't usually, eh...go out like this.

[ They have a number of friends in common, so it's not hard to imagine someone like Hilda or Claude making frequent stops at the workshop.

He takes a longer pause to think about how to answer the question of with anyone. ]

Sometimes. I had friends who lived in Nott instead of the castle, I would visit them when I could. Lately, I might convince someone to go with me to the city if I notice they haven't left the library in weeks...

[ This could apply to at least one or two people at any given time. Another pause, then it's his turn to look sheepish: ]

For a little while there was a tavern I'd go to in the castle city some nights. The lights were dim and the music was loud. It wasn't very good for talking. [ He laughs at himself, lowering his gaze to the table. ] So, not really like this. With someone.

[ His gaze flicks back up as he tries to read Viktor's expression. ]

[He can only assume Kyle means Rhy and Kell, unless there are others who moved to Nott that Viktor isn't aware of. He knows that he has something of a blind spot, when it comes to the Thorne summoned--with a few exceptions, he doesn't really interest himself in the goings-on of the castle. Now, he should, for a variety of reasons.

Viktor likes the idea of browsing the shops and cafes in Nott or Borrel, just as he enjoys the idea of showing Kyle all the workshops and laboratories in Cadens and Libertas and Aquila. Not possible, of course, but maybe there are some residual memories of doing just that, when Kyle came to stay with him in the Free Cities.]

I think you'd have to drag me out of Thorne's libraries, too, if I ever found myself there.

[He's less an academic, nowadays, but he'd still devour that volume of knowledge, even if they both know it's carefully curated. Viktor isn't naïve about the nature of such taverns, either--he can easily read between the lines, but it's not like he's going to judge Kyle for that sort of thing. He tries to offer a reassuring glance.]

It's new for me, too. But I like it.

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