[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

[judgmentbolts]

[ 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.

[techmaturgy]

[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?

[judgmentbolts]

[ 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.

[techmaturgy]

[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.

[judgmentbolts]

[ 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.

[techmaturgy]

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.

[judgmentbolts]

[ 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.

[techmaturgy]

[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?

wrapping? 🎁

[judgmentbolts]

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.