abraxaslogs | [open] march catchall

[As they say: 'sup nerd?

Alucard lets out a little sigh of relief as he crosses the threshold into the lab proper, casting his eyes about. There are little things that are familiar (which, okay, every lab is going to have some of the same equipment like nonreactive glass and clamps and so on), the rest wildly new. And Viktor is there--

--oh that's the grin of science gone wild.]

...It is all about what you'll allow it to be, in the end. Still, can't say I feel electrical experimentation to be the best venue for resilience, but that may be personal preference. I probably would have gone with something steam based.

[He shrugs lightly, not wanting to get too close until Viktor's deemed it safe enough.] For someone getting their bearings though, you appear to have gotten the meat of it down. I've yet to see a whole city appear in the Horizon.

[Science gone wild!]

Oh, it's not about the electricity. I was...running a current through, eh. That.

[He gestures, vaguely, at the source of the explosion. It looks like it might have, at one point, been some kind of metal rig, but now it's all twisted, blackened steel, jagged rings of soot radiating out in a circle from the central point.

The nice thing about all this is that cleanup is more-or-less instantaneous. Viktor wipes it away with little more than a thought, signaling that it's safe to come closer. What's left is a worktable in the center of the room, the equipment (which seems to be some kind of Faraday cage-like structure, arcs of metal looping over a central point--a receptacle for something) restored. He takes a few halting steps towards his desk, leaning against it and folding his arms, the excitement still a little evident on his face.]

I'm afraid there's not much going on out there. [Implying that it's more a backdrop than anything truly accessible, and that everything important is contained within the wall, like the room they're in right now.] Were you exploring?

[Ah, just like home.

Alucard follows the gesture, eyes moving onto the rig. It's...boy. Alucard's not sure what it was supposed to be, and and now it doesn't seem to matter. The destroyed structure is gone, and there's only the workbench now.

He doesn't hide curiosity here. He's right over to looking at the metal structure, leaning in to see what the goal of the construct is.]

I was, yes. The aesthetics of the place feel like the inverse of some of my father's aesthetics.

[Dracula does the depressed art deco thing.] You seem to have caught the hang of this place quickly enough.

[There's probably a lot to explain, here, starting with just what kind of device Alucard is looking at, but Viktor figures there will be plenty of time for demonstrations soon. For now, he leaves it a mystery, and gestures to one of the swivel stools nearby, if his guest would like to sit.]

I've spent a lot of time making things. This is...just an extension of that.

[But the truth is he's still wrapping his head around it--the near-limitless powers of creation. He knows he could probably get a little more creative than just recreating things from home or from his memories, but he's chosen a more methodical approach, if only so he doesn't get ahead of himself.]

Still, it's a bit overwhelming.

[He wants to know!!! But there is absolutely infinite time to explore.

Alucard sits, only because it is polite. What he wants to do is start pacing around the room to see what else is around, but he is a guest and has been taught correct hospitality, thank you. ]

You get used to it in time. But you're creating in accordance with what you're used to in a way - technology and buildings, as opposed to some of the nature spaces that others have gone on to curate.

[His eyes still wander. Surely, there are books here?]

Yes, I can imagine it takes some practice.

[Like most things. He's starting with what he knows, and he'd sort of impressed himself with the ability to recall so much detail--though he supposes that it's in the Horizon's nature to use one's subconscious to help fill in the blanks.

It's not lost on him that Alucard probably has a lot of questions. Viktor can see the way he looks around the room, and sure, he just invited him to take a seat, but he can already tell that sitting around the lab and talking will probably not be the best use of their time.

(There are books. There are so many books.)]

I could...show you around?

Edited 2022-03-19 15:26 (UTC)

Only a bit.

[There's a shrug. Alucard admittedly found adjusting to the Horizon easy, as well as the act of creating within it. It was about will, and forcing one's will into a blank space. A wonderful thing, one with infinite possibilities.

(Please show the nerd the books.)

He has the good sense not to leap on the offer like a wild animal. Instead, Alucard politely clears his throat and nods.]

Please. And it doesn't need to be in depth, lest I demand too much of your time.

[Viktor, at least, thinks this is the right answer, if the grin on his face is any indication, something a little brighter than anything he could muster in the real world. Of course he’ll show Alucard around—the lab is fairly bare, in comparison to the rest of it, and he has no real issue welcoming visitors into the study he’s built for himself. Surely there’s plenty here that will interest him.]

It’s not a problem. [He’s glad to do it, and he stands, motioning for Alucard to follow him out of the lab.] My understanding is that time passes normally outside of this place, otherwise, uh. I’d probably spend much more time in here.

[More than is advisable, really. For various reasons.]

It does, and we share the same problem. [Sure, Alucard's Horizon is more like "what if I just let everyone know how depressed I am and had a really good kitchen?" but that doesn't mean he doesn't enjoy his time there. There's always the quiet comfort of reading while something bakes in the oven, the soft patter of rain against the roof. And rarely and visitors.

Alucard's on his feet and behind Viktor in an instant. Not that he's using vampire speed, he's just enthused.] It does seem well organized, which is always pleasant.

[It's probably for the best that time passes normally in here--all Viktor wants is time. That in combination with a near-limitless power to conjure up whatever he wants? Well, it's slightly dangerous, for someone like him.

Alucard seems to understand, though, and his enthusiasm is noticeable. The study it is, then, and Viktor leads him on a short trip out of the lab, down a hall, and through another door. The study that greets them both is warm, with tall, vaulted windows, and creature comforts like plush furniture and house plants, and, yes, books. He's already covered the blackboards and worktables with notes and schematics.

Viktor looks proud of it, all things considered.]

I thought a personal space might be useful. You're welcome to make yourself comfortable.

[Alucard steps into the study, and the warm glow of nostalgia smacks him right in the face.

It isn't the same as home, of course. The decor isn't quite right, there were never any houseplants in Dracula's libraries, the blackboards did not exist. But the windows, the furniture, the smell of them both? That stirs up warmer memories.

He starts with the shelves, eyes glancing over the titles. One hand moves over the spines as Alucard moves. Leather, leather, vellum, leather.]

It's quite cozy. Is this what you'd be aiming for in reality?

[It's not hard to see that Alucard is fairly pleased by this development, and that makes Viktor grin a little in turn, like he should be proud to have made something that someone else likes. Maybe a little silly, but another reminder that he's in good company. The special attention to the books is not lost on him.]

To be honest, I'm not even sure about everything in here. [He gestures vaguely to the bookshelves.] I put in the broad strokes, some specific elements, but then allowed things to, ah. Spiral.

[To iterate, and draw from his subconscious to fill in the blanks. He'd never be able to recreate an entire shelf of books word for word, so he let the Horizon do some of the work.]

It's a little nicer than what I have back home-- [More akin to the office or study of an actual professor at the Academy, he means.] --but that's the point, isn't it?

Edited 2022-03-26 16:23 (UTC)

That's very much the point. [He can't help it. Alucard takes one of the books off the shelves, curious as to the contents within. If there might be contents within, because there's something to be learned about how the Horizon works if the pages are blank as well.]

I've gone for the precise opposite of back home, save the kitchen. [The kitchen and having a good one that works is very important, thank you.] Not spending all of my time there is a struggle.

[He's careful as he leafs through the pages, eyes skimming. No use in destroying someone else's books.] Have you managed to find any lab space in the waking world?

It's difficult, isn't it?

[He says that a little wistfully, like there are a few additional reasons he might like to be in here, and might be slightly disappointed that time passes as normal in the real world.

But there are, in fact, contents within the books--outside of his engineering skills, Viktor is primarily a mathematician and physicist, and it seems the library has populated itself accordingly.]

I have, yes. Just a workshop, but it will be sufficient, especially given the fact that I can supplement my work here.

Some days more than others.

[Alucard gets it. There's a comfort in retreating to a little isolated spot where there's gentle rain against the roof, a fire's glow, and nothing else to do. It is an easier place to exist.

The contents are only a little familiar to Alucard, but it makes logistical sense in his mind. Viktor's time and place is the next logistical step from his father's work and what he himself learned. The theories evolve and become more complex.]

Through patronage, or did you luck into something that pays exceedingly well?

If you're looking for anything in particular, let me know. I can try to find it.

[Or make it. Because, again, that's the point of all of this, isn't it? Viktor might also be using this space as a way to hedge his bets against the misuse of whatever he produces in the real world--private projects, testing, methods he'd rather not make public.

And. Speaking of. Viktor looks momentarily conflicted, like he doesn't quite know how he wants to answer that question.]

A little of both, though I wouldn't say it pays exceedingly well. [He's doing a lot of odd jobs at the various workshops and the Academy, not wanting to end up in a position where entirely beholden to somewhat unsavory individuals.] My research has garnered some interest, but I'd rather not be wholly dependent on patronage.

[That sounds like a diplomatic way to ~~lie about it~~ put it.]

Anything that might touch on architecture would be pertinent to my interests.

[Because reasons, of course. Alucard is still in the early stages of figuring out the public hall's restoration efforts and audio engineering is a whole new ball game, so more advanced theories? Those could be huge boons.

Viktor's expression gives Alucard pause. He isn't the kind of person to pry - in fact, it is how he's built up most of the trust with people he has met here - but that doesn't make the concern go away either.

He nods once.]

That's always wise. Patrons can sometimes clash with the intent of the creator. [He has to tilt his head though.] Have you ever put in controls in your work to allow for the sudden cease of use should a patron go contrary to intent?

I'll see what I can come up with.

[Viktor seems to think for a minute, as if trying to determine where such a book would be in his mind-study, then stands, making his way over to peruse the shelves. Anything he manages to conjure will be mostly related to Piltover's particular architectural style (read: Art Nouveau), but it's likely an interesting read either way.

Despite the fact that he generally works very hard to keep himself from wearing his feelings on his sleeves, he knows his face often betrays him--he isn't surprised that Alucard seems a touch concerned.]

Legally? I'm not often in a position to do that. [But that's not really what he'd find important, anyway. The last thing he wants to do is spend time and money litigating the use of his work, not when there are easier ways to go about it.] What I'm working on here, is. Well, it will be difficult for a layperson to make sense of, let alone utilize to its fullest extent. I've considered failsafes.

[That is, he's going to make himself invaluable--if people want his tech, they'll have to respect how he wants it used, or they won't be able to use it at all, even if it means he has to destroy it.]

Edited 2022-03-28 21:34 (UTC)

[Alucard follows, but at an acceptable pace behind. He has zero qualms with learning a new style (especially since Dracula's jam was just art deco a few centuries too early.)

Also sorry Viktor. You're not subtle, and Alucard's grown up around Tepes Man Drama which has no subtly and way more blood.]

Making yourself integral to operation is one way to go about it, I suppose. [Risky, though. Very risky.

But he'll let the subject drop, settling for trying to peer at the titles of the books they're near by.]

[He's not going far--just down the shelves a bit, hooking his cane on his arm as he steps up onto a low stool to reach a higher shelf. Sure, he could probably conjure the books right into his hands, but he seems to like the routine of browsing the volumes and selecting the right one.]

I'm afraid I'm not as well-versed in architecture as some other subjects, but hopefully this will suffice.

[The implication being that Alucard is welcome to either stay here and read, or borrow it indefinitely, once they finish their arguably more important conversation.]

The situation is not ideal, but I need to continue my work. [Implying that there's something unspoken, here--it's not simply a matter of wanting to be industrious.] I have things under control.

Edited 2022-03-29 14:55 (UTC)

[Yeah, he's borrowing it. Alucard can't help but open it of course and flip through a few pages, evaluating the images he's seeing.]

It's perfect. If you don't want me wandering about the place unsupervised, perhaps you can install a book drop?

[He believes in respecting privacy.]

I'll trust your intuition. [Speaking of.] What have you started on?

Not a bad idea.

[Truthfully, Viktor doesn't care about Alucard in here, but he's not so trusting of most people. Better to keep anything sensitive in a place he can lock, even if it's only through sheer willpower, or however things work in here. He makes a mental note to implement something like that once they're finished here.

As far as the rest of it is concerned, he's already convinced himself he has everything under control, for better or worse. When asked about his current project, he seems to light up a little, clearly getting excited just at the prospect of talking about it.]

I'm attempting to recreate something I built back home, adjusted for this world's magic system. It's a...conduit, of sorts, for harnessing arcane forces.

I'm afraid the library in my domain is much smaller, but if you can think of anything obscure, I may be able to dredge up a title.

[Alucard's library is just a pile of books in a tiny little room, but never mind that. The ~~depression hut~~ woods are mostly dark and cozy, a far cry from what Viktor has created here.

Alucard's head tilts just s lightly.] Harnessing them to what end, precisely?

[The answer is any end, because that's the whole point of the Hexcore--to be able to learn and adapt and serve any purpose. All of that, however, seems a bit complicated to explain, so he decides to start with the broad strokes, and elaborate further if necessary.]

Before arriving here I was exploring medical uses-- [Which has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that he looks visibly ill outsize of the Horizon, of course, lest he betray a less-than-selfless motivation for creating such a device.] --but I believe there is potential for environmental restoration, renewable energy...the applications are nearly limitless.

[He seems excited just thinking about it.]

[Great news Viktor: Alucard's going to just throw some off handed information out for you.]

Really? That's quite an interesting path to go down. My mother was a doctor and had great interest in progressing the medical arts, although our civilization was no where near as advanced as yours has proven to be. [Even with Dracula being...Dracula.]

But truly there are some logistical restrictions, no?

[open] march catchall

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several days later: alucard just flat out returns goro's money

lmao right

btw is he gonna be there because alucard can be nerdy about the work part at vikor

ya im gonna tag your top level hee hee hoo hoo

8))) i am so ready

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