Jayce Talis (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
hextechhead) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
abraxaslogs2022-04-09 12:13 pm
hextechhead) wrote in abraxaslogs2022-04-09 12:13 pm
hextechhead) wrote in abraxaslogs2022-04-09 12:13 pm
OPEN: Horizon
Their Horizon has multiple floors and a clearly marked lift that will take people where they want to go. Attached to the lab, if someone comes and can't find either of its inhabitants, is Jayce's apartment. It was destroyed back in their world but here it's full of books, tools, paperwork, and a long blackboard with equations on it. It's very cluttered. If you go out onto the balcony, you can see some of Piltover although none of the blimps or giant buildings are real, they just look like it from a distance.
The floor below for those curious enough to look around has two very interesting locations: Heimerdinger's lab and the Meditation area. Their mentor's lab is special because while in it there is no gravity and it is bright blue. The room sparkles with energy and some static, and if you want to hover around or swim through the air, this is the place to do it. At the center of the room is a bright blue portal that if you push something through it, it zips to the other side after disappearing. The meditation area is a gorgeous field with beautiful flowers, in a room-size space, and it is calm with what looks like mountains in the background although that's more of a greenscreen effect. Jayce can be found meditating there and with magic books around him, practicing. The spell he seems most focused on is minor healing, so he is giving himself a papercut and then healing it right after.
At the bottom is the Talis Forge. While Viktor has pointed out to him it doesn't need to be swelteringly hot, it is. Some things Jayce is so used to he can't see it any other way. If someone visits he is able to turn it off, but he likes the heat and the smell of oil and engines. The fire is always going hot and there are several tables with a variety of tools.
The Council Room, secret room, and Mercury Hammer currently are not visible or able to go to.
no subject
it is fascinating to hear about the other words hiding in the layers of their vast multiverse.
what wanda is certainly not expecting, when she steps in through the doors of viktor's lab, is to see a man—entirely opposite of viktor. where the former looks sickly, this man looks... healthy.
she stops, frozen on the spot, wondering wildly for a moment if she stepped into the wrong domain.]
... is this not Viktor's Horizon?
[it needs to be asked.]
no subject
It is, sorry to startle you. I'm Jayce, Viktor's partner. I only recently arrived in this world so I'm new.
[ He has tried to shake hands before and it doesn't seem to be very popular, so he nods his head respectfully instead. Jayce is the opposite of Viktor not only in physicality but he's warm, open, his features soft and curious. Viktor's told him a general summary of most people he's met here, although his descriptions never involve physical details, so he's still usually blind when it comes to meeting people at first. ]
We share this lab at home, so I took my work space back.
[ He gestures over to the desk in question. He thinks it's sweet that Viktor kept it empty instead of getting rid of it. ]
Please feel free to come in, he'll probably show up sooner or later.
no subject
anyone can enter any horizon at any given time. is this man really viktor's partner?
the icy demeanor she reserves for first meetings is not thawed by the warmth from both jayce's words and posture. though she is invited to come in, she has her reservations; she steps inside but keeps close to the wall, eyes narrowing on the man.]
Are you certain you are allowed here?
[wow wanda, not the pot calling the kettle black.]
no subject
This is my lab, Viktor and I created Hextech together. [ He sighs. ] See this is when I wish he would actually talk about me to other people.
[ Listen, Jayce knows how Viktor is, he is very private and guarded, and since Jayce wasn't here there was no real reason for him to share the details about his best friend. Jayce on the other hand talks about him constantly, but that's just who they are. He thinks for a minute and then puts up a finger to quietly ask her to wait, going back over to his desk.
He picks up his sketch book and comes back over, still keeping a respectful distance. He's scribbling on it quickly, but honestly, Jayce could draw Viktor with his eyes closed. He turns it around so she sees it, and then pulls out another of his sketches, the new cane that he made Viktor as soon as he got there. She can see that there are several designs there for other pieces of technology, and he sketched Viktor so she would see that he is the one who also did the others, and didn't just make it up this minute. Not to mention literally every page has "Jayce Talis" written at the bottom of it. Some things never change.]
I'm a blacksmith, I physically make all the pieces of our technology, including his new cane. If you tell me your name I can probably tell you what he said about you in case I met you without him.
no subject
sketches may mean nothing, and wanda's had black widow as her combat and spy tutor to know that these things can be easily faked. following the man around, memorizing what he looks like, his habits, anything can provide for a credible story. this could be a long con in the making, and if viktor has a right to feel somewhat... protective of his work, wouldn't that mean that it is likely there are those of his world who may have been interested in his research, now newly arrived?
the possibilities are endless.]
Anyone can make sketches.
[wanda just needs to make sure—and her hands glow in scarlet, as she sends ripples of her magic to take up the contents of research (books, papers, models) and neatly pile them all together, pushing them up towards the ceiling—including the sketch book jayce had been holding. her magic grazes his hands in the process.]
Where is Viktor?
[she'll only trust the words coming out of his mouth, not whoever "jayce" claims to be.]
no subject
He gives a long-suffering sigh, seriously he's going to make it a new rule that Viktor has to describe him to everyone now that he's here, this is ridiculous. Jayce is wracking his brain for something helpful to say when she uses magic and he gasps, concern turning into open wonder. Maybe he should be scared but instead he looks more interested, staring up at them. ]
That's amazing. Did you learn to do that here or did you have it before? I've started rudimentary training but to have this amount of control. Is it hard to do so many things at once?
[ Honestly the strangest part of his reaction is probably the almost adoration in his gaze at the witness of any magic. The first time he witnessed it here he got emotional. Seriously don't mind him. It's a problem. And yes he just completely forgot what they were talking about in exchange for admiring her magic, feel free to judge him for it. ]
Oh wait. Sorry. Um. You must be Wanda. [ He's still looking at her magic instead of at her. ] Viktor told me about the magic users here because I'm well, a magic fan. Sorry.
[ Yes he said sorry twice, it's because as good as he is with people, even he is subject to being cringe sometimes, and magic is something that sets him off. But it's probably embarrassing. Except he's hungry for answers at the same time. He has a problem. It's also not that unusual to suspect he's lying considering Jayce is painfully sincere and genuine, which is not frequently seen in people. ]
It's beautiful.
[ He finally forces himself to look back at her. Like a person would. Jayce. ]
no subject
she's not even going to answer the questions, because this is how suddenly awkward wanda is starting to feel about the situation.
especially when "jayce" says her name, and then it's a little harder to hold on to the theory that this man must just be very well aware of viktor's schedule and whereabouts for nefarious reasons.
a string of magic tangentially pushes through the man, an action consolidated by the movement of her fingers, and she gets an inkling now of... emotion, excitement, towards the current display of scarlet. wanda pushes past that and pokes around his head a bit more and finds that thread that connects viktor to the man: a friendship from years ago, a lab just like this one, a meaningful connection.
hm.
wanda pulls away her magic, neatly putting the research items back in their place, but the sketch book falls in wanda's hands. she opens it and looks at the sketches jayce had tried showing hier. it's only after a moment that she returns the book, taking the remaining steps closer towards jayce.]
— I'm sorry.
[it's her turn to apologize, handing the book over.]
no subject
Don't worry about it.
[ The way he says it makes it clear he genuinely means that. He is not upset. He takes the book from her with a smile.]
I think it's nice you were trying to protect his work. Technically, our work, so thanks.
[ Where they come from, only Jayce really appreciates Viktor, and he's been frustrated for years that the prejudice of the higher class led people to dismiss the most brilliant person in their midst. The fact that outside of that snobby society Viktor has thrived in meeting new people who see his value is gratifying. ]
I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable with the magic questions. When I was a child, a mage saved me and my mother from death, and I spent the rest of my life searching for it. And then I found a way to combine it with technology, the Hextech Viktor and I created. So I've just ... always longed to learn more.
[ Jayce's other hand goes to caress the bracelet he always wears at home, and he can have here in the Horizon. It used to burn with magic, and the mage gave it to him after he saved them. It's his most sentimental possession.
He knows he can be intense and she didn't ask for that. She didn't offer him the chance to talk about magic, he just pushed his way into it, so he is contrite about that. He hopes explaining where his obsession comes from can help note he doesn't mean to be that way, it really is true admiration it comes from. ]
no subject
[instead of — scared? wanda is not sure what the reaction should have been, but she feels that it should not have been something so positive. knowing now what she does, it makes sense that it was that way.
she is also trying to grapple with the idea that despite her kind-of threatening display just now, jayce remains altogether not vindictive towards her in any way, share, or form.
wanda steps away from him after he's taken the book, but remains at a prudent enough distance to hold a conversation.]
It is strange that someone should be fascinated with magic. Generally the remarks I get are not — the kindest, to put it lightly. [she studies his face a moment, only for her expression to break away into one of apologetic confusion.] I'm sorry, you don't look much like a scientist. It was hard to believe you were partners.
[had it not been for the way his thoughts went deep about viktor, wanda would have probably magic-slammed him onto the wall and waited for the other to arrive and clear the air.]
no subject
[ He's joking, he does that sometimes, when he remembers to dispel the tension Despite Jayce being visibly handsome and easy and charming, that's all an exterior thing, internally he is a complete nerd. One who spent all his time reading science books and dreaming of finding a way to have magic in his hands. Other kids didn't like him, and not even academics really did once he got older. He's been a wildcard for a long time, although always vaguely well-respected, but now he's famous and beloved in his world, and he still feels like the weird science kid. ]
It's like that in our world too, magic is taboo. I don't understand how someone could see what you just did and not be impressed. It's not how my brain works. All I've wanted was for people to see it the way I did. Viktor's really the only one.
[ That night they had floating around, the beginning of Hextech, it meant a lot to both of them. He blinks at the second part and looks down at himself. Jayce is dressed in academy clothes, very similar to Viktor, including the vest and tie. He looks confused for a moment and then snaps his fingers, nodding.]
Oh, because of the.
[ He waves his hands at his general upper body. Listen, academics usually don't have time to hit the gym all the time, but then again, neither does Jayce. He has heard this remark before from people since becoming the Man of Progress, remarking on how he looks more like an athlete than a scientist.]
My family builds tools for a living, I've been in and out of the forge since I was young. I create a lot of the physical parts of our project myself, so I ended up like this.
no subject
something jayce does have going for himself is the fact that he is viktor's friend, and wanda understands that viktor doesn't want to use magic for his own selfish gain nor destruction.
besides, it must be incredibly character-building to have your life and your mother's saved by a mage. in contrast, her family was killed by machines and weapons—it makes sense that she detests it all. she sees his point.]
Perhaps I misjudged you.
[understatement.]
—yes, I'm Wanda. [belatedly, and here she does offer her hand; a show of more... amiable intent, from her behalf.] I met Viktor a few months ago. He — speaks differently, for a man of science. He also looks unwell a lot, so I hoped to check in on him. I suppose that won't be a problem anymore with you here, though.
[with this bond they have; this unending care jayce feels towards viktor.]
no subject
Don't worry about it. If it helps, Viktor insists on locking our important work in his study here. It's really unlikely anyone can get to it without permission.
[ If he has the Hexcore out at one point or another, it probably would only work for Viktor too, so that's unlikely to be shared freely. Jayce on the other hand would probably be oblivious about that sort of thing. It's not good practice, but he's not very guarded in here. Viktor can be guarded enough for the both of them. He does keep all his notes with him in the real world, just in case. ]
What kind of scientists did you know before us?
[ She clearly has some kind of image of scientists she's comparing them to and he can't help but be curious about it. He would say he and Viktor are unique, she's not wrong about that. Jayce pauses at the reference to Viktor's health, and it's impossible not to acknowledge it's bad, but he tries to be careful with his secrets. ]
He has chronic health problems. [ A safe reference without the fatal addition to it. That could be anywhere from his leg and back to his lungs.] I'm hoping to learn healing magic and medicine here, I've been asking around. Just to make it a little easier on him, I don't think there's an easy cure.
[ They'll be working on a new Hexcore to see if that could make a difference, while Jayce quietly studies to maybe ease the problem until they can finish. If he can pause the degradation of the illness, it'll be what they need. ]
We're in each other's pockets so yeah, I've got him covered, but I think he'll appreciate other people worrying about him too. I mean, not the worrying part, he gets grumpy when he feels like he's being coddled, but ... usually it's only me.
[ Jayce is his best friend, the person who loves him best, but also, the only person, unfortunately. He thinks it will be good for Viktor, having other people. ]
no subject
at the question, she turns her gaze away.]
Men focused on building fame and monetary gain from their experiments. Using their discoveries to fuel a war. [and even then, men like tony stark—] Full of pride, unwilling to admit mistakes.
[if there is one regret wanda holds towards tony stark (which are not many, honestly), it is the fact that she could never have a proper conversation with him—get the closure she deserved from what his past actions led to in sokovia. it is... just so complicated.
with a sigh, she pulls away from those thoughts, then towards the issue of viktor's health.
it pains her to hear about it, but she reckons it's a sensitive topic, perhaps more than what she should get involved in. wanda's expression softens a touch, her arms crossed around her middle.]
If I weren't in Solvunn, I'd offer to help with — magic, or ... [exasperatedly:] whatever. I didn't realize it was something chronic.
[and not just shitty sleep schedules and shitty diets.]
no subject
[ Heimerdinger may have his flaws, but he did set up a very strict code of ethics and while Jayce and he don't see eye to eye on everything, he did set the stage for the academics in Piltover to be careful. Jayce and Viktor were the rare exception of going outside of what Heimerdinger considered acceptable, and he only barely allowed them, until the Hexcore. ]
On the other hand, the person who insisted on that ethos, Professor Heimerdinger, our mentor, he also has the pride problem. He's three hundred years old and I'm not sure he thinks he's capable of making mistakes.
[ Jayce wonders if he thinks he can now. If he only sees what happened between them as Jayce making mistakes, and takes none of that onto himself. He wishes he beliveed that his mentor could do that, but it only just happened. He had a long time to change his mind. He still doesn't think it sounds similar to what Wanda is saying, he would never allow discoveries to be involved in a war. That at least he's sure of.
Jayce having just made a weapon with their tech, and seen the aftermath of a very bad choice, is all about owning his mistakes. He has a list of them that he reminds himself of regularly.
He shakes his head and crosses his own arms. ]
I'm on it, and there's another medical student I met here, maybe we can figure it out. But if I'm being honest Wanda.
[ Jayce pauses to think through what he wants to say. It's always jumping through hoops where Viktor is concerned. ]
Maybe having multiple friends will convince him that people care about him and he'll take better care of himself. A man can dream. I've been fighting him on the issue for seven years, it would be nice to have some back up.