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
no subject
That's how you go Full Dracula far too quickly. Alucard has felt too much anger simmering below the surface. Politics are the last place he should ever be.]
I've no love of the place, although Solvunn seems to be the target of the day. [Pointless, so far as Alucard is concerned. There are worse things than accidentally unleashing the dead for a night.] Thorne was initially the only place that could bring people from other spheres here. Acting as judge, jury, and executioner, the mage who figured it out put about half of those he called forth into the dungeons below their castle with no reason.
[Alucard's tone manages to remain calm, but there is the undeniable current of venom threaded throughout his words. If he had to impale a man, it'd be Ambrose.
It's a thought that he might otherwise pushe aside, if not for Jayce's explanation of the term. It is deft, it is concise, and--
--his mind goes to the Belmonts and his father. No part about Alucard has ever doubted that Dracula's reputation was earned. It was. It always has been. But for the Belmonts, they kept at it. At any point they might have walked away, but they passed the work of Dracula's destruction down the generations. How much of it was about Wallachia, and how much of it was about what they had lost?
How much of this will play out in the wake of Dracula's attempt at destroying the country?
It is a sobering thought. Another reminder of why as awful Thorne's dungeons were, Alucard would rather be here in Cadens now, where Dracula's destruction is not his problem. Where he can be a quiet architect and engineer with plans, and then find a nice place to nap for a century our two. Anonymous, save for a few good buildings.]
I think more places do. They just don't have the term.
[But better luck here. Alucard shakes his head.] I think your luck relies on what you create here and ensuring proper use to positive ends.
no subject
[ It doesn't make sense to him, and he got the impression the people in Thorne, the mages, were supposed to be intelligent and shrewd. Although it could be they were just powerful, power doesn't bring wisdom. He doesn't question that Alucard is telling the absolute truth, he believes him full-heartedly. This is Viktor's friend, he can be trusted. That's the way Jayce's mind works, he's far too trusting at times. ]
The only thing I envy about Thorne is what we're talking about, the more open use of magic. I plan on studying it thoroughly, but I'll have to be more cautious about it here.
[ It shouldn't take that long for someone to guess that subtle is not Jayce's strong point. He is passionate and excitable and magic is something he's wanted all of his life. There's even a special light in his eye that comes in when he talks about studying it, he's hungry for it. For his own benefit, but first of all for Viktor. He is focusing on healing magic first and already started sitting in on medicine courses.
Jayce honestly doesn't know if there will ever be a real solution to the Piltover/Zaun conflict. He is responsible for the newest chapter of it, so he wanted to try and fix his mistake. But now he is here and that is all left up to question. When he first arrived his plan was to do anything to get home, he left the barracks after that was a dead end so he could go to the city and had this wild ambition to learn how to do the spell himself. But he wasn't going back for his work or his guilt. The only thing he needed was right here. ]
But they clearly aren't trustworthy so that wouldn't be worth it. And Viktor wouldn't be able to make the journey easily.
[ Or at all. He wouldn't survive it, they both know that. Jayce is trying to be careful not to give away details of Viktor's condition, he knows that he would hate it and be upset with him. So he'll just work around it. Regardless of his health, it's a long journey and Viktor leans heavily on a cane, that much is known. Jayce will find the right magic here, that's all.
He smiles at Alucard, one of those people who really looks at people when he's talking to them, it can be a lot and he doesn't mean it to be. ]
I can see why you get along. You're a pragmatist. And you're definitely not wrong.
no subject
[It was stupid, and Alucard has no idea why Goro's focus on Solvunn has stuck as hard as it has. Thorne would be much easier. Better. Get more people on board.
But he isn't, and Alucard can ignore the anger about what happened in that castle most days.] The issue is, of course, they frown on the technological advancements. So you'd have the same problem, but in reverse. And with less freedom of movement, as my understanding is that those summoned there still mostly reside within the castle, whereas here one can easily blend into the city if they so wish.
[Alucard's so wished it, even if he is not a subtle man in appearance or attitude. He is at least able to attempt to have a poker face from time to time, which Jayce...really doesn't, it is kind of amazing.]
The desert is vast as well. I enjoy the endless nothing of it, but it is a hard space to travel through. Always easier at night and you'll always ru out of supplies.
[Or you're a weirdo who becomes a wolf and goes feral every so often in the moon light out there.
Alucard understands doctor-patient confidentiality, at least. He learned from when he helped his mother in her clinic, although the term doesn't exist in his vocabulary. It is why he's never pressed Viktor for details. But then, he rarely presses anyone for details, so that it isn't done to him in turn.]
I wouldn't disagree with the description. [He breathes out, slow and steady.] But you should be cautious with who take your technology. People are good at finding unintended uses for things.
no subject
[ Jayce can't really understand staying, although it does really depend on what buttons people can push. It they can hold things over the people there. Then there are those who really do just want the security and castle, but still. It seems like staying when they could do it again at any time seems like a bad idea. Not that they are 100% safe from Free Cities trying to use influence on them, but Jayce is used to someone pulling strings. He'll take that as it comes, his priority is keeping Viktor alive and out of any trouble that could come. ]
There are powerful mages here, it's just the different approach that matters. Leaving is not an option, but I've spent my life with academics and bright minds, I'm sure I can find a way to work with them. I already got a job with a local blacksmith.
[ The thing is that Jayce sounds like he completely believes what he's saying. There is a conviction to him that could come from a place or privilege, or really this ultimate dedication to making his dreams become a reality. Because if he didn't believe in himself, nothing would have gotten done, it required a lot of passion and push. And he is only going to keep doing it here.
He doesn't seem concerned about the path only eager to get to it. The sooner he can vault over problems the better. Jayce tilts his head and thinks about what Alucard is saying, nodding. ]
We know that, I promise you. It's been a long-term struggle in the past few years, we're funded by the political party in charge of Piltover, so there are a lot of vying priorities.
[ And then Jayce became part of the problem. He is determined never to make that mistake again. Which brings him to. ]
Alucard, Vik is really not good at giving me all the info, he told me that the guy who gave the money for this place has questionable politics. Goro? Do you know him?
[ Considering the only thing Viktor said about Goro was a warning, it made Jayce very much one edge and somewhat concerned. He's usually the one of the two of them who handles people, and Jayce worries that someone pushed his way into Viktor's work when he didn't have back up. He's worried, that much is clear, again because he has no poker face, his handsome features turning soft and concerned. ]
no subject
[It isn't a lie either. Alucard is not in Thorne, scratching at the walls without any of his natural abilities. He is in Cadens, doing work that keeps his mind and body occupied at all times. He has a place to sleep in as a wolf, and can run into the desert when he needs to. The dhampir has adjusted to being selfish in order to survive. It is the easiest thing in the world.]
That's...fast. [It took Hector how long to get his own shop? Alucard is not inclined to question it, but he may nudge the necromancer if he needs another set of hands making specialized nails with spells in them for the building project. He has no idea what Hector's workflow is like, all things considered.]
--Ah. Then you know how to step and be lively about it. [Which is an actual relief.
Until the Goro of it all comes up, and the dhampir looks as if he'd really rather walk into the desert. He breathes out, not wanting to fling Viktor under the bus but aware that anything made the man might claim.] Another summoned, he's made himself a bit of a politician. He started to advocate for aggression after an accident of magic at the end of October that had some unwanted necromancy and he uses a distrust of magic as a part of the platform. [He folds his arms over his chest.] I'm biased against his platform for personal reasons, and he is the exact sort of individual I expect to be petty when told no. I've met him precisely twice in passing and do not wish for there to be a third time.
no subject
[ Jayce is actually decent at business, he comes from a family of businessmen and workers, technically. The Talis house have been selling their wares for generations now so it comes pretty easily to him, and he likes working with his hands. It might give an explanation for why he is muscular despite being a scientist, working in a forge is dirty and arduous and he's good at it. ]
The good part is I was able to make him a new cane, I can't believe the one he's had to deal with for two months.
[ Viktor had a decent one before meeting Jayce, but Jayce designed Viktor's new braces and cane after their partnership, and he immediately got to work on replicating a version of them here. He doesn't mention the braces as Viktor tends to keep those private under his clothes. He had to get right to work so they could get a new apartment, their funds together will help with that, and now he might have a good reason to insist on a new work space too.
He immediately looks troubled at that information, trying to wrack his brain for why Viktor would work with someone advocating for aggression. If he was desperate to get the funds to start on his work, maybe he thought it could be temporary and would be fine, he always thinks he has everything under control. Jayce lips are pressed firmly together in a straight line. ]
Well if someone needs to say no, I can be the bad guy. I'm sure Viktor's intentions were good, they always are, but I don't want someone taking advantage of him ... or us.
no subject
[He has a feeling about the right aswer, but it is wise to check all the same. Alucard has to wonder if Hector will cross paths with him and how it might go. Magic and forging are natural friends, after all.]
I do have to ask, have there been experiments with putting any spells into the cane itself to ease mobility? Either through the forging process itself or afterwards via inscriptions. I've been working with these things lately. [And want to gently throw something out there, just in case. Alucard's not going to interfere, but he isn't above a suggestion.
--Someone really didn't explain the Goro of it all, did they? Alucard is able to keep his face a careful blank.] If you're the one used to dealing with politics, it is probably better that you are the person to deal with it. I've not wanted to say something lest it sound as if I am passing judgement, since I have refused funding from the source in question, but my concerns have remained.
no subject
[ They do live together and Jayce currently has to sleep on the very tiny floor in his very not-tiny body, so that honestly is first on the list. And they share the Horizon and workshop. Yet seven years later and Jayce is in no way sick of his partner's presence, he looks forward to it every morning. They really balance on another out well.
His eyes widen at Alucard's idea and the smile that comes is a flash of pure sunlight, warm and grateful. And right then and there, Jayce confirms in his heart that he likes this man. It takes a good heart to think that way, and he's glad Viktor found someone like that here. Anyone who is kind to his partner gets an automatic thumbs up from him regardless.]
That would be amazing, how would we do that? Can you do it yourself or can you give me a design to put into the cane? Obviously we will ask him, but any additional support could make a real difference.
[ The Goro situation was not clear to him but that is Viktor for you, and Jayce is not surprised in the least. It's why he asked someone else so he could get another point of view. He will handle that with Viktor later, and make it clear that it was not Alucard intentionally pushing the issue. Then again, Viktor knows him. Jayce is always the person pushing an issue. ]
I will handle the Goro situation. Thank you, Alucard. I can't tell you how glad I am that he found a friend here.
[ His sincerity is pure. ]
no subject
And there it is. The opportunity to absolutely not get into what Alucard does for sleeping quarters, and thank goodness for it. He manages to hide his look of relief, focusing instead on the paper that has been abandoned. Alucard flips it over, the back still blank.
There's nothing to work through yet, but he's ready.]
That's a question I can't answer without design input from the intended user about what would make it easier for him. [Jayce you're the better person to ask.] Magic in my own sphere is best understood as an expression of will. Will sparks intent, and intent hooks and snarls itself into the world, resulting in magic. There are rare necromancers known as forgemasters, who can bring souls of the damned to the surface in this way, meaning that in theory, you can embed spellwork into your raw materials as you work them.
[Theory being the key word.] But that also limits how much you can change. Inscriptions with precise intent carved into the side would be easier, and probably simpler to modify as well, depending on the goal. Also less complicated from a creation standpoint, all things considered.
[Alucard can just scratch things into metal, that's easy.]
Everything I've said is public knowledge, save the refusal of funding. [For obvious reasons.] But dig into his particular platform before bringing it up. If only so you have the full picture, and not just a single biased source.
[Jayce you are one of the most genuine people he's met and it is absolutely screwing with him.] ==It's been nice to be around like minds.
no subject
[ Which may give an answer that Alucard didn't know for sure at this point, that they are not sharing a bed or have any 'private moments' to worry about currently. Jayce might talk about Viktor like he's everything to him, because to him that's the truth, but they have not crossed that barrier. There are bigger things to focus on. But Jayce smiles wryly when he says he takes up a lot of space, like his current height and bulk aren't obvious. But he's trying to joke around, bond. ]
I think that might be a conversation for you and Vik to have. He usually just hands me what he needs me to make. Although I'm really interested in it, because I'm interested in anything magic-related. I'll admit I'm not the best at precision, that is Viktor's side of things.
[ Jayce is the blunt side of things. He can create almost anything, he can dream up even more, but he has big calloused hands. As much as he can handle gears and details when he needs to, he's always handed the complex detailed changes to his partner. They really are a study in balance, in temperament, skill, and knowledge. ]
I will. Don't worry, I'll figure it out. I appreciate your honesty, I had a bad feeling about him.
[ And feelings are the type of thing that Jayce pays attention to. Maybe too much, but sometimes they do guide him in the right direction. Jayce is very genuine but he doesn't know how else to be. Even when he was playing the politics game well, it was still an extension of who he already is. But he knows he can be intense. He remembers to glance away from Alucard so the weight of his focused hazel-eyed attention drops away. ]
Are you a scientist too? I assume, from what you've said, that you're at least interested in it.
no subject
[And Viktor has to balance the cane as well. Alucard can't actually imagine how well that's working out, and he isn't inclined to try.
Truth be told, he hadn't assumed anything about a relationship. If it was pertinent, someone would have told him (probably Jayce, Alucard can say that much with confidence.) All he can assume is that they fuond a temporary arrangement and it is not ideal.]
I'm not inclined to poke at someone's private medical matters. Nor do I carry the privilage of years of partnership there.
[Meaning, you ask, I'll come up with a design. Alucard doesn't pry because he doesn't want other people prying in turn. It is a code that has served him well in Cadens thus far.]
No one here is really good at the concept of subtle, you'll find.
[At least, no one that he has met. So Alucard leaves the matter be, happy to get away from it, truth be told.
A shake of his head no is the answer, but it deserves elaboration. Without too many details, admittedly.] I am not. My father was a polymath and my mother was a doctor, I was exposed to a number of the arts and sciences growing up, giving me a larger knowledge base than most.
no subject
[ For someone who has never been poor, Jayce is pretty good at hustling when he needs to. And they definitely need to. He actively worries about Viktor hurting himself more tripping over him, but neither of them has suggested or even considered not staying in the same room.
Jayce gets what he means and nods. This is a good man, he intends to tell Viktor that. Whether his friend admits it or not, Jayce's opinion does matter to him, but he's not surprised at all that he likes Viktor's friends easily. Alucard is considerate of Viktor's situation and not inserting himself into it without permission, it's good. Thoughtful. ]
I'll bring it up to him and let him know to contact you if he's interested in more details.
[ Jayce might be relieved to know he's not the only one who isn't good at subtle. It's honestly astonishing he managed to keep his project secret so long since he's really bad at lying, but that was the benefit of having an apartment outside of the academy's eyes. And coming up with an idea no one had ever had before.
He is very interested in Alucard's response and it makes sense that he's the child of academics, he has that sort of curiosity and interest in him, quiet though he may be, that speaks of bright minds. ]
So it's not a surprise that the history of this place and its buildings would appeal to you. Being something of a polymath yourself.
no subject
[Maybe not easy, but the most straight forward for sure. There's nothing much to contend with, just a clear need to deal with a problem that has no complications attached. New rooms open up every day, and those aren't mired in politics.
Jayce, stop using the f-word so freely??? Alucard can't speak for Viktor, but he's emotionally constipated and a mess, admitting he even has friends here has been a weird minefield. Someone else looking at the situation from the outside and saying it is just a lot?????]
That'll do.
[It puts the weight on Viktor to make a call both if he wants this and how comfortable with disclosure he actually is. That's fair and then some as far as Alucard is concerned.]
I have more defined preferences though. [Dracula dabbled in everything, such as it is.] Polymaths, in my experience, jump around far more.
no subject
He will bring it up to Viktor later, he knows his friend will be prickly since he doesn't like other people talking about his leg, but hopefully he'll remember it's coming from a good place. Jayce's been here many times before, so he is probably the better person to approach it, yeah. ]
Surely even polymaths have some preferences. I can't imagine equally caring about every subject out there. Although if I had the time to learn everything, I probably would.
[ Jayce generally has excelled at everything he's put his mind to, but he put all of that weight into science and engineering for his one primary goal. Now he's looking at a lot of options for education and magic and he knows where to start, but it feels like walking into a huge feast and being starving but not knowing what dish to taste first. ]
Have you attended the medical school or any healing magic types of things here? I've started there, it's technically a new field of study.
[ His mother was a doctor so it seems logical to see if he has similar interests. And it is not coming out of no where, Jayce is only interested in medicine and healing because of Viktor. It has no real drive for him otherwise, but it is the most powerful drive he has. ]
no subject
[Alucard is not about to dig into the whole my father hired necromancers for a war thing or even he literally could summon demons from the pits of hell bit either. He is simply going to hope that the firm tone will signal that it is not a good conversation path, especially for someone he's just met.
But it does say something that Jayce has that desire to keep learning and discovering. It is a sign of someone Alucard's more inclined to like.]
Early on, I did sit in on several of the medical lectures, if only to see what the state of medical science is at the moment. I've been too occupied since to attend further. [He's absolutely measuring against Dracula's knowledge.] Does the current schedule allow for you to do the blacksmithing work and continue to attend lectures and labs?
no subject
I've always been good at biology so medical science is going to take a lot of studying and memorizing, but I think I'll be able to adjust. Even if physics and engineering are more my thing.
[ Jayce is more focused on healing magic because he thinks it's a quicker shorthand to getting Viktor relief, even if they don't have any proof healing magic can in fact fix him. He's surely gone to a magical healer at this point, so in the end, a mix of science, medicine, and healing magic will probably be the only long-term solution. Jayce doesn't think Hexcore will be the perfect cure Viktor thinks it is, but he's trying everything at this point.
He chuckles, shaking his head. ]
Honestly, not really, but I don't need a lot of sleep so I'm blocking out all hours of the day and most of the night to hit everything. I never had much free time in the first place. Between our work and ... [ He pauses and sighs. ] Becoming a politician.
[ He says it distastefully now because he feels that way about it after his experience, but he did what he did, and he can't change that. Now back home the only answer is he has to fix his own mistakes. But he doesn't want to get involved in the same thing here, which is why Goro in general sets off his alarm bells. ]
no subject
It may help to think of the body in those terms as you move further along in study then. A human is just a number of different systems that is a functioning whole, after all.
[Alucard realizes only after he speaks that his word choice is...very much a choice there. But it isn't as if his fangs are subtle either, nor has he ever been so secretive as to deny the fact he isn't fully human either.
He's also in no position to comment about sleeping. This is the same man who took a year long nap.]
It's a shame that progress and inventing always gets tied to politics and those hungry for power regardless of cost. [The intonation is deep and serious, and Alucard knows that it may beg questions. Family matters will be the answer, curt and implying far too much.] I do hope you can avoid the matter here.
no subject
[ Jayce is indicating a joke there though, his tone humorous, although it has some realness to it. He was always that eager and outspoken student, curious to a fault, sometimes annoying in his ideas and opinions. Viktor was more of a 'well, actually' student and Jayce was more of a 'but what about this, this, and this' student. He was Heimerdinger's favorite, his prized pupil, for the very reason the other teachers got frustrated by him.
Jayce sighs at the reference to politics and power hunger and boy does he relate, in the most unfortunate of ways. ]
It was one of those well sure, getting involved in these things has led other people down bad paths, but I'm different, I'll do it right. You know, like an idiot.
[ He can mock himself about it now, after a fall from grace. ]
If it's up to me, I'm staying as far out of it as I can here. Forcing our way into the political system here is wrong anyway in my opinion, this isn't our world. We shouldn't make decisions for them.
[ Jayce did it for his people and that at least he isn't entirely ashamed of. But he wouldn't like if an outsider tried to force their way into it, like Mel's mother did. It was immediately unacceptable. ]
no subject
You can always find a spell to keep yourself quiet for an hour.
[Alucard's tone is serious, making it harder to tell if he's kidding or not. He can be dry as the desert outside of Cadens, aftr all.]
At least you know you were an idiot in retrospect. That's worthy of some note in and of itself. [Alucard himself is too young to suggest another factor might be youth, enthusiasm, or anything else along those lines. Which is probably for the better, as he would come off as far too condescending.]
So long as your hand isn't forced. [For obvious reasons and concerns.] I've wondered how likely it is that simply existing here and functioning within their systems counts as interfering or making decisions.
[To invent is to potentially impact the world here, it seems.]
no subject
I'd probably just start writing questions down.
[ His sense of humor is much more obvious, like everything about him. Jayce sombers though about the topic of his stupidity and he shrugs. ]
All I've ever really wanted to do was make our city better, it's why we started Hextech too, so when given the opportunity to try and change things on a higher level, I thought I should do it.
[ It's a wistful thought, remembering the genuine need to help people, the good intentions that drove him to where he was. But a junior politician should never have ended up the head of the council, and he walked into a war situation with no real knowledge. It was probably always going to not work out. ]
But I didn't know enough about how things work, about how to actually enact change or deal with a corrupt system. It was a naive and kind of arrogant idea that I could come in blind and fix everything that had been wrong for a century.
[ Again, Jayce is very upfront, opening a window into his past and his heart to strangers, because this is all weighing on his mind, and he wonders if there aren't lessons in there for more than him. Not that Alucard needs a lesson in anything, but Jayce never really got much of a chance to talk through it either. It all just sort of happened and spiraled out of control. He talks off the top of his head, it's a thing. ]
Sorry to ramble. Anyway, I'd like to avoid that again. But you're not at all wrong. By changing things about this city, whether it's restoration or creating new technology, it could be interfering. Maybe it's worth it if it's a net good?
Do you want to aim to wrap this so we can focus on event soon?
[Only slightly though.
Alucard is quiet as he hears the full of it. In all of that explanation, it becomes clear that what was created was always going to have political tie ups, and it would inevitably become an issue that no one could truly control. Not coming into things with a personality like Jayce's and not being able to predict some cynicism either.
There's a note of the familar there, although Alucard is loathe to poke too much at it for the time being. Helping and assuming the best. It always ends up in flames, doesn't it?
At least the man can own up to arrogance. That counts for a lot.] No need. It is enlightening, and reassuring that you can anticipate potential problems in recreating your technology here.
[As for the real crux of it, the dhampir shakes his head.] But a net good for whom? For the people here? Perhaps. For those in Thorne and Solvunn? They may not agree, and tensions continue to rise even without help. [He knows how cynical it sounds. Alucard's accepted that cynicism is where he resides now.]
absolutely we can wrap here and say that they chatted for a little while longer
[ Jayce was the catalyst for Heimerdinger's expulsion from his role on the Council and his withdrawing from Piltover entirely. It is not something he is proud of, and more things in hindsight make him regret how it all came about. Jayce still believes what he said about him, but it was easier to be angry and protect Viktor than listen. And since he doesn't think he'll see him again, they will never get any kind of closure. ]
Right now we don't have anything big to share with Cadens or anyone else, but it's something to think about when we do. Thank you for talking this out with me, Alucard.