We Can't Wait For Progress

[hextechhead]

WHO: Jayce Talis and you
WHAT: A variety of moments in the life of Jayce!
WHERE: Cadens and the Horizon
WHEN: All of August, will add more prompts later on in the month





Starters Below!

If you want a specific starter message waftingcurtains on plurk or go wildcard!

Comments

OPEN - Cadens - Workshop/Blacksmithing

[hextechhead]

Jayce is comfortable in Cadens now, having accepted it as him home not long after arriving. He is friendly and since being willing to be the face of Lee's blacksmithy for awhile, there are people who wave or say hi to him as he walks around. He still wears his unusual tie and vest combination with short-sleeved white shirt, despite the heat, because he and Viktor never changed the style. He has a Magician pin on his vest. If you see him strolling come say hi, whether it's because you're friends, or you've seen him around and know he's a Summoned.

He can also be seen moving boxes of items from Lee's forge to their workshop, the box clangs on the inside due to a variety of blades and other items. He also sometimes carries boxes of supplies to and from the workshop for them to use in their work within. Jayce and Viktor have a new workshop, the new location on the Old Town Hall thanks to Alucard, and their door is open to Summoned. New people may have heard their names as two inventors who make things for newcomers willingly.

The workshop itself is full of papers, books, and inventions at their separate workstations, Jayce's section tends to have the most tools and items like blades in front of him. There is a blackboard with a lot of writing on it, most of it not understandable to anyone outside of the scientist career. Most of the inside is a sort of organized chaos but items put to the sides so people cannot trip in it. Jayce can sometimes be found inside fiddling with a multi-tool or drawing schematics for a new invention or project.

You can also see him outside the workshop in a stall that has been attached to their building. That is an active store where you can find Rio Enterprises inventions you can buy right there. Or ask if you're looking for something specific. There is a sunglass rack to the side, helpful for the desert, and it can be crowded there, but feel free to come up when there's a lull.

If you are someone who has already ordered something from Jayce, it can be picked up right there or he will hand-deliver it later in the day. Jayce will always come across as warm, friendly, and unusually happy in his everyday life.

[cryptsleeper]

I have the next order request for you. Where would you like me to place it?

[With the art walk done and over, Alucard had taken two days to conduct inventory. He had left himself at a decent stopping point, given the need of his physical presence at the walk, and before starting anew, it was good to check supplies. He wasn't dangerously low on anything, but there was a need to stock up before that happened.

So this. And in Alucard's other hand, one of the darkness casting lanterns that had come on the market from the Nocwich visitors. Strictly speaking, Alucard did not need such a device. But in the high heat of August, walking about with a gentle blanket of perpetual night made the weather so much easier to deal with.]

SORRY I DID NOT PARENT UP I WAS CONFUSED LOL IT'S A MONDAY

[hextechhead]

Anywhere you want. Actually, I think my area is cleaner than Viktor's right now.

[ Jayce usually ends up having more physical parts, but his notes are a little more organized. They do sometimes come off as being chaotically organized. He glances over at him and smiles warmly. He's in a very good mood and a very good place currently. He had a little getaway with Viktor to Libertas, the store is open, research assistant position secured although complicated, and maybe he too was inspired by the art walk! ]

I have to thank you for the art walk, it was a great idea. Viktor and I don't get a lot of chances to appreciate anything other than science.

[cryptsleeper]

--Let me rephrase: where is it least likely to be misplaced? I'm writing it with the assumption of a two week turn around time.

[Alucard's eyes go over towards Jayce's general work area, but that doesn't quite tell him much. He can understand and respect the organization of one's lab. All the more reason to clarify where something like this should be placed.]

Jaskier deserves more credit than I do, but thank you all the same. Libertas was a pleasant surprise.

[hextechhead]

As if I would forget anything that's for you.

[ Jayce teases but he puts his hand out, since he might as well just take it and figure that part out after. He is organized about his work orders though, he has a very thorough list and their backroom is stocked very carefully so he doesn't miss anything. Jayce is good at keeping a lot of balls in the air and he has no distraction from the Council now.

So he wouldn't forget anyone, but it's particularly unlikely if it's for Alucard, his friend.]

I can give both of you the credit, don't worry. I am overflowing with credit.

[ He is seeming more laidback at the moment than his occasionally jittery high-energy self. ]

Libertas was great. Viktor and I went to the theater, we've never actually done that before together.

for Jayce + Viktor

[aquilus]

The first-time visitor doesn't court much attention when he enters the store. Not that he's attempting to go unnoticed — it isn't a big enough shop for that — but he moves quietly and carefully, as though he's cultivated every aspect of himself to be a little less interesting than other people, a little more able to blend in. His outfit includes a linen hood, but it's not so big that his face is hidden by shadows. Maybe he comes from a world where such protective clothing is common.

He takes some time examining the wares on offer, picking up and weighing a few knives before moving on to the swords, where he spends considerably more time. He tests out the feel of nearly every blade available, evaluating the heft, hilt and sharpness of the blade. Eventually, he seems to settle on one in particular.

"This is fine work."

[techmaturgy]

The workshop is not large--Viktor and Jayce do well for themselves, all things considered, but paying rent on an apartment and a workspace isn't necessarily cheap, so they're making do with what they can. It certainly helps that Jayce has connections to a forge, the results of which Altaïr peruses as he makes his way inside.

Viktor himself is seated at a table, the pieces of some device scattered across the surface, content to ignore Altaïr's browsing until he speaks up about it. He's wearing a pair of magnifying goggles that he pushes up his forehead when he realizes that he might actually have to talk to a customer. The overall effect, with his hair sticking out in most directions and a stray smudge of grease on his face, is slightly eccentric.

He gives the visitor a good look up and down, evaluating, before he speaks.

"My partner does the smithing. I can get him, if you like."

[aquilus]

"Perhaps."

Altaïr grips the hilt of his current selection tighter, taking a sharp swipe at the air (while making very certain that he's not about to hit anyone or anything.) He nods, apparently having made up his mind — he either knows what he's doing well enough to come to a quick decision, or he's making an excellent imitation of exactly that.

"It depends on you and your partner," he says after another moment. "I'm among the new arrivals and don't have much coin yet. If you extend lines of credit, I'd like to have a discussion with you. If not..." He smiles, perfectly pleasant, unoffended by the possibility. "I suppose I'd have to come back after I've made some."

Or he could come back in the dead of night and see if he's able to take what he needs, but Altaïr would prefer not to begin his time in a strange new land by robbing craftsmen. He's not a burglar, and he might want to come back for more purchases in the future. And of course there is the matter of the schematics he has tucked away in his satchel.

this is very stupid and I'm sorry

[techmaturgy]

Viktor nods in response, apparently considering all of the things that Altaïr has to say. Yes, obviously, they will allow him to buy on credit, but this is a partnership, which means he's not about to do such a thing without a brief consult with his other half (in business, and also in everything else).

He continues giving Altaïr a once-over, leans back in his seat, lets a moment of silence hang in the air, just briefly, and then calls towards the back room.

"JAYCE," he says, with a little more volume than might be necessary. "We have a visitor."

OPEN - Cadens - Academy/Culture

[hextechhead]

Jayce balances his work time with classes at the academy, so he can sometimes be seen running to class. Jayce mostly studies medicine but he also is into scientific subjects and New Magic. He has a bag of books he takes everywhere and sometimes accidentally spills them if someone is walking by and wants to help him pick it up.

Anyone in class with him might see he's a teacher's pet of a kind, often raising his hand and studiously taking notes. He is open to chatting with people after class and can often be found in the library bringing back books only to check more out. Considering all the activity Jayce does daily, it wouldn't be unusual for someone to spot him taking a nap, or rather, he fell asleep with his cheek pressed to the book. His days are long and these books are intense.

Jayce also has volunteered as a research assistant to the scientists since the city started to be more on lockdown, after their faction intervention. Having followed up with the scientists after, he is now often at their command, seen running around to complete errands and carrying other people's work. At the end of a long study day, he can be seen very wearily on his way home, half-asleep as he keeps walking.

Other than that, Jayce sometimes visits the museums and chats amiably with the people who work there as if they're friends, since this is far from his first visit. He seems very interested in the history of Cadens and can be heard most often asking about New Magic and anything strange in history before the Summoned arrived.

OPEN - Horizon

[hextechhead]

Since the nightmare incident is over, they've managed to get the Horizon back on track. Jayce is not nervous to be in there anymore, the bodies long since gone. When someone comes in, Rio might be there to eagerly welcome them, her sweet temperament making her easy to warm up to. She can bring you straight to wherever Jayce is.

You might be able to spot him in the lab working on a blackboard, drawing out schematics and frowning at it. He appears to be writing about miners and mining equipment currently. He can also be found in his apartment relaxing and playing his mandolin, taking a break to clear his mind. He's not half bad at it either.

Sometimes he's in the meditation room working on magical spells, it's a beautiful wide open meadow that seems very calming to be in. Sometimes he is shirtless in the forge working on something that he cannot figure out what to do in the real world yet, so he tests it out in here. Despite the ability to control the temperature, it always feels very warm in here.

Viktor

[hextechhead]

Jayce and Viktor work together everywhere work can actually be done, and the Horizon has become a very helpful tool in trying to figure out problems in here before making the solution in the real world. The case of the mining equipment is a perfect example. They were allowed to see the mines for themselves but it was obvious that this was a carefully constructed visit. It doesn't matter though, with their minds, they're already thinking past it. The old equipment is tabled to the side for now, because that part is pretty straightforward at least.

Rio is curled up in the corner on a bed that Jayce conjured up for her, pampered like the princess she should be. She has several of her flowers, imaginary though they may be, to chew on. He isn't wearing a tie or vest in here, more comfortable in their usual work gear, although his gloves are tossed onto the workstation. They can easily make this space larger when they follow up about the salon, but for now he's created several blackboards for them, three all angled toward to each other so they had plenty of space.

Jayce senses when Viktor joins him, partly because it's their shared psychic space, and partly because he sidles up next to Jayce, always close to him now. It used to be Jayce was careful about how many inches he was allowed to have between them. Now when he feels Viktor walk up, he simply reaches out an arm to automatically put around Viktor's waist, the chalk in his other hand.

"I got home first so I thought I'd jump in." He kisses the top of Viktor's head in greeting, hazel eyes on the empty board instead. "I wish we could have seen the real conditions."

[techmaturgy]

It's routine by now, even if it's only been about a month. They work in the real world, sometimes together, sometimes separately, finish at different times, and then meet each other in the Horizon once they're home to go over various notes and projects. There's familiarity in it, and he likes how easily they've settled into a new routine, with the added bonus of an entire mind-realm with the near-limitless powers of creation at their disposal. They can visualize practically any project they can dream up.

"Hi," Viktor says, sliding into the waiting space underneath an outstretched arm, enjoying how natural it is. The Horizon helps--Viktor isn't tired from a long day or work nor does he feel any pain, able to put some weight on his bad leg as he leans against Jayce.

"I wasn't pleased with what they did show us." Which, of course, likely means that the reality is even worse. Always industrious, Viktor peers at any nearby notes, though he doesn't leave his spot. "Catch me up. What are you working on?"

Or, more likely, what's stumping him? The blackboard is empty, after all.

[hextechhead]

It's good that they were able to slide comfortably into a new routine, making time for all their work and projects while also having time for them. Jayce is very happy with the state of his current life. It's fulfilling and busy and never boring, and he's also in a happy loving relationship. It's classic them to be completely swamped and yet still find time for following up with miners and their plight.

"We have to assume they showed us their best options, which doesn't speak well to the rest." Jayce had talked with the miners before but they didn't complain to him, perhaps this is just what they've been used to so long. He knows how these systems work, Viktor knows even more so.

"First, we should start with the easy part. We'll need to ask other Cadens Summoned and anyone else we can muster to help remove the old parts back. We can ask Tony if he can talk to the merchants, see who is interested in buying machinery." That is one good thing they've found with their ally, Jayce has always been the schmoozer of the two of them, but it doesn't mean it's what he likes. Jayce just writes down on the top right get machinery out. It will take some organizing, but it's easy.

"The problem is they're only going to back our projects if they're reasonably inexpensive and able to mass produce. We don't have the type of funding we did before." So as many ideas as the two of them can come up with, the only reason they might have succeeded with their new work back home was their connection with the Council and its money. They may not be able to make their best ideas work here.

[techmaturgy]

"I'm sure if we asked, we'd find the help we need."

Viktor will not be moving any heavy equipment, but he can certainly orchestrate such a project. He's also certain that most of the Summoned residents of Cadens would jump at the chance to lend a hand. A solid plan, all things considered--something that might make them a little money in the process.

That leaves the government. Of course he and Jayce are no strangers to working within specific constraints, but given Viktor's recent impatience, he has less tolerance for restrictions or funding problems, especially when he's so assured of his and Jayce's ability.

But, first things first.

"Are you going to need me to participate in a call for volunteers?

forge let's go

[thunders]

Thor has only made the first tentative forays into exploration of the Horizon, but after everything that's happened lately, he needs a reprieve from Solvunn. He takes Mjolnir with him for a flight across the realm. Some of the dwellings seem too small or intimate to intrude upon, so he stops at the first sprawling city he can find.

The moment he lands, a large purple creature bounds up to him, looking up at him with big, hopeful eyes. The creature - Thor decides that it's a frog - looks at the hammer in his hand, couches down, and looks up at him again.

"What? No - no you can't catch this probably." He's not ready to confirm or deny whether the adorable frog is worthy. "Did your keeper leave you here? Come friend, we'll find a stick."

The frog doesn't even try to follow him. Instead, it's Thor who goes chasing after her while she leads him wherever it is she's interested in going. He would hesitate to go into one of the buildings, but who is he to deny the whims of his new frog friend?

Much to his surprise, they end up at a forge, where someone is already hard at work. The layout of the space - the half-finished projects and diagrams and tools arranged just so - are reminiscent of Tony's workshop, but he's rarely seen Tony forge by hand this way, and certainly never in this sort of heat. Or topless. Not that Thor can blame him. Even standing in the doorway, he finds himself glad for the lack of sleeves and cape on this particular armor.

The frog runs up to the forge confidently, getting her keeper's attention while Thor stands a little awkwardly.

"My apologies if I am intruding... your frog led me here." He gestures to her with Mjolnir. "I was just passing through."

Hammer brossss

[hextechhead]

Viktor has pointed out to Jayce many times that his mind controls this place so it is easy to just make it as cold as he wants. And yet he always brings it back to this feeling because it is comfortable for him. The forge is a soothing place, often where he goes when he's working on a problem and too much in his head. He works in one every day and yet here he is in the horizon, still hammering away.

He is focused so he isn't alerted right away to someone else in their space until Rio comes running in, and he pauses, turning toward the man who followed her in. Jayce smiles easily and reaches down to stroke Rio's head before she returns to her new friend and circles around Thor.

"That's Rio, she's a waverider, actually. Sorry about the temperature." Jayce proves that he can absolutely control the atmosphere by it immediately dropping down to room temperature for their guest. His eyes drop to see Mjolnir and then they widen, instantly fascinated.

"That's a beautiful hammer." Jayce steps closer but only to get a better look. It shouldn't be surprising that a man spending his free time in a forge is drawn to a giant hammer. Also he isn't coming too close because despite the change in temperature and that he can control everything, he is still sweating. "It doesn't look like it was made to forge though." Too intricate from the design of it, usually the kind Jayce uses are pretty boring in appearance, because they don't need to be otherwise.

"I'm Jayce Talis."

[thunders]

Thor reaches down to pet Rio wherever she inclines her head to ask it of him. He has no idea what a Waverider is, but Jayce may not get her back after all of this.

"It's good to meet you, Lady Rio. And you, Jayce. I am Thor Odinson." Thor can appreciate the kindness in the gesture, and he's certainly more comfortable with the heat a little bit lower. He takes it as a sign that Jayce doesn't mind the interruption and steps forward himself, as if he's never known concerns like personal space. He turns Mjolnir in his hands so Jayce can see it more easily.

"The hammer is called Mjolnir. It is a weapon, forged in the heart of a dying star. Though I hoped to use it to build something one day, I never quite managed." Thor gives him a wry smile. If Jayce looks carefully, he'll see a few scant hairline cracks in Mjolnir, barely visible. Try as he might, Thor can't shake the memory of his shattered hammer, and so some of it remains, even here.

"Your workshop reminds me of that forge in some ways," he continues. He inclines his head toward the largest hammer, the one that stands out even among the other half-finished works. Thor is no expert, but even at a glance he knows good craftsmanship when he sees it. "That one doesn't look to be a forge hammer, either."

lab

[blackeyedprince]

The creature, Rio as he has learned by now, is by all standards ugly as they go. That's why Kell likes it. All in all, it's simply an extremely well-behaved dog. Just looking a little different. He can get this, he knows how it's to be different. One of a kind. So maybe that's part of the reason for his unexpected fondness of the creature.

And it unerringly leads him to Jayce every time. This, it's the lab.

"You're sure it's not upside down?"

Kell asks the question more as a way to announce his presence than expecting an answer. It's a stupid question anyway. He's quite sure Jayce is already aware of his arrival. It is his domain after all. Kell can know immediately when someone visits his own.

[hextechhead]

Rio is an excellent assistant in the Horizon, always happy to greet people and lead them to one of her human companions. She is friendly and a little slobbery if people aren't careful. He lost the ability to tell when people were there during the nightmare experience, but he is relieved to feel the difference now. It helps that Rio rarely disappears from his side when he's in there unless someone else has popped up to intrigue her. Viktor dreamed her up but just like this space, they share her now.

"If only. The worst that would do is give Viktor a reason to throw a piece of rolled up paper at me." Jayce and Viktor have worked together so long that they have gone through some truly terrible ideas on top of their brilliant ones. Has Jayce put something upside down or missed a really, really obvious solution? Yep. It didn't help they would go days without sleeping while in the groove of a project.

"We're trying to figure out better mining equipment for Free Cities, they have bad conditions, but the real problem is how to make something that will actually work there, and will not be costly, they won't fund it otherwise." Jayce has thought of ideas that would work, but without his access to Hextech crystals or Council funds, much of them simply aren't possible.

[blackeyedprince]

It's always interesting to walk through other people's spaces, see what they've done with the malleable reality of Horizon. Kell realized not that long time ago, looking at his own domain, that he took his old habit of cobbling together disparate pieces of faraway places into something of his own with him. Though this time, it's not impractical trinkets that he drags to his hideout, but images, impressions, colours, elements of scenery. Looking at Jayce's lab now, he recognizes where he had stolen the height of his workshop from. The feeling of it being both cosy and spacious.

He leans against a paper-strewn table looking at the drawings that he understands nothing from, no matter his willingness to help.

"Can't say I know anything about mining. We probably had spells for that back home, but I guess that hardly a solution here."

As little as he liked to admit, there are many more mundane things that living in a royal palace has shielded him from. He finds his gaps in his knowledge in the most unexpected places.

Ciri + Geralt picking up weapons!

[hextechhead]

As soon as Ciri was ready to talk about a new sword she wanted to replace the one she lost, Jayce was excited to chat about design ideas and her favorite grips. Jaskier told him that Geralt had commissioned the last sword so he was more than happy to have them both. He showed them his collapsible swords too, now that they were all in working order. Jayce is very organized about his list of projects and he bumped Ciri up to the top because he can play favorites, so it wasn't that long after he sent them both a message to swing by again.

Viktor's out so it's only Jayce there at the moment, having cleared up his workspace so he could lay the sword out for Ciri. He has a scabbard he designed to go with it in case she wanted a matching one, and the good thing about the collapsible swords is they appear very small at first, so it is right next. He made Geralt a collapsible knife too while he was there because never let it be unsaid that Jayce Talis has a tendency to be too much when it comes to his friends.

Purrfessor, who Geralt might know well from their pigeon adventure, is currently sitting on Viktor's desk, pushing papers off it onto the ground. She gets several down before Jayce looks over and sighs, this is a daily fight and he wags a finger at her. "Don't do---" She knocks another one down. He gets up and goes over to pick them up, hearing the knock at the door while he's in the process.

"Come in." Jayce shoos the cat off the desk and she just jumps to Viktor's chair instead, staring up at him defiantly. "You're a monster," he says, petting her head unhelpfully.

[gynvael]

Geralt does not need to be here; Ciri is more than capable of commissioning her own blade. But he'd come with her when she received her first sword, and he knows she regrets its loss. Only feels right to accompany her for the replacement. Besides, he'd promised.

He's walked by the new workshop, though he's yet to ask for anything since he last spoke to Jayce about an enchantment. The truth is, Geralt is not a man who relies on much equipment. He has his sword, his dagger, his hunting knife, and that's all he needs. Any additional tools are useful, but not required. Still, it's nice to know there's one of their own—or two—that they can trust to craft weapons. When he'd first arrived in Cadens, finding a blacksmith up to his standards had taken some time.

Geralt pushes open the door. He expects to find Jayce inside. He does not expect to find the cat. The animal, who was once joyfully pushing shit off the tables, turns immediately, hackles raised. A loud hiss fills the air.

He frowns, stopping short. "You may want to put her elsewhere."

Look, he can't do anything about it. Cats simply react this way to Witchers.

[wiedzminka]

Ciri peeks in right after him, eyes alighting on the cat, and shakes her head. She'll have to pet Purrfessor when Geralt is not around. At least tiny gryphons don't have the same reaction.

"Cats don't like Witchers. Hi, Jayce."

She closes the door behind her, looking around curiously.

[hextechhead]

Jayce is a little surprised to see Purrfessor's reaction as the cat can be hissy, but usually just when they annoy her by moving her. When Ciri explains he nods and shepherds the cat in the direction of the back storage room. While she doesn't stop hissing or glaring at Geralt, she does bolt into there and Jayce shuts the door for now. There are plenty of places in there to curl up in, they did that on purpose, since they have a live-in pet.

The workshop is one that Jayce and Viktor got to research and pick themselves, so it really suits their need to do a whole lot of physical work while also engaging in research. "Hi Ciri, hi Geralt." He smiles brightly at them, always glad to see them. He picks up the sword and sheath he made for Ciri and offers it to her hilt first. While Jayce's mind turned to science, his most natural skill is in physical work, so he makes beautiful things, whether swords or tools.

"It should be exactly what we discussed. I can show you how to use the collapsible sword in a moment. Don't hesitate to tell me if you don't like it or want to change anything though, the important part is it is exactly what you want." Jayce is a perfectionist, he wouldn't accept less than that.