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!

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[techmaturgy]

Viktor appears to consider this for a long moment. He doesn't quite like it, but he supposes it's no different than the collapsible tools Jayce has been making. After some apparent internal deliberation, he sighs a little and hauls himself to his feet, to grab something out of a toolbox.

"I will need to take some measurements. Is it your right hand, or your left?"

[aquilus]

"Of course."

He'd be disappointed if they they did not. To be truly effective, a hidden blade wielded by a master must be customized to him. Altaïr quickly rolls up his sleeve.

"My left," he says, extending his hand, and if Jayce or Viktor had any unspoken concerns regarding how the blade could be used without cutting his finger, it becomes clear why that will not be an issue.

[techmaturgy]

It doesn't take Viktor long to see why this weapon, in particular, is of use to Altaïr, though of course it begs to question which came first--the missing finger, or the knife?

"Ah."

Perhaps he has fewer compunctions bringing up such abnormalities, because few people afford him the same courtesy. He reaches for Altaïr's wrist with the measuring tape either way.

"Convenient."

Surely this guy?? Did not??? Cut off his finger??? to use a retractable blade like this????

[hextechhead]

Jayce also doesn't assume that he cut his finger off specifically for this device, but rather the device was made to fit for someone without a finger. And he's also far too polite to ask about it. Frankly, the schematic is very interesting to him, as is the general design. He'll have to think about whether it's the type of thing Ciri or Dean might be interested in too. Emergency situations and all. Although he's positive they could make one without the finger being a problem.

"I don't think we met officially. I'm Jayce and this is Viktor."

[aquilus]

Viktor's expression, along with the vertical journey of his eyebrows, practically scream the question that he doesn't voice aloud. Altaïr doesn't answer it, simply allows him to carry out his measurements with a placid expressions. If the man wants to know more, he can ask; if not, well, it's rarely a good idea to volunteer too much information about oneself.

But a name is different. "I am Altaïr," he says. "I'm curious — how long has it been since you were summoned? You seem very well set up here."

[techmaturgy]

"It took some time." Viktor's not at all shy about letting other Summoned know just what it took for the two of them to get to this point. "I've been here more than half a year. Jayce, slightly less than that."

And even then, there's still plenty they don't have access to.

"We were lucky to have incredibly relevant skills, when it came to establishing ourselves."

[hextechhead]

"We're inventors and scientists back home as well, so we definitely had an easier time than most adapting."

Which is good, considering how useful they've been to the rest of the Summoned since establishing themselves. And how far it'll get them in their own ambitions too. Neither of them believes in taking it easy, so they've been working non-stop since arriving.

"We're far from the oldest people around though, several have been here over a year. Since the start, when it was only Thorne."

[aquilus]

"Even so, half a year is impressive."

He doesn't seem like he's trying to butter them up; more like making a simple statement of fact.

Jayce's addition catches his interest, though. "When did that change?" he asks "I've been curious about the history of summonings here."

[techmaturgy]

“We’re industrious,” Viktor says like it should be obvious. He can’t stand being idle, for a variety of reasons, and Jayce’s arrival only made them more productive—Viktor can now focus all of his time on his work, while Jayce takes on a more public-facing role. Not so different from their arrangement back home.

As for the history of the Summonings, well.

“Some of our number escaped from Thorne a few months before my arrival. You’d probably want to talk to them about their experiences there. Once the group made it to Cadens, it wasn’t long before the government began experimenting with a ritual of their own.”

[hextechhead]

They are very industrious and fell into step immediately, back to their habits, to the ways in which they excel together. Jayce was relieved to be able to get back to work. It would have been difficult, if it was technology neither of them could understand everywhere, or almost none to speak of. As for the Summoned.

"I would recommend talking to Sam Wilson, he's the one who set up our situation at the inn with Mag, who lets the Summoned live there. He was one of the first Summoned, and one of the handful that escaped here. Jaskier the bard as well. They both live here."

There are a few others in Cadens Jayce could point out to him, but he suspects Geralt and Nadine would not want to necessarily be pointed out right away to a stranger. That's why he picked two of the most visible Summoned in Cadens who seem to have no problem at all talking about their lives here and before. Very easy for a newcomer to feel safe with them.

[aquilus]

Altaïr takes careful note of the recounted facts and the names that go with them. As soon as he leaves, he may write it all down — but he suspects he won't need to.

"My thanks." He nods. "It may not make much difference to most, but I dislike not having the context that others do."

Blend in. Hide in plain sight. Removed from his homeland and his brothers, Altaïr is still an Assassin, and he cannot keep to the creed without a great deal of knowledge. He has a feeling he'll be spending much of the coming days trying to gather as much of it as possible.

"I don't want to take up too much of your time," he adds a moment later. Especially when that time would be better spent creating what he came here for. "Is there anything else you need from me now?"

[techmaturgy]

“He’s better equipped to speak on it,” Viktor agrees, giving Jayce a nod.

He takes another few moments to annotate Altaïr’s measurements, but seems to be wrapping up.

“No, this is all for now. We’ll follow up soon with a prototype to fit and test.”