[open] september/october catchall

[techmaturgy]

Who: Viktor and special guests and YOU
When: Post-Nocwich, through September and early October
Where: Cadens, Libertas the Horizon
What: open stuff, closed stuff, Libertas stuff, horizon visits, whatever I WANT
Warnings: the usual references to terminal illness, will list additional warnings as needed.

[open and closed starters in comments! If you want a custom starter or something specific, just hit me up. full horizon details are here for any and all wildcarding needs. For everything else, I’m on plurk at whitticus and on discord at whitticus#8139.]

Comments

cadens

[techmaturgy]

i. workshopping

[Do you need something built? Fixed? Improved? A great idea you absolutely MUST see realized? You have come to the right place. Or you would have, if circumstances were better.

Things are different now. Viktor is splitting his time between the workshop and Libertas, but if you time it right, you might be able to catch him—he’s not especially in the mood for visitors. Where he was, generally speaking, always open to a pitch, a verbal description, or even a napkin drawing, he now seems more haggard (which, for him, is impressive), the usual organized chaos of the workshop replaced with what materials and tools for relief efforts in Libertas. He might explain, if you ask nicely. He might be too busy talking to the cat that hangs around the space.]

I’m sorry—we’re closed right now.

[As time passes, he becomes a bit more agreeable, ready to take on personal projects now that the military more-or-less has things under control. He enjoys the idea of having something to do (or a distraction, maybe) more than he wants cold hard cash or favors (though those are nice, too), perking up at the sound of anyone knocking at the door or inviting themselves inside.]

Do you have something for me?

[He’s a bit terse (no time to waste, after all), whether you know him or not. Probably he doesn’t even get up to meet you at the door (the crutch leaned against the worktable next to him, perhaps, an indication as to why that’s the case), but he’s attentive all the same.]

ii. the academy, later

[Though Viktor has always made a point of lingering around the academies, attending lectures and auditing classes, it’s only recently that he seems to be frequenting the Grand Academy of Science with greater purpose. Observant individuals might draw the correct conclusion that he works (or at least studies) there now.

Viktor, generally speaking, moves with purpose, and this is no exception—so good luck stopping him as he crosses the quad. You might be better off waiting until he's settled on a bench, pouring over various textbooks and notes.

Or, perhaps you corner him within the Academy itself, ducking out of a workspace. In here, he’s less likely to stop and talk, though of course that’s not indicative of anything shady going on. Everything’s all legitimate—nothing under the table happening at all, thanks.]

the horizon

[techmaturgy]

i. mind palace etc

[In the wake of the attack on Libertas, Viktor is less frequently found in the Horizon, though he’s courteously left a note for any Summoned in other factions who might be anxious about his well-being, given that, as he understands it, the actual location of Thorne’s strike against the Free Cities was not necessarily known right away. He makes no apologies for the hastiness of the message:]



[When he does find time to return, he’s more often than not he’s in the lab or his study, or even sitting in quiet contemplation at the overlook. He will most certainly be working on some kind of project, and may even explain it, though he’s a bit more terse about it than usual. Whereas before, he might have jumped at the chance to enter an involved conversation about applied mathematics or theoretical physics, right now he seems on edge.

He’s less often found down below, but more intrepid visitors might find something of interest in the cave system. Or, maybe it’s just Viktor and his weird dog. Everything’s fine and normal here, thanks.

If you've met Viktor outside of the Horizon, the difference may seem a little striking. Given the ability, he seems to have done away with whatever ails him in the real world—his face is fuller, less pale, and he stands straighter, using a cane instead of his usual crutch. If you haven't met him, well. Good. Less opportunity for prying questions (outside of his various experiments, of course).]

libertas

[techmaturgy]

i. the aftermath

[Probably this guy shouldn't be doing search and rescue. He has little to offer physically, and, in fact, is slightly a hazard to himself, trying to navigate the rubble and largely unable to handle the very strong, very driven working dogs. Still, he seems stubbornly committed to playing some kind of part in this operation, even if it’s just spot-repairing tools and equipment or calibrating the communication devices meant to call in the “professionals”.

He's fiddling with one now, in between supply distribution and (inadvisable) ventures out into the disaster zone. Viktor has set up an area for himself, which is already strewn with wrenches and screwdrivers and various parts that he’s torn out of sub-par equipment. He barely looks up if and when he’s approached.]

Is it malfunctioning?

[Viktor does not even wait to find out what is or is not malfunctioning. He holds out his hand for it anyway

ii. oh no who could have possibly seen this one coming

[Viktor, it turns out, is not cut out for this kind of thing. Even keeping to the logistical side—organizing transport, making repairs, distributing supplies—is draining. The sheer exertion of long hours and the emotionally draining situation, and the state of the environment (read: smoldering) means that he reaches his limit fairly quickly. For someone so intensely private as Viktor, any moments of vulnerability are unacceptable, but in a situation like this, he ends up not having a choice, running up against his own limitations at the worst possible moment.

The smog, the rubble, the sheer hopelessness of it all reduces him to inaction. He has to find somewhere to sit, and it’s not long after that he produces a handkerchief, coughing into it, a rough, wet sound that shakes his slight frame. When he pulls the cloth away from his mouth, it’s spotted a vibrant red, though he can’t seem to bring himself to care, instead simply letting his forehead drop into his waiting hand.]