[open] january/february catchall

[techmaturgy]

Who: Viktor and special guests and YOU
When: January through early February
Where: Cadens, the Horizon
What: open stuff, closed stuff, dangerous and illicit magical surgery, the usual
Warnings: the usual references to terminal illness including a steep decline and medical procedures/surgery. will list additional warnings as needed.

[open and closed starters in comments! This is also a general catch-all for Viktor’s do-or-die attempt to cure himself, and the events leading up to it, and his recovery (to come later). 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

[techmaturgy]

The real trick is getting them to answer to a name.

[He has no idea of the nature of these things! But it’s all a joke anyway, which he laughs off after a moment, turning back to Hilda’s notes as she pages through them. They settle on the jewelry and it isn’t hard to tell what she’s going for. Viktor nods in understanding.]

I’ve done this the old-fashioned way, you know. Tracking. Probably more efficient, to do it with a spell. Although…is your goal to determine whether he’s injured or in need of aid?

[theidlemaiden]

I'm sure I make that happen.

[ She appreciates Viktor playing along all the same. When they had first met she hadn't been sure he'd be the joking type — but maybe he was giving her some leeway after watching her chuck her guts out on a boat. ]

You tracked somebody? Like a bloodhound? [ Pardon her looking a little surprised, Viktor. But right. The jewellery. ] I didn't know those other things were a possibility. I don't even know how I'll get it to point to someone.

[techmaturgy]

With technology, but yes, it's possible.

[He was not physically out there doing the tracking with nothing but his own senses--seems pertinent to clear that up. What she's describing, however, doesn't seem impossible.]

An easy way to do it might be to enchant two linked pieces--one for the person you'd like to keep track of, and one for you. Since you're hoping to make these for your friends, the enchantment could be stronger, if we personalize it.

["We". He is all in on this project now.]

[theidlemaiden]

[ Despite sounding mildly disappointed that Viktor did not moonlight as a detective, she still looks incredibly amused at the image that still remains in her mind.

The “we” doesn’t go unnoticed and her body language perks up considerably. It hadn’t been her intent to get Viktor to help her with her little project and he still could change his mind, but the small, verbal agreement is enough to make her smile an appreciative one. ]

Do you think that could work? And maybe if it does work, you and Jayce could have one. Or we could get them for all the Summoned if they wanted them. [ There’s a sparkle to her now, design ideas whirling through her mind — ] Just think about all the different designs we could make for people if they did.

[techmaturgy]

I think it could work. There will be development and testing, of course, but--

[He seems optimistic! Or, it's certainly not too far out of the realm of what he believes is possible. They'll figure it out.]

--yes, it seems possible. Then you can charge a fortune.

[A joke! She would never do that. But maybe she should.]

[theidlemaiden]

You really think I should charge people?

[ Hilda knows plenty of people motivated by money and all for various reasons, but she's never been one of them. Before Abraxas, she hadn't ever had to think about how to get more of it. And while the absence of it here had certainly been a little difficult (and still was) to adjust to, but she had been lucky enough that Sylvain and Claude had seen to it that she hadn't been left entirely out in the cold. ]

I wouldn't even know where to start. How much do you and Jayce decide how much to charge?

[techmaturgy]

It was a joke, but maybe.

[Might let her quit whatever job she has going, or move out of Mags’, if that’s where she stays. Viktor values his financial independence for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is his ability to work on the projects that he wants, instead of being at the mercy of rich patrons.]

Jayce would give everything for free, if he could. [And he’s certainly tried. The discount for Summoned is a compromise.] We’ve got to factor in the cost of materials, labor, and of course the rent we pay on our workshop and the apartment.

[theidlemaiden]

I've never had to think about any of that before. My family's always just...had money.

[ It sounds so vapid and lame when she admits it, but it's the truth. There's a bit of a gentle laugh at the thought of Viktor and Jayce bickering lovingly about whether to charge or give away their work for free. ]

I get that impression from him; he's really kind. You're lucky to have each other. [ The tender observation hangs in the air for a brief moment before she moves on. ] I don't think that people would pay for my things though. What you and Jayce do makes sense. This [ She motions to the notebook. ] is mostly because I'm bored.

[ It's a bit of a lie, one to cover up the cloying anxiety that swirls under layers of pink and perfume. ]

[techmaturgy]

[Oh, yes, of course. Just had money. Viktor, unfortunately cannot relate, but he also knows this is not the time to expunge on his destitute childhood. And and young adulthood. Probably best not to talk about the disparity between Piltover and the Undercity at all.

Much easier to talk about her projects, instead.]

Well, maybe not to start, but I think with some refinement, you should at least see what people are willing to pay.

[theidlemaiden]

[ If he ever did feel comfortable enough to tell her those things, she'd listen as empathetically as she could.

The truthfulness surprises her and it's moment before she lets out a brief laugh. Honesty like that is sometimes met with a pout, but she somehow appreciates it coming from Viktor. ]

I guess I can use you as a benchmark for that then. [ Because she'd pay just about anything for something she really wanted and that hardly seems like a good place to start.

The telltale clatter coming up the stairs draws her attention away from him, and sure enough, the edge of a tray appears at the door. She waves her unseen servant in, and they dutifully wait as Hilda tries to clear some space on the bedside table for them to set it down. ]

Thank you, Perry! [ And with something that feels like a bow the magic fades, leaving Hilda to fuss with the pouring. ] What do you think? About the name and the benchmark idea?

[techmaturgy]

If you want.

[Though Viktor is meticulous, when it comes to charting out materials and labor. He does, however, relish a project, and getting paid is somewhat secondary. A necessity, more than anything else.

The noise startles him momentarily, until he realizes that she has given her strange summon a name. He watches with a bit of interest as the apparition fades--but then there is tea to drink.]

I like both. I'm looking forward to seeing what we can do.

[theidlemaiden]

[ Delight fills her expression, cheeks dusting with a light pink. In time, it'll become a clear signal that's she's genuinely happy.

After ensuring that the tea seems steeped and at the correct temperature for consumption (good going, Perry!), she hands Viktor a cup before picking up her own. She holds it out towards him, posture becoming ridiculously proper thanks to years of etiquette lessons and being around people who cared for that sort of ceremony. ]

To what we can do, your new lungs, and a speedy recovery.