[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

[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.