Did you see that someone is having a party at the Ember Veil hotsprings? I've heard they have impressive healing properties. If nothing else, it'll help relieve any aches and pains your hips and legs are currently causing you.
Well! That's that Percy character dealt with, for now.
Viktor, I hope you saw that, and enjoyed it as much as I did, because in all honesty, I'm not convinced that arrogant little waste-of-breath actually learned a damn thing from any of this.
[Viktor had known when Skan and Nina were going to confront Percy, and naturally, he did keep an eye out.]
As cruel as it may be to admit, I did truly enjoy it.
[There is a tiny hint of amusement, of vindication. A fitting punishment- for Percy to feel exactly the way Skan felt falling out of the sky, without getting hurt (at least, not lethally). Harsh, but fair, because killing someone is more than harsh.]
You do not think he learned a lesson? It was purposeful, then, the shot?
[If Skan's voice sounds panicked, it's because he's deeply concerned.]
The island is tilting— our house! [There is a muffled crash, a hissed gryphonic curse, and then the rattling sound of the storm-shutters as Skan leaps free from the balcony, into the air.] Are you alright? Where are you?
[Viktor is in the kitchen making coffee and breakfast when this happens. A yelp and some subsequent clattering can probably be heard upstairs.
The hot pan, kettle, and Viktor himself end up on the floor, but thankfully he manages to avoid getting burned. His bird-thing chirps, and once he's braced against the cabinetry and certain that the hot items aren't going to slide into him or spill more, he takes it out, hearing Skan's worried voice.]
Skan woke to a pale grey darkness. Pre-dawn was coming in through the open shutters, along with a breeze that smelled of early bread, phlox, and the cold high winds that flew just beyond the borders of Heaven's Bow. He woke, but he didn't move, didn't stretch his wings or legs, didn't rise and rouse his feathers. In the crook of one wing, nestled up warm against his side, like the memory of nestlings, Viktor was sleeping.
His head bobbed with every breath, and Skan could feel his mind turning lazily over itself, the night's dreams wending their ways through him like affectionate cats. It would be a shame to disturb him, whatever the hour, and now...
...Well, it was no crime to sleep in, once in a while. And true, it was pleasant to lie this way, warm along one side, with the cool freshness of the morning against his nares, and to watch the world outside slowly wake to the day. Lights flickered on far below, and the sky grew brighter by increments, and airships began their first forays, trundling with their beetle-like sway out into the air, or back again. He could hear, with his ears pricked up, the sound of a cheerful exchange, somewhere out on the streets above, the words indistinct, but the laughter evident.
It was going to be good day. And best of all, he was beginning it with a friend.
Viktor's dreams are short and aimless, but none of them are nightmares. He never seems to have bad dreams when he sleeps next to Skan, as though his subconscious can tell that he's safe. A dream where Jayce asks him a nonsensical question, and upon receiving an answer, hugs him for no reason. A dream of being an octopus again, cradled by Xander's hands. A dream of flying with Skan to the tippy-top of the Hexgate and looking off of it, Skan expressing his pride in Viktor's work on it.
Eventually, he becomes aware of his surroundings in intermittent hazy spurts. There is nothing like waking up surrounded by a big, feathered, warm body. Especially one that is there to care for and protect him. In the blissful space between awake and asleep, there is only comfort where there might otherwise be cold and emptiness and pain.
Not that he's without pain or stiffness this morning, especially curled up and leaning on Skan the way he is, but it's very secondary to the comfort. It sure beats waking up with your face smushed against a desk, surrounded by whatever you fell asleep working on.
He breathes in deeply to try to rouse himself, squinting his eyes open, and automatically his hand moves to pet the black feathers on Skan's side.
Xander had become a regular at the workshop, likely to no one's surprise. He was not quite the tinkerer everyone else seemed to be, but the tools provided offered him plenty to experiment with even with his more medically oriented expertise.
Viktor was a common sight too, and one Xander delighted in seeing. They talked regularly, but even when they were both busy doing their own things, the silence between them was never heavy or uncomfortable.
One day, Xander left and did not return for several hours. When he did, it was with a wicker basket looped around his elbow, a small patterned cloth across the top. He hobbled over to Viktor, waited until he was no longer busy, and cleared his throat.
"I have a proposition for you, if I may be so bold."
This is truly Viktor's happy place, aside from in the skies with Skan- he can work on his little projects in the company of brilliant people and comforting friends. Barcus, Lioriley, Simon, Ferin, and the latest addition, Xander.
Viktor is the picture of grace when Xander arrives back at the shop. He's had several hours alone to hyperfixate on his project, and boy did he. He's lying on the floor on his side, assembling a prototype of a wheelchair, which also lays on its side as Viktor tinkers inside of it.
There are exceedingly few people who can break Viktor out of hyperfocus, if any. But he's gotten used to the sound of Xander's mismatched step, the three points of contact with the floor rather than two, and it pulls him from his focus immediately today, with a flutter in his stomach. He grunts softly as he pushes himself to sit up.
"I did not expect you'd be back today," he murmurs, looking up at Xander, clocking the basket curiously.
[He has no idea how to take this. It's not as though he's anyone important, but he and Nina also aren't that close... Is this pity? Nina doesn't seem like she's capable of pity, save for those she truly loathes.]
It's a ordinary-enough night for it, the night after the performance. Except of course, for all the emotional upset.
"I still think I ought to have least placed," Skan is complaining. He's had that complaint intermittently ever since the winners had been announced, and it's not likely to be the last time, "Honestly."
Nymion. Blowhard. Untrustworthy witness. BRAT!
"...At least it was a productive enough day. I saw your display with Xander, as well. No nose for utility in these judges, I notice!"
"I agree," Viktor says, though it's far less enthusiastic than it was the first couple of times Skan complained about this, now more half-heartedly placating him than expressing a real opinion. "Though there were many good acts."
He almost asks what Skan thought of their inventions, if he liked them. He'd like to hear that, but his thoughts are mostly elsewhere as he swirls the ice in his glass of vodka. They haven't yet addressed the elephant in the room, which is that Skan possibly just killed a man on Viktor's behalf, and that makes him uneasy. He stares into the middle distance, somewhat grimly.
Xander has been hanging out a lot at the workshop with Viktor, and it's clear to anyone around that the two are in a sort of honeymoon phase. They're attached at the hip and tend to be quite affectionate with each other, and can sometimes be found napping together on the couch in the lounge.
Ever since the mingle, Viktor has been trying to slow down with his work and enjoy his time with his partner, because he isn't sure how limited it will be. One night, Xander brings by some nice wine and cheeses and convinces him to take a break. His rubber arm is easily twisted for this, and the lovey-dovey aura from the lounge can probably be felt half a mile away.
When Barcus enters the lounge, Viktor is unusually smiley.
"Barcus, please, have some wine and cheese." He gestures to the little table they've pulled up beside the couch so they don't have to get up. And they look quite cozy, Viktor's legs across Xander's lap, nestled between his partner and the arm of the couch with his wine held into his chest. His cheeks are a little pink, and it's unclear if that's because of the wine or something Xander recently did or said.
They're precious, honestly. Barcus wouldn't say so in so many words. Men don't usually appreciate being told they're precious. What he does say, every now and again when he comes across them, is that he's delighted they're enjoying the workshop. Thrilled they're so comfortable here. Really at this point it's as much Viktor's as it is Barcus', even if the gnome is still the one who holds the license. And Xander...well, he knows him less well, but it's easy to see from the way he treats Viktor, what a good man he is.
So. Yes. Precious.
He's been working on building more of his Firefly devices on the evening he comes across them cuddling in the lounge. His fingers are a little bruised from all the detailed wiring, and he flexes and rubs his own hands as he wanders in. His eyebrows go up at the scene he's presented with, but then he can't help but smile.
"I thought I heard your voices. You two look just a bit smug, settled in there." But sure, since he's been invited, he's not too shy to fetch himself a clean teacup and pour a little wine.
"I'll just sit nearby and bask in the glow of your affection, shall I?" A tease. He's a little wistful, perhaps, but there's nothing but approval in his eyes.
[It's a simple envelope though it has some Christmas-y looking bees buzzing over it in what looks like crayon. Opening it up will reveal a note and a larger piece of paper.]
Dear Viktor,
My training data taught me that presents are supposed to be given to people you care about this time of year. I didn't know what to buy so I hope you like this drawing. Sorry it's not much.I'll do better next time.
- Caine
[The other piece of paper has three pencil drawings on it. In the upper right is a cartoon-styled version of Viktor with his cane. In the bottom left is a little cartoon bee that's carrying Viktor's staff and its face resembles Viktor's.]
[The center of the page has Viktor as he was before sitting in his wheelchair while Viktor as he is now is standing with a hand on the sitting Viktor's shoulder. Both are sketched with an incredible amount of detail though the sitting Viktor doesn't look frail or weak even with his obvious issues. The two Viktors have the same kind eyes and gentle smiles. This is how Caine has always seen Viktor regardless of if he had the chair or not.]
[The drawings are cute and touching, and they make it clear to Viktor how much Caine cares for him, and how positively he views him. He especially appreciates the work Caine put in to create something.
Caine's gift is a small bee trinket Viktor made which actually has a bulb that lights up, and it can be worn as a brooch or displayed as a trinket on a desk or shelf. He also got Caine a tin of high-quality hot chocolate mix, and a nonfiction book of bee species, photos, illustrations, and fun facts.]
Dear Caine,
Thank you kindly for your gift. The illustrations are very sweet, and I appreciate that you took the time to draw for me. I hope your holidays are warm and peaceful, with plenty of hot chocolate.
- Viktor
P.S. Please come have dinner at my home sometime, with Xander, Skan, and I.
[The audio seems distant and a bit tinny, as if the speaker isn’t yet sure how phones work].
“Strange, I feel like I’m talking to a ship in a bottle - anyway. Viktor, right? This is Hawke. I’d like to talk - maybe we can do it on the road, get some Bones in. The way people talk you can do what sounds to me like magic without being a … anyway.”
Hello, Hawke. I am not sure what you are assuming I am or am not, but I do have a close connection to the arcane, yes. I would be happy to converse with you in person. Did you have some idea of what quest you would like to do? I will not participate in any combat directly, but I have healing abilities.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
text @rolan
text @viktor
Hello, Rolan. How kind of you to think of me for this... Yes, I should go, but I am a little nervous.
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audio @blackbird
[Skan sounds sheepish, bordering on embarrassed; both are wholly unnatural emotions.]
How are you?
voice, @viktor
[A beat. Sorry, scolding first:]
You should not have gone back there! It's dangerous!
I am quite tired, but otherwise doing much better now. I have been well taken care of at the Inn.
[Finnick has been Fretting over him to an almost uncomfortable degree.]
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cw suicide attempt, arcane spoilers?
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@ogreslayer
text, @viktor
Ah, yes, this is Viktor. With whom am I speaking?
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voice @blackbird
Viktor, I hope you saw that, and enjoyed it as much as I did, because in all honesty, I'm not convinced that arrogant little waste-of-breath actually learned a damn thing from any of this.
voice, @viktor
As cruel as it may be to admit, I did truly enjoy it.
[There is a tiny hint of amusement, of vindication. A fitting punishment- for Percy to feel exactly the way Skan felt falling out of the sky, without getting hurt (at least, not lethally). Harsh, but fair, because killing someone is more than harsh.]
You do not think he learned a lesson? It was purposeful, then, the shot?
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switching to prose bc fuck phone tagging lol
Agreed
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During the event~
[If Skan's voice sounds panicked, it's because he's deeply concerned.]
The island is tilting— our house! [There is a muffled crash, a hissed gryphonic curse, and then the rattling sound of the storm-shutters as Skan leaps free from the balcony, into the air.] Are you alright? Where are you?
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The hot pan, kettle, and Viktor himself end up on the floor, but thankfully he manages to avoid getting burned. His bird-thing chirps, and once he's braced against the cabinetry and certain that the hot items aren't going to slide into him or spill more, he takes it out, hearing Skan's worried voice.]
I'm alright- in the kitchen-- what is happening?!
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A gift!
His head bobbed with every breath, and Skan could feel his mind turning lazily over itself, the night's dreams wending their ways through him like affectionate cats. It would be a shame to disturb him, whatever the hour, and now...
...Well, it was no crime to sleep in, once in a while. And true, it was pleasant to lie this way, warm along one side, with the cool freshness of the morning against his nares, and to watch the world outside slowly wake to the day. Lights flickered on far below, and the sky grew brighter by increments, and airships began their first forays, trundling with their beetle-like sway out into the air, or back again. He could hear, with his ears pricked up, the sound of a cheerful exchange, somewhere out on the streets above, the words indistinct, but the laughter evident.
It was going to be good day. And best of all, he was beginning it with a friend.
a wonderful gift!
Eventually, he becomes aware of his surroundings in intermittent hazy spurts. There is nothing like waking up surrounded by a big, feathered, warm body. Especially one that is there to care for and protect him. In the blissful space between awake and asleep, there is only comfort where there might otherwise be cold and emptiness and pain.
Not that he's without pain or stiffness this morning, especially curled up and leaning on Skan the way he is, but it's very secondary to the comfort. It sure beats waking up with your face smushed against a desk, surrounded by whatever you fell asleep working on.
He breathes in deeply to try to rouse himself, squinting his eyes open, and automatically his hand moves to pet the black feathers on Skan's side.
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body painting quest technically — so we don't forget
Viktor was a common sight too, and one Xander delighted in seeing. They talked regularly, but even when they were both busy doing their own things, the silence between them was never heavy or uncomfortable.
One day, Xander left and did not return for several hours. When he did, it was with a wicker basket looped around his elbow, a small patterned cloth across the top. He hobbled over to Viktor, waited until he was no longer busy, and cleared his throat.
"I have a proposition for you, if I may be so bold."
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Viktor is the picture of grace when Xander arrives back at the shop. He's had several hours alone to hyperfixate on his project, and boy did he. He's lying on the floor on his side, assembling a prototype of a wheelchair, which also lays on its side as Viktor tinkers inside of it.
There are exceedingly few people who can break Viktor out of hyperfocus, if any. But he's gotten used to the sound of Xander's mismatched step, the three points of contact with the floor rather than two, and it pulls him from his focus immediately today, with a flutter in his stomach. He grunts softly as he pushes himself to sit up.
"I did not expect you'd be back today," he murmurs, looking up at Xander, clocking the basket curiously.
"A proposition?"
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cw suicide plan/attempt
Ah yes the palate cleanser i needed
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@ogreslayer
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Ah... I assume Skan told you?
A... Bodyguard?
[He has no idea how to take this. It's not as though he's anyone important, but he and Nina also aren't that close... Is this pity? Nina doesn't seem like she's capable of pity, save for those she truly loathes.]
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Text
You assisted me
Previously
Creating armor for
My tressym. [The first step of humaning, he has been told, is parasocial connection. Check!]
I have another
Such favor
To ask
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What else can I help you with?
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action, post-jax
"I still think I ought to have least placed," Skan is complaining. He's had that complaint intermittently ever since the winners had been announced, and it's not likely to be the last time, "Honestly."
Nymion. Blowhard. Untrustworthy witness. BRAT!
"...At least it was a productive enough day. I saw your display with Xander, as well. No nose for utility in these judges, I notice!"
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He almost asks what Skan thought of their inventions, if he liked them. He'd like to hear that, but his thoughts are mostly elsewhere as he swirls the ice in his glass of vodka. They haven't yet addressed the elephant in the room, which is that Skan possibly just killed a man on Viktor's behalf, and that makes him uneasy. He stares into the middle distance, somewhat grimly.
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you and me and the gnome makes three
Ever since the mingle, Viktor has been trying to slow down with his work and enjoy his time with his partner, because he isn't sure how limited it will be. One night, Xander brings by some nice wine and cheeses and convinces him to take a break. His rubber arm is easily twisted for this, and the lovey-dovey aura from the lounge can probably be felt half a mile away.
When Barcus enters the lounge, Viktor is unusually smiley.
"Barcus, please, have some wine and cheese." He gestures to the little table they've pulled up beside the couch so they don't have to get up. And they look quite cozy, Viktor's legs across Xander's lap, nestled between his partner and the arm of the couch with his wine held into his chest. His cheeks are a little pink, and it's unclear if that's because of the wine or something Xander recently did or said.
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So. Yes. Precious.
He's been working on building more of his Firefly devices on the evening he comes across them cuddling in the lounge. His fingers are a little bruised from all the detailed wiring, and he flexes and rubs his own hands as he wanders in. His eyebrows go up at the scene he's presented with, but then he can't help but smile.
"I thought I heard your voices. You two look just a bit smug, settled in there." But sure, since he's been invited, he's not too shy to fetch himself a clean teacup and pour a little wine.
"I'll just sit nearby and bask in the glow of your affection, shall I?" A tease. He's a little wistful, perhaps, but there's nothing but approval in his eyes.
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Gift Delivery
Dear Viktor,
My training data taught me that presents are supposed to be given to people you care about this time of year. I didn't know what to buy so I hope you like this drawing.
Sorry it's not much.I'll do better next time.- Caine
[The other piece of paper has three pencil drawings on it. In the upper right is a cartoon-styled version of Viktor with his cane. In the bottom left is a little cartoon bee that's carrying Viktor's staff and its face resembles Viktor's.]
[The center of the page has Viktor as he was before sitting in his wheelchair while Viktor as he is now is standing with a hand on the sitting Viktor's shoulder. Both are sketched with an incredible amount of detail though the sitting Viktor doesn't look frail or weak even with his obvious issues. The two Viktors have the same kind eyes and gentle smiles. This is how Caine has always seen Viktor regardless of if he had the chair or not.]
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Caine's gift is a small bee trinket Viktor made which actually has a bulb that lights up, and it can be worn as a brooch or displayed as a trinket on a desk or shelf. He also got Caine a tin of high-quality hot chocolate mix, and a nonfiction book of bee species, photos, illustrations, and fun facts.]
Dear Caine,
Thank you kindly for your gift. The illustrations are very sweet, and I appreciate that you took the time to draw for me. I hope your holidays are warm and peaceful, with plenty of hot chocolate.
- Viktor
P.S. Please come have dinner at my home sometime, with Xander, Skan, and I.
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audio @doglord
[The audio seems distant and a bit tinny, as if the speaker isn’t yet sure how phones work].
“Strange, I feel like I’m talking to a ship in a bottle - anyway. Viktor, right? This is Hawke. I’d like to talk - maybe we can do it on the road, get some Bones in. The way people talk you can do what sounds to me like magic without being a … anyway.”
voice, @herald
Re: voice, @herald
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