Despite having guessed a while ago that this is a date, the word court still flips Viktor's stomach. It sounds so formal, so official. Yet, warmth spreads through him at the notion. Even Rolan, despite his obvious intense interest in Viktor, had not tried to court him.
Viktor raises his eyebrows as Xander says he was born a noble. No wonder he thought nothing of ordering a carriage. And a sister who hunts mages... Wow. There are empires in Viktor's world, but where he lives is definitely not one. There is, however, stigma against magic where he lives.
He laughs a little, at the last part.
"A young prodigy," he says warmly, his tone half impressed and half me too.
"You must have attended a nice school." Being noble and all. "Did you fit in?"
Xander would not get into the religious aspects associated with the stigma against unsanctioned mages, and how much the Empire sucked with regards to the rights of anyone that was not noble born. That did not make for good date conversation.
"Well enough." He said with a shrug. "I made a few friends — but school was always a competition, and there were so few who desired to study medicine, that said competition was even more intense. I was too caught up in my books either way to do much... socializing beyond what was mandatory." But it seemed like it might have been better than what Viktor went through? At least from what he could parse in that vision. "I was young and spry, then. Shame we did not meet when we were younger."
Viktor nods, understanding about the tough competition, and also glad Xander was at least able to make some friends. Viktor was an outsider first for his disability, then for the fact that he was at a topside academy as someone from the Undercity. At a certain point, though, his isolation became purposeful.
At his final statement, Viktor raises his brows, frowning innocently at Xander, big-eyed.
"Why is that a shame? I like you as you are now." Xander understands what it means to be disabled, and that is more valuable to Viktor than, er- courting someone who is spry and strong.
"Perhaps we could have been friends in school, but I think it is more likely we'd both have holed up in separate nooks and ignored each other." He smiles wryly.
His gaze softened, tan cheeks tinged with a blush once more. "I had a lot more energy then. Perhaps I would not get so easily exhausted by late night sessions in the workshop." He chuckled softly. "But I am glad you like me as I am. That means a lot." And perhaps he shouldn't have sounded so surprised by the admission.
"Oh, most likely. I nearly suggested we visit the library when we first met, but I had thought we might do just that. It did not make for good conversation. Your schooling was... different than mine, I gathered? Socially, at least."
"If anything, your exhaustion is permission and encouragement for me to rest, which I should do more of anyway." Xander is so sweet, he has the deep urge to kiss him on the cheek. He abstains, but does lean into his side a little, placing his free hand over top of their intertwined fingers.
"My schooling..." He looks out the window, thoughtful. "I never really had any friends. As a child, my disability alienated me from my peers. Once I was old enough, I snuck into the academy in the rich part of town, and pretended to be a student until the Dean noticed me and took me on as an apprentice. Then, I was alienated for being from the Undercity, not having a patron or a last name that held any weight. In fact, I have no last name at all. But," he shrugs. "As you said, some of it was simply me prioritizing my work over socializing. In the end, I met Jayce, and that was enough for me."
"I am more than happy to be the encouragement you need. We will get nothing accomplished if we're exhausted." Then they'd waste even more time sleeping. God forbid.
Xander leaned into him in turn, and if their hands weren't interlocked, he'd be tempted to wrap his arm around him. The slight bumpiness and the abundance of shade and foliage outside the window suggested they had made it into the more verdant path outside of town.
"That was bold of you." He said, his tone suggesting a genuine awe. "Many would not dare to impersonate a noble back home — and fewer would live if they were caught doing so." He almost made a joke about taking his last name. Too soon for that, even in jest. "Tell me about Jayce."
"I am always exhausted," Viktor admits very quietly. He has no idea how his body has held on this long. He should have been dead months ago, but his illness seems to be in stasis.
But he's been given the gift of more time, and for the moment he delights in Xander's hand in his, his warmth, and the green outside the windows.
"Well, how else would I accomplish anything meaningful? Unfortunately, it was not possible to do so in my circumstances in the Undercity, so I had to change them. Thankfully, Heimerdinger was impressed by my tenacity and did not punish me other than a scolding."
Viktor's brows raise slightly. "Did I not tell you about Jayce? Ah," he's thinking about Jayce every day, so it feels like he talks about him more than he probably does. "He is the research partner and friend with whom I invented Hextech."
"We met when I was the Dean's assistant and he was one of his students. Some troublemakers broke into Jayce's apartment, and in tampering with some of his gear, caused an explosion. The resulting investigation led to Jayce being put on trial for owning illegal and dangerous equipment. Magical study was forbidden at that time, and that's what he was doing. He was banned from the academy, and almost from the city entirely. But I was involved in the investigation, and I found his notes... His ideas about mixing science and magic together intrigued me. So much so that I went back to his apartment, late at night, and found him preparing to end his life. I told him I thought he was onto something, and I wanted to help him complete his research. Some questionable acts later and some asking forgiveness instead of permission, and... We invented the Hexgates. Teleporters that could instantly transport goods into and out of the city. With the boost in trade, the City Council decided it was in their best interest to support us. Conditionally, of course." Viktor rolls his eyes. All the politics really ruined it.
"You mentioned him briefly." But there had to be more. Something in Viktor's tone suggested it.
Xander listened intently. "That is... an amazing story." He sounded almost breathless, like he was so awed by the tenacity it stole the air from his lungs. "And you worked together for a long time after that, I hope?"
Viktor smiles faintly. Meeting each other was a very positive turn for both of them.
"Yes, of course. He is my best friend to this day. Our work faced many trials after that, and now it seems we won't accomplish what we wanted to before my death, but no matter our successes or failures, we had one another. He fretted over me often and worked hard to try to find a cure."
Jayce will likely be the only person at Viktor's deathbed, save perhaps Heimerdinger. But that's alright- that's all he needs.
Xander's grip on Viktor's hand tightened just a touch. As much as he wanted to insist that he would return and do all he wanted to with Jayce — that was not something he could promise or even truly know at all.
"Perhaps he will arrive here some day, and you might continue your experiments. He sounds like a very good friend to have."
The carriage began to slow, and a polite knock from their driver told them they had arrived at their destination. Xander looked down at their linked fingers and exhaled an amused little sigh.
"Seems we have arrived. Shall we continue this conversation outside, then?"
"I do hope so. I miss him, but I'm also grateful for the friends I have made here."
Viktor nods. "Yes." He keeps a hold of Xander's hand as they exit the carriage so they can support each other. Once outside, he stretches his back a little and takes a deep breath of fresh forest air. Having grown up in a polluted place, Viktor is not one to take fresh air for granted, and he sighs contentedly.
Xander moved carefully — for both their sakes — stepping out of the carriage and onto the pale dirt that marked the trail through the woods. Something worn from wagon wheels as opposed to a proper road. With the basket hooked under his other arm and Viktor's hand in his own, he guided him away from the carriage with a nod to the driver, who looked ready to just sit and lounge with a book while they hobbled off.
There was a clearing not far off the road, shaded nicely from the sun but open enough to see the sky above the treetops. It was a pleasantly warm day, just a little windy, and the air smelled like wildflowers.
"I hope this spot is suitable." A blanket was already laid out thanks to that quest giver, and jars of paints lined one side. They could ignore those for now.
Viktor quietly thanks the driver before they head off. It's not a long walk, but long enough to feel like they're really in the woods. It's peaceful, beautiful. Viktor's shoulders relax, and he realizes all at once that he was stressing himself out with his project, and that he neglected to eat enough today.
"It's lovely, Xander," he says with a hint of adoration in his tone. For the scene or for Xander, who could say (both). He awkwardly moves to sit on the blanket and lifts his hands to take the basket from Xander and set it down. He then offers a hand to Xander for getting down on the ground.
"I just realized that I am quite hungry," he admits sheepishly.
He helped to ease him down, handed the basket off, and then took Viktor's hand so he could settle beside him on the blanket.
"When did you eat last?" He asked, worry creasing his brow. He knew too well how easy it was to lose oneself in a project and forget to eat for... a day or two. Listen.
He pulled the wine and glasses out first and set them aside so he could start arranging the food. A handful of finger sandwiches — cucumber and cream cheese, various cold cuts and cheese, and a vegetarian option because, oops, he realized he hadn't asked Viktor of any preferences — and a charcuterie board crafted at the winery that Astarion's crew had been kind enough to have prepped for him, full of various crackers, fruit, cheese, nuts and meats. "I hope you are not allergic to anything."
"Ah..." Viktor's brow also creases as he tries to remember. He'd fallen asleep at his desk last night and didn't want to bother with leaving the shop to get breakfast this morning. So...
"I had a late dinner at the Inn yesterday..."
Thus, his eyes light up as Xander takes out the spread of food, especially the cheese board.
"Thankfully not." Viktor has enough health problems, so he's glad he can eat whatever he wants, and he does. "This looks delicious." He tentatively takes a piece of cheese.
It took everything in him not to go into doctor mode. But Xander managed to keep himself in check save to ask: "have you been drinking enough water, at least?"
While they talked, Xander grabbed a small plate from the bottom of the basket and filled it with various cheeses and meats, and a few random sandwiches, setting it in front of Viktor insistently. Eat.
"I had a feeling," he would have done the same if he wasn't fully aware of how dehydration could affect cognitive functions, and thus be more of a hindrance toward his studies. "Perhaps I will invite you for water breaks together."
He does feel an appropriate amount of shame, at least.
"Mmm..." Viktor thinks for a moment. Now that he's actually paying attention to his body's signals, he's realizing that he is very thirsty as well, and that's probably part of why he doesn't feel well. Go figure!
"Let us start right now, before the wine, then."
He puts his plate down to grab a wine glass, and swirls his fingertips around its opening. Fresh water begins to swirl around inside the glass, condensing rapidly from the air. After a minute, the glass is full, and he hands it to Xander with a smile, then gets to work on the second.
Xander had seen magic at work plenty of times, but it was still a rarity. Here, in Caldera, people used it so freely, unhindered and unburdened. Dangerous but... fascinating.
He took the glass, trusting Viktor enough to take a sip. "That is a convenient talent. And yet you still do not hydrate enough?" He teased. "I jest. I understand how easily it is to get lost in a task."
Viktor shakes his head with a small, self-conscious laugh.
"Yes, when I get absorbed in a project... I simply forget everything else. I barely notice the time passing until I can't see my work and realize it has gotten dark and I've neglected to turn any lights on."
He finishes filling his own glass and takes a sip, which he intends to be dainty and polite, but he's so thirsty that he ends up draining half the glass immediately.
"Now that I am working on something that is so similar to Hextech, my intense focus on it seems to have returned."
Xander took a few sips of his own glass, pulling it back to swirl the liquid gently. Amazing how crisp and cool it was. Magic really was a wonder.
He popped a grape into his mouth and chewed, humming as he swallowed. "Luckily, you have me and a handful of others around that can make sure you don't overdo it. I would hate to see overwork yourself and take time from your projects. I know that can be... anxiety inducing."
Viktor watches closely as Xander swirls the glass and eats a grape.
Rapt. Lord help him.
"Yes, I am lucky to have people who remind me to care for myself, and help me when I am unable to do so." Barcus, Ferin, Lioriley, Skan. All who help him in their own ways.
He hums nervously, then, looking down at his plate. His stomach is full of butterflies.
"I fear your masterful plan may be backfiring, a little. It seems I am nervous around you, which is making it difficult to eat." He looks up again and smiles, shy and apologetic.
"No, no, I-- well." Viktor exhales through his nose, frustrated with himself for being so flustered that he can't seem to piece a sentence together.
"I am a little nauseous, but it is nothing of concern. I have felt this way before, and I know it is a sign of..." Attraction. "Well, you should be... Flattered."
He clears his throat. He senses that his nerves may be coming from a sense of anticipation, of uncertainty about where this date will go. He wonders if making some part of that more clear may calm him a little.
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Viktor raises his eyebrows as Xander says he was born a noble. No wonder he thought nothing of ordering a carriage. And a sister who hunts mages... Wow. There are empires in Viktor's world, but where he lives is definitely not one. There is, however, stigma against magic where he lives.
He laughs a little, at the last part.
"A young prodigy," he says warmly, his tone half impressed and half me too.
"You must have attended a nice school." Being noble and all. "Did you fit in?"
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"Well enough." He said with a shrug. "I made a few friends — but school was always a competition, and there were so few who desired to study medicine, that said competition was even more intense. I was too caught up in my books either way to do much... socializing beyond what was mandatory." But it seemed like it might have been better than what Viktor went through? At least from what he could parse in that vision. "I was young and spry, then. Shame we did not meet when we were younger."
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At his final statement, Viktor raises his brows, frowning innocently at Xander, big-eyed.
"Why is that a shame? I like you as you are now." Xander understands what it means to be disabled, and that is more valuable to Viktor than, er- courting someone who is spry and strong.
"Perhaps we could have been friends in school, but I think it is more likely we'd both have holed up in separate nooks and ignored each other." He smiles wryly.
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"Oh, most likely. I nearly suggested we visit the library when we first met, but I had thought we might do just that. It did not make for good conversation. Your schooling was... different than mine, I gathered? Socially, at least."
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"My schooling..." He looks out the window, thoughtful. "I never really had any friends. As a child, my disability alienated me from my peers. Once I was old enough, I snuck into the academy in the rich part of town, and pretended to be a student until the Dean noticed me and took me on as an apprentice. Then, I was alienated for being from the Undercity, not having a patron or a last name that held any weight. In fact, I have no last name at all. But," he shrugs. "As you said, some of it was simply me prioritizing my work over socializing. In the end, I met Jayce, and that was enough for me."
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Xander leaned into him in turn, and if their hands weren't interlocked, he'd be tempted to wrap his arm around him. The slight bumpiness and the abundance of shade and foliage outside the window suggested they had made it into the more verdant path outside of town.
"That was bold of you." He said, his tone suggesting a genuine awe. "Many would not dare to impersonate a noble back home — and fewer would live if they were caught doing so." He almost made a joke about taking his last name. Too soon for that, even in jest. "Tell me about Jayce."
cw suicide plan/attempt
But he's been given the gift of more time, and for the moment he delights in Xander's hand in his, his warmth, and the green outside the windows.
"Well, how else would I accomplish anything meaningful? Unfortunately, it was not possible to do so in my circumstances in the Undercity, so I had to change them. Thankfully, Heimerdinger was impressed by my tenacity and did not punish me other than a scolding."
Viktor's brows raise slightly. "Did I not tell you about Jayce? Ah," he's thinking about Jayce every day, so it feels like he talks about him more than he probably does. "He is the research partner and friend with whom I invented Hextech."
"We met when I was the Dean's assistant and he was one of his students. Some troublemakers broke into Jayce's apartment, and in tampering with some of his gear, caused an explosion. The resulting investigation led to Jayce being put on trial for owning illegal and dangerous equipment. Magical study was forbidden at that time, and that's what he was doing. He was banned from the academy, and almost from the city entirely. But I was involved in the investigation, and I found his notes... His ideas about mixing science and magic together intrigued me. So much so that I went back to his apartment, late at night, and found him preparing to end his life. I told him I thought he was onto something, and I wanted to help him complete his research. Some questionable acts later and some asking forgiveness instead of permission, and... We invented the Hexgates. Teleporters that could instantly transport goods into and out of the city. With the boost in trade, the City Council decided it was in their best interest to support us. Conditionally, of course." Viktor rolls his eyes. All the politics really ruined it.
Ah yes the palate cleanser i needed
Xander listened intently. "That is... an amazing story." He sounded almost breathless, like he was so awed by the tenacity it stole the air from his lungs. "And you worked together for a long time after that, I hope?"
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"Yes, of course. He is my best friend to this day. Our work faced many trials after that, and now it seems we won't accomplish what we wanted to before my death, but no matter our successes or failures, we had one another. He fretted over me often and worked hard to try to find a cure."
Jayce will likely be the only person at Viktor's deathbed, save perhaps Heimerdinger. But that's alright- that's all he needs.
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"Perhaps he will arrive here some day, and you might continue your experiments. He sounds like a very good friend to have."
The carriage began to slow, and a polite knock from their driver told them they had arrived at their destination. Xander looked down at their linked fingers and exhaled an amused little sigh.
"Seems we have arrived. Shall we continue this conversation outside, then?"
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Viktor nods. "Yes." He keeps a hold of Xander's hand as they exit the carriage so they can support each other. Once outside, he stretches his back a little and takes a deep breath of fresh forest air. Having grown up in a polluted place, Viktor is not one to take fresh air for granted, and he sighs contentedly.
"Lead the way," he murmurs.
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There was a clearing not far off the road, shaded nicely from the sun but open enough to see the sky above the treetops. It was a pleasantly warm day, just a little windy, and the air smelled like wildflowers.
"I hope this spot is suitable." A blanket was already laid out thanks to that quest giver, and jars of paints lined one side. They could ignore those for now.
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"It's lovely, Xander," he says with a hint of adoration in his tone. For the scene or for Xander, who could say (both). He awkwardly moves to sit on the blanket and lifts his hands to take the basket from Xander and set it down. He then offers a hand to Xander for getting down on the ground.
"I just realized that I am quite hungry," he admits sheepishly.
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"When did you eat last?" He asked, worry creasing his brow. He knew too well how easy it was to lose oneself in a project and forget to eat for... a day or two. Listen.
He pulled the wine and glasses out first and set them aside so he could start arranging the food. A handful of finger sandwiches — cucumber and cream cheese, various cold cuts and cheese, and a vegetarian option because, oops, he realized he hadn't asked Viktor of any preferences — and a charcuterie board crafted at the winery that Astarion's crew had been kind enough to have prepped for him, full of various crackers, fruit, cheese, nuts and meats. "I hope you are not allergic to anything."
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"I had a late dinner at the Inn yesterday..."
Thus, his eyes light up as Xander takes out the spread of food, especially the cheese board.
"Thankfully not." Viktor has enough health problems, so he's glad he can eat whatever he wants, and he does. "This looks delicious." He tentatively takes a piece of cheese.
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While they talked, Xander grabbed a small plate from the bottom of the basket and filled it with various cheeses and meats, and a few random sandwiches, setting it in front of Viktor insistently. Eat.
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"I... Have mostly had coffee," he admits reluctantly. Oopsie doodle. It's a wonder he's conscious right now.
To his credit, he dutifully takes the plate and begins to nibble on it.
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"I had a feeling," he would have done the same if he wasn't fully aware of how dehydration could affect cognitive functions, and thus be more of a hindrance toward his studies. "Perhaps I will invite you for water breaks together."
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"Mmm..." Viktor thinks for a moment. Now that he's actually paying attention to his body's signals, he's realizing that he is very thirsty as well, and that's probably part of why he doesn't feel well. Go figure!
"Let us start right now, before the wine, then."
He puts his plate down to grab a wine glass, and swirls his fingertips around its opening. Fresh water begins to swirl around inside the glass, condensing rapidly from the air. After a minute, the glass is full, and he hands it to Xander with a smile, then gets to work on the second.
Thanks for the useful party trick, Lioriley.
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He took the glass, trusting Viktor enough to take a sip. "That is a convenient talent. And yet you still do not hydrate enough?" He teased. "I jest. I understand how easily it is to get lost in a task."
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"Yes, when I get absorbed in a project... I simply forget everything else. I barely notice the time passing until I can't see my work and realize it has gotten dark and I've neglected to turn any lights on."
He finishes filling his own glass and takes a sip, which he intends to be dainty and polite, but he's so thirsty that he ends up draining half the glass immediately.
"Now that I am working on something that is so similar to Hextech, my intense focus on it seems to have returned."
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He popped a grape into his mouth and chewed, humming as he swallowed. "Luckily, you have me and a handful of others around that can make sure you don't overdo it. I would hate to see overwork yourself and take time from your projects. I know that can be... anxiety inducing."
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Rapt. Lord help him.
"Yes, I am lucky to have people who remind me to care for myself, and help me when I am unable to do so." Barcus, Ferin, Lioriley, Skan. All who help him in their own ways.
He hums nervously, then, looking down at his plate. His stomach is full of butterflies.
"I fear your masterful plan may be backfiring, a little. It seems I am nervous around you, which is making it difficult to eat." He looks up again and smiles, shy and apologetic.
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"Nervous?" He asked, curious, "that sounds like valuable data. Should I be flattered... or concerned? You aren't feeling nauseous, are you?"
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"I am a little nauseous, but it is nothing of concern. I have felt this way before, and I know it is a sign of..."
Attraction."Well, you should be... Flattered."He clears his throat. He senses that his nerves may be coming from a sense of anticipation, of uncertainty about where this date will go. He wonders if making some part of that more clear may calm him a little.
"Would you... Come closer?"
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