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?
Yes. Sadly, what we have here is an actual killer; he did it deliberately. His reaction, the way he knew exactly what Nina was talking about the moment she confronted him…
It’s the same old story, I’m afraid: is it really a person if it looks like me? At least I can console myself that I was good target practice. If call for execution or exile if I thought it would do any good. He couldn’t even bring himself to apologize.
Viktor is a kind-hearted man, but he is not immune to anger. Hearing all this from Skan, he hardens. The revenge was nice, but this will still not do.
"He did not even apologize. He does not see you as a person. This is un-ac-ceptable!" He enunciates every syllable of this word. "We're to let a hateful murderer with a gun walk around Caldera? Who else might he use as target practice?"
Skan sighs, deep and low in his chest, quite audible through the bird.
“I shudder to think. Cadence is probably as much an animal in the eyes of such a person as I am, but she’s hardly the only one…” He trails off, then shakes his head. No. Stupid to temporize, “Any one of us can look like an animal, sprout wings and fly, there’s no point in drawing a line. If he would target me, he could target anyone.”
And might already have done so.
“There’s no governance of us visitors, no way to punish wrongdoers fairly, or hold trial. We’re all just stuck dealing with one another, like a great big flock of refugees. This was inevitable.”
Skan curses, the gryphonic word a rough-edged, predatory sound.
“I forgot. Got too damned angry, lost my head,” A potentially fatal mistake, “Sketi, all my lecturing about community-mindedness, and I can’t keep track of the relevant details…”
But leave it to Viktor to think of everything, by contrast. Clever man.
“Stupid bird… Agkh, I need to clear my head. Are you alright there?”
"Your support, truly, is more than enough," Skan replies, meaning it with powerful sincerity, "If nothing else, I know I can trust you, Viktor. And I have other friends who would not abandon me, besides. Nina, and Imogen, and Finnick and..."
Viktor can probably see it, as he beats higher, catches a thermal, and rises in a single broad-winged soar, up and around and up again. He's headed somewhere in Heaven's Bow, high above.
"...If you miss the last Ferry, I'll likely be out late anyways, so don't worry about calling for a ride, if you want one. I think it's time to get my feathers sorted out; then I'll feel much more myself."
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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?
no subject
Yes. Sadly, what we have here is an actual killer; he did it deliberately. His reaction, the way he knew exactly what Nina was talking about the moment she confronted him…
It’s the same old story, I’m afraid: is it really a person if it looks like me? At least I can console myself that I was good target practice. If call for execution or exile if I thought it would do any good. He couldn’t even bring himself to apologize.
switching to prose bc fuck phone tagging lol
"He did not even apologize. He does not see you as a person. This is un-ac-ceptable!" He enunciates every syllable of this word. "We're to let a hateful murderer with a gun walk around Caldera? Who else might he use as target practice?"
Agreed
Skan sighs, deep and low in his chest, quite audible through the bird.
“I shudder to think. Cadence is probably as much an animal in the eyes of such a person as I am, but she’s hardly the only one…” He trails off, then shakes his head. No. Stupid to temporize, “Any one of us can look like an animal, sprout wings and fly, there’s no point in drawing a line. If he would target me, he could target anyone.”
And might already have done so.
“There’s no governance of us visitors, no way to punish wrongdoers fairly, or hold trial. We’re all just stuck dealing with one another, like a great big flock of refugees. This was inevitable.”
no subject
It's not something he would normally ever do, but he's angry and feeling impulsive.
"Did you at least confiscate his gun?"
no subject
Skan curses, the gryphonic word a rough-edged, predatory sound.
“I forgot. Got too damned angry, lost my head,” A potentially fatal mistake, “Sketi, all my lecturing about community-mindedness, and I can’t keep track of the relevant details…”
But leave it to Viktor to think of everything, by contrast. Clever man.
“Stupid bird… Agkh, I need to clear my head. Are you alright there?”
no subject
Poor Skan. He's too hard on himself.
"I am fine. Let me know if you need anything."
no subject
Viktor can probably see it, as he beats higher, catches a thermal, and rises in a single broad-winged soar, up and around and up again. He's headed somewhere in Heaven's Bow, high above.
"...If you miss the last Ferry, I'll likely be out late anyways, so don't worry about calling for a ride, if you want one. I think it's time to get my feathers sorted out; then I'll feel much more myself."
no subject
He's not incredibly practiced at reassurances like this, but he's trying.
"Alright, thank you. Good luck with your feathers. I hope that helps."
no subject
"I'll see you at home, later."
no subject
Viktor hums, thoughtfully.
"Alright. I will make a snack and a warm beverage for you and we can try to relax in the cellar. I have something I think you will enjoy."
A warm, fatty, savory beverage he's concocted, and a nice cut of steak he found at the market.