Inbox

[hextechhead]

IC Inbox

voice✦ video ✦ text ✦ action

CODE

Comments

horizon cont.

[techmaturgy]

The first time had been enlightening. Refreshing, maybe, to meet Jayce in his most distilled form, without any of the baggage from home attached. It had reminded him starkly of the trial--all passion and excitement and handing him a blank slate of pure possibility had created a thrilling feedback loop. Despite his teasing, Viktor had not taken advantage of the situation, nor did he catalogue anything embarrassing on Jayce's part to use against him later. Even if he'd wanted to, beyond making a joke about it, he thinks he was too enthralled, as always, by Jayce's enthusiasm and curiosity to even think it. He decides, for now, to keep all of that to himself.

The second time is, of course, easier. More straightforward. Things make more sense. For as much as Viktor enjoyed guiding someone else through their first visit, now the real work can begin.

He opens his eyes and they're in the lab, the most sensible location to ease Jayce into--he's not sure when and how he's going to breach the subject of the other locations he's dragged up from his own childhood. In time, he supposes. For now, this seems like the best place to start, and Viktor smiles broadly when he sees Jayce in the space with him, face fuller, less pale. He stands up straight in a way that he doesn't in the real world, using a cane instead of the crutch they've both become accustomed to.

"Welcome back."

[hextechhead]

Jayce still doesn't know entirely what happened that first Horizon, but he truly wasn't worried about it. Viktor would never do anything bad, all he could do was hope he wasn't actually as boring as he joked he would be. The last thing Jayce Talis ever wants to be is boring. He was enthusiastic about actually getting to experience it this time, and it does not disappoint.

He opens his eyes and they're in the lab, and Jayce can't help it, he laughs incredulously. "Wow." It truly feels like they are there, the only obvious change being that his workstation isn't filled out the way it was before. But it's still there. Jayce walks over to it and puts his fingers on his desk, smiling. It's surreal and he turns to face Viktor, and that's when the real surprise hits him. It shows on his face, obviously, because Jayce is not enough of a politician to hide his feelings.

Viktor looks like he did when they first met. His face is full, it has color in it, those sharp cheekbones are there but now hollowed in, and the crutch that Jayce designed for him is gone. He is overwhelmed for a moment, feeling like he's staring at the past, at a time when they were both just happy. Jayce wishes like anything he could touch him and pretend it was years ago, but he shakes it off, turning back toward his workstation.

He remembers Viktor telling him he could modify things to his memory, and he needs to focus on something that isn't staring at Viktor with his heart in his eyes. So he focuses and waves a hand (not necessary, but it feels like it is) and everything that was last on his desk fills in exactly as before, all his trinkets or half-modified projects, his papers and notebook. "Okay I love it."

[techmaturgy]

(From here).

[Viktor can't really say he doesn't deserve this. Jayce vanishes and the memory dissolves around them, leaving him with little but a pounding headache and a pang of regret. He wants to stand by everything he just said--he thinks he has some counterarguments in response, too, given the fact that he's looking at what he's sure is a Hextech weapon, but Jayce doesn't offer him the chance. That should make him angry, but he can also tell that Jayce has been bottling this up for a long time, and that maybe he needs to say it. Maybe Viktor needs to hear it. He'd been so assured of his own trajectory, that he hadn't stopped to think about the consequences of what he was doing. Of the people he'd inevitably hurt, if something happened.

It's hard for him to admit, that he even has the capacity to hurt someone else in the way he seems to have, but Jayce, right now, is proof of that. Viktor's not sure he fully agrees with everything said in the heat of the moment, but at the very least he needs to let Jayce know that he's not about to give up.

He's not in the Horizon. That's fine, if a little annoying, simply because it's easier for him to make his way around the mindscape, rather than into the real world. When he can't find Jayce in the imagined forge, he starts checking all their real spaces in Cadens--the inn room, the workshop, the Academy quad. It's only after he exhausts their shared spaces that he realizes Jayce is probably somewhere that's only his.]

Hi.

[Making Viktor trudge all around Cadens to look for him is probably what he deserves, at this point, and he curses himself for not thinking to check the blacksmith's shop sooner, but he hopes, at the very least, it lets Jayce know that he's not about to give up easily. He stands in the entryway, not wanting to intrude too much in the event that Jayce actually doesn't want to deal with him, right now, and his voice is contrite.]

Can we talk?

[hextechhead]

[ There are a lot of things that Jayce has been bottling up and his mother has always warned him not to, because she knows her son and that he lets things fester, that he would rather let his feelings overwhelm him and hope that it goes away rather than address it. When he has the time to actually think through what he wants to say, usually he can be very concise, like when he took on Heimerdinger, with both passion and logic. But he's had a very difficult emotional time lately. A lot of things have boiled to the surface. He's in pain.

Leaving situations that are difficult 'to think' is one of his anxiety moves, but this time it was an explosion of emotion instead. And he didn't stay in Horizon, too easy to find him and walk down more memory paths, and he intentionally avoided their common spaces because when Jayce is in this state, he isn't fully able to stop his feelings from bubbling over. Physical labor always helps him. He goes to the forge and starts on what should be tomorrow's work, and when Lee gets in and sees he's made things overnight, maybe she will consider him a 'go-getter' and it'll look good for him. Either way, he needs it. The exertion helps put his anger and hurt feelings in a direction.

Jayce is shirtless because safety hazards are not of interest to him and the clear clanging of him hammering on metal can be heard from the outside. Luckily Lee doesn't live here, or she'd come yelling at him, rightfully so. Jayce is working on a sword and he's sweaty from basically going too hard since the moment he got there. It does usually purge his worst feelings. Or tire him out to the point where he doesn't have it in him to be upset anymore.

He didn't think Viktor would go looking for him, otherwise he might have felt guilty and stayed in an easy place. He assumed when he went home, he'd have to deal with the aftermath. It wasn't an intentional choice to give him any trouble, Jayce just needed a place to vent. He pauses on a swing when he hears Viktor, startled, and glances over toward him. He sets the blade to the side, unfinished for now, the guilt turning his stomach to heavy lead.

He can't look straight at him or he's going to end up apologizing until he can't talk anymore, so he instead swallows it down.]

Yes.

package, june 2

[carmesi]

[when the caravans arrive from their travels to drop off supplies from not-so-far-off lands, certain parcels get pulled away and taken to go through customs. they are not for businesses nor for sale, but for individuals. the fact that they are for summoned individuals raise an eyebrow.

and so, through customs it goes, opened, inspected, and then—when none of the items are deemed as questionable—they are repackaged and sent to their designated recipients.

jayce will find several bottles topped to the brim and soaps. the bottles, upon closer inspection, are an assortment of shampoos and conditioners, lotions, and oils to be placed over candles to burn, their scents relaxing an individual and allowing for a good night's sleep if used in tandem.

he will find a piece of paper, blank. at first, anyway; the writing on the paper will appear to him in swathes of scarlet, as if being penciled for the first time by an invisible hand.

Take care of yourself, too.]

some nebulous first week of June time 1/2

[techmaturgy]

Hi.

[techmaturgy]

I'm in Aquila.

idk mid-trip back

[techmaturgy]

Good morning.

As requested, this is your daily progress report. The trip is proceeding on schedule, wagon uncomfortable, etc etc. Are you surviving?

[hextechhead]

Ish. For once I didn't get kicked out of work!

[ Because he actually slept. And shaved. And showered. Fair enough. ]

I'm trading books at the library for new ones. Anything subject you want me to pick up for when you're back?

Viktor's Return, mid-June (will be NSFW)

[hextechhead]

[ Despite knowing that they were not only on good terms again but great terms, kissing terms, Jayce still felt his heart go into his throat when he saw Viktor in person again. While the Horizon feels very realistic, it isn't real, not the way it did when he pulled Viktor into his arms. He was able to resist kissing him since they were in public, and he wanted to focus on Ciri for a few minutes. But as soon as it seemed appropriate to separate, he put a hand on Viktor's back and leaned in, murmuring. ]

Let's go home.

[ The cane was intact when it came back although Jayce has already made two spares that are in the apartment, mostly out of anxious energy, but also just in case. He manages not to look at Viktor as they walk back because distraction is of high possibility at the moment. He spent the days they were apart cleaning the house and getting supplies for Viktor's eventual return. He has not slept much since they first kissed but it hasn't made him tired, instead he's a different kind of wired.

Jayce didn't bother with the tie and vest today, obviously, instead only in his nice short-sleeved white shirt, the buttons at the top undone. He is newly shaved and smells fresh and clean himself. He put the effort in, he wanted to be ready and let's face it, particularly appealing today. All the misery of the past few weeks has dropped away. Not forever, he won't forget his mistakes because of his joy, but he is letting himself lean into the joy for now.

As soon as they walk into their apartment, Jayce closes and locks the door, and he tries so hard not to get immediately into Viktor's space. Not that he doesn't think he's welcome, he is well aware now how welcome he is, but because pragmatically speaking, other things need to happen. He moves by Viktor, although he brushes a kiss to his cheek on the way, so he can start the bath for him. Despite how eager they both are, he has gone through a lot the past ten days, it really is necessary.

He steps out of the bathroom once that is done and steps up to Viktor, smiling almost shyly as he reaches out to put one hand on his hip, very gently, and the other to cup his cheek. His eyes look into gold, just wanting to get confirmation that this is still very much real, even as the water fills in the next room. ]

Will you please let me heal you? We can do it now or after the bath.

[ Jayce loves showing off his new gifts to other people, but it is Viktor he's been waiting to show the difference to. Just two weeks and he knows it is different, better, stronger. The magic flows in him in a way he's only heard of. And if the anticipation of this moment is correct, he's going to appreciate getting a burst of glowing magical health. Jayce knows Viktor has invited him into his private space with their new intimacy, but it's still polite to ask permission before doing something lke healing. ]

[techmaturgy]

[Realistically, he should probably clean up and go to sleep. He's had a more-than-exciting ten days, with too many near death experiences, even for him. They part from Ciri and head back to the apartment, and he has to admire Jayce's restraint, at least insofar as not making their new situation terribly obvious. Viktor appreciates the discretion, even though he's also crawling in his skin, wanting to get his hands all over Jayce as soon as he possibly can.

When he steps into the apartment, he can see Jayce has been busy. His well-groomed appearance doesn't go unnoticed either, and it strikes him as kind of sweet that he's gone through all this effort just to welcome him back. He can only imagine the kind of nervous energy he had to work off, even when Viktor confirmed he was safe and they reconciled.

The bath is running, as promised. The thought of it is more appealing than he anticipated. He knows that Jayce wants to show off his healing. When he returns from the bathroom, Viktor leans into his touch, seeing no reason why they can't just have both at once.]

We can multitask.

[He's already in the process of shrugging off his dirty vest and stepping out of his shoes. The left one slides off easily, but the right one, in its metal boot, takes a little extra work as he bends to start unbuckling the thigh straps on his brace. Ordinarily, he might handle it himself, but he's impatient. He hasn't exactly stopped being impatient, not since they met in the Horizon.]

Help me with this, first.

[catholica]

( he doesn't get lost. that wasn't really a huge concern for him but he knows it's a possibility with how everything feels unfamiliar and almost backwards. he doesn't like it but he knows the only way to change that is to explore, map the region in his head and keep moving.

it doesn't take matt too long to get there and once he finds the place, hears the sounds of working inside, he steps up to the door and pushes it open slightly. )

Hello? It's...Matthew Murdock.

( he stays where he is until he hears the footfalls of someone approaching and waits to be greeted before stepping inside further. )

[hextechhead]

(They had been in a different workshop until recently so it was a process to move everything over, and also to add anything new they had done until then. Jayce has big plans for Rio Enterprises, as big as you can in a world not yours, so he's been figuring out the details while letting Viktor focus mainly on his own major project. There are not that many boxes left but enough he didn't feel comfortable suggesting a blind man walk in. He did push them to the sides though after talking to Matt.)

Hi, hold on!

(Jayce has a very strong voice that has a way of carrying so he is deep within the workshop but still able to be heard easily. He is simply picking up a few of his spare staffs and collapsible items to put in his workstation. The workshop smells like steel, fresh parchment, and chalk. It's an inventor's shop. Only a few seconds later he comes closer and smiles despite knowing Matt can't see him, opening the door.)

Hello Mr. Murdock, please come in. It's a straight shot forward, I moved everything out of your way. Take about thirty steps in and you'll be in my area, I have a few temporary options for you to use right now.

(Jayce had to adjust the top of the canes he used for Viktor since Matt doesn't need a cane, he needs a walking stick, but they are made of very good material and can easily be repurposed.)

My partner is the same height as you, and I made him extra canes.

ᴀssɪɢɴᴍᴇɴᴛ ɴɪɢʜᴛ

[righteously]

Hey
Sorry to bother you
Any chance you're at this wolf shindig and have a minute to take a look at something sketchy and probably important?

[hextechhead]

No I'm at the vampire ball. Are you talking about the bug?

early sept, in libertas.

[wiedzminka]

[ The message comes in messy and hurried. Ciri is a little preoccupied right now. ]

Where are you?

[hextechhead]

Out on a patrol in Libertas, soldiers just got here to take someone injured to the shelter. Why?

after Libertas

[righteously]

Hey
I didn't do a great job saying thank you after the whole fire thing, so
Thanks
I owe you one
Let me buy you a drink

[hextechhead]

To be fair, you did almost suffocate, I'm pretty sure bigger things were on your mind.

But sure, I'd like that.

backdated to nocwich, after his meeting with strange

[techmaturgy]

Everything goes about as he expects--Viktor is still slightly infuriated with Tony, and he has complicated feelings about looping yet another person into his slightly transgressive plans to save his own life, but perhaps Strange is a worthwhile inclusion after all. The next part is looping Jayce back in, which shouldn't feel unfamiliar but is anyway. Viktor is still, in some ways, adjusting to the new terms of their relationship. Part of him balks slightly at keeping Jayce abreast of his medical developments, a force of habit from so many years of being as private as possible.

Now, he tells Jayce because they're partners, and it speaks to something extremely committal between them that he isn't sure he can quite process yet. Jayce is going to be the last person he's ever with, one way or another. He deserves to be included, even if Viktor still finds it difficult.

"Jayce?"

It's silly, to announce himself when it's just the one room at the inn--he's either here or he's not, but if he knows Jayce, then he's been here the entire time, fretting about not being in the room with him. Viktor shuffles in a little awkwardly, closing the door behind him.

"We finished."

[hextechhead]

Of course Jayce is in the room waiting, fretting about what is going on. He meekly accepted Viktor making it clear he was grumpy enough about this he wanted to be alone. It doesn't mean he has to like it, but he respects it. He understands it's difficult for Viktor to be this open about his health. Jayce is included more now than before, so that has to be enough. He knows nothing serious will happen today, it's not as if Stephen will be doing anything to him, so he's not worried. Just ... impatient.

At least he has Kell's books to keep him company.

He is reading the enchantments book on the bed as he waits and he sits up the moment he hears the door open. Jayce moves to the end of the bed and puts the book aside, gold-brown eyes both hopeful and wary as they search Viktor's face. He doesn't seem upset, at least. So. It could be it turned out worthwhile.

"And?" He offers a hand out, hoping Viktor will take it. He always likes to have physical contact if it's allowed.

→ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀᴜᴛᴜᴍɴ ᴍᴏᴏɴ ʟɪɢʜᴛꜱ ᴍʏ ᴡᴀʏ

[tobeclosetohim]

ℍ𝕖𝕪,

𝕐𝕠𝕦 𝕓𝕦𝕤𝕪 𝕣𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 𝕟𝕠𝕨?

[hextechhead]

It depends on what you need? I'm putting some tools together at the moment, but I can pause.

commission; @ the workshop

[gynvael]

[ Some days later Geralt will arrive at Jayce and Viktor's workshop with a slip of parchment that outlines what he wants with the details tidily organized. Whether anyone is at the workshop or sees him is of no importance; Geralt delivers it with minimal to no conversation, then disappears. He trusts Jayce's work, so he sees little reason to have a discussion.

There are two separate requests: one for a second sword, using the unique ore that's been gifted from Nocwich, enchanted to be more durable than the metal is on its own. It will function as his silver sword once did—meant for use against magic and magical creatures as needed, not to cross with another weapon. Length of the blade, the material of the grip, and the angle of the crossguard are all notated.

The other is a dagger for Jaskier, enchanted for protection with a rechargeable shield of a sort while the dagger is held. He's specified an 8 inch blade, and he'll pay the cost to have it forged with meteorite steel. Design's left to Jayce's discretion.

Beneath the commission details is a brief note signed with his initial: ]

Name your price.
Tell me if you have adjustments
or suggestions.

[ Jayce can ask that they talk in person. He'll come if so. Elsewise, Geralt's nature is to avoid unnecessary interactions. ]

nov 14; shield testing

[assembles]

Next Monday, Jayce had said, and the week passes by like a flash. Between trying to manage some of the unrest caused by the sheer number of Libertas refugees that have entered the city and the odd jobs Steve's continued to pick up to make sure that he can afford rent, there's plenty to do. He's more than ready to set aside some time in order to test out some shield strengthening options with Viktor and Jayce, though.

He's quite familiar with Rio Enterprises and where it's located by now. He doesn't visit all that often, but given that Tony is there most days, he's swung by here and there. It's fairly early in the morning, just following his run, when Steve shows up — meaning there's a high probability that Tony is still fast asleep.

This is probably for the best. He might get weird about all the shield stuff, otherwise.

As Steve enters the workshop he isn't surprised to find that Jayce is there, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. There's no immediate sign of Viktor, but that doesn't mean he isn't just tucked away somewhere in hopes of avoiding customers. He seems like the type.

"Morning," Steve greets Jayce with a nod as he steps over. He has the shield Jayce made with him as well, strapped to his arm, though it looks a little bit worse for the wear. Unsurprising, given the stress he put it under last month. It probably wasn't supposed to be exposed to quite that much heat, for one thing...

[hextechhead]

Jayce spent the rest of the week after the request for help actually going to Libertas and directly assisting with the reconstruction conversations, although they're very early and he is just a helper at this point. It is a difficult tightrope for the two of them to walk, helping as much as they can within boundaries that don't make them stand out too much. They could probably create things that will make it go faster, but at what cost? Either way, it's easy to stay busy around here, and the rest of his time is spent on finishing projects and then focusing on the new metal.

Typical blacksmith mentality that Jayce is absolutely fascinated by the Luna metal. He hopes some day if they ever get to go to Luna that he can learn more about where they get it. He will probably end up nerding out over that, some day. He and Lee have had multiple conversations about it, so at least he has a fellow blacksmith to gush at. From there it was coming up with ideas on how to use it.

After seeing Sam's shield for the first time, Jayce was obviously low key obsessed with it. The metal is not something he has ever seen replicated and so he did his absolute best to give Steve something strong and capable. Jayce always puts his heart and soul into what he makes, including the 250th knife asked of him. But still. This is new. Maybe not ever vibranium, but it's something.

He glances up when Steve enters and his smile is immediate and genuine. He is very energetic and one of those obnoxious morning people, he likes keeping busy. He did a different type of working out at dawn, in the forge, so he is a little dressed down without his usual tie and vest for once.

"Morning!" The shield hasn't just been finished, he's been working on multiple projects, but it is the one he's been experimenting on the most. "V, Steve's here." He says toward the back room where yes, Viktor is hiding away.

"Do you need me to clean up the shield? I actually made you something that might be helpful if the two shield thing works out, a double back harness, although you can use it for that one if you like it." Jayce has a tendency to just make things when they come to him.

not long after the return from luna

[techmaturgy]

Viktor wakes up coughing--not necessarily unusual, for him, especially when he hasn't been healed in some time, though as he hauls himself out of bed in the middle of the night, he can't help but feel as though something might be out of the ordinary. Being fatigued or in pain is nothing new to him, between his leg and his back and his illness, though he has to admit that the trip on the boat hasn't done him any favors. In Luna, it was easy enough for him to attribute any sub-optimal feeling or worsening symptoms to the weather. Back home, he should be improving, or at least, not feeling worse.

All of that, taken together, is bad, but there's not much he's going to be able to do about it in the middle of the night. He decides he'll cough it out now and sort things out in the morning.

Though he's certain his tossing and turning has already done it, he doesn't want to wake Jayce, moving as quickly as he can into the washroom and shutting the door behind him. That's when he lets the coughing fit overtake him, bracing himself on the sink as it rattles his thin frame, doing his best to suck in air when he's able to. It's not good--he knows it's not good even without spitting up red into the basin, and it leaves him gasping to the point where his vision starts to cloud and he can't hold himself up.

He should wake Jayce--call for him, at least, before he can't, but Viktor doesn't quite make it to that point. If, somehow, Jayce has slept through the shift on the mattress and the coughing in the other room, he will certainly hear the sound of something thudding in the bathroom, like a body slumping against the wall.

[hextechhead]

The cold air in Luna was not good for Viktor and he knew that, trying to keep him as warm as possible through the entire experience. Even with a healer as a boyfriend and Nadine's medical help, bad weather for weak lungs is still that. He wakes up in a haze when Viktor first rises and hears him cough, but he doesn't get up right away. Sometimes Viktor gets twitchy if he thinks Jayce is overreacting to a cough, there are some areas he doesn't like coddling in and this is one of them. He expects to wait until it calms down and Viktor can wash out his mouth before coming back to bed.

He sits up when the coughing comes back harder than before though, it's consistent and it reminds him of what Viktor sounded like when he first arrived, before they had the healing and medicine stop gaps. He was still struggling then so it is a distinct sound. Jayce gets out of bed, ready to maybe get a sharp look for overworrying, but some instinct of his kicks in. He runs to the bathroom and hears the thud before he opens the door. A second too late to stop that part.

Panic immediately springs and he goes down on his knees hard next to Viktor. "V, breathe, love, just breathe." Jayce puts his hand on Viktor's chest and for once he doesn't ask permission first. His healing magic flares to life and burns through Viktor's chest and lungs with force. Blame it on fear, irrational or maybe very rational, like his intuition can tell this is not normal.

a letter, to open post-procdure

[techmaturgy]

Jayce,

It’s my hope that by the time you’re reading this, we’ll have performed the procedure successfully, and all that will be left is for you to wait for me to wake up. I know this isn’t what you want to read, and of course I hope that when you do read this, this letter will already be irrelevant, but in the event the worst has transpired, I want to make this as easy on you as I possibly can.

My possessions are immaterial—you may do what you like with them. Similarly, my only wishes for burial are your taking steps to ensure I’m not involved the next time the dead rise (I recommend cremation). I think you already understand, however, that none of the aforementioned is very important to me. I trust that you’ll handle my affairs in a way that I would find acceptable, because you are the person who knows me the best.

This will be hard. Remember that you have people here who care for you, who are ready to support you when you need it. Right now it must seem impossible, but please continue to live, and to work, and do good, not only in my memory but for yourself as well. It is a great injustice, that outside circumstance would render me unable to accomplish all the things I wanted to—you must pursue our dream in my stead.

I was selfish, to indulge in our relationship, and it isn’t lost on me how painful this must be for you now, but I cannot bring myself to regret it. These months we’ve spent together have been the happiest of my life, and our partnership both professionally and otherwise has changed me in ways I cannot begin to express. You are brilliant, and kind, and any world is better for having you in it. Whatever happens after this, know that I have loved you more than I ever thought possible. Thank you for sharing this time with me.

Yours, always,
V

after viktor's not-death

[wiedzminka]

[ She's anxious to ask after Viktor, but has the sense to wait. At least a little. Eventually, when Ciri decides she's given Jayce and all involved a polite buffer, she'll send a message. ]

May I ask what the news is?

[hextechhead]

[ It's been exhausting to say the least, one hell of an experience, but he's managed to set Viktor up safely in recovery. ]

He's alive. He's still sleeping and we're going to make sure the lungs look clean before destroying the Hexcore, but he made it.

feb event, early week 1

[londonbound]

Jayce,

Kell is missing. Have you heard anything from him? Please respond.

[hextechhead]

No, I haven't. My sister Caitlyn is missing.

Shortly after Sam's announcement during the disappearances

[widows_kiss]

[ Unlike the other two Sam had her contacting, Natasha at least knew who Jayce and Viktor were, although she'd spent more time chatting with Jayce in the Horizon than the brief talk she'd had with Viktor in Nocwich weeks ago. ]

Hello, Jayce, this is Natasha. I'm not sure if you remember me or not, but we met in your lab briefly in the Horizon a while back.

Sam's put me in charge of trying to keep lines of communication open between all of us in the different faction, so information doesn't get lost or overlooked, or missed completely if it's relevant to an investigation happening elsewhere. He suggested you and Viktor as among those it would be good to contact in Cadens, which is why I'm reaching out. Would you be open to letting me know if you find anything you think might be of note, or hear anything?

[hextechhead]

Yes. V mentioned the tracker we had on Ciri, we're working on amplifying them. I'm working with the Cadens government to boost the mechanical birds they're sending out to try and track the areas. Everyone's hitting up their contacts. What we need to have happen is the factions agree to allow us to work together.

late week 1, kidnapping event

[aquaveiled]

Jayce,

I hope you're well. As well as one can be with everything going on.

I doubt you've been idle. Has aught been found in Cadens?

You've been an adept student at Conjury so I do have a request. Has anything looked out of sorts in the wilds and nature around the city? Has anything felt out of sorts?

Until we meet again,

水

[hextechhead]

Nice to hear from you, Himeka. I'm glad you're still safe.

Viktor and I have been working on tracking technology, a Summoned volunteered to be caught with a tracker. It is still active wherever they are, although difficult to get an exact read. I'm amplifying mechanical searching birds. We're refining all of our tech, hopefully we'll lead somewhere. We're getting reading of north from Free Cities.

A group found strange kelp in a bandit camp in Cadens, they went to Aquila to see if they could find more answers. I don't know if anyone noticed anything about nature, I'll ask around. It was reported from Kyle in Thorne that he found desiccated trees and some strangely desiccated animals in the mountains there.

What have you noticed?

Early Week 2 | While kidnapped (Now in the right place. Hopefully. Bloody browser)

[preferscuffs]

[A relatively, by Caitlyn standards quick note, but still she can't help but check in. Just to hopefully give at least a little reassurance.]

It'̸̧͔̲̐s̸̡͓̆̏̿͜ Caitly̷͖̓͝n
I'm okaÿ̴̢̙̠͚̳͕́.
Well, relative̵͎͖̎̄l̴̲̠̓͂̏y̷̫͒̌̈́ͅ ̴̥̜́a̶̼͉̩͐͊n̴͕͖͒̂̽yway.
C̸̜͈̙̲͐̑̽ơ̴̢̜̜̎̆̓ŭ̷̼̞̹͋l̷̘̏̽̋͜ḓ̴̾̿ ̶̥̰̓̉̂̕b̵̠̚e̵̺̤̋ worse. I'm sure, someh̷̬͓͓͕͕͉͋ǒ̸̼̏͑ẅ̸̧̡̥͕̣̀

[hextechhead]

[ Any message at all is a relief. ]

We almost have a guess as to where you are. Viktor and I have completed our tech, we're requesting to move locations and do final testing.

We think you're north of the Singularity. On an island.

nebulous beginning of april time after everyone is back home

[techmaturgy]

It's not often that he and Jayce take a well-earned rest, but they've had several of them recently. First, his recovery, and now as they settle back into Cadens, the captive Summoned home safe and healing. Viktor finally feels like he can breathe, in more ways than one, and it also allows him a moment to remember an important date.

He's trying to be better at that. They'd discussed it, the two of them, some time ago--Viktor doesn't necessarily care about his own birthday, but Jayce has decided that his will be on the anniversary of his arrival. Viktor, happy to oblige, kept it in the back of his mind, not wanting to miss it.

And he doesn't miss it, having gone to bed the night before with a reminder. He's not going to outdo their six month anniversary, but a small token and insistence that they take a moment will be more than enough, especially after everything that's happened. It's touching, to Viktor, that Jayce will mark his age here by the day they were reunited.

"Jayce," he says, completely unabashed about scooting closer, getting into his sleeping face, and kissing him awake. Another nudge, this time with some urgency. "Wake up."

Truly, this is a matter of utmost importance.

[hextechhead]

Everyone is back home and coping as best as they can, outside of a few of the harder cases that still have to check in at the hospitals. Jayce checks in with people too, sometimes his brand of healing can be more comfortable than going in, if he's strong enough for what they're doing. But they are starting to get back to a sense of normal, even if the aftermath of what happened will continue on. He can sleep easy though, since Caitlyn's alive and well.

He is trying to sleep easy but someone is trying to wake him up and he is very indulgent so he returns Viktor's kiss sleepily as he slowly moves into wakefulness. Jayce hadn't been paying close enough attention to the dates to think of this. Usually he is up early but using healing magic all the time wears him out faster. One of them always manages to get up at dawn though.

"Mmmwake." Jayce puts an arm around him and tugs him close, smiling into his mouth as he steals another kiss from him. What? A little morning making out was a good way to start the day. And they've been so focused the past few months between Viktor's illness, cure, and Caitlyn's kidnapping, that he might be enjoying the affection. But Viktor wanted him awake so he sighs instead of distracting Viktor more, pulling back.

"What's going on, love?"

Just a random message sent during some downtime at no time in particular

[preferscuffs]

It's come to my attention that I'm now older than you were when we first met.

[hextechhead]

Wow. I'm a billion years old now.

a note and a little box, june 15

[techmaturgy]

[Much as he did back in December, Viktor gets up early and disappears to work long before Jayce awakens, leaving an obviously pre-meditated box and letter waiting for him on the kitchen table. As if there's any question about who it might be from, the name Jayce is written on the envelope in Viktor's familiar, hurried script.

The content, at least, is much more pleasant than the last letter he had to write.]

Jayce,

There is nothing I can write here that hasn't already been said. Thank you for this past year, and for everything you've done to make our future together possible. I can't wait to share it with you.

Yours always,
Viktor

[Inside the box is, predictably, the ring that he promised. Viktor has done his best to make them match, more or less, though Jayce's is appropriately gold and the design of the gears has more of his own signature on it. He's taken a few artistic liberties, not content to just duplicate Jayce's design, and of course he's enchanted it accordingly, the bands and gears moving of their own accord.

It has a protection spell too, of course, enhanced with his own blood--not that he's going to make any of that known.

And then, within the box, a small, additional scrap of paper.]

P.S. I spoke to the owner of our workshop building. He's looking to sell.