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[hextechhead]

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[techmaturgy]

If it makes you feel better, I'm also "freaking out".

[hextechhead]

[ Viktor never admits to that. It actually does calm him a little, instead of spinning him out more. It means he isn't likely to take more risks. ]

It does make me feel better, although I'm really sorry you went through something like this and had to feel that way. But you and Ciri are alive, that's what matters.

[techmaturgy]

We were lucky to get to Aquila. For a short amount of time I thought we would be stranded at the crater with no supplies.

Actually. The horse has my crutch. I have no idea if it made it back to Cadens.

[hextechhead]

Luckily it didn't come down to needing a plan for that.

[ Because there's no way Jayce would've just accepted them stuck somewhere without doing anything to get them. ]

I can ask around to see if a horse came back. If not I can make you a new one. You went on a horse? How was that?

[ If he can distract them both from their freak out, probably for the better. ]

[techmaturgy]

I enjoyed it, until he threw me.

It wasn't his fault. Jaskier might know if he came back--Ciri said her horse knows the way home, and it's likely mine would have followed.

[hextechhead]

Have you left Aquila yet? If not, stop by a medicine store, with such a long trip those bruises are going to get worse. You'll need numbing salves and temporary pain killers. Trust the not-quite-a-doctor.

I'll message him and see if it got there.

[techmaturgy]

I'm extremely well-acquainted with pain management, Jayce. Falling off a horse is the least of my problems, right now.

[Implying, of course, greater injury, but whatever.]

Thank you. I've left most of the communication at Ciri, for reasons that are perhaps obvious.

[She's also slightly distressed--he doesn't want to inadvertently make it worse by reaching out to her people in her stead.]

[hextechhead]

What do you mean? What else happened?

[techmaturgy]

I suppose I should start at the beginning. The reason the horse threw me was because it was startled by one of the desert creatures, which subsequently attacked us. That's when Ciri tried to teleport us away, but we were pulled to the crater, instead.

[hextechhead]

[ A desert creature. The deadly variety. He almost died, Jayce can fill that much in. He rubs his hands over his face. ]

Does she seem to know why the Singularity would react like that to her powers?

[techmaturgy]

No, we haven't been able to discuss it just yet. Our arrival to Aquila was similarly....traumatic.

[hextechhead]

What? What do you mean?

[ This keeps getting worse. ]

[techmaturgy]

We missed Aquila. We teleported into the bay.

[hextechhead]

Fuck.

[ Jayce rarely swears but if there was ever a time it was appropriate, now would be that time. He has to remind himself that obviously Viktor lived, he's talking to him right there, he doesn't have to panic. ]

V.

[techmaturgy]

I'm all right, thanks to Ciri. We're safe now, and I'll see you when we've made it back to Cadens.

[hextechhead]

You will?

[ Despite Viktor reaching out, Jayce still didn't know if this would lead toward him being allowed to see him again. Viktor said he didn't want to, and Jayce had stayed out of his way ever since. He's so hungry and hopeful all of a second. ]

[techmaturgy]

Yes? Did you think I would want to avoid you forever?

[hextechhead]

Maybe?

I didn't want to assume anything.

[techmaturgy]

You did a terrible thing. I'm not sure I'll ever forgive you for it, but I don't want to spend what could be the last months of my life without you.

[hextechhead]

[ A breath Jayce feels like he's been holding for days is finally released, and the same type of tension in his shoulders relaxes. It's not forever. Viktor wants to see him again. ]

Thank you for allowing me back into your life. Am I allowed to say I missed you?

[ He didn't want to hear the love. ]

[techmaturgy]

It's only been a few days, Jayce.

There's more that I should say, but I think it should be in person.

[hextechhead]

I didn't know how long it would be, I started right away.

[ Missing him, that is. ]

I will listen to anything you want to say to me. But you're really ten days away?

[ That feels like ten years. ]

[techmaturgy]

A week, if we move quickly. I probably shouldn't do that.

[hextechhead]

No, don't hurt yourself more. I reached out to Jaskier, I'll see if the horse and cane got back here.

Can you talk awhile longer or is it too tiring? Is it okay if I check in with you every day just to make sure you're alright?

[techmaturgy]

Yes, I can provide progress reports.

...what would you like to talk about?