[there is a long, disorienting moment where viktor needs to readjust to, well, his entire adult life and personality planting itself back in his head. it's a blessedly brief process, as intense as it is, followed by an equally confusing adaptation to being a specter in a memory, one gently narrated by passing impressions.
he's in the sixth. that, more than anything, strikes him with awe in the foreign place that feels worn like home, thanks to pal's memories.
actually not true, seeing pal almost beats that awe- the gangly little bastard is still taller than him, of course, and still bends his glasses, and still brilliantly and relentlessly chases after answers and goals that viktor's heart could maybe burst. even more than anything, the curve ball of it all, is finally seeing camilla. young of course, younger than she'd likely be if they ever got the chance to meet, but he understands he's seeing something like a piece of pal's heart here, as she checks his math and acts in all the ways viktor would have expected.
he follows after with little choice in the matter, not that he would have strayed, as tempting as the labs were. he learns what a construct actually is and wishes he had the body to run a hand down his face in exasperation at the important, skeletal fact pal left out. he looks out a view screen and sees space, and space rocks, and sadly no collisions.
he sees pal's mother, who he only recognizes in personality as tying to pal. he's fascinated by their interactions, so businesslike but not strained or bitter like he might have expected. he doesn't know what to make of it, and then the mystery starts.
(take a shot every time viktor sighs or rolls his non-eyes when the teenagers glance at each other over 'dr. sex.')
it's all very fascinating, and gives him some last minute ideas for his puzzle box gift. he's a little disappointed he can't follow camilla, though he won't say no to regarding pal in all his endearing teen glory.
it isn't until the end that he realizes this may be similar to the memory of before, which does not give him much time before he's faced with a teen pal who can see him. he resists the urge to glance down at himself, can already guess at the fit and the cane instead of the crutch that it's one of his academy uniforms, along with the cane jayce gratefully made him after his broke in service of barring the door. lots of golds and reds, because of course he had to stick out like a sore thumb.
grey and silver, why not at least pick a more contrasting second color? honestly. he'll complain to pal about that later, when he's not putting on as neutral a face as he can and offering,] You could say that.
[pal just constantly moving about almost cracks over his expression in a smile. he fights it to say with a glance to the biscuits,] Did you come here to sample the hospitality? I was imagining they must be a not so subtly disguised deterrent.
no subject
he's in the sixth. that, more than anything, strikes him with awe in the foreign place that feels worn like home, thanks to pal's memories.
actually not true, seeing pal almost beats that awe- the gangly little bastard is still taller than him, of course, and still bends his glasses, and still brilliantly and relentlessly chases after answers and goals that viktor's heart could maybe burst. even more than anything, the curve ball of it all, is finally seeing camilla. young of course, younger than she'd likely be if they ever got the chance to meet, but he understands he's seeing something like a piece of pal's heart here, as she checks his math and acts in all the ways viktor would have expected.
he follows after with little choice in the matter, not that he would have strayed, as tempting as the labs were. he learns what a construct actually is and wishes he had the body to run a hand down his face in exasperation at the important, skeletal fact pal left out. he looks out a view screen and sees space, and space rocks, and sadly no collisions.
he sees pal's mother, who he only recognizes in personality as tying to pal. he's fascinated by their interactions, so businesslike but not strained or bitter like he might have expected. he doesn't know what to make of it, and then the mystery starts.
(take a shot every time viktor sighs or rolls his non-eyes when the teenagers glance at each other over 'dr. sex.')
it's all very fascinating, and gives him some last minute ideas for his puzzle box gift. he's a little disappointed he can't follow camilla, though he won't say no to regarding pal in all his endearing teen glory.
it isn't until the end that he realizes this may be similar to the memory of before, which does not give him much time before he's faced with a teen pal who can see him. he resists the urge to glance down at himself, can already guess at the fit and the cane instead of the crutch that it's one of his academy uniforms, along with the cane jayce gratefully made him after his broke in service of barring the door. lots of golds and reds, because of course he had to stick out like a sore thumb.
grey and silver, why not at least pick a more contrasting second color? honestly. he'll complain to pal about that later, when he's not putting on as neutral a face as he can and offering,] You could say that.
[pal just constantly moving about almost cracks over his expression in a smile. he fights it to say with a glance to the biscuits,] Did you come here to sample the hospitality? I was imagining they must be a not so subtly disguised deterrent.