deercountry | (no subject)

[ A welcoming attitude is enough to relax Robby, just knowing that his presence doesn't sound like a bother. He brings the door near to a close but not entirely (since it was open when he got here) and walks to where the couch is, so as to not stand around awkwardly.

He might notice the cane, but it's a look and nothing more. ]

Robby. [ He returns, and with that given: ] I was wondering about the signs of someone being corrupted, if they're always the same, or if there's a way of telling if someone's doing alright? I heard you can see it, sometimes, but then -- there's lots of ways of curing it if you do, right? So... is there a big problem about it going undetected?

[viktor's a little surprised, mostly because usually what he's asked is just methods to lower corruption. actually wanting to understand it like this is fairly new, and robby gets several points immediately for that.

he leans against his cane as he considers, not sitting just yet, largely because he might want to pick something up to show him and his knee makes getting up a whole damn process.] I would say the biggest problem with corruption revolves around that. It comes in stages, from what I have seen. The early stages can be very easily missed, especially in those unwilling to address their own emotions or accept vulnerability. The signs are typical of a mental variety in that way, low moods, depression, things of that nature. You can no doubt imagine how many stubborn people here insist they are fine and cannot bother anyone with it. [dry.]

By later stages it almost always becomes more obvious physically, but it also becomes far more difficult to treat. Largely due to the fact by this point it's more than likely the person has become resistant to treatment or addressing the problem at all. Large personality changes tend to occur as it gets worse. At a very high level I found myself getting so intensely apathetic to it and other people, the idea of treatment would not cross my mind. Many isolate themselves, sometimes even with good intentions.

There are many ways to treat it though, yes. Here we have even been able to cure beasthood, though it does not always work I'm afraid. [a pause as he considers, then offers,] As eh... sappy as it sounds the best way to cut it off or handle it is to simply notice when people around you are doing unwell and try to offer support. If you'd like we have a tea made from the petals of the tree here that helps lower it, and is enjoyable for tea. I can send you home with some.

Edited 2022-12-15 13:52 (UTC)

[ Wow, stubborn people? ...Yeah, he really can't speak. Robby wonders if he should be writing this down early on, but he's surprised to hear the guy - Viktor - speak about his own experiences. It gives a perspective he wasn't expecting. ...then again, he hasn't really heard anything beyond a change of mood, a shift in appearance. Which always made him feel unsure about how to even recognise it. It might be hard now, still, truthfully: there were a lot of reasons to have a bad time, and even if wasn't much of himself after he ended up in that other Trench...

Not that he's going to reflect too deeply and recognise his own corruption during that time, now.

But it does have him thoughtful, especially about the dojo. Blinking some at the offered petals, which- ] Oh, uh, sure -- do you grow enough? I'm actually from a dojo that started up last month. We teach fighting, but we want to give people stuff for corruption and safety. We got the mushrooms that were growing last month -- do you know the ones that throw around the spores that mess with your head? Are they as good or any better than those?

[ Still, the options would be good (as someone who hates...mushrooms), but knowing their effectiveness too -- he really should have had a notebook on him. ]

[that immediately gets a dismissive wave of his hand.] We have plenty. [he's not sending a well meaning teenager out without something, that's all there is to it.

the mention of the dojo makes his lips quirk though.] Ah, I've seen the tournament you all threw. The tea then, that should help. I recommend using it when people are uneasy or seem to be doing mentally unwell rather than regularly. [the bit about mushrooms makes him perk a little though] I haven't had a chance to look at them, I'm afraid I was recovering from surgery for a stretch of time. If you bring me a sample I could look into it.

[always interesting to see what new nonsense the trench is pulling there.]

Yeah, sure, [ he answers to the mushrooms -- a good exchange for petals! ] We've been drying them out for a tea, too. ...but petals taste better than mushrooms, [ he adds in a light tone.

(mushrooms suuuuck) ]

And, uh, we're Miyagi-do -- Eagle Fang threw the tournament. [ A small detail, unrelated, so moving on: ] But does that tree help with the pollution? I've seen a few of them. I tried asking where they came from, but it sounded like someone left them behind.

[ He wanted one to grow in the dojo garden....but alas. :( ]

[viktor gives a small snort at that.] I think I would enjoy that sort of tea more, in truth. Where I am from mushrooms are used heavily in a lot of products. Nostalgia covers for a lot, eh?

[the undercity also has pretty wild food in general so. it's an acquired taste, truly. pleasant floral tea is indeed superior.

a nod- he very vaguely knows johnny, and he is admittedly a bit glad the man isn't in charge of this good natured teen. sorry johnny, you're a lot. the mention of who left the trees behind has his expression softening a touch, bittersweet.] Ammy, yes, they are her trees. A goddess, quite literally in her world. Also a dog.

They do help with pollution it seems. There's one by the shores that makes it more obvious, you can see where general pollution begins to recede. [a pause and he says,] My theory is spiritual matters seem generally effective against pollution and even corruption. Of course 'spiritual' is a broad term with many applications, so I would hardly call it hard fact.

[hey, maybe one day they can get miyagi-do a sapling? even if it was just a cool sakura tree it'd still be pretty.]

I'll keep that in mind, [ he comments in a friendly manner--he knows who to share mushrooms with. If the chance ever comes. Trench seems to do well with mushrooms as well, a staple in their foods (especially once winter comes).

Really, it's good Robby can eat everything but mushrooms. But the info about the trees does spark his interest. Damn, if only cuttings from the tree were a thing. But it sounds like this guy knows a few things about pollution, so: ]

Is there other cases or-- stuff we know that works on pollution? I hear about incense or blood helping with corruption, but it sounds like there isn't much for what causes corruption in the first place.

[ Which, he can understand tackling it being hard, but -- what options were there? At least this seemed like the better place after all for finding outt. ]

Is there anything...people can do?

[ Who aren't very...spiritual???? ]

[robby must be eternally suffering. mushrooms everywhere here, mushroom wines. painful. regardless as robby speaks viktor moves over to one of the bookshelves, humming and pulling out something from it. a notebook, one he brings over.]

Moon drops have been effective against pollution. They're a stone that is very rare indeed, but occasionally you will be able to find one or be gifted one. We have some examples here, if you would like to see, but look at this.

[the notebook covers this mechanic, essentially notes and observations about the relics. viktor specifically flips to the bit about moon drop relics before offering it.]

These relics made through those particular stones, I believe they may be a possibility. I admit I've been focusing on the corruption healing angle. [a beat to consider and he says,] I've also been curious about the use of warmblood as well. There's a certain mythos around it, but warmbloods are rather rare I find. The last I knew left many months ago.

Edited 2022-12-15 17:15 (UTC)

[ You know, Robby will take a notebook to look at before a stone itself (but maybe seeing one so he can keep an eye out for later would be good). Taking it when it's offered, a small glance before Viktor's talking takes his attention first.

Though, that part about warmbloods... ]

Really? [ He had no clue. ] What do you want to do? Use the blood to help with corruption? I know someone who thought about making bullets with warmblood to help with the beasts -- I guess they were talking about the Sanctuary, if you're the people who bring them back from beasthood.

[ It's how the bullets had come up, as a 'de-beasting people is popular, what if we could shoot blood into them to help?'

...which probably isn't that crazy, here. ]

But I know people like the blood for corruption, too, [ he adds. ] It's what everyone tells you it does.

[a shrug.] Paleblood and darkblood are the ones I see the most here, with coldblood not far behind. Vileblood seems on the rare side but warmblood is the type I have very few samples of.

Bullets? Interesting, who was that? [not a terrible idea, really. he'd have to hunt whoever that was down and pick their brain.] Curing beasthood is our mission statement, so to speak. Sleepers may come back from the dead but the natives here, for them beasthood was once a death sentence.

I'd be curious to use it in my own work- I meld bloodmagic and technology, usually through use of bloodstones. For example, the inherent abilities of a paleblood gem can be made into a device that can create field that lulls beasts to sleep. If warmblood has properties against corruption... there is a great deal of potential there.

Ruby. You heard of her? [ ...it's a lot to expect, but Robby also wouldn't be surprised if he did? Ruby seems like the kind of person people would just know, for some reason.

But he'll listen for a bit, let Viktor say what he does without interruption. He's curious about these devices, how accessible and mobile they are to carry. But maybe he can pick Viktor's brains for ideas. After all: ]

If you're up for sharing your ideas, I'll give you the blood -- I'm warmblood. [ Tada? ] I've been learning this magic language so I can do stuff with blood too, but I'm not really -- [ he pauses, then gestures to Vikor- ] --like you, or the person I'm learning from. I just want to make stuff that anyone can use to get away. Stay protected.

[ A pause. ] And I want to learn to use my own blood, too. I read warmbloods could learn to use it like everyone else does magic, but I guess no one's here like that who could help.

[ ...he really doesn't want to bug the hospital... ]

Ah, the weaponsmith. [yup, heard of her. frankly wants to meet her to talk shop, so this was as good a reason as any to seek her out. he makes a mental note of that and moves no to-

ah, a warmblood. no wonder the interest. he listens with a nod and a genuine understanding. given he was a walking target for months and still isn't exactly equipped to deal with beasts he rather agrees with pushing for things ordinary people can use to protect themselves.]

I'd be happy to share them. [and he can't help an amused huff.] This technology I mentioned, it is based off a technology my research partner and I founded in our own world. Hextech- it used technology to harness magic, rather than a mage. Putting magic in the hands of the people, he used to say.

I suppose here it's putting bloodmagic in the hands of those without. So... while I cannot help you learn magic itself I can certainly make it more accessible.

Sounds good to me. [ And, with his lips quirking: ] And better if you can bring the people here back from turning beast, too. That sucks -- seems like the people born here get it rougher than us from the sea.

[ Does Robby hate saying 'Sleeper'? Yes, yes he does. And he pauses, but figures to ask: ]

I don't know a lot about them, but have you talked to those Patrons? I mean, [ really, ] god-like beings aren't on my list to jump and ask things from, but that Nevermind -- they were giving those bracelets that helped with the pollution. Maybe there's something they could give that works with your equipment.

[ He lifts a shoulder, a shrug held in place as: ] Maybe his biggest ask will be you learning something new and cool?

[ Because there will be a price, surely. ]

I would say. Frankly I am surprised they don't loathe us more than they sometimes do, as misdirected as it would be. [that rarely stops xenophobia. ignoring zealots they're a pretty chill bunch otherwise.

that's an interesting suggestion though, and viktor hums as he considers it.] No, I haven't. I admit I don't trust most of them very much, but recent events make me see they aren't without their own troubles. Speaking to Nevermind couldn't hurt. [as long as it's not remina. they have beef.

and a soft snort.] Yes, that or new ways to make his archives a more chaotic maze. Tell me, what sort of magic is it you are trying to learn exactly?

It's from Saeri, if you've heard of her. [ If not: ] You write in a language that's magic, with stuff in the ink. Blood, whatever -- you can put it together a few ways. She made smoke bombs and fire out of a few stones. Was how I found out about her ink.

You just need a lil' magic in you to activate it. But you throw a stone with that paleblood? You can write how it works -- make it affect what you want, how quick and strong.

[ A beat. ] Probably can with your stuff too, but I've never seen tech and magic. Wouldn't know how it works.

[ But he's still intrigued, admittedly. Tech isn't that hard to figure out if you take some time with it--it's just about learning what each piece does. How to crack it. ]

Oh yes, she works with Vi I believe. [a nod.] Not unlike runework then. Bloodmagic is malleable, it seems capable of latching on to any magic system. I have yet to see someone come from a world and not be able to translate their own abilities into it.

[the mention of tech has him move over, picking up what he was working on before. it looks like a little metal disc, thick and palm sized with a coldblood gem in the middle and wiring very much curled into rune-like shapes around it. clearly still a little rough but he hands it over, gestures to the switch at the side.]

It sounds very similar, in truth. Here, flip that. [if he does the immediate area around him will start to grow warm, like a little portable heater. a bit on the hot side because it's still a work in progress but hey! getting there.]

[ Oh, he knows Vi? Robby suddenly recalls a conversation he had with her about someone who worked on her gauntlets. He'll have to ask, but for now Viktor is picking up that disk, and he wonders if he should stand up and meet him -- but the man comes over with it, so Robby takes it when it's offered.

And does he do the thing? You bet he does the thing, to a surprising heat. Oh. Robby turns it in his hands. ]

What turns it on? Lunar power, or just the stone? [ This is a similar idea, and definitely a higher level from what he's doing.

Though, ah, he might want to sit it on his lap, see how long it takes to get too warm before he clicks the switch. ]

[boy does he, the only person from his world he doesn't have a complicated relationship with. regardless he watches the machine work with a twinge of satisfaction, even if he makes a mental note of some fiddling he needs to do.]

Just the stone for this one. The wires, see? They aren't unlike the writing you are learning, I imagine. They form something that functions as both a spell and coding, letting the machine itself access the latent power in the stone and cast it.

The gem will eventually be used up, not unlike a battery. Using blood itself as the powersource is easier and more efficient but the pollution is much higher, so I have been focusing on gems for this matter.

Would lunar power stop it from running out as quick? You could probably control the flow of the heat easier too, stop it from overheating. [ But then he clicks his tongue, adds with a sheepish tilt of his head as he holds it back out, turned off. ] --but I don't know anything about stones.

[ He could be full of shit, really. It's more of a curiosity than a suggestion, since the guy's probably thought about it. Did it even make a difference? This isn't exactly Earth tech, and he wonders if it's even a problem, the heat of a stone if managed properly -- with either the right wires, or spells.]

It could in fact. [nice catch robby, viktor nods as he leans against his cane and explains,] I've been hesitant to add it until I have far better mastery of the function- adding what would essentially be another power source gives more ways it could eh, blow up.

[explosions are fun but only when they don't fuck up the people testing them.] You have a good eye for this. Do you have any interest in engineering?

[ Robby just needs to think for a moment to know how to phrase this... ]

I used to figure out how stuff worked after it was made. Stuff like computers, [ alarm systems, locks, ] some vehicles. But overheating's always a big problem wth anything. But using a stone like that's cool anyway.

[ No unrespectful ways with technology here, we're just a normal and curious teen! Please focus on the compliment, and the beat it takes to ask: ]

By the way, you said Vi -- are you the guy who made her gauntlets?

[oh robby, you just described him as a kid, potentially also with some uh. not legal things. he'll even say as much, sans the not legal part.] I was similar as a child. I suppose as an adult now too.

If you're interested in tinkering more you're welcome to come to my lab. I've been giving engineering lessons to some people. [largely robots and androids who could use learning self maintenance. but hey, some people just interested. might as well make use of his agonizing time in academia.

but oh, vi. he nods] Oh, yes I did. Using some of this technology too, largely for shielding. She needs it, she is a trouble magnet I am afraid.

[ Has he ever thought about tinkering before? Not really. But it's-- different. It's something new, and Robby might need a thought to think about it in a baffled way, but- ]

--Sure. [ Sure, he says, but it's the kind where he needs to kick the word of his throat. ] If you don't mind a newbie.

[ Because he really, really is a newbie. But it could be cool? He looks over at the heater disk again, and knows it could be cool if he could get his head around it.

(This might be better than trying out the Gaze school.)

It makes him rather giddy, talking about Vi, that kind of disbelieving excess energy that follows. ]

And, uh, I like to get in trouble with her now and then. [ Hah. ] She's one of the first few people I met. She said you made some gauntlets, but I forgot the name.

[ Did she mention a name? Maybe. He thinks. ]

You used a stone with them too?

Not at all. [a wave of the hand] Pick a day and a time and we'll start meeting, if you would like. I have a proper lab in the Willful Machine.

[he could use the distraction, honestly. rio will enjoy the company too, hope you're good with giant lizards, robby.

that bit about vi makes his lips quirk.] Ah, so you are a trouble magnet too then? Perhaps I should be offering shielding for you as well. [and a nod] The Atlas Gauntlets, yes. Very dramatic, they were named by my research partner back home. They were supposed to be used for mining, but... obviously that did not end up the case.

They run on a magic from our world, but I outfitted them to use bloodstones as well. Largely darkblood, the telekinetic nature of it makes for good defensive measures and offensive.

[ Giant lizards are cool....

He'll have to think of a day and time (he's got room, somewhere -- he's not training every second of his life (just mostly)) and line it up with this guy's schedule. But at least they can talk gauntlets for a bit. Was Robby thinking darkblood there? Absolutely, and he might be inwardly smug when Viktor mentions them. A little. A point for Robby. ]

Yeah, darkblood can do a lot of things. [ It's been the most impressive of the bloods, honestly. ] If you got blood from someone, can you tap into the same stuff they can do with it? I mean, I know a friend who can remember something she knows and makes it.

[ Like. For example. That'd be pretty cool (even if he is not going to drop her name, unless all darkbloods can do that). ]