[viktor helps with that combining, watching for a brief moment as the little lights fall together into their new him in a jumble before his eyes stray to palamedes. he's curious as to the man's thoughts, it's a good observation, one that has him nodding.]
There is a crystal I've been studying that has purification properties, which I already found rather odd. So much of easing corruption in an individual is based off of mental and emotional stimuli, so how and why do objects such as the crystal have a similar effect? More so how could we replicate that effect more efficiently and for great instances of corruption and beasthood?
I believe these may help eh... bridge the gap, so to speak. [he realizes he's getting a little into ramble mode, stops with a clearing of his throat. he nods back in thanks, twisting the lid and regarding their collected spoils for a moment. there's something unnerving about solidifying hope in this way, maybe because he can easily imagine the city he lives in finding a way to commodify it and sell it to the highest bidder.
not that he doesn't expect to see some vendors selling these here, the willful machine never seems to miss an opportunity. still, different when they're passing spoils on the whims of monstrous butterflies rather than churned out for profit.]
I wish I had known lidded jars would be so useful going into this month... Thank you, Palamedes. Oh, in my old world you mean? [he takes a moment to consider how to explain hextech, it's always such a Thing.] I'm an engineer largely, with a focus on robotics and biomedical engineering. In my world though I cofounded a technology called Hextech, which took up all my time.
It ah... hm, magic can only be performed by people born with the innate ability to focus and manipulate arcane energies in my world. My partner and I found a way to manipulate those same energies through technology, such as teleporting airships great distances. Fascinating to be in a world now where magic is used so freely...
[a pause and he has to ask,] You seem a scholar of some sort. What were your studies?
[Palamedes nods along as Viktor explains his thought process, eyeing the little orbs; there's so much of this place that's based on magic and magic alone — why does he bleed glitter, when his heart yet beats and he can feel the pulse of proper blood in his veins? — so. It's a completely valid line of thought, the why of crystals and balls of light and everything else; he's been preoccupied with other interests of late, but he isn't not intrigued by these ideas.
He puts a pin in "arcane energies" to be asked about later, but first:]
If we're using magic as a point of reference, you could call me a wizard, I guess. [the anti-Empire literature does,] I'm a necromancer; I specialize in psychometry, that is— energy traces, the ghost-within-the-thing, but the nature of necromancy requires knowledge of the body inside and out. There are different types of energies only necromancers can mess around with for us, too...
[So he understands that much, although from the other side of the magician's velvet rope, as it were. And he's hooked on everything about this conversation now, but before he continues he glances over his shoulder, to not-quite-look at the big butterfly looming in the middle distance and ensure it isn't coming any closer.]
Besides that, I'm a librarian — but you make magical items? That's incredible and I desperately want to hear more about it, somewhere else. Away from that thing.
[subtle hint. ahem.]
Fair warning, I've been told I ask a "shitload" of questions.
[oh, that has viktor looking in open interest. he's never met a mage himself, and while jayce is the one with the particular interest in this area viktor has spent too long reading the dusty tomes of old wizards and memorizing runes not to perk up when meeting one. or at least one as his world would consider it.
and necromancy at that? any magic to do with blood and the body are especially forbidden subjects in a world that already treats magic like a time bomb at best and purely evil at worst. yet it is undeniably intriguing, especially to the part of him endlessy fascinated with biomedical engineering, with how the body works born from the many ways he's needed to compensate for his own.]
Ha- if you think you ask a 'shitload' of questions you will find I can do the same. I have a great many I would love to ask you about your experiences with magic, here and your world.
If you are willing to indulge me I would be glad to do the same. [his eyes stray to that butterfly, a shudder as he glances away. it isn't just the butterfly though, he quickly grabs a rag from his pocket to cough into it. it's an unpleasant, wet cough, and when he pulls his hand away it's with a grimace and the odd milk smell of paleblood.]
... My lab isn't too far, in the Willful Machine. Come, I'll make us some tea. [a much better place where he can light incense and not be vaguely menaced by butterflies.]
[There's nothing better in the world than trading notes, in Palamedes' humble opinion. He hasn't brought his small mountain of notebooks - unfortunately - but he nods again, eager to get down to it. Necromancy as it works in his home system is just the same - magic used by those born to it, and yet he's gotten the picture from certain questions people ask him here that "necromancy" is a word with... connotations? Assumptions, generously; he's yet to be bored by explaining it, regardless.
But ah— the way Viktor coughs yanks at Palamedes' instinct for concern, not only for what he's coughing up; they really, earnestly need to vacate this area in, uh, haste? Like, now?
He doesn't mention the cough, merely gestures for Viktor to lead the way with one hand and does something twitchy with his fingers with the other, ready to do some of that topical necromagic in a heartbeat if he needs to.]
Sure, let's get to the shitload of questions. I'm already envious of your having a lab, which I mean in the friendliest way possible. I've hardly set up, things have been... erratic.
[A lot of wallpapering his new home with notes, but a whole lab? He's been derelict in his duties.]
If you hear anything that isn't a butterfly on the way, just shout — I'll manage it.
[viktor starts down the the way he came, at least not having to worry about palamedes keeping up given he's making a somewhat slow go of it. he keeps the bottle of orbs out for the measly light they give, makes a mental note of finally making some sort of flashlight if things are going to stay this way. maybe one with a variety of intensities could be used to temporarily blind any beasts? something to think about.]
I was lucky, at least in that where I grew up made me particularly adept at this lifestyle of eh... scavenging. The lab space I found I think once was used for storage, a very large open space with with a few cramped rooms in the back.
[he considers briefly offering palamedes the chance to use some of the space, he has plenty and he's hardly against sharing it. he tucks that thought away as a possibility for the moment, maybe when they've had more of a chance to talk.
that and if they aren't eaten, because a sharp howl a fair distance away makes him glance over his shoulder with a frown.] I hear something other than the butterfly. [he says a touch dryly, given he's pretty sure pal heard that loud and clear. there's a bit of smoke and his omen pops up without his call, a massive creature that trills and bumps up against viktor's side.
he puts an arm over her and he can certainly move a bit faster with her aid, so that's a plus to them getting the heck out of dodge.]
[Ah, yes. There it is. The telltale howl of something nasty coming for them. Palamedes can't help the wry chuckle he gives in response to Viktor's commentary, because yeah — the timing.]
Already, huh. We're on the move, it'll be fine. — Sorry, off topic: your Omen is adorable.
[She is, he has to make that clear. Somewhere behind them is a fluttering of massive wings and then a shower of more light orbs, as the big butterfly chooses this moment to take flight and glide overhead. Palamedes makes a half-irritated noise and pulls up the hood of his cloak, bothered by the light show that makes them extra visible to beasts in the dark and not wanting to absorb any Totally Unearned Overconfidence from touching the orbs.
But off they go, and the butterfly's untimely exit gives Palamedes the freedom to look around and try to guess where the howling something is. Maybe they should toss that bloody rag...]
I've been thinking about figuring out some kind of a workshop, [he says, because yeah there's a beast nearby, but also there's science? He can walk and talk and listen for beasties, it's fine.] We'll see. Where you grew up, how—
[How what, no one shall ever know, as Palamedes is interrupted by a much closer noise-of-beast, a menacing snarling coming from around the back of a building. He stops short, squinting into the dark, then gestures at Viktor to keep going.]
Give me, huh, twenty seconds? I'm putting up a ward and hoping I've got the right alley.
[This warding is not necessarily a super interesting thing to watch, Palamedes merely stands there focusing and then raises a hand in a jerky motion like he's physically pulling up a wall out of the ground. The ward is invisible besides a shimmering in the air like heat, leaving only Palamedes' satisfied look and the fact that he is gently sweating blood after those twenty seconds the proof that the ward is there.
Timed well: a glowing red beastie eye emerges from the muddy darkness beyond the shimmer. Time to really go, in case he doesn't have enough juice to hold the ward up much longer.]
We need to go before I burst into terrified sobs, [this is only half a joke] let's go.
[that has viktor giving a short bark of a laugh, though rio's frills fan out in appreciation.] She is, I'll give the proper introductions when we have the time for it.
[the movement of the butterfly sends orbs twirling in the air, almost as enchanting a sight as the butterfly itself and far less dangerous. still viktor keeps his head down so not to tempt fate, that particular fate seems to involve claws because the scrambling of them on the hard stone around practically echoes like the howls do.
which honestly is incredibly irritating, the timing and his own unintentional involvement with this. he needs to find some sort of way to suppress his cough or afford incense for when he's out on walks as well, it's one thing to put himself in danger but this is the second time someone else has been caught up in it.
he at least tosses the rag down, maybe that would give whatever it is pause to inspect that spot, cloth shining with paleblood in the night.]
I figured I could just sleep at the lab, which I part of why I found it so- [right, boys. time to focus. viktor glances to palamedes in concern, ready to tell him to just get out of here. he does not consider himself the heroic type by any means but it's only logical, the beast would catch him first which sould give pal the chance to get away at the very least.
but instead pal's doing magic, which still gives him a little thrill to see. it's not unlike the shielding they put in the atlus gauntlets for cave ins, and it's only thanks to rio moving him along that he doesn't stop there to just watch and consider the uses of warding here. could they replicate it with lunar energy and blood magic, for defensive use in an item for hunters?
again, priorities. at least the beast showing up shocks some sense into him, and at least it does seem to be more interested in sniffing the bloody rag left behind.] Y-yes, let's. Here-
[thankfully they really aren't far off, a few more turns and viktor's stopping them at a door and pulling out a key. it's a massive old building with faded signs, very clearly once a storage area for large shipments brought through the canals. a single eye of a smiling woman mascot is the most that really shows from the side of the wall, staring down at them with a faded and distorted smile.
inside it's a little more comfortable at least. empty, huge and empty, but viktor's scrapped together some lights to give the place a soft glow and the main desk plenty of illumination. several tables sit around, holding various scrap, some of it clearly in the beginnings of a project of some sort and others just there. a cot sits in a far corner, a lumpy couch against another wall and a row of counters with a bunsen burner serving the only cookware, a dented pot and an old kettle.
basically very clear that viktor's priorities are Science over personal comforts and homey touches. with a sigh he shuts and locks the door behind them.] My apologies, I- hm, my lungs have been an issue even before I got here. Now they come with the added danger of occasionally attracting monsters.
[exceptionally dry. seriously, was the terminal disease part not enough? still he does feel genuinely bad about putting pal in any sort of danger.]
[In the end, thank god for that rag as a distraction tactic, never mind the very real possibility that the rag is also why the beast wandered off its usual path towards them in the first place. Palamedes lingers only long enough to see that it's suitably distracted, particularly now that he himself is, like.
Blood sweating. It occurs to him now that that's the most inconvenient thing for necromancy to do while he's trying to ward away things that smell blood.
Anyway: for sure time to leave, not time to observe beasts doing beast things, yeah. He's wiping the blood sweat off his face and onto the hem of his cloak (which will really please the friend who pushed him into buying it, definitely) as he follows Viktor into the warehouse-lab, and sticks his glasses back on when he's done like all that was very normal.]
You're fine, [he says about Viktor's alleged monster guilt; nah, no. nah.] It happens.
[He throws him a smile, bright and genuine in his otherwise resting bitch face; not an ounce of blame dwells in him for that. So — lab! Luckily, he has the manners to not touch everything all at once, mostly only because Viktor is right here. An unsupervised lab is free game.]
The big eyeball on the wall outside really brings the place together. Where do you want me to put myself? And, hmm — do you want unsolicited medical help, or should I keep it down?
Eh... is that bleeding normal or cause for concern? [viktor asks when he gets a better look at pal. he fiddles with his bag until offering a clean rag, he has a lot. since the whole bloody cough thing makes it a necessity.
he offers a small smile back, not sure he agrees that 'it happens' exactly but yes, he's not going to waste time self flagellating for matters largely beyond his control. he turns towards the counters to get some water boiling for tea, gesturing around him.]
Feel free to look around and sit where you'd like, just not Rio's table, she's possessive of it. [to make his point rio hops up on one of the empty tables with a big yawn, blinking her big eyes at pal as she regards him curiously.] Yes, the decayed mural really adds to the ambiance of the place. We're all about aesthetic here.
[dry, and when the kettle is on the burner he turns, leaning heavily on his crutch. the question makes him laugh, that kind where he's surprised himself by laughing, a little shake of the head as he says,] If only everyone was as sensible as you to ask.
If you think you can help with a terminal lung disease brought on by exposure to incredibly toxic fumes from a young age then yes, I would be willing to listen. If not then a... hm, a 'that sucks' is also acceptable.
[Oh — he takes the rag, for a more thorough blood-wipe than with his cloak. Another thing to burn or something before he leaves, later...]
Thanks — and it depends, honestly, but a single ward isn't going to knock me out, or anything. Necromancy is powered by a finite resource, and any push larger than the available resource pool will dip into the necromancer's personal reserves. That causes the bleeding, more or less. I'll be in top form after some tea.
[Sort of. Mostly. Food doesn't power necromancy, but actually taking care of the body helps with the whole process. So: he's good, he's already stopped bleeding after the initial... ooze, now shuffling over to sit on the couch and ogle Rio, who is still very cute. He does not know what to do with animals looking at him, so he gives her a firm nod, as if to promise that he understands Her Table.
Back to Viktor, then, eyebrows raised. Do people not ask... he can't say that's a surprise, but. Whew.]
Well: that does suck, but I'm willing to try my hand at it. In the interest of full disclosure: I'm not a doctor. Curative science is something I'm... arguably well-versed in, though. Obviously, how far you want to go is up to you.
What is that finite resource? [viktor acts, well aware of some of the possibilities there. you know, sacrificing small animals (or not animals at all) to nefarious whims, that's the sort of stories his world would have about it. he's probably a little too blase about the possibility of life energy itself being the potential source, but they are surrounded now by magic fueled entirely by blood itself.
has a way of desensitizing, he thinks. that and he has very strong feelings about magic being a tool and not inherently evil, only evil or good in its usage, etc. his world often prefers black and white.
his lips quirk as rio trills back in this important silent conversation about The Table. then pal is speaking again and he listens closely, a small frown on his face as he considers.]
At this point I am willing to give a great deal a try. Aside from impending death you can see it has made even going out dangerous. [a sigh and he busies himself with getting the tea leaves. he's more a coffee drinker but that hasn't been easy to find and he has better uses for his resources.] What sort of payment would you like for your services in this, if we were to go forward?
[—Hmm. Palamedes blinks, looking away from Rio (so cute, what the heck) to Viktor with open surprise on his face. Ah? Oh.]
Alright, I'll take those in reverse order, I think. First: you don't have to pay me. Don't insist, either, because I'm going to refuse every offer you come up with. You need someone's help and I might be able to do something — it doesn't get any more straightforward than that.
[He shrugs, like, don't mistake this as some delusional desire for heroism either; what's the point of having his skills if he doesn't use them? What's the point of studying medical science at all if not to help people with it?
But,] For clarity's sake: this isn't charity. I think we'll get along; I help my friends out.
[Endure, he's serious. This is Friendship, officially. Anyway, the death magic!]
Next point: thanergy is what powers necromancy, generated by cell death. A single death of an organism could power a necromancer for ten minutes, maybe half an hour if they're conservative — and I know how that sounds around here, so I promise I'm not going around killing people. I have reserves, and blood magic melding itself in helps, too. On some level, this city is almost ideal for necromancers.
[viktor blinks at him, a little surprised at the fact the man rather effortlessly puts that to bed as though he's practiced in it. it's not as though he doesn't agree with the basic sentiment, when he can help he tries to do so simply because he believes it more fruitful all around than not helping. he's just far more used to a world where everything has a price and everyone wants to take more than their fair share.
well, that and saying they could be friends. viktor nearly rolls his eyes at the part of him that warms to that after a very isolated life aside from a few bright spots. he at least allows himself to think palamedes is right, they do seem to get along. that is promising and pleasant.
so he hefts a long suffering sigh.] Impressive, I have never seen someone cut off the insisting payment song and dance quite so efficiently. I feel I should be taking notes.
[the kettle whistles and he moves to get it, pouring them both a cup of black tea. he immediately starts putting more sugar in his cup than most would find comfortable, and glances behind him with,] Sugar? No milk, I am afraid. Oh, and since we are being rational then I insist you are welcome to use space in this lab as you see fit, for this and whatever else you need. I have more than enough space, it is just as straightforward as that, no?
[when he turns it's with a wry smile, a glance away as he says,] But thank you, for your offer. It will be a relief to at least be trying to do something for this.
[he nods along to the explanation, waves a hand.] Do not worry, I believe magic is a tool and do not judge it based on the sum of its parts but how it is used. What a fascinating way to fuel magic- how long after the death can this power be collected or utilized? Can it be stored indefinitely within the mage?
[Oh, he's a pro. He grins right back at that long suffering sigh, pleased with himself about it all.]
My cavalier hates it when I do that. She says I'm too cocky, I tell her if I have the logic I may as well use it. Me and "song and dance" don't really mix.
[A beat, while Viktor goes to get the tea; Palamedes shakes his head, no sugar, thanks, and oh! Sharing the lab, is it — it only makes sense, particularly if one of his projects is going to be helping Viktor. Perhaps he'll take inspiration from Rio's table and learn to coexist in a space with someone besides his cavalier...
Well, he's insistently made his overtures of help and friendship, so it's all he can do to nod, grateful. They hardly need to keep belaboring the main points, that is, Viktor's illness and Palamedes' insatiable urge to Help, so he leaves it as it is, a hope born of the tantalizing promise of productivity.
Maybe the hope lights have gone to his head after all. He says,]
I'll bring over some notebooks, [and then,] Timing is everything for necromancy, or close to it. Thanergy will dissipate in time, but smaller traces do linger. Even objects carry a dollop of thanergy around with them; take, for example... Rio's table. If you hadn't told me it was hers, tracing the thanergy left in it from her presence would have filled in the blanks.
[Technically this is only psychometry and not necromancy as a broader whole, but it's his specialty and also the easiest example he can think of for demonstrating how thanergy hangs around.]
Therefore, indefinitely: no. That's — something else entirely. [Something weird and gross he doesn't want to talk about, so moving on.] A strong association can influence the remains, too; that's how you get ghosts.
Cavalier? [that's not a term he's heard before. viktor brings over pal's tea in a dented tin cup, holds it out before going back for his own.] I can relate to an extent. Where I worked before was governed by upper class sensibilities that wasted so much time. Please, cut off any song and dance you please in the name of logic.
[with his own cup he finally settles into a seat, a stool near rio's table, making her tail thump when he runs a hand over he head. it's a relief to get off his feet, more of a relief when the vague sounds outside quiet further, meaning they must not have been followed. the place has a solid door but yeah, he doesn't want to test it.
one of the bigger empty tables gets gestured too with his cup.] That one is all yours then.
[what's more important is leaning forward and listening to this explanation, head tilted like he's making mental notes- thanergy, ghosts even? not terribly surprising, it follows an internal logic that makes him wonder about the magic of his own world.
rio's frills perk at her name being said as viktor nods.] And the ability to manipulate or read thanergy, is it something a person is born with like mages of my world or is it a learned skill? Also, would an illness like mine, a slow decay and cell death, harbor any power for a necromancer?
[normally he'd try to apologize at this point for too many questions but too bad, too interesting a topic. that and pal did agree to mutual 'shitloads' of questions.]
[Hmm, how to answer this shitload of questions the most efficiently, he wonders. And how to answer that last one in general, given its... well, he'll get there. The amount of questions doesn't bother him at all, he merely takes a moment to think as he wraps his hands around the dented cup, considering.]
So, necromancers are born, yes. It's innate. Physically, we're all feeble; look at me, you can tell I've never had a real muscle in my life. [He is mostly cloak by mass, skinny and lanky and not much else, after all.] To that end, the purpose of the cavalier is to make up for that physical lack, sort of. The system is ancient, and some Houses are sicker about it than others — I'd be loath to even call her a bodyguard, given the implication of inequality inherent in the dynamic there. A necro-cav pair is a pair, a partnership; equal, complementary.
[This is a rant he's thought about a lot, obviously. He takes a short sip of tea to stop himself from going all out more than anything else.]
Her name's Camilla. She was here before, not for long. Back home, we're from the Sixth.
[Another sip. The Illness Thing, now.]
In the Seventh they would love you. They do it on purpose, it's hereditary illness — the theory works, you know? A necromancer in the long process of a slow death has better personal reserve potential than a healthy necromancer. The power you could generate would be unimaginable, a generator. But the human cost...
[He shakes his head and looks down at his tea, gaze dark. No, it's not worth it. No, it's all very bad, actually.]
If you're asking if someone like me could use someone like you as a battery: yes, but I've always thought siphoning was kind of gauche.
[this answers a few questions he hadn't even asked, a little hint of the state of pal's world. houses, that's a loaded term for him, given his own world has a class divide that crossed the line to criminal a great many years ago, in viktor's humble opinion. houses built off magic seem like an especially volatile way, just seeing what the houses of piltover manage with money and apathy alone is horrific.
the way he talks about this cavalier system his him hiding a smile as he sips his tea. it reminds him a little of jayce, who had a similar rant when it came to people looking over viktor's contributions in their work because viktor was born in the undercity. it certainly improves viktor's general of opinion of palamedes further. always a good sign when people respected their partners, in his humble opinion.]
The Sixth being your house? [a shame she wasn't here, she sounds like exactly the sort of ally pal would need in a place like this.] It sounds a clever system when treated with respect, though I imagine that does not always happen.
[he considers offering his condolences that she left but it simply isn't a helpful thing to say, one that went without saying really. instead he warms his fingers for a few moments on his cup and considers what it would be like to be a living battery.
unpleasant, is his first thought. efficient, is his second.] To tie a child to a shortened, pained life for the sake of prestige and power is barbaric- and exactly the sort of move I would imagine an old family of power would do. I suppose some things do not change between worlds.
Gauche is a word, though if it is in aid of saving my life or others that's a different matter. [one he'll let rest for now to ask,] Allow me one more question before allowing you a break in all these- if that is how this 'Seventh' approach necromancy than how does your 'Sixth' do so?
[Palamedes makes a face, mostly a thing he does with his eyebrows that demonstrates exactly how he feels about siphoning. He's going to let it go, really, he's very seriously considering letting it go—
No, hold on, one more thing:] Siphoning is like spilling a cup; it happens and then it's over. There are better ways to do, oh, literally anything.
[And then he holds up a hand, acquiescing; that's it, now he's done, he won't start the siphoning rant. Better to contextualize the Sixth, half as implied promise that he knows what he's talking about when it comes to pulling necromantic strings and half plucky nerd delight that Viktor might, unlike many people here, appreciate the crunchy academic details.
Most people get hung up on the crunchy details. He always explains, and yet it still always feels like explaining why he breathes air.]
We're scholars in the Sixth. That includes archival study, ancient texts and so on, along with your everyday research advancements. The Library- [he pronounces the capital L] -is where the bulk of us live and the most research takes place. Each House has an Heir, essentially the top necromancer, and the Sixth also has a Master Warden, for minding the Library. Both of these are me. Our first specialty is psychometry — that's what I described about the table, in short; our lesser specialty is being cagey about our projects.
[Which tugs a grin at the corner of his mouth because as evidenced, he cannot shut up, but so it goes.]
Is it my turn? I've been burning through all of my self control to hold back asking about your Hextech until now.
Quick and wasteful. [viktor offers. maybe more so it sounds unstable, unpredictable, aside from moral questionability. without all the details he can't say but he thinks he can gather a basic understanding of pal's distaste from that.
ah, now this sort of house is more viktor's speed, and he leans forward a little, lips quirking at the cagey bit.] Ah, so you are like any academic institute of note with projects? Ha, I have promised you a break in questions and you tell me this, that's rather cruel. [he shakes his head but keeps his word, though he makes a mental note of several things he'd like to ask. how a top necromancer was decided, how private this library and its knowledge was, a whole slew on psychometry itself.
instead he gestures vaguely.] Yes, you've shown more self control than I would have. Let me first say this so you can understand before anything else- in my world magic is feared and often reviled. There was a great war many years ago that saw magic decimating cities, and since its practice has been crushed or hidden away largely.
[he shrugs one shoulder, putting his finished cup to the side for rio to nose at. it's such a stark difference in how their worlds used or viewed magic, from what he can gather, it seemed important to impart] So, what would you like to ask?
[Hah- this is fun, he's having fun. Occasional grim subject matter notwithstanding, including this tidbit about the fear of magic in Viktor's home. He thinks immediately of the Empire's enemies, the Cohort's endless war outside the Nine Houses' system that he, personally — isn't involved in. The other side of the fence, he supposes, and given how he's just mentioned parts of necromancy that are gross and violating, he isn't sure he could condemn someone with a fear of magic.
Hmm. Hmm!]
You can't give me this kind of question-asking freedom, or that next turn will never come around. Let's see: first, how did you crack magic into technology?
[This is now a numbered list, and so he holds up fingers for each one:]
Second, what are the other applications? You mentioned teleporting ships, what about something smaller?
Third— no, let's call it fourth now, we'll count related-but-distinct as separate. Fourth, did you manage to bring any here?
[For fun and profit he would go up to six questions, you know, to be thematic about it, but he'll settle on these. He gives Viktor an expectant look in the exact manner of an audience waiting in anticipation for the first notes of concert; give him that cool detail, bud.]
Yes, I suppose there is that. [viktor offers with a faux sigh, amusement coloring the edges of his tone. the first question has him consider a moment how to explain it, always harder in this world where the rules of magic change so drastically.]
Largely it was a matter of finding a way to stabilize arcane energy and use rune work to ah... encourage a synergy between the machine in question and the arcane. There are highly unstable crystals that house such energy, which were our main focus when doing the work. I would explain it as...
[he leans forward a bit, starting to gesture not unlike a professor passionate about their subject.] Your thanergy, it is at its core arcane, a source of power, yes? Like power it needs conduits and pathways to be used to its full potential rather than decaying or fizzling out. Those are natural in necromancers - Hextech finds ways to replicate that natural affinity and allow the power source to flow. It takes a great deal of very complex circuitry and, perhaps more so, an understanding of the language of the arcane itself. Its ebb and flow, how it shapes itself when it forms a spell.
I believe it's a possibility with nearly any source of arcana, though obviously I have only dealt with the magic of my own world. [he rubs the side of his neck, not sheepish exactly but aware he got into a bit of lecture there. and that was only the first question, pal is right he might end up just rambling away instead of getting his own answers.
ah well, it's a pleasant time regardless. he does attempt to speak more concisely.] Our latest projects were a much smaller scale- one was a pair of gauntlets for miners with several properties- shielding from cave-ins, enhanced strength and taking the strain of the labor to ease fatigue. My next hope had been a water and air purification system.
[a little wistful there, that's a dream he was never sure they'd actually manage to get funded. certainly not in his short lifetime. the last question makes him shake his head, blissfully unaware that a certain jinx not only has one of the stable crystals but a weapon she made from it. ignorance is very much bliss in this case.]
No, I am afraid not. I believe I could replicate it with the blood magic here but I do not know enough of it to make the attempt, or know if it was an attempt worth making. [he offers a smile, amused and understanding of the interest, given his badgering before.] I admit I hope one day perhaps I could get my hands on one of the crystals, since items sometimes wash up on shore. No luck so far, but if I do I will be glad to show you the capabilities.
[Viktor is a genius, noted and memorized. Palamedes can't help but tilt forward himself automatically, in rapt attention while Viktor explains. Being a necromancer, taking the thing he can do naturally and moving it outside, independently, for use by others is not something he's ever thought of, all things considered — it's like a window has opened in a musty room, letting in all kinds of new ideas and, well. Even more questions.]
I'll be first in line to see what it can do. Likewise, if your gauntlets wash up on the beach. It really is incredible, just to hear about — complex machinery is outside my wheelhouse, and you've practically built yours on your own. That's amazing.
[He taps the sides of his cup of still unfinished tea, thinking. The blood magic of Trench is a thing he has yet to master, or even entirely research, but...]
There are always bloodstones to pick at, see what happens. Was that before your time? The widespread affliction has passed, I'm fairly certain, the one where the magic in our new and confused blood pools and hardens in the joints. I have a pouch of them tucked away somewhere.
[Ssssssip. Yes he does have a bag of rocks pulled out of a friend, these things happen. As far as he knows, the bloodstones are decorative - at most, an enhancement to an existing object is what the magic they're made of can achieve.
But Viktor knows how to make technology happen, and so why not? Why not!]
What do you think? Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself.
The idea itself came from Jayce, my partner in this. He's always been the one better with the arcane elements as well. [viktor informs, a bit amused to be the one making sure jayce gets his fair share of the credit for once. oh, how jayce would badger poor palamedes if he was here about every aspect of his magic and how it worked. on one hand he is glad the man is not victim to the whims of this dangerous place, on the other he knows jayce would have an absolute ball learning about the magic of so many different worlds.]
Bloodstones? [oh boy, viktor is leaning in again, very much fascinated by this new information.] Yes, that was before my time.
[what does he think? he thinks palamedes has just made trying to harness hextech with blood magic much more of a reality.] Would you mind allowing me to study them? Are they of each blood type? What I think is if they are blood magic in a condensed form it should be possible to create a similar system for them.
From what I understand each blood type has particular properties, such as my own paleblood is often tied to tricks of the mind, powers that manipulate perception or even emotions. So if each blood type governs particular areas each stone would likely be a rune in and of itself, as well as a power source. Of course it would make it easier to pinpoint certain obvious effects, but a combination of types might wield more powerful results.
[he's almost talking to himself at this point, sorry, except his attention suddenly turns pal again as he says,] You are making this a very interesting evening, Palamedes. I wish we had met earlier.
[Palamedes nods, putting a pin in Jayce, the arcane elements guru as well, for later. The name only coming up now suggests this Jayce, like Camilla, is unfortunately absent from Trench; he'll keep an ear out, next time people start crawling out of the sea.]
It'd be insane of me to bring them up and refuse to hand them over — of course you can study them. Our biggest concern is their limited quantity, unless there's some way to induce the magic pooling artificially. That would be my last resort, because it hurt like hell to get at them. Look—
[He ducks down to, of all things, tug his pant leg up high enough to reveal a scar faded to months-old on his ankle, clean and steady, but long enough to suggest that a really goddamn big rock came out of there, among others. That shit hurted, and so on.]
My case was mild, even, if you believe it. I have two types on hand: the darkblood, from me, and plenty more paleblood, from a friend. There's a possibility someone will have other types to sell for a ridiculous price, so at least we have two to start.
[Which is doubly convenient, actually, as they can likely apply at least some of the stone study to Viktor's other highly researchable problem. He leaves this implied as he covers the scar again and sits back up. The frenzied thrill of having a means to start looking into each of these things, even if the bloodstones don't pan out, is excitement enough. Then Viktor has to go and say this nice thing about him during it? Dang.
He can't help but chuckle, pleased as anything, but the ticking clock time bomb nature of Viktor's illness does not escape him in the weight of "earlier," so — so. He exists momentarily in the fascinating experience of being revved up for wild science and turning gears with care for the more urgent issue, at the same time. It's not a new feeling.]
Yes, terrible oversight of mine, mucking around in Gaze most of the time. You did just offer me a table, though, so fair warning: now I'll turn up at any hour, especially the odd ones.
[viktor makes a little face, mostly imagining how taking those stones out might have been. he hopes medicated or numbed enough the pain was middling, but he's not sure he can give the trench that much credit.
still, pal gets a grateful smile, immediately back on the science.] Surely there must be a way to create stones like that artificially outside the body. It would certainly be a matter to look into, should this research bear fruit.
Two types is perfect- you are a darkblood, then? I am afraid I am stealing a few questions here, mostly I have been curious the differences between the types and heard little about darkblood. Does it also have a change in color and texture?
[he'd feel a little bad for stealing some question time but ah well, he'll make it up somehow. preferably with results in this bloodstone research, he already has several ideas floating around his head and the urge to start working the moment they conclude their discussion.
which he'd rather not end too quickly, even for work. a novel feeling.] I'll have a key made up and you'll see for yourself my hours are no better. Oh, do you know a boy named Allen Walker? He also has a key for this place, he's been helping me research purification, so if you see a white haired young man around that would be him.
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There is a crystal I've been studying that has purification properties, which I already found rather odd. So much of easing corruption in an individual is based off of mental and emotional stimuli, so how and why do objects such as the crystal have a similar effect? More so how could we replicate that effect more efficiently and for great instances of corruption and beasthood?
I believe these may help eh... bridge the gap, so to speak. [he realizes he's getting a little into ramble mode, stops with a clearing of his throat. he nods back in thanks, twisting the lid and regarding their collected spoils for a moment. there's something unnerving about solidifying hope in this way, maybe because he can easily imagine the city he lives in finding a way to commodify it and sell it to the highest bidder.
not that he doesn't expect to see some vendors selling these here, the willful machine never seems to miss an opportunity. still, different when they're passing spoils on the whims of monstrous butterflies rather than churned out for profit.]
I wish I had known lidded jars would be so useful going into this month... Thank you, Palamedes. Oh, in my old world you mean? [he takes a moment to consider how to explain hextech, it's always such a Thing.] I'm an engineer largely, with a focus on robotics and biomedical engineering. In my world though I cofounded a technology called Hextech, which took up all my time.
It ah... hm, magic can only be performed by people born with the innate ability to focus and manipulate arcane energies in my world. My partner and I found a way to manipulate those same energies through technology, such as teleporting airships great distances. Fascinating to be in a world now where magic is used so freely...
[a pause and he has to ask,] You seem a scholar of some sort. What were your studies?
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He puts a pin in "arcane energies" to be asked about later, but first:]
If we're using magic as a point of reference, you could call me a wizard, I guess. [the anti-Empire literature does,] I'm a necromancer; I specialize in psychometry, that is— energy traces, the ghost-within-the-thing, but the nature of necromancy requires knowledge of the body inside and out. There are different types of energies only necromancers can mess around with for us, too...
[So he understands that much, although from the other side of the magician's velvet rope, as it were. And he's hooked on everything about this conversation now, but before he continues he glances over his shoulder, to not-quite-look at the big butterfly looming in the middle distance and ensure it isn't coming any closer.]
Besides that, I'm a librarian — but you make magical items? That's incredible and I desperately want to hear more about it, somewhere else. Away from that thing.
[subtle hint. ahem.]
Fair warning, I've been told I ask a "shitload" of questions.
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and necromancy at that? any magic to do with blood and the body are especially forbidden subjects in a world that already treats magic like a time bomb at best and purely evil at worst. yet it is undeniably intriguing, especially to the part of him endlessy fascinated with biomedical engineering, with how the body works born from the many ways he's needed to compensate for his own.]
Ha- if you think you ask a 'shitload' of questions you will find I can do the same. I have a great many I would love to ask you about your experiences with magic, here and your world.
If you are willing to indulge me I would be glad to do the same. [his eyes stray to that butterfly, a shudder as he glances away. it isn't just the butterfly though, he quickly grabs a rag from his pocket to cough into it. it's an unpleasant, wet cough, and when he pulls his hand away it's with a grimace and the odd milk smell of paleblood.]
... My lab isn't too far, in the Willful Machine. Come, I'll make us some tea. [a much better place where he can light incense and not be vaguely menaced by butterflies.]
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But ah— the way Viktor coughs yanks at Palamedes' instinct for concern, not only for what he's coughing up; they really, earnestly need to vacate this area in, uh, haste? Like, now?
He doesn't mention the cough, merely gestures for Viktor to lead the way with one hand and does something twitchy with his fingers with the other, ready to do some of that topical necromagic in a heartbeat if he needs to.]
Sure, let's get to the shitload of questions. I'm already envious of your having a lab, which I mean in the friendliest way possible. I've hardly set up, things have been... erratic.
[A lot of wallpapering his new home with notes, but a whole lab? He's been derelict in his duties.]
If you hear anything that isn't a butterfly on the way, just shout — I'll manage it.
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I was lucky, at least in that where I grew up made me particularly adept at this lifestyle of eh... scavenging. The lab space I found I think once was used for storage, a very large open space with with a few cramped rooms in the back.
[he considers briefly offering palamedes the chance to use some of the space, he has plenty and he's hardly against sharing it. he tucks that thought away as a possibility for the moment, maybe when they've had more of a chance to talk.
that and if they aren't eaten, because a sharp howl a fair distance away makes him glance over his shoulder with a frown.] I hear something other than the butterfly. [he says a touch dryly, given he's pretty sure pal heard that loud and clear. there's a bit of smoke and his omen pops up without his call, a massive creature that trills and bumps up against viktor's side.
he puts an arm over her and he can certainly move a bit faster with her aid, so that's a plus to them getting the heck out of dodge.]
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Already, huh. We're on the move, it'll be fine. — Sorry, off topic: your Omen is adorable.
[She is, he has to make that clear. Somewhere behind them is a fluttering of massive wings and then a shower of more light orbs, as the big butterfly chooses this moment to take flight and glide overhead. Palamedes makes a half-irritated noise and pulls up the hood of his cloak, bothered by the light show that makes them extra visible to beasts in the dark and not wanting to absorb any Totally Unearned Overconfidence from touching the orbs.
But off they go, and the butterfly's untimely exit gives Palamedes the freedom to look around and try to guess where the howling something is. Maybe they should toss that bloody rag...]
I've been thinking about figuring out some kind of a workshop, [he says, because yeah there's a beast nearby, but also there's science? He can walk and talk and listen for beasties, it's fine.] We'll see. Where you grew up, how—
[How what, no one shall ever know, as Palamedes is interrupted by a much closer noise-of-beast, a menacing snarling coming from around the back of a building. He stops short, squinting into the dark, then gestures at Viktor to keep going.]
Give me, huh, twenty seconds? I'm putting up a ward and hoping I've got the right alley.
[This warding is not necessarily a super interesting thing to watch, Palamedes merely stands there focusing and then raises a hand in a jerky motion like he's physically pulling up a wall out of the ground. The ward is invisible besides a shimmering in the air like heat, leaving only Palamedes' satisfied look and the fact that he is gently sweating blood after those twenty seconds the proof that the ward is there.
Timed well: a glowing red beastie eye emerges from the muddy darkness beyond the shimmer. Time to really go, in case he doesn't have enough juice to hold the ward up much longer.]
We need to go before I burst into terrified sobs, [this is only half a joke] let's go.
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[the movement of the butterfly sends orbs twirling in the air, almost as enchanting a sight as the butterfly itself and far less dangerous. still viktor keeps his head down so not to tempt fate, that particular fate seems to involve claws because the scrambling of them on the hard stone around practically echoes like the howls do.
which honestly is incredibly irritating, the timing and his own unintentional involvement with this. he needs to find some sort of way to suppress his cough or afford incense for when he's out on walks as well, it's one thing to put himself in danger but this is the second time someone else has been caught up in it.
he at least tosses the rag down, maybe that would give whatever it is pause to inspect that spot, cloth shining with paleblood in the night.]
I figured I could just sleep at the lab, which I part of why I found it so- [right, boys. time to focus. viktor glances to palamedes in concern, ready to tell him to just get out of here. he does not consider himself the heroic type by any means but it's only logical, the beast would catch him first which sould give pal the chance to get away at the very least.
but instead pal's doing magic, which still gives him a little thrill to see. it's not unlike the shielding they put in the atlus gauntlets for cave ins, and it's only thanks to rio moving him along that he doesn't stop there to just watch and consider the uses of warding here. could they replicate it with lunar energy and blood magic, for defensive use in an item for hunters?
again, priorities. at least the beast showing up shocks some sense into him, and at least it does seem to be more interested in sniffing the bloody rag left behind.] Y-yes, let's. Here-
[thankfully they really aren't far off, a few more turns and viktor's stopping them at a door and pulling out a key. it's a massive old building with faded signs, very clearly once a storage area for large shipments brought through the canals. a single eye of a smiling woman mascot is the most that really shows from the side of the wall, staring down at them with a faded and distorted smile.
inside it's a little more comfortable at least. empty, huge and empty, but viktor's scrapped together some lights to give the place a soft glow and the main desk plenty of illumination. several tables sit around, holding various scrap, some of it clearly in the beginnings of a project of some sort and others just there. a cot sits in a far corner, a lumpy couch against another wall and a row of counters with a bunsen burner serving the only cookware, a dented pot and an old kettle.
basically very clear that viktor's priorities are Science over personal comforts and homey touches. with a sigh he shuts and locks the door behind them.] My apologies, I- hm, my lungs have been an issue even before I got here. Now they come with the added danger of occasionally attracting monsters.
[exceptionally dry. seriously, was the terminal disease part not enough? still he does feel genuinely bad about putting pal in any sort of danger.]
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Blood sweating. It occurs to him now that that's the most inconvenient thing for necromancy to do while he's trying to ward away things that smell blood.
Anyway: for sure time to leave, not time to observe beasts doing beast things, yeah. He's wiping the blood sweat off his face and onto the hem of his cloak (which will really please the friend who pushed him into buying it, definitely) as he follows Viktor into the warehouse-lab, and sticks his glasses back on when he's done like all that was very normal.]
You're fine, [he says about Viktor's alleged monster guilt; nah, no. nah.] It happens.
[He throws him a smile, bright and genuine in his otherwise resting bitch face; not an ounce of blame dwells in him for that. So — lab! Luckily, he has the manners to not touch everything all at once, mostly only because Viktor is right here. An unsupervised lab is free game.]
The big eyeball on the wall outside really brings the place together. Where do you want me to put myself? And, hmm — do you want unsolicited medical help, or should I keep it down?
[It's polite to ask, see.]
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he offers a small smile back, not sure he agrees that 'it happens' exactly but yes, he's not going to waste time self flagellating for matters largely beyond his control. he turns towards the counters to get some water boiling for tea, gesturing around him.]
Feel free to look around and sit where you'd like, just not Rio's table, she's possessive of it. [to make his point rio hops up on one of the empty tables with a big yawn, blinking her big eyes at pal as she regards him curiously.] Yes, the decayed mural really adds to the ambiance of the place. We're all about aesthetic here.
[dry, and when the kettle is on the burner he turns, leaning heavily on his crutch. the question makes him laugh, that kind where he's surprised himself by laughing, a little shake of the head as he says,] If only everyone was as sensible as you to ask.
If you think you can help with a terminal lung disease brought on by exposure to incredibly toxic fumes from a young age then yes, I would be willing to listen. If not then a... hm, a 'that sucks' is also acceptable.
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Thanks — and it depends, honestly, but a single ward isn't going to knock me out, or anything. Necromancy is powered by a finite resource, and any push larger than the available resource pool will dip into the necromancer's personal reserves. That causes the bleeding, more or less. I'll be in top form after some tea.
[Sort of. Mostly. Food doesn't power necromancy, but actually taking care of the body helps with the whole process. So: he's good, he's already stopped bleeding after the initial... ooze, now shuffling over to sit on the couch and ogle Rio, who is still very cute. He does not know what to do with animals looking at him, so he gives her a firm nod, as if to promise that he understands Her Table.
Back to Viktor, then, eyebrows raised. Do people not ask... he can't say that's a surprise, but. Whew.]
Well: that does suck, but I'm willing to try my hand at it. In the interest of full disclosure: I'm not a doctor. Curative science is something I'm... arguably well-versed in, though. Obviously, how far you want to go is up to you.
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has a way of desensitizing, he thinks. that and he has very strong feelings about magic being a tool and not inherently evil, only evil or good in its usage, etc. his world often prefers black and white.
his lips quirk as rio trills back in this important silent conversation about The Table. then pal is speaking again and he listens closely, a small frown on his face as he considers.]
At this point I am willing to give a great deal a try. Aside from impending death you can see it has made even going out dangerous. [a sigh and he busies himself with getting the tea leaves. he's more a coffee drinker but that hasn't been easy to find and he has better uses for his resources.] What sort of payment would you like for your services in this, if we were to go forward?
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Alright, I'll take those in reverse order, I think. First: you don't have to pay me. Don't insist, either, because I'm going to refuse every offer you come up with. You need someone's help and I might be able to do something — it doesn't get any more straightforward than that.
[He shrugs, like, don't mistake this as some delusional desire for heroism either; what's the point of having his skills if he doesn't use them? What's the point of studying medical science at all if not to help people with it?
But,] For clarity's sake: this isn't charity. I think we'll get along; I help my friends out.
[Endure, he's serious. This is Friendship, officially. Anyway, the death magic!]
Next point: thanergy is what powers necromancy, generated by cell death. A single death of an organism could power a necromancer for ten minutes, maybe half an hour if they're conservative — and I know how that sounds around here, so I promise I'm not going around killing people. I have reserves, and blood magic melding itself in helps, too. On some level, this city is almost ideal for necromancers.
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well, that and saying they could be friends. viktor nearly rolls his eyes at the part of him that warms to that after a very isolated life aside from a few bright spots. he at least allows himself to think palamedes is right, they do seem to get along. that is promising and pleasant.
so he hefts a long suffering sigh.] Impressive, I have never seen someone cut off the insisting payment song and dance quite so efficiently. I feel I should be taking notes.
[the kettle whistles and he moves to get it, pouring them both a cup of black tea. he immediately starts putting more sugar in his cup than most would find comfortable, and glances behind him with,] Sugar? No milk, I am afraid. Oh, and since we are being rational then I insist you are welcome to use space in this lab as you see fit, for this and whatever else you need. I have more than enough space, it is just as straightforward as that, no?
[when he turns it's with a wry smile, a glance away as he says,] But thank you, for your offer. It will be a relief to at least be trying to do something for this.
[he nods along to the explanation, waves a hand.] Do not worry, I believe magic is a tool and do not judge it based on the sum of its parts but how it is used. What a fascinating way to fuel magic- how long after the death can this power be collected or utilized? Can it be stored indefinitely within the mage?
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My cavalier hates it when I do that. She says I'm too cocky, I tell her if I have the logic I may as well use it. Me and "song and dance" don't really mix.
[A beat, while Viktor goes to get the tea; Palamedes shakes his head, no sugar, thanks, and oh! Sharing the lab, is it — it only makes sense, particularly if one of his projects is going to be helping Viktor. Perhaps he'll take inspiration from Rio's table and learn to coexist in a space with someone besides his cavalier...
Well, he's insistently made his overtures of help and friendship, so it's all he can do to nod, grateful. They hardly need to keep belaboring the main points, that is, Viktor's illness and Palamedes' insatiable urge to Help, so he leaves it as it is, a hope born of the tantalizing promise of productivity.
Maybe the hope lights have gone to his head after all. He says,]
I'll bring over some notebooks, [and then,] Timing is everything for necromancy, or close to it. Thanergy will dissipate in time, but smaller traces do linger. Even objects carry a dollop of thanergy around with them; take, for example... Rio's table. If you hadn't told me it was hers, tracing the thanergy left in it from her presence would have filled in the blanks.
[Technically this is only psychometry and not necromancy as a broader whole, but it's his specialty and also the easiest example he can think of for demonstrating how thanergy hangs around.]
Therefore, indefinitely: no. That's — something else entirely. [Something weird and gross he doesn't want to talk about, so moving on.] A strong association can influence the remains, too; that's how you get ghosts.
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[with his own cup he finally settles into a seat, a stool near rio's table, making her tail thump when he runs a hand over he head. it's a relief to get off his feet, more of a relief when the vague sounds outside quiet further, meaning they must not have been followed. the place has a solid door but yeah, he doesn't want to test it.
one of the bigger empty tables gets gestured too with his cup.] That one is all yours then.
[what's more important is leaning forward and listening to this explanation, head tilted like he's making mental notes- thanergy, ghosts even? not terribly surprising, it follows an internal logic that makes him wonder about the magic of his own world.
rio's frills perk at her name being said as viktor nods.] And the ability to manipulate or read thanergy, is it something a person is born with like mages of my world or is it a learned skill? Also, would an illness like mine, a slow decay and cell death, harbor any power for a necromancer?
[normally he'd try to apologize at this point for too many questions but too bad, too interesting a topic. that and pal did agree to mutual 'shitloads' of questions.]
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So, necromancers are born, yes. It's innate. Physically, we're all feeble; look at me, you can tell I've never had a real muscle in my life. [He is mostly cloak by mass, skinny and lanky and not much else, after all.] To that end, the purpose of the cavalier is to make up for that physical lack, sort of. The system is ancient, and some Houses are sicker about it than others — I'd be loath to even call her a bodyguard, given the implication of inequality inherent in the dynamic there. A necro-cav pair is a pair, a partnership; equal, complementary.
[This is a rant he's thought about a lot, obviously. He takes a short sip of tea to stop himself from going all out more than anything else.]
Her name's Camilla. She was here before, not for long. Back home, we're from the Sixth.
[Another sip. The Illness Thing, now.]
In the Seventh they would love you. They do it on purpose, it's hereditary illness — the theory works, you know? A necromancer in the long process of a slow death has better personal reserve potential than a healthy necromancer. The power you could generate would be unimaginable, a generator. But the human cost...
[He shakes his head and looks down at his tea, gaze dark. No, it's not worth it. No, it's all very bad, actually.]
If you're asking if someone like me could use someone like you as a battery: yes, but I've always thought siphoning was kind of gauche.
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the way he talks about this cavalier system his him hiding a smile as he sips his tea. it reminds him a little of jayce, who had a similar rant when it came to people looking over viktor's contributions in their work because viktor was born in the undercity. it certainly improves viktor's general of opinion of palamedes further. always a good sign when people respected their partners, in his humble opinion.]
The Sixth being your house? [a shame she wasn't here, she sounds like exactly the sort of ally pal would need in a place like this.] It sounds a clever system when treated with respect, though I imagine that does not always happen.
[he considers offering his condolences that she left but it simply isn't a helpful thing to say, one that went without saying really. instead he warms his fingers for a few moments on his cup and considers what it would be like to be a living battery.
unpleasant, is his first thought. efficient, is his second.] To tie a child to a shortened, pained life for the sake of prestige and power is barbaric- and exactly the sort of move I would imagine an old family of power would do. I suppose some things do not change between worlds.
Gauche is a word, though if it is in aid of saving my life or others that's a different matter. [one he'll let rest for now to ask,] Allow me one more question before allowing you a break in all these- if that is how this 'Seventh' approach necromancy than how does your 'Sixth' do so?
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No, hold on, one more thing:] Siphoning is like spilling a cup; it happens and then it's over. There are better ways to do, oh, literally anything.
[And then he holds up a hand, acquiescing; that's it, now he's done, he won't start the siphoning rant. Better to contextualize the Sixth, half as implied promise that he knows what he's talking about when it comes to pulling necromantic strings and half plucky nerd delight that Viktor might, unlike many people here, appreciate the crunchy academic details.
Most people get hung up on the crunchy details. He always explains, and yet it still always feels like explaining why he breathes air.]
We're scholars in the Sixth. That includes archival study, ancient texts and so on, along with your everyday research advancements. The Library- [he pronounces the capital L] -is where the bulk of us live and the most research takes place. Each House has an Heir, essentially the top necromancer, and the Sixth also has a Master Warden, for minding the Library. Both of these are me. Our first specialty is psychometry — that's what I described about the table, in short; our lesser specialty is being cagey about our projects.
[Which tugs a grin at the corner of his mouth because as evidenced, he cannot shut up, but so it goes.]
Is it my turn? I've been burning through all of my self control to hold back asking about your Hextech until now.
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ah, now this sort of house is more viktor's speed, and he leans forward a little, lips quirking at the cagey bit.] Ah, so you are like any academic institute of note with projects? Ha, I have promised you a break in questions and you tell me this, that's rather cruel. [he shakes his head but keeps his word, though he makes a mental note of several things he'd like to ask. how a top necromancer was decided, how private this library and its knowledge was, a whole slew on psychometry itself.
instead he gestures vaguely.] Yes, you've shown more self control than I would have. Let me first say this so you can understand before anything else- in my world magic is feared and often reviled. There was a great war many years ago that saw magic decimating cities, and since its practice has been crushed or hidden away largely.
[he shrugs one shoulder, putting his finished cup to the side for rio to nose at. it's such a stark difference in how their worlds used or viewed magic, from what he can gather, it seemed important to impart] So, what would you like to ask?
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[Hah- this is fun, he's having fun. Occasional grim subject matter notwithstanding, including this tidbit about the fear of magic in Viktor's home. He thinks immediately of the Empire's enemies, the Cohort's endless war outside the Nine Houses' system that he, personally — isn't involved in. The other side of the fence, he supposes, and given how he's just mentioned parts of necromancy that are gross and violating, he isn't sure he could condemn someone with a fear of magic.
Hmm. Hmm!]
You can't give me this kind of question-asking freedom, or that next turn will never come around. Let's see: first, how did you crack magic into technology?
[This is now a numbered list, and so he holds up fingers for each one:]
Second, what are the other applications? You mentioned teleporting ships, what about something smaller?
Third— no, let's call it fourth now, we'll count related-but-distinct as separate. Fourth, did you manage to bring any here?
[For fun and profit he would go up to six questions, you know, to be thematic about it, but he'll settle on these. He gives Viktor an expectant look in the exact manner of an audience waiting in anticipation for the first notes of concert; give him that cool detail, bud.]
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Largely it was a matter of finding a way to stabilize arcane energy and use rune work to ah... encourage a synergy between the machine in question and the arcane. There are highly unstable crystals that house such energy, which were our main focus when doing the work. I would explain it as...
[he leans forward a bit, starting to gesture not unlike a professor passionate about their subject.] Your thanergy, it is at its core arcane, a source of power, yes? Like power it needs conduits and pathways to be used to its full potential rather than decaying or fizzling out. Those are natural in necromancers - Hextech finds ways to replicate that natural affinity and allow the power source to flow. It takes a great deal of very complex circuitry and, perhaps more so, an understanding of the language of the arcane itself. Its ebb and flow, how it shapes itself when it forms a spell.
I believe it's a possibility with nearly any source of arcana, though obviously I have only dealt with the magic of my own world. [he rubs the side of his neck, not sheepish exactly but aware he got into a bit of lecture there. and that was only the first question, pal is right he might end up just rambling away instead of getting his own answers.
ah well, it's a pleasant time regardless. he does attempt to speak more concisely.] Our latest projects were a much smaller scale- one was a pair of gauntlets for miners with several properties- shielding from cave-ins, enhanced strength and taking the strain of the labor to ease fatigue. My next hope had been a water and air purification system.
[a little wistful there, that's a dream he was never sure they'd actually manage to get funded. certainly not in his short lifetime. the last question makes him shake his head, blissfully unaware that a certain jinx not only has one of the stable crystals but a weapon she made from it. ignorance is very much bliss in this case.]
No, I am afraid not. I believe I could replicate it with the blood magic here but I do not know enough of it to make the attempt, or know if it was an attempt worth making. [he offers a smile, amused and understanding of the interest, given his badgering before.] I admit I hope one day perhaps I could get my hands on one of the crystals, since items sometimes wash up on shore. No luck so far, but if I do I will be glad to show you the capabilities.
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I'll be first in line to see what it can do. Likewise, if your gauntlets wash up on the beach. It really is incredible, just to hear about — complex machinery is outside my wheelhouse, and you've practically built yours on your own. That's amazing.
[He taps the sides of his cup of still unfinished tea, thinking. The blood magic of Trench is a thing he has yet to master, or even entirely research, but...]
There are always bloodstones to pick at, see what happens. Was that before your time? The widespread affliction has passed, I'm fairly certain, the one where the magic in our new and confused blood pools and hardens in the joints. I have a pouch of them tucked away somewhere.
[Ssssssip. Yes he does have a bag of rocks pulled out of a friend, these things happen. As far as he knows, the bloodstones are decorative - at most, an enhancement to an existing object is what the magic they're made of can achieve.
But Viktor knows how to make technology happen, and so why not? Why not!]
What do you think? Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself.
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Bloodstones? [oh boy, viktor is leaning in again, very much fascinated by this new information.] Yes, that was before my time.
[what does he think? he thinks palamedes has just made trying to harness hextech with blood magic much more of a reality.] Would you mind allowing me to study them? Are they of each blood type? What I think is if they are blood magic in a condensed form it should be possible to create a similar system for them.
From what I understand each blood type has particular properties, such as my own paleblood is often tied to tricks of the mind, powers that manipulate perception or even emotions. So if each blood type governs particular areas each stone would likely be a rune in and of itself, as well as a power source. Of course it would make it easier to pinpoint certain obvious effects, but a combination of types might wield more powerful results.
[he's almost talking to himself at this point, sorry, except his attention suddenly turns pal again as he says,] You are making this a very interesting evening, Palamedes. I wish we had met earlier.
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It'd be insane of me to bring them up and refuse to hand them over — of course you can study them. Our biggest concern is their limited quantity, unless there's some way to induce the magic pooling artificially. That would be my last resort, because it hurt like hell to get at them. Look—
[He ducks down to, of all things, tug his pant leg up high enough to reveal a scar faded to months-old on his ankle, clean and steady, but long enough to suggest that a really goddamn big rock came out of there, among others. That shit hurted, and so on.]
My case was mild, even, if you believe it. I have two types on hand: the darkblood, from me, and plenty more paleblood, from a friend. There's a possibility someone will have other types to sell for a ridiculous price, so at least we have two to start.
[Which is doubly convenient, actually, as they can likely apply at least some of the stone study to Viktor's other highly researchable problem. He leaves this implied as he covers the scar again and sits back up. The frenzied thrill of having a means to start looking into each of these things, even if the bloodstones don't pan out, is excitement enough. Then Viktor has to go and say this nice thing about him during it? Dang.
He can't help but chuckle, pleased as anything, but the ticking clock time bomb nature of Viktor's illness does not escape him in the weight of "earlier," so — so. He exists momentarily in the fascinating experience of being revved up for wild science and turning gears with care for the more urgent issue, at the same time. It's not a new feeling.]
Yes, terrible oversight of mine, mucking around in Gaze most of the time. You did just offer me a table, though, so fair warning: now I'll turn up at any hour, especially the odd ones.
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still, pal gets a grateful smile, immediately back on the science.] Surely there must be a way to create stones like that artificially outside the body. It would certainly be a matter to look into, should this research bear fruit.
Two types is perfect- you are a darkblood, then? I am afraid I am stealing a few questions here, mostly I have been curious the differences between the types and heard little about darkblood. Does it also have a change in color and texture?
[he'd feel a little bad for stealing some question time but ah well, he'll make it up somehow. preferably with results in this bloodstone research, he already has several ideas floating around his head and the urge to start working the moment they conclude their discussion.
which he'd rather not end too quickly, even for work. a novel feeling.] I'll have a key made up and you'll see for yourself my hours are no better. Oh, do you know a boy named Allen Walker? He also has a key for this place, he's been helping me research purification, so if you see a white haired young man around that would be him.
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