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abraxasooc2022-03-20 08:35 am
abraxasmods) wrote in abraxasooc2022-03-20 08:35 am
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TEST DRIVE MEME #6
TEST DRIVE MEME
Welcome to the sixth test drive meme for Abraxas! This meme is run a little bit differently than most in that you'll be asked to choose one of the three different arrival scenarios below for your character to take. If you have any questions about this mechanic or anything else related to the TDM, please take a look at the questions below or ask one of your own under the Questions header below. For general game questions please still use the FAQ.
Our Setting pages are full of information on the world of Abraxas, and an overview of the story so far can be found on our Game History page! Anything on that page - including information about the Horizon and the Singularity - can be assumed to be told to newcomers after they arrive, no matter which faction they are received in. For more information on Ambrose and the apprentice mages, Marlo, and Rowan, please see our NPCs page.
You can also find answers to questions asked on previous TDMs in their respective questions threads— 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.
Additionally, one change for this TDM is that characters who arrive in SOLVUNN will be given a charm necklace carved of bone depicting a butterfly with multiple wings. This image is meant to represent one of the Old Gods, Endrborrin, the Goddess of Renewal. Newly arrived characters in Solvunn who visibly wear this charm will find their reception in the community to be especially welcoming, even beyond how Solvunn normally treats the recently Summoned. Characters might receive unexpected invitations from strangers to have a meal or a drink, find doors to neighboring homes open to them, and discover eager faces wanting to help them settle in. It might even give them access to small discounts when purchasing items. Essentially, the people of Solvunn see those who wear the charm as accepting of their practices and traditions, and will treat them accordingly. In fact, they may treat them a bit too warmly - but that's simply how the commune works, of course! They look after their own.
Arrival
You awaken suspended in the abyss, silent darkness stretching out in all directions. If you try to yell, you'll find that the sound doesn't carry. If you try to move, you'll find it's impossible to tell whether or not you're actually getting anywhere. If you reach for an item you were carrying last time you remember being awake, your hand will only touch bare skin.
You're naked and floating helplessly through the void, and what little air you have in your lungs is running out.
There's a pinprick of light that almost looks like a faraway star but as it grows it becomes clear that it's actually quite close. Through the opening you can see a bright room, but it's hard to make out any individual objects, as if you're looking from beneath rippling water.
Scenario One: Welcome to Thorne
A hand plunges through and you realize water is just what it is. Whether you take hold of the hand or not it will grab you and yank you up through the surface, lifting you out until you're sprawled on solid ground. Once you catch your breath, you can get a better look at the surroundings: tall trees and even taller stone pillars surround the platform you're laying on. Behind you is an ornate fountain, the base of which is so deep and so dark you might be compelled to scramble away from it lest it suck you back in to that endless abyss. Ahead of you are the walls of a large castle with several tall towers reaching up towards the sky.
If you had any powers, they feel unusually weak. Attempts to use magic or enhanced strength or powers of any sort fizzle out without any effect, but they don't feel completely gone, either.
Set into an indent on a marble slab behind the fountain is a card bearing the image of one of the arcana.
An apprentice mage - the one whose hand lifted you out of the fountain - brushes the water off on their robes and runs back to join a group of three others, who all stare intently at a mage with highly decorated robes and a large, heavy book. He peers up at you for a moment and starts flipping through the book.
"One moment," he says, not bothering to look up from the tome. He looks tired. "I am Ambrose Rhett, the High Mage of the Kingdom of Thorne. We’ll explain everything in a moment, but for now, please calm down. You’re completely fine."
Regardless of your response, he keeps flipping through the pages, until he stops on one specific passage, stares at it for a moment, and then sighs with relief:
"Finally!"
Ambrose's expression brightens, relief visible across his features. He waves one of the apprentices over with a fine silk tunic, pants, and some basic sandals and with a wave of his hand they reshape to fit you perfectly.
"Oh, thank heavens," he says, closing the book and approaching you with a sort of worn-out relief. “I was beginning to believe we’d never get it exactly right.”
Now that he's not hunching over the book, he doesn't seem quite so stuffy and inapproachable. The apprentices all seem to visibly relax, and the one that handed you the tunic stops to take the tarot card down from the marble slab. If you show any curiosity about the card, they'll let you take a longer look, but won't let you touch it.
"Please, come with me," he says, motioning for you to follow him towards the castle. "As promised, my pupils will explain your current situation. And, ah - if you had any magic of your own, or other special abilities you can't access right now, fear not, they'll return within the week. The summoning takes a lot out of you."
One of the apprentices steps forward and rattles on and on about the castle, Thorne itself, the names of a bunch of royals and nobles, and of course, your reason for being here. The Kingdom and the world itself is in great peril, and tales of your exploits have reached far and wide across universes. If asked about these exploits, the apprentice will simply smile and shrug. The High Mage was happy to see you and that's good enough.
Once inside the castle you're taken to the North Wing, which has been set up as living quarters for you and your fellow newcomers. There are four people to a room, but each generously-sized bed has opaque curtains that can be drawn around it. You can meet your roommates here and discuss your shared situation (those who were previously brought in may have a great deal of information to tell you), or you can wander around and meet the others.
There's also a dining hall stocked with a rotating 24/7 buffet in celebration of the new honored guests. Somehow, your very favorite food is part of the rotation (or at least an attempted recreation of it given the limited technology available to the Thorneans). The town surrounding the castle is all abuzz as well, with most shops and services willing to give free samples of their wares to the new arrivals.
You may also notice that your sign is embroidered on your tunic: the same image you saw on the card from before with the name of the sign itself beneath it. If you ask the castle residents, they'll tell you a little bit about your sign (and will mostly stick to the positives, although some might point out the negatives).
Last (and, if you ask anyone else in the castle, least) there is a worn stone staircase leading underground to the dungeon. You can go there, if you wish, but all powers are restricted in the dungeons and most of the cells stand empty.
Scenario Two: Welcome to the Free Cities
You find yourself pulled from the water by a pair of strong hands. Dry warmth hits you at once as you're set on a warm hard floor. As your senses return you realize you're on dull ruddy stone and surrounded by strangers. Men and women in unfamiliar uniforms of brown and red leather stand in a semi-circle around a small pool of water. The very pool you were just pulled from. The water is still now, rimmed in pale gold tiles with odd symbols etched into them. Across it on the far side is a raised pedestal with a card propped on it. The card bears an arcana symbol.
You feel weak. Drained. Any abilities or magical powers you have seem far away and impossible to access. You're in what looks like a cave lit by dozens and dozens of torches set into the wall. There's no furniture or decoration to be seen besides the pool. It's almost uncomfortably warm and there's the sound of rushing wind somewhere in the distance. Flickering shadows obscure the faces of the guards. A robed woman stands off to the side, looking at you anxiously and then to the authoritative woman standing before you. She's grinning, dressed in a fancier uniform than the others. There's a sword at her hip. A guard covers you with a blanket and returns to their place in the semi-circle.
The woman with the sword gives a nod of approval and smiles warmly.
"Sorry about the circumstances."
She gives you a good hard look before standing again.
"Take a minute, catch your breath, you've had quite a shock. Take it nice and easy. I'm Prime Minister Marlo Reiner and you're in The Free Cities. That nice lady over there will explain everything to you and get you settled." A nod to the robed woman off to the side.
Marlo Reiner steps back and the robed mage approaches to help you up.
"Come with me, please." She brings you out of the cave through a corridor that angles upwards until you emerge in what looks like some kind of storage facility. Shelves of wooden boxes and cloth bags line them, unidentifiable parts of what might be machines are tucked into corners and propped against shelving units. "This is one of the Free Cities' outposts," the mage explains as she leads you. "We're honored to have you with us, I'm sure you have many questions but please save them. You need to recover!"
You'll learn you're in the Cadens Desert Outpost 003, a military outpost on the outskirts of Cadens city. You're brought to a room in the barracks that's been prepared. Each barracks room is rather sparse and utilitarian. Six simple beds set against the wall, three on each side of the room, each with a trunk at the foot of it. You're told the world is in a delicate and dangerous times and you're needed to help. You're important, you're told, and they're very grateful you're here.
You're asked to stay close for the time being, but to make yourself at home. The outpost is more a proper military base than the name implies, with full facilities. The barracks have a communal bathing room at the end of the hall, with curtains that can be pulled around the individual raised round tubs for privacy. There's a mess hall that has food available from sun up till a few hours after sundown. You're even encouraged to make use of the training grounds, if you'd like, with non-lethal training weapons available for use and obstacle courses set up. And the city of Cadens is only a couple of hours away by wagon - though you're asked initially to please be back at the outpost within a few hours of the sun going down.
For your own safety.
Scenario Three: Welcome to Solvunn
The feeling of floating is the first sense that comes to you as the edges of unconsciousness start to ebb. Sunlight filters through the rippling water as you open your eyes, making you squint. Before you have the chance to panic and inhale, firm hands grasp your arms and pull you to the surface of the water. Moments later, soft warmth is wrapped around your shoulders as you're guided on unsteady legs out of a pool of water. You're lowered to the soft grass. Men and women in simple garments with lavish embroidery stand by, waiting with bated breath, glancing seriously at an old man in an ornate robe. He holds an old leather-bound book in one hand and in the other is a card bearing an arcana symbol. His eyes move quickly over the page, and he mumbles idly to himself.
Any strength you may have possessed feels as though it has slipped through your fingers. Any abilities or magical powers you have don't come to the surface no matter how hard you try. You're in a grassy clearing in the midst of a circle of large stone slabs stacked to look like doorways. In the middle is the same glimmering pool you were just pulled from. A gentle breeze blows through, carrying the scent of flowers and herbs from an ornately decorated altar set off in front of one of the stone doorways. The mage closes his book and steps out of the water, addressing a matronly old woman. Behind her are two younger people, a rough-looking man, and a meek young girl, both of whom are also watching the mage.
“I detect no ill will from the gods, it seems we've been blessed with success.” Those that had gathered all breathe a sigh of relief and now seem pleased.
The old woman smiles and steps forward, offering to take your hands and help you stand. “Any gift the gods give us is one we will happily take. I'm certain you have many questions, and they will all be answered in time. For now, rest and know you will be taken care of.”
She pats the top of your hand and steps away with a serene smile, letting one of the others come forward with some clothes that seem to fit you perfectly. Once you're dressed, someone approaches to drape a delicate-looking charm depicting a butterfly with too many wings on a thin chain over your neck. The rough-looking man from before steps forward once you're decent and motions with his head outside of the stone circle. His speech is informal, his consonants harsh.
“Hold your horses, I can see all those questions coming about! Rowan March, at your service. I'm one of the council members of Solvunn. There's a lot to discuss, but it's best talked about over a hot meal.” He leads you to a horse-drawn carriage and helps you up into the back. He talks the entire ride to the settlement.
You find out you are in the Primary Settlement, the first of three that make up Solvunn's great territory. The settlement is situated between two lakes and is humming with life. You're brought to the center of town and escorted to an apartment above one of the establishments in town. Rowan explains that the living conditions are temporary if you'd like them to be, that local families would also be happy to host you in their home. That there are others like you who have also taken up residence within the three settlements. You're told that the world hangs upon the brink of disaster and that there are those in this world that are happy to see it fall to ruin with their meddling.
You're important. The gods have graced them with your presence. They're delighted you're here. Welcome to Solvunn.
Everything you need has been provided in this humble apartment, and if it hasn't, there are shops that line the streets and a marketplace in the center of town. Owners of some establishments or stalls are more than happy to give out samples or barter with your time for their goods. Babysitting can be a very lucrative business. You're told of the other settlements, that they'd like you to stay here for now, but if you can find a family to host you, the secondary and tertiary settlements are best to get to with an escort.
There are tales of travelers visiting the secondary settlement without invitation disappearing without a trace. The gods are as hungry as they are protective, young traveler.
You’ll find that there are more than enough activities to throw yourself into to better settle into your new life in Solvunn. Work is done in the first part of the day so that families can spend the rest of it together in leisure and work on their crafts - whatever those may be. For those children who are not of school age, they need nannies or storytellers, and there’s always a gaggle of them running about unsupervised. Families with livestock can always take a spare hand, especially since farms are so spread out, they have a tendency to wander. Whatever skills you may possess can always be of use to the community or to honor the gods.
If any of these options are no good for your lifestyle, the main roads between settlements can always use a bit of monster clean-up… just make sure you don’t go alone.
How many slots are open?
Please check the Taken page for how many player, franchise, and canon slots are available. Activity check will be processed before applications open, so the count may change between now and then. Existing players can apply for a second character without restriction.
How do I choose a scenario for my character?
Pick whichever situation appeals to you most. Which faction your character is drawn into has nothing to do with their personal morality, beliefs, or how highly they regard themselves and their own accomplishments. Anyone can be put into any one of the situations.
Can I try out more than one scenario?
You can! But please keep in mind that only the one you eventually choose can be game canon, if you decide to keep any of your TDM threads.
What happens if my character refuses to comply with the NPCs?
They will be forgiven for their moment of panic or anger if they have one, and the faction leaders will try to calm them and persuade them further. If they put up too much of a fight and/or start actively attacking anyone, they will be warned once that everyone is willing to put them back in the well where they came from (see below), and if they continue to fight they will make good on that promise.
My character intends on causing a lot of trouble (destroying parts of the cities, murdering the NPCs, etc.), what would happen to them?
Characters who make too much trouble for the mages and other NPCs would be thrown back in the well (which will mean drowning in the void, not returning home). Brawling with other PCs and causing minor damage is fine and will be greeted with a cranky attitude and intervention from various NPC guards, and there will be plenty of opportunity for destruction and murder later, but for now the Abraxans have no desire to keep huge liabilities around.
I want to wildcard a prompt or use one of the prompts from an earlier TDM that isn't on this one (eg. the library), can I do that?
Yes, in terms of the settings. As Thorne is no longer imprisoning any newcomers, that option is no longer applicable.
Is the power loss for characters permanent?
No, but it does take a week or so for their powers to be back in full, and certain powers (determined on a case-by-case basis) may require nerfs. If your character has world-breaking powers, please discuss with the mods what modifications may be necessary.
Can my character leave the bounds of the faction?
In Thorne, characters can leave the castle but not the city. In Cadens, they can take a trip from the outpost to the city. In Solvunn, they can explore the entirety of the Primary Settlement.
Can my character eventually change factions?
Yes. While the faction borders are currently closed, there will opportunities in the future for characters to relocate. For the time being, they are stuck where they are.
How much will my choice of scenario affect my character's plot later on?
This choice will determine where your character initially lives as well as the bias of the information they receive from NPCs (although other PCs can and most likely will give it to them a bit more straight). This decision - and every other major decision you make in game! - will also be used to flavor some mod surprises that will be coming down the line.
Don't get too anxious about this choice, though; this is just one choice you'll get to make in a game that has a lot of them, and every character in every scenario can work their way towards many, many individual goals and outcomes. You're not locking yourself out of anything in the future via the choice you made on the TDM. It will primarily impact the immediate future with the far-reaching effects being up to each player.
Are TDM threads mandatory for my application?
No, you may use other samples, but we encourage you to post to the TDM and get a feel for this game and its mechanics before you join. If you do not have a TDM thread you will still need to choose one of the three scenarios on your application.
What if I haven't settled on a sign yet?
You can ignore sign-related prompts if you're undecided (or try out different signs in different threads).
Can my character go to the Horizon?
First time visitors to the Horizon must be taken there by other characters, through either shared meditation or a physical journey to the Singularity, and all first-timers experience memory loss. For the purposes of the TDM, we suggest against using the Horizon.
What about making use of the network?
Much like Horizon they would need to be introduced to it by another PC, as no NPCs would be aware of the network or be able to access it. Because of this we would advise against using this mechanic for TDM top-levels.
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"Anyone can learn?" That genuinely comes from a place of shock. See, because Jayce was intentionally ignoring the magic side, he really ignored most of it, and assumed it was an inborn talent. If it's not it means he can use magic. That mind-breaking of an idea he's going to need to see for himself. The very idea makes him feel like he's going to be sick, but in the good way.
Jayce has been caretaking for years, they did it in their own ways at each other, so the rebuke makes him frown. "Viktor I just spent five days positive that every second I spent here you were dying back home, and that I would never be able to do a thing about it. I made dramatic scenes at the barracks, I didn't sleep, I planned on coming to the city to find a way to make my own way back by any means necessary." Which is completely impossible, yes, but desperation and all that, Jayce knows it isn't rational, it's just what was fueling him. What else could he do? He would have turned to any option.
"I thought I wouldn't see you again and that is the worst possible thing that could happen to me, so." Jayce gets really intense when he speaks from the heart, when he speaks from his feelings. Which he does frequently, but every word rings so strongly. He is emotional, that fear and that near loss drove him crazy. "Eat the stupid sandwich and let me be happy you're here, alright?"
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"I know. I'm sorry."
What he can't admit out loud is that he, too, had been certain that he'd never see Jayce again. That had been easy enough to push into the back of his mind in favor of focusing on his work, instead, but now he realizes how close they were to that reality. How it's just a freak stroke of luck that this has happened at all. His expression softens, a little in spite of himself, and he lets out a breathy laugh, more frustrated than anything else.
"It's better that you're here. I didn't mean to imply otherwise."
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"You didn't imply that. I know you get defensive when you think I'm coddling you, but I promise it's not that." Jayce sometimes does coddle him or want to treat him with kid gloves, even before he was openly dying, when he'd have bad health days or headaches and Jayce wanted to fix it and make it better. Sometimes a sandwich is just an 'I care about you' and not 'you can't take care of yourself.'
He resists the urge to touch his arm and instead sits down, picking up one of the journals he sees nearby. It wouldn't be the first or last time they share notes, so that is almost instinctive. "Better that I'm here, huh?" Jayce smiles, his way of gently moving the conversation in a nicer direction. "Are you saying you missed me?"
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(Even if it's true.)
"Obviously, your absence has been...less than ideal."
But he doesn't necessarily want to pick a fight either, and of course they managed to avoid the lingering, and very necessary argument over Hextech weapons, but got tripped up on something as silly as this, instead. Viktor takes in all of this for a moment, then pulls up a chair next to Jayce and settles into it, close enough that their shoulders are touching, notes momentarily forgotten. He reaches over to the table, grabs the sandwich, and starts working on tearing it in two (to split, of course).
There's still so much to tell him. He stares down at their knees, as if debating whether or not to accidentally-on-purpose knock them together.
"The medical care here is about what I'd be able to get at home. Maybe a little behind. I'm not expecting a cure, or...even significant improvement with the more conventional methods available." Implying that they're going to have to take matters into their own hands--not that they're strangers to it. "Between the doctors and the healers, I am trying everything I can, but it's palliative. I'm just borrowing time."
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"Well I'm here now. So a little closer to ideal." He's teasing, lightly, and this used to be them all the time. For years. Sharing meals, sharing everything, theorizing about things that can and can't be real, and honestly, he keeps being reminded that future Viktor was right. They lost their way. Because this feels so much more like how it should be, rather than what it was. Jayce feels the very slight weight of Viktor's shoulder against his and he glances over at him, his eyes so soft.
Viktor for the first time directly discusses his illness and includes Jayce as a part of the conversation. He nods and takes in the information, obviously not the best option, but he hasn't degraded in two months to the extent he was at, so that's a plus. Whatever Viktor did with the Hexcore must have dangerously worsened his condition, to make him look that much worse in only a few days. Which means in two months, Viktor's at least moderately staying level, and that means they still do have time.
"We'll need to be able to condense the magic here into a substance we can use if we have any chance of experimenting the way we did before." The Hexcore would have to be next step after a version of Hextech itself, one step leads to the next. Jayce is saying this because he's thinking out loud, he knows that Viktor already knows this. "We'll keep stalling and borrowing time, the difference is there's powerful magic here, actively. We've always had to bend it to what we know, but there may be more chances we could never have access to."
Living and breathing Hextech, that is what Viktor said made the Hexcore, that adapts and exists on its own. More magic than technology. "I know you don't want people to know about your private business, but there are powerful mages here, and scientists from other worlds with more advanced technology, you may want to think about consults." Hopefully pragmatism of wanting to live will win out over discomfort. Jayce leans his shoulder into him intentionally with a little bump. "I'll do whatever you need, Viktor."
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He says that a little pointedly, because they both know the things they wanted to do with Hextech. What they were supposed to fix--not that doing it now would have done anything for him, thirty years too late.
Viktor hands Jayce half the sandwich. Bumps him back, more reflex than anything.
"Anything they can offer me here will just slow the deterioration. Even stopping it won't be enough. It's progressed too far." He can't breathe, he's coughing up blood, it's exhausting just to exist, at this point. Not sustainable, and it occurs to Viktor too late that by insisting Jayce stay with him, he'll soon be subjected to all of this. "If the goal is reversal, which it is, you're right that we need to consider magic."
Which is, clearly, what the recreation of the Hexcore is about, but in theory Hextech should be easier here. The Free Cities already have something like it. Viktor's mind is already buzzing with the improvements they can make, even more so now that both of them are here.
"I meant what I said, before. That here, anyone can learn. You don't need to be born with the ability."
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In a way, living with it will be the best motivation there can be. And Jayce is not lacking in motivation to save his friend, but it will remind him every day what is at stake. "Slowing or stopping the progression isn't our end goal, but it would still be helpful." It might give Viktor more decent days, let his mind stay clearer longer, even a temporary stop could give him extra months. They both know they're running against time. But Jayce has no more distractions to worry about, the only thing he has to focus on is Viktor now. "I'm glad you're telling me more." He needs to know if he has any hope of helping.
"The other place, Thorne, it has better magic. Do you think there's an argument to be made for us going there instead? Or reaching out to their mages and see what they can offer?" Jayce doesn't know Free Cities well enough to have an opinion on it. He's not a part of these factions, so it is purely from a logical standpoint. If magic is what they need the most, going to where it is strongest makes sense. He doesn't know if there are things that have to be done to trade locations, but he'll pay any price for the big picture. They are brilliant skilled engineers and scientists, who he has a feeling would be the type of recruits any powerful entity would want.
Jayce can do magic here. He can learn. That is what he is finally letting settle into his mind, although he won't really believe it until he does it. "Then I'll learn healing magic." Jayce is an incredibly dedicated and devoted student, if he focuses on it, he'll excel faster than most. Not enough to become his savior overnight, but he can help. "If there's energy transference or manipulation magic, it might be the kind of study that could help us materialize the magic we'll need for the new core too."
Basically, they should nerd the hell out of this situation and make solutions themselves.
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The last thing he wanted was for their work to be overshadowed by his declining health. And he knows his partner--Viktor doesn't think he would have been able to stand months or years of Jayce looking at him and seeing only the ticking clock. Having everyone watch the things he couldn't hide--trading in his cane for a crutch, the leg brace, the surgeries--was bad enough. There was too much to do, too much he wanted to accomplish, and Viktor has always resolved to be more than his own physical limitations. It was easier to push it all aside and focus on the work.
Which is why, maybe, being here is a second chance. For all these kingdoms lack in technological advancement, they make up for in highly accessible magic--something the two of them can use. Jayce is already full of ideas, of course, though he has to shake his head with regards to at least one of them.
"Thorne is not an option." There are a few reasons for that, mostly involving the fact that they were quick to imprison people they brought here by mistake, but also a simple matter of practicality. "I don't think I would be able to make the trip, and they value the loyalty of their summoned. It's likely they would take us prisoner. But there is something else."
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"Why didn't you tell me?" It is something Jayce hasn't had a lot of time to actually think about. The diagnosis was only just told to him, he's still sometimes in shock about it. But he hadn't gotten here yet, to this question. He turns to look at his partner, studying the profile he knows better than his own. "We could have been working on this together for years." Their other inventions were important, yes, they've made incredible things for their world, but always in Jayce's mind with the promise of the future. Decades of inventions from the two of them, always working for the best. But that future wasn't real, it was only his dream.
He's not angry, he could never be angry, but he really did think they were unbreakable, that they trusted one another with everything. Having a relationship like that shaped his life after Viktor saved it that night. He doesn't doubt that their friendship is still very strong and real, nothing that can't be fixed, but he never got to ask why.
"Take us prisoner?" Well that's horrifying. Why would anyone be in a place like that willingly? Unless they aren't. Jayce will note that for a later concern. "We'll have to make do here then." There's still magic. Not the strongest magic, apparently, but enough. Jayce will find a way, he'll talk to the professors, he'll get himself out there, see what leg work they need to do. That's the half of the whole he is best at. "What something else?"
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Even if Viktor wanted to, he probably wouldn't be able to do it. He turns a little to look at Jayce, eyebrows pinched together painfully. Of course he should have said something, but he's not sure what good it would have done. "I didn't think...I thought I had more time, and I wanted to spend it making sure we could accomplish what we set out to do, or at least lay the groundwork for it."
For Jayce to continue, after. It's not a good answer, nor is it a good excuse. He can try and say it was all denial, but the truth is that he couldn't stand the thought of being reduced to his illness with little thought for his accomplishments, such as they are. So maybe it's appropriate, to segue to the Singularity now, the one place here that gives him an opportunity to escape the constraints of the real world.
"The Horizon," he starts, searching Jayce's face for any indication that he's already heard of this--Viktor doesn't want to lecture him about something he's already aware of. "Has anyone said anything about it, to you?"
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Jayce sighs and rubs his forehead, a usual gesture when he's feeling overwhelmed or struggling with an internal problem. Expressing his emotions is not usually difficult for him, but Viktor sometimes makes it difficult by sharing so little in comparison. He laughs without humor, waving a hand. "I thought we'd make it to retirement, together, and then refuse to retire because there is no such thing for us." It seems so absolutely ridiculous now. Such a silly fantasy, to imagine them old and grumpy and still loving their work. But Jayce isn't only the man of progress because of how people see them, it's because of his vision of the future, always looking ahead, always believing in it.
And it was always supposed to be them. The idea of getting to the other side of their work without Viktor was never in the plan. There was no end of their work without Viktor, for him.
"It's stupid, I know, it doesn't matter." They have to live in reality and Viktor can't turn back the clock. He never told him, and now they're here. He swallows down his negative feelings and tries to clear his mind along with his throat. "Uh, no, I don't ... I wasn't paying a lot of attention." Again, he was too focused on shouting about going back and his friend dying, and then feverishly going to the city. Obviously he knows now it was stupid not to ask more precise questions about being here, but Jayce can be dangerously single-minded.
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"It's a nice thought," he says quietly, unsure of what else he can add. What is he supposed to say? That he never thought of this because he's spent his entire life trying to outrun death and disease and the Undercity itself and somehow always knew it would catch up to him eventually? That Jayce is painfully naive, to have even entertained the possibility? Instead, he sighs, slumping a little, their shoulders making contact again as a result of the motion.
The good news is that he can change the subject fairly quickly, as there's plenty to talk about with regards to the Horizon.
"The Horizon is, well. I would call it a separate plane of existence that only we access. It allows us to connect with other summoned individuals."
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Jayce glances over at him and resists the urge to touch his back, knowing he's already pushed it today, so he simply leans his shoulder in again and leaves it at that. Hopefully it's subtle enough not to be discouraged. This is really only the start of conversations on this matter, so it doesn't all have to be addressed this minute. He's not even entirely certain how he feels about any of it. Outside of his clear disregard for accepting fate as it is.
"A separate plane of existence? What does that mean?" No doubt Jayce being who he is will absolutely love the concept once it's clear to him, but even his bright mind can't really come to grips with it. "How do we get there?"
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If Viktor is at all distracted by the slight way they lean on each other, he doesn't show it. Despite the extreme ups and downs of their conversation so far, he naturally brightens at the chance to explain something, a little more animated the more he talks.
"You reach it through meditation. I know that sounds strange, but I believe it has something to do with an inherent connection to the Singularity. We can access it in a way that the people native to this world cannot. Inside, you can--you can do practically anything. The limitless power of creation."
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"So we have this connection to the magical center of the world and it brings us to another plane of existence?" Where anything can be made. And they are both inventors, so having a clean slate of ideas could be great. He wonders the extent of what can be done there, but he won't know until he experiences it. A light sparks in his eyes.
"Eat your sandwich and then show me how to get in." If they keep putting off food it'll never get eaten and Jayce starts eating his half as an example, even if he's not really hungry.
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Of course Jayce wants to go right now. Of course he does! Viktor is sort of wishing he'd prepared some kind of checklist, in the event of the sudden appearance of someone familiar to him, because he's already forgetting all of the things he wanted to say. He shakes his head a little, exasperated.
They can finish up--and he can eat his stupid sandwich--and then they can go back to his room and do this properly. In the meantime, he should probably explain a few more things (while he eats the sandwich ARE YOU WATCHING THIS, JAYCE).
"Since it's not feasible to travel far outside of Cadens, the Horizon is the easiest way for us to connect--and collaborate--with other summoned. You can't bring anything out of it, as I suppose it's not, eh. Real, in the strictest sense of the term, but I've found it to be an intriguing testing ground for experiments I would otherwise be unable to conduct in the physical world. Does that make sense?"
He's playing around with the Hexcore 1.0. In his mind palace.
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And impulsive! And teasing. Jayce hears there's a magical realm that they can fill in with their imagination, and his interest is immediately focused. It might give a better idea of what they're connected to, this Singularity. He is very pleased that Viktor is eating and it makes him relax, listening as he talks around mouthfuls.
Obviously he assumes going there will actually make it make sense, now it seems like a concept more than a reality. "So all of the summoned exist in this place? And we can all control the way in which it modifies to whims?" Jayce imagines realms on top of realms if everyone has their own version or their own spot. And if they can build together. Fascinating!
"But are the experiments valid if you're controlling the space they're being done in? Have you managed to do one in there and here in the real world?" Until then it's theoretical that it would work in both. He assumes the Hexcore is in there, a version of it that Viktor put together. He doesn't know what will be in his, how he'll build it, but he'll figure that out then. It'll have to be useful.
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That said, he was here first, and he knows his way around and what he's doing, so Jayce is more-or-less at his mercy. Now that he's so anxious to go, however, perhaps Viktor will just. Take his time. He's sure they have more to cover, regardless, and when Jayce questions the validity of his experiments, he offers him a slightly offended expression (but mostly confused). Of course he accounted for all of these things. How could he not?
"I made the lab, Jayce. I think you'll be impressed by the level of accuracy you can achieve."
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He finishes his part of the sandwich off and notes that offended look, rolling his eyes as he swallows. "Don't look at me like that, you know it's just double-checking. Remember that time when we didn't double-check every base of the Hexgate early prototype and it nearly dropped through three floors?" That's why two heads are much better than one. A thousand checks and a thousand detailed thoughts and something can still be missed.
Of course the most mistakes they made was because of their impulsivity and 'wonder what this will do, let's try it out!' It's really and truly amazing they're both still alive with all of their limbs to this point. "There is no doubt in my mind that it will look as real as if we're in there."
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Viktor seems fairly serious about this, at least. He supposes that once they're inside, it's not going to matter because Jayce won't remember anything, but he'd rather not get to the other side of this first visit without having been transparent about what the first visit is like. At the very least, Viktor will be there to guide him through it, and to make sure they both get out. Then, they can go back and start to build.
He laughs a little, shaking his head at the memory and bumping Jayce with his arm, a mild punishment for bringing up such a mishap.
"I seem to remember that was your fault," he says wryly. Whether it was or wasn't doesn't matter--this is just some gentle teasing, commonplace between them. Almost surprising, how easily he slips back into this sort of banter. Viktor is still working on his sandwich, but that's fine, because it gives him time to elucidate the final piece of relevant information. He has to admit, he's curious about what Jayce will be like, visiting the Horizon for the first time. "When we go, for the first time, you won't remember who you are. I can help guide you through it, and it will pass on subsequent visits, but just know that it may be...disorienting, at first."
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Okay that piece of information is probably the most important once he's heard, looking confused. "That's odd. Although I guess ...." Jayce considers it, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "The extreme nature of going to another plane of existence where you can frame the world through your mind, it would be extreme for any mind. So it must be a reset, a way to adapt your mind without harming it, so the next time it's easier." It makes sense, and frankly, maybe his mind getting to have a break from all its overthinking and being blank for once would be good for it.
"You'll have to tell me what I'm like as a blank slate. Probably boring." He's only interesting because of the other pieces. No wonder Viktor is slow to go there, it'll be annoying to deal with a blank person, even temporarily. And he's impatient.
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Though, of course, that may have something to do with the fact that a 'clean slate' for Viktor meant no knowledge of his own illness or impending death. He hopes he doesn't need to say that, but when Jayce sees him in the Horizon, he'll likely understand.
"I'm looking forward to it, actually." A tacit acknowledgement that Viktor doesn't mind walking him through this, nor does he find it an inconvenience--in fact, he'll be happy to help him. "It's an interesting experiment in nature versus nurture, don't you think?"
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Jayce glances over at him and laughs, bumping his shoulder again. "Looking forward to seeing me as a blank slate? Don't do anything I wouldn't do." He is teasing, he assumes Viktor will be patient and handle what needs to. Jayce is no doubt going to be easy to handle, although he'll likely have an endless supply of questions and a mixture of confusion and curiosity. So some things truly are nature that way.
"So we have the lab there, and I guess we'll add other spaces to our area?" Just like Viktor assumed Jayce would come to his workspace and live where he is, Jayce assumes their Horizon will be a combined effort. It's how his mind works.
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He's probably joking. Probably.
Viktor does, however, seem to realize that he can't put this off forever, even though the whole day has felt like a whirlwind. He won't be getting much more work done, not when he needs to get Jayce settled, so he stands and starts to clean up a little, organizing his notes and separating out what he thinks will be worth bringing back to the room. They can get started on the more practical work later, after they sort out the Horizon, because Viktor still needs to catch Jayce up on what he's working on in the physical world.
Maybe over dinner. He's already cursing himself for how easy it is, to fall back into familiar routine.
"It will be easier to show you what I've already built, but yes. Admittedly, I found it easier to begin with places that already exist, but theoretically there's nothing stopping you from making, well. Anything you want."
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It has been an intense day. He came here so frantic and alone, and now this world seems full of possibilities instead of obstacles. There is a part of him worried about home, he was about to do something very important after all, but if they're right about parallel universes, there's no point to thinking about it. Whatever is going to happen on the timeline is already happening.
Jayce gets up when Viktor does, waiting for him to settle what he needs to in this place before they move. It is a very familiar routine for them. The location may change, but the way they aren't really doesn't. "I already have some ideas then." If the lab is there he can think of a few other good options for if they're practicing their work in there. And maybe to test out his creativity option.
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