video, un: hopscotch

[clavesregni]

[Caitlyn enthusiastically shows off a small wooden box. Visible on the lid is an insignia of a Minaras governmental medical facility. Over Caitlyn's shoulder is a redhead looking wholly uninspired by this discovery.]

This was found following an altercation with a group of drunk individuals. One man was tall, must have been a little over six feet, with a blond beard, head shaved, and some sort of tattoo visible on his neck. Another was a few inches shorter, clean-shaven and close-cropped black hair, wearing a rather ostentatious, if tattered, blue coat. The third was a few inches shorter still, also clean-shaven, with long brown hair tied in a ponytail and several scars along the length of his forearms.

[Vi rolls her eyes as Caitlyn rattles off these descriptions. Caitlyn, oblivious, continues:] Does anyone know who these men might have been? If they could be identified, they could perhaps be located and questioned as to how a box belonging to a medical facility came into their possession.

[Vi mutters,] Probably going to sell whatever it is to the highest bidder.

[At the interruption, Caitlyn glances over her shoulder to respond to Vi. Her tone is less critical and more like she's excited to brainstorm possible motivations.] We can't assume that.

[Caitlyn turns back to the contents of the box.] Yes. Um. There are herbs inside, they smell-- [She takes a whiff, wrinkling her nose.] --earthy. Musky. And faintly of fruit. And... [She smells again, and a horrified look crosses her face, as though she's just smelled the most odious smell imaginable. She quickly moves the box further away from herself, looking at it as though it's done her a great personal wrong.] Urine.

[Vi shouldn't look so amused at the posh description, but she does.

Caitlyn holds up a few of the whole dried leaves and flowers: foxglove, wisteria, passion flower, and valerian. There is a small sack visible inside the box containing more herbs ground up.]

Are there any herbalists in the group who might be able to identify these? What purpose could these serve, either individually or in combination?

[Vi leans in closer and says,] And by the way, I need to talk to the resident hextech genius.



[ooc: for the herbalists out there, this combination of herbs leads to memory loss]

Comments

voice; un: v

[techmaturgy]

["Red hair, face tattoo" is not an easy description to forget, so when this particular post gets his attention, he knows immediately who this is. He should feel some relief--Caitlyn was extremely worried, after all, but there's a part of him that's still suspicious. He doesn't know much about how they came to meet, nor does he know the circumstances that brought Caitlyn to Stillwater in the first place. He doesn't know why Vi is asking for him, specifically.]

Looks like you found each other.

[And a box of medicinal plants, but he has a feeling that's not what they want to ask him about.]

Is there something I can help you with?

voice; private

[faceblocker]

[ For this she'll use her own pocket watch, letting Cait do her detective thing. ]

Viktor? [ Like his username doesn't all but confirm it. ] Caitlyn said you worked with the pretty boy Councilor. So, theoretically, you'd know how to fix broken hextech?

[techmaturgy]

Jayce Talis is my research partner, yes. You're Vi?

[Her referring to Jayce as a Councilor first just reminds him of how much things changed over his last few days at home, to the point where it feels almost wrong to be speaking in the present tense. He's removed from it all, now, but the unexpected well of bitterness in his chest lets him know that he's not as far away as he likes to think.

But his feelings are less pressing than what she says next. There's definite suspicion in his voice, now, like he has some idea of where this is going, but does't want to allow himself to hope that there might be Hextech here.]

More than theoretically. I helped invent it.

[faceblocker]

Uh─ Yeah.

[ Caitlyn obviously already mentioned her. What did she say? ...Not important.

Vi can't help but wonder about how much he helped, because research partner definitely seems like more than an assistant. He was nowhere near the council room, though. By choice? How closely do his ideals line up with Jayce's?

Jayce had said he wanted to act, but it ended up just talk when real trouble knocked. She's going to have to assume this guy might think the same and try to keep it from her if he gets his hands on it. ]

Okay, well say I more than theoretically have some hextech around. You'd want it back, wouldn't you? What would you use it for?

[techmaturgy]

[He has a lot of questions lined up, not the least of which is what Caitlyn said about him (mostly so he knows how much to explain), but a hypothetical quickly becomes not that. Viktor is suddenly urgent, all at once surprised and skeptical.]

You have Hextech. Here?

[How. Why. What does she have, exactly? One of their portable devices? This changes everything.]

[faceblocker]

[ It would be pretty stupid to deny it now, since she's the one who contacted him. She's still worried, though. ]

My question first. What would you use it for? More mining?

[techmaturgy]

Mining--

[Caitlyn must have told her, who must have heard from Jayce, in turn. He's almost insulted by the fixation on mining equipment, like the tools he devised don't contain an energy source that with nearly infinite uses. If anything, he needs that.

But that doesn't explain what she has, and how. If it needs to be fixed, perhaps it's missing the gemstone. He's not going to be more forthcoming until he has more information, however, so it seems as though they're at something of an impasse.]

We need to meet in person. Bring the device.

[He concludes the exchange with a set of fairly convoluted directions to the makeshift workspace he's found for himself in the Mouse House. Sure, he's likely inviting trouble, but if she does have one of their devices, and it does need to be fixed, then she doesn't have much of a choice but to bring it to him. He'll take that chance.]

[faceblocker]

[ Bring the device. Everyone's about trying to give her orders, lately, but what's the point in saying no? Then she definitely won't get what she wants. Might as well wait a little, until Caitlyn's found somewhere to settle that isn't a dark alley. She wants to help figure this out with her, but considering all she's been hearing, Vi would prefer to get the gauntlets at full capacity as soon as possible.

The pack strapped to her back is no easy carry, but the weight of the gauntlets inside don't drag at her as much as they should. Their size and shape make it a little awkward as they claink together when she shrugs off the pack to let it hang from her hand.

This definitely looks different from Jayce's workshop, but just like there, she dismisses any concept of knocking. She'd rather invite herself to look at things she probably shouldn't touch. ]

Ever hear of saying please?

[techmaturgy]

[To be fair, it's less a "workshop" and more "a dingy area where Viktor is tinkering with various side projects", but it will suit their purposes. He doubts anyone in the Mouse House is going to care about the argument they're about to have, but they're tucked out of the way of prying eyes. It lets him get right down to business as soon as he hears someone entering the space.]

No.

[This is not a situation that calls for "please". When she lets herself in, it's perhaps immediately apparent why Viktor made her come here, as he doesn't seem to be in any shape to be wandering around the Mouse House. Still, he reaches for his crutch and drags himself to his feet with some effort. Despite his obvious physical limitations, his eyes are sharp and he appears to be unintimidated.]

Show me. What do you have?

[It can really only be one of a few things, but no matter what she pulls out of the bag, Viktor is sure it doesn't belong to her.]

[faceblocker]

[ Vi only moves closer because she's not about to make someone with a cane stumble around for answers he may not be satisfied with. Jayce's judgment, Caitlyn's alarm... The memories are too fresh. She wouldn't even be alerting this guy to the tech if she had anywhere else to turn.

She'll dump the heavy bag on the nearest surface for him to peruse. The right gauntlet is noticeably damaged from Sevika's blade, and it's really the only one she needed to bring, but...leaving the other one might mean leaving it to curious orphans.

The gemstones are gone, though. ]

You never answered my question.

[techmaturgy]

[All it takes is one look inside the bag to confirm his suspicion. His shoulders sag and his expression screws up into something unidentifiable.]

I don't know you. I don't know why you have my technology. I don't owe you anything.

[Viktor does not appear to be in any shape to be dragging the gauntlets out of the bag and onto the table, but he does his best. The maneuver becomes more like dragging the bag off the gauntlets instead, but once they're exposed, he can immediately see that one has been run through and must be nonfunctional.

The first thing he does is check for the gemstones, slotting open the receptacle and finding them empty. That in itself is more crushing than the knowledge that even more of his tech seems to be stolen. Of course they're not working. Of course she needs them fixed--the power sources are gone.

Unless she has them somewhere else. That's three, now, effectively looted. He doubts she understands how disastrous that is.]

Does Caitlyn know you stole these?

[faceblocker]

[ At least she can appreciate his frankness, arms folded as she leans against the table and looks him over while he peruses the now useless gauntlets. What she doesn't appreciate (like she thought she would) is watching any anticipation of his immediately tank upon finding the lack of gemstones. It should have been a triumphant feeling, but instead Vi is left feeling like she just kicked a child in the stomach.

Her voice is quiet, but indignance flares at having Caitlyn brought up. As if that would change Vi's mind. ]

I didn't steal them. [ Well... Not at first. ] The Councilor didn't exactly stop me. Does it really matter here?

[techmaturgy]

Then, please, explain.

[He offers her a go ahead gesture, but otherwise turns his attention to the gauntlets. He inspects the obviously broken one, clocking the damage as made by some kind of blade. No, the gauntlets were clearly not being used for their intended purpose, even if Viktor knows full well that said purpose was little more than a farce in the first place.

Jayce not stopping her could mean any number of things--and it still sounds like she took them by force. Maybe that's what Viktor wants to hear, because the alternative is not something he wants to entertain. Jayce wouldn't be that stupid. Would he? Maybe he had a good reason for it. Viktor wants to think that, but he just can't see it yet.]

You met with Jayce. For what reason?

[clavesregni]

Yes! I'm so glad you'll finally be able to speak with each other. Since we're all from the same place, the three of us ought to work together to get home, don't you think?

[She glances over at Vi, a faint look of concern crossing her face. She doesn't actually know why Vi wants to talk to Viktor, but she has a guess.]

I don't suppose you know anything about herbs?

[techmaturgy]

[Viktor is not necessarily as enthused, but he can begrudgingly admit that it's nice to have at least one familiar face. He knows by now that that people are sometimes brought here in twos and threes--he just hadn't anticipated living long enough for the dice to roll in his favor.

Not something he's going to talk about here, though.]

I never paid much attention in botany class.

[That's probably a joke. Did he ever take a botany class? Who knows.]

[clavesregni]

Nor did I. Not as well as I ought to, as it turns out. [Not a joke on her part. She definitely had intro botony as part of her general schooling and she found it dreadfully boring.

There's a sort of an awkward pause before she speaks again, more softly this time. It's not that she wants to hide anything from Vi, per se, but she wants to get Viktor's perspective on the hextech gauntlets, and she'd like to do it before she talks to Vi about them again.]

Is there anywhere we could meet? I'd like to speak privately.

[techmaturgy]

I'm sure one of our number will be able to help you.

[He can say whatever he wants about their group, but the range of talents, at least, is valuable. It already seems as though she has a few good leads on the plants, which leaves him available to speak about something he obviously feels is more important.]

Yes, I think we have a lot to talk about. You can find me here.

[And he sends a set of fairly convoluted directions to what is surely a grimy corner of the Mouse House.]

[clavesregni]

[Caitlyn follows the directions, though the journey is somewhat slowed both by how convoluted the directions were and by the fact that she frequently finds herself gingerly stepping over and around things that, suffice to say, would not be permitted on the streets of Piltover.

She finally makes it to what she's fairly certain is the place he indicated, and knocks politely on the door.]

[techmaturgy]

[This is less a "workspace" and more "just some corner somewhere he thinks he won't be bothered", but it's suitable enough for his purposes. When he opens the door for Caitlyn, he somehow looks even more haggard than their first meeting.]

I imagine you have questions.

[He also has questions. Lots of them. But she's the one who wanted to meet with him, so he'll let her go first.]

[clavesregni]

[Caitlyn glances around in concern, taking in the dingy space and the way Viktor looks. Has he been sleeping at all? Has he been eating? She can't help but worry.

With a furtive glance over her shoulder - making sure she wasn't followed, as though anyone would be following her - she steps inside and shuts the door behind her.]

Yes. It's. Vi has the hextech gauntlets. Jayce gave them to her, for use in combat. Have you any idea why he would do that? I couldn't have been gone more than a week, and it's like I don't know him anymore.

[She huffs, a scowl briefly crossing her face.]

I thought he never wanted hextech to be weaponized. But in the Council meeting, he was talking about using it to invade the undercity, and then he gave her the gauntlets.

[She still hasn't entirely made up her own mind how she feels about it. Though she knows that her feelings towards the idea of Vi having a hextech weapon are far more charitable than they are towards the idea of hextech being weaponized more generally.]

I suspect the reason she wishes to speak with you is to have them fixed.

[techmaturgy]

[The look on his face says that he already knows all this--Viktor seems thoroughly defeated, sinking onto a stool as soon as Caitlyn is fully inside. It's clear he's been wrestling with the same questions.]

No, I don't.

[He's still trying to wrap his head around it, himself, but deep down he knows that Jayce is suggestible. Eager to please. Viktor can easily imagine a scenario where his partner felt so impotent that he jumped at the chance to do something, without thought for how disastrous that something might be. The added detail of Jayce in a Council meeting advocating for an attack on the Undercity is devastating. Viktor is quiet for a moment, as if deciding what he wants to say.]

We fought, Jayce and I. That was our last conversation before I found myself here. [There's a tinge of regret, that the last time he'd ever see or speak to Jayce would be an argument about the very purpose of their work.] Given the...situation, in the Undercity, Councilor Medarda proposed Hextech defenses as a potential solution. I told him no, I told--I told him that nothing good could possibly come of weaponizing our technology, that it went against everything our work stands for.

[The distaste in his voice is evident, though it's hard to tell if the loathing is for Jayce, or for himself, for not being able to stop this.]

I suppose I wasn't convincing enough.

[clavesregni]

[There are so many questions swirling around in her head, but she lets him tell the whole story without interruption, crossing her arms and leaning back against the table as she listens quietly. Viktor's demeanour and tone make it all too clear that this isn't easy for him; whether the trouble is rooted in his relationship, or perhaps falling out, with Jayce, or in the broader question of hextech weaponry, she's not sure. The likely answer is 'both.']

My last proper conversation with him was a fight, too.

[She says it quietly, offering sympathy. The tiff she'd had with Jayce can't really compare to the nature of Viktor's argument with him; the feeling of betrayal at hearing that he'd joined the Council, the resentment of a young adult who's still a child in her family's eyes... She knows it's not the same as a fundamental disagreement about one's life's work.

Still. She would give anything to speak with Jayce again.

Right now, though, there's a more pressing problem at hand. They can both worry about Jayce once they've gotten home. And all her questions about how Jayce ended up where he did, what happened while she was gone, the gauntlets themselves, Councilor Medarda's involvement, they can wait.

She turns her head to look at him, her expression shifting to something more focused and determined.]

Will you fix the gauntlets for Vi, if she asks? [It's obvious from her tone that she's anticipating a 'no.' But she has to ask.]

[techmaturgy]

[Viktor likes to think that he knows Jayce the best, but Caitlyn practically grew up with him. To hear that she'd also been fighting with him is troubling--not that either of them can do anything about it right now, beyond commiserate. He nods, but otherwise doesn't say anything else. He's been given a lot to think about over the last few hours.

The more immediate problem is the gauntlets. He can't, in good conscience, let her keep them, but he also doesn't want to leave her defenseless. He also needs to cannibalize the parts for his own projects, but that's a bit more complicated a pitch.]

I need the power sources. The gemstones. [He'll explain further if she needs, but Viktor has the feeling she already knows what gives the gauntlets their functionality.] I can't let her keep those.

[clavesregni]

[Caitlyn's well aware of the gemtones and what they're capable of. And she wouldn't trust anyone here other than Vi or Viktor with them. Even letting others know of the gemstones' existence seems inadvisable.

Her fingertips tap idly against her arm as she works through the potential ramifications of Vi having fully functional hextech gauntlets in this world, trying to decide whether she should push back against Viktor or agree that he should have them.

She does trust Vi. She knows Vi would never purposefully misuse the gauntlets, and she believes Vi would do everything in her power to prevent the gemstones from falling into the wrong hands. And this isn't their world, this isn't Piltover. No one here understands the technology, and it's unlikely anyone here could recreate it. And if Viktor needs the gemstones for something, that means that he hasn't been able to find and refine any in this world to suit his purposes. Which means only two gemstones exist in this world.

Allowing Vi the gauntlets, therefore, is unlikely to unleash a wave of hextech weaponry on this world, even in the worst case scenario of someone else getting the gemstones. And the gauntlets would provide Vi a great deal more protection than her bare fists.

She should have them, Caitlyn decides, her frown growing even more determined than it was before. At least until they return to Piltover.]

What do you need them for? [Perhaps a compromise can be reached.]

[techmaturgy]

[The conflict is evident in her posture, which is not necessarily heartening to Viktor, who barely knows Vi at all and knows Caitlyn much less than he probably should. He's naturally suspicious--in fact, much of he was doing with the Hexcore he never even made clear to Jayce.

It's tempting to obfuscate, but unfortunately that isn't going to help get him the gemstones any faster. He has the slightly uncharitable thought that she might not like what he wants to do with the gemstones, either. Still, he needs to try.]

There was something I was working on, back home. An adaptive conduit for arcane forces, with potentially limitless applications.

[He sounds proud, though it lasts only a moment, because the next part is much harder to say.]

I'm...not well, Caitlyn. [Viktor knows what everyone thinks, when they look at him, but admitting it out loud is not something he likes to do. He would rather, in fact, collapse in the lab than outright say that he is sick. Now, he doesn't think he has a choice.] My hope is that the device will provide a potential solution to that.