There is a junkyard here that I intend to go through to see what might be useful. If you are serious about offering assistance, you can meet me there.
Of course, rust is an issue.
[ Viktor resists the urge to clearly label that as a joke. Chem-treated steel doesn't rust. Ask him about it. He can go on for hours. ]
I do not charge for my work. If you need it, I will make it. We would have to discuss specifications however, and what you can tell me about the nature of your injury.
Course. I do this all the time back home. Umbra can help, too. He's got a good nose. [ Not specifying Umbra is a dog, Noctis? Helpful. ]
What about squeaking?
I got in an accident when I was a kid. Spinal injury. [ That took forever to type. He hates talking about this, but — ] I can explain more when I see you.
You regularly find yourself picking through garbage with your acquaintance with a good nose?
[ He's teasing, but he is curious. Most people don't do good deeds in his experience, but it seems like this young man is possessed of a desire to prove him wrong. ]
I will endeavor to make sure you do not squeak, rattle, or groan.
I see. Have you considered a brace for your spine as well? I used to wear one and am quite familiar with them. I had a twisted spine for most of my life.
Yeah. Technically we're hunters, but we travel a lot and help people out with stuff. My Our country's in the middle of a war, so there's lots of places that need support.
[ That text actually makes him smile. Viktor's sense of humor reminds him of Ignis. ]
You're a real pal.
Sorry you had to go through that too. It sucks. [ He hesitates, debating. ] How long did you have to wear it?
You would be the first to accuse me of that in a long time.
It does indeed suck. [ There's something ridiculous about reducing it down to something so simple and yet it is comforting in a way. ] I had to wear it every day until I replaced my entire spine.
I am adjusting well enough. It's nice to not have to pretend to be an elf anymore. And god, getting away from corsets as more than a fashion statement is a blessing.
I haven't have the opportunity, no. But from everything I've heard, she's an improvement. Sending her guests to rescue us is a point in her favor, at any rate.
They have done little in the way of inspiring trust, and until they are more forthcoming, I have little reason to assume their intentions are anything other than self serving.
A rudimentary one but nothing like I had before. I will have to start all over here.
Agreed. This feels like an observe and collect data sort of situation.
Unfortunately same. I've got a bit of a small studio set up but for the moment I've just got notes and nothing in the way of solid equipment.
I've heard from one of the longer-term residents here that you can make requests. He had the garden of a famous museum from Earth brought over. It might be that if you ask nice enough you can get a lab from home.
[ There's a small envelope waiting for Viktor with his name printed on it. Inside is a white feather that shimmers in the light and a card with formal, looping script. ]
Thanks again for helping me out. I know I don't owe you anything, but you should have this. Maybe it'll give you something fun to work with — I heard there's power in it.
Happy holidays, The Swan Prince
[ A doodle of a tiny black swan with a crown accompanies the signature. ]
Requiring a full manual shut down every day for diagnostic and repair purposes did have the unfortunate side effect of rendering me incapable of moving for two hours.
They are far from enlightening but I have read worse. You have never been subjected to a dissertation from someone who added sixeen steps to a process that could be simplified to four.
A recommendation is best when it poses a challenge and that is why I asked what you would put forward. It is easy to stick to the familiar but it impedes innovation and progress.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
text | @noctgar — post-mission
no subject
A lab.
[ A delay. He adds: ]
That was a joke. I doubt you have one in your pocket.
Did you still require a new brace for that knee? Are you certain I cannot convince you to replace it entirely?
[ Another pause. Janna, he hates texting. ]
That was also a joke.
no subject
I always wanted to be a cyborg. Sounds cool. [ Is Noctis the one joking now? Hard to tell. ]
no subject
Do you have a lab laying around?
I am.
It has it's benefits to be sure.
no subject
Not right now, but I wouldn't know what kind of stuff you'd need in it anyway. You need me to find supplies?
I bet. No feeling like ass in the cold or rain, for one. But yeah, I could use a new brace. What are you asking for it?
no subject
There is a junkyard here that I intend to go through to see what might be useful. If you are serious about offering assistance, you can meet me there.
Of course, rust is an issue.
[ Viktor resists the urge to clearly label that as a joke. Chem-treated steel doesn't rust. Ask him about it. He can go on for hours. ]
I do not charge for my work. If you need it, I will make it. We would have to discuss specifications however, and what you can tell me about the nature of your injury.
no subject
What about squeaking?
I got in an accident when I was a kid. Spinal injury. [ That took forever to type. He hates talking about this, but — ] I can explain more when I see you.
no subject
[ He's teasing, but he is curious. Most people don't do good deeds in his experience, but it seems like this young man is possessed of a desire to prove him wrong. ]
I will endeavor to make sure you do not squeak, rattle, or groan.
I see. Have you considered a brace for your spine as well? I used to wear one and am quite familiar with them. I had a twisted spine for most of my life.
no subject
MyOur country's in the middle of a war, so there's lots of places that need support.[ That text actually makes him smile. Viktor's sense of humor reminds him of Ignis. ]
You're a real pal.
Sorry you had to go through that too. It sucks. [ He hesitates, debating. ] How long did you have to wear it?
no subject
You would be the first to accuse me of that in a long time.
It does indeed suck. [ There's something ridiculous about reducing it down to something so simple and yet it is comforting in a way. ] I had to wear it every day until I replaced my entire spine.
Not the answer you were hoping for, I assume.
no subject
Bad? I could call you something different if you want.
[ Yeesh. ] Not exactly, but if it worked. What's the recovery time like for that?
no subject
No. It is just an unfamiliar sentiment.
By then, I had installed a pain inhibitor and had already replaced much of my chest cavity. Even then, it took four months to fully recover.
Text, Oswald - Post Mission
How are you fairing so far? There's been a lot of change lately, and I wanted to check in.
no subject
I am faring well. How are you adjusting?
I do have a question. Have you had the change to speak with the AI? Aurora, I believe. I have heard she is nothing like the one in Pollux.
no subject
I haven't have the opportunity, no. But from everything I've heard, she's an improvement. Sending her guests to rescue us is a point in her favor, at any rate.
no subject
So it would seem, but I have my doubts. One good deed is not enough to inform an opinion.
no subject
I agree with you there. It's a point in her favor over the other one, but that's all. Her motivations remain to be seen, just like the last one.
I hate being a skeptic but it's the only thing that makes sense in this situation.
no subject
A single point, yes. Motivations aside, they both answer to the same entity and their motives are more of a mystery than either of these AI.
Skepticism may impede intellectual curiosity, but willful ignorance is more dangerous. I would rather be a skeptic than a fool.
Holiday stuff, forgive me!
Glad we're on the same page, Vik. I hate looking foolish. And I don't trust 'all powerful overbeings' to be particularly transparent.
Have you got a lab set up, yet?
i'm so sorry i got swallowed alive and thought i'd gotten back to this
They have done little in the way of inspiring trust, and until they are more forthcoming, I have little reason to assume their intentions are anything other than self serving.
A rudimentary one but nothing like I had before. I will have to start all over here.
Totally okay!
Unfortunately same. I've got a bit of a small studio set up but for the moment I've just got notes and nothing in the way of solid equipment.
I've heard from one of the longer-term residents here that you can make requests. He had the garden of a famous museum from Earth brought over. It might be that if you ask nice enough you can get a lab from home.
no subject
I have worked in less ideal conditions with scavenged equipment. There is a junkyard here and that is a promising start.
That option is worth consideration weighed against the fact that I will have to trade something they consider valuable for it.
no subject
And fair enough. We don't know what they considered 'value' yet. Could be toenail clippings, could be our firstborne.
If you need an extra hand getting yourself set up, let me know, okay?
no subject
They will have no luck in regards to the latter in my case.
[ It's a joke, but Viktor doesn't intend to elaborate on that. ]
I will. If you need assistance, you know how to reach me.
action ➤ delivery!
Thanks again for helping me out. I know I don't owe you anything, but you should have this. Maybe it'll give you something fun to work with — I heard there's power in it.
Happy holidays,
The Swan Prince
[ A doodle of a tiny black swan with a crown accompanies the signature. ]
→ text;
He's terrible at texting, but he means well. ]
no subject
When should I come around to try it on?
no subject
With the resources I have at hand, it will take me a few weeks to gather the materials necessary for a prototype.
no subject
You mean it'll take US a few weeks.
no subject
Us. Of course.
un: Accelerator; text; post-mission
no subject
Inconvenient, but nothing I could not handle. For the most part.
no subject
no subject
no subject
[A full shutdown is more limiting than that.]
no subject
no subject
no subject
If you enjoy keeping yourself company, I suppose two hours idle might be stimulating.
no subject
no subject
no subject
Those things aren't all that interesting to read. I'd rather get a book from the library.
[Which is honestly likely what he'd do, just sit there and read quietly.]
no subject
What are you reading now then?
no subject
Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
1984 by George Orwell
And some poetry books by Rainer Maria Rilke. Finch recommended all of them.
[And he reads anything Harold recommends.]
no subject
And which would you recommend out of the list?
no subject
I guess it depends on what kinds of books you like to read. They're all really different from each other.
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject