He looks like a deer in the headlights briefly, like he's been caught, you know, BEING SCARED OF HER. Which is true. But he thought he was pretending not to be. But he sucks at it, so it's obvious. HELP HIM.]
I...
[If he says he wasn't, he knows she'll call bullshit.]
Sorry. It's strange being... somewhere else with many people I don't know. But you didn't hurt me before. And if you have a friend... I don't think I have much to worry about.
[sometimes you are a rattlesnake and you accidentally rattle your tail too hard and go ah, fuck, oops, sorry dude
which is to say she's pretty decently good at telling when people are scared of her, specifically, but all other emotions she has trouble with, sweats.]
... I understand. [really. there's something empathetic there. she has the same concerns.] I don't like to hurt people if I can help it.
[there's a pause, and then:] I'll tell you a secret, if you'd like.
He looks surprised, and then smiles weakly (but genuinely!) at her. WHAT DOES SHE MEAN SHE DOESN'T LIKE TO HURT PEOPLE............. He'll come back to that.]
to her credit, maybe, she doesn't react strongly or try and coddle him? she just looks surprised, and then... leans, a little, leaning forward to try and catch his gaze.]
... It'll be fine. It won't bother me. [it's like, big puddles of it or being bathed in it that she doesn't like. which is very normal and not weird thank you.]
Well. Now you're really not going to convince me to take the bed. [you fool] ... There's really nothing to be done?
[every time i send a tag two more appear in my inbox
He does look when she leans forward, though his expression is apologetic. It diminishes only slightly at her reassurance. ALSO EXCUSE ME? BEING BATHED IN IT?]
It would be fine if you wanted it. I don't... sleep very well or very often really anyway.
[But will she be able to sleep when he's up tinkering at the desk at 4 AM. His smile is so tight it's more of a frown. He glances away.]
No. I grew up in the Undercity. The water there is polluted. At least, that's the reason the doctors gave me.
also yeah. don't worry about it it's totally normal!!! anyway. this bed is going to be a source of an argument for like eight years. she ignores what he says about it, because she refuses to take a potential bed away from a man who is going to die? she's not cruel.]
... I see. [a pause.] Do you have magic, where you're from?
[another friend!! he's a big friend. as for the rest, she shrugs. and is kind of bemused about the mention of god, for some reason. there's more than one, silly.]
Well, yes. In a sense. But they've given us the ability to do it. So I don't see why you wouldn't take advantage of it. [tilts her head...] Temenos is a cleric, you know.
but she doesn't seem to begrudge him this - she also does not... care, a whole lot, at this point in time. rip viktor she thinks you're fine but also if you want to die that's not her problem]
Not as far as I know. [shrug.] If you're really curious you can ask Temenos. He's the expert.
[a beat.]
Sacrifice isn't... needed, when it comes to the gods. They're more indifferent than anything.
[Gods being indifferent? What must it be like to watch a lesser being struggle and continue on with apathy? What must it be like to bestow upon a child a disease that'll kill him before his prime?
But it's fine. He is a science man, he does not believe in God. Not... traditional God, at least. Maybe the godliness of the natural world.]
[it's so funny to talk to people who come from canons where god is a concept and not like, there are eight of them and they exist and give us magical powers so it's really hard to be an athiest here
she nods a bit, and then:]
Sure. You shouldn't suffer if there's a solution. [that's all.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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a beat, and then:]
You don't need to be scared of me.
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He looks like a deer in the headlights briefly, like he's been caught, you know, BEING SCARED OF HER. Which is true. But he thought he was pretending not to be. But he sucks at it, so it's obvious. HELP HIM.]
I...
[If he says he wasn't, he knows she'll call bullshit.]
Sorry. It's strange being... somewhere else with many people I don't know. But you didn't hurt me before. And if you have a friend... I don't think I have much to worry about.
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which is to say she's pretty decently good at telling when people are scared of her, specifically, but all other emotions she has trouble with, sweats.]
... I understand. [really. there's something empathetic there. she has the same concerns.] I don't like to hurt people if I can help it.
[there's a pause, and then:] I'll tell you a secret, if you'd like.
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He looks surprised, and then smiles weakly (but genuinely!) at her. WHAT DOES SHE MEAN SHE DOESN'T LIKE TO HURT PEOPLE............. He'll come back to that.]
Alright. I'll trade you one in return.
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Sure. [a little twitch of the lips.] I hate the smell of blood. It makes me feel sick.
[so like. this is her way of reassuring him, ig]
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Viktor's brows rise, but then his expression softens into... something minutely guilty, and he glances away as if considering what to give in return.
Guess he should be honest since they are forced to be roomies.]
...I'm terminally ill.
[HE SAYS THIS SO GRAVELY AND QUICKLY. Also refusing to look at her.]
I do... sometimes... Um. Anyway, I... will be careful. I don't think it's enough to smell.
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to her credit, maybe, she doesn't react strongly or try and coddle him? she just looks surprised, and then... leans, a little, leaning forward to try and catch his gaze.]
... It'll be fine. It won't bother me. [it's like, big puddles of it or being bathed in it that she doesn't like. which is very normal and not weird thank you.]
Well. Now you're really not going to convince me to take the bed. [you fool] ... There's really nothing to be done?
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He does look when she leans forward, though his expression is apologetic. It diminishes only slightly at her reassurance. ALSO EXCUSE ME? BEING BATHED IN IT?]
It would be fine if you wanted it. I don't... sleep very well or very often really anyway.
[But will she be able to sleep when he's up tinkering at the desk at 4 AM. His smile is so tight it's more of a frown. He glances away.]
No. I grew up in the Undercity. The water there is polluted. At least, that's the reason the doctors gave me.
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also yeah. don't worry about it it's totally normal!!! anyway. this bed is going to be a source of an argument for like eight years. she ignores what he says about it, because she refuses to take a potential bed away from a man who is going to die? she's not cruel.]
... I see. [a pause.] Do you have magic, where you're from?
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Yes, the arcane. [BADUMMMM says the name of the show] It can usually only be used by people who are born with the ability to harness it. Mages.
......but. [The mischievous smile is so tiny and weak.] I did help my partner find a way to allow anyone to access it.
We created Hextech.
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... Hah. [she leans back a bit, crossing her leg over the other.] Interesting. Osvald would like you.
[a pause, and then:] Is there anything like healing magic that this Hextech can do?
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Another friend?
[JUST A FRIEND. He does not assign her sleeping with friends. Unfortunately, the teasing fades considerably into something a little morose.]
...No. We've only used the hex crystals to create things that help make work or life easier for others. Mining gauntlets. An artificer's claw.
Merging Hextech with something biological... It's... a bit like playing God, don't you think?
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[another friend!! he's a big friend. as for the rest, she shrugs. and is kind of bemused about the mention of god, for some reason. there's more than one, silly.]
Well, yes. In a sense. But they've given us the ability to do it. So I don't see why you wouldn't take advantage of it. [tilts her head...] Temenos is a cleric, you know.
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Viktor unfortunately is so full of pessimism, he doesn't look quite convinced.]
I don't know if it's something that can be just whisked away so easily. It isn't a scratch. It's--inside me.
[HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE? HE IS TERMINAL.]
And someone said people here were feeling weaker than normal.
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anyway, she raises an eyebrow.]
... Well, yes. Nobody has access to anything, at the moment. But I don't see why inside you would make a difference. A body is a body.
[granted, she's not a cleric, but.]
I couldn't promise anything, but if you have nothing to lose, I don't see why you wouldn't try. Unless you want to die.
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The pensive frown on his face grows. It isn't her, or her attempt to help. Sometimes, you have your own hang-ups.]
What... is the catch? Playing around with life and death when it comes to magic... There is always some kind of sacrifice, right?
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but she doesn't seem to begrudge him this - she also does not... care, a whole lot, at this point in time. rip viktor she thinks you're fine but also if you want to die that's not her problem]
Not as far as I know. [shrug.] If you're really curious you can ask Temenos. He's the expert.
[a beat.]
Sacrifice isn't... needed, when it comes to the gods. They're more indifferent than anything.
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I'll... keep that in mind.
[Gods being indifferent? What must it be like to watch a lesser being struggle and continue on with apathy? What must it be like to bestow upon a child a disease that'll kill him before his prime?
But it's fine. He is a science man, he does not believe in God. Not... traditional God, at least. Maybe the godliness of the natural world.]
Thank you.
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she nods a bit, and then:]
Sure. You shouldn't suffer if there's a solution. [that's all.]
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It just depends on what the solution might be. Some of them will cause you to do wrong in the pursuit of what you thought was good.
Sorry--I'll... think about it. I do appreciate the help.
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I suppose you have to decide what your freedom is worth. [but! a nod.] ... I think you'll be an acceptable roommate, Viktor.
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Well, I'm glad to pass the rigorous inspection.
[Teasing.]
If you need anything, you can tell me.
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[and she seems like she means that! you are now blorbo.]
I'll be back later. Take care of the room for us, hm?