The return sensation is confusing, and then he realizes it's someone else weaseling through. Startles, he turns to look. OH, THE BABY. NOOOO. Thankfully, Viktor at least understands by this point what the hell is happening.
The feelings abate slightly beneath the surprise, then the concern. He hobbles a few steps in Shoma's direction, but stops.]
[ he would love if all of you fucks would stop saying these things are fine!!! anyway, viktor turns to look at him and the expression on shoma's face is. well. pain, obviously, but there's something else a little unreadable in it as he's busy shaking it off. he holds up a hand as if to stop viktor, but it's obvious from his emotions that it's not a signal to stay away. it's a signal to make him stop moving when this is very obviously something he deals with constantly. ]
I feel like I should be asking you that instead. [ because yeah? he has also figured out what's going on this week. ]
[He waits for a few long moments before he gives up and starts walking stiltedly toward Shoma. The ache in the back is still dull, but each step of the right leg gently thumps it.
He does finally stop near Shoma, leaning on the crutch.]
If it's too unbearable, I can leave you be until this hopefully passes...
...Okay, let's sit. Though you may have to lend me a hand when getting up.
[Not many people ask if he'd like to sit, but it might be less they are heartless and more they don't want him offended by thinking they believe he can't stand.]
[ listen he's giving him a choice, he's not forcing the man to sit if he really doesn't want to. but he will immediately try to take over the sim, pulling up his iris and working on changing it until the scene is different.
he does lead him to a table so they can have a sit though. despite my picture, the restaurant is empty. ]
I think I'm more worried because you're used to it, actually. [ ... ] It's been this way since you were young, right?
[ "The other kids... didn't want to play with the cripple. I couldn't go where they went." he remembers. ]
[Well, so much for sitting down. He follows Shoma to a table, but moves right on past it. HE'S TOO BUSY BEING AMAZED AT SEEING SOMEONE ELSE'S STUFF!! He slowly waddles a bit farther, though stays close to the table, turning his head this way and that.
Looking at the bar, the pictures on the wall. He is awed!!! It's something new! OH RIGHT, the question.]
Ah--um, yes. I was born with a bad leg, and I wore a brace when I got older. And then my spine began to deteriorate. I assume that must be what you feel?
[ oh my god he made a mistake FUCK he should have known. he should have known viktor was this brand of nerd, because he is this brand of nerd. anyway, welcome to the mermaid cafe. the pictures on the wall are portraits of the different mermaids so he'll see a lot of girls ranging from high school age to early 20s mostly. the lighting is mood lighting and he'll get the vibe that it's usually a busy place.
shoma's sitting and just watching him go because again, he's not forcing the man to sit if he doesn't want to. there are chairs though. ]
I think so. It's similar to what you're describing. Constant pain like that though...the body grows used to it and the pain tolerance becomes higher, but it's still...a lot.
He stands there for a long while, checking everything out. Why are there high school mermaid girls, no. And then he glances at Shoma.] It just gets easier to ignore. Because you don't know it any other way. [He makes his way back to Shoma, but on Shoma's side.]
I have a bit of a secret.
[He turns to offer Shoma is back, but glances over a shoulder.]
...yeah, I get it. [ unfortunately the vibes are not lying. sometimes things impact you, and you just deal because you can't really change them. nevertheless, before he can say anything else viktor is coming back and offering his spine. there's an air of confusion from shoma for a moment, looking at viktor's back and then at viktor's face before he does as suggested.
There is a metallic ting along the bottom half of Viktor's spine. It doesn't echo very loud, but it does sound like metal. And it's hard. It doesn't disturb the ache; however, it does give a sensation of reverberating up the spine?
There is a bit of sad amusement that bleeds through.]
It's just a brace. [Before Shoma gets wild ideas.] But it helps a little.
[ he twitches a little with the weird sensation, though he hums to himself as he observes viktor's emotions and the way the brace is wound around him. ]
...I'm glad something does. And that they actually let you keep it. [ he remembers this man hobbling around without his crutch, god. ] Did you craft it? Or someone else?
He FINALLY turns around and sits down at the table with Shoma. Suddenly, I'm wondering if the table is not solid because it's a simulation, but I am making it solid for us.]
I did.
[In before Arcane tells me he did not in the second season.]
I made the brace to hook onto the screws the doctors put in my back.
[ stop this better be solid!! but viktor has a sit and shoma sits up a little taller to face him. good. less worry. ]
...I guess it's better to do it yourself so you know exactly how it'll work with you. [ there's still a little tinge of unhappiness. ] How long ago was that though?
[He props the top of the crutch against himself with the leg leaned out across the floor and away.]
I got the brace for my leg when I was a teenager. My family was too poor to afford anything when I was your age. The back brace, I got about several years ago.
Are you sure... this isn't too... um, [what's the word he's looking for] upsetting for you to listen to?
[ he doesn't seem like it's upsetting entirely. more like he's frustrated how unfair it is for someone to suffer. ]
No, it's okay. I guess I just can't really imagine how it must've been without another option at the time. [ there's also a ping of understanding about not being able to afford things, along with a weird, complex emotion that pops up a little every now and then that's hard to pinpoint. ] There's nothing else that can be done to help?
[Lifts this baby boy up. Kind. :face_holding_back_tears:
Viktor glances away in and effort to pretend like he is looking at the simulation still. An iron ball of guilt settles in Shoma's stomach.]
Nothing ethical probably. [The laugh he huffs is deathly quiet and humorless.] Wouldn't it be nice to just be able to replace all your parts with machinery when they start failing?
[ oh hm. viktor says that and shoma can't quite bury the brief pulse of something like fear and also anger at the idea of unethical treatments. ]
...it's a possibility where I'm from, sort of. You hear about it all the time with companies making prosthetic limbs and everything. [ ... ] I know a few people with false eyes, too. At least then you know how to take care of those pieces when something goes wrong. It's...harder to fix something organic that's just a part of you.
[Ha ha... It's fine. He will try not to scare the guy with unethical medical practices.
Using the top of the crutch, he props his chin up not unlike a child on a table. Head rest.]
I guess the screws in me are a start. It isn't a bad idea... I think it's something possible for me. [Shoma can sort of feel him swallow.] Well, it would be possible, depending on how things go.
but he does sort of grin, even if it's not entirely amused because the situation's still making him very thoughtful. ]
Well, I've never built something like that before, but I could figure it out. [ this is half a tease and half serious because he does in fact later talk to someone else about maybe offering to build viktor a better brace. it's fine. ]
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The return sensation is confusing, and then he realizes it's someone else weaseling through. Startles, he turns to look. OH, THE BABY. NOOOO. Thankfully, Viktor at least understands by this point what the hell is happening.
The feelings abate slightly beneath the surprise, then the concern. He hobbles a few steps in Shoma's direction, but stops.]
Shoma? Sorry, are you alright?
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I feel like I should be asking you that instead. [ because yeah? he has also figured out what's going on this week. ]
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He does finally stop near Shoma, leaning on the crutch.]
If it's too unbearable, I can leave you be until this hopefully passes...
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…it's okay. [ IS IT. ] We can sit if you want? I don't know if that will help or make no difference though.
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...Okay, let's sit. Though you may have to lend me a hand when getting up.
[Not many people ask if he'd like to sit, but it might be less they are heartless and more they don't want him offended by thinking they believe he can't stand.]
You don't have to worry. I've gotten used to it.
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he does lead him to a table so they can have a sit though. despite my picture, the restaurant is empty. ]
I think I'm more worried because you're used to it, actually. [ ... ] It's been this way since you were young, right?
[ "The other kids... didn't want to play with the cripple. I couldn't go where they went." he remembers. ]
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Looking at the bar, the pictures on the wall. He is awed!!! It's something new! OH RIGHT, the question.]
Ah--um, yes. I was born with a bad leg, and I wore a brace when I got older. And then my spine began to deteriorate. I assume that must be what you feel?
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shoma's sitting and just watching him go because again, he's not forcing the man to sit if he doesn't want to. there are chairs though. ]
I think so. It's similar to what you're describing. Constant pain like that though...the body grows used to it and the pain tolerance becomes higher, but it's still...a lot.
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He stands there for a long while, checking everything out. Why are there high school mermaid girls, no. And then he glances at Shoma.] It just gets easier to ignore. Because you don't know it any other way. [He makes his way back to Shoma, but on Shoma's side.]
I have a bit of a secret.
[He turns to offer Shoma is back, but glances over a shoulder.]
Well. Give it a tap.
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...yeah, I get it. [ unfortunately the vibes are not lying. sometimes things impact you, and you just deal because you can't really change them. nevertheless, before he can say anything else viktor is coming back and offering his spine. there's an air of confusion from shoma for a moment, looking at viktor's back and then at viktor's face before he does as suggested.
taptap? ]
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There is a metallic ting along the bottom half of Viktor's spine. It doesn't echo very loud, but it does sound like metal. And it's hard. It doesn't disturb the ache; however, it does give a sensation of reverberating up the spine?
There is a bit of sad amusement that bleeds through.]
It's just a brace. [Before Shoma gets wild ideas.] But it helps a little.
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...I'm glad something does. And that they actually let you keep it. [ he remembers this man hobbling around without his crutch, god. ] Did you craft it? Or someone else?
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He FINALLY turns around and sits down at the table with Shoma. Suddenly, I'm wondering if the table is not solid because it's a simulation, but I am making it solid for us.]
I did.
[In before Arcane tells me he did not in the second season.]
I made the brace to hook onto the screws the doctors put in my back.
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...I guess it's better to do it yourself so you know exactly how it'll work with you. [ there's still a little tinge of unhappiness. ] How long ago was that though?
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I got the brace for my leg when I was a teenager. My family was too poor to afford anything when I was your age. The back brace, I got about several years ago.
Are you sure... this isn't too... um, [what's the word he's looking for] upsetting for you to listen to?
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No, it's okay. I guess I just can't really imagine how it must've been without another option at the time. [ there's also a ping of understanding about not being able to afford things, along with a weird, complex emotion that pops up a little every now and then that's hard to pinpoint. ] There's nothing else that can be done to help?
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Viktor glances away in and effort to pretend like he is looking at the simulation still. An iron ball of guilt settles in Shoma's stomach.]
Nothing ethical probably. [The laugh he huffs is deathly quiet and humorless.] Wouldn't it be nice to just be able to replace all your parts with machinery when they start failing?
Like Roboji.
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...it's a possibility where I'm from, sort of. You hear about it all the time with companies making prosthetic limbs and everything. [ ... ] I know a few people with false eyes, too. At least then you know how to take care of those pieces when something goes wrong. It's...harder to fix something organic that's just a part of you.
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Using the top of the crutch, he props his chin up not unlike a child on a table. Head rest.]
I guess the screws in me are a start. It isn't a bad idea... I think it's something possible for me. [Shoma can sort of feel him swallow.] Well, it would be possible, depending on how things go.
If there's time.
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anyway he watches him for a moment. ]
...I guess then it's a matter of if you want it to be possible.
[ ...if there's time, huh. ]
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Something to think about at least.
[He looks back at Shoma.]
So when I begin to become the machine man, do I give you a ring when I need some parts?
[He's teasing.]
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but he does sort of grin, even if it's not entirely amused because the situation's still making him very thoughtful. ]
Well, I've never built something like that before, but I could figure it out. [ this is half a tease and half serious because he does in fact later talk to someone else about maybe offering to build viktor a better brace. it's fine. ]
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Even if there are a lot of parts that needs fixing...?
[HE IS STILL TEASING even though it's clear he knows Shoma is being genuine.]
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I can multitask. [ ... ] Besides, isn't it better to give people the option that allows a little more freedom?
[ limitations...suck. ]
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You have a point, yes. If you're worried about my freedom, you don't have to worry. I've always preferred staying in a room and working on something.
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