malleiform | OPEN POST;

Sure.

[ Of course he would. If it made Viktor's life easier, he would. Plus, having more time to talk before they went their separate ways sounded nice to him. Spending more time together will be helpful for their partnership. ]

At your workshop? [ Eyes light up. ] Yes. I would love to, Viktor. That would be great.

[ He loves the idea of seeing where Viktor works that's not at their lab. ]

I'll call for a carriage, then.

E-e-eh, don't get too excited. It's a very humble spot, overlooking the aqueducts into the Undercity. The Professor calls it my steel oasis. Rather poetic for him.

[Viktor shrugs and closes up his current notebook, adding some finality to the night. They've done enough, they deserve a break and to spend... time together outside of the lab.

In his tireness, Viktor doesn't guard his pleased expression that Jayce will be joining him. He looks like he did that night in Jayce's exploded room, eyes bright with a spark of new possibilities,]

That is very gracious of you, Jayce. Allow me to clean up here while you get that arranged. [one chore traded for another, it works out best that way between them, gives them more time to spend on the important stuff]

[ Viktor is telling him to not get excited, but he can't help himself. While he tries to turn down how excited he seemed, on the inside he was buzzing. It was a chance to learn more bout his partner. Jayce feels like he knows the most important things — that Viktor is brilliant and he and Jayce can keep up with one another. He knows some of his mannerisms that come with sitting by one another working for long hours.

But there's a lot he doesn't know still. He wants the insight to Viktor and his life that he may not otherwise get. It's not about whether or not it's humble. ]

Alright, fair trade.

[ But he'll certainly help pick up anything that needs it once he's done with calling a carriage. ]

I'll be right back, then.

[ So he can step out and get one called for both of them. It takes a short time, given that it's past typical working hours. ]

[As promised, Viktor tidies up their failed projects of the day, before shutting their lab down. Gathering his cane, he locks up without further delay. The exhaustion is catching up with him so he needs to catch up with Jayce. He'll meet the man down where a late night carriage would pull around the courtyard of the Academy grounds.

The low light of the empty campus hides well the haggard look and dark bags beneath Viktor's eyes. What is doesn't hide is how heavily he's leaning on his cane, shifting over onto his bad side for support rather than the opposite hand where he usually held it to walk with.

He's happy to see Jayce has manage to secure such a late night ride for them, if anybody could charm his way to it, it would be his partner,]

Well done, Jayce. I'm so tried I would have slept under our desk, otherwise. [more viable than him trying to walk home at this hour and with his remaining energy]

[ He delights in a job well done. And he's even happier to help his partner out with a ride home. He's still learning a lot, but he does notice the shift in the cane placement when the other walks. He's well memorized the sound of Viktor's footsteps partnered with the cane.

A carriage there, and ready for them both, Jayce takes a couple of quick steps to meet Viktor and walk beside him for the last few of it - he snaps his jaw shut. ]

Viktor, no. That's a terrible idea.

[ Viktor may have bumped up a couch higher on his priority list with those words alone. Thankfully, it's a non-issue. Jayce himself is tired, but the tired of a sort where parts of his mind still buzz from curiosity and excitement. He hopes he sleeps at some point. But even if he doesn't sleep well, he'll make effort to close his eyes and turn off. He shifts back so that Viktor can step onto the carriage first, following behind him. ]

I know, I know... [he jokes back with Jayce, before shrugging and muttering,]

Slept on enough floors in my lifetime.

[An absolute throw away thing for him to say, being from the Undercity, but it would be more of an insight to Jayce. Viktor doesn't much talk about his past, to hear him joking is a sign of his comfort with the other man. Mentioning it just brought attention to it and Jayce was one of the only people he'd do that with. He'd done so when talking the man off a ledge, after all...

He'll get into the carriage, sitting opposite Jayce. Which he kind of regrets, because Viktor wants to stretch his leg out. So, he makes a bit of waving gesture, ordering softly,]

Scoot, if you can, I'm joining you- [he uses his cane to hoist and pivot himself around, getting practically thrown back into the bench Jayce was on. Makes him "oof-!" because aah, that's not the best action on his back. He covers for his achiness with nudging his shoulder into Jayce's arm, since they ended up pretty flush side-by-side,]

Not crowding you, am I? [he's so slight that crowding anybody is rather humorous, right? Yet, in the confines of a carriage all things are possible, even that.]

[ He raises a brow and lets the comment pass without comment, but keeps it in his memory. He wouldn't really know what it was like for Viktor. His experience in the Undercity is limited primarily to procuring things that he otherwise couldn't find in Piltover.

Seeing the wave, he understands, and shifts his weight to scoot to give Viktor some space. He moves until he gets to the edge of carriage, making himself as comfortable as one possibly could on a carriage.

He shakes his head. Of course Viktor isn't crowding him. There would need to be less space for something like that. He laughs a little. ]

Not crowded at all.

[ It's oddly and awkwardly comfortable. But Jayce doesn't really mind being close to people. ]

More comfortable here?

[ He considers the shift in position and he has to hope that it's comfortable for Viktor. ]

Nooow, I am. [he draws the first work out with a grunt of a sound, lifting his own leg up with both hands. Viktor's ankle rests on the opposite seat so his leg can stretch out elevated. He sighs with relief after making that push, slumping back with exhaustion after.]

Hate to admit it... but I might need a brace for this leg soon. [Viktor's still what most would consider a young man, not even thirty yet, but his body is not holding up. It never had, a doomed provenance, growing up in the choked air of the Undercity fissures...]

Or a taller cane, that's also an idea. [He's carrying one Jayce made for him after his was broken holding the door closed to their first experiment. It was still hip height, but Jayce has mentioned it could be welded again for an extension, if Viktor ever needed. He is attached to it, now, having carried and used it throughout their partnership. Replacement felt wrong, but upgrading... that would do well.

Funny, Viktor has never felt sentimental towards objects before meeting Jayce. Objects always come and go, but he has a few tokens of their bond he's attached to.]

[ Jayce watches him with continuing curiosity. He makes zero attempt to hide both the fact that he's watching and that he's interested in Viktor - his life, the way his mind works, what he needs. He's more than happy to give his partner and friend things he needs.

Especially if it makes his life easier.

He likes to help, but he knows he's a little bit selfish in that he knows easier lives for the both of them will help their work. ]

Well, I'll get right to that, then.

[ A problem he can solve - that doesn't feel like they're missing half the targets they aim for. It's something he's confident that he can complete with ease. ]

Maybe both? We can even see what's most comfortable for you. Or what helps the most.

Perhaps-.... after this current project. I do not want to take your time away from what we are working on, Jayce.

[They have deadlines, funding meetings, demonstrations to prepare, and presentations to practice... it is already such demanding work! To ask Jayce to do more just for his own sake does not sit well with Viktor. He's just so prone to working himself beyond any limits.

Jayce is usually the one with good sense. Maybe that's starting to influence Viktor, having been the one to call it a night this time. He wobbles his head lightly back and forth, shoulders staying in place as he makes the quirky gesture of weighing options,]

I do have a prototype leg brace at the workshop. Your input on the design could be helpful. [a short bounce of his shoulders in a dismissive half-laugh at himself,] It is presently made of scraps. Could certainly use the Talis touch.

[he means being properly forged, but it's cuter to say it that way]

[ They have a lot to do, don't they? He sighs because he'll agree to Viktor's terms and start after their current project. But that doesn't mean that he won't be thinking about the work and the offer. It'd be nice to do something without a deadline or a meeting or proposal and everything else attached to it.

Just something to do for his partner. ]

Oh - I'd love to see the prototype! [ Bright grin, as if Viktor just sparked every piece of interest and excitement with the way he worded that. ]

And of course I'll share any input I have. And you can make sure you let me know what you need, too. After all, you know what you need best.

[ He's practically buzzing with interest and excitement tonight. He had been exhausted and ready to sleep just an hour before but future projects, Viktor's workspace outside their spared lab. Everything has rejuvenated him with energy. ]

You certainly seem enthused, Jayce. Perhaps we need to jump from project to project more often, might keep us better energized.

[He slumps just a bit more towards Jayce, not quite tilting his head to rest on his partner's shoulder, but he could. He could if he just allowed himself to. Something holds him back, maybe it's just a sense of propriety. The two are close, but are they that kind of close-? Viktor has a difficult time navigating that with someone who represents both business, ambition, and passion.

Telling Jayce that last one would also be a bit... much. Viktor clears his throat,]

I have so many abandoned projects at the shop, you'll see. Practically a graveyard for how many ideas I started without many breakthroughs. [Viktor was brilliant, so of course he'd had successes, but failure was more often the result. Heimerdinger has admired that about him, Viktor's persistent nature, never daunted by learning from his mistakes. There was value in failure, Viktor embraced that a long time ago.]

[ When Viktor gets close, he can feel his heart race. Jayce has attributed this to his proximity to people he simply likes the company of and his excitement over projects and working with Viktor. He's comfortable with the closeness, though. He's always enjoyed having people close, but there's a different bubble that Viktor's allowed into in his mind. One with shared spaces and work tables and endless journals filled with formulas.

He doesn't share that with anyone else. ]

Of course I'm enthused. A change of pace can help inspire the old work, too. Maybe we'll get new ideas. I can't wait to see.

[ He feels as the carriage seems to be slowing, they may be approaching the destination already. ]

Don't get too excited- we also shouldn't go getting distracted from our present goals.

[Viktor jokes more than chastises, because he's the one guilty of that. He'll catch a good lead and then go back to something from the past to see if there's something new he could tinker into it... only to lose his train of thought on his most recent project. A vicious cycle of redoing the same work because he lost focus. Jayce has definitely helped with that, but Hextech is so fascinating and has so much room for new breakthroughs. They're spoiled for innovation making in the space.

The carriage begins to roll to a stop and Viktor jumps the gun, distracted by his own mind from their current situation. He pulls his leg off the opposite seat and moves to stand. Only for the carriage wheel to clunk down hard into a pothole, something common out in the industrial district Viktor lives in. It tosses him back and he lands squarely on Jayce's thigh and likely bumps flailing arms back into him.]

Ooof..! Ah... I'm sorry, Jayce, are you alright-? [how couldn't he be, he's got Viktor half sat in his lap about now? The carriage driver is going to open the door in a moment and think something very different was going on between them, if Viktor doesn't up and move again quick like]

[ Jayce grunts in surprised then gets quiet, simply blinking when Viktor jumps the gun and lands in what he would only describe as his lap. His heart races for a moment as he tries to gather his thoughts about the sort of impression that this will give just about anyone who stumbled on this. He's only cared about the impressions that he gave people when it disrupted his work. If it didn't, he didn't care.

He brings a hand up to settle on Viktor's waist, an attempt to steady the man before he even thinks to try and move again. He knows that if he rushes to it, he'll likely just end up back here in Jayce's lap again. ]

Of course. I'm fine.

[ There's a sort of wavering confidence in his voice that he tries to shake off. But really - he's very much alright. He's making absolutely zero rush to get Viktor off of him despite the impeding exit of this carriage. And he knows damn well that this is going to be on his mind well beyond this carriage ride. And he neatly shoves anything but work related thoughts to the back of his mind. ]

Why don't I —?

[ Help. Without overstepping, of course. He doesn't want to make Viktor feel helpless by his offer. With the carriage stopping, he can hear the driver's feet hit the ground after a short moment. ]

Jayce- your hand-?

[Viktor looks down when Jayce lays his palm and fingers down around his waist. His tone is curious, like he's calculating something, intrigued rather than dismayed at the touch. His own hand briefly falls over Jayce's knuckles, before there is an interruption of the odd moment-

The driver opens the door. Viktor winces briefly at the blare of streetlamp light into the darker cabin. He's not embarrassed, the driver doesn't blink twice, he's probably used to far more scandalous late-night drives than these two have on display.

Welp, no more delay, Viktor anchors his cane down into the floor to help move along, permitting Jayce's help,]

Yes. Go right ahead. And thank you... [Some help staying steady to get out of the carriage is all he needs. Once his feet and the cane are beneath him properly, he's fine with walking away from the carriage on his own. Distractedly patting at his own clothing to find his keys to home, no comment on that being awkward to spare,]

[ There's a moment where Jayce doesn't process where he's put his hand, even after Viktor's called him out. His brain scrambles and he's momentarily relieved to see the driver to distract him from whatever he's done without a single thought. At least he's not embarrassed by the touch. Nor is he bothered that he was caught in a moment like this.

He removes his hand when they're shifting to take the steps to get out of the carriage. He's glad to hear permission given. ]

Always happy to help.

[ Genuinely. He likes to be useful. He likes to help people — even more so his friend and partner. But he also didn't want Viktor to think that he had to accept a hand. He shifts, moving to step out of the carriage so that he can help Viktor take those steps and steady himself. He'll offer his hand and arm to support, knowing Viktor can take whatever method he'd like until he's sure of his feet on the ground. ]

[The hand is taken to steady himself as Viktor leaves the carriage, lingering perhaps a moment too long before he's got his cane to lean on and needs to look for his keys. Finding them, he gets back to stride, moving to his door. It does appear as any other industrial entryway in the district, begging the question how Viktor came to live in a place that was so clearly nonresidential.

Yet, it suits him. Unlocking the heavy door with a three part lock, clearly mindful of his own security. The safety of his many projects. He does need to shoulder the door for the heft to swing open and then the warehouse is open and largely dark ahead of them. Viktor flips a light on, with a buzz-buzz-buzz-flicker three tiers of overhead lanterns come alive.

Workshop and living space in one, Viktor gestures Jayce a warm welcome,]

Come along inside, Jayce. [he'll push the door closed behind them, the locks flipping shut due to their careful engineering by Viktor. The warehouse is overflowing with machines and prototypes. Many the clear start of their own work together, brought to the Academy lab for finalization or tinkering once Viktor was confident enough. It's tidy and organized in most places, though the work desks are cluttered with tools, drafts, and half-built projects. The whole environment feels very much like Viktor.]

[ He notices the absence. He recognizes the second Viktor's hand pulls away. He doesn't keep track of how long it lingered. He didn't care. He would have allowed him to hold onto him for as long as he needed. He takes in the outside of the place, and he'd agree - it does suit Viktor. He couldn't pinpoint why, just was something simply true to him.

He's polite at first, waiting to be given direct permission to enter the space. He picks up his feet and immediately moves inside once it's given. He folds his arms behind his back as he takes a look around. He's careful to keep his hands off anything until he knows something is alright to touch. ]

It's amazing in here.

[ He's in awe, honestly. Impressed by things that had been worked by Viktor's hand. Projects - incomplete as they were - still were impressive to him. His eyes are wide with fascination as he takes everything in. ]

You're free to look arou- [Viktor's voice drags out in a yawn before recovering, shielding his face with the back of a hand while he makes the involuntary noise,] -oouuu.. nd... in the morning.

[He makes a vague waving gesture before moving towards the far wall. The vast majority of the space was being taken up by workshop and storage. Carved just along one edge was an modest kitchen, just enough space for a stove, some counter space, a couple of cabinets, and a small bar with a couple of stools to sit at. Presumably to eat, though half of it was again taken up with drafts and newspapers. Clearly, Viktor was often sat their alone despite the extra seat for company. He busies himself in clearing that off so Jayce can feel welcome,]

If you start perusing now, we'll get no sleep. Then we'll be no better off than if we stayed in the lab.

[Reasonable, he knows, though it does sound nice to get lost in Jayce examining his past works. He's proud of many of them, they're very much what is informing their current projects, it can be good to look back on the inspiration and find other ideas, remember past mistakes and flaws... Ah, he's still in work mode, isn't he? He distracts himself asking,]

... I could put on a kettle, if you'd like a nighttime tea? [a nice chamomile would do, to help them both get to sleep, right?]

[ A polite nod of his head. He pays no mind to whether or not there's space for him. Whether Viktor is moving things to make him feel like he has a little space here. It's Viktor's home, and the way it is can give him a lot of insight to who he is.

But Viktor's right. If he starts looking around and getting too invested, before he knows it - the sun will rise and he won't have slept at all. And then tomorrow will be far more terrible and exhausting than it should be.

He nods as he answers. ]

Oh, sure. A tea would be good.

[ He does like tea. It would be nice have something that helps him turn off for awhile and get at least a few hours of sleep. He can sleep fairly soundly once he's out, so all he needs is that little nudge. ]

I'll keep my hands and eyes to myself until the morning, then.

[ The temptation is too great for him otherwise. ]

You are ever the gentlemen, Jayce.

[Viktor has the absolute audacity for his dry tone to sound disappointed. He doesn't really catch himself, too tired for tone policing himself. Hands and eyes to himself... If only not.

What is he thinking? Viktor shakes his head with a huff of a laugh and moves to flip on his oven and get the kettle heating up. He watches the low circle of fire go for a moment before he says, without looking back,]

My bed is big enough to share, [he then jokes with a lighter tone,] unless that discomforts your un-wandering hands and eyes. I often sleep on my couch, I am not bothered either way.

My mother raised me to be.

[ Ever polite and courteous, especially after the small incident on the carriage where his hands wondered a little more than he anticipated they would. The silly things have a mind of their own, he thinks. They should stay at his side for now. ]

We can share, that's fine. I'd never ask you to take the couch, anyway.

[ It's no big deal to him to share. And if Viktor were uncomfortable, he'd sooner take the couch than ask his friend to give up his bed. He's perfectly content sleeping wherever he ends up. It's no big deal to him. ]

I see no reason I'd be uncomfortable with that!

Hmm, that settles that, then. [Viktor concludes, tone casual. He leans his hips against the countertop area, his kitchenette space with just a small space for food prep, storage, and his stove. Watching the fire roar beneath the kettle a moment, he is contemplative before going back to the previous topic, as if he couldn't just let it settle,]

I am curious, [he's always curious, but not so often about personal matters, so it might strike Jayce that he's asking about this,]

How does your mother feel about this partnership of ours? Hextech was always your dream... but she pleaded for you to give it up at the trial. I suppose, at best, she must not care for me. [He isn't sure he should elaborate why he thinks that. Isn't it obvious? If not to the reasons of him being from the Undercity, being the enciting force to drive Jayce to risk worse banishment, or simply taking Jayce away in handcuffs their first meeting. Not all are good reasons to resent Viktor, but they are... reasons.]

Hm?

[ It does surprise him. If only because of the two of them, Jayce is the more inclined to ask personal questions and get into people's spaces - both literally and not. He liked Viktor, he saw no reason that he shouldn't be curious about someone who he enjoyed the company of.

The answer comes with an earnest honesty. ]

Not at all. Ma thinks very highly of you. She appreciates that I have someone in my life that shares my passion and interest.

[ Someone who understands him better than others tend to. Plus, Jayce has spoken really highly of Viktor to her, so he supposes that his mom's perception of Viktor would be from mostly what Jayce says or from the very few times she's been to their lab. ]

I don't know that she loves Hextech or anything. But she will be happy as long as I am.

[ He doesn't mention what Viktor did for him the day they met in his apartment after that trial. He doesn't really need to. But that certainly isn't hurting the case. ]

The brief times I have met her, she was very kind... I just presumed, eh, [what is he trying to say? It's late, his mind is a bit scattered and unfocused. The water in the kettle is beginning to boil, he can hear it getting ready to yell out, so he takes it off. Busied with a task of preparing them each a cup of tea, Viktor goes on,]

I've been met with a lot of... surface level tolerance, from those in Piltover. Kindness masking disdain, for politeness sake. I find it difficult to read.

[he finishes the cups off with some milk and dash of honey, making them both the way he likes them out of habit. Turning with one in each hand, he offers Jayce one first,]

... now I feel rather foolish. You're the most genuine man in Piltover. I shouldn't have doubted your mother for passing along the trait. [Viktor's really not someone for compliments, so he really means them when they cross his mind and make it all the way to his mouth]

[ He fidgets a little, moving his fingers over the surface of the table, small circles tracing as he talks with Viktor. He's quiet for a moment, taking in the compliment and opting to think before he speaks again. The smile is soft. ]

Thanks, she'd take that as a compliment, too. [ That she raised him well enough to be perceived in such a way. ]

She does mean it, though. I promise that.

[ It's not like Jayce had a lot of friends. He had classmates and peers, and then he had Caitlyn - before he met Viktor. And then he had Viktor. And Viktor became such a prominent part of his world that it would have been hard for her to do anything but accept him. ]

Makes it easier to make sure we're not misunderstood.

Edited 2025-10-02 03:06 (UTC)

I believe you. Seems like a Talis family trait... wearing one's heart upon their sleeve.

["It's refreshing," saying Viktor's tone, because he is so used to those of Piltover having two faces. He had to develop that in some way, a mask to get by with and keep his true self safe. With Jayce, he doesn't need that, he can just... be. There's a weight removed from Viktor for that.

Which, he does feel very heavy, still standing. He really might have collapsed if tehy had to walk all the way here. With a turn to face Jayce fully, he sets his cane at the edge of the counter before pressing both his palms down into it. A swift gesture and he sits himself up on the edge of it, legs dangling. It's his house, he can sit on the counter if he liked to, taking his tea into his hands to cup over his lap,]

Is that tea to your liking? I feel I should... offer you more. I'm rarely a host. [he doesn't have company over, he's not certain he's been all that welcoming.

The type of company he did rarely entertained wouldn't be something he mentioned in polite company. Viktor's not the type of man to brag about having men over, and he doesn't think Jayce would-... actually, he realizes, he has no clue what Jayce's reaction to that information would be. Surprise, maybe? Viktor's rather reserved and to himself, after all. Maybe it would seem out of his partner's character to occasionally indulge...

What is he even thinking of? Viktor's blinks himself back to focus, sleep deprivation really leading the mind all over the place, at such an hour.]

It really is.

[ For him, he's glad he's like her in that way. His father, too. It probably would be good for him if he didn't always present his heart so readily to people, but he can't easily change how he is and how he engages with the world. He takes a quiet sip of the tea, watching Viktor as he moves himself up on the counter. Something about the motion was so...easy to watch. Smooth, Jayce would say. It reminded him of dancing, he supposes.

He considers those thoughts are due to his being tired. They're here because his mind is roaming more freely and unrestricted. ]

Oh, it's perfect! You don't have to offer me anything else, you didn't even have to offer me this.

[ That's not the type of guest he is. Though he wants to look at and touch everything, there's still a restrained politeness here compared to when he is freely looking at Viktor's work. ]

Your hosting works great for me.

[ Jayce wants to be here simply because he wants to be near Viktor. He wants to see his world and learn what he can about his partner. So as far as he's concerned, everything after that is just icing on the cake. ]

Thanks for having me over.

I really should have invited you by sooner... we're just always so focused on the lab work. Better late than never, I suppose.

[He thumbs up and down the side of the mug nestles between both his hands and lap, eyes following Jayce. What is the man looking at, anyways? Just Viktor-? With such... casual eagerness. Like a contented puppy dog, just gladdened to be around. And Viktor, a stray alley cat, or so he feels at times. Even in his own home, there is a feeling he's not quite meant for the polite society of Piltover. Doesn't quite belong the way Jayce does, with his house name, however lesser it might be seen.

Yet, Jayce would never look down on him, nor would Viktor towards the other. They are on one another's level. Never assistant, always partner.]

You'll always be welcome here, Jayce.

[the absolute truth of the matter, even if it took Viktor a while to invite him in, he'll always be allowed to come around,]

Oh, here, let me... show you one thing, before we rest. [Viktor takes a downing gulp of his tea before setting it aside and hoisting himself from the countertop. He wobbles briefly as he catches his cane and then begins off in his usual, determined manner towards whatever this new goal is.

It isn't far off, just down a row of projects, of which Viktor expertly avoids any mild tripping hazards passing by. He opens a door and there is a corridor- or more accurately an aquaduct tunnel, leading to an overlook of the city's drainage basin. There's some overgrowth of vines and moss, some potted plants deliberately being cared for. A certain odd tranquility to the sound of the water falling beyond and below a circular opening with spots to sit. Viktor moves and does as much, silently enjoying the view of the city beyond without any need to introduce it to Jayce. It speaks for itself, doesn't it? A hidden cove, Viktor's steel oasis as Heimerdinger liked to say.]

[ His eyes light up at the revelation. He had hoped their friendship was in a place where he'd always be welcome. But that politeness ingrained in him from Piltover demanded he not assume things like that about it. He simply nods a few times over his mug before he takes a sip of the tea. ]

Thanks!

[ There's nothing better to say to an offer like that, right? He considers it an honor that Viktor would welcome him here. He shifts, setting down the cup and gets up to follow Viktor. He's careful about the other's space - diligent to the point where it's noticeable. Especially after the incident on the ride here that he is going to be thinking about a lot. Maybe too much? ]

I'd love to see whatever you want to show me.

[ Too eager, maybe. He sits down opposite Viktor and then works to focus his attention on the environment rather than his partner here. ]

This is really — [ Pause. ] Well, it's really special. [ He's honored. It takes him longer to find the right words to describe it. ]

[Viktor smiles shortly at that cheery "Thanks!" from Jayce. What a precious man, with his good and gentlemanly manners. It's charming to say the least. The Undercity gave everybody, especially Viktor, thick skin when it came to roughness and crass attitudes. What it didn't do was prepare him for how to handle someone so genuinely pleasant as Jayce. It's always a bit of curveball, one Viktor finds... fascinating, really.

He takes a seat at one side of the aqueduct overlook, gesturing for Jayce to join opposite of him. His cane is crossed over his own lap as Viktor looks outwards to the view.]

That it is. You should come by during a storm. A fantastic view when there is rain or even lightening. Sets me at ease.

[a perfect place to hide out and enjoy such weather. A bit of a shame the night is so clear, Viktor thinks, but most would prefer a view of the city over a view of a downpour. He gives a puff beneath his breath, not really joking to say,]

If I ever disappear on you... just look here, okay? [he does that sometimes. Disappears. Heimerdinger got an understanding for it pretty quickly. Jayce shouldn't be too worried if it happens. It's not abandonment, it's just... Viktor.]

[ Jayce takes the seat, quiet as he checks out the world in front of him. Everything about it is amazing. The view - the calm that it seems to make him feel when he gets to look at the world from a perspective he's never had before. He's quiet for a moment - just huffing out some air while he listens to Viktor.

He's learning so much, he realizes.

He dare not interrupt or he'll miss something important. He'd never want to miss anything important. He leans back a little, tilting his head in Viktor's direction.

Disappears, huh? ]

And if I come to find you when you disappear, it won't be a bother?

[ He considers the possibility Viktor will want time alone - away from him. ]

[Viktor fiddles his hands together, smirking a little at Jayce's question. Once again, a good mannered man, always considering what Viktor might or might not wish of him. If he knew what Viktor really wished, what Viktor wouldn't even fully admit to himself, would he still ask so kindly?

Much to learn about Jayce and Viktor is just as curious of a man as he is.]

If I don't want to be found, you won't find me.

[but if he's sitting out here, he knows who can come find him. A trusted few. For a while now, it had only been Heimerdinger who knew about this steel oasis of Viktor's.

He's glad to add Jayce to such esteemed company.]

If I'm here, you can be assured I'm glad to see you. Even if I don't seem it.

[ Jayce's eyes light up as if he got the secret to all things in the universe when Viktor says that. Not only was he shown a special place like this, but Viktor would be glad to see him there? It feels like the highest compliment and he gets a little bashful that he has that. His cheeks turn a light shade of pink. ]

Well — I'm honored, then. That you trust me with this, I mean.

[ Trust, right? Jayce has trusted Viktor since not long after their partnership started. But he knows not everyone is like him - trusting to anyone who treats him well. He'll take shows of it when it happens. ]

And I'd be honored to find you, too, since it won't be a bother. Thanks for showing me, too. It's really nice. I see why you'd want to hide out here. It's...peaceful. [ Quiet. Nice. He could see this place being a great spot to simply think. ]

OPEN POST;

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oops, sorry for delay ♥♥

all good! ♥

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aaaa busy end of month, hoping to have more RP time soon!!

ITS FINEEEEE RIP Me in November, I'm so sorry!

I disappeared in Nov too don't worry :"D

:DDD happy holidays lol