hexcorized | [ IC INBOX ] labyrinthum

In a heartbeat...

[ His voice trails off. He only says it in case there was a bout in Viktor's mind that Jayce wouldn't offer the same. It's cozy, comfortable, and even in the short time Viktor has been here - it just felt like him here. It made him feel warm and comfortable being in this space. No extra voices, just the sound of Viktor's voice.

They've worked closely for so long that in a smaller space made no difference to him. ]

More than enough, really. Besides, neither of us has been here long, so we're really just starting.

[ Like a lot of things, this was the part where they would be asking questions, doing things on a small scale. They weren't out here building giant projects, but if they wanted to - Jayce hasn't forgotten how to ask for things they needed. ]

[ Viktor is impatient and ambitious and just filled with a curiosity that cannot be entirely tempered with small projects and the like. But he is doing his best with what he has and with the time he has left. ]

I had hoped...to get a lab here. [ It's a murmured sentence as he looks back at Jayce briefly before his eyes stray away again. ] The crystals here can do that as well, create spaces with everything one needs. Truly a fascinating magical anomaly here, if nothing else.

[ He will wander towards the cottage's kitchen as he gets two cups out for some tea or coffee. ] Do you still prefer tea?

[ So much about Jayce has changed that he can't help but ask now. But he wants to learn of any other changes that may be made to him. ]

In time, we'll make sure to have a lab. [ They'd both be working in it, after all. Jayce has an easy time making assumptions about the future of a not-yet existing lab. He is admittedly sharing in Viktor's own curiosity about the magic here.]

That's fairly impressive magic. [ He considers that there's possibly a lot more things it can do, likely undiscovered. It's kind of exciting to rediscover everything. ]

I do. Fortunately, my taste doesn't seem to have changed.

[ He watches Viktor. He doesn't follow Viktor into the kitchen, but he does linger against the door frame. He wants to continue their conversation, and he ca also take the tea off his hands when he's finished. ]

As far as you know, does the crystal do this unprompted? Like can I expect to see a random space appear?

[ He's just going to talk shop, of course. It keeps him busy. It feels normal. ]

Edited 2025-03-15 04:09 (UTC)

You would think something that can alter reality would be fairly hard to control... [ Viktor hums in acknowledgement. Taking the pot off once it starts whistling, and he'll pour out the water for them both. ]

But aside from strange happenings every so often, there doesn't seem much in the way of destabilization from the crystal itself. There is, ah, a type of corruption occurring apparently. The crystal here in Stellari and the one in Visium are two halves of a whole. My hypothesis is that once the crystal in Visium shattered and was put back together by a mage called Myrta she may have done something to it, altering its stability and causing this corruption to spread. [ He'll say all of this as he gets their cups ready and he'll hobble over to Jayce with his lack of his crutch to hand him his cup. ]

It is all a hypothesis, of course, but there is some direction for investigation, at least. [ A shrug as he gets his crutch and walks into the living room to sit at the couch. ]

As for that. You have to wish for whatever it is that you want. A specific input for it to register and work through. It's something similar to runes and mages back home, no? It is as if the magic of the crystal is speaking through those that use it. Molding its function and its power to what people using it require. Almost like the Hexcore in a way. [ He takes another sip of his tea. ]

But I wonder if this crystal, like the hexcore, can learn? [ He sounds so intrigued and excited. ]

It would be very hard to control.

[ That's his experience. He knows how wild runes can act when they're in a mood. He considers the information Viktor is sharing with him, though. It's quite a lot. The man has put in a lot of footwork gathering information, and Jayce certainly appreciates the head start that it has given them when working together. Truly, there's nothing but admiration that he feels when he hears Viktor speak.

Jayce, renowned for being a genius, feels like he's basking in Viktor's brilliance so often. And he enjoys it. He enjoys the way that they push each other to maximize their skills. He knows, now more than ever, the loneliness he feels when Viktor's not at his side. He doesn't have anyone else in his life that can keep up with him the way that Viktor does. ]

The corruption is concerning, even when stable.

[ He takes the cup, watching as Viktor moves. He has to finish that brace. Just a few more pieces he has to sort. ]

That's a sound hypothesis. She may not have needed to even do anything intentionally. Simply the act of her using her magic to fix it may have been enough. Like just because the piece fits doesn't mean it's part of the right puzzle.

[ He finally takes a sip of the tea, thinking on the last bit. ]

I'm learning that a lot of this place seems to be built on wishes. [ Which is a dangerous thought. And considering he knows what he wished for...is right here in front of him. ] It seems to be like runes and magic and mages. But, presumably at home - there's limits to it. Mage ability, rune combinations, things like that. So if the crystals can make wishes and whims happen for people without magic, then it may be more complex.

[ And therefore, more interesting to them both. ]

I would assume that means it can learn, too.

[ Whether he likes that concept or not anymore, it's hard to say. His expression doesn't suggest any distress at the thought, at least. He'll have to think about it more to decide. ]

Yes, yes, you would think. But as far as I am aware the crystal is relatively dormant unless wished upon. There doesn't seem to be any sort of disruption or instability that I have observed. [ And he has observed the crystal in the town square quite a bit!! ]

Yes, learning, just like the hexcore. [ He nods. ] I am wondering how it knows what a, ah, specific thing might be. Something like magic restoration since it apparently can give people their powers back. So not only must it realize what the powers of the person wishing for them back are, but how to implement them back into a person's being as well.

[ It really is quite the fascinating study. ] There doesn't seem to be a limit to what it can grant, not that I am aware of. It doesn't run on runes as far as I am aware, and it doesn't take into account the ability of the person either. It simply relies on just what the person making the wish is used to back home and things like that.

That's good to hear. [ He's still skeptical of the stability of something with that much power anymore. Now that he knows what it can do that's been observed. There's the possibility of it being able to do unobserved things. He knows how dangerously unpredictable magic can be.

He considers Viktor's comments about how it learns about things - or people - or places. ]

Maybe it's relying on the memories of the person making the wish. So if I were to wish for my Mercury Hammer, it would pull the knowledge from my memories and knowledge - and grant it exactly as I know it is. It sounds -- [ He realizes how it sounds. ] Impossible, I know.

But I don't think it would be outside of the possibility of magic.

[ He knows it's not outrageous for such a thing. He remembers the way that he and Viktor have connected in the Council room, when the Mage from another timeline showed him everything. His own mind is essentially pieced together with glue thanks to magical tampering. ]

[ Viktor is being a hopeful optimist at best. It does sound far too good to be true, that something of incredible power could maintain itself in such a way but so far he hasn't seen anything that would prove such claims false. But further testing and observation would need to be done. ]

Yes, that might be a thought worth pursuing. It would make the most sense given what we know about it. Coupling it with a sentience... [ Hm. ]

I wonder if the same possibility can be applied to...oneself.

[ Could he potentially use it to transform his body into something...better, healthier? If only to get more time... ]

Like wishing yourself well?

[ He needed to know what exactly Viktor meant by that before he considered the possibilities of things going terribly wrong as they had before. He brings his hand to his chin, thinking about it. It's concerning, but he doesn't want to write off the option. ]

I don't see why it couldn't be applied to yourself, though.

[ After all, the Hexcore technically could be. ]

I assume we have a pretty good sample size for people who have made wishes based on the population here.

[ Viktor's body tenses for but a brief moment, his eyes wandering elsewhere at the question as a hand rubs the back of his neck. It's evident on his face at least that, yes, that's exactly what he was thinking, had been thinking, especially with using the hexcore which he was decidedly without here. ] In a manner of speaking, yes.

[ This Jayce knew of his prognosis, of course, and whatever occurred afterwards. His eyes look back at him, though now it's with some intrigue and surprise. ] You...think it might work? There's no reward without risk and I must admit, I am curious to see what happens.

[ Asking and evaluating things first and foremost would be the best course of action. ] I'm not sure many have come from their respective worlds with, ah, incurable illnesses, however. But there's no harm in asking, I suppose.

I think that might work.

[ Which is what he wants, really. He'd rather know what would happen if they made such a wish than suggest Viktor jump right to it, having witnessed what happens when they fly too close to the sun with magic. But Viktor is right, there's not likely a sample. Surely, there's other things that are equally daunting for magic to do -- something that would require as much effort. ]

I mean - we don't have to just ask about illness. It's about anything. Especially more intense or detailed wishes.

[ He closes the distance between them, bringing a hand up to Viktor's cheek, gentle. He realizes in that moment that he doesn't do this very often - not since arriving. He'd always been so physically affectionate with Viktor. Shown his care by way of hugs or touches. And while it's not been totally absent here, it's been different. ]

I want it to be right for you.

[ His attention is focused, solid. As intensely focused as it always is. It's definitely a look Viktor would recognize, and one he has probably seen recently. ]

It doesn't have to be...all at once. But I-I am feeling the effects of my body withering. [ The progression he had hoped would still haven't happened, and the hanahaki incident certainly hadn't helped matters at all.

Viktor does nod at Jayce's words, and he will blink, face flushing with a blush at the suddenness of his hand upon his cheek. His eyes stare back into Jayce's for a moment or two before he looks away. The intensity of Jayce's stare is what does it for him, but Viktor does make a sound of agreement, even if his awkwardness and subtle shyness have his eyes looking elsewhere. ]

Be right, yes.

[ Jayce feels conflicted when he hears those words. It's progressing. Viktor's body is getting worse. It's not like he didn't know that's how things would be going, but that doesn't mean he likes the idea of it. Losing Viktor is an irreversible event and his stomach twists at the idea. He tries not to let the unease of the idea reach his face, but there's hints of it - in his eyes, the way the corner of his mouth settles into a frown when he talks. ]

I understand. We'll be smart, but fast. We don't have any other big projects right now, so it can be priority.

[ And even if Viktor considers debating that, Jayce will still make it a priority. After all, his problems were threatening his life. And the last thing he wants to deal with right now is seeing Viktor die again. ]

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