It is not exactly made for traveling. It is...delicate. [ He sighs, which is followed by another bout of coughing. Before he finally sounds like he's clattering to get up from his seat. ]
[He considers the trolley, but also? It's slow as hell. Trolley on the way back, maybe, but on the way there, he's just going to start jogging. He really needs to get a bike or something...]
[ But he probably is already on his way, so Viktor will sit back down and simply wait for the other to arrive. Whatever mess Jayce was involved in seems to be drastic, or at least big enough that he thinks people are listening to their conversations.
When Jayce does arrive, Viktor looks just as bad as he sounds?? Those eyebags sure are something. He will tiredly get to his feet. ] Didn't run into any of your supposed listeners, did you?
[ Is he joking or being serious?? Unsure?! ] Let's go then. So you can tell me what this is all about...
[A wince at making Viktor go anywhere so quickly, given how badly he looks but also... probably a good idea to get him out of the lab, for multiple reasons. Not having fresh air probably isn't doing him any good.]
What happened, Jayce? [ He doesn't ask 'what did you say', because being in a place with people from varying worlds means that one's words have the chance to be misconstrued all too easily. ]
[He completely sags, covering his face with both his hands, dragging them up into his hair and curling his fingers into small fists that tugs at his hair.]
I talked about Jinx having a gemstone to the wrong person. Now everyone's planning on retaliation.
[Jayce sighs and shows Viktor what was said, rather than summarize it and leave out details. By the time Viktor looks back at him, he will be squatting on the floor with his face back in his hands.]
[ He does read through it, brow furrowing the more he reads, and then there's a soft scoff from him before he coughs lightly into his hand. ] As if this foreigner would know the first thing about keeping the gemstones safe. While I agree that mentioning them so openly was...not the best of ideas, whoever this is deciding to take matters into their own hands without consulting me, or us, on the matter...simply ridiculous.
[ He doesn't sound mad but there is that characteristic softness to his voice that happens when he does get pissed off that Jayce knows well enough. ] Alerting someone to our affairs about getting the gemstone back was something we had discussed, but it seems you alerted the wrong someone.
[ Not exactly Jayce's fault this person just seems to have shifted from 0 to 100 way too quickly. He looks drained as he reads it over again. ] If it's security they want, we could have devised a safe that implemented something similar to the ones we had for the hexgates. A combination of runes that takes a specific key to unlock. Even a code of some sort could have been devised. But this is not...how I would have gone about getting it back. Violence does not and will not solve anything in this matter.
[ He pinches the bridge of his nose before coughing, again, almost annoyed with himself for doing so. ]
[He knows he fucked up, he’s not going to pretend he didn’t (except to Silco). But Viktor’s right, even more so than usual, because Viktor had proposed this months ago and Jayce denied him. Now here he is, doing exactly what Viktor had suggested, except in the worst way possible. Why does he even open his mouth? Or text?]
I know, I know. Vander, Jinx, and Silco are gearing up for a fight against Damian and whomever else he ropes into this. All four of them know where we live, and the lab, so…
[Escape to the Library. He knows Harold holes up here, and there’s something about that man that would probably enforce some sort of neutrality if anyone came knocking on the door. Like a human capybara. It’s the best he can think of in the moment.
Jayce gets back to his feet, pacing.]
If I give Damian the second gemstone— the one in Caitlyn’s rifle— they’d have to believe it was Jinx’s before they’d calm down. Even then, we’d be out of gemstones, and Damian would have his hands on something he doesn’t understand. So we can’t do that. If we stand with Jinx’s side, then we’re putting ourselves in danger, and they all hate me now anyway. Not a super appealing option.
[He looks to Viktor. His cough.]
Option three: we don’t get involved. If they take the gemstone, I bring in more. They can’t stop me from asking for more, and we make our safe, lock it up, and never talk about Hextech in public again.
[Which would certainly kill a significant amount of Jayce's enthusiasm to not be able to talk about his greatest achievement, but sacrifices have to be made so they can continue their work.]
[ And Viktor will watch Jayce pace in an all too familiar manner rather reminiscent of home. He listens silently all the while. ]
People from another world who have no idea how to handle the stones should not have them, I agree. Do you think Vander, Jinx, and Silco will use the one they have against these people now? [ He does not want their dream, their work, to be attributed to such baseless violence. ]
Jinx has yet to do anything with hers, of course, but Silco is another factor entirely. [ And then there is Vander, who might be able to balance things out? ]
Quite the conundrum we find ourselves in. Bringing in more stones could work as long as they are kept away from the public, I suppose. It also brings in more problems that we cannot- [ another cough as he covers his mouth. ] -undermine.
[ There is such a heavy sigh from him. ] This should not be what we are focusing our energy on as a collective... [ considering people's worlds are at stake, their gemstones are hardly worth all of this nonsense. ] Getting the stones back from all parties would be the best option since we are the ones who know them best. But I know that is not feasible.
If it comes to it, I think they will. Vander’s the only one of the three who knows about the second one, but I don’t doubt he’s told Jinx and Silco that now.
[As much as they want to consider Vander on “their side,” he’s not. He’s on Jinx’s side, and this is information that would be shared to the rest of “her” side.
He runs his hand over his face again, and with a deep sigh:]
We're going to have to let her keep it. Worse to do that now that she's furious with me, but even if we wound up getting it back from her, she'll try to bring more in, and that's more risk of ending up in foreign hands.
[Why couldn't life be simple? Why can't people just see the gemstones for what they are, a source of power, and not immediately see a weapon?]
I know I’m not in a position to demand anything from them. But if we let Jinx keep it, for good…
[He looks to Viktor now, serious.]
We need to tell her everything about it. Last thing we need is her finding out through first hand every problem we already ran through over the past seven years. It won’t mean we can’t assume she won’t make more weapons with it, but her making another missile launcher is still safer than her leveling a city block.
Let her keep it, are you sure? [ Though there is a thoughtful pause from him as he looks back at Jayce. ] And you wish to teach her about it as well?
[ His tone is incredulous, and he hardly supports the thought of weaponry being made...but not leveling a city block is a valid argument. Knowing how to manipulate and control the energy source is just as important. A thoughtful hum from him as he considers all their options. ]
She has already proven herself capable enough with just your notes. I suppose going a bit further might not be much of a difference. [ A thoughtful noise from him as he considers it. ]
Then I will assume that I will be doing the reaching out? I'm not sure if she's still mad at us both to get into contact with her, but it is worth a try... [ will it get them anywhere?? Viktor isn't sure, but what he is certain of is that Jinx's mind is brilliant in its own right, and it needs to be tempered and steered in a direction that benefits everyone. ]
Going to Vander could be another option if she doesn't wish to answer us. Or we can be annoyingly persistent until they give in. Whichever sounds more appealing.
[It's not what he wants, but he knows when he's backed into a corner, and this is very much a corner. It would placate Vander and Silco, it would keep it in Runeterran hands, and it would come across as trying to bridge the divide, at least by a fraction. He doesn't think he'll ever stop being mad at Jinx, not being able to really forgive her for what she's done, but what other choice does he have now?]
She's mad enough at me she broke into my room again and graffiti-ed the place with insults, so.
[He can't reach out. It'll need to be Viktor or Vander.]
You can try, just don't tell her where we're holing up. If she ignores you, I'll try Vander.
It seems rather unfair that our life's work is in all hands but ours. But if it is to avoid...whatever this is, then we have little choice in the matter. [ He doesn't sound thrilled about any of this either, especially since this was all due to a miscommunication of some kind that could have been easily prevented. ]
She what? [ Jayce... ] I hope you didn't mention that to Miss Kiramman. And you didn't mention it to me either until now, when my room is next to yours?
[ Luckily, he's been spending all his time here at the lab trying to make something to prolong his life! He sighs and finally begins to walk toward the lab's entrance. ] How long do you propose we 'hole up' for exactly? It's not as if I have all the time in the world.
[ That comes out a bit more sarcastic and biting than he intended it to. ] I will be sure to leave our exact location out of our conversation.
I didn't, because after that happened, I went to speak with Cait, and...
[He rubs his temple.]
That started a completely different fight. It would have only made things worse if she knew about my room. After that, I messaged you, and came here.
[He gives a, frankly, pathetic look to Viktor.]
Maybe a day or two? It's close enough to the cafe, we can get food from there...
[But it's not ideal. He knows. He and Viktor need to be burning the candle at both ends if they're going to get this potential nanobot cure going before it's too late. But they both know Viktor isn't in a position to defend himself if someone threatened physical violence. The distinct and not too distant memory of a chainsaw revving echos in his mind.]
-I can make it comfortable for us there. There's couches, I'll find us a blanket, there's this thing called "television" there...
Mm. [ Another noise as he looks back at Jayce. There's a subtle frown on his lips before he looks away again. ]
I wish you would...confide in me a bit more. We're partners. [ Whatever that term might mean to them in this moment, Viktor doesn't say, but the look he returns to Jayce when the other isn't looking is telling enough. ]
My body may be eroding, but my mind is the one thing that isn't. [ It's an attempt at some levity, but it probably falls a bit flat. Of course, physically he is of little use, but at least with his mind he can hope to do some good. ]
[He swallows hard, a lump in his throat that won't go away. He's felt like he's been on the edge of frustrated tears for hours now. Annoying, stupid, childish.]
Didn't want to burden you with this.
[It's not an uncommon thing for him to do. Viktor runs off and doesn't tell Jayce where he went; Jayce can't hide where he goes but he can try to hide his worries. Tightly wound up like a spool of thread, every little bit of spilled over emotion feels like it threatens to unravel him.]
Sorry.
[Even if they're on the move, Jayce grabs Viktor by the hand, and selfishly pulls him into a hug.]
[ The hug is...unexpected, but Viktor assumes such things would be for him especially. Despite what's happened at the camp, he still feels uncertain about their everything. But it's small moments like this that make him feel warm in a way that only Jayce can, it seems. His own hexcorized, gloved hand will come up to lightly touch Jayce's back. That surprised expression turned into fondness and a gentle concern as he huffs. ]
Not telling one another things...is how we ended up where we were back home. I'd like to try to fix that and avoid a repeated mistake. It's the only way to learn, is it not?
[ He does smile where Jayce can't see it, but he can probably hear it in Viktor's voice. ] It's different here, us, and this place. We are at odds with things beyond our understanding. So it-it only makes sense to share the burden, especially when it comes to hextech. [ And then said a bit softer. ]
And you may talk to me about other things too, if you ever want.
[Jayce doesn’t pull back right away, like he might if this hug happened before they talked about how they felt. He holds Viktor close, firm but not too tight, his nose nuzzling into the soft small curls of Viktor’s hair and nape, breathing in his scent. It’s grounding to just be able to close his eyes and feel someone, wrap his arms around them and let their heart pump against his own. He always wonders why he bothers with ever letting go. Can’t he just hold Viktor like this, forever?
…Viktor probably wouldn’t like that. Jayce gives one last deep inhale and sighs as he finally releases Viktor, keeping his hands on Viktor’s hip and shoulder for an extended minute or two.]
You’re right.
[As always.]
But I don’t want to worry you. Stress doesn’t help your condition. And if I told you about the things I’m worried about, you’d get stressed out too.
Jayce. [ His expression is pointedly annoyed. ] The stress from you keeping things like almost starting a war between us and another group of people over our life's work is also not doing anything for my stress.
[ Said with a slight cough afterwards, but he covers his mouth with his hand. ] I will always stress when it comes to you-to us, and our work.
[ But that was just ingrained into his being at this point. 7 years in the making. ] Sometimes the need to bear the burden alone is justified. But I can't make you speak about it, only offer to listen should you choose to do so.
[ And here he'll place his hand on the one that's on his hip with a small, albeit tired, look. ]
[Jayce exhales quietly, listening but trying to recall if Viktor's voice always sounded this thin, or if it's worsened. He takes Viktor's ungloved hand and lifts it to his lips, placing a kiss on it.]
I'll tell you everything. Everything from Piltover, everything I can think of from here. Some of it's... harder to talk about. But I'll try. I don't want to make the same mistakes again- with us.
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[He agreed so fast, and it sounds like on his end he's getting dressed/his belongings.]
We should go to the Library for a while. I'll pick up some lunch.
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[ He sounds...almost disappointed but maybe more confused than anything else. ] I'm in the middle of something...
[ For his own personal project. He is also starting to sound a bit annoyed. ] Does it have to be in-person? Why not just say over the network?
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There's... things happening. I don't know if I'm being watched?
[He's not really elaborating, his tone distracted as he heads out the door.]
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Jayce. [ What is that supposed to mean?! ]
You will need to explain that. The library, then.
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[He considers the trolley, but also? It's slow as hell. Trolley on the way back, maybe, but on the way there, he's just going to start jogging. He really needs to get a bike or something...]
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[ But he probably is already on his way, so Viktor will sit back down and simply wait for the other to arrive. Whatever mess Jayce was involved in seems to be drastic, or at least big enough that he thinks people are listening to their conversations.
When Jayce does arrive, Viktor looks just as bad as he sounds?? Those eyebags sure are something. He will tiredly get to his feet. ] Didn't run into any of your supposed listeners, did you?
[ Is he joking or being serious?? Unsure?! ] Let's go then. So you can tell me what this is all about...
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Haven't run into anyone so far.
[Might be only a matter of time.]
You know how I... might talk too much?
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What happened, Jayce? [ He doesn't ask 'what did you say', because being in a place with people from varying worlds means that one's words have the chance to be misconstrued all too easily. ]
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I talked about Jinx having a gemstone to the wrong person. Now everyone's planning on retaliation.
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[ Perhaps if they figured out the root cause, they could potentially solve it by...detailing the capabilities of the gemstone. ]
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[ He doesn't sound mad but there is that characteristic softness to his voice that happens when he does get pissed off that Jayce knows well enough. ] Alerting someone to our affairs about getting the gemstone back was something we had discussed, but it seems you alerted the wrong someone.
[ Not exactly Jayce's fault this person just seems to have shifted from 0 to 100 way too quickly. He looks drained as he reads it over again. ] If it's security they want, we could have devised a safe that implemented something similar to the ones we had for the hexgates. A combination of runes that takes a specific key to unlock. Even a code of some sort could have been devised. But this is not...how I would have gone about getting it back. Violence does not and will not solve anything in this matter.
[ He pinches the bridge of his nose before coughing, again, almost annoyed with himself for doing so. ]
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I know, I know. Vander, Jinx, and Silco are gearing up for a fight against Damian and whomever else he ropes into this. All four of them know where we live, and the lab, so…
[Escape to the Library. He knows Harold holes up here, and there’s something about that man that would probably enforce some sort of neutrality if anyone came knocking on the door. Like a human capybara. It’s the best he can think of in the moment.
Jayce gets back to his feet, pacing.]
If I give Damian the second gemstone— the one in Caitlyn’s rifle— they’d have to believe it was Jinx’s before they’d calm down. Even then, we’d be out of gemstones, and Damian would have his hands on something he doesn’t understand. So we can’t do that. If we stand with Jinx’s side, then we’re putting ourselves in danger, and they all hate me now anyway. Not a super appealing option.
[He looks to Viktor. His cough.]
Option three: we don’t get involved. If they take the gemstone, I bring in more. They can’t stop me from asking for more, and we make our safe, lock it up, and never talk about Hextech in public again.
[Which would certainly kill a significant amount of Jayce's enthusiasm to not be able to talk about his greatest achievement, but sacrifices have to be made so they can continue their work.]
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People from another world who have no idea how to handle the stones should not have them, I agree. Do you think Vander, Jinx, and Silco will use the one they have against these people now? [ He does not want their dream, their work, to be attributed to such baseless violence. ]
Jinx has yet to do anything with hers, of course, but Silco is another factor entirely. [ And then there is Vander, who might be able to balance things out? ]
Quite the conundrum we find ourselves in. Bringing in more stones could work as long as they are kept away from the public, I suppose. It also brings in more problems that we cannot- [ another cough as he covers his mouth. ] -undermine.
[ There is such a heavy sigh from him. ] This should not be what we are focusing our energy on as a collective... [ considering people's worlds are at stake, their gemstones are hardly worth all of this nonsense. ] Getting the stones back from all parties would be the best option since we are the ones who know them best. But I know that is not feasible.
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[As much as they want to consider Vander on “their side,” he’s not. He’s on Jinx’s side, and this is information that would be shared to the rest of “her” side.
He runs his hand over his face again, and with a deep sigh:]
We're going to have to let her keep it. Worse to do that now that she's furious with me, but even if we wound up getting it back from her, she'll try to bring more in, and that's more risk of ending up in foreign hands.
[Why couldn't life be simple? Why can't people just see the gemstones for what they are, a source of power, and not immediately see a weapon?]
I know I’m not in a position to demand anything from them. But if we let Jinx keep it, for good…
[He looks to Viktor now, serious.]
We need to tell her everything about it. Last thing we need is her finding out through first hand every problem we already ran through over the past seven years. It won’t mean we can’t assume she won’t make more weapons with it, but her making another missile launcher is still safer than her leveling a city block.
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[ His tone is incredulous, and he hardly supports the thought of weaponry being made...but not leveling a city block is a valid argument. Knowing how to manipulate and control the energy source is just as important. A thoughtful hum from him as he considers all their options. ]
She has already proven herself capable enough with just your notes. I suppose going a bit further might not be much of a difference. [ A thoughtful noise from him as he considers it. ]
Then I will assume that I will be doing the reaching out? I'm not sure if she's still mad at us both to get into contact with her, but it is worth a try... [ will it get them anywhere?? Viktor isn't sure, but what he is certain of is that Jinx's mind is brilliant in its own right, and it needs to be tempered and steered in a direction that benefits everyone. ]
Going to Vander could be another option if she doesn't wish to answer us. Or we can be annoyingly persistent until they give in. Whichever sounds more appealing.
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[It's not what he wants, but he knows when he's backed into a corner, and this is very much a corner. It would placate Vander and Silco, it would keep it in Runeterran hands, and it would come across as trying to bridge the divide, at least by a fraction. He doesn't think he'll ever stop being mad at Jinx, not being able to really forgive her for what she's done, but what other choice does he have now?]
She's mad enough at me she broke into my room again and graffiti-ed the place with insults, so.
[He can't reach out. It'll need to be Viktor or Vander.]
You can try, just don't tell her where we're holing up. If she ignores you, I'll try Vander.
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She what? [ Jayce... ] I hope you didn't mention that to Miss Kiramman. And you didn't mention it to me either until now, when my room is next to yours?
[ Luckily, he's been spending all his time here at the lab trying to make something to prolong his life! He sighs and finally begins to walk toward the lab's entrance. ] How long do you propose we 'hole up' for exactly? It's not as if I have all the time in the world.
[ That comes out a bit more sarcastic and biting than he intended it to. ] I will be sure to leave our exact location out of our conversation.
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[He rubs his temple.]
That started a completely different fight. It would have only made things worse if she knew about my room. After that, I messaged you, and came here.
[He gives a, frankly, pathetic look to Viktor.]
Maybe a day or two? It's close enough to the cafe, we can get food from there...
[But it's not ideal. He knows. He and Viktor need to be burning the candle at both ends if they're going to get this potential nanobot cure going before it's too late. But they both know Viktor isn't in a position to defend himself if someone threatened physical violence. The distinct and not too distant memory of a chainsaw revving echos in his mind.]
-I can make it comfortable for us there. There's couches, I'll find us a blanket, there's this thing called "television" there...
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I wish you would...confide in me a bit more. We're partners. [ Whatever that term might mean to them in this moment, Viktor doesn't say, but the look he returns to Jayce when the other isn't looking is telling enough. ]
My body may be eroding, but my mind is the one thing that isn't. [ It's an attempt at some levity, but it probably falls a bit flat. Of course, physically he is of little use, but at least with his mind he can hope to do some good. ]
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[He swallows hard, a lump in his throat that won't go away. He's felt like he's been on the edge of frustrated tears for hours now. Annoying, stupid, childish.]
Didn't want to burden you with this.
[It's not an uncommon thing for him to do. Viktor runs off and doesn't tell Jayce where he went; Jayce can't hide where he goes but he can try to hide his worries. Tightly wound up like a spool of thread, every little bit of spilled over emotion feels like it threatens to unravel him.]
Sorry.
[Even if they're on the move, Jayce grabs Viktor by the hand, and selfishly pulls him into a hug.]
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Not telling one another things...is how we ended up where we were back home. I'd like to try to fix that and avoid a repeated mistake. It's the only way to learn, is it not?
[ He does smile where Jayce can't see it, but he can probably hear it in Viktor's voice. ] It's different here, us, and this place. We are at odds with things beyond our understanding. So it-it only makes sense to share the burden, especially when it comes to hextech. [ And then said a bit softer. ]
And you may talk to me about other things too, if you ever want.
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…Viktor probably wouldn’t like that. Jayce gives one last deep inhale and sighs as he finally releases Viktor, keeping his hands on Viktor’s hip and shoulder for an extended minute or two.]
You’re right.
[As always.]
But I don’t want to worry you. Stress doesn’t help your condition. And if I told you about the things I’m worried about, you’d get stressed out too.
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[ Said with a slight cough afterwards, but he covers his mouth with his hand. ] I will always stress when it comes to you-to us, and our work.
[ But that was just ingrained into his being at this point. 7 years in the making. ] Sometimes the need to bear the burden alone is justified. But I can't make you speak about it, only offer to listen should you choose to do so.
[ And here he'll place his hand on the one that's on his hip with a small, albeit tired, look. ]
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I'll tell you everything. Everything from Piltover, everything I can think of from here. Some of it's... harder to talk about. But I'll try. I don't want to make the same mistakes again- with us.
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