[ Harold can appreciate that skepticism entirely, and he's actually used to it being directed at him. He's been a mysterious reclusive billionaire saving lives for some time now, and though he doesn't always interact directly with the numbers, when he does it's natural for them to question his motives. In his book, Viktor is being extremely sensible and reasonable, far more than Jayce was. ]
He was actually quite reticent. I wasn't sure how seriously he was taking my concerns, so I thought I'd speak with you as well.
I can assure you that we are both taking it quite seriously. [ Especially after the whole fiasco with the gemstone in the first place. ]
I had proposed a vault reinforced with a specific runic code that only Jayce and I will know of. It will also require a specific key on top of that to open as well.
Outside of this, if you are suggesting any other measures, I would be open to listening.
You may be taking it seriously but I'm uncertain you're taking it seriously enough considering the possible fallout from misuse of your technology.
My suggestions, in brief: request a new location for your laboratory that is more easily secured and at least somewhat hidden; do not advertise its location; biometric scanners would be keyed to your biology to allow entry to only specific individuals; create plausible fakes; do your less dangerous work out of the location with the fakes and keep the real gemstones in a secondary location that you don't share with anyone outside of the two of you; and finally, I strongly recommend you develop an emergency mechanism by which you can nullify, deactivate, or somehow render inert the real gemstones if need be.
I can assist with most of these to the extent you are comfortable, or they should be achievable by request to Aurora with enough points.
[ Oh Harold you don't even know. But how could he? Viktor had barely known himself until he got confirmation from memories that weren't even his to have just yet. ]
I can assure you that I am. Considering the matter of my death back home was due to such a thing. [ He wasn't one to overly share this, but those words hit a nerve and Viktor is on his last ones, given his health's decline. ]
These will take time to develop and implement. [ Time that Viktor does not have to play with right now since he is very much dying!! ]
But they are not bad suggestions. I would have to go over them with Jayce to see what he would approve of.
[ That's a rather personal topic for Harold, considering he'd only recently dealt with John's death at home... and that he'd gotten his own original work partner, Nathan, killed because he didn't listen to him. ]
I'm sorry. Then you don't need my warnings to that effect. Did your illness predate your death?
[ Harold is aware that's verging on rude to ask, but he'd seen footage of how much Jayce looked after Viktor while they stayed in the library, and he's already put together that Jayce's determination to develop some kind of nanobot cure must be rooted in wanting to save his partner. ]
I am willing to contribute whatever is necessary to expedite the process if you are open to assistance. I can provide a security detail as well for a short term measure if need be.
You've nothing to apologize for. It was not your doing. [ And the mentioning of his illness gets a long pause before he responds. Someone who knows of his ailment, whom he hasn't ever spoken to, he's not sure how much he likes that thought. The only way for him to possibly know is the Library. ]
A bit personal of a question to ask for a first-time discussion, don't you think? [ But it was no use hiding it given the state of him. Coughing up blood, his lack of appetite, and the pain that keeps him restless. It's easy to see it in person and with surveillance, probably even more so. ]
Considering everything you potentially saw, I think you can make an inference with the data supplied to you.
If Jayce is fine with it, then I have no reason to refuse the offer.
[ Of course it's not his fault, but Harold feels true empathy, resonating sadness, at learning of it. ]
The inference I'm making is that Mr. Talis is willing to go to perhaps unwise lengths to save you, and I'm curious whether you feel the same. And whether there are alternatives to the path you're currently taking to do so.
It is a personal question, but pretending ignorance so I may comfortably do nothing is not something I'm prepared to live with.
When one extends such deep empathy, that usually means they have a shared understanding of the situation. If that is the case, then...I also understand whatever you have gone through as well.
[ He frowns on his end because there is no length to which Jayce wouldn't go to save him. Viktor knows this well, and he's made his peace with it, knowing the reasoning behind it. His own feelings and Jayce's about each other, the affection they hold for one another, he can't say he minds it, considering the lengths he took to cure himself of his imperfections.
Unfortunately for Harold, these two are just bordering mad scientist energy when it comes to Viktor and his prognosis. ]
Fine. If that is the case. I trust and understand Jayce enough for it not to be a concern. As for alternate paths...if there are any, I don't know about them. Unless you are familiar with something that can cure terminal illnesses in a short amount of time, I would say there is not much else to waste time looking for.
[ He doesn't know how to respond to the first part without coming across as snarky. How can he understand something he doesn't know? Harold's empathy was sincere, but he's uncomfortable with it directed back at him. John had died for him and Harold would save him if he could, but not at any cost. Their relationship is built on a shared understanding of limits in human cost that they're willing to pay. He doesn't trust yet that Jayce and Viktor share those limits. That's never been necessary for Harold to help, but it does change the way he goes about it and how much or little he reveals of himself.
Right now he's leaning toward little. So he responds only to the second part. ]
There's at least two magical healers here worth asking: Shadowheart and Gorgug Thistlespring. You may also consider asking Loki, as he's assured me he is a literal Norse god and I would presume has capabilities beyond our comprehension.
You may also ask Aurora. Death is impermanent here and I see no reason why she would leave you to suffer if she could assist.
I'll make note of the suggestions. But having strangers use magic on your body, would you do it? [ A pause. ]
Would you trust any of the people you suggested to do it to your own body? [ There is also the, hm, hangup Viktor has in asking for anything at all. More often than not, he is content to figure things out himself rather than going to others for help, with his body especially. ] It's a consideration I will think about.
If the alternative was dying or testing an experimental cure magically derived from nuclear power on myself, yes, I would.
[ Really, he thinks this is the more sensible solution? ]
Mr. Thistlespring has healed me once already, and Ms. Shadowheart comes highly recommended by a trusted source. So the answer is also yes. As for Aurora, she has consistently demonstrated interest in our well-being over an extended period of time.
Edited (realized I should use names) 2025-07-10 17:22 (UTC)
[ He supposed that would be the case for most people. But Viktor is not like most people and has taken his life and his cure into his own hands. ] I have already gone down the path of magically transfiguring my body. The mechanism for it is not here, nor is it something I would pursue after certain incidents with it. But it is a means I have thought about since arriving here and realizing that the progression has not stopped. [ Something he is loath to admit to a total stranger like this, but the circumstances are dire. The Hexcore is more or less a write-off, especially after what happened with Sky and what he turns into in the future. The Hexcore isn't in Etraya presently, but he still remembers its pull and whispers nonetheless. ]
I...also worry about the repercussions of external magic being used on my body due to that. [ And he's not sure if he trusts Aurora enough to ask if she could somehow rewrite his DNA in a way that would rid him of his illness. Basically, there are other factors involved that have led him not to seek out others' magic. ]
[ Hah. If only. ] No. This was born from poor genetics, and those who could make a difference did not give a care or second thought to the children of Zaun who grew up in their runoff. The gases from the fissures did this. Gases that could have and should have been filtered long ago.
[ But Viktor wasn't the only one to bear this mark of classism or staunch denial to offer aid to those who needed it. Hundreds, maybe even thousands, of children and adults have died of The Gray long before him. ]
Those with my...condition do not tend to live very long. You could say that luck has granted me the one thing that it should not have. [ Living far too long with this disease, with this pain, not so much luck as it is a curse. ]
[ Ah. That's a story Harold is all too familiar with, if not personally. But you don't grow up a hacker who's fiercely critical of government administration without seeing this story played out over and over. ]
Environmental exposure. I see. Then it is truly like a cancer. Your society is not the only one to have been so negligent, and caused so much suffering.
Thank you for your frankness. I am willing to assist in whatever way I can to pursue a viable treatment for you. [ He won't say cure, because Harold is realistic. ] Mr. Talis seemed to think there was a role for computer programming and artificial intelligence in your current concept. In that respect I may be helpful.
[ That's a dramatic understatement, but Harold absolutely loathes letting other people know the extent of his abilities in that area. It's strategically unwise. And, too, he actually just hates bragging; he's humble by nature. ]
I can't say the knowledge of knowing that others have suffered similarly but in different worlds makes me feel better. But no world is without its disparities.
I am often to the point and perhaps too blunt for many. But your willingness to assist is appreciated. I am often not one to take offers of generosity or help. But this matter of nanobots is uncharted waters for Jayce and me. Any help you can bring will be better than none.
I can only hope that we uncover a breakthrough in a fashion. There is someone else here who is knowledgeable about nanobots and even has some within their own body. I was considering asking him as well for aid.
I find it strangely consoling that human beings appear to be the same everywhere. Not just a worldwide constant but a universal, multi-dimensional one.
I'd welcome his input. I'm confident in my ability to handle programming, but it will be my first time working with nanomachines myself. We will want to recruit a medical specialist as well, perhaps Dr. Romano if you're amenable.
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no subject
He was actually quite reticent. I wasn't sure how seriously he was taking my concerns, so I thought I'd speak with you as well.
no subject
I had proposed a vault reinforced with a specific runic code that only Jayce and I will know of. It will also require a specific key on top of that to open as well.
Outside of this, if you are suggesting any other measures, I would be open to listening.
no subject
My suggestions, in brief: request a new location for your laboratory that is more easily secured and at least somewhat hidden; do not advertise its location; biometric scanners would be keyed to your biology to allow entry to only specific individuals; create plausible fakes; do your less dangerous work out of the location with the fakes and keep the real gemstones in a secondary location that you don't share with anyone outside of the two of you; and finally, I strongly recommend you develop an emergency mechanism by which you can nullify, deactivate, or somehow render inert the real gemstones if need be.
I can assist with most of these to the extent you are comfortable, or they should be achievable by request to Aurora with enough points.
no subject
I can assure you that I am. Considering the matter of my death back home was due to such a thing. [ He wasn't one to overly share this, but those words hit a nerve and Viktor is on his last ones, given his health's decline. ]
These will take time to develop and implement. [ Time that Viktor does not have to play with right now since he is very much dying!! ]
But they are not bad suggestions. I would have to go over them with Jayce to see what he would approve of.
no subject
I'm sorry. Then you don't need my warnings to that effect. Did your illness predate your death?
[ Harold is aware that's verging on rude to ask, but he'd seen footage of how much Jayce looked after Viktor while they stayed in the library, and he's already put together that Jayce's determination to develop some kind of nanobot cure must be rooted in wanting to save his partner. ]
I am willing to contribute whatever is necessary to expedite the process if you are open to assistance. I can provide a security detail as well for a short term measure if need be.
no subject
A bit personal of a question to ask for a first-time discussion, don't you think? [ But it was no use hiding it given the state of him. Coughing up blood, his lack of appetite, and the pain that keeps him restless. It's easy to see it in person and with surveillance, probably even more so. ]
Considering everything you potentially saw, I think you can make an inference with the data supplied to you.
If Jayce is fine with it, then I have no reason to refuse the offer.
no subject
[ Of course it's not his fault, but Harold feels true empathy, resonating sadness, at learning of it. ]
The inference I'm making is that Mr. Talis is willing to go to perhaps unwise lengths to save you, and I'm curious whether you feel the same. And whether there are alternatives to the path you're currently taking to do so.
It is a personal question, but pretending ignorance so I may comfortably do nothing is not something I'm prepared to live with.
no subject
[ He frowns on his end because there is no length to which Jayce wouldn't go to save him. Viktor knows this well, and he's made his peace with it, knowing the reasoning behind it. His own feelings and Jayce's about each other, the affection they hold for one another, he can't say he minds it, considering the lengths he took to cure himself of his imperfections.
Unfortunately for Harold, these two are just bordering mad scientist energy when it comes to Viktor and his prognosis. ]
Fine. If that is the case. I trust and understand Jayce enough for it not to be a concern. As for alternate paths...if there are any, I don't know about them. Unless you are familiar with something that can cure terminal illnesses in a short amount of time, I would say there is not much else to waste time looking for.
no subject
Right now he's leaning toward little. So he responds only to the second part. ]
There's at least two magical healers here worth asking: Shadowheart and Gorgug Thistlespring. You may also consider asking Loki, as he's assured me he is a literal Norse god and I would presume has capabilities beyond our comprehension.
You may also ask Aurora. Death is impermanent here and I see no reason why she would leave you to suffer if she could assist.
no subject
Would you trust any of the people you suggested to do it to your own body? [ There is also the, hm, hangup Viktor has in asking for anything at all. More often than not, he is content to figure things out himself rather than going to others for help, with his body especially. ] It's a consideration I will think about.
But it is appreciated.
no subject
[ Really, he thinks this is the more sensible solution? ]
Mr. Thistlespring has healed me once already, and Ms. Shadowheart comes highly recommended by a trusted source. So the answer is also yes. As for Aurora, she has consistently demonstrated interest in our well-being over an extended period of time.
no subject
I...also worry about the repercussions of external magic being used on my body due to that. [ And he's not sure if he trusts Aurora enough to ask if she could somehow rewrite his DNA in a way that would rid him of his illness. Basically, there are other factors involved that have led him not to seek out others' magic. ]
no subject
[ Is this why Jayce thinks he should test things on himself, are they both like this?? ]
Having no familiarity with magic myself, I can only say I understand your reluctance to go mixing types and possibly making the problem worse.
no subject
[ But Viktor wasn't the only one to bear this mark of classism or staunch denial to offer aid to those who needed it. Hundreds, maybe even thousands, of children and adults have died of The Gray long before him. ]
Those with my...condition do not tend to live very long. You could say that luck has granted me the one thing that it should not have. [ Living far too long with this disease, with this pain, not so much luck as it is a curse. ]
no subject
Environmental exposure. I see. Then it is truly like a cancer. Your society is not the only one to have been so negligent, and caused so much suffering.
Thank you for your frankness. I am willing to assist in whatever way I can to pursue a viable treatment for you. [ He won't say cure, because Harold is realistic. ] Mr. Talis seemed to think there was a role for computer programming and artificial intelligence in your current concept. In that respect I may be helpful.
[ That's a dramatic understatement, but Harold absolutely loathes letting other people know the extent of his abilities in that area. It's strategically unwise. And, too, he actually just hates bragging; he's humble by nature. ]
no subject
I am often to the point and perhaps too blunt for many. But your willingness to assist is appreciated. I am often not one to take offers of generosity or help. But this matter of nanobots is uncharted waters for Jayce and me. Any help you can bring will be better than none.
I can only hope that we uncover a breakthrough in a fashion. There is someone else here who is knowledgeable about nanobots and even has some within their own body. I was considering asking him as well for aid.
no subject
I'd welcome his input. I'm confident in my ability to handle programming, but it will be my first time working with nanomachines myself. We will want to recruit a medical specialist as well, perhaps Dr. Romano if you're amenable.