un: jaycetalis | text

[hexcope]

[So getting used to this new kind of technology was certainly an… experience. He still isn’t really comfortable with the idea of a video recording of himself, and even an instantaneous voice transmission is beyond the level of tech he’s accustomed to so text is the way to go. Unfortunately, he’s using this like some sort of magical LinkedIn, so it’s a very formal letter style he’s got going on.]

Hello,

My name is Jayce Talis. I’ve noticed there’s a few buildings here that seem to be laboratories. If any have availability to lend a room or two, I have research and device development I would like to work on. Ideally if there’s any access to a forge of some sort, that would be preferred, but not required. I have a personal reference if necessary to demonstrate good character.

[He notably does not say anywhere that there will probably be explosions.]

Thank you for your time.

Comments

[hexcope]

“One particular skill?” As in any skill they’re good in, or something we all share?

[Makes sense for new arrivals in batches. He arrived in the same “batch” as the others from Runeterra, barring Caitlyn.]

Cheese, cheese… Parmesan.

[Well, it’s going to have to be that one. He’s also picking up a weird box from the freezer section, and looking it over.]

Do you know what a microwave is? And I know Aurora’s supposed to be around to help us, but there’s people here who distrust her. Has she done anything untrustworthy? Or is it just distrust for someone who’s giving us “answers” and asking for faith in return?

[clavesregni]

Microwave? [Never heard of it.]

I mean that each person is skilled in some particular area or another. Soldiers, scientists, detectives. Criminals. [It's a skillset. She may not like or trust Silco and his ilk, but she recognizes the brains, or muscles, it takes to be in that sort of position.

She sighs.]

More than one person I've spoken to believes Aurora is lying. Including Vander. I don't know that she's done anything untrustworthy. I don't know what to make of her. I... Everything's so much more complicated now, isn't it?

[hexcope]

[Guess it's not a thing they'll do. He shrugs, tossing back into the fridge the "microwave" food. Maybe there's something in here that needs an oven instead... Ah! That. Perfect. Just need candles now.]

Complicated, yeah. And... heavier.

[He's been trying to not burden anyone else, but whenever his mind drifts, he thinks to Viktor and Mel. How a part of him feels hollowed out, without either of their presence. Would Mel know what to do in this situation, who to trust? Would this place have a cure for Viktor? He's glad Caitlyn is here, he doesn't know what he'd do if she wasn't, but even then, if he doesn't get some sort of lab set up soon, he's going to feel the desperation for something familiar set in.]

I don't think we should trust her implicitly, but we don't have any other choice right now. It'll be better to keep on her good side until we have a reason to not be.

[clavesregni]

Agreed. Whether she's lying, or deliberately hiding the truth, or not, it doesn't make sense to antagonise her. Or to automatically assume the worst with no evidence.

[She pulls out a couple of pots and sets them on the countertop. Now, to find the tableware. She's only now realising how big the kitchen is, and it's a sobering realisation, in a way. A reminder that her old life, the life in which she never really spent time in the kitchen, in which she never had to learn where the tableware is stored, is gone beyond recovery for the foreseeable future.]

We'll figure this out, Jayce. I promise. [She's got to believe that's true.]

[hexcope]

You don’t have to promise that.

[There’s sympathy in his tone, as he picks out over a dozen candles, realizes there’s no more left, and figures this will have to do.]

I know you want to figure this all out, I do too, but the answers that we’re looking for…

[It’s not impossible, he’s sure. But if the people who have been here for almost a year- a year- haven’t gotten any closer to figuring things out…]

I just don’t want you blaming yourself.

[If it turns out this is beyond them, their capabilities.]

[clavesregni]

As though you don't like to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. [Said with affection.]

I doubt it will be easy, but I'm not giving up. If the answers are there, we'll find them, however long it takes.

[She finally finds two plates, two glasses, and two sets of cutlery, and lays them out on the counter next to the pots.]

Though you should hurry back. I'm not keen to do it on an empty stomach. And don't forget something to drink, unless you're particularly fond of tap water.

[hexcope]

Tch.

[An exhale of a laugh, because yeah alright. He does that as well. He almost wonders if it's something he picked up from her, now that he thinks about it.]

Yeah, I'm hurrying. Do me a favor and stay out of the kitchen when I come in. I have a surprise for you.

[clavesregni]

A surprise?

[Curiosity? Piqued. Detective brain? Activated. She's not gonna purposefully try to spoil the surprise for herself, but she can't help but subconsciously try to solve it like a little mystery.]

If you insist.

[She glances around at her very good job of setting out the pots and plates.]

I think I've got everything ready here, anyway. I'll wait for you in the dining room.

[hexcope]

[When he finally arrives, he yells out from the front door to announce his presence before scurrying into the kitchen to set things up. After some struggling with the oven, he calls her in to the kitchen to see what he's done.

It's probably the lamest birthday celebration Caitlyn's ever been thrown considering the extravagance of the Kiramman family and how Jayce only remembered to do it at the last minute. On the main island counter sits a little dessert, with a single lit candle in it (not much room to fit as many as needed, he might joke), along with a birthday card propped up next to said cake.]

Time's weird now, but if it's winter, your birthday probably happened within the past three months. Or I could be wrong, and you just get a cake anyway.

[clavesregni]

[A birthday-related surprise is on the list of possibilities that her brain generates as Caitlyn sits in the dining room, tapping impatiently on the massive mahogany dining table as she waits for Jayce to call her. It's winter, after all, and that at least puts them near her birthday.

She's accustomed to elaborate food served in courses, gifts sent from people she doesn't know who care more about impressing her mother with their generosity than with giving her anything she'll enjoy or use, and the sort of look from her mother that says she's creeping closer to the age that she'll need to start taking more responsibility and behaving more as a Kiramman ought to. Her favourite part of most birthdays is getting it over with. A little cake with her best friend is a much better way to mark the occasion.

She blows out the candle and grabs two forks, holding one out to him so they can share the dessert, small as it is.]

Twenty-two. I'm catching up to you.

[As though he won't also be turning a year older, the next time summer rolls around.]