un: jaycetalis | video

[hexcope]

[If anyone hasn’t seen Jayce within the past few months, he looks quite a bit different. His hair is longer, he has a beard, and doesn’t seem quite as full of energy as he might have in the past. He’s also not dressing as uptight as he used to— a lack of vest and tie, exchanged for just a simple button up shirt. The background is once again S.T.A.R. labs, although he’s not trying to hide it this time.]

Hey, Etrayans. For those new to this whole thing, welcome. I’m Jayce Talis. For those who came from Pollux, also welcome. I can say with full confidence Aurora’s better at this than Castor is.

[Aurora probably won’t appreciate that comment, but whatever. He stands by it. But that aside…]

I’m putting out a call for fellow scientists to come together and work collaboratively on research involving what we know about Etraya, and more importantly, what we don’t know. This could also include strategizing developments to improve our lives here, and solving problems with our understanding in our respective fields. 


Something that we have here that we lack in our own worlds is the variety of perspectives. In my world, some of our greatest achievements are beyond what’s possible in other worlds, but we don’t have plastics or microwaves. Think of this as an opportunity for all of us to better ourselves, in this… transient existence we’re all stuck in.

Meetings would be here, in S.T.A.R. labs, every Thursday morning. No requirements if you want to participate other than an open mind, and a good attitude. No shooting down suggestions without hearing things out, and if you happen to have some sort of grudge against any of the participants here, you leave it at the door when you come in, or you’re not coming in.

[OOC: Feel free to threadjack around if you'd like!]

Comments

[godsandbats]

Yes, that was the impression I’ve gotten from talking to him too. He seems highly capable.

[hexcope]

He is. He's Viktor. Every Viktor is incredible.

I have a more serious question for you, along this thread.

[godsandbats]

What is it?

text > audio (also permaprivate, as it has been)

[hexcope]

I don't know how to put this.

[He switches to audio, because he keeps deleting what he's writing when he tries to type it. When he finally gathers the courage to speak:]

I think I make Viktor worse.

Audio

[godsandbats]

[Kirk wasn't sure what to expect but it wasn't that. He switches to audio as well since it seems easier than typing it all out]

What makes you say that?

[hexcope]

This new Viktor... seems better off without Jayce. His Jayce betrayed him, sold him out, hurt him- physically, even. From that, he's cured himself and he's made his own path.

I betrayed Viktor too. More than once. He planned on leaving me, and I planned on begging him to come back. But what if that-- if I'm holding him back?

[godsandbats]

[There’s a pause from Kirk’s end as he thinks about how to respond. The mentions of betrayal by a loved one and the fear of abandonment hit close to home for him]

Do you why this other Jayce betrayed him? And were you planning to do more than beg?

[hexcope]

Stole his work, presumably sold it off as his own. I don't know why other than he's an asshole.

I don't know what you're asking. I'd do anything to get Viktor back if he really left me.

[godsandbats]

There are countless alternative universes. It’s entirely possible there’s at least one where you and Viktor are enemies instead of a couple. I’ll admit it was surprising for me to hear as well from the way the other Viktor talked.

What was your betrayal?

[hexcope]

That's what they are in this new Viktor's world, according to him. Enemies. But that's what I'm stuck on... If they're enemies in that world, and Viktor's doing just as well- maybe even better- then what's that say about my involvement in his life?

It wasn't just once. Little things along the way. Compromises I shouldn't have made, promises I broke. He forgave me for almost all of it. Making weapons was the only one he couldn't forgive.

[godsandbats]

[The mention of weapons has Kirk remember something the other Viktor said. He continues to speak in his usual monotone and holding back judgement. He senses it’s a more complicated situation than what he’s heard so far]

The other Viktor sounded rather skeptical when I told him weapon making wasn’t your primary goal. Then he asked if you already made the hammer. Why were you making weapons?

On the other hand, we also only have the other Viktor’s word about what happened so it’s not a complete picture of what this other Jayce is like. It’s probably not an entirely fair comparison to make of yourself versus the other Jayce.

[hexcope]

My hammer...

[It is here. He brought it with him, from his time in the ravine. It's rotting, infected, cursed. It's hard for him to even look at.]

I was making them... to protect people. I wasn't in a good place when I did it- I felt like things were spiraling out of control and it's the only thing I could think of that could help...

[But that never matters to Viktor. To any Viktor.]

Viktor wouldn't lie to me about this. He wouldn't make things up, just to make me look bad. I'm sure the other Jayce did that all himself.

[godsandbats]

What happened to push you into making weapons?

[Kirk doesn't know a lot of the details to Jayce and Viktor's relationship but even he can see how deeply they care for each other]

[hexcope]

Piltover was attacked, twice. First the council meeting, where three councillors were killed. Then at the statue unveiling, that was intended to honor their deaths. I was there both times. I saw firsthand how unprepared Piltover was against attacks, even from our own sister city. Jinx was behind the first attack, but the second one...

It was an impossible choice. The councillors were going to vote to invade Zaun with the full power of our enforcers. That would have lead to chaos, more distrust, more death. Caitlyn offered to lead a smaller team to kill Jinx- so Piltover could pin the attacks on one mastermind assailant. We know it wasn't her behind the second attack, but the Council needed someone to blame, to show we hadn't lost control of the city.

I'd seen Jinx's weapons. If Caitlyn went in without weapons and armor that could handle Zaunite tech... I...

[Jayce takes in a deep breath, pausing in his exposition. He doesn't even sound sad; he just sounds tired.]

Viktor still hadn't shown signs of consciousness yet after the first attack. I had nearly died in the second. I couldn't deal with the idea of losing Caitlyn too. I should have made something else- anything else. I should have made nets, smoke bombs, something that could capture and not kill- but I didn't. I made a gun. There's no walking back from that.

[godsandbats]

[Kirk is quiet as he listens to Jayce tiredly explain the escalated fighting between Piltover and Zaun. It sounded like yet another chapter to a centuries-old conflict between the cities. He remembers hearing from Vander's perspective as well. To Kirk, it seems both cities are not without sin.

When Jayce finishes talking, Kirk calmly responds back]

You were traumatized and desperate. It was two terrorist attacks in a short amount of time. One person you love was seriously hurt and another could've met a similar fate she was ill-prepared for the counterattack.

Then there was the bigger political picture that needed to be thought about. From what I heard from you and a couple of the others, the conflict between Zaun and Piltover has been going on for decades. Unconsciously or not, bias were already ingrained and the powder keg was ready to be ignited. Not many would be very inclined for a nice chitchat after attacks like those.

[hexcope]

[Jayce keeps silent for a long moment. Kirk's right- about most of that, at least. He's told Kirk more than he tells most about some of the worst details of his life, what's one more to add to the pile?]

He wasn't just seriously hurt. He died.

[Another pause.]

I... brought him back.

[godsandbats]

[That’s… unexpected. There’s just a short pause as Kirk starts putting more pieces together]

You did it through magic?

[hexcope]

Yes. He came back... different. But it's why I know magic can save him. I have to do it exactly right. I can't repeat the mistake I made before.

[godsandbats]

[Kirk continues in his monotone and with minimal judgement]

How does Viktor feel about that?

[hexcope]

Which part? The necromancy without his consent, or the fact I want to do it again?

[godsandbats]

[At least he’s self-aware]

Both.

[hexcope]

He trusts me.

[And that's the worst part.]

He didn't break up with me after I told him, but... he should have. I broke my promise.

[godsandbats]

Love has a way of defying many of obstacles, despite logic saying it should be otherwise.

[It certainly can be argued that a vampire like Kirk shouldn't have a partner and yet, Hernan doesn't care]

You still want to be with him but you're afraid your very presence is worse for him because what you've already done.

[hexcope]

Yes. Exactly.

[Said like a sigh of relief. Of course Kirk understands.]

I don't know if what I feel for him is... normal love. I feel like I would tear apart a universe for him, if I needed to. That's a little weird, right?

[godsandbats]

Probably. But given who my boyfriend is, I might not be the best judge in that.

[Kirk is well aware of what the Justice League have done back home. There’s been plenty of dead bodies over the years]

Why are you two still together even after all that?

[Another question asked without judgement. Kirk is hoping to just guide Jayce to get his thoughts better organized]