⚙ // my body's on the line now

[hexcrafter]

WHO: Viktor + open
WHERE: Gemini
WHEN: Early March
WHAT: A request definitely not hiding any bigger problem.
WARNINGS: Terminal illness and heavy discussion therein!

Is anyone available who can look after Rio for a while? I will not be at home for at least a week or two, and I failed to plan accordingly. I can compensate you fairly for time, resources, and trouble alike and will have one of my Pokemon bring you my spare keys.

She's an incredibly docile obligate herbivore and even a little skittish despite her size, I promise you she is harmless and easily cared for. Ideally I would like to ask someone she already knows, but this is a general request in case no such option is available.

I apologize for the short notice.

Comments

text: un: trienemybest

[droptheious]

[ Well. That's not in the least bit concerning at all. Especially given everything they've gone through in the past month. ]

I'm at the hospital until Jun gets better - but I'm sure you'll have no limit to helpers there.

Is... everything okay, Viktor?

[hexcrafter]

No, I am sure I will not have a problem on that front.

[hextechnician is typing...]





It's nothing. The usual elemental shift not particularly agreeing with me.

[droptheious]

That's what you get for having a lot of friends.

...Well, if you're sure. Have you spoken to Baizhu? He might be able to give you something to ease your symptoms a little.

[hexcrafter]

Not recently. I suppose I am well overdue for giving him a call to ask if he has anything.

text: un: Mr. Cold Feet

[anyprice]

I gotchu, fam, I can pop in to look after the critter.

....

Somethin' come up with work, or didja get hurt in that whole messy ordeal with savin' our Zodiac user pals, or...

[ when should he start to panic ]

[hexcrafter]

Thank you, I can send Hexblade to give you my keys--just don't be too alarmed, they can look a little intimidating.



I am not hurt. The spirit vein's elemental cycle tends to wear on me more than most.

[anyprice]

Hexblade's your big. Rock. Fella. Right?

I've seen him before and I'm totally scared of giant ghost rocks. But I'll put on my best strong boy face.

[ he's trying to be a little funny, because... oh that sounds bad. ]

Some months I feel weaker than others. I guess because of the elemental magic I have.

Is that what you mean? It's fucking you up?

...You gonna' be alright, lil' buddy?

[hexcrafter]

That's Blitzcrank. Hexblade is the metallic one that tried to ambush me in Paldea. ...It's fine, they've been relatively calm since Talia took a few swings at them.

[hextechnician is typing...]



Something like that, yes. I'm just not feeling well.

text, un: mallemok

[mauks]

[ while Molly doesn't know Viktor all that well there is something about the request that doesn't sit well, especially not after the month they all just had. ]

i'm curious
what kind of animal is rio??

[ and why the sudden need to disappear for a couple of weeks? ]

[hexcrafter]

She's a creature native to Runeterra called a waverider. The closest similarity is with axolotls, but Rio is...much, much larger.

[mauks]

well she sounds just adorable
maybe i'll give sam a helping hand or two while you're away

[ he definitely will, Molly has a soft spot for strange and unusual creatures. ]

i can't remember if i ever introduced myself last time we spoke so
mollymauk tealeaf at your service

text; un: archangel

[thearchangel]

What kind of animal is she exactly?

… everything all right on your end?

[hexcrafter]

Are you familiar with axolotls? She is something like that, but the size of a small bear.

[yes, really.]

It is a little complex; my elemental affinity conflicts with that of the ambient magical energy twice a year, essentially.

[thearchangel]

The wet things with the neck frills? They were pets back on the Citadel, imported from Earth.

And definitely not very big.

So it’s a magical problem. And… you have to disappear for a while because of it?

text; un: lycaon

[paraselenic]

I would also be happy to check in, if need be. Rio seems familiar with me by this point, so I would not mind feeding her.

Are you feeling quite alright?

[The worry. It sets in.]

[hexcrafter]

I really can't thank you enough.

[Hey, Lycaon. Are you at the hospital right now?]

[Because you can probably tell Viktor's way closer than he should be, if you are.]

It is just the same problem as when you came over to tell me about that disastrous party. Elemental affinities conflicting with the time of year.

[paraselenic]

[Lycaon's ears flick curiously. Viktor's little GPS signal indicates he's not only close, but in this building. Standing up from the waiting room seats, he quickly asks the receptionist if Viktor is staying in this hospital.

Sure enough...he's given a floor and direction.

As he walks, Lycaon pauses in his texting, but that doesn't mean he's stopped reading. His brow furrows, remembering just how frail the man was during the month of September. He must be having another one of his spells.

Viktor doesn't get a response in text, but he will get a light knock on his door, with a large white wolf poking his head in.]

Viktor?

Private Text | UN: DelicatelyFrail

[life_ethereal]

[Hmmm. Harumasa is on the mend right now, but he's not allowed to use his magic too much. However, he knows that Viktor tends to be in a bad way during Wind months. Feeling concerned for his friend, he decides to send a text to check in on him.]

Is everything okay, Viki?

private;

[hexcrafter]

[There was a pause in which Viktor just kind of stared at his phone. Zelos was right, everyone else was too--he had to say something even if it meant prying the words out with a damn crowbar. And if he could trust no one else with this exact thing, he could trust Harumasa.]

[After an eternity that lasted perhaps five minutes, he gripped the phone with shaking hands and slowly worked out an answer.

No. It isn't.

I'm running out of time.

private;

[life_ethereal]

[Harumasa sucks in a sharp breath. That's... all that he can think is that it's not fair. It's not fair that Viktor is running out of time, too.

Damn it all, what can he even do?]

Fuck.

What do you need me to do?

I'm here for you, Viki. Whatever I can do to make it a bit easier for you or less lonely, I will.

Text; un: Jute

[agy]

Viktor...

[She's too proper to pry too much.]

Let me know if there's anything I can help with... Besides Rio, I mean.

[hexcrafter]

As always, you're too kind, Aglaea. It's just a bit of a troublesome month, I will get through it.

Text ★ un: Shepard

[earthborn]

You alright?

Seems like you have plenty of help with your fish-sitting. [She's not jealous, who would be jealous of that? Nobody. Grow up.] If there's anything else, I still owe you one.

[hexcrafter]

[you wanna pet the giant axolotl so bad]

I just have a troublesome condition, that's all. The ambient magic of the city's spirit vein aggravates it two months out of the year to the point it requires a little closer monitoring.

[earthborn]

[She wants to pet the giant axolotl so fucking bad that were this not text, it would make her look stupid.]

Chronic, huh? Sounds like a real fun time. You getting a Zodiac doc to do all that, or just... having a vacation?

Not that it's any of my business.