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[Accelerator's stare is very firm, not beating around the bush.]

Have you died before?

[ Viktor matches that stare. ]

That depends on what you consider death.

[Well, he can certainly clarify.]

I don't mean some psychological concept bullshit like ego death. I mean your heart stops, meaningful brain function ceases, and under normal circumstances you wouldn't be able to come back from it. You'd just be gone forever.

I know. I do not believe in the concept of a soul.

[ That was a pretty fantasy that he'd never really subscribed to, and certainly not one he finds comfort in now. ]

My core has stopped before. My heart, too, when I had one. But no, by that definition, I have not died. I do not intend to either.

I have. [He doesn't offer any details about that, just that he's experienced death before.] And I can tell you that any offer that decreases the likelihood of dying is an offer worth taking.

Hm.

[ Viktor won't offer condolences. Those won't turn back the hands of time and he's not the type to waste words if he doesn't see a use in it. ]

I can see the merit in the offer. What is it you expect in return for it?

Nothing. [He shrugs.] You already sent me shit to read and helped me with the cane. There isn't a lot to do in between missions, so this is just something interesting for me to do.

[Plus, he likes Jayce's Viktor, and this one helped him out, so helping him and decreasing any chances of chances of death is enough for him.]

I see.

[ Viktor is unused to a great many things, and generosity without ulterior motive is yet another. It has never been something he's trusted before, but he is willing, at least, to see where this goes. ]

When you have the specifications for the alloy, we can discuss the matter further. I will need the time to test it. You are welcome to be present for that as well, though it will be less, eh, exciting than the surgery itself.

[He gives a slight nod.]

All that's fine. I'll let you know when I get all that shit from Aurora.

I will resist the temptation to do something stupid in the meantime.

[ How effective that will be is still to be determined, but at the very least, he'll think twice about it and that counts for something. ]

Hrm. [He doesn't look entirely convinced, he's heard that enough times to be wary.

Anyways, there was one more thing he wanted to do. He holds the cane Viktor made him in Auriel out for him to take.]

You can have this back, too.

Edited (omg I wanted to do this!!!) 2025-12-23 15:27 (UTC)

[ Viktor hums back, looking down at the cane. Taking a step forward, he takes it and holds it up into the light. ]

Hm, you can keep it if you would like. I have no use for it.

[ He should have no use of it, now that he has access to more stable compounds. ]

This alloy is nothing I can use. Gold is best used for magic and I do not work with it often.

[Accelerator blinks, looking down at the cane. He doesn't need it either now that he has his crutch back, but it's well-made and a lot of effort clearly went into crafting it. He doesn't want to just throw it out.]

... You sure?

The offer is genuine, yes.

[ Viktor is not so quick to dispose of anything either, but there is little good it would serve him at present other than a reminder and his memory isn't faulty enough to need it. ]

I can take it if you insist.

[He considers his options for a moment or two, before his expression sets into something decisive.]

No, it's fine. I'll hold onto it in case another mission like that one comes up and I need it again.

[He's going to voice the pragmatic reason to hold onto it, though part of him simply wants to have it.

This next part comes a little more reluctantly.]

... Thanks.

Should it need to be repaired, I still possess the blueprints.

[ Viktor had built it to last, but he's familiar enough with the missions to know that most things, themselves included, are often tested. ]

I had built it to be used, and that is all that matters to me.

[ Because Viktor is clearly unused to gratitude in any form. ]

Okay.

[Though from the craftsmanship Accelerator is reluctant to completely believe that the cane was entirely made for practical reasons. People don't put this much effort into building something when it's for practicality only.

Anyways, it is what it is. He'll hold onto it for any future missions.]

I'll see you around, then.