video; un: viktor

[runeing]

[ the video feed opens with the shot of… the ground, and a pair of strangely purple, metallic-looking feet, some blue fabric covering the legs. faintly, one may hear viktor’s voice saying, ]

This proves it without a shadow of a doubt. You were right. It is possible to make them remember… to help them.

Wobbles, hold this for me, please.

[ the tablet shakes for a moment as viktor sets it in the hands of the little robot, and as his face comes into focus, it is framed by a hood, and his cheeks, while not quite purple, certainly don’t look to be made of flesh anymore. ]

Observe this, if you would, [ he says this to those watching, and then walks away, long staff in hand, entirely steady on his feet. the surroundings reveal themselves to be in rumpitur; there is a snake person standing nearby, seeming panicked as viktor approaches, watching someone off to the side of the view of the camera. ]

It will not hurt, I promise. Let me help you become who you once were.

[ what happens next is nothing short of unbelievable: viktor lifts his hand, and the purple lines in his metallic body all start to glow at once, an otherworldly light emanating from his limbs, spreading to his eyes, and finally exploding outward as it connects with the naga. for a moment, the light is too bright for anything to be seen clearly; though if one tries, there are circles inside the light, forming a strange sort of a pattern as they wrap around the duo, standing there.

when the light finally dies down, viktor is still there, leaning onto his staff, visibly exhausted — but opposite him, there now stands a person, a man looking mostly human, with some scales still along his arms, his eyes still with slit pupils, like a snake’s. ]

How… do you feel?

[ the formerly-a-snake blinks, shakes his head as if trying to gather his bearings, and says, ] Like… it feels like I’ve been asleep for a long time. Just woken up from a dream, except there was nothing there, you know? Just… emptiness.

[ before viktor can say anything more, there is clamoring to be heard, coming closer; other snakes, shouting, an indistinct mess of he’s hurting them, see and stop that — the others are clearly not pleased, and viktor sighs before holding out his hand towards wobbles the robot, signaling for it (and the tablet) to come closer. ]

Can you see? It can be reversed. What the previous AI did. I could only save this one and two others… but it can be done. We are not helpless. This simulation is not all-powerful.

[ that is all he has time for, though, as the yelling comes closer, and with a frown he takes the tablet and cuts the connection. ]

( ooc: viktor is back from his canon update and is now from between acts 1 and 2 of season 2! his responses come with a slight delay as they are currently being kicked out of rumpitur. some responses to the post may also come from octavian, who is off-screen throughout the post. )

Comments

voice;

[runeing]

[ well, this is a nice thing to hear — a familiar voice, someone he is glad is still here. ]

Back to Aldrip. All five of us.

[ six, if you count wobbles... ]

I'm afraid the Naga saw what I did as harming them, and when I was unsuccessful in healing more of them, it was more important to protect the ones who were changed than to remain. [ read: they got kicked out. ]

voice;

[chimericalclaw]

[Of course Wobbles counts, he's got a magical macguffin in him—]

I see. [Adding more questions to the list. Questions of concern. Questions the answers to which may best... not be said on the network, for now.] I can meet you on the way if you're in need of a carriage for our awakened friends.

[runeing]

We will manage, but thank you for the offer.

[ and perhaps there are more things that have changed that simply the way he looks and the powers he has, for he says then, dryly, ]

Have you been to Octavian's house? You can meet us there. I will speak with you once the others are settled. [ he knows and acknowledges the offer was made most likely so they could speak in private, perhaps also so he could see the no-longer-naga trio... so this will give him the opportunity, still. ]

[chimericalclaw]

[He doesn't like it, but he'll be patient. Not to mention that moment of clear exhaustion after Viktor's... efforts, and who knows how the former Naga are feeling physically; he has concerns about the group's ability to make the entire trek back to Aldrip.]

Very well. Let me know if I can assist somehow in the meantime.

[But this is an appointment he's not missing no matter what. He'll make his way to Octavian's at the appropriate time.]

[manifestering]

[Oop, allow him to cut in--]

They will be hungry from traveling. If you would not mind bringing some snacks. As you might imagine my house is inadequately stocked for so many.

[chimericalclaw]

Of course. I'd hate for them not to feel properly welcomed. [Octavian had been unseen, but it was obvious enough to Altius he had to be the fifth of their number.] Take care on the way.

[Good thing he started that garden. He won't feel bad taking a handful of fruits and vegetables from it before grabbing a sandwich or two elsewhere. Hopefully they like carrots...]

[manifestering]

[Thanks for sensing his presence as Guy Who Was Right, and also how it was obvious anyway.]

Thank you. If you arrive before we do feel free to wait in my laboratory behind the house. There is a lobby.

[It's better than standing around outside, anyway.]

[chimericalclaw]

Alright. I'll see you all there.

[He won't be there terribly early; he's still wrapped up in so many of his own endeavors he doesn't have hours and hours to spend doing nothing but waiting—or perhaps that's just what he tells himself so he doesn't stop and get caught up in his own swirl of thoughts.

Regardless, he's got a good enough idea of what the trip from Rumpitur is like to estimate their arrival. He won't have been waiting long enough to become impatient by then.]

[runeing]

[ there are no further responses — but it is not too far from the estimated time that they indeed do arrive, viktor and octavian and the three not-quite-humans, scales still littering their skin, with their snake-eyes and forked tongues.

octavian takes the trio inside the house proper, to let them rest while he prepares them some food; viktor remains with altius, hood still over his head, the cloak fashioned into something of a toga, wrapped with golden ropes, leaving his arms and feet bare and making his changes very, very obvious. ]

Thank you. For your help. You were the only one who offered.

[chimericalclaw]

[Altius doesn't bother hiding the way he looks intently at the former Naga and Viktor himself, though he doesn't forget his manners and greets Octavian, too. His questions can wait until the appropriate time; he's waited this long for answers, and he can wait a little longer.

He offers a dismissive shrug in response to Viktor's thanks.]

It's hardly anything, but I'm glad to do it. [He lets out a brief breath through his nose.] As much as I'm interested to hear the whats and the hows, I'm not going to let myself forget there are other human beings involved. My first inclination is to ask if you're alright?

[What happened to you, buddy. Zekarion doesn't know if he likes the bright sense he's getting through his own supernatural sight...]