Abraxas inbox

[cryptsleeper]

Comments

net...work...

[techmaturgy]

I heard you stopped by earlier. Sorry I wasn't in.

[cryptsleeper]

No need to apologize, did you find the books?

Also, I did meet your associate.

[techmaturgy]

I did, thank you. I'll have to add a few more to the collection, so we're not just passing the same book back and forth to each other.

Jayce, yes. My research partner. I hope he behaved himself?

[cryptsleeper]

Go to Press Lane, it's all second hand book shops. My residence is small so I haven't had the space for shelves.

Usually when I met people who aren't subtle, they aren't as friendly as he is.

[techmaturgy]

I'll remember that--thank you, again.

He is a brilliant mind, and has been a very good friend to me for many years. He is also...how would you say it? Kind of a lot.

[cryptsleeper]

Of course. Give yourself a few hours.

"A lot" is a very nice way of putting it, but yes. That's the impression I got. And I can see why you're an excellent partnership.

[techmaturgy]

He means well, but he does get in over his head. When we met, he was facing expulsion from the Academy for illegal experimentation.

I was sent to consolidate his research and have him arrested. Very embarrassing for him, if you can imagine.

[cryptsleeper]

Yes, especially since that clearly went precisely as it was supposed to and you didn't both usher in a technological revolution.

Balance is important.

[techmaturgy]

It was, admittedly, a slightly dramatic way to submit my letter of resignation to the Dean. Luckily, Jayce's Hextech theory proved to be correct. You know the rest.

[cryptsleeper]

Slightly.

He seems a good friend. I'm glad that you've been reunited here, even if I think I spoke to two people based on that volume of energy. Is he always so forthcoming with personal details?

[techmaturgy]

It was unexpected, but not unwelcome. And, yes. He's always like this.

[cryptsleeper]

.....Who just TELLS people about family and childhood trauma?

1/2

[techmaturgy]

Oh. He told you about the mage.

[techmaturgy]

It was a formative experience, for him. Seeing firsthand what magic could do--it changed his life. Charted the course of his entire career. I believe some part of him thinks he still needs to explain himself, as though others aren't going to believe it unless he tells them exactly what happened.

[cryptsleeper]

That's....

That perspective makes sense. I am just accustomed to something like that being a little bit more private, or at least not something brought up when meeting someone for the first time.

[HE FEELS VERY WEIRD ABOUT SHARING PERSONAL DETAILS.]

[techmaturgy]

Believe me, I understand. [read: I am the same] He's very forthcoming, but I've always found his passion to be...inspiring.

[cryptsleeper]

Thank you.

It's a lot to process, but not in a negative way. And I know what to expect from here on out.

[techmaturgy]

It was an adjustment for me as well, but I've never regretted our partnership.

[cryptsleeper]

Well I suspected that last part.

[techmaturgy]

He spoke highly of you, in case you were wondering.

[cryptsleeper]

I think he was mostly surprised you found a like minded associate so quickly.

[techmaturgy]

Oh, yes, because I'm so incapable of making those connections back home.

[He's rolling his eyes! But also it's true Viktor has no friends.]

[cryptsleeper]

I can't judge either way.

[He's also terrible at it so? yay???]

[techmaturgy]

He worries. It's unnecessary.

I'm glad the two of you got along.

[cryptsleeper]

I'm generally in agreement with that, especially when
it's adults looking after themselves.

He seems impossible not to get along with.