abraxasnet | @ everyone

[Viktor’s familiar, hurried script appears once again on its own. Without someone helping to facilitate the post, he is straight to the point, much as he was some months ago, announcing the location of the kidnapped Summoned.]

I’m well aware that most of us are occupied with the hostile creatures descending on various locations across the continent. However:

I’m more concerned with the nature of these phenomena and am currently improving the devices that the Academy will use to take measurements from the rifts. When I’m finished, the data will be more accurate than what the Cadens scientists could gather on their own. If there are similar efforts in the other factions, it is in our best interests to collaborate. I have theories of my own, as well.

[That’s, you know, the hint to pony up some intel.]

In the meantime, for those of you in the Free Cities who might be venturing to the rifts, I will need an escort. I would prefer to collect the readings myself, but I’m willing to part with one of the devices provided you are responsible with it. That may allow us to cover more ground.

As always, if you are in need of equipment or repairs, my workshop is open (unless I’m examining the rifts, in which case I’ll handle inquiries when I return).

- V

[ooc: here is a little bit about what Viktor has going on! for additional plotting/convergence of plots, hit me up on plurk at

whitticus or discord at whitticus.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I agree that we should talk to one another and share information, however, we are vulnerable to them doing such things again regardless of whether we know about their previous activities or not. Are you going to raise arms if they attempt to experiment on us again? I do not think so. I think you would volunteer. Giving in to whatever our hosts desire is also not a long-term solution.

Why should we trust you and Wanda? Most people here, including you, have urged caution and skepticism of everything. That includes the two of you. That I like you does not make you trustworthy.

I would not volunteer willingly, but if it was between me and one of the youths here, of course I would. We have teenagers and they're vulnerable. I sacrificed myself for them in the Pit and I would do it again. But we can't guarantee when Thorne will turn on us or if they will. I am being patient. My partner and I have been planning for a long time to find a way to get them out and where we could go to.

The first Summoned here were thrown into the dungeons. They tried to execute one of them. The only reason they escaped to the other two factions was two mysterious people called Oliver and Elizabeth showed up, froze all the mages, and opened portals to the Free Cities and Solvunn. That won't happen for us.

I'm not asking you to trust me, I'm asking you to listen to me.

Ah. So once someone is 20, throw them to the wolves. Perhaps I should start lying about my age.

[The statement both is and isn't a joke. Nobody in Fodlan seemed to care that they were sending teenagers into dangerous situations.]

Who is your partner? It's true that we can't know with certainty. I just worry you may be too complacent because you like the situation.

You are asking me to trust you - you want me to act - or not- as you wish based on the information you provide. Which entails trusting not only that you are a person who wants to tell me the truth, but also trusting your ability to assess and analyze your surroundings. I am currently evaluating my information sources in Abraxas, including you.

I am listening to you. That does not ensure that I will obey you, always heed your counsel, or come to the same conclusion that you do.

I was thinking more twenty-five.

[ Is he joking? Who knows. ]

Lucifer is my partner. What makes you think I like the situation? Thorne is dangerous and we have to constantly be paranoid and afraid of what they'd do to us, it's an untenable situation, and I've already been in it for a year. Our situation is completely different than the other two. They have freedom for where they can live, what jobs they can get, how easy it is for them to move around without being watched. They can all carry weapons, they only let some of us, and they can take anything we have at any time.

This is not a place any of us should stay, but we haven't figured out how to leave safely yet. Not to mention that if we did try to flee to the other two, it would put everyone there at risk, or restart the war if they refused to send us back to Thorne.

Every action that we make here could cause consequences. That is something you should think about. I can't control you.

'Like' is probably the incorrect word. 'Can tolerate?' 'Understand?' Those might be more accurate. You have some knowledge of how to handle this situation and would not want to give it up. You have plans. If the situation were to radically change, your plans would have to as well.

Do you know that for certain about the other two factions? My colleagues in the Free Cities do not appear to think that they are free and unwatched, and I don't think we can assume that they are not watched. If traveling in time as well as space is possible as certain things here suggest, then we cannot assume that staffing limitations or having a large area to watch are the barriers they would otherwise be. We could also interpret the situation as Thorne is at least being honest in their restrictions.

It's fairly normal to restrict the presence of weaponry in a castle. If we cannot work, how does Kyle have work?

I am thinking about it.

I am annoyed with you because you assumed that you had complete knowledge of the situation - you have not asked me any questions about why I have spoken up, nor about my values. While I'm sure your plans with Lucifer are well-formed, they are not something I can or will wait on. There is always the possibility that one or both of you will disappear tomorrow, and where would that leave those of us on the outside of your plans? Particularly if you are gone: Lucifer does not strike me as somebody who cares very much about anyone else's wellbeing.

Nor have you answered the question I put to you as to whether or not you had alternative suggestions - I am not going to endanger myself if a better alternative exists. I would be pleased if we could gather this information in concert with the authorities in Thorne. I do not revel in creating problems. They distract from what I would prefer to spend my time on.

However, I do reserve the right to select my own priorities.

Okay Linhardt we are going to have to put a pin in this conversation. It's one I want to have with you, but we are in the middle of a crisis right now, and I've been portaling for days. My brain is tired and I am handling talking to multiple people right now about what Viktor needs and what is being attacked right now.

Can we shelf some of this to talk about when this is over? Please.

Yes, of course. Please rest.

@ everyone

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