[ Are they still fake if over half of it is true? Based on a true story, maybe? He offers the barkeep a smile as they manage their tab. Thank you.
To Sevika, he keeps his smile, though not intimidated and takes no offense with being clocked as an outsider. That won't do for first impressions. She gets a nod in return as greeting and the raise of his eyebrows when Viktor drops that she holds a position. ]
How lucky. It's a pleasure to meet you, Sevika. Glad to see that you can find respite between the many responsibilities you have. [ Genuinely. ] My expectations for your business are quite high as Viktor chose it as one of the first few to show me. Let it not disappoint.
[ High regards and yet not too much flattery. Leaning over to Viktor, ]
[One of Sevika's brows lifts very high. VIKTOR BROUGHT JACOPO HERE AS THE FIRST VENTURE? is what the gesture seems to scream. Why would Viktor do this? Though the bar is seeing much better days (and a little clientele now).]
Don't let him fool you, [to Sevika] if he wasn't at least a little impressed, he'd leave.
[Tattles on Jacopo.
Who the FCK is Jesus? He sort of smiles, but looks a bit confused by the reference. He is thankfully intelligent enough to be able to guestimate the time period Jacopo must mean.]
After I came back actually. She had worked for one of the former owners of this bar and uniter of Zaun. Silco.
[ Technically, it's the second, but that's still within the first few as he said. Why WOULD Viktor do that? Jacopo wouldn't know! He is a visitor, as he was so graciously introduced, so he keeps his smile on so that Viktor be the source for answers.
Even though Viktor tattles on him, he doesn't find it far from the truth. ]
I do like the atmosphere.
[ He wouldn't waste his time and wouldn't waste words on flattery if he won't gain. Even if Sevika holds a seat, he gains nothing right now.
Does Viktor want to ask about Jesus? ]
Don't think you've talked about Silco much... But honestly, I'm more curious about your partner.
[The first one was nice, but doesn't count. Jacopo should put up more resistance to being dragged around. Not that Viktor isn't going to drag Jacopo around anyway.
Viktor does want tot know about Jesus! He had been in Heaven after all.]
He has quite the story. Maybe I can tell you later.
[Maybe not in front of Sevika, though he's sure Sevika has some hilarious commentary about all of that. He won't plague her with their conversation, though.
A glass of wine is placed down on the counter in front of Jacopo, followed by a plate of what looks like slices of tomato with mayonnaise on crackers.]
You mean... Jayce? Why?
[So many people from Heaven assigned them soulmates which is probably true, so to break the spirit of League lore and continue to hurt Cola.]
[ Why should he when he's a guest and Viktor so kindly decided he will be a guide? Jacopo didn't think about this until they took more steps and he found more pieces of himself on the way, but he thinks he will grade Viktor on how well he plays the role of host. It's only fair.
Taking the glass, he swirls the liquor once before giving it a sniff. ]
[Great, now he is being graded. Digging deep into his Jesus-era cult-commune lore today, figuring out how to be a guide and a leader. A shepherd really.
He is confused by the flabbergast, but takes up one of the crackers to enjoy. The ice cream will be out in a minute.
The wine smells dry, but spicy. It brings to mind cinnamon and clove. Not a bad taste inlaid in the flavor of red fruit. The spice of Zaun. At least it wasn't one of the earthy ones which have a very grassy, mushy flavor. He will put that onto Jacopo later maybe.]
It's just... I didn't know you had any interest in meeting him is all. But you can if you'd like.
Edited (me seeing the typo as soon as i hit submit) 2025-05-06 02:38 (UTC)
[ Anna, do you drink alcohol? You will know that I don't, so I wouldn't understand what you're describing to me, but I will imagine the best I can. I drink coffee often enough and still cannot taste the undertones.
Jacopo is inclined to like it, I've decided, and will take a sampling sip first. He lets it rest on his tongue, then presses to the roof of his mouth to savor. It's good. Kind of funny how he'd like it... With that, he will take some of the tasty little crackers to pair with the wine and enjoy how the flavors transform each other.
isn't this kind of stupidly posh ]
You were talking about stuffing me into his body. [ His eyes narrow at him. ] But I don't need to meet him.
[I can't explain how much the first part made me laugh this morning when I woke up. I don't drink a lot of alcohol, so the immediate on point accusation made me lose it because I was like I looked this up why am I wrong. IT'S OK HEI IT'S JUST RP I'M GIVING YOU WRITING FLAVOR nevermind i will simply snatch the alcohol right out of jacopo's idiot hand.
Jacopo could have hated it if he wanted, but liking it just earns Viktor some bonus host points hopefully. It's posh, but Viktor has already given Jacopo ale, and so he stupidly has thought this more currently posh-pretending Italian may want some wine.
The taste for wine just feels like Jacopo after Heaven. Enjoy.]
Yes, well... You were apprehensive about it, so I did not think you were interested. You can meet him if you want.
[Just reiterating, he isn't gatekeeping Jayce. Perhaps it would be funny when he leads Jacopo to Jayce's grave (no) (it was something I considered doing for hilarity).]
[ okay i was like oh if you know this from experience i wouldn't get it but thank you
It does add to Viktor's progress card, even though he's fumbling on this soulmate portion here. Jacopo doesn't go so far to think Viktor and Jayce are soulmates, but like he said in Heaven, he thinks that they mean something to each other.
He doesn't say anything as he eats more and sips more. Viktor is meant to continue his thought? Tell him more? ]
[I do know wine has some weird flavor profiles, but it's all too dryly alcoholic for me. I dislike them. (spits on Jacopo's Italian heritage)
Jacopo really doesn't say anything else, leaving the hanging conversation all on him for explanation. I had half a mind to make up a story about alien clone mpreg and how they now have a child together, but I will be nice.]
...We talked things over. Reconciled. Made better, more secure alterations to the Hexgates, to our Hextech. I convinced him not to destroy the Hexcore even though I had been the one to beg him to initially. [As noted by the staff with the weird fucking orb he's toting around.] We stabilized it further instead.
As long as it is in a catalyst form, it's alright. And then... I worked on getting rid of the pollution in Zaun while he worked to change the politics of Piltover.
[I will give them a weird mpreg child and kill Jayce off, and now Jacopo has to be the stand-in second father for it because I knew it would make Jacopo lose his entire mind.
He thought Viktor got more normal, but he instead became more of a freak.]
A long time ago, yes. It seemed incredibly dangerous at the time. But he didn't. And when he was desperate, he used it to save me.
[So very funny. This is all Jayce's fault.]
He was before. He was a councilman when he was my partner. The conflict of interest between our work and politics got him into a lot of trouble usually.
... I'm surprised someone like him would find any footing in politics.
[ Sorry, Jayce. You just seem like a giant nerd puppy who wants to work on his nerd projects with his partner? Politics is a den of wolves. Very not fun. Jacopo thinks rather than passion being the key to success in politics, it's greed.
Munching on this cracker as he judges an ill-equipped brunette getting into politics even though that's just also him. ]
It makes it a bit poetic when he came after you, then.
He was good at the forward-facing side of it. The charisma. But I think a lot of people used his good nature against him. He had a difficult time saying no under certain pressures.
[Such is the way of politics, bureaucracies, trying to please (my fingers typed pleasure hello) multiple people. As Jacopo thinks: satisfying the greedy.]
He did not tell me before why, not really. But since then, he has shown me... a world of terrible, lonely solitude. A desolate place of husks going on forever. It was the world I would inadvertently create on the path I was headed.
He had been trying to stop me. To... uphold the promise I asked him to destroy the Hexcore.
From the earliest memory in the medley you showed me, he had puppy-dog energy.
[ So it lines up with everything Viktor has said about Jayce so far, though when he became burly and harrowed Jayce gave a totally different vibe.
He sips his wine and contemplates. There's that small and familiar envy, but also gratitude. It's good that Viktor had and has someone like Jayce. He wishes he had someone like that in his past life. ]
[JACOPO REALLY JUST SAYS WHATEVER AT ALL TIMES. This makes Viktor almost laugh; he snorts and covers it with a fist and a cough. Well. Jayce has some over-grown Saint Bernard energy.]
He was a bit naive in his hopeful optimism for our dream. He had changed after his... journey. I could tell something had... matured him, but it wasn't until I came back that I learned what had happened.
[He told so many people in Heaven, confused, he didn't know exactly why Jayce had blasted him other than being simply... human. Emotional.]
Jacopo. I'll eat your ice cream, too, if you keep on.
[HELLO. You fell immediately in love with Adolphe, you stupid piece of shit, shut up. Not that he can deny the tragic romanticism of his and Jayce's everything, but shut up again.]
We don't need to dance around it. That man got the puppy traumatized out of him.
[ This isn't as funny despite the way Jacopo says it, but it is still a little funny despite him taking it seriously. He is glad... That Jayce and Viktor were able to connect again, though he had no doubt. If it wasn't going to be in this current life, then maybe the next, or in death.
What he learned from living life again is that it's difficult to escape the threads of fate. It is a small sphere. Do not take his ice cream... He will guard it. ]
What? Are we suddenly kids?
[ HE DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING WRONG HERE! JUST DENY IT LIKE A NORMAL GUY? And listen here. He didn't immediately fall fro Adolphe. He hated that guy's ass for a week and a half. ]
[JACOPO!!!! He can't take you anywhere. A WEEK AND A HALF IS NOTHING WHEN IT'S ONLY BECAUSE YOU ARE LOOKING INTO THE MIRROR!!!]
It was a harrowing experience.
[He is trying to take up for Jayce here when Jacopo is that one friend who tells it to you straight and to your face. The puppy did get traumatized out of him.]
Why must eating another man's ice cream in retribution be called childish?
[Yes. They are children. When they leave here, they will be getting de-aged. Two ten year olds. (no)
Speaking of - ice cream, not children - the frozen dairy treat finally makes an appearance, hopefully long enough after the first snack and drink to keep it from tasting weird. It looks like normal ice cream, like the ice cream found in Heaven.]
[ he is a slow burn most of the time, an intense whirlwind in a moment very rare times... okay..... ]
Good to hear he's holding on there and that you guys finally got to talk.
[ Yeah? Very rich coming from a man who couldn't talk to his wife, honestly.
Jacopo doesn't know about therapy just yet. Maybe Jayce would benefit from it though, rather than meeting Jacopo who would give him another reason to go to therapy because he's an annoyance. Imagine in the world of Arcane, they leave this bar and become twelve. ]
All right. [ He gestures to the cold treat. ] Steal my ice cream, then. Go on and tell me how empowered and sated you feel.
You don't sound very convinced. I can hear the struggle to withhold judgement until you have met him. You're in pain.
[Okay, now he's teasing more seriously. Maybe it's payback for the sass about the ice cream. He reaches out and pushes the ice cream more in front of Jacopo, closer.]
You know I'm prone to being a benefactor. I wouldn't be able to enjoy your satisfaction of the ice cream if I ate it before you could. Go ahead.
[A gesture at the ice cream. He takes up the spoon of his own.]
[ how did you predict we would all crash out about essek ]
In pain over not meeting your haunted partner... I think I can also go without knowing him, especially if there's a nonzero chance he shoots a sizable hole through me. Though I suppose we could get along?
[ Is that something Viktor wants? For him and Jayce to get along swimmingly? It's very much possible since they both had held wonder for technology and innovations before. Jacopo was one of the first few to foresee movies when all they had were phenakistiscope. He invested in artists and inventors for a colorful future.
[YOU GUYS ARE REALLY GOING THROUGH IT ABOUT ESSEK!!!! HE HAS FOOD AT HOME!!!]
I don't think Jayce would shoot a hole in you....
[He doesn't sound quite as convinced as he should sound really, but that's okay.]
I think the two of you would butt heads a bit, but only because you aren't afraid of telling people what you think of them.
[EAT YOUR DAMN ICR CREAM. Viktor reaches over and dips his own spoon into Jacopo's ice cream to steal some. He eats it. He won't double-dip, though, out of respect.]
Jacopo notices that Viktor is not very convincing and that kind of worries him. Is he scared of Jayce? Not necessarily. Is he scared of what people in general can do? Yeah. So normal amount of worry. ]
Criticism is important in his line of work. For both fields, though I have no clue if you two are tinkering and inventing anymore.
[ When Viktor comes to steal his ice cream, he looks at him to see how Content and Sated he is as it was part of the joke ("are you happy now?"), but doesn't give him much grief after. He will start on the ice cream after, careful to not give himself a brain freeze. ]
[Jayce is a changed man now... Well. He's a less unhinged and more therapied man now. Just like Viktor. People can change! (looks at jacopo)]
We have returned to inventing, yes. Sometimes together, sometimes on our own.
[Sometimes you are still a mad little scientist and your buddy is a jock nerd, so you want to create different things. It's fine. He smiles slightly when Jacopo finally has some of the ice cream. Enjoy your brain freeze.]
Satisfied...? You mean in general? [Hmmmmm. He looks out over the bar distantly, thoughtfully.] Yes, mostly. I believe so.
[ Jacopo is just freed from the curse, not that Viktor got to saw him under its influence. He only saw him as the haunted man that he was, changed by the circumstances he couldn't control.
Overall, Jacopo himself seems fine. He doesn't look off to a distance anymore to leer at ghosts who don't exist. ]
That's good. Never forget your passions or roots.
[ Mistakes he makes like twice. It's fine. He will NOT get a brain freeze YET, but if he isn't careful with his pacing he will perish.
Viktor may be looking out, but Jacopo is watching him. ]
Mostly? What... Hit a block on your current project?
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To Sevika, he keeps his smile, though not intimidated and takes no offense with being clocked as an outsider. That won't do for first impressions. She gets a nod in return as greeting and the raise of his eyebrows when Viktor drops that she holds a position. ]
How lucky. It's a pleasure to meet you, Sevika. Glad to see that you can find respite between the many responsibilities you have. [ Genuinely. ] My expectations for your business are quite high as Viktor chose it as one of the first few to show me. Let it not disappoint.
[ High regards and yet not too much flattery. Leaning over to Viktor, ]
You guys met during your Jesus days or before?
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Don't let him fool you, [to Sevika] if he wasn't at least a little impressed, he'd leave.
[Tattles on Jacopo.
Who the FCK is Jesus? He sort of smiles, but looks a bit confused by the reference. He is thankfully intelligent enough to be able to guestimate the time period Jacopo must mean.]
After I came back actually. She had worked for one of the former owners of this bar and uniter of Zaun. Silco.
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Even though Viktor tattles on him, he doesn't find it far from the truth. ]
I do like the atmosphere.
[ He wouldn't waste his time and wouldn't waste words on flattery if he won't gain. Even if Sevika holds a seat, he gains nothing right now.
Does Viktor want to ask about Jesus? ]
Don't think you've talked about Silco much... But honestly, I'm more curious about your partner.
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Viktor does want tot know about Jesus! He had been in Heaven after all.]
He has quite the story. Maybe I can tell you later.
[Maybe not in front of Sevika, though he's sure Sevika has some hilarious commentary about all of that. He won't plague her with their conversation, though.
A glass of wine is placed down on the counter in front of Jacopo, followed by a plate of what looks like slices of tomato with mayonnaise on crackers.]
You mean... Jayce? Why?
[So many people from Heaven assigned them soulmates which is probably true, so to break the spirit of League lore and continue to hurt Cola.]
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Taking the glass, he swirls the liquor once before giving it a sniff. ]
What do you mean "why?"
[ Flabbergasted. ]
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He is confused by the flabbergast, but takes up one of the crackers to enjoy. The ice cream will be out in a minute.
The wine smells dry, but spicy. It brings to mind cinnamon and clove. Not a bad taste inlaid in the flavor of red fruit. The spice of Zaun. At least it wasn't one of the earthy ones which have a very grassy, mushy flavor. He will put that onto Jacopo later maybe.]
It's just... I didn't know you had any interest in meeting him is all. But you can if you'd like.
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Jacopo is inclined to like it, I've decided, and will take a sampling sip first. He lets it rest on his tongue, then presses to the roof of his mouth to savor. It's good. Kind of funny how he'd like it... With that, he will take some of the tasty little crackers to pair with the wine and enjoy how the flavors transform each other.
isn't this kind of stupidly posh ]
You were talking about stuffing me into his body. [ His eyes narrow at him. ] But I don't need to meet him.
[ DOES HE HAVE TO BE FRANK? ]
I want to know how are things between you two.
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Jacopo could have hated it if he wanted, but liking it just earns Viktor some bonus host points hopefully. It's posh, but Viktor has already given Jacopo ale, and so he stupidly has thought this more currently posh-pretending Italian may want some wine.
The taste for wine just feels like Jacopo after Heaven. Enjoy.]
Yes, well... You were apprehensive about it, so I did not think you were interested. You can meet him if you want.
[Just reiterating, he isn't gatekeeping Jayce. Perhaps it would be funny when he leads Jacopo to Jayce's grave (no) (it was something I considered doing for hilarity).]
Things are alright now.
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It does add to Viktor's progress card, even though he's fumbling on this soulmate portion here. Jacopo doesn't go so far to think Viktor and Jayce are soulmates, but like he said in Heaven, he thinks that they mean something to each other.
He doesn't say anything as he eats more and sips more. Viktor is meant to continue his thought? Tell him more? ]
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Jacopo really doesn't say anything else, leaving the hanging conversation all on him for explanation. I had half a mind to make up a story about alien clone mpreg and how they now have a child together, but I will be nice.]
...We talked things over. Reconciled. Made better, more secure alterations to the Hexgates, to our Hextech. I convinced him not to destroy the Hexcore even though I had been the one to beg him to initially. [As noted by the staff with the weird fucking orb he's toting around.] We stabilized it further instead.
As long as it is in a catalyst form, it's alright. And then... I worked on getting rid of the pollution in Zaun while he worked to change the politics of Piltover.
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Wait, so you begged him to destroy it. [ Jacopo is just flabbergasted? ] And he's a politician?
[ Both renditions of Jayce Jacopo saw do not scream politician. ]
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He thought Viktor got more normal, but he instead became more of a freak.]
A long time ago, yes. It seemed incredibly dangerous at the time. But he didn't. And when he was desperate, he used it to save me.
[So very funny. This is all Jayce's fault.]
He was before. He was a councilman when he was my partner. The conflict of interest between our work and politics got him into a lot of trouble usually.
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[ Sorry, Jayce. You just seem like a giant nerd puppy who wants to work on his nerd projects with his partner? Politics is a den of wolves. Very not fun. Jacopo thinks rather than passion being the key to success in politics, it's greed.
Munching on this cracker as he judges an ill-equipped brunette getting into politics even though that's just also him. ]
It makes it a bit poetic when he came after you, then.
[ Destroying the alien core. ]
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[Such is the way of politics, bureaucracies, trying to please (my fingers typed pleasure hello) multiple people. As Jacopo thinks: satisfying the greedy.]
He did not tell me before why, not really. But since then, he has shown me... a world of terrible, lonely solitude. A desolate place of husks going on forever. It was the world I would inadvertently create on the path I was headed.
He had been trying to stop me. To... uphold the promise I asked him to destroy the Hexcore.
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[ So it lines up with everything Viktor has said about Jayce so far, though when he became burly and harrowed Jayce gave a totally different vibe.
He sips his wine and contemplates. There's that small and familiar envy, but also gratitude. It's good that Viktor had and has someone like Jayce. He wishes he had someone like that in his past life. ]
Wow. That's almost tragically romantic.
[ Said in like "that's kind of gross" tone. ]
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He was a bit naive in his hopeful optimism for our dream. He had changed after his... journey. I could tell something had... matured him, but it wasn't until I came back that I learned what had happened.
[He told so many people in Heaven, confused, he didn't know exactly why Jayce had blasted him other than being simply... human. Emotional.]
Jacopo. I'll eat your ice cream, too, if you keep on.
[HELLO. You fell immediately in love with Adolphe, you stupid piece of shit, shut up. Not that he can deny the tragic romanticism of his and Jayce's everything, but shut up again.]
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[ This isn't as funny despite the way Jacopo says it, but it is still a little funny despite him taking it seriously. He is glad... That Jayce and Viktor were able to connect again, though he had no doubt. If it wasn't going to be in this current life, then maybe the next, or in death.
What he learned from living life again is that it's difficult to escape the threads of fate. It is a small sphere. Do not take his ice cream... He will guard it. ]
What? Are we suddenly kids?
[ HE DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING WRONG HERE! JUST DENY IT LIKE A NORMAL GUY? And listen here. He didn't immediately fall fro Adolphe. He hated that guy's ass for a week and a half. ]
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It was a harrowing experience.
[He is trying to take up for Jayce here when Jacopo is that one friend who tells it to you straight and to your face. The puppy did get traumatized out of him.]
Why must eating another man's ice cream in retribution be called childish?
[Yes. They are children. When they leave here, they will be getting de-aged. Two ten year olds. (no)
Speaking of - ice cream, not children - the frozen dairy treat finally makes an appearance, hopefully long enough after the first snack and drink to keep it from tasting weird. It looks like normal ice cream, like the ice cream found in Heaven.]
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Good to hear he's holding on there and that you guys finally got to talk.
[ Yeah? Very rich coming from a man who couldn't talk to his wife, honestly.
Jacopo doesn't know about therapy just yet. Maybe Jayce would benefit from it though, rather than meeting Jacopo who would give him another reason to go to therapy because he's an annoyance. Imagine in the world of Arcane, they leave this bar and become twelve. ]
All right. [ He gestures to the cold treat. ] Steal my ice cream, then. Go on and tell me how empowered and sated you feel.
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You don't sound very convinced. I can hear the struggle to withhold judgement until you have met him. You're in pain.
[Okay, now he's teasing more seriously. Maybe it's payback for the sass about the ice cream. He reaches out and pushes the ice cream more in front of Jacopo, closer.]
You know I'm prone to being a benefactor. I wouldn't be able to enjoy your satisfaction of the ice cream if I ate it before you could. Go ahead.
[A gesture at the ice cream. He takes up the spoon of his own.]
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In pain over not meeting your haunted partner... I think I can also go without knowing him, especially if there's a nonzero chance he shoots a sizable hole through me. Though I suppose we could get along?
[ Is that something Viktor wants? For him and Jayce to get along swimmingly? It's very much possible since they both had held wonder for technology and innovations before. Jacopo was one of the first few to foresee movies when all they had were phenakistiscope. He invested in artists and inventors for a colorful future.
Terrifying. ]
Now you're going to turn back on your threat?
[ The ice cream stays untouched. ]
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I don't think Jayce would shoot a hole in you....
[He doesn't sound quite as convinced as he should sound really, but that's okay.]
I think the two of you would butt heads a bit, but only because you aren't afraid of telling people what you think of them.
[EAT YOUR DAMN ICR CREAM. Viktor reaches over and dips his own spoon into Jacopo's ice cream to steal some. He eats it. He won't double-dip, though, out of respect.]
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Jacopo notices that Viktor is not very convincing and that kind of worries him. Is he scared of Jayce? Not necessarily. Is he scared of what people in general can do? Yeah. So normal amount of worry. ]
Criticism is important in his line of work. For both fields, though I have no clue if you two are tinkering and inventing anymore.
[ When Viktor comes to steal his ice cream, he looks at him to see how Content and Sated he is as it was part of the joke ("are you happy now?"), but doesn't give him much grief after. He will start on the ice cream after, careful to not give himself a brain freeze. ]
... Are you more satisfied now than before?
[ Have you made yourself a home? ]
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We have returned to inventing, yes. Sometimes together, sometimes on our own.
[Sometimes you are still a mad little scientist and your buddy is a jock nerd, so you want to create different things. It's fine. He smiles slightly when Jacopo finally has some of the ice cream. Enjoy your brain freeze.]
Satisfied...? You mean in general? [Hmmmmm. He looks out over the bar distantly, thoughtfully.] Yes, mostly. I believe so.
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Overall, Jacopo himself seems fine. He doesn't look off to a distance anymore to leer at ghosts who don't exist. ]
That's good. Never forget your passions or roots.
[ Mistakes he makes like twice. It's fine. He will NOT get a brain freeze YET, but if he isn't careful with his pacing he will perish.
Viktor may be looking out, but Jacopo is watching him. ]
Mostly? What... Hit a block on your current project?
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