#; be free of your constructs arcane the healing herald .

[anomallis]

" Sett taught me a word in Ionian, it's ████ . I wonder what it means ."

[anomallis]

He waited patiently, watching Ezreal fuss over his gauntlet like a child with a precious toy. Although the scientist couldn’t be surprised - the way Ezreal coveted that object was as if his life depended on it. To an extent he was correct, Ezreal who entire career did rely on that object to work. It did make the herald curious however — the markings of the artifact looked like nothing that Piltover had acquired over the years. Admittedly, Viktor knew that most of the artifacts taken from Shurima were rather illegal - unless one had the money to keep mouths quiet. Fingers tapped impatiently as Ezreal fiddled around, his eyes watching unexperienced hands mess with the work he just did. Worried that the crystal he just added would be jostled loose again with prodding fingers that were puling the glove onto his other arm. But to his own delight and surprise Ezreal had managed to blink himself forward.

Viktors eyes shimmered, watching the remnants of magic in the air as if he were searching for something. It as different from what he was accustomed to — there were no runes attached to the device, no need for Ezreal to do anything special, it was all just sheer willpower. Which left Viktor rather curious if he was misunderstanding the arcane. He waited, watching the other blink a few more times forward and around as he shown off his skill with the magic. Only to turn to Viktor with a smile on his face - beaming with joy that he beloved trinket was working without fail.

“ I am not blessed with the ability to teleport .” He says a hint of annoyance in his tone, getting up from his seat and hobbling after the other. Cane tapping into the ground as he follows. His gaze flickering up and down once and a while between the ground and Ezreal — careful not to fall or misstep, but also in time to see the other appear at different intervals further and further away from him. Waiting patiently — looking back at the herald like a playful dog eager to show him more than he could do. He pauses, feet stopping at the edge of the commune as he watched Ezreal run ahead. His body uneasy as he stares down at the lush fauna now turning into the dusty earth that wasn’t touched by the magic. Feet dug into the ashy soil as he inhales softly before taking a step forward. With every step of metallic limbs Viktor felt less inclined to worry where they were headed. Although he promised Ezreal it wasn’t supposed to be far - the explorer had other ideas planned for them. Taking them deep and deeper into the canyons that were riddled with abandoned mines and strange unseen things in the belly of Zaun. Excitedly talking about every little strange thing he seen and also the feel of his newly empowered gauntlet.

“ So you say you found this gauntlet in a temple — you were able to traverse the scorn of Shurima without any magical assistance until then ? That is quite the feat. Many would have given up at the sight of the vastness. I’ve read many books about different places, Shurima seems to be an unforgiving environment when it comes to simple exploration .” He stops moving, leaning on his staff to take in the view. His eyes scanning around them as the place grew more and more unfamiliar. “ Hm , Ezreal we should turn around. I am pleased you are eager to show off your weapon but I am worried we will get lost here if we travel any further .”

“B—Be careful! That’s a totally rare and ancient artifact…!”

He cranes his neck in a way to get a better look at what Viktor was doing, watching as he carefully removed the old gem that was nestled into the center of the gauntlet, jaw tightening from anxiety as it was plucked out carefully, blue gaze following it as Viktor set it aside. There was a deep breath that left the explorer as he did everything he could to ground himself—But this gauntlet was important to him. It was useful, and he could remember the stories his father would tell him about when he was younger—remembering the joke he cracked about learning teleportation magic to go on an expedition and be back home in Piltover by dinner time. A fond memory; but one that came with something trying to coil around his lungs.

Ezreal shook his thoughts out of his mind as he watched the new stone being implemented into the cavity, fingers lightly tapping against the tabletop as he watched Viktor scrape at the metal so the space could accommodate the new stone. One would think his words would go through one ear and out the other—but Ezreal was listening; very carefully. “Yeah, yeah, I know, I get it—man, you sound like someone reading off an instruction manual or something.” He snorts in amusement before blinking up at Viktor when the other turns to him, shrugging softly, carefree as ever as if no harm could be done to him.

Until he heard ‘you could possibly be armless’, which caused his face to contort more into a mix of shock & fear. “C—couldn’t you start with that before I agreed!? I’m SURE it’ll be fine—Shuriman artifacts can’t be that much different..! Right??” He was uncertain, now, but something was telling him that this could go south. A deep sigh left Ezreal as he yanked the gauntlet from where it rested in front of Viktor; the runes on his face and the gem in the gauntlet starting to pulse with magic as he put the gauntlet onto his left arm, securing it tightly and flexing his fingers.

“Alright, gauntlet…don’t fail me now.”

He knows that they have to leave for the real demonstration, but a quick, harmless little taste couldn’t hurt, right? It’s quick when it happens; the gem on the gauntlet shining bright as ezreal steps forward—a portal opening and the blonde jumping into it; only to appear over at the entrance as magical light fizzled around him; the temporary portal was gone as fast as it came. He blinked down at his hand—arm still intact before he looked over to Viktor with a grin.

“C’mon, Viktor! Don’t be such a slowpoke!”

[anomallis]

@taliswho requested a starter.

He felt it — the pull, breath ragged as his eyes shoot open as a flood of imagery assaults his mind. Hands quickly grasping parts of his cane as he shudders uncontrollably. The cool floor of the labs hall against his feet as he stands there, practically in a cold sweat as he struggles to find balance. His other free hand clutching the blanket he was given to cover his body — a moment of solemn silence as he does his best to compose himself. Where, where was he? He can feel the pull on the back of his head. Voices- visions- it’s flashing across his mind like a dream. Then he realizes . . .

Theres a soft inhale through his nose as he buries his face into a corner of the blanket, the scent of lavender softener that was used, filling his nostrils and grounding him once more. He pauses, releasing the fabric to hold his cane again. Body turning so he can glance over his shoulder at the figure looming in the hall. Watching him carefully, as if it were hesitant to approach.

“ My body doesn’t feel like my own .” He whispers softly. “ I feel as if I’m walking in a dream. It feels — liberating. But false .”

[anomallis]

“ If I recall correctly, in the most colorful of words, powder once described me as: A man who looked twenty with the body of a sixty year old coming out of physical therapy after falling off a bridge in Piltover all the way into Zauns ravines .”

“ I’ve been called worse — so this is rather tame, I suppose .”

[anomallis]

" Why does everyone treat me like I am elderly ? I am just tired . . . "

[anomallis]

He watches the first snowfall in silence, eyes trailing downwards with each snowflake that touches the ground. He cannot feel the cold, hut his body still has then phantom sense to shiver at the sight in anticipation.

[anomallis]

“ He is upset because I am correct .”

[anomallis]

hexticles.

" stop that ."

[anomallis]

“ I do not think it has enough strength to give your desired outcome. However there is nothing stopping us from trying and making adjustments.”

" Can you shoot me out of that? " Briar asks, pointing to the canon.

[anomallis]

How's my favorite depressed guy? Is he doing better?

" I drank water today ."

[anomallis]

@fearsgod approaches . . .

The herald looks up from the well he’s sitting at. Eyes shimmering with an array of colors only for a brief moment. Brow knit as he ponders in silence before speaking carefully. Confusion lacing his voice.

“ You are new, are you not ?”

[anomallis]

@lestaya approaches . . .

“ I forgot to thank you for telling Salo of my treatment . He has improved tremendously . Unless that is not why you are here. . .”

[anomallis]

Fingers delicately touch the leaves of a plant, examining it carefully for any bugs or illness that could settle on it's foliage. He hums to himself - paying little to no mind as she sat behind him. He was used to this by now, in their brief moments together she would always be floating around.

" I have to be. " He says, plucking a dried leaf from one of the plants he's tending to and dropping it into the soil below. " For change, we must be constant . Persistence is the key to getting things done. If we stop - then perhaps all the hard work we've tried to move forward with, will simply . . . vanish." He fully turns to her , eyes scanning her own briefly before shuffling to grab a bowl of water from the small well in the greenhouse.

" Your eyes hold doubt, do you fear putting your trust into something for a long period of time ? Or perhaps are you worried that putting effort into something for so long will not benefit you in the long run ?" he asks, dipping the container beneath the crisp water. It was surprisingly much cleaner than the usual water that was in Zaun. The plants seemingly purifying the toxins through their roots to give the settlement much needed clean resources.

@anomallis liked for a starter!

Jinx hops down from the rafters of the greenhouse, careful not to make much noise, as Vander has just fallen asleep. She takes deliberate steps towards Viktor, partly because she doesn’t want to wake her father, but also partly because Viktor is a mystery to her, one she isn’t sure whether she wants to solve. Does it matter, as long as Vander is healed? She supposes it does, if he has ulterior motives. Part of her says she shouldn’t care, that everything’s going to go to shit anyway. But still, Jinx finds herself plopping down on the brick planter beside him.

“For a cookie, you’re awfully persistent,” she says, squinting at him as she props her chin on her hands, elbow on crossed knees.

[anomallis]

@essencefluxed : starts yapping

" It was not an invitation. "

[anomallis]

@cupcait approaches . . .

" I don't think we have properly met . I am sorry if we have - my mind feels rather . . . fractured . As of late . "

[anomallis]

@vilence approaches . . .

" I hope you enjoy your stay . I apologize if it is rather uncomfortable for you . "