[It's not the setup of an expert by any means; the last time Zekarion attempted a project like this was close to fifteen years ago, and he'd had supervision then. Still, it's orderly, with the wood and nails piled neatly near the wall, tools that aren't being used safely put aside, and the semi-completed pieces on the opposite side from the materials; there are a small number of supports and rails already put together, sanded as much can be expected from a manual project. They're not fancy by any means, but they're sturdy, and they should do the job.
When he hears footsteps approaching, Altius places his saw down and rises to his feet, dusting his hands off. He sees no reason not to respond to the direct question with a direct answer, so he gestures at what he's brought. In total, it's enough for probably half of the staircases.]
This is what I've managed to get together so far. Most of the shopkeepers aren't fond of me, so I've only been able to gather so many materials at once. I'm hoping other volunteers will be able to provide a portion so it doesn't take quite so long.
[ Humble as the setup is, Jayce has worked with less and in worse conditions. As far as he's concerned, this is more than enough to get through this project, and if things work out with this forge, it'll only get better.
Jayce barks a laugh but then clears his throat. ]
They're not fond of me either. That's why I'm always running errands hoping that it might improve their opinion of me. It might not, but it's worth a try.
[ Walking over, Jayce picks up one of the cut wooden pieces and runs his hand along it. ]
No cracks, doesn't look waterlogged... [ It takes a few seconds for him to realize he's talking to himself. ] Sorry.
I can refine these pieces or start installing them if you don't mind them being a little rough. I'm following your lead on this.
You'll have to let me know if that works for you, [Altius says with the sense of a sigh, having decided on a similar path. He's at least not turned out of the stores outright anymore, but it always feels like an uphill battle.
He shrugs one shoulder at the apology, not understanding it, though it's not the first time somebody has expressed the same for talking about their process out loud.]
I'm grateful for your insight. I consider function the most important factor, but what would you have in mind?
It hasn't yet. [ Spoken with the resignation and stubbornness of someone who is going to keep trying anyway. Jayce doesn't have many options, but if the worst he has to deal with are merchants following him around when he looks at things, he'll take it. ]
I've done some repairs on things like these before. Never in a cave, but the same principles apply. [ Jayce rests the wood back against the wall. ] I've been looking around here and I think I could make something close to concrete that would help keep this stable.
[He answers that first statement with a sympathetic look as he tilts his head in something like a shrug. They really aren't allowed to have anything come easily, here. But when Jayce mentions concrete for stability, his eyebrows rise with interest.]
Oh, really? [He supposes it makes sense; concrete is just a mix of various minerals, isn't it? Though he hasn't ever been involved in anything but putting it in place.] Is it a complicated process to make the cement for it?
[He's already pulling out a notebook and pencil from his pocket. They'll need some extra wood or other materials to set down as a frame to cast it... and before that, some kind of container to mix and transport it...]
Not really. It's just time consuming. I'd have to get started now if we're going to finish any of this in a reasonable amount of time.
[ He's only ever made small batches of it and only for little projects years ago when he was a kid and couldn't exactly buy anything like that. He still remembers the process and that he spent the majority of it bored just sitting around and waiting for things or separate, or fire. ]
I'll need any wood that isn't strong enough for the supports, and what dry plants I can get my hands on. After that, I just need dirt, water, and time.
[ Jayce glances over at the broken forge. ] I can probably get that working enough to use for this.
[He nods along as Jayce lists out what he needs, marking it aside on the page.]
I'll make it a priority to get you what I can, and ask for others to do the same. There's still some wood debris here and there on the second floor, so I'll bring what I find back here.
[... he'll indulge his curiosity a little, though, closing his notes for the moment.]
Great. I can always grab some of it and bring it back up myself too. Let me know if you come across anything else even if it doesn't seem usable. I'm pretty good at recycling things. I used to do it all the time.
[ It's an old habit and it saved him down there in the ravine and he has a feeling it'll save him here too. ]
Yeah. Family business. I've worked the forge all my life.
[ Jayce laughs. Asking him about his work though is a dangerous thing; he can go on forever about it if you give him the chance. ]
My family were tool makers, so that's what I started with, but I took my work in a different direction. My partner and I found a way to fuse magic and engineering together. We've made everything from mining equipment to refined energy beams to advancements in transportation. And a really big hammer.
[ Jayce has too much affection for the Mercury Hammer. ]
[He brings a hand to his chin, thoughtful. Magic and technology... it's not a brand new concept to him now, but it's still a little hard for him to wrap his head around. In his own world the two concepts are so separated that no tech works correctly in the presence of magic.]
That does sound intriguing... you two sound like a force to be reckoned with. [With a slight smile:] As if you weren't enough of one on your own, hm?
[ Magic mixed with technology is still new to Piltover, and complicated, but Jayce isn't going to get into any of that. ]
If we'd been able to focus on what we wanted, we could have done a lot more. [ Jayce chuckles though it sounds a little sad. ] I wouldn't be here without him, so he gets a lot of the credit.
Politics and red tape? [Altius guesses with a look of understanding.] Luckily enough, there's none of that to be found here. One of the few benefits, I suppose.
[His own smile fades slightly as his eye turns back to the collection of materials for his own project. No rules or leaders mean if they want anything to improve, their limited number has to get it done, and it's that much harder to get people to help.]
Something like that. [ The council redirecting their funds for projects that they hadn't wanted was only part of the problem. Systemic issues were ultimately what changed everything. There wasn't really an easy way to summarize all of that. ] Politics isn't really for me, so I'm thankful for that.
[ Jayce follows Altius' gaze. ]
This is going to take a while, but I think we can get it done. Even if we have to do most of it ourselves.
[ He's no stranger to pushing himself to his limits once he sets his mind on something. ]
[With a wry smile at himself, he answers,] I wish I could feel the same relief. But thank you. Whatever time it takes will be worth it.
[He would have done it himself if no one had shown up, but... it is somewhat heartening to have someone who seems as invested in the project as he is.]
Shall I go try to look for the wood and plant matter for you?
[ Jayce doesn't say that he needs this, because he's running from a lot of things that will catch up with him if he doesn't have something to focus on, things he knows he needs to face eventually. Jayce just hopes he'll get the chance to face them on his own terms.
He doubts he'll be that lucky. ]
Whatever you find, just bring back here. I'm going to see if I can get my hands on some clay.
[Boy, they have a lot in common regarding their work ethic—though Zekarion very much intends to avoid facing whatever may be coming his way, preferring to leave it all in the world it belongs, far away from here.]
I don't know if this might help you find more, but the walls of the tunnels do seem softer on the uppermost floor.
[He's no geologist or miner, though; he just wants to help if he can.]
I'll be back when I've got my hands full. Good luck.
[ Unfortunately for Jayce, there isn't anywhere to fully escape his guilt and it came with him from Runeterra, but he thinks that if he can work himself hard enough, he can hide from it at least a little while longer. ]
I'll start there then. If I can, I'd prefer not to make clay myself so I can save a little time.
[ Carrying the clay back here is going to be hard enough. Hauling dirt and water is just going to wear out him out faster with his bad leg already acting up. Not that Jayce will let that stop him. ]
Same to you.
[ And he nods before heading out to see to gathering some of what he needs. ]
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chimericalclaw) wrote2026-02-01 08:44 pm
no subject
When he hears footsteps approaching, Altius places his saw down and rises to his feet, dusting his hands off. He sees no reason not to respond to the direct question with a direct answer, so he gestures at what he's brought. In total, it's enough for probably half of the staircases.]
This is what I've managed to get together so far. Most of the shopkeepers aren't fond of me, so I've only been able to gather so many materials at once. I'm hoping other volunteers will be able to provide a portion so it doesn't take quite so long.
no subject
Jayce barks a laugh but then clears his throat. ]
They're not fond of me either. That's why I'm always running errands hoping that it might improve their opinion of me. It might not, but it's worth a try.
[ Walking over, Jayce picks up one of the cut wooden pieces and runs his hand along it. ]
No cracks, doesn't look waterlogged... [ It takes a few seconds for him to realize he's talking to himself. ] Sorry.
I can refine these pieces or start installing them if you don't mind them being a little rough. I'm following your lead on this.
no subject
He shrugs one shoulder at the apology, not understanding it, though it's not the first time somebody has expressed the same for talking about their process out loud.]
I'm grateful for your insight. I consider function the most important factor, but what would you have in mind?
no subject
I've done some repairs on things like these before. Never in a cave, but the same principles apply. [ Jayce rests the wood back against the wall. ] I've been looking around here and I think I could make something close to concrete that would help keep this stable.
no subject
Oh, really? [He supposes it makes sense; concrete is just a mix of various minerals, isn't it? Though he hasn't ever been involved in anything but putting it in place.] Is it a complicated process to make the cement for it?
[He's already pulling out a notebook and pencil from his pocket. They'll need some extra wood or other materials to set down as a frame to cast it... and before that, some kind of container to mix and transport it...]
no subject
[ He's only ever made small batches of it and only for little projects years ago when he was a kid and couldn't exactly buy anything like that. He still remembers the process and that he spent the majority of it bored just sitting around and waiting for things or separate, or fire. ]
I'll need any wood that isn't strong enough for the supports, and what dry plants I can get my hands on. After that, I just need dirt, water, and time.
[ Jayce glances over at the broken forge. ] I can probably get that working enough to use for this.
no subject
I'll make it a priority to get you what I can, and ask for others to do the same. There's still some wood debris here and there on the second floor, so I'll bring what I find back here.
[... he'll indulge his curiosity a little, though, closing his notes for the moment.]
Are you a smith by trade?
no subject
[ It's an old habit and it saved him down there in the ravine and he has a feeling it'll save him here too. ]
Yeah. Family business. I've worked the forge all my life.
no subject
That's a useful set of skills to have in a place like this. How fortunate I am that you spotted my posting. What are you used to making?
no subject
[ Jayce laughs. Asking him about his work though is a dangerous thing; he can go on forever about it if you give him the chance. ]
My family were tool makers, so that's what I started with, but I took my work in a different direction. My partner and I found a way to fuse magic and engineering together. We've made everything from mining equipment to refined energy beams to advancements in transportation. And a really big hammer.
[ Jayce has too much affection for the Mercury Hammer. ]
no subject
That does sound intriguing... you two sound like a force to be reckoned with. [With a slight smile:] As if you weren't enough of one on your own, hm?
no subject
If we'd been able to focus on what we wanted, we could have done a lot more. [ Jayce chuckles though it sounds a little sad. ] I wouldn't be here without him, so he gets a lot of the credit.
no subject
[His own smile fades slightly as his eye turns back to the collection of materials for his own project. No rules or leaders mean if they want anything to improve, their limited number has to get it done, and it's that much harder to get people to help.]
no subject
[ Jayce follows Altius' gaze. ]
This is going to take a while, but I think we can get it done. Even if we have to do most of it ourselves.
[ He's no stranger to pushing himself to his limits once he sets his mind on something. ]
no subject
[He would have done it himself if no one had shown up, but... it is somewhat heartening to have someone who seems as invested in the project as he is.]
Shall I go try to look for the wood and plant matter for you?
no subject
[ Jayce doesn't say that he needs this, because he's running from a lot of things that will catch up with him if he doesn't have something to focus on, things he knows he needs to face eventually. Jayce just hopes he'll get the chance to face them on his own terms.
He doubts he'll be that lucky. ]
Whatever you find, just bring back here. I'm going to see if I can get my hands on some clay.
no subject
I don't know if this might help you find more, but the walls of the tunnels do seem softer on the uppermost floor.
[He's no geologist or miner, though; he just wants to help if he can.]
I'll be back when I've got my hands full. Good luck.
no subject
I'll start there then. If I can, I'd prefer not to make clay myself so I can save a little time.
[ Carrying the clay back here is going to be hard enough. Hauling dirt and water is just going to wear out him out faster with his bad leg already acting up. Not that Jayce will let that stop him. ]
Same to you.
[ And he nods before heading out to see to gathering some of what he needs. ]