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abraxasooc2022-03-20 08:35 am
abraxasmods) wrote in abraxasooc2022-03-20 08:35 am
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TEST DRIVE MEME #6
TEST DRIVE MEME
Welcome to the sixth test drive meme for Abraxas! This meme is run a little bit differently than most in that you'll be asked to choose one of the three different arrival scenarios below for your character to take. If you have any questions about this mechanic or anything else related to the TDM, please take a look at the questions below or ask one of your own under the Questions header below. For general game questions please still use the FAQ.
Our Setting pages are full of information on the world of Abraxas, and an overview of the story so far can be found on our Game History page! Anything on that page - including information about the Horizon and the Singularity - can be assumed to be told to newcomers after they arrive, no matter which faction they are received in. For more information on Ambrose and the apprentice mages, Marlo, and Rowan, please see our NPCs page.
You can also find answers to questions asked on previous TDMs in their respective questions threads— 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.
Additionally, one change for this TDM is that characters who arrive in SOLVUNN will be given a charm necklace carved of bone depicting a butterfly with multiple wings. This image is meant to represent one of the Old Gods, Endrborrin, the Goddess of Renewal. Newly arrived characters in Solvunn who visibly wear this charm will find their reception in the community to be especially welcoming, even beyond how Solvunn normally treats the recently Summoned. Characters might receive unexpected invitations from strangers to have a meal or a drink, find doors to neighboring homes open to them, and discover eager faces wanting to help them settle in. It might even give them access to small discounts when purchasing items. Essentially, the people of Solvunn see those who wear the charm as accepting of their practices and traditions, and will treat them accordingly. In fact, they may treat them a bit too warmly - but that's simply how the commune works, of course! They look after their own.
Arrival
You awaken suspended in the abyss, silent darkness stretching out in all directions. If you try to yell, you'll find that the sound doesn't carry. If you try to move, you'll find it's impossible to tell whether or not you're actually getting anywhere. If you reach for an item you were carrying last time you remember being awake, your hand will only touch bare skin.
You're naked and floating helplessly through the void, and what little air you have in your lungs is running out.
There's a pinprick of light that almost looks like a faraway star but as it grows it becomes clear that it's actually quite close. Through the opening you can see a bright room, but it's hard to make out any individual objects, as if you're looking from beneath rippling water.
Scenario One: Welcome to Thorne
A hand plunges through and you realize water is just what it is. Whether you take hold of the hand or not it will grab you and yank you up through the surface, lifting you out until you're sprawled on solid ground. Once you catch your breath, you can get a better look at the surroundings: tall trees and even taller stone pillars surround the platform you're laying on. Behind you is an ornate fountain, the base of which is so deep and so dark you might be compelled to scramble away from it lest it suck you back in to that endless abyss. Ahead of you are the walls of a large castle with several tall towers reaching up towards the sky.
If you had any powers, they feel unusually weak. Attempts to use magic or enhanced strength or powers of any sort fizzle out without any effect, but they don't feel completely gone, either.
Set into an indent on a marble slab behind the fountain is a card bearing the image of one of the arcana.
An apprentice mage - the one whose hand lifted you out of the fountain - brushes the water off on their robes and runs back to join a group of three others, who all stare intently at a mage with highly decorated robes and a large, heavy book. He peers up at you for a moment and starts flipping through the book.
"One moment," he says, not bothering to look up from the tome. He looks tired. "I am Ambrose Rhett, the High Mage of the Kingdom of Thorne. We’ll explain everything in a moment, but for now, please calm down. You’re completely fine."
Regardless of your response, he keeps flipping through the pages, until he stops on one specific passage, stares at it for a moment, and then sighs with relief:
"Finally!"
Ambrose's expression brightens, relief visible across his features. He waves one of the apprentices over with a fine silk tunic, pants, and some basic sandals and with a wave of his hand they reshape to fit you perfectly.
"Oh, thank heavens," he says, closing the book and approaching you with a sort of worn-out relief. “I was beginning to believe we’d never get it exactly right.”
Now that he's not hunching over the book, he doesn't seem quite so stuffy and inapproachable. The apprentices all seem to visibly relax, and the one that handed you the tunic stops to take the tarot card down from the marble slab. If you show any curiosity about the card, they'll let you take a longer look, but won't let you touch it.
"Please, come with me," he says, motioning for you to follow him towards the castle. "As promised, my pupils will explain your current situation. And, ah - if you had any magic of your own, or other special abilities you can't access right now, fear not, they'll return within the week. The summoning takes a lot out of you."
One of the apprentices steps forward and rattles on and on about the castle, Thorne itself, the names of a bunch of royals and nobles, and of course, your reason for being here. The Kingdom and the world itself is in great peril, and tales of your exploits have reached far and wide across universes. If asked about these exploits, the apprentice will simply smile and shrug. The High Mage was happy to see you and that's good enough.
Once inside the castle you're taken to the North Wing, which has been set up as living quarters for you and your fellow newcomers. There are four people to a room, but each generously-sized bed has opaque curtains that can be drawn around it. You can meet your roommates here and discuss your shared situation (those who were previously brought in may have a great deal of information to tell you), or you can wander around and meet the others.
There's also a dining hall stocked with a rotating 24/7 buffet in celebration of the new honored guests. Somehow, your very favorite food is part of the rotation (or at least an attempted recreation of it given the limited technology available to the Thorneans). The town surrounding the castle is all abuzz as well, with most shops and services willing to give free samples of their wares to the new arrivals.
You may also notice that your sign is embroidered on your tunic: the same image you saw on the card from before with the name of the sign itself beneath it. If you ask the castle residents, they'll tell you a little bit about your sign (and will mostly stick to the positives, although some might point out the negatives).
Last (and, if you ask anyone else in the castle, least) there is a worn stone staircase leading underground to the dungeon. You can go there, if you wish, but all powers are restricted in the dungeons and most of the cells stand empty.
Scenario Two: Welcome to the Free Cities
You find yourself pulled from the water by a pair of strong hands. Dry warmth hits you at once as you're set on a warm hard floor. As your senses return you realize you're on dull ruddy stone and surrounded by strangers. Men and women in unfamiliar uniforms of brown and red leather stand in a semi-circle around a small pool of water. The very pool you were just pulled from. The water is still now, rimmed in pale gold tiles with odd symbols etched into them. Across it on the far side is a raised pedestal with a card propped on it. The card bears an arcana symbol.
You feel weak. Drained. Any abilities or magical powers you have seem far away and impossible to access. You're in what looks like a cave lit by dozens and dozens of torches set into the wall. There's no furniture or decoration to be seen besides the pool. It's almost uncomfortably warm and there's the sound of rushing wind somewhere in the distance. Flickering shadows obscure the faces of the guards. A robed woman stands off to the side, looking at you anxiously and then to the authoritative woman standing before you. She's grinning, dressed in a fancier uniform than the others. There's a sword at her hip. A guard covers you with a blanket and returns to their place in the semi-circle.
The woman with the sword gives a nod of approval and smiles warmly.
"Sorry about the circumstances."
She gives you a good hard look before standing again.
"Take a minute, catch your breath, you've had quite a shock. Take it nice and easy. I'm Prime Minister Marlo Reiner and you're in The Free Cities. That nice lady over there will explain everything to you and get you settled." A nod to the robed woman off to the side.
Marlo Reiner steps back and the robed mage approaches to help you up.
"Come with me, please." She brings you out of the cave through a corridor that angles upwards until you emerge in what looks like some kind of storage facility. Shelves of wooden boxes and cloth bags line them, unidentifiable parts of what might be machines are tucked into corners and propped against shelving units. "This is one of the Free Cities' outposts," the mage explains as she leads you. "We're honored to have you with us, I'm sure you have many questions but please save them. You need to recover!"
You'll learn you're in the Cadens Desert Outpost 003, a military outpost on the outskirts of Cadens city. You're brought to a room in the barracks that's been prepared. Each barracks room is rather sparse and utilitarian. Six simple beds set against the wall, three on each side of the room, each with a trunk at the foot of it. You're told the world is in a delicate and dangerous times and you're needed to help. You're important, you're told, and they're very grateful you're here.
You're asked to stay close for the time being, but to make yourself at home. The outpost is more a proper military base than the name implies, with full facilities. The barracks have a communal bathing room at the end of the hall, with curtains that can be pulled around the individual raised round tubs for privacy. There's a mess hall that has food available from sun up till a few hours after sundown. You're even encouraged to make use of the training grounds, if you'd like, with non-lethal training weapons available for use and obstacle courses set up. And the city of Cadens is only a couple of hours away by wagon - though you're asked initially to please be back at the outpost within a few hours of the sun going down.
For your own safety.
Scenario Three: Welcome to Solvunn
The feeling of floating is the first sense that comes to you as the edges of unconsciousness start to ebb. Sunlight filters through the rippling water as you open your eyes, making you squint. Before you have the chance to panic and inhale, firm hands grasp your arms and pull you to the surface of the water. Moments later, soft warmth is wrapped around your shoulders as you're guided on unsteady legs out of a pool of water. You're lowered to the soft grass. Men and women in simple garments with lavish embroidery stand by, waiting with bated breath, glancing seriously at an old man in an ornate robe. He holds an old leather-bound book in one hand and in the other is a card bearing an arcana symbol. His eyes move quickly over the page, and he mumbles idly to himself.
Any strength you may have possessed feels as though it has slipped through your fingers. Any abilities or magical powers you have don't come to the surface no matter how hard you try. You're in a grassy clearing in the midst of a circle of large stone slabs stacked to look like doorways. In the middle is the same glimmering pool you were just pulled from. A gentle breeze blows through, carrying the scent of flowers and herbs from an ornately decorated altar set off in front of one of the stone doorways. The mage closes his book and steps out of the water, addressing a matronly old woman. Behind her are two younger people, a rough-looking man, and a meek young girl, both of whom are also watching the mage.
“I detect no ill will from the gods, it seems we've been blessed with success.” Those that had gathered all breathe a sigh of relief and now seem pleased.
The old woman smiles and steps forward, offering to take your hands and help you stand. “Any gift the gods give us is one we will happily take. I'm certain you have many questions, and they will all be answered in time. For now, rest and know you will be taken care of.”
She pats the top of your hand and steps away with a serene smile, letting one of the others come forward with some clothes that seem to fit you perfectly. Once you're dressed, someone approaches to drape a delicate-looking charm depicting a butterfly with too many wings on a thin chain over your neck. The rough-looking man from before steps forward once you're decent and motions with his head outside of the stone circle. His speech is informal, his consonants harsh.
“Hold your horses, I can see all those questions coming about! Rowan March, at your service. I'm one of the council members of Solvunn. There's a lot to discuss, but it's best talked about over a hot meal.” He leads you to a horse-drawn carriage and helps you up into the back. He talks the entire ride to the settlement.
You find out you are in the Primary Settlement, the first of three that make up Solvunn's great territory. The settlement is situated between two lakes and is humming with life. You're brought to the center of town and escorted to an apartment above one of the establishments in town. Rowan explains that the living conditions are temporary if you'd like them to be, that local families would also be happy to host you in their home. That there are others like you who have also taken up residence within the three settlements. You're told that the world hangs upon the brink of disaster and that there are those in this world that are happy to see it fall to ruin with their meddling.
You're important. The gods have graced them with your presence. They're delighted you're here. Welcome to Solvunn.
Everything you need has been provided in this humble apartment, and if it hasn't, there are shops that line the streets and a marketplace in the center of town. Owners of some establishments or stalls are more than happy to give out samples or barter with your time for their goods. Babysitting can be a very lucrative business. You're told of the other settlements, that they'd like you to stay here for now, but if you can find a family to host you, the secondary and tertiary settlements are best to get to with an escort.
There are tales of travelers visiting the secondary settlement without invitation disappearing without a trace. The gods are as hungry as they are protective, young traveler.
You’ll find that there are more than enough activities to throw yourself into to better settle into your new life in Solvunn. Work is done in the first part of the day so that families can spend the rest of it together in leisure and work on their crafts - whatever those may be. For those children who are not of school age, they need nannies or storytellers, and there’s always a gaggle of them running about unsupervised. Families with livestock can always take a spare hand, especially since farms are so spread out, they have a tendency to wander. Whatever skills you may possess can always be of use to the community or to honor the gods.
If any of these options are no good for your lifestyle, the main roads between settlements can always use a bit of monster clean-up… just make sure you don’t go alone.
How many slots are open?
Please check the Taken page for how many player, franchise, and canon slots are available. Activity check will be processed before applications open, so the count may change between now and then. Existing players can apply for a second character without restriction.
How do I choose a scenario for my character?
Pick whichever situation appeals to you most. Which faction your character is drawn into has nothing to do with their personal morality, beliefs, or how highly they regard themselves and their own accomplishments. Anyone can be put into any one of the situations.
Can I try out more than one scenario?
You can! But please keep in mind that only the one you eventually choose can be game canon, if you decide to keep any of your TDM threads.
What happens if my character refuses to comply with the NPCs?
They will be forgiven for their moment of panic or anger if they have one, and the faction leaders will try to calm them and persuade them further. If they put up too much of a fight and/or start actively attacking anyone, they will be warned once that everyone is willing to put them back in the well where they came from (see below), and if they continue to fight they will make good on that promise.
My character intends on causing a lot of trouble (destroying parts of the cities, murdering the NPCs, etc.), what would happen to them?
Characters who make too much trouble for the mages and other NPCs would be thrown back in the well (which will mean drowning in the void, not returning home). Brawling with other PCs and causing minor damage is fine and will be greeted with a cranky attitude and intervention from various NPC guards, and there will be plenty of opportunity for destruction and murder later, but for now the Abraxans have no desire to keep huge liabilities around.
I want to wildcard a prompt or use one of the prompts from an earlier TDM that isn't on this one (eg. the library), can I do that?
Yes, in terms of the settings. As Thorne is no longer imprisoning any newcomers, that option is no longer applicable.
Is the power loss for characters permanent?
No, but it does take a week or so for their powers to be back in full, and certain powers (determined on a case-by-case basis) may require nerfs. If your character has world-breaking powers, please discuss with the mods what modifications may be necessary.
Can my character leave the bounds of the faction?
In Thorne, characters can leave the castle but not the city. In Cadens, they can take a trip from the outpost to the city. In Solvunn, they can explore the entirety of the Primary Settlement.
Can my character eventually change factions?
Yes. While the faction borders are currently closed, there will opportunities in the future for characters to relocate. For the time being, they are stuck where they are.
How much will my choice of scenario affect my character's plot later on?
This choice will determine where your character initially lives as well as the bias of the information they receive from NPCs (although other PCs can and most likely will give it to them a bit more straight). This decision - and every other major decision you make in game! - will also be used to flavor some mod surprises that will be coming down the line.
Don't get too anxious about this choice, though; this is just one choice you'll get to make in a game that has a lot of them, and every character in every scenario can work their way towards many, many individual goals and outcomes. You're not locking yourself out of anything in the future via the choice you made on the TDM. It will primarily impact the immediate future with the far-reaching effects being up to each player.
Are TDM threads mandatory for my application?
No, you may use other samples, but we encourage you to post to the TDM and get a feel for this game and its mechanics before you join. If you do not have a TDM thread you will still need to choose one of the three scenarios on your application.
What if I haven't settled on a sign yet?
You can ignore sign-related prompts if you're undecided (or try out different signs in different threads).
Can my character go to the Horizon?
First time visitors to the Horizon must be taken there by other characters, through either shared meditation or a physical journey to the Singularity, and all first-timers experience memory loss. For the purposes of the TDM, we suggest against using the Horizon.
What about making use of the network?
Much like Horizon they would need to be introduced to it by another PC, as no NPCs would be aware of the network or be able to access it. Because of this we would advise against using this mechanic for TDM top-levels.
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dicks out 4 jesus amigo
Yeah, Marlo's a dick. I'll fill you in.
( He mutters sympathetically, but with out enough heat to suggest he has any real opinions about Marlo. Didn't get enough face time with them — it's a surprisingly effective conversational deterrent, having your wang out in front of a group of strangers.
Now for a quick but extremely relevant change of subject: )
Scale of one to ten, how'd you rate your horseback riding skills?
( Somehow in all the weeks they were here, this is one little factoid he never got around to finding out. Given he's only got the one horse to share, this is more likely to be a them problem than a Cas problem. He's not waiting around for that stupid wagon to roll its slow ass to Johnson City, Tenessee. He doesn't have that kinda time. )
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I got the sense she wasn't all she claimed to be. [The lack of actual explanation had been part of it, as well as the hurried and short period of adjustment he'd been given after his arrival.
The next question gives him some pause. Castiel hasn't had to ride a horse for any length of time for hundreds of years. He's sure that he can manage but his lips part and silence fills the air between them when he realizes he's not quite certain how to answer it.] I'm sure I'll manage.
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( A rhetorical, under-the-breath mutter. Of course she isn't all she claimed to be, he's pretty sure that's about ninety percent of people they meet in crappy situations like this. His resting state has become Crowley Until Proven Otherwise. Assume the worst and you're never disappointed.
Cas's horse confidence doesn't inspire a lot in Dean, but they'll find out sooner rather than later.
Soon as in... very soon.
As in now, with Dean leading him toward the stables and one particularly hearty chestnut mare that chuffs unhappily at the sight of them. )
Yeah, yeah, I know. Right back at you. ( He says to the horse, and then directs a flat explanation at Cas: ) She's a rental.
( He has a... tenuous business partnership with this horse. She's a total bitch, in other words, and he's spent the last few weeks arguing with her and navigating her moods.
He misses his car. )
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[As an answer as to what's new. Unfortunately, it was less of an answer because all it did was give him more questions. How long had he been here? To already have a horse and a sense of their environment. His eyes do a quick search of the stable, the other horses, the smell of Alfalfa, and the soil.] A mare?
[One thing he did know about horses was that the mares tended to be bossy, opinionated, and more vocal in their stubbornness than the males. It's been a long time since he's seen one up close, and enchanted by that he puts a palm out toward her forlock.] A rental? How are you paying the fees?
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That bitch.. )
Hunting. ( Easy answer. ) Get this: people pay money for it here. It's an honest to god career. Contracts and everything.
( Eh?? How about that, am I right? What a crazy, novel idea — thanks entirely to Geralt for introducing him to the concept that for once in his life he didn't have to do it for free. )
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Cas turns to Dean, his expression shifting from one of solace to curiosity.] You've been hunting alone. It may be a career, and your chosen path, but to do it alone — I was under the impression that it was dangerous.
[Castiel sighs, it's not the time or the place to judge Dean and his path of survival in uncharted territory. His concern may be valid, but it's too soon to get into that now. He'd address it later, alongside some of his other concerns. Things about himself, about their reunion, that he wanted to know.]
What's the horse's name?
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You've been hunting alone — to that he says nothing, not yet. Technically, it's not untrue, but also... not entirely accurate either. That's part of a long conversation, and he can oh-so-tactfully dodge it by focusing on the second, lesser question instead.
What's her name? )
Karen.
( Utter deadpan. Is that what her owner named her? No. Does he remember what that was? Maybe, if he searched his brain.
However.
He will forever call her Karen and the universe can eat his ass.
Now's as good a time as any to distract them by saddling her up, and it takes a little goading to get the bit in her mouth. Along the way, a few muttered comments along the lines of: )
Look, the sooner you get on board the sooner we get back home. Don't make me steel cage match you.
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And we'll both be riding Karen, I take it. On a saddle made for one.
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Unless you're an anomaly and you came through Nudey-Well with your wings intact, them's the breaks.
( But based on all the established factoids about this joint, the first day or three everybody's on the same crappy baseline. )
Wagon doesn't leave for another couple hours, and it's slow as balls, so.
( He holds out a hand.
And the token, matter-of-fact but not unkind disclaimer: )
Don't make it weird or I'm pushing you off. Keep it in your pants. No Brokeback on this mountain.
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Fine. [It at least allows them to speak, personally, given that the wagon would no doubt have other passengers that Castiel didn't want to have to navigate social and societal norms with. Not now.
He grabs Dean's hand and uses the small amount of room left in the stirrup to get his leg up and over the horse.
His expectations were better than the authenticity of it, and he slides back to perch himself toward the rear of the saddle to afford Dean as much room as possible. He knew that once they started moving he'd slide forward and it'd be pointless, but for now, it was the most space he could afford Dean between them.]
I don't know what that means. Brokeback on a mountain? [Castiel's more than aware of what keeping it in his pants entails but he's not entirely sure how it applies to the two of them sharing the horse, or why he'd even consider something there and now.]
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Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger pretend like spit makes good lube. Doesn't matter, just worry about staying on the horse.
( As hilarious as it would be to watch a warrior of god slide backwards off a mare, he's not all that interested in splinting a wrist today.
Anyway, it's a long ride, so as soon as they're out of the gate proper: )
You were here before.
( Bluntly. Might as well just knock that one out first thing. )
You don't remember it, but uh. Yeah, you showed up the same time I did, a few months back.
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[Castiel knows what lube is, at least, there's a certain amount of exposure that went along with being friends with someone like Dean and being present for humanity and many of its advances.] Are these people you know or a pornographic reference I have no context for?
[A movie that Dean watched apparently, or some company that he's kept. Castiel leans back and once they're mobile he's able to measure his own body to learn where the horse leans. He's gripping Karen with his knees but having no stirrups or control made it a lot harder to gracefully manage. He slides forward into Dean despite his attempt at giving him space and his chest and lower half are flush, his hands on what he could hold of the saddle, or at his sides.]
I thought I might have been based on your reaction. Why can't I remember?
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Nobody knows. Apparently it's just a thing that happens. You went missing a few weeks back, I wasn't sure at first, but...
( Shrug. The longer somebody's gone, the more likely it is they're gone gone. )
If the people in charge of pulling us in have answers about that part, I haven't heard 'em.
( A beat, and then maybe some additionally relevant info: )
Haven't seen Benny. ( Even though he was hitching a ride in Dean's skin when they passed through. ) ...No Sam, either.
( This isn't technically the longest he's gone without seeing his brother — that prize goes to forty years in hell — but it's still longer than Dean should ever go without his brother. It hasn't been great. )
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[It's not actually a question, it's rhetorical, and Castiel is quiet for a moment, reflective, as they continue into the unknown. He trusts Dean's guidance and knows that his experience is vastly more than what he has with no memory of the months they'd spent together in this place.]
I'm sorry that your brother isn't here with you. [Benny may very well still be in Dean's skin but Castiel knows that as well as Dean does, saying it would be adding insult to injury.] I know how close the two of you are.
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He shakes off the concern with a shrug. )
Yeah, well... he's better off where he is.
( AKA I'm fine. Because he's always fine.
Dodge feelings, change subject: )
Anyway, I got us a place. Got a few contacts that'll probably recognize you, but uh... most of 'em know the drill by now. Listen to me- this is very important. ( Pause for dramatic effect. ) When you meet a guy named Jaskier... do not ( Do. Not. ) let him buy you a hat.
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So long as there's a place I can go to when the rest of you are asleep. [He's already been told by Dean multiple times that his lack of need for sleep is creepy and offputting.] Why would I care if he bought me a hat?
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( Clearly that's the important life-or-death thing he should be focused on in his immediate future. )
I got us a room over this tavern. A couple other off-worlders live there. A guy named Sam hooked us up. Different Sam. Obviously.
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[What a strange thing to say. Castiel almost wishes he could get a look at Dean, at his face, because not for the first time since arriving does he feel like he's being made fun of. Not in the usual way, but in a way that makes less sense, an elephant in the room. If they were in a room, and not on a horse on their way through the vast wilderness he'd had yet to fully grasp.]
A room. It's not going to bother you that I don't sleep? It has in the past.
There's more than one person in the world named Sam? I don't believe that. [lul]
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We're in the middle of a city. ( He shrugs, a touch dismissive. ) Go out and do... city stuff or whatever if you're feeling stare-y. Or, better yet, go hang out in the-
( Ah, crap. )
You don't remember the Horizon, I guess. Well, you're gonna love it. I'll get you there when we get you a little less...
( He glances over his shoulder. )
Well-water purgadirty.
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[Castiel figured he would disappear and explore the city once his grace was restored, but he'd cross that bridge when it came. He's hesitant to believe he'd be fully restored, after the stint in Purgatory and what led to it he hasn't been at full power for some time.] I know how to keep myself busy, Dean, but thank you.
[He's eager to get clean and since he can't just will it away he's hoping that where Dean is taking him at the very least has some facilities to help with it.] How long was I here? Before? You can fill me in on what I should know before I have to navigate my way through conversations with the people I don't remember.
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( He doesn't know the exact timing. They showed up in the middle of winter, and it's nearly spring now — but he hadn't seen Cas in weeks. He's not sure how much of that was bad timing, with him out for days on hunts, and how much was him being a little in denial. )
So, here's the deal.
( The rest of the ride is spent with a status report — the three cities, their stances on magic, the fact that he can do it — kind of. Sort of. A little. With practically no control.
But he can make a tiny little lighter flame with his hands, so that's neat.
The Horizon. The big fuck-off rock everyone's fighting over. The fact that monsters here are less of the humanoid variety and more of the... monster variety — a little like those gorilla-wolves back in Purgatory. The fact that nobody's invented pizza yet. The basics. It ain't everything — not enough time to talk about the people he's firmly stuck on the ally list, nor about the nice chunky still-healing gash he's got over his chest where he nearly got a lung ripped out by a Chaigon. That one's irrelevant. )
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The ride itself is calm, and Karen for all of Dean's resentment manages a steady pace with two grown men on top of her. She's resilient. He stops, halfway through the conversation to pat her side in appreciation. It's warm, that much he can see from the sweat that collects on Dean's arms, and near the nape of his neck. If he'd known he was injured, he wouldn't think it was irrelevant. Nor would he deem the people they could both trust in the same category. He's quiet, and reflective when Dean stops talking trying to put everything in the right place in his head, checkboxes, and make sure he'd absorbed all of it.]
When what's left of my grace returns I should be able to assist you on those hunts. I only just saw you leave Purgatory before I showed up here. I thought for a moment it might have been unanticipated collateral from the spell.
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Yeah, those first few days, they really screw you. ( In this case, he means the general "you", not specifically Cas. The next sentence, on the other hand — ) You got 'em back eventually last time, for the most part. Not up to full Big Smite energy, but close.
( Damn is he relieved to have consistent back-up on those hunts again, though. He can fake it with the best of 'em, but he has never been good being solo for too long. That little bit of magical oomph helps, but that's a rare and inconsistent thing he has no control over. It just happens. He was raised to hunt in pairs, adapted to it.
Which is also the case for, you know, life in general, being the codependent son of a bitch he is, but they don't need to talk about that. )
We got another guy here we can pull in if we're going after something too big. Done one or two with him. Goes by Geralt. Don't freak out when you see him, but... he's got yellow eyes. No relation. ( As for why Dean trusts him... ) You, uh... you got beat up pretty bad not long after we got here. He helped patch you up. Pretty sure you bled all over his couch.
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[It's not a necessary comment but it is one that he feels like making. He's not sure what will come back, what he'd be able to manage. Purgatory had been a consequence of his actions and he'd stayed behind because of it but those same actions had taken their toll.]
If you trust someone then I'll trust your judgment. [He and Dean weren't always right but they did have a good sense about people and Dean, especially, could read people better than he could. The comment about him getting hurt draws a sigh from him, he's been feeling so fallible lately and dealing with that, and now this new place outside of time and what he knew of their dimensional reality is an irritant. Not knowing what he'll be capable of, and losing time and his memories, all those things one after the other, wearing him thin.] Geralt. I would assume he's not related to Azazel, given your own involvement with him. I'll be sure to thank him for that when we meet, again.
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Still a total badass, though. Practically five dudes hiding in that trench coat when it comes to sheer hunting power. )
Not a demon. ( He confirms. ) Not exactly human, either. Apparently, a bunch of wizards pumped him full of magic super-soldier hunter juice. That's, like, his thing.
( They pass through city gates, toward the stables where Karen is kept. Cas gets the nod to dismount, and Dean follows right after. Taking the saddle off, checking her feed bag and water trough, giving her a quick brush, all of these things are automatic and methodical. Ingrained habit, one of the care-taking tendencies he has coming out without his even noticing. Probably the only reason Karen tolerates him a little, given their rapport otherwise.
He absently ropes Cas into helping as he goes — handing him the saddle in the middle of the sentence without so much as a blink, tossing him a brush accompanied by exactly 0 instructions. )
Also- dude, hand to god, you know who else we got running around here? ( Hypothetical question, he carries on without expectation for an answer. ) Stay with me on this because I'm not kidding: freaking Avengers. Actual, straight up, Robert Downey Jr. avengers. Freaking Iron Man.
( He is tragically unaware Tony Stark has left the universe yet considering they've only had the one conversation and the dude's in a different city altogether. )
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