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abraxasooc2022-07-20 10:26 am
abraxasmods) wrote in abraxasooc2022-07-20 10:26 am
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TEST DRIVE MEME #8
TEST DRIVE MEME
Welcome to the eighth 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.
◎ Rumor has it that two emissaries - a werewolf and a vampire - visited from Nocwich in early July. With them came some wares distributed to shops throughout each faction. A few sparse items may remain for purchase, such as glowing flowers or fine ales, but much of it has now been sold.
◎ New arrivals in THE FREE CITIES may hear a bit of chatter around Cadens about art, politics, and recent performances involving its sister city, Libertas. It's all standard fare - the kind of topics spoken about over a beer or in line at the market - but there's a small stir in the air.
◎ Lately, locals in SOLVUNN have begun to approach the Summoned with a sort of awe and respect. New arrivals will find themselves treated much the same way and may be asked for advice or given gifts that seem like offerings such as wine, harvest bounties, or some delicious goat cheese. Your character is free to turn these down and should they turn down enough people, they will not be bothered further as no one wishes to offend them.
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 long-horned creature with large wings on a thin chain over your neck. Ask around later, and you may find that it is a symbol of Vielehauffe, the God of the Herd.
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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i already love them
[ His tone is dry now rather than teasing, not quite up to injecting the same amount of 'playful' as he had before, as he tries to come to terms with this new understanding. Honestly, he's been putting on a mostly good face since arriving here, because panicking is going to get him nowhere fast. Although he's becoming more and more that that might be exactly what's warranted here.
Instead, he takes another deep swallow of his ale. Coping mechanisms, right?
Although he does give a quiet scoff after a moment. ] Yeah, somehow I'm not surprised that that was a 'brief' talk. I can't imagine it went too well, considering. [ He knows what mental state he'd seen Dimitri in that morning. And the suspicions that Claude might have had their messenger murdered when they'd reached out for an alliance against the Empire. Sylvain didn't believe that for a moment, but Dimitri had become obsessively paranoid and mistrustful of everyone.
His lips quirk at the comments about the Professor, however, and he can't help but chuckle, fond affection in the tone. ] Yeah, the Professor's never been exactly 'normal'. Nice to know that they're still the same person, it seems, even when they're... not.
[ Weird. It's still weird. He's trying to picture her as a man and it kinda breaks his brain a little. Would he still be shorter than Ashe, he wonders? ]
We'd made a promise. [ His voice turns quieter after a moment as he stares down into his ale. ] All of us, back when we were in school. [ Sylvain took such promises seriously. Felix had bitched the entire trip, but Sylvain knew he felt the same. Ingrid just knew better than to let either of them wander off into trouble alone. ] No matter where we were in five years, we'd come back to Garreg Mach and reunite for the millennium festival. Together, again. Felix, Ingrid, and I traveled together, but even then, we weren't sure any of the others would. Not with... not with everyone believing His Highness and the Professor were dead. But then we got to the ruins to find them back-to-back fighting bandits and the rest of the Lions showed up as well and... well. It really was like old times again. Almost.
SAME there is Much Potential here
[ An important difference, and one he points out to Sylvain with a sharp half-smile more familiar from their academy days. The mention of Dimitri he lets pass by without any further comment; considering that it was jarring enough for the Deer to see Dimitri as he was, that's still no comparison to how the Lions would've felt. Or Sylvain, more specifically, given what he recalls of the other's friendship with the prince. Even if they're here and away from Gronder, endless war, all those years stretching out in between: Claude has no interest in pressing on bruises just to see what reaction he might get.
The agreement about Teach gets a less brittle smile from him, at least, because while it doesn't sate his curiosity (not that anything ever does, truly) it's enough of a balm that though they each knew a different professor that there's consistency. Something which matters more to Claude than he would've thought, and he shifts to people watch while considering something else. That it's reassuring that Sylvain also seems to match up with his memories even if they're dated ones, that time and conflict haven't warped all they've touched.
Speaking of time, though.
At that mention of a promise, Claude's gaze is back to Sylvain in an instant. Something that sounds all too familiar, he thinks, and once again actual shock has him sitting with lips parted slightly in surprise as he listens to what's too close to what happened in his memories. Again. ]
What's it called when you feel like you've had too much to drink and not enough at the same time? [ This, apparently. ] We promised the same thing, only I didn't think anyone would actually show up. It'd been so long by then and the Alliance went through a lot. It was just me and Teach there until the sun started to set. Well, and the bandits. I was more worried he was rusty after that supposed nap so we went down to clear them out. Then the rest of the Deer came after all, and--
[ Claude stops mid-sentence as another thought occurs to him and he fixes a level gaze on Sylvain. What he has to ask - it doesn't even feel like much of a guess at this point, but more and more like he's tracing along things they somehow both know eerily enough but shouldn't. ]
Next you're going to tell me that you used Garreg Mach as your base after that, aren't you?
RIP Abraxas
[ His lips quirk faintly, a hint at a sardonic smirk playing about the corners.
He's not sure what put that expression on Claude's face in response to Sylvain relaying the reunion to him. At least not until Claude begins to talk. It sounds eerily familiar and...
This really is just too weird. All of it. It's starting to make his head hurt. ]
I don't know if there's a word for that, but there needs to be one, because I'm pretty sure I'm there right now.
[ He's rubbing a hand over his face again when Claude interrupts himself and then drops that question into being and for a moment Sylvain hesitates, because even he's not sure he believes any of this is coincidence at this point. But... ]
Well. It was right there. It was Gilbert's suggestion, I think. [ He squints, his nose scrunching up as he tries to remember. ] His Highness wanted to march on the Empire right then and there but we definitely didn't have the numbers for it and he... well, let's just say we were already taking his opinions with a grain of salt just then. But the Professor was the one who cast the deciding vote to use it as our base while we figured out what we were doing. Made sense, at the time. She had five years' worth of information to catch up on.
he's ready to light the fuse on impending chaos at any time
We also stayed at Garreg Mach too because it was also Teach's idea. I wanted to head back to Derdriu since all our resources were there, and because I needed to still handle whatever the Alliance needed, but he won that discussion. It turned out to not be a half bad idea as the war progressed.
[ Which. That's too close to revealing what happened in what he's lived through in recent history, nebulous of a comment as it was with no further context. Saying more would definitely not be cheating - a comment he's stored away to bring out later at a more opportune time - but instead Claude rolls his head back onto his neck with a groan to study the ceiling like it'll offer him any answers. Predictably, it doesn't.
It's then that he realizes this... is not much of a welcome for Sylvain, this incessant comparing of what they know, and it certainly isn't going to help them when they're who-knows-how far from what they've left behind with no way to do anything about any of it. Maybe it's best to give it a rest just for now. He tilts his head down enough then to look across at the other again, one eyebrow raised slightly. ]
I'm kind of regretting not making you butter me up with your best lines before getting into all of this. It's not too late for an intermission, is it?
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But he's been staring into his half-empty mug of ale as if it could hold the same secrets and answers for him. Also with about the same amount of luck as Claude, apparently. But he can't help but grin at that not-so-subtle attempt at a diversion. ]
You know, with all this talk of yours, I'm beginning to think you've been feeling left out. I had no idea you were pining after me so much all this time, Claude. [ He props his chin in his palm to grin across the table at the other man. ]
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I said I was wounded, didn't I? Would I lie to you?
[ Wait - don't answer that. Better yet, Claude doesn't leave a chance for a(n immediate) response by heaving a put upon sigh as he holds his hands out with palms turned up again since, obviously, he's gotta get into the part of pleading for attention here. ]
That's not much of a line, though. Clearly you have no interest in putting me out of my misery, so I suppose I'll just suffer like I have been all along.
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What? And here I thought you'd be enjoying that, masochist that you are. [ He's just grinning at the other man now, though he does push to his feet and offers Claude a deeply apologetic bow. Even if the laughter in his eyes ruins some of the effect of it. ]
My apologies, Your Dukishness. I will have to make amends for this horrific oversight on my part. How can I make it up to you? A walk under the stars, perhaps? A midnight tryst in the... you know what, I don't even know where they have midnight trysts around here yet. [ He huffs, before pausing to give Claude a wink. ]
In which case... care to show me?
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It only takes Claude a second to sift through his options before he makes his choice, leaning forward with both elbows on the table and slightly over his clasped hands so it's all the better to very pointedly look up at Sylvain through his eyelashes and with a smirk. That also comes with a weighted pause and the utter illusion he's considering that offer of showing, and then - ]
Are you suggesting I give my secrets away for free? C'mon, Gautier, you know better than that.
[ And that smirk gets wider, and as he sits back in his seat again that's paired another carefree shrug. Unfortunately for Sylvain, it's not like they have anything but infinite time and that plays into Claude's favor at the moment. ]
That kind of information doesn't come easy just because you asked. You'll have to work for it first.
[ Is there any actual information to be had here? Who knows! That's just all part of the game. ]
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And then just casually leans over him, comfortably invading his personal space. Claude had leaned back and stretched out so conveniently, after all. ]
What if I ask very nicely?
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[ All in good fun and no actual complaints behind it as his grin suggests, plus: who better to spend coin on than a friend? Just as a friend is also the right answer to who better to loop into one's endless desire to cause trouble.
As demonstrated here because when Sylvain leans over him, well. It's only fair to shift around again himself, matching what feels like a dare, maybe, with Claude tilting his chin up to eliminate another sliver of personal space as he puts on a thoughtful expression. ]
I'm not sure asking counts as working for something anywhere that I know of. Then again, maybe it'll be worth a shot. You could always try anyway and see what happens.
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[ ...Sylvain would probably know, after all.
He had no idea one could play Flirt Chicken, but this is kind of fun. A hint of sly humor enters his gaze and for a moment, he considers doing something outrageous, right there in the middle of the tavern. But instead, he pulls back and props his hands on his hips as he surveys Claude with a deeply appreciative look. He almost regrets not indulging in the outrageous, but... ]
Nah, you haven't quite earned making me beg just yet. [ Smirking instead, he just holds out a hand to Claude with an impish gleam in his eye. ] Hey, I’m going for a walk. Will you hold this for me?
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Are you revealing the future to me already? That's a bold move.
[ Except for what it's followed up by, because Claude blinks first at the hand held out to him and then up at Sylvain. Before he can ask what even if there's a good chance it's on his face, he gets... a line. One that doesn't line up with what he was expecting with begging being thrown out there, and it successfully catches him off-guard enough that Sylvain gets an actual laugh from him. ]
Wait, I need to know the success rate on this one. [ He's just going to pretend he's not adding to whatever it is by reaching up to claps that offered hand. Just because, and because he definitely isn't going to make any move to get up from where he's sitting. ] How many people have you tried it out on? Please tell me you used it on someone we know because if so, I need to know who.
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Clasping Claude's hand, he gives it a tug, a half-hearted attempt to haul him up and out of the chair. But at that question, his expression turns sly again as he arches an eyebrow. And when he counters, it's with an amusing mimicry of Claude's own tone a moment before. ]
Are you suggesting I give my secrets away for free, Riegan? [ A wink. ] A gentleman never kisses and tells.
[ ...Alas, he's only a gentleman some of the time. He has definitely kissed and told in the past. ]
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[ The attempt to get him to stand up was noted even if it wasn't much of one. Line or not, the walk is sounding like a better idea all the time. They've been sitting for quite a while and there's only so much of that he can stand before restlessness kicks in. As he stands up, Claude does let go of Sylvain's hand. Just in case. ]
Either way, I suppose you've decided your fate of staying in Cadens since I'm pretty sure the last wagon back to the barracks left some time ago. If there's no rooms open back at Mag's because others have also arrived then there's a bedroll with your name on it waiting. It's not too far of a walk from here.
[ Just some added clarification about those sleeping arrangements, though Claude plans on taking the bedroll for himself after teasing Sylvain about it given that one of them likely has better sleeping habits than the other. But call it just in case, version two. ]
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What a tease. And after all that complaining about feeling left out. I see how it is.
And you're asking for percentages like you expect me to keep track of every time I flirt with someone and how I do it. Which I don't, by the way. There is no tried and true method of doing it; everyone is different, and you have to adjust your approach. [ A pause, before he gives a rueful grin. ] But for your information, in the right circumstance, it works very well. Getting someone to laugh or relax in response to that is always a good first step.
[ He doesn't show any shame in admitting that. He suspects Claude will understand all too well. The other man is an expert at charming the people around him, if for different reasons than the ones Sylvain has perfected his own methods for. ]
Yeah, I'm not too keen on heading back there, personally. A bedroll will be fine. I've slept on much worse. [ And recently! It sure will beat getting rained on... ]
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[ Or maybe Claude's just telling on himself a bit more than he intends when it comes to collecting anything he might find useful though it's debatable whether Sylvain's pick up line history actually counts. Either way, something like a knowing smile appears on his face at their first method being the same in that it's important to get someone to put their guard down. The path might diverge from there in the end goal, but the other's right that that little bit of rapport goes a long way.
He's just going to ignore that he more or less fell for that by playing right into it. Just details, and ones that rank lower in importance compared to holding the tavern door open for Sylvain to walk out and then unwittingly volunteering to do the same for several other leaving patrons. Eventually Claude slips out himself, leaving polite door duty to someone else, and catches up with Sylvain. ]
If it helps, Mag's inn is a lot nicer than a tent. And you don't even have to walk all day to get there first, among other nice things about not being on the move as part of an army. [ Belatedly, Claude remembers the war is only past tense for one of them and it's not him, so he waves a hand like it'll clear that away as they walk. ] Anyway, the doing chores to stay there part is kinda similar to the monastery, but luckily for us it doesn't come with Seteth telling us we did it wrong this time around.
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You say that like I actually care about the success rates.
[ From the skepticism in his tone, it's clear he doesn't. Then again, Sylvain's never really done this for the numbers. It was just something he played with when they approached him. Which happened far more often than he approached others, no matter what his reputation said about him. Oh sure, he'd flirt and test the waters when someone caught his eye. Or maybe just because he was bored. But keeping track of success? Meant he gave a damn about what he was winning in the first place and honestly? He could rarely be bothered. They all blurred together after a while anyway.
...Which was really sad, anytime he stopped to let himself think about it. Which was why he usually didn't.
Sylvain waits just outside the tavern until Claude finishes playing doorman, falling easily into step beside him. Mostly because he has no idea where he's going. ]
Well, that is very much a plus. I have to say, the shared barracks weren't ideal. [ He makes a face and then chuckles as he glances over to study Claude's profile with an amused expression. ] Happened to you a lot, did it?
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Instead of commenting, Claude lets it go by. Not without bookmarking it for somewhere in his memory for another time, maybe; like not when they're walking down the streets of Cadens. He'll just glance at Sylvain with a smirk for that latter part. ]
Are you asking if Seteth scolded me for a lot of things? Sylvain. Have you forgotten who you're talking to? I lost track of the amount of times I got reprimanded over causing a mess during dish duty. [ A beat. ] Come to think of it, he might've actually been onto something there since Mag banned me from helping wash things at the tavern.
Anyway. We got along a little better during the war. Mostly because he had to tolerate me, and because I pretended he wasn't lying to us about all kinds of Church things despite the proof right in front of our faces like it always was.
[ Enjoy some light blasphemy in the eyes of the devout with that. Some things never change. ]
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He does make a face, though, because he knows a little what Claude is referring to. Not that he paid a whole lot of attention to that - it hadn't affected him much directly, so he'd had less reason to be suspicious. But he knew there were things that didn't add up. Both with their Professor and general things happening at the school. And Ashe - he knew Ashe had a great many suspicions and unanswered questions of his own. Sylvain couldn't blame him either.
But he doesn't broach that topic because it's complicated and a bit of a moot point here in Cadens anyway. ] I don't think I ever noticed him scolding you a lot, I guess. Or more than anyone else, maybe. Then again, at least he talked to you. I'm pretty sure he loathed everything about me. Did you know he even told Flayn not to go anywhere near me? Anytime I came within six feet of her, she would stop me from coming any closer or leave herself. Apparently, any woman who came too close to me was 'doomed to misfortune'.
[ The fact that he manages that last line with a fairly convincing imitation of the man implies that he might have heard those words uttered directly at least once. ]
But apparently, I can seduce anyone with my nefarious ways, so maybe I should thank him for making me even more infamous than I managed on my own. [ Although it's very difficult to tell from Sylvain's easy tone what he actually thinks about that fact. ]
it's a wrap!
Well, if it helps you feel any better. Any time she walked away from you she probably ended up getting lightly interrogated by me since I told her she'd be the target of my relentless nagging. And I meant it, not that she really gave me answers to anything I wanted to know. I'm sure some of that factored into Seteth also assigning duties to me more often like that'd ever distract me, so we can keep each other company on his eternally disliked list.
[ When they make it to their destination a moment later, Claude's quick to show Sylvain around the tavern, to meet Mag so in the morning the two can discuss lodging arrangements though not without Claude putting a word in about the apartments he's heard about, and then there's really nothing left but the upstairs where it turns into the inn.
There really is a bedroll waiting that he rummages out of a linen closet in the hallway meant for borders and other guests to use, but true to his own plan he takes it for himself. In the same breath he'll insist Sylvain take the bed since this one is far more comfortable than what's out there at the barracks, not to mention the other could use some actual rest. That's what Claude remembers thinking the first night he sat in this room after leaving there, anyway, so he's going with the assumption the same applies here.
He does not, however, sleep even when Sylvain does. There's too many books he's yet to read through in that stack on his desk and no time to waste. At least his habits are consistent. ]