TEST DRIVE MEME #9

[abraxasmods]

Test Drive Meme

Welcome to the 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.

In-game, this TDM and the arrival of the newcomers will take place around the last week of November when applications will be processed. We're specifying this so that players can use Nocwich as a prompt without having to skip weeks ahead of their character's initial in-game arrival to match the IC December first weekend opening.

Below are some links to information you may find useful. Our Setting pages have information about the world itself as well as current events for each nation, while our Game History page outlines the game's story so far.

Setting | Game History | NPCs | Arcana
You can also find answers to questions asked on previous TDMs in their respective questions threads.

Summoning

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. It's hard to make out any individual objects, as if you're looking from beneath rippling water.

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 - still unclothed.

Arrival

You'll find yourself summoned to one of the following three major nations: the extravagant and magical Kingdom of Thorne, the bustling and advanced Free Cities, or the tightknit and faith-driven rural community of the Solvunn Commune.

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. After a week or so, your abilities will return.

When you gather your bearings at last, you look up into a series of unfamiliar faces...and equally unfamiliar surroundings.

Welcome to Thorne

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 another mage with highly decorated robes and a large, heavy book. The man 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 nods, satisfied. "Excellent." He motions for one of the young apprentice mages over. "Settle our guest in, please. I don't have all day."

The apprentice hurries forward with a fine silk tunic, pants, and some basic sandals. With a wave of their hand, the clothes reshape to fit you perfectly. Once you're dressed, the apprentice leads you into the hallways of Castle Thorne, prattling on about the kingdom, names of royals and nobles, and, of course, the reason why you're here: 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.

◎ Surroundings

Castle Thorne is where not only royals and members of the court reside, but includes the surrounding city itself. With autumn on its way out, the weather is frosty and in the distance, you can see snow-covered mountain peaks. Fortunately, the castle is enchanted to be at a comfortable temperature.

As you walk or look around, you take in some of what's going on around you:

• The East Wing where members of the royal family and court reside is tightly guarded. At this time, you won't be able to go here - and the guards take their job seriously. The dungeons are also well-guarded, and newcomers will be turned away. You might hear rumors that the cells beneath are beginning to fill up.


• Apprentices, kitchen staff, guards - everyone seems to be bustling and busy. The air is tense, and you hear chatter of crop shortages for winter and something about scorched farmlands in Nott, the lakeside city to the south. As a newcomer, you won't know any different when you visit the buffet table, but those who are familiar with the extravagance of Thorne might grumble about the lack of quality and choices in food. The food is still excellent. It was just apparently even better before.


• There's equally talk of the Free Cities among the common folk, dubious truths or not: magic will soon be outlawed there, their army has great metal machines, and dissenters are exiled into the desert where they're left to perish. Attitudes range from wary to dismissive to disdainful depending on who you talk to.


• Word is that Thorne has close eyes on the Singularity, though it is difficult to find out more than that. Among some of the mages, this appears to be a point of pride or security for them as Thorne is the only nation who has the ability to monitor the Singularity's activity...though its effectiveness is up for debate.

◎ Exploring

Despite the troubles that plague the land, Castle Thorne and its surrounding city have much for you to indulge in.

Trail Riding
Thorne has beautiful trails for riding and many horses of fine noble stock. Each horse is well-groomed and well-trained. No matter your skill level, the stablehand will help you find a horse. There are a few trails that take you around the castle city, ranging between an hour to a half-day's ride with a stop for a packed lunch and to enjoy the view: beautiful snowy mountains rise in the distance, lush gardens with glowing ponds make for great resting spots, the city has several taverns and bookshops, and of course what would Thorne be without its potion shops? Take a friend if you wish to see the sights with some company. Or maybe you run into a new face while riding? Be sure to return the horses in proper condition! One or two trails are unfortunately closed due to soldiers on patrol, a reminder that all is not well despite the idyllic scenery.

Magic Lessons
Regular magic lessons are held by apprentice mages as part of their training, usually involving learning to cast a small spell. These classes are for the natives of Thorne, but you're welcome to join if you wish. The spell they will be teaching is conjuring a white ball of light that will illuminate the space around you for about an hour. It functions much like a candle, but without the risk of fire. The spell relies on Academic Magic which involves a few words said correctly. You'll likely need a few lessons to grasp it unless you're well-versed in magic already. In the meantime, the class of fresh-faced students means there's a constant bright explosion of light coming from the practice room as the spells fail. It isn't dangerous, but it can be annoying.

Evening Banquet
To improve morale, Thorne has pledged to hold a banquet now and again. One of these will take place as the new arrivals come through, and you're free to join at your leisure. If you don't have the appropriate clothes, you can ask one of the mages to conjure you an outfit or approach one of the existing Summoned to help you dress. The banquet is not overly extravagant, but it is a nice party with fine food, wine, and music that seems to come from nowhere. If you're here to make friends (or enemies), this is a good place to start.

Nocwich
Nocwich, which is shrouded in an eternal darkness and is home to the werewolves and the vampires, opens on the first weekend of every month for a total of 3 days. Shortly after arriving, you'll be given a pendant that allows you to travel to and from the portal. In Castle Thorne, the portal is a short walk around the back of the castle. You can enter Nocwich freely and explore what's available in Oleuni Square, although you won't be able to leave the Square nor will you be able to exit into another faction's portals. Once there, you're welcome to meet those from other factions, take in the sights, and - if you've come by some money or a generous soul - even make a few small purchases. Inns are available for a fee if you want to stay overnight. Otherwise, you'll need to return home through the portals each day.

◎ Settling In

When you're ready to rest, you're shown 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).

Although you can leave the castle, you can't leave its surrounding city with the exception of entering Nott via portal in order to assist with rebuilding or visiting Nocwich's Oleuni Square. Borders are especially well-guarded right now due to the recent attacks. Besides, Castle Thorne gives you everything you need: fine clothes, great food and wine, massive libraries, and all the magic and knowledge you could want. Isn't that plenty? You won't be given money as you're provided for, so if you want to do some personal spending later, you'll have to find a job in the city on your own.

Welcome to the Free Cities

Dry warmth hits you at once as you're set on a hard floor of dull ruddy stone. 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 is a raised pedestal with a card bearing an Arcana symbol.

A guard covers you with a simple robe and returns to their place in the semi-circle. Before you stands another woman, dressed in a more elaborate and decorated uniform than the others. A sword rests at her hip. She carries an air of authority as she approaches you with a nod and a warm smile. "Sorry about the circumstances. Take a minute, catch your breath. 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 robed mage off to the side approaches to help you up. 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. You'll learn you're in the Cadens Desert Outpost 003, a military base on the outskirts of the major city of Cadens. You're told the world is in delicate and dangerous times, and you're needed to help. You're important and they're very grateful you're here.

◎ Surroundings

While you're currently at the outpost just outside of the city proper, Cadens on the whole is a large bustling city. Temperatures have cooled but the climate remains hot and dry - during the day, at least. At night, they'll plunge to near freezing. Look to the west and you'll see a long stretch of desert wasteland. This is the infamous Badlands. The soldiers don't recommend going out there unprepared - you're likely to face a slow death to the elements or be eaten. Reaching Cadens is possible by wagon, a trip of about 2 hours each way. You're asked to return by sundown for your own safety... but no one will chase after you if you don't.

You'll be given a military style uniform with your Arcana stitched on it where a formal rank would normally be. As you walk or look around, you take in some of what's going on around you:

• Soldiers are still recovering from the attack on Libertas, where some were stationed and were injured in the rain of fire. Others have family and friends who are missing or wounded. The rising dead not long ago didn't help. While they're no longer lumbering around, corpses that crawled from their graves are in the process of being reburied.


• Among the soldiers, anti-Thorne sentiments are high. Thorne seemingly destroyed one of their cities on a whim, civilians and all. Rumors abound, true or not: Thorne is run by a Mad Queen, dissenters are fed to the frost wurms in the mountains, and some of their mages perform gruesome blood rites. Nonetheless, many also aren't eager for war. They worry for their comrades and friends.


• Cadens itself is even more chaotic and crowded than usual. Refugees from Libertas are now in Cadens, seeking temporary shelter and struggling to rebuild their lives. Discontent can be felt around rising food prices due to shortages. The shelves of some shops are emptier than usual and not everything can be readily found.


• A particular inn and tavern stands in Cadens - The Sarstina - where natives say the Summoned are frequently found. They might point you there if you're looking for one of your own.

◎ Exploring

Despite the troubles that plague the land, the barracks and Cadens have much for you to indulge in.

Training Grounds
Non-lethal training weapons and obstacle courses are set up for anyone to use. The soldiers will be watching, and if you catch their attention they might approach you and encourage you to enlist. You're free to invite other new arrivals to spar, but be sure to keep things friendly and avoid trouble. Discipline is key in the barracks. If you're especially competitive, the soldiers will sometimes hold impromptu obstacle races with informal wagers made. They'll be happy to race against even the most unlikely of opponents, and you'll be judged more on your spirit rather than your skill. If you really impress them, they'll even buy you a drink.

Traveling Merchants
Word of new arrivals spread quickly to enterprising merchants. Many will arrive with samples of their wares, offering free things to try. These items include miniature pastries, trinkets powered by New Magic similar to those cheap flashing toys one find at a carnival, ales, fresh fruits, and healing elixirs. Not all of the elixirs are of proper quality. Some are akin to snake oil and might have adverse (though harmless) effects - take care not to accidentally turn your hair bright green or similar. All of the merchants will be gathered at a central point in the barracks so they'll be hard to miss. Maybe you can make a friend or two while perusing.

City Tours
The arrival of refugees from Libertas means tour groups have sprung up around Cadens to show these new folks around. Organized for free by volunteers, these tours are meant to help the refugees feel welcome and take their minds off the loss of their homes but anyone can join in on the walk. The tour will take you to one or more of the following places: the Hall of Natural Relics where you can look at the skeletal remains of various desert beasts, Portam Hall where you can observe the chaotic government bureaucracy of a large city (and the beautiful architecture), backstage of the Catterborough Theater ("The Cat") where you can meet some of the theater performers, and the Academy of Knowledge where you can attend one of its free public seminars (the topic of the month is on the various types of spiderwebs that can be found in nature. Exciting!)

Nocwich
Nocwich, which is shrouded in an eternal darkness and is home to the werewolves and the vampires, opens on the first weekend of every month for a total of 3 days. Shortly after arriving, you'll be given a pendant that allows you to travel to and from the portal. In Cadens, the portal is a short walk away from the center of the city. You can enter Nocwich freely and explore what's available in Oleuni Square, although you won't be able to leave the Square nor will you be able to exit into another faction's portals. Once there, you're welcome to meet those from other factions, take in the sights, and - if you've come by some money or a generous soul - even make a few small purchases. Inns are available for a fee if you want to stay overnight. Otherwise, you'll need to return home through the portals each day.

◎ Settling In

When you're ready to turn in, the barracks are waiting for you. They 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. Each barracks room is rather sparse. Six simple beds set against the wall, three on each side of the room, each with a trunk at the foot of it. You can greet your roommates here, most of whom will be new arrivals, as well.

If you plan on making use of your assigned quarters, you'll have your basic needs met: uniforms, a roof, bland food from the mess hall, and access to the training grounds. You won't be paid unless you formally enlist with the army. The longer you take advantage of the barracks, the greater the pressure to enlist. Some soldiers will start to see you as a freeloader if you refuse to join them yet continue to use their resources. If you're set on not enlisting, you can always strike out on your own in Cadens - but you won't be provided for and handouts are rare. You'll have to work to earn every copper and loaf of bread. Whether that's honest work is up to you.

Welcome to Solvunn

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. An elderly mage stands before an ornate altar. He holds an old leather-bound book in one hand and in the other is a card bearing an arcana symbol. "I detect no ill will from the gods," he says. "It seems we've been blessed with success."

Those that had gathered all breathe a sigh of relief and now seem pleased. One offers you some clothes of leather and knitted wool that seem to fit you perfectly. A rough-looking man steps forward once you're dressed 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 center of the Primary Settlement. 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.

◎ Surroundings

The Primary Settlement is full of greenery, blessed with the fresh ocean breeze. Winds are moderately chilly with the occasional heavy rains that soak the farmlands. The scent of flowers fills the air. The shops, farms, and homes around you are all modest and unassuming. You get the sense that the people here prefer to blend in with their neighbors than stand out.

As you walk or look around, you'll be greeted warmly, even eagerly...though there's an edge of awestruck nervousness to some. Though the settlement is often quiet and calm, there's still plenty to take in:

• Farmers are still recovering from the events of October that led to failed crops, ruined livestock, and a massive loss in fishing. They'll be happy to receive any assistance: brush the horses, milk the goats, weed the gardens, churn butter, mind the children...whatever you can think of, you'll be needed.


• Those in Solvunn are reluctant to speak of the conflict between Thorne and the Free Cities in any depth. Their stance is that Solvunn is above petty grudges and violence. They are sorry for the loss of innocents in both nations.


• There are whispers of a shrine deep in the woods that took a powerful sacrifice. If asked, the natives will say that they do not know where this shrine is and that it's best to leave these matters in the hands of the gods' chosen, the Council.


• You're free to venture towards the ocean if you like, though heed the warnings of leviathans. These beasts do not stir near the shores, but if you look closely in the far distance - at night in particular - you'll see the water's surface bubble and roil beneath the moonlight.

◎ Exploring

Despite the troubles that plague the land, the commune and its settlements have much for you to indulge in.

Goat Racing
That's right. One of Solvunn's fine traditions is its regular goat races. Meant to be a bit of informal fun, there's a pen of goats where you can choose a goat, get a number, and simply join one of the starting lines. These goats are not trained so the race is less of a race and more pure chaos as the goats do what they please. Whoever eventually wrangles their goat over the finish line wins. The only rule is that you can't pick up or physically pull your goat, but you're free to cajole, lure, or even use a bit of magic to get yours to the finish line first. Winners receive small prizes of cheese, ale, wood charms, woven baskets, and other similar tokens.

Shrine Offerings
As a new arrival, you'll be encouraged to perform your first offering. This can be anything that feels right to you: fruit, wine, flowers, even an animal you've hunted. Whatever you choose, it must be retrieved by your own hand meaning you must pick the fruit, cut the flowers, or pour the wine yourself. You can travel to the shrine by yourself or with a companion. Once there, lay your offering and ask for a blessing through Solvunn's tradition of High Magic. Blessings are often made for the commune overall such as abundant crops or good weather. You will not see the effects right away, but you may find over the next day or so that the sun has cut through the rain. Of course, you're free to dismiss this as the nature of how weather works...but don't be too loud about it. Solvunn takes its beliefs very seriously.

Evening Feast
Potluck-style feasts are common in the settlement as a way to strengthen the community. You'll be invited to join in one of these feasts at any time, held outdoors in a lush grove filled with wildflowers. As a new arrival, you won't be expected to bring anything yourself but you'll make a better impression if you do so even if it's merely a few apples you picked in the morning. Want to help hang decorations before the feast? Your assistance is more than welcome! Place flowers, pin ribbons, or lay the tablecloths. The food is simple and hearty, ranging from stews, roasts, fresh bread, and puddings. If you're shy, someone will be there to fill your cups and plates if you won't do so yourself. Eat, drink, and be merry - it's what the gods would want.

Nocwich
Nocwich, which is shrouded in an eternal darkness and is home to the werewolves and the vampires, opens on the first weekend of every month for a total of 3 days. Shortly after arriving, you'll be given a pendant that allows you to travel to and from the portal. In Solvunn, the portal is a short walk away. You can enter Nocwich freely and explore what's available in Oleuni Square, although you won't be able to leave the Square nor will you be able to exit into another faction's portals. Once there, you're welcome to meet those from other factions, take in the sights, and - if you've come by some money or a generous soul - even make a few small purchases. Inns are available for a fee if you want to stay overnight. Otherwise, you'll need to return home through the portals each day.

◎ Settling In

When you're ready for your bed, you're brought to the center of town and escorted to an apartment above one of the establishments in town. The living conditions are temporary if you'd like them to be: the local families would also be happy to host you in their home. In return, you'll be expected to contribute to their household, taking upon daily chores and repairs. While money has its uses, many establishments and craftsmen are happy to barter with your time or skill for their goods. You'll find your willingness to trade and your friendliness with the natives more valuable than gold.

You can even leave for the other two settlements if you like, but you're encouraged to remain in the Primary Settlement. Just be sure you have an invitation to the Secondary Settlement. There are tales of travelers visiting the secondary settlement without invitation disappearing without a trace. The gods are as hungry as they are protective.

Questions and Answers

If after reading these you're still unsure about anything, or your question wasn't covered, please feel free to hit up our Questions thread below!

How many slots are open?

Please check the Taken page for how many player, franchise, and canon slots are available. 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.

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.

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 nation?

In Thorne, characters can leave the castle but not the city. In the Free Cities, they can take a trip from the outpost to the nearest main city, Cadens. In Solvunn, they can explore the entirety of the Primary Settlement.

Can my character eventually change nations or kingdoms?

Yes, but tensions between the major nations are at an all-time high. Doing so is possible, but will require some plotting and discussion with the mods once you're in-game!

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). It will also affect your character's day-to-day life and development. Characters who seek technological advancements or combat will find more of it in the Free Cities while those keen on court politics and learning magic will have the most access to it in Thorne. Anyone who wishes to uncover the secrets of the Old Gods and forest mysteries will best do so in Solvunn.

This is not to say characters can't do these things from another faction - with effort and the help of friends, anything is possible! Don't get too anxious about your choice. This is just one of many, and every character in each scenario can work their way towards many individual goals and outcomes. Additionally, once in-game the Horizon will provide characters with a way to easily find cross-faction CR.

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?

Your Arcana sign won't have an immediate impact on your character beyond them seeing it on themselves or being told what it is by the locals. You're welcome to disregard those aspects in your prompts or try out different signs.

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.

If you're interested in threading with characters outside your borders on the TDM, you can utilize the Nocwich prompt which will allow all characters to meet in person regardless of arrival scenario.

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.

Can I try out more than one arrival scenario on the same TDM?

Yes, although only threads taking place in the arrival scenario you formally choose upon applying can count as canon. However, you're welcome to try out as many as you like on the TDM.

---

return to main navigation

Comments

Natasha Romanoff, MCU | Thorne | Death or Lovers (undecided)

[widows_kiss]

A. Arrival in Thorne

[ The last thing she remembers is falling. It's the last thing she expects to remember, considering she doesn't have a lot of belief in an afterlife and that was even before she traded her everlasting soul for a rock that would save the known universe.

Being dragged out of a fountain, completely naked and without any of her weapons or belongings, does not win these "mages" surrounding her any brownie points and the only reason the one hauling her out of the water hadn't landed on his ass was she was too busy remembering how to breathe air. It only takes a glance at her surroundings and the man who calls himself a mage to reassure her that she's really not in Kansas any longer. In fact, she's never heard of any place called Thorne, and considering what little she can see here? She doubts they know much about her either.

At least they're hasty about fixing the 'naked' issue. The magic even dries her off, although the braid against the back of her shoulders still feels damp. Then the apprentice leads her off, babbling a bunch of random facts and explanations and names she files away one after another. Which is impressive considering how fast her mind is spinning right now, but she's always had a knack for picking up facts and information and with her situation so unknown right now, any information is valuable and a necessity. He doesn't seem to mind questions, although she bides her time, only asking one when the answers she can gain from it are needed to piece together the fragmented explanation she was trying to grasp. She was careful not to give too much away on her end, unsure if this apprentice's eager supply of information and answers was genuine or a trap of a different sort. Trust issues? Her?

The apprentice eventually ends his impromptu tour when they arrive at the North Wing. He explains the shared quarters and where she might find everything here and then opens the door to a large shared room holding four beds and leaves her to face the rest on her own. At least the room seems comfortable enough, even though it seems it provides little enough in the way of privacy. ]

B. Exploring

[ Fortunately the mages who had drawn her here - or whoever was controlling them - seemed pretty intent on providing for all their needs upon arrival. Which was surprisingly (suspiciously?) thoughtful of them and something she takes advantage of. She hadn't been certain of the magic they wielded here but when one of the apprentices lingering around offers to conjure her an appropriate gown for the evening festivities, she acquiesces more out of curiosity than anything.

At least she doesn't stand out so much now as she enters the Evening Banquet, determined to mingle and meet whoever else is here in the Castle. Especially other Summoned. Making connections here and finding out as much information as she can is the first order of business. She can't do anything until she has a better grasp on what she just got dragged into.

The next day has her exploring a little more outside the North Wing, slipping into whichever areas of the castle she can manage, perhaps even a few she's not technically supposed to be in, should the opportunity present itself. The magic lessons do catch her attention for a bit, although she just watches for now since she doubts this is something she can partake in. Not her area of expertise in the least, but that doesn't mean it's not fascinating to watch. And a little blinding. But that just means she might be easier to catch there spying on what they're doing. ]

C. Nocwich

[ While she doesn't venture outside of the castle too much in the days immediately following her arrival, the gossip about the portal opening up into Nocwich catches her attention. Especially when she hears people speaking of how the place is neutral ground for all three factions she's been learning about. Getting one of the pendants that allow her passage, Natasha is one of the Summoned from Thorne to travel through, stepping out into the well-lit Oleuni Square.

Still maintaining her original goal of gathering as much information about as many aspects of this new world as she can, she makes a point of exploring the Marketplace and the many entertainments this place has to offer. And once here, she starts keeping a careful eye open for any other familiar faces. Just in case. But it won't stop her from approaching strangers that pique her interest, seeking information on the other factions or on the inhabitants of Nocwich itself.

She has a lot of catching up to do. ]

D. Wildcard

(( Leave her a custom prompt or hit me up at chaneystarr with questions or ideas! ))

𝑏𝑎𝑛𝑞𝑢𝑒𝑡

[stations]

( Natasha definitely blends in better brand new than Jack does, despite having been here for months at this point. Maybe it's because he's wearing the closest approximation to a hoodie one could find at the Medieval Times gift shop. Maybe it's because of the prosthetic limb he's sporting from the knee down on his right leg. Maybe it's because he looks like he hasn't slept in years, with dark tired circles under his eyes.

Or maybe it's because he has all the grace of a sack filled with cats and hammers; his good foot catches on the ruffled skirt of a table, and he stumbles, all but throwing a glass full of red wine at her. He's cringing before he even stabilizes, before a drop even lands. Eyes squeezed shut, like blocking out the sight will somehow keep it from actually manifesting into reality. Pure social awkwardness incarnate. )

Holy fucking shit- I am so sorry. I'm dead inside. Oh my god.

[widows_kiss]

[ Fortunately for Jack, Natasha has incredible reflexes. And she is far from oblivious when it comes to her surroundings. She sees the trip as it happens and steps backward out of the way of fire, as it were, just in time.

It doesn't save the puffed-up noblewoman behind where she'd been standing from taking a faceful of wine, of course, but Natasha doesn't show all that much sympathy for her either. She'd been listening to the woman's acid-tongued gossip for the past twenty minutes and while it had been very informative in the worst sorts of ways... she also totally had it coming.

Doing her best to hide her smile until she's turned away enough that the woman won't see, Natasha steps forward smoothly and tucks her arm in the stranger's, tugging him away from the table with a steady step, letting him lean on her if he needs to. The sooner she gets him away from the scene of the crime, the better for both of them. She's not sure how long the busybody will stand there blustering in outrage before she looks around for a new target. ]

That was the best entertainment I've had all night. Don't you dare apologize.

[stations]

( That touch to his arm has him blinking his eyes open again, bewildered and a little owlish. They dart between her and the Mean Girl noblewoman over his shoulder, sluggish processing finally catching up to piece together what just happened.

Dude. Did she just totally dodge that?

Under his breath comes a half awed, half annoyed murmur. )

Why is everyone here a ninja?

( Everyone except him, like he's supposed to be the Contrast Guy that makes them look even more badass by comparison. Man, that's annoying and cool and annoying.

Whatever the case, he compliantly lets himself be led away from the scene of the crime, completely at a loss for how he should feel about this whole... not completely unpleasant hands-on touch thing happening right now. Completely normal and mundane for the average human being, but Jack's had, like, two instances of physical contact that weren't people trying to murder him in the last five or six years.

Just be normal, Jack. Just be normal for ten minutes. )

I know this might make it sound premeditated, but... I heard that lady talking about taxing the poor like some kind of reverse Robin Hood, Ebenezer Scrooge golden girl maybe twenty minutes ago, so she did kind of have it coming. ( A beat. ) But- again, totally an accident. If I were gonna throw wine at somebody, I'd do it with like... a clear line of sight and no innocent bystanders blocking the shot. Not- that I would. Probably. Still an accident.

( Normal. Nailed it. )

[widows_kiss]

[ Natasha's lips quirk as he nervously babbles at her side and she angles them just enough that she can glance back and make sure they're somewhere less likely to catch the woman's eye. Or her ire. The noblewoman was now storming in the opposite direction, extraction successful.

Then she gives the nervous man's arm a comforting pat before releasing him. She wasn't sure if it was her making him uneasy or if he was just always like this. But she didn't want to make the poor guy uncomfortable, either. More uncomfortable? ]

I wouldn't have judged either way. [ Amusement glints in her gaze as she casts him a crooked smile. ] Although the true tragedy here is probably the loss of a fairly decent wine. Are you alright, by the way?

[ She hadn't seen what had unbalanced him in the first place and then she'd been too busy dodging to catch the aftermath. ]

brace yourself

[carmesi]

[while true that the summoning ritual can bring those who are no longer living into this world—something wanda has seen happen in herself, in others—this is one arrival that strikes the grief that is yet too close to her heart, brought afloat by the sight of her, of one natasha romanoff.

one moment there, gone the next.

wanda had only heard small snippets of what had happened from clint, from the group at large, before other things took precedence. a funeral, finding their footing again, looking for vision's body and where it all led to. two years may not be a long time for wanda's recollection, when she last saw natasha, but she's changed a lot in two years. natasha looks different, too, from when wanda last saw her in the battleground in wakanda; it's been seven years, since.

it feels like all of that baggage is being stripped away from her, though, as she hurries her footsteps to guide her towards the familiar—of a knowing smile, a smooth one-liner—and there is no way the black widow hasn't clocked wanda beelining towards her.

voice strained, throat tight,]

—Nat!

[widows_kiss]

[ It's the sense of eyes locked on her that alerts her before the voice does. She's already searching the crowded square around her for the source of that awareness before Wanda calls her name, and has just spotted the familiar head of red hair when her voice rings out.

For a moment, Natasha just stands frozen, feeling her eyes burn as she catches sight of one of the faces that has haunted her for five years now. One she'd wanted so desperately to see again. The fact that she can see her here, now...

She has no idea what this means, what any of this means, but that doesn't stop her from stepping forward and then breaking into a hurried pace in turn. Not a run - it's too crowded here for that - but it's a near thing. There's not even any hesitation in her when she reaches Wanda, just throws her arms around her in a tight hug, dragging her close, even when she's not normally the one to initiate any sort of physical contact. This is a special circumstance. ]

Wanda?

[carmesi]

[wanda braces herself, enough to bolster through the impact of the tight hug, allowing herself to be brought in close. it certainly is a special circumstance—they could both be forgiven for this—for wanda also wraps her arms tightly around one of the most earnest reminders of having a family and a home after she had lost it all.

natasha feels so real, and this is how wanda knows she's not dreaming this up. her eyes are already welling with tears, as she nods at her name.

in what little russian she knows, she replies,]

Yes, it's me.

[because there had always been a connection between the two of them, of a home that was no longer home, of similar cultures and customs, of what made them stand out while blending in in america. she hugs the other even tighter, hiding her face in natasha's shoulder for a moment more before hesitantly moving away.

to just see her face—]

I always hoped you'd come here, too. Your hair — is longer. [and then she laughs, sad and quiet.] Your roots are showing.

[underfuckingstatement.]

[widows_kiss]

[ Always hoped. That just gave her so many more questions than it answered.

But she gives a choked laugh at Wanda's teasing, gripping onto her tightly a moment longer. When Wanda pulls back to look at her, Natasha takes advantage of the move to do the same, one hand reaching out to cup against Wanda's cheek, her eyes burning and bright with unshed tears.

For a moment, it's all she can do to reacquaint herself with this familiar face. But then she can't hold the question back any longer as she murmurs out the words to the most important question that had been haunting her since she arrived here. Her voice comes out as a rough whisper, almost as if she's afraid to hope, and yet... ]

...It really worked? You're all...?

C

[assembles]

[ While Oleuni Square doesn't seem to have changed much since the last visit, Steve isn't here for more sightseeing. It's a relief to have this place now as a central meeting spot for the Summoned that doesn't require stepping into the Horizon.

After everything that just happened, he isn't particularly interested in returning to that plane any time soon.

Organizing the meeting between Tony and Dr. Strange had taken some elbow grease, but now he's done all he can, which means he needs to kill time until the "appointment" is done. Not wanting to crowd two men who were already on-edge to say the least, Steve's opted to stretching his legs by wandering around the square.

He ends up in the marketplace, and after idly inspecting the stalls for a little while, he sees her.

It's her back, but that doesn't matter. Steve would know her anywhere. They've had each other's backs for long enough, haven't they? He freezes in place. It can't be real, can it? It doesn't matter that Tony is literally getting a posthumous examination right now. Natasha can't just be here, in Nocwich, with no warning at all, could she?

His eyes had been playing tricks on him, causing him to see faces that weren't really there. Usually faces of enemies, true, but he has to assume that's what's happening now.

He keeps on staring, waiting for the image of Natasha's back to shift or disappear. ]

[widows_kiss]

[ She picks up on the feeling of being watched almost immediately, that awareness skating along the edge of her nerves. She doesn't turn around, continues to casually browse the wares at the stall she'd been perusing while angling herself slightly to get a look at her surroundings. Her senses have been on high alert ever since arriving here and now is no exception. She'd done nothing to draw attention to herself here as far as she knows, so why...?

It's only when she turns enough to peer back the way she'd come that she spots the source of the strange feeling of eyes on her. Steve has always stood out in a crowd, at least to her eye, even when he is trying to be subtle about it. She freezes for a moment, eyes widening slightly as she meets his gaze across the square. Holds it.

And then lets a faint smile tug at one corner of her lips as steps away from the stand and approaches him. The look in her eyes, however, is a sad sort of fondness as she peers up at him. ]

Sorry I'm late.

[ It's been much longer than a minute, she suspects. ]

[assembles]

[ Steve also isn't doing much at all to be subtle at the moment. He's taken lessons from Natasha when it comes to how to blend into a crowd, having to put all of that knowledge into practice while they'd been on the run, always aiming to stay two steps ahead of the people Ross would send looking for them.

Now, though, he's just standing and staring without even making an effort of hiding it, too thrown off by this sudden appearance of a dear friend he thought he'd never see again to be anything approaching inconspicuous.

She finds him. She meets his eyes. And as soon as that smile shows up on her face, as soon as she speaks those words, he knows this has to be real.

Something unfolds in his chest as he lets out a long, harsh breath, before he spurs his body forward, moving toward her. ]

You've got nothing to be sorry about. [ He knows what she's referring to, her last words seared into the back of his mind forever, but it doesn't matter. He reaches out, both hands settling on her shoulders. She's exactly as warm as she should be. ] Nat...

[ And then, with little consideration for the fact that they're in a public place, he draws her in close for a hug. ]

[widows_kiss]

[ There is no resistance in her when he draws her in close. Her arms slide around his waist and for a moment she buries her face against his shoulder and soaks up the strength and comfort he's always offered. Something she rarely took him up on, but at the moment...

How she had come to be here is something she hasn't let herself dwell on much. She can't. Couldn't. There is no resolution to be found in this place to the questions she most needed to be answered - or so she thought - so she'd instead focused on what she could learn. But coming face to face with him... she could see every answer she needed written in his expression and for the moment, that's enough.

Taking a deep, shuddering breath, she tips her head back to smile up at him, content, for the moment, to lean against the solid support of his chest. ]

Hopefully I didn't miss anything too important. [ Her tone is lightly joking, one corner of her mouth quirked upwards in humor as she searches his face. ]

B- exploring!

[ziryla]

( magic is a novelty here that lacks the subtlety Rhaenyra has otherwise thought for it. her own knowledge only extends to the blood magic of history books and that of her own blood, of the connection her line has formed with their draconic beasts.

she feels her dragon’s absence terribly, like some connection severed as she walks along the halls of thorne’s castle without a goal in mind.

she figures she ought to have one, her mind working on the next steps — gather information, understand the realm, and it’s people, and understand why she is here and what needs to be done. they need her help, she is told, but her anger has blinded her empathy at the time. her exhaustion, her panic. but now she is simply tired, anger down to a rolling simmer, and it feels like the floor is only just rebuilding beneath her feet with every step.

she has no crown, here, no power save for what she can find for herself.

in some way, it is still easiest to fall to habit, and she still walks with her back straight and chin held high, an air of authority she desperately wishes to cling to.

it is in her wondering that the magic lessons catch her eye, brilliant light conjured from hands, before fizzling out and she is drawn towards it like a moth to flame.

she hadn’t realized she had sidled to stand beside another woman until she finds herself wanting to make a remark to someone within ear shot, and her attention turns briefly to her. distantly polite conversation in court was, of course, more than commonplace. ) I’ve not seen such workings before, ( she remarks, curious. ) Have you? ( is is important to know the experience of those around you. )

[widows_kiss]

[ Natasha had been watching these magic lessons with a slight frown, her brow furrowed in concentration as if committing what she sees to memory might be useful later. She has no idea if it will or not, but having the knowledge certain;t won't hurt.

She'd glanced over when another figure had joined her as an audience, but as she'd been unfamiliar and also immersed in watching, Natasha hadn't interrupted, just taken note of her before going back to her scrutiny. now, however, she glances over again to meet the woman's gaze, offering her a faint smile. ]

No, nothing like this. Magic isn't really my area of experise, I'm afraid. Things like this aren't really common, where I come from. [ As far as she knows, anyway. Sure, there are a lot of superhuman abilities, weird tech, and science-gone-wrong-or-right, but this was certainly a little different. ] Things like this tend to exist more in fairy tales and myth, in my world.

[ziryla]

( the woman's accent is — difficult to place, rhaenyra thinks, the more she listens to the rise and fall of inflection.

the novelty of different worlds has still not faded, reinforced yet again when the other woman speaks of her own. rhaenyra considers the courtyard, the practitioners within, shoulders gently pulling straighter. tries to gather herself piece by piece.

in some ways it is easier, when you are unknown; you've less to prove when there are no expectations of ruling, but she's only just tried to acquire a pace for it. this is a bit of whiplash. she allows herself a small smile, honesty dipping into her words. ) Mm — your world. No matter what I've already seen here, or what we've been told, it is still difficult to believe.

I suppose — our magic is rare, back in my realm. Not as openly practiced, anyway. ( another pause, as though thinking of what to ask, never having been in a position where she had to, in such context. )— is your realm very similar to this one?

[widows_kiss]

[ The question gets a soft burst of laughter from Natasha as she grins at the very idea, quick to shake her head in amusement but not wanting the woman to think she was laughing at her when she wasn't. ]

Oh, as far from it as you can possibly imagine. Maybe it's because my world didn't have any access to magic like this. They had to make their life easier by going a different route. Inventions and man-made creations to do things like that. [ She waves a hand at one of the apprentices producing the next burst of light. ]

I guess I have an easier time adjusting to the 'whole new world' thing. [ No magic carpets even required. ] Our realm has stumbled across other ones before this, although I have to say this is the first time I've found myself somewhere new quite like this.

A

[ia]

[ Natasha will find that someone else is already in the shared room. Sophia is currently lying on the edge of a bed, head hanging upside down. She looks bored out of her mind. Her expression brightens when she notices someone else has walked in. She gives Natasha a small wave. ]

Hello there. Welcome to...the dorms. Yeah, not very impressing. Name's Sophia, hopefully you're not going insane with the information you've been served just now.

[widows_kiss]

[ It's still not quite at the level of getting emails from a raccoon in outer space, so she thinks her sanity's taking this relatively in stride, considering.

But she gives the young woman in the room with her a once-over before offering her a crooked smile and heading over towards the bed next to hers. ] Not quite yet, but the jury's still out. I'm Natasha. Did they just drag you here, too? Or have they left you here as a friendlier welcoming committee than the Merlin wannabe's back there?

[ia]

Sophia.

[ She turns around before sitting up and swinging her legs, so that she can actually sit like a normal person. Now that she's no longer alone there's no point in giving herself neck pains out of boredom. ]

Did you too find it jarring how nonchalant could somebody be while pulling you out of your world and into theirs? How very...mundane, to break reality like that.

[widows_kiss]

Well. It does seem they have quite a bit of experience at it.

[ She doesn't sound exactly thrilled about that, either. Settling down on the bed beside Sophia's, she lets her gaze take in the room and then the woman across from her, settling back comfortably with her hands on the mattress behind her. ]

Maybe if they'd managed to pull my clothes with me, it might have lessened the jarring somewhat. [ Not really though. ]

nocwich!!!! AHHHH

[falcony]

[ truly, sam should know better by this point. he does know better, really he does. he's been in this place for over a year and a half by this point, and he's well aware that he needs to always be on his guard. always needs to expect faces that he'll recognize, faces he would never expect to see. they have not stopped summoning, not the cities and certainly not the other factions, and even more so with the actions more recently taken in the upcoming war. he'd seen it in the barracks back in cadens, and he should have gone into this trip to nocwich with that awareness. yet here he is - checking one of the stalls where he thought he might want to pick up some more supplies for back in cadens - catching a glimpse of red hair out of the corner of his eye.

and here's the thing - sam wilson understands grief. or at least, he understands it about as much as you can expect someone to, given the experience and research he did while working at the va. he knows that it's not linear, he knows that he will be catching glimpses of loved ones for years, if not for the rest of his life. he knows that aching in his chest probably won't ever go away. and he knows, back home, they are gone, and that's just the way things are.

except for the fact that they aren't gone. not really. not while they're here.

part of sam is still reeling from the conversation he just had with steve. so maybe it does make sense that he'd see natasha, too, just out of reach while he's mixed in with an unfamiliar crowd.

at least, that's what sam thinks - until he sees the head of hair again, and then again, and he catches what he knows he recognizes to be her voice. thankfully she won't be able to tell how embarrassingly quick he is to turn away from his errands to follow after her, weaving through the crowd to the best of his ability (and probably following her right into a trap, if he knows natasha romanov at all), but just as he rounds a corner and he's positive she's sitting right there, ready to take his knees out from under him, sam's got his hands up. ]

Nat, [ is she able to pick up on the way he nearly chokes around her name? hopefully not. ] It's me- [ is probably all he'll be able to get out, but he will do his best to get it out all the same. ]

;_;

[widows_kiss]

[ She'd felt eyes on her, and it wasn't hard to notice when she'd picked up a tail. Surprising, considering where she is, but old habits die hard and she melts into the crowd, using it to her advantage to either evade her shadow or figure out how best to handle them.

It takes her a few turns to figure out who, exactly, is behind her, and then she's just amused. She considers playing with him a little more, just for old time's sake, but honestly, it's been so long since she's last come face to face with him that it's all she can do to keep from turning around and tracking him down instead.

But she lets him come to her, taking a seat just outside the market square - because that's better than the anxious, restless pacing she'd be doing otherwise. Her eyes search the crowd, waiting for him to catch up. When he breaks free and their gazes lock, she's already pushing to her feet. The choked sound of his voice has her feet moving before she even realizes and a moment later she's flinging her arms around his neck. ]

God, you're a sight for sore eyes.

;A;

[falcony]

[ if he were any less invested in catching up with her, he might have noticed that she was playing with him. he might have noticed that she’s not at all aggressive towards him, that she’s leading him around just to lead him, to play, but sam finds that each step he’s followed her, the harder it is to take a full breath.

it’s her hits him somewhere in the chest along the way. it’s her, and it feels like his heart is going to break through his chest. he remembers steve’s face when he told him about it. the feeling of loss, of his insides falling, falling, and then hitting the ground. a single crunch, and then nothing at all.

but then he turns the corner and she’s there. more than that, she’s real, and her arms are around his neck. sam doesn’t bother holding back, his arms coming around her middle and pulling her tight, so much that he might even lift her up a bit from the ground. ]

Jesus Christ, woman, I’ve missed you. [ and she may, or may not, be able to hear just how true that is in his voice. that, or the fact he holds the hug a few moments longer that necessary. he’s reluctant to let go. ]

When’d you get here? And how am I just finding out?

[widows_kiss]

[ She gives a laugh, but there's no hiding the sound of ragged tears choking it as she clings to him for a moment. She lets them fall, unashamed of them, needing this moment as much as he does. Reassuring herself that he's real, solid, that she's not imagining this, much like everything else since she'd woken up in this strange place. ]

It's not my fault you're not paying attention. [ There's teasing in her tone, tearful as it might be, and she pulls back to give him a watery smile. And then releases him from the hug only long enough to cup his face in her hands, searching his face. ]

I've only been here a day or two. Was I meant to send up a flare? I think they forgot to give me one.