TEST DRIVE MEME #10

[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.

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 winter still here, 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.


• Despite the troubles that continue to plague Nott, life in the Castle is less touched by those difficulties. There's also plenty of chatter about the giant ocean life that found itself onto the shores of Borrel, Thorne's military city. Borrel is not accessible at this time - but perhaps some of the older Summoned can tell you of their visit.

◎ 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 and Luna. You won't be able to enter Ikorr 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. 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:

• Though Libertas is steadily rebuilding, the chaos that resulted from it and the refugees that have poured into Cadens are still causing difficulties. There might be tensions in the air between citizens - though there's also plenty of chatter about the giant ocean life that found itself onto the shores of Aquila, a neighboring city.


• 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 and Luna. You won't be able to enter Ikorr 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:

• While farmers are still recovering from events that led to failed crops, ruined livestock, and a massive loss in fishing, life is slowly returning to normal. 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. Recently, a giant ocean life found itself onto the shores in Solvunn. Many will tell you this was a test from the gods, and that saving these creatures granted the world a boon of fish.

◎ 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 and Luna. You won't be able to enter Ikorr 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. 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.

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.

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Comments

Questions

[abraxasmods]

[beloyaltome]

Hello! My character has a little bit of a deadly sunlight allergy. I was planning to bring her in to Thorne, can I assume some amount of precautions available in regards to her having a bedroom or an area of a bedroom that is never touched by sunlight? Will she be reasonably able to attend the banquet?

galadriel | the rings of power | the hierophant

[seaandsun]

thorne (trail riding)

[ It may come as no surprise that once Galadriel learns of Castle Thorne's impressive stables — and the trails that exist for riders to explore — she makes her way there almost immediately. Any apprehension that might exist within her is tempered, albeit mildly, by the familiar scent of hay and horse, and she walks along the stalls until she stops before a mount of gentle countenance.

Galadriel, for her part, can be found in one of two places: either standing in the stables themselves, before the horse she's chosen to be her ride for the afternoon, gently stroking over its features with a confident hand and murmuring something in a language that may not be recognizable to the casual ear, or out on the trail later.

There, you may see her ride by in a bit of a blur, blonde hair streaming freely behind her and a look of complete exhilaration on her face, but by the time you catch up to her or find her later on, she'll be in a position to slow to a walk once she's sure she's exhausted most of the trail's length, pulling up on the reins to glance down to where a patrol of soldiers stands blocking the remainder of the path. ] Is not all at peace here?

free cities (training grounds)

[ Galadriel is hardly unaccustomed to bearing a military rank — she may not look it at first, in her dress and with her hair unbound, but that becomes swapped out very quickly for a different uniform altogether. After she dons something more appropriate and carefully secures her hair back into a braid to keep it out of her face, she appears every ounce the commander who led her expedition to Forodwaith — in spite of the fact that those companions had ultimately abandoned their quest.

She certainly has prowess with the blade, evidenced by the manner in which she reaches for a practice sword, turning it over in her hand with the brief rotation of a wrist. If anyone happens to be within reach, especially one who is also in possession of such a weapon, she'll stand before them without an ounce of fear in her gaze, lifting her chin subtly in a combination of challenge and curiosity. ] Do you desire a worthy combatant?

[ Elsewhere, she might be more passive in studying the fighting form of others, walking at a distance around other pairs who are sparring together and then stepping forward to offer some guidance. ] You step up to block when you should evade. There is no dishonor in retreat.

solvunn (evening feast)

[ The beauty of the grove calls to mind memories of Lindon, and the night Galadriel had spent there with dear friends and heavy weights on her heart before setting sail for Valinor. Of course, she had not chosen to continue that journey, but there is something about the similarities between the lush plant life and the distant merriment that follows behind her as she retreats from the feast that has left her feeling somewhat reflective on her circumstances.

With cup in hand, she strays away from the celebration until she discovers a quieter part of the grove itself, one that appears less trod-upon, and assumes a seat beneath a tree, losing herself to contemplation. At the first sound of footfalls, however, she won't necessarily startle or even overtly react to any unexpected company, but she will be more composed by the time she lays eyes upon them, voice quiet. ] It seems I am not alone in my preference for solitude.

wildcard

[ if you want a more specific prompt or to run into galadriel elsewhere, feel free to hmu with alternate plotting ideas! her canon point is somewhat nebulous for the moment. you can ping me on favoritings or PM with any questions.]

free cities!

[sakhr]

Er – no.

[ Bartimaeus is not holding a weapon, and frankly it's making him uneasy that she is. He has no love of steel things, never mind steel things with sharp points being wielded by warriors, and isn't afraid to eye the blade she's holding with a degree of nervousness. It's not as if he's never used weapons before, but he has more than enough confidence in his own innate abilities that he's never felt the need to wield some sort of razor-sharp blade that could easily slice through his essence with barely a swish. He's more of an improvisational weapon-wielder – for example, chairs or chunks of rock or other such items hurled with force. ]

Not that I don't appreciate the offer, but I'm more of an observer, you understand.

bartimaeus | the bartimaeus sequence | the wheel of fortune

[sakhr]

001. magic lessons. THORNE

[ There's a teenaged boy lurking in the corner of the classroom. He's not taking part, just observing, though he has the manner of someone who's shown up to a particularly amusing comedy show. Arms folded across his chest, smiling broadly, he's clearly struggling to hold back laughter, and at one point, as he watches someone force out a misshapen faintly-glowing orb which makes a puttering phhhhbt sound as it disappears, he seizes up and slaps a hand over his mouth so his cackle doesn't carry.

Whether you're the unfortunate person he's laughing at or you've just happened to notice a certain chuckling teen lout in the corner,¹ the boy is still struggling to contain himself if you shoot a look in his direction. Immediately he appropriates an expression of deep, wide-eyed innocence which might be believable if it wasn't for the quiver at the corners of his mouth. ] I thought it was very impressive. Wasn't rubbish at all.

[ ¹ It's not like it's hard. ]

002. training grounds. FREE CITIES

The key word is evasive.

[ Wise words from a teenage boy reclining in a spot of sun, hands linked lightly over his stomach. He's been watching for a while, and he hasn't been hiding it; in fact it seems like he's been dying to offer some critique on his subject's sparring skills, whether it's welcome or otherwise. ]

You can't last forever in a fight, [ he clarifies casually. ] Even if you're the best fighter in the world, eventually you're going to get tired and you're going to make a mistake. Better to spend your time working out the safest way to leave. With haste.

003. the marketplace. NOCWICH

[ He has little interest in the wares on sale here – in his expert opinion, it all seems to be gaudy tat – but Bartimaeus lingers anyway, not to buy anything but to catch the attention of passers-by with some questions. First he clarifies whether you're a native or one of the Summoned,² and if it's the latter, then he has plenty more questions where that came from, starting not with a name or any other getting-to-know-you queries, but rather getting right down to business. ]

Where you're from, [ the boy asks, scrutinising the face of the person he's interrogating intensely, ] is there such a thing as a magician? That includes derivatives thereof, such as wizards, sorcerers, warlocks, enchanters, druids, thaumaturges, or anything else remotely similar.

[ ² Rubbish name. Bit clunky. He'd love to know who came up with that one. ]

004. wildcard.

[ if you want to work out something else, you can hmu here or at crowders! ]

003.

[stepping]

[ the thing is, laura's also just there to scope out the situation, so she's happy to be caught for questioning. nothing makes any sense, but in the absence of sense she's more or less decided to just...go with the flow.

the flow, right now, is apparently being very intensely questioned by a teenager, but that's fine. ]

What the hell is a thaumaturge? [ she asks, helpfully, but she is actually planning on answering the question, it just comes after a half-shrug. ] We have stories about that sort of thing. It doesn't exist though, not really. Magic isn't real.

Lucina | Fire Emblem: Awakening | Strength

[dualstriker]

Thorne: Trail Riding

[Horses and horseriding, Lucina had thought, were hardly her area of expertise. Perhaps in another life it might have been. Another reality where she would have experienced a life similar to what was normal within Thorne's court... A life that, despite the tensions discernable behind closed doors, had not taken even the smallest modicum of the agony of what she had been summoned from.

She had no right to be here. Of that, she was most certain.
She should not be here.

While arriving at the stables that morning had been purely accident, she had chosen to trust the stablehand's choice of animal for her. Furthermore, she had ventured out unto the surrounding meadows and woodlands following the effort that clearly went into his selection.

If anything, the experience had been welcome. The experience, accidental or not, served to settle her thoughts. To calm her, and to rearrange and reorganize matters- what she had come from, what she could possibly do- into coherent thought.

That was, until this very moment. This very moment where she is dismounted, her horse is allowed to graze, and she hears something behind her.

Brigands? She turns- her small hand gripped around a long, yet narrow branch- and she steels her voice as much as it possibly could be steeled.]

Who goes there?



Free Cities: Training Grounds

Hyaa!

[Exclamations of impressed wonder resound all around her- gasps, low murmers, and quiet sounds of amazement come from all manner of people. Men, women, all of whom soldiers, some of which stand by for the sake of their own entertainment, some of whom stand by for the sake of getting in on a few bets on this slip of a girl- this child- who seems to be putting a fully grown man on the ground.

Much to her chagrin, Lucina appears to have earned herself a small crowd- yet her attention is not on a single soul of it. Her focus lies squarely upon her sparring opponent, a larger man- fully grown- who appears to be staggering backward.

And such cannot be avoided, for Lucina is relentless. While her initial strike has forced the man- perhaps twice the size of her, and three times the width, back in a stagger, she rushes forward. The dull iron blade in her hand glints threateningly, and while the man seems to not quite be done- he has clearly taken enough blows with the flat of it to not be thinking as lucidly as he could- to think only of evening the score come hell or high water.

She is quick. She is very quick- and seemingly instantly the man is struck once more with three- four- five powerful blows to his armour, as well as a square kick to his front which sends him sprawling, sliding, and colliding into a collection of barrels pushed against a wall. The barrels collapse upon impact from the rather tall, rather portly man in full body armour, and the man struggles to refind his feet...

...Yet he stays down.

And...]

...

[She secures the sword in her belt before she approaches him. ...Is the wall... broken? Oh no.]

training grounds!

[godshattering]

[ Claude doesn't find himself out at the outpost too often these days, preferring to instead stay as out of sight, out of mind as possible from the military. But: every now and then he does venture out to see what's going on and whether there's any new faces around that stand out as fellow Summoned.

On today's trip, the usual gathering spots for soldiers he's come to exchange mostly friendly greetings with seem emptier than usual. The mess hall's not too crowded either so curiosity leads him around the grounds. Is there a mission happening? Something where the soldiers are on the move? Maybe he shouldn't have made it out here after all.

He finds his answer in the training grounds. There's plenty of people gathered around to watch some sparring happening, and always being one to be interested in someone's skills means Claude joins them to watch the mystery fighter. Her blade is quick, the moves sharp and speak to experience - and that's before the blows and the final kick which has him letting out a low whistle as he walks closer while the crowd disperses a bit. ]

If you're not careful, they'll try to recruit you before the day's out since you certainly know your way with a sword, [ he calls out just to make sure he's not sneaking up on her in the aftermath, and offers a slight grin to go with it if she turns his way. ] Hopefully the loser of your match is supposed to be the one to stack all these barrels back up.

laura hawley | original | death

[stepping]

free cities.

surroundings.

[ heading to cadens seems like as good as an idea as any, so laura's quick to leave for the city in the uniform that sits uncomfortably no matter how she adjusts it. honestly, it might just be the novelty of having clothes that are relatively new for the first time in years, but either way laura can't quite settle into the clothes as she starts to wander the streets.

it's only lack of direction that sees her heading to the sarstina inn — she doesn't have any money, but that is apparently 'the place where summoned go' and she doesn't have any better ideas other than to look for familiar faces, so in laura walks. she doesn't sit, instead looking around the space to see if anyone catches her eye. even as she's unsuccessful, laura remains upbeat, a smile on her face as she leans over to anyone near enough and curious enough to look over her way. ]

So like, we're sure we're not actually dead right? 'Cause if this is the after life it is...elaborate.


[ she's no stranger to hunger though, and no stranger to a sleepless night, so laura doesn't go back to the barracks right away. instead, she just starts walking the city. as the evening slips into night her attention turns to the unrest in the city, hard to miss, and she can't help but curiously step into conversation about the current tensions. ]

Sorry, just— pretend I know nothing...actually I do know nothing. Why are people talking about some funky frost wurm punishments happening, is that a real thing?

exploring.

[ laura slips into a large group of people present for the city tours, though she's only half-listening. mostly she's just wandering as part of the group, walking when they walk and stopping when they stop, focus caught on the city surrounding them. it's been years since laura was surrounded by this many people, this much infrastructure, and she doesn't quite know what to do with that.

she doesn't believe it yet, is the thing, even as she listens to half an explanation on the significance of the building in front of them and nods along with everyone else, her eyes keep darting to the sky. she's waiting, laura knows she is, to wake up or for something to happen that will let her know this all isn't real. stranger dreams have happened after all, perhaps she just indulged a little too heavily in the latest weed crops ready for harvest. perhaps--

she isn't paying enough attention, stumbling into the back of someone, and laura quickly blinks back into focus. ]

God, sorry, that was all me, I'm an asshole. Are you okay?


[ eventually she goes back to the barracks, and it seems like the done thing is the training grounds so laura finds herself there. she doesn't look like much, short, underfed and malnourished, but she's got a surprisingly decent left hook, when she steps up to spar. she doesn't fight like she was taught to do it though, she's scrappy and under-prepared for any kind of discipline. laura still laughs though, even with the wind knocked out of her as she lands on her back. ]

Shit, can you show me how to do that? I don't want to end up on my ass again.

settling in.

[ the living arrangements at the barracks don't actually phase laura especially. she's used to close quarters, this is just an extension of that, though she spends an abnormally long time in the tub, scrubbing at her body and waiting for something to feel real. she can't stay in there forever though, laura finally drags herself out with wrinkled fingers and toes, wrapped in a towel as she steps out into the communal bathing room. she's smiling — laura's always smiling — though it's all catching up to her a bit, and she's starting to deflate. ]

Sorry. Love a bath. [ no she doesn't, but a drawn curtain was as good a place as any to stare at while contemplating her existence. ] Just...checking in. How sure are we that this is all happening?


[ by the time she gets to the sleeping quarters laura is pretty exhausted, but then that was kind of the point. she'd never been a great sleeper even when she was young, and the last few years those habits have only gotten much worse. she pushes herself past tired, it's the only way for laura to get real sleep, but even wiped as she is now, laura still has trouble drifting off. ]

Do you think....is there a way to request people? To be Summoned or whatever.

[ the question gets asked to the room really, more than a specific person, laura staring up at the ceiling above them as she asks. if this is real, and that's a big if, she doesn't deserve to be the only one here. there's plenty of people back home that should have gotten out, too, and her stomach churns guiltily at the thought of them left behind without her. ]

Like a requests box or something?

wildcard..

[[ got an idea for something else? freestyle a different location and surprise me with something, or hmu at sharknado or via pm with any questions etc. laura's quick run info is here for the curious! ]]

Sarstina Inn

[bealufull]

[ Kaz had left the barracks as soon as possible and hadn't gone back. Instead he had taken up residence at the inn, thankfully to Jesper and Inej, and it's become his new base of operations.

Settled in at the bar, waiting for the others to return for the evening, he blinks at the woman's words as he looks up from his notes. For a moment he just stares at her, but he does take in the new clothes, the look of someone fresh from the well.

He suppresses a shudder at that memory. ]


I am most certain this is not death. Even if I believed in an afterlife, I don't think another world fighting our way up would be what it is.

[ Not that he wants to think about what it would be for him if he's wrong and there is something. ]

How new are you?

mavis (oc) — hanged man — thorne

[telepathy]

MAVIS (OC) — HANGED MAN — THORNE

MAGIC LESSONS | VOYEURING
[ flares of light draw mavis towards the hall where a mage conducts magic lessons for the thorne natives. still injured by the mine collapse, she limps around the corner, seeking out the entrance to the room she'd seen only from the outside.

normally, this would not be so difficult. normally, she could just trace the surface thoughts, listen her way towards someone who'd caught her attention. the silence is both blessed and infuriating. it feels like learning how to walk again. she has never in her life been anything but acutely aware of every person remotely near to her.

she reaches the cracked door to the lecture hall and peers through. inside, a single instructor coaches young students to summon little lights. one by one, they practice the spell.

it is impossible to process what she's seeing. she lingers there in the doorway for some time, just watching. they complete the practice just as kuruko children learned to handle daggers and axes. under guidance, finessing their form and practice. did this happen in kossos? is this what aristaeus and his squadron had offered to her after they burned the kuruko camp?

she sways, holding the stone wall to steady herself.

then a brighter, blinding flare of light goes off. disgruntled shouts come from inside, but mavis cannot see them for a moment. spots burn in her vision as it clears back up. panic hastens her heartbeat, and mavis can only think of the rumors of the free cities. exile to the desert. of her own exile, of her people's fear. for the first time in her life, she wants to know their thoughts, wants to read their minds and know what is coming.

she crosses the threshold into the hall instead of lingering outside of it, ready to defend the student from the selfsame fate she had suffered, but—

there is no fear. instead, the instructor's voice booms: do it again.

and mavis only stands awkwardly in the room as the students groan and grumble. unnoticed, as if she were invisible to them, as if nothing had happened at all. ]

EVENING BANQUET | HAVE YOU TRIED THE LAMB?
[ when she enters the banquet, mavis is still wearing the silken tunic that she had been given upon arrival. the fabric is the softest and finest that she had ever felt, but no one else is dressed so simply. elaborate gowns and suits of many layers and bright colors fill the room, gaudy and disorienting.

the tables are long and covered in food. she counts at least three kinds of meats when she settles into a chair. she touches the knife for cutting meat, the closest to a real weapon she has found. she takes it, folding it into the napkin and leaving it in her lap.

she looks around to see who has spotted the movement. then reaches out to pull a leg off a chicken at the center of the table. it never touches her plate. she brings it right to her mouth, smearing the spices and cream sauces, and tears into it, ravenous.

how many days has it been since she last ate? since she last had a meal like this, properly prepared? she thinks of the new year feast in the southeastern camp at the edge of the golden canyon, the fires high, people dancing and reveling. the last she had spent among her people. ]

SETTLING IN | OH MY GOD THEY WERE ROOMMATES
[ the room she is escorted to in the north wing is enormous. it could fit multiple tents, at least two families. she lingers in the doorway, studying the strange wooden frames and their sheer drapes and the other people milling in with her, and the belongings which are already set out in parts of the room.

the floor looks hard. stone broken by decorative rugs. she toes at one skeptically, then moves to sit down on it, testing the give, the warmth. she can feel the cold seeping up through the stone floor still.

she misses the sun. she misses the dirt and her goatskin mattress and the smell of blooming palo verdes. she tucks the napkin with the knife inside of it, stolen from the banquet, under the strange wooden frame beside her, up against the wall. ]

— roommates;

[somatosensory]

( in his defence, the last time aristaeus had seen mavis had been in the mine. pressed close in that suffocating darkness, he'd resigned himself to the inevitability of their deaths.

finding her here, alive and unharmed? well. )

Is this real?

( the words are slow, as if each cost him dearly.

he hasn't dismissed the possibility that this isn't just some figment of his imagination. )

Alfyn Greengrass | Octopath Traveler | The Empress

[curiousbloom]

solvunn

⮞ an overgrown kid
[ When he's told the settlement needs all kinds of help, Alfyn gets right to work. How can he not when it reminds him so much of where he grew up? Well - with considerably more people around then Clearbrook ever had, certainly, and if those locals he passes on his way from one task to another greet him with any kind of reverence, it's totally lost on him. He's just happy to be here, even if he doesn't know where here is.

The children seem to be the most curious about everyone arriving, and it's not long before Alfyn's convinced to join in the games they're playing. Maybe they're tossing a ball around in some ill define something-or-other where the rules constantly change as the kids invent them, or there's a particularly raucous and intense game of tag going on which seems to stretch throughout the whole settlement center and then some to where everyone gets pulled in. Hide and seek is also popular!

Or maybe they're on the edge of town arranging some brush in what proves to potentially be an epic fort and looking for fellow builders. Decorators also welcome, since the children are insistent there needs to be flowers (which might just be blooming weeds, who knows) on the outside of the fort to please the gods. No matter what, effort's required for all of them and Alfyn is, for one, totally into participating.

Wouldn't want to disappoint the kids, right? ]

⮞ and the other kids
[ The race starts, and his goat doesn't move. ]

C'mon, goats like to eat all kinds of stuff where I'm from so try this for a snack.

[ This is said as he offers (or more like brandishes) a wildflower towards a goat which is refusing to make eye contact. Instead, it stands and bleats in unhappiness, considering mere moments ago it was just resting quietly and enjoying a delightful nap before it was so rudely shuttled off to the starting line. ]

The faster we get this over with, the sooner you can go back to snoozin' like this never happened. You're missing out on all the fun!

[ Does it know about the race? Is it just confused why a strange man is holding a plant out in offering? In a stunning display of stubbornness, this particular goat flops down where it is rather than chasing after its friends.

Well. That's awfully like defeat in Alfyn's eyes, but to his relief he's not the only one struggling with goat leadership if whoever's nearby is something to go by. Maybe goat #2 will appreciate the gift, because - ]

I don't think there's any rules about teaming up, y'know. Wanna see if your goat likes... whatever these flowers are?

⮞ feast time
[ Being on the taller side means he's quickly recruited for help hanging decorations meant to go up a little higher than average height. Lanterns meant to hold candles are easy enough to put up on his own, and so is lighting the candles inside them when it's decided that should be done now to not interrupt the festivities. In between it he'll make conversation with anyone nearby, whether it's introducing himself or chatting about what they might hope is on the menu.

But it's when he's presented with what resembles a pennant of small strips of fabric in different colors meant to be hung from the trees that working solo isn't ideal, and now he's frowning at it in his hands while contemplating this predicament. Fortunately, he looks up right as someone wanders by, so whether they want to be assisting or not he calls out: ]

Hey! Would ya mind helping me set this up? It'd go a lot faster with the two of us, and then maybe we can pick some flowers or somethin' to bring as a gift.

nocwich

⮞ hunting grounds, kind of
[ Sure, the hunting grounds are supposed to be for hunting. Alfyn understood that clearly enough when being advised by the guardians, and the same goes for all those dangers they mentioned. That lecture was taken seriously and so he'd picked up a spear to bring in with him out of respect for those warnings about what lurks within.

But what they didn't mention was all of the fascinating plants just waiting to be examined, and this is what Alfyn's doing rather than partaking in the actual activity meant to happen in these woods.

The spear's relegated to being strapped across his back within easy reach, but Alfyn himself? He's kneeling by each mushroom and flower he's never seen before and studying them in great detail, poking and prodding leaves this way and that thanks to the safety of a pair of gloves someone lent him. He might also be muttering to himself about potential uses - if only he could take them back to the settlement, somehow - but either way, is totally oblivious to anyone approaching until they are, possibly literally - upon him when he'll finally look up sheepishly like he's just remembered where he is though... he still might not be totally paying attention. ]

Ah, shucks. I wasn't in your way or nothin' like that, was I?

⮞ around the square
[ His pockets are a little light on money but: that's 1) nothing new for Alfyn and 2) not going to dissuade him from browsing all kinds of brand new things. At the shops and stalls he can be found looking at any number of trinkets beyond just the herbs and flowers, admiring the craftsmanship put into jewelry and some small daggers he'd uncovered at one stall in particular where he perhaps looks as though he's considering whether someone he knows might like one. Well, if he had the coin for it, at any rate. But if you're doing some shopping yourself and have something particularly interesting in your hands, Alfyn might just be leaning over to look at it with you.

The main stage is also of particular interest to him as he enjoys music. The performances are ones he'll sit through happily enough, but when the dances are extended to include the crowd along with those onstage demonstrating the steps? Count him in. They're familiar enough to ones he grew up with as it turns out so it doesn't take him long to pick up the steps. So if you're there and also looking for a dance partner to join in he'll offer to be yours, or if you're looking a bit unsure about it then perhaps he says, ]

Safety in numbers, right? I'll dance with you if you wanna. That way if we mess it up we'll do it together and no one will ever know the difference.

wildcard

( Feel free to wildcard in with anything not listed for either prompt or for another faction entirely! Brackets and prose are both good with me too. I'm also happy to write custom starters so if you'd like to plot something, you can PM me here or find me at indech! )

— nocwich, dancing!

[theidlemaiden]

[ Truth be told, dancing hadn't been on Hilda's list of things to do today when she had stepped through the portal into Nocwich. She had yet to decide if she'd do anything business related to her handiwork despite some of friend's not-so-subtle encouragement; running a business was something she didn't know where to even begin with and even if she did, it wasn't as if Raphael was easily accessible for her to pester.

And even if she had him here, running a business sounded like an awful lot of work.

Despite all of that she'd deny that any of her window shopping included market research and that she was taking notes in a little notebook she had taken to bringing around with her ever since their rescue trip in Aquila. She had been seated by the main stage mulling them over and resting her feet, a pile of bags around her filled to the brim with odds and ends, and is caught off guard when the dancing begins. ]

You want to dance with me? [ Hilda knows she's a pretty good dancer, but there's a small tug of anxiety in her stomach. ] Are you sure? I missed the entire lesson so you'd have to be teaching me more than dancing with me.

Nauser Kelebnar | Original Character | The World

[notenoughbooze]

Free Cities

Arrival
As soon as they let him, Kelebnar sets out to get a good view of the place he has found himself in. He doesn't look confused or bothered by the situation. Mostly curious. He walks around watching and listening intently. No gossip is too small for him to get interested in.

"This is fascinating. Giant sea creature stranded on the shore. I wonder what brought them there."

Training grounds
Of all the available weapons, Kelebnar chooses a training spear. Nothing more than a long stick, really. It's obviously made for taller people, so is almost as tall as he is. But it's fine. Actually it's perfect.

He gives it a good swing at whoever he's paired with to spar. This is his preferred weapon, no matter what his opponent has chosen.

"Care to go for a round?"

Travelling merchants
Kelebnar takes his time perusing the various wares the merchants are offering. He seems to be interested in everything and nothing in particular, but somehow manages to steer clear of the shadier items and their sellers. He takes special interest in food and alcohol, pays attention to the toys. The longer he wanders, though, the clearer it becomes that he is, in fact, in search of something very specific.

"I could use a notebook."

Barracks
It is late into the evening when Kelebnar finds his way to the barracks, as he has been instructed. He chooses a room that's not already full, but not completely empty either. Ideally, with a free bed closer to the door. He peaks in to ask whoever is present there.

"Is this one taken?"

Wildcard
[If nothing above works, DM this journal or poke me at bitweaver]

Lenore | Castlevania | The Lovers | Thorne

[beloyaltome]

middle of the night
The magic and history of Thorne are fascinating to Lenore, and she's done her best to attend lessons as possible around her inconveniently deadly sunlight allergy. But she is still nocturnal by nature, despite her best efforts to fit into her new life in this diurnal society, so she can often be found wandering the castle or in the library in the middle of the night, curled up by a window with a book in her lap. It's lonely to be awake while everyone else is asleep, and lonelier still with some of the sorrows weighing on her mind. So she's often staring out the window more often than she's reading her book, but she immediately looks up with a hopeful smile as anyone else enters the room, eager for a bit of company.


banquet - making friends, asking around for a job (lady's maid, embroidery and sewing work)
Thorne reminds her of some of the nicer courts she's belonged to or visited over the years, so Lenore's in good humor as she attends the banquet. She turned her best manners and sweetest puppy eyes on one of the mages to help her with an outfit, and she's very pleased with the blue gown that helps her to feel a little more herself.

A petite young woman with a thick mass of curls down her back, Lenore's vivid red hair and red eyes make her a striking stand-out in any crowd, but she wants sorely to fit in. Offering a demure curtsy to everyone she meets, Lenore's quick to make friends. You may overhear her asking whether anyone knows of work for a lady's maid, sewing and embroidery work that she might do, or really any work at all that can accommodate a nocturnal schedule, but soon enough she'll be walking up to you, smile friendly but a little shy. "Good evening. I'm Lenore, and I'm terribly new here. Do you know if we're supposed to sit anywhere in particular?"


nocwich
A land of eternal night sounds like the greatest thing Lenore has ever heard, so she slips through to Nocwich the moment it's available, excited to explore. She's seeking information about the vampires in particular, so she'll be trying to befriend every vampire NPC she encounters, and can certainly be found in bars and tea shops asking for stories, rumors, history and culture, anything at all she can learn.

She's also looking to befriend other Summoned, very curious about her counterparts from other factions, so she'll actively approach any Summoned wearing their pendant visibly. "Hello. I'm Lenore. May I ask--are you also summoned from an outside world?"


wildcard
((Wildcards welcome! I'm almost definitely bringing her in for Thorne so I'd prefer no wildcards for the other factions, let's make friends in Nocwich if you're not also in Thorne. Prefer prose, can do brackets. Reach out to me for plotting at marlovingian))

Middle of the Night

[widows_kiss]

It's not all that unusual to spot Natasha somewhere in the castle at all hours of the night and day - she's never kept normal hours and when the castle is quiet offers up a lot of opportunities impossible when it's bustling during daylight.

But tonight she wanders into the library more for the fact that she can't settle enough to sleep yet and she didn't want to keep any of her roommates awake with her restlessness. She'd expected the room to be mostly empty - it often is at this hour - but spotting the flickering of candlelight near one of the far windows, she heads that direction in curiosity, wondering if it's Yennifer or Istredd or Stephen up doing some late research.

It's not, but when the unfamiliar figure looks up with a hopeful smile, it's clear she's not interrupting. So she continues to approach, a faint smile twisting across her lips as she tips her head in greeting.

"Couldn't sleep?"

james rogers ( marvel animated movies ) the emperor

[inherents]

THORNE
a.
[ the first time james spots a horse, he's literally dumbstruck, blue eyes huge in his face and hands clenching around the paddock fence. he knows there are probably horses somewhere at home, maybe out in the old rural areas where people were scarce and ultron had little reason to send his robots, but james has never actually seen one before. a lot of animals have probably gone extinct. humans had nearly gone extinct.

so this has been a wild experience altogether. all the green, all the people, and now this: horses. he really wishes his siblings--his team--was here.

he whips around when someone else passes by him, heading toward the stables, and hops off the fence to catch up with them. ] Hey, can I ride out with you? I've never met a horse before, are they usually friendly? [ most people, he thinks, probably have this information. most people probably aren't from a post-apocalyptic earth formerly ruled by genocidal robots, after all. ]

b.
[ the outfit he asked the mages for looks an awful lot like a uniform, plain black and sturdy-looking--practical, really--but that's not really the thing that stands out the most about james in the middle of this banquet. it is, instead, the frankly embarrassing amount of food he's piled up on two effortlessly-balanced plates.

look, he'd been raised in relative comfort thanks to his foster-father, but his world is still a wasteland in which food is rationed, and he's technically a supersoldier. at home, it's a balancing act between getting enough calories and protein and not eating more than his fair share.

here, he doesn't have to worry about that, and he's taking full advantage. in fact, he grabs the very last of what looks like some kind of small pastry, and starts to put it on his tottering plate before he realizes that someone else was also reaching for it.

having the grace to look a little embarrassed, he offers it back out. ] Oh, sorry about that. What is it, anyway? [ yeah, he was just going to eat it without knowing what it is. food's food. ]


FREE CITIES
a.
[ on the training grounds, james is poking through the available practice weapons, frowning to himself as he pushes wooden swords and spears aside. he finally finds a simple round shield, which he hefts thoughtfully, looking it over with a surprisingly critical eye for his age. ]

I guess this'll do. [ he swings it lightly a couple of times, but doesn't seem thrilled about how light it is. even with his abilities feeling so muted, he's pretty sure he's going to break this thing. ]

b.
[ after training, win or lose, james looks pleased and barely out of breath. even without the supersoldier benefits of his heritage, he's trained his entire life-- he's really, really good at this stuff.

he offers out a hand with a smile that's confident, but thankfully not cocky anymore. nearly getting tony killed, losing his home, fighting ultron.. they're all things that had humbled him pretty effectively, as well as forced him to step up to his inherent responsibilities. ]

That was pretty great. You'll have to teach me that overhand move you did.


SOLVUNN
a.
[ he's happy to help with decorating, but let's be honest-- he did not inherit his father's height. at least, he hasn't hit any kind of growth spurt. so here he is holding a length of garland, frowning up at the lowest branches of the trees he's meant to be hanging it from.. which is far enough over his head that he's not reaching that without some assistance.

maybe someone with some height on him, or carrying a stepstool can help.. ]

b.
[ .. this is a wildcard. encounter him at the feast or doing a favor for one of the locals or be his roommate. ]


[ ooc; some info on james, including his wiki, is in his journal! feel free to pm if you have questions or want a custom starter. ]

Thorne, A(hhhhhhh!)

[widows_kiss]

[ She'd been preoccupied in her own thoughts as she headed for the stables this morning, wanting a ride to maybe help clear her head. Or maybe just escape the feeling of watchful eyes for a little while. She'd noted a figure by the paddock fence but hadn't paused to pay much more attention than that. Silly of her, she knew better, but when the voice calls out, she does pause and turn back towards him.

One brow arches upwards in curiosity, because his is not a face she's seen around the castle before. She offers him a smile, bemused, propping her hands on her hips as she tips her head to the side in consideration. ]

I can't claim to be the best teacher when it comes to this particular skill, but I can help you with the basics? And most of the horses here are pretty friendly - they're used to having a variety of riders on their backs.

morgana pendragon | merlin | the tower

[desolation]

[ it's inevitable that her suspicions should remain strong, for how could she suddenly have been carried so far from camelot before she had stirred awake to notice her travel? even more curious is too be called a blessing from the gods, praises so far from the shouted curses that came upon recognizing her kind. there is no other explanation for her arrival here aside from magic, of course, because what is could hold such power, but despite recognizing something that should feel so innately close to her own being, there's a terrifying emptiness within, her own spells silent when she attempts to conjure them. no, she should not be here. not when her tasks require her back in the kingdom she once called home, not when she neither has a familiar soul nor her own magic to ease the fear that tenses within. ]


SOLVUNN, FARMS ;     [ she tugs the cloak more firmly around her slim body, shivers giving way to small bumps along her arms. part of it is to conceal herself from the cold conjured by the overwhelming breeze, but it's also simply become an instinctive impulse while shading away the red horizontal markings upon her wrists, burns itched into the skin from years of tight and heavy steel clasping against them.

the farmers tell her of their typical duties, tasks already evident by the accompanying scent of livestock that seems to follow them (one even offering plenty a whiff of manure, making it well known what he had just wandered in from shoveling). morgana carries talents in well-practiced smiles, showcasing the brilliance of one on her own lips now, feigning modesty and innocence as they inform her how happy they'd be to have her assistance.

it's when they turn and step away that the smile vanishes completely, a snarl replacing it as her eyes set upon the farmland with an obvious hint of disgust. ]

As if I have the time or patience for their petty little chores. It's laughable that they'd even ask me to join in their pitiful peasantry.


SOLVUNN, SHRINE ;     [ when told of the shrine, it's the first that she's been here in which she actually feels anxious to perform one of the advised duties. though she knows nothing of this world's gods, she does know of those tied inseparably from magic, and as a high priestess herself, feels compelled to observe and admire this aspect of the town with her own eyes.

filling a basket with a few varied fruits she'd picked earlier in the day, she fastens her cloak once more as she prepares to set about on the journey by foot. it's something she'd much rather do on her own, but upon seeing a face that seems set about doing the same thing, she rolls her eyes privately to herself, exhaling a breath as she begins walking forward. ]

Are you coming or not? [ though she doesn't look directly to them, the tone hints that the question is directed their way, not truly caring whether they wish to depart for the shrine alongside her or not. ]


SOLVUNN, FEAST ;     [ if she's expected to help set up the decorations or the food, morgana feigns ignorance by instead retrieving an apple from a pile that someone else had gathered, as well as a knife from one of the trays, and finding a corner to seat herself. sitting backwards upon the bench, she digs the center of her back to the table behind her, leg crossing the other before dragging the sharp end of the knife along the apple in her hand.

gradually, she peels at the fruit, observing the moving pieces of the world around her, poor but content farmers that seem to live in their own naive foolishness away from the more populated areas of life in the world. once, she thinks, she might have given up everything for this, for the chance to simply live, but she remembers how far away those dreams have since abandoned her.

she brings the knife to her lips, teeth snagging at the slice of apple, chewing it with no present sense of guilt, when she suddenly feels a pair of eyes peering at her with an observant stare. ]

You can get your own. I've no intention of sharing. [ spoken with no filter of sarcasm, since she highly doubts it's hunger for an apple that earns their attention. ]


NOCWICH ;     [ it is here that she feels something closer to the old familiarity of home (though she can't quite recall the last time she associated the word home with the place that has since turned its back on her). she breathes in and can almost take in the scent of crafts and foods found in the busy streets of camelot's market, of the varied goods sold amongst the merchants, prices capable of delighting either the poorest of farmers or drawing in the eye of a wealthy noble.

as she moves through now, her status is of neither of those, neither lady nor commoner, but rather a stranger, blending in with those that have also been summoned to this strange place, including those that did not land on the greens of solvunn as she did.

her eyes fall upon a potion, curiously colored, before she reaches for it, her hand colliding with another. she turns to the stranger, lips tight as she straightens her spine. though she is no longer a lady, once ward to a king, she is still eager to perform like one. ]

My eyes fell upon it first, so I'm sure you'll have no difficulty finding something else of interest?


WILD CARD ;     ( open to exploring different kinds of prompts, especially in nocwich if the existing one doesn't work. her canon point is somewhere around season 5 though an exact episode hasn't been decided. feel free to send over a pm if you'd like to discuss anything! )

shrine

[carmesi]

[—was that question for her? wanda starts, looking up, at the woman that's already started walking forward. with the arrival of new summoned into solvunn, the duties of those who have been here before is simple: to aid and support in their transitioning into this world, so that it's easy and goes without a hitch.

visiting the shrines to give an offering is one of those staples in solvunn that are something of a necessity, a rite of passage of sorts, to really soak into what the commune is about.

this new summoned seems ... prickly. wanda hasn't had the pleasure (surely) of making her acquaintance yet. she picks up her pace, matching the other woman's stride.]

Is this your first visit to one of the shrines?

Norman Jayden | Heavy Rain | The Hermit

[takeatrip]

Thorne (Magic Lessons)

[So, as weird and incredibly unsettling as this whole situation is, the magic lessons are kind of cool.

Not that Jayden is at all any good at magic, at least not yet; he's barely even tried to participate, really, still half-convinced he's having a particularly elaborate hallucination and therefore not quite ready to commit too much. But he's in the classroom watching from the back, fascinated, and it's easy to get caught up in the mood of the room at large whenever anyone actually succeeds.

If there's anyone else just kind of lurking, Jayden eventually sidles up next to them to ask a politely quiet--]

This is just a normal thing here? Magic?

[As far as his hallucinations go, this might not be so bad after all.]


The Free Cities (Cadens)

[He ends up at The Sarstina after a bit of exploring, and although not usually a patron of taverns or bars, it's at least something a bit more familiar than... Everything else has been. At this point he'll take what he can get.

After a brief chat with the very nice owner, Jayden's been pointed toward some other Summoned, which is very helpful. He of course hasn't been here long, but in the short time he has, he's already heard more than enough rumors and gossip to grab his interest. And although it's never really possible to get objective takes on anything, he thinks he's likely to get closer to the truth from people who haven't grown up here and therefore may be slightly less biased for or against any one place or side.

So he does his best to locate a summoned who doesn't look like they'll mind too much being interrupted, and offers a weak grin and awkward wave.]

Hey. Mind if I join you?

[It's up to you to decide if his weird semi-Bostonian accent is endearing or annoying.]


Solvunn (Farm Life)

[Of course it's raining.

Jayden is most certainly not sulking about this development, and even more certainly not focusing on the minor inconvenience as a distraction from all the other larger, more serious inconveniences. And problems. Real actual problems.

So, standing under an awning with his arms crossed and a vaguely salty expression should surely be interpreted as just observing his surroundings, not sulking. This total lie is at least helped by the friendly, if slightly awkward, tone he asks whoever might be nearby.]

So uh... Is it always like this? Or did I just get lucky?

[Yes, he's making small talk about the weather. Let him live.

After the rain has passed, he can also be found curiously but very tentatively trying to pet a goat, which looks utterly bored with the entire situation. If anyone wants to rescue him before the goat loses its patience and headbutts him into the mud that would be appreciated, but if someone instead chooses to just watch, that's also completely understandable.]


Wildcard

[[Please feel free and hit me up with whatever! Also I haven't rped in awhile so I may be a bit slow, so sorry in advance for that. If you'd like to message me on plurk I'm at amiasha!]]

𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑛𝑒

[stations]

( Of all the people Jayden could have picked to ask, Jack isn't necessarily the most helpful option. He's not a bad choice, to be clear — definitely an unassuming one, a pretty easy target with how mild his energy is and how unobtrusively he sequesters himself off to the side, easy to catch by himself. He's just also not the most... informed, or the most consistently stable. Future hallucination buddies, maybe? )

Oh, hey.

( His tone is customer-service polite, a kind of Daria-esque neutral monotone, and as he offers up a little wave in greeting Jayden will probably notice the fact that he's missing the smallest finger on his left hand. Less immediately obvious unless you're glancing down is the fact that he's also missing a more significant appendage, though his gait might draw the attention to those keen enough to cotton on — he's got a prosthetic leg starting just below the right knee. Skinny, sleepless bruises, hardly the picture of health here.

But he is a pretty good student, and the magic he's doing is arguably impressive — conjuring up objects out of absolutely nothing. In this case, it's an entire pot of coffee, the commercial kind like you'd see at a small gas station. He holds it awkwardly by the handle like he means to offer the guy a cup, except there... aren't any cups around. )

Yeah, it's... pretty weird, but you get used to it. It's kind of like a mix of Dungeons and Dragons, and Hogwarts. Like, the dark years, not the fun whimsical ones.

len darin | fallout: new vegas | death

[lonedanger]

Free Cities

★ Exploring/Market

[ It was the heat he noticed first, dry and thin, like a typical morning in the Mojave. The second thing he noticed was a handful of people dressed like Children of Atom, cloaked in robes that they then draped over him before leading him out of their lair, so kind and so understanding even as he pelted them with questions about where his things went: his pack, his Pip-Boy, his guns. The procession dragged him all the way out through what looked like a vault tunnel and into the sun, oppressive but welcome, and somewhat unceremoniously Len found himself in the middle of a whole new shitshow.

Shouldn't be all that surprising given his record for getting thrown into unusual circumstances where people want something from him, but that doesn't mean he has to like it. One weathered uniform later - a bit like pre-War fatigues, if he's being honest - and he's effectively on his own.

Len meanders through the marketplace, an apparent fish out of water with the relative cleanliness of his garb, and gets a look at some of the various wares he has no conceivable means of affording. ]

I'll be honest with you, [ he quips with the keen eye and leisurely drawl of a habitual haggler, peering over some goods in a stall run by someone who'd give a used firearm salesman a run for their money. ] This ain't it. You got anything that doesn't look like it's seen four seasons of hard wear and water damage?

★ Training

[ He's a dirty fighter. It's a trait and habit developed from years of brawling in increasingly godawful circumstances against raiders all hopped up on whatever methamphetamines they could shoot into their systems, all survival and no finesse. The swings are close, the punches tight and aim certain, hallmarks of his preferred means of dispatching people: sniping.

Still, he's maintaining a definite level of humor about it, cracking jokes, offering compliments, taking hits and not taking it personally. When an available break comes in the exercise he huffs a sharp laugh, flashing his teeth in a smile. ]

You ain't half-bad, slick.

Solvunn

★ Evening Feast

Ho-ly shit.

[ Len whistles at the bounty, one hand tucked neatly in a pocket, examining one of the many tables laden with food. He had nothing to contribute, of course - hard to do so without goods, or money, or a kitchen - but he's admiring of the cooking skill and finagles his way around to pick up a little liquid therapy before considering any new indulgences.

The alcohol is unfamiliar. Sweet and a little fruity, with a funny tang. Bit like a prickly pear mixed with burnt sugar, but he drinks it down all the same. It takes a few good seconds after swallowing before he coughs: ]

Goddamn, that has a kick. You tried this?

Thorne

★ Trail Riding

[ Len looks comfortable on a horse, a fairly experienced rider of considerably more strange quadrupeds or ungulates, mostly pleasantly shocked to find that none of the ones here have two heads. Or sharp teeth. Or emit fatal amount of gamma radiation. He mostly takes the ride for the purposes of clearing his head but isn't altogether unfriendly to anyone he might run across, offering a congenial wave and a- ]

Howdy there.

[ -upon making contact. ]

[ ooc note; if none of these prompts appeal, please feel free to throw one at me! i can adapt. if you'd like to hit me up anywhere to talk anything over, my discord is uncalendula#5439! ]

ℎ𝑜𝑤𝑑𝑦 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑑𝑛𝑒𝑟

[righteously]

( It's routine by now. Every time there's a new summoning, Dean saddles up his rented horse that is not named (and yet is nevertheless called) Karen, straps the rifle it took him four months to afford onto his back, sheathes his sword at his hip, and makes the long ride from the city of Cadens out to the barracks to get eyes on whoever it is they pull through the portal. It's a necessity now, considering how many times he's made this trip and wound up carting back somebody from home. Cas, Sam, Jo, and the little noodle who turned to be Cas's kid. There's no freaking telling who else they might yoink in from Dean's world, so missing the new arrivals is not an option.

This month's trip seems to be a bust, though — no familiar faces, and he's not yet eager to hop back on not-Karen to ride all the way home empty-handed. So he's perusing the stalls, more interested in scoping out the new faces than the wares themselves.

And the new accents.

That sure is some twang on that one, that's what catches his attention more than anything. )

Wouldn't waste your time, pal. ( Volunteers the peanut gallery from one stall down. ) Most of the good shopping's back in the city. These jokers are just here to swindle greenhorns that've never seen magical tchotchkes before.

reno | final fantasy 7 (remake) | thorne

[oversurge]

but where are the chocobos || trail riding

[ Does Reno have better things to worry about? Yeah, yeah, probably. (Definitely. So much.) It's just, y'know. This? This is right here. Looking at him. And it's freaking massive. ]

What the hell are you?

[ If you think he's talking to you, he's not. He's talking to the...horse. The guy standing off to the side's told him this is a horse, and you can ride it. That tracks. The saddles and whatever. They're just usually put on top of chocobos who, while big, only ever make an annoying little whistle and don't have teeth like that.

Anyway, he doesn't even ride those damn birds—he's got Shinra's cars to pick him up, thanks—but apparently, this planet's got two modes of transport: horse and your own two legs. Reno's never backed down from a challenge. He also isn't lookin' to get trampled.

Ugh.

Catch him walking around the horse, eyeing it critically. When he finally steps in closer and turns, the asshole horse thing immediately chomps down on the end of his ponytail. ] Hey!

corporate dinner || evening banquet

[ Where the booze goes, Reno follows. This might be a castle in the middle of the forest, with more trees since Wutai—and he's kinda wrapping his head around that—but he can guess the ambience of what's going on. No greater place for schmoozing than a dinner party with free courage overflowing. Not that he likes this shit, but who else between the three of 'em were ever gonna do it? Tseng, with the stick up his ass? Rude, who expends a maximum of three words per fiscal quarter?

(He doesn't miss those idiots or anything.)

Besides, he's hungry. Drop a man naked on another planet, you better feed him.

He ends up picking over what's laid out on the table. Fills his plate with zero shame. Absolutely fills his glass. Then he's off, slinking through the crowd to see who's who.

He taps the shoulder of the nearest amiable-looking fellow with the back of his hand. A light bruise and a scratch sits on his cheek. You can assume he got this fighting with one the mages that yanked him outta the pool. He didn't, but you can assume it. ] Hey. You ever seen one of those big machines out there?

[ He knows a little something about big machines. Or tell him about the war, if that's more your style. He'll take that, too. He's running real blind here, and man, thought he'd never say this, but he misses having, actual. Reports sent to him. That he can read. ]

house always wins || nocwich

[ Shopping, huh? The Square isn't as much of a twisted maze as Wall Market, but it sure has the same sort of wacky trinkets, sizzling meat-on-stick, and oh hey, even some tattoos. He's got a small issue called being broke—so he leaves the stalls alone. Instead, he maybe pilfers (or charms) a couple pieces of silver from an unsuspecting local, and takes it to the gambling hall.

Why not. Ain't his money to lose.

...or maybe it is. Find him late enough into the night (day? Whatever. The missing sun's really throwing him off) and Reno'll be leaning back with a huff, blowing a tuft of red hair off his forehead. Man. ]

Ah, shit.

dealer's choice || wildcard

[ Feel free to jump in with anything! Reno can also be found wandering through other places in Nocwich or poking into the rooms around the castle (he could use a roommate!!). PM if you wanna chat anything out or find me at discontinued. ]

where ARE the chocobos?

[newrecipe]

[Ignis' own response to these creatures had, in fact, been quite similar to Reno's— equal parts startled and curious, and while they do vaguely resemble some of the creatures he recalls coming across out in Duscae and Leide, none of them were ever beasts considered for riding. You took a car when you were able, as he had always been privileged enough to do, or rode a chocobo if you needed to go somewhere off-road.

He never once thought that he would find himself missing the unmistakable smell of chocobos or those feathers of theirs that always managed to get everywhere, regardless of the effort you took to avoid them. Not for a moment.

A faint laugh catches in his throat when he sees Reno's ponytail get caught between the horse's teeth, and he manages to stifle the sound and clear his throat instead, raising a gloved fist to cover his mouth.]

Ah, perhaps the wrong approach. I heard something about extending a hand, first?

eleven | stranger things | solvunn.

[cokecan]

e v e n i n g ● f e a s t.

[ With her chin propped up tiredly on one hand, Eleven tries to move a goblet. Under the scrutiny of her too-tired gaze and overly creased brow, it gives a minute tremble; not even enough to make the liquid slosh over the rim. Picking it up and throwing it against the wall would be more effective at this point, but such a flagrant display of childish fury would only make her feel better for a moment or two. As it is, all she can really do is blink tiredly and— oh!

The goblet tips over. From an onlooker's perspective, it may seem as if the full cup laid down of its own accord, or perhaps from a significant gust of wind. El's expression isn't one of triumph, merely increased alertness as she straightens up in her seat. It's clear she hadn't expected even that.

Unfortunately, this causes a significant amount of water to splash onto the lap of the man sitting across from her. He's far from thrilled by the turn of events, if the way his knife punctures threateningly into the wooden table a mere inch from her hands is any indication.

Running a hand somewhat nervously over her buzzcut, she gives a decently flat apology.

This may be her first tavern brawl. ]

g o a t ● r a c i n g.

[ She's decided she wants to free the goats. Having spent a good couple of hours tucked between two particularly (and burly) enthusiastic goat gamblers, watching the goats be harassed up and down the race track like toys, Eleven has come to the conclusion that this is her new mission in life. By life, a more accurate time frame may be for the next two hours.

She'll walk up to anyone who looks reasonably friendly. ]

Excuse me.

[ When she speaks, which isn't terribly often, her voice is an interesting blend of curt and unsure, of young and old. ]

I need a favour. [ — what's that word Joyce loves? ] Please.

w i l d ● c a r d.

[ Eh, she's about. ]

goat racing

[satanicpanics]

[ Eddie has been around long enough at this point that he’s over the goat racing. He’s tried his hand at it, he’s lost, and he’s come to the conclusion that if music doesn’t motivate the goats, nothing will. It doesn’t mean he won’t hang around, though. This is usually where the new arrivals end up, after all. ]

Jesus, they’re bringing kids here now?

[ His remark sounds disparaging, but he’s concerned and surprised more than anything else. At this point, he’s pretty sure he hasn’t met anyone younger than 18, and this girl looks much younger. With things heating up as much as they have been and each faction waiting to be dragged into an all out war, he thinks that she really shouldn’t be here. ]

No offense. But, uh, yeah. What do you need?

robin buckley. — stranger things, the fool

[schlick]

001. arrival. thorne.

( someone did give the her low down — she knows this. he had a dorky hat, which plucked robin's focus up on a tailwind and her brain, overwhelmed and hyperfocused, simply refused to let it go. so. she knows there's someone around here somewhere, who looks like a total doofus with a dumb hat, and robin simply has no idea how she got here, nor what she's supposed to be doing. if she looks down she'll find that she's the one dressed like a total doofus which, as far as dressing how you feel goes, just about sums it all up.

she reaches for somebody who looks, however vaguely, like they know what they're doing. )

Hey, um. So. What's up? Like — what's going on? ( vaguely talking, she sits down on the floor. ) No, no keep going. I'm just going to — ( lay down on the floor, and close her eyes, hands folded over her chest. ) Okay. I'm ready. Lay it on me.

002. shopping. nocwich.

( it probably was even more outrageous than a pipe dream to imagine she might find something familiar out here in ye olde shopping mall, but willpower and a can-do attitude get robin pretty far down the rabbit hole — which isn't even to mention how very little she's been doing otherwise, staring at things and going "wow. what?" aside. anyway.

she thought it might be a little more whimsical. instead it's kind of ... creepy and dark, and makes her shoulders rise up to her ears progressively, jumping at every suspicious sound she encounters.

find robin a. standing in the shop of a shoe vendor, eyebrows knitted, thumb nail bitten. after a beat — ) So, you don't even know what a high top is, or ...?

( or b. exiting a particularly rowdy tavern, pale in the face, and talking to herself. ) Waaaay too many people. Way too many. Wow. Nope. Can't.

003. wildcard. byop.

( anything else! feel free to hit me up on pm for plotting reasons. )

nocwich

[stepping]

[ laura is--lurking, she's definitely lurking, and she knows that she's doing it too. but there's kind of a lot going on, and she doesn't really know how to process all of that, so she's fallen back on an old habit. observe, observe, observe, and figure out a place to slot herself into later.

she's still working on that last part when someone comes quickly walking out of a tavern, and even though she isn't being actively approached laura still looks a little caught off-guard, like she wasn't expecting to see anyone at all right now. ]

I get it. [ she says quickly, a shrug and a half-smile on her face. ] Lot going on. I heard someone talking about werewolves, so...

dream , the sandman (netflix) , the moon

[revais]

( There is a particular disquiet in his waking, naked and helpless and not for the only time in his eternal existence. But it is the absence of knowing, the absence of the Dreaming in all the ways that bound it to his being. It is was instills an age-old anger in him, all sharp angles and shadows. He is powerless as a newborn dream, and that may be the only truth that shapes his restraint, before his captors (for what other name must they bare, given the circumstance) enlighten him on his summons. )

THORNE;

( He has seen an age like this pass in the Waking World of his realm; and then he has observed dreams of such places, faraway lands of distant magic, dreamt countless of times in countless lifetimes, a desire of escape.

This did not feel like an escape. It felt real in ways the Dreaming did not (it was in his nature to be malleable and to behold such infinities). It felt grounded, as much as the Waking world was, and his power felt distant, just out of reach. A weary cat just starting to stretch. It felt like his century of captivity, albeit lacking a glass cage.

In summoning him, did they not know what they do to his realm? To the millions of dreamers? And what of the dreamers here? He could feel the potential, somewhere underneath, but it felt — new to him. To have no answers at his fingertips. Instead…

The stables he finds because it is a calm thing that swirls less with the sightless possibilities of dreamers he does not know around him. A large stallion, coat as black as night, is what draws him forward, pale hand soothing down an arched neck. Something must strike him as amusing, with the gentle smile ticking upwards. ) Your dreams, at least, lie far less hidden.

SOLVUNN; shrine

( The settlement is picturesque; not an unfamiliar sight; dreamt a thousand times over, and witnessed just as much. Humble farms living humble lives, and while he does know these dreamers for they have never set for within his Dreaming, he finds he might guess to what their dreams may be. His prior experience, endured for a century while his realm crumbled, had soured his experience to being dragged to places out of his control, his power leashed. But his anger was not for the humble farmer.

He finds himself drawn forward, towards the shrine deep in the woods. An ancient power, as such things must be. So why not find it? )

What are the names of their Gods? It is no shrine I recognize, ( His voice drifts, a lull of intonation, deep as night as he interrupts another who might have come to make an offering, even as he stands before it with a small bundle of picked flowers — done for curiosity as much as some inherent respect for the powers that may reside in a place he is nothing but a visitor within (he is one in any Waking World).)

NOCWICH

( It had been just a handful of days. A handful of days to stretch his mind within the newly found set of limitations. A handful of days to soothe his anger (an Endless is entitled to their long-suffered pride, for when it is hurt, it lingers). And with such passing of time — slow, always slow when you cannot control it — there is a new place still to explore, amidst all the corners of the faction he had been brought to. It is a fanciful market wrapped in night. That is a rather soothing thought, to see some hint of the cosmos.

He stands — rather awkward, immovable — in the heart of the square admiring the night sky.

Or he browses the stands with a mirthful sort of wonder. A stand of shimmering potions catches his eye, and the words seem to slip out thoughtlessly: ) How quaint.

WILDCARD;

( literally anything else, i’m game! )

[earthborn]

[So there's a man standing in the middle of the quad, staring up at the sky. Pale, unkempt, dressed all in black... She'd call him weird if any of that were at all unusual. Logic dictates that he's a local, one of Nocwich's resident vampires, never Shepard's favorite kind of people.

But then he talks, and— Well. That settles the question immediately.]

New summoned? [You kind of have that sense about you.] Yeah, it's a little...

[She considers the stall in question with what Shepard feels is a completely appropriate disdain. Magic or otherwise, she's not a fan of unlabeled homebrew pharmaceuticals, with very few exceptions.]

...Unregulated. Where're you come from?

𝕍𝕀, arcane (free cities + the lovers)

[dxvi]

[ there was a red moon, an explosion, and then only black. ]

[ fingers twitch in the thick film of darkness, remembering the form and heat of someone supporting her. she finds nothing — not for the first time. though her body is weightless, heartbreak plunges her as deep as misery can go and, it seems, deeper still; she doesn't even feel the vengeful flame of spite that would normally make her thrash and scramble for the last breath that leaves her lungs. ]

[ a hand spills her out onto the floor, coughing and spluttering, like a child fresh from the womb. the meaning of the symbol that sparkles on the pedestal eludes her, and so do the faces, voices, most of the words: important, appreciate, our gratitude... the one they don't say is the loudest in Vi's ears: war. ]

[ seems like it just won't leave her alone. ]

CADENS: DESERT OUTPOST

⦁ ʙᴀʀʀᴀᴄᴋs/ʙᴀᴛʜɪɴɢ ʀᴏᴏᴍ/ᴍᴇss ʜᴀʟʟ

[ despite being clothed and fed, the newest arrival to Abraxas seems almost resentful of the hospitality. she's a sulking and prickly sort, a frown digging at her features deeper than healed over coin-nick scars and cogwork tattoos. she doesn't leave her bed cot for a few days, shooing off anyone who tries to rouse her — including various soldiers — with increasingly vehement and, uh, creative expletives, clearly not one to respect any kind of chain of command. ]

[ you are, of course, free to try yourself. ]

[ around the third day, her body and empty belly ache too much to remain, seeking a hot shower and the mess hall. she scarfs her food down like she doesn't even taste it, eating her entire daily caloric intake in about 5 minutes. hey, she's a brawler and it's been days. ]

[ of course, she might interrupt her own feast and ask the person next to/across from her: ]

...You gonna eat that?

[ once the bowls are empty, she pounds a belch out of her chest with a fist and leans back in triumph, seeming to gain just a bit of her spark back. ]

It's not the Lanes, but it's way better than prison food.

⦁ ᴛʀᴀɪɴɪɴɢ ɢʀᴏᴜɴᴅ

[ the only way to work the aches out of her body is to really work them out. in just the tanktop beneath, her jacket is thrown into a heap on the ground near a wooden training post meant for swords or arrows, she isn't sure, and Vi herself claims the one nearest to it. all manner of stretches pull her muscled arms this way and that, her core and her back, her weight bouncing from foot to foot as she warms up each limb. ]

[ when she throws her first array of blistering punches, the wood is unforgiving but its dented-in outer layer rains chips and flakes. she doesn't stop when her knuckles bleed, stamping dark red into the fractured surface with every hit; she doesn't stop when she's gained a few onlookers, some impressed and some concerned with her ferocity. ]

[ she doesn't stop until she's grunting at each hit and wailing with every hurl of her fist, compacting a rancid amalgam of hurt, betrayal, and rage and expressing it the only way she knows how. flashes of violently violet eyes and the sound of a machine gun firing in her ears plunge her off the edge — ]

[ but the wood doesn't shatter and splinter like she knows it should, her strength still depleted from her multiversal travel. pride several times over more wounded than proud, she throws herself into it with the sides of her fists and her skull, uncertain if the sting in her eyes is sweat. ]

[ after she collects herself from her defeat against an inanimate object, surely the most humiliating of her losses, the next guy waiting for the training post will get a flippant explanation: ]

He stole my paramour.

CADENS PROPER

⦁ ᴡᴀɢᴏɴ ʀɪᴅᴇ

[ military hospitality be damned, she can't stand the constant pestering to enlist — but when she turns up to catch a wagon to the nearby city, the damn thing looks full of people as tired of the badgering as she does — at least, full in the sense that everyone gets to ride comfortably. she's not the patient sort, so the first thing she does is grab the person sitting nearest the edge by the shirt on their chest, leaning in threateningly: ]

Make room or eat road, your choice. [ this is sure to facilitate a very pleasant two-hour ride. ]

⦁ ᴄɪᴛʏ sᴛʀᴇᴇᴛs/sᴀʀsᴛɪɴᴀ

[ once she's arrived in the city proper, she thinks — it isn't so different from the shitpit of lower Piltover, with a few glaring exceptions: the sunlight and the refugees. Vi can't even closer her eyes and pretend the cacophonic rustling around her is home because the air doesn't feel like it's trying to kill her. she joins a tour but ditches it prematurely — as soon as she hears about Sarstina being the number one place new arrivals go to seek out their kindred. ]

[ the doors to the bar swing open wide as she comes through, the music jaunty and the mood lively. she doesn't fit in with it. it's hard to read the emotions on her face as she makes her rounds — a mix of anguish, fury, concern? desperation? hatred, or maybe madcap love? ]

You ever met a girl named Jinx?

NORWICH (OPEN TO ALL FACTIONS)

⦁ ʜᴏᴛ sᴘʀɪɴɢs

[ modesty doesn't mean much anywhere in Vi's world, and... well, when in Rome. besides, despite the lit torches, there are pockets of darkness and the hot steam is enough to keep most people decent. the back half of her body is covered in tattoos and scars from fights and hard city living litter her body, knees an elbows rough from plenty of tumbles and knuckles always bashed-open. ]

[ she sinks into the water with a delicious sigh, shedding a couple weeks' worth of stress and a few days' worth of dirt and detritus. ]

[ any number of things could cause her neighbor to be staring — and when she catches you, regardless of gender, she'll open one eye and quirk a brow. ]

I'm about to start chargin'. [ money, or like a bull or saw red? hard to say. ]

⦁ ᴛᴀᴛᴛᴏᴏ ᴘᴀʀʟᴏʀ

[ of course this would catch her attention. she gets thrown out of a bougie parlor, chastised that a place of business isn't a "public spectacle", but it doesn't make any sense to her — prison tattoos are done in front of the eyes of the many with ink that's probably toxic and needles sanitized by a lighter. ]

[ when she finds one that's doing work in front of a window to let passersby see, she winds up with her face glued to the glass. it isn't until the artist is shifting around the skin that she notices it glowing in the moonlight pouring in. ]

Whoa. [ it's probably the first thing she's gotten excited about in... well. too long. ]

How much is that? [ she could be talking to anyone, but— oh, nope. it's you. she's gesturing at the Ⅵ roman numerals on her cheek. ] Should I have him go over this, or get something new?

⦁ ɢᴀᴍʙʟɪɴɢ ᴅᴇɴ

[ Vi's never been one for gambling with money; her big bets have always been placed with her fists and her bad ideas. still, she finds it strange but serendipitous that people here play with a deck of Tarot cards just like they do back home, and the rules aren't that dissimilar either. at the very least, she thinks it might give her an edge. this card game can't exist everywhere in the universe, can it? ]

[ so she settles down at a table meant for one-on-one, more intimate games where there isn't so much competition against a house-selected dealer. even so, she doesn't have much money, and people who have just arrived like her probably don't either. ]

How about this, [ she starts as she shuffles the cards, dark eyes and crooked grin managing to make her look both friendly and smarmy. ] We pay in information instead. Win the hand, win an answer. An honest answer.

[ it's a good way to learn about a stranger quickly. she offers a heavily-bandaged hand out across the table to shake. it'll be a very firm handshake. ] Deal?

OTHER

[ feel free to interrupt any of the above prompts at any point! i'm an OPTIONS kind of bitch. open to wildcards, happy to write custom starters, and if you want to talk or plot — please PM! ]

barracks!

[stepping]

[ laura is observant enough to notice the person that doesn't leave their bed for days, but it doesn't seem like her place to say anything. one morning she even hangs back, considering it, but the presence of soldiers sees laura scurrying out of the sleeping quarters without saying anything. besides, if someone wants to spend days in bed, who is she to tell them to do otherwise?

she's observant though, so she notices when vi finally ends up in the mess hall, and laura looks up from her food as she sits down. she has half a mind to ask--something, maybe. if the woman is adjusting okay, if it's hard being here, but in the end she just picks at her food. frankly she's not used to regular meals like these, and eating so frequently is sitting heavy in her stomach. ]

Go crazy. [ she shrugs at the question, giving her tray a nudge over the table towards the other girl and offering a half-smile. ] You alright?

aristaeus — original, thorne, judgement

[somatosensory]

𝒯𝐻𝒪𝑅𝒩𝐸

𝘣𝘢𝘯𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘵;

( look, the absolute last thing aristaeus wants to be doing right now is attending the banquet. there's too many people, too much noise and he's still trying to get a handle on — well, everything about his present circumstances. but with the mages being less than willing or able to answer his (admittedly less than delicate) questions, he's left with little recourse but to seek out the other summoned in the hope that they have something useful to share. )

Quite the spread, ( he nods toward the tables, which are weighed down with more dishes than he can hope to recognize.

aristaeus can't actually remember the last time he ate, much less so lavishly. the priory has always the kind of simple, nutritional fare that no one in good conscience would ever call appetizing. )

Any recommendations?

𝒩𝒪𝒞𝒲𝐼𝒞𝐻

𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨;

( when they'd told him that nocwich was shrouded in eternal night, he'd thought they were being hyperbolic.

most of his time is spent browsing the marketplace, less out of a desire to make any purchases than to simply see what's on offer. the vendors, undeterred, do their best to encourage him to reconsider.

the main stage gets some cursory interest, but he's quickly drawn to the gambling den. there's more than one kind of currency, after all, and while he's not able to rely on his abilities to push the matter it turns out that he's passably good at some of the games. enough to come away with a few more coins than he'd started with.

finally, there's the hot springs. as dubious as he might be of any large bodies of water right now, curiosity quickly wins out. how fortunate that he's never been particularly prone to embarrassment. )

𝒲𝐼𝐿𝒟 𝒞𝒜𝑅𝒟

( if you want something more specific, or have any questions, feel free to hit me up at resurrectionist. )

[weavered]

And they said that there is a food shortage.

[She does not mean to sound so disdainful, but the lavish spread of food has her curious about the nature of this food shortage. How could there be one when so much food was present? She glances up towards the taller creature, eyeing him warily before she returns her gaze to the table.]

I'm not so sure. I'm not familiar with the food here. [She says with a frown in her voice.] Or if it is even safe to eat.

[There was only one way to find out she supposes, but she contends that watching, for now, would be the safest bet. How long to watch until she is satisfied she could eat something? Truly her most pressing matter currently other than learning more about this place and why she was brought here.]

Sha Gozen | JINBA | The Chariot (in Thorne & Nochwich)

[lordsha]

01 ❧ SETTLING IN THE NORTH WING ❧ 休ませてくれ

[There might be animals present in the grounds, but one likely doesn't hear the sound of hooves inside the stone walls of the castle itself. It's what you hear, though, a light clopping noise echoing down the hall until... a person with a thick mane of shaggy hair pokes their head in the door. Someone... decidedly height challenged, apparently, considering said head only measures a mere few feet up the door frame. .. Someone who may not be a person as you know it, actually, considering the equine legs and small hooves visible where feet would be.

A quick glance is all they take of the room, the four beds (roommates, hmm?), more interested in sizing up the occupant already present... before they lean against the door frame, beginning to knock their hooves lightly against it as if making preparations not to track in any dirt.]

Already picked out your bed, then?

02 ❧ TRAIL RIDING ❧ 考えさせてくれ

[It's one hell of a story they're selling here. Magic, summoning, other worlds, being chosen... one develops a need for fresh air. It doesn't clear the head though, doesn't provide any relief as Sha follows the trails they've been directed to, hooves picking the way carefully through unfamiliar cold-bit forests, the town, occasionally casting a disgruntled look downwards when dirt or cast off from passing carts threaten the fabric of the clothing tailored to centaur form.

Sha finally comes to a stop along the trail, arms crossing in frustration with a heavy sigh, but... the sound of a horse approaching pulls them from their thoughts, pulls their gaze from the snowy mountain peaks and the castle town roofs. One might think they've encountered another rider... except it's both. And also, only a child could reliably make use of a mount that small, they only comes up to the level of a proper charger's chest. Raising a hand in a vague wave, the small centaur hails the new arrival with-]

Nice horse ya got there.

[... Is that a joke, or?]

03 ❧ MAGIC LESSONS ❧ 説明してくれ

[One thing at a time. Anything bigger and its baffling, it's too alien, it's enough to make them think they've gone stark raving mad... so it's one thing at a time. Regain control. Secure shelter, check, secure food, check... and now, figure out just what makes this new world tick and how to secure a place of decent respect in it.

Awkwardly seated in the back of the class on a bench not precisely intended for centaurs, stunted equine hindquarters sprawled across the wood and hooves dangling over the sides, Sha watches the mage teaching the lesson with a keen eye, squinting with a frown... until they lean over to look at your attempts, instead, putting on a smile that attempts to hide the edge of frustration.]

Say... familiar with this magic stuff, are you?

04 ❧ NOCHWICH MARKET ❧ 一服させてくれ

[Werewolves and vampires are not the sort of thing that Sha is familiar with, hailing from a land without even legends of such creatures... So what use is being scared or concerned over that when there are far more practical concerns? The stunted centaur takes themselves straight to the marketplace, poking about here and there, striking up conversations, doing their best to not offend any locals...

The problem, of course, is the very thing that makes a marketplace run. Money. Admiring a stall selling varieties of tobacco, herbs, and smoking pipes, Sha pinches at the bridge of their nose, and can be overheard muttering,]

What in the six hells am I supposed to do with no coin... Gods, grant me a smoke...

2

[ordinar]

[Although winter is well and settled in, Wilhelm still takes to the trails once or twice a week, waiting for sunny afternoons with bright blue skies. Some days, he doesn't wait — the cold bite of the outdoors is often preferable to the different kind of cold that permeates the castle these days.

It takes him a moment to realize what he's looking it. And even when it hits him that...that's a person melded with the body of a horse (well, pony), it takes him another moment to believe his eyes. He's been here long enough that he shouldn't be surprised by anything anymore, but this world never runs out of weird.

Not that...she's weird or anything. Not that he's weird? Wilhelm genuinely can't tell. —Oh, right, he's supposed to say something back. He tries to cover up his gaping with a polite, perfectly neutral expression. With mixed results.]

Oh, uh...thanks?

[Wait, is it rude to ride a horse in front of a centaur?]

Claire Fraser | Outlander | The Empress

[beautifullies]

𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑣𝑢𝑢𝑛

[ There's something safe and familiar in helping with the gardening, so that's what Claire does once the notion of leaving has dropped away from the forefront of her mind. She's good in a garden, had dreams of beginning one at Lallybroch, so all of that effort goes into this one.

It feels as though she has the worst sort of déjà vu; she's done this, accidentally falling between the cracks, but within her own realm. This is something else entirely, a whole other world's politics and problems. But there's gardening, and it helps ground her. The last thing she remembers is being swept into the ocean and the feeling of giving in. Perhaps she fell through some sort of aquatic portal like the one in Jamaica. Does Jamie think she's dead? For all she knows, he drowned too. All of them, her little family on that ship, sucked into the ocean.

Leaning back on her haunches and letting out a breath, Claire notices a trowel resting next to a new gardening partner. Nodding toward it, she pulls herself out of her thoughts. ]

Would you mind passing that over, please?

𝐹𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑡

[ Claire doesn't feel much like indulging, but she'd rather fit in than stand out for now. So, she mingles and fills a small plate, staying on the fringes of the gathering. Quietly, she observes the people around her, trying to pick out a familiar face in the crowd. There's been no luck, and with nothing left to drink, she takes a glass of wine from a side table at the same time as another. ]

Cheers.

[ Raising her glass, she offers a small smile and an air toast. ]

Enjoying yourself?

𝑊𝑖𝑙𝑑𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑑

[ ooc: feel free to PM me if you'd like something else/a starter! Or just yet yourself straight at Claire. canon point is end of s3 finale but before she washes up on the shores of 'murica. ]

solvunn!

[curiousbloom]

[ Despite all his work with herbs, flowers, all kinds of plants: gardening isn't actually something Alfyn's well-versed in himself. At least not at the level of tending one meant for more than medicinal harvests where something might not foraged since working with what was on hand was always preferable. Farming's not a new concept to him either thanks to growing up in a community where it was that and nothing else - not unlike this one from what he's seen so far, but it's the being somewhere else part he's still having trouble wrapping his mind around.

So while he might normally be chattering away, intent on getting to know someone new and with there being so many new faces around, today he's contemplating the row of plants before him like it holds the answers he wants.

It doesn't but someone speaking to him gets him to blink and come back to reality when he looks over to see who he'd been working by and who had been as quiet as he had. (He thinks, unless he zoned that out accidentally.) ]

'Course! [ He reaches for the tool in question and hands it over to her handle first and with a smile. ] Lucky we got some nicer weather for this, aren't we? I heard someone else sayin' it's rained most of the week.

[ Now that he's paying attention, Alfyn can't help but note her work in the garden is... well, far neater than his own. He'd tried his best. ]

Are you a gardener back home where you're from?

Hornet | Hollow Knight | Strength

[weavered]

THORNE

EVENING BANQUET

Of the many things she has done, asking for a new change of clothing from the staff has certainly been the most interesting. She was now in a short scarlet dress that sits at her knees - something much more freeing than the trousers she had been given earlier in the day. It covers her body in much the same way her cloak did, the exception being that it sat across her shoulders and revealed her neck, leaving her more exposed than she liked. It was a simple thing, compared to some of the creatures around her, but it was good enough to gain her entry into the hall. She stands on the far side of the room, closest to the wall, watching the soft-shelled creatures gather their own food and talk amongst themselves.

If they were eating, why couldn't she?

Hornet sighs heavily, smoothing out her dress as she finds herself lost in thought. She arrived with nothing: no clothing nor needle, but she had her mind. The thought of losing that much made her shudder, drawing in on herself as she shrinks back to lean against the wall. What questions should she ask? What answers would they provide? If the strange bugs here could assist her... then she'd feel much better than she did right now.

She shakes her head, letting her thoughts come to the current issue at hand: Was the food safe? Would she perish if she ate it? Certainly, she would die if she didn't eat, and despite watching for some time, she still wasn't sure.

"Do you think it's safe?" She finds herself asking aloud, glancing toward the nearest person. She was no coward, but she was a cautious thing. "Have you eaten anything yourself?"

FREE CITIES

TRAVELING MERCHANTS

She remains wary as she walks through the throngs of people, glancing at the merchants and their wares. Pastries, fruit, flashing trinkets that don't need lumaflies to light them  - it was dazzling as it was worrisome. She wasn't certain if she could trust what they sold. The food? Perhaps. The trinkets? Maybe. It was those selling what they called a "healing elixir" that had her skeptical. How could liquid heal a person? She knew of the utilization of Soul had its healing effects, but something akin to water? It sounded suspicious.

She stops to inspect the trinkets in one cart, looking at rings, necklaces, and things of that sort when her eyes catch one of the "healing elixirs" sitting in a nice collection on the edge of the cart. The glass containers they were in were beautiful, certainly more intricate than those she had seen before. She reaches for one, thankful it was so close so she didn't have to stop the merchant from his current conversation, and turns the bottle over in her hands.

"Does it work....?" She says mostly to herself, inspecting the bottle closely. Could something like this actually heal her? Would she need healing in this sort of place? What dangers lie ahead that she would require an elixir of healing?

NOCWICH

 HOT SPRINGS

Hornet eases herself into the water slowly, enjoying the heat that spreads through her limbs as she settles in. This? This was the most relaxed she had been since her arrival to this strange land. It was like the heated water was pulling away her worries, giving her time to sit and enjoy soaking in the water.  She does not mind that she is sharing the spring with other bugs (well, they weren't bugs no were they? Strange soft-shelled creatures).

She stretches her arms, settling into the water, mostly keeping to herself, but burning with a need to ask questions to whoever might listen and answer. Maybe the warm and welcoming nature of a hot spring might loosen some tongues.

"May I ask you a question?" She asks whoever is closest to her. Hopefully whoever answers her would be receptive to a question or two.

Evening Banquet

[ushiri]

( ooc: heya! just wanted to double check on her physical description - how tall/short would you say she is? also anything I should know about her skin that's peeking out from her cloak, or any other non-human specific details? thanks! )

I've been here for months, and have yet to get food poisoning.

[ He has a glass of water in his hand, as well as a plate that has some greens, nuts, dried fruits and some slices of meat. Kahlil stands a little over six feet, dressed in the native clothing like everyone else. The only thing that stands out is the the light, faded scars across his hands.

He smiles at her, nodding at his plate. ]

You could try some of mine first, if you like.

[ He'd been suspicious of everything when he arrived, too. ]

zoya nazyalensky | grishaverse | the emperor

[groza]

thorne.

magic lessons.

[ Zoya shields her eyes with a hand at her brow. Her eyes squint discerningly. Magic is a misnomer for her power, but she'd leave others to argue about semantics. Zoya won't dispute the titles given to her. 'Storm Witch' is a badge wears proudly, as long as it still strikes fear with it.

But there is no arguing over magic or science here. Instead, she hears them call it academic magic, and it is not just present everywhere, but celebrated. Necessary and encouraged. Still, there's a stern annoyance as she watches the acolytes, amateurish and clumsy.

It's because it's light. She knows this. Because if it is light and this magic is the same as her Small Sciences, it has to have come from somewhere. ]

Too much sun gives you wrinkles. [ She swats an arm conjuring a bright light a little too close to her face. ] Who is in charge here?

banquet.

[ No one has ever accused Zoya of being modest or humble, so of course accepts a mage's offer to conjure up an elegant blue gown, cut low across her chest and hugging the curves of her waist. Despite just arriving, she carries herself like she belongs here, her chin tipped up in the air, exuding confidence. She would never deign to let someone else decide how she fits in.

Abundance, despite a crop shortage. Who is going without to make up for this? ]

The grape crop must be doing fine.

[ Her delivery is dry behind the glass she lifts to her lips. Subtle enough to pass by those who weren't paying attention. ]

nocwich (obligatory hot springs option.)

[ Zoya is not scared of the dark, but that doesn't mean an area shrouded in eternal darkness brings up entirely pleasant memories. She is keenly aware of the pendant hanging around her neck like a tiny beacon, half expecting a flying monster to swoop through the night and try and carry her off.

Although, the Shadow Fold didn't have the advantage of a hot spring.

She's not shy in her body, joining the locals in shedding her clothes. The pendent still hangs around her neck, illuminating her skin as she slips into the water. She closes her eyes, relaxing and silent. She pays no mind to anyone who joins unless she can feel them staring. ]

Do you need glasses or is there some other reason you're staring at me?

wildcard.

[ Bring your own prompt! Feel free to dm me to set something up, or I'll roll with another Nocwich or Thorne-based starter. Playing Zoya from a Rule of Wolves canon point. ]

Hot springs muahhaha

[itookashot]

[ Jesper usually goes straight to the hot springs when he arrives in Nocwich because their baths just aren't good enough when in the desert, and the finds them very relaxing. He's getting familiar enough that his feet just take him that direction and he's already shrugging out of his flashy green coat by the time he gets there. He carefully folds all his clothes, he's very meticulous with his fashion, and slides into the water nude without any hesitation.

Perfect.

When he opens his eyes, they wander naturally around, since he didn't pay attention to who was with him. And yes, he finds himself fully staring at her. At first, Jesper is not entirely certain. He knows her face, she's the kind of face that's hard to forget, and it's not until she speaks that it all slots in. The last time he saw her, she was taking Kuwei Yul-Bo to Ravka.

He smiles mischievously.]

Do I need one, General?

louis de pointe du lac » amc’s interview with the vampire — the lovers;

[mobezon]

( solvunn ) » the shrine;

{ when he first heard of a shrine, he had made his decision to visit. it wasn’t for the purpose of religious aspects, although it is aligned considering he did believe in a singular god for a long time. even when he turned, he struggled with the repressions catholicism left within him, and as much as he wanted to untangle from the rotten roots, it still molds within. if it wasn’t just for the belief, it was also the people.

the rain has left a dewy air in the evening when he decides to find the shrine. his walk isn’t terrible, and the paths become less complicated the more he takes them. the quietude nearly reminds him of the bayou he grew up in, where he’d have to find his own way. louis spent a lot of his younger days outside his home, but he always returned.

once he finds the shrine, he awaits on the outside. they told him he could ask for a blessing. it's not a church, he has to remind himself — considering the last time he stepped in one, it was a bloodied affair. he probably stands there for an hour, two… time has become a concept to him with no solid meaning. it just passes by. when there’s a clear sound of footsteps, something compels him to speak. }

My mama used to tell me magic was the Devil’s calling. I'm not sure if I have anything else left to offer.

( solvunn ) » evening feast;

{ louis has always been well-mannered for the most part (those southern roots), and he was determined to contribute despite knowing he’d probably not eat the food. at least, it stands to reason that it’ll still all taste the same despite his current state of arrival. he rolls up his sleeves and gets to pinning some flowers, then moves on to laying tablecloths until they are smoothed out. it’s better to be in the background for now, away from people. he prefers it.

however, there is one question he has, and it lingers all through the start of the feast. he mostly says it to himself in a sort of dazed tone, but if someone were to catch it, then – }

Where would I be able to get a coffin?

{ he knows it’s a strange question if caught, but he has nothing to lose but his words and the loudness of his thoughts. he pays heed to the surrounding music in its vibrant tune someone is starting, and it immediately calls louis to the roaring club he owned - azalea hall. it had once been a personal joy, along with dancing. those times seem to be nothing but blotched ink upon a damaged piece of paper. he still cherishes it.

louis remains at the outskirts of mingling crowds, and ends up with a cup of wine that he can smell all too strong. louis felt it when he arrived, the lacking of what filled him every day — hunger. ache. ravenous. when will it return? the temporary lift of the majority of his dark gift in some ways has been a whiplash. louis doesn’t drink from the wine, and settles against the bench-like table he found. }

( nocwich ) » the marketplace;

{ eternal darkness. three days of it without restriction of the sun has its appeal to someone like him. his pendant is shiny, and he’s able to see the ones of others summoned into this strange experience.

there are whispers of ikorr and sentiments from others that might be like him? it’ll probably be different, considering the place is beyond. truthfully, he’s alright not encountering other vampire folk at the moment. he stays clear of any supposed dispute between lands and creatures. it’s too familiar of his time in storyville, where he waged against injustices that never truly went away into the twenty-first century; it just transformed. he’s too old, and tired.

louis makes his way to the marketplace, keeping to himself. after a while, he tries to call the attention of a passerby. if he does, they will hear his polite tone that comes out with a new orleans accent that draws out in his hesitance to what becomes a giant unknown. }

Excuse me? Do you know where I can find the nearest bookshop? { what better way to learn of a place then through the written word of others who are from there? it's a start. }

( nocwich ) » gambling den;

{ there's a sense of irony when he steps into the establishment that houses gambling. it hadn't been his intention, considering he's long given up those days around a table. it still brought a sense of familiarity to an already chaotic place filled with strangers upon strangers. he can stand to play one round. }

So, what does a man have to gamble if they have no coin?

{ he picks up the cards placed in front of him to examine them briefly. it could be a normal game of cards, but he also has only ever known how to use it for business purposes in keeping connections. shady deals he's been around, and even more he's gambled beyond the simplicity of what should only be a game. he holds a handful, sliding them to peek at the tarot-like images. his sharp nails are visible in the glossy white color, of which can be passed off as a manicure. }

» wildcard fiend;

( have one (1) southern gothic vamp mess. most likely pulling him out from the end of s1 for those canon familiar. pms are open for questions/if you want to try something else!! enserio, i am easy c: )

here for messes—evening feast

[carmesi]

[the question is odd, but suppose it is only a matter of time before the newly summoned start to throw around their own charming peculiarities in the air. this one has been seemingly very polite and quite the helpful one, at least, as wanda's walked towards the grove where the feast would be taking place to help out, already finding the new face pinning flowers and smoothing out tablecloths.

clearly, she's heard worse questions, but—]

I'm not sure they necessarily use coffins here to bury their dead.

[—do they? wanda's never asked, even if they've had prior encounters with the 'undead', so to speak, but they had all been ambling about above the ground.

she sets the assortment of wildflowers in hand onto a cup that will contain them, to be some kind of decoration on one of the tables.]

Any particular need for it?

g'raha tia | ffxiv | the lovers

[5point3]

ARRIVAL/CASTLE THORNE—
[ G’raha never learned how to swim.

True, he was born on the isle of Corvos, but his upbringing took him to Sharlayan, a place where the waters were too cold to really learn, and besides, his days were spent reading and mostly keeping to himself as a youth; there was no time for swimming. As such, his first instinct, upon opening his eyes is to gasp, and what little breath he had left is replaced by water. When the hand reaches down, he snatches at it eagerly, coming up out of the fountain with a series of unattractive coughs, hair plastered to his forehead, tail drooping with the weight of being soaked.

He looks up at the people before him, and then back down at himself as the man speaks—

Oh, saints, he’s naked.

G’raha flushes bright pink as he looks up again at the sound of the man’s book closing, doing his best to scramble to protect whatever dignity he has left. He looks like a drowned cat — he is a drowned cat.

The sight of clothing is a relief, and he hurriedly puts them on, standing up and shaking out his hair, undone from its usual braid. He takes in the info as they walk, committing each name to memory as best he can, though his ears prick up at the reason why he’s been summoned. He’d laugh at the irony, if the situation didn’t seem quite so dire. Him? A hero of great renown? That’s the most laughable part of all, he thinks.

The apprentice leaves him to his own devices at the North Wing, and G’raha pauses outside the door which is, apparently, to his room, and turns to look over his shoulder. The palace is much nicer, he thinks, than what he’d offered people. So lost in his own thought about the absolute coincidence he’s been placed in, he doesn’t notice that he just might be standing in someone’s way… ]



THE BANQUET—
[ Well, he’s dressed as well as can be, all things considered. He’s never been one for too much finery, though he cleans up nice, if he says so himself. He, at least, is no longer feeling quite so waterlogged, and that has done enough to boost his moral to the point that when he arrives at the banquet, he’s smiling to himself, slipping into the crowd in a not quite practiced manner.

It’s the music that grabs his attention, however, and he looks around with a small plate of cheese and fruit in his hands, ears twitching as he tries to locate the source. He glances over to the person next to him, raising an eyebrow. ]

Where do you suppose the players are?

NOCWICH MARKET—
[ Oleuni Square is brightly lit, despite the everlasting nature of the darkness, and this he’s used to, at least. It reminds him of The Last Stand at midnight, after pulling an allnighter and needing a latte to keep him awake to finish reading his books. Only this time he’s not dozing off every step he takes, and he’s taking his time to take in the sights and sounds. The market is busier than Sharlayan at night, and there are all types of people, of smells, of sounds. His ears twitch slightly at it all, his tail following suit, and his nose leads him towards a stall selling baked goods, none of which he recognizes, but all of which smell better than the last.

He pays for one vaguely danish looking pastry, a beautiful bright red center mixed with what he hopes is cream cheese, and a smaller loaf of bread smelling vaguely of garlic, tucking both into the bag at his side. The sound of music and laughter hits his ears, and he turns towards the sound, and subsequently, the stage, and he makes his way over, at what seems to be the start of an intermission, and he settles down in a seat near some people, taking the ‘danish’ out of his bag and holding it up, examining. After a moment, he tears it in half, and turns to the nearest person. ]

Would you care to share? I wouldn’t want my coin to go to waste if it’s not to my tastes!

nocwich

[earthborn]

[Shepard regards the offer with surprise. Who is this guy? A local, maybe— he's got the look for it, with the ears and the tail and all. But none of this is important compared to the topic at hand.]

Absolutely.

[There is one dead-certain way to make friends with a biotic: food. In very short order and two large bites she's taken fullest advantage. There is no half-danish here.]

Thanks. I'm Shepard, you?