TEST DRIVE MEME #13

[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.

The TDM is forward-dated to when the summonings occur in-game (when applications are accepted), at the start of August.

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. Now in summer, the weather warm and mild. To anyone used to hotter climates, it might even feel somewhat cool. In the distance, you can see snow-covered mountain peaks that are beginning to melt, and the gardens are in bloom. 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 North Wing, devoted to housing the Summoned, is tightly guarded against outsiders. As one of the Summoned, you're free to come and go. The guards aren't keeping anyone prisoner. They're there to protect you, and they take their jobs seriously.


• Apprentices, kitchen staff, guards - everyone seems to be bustling and busy. Though some tension is in the air when locals debate an execution involving the gods in Solvunn or the recent emergence of the Fey, there's also a buzz of excitement from the Crown Sprint - where a noble steed named Summer Eclipse and her rider Maertisa Cassidy were declared this year's winner.


• Life in the Castle has chiefly resumed, but the permanent increase in guards indicates a crisis in the past. There are also rumors of unusual rifts and creatures appearing out of nowhere.

◎ Exploring

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

Equestrian Exhibition
Hot on the heels of the extravagant Crown Sprint, Castle Thorne continues the celebration by displaying its finest horses. These include the Haylean Warmblood - bred for Hayle's mountainous cold regions - and the oldest breed in Thorne, the Circinean, named after Thorne's original settlement by Lake Circinus. You can get riding lessons from participants in the Crown Sprint, visit or volunteer to take care of the horses, or help the children who've arrived to take part in smaller pony races. While the children just want to have fun, many hail from noble and aristocratic families, so you find yourself witnessing a certain temperament from their parents...who are significantly more competitive and cutthroat than their kids.

Magic Lessons
Regular magic lessons are held by apprentice mages as part of their training, usually involving learning to cast a small spell. Join if you wish! The spell they will be teaching is conjuring a modest defensive light shield that can protect against a single magical blow. 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. 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.

Occupying Octopi
Due to the unusual rifts last month, a few octopi have made their way into Castle Thorne. These cephalopods have been spotted lurking in the baths, hiding in pools and lakes, and even taking a dip in the kitchen's water basin. Mages are desperate to catch the loose octopi so that they can return the animals to the ocean. The mages will give you a simple enchanted tracking orb to help locate them, but octopi have a habit of being elusive and squeezing into tight spaces - so retrieving one might take some innovation! Maybe it'll go smoother with a partner?

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 are sweltering, and the climate is hot and dry. Even the summer nights are relatively warm. 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:

• Libertas shows signs of having suffered a devastating attack, but the majority of it has been rebuilt including a new garden park memorial that commemorates the lives lost. Chatter has shifted from the fire attacks to the gruesome execution involving the gods in Solvunn, as well as the Summoned's invitation to visit the Feywilds last month. Scholars and laymen alike can be heard debating the nature of gods, men, and the Fey.


• From Cadens to Aquila to Libertas, the streets are guarded. Soldiers patrol all areas, especially those typically occupied by the Summoned. This includes a particular inn and tavern in the heart of Cadens - The Sarstina - where the Summoned like you are often found. It's evident they're here for your protection rather than to prevent you from moving freely. Nevertheless, the atmosphere is cheery. Many have just returned from a fulfilling trip into the desert known as The Firebrand, where hobbyists celebrate innovation, independence, and unique inventions.


• Life in the Free Cities has chiefly resumed, but the permanent increase in guards indicates a crisis in the past. There are also rumors of unusual rifts and creatures appearing out of nowhere.

◎ 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.

Marble Engravings
A researcher named Esi Hollandse has unveiled her newest creation: a handheld "laser" tool powered by New Magic meant to help sculptors sculpt stone. Come visit the beautifully displayed marble sculptures created using this new technique, which allows for more refined carving techniques. Want to try it for yourself? Why not! With some guidance, you can create your own etchings on a small stone block and take home your newest piece of art.

Swan Song
Due to the unusual rifts last month, several swans have invaded Cadens and are now becoming a menace, stealing bread, grains, and desserts from market stalls and shops. You might come across a shopkeeper chasing a swan after it stole their cheese or a harried attendant at the museum shooing a bird away from their precious artifacts. Perhaps you could lend a hand? Or, you could find yourself an unsuspecting victim of a swan. Any captured swans can be brought to Portam Hall and delivered to one of the government departments there, though you might have to stand in line while grasping an unhappy bird. Be careful not to let it escape!

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 gentle and the temperatures are comfortably warm with light humidity. The scent of wildflowers 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:

• Shops and stalls in Solvunn are booming with the fruits of spring and summer. Vendors are eager to barter goods and are in the habit of including extra gifts with any purchase or trades made. If you are looking for a good deal, now is the time!


• Those in Solvunn are no longer discussing the execution of former Council member Josselyn Creed, but the ashes of her bones remain on display by an altar in the Primary Settlement - a reminder and a warning not to stray from the flock. As well, there's curious chatter surrounding the Summoned's invitation to visit the Feywilds last month.


• Life in the Solvunn Commune has chiefly resumed, but the focus on appeasing the gods and increased shrine offerings indicate many have not forgotten the troubles of the past. There are also rumors of unusual rifts and creatures appearing out of nowhere.

◎ Exploring

Despite the troubles that plague the commune, 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 Supervision
During the recent Summer Equinox celebrations, the youth have a habit of holding their own tradition called the Guardian Séance. These unsanctioned rites are quickly stopped by Commune Elders, but there's been some damage and messes that need to be put right. Elders have asked you to supervise the adolescents who've been assigned to clean up the shrines and restore the damage they've caused. Beware of snakes in the grass! You're also welcome to help the teens with their task. Once completed, Elders will invite you to make an offering in the formal traditions of High Magic.

Bird Baths
Due to the unusual rifts last month, and with the convincing of a few of the Summoned, Solvunn has agreed to raise some of the unique pack birds on one of their farmlands. Unfortunately, the week's downpour has caused them to become very muddy. Desperate farmhands have asked for your help giving the birds a good wash to clean their dirty feathers. You can also help feed them grain and prevent any jealous goats from headbutting or fighting these docile birds.

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]

[catchtheseclaws]

Can the octopi be eaten, raw or cooked?

Benedikta Harman — FFXVI — Thorne — THE DEVIL

[slipscream]

🍃 CASTLE THORNE • MAGIC LESSON AFTERMATH — SPOILERS

( The idea that anyone might be able to cast magic without crystals in this place — that it isn't the reserve of the despised and the Dominant — is a mental hurdle the likes of which Benedikta has never experienced before. In a way she supposes she ought to be pleased by this revelation: with Garuda all but gone learning under the academicians of Thorn could be a way for her to regain some of her former power—

But her pride can't stand the idea of savoring crumbs in such a manner; of having to beg tutelage for something that once made up the very fabric of her being. When Garuda awoke within her Benedikta finally learned what it meant to have power — what it meant to have a sliver of control over her own destiny — and listening to those academics break down it down into a series of equations felt like swallowing so much ice. She hadn't understood that the fuck they were talking about, of that much she's certain. Now, in the aftermath, she stands in a secluded courtyard of the Castle Thorne, a frown creasing her brow as she flexes and curls her hands before her. )

... Fuck.

( She closes her eyes, the strain visible in the pull of her shoulders as she tries, tries to call upon the wind, only to scatter a few leaves across the flagstones on a wavering stream of air. The effort of that alone has sweat beading at her brow, leaves her chest heaving as she gasps for breath, and she bares her teeth in a ragged shriek before turning to slam her palm into the nearest wall. Once, that would have shattered the masonry.

Now?

All she has is a skinned palm. )

Fuuuck!

🍃 CASTLE THORNE • MUTE LUTE — SPOILERS

( Benedikta turns to the tavern.

It's been some time since she felt so utterly fucking lost — her worth as a person left when that miserable nobody tore Garuda out of her very chest, ripping out her identity, her power, all the plans she had for her future under King Barnabas's new world order. Not for the first time in her life she finds herself cursing the people around her: Cid, for filling her with hope only to break her heart when he left her in Ash; Barnabas, who she knows only kept her close for her Eikon and for his cock; Hugo, for his pathetic devotion to the lie of their affair; that Branded bastard, for reducing her to what she is now.

She could have done it, if that wretch and his dog hadn't fucking interfered. With Garuda at her beck and call she could have torn their miserable world apart.

But that was then, and this is now. A long moment passes as she drains the last of her cup of wine, wrinkles her nose, then gestures for a passing serving girl to bring her another. It's bitter piss in comparison to what she enjoyed at the King's leisure — his wines had been fit for royalty, after all — but for the time being it'll have to do. She doesn't know how many cups she's sunk when a figure slides into the seat across the table. The tail-end of an eyebrow lifts as the man makes himself comfortable:

How about some company, sweetheart?

Calmly as anything, Benedikta reaches for the knife that had accompanied the soup and crust of bread she'd dined on earlier that evening. )

If you don't vacate that seat in ... ( She sighs irritably as she waves the knife a little, pulling a number out of thin air as though it's a huge inconvenience to her: ) Let's say six seconds, I'll slit your throat right here with this fucking butterknife.

( She points the knife directly at his throat, hiccups once, then expertly flips it before jamming the blade down into the table. )

Do you understand me?

🍃 CASTLE THORNE • OCCUPYING OCTOPI — NO SPOILERS

( Tales of her exploits? Really?

Benedikta leans against the wall as she lifts a slender pipe to her lips, the tobacco crackling pleasantly as it glows a brief, hot amber. It isn't as fine a pipe as she'd had as Waloed's primary Intelligencer but it certainly does the job, and she hums contemplatively before letting a ribbon of smoke curl from between her parted lips.

Tales of her fucking expoits as a Dominant of Garuda, and yet here she is, reduced to seeking out creatures that have apparently wandered in from an extra-dimensional rift to get up to no good in Castle Thorne. It is a bitter pill to swallow, make no mistake about that, and she clenches her left hand into a fist for half a heartbeat before letting it fall lax at her side again.

Now isn't the time to let herself whip up into a frenzied rage. Abraxas may not be Valisthea but she's determined to find out whether it might offer a solution to the problems she left behind, and to do that she needs to make an impression on the people who matter in this Greagor-forsaken realm. She is, after all, a survivor before all else. She's already cozied herself in close with one King; she'll be damned if she can't find a way to do it again.

Benedikta pushes away from the wall to approach the mages handing out orbs, her gait the confident sashay of a woman who's used to getting her own way. When she comes to a halt she sucks in another mouthful of smoke, raises an eyebrow at the other Summoned awaiting a partner, and gives them a bored glance up and down before blowing a thin stream of smoke off to the side. )

... I suppose you'll do.

🍃 NOCWICH • GAMBLING DEN — NO SPOILERS

( Nocwich is already proving itself preferable to Castle Thorne — not least because the people here apparently have a better grasp on how to have a good time. Where Thorne seems to place a great deal of value in pomp, circumstance, and academic tradition, the jagged edges of this land of eternal night appeals deeply to Benedikta: she could do great work here, she thinks, if she could find a way in with whomever runs the place.

As one of Waloed's finest intelligencers she knows that she has skills to offer. They'll need dressing up a little differently in this place, certainly, but it's enough to give her a back-up plan should her relationship with Thorne fall through.

Still, those are thoughts for the future. For the time being she's conducting basic reconnaissance. and she knows well enough that there are few venues better suited to the gathering of gossip than taverns, gambling halls, and brothels. The so-called Vampires have made themselves an elegant space in which to conduct their gambling business, and Benedikta has pulled herself together somewhat since the incident at the Mute Lute. This time she's hoping someone might be interested in taking the spot next to her at the bar.

Her allowance from the Castle isn't exceptional but it's stretched to an outfit that has her fitting right in, and she's nursing a suspiciously blood-red cocktail as she listens out for any interesting conversations. When she takes a sip it leaves a dark stain on her lips that she licks away thoughtlessly, her eyes sharp over the rim of her elegant glass as she lets her attention wander to observe a game of cards.

... Hm. Perhaps while she's here, it would serve her well to learn the rules. )

🍃 WILDCARD/OOC

Permissions, opt-out, and theme warnings here! Please check them out if you're interested in tagging Benna here — FFXVI deals with some extremely grim themes and I'd like to be as sensitive as possible to people's comfort levels. I will be doing my very best to mark all spoilers where relevant, however please do let me know if you're okay with them just so I know what I can include in meta text ♥

Feel free to add me on Plurk at witchbolts if you'd like to hash something out or plot!

tavern; HERE WE GO

[flagrates]

[ That miserable nobody has just walked into the tavern, the crowd around him seemingly uncaring about the knife being shoved into a table, although the noise if it gets Clive's attention as he makes his way to an empty one. He stops.

Stares.

Something inside of him flares up, a piece of him that isn't really a part of him reaching out for something familiar, and before he really understands why, he's striding towards Benedikta and her wannabe paramour, reaching down to put his hand over the knife, looking her in the eyes.

He's grown, since she's last seen him. No more brand, either. ]

I think he understands fine.

Nathan Drake | Uncharted | Arcana TBD

[sketchycharacter]

everything I touch turns to shit - Free Cities;

Crap.

[That about sums up his opinion of waking up naked and hallucinating (?) that he's in an entirely new world, except for the part where apparently it's magic and not more unwanted drugs that brought him here.

Great. He would have preferred the drugs, all things considered; drugs wear off.

Okay. He can go along to get along until he can get out. Nate explores a little, gaining his bearings and giving the military people as much subtle side-eye as he can manage. He's not used to guards who don't try to rough him up on sight. When he ends up in the training grounds, it's entirely on accident and he turns around immediately, bumping shoulders with any poor fool who might be coming in the other way.]

Hey pal, let me offer you some free advice? Don't give the people who kidnapped you for your services a chance to see what you're made of.

[And he's out of there. Once he makes his way to Cadens proper, he can be found roaming the streets, looking around with interest and even stopping to draw after he's managed to talk a local merchant into extending credit to a brand-new Summoned. Are you doing anything weird? Do you have an interesting look? Do you just happen to be in the right place at the right time when he whips out a pencil? (As long as he can keep his hands busy, he won't freak out about all this.) You might find yourself the subject of an impromptu sketch. He does take tips. (And your wallet. Feeling light in the pocket? A pickpocket may be about. Surely not this handsome guy with the innocent-looking face, though.]

we got nothing to prove here - Solvunn;

Crap.

[It's worth repeating in a forked timeline. Nate's beat up, banged up and seriously not thrilled to be here, but at least his kidnappers gave him food that doesn't suck. That's better than he's gotten from past jailers. The place is actually pretty nice once he gets out and about; doesn't change the fact that he doesn't belong here, but it's something. Actually, for apparently being in another world, there's something familiar about the place, something he'll bring up to whoever happens to be nearby.]

Hey. Is it just me or does this whole place give off a really renfaire-hippie commune vibe?

[It can be both at the same time. Somehow.

Once he can beg, borrow or steal something to draw on, Nate can be found roaming around taking artistic notes. Are you doing anything weird? Do you have an interesting look? Do you just happen to be in the right place at the right time when he whips out a pencil? (As long as he can keep his hands busy, he won't freak out about all this.) You might find yourself the subject of an impromptu sketch. He does take tips. (But no wallets. Something about this place tells him it'd be more noticeable than somewhere more bustling.)

Once he's calmed down a little, he agrees to take part in bathing these freaky bird things. Could be a way to gain some goodwill that'll pay off later. Unfortunately, they're a little too eager to spread the love...and the mud.]

Eurrgh. Think these mutant ostriches taste good? I'm starting to envision them fried.

buy me a drink, sailor? - Nocwich;

[When he gets the opportunity, he walks through the portal to this land of eternal night (ooh, spooky) without a second thought. What the hell, right? Can't be more dangerous than some of the shit he's seen, especially after being interdimensionally kidnapped once this month. Further exploration, sketching and maybe a little theft follows, but eventually he makes it to the tavern and grabs an open seat where he can.]

Tell me they've got non-magic beer here. I don't want to wake up turned into a bunny rabbit or something.

wild card;

[I'm not joking when I say literally Make Anything Up if the spirit moves you, I will roll with it.]

SOLVUNN; impromptu sketch

[nomnoms]

[ What if you just are weird?

In his search for a subject Nathan may stumble upon a seven foot bipedal shark in what passes as the town square here. He seems to be lugging around large planks of wood to stack in a pile next to a building in the process of getting repairs or updates.

When he spots a man who looks to be drawing, he immediately drops whatever he's holding and ambles over toward him. ]

Art? [ he asks, clearly interested. Up close his thick hide is covered with tiny scars. ]

clive rosfield | ff16 | thorne | the tower

[flagrates]

ARRIVAL/NORTH WING, THORNE — SPOILERS

[ He used to go swimming, when he was a boy, just outside the Isle of Mist, losing himself in the water with Torgal and sometimes his brother. It felt nice to float, to let everything go, to not have to worry about what he was, what he wasn't. He feels that same sense of drift now, his mind wandering. Wasn't there something important? Something he needed to be doing?

Clive's eyes fly open and he takes in a breath, regretting it instantly as he feels something grab his wrist, tugging him out of the water and into air, his first breath used to expel the water from his lungs, the second to center himself in surroundings wholly unfamilar. He feels dazed, on his knees, staring up at the robed man above him, who isn't anyone he recognizes. Even the clothes are different, and while Clive hears him, it doesn't register. What does register is his nudity, right around the same time one of the apprentices brings him clothes, and Clive stands, shaky on his feet, pulling the clothes on.

(They shift to fit him and 'perfectly', in his case, seems to mean just a half size too small.)

The apprentice leads him to the North Wing, shrugging at Clive's every question, not reacting to Clive's frowning at the tales of his exploits. They hadn't been marvelous, just. The right thing. Clive is left to his own devices at his room, and he pushes the door open, wary. It's far nicer than anything he's had in years, and it feels suspicious, somehow, like there's something else someone isn't telling him. But he's too tired to think about it, the realization that he just might be alone here hitting him like a chocobo kick to the head. Jill, Joshua, Dion, Gav... All still back at home. He reaches inward, pulls a bright feather made of flame out of his chest, and stares at it for a long moment.

No, they're still with him. They always will be, no matter what.

There's one unoccupied bed, it seems, and Clive takes this chance to sit on it, placing the feather back inside of him, fingers gripping at the sheets. ]

I can't stay here.


OCTOPI, THORNE — NO SPOILERS

[ He's as settled as he can be, and sitting around has never been something he's been good at, even as a teenager, so when he hears about the cephalopod problem plauging the palace, he makes the choice to help out, if he can. The mages are thrilled at his volunteering and the orb he's gifted is put to use right away, Clive stalking through the castle, orb in one hand.

It leads him to one of the pools in the baths, pointing directly up at one of the slits that normally has water flowing from it into the pool below, but it's curiously blocked, and it's not hard to spot why, once you know what to look for. There's a bright purple tentacle just barely sticking out, wiggling up and down lazily, as if whatever it's attached to is enjoying it's nice warm bath. The slit is, however, too tall for Clive to reach on his own, and he pockets the orb, crossing his arms and staring up.

Help? ]


NOCWICH — NO SPOILERS

[ He's made some money, helping the people of the City of Thorne with their various ailments and maladies, and now it's time to take the oppurtunity to see what the markets of Nocwich of eternal darkness have to offer. He's mostly curious to see if there's anything of note.

It's the main stage that catches his eye. He's always been a fan of theatre, and he stops to watch, arms crossed, hips cocked to one side. He may even actually be smiling, a little, engrossed in the plot as he is.

He later finds himself at the hot springs, all clothing shed and folded neatly at the edge, where he's pillowed his head on his folded arms, eyes closed. The nudity of the people around him doesn't seem to bother him, and he lets out the sigh of a content mastiff laying in the sun. He cracks open an eye as someone comes to slide into the water next to him, and scoots over to make room. ]

Sorry.


OOC —

( Please let me know if you're okay with spoilers! I'll do my best to be vague in the scenarios I've marked as No Spoilers, and with the one marked Spoilers, I will still mark for them as needed. I'm also down if you'd like to thread something out that isn't covered by one of the three above! )

nocwich; hot springs (spoilers ok)

[nomnoms]

[ The person that slides in next to Clive might be, uh, larger than he was expecting. ]

No sorry. [ It's a low rumbling voice that comes from the chest of a seven foot tall bipedal shark as he steps into the heated pool of water, displacing some of it over the rocks as he submerges himself up to his snout.

Some bubbles blow out from his nostrils. ]

cidolfus telamon - ff16 - free cities - the judgement (no spoilers in prompts)

[ramuhed]

𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥

(Well all things considered, Cid knows things could be much worse, though how much worse he's yet to figure out. Waking up on some stone flooring, bare ass naked and people around him hadn't been the best feeling in the world, but they had been kind enough to dress him in a robe, give a few details before sending him on his way. In fact it all seemed rather convenient to the outlaw just how neatly done it had been. "Sorry we've kidnapped you here's an outfit, off you go." Definitely one for the books.

Still, sitting around doing nothing would achieve exactly that; nothing, and so Cid takes the advice and heads on out, making a point of trying to catch whatever information he could. The military uniform offered with an unfamiliar emblem on it gets a grimace, but he dons it for now, making sure the collar is as open as he can get it. It'll do.)



𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐬

(The training grounds and obstacle courses look like a good place to catch a glimpse of what the skills are like in this world. Cid is already keenly aware of his own powers being gone and as shocking as it is, the concern is put on the back burner. Running around asking why he can't throw lightning bolts isn't going to win him any friends and in such places as this Cid knows that information is a key currency. It always would be no matter the world.

Ramuh swiftly tucked away for now, Cid opts to partake in a bit of sparring. It's refreshing to be able to do as much, though after winning the first round he takes note of how the guards that watch seem to be taking a keener interest. Is that how it is? He throws the next round on purpose, making certain to keep it less obvious. The interest from the guards dwindles enough that Cid can recognise a recruitment when he sees it. He wants no part of what they're selling, there's enough to be getting on with back home once he figures out how to get there.)

Alright who wants a round? I might go easy on you if you ask nicely.


𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬

(Who can resist the allure of trying out a new tool? Certainly not Cid, he's going to try that out and sculpt something, even if art isn't his forte. The tool itself seems alright, not super advanced but enough to get the job done and after a while Cid steps back and looks at his creation.)

Ta-daa. ( At first glance it looks like a roughly shaped boulder and it's only on closer inspection that anyone would notice it's meant to look like an older woman. Either Cid is terrible at sculpting or he's being sarcastic with his work. It's hard to tell with how smug the outlaw is looking and he gives a nod to himself and whomever is nearby.)

I call this one the Charon. Not bad eh?


𝐬𝐰𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐠

( This place certainly is something, it's sprawling, busy and the heat is enough to have Cid idly fanning himself with a hand. He's looking at a shopkeeper's wares, looking to see what's familiar and what's not as chaos suddenly erupts. Small birds seem to be attacking, descending on the stall to swipe anything edible. As if that's not bad enough they also seem intent on destroying anyone in their path and one swan opts to try and take a chunk of Cid's upper thigh. The man whirls around, rubbing the back of his leg and wondering if he should even get involved on this one or not.)

Greagor's tits, at least buy me dinner first. (Cid knows he should probably help the poor shopkeeper out, but he needs to understand what's actually happening. For all he knows this could be some crazy bird ritual that's he's interfering with though that idea swiftly changes when he sees the annoyed (and somewhat upset) look on the shopkeeper's face. Which is how he comes to be standing outside with an angry swan in his arms, looking over to the nearest person as he struggles to keep hold of the chaotic beast.) This happen a lot?


𝐧𝐨𝐜𝐰𝐢𝐜𝐡.

(Using portals is a novelty, one that Cid is certain won't wear off any time soon. He's visiting Oleuni Square which, from what he's been told, is a place most people can go to mingle. It sounds like the perfect area to find out what's going on without the rose tinted shades of a faction's bias. He'll take some time to check the market stalls for anything interesting, haggling over a piece of jewellery he knows he really won't purchase as he watches for anything of note from the corner of his eye.)

How much? You're havin' a right laugh you are.


𝐨𝐨𝐜

(I'm avoiding spoilers in the prompts, but if there are spoilers in tags please mark them, or let me know if you wish to avoid them completely if need be. Thanks! Also am happy with wildcard prompts, if you're unsure please PM.)

nocwich; there will be spoilers here lol

[flagrates]

[ Clive is two stalls down when he hears it, that familiar bass baritone that sounds like someone had just woken up to gargle whiskey and rusty nails, and he drops the dagger he'd been holding back on the stall's counter and starts to weave his way through the throng of people separating him from— ]

Cid!

[ It couldn't be. Clive had held him in his arms as he died, but then, Benedikta was here, too. It really wasn't entirely out of the realm of possibility. ]

Cid, is that you!?

jill warrick | ff16 | thorne | death

[glaciare]

❄️CASTLE THORNE — MAGIC LESSONS (SPOILERS)

( The novelty of watching just anyone use magic without fear or crystals is something that Jill doesn’t think she’ll ever get used to; it brings a smile to her face to know that it is possible, that the future she has worked for exists somewhere else. It’s with that joy in her heart that she approaches the lessons; there’s a few times at the beginning when her attempts to create a shield simply give her a wall of ice.

The moment that she summons a wall of light instead is one that causes the smile to break wider, a flash of excitement in her eyes as it fades. She flexes her right hand, gloved while her left is free; and then as slyly as she can, slides it off to examine her hand. There is nothing wrong with it at first glance, but anyone with a keen eye may note the fingers and wrist are stiff, and perhaps a bit pale compared to the rest of her skin — almost stone-like — before she slides the glove back on. )

Good.

❄️CASTLE THORNE — EQUESTRIAN EXHIBITION (NO SPOILERS)

( Jill has never seen a horse in her life.

She spends most of the time simply staring at them as they move, similar to a chocobo in some ways but ungainly and complicated in others. If someone approaches her and asks after her expression or her open staring, she’ll respond: )

They’re striking creatures, but I don’t think I’d trust them with much.

( Or anything. They look like they’ll trip over their own legs or, Founder help them, break one just by standing wrong. She much prefers riding a chocobo, thank you. )

❄️ NOCWICH — EXPLORING (NO SPOILERS)

( For all that Thorne reminds her of Rosalith, Nocwich is comfortable in its size, the shops and activity far more of what she enjoys. She spends the days wandering for the most part, though something catches her eye — a silver pendant with sapphires pressed into a design akin to a snowflake. It’s beautiful, of course, but she couldn’t.

Telling that to the pushy shop owner, however, is proving to be a more difficult task. )

No, I— I couldn’t, truly.

OOC
[ avoiding spoilers in all but the first prompt, but please let me know if they’re alright to come up in threads! feel free to come up with something else if the prompts don’t work, and don’t hesitate to PM me if you’re unsure or want something else! also i’m currently at sdcc so tags will be. sporadic. ]

spoilerssss

[flagrates]

[ He's surprised to learn that people don't need crystals to use or learn magic here, and it's left him feeling a way he can't quite describe. Happy? Relieved? It's so different from home that he can't help but wonder how it's done at all, though he has no desire to learn this world's magic as his own. He's got his own, and he can use it well enough. It's good enough for him.

Still, the explosions of light coming from the door to the practice room catches his eye as he passes it on his way towards the markets, and he stops to peer inside, eyes going round as dinner plates when he spots familiar silver hair, a braid, her body language. ]

Jill...!?

[ He hesitates — should he cross the threshold into the room? He isn't a student, and doesn't want to be disruptive. It's enough to know she's here and safe, but...

But he wants to touch her. He swallows, clears his throat. Calls out again, louder this time. ]

Jill!

Kelson Haldane | Deryni | The Tower

[kingforboth]

Castle Thorne - Exploring/North Wing

This was lovely. This was really, really lovely. It wasn't as if his own kingdom was in turmoil, but he was now being asked to help save someone else's. With any luck, saving this place wouldn't doom his own. It wasn't as if Gwynnedd wasn't still reeling from attempted regicide from within their own royal family, or that Kelson still had royal hostages from hostile kingdoms under guard. It wasn't as if he had just finished executing his own cousin. Honestly, give him time to at least rinse the vomit out of his mouth.

"It's usually considered polite to ask for assistance first in lieu of kidnapping." But, it was met on deaf ears. Surely, anyone who considered this a logical form of assistance didn't feel exactly bereft by their actions.

The guards didn't surprise Kelson. The amount of guards, however, did. Kelson looked around, trying to be nonchalant, eyeing the different corners and levels where he would have posted additional, out of sight guards in addition to the seen ones. Something was wrong here. And so, he listened to staff talk, being able for once in his life to be unobtrusive and unnoticed. Here, he was not king.
And then, he heard something it seemed was universal. Executions. Kelson took a deep breath, running his fingers through his black hair, loose now that he had been taken without a tie. Was he getting nauseous again?

"Execution? For what?" Hopefully it wasnt littering.

Castle Thorne - Libraries

Kelson had discovered the libraries. And now he was never leaving. At the moment the eighteen year old king was thumbing through a history of the royal family, trying to put together genealogies and some semblance of background for what was going on.
And he was just a giant history geek. When he got tired of that subject, he'd switch to books on magic, jotting down notes and thoughts, and brushing his hair out of his face until he found a damn hair tie.

Occasionally, he'd close his eyes, fingers to bridge of his nose, trying to steady the headache and dizziness he was feeling from having his own magic dampened, at least temporarily.

Finally, he turned to someone near by.

"Is magic accepted equally in the other native territories of this world?"

Honestly, it was baffling. But his own world had a rather dark history with magic. It still amazed him no one had tried to burn or torture anyone here for the mere use.

Nocwich

Using portals was not unusual for Kelson. Using them so openly was. So please excuse him if he looked a little wary, or convinced someone was going to come at him screaming 'heretic' at the top of their lungs. So, he was uncomfortable, both at the rampant use of magic, and Nocwich itself. He was used to Thorne. Or places like Thorne. Like his own kingdom. It was familiar. Easy. He could make it work, slip into roles accordingly. Nocwich, however, was different. Actually it was completely terrifying.

"I get the feeling if any of my guards or advisors knew about this, they would be very, very upset with me."

Kelson felt like he was going to get knifed at any moment. But, then again, he was also used to not being able to go to the privy by himself. Freedom took getting used too.

He poked around various shops and stalls, before finally settling into the hot springs. Like werewolves, Kelson is absolutely fine with nudity. Unless that nudity involves women. So you may see him suddenly turn around, his face bright red.

"Oh. God. I am so sorry, my lady."

Library

[wasalmostdaphne]

Bay had been setting up her table for a few hours of studying. She needed space to cross reference pronunciation keys and magical theory so she could make notes for herself, build a plan for her studies. Without needing to carry four different books to lessons. She hadn't started yet, which was fortunate for the young king. Had she been engrossed in her research she'd never hear what he asked.

"Not exactly. Each territory has a magic they deem best." She keeps setting up her space but her eyes are mostly on him as she does, only sparing a small glance for what she's doing rather than splitting her attention. "The magic they like is accepted, the other magics aren't."

cal kestis, star wars ☆ free cities, nocwich ☆ the hanged man

[thepath]

►ONE. OUTPOST [ FREE CITIES ]

[ Cal doesn’t look particularly comfortable in the military-style uniform he was issued, unarmed and disconnected from the Force—he keeps tugging at the hem of his jacket, flexing his hands at his sides like he’s itching to reach for a weapon.

But even the weakened resonance of the Force is less worrying than the fact that BD-1, his constant droid companion for five years now, is nowhere to be found. The people who helped Cal out of the pool had told him that the Summoned don’t arrive with any of their possessions, but BD-1 is not a possession—he’s a friend.

So Cal isn’t giving up quite yet. He pokes around what feels like the entirety of the barracks, almost single-minded in his search, occasionally stopping bystanders to ask: ]

Have you seen an exploration droid around here? He’s a BD unit, about this— [ He holds his hands up, about half a meter high, as demonstration. ] —big.

[ So far, the search is fruitless. Cal ends up at the training grounds instead, watching the sparring and obstacle races with ready eyes, taking silent note of how the soldiers fight. He’s not particularly competitive himself, but he’s fairly susceptible to peer pressure, so it wouldn’t be too difficult to harass him into competing. ]

►TWO. CADENS [ FREE CITIES ]

[ The technology of this world seems to be pretty heavily reliant on magic, unlike what Cal’s used to, but there’s still plenty that carries over. The “laser” tool, for one, that people are using to carve marble sculptures, appears to function almost exactly like his old welding torch, tragically left behind when he was summoned here.

It could also, perhaps, be likened more to a lightsaber, and karabast, does he miss his. Which is why he volunteers to do some etching without doing any etching at all—instead, he’s just sitting there in front of his stone block, turning the laser tool over and over in his hands, trying to resist the urge to take it apart and see exactly how it works. They probably wouldn’t appreciate him breaking open their little prototype, right?

Later on, he moves on to the market, unable to stop himself from jumping in to help when someone shouts for it—it’s those Jedi instincts. This time, however, rather than fending off raiders or finding lost people, his Jedi instincts have him chasing down some kind of long-necked bird creature, one that is surprisingly fast and angry.

Even after he manages to scoop up the bird, it thrashes in his grasp, honking in outrage, and it takes every ounce of Cal’s strength to keep it contained, but not before he—and/or the bird—smacks into a few unlucky bystanders. ]

Sorry about that. Just— [ Honk! ]

►THREE. OLEUNI SQUARE [ NOCWICH ]

[ If there’s anything Cal’s learned after nearly a decade on the run, it’s that cantinas and marketplaces are the best places in the galaxy to catch up on news and gossip, some of which could actually save your life in a pinch.

So he takes his time exploring the marketplace, peeking at all of the shops and stalls, though he doesn’t actually purchase anything, which would require money he doesn’t have. A couple times, he stops to look more closely at particular pieces of jewelry—gold cuff bracelets and rings—a kind of wistfulness writ large on his face as he wonders if Merrin would like them. (Oh, yeah, he’s got it bad.)

But then he moves on. At a food stall, he stops to get a bite to eat, turning down a drink before devouring his food like he hasn’t eaten in literal days. (He has, for the record, but, you know, that poverty mindset is hard to shake.) While he sits and eats, he pays sharp attention to the conversations around him, while also trying to make it look like he’s not eavesdropping at all.

Finally, he slips into the gambling den. While casinos aren’t really Cal’s scene—they’re more of Greez’s thing—desperate times call for desperate measures, and Cal is desperate for money to get out of the outpost, because he’s absolutely not enlisting in the military.

Not that he’s actually doing any gambling in the den. The games here are different from the ones he’s familiar with in his galaxy, let alone the ones he actually knows how to play. So for a long while, he just stands and watches the proceedings, his gaze following the betting, the jostling, the dice throwing, the restless exchange of money. ]

Do you know how to play?

►WILDCARD.

[ i truly love wildcards, so please feel free to throw whatever your heart desires at me! also please let me know if you’d like me to avoid survivor spoilers — i know it’s been a few months, but just in case! ]

ii; nocwich, food stall

[chosenfordarkness]

(( lmk if this doesn't work for you! ))

[ There are a great many things that he looks forward to and the once-a-month visits to Oeluni Square are one of them. It gets everyone out of the castle and the surrounding city and somewhere they can socialize with the other Summoned. With the increasing rate of others showing up or just disappearing, the faces are always changing. It's why seeing someone new isn't much of a surprise anymore, but there are things that are easy to spot in a newbie. Especially one that came from a less-than-pleasant place.

He's seen it enough in other people, other planets, to note when someone's trying not to seem like they're eavesdropping. Instead of calling the guy with that shock of ginger hair out, Anakin simply sits next to him on the bench and extends a hand, offering him a steamed bun filled with aged steak. ]

So, anything interesting yet? [ If Cal happens to look over, it's not blue that looks back, but yellow rimmed with red.

Hey Cal, what's up. ]

joshua rosfield ( ffxvi ) thorne / death

[margrace]

[ this whole top-level will be SPOILER-HEAVY. ]


THORNE CASTLE
KITCHENS.
[ it's been a long time since he's lived in a castle, but joshua still remembers what it's like. once he's done with physickers and medicines and is reasonably certain he won't be catching a chill from his watery arrival, he steals down to the kitchens. they're always the warmest place in any castle, and he's always been told the heat's good for his weak lungs.

more importantly, he learned well from torgal early in life, and he can manage a very nice approximation of puppy eyes for the cooks. his slight figure and youthful face don't hurt matters most days, and his good manners have been known to sweeten even the surliest personality.

so it is that one might find him exiting the kitchens looking a little overwhelmed, a big cloth napkin wrapped around several still-steaming filled buns. he offers a sheepish smile, offering out his somewhat unwieldy bundle. ] Apparently I am 'too skinny'. Would you like one?


EQUESTRIAN EXHIBITION.
So these are.. horses?

[ he doesn't mean to interrupt the person currently helping out with the large animals, but he sort of does mean to interrupt. it's just that he's only seen one creature like this before, and it certainly wasn't this docile or friendly.

he offers the back of his hand to one of the horses in question, breathing a pleased little laugh as it snuffles at his knuckles, mouths at his fingers. he pulls them away to gently pat it on the nose. ]

Aren't they meant to have more legs? [ .. what? ]


NOCWICH
[ here, joshua is mostly found in the shops and stalls. he finds a tunic that suits his tastes more somewhere, though until he can find an appropriate scarf to go with it, it shows a bit of the top of a strange, glowing blue stone or scar in the center of his chest, which has black tendrils radiating out from it like veins. it's not a pretty thing, and he has to continually adjust the neck of the tunic to try to hide it.

more even than clothes, though, he looks for books. the library is all well and good in the castle, but he's more interested in less biased texts (or at least those from other points-of-view). he also finds a nice leather-bound notebook and some writing utensils for himself.

as the sun is going down, he can be found taking a break, seated somewhere, breath wheezing unpleasantly out of his chest. he feels very impatient about it, truthfully, but he can't complain too much-- at least his cough hasn't come back just yet. ]

EQUESTRIAN EXHIBITION

[youmiscalculated]

Yeah, these horses are really...hmm.

[ Adora looks at the horse like she's sad for it. ]

I dunno about extra legs, buuuuut mine can fly. With awesome rainbow-colored wings.

dion lesage | ff16 | the emperor

[princeofruin]

Awakening (Spoilers)
[There is no pressure of water that could compare to the yoke already hanging from his neck. He is no stranger to flying, and as the path of his life narrowed, to falling as well. Yet he is floating still; the weight is not able to completely sink him.

He is silent in the midst of it, because there is no longer anyone to cry out to. There is no one who would listen.

Perhaps it is not meant to be relief that he feels, but feel it he does. That it is over, a finality that has reached the peak of its crescendo and fallen to complete silence.

He can rest. He can forget.

You can never forget.

Is it so surprising that light itself is what appears to him first? It always has come so easily. And he has never rejected its call.

In that, some duties are never finished.

Castle Thorne -- Halls (Spoilers)
[Dion is pulled from the water, and it is much like being born again, or perhaps more like the second time, the time he gave his body to the King of Dragons. There is silence in his mind, and there are people flitting back and forth, flustered and helpful. None of this is new to him.

Except the castle.

Dion stands straight as the clothes form around him, and he is dimly aware he was once nude in front of such company. With their efficiency, their quick explanations, he has the sense they have performed this task many times before, as mentally untaxing as sweeping a floor.

The difference from home is they part. They leave. Without orders, without sharp commands, he is left alone in a castle that is not his home and is a wretched reminder of what he once had.

He stares out a window. Mountain ranges unknown to him, and lush green stretching out beyond the stone walls with a lushness that seems to exist merely to mock the Blight. Dion looks at his hand, turning the palm up to him, and attempts to summon light.

There is nothing.

So he did it.]

A chance for a second life is the domain of the Phoenix, not mine. [Another world holds itself up outside the window, tantalizing.] Yet here I stand.

Castle Thorne Halls -- Occupying Octopi (No Spoilers)
[Dion has garnered some semblance of understanding for his situation from talking to the guards, the castle servants, and even a particularly chatty cook, who insisted on giving him more buttered and jammed bread than he is quite sure a single man could eat. He quietly placed it back on a plate before leaving the room to take in more of the castle.

Passing guests in the castle mention talk of rifts, which immediately sets his hackles ablaze. Even here? Was he not victim to one of his own? He stops them with a hand half-held out, before his fingers curl and he drops it again.] Excuse me. You said rifts, did you not? Do you mean --

[All three men pause as a creaking echoes in the arching stone above them. Then a clatter. A hole in the castle's ceiling opens up. Right as Dion spots it, a creature begins hurtling straight for them.

The two servants are swift enough to know the enemy, but Dion is caught off-guard, his limbs still heavy. A wet slap echoes through the hall as a creature resembling a tiny morbol connects with his face, accompanied by the sickening sensation of wet suction across his skin. It is with an undignified cry of surprise he peels the creature off, holding it out as he wipes a cheek with his shoulder.

A bundle of tentacles wiggles in his grip.]

As rude an entrance as that was, [that he has successfully recovered from,] I can only find sympathy for a fellow lost creature.

Solvunn -- Bird Baths (No Spoilers)
[The realization that he has not, he is sure, been asked for aid by a farmhand a single time in his life is heavy. Not so directly. There was always the request for aid by the empire when the threat of another Dominant rising against the horizon covered the land... but when did they not? The threats were constant, the dragoons always pressed to the front lines, every nerve strained to its snapping in anticipation of war.

And here he is now, holding a bucket of muddied water.

Somehow, if he does not allow himself to think of it too much, he is somehow all the freer for it.

Dion can be found kneeling next to one of the large birds on a (mostly) dry patch of grass, having coaxed it away from its mud pits with a scoop of grain. He dips cloth into the water and scrubs down the bird, all the while talking to it as he works.]

We have similar beasts to you at home, though with often with great, gold plumage. Not to say that you do not have an air of regality yourself.

[The bird, shifting its position as he lifts a wing, kicks his bucket over. The water pours out, and Dion is left with a wing stretched above his head, dripping mud.]

Ah. I was being sincere. [He turns to the closest body to him.] Would you mind refreshing that bucket?

Nocwich (Minor Spoilers)
[Mayhaps it would most befit the Dominant of Light to not well-regard the magic darkness of Nocwich, but as he arrives in it, he finds it settles easily around him. There is no foreboding to this night.

More foreboding, he thinks, is the magic that got him here. Not crafted by a crystal, a Bearer, or a Dominant; seemingly crafted by himself through the aid of a stone, though he senses the magic does not come from the stone itself -- it acts more like a key.

After a walk through the markets (in which he has no coin to spend) and some sort of plainly-decorated tent that appears to be unoccupied, Dion ends up standing outside a hot spring with a small wooden sign proclaiming SPA SERVICES next door. He rubs his right arm; the people who raised him from the water were kind enough -- or perhaps sympathetic enough -- to provide him clothes that covered skin all the way down to his wrist. Where he touches now is a forearm turned to stone, leeching up to his shoulders.

It is likely no one would bat an eye to it, but others may find it disturbing... and the prince has only willingly displayed the wound to one.

On the other hand, he warmly recalls the massages he received after the last joust with Odin...] Surely it could not hurt.

[He has no reputation here to ruin. At worst, a question or two to answer. It feels a fair trade.]

OOC
I have marked spoilers, but please let me know if you are okay with them/want to avoid them in threads! I can be vague if needed, and you are free to DM me!]

nocwich.

[gynvael]

[ Typically, Geralt enters the waters and that is that. He hasn't much interest in the massages or oils offered for an extra fee. Between his capture, his fight with both a demon and an angel, and a few weeks riding in the desert (not to mention the howler he killed and hauled back to town), he can admit it's been adding up. Or rather, it's Jaskier who admits it for him—pushing him towards the spa with threatening insistence.

So. Here he is. It isn't terrible. He does like an indulgence. It's only that he seldom wants to think it's necessary. Perhaps it inches too close towards what he's always known: that even a Witcher can only bear so many wounds. That one day, he might receive an injury that will result not in his death but in an end to the only life he's ever known.

But that is not today. For now, what bothers Geralt is little more than a faint irritation that runs up the scar that trails from hand to elbow and an ache in one of his shoulders. Jaskier is fussing more than anything. He's decided he'll allow it this once.

He's on his stomach upon a cushioned chaise, a towel wrapped around his waist. Hesitant footsteps catch his attention—and while his attendant leaves to retrieve something or other, he glances over his shoulder. Hm. That looks like a new face. ]

They charge extra to make it hurt. [ He's probably not serious. ]

the doctor | doctor who | free cities | the fool

[thedreamer]

[ This is far from the strangest thing that's ever happened to the Doctor. In fact, for him, it's nearly an ordinary day, with a few…variations. Stripped of his clothing when he was looking dapper as ever? Well, they have no taste. Obviously. Confirmed when he’s given a drab and disagreeable military uniform. No bow tie! As if it’s the most pressing matter, he adds it to the millions of veritable tabs open constantly in his mind, to acquire one as soon as he can. Top of his mind, too, is his TARDIS and given that she absolutely did not drop him off here, he’s worried for her far more than his own self, but this is an adventure, a puzzle to understand, a place to be where people need help — and help he will, as he always does. ]

WAGON TRIP/CADENS CITY

a. [ He doesn't waste much time taking the opportunity to travel further into the city. He'll avoid the training grounds and people around him preparing for some sort of fight or war. Can’t be ignored forever, but he’ll focus on the other pressing matters, of which there are many. Someone remarks about returning by sundown for his own safety — hah! His siren call. All the better to explore later, and he will.

But for now, he's here, riding along in a wagon, making conversation with whomever happens to be there with him. If you look in his direction — and even if you don’t (you rarely have a choice in the matter with this one) — the Doctor will reach out a hand to shake yours, offering an affable and enthusiastic smile. ]

Good to meet you! I’m the Doctor. The wagons go round every two hours, they say, yet here we are together at the exact moment! Off to a good start already.

b. [ Once in the city, he browses every vendor and shop as far as the eye can see, almost like a whirlwind going from place to place, wanting to take in everything all at once. He'll probably accidentally bump into a few people along the way, sorry about that, places to go, people to meet, do forgive him. At some point, as he’s sorting through clothing on offer, he grabs a tunic, spins around, and holds it up to you if you happen to be passing by. ]

Oh, that’s you sorted! You’ll look loads better in this color.

THE SARSTINA

[ Soldiers patrolling as they are rankle him a bit, though he’s paying more attention at the moment to the locals and the other Summoned, like him. The more he can ascertain, the better to help. Still, he’s not at all unfriendly to the soldiers, though he’s on a clear path towards The Sarstina, where activity seems to be bustling, loads of people. Exactly where he loves to be. At some point, he makes his way to the bar and orders a drink — surprise me, he insists — and then spins around to observe the room with his drink in hand. The moment it’s sipped, he spits it out, but politely! He didn’t do it in front of the one making the drink, after all. He’s more civilized than that. But he keeps the drink in hand, smiling, as though nothing at all happened. And when he catches your eye, he tips his head in a friendly nod, making his way to you, no sense of shame at all. ]

Come here often?

SWAN SONG

[ The Doctor is preoccupied with the talk of rifts — what are they, what’s been going on, who knows what — but then his attention is caught by the sight up ahead of a shopkeeper in what appears to be a battle with a swan, and he moves to quickly intercede. ]

Quality assurance, that’s all! Tasting your wares — really, be grateful, you’ve got his stamp of approval. I’ll sort him out from here, though.

[ The Doctor would normally be able to easily communicate with such a creature, but he’s taken note quite quickly that certain abilities seem to be malfunctioning. Another strange quirk of this place to better understand. For now, though, with some gentle coaxing, he’s managed to get the swan into his arms. It isn’t entirely complacent, so at various points as the Doctor makes his way to Portam Hall, the swan might attempt to escape and lunge towards you if you happen to be passing by. ]

A fussy sort, though I suppose I’d be, too. Can’t blame him! Forgive him, he’s had a rough go of it, not where he’s supposed to be.

NOCHWICH

[ At some point, when he grabs anyone’s attention for long enough, he’ll be all too eager to ask an abundance of questions. Anyone who’s been here for a long time and understands the history of what’s gone on, they’ll be one to latch onto. Though, truth be told, the Doctor latches on to nearly everyone. Werewolves and vampires — well, it only gets more thrilling from here, doesn’t it? And ever more curious. He’ll explore, naturally, and he’s drawn towards the main stage at the tail end of a performance. Pity he’s missed most of it, though he’d be too distracted to have stayed for all of it anyway. Ten minutes is perfect (someone should be proud of him for standing still so long, actually), and he’s possibly the loudest one clapping? As the crowd disperses, the Doctor takes it upon himself to follow alongside anyone who seems to be alone. ]

That was a treat! Where are you off to now?

[ He’ll follow, of course! Whether you wanted company or not. ]

WILDCARD

[ ooc: totally up for anything/everything if nothing in the above catches your eye! please feel free to PM me if you want to plot an idea out! ]

Sarstina

[everybodysterrible]

Once or twice.

[She lives here, she stays in one of the rooms upstairs. But she isn't telling that to anyone, even a new summoned. Which is shown by her waving over the bar and ordering her usual drink without a word. Putting herself into the barstool easily and, well dangling because she's tiny. And definitely too young to be in a tavern ordering the local ale.]

Enjoying being away from the Outpost?

Adora | She-Ra and the Princesses of Power | Thorne | Strength

[youmiscalculated]

[ She'd been considering taking a break from the rebuilding of Bright Moon, but Adora had thought more along the lines of taking Darla out with Catra to stargaze, maybe take Swifty out.

Not almost drown and then wind up...naked on a different planet. That wasn't the plan, or even close to any plan she's ever had. When she couldn't summon She-Ra, well, that was terrifying. But she's learned that she doesn't always need She-Ra, so after learning what she can and listening to everything that's explained, she's decided to do one of the things she does best: Adapt and survive. ]

𝑬𝑸𝑼𝑬𝑺𝑻𝑹𝑰𝑨𝑵 𝑬𝑿𝑯𝑰𝑩𝑰𝑻𝑰𝑶𝑵

[ Horses.

Disappointingly, they don't talk. Or fly. Or have wings. Mostly, it's disappointing they aren't magical talking unicorns, but that's fine. Still majestic. She doesn't need lessons, but she's happy to help little kids figure it out, so that's what she's doing until a parent gets a little rude with a kid who doesn't seem to be theirs. Frowning, she makes her way over. ]

Hey!

[ The kids seem to be fine but wow the adults here. The look on her face must be enough to convey that she's angry, because the parent backs off. ]

Yeah! You better...walk away at a brisk pace. Honestly, that was a lot less confrontational than I thought it was gonna be.

𝑴𝑨𝑮𝑰𝑪 𝑳𝑬𝑺𝑺𝑶𝑵𝑺

[ Adora's been able to feel her magic since she arrived, but only now (after what feels like forever), is she able to use it to become She-Ra. There's an effort to be discreet, but anyone who happens to witness the transformation might feel as though they've looked into a bright light. When their vision clears, an eight-foot woman stands where a typical twenty-year-old once stood. When her sword appears in her hand, she changes it into a cuff to wear on her wrist, and then shows off. Lifting benches full of people, turning her sword into anything and everything called out from the crowd, and letting loose a wave of energy controlled enough to feel like a mild wind, but colorful enough to make anyone nearby temporarily look like they've been dunked in a rainbow. ]

Wanna see it rain sparkles? I learned how especially for my friend Glimmer.

[ She's talking to a younger person, but catches another's eye. ]

Admit it, you kind of wanna see it rain sparkles, too.

𝑶𝑪𝑻𝑶𝑷𝑰

[ She-Ra's about had it with the Octopi. This is Mermista's territory, not hers. ]

Okay, I've turned the sword into a net, a bucket, and a tarp and none of those things have worked. How hard can it be to catch a SINGLE octopus!

[ Apparently, it's pretty hard. ]

Okay, we're coming at this the wrong way. Maybe we lure it out. What does an octopus eat and can we get any?

[ She transforms back to Adora because the sword hasn't turned into anything helpful so far. ]

Or we could just pretend like we never got this orb, and let the octopi live their little octopi lives. They didn't ask to be here.

𝑵𝑶𝑪𝑾𝑰𝑪𝑯

[ Werewolves and vampires. Those are now on the list of creatures she did not know were a thing. No one ever told stories about those, just ghosts and evil princesses. Which, looking back, were absolute garbage propaganda. But in any case, she has no idea if she should be overly alert or if she should just...relax.

Fortunately for Adora, she doesn't need She-Ra's sword to transform, because she can't have it—super strength and other abilities could come in handy at any time, though, she has no idea. Being in a crowd and walking through the square reminds her of home and the first time she ever saw anything close to this. It's the first time she feels homesick, so she throws herself into exploring what she can. With no way to shop just yet, Adora's only browsing for now, keeping an eye on a few things she might want for herself eventually.

As she passes a stall of cloaks, she watches someone try one on and when asked for an opinion, Adora nods approvingly. ]

Yep. That's it, that's the one. I'm pretty positive you'll win the annual Fall Cloak Awards with it.

𝑪𝑨𝑺𝑻𝑳𝑬 𝑻𝑯𝑶𝑹𝑵𝑬

[ It's dark, and Adora's in pajamas, but she's still exploring because she can't sleep. This isn't like the palace of Bright Moon, all bright and glimmering whites and golds. It isn't cold, exactly, but it isn't as warm and inviting as home, either.

When she turns a corner, Adora's so startled to run into someone that she shouts and startles backward, yelling words in one long sentence. ]

AhhhHHHFORTHEHONOROFGRAYSKULL!

[ Where a gangly woman barely out of her teen years was a second ago, A Valkyrie appears with a sword. She's panting hard and doesn't move because it was a startled reaction, and she seems to sag once she realizes she isn't in danger. ]

You need louder shoes for your own safety, that is a free suggestion from me to you. That was terrifying.

[ Or, maybe she's away from home for the first (second) time, with nothing at all familiar around her, living in a strange old castle, and alone with no friends. Easy to get spooked in those circumstances. ]

𝑾𝑰𝑳𝑫𝑪𝑨𝑹𝑫

[ Please feel free to throw anyone at Adora anywhere in Thorne/exploring the castle/Nocwich. I could've written a billion prompts but had to reel it in. DM me for any plotting; Adora's journal has permissions and other info, but hmu with any questions! ]

Nocwich

[sketchycharacter]

[Nate's not much of one for fashion, but he's at least checking out a few of the offerings in the stall. There's only so long he can go with what few clothes he has before they get really rank after all. Still, he can't help but interject when he hears the girl offer a completely misguided opinion.]

Bullshit, it looks terrible. That cloak is all warm colors and their skin has cool tones. It'll completely clash.

[Not everyone can be an artist, but come on. It's so obvious to him.]

Wrench | Fargo TV | The Hanged Man

[wwrench]

summoning | general flavor~

It's a strange sort of honor to bear witness to the last moments of a person's life. With all the pretense stripped away and the sinking realization of that finality taking hold, a man tends to become more himself than he's ever been since birth. And while -- for the most part -- Wrench has never been one to leave his victims to languish in their final moments, he's seen plenty of different reactions in his time. He used to think maybe they held the clue to what lies on the other side, but over time he's convinced himself they're nothing more than the chemical reaction of the brain in its own death throes.

So maybe this is that for him: an endless abyss, still and calm. A bit of reprieve from where his deepest, most unspoken trepidations tell him he might end up next Or maybe this is all there ever will be. An eternity spent hanging in a nowhere-place.

Except that he needs to breathe. His lungs are still screaming for air, and the realization of that brings more to consciousness. Wrench can feel his body, and now he feels it being ripped from this wet cocoon and flung elsewhere.

arrival | free cities

Maybe the trajectory of Wrench's life is bound towards a single, fixed point. Perhaps there's no reason for him to ever consider that there could have been another path. If there were, why would he be standing here now, involuntarily conscripted into a war he knows nothing about? He's destined to be a tool, a weapon for others' free use. At least the realization makes this all feel somehow familiar.

training grounds

Hand-to-hand combat has never been Wrench's forte, but he's a quick study when it comes to ranged weapons. For want of what to do -- and maybe a quiet desire to satisfy the soldiers' clear interest -- he makes himself at home with a throwing axe, aiming near-bullseye after near-bullseye at a variety of distant targets. It's the kind of compulsive, showy behavior that might earn him a challenger.

swan song

Animals are almost as familiar to Wrench as weaponry. Being from the upper Midwest means he's had occasion to cross into Canada, so swans aren't unfamiliar to him. But Wrench's aim is usually to kill. If he comes across a shopkeeper or passerby in need of a hand he'll be glad to help out, but he might not realize he shouldn't bleed and pluck it.

arrival | solvunn

Wrench's arrival in Solvunn does nothing to reassure him that this isn't some version of an afterlife. And maybe there's a part of him that wants to believe that anything that greets him after would look similar to this. He finds his surroundings comfortable and familiar in ways that ease his initial anxiety. While he's wary of following anyone, he finds the urging and offering of a hot meal too much for him to refuse for very long.

goat racing

The tall, silent man is one of the last to pass judgment about the way people spend their time. Goat racing might seem like the favored pastime of luddites, but who's to say he's any better than that? Pretty soon he finds himself standing in front of a tan and black billy with large, sickle-shaped horns and not a single brain cell to be had. Wrench waggles a handful of wildflowers and smacks its rump, which promptly gets him bunted.

shrine supervision

At nearly 6'4" of silent judgment, Wrench cuts an imposing figure just by crossing his arms and fixing his facial expressions into a neutral position. He might be new around Solvunn, but his scowl makes a good substitute for a reputation. Catch him frowning in the direction of a particularly boisterous adolescent, totally unaware there's a snake just behind him.

nocwich

When Wrench realizes there's more to this world than the faction he's found himself summoned into, he'll use his provided pendant to travel into the portal to Nocwich. There he can be found searching out weaponry or seedlings at the marketplace, or poking around the hunting woods with a crossbow. Eventually he might make his way into The Arcanis and look promptly out of place as he accidentally stumbles upon the spas.

---

OOC: Please feel free to throw anything Wrench's way, even if I didn't write a starter for it.
One notable point is that Wrench is Deaf and nonspeaking. I've got a Communication FAQ page for any questions or concerns.
You can also catch me at stickyholograms if you'd like.

( nocwich )

[parce]

( he visits nocwich when he's able since it's one of the few times that he's able to get out of that castle. he doesn't hate it but being stuck in there without the ability to take off when he wants to?

it's starting to grate on him. but, nocwich provides a release of a sort and he intends to stay here for the entirety of the time that he's allowed.

he's shopping beside wrench, looking through this and that when he notices the other man with seedling. hm.

nikolai glances up. )

What are you going to grow?

Dagan Gera | Star Wars | The Devil

[darkpride]

i - shortly after arrival/north wing in thorne

[ This is the second time, Dagan thinks idly, that he's been forced out of something... wet after believing he's died. At the very least he's simply been yanked out some water this time then stumble out of a bacta tank. It had taken forever to wash the gunk out of his hair... And he's not down any more limbs. Just the one missing arm is enough. Not that he lets that slow him down.

Speaking of which... he can't reform that arm. His... connection to the Force feels remarkably horrid. There's still something there, slipping from his grasp every time he tries to hold it. It's akin to wearing ear plugs. There's something to be heard but it's fuzzy, muffled, and distorted. But there seems to be no way to claw them out.

But he pushes it. Forces it. As hard as he can, and for just a second a spectral arm shudders into existence in his absence of one. And then just like that something unravels in him and it's gone, the glowing appendage flickering out of existence. He sighs in frustration, his intact arm dropping to his side. This is all that terrible ginger's fault. ]

This is worse then last time. I wonder if I was sleeping for a thousand years this go around...

[ There's a lilt to his voice, and an odd sort of wildness in the gray skinned mans almost too pale eyes that might tell someone that this boy ain't entirely right. ]

ii - magic lessons

[ Dagan was always considered a prodigy of his time. One of the Jedi Order's finest. Things came easily to him in ways that often sparked jealousy in his former peers' hearts. And this too is no different. He only needs a try or two and he's grasped the spell. Different from a Force Shield but that's negligible. A few days ago he might have been thrilled at the prospect of this but he can feel his old skills and abilities slowly leaking back into him. The earplugs had wiggled out a bit.

He waves the summoned shield away, looking a hair exasperated. ]

This feels rather juvenile. Is there not something more complex, more inspired we can be shown?

iii - nocwich shops and stalls

[ Dagan can be found wandering amidst the stalls, idly glancing at this or that. Being a new arrival and from Thorne he doesn't have much in the way of pocket change so he's mostly just window shopping picking up this or that as it catches his oddly luminous eyes.

He does end up persuading a vendor to let go of a bottle of nice looking wine for next to nothing with little more then a few honeyed words and vague hand gestures.

A little disappointing. He should have been able to get the man to part with it for nothing but... alas. Some other time perhaps when he was feeling more up to it. He smiles at someone who noticed the exchange and lifts the bottle, smiling a little too widely. ]

Did you want to share a cup? To celebrate... being alive.

iv - wildcard

((wanna do something else? hmu!))

iii

[catchtheseclaws]

Markets are kind of a new thing for Catra. The Fright Zone had never had them -- what would people have sold? ration bars? old armor? pfft -- and so she's only learnt of their existence in recent months, after the war ended. This is the first time she's properly been to one, though, and she thinks she might love it.

There's so much new stuff that Catra's never seen before. Weird potions, and the fuzziest socks, and vegetables she doesn't know the name of. She's found out about things like werewolves and vampires, which is pretty cool. They never had anything like that back home. On impulse (even though she's been on the side of the good guys lately), she'd swiped a couple of fried dough buns that promise to have meat inside them. It had been easy, the guy running the stall hadn't even noticed.

Her own shady action is probably what made her stick around and watch the guy get a bottle of wine with nothing but some words, which she'll admit, is pretty impressive. His offer makes Catra's lips twitch into a sharp little smile. "Sure. Sounds like a good way to celebrate. Since we're in the spirit of sharing, you can have one of these bun things I got. Apparently they're really good."

Catra | She-Ra and the Princesses of Power | The Tower | Castle Thorne

[catchtheseclaws]

It's not so much the naked thing that bothers Catra, but the drowning in a dark abyss and then waking up in a different magical castle land than the one she'd just been living in. She taps her claws impatiently through the High Mage guy's page flipping, arms folded across her chest, and doesn't look at all impressed by the tunic and pants she's handed. She doesn't even touch the sandles.

The explanation about why she's here just sounds... wrong. If the tales of her exploits have reached far and wide across the universe, why in Etheria did they summon her? Did they miss the part where she was the bad guy and tried to conquer the planet? Sure, she switched sides later on and kinda helped Adora save Etheria from Horde Prime, but like. She's not a hero. At all.

Whoever summoned her here is an idiot. And also an asshole for the whole kidnapping thing.

i. magic lessons

(i might just be allergic to magic)

Catra has spent her whole life believing that magic was evil. That was all the Horde ever said about it; magic is foul and disgusting and evil, and the Princesses who use magic are monsters. Catra's always known on some level that it was propoganda, but she still believed it, having never seen proof otherwise. It's only in recent months that she has seen proof otherwise.

Still, as she lingers outside a classroom full of people practicing what looks like a magic shield, Catra can't stop herself from looking dubious, eyes narrowed warily. She's found more suitable clothes for herself -- simple dark leggings that hook underneath the arch of her feet and leave them mostly bare, and a dark leather vest without sleeves.

When someone comes to stand next to her, Catra scoffs incredulously. "Seriously? Anyone can learn magic here? Sounds fake, but okay."

ii. occupying octupi

(everything is food if it looks tasty enough)

It's not like Catra's eager to help out the mages and nobles of Castle Thorne, but she'd spent a good ten minutes earlier watching some clumsy idiot try desperately to catch a slippery octopi, which had been hilarious. It's not long after that that she decides to have a go of her own. The octopi might be elusive and easily able to squeeze into tight spaces, but hey, so's Catra.

With the help of the tracking orb, it doesn't take her long before she finds one trying to scuttle into the baths. Catra sprints on all fours to catch it, claws digging into the stone floor, squeezing under a bench and out again. When she's finally victorious, she's crouched like a gremlin, tail lashing triumphantly, raising the octopi toward her bared fangs.

She only pauses when she notices someone watching her. "What? Are they poisonous?" Catra sniffs at it. "Smells okay. Nobody told me I wasn't allowed to eat them, and even if someone did tell me that, I'd just ignore them. So you'd better not be about to tell me that."

iii. nocwich

(just avoid the glowing green candy)

Catra's seen magic castles before, so she wasn't especially impressed by Castle Thorne. Nocwich, on the other hand, is... fascinating. She's never seen anything like it.

Crowds of people bustle through the market, loud voices are haggling and laughing and chatting, and the stalls have a dizzying array of wares. Catra peers at potions and meat and jewelry (kind of itching to steal some but she heroically restrains herself), and she winds up in front of a stall with blankets and shawls and socks, gingerly stroking one of the blankets to appreciate how soft it is.

The shop owner is busy, so Catra turns to the nearest person browsing the store. "Hey, what's a werewolf?" she asks, perplexed. "Some kind of weird monster wolf or something?"

not me commenting to the whole ass post instead of you omfg

[youmiscalculated]

Hunting her own octopus at the moment, Adora's following the glow of the orb when she hears a faint voice ahead. Hopefully, that means whoever it is has the octopi situation in hand and she can explore on her own. It doesn't matter who else is in the room when she walks in—once she sees ears and a tail, she forgets about everything.

"...Catra? Catra!"

There's no time to respond before there's a tackle-hug happening, risking claws to the face. It'd be worth it, she doesn't care.

Captain Jack Harkness | Torchwood/Doctor Who | Free Cities | Hanged Man

[51stcentury]

[All thing considered, Jack has had worse experiences. Death, for instance. Whatever void he had been pulled from had been a bit like that, and yet -- not at all. Every time he had been pulled from death, it had felt like his very soul was dragged over broken glass. And now...

It's not the first time he's found himself waking up naked, uncertain of where he is or how he got there. It's not even that much of an uncommon phenomenon, all things considered. But the fact that he has been based on planet Earth for so long, and the certainty that he isn't there now is -- troubling, to say the least.]

ARRIVAL - CADENS
[It isn't all that much of a hardship to accept the wagon ride into the city. The desert is uncomfortably hot and dry and after having spent the better part of the last century in Cardiff, Jack is experiencing something of a climate shock.

Stepping off the wagon and being handed a uniform is Something Else as well.

Jack lets out a burst of laughter, feeling a wave of nausea run through him as he brushes his fingers over the patch of the Hanged Man stitched into it.]

Why can't I help but feel as though this is something of a demotion?

TRAINING GROUNDS
[Making his way around the city, inevitably Jack finds his way down at the training grounds. It feels somewhat inevitable. Almost as though it is the design of the city, which makes Jack uncomfortable in the way that he knows must mean that he is right. He'd been in the service, after all. Several services. He isn't particularly looking to enlist in another.

He doesn't think he's going to have much of a choice, when it comes down to it.

Standing to the side of the sparring ring, Jack is watching the latest match, arms crossed across his chest and eyes wandering perhaps a little more than they should.

Hey, what can he say? If he's gotta participate, he might as well enjoy himself.]

Nice form.

NOCWICH
[Portal travel to Nocwich reminds Jack of traveling with the vortex manipulator, which makes him rub his wrist, missing its absence. Like leaving the house without your wristwatch, he feels almost naked without it.

Jack isn't certain what to expect of Nochwich, and is pleasantly surprised to find it much more relaxed than the more military "Free" Cities. Still dressed in his uniform with the Hanged Man patch sewn into it, he walks the stalls with his hands in his pockets, poking and prodding through the wares and trying to remember how the currency works in this land.]

What do you think? [Jack plucks a wide-brimmed hat with a brightly plumed feather off a nearby stand and sticks it on his head.] Is it me?

WILDCARD
[ooc: feel free to PM me if you would like to play out something else other than the above prompts! let's plot something out together!!]

Nocwich

[earthborn]

Shepard likes the bars in Nocwich better. Don't get her wrong, the military aires are plenty her style, but lately there's an odd desperation to the Cadens scene; it's good, to get a change of air, and to occasionally wear something that didn't come pre-sized from the quartermaster at least five inches too big.

Always with the tall people and their broad shoulders. No matter the universe.

Speaking of which, there's more to Nocwich than booze and atmosphere, of a leave; shopping is always a draw. And here, unlike the Free Cities, a man in uniform sticks out— she catches the patch on his shoulder as he turns. Summoned: that explains it.

"Depends," Shepard says, glancing briefly back at the hoods she'd been looking at, wondering what it'd cost to have them modified, "You got somewhere to wear it, new guy?"

desmond miles | assassin's creed | Death ▶ Free Cities

[accommodated]

▶ a total eclipse of the plot ( arrival: Cadens )

[ Coming in and out of the Animus had some interesting effects. It's a lot like synesthesia-- all of the senses are crossed with each other, up is down, left is right, and the vividness of that space between what was probably REM and wakefulness meant for some really weird hypnogogic hallucinations. To be sure, Desmond Miles was extremely used to being disoriented and nauseated. He was used to everything feeling way off when moving from one world to the next, so to speak. Like a dream

Except it isn't one, is it? Not even when he's practically laughing (almost hysterically from the shock), telling Rebecca to wake him up. Any time now, Rebecca, this is getting really weird. Not even when they give him a uniform with Death's symbol stitched into it, not even when Desmond's nodding along to the things being told to him, but barely absorbing it. But-- well, we all gotta cope, right?

If you're the type to be on rooftops, that's where you'll find Desmond once he gets into Cadens proper, scoping the place out and trying to find good vantage points to build a mental map of this whole new world. ]

...yeah, something tells me this definitely isn't Monteriggioni. Or September.

[ And if you're not the type to be on rooftops, well-- ]

--shit! No, no, no--

[ Look, Desmond's not perfect. A guard shouting at him to get down from there! has him slipping and managing to catch himself enough that the good ol' tuck-n-roll means he doesn't break anything, but, uh... it's not smooth, that's for sure. Oops? ]

▶ and you are a horrible goose swan

[ Desmond isn't above doing favors for people. It's a good way to make connections, and generally speaking, when people like you, they're more likely to tell you things-- blah, blah, blah, we know the drill, right? Truth be told, Desmond had actually been kind of roped into it. An agitated swan snatched something from an unsuspecting kid, and have you seen angry swans when something is smaller than it?

Yeeeaaaaahhhh.

So Desmond did what any hero would do, and that was try to get it's attention. Big mistake. Very big mistake. Wanna know why? Because you're the one that Desmond collides with when he's sprinting as fast as his long legs can carry him, just trying to get away from the three or so now chasing him, sending you both sprawling.

Oh, and swans hiss. They hiss very loudly. Have fun. ]

▶ WILDCARD

[ none of these to your liking? feel free to make something up, or drop be a line through PM/stealthpunchline @ discord/fragtrap ]

rooftops

[aquilus]

[Altaïr is accustomed to having the rooftops to himself, for the most part. He is not the only one to use them for something other than keeping off the rain, but as far as he knows he's the only one to do so regularly.

So when he spots a new figure — not someone he recognizes, judging by the shape of his body and the way he moves — he can't help but be interested. This is a more efficient, more stealthy way of observing the city, but it's rare for anyone to realize it.

He follows for a time, taking the newcomer's measure. He moves easily, which signals that it is not his first time taking such a jaunt, but there's not much more to learn by watching. Altaïr drops down from where he's been pacing silently atop a higher section of roof, close enough to be heard.]

It's neither. Which should have been explained to you upon the rude awakening.

[Maybe standards are slipping.]

Linhardt von Hevring | Fire Emblem: Three Houses | Thorne | The High Priestess

[sleepfan]

Arrival

[Linhardt sees no reason not to take the hand offered to him in the void. In truth, staying in the void would have been quite pleasant if it weren't for the suffocating sensation in his lungs, but that did put a damper on things. Where he is pulled to is unpleasantly bright and crowded in comparison to the peacefulness of the void.

Normally, he would be quite cross at being pulled into such a rousing situation, but he...doesn't feel tired? That can't be right. He's always tired.

Ah. Someone is saying something. Some sort of reassurance. Linhardt holds up a finger, indicating that they should wait. He is busy. Do not tell him he is fine. He does not know that yet. It does appear that he is in good condition, physically. A bit chilly due to the draft and his lack of clothing, but nothing more. Except something is wrong.

Standing is surprisingly easy and doesn't require the willpower it ordinarily does. Yet something feels lacking. He closes his eyes: his magical senses are working fine: He can tell who is in the room. But when he holds out his palm and attempts to summon fire, all that he manages is a wisp of smoke. Linhardt frowns and begins to attend to himself, checking his pulse and other vitals and completely ignoring both the 'High Mage' (Good, that means wherever he is, he isn't responsible for anything) and his underling until his checks are complete.

Hmm. He needs more time to unravel this. Being unable to summon his magic makes him feel far more 'naked' than his lack of clothing. At the same time, it is impossible to deny the sheer amount of energy he has at the moment. Is this why Caspar, Ferdinand, and Edelgard can always do things?

Finally, Linhardt accepts the clothes (at least these people, whoever they are, are civilized) and follows the apprentice, though he pays little attention to what he's told and immediately wanders off the accepted path when they pass a library, ignoring his handler in favor of indulging his own curiosity about the situation. He does not care about the Kingdom of Thorne or its peril. He does care about magic and where his has disappeared to, and the apprentice is unhelpful. Therefore there is no reason to stay with him.]

You can go do something else. I am aware of how castles are constructed.

[He can find his own way around. The apprentice is welcome to putter elsewhere.]

Exploring - Equestrian Exhibition

[Linhardt doesn't dislike horses. He doesn't like them either, but if he were truthfully pressed about why he is present, it is because events like these tend to have good food and he's hungrier than he usually is. He has no intention of getting involved in anyone's affairs, but it is difficult to ignore a child being berated to nearly the point of tears for falling off her pony.]

Yes. By all means. Scolding her will clearly reverse the flow of time and make her a more skilled rider. And your disheveled outburst is of no annoyance to anyone around you and is by no means a spectacle.

[Nobles are the same everywhere, it seems, and making a scene is mortifying enough to shut the parent up (and for the girl to smile behind her hand). Unfortunately, now Linhardt has an 8 year old girl stuck to him like a barnacle, leading him to approach the nearest person who looks like they might have some idea about how to proceed.]

Hello. I require assistance. Are you an equestrian?

Settling In - Magic Lessons

[Boring. Why are classes always so boring? And why are students so annoying? The burst of energy he experienced upon his arrival has drained, leaving Linhardt in his usual exhausted and cranky state, but at least his magic has returned. Though he still does not understand why, and he had to recalculate several key constants to make it work properly. Unfortunately, his self-studying had hit a wall as the books in the libraries written for a more advanced audience assume some Abraxas-specific instruction he has not been privy to. Hence his attendance.

All nobles are insufferable. All classes are boring.

Which is why Linhardt is sleeping resoundingly in the back of the room, drooling on the desk until a particularly bright flash of light wakes him up. It's not a good way to wake up.]

For Sothis's sake! Physically make space! It isn't difficult!

[Linhardt follows up his outburst with an eye roll and then rubs his eyes with a yawn, finally looking over at the person who is now staring at him.]

What?

Nocwich - Elixir Shop

[Being at least somewhat prudent when it comes to matters that are not his research, Linhardt has managed to turn the small amount of money he's acquired by helping someone with a particularly nasty hangover into a somewhat less small amount of money - a fluency in statistics as well as a willingness to cheat by moving dice with magic served him well - though he left the moment he received any attention, uncomfortable with people's eyes on him.

In some ways, Nocwich is similar to Abyss, and Linhardt conducts himself similarly: Stay out of the way and observe things that are interesting.

Until he sees the elixir shops, where he abandons all sense of self-restraint and immediately begins peppering the proprietor with enough questions that the poor merchant looks like they aren't sure whether to punch Linhardt or tell him to leave. Their tune changes when Linhardt shoves his entire wallet at them, leaving with 3 elixirs and 2 pieces of the tempting glowing candy.

One of which the healer promptly stuffs into his mouth. Oh, someone else is looking at the stall.]

Do you want this piece? I will give it to you if you allow me to compare and contrast its effects on each of us.

[Is there variance?]

Nocwich - Hot Springs

[The hot springs are delightful. Linhardt unabashedly removes all of his clothing and dunks himself into the warm water, almost immediately falling asleep as the heat seeps into his consistently tired form and lulls him off to sleep.

Still, the habits gained over years of conflict do not cease immediately, and when the water sloshes and someone else joins his pool, Linhardt groans and sits up, though he doesn't open his eyes to see who's joined him.]

Really? Must you? All of the other ones are completely full?

[Why ruin something so relaxing and peaceful with other people?]

AHHHH also nocwich elixir shop

[theidlemaiden]

[ When everything else is wrong in the world, Hilda knows without certainty that shopping will never fail to cheer her up.

It's all too easy to get lost in the stalls and shops of Nocwich. Taking the time to deliberately turn over each interesting item or piece of clothing like it's some precious treasure is soothing for Hilda much in the way working on her accessories has become. Both are every bit distractions as much as they are a hobby, but the difference being that in Abraxas, the things she's trying to distract from are the sources of her hurt and not a war. That's an improvement, right?

Today's trip into Nocwich is no different from the times before, but this time instead of browsing, she's looking for specific materials for a project she's working on. Readying to leave with her overstuffed bag from a nearby stall, she turns and immediately does a double take. Her skin pales, the usual colour of her cheeks draining quickly from her face, the list of names in Claude's study in his domain screaming at her, the green-haired man's name amongst them. First swans, now Lindhardt? Abraxas was pulling out all the stops.

By the time she's closed the distance between them, she's more certain he's actually here in the flesh. There's a careful air about her despite her usual affixed smile settling onto her face like nothing is the matter. ]

That depends. Are you going to eat a piece too? I feel like it's only fair, Lindhardt.

Finn - Star Wars - Free Cities - Strength

[hatejakku]

Arrival

[ It doesn't take a genius to figure out that this man is unhappy, to say the least. He follows a few paces behind the mage acting as his tour guide, listening to the haphazard explanation wearing nothing but a robe as he takes in his surroundings. He's told rather quickly that this is 'Cadens Military Outpost 003' but it was already obvious they're on a military base.

Normally, helping people is what he lives for. Hearing that they're in trouble, desperate, and very grateful that he's here almost makes him want to sympathize. Almost. Except, he has his own war to clean up back home, and this isn't the first time he was taken against his will to fight someone else's battles.

So he stays quiet, maybe internally seething a little, not that it's likely anyone here knows him well enough to tell. The Force feels too murky and blind for him to even know if he's alone or not. There's a debate in his mind between playing up fake loyalty to win their trust, gain some knowledge, maybe find a way home, while the majority of him wants to escape right now. But he keeps his cool, even asks some questions here and there to show interest, and before long he's taken to a group of others in his exact position if their robes are anything to go by.

Instead of glaring through the crowd, trying to decide who might be an ally, who might need help, his attention is immediately directed to the clothes shoved into his arms.

A uniform.

... His fingers curl into the fabric after a beat, tension stringing him along like a cord through his battered spine, and he offers a tight smile of thanks to the one that handed it to him. ]

Training Grounds

[ Ultimately, he decides to stay. It's absolutely not the best decision for his mental health or probably the continued health of whoever ends up with the unlucky privilege of being his commanding officer. But Finn believes that playing the part might be his best and quickest way to find those in charge, to find a way home.

Not that he's officially told anyone yet. The thought makes him a little sick to his stomach, sure, but part of him kind of wants them to come to him. Strategy? Power play? A last feeble attempt to believe he has some autonomy in this? Whatever the reason, he doesn't think about it too hard.

His first sparring match against one of the soldiers goes... fine. He wins, it doesn't last long, but these people are well trained, determined, and oddly happy. Morale seems okay around here, but that thought doesn't ease him any. The locals would get better treatment, he figures.

After the match, he turns to find someone who doesn't look like they're a local, whether that's by their physical features or how they carry themselves. Perhaps they ask him for a match or the other way around. Finn isn't terribly shy. Or maybe he watches a match already taking place, maybe even someone running the obstacle course, and he gets the urge to ask then.

Either way, he drifts over immediately, eager to make a friend in his same situation. ]

Barracks/Swan Song - Cadens

[ Finn's able to play the role of a good little soldier right up until that evening. Lights out is getting close, and he finds that he's been given a bunk in the barracks. By all rights, it's not bad. A place to sleep, free food, payment from enlisting... but it's only the first night, and Finn stares down at his bunk with a blank expression, jaw growing tighter by the second.

Maybe it's not smart, but he turns on his heel and leaves. Whether or not someone tries to stop him, he isn't staying for much longer.

To his surprise, they really did mean that he was free to not enlist. That he could actually go. So he does, and ends up walking the streets of Cadens later that night. He still wears the uniform, a long robe wrapped around his shoulders with the hood pulled up, and a knife that he swiped earlier in the day safely tucked away on his person. He has no money, no idea where he is, and no plan on what to do next. He also doesn't have a fist in his chest squeezing around his heart, shoulders tensed so much that his spine sings from an old injury, or paranoia looming over him.

What he does have - very, very suddenly - is a swan in his arms. ]

Hey-!

[ A shout, a honk, a near explosion of feathers, and the beast jumps over him to continue its very quick waddle down the street. ]

Wha- Oof--

[ Then he's shoved over by whoever was chasing the poor thing. Break his fall maybe? Accidentally or on purpose is fine. Or, y'know, just watch him hit the cobblestone so he can think about the choices he's made to lead him to this moment. Either way, this ends with him looking up at you. ]

... S-Sorry.

Wildcard

[ OOC: Feel free to find him wherever! I was also going to make a prompt for Nocwich, but this seems like plenty. Anyway, if you have questions or something, feel free to DM me. Thanks! ]

training grounds

[wwrench]

It wouldn't be Wrench's first foray into a life of conscription if he did say yes, but he's been wary not to agree to many things yet. He's probably had an easier time than most with that, since a blank look and a refusal to voice any response has mostly baffled and perplexed the guards enough to keep them moving along. But as the day of his arrival has worn on and he's kept his eye on the goings-on around the training grounds, Wrench has caught one too many of the soldiers muttering to each other and making eyes in his direction. He's probably going to have to get on with it before they do something like choose for him.

So when the man at his side makes eyes at him like he might want a go, Wrench shrugs his shoulders and nods agreeably. Hand-to-hand combat has never been his favorite. He's tall and scrappy, but he's been taught to aim to kill and most of those techniques don't have much of a place here. Still, he's got that determined scowl of someone more than ready to hold their own.

james t. kirk (mirrorverse) — star trek aos — free cities

[invicto]

[ James doesn't react too well to the situation he suddenly finds himself in. Granted, floating in that water felt like a nightmare he couldn't wake up from, but being yanked to the surface and thrown naked onto a hard stone floor of some unknown location isn't exactly better.

He doesn't know where he is, how he got here or who these people are, and to him that only means one thing: threat. So he reacts accordingly— like a wild animal that suddenly has found itself trapped, he resists and struggles, scrambling for anything at all he can use as a weapon to defend himself, even when it becomes apparent that he doesn't have to.

Eventually, the guards will manage to subdue him. By force is likelier and easier for everyone involved really, and eventually (however long it takes), he'll be less hostile and more willing to listen. Not that the explanation helps much, but... he needs to be smart about this. ]

LIBERTAS — [ The military uniform ends up being a comfort more than anything else about this place. He hates the heat, the sun is too bright on his sensitive eyes, and knowing next to nothing about this place leaves him feeling incredibly uncomfortable and on edge. Usually his first step would be to find a weapon, but the overall state of Libertas captures his attention, and as soon as he notices anyone looking at him, he'll take the opening to ask— ] What happened here?

THE SARSTINA — [ James isn't too interested in getting drunk here. Unfamiliar location, he's not too keen to let his guard down. But he knows that places like this are ideal when it comes to establishing connections, and although the locals can be plenty useful in their own way, he's more interested in meeting others that have gone through the same experience as he.

It might be hit or miss, but he'll take his chances, greeting someone who's by the counter with a nod. ]

You drink?

TRAINING GROUNDS — [ There are a number of things that bring James to this place: one, he wants to see what others here are capable of; two, he's eager to blow off some steam; three, he absolutely wants to be approached and invited to enlist in the military here. It's the kind of life he knows, it's what he's most at ease with, and he expects it will offer him plenty of opportunity to get more intimately involved with the workings of this place.

He won't shy away from a spar; whether he's asked or he just spots someone walking past as he practices on his own, he'll acknowledge them with a nod, gesturing. ] Wanna spar? Promise I won't play nice.

[ As if he ever does. But he will play along, which is plenty already. As for the obstacle courses, he won't pull any of his usual tricks, but he's competitive to a fault and he's not going to waste a single breath; as soon as the start of the race is signaled, he's going to rush into a sprint, hopefully getting a good head start on his opponent. No way he's gonna let anyone beat him. ]

NOCWICH — [ The lighting here is much gentler on his eyes. Darkness is a welcome reprieve, and James can actually see much better here than back in the Free Cities, and it's only a short while before his mood's improving.

Not that anyone would be able to tell, as James keeps the same guarded look on his face, but he might be more open to a stranger's approach. He'll be found exploring the streets, not the least bit concerned about being on his own in the dark in a place supposedly crawling with vampires and werewolves, nothing but a dagger strapped to his waist. He'll dip into the tavern for a drink, or wander the various stalls on the marketplace, pausing on occasion when a certain item catches his eye (could be a knife, could be a pen or a journal, or a piece of clothing). He reaches of it, pausing when the vendor notices his interest. ] How much?

Nocwich

[hatejakku]

[ Finn had come to this place purely for curiosity. The strange darkness, the "rumors" about werewolves and vampires that sounded suspiciously like facts, all of that stuff. It sounded dangerous, of course, but it also sounded safer. At least they were being upfront about how dangerous it could be, not making his paranoia go wild like everywhere else that was apparently "peaceful" and "safe."

He'll be happier when he can feel the Force again.

Anyway, Finn notices the familiar uniform and decides on a whim to follow, planning to approach them once they pause on their walk. Unless something tells him that they're a local first, of course. He's trying to make allies here, and that's way more likely to happen with people in his same position.

When he pauses in the marketplace, Finn takes the opportunity to try eating up to the space between them. If the other man doesn't run off before he's able to catch up, he'll stop near the vendor and take a look at the wares, too... Good tastes. ]

Do you have more?

[ But if the man continues on his way, Finn will grow annoyed, determined, and follow. ]

Gabriel | Supernatural | The Wheel of Fortune

[notrunninganymore]

[Solvunn - Goat Racing]

[This is not Gabriel's first time in what appears to be a goat-based economy, but it sure has been awhile. Not that a few hundred years means a lot to an archangel, but when said archangel is very low on power and temporarily functioning on a more or less human scale, the comparatively short time span between rural farm life and modern conveniences is felt a bit more strongly.

Not enough that it really bothers him, though. As far as afterlives go, it could be a whole lot worse. It should be a whole lot worse, if one considers 'nothing' to be worse, which he does. For the record.

So it's with a somewhat positive attitude that Gabriel's begun exploring the primary settlement, and really, not so bad so far. And when he discovers the utterly chaotic scene that is the goat racing, he hesitates exactly nine milliseconds before jumping right into the nonsense himself, and can soon be found speaking urgently but conversationally to his temporary racing partner.]

Hey! Hey, come on you little... You want a bribe? I'll split the winnings, unless it's the ale, 'cause no one wants a drunk goat. Deal?


[Solvunn - Josselyn's Ashes]

[There's no way Gabriel's curiosity could allow him to pass by this morbid display, but there isn't enough detail in it for him to figure out exactly what might've happened. Still, he's seen more than enough of this sort of thing to know it isn't something good.]

Whoa, what happened here?


[Nocwich - Gambling]

[If there's one thing that seems to hold out amongst different worlds and different species, it's that supernatural beings love to gamble just as much as humans do. Gabriel's no exception, and it seems that the vampires of this world aren't either.

So he feels quite at home in the main gambling den, even being more or less depowered for now; sure, he could have cheated with his powers, but what fun is that anyway? So he'd rarely done so before, back home, and that means being unable to do so now isn't exactly throwing him off too badly.]

Full house, boys.

[Another hand won, though he knows he should probably call it soon and get out while he's ahead. Which he'll do if he's feeling smart, and who knows if will be the case when it comes time; for now, another hand is being dealt for anyone who wants to join.]


[Nocwich - Shops]

[Gabriel has absolutely no problem listening to and engaging with any vendor who tries to make a pitch to him, and that's how he can be found holding up and seriously considering a pair of knitted socks. They've clearly been dyed or enchanted, unless a werewolf somewhere out there happens to be sporting naturally pastel blue and yellow spotted fur.]

What do you think? My color?

[He asks a nearby shopper without the slightest hesitation, holding one sock up in each hand to each side of his face, as if that's the way anyone would wear socks and so the best way to tell if they suit him.]


[Wildcard]

[[ooc: Have at it for anywhere in Solvunn or Nocwich! Also feel free to message through PM, on plurk at amiasha, or discord at amiasha.]]

Ashes to Ashes

[leitstern]

[The curious, confounded question elicits a curled lip. It is difficult to muster the energy to laugh these days - and he turns to face this man who disturbs his melancholy. He bides time for a moment, thinking of recent wounds and old betrayals.

His voice is bitter but lacks vehemence.]

A fool betrayed their country and got what they deserved.

Wynonna Earp | Wynonna Earp | Free Cities | The Chariot

[pacificator]

it's a windin' road when you're in the lost and found → summoning & training ground

[ It would be nice to say that it’s a surprise to get pulled out of the here and now and into this therapist’s wet dream of surfacing, naked, reborn, in a pool somewhere in the ass end of nowhere, where everyone is falling over themselves in their gratitude at her appearance because she’s so fucking special, but after everything – after Juan Carlo, after Willa, after Alice – she’s starting to think she can’t be surprised anymore.

As usual, it takes almost no time for Wynonna to realize she’s wrong. Again.

She’d only barely listened to the recruitment speech – this isn’t Black Badge, they aren’t Dolls (and no one will be Dolls, not ever again, and isn’t that just a kick in the box?) – focusing on getting herself clothed and the hell out of there. So she’s a little distracted, okay? Which is why she doesn’t realize, until she’s squinting in the bright sun of the training ground, that she’s missing something important. There’s no muzzle tucked into her boot, pressed against her calf; no weight at her hip, giving her the swagger she so desperately needs. No Peacemaker.

There are swords, like she has any fucking idea what to do with a sword. At least she can manage the hand-to-hand, even if she keeps resorting to a strategy more bar room brawl than friendly sparring. ]

maybe tomorrow will be better → libertas memorial

[ It was winter, back in Purgatory. She remembers, because she’d almost frozen to death on the side of a cliff, and there’s a joke in there somewhere about how no one with an ass as hot as hers should be able to freeze but it clutches in her throat, tight, as she stares at the memorial. Thick and sour.

Dolls wasn’t in this world. But he was a soldier. And he’ll never get a memorial like this, not in a million years. And now she’s been dragged into some other war while the one at home is still raging, and he isn’t even here, the asshole, to give her some speech about duty and necessity, so what’s even the point?

At least this park isn’t overrun by asshole swans. But that’s about all she can say for it, especially while people are talking none too quietly about gods, which, you know? She’s dealt with demons and revenants and angels and she draws the fucking line at gods. She rolls her eyes at another newcomer as another debate continues, spirited, floating towards them over the breeze. ]

Yeah, ‘cause you know what’s helpful in the middle of a war? Philosophical debate. A-plus strategy, seriously.

night as black as coffee → nocwich

[ Suffused with darkness; whatever. This place has a tavern, and Wynonna desperately needs a drink. The goddamn military uniform puts a little bit of a cramp in her usual drinking strategy – namely, having some lust-blinded cowboy buying them for her – but she manages to coax a few out of some reasonably generous patrons.

The place has decent beer. What it doesn’t have is a decent understanding of how people act at a bar, which means that about an hour after she goes inside (looking for a drink, a dance, a mechanical bull, or a hookup, in that order) Wynonna is politely but firmly carted right back out again by management. ]

Fine! Your music sucks, anyway! Spring for a jukebox, you cheapskates!

ɴᴏᴄᴡɪᴄʜ → ᴡʜʏ ᴅɪᴅ ʟᴏᴠᴇ ᴘᴜᴛ ᴀ ɢᴜɴ ɪɴ ᴍʏ ʜᴀɴᴅ?

[tobeclosetohim]

[ Jo couldn't sleep. She'd hushed the one of the boys to wake up when she got up and started shuffling things, saying she was fine and she just needed a walk. Which lead to dragging back on her clothes, and sword belt (god for—fucking—bid she disappoint Ciri or Altaïr even this far past midnight), and so that's what she does. Or did. For like the last— It's probably been over an hour, at this point, hasn't it?

Thankfully, she doesn't have to think about that question or come up with the answer that's scratching under her skin because someone is causing a ruckus in the streets. Burlap sack new and shouting, about. Jo snorts. Amused, a strike into surprisingly appreciative of the sentiment.

You can take the girl out of the bar,
but you can't ever truly take the bar out of the girl. ]

You really aren't going to find one of those on the outside.

Well. [ She actually pauses a tick, one hand on her hip. ] You know, Viktor might be willing to try and make one. How much harder than a hot tub could it be?

Rey | Star Wars | The Star | Free Cities

[provenforce]

[ Rey will retain her memories from the first time she was in Abraxas, just trying her out in a fresh locale :) Also may be moving her canon point a little further down the road but haven't decided for sure on that yet so I'll keep things vague. ]

i. The Barracks

[ This is certainly very different from the accommodations in Thorne. It reminded her in many ways of the Resistance camp, which is in some ways comforting. In other ways, like being able to hear the person in the bunk next to her snoring loud enough to wake the dead, it was not.

Rey ends up walking outside in the night, sitting down and looking out over the desert. It's warmer than a Jakku night usually was, but not by much. ]

The sky looks so different here...

ii. Libertas

[ The freedom to strike out on her own is a strange thing, but something Rey takes advantage of. There's no family to wait for here, and after Thorne and everything with Kylo Ren she's happy to be able to opt out of military service. She makes a use for herself where she can and the first chance she gets, she travels to Libertas.

Because the last time she had seen it, it had been a vision of it burning.

She stands awkwardly in front of the memorial, flowers that she's procured from a nearby florist held in her hand as she reads the names, noting each one. It isn't her fault, but she still feels the burden of this destruction, because she had been in that castle with that woman when she'd decided to do something unspeakable.

Placing the flowers on the memorial she presses her hand against the stone. ]

I'm sorry.

iii. Nocwich

[ Rey's happy to visit Nocwich, having enjoyed her last few visits here. She had procured a few trinkets that had decorated her rooms in Thorne that she was sad to no longer possess, so she wanders the market, looking to replace those items.

If she sees a familiar face she is only too happy to say hello, feeling like she's been away for a long time. ]

Libertas

[dathomirs]

[ Merrin has only just arrived here, herself, but she can feel the sorrow that lingers in the aftermath of such destruction. It's a sorrow she's acutely familiar with.

There's something about the young woman that strikes a familiar chord within her, a recognition, perhaps, of that same loss that had defined so many of those she'd chosen to share any part of herself with over the past few years. It's why she chooses to speak now rather than allowing the other woman her privacy. ]

Were they your people?

[ It's a gentle question, with the weight behind it of someone who had done the same for her own, though flowers on Dathomir were scarce. There were many ways to honor the dead, however, not all of them visible to others. ]

Chrollo Lucilfer | Hunter x Hunter | The Tower

[crossreversed]

Arrival; Free Cities

[There's a very brief moment after bring pulled from the water where Chrollo considers fighting. But the flow of his aura isn't under his control, and there's no hostility aimed at him. The moment passes, and he decides not to attack, but to wait and see. He's been in worse situations before, though not very many.

The tattoo he wears on his forehead is something he only covers up when necessary, but there's only one person not in the Phantom Troupe who has seen the twelve-legged spider tattoo he wears and still lives. The fact that people can see it and no one reacts to it is one of the reasons he chooses not to fight.

When he's given the uniform he accepts it with a grateful smile; Chrollo has been a skilled actor since childhood, and he's only gotten better over time.]

Marble Engravings

[The merging of 'magic' and technology is interesting, and manages to hold Chrollo's curiosity. A place where supernatural abilities are not only widely known but used for technological advancement.

He's more focused on the way the tool interacts with the stone rather than the design he's making. How the speed and angle influence how deep it cuts, how thin he can cut feathery lines before they blend together.

The design he's making looks a bit like the designs on an illuminated manuscript, but he's not so focused on it that he won't look up when someone walks near him.]

I'm almost finished, if you're waiting.

Nocwich, drinking at the gambling den

[While the Phantom Troupe are thieves first and foremost, it's far from Chrollo's only skill. Card games are popular among the troupe, they're a combination of reading people and acting which are skills Chrollo can wield well. He also knows how to quit while he's ahead, and spends some of his winnings at the bar.

The house gets its money one way or another. This entire town is like something out of a fairy tale or a spooky seasonal movie from countries that have death-based holidays. Until his ability to use his nen returns or he gains more skill with magic he doesn't want to find out what unhappy vampires will do if they think he's cheating.]

So, what's your game?

[Sitting and drinking alone is just sad, so he might as well make conversation.]

nocwich!

[theidlemaiden]

[ Hilda isn't particularly a fan per say of gambling dens. She had seen one too many friends (read: one friend and a childhood one at that) been literally run underground as a result and it's frankly left not a very pleasant taste in her mouth.

And yet, in spite of that, it does provide for a lively night, some entertainment, and it's good place to meet people. Case in point...

Normally Hilda would agree that drinking alone is sad, but Hilda had just been granted a reprieve from a werewolf who had been talking her ear off all evening. That doesn't stop her from immediately perking up however when someone addresses her. Quietly she notes the cross on their forehead but offers him an otherwise sheepish, chirpy reply. ]

I'm pretty awful at them all to be honest. I'm much better at being a good luck charm for someone else. Have you found a favourite yet?

murderbot | the murderbot diares | free cities | the tower

[constructually]

Training Grounds

i. [There is no part of this situation that Murderbot is happy with; in all honesty, its pretty sure that this is some kind of hallucination or dream, caused by a catastrophic failure. But on the very slim chance this is real, Murderbot wants to be prepared to deal with any kind of threat that might be present.

It has both energy weapons still, but they might not be the best weapons to use when they require, you know, energy (something that Murderbot is limited in accessing, here). The weaponry here is archaic, far outside its usual operating standards, so familiarizing itself with their function had seemed like a good idea.

It adjusts to the swords easily, and it actually likes the (blunted) spear that it spends a few hours practicing with; Murderbot moves with it fluidly, appreciating how the weapon almost feels like an extension of its body.

The bow, however, is a problem. The process should be as simple as lining up a shot and firing the projectile, but there's something about the weapon that Murderbot can't quite seem to get. The longer the attempted training goes on, the more frustrated Murderbot gets, eventually snapping an arrow in half to throw on the ground.

That feels like a very stupid and petulant thing to have done, once the flash of anger has dissipated. Hopefully no one saw that.]

ii. [Things that Murderbot likes:
Winning.
Hard currency.

One of the soldiers had offered the bet, and Murderbot had accepted, then doubled the wager without hesitation.

The obstacle course looks simple, a quick evaluation is all that's needed to map out the quickest, most efficient route, and as soon as the race is started, Murderbot bolts. Its top speed far exceeds a human, not to mention its far more agile and stronger than most humans. It easily vaults over obstacles, scales wooden walls, and scrambles under nets, nothing really slowing it down.

Which, it turns out was a mistake.

The soldier hands over the winnings without complaint, and then the conversation turns to enlisting, to how useful someone like Murderbot could be to the army, and things start going… poorly.

Murderbot does not raise its voice, but there's a sharp, dangerous edge in its tone as it warns the soldiers to leave the subject alone.

This might be a good point to intervene, before someone gets thrown across the training grounds.]

swan song

[At first, Murderbot chooses to ignore the swans, as they don't seem inclined to pay it much attention, either. Possibly something about the vibe it gives off; animals are often smarter than humans and know when to avoid something that really doesn't want to be bothered.

That doesn't stop the swans from bothering other people, and although Murderbot definitely doesn't care (and honestly, finds it a bit amusing), eventually it does decide to step in and resolve the situation.

Anyone being harassed by a swan might suddenly find an imposing figure stepping into their space to efficiently grab and restrain the bird, the grip on its neck is gentle but unyielding as the swan's body is tucked neatly under Murderbot's arm.]

Do you require medical attention?

[To the person being rescued. Not the swan.]

nocwich

[Murderbot hasn't experienced anything like this before, not that it can remember. The festival on Preservation comes close, with live performances and stalls, but shopping is a completely different experience, even somewhere as un-corporate as Preservation. So far, Murderbot has been wearing only the uniform provided by the army, but now it stops here and there at stalls and stores selling handmade garments.

It had… liked… dressing itself, and it hadn't given much thought to that fact until now. With everything so strange around it, being provided simple, basic clothes had been somewhat comforting in the familiarity. Now, though, it wants to choose its own clothing.

There's only one problem.]

How do you determine the size required?

[Murderbot asks someone nearby, brow furrowed in confusion.

When it had purchased clothes on various stations, the booths had simply provided the correct sizes based on body measurements. Having to figure out how to choose a size is a new, strange situation.]

the barracks

[Some poor unfortunate souls have had the bad luck of being assigned a SecUnit as their roommate.

Murderbot isn't the worst roommate, really, but it's very, very awkward and very imposing and doesn't sleep.

So… good luck with that.]

swansong

[nimona]

[It might not have been talking to the swan, but the swan (who happens to be pink-that's probably normal for swans, right??) answers.]

Hey! Who asked you to get involved?

[Did we say swan? That definitely was a swan a moment ago. Now it's a (still pink) porcupine. Keep holding on. See what happens.]