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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[abraxasmods]

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!

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.]

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! )

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. ]

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.

MAGIC LESSON AFTERMATH, spoilers ok

[ushiri]

[ Wherever Kahlil is off to, his travel through the courtyard is interrupted by the sound of someone cursing around the bend. More curious than anything he adjusts his trajectory, finding a strange woman to be the source. It's a small group of them in Thorne, and he's quick to identify newcomers - there's already been talk about another Summoning.

He strides into view, dressed in a dark brown traveler's cloak and without any visible weaponry. ]

Whatever you're trying, you'll have a better shot in a week.

[ His tone is friendly enough. Just taking a wild guess. He remembers what it was like to first arrive, cut off from his own abilities. It didn't drive him to shouting in the courtyard, but to each their own. ]

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; 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. ]

[sketchycharacter]

[...okay.

He should probably be more freaked out by the giant walking (not swimming?), talking shark, and somewhere inside him a tiny Nate is yelling about exactly that. The rest of him is just rolling with it, because is this guy really any stranger than getting yoinked into magicland?

(Yes.)]

Sure is, big guy. Want a sketch?

[Too late, he's already started.]

[flagrates]

[ Clive has never seen a shark before, let alone a bipedal one, and he can't help but stare as the... man? slides down into the water next to him, all the way down. He's seen strange, since coming to this world, and the man doesn't seem aggressive. But still, Clive furrows his brow, pausing. ]

Are you alright?

Spoilers in this thread most likely!

[slipscream]

( It takes Benedikta a moment to understand what she's seeing, which she'll later attribute too the stress of the day, the alcohol, and the fact she was just pulled back from the death and hurled into a realm that she didn't know existed. There's a vicious retort poised on the tip of her tongue as she looks up at the person who would dare interfere with her business—

A familiar face. Older. Brandless. Benedikta's blood turns to ice in the moments before it all but ignites. )

You ...

( This is a joke, isn't it? It has to be. This man cannot possibly killed her only to follow her here; to refuse to allow her to escape her past. )

What are you doing here? How—

( But then the man across the table clears his throat as he shifts in his seat, and all of a sudden Benedikta's rising ire finds itself a new target. She rises to her feet and slams her hands against the table as she leans over towards the stranger: )

Get the fuck out of here!

( Fortunately the man seems only too happy to oblige. Unfortunately, that means she can now round on Clive, a weak amber flicker glowing around the edges of her irises. She won't be able to Prime, of course, but that won't stop her body from trying to fall back on what it knows. )

And you! You fucking— how are you here?

[nomnoms]

Want sketch! [ He declares happily. Nanaue generally accepts whatever is offered to him, especially in the form of handmade things and food (which is an unfortunately large category).

He plops down right in front of Nathan, situating himself cross-legged - then holds out one hand. ]

Me draw too.

[ He wants a piece of paper and charcoal, please! ]

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!?

[nomnoms]

[ Nanaue does not seem to understand Clive's confusion, but he does lift his head out of the water slightly to stare at him with two very dark and flat eyes. ]

Me good.

[ Why would he not be? The water is nice and warm and tingly. He likes Nocwich. There's so much meat and blood here. It makes him a little frenzied, though, if he has not had enough to eat beforehand.

Fortunately, he has sated himself to a tolerable degree. ]

No like bath?

[ Are you not good, stranger? Is that why you ask? ]

Re: Spoilers in this thread most likely!

[flagrates]

[ Clive sidesteps but doesn't look as the man leaves in a hurry, regretting immediately that he didn't bring anything with him. His eyes narrow, his gaze firmly on Benedikta in front of him. She was dead, and now she is alive, and and if this is the kind of place that can do that, then there's other implications as well.

His nose twitches, and there's the faint glow of red coming out of his own eyes— whatever it is she's capable of, he'll try to stop it before the rest of the people in the tavern are caught in the crossfire.

If he'll even have time. It's been five years, but he remembers how fast she was even without priming. ]

Funny, I was going to ask the same as you. You're looking well, Benedikta.

octopi lmao (and obviously SPOILERS)

[margrace]

[ there's a small, tired, probably familiar cough from not far away, and a moment later, a very familiar voice asks: ] Clive?

[ joshua looks a little pale and drawn, but he's smiling fondly as he crosses the short distance toward the mostly-empty pool. he'd thought he was alone here, and with his connection to the phoenix horribly muted, his short time here's been mostly full of the infirmary. with neither jote nor tarja here, after all, some poor physicker's been tasked with his (already oft-ignored) medicines.

he borrows his brother's shoulder to steady himself as he hops down into the half-inch of water at the bottom of the pool, then turns the hold into a hug, helplessly grateful to see him. he's nearly thirty years old, was parted from clive for two-thirds of his life, and still, he feels like the child he'd been back then in this moment. they're together, and they'll be okay as long as that's true.

and really, he should have known better: since his return to clive's side, his brother hasn't often willingly let him out of his sight for long. of course they'd find one another here somehow.

he draws back with another shallow little cough, fist against his mouth to muffle it as he turns his gaze on the.. tentacle. ] I was wondering what you were doing fully-dressed in the bath, but it begins to make sense.

absolutely spoilers for days here

[ramuhed]

( Cid had been expecting something to happen in Nocwich, such places always seemed to be a magnet for events, but hearing his name being spoken by one Clive Rosfield is still a shock. A welcome one. One of the last things Cid remembers before arriving is having one last smoke —

The jewellery is placed back on the stall as the outlaw looks over to his friend, the smile on his face showing no hint of the relief he's feeling right now. It's impossible to go wrong in a weird place when comrades and friends are around, even if the circumstances are suspicious as hell. )

No I'm his identical evil twin.... Of course it's me, who else would have this handsome mug? ( And with that Cid closes the distance, already moving in for a shoulder clap. )

[slipscream]

( Benedikta's attention snaps up sharply as an unfamiliar voice cuts across the courtyard — but then every voice is unfamiliar here, isn't? She schools her expression back from the brink of that flare of rage, her jaw tight and her attention sharp for all the storm still howls behind her eyes. )

You're certain of that, are you?

( True, the mages had said something similar about her powers upon her arrival, but Benedikta doesn't hold out a great deal of hope for that. Garuda was taken from her before she ended up here, after all ... but people don't need to know that. Not explicitly.

She straightens up, pulls herself together, and folds her arms across her chest: )

And who are you to say such things?

[flagrates]

[ The man next to him has his own mug raised to his lips, glancing over at Nathan from the corner of his eye. ]

I haven't grown ears yet.

[flagrates]

[ Clive nods at the man's affirmative response, and then looks a little surprised at the question. He turns, resting his arms on the ledge as he watches the shark. ]

No, it feels nice. I've just yet to see someone submerge themself in the bath, before.

[sketchycharacter]

[That he can do. He'd rather use this skill than whatever else he's been brought here for.]

Sure, knock yourself out.

[He rips out a sheet of paper and hands over the extra drawing instrument, such as it is.]

Do a lot of drawing where you come from? ...under water?

[nomnoms]

Ehhh...

[ That answer only confuses him more.

He leans over and seems to... sniff the man's head. The puffs of air from his nostrils are like a nice warm breeze... which would probably feel nicer if not for the fact that it means close proximity to a mouthful of rows and rows of razor sharp teeth. ]

Smelly head...?

[ His question seems to be aimed at Clive's bathing habits. Whether or not he seems to think Clive has a smelly head, though, is inconclusive. ]

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. ]

Swan Song - fine with spoilers

[itookashot]

( Jesper is selling his usual wares, trinkets and jewelry and some light clothes, when he spots the swan attack going on elsewhere. He stands out from the rest of the vendors considering they have 'real stores' and he seems to be more like a street seller, with a box table and casually sitting with his feet up. People watching is as much his job as anything else.

The influx of strange animals has caused quite a (slightly amusing) ruckus or two and a smile curls at his lips when the man gets snapped at and then tries to hold the bird steady. His hat rests comfortably on his head at a slant and he's wearing bright green. Gray eyes curiously look the man up and down from his comfortable perch.)

Seems to me the bird just has good taste.

( Jesper watches him very unhelpfully.)

Yes, there is a ritual to this. ( He will always pick mischief, although it might be obvious in his smile. ) You need to cluck like a chicken and do a few turns around.