TEST DRIVE MEME #15

[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 December.

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.

Kingdom of Thorne | The Free Cities | Solvunn Commune

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 winter, the weather is frosty. In the distance, you can see tall white mountain peaks and winter flowers are dusted in snow around the gardens. 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. Some curiosity is in the air when locals discuss the recent negotiations with the Nether, the confirmation of dragons, and the Maritime Fair in Borrel, newly established last month. The ceremony in November included the promotion of the Queen's uncle, Admiral Rudolph Sidwell.


• Although the Dimming is a few weeks away, the Castle's head chef has started to serve winter-themed pastries and warm-spiced teas in the dining hall.

◎ Exploring

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

Fireside Logs
In preparation for the colder weather, and to appease the working class, enchanted logs are to be delivered around Nott. These logs are bespelled to last several weeks longer than a typical log. Help stack the logs onto horse-drawn wagons or make the deliveries yourself. Nott can be a little rough with pickpockets and thieves, and many aren't fond of the monarchy, so it's best to travel with a friend. While you're there, why not have a drink at the taverns or visit the fish market? Just be sure to return by dark or else a guard may be sent to fetch you home. Thorne wouldn't want you to be in any danger!

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 warming spell that can chase away the chill for about an hour or so. 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.

Seaside Scenery
You're encouraged to explore Thorne's proud naval history in Borrel at its Maritime Fair, which had its first opening last month. Along with its many attractions and ships, you can join a paint and cider session where you can follow a guided instructor to paint the Borrel seascape. To finish your masterpiece, you can decorate the frame with Borrel's famous sea glass. The paints and brushes are enchanted to help you along, but it requires a little concentration. Growing frustrated with your progress might cause some splatters or turn the colors muddy. Not to worry! You can always start again with a fresh canvas.

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 nation's portals. Once there, you're welcome to meet those from other nations, 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).

As an important figure to the kingdom, you can't move out of the city of Castle Thorne without permission or take any extended trips. If you're feeling restless, though, daytrips to Nott or Borrel via portal are allowed, or you can visit Nocwich. Don't try to sneak out - someone will bring you back. 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.

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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. The climate is hot and dry, though not as hot as it was in summer. At night, temperatures drop dramatically. 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:

• In the Cadens barracks, soldiers exchange stories about invisible hounds and mutant beasts that attacked - though some tales are exaggerated. City guards are present around an inn and tavern at the heart of Cadens - The Sarstina - where the Summoned like you are often found. They're here for your protection, not to prevent you from moving freely.


• A buzz is in the air when locals discuss the recent negotiations with the Nether, the confirmation of dragons, and the public execution of Cauldor Wain, accused of orchestrating the attacks in Nocwich two years ago. If you step outside the gates of Cadens, you'll see a decomposing corpse hanging there as a warning.


• Although the Festival of Enlightenment is a few weeks away, shops and markets have started to sell mechanical toys, clothes, and light-up jewelry in preparation for all the coming celebrations and parties.

◎ 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.

Save An Orphan
Eager to take advantage of the upcoming holiday cheer, orphans will corner passersby to try and sell small handmade trinkets, jewelry, and a cup of hot cocoa or warm pastries. They'll be grateful if you buy a little something! Wilier orphans might try to distract you and quickly tie a bracelet around your wrist, then demand compensation for your "purchase." But hey, it's hard to be too upset with hungry children, right? If you don't have any food or money on you, maybe you can find an older Summoned to help you out.

Loose Balls
In the holiday bustle, one of the delivery wagons has overturned, scattering colorful round ornaments all over the street. Distraught merchant Jilliane Tuttle is desperate to gather up her wares and will beg anyone she sees for help. Why not lend the poor lady a hand? Be careful, though! The orbs are designed to light up, and the damage might cause some of them to give a light shock when picked up. Try to bring as many of the ornaments back to Jilliane as you can. She'll reward you with a few silver coins for your help.

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 nation's portals. Once there, you're welcome to meet those from other nations, 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'll eventually have to strike out on your own. The government won't provide for you 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, but you will want to start making money. Nearly everything in the Free Cities has a price - including the portal to Aquila. Luckily, the portal to Libertas is free if you want to stretch your legs.

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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 chilly and the temperatures are cold. Sleet and hail grow more frequent. 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 chestnuts, baked apples, candied orange peels, and other wintery treats. 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!


• The execution of former Council member Josselyn Creed is no longer a topic. Instead, a sense of awe is in the air when locals discuss the recent negotiations with the Nether, the confirmation of a long-lost dragon shrine, and the formally secured seat of Council member Isar Hart, the first Tertiary representative who does not come from the Tertiary Settlement.


• Although the Winter Solstice is a few weeks away, friendly neighbors have started to deliver hot cider and warm knitted socks or scarves to everyone around the commune.

◎ Exploring

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

Helping Hands
Due to the cold winds, Solvunn fine goat racing tradition is put on hold so the goats can be kept warm inside their pens. Skilled weavers have made blankets for the goats, which you can deliver to any home that has a goat or two. It sounds easy enough except while you're there, you might be roped into helping with a household chore or running an errand, from sweeping the floors, bringing a bit of tea to the family across the road (you're headed that direction, anyway, aren't you?), or picking something up from the market (it'll be quick, dear!). Before you know it, you find yourself juggling several tasks. Obviously, the solution is to pass the work onto someone else - maybe another Summoned you spot?

Wailing Wilma
Bored of the holiday cheer, youths in the Primary Settlement have started to sneak off to find Wailing Wilma. According to the tale, Wilma's sister drowned her in the icy waters as a sacrifice. When summoned, Wilma's ghostly face appears just beneath the ice, mouth open in an eternal wail. The "summoning" requires taking an elaborate path through the forest to reach the lake - though the instructions frequently change. Of course, between stepping onto the ice and wandering through the woods at night, the children are asking for trouble. Maybe you hear some screaming as the youths frighten themselves or a frantic mother asks you to find her son before dark. You should take a friend if you plan to investigate - the woods can be dangerous after sundown.

Red Herring
Each winter, cured fish are prepared in glass jars decorated with holly and delivered as-ordered to residents in the commune, a task organized by Fin McGill, whose parents evidently believed he would follow in their fishing footsteps. These small fish take on a rusty hue when salted and smoked. Unfortunately, his careless son (Finnie Jr.) has once again mixed up the batches of fish this year: the jars of herring have been mislabeled as mackerel and vice versa. A frantic Fin is asking anyone available to help correct the mistake before the wagon comes to collect his goods. You can swap the labels and move the jars to the right crates to make sure everything reaches its proper destination.

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 nation's portals. Once there, you're welcome to meet those from other nations, 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.

Goat-drawn wagons can help you get to the other settlements, but you're encouraged to remain in the Primary Settlement. If you insist, though, no one will stop you from leaving. Just be sure you have an invitation to the Secondary Settlement. There are tales of uninvited travelers to the Secondary Settlement disappearing without a trace. The gods are as hungry as they are protective.

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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 nation 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 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 setting choice - 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]

[divinityfrompain]

Hi just checking, is it snowy in Solvunn usually at this time or is it mostly cold?

[diametrically]

Hi mods! When a character is pulled through the pool would officials be aware of their real name/identity (i.e. would a cagey sort of character be seen through immediately if they try to give a false name)?

[dragonyears]

Hello mods! A very late question regarding size; Wrathion is a dragon and while capable of turning himself into a human-ish person that's likely one of his powers that he would lose on arrival. He's not a particularly large dragon as he's still quite young by dragon standards, but large enough there's no way he'd fit through doors. SO BASICALLY: would he remain a dragon for the week or so that it takes for his powers to come back or would he be allowed to be stuck in his human 'visage' for that time?

Will Solace | Riordan-verse| The Empress | Free Cities

[sonofacesius]

Arrival

Naturally. Finally finish your quest trapsing all around Tartarus and happen to not die? Get kidnapped by crazy people in a cave. With everything that happened recently with Apollo getting turned mortal and then turned into a god again and his own quest with Nico, well, was this pick on the Apollo cabin year?

And all they had to say was 'Sorry about the circumstances?' Really? He'd heard better apologies from the Olympians, and that was kind of saying something. And then, and Will quite thought this was the kicker, 'the world was in a delicate and dangerous time, he needed to help.' The end of the line was back that way. Take a number. At least he couldn't get sunburned, that was something of a silver lining here in the desert. Kidnap the Apollo kid, at least he wont die looking like a lobster.

"You know, if you all really needed help, you should have abducted me with my med kit. And maybe my clothing. Just saying. It's only polite." He didn't expect to be asked first. He didn't know who these guys were, but if the Olympians had taught him anything, it was not to expect common courtesy's. Granted, they usually provided clothing.

Cadens

The training grounds caught his eye, although the non lethal weapons and obstacle courses were hilarious compared to the exploding chainsaw frisbees and the climbing wall complete with bounders and lava that were found at Camp Half Blood. People learned a lot quicker. Or maybe that was just the demigods? Still, Will is happy to show off his skills, especially since he can't hurt mortals with the non pointy weapons. He's even more likely to go with the obstacle course, not being exactly a fighter. He is however, extremely fast. Good for running away when monsters are chasing you fast.

He will also be hanging around by the sidelines in case anyone manages to get hurt with those non lethal weapons. He'd seen people get their arms ripped off. You were all in fine hands. Of course, he had also been abducted without any of his medical equipment. Thanks a lot for that, so helpful!

"So why the kiddie proof weaponry?" He didn't get it. At all. Sure, mortals tended to be careful about that sort of stuff. "Call me crazy, but if you're going around abducting people because you're in desperate need of help? Maybe stepping it up with the weapons training? I'm not saying let's start leaping over lava but....I didn't know there was such a thing as a safety sword."

Will, likewise, would run up to help the merchant round up ornaments. The shock wasn't that bad, compared to say, lava burns. And there was something really funny about a glow in the dark demigod gathering ornaments that also glowed in the dark. He might glow a bit in response to the light up oranment, grinning softly before stopping so he didn't waste his energy. "Hilarious. I'm hilarious."

Nocwich

You can also find the son of Apollo poking around Nocwich, hoping against hope for any sign of skeletons, zombies or a certain grumpy ball of darkness otherwise known as his boyfriend. He might be examining items for purchase, wondering if they have any medicinal value or some sugary snacks to replenish his medkit with. You had to get creative in a word without kit kats and ambrosia.

" I don't suppose you know where I'd find ambrosia here? No? Yeah, too easy. How about some chocolate?"

[OOC: Nothing hitting your fancy? Want something special? Hit me up at caletara or via PM! And brackets, quotes, go with your heart! <3]

Merchant

[nadine_he_loves]

Nadine might be in a bit of a hurry, but she can't just walk by the unfortunate scene in the street. It's just too sad, and as far as she can see, only one person has bothered to help.

Well, if she's a bit late to class, she'll be forgiven. She's at the top of her class, and an influential Summoned.

"Here, let me give you a hand."

She approaches with a small smile, a practically dressed woman of average height woman with white hair and a pair of small, pearlescent horns. There's a leather satchel slung over her shoulder.

Training Grounds

[byeeeeeeeee]

"It's obvious." The teenager standing next to Will appears no older than him, though he looks like he's trying to stand taller, arms crossed and staring at the training grounds as if they personally insulted him.

Hunter, too, was drawn here. It seemed prudent to observe the fighting style and weaponry of this land he'd been abducted into. The uniform he'd been given alluded to some kind of military - though it was a far cry from his Golden Guard attire. You would think, if they had the ability to snatch him away from his home, they would also be aware of his rank and capabilities.

They didn't even provide him with a staff! The offered practice weapons are a joke. No, an insult. He hasn't used a dummy weapon since...he can't even remember!

He turns magenta-colored eyes on Will. "They don't think we can be trusted."

Nocwich

[demoexpert]

Wylan is poking through stalls trying to find anything new he can bring back and use for experiments or any useful materials for Jesper to make things with when he hears a voice speaking. He doesn’t think they are speaking to him directly but there’s also no one else really around.

“Can’t say I’ve hear of ambrosia, but I’m pretty sure we have chocolate here, or at least something that is chocolate that they call something else.”

Harley Quinn ❖ DCEU

[krazed]

01 — arrival.
the free cities
A:

Did that puddle they pulled me from seem way deeper to either of you?

[She's had some pretty wild nights and woke up plenty of places that she didn't remember being at or getting to but a weird desert day camp for soldier types and a shallow pool of water was bold new territory. The certain aversion she had to water made it all the more vexing, and talking through her problems to find solutions was par for the course even if her idle chatter fell on deaf ears of the other people unfortunate enough to be in the same predicament. She's still dripping, but she appreciates the Sister Warrior fatigues and the boots and puts them on with flourish, pulling the laces tight and taking the time to twist those laces through until they make a five-pointed star on both boots.]

Anyway, I'm gonna need to borrow your phone if you have one, I gotta make a couple of calls unless either of you wanna be in the vicinity when the time-sensitive material in my skull goes kaboom.

B:

[Right before the wagon is set to take off the driver is forced to stall the horses who chuff and whinny in protest. Harley lumbers on, five foot six, pasty skin, dripping blonde hair still stuck in loose dripping pigtails hanging in loose coils looking very much like the namesake.]

Hey, guys! Sorry I'm late, I got sidetracked raiding the provisions tent and almost got caught by two flatfoots.

[If you're fortunate enough to be riding one way two hours with her she'll toss a small MrE their way. It's not great, but it beats being hungry.]

So, we've got some time to kill. You ever play Never Have I ever? or Would you rather? Let me guess, you're a twenty-questions type.

02 — cadens,
the free cities

[The type of person that would treat decomposing remains hanging from a drop noose in the middle of an open area like an omen was too normal of a person for Harley Quinn.

Harley gets right up in there, angling her head to the right and the left to get a better look at the sack of bones sitting out there like a lawn ornament. She's closer than most people would be, and she's studying the remains like she's an MD. She does have a PhD but it's not the kind of thing that could be applied to the medical examination.]

Y'know strategically speaking, leaving this guy out here like a big slab of beef jerky doesn't do this camp any favors either. If they're trying to go Vlad vs. Ottomon they're missing dozens of potential victims for the visual effect, all this does is lure in animal nuisances and potentially spread disease.

03 — nocwich

Harley Quinn! Nice to meet ya.

[Stangers are just people who haven't met Harley yet, and for now she has absolutely no concept of personal space. She needs a partner in crime, and she's gonna make one if one doesn't make themselves known to her.]

This hard-earned haul from the gambling den is burning a hole in my pocket. You humor me, I humor you - fair? Life's too short to play by the rules.

Besides, window shopping only gets you so far.

04 — network


The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog


Understanding how the brain works is one of the key principles of psychology. Learning how and why people think the way they do, and comprehending the theory behind it, can be invaluable.

Harley Quinn

Harleen Quinzel

Harley Fucking Quinn

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣ ♤ ♡ ♢ ♧

!!! nocwich!!

[nomnoms]

[ As Harley is attempting to introduce herself to someone, from behind she might feel the approach of a very large, possibly familiar seven foot tall creature... ]

Har-ley... ?

[ His voice rumbles deep in question. In place of his colorful golf shorts, Nanaue sports a rough-looking kilt with a large pocket pouch. The leather is stained dark in places, with what she might rightfully assume is old blood splatter. Some locals stop to stare nervously, but many more seem oddly acquainted with the sight of him.

If she turns, his hand is raised in excited greeting. ]

Hi, friend!

nocwich

[carmesi]

[something wanda would like to ask is how she ends up getting roped in these kind of things. out in nocwich, hoping to run a quick and simple errand just about turns into becoming someone else's "accomplice" for... well, nothing nefarious, thankfully, but it does probably involve more money than what wanda knows what to do with.

she glances at the woman she's found attached to her arm, in a display of familiarity, and tries to pull away just slightly.

sorry, harley, wanda's just a bit of an introvert.]

The way you had to say it was hard-earned feels like you're trying to convince me it was. [just a light jest. she's not entirely unawares of social cues, at least.] Wanda Maximoff.

—got your eye on anything in particular?

4

[restingstitchface]

𝒴𝑜𝓊 𝓈𝑜𝓊𝓃𝒹 𝓌𝑒𝓁𝓁 𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓈𝑒𝒹 𝒾𝓃 𝓅𝓈𝓎𝒸𝒽𝑜𝓁𝑜𝑔𝓎. 𝐼 𝒶𝓈𝓈𝓊𝓂𝑒 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝓅𝓇𝑜𝒻𝑒𝓈𝓈𝒾𝑜𝓃𝒶𝓁𝓁𝓎 𝓆𝓊𝒶𝓁𝒾𝒻𝒾𝑒𝒹?

time for crime!!

[thoughts]

[ nocwich reminds her of li shen's bazaar, if it were cleaner and brighter and generally more fanciful even with the space station's higher technology than what you can find on the border planets. the night sky is similar to the black as well, filled only with stars above and lights below where humankind ( well, maybe it's humanoids now in abraxas ) wants feet to travel.

lots to do here, if you've got the means to pay, and plenty of ways to get lost. and with the sudden company river finds herself in, she imagines it's the perfect kind of place to leave simon wheezing. ]

Windows are only as effective as their tensile strength. These ones don't even seem reinforced.

[ that's... probably not the point harley was making, but river seems very earnest about it all the same! she smiles, curious about this harley quinn that appeared out of nowhere with a grin full of mischief and what river assumes is a pocket full of money. ]

River. Tam. Should we start with new pants?

[ for the holes in her pockets... ]

ed teach | our flag means death | the devil

[krakened]

≅ arrival (solvunn)

[ You know what's not fuckin' cool? Dragging a man butt-naked outta the water. Seriously, he thought he was drowning again, and this time, a merman wasn't even gonna save him. When he comes to, he's surrounded by a bunch of old guys in robes. A very large bearded man taps him on the shoulder. Ed jumps with a Jesus Christ! and might've accidentally-on-purpose thrown an elbow.

Long story short, he's now wrapped up in a thick shawl (it's pretty soft, he'll give them that) as he pokes around the snow-covered meadows.

He's never been so goddamn cold in his life. You know what he does when weather happens where he's at? He sails away from it. That's the thing about being at sea, you just...sail away from weather. Especially bad weather. Cold weather. Except last he knows, he wasn't at sea. He was on a small island with a shitty little inn they were gonna make nice, and no one can explain why he's not there anymore. Nobody can explain why Stede isn't with him. Or, like, anyone he knows. It sucks. This sucks.

A clump of snow tumbles off a branch and thumps him on the head. What the—

He flails. ] Fuck off!

≅ so many hands (solvunn)

—And then, we were gonna put up, erm, purple curtains. Lavender, actually, 'cause periwinkle, as it turns out, is more blue, and Stede thought it might clash with all the green stuff around us. Yeah, right? That's what I said. So, what d'you think of this one?

[ Ed holds up the woven blanket. It's knitted in shades of brown, mostly, so who the fuck knows what got him onto purple (certainly not Ed himself), but hey, that's where they are and he thinks he's got pretty rapt attention from his audience. Who is his audience, you might ask?

Well, Billy Bramble right here, who's staring at him and chewing on grass, probably, or whatever lambs eat.

(It is not a lamb. It's very much a goat, but Billy isn't exactly capable of telling him what sort of animal he identifies as, so a lamb it's gonna be.)

The lamb bleats and wanders off, disinterested. Which, c'mon now, that's fuckin' rude, right? Ed turns to the nearest soul in his vicinity. Around Ed's feet are a collection of blankets, a basket of fruit, two tins of tea, and like, at least four jars of tiny red fish. He's obviously been assigned a bunch of shit to do, none of which he's successfully accomplished. ]

You see that? Spend all that time pickin' something nice out for someone, and they don't even want it. None of these farmer guys told me how picky these fucking things are. Anyway, what about you? Any luck? Or fashion advice for wool-less sheep?

≅ nocwich

[ He'd come here in hopes that it was gonna be warmer, but it's not. If anything, it's even fucking colder. Luckily, some grandma took pity on him, so now he's got a fur cloak that's doing a surprising job at keeping out the icy air.

Thanks, Mr. Wolf, you were butchered and skinned for the charitable cause of helping a man not freeze his dick off.

Of course, now he's wondering if he should, uh, feel weird? Is this weird? Is he offending the wolf people by wearing a dead wolf draped around his shoulders? He's pretty sure the real question is, why are people telling him the werewolves are real, but that's digging far deeper than his brain wants to go right now. He's already been told to shove off when he tried to step in and out of the little circle door just because the whole...sunlight then not-sunlight thing was so trippy. How do you wrap your head around that?

He wanders aimlessly towards the stalls. Reminds him of the Republic of Pirates, if you were just sat in darkness forever. He ends up peeking into a tavern. They don't kick him out for not having a single doubloon to his name, but they also won't spare him a drink, so he's just...gonna sit right here, alone, and feel sorry for himself. He deserves to feel sorry for himself for at least a day or three. ]

I bet you'd love it here. [ He rests his chin on his arms, which are folded over the beer-stained table, the picture of melancholy. ] You'd say, "Chin up, Ed! Look at all these new faces you could talk to! A man could get inspired in a place like this, don't you agree?" And you'd be right, I guess.

[ He sighs. The candle snuffs itself out. Oh, great. That's excellent. Even the candle hates him. ]

So Many Hands

[smilefornow]

Goat.

[It's automatic. Arthur likes to be helpful and informative! And there may be large gaps in his animal identifying knowledge, but barnyard animals he can certainly manage. So he offers the information with an earnest smile, not recognizing the man with the ungrateful bovid. Someone new? Even newer than him?

That would be a lark!]

A wool-less sheep that goes 'mneeeeh' is a goat. I think their only concern regarding fashion is eating it. Maybe he didn't think it looked very appetizing?

[Identifying a goat is about as far as Arthur's useful knowledge of them goes. Aside from that they are very important here, and the tiny ones are criminally adorable.]

But it looks like you've been more successful in your errands than me. Went out without a list, my own fault.

[A gesture to his own basket, which is mostly empty aside from a small wheel of cheese and some dried meat sticks.]

devynn nisk ★ original ★ the hermit

[spoir]

★ solvunn

( this wasn't avernus. it wasn't waterdeep. but apparently everything was in danger. those were words that devynn was slowly beginning to become familiar with, hating that they sounded familiar at all and wished--

everything had been a wish lately and the more that she hoped and searched for answers the more distance she seemed to find between her and them too. and now she was in yet another land.

days had passed, meals had been shared and her magic had slowly strengthened in this place, coated around her despite unfamiliar sentiments and gods she wished not to know. but for as friendly as people have been, offering food and scarves, she's already found some of what these dangers proclaim.

missing children, haunting spirits. as much as devynn would rather stay away from danger and trouble her heart can't help but draw her in, though even with directions told she isn't certain where to begin. so she asks in town, trying to find someone that may point her in the right beginning )

★ nocwich

( portals shouldn't be so easy but she'd been assured that nocwich was a steady place, often visited, and it's a new wonder when devynn does make it through.

she visits the markets first, a few items with her that she could trade, before trying to find her bearings around. the hot springs are cautiously approached, a wish to enjoy the luxury but a shyness in her, taverns poked into to listen to stories and the nature simply enjoyed.

she travels there only on one day, hoping to find one thing at least to make her smile )

nocwich;

[thedreamer]

[ Something to make her smile, perhaps? The Doctor frequents Nocwich every chance he gets, finding the place itself fascinating, but equally enjoying the chance to meet with friends and newcomers from other factions.

He's just wandering close to one of the taverns at the same moment a young woman is stepping out and he only just barely manages to dodge running into her. But he takes it in stride, as usual. ]

We've just invented a new dance! The three-step tavern shuffle. [ A bright smile flashes on his face. ] Hello, good to meet you! I'm the Doctor.

crowley | good omens | the devil | solvunn

[goodtobebad]

01; market;

[ He probably looks wildly out of place, even dressed in the clothing provided for him. He slinks around as though he doesn't actually have a spine, a shock of red hair standing out (and probably a few inches above most people), not to mention the yellow snake eyes. ]

Why do I always wind up someplace cold and damp? Almost makes me miss the fire and brimstone.

[ He saunters up to a stand selling... something. Goods. Homemade goods. ]

Don't s'pose you have any sunglasses for sale? I left my spares in my car.

02; Helping hands;

[ How he got roped into doing this, is anybody's guess. But, once he's wrapped the goat (so, so gently) in its little jumper, he actually sits, right on a hay bale there in the little barn, and he pulls something out of an inner pocket, holding it out. The goat takes the treat, and Crowley's lips almost - almost! - twitch upwards. ]

You remind me of someone. The goatiest goat to ever goat. It was a long time ago.

03; Nocwich;

[ Now, this, Crowley can get behind. Spooky, in general, is his vibe. Big spooky fan, this one. Still cold, though, which forces him into a tavern. He settles into a dark corner, a spot for observing more than being observed, and orders "whatever's drinkable". ]

At least it's not the fourteenth century. I really hated the fourteenth century.

04; wildcard

[ Feel free to pick another starter, or make up your own! He can be found all over Solvunn and Nocwich! ]

sun..glasses

[carmesi]

[wanda is willing to ignore the talk about fire and brimstone, because people sure like to talk out loud a lot? and maybe it's not her place to listen in on any of these things, even if she does perceive quite a bit through her telepathy. it's impossible to ignore, too, the children running about talking about the weird, tall guy with the untamed red hair and weird yellow eyes.

the excitement of newcomers.

sunglasses and car, though, spell something familiar to her, as she approaches him, her presence putting at ease the vendor who is at a loss on how to respond to the question.]

What style is your preference?

[all he needs to do is imagine it and wanda will pick up on that, but for now she offers him a pair of generic sunglasses with black frames, sitting neatly on her hand.]

river tam || firefly || the fool

[thoughts]

( content warnings: may reference canon themes of torture, human experimentation, murder, and death. river is a mind-reader, but this shouldn't be an issue for now since powers are nulled on arrival. I'll work on getting an opt-out/opt-in post set up soon!!

she's post-firefly, pre-serenity. I haven't 100% decided on a faction yet so I'm trying a bit of everything. （╹◡╹）♡ hover over any chinese text for a translation! )

★ thorne

[ from darkness to daylight, river opens her eyes and finds herself at a loss for what's real and what isn't in a totally different way from the chaos she's used to.

now, usually sunlight means open sky and fresh air, something they can't get enough of as space-farin' folk. but this is different, because there are hands on her naked body and strange men trying to tell her something she doesn't understand, things she can't begin to comprehend with a mind that's still drowning in the abyss of nothingness.

so the first thing she does is quite reasonable, by all accounts: she screams. for a good long while, river can be found by the fountain, hiding behind the lip of it while calling everyone around her liars and thieves and spewing rapid-fire chinese that is surely plagued with insults. she may even climb back inside of the fountain, splashing around in the water as she searches for the way back home, never you mind the freezing temperatures. all the while, the poor apprentices are simply trying to get the screaming naked girl into some clothes. woes be for a rough landing!

eventually, though, she'll realize no one is trying to hurt her and settle enough to let the mages guide her through the castle. such a beautiful thing with fantastical tales of magic and strife and some higher purpose they're meant to serve; none of it means a thing to a girl that hasn't been convinced this isn't an elaborate dream. she'll wander the hallways, bare feet against the cold ground and fingertips trailing along the walls as she takes in everything around her.

it's then that she'll notice, after the earlier screams have passed, that this world seems eerily blissfully silent. she may not even notice your character coming, eyes wide as they are tracing the designs along the walls and ceilings - apologies in advance for any accidental collisions. ]

☼ free cities

[ a hot, dry, bustling desert landscape is something river is well familiarized with by now, and something about that gives her an ounce of intrigue alongside her innate fear of being kidnapped to some far off land. are they on a planet she's never heard of? does this mean she could find serenity if she searched hard enough? it's too soon to say, but the potentiality of it leaves her thrumming with nervous energy.

she'll be bouncing around in the wagon, eager to see all that she can through the windows and clamoring from seat to seat as she finds things that catch her interest. pardon her manners if you happen to be riding along at the same time, as river won't stop to consider how she might be inconveniencing others. a scientific mind blown wide open by the addition of magic - how could she not be fascinated?

by the time they drop her off at the barracks to dress and settle in, she's chomping at the bit to go explore. but she takes one look at the militaristic uniform and declares it zhū shǐ; there must be something better around here. river looks around the cramped quarters, marveling at the abject silence coming from the walls and their inhabitants, then decides the best course of option is just to look.

so anyone with the misfortune of being one of her bunkmates may come back to find a waifish girl wearing only a robe and manic eyes as she tears through everyone's belongings and throws things around haphazardly. more than looking for anything specific, the search is half the fun - for her, at least. no fun for anyone else having their things thrown about and pilfered, sorry. :( ]

☾ solvunn

[ the screaming and crying and general hootin' n' hollerin' of transdimensional temporal displacement is enough to overwhelm all on its own. but the last time river was in the hands of god-fearing folk didn't end quite so well for her ( or simon, oh simon, bié diū xià wǒ, gēgē! ). if only she could hear them and know their good intentions, but she can't, there's silence beneath the pretty words they say and all she can do is behave and follow.

it's cold, after all, and running away into unknown territory while wet and naked won't get her very far. she accepts their clothes, thick and cozy like nothing she's felt before, and listens with only one ear on the way to the settlement. the land is beautiful, so far removed from the bottled up mènghuàn they sell across the 'verse as she knows it.

they speak of magic and she starts to believe it, if only for the sake of the flowers and the ocean breeze, an abundance of nature that makes a lost little girl feel right at home in the madness of it all. river ignores the greetings of any locals to make kind with the flora and fauna instead, which is where people can find her, wandering aimlessly while talking to any plants or animals she comes across.

asking questions, holding one-sided conversations, peering into the eyes of any livestock that don't walk away as soon as she approaches - anyone close enough to her quiet rambles will catch the gist of the conversation. with a childlike sincerity, she tells them: ]

This is a beautiful place to die.

[ cheers, mèimei. ]

✧ wildcard!

[ feel free to pitch your own starter if you like! river will be wandering about regardless of where she winds up, and she has no sense of personal space or propriety. she can be anywhere at any time for any reason - I'm game for anything! ]

free cities // wagon

[thedreamer]

[ It's rare indeed for the Doctor to meet with anyone whose energy seems to somewhat match his own, in that he can barely sit still himself. He's been settled in the Free Cities only a short while now, but he's ever the explorer, his thirst for knowledge insatiable, his curiosity ever growing the longer he's here in this world. So he takes the wagon back and forth to the Badlands occasionally, scouting their surroundings, getting the lay of the land, as it were.

The young girl is a new face, but then, many are still new faces to him as he acclimates. If he can be a guide in any way at all, he's all too eager to offer his help in some manner. It's what he does! The Doctor, here to help. He'd wear a name badge with just that inscription if he could.

As she comes close to where he's sitting, rather than looking at all put out by her movements, the Doctor grins. ]

Hello! You know, you have the right idea, I think. If you go to that end of the wagon and I go to the opposite end, we could cover more ground. Tell me what you see, or — better, what you wish you could see. Something fantastical or real or imaginary, no limits.

[ Sorry not sorry to fellow passengers at the moment. ]

vax'ildan | critical role ★ the free cities| death

[othlir]

o1; arrival + settling in

[ Honestly? This is so far off-base from what he thought he'd be doing as a paladin of the Raven Queen that the shock and indignation hasn't really set in yet. It's certainly not the first time he's wandered around a new place with little to no idea of where he is, and he's certain that it won't be the last, but that doesn't mean it's not jarring every time. Vax can be found exploring at length to get a feel for his surroundings - and also to see if he can locate his belongings. You don't just misplace a powerful item like a Vestige of Divergence, and the loss of both his wings and his Lady's voice is extremely jarring.

At any given point, he can be found peering around suspiciously, or tugging at the clothes he was issued and grimacing at the feel and uniformity of it. He'll also be mighty curious about these stories of strange beasts - which may lead to him nudging the person closest to him to get their attention. ]

Have you heard anything about this? [ He gestures to the nearest table of gossiping city guard with his chin; he knows better than to overtly point. ] I've seen some weird creatures in my time, but nothing quite like that.

[ He'll also be particularly horrified by the decomposing corpse, and can be found stopped stock-still as soon as he sees it. ]

Gods, that's a particularly nasty way to go about it. Wonder what the sorry bastard did. [ It's idle, the way he mutters to himself, but maybe he's not quite as quiet about it as he thinks he's being. He'll bow his head in respect for the dead, even if something bad must have happened for the person to end up like this. ]

Good luck on your way to the Lady's side.

o2; training grounds

[ It's been... a long, long time since he's felt compelled to do tricks for pennies. Even longer since he's actually needed to do anything of the sort. Running around with a (surprisingly) successful adventuring party tends to do that: brings in the gold and renown, and pushes the crushing poverty and desperation to the back of the mind. Luckily, he doesn't feel quite so desperate yet, but he's pretty sure these good folks might not put up with him for too long once they accept he's got no intention of joining their forces.

He'll protect people - of course he will. It just won't be as a part of their armed forces.

Still: it's clear that there is an expectation here, and he wants things to start off as smoothly as possible. So Vax will cheerfully accept any invitations to spar and start making connections here. ]

What, you're not gonna go easy on me just because I'm using these, are you? [ He flips the pair of daggers he's borrowing between his fingers; they're a little unbalanced weight-wise, but it's clear from his stance that he knows what he's doing. ] Tell you what; if I win, you buy me a drink, and if you win, I'll do the same. Sounds like a deal?

[ He'll also go through an obstacle race or two, or as many times as they'll let him - enough that he can build up a record to beat and try to impress. He's surprisingly nimble; it definitely takes some adjusting to not having his magic items, but he's still a rogue at heart and i>s capable of some pretty incredible acrobatics. He might not even be mad if someone tries to throw some obstacles in his way to trip him up! ]

o3; nocwich

[ Somehow, this feels more normal to him. Vax seems a little more relaxed as he wanders the streets here, hands in his pockets as he checks out the market. He can be found primarily window shopping, since he doesn't have much in the way of funds just yet, but he'll definitely be making eyes at any good, dark cloaks he sees.

Feel free to strike up a conversation - maybe both of you reach for the same studded leather boots, or a beautiful woven blanket. He might not have much in the way of frivolous spending, but with the right (or wrong) attitude he's just petty enough to make a purchase harder for someone else.

He is, also, a rogue - anyone who tries to lift his meager coinpurse will find their wrist caught tight in his hand. ]

I wouldn't do that, if I were you. [ His smile isn't cruel, but it's not particularly pleased, either. ] I'm willing to share, but it's better to ask first, don't you think?

[ Against his better judgement, Vax can also be seen in the gambling den. It's not really his scene, his sister and Keyleth are really the ones who enjoy gambling, but he might as well, right? If he ends up running into Vex'ahlia here at some point, he'll be furious with him for not at least trying. He'll be more than happy to celebrate any wins or commiserate over losses, even if he doesn't know you! ]

o4; wildcard

[ Got an idea you want to play out? Feel free to DM me here, or on plurk at tieflings! I'd be delighted to make some nonsense happen! ]

arrival!

[theidlemaiden]

[ Being bedridden for much of the excitement the rifts had brought in their wake certainly throws a wrench in being able to partake in the free drinks bought by the very grateful soldiers that the Summoned had assisted. Hilda probably would have taken to it like a duck to water sooner had it not been for the invitation to the Nether which had then been shortly followed by that nasty business with the execution. But ever the opportunist, she thinks better late than never. At the very least the guards seem delighted to have such a pretty pink thing paying attention to them and hanging onto their every word.

Is she maybe egging on some of their exaggeration because she makes it known that she loves a good story? Maybe. But who doesn't? And there's no harm in stretching the truth a little. Now that she's on the other side of things and not squished beneath a dragon's foot it's certainly more entertaining than they had been before.

She's excused herself for a moment towards the bar when her attention is drawn by the lithe, dark-haired man standing there. Vax may know better than to point but Hilda, bold as brass, doesn't seem to have a problem with it and gestures towards the table she had just gotten up from. One of the guards catches her and she offers a flirty little wave which is rewarded with a flush of their cheeks as they turn back to the conversation. ]

Which one? The invisible hounds, the mutant beasts or all of the above?

Jack Townsend | Tales from the Gas Station | Thorne | The Moon

[stations]

Sᴏᴍᴇ ɴɪɢʜᴛs, I sᴛᴀʏ ᴜᴘ ᴄᴀsʜɪɴɢ ɪɴ ᴍʏ ʙᴀᴅ ʟᴜᴄᴋ
(castle thorne - hallways)

( Jack Townsend walks through a hotel room doorway in Albuquerque, New Mexico and walks out of a portal in Thorne, Abraxas. That is rather an oversimplification of what it actually looks like — it involves a lot more spluttering, a lot more water, and absolutely fucking biffing it when his prosthetic leg does not make the trip with him. Jack's first act being back in Abraxas is nearly breaking his nose on the stone floor. Blood gushes down his front and the mage performing the ritual stutters at this uncommon act of such utter gracelessness, his rhythm is momentarily thrown off. His second act in Abraxas is to yell out an alarmed: )

Oh, fuck!

( Eventually, the chaos is rectified. He emerges from the summoning chamber with a crutch shoved under one of his arms, missing one leg, and two tufts of cotton shoved up either nostril as his nose slowly bleeds into them, tinging them red. He's dazed — both from the hit of his head on the floor, and from the missing year of memories from this place reinserting themselves inside his memory-fractured mind. This is, perhaps, why he body-checks the person standing in the hall just outside the chamber, nearly sending both them and himself toppling to the ground again. Sorry about that, friend.

He can later be found slowly hobbling with his crutch down the North Wing, and tentatively knocking on the door that used to be his room. )

Sᴏᴍᴇ ɴɪɢʜᴛs, I ᴄᴀʟʟ ɪᴛ ᴀ ᴅʀᴀᴡ
(horizon — in front of the public gas station)

( It's easier to get to the Horizon this time than it had been the first go-around. Not that it was particularly difficult then either, but he'd been hesitant, afraid of the memory loss, and entirely too experienced with meditating his way into weird dimensions. Now, it takes him all of five minutes, and there he is, standing before the gas station that never actually left Abraxas with Sabine to keep it tethered.

It's... strange. He stands by the pumps, staring at the front door, a conflicting feeling unfurling in his chest. Where he's from, when he's from, this whole place is a crater. A smoking hole in the ground that doesn't exist anymore, and he'd left. These last few months he's spent on the road in Jerry's converted bus, seeing the world the way he never got to do before. The way he'd planned to do with Sabine, in his early twenties. He'd moved on. He'd left.

He never thought he'd see it again. It's uncanny.

Should anyone happen upon him, he'll startle visibly, and immediately declare: )

I'm not crying, you're crying!

( Before he even sees who it actually is. )

Sᴏᴍᴇ ɴɪɢʜᴛs, I ᴡɪsʜ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴍʏ ʟɪᴘs ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ʙᴜɪʟᴅ ᴀ ᴄᴀsᴛʟᴇ
(borrel maritime fair — paint and cider)

( So, he means to paint the seascape, he really does. He's sitting there, concentrating with all his might, really letting that paintbrush guide him. He's never been a particularly talented artist, but he likes to doodle now and then. Since his semi-permanent roadtrip, he's learned to appreciate experiences like this even if he's not good at them. Getting a little tipsy on cider and channeling his inner artist is fun, and he's trying.

Except, trying with Jack usually results in zoning out. By the time he comes to and actually looks at the piece he's been working on, it looks les like a seascape and more like... well... an astronaut raccoon. )

...how did that happen?

( You know what? It's actually pretty good. He's happy with it, even if the painting instructor looks incredibly puzzled. )

Sᴏᴍᴇ ɴɪɢʜᴛs, I ᴡɪsʜ ᴛʜᴇʏ'ᴅ ᴊᴜsᴛ ғᴀʟʟ ᴏғғ
(wildcard)

( Hit me with anything anywhere in Thorne, the Horizon, or Nocwich! You can also reach me at paingravy for questions. )

Thorne - drive-by

[thedevilwhorose]

[The sad thing is...

Or maybe the most real thing...

Is that Lucifer's gaze doesn't even linger on Jack for long as he walks by. The two seconds of processing his Existence before he looks away again and Keeps Walking, dismissive.]

andrea quill ★ class ★ the emperor

[vrituom]

★ nocwich

( it's been a while since she's seen a bustling market, though those in London quill tended to avoid. but not being on earth? even kidnapped it made her day improve -- no princes, no teen angst, and whilst she didn't know how she wasn't dead quill wasn't about to question that. yet.

she's a pushier presence, a little overly judgemental expression of the things on display, though really she's assessing rather than questioning, trying to see what worth people hold here. after all, it's an alien world. so she thinks. but eventually, she'll find something that confuses her and-- )

Is this supposed to be useful?

( she has no idea what it is even though... it's probably something really commonly used. oops? )

★ free cities

( she'd gotten conned. that was a ridiculous statement in itself considering that quill had tried to stay away from the children but somehow one had managed to snap a bracelet around her wrist before she could move away, had begged for money and had even-- started crying? )

Oh, come on.

( she could see it for what it was, absolutely fake, but it didn't stop the child's crying from drawing attention from others around )

You're the one that put this here, I didn't ask for it.

( not helping, quill )

nocwich

[sketchycharacter]

[Is he shopping? Ehhh. Window shopping, kind of. Maybe he'll be better at helping someone else find something they need.]

Maybe? It's probably magic, so that might depend how useful you think magic is. Orrrrr it could be completely pointless but designed to look cool enough you don't question it until your money is gone.

[Maybe not.]

cassian andor | star wars | thorne | the tower

[diametrically]

— arrival

[ Cassian is pulled trembling and shivering from the cold dark into the cold light. Very little of what the robed man in front of him is saying registers - whether that has to do with the shock, the expelling of water from his lungs or the water that's lodged in his ears, he can't say, but it doesn't really matter. This isn't the Fondor. There is no Luthen. He isn't dead, but he certainly isn't home.

Home. A pang spears through his heart. Home feels like it had died with Maarva, a wound still so incredibly fresh and tender that he doesn't know if it will ever heal. Everything he does is on autopilot - getting dressed, following the acolyte wordlessly through gleaming halls like nothing he's ever seen. He'd be fascinated, curious even, were it not for the fact that he had left his fight and his heart back on Rix Road.

When shown to his room he wordlessly sits there in the silence trying to piece together everything that has been forced on him until someone else appears or until his stomach growls that he has no choice but to exit into the hallways in the search of food looking every bit the lost, battered man that he is. ]

— exploring

[ He slowly begins to snap out of his stupor and when he does what he's always tried to do: survive. Keeping busy has always helped that some, which is how he inexplicably finds himself delivering enchanted logs. There's another reason behind it than simply being altruistic. Understanding his surroundings is key and what better way than deliveries? His skin crawls with the unfamiliarity of this world and knowing that he's here, alone.

And because it's unfamiliar, he ends up taking a wrong turn, cornered in an alley with an armful of logs by a particularly unfriendly pair of thieves. There's a humourless lift of his lips as he tries to talk his way out of it - but he probably needs some help. ]

Hey now - I don't want trouble. I'm just trying to get this to a family in need.

[ Cassian had never believed in the Force so by extension he doesn't believe in magic. He had attended the lesson by way of suggestion and because he had to do something to fill the time. But once you've been flash banged several times by light that hadn't existed before being violently willed into existence by a fresh-faced mage - well, maybe it doesn't matter how the belief came to be as long as someone believes it. He presses the heels of his hands into his eyes letting out a groan of annoyance, muttering under his breath to his seat mate - ]

Does warming mean blinding in this world?

[ That being said, he hasn't had any success thus far either. ]

— nocwich

[ He doesn't know what to expect when he steps through the portal, but he doesn't expect...this. When it came to the galaxy, he had seen what could be considered a drop in the bucket but he had yet to see a place shrouded in eternal darkness. It's a stark juxtaposition to the life the teems out before him and he proceeds to let his feet take him where they feel like.

As he wanders through the stalls he's watchful as he is curious and mostly window shopping due to his very empty pockets. Eventually he wanders down a lane full of weapons, but none, he notes of the blaster variety. ]

No blasters, and no Vibroswords? [ It's accompanied by a soft sigh that could be a laugh if you squinted. His fingers ghost over the hilt of a dagger. ] I'm really far from the galaxy, aren't I?

[ Gambling isn't really his vice. He had tried it once in an attempt to clear his debts and had predictably ended up worse off than before. But gambling dens are good places to learn the lay of a land not ruled by a monarchy and gather information to draw a better conclusion about a place. Someone might catch him eavesdropping on a conversation, or spot him trying to sneakily pocket someone's winnings. When they've carelessly left it out on the table and aren't paying any sort of particular attention to it, what's a penniless guy to do? ]

— wildcard, dealer's choice!

( ooc: feel free to throw me a wildcard of your own! cassian has a nose for trouble and i'm more than happy to throw him into anything. )

nocwich

[vallt]

[everywhere she goes, jyn listens as much as she watches. sure, most of the snatches of conversation that reach her are just boring noise, not worth anything except tuning out, but not paying attention in the first place can cost; it can, sometimes, mean the difference between avoiding a trap and walking straight into one, or it can tell her where she'll find easy credits.

it's listening, more than watching, that leads her to the weapons.

and as she assesses what's available (daggers, mostly, simple but useful), it's listening that draws her attention through the noise to something actually familiar: blaster, vibrosword, galaxy. words that would be nothing on any stupid fucking planet that the most convenient transport could spit her out onto, but wholly remarkable in a place where she hasn't heard them ever since she arrived.

when she turns, slowly, the man she finds herself face to face with isn't familiar, but she has her judgment of him in two seconds. it isn't exactly hidden in the way she arches her brow, or in the way she asks, dry,]

You only just now figured that out?

[she doesn't bother to hide the roll of her eyes, either. in fact, she makes sure that's in this idiot's plain and obvious view.]

Eddard "Ned" Stark | Game of Thrones | Thorne

[winterfellwarden]

Arrival

Okay, so this isn't exactly what he was expecting, but since what he was expecting was to be pulled from the dungeon of the Red Keep and hauled off to his execution, he's not going to complain. He might seem like he's not paying attention to the prattling of the apprentice, but years of being the lord of Winterfell have given him much practice at listening to someone talk while also being able to pay attention to his surroundings. And as the lord of Winterfell, he knows how important it is to understand the relationships between people. Otherwise a balance cannot be found.

Nor is he bothered at all by the chill in the air. Winter is coming, after all.

Logs

He doesn't look so out of place here, in the clothes they've given him, although stacking logs isn't exactly the work he's used to. He appreciates the need for everyone to chip in and make sure the work gets done, and he certainly wouldn't expect everyone else to do it all, but there are servants at Winterfell who do this sort of thing while he tends to his lordly duties. He doesn't have those duties here though, so he can enjoy having that weight removed from his shoulders and focus more on other things -- like helping to ensure that everyone stays warm this winter.

When he sees someone struggling to manage a large log on their own, he reaches out to grab one end of it to help tip it onto the growing pile on the back of a cart. "Allow me."

Seaside

This is the one place he's found so far that doesn't have him making comparisons with Winterfell. He knows there's shore around Westeros, but he hadn't seen it until he ventured out of the North, and even then, he hadn't spent much time there. He hasn't even visited the fair yet; he's simply been standing and looking at the vastness of the water stretching out before him.

He bends down to run his fingers along the sand, scoops up a handful, watches the wind carry it away. He's not in Westeros anymore, and as much as he feels like his duty is to his home, he knows that he can't do anything for Westeros anymore and the fate of the seven kingdoms are in the hands of others. He only hopes that all is not lost.

If only he had had a chance to say all that had needed to be said.

LET'S DEAL WITH SOME LOGS, DAD 😭

[northerndragon]

Jon has come through the portal to Nott enough times now that he has less tendency to feel a little off his feet and off his breakfast than most people do when they're just getting used to it. He knows where he is, and his stomach hardly twists at all anymore. As such, when he reaches the carts, he begins loading them without looking around much at what else or who else might be there. He wouldn't be surprised to see Mat, or Thancred, or some of the other well-meaning sorts about.

This sort of work... it's good. It keeps his strength up. It makes it hard to think too much: it's just the weight of each log as he hefts it in his arms, and the knowledge that it will help keep people in Nott warmer than they might have been.

But when a log proves a touch too awkward and heavy for him, someone tries to aid him. The log makes it to the stack in the cart, but he turns to thank the man who has helped, and before he has even turned, it strikes him that he knows the voice. That makes him turn more slowly, all hope and fear at what he might see, or what he might not see.

Jon sees what he hoped to: his father, the best man he has ever known, long lost to him, standing before him in the flesh. As kind as ever, helping a stranger to heft a log. Helping the people of Nott.

What Ned sees: the boy he raised, but a man now, bearded and scarred. They share a profile, and Jon wears his hair exactly as Ned does, except that Jon's is dark and curling. And he is as pale as he has ever been, looking stricken, forgetting to close his mouth.

He is dead.

But so am I.

Finally, he manages a word.

"Father?"

[OOC: unfortunately, I am pretty sick right now, technically hiatused, so I might be a bit slow! But I just can't ignore Daddard. 😭😭😭

It'd be a while until Ned sees it if you do app him in, but Jon's Horizon is absolutely Winterfell, albeit kind of a "theatrical set" version that only has a few locations, and I feel like Ned could park next door and add to it if you wanted him to.]

dustin henderson / stranger things / the sun

[sscuriosity]

01 — ARRIVAL,
SOLVUNN
A:

[Dustin is.... pretty sure he's just having delusions of grandeur in a dream of epic proportions. The notion that the, "Gods are delighted he's here," is enough to keep him believing that, sure, as real as the trip through the pool of tears might have felt it's got to be some kind of elaborate delusion. Maybe he ate something bad the night before, or the TV dinner didn't go down right. Either way, despite the consideration, he's still hungry and has absolutely nothing to trade.

Dustin leans into the shop and keeps enthusiasm by asking question after question about their whereabouts, about the gods, about their craft and their upbringing, and about the foliage behind them. Anything to get them distracted enough that he can fill his pockets with food without them being the wiser. What's more is that he's fully listening, and even asks counter questions when something he hears doesn't really fit into his dream theory.

As he turns to leave the stand, with bulging pockets and sticky fingers he stalks off so fast he shoulder checks another pedestrian unfortunate enough to be in his path, and since this a dream Dustin feels bolstered by the obvious ploy to play to his ego and jerks a finger in the direction of his present company.]

Not a word.

B:

[Another mystery sounds like the perfect way to distract Dustin from the sense that despite knowing he's dreaming, being fully aware in fact that things aren't what they're supposed to be he just can't get himself to wake up. Some of the fatty tissue on his forearm is nice and pink thanks to his attempts at pinching, and so he just sinks further into the lore.

Wailing Wilma is the perfect Scooby Doo meets bad B horror flick bull to occupy his mind and so he treks into the woods to look for the missing kid, after the screaming and hysteria that ensued when that particular corner of the village noticed he was gone.

Equipped with a lantern to better see in the hazy gloom of a winter-bound forest and a coat that the mother insisted he wear and tucked all the way up to his ears Dustin goes in with snow crunching under his boots.]

Hey, uhhhhhh - kid???? I really should have gotten his name. Damnit. Maybe Wilma can wait under day, huh?

[Dustin shouts into the empty trail ahead, trying his best to let his voice carry in the direction that he was told he would have gone.]

Come on! What kind of half-baked plan is running into the woods alone, anyway?

Oh - Well, my half-baked plan, right now apparently.

Anybody out there?!

02 — NOCHWICH,
CANDY COVERED CRAP

[Dustin spent about as much time gambling at the den as his patience would allow. Most card games are overrated and easy to hack and when he figured out that the house was playing that out of the equation he got out of dodge and traded what he could for a pretty hefty bag of sweets and treats from various stalls.

That bag is placed off to the side now, a few inches from Dustin's right foot. He's got his head buried in a mass of curls, and he's hiding his face under his ballcap.

Those who look close enough will notice the patchy fur on his cheeks patterned out like muttonchops, and that his nails are long and come to a point. He's had it with the spellwork here and he just wants it to be over.

Instead, he's stuck in Nochwich looking like Teen Wolf.]

Don't ask.

03 — NETWORK,
MORSE CODE

-.-. --- -.. . / .-. . -.. / - .... .. ... / .. ... / -. --- - / .- / -.. .-. . .- -- / .. - .----. ... / .- / .-- .- -.- .. -. --. / -. .. --. .... - -- .- .-. . / .-- .... .- - / -.. --- . ... / .... .- .-- -.- .. -. ... / -- . .- -. / - --- / -.-- --- ..- ..--..

04 — WILDCARD,
CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE

[Feel free to include your own hot take on any of the above prompts or do one of the ones I didn't put in, like shopping in Nochwich or getting stuck with chores in Solvunn. I'm easy peasy. PM if you have any questions.]

solvunn A

[satanicpanics]

[ When the cold winds and rain start to blow in, It’s just another eerie reminder that he’s been here for over a year and somehow, whatever’s keeping his heart beating hasn’t suddenly deemed him unworthy. He’s desperately missing his leather jacket and trying his best to not let his teeth chatter when the next gust of wind caries along with it a familiar (and honestly way too loud) voice. Someone asking a million questions with practically no pause in-between about mundane things like the foliage? Foliage--Jesus Christ.

For a moment, he freezes, hesitates, overthinks it. Dustin has been the source of a great deal of guilt and regret for Eddie. He’s had a long time to think about it; longer than he expected, and now Eddie doesn’t exactly view what he did as heroic. In hindsight, he sees it more as really stupid, and not just because he died. He didn’t take Dustin’s safety into account literally at all, and left him there with an undeniably healthy dose of trauma to pick up the pieces. It feels strange to just present himself like nothing ever happened, like some sort of ghost or zombie, but Solvunn is small, and news apparently gets around fast when Steve Harrington is on the case.

So he doesn’t let himself get too wrapped up in it. ]

You know, great stealth roll and all that, but they’d just give you that shit if you said you were new here.

[ And that is going to do nothing for the size of this kid’s ego, but it’s the truth. Solvunn thinks highly of the Summoned, and they’re not about to let one of their gods’ chosen starve.

He offers a weak smile, like he’s not entirely sure if this is okay—if it’s okay that he’s just here and uninjured and talking like things are totally normal when they’re not. ]

Hey, kid.

jyn erso | star wars | thorne | the tower

[vallt]

arrival

[she'd been sentenced to twenty years on wobani, and had counted on being dead within five; that's the inevitability when resources, friends, and luck run out. at some point about five months ago, jyn had decided that if she could place a bet, she'd put 500 credits on some cellmate whose name she can't be bothered to remember (they've practically changed every week, after all) pulling a contraband vibroknife on her in her sleep. at least it'd be quick, and she probably wouldn't even feel a thing; it'd be a mercy.

but she should've known better than to count on a mercy, shouldn't she?

because that idiot droid that knocked her out during a so-called rescue hadn't been it, and neither had coming to underwater, with a hand pulling her to the surface at the last second.

and neither, honestly, is anything that comes afterward. not the people prattling on about things she has no frame of reference for understanding, not these stupid clothes and shoes that feel itchy and wrong to her, not the castle she's brought to that, even so far from everything she's ever known, is familiar to her in all the wrong ways, because it has the feel of being imperial.

the crease set into her brow and the hard line that her jaw forms don't fade, even as she's left to wander alone; nothing she finds makes her feel any better. if there happens to be a hand tapping her on the shoulder, trying to get her attention, that doesn't, either; that gets her turning sharply, and her voice becoming a knife when she says,]

Don't touch me.


fireside logs

[even with the (apparent) freedom to move around, jyn doesn't become any more convinced that she hasn't traded one prison for another as the days wear on. for one, almost everywhere she goes, she can turn and a see a guard standing somewhere in her periphery; something for your safety something else, the explanations had gone, but she's not stupid.

still, there's some relief to be found in moving around, and in having something to do with her hands. she takes to spending her days making log deliveries around nott, loading and pulling all her carts herself, ignoring every piece of advice telling her not to do this alone. any offers of help in her direction are met with silent, icy glares.

many of the locals are wary, understandably — but some surprise her, at times even thanking her. she never knows what to do with that, usually ducking her head and walking away without another word.

they stay on her mind long afterward. and if she sneaks extra bread and pieces of fruit out of one of the taverns just before she leaves? who's to say where that's going.]


nocwich

[she may be far from anything she's ever known, but this marketplace operates much the same as any other on a whole number of planets she's been to. there are always the legitimate sellers, the ones trying to make something off of a straightforward product, and it's easy to tell the difference between them and... others who aren't so legitimate, out to take whatever dirty advantage they can. they'll have a charm about them, carefully practiced to lure in the unsuspecting — and to distract from whatever absolute bantha shit they're holding in their hands.

it's not as if jyn has never scammed herself — but she'd only ever directed that toward imperials and complete asses who'd deserved it, and those types of standards aren't exactly popular.

in any case, she's taken to keeping watch by one of the stalls she's found particularly suspicious in the marketplace today, which is selling some kind of swirling liquid. maybe someone would have to be a complete idiot to drink something like that, and anything that happens would be something they'd brought on themselves, but still, she offers,]

I wouldn't, if I were you.


wildcard

[feel free to bring me whatever you'd like! just drop a top level, or hit me up via pm or on plurk at lensflares if you'd like to discuss 💙]

nocwich

[theidlemaiden]

[ Hilda knows this market like the back of her hand. An avid shopper has to be a savvy one too and she's certainly had to become that over the year that she's been here without an endless amount of gold to feed what she'll always insist is a hobby and not an addition. But only being here three days out of any month still means that there's always something new to see - which is what makes it something to look forward to every time.

She flits like a pink beacon in the perpetual darkness from stall to stall when she finally approaches the stall with its swirling liquids. The sign and the hawking from the merchant claim to bring the drinker clear skin and shiny locks. Having invested enough in potions and mixtures to smell something fishy when she sees it, Hilda can't help but be drawn by the crowd anyway being the curious thing she is.

The downside to being as short as she is however is that she can't see a thing even on her tiptoes. The voice of a woman draws her attention away from the crowd. ]

Oo, that bad huh? It did sound a little too good to be true. [ Conspiratorially she lowers her voice as she wanders a little closer to the woman. ] Did you see anyone drink it? Are there any weird side effects?

Sansa Stark | Game of Thrones | The High Priestess

[theladyofwinterfell]

( arrival )

Sansa paid careful attention to all the names given to her once pulled from the fountain. The High Mage had been there, an apprentice, and there were lists of royals. Each name is a special bit of knowledge, something to treasure, and in a place such as this where she knows no one and has no capital to trade upon, knowledge is the only treasure that she has.

It is winter here in the kingdom of Thorne and that is the only thing that the place has in common with Winterfell. The chill of the air feels like home, in a way, and as Sansa wanders through the castle corridors, she pauses to press her hand against the glass for a moment and feel the chill from the outside. Perhaps it is something to fear, that winter's chill, but to her it is as close to home as she'll be for now.

Her wanderings end up with her near the kitchens and old habits die quite hard because as soon as there is a sweet to be found, Sansa has it in hand and she takes with it something warm to drink. This, too, feels like Winterfell and while she is apprehensive of this new place, she will not be frightened.

There is someone near her, just out of her line of sight, and she carefully sips from her mug before addressing them. She wasn't always so aware of her person but she is now. She has to be. "Are you one of the Summoned like me or do you come from this castle?"

Either will be an interesting person to draw information from and new knowledge to treasure.

( seaside scenery )

Sansa has never heard of a paint and cider session before but she has always loved creative things - singing, sewing, dancing - what is painting if not creative? She thinks it might be a bit of fun, something she has very little of these days, and so she is happy to join the session.

She is not much of a drinker, however, and cider makes her a bit fuzzier than she'd like to be for such a delicate task. She frowns a bit at her canvas and tries to copy the instructor, frustrated when her colors don't mix as beautifully as theirs, and her brow furrows in deep concentration.

"By the Old Gods and the New, it's just a painting!"

It only gets muddier the more she works at it so she finally gives up and she's told she can start anew and so she puts aside the ruined canvas and takes in a deep breath, drawing in and exhaling calmly, and decides to attack this the way she's attacked every problem in her life - cool, collected, and without emotions clouding the way. This will be a better way to go about it, she thinks, and the lines are already smoother and more like the instructor's this time around.

( nocwich )

Knowing as much as she can about this new world is the only way she will survive it, Sansa thinks, so she has learned that there are three factions here and that they can only meet freely in Nocwich. It is a place of eternal night, only reached through magic, and while magic makes her uneasy it seems to be a way of life in Thorne and she supposes she ought to get used to it sooner rather than later. There had been classes offered at one point when she had just arrived and she thinks she'll have to look back into that when they are offered again; learning how to do a thing is a very good way to stop being afraid of it.

The night doesn't bother her. It is dark in the North during winter and Winterfell burns through its fair share of candles as the years of winter draw long. It is cold and she has luckily been provided a cloak and warm clothing by the castle but she leaves her hood off, hair bright against the darkness. The cold stings her cheeks and makes them color but she enjoys it. She's a Northern girl, after all.

The market stalls hold the most interest for her even though she has no money to spend in them and she looks at a bit of jewelry before seeing a lovely bloom that seems to glow in the darkness. She's never seen such a flower in her life and when she asks the man at the stall what it is, he tells her that it is a night bloom. Sansa gives him a smile and touches it softly, picking it up to admire it.

"We don't have such things where I come from," she says, turning it this way and that. Perhaps the next time she comes here, she'll be able to buy one.

( brackets are fine too! )

arrival

[northerndragon]

When Jon sees the back of the tall woman with the red hair as she walks away from the corner he's just rounded, his first instinct is that he knows her. His second instinct is to call himself a fool -- plenty of women have a height, have long red hair, have that gait, and only one of those women is his sister.

But the woman does resemble Sansa. It's been an age since he saw her, waving farewell to her from his horse, hating to leave her with Baelish, and knowing that he'd left her with a great responsibility, too. The lords will mind her well enough, both because she is Ned Stark's daughter and because Jon had made his own expectations clear. But Baelish had been reckless in the crypts, to show himself as such a danger, and that sits ill. And none of it may matter if the Dead break through the Wall before he can get the dragonglass, the dragons, and (gods be good) the armies.

What would Sansa be doing here?

Same as me, he realizes, raising the question of who would be minding the North in the case of their mutual absence. The question makes something rise in him -- more annoyance than he's felt about his own presence in Thorne in a while. It makes him clench his jaw, then his fist, and then he flexes the fingers of his hand. The girl may not even be Sansa, he thinks. Not much point in getting angry until --

He watches her enter the kitchen, then follows her a moment later, trying to get a glimpse of her profile. And what he can see once he's almost in her line of sight tells him that his instinct was right. Without looking at him, she speaks to him, and he is certain.

"I don't know, Sansa. Why don't you tell me?"

She'll know his voice.