TEST DRIVE MEME #17

[abraxasmods]

Test Drive Meme

Important Links

Setting ⦁ Game History ⦁ NPCs ⦁ Arcana ⦁ FAQ

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 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. You can also find answers to questions asked on previous TDMs in their respective question threads.

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

While the world is undergoing some tumultuous weather, newly arrived characters will be assured that everything is being taken care of and cautioned to shelter indoors where possible.

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 getting anywhere. If you reach for an item you were carrying the 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 territories: 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.

Go to scenario

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 spring, the weather is cool and marked by howling windstorms. In the distance, snow continues to cover the mountain peaks. Spring flowers are beginning to bloom in 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:

• Windstorms batter the walls outside. The city of Castle Thorne is largely safe, but debris, fallen trees, and toppled wagons are still a danger. Try not to go outside unless you have to! Across the sky, lightning surges horizontally, never touching the ground.


• 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. There's some buzz about the arrival of Admiral Rudolph Sidwell, the Queen's uncle. While Rudolph is temporarily staying in Nott, he can occasionally be seen in the castle halls when he visits Castle Thorne.

◎ Exploring

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

Sorting Tomes
A few apprentices out on errands have grown trapped behind some fallen debris, leaving the library short of helping hands. Volunteers are desperately needed to help sort and shelve the books, which are beginning to pile up. Fortunately, Thorne's magical shelving system means the shelves will immediately let you know if a book has been placed incorrectly. Unfortunately, the way this works is that the book will expel itself back out and fall to the floor. Watch your head!

Serene Steeds
Due to the heavy storms, Thorne's prized horses are growing nervous in their stables. To help soothe them, apprentice mages have asked you to cast a calming spell on each horse. The spell relies on Academic Magic. While the spell only requires saying a few words correctly, a lack of concentration can result in some unexpected memories or feelings surfacing, inducing strong emotions. You might vividly recall a tumultuous moment in your life or find yourself reflecting on who you are, where you came from, and where you might go next.

Painting Session
You're encouraged to explore Thorne's proud naval history in Borrel at its Maritime Fair. Because of the storms, it's being held indoors within heavily strengthened walls. Here, you can join a paint and cider session where you can follow a guided instructor to paint a displayed model of Thorne's famous naval warships. To finish your masterpiece, 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 eternal darkness and is home to the werewolves and the vampires, is, unfortunately, CLOSED due to recent events.

◎ 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, day trips 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 or you can earn some pocket money by doing chores around the Castle.

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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 the sandstorm has obscured the sun, lowering the typical spring temperatures. At night, temperatures will drop further. 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 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:

• Sandstorms assail the cites, especially in Cadens. The dust is thick and choking, and visibility is low. Try not to go outside unless you have to! Across the sky, lightning surges horizontally, never touching the ground.


• In the Cadens barracks, soldiers are hard at work fortifying its walls and preparing for further changes in weather. Shops and merchant stalls that populate Cadens' outdoor markets are absent. With the storms going on, the city streets are eerily empty except for vagrants and those who don't have shelter to retreat to.


• 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.

◎ Exploring

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

Pimp My Ride
Innovation is the way of the Free Cities, and showing it off is just as important. Every few years, wagon enthusiasts will display their customized New Magic-powered wagons in the Wagon Parade. Although this usually takes place in the streets of Cadens, this month's storm has forced the parade indoors into the Fortune Arena, the oldest horse arena in the city. They'll need help boarding up windows and doorways so that the this year's amazing entries aren't harmed. As with any event, pop-up merchants appear along the parade line selling food, drink, and a variety of commemorative tokens.

Masking Up
Dust storms are not unheard of in the desert, but the reduced air quality is still a concern. In response, the government is distribuing breathing masks and is asking for volunteers who are willing to brave current conditions to hand them out. Standard government-issued designs are free, but some wealthy citizens have elected for a more refined design while the cautious opt for total coverage. You'll be given your own mask (in the design of your choice), but the winds will still be a force to contend with. Be sure to travel with a partner for safety.

New Wave, New Age
New Magic is how the Free Cities diverges from reliance on more traditional magic. With New Magic, the Arcana plays a much more limited role. However, New Age thinkers of Libertas have risen with the arrival of the Summoned. They stress that to move to the future, you cannot forget your past. To encourage this reconnection with one's roots, a group of New Age practitioners have set up a table at the Cadens Library. You can take part in designing your own tarot card on pieces of thin metal. The goal is to create a design that speaks to you the most: find inspiration from your connections to the world, from home, or through an important symbol in your life. Special pens will easily burn and engrave any marks you make, so craft carefully.

Nocwich
Nocwich, which is shrouded in eternal darkness and is home to the werewolves and the vampires, is, unfortunately, CLOSED due to recent events.

◎ 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 are 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 amid 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 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 who 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 who 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. With spring on the way, the winds remain somewhat chilly and the rains are heavy - not to mention the small twisters forming across the plains and on the ocean. 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:

• Small twisters assail the settlements. While it isn't strong enough to lift homes or large structures, important shrines, and small animals are still in danger. Try not to go outside unless you have to! Across the sky, lightning surges horizontally, never touching the ground.


• Shops and stalls have closed due to conditions. The strong community means in Solvunn everyone has chosen to pitch in to help each other out, delivering meals when there's a break in the storms, finding lost pets, repairing broken gates, and exchanging essential goods.


• Fishing in the Tertiary Settlement has also ground to a halt. Isar Hart, who sits on the Council, can be seen frequently in the Primary Settlement to gather much-needed supplies for the residents.

◎ Exploring

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

Shrine Offerings
As a new arrival, you'll be encouraged to perform your first offering. Due to the turbulent weather, Solvunn believes offerings in the tradition of High Magic might quell the Gods' fury. Create a bundle using a combination of fruit, wine, flowers, or an animal you've hunted. It must be picked and put together by your own hand. Once you're ready, you can approach any shrine belonging to a God that speaks to you: is it Cadaevos, who purifies the community and soul? Endrborrin, who brings forth spring and change? Vagn, who oversees one's journey in death? It's a good idea to travel with a partner. While the twisters aren't deadly, they can be dangerous if you're not careful. Perhaps, along the way, you can talk about what the concept of gods and blessings mean to you.

Goatnado
Due to the heavy rains, Solvunn's fine tradition of goat racing has been put on hold so the goats can be kept safe inside their pens. Of course, the goats prefer their free-range lifestyle and are prone to escaping. Help find missing goats or tend to the ones who have been returned to their pens. It may not be as simple as following the sound of bleating and tying them up; reports of small twisters picking up goats and other livestock have been made, sending them far away from their pens and farms and even into the more dangerous wilds or inconveniently on buildings and houses. You'll need to team up and track them down before they can cause any property damage or get hurt themselves.

The Shrieking of the Weeds
Goats and livestock aren't the only victims of the sudden winds. Farmlands and crops also face the brunt of destruction. The twisters travel quickly across Solvunn's low and flat landscape, and the freshly tilled earth is even easier to disturb. As a result, Shrieking Weeds, a staple garden guardian in Solvunn, are being ripped from the ground and sent in whirling, noisy tempests that keep everyone up all night and day. The weeds must be retrieved and will only quiet when planted back into the ground. Luckily, you can easily follow their discordant cries to find them.

Nocwich
Nocwich, which is shrouded in eternal darkness and is home to the werewolves and the vampires, is, unfortunately, CLOSED due to recent events.

◎ 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 & 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 territory your character is drawn into has nothing to do with their morality, beliefs, or how highly they regard themselves and their 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 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 into 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 territory?

No, they must remain within the territory except when visiting Nocwich. Review the Travel section on each territory's Setting page for where characters can go within their borders.

Can my character eventually change territories?

Yes, but tensions between the major territories are at an all-time high. Doing so is possible, but will require some plotting 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. Those interested in court politics, the Singularity, and magic will have the most access in Thorne. Anyone who wishes to uncover the secrets of the Gods and other mysteries will best do so in Solvunn.

This is not to say characters are locked out of other scenarios completely. With effort and the help of friends, anything is possible! Don't get too anxious about your choice. Every character in each scenario can work their way towards many individual goals. Additionally, once in-game, the Horizon, Nocwich, and certain events will let characters make easy cross-border 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. You'll 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?

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. In situations where Nocwich is closed, you can put up prompts for multiple scenarios, though only the one you choose in the application can become canon.

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. 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

[sonofacesius]

After everything that's happened to Apollo recently, Will could guess where his mind was going. He knew how Apollo had viewed mortals, how the other Olympians still did for the most part. They were given about as much respects as ant in an ant farm. Fun, a little useless, and occasionally you get to watch them fry under a magnifying glass.

But he also remembered Persephone's own words, suggesting he embrace his own darkness. That Apollo was more than just sunshine and healing, arts and culture. Still, it was one thing to use those abilities, the abilities of plague and disease, against a monster or someone who was actually attacking or causing harm. It was quite another to accidentally infect someone. It was a bit worse than dousing Clarisse in toilet water.

Of all of Apollo's powers to have, it was the scariest. It was also the one that made the most sense, balancing out healing.

Will did notice that Apollo specifically did not mention Will using an arrow himself. He also knew he probably didn't mean it that way but, still, thanks dad. Rub it in a little. He was the son who couldn't hit a target.

"How is this not the worst power to have?" Cause, it seemed kind of bad?

But still, he listened. What his dad said made sense. Practice, and hopefully gain enough self control that he'd be able to stop it before it started. "I'll just....try and infect rocks with the common cold? Or maybe something flammable? That way I can destroy it and so it can't hurt anyone else."

Will finds himself looking down, around, anywhere but Apollo. Then he lit up. Again, literally, as he had an idea. It might not be possible, it might not be probably but, it gave him a little hope. Usefulness. "Hey can I like, vaccinate people with this......"

[divasmio]

Apollo looks back to Will directly, smiling warmly as he comes to the vaccination conclusion. "And that's why it's not the worst power to inherit from me," Apollo explains. "I know why someone as kind as you wouldn't want the power to inflict disease, or the responsibility that comes with it. But with that power comes the opportunity to control its spread."

By vaccinations, like Will suggested, or with other methods — Though Will might not be in the mood to contend with strategically choosing where an outbreak starts to minimize the death toll. Apollo wasn't sure he was in the mood to really dig into that Trolley Problem, either.

[sonofacesius]

Will looked up as he saw Apollo watching him. Did it look like his dad was proud of him? Sure Apollo had been proud of him before, but that was for like, glowing. Something he couldn't control. This was him actively using what he had inherited and what he had been taught by Chiron.

He had only briefly thought about it in terms of population control, which brought him back to his talk with Persephone. Nope, he was not going to throw up, right? He looked nauseous for a brief moment before he got himself under control, and just gave a big, slightly defeated sigh. Because his dad? His dad was going there.

"And that's where you come in. You control the spread so that others, like the nosoi, don't flame it out of control. And technically, disease is necessary, even having regular colds is necessary."

He understood it. He just wasn't happy about it.

[divasmio]

Ah, it seems they are going to go full Trolley Problem after all.

"I'd hesitate to even call it necessary," Apollo muses. "It simply is. Whether or not it's by my hand, disease will happen. Sometimes there isn't a reason for it. But the good news is that inflicting actual plagues is my responsibility, not yours. If I reject that duty, the nosoi will step in to reclaim it for themselves. But you..."

He pauses and gives a small smile. "You have no obligation to use that power. It's simply another tool available to you, if you choose to use it."

[sonofacesius]

Anxiety was also one of Will's special powers! And he worked really, really hard to not think about Apollo doing things like flaying people, starting plagues, or how Kayla was even conceived. Actually going down that rabbit hole he was also kind of wondering if his dad even knew what a condom was.

Nope, things to think about another time. Or preferably never. Now was the time for asking questions about his nosokinesis. Not his dad's really active sex life and hoping he had enough beds in Cabin 7 to keep up with it.

" Thanks, Apollo." Will thought this might have been the longest conversation they had ever had. At least with Apollo in Apollo form.

"I suppose it is a helpful ability. And I'm not quite as defenseless with it." You know, because he was the son of Apollo that couldn't Apollo. Maybe one day he'd be confident enough to realize that maybe he wasn't that useless after all. But today? Today was probably not going to be that day.

[divasmio]

Maybe someday, when it's time for a classic father-son Birds and the Bees talk, Apollo will open up to Will about how deeply and passionately he'd loved Naomi Solace, and about the joy of bringing someone perfect and beautiful into the world together with her. But after meeting Georgina, even that perspective had been called into question. Georgina had loving parents now, but... had any of his other children fallen through the cracks, because he'd irresponsibly conceived and forgotten them?

Apollo had a lot to think about, but that's not what's on his mind right now.

It stings a little for Will to address him by his name after he'd said dad just a few minutes ago, but maybe he hasn't quite earned it yet. Or maybe being honest about... the things he has to do sometimes had caused Will to rethink their relationship. He supposed that made sense. Will wants to heal. It's what he does, that's the power he cherishes. Of course he'd be disgusted that Apollo passed its counterpoint to him, too.

Should he have downplayed his role as a plague god? Apollo's a god of truth, too, and he doesn't want to insult Will by talking down to him. And certainly not by lying to him. Perhaps there truly wasn't a happy medium between being transparent and being liked when you're Phoebus Apollo. Still, if he's going to be anything toward Will, Apollo wants to be good.

He shifts uncomfortably, nervously rubbing his thumbs against his fingertips, before he speaks again. "Listen, Will. I know that I... haven't been great to you. You deserved a lot more than what I gave you. You still deserve more."

[sonofacesius]

When that day came for Will and Apollo to have a father son talk, Will was going to bombard him with so many questions. Questions about things he never thought he had to worry about. Things from mythology he thought only pertained to gods until Nico walked out with the Cocoa Puffs. And a mild concern that his father might not actually know what a condom was (which would definitely explain a few things), or if being a god just....bypassed everything? Did he have to worry about that? He was 16 and the step dad to a bunch of cacaodemons.

Okay, maybe step dad was pushing it but he knew he wasn't going to just abandon them. Like....like the rest of the gods did. Like his dad kind of did. But they also kind of weren't kids. Weird, his life was really, really weird.

Apollo apologizing to him brought him back to reality, all his semi-formed questions, utterly vanishing. He looked up at his father, at the god whose features and abilities utterly mirrored his own, as if there could ever have been any doubt who fathered him.

A small tingle started forming in his stomach. What was it? Sadness? Happiness? Love? There were a bunch of feelings bubbling up and he kept trying to reach for them, to quantify them, only for them to slip out only half grasped.

In truth, Apollo had been a lot better than most of the other Olympians. Even ignoring his brief mortal stint, he was one of the good ones. He answered prayers, stopped by in dreams, sent gifts and only kind of forgot about his children or sent cards to people long dead. Kids like Georgina, who deserved better. Like Michael and Lee. And Will.

Still, Will loved his dad. Utterly. He looked up to him almost blindly, despite his feelings of inadequacy. It wasn't Apollo who was the failure here, at least not completely. Will felt he was also to blame.

He shook his head stubbornly. "You're a great dad. You always took time to answer prayers or stop by in dreams. You have a lot of responsibility and a lot of different influence spheres, I know that." He wasn't afraid of you. You never turned him into a tree. You mildly acknowledge him, even if he'd never gotten a single birthday gift. The bar was sadly really low. "I'm know I'm not the best son you could have. But I'm trying I promise. I want to be able to make you proud." But he wasn't like Kayla or Austin. He wasn't. Showy.

[divasmio]

"Oh, Will," Apollo says sadly, "I am proud of you. How can I help you see how wonderful and talented you are?"

He reaches to Will's forehead, smoothing his hair back affectionately. "There is no best child of mine. The spark of divinity I pass on to all of you manifests in so many different ways. You're all so varied and unique, how could I possibly compare any of you?"

Apollo leans in closer, smiling warmly. "But out of all my children, there is only one Will Solace. And I'm so happy to see your progress, growing into being the best possible Will Solace every day. And as long as we're here together, I want to be part of that growth, if you'll allow me."

[sonofacesius]

It was almost funny that Will's fatal flaw was most likely his poor self esteem, his lack of ability to adequately self reflect, considering the lengths with which Apollo had to go through in order to shine a light on almost the same thing. To have the masks torn away, to actually see who you really were. They both just manifested it differently. Apollo, through his arrogance and almost air headed behavior, Will, absolutely convinced he wasn't enough, and did his best to overcompensate for something that wasn't even there.

But since stripping away Will's powers and sending him helpless on quests that could shatter the fate of the world wasn't exactly Apollo's style, they would have to settle for something more human, like talking and hugs. And in that way, something truly Apollo-like. Apollo loved people. He was the god of civilization and everything it embodied.

Will was so talented, but struggled to see it. He could see those talents reflected in everyone around him, but not himself.

So Will did the only thing he could think of doing, something he'd wanted to do and keep doing since he saw Apollo, not as Lester, not in a dream, but actually real. He gave him another hug, wanting to feel his dad and everything they had missed together. What it was like to have a parent (even if he didn't need one!)

"I'd like that. I'd really like that, Dad."

For a moment, he let himself be a kid, enjoying everything that he had missed and just feeling safe. His father was real and warm and here. Will didn't have an answer for him, he didn't know how to make himself believe everything Apollo had said.

"Well I know you wouldn't lie. You're the god of truth."

[divasmio]

Apollo leans into the hug, wrapping his arms tightly around Will and holding him close. For thousands of years Apollo had been so distant and disconnected, refusing to engage with his children in this way. Getting attached to mortals is simply not what gods do, and certainly not an Olympian.

How had he kept that up for so long? How had he spent thousands of years denying himself, rejecting a love this pure and wonderful?

The word dad coming from Will sounds more beautiful than any sonnet or haiku that had ever been penned. Apollo turns his head to kiss his son's cheek.

"You're absolutely right," Apollo confirms, letting the hug linger as long as Will needs. He's not eager to let go any time soon.