TEST DRIVE MEME #18

[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 June.

While the world experienced some severe weather damage, the storms are now over. Newly arrived characters will be assured that repairs are underway, though they may help if they wish. Nocwich was closed for the last 3 months, but is now open once more! On the surface, not much has changed, but observant characters might notice some increased tension between the werewolves and the vampires.

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. With summer around the corner, the weather is warm and marked by a cool breeze. In the distance, the snow has melted from the mountains. Spring flowers are in full 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:

• The city of Castle Thorne is largely safe and the main roads are clear, but debris and fallen trees are still a danger if you stray too far towards any off-beaten trails. Nott is especially chaotic. The cleanup and repairs in town are going a little slower than they are in the royal city.


• 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 he was previously in Nott to oversee a project, he's now moved to the city of Castle Thorne with his family: Lady Lia Sidwell and his two young sons. They live in a manor near the castle.

◎ Exploring

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

Cupcake Decorating
Noteworthy participants in the Blossom Cake Festival are given the honor of having their cakes displayed in the castle. You can have a slice of this year's winning creation, filled with rich bold notes of tangy orange and vanilla cream. Also available are an equally impressive lavender cake feature and a lemon honey cake. The champion pastry chef will be there to give decorating lessons. Why not join someone and pipe some flowers on a cupcake? Even if it doesn't turn out like you hoped, you can eat it afterwards!

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 wind spell that can cast a cooling breeze over you. Perfect for when the weather gets warm! 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 gust of wind slamming doors and windows as the spells fail. It isn't dangerous, but it can be annoying.

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 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 territory's portals. Once there, you're welcome to meet those from other territories, 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, day trips to Nott or Borrel via portal are allowed, or you can visit Nocwich. Don't try to sneak away for good - 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, and growing hotter by the day as summer approaches. Though temperatures dip at night, they don't drop as low as they did in the winter. 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:

• Heavy flooding and powerful sandstorms have damaged structures in the Free Cities. While repairs are underway, some roads are closed and you might have to avoid dangerous debris when traveling. Watch your step!


• Soldiers continue to patrol the streets, keeping order as citizens begin to settle back into their normal lives in the aftermath of the storms. Theft has become a bit of a larger problem, given the damage to some shops and merchant stalls.


• 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.

Art Workshops
In the continuing spirit of Aquila's Form Over Function festival, where designers show off works that emphasize beauty over utility, free workshops have been set up throughout the Free Cities. These workshops are meant to market wares as well as encourage creative minds. You can attend a workshop on writing with one of Libertas' famous playwrights and get a brief lesson in the art of color theory to aid you in your future as a painter or clothing designer. Why not join a friend in the workshops? Or make some new ones!

Scrappy Salvagers
To help with the cleanup, salvage artist Axn Kade has offered a modest sum to anyone who will bring him scraps of metal. Despite his good intentions, this proposal has unfortunately resulted in small but fierce pockets of fighting over scraps gathered, especially among the vagrants and orphans. Some have even gone into dangerous areas to collect what they can. City guards could desperately use a hand to break up fights and rescue anyone who's gotten trapped under fallen debris.

Traveling Merchants
Word of new arrivals spread quickly to enterprising merchants. Many will arrive with samples of their wares, offering free things to try. These items include miniature pastries, trinkets powered by New Magic similar to those cheap flashing toys one find at a carnival, ales, fresh fruits, and healing elixirs. Not all of the elixirs are of proper quality. Some are akin to snake oil and might have adverse (though harmless) effects - take care not to accidentally turn your hair bright green or similar. All of the merchants will be gathered at a central point in the barracks so they'll be hard to miss. Maybe you can make a friend or two while perusing.

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 territory's portals. Once there, you're welcome to meet those from other territories, 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 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 summer on the way, the light wind is refreshing and the rain is warm when it falls. 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:

• Heavy flooding and powerful twisters have damaged structures around the settlements. While repairs are underway, some roads are closed and you might have to avoid dangerous debris when traveling. Watch your step!


• Some shops and stalls have yet to reopen. 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 is also beginning to return to normal, but many fishing boats need repairs. 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.

Goat Racing
That's right. One of Solvunn's fine traditions is its regular goat races. Meant to be a bit of informal fun, there's a pen of goats where you can choose a goat, get a number, and simply join one of the starting lines. These goats are not trained so the race is less of a race and more pure chaos as the goats do what they please. Whoever eventually wrangles their goat over the finish line wins. The only rule is that you can't pick up or physically pull your goat, but you're free to cajole, lure, or even use a bit of magic to get yours to the finish line first. Winners receive small prizes of cheese, ale, wood charms, woven baskets, and other similar tokens.

Shrine Offerings
As a new arrival, you'll be encouraged to perform your first offering. Solvunn believes offerings in the tradition of High Magic will ensure continued protection from the Gods. 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.

Giant Crop Picnic
Potluck-style feasts are common in the settlement as a way to strengthen the community, but the spring is unique for featuring giant crops. Oversized gourds, melons, and cauliflower are aplenty as the locals display their creations proudly. Considered a blessing from the gods, receiving the boon of a large crop is a great source of luck and pride to Solvunn. As a new arrival, you can take a look at these unique fruits and vegetables - and eat them! - as well as help hang decorations before the picnic. Place flowers, pin ribbons, or lay the tablecloths. The food is simple and hearty, ranging from stews, roasts, fresh bread, and puddings. If you're shy, someone will be there to fill your cups and plates if you won't do so yourself. Eat, drink, and be merry - it's what the gods would want.

Nocwich
Nocwich, which is shrouded in an eternal darkness and is home to the werewolves and the vampires, opens on the first weekend of every month for a total of 3 days. Shortly after arriving, you'll be given a pendant that allows you to travel to and from the portal. In 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 territory's portals. Once there, you're welcome to meet those from other territories, 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 & 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

[starscollapse]

The purpose of the designs. You have spent much time on this — they are beautiful, but they will be gone the moment a bite is taken.

[ She supposes there is something to be said for how they look, at least, for as long as they last. Beauty in fleeting moments. She steps a bit closer in an attempt to try and catch his eyes, though given the task at hand, she understands if he would choose not to divert from what he's doing. And she would not intend to disrupt him entirely if this is truly important to him. ]

You have an abundance, you should...think of stopping for a moment. Unless you wish not to think of where you are — you've only just arrived? There is a lot to take in, I know this.

[ She reaches out a hand toward one of the cupcakes — not picking it up yet, but nearly. ]

Eat one with me instead?

[ A chance to catch his breath? ]

nocwich

[punctually]

[ while boothill deals with getting touched in his holes, he bumps into peter, one hand automatically shifting to steady boothill in case he loses his footing. likely unnecessary, given what he is, but old habits are hard to break and whatnot.

he watches the assistant shakes the numbness from her hand as he chews on his meat skewer, a thoughtful expression on his face (usually a bad sign) as he sticks the rest of the skewer in his mouth to free up a hand and... stick his finger into the hole on boothill's lower back. ]

Ow. [ it doesn't hurt, really, but it's more automatic than anything; like sticking his finger into an outlet. ] That's cool.

[ sorry, he's going to go for it again. ]

cw: emeto

[boltaction]

[ wolfwood's words drift to him as if through several feet of water. vash just barely manages to unseat wolfwood's hand from his shoulder with a feeble push before he staggers deeper into the alleyway and retches. his half-digested dinner soaks into the packed dirt. he makes an ineffectual effort to try and quickly cover it, stammering apologies to no one in particular, his shoes scuffing a film of sand over the mess. his fault.

he'd killed them. had there even been anything to bury? probably not. his fault.

there's a phantom pain in his flank, right where he'd been shot by the man on the bridge; retribution for the loss of his parents at jeneora rock. his fault.

his fault, his fault, his fault-- ]

Oh, god.

[ he grips at his head and hair, and unless wolfwood tries to stop him, he's just going to start walking with an ambling, clumsy gait, leaving wolfwood behind. anyone else would mistake him for a drunk in the throes of a bender, but they both know he's stone-cold sober. ]

[shaltnot]

[ "A circuit"? Very specific vocabulary right there. Makes it all official-sounding, like a cop or the military. He might comment on it if there were kids not on the line, so it's something Nicholas files away for now.

For now, he gives a curt nod in agreement. ]

I'll take the right side.

[ And he does, hopping over other fallen debris and making quick work of the "circuit" the other man suggests. The building seems mostly intact, but the one that collapsed next to it has blocked off a substantial portion of it. He comes back with a groan. ]

Not much unless you wanna go diggin'. Did you find anything?

BWUHH HILDA

[boltaction]

[ for a brief, heartbreaking moment he thinks hilda has heard enough and is ready to wash her hands of him when she stands-- but then she hasn't released his hand. his gaze briefly meets magmara's, but she simply gestures dismissively at him, giving him the green light to leave with hilda. it's a slow morning, after all.

he doesn't say anything as they walk, hand in hand, through the streets. his head does lift when they reach the edge of the the park at least, taking in the greenery where it is otherwise bereft in the parts of the city he's had time to explore. there's plant life here he's never seen in the flesh before. the gardens of Home had all supported life from temperate climates, with lush maples and beech trees, while the oasis hosts hardy palms and thick-leafed succulents.

the fingertip of his prosthetic had just traced the jagged ridge of an aloe when hilda finally breaks the silence between them.

does he?

he slows to a stop. ]

I'm... I think I killed my brother.

[ his voice is so very small. ]

[shaltnot]

[ Okay, he does snort at "Red". She gets a point for that.

He'll be just a couple of steps behind her, keeping an eye both on the woman and the array of goods in front of them. He is, admittedly, curious to see what kind of stuff you can get in a place like this. There are parts of Abraxas that feel almost boringly normal while other parts are outta this world.

Flowers notwithstanding.

When she has her selection, he raises a brow, sizing both woman and the bottle up. ]

Yeah?

[ It looks...normal. Ish. It's actually not as easy to gauge as Nicholas thought it might be. But rather than call her bluff, he turns to the vendor with a friendly smile. ]

What's your sample policy?

[ The man behind the counter, full of beard with a wide smile that matches, nods quickly. ]

"We're always happy to give our patrons a taste."

[ Two small glasses are pulled out from some storage beneath and he serves up two modest samples from the display bottle of the same vintage.

With that, Nicholas grins and picks up both, holding out one to his new accomplice. ]

Ladies first.

[shaltnot]

[ Nicholas doesn't fight it when Vash knocks his hand away and simply lets it fall to his side. He watches the other man stumble and when he realizes Vash is about to hurl his guts, Nicholas kindly gives him some space and turns away.

Nicholas shoves his hands roughly into his pockets. Shit. There's got to have been a better way to do this. But what? How? In the end, he knows that no matter how the news was delivered, the end result would be the same--Vash would feel responsible. The guy couldn't help but make the happiness and well-being of every person he came across his problem. A whole city's worth? That's likely way more than he's head to weather.

At least Jenora Rock made it. Sort of. He saw the reports--the place was destroyed, people died, but enough made it out. Enough. The fact he doesn't have the right reaction to weighing human lives says way more about Nicholas the Punisher than it does about Vash the Stampede, doesn't it?

Didn't you hand him right off to Millions Knives? Would this have happened if you hadn't?

Before Nicholas can wander down that train of thought, Vash wanders past him in a stupor. ]

--Hey, hold up.

[ He pulls his hands out of his pockets, going for Vash's shoulder again but this time with considerably more force. He tries to grab hold to get him to stop in place. ]

Where'd ya think you're going?

[boltaction]

[ vash moves to gather his plate and peers briefly into his mug. he makes a mental note that geralt is no coffee drinker. he looks up when spoken to; his chin lowers a tick, and his eyes and brows sharpen with conviction. ]

I'll be there.

[ plans are good. they give him a sorely needed landmark in an otherwise featureless landscape of uncertainty.

he's thankful that the first familiar face he's seen since his resummoning has been geralt's. ]

[philancer]

Felix. You're not supposed to stand still long enough to get stepped on in the first place. Didn't the Professor at least teach you that much?

[ He's fought a dragon now, thanks. He knows that it's totally possible to avoid getting stepped on. Chomped on, however, had proven way trickier. At least for Hilda.

As for the ridiculous information about Rhea that he was still highly skeptical about, because what the actual fuck... ]

Linhardt. You should have heard him and Claude having a meeting in the war room after he got here. I've never heard so many ridiculous things in all my life. Even here. Although really, I was more worried about Claude exploding just from the amount of lore and secrets Lin dumped on his lap. You'd better be prepared for him to pick your brain apart, too, once he learns you might know things he doesn't.

[hipshot]

[ Not his holes!!!! Most people in the universe have the manners to give inorganics and cyborgs their personal space, particularly the mechanical, but with the number of odd looks he's gotten since being yanked out of that pond, it's no surprise. One would hope that a general apprehension about strange things would keep him safe too, but no, there's always some jag tryin to play funny guy isn't there? Shit that wouldn't happen to him if he had his gun, or at least some damn bullets for his arm. ]

Muddlefudger — [ Boothill spins again, and goes to intercept the hand with the offending finger, much like one would go to push away the face of the dog that keeps trying to steal food from the table. ] What'd I just say? Pick the forkin' heat sink next time, why dontcha?

[erosive]

"That you're a horrible dresser?"

But that's not it, and she knows it. She moves more debris with a firmer hand now, angry at… this entire place. Angry at it for prompting him to hide. Furious at it for stealing him away for a year. (How?)

What would he gain from claiming to be a king? Even if the Summoned, or the people of Thorne, were familiar with Ravka, what would he gain other than claims of having abandoned his country at its greatest time of need? (Wouldn't she earn the same criticism?)

Rather than hide behind her need to needle him and avoid worrying about the inevitable, Zoya rises to her full height and brushes her fingers (lightly stained) against her trousers. She regards him seriously.

"What's the plan?"

[thearchangel]

[Surprise, Wolfwood - it's not military, or cop, it's both! Not important at the moment though, except for experience. Probably. Garrus nods, and moves to start circling the left.]

[It's less destroyed than it could have been. The far side looks like it's still standing. Unfortunately, the only access point looks like it's a narrow window. Too narrow for his anatomy to fit through.]

[So back around he goes, jerking a thumb over his shoulder once he spots Wolfwood.]

There's a window on that side. But I don't think I'm going to fit through.

[theidlemaiden]

[ Of course he had gone over to the Black Eagles with the prospect of learning swordsmanship. She feels a prickle of something at heart to hear that Lysithea, Lorenz and Marianne had also joined them, but chooses not to dwell on the feeling for too long. By extension it only faintly registers that her name is notably absent from that list. ]

They probably wanted to learn from the best too. And who better than Byleth?

[ At least that's what she thinks has to be the case. The thought of them not trusting Claude anymore settles like ash on her tongue. ]

Do you know what happened to everyone else?

SHE LOVES YOU VASH NO MATTER WHAT

[theidlemaiden]

[ His voice may be small but that doesn't make the gravity of what he says any less heartbreaking. Suddenly the guilt and sorrow that bled through his expression earlier makes sense. Seeing him like this and hearing the devastation in his voice is enough to make her think that she never wants to see him like this again. ]

What do you mean?

[ A part of her wants to reassure him that she's certain that's not the case. But she doesn't know what happened in the hour he'd been gone. She didn't have any idea he'd had a brother in the first place and if that were really the case, how could he just put on a silly little smile and serve patrons coffee and tea? Why did he have to pretend to be fine when he'd gone through something so horrific?

She still doesn't let go of his hand. ]

It wasn't intentional - right?

[boltaction]

[ vash's shoulders bob with a brief laugh when the young boy latches onto claude. that the kids here clearly trust and enjoy claude's company warms vash to him considerably. what can he say? he has a soft spot for kids and the people who are good to them.

he tilts his chin to look down at the girl, whose crying has fizzled to sniffles. he rubs at her dirty, tear-tracked face with his thumb; a maternal gesture. ]

You must be tired. Want a piggyback ride to the popsicle stand?

[ her red-rimmed eyes brighten at the offer, and she nods. with his hands under her arms, he helps her to her feet while he gets back on his own. then he turns his back on her and drops to one knee, arms angled behind him.

once she's situated, he threads his fingers together to cradle under her backside and easily lifts her with a playful bounce and a "hup!" she giggles into his fluffy blonde hair. ]

I'm new around here, so you'll have to lead the way.

[ he indicates to claude with his chin. then he realizes he has yet to introduce himself-- ]

I'm Vash, by the way. Summoned. Twice now, actually!

absolutely no worries, real life always comes first ❤️ HAPPY TO SEE U AGAIN TOO

[boltaction]

[ he seems happy the offer of free food is enough to tempt rocket into sitting with him. being around familiar faces is-- well it's good for him. probably. all things considered. all the things he doesn't want to consider.

vash's smile holds firm. ]

Geralt told me about a year. But for me I was only gone an hour. Seems time is more of a suggestion than a rule, here...

[ vash had only managed to muscle down that single chunk of meat before he's setting his skewer down on the crinkly, waxed paper he'd laid out on the bench. ]

I didn't have any choice in the matter. I-- well, back home I blacked out. And when I came to they were pulling me out of the summoning pools in Cadens. Which is apparently almost unheard of? To be summoned by a different faction.

[ shrug. ]

How are you? How have things been in Solvunn?

[ it hasn't escaped him how tired rocket looks. while a lot can happen in an hour, as vash has had the recent misfortune of experiencing first hand, even more can happen in a year.

but the question is carefully casual enough that rocket can omit as much as he feels comfortable. vash isn't about to interrogate him. ]

[boltaction]

[ vash is easily manhandled, held in place by wolfwood's grip. he doesn't even need to clutch at him particularly hard; vash doesn't fight him.

his face is so stripped of color that even his usually luminous eyes seem to have dulled. he's as pallid as a fresh corpse. ]

I don't know.

[ he answers honestly, the cadence of his voice flat and lifeless. ]

I don't kn-know.

[ it's hard to determine if it's good or bad that his voice cracks the second time around. would it be better if this tragedy simply hollowed him out? or if it snared on all the soft and vulnerable parts of him like a tangle of barbed wire, mutilating his too-big heart?

suddenly vash hands lock around wolfood's biceps, his fingers, flesh and metal, digging hard into the muscle there. ]

You should go. You-- You should try to get to another city, somehow. It's possible, I think, to get transferred? If something happens again and I can't-- if you're here and you can't get out I'll--

[ his breathing is harsh and uneven, like this theoretical is already unfolding in front of him and there's not a damn thing he can do to effect the outcome.

he's panicking. ]

[swordofajerk]

You try dodging a raging dragon when you're also trying to cover Dorothea's escape.

[So there. But at the mention of Linhardt and Claude Felix reaches for his ale again.]

That's...terrifying. Both the thought of Linhardt and Claude talking and the thought of Claude trying to get answers out of me. [Even if he does have them.] How long before he figures that out?

[swordofajerk]

[Felix shakes his head.]

The last we heard of anyone else was when we were told there was a massacre at Gronder. Claude was missing, but that's all.

[And Dimitri was killed, but he's certain she's more interested in Claude than the boar prince.]

[emulsions]

[ Paris was like a fucking maze to him, too, not 'cause of the city, but because he'd just taken off to the other side of the world, and he wasn't looking back. The difference is, right now, he doesn't know if he should be looking back or what; he didn't hop a plane to get here, he's not, like, here by choice, so what do you even do? ]

Yeah. Yeah, you can say that.

[ You can definitely say that. It's extremely true. He's distinctly less lost now that he's found what he's looking for. It's weird, though, right? Is all this stuff imported or do they have a magic greenhouse somewhere with magic solar lamps growing their—magic basil in the dark? ]

I don't actually know why I came here. Just figured it was something to do.

[emulsions]

[ The unnamed turtle is pretty much the closest he ever came taking care of a pet or an animal. And the cat. The invisible one.

Carmy pauses. Now that he's stopped to really take in the man he's talking to, Dion seems a little lost, too. Not in the same way, but there's a look, you know? A I'm just here because I have to exist somewhere as a physical form look.

Yeah. Him, too, man. ]

I mean, talent is just doing something over and over until you start having dreams about it. That, and there are kids here, so I think this is like one of those pumpkin carving events.

[ Family, community get-together type shit, where some people get really intense about it and others are only there to poke out a couple of crooked triangles. But for the aristocracy, apparently, since that's a thing now. Here.

He holds out the piping bag, lower at first, then inching up and up as the (also unnamed) dragon steadily extends toward the frosting. Christ, that's a long neck. How far does she stretch? ] Want me to show you?

[philancer]

[ Technically, it was Sylvain’s job to be the one stepped on while his squishier companions made their escape. He’d just typically counted Felix among them.

He’s pretty sure Felix wouldn’t appreciate that sentiment. ]

Why were you covering her escape? Where was Ferdinand? And Caspar? [ They should have been the ones in heavier armor. Why weren’t the tanks tanking?? ]

Trust me, it was terrifying. I’m pretty sure Hilda and I sat there for at least half an hour worrying for both their sanity. And then our own.

As for you, though… [ He pauses as if to consider this before snickering. ] I’ll give you fifteen seconds after he realizes you jumped houses. Thirty, maybe, if you distract him with the whole getting-stepped-on-by-a-dragon part.

[parce]

"I haven't made one. I haven't been able to make one."

Between the things that this place threw at them and his own issues, he wasn't really in the right headspace to make a plan. He rubs a hand over his face.

"There hasn't been much time to do anything but deal with this place and it's quirks and such. Even if I could make a plan, I don't know if I would. It would be dangerous."

[swordofajerk]

[Nope he needs another drink.]

I don't suppose you could distract him enough to make him forget about that, could you. [He does not expect a positive answer there.] And Ferdinand was covering Linhardt. Caspar was up in a white beast's face with his axe. We didn't expect Dorothea to be at risk.

[cryptsleeper]

--Having a task helps you as well, I take it?

[It's a shot in the dark, but Alucard suspects it is a fairly good one. He knows what he himself is like when in a bad space. Having a task - something to do and distract - makes a huge difference.

He takes a look at the list again, then reaches to examine a bunch of dill.]

I'm Adrian.

[Not Alucard, if only because offering a more normalish sounding name to this man feels like a kindness.]