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abraxasooc2022-01-20 09:31 am
abraxasmods) wrote in abraxasooc2022-01-20 09:31 am
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TEST DRIVE MEME #5
TEST DRIVE MEME
Welcome to the fifth 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.
Our Setting pages are full of information on the world of Abraxas, and an overview of the story so far can be found on our Game History page! Anything on that page - including information about the Horizon and the Singularity - can be assumed to be told to newcomers after they arrive, no matter which faction they are received in. For more information on Ambrose and the apprentice mages, Marlo, and Rowan, please see our NPCs page.
You can also find answers to questions asked on previous TDMs in their respective questions threads— 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Arrival
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. Through the opening you can see a bright room, but it's hard to make out any individual objects, as if you're looking from beneath rippling water.
Scenario One: Welcome to Thorne
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. Once you catch your breath, you can get a better look at the surroundings: tall trees and even taller stone pillars surround the platform you're laying on. Behind you is an ornate fountain, the base of which is so deep and so dark you might be compelled to scramble away from it lest it suck you back in to that endless abyss. Ahead of you are the walls of a large castle with several tall towers reaching up towards the sky.
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.
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 a mage with highly decorated robes and a large, heavy book. He 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 sighs with relief:
"Finally!"
Ambrose's expression brightens, relief visible across his features. He waves one of the apprentices over with a fine silk tunic, pants, and some basic sandals and with a wave of his hand they reshape to fit you perfectly.
"Oh, thank heavens," he says, closing the book and approaching you with a sort of worn-out relief. “I was beginning to believe we’d never get it exactly right.”
Now that he's not hunching over the book, he doesn't seem quite so stuffy and inapproachable. The apprentices all seem to visibly relax, and the one that handed you the tunic stops to take the tarot card down from the marble slab. If you show any curiosity about the card, they'll let you take a longer look, but won't let you touch it.
"Please, come with me," he says, motioning for you to follow him towards the castle. "As promised, my pupils will explain your current situation. And, ah - if you had any magic of your own, or other special abilities you can't access right now, fear not, they'll return within the week. The summoning takes a lot out of you."
One of the apprentices steps forward and rattles on and on about the castle, Thorne itself, the names of a bunch of royals and nobles, and of course, your reason for being here. The Kingdom and 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.
Once inside the castle you're taken 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), or you can wander around and meet the others.
There's also a dining hall stocked with a rotating 24/7 buffet in celebration of the new honored guests. Somehow, your very favorite food is part of the rotation (or at least an attempted recreation of it given the limited technology available to the Thorneans). The town surrounding the castle is all abuzz as well, with most shops and services willing to give free samples of their wares to the new arrivals.
You may also notice that your sign is embroidered on your tunic: the same image you saw on the card from before with the name of the sign itself beneath it. If you ask the castle residents, they'll tell you a little bit about your sign (and will mostly stick to the positives, although some might point out the negatives).
Last (and, if you ask anyone else in the castle, least) there is a worn stone staircase leading underground to the dungeon. You can go there, if you wish, but all powers are restricted in the dungeons and most of the cells stand empty.
Scenario Two: Welcome to Cadens
You find yourself pulled from the water by a pair of strong hands. Dry warmth hits you at once as you're set on a warm hard floor. As your senses return you realize you're on dull ruddy stone and surrounded by strangers. 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 on the far side is a raised pedestal with a card propped on it. The card bears an arcana symbol.
You feel weak. Drained. Any abilities or magical powers you have seem far away and impossible to access. You're in what looks like a cave lit by dozens and dozens of torches set into the wall. There's no furniture or decoration to be seen besides the pool. It's almost uncomfortably warm and there's the sound of rushing wind somewhere in the distance. Flickering shadows obscure the faces of the guards. A robed woman stands off to the side, looking at you anxiously and then to the authoritative woman standing before you. She's grinning, dressed in a fancier uniform than the others. There's a sword at her hip. A guard covers you with a blanket and returns to their place in the semi-circle.
The woman with the sword gives a nod of approval and smiles warmly.
"Sorry about the circumstances."
She gives you a good hard look before standing again.
"Take a minute, catch your breath, you've had quite a shock. Take it nice and easy. 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 nod to the robed woman off to the side.
Marlo Reiner steps back and the robed mage approaches to help you up.
"Come with me, please." 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. Shelves of wooden boxes and cloth bags line them, unidentifiable parts of what might be machines are tucked into corners and propped against shelving units. "This is one of the Free Cities' outposts," the mage explains as she leads you. "We're honored to have you with us, I'm sure you have many questions but please save them. You need to recover!"
You'll learn you're in the Cadens Desert Outpost 003, a military outpost on the outskirts of Cadens city. You're brought to a room in the barracks that's been prepared. Each barracks room is rather sparse and utilitarian. Six simple beds set against the wall, three on each side of the room, each with a trunk at the foot of it. You're told the world is in a delicate and dangerous times and you're needed to help. You're important, you're told, and they're very grateful you're here.
You're asked to stay close for the time being, but to make yourself at home. The outpost is more a proper military base than the name implies, with full facilities. The barracks 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. There's a mess hall that has food available from sun up till a few hours after sundown. You're even encouraged to make use of the training grounds, if you'd like, with non-lethal training weapons available for use and obstacle courses set up. And the city of Cadens is only a couple of hours away by wagon - though you're asked initially to please be back at the outpost within a few hours of the sun going down.
For your own safety.
Scenario Three: Welcome to Solvunn
The feeling of floating is the first sense that comes to you as the edges of unconsciousness start to ebb. Sunlight filters through the rippling water as you open your eyes, making you squint. Before you have the chance to panic and inhale, firm hands grasp your arms and pull you to the surface of the water. Moments later, soft warmth is wrapped around your shoulders as you're guided on unsteady legs out of a pool of water. You're lowered to the soft grass. Men and women in simple garments with lavish embroidery stand by, waiting with bated breath, glancing seriously at an old man in an ornate robe. He holds an old leather-bound book in one hand and in the other is a card bearing an arcana symbol. His eyes move quickly over the page, and he mumbles idly to himself.
Any strength you may have possessed feels as though it has slipped through your fingers. Any abilities or magical powers you have don't come to the surface no matter how hard you try. 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. A gentle breeze blows through, carrying the scent of flowers and herbs from an ornately decorated altar set off in front of one of the stone doorways. The mage closes his book and steps out of the water, addressing a matronly old woman. Behind her are two younger people, a rough-looking man, and a meek young girl, both of whom are also watching the mage.
“I detect no ill will from the gods, it seems we've been blessed with success.” Those that had gathered all breathe a sigh of relief and now seem pleased.
The old woman smiles and steps forward, offering to take your hands and help you stand. “Any gift the gods give us is one we will happily take. I'm certain you have many questions, and they will all be answered in time. For now, rest and know you will be taken care of.”
She pats the top of your hand and steps away with a serene smile, letting one of the others come forward with some clothes that seem to fit you perfectly. The rough-looking man from before steps forward once you're decent 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 settlement.
You find out you are in the Primary Settlement, the first of three that make up Solvunn's great territory. The settlement is situated between two lakes and is humming with life. You're brought to the center of town and escorted to an apartment above one of the establishments in town. Rowan explains that the living conditions are temporary if you'd like them to be, that local families would also be happy to host you in their home. That there are others like you who have also taken up residence within the three settlements. 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. Welcome to Solvunn.
Everything you need has been provided in this humble apartment, and if it hasn't, there are shops that line the streets and a marketplace in the center of town. Owners of some establishments or stalls are more than happy to give out samples or barter with your time for their goods. Babysitting can be a very lucrative business. You're told of the other settlements, that they'd like you to stay here for now, but if you can find a family to host you, the secondary and tertiary settlements are best to get to with an escort.
There are tales of travelers visiting the secondary settlement without invitation disappearing without a trace. The gods are as hungry as they are protective, young traveler.
You’ll find that there are more than enough activities to throw yourself into to better settle into your new life in Solvunn. Work is done in the first part of the day so that families can spend the rest of it together in leisure and work on their crafts - whatever those may be. For those children who are not of school age, they need nannies or storytellers, and there’s always a gaggle of them running about unsupervised. Families with livestock can always take a spare hand, especially since farms are so spread out, they have a tendency to wander. Whatever skills you may possess can always be of use to the community or to honor the gods.
If any of these options are no good for your lifestyle, the main roads between settlements can always use a bit of monster clean-up… just make sure you don’t go alone.
How many slots are open?
Currently, there are 23 slots open for new players. We will process activity check before opening applications, so we will have a better idea of the exact count then. Existing players can apply for a second character without restriction.
How do I choose a scenario for my character?
Pick whichever situation appeals to you most. Which faction your character is drawn into has nothing to do with their personal morality, beliefs, or how highly they regard themselves and their own accomplishments. Anyone can be put into any one of the situations.
Can I try out more than one scenario?
You can! But please keep in mind that only the one you eventually choose can be game canon, if you decide to keep any of your TDM threads.
What happens if my character refuses to comply with the NPCs?
They will be forgiven for their moment of panic or anger if they have one, and the faction leaders will try to calm them and persuade them further. If they put up too much of a fight and/or start actively attacking anyone, they will be warned once that everyone is willing to put them back in the well where they came from (see below), and if they continue to fight they will make good on that promise.
My character intends on causing a lot of trouble (destroying parts of the cities, murdering the NPCs, etc.), what would happen to them?
Characters who make too much trouble for the mages and other NPCs would be thrown back in the well (which will mean drowning in the void, not returning home). Brawling with other PCs and causing minor damage is fine and will be greeted with a cranky attitude and intervention from various NPC guards, and there will be plenty of opportunity for destruction and murder later, but for now the Abraxans have no desire to keep huge liabilities around.
I want to wildcard a prompt or use one of the prompts from an earlier TDM that isn't on this one (eg. the library), can I do that?
Yes, in terms of the settings. As Thorne is no longer imprisoning any newcomers, that option is no longer applicable.
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 faction?
In Thorne, characters can leave the castle but not the city. In Cadens, they can take a trip from the outpost to the city. In Solvunn, they can explore the entirety of the Primary Settlement.
Can my character eventually change factions?
Yes. While the faction borders are currently closed, there will opportunities in the future for characters to relocate. For the time being, they are stuck where they are.
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). This decision - and every other major decision you make in game! - will also be used to flavor some mod surprises that will be coming down the line.
Don't get too anxious about this choice, though; this is just one choice you'll get to make in a game that has a lot of them, and every character in every scenario can work their way towards many, many individual goals and outcomes. You're not locking yourself out of anything in the future via the choice you made on the TDM. It will primarily impact the immediate future with the far-reaching effects being up to each player.
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?
You can ignore sign-related prompts if you're undecided (or try out different signs in different threads).
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.
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.
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Lady Maria of the Astral Clocktower | Bloodborne | Hanged Man
[Drowning. Everything with her is always drowning. The water, closing in, suffocating, drowning, entering her lungs - it's as horrifying as it always is in her nightmares, but still so familiar. When it isn't actually water, but the water is reflected anyway, it's still familiar, still terrifying, it's still... her punishment.
What is not familiar is being aided in any way. Being thrown out of the abyss, gasping, and onto the ground is unexpected. It's... moderately better than awakening covered in blood in a hell made specifically for her, but the crowd staring at her naked body isn't particularly appreciated.
But not before she notices a few pairs of eyes staring at the scars there, and on her throat.
She refuses to speak as she's led to stand, but perhaps it's for the best. Being as tall as she is, and now without the Blood coursing her veins (or at least, none she can feel), it feels... awkward. Her limbs are too long, too heavy. Clothes are at least nice, and fit well.
Then, the information bombardment begins, but she's... not exactly enjoying it. Everything that comes is... well. Familiar. Too uncomfortably familiar. Castles; she grew up in one. She knows the games of nobility. That's all she manages to absorb from the explanation. A war, some nobles. Might as well be her life from home. She knows how to navigate it, little as she actually wants to.
At least there's a library. While she does pull a few books, and lightly read a few, she does stop from time to time to put her head down, and rub at her eyes, like they hurt. Possibly because she hasn't really been back to her room to sleep since she arrived. No matter how close her head droops to the table.]
[2: Cadens, after arrival]
[A military nation. At least the environment is warm, and dry. She wasn't sure what she would do if she woke up in some little seaside village. Fighting is comfortable, at least, and she's very confident with a sword.
They said her powers would return in a week or so - and while, after that time, she feels significantly stronger again, she's not quite sure everything is back to where it needed to be. She doesn't want to test to make sure everything is still there, that the fire still burns through the corruption in her veins, that the Vileblood taint still exists, but... it may become necessary.
The training ground isn't very well equipped with live steel, but she manages to find a nice, sharp knife regardless. Something that can really get some blood on it. With that, she quietly sneaks behind the tents - though she doesn't put as much care as she possibly should as she does so. Sometimes, she forgets she stands out, as tall and pale as she is.
Which may be how she's found with a knife embedded to the hilt in the palm of her hand, the blade sticking far out the back, blood dribbling down her fingers and pooling on the ground as she checks its properties, seemingly completely unconcerned with the massive wound in her hand.]
[3: Solvunn, after arrival]
[Old gods.
She doesn't like that term, what it implies. Reminds her a little too much of Great Ones. Honestly, the idea that ancient gods should be anywhere with any real power would be... intriguing. It should be an opportunity she jumps at, to study, to emulate. Maybe it would have been, once upon a time, when she was a bright-eyed and bushy-tailed scholar of Byrgenwerth. When human ascension not only seemed possible, but like a great idea.
She isn't sure she feels the same about that, and the way these... Solvunn people talk about their gods seems to be it's not an attainable state. Becoming a Great One was possible. These just seem to be... smoke and mirrors gods.
But they do say, if you're not invited to the second settlement, you disappear.
Maybe she just wants to see the face of one of them, so she starts inquiring around.] Pardon me. [Soft and quiet, is Maria's voice. Quiet, and cold, but there's a soft tone of inquisition there.] Do you know how one would... get an invitation from the gods to that second settlement?
2!!!
But sometimes his water budget allowance gets thrown out of balance.
So the outpost. So here, walking past the training grounds to refill his waterskin, walking past a--]
The medical office is in the opposite direction.
[Alucard re-evaluates what he says after it leaves his mouth. Far too tale and pale. There's probably some healing factor at play, isn't there?]
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Of course, he says something completely logical; not many people with a knife through their hand as thoroughly as Maria has hers would likely be able to stand, or at least not once the adrenaline had worn off. Not so calmly. But Maria is perfectly serene as she stands up straighter, simply gripping her wounded hand near the wrist with her other.] It's alright.
[It hurts, of course. It can't not hurt, she does still feel quite a bit of pain, but now that she has an audience she's rather disinclined to continue her research. So she just stands there, without removing the knife. She doesn't want the blood to coagulate on it, crystalize on it too much. Not where others can see.] It will heal. I was simply checking to see if their words about it being a week before certain natural abilities return were true.
Apologies for the mess.
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[--It isn't the worst response to recieve, in point of fact. Someone's used to far faster healing and there are a myriad of ways to test the delay of one's natural abilities. All the same, this is...unsubtle, to say the very least. The word must flash across Alucard's face, as he raises his eyebrows and lets out a soft little huff of not exactly disapproval, but definitely suggesting that this may have been overkill for the intended purpose.]
Not my floor you're bleeding on.
[Still, the wound is deep.] You'll need to disguise your new accessory then, as removing it is the far worse option based on your experiment. I believe there's a supply building if you turn around and make a right.
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Removing it was the experiment. But perhaps when I pull it out, it would be for the best if there was something more than ground and dirt to catch the blood. Wouldn't want to invite... pests.
[She almost says vermin, but no use pointing out what might already be in the blood.]
... Do you know if we can find a towel nearby?
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And if your experiment had failed and you had a gushing hand wound?
[It is judgemental, but in the dry way that suggests that yes, the dhampir understands where the logic came from, but it is an overall hot garbage plan. But in the face of being rude or being helpful, the dhampir knows the priority.
He nods once.]
At least one. That same supply area should have something.
[There's no question of if she's going to stay behind or follow. Alucard will know it by the sound of movement behind him, and so he just heads off towards in the same direction he pointed out, swift and silent.
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[The reply is only somewhat curt, but the truth is, she never really doubted that she'd be fine. Anemia is the opposite of what she's had to deal with over her life. Her body's always overproduced blood.
He's just lucky she didn't decide to test out her abilities by stabbing herself near the heart or liver. That really would've made a mess. Perhaps enough so she would have had to admit she wasn't testing her regenerative abilities at all.]
... Very well. [She does, however, follow him, gripping at her hand to keep the knife steady; the flow of blood already seems to be staunched, and though it was bleeding too much before, now it definitely doesn't seem to be bleeding quite enough for how fresh the wound is. Then again, it's sort of hard to tell. There is a lot of pooled blood over her hand.]
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[And made one hell of a first impression.
But Alucard keeps that thought to himself, focusing instead on getting them both to the afformentioned supply area. The walk is short and the dhampir keeps his eyes ahead. He can't articulate why, but there's an aura to his newfound companion that suggests that this is what she would prefer. Fewer eyes, fewer questions. An expertise of Alucard's at this point.
The supply area itself is nothing special - a small shed that is unguarded. It takes all of two minutes for Alucard to walk in, grab a stack of three towels (undyed, rough, nothing more than pratical) and walk out. One is draped over his shoulder. The second is tucked under his arm, and the third is outstreched to Maria.]
Should I grab more?
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It doesn't matter. She waits, rather casually, for him to reappear with the towels, and takes the one proferred, wrapping it around the knife, and mostly using it to obscure the blade.
If any of her blood coagulates or crystallizes, she'd rather not make it obvious. It already smells off, and she knows it does; it already doesn't quite behave like normal blood, but she's banking on most people not noticing. She's not really expecting to be face to face with a vampire.]
I'll pull it out, slowly. I'll take those towels as it starts to overflow the one I have. It will - I always lose a lot of blood. Luckily, it will not take much time of yours to heal.
[She goes slowly - too quickly and it might unsheath like a sword. She might stand there with a several foot long length of blood blade, and she doesn't want that. There's only the slightest pinch around her eyes that betrays the pain.
She's had worse. Far worse.]
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[Faster than fast, but that does not need to be said right now. Alucard's focus moves from Maria to her hand, eyes not flinching from the injury.
It is only as she removes the weapon that the off nature of her blood hits his nose. The note of it is impossible to define, at least here and now, but Alucard knows how blood ought to smell. It isn't that. What has him well and truly alarmed here is the word heal. Natural abilities take a week or so to return once summoned, surely this was calculated when--
He focuses, arm extended with another towel should it be ready.]
Do you need the weapon disposed of?
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[Releasing the weapon comes with an especial gush of blood, as it rushes to fill the gap left by even the thin blade, and Maria is quick to press the towel against her hand, and then she takes the second towel, as well.
She squeezes her hand, applying pressure to the wound for a moment, even as she holds the knife, but shakes her head.] No. It can be cleaned and returned to service. I have my doubts they'd be able to... discern any properties from my blood just by looking at it in a place like this. If the knife's cleaned, they'll hardly know the difference.
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Give it here, that way you don't have to balance it along with the wound.
[It is a suggestion, in spite of the wording. All Alucard himself is focused on is the wound itself, the gush, and how this woman hasn't fallen over from blood loss already is a true mystery he has no time to prod at.]
Is the flesh healing as it should?
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puretainted as "Vileblood", but it does relieve one burden.With that, she takes to wrapping her hand with the third towel, but keeps the other two soiled ones pressed tightly against her palm.
She doesn't even look the slightest bit woozy - or more pale than normal. This grievous hand wound could be as slight as a papercut, on an ordinary day.]
It's a bit more sluggish than I prefer, but I can hazard a guess at a few reasons why. Not the least of which is the location.
[She seems to consider something for a moment, then looks back up at him. Nothing to do but wait for the bloodflow to stymie, so she might as well say something else.] Thank you for your assistance.
[Even if she never really asked or needed it, it was useful, in the end.
That, and she was raised in a castle, not a barn.]
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He doesn't ask about discarding the other two. That seems beyond the point at the moment.]
Should I clean the knife off, or hold onto it until the flow's stopped?
[In the face of anything more practical, Alucard can only ask that. And acknowledge that he was probably here at the right time, al things considered.]
You're welcome. [He inclines his head, just slightly.] Adrian Tepes, if there's more stabbing in the future and you need a second set of hands.
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[She seems disinclined to removing the towel just yet, but she does lighten up the pressure a little.]
I am Maria. [What else? Just Maria.] Any future endeavors will likely not need any aid, but the offer is appreciated. The only use I usually have for such an ability is combat, regardless.
[It's for killing things... people, whatever it will be and for whatever reason. What she was testing but not admitting to was a weapon regardless.] Though with the militaristic stylings of this area, perhaps that will be sooner than later.
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Hm. He frowns as he passes her by (quietly, on his tip-toes) once, and then twice. She hasn't moved and he feels both pity and curiosity for whatever she's curious about. Won't do her any good to fall asleep in a book; she might wake up with a stiff neck or smeared ink on her face... as his personal experience negs him. He leaves and then returns again and very very carefully tries to pull the book away from her resting head and simultaneously slide a small neatly folded blanket under in its place. His tongue sticks out in concentration. ]
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Swapping the book she's about to be face-down on with a pillow, however, is a final straw, and her eye pops open. She doesn't sit up immediately with a start, doesn't really give any other indication that she's awake, but she does move, just enough, and her breathing is steady and quiet once more as she looks at her new companion.
And her voice? Exactly as steady. Cold. And a bit disapproving.]
May I help you?
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S-sorry, I just-- just thought I could help you instead? You look a bit knackered and even the most interesting books don't exactly make for the best pillows. [ Bravely nervous, he leans forward and runs his finger on the edge of the book for emphasis. Emphasis quickly turns into innocent curiosity however, and forgetting for a moment that it might be rude his finger slides under the corner edge of the cover and lifts--just an inch or so--to try and get a peak at what the title of the book might be that she dove headfirst into. ]
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To that end, it means she can watch him flip the cover up, letting the pause remain, heavy and pregnant and awkward in the air for a long moment before she does.]
No, and I suppose it is my own fault for not sleeping well, but... not being at home does make it a bit difficult to fall asleep.
[That book, as he lifts it, appears to be a simple history tome of Cadens, and the rise of the Free Cities out of Thorne.]
... I was doing some research on our gracious hosts. It proved to be quite... lulling. [For the most part, at least. The part where the Free Cities cut off was interesting, but the stuff about Thorne? She's already been there, done that with huge castles. It seems no matter where she goes, they're about the same.]
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F-fair. All that; really dry, this history. [ He liked it, but he recognized dry literature when he read it as well as the disdain in her tone. She does subtly confirm that she's not a native to this castle. He's only known her for a few moments but he gets the sense she's far more world weary than he. He fiddles with his fingers and debates wasting her time, but his own curiosity and a quiet desire for some kind of anchor of assurance in this strange world compels him to softly ask. ]
Do you really think they mean what they say...? That any of us can save their world?
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Still, she relaxes a little, in her chair, turning slightly to face him more. Now she's less looking for a threat, and more ready to actively participate in the conversation.
It's an interesting question, though, as much as she had been rather reluctant to say anything after the awakening. Her look darkens, just a touch.]
Perhaps they're desperate enough to think so. If they truly were looking for saviors, then maybe they should have been more particular with whom they summoned here. [Maybe they wouldn't have taken someone with so much innocent blood on their hands. Maybe they wouldn't have summoned someone who knows the sweet call of blood, and the euphoria of violence. It's not a thought she likes; she's nothing near a "savior".] Why, have you been searching for an opportunity to be a hero?
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Desperation and necessity is the mother of invention, isn't it? [ He answers cautiously, still keeping that smile until she questions him in turn. He purses his lips and look away for a moment, like any one of these books is going to, succinctly, have the answer.
Succinctly, it's no. ]
It's not... I mean, 'hero' is a bit complicated of a word, isn't it? [He fiddles with the edge of the wood desk, picking at the wayward grain until a loose little splinter pops free. There were people he admired in Doskvol—good people, strong and talented people— but his world was one mired in darkness and it tainted everything. Even so-called 'heroes'. He frowns. ] I'm not—not particularly strong or brave. I really just want to do science. [ His tone lifts a little at that last admittance. That's where his passion is, even if he's being very uncharacteristically reserved right now in expressing it because she's intimidating. Not for long, however. The more he continues the more enthusiasm bleeds in his words and shows on his face. He gives her his gaze again. ] Push the boundaries of knowledge and progress. Maybe help make lives a little easier.
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[Call her back some number of years in the past, when she was an idealist college student who thought magic blood and elder gods could elevate their world and save it.
Of course, mentioning science has about the same bittersweet effect to her mood. For the same reason.] I had a similar mindset, once upon a time. Pushing boundaries can be indescribably helpful, until they start pushing back. I wonder what their boundaries are here, if they're willing to accept anyone into their lands with a dim hope to save them? Have you seen the edge, or are you relatively new to this place?
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Well certainly no one's going to get anywhere at all if risks aren't taken... and those are the ones most worth taking. [ He thinks he had more to say but he'd just be repeating himself, and she poises a better question that does well to distract him. The idea of a boundary pushing back also sort of unnerves him, like she described it as a living entity. He still kept the comfort of his own perspective that science was a tool, only a proficient as the person who wielded it. Not a beast of its own accord. ]
N- no. [ He's new, still absorbing everything like a sponge. ] What's the edge? [ Not content to leave his own pinpricked ego on the table, he quickly adds, ] Have you been there?
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I do wonder what atrocities they've already committed. Aside from mass abduction. [She motions toward the book.] Predictably, this book won't paint the kingdom in a poor light, but I was hoping they'd at least speak ill of the others of this world.