abraxaslogs | [ OPEN ] an informal event.

[ OPEN ] an informal event.

Who: the summoned of cadens
When: beginning of february
Where: the sarstina inn and tavern
What: sam is hitting two birds with one stone - his February (or whatever February means in abraxas time) family dinner AND a kind of new-summoned-social event. he even had hilda help spread the word!
Warnings: will update if needed!

THE DINNER

As per Hilda's invitation, if any of the Summoned come by Sarstina's that evening, they will find it set up a little differently than it's normal tavern sprawl. There is a large long table set up near the bar that has plenty of food spread out across it - which appears to look very southern-inspired in its intention, limited only by the kinds of ingredients a certain Sam Wilson can get his hands on. Behind the bar is Mag, who will serve whoever it is that comes up to ask for a drink - it appears someone is covering the tab tonight.

There are various tables and chairs set up around the place, as well as a stage on the corner for some live music from one of their very own later in the evening. The vibes is definitely low-key and casual - come get an ale, come eat some food, and if you're a new face there is a very good chance you'll end up (gently and in the most friendly way) cornered by either Sam, Hilda, or one of the other Summoned here to help answer questions and give a bit more background on what the hell is going on and also let you know about Mag's whole deal. Aka, if you're looking for a room until you're a little more on your feet, you are welcome here. Room and board in exchange for work. Not a big gig, right?

And if being social isn't your vibe, Sam's kind of betting on the fact there aren't many here who would turn down free food and drinks. And believe him - the food is pretty damn good.

OOC INFO

- this is a totally open post! I've got a TL below for various scenarios you can find Sam, but otherwise have fun, meet some people, put up a TL of your own! there are various places to run into people in the tavern, and if you find someone who is willing to help you into the Horizon, Sam's been letting people know they can use his room upstairs.

- Sam's only Rule is there will be no fighting. You want to duke it out? Take it somewhere else. There will not be warnings or second chances. Don't be an ass. He has lived in this Inn since he first got here and considers this his home, and if ANYONE is seen giving Mag a hard time, he will not hesitate. He's not afraid of squaring up, but you will not be invited back if you cause too many issues. :)

- this is open to any and all Summoned in Cadens, no matter loyalties or factions. Sam is going to be going overboard to be welcoming, especially to new faces. Even if your character didn't see the big invitation, feel free to have them invited by word of mouth.

- Mag is an NPC who you can read a little more about in the NPC section of the Cadens setting page. Feel free to have her come in and out of your tags as needed!

- any questions? message me at disarmingly

THE INN

Magmara (or Mag) has run the inn for years and has been a familiar face in that neighborhood as a woman who always made ends meet, almost in spite of the way she took care of her friends and neighbors above all else. Most weren't always sure how she managed to run the place on her own, but she made due, though she always seemed a bit overwhelmed and exhausted. When the Summoned arrived in the Cadens through that first portal, Sam managed to stumble in and make quick friends with Mag. In exchange for manual labor, fixing up and cleaning up the inn, as well as whatever other various tasks Mag needed to be done around, Sam would be given free room and board (a deal she now offers to any Summoned that arrives in the city for as long as they need it).

The inn itself is 4 floors tall, with the top three floors making up the 15 or so rooms (around five rooms per floor), and the entire bottom floor reserved for the restaurant area. The tavern makes up the entire first floor and is a large open floorplan, with a small stage in the corner, a walled-off area for the decently sized kitchen, and a large wooden bar where Mag does all her business for both the inn and tavern (where can almost always be found standing behind). It serves drinks of some variety (though not nearly as large a selection as some of the more well-known taverns) and some food (usually a single, large meal that will be served to the tenants and whoever comes in throughout the night for a moderate price). It can be busy some evenings, but in general tends to keep a more 'dive-bar' kind of feel, filled with more locals and regulars than a casual dinner-going crowd.

The rooms themselves vary from fairly simple, single-bed inn-style rooms with a small bathroom and little else, up to a two 'bedroom' suite style with small kitchenettes and spaces for sitting rooms. Each bedroom has its own small bathroom for the tenants, with cleaning, washing, and chores left to those who live there. What used to be more of a working inn now serves as a kind of boarding house for newly arrived Summoned (or simply those who won't leave), and Mag has found herself quite okay with that.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Shaking his head in amusement, Sylvain just gives him a patient look, lips curved because at least today has proved to be a wonderful distraction in a multitude of ways and it's hard not to be grinning because of that. ]

I don't think it is, but all words had to start somewhere, I suppose. But you're not doing so bad, don't underestimate yourself. You danced and kept up with Mags just fine. And you're managing entire sentences with me. Trust me, I know worse socializers than you.

[ He happened to be best friends with one. And he's not even touching Dimitri's moods before he arrived here.

[ Blake, amused himself, shows some dimples and takes a more obvious approach at getting to know Sylvain a little better. The guy's tall by comparison. Blake's four inches shorter, and he's not as broad, either. He wonders briefly if there's something significant in the number of redheads he's met since arriving, but all that gives way to Blake tipping his head graciously. They share the brown eyes, although the warmth is much more apparent in Sylvain's. ]

Blake.

[ He offers out a hand without bothering to think it might not be universal. For that matter, he's still in the assumptive stage where he sort of puts everyone on Earth in his mind, despite having met people from other worlds altogether.

This is... very new to him. All of it. Magic, portals, aliens, monsters — none of it comes naturally to his mind. It's probably why he's found himself fixated with the comforts of home. Clothes as a means of expression in a way he feels is relatable just hasn't been accessible since arriving. ]

[ Who doesn't love a redhead? Seriously, they need to start a club at this rate. He's nominating Himeka to be in charge of it.

But for now, he reaches out to take that hand with a warm but firm grip. There are callouses on his palm, earned from a lifetime wielding weapons - something that hasn't faded at all in his months here. His grin is warm and friendly, however, a hint of mischief in his gaze. ]

Sylvain. I'm guessing, since we haven't met yet, you're one of the new arrivals? How are you settling in? [ A pause as he makes a face at how that sounded. ] All things considering, that is. I know it's a lot, at the start.

[ Once he's got his hand back — an arguably soft hand (for now) — he folds his fingers back together on the bar. There are plenty of people around, but the area is fairly quiet at the moment. Something of a relief, really, because it means they don't have to fight to talk over the din of others. ]

People are pretty charitable, so my needs are mostly met. Still, the sooner I can find my footin' the better.

[ He'd lived on the graces of others for far too long to have anything but shame attached to the feeling of being dependency. Instead, he's actively seeking alternative, hoping to move out of the inn sooner rather than later. ]

Odd jobs, at least the ones I'm doin', aren't nettin' me near enough for my own place.

[ And perish the thought of sharing. ]

[ Introductions out of the way, Sylvain pours the man a drink - nothing too potent, but one of the local favorites, and slides it across the bar to him. A moment's pause before he shrugs and pours himself a glass as well. There's a lull in people at the bar, he might as well take advantage of it. ]

All of us here were new at one point, too. With nothing of our own. Makes it easy to pass on help to others who need it in the same way, when we got the same. [ He grins at this, eyeing Blake thoughtfully. ] There's plenty of odd jobs to be had, depending what you're looking for. Errands or an extra hand, unless you've got a trade or a skill to offer. And the hunters make good coin, from what I understand.

No good at huntin' animals, far as I know, but if you need someone to track a person, I can do that.

[ But it just goes to show how out of his breadth Blake is, now plunged into a world of inconvenience, sweat, and burgeoning innovation. He carried a guy and they barely have those around. Next best thing is a blade and there's no one in Gotham carrying those, not unless it's part of their shtick, anyway.

Blake feels... ineffective and ill equipped and he drowns the concern he has with the newly offered drink, perhaps even a bit too eagerly for his own good. ]

It's a little like startin' over.

[ No, it's exactly that, and he's done it time and time again but it doesn't get any easier. ]

[ Sylvain gives him an understanding look, inclining his head. ]

Yeah, it's pretty much exactly like that. Especially since we're all doing it pretty much from scratch. It never gets easier though, huh?

You think you're prepared for the next time, but—

[ Blake raises his shoulders and then drinks deeply from he cup he was offered. He's not so much parched as needing a little of that liquid courage at the moment to keep himself settled. At least Sylvain seems like decent company. Not too aggressive at all about needling his way into Blake's proverbial safe space. ]

Anything here I shouldn't live without? Been gatherin' supplies, but it's slow goin'.

People.

[ The answer comes almost immediately, as Sylvain glances over to hold his gaze, his lips quirking slightly. ]

Supplies are important, yeah, but the most valuable thing you can find for yourself here is people you trust at your back. Luckily, the Summoned in Cadens are a friendly bunch. We're all in the same boat - it's made a lot of people charitable. Or maybe just more willing to work together. Or hell, maybe Cadens just summons people that are likely to be that way anyway, I don't know what their requirements are.

[ Blake's mouth opens, a little inhale like he's going to say something, but then Sylvain barrels ahead and he feels momentary relief. Enough time, at least, to not sound entirely rueful. ]

You were just waitin' to say that, weren't you?

[ His eyes narrow but there's no teeth to the look he gives the man. Instead, he hides his amusement behind another sip of the drink he'd been given. If he didn't know better, though, he'd think someone set him up. Maybe Sylvain's prescient like that, or maybe he's just seen a lot of Blake's type in his time. Either way, it gets half a pass. ]

A'right, point taken. But are you offerin' to answer the door when I come knockin', or are you just here handin' out practical advice?

[ Sylvain just grins and props his elbows on the bar as he rests his chin in one palm. ]

Nah. But it was the most honest answer that popped into my mind. And sure I will. I can multitask pretty well, actually. I'd say you don't even have to knock but... I have no idea what you could be walking in on, so probably best to try that first.

[ That, ladies and gentlemen, is the look of a person ready to start trouble. Blake recognizes the tactic because he uses it himself and he laughs despite his sour face, just a hair too nice not to swipe Sylvain's arm right out from under his chin. ]

Well, if you've got no idea, then maybe I'll just leave you to it, stud. I'm not sure I'm into all that.

[ Which is, in fact, a total lie. He is now extremely curious how Sylvain multitasks in his little room here at the inn. Do tell. ]

[ For shame, Blake. It's rude to kiss and tell.

At least not before consuming considerably more alcohol. Or unless your name is Hilda. Then all bets are off.

But if anything, Sylvain's grin only deepens at the sound of that genuine laugh, pleased with the response, even as he tsk's softly and shakes his head. ] Oh, now that sounds like bullshit. Would you like to try again with a more convincing excuse this time, or should we just agree that you're intrigued despite it?

You don't know me!

[ The petulant tone is nothing but Blake's strange sense of humor and he has to admit he is intrigued. Maybe not enough to go opening Sylvain's door without knocking, but enough that there's a twinkle in his eye that hadn't been there at the beginning of the evening.

Blake downs a little more of that drink, finds himself too amused. ]

Anyway, I'm sure I don't know what you're talkin' 'bout. Mag'll tell you I'm a good boy.

[ That just has Sylvain throwing his head back with an amused laugh. ]

Oh, well at least you have her fooled. She took one look at me and declared I was trouble.

[ From how he's grinning, though, he'd taken it in the teasing manner it had been intended by. Which he was fine. It was easier to swallow when there wasn't a bite behind it. ]

That's a credible warnin' if I've heard one. Hold on—

[ Blake sets down his drink and digs into his pocket to find his little makeshift notebook. Christ, what he wouldn't do for the Notepad app on his cellphone right about now. Wetting the tip of his short makeshift pencil, he makes a production of writing all this down. ]

"Sylvain equals trouble. Source: The citizens of Cadens." That's s-y-l-v-a-i-n, right? Not v-a-n-e.

[ He's still grinning at all this, looking amused as he keeps his elbows propped on the bar and watches. ]

Good guess. Pretty sure we've got that warning framed around here somewhere, actually, so you're unlikely to forget it.

Well, v-a-i-n 'cause—

[ He gestures at Sylvain, a smile so big it sort of makes his cheeks hurt. Goddamn it, don't make him have a good time tonight. ]

Too obvious.

[ Sylvain just grins, completely unrepentant about this. Too late, Blake. Having a little fun won't kill you. ]

It's okay, you can tell me I'm pretty.

Oh, can I? Not a chance, pal. Doubt you're hurtin' for attention.

[ Which is just another way of admitting that he's fine looking, let's be real. But Blake's not giving him the satisfaction, even if Sylvain's here plying him with drinks.

He makes another obvious note. ]

"Engage with caution."

[ Yeah, his grin's not going to be dimming anytime soon. Blake's proving to be too much fun to tease. ]

I'd be hurt, except cautious or otherwise, that still implies "engaging" in the first place. So we both still win.

[ A very exaggerated roll of his eyes later and Blake is leaning forward, glass tipped towards Sylvain in illustration. ]

Keep talkin' like that and I'll just keep writin'. What am I puttin' down next? I can choose or you can.

[ Still looking utterly unrepentant, he tips his head to the side and considers that a moment. ]

Hmm. Well, I could tell you all manner of rumors and gossip about that, but it could all be bullshit, as a lot of rumors and gossip tend to be. So maybe you should just stick around and figure out what's next for yourself.

Hmm.

[ An echo of Sylvain's tone. He glances around looking for others that might be waiting to get a drink, but it's just the two of them. Figures. Blake can think of no reason to walk away and making up an excuse feels lame. ]

A'right. Why don't you tell me where you're from. You bartend back there?

[ He can't help but snicker at that, because that's about as far from the truth as you can get. ]

Not quite. But I spent a lot of time in taverns, so I figured that might as well count for something. No, there was a war going on back home. Not a lot of time for things beyond staying alive, surviving the next battlefield. Makes this place almost feel like a vacation.

[ OPEN ] an informal event.

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😂😂😂