abraxaslogs | · CLOSED ·

[Sometimes, you're just minding your own business, and someone strides up to you with that telltale look of wanting something.

Henry knows it well. He watches as Wanda nears, peering over a set of green and willowy, tiny fruit-bearing, outdoor potted plants he'd been expected to tend to, gently tipping a canister near the roots to wet the soil. The water drips gently, trails down the stems, but he does not tear his gaze away from the approaching Summoned who no doubt is going to ask him to do something.

He is tired of favors. He is mired in them, day to day, in Solvunn. Why should he have to-]

Hello.

[-humor yet one more? It's like sandpaper beneath his skin.]

You look like you want something.

[CONVINCE HIM]

[wanda knows exactly why she is drawn to henry, even if he seems like the unlikeliest sort to choose for company on a trip that expands into the secondary settlement. the roads are dangerous, and there's always the likelihood of doing the trip there for naught at all.

with her powers, she doesn't really need an escort, so much as easy company.]

Are you busy?

[he is right to assume that she does want something, but not particularly a 'favor'. she would like to think that what she's offering him is an exciting prospect for him, too.

her boots shuffle against the gravel of the path, just about stopping near him; watering plants, so mundane. she's already got a horse waiting for her at the outer edge of the settlement, with supplies holstered in the bags it carries. wanda has sure made a detour coming to look for him.]

—unless you'd rather stay here.

[So painfully, painfully mundane. Are you busy? almost wrests a cynical-sounding laugh out of Henry, but he has enough practice to keep it neutralized into only a polite curve of a smile.

He straightens, setting the watering can on the edge of the planter. He doesn't reply immediately, his gaze wandering off to the side and beyond, where he sees a horse waiting there, adorned with full saddlebags. Someone's made an effort to come out this way.

Glancing at her again-]

Oh, but this is so thrilling of an activity.

[Okay, he can skew a little sarcastic, but lightly so. Admittedly, Wanda has at least sparked his curiosity with a lead-in like that.]

But I can be convinced to put it on pause depending on what you had in mind.

[yeah, he skews on a little sarcastic, but by now at least wanda knows that there is nothing pivotally antagonistic between them; all friendly, in some amount of 'fun', if nothing else.]

I'm not in the business of convincing anyone.

[—if he's looking for a sell. the answer is either yes or no from his part.]

I'm headed to the Secondary Settlement. [thus the horse that she knows he's noticed.] You've never been before, have you?

[Somehow, that eases his internal reticence by a few degrees. There is a difference between being handed a choice (rare) and being offered an obligation (daily, in this place) that allows room for more curiosity to wheedle in.]

I haven't. Though I can't say I haven't wondered what life is like outside of this place.

[Within Solvunn, though, probably the same sort of routine, again and again. He does not expect to be particularly impressed either way; but everything is better than the lab.]

What business do you have there?

[wanda can see him slowly budging, warming up to the idea, despite the coldness that she always feels from him. it's not anything bad, necessarily, but it is truly a very henry thing—white walls, narrow hallways, unfriendly doors.

she's not yet asked him about that.]

I want to speak to one of the members of the Council. I thought I'd go there rather than wait here to meet him on the off chance that he does show up.

[glancing over her shoulder, at the awaiting horse, she is sure she can get another one for their trip. she turns back to him, looks him over; wanda wanted to bring billy with her, but the fates would have it be otherwise. she's trying not to think too much about it.

a distraction would be welcome.]

So?

[When your life is nearly defined by one single location, one prison, the mental vibes exist accordingly. But they can have that conversation some other time, maybe.

For now, a single pale brow arches.]

Official business, then?

[And he's given no more explanation than that, which leaves him hanging in a way that makes him wonder, makes him want to pry. But at the same time, how is that supposed to compel him? A trip to another settlement, to accompany someone who'll participate in a conversation he will likely have no part in, to take in a view that will undoubtedly be the same?

Wanda has the advantage of sharing few similarities with him, at least. He can't deny that, and it affords her some leeway he wouldn't give others. And then there is the fact that he can abandon his current task--watering these mundane plants with their mundane little flowers struggling to bear fruit--and at least see something new. He has wanted to expand his knowledge on this world, after all. He supposes it won't always be the most thrilling.]

All right. You can share the details on the way over, maybe?

[Still nosy.]

['official business', or whatever this would entail. wanda smiles as she feels his thoughts gearing towards accepting her offer, molded forth then into reality as he doesn't reach for the watering can again. he voices, then, his acquiescing.

wanda's lips are short of forming a smile.]

I didn't plan on having a trip where conversation was not allowed.

[mental or otherwise.]

I'll find you a horse, and I can give you ten minutes to pack up whatever you need. [she shrugs, turning back already.] Don't worry about supplies. We won't be without.

[what with magic and all that.]

[the secondary settlement, though similar at a glance, is vastly different to the primary settlement. it feels like a maze of farmlands, the layout confusing. still, it takes no time at all for them to encounter someone working the land—newcomers would definitely make a sight, wouldn't they? wanda asks that they be taken to rowan march, and there's enough recognition of her name and influence throughout solvunn to be directed without much hesitation.

their horses tended to, wanda and henry walk towards the home rowan stands by, waiting for them. he greets henry, but there is a clear understanding that only wanda may come inside to speak with him.

maybe henry will find some entertainment for himself.

wanda steps inside, lets their own bearings settle within. while she understands that those of the council here—perhaps particularly so rowan, given his background—aren't in dire need for dripping shows of respect and curtsies, she still recognizes his position and influence within the council and solvunn.]

Thank you for having us in such short notice.

[It must be nice to have reality-bending magic. If only.]

I don't have much. I won't even be that long.

[And that's not a lie; not much in the way of material possessions for Henry Creel, who has not been present in Solvunn long enough to accrue anything he's particularly attached to. Once he's back inside the homestead he's staying with, it's only a handful of minutes before he's back out and ready to hit the trail.

On a horse.

A new and very... worrisome experience, if one were to be completely honest. They're certainly not going fast enough to count as harrowing, especially to Henry who would still call this a sedate activity, but it's a lot of jostling. A lot of keeping balance. It's clear he's utterly new at this, and that he grows increasingly stiff in the shoulders and hips as they near their location.

At some point, he won't even hide his frown, though the soft and prying timbre of his voice hasn't completely lost its kindliness.]

I hope whatever you're planning on discussing, it's worth all this effort.

[ He knows that she's coming. There are old magics in these fields, spells woven into the earth itself from a time before Solvunn was well and truly settled. He'd invited her to his family farm to have a less formal chat, but it's a feeling he gets- much like a goat when a predator is near or the winds shift to indicate a coming storm. Precautionary, perhaps.

The Summoned are certainly a blessing put upon them by the Gods, weaving themselves into Solvunn's tapestry like they'd never been outsiders from the start. What's a shepherd to do but look after his flock? Wanda herself is very easy to pick out. Magic recognizes magic, after all. He waves them over toward the front of his homestead and offers a nod to Henry in greeting before his attention turns fully to Wanda. ]

Aye, a pleasure to have you. Though I wish the terms of yer visit were different. Come, we have much to discuss. Henry here can explore as he likes.

[if nothing else, they could always take a break from the horses and start walking for a bit. the trip to the secondary settlement is long, but it needn't be tedious. with enough speed, they'll make it there in a couple of days.

wanda's familiar with this horse, at least, having used him on a few short and long expeditions before, so there is a sense of comfort between them. henry will have to reach that point with his own.]

I was told of plenty of rumors regarding Josselyn while on the ship. [that is her main point of concern.] It's clear that the Council is unhappy with the resources they've shared with the Free Cities, and it's not hard to tell that Josselyn might have had something to do with it.

[—the way she had left that meeting early on, an unusual thing compared to how things had been before.]

Besides, I've not had the chance to visit the Secondary Settlement properly. It's never a bad thing to see how things are away from our home base.

[a glance at him, offering a small smile.]

['much to discuss', he says, and wanda tries to keep at the forefront of her mind more diplomatic individuals such as steve and sam at a time like this. rowan is certainly not someone she feels uneasy about, at least, and he's been an ever-present figure during council meetings.

she nods, following inside after him.]

Have you found that the crops improved in their yield lately, or is it about the same?

[a constant issue in the commune at large—the yield of resources. she can ease into the conversation with this, at least.]

[ He ushers Wanda to a small reading nook with a large window that overlooks the pasture, beyond it a large herd of goats grazing. There's a well-crafted tea set already sitting at a table between two chairs. A gracious host, he pours her a drink once she's seated before taking his own. ]

Aye, by the favor of the Gods. Not much more, but every bit helps. Do you and yours have everything you need?

[ It seems their sacrifice to the Gods gave them favor, and they won't shun any sign from them good or bad. It guides their way of life and has served them well since Solvunn's birth. ]

By the favor of the Gods.

[—she repeats, as if in agreement. she'd be foolish to sound skeptical, or to deny the fact that regardless of her own beliefs, there is something mystical (or divine) at play in this land.

wanda is most appreciative that solvunn has a bit of a culture around tea. one hand reaches for one of the cups, bringing it closer to herself, letting the warmth of the drink sooth over her fingers.]

We do. Though we Summoned come from different kinds of lives, we've learnt to accommodate to what Solvunn has offered us—and to give back, too, of course.

[kindness met with kindness, if nothing else.]

...though we've been having some concerns as of late. [she hedges, turning the cup around on her fingers.] I know the Council has its own way of doing things, and I don't mean to question the leadership of Solvunn — but it's hard to ignore the tension as of late.

[the tertiary settlement is as one would expect; closer to the coast, the breeze smells of the ocean's salt, and it doesn't really hold up to the green and farming nature of the more landward settlements. the people here are slightly more tense—more so than when wanda last visited. isar hart doesn't really say much about it as he bids them farewell.

she can, however, imagine why the people are this way.

still, rowan's request for her to check out some disturbances has her immediately aware that something is amiss. it's not in the entirety of the settlement, but rather it's in the feeling of the place—its people. there's a dreaded kind of exhaustion among some of them that goes beyond their daily chores. someone like her, someone like them, can feel what is happening underneath the surface.

wanda gets down from her horse, holding onto the reins, then glances at henry once he joins her on the ground.]

Let's tie the horses and walk around for a bit.

[speaking with one of the families of the settlement who seem open and excited at the prospect of aiding the summoned, they can safely keep their horses sheltered in their garden-space for the time being. to further consolidate their loyalty for this one favor, wanda offers them a gift of soaps and scented candles, which they take in with excitement.

they walk now down the dirt paths of the settlement. they don't run into many others as they traverse between buildings, away from the main path, but they both hold a quietness to their voices when they speak normally, there's no fear of speaking their thoughts out loud.]

You feel it too, don't you?

Edited 2023-02-12 14:53 (UTC)

[He gives her a sidelong glance as they make their way down a winding path, sloping downwards along a hill. Henry holds onto tightly to the horn of his saddle, going over her words in his mind.]

So you're trying to set the record straight? [Regarding Josselyn, he means.] Why does it matter, either way?

[Polticking, hushed voices and rumors swirling about the state of the world, on the edge of fracturing into war as it might be. Henry has a hard time wanting to know why anyone would try to untangle a mess that is utterly unsalvagable in a world that does not belong to them. Sincerely, anyway.

At the last bit, he nearly shrugs. Nearly.]

As for sightseeing, I'll admit that's the main reason why I came along. I want to know exactly the kind of world we're being forced to live in, for now.

Of course.

[He feels it, and it's... distracting. It's as though they're both walking through something cloying but unseen; like a funerary veil placed across the path, the buildings, woven into the spirits of the people, keeping them mired in a dread that's all too clear, even if the why is not.

For Henry, this does not make him wary so much as curious. He would like to think that he wheels and deals in dark and dreaded things where the mind is concerned; before his abilities were stifled for years in the lab, of course. But now? Old habits die very, very hard. He wants to know why this is. What's being hidden beneath the surface of this place. Secrets will always appeal, especially the dire ones.

His tone is hushed, but when he looks at Wanda, his expression is oddly pleasant.]

There's something... insidious here. Like an aura of something heavy, almost. I wonder how it manages it.

Maybe not at all.

['why it matters', she means. there's always the chance that they are just pulling at strings that will bear no fruit in terms of useful information. regardless—]

I'd rather know what is happening than to remain ignorant. I don't like surprises.

[as in, should anything sudden happen, wanda wants to know, for the most part, what exactly she's dealing with.]

And perhaps we can avoid something terrible from happening.

[something like the bombing of libertas.]

I've been meaning to ask. [abruptly, her words cutting through. he might not appreciate her bringing this up, but she couldn't help having noticed.] There was a point in your life when you didn't see much of the world, wasn't there?

[instances of surface memories caught with her telepathy, unbound, not quite looking for anything to stick to.]

[at this point, wanda has stopped taking notice of henry's more unexpected responses to circumstances. he's oddly pleasant about what — they're feeling, but she can't really fault him; for herself, as unpleasant as it feels, similar in some ways to the way the darkhold had ensnared her with its dark magic, there is still that familiarity, that odd sense of... not quite comfort, but a refracted kind of longing.

curiosity, mainly.]

Feeding on the fear and troubles of the people here, no doubt. [hush out their joy and hopes and dreams, transform it into something awful.] It's odd. Rowan said there was a disturbance in the woods, then why—?

[why would they be feeling this in town, in its people, faintly so, leading them in a specific path—for surely the two of them are following its trail down this gravelly road.

before walking towards a more open space in the town, wanda stops, turns to henry. there's a group of people milling about the general market area, going about their business. she and henry are mostly shrouded in the shade of one such stall, the sun high in the sky.

she scans the space with her eyes—until she locks eye contact with someone. red in her irises like a storm, as she tilts her head to the side, unblinking, getting a read of them. her voice echoes in the mind of the individual, loud enough for henry to hear, too.]

What are you afraid of?

[the answer is a little less confident; timid, almost.]

The Gods have abandoned the Ravn family.

[at wanda's question, eerily, everyone else in the market area raise their arms—]

Where?

[—point at the same path winding further down, towards a series of neighboring houses. and then the clamor begins, in wanda and henry's heads. accusations of being cursed, then complaints, desperate, about how it's affected them. they cannot sleep. their food goes bad. anyone who speaks to the child becomes ill. it grows in volume, louder and louder—

and then wanda draws back, pulling away from her connection amongst the people here. from one mind she anchored onto a dozen without so much as a flick of her wrist; telepathy and magic working in tandem. and just like that, they continue about their business, unperturbed, unaware of the two guests they had in their minds for a brief moment.

she starts walking in the direction they pointed.]

Shall we?

Edited 2023-02-13 21:50 (UTC)

[Henry, too, doesn't like surprises. Or rather, he should say that he likes secrets and unravelling them until there's nothing but bare thread left.

He supposes, despite the politicking, if he looks at it in this way, he can find some worth in her endeavor.

The last bit, though, cutting through the rest of the conversation, is enough to make him look at her a bit more keenly, eyes seeking.]

Are you poking around in my head?

[No, he knows she isn't. He would feel it. But surface memories must be there, still tangible; she's very perceptive, isn't she?]

Remember when I said I was taken in by the government?

[White walls, small rooms, harsh lights, underground, a room painted with rainbows-]

[Her powers continue to surprise him. Reading the minds en masse of so many, focusing her thoughts onto her query, and teasing out an answer in a way that would be eerie to most. But fascinating to Henry. Almost too fascinating.

The direction they indicate, towards the row of houses, is almost secondary to this sight. He can feel when her influence frees them, like fish let out from a net, and it's unlike the use of psionic powers he's seen before.

Though he supposes with her, it's magic, isn't it?]

...Yes. [Delayed reply. He follows.] That's quite a skillset you have.

[ Once she's taken to her own tea, he leans back in his chair, stroking his braided beard in thought. At her mention of an unavoidable tension, Rowan hums in agreement, frowning in irritation. It's nothing to do with Wanda, he called her here on purpose. ]

Nay, question it all you like- it's much like calling a spade by the same name, isn't it? You're a part of our commune, Wanda, each person has a voice. It's why we've got a council to begin with.

[ He glances out the window toward the pasture as a few goats trot by. He debates how much of his own concerns to bother her with. The Summoned have become a much more integral part of their operation than he'd initially expected. It's not his place to question the Gods, and they'd bestowed quite the boon, hadn't they? ]

Our way of doing things only works if everybody's on the same page, aye?

[there is, thankfully, reason in rowan's thoughts and interpretation of her words. his words offer her reprieve from her more guarded thoughts regarding coming him at all about this.

her eyes follow his own, out the window.]

As much as we are outsiders, [she starts, a response to his non-question] Solvunn has become a home to us. The other Summoned, the people here—

[everyone should be on the same page. wanda hopes that their actions as the summoned of solvunn has shown that they are more than willing to cooperate, that they care for this commune despite its many oddities.

she turns her gaze back to look at him, the bleating of the goats far off now.]

Should there be concern regarding Josselyn?

[might as well just ask.]

A witch should never be caught without a few surprises up her sleeve.

[the tone is light, gathering that henry finds this all too fascinating. there are truths that she hasn't shared with him, left it all instead to circumstance and the slow, irrevocable understanding that there is more than meets the eye for the both of them.

wanda continues down the path, getting closer to a house with a dark aura about it.]

Mental manipulation is one of those things people hate the most. I try not to advertise it.

The fringes of a blanket aren't considered a separate part of it. The Gods saw fit to bring you to us, it's our duty to weave you in as they saw fit.

[ While it's been an adjustment for all of them, and the Council hadn't been quite sure what to make of the Summoned at first, they've become an integral part of the community. There's not a one of them that can't be relied upon to pitch in or step up in times of need.

As far as Rowan is concerned, they're sturdy pillars of Solvunn that should be looked to as the example of what the Gods can grace.

Her question draws his attention back to Wanda, and he takes a sip of his tea to delay the answer. ]

I should make you aware of my own personal bias, first. She doesn't represent the whole of her settlement, doesn't put their needs above her own all the time. Not selfless as she should be.

[she appreciates his being forthcoming about his personal bias.]

It's not quite a council where I'm from, but our leaders are supposed to put their people's needs over their own. [so while solvunn can be rather extreme in their expectations of their 'leaders', it's not really uncommon should one peel back the more rudimentary aspects of it.] Those in the Tertiary Settlement are pretty unhappy with her, aren't they?

[what with the supply sent off to the free cities and not having enough for building their ships here.]

Was she always like that? I can't imagine she got elected if she went against the grain from the start.

—we've both fervently agreed that we are not fans of scientists.

[the ones she's met in abraxas, for the most part, are devoid of such harsh judgement. it is one that she still holds fast to as a general rule, though.

as it were, of course she remembers him mentioning that. it's hard to ignore things between them that are similar.

it's clear what he implies.]

How long did they keep you imprisoned for?

From what I gather, no. I imagine none of us would be too happy if we'd needed the lumber and it was given away.

[ Honestly, the biggest thing that rubbed him the wrong way about that situation is that it was done without discussion. Them aiding in rebuilding Libertas had gotten them involved in the squabble between Thorne and the Free Cities. There were other ways had she consulted them. ]

I can't say I knew her too well before the election. Certainly not the most outspoken of the Creed clan. I'd have said it's a poor choice, but if she did what she needed to to get the seat and then changed her tune? That's a problem.

[ He sets down his mug and leans forward in his seat, elbows resting on his knees. ] A seat on the Council isn't just a position of power. You have to provide- both for your community and the Gods.

[it's a big family, then?]

Most politicians tend to be the loud kind. [happy to offer their opinions on matters they might not know too much about, happy to hear their voices in their own ears.] Maybe the job was more than she realized she could handle.

[—and sometimes the best of intentions don't quite work out when one lands on the reality of the situation.]

You said we had much to discuss?

[his words stick to her as inconclusive, as in perhaps he had expected her arrival to serve another purpose of his own, and not just discuss josselyn.]

[Like unfurling a secret kept wound tight. Henry is fine with the slow and quiet way they find out more and more about each other, holding up each string parallel and comparing it with his own.

Not that he could ever call himself a witch, of course.]

For good reason. Who likes the sensation of someone messing with your mind, your memories? ...It's like feeling helpless.

[lol]

[On that, he can agree. Wholeheartedly.

He does not eve pause to give this answer. Let him hammer home just how imprisoned he was; he has no reason to really hide it.]

Twenty years.

It's a miracle you're so likable.

[she says to him easily, turning to glance at him with a bit of a smile before turning her face neutral again, facing forward. though there is a bias, certainly, what with wanda finding nuance in their shared ability to reading minds.

twenty years is a long time, either way.]

The more you're recognized here, the easier it'll be for you to move around. [just like with others, wanda would hate that anyone felt they were stuck in a cage. someone like him, who was, should not have to feel that way.] We'll meet Rowan, but I imagine he won't want to speak with you present. I'll put in a good word regardless.

[she makes no further comment to that, his words stinging quite a bit. perhaps hitting a little too close to home. wanda frowns, quickens her steps, until they reach the home.

it certainly feels — strange.

wanda turns to look back at him.]

See what you can pick up from the family. [in their minds, that is.] Anything may help.

[and up the steps she goes, knocking on the door to be let in. the worn-out façade of the father greets them, and he had heard word that they'd be coming. rowan, is all wanda can think of, and she hopes that they can actually fulfill that promise of help. they are sat at tables, offered something that tastes more like hot water than any flavor they claim to have steeped it in.

wanda doesn't touch her tea, observes the parents, instead.

the mother seems exasperated, arguing that this is just getting out of hand. should her husband and son stop coming up with these stories, they would not be getting shunned by those around them. after some arguing back and forth between them, they agree to let them at least talk to their son.

out in the small pocket of a garden, the boy sits on the ground, playing with some wooden toys. wanda glances over at henry; he's got experience with kids, doesn't he?

wanda motions to him (feeling an awful lot like those televised cop series) to take the lead, as she walks around the little garden for a moment, looking over at the plants that seem to be struggling to live, dried and wilted as they are.]

Hello! I'm Oren.

[So likeable? Somehow, he cannot tell the degree of sincerity versus joking that Wanda's imbued into that statement, but it actually makes his lips twist into a more... amused smile.

Twenty years is a long time, yes. Long enough to let so much anger brew, so much resentment. Likeable is not how Papa would have described him in the lab; likeable is not what he truly goes for, outside of outward appearances. For someone so like him to call him that, he wonders how he should take it.

He supposes he can think more on that later.]

I'm not established enough to talk to the bigwigs? [He says, lightly and jokingly, but it's true, too, isn't it?]

[ He hums, considering her generous suggestion. If she were in over her head, she'd never said. Perhaps maybe she didn't want to appear weak, but a community is only as strong as their weakest member. Rowan shakes his head, ridding himself of the 'what ifs'. Only the true reason matters and they could sit there all day speculating. ]

It's possible, but we can only do so much when someone's not upfront, aye?

[ Rowan gestures to Wanda, his expression open and curious. ]

Before I get into what I'd like from you, is there anything you'd like to discuss on your end? I trust living arrangements and daily goings are good?

· CLOSED ·

FRIENDSHIP KIDNAP ·

SECONDARY SETTLEMENT ·

THE HAUNTING ·

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my sincerest apologies for leaving you hanging!!