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[ With all that happened last month, the gardening has been neglected. And so, she's spending days digging and planting things that will grow throughout the season: sweet peas, kale, arugula, scallions, and carrots to name a few. She's spent a few days on her project, with others helping off and on. On a row of peas, Claire plants and then rests with a hand still on the ground as she reaches for her watering can. By the time she turns back and pours the water, there's a small shoot poking out, two leaves budding right in front of her.
Blinking, she slowly goes through the motions of planting a seed again, and yet again, with her hand on the ground and water absorbed, a sprout appears, proud. ]
...What?
[ She needs to have someone else confirm for her that this is actually happening. Is this a new ability or wishful thinking? Looking at the closest person, she calls out. ]
Would you mind coming to look at something for a moment?
Blinking, she slowly goes through the motions of planting a seed again, and yet again, with her hand on the ground and water absorbed, a sprout appears, proud. ]
...What?
[ She needs to have someone else confirm for her that this is actually happening. Is this a new ability or wishful thinking? Looking at the closest person, she calls out. ]
Would you mind coming to look at something for a moment?
[ It's the perfect time of year to begin a beehive. It's something she'd planned to do at Lallybroch, something she could do with Jenny and her grandchildren, but as of now, it isn't meant to be. And according to John, it never will be.
First, she has to build the hive. It will have to be all wood, and so over a period of two days, she chops, saws, and welcomes any questions. Once the varying pieces are assembled a day later, there's still enough light left that evening for what she's doing: using sandpaper to smooth down the wood.
There's plenty of sandpaper (babysitting in trade) and plenty of wood, so anyone who stops by might earn a favored spot in Claire's heart if they offer to help. ]
First, she has to build the hive. It will have to be all wood, and so over a period of two days, she chops, saws, and welcomes any questions. Once the varying pieces are assembled a day later, there's still enough light left that evening for what she's doing: using sandpaper to smooth down the wood.
There's plenty of sandpaper (babysitting in trade) and plenty of wood, so anyone who stops by might earn a favored spot in Claire's heart if they offer to help. ]
[ With a basket on her arm, Claire roams the market place. Her main goal is to trade for fresh fish if she's lucky. If not, she'll still have collected things she needs to add to her shelves.
List in hand, she isn't paying attention to the ground as she mentally checks things off, and stumbles on a part of uneven ground. Grabbing onto the closest person so that she doesn't fall and break a hip, she manages not to land on her ass. ]
Christ, I'm sorry.
[ Her heart is slamming in her chest and she presses a hand against it once she's steady on her feet. ]
List in hand, she isn't paying attention to the ground as she mentally checks things off, and stumbles on a part of uneven ground. Grabbing onto the closest person so that she doesn't fall and break a hip, she manages not to land on her ass. ]
Christ, I'm sorry.
[ Her heart is slamming in her chest and she presses a hand against it once she's steady on her feet. ]
[ Before they'd known exactly how dire things were last month, Claire'd promised to be available in the Horizon for anyone who wanted to learn (or continue learning) the ins and outs of medical care. Whether it be human anatomy and learning how to treat minor wounds, herbal medicines, or honing surgical skills.
Lallybroch is open to everyone, as it was always meant to be. On the days people have specifically asked for lessons, she makes herself available. Other days, she sits outside drinking tea and reading, welcoming visitors. Everyone receives a friendly smile and her full attention, standing to greet them. ]
Lallybroch is open to everyone, as it was always meant to be. On the days people have specifically asked for lessons, she makes herself available. Other days, she sits outside drinking tea and reading, welcoming visitors. Everyone receives a friendly smile and her full attention, standing to greet them. ]
[ The sound of work has attracted a strange, large figure. Nanaue looks at the state of her project with curiosity. ]
House. [ pointing at a completed one ] So tiny.
[ ???
Who will live in these houses? Are there tiny people around? He looks down at his massive feet in the grass, lifting one to inspect the bottom for any squished small people. ]
House. [ pointing at a completed one ] So tiny.
[ ???
Who will live in these houses? Are there tiny people around? He looks down at his massive feet in the grass, lifting one to inspect the bottom for any squished small people. ]
[ There was the surprise of Louis being a vampire, then the shock of Wanda being an actual witch. And then, when Michael mentioned being from heaven, she figured she'd covered her bases on 'phenomena she thought was fake.'
And yet.
She hears the voice before she looks up, and whatever words of explanation she had die on her lips. Because there's a shark. A shark, asking about the beehives. ]
Jesus H. Roosevelt Christ.
[ She'll never know why her first thought was 'but there's no water;' it's odd, the way the human brain reacts to things it can't quite understand. She tries again, blinking and shaking her head. ]
They—they're houses. For the bees. They're homes for bees.
[ An awful recovery. But she finds the checking of feet somewhat...endearing. ]
And yet.
She hears the voice before she looks up, and whatever words of explanation she had die on her lips. Because there's a shark. A shark, asking about the beehives. ]
Jesus H. Roosevelt Christ.
[ She'll never know why her first thought was 'but there's no water;' it's odd, the way the human brain reacts to things it can't quite understand. She tries again, blinking and shaking her head. ]
They—they're houses. For the bees. They're homes for bees.
[ An awful recovery. But she finds the checking of feet somewhat...endearing. ]
[wanda happens to be the closest person, and she's more than happy to bring herself close to claire be it for a quiet chat or to just be in the older woman's presence. there is an intrinsic sense of comfort from that.
and so, wanda approaches, expression momentarily confused, a slight wrinkle of concern on her knit brows.]
Sure.
[and forward to claire's garden patch.]
Is something the matter?
and so, wanda approaches, expression momentarily confused, a slight wrinkle of concern on her knit brows.]
Sure.
[and forward to claire's garden patch.]
Is something the matter?
I don't know. I don't think so, but I—well, watch.
[ Claire once again does exactly as she did before, and yet again, the result is the same. Letting out a soft noise of disbelief, she looks back up at Wanda. ]
I couldn't do this before. I'd remember, though I haven't gardened in a while.
[ How long has she been able to do this? ]
[ Claire once again does exactly as she did before, and yet again, the result is the same. Letting out a soft noise of disbelief, she looks back up at Wanda. ]
I couldn't do this before. I'd remember, though I haven't gardened in a while.
[ How long has she been able to do this? ]
[ Busy as he is staring at his feet doesn't seem to be bothered by (or notice) her shock. After finding no bloody spot or frantic mini-people screaming in the grass, he looks down at her again. ]
Bees?
[ He glances at a wooden house, picking it up and inspecting it. ]
Why bees need house? [ Don't they live in flowers?
He shakes the house. ]
Bees?
[ He glances at a wooden house, picking it up and inspecting it. ]
Why bees need house? [ Don't they live in flowers?
He shakes the house. ]
[ It doesn't take long after being home for the desire to roam to kick in. Normally it'd be the sort of restlessness he'd take for a stroll through Cadens or out into the deserts surrounding it, though given recent events: Claude's not all that eager to risk it. Not yet.
The Horizon, however, is a convenient way to solve some of that feeling. On this day in particular he's not inclined to stay within his own domain, and sets out on a familiar enough path he's wandered before with eyes roaming over familiar sights from those he knows. It's how he also spots a new structure he doesn't recognize, which is all his curiosity needs to approach. It resembles something from Fodlan though also not quite, but there's enough similarities to it tugging around the edges of his mind as he goes right ahead and invites himself onto the grounds by walking through the archway. Claude's still studying the building as he goes.
This is also how he misses that he's not alone until he glances to one side and sees a woman there who must be the owner of the space, or so he assumes. ]
Ah - [ He has the grace to look sheepish there for a second before waving a hand to encompass the building with a smile. ] I didn't recognize this as something I've seen before, and intrigue won me over. Hopefully you don't mind that I waltzed right on in here, though I'm taking the lack of anything to chase unwanted visitors back out as a good sign.
[ He's kidding. Hopefully. Just in case there are wards meant to prevent this. ]
The Horizon, however, is a convenient way to solve some of that feeling. On this day in particular he's not inclined to stay within his own domain, and sets out on a familiar enough path he's wandered before with eyes roaming over familiar sights from those he knows. It's how he also spots a new structure he doesn't recognize, which is all his curiosity needs to approach. It resembles something from Fodlan though also not quite, but there's enough similarities to it tugging around the edges of his mind as he goes right ahead and invites himself onto the grounds by walking through the archway. Claude's still studying the building as he goes.
This is also how he misses that he's not alone until he glances to one side and sees a woman there who must be the owner of the space, or so he assumes. ]
Ah - [ He has the grace to look sheepish there for a second before waving a hand to encompass the building with a smile. ] I didn't recognize this as something I've seen before, and intrigue won me over. Hopefully you don't mind that I waltzed right on in here, though I'm taking the lack of anything to chase unwanted visitors back out as a good sign.
[ He's kidding. Hopefully. Just in case there are wards meant to prevent this. ]
[There is something that draws him into the Horizon. Every morning, every night, every time he can get away with it. The allure of visiting what people create is enough to keep him busy for days, weeks, months. Imagination and innovation are important to a man like himself - and he finds himself wandering between one world and the next, between one representation of the psyche to another.
The old English castle looms before him. Rustic, pleasant and foreboding all at the same time. He can both imagine a banker or businessman living there as well as a wealthy aristocrat from the old days. He keeps his distance from the woman he sees, reluctant to get close and engage until she stands and offers her full attention. The friendly smile doesn't hurt, either.
His eyes turn down to her tea and he tilts his head.]
Loose leaf or bag?
The old English castle looms before him. Rustic, pleasant and foreboding all at the same time. He can both imagine a banker or businessman living there as well as a wealthy aristocrat from the old days. He keeps his distance from the woman he sees, reluctant to get close and engage until she stands and offers her full attention. The friendly smile doesn't hurt, either.
His eyes turn down to her tea and he tilts his head.]
Loose leaf or bag?
[ Even if Hilda hadn't had a reluctant, but blossoming, interest in trying to learn more about medicines, she still would have wandered from Garreg Mach over to Lallybroch. Besides it being quite literally a stone's throw away from her shared domain, she hadn't seen Claire since the proverbial calm before the storm in Nocwich. There had been so much chaos surrounding the return of the Summoned that she'd barely had a moment to check in with the woman before she had rushed off to ensure that her friends were being properly cared for.
There's no denying that the whole ordeal has been enough to kickstart an otherwise dormant necessity (as if war hadn't been enough of a reason?), but that doesn't mean she's any less anxious about starting on this endeavour. What if she's awful at it? Sure she knows how to tell a foot from a hand but that doesn't mean she knows the first thing about squishy, internal organs that make her queasy if she thinks too hard about them.
None of that shows however when she breezes into the courtyard that day rushing to give Claire a big hug. A Horizon hug, she's quickly learning, is the next best thing to being able to actually hug someone. ]
Claire! Lallybroch is really shaping up.
There's no denying that the whole ordeal has been enough to kickstart an otherwise dormant necessity (as if war hadn't been enough of a reason?), but that doesn't mean she's any less anxious about starting on this endeavour. What if she's awful at it? Sure she knows how to tell a foot from a hand but that doesn't mean she knows the first thing about squishy, internal organs that make her queasy if she thinks too hard about them.
None of that shows however when she breezes into the courtyard that day rushing to give Claire a big hug. A Horizon hug, she's quickly learning, is the next best thing to being able to actually hug someone. ]
Claire! Lallybroch is really shaping up.
As a born Brit, I must say that question hurts my soul. Loose leaf. The answer is always and only loose leaf.
[ Claire's laughing, though, all in good humor. ]
I did need to adjust when I lived in America. This is a black tea blend I've made myself.
[ Being able to get all she needs in the Horizon, it's easy. Lifting the jar she holds it out for him to take and smell if he'd like. ]
Pea flower, elderberry, hibiscus, blood orange, clove, and nutmeg. Could I make a cup for you? I have other blends as well if this doesn't interest you.
[ Claire's laughing, though, all in good humor. ]
I did need to adjust when I lived in America. This is a black tea blend I've made myself.
[ Being able to get all she needs in the Horizon, it's easy. Lifting the jar she holds it out for him to take and smell if he'd like. ]
Pea flower, elderberry, hibiscus, blood orange, clove, and nutmeg. Could I make a cup for you? I have other blends as well if this doesn't interest you.
[Relief brightens his eyes; lips parting as his face relaxes. He is not the kind to laugh without reason but he can see the irony stirring this situation.]
Americans do plenty of things well. Tea is sadly not one of them.
[Fingers close gently around the jar. One deep breath and he inhales a floral scent, tinged with the sharpness of clove and nutmeg. He holds it back out, sharing not his disgust but his curiosity.]
I do enjoy a good darjeeling, it must be said.
Americans do plenty of things well. Tea is sadly not one of them.
[Fingers close gently around the jar. One deep breath and he inhales a floral scent, tinged with the sharpness of clove and nutmeg. He holds it back out, sharing not his disgust but his curiosity.]
I do enjoy a good darjeeling, it must be said.
[ For the most part, his curiosity has curbed her alarm and she has time to gather her thoughts.]
Well, in the wild they build hives to live in. The flowers, they only visit for nectar and pollen. Then, they go home. But to get honey, we’d have to destroy the home they make for themselves.
[ She wonders if she’s explaining decently or if she should go further, but decides to let him be the conversation guide. Claire picks her sandpaper back up and continues, glancing up at him. ]
Well, in the wild they build hives to live in. The flowers, they only visit for nectar and pollen. Then, they go home. But to get honey, we’d have to destroy the home they make for themselves.
[ She wonders if she’s explaining decently or if she should go further, but decides to let him be the conversation guide. Claire picks her sandpaper back up and continues, glancing up at him. ]
[ Since being in the Pit had made connecting to the Horizon so unstable, it's been a while since Sylvain's been able to spend any reliable time here. Even if several of his bandages have shown up with him, no matter how much he tries to imagine them gone. Which is a little annoying, but he's dealing with it.
He'd actually been leading Nova out into the pasture behind the stables when he realized he could see the towers of another stone structure that was definitely not part of the Monastery or Claude's domain, either.
Curious, he decides to investigate, and Nova needed the exercise anyway (probably? he doesn't want to think too hard about what a possibly imaginary horse actually needs and just stuck to old routines instead) so he ends up wandering over in that direction, leading the curious gelding who is still trying to poke his nose into everything on the way.
He's not expecting to find someone outside the large structure enjoying the morning with a book and some tea, and it has him coming to an uncertain stop, looking a little sheepish. ]
Oops. Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt you, I didn't realize anyone was here. [ ...Which actually sounded worse, once he says it out loud, causing him to wince. ]
He'd actually been leading Nova out into the pasture behind the stables when he realized he could see the towers of another stone structure that was definitely not part of the Monastery or Claude's domain, either.
Curious, he decides to investigate, and Nova needed the exercise anyway (probably? he doesn't want to think too hard about what a possibly imaginary horse actually needs and just stuck to old routines instead) so he ends up wandering over in that direction, leading the curious gelding who is still trying to poke his nose into everything on the way.
He's not expecting to find someone outside the large structure enjoying the morning with a book and some tea, and it has him coming to an uncertain stop, looking a little sheepish. ]
Oops. Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt you, I didn't realize anyone was here. [ ...Which actually sounded worse, once he says it out loud, causing him to wince. ]
[Every day, his strength returns to him. He feels more like himself, the legions that had blighted his skin now leaving only, perhaps, the faintest of scars in their wake. And even those have dimmed substantially, just faint lines of white amid his already pale complexion, as time trudges on.
And so, where does that leave them all? To return to their daily routines in the Settlement, falling back in step with the usual cycle? Mundanity to veil them all over again? It would seem so. Henry spent time gardening, of all things, when he first arrived in this world -- and now here he is, hands pressed into the loam of the earth to tend to the things that grow this season, with the enthusiasm of a man who is obligated more than he is entranced by the task itself.
Work to be done in exchange for his privilege to live on these lands. That's all it really is. More roteness for all.
His head turns when someone speaks to him. He stands, walking over with a somewhat placid expression, trying his best to not wipe his hands on his pant legs.]
What is it?
[Pretend at curiosity, or concern. This is fine.]
And so, where does that leave them all? To return to their daily routines in the Settlement, falling back in step with the usual cycle? Mundanity to veil them all over again? It would seem so. Henry spent time gardening, of all things, when he first arrived in this world -- and now here he is, hands pressed into the loam of the earth to tend to the things that grow this season, with the enthusiasm of a man who is obligated more than he is entranced by the task itself.
Work to be done in exchange for his privilege to live on these lands. That's all it really is. More roteness for all.
His head turns when someone speaks to him. He stands, walking over with a somewhat placid expression, trying his best to not wipe his hands on his pant legs.]
What is it?
[Pretend at curiosity, or concern. This is fine.]
[ Claire has made the space nice for outdoor sitting; an outdoor hearth keeps water going for tea, with comfortable lounge seating. Old-fashioned and a bit of new. ]
Please, Lallybroch is always open to anyone who needs it. Whether it’s for medical advice or tea. Both, if you like.
[ And she wouldn’t mind company either, as evidenced by her slight nod to come in further if he wants. ]
I'm Claire. In my world, this is home.
[ No need to focus on the fact that she never got there. Nor does she need to remember John’s words just now, that she’s living in the New World. She doesn’t know that version of herself yet, and she wants to be in the home she was meant to share with family. ]
Please, Lallybroch is always open to anyone who needs it. Whether it’s for medical advice or tea. Both, if you like.
[ And she wouldn’t mind company either, as evidenced by her slight nod to come in further if he wants. ]
I'm Claire. In my world, this is home.
[ No need to focus on the fact that she never got there. Nor does she need to remember John’s words just now, that she’s living in the New World. She doesn’t know that version of herself yet, and she wants to be in the home she was meant to share with family. ]
Oh, Hilda!
[ Claire is so glad to see her and reaches out to wrap her up in the hug. Then, she pulls back, hands gently on Hilda’s shoulders. ]
Are you alright? Were you injured?
[ She can’t help herself and steps back, eyeing Hilda, looking for any visual damage. ]
[ Claire is so glad to see her and reaches out to wrap her up in the hug. Then, she pulls back, hands gently on Hilda’s shoulders. ]
Are you alright? Were you injured?
[ She can’t help herself and steps back, eyeing Hilda, looking for any visual damage. ]
[wanda thinks this is going to be another serious, traumatic situation involving some unsolvable mystery involving bones, sacrifice, and kidnappings—but instead, she's delighted to see that it's just...
magic.
when claire looks back up at her, she's smiling.]
It seems you've tapped into some Abraxan magic.
[as she says this, wanda sits on her haunches to join claire. she looks down at the growing sprout, lets her finger trace a curved line around it on the wet soil.
awed, almost, because of how much magic there is in abraxas, she breathes out,]
I can feel it.
magic.
when claire looks back up at her, she's smiling.]
It seems you've tapped into some Abraxan magic.
[as she says this, wanda sits on her haunches to join claire. she looks down at the growing sprout, lets her finger trace a curved line around it on the wet soil.
awed, almost, because of how much magic there is in abraxas, she breathes out,]
I can feel it.
I can do that just as easily. Please, make yourself comfortable. And I won't argue your point about Americans, I've seen for myself; Boston was home for some time.
[ A hearth with a kettle kept warm is surrounded by comfortable furniture. She begins to prepare his tea, everything easily within reach. ]
I have shortbread if you happen to enjoy that as well. And milk and sugar if you prefer, for the tea.
[ A hearth with a kettle kept warm is surrounded by comfortable furniture. She begins to prepare his tea, everything easily within reach. ]
I have shortbread if you happen to enjoy that as well. And milk and sugar if you prefer, for the tea.
[ Claire's concern brings about an unexpected bubble of laughter in her chest along with a wave of appreciation. The fuss also makes the tips of her ears flush in embarrassment. ]
Of course I'm okay! Why wouldn't I be?
[ It's mostly the truth, and she's glad for the illusion that the Horizon brings. The various bruise, scratches and scrapes she's collected over the course of the last week are tactfully hidden under clothing and make up, but a part of her has a feeling that Claire would be able to sniff out her little white lie. Mother's had that uncanny ability. ]
Are you alright? I haven't seen you since we had to go back to our territories.
Of course I'm okay! Why wouldn't I be?
[ It's mostly the truth, and she's glad for the illusion that the Horizon brings. The various bruise, scratches and scrapes she's collected over the course of the last week are tactfully hidden under clothing and make up, but a part of her has a feeling that Claire would be able to sniff out her little white lie. Mother's had that uncanny ability. ]
Are you alright? I haven't seen you since we had to go back to our territories.
I could go for tea if you don't mind. Whatever you're having is fine, unless you'd like a tea exchange?
[ Thank goodness for the creation magic within here which makes it easy enough to conjure up a couple pouches of loose tea from home as he walks forward with a nod in acceptance of her invitation. Doubly fortunate there's also the ability to swap out the kinds of tea at will based on what someone's tastes are, because - ]
There's a couple other Summoned I do that with in the name of sharing things from home, and I'll never say no to trying something new. And I'm Claude. It's nice to meet you.
[ He has questions about the medical advice mentioned since he's wondering if that's something he's missed, but Claude turns his gaze back to the building for a brief moment in acknowledgment of this being her home now residing in the Horizon amongst so many other well-loved places to those who made them. ]
It seems most of us end up creating something based upon what we've left behind in one way or another. I wandered over to yours because it's not exactly like what I know but it's quite similar. I don't suppose you've heard of Fodlan where you're from?
[ Thank goodness for the creation magic within here which makes it easy enough to conjure up a couple pouches of loose tea from home as he walks forward with a nod in acceptance of her invitation. Doubly fortunate there's also the ability to swap out the kinds of tea at will based on what someone's tastes are, because - ]
There's a couple other Summoned I do that with in the name of sharing things from home, and I'll never say no to trying something new. And I'm Claude. It's nice to meet you.
[ He has questions about the medical advice mentioned since he's wondering if that's something he's missed, but Claude turns his gaze back to the building for a brief moment in acknowledgment of this being her home now residing in the Horizon amongst so many other well-loved places to those who made them. ]
It seems most of us end up creating something based upon what we've left behind in one way or another. I wandered over to yours because it's not exactly like what I know but it's quite similar. I don't suppose you've heard of Fodlan where you're from?
[Crane approaches one of the single armchairs, seating himself with poise and grace. His hands together in his lap. Fingers slide together and clench gently. He looks relucant to accept more than what he is expected to be given.]
No, thank you. Tea is fine.
No, thank you. Tea is fine.
[Claire is expecting him, but Michael's appearances in the Horizon are as sudden as they are outside of it. There's his signature sound of heavy feathers beating the air and within the space of a blink, Michael is standing in the grass a few feet away, eyes on the worn stone walls with something like curiosity. The architecture's not exactly unfamiliar, but this style of building is a little antiquated from his point in time.
He turns to look at Claire.]
Is this where you're from, or somewhere you imagined?
[Some Summoned recreate places from home, and others put together entirely original creations. Michael himself lacks the creativity to do the latter, but he does like to know where those he's met fall.]
He turns to look at Claire.]
Is this where you're from, or somewhere you imagined?
[Some Summoned recreate places from home, and others put together entirely original creations. Michael himself lacks the creativity to do the latter, but he does like to know where those he's met fall.]
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