abraxasmods: (Default)
ABRAXAS MODS ([personal profile] abraxasmods) wrote in [community profile] abraxaslogs2021-08-28 09:41 pm

WELCOME TO THE FREE CITIES!

WELCOME TO THE FREE CITIES!
Welcome to The Free Cities! The portal exits outside the capital city of Cadens. The first impression of the city is its sheer size. It sprawls out across the landscape like a great hulking beast at rest. The wall that encircles it barely contains it, the buildings of Cadens practically bulging against its restraint.

The air here seems thicker somehow, tinged with a scent that’s acrid and smoky. Smog hangs high over the city, belched out by smokestacks that tower over the industrial district. The desert stretches out behind it, dotted with towers and dust clouds that disappear into the horizon. Multiple gates lead inside and each is staffed by soldiers in unfamiliar uniforms that wave a steady stream of people through without appearing to pay much attention. People are coming and going almost all of the time, to and from the outposts and areas of activity around the city proper. It’s difficult to tell just what’s out there beyond the impression of tall metal structures and a great deal of labor. Wagons carrying travelers to Libertas and Aquila roll out from the Travel Post outside the city wall.

Anyone who can sense magic will notice a much lower concentration here. No one will be stopped or questioned at the gate, even if the soldiers seem to take note of the fugitives from Thorne.

The activity and sheer number of citizens can be overwhelming. It’s crowded and loud and feels constantly in motion with everyone talking and yelling over each other. It’s easy to get swept up in the ever-moving throng or find oneself ducking into the mouth of a narrow alley just to breathe.

Anyone who’s willing to make their way to the northern part of the city and Portham Hall will find Prime Minister Marlo Reiner available to receive them.
not_caroline: (you don't know me)

II

[personal profile] not_caroline 2021-09-04 02:21 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah, prob'ly definitely not.

[Coraline was definitely not by his elbow about five seconds earlier, and the fact that she is, is entirely a stupid flex to see if she could surprise him.]

Still, not the worst job I've ever seen.
cryptsleeper: (Default)

[personal profile] cryptsleeper 2021-09-04 04:45 pm (UTC)(link)
--Oh, you can't say a thing like that and not explain.

[Alucard may be a little surprised by Suddenly, Coraline, but he refuses the satisfaction. The only tell he offers is a slightly raised eyebrow, and even then he is trying to keep that muted.]
not_caroline: (smile for the cams)

[personal profile] not_caroline 2021-09-06 01:05 pm (UTC)(link)
You saw my dogs, right?

[Even if he doesn't it, she can still feel it. Even if it's still not as much as she was hoping. Ah well.]

But for real, people have been really bad at taxidermy for years. I've seen stuff like lions and foxes and these weird gross little frogs people like to pose? It's gross.

[She says that, however, with a delighted little grimace.]
cryptsleeper: (Wine mom energy)

[personal profile] cryptsleeper 2021-09-07 12:03 pm (UTC)(link)
Your dogs exist in an area made of exceptions.

[They do not count and that's the rule.]

I'll take your word for it. I've never had much interest in the matter, nor have I seen so extensive a collection.

[His response is calm and matter of fact. Necromancy is as close as he's ever gotten, and what is necromancy if not just advanced taxidermy, in the end?]
not_caroline: (BWELL)

[personal profile] not_caroline 2021-09-07 12:25 pm (UTC)(link)
[She shrugs her shoulders with a dismissive pout.]

Just 'cos it can't exist doesn't mean it's not real. Less gross than these things, anyway. [She pushes up on her toes to lean in and get a closer look.] The uncanny valley isn't, like. What you're supposed to aim for in taxidermy.
cryptsleeper: (Default)

[personal profile] cryptsleeper 2021-09-08 12:57 pm (UTC)(link)
I didn't say that. I'm saying that they're statistical outliers and I wouldn't include them in the current discussion for that reason.

[They're excellent dogs. Just not what they're discussing here.]

Likewise, I believe whatever this was meant to be counts as a similar sort of outlier.
not_caroline: (you don't know me)

[personal profile] not_caroline 2021-09-15 02:24 am (UTC)(link)
Oh yeah, for sure. This is objectively terrible.

[She nods sagely, but there's a cheeky smirk twisting her lips.]

You think Hector would be offended if he saw it? Such a... a lacking example of his fine art?

[The voice she puts on is pompous, a frankly horrible imitation of what she can remember of Hector's deep voice.]
cryptsleeper: (arrogantpire)

[personal profile] cryptsleeper 2021-09-16 01:00 am (UTC)(link)
I genuinely hope so.

[Alucard's deadly serious with his response. He hasn't exactly been subtle about the fact that he does not like Hector. The necromancy is value neutral as far as he is concerned, it is what it has been used for in the past that the dhampir takes deep and personal issue with.]

But knowing him, he'd try to fix it, and that would create a different problem that I don't think anyone is in the mood to deal with at this present moment.
not_caroline: (sounds fake mate)

[personal profile] not_caroline 2021-09-18 04:41 am (UTC)(link)
You sure? Seems like the kind of thing a lot of people here would have fun testing their latest inventions on.

[She looks back up at Alucard. Far be it from her to miss the bubbles of annoyance and anger that flare up every time he thinks of Hector.]

If you don't like him so much, why'd you and him go through the portal together?

cryptsleeper: (Increase bad thoughts)

[personal profile] cryptsleeper 2021-09-18 11:08 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm positive, and that is the exact problem I was referring to. The clean up and having to explain the necromancy is--

[He shakes his head. Alucard refuses to indulge the thought further, just as he scowls slightly at the continued discussion of Hector.

The response is quick. Clipped. Please. He wants to stop talking about Hector.]


Hector has a skewed sense of loyalty to my late father and I know when to pick my battles about that topic.
not_caroline: (you don't know me)

[personal profile] not_caroline 2021-09-21 12:36 pm (UTC)(link)
[Alright, fair enough. She likes Alucard enough that she won't badger him incessantly about Hector.

(Just sometimes, to get a rise.)

Instead she shifts her weight across and fluffs her hair, idly twirling a long strand to begin tying it back.
]

So, what ones are you planning on picking here? There's plenty of places who'd want to hire you, you totally pass for normal here.
cryptsleeper: (arrogantpire)

[personal profile] cryptsleeper 2021-09-21 05:23 pm (UTC)(link)
I'll know them when they arise. [He's not going to speak stupid arguments into being, that much Alucard knows for sure. He folds his arms across his chest, and--

--offers a slight side eye.]


I genuinely can't tell if that was sarcasm or not.
not_caroline: (Cheeky bitch)

[personal profile] not_caroline 2021-10-04 01:02 pm (UTC)(link)
[Her nose crinkles when she grins at him.]

Only a little bit. You're a proper adult, you sound all formal so you're clearly smart, you're pretty. [Too slender, in her mind, too dainty-looking to be specifically handsome.] And you don't take people's shit. Probably you could just walk into a place and own it in half an hour flat.