WELCOME TO THE FREE CITIES!

[abraxasmods]

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.

Comments

[gynvael]

[ The scent is not familiar, given they'd never met anywhere outside the cells, but the voice? That foreign drawl's hard to forget. The table is not, in fact, bolted down at all. It tips for a second before Geralt catches it by the edge with a movement that's maybe too fast to be human.

He doesn't look over throughout the entire thing, though his gaze does slide across for a moment. The table steadies. If Majima wants a seat, Geralt won't stop him, but he isn't making an invitation. Still a friendly enough reception, coming from him. ]

Certainly suits you.

[ In more ways than one. Hard to miss that fragrance, barely masking what's underneath. Geralt doesn't blink twice. Most people here smell of blood or piss some way or another. It's working fine for him, too. Few look at him here. He hates the smog, misses the fresh air of the woods, but it matters little because at least he can walk around whenever he wants. ]

[sunshinehan]

[Which was good for Majima because it certainly would have ended in a comedy had Geralt not steadied the table. His eye didn't miss the Witcher's hand on the table though he didn't quite catch the movement it took to get it there. It was very interesting.

His weight shifted ever-so-slightly as he left the table without entirely giving up the appearance of leaning upon it. He kept standing as he flashed Geralt a quick, sharp smirk in response to the comeback.]

Little behind the times but it ain't so bad. Used to this, ah, kind of city.

[With all the freedom to do all the dirty things a person could ever want whether it was gambling, drinking, or something a little more intimate with people. An ex-yakuza fit right in.]

How's yer throwin' arm?

[gynvael]

[ Behind the times. It isn't the first time someone has implied that. Sam, Julie. Geralt has always thought of it as different spheres, and a sense of uncertainty tends to rise at the implication that there's a point where his world existed but now has been considered...to have evolved. Into something else.

It's more than he wants to think about while he's trying to have a drink.

His eyebrow lifts. ] My what?

[ Normally, he can figure out a turn of phrase he's yet to hear, but not this time. ]

[sunshinehan]

Your throwing arm.

[Majima mimed throwing a something and in particular from his movements and grip on the imaginary item in hand, it looked like he was tossing a dart. He let his hand fall back down to his side as he tilted his head at Geralt and offered him the tiniest of smiles.]

You play any games?

[gynvael]

[ It'd be a decent impression of dart throwing, if Geralt knew what darts were. He doesn't. His assumption is that Majima is referring to a throwing knife, which—he doesn't see how this is relevant. Not that he hasn't made a competition out of that in the past, but it isn't something he does in the middle of a crowded tavern. ]

Passable. [ His aim is more than passable, but no one needs to know that. But he sees what Majima is getting at here.

He makes a soft noise. ] And pass. I don't do games. What, the gambling houses here not satisfy?

[ Somehow, Geralt isn't surprised this is why the man has approached him. Tempting. Maybe if he were the sort to hustle, but he hasn't got the patience for that and he isn't interested in showing off for the sake of a handful of coins. ]

[sunshinehan]

Eh, they're pretty typical. Ain't lookin' to throw away money just yet. But darts are more fun with- [a friend? redirect] -someone who has skill.

Ain't gotta be about bettin' anything right now. Whadda say? Just a friendly little competition to pass the time?

[gynvael]

[ Geralt tips his head, finally peering up from his drink to look at Majima. ] What makes you think I have skill?

[ It's a dry remark more than anything. Right. He's never heard of darts the way Majima is implying they're used. To him, they're little more than thrown weapons—larger than what Majima has indicated with his fingers.

He studies his former cellmate for a second. They've spoken a bare handful of times. Geralt hasn't gone out of his way to get to know him. In a sense, he hasn't felt he needed to. Majima has never struck him as an especially complicated soul. But he is the sort of man Geralt understands—has crossed paths with hundreds of times. There's a Majima or three in every tavern, in every village, on every dock and ship. Sometimes they want to pick a fight with a Witcher; other times, they can't give less of a shit if they're keen enough on a round of cards with just anyone. Sometimes both, if the mood shifts. ]

Show me what you mean first. [ He'll watch, if only for curiosity's sake. Whether he'll care to join or not, he doesn't confirm one way or the other. ] Haven't played before.

[sunshinehan]

I know how to read a person.

[He said with a peculiar look in his eye, caught somewhere between unreadable and cracking an amused smirk. Sure, he knew how to read a person, it was his trade. Not one he had cultivated because he had wanted to, but because he had to. A story for another time perhaps. Or never.

He let the look slide into a faint smile as Geralt "agreed" to Majima. In so much as 'show me' meant 'agreed' to anything at all. It was a start at least. And Majima would be happy to do so.]

Happy to, sir. Nothin' to it.

[Whereabouts he left Geralt's table and walked over to a wall with a round board upon it. Not much to look at but it had markings to indicate spaces and that was enough for Majima. He coaxed someone to play a simple game with him and they took turns tossing the set of three darts at the board. Majima easily made it look like the other might win until he sunk the last two darts into the bull's eye and dropped his score perfectly. He thanked the other guy for playing and left him to wonder what happened.

He sauntered back over to Geralt.]

See? Not that hard. I'll let ya choose the game type and everything. There's a few. Most are simple enough rules.

[gynvael]

[ Mm. Fair enough.

Majima walking away is not quite what he expected, but it's ideal nonetheless because Geralt prefers his personal space. If he's watching, it's only out of idle curiosity. In the end, it just isn't something he does—casually play some game with another.

But he is interested enough to pluck the flimsy dart from the man's hand as he goes by, the one walking out the door a few coins lighter. It's small, light, not especially well-balanced. He imagines they all have a different weight to them.

His eyes flick upward. ] If you've read me. You'd know it'll not be a fair game.

[ He is what he is. Has never really hidden it, either, and it's more apparent now with his mutations returned entirely. And Majima smells all too human. ]

apologies for taking forever

[sunshinehan]

[The smile Majima gave Geralt in return for the proclamation was toothy, almost feral. He was a man who loved an impossible challenge but wasn't necessarily good at showing it.]

Ya think I can't hold my own in a game of darts? Haha! Ya already confessed yer not familiar with the game so I've got an advantage while ya acclimate to the rules and despite appearances I ain't a bad player. They don't call me Majima "High Ton" Goro for nothin'! My one good eye against yer two extra good ones--sounds like the kinda odds I like!

[gynvael]

[ Yeah. He knows the type. A touch of exasperation crosses his expression, and when he lifts his hand, it's in a gesture of Fine, if you insist. If the man wants to lose a handful of coin, that's not his problem. He's already been upfront about it, that it's got nothing to do with how good Majima is or isn't with his aim.

Still. Maybe Majima is skilled enough to at least bring a draw. So. ]

What're we playing for?

[ Copper or drinks, doesn't matter to him. He's just here for the sake of humouring the man. ]

[sunshinehan]

[Majima's toothy grin rose a notch.]

Depends on what kinda bettin' man ya are. Something different strike yer fancy? Or does the risk bore ya?

[He laughed, a cackle really. He shook his head and cut it off short. More seriously:]

Drinks're fine if that's what yer used to bettin' on. Let's play a practice round to get ya acclimated.

[Never call him discourteous. He meant well despite his crazy antics. This was only a prelude-- but that was a story for another time.]