ABRAXAS MODS (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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abraxaslogs2021-08-28 09:41 pm
abraxasmods) wrote in abraxaslogs2021-08-28 09:41 pm
Entry tags:
- !event,
- !npc,
- alina starkov; the hanged man,
- amos burton; the lovers,
- cirilla of cintra; the devil,
- coraline finch; the tower,
- estinien wyrmblood; the hermit,
- geralt of rivia; the hanged man,
- gideon nav; strength,
- hector; the magician,
- himeka sui; the fool,
- jaskier; the sun,
- jon sims; the high priestess,
- jon snow; the emperor,
- kiryu kazuma; the tower,
- sam wilson; justice
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.
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.
no subject
(The story of her life, she can't catch a break.)
Pulling back, Alina smiles giving her the same look-over. ]
The same to you. [ And then with an amused tilt: ] Weird how everyone wears a bit of freedom so well.
no subject
It suits you. The both of us.
And what have you been doing with this newfound taste of the freedom, my friend?
[ Relative freedom, perhaps, but she can't deny it feels good. Much better than being stuck in a box with bars -- and no matter what their rescuers' intentions, at the very least Ciri feels better equipped to fight them as needed when she's not in a cage. ]
no subject
[ She's able to laugh about it now only because the coins are safely tucked away in the small purse at her waist. She idly secures it more tightly, making sure no other coins find their ways into sticky fingers. ]
I found work as a wash maid. It's not glamorous— [ Honestly, it's boring. Mundane. (And when no one is looking she can guide the sun to dry what's on the line faster.) ] —but there's always work to be done. And you?
no subject
[ Or stabbed, perhaps, judging by the knife on Ciri's belt. She gives Alina a reassuring (?) smile, linking one arm through hers so they won't risk getting separated and turning to walk again. ]
Always work to be done, indeed. That is the good thing about how crowded this place is. I haven't found anything steady yet -- saving up for a sword first, then we'll see. But in the meantime, I've been running errands for some folks, carrying goods back and forth. One time, they paid me just to stand outside a stall and scowl. Think I should've been insulted, but it's not the time to scoff at easy coin.
no subject
Hah! Do you think they'd hire me? I think I can manage a pretty withering scowl.
[ She scrunches up her face, and while Alina can sometimes muster up a rather defiant look of fury, she is not in the right mood to call upon it. The effect is... not quite there. She at least seems aware of it since her next question is more amused then genuine. ]
What do you think?
no subject
You look like you bit into unexpectedly moldy cheese!
Maybe you can find work pretending rival food vendors' food is bad, with an artful nose-scrunch like that.
[ Ciri has to laugh at her own dumb suggestion next, pulling Alina with her as they explore the market stalls. She's caught sight of a booth further down she wants to investigate. ]
Unfortunately, I think it had to do more with the scars than my expression, which is a little rude, but I can't afford to be picky when I need the coin. Managed not to call them dicks to their faces, at least. Just behind their backs.
no subject
(Maybe Alina is a touch hungry.)
She does turn to Ciri at the comment about her scars, eyes soft as her gaze traces them, flexing her hand remembering where one of hers has been erased. Scars are stories. Not always good or pleasant ones, but still stories. ]
You've got more restraint than me. I once punched the Quatermaster after he called me a name... Maybe not my best decision since I got stuck in the brig for the night.
no subject
Good for you. I hope you gave him a hell of a black eye.
[ The way Alina looks at her sends a twinge of self-conscious embarrassment through Ciri. She fights the urge to pull her hair in front of her face again; Alina's seen it all, at this point, probably most of the scars on her body too, considering the close quarters they'd shared. No, it's more how Alina looks at her, that softness in her eyes, the quiet but intent attention so listens with.
Ciri offers a faint cop-out of a smile and a shrug. ]
I'd probably have done the same, except I'm trying not to cause trouble for Geralt. For us, I mean. Gotta lay low for now, get some gear, figure things out...
[ She has noticed Alina's eyes lingering on some of the food stalls though, and though what had caught Ciri's attention initially was the glint of steel in the sun, she stops leading them that way and pauses, slipping her arm from Alina's. ]
You hungry?
no subject
Food is a welcome distraction though, and Alina tries to casually wave it off. Her stomach betrays her, though, with a comically timed growl. ]
Saints, yes. [ She laughs at herself. It's a far cry from how she acted in the dungeons. Dim and cut off from her light, she had to force herself to eat. Now, she's returned to her brighter self, an appetite for life restored. ] I think half my wages go to pastries here.
no subject
Ugh, right? It isn't fair that they're so good.
Do you prefer sweet or savory breads? I'll admit to having tried a fair number of each by this point. Though if you prefer to stop in out of the sun and grab a drink and a proper bite to eat, I wouldn't be opposed, either.