WELCOME TO SOLVUNN!

[abraxasmods]

WELCOME TO SOLVUNN!

Welcome to Solvunn! Bright suns and merriest of welcomes to you! The portal opens in a vast field on the western side of town surrounded by cattle, with a distant view of the bustling marketplace. The first impression of the settlement is one of idylic, country charm. There are no looming structures or crowded streets. Instead, there are cozier houses on wide streets and community buildings made of stone and wood. A gentle breeze rolls across the field and the sun is high in the sky.

There's not as much magic here as in other locations, but it's there. No one will be stopped from entering Solvunn, though suspicion will be cast upon new arrivals. Citizens will be friendly and welcoming, but curious about their new visitors. It isn't often that they welcome new folks- especially not so many at once!

With tensions between the other communities, Solvunn will not be keen on ratting out those who fled Thorne, but with the knowledge that sanctuary will not be given for free. Everyone does their part, whatever that part may be.

Asking questions will result in being told to find Rowan March, one of the council members, somewhere in the marketplace.

Comments

Meeting Rowan

[abraxasnpcs]

[ Tucked off to the side of the busy marketplace is a small caravan and a temporary fence keeping a few goats from getting lost in the crowd. Rowan is a relatively broad man who is hard to miss. His demeanor seems relaxed, but his eyes are keen. Gossip travels like wildfire, and with everyone in town gathered, he's gotten word of their visitors.

He offers a quickly waved welcome and leans against one of the fence posts despite the way it moves as he does it. His voice is loud, his consonants harsh. ]

If what I'm hearin' is right, you're a long way from home.

cw: drug mention

[opioid]

[ Eddie doesn't like this place.

He's here because Roland's here. He knows why Roland's here, and truth be told he probably would have come here anyway even if Roland hadn't shown up late, but that doesn't mean he has to fucking like it. He's getting an itch under his skin, almost the same feeling he used to get when it'd been a while since his last hit. Almost the same, but not quite. He doesn't actually want to shoot up. Just feels like the same restlessness, the same frantic yearning. All that time cooped up in the cell and he's itching for so much he doesn't know what to want first.

But that doesn't matter now. As much as he doesn't like Solvunn, Eddie's not letting it show on his face. The look he gives Rowan is friendly, but exactly as guarded as it should be for someone who just got out of jail. ]

Whatever you've heard, man, I want you to take that and multiply it by a thousand. And that's only about half as weird as the truth. [ Enough of them have come from Thorne that he feels compelled to ask, after a short pause, ] D'you guys get many travellers coming through here?

[shadowsran]

[Misty feels almost at home among sharp eyes, missing for a fleeting moment homegrown predatory animals, missing the (relative) kinship of the Coven despite its many, many rough edges.

It helps that he has goats. Her attention is drawn fairly quickly to those goats. That she wrenches her gaze back to meet his - evenly, warmly, and with a smile only slightly sheepish - speaks to something like respect, or an understanding of the necessity of performing it. She nods, a cheery enough affirmative.]

And farther all the time, seems like, but this feels closer. All the greenery, open air.

[She'd like to think she understands working folk, and her first question comes naturally.] I'd like to make myself useful, but I obviously don't know the area. Is there dire need for much? I know some healing magic, but I'd be just as happy trying to farmhand.

[extremethirst]

[ Nero feels the desire to blurt something vulgar to the welcome, but it isn't just his neck that'll suffer for his actions and words. To the surprise of probably many, he does kind of know when he should keep his mouth shut. So, while he does not know who the man is, he knows acting out to every person he meets is just bad for relations. ]

Indeed. It's sad but true. [ His head hangs dramatically before he lifts it up to show a wide, bright smile. ] I'm doubting there's any way to return, as well.

[ He offers a small shrug of his shoulders. Nero stares at the man for a second longer, and he feels his smile widen that much more as he takes in the stranger's broad frame.

The moment passes, and he cheerfully adds: ]

But what can you do save keep going forward? Am I right?

[hylife]

[ By now, Link is well-accustomed to making his way through unfamiliar places, drumming up cursory conversation with unfamiliar townspeople. He's shown his face in the marketplace, investigating what services the sellers there are willing to take in exchange for the necessities: a bow, cooking pots, building supplies. Fortunately, his skills can be put to good use in a place like this.

He already has a few tasks under his belt by the time he runs into Rowan's goats. The gruff yet friendly greeting pulls his attention away from one of the pushy little bleaters eating a bit of fruit out of his hand through the fencing.

Link straightens to his full (diminutive) height, wiping his palms on his trousers to be polite. He doesn't look the least bit put off by Rowan's much larger size and booming voice. ]

Not as far as some. This isn't so different from the villages I came from. [ He gestures to Rowan's wares. ] Your goats are hale and happy. This place fares well, then?

[coerthantorment]

[There are some things Estinien has to do before he gets to the point of trying to talk to anyone - namely falling asleep in the street and then eventually in a bed, after making some arrangements with a local family. After having eaten and washed properly for the first time in weeks, he's finally feeling human enough to face some of the Solvunn leadership - literally, in this case.

Though the severity of the transformation has reduced along with his peace of mind, he's still showing the miniature horns, claws, and tail of his draconic side. Though an improvement of circumstances in all regards, it's hard to be at ease yet. Maybe speaking to this man will help with that.

He approaches in a set of fresh clothes, lent to him by his current hosts. His arms are folded around his chest uncertainly, his tail swishing to match.]

Aye. And what does your council think of the fruits of Thorne's labors?

[antichristsplusone]

[Martin's taken the chance to change into the outfit Nero had (in dubious 'kindness') provided him, so he at least looks somewhat presentable, but exhaustion and grime still hang on him like a shroud, even as he offers a nervous smile to the gruff man.]

I, um. I suppose you could say that. But I think we'd all really appreciate being allowed to, uh-- a-at least rest here, for a little while. A lot of us have just come from a dungeon, so...

[And he gives a sort of helpless, bemused shrug.]

[aquaveiled]

[ Though some may look upon the modest dressing of a country town, it is malms above the conditions they suffered for moons in Thorne's prison. Sometimes she prefers the open air of the country to the walls of the city--both have their own benefits and endless possibilities, but the more space they can afford right now, the better. To stretch your arms and not find walls and bars.

Of course, their decision to take the portal to Solvunn wasn't the fresh air. Himeka knows she shouldn't dawdle and keen to help as she is, it doesn't take much to catch her attention. She walks right on up at the wave, taking it as an invitation and offering a greeting in turn. ]

You're not wrong, though it wouldn't be the first time.

[ And like the last time she's sure there will be some way back. Surely.

Himeka drops her hand. ]

You wouldn't happen to need any help with...

[ She eyes the animals. ]

...your goats there, would you? I have experience with all sorts of beasts. Large and small, cantankerous and well-mannered, deadly and benign.

Roland / Death arcana

[towerjunkie]

[ Roland settles in to Solvunn surprisingly quickly. It's not exactly what he was used to back in Midworld, but he's learned that picking up the local slang and traditions as soon as possible makes things easier.

What doesn't help is that not everyone in his group had chosen to come through to Solvunn. For a few days after they arrive Roland can be found every night in one of the local taverns. He doesn't drink so much as he stares moodily into the distance, a grim expression on his face. While he won't approach anyone he knows, neither will he reject anyone who chooses to join him. ]

[ After around a week, he can start to be found in the town market, selling freshly hunted game for both meat and pelts. Roland has traded the silks they received back in Thorne for more comfortable clothes, but he wears a broach with the death arcana pinned across his breast-- the result of another trade. His eyes light up when he sees someone he recognises. ]

Hile! How goes it? The Old Gods treating you well?

[coerthantorment]

[It takes a few days of rest and quiet before Estinien finds himself all that interested in exploring the commune in more detail, let alone going to a social spot like a tavern. He's still an outsider, after all, and this is a close-knit community. He's never been very fond of receiving stares, but being a curiosity is unavoidable here.

So, when he recognizes one of the other Thorne immigrants upon entering, it's almost a relief. He enters cautiously, casting quiet glances at the locals that look him over, but not making any comment on it.]

I'm not sure I've met them yet. [His voice is a low rumble. Over the last several days, he's swapped out his prisoner rags for something simple and comfortable. He's also lost the draconic traits he arrives with, having reverted to his previously elven self. He pauses a moment, cautious of the ears overhearing his words.]

But I am eager to learn more. Have you found their favour?

Link | LoZ: Breath of the Wild | Strength

[hylife]

[ Solvunn seems a peaceful place to Link. Sprawling and rural, it reminds him of the rolling hills and farms of Hateno or Akkala... with a dash of seaside Lurelin, as well. Though he has plenty of skills he could likely leverage for more elegant accommodations, he finds a place to stay in the tertiary settlement: a long-abandoned little shack that a relative of the missing family member is willing to loan him, in exchange for fixing it up and regularly bringing home fish and wild mushrooms.

He's never fixed up a house before, but Link is certain he can do it. The fishing is almost the greater challenge, because he's used to using his hands in the much clearer waters of Hyrule - but he's willing to put in the effort to learn.

Find him perched on a rather hazardous-looking rocky outcrop over the shore, baiting a fishing line.

Alternately, perhaps you'll be attracted to his little hovel by the smell of bubbling fish and vegetable stew, which he cooks outdoors over a fire. If he catches you looking, he'll gesture you over to join him. ]

Hungry?

[coerthantorment]

[It's at least a couple of weeks before Estinien can make his own way out to the Tertiary Settlement, between recovery and finding a place in these new surroundings. It's quite the jaunt from one settlement to the other, but while he's decided to set himself up in the Primary Settlement, that doesn't prevent him from wanting to get a since of the bigger picture.

So, when he's regained some strength and feels secure enough to travel alone, he decides to make his way across Solvunn's territories on foot. In Estinien's case, of course, 'on foot' means leaping great distances at incredible speeds, easily avoiding most obstructions on the way. It's the next best thing to flying - and it doesn't involve having to risk corrupting his body again to do it.

It takes about half a day for him to get there, including some small detours. He takes in the landscape along the way, impressed by the seeming peace and beauty of the Commune's land. The time passes quickly, overall, and soon enough he's in the somewhat more dire streets of the Tertiary Settlement.

He'd offered to deliver some mail for a couple of families in the Primary, as a sort of trial run of his capabilities. He spends some time after arriving tracking down the people he was meant to deliver to, and ultimately it takes longer than he'd been planning. He doesn't know his way around, of course, and by the time he's finished, it's already evening.

Though he's earned some coinage for his efforts, he finds himself roaming about the settlement instead of seeking a place to eat. The atmosphere here is definitely different - something that could use some investigation.

But what might be even more helpful is stumbling across another one of the cross-dimensional immigrants, cooking outside of a modest shack. Though Link is offering him food, which is definitely appealing, he's a bit caught by surprise.]

You... You arrived through the portal with us, didn't you?

[He glances around.]

...Did you come this way alone?

[extremethirst]

[ Ah, shit.

It is the first thought that hits him as soon as he sees Link casually fishing over the shore. Sweat starts to run down the back of his neck. While he remains sure that he won't be affected by any magic that Estinien might use, he isn't certain if that's the case with Link. Though, we obviously come from different worlds, so maybe not?

However, if there is anything that is even a little bit similar to his own kind's magic, he is going to be well and thoroughly fucked. And not even the kind of fucked that he wants to be! Nero can't help but breathe out a loud, agonized sigh. I thought that you'd go somewhere else, but someone convinced you to come here. Whoever that person is, they might be my enemy now.

But as soon as he thinks that, he dismisses the thought. Revenge really isn't his thing. If someone fucked him over, it was his fault for not having put up enough of a contingency plan to avoid it. Contingency plan being that if he was really worried, he should have tried to kill Link when he had the chance.

Technically, he still has that chance, but ... meh.

He rubs his hand over the back of his neck, making a face over how wet his palm feels, and saunters over to the other elf. ]

Yo. So, this is where you ended up.

[sanc]

[ Relena has been sticking close to Himeka and Estinien since her arrival. With her confidence back in her and her feet back under her, she's decided to explore Solvunn by following the trails, though she's possibly traveled here with one or both of them as they attempted to figure out more about their temporary home.

She spots Link balanced on the outcrop, crossing her arms to observe him. She has maybe been taken out to fish once or twice in her short life, but she'd likely been in a boat or on the pier at a resort... not precariously perched on a hillside. She can't help but watch him curiously, quietly, to see just how he does it. She should probably learn to fish, she thinks, to help bring food home just like the others. Maybe watching a bit will give her a better idea of it. ]

closed to himeka

[coerthantorment]

Estinien wakes with a start, the water already well on its way to cooling. Taking a bath had been so luxurious compared to his days in prison, the peace of it had been enough to lull him into slumber. Thankfully, he's already washed - there's no need for more water, especially when he doesn't know how long he's been dozing to begin with.

Slowly, he begins to pick himself up, running the water through his hair one last time, trying to comb out what knots he could with his fingers. He can still smell the fragrant oils the lady of the house had provided him with, a gesture kinder than it needed to be. Himeka has made a good first impression, apparently, and found them eager enough hosts. It won't be a mistake on their part, he decides. He'll pay them back for their charity, even if it takes a while to get moving again.

With some disappointment, he discovers the horns and tail are still with him, rough patches of scales leading to inhuman feet beneath the darkened water. A problem for tomorrow, it seems. Though his body still aches, bruises well on their way, the combination of being clean, fed, and partly rested is enough to make him feel nearly incorporeal. He dries and dresses himself in a daze, often catching himself wondering if any of this is real at all.

On his way out, he tosses his prisoner rags in the nearest rubbish bin he can find, and quietly makes his way to the barn. The sun has set, its glow lingering in the form of fiery gold bands along the horizon. The sound of shuffling livestock accomplanies the cool wind of twilight. He exhales heavily, a shiver of emotion rattling him. When Himeka had told him she found a place to stay, he had never imagined they'd be raising sheep.

Thankfully, the barn they've been given the loft to is more for storing feed and supplies than animals, and so the smell of it is easy enough on the senses. There is one cow within it, though, munching on something out of a troff as he arrives. He gazes at it with some wonderment, carefully approaching it from its side.

He lays a hand on its neck for a moment, gently patting its side. Thankfully, she doesn't seem to mind his presence. He leaves her to her food, smiling faintly.

He tugs on the rope that releases the narrow stairs leading up to the loft. As he arrives, the light is already on. He doesn't say anything as he enters, the same feeling of unreality lingering.

[aquaveiled]

The ling is actually several--four little balls of light that Himeka has placed about the loft in absence of a lantern or torch. It was an ability she had played around with in Horizon and, since seeing Estinien's recent transformation, wondered if she could likewise mimic actions she had taken there. Not to her appearance, of course...that had not been by choice. But something like this seemed useful, especially when their new benefactors had already offered them a bath and a warm place to sleep.

She's just finishing up laying one of the woolen blankets they were allowed to borrow for the night across the layers of hay she had arranged. At hearing the sounds of the stairs dropping, she looks up and smiles as soon as she sees who it is.

"I was beginning to wonder if we'd have to come fish you out of that tub."

Martin Blackwood | The Magnus Archives | Empress

[antichristsplusone]

[Martin's not sure what he's fully expecting when he breaks through the portal, arms heavy with the outfit he's gotten from Nero, but the almost idyllic display of the small village is something else to actually just... step through, and be there, and when he turns around the portal's gone - just more fields and cows behind them. The sudden reality of the situation hits hard, and he just spends a minute or so staring at where he came from, until a cow comes up to investigate him curiously. He's quick to leave the field after that.]

[It's not hard for him to ingratiate himself into people's company, though - he stays in the primary settlement, and ends up working his way into the morning reading group's good graces within the fortnight, and even starts to get a quiet reputation for being good at putting the books away and quickly memorizes as many of the fables as he can. So more often than not, it's easiest to catch him at the modest library, taking extensive notes on a pad he's managed to requisition.

More often than not, when he's not there, he's managed to get himself surrounded by small children who enjoy his reading - or, probably more accurately, find him an easy target to push around, because he really is just getting dragged around like a glorified babysitter to help with... whatever the children think they need a less real adult for. Piggyback ride are common, in fact, as is gently flustered one-child-clinging-to-each-leg-as-he-tries-to-walk, and sometimes even teaching letters or words for the extra curious. (Most of them are from the same family, in fact, since their mother's letting him sleep in their attic. It's full of spiders and the bed's not much more than a few bundles of hay under a blanket and everything itches, but it's warm and safe and there's space for his notes. He likes spiders, anyway.)]

[He's got limited free time, in the end, but mostly during the mid-afternoon and very late evenings he can be found wandering around, occasionally checking into the tavern or wandering through the town market for... well, anything interesting. There's no shortage of opportunities to catch him, and he always tends to respond amicably.]

It's not really so bad here, is it?

[towerjunkie]

[ Roland is equally fascinated by the collection of books here, though reading the words makes him feel like his eyes are crossing themselves. So when he comes across Martin reading to a group of children he's very happy to stop and listen as well.

Until, nearly at the end of one story, one of the children pulls the braid of another (from the similar colored hair, they're probably siblings) and they begin to squabble with each other.

Until, from behind the group, Roland cuts in with a stern voice. ]

Hush, the both of you. Have you forgotten the faces of your fathers? To interrupt a man so, for shame. Give your apologies to Sai Blackwood and let's hear no more interruptions to his fine reading.

[ There's no anger in his voice, but his face is serious. And, clearly a little afraid of the scowling man with the broad brimmed hat, the two children do so. Roland nods for Martin to finish, content there'll be no more interruptions. ]

[extremethirst]

Shall I tell you kids a fun story?

[ Nero has arrived to check in on Martin. He gives him a somewhat sympathetic look before he plops down to begin to weave his tale. The children probably seem interested just to be polite, or because the elf is someone new to harass. ]

Once upon a time, there was a dragon that killed an evil king. [ What a wonderful start to a story. ] He drank in the king's blood and gore. As he feasted, a little girl appeared with a knife. "What is that for?" The dragon asked. And the girl replied, "I've come to kill the king."

[ The elf leans forward; his hands posed like claws. ] The dragon laughed, "Well, the king has died by my hand." That is when the little girl began to sing and dance in the blood. "Hooray, hooray! My mommy told me that I was the real ruler. I've come to take back my crown!"

[ Nero makes a gesture with his hands to mime out the dancing of the girl through all the king's insides. ]

Intrigued, the dragon asked her. "What do you intend to do now?" And the little girl replied, "I'm going to kill all the people who hurt my mommy and daddy. I'm going to kill everyone who took my crown." Again, the dragon laughed. It was loud and filled with mirth. "I'll help you. I'll help you get your revenge."

[ He crosses his arms and smiles warmly. ]

Years past... and someone came to kill the little girl who became wicked and terrible queen. When that person succeeded in killing her, the dragon met the killer. It surprisingly was a little boy. He asked him, "Why did you do this?" And the little boy replied, "My mommy told me I was the real ruler, and I've come to get back my crown."

[ His head drops as he starts to chuckle. ]

The dragon asked him, "And what do you intend to do now?" [ He lifts his head up to direct his attention to the children. ] What do you think the answer was?

[ Ah.

The children give him a blank stare before running away to play something else. A few of them yell that his story is boring and poorly told; they complain he doesn't tell stories as good as Martin. Nero isn't sure when it happened but the little ones abandoned him in their hearts.

He gives Martin a look. ]

... can you believe that? You'd think they'd like a story with a moral.

[coerthantorment]

[At some point when Marting is conducting his usual business in the library, he'll turn around to see that Estinien is standing there, towering over him with his arms crossed. He's frowning, but not angrily. It could be he's troubled.

He nods his head in Martin's direction, indicating his entire person.]

You're the one that bastard 'elf' is always following around.

[Which might be a weird thing to say when Estinien also appears to be an elf bastard, but here we are.]

[aquaveiled]

[ As someone who is now constantly in and out of town, performing errands for whomever seems to need a hand for the moment, she does see some of the same faces as she passes by. But it's the sight of a man wrangling a gaggle of children like a mother duck and her ducklings does give her a moment's pause.

Goodness, they're attached to him like a suit of armor! Which may be effective against some foes, if they were disinclined to commit violence against children. But mostly it just looks funny.

She looks down at her basket--it's not full, but she has a few pieces of dried fruit a small loaf of sweetbread that she had gotten to take with her as part of her assistance at the bakery that morning. Looking at them, however...

It's decided! She walks up unabashed to the flushed man and his charge. ]

You--[ She looks the children up to the man. ] --look like you've had quite the day and are in need of a snack.

[ Himeka down to the ground to be eye-level with the children, breaking off a few pieces of her sweat bread as she holds them out. ]

Hungry?

Nero | Drakengard | The Devil

[extremethirst]

[ The first thought that Nero actually had when he saw Solvunn is -- Fuck! Everything about the country gives him a visceral reaction as he recalls his own past living with his own kind. Even the way that everyone treats one another is reminiscent to what he escaped.

Though, he probably shouldn't think "escaped" since he was actually banished and branded a pariah to his people. But whatever!

He has the feeling that he has been tricked, but it isn't that at all. It's his own fault for just going along without a single thought in his head. Besides, he might have come to Solvunn on his own eventually to see what everything is all about. He might as well soak everything up now, right? Right. ]

[ Nero decides that he would be better off in the tertiary settlement and locates himself a house that appears to had the ever-loving shit kicked out it by time and elements. He doesn't mind it all that much given all the sleeping he's done outdoors, and he doesn't know shit about repairing a house. But he acquired it with the agreement that he'll attempt to always contribute what he can to the community.

But what can he contribute? He can contribute murder. Well, it isn't murder of the locals, at least. It's murder of pirates that he's heard the people mumbling about every so often. So, he disappears on his own hunting trip. He brings back the contraband that the "ruffians" were plundering, and hands it off to the Solvunn traders to do with what they want. Nero doesn't need the wealth or glory; he just enjoys his craft.

So, one can find him carting along bags of unknown items on his back to the town market to hand his goods off. Blood splattered over his face, arms, and clothes; he whistles as he works, because really, a person always should have a smile on their face and heart as they do what they love.

... Sadly, he's only able to do that a few times before the pirates travel too far out from him to be able to chase them down.

So, he's back to making a minor pest out of himself at the taverns. He speaks kindly enough to the pretty local girls, but they don't seem particularly interested in him. It might be the tales of how he has been wandering around bloodied that are keeping them understandably at bay. So, he's found lying, halfway on a table, staring at the wall and loudly sighing. Not a drink in hand, but thoroughly broken-hearted. ]

taverns

[baltimores]

[ The tavern is already practically a second home for Amos. Between claiming an abandoned shack that's borderline uninhabitable (and slowly working on fixing it up, just on his own; he's got the know-how but damn, is the tech here lacking) and trying his hand at fishing (with moderate success; enough to earn drinking money, at least), it's not like there's a whole lot else to do. He's been mostly keeping to himself, not really knowing anyone out this far, wanting to buy into the idea of community but between not understanding people and the whole gods thing finding a really tough time of it.

He recognizes the guy who gave him decent clothes at the execution, though. Isn't wearing them now because, you know, you've gotta wash stuff, but still, thanks for them. Also pretty easy to notice the guy who's been rumoured to be covered in blood sometimes forlornly lying halfway on a table.

Amos, who very much does have a drink in hand, pulls up next to him. Takes a seat. Studies Nero for a second. ]

Kinda seems like you want something.

[ Or, you know, hello. ]

Himeka Sui | Final Fantasy XIV | The Fool

[aquaveiled]

i. familiar faces

[ The escape from Thorne had been a whirlwind, seeing faces of prisoners and the welcomed alike all congregating before the portals. Both fists and words were thrown before everyone dispersed and it would be a lie if Himeka said she kept track of who went where. Yet even those who appeared the most human stood out in some ways amongst the residents of the commune, so even after the first few days in the region, she would occasionally stop and stare at anyone who looked just a tad familiar.

As she does now.

When the recognition sets in, she smiles and offers a short wave, happy to be in something clean and warm in contrast to their prison garb.

(If she knows you... ]

It's nice to see a familiar face. This is a far cry from Thorne, isn't it?

[ (If she doesn't know you...) ]

You were with us when we left through the portal, weren't you?

ii. tough decisions

[ Inhuman appearances aside, Himeka found little trouble fitting right in to the nature of the commune. Eager to help--mayhaps too eager at times--she made it a habit to go around and offering assistance to any person who looked like they needed it. In exchange for advice, supplies, or coin, after a week of running errands and manual labor, she has acquired enough coin to make a very important purchase.

Blessed though she feels to have a warm and dry place to sleep with her friends thanks to the generous nature of two of the locals, she is keen to start to acquire some of her own possessions. And one of the most important things you can own is a good pot to cook in. And not just any old pot--some iron that will last for years.

But she's at an impasse, standing in the market as she looks between two different stalls that, perhaps by fate, have situated right next to one another. One, clearly the works of a blacksmith having created several important supplies from pots, pans, to iron forks and stokes for the fire, and the other, the most delectable looking pastries she's seen in months. Rustic in their appearance, yet she can smell the sweet spice and sugar baked into the bread and can only imagine what tasty fillings were cooked within.

So she stands there, pointedly in the middle of the thoroughfare, looking back and forth as her tails twitches behind her anxiously. ]

...This is almost more difficult than leaving Thorne.

[ Please help an indecisive lizard make the best or worst choice. ]

iii. shall we make a bet?

[ CW: Alcohol. ]

[ There is something inherently charming about these smaller towns. As much as she enjoys the high stone walls of Ishgard or the ever crowded streets of Kugane, life does seem to slow down in places more like Solvunn. But that is hardly to say there isn't trouble to get into. Well-meaning trouble, of course!

It was really only a matter of time before Himeka made an appearance at the local tavern. The atmosphere had that mix of loud local conversations and general revelry that made her energized. It was similar to the Drowning Wench in some ways, but felt like a much more tight knit bunch. She certainly stood out when she weaseled her way in to what appeared to be an ongoing drinking contest. Though she did not have much coin, she started to make up for it, having out drain two men nearly twice her size.

She's hopped off her seat to go get herself something to snack on with her winnings, gait noticeably a little more wobbly than it ought to be otherwise and unsurprisingly stumbles into another patron. ]

Oops!

[ She doesn't sound too apologetic, though. ]

Oh...are you'p next? You should know I haven't lost yet!

i

[extremethirst]

[ Nero saunters along through the settlement. His head drooping low as he wonders if he has chosen wrong; certainly, the people that he chose to follow weren't wrong, but the place they've chosen to settle isn't one that'll let their true destructive paths shine.

He breathes out a small hum as he hears someone call out to him. Well, it isn't really calling as much as casually asking a question as he slumps on by. It's a lovely sounding voice and so his mood is lifted a little. His head lifts from its droop as he glances over to the sweetie. ]

That's right, sweetie, I was.

closed to amos

[coerthantorment]

After struggling for his life, it feels strange to fall into a less dire routine. Work on the farm keeps Estinien busy but, as it turns out, there are more hours in the day than he actually needs to spend, and no immediate leads pressing enough for him to spend his hours obsessing over them. There are times he almost feels like he's part of a community, as foolish as he knows it is. Despite all his wandering, it's unusual to feel like a normal person, carrying out everyday concerns.

This also means there is time for recreation, which is an activity Estinien has always struggled with. He put off developing interests until just recently, and even while touring other countries, there was always the vague illusion of purpose. Now, it turns out, he's going to the local tavern to watch Himeka drink. No particular reason - just to spend time together.

Early on, Estinien shadows Himeka closely, her being his main social link to this community. It turns out that she has other friends here, both from Solvunn and former prisoners, that he hasn't really met yet. He stays quiet when she talks to them, not wanting to interrupt, and not knowing what he'd say if he did. They're here for Himeka, after all. He's fine just sitting and having a drink.

Once Himeka is fully embroiled in her alcoholic endurance test, though, it gets harder to ignore one man in particular - a prisoner, whom he heard Himeka mention the name of. Amos, was it? They find themselves both watching from a distance as she does her thing, in proximity, but not meaningfully interacting. Eventually, though, something comes over him.

Estinien decides to speak.

"'Tis something, isn't it?" he says, his eyes mostly on Himeka, but flickering over to Amos just briefly enough to indicate that he's the one he's speaking to.

[baltimores]

Life in Solvunn is. Well, it is. Amos is actually more suited for it than he might recognize — passing the time with little to do was just how life worked when travelling in space, and that's at least one transferable skill — but you can only get by so long on being able to pass the time and... not much else.

He's probably going to head west soon, out to the Tertiary Settlement. See if he figures out a way to fit in with the people there. If that's where the outcasts are supposed to go then that's where he should be. So. It's better for everyone, really.

Other people are tough, is the thing. Himeka quickly proved herself to be the exception, from a surprisingly pleasant visit in the Horizon when neither of them knew one another to... her still accepting him outside. He might still be trying to wrap his head around that, but at the same time, he really enjoys her company. Really, really enjoys it. Combine her presence with being somewhere where the entire point is to get drunk and, yeah, he'll be there, watching her trying to drink every local under the table while sitting off to the side, pleasantly buzzed, content to nurse his own glass.

The tall elf guy sitting by him is impossible to miss. It was easy enough, back in Thorne's prison, to see how close he was with Himeka; of course that'd extend to out here. Of course they'd have come to Solvunn together.

Blinks when he actually addresses him. Takes a moment before shifting his position to better face Estinien; his movements would be stiff, almost unnatural, but for the alcohol that's loosened him up some.

"Sure is," Amos drawls, looking back out at Himeka's heroics before facing Estinien proper again. "You guys know each other before all this?"

closed to relena

[coerthantorment]

It doesn't take long for Estinien to get to work. He spends half of their first day in Solvunn resting, but then it's off to speak with Maeve and Declan about what they want done with the farm. He explains his experience with the handling of sheep, and asks them for details about the daily routine.

Maeve is certainly interested in his offer to help, but not without a few tests, first. She takes him around the farm, watching as he performs various tasks, ensuring that his skills are up to par. While a few things take some refreshing - and Maeve is quick to give him instruction, sometimes even when he doesn't need it - but ultimately his youthful recollections seem to be enough to earn her trust. At least, enough to work on his own.

It turns out there is a lot to do around here.

The farm clearly needs more people to manage it than it has, and that's even besides Declan's injury. Routine tasks have fallen behind, the most urgent of those being the routine care of the sheep's hooves. Thankfully, a strong body goes a long way to getting that done, and with some basic instruction, Estinien can fall back on old instincts.

He can be found out in the field, a sheep clasped in his arms, shearing off one of its overgrown hooves with a pair of clippers.

[sanc]

Relena had spent the first few days here resting either by her own choice or the insistence of Himeka and Estinien. She is notoriously bad at staying still unless she's incapacitated, so once she is feeling better, she has taken to exploring and getting familiar with their hosts and neighbors. She's feeling cautious about this place after her ordeal in Thorne, but she doesn't want to be unfriendly. For now, they will be living here, so she should try, at least, to be open to the residents.

As a rule, she is a hard worker and open to learning all she can, but she isn't equipped with any experience that lends to farm life. Horseback riding is about all she has under her belt here. She needs to learn and learn soon so she can be more than an idle tag on to her group. She feels like their hosts won't allow her to stay long if she doesn't contribute as soon as possible.

Relena happens upon Estinien outside as she attempts to set out on a walk to think and figure out what her plan of action here should be.

What he's doing is far more interesting.

She approaches slowly so as not to startle the animal he's holding onto and speaks in an even voice.

"What are you doing there, Estinien?"