abraxaslogs | WELCOME TO SOLVUNN!

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WELCOME TO SOLVUNN!

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.

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[Though that sounds like something that would be quite the boon, Estinien pointedly keeps himself from looking impressed. He also won't give any indication that he feels like he's missing out on something by not being the same way.]

As much as it 'hurts' anyone else. Aether is a part of life itself. To be untouched by it would be an odd prospect.

[ His eyebrows lift. The motors turn in his head for the reasons why the man is willing to buy when he could scout for what he wants free of charge.

No answer comes to him, but his expression settles to something like understanding. His lips quirk into a sideways grin that reads not as compassion -- or god forbid sympathy -- about the man's stance on sex. It is just simple and honest acceptance that is what he wants to do.

"Okay." The look says with a warm, friendly smile. "Say no more."

And the conversation slides to the next topic without any grand bells or whistles, because as vulgar as the elf is, he accepts others easily. He accepts them and the only shame that they'd feel in his presence is the shame that they force on themselves. ]

I do, I do. [ His head bobs up and down. ] I just like hearing girls squeal too much. [ His eyes close in resignation to his nature. ] I used to present them with decapitated heads.

[ A slight pause follows. ] Not here, of course. And it really only works when the head's fresh. If you're carrying around a decapitated head, it loses its impact. [ There is a tone to his explanation, like it isn't so much that it would lose its impact -- because it is a decapitated head -- but that he was told specifically not to drag body parts around to terrorize others. ]

That is so weird.

[ What else can he say to it? He has no idea what it's like to have the similar weaknesses as others, but it explains more about why Estinien is more cautious than he is. ]

Well, a person learns and lives to be as reckless as their body lets them to be. [ Nero says aloud, thoughtful and a little absent-minded. ] Have you found it yet? Your breaking point?

For his part, Amos doesn't really react to the idea of meeting during a war. Yeah, sure, wars happen. He was caught in the middle of one once. Kinda. Wasn't anything special, just was.

Though he supposes it was during said war that he forged maybe the closest bonds he ever has in his life, so maybe he does get it after all. Amos nods. Huffs a little in amusement into his own drink at that last remark.

"Getting drunk doesn't win wars, huh?" It's rhetorical; obviously they don't. Probably just make things worse, really, but he's no diplomat. Would be exceptionally terrible at it if he were to ever try. He's more just the guy you tell him where and who to shoot and he will.

Takes another moment to think it over, though. Really reflect on what it was Estinien said. Himeka reminds him a bit of Holden, mostly in the apparent desire to help others. So, an ally? Yeah, that'd probably do it.

"You guys were in trouble and she helped you get out of it?" he asks. Because if that really is the case then. Yeah. He knows the type. ... It's a really, really good type.

Physically? No.

[Given what he just said, the immediacy with which he says that may be odd. He's affected by magic, but that doesn't make him weak. Magic is a part of what he is, now.]

Provided you don't mean the usual things. Starvation, suffocation, bleeding to death. Or are you about to inform me that those maladies don't affect elves either?

[He still sounds doubtful.]

Well, the 'not being in jail' certainly helps.

[It's a weak joke at best, and he's not quite looking at her, making sure Devon rushes away in one piece before he turns his attention, and a small smile back to Relena.]

Everyone's been pretty welcoming, so, uh. That's quite nice of everyone, i-it's... reassuring, I suppose. The sense of community's lovely.

Something about that phrasing causes Estinien to crack a smile. To think just how much of an impact she'd made, from beginning to end... he doesn't mean to become cloying, but it's hard for it to not feel like an understatement.

Instead, he nods his head, the distant yet fond expression lingering in his eyes.

"She was a hero of some renown by that point... the Warrior of Light, according to many. The Dravanian horde we were at war with threatened to ravage the city... but she and a handful of others lent their number to our defense, turning the siege from our gate."

"Later, some messy business in another city-state sent her and her people seeking refuge, but she had already earned herself loyalty among my countrymen for her strength and bravery. One of our noble families welcome her in, and from there... one impossible thing led to another, and soon enough, the pillars upholding an unjust war were falling one by one."

A flowery recount, even for him, but the combination of being drunk and being in such a fond mood has him really going for it.

"We fought side by side many a time, and eventually, lived to see peace return to my home. 'Tis only by her mercy that I am still here today."

[ Say no more suits Amos exceptionally well. Whatever this guy's deal is, it looks like they've at least got that much in common: just accept others for who they are, whatever their reasons may be. Chances are, it's really nobody else's business.

... Although he can't help but frown at the notion of freaking girls out using decapitated heads. The way he says it, like it's still something he wants to do. That's a new one, even for him. ]

Yeah, [ he starts slow in his response, hints of what the fuck in his voice, his expression, ] that might be your problem. Not not giving them decapitated heads. Don't think most people like that. [ Why would you ever have heads to begin with?? ] What about after they squeal? Does anyone even go along with you after that?

[ Amos knows shit all about properly courting somebody, but even he thinks he's got a better handle of it than Nero. Also, starting to become evident why he ended up with nice clothes from him in the first place. Dude has an. Interesting. Probably immoral. Approach to life.

... Not that he can really judge; that'd probably be some pot calling the kettle black stuff. But it's still not great, he's pretty sure. ]

Oh. There isn't a whole lot Amos can empathize with, but he recognizes that look. Doesn't know if he's ever had it himself, but certainly understands what it's like to feel that way about another person.

... He'd had a feeling that Himeka was as great as she seemed, and Estinien's recounting does a good job of adding even more evidence to the pile. He looks back out at her, the way she's still going at it, just someone who's a fundamentally good person enjoying life. Takes another drink of his own, reflecting on all of this new information.

"And she brought you peace back, too," he says, wonderment in his voice. Amos isn't one for politics, systemic injustices, any of that; he just knows life is fucked and that's unlikely to ever change. Also, where he's from, peace doesn't seem like it's something that'll ever happen. His crewmates care about it more than he does, and he'll — he did — follow along with them, but only because of them. Not because he cared about the actual issues at hand.

... But that Himeka was able to bring about peace anywhere at all. That's no short of a miracle, by Amos' estimate.

He turns back to Estinien. "Didn't even know that was possible. I get why you'd want to stick with her, then." She's... kind of the exact person that he needs to be around, too.

[ Amos frowns slightly. By his estimates, he didn't come out alright at all. He'd never consider himself a decent person, and wanting to do nice things for others gets overridden pretty easily by the fact that, on his own, he doesn't know how. That it's somehow a natural inclination for him he has no ability to tap into.

... So. You know. He's a bad person who needs help. But he'd actually like Himeka's help on that front, so objecting probably isn't the best route for him; just a non-committal shrug. ]

Alright is relative, I guess.

[ Because even with all of his shit, he knows he could've turned out much, much worse. So she might have a point.

He follows along behind her as she veers off, but the women's attention has him coming up empty. Associating with regular townspeople— Amos is used to hanging in the background, behind people who actually have something to say, who actually can talk to people they don't know, don't have a real reason to talk to—

His lips part slightly, stay open with no sound coming out. He blinks. Glances at Himeka. Back at the women. ]

My name's Amos. I'm, uh, a friend of Hime's.

[ That. That should explain enough, right? He's new in town, from the same place she is — at least by Abraxas standards — and really, really bad at this. ]

I definitely enjoy being out of a musty jail cell, that much is true.

[ Jail cells... wells... caves... weird magic ceremonies... she prefers some fresh air and a decent place to sleep more now than she ever has before. ]

The mood is vastly different from Thorne, for certain. It's a comfort, being somewhere where we have a chance to prove ourselves. If I'm to be treated like a criminal, I'd at least like to have done a crime first. Besides, I'm learning some skills here I never thought I would.

[ Taverns still make her a bit wary, but since she's on a venture to the tertiary settlement (probably in the tow of someone she's familiar with), she doesn't feel so worried about entering one. It's not like she's so young that she feels like she shouldn't be there. She's just not good in casual settings. Crowds at formal parties? She can fake her interest through years of practice at being polite and quiet. Casual affairs? That's out of her league, in a sense.

She can't help but notice the very deflated Nero draped on a table in the corner of the room. He's the one who'd given her the dress she has stored in the barn loft where they're all residing right now.

She... had promised she'd tell him what happened to her. She doesn't have any reason to back off on it and he doesn't seem to be drinking. It might be the ideal time with the noise to mask her talking from the locals.

She approaches him and bows briefly as she greets him. ]

Are you doing okay, Nero?

Well, you're still young.

[ Nero lightly pats the top of the tavern counter instead of Estinien's shoulder. ]

Oh, yeah, we can die from those. [ But there is a dismissive manner in which he speaks on the topic. A dismissive tone that comes from accepting if he gets in such a pickle that it's completely fine.

Nero is over one-hundred years old living as he has been living; his world is one that will burn and drown in the blood of its people. He lives as recklessly as his body lets him which is he keeps going because he can still draw breath. ]

But don't let that get you down. [ Because death is coming no matter what. ]

[ Nero draws his eyes away from the wall to fix on Relena's face. It's not unlike grabbing the attention of a sleeping beast. But this beast is, as he told her, on her side. The despondent expression doesn't fall away but there is an odd friendliness to it. ]

Hey, sweetheart.

[ He greets her with no smile but instead a tired voice. ]

I'm just a little sad. [ His arm reaches up to gesture for her to sit in the chair that is immediately in front of him. He doesn't rise to get off the table, however. His mood is just not yet there to roll off its surface. ]

What brings you here? [ The tone is mildly curious, mildly interested, like if it is something that is worth his time; he'll help her with it. ]

Oh, yeah.

[ His chin gives a few small bobs. Pretty girls did still go along with him afterward, because they had the notion that if they didn't, he'd do something similar to them.

There is a viciousness in his stare. One that says, he isn't courting or giving gifts to these lovely women; he's forcing them to decide what they cherish more -- their bodies or their lives.

It lasts just for a few seconds before his expression shifts back to tired and self-pitying. ]

I never ask them, though. [ Nero carries on. ] They make the decision for themselves.

[ Because if they cherished their bodies and dignity more, he would accept that answer. Much like how he isn't chasing after the pretty girls in the bar; he would always let them go. It's just that they don't realize that about him; they have to take a chance and they have to believe nothing will happen afterward.

In a way, that speaks a lot about Solvunn. To Nero, it's a backwards little country that kneels and sucks Gods off at the ready, but its people take the chance on everyone without fear, without hesitation. It says a lot about their inner strength and confidence in the world they live in.

And that is something it has over Thorne, at least. ]

That's probably why I feel so out of place here. This place is safe.

[ It holds all its people close and loving. Even if the Gods won't love them, won't save them, won't protect them; Solvunn itself will. ]

It'll take a few centuries for that all to fall apart. [ But it will. It always does. ]

Anyway, how did the clothes do for you? [ And just like that, the conversation shifts. He smiles; it's a smile that says he's happy to be honest with the man not because he considers them friends -- not yet -- but because he hates deceiving people. ]

[ For a moment, Relena is concerned. Perhaps she's actually disturbed him here. She doesn't really want to give him any issue, but he does seem receptive enough to her company when he greets her.

She doesn't have any reason to question why he looks so down. In this world, there are countless opportunities to be blindsided by your own frustrations or anxieties.

She offers the smallest of smiles all the same and takes the invitation, sitting down across from him. She folds her hands in her lap under the table, watching him carefully. ]

I'm trying to get familiar with this place... with the people here. Even though it's a nice community, after all that's happened, I guess I want to be as aware of my surroundings as possible. In case something happens again.

Very smart but I wouldn't worry too much about it.

[ Nero offers her a smile, finally. It's one that is pleased with her caution in the new country that she finds herself. There's no guarantee that Solvunn and its people won't betray them at any time; it honestly wouldn't surprise him if they did even if they were the most mildest, self-sacrificing guests they ever had. ]

Solvunn has to look after its people. If for whatever reason we end up threatening it, it's obvious who the council is going to sacrifice. So, there's no use looking over your shoulder. [ His smile remains, easy and accepting. ] You'll just make yourself sick like that, sweetie.

You're not wrong, Nero, but I do like to be prepared. I'd feel a little foolish if I was blindsided again.

[ Her mild smile remains in tact but her hands worry together under the table. She is the type that does believe in the good in people, but she's seen enough of what pain can cause, too. Desperation is dangerous, that wasn't wrong. While things are comfortable in Solvunn, Thorne still exists as does the mystery of the Singularity. Things could turn over at any time. Being too settled would be wrong and she's certain her companions agree. ]

All the same, I'd like to understand the people here if I'm going to live with them for now. Besides, there's things I can learn here that will be useful along the way. I won't act like my life wasn't pampered up until now. I don't want to be a burden on the people who have been helping me since I arrived.

All you need to do is figure out how to get out of here when they betray you. Can't expect a portal to open every time shit hits the fan. So, that's really all you can do. The rest is just sailing along until it happens.

[ His finger jams in his ear, digging around. He feels there's no reason to feel blindsided if she accepts that anyone and everyone could betray her at any second. Nero believes there's comfort in knowing that truth; it doesn't mean he won't like or trust the people around him, just that he doesn't expect any lasting alliance.

The elf closes his eyes. There is only one alliance that has lasted decades, and his summoning betrayed that one. His smile turns viciously amused; yes, even he can't be trusted to hold onto his word forever.

He opens his eyes to look carefully at her face. ]

So, you're hoping to learn survival and all that? Want to learn how to kill someone, too? [ His voice is casual. The elf honestly wonders if that is something the peace-loving Relena wants to learn. He can't help but breathe a huffing laugh out his nose before his expression returns to curious. ]

Edited 2021-09-12 19:19 (UTC)

[Well, there's that, at least. Magic certainly isn't the only thing a mortal being has to worry about. It's also for the best that Nero isn't somehow unkillable, considering.

But the idea of his magic resistance is still on his mind.]

You'll have to learn that not everything behaves the same way it did in your world.

[He shakes his head to himself, and then casts Nero a watchful eye.]

Have you tested this magical resistance of yours since arriving?

Just the moving parts... the machine as a whole is the same.

[ Nero gestures with his hands; he makes small fiddling movements before shaping the larger machine in the air. Funny, it almost looks like he's making an air outline of a woman. Don't think too much about it. ]

No. [ He shakes his head. ] Why would I?

[Estinien shrugs his shoulders. He disagrees, considering the absence of some major features from his own world, but...]

Because it probably won't work here.

[ Nero blinks before he gives Estinien a worrying looking. ]

Are you feeling sad that you don't have magical resistance?

[ Now, he lightly pats the Elezen's arm. ] Penis envy doesn't look good on anyone, cousin.

[His gaze stays level.]

The laws are different. A single mage was capable of undoing us all with little exertion. 'Twould be arrogant to think you're as safe as you were in the waters of your own pond.

[ Nero gives him a funny look. ]

I don't think I'm safe. [ It seems like the two of them are on two different wavelengths, and he wonders if he should try to bridge the gap some. ] Didn't I already tell you that I believe they're capable of breaking through my resistance?

[ A soft laugh follows. ]

Just because they can break through it doesn't mean I don't have it. It just means that they're stronger than my body. Get it?

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WELCOME TO SOLVUNN!

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more tavern visitors !

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