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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[ Relena doesn't mind his quiet dismissal in the form of a halfhearted hand gesture. It's about what she expects from most people older than her. She's used to it.

She stops, though, when he tells her to stop for a moment. She looks puzzled with a small frown on her lips. She is... surprised at his response. It's not like she hadn't heard his words before. It's not like this kind of conversation hadn't crossed her ears before. It's not like these thoughts hadn't come into her head when she thought about her position and her internal struggle with some aspects of it that can and are frequently challenged.

A small sigh leaves her and she shakes her head. ]

Of course it is. Of course it's 'messed up' that things are this way, but they are. I've come to realize that. I can't run away from the reality of these things. There's no war here yet, but there's tension. The issue of the Singularity and the desperation its stoking aren't going away any time soon. Anything can break at any time...

Poetic!

[ Wow. Nero has to accept that the two kids are really fundamentally broken in a way that they don't even recognize. He supposes that he can keep bringing it up, and even if they say, "I have to accept the reality of my situation," that they start really seeing all the cracks and breaks that is their very existence.

He wonders if they'd start to blame someone for how they are, or do something entirely different. ]

But you're right... it can and it probably will break. [ He holds his arms up in the air. ] But that is way out of our hands.

[ His arms drop back down, hitting his chest with a soft sound. ] It's even more out of your hands than anyone else's, I'd imagine. [ Nero gives her a look that is supposed to say that he recognizes how old she really is. ] You're always gonna be reliant on others to be your power, sweetie.

[ But that is something that Relena has already said that she recognizes, and doesn't want to burden those whose power that she's relying upon. ] Still, they're relying upon you, too. The thing is... they shouldn't be... and they should be attempting to allow you to no longer worry about these things.

[ The elf chuckles. He thinks that One would probably try to take away all of her burdens and hold them onto himself. It's that will of his friend's that compels him to do something, because he thinks that the way One would handle things is detrimental in its own way. And Nero likes being detrimental in those ways; he likes showing that no matter how good or righteous a person is, certain actions will always cause pain and suffering.

That's why, he finally says: ]

... So, I'll do what I can to take those worries away from you. How's that?

Edited 2021-10-06 17:05 (UTC)

[ She nods, empathetically and thoughtfully at first, before she says as if she's commenting on the weather: ]

Well, then we'll just have to fight them if that's what it takes.

[ And perks up immediately after. ]

But first things first! I need a pot. Thank you for your help.

[ She extends a hand to shake, as seems to be custom in most places, she's found. ]

I'm Himeka.

[ Link hesitates a moment, but only because the thought of fighting the Goddess Hylia is... well, more than a sacrilege. It's treason. That's the Princess's ancestor!

At the same time - if any of the gods here intended to keep him trapped, against Hylia's will? Link wouldn't hesitate to find a way to take them down. And when said just like that - if that's what they have to do - Link can only agree with a very serious nod.

And then, just as easily, changes the subject. ]

Ah. I'm Link.

[ He shifts back to a more relaxed demeanor, taking her hand to shake. ]

You must like cooking.

[ Relena doesn't want to believe anything's truly beyond her grasp yet. She knows there's a lot, at the moment, that she can't do, but there's also things she might have the reach for with a little more time. It's reality that things might break under the weight of the tensions here. It doesn't mean she'll easily accept allowing it all to go tits up without trying to do something, anything at all.

She shakes her head, almost speaking back at him before he continues. She decides to stay quiet, watching him with curiosity and hesitance. Nero is nothing if not strange and a little eerie. She can't make head's nor tails of him. She doesn't trust him, but she also isn't sure if he should be completely distrusted yet, either. He's enigmatic and can just as easily slide from some fractured form of kindness to troubling, nihilistic banter. She's not sure where the real 'Nero' is or if it's all just him, contradictions and all.

She doesn't want to accept that she shouldn't be relied upon. In her mind, she's useless if she can't contribute. Can't pull her weight along and help in any situation. She can't be a hindrance.

Her brow creases as she speaks, looking him over as if trying to find his motive written on him. ]

What do you mean? What would you do?

To put simply, princess, kill people.

[ Nero turns his head to the side to let out a soft laugh. ]

Don't worry. It wouldn't be by your order that people die.

[ He's not so foolish as to say that he would take burdens away from her only to give her the greatest one that he can give someone. Sorry, but that honor has already been bestowed upon someone else. ]

You just worry yourself with learning how to heal and make your barriers. Don't concern yourself with fighting or killing. Leave that to an... outside force.

[ His arm shoots up into the air before he tilts his hand down and points to himself. He clicks his tongue loudly like he is nocking an arrow into his crossbow. ]

You're not relying upon me and you're not asking me to do anything. This is a worry that I'm taking from you. So, let yourself be concerned how to make nice with those that want to make nice. [ He smiles wide and friendly, finished with both his spiel and offer. ]

[ For a brief moment, Link's eyes close while worry niggles at his thoughts. He does sincerely hopes he hears Hylia again. The longer Princess Zelda waits for him, the greater her suffering.

He'll grasp at any straw, at this point. ]

I think... this 'Horizon' will bring me closer than I have been.

[ He looks rather serious, now. He thinks he understands what Estinien is getting at. Places that one can only reach through meditation is not a foreign concept on his world. ]

And if I do that, I'll be able to go there?

[ He doesn't really have a reaction to the comment that he's heartless because, well, yeah. Tell him something he doesn't know. He can try to care about other people, their actions, but it just doesn't come naturally, will always slip his mind if somebody isn't there to remind him he should give a fuck. And out here, in the Tertiary Settlement, that's... probably not going to be an option.

Doesn't know what it means for Nero to sound almost impressed by it. Amos knows it's not a good thing he's like this; he just is. But he might even agree with Nero's assessment of martyrdom if he knew — not that it's funny, more that there are a lot of assumptions made there, and they aren't always correct.

Then again, if it was someone he liked trying to be a martyr... he doesn't understand when Holden goes for it. Maybe appreciates it, though. Just one of the ways in which Holden's a good person.

Shit, he doesn't know what he's supposed to do with that. It's just easier to ignore everyone he doesn't know, doesn't like, so he'll keep doing that instead. Because, you know. He's heartless.

It almost is surprising that Nero does have a buddy somewhere out there. Of course he'd express it that way, too. Amos is more of the silently stew on it, let it all explode later type. He was months separated from his people before he even arrived here; months more yet after spending all that time in Thorne's dungeons.

He swallows, thick, as though that'll clear his head. It won't. ]

Tolerating's about as good as any of us can hope for. [ Is he talking about Nero? Is he talking about himself? Both? Shit. He's not ordering another drink, that's for sure; isn't keen on giving the impression that he wants to extend the conversation... even as he continues to not get up and leave.

Though I knew there was a reason I liked you deepens Amos' frown; maybe worries him slightly. A reminder that he should give a shit but. He just. Isn't capable of it. ]

Don't get any ideas. [ The almost-admiration, the open declaration, however sincere it may or may not actually be. His voice is flat, without inflection; just a statement. ] I don't regret shit. Can't undo anything. Doesn't mean it's a good thing. Doesn't mean we're gonna get along, or tolerate each other. [ He sits back up straighter, not really going out of his way to try to properly engage Nero anymore. And yet, still not getting up, either. He's still the one who actively chose to be at this table, despite who was on it. ] Just means we're both dangerous, and a lot of people here probably don't deserve that.

[ Himeka nods slowly as if she really does need more time to consider it. ]

You drive a hard bargain, but I think we are in agreement.

[ There was no other answer, of course! She is always up for meeting new people and he seems to get more and more relaxed with the idea of a little break in older company.

She does take in their surroundings, in part to just look at the town but also to think about how far the tavern is from their current location. ]

Is this your little group of goats' pasture?

Right?

[ He shoves his index finger into his ear, scratching the inside. The tone that he replies to Amos indicates that he also believes that's the most anyone can hope from the elf, too. Just because they're pleasant individuals with no psychological malfunctions doesn't mean that Nero has to get along with them, after all.

The elf just chooses to be relatively chill with the majority of the people he interacts with, because he doesn't see any reason not to be. Hate comes and goes easily for him; anger is difficult to built; he doesn't see much reason to hang onto either one of those emotions because life is so, so long to have someone feel like shit. ]

Hey, hey. I just like you. You don't have to like me, pal. [ He pulls his finger out of his nose, and blows the ear wax he collected off the nail. ] This is a one-sided street. [ The tone that he uses is one that is almost offended that Amos would like him back. Honestly, the man was able to see the kind of monster that Nero is and so Nero would be a little concerned if he was liked. ]

[ She's been told that you can learn about someone's grip--really all she can tell is whether someone works with their hands and if they could potentially beat her in an arm-wrestling competition, of which he certainly does and she's not sure but she would take him on. And that's good enough for her. ]

It's nice to meet you, Link.

[ Him and his delicious sweet bread. To his question, she nods, puffing her chest out just a little. ]

I do and there hasn't been much call for it in the dungeons, so why not take the opportunity as it presents itself? We can spare a few indulgences out here, right?

In theory, I would hope.

[It'll be difficult if the new arrivals struggle to get a hold of this valuable resource. He contemplates it for a moment.]

I would be willing to demonstrate, if I can remain nearby for the night. I'm only visiting, and would rather not spend the coin on a room.

[He really just needs a lawn to camp on.]

[ It's unfortunate, that they would have that in common — why direct any emotions towards someone you've just met? If they've done something to deserve it, something so objectively terrible that even someone as disconnected as Amos could recognize it, then yeah, sure. Get pissed. Kill them, maybe. Anyone, anything else? Nothing's really gonna inspire Amos to react.

Anger's all he really knows. (That's not true. It's merely all he thinks he knows. The rest of it is unrecognizable to him. There all the same, but there's only so much one can do with that.) Push the right buttons, it comes out easily. Don't push those buttons at all, and it doesn't.

Nero isn't pushing those buttons right now, but Amos can tell he has the potential to. He's got his attention again, at least. Amos ignores whatever it is he's doing with his finger — he doesn't have his attention in that way — but angles his head just enough to catch his face. He does not get this guy at all. ]

Guessing I shouldn't take that as a compliment that you like me. [ There's no offence in his tone. More just like, well, of course someone like you would like someone like me. That's just great. ] But as long as we're clear.

[ And it sure seems like they are. Amos glances up at the roof, glances up at nothing. He inhales, sighs, looks back down. ]

This where you gonna call home, then? Out here in the middle of nowhere? [ It's an easy enough question, casually asked; it's what Amos is planning. Where they'll probably have the chance to run into each other more often than not, though, which was definitely not part of his plans, so... yay. ]

I dunno.

[ It is his quick response about if it isn't a compliment to be liked by him. He scratches the side of his face as he tries to think of something -- his face contorts as he feels like saying something comforting. But his mind immediately gives up on the thought, as it is just bullshit and Amos would recognize it as bullshit. ]

It's a bad thing to be liked by me, but it isn't an insult. [ His shoulders give as much of a shrug as they can give with how he's lying on the table. That's the most he can say about it. ]

Pfft, are you kidding me? [ Nero turns his head to blow a loud raspberry. ] Yes. [ His contradictory answers probably irritate more than they entertain. ] I'm going to stay here until I can see what these people are really about, Amos. It'll take awhile but I wanna see what they're made of before I vanish out to [ A laugh. ] greener pastures.

Of course, some interesting people are here... and I'd rather not leave them. I might be here to stay which is depressing, but what can you do? [ What a roundabout answer. ] How about you, pal?

Sometimes quiet places can surprise you.

[ After all, not much had happened in her quiet little hometown...until it became apparent years later that the Ruby Princess had been overcome with a monster and cloistered herself away in the palace. A part of her wonders if she hadn't abandoned her town and her position she may have been able to stop that, but there's no sense in worrying about that now.

At the mention of his cousin as a "kid", Himeka unknowingly makes the same mistake Nero had with Relena, now expecting a young Elezen, much like the twins that she had come to care for back in her home world. She doesn't have a particular penchant for children in general, but she does miss those two something terribly. She's resolved to seek this child out now. ]

I'll do what I can, then. You have my word.

[ For whatever weight that actually holds.

Himeka adjusts her parcel and takes a step away, knowing she should get back to her own errands all the same. ]

I won't keep you from your hunt any longer, then. I hope you find what you're looking for, Nero.

[ Though that may not be something he should hope for. What a strange man. ]

[ Amos' expression turns a little pensive — deepens slightly, eyebrows almost knitting together, thoughtful frown that little much more prominent — before he reverts to something neutral, empty. It's a bad thing for Nero to like him, but it's not an insult. Sure. In its own way, it makes sense. And he's going to have to live with it anyway, so no point in fighting it.

At least it means Nero's unlikely to be a threat to him. And if he's a threat to almost anyone else here, Amos probably isn't going to do anything about it. So... alright. If it's not like Murtry, if they're not two sharks circling each other. Sure. He can live with that for now.

Definitely was not expecting him to say yes after that raspberry, though, and the surprise splays itself on his face for a second before taking in Nero's full answer. Can't help but wonder if he might be one of those interesting people. Maybe it's better for everyone else if he is. ]

So long as you aren't trying to bring about the end of their civilization before finding somewhere greener. [ His voice is dry; he's being sarcastic, but also is pretty sure Nero has that in him. And as much as Amos doesn't really care about anyone else, even he knows enough to know that razing this place to the ground wouldn't do anyone any good.

Shrugs, that this place is depressing (well, yeah), at the question turned back on him. ] Don't really see anywhere else fit for me to be. I'm here till I'm not, I guess.

[ Never say Amos doesn't have his own talent for totally helpful answers everyone else can totally make sense of. ]

That's the hope.

[ His shoulders lift and lower in a quick little shrug. ]

I appreciate it! [ Nero decides to throw out that he'll also be appreciative if Himeka can do something for Link. His smile widens considerably -- looking less manic and more just pleased. ] Good deeds should be rewarded, so if you think of anything let me know.

[ It's always hard to tell if he's being serious or not with his offerings. There's always a feeling like agreeing to his help is like accepting the help from some devil. Nero enjoys basking in that feeling, however. But sometimes, he honestly has no bad intentions towards anyone; it'd be exhausting to do it all the time, after all. ]

Probably best I don't, but hey... [ The elf trails off as he shuffles away to return to his hunt. ]

Meh. [ Nero lifts his hand into the air, waving it side to side like he's brushing away a disgusting smell. ] Their civilization will meet its end one way or another. I don't need to hurry it along unless asked.

[ Rolling onto his side, he props his head up with his hand. ] 'Course, you know, I don't like people that want to just destroy shit. [ The two of them went through a conversation about that, but it's good to remind. ] What's the point in that? Spreading chaos and pain and suffering for no reason other than to spread chaos, pain, and suffering?

[ His hand drops away so that he can roll onto his back. ] How boring. How idiotic. How suicidal. I'll kill them with my own hands first!

[ He lets out another pah. The destruction of everything is a heavily cherished idea of his, and he likes Amos enough to explain his feelings about absolute destruction. ] Here til you're not, huh? Well, I'd ask you to give me a goodbye, but our friendship is one-sided.

So, I'll just be sad when we can't chat no more.

[ Relena shakes her head in return, lifting her hands to wave off his claim on the responsibility. Surely, he can't be at fault for her startling him. ]

No, no, I should have left you alone when you were concentrating. I just haven't really ever fished before... I guess I thought I might be able to figure it out a bit if I watched.

[ Himeka is of the mindset that dreams do come true...but only if you work for them and if you're given the opportunities. She's seen dreams years in the making come to fruition--hell, she's helped make them a reality. But they aren't always quite as clean cut as one might like. And, well, where there's dreams, there are also nightmares. But that's another story entirely.

She nods in agreement, glad that he understands. People can be scared easily and when there is something new when they're scared, they often turn to that thing. ]

Exactly. And luckily we have faces, though I'll admit I was a little curious if us being new in the area would cause unrest with the locals. I'm glad it didn't turn out that way.

[ Not that it would stop her. If she could warm herself to a city invested in a thousand year-war with dragons as someone who was immediately taken as draconic, she feels like she could make it anywhere.

She cocks her head to the side as Amos goes about his daily life. Lackluster? Yes, at least the way he presents it, but she has some familiarity with that sort of routine. Something that's necessary. Leaving it is why she chose to adventure in the first place, though she realizes not everyone may be able to take that chance and opportunity. Were she wanting before she left her village, she likely couldn't have gone in the first place.

Though routine can certainly be made better with company. Naomi, maybe? ]

Was it just you and Naomi, then?

[ She has no frame of reference for what would be needed on his sort of ship. ]

[ They could certainly go back and forth like this all afternoon, arguing over who was most at fault for this minor incident. At the end of the day, though, Link shouldn't have been surprised. Is civilized life turning him soft? ]

You want to learn?

[ He looks over curiously. Based on her appearance and composure alone, it doesn't surprise him that she wouldn't ever have fished before.

He scoops up the last worms that he can manage backinto their container.

He is polite, but matter of fact: ]

The only way to learn to fish is to do it.

[ It gives Amos pause, when Himeka brings up that the locals have generally just accepted them. Acceptance is, of course, relative — but on just a blanket level. Amos hasn't had to kill anyone to make sure he's got a place here. The two women seemed downright charmed. They're just... here.

He's gonna fuck it up. Gonna wreck the peace, the cooperation the people here have, live off of. And then he dismisses the thought, because he's still hanging out with Himeka, and she's a good person, so it's not like anything's going to happen today. ]

Yeah. Probably a whole lot easier for all of us. Guess that's just how they are here.

[ He sounds almost mystified by the concept; then again, he's also never been somewhere with this much land, this few people before. The whole thing's foreign to him. Maybe it makes sense to be like that here, where you don't have to worry, can easily share your resources. Shit, even he probably would if asked.

He doesn't notice it, but Amos brightens, relaxes a little at the chance to talk about Naomi, the Roci. ]

Kinda. For keeping the ship going, yeah, it was just us two. Cap 'n Alex didn't know shit about that. You'd be lucky if they knew which tools to hand you. They didn't have to, though, 'cause Naomi and I got it pretty covered between just the two of us. [ There's some pride in his voice. He's good at his job; can do the work of multiple people, easy. It's just, his job isn't here. A wagon is a far cry from a fusion-powered spaceship. ] Alex pilots us, though. I'd probably be pretty shit at that. And Cap's Cap. I don't even know what it is he does — [ he leads, he keeps the peace, he sacrifices, they all want to be around him, he's the best person Amos knows — ] but he's amazing.

[ And not here. Amos sighs, rubs the back of his neck. ]

You got people here? Like, people you already know, not just making friends with the locals. [ He's not disparaging; she's good at it, but there's a difference between new friends and someone you'd die for, something he's feeling a little too keenly. ]

[ She nods in agreement. It really is a boon for them that the locals, while still keeping to their own ways, were so accommodating in the assimilation of those that fled Thorne. Solvunn feels so remote, a far cry from the stone walls that one encased them. Not having a lay of the land makes it difficult to really visualize how far away they are from the Kingdom, but it is nice to feel safe, at least for a little while.

But the real boon is seeing the way that Amos talks about his friends. He tends to put things simply, breaking them down into small, digestible pieces which make him easy to follow for the most part, even when he's talking about things she doesn't understand. But there's a new light in his eyes and a lift in his voice as he shares little bits about Naomi, Cap, and Alex. She finds herself smiling along with him, already drawing up images in her mind with what little she has to go off of, what it must have been like inside the Roci with a crew of mere four, travelling the sunless seas.

These are the people that he had to leave behind. Everyone here is missing someone. ]

Is it just you four, then? Two to maintain the Roci, one to steer it, and one to command the team? I wouldn't know what is needed but the sea-faring vessels I've been on usually require much more!

[ It's clear that he enjoys what he does. Would that he be able to do that here as well...

To Amos' question, she gives an affirmative hum. In some ways it makes her lucky--no, she is lucky that she has someone to rely on. Someones? ]

A good friend and now colleague of mine arrived before I did--Estinien. He's a dragoon with at least a decade more combat experience than me. I met him in that wintery place I told you about.

[ Ishgard. Estinien's homeland, who he now rarely returns to. ]

And then there's--

[ Himeka pauses, both with her steps and her speech.

How does one even begin to define the...strange series of events that surround the relationship she has with Emet-Selch?

She waves her hands in the air as she tries to explain. ]

--Emet-Selch. He...well, he was an enemy before we met, but then we met and he decided to become a friend and helped us out a bit when he could have been trying to kill us. He even saved the life of someone very important to me. But then things took a turn and he became our enemy again and he and I had a fight to the death, but I won and he seems okay with it now, so I believe we're friends again? Frien-emies?

[ You know how it goes. ]

Just us four, yup. [ His voice is easy; this is what he's happiest talking about. He doesn't catch her empathy, the way she's smiling because he is. It just seems natural to him. What else is gonna make him feel this good? And Hime's just a friendly person to begin with, so. ] We probably should have more. Ship's meant for a crew of 'bout 30. 'cept it's just been the four of us since the Donnager, and I don't see why anyone else should join what we've got going when we can make do. Wouldn't know them.

[ Which more means that he wouldn't trust them. Isn't sure he'd like them. Or if they'd upset Cap or Naomi or Alex in some way, ruin what they've had going for years now. It's taken Amos so long to find these people, and anything that would fuck it up...

Though he'd been wanting to get Clarissa to join them. So they could be a crew of five, then. He could live with that. Himeka's right, it's still way too few to operate a ship of its size, but he'd rather not mess with a successful formula.

More people means more chances shit goes south with him, after all. And he really, really would prefer to not fuck up what he's got.

... Not that it's relevant anymore. Amos exhales, turns his attention back on Hime for her answer, smiles politely at it. Doesn't know what a dragoon is, but he pictures someone like her, with scales and horns and a tail. Or maybe like the little dragons from her domain. Or both. 's not important. He just nods pleasantly at Estinien's description, raises his eyebrows at everything regarding Emet-Selch.

He's quiet for a moment, turning all of that over in his head. Parts of it almost sound like him, except he can't imagine ever turning on Himeka, trying to fight her to the death. ]

You can trust a guy like that?

[ It's a genuine question — no judgment here. For him, what you see is what you get most of the time, but he doesn't know the whole situation. There are circumstances in which he'd kill someone he'd just helped. Done it a couple of times, at least. He's not so much wondering if Himeka will be okay with this guy here, if this Emet-Selch is a threat, or even what it could mean for himself. He's just... wondering.

How does a good person deal with someone like that, really. That's the lead he'd like to try to follow. ]

[ It is easy, noticeably so. And it's always a joy to listen to people talk about something that they really care about. It's audible in their voice, in the relaxation in their face or the passion in their eyes. Amos may be more subdued, but it's still there. He cares about this ship and these people. ]

Made for thirty?

[ Then that is certainly impressive and she makes no attempts at hiding her shock. ]

That's amazing! You must all be the top of your fields.

[ His question is...a good one. The right one, really. Can she trust Emet-Selch? Should she trust him? In some ways he has been nothing but honest, but in many others it was only insofar as it served his own goals and purposes. So as long as their goals align, she should be fine. Should be.

The Burden of Remembrance...

After a moment of quiet contemplation, Himeka merely shrugs. ]

I'm not sure.

[ She is, as ever, honest. ]

But I want to...after all that's happened. So I suppose I will. I feel that I understand him now better than I did before. Mayhaps that makes all the difference?

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WELCOME TO SOLVUNN!

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