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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[ Just as planned! She knew it would be difficult to turn down a free snack, especially one as delicious as this. She happily splits out several pieces amongst the children, making sure they are all of similar size--she knows how important that is, even for the extra piece the girl takes--before turning her attention back to the man of the hour.

Himeka stands with a smile and breaks off some to hand to him as well. Sure at least half of her loaf is gone now, but it's well-worth it. ]

I can't say I'm complaining.

[ And a piece for herself. She likes eating too. ]

But everyone deserves a little snack break in the afternoon, don't you think? No matter where you are. And you certainly looked like you may need it.

[ A break, that is. ]

[Estinien lifts his shoulders. He's actually not sure how libraries work. He's never really been to one like this before. Not really.]

Estinien Wyrmblood.

If there is one thing she is thankful for in all this mess, it has been nice being able to reconnect with him. They haven't gotten to nearly as much as she would have liked since he made his reappearance and joined the Scions, fraught with threats to face and young Elezen to comfort as it were. But it had been very easy to sink back into that comradery, something she had also found strangely easy when they first met, being the odd pair that they made.

(It does make her think back on their trip to Dravania in times like this, knowing that Relena is not far away and getting her own bit of well-deserved rest. Though the circumstances at the time had been dire, the whole experience had been...healing for her in so many ways, their unlikely diplomatic envoy. She often thinks on it fondly, even the rough patches.)

"I think that sounds like a great idea. So much so I have it in my mind to copy you, if you don't mind."

The way that she unceremoniously flops down onto the hay and blanket says that it really doesn't matter if he minds or not--she's doing it. Unfortunately the action does shoot a little hay out of the side of her very carefully wrapped "mattress".

A beat passes.

"Oops."

[Despite himself, he makes a very slight face.]

Right. Thanks, uh. When you come back just ask for Martin and they can direct you to me.

[ As soon as he says his name, it all starts to click. There are a limited number of Elezen around after all and, really, she probably should have made the connection much sooner than she did. Himeka's eyes widen and her brows lift as it dawns on her and her lips form a near perfect "O". ]

Oohhhhhhhhh...

[ Of course. Of course! ]

So you're Nero--

[ Now is the time she should introduce herself as well since that is the polite thing to do. But she is not being polite despite her earlier offering to help. (She did mean it, not in the metaphorical way he implied, of course. She is want to offer what services she can.) ]

--the depraved Elezen who upset Estinien back in Thorne.

[ A pause as she looks him up and down once more. ]

...You're much shorter than I imagined.

[ Says the woman who doesn't even come up to his shoulders, but still. ]

"Sort of! When you study, i-it just means you're making an effort to learn about things. You're, uh, putting time and effort into learning as much as you can about it."

He puts the lantern down and steps forward, carefully offers his hands for the book back. "I can, uh, I-I can show you what I was studying, if you like."

[ It's a good handshake, she thinks. You can tell a lot about a person based on how they greet you.

Himeka gently hits her palm with her fist, cupping her fingers over it as she grins at the goats. ]

Well, I would say. I've wrangled a few sheep away from ravenous wolves and got them home safely besides! And if push comes to shove, I've found that most animals--and people--can be appeased with a snack or two.

[ Not that she has many to spare at the moment, but the concept itself still stands, doesn't it? Goats love to eat. ]

My friends and I are more than willing to do our part in thanks for allowing us to stay even though we showed up abruptly to your community. I can't imagine a mass exodus happens quite like that very often, does it?

[The littler girl chimes up cheerfully through a mouthful of bread.]

Mister Martin gets to take his break after he's done herding us like cats!

[Which makes Martin's face turn red after all the kids start laughing at him, and he pouts. It's hard to tell whether he's sincere or not.]

Your father said that, not me, and he's not wrong either. The lot of you are worse than cats, you're as stubborn as goats.

[That gets a fresh round of arguments (except from Gwenh, who simply shrugs and continues helping the baby.

When that settles a little, Martin gives Himeka a tired smile.]

You're welcome to keep us company while I drop them off, I really do have some time off afterwards.

[ Truthfully, Himeka is in her element. Not necessarily out in the country--though she enjoys that just fine--but arriving in a new place and integrating herself with the locals is what she does best. The tasks may seem tedious and menial at times, but there is still a sense of accomplishment in helping a family find their lost chickens as there is felling great beasts that threaten their star.

Maybe not quite the same magnitude, but the sentiment is there.

Though she doesn't know him terribly well at this point, it wouldn't surprise her if Amos had been doing much of what she has seen him do thus far--keeping to himself, staying quiet as the people moved about him. She does know he has plenty to offer if he feels up to it given when she's seen him create in Horizon. He needs only the right incentive! ]

I grew up in a small village-- [ She starts as she motions for Amos to follow her down the thoroughfare. ] --though it was several malms under the sea, these sorts of communities do still feel a bit of home.

[ She looks up as she continues to speak, keeping an eye on the changing rooftops of the different buildings. ]

And I've found that the best way to learn about a place is from it's people. You never know what interesting nugget you'll find when you help an elderly couple out with their errands. Apparently there was quite the fuss about some sort of oversized eggplant that nearly caused a schism in the Secondary Settlement. Some people do take produce very seriously.

[ It is in that brief moment and seeing Link appear so distraught that Nero realizes that he's found the other's weak spot -- one of the other elf's weak spots, anyway.

His gaze evens out. Knowing this doesn't make things square between Nero and Link. Sure, he digs at a person's soft spot from time to time, but it's only in special cases. Cases like reminding the person how pointless existence really is.

Nero remembers the determined look that Link gave him before; he acknowledges the naive expression that the young man has on as they talk. There is no point to dig and rip at a weak spot, because it'll only make Link cling onto his beliefs more.

That's just what his gut is saying, anyway.

His own face reverts to something a little more cheerful. ]

Might catch me skinny dipping in the morning. So, sorry about that.

[ His head tilts to the side as she opens her mouth to let out a long "oh" noise. He blinks as she seems to recognize him, but again, he doesn't really recognize her.

If he's honest, he was much more interested in the beautiful woman that winked as she walked through the portals. He wondered what her voice sounded like, and he meant that in both general and filthy ways.

Things click for him, too, when she calls him an "Elezen." ]

Depraved, huh?

[ His eyebrows raise when she calls him short. ]

And you're my tall cousin's little side-piece.

[ He lifts his hands to gesture to his own chest, squeezing his hands slowly in the air. ]

You're about how I imagined.

[Martin purses his lips as he looks away, but there's a faint crease to his brow.]

Probably they might, since... well, I can't imagine most of us didn't go and run away from all that. And if they can, why wouldn't they? But if what people were saying about all the, um. Tense relations, between the different countries is real? I'm not sure they can chase us, not without technically starting a war, and I really doubt we're worth that.

He returns it, relaxing enough to half-sit. Even with his hind leg folded beneath him, he's still taller than the human if he doesn't sink down.

"Then study is something I know. I study paths."

[ Nero likes that -- he likes the way that Martin looks a little distressed and how it comes out in his voice.

He likes ruining the little vacation that the man is trying to give himself by reminding him that they're not really out of the fire; they're just sizzling in the corner of the pan.

Why does he like it? Because he's curious. He gets the impression that Martin would be fine if innocent people died so long as Jon survived and he's of the mind that Jon would rather die before the death of any innocent.

It's cute.

They're a cute duo, cute couple, whatever.

Wait, side-tracking from his curiosity in finding out if Martin will let innocent people die -- ]

Hey, where's Jon?

What?

[That's. Not the direction he thought this conversation would take, and he turns a distinct pink.]

O-oh, he's, uh. He's in th-the Free Cities. We split up-- um, we went to different locations, seemed like- like a bit of a better way to learn more about this place faster.

[ Nero lightly pats Martin's shoulder, giving it a small squeeze. ]

Keep changing colors like that and you might pass out. [ Is the extremely comforting thing that he says first. ] That so? Then, that means you two plan to meet in the Horizon to swap notes.

[ His eyes widen, eyebrows lift. ]

All private and secret, like. [ He gives a small nod, slow and appreciative. He understands. ]

[Amazingly, drawing attention to it only makes Martin's face more coloured. But it's the open act that Martin's doing something privately that makes him upgrade fully to red.]

It's not like Horizon is is that private, from the sounds of it. Just about anyone can walk into the piece of it you started fiddling with and change it for themselves.

[This is a much easier misinterpretation to focus on.]

[ Nero blinks. Slow.

He opens his mouth and adds: ]

Oh yeah, fiddling might change it to something big and imposing.

[ He smiles, eyes animated. ]

We wouldn't want that, huh, Martin? If someone shows up while it's all fiddled with, what would you two even do?

[Please don't threaten him like this, he is very small and has no money.]

I-I-- I'd imagine there's, um. Well, there's consequences for that sort of thing, right? If you change what someone else has made it's only fair to be able to change it back...?

[God that feels like the wrong thing to say to Nero.]

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.

[It's a while before Estinien arrives in the Tertiary Settlement, wanting to get a lay of the land. His first day is spent delivering mail and finding his way around, but he figured that if he was going to make the trip, he may as well spend multiple days there. That means the next night he's looking for a place to stay and a play to eat, with enough coins to get both done.

When he comes into the tavern it's just to see what they offer, and he's already at the bar before he notices his not-so-beloved cousin. He cringes inside, seeing him dramatically laying one of the tables, objectively making a scene. He stares at him for a moment, but decides he isn't going to say anything. Not yet, at least.

But he also doesn't want to leave. He's not going to allow himself to be chased out of a bar by this fool. He lingers, waiting for the barkeeper's attention.]

Estinien snorts softly, shaking his head. If it were him he probably would have just rolled up in a blanket without even contemplating a mattress, so he can't complain. He leans over to collect one of the additional blankets, spreading it over the two of them as he lays down at her side, with a bit more grace.

He feels closer to her than he ever expected he would, if only because back home she certainly didn't need him around. He was happy to lend his lance to her cause, and she was happy to see him again, but ultimately... he didn't think he was at the center of her story anymore. Here, everything feels increasingly strange and disconnected that world.

In some ways, they only have each other, when it comes to the worries of Hydaelyn. He swore from the day they reunited here that he would protect her, and maybe now he'll actually have the chance to live up to that promise.

After a moment of gazing at her, he nods his head to one of the floating orbs of light.

"You can shut those off, can't you?"

[ The elf pauses.

His eyebrows furrow as he leans in slightly to look at Martin's face. It's really hard to tell. He honestly can't. The skin is such a deep, embarrassed red; the tone of voice sounds sincerely flustered; everything says that the human's being absolutely genuine.

Yet Nero gives him a single look that says, "Are you fucking with me?"

It lasts for a moment then he asks: ]

You just want to talk dirty about Jon, huh? [ It's only with some people that Nero gets particularly vulgar with, anyway. Martin will be one of them -- how lucky for him.

He attempts to sling his arm over the man's shoulders. ]

No need to worry about fucking in the Horizon. I haven't done it yet but I'm sure it'll be fine. [ Nero hasn't even been there, but details. A lightbulb goes off and he adds: ] Hey, I already got plans get balls deep sometime in there, so I'll tell you if things get freaky while we're fiddling.

[ 'Cause, that's obviously what they're dancing around, right? ]

[Martin doesn't resist the hand being slung over his shoulders but he visibly cringes a little as Nero pulls him in, hands coming inwards to awkwardly hover over his chest. He will never really appreciate how touchy Nero is and he's well aware this way is him getting off lightly.

~~And probably Nero lightly getting off.~~

Still, Nero gets to enjoy a solid few seconds of blank incomprehension on Martin's face - until he abruptly burns entirely crimson.]

Oh my God!! [He's suddenly sputtering wildly as he all but throws Nero's arm off his shoulder.] This isn't a-a-- i-it's not a sex thing, it-- l-literally, you can change the place around, i-i-it's supposed to be weird like that- like a-- a dream or something!!

[ Whoop.

The elf steps back, not quite stumbling, as his arm is "removed" from Martin's shoulder. He blinks at the sputtering as his eyes roll to the side; his expression reads that he absolutely believes it is a "sex thing" but also that he isn't judging.

For a brief, horrifying second (for Martin only, of course), it looks like Nero is going to share some of his deviant desires so that the human feels "at ease." However, thankfully, Martin keeps talking and Nero listens. ]

Oh, is that what she meant? [ He murmurs. The elf recalls a little changeling explaining how the Horizon felt. As for the impression it left, he took it as something like a figurative well of power. Huh.

Yet again, not for the first time, Nero feels like he should have asked more questions. As for why he didn't, he just wasn't interested at the time. That was it; he just didn't feel like learning anything about the Horizon but he did want to learn about the people who seemed chatty.

It's his fault.

He just loves people too much sometimes.

Finally, he asks: ]

You've been there, then?

[ Also, wait, didn't he get side-tracked from something? He went on quite the mini-quest and forgot the main quest. Can he double back on to it? Nero fears that he won't be able to, and will have to leave the main quest for another time.

Sad. ]

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WELCOME TO SOLVUNN!

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closed to amos

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