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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No.

[Now he's all defensive and flustered and red, why is this happening to him specifically and personally, that seems uncalled for.]

You-- Jon told me about it, but w-we never went there, not back in the, um- the dungeon. Apparently you need someone to show you how to get there, a-and everyone else has been, they were all made to.

[ What's his problem?

Nero returns the stare with a raising of his eyebrows. The man just turns away to go sit like a lonely virgin at the bar. Not a dick nor tit in hand to ease whatever frustration is building up in the elf's heart. It breaks his heart a little.

Does it really? No, not really.

But he can imagine that Estinien is feeling very much like a man who got hold of prime real estate but wasn't able to plow the land. After all, the High Mage was all set to be killed but his dear tall cousin wasn't able to do it. To be honest, Nero is disappointed.

Mostly in the fact Ambrose wasn't killed, but that is just because he looked forward to the shitshow that would occur after.

One of the people summoned killed the High Mage? No matter where any of them went, they would be hunted by Thorne. No one would be safe. Everyone would be treated with hostility and strung up to make examples of; blood and death would run across the entire world until all those summoned were dead or Thorne was descimated.

Is Nero 100% sure any of this would happen? No. Absolutely not. It's just what would happen in his world.

There is no justice, no mercy, no kindness, and no forgiveness.

It all eventually turns to rotting shit that no one can stand.

Nero tucks and rolls off the table. He lands on his feet with ease. It's an unnecessary acrobatic move and it doesn't impress the pretties already in the bar. His hands tuck into his pockets as he saunters over to where Estinien sits. Those pretties that he has his eyes on move out of the way. It isn't really out of fear, but the same disgust and dismissal as Estinien has for Nero.

The elf gives him an easy smile. ]

Still sad you didn't get to kill your mark?

[ "Oh yeah, that's right." Martin can probably almost hear those words come out of Nero's mouth just from his expression alone. He remembers that being said, too. Whoops.

His head bobs slowly. ]

Right, right. Ambrose decided to figuratively throw everyone into the Singularity and see if anyone stuck. Everyone stuck. But it just ended up being a risky for him and now with us all scattered about... a huge liability against Thorne.

[ He turns his head toward the general direction of Thorne. I wonder if they've killed him. He certainly fucked up so unless he produces some serious results... I wonder if they're gonna stick his head on a pike.

Nero hopes so. Please don't tell me they all do weak-ass executions.

Yes, that's what he's concerned about -- how Ambrose will be killed if he is tried as a "major fuck-up," and if it will be something grotesque and violent.

Nero returns his gaze to Martin. "Hi." The word, again, flashes across his face. ]

It's a shame that you didn't get a chance to go there. [ A beat. ] Actually why didn't you go there with Jon? [ His head gives a small tilt. ] Wanting it to be really special when you show each other your dream worlds?

[Martin tries to scowl, but with all the redness its really almost more of a pout.] You're incorrigible.

[He makes a fuss out of straightening up his clothes - the tunic and coat Nero got him, in fact, which just makes him feel even more awkward that it's his everyday wear - so he doesn't have to look at Nero anymore.]

Anyway, it wasn't for lack of-- o-of trying. We, um. Well, now that I know he was stressing about dying it explains why he couldn't relax-- the, uh, the easiest way to get there is by- by meditating with someone else who has been. The idea was he'd show me and walk me through it, since.

[He tugs his belt straight and fidgets with its ends.]

Well, apparently, you don't exactly remember yourself the first time you go there.

[ Amos watches Nero sulk. Looks out at the bar when he mentions sweeties, the way the girls might look over in their direction before turning away immediately, hushed whispering and talking behind their hands. Yeah, that's never a good sigh. Back at Nero. ]

Ah.

[ He takes a swig of his beer, waits a moment for it to go down before actually following up on that. ]

Yeah, in my experience, people don't usually like it when your skills end up with other people dead. [ And he is indeed speaking from personal experience. ] Guess that applies to girls too, huh.

[ Though why wouldn't it? Killing people definitely isn't a route Amos has ever taken to impress anyone. ... Not that that's something he's really ever tried to do, either, in general. He shrugs. ]

I ever get the urge, I just go to a brothel. Less fuss there. 's easier.

[ Shit, is there a brothel here? He's probably gotta take some time out of his day, find one for future reference. ]

[ Her instincts regarding him would be correct. Much as he appreciates the idea of a commune, would like to be a part of one, just go through life looking out for your people and nothing more... these aren't his people. It's possible that one day, they could be. But getting to that stage might be more than could be reasonably asked of him, at least for now. And it's been enough days of milling about, trying to find his place here for him to understand that the way things work around here, he's almost certainly headed for the Tertiary Settlement.

Not that he minds. Primary or Tertiary, it's all roughing it. And he might feel less hopelessly out of place that far out, where the undesirables end up. Or maybe he could somehow work his way up from there. Either way, it's probably a better fit for him.

Still, he's glad he ran into Himeka, found out she was here before going anywhere.

He follows her, just a smidge back so as to match her stride, pleased to get the chance to listen to her talk about where she came from. Pretty much anywhere's better than where he did, so.

Another exhalation of amusement at the eggplant. ]

Yeah, people aren't exactly my strong suit. I grew up on a couple of blocks in a city. Nobody really helped anyone there. Some real every-man-for-himself type shit. [ His tone is casual; mood still cheerful, even, belying the hellhole it was. ] I like the idea of this place, though. Just, you know. Only so much someone like me can do.

[ He accepted who he is, how he turned out a long time ago. Every now and then — like trying to get settled here — it comes up, how much his development, the person he could've been, got screwed over. But. Oh well. Not a whole lot to be done about it now, so no sense really fussing over it. Just gotta keep moving on instead, to the best of his stunted abilities. ]

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?"

[ Hm. Roland's quiet a moment, considering how better to explain. ]

In the kingdom I'm from, it was customary for these to be men and women who were trained in the use of guns from a young age, as well as politics, ethics, history... everything they'd need to travel about the land and settle disputes and keep the peace. These were the gunslingers, following the example of Arthur Eld of long ago. Once, there were many. They travelled far and wide, keeping chaos at bay.

But the world's moved on. When I was born there were few of them; few men and few guns. Men and worse who sought chaos set themselves against Gilead, and aye-- they succeeded in bringing it's end. Without a dihn-- a king, a father on the throne, without gunslingers keepig the peace chaos has come more quickly. And while I doubt we'll ever see their like again, as the last of them I'm sworn to thwart the plans of those who want to plunge the world into chaos. Aye, and to keep peace and settle disputes wherever I'm asked for aid and succour.

[ as he speaks there's a distant look in his eyes. there are complicated feelings associated with many parts of this. but roland is firm in his believe that his role as a gunslinger is above question, necessary. as is his quest. ]

Does that clear your questions?

[ Depraved was probably the nicest way she could have described it given the run-down that Estinien had offered. He had warned her, of course, but stayed mostly quiet on the appraisals Nero had given on Estinien's imagined cellmates, likely to protect both Relena ad Himeka from the uncouth imagery. (That and he's probably just too painfully Ishgardian to re-entertain it himself.)

She narrows her eyes, nearly mimicking his motions as she places her free hand on her own chest. ]

"Side-piece"?

[ No squeezing, though. She saves that for the fresh fruit test. ]

What's that supposed to mean?

Why can't you people just jerk each other off like normal folk?

[ Nero wonders aloud. But he gets it; fucking in a dungeon isn't exactly the most luxurious of experiences. If a person isn't able to make their minds go blank, they start thinking about the filth and shit that they're humping each other against. That sort of thing can really ruin the mood.

And if a person looks down and see their dick is being stroked with a dirt covered hand, well, that's enough to make anyone go a little limp. ]

No worries. Not everyone can let the minds settle in a dungeon.

[ His arms cross over his chest; he then uncrosses them and reaches out to help adjust Martin's tunic. Why not? If the man's gonna fidget, he'll help him fidget more. ]

So, who you gonna mediate with now? [ And his eyes narrow slightly. He'll forget who he is when he goes in? Well, obviously, they remember who they are when they go back. But Nero lifts his gaze to stare into Martin's eyes. ]

I dunno how safe it'd be to travel with me. So, I guess I can't piggyback off whoever shows you the way. Oh, well, sloppy seconds is really only for close personal friends, anyway. We're not there yet. [ Another soft pat as he adjusts the tunic, again. ]

Yeah, yeah...

[ Nero rolls his head so that one ear is pressed firmly against the surface of the table. He remembers decapitating enemies and showing off the heads to pretty girls in his world.

They didn't like it then, either, but he did like the way they screamed in horror. The issue with the girls of this world is that they don't seem scared or troubled by him; well, they're troubled but it is more that they are disgusted and dismissive of his existence. They're protected by the community of Solvunn and the Gods so they are allowed to ignore Nero and feel safe in ignoring him.

Bleh. ]

Brothels. My brother, you have a nice face... you could get anyone you want. [ He reaches his hand out to lightly pat the top of the stranger's. Pat, pat. Nero doesn't attempt to roll off the table to make things easier for them to talk, of course. ]

Don't go buying when you can get it for free.

[ Isn't he supportive? ]

Edited 2021-09-10 17:39 (UTC)

[ His hands give another firm grasp in the air before he drops them down to his sides. ]

It means you two are intimate with each other.

[ Nero is vulgar in his euphemisms and comments, but he really only swears around a few people. He really only gets his worse around only chosen sort. It's how a person knows that he is either absolutely on their side no matter what, or he truly and completely hates their very existence and is dreaming of their agonizingly slow deaths. ]

Don't have that phrase where you come from, eh?

[ Himeka blinks, the gears visibly turning as she processes what he's said. Her openly confused expression hangs there for a few beats too long for a proper comedic effect. One might wonder if she actually heard him in the first place.

But she did. ]

Intimate?

[ Yes, that's what he said. ]

With Estinien?

[ And then she just starts laughing, hand now falling to hold her stomach as she throws her head back. ]

No, we don't! But--hahaha!--where in the seven hells did you get that idea?

[ Wow.

Nero has a moment of sympathy for Estinien. It lasts only a few seconds before it is over, but he has just enough sympathy to feel sorry about a pretty girl laughing at the idea of fucking him.

Poor man. Guess that funny way of talking really is sex repellent. His head bows. Rest in peace, dragon dick. You will never get to bury your head in a soft, deep cavern.

He finally answers: ]

Not sure what else you can do to pass the time in the dungeon and he seemed particularly concerned about you.

Edited 2021-09-10 19:59 (UTC)

[ Himeka raises an amused brow. "Mister Martin" does indeed have his work cut out for him with a capricious bunch like that, but that is part of the fun of children, isn't it? She happens to support all their forthrightness, honestly--more people should just be upfront with their thoughts. ]

I happened to have known quite a few goats who were lovely people.

[ Well, sheep. Goats sheep--kind of similar in her head.

But to his offer, she smiles with a nod. ]

Of course. Maybe a drink? You may need one.

[ Himeka lets out a sigh as she calms herself down, though she has to shake her head. It's true that they had gotten closer during their time in prison, but she'd already considered Estinien a good friend before then.

And she knows that he would, likewise, be appropriately appalled if not embarrassed by the assumption. Imagining the look on his face is almost enough to send her into another peal of laughter. Almost. ]

Really?

[ She huffs. ]

Of course, he's like family to me. Like a brother.

[ Himeka places her free hand on her hip. ]

Did you just imagine the dungeons were some giant, ever-present orgy? I'm fairly confident there are other places for that, maybe even in Thorne.

Ah.

[ The sound filters out his mouth. Nero didn't see anything particularly wrong with someone wanting to fuck a family member, honestly. This has some to do with his own degenerate nature, but more to do with his nihilistic beliefs.

But it seems like Estinien and the little missy Himeka are both people who do care about those sort of things. Still, neither one of them are actually family, or actually blood anyway.

In short, he gives her a bemused expression that says, "Okay, so?" ]

I imagined that it was just one big misery pit where you all weren't sure if tomorrow was gonna be your next day alive or not. And really, what else is there to do? Sit around and commiserate with one another, or give up for a few hours to ignore everything even if people are watching.

[ His shoulders give a shrug. He can only imagine how bored and anxious everyone was if they didn't even take time to diddle themselves to pass the time a little faster. ]

But I guess you all could just take it out on each other other ways. [ Violent ways. That is what happened with Eponine, anyway, isn't it?

He wonders how she's doing. ]

[ Rowan lets out a laugh and nods in agreement. Yes, they value and honor the gods as they can, but it doesn't escape notice that the favor can come and go with the tides. ]

Aye, they most certainly can. That's why we give them thanks and honor whenever we can, to show their favor will be appreciated.

[ He returns the gesture, clapping Nero on the back. ]

We'll be happy to have ye. Tell me, Nero, where do your interests lie?

[ Is this a job interview? It certainly sounds like it. ]

It's good we can offer you some form of familiarity, even if it may make your heart sick with longing.

[ He rubs over his jaw as he heaves out a sigh. ]

Not too many, but a beast is a beast, and they don't know boundaries as we do. Normally they don't roam too close to our settlements, but the road in between is a different story.

[ 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. ]

[ Rowan nods in agreement, pleased with the outcome. ]

I will put it in front of them and get back to you. Hopefully you won't have to wait around for too long. If I know anything about Winifred, she'll want to hear from you as soon as possible.

Aye, there were certainly whisperings, but in a place where no news is good news, word travels fast. No way we could have anticipated so many, of course! They're always up to somethin' in Thorne.

That sounds about right for a place like Thorne. Too prideful to admit to their own mistakes, casting blame on the closest thing they can. Certainly bit him in the arse in the end, didn't it?

[ That has yet to be seen, but he can assume that it didn't go as well as the mage intended if so many flocked to their greener pastures. ]

Did you see these so-called mistakes while you were down there? Give any indication they were wrong?

Sounds good enough to me. Wolves are damn stubborn, so deterring them from what they deem an easy meal isn't something to bat an eye at. My family runs a large farm in the Secondary Settlement, we can always use an extra hand or two. If not us, plenty of other families need help tending to the harvesting.

[ Not to toot his own horn, but their settlement makes sure everyone else eats, for the most part. It's a hefty responsibility that they've so far been up to task for. Time will always tell, but Rowan feels good about all their new immigrants.

You can tell a lot about a person based upon their eagerness to jump in and help. That she's not waiting around to be told speaks miles. ]

[Rowan's reaction gives him some confidence that this approach is workable, so he'll keep on being direct.]

There have been two different bouts of summonings, one a few months ago, and another a few weeks ago. I believe they were trying to be more cautious in their second attempt... but at the same time, ended up with just as many 'failures'. I know little of the magicks they employed, but I do have to question their methodology.

...Unfortunately, all this 'Oliver' character told us of Solvunn was that it remains neutral in the conflict surrounding the Singularity. The distinction I would like to understand is whether you consider yourself to be non-interventionist, or simply in disagreement that Singularity needs to be meddled with at all?

[It'll be somewhat inconvenient to his goals if it turns out Solvunn is aggressively opposed to taking part in any form, even to slow the advances of the other nations. But if that's a problem he's going to trip over, he'd rather know up front.]

[Here it comes. Estinien braces himself as soon as he hears Nero roll off of his table, in a sort of clownish gesture. He keeps his eyes withdrawn despite the fact that Nero is looking at him - this would be the perfect time to hide behind a book, but he doesn't have one on hand.

Despite his disinterest, Nero's question still makes him bristle.]

'Twould have simply saved me some trouble down the line. Even so, my efforts forced those willing and able to defend their master to assemble. A list of faces to remember, if nothing else.

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WELCOME TO SOLVUNN!

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cw: incest mentioning

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