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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[It's the oldest boys, barely more than ten who looks up first at the cheerful voice, and immediately he ducks behind Martin's bulk, which makes the man himself look up.

Before he can reply, though, two of the girls, one detaching from Martin's leg and the other dragging a boy barely out of babyhood, rush towards Himeka with cheering choruses of "Yes please!"". The last boy detaches himself from Martin and follows, not wanting to be left out, and Martin gives the girl a grateful smile as he approached himself, the oldest boy staying hidden.]

Now- all of you, only one piece each or your mother's going to paddle me when you don't eat dinner. Gwenh, help Vance with his, alright? [This gets a few giggles, but the energy is a bit more polite from then. The oldest girl takes a second piece, tucking one into her pocket before she picks up the not-quite-a-baby.] You too, Devon, or there'll be none left.

[And the nervous boy sneaks around to take one too, still watching Himeka with wide eyes and a pink face under the dirt. Martin takes a more full-sized piece and gives her a nod.]

Appreciate it. You must be having a good run of it, if your worst problem is too much bread. [His tone is warm, the conversational amusement of someone who's not sure how familiar he's allowed to really be.]

[ 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. ]

[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.

[ 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.

[Martin can't help the small blink of surprise at being called out, and his cheeks pinken a little, but he still smiles back.]

That sounds lovely, actually, thank you. [And then he focuses back on the kids.] Come on, you lot. The sooner we get home the sooner you don't have to listen to me anymore.

[That seems to be the winning phrase, and the younger brother and sister immediately start sprinting ahead. The older siblings are slightly more sedate, Gwenh handing the baby off to Devon so she can enjoy her bread too, but they walk a few paces ahead as well. Martin's happy to take up the rear, with an amused air.]

See? Goats. They're more than happy to walk themselves home all they want, I'm just here to make sure none of them die in a gutter.

[ Himeka is happy to fall into step behind the gaggle of children--they're goats, not geese, but "gaggle" still seems appropriate--and is briefly reminded of the group she would oft entertain back in Ishgard. She never considered herself as someone who was particularly good with children, but she has always appreciated their inherent curiosity and tendency towards honesty. The world is just a more enjoyable place when you approach it as a child would.

To his appraisal, she does chuckle as she tears off a smaller chunk of bread to snack on. ]

That would be a poor end for a goat, but probably better than at the mercy if a wolf or a dragon.

[ She says, of course, with a swish of her own very draconic-looking tail. ]

But I have heard sheep do better with a shepherd.

Yeah, well, luckily they've got their real parents for that.

[He sounds amused, relieved. He's been doing full-time caretaking for a while, but kids were a whole other level of energy to sustain. He wasn't that good at it. He looks back at Himeka brightly.]

Well- as you heard, I'm Mister Martin. [And the way he says it somehow sounds both smug and appalled.] But just Martin is fine. You're Estinien's friend, right?

[ Himeka herself isn't much for titles unless they're asked of her, but the way that "Mister Martin" introduces himself as such makes it all the more tempting to keep it up.

The mention of of Estinien, though, makes Himeka raise her brows as her tail flicks once more--a wide swoop with clear interest. ]

You've met Estinien?

[ That could mean, well, many things. ]

On his best behavior, I hope?

[ It's a fond and chiding mark, to be sure, if the warmth in her voice isn't beguiled by the quirk of her lips. With that, she taps her sternum twice. ]

Yes, that's right. I'm "Mistress of the Ethereal Plane and Scourge to Empty Bellies Himeka Sui".

[ No. No she is not. ]

But "Himeka" is fine.

I, uh. I have, yeah.

[Uh oh?]

He came into the library to tell me off for Nero being... well, Nero, and left with a book. Borrowed it, I mean, h-he didn't steal it.

[Though he should definitely chase that up soon...]

But-- yes, um. It's lovely to meet you, Himeka. Here's a much better place to do it than back in Thorne.

[ Now that's a turn she didn't expect. Several things, really--one being that apparently this man is an acquaintance of Nero's who, understandably, hasn't left the best of impressions on Estinien. But two that Estinien deigned to borrow a book from a library?

Goodness, now he's just one-upping her on the tome research, something neither of them are well practiced at. She can't look lazy by comparison... ]

Are you a friend of Nero's, then?

[ That has heavy implications, doesn't it? But she doesn't sound particularly judging on it (just yet). Mostly curious. ]

I can readily agree to that. A little more difficult to get a good drink in the dungeons, after all. I have to make up for lost time.

[ Honestly if anything had been offered to her while imprisoner the likelihood that it would have been tampered which would likely be high...and she's really had enough of her drinks getting ruined by dastardly attempts on people's lives. It had taken much too long to get comfortable with that again. ]

[Martin makes a face; it's not quite distressed but there's certainly some level of resignation to it.]

Well, he certainly seems to think so. And I'm glad he's got someone to let all of his, uhm. Nero-ness out on, so it doesn't affect you lot too much. Hopefully.

[He doesn't actually know how much his being Nero's oddly matched and reluctant BFF is helping keep the elf away from other people but he's trying.]

[ His Nero-ness, hm? She's seen a bit of it and she can see why it would rub someone the wrong way. Open-minded as she is, she hasn't entirely written him off yet, but she would really be A Fool to not take note of his penchant for trying to seem off and apparent enjoyment of violence.

Reminds her a bit of someone else she knows...if decidedly more lewd.

Which leads her to believe that said Nero-ness may involve one of those two: violence or lewdness. But she supposes if everyone is consenting adults then Martin is well enough on his own. ]

I can handle myself.

[ She says easily, but looks more amused than anything else. ]

Though if that doesn't sound like even more reason for a drink, I don't know what would.

[His fresh smile has a light edge of relief to it.]

You know, I think at this point I'm about due for one. I'm not much of a drinker, though, so if you want your money's worth you'll definitely have to join me. If we're going to be here for a while I think we ought to, you know, get to know one another?

[Besides just as another rough tunic and some esoteric tarot symbol.]

[ 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?

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WELCOME TO SOLVUNN!

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