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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He hums in understanding and agreement, nodding his head. He and Amos aren't identical in circumstance, as he does feel like he believes in hope, and that has stuck with him even when alone - something he's been forced to experience more vividly than ever before, since being dragged here. But he remembers his roots. He remembers feeling like such ideals were beyond him, even when living examples of it stood in plain view.

Even if Amos doesn't totally understand it, doesn't feel it as instinctively as his friends, the fact that he sees it as worthy of admiration or support is its own quality. They were both making the conscious decision to pursue what looked right to them, even if it didn't come naturally, and there's something comforting in that.

Amos's obvious curiosity about 'places like this' does make Estinien wonder about what kind of world exactly he's familiar with. In some ways, Estinien knows he was blessed to have experienced happiness for a while in his youth, even if that made it hurt all the more keenly when it was ripped away.

"My homeland... while not precisely the same, I can see its image in Solvunn. The way I remember it from my childhood. 'Twasn't a commune, and 'twas plagued by its own war, but... the people of my village looked after one another. Between the struggle, there were moments of peace."

He stares down at his drink.

"'Tis long gone, now. But the people here... I would like to imagine this is what my home could have been, in better times."

When food wasn't a struggle, when spring still came, when war wasn't on the doorstep.

Edited 2021-09-16 03:03 (UTC)

The way Estinien is staring down at his drink, Amos can't help but wonder what that's like. Things might have ended badly. Or, hell, they might have just ended. But that his companion has some level of fondness for where he came from is just something he'll never be able to comprehend.

He listens, respectfully; lets the silence stretch out a little longer when Estinien has said his piece. Kinda seems like a serious topic for him.

Then, "Yeah, there wasn't really any peace where I'm from." If there were any moments he could have looked back upon fondly, they're buried too deep under everything else. Nothing to look back on, really. Just a wholly broken society.

Amos takes another drink. It's not contemplative or anything; he just wants to. His voice is casual, conversational. It's all in the past. Nothing to be done about it now. "It's cool you got to grow up somewhere like this, even if it wasn't always great. Sorry that it's gone."

Which is a lot more than what he could ever say about where he spent his formative years, and then some.

It's a comfortable level of reaction for Estinien, really - he doesn't say these things with the hope of inspiring heartache, he's just not a person that's particularly inclined to hold back things that are simply true. As much as it hurts him to think of it too deeply, to fully reflect on what's lost... there's nothing he can do about it, and there's certainly nothing anybody else can do about it.

And he knows that there is enough pain and suffering to go around, which is plainly evidenced by Amos's own comment. It would be easy, he thinks, for Amos to be bitter, hearing about something like that, if he never managed to experience the same. The fact that it's so casually acknowledged gives the sense that he's not, which says something in of itself.

As usual, he doesn't really know how to react to the apology, even though he knows it's probably just being polite. In the end, he just shrugs it off. He's grateful for it, in one sense, but he's also aware of how much that loss nearly ruined him as a person. It's not something that is entirely resolved in his own head.

"I'd like to know more about this place," he says instead, looking up to watch some of the locals as they move about the tavern. "To know if it's truly as pleasant as it appears. But I suppose it needn't be perfect to be better than places we've been before." Especially when Amos is ostensibly coming from grim circumstances himself.

"What brought you to Solvunn to begin with?" he asks. "That man's descriptions left something to be desired."

Amos definitely doesn't mind the change in subject. There's only so much you can talk about shit that already happened. And, really, it's kind of pointless. The future, though — here — that's been a topic he's been avoiding, because outside of do whatever Himeka says, probably, he doesn't have any answers.

Gonna have to start thinking about it at some point, though. It's nonsensical for him to be putting it off as long as he has, but he's never been this adrift before. Even when he was between jobs back in his own universe, he could still find another one eventually. Here? His skillset is several centuries ahead. Not sure what to do with that.

He gives a small laugh — more of a huff, really — in response to Estinien's statement. Sure did. "He said it was reclusive and neutral," Amos answers. "It's better that I'm somewhere like that."

Left alone. Somewhere where he probably won't hurt anyone, too. Or at least where the chances are lesser. He usually ends up hurting people regardless, fucking up, because, well, he's him. Amos gives his own glance around the tavern, at all of the people here he doesn't know, hopefully won't wreck.

Except that kind of seems like a big ask. He doesn't fit in here. Doesn't fit in most places, but this one's not looking great for him, either. After a moment, he turns back to Estinien. "Think I might be heading west soon, though. Tertiary Settlement." He's been thinking about it for a bit now. Just hasn't... told anybody. Not like there's anybody to tell — until now, apparently. "Even if this place isn't as nice as it seems, I don't... I don't know what to do with all of this."

Not like saying it out loud does anything, but he does surprise himself by vocalizing where his mind's at. It's the truth, though. He doesn't. Leaving kind of seems like the only answer, so he'll do that. Better luck elsewhere. And if that doesn't turn out to be the case, he'll figure out what to do then.

There are a few different ways Estinien could interpret Amos saying that he's better off being somewhere neutral and reclusive. It could be that Amos doesn't like conflict, it could be that he finds himself poorly suited to it, or it could be something else he doesn't yet have context for. As Amos goes on, he finds himself trying even harder to figure out the root of the man's discomfort.

Is he more of a loner, then? Unfamiliar with functioning within a community? Solvunn does come across as a bit familiar, and unafraid to demand cooperation. That's a concept Estinien can definitely understand. Despite the ease he's had in settling into the routine of farm work, these parts where he attempts to socialize like a normal person? Much more difficult than cleaning stalls or tending to sheep.

So, maybe it's not that hard to figure out. He nods his head, thinking he understands.

"I thought of going there myself, but as fortune had it, there was need for us here - found through Himeka's fearless connection-making efforts, of course. Yet, I can't help but wonder about the state of the place they typically send their most recent immigrants."

If there's one thing he knows about immigrants and refugees, it's that they usually aren't given the same treatments as those native to the community. He doesn't see why it'd be different here.

"...If you do head that way, I'd be interested in knowing the state of things there." He pauses for a moment. "Though... if you did wish to stay... I do have confidence that a place for you could be found."

He doesn't want Amos to head off purely out of perceived rejection. Especially if he's becoming a friend of Himeka's.

Estinien does understand just enough for Amos to go along with. It's not like he needs to go into full details here. He would, if he needed to — his mere existence is a danger to others, if only because he cares so little that it would take next to nothing to convince him that killing someone, anyone else in this tavern is the right call. And that's not something he's inclined to hide — but there not being a place for him. Yeah. That's part of it, too.

Amos shrugs. Finishes off his drink; doesn't see the need to get another just yet.

"She's good at that, isn't she?" he says, looking back out at Himeka. He's seen her socialization skills well on display in the short time they've been here. Really has no clue how she does it. There's something almost wistful in his expression; a blink, and it's gone.

He turns back to Estinien. "Don't think there's really a place for me anywhere. I did find one for a bit, back home. But now I'm here. Tough to think I'd get lucky twice." His speech is plain. There's nothing self-pitying there, more an acceptance that this is what life is for him, and that's kinda that. "I doubt it's that bad. Anywhere with free air and this much open space is pretty much a paradise where I'm from. Could pass word along if you really wanted to know, though. Not really sure how," since without terminals he isn't really sure how sending messages would work, and he's yet to figure out how to get back to the Horizon, "but I guess this world has its ways."

Antiquated ones, from his perspective. Shit, all the resources in the world and there isn't even anything that so much as resembles a central network. Light delay wouldn't even be a factor here either, since they're all on one planet. Kind of a waste.

Estinien is so mystified by the idea of 'free air' that he only contemplates it for a moment before brushing it off as a turn of phrase. It being literal would make no sense, after all - probably just something to do with having freedom of movement, he guesses.

Whatever is going on in Amos's home realm, it must be a real mess, in ways Estinien has no context for. He's not sure what to say about that, when it comes down to it. Probably nothing, given how casually Amos relates those details.

Instead, he just nods his head to Amos's correct observation about Himeka, and then focuses on contemplating the logistical issues he's brought up. Normally, Estinien would have assumed they'd use the Horizon to talk, but...

"Have you returned to the Horizon?" he asks.

Isn't everywhere a mess, really? Though Amos has yet to identify in what ways Solvunn could be flawed. There's probably something there. He really hopes there isn't, even though, you know. Statistically.

But then there's, yeah. His own personal mess.

"Nope," he says, just as casual as he's been relaying everything else. It's not for lack of want, but it's also... not not for that. Nothing bad happened for him his first go-around there. Nothing particularly good, either. It just kinda was. He wouldn't mind going back; also wouldn't force it.

... Although now that Estinien brings it up, there might be a reason to figure it out, huh. If he's going to physically isolate himself, he can still have a way to transcend distances, see the few people here he maybe likes. Himeka, for one. Based on how this is going, Estinien, maybe. It occurs to him he has no idea where Mal ended up, or even Geralt. So. That just brings him to his other problem.

"Not really sure how."

He's barely in touch with his own existence; going back to somewhere like the Horizon might be difficult for him, to say the least.

This is one of those things that felt relatively intuitive to Estinien, but now that he's presented with someone who finds it less so, he's not how to explain it. He was already familiar with concepts of meditation and accessing energies that lay outside of his body. In some ways, connecting to the Horizon had been like connecting to the Eye.

As such, he looks a bit puzzled. Is it something he'd be capable of teaching, even in a context more convenient than a tavern?

"I accomplished it through meditation," he explains after a moment. "But I was already familiar with the practice, so I'm not sure if you'd have the same experience."

Amos doesn't sound that eager about it, so Estinien isn't even sure if he'd want to learn, but it also feels like an incredibly valuable tool.

"'Tis possible to meet those who fled to other locations in the Horizon - currently tis the most secure method of communication we have. 'Tis worth attempting, if you haven't already... even if it takes some time to learn."

Estinien's pause, his apparent befuddlement are noted, but not a whole lot Amos can do there. He glances at his empty mug he'd set down on the tabletop when he'd finished his drink, idly wonders if he should order another before Estinien speaks up and gets his attention back.

He considers everything he says, thoughtful look on his face, before giving him a nod. "Dunno who else I'd meet up with," or why, "but secure communication's good. It's probably worth it, yeah."

He hadn't needed a whole lot of convincing. Point out the practicality of something and Amos'll probably go for it. Which just brings up his other problem: meditation's never been something he's seen the value in. He's already pretty naturally laid back; generally does a good job at keeping his anger at bay. (Except it's still there. Getting out of jail had been as simple as stepping through a couple of portals. There's a part of him that's still itching for a fight.) That comes more from being detached as a person than anything spiritual, though. Or anything remotely productive.

"I've never meditated," he follows up his previous acceptance of Estinien's pitch. Good idea, absolutely no clue as to how to execute it. "I know some people were able to get back there. Probably explains why I haven't. Do you just... like, sit there and think about it?"

He's probably capable of that. Maybe. Shit, hopefully.

Estinien is already trying to think of how to phrase things, so when Amos comes upon the simplest description possible, he can't help but chuckle. He certainly isn't wrong.

"Meditation usually means clearing one's thoughts of all other distractions, often to focus on a singular purpose," he says. "So... more or less."

He shrugs his shoulders, smiling slightly as he pauses to take a long drink. He learned the basics so many years ago it's hard to remember a time that it wasn't just reflex.

"I had past experience directing my mind to draw from a power source exterior to myself... but in this case, I think the most important thing is focusing on the connection to the Horizon that you already have, and allowing yourself to be guided towards it."

He blinks, moderately surprised if that's really all it takes. Clearing his thoughts shouldn't be too difficult. Neither should focusing on a singular purpose. It's just... the sitting there part that might prove to be the biggest obstacle. Usually, when he's got all of his attention focused specifically on one thing, he's actually doing something. Like ship maintenance. Or fighting.

Still. The idea that he already has a connection to the Horizon... alright. So he'll have to identify that. And maybe he can go from there.

Shit, it's more than he had to go off of five minutes ago. Amos nods, claps Estinien on the shoulder. The smile he gives him in return is only a little empty, only a little off.

"Guess I got plenty of time to practise here," he says. Shit, yeah, he's in a good enough mood; he'll get another drink, waves down a waiter. And, that taken care of, "You been back there a lot? What's it like now?"

Amos had mostly kept to his own domain the first time they'd all been there. He'd also had no memories, which both does and doesn't change things. Still... it's kind of been a while since then. If the lay of the land's changed, it'd probably be better to know about that going in, especially if he's going to have to work to get the hang of it at first.

"I have."

He's enjoyed the Horizon more with his memory intact. There's less drama to it that way, and when one knows there's a world outside of it, threats to your well being there are almost non-existent.

"I suppose I grew fond of what I created." He still cares for the sheep there, even if the circumstances of his valley are made to be so ideal that he barely needs to. "Though not all that much has changed since our first journey there. Some new constructions, some things reorganized... some were less pleased with what they had made once they had the benefit of context."

Personally, he liked what he made the first time just fine and hasn't seen much need to build more.

"'Tis... quieter, now. Fewer people are present there at once, with most of them busy with their waking lives. Running into another traveller is a matter of chance, for the most part."

"Huh," is all Amos can offer at first. He knew some of them had gone back to the Horizon, but hearing it affirmed is something different; a verbal confirmation that he's been missing out, not that he particularly minds. There's also the idea of going back there knowing who you are, the idea that you can change things.

He sips from his new drink while he thinks it over. Somehow, he'd known enough to create a replica of the Rocinante; it had also really bothered him that he couldn't remember its name when Era— Hime brought it up. But otherwise, for the most part, he'd just existed in a void that, unlike space, had air and didn't have any radiation. It had been fine. He probably wouldn't feel the need to change things too much.

Lucky him, based on Estinien's assessment of what others apparently had to change. Lucky for the both of them, really, if Estinien liked whatever it was he had. Amos hadn't seen, but his words are enough.

He lowers his glass from his lips; idly keeps his hold on it. "You know, I didn't really see a whole lot of anyone else the first time. Kind of kept to myself." Shocker. "That doesn't sound too bad, though. Works with the whole 'keeping in touch over long distances' thing. Hell, you make it sound downright nice."

He sounds contemplative now. Not like Amos had doubted the Horizon's value; more like he just needed an incentive. Estinien's a good sales rep for the kind of shit he likes, apparently. Or at least in this case he is.

"Yeah, alright. You got any tips on how to meditate?"

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WELCOME TO SOLVUNN!

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