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abraxaslogs2021-08-28 09:45 pm
abraxasmods) wrote in abraxaslogs2021-08-28 09:45 pm
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.
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.
no subject
Maybe they just don't think about people that aren't their own.
[ Which, okay — now he's talking about himself without explicitly talking about himself. It should worry him, at least a little, that Nero has inadvertently started describing Amos to a tee, but it... doesn't. Not really. He knows what he is. And only wanting to look after your own people, saying fuck the rest of the world — that's exactly how Amos has gone through life. That's his best case scenario. No matter how good the company he surrounds himself with, no matter how much he tries to attach himself to righteous people, their motives will never sink in for him. Their philosophies will never be his own.
At the same time, the idea that you can't be good if all you do is look after your own people is. Well. Amos knew he was never going to be good, anyway, so. ]
Others don't have to be worthless to be irrelevant. You just... don't think about them. That's all. And maybe that means Solvunn isn't good. But as long as they're looking after their own, I figure they're alright. It's good enough.
[ This is all going a lot easier for him now that the conversation has shifted closer towards what Amos actually knows. There are contradictions there, sure; he's a contradictory person. Someone who does not care, cannot care, but feels the need to make the effort regardless. It's futile. He'll never be good enough. Still, he has to try.
For at least as long as he can remember to. Place like this, stranger in a strange world, that might end sooner rather than later.
Nero's also easier to talk to when he's more subdued. Or at least closer to Amos' speed. ]
Yup. There are ways you can live a good life without being a good person. [ Not too long ago he'd had to explain that to someone else, though she was a friend. And receptive, at that. Someone else who needed to know that. ] You do the right thing, help others not die? Even if it's just because someone else asked. Or because you think it's funny. Still did a good thing. That's the only part that really counts.
[ He genuinely believes that, too. Not a whole lot of room for arguing there. Someone makes that the founding principle of their life, it's pretty difficult to break it. ]
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[ He flashes a cheeky smile. Nero knows exactly what he is doing; he always makes the argument of the contrary for no other reason than to get the other person thinking. It's only a few people that realized that it's best not to think on the nonsense that comes spilling out of his mouth, least they get trapped in the game of words with him.
However, his companion is keeping up with him better than most. It isn't that the man is wanting to argue with him, but remains unable to fully comprehend the point that Nero is attempting to get at -- ]
But my point is that everyone everywhere is going to kill each other. [ His head tilts to the side as he frowns in an overly dramatic manner. ] I'm not saying it'll happen all at once... though, it'd be hilarious if that happened... but it will happen. One way or another, they'll figure out a way to go to war with each other.
[ He rolls so that he is on his back, staring up at the ceiling. His long legs hang off the table, and he's starting to feel his feet growing numb. ]
Ugh. I'd hate to live a good life. [ His tongue slips out of his mouth as he makes a disgusted face. ] But it sounds by your standards that I've been living a good one, for the most part. Gross!
Though, that makes me wonder... by your own standards... are you living a good life, too? Are you doing the right thing always, friend?
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And the universe is a lot bigger than the world. Can't care about everybody.
[ So limiting your sense of empathy — if you even have one to begin with — to just a couple of people seems alright by him.
That said, unfortunately, Nero does have a point. Everyone dies. Very often, in Amos' life, it's by the hands of someone else. Sometimes those hands are his. Sometimes he wants to go after a different set of hands, if they've committed a wrong in some way. Everyone kills everyone else, and he's very much a part of that.
He keeps a straight face. Wouldn't ever occur to him to match Nero's movements or mannerisms, even subconsciously. Amos just is, and that means a lot of stillness, often no expression. His existence is practically clinical. ]
Can't fight the way the world works. Can only try to make sure the ones who don't deserve it don't die. Not a lot of those, but they're worth it.
[ And maybe the most conviction he'll have on anything. He stares at Nero as he flops over, tilts his head slightly. Guy's gotta be dramatic, huh.
He doesn't answer right away, letting the silence on his end drag out for a couple of minutes. ]
No. [ Can't say he isn't honest, at least. ] I'm trying. Don't always succeed. That don't really count for much, but.
[ A lopsided shrug, one shoulder bobbing in the movement. What're you gonna do. It's not like he's going to admit to this guy, of all people, that he needs help. (That he's pretty sure there isn't any help out here. That maybe by choosing to live in the Tertiary Settlement, he's only dooming himself after all.)
Doesn't really make much of a difference, either, that Nero apparently hates the idea. Bad people are still bad people. They're just two different kinds. ]
no subject
[ His arms open to gesture above them, to gesture around them; they've all come from different worlds and he agrees that there is a limit to how much a person can come to care about someone else. ]
The amount of care I have those summoned here is debatable at best. [ He folds his hands on his chest, letting out a long pleased sigh. ] People who are willing to cling to one another because their circumstances are similar... don't you find that kind of funny?
[ Nero cranes his neck so that he could get a look at the man's face. ] People who act like they're old friends with one another... that they'd die for one another... isn't that hilarious? They're attempting to make themselves feel less alone in this whole world by speeding their relationships along... like the bonds that we made back home could be easily replaced.
[ The elf has only one person that he cares about. Everyone else is just entertainment to him until proven otherwise. He's got no beef with anyone; he's got no hate for them; at most, he's neutral to most folk. Why act like they have some long-standing hatred when he barely knows them? Why even hate them when their lives are shit anyway? He doesn't get it. ]
And yeah, well, no one knows who deserves it and who doesn't. [ His fingers drum on his chest as he gives him a wide smile. ] You and I... we're not judges... we're just executioners, aren't we, buddy?
[ At least, that's the feeling that he gets. The man doesn't judge anyone anymore than Nero judges anyone. But the way they don't judge people is different; Nero believes everyone has their own justifications to do anything, but ultimately, nothing matters. Killing them to fulfill his own justification and reasons isn't righteous but just proving his convictions -- his nihilism -- were stronger.
The elf gives him a small frown. ]
Well, so long as you can live with yourself, that's all anyone can do.
[ He replies in an easy way; accepting that the man will believe what he wants to believe. Their ideologies clash, but not so violently that it makes a spark or anything explosive. If anything, it's more like oil and water; peacefully coexisting with one another.
How terrible for his friend. ]
Anyway, I'm Nero. And you are?
no subject
[ Not that it's funny. He doesn't understand Nero's sense of humour at all. It's not funny that the world works like this. It's a pretty fuckin' bad thing, actually, but clearly the elf's made up his mind. It's not worth arguing, if he even could come up with an argument. ]
There's a couple of people out here that I think I like. Maybe some I met in prison. I dunno. They're alright, I guess. But they're not my people.
[ That's what it comes down to for him. There's a grand total of four people he cares about, and none of them are here. Probably never will be. Anyone else just isn't that important. He gets Nero on that front; nobody else is really worth thinking about all that much. Nobody is really worth following.
Which is a big fucking problem, considering how the past twenty-ish years of his life have been built around finding a person with good morals and following them. Himeka's maybe the best candidate he's found here, but then he'd gone and left the Primary Settlement for the Tertiary. Because she's not his people.
He's really just screwing himself over, isn't he. Amos stares out at the wall for a moment before Nero gets his attention back. ]
Kids don't deserve it. [ His voice is firm. That's it. That's the criteria, and he's not going to budge on that. Best way to get on Amos' shit list would be to argue with him on that front, indicate you'd hurt a kid.
He watches Nero's fingers drum against his chest. Does not match his smile, does not even come close, his own mouth a small line, they're not buddies, but, ] Guess we are.
[ Executioners. Amos doesn't even think about killing. Someone poses a threat, take them out. Killing someone is the easiest way to remove a problem, just do it. There's no moral quandary, no great philosophical question; you kill someone who has to go and it's over with and you move on. He has to be reminded that's not actually the case, and even then. As far as his worldview is concerned, it is.
They have too much in common with one another. Amos can live with himself — it's maybe the one thing he's good at — but that's pretty much where he draws the line. He knows he doesn't take glee in things like Nero seems to. He just. Is.
Stares down at Nero, still lying in his obnoxious position across the table.
Could walk away. Could've left at any time. Hasn't. Doesn't. ]
Amos.
no subject
But who knows? People are acting in such hilarious ways that they might actually sacrifice themselves for someone they only knew a few months.
His smile pulls back. He can think of someone who would do that without question. ]
Did you know? That man? Jon was willing to die for all the prisoners? You owe him a lot. Be sure to thank him for being willing to sacrifice his life for yours, eh?
[ He gives a small nod. ]
Not my people, either.
[ Nero rolls his head on the table so that he looks back to the man. ]
How about that? I agree with you. Kids shouldn't be killed! People who kill kids are real scum.
[ That's why he doesn't have any moral high ground to stand with anyone. He's murdered quite a few over the decades; he always comments on it to his companion, however, since he didn't want him to forget that they were committing atrocities.
He breathes in deep and let out a long sigh. His eyes unfocus for a second as he looks at some point above his head. Lifting his hands off his chest, he violently slaps the air in front of him with both hands. ]
Got it.
[ His hands remain frozen where it is. ]
Amos. [ Nero repeats. ] No way.
[ His mouth falls open as he starts to laugh. He turns to look at him properly and laughs even harder. Eponine had been complaining about Amos; she called him a murderer and was going to try to pin Julie's murder on him, too. She said something along the lines about how he already killed so what's one more death on his hands. ]
Oh my god. [ Is what he's able to say through his laughter. ] That's hilarious.
no subject
Never met the guy. He wanted to sacrifice himself for everyone else, that's his business. I don't owe anyone here shit.
[ So, no, he doesn't care about Jon. Amos had been gearing himself up to probably do something stupid, probably get himself killed as a way to get out of prison, before that guy with the portals showed up. (Is kind of still in that place since he'd never gotten a proper means to dispel that aggression.) Hard to think he owes someone else for potentially giving his life to save the lot of them when he'd been ready to throw his away at a moment's notice.
Not that he's unfamiliar with the concept. Sacrificing yourself to save others is a total Holden move. Only difference is he knows Holden, likes Holden, would die for Holden. Someone he doesn't know? Not a chance.
And if Nero's implying he actually has people then it doesn't matter, does it — it doesn't matter to either of them, because none of their people are here, and they certainly aren't about to become each other's people. Yet another similarity that Amos wishes he didn't know.
He raises his eyebrows at the idea that Nero does have standards, though. People who kill kids are scum, indeed. Good word for them.
So, it just kind of slips out, ] You and I've got a little too much in common.
[ As in, shit's probably going to turn bad at some point. Probably not in the middle of a tavern, not in this moment, at least, but. At some point. Kind of feels inevitable.
And, again, he has no idea what's so fucking funny. But this time it's apparently really, really fucking funny. Amos stares at Nero. Waits for him to get it out of his system. ]
How's that. [ It's barely even a question. He's never known anyone who just laughs so much. ]
no subject
[ He turns his head slightly to the side. ] Even if you owe him a bunch, if you never personally received anything from what he did, what does it matter, right?
[ His tone of voice is not so much as cynical as much as admitting that even though he said Amos should thank Jon that he also knows there's no point to it. ]
Huh? We do? [ The elf cranes his neck up slightly to look at the man at the odd angle that he's lying. ] Oh... that's unfortunate for you, pal. [ Nero has enough awareness that he is a terrible fucking person, and can only offer condolences to anyone who feels like they have anything in common with him.
But it's about the same amount of condolences, if they were both caught out in the rain without any shelter nearby. Sucks that it's happened, but nothing either of them can do about it. ]
Still... I normally don't get along with people who are like me. This is a real treat. [ Usually, those that end up being like him, he finds too irritating to keep alive.
His laughter does eventually die down, and he explains why he finds it so funny. ]
Oh. I just heard through the grapevine of the dungeon that you were some sort of murderer. I was under the impression that you were some dark and brooding murder boy, but you're actually quite easy-going. [ Again, he lets out a few more hoots and hollers of amusement. ]
no subject
Not like anyone asked him to sacrifice himself, anyway. Even if I got something out of it, that would've been his choice. So it still wouldn't have been my problem.
[ Amos is barely capable of caring about people to begin with, and the ones he does — they're his people. Anyone else. Anyone else at all, no matter what they've done — unless it was something for one of his people, and even then, that's only a maybe — they just don't matter. Any sacrifice ever used on him would be a total waste.
At Nero's awkward attempts to look at him, Amos leans forward, resting his forearms on the tabletop, just that little bit closer to the elf. ]
Is it? [ A treat. He already knows it's incredibly unfortunate for him. He dips his head slightly before looking back up, doing his best to meet Nero's eyes considering their angles. ] There anybody you get along with?
[ Amos' style of not getting along with people is more passive. The way he is is off-putting enough, so he doesn't actively antagonize anyway. Nero, on the other hand.
Maybe that's why they've been able to carry on this conversation: Amos' general passivity unless provoked, Nero's outward brashness able to keep things going. Living out here, in the outskirts, this close to him, where he'll probably run into him more often than not. It might be a bad idea.
Tilts his head slightly at Nero's assessment that he's easygoing, just a little surprised at it. At least that's enough to replace his bafflement over the laughing. ]
Sure, I've killed. Not like it's a whole thing. [ Dark and brooding — geez, that'd be fucked up. ] It's done, you move on. Just like anything else.
no subject
[ Nero sounds almost impressed by how cold Amos is. Sure, he thinks that sacrificing everything for someone else is absolutely worthless. One wanted to dedicate his entire life to someone else -- someone that was already dead. Why? Would that person even see what he's doing? Would they cheer for it? Would they understand it? His friend was creating a narrative all on his own, but then again, so does every martyr.
Every martyr creates a narrative of how their actions would benefit the many, of how it would make the world better, of something would come from what they did. It forced a story onto others -- and those other people might never know the tale they were supposed to be the characters for, too.
Really funny shit. ]
There is really only one person I get along with, but they're not here. [ He tilts his head to the side. ] Sad. [ Lifting his hand, he puts his index finger underneath one eye and drags it down his face to indicate a tear falling. ]
Everyone else tolerates me. [ Which is the bare minimum that he asks for, but also more than what he deserves. ]
You think that way, huh? About killing? You don't lament at all about how many you've cut down? Or how much blood is on your hands? [ As he says the word 'blood,' Nero lifts his hands up in the air dramatically like his hands are indeed stained red. ]
I knew there was a reason I liked you.
no subject
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.
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[ 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. ]
no subject
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. ]
no subject
[ 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?
no subject
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. ]
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[ 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.