WELCOME TO SOLVUNN!

[abraxasmods]

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.

Comments

[aquaveiled]

[ It is easy, noticeably so. And it's always a joy to listen to people talk about something that they really care about. It's audible in their voice, in the relaxation in their face or the passion in their eyes. Amos may be more subdued, but it's still there. He cares about this ship and these people. ]

Made for thirty?

[ Then that is certainly impressive and she makes no attempts at hiding her shock. ]

That's amazing! You must all be the top of your fields.

[ His question is...a good one. The right one, really. Can she trust Emet-Selch? Should she trust him? In some ways he has been nothing but honest, but in many others it was only insofar as it served his own goals and purposes. So as long as their goals align, she should be fine. Should be.

The Burden of Remembrance...

After a moment of quiet contemplation, Himeka merely shrugs. ]

I'm not sure.

[ She is, as ever, honest. ]

But I want to...after all that's happened. So I suppose I will. I feel that I understand him now better than I did before. Mayhaps that makes all the difference?

[baltimores]

[ His gaze turns upwards, absorbing Himeka's words. Amos' eyebrows raise a fraction in assessment before settling, and he looks back at her, bemusement in his voice. ]

Huh. Yeah. Guess we are. [ At the top of their fields. He'd known that about Naomi, at least. Working with her probably rubbed off on him. ] We're good enough to get by, at least.

[ Which, there's only so much he can do with that here. Sure, Amos takes pride in his work — upon reflection, he should probably be taking more — but everything he knows is pretty much useless here.

Ah, well. He shrugs it off, more interested in learning how Himeka deals with someone like that. But I want to is such a Holden approach, it makes Amos huff softly, shake his head in mild amusement. ]

I'm not the right guy to make that kind of call. [ He doesn't understand anyone, really.

Fondness creeps into his voice. ] You sound like Cap, though. And annoying as he is when he gets like that, he's usually right. So I figure you're probably onto something there.

[aquaveiled]

[ Is that a realization for him, despite all his accomplishments? He seems a generally calm person, the sort who is happy to keep his head down and do his work. But given the clear amount of work they are doing without the help of others, she thinks it speaks for itself. ]

And humble too!

[ Both the truth and a bit of a joke. He could boast and she would not blame him, but Amos doesn't seem like that sort of man.

His approval is still heartening, especially how he compares her to someone he clearly holds in esteem. ]

That feels a high honor given what you have just told me of your friends.

[ Himeka knows she doesn't have the reputation for making the best choices--but people, people she feels like she can't just give up on. ]

But I hope you're right.

[ A pause as she considers, looking out at nothing in particularly before refocusing on Amos. ]

We're friends now, aren't we?

[baltimores]

[ The corner of his mouth quirk upwards, if only for a second, at the humble comment. Sure, maybe. More that it's just something he hasn't really thought of — he's not really a big picture guy, like the others — but the point isn't worth arguing.

Especially when they're. Well. He hadn't really thought about it before, but... yeah. ]

Yeah. We're Friends.

[ He looks back down at Himeka, makes eye contact, looking into that earnestness. He doesn't make friends easily. Or at all, really. He speaks plainly, but there's affection in his voice, the way his eyes crinkle, his mouth falls into a natural smile. They'd been friendly without memories. She'd done her best to help him in prison, when he was about to lose it. (Still might, but probably won't with her here.) And just... seeing someone he knows here, in the society that he knows nothing about, can't fit into.

If they're not friends, then what else would they be? Amos claps a hand on her shoulder, keeps it there. ]

[aquaveiled]

[ From a quiet man like Amos, someone who holds much close to his heart, such a gesture of trust and solidarity is something to note. She's known a variety of people, some open and brazen with their affections, others reserved and non-emotive--she can pick up on the difference.

And this is special, his agreement. Himeka's smile widens and brightens as she nods, affirming his affirmation. ]

Well I think it's high time we make use of the local tavern. What do you think? I just have a few more deliveries left.

[baltimores]

[ His grin broadens at her suggestion, warmth and amusement in his voice when he speaks. ]

That's the best idea I've heard since I got here. [ It really is. As out of place as he might feel, a bar's a bar. Never a bad thing.

He nods at the packages she's still got, smile fading to something more manageable, something he can't feel pressing into his cheeks. ] You really did settle right in here, huh.

[ Maybe a tavern will help him with that. Who knows. ]

[aquaveiled]

[ She chuckles and shrugs. He's not wrong and, despite being an outsider in most of the place she's travelled, she has never found it too difficult to have something to do. Hells, even in Ishgard where she initially looked like the enemy. ]

I think it's easiest to acquaint yourself with the local tavern. Most people are willing to chat over ale, you know?

[ Food and drink really do bring people together. ]

[baltimores]

Always been more of the sit at the bar, don't get bothered by anyone kinda guy, myself. [ It's a wonder why more people don't just approach the guy with no expression on his face who will merely glance at someone who comes up to him before opting to look at his drink or a wall instead. He's so good at making friends, really.

... Himeka's a bright and friendly enough kind of person that he was receptive to her pretty quick. Huh. Maybe there is hope for him, after all. ] I should probably try it your way.

[ Chances are pretty good he'll fail miserably, so he might not even bother at all, but hey. It's a whole new world. Might as well. ]

[aquaveiled]

[ She's not at all surprised by that at this point and, really, there's nothing wrong with that either. She's perfectly content with just sitting and people watching herself, especially in a new place. Got to get a good feel for the area.

But he's opening up and considering how he'd looked when she ran into him, it seems like a huge step. ]

Hey, if there's no one we want to talk to we can just make bets on the locals who like arm-wrestling. Or have you considered entering?

[baltimores]

[ Oh, he'd definitely give any and all credit regarding him opening up to Himeka. Never him. He isn't the kind of guy who takes his own steps forwards so much as observes what a person better than him does, and attempt to copy them.

There are usually mixed results. Why wouldn't there be? But as far as stakes go, these are pretty low.

He's happy, the accompanying warmth in his expression, his voice. It's almost enough to make him forget about his uncertainty in being in a land like this. Almost. ]

I'm not so bad at that. [ A lifetime of fighting, of manual labour. He's pretty much always been the strongest guy on any ship he's ever crewed up with. Definitely familiar with the concept. ] Who knows, might be a way to make a bit of money. Though you might be more of the ringer type.

[aquaveiled]

[ Himeka pumps her fist in excitement. Yes, she's taken her part in these contests but truth be told she is a mage and a caster, not a physical fighter. (That doesn't stop her from trying, of course. She enjoys the contest as much as anything else.) ]

Well then, I think we have an evening planned out for us, Amos.

[ Yes, she's decided as she picks up her step towards their next delivery. ]

First, we'll drink and eat to build up some stamina, and then we'll see who is foolish enough here in Solvunn to take us on in hand-to-hand combat!

[ That's...that's not what it is, but that's okay. A night not worrying about the larger implications of their stay to just spend time with a friend is really what you need sometimes. ]