OPEN MINGLE: Welcome to Thorne!

[magicalarchaeologist]

WHO: OPEN to all Summoned in Thorne
WHAT: A party, info dump, and magic study session all rolled into one! Eat, drink, mingle -- make some friends!
WHEN: A couple days after the newest Summoned start appearing
WHERE: A ballroom in Castle Thorne

NOTES: This is an open mingle log where everyone can tag one another! New characters may hear some gossip and chatter about a few recent important events that happened in Abraxas. This includes many of the Summoned being kidnapped by a cult and experimented on months ago, including a surprise escape on a giant turtle, and very recently peculiar lights on the outskirts of Thorne. There is a new Summoned Conclave with three people from each faction who can represent and advocate for the Summoned. In their first act, they got permission for some Summoned (ooc: Level 3 Influence) to carry weapons on them.



General.

Rhy Maresh will have sent a written invitation to all Thornean newcomers within a couple of days of their arrival, inviting them to meet their fellow Summoned. Otherwise, there will be fliers posted in the dining area that anyone can see. If your character has CR with Rhy, Kell, or Istredd, you can assume they were told and got an in-person invite -- and you can even assume your character helped with setup if desired (decorations, helping set out food, etc.), since they definitely needed the assistance. Up to you!

Istredd will also be hosting a group meditation to allow newcomers to access to the Horizon (and network). New Summoned who wish to learn how to step into the Horizon have an opportunity to have their connections to the Singularity activated. If preferred, they can also get one-on-one help from those who've been around for a bit. He will also discuss the magic in Abraxas and point them in the direction of teachers of magic, combat, or other things they may be interested in.

Banquet.

The large ballroom is bathed in warm, golden light from dozens of chandeliers above, reflecting off the gleaming inlaid floors and brass light fixtures along the walls. It is at once neatly sectioned, yet naturally open, allowing the length of the room to flow from one potential activity to another with ease.

In the center, a circular area has been left clear, and every half hour or so during the first half of the evening, two native Thornean (apprentice) mages come up to offer magic demonstrations -- mostly flashy elemental magic, adding sparks and atmosphere. If any of the Summoned who've been around longer wish to show off as well, they are welcome to do so.

Along the walls stand narrow refreshment tables, where one can serve oneself wine from large glass carafes. Hot tea is also available in a few flavors. (Though those who have been here a while may notice there are fewer carafes, and more expensive options for alcohol and refreshments are missing this time.) For those looking to eat, a large dining table has been set out toward the center of the room, with plates and utensils and large platters of food in the center -- nothing fancy, but perfectly serviceable, and arranged to look good even if the ingredients themselves aren't nearly as lavish as they have been in the past. Still, despite the impending war and tightened purse strings in the face of shortages, the kitchen has agreed to help welcome the newly Summoned as best as they can.

Both the handful of large tables and the smattering of small, taller tables for standing at are in full view of the demonstrations so the show can be enjoyed with food and drink, whatever your desire. Bright summer flowers garnish every table, freshening up the space.

Of course, there's plenty of space to stand and mingle, walk around, and see what everyone else is up to. In the back of the room, the folding screens offer a quieter area, for more private conversation and meditation as desired.

Magic Studies.

Behind the folding screens made of tall, carved wood in intricate patterns, there are a handful of low sofas and chaise lounges around a fireplace at the far side of the hall. This sectioned-off area has been enchanted to provide some insulation from the sound of the banquet beyond, and once you step inside, the quiet is like a gentle blanket settling over everyone who chooses to spend some time here.

This is the best place to ask questions in some semblance of privacy, to learn about your new home, and to receive guidance on entering the Horizon and using the so-called network of telepathic notes only the Summoned can send one another.

A mage named Istredd seems to be the one 'in charge' of this particular endeavor, but others who have been in Abraxas a while are likely also about, lending their assistance to those who are newly arrived and sharing thoughts on their experiences so far.

Just be careful -- even if the insulating enchantment is sturdy, there are still Thornean natives around, refilling refreshments outside and demonstrating their magic. You may want to be careful how candidly you discuss any displeasure toward Thorne or its crown, considering the Queen's notoriously explosive temper, and the rumors of the dungeons deep beneath the castle. It's hardly a secret, at this point: a conflict has been sparked, and the mood around the castle is a tense one, even amidst a celebration such as this.

(( ooc: Feel free to make your own top levels and tag around! This is meant to be an open mingle, with the above as mostly setting and flavor, so don't feel limited if you want your character to do their own magic demonstrations, for example, or even if your thread ends up moving outside the ballroom. Have fun!

It should be noted that if you would like to handwave your character's first experience to the Horizon, you can do so. It's a blanket permission from me / Istredd that he took your character there, helped them leave, and showed them how to go back in with their memory now.

Most of this was written by Lena aka Rhy player! Have fun! ))

Comments

Kyle | The Hanged Man | Open

[ushiri]

everybody talks (banquet).

[ Kahlil has found an alcove at the edges of the ballroom, past the banquet. With the long limbs he lounges in the space with the casual grace of a cat, eyes misleadingly half shut as he watches people mingle in the near distance. There's fewer Summoned being brought into Thorne than there have been vanishing, he notices.

Whether you've met him before or not, there's any number of reasons you might approach him. One might be that you've heard he's part of the Summoned Conclave and you want to talk about a motion, previous or future. Oddly enough, he's not wearing a weapon despite now having permission to do so.

Or, maybe you've heard that he recently had an audience with the king, and are curious about that. He was open about his distrust of them during the Conclave voting, but now, apparently, he has a shiny new badge from the crown - though he's conspicuously not wearing it tonight.

Maybe you've just heard he's been to each of Thorne's cities, and even to the Primary Settlement in Solvunn once.

It's also possible that someone told you he's a teleporting ninja. Apparently he was doing a lot of that in the mountains a couple of months ago.

Whatever the reason, if you approach he'll catch your gaze and give a nod of acknowledgement, clearly fine with the company. ]

cleaning up (end of the night).

[ As the mingle winds down, Kahlil lingers with some others who have volunteered to help take everything down. ]

Those need to go back to the kitchens too. [ he says, nodding over his shoulder at a cart stacked with glasses needing to be cleaned. His own cart is stocked with dirty plates. The staff won't really encourage them to linger down there, but they don't refuse the extra help. ]

There's an incantation to get it down the stairs. [ The cart, he means. The spell will allow it to kind of float without everything falling off - the words are etched into the cart's handle which he helpfully points out. ]

wildcard. ( Assume he's mingling around the food and drinks at some point, feel free to come up with a prompt of bumping into him there! )

banquet.

[iustise]

[Lord John may have lived in Thorne for a fair amount of time now, but he is still acquainting himself with the castle and its inhabitants, as it were. Many of them were recovering from a recent trauma when he had first arrived, for one. And -- if John were being honest with himself, it had been traumatic to find himself here, at that. He is still getting himself used to the idea of waking up in this castle and not in his house in Philadelphia, but he supposes the adjustment will come.

He appreciates the announcement of a mingle, when it happens. It had not done, when he had first arrived, after all. Not that John is not capable of handling himself on his own, socially, but. Well, he had always done so under a strict set of social protocols that have been largely left behind with the world as he knows it.

Having procured himself a glass of wine, John finds himself drifting to the edge of the room -- away from the magic displays he's still not entirely certain of and toward a younger man who seems to have made himself a fixture there.]

Is this sort of a gathering not to your tastes? [He asks, with a small smile and a nod in greeting.]

[ushiri]

[ He straightens his posture a bit at the other man's approach, but otherwise doesn't get up from his spot. Not a newcomer, he thinks he's seen this man in the halls at some point (it's kind of impossible not to bump into everyone eventually, given how close their quarters are), but newer than many of the others if he memory serves.

The gala took the place of the usual mingle last time, though he thinks the execution that occurred some days earlier was probably the more honest introduction to Thorne and Abraxas as a whole.

Kahlil cocks his head to one side, giving a wry look and a small huff in response. ]

This is my fourth one of these. [ he nods toward the rest of the room before glancing back at the other man, returning his small smile. ] I mostly come to offer moral support.

[ With this he glances toward wherever Rhy or Istredd happen to be standing, a hint of something fond in his eyes before he shrugs and counters: ]

Are you enjoying yourself?

[iustise]

[John turns to follow the other's glance, a small smile gracing his lips as he takes in the sight of Istredd -- the pair of them had spoken about this gathering, at the gala when John had first arrived. About how Istredd had been chagrined to have not had the time or energy to offer the same greeting back then. It is no matter -- John feels welcomed, either way.]

I am no stranger to such gatherings, even if this is the first I have attended in the castle.

[He turns to glance across the room toward the magical demonstrations.] The entertainment, however, is something of a novelty...

Cleaning Up Cause I Want To

[magicalarchaeologist]

[ As the mingle winds down, Istredd looks like he's about ready to drop. He did an elemental magic demonstration on top of his usual guiding people to the Horizon or answering questions, although the socializing is far more exhausting than the magic. He ends every one of these porting into bed, one that he now shares with Lucifer, but he's not quite there yet. He is still putting on a performance for the last of people who he doesn't know well.

He sags once that appears to be completed and runs fingers through his hair. Istredd's always wanted to help with the cleaning but he ends up in this state so it never happens. The servants and other mages here though know him relatively well. Istredd comes out of his section and takes one of the clean glasses before they're taken away, going for water. ]

Three new ones this time, more than the two last.

[ This is said to Kyle, lingering long enough to associate with him as he gulps down the water. ]

[ushiri]

[ Ever since overindulging at the gala, Kahlil's been trying to practice temperance in front of the others. Relatively, anyway - he nursed one glass of wine before switching to water. He's collecting some of the dirty glasses, consolidating the dregs into a murky concoction nearby where Istredd plops down.

He raises an eyebrow, teasing lightly. ]

Have you ever considered magicking some kind of doppleganger for this?

[ At least for the demonstrations. He knows it doesn't work like that for showing the new ones how to enter Horizon.

It occurs to Kahlil that he could offer to help with that part, but he doesn't exactly want the task either - sorry, Istredd. ]

[magicalarchaeologist]

[ Istredd rarely drinks and while it might have helped his nerves, he's strongly believes in simply pushing through those. That may be why he ends up so exhausted by the end, but he can't make himself an extrovert. Pretending briefly to be one every other month is difficult enough. ]

No, no, it's better for it to be me. It's not the use of power that wears me down, I don't like attention.

[ The only reason he didn't pass out from the amount of attention he got in Hayle was by Lucifer being there encouraging him. Getting through it meant spending time with him and dancing for the first time, and that was a good enough prospect to take the fear out of it. For a small crowd it shouldn't mean that much, but he suspects the Thorne mages report back. ]

I think one time I went for two or three years without talking to anyone. I wouldn't say I prefer it, it's just something I got out of the practice of.

Bay Kennish | The Star | Open

[wasalmostdaphne]

1. Mingling (and not)

Bay has never been much for parties. She grew up aware of the whispers from her parents’ friends, about her. And when she was old enough to go to her own parties that worry kept nagging at the back of her mind. Still- she was in an entirely new universe, with whole new rules in a lot of ways.

And she needed to get to know people.

So she did try to mingle, she really did. But mostly she’d come up to people talking and just tried to keep up with the conversation. Which was a whole lot harder now than it was in her old life. Lipreading is a skill, and if there are people talking over each other, or someone starts laughing at a joke she hasn’t figured out yet (or maybe it’s a funny voice, who can say), it’s really hard. So Bay only really approaches smaller groups.

And then doesn’t say anything and just watches trying her best to understand what people are saying.

2. Resting

She didn’t bring any blank paper or pencils with her. She knew that if she did she’d just hole up in a corner and sketch people the whole mingle. And the point was to meet people and get more accustomed to this place.

She did bring her book on local Abraxian Sign and the history of the language to read. And when her head gets tired of trying to follow conversations for too long she does just hole up in a corner to read.

3. Food

Bay eventually tucks her book under her arm and goes to see what the food is. She takes small portions of everything and sits down. She’s eating delicately and carefully. Tasting for all the details of the food she can get. Which she can do, and that’s weird. Cause that’s not a thing she could do before.

She’s thoughtful and focused on her food but clearly seems open to being talked to since she isn’t hiding in the corner.

2

[ordinar]

Wilhelm isn't in much of a party mood either. This thing isn't even a party so much as a gathering. A little stiffer, a little more restrained. But he doesn't want to draw attention to himself through his absence either, and draw concern from those who, for whatever reason, have decided to care. So he compromises by slipping in after the thing is already underway and resolving to last an hour. Or most of an hour.

There are a few new faces. A few missing ones too. One day, Robin wasn't there to slide into the seat across from him in the dining hall or latch onto him as he went about his day. That's just how it goes, but it sucks.

The girl tucked into a corner with a book snags his attention as he drifts around the room clutching an emotional support glass of wine. After a moment of hesitation, he approaches.

"You know there's a whole library, right? If you're looking for somewhere quieter." He pushes a hand through his hair, scratches at his head. "I could show you, if you want."

[wasalmostdaphne]

He lucked out, she saw him move in her periphery. There are a few things amusing about his choice of opening line. She got her book from the library, so she knew where it was. She smiled, it was a little too wide to be sincere. Tucked her book next to her leg for the moment. And answered him in sign language.

[I didn't notice the room was noisy.]

Sign doesn't translate the way everyone speaking Abraxas's common tongue does. But the point should still get across. She'll shift back to the local spoken language right after, no sign of an accent to confirm she's Deaf, "Reading lips is a lot of work, I just needed a break. I do plan to try and talk to more people later."

"I'm Bay."

[ordinar]

Embarrassment jumps into his expression as she starts signing and, though he doesn't know what any of the signs translate to, he realizes she must be deaf.

"Oh, sorry, I didn't know..." Ah, but she just said all this lip-reading was wearing her out. Wilhelm presses his mouth shut, twiddles a strand of hair.

If Bay has been to the Horizon already, then her connection with the Singularity would let her send and receive messages with her mind. All of the Summoned are linked that way. But if she's fresh out of the pool, then maybe she hasn't gone yet. He'll ask in a minute, but first:

"I'm—"

He spells out his name by forming his fingers into each letter, the way you would if you were making shadow puppets. W-I-L-L-E. He sticks with his nickname to shorten the tedious process.

Istredd | The High Priestess | Open

[magicalarchaeologist]

As the co-host of these parties, Istredd has slowly but steadily gotten decent at them. It doesn't feel natural yet, but it doesn't feel like as much of a climb of discomfort either. For the first time, he steps out of the magic area to do a magic demonstration of all four elements used in tandem with one another in a way that he makes look very easy, but is in fact quite difficult.

In this situation, he isn't showing off; if people want to learn magic, they can see for themselves this is someone who can teach it. Afterward, the Thorne mages take over to show some other things, and Istredd very briefly grabs a glass of water on his way behind the folding screens. He can be caught in that time between the demonstration and the meditation segment, although he won't linger for long.

Once in the sectioned-off area that is identified as the place for meditation and magical discussion, Istredd loses some of the weight that was on his shoulders while on display. He seemed calm and competent, and he is, but it is still difficult for him to be watched closely. In here, he is more comfortable. He avoids the banquet but can be talked to here about magic and he is doing guided meditation into the Horizon. He will also talk about the Summoned network and how to use it for anyone new.

Istredd can also be identified as someone who knows a great deal about Thorne and if there are any questions about their situation at large, he is available for general thoughts and concerns. He is a quiet and composed man, tall at 6'3, with startling blue eyes and trying his best to be friendly to strangers.

When the banquet is over, which he's mostly avoided the entire time, and others have gone away, Istredd looks absolutely exhausted. He will try and snap back a good face if someone new approaches him, but will drop his guard a little more down with people he already knows. Istredd never seems to have the energy to help clean up but he thanks anyone who is offering.

[ooc: This is a good chance to just handwave your character went into the Horizon, go for it!]

Mat Cauthon - Wheel of Fortune - Open

[a_better_man]

General

Mat doesn't always make it to these sorts of things. He missed the last one, though at that time he'd been ignoring most things in general. And while he knows that he isn't recovered from his experiences, he's back to being able to pretend perfectly well. Pretending he's fine and dandy when he isn't is one of his best honed talents.

So he ought to be here, a drink in hand and a grin on his face, ready to greet the newest folks dragged into this madness. Lucky sots, being brought after some mad cult was kidnapping them for murky but terrible reasons.

Even so, he is projecting a pleasant and amiable mood. He's quick to chat with anyone who wants, and raises his glass in greeting to anyone he sees. Whether or not he knows them.

Banquet

"Still better'n home!" Mat comments to himself as he observes the spread. Perhaps it is not as luxurious as he's gotten used to here, but it still a fine feast beyond the likes of which he'd ever had back in his own world. It's not all that surprising, considering the state of things.

He's no stranger to how war can effect things. There are always wars in his world, multiple ones happening at once across the continent. Even in his far flung little village they can feel it. The peddlers don't come as often, and their carts aren't as well stocked as before. If this is the worst that Thorne is feeling things, that says a great deal to him.

It doesn't stop him from loading up a plate with enough food for two people. He has a healthy appetite, and doubly so since it's come back properly.

Banquet

[wasalmostdaphne]

Okay, Bay had taken a polite portion of everything to test and see how everything is. Language book tucked under her plate as she lacked anywhere else to hold it until she sat down. Seeing the limits to her 'my dad taught me to cook' skills. She can measure subtleties she couldn't do before.

But she'd taken an overall serving for one person. "Did you forget to eat for the past week?"

She's trying to determine why anyone needs so much food at one sitting, it can't end well.

[a_better_man]

Mat grins as he turns to the unfamiliar face.

"No, but I recently spent a month kidnapped and kept close to starving. Still making up for it. I am a trim fellow, but not quite this trim by nature."

As though he's not at all bothered by what he went through. Besides, he does still have a few pounds to put back on before he no longer makes anyone uncomfortable in the baths.

"Anyhow, I don't recommend the experience. But I do recommend the thin sliced meat."

[wasalmostdaphne]

"I don't think anyone would." Bay offers as she just- processes the information. Her concern is more academic than it is personal right now, he isn't acting bothered so she's not registering to be bothered. "Wait so that sort of thing happens here?"

Bay is very new, and has very little to go off of about this place but what she can read in the books and body language of its citizens. She'd gathered something had happened but she couldn't get an answer to what.

general;

[malicieux]

Lestat, in his boredom, is glad for the new arrivals if only because it means there will be a little get together. It's not the full lavish parties he prefers, but it's something, and he's been slacking on making acquaintances.

Or keeping up with the few he has, because it's not until he sees Mat that he considers it's been a while that their paths have truly crossed.

"Bonsoir, my friend."

[a_better_man]

"Ah, good to see you!"

Considering Mat had been kidnapped, lost in the woods, in hospital and then sulking for weeks, it's been a while. Being social really hadn't been at the forefront of his mind, for far too many reasons to list.

He's still not quite back to normal, still a bit too gaunt and still waking with stiffness and soreness that hadn't been there before. But overall he seems his usual self. And it is good to see Lestat. He doesn't know the fellow very well, but he's enjoyed what time they've spent chatting.

"Hope you've been settling in alright, s'been a mile since we said hallo. But I am pleased to report my time as an invalid has passed! As soon as I've caught back up on all my lessons, I will be a social whirlwind once more. Not much can keep Matrim Cauthon down."

[malicieux]

"I'll admit my time seems to have been more pleasant than yours since we last spoke."

He says it, at least, with a look that might be considered sympathetic. It's the only fact that he likes Mat that keeps it somewhat sincere rather than simply a pleasantry.

nikolai lantsov — grishaverse — the fool

[parce]

01. BANQUET

[ Most of the time, he would be in the thick of things, meeting people, charming them, gleaning information while making those connections but he's biding his time.

And he's enjoying the refreshments. He's picked up a drink of something sweet, something amber colored and he's been leaning against the wall down at the end of the table, taking in all the specifics of the people that go to and fro.

Some of the people he knows already, having met them briefly, and some of them he makes a mental note to meet later because they look interesting or he overhears a conversation that makes him want to know more.

But, he waits. And he gets another glass of whatever this is to drink, nodding pleasantly as people pass him by, ignoring him like he's just some simple newcomer and not who he actually. ]

02. MEDITATION

[ Nikolai doesn't actively participate in the meditation but he's close enough by to listen, to watch. He doesn't really want to sit down and find his inner peace but again, he wants to know more and he wants to know the people.

The person leading the whole thing seems like he's been here for awhile and Nikolai watches him for a few moments before his eyes slide over the rest of the people who are trying to relax and connect with this Horizon thing that's been talked about.

That's something he's going to have to look into. He's been told that he could be magical, make magical things and the Horizon seems to lead to that.

So, even though his participation is more observer than anything, he's listening because he wants to know how to get into this place as soon as possible. ]

03. WILDCARD

[ If you're looking for something else, please feel free to drop it on me. ]

banquet;

[seaandsun]

[ Galadriel does make a point to attend these meetings, especially since it is often when she can note the newer additions to their ranks and have a better sense of precisely who she might benefit from making the acquaintance of. It is important for her to establish other allies apart from Elrond, even if he remains her oldest and closest friend, but for the moment she also remains at the fringes of the room, taking in the sights around her.

It does not take long for her to notice that she is not the only one who has adopted that strategy, and ultimately it is Galadriel who approaches him first rather than wait for him to do so.

He is significantly taller than she is, but young in that way she can immediately identify amongst humans — though not quite as young as someone like Wilhelm, but certainly one who has needed to shoulder burdens much earlier than most. There is no hiding that, at least, behind the cursory glances he affords the rest of the ballroom. ]

You have only just arrived. [ A statement, by way of introduction. ]

[parce]

Have I?

[ He makes no move to confirm nor deny what she says. He straightens up, glancing over at her and taking her in. His eyes linger on her face, trying to commit it to memory before his attention goes back to the crowd. ]

What makes you say that? Is there a tell for those that have just arrived?

banquet;

[pendejadas]

{ after some time and making the rounds around the ballroom, he considers finding his own little corner to breath. he's been mostly trying to talk to the natives of throne, if he can catch their eye. if there is something he learned in his time in court, it was the people who had the perspective. he considered starting there. eliot only managed to get them tipsy by haggling into mixing alcohol that could be green goo for all he knew.

from the corner of his eye he does catch sight of nikolai. he's certainly easy to spot, or at least stands out in his own golden manner. after their brief conversation at the library, it has left enough of an impression. eliot approaches with a long stride forward, a drink in hand as he leans against the wall and looks over with an easeful expression. }

I'll have to call you Baby if you keep tucking yourself into corners. You don't seem like the shy sort.

[parce]

Well, while I have been called quite a lot of names in my life, that would be a first to me.

[ He's not sure if he really looks or feels like a Baby but to each his own. He'd answer to it if it came to that. Straightening, he turns his attention towards Eliot instead of the other people. ]

I could be the shy sort.

[ But he's not. He laughs, shrugs a shoulder. ]

I'm just taking it all in. Observing, if you will. I wouldn't want to make some unfortunate faux pas.

[pendejadas]

Now I'm tempted to ask what other names or titles you may hold. Unless you'll have me guessing.

{ eliot can appreciate a little challenge every so often, and he has nothing better to do. his eyebrows do raise in a way that say he'll give the belief at the proclaimed possible shyness, although he senses it might be opposing. he can sometimes get a read on people.

for the most part. }

Have you explored the castle yet?