abraxaslogs | [OPEN] being funny in a foreign language

[ The last time they met in person should have been such a happy thing--the Summoned of one nation visiting another! But the permission had only been granted out of need, really. Himeka didn't regret it, asking or having any of the Summoned who ventured forth from Thorne or the Free Cities. It was a rare opportunity and may have been part of what led to the eventual salvation of all their friends.

But she would have really liked to have shown Thancred (and Urianger and G'raha, for the short time he was here) what life in the Commune was like without the shadow of a crisis looming over them.

She is thankful that Nocwich remains open to them. They have been valuable allies from the start and the ability to see her friends at least once a moon in flesh and blood is an opportunity she doesn't waste.

When she sees Thancred in the Square, Himeka gains a pep in her step as she trots right over to her long-time colleague and friend. ]

For a man of mystery, you're very easy to spot!

[ It's quite true that Thancred's trip to Solvunn had been far from ideal, though he still cherishes the fact that he'd been able to see another faction with his own eyes. And not merely another faction, but the place that Himeka called home, at least in this world. There is no certainty that he'll receive such a chance again.

Either way, Nocwich is a blessing, and he makes a point of seeing Himeka each month if he can. That routine can resume now that they're not losing their minds searching for their stolen friends.

Urianger is... managing. It's still a work in process, with his insomnia a persistent problem that Thancred's doing his best to address. Mayhap he'll bring that up now, though he also doesn't wish to unduly worry Himeka.

When she approaches him he turns to her with an unbridled smile, then shakes his head with a scoff. ]

'Tis my choice to decide when I'm easy to spot and when I'm not, dear Himeka. How have you been?

[ They check in regularly, of course, though a message sent with one's mind is quite different from seeing and chatting with a friend in person. ]

[ Himeka hums at the excuse, even though it is exactly that--Thancred is a master at sinking unseen into the shadows whether he wears his bright white coat or not. It doesn't mean it's any less fun to poke at him, though. Lovingly as one may a brother. ]

Well enough! Which is more than we can ask for after all that's happened. And you?

[ She moves to stand beside him and very pointedly bumps her shoulder at his upper arm. It is good to see him. The Horizon is never the same as in person.

They had agreed to take a small break, get something to drink and eat, so she starts them off in the direction of the closest tavern as they chat. ]

[ "Well enough" isn't a particularly detailed answer, though Thancred suspects that they'll get deeper into the specifics once they've settled somewhere. Either way, he doesn't hesitate to lean against Himeka and give a brief bump back before they're off. ]

I suppose I can't complain. Thorne is Thorne. [ Does he need to explain any further than that? She'd been in the castle once herself, she'll know what he means. ] We've been granted the concession of being able to carry around a small weapon thanks to the newly established Conclave.

[ As far as he's aware, that is a faction-wide development. With that in mind, he raises an eyebrow at Himeka. ]

Have your representatives been finalized? Any motions passed?

[ >i>Thorne is Thorne. Really, it's because Thancred and Urianger there, two people who she knows well can handle their own, that she's spent a little less time worrying about Thorne being Thorne. Should anything go awry, they would be the first to jump on it.

Weapons, though? She looks up at him and her tail does a little pop behind her. ]

Really? They really must trust all their Summoned now. I take it you haven't told them what you can do with a knife?

[ It's a joke, clearly with the grin she's doing a terrible job at hiding. ]

Oh yes, we have goats.

[ She doesn't elaborate. ]

Not all. Those who are more newly Summoned or not known as well still won't be granted the option to arm themselves.

[ Thancred has had to straddle the line between making connections both in the Castle and Nott while also not becoming too recognizable, so as to still have the option to sneak about when the situation calls for it.

Granted, some bolstering of his ability to pass through places stealthily also helps. It's odd knowing that he likely owes the Singularity for that.

He waves off her joke with a scoff of his own, but the response Himeka gives is... lacking, to say the least. ]

You've always had goats.

[ He should know, he's been there now. ]

Oohh, hmmhmm. So everyone has to earn it through brownie points?

[ If brownie points were from actual brownies they would be much better to collect, if you ask her.

Still, it does seem like something of a step forward. There has to be a level of trust, but allowing people to arm themselves is a risk that she won't overlook. As much as Himeka says she's shite a politics, she's definitely absorbed enough along their adventures to get what tends to play and what doesn't. ]

These are big goats. They take us between Settlements, now. No more renting or walking all the way.

[ Yes, the Summoned in Solvunn have instantly solved Public Transportation. What is it that they can't do.

Himeka gets a little hop in her step when the tavern comes into view. ]

Not that I mind walking, but the Settlements are so far apart that it definitely helps cut down on the travel time.

[ Thancred nods, as "brownie points" more or less sums it up. If they undertake tasks for the Castle and prove themselves to be useful, they're permitted to openly carry a weapon around. To be honest, he has never needed to draw his weapon in the Castle, but he doesn't blame any of the Summoned for wanting that extra bit of security. ]

Like taking a chocobo carriage, then? [ That does sound useful, if portals aren't an option. Thancred prefers a more traditional sort of transportation, to be honest. The portals have never quite agreed with him, though he's used to them by now. ] That does sound useful. What is there to be found in the other settlements? If you wouldn't mind enlightening me.

[ There's the tavern. Thancred also picks up the pace at the sight of it, and as soon as they've step inside they're greeted warmly and escorted to a table. ]

[ That probably would have been the right way to put it, wouldn't it have been? Thancred is always so good at filling in the gaping holes in her explanations. ]

Yes, just like that.

[ Used to it, more likely than not. ]

Oh, the spaces between houses get larger and larger. The Secondary Settlement is really all big plots of farmland. The Territory Settlement, though... well it's a little run down and kind of clearly an afterthought. A lot of the "others" of Solvunn end up there.

[ She pauses to offer a nod to the tavern host in thanks as she plops down onto a wooden bench, curling her tail up next to her as soon as she sits. ]

It's part of why all of that mess with Josselyn Creed was so upsetting. Even before she took the Summoned, I'm fairly certain those people I had a vision of going missing were because of her... people that "no one would miss", you know?

[ Big plots of farmland sounds like portions of Nott, and then the Tertiary Settlement is simply to have a place to shove people who are considered "other," as Himeka calls it. Thancred almost clarifies what she means by that, wondering what would be "other" in a place like Solvunn, but then she elaborates.

People no one would miss.

Thancred heaves out a sigh and shakes his head slowly, drawing his arms up to rest on the wooden table. ]

There were people disappearing in a slow trickle around Thorne as well, but no one thought much of it. Everyone simply assumed it was something else, something they could brush off, until people of note started disappearing.

[ He's kicking himself for it, too. The murmurs of people vanishing had bothered him, but he hadn't looked into it as much as he should have, not until it became a larger issue.

A werewolf server drops by to take their order, and Thancred doesn't hesitate to get himself a pint of ale. ]

[ It's a tale they've heard before, isn't it? Those who are considered on the lowest rungs of society are always the first to suffer, the last to be thought of. That's an unfortunate universal truth. To hear that similar things had been happening around Thorne isn't surprising, but it is no less disappointing.

Himeka's head hangs in acknowledgment, looking up again only when their drinks are delivered. She gives a nod and a light smile to their server as she pulls the tankard closer to her. ]

Some things never change, do they?

[ Turning her smile to Thancred, it does grow a little fonder. ]

Which is also why you can't blame yourself for it.

[ Yeah, she knows what you were thinking, buddy. ]

I could counter that by saying that if anything, that means I should have seen it coming, but...

[ This is a conversation they've had in various forms over the years, all the way back to when they first met. Thancred would always take the blame for aught that went wrong, and Himeka would try to talk him through it.

He doesn't want to put her through that again. They've both been through enough hardships by now, yet still come out the other end. ]

I take your point.

[ He holds his drink up to her, for a brief cheers. ]

Let's be less dour, then, shall we? Tell me about your new place. The... treehouse, was it?

[ The truth is that no matter how much they accomplish, no matter where they go, someone always slips through the cracks. Either they were too late or too early to catch something...and they can't control what they couldn't see or anticipate. It's never an easy pill to swallow, but is the reality.

And it cannot deter them from doing what they need to do besides.

For those we have lost, for those we can yet save.

She offers a small smile returns the toast, taking the moment to drink from her stein first. ]

Mhm!

[ That definitely gets a happy flick of her tail. ]

They gave us leave to choose our own place by the Black Lakes, so we decided to try and build up around one of the largest trees there. Not just Wand and Nero and myself but so many people came to help...locals and Summoned! It was really nice to see everyone coming together. And for us of all people.

[ The philosophy instilled in not just Thancred but the rest of the Scions by Louisoix will not be set aside or forgotten. It's what's allowed Thancred to carry on even through some of the darkest moments. That, and the brightness that Himeka seems to take with her wherever she goes, simply by existing there.

It's for that reason that Thancred isn't at all surprised to hear that she had a whole group of people willing to help with the treehouse, turning it from just a large tree into an actual home. ]

Surely that can't surprise you by this point. It was the same back home. Touch enough lives with your kindness, and the favor will be returned when you need it most.

[ He lifts his drink up to his mouth, disrupting the smile that had formed there as he listened to Himeka's story. Certainly a better subject of conversation. ]

The Black Lakes, you say. What are they like?

[ It's not as if he had much time to explore and see the sights while there — unfortunately. ]

[OPEN] being funny in a foreign language

[CLOSED] Thancred

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