abraxaslogs | · CLOSED ·

[given her standing in the commune, wanda shouldn't be surprised that her request to meet a member of the council would be approved. it still feels a little intimidating, regardless, almost like she's stepping into a world that she is just a guest to.

still—winifred bordeaux is a familiar figure, and one could say she looks like a kindly old woman. someone from the commune had come to her after she had made the trip from the treehouse to the primary settlement, told her that winifred would welcome her in for a talk.

and so, wanda makes her way further into the settlement.]

Winifred, [wanda calls—never quite one for formal titles—standing by the door of the council head's home.] it's Wanda. I was told I could come see you now.

[ Being the leader of the Council means that there are a myriad of responsibilities she must see to, especially when it regards the Primary Settlement. Everyone's development and prosperity are important to a healthy community. The Summoned have become an integral part of that and Winifred is pleased to be able to grant an audience with any of them- especially Wanda who is a gifted leader.

Winifred's home is modest- a small cottage with a front garden filled with flowers. When she opens the door to invite Wanda in, she'll be able to see that the walls are filled with books and the smell of fresh bread wafts from the kitchen. ]

Yes, of course. Welcome, my dear. I've set us up in the kitchen with a bit of coffee. After such formal meetings, it's nice to have a bit of informality.

[part of her feels a little guilty, getting a waft from the fresh bread, that she may have otherwise intruded on one of winifred's few free moments amidst her busy schedule.

but, perhaps, she is also the type of woman who is unused to having a moment to spare entirely to leisure. the greeting itself is kind, showing no annoyance, and that spurs wanda to step inside the modest home. she even offers winifred a small smile when claiming that this is respite from formal meetings.]

Are there really that many meetings to attend to? [it's said lightly.] I noticed that the Araussen's aren't fighting the Briem's about the baby goats anymore.

[likely a figure of authority intervened?]

[ Busy, yes, but never too busy to speak to those who wish to better the community. Especially someone as gifted as Wanda who has formed a bond with one of the Old Gods. Before the Summoned arrived, they could only hope to be so lucky that their people would have the same sort of bond. Perhaps it was their arrival that helped draw the Gods out. Winifred waves her hand, dismissing the notion that she might have had something to do with the baby goats. Though the wink she throws at Wanda says everything she needs. ]

Not meetings so much as my other duties. I can't help but see how our students are doing or how the market is faring, I'm sure you will forgive an old woman her habits, hmm?

[ Serving them both coffee, Winifred takes her seat. ]

The goats have a tendency to sort themselves out, but I take it your visit wasn't for a bit of small talk over pastry.

[wanda wishes her visit could, in fact, be small talk over pastries and coffee. winifred, a notable figure of authority as she may be, reminds wanda of when things were a lot simpler back in sokovia—of older women holding up their community with wise words and kind acts.

sitting down herself, too, wanda grabs her cup of coffee—]

I wanted to ask you about Soris Immaneus.

[—and takes a short sip after blowing on it.]

She has a shrine, doesn't she?

[ Winifred considers Wanda's intention with a hum as she takes a measured sip of her own coffee. ]

I imagine that she does, yes. Most of our Old Gods have shrines of their own, though many have fallen into disrepair or have become lost.

[ She had anticipated that Wanda may come to ask questions considering her dedication to Soris Immaneus. It's a natural conclusion to make when Winifred converses with the Gods on numerous occasions. ]

[and those few words are enough to tell wanda that it is likely that soris immaneus’s shrine may very well have fallen into disrepair. it’s just a matter of finding it, then.]

If it’s not been looked after, then I can work on amending that. [it is clear, then, about her intent—] I wish to strengthen my pact with her. There are many things in Abraxas that I don’t understand, but this power—this bond—I want to understand it better.

[and what better way to do it but to commune more significantly with this old god? as much as others might be against it, as much as others have expressed their worries about her ‘getting in too deep’ with this.]

[ She nods along to what Wanda suggests, looking more for permission than advice. It is difficult at first to know how to listen when a God speaks to you, but the deeper the bond goes, the easier it can get to interpret. As much as any mortal can hope to interpret words far more powerful than them. ]

The Gods speak to us in different ways, listen to your gut- she may be speaking to you already, you just have to decipher the message.

[listen to her gut.

wanda has often had the worst case scenario happen because she's listened to her gut. she remains quiet, turning her gaze downward. and then there's the connection she had with the darkhold, with chthon, and her role as the scarlet witch—how does she differentiate one from the other?

she's quiet a while, aware that winifred might be expecting her to say something. finally, she takes a sip from her cup.]

Even if she seems to accept my magic as an offering, are there specifics — [she pauses, and tries again] are there elements that she is bound to? Like Nikodemus had been with illusions, and others being more in touch with nature. Is — Soris Immaneus, her realm, is it death and ['listen to your gut'; a guess, then,] renewal, in a sense?

[ Winifred understands that Wanda may need to work things out for herself, so she is content to drink her coffee as the young woman thinks things over. The Gods ask a lot of those who can listen, so it is not always and easy task to figure out what it means.

She also gets the impression that there are certain facets of Wanda's previous life that are weighing her down. As it is with all Summoned- just one more burden for them to bear.

Instead of giving Wanda a direct answer, she hums and gives the witch across from her a knowing look. ]

In a manner of speaking, yes. But I'm sure you could feel that much from your connection, hmm?

[it seems that what wanda had been looking for was a reassurance of sorts, already knowing the answer. there’s a light smile from her part, nodding at winifred’s answer.]

I think that gives me a start.

[said smile fades, glancing up at the older woman.]

Winifred— about the founder of Solvunn. I heard he was originally from Thorne?

[ It can be difficult navigating the Gods, especially for someone like Wanda who is used to a different shade of magic. She's adapted so well since they summoned her, it's hard not to see the adoration of their residents. ]

Yes, that much is true. Like many of Solvunn's founders, he didn't agree with Thorne's way of life or their views. I'm sure Thorne will say he was banished, but we know the truth is something less extreme. It was to our benefit in the end. We try to uphold to our founders visions for this community as well as what the Gods have in store for us.

You mean that he decided to leave, then.

[not banished—even if surely that would have been something that thorne could have set down as what happened as it was happening.]

Along with others? [it makes sense, considering how solvunn’s ‘government’ is put together, that the founding of it was something that came about in a collaborative way. which brings her to wonder…] I can imagine that many of the first to settle in Solvunn were from other nations—from Thorne. Was there already a community in this land, though? I can’t help but notice the similarities between Solvunn and Luna’s traditions.

[a beat—]

What is… the ultimate vision for this community, in the end? How can we help Solvunn get there, as Summoned?

[ Winifred shrugs. ]

They may have pushed him out the door, but it was always his intention to find somewhere better. Make somewhere better. I believe that if he could step into Solvunn and see what we've become, he would be at peace.

Oh, well that's one of the reasons we're so close with the Luna. One of the founding families ended up there. They still follow tradition and visit us twice a year. Perhaps you can introduce yourself next time the festivities call for their return.

[ Winifred taps on her chin, thinking about how to answer the question. It's a good one, and it warms her heart to hear that Wanda would like to help see to their perfect vision. ]

This community has blossomed since the arrival of the Summoned and we are so proud that the Gods have blessed us with your presence. Unfortunately, we can't be the shining beacon that the founders wished us to be whilst the other nations continue on the way that they do. They believe the Singularity should be destroyed or used when it should be left as one might leave the highest peak of a mountain-- with respect and let it be.

[huh, so he always wished to leave? wanda wonders if kyle, being really interested in this, could look into not so much the history of the high mages, but of the royal line in thorne—how they ruled, how that affected how the kingdom is, now.

something to tuck away for later.]

They’re still around? [perhaps that much should be unsurprising.] I’d be happy to meet them. Do they have a position of power in Luna? Things seems pretty stable over there.

[which would only say good things about a solvunn founding family being the ones in charge.

as for her answer…]

Would the founders wish for Solvunn to do something about the other nations? The conflict between Thorne and the Cities is already pretty destructive between themselves. [she frowns—why did the high mage choose a place far from the singularity, though?] I’ve heard worries from other Summoned about that conflict inching closer to these lands.

[though they have the power of the old gods and high magic, wanda knows how destructive weapons and technology can be, as well as the insidious strategies of war.]

Oh yes, of course! We still have a very good rapport with them and they are always welcome in our community. Those who forget their ancestry and tradition are doomed to be disgraced by the Gods.

I'm certain they provide something to Luna, though it may not look like what we imagine.

[ The most important point to them will always be that they share blood. Winifred looks pensively into her mug, a manicured finger tapping gently on its handle. ]

I believe in my heart that while they would want to do something about the other nations, protecting our people would be a more noble endeavor to them. We will do what we must, but we are nothing without our citizens.

[wanda does wonder about that, but it's not exactly her place. should she meet those founders, maybe she'll get to ask about it—but good rapport with them (and, consequently, luna) is always a good sign of reasonable governance.

at least that's something wanda wants to believe.

with more relief in her heart at the words shared regarding what is solvunn's commitment—of protecting their people as a noble endeavor—she feels right in sharing,]

The country I was born in was afflicted with war for most of my life. I lost all my family to it. [a light nod] It makes me feel better knowing that Solvunn's Council worries about its people, where my country's government didn't.

[in a way, she is also situating where she is more likely to rest her favor for.]

Avoiding the troubles of war would be my priority, too. And, after Josselyn? Please let us know if there's anything we can do to avoid future internal conflict, too.

Edited 2023-10-18 21:38 (UTC)

[ Winifred's expression is troubled as Wanda shares information about her life away from Abraxas, and the older woman can't help but reach out to give her hand a gentle squeeze of reassurance. It's the caretaker in her. ]

We're very glad you're here, Wanda. I am sorry for what you've been through, but if we have any power and if the Gods truly favor us, we will do what we can to avoid a conflict. What good is a place without its people?

[ Her expression shifts to its normal demeanor, taking on a sharper gaze. Josselyn makes her blood positively boil for what she'd done. Who was she to think she knew what the Gods wanted? Her own lust for faulty knowledge had been her own undoing, truly. ]

Thank the Gods for giving her judgment. While we don't want to circumvent the will of the people, their last was a poor one. We will do better in choosing our leaders.

[it's an appreciated gesture, and it only makes wanda grow fonder of the commune. the figures of authority are still figures of authority, but there's something to be said of how approachable they can be.

a small nod, an appreciative smile— and they're moving along.]

Is there someone in mind for the position in the Tertiary Settlement? [wanda takes another sip of her cup of coffee, finds herself having finished it.] Are we close to elections being held?

Elections aren't for some time, I'm afraid. I'm reluctant to leave a vacant spot on the Council should conflict arise, but Rowan and I are looking at options while Isar takes the open spot for the interim.

[ Winifred pulls her hand back to lace her fingers together on the table's surface. ]

How are things going with the Summoned Conclave?

[that’s fair—and wanda thinks that isar is a good choice for leadership while things get settled. it’s the question that draws wanda back, and she glances up at winifred.]

It’s … Well, there’s still a lot of unanswered questions about the island where those who had been kidnapped were taken to. [it makes sense for the factions to be interested in what the summoned of the different nations discuss with one another.] We are hoping we can bring into consideration returning there.

[with the council’s approval, of course. wanda hesitates for a moment, before adding,]

I think it’d bring closure to some who were stuck here. [hm] There were shrines there. We’d like to explore that, too.

[ Winifred nods along in understanding, pausing to give the topic an appropriate amount of consideration. It's not anything that the Council has addressed, considering the matter closed, but she can see how the Summoned might not be done with it just yet. ]

I will discuss it with my colleagues. We just don't want to reopen unnecessary wounds so soon, I'm sure you understand.

[ She stops to take a sip of coffee, to focus on how she wants her message to come across. Winifred isn't unsympathetic to what they're going through. ]

Bring it to a vote of majority. If all the Summoned agree, we will discuss it further.

[then, in the same way as winifred will discuss with her colleagues, wanda will bring this forth as a discussion to have with the other summoned. as for herself, she doesn't think that winifred is lacking in sympathy or trying to put a stop to this request.

wanda and the summoned aren't natives to this land, after all. there are other priorities that they might not be seeing.]

I will. [she taps at the wood of the table with her fingers, and then moves to stand.] Thank you for your time, Winifred. I appreciate your advice regarding Soris.

[as for now, she has plenty to think about and consolidate.]

· CLOSED ·

—winifred bordeaux /npc.

apologies for the delay!

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lmao sorry i got confused ??

oh gosh, didn't mean to be confusing :c

no worries! it was on me

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