abraxaslogs | [open] Autumn Catch-All Post

Lord John Grey considers his Horizon domain something of a home away from home. That is how he understood the assignment of the construction of the place to be, anyway. Visiting Claire at her own space -- a reconstruction of Lallybroch, her husband Jamie's ancestral home in Scotland -- John had found himself wondering where he would be most comforted to return to, in a place like this.

And so John had recreated himself The Beefsteak. Or, the Society for the Appreciation of the English Beefsteak. A gentleman's club. His club, if you are to be particular. That is, he is technically also a member of White's. But his grandfather had enrolled him as a member of the Beefsteak on the day he was born, and -- even when he had no home to call his own, John knew he would always have a hot meal and a room to come back to at the Beefsteak.

The domain itself is open to visitors to cross into, at least externally. Lord John's domain appears as a stretch of the cobbled streets of Mayfair, a quiet park for promenading -- or as in John's case, riding your horse -- sitting just across the way. The facade of the Beefsteak stands, tucked amongst other faceless buildings among the little piece of road. As with the Beefsteak itself, one needs the permission of a club member -- John, as he is the only member present -- to enter the club itself. Fortunately, it does not take much to earn yourself an invitation, and John is happier to have the company than he cares about the Club Rules these days.

Taken most recently to organizing books in the library, riding his horse Karolus around in the gardens, or sometimes choosing instead to take a more leisurely stroll with his dog Gustav, John is more than happy to be interrupted from his thoughts, should any guests happen to knock or pass through and join him in the gardens...

Kelson had only just started exploring the Horizon, coming across various structure he'd never seen. It seemed rude to pop in, so Kelson settled for a knock, rapping his knuckles on the door. It wasn't his space, and in the event whoever this belonged too was in and simply wanting the peace and quiet of home, he would depart. From an architectural standpoint, it was an interesting building however. He stood back a few feet to admire the work of the facade, the wear of the cobbled streets, and wondered what kind of person this belonged too. Who called this home.

He had been trying to get a feel for the Horizon as he walked, to not only learn what was in here and what it said about the Summoned, but what he might create. What might make him feel less alone, and in the case of other, what made them feel less alone in this foreign world.

"I don't mean to intrude. What is this building?"

John has been... Ruminating. That would be perhaps the best way to describe it. He cannot say that much has happened, these past few weeks, and yet. Enough has done that he finds the need to retreat to the Beefsteak and its quiet comforts every now and again to attempt to collect his thoughts, and in a larger part, himself. Conversations with Claire rattle around in his brain, and now this new ability...

A knock breaks him from his spiraling and he pushes himself to stand, crossing through the halls to answer the door -- there is no staff to do it for him as there might have been at the Beefsteak proper. Gustav trots merrily along behind him, and real or not, John is secretly glad for the ridiculous little dog's company.

Opening the door, John offers the younger man a welcoming smile.

"Ah, not at all," John says. "Welcome to London -- and to the Beefsteak." He offers a somewhat crooked smile as he elaborates, "My club."

"Your club?" Kelson repeated, not quite comprehending. It was a building. Not a weapon. Clearly there was some kind of culture or language issue. Obviously. Also. Beefsteak. London. Was the building called London or the Beefsteak? Yes. Kelson was very, very, very confused. As politely as he could, he took a breath and tried not to look utterly and completely flabbergasted.

"I don't comprehend. It's a....lovely building?" That is what they were talking about, right? The building? Not the weapon or food? He bent down to offer a hand to the dog and say hi to it, giving the older man a smile.

"Apologies, I don't mean to just barge in with questions, especially if you were enjoying some time alone in a familiar atmosphere." Kelson had yet to solidify anything himself, and had taken to just wandering around and visiting others.

((ooc: sorry for the delay but i am LOOKING FORWARD to growing their cr so that lord john can parent him lmao))

Lord John tries not to be too visibly amused at the young man's confusion, although it's refreshing that for a change it is not he himself who is lost or confused.

"Not at all," he reassures gently. "A club is... A private association of gentlemen. Men of good standing, such as myself. There are many, where I am from, and in truth I am a member of several. Although The Beefsteak has always been my favorite."

He offers the younger man a gentler smile before opening the door wider and stepping aside to allow better access to the hallway beyond. "Please. Come inside. I will not bore you with a tour if that is not to your fancy, but there are more comfortable places to linger than the threshold."

(no worries! Life is nuts! I am totally looking forward to them though too!)

Kelson honestly still thought the name was a little weird, but, he supposed there were those who thought his name was weird. So, to each their own. And to be clear, he wasn't entirely sure what a club was still, or what gentlemen of good standing did in it, but, he went with it. Sure John. Okay.

He stepped in side as the door opened wider and the man ushered him inside. He stepped over the threshold, nodding his appreciation. "Thank you. What is it you do here? It just, reminds you of home?" Kelson was still getting used to the idea of the horizon.

Lord John offers the younger man a soft smile, tipping his head from side to side as if to indicate that the answer is yes and no.

"I have a family home, in London," John says. "And one in Virginia, and in Philadelphia. But The Beefsteak is a refuge. It has and always will always be somewhere that welcomes me with a warm meal and a soft bed, with no questions asked and no explanations required."

His expression saddens, slightly. "I love my family dearly, but -- coming home from the battlefront, there are times when this place has been a blessing."

"I assume those places are rather far away from each other. So you chose the Beefsteak. I can appreciate that, some place accepting and welcoming." Kelson wondered about the quiet judgements, did this place also come with no judgements or were those whispered in the dark?

The revalation about coming home from the battlefront came as a bit of a surprise for Kelson. He honestly hadn't figured this man as a warrior. Then again, he supposed he didn't probably seem like a king. Assumptions and all that.

"You're a soldier?"

Lord John offers the flicker of a smile at the note of incredulity that sneaks into the question. It's alright, he can't blame the young man for his surprise. He supposes it must be somewhat shocking. He is not a particularly large or imposing man; outside of the battlefield, he's generally mild-mannered. He can understand the surprise. Still...

He offers a small nod.

"I am," he agrees. "I purchased a commission in my brother's regiment when I was sixteen, and I've had it ever since. My father was in the army before me -- one might say I was born into it."

It was true John defied what Kelson would have normally looked for in a soldier. Even his General and Champion Duke Alaric Morgan, while polished, had a certain edge to him, even while relaxed. Which, Kelson thought was probably because the man didn't ever really relax. That....was probably his fault?

"Like a calling or inheritance? I think a few people could understand that. Do you enjoy it?" It was something people had been asking him since he got here. Was he king because he felt he had to? or because he wanted to do it?

John can imagine that there would be many questions for Kelson around his position as king. Especially for those who might not understand the idea of being born into a title. Assuming Kelson had been born into it, that is.

He tilts his head to the side, considering the question for a moment, before he answers honestly.

"I have never known anything else," he says. "I have half-siblings who have made themselves a life elsewhere, but. My brother Hal and I, I suppose we always knew that we would follow in our father's footsteps. I do not regret it, if that is what you ask. In truth, I cannot imagine what my life would be otherwise. The army has given me... Purpose." He flicks the younger man the twist of a smile. "In truth, I find myself missing it, here in Abraxas."

Kelson found himself smiling. It felt easy to talk to John now, that they had somewhat of an understanding? A found common thread. "I do understand, I've felt the same thing. Like I'm not sure who I am or what to do without it. I had someone here ask me if I was even happy back home....I honestly don't think that factors into it? It was purpose."

And dammit he was good at it. What was he good at here, now? Nothing. He didn't have enough influence to make changes, and the only other alternatives he could think of was assassinate the entire royal family in Thorne. Not great options.

"I don't suppose you've found a good alternative to keep busy?"

Lord John offers the young man a somewhat rueful smile.

“I am… Working on finding myself a place here,” he replies. “But for better or worse that is still something of a work in progress. I must tell myself that these things do take time though. I am creating a second life for myself when I am very content with the life I have back at home.”

He shakes his head. “I think perhaps that is my biggest struggle of all in this. The one I am holding against myself.”

"I guess that's the real problem isn't it? We don't want to be here. I don't want to be here. And you're right, we are creating a second life for ourselves in a place and circumstances that are beyond normalcy."

Kelson liked John. He was articulate, he voiced the concerns Kelson had felt well, gave voice to the struggle. "I don't want to move on. I want to go home." Wow he felt like a child.

Lord John's smile softens. The boy across from him is young. At least John himself has lived his life. It is his son he is worried for, who he wishes to return to. The state of the conflict he has left behind. The Frasers -- even though Claire is here with him now, her future self and their family remain perilously in the line of fire.

"I think," John says, after a moment's consideration, "it is best not to consider it in terms of moving on. Our lives still exist, where we have been pulled from. But equally, we are here. And we must find some way of passing our time while we are."

"You are right of course." And Kelson needed to have a better reaction than 'but I don't want too.' But Kelson had to adapt to his role as king from a very young age, and hadn't been given the time to explore who and what he was on his own, prior to this. Now it was such a cemented part of his being, he was having trouble.

"I've had to do things I don't want all my life, I suppose this isn't any different. How are you biding your time?"

Adora is fascinated with the Horizon, more so because she finds herself visiting the Singularity over and over again, than because she feels the need to be inside her own domain. But sometimes she likes to walk around, too, which is how she comes along something that looks like a huge museum sort of building. One that Bow's dads would probably really love. So, she finds herself pulled in, and she makes her way up the steps.

At the sound of a dog barking, Adora makes her way around the side of the building and smiles widely when she realizes she knows who the owner of the domain is.

"Lord John! Is this all yours?" she asks, realizing it definitely isn't a museum, but a house or something sort of like it.

Lord John raises a hand in greeting to Adora as she calls out to him. His domain is still fairly newly constructed, and therefore he does not have very many regular visitors. He has left the borders open for guests, however, welcoming them here as much as he would if he were back home.

"Good afternoon!" Lord John greets her, striding up the walk her way. Gustav trots along merrily beside him, letting out a short bark -- his own form of greeting. "Welcome to London. In a manner of speaking."

He offers a crooked smile, turning to glance up at the building in question for a moment before he asks, bashfully, "I do not suppose you have clubs, where you are from...?"

She's automatically making heart eyes at Gustav, John has become secondary. She wants to pet the animals she's literally never seen before, so badly that she's almost bouncing on her toes. But still, she manages to contain herself. Barely.

"I'm not from a planet anyone has heard of called Etheria. There, a club is a good weapon if you can't find anything else. But not something I would go for, I'd rather punch someone." She can't help it anymore and finally looks at Gustav again.

"What is that?"

She's asking a lot of questions, but there's a lot to know and she makes no apologies.

Lord John glances down toward the dog, who unashamedly wiggles at Adora in return.

"Ah," he says, a smile tugging at his lips in reply to the question. "This is Gustav. My dog. He is a special breed from Prussia, gifted to me by a dear friend of mine, designed to hunt badgers, however..."

Gustav dances happily in place, waiting for someone to pay him further attention.

"He is just as happy to spend his life like this, as a companion here in the city."

Adora can't stand it anymore, she has to drop to her knees and she immediately reaches out. She has no idea what a dog is, but she does exactly what any animal lover would do and immediately makes friends with Gustav. Her voice goes up to a higher pitch, and John has disappeared completely. Prussia, badgers, none of that makes sense to her, but she has a new soulmate. Somewhere in there, she asks Gustav if he can talk (obviously he can't fly, there are no wings), and when she gets no answer, she tells him it's okay, she'll talk to him anyway.

It's only when she finally stops laughing, the sound dying down like a quiet tinkle that she looks up and sees Lord John again. Blushing furiously, she clears her throat and stands again.

"So, a dog you called him? Are all dogs like this one, or are there different kinds, like with horses?"

Gustav is happy to be greeted in such a way, wagging his tail at her in such a way that his whole body joins in on the wiggle, reaching forward to lick the hand that is offered to pet him as she approaches. If her face comes close enough to the ground and his reach, she will definitely get licked as well.

John stands by and watches the interaction with a fond smile on his face, both for the dog and for the simple joy that the young woman seems to have for the creature. It's okay, Adora. He loves Gustav just as much himself.

"A dog, yes. A dackel, or dachshund, depending on who you ask," Lord John confirms. "And no, this one is... Quite unique, as far as dogs are concerned." He pauses, cocking his head to the side before hesitating to ask, "Have you... Never encountered a dog before, my dear?"

Shaking her head, she keeps one hand down so she can keep rubbing Gustav behind the ears.

"We don't have an animal like this on my planet that I've ever seen. Horses, yes. Dogs, apparently no." But they make her very happy apparently, and now she wants one. It would look exactly like Gustav though, because it's the only one she's ever seen.

"I have a talking, flying unicorn, though."

John does his best to keep his surprise at that -- a talking, flying unicorn... -- of of his face. He has seen some strange things even here in this place, and if she says they have it in her world, then it must be true. Even so...

"Well," he says, doing his best. "Gustav here is somewhat less -- dog-shaped than others. But he is still a loyal friend."

He flicks the girl a smile. "Do you like animals? We might go to the back of the house to visit with Karolus, my horse, if you are interested?"

"I love animals, all animals. I miss Swift Wind so much. But...wait, could I make him here?"

No one told her she could make animals, and it's only now that it's clicking into place that obviously John's dog is in the Horizon so he must not be real real.

"And yes please! There's no such thing as a horse I don't want to meet." Ever since she saw her first three years ago, she's been obsessed. "Where I lived most of my life, there wasn't anything alive. No plants, no animals. We lived inside a crashed ship. The space kind, not the ocean kind."

John has no idea who Swift Wind is but he has a feeling this might be the unicorn creature she spoke of.

As to the rest of it -- no he's not going to ask.

"I am... Still not certain I understand the Horizon myself," he admits. "However it is my understanding that it -- appreciates your creativity. The more you customize your domain, the better. I am not sure where, in truth, the boundaries of that creativity lie. But I was able to recreate Gustav and Karolus, so..."

He offers her something of a shrug, before gesturing toward the back of the house.

"Come," he says. "The stables are this way."

Edited 2023-10-28 17:05 (UTC)

[open] Autumn Catch-All Post

Horizon; Open To All

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MY APOLOGIES for the wait, my brain went on hiatus

No worries! <3

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