• OPEN •

[carmesi]

WHO: anyone and everyone in solvunn
WHAT: mingle for the summoned, particularly the new people
WHEN: a day or two after the new summoned arrive
WHERE: in aloy's homestead—crossing some wilderness but close to the primary settlement
WARNING: TBA

A. THE JOURNEY THERE

The invitation to Aloy’s homestead is made shortly after the newly Summoned find their bearings within the Primary Settlement. Aloy begrudgingly agrees to it, but seeing as how their group has grown within Solvunn—it probably is for the best to be a little more open to the presence of others. Much like with the treehouse by the lakes, it’s good to know of another place further away from the settlements where the Summoned might feel comfortable enough to traverse into.

That is not to say that the homestead is very friendly to strangers, though. Aloy has set up tripwires, disguised pitfalls, snare traps, and other devices in the surrounding area, creating thus a challenging attempt for anyone who wants to travel there by themselves. Additionally, a way to avoid most of that (read: not all; consider it a bonus for getting close to the homestead) is to go through the arboreal parkour course that has been set up. A network of catwalks, platforms, and balancing ropes to traverse the woods. Reaching Aloy’s truly is a test of guts and skill. 


(Alternatively, travel with Wanda or Himeka—the path clears up for them. For the ballsy, follow Nero and Rocket; surely they aren’t scheming anything…)

And, past all of that, the woods will open up to a tall, spiky fence, about eight feet tall, and the gate will lead towards the homestead proper.

B. HOME SWEET HOMESTEAD

The seasons are turning, and while Solvunn doesn’t suffer from incredibly cold winters, there is definitely a chill in the air. Storm clouds in the distance by the coast rupture with booming thunder, bringing down the temperature quite significantly. It makes the bonfire burning outside a welcome source of warmth. Despite the threat of rain, there’s a strong chance the skies will clear up, as the wind picks up.

Within, Aloy’s homestead boasts the woman’s survival and technical skills. Making the most of her resources, there are meats hanging to dry, chopped wood on the side of the house, and animal skins splayed out that will most likely need to be stored at some point. The inside of the homestead is a simple affair, but for someone who isn’t in the business of receiving guests, it’s decent enough.

For today, the space—inside and outside—has a few extra wooden chairs and tables, picnic style, and they’re decorated with an assortment of food: recently harvested apples from the orchard, berries, roasted mushrooms and acorns, and more complex dishes thanks to Himeka’s arduous work in the kitchen the day before. At one point, a giant stew will cook over the bonfire, with meats and veggies, with bowls to the side for anyone to take their fill. Additionally, there will be grilled fish, flat breads, baked cabbage with lentils and, for those with a sweet tooth, apple pie. Wanda will also be sharing sarmale, a pot of goulash, spinach and cheese pastry—gibanica, and a table of assortments to build their own burgers. Additionally, there will also be apple cake and mandelbrot cookies. All in all? No one’s going hungry at the homestead.

But, worry not, all that food needs to go down with something. Barrels of mead and ale will be available for all to drink. For those who don’t want anything alcoholic, there is apple (and other fruit) juice available.

Make merry and mingle, new faces and old faces alike.

And, of course, please take one of the pamphlets.

C. THE STORM THAT IS APPROACHING

Lightning strikes, and almost immediately the boom of thunder brings an eerie quiet to the homestead and the forest past its fences. There’s the awkward laugh the tries to break the silence, shaking the jitters away. Some are quicker than others in mobilizing, perhaps feeling the pinprick of raindrops that others don’t, and start moving what they can salvage from the food and miscellaneous items into the cabin. Some may choose to spare themselves of the rain, pushing the way inside or hiding under the roof’s awning at either side of the cabin; others may be entirely unbothered by the rain, as heavy drops fall fast from the darkened skies.

More thunder rumbles in the distance, roiling ever closer from the mountains in Thorne’s southern border.

A few Summoned might notice it first, that it isn’t really the rumbling of thunder that shakes the muddled earth. The grunts of approaching beasts are mixed with the sound of hooves drumming up in rhythm of an uninvited approach. Birds fly away in flocks as the mammoth boars make their way through the forest, inadvertently towards the homestead.

They are due their mating season, and traveling to the wintry mountains of Thorne has been delayed by the appearance of the beasts in the rifts, the journey now a toll on the boars as the continuous lighting and thunder confuses, frightens, and angers them.

They ram into the fence at different points, and chaos would soon ensue, but thankfully all the Summoned have their powers back.

Right?

D. CLEARING UP

After a few boars were felled, the rest scrambled and escaped, continued their path northward. Killing some of them was inevitable, but nothing ought to be left to waste. The skies clear, the waning moon appears over a colorful sunset, and the rain stops. The fire is built again in earnest, and meat is, quite literally, back on the menu at the grilling station, as per Nero’s helpful suggestion. Some fences need a little mending, and a general amount of cleaning up within the homestead needs to be done, too.

As sunset gives way to nighttime, the sky—once marred in dark tones of gray—gives way to a beautiful night sky, with stars and constellations to be delighted by many. Wanda will be offering to dry the wet clothes of those still sticking around, and Himeka hands over warm cocoa or warm cider, something for everyone.

Now that things have quieted down, and with folk sitting around the fire or standing just by the edges of it, Rocket and Wanda inform everyone of the letter from the Nether that they received—something, perhaps, so they can get a general idea of what everyone thinks; about getting involved, about helping, about Solvunn’s interests in all this. It’s not meant to start an argument, debate, or a long conversation, but it’s something to have everyone think about — to know that they might be sent off somewhere else, soon, for a while, and brace for the trip.

Those who have been in Solvunn for a lot longer will be around, to ask questions or start a conversation about what has happened, what is currently happening, and theories for their futures, here.

Aloy didn’t mention anyone can stay to sleep, though, so best feel ready to head back at some point.

Comments

[ofthesword]

It's not like you're gonna be carrying anyone's ass over your shoulder, anyway.

[He says it like he cares; look, Rocket's doing the real work. Too many assholes around here got magic, and he's willing to bet nearly every single one of them is gonna try to use it to get their way through too easily. Now that he thinks of it, he might've asked Wanda if she could do some sort of anti-magic barrier.

But for now, anyone who cheats doesn't get the prize. (He has not stated there was a prize or what it is... if he even has planned what it would be.)

Nero does throw his head back with a laugh as the ground shakes with an explosion.]

Oh, shit, that's a great idea. [He pulls out a pamphlet (he always has them) and a pen, turning it over to the back. "Brows vs. No Brows" goes on the back. Yeah, this is serious.]

We've got a solid four so far. Both brows on one of them. Pretty good streak if you ask me.

[respiting]

Enh.

[ He offers Nero a nonchalant shrug, because it's not untrue. He recognizes his smaller stature, and seeing some of the guys walking around here, there's no way he'd ever sling 'em over his shoulder with some heroic gesture. He'd sooner let them fend for themselves, and no one wants him dragging them out by their shoe-strings anyway. ]

Ooh — you hear that? That was a good one.

[ The explosion is very closely followed by a panicked yell and dirt resettling in heavy clumps, and Rocket joins the laughter of this extremely serious tally they're keeping on record. ]

Yeah, and it's early. Imagine how many baldies we're gonna get by the end of today.

[ Rocket snickers. ]

[ofthesword]

[He gives a laugh, turning around to make sure no blood or chunks of gore are coming with the explosion, which is enough to shake the ground even where they are. (Nah. They're good.) Rocket may be actually making Nero worse, but since this was Nero's idea, he might be making Rocket worse in turn.

It's a healthy relationship.]

Even better knowing this place doesn't have a single hair-growing formula around. [No Rogaine is gonna fill up those burns, baby.] Is it cheating if we add some fire somewhere?

[Wanda might kill him, but it'll be worth it.]

[respiting]

[ They're just a couple of oh-so-healthy peas in a pod, for sure.

But it's fine. The stuff they gotta deal with here on a daily basis, weird gods and cults and monsters coming through portals, it's the little things in life that you've gotta hold onto. Like harmless explosions and singed facial hair, all attributed to a fully consenting obstacle course.

They aren't forcing anyone to go through it, right? It's fine! ]

Hah. [ Rocket lets out a truly amused bark of a laugh. ] Well, you know what it is? It's incentive not to run face-first into one of the wall-bombs, honestly.

[ It's easy enough to do a little ducking and dodging. Never mind that you have to know the course like you built it to know exactly where those little explosives are set.

But his eyes brighten at Nero's next suggestion. ]

Hardly. I'd call 'em free-of-charge upgrades. Really, they should be thankin' us.

[ofthesword]

[This is coping. Healthy coping. Coping with what? Well, something. He can't dig holes forever. Even if this course included a lot of... digging holes.

Anyway, he put up the sign. Just saying.]

That's what I mean. If the newbies are gonna survive Solvunn, they need to get some real training in. Learn how to think on their feet.

[Not rush into things without thinking, which Nero definitely doesn't do, ever.]

Honestly, by the end of this? Someone's gonna. [Or Aloy might for making them get rid of it, but still.] Come on, maybe we can add it near the bear traps. I got some gas leftover from my sword. [He's gonna assume lighting a bear trap on fire might be a little unhinged, even for him. And no, he's not explaining why he's got gas for a sword. (It's for the fuel injector.)] You know, I can make fire now. Real magic trick. So no matches needed, either.

[This is possibly the worst thing he's ever suggested.]

[respiting]

[ It is coping! It's a completely valid form of dealing with your issues in a manner that doesn't involve outright murder. It's fine; it's acceptable. Nero has Rocket's full support, being that he's probably using it to deal with some of his own issues. ]

Yeah. And what better way to do a little training than through a course painstakingly crafted by two Solvunn locals?

[ He's waiting for the next bit of explosion from whoever's gone down there next before Nero brings up ... a sword that has gas? What? ]

Okay, this I gotta see.

[ Oh, no, this is the best thing he's ever suggested. Rocket's expression is already turning into something akin to giddiness. This is the best newbie-mingle ever and it's still early! ]

[ofthesword]

Yeah! This is handmade. The real Solvunn way. [This is like, farm-to-table training. And no one's gonna die. Maybe come out with some bruises, or cuts, or like, some bleeding, but Solvunn's got healers for a reason. And Nero's got a little first aid kit set aside.

You know, just in case.

Nero's eyes light up. If Rocket's giddy, he's absolutely crazy for it. Impressing people with his sword is a guy's ultimate dream, right? Especially 'cause this one is his. Designed by him, down to every little screw.]

It's awesome.

[As if he needs to say that. He tips his head and leads the way along the side of the course, just checking in case anyone's currently dying (looks like they're good) to retrieve his sword. Some parts of the course might have some really pissed off boars in it, so he needed it around in case one of 'em got too wily. He leads Rocket to where the bear traps are, where there's a field that's a bit more open, carefully cleared of trees.

He shoves it in the ground, revving the engine. Pulling the injector, fuel sprays across the blade -- and as he pulls it out and spins, a line of fire erupts along the blade, splashing through the air with a flare that lights up every tree around them (and carefully avoids getting anywhere near rocket.)] All right. Now, for the real fire. [He puts his sword on his back, gesturing with a come on stance.] Insult me. Say something that'd really piss me off. I just need like... a little jump start.

again no worries if this is way too crusty to tag back! feel free to ignore!

[respiting]

[ If there's one thing Rocket can absolutely admire, it's something wholly crafted by the artist from goddamned scratch, all the way down to every last little screw. He likes seeing how things look like when they're finished and they work, but nothing captures his interest more than the nitty gritty of how that thing had come together to work the way that it does.

Nero should know; he's probably privy to the late night sounds of tinkering coming from the topmost room at the treehouse.

So he follows without question, and watches the prep-work with interest too, noting the line of flame licking at the blade. And that's? Just? The? Start?

Oh-ho-ho. Oh, man. ]

What? Really? I get a free one?

same here! a couple of tags then handwave?

[ofthesword]

[Yeah, he's seeing the interest. It's not the holy shit, that's so fucking cool! he would expect from a guy's sword erupting into fire, but obviously Rocket's seen some shit (and made some shit himself.)

Still. Nero's in love with the Red Queen, and he has been since he was a kid. Nothin' would change his opinion of her, even if she's just a simulacrum of the real one.

Better than nothing.]

Yeah, come on! I said it. I won't even throw you in the lake after. Promise.

perfect 👍

[respiting]

You better freakin' not.

[ And if for some reason the guy does it anyway, Rocket figures it's a given to retaliate, because he will and Wanda won't be able to get mad at him for scratching his roommate's face off.

But okay. He thinks of the no-go insults, the kind of stuff that are off-limits because they'd be the kind of thing he wouldn't get over if their roles were reversed (and after everything, Rocket actually does like Nero), and then he thinks of the very first day they met and how he'd bristled over basically nothing.

Sure.

He'll revisit the classics. ]

Those holes you keep digging? It's some real sloppy shit. No wonder you were getting attacked by dumb weasels, they were feeling sorry for you. Probably wanted to bury your mess.

[ofthesword]

[Look, he promised. Nero doesn't promise anything he doesn't mean. (Er, mostly.)

To Nero's credit, he thought it would take, you know, a little goading. Rocket's got a mouth, but he's absolutely the low-hanging fruit kind of guy. Sucker punch you in the balls. That's what he's ready for.

So to Rocket's credit, he actually picked something that Nero couldn't ignore. Despite being prepared for it, it does raise his fuckin' hackles. If only because there's that voice that rises up just to confirm it -- that that's what Rocket thought in the first place.

Still, he kind of laughs. It's just -- this whole situation is fuckin' dumb.]

I fuckin' figured. [Steam rises from his skin, though. The air around him shimmering. He thinks of those stupid asshole weasels, eating through his bag and refilling his holes. Thinks of why he was digging them in the first place. Mushrooms twisting around his intestines, bursting out of his skin. Eyeless cultists chanting at the altars. The jelly.

Nero's entire body erupts into flames, his very skin emitting the fire. The forest around them lights up like he's a beacon, but even standing on grass, the fire doesn't spread from his body.] Told you, asshole!

[respiting]

Whoa! Holy shit —

[ Eyes go wide with amazement and awe and maybe a little bit of wariness. Like, if this guy starts turning into fire, is he gonna burn himself to a crisp? Is Rocket going to have to douse the flames?

But it doesn't look like he's in any danger — neither of them seem to be at this moment.

So, you know.

That's pretty fucking impressive. ]

How can you do that?

[ofthesword]

[He's grinning underneath all the fire. And he's keepin' a safe distance. Nero wouldn't want to start smelling fire-roasted raccoon, but he's not sure how far he can really control it still. With Geralt's insistence, he'd sort of gotten a hand on lighting himself up -- with some motivation.

Beyond that, though. He's not sure if he could shake a hand without blasting it.]

Magic! I guess. [At least he can safely say it doesn't come from the demon blood. Dante would've told him if he could burst into flames by now. For sure. (Right?)] Look, it just happened one day, and I rolled with the punches. Guess it comes with the tail.