abraxaslogs | Some days I look in mirrors

Entry tags:

Some days I look in mirrors

Who: Claire Fraser, ota and closed starters
When: October log
Where: Solvunn, Nocwich, the Horizon
Notes: I went with handwaving Claire's finished home, it's been too long now, BUT if your character would've helped then they did! ~~also please ignore the fact that I accidentally tagged this with Adora.~~
Warnings: None so far, will edit if needed. And brackets, prose - go with your heart.

𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑣𝑢𝑛𝑛

[ Claire's new home is tucked just short of the woods. Her gratitude for the help she received has been expressed in simple but filling meals, baked goods, doctoring, and helping with most chores. She's realized with a home of her own she must be settling, but she tells herself it's more to have her own space and feel comfortable. The home is two stories with her small bedroom upstairs that contains the space she works and spends the most of her time. One of the walls is completely plant-filled, and somewhere nestled in comfortably, is her new lizard. The downstairs has a kitchen with a hearth, and a built-in nook to sit and eat on one side. With a small sitting area made up of donated furniture, the other side of the downstairs is for seeing anyone who needs intense care and looking after, or drop-ins needing some sort of treatment.

Anyone dropping in is welcome and will not only be assaulted by plants and wildflowers in abundance, but bees will buzz lazily and drunk on nectar before flying back to their homes. They're tucked back just a bit, but the bee houses, lovingly painted by Nanaue, are bright and visible. She's left the back wall on the bottom floor windowless so that her friend can paint to his heart's content. When visitors arrive, the door is opened with a smile in greeting, able to see who's approaching from the front window.

Even though she has her own home now, she still makes sure to contribute, helping with cooking communal meals which helps her meet newcomers, and taking care of the animals which reminds her of Jamie. It all keeps her busy, and she can't say she doesn't like it. She still visits with the local Solvunnites she's grown fond of, and there are a few children she plays with outside with no shame in how silly she looks. ]

(𝑡ℎ𝑒) 𝐻𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑧𝑜𝑛

[ Gone is Lallybroch from Claire's domain. She'd been thinking of changing it anyway, but something very large managed to take out most of it during the rifts. That makes it easier to change things, though it's still rustic and full of flora. There's still plenty of space for her to entertain outside, and around back is where anyone can come for human anatomy lessons. Separate from that, there's a garden and greenhouse so that she can both learn and teach about different plants. It's a place for her experiment too, trying out her magic without accidentally causing damage to real plants in her home.

Anyone heading inside will be met with comfortable warmth, more plants, and a gray cat that doesn't seem bothered by much. There's always a setup for tea or coffee and something stronger if wanted, along with furniture meant for sinking into a good book.

She does like to explore other's domains, but if it seems closed off, she won't poke around...much. ]

𝑁𝑜𝑐𝑤𝑖𝑐ℎ

[ Claire has come to enjoy the walk to the portal, and if anyone happens to be heading out as well, they're happy to join her. She's dressed for the cooler air, pendant hanging just below her throat and basket in hand. In the square, she can be found purchasing things like flour and other cooking items for her own simple kitchen. Claire even picks up a trinket or two for friends, stowing different things beneath her goods in case she happens upon someone. Because she's rubbish at knitting, she can also be found weaving in and out of different shops to browse mittens and cowls.

When she rests the first time at mid-day, it's near the stage with a drink in hand. Every now and then she looks around the crowd as if searching for someone and in truth, she is. This is her only chance to look for Jamie or Bree, and she takes it each and every month. Eventually, she continues her day and when she's ready for supper, slips into an establishment, finding a seat at a table that could fit two. And a lucky thing too, as she's managed to come in at the height of mealtime, apparently. Anyone is free to join her.

With her basket on the ground between her right foot and the wall, she sits back and thinks of a friend or two she wouldn't mind joining her, almost feeling as though they're near, while leisurely eating her meal.* It only makes her think that she must check up on others soon, especially those she hasn't spoken to since the rifts. ]

[ *ooc note: Claire is able to determine someone's location to her within about 120 yards. (Think the length of an American football field), so if you want her to be surprised because she was literally just thinking you were on your way, lmk in the subject! ]

𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑑𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑑

[ If none of these work, please feel free to whip up a starter! We can plot on discord @ lifewasawillow or PM. My plotting comment from the last CR meme can be found here. If I owe you a starter and I haven't poked you, please poke me! ]

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I hope one day, with time, she can learn to soak that in a bit more.

[ She deserves it, but then that's always easier said than done, Claire knows that much. ]

The Pookas are living in the woods, so the same rules still apply at least: keep out or don't go alone.

[ Not that she minds either of those rules, but that's not worth mentioning! ]

Hilda did mention a wyvern, but I never had the chance to see one, and I'm still having a difficult time picturing it. Perhaps one of you could show me in the Horizon?

[ She'd never heard of one even in fantastic tales, so it's a completely new concept to her, this creature. ]

[ A quick grin is what he offers to the matter of Hilda and compliments, but he lets it go. Maybe he can recruit Claire into those efforts, but it'll have to wait since the surprised expression crossing over his face regarding the Pookas being in the woods is quite real. ]

Wait, so it's not that they're staying with you but that they're part of the woods now?

[ It means sense, sort of. Even the Demonic Beasts had liked to gather in the forests near Garreg Mach - he still remembers when they'd gone to find the Wandering Beast of the legends. The monsters he'd encountered around the Free Cities didn't seem the type to leave much peace behind, but maybe the Pookas don't either.

Something to consider since when the server returns with their teas so those can start steeping, Claude busies himself with that. ]

Then again, I suppose someone could have the same reaction to us having a baby wyvern around the loft which would be fair enough. We could absolutely show you a few in the Horizon, though. Hilda created the aerie from our academy and we filled it with some of our favorite wyverns. If you'd like, that could also come with a flying lesson or two.

No, no they're not domesticated in anyway. During the rifts I had a unique first hand encounter.

[ She takes a sip of her tea and moves on quicky, no need to get into that. ]

I wouldn't mind meeting something gentle or at the very least, not willing to attack on sight. Hilda didn't tell me exactly what size they are.

[ The words 'flying lesson' catch her attention and she sits up a little straighter. ]

They're big enough to fly?

[ He's in the process of asking what unique encounter means, but Claire's too quick for him. The change in subject is noted, and fortunately - it's to one of his favorite subjects which is distraction enough in itself. ]

Big enough to fly and to ride yourself. [ That's confirmed with a quick grin before he takes a sip of his tea before continuing on. ] My favorite way of travel back in Fodlan and one I miss dearly while out in the deserts around Cadens since it was so much faster than walking or even by horse. There's wyverns here too, I've heard, but they're wild.

And ours in the Horizon might be a little wild, [ since he can absolutely admit that much and especially as a bit of a warning though he might not so secretly find it part of their charm, ] but they do enjoy visits. And on top of that we have some snacks to get on their better sides from the start, there's a couple gentler than the others so we can start with them.

[ Claire looks somewhat dubious, but she also trusts what he's saying. ]

I suppose the way to any creature's heart is through its stomach. So be sure to give me a good handful of snacks and hopefully I'll still have a hand after feeding.

[ Now she's teasing, and as their ordered selections arrive, she thinks about the animals of Earth. ]

We don't have anything like the animals I've seen other than your standard farm animals, boars, and such. A long time ago we had dinosaurs, millions and millions of years before my lifetime. They were giants, some gentle, some predators. I went with my uncle once to a country where they'd unearthed the largest fossils they'd ever found. We're talking about an animal over forty feet long and fifteen feet high, with teeth that could crush a building.

[ She looks excited as hell about that, Claire loves dinosaurs and went to more than one dig site in her life, though her uncle was more interested in ancient artifacts. ]

I'll show you sometime, in the horizon.

I can definitely do that. We'll make sure there's a veritable feast for wyverns in there when you stop by, and they'll appreciate that, too.

[ That's said with a chuckle to match, though he'll leave any (intended or otherwise) mischief in there for later and put it to rest now. Their orders appearing takes far more precedence, and so does the explanation she gives him.

So much so that as he listens, Claude forgets all about wyverns for a moment over what Claire describes. There's the obvious comparison to Demonic Beasts when it comes to size - at least probably so, but bringing them up again isn't on his to-do list. Not when that enthusiasm's quite catching. ]

Gods. That sounds like the sort of things I've only read about in books, or seen around the edges of the desert by Cadens. At least when it comes to predators, that is, since there's some nasty creatures lurking around from which I've been mostly fortunate to keep some distance. I'll absolutely take a Horizon visit for them, though. [ A beat, since it is the Horizon, and so logic only dictates - ] Are you thinking about creating one of those dinosaurs there?

[ Claire laughs as she tries to imagine accidentally creating a living, man-eating machine, even where nothing is real, and she shakes her head with amusement. ]

Can you imagine? I would be responsible for too much havoc. No, I was thinking more along the lines of the full-size skeleton. Although...perhaps in the Horizon a tame one could be thought up? I've only ever recreated my gelding so I can ride now and again.

[ But a wedding present is easy to recreate, she knows exactly what her horse looked like. A dinosaur could be some sort of horror show. ]

I think that's more like bringing you up to the rest of the chaos happening in there.

[ With yet another grin since he contains laughter this time around, and while he's not responsible for any of the chaos - yet - he's heard some stories about what others have done. The bones being created makes far more sense, but Claude's still going to run with it. Just because. ]

Were they common in your world? The dinosaurs I mean, if only because if you're from the same one as anyone else maybe they could help? I created the younger version of my wyvern in the Horizon on my first trip in, but Hilda and I worked together on the others in the aerie and it was a little easier. Maybe there could be a variety of dinosaurs that way.

[ Totally not at all for his own curiosity. Definitely not. ]

[ That gets another laugh out of her, and hell, maybe for the sheer fun of it she could grab a few others from Earth and make 'living' versions that she can make go away as quickly as they came. ]

That's not a bad idea; they died out so long ago no one knows what they looked like—[ She pauses mid-thought. ] Have you met a man called the Doctor? He's a time traveler, it might be he knows what they look like and could help. It can't hurt to ask, anyway. I wouldn't doubt it if there were dragons once, to be honest. It isn't all that far-fetched, and I always thought it would be supremely fantastic.

[ She always did love and feel sorry for the dragons in fairytales, slayed for no reason other than being bound to a human they didn't ask for. ]

Oh, yes, I've met him. It was an interesting conversation, to say the least.

[ Said fondly because that interest was genuine and now that Claude's thinking about it: with someone able to visit the stars, time traveling fits right into that picture, too. That conversation was nothing less than fascinating to him, and it's possibly a sign of how many things he's come across in Abraxas that this information doesn't get more than that plus a nod of agreement. ]

Sounds like we - [ because he's fully volunteering to help (or more like "help") - ] should start with him for the scientific aspect of it and what to look for. That or maybe he knows some books with pictures for comparison since I've seen some of the same in Cadens' libraries for animals and whatnot here. Though if we're getting into the possibilities of what might've existed in your world once upon a time, it might not hurt to add pegasi to that. They're up there with wyverns in flying mounts in Fodlan, though I might have to defer to Sylvain on those since he knew- knows someone with one.

[ Probably, Claude realizes; just because he's thinking of Ingrid as he knew her from across a battlefield doesn't mean that's true for Sylvain. Maybe he and Hilda can work on that one otherwise, too. ]

[ There have to be others she can ask too if needed; perhaps in this the more the merrier, and beyond a very rough idea, she wouldn't know what was strictly correct or not. It sounds fun, and now she's certainly penciling that in for a project somewhere down the line. Claude's comment about the Doctor does make her chuckle, but she's chatted with the man a few times and while deeply kind, he's certainly an interesting character. ]

I'm sure there are books about some sort of ancient Earth beasts around here somewhere, there seems to be a bit of everything else. But pegasi, yes, those were big in myths, never actually proven to be real.

[ She knows one! She thinks, unless he wasn't using the plural formation. In which case, she's dead wrong. ]

If not, the Horizon surely will. Have you been to Istredd's book tower? He's a mage who was summoned here over in Thorne and he's created a library that's... whatever a stronger word than enviable is.

[ Probably a good resource, though in the same breath he wonders if Istredd might also have just his own books on pegasi if they exist in his world. Something to ponder later since the mention of them being a myth to Claire has his expression brightening again with a short laugh. ]

You know, I heard that about wyverns from everyone I mentioned them to upon first arriving and I think they were plenty skeptical. I've learned there's wyverns around the Free Cities since then though I think they're considerably less friendly than the ones I'm used to. The pegasi around the monastery for flying lessons were nice enough though still not my favorites. But if we're going all out here - then we can bring those to show you, too. Might be a decent trade for the dinosaurs, right?

I have been; on top of Istredd being a wonderful mind, his library is in excess of enviable, I agree.

[ It's fantastic, and she's a little disappointed that she spent so long, based on a single experience, believing there were no books with substance available. She's never been so glad to be so deeply wrong.

Claude's laugh triggers a grin from Claire in return. ]

I'd say we've worked something out then. This is turning into quite the demonstration, we might as well invite all our friends, too. That way everyone can witness the absolute madness of ancient and mythical beings. I'm beginning to very much enjoy the imagery of it all.

[ And the relative safety of simply making it all go away if things tilt into 'too far' territory. ]

We seem to come up with incredible ideas when we're together. Speaking of which—[ She makes to grab the large bag at her feet that she'll give over as well, to present the plants for Hilda. ]—are you ready to see what I've managed?

As in, make a party of it? Go on, I'm listening.

[ Claude pairs that with leaning forward to place an elbow on the table and prop his chin on it as if there really has to be any convincing. Something he's fairly certain Claire will know isn't the case even before any mirth spills over into his expression as he sits up again and pauses to take a sip of tea. ]

I'm always glad for any reason for a party, and creating all kinds of beings in the Horizon is reason enough to call for one either there or in Nocwich afterwards if the timing works out. We'll have to send out the invitations as soon as possible!

[ Or something like that, though he'll let that go in favor of Claire retrieving the bag which immediately has his attention. ]

And of course, and I'm ready with the well deserved accolades because I'm sure it's nothing short of amazing. I can't say enough how much I appreciate you taking the time to do this, Claire.

Perhaps a colosseum-type event with the animals at center stage. That way...hopefully they would be sort of contained in case any chaos breaks out?

[ 'Best laid plans' the saying begins, and she can't help but laugh. ]

Let me find out more about the visual predicament, and then we can begin planning a viewing party. I like the sound of it already.

[ Scooting back her chair just a little, Claire places the bag in her lap. ] I have two, and you're free to choose whichever with a more discerning eye as the one giving it to her, but they both came out quite differently. [ She doesn't look nervous, she isn't worried about what he'll say even if they aren't exactly right. But it's still a gift he's asked her to make, trusting her to provide something he's proud to give. She's been putting her all into studying and practicing, with a few loose ideas for the future. For now, she pulls out two differently shaped plants, both the same flower. ] One came out a bit taller than the other, but both are quite full and will continue to bloom every year.

[ Both are placed in front of Claude, and then she folds the bag for now, eying her own work critically. ]

[ Claude joins in her laughter since - truthfully, that's something he's already picturing. Surely there's somewhere in the Horizon that'll work, though he's also considering sacrificing the training grounds in Garreg Mach since they... sort of meet that containment requirement. Surely Sylvain won't mind. Probably.

But those plans can wait since he's not forgetting his focus upon the plants, and as they're revealed one after another the grin on his face switches to something more like absolutely beaming as he takes in the plants. That's complete with reaching forward to gently touch the petals and leaves on each in turn. ]

They're both exquisite. That gratitude I'd offered just a few moments ago - consider it quintupled now at the minimum though that's probably a little too low still. Hilda will love either one.

[ Or so he hopes; it's a gesture which is just the start of the rest he'll have to do, especially since there's a considerable amount to make up for. Claude looks up from the plants to Claire, smile softening just a bit. ]

She'll particularly love either plant because it's also from you, I think.

[ All that she wants is for Claude to be pleased and for Hilda to be happy. If those two things are accomplished, it doesn't matter how much trial and error it took. The look on his face now is worth everything, and it's all the gratitude she needs.

She looks relieved and sits back a little with a soft breath and a smile that matches Claude's. ]

I'm so glad they're what you were hoping for. Take them both for her and make sure... [ Claire isn't sure what she was going to say there, pausing for a moment before continuing. ] ...Make sure she knows how cared for she is.

[ The flower symbolizes a specific sort of love, forsaken love, but she won't assume either Claude or Hilda knows the deeper meaning. She knows their relationship has had its down moments, but she's hoping if they haven't mended fully, this will help. ]

[ Claire's instructions - even if it wasn't for the pause signifying something pressing is following, they would've held the weight of importance to them. He'd looked up to study her but now he looks back at the flowers and contemplates them once more. Make sure she knows. Those words resonate now that he has them in full and in so many ways.

It's difficult to not think of the past months with how they'd been the culmination of the last few years. It'd be easy to blame Abraxas for how things had become so difficult, so fractured - but it wouldn't be the reality. Abraxas and what had followed here had accelerated some things, but it wasn't the cause of them with everything else that'd come before from years of waiting and what ifs. Something they'll have to work their way back from if they can. He believes they will, and it'll take more than words alone. All of it, though, is something he's more than ready for if it's what Hilda decides she wants, too. ]

I will. [ More than words alone applies here too as he looks up to Claire again with a smile this time that's somewhere between somber and solemn, two feelings he normally hides beneath something sunnier to keep them well away from being seen. But it feels disingenuous to do that now, and more so beyond the topic alone when Claire's become too important to him to pull out any of those familiar masks here and now. ] I promise that, Claire.

[ Claire's lost too much and wished for things to have been different, she's learned lessons the hardest way possible, and while she won't insert herself into their romantic lives, she'll always try to gently encourage not wasting a moment. ]

Good. It's something you both deserve to know.

[ Her smile has the warmth and reassurance of a proud mother, only wanting the best. It's more than that; they're her friends, and including Sylvain, were her first friends outside of her faction. They've come to be family for her, and she wants them all to be okay. Better than. ]

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Some days I look in mirrors

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i need to actually link these flowers for hilda at some point ahhhh i'm sorry lol

no worries, you're totally fine!!

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sorry for the delay, the holidays have me behind!!

the holidays do be like that!

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fade this one?