abraxaslogs | [OPEN] a new horizon

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[OPEN] a new horizon

Who: Finn & You
When: Early November
Where: The Horizon; The Free Cities - Cadens
What: Practicing with the Force & going about day to day life
Warnings: N/A

a. the horizon and the force

[ Some had encouraged Finn to practice with the Force. Others had recommended the Horizon for training grounds. Istredd and Erik had nearly convinced Finn to give it a try, but the thought was always stopped by fear. Even the looks he got occasionally from Cal and Rey hadn't pushed him to get on with it.

In the end, it was a nearly innocuous chat with Abby that lead him to this moment. They just seemed to have a lot in common. Unwillingness to have their abilities, not wanting to learn them while people are in the crossfire, things like that. So he took her advice and the advice given to him by his other friends and ended up here.

His domain was certainly not a desert anymore. The first thing he did, once he figured out how to manipulate things at all, was turn the sand into fertile soil, dead shrubs into tall trees, and dunes into waterfalls. He didn't really know where he was going with it. Mostly stalling, if he's honest, but he put a pause on production when the place started looking familiar. A little like the Resistance base on Ajan Kloss... That's not so bad.

And with little else to occupy his mind, Finn finally sat and tried to... do something. Meditate. Listen to the Force. Whatever it is that Jedi do. In the Horizon, his connection to the Force felt muted, like he was hearing something from underwater, but it didn't deter him. He also couldn't feel any life around him from the things he created, of course, so trying to not focus on that was a hardship, as well.

It's hard to judge how long he stays there. Feels like days, undoubtedly much less time in the real world (hopefully), but he stays until something breaks. Until he can feel something, anything.

Maybe you feel the tiny ripples of power and become curious. Maybe you just happen to stumble upon this new corner of the Horizon. Or maybe you were looking for Finn because he hasn't been seen at all that morning so far. Whatever has lead you here, the humidity and sounds of wildlife is clear, as is the man sitting on a rock looking as if he's probably fallen asleep. Come much closer and maybe you'll feel something brush against your thoughts a millisecond before Finn realizes he's no longer alone.

Either way, this whole routine will be repeated for several days. ]

b. the domain and the home

[ After awhile of trying to connect to the Force properly with only a little progress to show for it, Finn gives up for the time being. There were no floating rocks (that he noticed), but he's starting to really understand just how much it's not about all that... But those are thoughts to come back to later.

For now, he's become a little less weirded out on the similarities between his new domain and Ajan Kloss, a sense of acceptance coming over him. No, it's not bad at all. Ajan Kloss was one of the few real homes he had. Finn even considers parking a fake Falcon or X-Wing amongst the trees... But that feels weird. And he'd probably just get them wrong.

So, he works on something different. He can do anything here, after all, and he got tired of sleeping in a cave pretty fast while living at this base. Naturally, Finn starts on a home, unsure where to really begin. Oddly enough, he doesn't start with four walls and a roof. He just begins to walk and lets the building form around him as he goes, letting his mind wander into what he likes and what he cares to experiment with. There's no need to protect against the elements, no need to make this thing architecturally sound, so it ends up being more of an open floor plan. Emphasis on open.

The walls appear more like suggestions than anything. Small rivers sway through the rooms on occasion. The plants invade, wrapping around pillars and banisters like they were always meant to be there. It's one with nature. It's nice.

When he's not meditating or trying to break a blood vessel by floating something with his mind, Finn can be found somewhere in his little complex. A steaming kettle along the bank of one of the water ways. Ivy wrapping around furniture. Even a few luxurious bedrooms spread about the place just because. Finn can undoubtedly be found somewhere around here on any given day, being lazy and enjoying the Horizon for once. ]

c. the city and the obligations

[ Alas, he can't stay in this fake world he's made all the time. Eventually, he figures out how to not waste an entire night on the Horizon, actually getting some real sleep sometimes and even getting up early enough to exercise and go to work.

Finn can be spotted in several places throughout the day. In the morning and around dinner, he's most likely eating a meal at The Sarstina Inn, the place he calls a temporary home and will probably be going through renovations very soon, according to rumor. During the day and afternoon, he's found at Cyprian's forge, not slacking at all in his new craft of blacksmithing. He's not exactly molding great swords together, but he has been making jewelry, cutlery, and even pieces of armor and daggers here and there. The latter two are more for practice than retail.

But sometimes in the early morning or late evening, when Finn can't settle himself enough to even consider visiting the Horizon, he takes a horse from the stables and rides around the outskirts of Cadens. He even goes as far as Andromeda Bay once or twice, when time permits, just to see it.

He's an amicable guy. Always willing to stop for a chat or, heaven forbid, save someone in a sudden time of need. Maybe it'll give him a good opportunity to test what he's learned with the Force so far. Or even practice the magic he's learned on this planet, if they're unlucky enough to get that far. ]

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[ Hilda sees Finn frequently due to the parallel path they seem to be taking under Cyprian’s tutelage. Frankly, she’s glad for it. As mortifying as it is that someone is privy to seeing her sweat, she takes comfort that at least it’s in front of a forge and they’re both too engrossed in their work to notice. At least that’s the hope. The point is, it’s nice to have his company and to have someone’s brain to pick while they practice and commiserate in their failed attempts.

And while she refuses to label this anything more than a passing phase for her, she absolutely refers to what Finn is doing as stepping towards a craft. That’s why she pops into the Horizon that day to show him the thing she’s been trying to help Eddie with because well, sometimes you needed a little magical assistance to get your point across and someone to work through a problem with.

As soon as she arrives in Finn’s domain however, that thought takes a back seat. A small, awed, “Oh,” leaves her mouth before she can stop herself. The lush greenery is a far cry from the sand dunes he had chased her across the first time they had met. She wanders, assuming she’ll find him at some point. They had planned to meet after all. In the mean time, she hopes that he won’t mind if she takes a look around. ]

[ Finn absolutely doesn't mind anyone taking a look around his new place, especially Hilda. He's proud of it and feels a bit like the place needs more people in it. Sure, the privacy feels nice but it leans into lonely a little more than he'd like. Probably why he's kept himself busy with creating so much.

But he was expecting Hilda and feels her presence in his domain almost immediately. Something about getting him to offer a second opinion on a project. Given that he started later than her at this apprenticeship, he's often surprised when she asks for such a thing, but also appreciates that she values his input. According to him, they both take this skill seriously, and he loves doing collaborative work with her in whatever capacity that is.

He hasn't even noticed the sweating if he's honest. Well, aside from his own. Hilda always looks so put together, in his opinion.

Anyway, he doesn't use his gifts to track her down, so it's about ten or so minutes at least before Finn finds her. ]

Hey. [ He turns a corner with a smile, spotting her taking the whole place in. ] What do you think? I did a little remodeling.

[ Being in the lush scenery is a wholly new experience for her. She had never paid too much mind to the types of trees around Goneril's forests or around Garreg Mach, but knows that these can't be them. All the same, they resemble them so closely that it sends a wistful pang through her heart.

When she finally stumbles across the tea kettle placed beside the gentle stream as if waiting for someone to appear - an amused smile flickers to her face. She turns when she hears Finn's voice, giving him a contemplative, teasing hum. ]

I was willing to give all of that sand another chance but I will say that I definitely prefer this. The tea is a nice touch too. Is this where you're from?

No.

[ Finn's smile doesn't waver as he approaches, waving to offer her a seat amongst the pillows on the floor if she wanted, but he's not opposed to dreaming a few chairs in.

But he's glad she thinks the tea is a nice touch. It just feels cozy to him. Easy. ]

I lived on a planet like this for a little while before coming here. It was humid all the time and hot, but it was the best place I've been in a long time. [ Or maybe ever. ] I liked the nature, anyway.

[ He kneels next to the kettle. ]

Haven't had a lot of tea, though, so I have no idea how this will taste.

[ When Finn waves his hand she wastes no time making herself comfortable on the pillows. In the Horizon she feels far less inclined to fuss about things like dirt and decorum when it can all just be magicked away, or even better, be made so that it doesn't dirty her clothes at all. ]

Especially compared to Cadens. So if it isn't like the one you lived on for a little while, did this one just come from your brilliant mind?

[ If you're going to get yourself a hypewoman, she better hype you up at all times and not just in front of the forge.

...That is unless you admit that you haven't had much tea and you're about to serve her some potentially dubious tea. Hilda doesn't bother to hide the skeptical look on her face as she holds out a hand to stop him from going any further. ]

What do you mean you don't know how it's going to taste? Don't tell me you haven't had a good cup of tea since arriving here.

[ Hilda! Making him bashful! Finn laughs and shakes his head, definitely shy about the comment and trying to come up with the best way to rebuke her without being rude.

But the conversation takes a turn so fast that he doesn't think it even matters. Finn laughs again, this time because she looks just a few seconds away from being scandalized. ]

Not since arriving, no. A woman that I worked under back home had some tea she took with her here and there. She was a pretty... influential figure. I just assumed she had some of the best, but I don't know.

[ Leia either owned the best tea found in the galaxy or the absolute worst thing probably straight out of Corellia. Either way, Finn's probably tasted it twice in his life, maybe. ]

[ Jokes on Finn because rebuking and deflecting compliments from her really only results in her doubling down on them. Very few people have been able to do anything in the face of her relentless, optimistic assault.

She sniffs. ]

Status has nothing to do with knowing how to brew a good cup of tea!

[ With that being said however, money does help with procuring good quality tea leaves that do end up contributing to an overall good tea experience. But details. ]

But I wouldn't want it to go to waste so we may as well have some.

[ And if it isn't that great she can probably help fix that. And give him pointers for future brews. Reaching for the handle she begins to pour hot liquid into his cup before filling her own. The intent of her visit had been clear, but recent events in the Free Cities means that there's other topics that are more important; and frankly, she'd rather check on him first than dive right into talk of schematics for something that may or may not be possible. ]

How are you doing after the execution?

[ Even if he hadn't attended, it'd be impossible not to hear about it. It's all anyone had talked about for several days. ]

[ Finn smiles as he turns to face her and the kettle, thinking that Leia would say much the same about tea and status... But he's brought out of those wistful thoughts by the follow-up question.

He had attended the execution. Not exactly in the front row, but he watched the situation unfold from the sidelines, just to see for himself what was really going on around here. And what he saw wasn't so much an execution as it was a performance. ]

I'm okay. Wasn't my first one.

[ Some others around Cadens, especially some of the Summoned, seemed to have been a little shaken up by the ordeal. Finn's a bit used to that sort of thing. Well, maybe not that gruesome. ]

And you? You all right?

[ At the mention of it not being his first execution, Hilda's brow furrows both in displeasure that he'd had to witness it at all. Granted, it hadn't been her first execution either but it had at least been less of a spectacle than the one that she'd heard about in Solvunn if only because the Gods hadn't been involved.

With his cup filled she hands it to him before going to fill up her own cup. ]
I'm okay, it isn't my first one either. They didn't happen often at home but they weren't...uncommon either.

[ Uncommon became the trend during the war. ]

But I can't say that I'm convinced he really did what they said he did.

[ Finn nods in understanding. They weren't exactly uncommon in his home either. After all, two were for him. So, maybe more common in his home than hers, but he doesn't say any of that.

He accepts the cup with a quiet thank you and sighs. ]

No, but he was pretty convenient. Most locals who aren't convinced are too glad about him being gone to care, too, so- [ Finn shrugs and takes a sip. The whole situation sucks. ]

[ A gloomy cloud hangs in the air after that. Public execution aside, none of it feels right. There's also little comfort or relief in the knowledge that she isn't the only one to think that. If she thinks about it for any length of time she wonders if there's anything worth doing here; the man is already dead and Finn is right - people seemed to be satisfied with the outcome.

She lets out a sigh similar to his own, pressing her hands around the cup as if the warmth from it would dispel the mood. ]

And here I was hoping we wouldn't have to deal with a war here too.

[ A beat later she can't help but give him an apologetic smile. ]

I didn't mean to bring the mood down though. Just because we're sort of used to it doesn't mean that we shouldn't check up on one another.

[as wanda prepares to push her horizon to cease, to connect with another entirely, she takes this time to wander about the forest she had let grow over a year ago—follows the stream to see where it takes her. she walks plenty and finds herself in an unfamiliar place, but one that is not too dissimilar from her own.

her approach is pronounced by the sound of her bare feet on the soft sand, and then her knees are cushioning her fall as she kneels in front of the kettle.]

I'll never say no to a warm drink. Is it tea?

[yep, she's inviting herself to it.]

[ Finn's not surprised by Wanda's sudden appearance. Perhaps he should be - he certainly wasn't expecting her. But he knows she's there before he announces herself, and it's not like she's an intruder here by any stretch of the imagination.

So he smiles, already sitting by the bank and simply watching the water flow, wondering at the ethics of putting a few fish in there. Creating animals and all that. Feels weird. ]

I think so. It's what I was thinking of, but it can probably be whatever you want in here.

[ He hasn't had much tea in his life, but Organa had a small stash. Considering who she was, he figures she had the Good Stuff, so to speak. ]

What brings you this way?

[that's considerate. wanda reaches for the kettle, filling up one of the empty cups; it is, in fact, tea, and it feels most perfect befitting the weather in this little corner of the horizon that finn has called his own.

she brings the cup closer to herself, letting the warmth bruise at her skin.]

I was following the stream. [is her answer to his question, looking down at the cup in her hands.]I think some waterways in the Horizon link at some point. I have one in mine, but I never walked its length before.

[and arriving here was a most pleasant surprise.]

[ Oh, that's interesting. Finn still doesn't quite understand the Horizon despite spending a good bit of time here already. It's all a learning experience. At the same time, he kind of thinks they're all on similar pages about this place. Maybe there just isn't a lot that's known yet. ]

I wonder if that means we can map it all out, then.

[ Doesn't sound impossible, strangely enough. As he thinks on it, Finn pours his own cup. The tea looks just like what Organa served on the rare occasion she shared. ]

Either way, I'm glad to see you. How are you doing?

I'm sure you could.

[—if it's something he wanted to do, that is. it might take a while to get it right, though, considering that some people are fickle about what their domains are like, changing them every other month.

her thumb lingers on the rim of her cup, as she looks down, a faint smile on her lips at his comment.]

Can't complain. [things are... steering forward, one way or another.] Is this whole place your space?

[ Cal feels those tiny ripples of power and knows exactly where they're coming from—or, rather, who. A strange feeling swells in him as he senses Finn prodding at the Force, something like... pride? Hope?

He might have to unspool that later, in meditation. For now, he makes a beeline for Finn's location, calling for BD-1 to follow as he treks through lush, startlingly green forest. In a way, the domain reminds Cal of Kashyyyk, but without any of the flora or fauna attempting to kill him, so he finds it beautiful. Peaceful.

Along the way, BD-1 hops onto Cal's shoulder and settles into his usual perch there, chattering into Cal's ear in Binary about all the cool plants. They find Finn sitting on a rock, stock-still, eyes closed, and Cal considers him for a moment, silently judging his meditation posture, before continuing his approach. ]

You know, that would probably be easier outside the Horizon.

[ It's almost weird how Cal isn't interrupting anything. Either he just fits himself seamlessly into Finn's space or Finn is really bad at meditation. Probably the second.

Either way, he opens one eye to find the other man, then both as he gives a sheepish smile, feeling a little like he'd just been caught. ]

Figured it was-... I don't know. Safer in here. No other minds to accidentally step on. No real blunt objects to accidentally sail through a real wall... If I could even do that stuff. Would be a bad way to find out.

[ Sounds reasonable, Finn thinks. Almost doesn't sound entirely like fear. ]

[ Are those reasonable precautions? It surprises Cal to realize that he doesn't actually know what it's like to learn the Force from nothing, since he doesn't even remember a time when he didn't know how to sense it, to use it. His first memory is inside the Temple on Coruscant—that's how young he was when the Jedi took him in.

Regardless, safer or not— ]

Maybe, but... the Force isn't really the Force here. Since all this just exists in our minds.

[ He's probably not explaining this right. Or at all. Beedee, tired of being ignored, pokes his head up over Cal's shoulder and chirps, earning a smile out of Cal. ]

This is BD-1, by the way. Beedee, this is Finn.

[ Yeah, Finn has to reluctantly agree. The Force feels very distant out here, and he's probably making everything way more difficult on himself. Still, it... gives him some peace of mind. For now, at least.

But he's immediately distracted by the droid. An actual droid!

Finn gets up and comes over to greet the little guy. ]

Hi, Beedee! I know a droid back home that we call Beebee. You'd probably get along great. [ Is he talking to a figment of Cal's imagination? This feels a bit like the pets in Istredd's domain.

Still, he looks back to Cal with the same smile. ] Took me over a week to realize this place felt so strange because there were no droids around. Not even in the cities.

[ Technically, BD-1 probably is a figment of Cal's imagination. A construct of his imagination? It's not as if he's controlling him. But they've been practically inseparable for five cycles now, so Cal knows BD-1 inside and out—how he works, his programming, his personality. Cal just couldn't not recreate his best friend here.

BD-1 trills a greeting in response, friendly and eager—does Finn speak Binary? Either way, Cal replies: ]

Tell me about it. That, and almost everyone here is human. It's weird to get used to.

[ Even Koboh, a planet as backwater as backwater can get, is more diverse than this place. ]

[It's probably high time he started looking into this. It's not smart to keep going out on missions and expeditions without protection, and there's only so much a crossbow and natural plating can do.]

[He's heard through the grapevine this forge had a few Summoned employed. Made sense to poke his head in and see if anyone was willing to take on a custom request. A very... very custom request, considering they wouldn't be building for human anatomy.]

[So... here he is. Knocking on the entry to the forge.]

[ Finn's not used to seeing walk-ins. Really, he doesn't work the counter side of things much at all. But he does hear the knock and steps away from the fire to go see. Given their work, the door is wide open, so he merely has to turn a corner to see... someone who he's pretty sure is a summoned. Aren't many non-humans in Cadens.

Either way, he greets the other with a big smile. His clothes are dirty, he's a bit sweaty, but he's clearly a little ball of enthusiasm over here. ]

Hi! Can I help you?

Hey. I heard this place had a few Summoned working - figured it'd be best bet to ask for some custom work.

[Because Finn's estimate isn't wrong at all. This guy is absolutely not from this neighborhood. He does step forward, though, and extends out a hand in greeting - three fingered, clawed hand.]

Been a little rough out there without armor. I was hoping someone might be able to lend a hand.

[Without armor for, well. Obvious reasons.]

[Despite the fact that the Free Cities seems to have the largest amount and most varied Summoned (at least insofar as general occupation is concerned), it’s not often Viktor hears of other inventors or craftspeople. His own business used to smith in-house, but seeing as he wasn’t that half of the equation, Viktor has been outsourcing that particular service in Jayce’s absence. To hear from his own smithing contact about another Summoned is working at a forge is intriguing to him, to the point where he seeks out Finn, if only to satisfy his own curiosity.

(And, perhaps, to assess the quality of what he’s doing—-though he won’t say that aloud. No pressure.)]

You seem to have settled in.

[Anyone finding employment in Cadens outside the military is always a plus to him—-the fact that this is a workshop is an extra bonus, as far as Viktor is concerned. He stays a safe distance away from the forge itself, and doesn’t give any indication that he expects Finn to stop what he’s doing, just to talk to him. By all means, carry on.]

Just practicing?

A

[Nate tries to explore as much of Solvunn as he can, but there's only so far he can get on foot, and the landscape stays more or less the same as he traverses. The Horizon, now, that's something else. There's incredible variation, biomes that realistically shouldn't exist near each other, and the best thing of all — it changes all the time. So he's been making a point of wandering around it a lot since he learned how to do the magic meditation.

But for all that the Horizon changes, some things about Nate don't. So of course when he comes across a cool big tree in a cool forest domain, he's going so climb the hell out of it.

Until he misjudges the strength of a particular branch. There's a small crack, a medium whooshing-sound and then a large thump as he lands.]

FUCK!

[Finn probably no longer looks like he is asleep.]

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[OPEN] a new horizon

— the domain & home

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the domain and the home

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the horizon & the force

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The City

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The forge

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