open. castle thorne

[ushiri]

Who: Kyle & anyone in Thorne (+ a meeting with an NPC)
When: Post-Epulum. Bicycle shenanigans start before the storms hit Thorne. Ambrose chat occurs after.
Where: Castle Thorne courtyard, and town streets
What: Thorne is introduced to bicycles
Warnings: None yet!



[ Although the dust from the murder mystery at the Epulum has barely settled and is still fresh on Kahlil's mind, it just so happens to coincide with the completion of a small project he started pushing forward on two months ago.



The castle courtyard is now home to (2) bicycles. Though their use is primarily for Summoned couriers, others who may want to try them out aren't strictly discouraged. One model is a step-through design, the other a step-over. For anyone familiar with modern bicycles, you might be surprised (or alarmed) to see that while the frame is metal, the wheels are a combination of wood and leather. Further inspection will reveal they've been spelled with enchantments similar to the carriage wheels seen in Thorne, allowing the ride to be more smooth than it naturally ought to be. It's easy enough to find out that Istredd was responsible for this part, although the plans and at least one bicycle were allegedly assembled by a Summoned in the Free Cities.

There are attachments available, the step-through model has pegs on the back wheel for a second rider to stand, both have baskets on the front for packages, and a luggage rack behind the seat. They have little bells for alerting unexpecting pedestrians.

There's even a pair of training wheels that can be attached for anyone that thinks they might need them...

Please don't run anyone over, and try not to scare the horses too badly.

If you're looking for a lesson, Kahlil can be approached at the end of the day as he's checking them over. ]

( OOC: The bikes are officially available to couriers, but y'all are free to assume Kyle will give pretty much anyone permission to ride them around the courtyard as long as you don't plan on damaging or destroying them. These are the only bicycles in Thorne so assume some confusion and attention to be gained when riding in town. Horses are not particularly fond of them yet and may spook. )

Comments

[stations]

( At the end of the day, along comes the castle's resident off-brand insomniac, looking almost as curious as the raccoon sticking up out of the back of his shirt collar, over his shoulder. In his hands are two cups, one of which he holds out to Kyle in silent offering, before standing back to appreciate the majesty that is an almost-modern bicycle here in the courtyard of Hogwarts. )

Neat.

( He comments, and though his tone always sounds faintly apathetic, Kyle knows him well enough by now to pick up on the fact that he means it. )

Viktor made them, right?

[ushiri]

[ He takes the cup without questioning it, although he eyes Rita. There's been an egg smell that's been lingering in his room for a week now...

Kahlil nods to the question, pulling his gaze from the raccoon to the pair of bicycles. ]

He offered to help with blueprints, and put together this one - [ a nod toward the step-through version. Kahlil had rode it through the portal from Nocwich to the castle, and though it had been subject to inspection, no one stopped him otherwise. He'd not been entirely sober at the time, so that was good.

He cocks his head at Jack. ]

Did you want to ride one? [ People seem hesitant so far. ]

[stations]

( Rita, sensing the accusation in Kyle's stare, startles and promptly ducks beneath the hem of Jack's shirt as though she means to use his body as a human meat shield. Jack is oblivious.

He sips his coffee as he considers, glancing between the bike to his leg and then back again. )

You know, I actually haven't tried to ride one since they chopped my leg off. I guess I could? It shouldn't be all that different from running, right?

( If nothing else, it wouldn't be a bad idea to find out. Just in case there's some weird sudden hot pursuit and he gets the bright idea to hop on a bike for a quicker exit, only to have his prosthetic explode or fall off or something. )

You wanna ride with me? Just in case I fuck up and snap the other one off somehow?

[ushiri]

[ Hmmm. He follows Jack's gaze to his prosthetic. Viktor had used some attachment for his brace - Kahlil even still has it. That wouldn't be helpful with this, though. He takes a sip of coffee and frowns slightly. Then gives a small shrug. ]

Try a circle around the courtyard first, just to be sure nothing falls off.

[ It'll give Kahlil a second to finish the coffee, assuming Jack doesn't explode. ]

Rita can sit in the basket.

[ The one at the front. Might be better than letting her cling to the inside of his shirt, in case he does fall. ]

Ambrose, as the storms gather around the Singularity

[ushiri]

[ He approaches Jolene first out of habit, requesting a meeting with her superior. Kahlil is prepared to have to argue for time with the High Mage, especially given the current chaotic state of events. But he's long put off trying to get in the room with the man to question him directly, and with the dark clouds gathering around the Singularity it seems unwise to put this off any longer.

To his surprise he finds himself escorted to Ambrose's office without needing much back and forth. He stands at the doors dressed as he would for any other work, simple and in shades of dark grey. Kahlil made clear to Jolene his intentions: he has questions about the relic they were asked to negotiate for from the Nether, and now this one in Ikorr - what their relationship to the Singularity is purported to be, and what these signs around the monolith mean. None of what's happening can just be coincidence.

Kahlil is someone used to action. He's tired of being caught off guard and left in the dark, wondering.

With all that in mind, he gives a solid knock on the office doors. ]

[abraxasnpcs]

[ Certain individuals will find that Ambrose is able to fit them into is busy schedule more easily than others. Kyle happens to be one of those thanks to his reliability in his service to Thorne.

There is a long silence after the knock followed by a loud thunk. Then a familiar "Enter" muttered by Ambrose behind the door.

Kyle will see that Ambrose's office of organized chaos is in greater disarray than usual. On a small table near one of the towering bookcases sits an over-sized leather-bound tome. An empty spot high on the shelves above indicate it was likely the source of the sound. Ambrose stands behind it as he adjusts his spectacles, scanning Kyle from head to toe as he looks for a package. ]

Kyle...I see you're not here on official business. Unless you have something small for me.

[ushiri]

[ Kahlil steps inside, taking in the state of the office and raising an eyebrow at the comment about something small. He holds out an open palm, closes it, and then opens it again to reveal a cystalline goodberry, which he deposits close to the edge of Ambrose's desk.

Despite the cheekiness of the act, he's not smiling, and he's quick to speak on the actual topic. ]

I wanted to ask that you share whatever you know about these sudden storms and the Singularity. If any of it has something to do with these relics that we're now finding out about. [ The Latchkeys. The mystery relic in the Nether.

He gives a nod toward the very large book on the small table. ]

I hope that didn't just fall on your head. [ The thunk he heard. ]

[abraxasnpcs]

[ Ambrose isn't smiling either. He watches the trick with his stereotypical expression of furrowed brows. He says nothing but when Kyle visits later he might find that goodberry up on another shelf next to other crystals.

The High Mage lets out a long sigh and straightens. ]

My head is fine... Thank you for your concern.

[ He motions for Kyle to take a seat in one of the few chairs that aren't covered in papers. ]

I'm sure you can understand the sense of urgency I have with my research, but I can spare a few minutes for you.

[ He rounds the desk and takes his own usual seat. ]

I doubt I need to say that these storms are unprecedented. That they're taking place across the entire continent would be a laughable coincidence. As one of our Summoned, I would be hoping that you could tell me if you've noticed anything unique while running your errands.

Bikes!

[northerndragon]

[He isn't sure what the thing is, though at first glance, it appears like someone has tried to replace a horse with parts of a cart. Wheels like on a cart or carriage, but not enough of them; a curved bar that looks almost like it could be reins; something that might be a seat, without quite being a saddle. The rest of the thing puts him in mind of a maester's Myrish eye -- metal tubes all over. Yet he doubts that it will tell him anything about the stars.

It had been an afternoon of teaching his three little charges -- all of them rather sulky today -- and then finding some fine linen in town for his sister. So it is that he comes through the courtyard with a tied-up parcel in his hand, and approaches Kyle as Kyle looks the thing over.

Jon hesitates a moment, regarding it, then says,]

What is it?

[He sounds both curious and dubious.]

[ushiri]

[ Kahlil looks up and smiles at John, straightening up as the younger man approaches. ]

A bicycle. [ He gives a nod, gripping one of the handlebars and motioning to the little basket at the front. There's another attachment on the back for larger parcels. ]

For our couriers.

[ He's not necessarily surprised John isn't familiar. He gets the sense that he's from a world less modern than even Basawar, which has managed things like rifles and cannons. ]

But anyone's welcome to try one out. [ His smile widens as he takes a step back. John might wonder how the wooden and leather wheels might fare... ]

[northerndragon]

[He nods at the first part: for the couriers. That means that it does, indeed, function a little like a horse, a little like a cart.

Still, in the end, he gives the thing a skeptical look.]

Can you show me how it works? Horses don't have two legs, and it's no chariot.

[What he means is: yes, but you first.]

[ushiri]

[ Kahlil makes a noise between a scoff and a laugh at that comparison, then gives a nod as he gives a wry grin: ]

With how many worlds exist, one out there must have two-legged horses.

[ As he jokes he hops onto the step-over bicycle, getting comfortable on the seat that he's already adjusted for himself. He nods at the kickstand holding it up and knocks it away with the toe of his boot, then sets one foot on a pedal without putting his weight down just yet. ]

The pedals move the chain, which turns the wheel. [ He points down at what he means. ]

[subhuman]

[ It might be for the best that Dante didn't happen upon the bikes unsupervised, because that's just the sort of dangerously whimsical shenanigans Dante would get himself into and potentially ruin someone's pet project. Such simple little things wouldn't normally draw attention, but in a place like Thorne, a good ol' pair of wheels and spokes is basically a novelty.

As such, Dante does a double take as he walks through the courtyard, turning back around and taking a step closer to see what it is that Kyle is attending to. ]

Well, I'll be... is Thorne finally joining the rest of us in the modern age?

[ushiri]

I wouldn't go that far.

[ Kahlil greets Dante with a grin, straightening and stepping aside to allow him a closer look at the bicycle he'd been hunched over. He crosses his arms over his chest. ]

Not while we still have horses, anyway.

[ His gaze trails toward there other end of the courtyard, where some stablehand is shoveling a pile of manure. ]

super late, i hope it's okay!!

[thoughts]

[ in a world of magic, and especially in the kingdom of thorne where even the simplest of things are enchantments of one sort or another, perhaps it shouldn't be so exciting seeing such a common human artifact that was invented almost a thousand years ago by her time.

but excited she is, so after river catches the first one breezing through the streets, she ends up following them around to watch as different people take them out for a spin. some are for work, some are for fun. and at the end of the day, it looks like kahlil ( kyle ) is the one reining them in for the evening, so she approaches him with her hands folded behind her back and a curious smile. ]

Did Santa come back again so soon?

[ were you extra good this year, kahlil? ]

of course!

[ushiri]

[ Kahlil notices her approaching from before she speaks up. He's practiced something, a little trick he hopes makes things easier for both of them - with his face-changing spell he conjures an illusion of his own features as they are - while beneath that spell he summons the Prayerscars that keep his thoughts from bleeding into her mind. The only physical sign that he's done anything, besides the obvious mental wall her mind will brush up against, are the eye tattoos on the back of his hand. ]

I don't think Santa travels this far across space and time... [ he counters with a grin. He remembers Santa, he remembers Christmas trees and ornaments in John's family home. A strange holiday. ]

A friend helped make these for us. [ Friend is a term he usually avoids with Viktor, and it just slips out this time. He cocks his head at River. ]

Did you want to go for a ride?

♡♡♡

[thoughts]

[ the effort doesn't go unnoticed, by the silence that greets her as she comes closer, and river smiles gratefully. her eyes wander across the bike, lingering on his tattoos just as curiously as the rest. ]

She hasn't been on a bike in a long time.

[ it looks familiar enough, though; even with as far as advanced as her world is, it's still a rather simple device. should be second nature, as the old adage goes. so maybe instead - ]

Do you want to try a race?

[ushiri]

[ His grin turns a touch mischievous, briefly giving him the appearance of someone younger than his three decades as he teases: ]

We can, but I don't know if it'll be a fair race...

[ He is the second best runner in all of Nurjima, of course. But he steps back, offering her the choice between the slightly heavier step-through bike (if she's wearing her skirts) or the step-over version. ]

We just have to mind the horses.

[ The beasts aren't so sure about these new contraptions... ]

[glaciare]

( Jill has never seen a bike before. In fairness to her, she's never seen horses before, either -- at least not ones that weren't giant with six legs who could masquerade as a man and duplicate himself. So: she's seen a very singular horse, and had presumed it a made up creature until arriving and finding them all over the place. She's much more comfortable riding on the back of what she can best describe to people who lack context as a very large chicken. Stable, with legs that don't look like that they could snap in half with one wrong move.

A bike is completely new, and she can't help but watch as Kyle teaches first the couriers and then anyone who wishes to learn how to ride. It's only when the excitement has passed that she approaches; pulled in on herself as if she's afraid of taking up too much space from around him, even in the courtyard. )

Pardon the intrusion but-- what did you call them again? A 'bicycle'?

[ushiri]

[ Jill is someone he knows from afar. That she's helped Wilhelm on the Conclave and is managing not to be driven crazy by Lucifer automatically bumps her up in esteem. When she approaches he nods to her question, giving a friendly smile. ]

That's right. Did you want to take one for a spin?

[ She seems uncertain, he can't tell yet if she's shy or if it's only the strangeness of the bicycle itself. ]

[glaciare]

( She nods, though still holds herself back. It's mostly the strangeness of the bike and her unwillingness to impose rather than shyness. )

I'm afraid I wouldn't know where to begin.

[ushiri]

It's easy enough to teach.

[ He takes a step back, allowing her space to approach and inspect it on her own. A kickstand is holding it up for now, but he has training wheels for anyone just starting out... ]

What are you used to using for transport?

[ Horses seems to be the answer for most people. ]

[kingforboth]

[Kelson is most definitely not trying the bikes, much to Wilhelm's dismay, and is doing his best to steer clear of them. But that's not going to deter him from taking a walk in the courtyard. Seeing Kyle he waved, hoping against hope he wasn't going to try to get him onto one of those contraptions. He tries to head off any well meaning advice.

Very nice endeavor. I'm sure they'll be a welcome addition here. I think I'll leave them to the others however. Have they been popular?

[ushiri]

[ Kahlil returns the wave. Fortunately for Kelson he isn't the sort to bully the young man into trying one out - he'll leave that to Wilhelm. ]

Folks have been curious. [ He nods at the bicycle with a smile and a shrug. Not so many riders, but everyone wants to get at least a look in. Kahlil cants his head, studying Kelson. ]

All's been well with your deliveries? Still enjoying it?

[ 'Enjoying' might be stretching things. He supposes it's not the young man's first choice for work, but it keeps him and Wilhelm busy enough, he hopes. ]

[kingforboth]

[Unfortunately for both of them one of Kelson's many skills was extreme stubbornness. He could eventually be persuaded, but it would take quite a lot. And Kelson did not respond to puppy dog eyes. ]

Why are they here? I mean, just to give people another option other than horses?

[Because in his limited world opinion, horses were just better.]

Very much so. It's not what I would be doing if I had unlimited options but, in the grand scheme of things, it's a diversion.

[It got him out of his room and away from his thoughts at the very least, all of which were excellent things.]