( closed ) forgive my northern attitude

[diametrically]

Who: "Alyx" & various
When: Throughout March/early April
Where: Thorne, the Horizon
What: Catch-all
Warnings: General warnings re: Cassian's backstory, will add as necessary

closed prompts below for the months of march/april.
if you'd like something specific, shoot me a dm on discord @ cardialloyed or timescars

Comments

— viktor

[diametrically]

[ Skeptical as he had been about the Horizon at first, it provides as close to a sense of home that isn't tainted by magic mirrors or faces from the past - at least as far as he can tell. Better to take any trip there with a grain of salt and keep his stays to a minimum. But that's easier said than done when the familiar sounds of Ferrix surround him and a familiar friend help soothes some of the ache in his chest.

The worsening weather still has yet to make itself known so he remains completely unaware of the impending weather about to strike. Instead he's busying himself in his domain. That day one of the large hulls of the ships is open, the sound of parts clattering and being strewn about echoing out from its metallic body. It comes to halt however when the sound of snarling hounds fills the air, drawing Cassian out from the ship. It doesn't take him long to find the source of the warning calls - and it's a man he's only vaguely familiar with. But it's enough familiarity for him to raise a hand in greeting before going to wipe his hand on the dirty rag in stuffed unceremoniously into his belt. ]

Viktor. [ Something like puzzlement lingers in his expression as the barking and snarling fades away back into the din of a blue-collar working town. ] Are you lost?

[techmaturgy]

[He should know better than to wander the Horizon when the Singularity is acting up. In the wake of the attempted theft, something has been disturbed, and that never really bodes well for the stability of things. It's possible Viktor had an actual destination in mind before getting sidetracked, but a great way to get him to stop and snoop in the Horizon is unfamiliar technology.

It's possible he's still a bit put out, by not being able to give Cal's ship a test-drive, but the presence of such a vehicle accompanied by the sound of metal on metal piques his interest. Wherever he was headed can wait--this is now much more interesting.

Of course, he should have expected this place to have a security system. Cassian will find Viktor frozen right outside the ship, clearly unsure if he should go any further and uncertain as to whether or not he's about to be mauled by alien dogs.]

I thought I was. [Until he saw the ship, at least.] Can I come inside?

[diametrically]

[ Cassian had only met Cal in passing with just enough time to realize that they were from the same galaxy and probably not much more than that. But if their interactions had gone much further and he had seen his ship, he probably would have told Viktor that the ones in this salvage yard were probably nowhere near as impressive. ...Assuming Viktor didn't make that assumption himself considering the rest of their surroundings. But they can get to ships and flying them later. ]

In here?

[ He casts a glance back to his work space. Parts are strewn everywhere, several hatches are open to both let light in and for him to hop in and out without crawling through the crevices of the ship. ]

It's a mess.

[ It dawns on him however that it probably doesn't matter to Viktor. That he's interested in the ships themselves if his interest in the speeder bikes is any indication. Cassian didn't know how being hurt or injured worked here but the last thing he wants is to take care of a sprained ankle. ]

I can show you one of the other ones if that's what you're interested in seeing. Or -

[ But then suddenly a crash sounds from behind him along with a metallic whirring sound that sounds distressed. ]

Can you help me? [ And then to someone else inside as he disappears back inside the ship - ] Bee what did I tell you about watching where you're going, huh?

[techmaturgy]

That doesn't matter to me.

[He says, finishing Alyx's thought. Sure, the other man hasn't seen his physical workshop, or even the lab in his Horizon, but it's probably not difficult to imagine that an engineer who can build a bicycle from scratch inside of a few weeks cares about a mess. This is also not a no in response to his request, so Viktor takes a few steps forward.

The crash, however, gives him another moment of pause. Alyx's tone doesn't necessarily make it feel like this is an emergency, but the mechanical noises are disconcerting nonetheless. Viktor swallows down his apprehension and starts making his way up the ramp.]

What's happening?

[diametrically]

[ Before Cassian can respond another voice, a little muffled, albeit clearly robotic, Viktor answers instead. 

I heard a v-v-v-visitor. I wanted t-t-to say hello. 

Amusement tinges Cassian's voice as he rounds the corner seeing the boxy red body stuck part way into one of the hatches he had opened up. Kneeling down beside him, he's quick to take stock of the situation. It doesn't take long for him to realize that the droid is well and truly stuck. ] 

Bee's stuck. It'll probably take two of us to get him out. [ He looks up just as Viktor rounds the corner and nods to the other side. ] Do you mind? 

[techmaturgy]

[That piques Viktor's interest. It's not the first time he's met a robot, but there's always a little thrill, every time. The boxy little droid that appears to be stuck is vastly different from Tony's robots, and even Cal's, and he instantly wants to know everything about it.

Viktor keeps a step or two away, difficult as it is to resist--he won't intervene unless invited, but luckily Cassian asks for his help without delay. Nevermind the fact that they're in the Horizon and can simply will the robot unstuck; Viktor obliges, moving into position.]

This is...Bee?

[There's a smile pulling at the corners of his mouth. Subdued, but perhaps makes his delight obvious.]

[diametrically]

[ Cassian shuffles around to make more room for Viktor looking up just in time to see what he thinks is a smile forming at the corner of his lips. His own lips twitch. ]

B2EMO. Bee for short.

[ Cassian does realize that just...popping Bee out of the predicament that he's in would be easier. But just like his stubborn doggedness to practice little magic outside the Horizon, he's just as stubborn here too. This isn't the first time that he'd had to get Bee unstuck from a situation and it wouldn't be the last.

And worse comes to worse, he could always use that as a backup plan. ]

He's sturdier than he looks. Get a hold of the tracks in his wheels and we'll pull.

— yennifer

[diametrically]

[ Despite his very grounded belief that he and magic simply didn't mix very well, he had sat down with Istredd to walk through the motions of a shield and wind spell. Predictably he hadn't been able to produce a breeze or block any more than a simple flick of a finger. But just like all the times he had practiced magic before he took his losses on the chin and moved on.

Working with his hands is something he can understand, something grounding - even if it's in abysmal conditions where any guest of wind threatens to send him hurtling off the roof at any given notice. There have been several close calls even with the precautions that had been put in place (which is to say not many). With Thancred and Dante being pulled away to a different house down the street to help board up their windows, Cassian is left to his own devices.

He's just about to finish when a gust stronger than the ones they've had to contend with catches him off guard. It sends him tumbling down the roof and down towards the shifting waters below. The yell of surprise he lets out is swallowed up by the howl of the wind. There's only a split second for him to think, to do anything and his mind goes to the shield spell that should hopefully break the fall.

He reaches into himself pulling on threads of magic that are allegedly within him. For a minute he thinks he can feel it, some semblance of warmth, of proof that it will work. But just as soon as he feels it, he feels something wrench it from his grasp. It's probably his imagination playing tricks on him when he hears jovial chittering against the wind, but he pays it no more of a thought. Instead he braces himself for the inevitable impact and the cold shock of water. ]

[vixening]

[ when istredd had mentioned starting to teach other summoned to use a wind spell, yennefer had thought it simply istredd being istredd. he was going to find more work for himself no matter the circumstances, and with the current weather climate the way it was, it really was going to be more work. but yennefer left him to his devices, left him with the summoned who wished to learn, and that would be that. she goes to not with the others, her purpose there more specifically directed at a certain uncle than helping buffet any winds, but it does mean she is not far. even if she doesn't care too too much about it, part of her wonders just how well they're taking to it.

also...thancred is among those apparently learning, and there's no way yennefer is going to give up on the opportunity to remark on that. so, once her agenda for the day is completed she decides to go take a look for herself. she's even got a bottle of wine in hand as she does so, making it very much obvious what her plans are as she steps out onto the space, the wind and weather just as shit up here as it is through the windows on the ground floor.

it just so happens that yennefer notices three things in very quick succession when she arrives. first, that thancred is not here. second, that the one who is is someone she has not yet met directly, but who she remembers in passing from the investigations in ikorr. and third, that he very quickly topples over the side of the roof and is headed directly for the water. yennefer, handing her bottle to her unseen servant without thinking, rushes quickly to the edge and reaches out with her own chaos - halting his descent only a few feet from the choppy waters below. really, if she'd been any slower it wouldn't have mattered all that much, but he doesn't need to know that.

she glances over the edge of the roof, one brow raised and hand still outstretched. ] I take it you're new to this, then? [ she calls out, unable to help herself as her dark curls whip around her face. ]

[diametrically]

[ Cassian is fully prepared to meet a watery impact but when it doesn't come he cracks an eye open, letting out the breath he had been holding in.

Disoriented, it takes him a minute to figure out what exactly happened. It's the cheeky lilt in her voice that dances over the sound of the wind around him and the water below him that draws his attention first. From there it's easy to pinpoint the the face peering down at him with wild dark locks whipping around her face.

There's a beat from him before his amusement shines through in his voice. ]

I don't know what you gave you that idea. I planned this.

[vixening]

[ yennefer waits, no small amount of this entertaining to her as the man hovers in mid air. the wind does not die down either, so the effort it takes to keep him suspended is no small feat.

still, it isn’t as though it’s all that difficult, either. her focus remains as she keeps her hand outstretched, waiting for his response and - upon hearing his own amusement - letting a grin split her own face. ]

I hadn’t realized- I can drop you, if that’s more to your plan. [ there is the vaguest sensation, if he were keen to watch out for it, of his descent - like her hold on him wavers for just a moment.

her voice also does manage to carry over the wind, a higher volume, though her sarcastic tone is thick and entertained. ] You are a decent swimmer, correct?

[diametrically]

[ It's been mere seconds. Moments. He knows next to nothing about this woman aside from the fact that she's got a good enough handle on magic to save him and that she has an all too familiar air of mischievousness about her that has proven dangerous for him in the past.

Which is why he has a pretty good idea that what may follow is her making good on what she says and does. The slight waver has his hold on his legs faltering just enough that his boots skim the water. Waves lap up over the top, soaking his socks before he pulls them up again. Cassian weighs his options, eyeing her and her outstretched hand. The corner of his lips twitch. ]

I might be. But I don't think I look as handsome when I'm drenched and shivering.

[ Somewhere he can hear Maarva rolling her eyes but he reaches out his hand to clasp hers. She could still easily drop him into the water - but he's curious to see what she'd choose. ]

But plans can change.

[vixening]

[ he happens to be very correct about that - yennefer is not one to bluff in these circumstances, especially not when she has such a high ground to begin with.

even with the chaos of it all - the wind that still howls around them, the intensity of the waves and water beneath his feet. the fact that it is cold, it is dark, and the weather is mostly likely only going to get worse as the minutes pass - that somehow feels right. she watches the water rise and engulf his boot, watches as he eyes her and her brow arches, watches as his lips twitch and she knows - somewhere - that she's already won. ]

That's a shame- I often prefer my handsome men pathetic and wet.

[ which is not untrue, exactly, but it doesn't matter too much as he reaches for her hand and takes it. yennefer, grins as she pulls him back up from over the edge of the building, and the chaos she'd used to catch him from his watery intermission gives enough of a push that she doesn't have to strain too hard to do it, either.

not exactly what she'd been planning on doing when she had climbed up here, but like he said, plans can change. ] You may wish to keep practicing down on the ground level, at least until you're certain you can actually use the spell.

— rocket

[diametrically]

[ The next time he visits the Horizon, he's relieved to see that most signs of flooding have seemingly come and gone save for the large swathes of mud. If he hadn't known any better, it would have been just another day on Ferrix. Or some version of Ferrix as it were.

As he stands at the start of the salvage yard surveying the water logged damage he sighs before trudging towards one of the ships. Its hull opens up with a creak and groan like some giant waking from its slumber and seconds later Bee rolls into view. C-c-c-Cassian. You're back! ]

Yeah. Did the parts make it?

[ The droid answers in the affirmative and they disappear deeper into the belly of the ship. Time passes until Cassian hears the sound of hounds and Bee's body whirls around. We have a vi-vi-visitor. Are they a friend?

The question is met with a sigh because he didn't think he had friends here, but there's no point in arguing with the droid. It doesn't take him long to find said visitor, meeting Rocket at the bottom of the ramp. There's a brief pause before - ]

You didn't keep your hat?

[respiting]

[ Rocket likes visiting the Horizon when he can, even after a conversation with Steve niggles at the paranoid, survivalist instincts within him.

Thing is, it's the only place where he's got access to not only the stuff he currently owns in some reality off-planet, but it allows him access to literally anything his imagination can come up with. And given that he's something of a genetically enhanced genius, his imagination is pretty freakin' vast.

Even better is getting a little insight into the brains of the people he knows (or doesn't know but could know). It's like planet-hopping without the fuel-use and clearances. When he winds up popping into Cassian's little plot of Horizon land, he doesn't even know who it belongs to, only that it sends all sorts of thrills and excitement in him.

He's literally surrounded by space ships and space ship parts. It's like he's died and gone to heaven.

He's wandering towards a more functional-looking ship when he hears a voice just a little (okay, given his height, a lot) above him. Looking up, he recognizes the guy from when they'd met in Ikorr, and offers him a chuckle. ]

Yeah, sure, I did. It's hanging on a hook in my workshop. [ He folds his arms across his chest. ] Probably the only good thing about that place. The hat and the pendant thing.

[ And then: ]

Didn't realize this was your place.

[diametrically]

[ The hat comment is obviously meant to be a joke on Cassian's part. He doesn't expect Rocket to pick it up or seem mildly amused by it in turn - particularly when the both of them had been less than enthusiastic about their costumes. In the short time they'd spoken he hadn't gotten the impression that anything that was common for the festival was anything Rocket was interested in wearing.

Maybe he had done it so that he wouldn't offend the locals. That had been Cassian's reason. ]

I'd be surprised if you knew it was mine. My name isn't on the sign.

[ Technically there isn't sign. But if there were one, he was just paranoid enough not to put his name on it. ]

Are you looking for something?

[ Behind him he can hear the distinct sound of B2EMO's wheels making their way to the top of the ramp to peer out. It'd be easy for Rocket to spot the boxy red droid poking his little head up to get a better look at what he's already decided is Cassian's friend. ]

[respiting]

[ Honestly it was really never about the hat itself but the reason he'd come to even have it in his possession. And the who.

But that's not something Rocket is going to divulge with Cassian, whom he would still consider something of a stranger. Not a bad one, but still one. ]

Eh. [ It's a small sound of casual non-caring agreement. Because he's right, he would never know this was Cassian's place but maybe he could guess. Maybe! And maybe he just doesn't care enough either way.

It doesn't change the fact that this shipyard is so fuckin' cool. ]

Nothin' in particular — [ he starts, now eying the moving red metal box that wheels its way towards Cassian, before he gestures to the stuff around them. ] — I just haven't seen ships like these before. Or this many of 'em.

[diametrically]

[ Cassian doesn't blame him. They're cut from similar cloth in that sense; preferring to keep things that mattered close to the chest for their own personal reasons. At least for Cassian it's the knowledge that it could very well be used against him. He can't say for certain what the reason is for Rocket.

They are strangers - with that Cassian would agree. They're strangers who have been pulled into a common situation. And who both apparently have a liking for salvage yards. It's enough for him. A part of him had suspected that they weren't from the same galaxy; but that didn't necessarily rule out that they weren't from somewhat similar star systems if Rocket was referring to the ships.

And in a small way, that's comforting. It certainly makes him more amenable to showing him around. ]

I can give you a tour if you want. They aren't much, but they'll fly with some work.

[respiting]

Yeah. Yeah, I definitely want to see them.

[ Rocket might not know a whole lot about how this place pulls people in from different galaxies and different planets, only that it does. A lot of the time the ships have the same parts and the same functions, but they look different and they feel different. It's like the people here.

He's long since stopped trying to find people who might have come from the very same galaxy as him. If he knows 'em, he knows 'em, and the rest ... well. Maybe it's just an opportunity to see something new.

The sky really is endless. ]

So, you got a favourite?

— clive

[diametrically]

[ Being in Nott is not simply just an altruistic trip. He's also there for other reasons. The lack of concern from the nobles of the castle had rubbed him the wrong way, making some of his thievery a little bolder than usual. Some of it he still intends to sell; business rarely came to a standstill, even in these times. But this time most of it is to give away.

It explains his presence at the hospital that day. Besides being there to help reinforce some of the windows and patches on the roof that had already flown off, he was there for business too in a manner of speaking.

One of his contacts had tipped him off, saying that the hospital had been in need of supplies - things that had either been smashed, soaked through, or simply swept away by the storm and out to sea. He's never been the sort to profit from those that were in the business of helping others and he isn't about to start now.

He meets the hospital matron down a more secluded hallway which is a difficult thing to find in the bustle of the hospital. Every square inch is taken up by hurt or injured. Cassian knows it's only a matter of time before someone strolls down the hallway. He tries to make it quick so no one asks too many questions including her, but she's insistent, confused, almost overwhelmed by the bulging pack he hands to her. ]

No, please. I said it's nothing. Just pay it forward.

[flagrates]

[ He’s been spending his time here in Nott helping with repairs and deliveries, doing his best to help replenish supplies destroyed by the storm; it’s a familiar job, though one normally delegated out to Otto and his team, and also like back home it always seems that they’re running short. Too many beds and not enough blankets, too many bodies and not enough to clothe and feed them. It’s enough to weigh on a man already burdened with the world back home on his shoulders, and Clive can’t help but constantly feel like he should be doing more, could be doing more. But here, he doesn’t have the connections he does back home. Here, all he can do is hold wood in place while the carpenter nails it in, hand over another box of donations to the matron.

He’s on his way to help patch up a wall — the secluded hall is a shortcut to the area he’d found a few days ago, and he turns the corner, stopping when he hears the voices. He ducks back around the corner and presses his back to the wall, only catching the tail end of the conversation. His brow furrows.

‘Pay it forward?’

He steps back around the corner just as the matron passes him, stopping cold in her tracks with wide eyes, white knuckles gripping the bundle in hand. He isn’t about to stand in her way, and he steps aside after a polite greeting, glancing down the hall where she’d been with the other man, eyes narrowed. ]

You’re quite the generous benefactor, [ he calls out. ] The patients here will be grateful.

[diametrically]

[ When she finally relents and hurries away, boots clicking down the hallway as she leaves, Cassian lets out the breath that he'd been holding in. It's understandable why she's as cagey and worried as she is. He hadn't known what his contact had told her but she likely hadn't expected as much as he had brought. People might ask questions, or they might not. From what he'd gathered, this isn't the time to look too closely at a gift when lives depended on them, nor did he think that the residents of Nott particularly cared for those residing in the castle. 

Still. It's something for him to keep in mind. 

He watches her leave getting ready to turn on his own heel when he sees the figure emerge from around the corner. For a brief moment his body tenses before relaxing, recognizing Clive. They hadn't spoken much during the preparation for the Wintertide play, but it's still enough familiarity that he doesn't have to worry that much about covering up his actions. Not entirely anyway. Cassian offers what could be considered a sheepish shrug. ] 

Me? No. They're in need and they aren't getting enough help. [ It goes unspoken who they aren't getting the help from. ] It's the least I can do. 

[flagrates]

[ It’s when he speaks that Clive realizes it’s Alyx, and his suspicion is curbed, for the moment, though curiosity remains. Alyx was another summoned, and that had been an expensive parcel, by the size of it. Where had he gotten the money?

Or whatever was inside of it?

Still, his demeanor remains easy, and Clive crosses his arms in contemplation. ]

That they do. And the people who could help? Won’t.

[ Even here in Nott he’s careful about calling the throne out by name — but Alyx doesn’t need him to spell it out. It’s clear they both know. ] Still, there are others willing to pick up the slack.

[ He reaches out, clapping a hand on his shoulder. ] I’m certain the matron appreciates whatever help you can provide, even if it is the least you can do.

[diametrically]

[ Whenever he finds himself in situations like this, he's learned that the best way is to assume that the person had their questions and assumptions but unless asked or pressed further not to address them. A lifetime of landing up in these places had quickly taught him when to smooth talk and when to keep quiet. 

And while what little he knows of Clive has led him to see that he's got his heart in the right place, he isn't about to speak so openly about the things he's doing under the nose of the crown. They both seem to have that understanding which is always a good sign. 

His sheepish demeanour buckles a little bit along with his knees under the hearty clap of Clive's hand on his shoulder. It's not that he lacked muscle himself but he's under no disillusion that he's not the strongest person around. ] 

She almost didn't. She was worried about where I got the supplies. Everywhere else in Nott is in as dire a situation. 

[flagrates]

That they are.

[ It's a grave revelation, and Clive crosses his arms as he breathes out of his nose. ]

But we're all doing what we can to assist. It's kind of you, Alyx.

[ He pauses, glancing back down the hall in both directions, before looking back at the man in front of him. ]

And you've my support, should you need it.