the thunder rolls [open]

[monomachy]

Who: Diana Prince [monomachy] & anyone!
When: Throughout March and April, after the storms begin.
Where: Cadens and the Horizon
What: Weathering the storm at Mag's, finding unwelcome gifts in the Horizon, pondering her fortune, deciding there's something really weird about that lightning.
Warnings: Will be added as needed.

i. as the storm blows on out of control [cadens]

Hardly a day has passed since the Summoned returned from Ikorr, and the air is thick with the scent of ozone. Morning comes, and lightning streaks horizontally across the sky--and does not stop in the following hours or days. The strange pattern of the lightning was already concerning to Diana, but after a few days, something in the back of her mind whispers that it isn't natural. It never strikes, just breaks the sky over and over again, day and night. Soon, she finds herself focusing on it, eyes tracking the light across the sky, and something beneath the ozone touches her senses.

There's magic in the lightning. Perhaps behind the lightning. Considering the strange vision she'd had upon returning to the Free Cities, she shouldn't be surprised.

But there's no time to ponder further; with the lightning doesn't come rain, but instead wind, furious and cutting, kicking up the dust of the desert and making travel dangerous, even around the city. Several caravans have been stalled at the gates, which means that for the time being, Diana is out of work. But she doesn't mind--it gives her an opportunity to help out around the city more directly, which is where she feels she's more needed right now. Sam and Mag have turned the Sarstina Inn into something of a shelter, with meals and relief from the dust for those caught unawares, and when Diana ventures into the storm, that's where she brings anyone she happens to find as she patrols the nearly empty city streets. With her face covered by a dark scarf and her hair tucked away, she might be unrecognizable to anyone who doesn't know her, but as soon as she's safe within the inn's walls, she's shaking off the sand and dust by the door so it's easy to sweep away. She offers a kind smile to whomever she'd shepherded into the tavern, gesturing towards the bar. "Mag has food and water for you. Once you've recovered a little, I can help you get to where you're trying to go."

ii. deep in her heart [the horizon]

When Diana finally finds a moment to breathe and focus enough to get to the Horizon, the situation isn't much better than it is in the waking world. Her Domain, normally watched over by a sunny sky, is instead overcast with grey clouds that hold the same strange lightning she saw in Cadens. And no matter the strength of her will, it refuses to change. Diana frowns, brows drawing together, and casts her eyes out across the Horizon. It does not comfort her to see that the conditions are much the same for as far as her eyes can see.

There is a heavy sense of foreboding in the air, and she makes a cursory sweep of her own Domain. Her short red chiton allows her to move through each space quickly, though she notices that the normally bright gold embroidery of the sigil of the Empress seems somehow dulled by the strange conditions. She keeps no borders around her Domain, so she would not be surprised to find another person there. What does surprise her, however, is finding a single rose with a dead moth entrapped in its drying petals set upon a marble bench near the agora. Diana's expression tightens as she sees the reminder of Koth, one of this world's gods whose influence had reached out and touched her so many months ago.

Diana takes the memento to the edge of her domain, but does not bury it as she had once before. Instead she holds it in her hands, contemplative, running her fingers over the cracking petals and sharp thorns. She doesn't try to hide the token if she comes across another Summoned, instead gesturing vaguely towards the sky. "I almost wish it would just rain."

iii. the thunder rolls [wildcard]

[ooc; head empty, let's do stuff! feel free to pm me or add me on plurk at watchet for anything specific. i may add closed starters below, and i will match tagging style.]

Comments

[kobes]

Despite only having been in this world a month or so, there's evident fondness in Koby's expression when he talks about Nadine and her shop. He's never really had a job -- the Marines don't really count, they're sort of a...massive world entity sort of thing -- and the pride that comes from working hard for a purpose is new to him. But he likes it. It's why he's pushed himself this way, not stopping on account of the weather, determined to help as long as he physically can. "It's not been so bad, moving in the sand -- Nadine lent me the goggles," here, Koby taps the goggles on top of his tousled pink hair, "and extra scarves, so I really barely feel it." The continued coughing would suggest otherwise, Koby.

"Traveling caravans? Are you sort of a...guard-for-hire, then?" Part of Koby wants to demand why the military doesn't provide protection for the faction's caravans, but that's the idealism in him. At least there's someone keeping them safe. "You've seen a lot of the Free Cities, then, right? I haven't left Cadens yet -- it probably wouldn't be safe, alone, and I wanted to get established here first." Working for money is also new for Koby, though for opposite reasons than Diana. His labor's been required, on pain of death, up until very recently.

One more cough, then Koby's squaring his skinny shoulders, sitting up straighter. "It's been...interesting, that's for sure. Everything with the artifact and the fall-out...I understand that Nocwitch is the only way to see people from other territories, is that right?" This has been weighing heavily on his mind -- what if someone he knows, someone from home, is in Solvunn or Thorne and he isn't able to find them? Make sure they're safe? "B-But everyone's been very kind since I arrived. Or I've just met all the kind ones, by chance."

[monomachy]

It's clear to her that perhaps he has an inflated sense of what his body can actually handle, but now doesn't feel like the right time to discuss as much with him. He's safe in here, in one piece, and she'll leave it at that. "I am sure there is some extra protective gear around here if you'd like it before you return." She isn't naive enough to think she can convince him to stay in the Sarstina, not after the way he's spoken about Nadine's shop. The least she can do is make sure he's as safe as can be when he goes.

"Yes, that is what I would call it." Diana has a lot of opinions on the Cadens military herself, but has no patience for the bureaucracy of the Free Cities. So instead she had decided to take more direct action, which had led to her current occupation and the friendship of many local traders. "It has allowed me to see much of the territory, for which I am grateful. The people here are exceedingly kind, and I am lucky to get to know them." Again, her tone makes it clear that she is absolutely sincere with the sentiment.

Diana realizes then that it is likely no one has told him about the Horizon and the Summoned's connection to it, since he arrived at such a tumultuous time. Though she has never had to explain it to another person, she'll do her best. "Not so. We Summoned have a connection to the magic of this place that the native population does not." She has her own theory about why that may be, but again, now is not the time. "There is a plane outside this waking world we can access called the Horizon. You may connect with other Summoned there, even across the factions. It is not a physical connection, but one of the soul and mind."

[kobes]

Koby coughs once more, glancing around the inn with a frown. There are a lot of other weary travelers, sipping ale or closing their eyes or slowly packing to head out once more. He wants to offer help to all of them, make sure everyone gets where they need to safely. "I'll be all right. Someone might come by with nothing and need it more than me." Besides, he's endured far worse. At least Nadine lets him take breaks to eat or drink or sleep. He just...hasn't had to, yes.

"Hmmm." Koby has a few thousand questions about how Diana had gotten into the business of mercenary -- it's not the military, he knows that much, having asked about the possibility of travelling. His own thoughts about enlisting are...complicated, to say the least. He'd enlisted so eagerly in the Marines at home, and had been blindsided by the inner workings and complexity of them. Repeating that experience isn't high on Koby's list of goals. So, he moves onto: "Have you been to the ocean? I've only left Cadens for the festival, so far, so I haven't had a chance yet." It's the longest Koby's ever been away from the sea and it's...weird.

Then he sits upright, any weariness completely gone, too excited about the possibility of learning new skills. "The Horizon, right -- I've heard people at the shop or here talking about it. It's because of the Singularity, right? But any of us -- any Summoned can make that connection, right?" He's so desperate to ask her to show him, but he manages to refrain, barely.

[monomachy]

Though she really doesn't have the energy to argue, she tries: "If you are working in Nadine's shop, you will be needed to help those seeking aid. You cannot do that if your lungs are full of sand." There's a note of finality to her voice, and she makes a vague gesture towards the person tending the bar; she's going to get the gear for him whether he wants it or not.

Diana cracks a small smile, and nods. "Aquila is on the ocean, and that is where most of the trade caravans are headed. It is almost as beautiful as the sea I grew up knowing." Nothing will ever match the splendor of the ocean around Themyscira; she spent five thousand years learning every inch of the shallows and deep near the island, and nothing could ever compare. After a beat, she offers: "When the weather has improved, if you would like to see it, I could arrange for you to travel with one of the caravans." She's certain she could ensure both his safety and the safety of the caravan.

Her brows raise at his sudden enthusiasm, and her own demeanor sharpens in response--a soldier through and through. She's still a little surprised that he seems to know little about the Horizon, but she supposes that he had arrived in this world at an inopportune time to learn. "Yes, that's right. It is a connection made after connecting with oneself." It's difficult to describe, so Diana defaults to her preferred method of explaining anything: "I could show you, if you would like." He doesn't even have to ask.

[kobes]

Koby may be self-sacrificing and determined to a fault, but the note of finality is one he recognizes, vaguely, from his time with the Marines -- Diana sounds like Garp when he's really, truly serious about something and not particularly wanting to argue. It makes Koby oddly...homesick. Granted, everything else about her is as unlike the Vice-Admiral as humanly possible, but he can't help thinking they may get along. If nothing else, it suggests that she is a soldier -- something about how she carries herself, her presence, her commanding tone. It sets Koby a bit more at ease, prompting a nod. "Yes, ma'am." It comes out automatically, the term.

Soldier though he may be, the excited, eager look on Koby's face is much more indicative of his youthfulness. He leans forward, eyes wide, hopeful and delighted all at once. "You would? Really? You -- I-I'd pay my way, or try to help out, I wouldn't want to cause extra work. I'd help however I could if -- if you really mean that." No, Koby's never been to a desert. Yes, he's still absolutely determined to be useful in spite of that.

And then, offers upon offers -- Koby hesitates a little, the answer written all over his face. He would like, very much. His entire focus for the past weeks has been settling in, the day-to-day of making a life somewhere new, and anything magical has been carefully avoided. Perhaps on purpose. But now that Koby's found his feet in Cadens, he's ready for something else. Something new. Still -- "Now? Not -- not now, surely, you must be exhausted. I can wait. But...but I would like that very much, yes, please."

[monomachy]

She seems satisfied with his answer, and once the extra layers of clothing arrive--scarves and wraps and the like--she pushes them across the table towards him. She doesn't expect him to start preparing to venture out into the storms again, but everything is here for him when he's ready.

Though Diana is a little surprised by his enthusiasm, she's also pleased by it. "You would not have to pay." And if the merchant she usually works with demands payment for an extra mouth to feed, she'd take care of it herself. "But there is always work to do on the trek. I will warn you, it can be dangerous, though I promise I would ensure your safe arrival in Aquila." It's an easy promise for her to make, and might make her sound a little arrogant--but it's a trip she's made dozens of times, and she knows the path like the back of her hand. Even with the desert creatures, she is certain of her ability to keep him and the caravan safe.

Despite her exhaustion, she still smiles at him. "No, not now," she agrees. It is neither the time nor the place. The natives are wary of the Singularity, and the Summoned's connection to it is unnerving to them. "But when the weather clears and things settle, I would be happy to guide you through your first connection with the Horizon."

[kobes]

There's a brief moment where it looks like Koby's thinking about arguing, but he instead tugs the wraps closer and starts sorting through them, giving his restless hands something to do. "Thank you."

The reassurance is nice -- Koby makes some money, working at Nadine's, but he's pretty sure a journey all the way across the desert is much more than he can afford. Besides, the possibility of helping out with something a bit riskier than sweeping the floor does appeal to him. He nods seriously, sitting a bit straighter. "I won't slow you down, I promise. I'm stronger than I look." Which is...saying something.

Then Koby nods, brow furrowed a little in concern. "I'll ask then -- but you should rest now, then. Can I get you anything?" He's apparently completely recovered from the sand and is ready to be helpful again.

[monomachy]

Diana doesn't look as if she's doubting his words; she knows that size is no indication of one's strength, whether it be physical or otherwise. "Then I will look into it, as soon as I am able." Besides, it would be sort of nice to have the company of another Summoned on one of her trips.

Though she looks a little surprised at the offer, she doesn't immediately say no. Just being inside and not out in the storm has been enough for her to recover. But she's touched that he's asked at all, and takes a moment to smile warmly before shaking her head. "I'm alright, but thank you. How are you feeling?"