abraxaslogs | [closed]

For whatever it took to get to that point, we are all grateful.

[Alucard is not going to say no to partaking of his own work, at least when it comes to food. This particular apple cake is a whim, an attempt to make a knock off of something he had in Cadens back in the fall. The scent is pure apples, sweet and crisp mixing with tart-bordering-on-sour with a hint of citrus. He's happy with it, which means it all absolutely fades once Sten slides the pamphlet over.

What little color Alucard naturally has disappears as takes in the sign and phrasing. A New Day indeed. Too sharp gold eyes move back to Sten, heart racing.]

The symbol and the phrase. I first heard talk of a new day when residents of the Wilds invited us to their lands almost a year ago. It was so soon after Josselyn's little adventure that it immediately set my teeth on edge.

I see.

[Any topic involving the Fey is naturally worrisome. They're a bigger threat than Ikorr to Luna, though it's odd indeed that this sign would appear the way it did in Solvunn, with one of their people. ]

I admit, I'm unsure of the connection between Solvunn and the Feywilds, if any. Nonetheless, this bit of parchment warrants investigation. Unfortunately, with the location being in Ikorr, my people are unable to access it. Since our interests align, I thought you might do us the favor of letting me know what you find if you go there. Should it strike your personal curiosity, naturally. The Luna wouldn't ask the Summoned to act in Ikorr on their behalf.

[ That would be terribly unwise under the circumstances. ]

Something tells me that if we asked Solvunn about a connection, none would speak of this. The symbol on this flyer has been found in Thorne as well, and I know some Summoned who have attended the meetings there - but details have not been forthcoming.

[Alucard exhales slowly, committing the address in Ikorr to memory. There is still one hurdle of course, and that merits mentioning.]

Their gates are still closed to us Summoned outside of their invitations. I'm not sure I can gain entry on a whim, unless you have suggestions.

[The sharing of information, however, goes without saying.] If I learn anything, I'll share it, ideally in person rather than committing such things to correspondence. I suspect this new day impacts us all.

The folks of Solvunn are good friends, but we all have our interests to guard. I'm not surprised to hear that this has been discovered beyond Nocwich. These things usually come from foreign actors.

[ Luna, in Sten's opinion, has a firm grasp on their community, and he imagines he would have known far sooner than this if it were rooted in their home.

Ah, yes, as for Ikorr, he has some news on that end, as well. ]

According to our sources, that might change soon - although I'd entreat you to keep that information to yourself.

The only place that it has been absent has been within the Free Cities, and I suspect it is because the territory has no interest in the question of gods. If this is true, my question then becomes what is the source, and what is the ultimate aim?

[He exhales slowly, but--

--oh.

Well that is a surprise, and Alucard's eyes widen slightly. In better times, he'd be genuinely excited. Right now, it only weighs further down upon him. How did it go in that centuries long fever dream? Did it start like this?]

I'll try not to go running to this particular location the moment the doors fling open, I assure you.

[That's for day two, thank you.

The reveal deepens the frown that has been growing on the dhampir's face since seeing the flyer. Fair is fair here, and frankly, Alucard needs someone else's perspective that might be able to make a little more sense of what happened besides other Summoned.]

I'll ask you to do the same with what I'm about to share. The particulars involve a potential path of history for your people, and it bothered me deeply at the time. It bothers me now, as I would hate for one man's petty grudge to undermine all of the work that both you of Luna and the undead of Ikorr have poured into working together.

[Alucard keeps the explanation of what happened to the Summoned at the giant rock having a temper tantrum to the essential points. The shared centuries, the godhood, and how the history of Luna unfolded over those fall years. His tone is even, although none of it is practiced. He's not spoken the whole out loud before, and it feels a strange litany.

But so it goes, and so it concludes with a heavy sigh and apologetic eyes.]

I've no idea if it will come to pass, but you should know all the same.

[Sten believes that a fair assessment, as well, from what he knows of the Free Cities.

Some surprise lights up his face. He laughs a little.] Well, promise me you won't call them the undead, either. They're very much alive, believe me.

[He would hate for some accidental offence to happen.

He listens carefully after that, putting down the half-eaten pastry when Alucard finishes. Now, isn't that quite the tale.]

You do know how to spin a yarn, my friend. You say this happened in a vision you all shared?

It's a detail I struggle to recall sometimes, given the nature of my father's people. They are very much undead rather than separate and biological. That particular fact is a good thing given the nature of what happened with the bloodwine at the festival though. Vampire blood turns one into a fellow undead back on my sphere.

[But it was one of the reasons Alucard thought the nature of the all-too-rare blood wine seemed off. Being right gave him no particular satisfaction.

By way of confirming that yes, he is indeed done and that yes, the vision is shared, Alucard offers his left hand out towards Sten. His left ring finger is very much skeletal in it's shape, but made of stained glass panels. In the eternal night of Nocwich, it's gradient moves from a dark blue to inky black.]

All of us shared it, and it seems many of us now have reminders of what passed. So far as I am concerned, you're the only person in charge of any territory that I can trust to make sense of this. Or at least have some perspective. The Free Cities would hop on an opportunity to expedite Thorne's fall, I'm sure of that much.

[Ah. An interesting detail, Sten concludes, and possibly one he might ask after another time. It is very unique, these Summoned...and to be able to create another from blood would solve some of Ikorr's population concerns. Of course, the Circle has the werewolves to worry about first on the home front.]

I appreciate the trust you've extended. To be frank, we believe the Singularity is an aspect of the universe best left alone. You wouldn't go poking at the moon, now would you?

[Solvunn's participation in the summonings is one action that's given the Lunae a bit of pause.

Sten glances at Alucard's unusual new appendage. He allows it to go without any remarks.]

You're worried this vision is going to play like you saw?

Yes, but it seems that the moon is poking at us, to extend the metaphor such as it is. And that the people watching the moon actively wish to poke at it.

[It is in fact a very useful metaphor to be using right now, and Alucard appreciates that Sten has offered something so flexible.]

If not exactly, then the overall major points may remain the same. I know that for many of us Summoned, we're from similar but not exact realities that share exact historic moments. That is where my concern lies - both with respect to your people, and frankly, to us and the notion of apotheosis.

They do see determined.

[Sten offers no other remark. He remains the diplomatic face of Luna, after all. A small nation as theirs requires the support of others, to a degree. ]

It's a shame you've found yourselves in this position against your will.

[He sighs and shakes his head.]

I'll keep your details in mind. Thyra possesses a strong hand, but she has a good heart. I know she believes a united Nocwich will benefit us all, in spite of our differences. Might I ask ... what was the state of the Feywilds?

None of us are happy about it.

[Alucard leaves the detail of the message left for the Summoned in their domains alone. It doesn't need to be shared.]

The Feywilds seemed wholly unchanged and the residents did not interact with us much. Make of that as you will.

[ Sten nods again. That's all he needs to hear. ]

Thank you for your help, Alucard. Always a pleasure to receive you - and your pastries!

[ Sten folds up the remainder of Alucard's culinary gift in the towel, evidently intending to feast on it later. It's quite good.

He inclines his head in a polite bow, then stands with a gesture towards the door. ]

Allow me to walk you out, eh? And please, send my regards to your fellows.

[Aluacrd takes the offer of departure gracefully, aware he has taken up much of Sten's time. He knows that the next step lies with the willingness of Ikorr to open it's gates, and that may be a little while in the future.]

Thank you, and I will. Your help and your perspective are worth their weight and then some in pastry.

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Thank you for the indulgence, mods!