vixening: ([ ₪ ] 114 [S3])
yennefer of vengerberg. ([personal profile] vixening) wrote in [community profile] abraxaslogs2024-07-01 11:43 am

[ open ]

Who: yennefer + others
When: july
Where: nott + nocwich
What: after the events of the coup and yennefer's escape to nott, she is making due in what she suspects will be her new normal.
Warnings: will update if needed.
diametrically: (pic#16867151)

streets of nott

[personal profile] diametrically 2024-07-03 09:59 pm (UTC)(link)
[ When the time comes to choose between the coronation and assisting Nott, Cassian finds himself hesitating for perhaps the first time since arriving here. The distaste that he holds for those in power that abuse it is no secret and he would rather spend time in the dungeons than have to attend a coronation of a man who had taken the throne by force. The decision to assist Nott is more or less a no-brainer, or it would be were it not for the fact that he understands the possibility that the decision could affect the Summoned in some way, shape or form.

But it is not in his nature to appease. And when he is assured that there will be enough of them in attendance to look out for one another, he turns towards Nott without a second thought. The consequences, or slap on the wrist rather, become apparent in the form of the approval process for leaving the castle are announced. Thankfully "Alyx" is a nameless courier providing him the cover he needs to come and go as he pleases so long as he doesn't push the boundaries of that.

The sun begins to dip below the horizon when he ends his deliveries (and his own business dealings with his black market contacts) that day. Despite still being convinced that he doesn't have a hand for magic, he takes it upon himself to check on the runes that they had a hand in erecting along Nott's walls. Nott hadn't been touched by the attack on the castle, but his paranoia insists he checks for peace of mind anyway. There are, after all, people that he cares for that now live within these boundaries. ]
diametrically: (pic#16867129)

[personal profile] diametrically 2024-07-04 04:05 pm (UTC)(link)
[ For someone who's been on the run or avoiding being seen most of his life, Cassian knew the feeling of being watched. The hairs stand up on the back of his neck but he keeps his hands steady on his work while simultaneously keeping watch out of the corner of his eye for anyone.

His mind is already reeling, ready to fight or run if necessary. His knife is always kept close within arms reach and the bike is close. unless they're on horseback or there's some sort of magic involved, he should be able to shake them.

Neither of those scenarios need to come to pass however. He hears the soft footfall and hears the voice - her voice and that fight or flight instinct fades leaving a similar feeling of anticipation in his own chest. For a moment he stares up at her before straightening up. ]


I wouldn't get too excited. I don't know how effective they are. [ He motions to the swirling designs painted with precision. ] Drawing them is one thing. Casting is another.
diametrically: (pic#16919448)

[personal profile] diametrically 2024-07-08 06:38 am (UTC)(link)
Was that a compliment?

[ There's the sound of a laugh in his question. He had only ever known her to be soft in front of River. Which isn’t to say that he believed her incapable of care. Kindness came in many forms. But assuming whatever connection they'd had during the imaginary future would be presumptuous of him and that included positive feelings towards him.

But all the same his eyes stay trained on her as she comes towards him, telling himself that it’s a survival instinct long since ingrained in him to never take his eye off someone approaching him. Only when she’s beside him does he tear his gaze away and dutifully begin spelling the wards with a steady hand muttering under his breath with the incantations.

When he’s done he takes a step back allowing her to survey his work. ]


How’d I do? 
diametrically: (pic#16867162)

[personal profile] diametrically 2024-07-14 05:29 am (UTC)(link)
[ The tone - which is clearly something meant to keep him in check - does the opposite than what she perhaps intends it to do: it draws the slightest twitch of his lips, as if he were readying himself to smile. Maarva had always told him when he was younger that he had an unfortunate taste for women who were mean to him, to which he'd always reply that that must be the case because why else would he always keep coming back to her?

Masochism aside, the smile is also brought on by something else - the unmistakeable hint of softness in her voice pressed into his brain after he had seen it himself. And experienced himself, if he wanted to count that - which he still isn't certain he does.

Easier to focus on her deft motions and the years of wielding magic that it speaks to so he can learn from his mistakes. With all her notes given he nods, lips twitching again as a show of gratitude. ]


Thank you. I'll remember that for next time.

[ He's always been less awkward than people might mistake his quietness to be. But there is slight shift in him that gives away the fact that he might be uncertain about what to do from here given their circumstances and everything that had led them to this point. Finally he manages to settle on - ]

Have you been settling into Nott?
diametrically: (pic#17140994)

[personal profile] diametrically 2024-07-26 07:58 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Cassian can't begin to understand court life - or any kind of high profile life where someone has willingly put themselves in that position. But he knows the peace that anonymity brings. It must be nice not to be noticed, to feel less paranoia that someone watching your every move and dissecting your every word. He hasn't felt that feeling in some time, even upon arriving here.

Being a Summoned meant that they would naturally be regarded with a sense of curiosity but that's where he had chosen to let it begin and end. He resolved not to be a spectacle for anyone. To keep his head down and focus on himself. In some ways he was reverting back to his old ways. But then that time had come and gone and now he finds himself caring more and more for those around him with a growing lack of disregard for his own wellbeing. So long as those around him were safe, that's all that matters. Which is why a moment like this is so precious.

Seeing Yennefer without the polish of court life, healthy, alive, well even with the signs of mud, dirt and the faint smell of sea clinging to them reassures him. ]


Good. I thought they might not be as welcoming, all things considered. [ He hadn't forgotten being cornered in the alleyway his first week here. As for her question, he offers his own slight shrug. ] 

Like the coup didn't happen. Things are less grand, there's less frivolous spending. But otherwise, everyone just wants to get back to a sense of normal.

[ There's another pause as he straightens up to look at her. ]

River is okay. 
diametrically: (pic#16867144)

[personal profile] diametrically 2024-11-05 12:28 am (UTC)(link)
[ Her dry observation earns a laugh from him. A real one, one that is not so unlike a dying fire that just needed a little nudge to wake up the embers that still lay beneath the ash. ]

You aren't wrong.

[ It's a brief one because truthfully a part of him has forgotten how to laugh without abandon about things that are truly funny and not just tinged with the heavy weight of reality. But he can't help himself. What she had said hadn't been intended to be a joke but for some reason her delivery, the situation that they find themselves in is enough to make him laugh.

But while the laugh she manages to coax from him without trying is gone as soon as it comes, she surprises him again. Cassian had always been good at hiding his emotions on his face. Or rather, he's had to as a means of survival. There's no hiding how she disarms him with that smile and that question though and it takes him a moment to respond despite how easy of a question it is. ]


I'm good. All things considered. [ Though that feels like a blanket statement, meant for niceties and people that he doesn't share some sort of inexplicable bond with. ] Truthfully most of the time I feel frustrated that there isn't much I can do.

[ The word 'trapped' lingers in the air but he doesn't say as much though she can probably guess. ]

But I'm trying to do what I can.