Istredd (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
magicalarchaeologist) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
abraxaslogs2024-07-01 02:23 pm
magicalarchaeologist) wrote in abraxaslogs2024-07-01 02:23 pm
When I'm near the end and I just ain't got the time
WHO: Istredd and some people!
WHAT: Istredd is held with Kyle in the dungeons for a bit and questioned, and then let out.
WHERE: Imprisoned and then back out in Thorne
WHEN: July
WARNINGS: Nothing!
Closed and open starters below!
If you want a specific starter message waftingcurtains on plurk!
WHAT: Istredd is held with Kyle in the dungeons for a bit and questioned, and then let out.
WHERE: Imprisoned and then back out in Thorne
WHEN: July
WARNINGS: Nothing!
In Prison!
His inbox is open to anyone who wants to chat that way!]
feat. kyle
This is when he learns that Kyle and Istredd have both been imprisoned in the dungeons, and his stomach plunges into dread. He knows he should avoid drawing any attention to himself right now; he should lie low, go with the flow of the new regime.
He's always had a hard time sticking to the rules, especially where royal decorum is involved. Wilhelm lasts a day before he slips down to the dungeons to see if he can find his teachers. Spotting their familiar figures between the bars, he draws closer with an expression knotted in concern.
"Istredd...Kyle... What the hell happened?" he asks softly. His fingers wrap around the bars, knuckles pale.
no subject
The dungeons themselves are not in terrible condition. They're good enough, with beds and regular food deliveries. Istredd already misses a notebook in his hands so he might ask about allowing one in. The hardest part of all of this is his magic is simply gone. He hasn't felt this disconnect to it since the Pit and it brings up bad feelings because of it. For someone so connected to Chaos, it's an extreme detachment. And then there's the fractured bond between him and Lucifer. Overall, not ideal.
The reality that he went to the coronation and Kyle did not and they still ended up here means the prior warning turned out to be accurate. Istredd gets up when he sees Wilhelm approaching.
"We're fine, Wilhelm." A glance over to Kyle. "They just have some questions for us since we had attachments to the previous regime."
cw: reference to past abuse
He focuses on Istredd's presence, sometimes the guards. He's experienced with spending long swaths of time alone, sometimes from behind the veil of the Gray Space. Before, he would not have said he was lonely during that decade spent isolated, but things are different now. He might've struggled more this time.
The approach of footsteps has him standing, though he doesn't approach until it's clear that Wilhelm is the one arriving. His gaze shifts from Istredd to Wilhelm, and he nods to him, then gives a small shrug.
"This is how it goes."
When power shifts. He doesn't know if Istredd had warned Wilhelm that night of the coup. Kahlil had not, and unfortunately he had not yet messaged Wilhelm when they were both taken. He's been struggling to reassure people via messages already.
no subject
Fortunately, they are. It doesn't look like Sidwell had his men rough them up or anything. Listen, his imagination sort of consumed him all last night once he figured out where they'd gone — he couldn't stop thinking about the guards that Sidwell had quietly rounded up and summarily executed in the days after the coup. The sudden absences that populate the castle.
"So...they're going to let you go after you answer all their questions?"
And what if the new regime doesn't like their answers?
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
can wrap this one for individual threads if you guys cool with it
ok
(no subject)
Open to people
That means the sudden lack of magic is not a surprise to him, but it still is deeply uncomfortable. Cutting him off from Chaos is worse than losing a limb to someone used to it always being there. It makes him restless, and the loss of his constant connection to Lucifer doesn't make it any better.
Over the course of his time in there his mood shifts a few times. Some days he's restless and paces around, no doubt annoying Kyle in the process, especially the first day of Nocwich when Yennefer finds out where he is. Some days he is quiet and reflective, either in the Horizon enjoying his freedom there or going over thoughts in his head.
Either way, Istredd is there for thirteen days, and a small amount of people are allowed to visit.
[ooc: message me and Jay if you'd like a threeway (lol) convo, otherwise we'll come up with a reason the other one isn't there.]
Kyle - let's say day 6ish
[ There is quite a lot of down time for the two of them, and while books have been procured and the Horizon is always an option (within reason), some of it truly is the two of them sitting in a room with not much to do. It's when Istredd decides to teach Kyle Cat's Cradle, a game he and Lucifer often play together when things are quiet or they want something to do with their hands while passing time. ]
I know it's very simple, but it's cathartic too.
[ Istredd doesn't know many games otherwise he might have suggested cards, and neither of them are truly the gaming type to start with. It is not easy to make Istredd bored. He is fully capable of staring off into space, making lists in his head or meditating, and that in particular is necessary given he is completely shut off from Chaos. It makes his skin want to crawl. Chaos has been his constant since childhood, since before he can remember, it is as natural a part of him as every cell in his body. As easy as breathing.
Being cut off from so much is going to start to get to him, eventually. It hasn't stopped him from answering the questions he got with no small amount of salt. Istredd no longer feels in active danger, but he does feel like he's going to be rude and make things worse
Better to play Cat's Cradle. ]
Have you spoken to anyone? [ This in their minds. ]
no subject
He seems genuinely interested, at least, when Istredd proposes his string game. It's not one he's played before, but it's simple enough to learn, and he understands the calming nature of repetitive action well enough from his own training. ]
Did you learn this when you were a boy? [ He asks his question as he loops his fingers on each side and pulls them from underneath the 'cradle' as instructed, taking the strings and stretching them into a new shape. He answers the same way: ]
no subject
No, Lucifer taught me. I don't know where he learned, but he does it when he's stressed. And now, when I'm stressed.
[ A little detail that Kyle may notice if he spots Lucifer with the strings, or if he even sees him making a pattern with his fingers from memory, as if imagining the strands there between his fingers. He won't mind Kyle being let in on that fact though. Istredd would say maybe he learned when he was trapped in the cage for so long, but he's fairly certain he had no access to anything that would have made that experience better.
Istredd appears as calm as ever, but it is a nod to the fact that internally, he's more conflicted. He doesn't like their situation, but it's good he's not alone. His mind would get ahead of him, imagining the worst. ]
An unexpectedly dramatic beginning to a cross-territory relationship. A coup, a biological attack, and then a detainment.
[ That is said dryly. Kyle has already indicated to him that things worked out with his conversation with Viktor, so he assumes it's fine for him to tease him a little about it. The Singularity is a slightly more sour topic for him, but he's still interested.]
Rhy said it does that with those it favors. Have you answered it?
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
thank you for your patience
no worries! we might be able to wrap for event stuff
Yes let's wrap and do something in the event :)
Lucifer
Kyle is currently visiting the Horizon although the guards may think that he is napping instead. They don't go in at the same time just in case it seems suspicious. It leaves Istredd to pace around the area. Seeing Lucifer is a great relief and it shows, his heart leaping since the lack of feeling him has been the worst part.
"Please bring me more books so I don't have to lower myself to Jack's fiction. I have a stack being held in the library, they'll do."
This is said with a strained smile, although they both know it is also true that he would rather die than touch what Jack brought. What he reads would probably be incredibly boring to Kyle, but he'll offer to share. His books on magic and history aren't for everyone, although he does currently have a few naval ones he got from Borrel that he would say is interesting.
I miss your mind. He says over the network, the only place they can currently talk without the guards. I've never been this distant from Chaos. As far back as he remembers, it's the only thing he's had, his magic.
River
no subject
river only went to accompany istredd; she would've much rather been in nott with cassian and yennefer, far away from these new royals and their blood-soaked crowns. but she was afraid of what the sidwells might do to him as someone with ties to the former sovereignty - and lo, her fears were founded, as they took istredd away barely a day after taking the throne, even though he stayed in the castle and attended their shameful ceremony unlike most of the other summoned.
he should've fled with yennefer and the others. river knew it right away and this is proof, undeniable proof that they were right. it's not safe here. not for anyone, but least of all for the people river cares about the most.
at least they're letting people visit them. river is abjectly terrified as she's escorted to the dungeons, unconvinced they won't throw her into one of these cages too someday. istredd said they haven't been hurting them but she can't believe it until she sees them, and when she finally does, she can't help but run straight for him. ]
Istredd!
[ river almost reaches through the bars of the cell in her desperation, but one of the guards immediately scolds her so she flinches away instead, tucking her hands to her chest and looking around frantically. ]
Are you okay? Where's Kyle? Are they hurting you? Why can't I hear you?
[ maybe that's the worst of it all; even being right next to him, there's a silence in her mind, an absence of something she didn't realize she had gotten used to over the last six months or eight-hundred years. even when they were far apart, there was always a connection between them. now there's an empty space where istredd's voice used to be, and it leaves river feeling stricken.
can they really just take him away forever if they wanted to? ]
no subject
In truth, his logical mind is keeping him sane, because it reminds him of all the reasons he is not in danger. But there is a part of Istredd that always hated and feared courts, and was recently made into a captive in his own world before coming here. Then there was the Pit, and while this place is no Pit, it's still restrictive. He doesn't love it.
He's worried the moment he sees River because he knows this is hard for her and he can't exactly take her into his arms or give her the comfort he'd really like to. His eyes dart toward the guards so he'll remind himself to be careful in what he says out loud. Luckily they have another form of communication. ]
Kyle is there, resting.
[ Istredd nods toward the other side of the cell where she'll see Kyle who is currently in the Horizon. The guards don't necessarily know what they are doing when they seem to 'take a nap' so they don't do it at the same time and be pragmatic about it. He assumes his friend is visiting with someone at the moment, their only source of freedom. ]
The wards here cut off any magical ability. I can't use any of it.
[ The wards are extremely powerful. There is no one that could be in there and not be hamstrung by it. Istredd may be a strong mage, but he cannot compare to what's in there. He knows; he experimented on them himself, long ago.
A moment later she will see his handwriting appear across her eyes, using the Summoned's network.]
We can talk this way so they can't hear us.
OTA Post-Release
A day later Istredd is back out and about in the castle like nothing happened. He has his classes to teach as they have not taken that away from him yet and checks in with the library to take stock and see if anything is out of place. It's enough time since the attack everything is in order, but it does him good to get back to his natural way of being. He can be seen in the dining hall or bathing and he is approachable if anyone would like to check in.
OTA Horizon
The leosylphs seem to have the permanent zoomies, running around and making trilling distraught noises. The ravens will fly down closer to people than usual and flap their wings at them, in a mood. This is when Istredd is there or when he is not, their mood connected to their creator. When he is in there though he is not in the open area because he is not in a good place to randomly come upon anyone. Yet people who know him will understand that if they call his name in the library he will come to them or create a specific path to lead them to where he is.
After the thirteen days in the dungeon though, he shows up in the main hall, scribbling in one of his notebooks to update the history of the Summoned he had put together. He hasn't had the chance to put in details about the coup or any subsequent information he has about the attack, so now is the time to do it. He's available for all visitors like normal then.
Yennefer
He knows she's angry at him and Istredd is less resistant now to confrontation than he was even a year or so ago. This place has changed him in many ways, and being able to take accountability for his choices is one of them. She knows that he doesn't regret keeping her in the dark, so that's not something he will apologize for, but he can take a little anger directed his way over it. Istredd will take any of her bad mood in exchange for seeing her again.
That has been the most difficult part of all of this for him. Not the fear in the dungeon, not the adjustment of living in their new situation, but the fact he can't just go to her room any time he wants. They can't meet in the halls, he can't kiss her in her study. Istredd got very spoiled with how constant their time together became. After decades apart, he experienced what life might have been, if they did stay together and become a power duo. And now it's lost to them. Unfortunately necessary but he isn't made of stone. He misses her.
He's only out a day when he messages her, fourteen in total, and he had to leave Kyle behind which was more difficult than being there. Istredd is sitting in their space, his back against one of the sturdy stones, writing notes in a journal. He has to plan for his meeting with Mace. ]
no subject
but for all her plans, yennefer is still aware of her place in nott. in how she cannot draw attention to herself, locked away in her inn room of spending too much time, what might have been hours if not days, 'sleeping'. she doesn't go, though she thinks of him, thinks of what it means that he's down there, thinks of all the things they could be doing to him that he wouldn't tell her, even if they were.
yennefer spends the days, or is it weeks? waiting for some kind of message. some kind of confirmation that the worst has happened. part of her almost expects it to be Lucifer - some angry, unintelligible scrawl, asking for her help. that is what tells her that her imaginings have gone too far, where she expects too much.
it is istredd's handwriting she sees, istredd's call she answers.
he is already there as she walks inside, appearing out of thin air like she used to, all those many years ago. he is propped up against a stone, journal in hand, and she is immediately struck by the familiarity of it, and then by the distance. she is not really here with him, just as he is not really here with her.
she hates it.
yennefer does not think much of her dress, though she is noticeably cleaner and more put together in this cave than she is back in nott. still, her clothes are muted, meant for use and travel and work rather than style. she watches him write in his journal for a few moments before she decides to speak, her stomach a mess of knots and tensions and worries. ]
I forget- was that your first time in those cages? Or had you been held down there before?
[ she walks towards him, crossing the distance, though it is distinctly - and with effort - made to look casual. she has to at least pretend she's still angry with him, she has to. ]
no subject
He lifts his head when she speaks rather than when she enters because he assumes she has to decide how angry she wants to be at him first. Istredd knows how she operates. She is justifiably angry about him not sharing relevant details, but it wouldn't have helped. In the end, his stay was fairly boring. Unnerving, yes, but dull. Sidwell was making more of a show than anything else, he thinks. ]
No. But early on, they asked me to help renew wards down there, so it felt like full circle.
[ Istredd doesn't think any of the wards were his, but it would be poetic justice if they were. He and Lucifer did that in his first few months there, when he was still trying to build his reputation so he could go to the Singularity. All that effort is wasted, if he can't make a bond with Mace, or at least a polite co-existence. He has plans for that. He stayed behind so he could help their interests from the castle, that requires him to get some position of authority again. ]
They were much nicer than the Pit. And probably nicer then wherever Vilgefortz plans on stowing me.
[ Istredd is apparently destined to end up in some kind of prison, gilded or otherwise. He reaches out to her, palm up, setting his notes aside. ]
Can we ... do this differently? Can you just forgive me and come here? I miss you, Yenna. It turns out my life is still fairly wretched without you with me.
[ And this is not to say Istredd feels they should have done things differently. She knows where he stands on that. But the point is, he is tired already of being separated from her. ]
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
no subject
Still, it has its uses.
She's made an 'appointment' with Istredd. Seems like he's got nothing better to do, what with being imprisoned and all.
At least his domain isn't that damned monolith anymore.
"How're the Castle Thorne dungeons? Just as dank and dreary as I remember them?"
no subject
The path opens for Ciri when she gets there and while his leosylphs seem to fit in well with the area, the robot dog that sits at his feet stands out a bit. It keeps following him around so he's gotten used to it. It beeps at Ciri when she comes in.
"Yes, I doubt they've updated them in the past few years." They did update the wards, something he himself assisted with, which is grimly humorous. He smiles though, genuinely glad to see her. "I actually didn't know you've been here that long. So you were one of the group that fled to Cadens?"
no subject
They've been here together since then. She and Yennefer just a little while after Jaskier and Geralt. It feels like a lifetime ago, even if it was only a few scant years. Does it feel that way to Yennefer and Geralt, too, despite their long-lived natures? Surely it must.
Ciri eyes the robot curiously, but doesn't ask.
"So you were quite late." As an arrival from their sphere, she means.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
NPC Mace Thread
Istredd is known in the castle even now for his academic nature and deep research, but he has no idea how much Mace knows about his visits to the Singularity or what Ambrose had more awareness about with his priorities. Now is the time to try and share. He is going into this with an open mind, assuming nothing about the young mage. He didn't take Mace seriously before and that was stupid.
He knocks on the door and waits until he's allowed in, his expression difficult to read as usual but not cold. ]
no subject
Most of the office is the same; many of the artifacts and tomes that Ambrose collected over the years are on familiar shelves, but the organized chaos of the room is gone. There are wooden crates nearby as Mace's personal belongings and many of Ambrose's are being sorted or switched. The enchanted door to his private study remains locked.
Mace stands in front of the large desk and holds an arm out in welcome. ]
Come in, come in.
[ Two plush beds flank the desk, each inhabited by a well-trained dog. ]
I found a spot in my schedule as soon as I received your summons, pun not intended.
[ Despite Istredd's neutrality, Mace keeps a friendly smile. ]
Istredd, was it?
no subject
I appreciate your flexibility and willingness to see me, High Mage.
[ Istredd is formal by nature with strangers but he tries to take his cues from Mace's own easy-going approach and relaxes slightly. He and Ambrose were always brisk and to the point, and he appreciated that. He'll have to read this situation a little more fluidly. ]
Yes. Lucifer says hello, I believe you've gotten to know my partner somewhat.
[ Istredd knows that Lucifer tried to speak to Mace after he was taken to the dungeons, and that overall Lucifer likes the man, which is a very rare occurrence. He tries again to loosen up, easing the tension in his shoulders. ]
I was on polite terms with your predecessor, although nothing more than that. He allowed me access to research on the Singularity.
no subject
Lucifer? Why yes! He's a charming fellow with a...discerning eye. Easily picking out areas around the castle that could use improvement.
[ Istredd is likely aware of how the two bonded over a mutual disappointment in Ambrose. Mace has never publicly besmirched the former High Mage's accomplishments, lauded them if anything, but it was always with reservation that he would talk about his plans for the future. ]
Ah, yes. I've been going through some of the notes he left behind when he decided to abscond. A shame, a shame...
[ Mace turns to a file of unrolled scrolls and sorts through a few. He eventually chooses one that only has a few lines of script. ]
Something about the "soil" around the Singularity?
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
thank you!