abraxaslogs | When I'm near the end and I just ain't got the time

[Please message me on plurk in my latest game chat before replying! Just trying to keep it reasonable number.

His inbox is open to anyone who wants to chat that way!]

Edited 2024-07-01 18:28 (UTC)

Apprehensive of what might await him at the castle, Wilhelm lingers in Nott the night of the coronation. He's managed to save up enough of his courier wages — despite treating himself to frequent snacks and drinks, and the occasional new piece of clothing or accessory — that a stay at the inn is no problem. Hearing no rumbles of trouble for those who skipped the coronation, he slinks back to the castle the next day as afternoon slants into evening.

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.

Edited 2024-07-03 02:55 (UTC)

Istredd is genuinely glad that they didn't end up paraded around because he's fairly certain that the response to that from the Summoned would be provoked. Instead it was a polite enough encounter and the two of them went without argument, sending last minute messages to people on the way there. Istredd was relieved when they ended up in the same place so he can keep an eye on Kyle's safety in person. Plus, it's never great to be isolated, especially without Lucifer's voice in his head.

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."

Kahlil has been held in worse conditions before - when he was young and had done something to particularly anger Dayyid, the priest would lock him in a small dark space, warded so that he could not reach the Gray Space to escape and with no sense of when he might be released. There is much more room to move down here, though there had been a chill that ran down his spine when he could no longer sense the grain of the Gray Space in that same way, not just blocked on all sides, but cut off entirely, as though he's suddenly been robbed of a sense like sight or touch.

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.

Wilhelm flicks a look to the guards stationed on either side of the cell, each a few paces away, sharply aware that he should be mindful of what he says in their earshot. Maybe it would have been smarter to message Kyle and Istredd in turn, but he wanted to see them and make sure they're okay.

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?

The truth is neither of them have any idea what they're in for. If it's only questioning. If more dangerous tactics will be taken against them. Istredd sincerely doubts execution is on the table, Sidwell isn't going to risk them in their position, but they don't know for absolute certain. Istredd is very much getting tired of being held captive in some way. Back home and here.

"Yes, that is what we were told." Istredd glances toward the guards and then he taps his head to the both of them. They can't very well all go into the Horizon together, but it's clear no conversation can be had when they're being watched. A moment later his network handwriting can be seen in front of their eyes.

We don't know for certain, Wilhelm. We were warned to leave shortly before the coup and chose not to, knowing this was possible.

He doesn't know how much Lucifer has told him since this went down, because he's been cut off from him. It might explain to Wilhelm though why the two of them and not anyone else ended up here.

"We don't want any of you to worry."

He says this while reading Istredd's message, not wanting to leave odd gaps in the conversation for those outside listening. After a second he adds to the floating text.

They aren't mishandling us. There are some guards still left - like Sergeant Ward, who you can try going to if anything changes.

He doesn't exactly expect Ward to be able to do anything, not when he has his own family to look out for, but hopefully a name will soothe some of Wilhelm's concern for the future.

Edited 2024-07-09 19:52 (UTC)

It's a little confusing to try to listen and read at the same time, to respond verbally so that the guards don't get suspicious of the silence and simultaneously think about his reply to the message. Flustered, Wilhelm stammers for a second before adjusting to the rhythm of their double conversation. He swallows and nods.

"Okay..." He'll try not to worry too much. He'll hold onto Sergeant Ward's name. His eyes move between Kyle and Istredd. "I'll keep up with my training routine. And I'll practice my magic."

Things that he once begrudged, or outright avoided, but now they keep him balanced. They keep him pointed forward. His grip loosens from the bars, fingers falling to the wooden brooch pinned to his tunic, as he adds:

I figured Lucifer knew something was happening. That's why he gave me this right before the coup. He's not going to get in trouble too, is he?

Edited 2024-07-09 23:10 (UTC)

"Good, try to make the others remember to do that too, alright? Good training never really ends." Istredd is partly saying this out loud to seem like the conversation is going on, and also because he means it, because he still is Wilhelm's teacher at the end of the day.

A lot of his teaching has gone by the wayside between them being missing for three weeks, his slow adjustment to returning, and now this. A regular schedule is hard to maintain, it might be he just has to solo tutor for a time, so people's time isn't wasted. A problem for another time.

Istredd knew the wooden brooch on sight obviously, and if he saw what Kell was wearing, he'd recognize that even better. No, he's fine. He had no positive ties to the former regime. He actually gets along well with Mace, our new High Mage.

Trying to kill Ambrose that one time probably worked in his favor.

Kahlil adds nothing else to the verbal component of the conversation this time, seeing as they might be winding down. His gaze settles on the brooch, though, with a curious look as Wille points it out.

As it's been a while since he had a formal lesson with Istredd, he makes sure to stretch out his magic at least a little bit every day. Idle tricks when he's bored or anxious happen more often than actual concerted practice, but it's better than letting it sit inside him. He has learned the hard way that magic, or at least the kind of magic he possesses, finds a way out on its own if you don't provide the channel for it.

"Sure, I'll keep everyone in line."

A thin smile accompanies the half-joke.

So what you're saying is Lucifer is probably the Summoned with the most power right now. As far as influence goes. His eyebrows lift at the somewhat ironic turn of events, Satan on somebody's good side. That's good, right?

Wilhelm rocks a half-step back from the row of iron bars, eyes flitting between the guards again, before continuing aloud, "Well, I'll be sure to visit you so you don't go crazy down here."

In the Horizon next time, so he can stay longer.

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magicalarchaeologist - 2024-07-14 20:41 (UTC) - Expand

Kyle and Istredd were taken the day after the coronation, which only drove home that the warning was accurate, because Istredd was not spared for his show of support. The dungeons are not particularly bad compared to ones he's seen before, and it is with no small amount of dry amusement that he recognizes the ones that he helped make wards in some time ago.

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.]

So you loop this here, and now it's your hands.

[ 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. ]

Edited 2024-07-16 15:48 (UTC)

[ Kahlil has a tendency to get competitive, so any cooperative game is probably best. As much as he is sure they'll have difficulty truly annoying each other, they're still cooped up in a relatively small space for an uncertain amount of time, so, best not to tempt new problems.

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: ]

Viktor, Wanda, some others in the Free Cities. [ then, with a small frown ] The Singularity still reaches for me in Horizon.

[ Istredd was raised in a competitive culture growing up and it made him go the opposite way, despising that feeling even in something as simple as a game, although it does depend on the opponent. But cooperation is much more comfortable for him, and he figured of all people, Kyle would understand the soothing nature of this. He's never lived with someone for an extended period outside of Lucifer but he's truthfully unconcerned. It's Kyle. ]

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?

[ His mouth curves upward at the edges. ]

That makes sense. I think. [ A beat. ] It's good that he's taking things so well.

[ And not, you know, attempting to kill every guard between him and Istredd. Kahlil is at the point where he doesn't believe they're in any true danger from the new regime, but he has time to do little else but think lately. Should it come down to either him or his friend, one of them is more integral to the stability of this little community. It's a rational assessment he can't speak aloud, not wanting to cause argument over a worst case scenario that likely won't come to pass.

He gives Istredd a rueful look. ]

It's not how I hoped things would start.

[ Istredd is one of maybe only three people that know he's with Viktor to begin with, as well as the uncertainty leading up to the decision. ]

I did. I've tried not to encourage it too much.

[ Wanda had urged caution. He can't disagree, knowing his own susceptibility to it's call in at least one possible future. But that doesn't change how soothing its presence has become, or his actual desire to seek it out when he has the time. Better to be kept busy with meetings while in Horizon. ]

He thinks it would only make things worse for us.

[ And as much as Lucifer's instinct was to kill everyone standing between him and Istredd, his fear of causing them damage was higher. It's a different type of panicking but one nevertheless. He has mellowed a great deal over time but he's never lost his killer instinct, only learned to curb it. Istredd was grateful because he didn't want to be afraid of more than one direction being a problem. ]

And I couldn't have him be in here.

[ Istredd doesn't know if Kyle's aware of Lucifer's deep trauma and past time in a cage, alone for so long that it would drive anyone mad. He barely handled being in that safe room, being trapped. Istredd would much rather the two of them be here alone, with no one else making enough trouble to end up here with them. It only makes things more destructive.

Istredd also thinks they are likely safe, that this is more symbolic or information gathering than anything else, which is why he probably won't hold his tongue as much as he should have. But he is, down deep, afraid. It reminds him too much of Vilgefortz and what is ahead of him there. This entire experience has led him to relive Thanedd, an unpleasant reminder. ]

You have the Horizon at least for now.

[ Istredd is too clingy so he probably would struggle with a relationship mostly in the Horizon, but since he does not believe they are here forever, an occasional Nocwich trip will again be an option. He couldn't bear the thought of even going to Nott without Lucifer, that level of clingy. ]

Why? I would, but I am also desperate to create that anchor with it, if possible.

[ Istredd can admit that his desperation is very real, he's not thinking as logically about it as he should, but he needs that security of hooking people who want to stay in. ]

[ Kahlil nods. As much as he makes a point of mentioning Lucifer's more unhinged and violent tendencies, Kahlil has come to trust him more than he could've predicted. They've come a long way since Lucifer nearly killed him in those mountain woods for getting between him and the doomed acolyte.

And though he doesn't know the extent of Lucifer's fears, he understands Istredd's desire to keep his loved one insulated from these consequences, and far from the dungeon - even these relatively nicer accommodations. As much as any of the others might argue, it's better this way. ]

It helps. But I hate making him worry more.

[ While forcing more distance on them. It was his choice not to run, but it still feels deeply unfair that all this happened so quickly after they'd barely settled in. ]

It's your turn.

[ He holds out his hands with the string, a rueful edge to his voice. ]

Because of that vision of the future. By the end I was
confused. I worry about that happening again.

[ That he'll mix up his connection to the Rifter with the Singularity. There are ways that that line is already blurred for him, when it comes to the divine nature of the monolith and how he's had to reorient his own beliefs around it. But what he began to believe in that vision went too far, and it caused him to lose pieces of his history that belong only to him, replaced with a version of Ravishan's life. After fighting so hard to keep both separate, it scares him. ]

Edited 2024-07-26 19:29 (UTC)

Do you regret not going?

[ If he did, he could have seen Viktor in Nocwich, no doubt. Still not the easiest of situations, but he'd be looking at far more freedom than he'll have staying here. Istredd selfishly was glad for Kyle staying, he has few people he can rely on as steadily as his friend, but he would have understood if he left to. And never complained about it, never said otherwise, because he knows it's selfish. He would rather Kyle be happy than responsible.

For Istredd there was no other choice. There is no option where leaving Lucifer happens. And even if he could bring Lucifer with him, they would have had to worry about Wilhelm and River, so it's why he instantly knew the answer. No real consideration was needed. But Kyle, Kyle had reasons he could go, with Istredd and Lucifer here to look after Jack and the others. ]

You are alarmingly good at picking up skills like this.

[ It's good for them to have some kind of out-loud conversation so as not to confuse the guards. It would be fine if they did do this silently, and the two of them can comfortably exist without talking, but it's a cover all the same. He is skilled enough at this to smoothly transition to the next.

Istredd understands better now than he did before, the variety of things that plague his friend. So he nods. It's not as if he wants him to end up like that again, or even worse like Cassian did, with no sense of when or where he is. ]

I understand. You need to keep a hold of yourself. An entity of power like that, it's overwhelming to anyone.

No.

[ This was the only choice he could make. But he might have a few grey hairs by the end of it.

An eyebrow arches, and his grins. ]

I've always been quick with my hands.

[ With his knives, with the Gray Space.

He watches Istredd twist the string into the next form, thoughtful. ]

I'll be careful.

[ Istredd has no reason to disbelieve him. Kyle is, as always, the type to consider his actions deeply before taking any. Istredd's the same way. Every time he's acted impulsively it's been a bad idea, with one notable exception with Lucifer, but he nods, accepting Kyle's answer. It's reassuring; he's quick to find reasons to fault himself for the choices other people make. But he's glad Kyle is there. ]

I'll have to tell Lucifer that he can start getting good games out of someone else now.

[ Kyle is very careful. That is one time Istredd might not have been, if he could speak to the Singularity, and maybe that is one of the good reasons that he doesn't have that connection. He'd go too deeply into it, prioritize it too much. ]

Put your sanity first ... but if you do make a connection, let me know.

It's not been long since he warned Lucifer about being taken in, glad that his partner wasn't physically there as he might have instinctively wanted to stop it. It was a polite affair instead, since Istredd went along with it and didn't cause any waves. The dungeon is one they both know well having put wards on them long ago, and it's decent compared to others he's seen. It doesn't make the situation any better, though.

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.

Edited 2024-07-16 15:56 (UTC)

Edited 2024-07-03 19:00 (UTC)

[ she hasn't seen him since the coronation.

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? ]

[ Istredd and Kyle knew that this was a distinct possibility. They were warned for a reason. He thought perhaps showing up to the coronation would have made a difference, but that was naive. His close connections to the three who left and Ambrose himself meant that he was a target of interest. He really didn't want to worry anyone but that is an impossible hope now.

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.

When I'm near the end and I just ain't got the time

In Prison!

feat. kyle

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cw: reference to past abuse

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can wrap this one for individual threads if you guys cool with it

ok

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Open to people

Kyle - let's say day 6ish

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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

River

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